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[size=2]　　《基督山伯爵》（又称《基督山复仇记》、《快意恩仇记》、《基督山恩仇记》）是法国作家大仲马的杰出作品。
　　主要讲述的是十九世纪一位名叫埃德蒙·唐泰斯的大副受到陷害后的悲惨遭遇以及日后以基督山伯爵身份成功复仇的故事。故事情节曲折生动，处处出人意料。急剧发展的故事情节，清晰明朗的完整结构，生动有力的语言，灵活机智的对话使其成为大仲马小说中的经典之作。具有浓郁的传奇色彩和很强的艺术魅力。
　　1815年2月底，埃及王号远洋货船年轻的代理船长爱德蒙·邓蒂斯回到马塞港。老船长病死在途中，他曾托邓蒂斯把船开到一个小岛上去见囚禁中的拿破仑。拿破仑委托邓肯斯带一封密信给在巴黎的亲信。邓蒂斯这次回国可以说是春风得意：他已经准备好要和相爱多年的女友结婚，然后一同前往巴黎。但他没有想到，一场厄运正在等着他。在货船上当押运员的邓格拉斯一心要取代邓蒂斯的船长地位，邓蒂斯的情敌--弗南对他又嫉又恨。结果两个人勾结到一起，弗南把邓肯拉斯的一张告密条送到了当局的手中。5月，正当邓蒂斯举行婚礼之际，他被捕了。审理这个案子的是代理检察官维尔弗，他发现密信的收信人就是自己的父亲。为了确保自己的前途，他宣判邓蒂斯为极度危险的政治犯，将其投入了孤岛上的死牢。
邓蒂斯在死牢里度过了14年的时光。开始的时候他坚信自己的清白，总以为检察官有一天会出出在他面前，宣布他无罪。然而随着时间的推移，他失望了，甚至有了自杀的念头，只有对未婚妻的思念支撑着他活下去。有一天，他突然听见有人在近旁挖掘的声音，原来是隔壁牢房的老神甫在挖地道，却因为计算错误，地道的出口在邓蒂斯的牢房。两人相遇后，老神甫帮助他分析了他的遭遇，邓蒂斯开始意识到陷害自己的仇人是谁了。在神甫的教授下，邓蒂斯还学会了好几种语言，并得知了一个秘密：在一个叫作基督山的小岛上埋藏着一笔巨大的财富。
　　有一天，老神甫病死了。邓蒂斯灵机一动，钻进了盛入神甫尸体的麻袋中，结果狱卒将他当作神甫扔进了大海。邓蒂斯用刀划破麻袋，游到了附近的一个小岛上。次日，一只走私船救了他，他很快和同船员们成了朋友。他利用四处游荡的机会，在基督山岛发现了宝藏：一个大柜分隔成3个部分，分别装着古金币，金块，以及钻石、珍珠和宝石。邓蒂斯一下就成了一个亿万富翁。他现在的目标只有一个，那就是复仇，为此，他要回到社会里去重新获得地位、势力和威望，而在这个世界上只有钱才能使人获得这一切，钱是支配人类最有效和最伟大的力量。此时的邓蒂斯已经是一个新人了：有渊博的知识、高雅的仪态和无数的财富，深谋远虑，内心充满了仇恨。
　　在复仇之前，邓蒂斯决定先要报恩。埃及王号的船主是一个忠厚、勇敢而且热情的人。他曾在邓蒂斯落难时为他四处奔走，还照顾过邓蒂斯的老父亲。后来他破产了，绝望当中，他准备自杀。邓蒂斯知道之后，替他还清了债务，送给他女儿一笔优厚的嫁妆，还送给他一艘新的埃及王号。然后，邓蒂斯说：“我已经代天报偿了善人。现在复仇之神授我以他的权力，命我去惩罚恶人！”在报答了曾在他危难之际给过他无私帮助的人之后，邓蒂斯开始一步步准备自己的复仇计划了。
　　通过多方打探，他证实了邓格拉斯、弗南和维尔弗陷害自己的详情，并得知自己的未婚妻已经同弗南结了婚，而自己的老父亲在病中抑郁而死，他的仇恨之火越燃越旺，但他还要为复仇做许多准备工作！8年之后，邓蒂斯回到了巴黎。他化名为基度山伯爵，身份是银行家。此时，维尔弗是巴黎法院检察官，邓格拉斯成了银行家，弗南成了伯爵、议员，3人都飞黄腾达，地位显赫。
　　基督山伯爵的目标首先是弗南。弗南为了谋取一切之私利可以说是坏事做尽，此时他更名换姓，过着养尊处优的生活。基督山伯爵早就摸清了他历史，现在假他人之手在报纸上披露了弗南20年代在希腊出卖和杀害了阿里总督的事实，引起了议员们的质询。在听证会上，基督山伯爵收养的阿里总督的女儿出席作证，揭发了弗南在与土耳其人的无耻的交易的中，不但把城堡拱手相让，而且把他的恩主杀害，并把恩主的妻子、女儿作为一部分战利品，卖得40万法郎的罪行。审查委员会断定弗南犯了判逆罪和暴行迫害罪，这使得弗南名誉扫地，狼狈不堪。弗南本来寄希望于儿子同基督山伯爵决斗，以此雪“耻”，但他的妻子（邓蒂斯的未婚妻）早就认出了基督山伯爵就是邓蒂斯，她把真相告诉儿子。最后儿子不顾自己的名声，与基督山伯爵讲和，并决定同母亲一起抛弃沾满了鲜血的家产，不辞而别。无奈之下，弗南只有自己去找基督山伯爵决斗。决斗时，基督山伯爵用很冷淡的口吻嘲讽地说：“您不就是那个在滑铁卢之战前夕开小差逃走的小兵弗南吗？您不就是那个在西班牙当法军向导和间谍的弗南中尉吗？您不就是那个背叛、出卖并谋害自己恩主的弗南中将吗？而这些个弗南加起来，不就是现在身为法国贵族议员的您吗？”最后，基督山伯爵说出了自己的真实身份。费南失魂落魄地回到家里，正遇上自己的妻子和儿子离家出走——一个去乡下隐居，一个去投军，极度害怕与绝望使得他开熗自杀了。
　　基督山伯爵的第二个仇人就是邓格拉斯。邓格拉斯在法军入侵西班牙时靠供应军需品发了横财，他的银行现在可以支配几百万法郎的资产。基督山伯爵为了取得邓格拉斯的信任，拿出欧洲大银行家的3封信在邓肯拉斯那里开了3个可以“无限透支”的帐户，慑服了邓格拉斯。之后他收买了电报局的雇员，发了一份虚报军情的电报，诱使邓格拉斯出售债卷，折损了一笔巨款。基督山伯爵于是将一个逃犯——维尔费和邓格拉斯夫人的私生子打扮成意大利亲王的儿子，介绍给邓格拉斯。为了避免银行的倒闭，邓格拉斯将女儿嫁给了“亲王之子”。在婚礼上，宪兵逮捕了这个逃犯，让邓格拉斯出了大丑。在无奈之下，邓格拉斯窃取了济贫机构的500万法郎逃往意大利。途中，他落在了基督山伯爵的强盗朋友的手上。他们先把他饿得半死，然后以10万法郎的高价向他出售一顿饭，直到把他的500万法郎全部都榨光。邓格拉斯被迫为自己所犯的罪行忏悔。此时基督山伯爵出现了，向他公开了身份，说：“我就是那个被你出卖和污蔑的人。我的未婚妻被迫改嫁，我的父亲被你害得饿死。我本来也应该让你死于饥饿，但我饶恕你。”邓格拉斯听后大叫一声，倒在地上缩成一团。随后，基督山伯爵给了他5万法郎让他自谋生路。邓格拉斯饱受折磨和惊吓，他的头发全白了。
　　基督山伯爵最大的仇人是维尔弗，他决定用更残忍的手段全面摧毁维尔费的一切。他先买下了维尔弗以前的一所处所，在这里维尔弗曾企图残忍地活埋自己和邓格拉斯夫人的私生子。然后他巧妙地将二人引到这里，并点出了两人当年的丑事。结果，邓格拉斯夫人当场晕倒，维尔弗不得不靠在墙上喘息。经过一番较量，维尔弗对基督山伯爵的身份发生了怀疑。他找到了基督山伯爵的两个密友询问，但这两个密友都是基督山伯爵一个人扮演的。自然他一无所获。此时，基督山伯爵注意到了维尔弗家庭内部的一个破绽：维尔弗的后妻企图让自己的孩子独自继承遗产。于是他假装无意之中透露给了她一个毒药配方，后者利用这种毒药毒死了维尔弗的前岳母、老仆人，并阴谋毒死前妻的孩子。由于曾经的因缘关系，基督山伯爵对后者暗中保护，并让她暗中观察到了继母下毒的过程。最后，基督山伯爵将这个孩子送到了基督山岛上。在审理那个险些成了邓格拉斯女婿的逃犯杀人案中，检察官就是维尔弗。在基督山伯爵的授意下，逃犯当众说出了自己的身世。维尔弗知道已落到一个复仇之神的手里，被迫承认“无须证据，这个青年人所说的话都是真的……从此刻起，我悉听下任检察官的发落。”这时，维尔弗的脸色像死人一样苍白，牙齿像一个发寒热的人那样格格的打抖。他仑皇地回到家里，想在这里寻找一处避风港，但他发现妻子因为罪行败露已经服毒身死，并毒死了自己心爱的儿子。巨大的打击之下，维尔弗疯了。
　　基督山伯爵大仇已报，他深深地感谢上帝。在他看来，他所做的一切都是秉承上帝的旨意。他说：“现在我的工作完成了，我的使命终止了。巴黎，告别了！”于是，同收养的阿里总督的女儿海蒂远走高飞了。[/size][/td][/tr][/table]

英文原文 Chapter 1 Marseilles -- The Arrival. On the 24th of February, 1815, the look-out at Notre-Dame de la Garde signalled the three-master, the Pharaon from Smyrna, Trieste, and Naples. As usual, a pilot put off immediately, and rounding the Chateau d'If, got on board the vessel between Cape Morgion and Rion island. Immediately, and according to custom, the ramparts of Fort Saint-Jean were covered with spectators; it is always an event at Marseilles for a ship to come into port, especially when this ship, like the Pharaon, has been built, rigged, and laden at the old Phocee docks, and belongs to an owner of the city. The ship drew on and had safely passed the strait, which some volcanic shock has made between the Calasareigne and Jaros islands; had doubled Pomegue, and approached the harbor under topsails, jib, and spanker, but so slowly and sedately that the idlers, with that instinct which is the forerunner of evil, asked one another what misfortune could have happened on board. However, those experienced in navigation saw plainly that if any accident had occurred, it was not to the vessel herself, for she bore down with all the evidence of being skilfully handled, the anchor a-cockbill, the jib-boom guys already eased off, and standing by the side of the pilot, who was steering the Pharaon towards the narrow entrance of the inner port, was a young man, who, with activity and vigilant eye, watched every motion of the ship, and repeated each direction of the pilot. The vague disquietude which prevailed among the spectators had so much affected one of the crowd that he did not await the arrival of the vessel in harbor, but jumping into a small skiff, desired to be pulled alongside the Pharaon, which he reached as she rounded into La Reserve basin. When the young man on board saw this person approach, he left his station by the pilot, and, hat in hand, leaned over the ship's bulwarks. He was a fine, tall, slim young fellow of eighteen or twenty, with black eyes, and hair as dark as a raven's wing;and his whole appearance bespoke that calmness and resolution peculiar to men accustomed from their cradle to contend with danger. "Ah, is it you, Dantes?" cried the man in the skiff. "What's the matter? and why have you such an air of sadness aboard?" "A great misfortune, M. Morrel," replied the young man, --"a great misfortune, for me especially! Off Civita Vecchia we lost our brave Captain Leclere." "And the cargo?" inquired the owner, eagerly. "Is all safe, M. Morrel; and I think you will be satisfied on that head. But poor Captain Leclere -- " "What happened to him?" asked the owner, with an air of considerable resignation. "What happened to the worthy captain?" "He died." "Fell into the sea?" "No, sir, he died of brain-fever in dreadful agony." Then turning to the crew, he said, "Bear a hand there, to take in sail!" All hands obeyed, and at once the eight or ten seamen who composed the crew, sprang to their respective stations at the spanker brails and outhaul, topsail sheets and halyards, the jib downhaul, and the topsail clewlines and buntlines. The young sailor gave a look to see that his orders were promptly and accurately obeyed, and then turned again to the owner. "And how did this misfortune occur?" inquired the latter, resuming the interrupted conversation. "Alas, sir, in the most unexpected manner. After a long talk with the harbor-master, Captain Leclere left Naples greatly disturbed in mind. In twenty-four hours he was attacked by a fever, and died three days afterwards. We performed the usual burial service, and he is at his rest, sewn up in his hammock with a thirty-six pound shot at his head and his heels, off El Giglio island. We bring to his widow his sword and cross of honor. It was worth while, truly," added the young man with a melancholy smile, "to make war against the English for ten years, and to die in his bed at last, like everybody else." "Why, you see, Edmond," replied the owner, who appeared more comforted at every moment, "we are all mortal, and the old must make way for the young. If not, why, there would be no promotion; and since you assure me that the cargo -- " "Is all safe and sound, M. Morrel, take my word for it; and I advise you not to take 25,000 francs for the profits of the voyage." Then, as they were just passing the Round Tower, the young man shouted: "Stand by there to lower the topsails and jib brail up the spanker!" The order was executed as promptly as it would have been on board a man-of-war. "Let go -- and clue up!" At this last command all the sails were lowered, and the vessel moved almost imperceptibly onwards. "Now, if you will come on board, M. Morrel," said Dantes, observing the owner's impatience, "here is your supercargo, M. Danglars, coming out of his cabin, who will furnish you with every particular. As for me, I must look after the anchoring, and dress the ship in mourning." The owner did not wait for a second invitation. He seized a rope which Dantes flung to him, and with an activity that would have done credit to a sailor, climbed up the side of the ship, while the young man, going to his task, left the conversation to Danglars, who now came towards the owner. He was a man of twenty-five or twenty-six years of age, of unprepossessing countenance, obsequious to his superiors, insolent to his subordinates; and this, in addition to his position as responsible agent on board, which is always obnoxious to the sailors, made him as much disliked by the crew as Edmond Dantes was beloved by them. "Well, M. Morrel," said Danglars, "you have heard of the misfortune that has befallen us?" "Yes -- yes: poor Captain Leclere! He was a brave and an honest man." "And a first-rate seaman, one who had seen long and honorable service, as became a man charged with the interests of a house so important as that of Morrel & Son," replied Danglars. "But," replied the owner, glancing after Dantes, who was watching the anchoring of his vessel, "it seems to me that a sailor needs not be so old as you say, Danglars, to understand his business, for our friend Edmond seems to understand it thoroughly, and not to require instruction from any one." "Yes," said Danglars, darting at Edmond a look gleaming with hate. "Yes, he is young, and youth is invariably self-confident. Scarcely was the captain's breath out of his body when he assumed the command without consulting any one, and he caused us to lose a day and a half at the Island of Elba, instead of making for Marseilles direct." "As to taking command of the vessel," replied Morrel, "that was his duty as captain's mate; as to losing a day and a half off the Island of Elba, he was wrong, unless the vessel needed repairs." "The vessel was in as good condition as I am, and as, I hope you are, M. Morrel, and this day and a half was lost from pure whim, for the pleasure of going ashore, and nothing else." "Dantes," said the shipowner, turning towards the young man,"come this way!" "In a