CHAPTER XXX.
TWO INTERVIEWS.
The morning following the events detailed in the last chapter, asEsperance was in his dressing-room preparing to take a short strollthrough Paris, Ali knocked at the door and signified that M. Danteswished to see him at once in the library. As such a summons wassomething unusual, the young man immediately concluded that Zuleika hadbeen in consultation with her father and that he would now have tosubmit to a close and rigid examination; he had expected such anexamination, but, nevertheless, the summons filled him with dismay andhe grew pale as wax, his limbs trembling beneath him and his handsworking nervously; however, he braced up as well as he could, and withas firm a step as it was possible for him to assume walked toward thelibrary. On the threshold he paused, and his courage so utterly forsookhim that he was tempted to take refuge in flight, but the thoughtflashed through his mind that this would be cowardly, and, making asupreme effort to control himself, he entered his father's presence.
M. Dantes, who was seated at his writing-table examining a curiousmanuscript written in Arabic characters, looked up as he came in andfixed his eyes searchingly upon his son's countenance, noting itsextreme pallor and remarking with manifest uneasiness the difficultyEsperance experienced in maintaining a firm demeanor. Motioning theyoung man to a seat, he said:
"My son, I have sent for you on a matter of the utmost importance, and Isincerely hope you will see fit to tell me in all frankness whatever youmay know in regard to it."
Esperance partially closed his eyes as if suffering intensely, bringinghis teeth firmly together and compressing his lips. As he did not speak,M. Dantes continued:
"I have every reason to believe that the revelation I am about to ask ofyou will be exceedingly painful for you to make, but you must considerthat your sister's happiness is deeply concerned and that, for thatreason, no matter what may be your motives, you have not the right tomaintain silence."
"I know what you mean, father," replied Esperance in an unsteady voice,"but, notwithstanding the pain it gives me to do so, I must ask you,nay, entreat you not to question me, for I cannot answer you!"
M. Dantes cast upon his son a glance that seemed to pierce him throughand through; the young man quailed beneath it and again partially closedhis eyes, while a faint blue shade was mixed with the waxen pallor ofhis visage. The Deputy, though he had made a profound and exhaustivestudy of men and their varied motives, though he was a skilled anatomistof the human heart and a ready reader of the human countenance,acknowledged to himself that this time he was completely baffled. Was itfear or guilt that Esperance exhibited? He could not tell; but it wasabundantly evident that the young man was not acting a part, that hekeenly felt the suspicions to which he was exposing himself by hisinexplicable conduct. At length M. Dantes said, in a mild but determinedtone:
"Esperance, my son, you can, at least, enlighten me upon a few points,and I request, nay, I command you to do so. Are you bound by oath topreserve silence concerning this matter?"
"I am bound by a most solemn oath!" answered the young man with ashudder.
"And is Giovanni Massetti likewise so bound?"
"He is!"
"I will not ask you who administered that oath to you or under whatcircumstances it was taken, although as your father I have a right to doso and to compel you to answer; neither will I interrogate you furtherin regard to the main question at issue, the complication in which youand the Viscount seem to be so hopelessly involved; but I insist thatyou inform me whether any guilt or stain of dishonor rests upon you!"
"Father," said Esperance, rising and lifting his right hand towardheaven, "I solemnly swear to you that whatever wrong may have been done,whatever crime may have been committed, I am entirely guiltless and thatthere is not the slightest stain of dishonor upon me!"
"I believe you, my son," said M. Dantes, in a tone of conviction, "andthis unequivocal assurance from your own lips removes the weight of amountain from me. Now, tell me, is the Viscount Massetti as blameless inthis affair as you are?"
"The so-called Viscount Massetti is a black-hearted villain!" criedEsperance, excitedly. "He is guilty of a foul and revolting crime, acrime that should condemn him to a life of penal servitude!"
"But may you not be mistaken, may you not be the victim of somedelusion?" asked M. Dantes, anxiously.
"I am neither mistaken, father, nor the victim of a delusion," repliedEsperance, positively. "The charges that I make against that miserableapology for a man I can fully substantiate should the proper opportunityever be offered me!"
