[Count of Monte Cristo] Love and hatred

r003

Mei Tess was also a little afraid that the guests would overhear her conversation with Edmund and take her for a vicious and ominous woman.However, her worry seemed unnecessary, because she could hear from their conversation that no one noticed the strangeness between the two of them just now.

She also learned some other information from the conversations of the guests.Not too far from her previous guess, this is Marseille, a seaport in southern France.It is now only a few years since "the man" they call, that is, Napoleon, was exiled, and it should be around [-].Therefore, she became more and more worried about Edmund's situation. She knew this history. In this sensitive period, a letter of report would probably put that lovely groom in prison, or even...

She didn't dare to think about it anymore, all she could do at this moment was to pray for Edmund.

At this time, the people in the hall were a little panicked. The captain Morrel first comforted Edmund's father Dantès the Old, and then asked the people present to take good care of Maisette.After settling the two hardest hit people, he hurried to Marseilles to find out the news.

Before he came back, the doctor arrived first. Melissa Tess's acting skills obviously deceived everyone. She came back to life in cooperation with the doctor's treatment. Fortunately, Fernand helped her deal with the comfort of the guests. .

She glanced in the direction of Edmund's old father, Mr. Dantès, who was sitting there dumbfounded, staring at his son and Mr. Morel in the direction away, muttering prayers silently.

Plum Tess couldn't help but walked over and hugged the poor old man.Old Dantès tried his best to restrain his emotions, but instead turned to comfort her, which made her feel even more guilty.

They waited in the hall from noon until evening, and Mr. Morell came back only when the afterglow turned everything around them into gold.The guests were all looking forward to it, but his sad expression showed that he did not bring good news, "Poor Edmund, someone reported that he sent Marshal Bertrand, Napoleon's subordinate, to Napoleon on the island of Elba. A parcel of things, and another letter from Napoleon himself, to be taken to Paris, and he is accused of being... an informer of Napoleon's party."

Crime of treason!Plum Tess covered her mouth in horror, which was probably the worst outcome she could have guessed while waiting.Although those so-called "criminals" were unfortunately on the wrong side in the torrent of history, they will face severe punishment.Moreover, in this special period, the horror of this accusation is that once it is related to this kind of crime, even if it is innocent, it is difficult to get rid of it.

"No!"

Mei Tess heard a heart-piercing cry, she turned her head and found that old Dantès, who couldn't bear the blow, had passed out.Fortunately, the doctor who came to see her hadn't left yet, and he treated old Dantès in time.The poor old man didn't say a word after he woke up, and kept crying.

And just like that, what was supposed to be a wedding feast full of laughter and laughter turned into a heart-rending last supper.

The guests dispersed sparsely, and M. Morel directed some sailors to escort old Dantès home.Mei Tess resolutely rejected Fernando's request that she go back to the Catalan village with him. She knew what he thought about her, so now she could only avoid him as much as possible.More importantly, now is the time when Edmund's father needs comfort the most.

So she followed the sailors to the old man's house. They turned along Noe Yin Street and turned into Merlin Lane. It was completely different from the Moorish-style cottages in Catalan villages. Most of the houses here have a long history and are set in a gentle It is quiet and peaceful in the sea breeze.

Mei Tess inadvertently glanced at the deep sky. In this starry sky 200 years ago, the brightest star is the planet Venus named after the ancient Roman god of love and beauty.

She couldn't help but think about her own destiny. If people are like stars, will she become an ordinary star in this era that has already become history, with the light hidden in the sea of ​​stars, or will she be as dazzling as Venus?Or, like the previous life, become a meteor that quickly falls without leaving any trace?

When she was sad, the sailors stopped suddenly in front of a door made of three boards.Plum Tess looked up, and saw a beautiful roof looming among the dense trees.

They opened the door and went in. At the end of the brick-paved passage, there was a small garden, and a pergola was built in the center of the garden with jasmine wood.Where there used to be a maiden waiting for her beloved sailor to appear and smile at her from the garret window, now everything is different.

With a deep sigh, the sailors helped the old man into the dark corridor, and Mei Tess immediately followed.She grabbed the insect-eaten handrail and walked up the stairs. Everything that was unfamiliar here gave her a strange sense of familiarity.