moment, sir," answered Dantes, "and I'm with you." Then calling to the crew, he said -- "Let go!" The anchor was instantly dropped, and the chain ran rattling through the port-hole. Dantes continued at his post in spite of the presence of the pilot, until this manoeuvre was completed, and then he added, "Half-mast the colors, and square the yards!" "You see," said Danglars, "he fancies himself captain already, upon my word." "And so, in fact, he is," said the owner. "Except your signature and your partner's, M. Morrel." "And why should he not have this?" asked the owner; "he is young, it is true, but he seems to me a thorough seaman, and of full experience." A cloud passed over Danglars' brow. "Your pardon, M. Morrel," said Dantes, approaching, "the vessel now rides at anchor, and I am at your service. You hailed me, I think?" Danglars retreated a step or two. "I wished to inquire why you stopped at the Island of Elba?" "I do not know, sir; it was to fulfil the last instructions of Captain Leclere, who, when dying, gave me a packet for Marshal Bertrand." "Then did you see him, Edmond?" "Who?" "The marshal." "Yes." Morrel looked around him, and then, drawing Dantes on one side, he said suddenly -- "And how is the emperor?" "Very well, as far as I could judge from the sight of him." "You saw the emperor, then?" "He entered the marshal's apartment while I was there." "And you spoke to him?" "Why, it was he who spoke to me, sir," said Dantes, with a smile. "And what did he say to you?" "Asked me questions about the vessel, the time she left Marseilles, the course she had taken, and what was her cargo. I believe, if she had not been laden, and I had been her master, he would have bought her. But I told him I was only mate, and that she belonged to the firm of Morrel & Son. `Ah, yes,' he said, `I know them. The Morrels have been shipowners from father to son; and there was a Morrel who served in the same regiment with me when I was in garrison at Valence.'" "Pardieu, and that is true!" cried the owner, greatly delighted. "And that was Policar Morrel, my uncle, who was afterwards a captain. Dantes, you must tell my uncle that the emperor remembered him, and you will see it will bring tears into the old soldier's eyes. Come, come," continued he, patting Edmond's shoulder kindly, "you did very right, Dantes, to follow Captain Leclere's instructions, and touch at Elba, although if it were known that you had conveyed a packet to the marshal, and had conversed with the emperor, it might bring you into trouble." "How could that bring me into trouble, sir?" asked Dantes;"for I did not even know of what I was the bearer; and the emperor merely made such inquiries as he would of the first comer. But, pardon me, here are the health officers and the customs inspectors coming alongside." And the young man went to the gangway. As he departed, Danglars approached, and said, -- "Well, it appears that he has given you satisfactory reasons for his landing at Porto-Ferrajo?" "Yes, most satisfactory, my dear Danglars." "Well, so much the better," said the supercargo; "for it is not pleasant to think that a comrade has not done his duty." "Dantes has done his," replied the owner, "and that is not saying much. It was Captain Leclere who gave orders for this delay." "Talking of Captain Leclere, has not Dantes given you a letter from him?" "To me? -- no -- was there one?" "I believe that, besides the packet, Captain Leclere confided a letter to his care." "Of what packet are you speaking, Danglars?" "Why, that which Dantes left at Porto-Ferrajo." "How do you know he had a packet to leave at Porto-Ferrajo?" Danglars turned very red. "I was passing close to the door of the captain's cabin,which was half open, and I saw him give the packet and letter to Dantes." "He did not speak to me of it," replied the shipowner; "but if there be any letter he will give it to me." Danglars reflected for a moment. "Then, M. Morrel, I beg of you," said he, "not to say a word to Dantes on the subject. I may have been mistaken." At this moment the young man returned; Danglars withdrew. "Well, my dear Dantes, are you now free?" inquired the owner. "Yes, sir." "You have not been long detained." "No. I gave the custom-house officers a copy of our bill of lading; and as to the other papers, they sent a man off with the pilot, to whom I gave them." "Then you have nothing more to do here?" "No -- everything is all right now." "Then you can come and dine with me?" "I really must ask you to excuse me, M. Morrel. My first visit is due to my father, though I am not the less grateful for the honor you have done me." "Right, Dantes, quite right. I always knew you were a good son." "And," inquired Dantes, with some hesitation, "do you know how my father is?" "Well, I believe, my dear Edmond, though I have not seen him lately." "Yes, he likes to keep himself shut up in his little room." "That proves, at least, that he has wanted for nothing during your absence." Dantes smiled. "My father is proud, sir, and if he had not a meal left, I doubt if he would have asked anything from anyone, except from Heaven." "Well, then, after this first visit has been made we shall count on you." "I must again excuse myself, M. Morrel, for after this first visit has been paid I have another which I am most anxious to pay." "True, Dantes, I forgot that there was at the Catalans some one who expects you no less impatiently than your father -- the lovely Mercedes." Dantes blushed. "Ah, ha," said the shipowner, "I am not in the least surprised, for she has been to me three times, inquiring if there were any news of the Pharaon. Peste, Edmond, you have a very handsome mistress!" "She is not my mistress," replied the young sailor, gravely;"she is my betrothed." "Sometimes one and the same thing," said Morrel, with a smile. "Not with us, sir," replied Dantes. "Well, well, my dear Edmond," continued the owner, "don't let me detain you. You have managed my affairs so well that I ought to allow you all the time you require for your own. Do you want any money?" "No, sir; I have all my pay to take -- nearly three months'wages." "You are a careful fellow, Edmond." "Say I have a poor father, sir." "Yes, yes, I know how good a son you are, so now hasten away to see your father. I have a son too, and I should be very wroth with those who detained him from me after a three months' voyage." "Then I have your leave, sir?" "Yes, if you have nothing more to say to me." "Nothing." "Captain Leclere did not, before he died, give you a letter for me?" "He was unable to write, sir. But that reminds me that I must ask your leave of absence for some days." "To get married?" "Yes, first, and then to go to Paris." "Very good; have what time you require, Dantes. It will take quite six weeks to unload the cargo, and we cannot get you ready for sea until three months after that; only be back again in three months, for the Pharaon," added the owner,patting the young sailor on the back, "cannot sail without her captain." "Without her captain!" cried Dantes, his eyes sparkling with animation; "pray mind what you say, for you are touching on the most secret wishes of my heart. Is it really your intention to make me captain of the Pharaon?" "If I were sole owner we'd shake hands on it now, my dear Dantes, and call it settled; but I have a partner, and you know the Italian proverb -- Chi ha compagno ha padrone --`He who has a partner has a master.' But the thing is at least half done, as you have one out of two votes. Rely on me to procure you the other; I will do my best." "Ah, M. Morrel," exclaimed the young seaman, with tears in his eyes, and grasping the owner's hand, "M. Morrel, I thank you in the name of my father and of Mercedes." "That's all right, Edmond. There's a providence that watches over the deserving. Go to your father: go and see Mercedes,and afterwards come to me." "Shall I row you ashore?" "No, thank you; I shall remain and look over the accounts with Danglars. Have you been satisfied with him this voyage?" "That is according to the sense you attach to the question,sir. Do you mean is he a good comrade? No, for I think he never liked me since the day when I was silly enough, after a little quarrel we had, to propose to him to stop for ten minutes at the island of Monte Cristo to settle the dispute -- a proposition which I was wrong to suggest, and he quite right to refuse. If you mean as responsible agent when you ask me the question, I believe there is nothing to say against him, and that you will be content with the way in which he has performed his duty." "But tell me, Dantes, if you had command of the Pharaon should you be glad to see Danglars remain?" "Captain or mate, M. Morrel, I shall always have the greatest respect for those who possess the owners' confidence." "That's right, that's right, Dantes! I see you are a thoroughly good fellow, and will detain you no longer. Go,for I see how impatient you are." "Then I have leave?" "Go, I tell you." "May I have the use of your skiff?" "Certainly." "Then, for the present, M. Morrel, farewell, and a thousand thanks!" "I hope soon to see you again, my dear Edmond. Good luck to you." The young sailor jumped into the skiff, and sat down in the stern sheets, with the order that he be put ashore at La Canebiere. The two oarsmen bent to their work, and the little boat glided away as rapidly as possible in the midst of the thousand vessels which choke up the narrow way which leads between the two rows of ships from the mouth of the harbor to the Quai d'Orleans. The shipowner, smiling, followed him with his eyes until he saw him spring out on the quay and disappear in the midst of the throng, which from five o'clock in the morning until nine o'clock at night, swarms in the famous street of La Canebiere, -- a street of which the modern Phocaeans are so proud that they say with all the gravity in the world, and with that accent which gives so much character to what is said, "If Paris had La Canebiere, Paris would be a second Marseilles." On turning round the owner saw Danglars behind him, apparently awaiting orders, but in reality also watching the young sailor, -- but there was a great difference in the expression of the two men who thus followed the movements of Edmond Dantes.