"Zuleika informed me that, while you were speaking with her upon thismysterious subject, the name of Luigi Vampa escaped your lips. Does thatnotorious brigand posses a knowledge of this unfortunate matter?"
Esperance became violently agitated and instantly answered:
"That is a question my oath forbids me to reply to!"
"So be it," said M. Dantes; "but I have written him and he will replyfor you!"
"You have written to Vampa!" exclaimed the young man, with aterror-stricken look. "Then all is lost!"
M. Dantes smiled, and, rising, placed his hand on his son's shoulder.
"Esperance," said he, calmly, "if neither crime nor dishonor attaches toyou in this affair, as you have sworn, you have nothing whatever tofear, and, besides, Vampa's disclosures may relieve you of some portionof your heavy burden."
"Oh! God!" groaned the young man, "if Vampa speaks how shall I be ableto prove my innocence!"
"My son," said M. Dantes, impressively, "God, whose name you haveinvoked, will not desert you in your hour of need!"
Bowing his head in his hands and trembling like an aspen leaf, Esperancequitted the library with a convulsive sob, as if the last ray of hopehad been withdrawn from his life and all was darkness and despair.
M. Dantes threw himself in his chair and for an instant was plunged inabsorbing thought; then he arose and putting on his hat and cloak leftthe library; a few moments later he had quitted the mansion by a privatedoor.
Closely muffling his face in the folds of his cloak, that he might notbe recognized, the Deputy from Marseilles passed hurriedly from streetto street until he stood before a massive building in the Rue Vivienne.He rang the bell, and, when the concierge appeared, said to her:
"Is the Viscount Massetti at home?"
The woman, a large, fat, lumbering creature, cast a sleepy glance, thatwas half-curious, half-suspicious, at him and answered:
"Yes, Monsieur; but he bade me deny him to everybody."
"He will see me, however, my good woman," said M. Dantes. "Take my cardto him."
The fat concierge took the card and glanced at it; when she read "EdmondDantes, Deputy from Marseilles," she stared at the famous Republicanleader like one possessed; then, filled with awe, she hastened away andclimbed the stairs as fast as her cumbersome legs would let her. Shereturned, panting and puffing, followed by the Viscount's valet, who,with much ceremony and obsequiousness, conducted the distinguishedvisitor to his master's apartments.
The salon into which M. Dantes was ushered was large and sumptuouslyfurnished; evidences of wealth and luxury were visible on every side,while everything displayed the utmost taste and elegance.
"To what am I indebted for the honor of this unexpected visit, my dearCount?" said Massetti, rising from a handsomely carved, red velvetupholstered arm-chair, in which he had been indolently reclining, andcoming forward to greet his guest.
"To a matter that concerns both of us deeply," replied the Deputy, in ameaning tone.
A shadow crossed the Viscount's handsome visage, but it was gone in aninstant, and he said, with the utmost politeness:
"Pray be seated, my dear Count, and before proceeding to businessrefresh yourself with a glass of rare old Burgundy. Here, Stephano, wineand glasses."
M. Dantes sat down in an arm-chair precisely resembling that from whichthe Viscount had arisen; Massetti resumed his seat and the valet broughtthe old Burgundy and glasses, placing t
he decanter and drinking vesselson a small table of glistening ebony between his master and the Deputy.After they had duly drunk each other's health, M. Dantes said:
"I regret, my dear Viscount, that I am compelled to disturb you, but mybusiness was too urgent for delay."
"You don't disturb me in the least. Pray proceed."
"You remember your conversation with my daughter just before you and sheparted, do you not?"
"I remember it," replied the Viscount, coloring slightly and evidentlygrowing ill at ease.
"In that case, neither preface nor explanation is necessary. I called toask you a few plain questions."
The Italian was now a prey to singular excitement; he grew pale andflushed by turns, finally rising and pacing the salon in greatagitation.