They stopped on the fourth floor, which was the old man's home.Plum Tess was the last to enter the room. She looked around curiously. Although this small room was carefully decorated for the wedding, although there were only the simplest furniture, it was very warm, especially the various small flowers planted on the window sills. , added a lot of vitality to the room.

The wind was blowing a little cool, so she walked over and tried to close the window.Although the sea cannot be seen through the window, the sound of the rolling waves can still be heard clearly, as if the sea is crying sadly for losing a good sailor.This voice gradually overlapped with the old man's sobs, which was heartbreaking.

Old Dantès used to sit by the window, weaving morning glories and wilted weeds into a flower shed, and sometimes feeding the pigeons that occasionally stopped by the window to pass the time, waiting for the safe return of his son who had gone out to sea .

But now, all the good things have been torn to pieces, he just sat on the bed blankly, no matter how everyone persuaded him, he would never eat anything.Just as the last light of dusk sank to the bottom of the sea, the light in his eyes gradually died out.

As the night deepened, the sailors said goodbye one after another, only Mei Tess did not leave.Thinking of the old man's comfort to her, how could she leave him here alone to grieve at this time.What's more, seeing the old man worried about Edmund made her think of her father and the uncle Ilya who had been taking care of her.

"Son, you should go home too." Old Dantès finally stopped crying. He paused and said, "Your marriage certificate is on the table."

She hurriedly brought over the marriage certificate. It turned out that four months from now, that is, before Edmund went to sea last time, they notarized the marriage contract. They just waited for the wedding banquet at noon that day to go to the church to receive God's blessing. .

Old Dantès caressed the glaring wax seal on the marriage certificate with his old hand, "Edmund was so happy when preparing for the wedding, I never thought...maybe you will never use it again..."

Hearing this, Mei Tess couldn't bear it anymore. She first uttered the word "Father", and then persuaded with tears in her eyes, "Don't be too pessimistic, I believe the law will restore Edmund's innocence!"

"Dong dong dong..." There was a rapid knock on the door.Plum Tess hastened to answer the door. It was Mr. Morel, Edmund's patron.In order to take care of the mood of old Dantès, Morel went home and changed the "flacque" dress he wore to the wedding, and put on a simple Weston casual dress.

Plum Tess expressed her concern.Morrel nodded. He went to old Dantès' bed, held his hand, and promised to try his best to rescue Edmund, so the old man reluctantly ate something.

Morrel stayed for about a quarter of an hour, and his presence finally brought some relief to the old man, so that when he left, old Dantès was not so sad.

"Son, go back with M. Morel, or I won't be at ease," said old Dantès.

"Father, take care of yourself, otherwise Edmund will be worried." Mei Tess walked over to help the old man tuck in the quilt, blew out the candle, and finally closed the door softly.

She did not forget to ask the neighbors to help take care of the elderly.When all this was done, she plodded downstairs, where Mr. Morel was waiting.

"Mei Tess, tomorrow afternoon I will go to Marseilles to intercede with the prosecutor," Morel said worriedly, "I don't know if it will be useful, but I will keep my promise and do my best."

"I don't know how to thank you, Mr. Morel," Mei Tess's amber eyes flashed.

"It's nothing, Edmund is my right-hand man, that's what I should do." Morell smiled sincerely, "More importantly, I believe in his character."

Although she was no longer the original Plum Tess, she was still sincerely happy that Edmund had such a good customer.She carefully asked Morel about the situation in Marseilles. Perhaps because they were too focused, they didn't notice that there was a pair of ghostly eyes watching their every move in the dark corridor.

After leaving Meilan Lane, Morell sent Maisettes to the seaside all the time. She declined Morell's kindness to send her back to the Catalan village, because she felt that she should be able to find her way back based on her impressions. .

But she was wrong.Not long after Morrel left, Melissa found herself lost, and was obliged to climb up to a rock on the promontory, to try and see if she could find her way.

The sea under the moonlight was surging, and the undulating waves rushed to the coast, just like her mood at this time.She was completely oblivious to the danger behind her.

At this moment, a hand that was pale by the moonlight grabbed her from behind.