中文翻译 第一章　船到马赛 一八一五年二月二十四日，在避风堰了望塔上的了望员向人们发出了信号，告之三桅帆船法老号到了。它是从士麦拿出发经过的里雅斯特和那不勒斯来的。立刻一位领港员被派出去，绕过伊夫堡，在摩琴海岬和里翁岛之间登上了船。 圣。琪安海岛的平台上即刻挤满了看热闹的人。在马赛，一艘大船的进港终究是一件大事，尤其是象法老号这样的大船，船主是本地人，船又是在佛喜造船厂里建造装配的，因而就特别引人注目。 法老号渐渐驶近了，它已顺利通过了卡拉沙林岛和杰罗斯岛之间由几次火山爆发所造成的海峡，绕过波米琪岛，驶近了港口。尽管船上扯起了三张主桅帆，一张大三角帆和一张后桅帆，但它驶得非常缓慢，一副无精打采的样子，以致岸上那些看热闹的人本能地预感到有什么不幸的事发生了，于是互相探问船上究竟发生了什么不幸的事。不过那些航海行家们一眼就看出，假如的确发生了什么意外事情的话，那一定与船的本身无关。因为从各方面来看，它并无丝毫失去操纵的迹象。领港员正在驾驶着动作敏捷的法老号通过马赛港狭窄的甬道进口。在领港员的旁边，有一青年正在动作敏捷地打着手势，他那敏锐的眼光注视着船的每一个动作，并重复领港员的每一个命令。 岸上看热闹的人中弥漫着一种焦躁不安的情绪。其中有一位忍耐不住了，他等不及帆船入港就跳进了一只小艇迎着大船驶去，那只小艇在大船到里瑟夫湾对面的地方时便靠拢了法老号。 大船上的那个青年看见了来人，就摘下帽子，从领港员身旁离开并来到了船边。他是一个身材瘦长的青年，年龄约莫有十九岁左右的样子，有着一双黑色的眼睛和一头乌黑的头发；他的外表给人一种极其镇定和坚毅的感觉，那种镇定和坚毅的气质是只有从小就经过大风大浪，艰难险阻的人才具有的。 “啊！是你呀，唐太斯？”小艇的人喊道。“出了什么事？为什么你们船上显得这样丧气？” “太不幸了，莫雷尔先生！”那个青年回答说，“太不幸了，尤其是对我！在契维塔韦基亚附近，我们失去了我们勇敢的莱克勒船长。” “货呢？”船主焦急地问。 “货都安全，莫雷尔先生，那方面我想你是可以满意的。但可怜的莱克勒船长——” “货物怎么样”？船主问道。 “货物未受任何损失，平安到达。不过，可怜的莱克勒船长他……”“他怎么了？出了什么事？”船主带着稍微放松一点的口气问。“那位可敬的船长怎么了？” “他死了。” “掉在海里了吗？” “不，先生，他是得脑膜炎死的，临终时痛苦极了。”说完他便转身对船员喊到：“全体注意！准备抛锚！” 全体船员立刻按命令行动起来。船上一共有八个到十个海员，他们有的奔到大帆的索子那里，有的奔到三角帆和主帆的索子那里，有的则去控制转帆索和卷帆索。那青年水手四下环视了一下，看到他的命令已被迅速准确地执行，便又转过脸去对着船主。 “这件不幸的事是怎么发生的？”船主先等了一会儿便又重新拾起话题。 “唉，先生！完全是始料不到的事。在离开那不勒斯以前，莱克勒船长曾和那不勒斯港督交谈了很久。开船的时候，他就觉得头极不舒服。二十四个小时后，他就开始发烧，三天后就死了。我们按惯例海葬了他，想来他也可以安心长眠了。我们把他端端正正地缝裹在吊床里，头脚处放了两块各三十六磅重的铅块，就在艾尔及里奥岛外把他海葬了。我们把他的佩剑和十字荣誉勋章带了回来准备交给他的太太做纪念。船长这一生总算没虚度了。青年的脸上露出一个忧郁的微笑，又说，”他和英国人打仗打了十年，到头来仍能象常人那样死在床上。“ “爱德蒙，你知道，”船主说道，他显得越来越放心了，“我们都是凡人，都免不了一死，老年人终究要让位给青年人。不然，你看，青年人就无法得到升迁的机会，而且你已向我保证货物——” “货物是完好无损的，莫雷尔先生，请相信我好了。我想这次航行你至少赚二万五千法郎呢。” 这时，船正在驶过圆塔，青年就喊道：“注意，准备收主帆，后帆和三角帆！” 他的命令立刻被执行了，犹如在一艘大战舰上一样。 “收帆！卷帆！”最后那个命令刚下达完，所有的帆就都收了下来，船在凭借惯性向前滑行，几乎觉不到是在向前移动了。 “现在请您上船来吧，莫雷尔先生，”唐太斯说，他看到船主已经有点着急便说道，“你的押运员腾格拉尔先生已走出船舱了，他会把详细情形告诉您的。我还得去照顾抛锚和给这只船挂丧的事。” 船主没再说什么便立即抓住了唐太斯抛给他的一条绳子，以水手般敏捷的动作爬上船边的弦梯，那青年去执行他的任务了，把船王和那个他称为腾格拉尔的人留在了一起。腾格拉尔现在正向船主走来。他约莫有二十五六岁，天生一副对上谄媚对下轻视无礼，不讨人喜欢的面孔。他在船上担任押运员，本来就惹水手们讨厌，他个人的一些作派也是惹人讨厌的一个因素，船员都憎恶他，却很爱戴爱德蒙。唐太斯。 “莫雷尔先生，”腾格拉尔说，“你听说我们所遭到的不幸了吧？” “唉，是的！可怜的莱克勒船长！他的确是一个勇敢而又诚实的人！” “而且也是一名一流的海员，是在大海与蓝天之间度过一生的——是负责莫雷尔父子公司这种重要的公司的最合适的人才。”腾格拉尔回答。 “可是，”船主一边说，一边把眼光盯在了正在指挥抛锚的唐太斯身上，“在我看来，腾格拉尔，一个水手要干得很内行，实在也不必象你所说的那样的老海员才行，因为你看，我们这位朋友爱德蒙，不需任何人的指示，似乎也干得很不错，完全可以称职了。” “是的，”腾格拉尔向爱德蒙扫了一眼，露出仇恨的目光说，“是的，他很年轻，而年轻人总是自视甚高的，船长刚去世，他就跟谁也不商量一下，竟自作主张地独揽指挥权，对下面发号施令起来，而且还在厄尔巴岛耽搁了一天半，没有直航返回马赛。” “说到他执掌这只船的指挥权，”莫雷尔说道，“他既然是船上大副，这就应该是他的职责。至于在厄尔巴岛耽搁了一天半的事儿，是他的错，除非这只船有什么故障。” “这只船是象你我的身体一样，毫无毛病，莫雷尔先生，那一天半的时间完全是浪费——只是因为他要到岸上玩玩，别无他事。” “唐太斯！”船主转过身去喊青年，“到这儿来！” “等一下，先生，”唐太斯回答，“我就来。”然后他对船员喊道，“抛锚！” 锚立刻抛下去了，铁链哗啦啦一阵响声过去。虽有领港员在场，唐太斯仍然克尽职守，直到这项工作完成，才喊“降旗，把旗降在旗杆半中央。把公司的旗也降一半致哀，”看，“腾格拉尔说，”他简直已自命为船长啦。“ “嗯，事实上，他已经的确是了。”船主说。 “不错，就缺你和你的和伙人签字批准了，摩斯尔先生。” “那倒不难。”船主说，“不错，他很年轻，但依我看，他似乎可以说已是一个经验丰富的海员了。” 腾格拉尔的眉际掠过一片阴云。 “对不起，莫雷尔先生，”唐太斯走过来说，“船现在已经停妥，我可以听的您吩咐了。刚才是您在叫我吗？” 腾格拉尔向后退了一两步。 “我想问问你为什么要在厄尔巴岛停泊耽搁了一天半时间。” “究竟为什么我也不十分清楚，我只是在执行莱克勒船长最后的一个命令而已。他在临终的时候，要我送一包东西给贝特朗元帅。” “你见到他了吗，爱德蒙？” “谁？” “元帅。” “见到了。” 莫雷尔向四周张望了一下，把唐太斯拖到一边，急忙问道：“陛下他好吗？” “看上去还不错。” “这么说，你见到陛下了，是吗？” “我在元帅房间里的时候，他进来了。” “你和他讲了话吗？” “是他先跟我讲话的，先生。”唐太斯微笑着说。 “他跟你都说了些什么？” “问了我一些关于船的事——什么时候启航开回马赛，从哪儿来，船装了些什么货。我敢说，假如船上没有装货，而我又是船主的话，他会把船买下来的。但我告诉他，我只是大副，船是莫雷尔父子公司的。‘哦，哦！’他说，‘我了解他们！莫雷尔这个家族的人世世代代都当船主。当我驻守在瓦朗斯的时候，我那个团里面也有一个姓莫雷尔的人。” “太对了！一点不错！”船主非常高兴地喊道。“那是我的叔叔波立卡。莫雷尔，他后来被提升到上尉。唐太斯，你一定要去告诉我叔叔，说陛下还记得他，你将看到那个老兵，被感动得掉眼泪的。好了，好了！”他慈爱地拍拍爱德蒙的肩膀继续说，“你做得很对，唐太斯，你是应该执行莱克勒船长的命令在厄尔巴岛靠一下岸的——但是如果你曾带一包东西给元帅，并还同陛下讲过话的事被人知道的话，那你就会受连累的。” “我怎么会受连累呢？”唐太斯问。“我连带去的是什么东西根本都不知道，而陛下所问及的，又是一般的人所常问的那些普通问题。哦，对不起，海关关员和卫生部的检查员来了１”说完那青年人就向舷门那儿迎过去了。 他刚离开，腾格拉尔就凑了过来说道：“哦，看来他已拿出充分的理由来向您解释他为什么在费拉约港靠岸的原因了，是吧？” “是的，理由很充分，我亲爱的腾格拉尔。” “哦，那就好，”押运员说，“看到一个同伴工作上不能尽责，心里总是很难受的。” “唐太斯是尽了责的，”船主说道，“这件事不必多说了，这次耽搁是按莱克勒船长的吩咐做的。” “说到莱克勒船长，唐太斯没有把一封他的信转给你吗？” “给我的信？没有呀。有一封信吗？” “我相信除了那包东西外，莱克勒船长还另有一封信托他转交的。” “你说的是一包什么东西，腾格拉尔？” “咦，就是唐太斯在费拉约港留下的那包东西呀。” “你怎么知道他曾留了一包东西在费拉约港呢？” 经船主这样一问，腾格拉尔的脸顿时涨红了。“那天我经过船长室门口时，那门是半开着的，我便看见船长把那包东西和一封信交给了唐太斯。” “他没有对我提到这件事，”船主说，“但是如果有信，他一定会交给我的。” 腾格拉尔想了一会儿。“这样的话，莫雷尔先生，请你，”他说，“有关这事，请你别再去问唐太斯了，或许是我弄错了。” 这时，那青年人回来了，腾格拉尔便乘机溜走了。 “喂，我亲爱的唐太斯，你现在没事了吗？”船主问。 “没事了，先生。” “你回来的挺快呀。” “是的。我拿了一份我们的进港证给了海关关员，其余的证件，我已交给了领港员，他们已派人和他同去了。” “那么你在这儿的事都做完了是吗？” 唐太斯向四周看了一眼。 “没事了现在一切都安排妥了。” “那么你愿意和我一起去共进晚餐吗？” “请你原谅，莫雷尔先生。我得先去看看我父亲。但对你的盛情我还是非常感激的。” “没错，唐太斯，真是这样，我早就知道你是一个好儿子。” “嗯”唐太斯犹豫了一下问道：“你知道我父亲的近况吗？” “我相信他很好，我亲爱的爱德蒙，不过最近我没见到他。” “是啊，他老爱把自己关在他那个小屋里。” “但那至少可以说明，当你不在的时候，他的日子还过得去。” 唐太斯微笑了一下。“我父亲是很要强的，很要面子，先生。即便是他饿肚子没饭吃了，恐怕除了上帝以外，他不会向任何人去乞讨的。” “那么好吧，你先去看你的父亲吧，我们等着你。” “我恐怕还得再请你原谅，莫雷尔先生，——因为我看过父亲以后，我还有另外一个地方要去一下。” “真是的，唐太斯，我怎么给忘记了，在迦泰罗尼亚人那里，还有一个人也象你父亲一样在焦急地期待着你呢，——那可爱的美塞苔丝。” 唐太斯的脸红了。 “哈哈！”船主说，“难怪她到我这儿来了三次，打听法老号有什么消息没有呢。嘻嘻！爱德蒙，你的这位小情妇可真漂亮啊！” “她不是我的情妇，”青年水手神色庄重严肃地说，“她是我的未婚妻。” “有时两者是一回事。”莫雷尔微笑着说。 “我们俩可不是这样的，先生。”唐太斯回答。 “得了，得了，我亲爱的爱德蒙，”船主又说，“我不耽搁你了。我的事你办得很出色，我也应该让你有充分的时间去痛快地办一下自己的事了。你要钱用吗？” “不，先生，我的报酬还都在这儿，——差不多有三个月的薪水呢。” “你真是一个守规矩的小伙子，爱德蒙。” “我还有一位可怜的父亲呢，先生。” “不错，不错，我知道你是一个好儿子。那么去吧，去看你的父亲去吧。我自己也有个儿子，要是他航海三个月回来后，竟还有人阻扰他来看我，我会大大地发火的。” “那么我可以走了吗，先生？” “走吧，假如你再没有什么事要跟我说的话。” “没有了。” “莱克勒船长临终前，没有托你交一封信给我吗？” “他当时已经根本不能动笔了，先生。不过，我倒想起了一件事，我还得向你请两星期的假。” “是去结婚吗？” “是的，先是去结婚，然后还得到巴黎去一次。” “好，好。你就离开两个星期吧，唐太斯。反正船上卸货得花六个星期，卸完货以后，还得要过三个月以后才能再出海，你只要在三个月以内回来就行，——因为法老号，”船主拍拍青年水手的背，又说，“没有船长是不能出海的呀。” “没有船长！”唐太斯眼睛里闪烁着兴奋的光芒，不禁说道，“你说什么呀，你好象窥视到了我心底最秘密的一线希望。你真要任命我做法老号的船长吗？” “我亲爱的唐太斯，假如我是一人说了就算数的老板，我现在就可任命你，事情也就一言为定了，但你也知道，意大利有一句俗话——谁有了一个合伙人，谁就有了一个主人。但这事至少已成功一半了，因为在两张投票之中，你已经得到了一标。让我去把另外那一票也为你争取过来吧，我尽力办到。” “啊，莫雷尔先生，”青年水手的眼睛里含着泪水，紧握住船主的手喊道——“莫雷尔先生，我代表我父亲和美塞苔丝谢谢你了。” “好了，好了，爱德蒙，别提了，上天保佑好心人！快到你父亲那儿去吧，快去看看美塞苔丝吧，然后再到我这儿来。” “我把您送上岸好吗？” “不用了，谢谢你。我还得留下来和腾格拉尔核对一下帐目。你在这次航行里对他还满意吗？” “那得看您这个问题是指哪一方面了，先生。假如您的意思是问，他是不是一个好伙计？那么我要说不是，因为自从那次我傻里傻气地和他吵了一次架以后，我曾向他提议在基督山岛上停留十分钟以消除不愉快，我想他从那以后开始讨厌我了——那次的事我本来就不该提那个建议，而他拒绝我也是很对的。假如你的问题是指他做押运员是否称职，那我就说他是无可挑剔的，对他的工作你会满意的。” “但你要告诉我，唐太斯，假如由你来负责法老号，你愿意把腾格拉尔留在船上吗？” “莫雷尔先生，”唐太斯回答道，“无论我做船长也好，做大副也好，凡是那些能获得我们船主信任的人，我对他们总是极尊重的。” “好，好，唐太斯！我看你在各个方面都是好样的。别让我再耽误你了，快去吧，我看你已有些急不可耐啦。” “那么我可以走了吗？” “快走吧。我已经说过了。” “我可以借用一下您的小艇吗？” “当然可以。” “那么，莫雷尔先生，再会吧。再一次多谢啦！” “我希望不久能再看到你，我亲爱的爱德蒙。祝你好运！” 青年水手跳上了小艇，坐在船尾，吩咐朝卡纳比埃尔街划去。两个水手即刻划动起来，小船就飞快地在那从港口直到奥尔兰码头的千百只帆船中间穿梭过去。 船主微笑着目送着他，直到他上了岸，消失在卡纳比埃尔街上的人流里。这条街从清晨五点钟直到晚上九点钟都拥挤着川流不息的人群。卡纳比埃尔街是马赛最有名的街道，马赛的居民很以它为自豪，他们甚至煞有其事地庄重地宣称：“假如巴黎也有一条卡纳比埃尔街，那巴黎就可称为小马赛了。” 船主转过身来时，看见腾格拉尔正站在他背后。腾格拉尔表面上看似在等候他的吩咐，实际上却象他一样，在用目光遥送那青年水手。这两个人虽然都在注视着爱德蒙。唐太斯，但两个人目光里的神情和含义却大不相同。

英文原文 Chapter 2 Father and Son. We will leave Danglars struggling with the demon of hatred, and endeavoring to insinuate in the ear of the shipowner some evil suspicions against his comrade, and follow Dantes, who, after having traversed La Canebiere, took the Rue de Noailles, and entering a small house, on the left of the Allees de Meillan, rapidly ascended four flights of a dark staircase, holding the baluster with one hand, while with the other he repressed the beatings of his heart, and paused before a half-open door, from which he could see the whole of a small room. This room was occupied by Dantes' father. The news of the arrival of the Pharaon had not yet reached the old man, who, mounted on a chair, was amusing himself by training with trembling hand the nasturtiums and sprays of clematis that clambered over the trellis at his window. Suddenly, he felt an arm thrown around his body, and a well-known voice behind him exclaimed, "Father -- dear father!" The old man uttered a cry, and turned round; then, seeing his son, he fell into his arms, pale and trembling. "What ails you, my dearest father? Are you ill?" inquired the young man, much alarmed. "No, no, my dear Edmond -- my boy -- my son! -- no; but I did not expect you; and joy, the surprise of seeing you so suddenly -- Ah, I feel as if I were going to die." "Come, come, cheer up, my dear father! 'Tis I -- really I! They say joy never hurts, and so I came to you without any warning. Come now, do smile, instead of looking at me so solemnly. Here I am back again, and we are going to be happy." "Yes, yes, my boy, so we will -- so we will," replied the old man; "but how shall we be happy? Shall you never leave me again? Come, tell me all the good fortune that has befallen you." "God forgive me," said the young man, "for rejoicing at happiness derived from the misery of others, but, Heaven knows, I did not seek this good fortune; it has happened, and I really cannot pretend to lament it. The good Captain Leclere is dead, father, and it is probable that, with the aid of M. Morrel, I shall have his place. Do you understand, father? Only imagine me a captain at twenty, with a hundred louis pay, and a share in the profits! Is this not more than a poor sailor like me could have hoped for?" "Yes, my dear boy," replied the old man, "it is very fortunate." "Well, then, with the first money I touch, I mean you to have a small house, with a garden in which to plant clematis, nasturtiums, and honeysuckle. But what ails you, father? Are you not well?" "'Tis nothing, nothing; it will soon pass away" -- and as he said so the old man's strength failed him, and he fell backwards. "Come, come," said the young man, "a glass of wine, father, will revive you. Where do you keep your wine?" "No, no; thanks. You need not look for it; I do not want it," said the old man. "Yes, yes, father, tell me where it is," and he opened two or three cupboards. "It is no use," said the old man, "there is no wine." "What, no wine?" said Dantes, turning pale, and looking alternately at the hollow cheeks of the old man and the empty cupboards. "What, no wine? Have