"Count," said he, abruptly, when he could command his voice, "you are aman of the world and a cosmopolitan, and, of course, you know that oneoften commits folly, especially when the ardent and uncontrollable bloodof youth is rushing through his veins. With this explanation, imperfectthough it be, I must ask you to rest satisfied, for it is utterly out ofmy power to give you any other, or to enter into the details of theunfortunate affair which has brought you here. I assure you, however,that I am altogether blameless in the matter; investigation willabundantly establish the truth of what I say."
"I will make that investigation."
"I regret that I can neither empower you to do so nor aid you in it!"
"What am I to understand by that?"
"Simply what I say."
"You are, doubtless, aware that my son makes grave accusations againstyou, that he accuses you, in fact, of a dastardly crime."
"Esperance is mistaken, my dear Count; I swear to you that he ismistaken and that I am as innocent as he is!"
"But Luigi Vampa may have a different tale to tell!"
"Luigi Vampa!" cried the Viscount, coming instantly to a dead halt, anda sudden pallor overspreading his entire visage.
"Yes, Luigi Vampa; I have written to him and in two weeks will have hisanswer!"
"For Esperance's sake, for my sake, for your daughter's sake, destroythat answer as soon as received and without reading it!" exclaimed theyoung Italian, wildly, his pallor increasing to such a degree that hisface resembled that of a corpse.
"Should I be mad enough to do so," said M. Dantes, calmly, "with it allhope of your marriage with Zuleika would perish!"
"Oh! do not say that, do not say that!" groaned Massetti. "What wouldlife be worth to me without Zuleika's love!"
"Then deserve that love by clearing yourself, by proving that yourrecord will bear the light of day!"
"I have sworn to you that I am innocent! Is not that enough?"
"No," replied M. Dantes, coldly. "I must have proof to support youroath."
"Then you believe me guilty in spite of all! This is the worst blowyet!"
"It is in your power to completely justify yourself; at least, so yougive me to understand, and yet your refusal will forever separate youfrom the woman you love!"
"You fill me with despair!" said Massetti, in a smothered voice, sinkingupon a sofa. "I fain would reveal everything to you, but an awful oathof silence stands between me and the revelation."
"Then I must wait for Vampa's answer, and shape my course by that!" saidM. Dantes, firmly.
"That answer will destroy both Esperance and myself!" replied theViscount, in a hoarse whisper.
"We shall see," returned the Deputy, rising and resuming his cloak; ashe stood at the door of the salon with his hat in his hand, he added: "Ithought you all a man should be, Viscount, and that you would makeZuleika happy, but my convictions have been sadly shaken. I came herethinking that love for woman was all powerful in the heart of man, thatit would induce you to speak, even in the face of an oath, perhapsviolently and iniquitously administered; I was wrong; farewell!"
M. Dantes turned slowly and took his departure, leaving GiovanniMassetti on the sofa plunged in grief and dismay.
CHAPTER XXXI.
VAMPA'S ANSWER.
As the time for the arrival of Luigi Vampa's answer to M. Dantes' letterapproached, Esperance grew more and more uneasy and serious; he spentthe greater portion of every day from home, apparently for the purposeof avoiding his father and sister; when he returned he was moody,depressed and silent, and far into the night he could be heard pacinghis chamber as if unable to sleep from excitement and anxiety.
Zuleika endeavored to comfort him, but all her efforts were fruitless.She, poor girl, was herself overwhelmed with her own distress, thoughshe strove to bear up against it. Massetti had neither written to norattempted to see her since their separation, a circumstance she couldnot reconcile with his protestations of ardent love for her, and thisserved vastly to augment her sadness and anguish, though she stillbelieved in her soul that the Viscount was entirely innocent of thecrime laid to his charge.
M. Dantes, who had plunged into politics deeper than ever since thesuccess of the Revolution, was frequently in consultation with theRepublican leaders, and many of them visited him at his residence andwere closeted with him for hours at a time; but, though seeminglyengrossed in State affairs, the Deputy did not lose sight of his son anddaughter, or of the mysterious complication that Vampa was expected tomake clear. Ali had strict orders to watch both Zuleika and Esperance,and to report to his master whatever they did when at home in hisabsence, but the faithful Nubian found nothing amiss, save that theyoung people seemed burdened with a sorrow he could not fathom.
At length, when the two weeks that it would take to hear from Rome hadexpired, M. Lamartine called one morning at the mansion in the Rue duHelder, and having finished his business with M. Dantes was invited byhis host to remain to lunch. The repast was served in thesalle-a-manger, Esperance and Zuleika partaking of it with their fatherand his illustrious guest. When the edibles had been removed and theparty were taking wine at the dining-table, M. Dantes, suddenlyremembering that he had an engagement, begged M. Lamartine to excuse himand remain with his son and daughter until his return, that would be inhalf an hour at the utmost. This arrangement effected, the Deputy arosefrom his chair, threw his cloak over his arm and was about to take hisdeparture, when Ali appeared on the threshold of the open doorway,bearing in his hand a letter. Instantly divining that this was Vampa'sanswer, upon which hung Massetti's fate and his own, Esperance leaped tohis feet and fixed his wild and staring eyes on the ominous missive asif he would read its contents through its folds. Zuleika retained herseat, but lifted her hands in terror and stared at the letter withpallid cheeks and blanched lips. Even Lamartine turned in his chair and,holding his glass in his hand, gazed wonderingly at the Nubian and theepistle. M. Dantes alone seemed unmoved, and his pale countenance gaveno sign of the emotion struggling in his breast; he stood like a man ofiron, and extending his hand took the letter without a tremor. It wasenclosed in a curiously-fashioned envelope, evidently made by the writerhimself, and bore the Roman postmark; the direction, written in bold,scrawling, but perfectly legible characters, read: "M. Edmond Dantes,Deputy from Marseilles, No. 27 Rue du Helder, Paris, France. Personaland private." This direction was in French.
Ali having retired, the Deputy calmly broke the seal and hurriedly ranhis eyes over the missive. Esperance and Zuleika eagerly andbreathlessly watched his countenance while he read, but it was asimpassable as a countenance chiseled from marble; when he had finishedhe turned to Esperance and without a word handed him the letter. For amoment the young man trembled so he could not read; cold perspirationstood in heavy beads upon his forehead, and vivid flashes of red passedbefore his eyes like sheets of lurid lightning. What thoughts, whatsuspicions, what dread shot through his tortured mind in that briefmoment, making it seem an eternity of suffering! At last, steadying andcontrolling himself by a supreme effort, he read the missive from whichhe had feared such terrible consequences. It was in Italian, and ran asfollows:
HIS EXCELLENCY, THE COUNT OF MONTE-CRISTO: You ask me to answer your
questions, and I comply. Pasquale Solara's daughter, Annunziata, was abducted, from her father's peasant-home by Giovanni Massetti, known as the Viscount Massetti, who is, no doubt, the person to whom you allude as now in Paris, for he has disappeared from Rome. You are right in assuming that he had aid. He was assisted by a young Frenchman, and that young Frenchman was your son, Esperance. Annunziata suffered the usual fate of abducted peasant girls, and was deserted by her dastardly abductor in a fastness controlled by my band. When the abduction took place, Annunziata's brother strove to rescue her, but was attacked and killed by Massetti. Through my means the girl was returned to her home, but she was miserable there and fled; she is now in an asylum for unfortunate women founded at Civita Vecchia by the Order of Sisters of Refuge, and superintended by a French lady, a Madame Helena de Rancogne, who, as is said, was formerly called the Countess of Monte-Cristo.[1] It is due to your son to say that he was entirely misled in regard to the abduction of Annunziata Solara, and is altogether innocent of crime or intention to commit it. The whole burden of guilt rests upon the shoulders of the Viscount Massetti, who, I believe, compelled your son at the pistol's mouth to take a fearful oath of silence. LUIGI VAMPA.