you wanted money, father?" "I want nothing now that I have you," said the old man. "Yet," stammered Dantes, wiping the perspiration from his brow, -- "yet I gave you two hundred francs when I left, three months ago." "Yes, yes, Edmond, that is true, but you forgot at that time a little debt to our neighbor, Caderousse. He reminded me of it, telling me if I did not pay for you, he would be paid by M. Morrel; and so, you see, lest he might do you an injury" -- "Well?" "Why, I paid him." "But," cried Dantes, "it was a hundred and forty francs I owed Caderousse." "Yes," stammered the old man. "And you paid him out of the two hundred francs I left you?" The old man nodded. "So that you have lived for three months on sixty francs," muttered Edmond. "You know how little I require," said the old man. "Heaven pardon me," cried Edmond, falling on his knees before his father. "What are you doing?" "You have wounded me to the heart." "Never mind it, for I see you once more," said the old man; "and now it's all over -- everything is all right again." "Yes, here I am," said the young man, "with a promising future and a little money. Here, father, here!" he said, "take this -- take it, and send for something immediately." And he emptied his pockets on the table, the contents consisting of a dozen gold pieces, five or six five-franc pieces, and some smaller coin. The countenance of old Dantes brightened. "Whom does this belong to?" he inquired. "To me, to you, to us! Take it; buy some provisions; be happy, and to-morrow we shall have more." "Gently, gently," said the old man, with a smile; "and by your leave I will use your purse moderately, for they would say, if they saw me buy too many things at a time, that I had been obliged to await your return, in order to be able to purchase them." "Do as you please; but, first of all, pray have a servant, father. I will not have you left alone so long. I have some smuggled coffee and most capital tobacco, in a small chest in the hold, which you shall have to-morrow. But, hush, here comes somebody." "'Tis Caderousse, who has heard of your arrival, and no doubt comes to congratulate you on your fortunate return." "Ah, lips that say one thing, while the heart thinks another," murmured Edmond. "But, never mind, he is a neighbor who has done us a service on a time, so he's welcome." As Edmond paused, the black and bearded head of Caderousse appeared at the door. He was a man of twenty-five or six, and held a piece of cloth, which, being a tailor, he was about to make into a coat-lining. "What, is it you, Edmond, back again?" said he, with a broad Marseillaise accent, and a grin that displayed his ivory-white teeth. "Yes, as you see, neighbor Caderousse; and ready to be agreeable to you in any and every way," replied Dantes, but ill-concealing his coldness under this cloak of civility. "Thanks -- thanks; but, fortunately, I do not want for anything; and it chances that at times there are others who have need of me." Dantes made a gesture. "I do not allude to you, my boy. No! -- no! I lent you money, and you returned it; that's like good neighbors, and we are quits." "We are never quits with those who oblige us," was Dantes' reply; "for when we do not owe them money, we owe them gratitude." "What's the use of mentioning that? What is done is done. Let us talk of your happy return, my boy. I had gone on the quay to match a piece of mulberry cloth, when I met friend Danglars. `You at Marseilles?' -- `Yes,' says he. "`I thought you were at Smyrna.' -- `I was; but am now back again.' "`And where is the dear boy, our little Edmond?' "`Why, with his father, no doubt,' replied Danglars. And so I came," added Caderousse, "as fast as I could to have the pleasure of shaking hands with a friend." "Worthy Caderousse!" said the old man, "he is so much attached to us." "Yes, to be sure I am. I love and esteem you, because honest folks are so rare. But it seems you have come back rich, my boy," continued the tailor, looking askance at the handful of gold and silver which Dantes had thrown on the table. The young man remarked the greedy glance which shone in the dark eyes of his neighbor. "Eh," he said, negligently. "this money is not mine. I was expressing to my father my fears that he had wanted many things in my absence, and to convince me he emptied his purse on the table. Come, father" added Dantes, "put this money back in your box – unless neighbor Caderousse wants anything, and in that case it is at his service." "No, my boy, no," said Caderousse. "I am not in any want, thank God, my living is suited to my means. Keep your money-- keep it, I say; -- one never has too much; -- but, at the same time, my boy, I am as much obliged by your offer as if I took advantage of it." "It was offered with good will," said Dantes. "No doubt, my boy; no doubt. Well, you stand well with M. Morrel I hear, -- you insinuating dog, you!" "M. Morrel has always been exceedingly kind to me," replied Dantes. "Then you were wrong to refuse to dine with him." "What, did you refuse to dine with him?" said old Dantes; "and did he invite you to dine?" "Yes, my dear father," replied Edmond, smiling at his father's astonishment at the excessive honor paid to his son. "And why did you refuse, my son?" inquired the old man. "That I might the sooner see you again, my dear father," replied the young man. "I was most anxious to see you." "But it must have vexed M. Morrel, good, worthy man," said Caderousse. "And when you are looking forward to be captain, it was wrong to annoy the owner." "But I explained to him the cause of my refusal," replied Dantes, "and I hope he fully understood it." "Yes, but to be captain one must do a little flattery to one's patrons." "I hope to be captain without that," said Dantes. "So much the better -- so much the better! Nothing will give greater pleasure to all your old friends; and I know one down there behind the Saint Nicolas citadel who will not be sorry to hear it." "Mercedes?" said the old man. "Yes, my dear father, and with your permission, now I have seen you, and know you are well and have all you require, I will ask your consent to go and pay a visit to the Catalans." "Go, my dear boy," said old Dantes: "and heaven bless you in your wife, as it has blessed me in my son!" "His wife!" said Caderousse; "why, how fast you go on, father Dantes; she is not his wife yet, as it seems to me." "So, but according to all probability she soon will be," replied Edmond. "Yes -- yes," said Caderousse; "but you were right to return as soon as possible, my boy." "And why?" "Because Mercedes is a very fine girl, and fine girls never lack followers; she particularly has them by dozens." "Really?" answered Edmond, with a smile which had in it traces of slight uneasiness. "Ah, yes," continued Caderousse, "and capital offers, too; but you know, you will be captain, and who could refuse you then?" "Meaning to say," replied Dantes, with a smile which but ill-concealed his trouble, "that if I were not a captain" -- "Eh -- eh!" said Caderousse, shaking his head. "Come, come," said the sailor, "I have a better opinion than you of women in general, and of Mercedes in particular; and I am certain that, captain or not, she will remain ever faithful to me." "So much the better -- so much the better," said Caderousse. "When one is going to be married, there is nothing like implicit confidence; but never mind that, my boy, -- go and announce your arrival, and let her know all your hopes and prospects." "I will go directly," was Edmond's reply; and, embracing his father, and nodding to Caderousse, he left the apartment. Caderousse lingered for a moment, then taking leave of old Dantes, he went downstairs to rejoin Danglars, who awaited him at the corner of the Rue Senac. "Well," said Danglars, "did you see him?" "I have just left him," answered Caderousse. "Did he allude to his hope of being captain?" "He spoke of it as a thing already decided." "Indeed!" said Danglars, "he is in too much hurry, it appears to me." "Why, it seems M. Morrel has promised him the thing." "So that he is quite elated about it?" "Why, yes, he is actually insolent over the matter – has already offered me his patronage, as if he were a grand personage, and proffered me a loan of money, as though he were a banker." "Which you refused?" "Most assuredly; although I might easily have accepted it, for it was I who put into his hands the first silver he ever earned; but now M. Dantes has no longer any occasion for assistance -- he is about to become a captain." "Pooh!" said Danglars, "he is not one yet." "Ma foi, it will be as well if he is not," answered Caderousse; "for if he should be, there will be really no speaking to him." "If we choose," replied Danglars, "he will remain what he is; and perhaps become even less than he is." "What do you mean?" "Nothing -- I was speaking to myself. And is he still in love with the Catalane?" "Over head and ears; but, unless I am much mistaken, there will be a storm in that quarter." "Explain yourself." "Why should I?" "It is more important than you think, perhaps. You do not like Dantes?" "I never like upstarts." "Then tell me all you know about the Catalane." "I know nothing for certain; only I have seen things which induce me to believe, as I told you, that the future captain will find some annoyance in the vicinity of the Vieilles Infirmeries." "What have you seen? -- come, tell me!" "Well, every time I have seen Mercedes come into the city she has been accompanied by a tall, strapping, black-eyed Catalan, with a red complexion, brown skin, and fierce air, whom she calls cousin." "Really; and you think this cousin pays her attentions?" "I only suppose so. What else can a strapping chap of twenty-one mean with a fine wench of seventeen?" "And you say that Dantes has gone to the Catalans?" "He went before I came down." "Let us go the same way; we will stop at La Reserve, and we can drink a glass of La Malgue, whilst we wait for news." "Come along," said Caderousse; "but you pay the score." "Of course," replied Danglars; and going quickly to the designated place, they called for a bottle of wine, and two glasses. Pere Pamphile had seen Dantes pass not ten minutes before; and assured that he was at the Catalans, they sat down under the budding foliage of the planes and sycamores, in the branches of which the birds were singing their welcome to one of the first days of spring.

中文翻译 第二章　父与子 我们暂且先放下不谈腾格拉尔如何怀着仇恨，竭力在船主莫雷尔的耳边讲他的同伴的坏话的。且说唐太斯横过了卡纳比埃尔街，顺着诺埃尹街转入梅兰巷，走进了靠左边的一家小房子里。他在黑暗的楼梯上一手扶着栏杆，一手按在他那狂跳的心上，急急地奔上了四层楼梯。他在一扇半开半掩的门前停了下来，那半开的门里是一个小房间。 唐太斯的父亲就住在这个房间里。法老号到港的消息老人还不知道。这时他正踩在一张椅子上，用颤抖的手指在窗口绑扎牵牛花和萎草花，想编成一个花棚。突然他觉得一只手臂拦腰抱住了他，随即一个熟悉的声音在耳边喊起来，“父亲！亲爱的父亲！” 老人惊叫了一声，转过身来，一看是自己的儿子，就颤巍巍地脸色惨白地倒在了他的怀抱中。 “你怎么啦，我最亲爱的父亲！你病了吗？”青年吃惊地问。 “不，不，我亲爱的爱德蒙——我的孩子——我的宝贝！不，我没想到你回来了。我真太高兴了，这样突然的看见你太让我激动了——天哪，我觉得我都快要死了。” “高兴点，亲爱的父亲！是我——真的是我！人们都说高兴绝不会有伤身体的，所以我就偷偷的溜了进来。嗨！对我笑笑，不要拿这种疑惑的眼光看我呀。是我回来啦，我们现在要过快活的日子了。” “孩子，我们要过快活的日子，——我们要过快活的日子，”老人说道。“但我们怎么才能快活呢？难道你会永远不再离开我了吗？来，快告诉我你交了什么好运了？” “愿上帝宽恕我：我的幸福是建立在另一家人丧亲的痛苦上的，但上帝知道我并不是自己要这样的。事情既然已经发生了，我实在无法装出那种悲哀的样子。父亲，我们那位好心的船长莱克勒先生他死了，承蒙莫雷尔先生的推荐，我极有可能接替他的位置。你懂吗，父亲？想想看，我二十岁就能当上船长，薪水是一百金路易［法国金币名。］，还可以分红利！这可是象我这样的穷水手以前连想都不敢想的呀。” “是的，我亲爱的孩子，”老人回答说，——“是的，这真是一桩大喜事的。” “嗯，等我拿到第一笔钱时，我就为你买一所房子，要带花园的，你可以在里面种种牵牛花，萎草花和皂荚花什么的。你怎么了，父亲，你不舒服吗？” “没什么，没什么，就会好的。”老人说着，终因年老体衰，力不从心，倒在了椅子里。 “来，来，”青年说，“喝点酒吧，父亲，你就会好的。你把酒放在哪儿了？” “不，不用了，谢谢。你不用找了，我不喝。”老人说。 “喝，一定要喝父亲，告诉我酒在什么地方？”唐太斯一面说着，一面打开了两三个碗柜。 “你找不到的，”老人说，“没有酒了。” “什么！没有酒了？”唐太斯说，他的脸色渐渐变白了，看着老人那深陷的双颊，又看看那空空的碗柜——“什么！没有酒了？父亲，你缺钱用吗？” “我只要见到了你，就什么都不缺了。”老人说。 “可是，”唐太斯擦了一把额头上的冷汗，嗫嚅地说，——“可是三个月前我临走的时候给你留下过两百法郎呀。” “是的，是的，爱德蒙，一点儿不错。但你当时忘了你还欠我们邻居卡德鲁斯一笔小债。他跟我提起了这件事，对我说，假如我不代你还债，他就会去找莫雷尔先生，去向他讨还，所以，为了免得你受影响……” “那么？” “哪，我就把钱还给他了。” “可是，”唐太斯叫了起来，“我欠了卡德鲁斯一百四十法朗埃！” “不错。”老人呐呐地说。 “那就是说你就从我留给你的两百法朗里抽出来还了他了？” 老人做了一个肯定的表示。 “这么说，三个月来你就只靠六十个法朗来维持生活！”青年自言自语地说。 “你知道我花销不大。”老人说。 “噢，上帝饶恕我吧！”爱德蒙哭着跪到了老人的面前。 “你这是怎么了？” “你使我感到太伤心了！” “这没什么，孩子。”老人说，“我一看到你，就什么都忘了，现在一切都好了。” “是啊，我回来了，”青年说，“带着一个幸福远大的前程和一点钱回来了。看，父亲，看！”他说，“拿着吧——拿着，赶快叫人去买点东西。”说着他翻开口袋，把钱全倒在桌子上，一共有十几块金洋，五六块艾居［法国银币名。］和一些小零币。老唐太斯的脸上顿时展开了笑容。 “这些钱是谁的？”他问。 “是我的！你的！我们的！拿着吧，去买些吃的东西。快活些，明天我们还会有更多的。” “小声点，轻点声，”老人微笑着说。“我还是把你的钱节省点用吧——因为大家要是看见我一次买了那么多的东西，就会说我非得等着你回来才能买得起那些东西。” “随你便吧，但最重要的，父亲，该先雇一个佣人。我决不再让你独自一个人长期孤零零地生活了。我私下带了一些咖啡和上等烟草，现在都放在船上的小箱子里，明天早晨我就可以拿来给你了。嘘，别出声！有人来了。” “是卡德鲁斯，他一定是听到了你回来的消息，知道你交了好运了，来向你道贺的。” “哼！口是心非的家伙，”爱德蒙轻声说道。“不过，他毕竟是我们的邻居，而且还帮过我们的忙，所以我们还是应该表示欢迎的。” 爱德蒙的这句话刚轻声讲完，卡德鲁斯那个黑发蓬松的头便出现在门口。他看上去约莫二十五六岁，手里拿着一块布料，他原是一个裁缝，这块布料是他预备拿来做衣服的衬里用的。 “怎么！真是你回来了吗，爱德蒙？”他带着很重的马赛口音开口说道，露出满口白得如象牙一样的牙齿笑着。 “是的，我回来了，卡德鲁斯邻居，我正准备着想使你高兴一下呢。”唐太斯回答道，答话虽彬彬有礼，却仍掩饰不住他内心的冷淡。 “谢谢，谢谢，不过幸亏我还不需要什么。倒是有时人家需要我的帮忙呢。”唐太斯不觉动了一下。“我不是指你，我的孩子。不，不！我借钱给你，你还了我。好邻居之间这种事是常有的，我们已经两清了。” “我们对那些帮助过我们的人是永远忘不了的。”唐太斯说，“因为我们虽还清了他们的钱，却还不清负他们的情的。” “还提它干什么？过去的都过去了。让我们来谈谈你这次幸运的归来的事儿吧，孩子。 我刚才到码头上去配一块细花布，碰到了我们的朋友腾格拉尔。‘怎么！你也在马赛呀！’我当时就喊了出来。他说：“是呀。‘’我还以为你在士麦拿呢。‘’不错，我去过那儿，但现在又回来了。‘’我那亲爱的小家伙爱德蒙他在哪儿，‘我问他。腾格拉尔就回答说：’一定在他父亲那儿。‘所以我就急忙跑来了，”卡德鲁斯接着说，“来高高兴兴地和老朋友握手。” “好心的卡德鲁斯！”老人说，“他待我们多好啊！” “是呀，我当然要这样的，我爱你们，并且敬重你们，天底下好人可不多啊！我的孩子，你好象是发了财回来啦。”裁缝一面说，一面斜眼看着唐太斯抛在桌子上的那一把金币和银币。 青年看出了从他邻居那黑眼睛里流露出的贪婪的目光。 他漫不经心地说，“这些钱不是我的，父亲看出我担心，他当我不在的时候缺钱用，为了让我放心，就把他钱包里的钱都倒在桌子上给我看。来吧，父亲。”唐太斯接着说，“快把这些钱收回到你的箱子里去吧，——除非我们的邻居卡德鲁斯要用，我们倒是乐意帮这个忙的。” “不，孩子，不，”卡德鲁斯说，“我根本不需要，干我这行够吃的了。把你的钱收起来吧，——我说。一个人的钱不一定非得很多，我虽用不上你的钱，但对你的好意我还是很感激的。” “我可是真心的呀。”唐太斯说。 “那当然，那当然。唔，我听说你和莫雷尔先生的关系不错，你这只得宠的小狗！” “莫雷尔先生待我一直特别友善。”唐太斯回答。 “那么他请你吃饭你不该拒绝他呀。” “什么！你竟然回绝他请你吃饭？”老唐太斯说。“他邀请过你吃饭吗？” “是的，我亲爱的父亲。”爱德蒙回答。看到父亲因自己的儿子得到别人的器重而显出惊异的神情，便笑了笑。 “孩子呀，你为什么拒绝呢？”老人问。 “为了快点回来看你呀，我亲爱的父亲，”青年答道，“我太想你了。” “但你这样做一定会使可敬的莫雷尔先生不高兴的，”卡德鲁斯说。“尤其是当你快要升为船长的时候，是不该在这时得罪船主的。” “但我已把谢绝的理由向他解释过了，”唐太斯回答，“我想他会谅解的。” “但是要想当船长，就该对船主恭敬一点才好。” “我希望不恭顺也能当船长。”唐太斯说。 “那更好，——那更好！你这个消息会让那些老朋友听了都高兴的，我还知道圣。尼古拉堡那边有一个人，听到这个好消息也会高兴的。” “你是说美塞苔丝吗？”老人说。 “是的，我亲爱的父亲，现在我已经见过了你，知道你很好，并不缺什么，我就放心了。请允许我到迦太罗尼亚人的村里，好吗？” “去吧，我亲爱的孩子，”老唐太斯说，“望上帝保佑你的妻子，就如同保佑我的儿子一样！” “他的妻子！”卡德鲁斯说，“你说得太早了点吧，唐太斯老爹。她还没正式成为他的妻子呢。” “是这样的，但从各方面看，她肯定会成为我妻子的。”爱德蒙回答。 “不错，不错，”卡德鲁斯说，“但你这次回来得很快，做得是对的，我的孩子。” “你这是什么意思？” “因为美塞苔丝是一位非常漂亮的姑娘，而漂亮姑娘总是不乏有人追求的。尤其是她，身后有上打的追求者呢。” “真的吗？”爱德蒙虽微笑着回答，但微笑里却流露出一点的不安。 “啊，是的，”卡德鲁斯又说，“而且都是些条件不错的人呢，但你知道，你就要做船长了，她怎么会拒绝你呢？” “你是说，”唐太斯问道，他微笑着并没有掩饰住他的焦急，“假如我不是一个船长——” “唉，唉。”卡德鲁斯说。 “得了，得了，”年轻的唐太斯说：“一般说来，对女人，我可比你了解的得多，尤其是美塞苔丝。我相信，不论我当不当船长，她都是忠诚于我的。” “那再好也没有了，卡德鲁斯说。”一个人快要结婚的时候，信心十足总是好事。别管这些了，我的孩子，快去报到吧，并把你的希望告诉她。“ “我就去。”爱德蒙回答他，拥抱了一下他的父亲，挥挥手和卡德鲁斯告辞，就走出房间去了。 卡德鲁斯又呆了一会，便离开老唐太斯，下楼去见腾格拉尔，后者正在西纳克街的拐角上等他。 “怎么样，”腾格拉尔说，“你见到他了吗？” “我刚从他那儿来。” “他提到他希望做船长的事了吗？” “他说的若有其事，那口气就好象事情已经决定了似的。” “别忙！”腾格拉尔说，“依我看，他未免太心急了”。 “怎么，这件事莫雷尔先生好象已经答应他了啦。” “这么说他已经在那儿自鸣得意了吗？” “他简直骄傲得很，已经要来关照我了。好象他是个什么大人物似的，而且还要借钱给我，好象是一个银行家。” “你拒绝了吗？” “当然，虽然我即便是接受了也问心无愧，因为他第一次摸到发亮的银币，还是我放到他手里的。但现在唐太斯先生已不再要人帮忙了，他就要做船长了。” “呸！”腾格拉尔说，“他现在还没有做成呢。” “他还是做不成的好，”卡德鲁斯回答，“不然我们就别想再跟他说上话了。” “假如我们愿意可以还让他爬上去，”腾格拉尔答道，“他爬不上去，或许不如现在呢。” “你这话是什么意思？” “没什么，我不过自己这么说着玩儿罢了。他还爱着那个漂亮的迦太尼亚小妞吗？” “简直爱得发疯了，但除非是我弄错了，在这方面他可能要遇到点麻烦了。” “你说清楚点。” “我干吗要说清楚呢？” “这件事或许比你想象得还要重要，你不喜欢唐太斯对吧？” “我一向不喜欢目空一切的人。” “那么关于迦太罗尼亚人的事，把你所知道的都告诉我吧。” “我所知道的可都不怎么确切，只是就我亲眼见的来说，我猜想那位未来的船长会在老医务所路附近。” “你知道些什么事，告诉我！” “是这样的，我每次看见美塞苔丝进城时，总有一个身材魁梧高大的迦太罗尼亚小伙子陪着她，那个人有一对黑色的眼睛，肤色褐中透红，很神气很威武，她叫他表哥。” “真的！那么你认为这位表兄在追求她吗？” “我只是这么想。一个身材魁梧的二十几岁的小伙子，对一个漂亮的十七岁的少女还能有什么别的想法呢？” “你说唐太斯已到迦太罗尼亚人那儿去了吗”？ “我没有下楼他就去了。” “那我们就到这条路上去吧，我们可以在瑞瑟夫酒家那儿等着，一面喝拉玛尔格酒，一面听听消息。” “谁向我们通消息呢？” “我们在半路上等着他呀，看一下他的神色怎么样，就知道了。” “走吧，”卡德鲁斯说，“但话说在前面，你来付酒钱。” “那当然，”腾格拉尔说道。他们快步走向约定的地点，要了瓶酒。 邦非尔老爹看见唐太斯在十分钟以前刚刚过去。他们既确知了他还在迦太罗尼亚人的村里。便在长着嫩叶的梧桐树下和大枫树底下坐下来。头上的树枝间，小鸟们正在动人地合唱着，歌唱春天的好时光。

英文原文 Chapter 3 The Catalans. Beyond a bare, weather-worn wall, about a hundred paces from the spot where the two friends sat looking and listening as they drank their wine, was the village of the Catalans. Long ago this mysterious colony quitted Spain, and settled on the tongue of land on which it is to this day. Whence it came no one knew, and it spoke an unknown tongue. One of its chiefs, who understood Provencal, begged the commune of Marseilles to give them this bare and barren promontory, where, like the sailors of old, they had run their boats ashore. The request was granted; and three months afterwards, around the twelve or fifteen small vessels which had brought these gypsies of the sea, a small village sprang up. This village, constructed in a singular and picturesque manner, half Moorish, half Spanish, still remains, and is inhabited by descendants of the first comers, who speak the language of their fathers. For three or four centuries they have remained upon this small promontory, on which they hadbsettled like a flight of seabirds, without mixing with thebMarseillaise population, intermarrying, and preserving theirboriginal customs and the costume of their mother-country asbthey have preserved its language. Our readers will follow us along the only street of thisblittle village, and enter with us one of the houses, which is sunburned to the beautiful dead-leaf color peculiar to the buildings of the country, and within coated with whitewash, like a Spanish posada. A young and beautiful girl, with hair as black as jet, her eyes as velvety as the gazelle's, was leaning with her back against the wainscot, rubbing in her slender delicately moulded fingers a bunch of heath blossoms, the flowers of which she was picking off and strewing on the floor; her arms, bare to the elbow, brown, and modelled after those of the Arlesian Venus, moved with a kind of restless impatience, and she tapped the earth with her arched and supple foot, so as to display the pure and full shape of her well-turned leg, in its red cotton, gray and blue clocked, stocking. At three paces from her, seated in a chair which he balanced on two legs, leaning his elbow on an old worm-eaten table, was a tall young man of twenty, or two-and-twenty, who was looking at her with an air in which vexation and uneasiness were mingled. He questioned her with his eyes, but the firm and steady gaze of the young girl controlled his look. "You see, Mercedes," said the young man, "here is Easter come round again; tell me, is this the moment for a wedding?" "I have answered you a hundred times, Fernand, and really you must be very stupid to ask me again." "Well, repeat it, -- repeat it, I beg of you, that I may at last believe it! Tell me for the hundredth time that you refuse my love, which had your mother's sanction. Make me understand once for all that you are trifling with my happiness, that my life or death are nothing to you. Ah, to have dreamed for ten years of being your husband, Mercedes, and to lose that hope, which was the only stay of my existence!" "At least it was not I who ever encouraged you in that hope, Fernand," replied