When Esperance had read this letter that so effectually cleared him, andwas such a fearful arraignment of the Viscount Massetti, he restored itto his father and sank into his chair utterly overcome by the terribleexcitement and mental strain through which he had passed. M. Dantesforced him to swallow a glass of wine that partially restored him; then,turning to M. Lamartine, who had been an astonished spectator of thisstrange and to him incomprehensible family scene, he said:
"My dear friend, you are amazed, and you have a right to be. This letterthat has caused my son and daughter so much emotion comes from a Romanbrigand chief, no other than Luigi Vampa, whose name is notoriousthroughout Europe. You will understand its importance when I inform youthat it conclusively clears my son of an exceedingly grave charge."
M. Lamartine arose and took Esperance by the hand.
"I heartily congratulate you," said he.
"And Giovanni Massetti?" asked Zuleika, in a tremulous voice.
"Giovanni Massetti is unworthy of my daughter's hand!" replied M.Dantes.
"Let me see that letter," said Zuleika, her cheek growing paler and herheart beating tumultuously.
Her father gave it to her. She took it and read each line with anintensity of interest that was painful to behold. When she had reachedthe end, her eyes suddenly lighted up and the color came rushing back toher pallid cheeks.
"Esperance," she said, facing her brother with an air of resolutionbeneath which he quailed, "Luigi Vampa has not told all! Something hehas kept back, and that something you know. What is it? Speak!"
"Luigi Vampa has told the truth!" replied the young man, doggedly.
"Yes, but not the whole truth. What has he kept back?"
Esperance shook his head.
"He has told the truth!" he repeated.
"Did the Viscount Massetti administer the oath of silence to you?"
"He did."
"Then who administered that oath to Giovanni?"
The young man did not answer.
"There is some mystery about this complicated affair yet unexplained,and until it is explained I cannot believe Giovanni Massetti guilty!"
"Come, come, my daughter," said M. Dantes, soothingly, "your heartspeaks and not your mind."
"My heart and mind both speak, papa," replied Zuleika, "and both saythat Giovanni Massetti is innocent."
"Let him prove it then."
"I feel certain that he can and will."
"Well, well, child, go to Madame Dantes and take counsel of her. Only awoman can heal a young girl's love wounds."
Zuleika quitted the salle-a-manger, her countenance yet bearing thestamp of an inflexible belief and a fixed determination.
"Esperance," said M. Dantes, "your honor is unstained and you arerestored to my heart. I thank God for the blessings of this day!"
"You are a true father, Edmond, as well as a true patriot," said M.Lamartine, "and I feel assured that your son will be worthy of you andof our beloved France."
* * * * *
That very day Giovanni Massetti received an unsigned little note,written in a tiny feminine hand. It was phrased thus:
"I believe you innocent in spite of all! Prove to me and to the world that you are so."
Enclosed in this little note was Luigi Vampa's letter to M. Dantes.
The next morning it became known that the Viscount Massetti haddisappeared from Paris. Gossip assigned a thousand scandalous motivesfor his sudden flight, but gossip could form no idea as to whither hehad fled. Zuleika[2] however, knew that he had returned to Italy toclear his name and prove himself worthy of her love!
FOOTNOTES:
[1] The exceedingly romantic history of Madame de Rancogne will be foundin that fascinating and absorbing novel, "The Countess of Monte-Cristo,"published by Messrs. T. B. Peterson & Brothers, a wonderful book thateverybody should read.
[2] A full account, from this point, of the life and remarkable careerof "Zuleika, the Daughter of Monte-Cristo," will be found in thebrilliant, original, and absorbing novel just published by T. B.Peterson & Brothers, Philadelphia, in uniform style with "EdmondDantes," entitled "MONTE-CRISTO'S DAUGHTER," being the Sequel toAlexander Dumas' famous novel, "The Count of Monte-Cristo," andConclusion of "Edmond Dantes." "MONTE-CRISTO'S DAUGHTER" will be foundto be of unflagging interest, abounding in ardent love scenes andstirring adventures, while the Count of Monte-Cristo figures largely init, and many of the original Monte-Cristo characters are also introducedinto the volume, making it in point of brilliancy, power, and absorbinginterest fully equal to its famous predecessors.
THE END.
Thank you for reading books on BookFrom.Net Share this book with friends