Mercedes; "you cannot reproach me with the slightest coquetry. I have always said to you, `I love you as a brother; but do not ask from me more than sisterly affection, for my heart is another's.' Is not this true, Fernand?" "Yes, that is very true, Mercedes," replied the young man, "Yes, you have been cruelly frank with me; but do you forget that it is among the Catalans a sacred law to intermarry?" "You mistake, Fernand; it is not a law, but merely a custom, and, I pray of you, do not cite this custom in your favor. You are included in the conscription, Fernand, and are only at liberty on sufferance, liable at any moment to be called upon to take up arms. Once a soldier, what would you do with me, a poor orphan, forlorn, without fortune, with nothing but a half-ruined hut and a few ragged nets, the miserable inheritance left by my father to my mother, and by my mother to me? She has been dead a year, and you know, Fernand, I have subsisted almost entirely on public charity. Sometimes you pretend I am useful to you, and that is an excuse to share with me the produce of your fishing, and I accept it, Fernand, because you are the son of my father's brother, because we were brought up together, and still more because it would give you so much pain if I refuse. But I feel very deeply that this fish which I go and sell, and with the produce of which I buy the flax I spin, -- I feel very keenly, Fernand, that this is charity." "And if it were, Mercedes, poor and lone as you are, you suit me as well as the daughter of the first shipowner or the richest banker of Marseilles! What do such as we desire but a good wife and careful housekeeper, and where can I look for these better than in you?" "Fernand," answered Mercedes, shaking her head, "a woman becomes a bad manager, and who shall say she will remain an honest woman, when she loves another man better than her husband? Rest content with my friendship, for I say once more that is all I can promise, and I will promise no more than I can bestow." "I understand," replied Fernand, "you can endure your own wretchedness patiently, but you are afraid to share mine. Well, Mercedes, beloved by you, I would tempt fortune; you would bring me good luck, and I should become rich. I could extend my occupation as a fisherman, might get a place as clerk in a warehouse, and become in time a dealer myself." "You could do no such thing, Fernand; you are a soldier, and if you remain at the Catalans it is because there is no war; so remain a fisherman, and contented with my friendship, as I cannot give you more." "Well, I will do better, Mercedes. I will be a sailor; instead of the costume of our fathers, which you despise, I will wear a varnished hat, a striped shirt, and a blue jacket, with an anchor on the buttons. Would not that dress please you?" "What do you mean?" asked Mercedes, with an angry glance, -- "what do you mean? I do not understand you?" "I mean, Mercedes, that you are thus harsh and cruel with me, because you are expecting some one who is thus attired; but perhaps he whom you await is inconstant, or if he is not, the sea is so to him." "Fernand," cried Mercedes, "I believed you were good-hearted, and I was mistaken! Fernand, you are wicked to call to your aid jealousy and the anger of God! Yes, I will not deny it, I do await, and I do love him of whom you speak; and, if he does not return, instead of accusing him of the inconstancy which you insinuate, I will tell you that he died loving me and me only." The young girl made a gesture of rage. "I understand you, Fernand; you would be revenged on him because I do not love you; you would cross your Catalan knife with his dirk. What end would that answer? To lose you my friendship if he were conquered, and see that friendship changed into hate if you were victor. Believe me, to seek a quarrel with a man is a bad method of pleasing the woman who loves that man. No, Fernand, you will not thus give way to evil thoughts. Unable to have me for your wife, you will content yourself with having me for your friend and sister; and besides," she added, her eyes troubled and moistened with tears, "wait, wait, Fernand; you said just now that the sea was treacherous, and he has been gone four months, and during these four months there have been some terrible storms." Fernand made no reply, nor did he attempt to check the tears which flowed down the cheeks of Mercedes, although for each of these tears he would have shed his heart's blood; but these tears flowed for another. He arose, paced a while up and down the hut, and then, suddenly stopping before Mercedes, with his eyes glowing and his hands clinched, -- "Say, Mercedes," he said, "once for all, is this your final determination?" "I love Edmond Dantes," the young girl calmly replied, "and none but Edmond shall ever be my husband." "And you will always love him?" "As long as I live." Fernand let fall his head like a defeated man, heaved a sigh that was like a groan, and then suddenly looking her full in the face, with clinched teeth and expanded nostrils, said,-- "But if he is dead" -- "If he is dead, I shall die too." "If he has forgotten you" -- "Mercedes!" called a joyous voice from without, --"Mercedes!" "Ah," exclaimed the young girl, blushing with delight, and fairly leaping in excess of love, "you see he has not forgotten me, for here he is!" And rushing towards the door, she opened it, saying, "Here, Edmond, here I am!" Fernand, pale and trembling, drew back, like a traveller at the sight of a serpent, and fell into a chair beside him. Edmond and Mercedes were clasped in each other's arms. The burning Marseilles sun, which shot into the room through the open door, covered them with a flood of light. At first they saw nothing around them. Their intense happiness isolated them from all the rest of the world, and they only spoke in broken words, which are the tokens of a joy so extreme that they seem rather the expression of sorrow. Suddenly Edmond saw the gloomy, pale, and threatening countenance of Fernand, as it was defined in the shadow. By a movement for which he could scarcely account to himself, the young Catalan placed his hand on the knife at his belt. "Ah, your pardon," said Dantes, frowning in his turn; "I did not perceive that there were three of us." Then, turning to Mercedes, he inquired, "Who is this gentleman?" "One who will be your best friend, Dantes, for he is my friend, my cousin, my brother; it is Fernand -- the man whom, after you, Edmond, I love the best in the world. Do you not remember him?" "Yes!" said Dantes, and without relinquishing Mercedes hand clasped in one of his own, he extended the other to the Catalan with a cordial air. But Fernand, instead of responding to this amiable gesture, remained mute and trembling. Edmond then cast his eyes scrutinizingly at the agitated and embarrassed Mercedes, and then again on the gloomy and menacing Fernand. This look told him all, and his anger waxed hot. "I did not know, when I came with such haste to you, that I was to meet an enemy here." "An enemy!" cried Mercedes, with an angry look at her cousin. "An enemy in my house, do you say, Edmond! If I believed that, I would place my arm under yours and go with you to Marseilles, leaving the house to return to it no more." Fernand's eye darted lightning. "And should any misfortune occur to you, dear Edmond," she continued with the same calmness which proved to Fernand that the young girl had read the very innermost depths of his sinister thought, "if misfortune should occur to you, I would ascend the highest point of the Cape de Morgion and cast myself headlong from it." Fernand became deadly pale. "But you are deceived, Edmond," she continued. "You have no enemy here -- there is no one but Fernand, my brother, who will grasp your hand as a devoted friend." And at these words the young girl fixed her imperious look on the Catalan, who, as if fascinated by it, came slowly towards Edmond, and offered him his hand. His hatred, like a powerless though furious wave, was broken against the strong ascendancy which Mercedes exercised over him. Scarcely, however, had he touched Edmond's hand than he felt he had done all he could do, and rushed hastily out of the house. "Oh," he exclaimed, running furiously and tearing his hair-- "Oh, who will deliver me from this man? Wretched --wretched that I am!" "Hallo, Catalan! Hallo, Fernand! where are you running to?" exclaimed a voice. The young man stopped suddenly, looked around him, and perceived Caderousse sitting at table with Danglars, under an arbor. "Well", said Caderousse, "why don't you come? Are you really in such a hurry that you have no time to pass the time of day with your friends?" "Particularly when they have still a full bottle before them," added Danglars. Fernand looked at them both with a stupefied air, but did not say a word. "He seems besotted," said Danglars, pushing Caderousse with his knee. "Are we mistaken, and is Dantes triumphant in spite of all we have believed?" "Why, we must inquire into that," was Caderousse's reply; and turning towards the young man, said, "Well, Catalan, can't you make up your mind?" Fernand wiped away the perspiration steaming from his brow, and slowly entered the arbor, whose shade seemed to restore somewhat of calmness to his senses, and whose coolness somewhat of refreshment to his exhausted body. "Good-day," said he. "You called me, didn't you?" And he fell, rather than sat down, on one of the seats which surrounded the table. "I called you because you were running like a madman, and I was afraid you would throw yourself into the sea," said Caderousse, laughing. "Why, when a man has friends, they are not only to offer him a glass of wine, but, moreover, to prevent his swallowing three or four pints of water unnecessarily!" Fernand gave a groan, which resembled a sob, and dropped his head into his hands, his elbows leaning on the table. "Well, Fernand, I must say," said Caderousse, beginning the conversation, with that brutality of the common people in which curiosity destroys all diplomacy, "you look uncommonly like a rejected lover;" and he burst into a hoarse laugh. "Bah!" said Danglars, "a lad of his make was not born to be unhappy in love. You are laughing at him, Caderousse." "No," he replied, "only hark how he sighs! Come, come, Fernand," said Caderousse, "hold up your head, and answer us. It's not polite not to reply to friends who ask news of your health." "My health is well enough," said Fernand, clinching his hands without raising his head. "Ah, you see, Danglars," said Caderousse, winking at his friend, "this is how it is; Fernand, whom you see here, is a good and brave Catalan, one of the best fishermen in Marseilles, and he is in love with a very fine girl, named Mercedes; but it appears, unfortunately, that the fine girl is in love with the mate of the Pharaon; and as the Pharaon arrived to-day -- why, you understand!" "No; I do not understand," said Danglars. "Poor Fernand has been dismissed," continued Caderousse. "Well, and what then?" said Fernand, lifting up his head, and looking at Caderousse like a man who looks for some one on whom to vent his anger; "Mercedes is not accountable to any person, is she? Is she not free to love whomsoever she will?" "Oh, if you take it in that sense," said Caderousse, "it is another thing. But I thought you were a Catalan, and they told me the Catalans were not men to allow themselves to be supplanted by a rival. It was even told me that Fernand, especially, was terrible in his vengeance." Fernand smiled piteously. "A lover is never terrible," he said. "Poor fellow!" remarked Danglars, affecting to pity the young man from the bottom of his heart. "Why, you see, he did not expect to see Dantes return so suddenly – he thought he was dead, perhaps; or perchance faithless! These things always come on us more severely when they come suddenly." "Ah, ma foi, under any circumstances," said Caderousse, who drank as he spoke, and on whom the fumes of the wine began to take effect, -- "under any circumstances Fernand is not the only person put out by the fortunate arrival of Dantes; is he, Danglars?" "No, you are right -- and I should say that would bring him ill-luck." "Well, never mind," answered Caderousse, pouring out a glass of wine for Fernand, and filling his own for the eighth or ninth time, while Danglars had merely sipped his. "Never mind -- in the meantime he marries Mercedes -- the lovely Mercedes -- at least he returns to do that." During this time Danglars fixed his piercing glance on the young man, on whose heart Caderousse's words fell like molten lead. "And when is the wedding to be?" he asked. "Oh, it is not yet fixed!" murmured Fernand. "No, but it will be," said Caderousse, "as surely as Dantes will be captain of the Pharaon -- eh, Danglars?" Danglars shuddered at this unexpected attack, and turned to Caderousse, whose countenance he scrutinized, to try and detect whether the blow was premeditated; but he read nothing but envy in a countenance already rendered brutal and stupid by drunkenness. "Well," said he, filling the glasses, "let us drink to Captain Edmond Dantes, husband of the beautiful Catalane!" Caderousse raised his glass to his mouth with unsteady hand, and swallowed the contents at a gulp. Fernand dashed his on the ground. "Eh, eh, eh!" stammered Caderousse. "What do I see down there by the wall, in the direction of the Catalans? Look, Fernand, your eyes are better than mine. I believe I see double. You know wine is a deceiver; but I should say it was two lovers walking side by side, and hand in hand. Heaven forgive me, they do not know that we can see them, and they are actually embracing!" Danglars did not lose one pang that Fernand endured. "Do you know them, Fernand?" he said. "Yes," was the reply, in a low voice. "It is Edmond and Mercedes!" "Ah, see there, now!" said Caderousse; "and I did not recognize them! Hallo, Dantes! hello, lovely damsel! Come this way, and let us know when the wedding is to be, for Fernand here is so obstinate he will not tell us." "Hold your tongue, will you?" said Danglars, pretending to restrain Caderousse, who, with the tenacity of drunkards, leaned out of the arbor. "Try to stand upright, and let the lovers make love without interruption. See, look at Fernand, and follow his example; he is well-behaved!" Fernand, probably excited beyond bearing, pricked by Danglars, as the bull is by the bandilleros, was about to rush out; for he had risen from his seat, and seemed to be collecting himself to dash headlong upon his rival, when Mercedes, smiling and graceful, lifted up her lovely head, and looked at them with her clear and bright eyes. At this Fernand recollected her threat of dying if Edmond died, and dropped again heavily on his seat. Danglars looked at the two men, one after the other, the one brutalized by liquor, the other overwhelmed with love. "I shall get nothing from these fools," he muttered; "and I am very much afraid of being here between a drunkard and a coward. Here's an envious fellow making himself boozy on wine when he ought to be nursing his wrath, and here is a fool who sees the woman he loves stolen from under his nose and takes on like a big baby. Yet this Catalan has eyes that glisten like those of the vengeful Spaniards, Sicilians, and Calabrians, and the other has fists big enough to crush an ox at one blow. Unquestionably, Edmond's star is in the ascendant, and he will marry the splendid girl -- he will be captain, too, and laugh at us all, unless" -- a sinister smile passed over Danglars' lips -- "unless I take a hand in the affair," he added. "Hallo!" continued Caderousse, half-rising, and with his fist on the table, "hallo, Edmond! do you not see your friends, or are you too proud to speak to them?" "No, my dear fellow!" replied Dantes, "I am not proud, but I am happy, and happiness blinds, I think, more than pride." "Ah, very well, that's an explanation!" said Caderousse. "How do you do, Madame Dantes?" Mercedes courtesied gravely, and said -- "That is not my name, and in my country it bodes ill fortune, they say, to call a young girl by the name of her betrothed before he becomes her husband. So call me Mercedes, if you please." "We must excuse our worthy neighbor, Caderousse," said Dantes, "he is so easily mistaken." "So, then, the wedding is to take place immediately, M. Dantes," said Danglars, bowing to the young couple. "As soon as possible, M. Danglars; to-day all preliminaries will be arranged at my father's, and to-morrow, or next day at latest, the wedding festival here at La Reserve. My friends will be there, I hope; that is to say, you are invited, M. Danglars, and you, Caderousse." "And Fernand," said Caderousse with a chuckle; "Fernand, too, is invited!" "My wife's brother is my brother," said Edmond; "and we, Mercedes and I, should be very sorry if he were absent at such a time." Fernand opened his mouth to reply, but his voice died on his lips, and he could not utter a word. "To-day the preliminaries, to-morrow or next day the ceremony! You are in a hurry, captain!" "Danglars," said Edmond, smiling, "I will say to you as Mercedes said just now to Caderousse, `Do not give me a title which does not belong to me'; that may bring me bad luck." "Your pardon," replied Danglars, "I merely said you seemed in a hurry, and we have lots of time; the Pharaon cannot be under weigh again in less than three months." "We are always in a hurry to be happy, M. Danglars; for when we have suffered a long time, we have great difficulty in believing in good fortune. But it is not selfishness alone that makes me thus in haste; I must go to Paris." "Ah, really? -- to Paris! and will it be the first time you have ever been there, Dantes?" "Yes." "Have you business there?" "Not of my own; the last commission of poor Captain Leclere; you know to what I allude, Danglars -- it is sacred. Besides, I shall only take the time to go and return." "Yes, yes, I understand," said Danglars, and then in a low tone, he added, "To Paris, no doubt to deliver the letter which the grand marshal gave him. Ah, this letter gives me an idea -- a capital idea! Ah; Dantes, my friend, you are not yet registered number one on board the good ship Pharaon;" then turning towards Edmond, who was walking away, "A pleasant journey," he cried. "Thank you," said Edmond with a friendly nod, and the two lovers continued on their way, as calm and joyous as if they were the very elect of heaven.

中文翻译 第三章　迦太罗尼亚人的村庄 那二位朋友一面喝着泛着泡沫的拉玛尔格酒，一面竖着耳朵，留神着百步开外的一个地方。那儿，在一座光秃秃的被风雨无情的侵蚀了的小山的后面，有一个小村庄，便是罗尼亚人居住的地方。很久以前有一群神秘的移民离开西班牙，来到了这块突出在海湾里的地带安居下来了，一直生活到现在，当时没有人知道他们从什么地方来。也没有人能够听懂他们所说的话。移民中的一位首领懂普罗旺斯语，就恳求马赛市政当局把这块荒芜贫瘠的海岬赐给他们，以便他们可以象古代的航海者那样把他们的小船拖到岸上安居下来。当局同意了他们的这个要求。三个月后，在那十四五艘当初运载这些移民渡海而来的小帆船周围，就兴建了一个小小的村庄。这个村庄的建筑风格独树一帜，一半似西班牙风格，一半似摩尔风格，别有情趣，现在的居民就是当初那些人的后代，他们还是说着他们祖先的语言。三四百年来，他们象一群海鸟似的一心一意地依恋在这块小海岬上，与马赛人界限分明，他们族内通婚，保持着他们原有的风俗习惯，犹如保持他们的语言一样。 读者仍请随我穿过这小村子里惟一的一条街，走进其中的一所房子里，这所房子的墙外爬满了颇具乡村风味的藤类植物，阳光普照着那些枯死的叶子，上面涂上了一层美丽的色彩，房子里面是用象西班牙旅馆里那样千篇一律的石灰粉刷的。一个年轻美貌的姑娘正斜靠在壁板上，她的头发黑得象乌玉一般，眼睛象羚羊的眼睛一般温柔，她那富有古希腊雕刻之美的纤细的手指，正在抚弄一束石南花，那花瓣被撕碎了散播在地板上。她的手臂一直裸到肘部，露出了被日光晒成褐色的那部分，美得象维纳斯女神的手一样。她那双柔软好看的脚上穿着纱袜，踝处绣着灰蓝色的小花，由于内心焦燥不安，一只脚正在轻轻地拍打着地面，好象故意要展露出她那丰满匀称小腿似的。离她不远处，坐着一个年约二十二岁的高大青年，他跷起椅子的两条后腿不住地摇晃着，手臂支撑在一张被蛀虫蚀的旧桌子上，他在注视着她，脸上一副烦恼不安的神色。 他在用眼睛询问她，但年轻姑娘以坚决而镇定的目光控制住了他。 “你看，美塞苔丝，”那青年说道，“复活节快要到了，你说，这不正是结婚的好时候吗？” “我已经对你说过一百次啦，弗尔南多。你再问下去是自寻烦恼了。” “唉，再说一遍吧，我求求你，再说一遍吧，这样我才会相信！就算说一百遍也好。说你拒绝我的爱。那可是你母亲曾经许诺过，让我进一步了解你不关心我的幸福，对我的死活一点不放在心上，唉！十年来我一直梦想着成为你的丈夫，美塞苔丝，而现在你却使我的希望破灭了，那可是我活在世上惟一的希望啊！” “可这毕竟不是我让你抱那种希望的，弗尔南多，”美塞苔丝回答说，“你怪不得我，我从未诱惑过你。我一直都对你说，‘我只把你看作我的哥哥，别向我要求超出兄妹之爱的感情，因为我的心早已属于另外一个人了。’我不是一直都对你这样说的吗，弗尔南多？” “是的，我知道得很清楚，美塞苔丝，”青年回答道。“是的，你对我坦白，这固然很好，但毕竟残酷。你忘记了同族通婚是我们迦太罗尼亚人的一条神圣的法律了吗？” “你错了，弗尔南多，那不是一条什么法律，只不过是一种风俗罢了。我求你不要靠这种风俗来帮你的忙啦，你已到了服兵役的年龄，目前只是暂时缓征，你随时都可能应征入伍的。旦当了兵，你怎么来安置我呢？我——一个无依无靠的孤儿，没有财产，只有一间快塌了的小屋和一些破烂的渔网，这点可怜的遗产还是我父亲传给我母亲，我母亲又传给我的呢。弗尔南多，你也知道我母亲去世已一年多了，我几乎完全靠着大伙儿救济才得以维持生计，你有时装着要我帮你的忙，好借此让我分享你捕鱼得来的收获，我接受了，弗尔南多，因为你是我的表兄，我们从小一起长大的，更因为，假如我拒绝，会伤了你的心。但我心里很明白，我拿这些鱼去卖，换亚麻纺线——弗尔南多，这和施舍有什么两样呢！” “那又有什么关系呢？美塞苔丝，尽管你这样孤单穷苦，但你仍然象最骄傲的船主女儿或马赛最有钱的银行家的小、姐，完全配得上我的！对我来说，我只要一个忠心的女人和好主妇，可我现在到哪儿才能找到一个在这两方面比你更好的人呢？” “弗尔南多，”美塞苔丝摇摇头说道，“一个女人能否成为一个好主妇倒很难说，但假如她爱着另外一个人甚于爱她的丈夫，谁还能说她是一个忠心的女人呢？请你满足于我们之间的友谊吧，我对你再说一遍，只能对你许诺这些，我无法许诺我不能给你的东西。” “我懂了，”弗尔南多回答说，“你可以忍受自己的穷困，却怕我受穷，那么，美塞苔丝，只要有了你的爱，我就会去努力奋斗。你会给我带来好运的，我会发财的，我可以扩大我的渔业，或许还可以找到一个货仓管理员的职位，到时候我就可以成为一个商人了。” “你是不能去做这种事的，你是个士兵，你之所以还能留在村里，那是因为现在没有战争。所以，你还是做一个渔夫吧。 别胡思乱想了，因为梦想会使你觉得现实更令人难以忍受。就以我的友谊为满足吧，因为我实在不能给你超出这点以外的情感。“ “那么，你说得对，美塞苔丝。既然你鄙视我们祖先传下来的这身衣服，我就脱掉它。 去当一名水手，戴一顶闪光的帽子，穿一件水手衫，外加一件蓝色的短外套，纽扣上镶有铁锚。这样一身打扮该讨你喜欢了吧？“ “你这是什么意思？”美塞苔丝忿忿的瞟了他一眼。“——你在胡说些什么？我不懂。” “我的意思是，美塞苔丝，你之所以对我如此冷酷无情，都是因为你在等一个人，他就是这样一身打扮。不过也许你所等待的这个人是靠不住的，即使他自己可靠，大海对他是否可靠可就难说了。” “弗尔南多！”美塞苔丝高声喊了起来，“我原以为你是个心地善良的人，现在我才知道我错了！弗尔南多，你祈求上帝降怒来帮助你泄私愤真是太卑鄙了！是的，我不否认，我是在等待着，我是爱你所指的那个人，即使他不回来，我也不相信他会象你所说的那样靠不住，我相信他至死都只会爱我一个人。” 迦太罗尼亚青年显出忿忿的样子。 “我知道你心里怎么想的，弗尔南多，因为我不爱你，所以你对他怀恨在心，你会用你的迦太罗尼亚短刀去同他的匕首决斗的。可那终究又能得到什么结果呢？假如你失败了，你就会失去我的友谊，假如你打败了他，你就会看到我对你的友谊变成了仇恨。相信我，想靠和一个男人去打架来赢得爱那个男人的女人的心，这种方法简直太笨了。不，弗尔南多，你决不能有这种坏念头。无法使我做你的妻子，你还可以把我看作你的朋友和妹妹的。”她的眼睛里已含着泪水，茫然地说，“等着吧，等着吧，弗尔南多！你刚才说海是变幻莫测的，他已经去了四个月了，这四个月中曾有过几次险恶的风暴。” 弗尔南多没有回答，他也不想去擦掉美塞苔丝脸上的泪水，虽然那每一滴眼泪都好象在他的心上在每一滴血一样，但这些眼泪并非是为他恰恰相反是为另一个人流的，他站起身来，在小屋里踱来踱去，然后他突然脸色阴沉地捏紧了拳头在美塞苔丝面前停了下来，对她说，“美塞苔丝，求你再说一遍，这是不是你最后的决定？” “我爱爱德蒙。唐太斯，”姑娘平静地说，“除了爱德蒙，谁也不能做我的丈夫。” “你永远爱他吗？” “我活一天，就爱他一天。” 弗尔南多象一个战败了的战士垂下了头，长长地出了一口气，突然他又抬起头来望着她，咬牙切齿地说：“假如他死——” “假如他死了，我也跟着死。” “美塞苔丝！”这时一个声音突然在屋外兴冲冲地叫了起来，“美塞苔丝！” “啊！”青年女子的脸因兴奋而涨的通红，兴奋地一跃而起，“你看，他没有忘记我，他来了！”她冲到门口，打开门，说，“爱德蒙，我在这儿呢！” 弗尔南多脸色苍白，全身颤抖，象看见了一条赤练蛇的游人一般，他向后缩去，踉踉跄跄地靠在椅子上，一下子坐了下去。爱德蒙和美塞苔丝互相紧紧地拥抱着，马赛耀眼的阳光从开着门的房间走来，把他们照射在光波里面。他们瞬时忘掉了一切。极度地快活仿佛把他们与世隔绝，他们只能断断续续地讲话，这是因为他们高兴地到了极点，当人们极端高兴时，表面看来反象悲伤，突然爱德蒙发现了弗尔南多那张阴沉的脸，这张埋在阴影里的脸带着威胁的神气。那迦太罗尼亚青年不自觉动了一下，下意识地按了按在腰部皮带上的短刀。 “啊，对不起！”唐太斯皱着眉头转过身来说，“我不知道这儿有三个人。”然后他转过身去问美塞苔丝，“这位先生是谁？” “这位先生将要成为你最好的朋友，唐太斯，因为他是我的朋友，我的堂兄，我的哥哥，他叫弗尔南多——除了你以外，爱德蒙，他就是世界上我最喜爱的人了。你不记得他了吗？” “是的，记得，”爱德蒙说道，他并没有放开美塞苔丝的手，用一只手握着美塞苔丝，另一只手亲热地伸给了那个迦太罗尼亚人。但弗尔南多对这个友好的表示毫无反映，依旧象一尊石像似的一动也不动。爱德蒙于是拿回手，仔细看了看这边正在焦急为难的美塞苔丝，又看了看那边怀着阴郁敌意的弗尔南多。这一看他全明白了，他脸色立刻变了，有点发怒了。 “我如此匆忙地赶来，想不到在这儿会遇到一个对头。” “一个对头！”美塞苔丝愤怒地扫了她堂兄一眼，喊道，“你说什么，爱德蒙，我家里有一个对头？假如果真如此，我就要挽起你的胳膊，我们一同到马赛去，离开这个家，永远不回来了。” 弗尔南多的眼里几乎射出火来。 “要是你遭到什么不幸，亲爱的爱德蒙，”姑娘继续镇静地说下去，使弗尔南多觉得她已洞悉他心底深处的坏念头，“要是你真的遭到不幸，我就爬到莫尔吉翁海角的岩石上去，从那儿跳下去，永远葬身海底。” 弗尔南多脸色惨白，象死人一样。 “你弄错啦，爱德蒙，”她又说，“这儿没有你的对头——这儿只有我的哥哥弗尔南多，他会象一个老朋友那样跟你握手的。” 年轻姑娘说完最后这句话，便把她那威严的眼光盯住迦太罗尼亚人弗尔南多，后者则象被那睛光催眠了一样，慢慢地向爱德蒙走来，伸出了他的手。他的仇恨象一个来势汹猛却又无力的浪头，被美塞苔丝所说的一番话击得粉碎。刚一触到爱德蒙的手，他就觉得再也无法忍受了，于是便一下子冲出屋子去了。 “噢！噢！”他喊着，象个疯子似的狂奔着，双手狠狠地猛抓自己的头发，——“噢！ 谁能帮我除掉这个人？我真是太不幸了！“ “喂，迦太罗尼亚人！喂弗尔南多！你到哪儿去？”一个声音传来。 那青年突然停了下来，环顾四周，看见卡德鲁斯和腾格拉尔在一个凉棚里对桌而坐。 “喂，”卡德鲁斯说，“你怎么不过来呀？难道你就这么连向你的老朋友打声招呼的时间都没有了吗？” “尤其是当他们面前还放着满满一瓶洒的时候。”腾格拉尔接上一句。 弗尔南多带着一种恍恍惚惚的眼神望着他们，什么也没说。 “他看上去不大对头，”腾格拉尔碰碰卡德鲁斯的膝盖说。 “别是我们弄错了，唐太斯得胜了吧？” “唔，我们来问个明白吧，”卡德鲁斯说着，就转过身去对那青年说道，“喂，迦太罗尼亚人，你拿定主意了吗？” 弗尔南多擦了擦额头上的冷汗，慢慢地走入凉棚，在那凉棚中，荫凉似乎使他平静了些，清爽的空气使他那精疲力尽的身体重新振作了一些。 “你们好！”他说道，“是你们叫我吗？”说着他便重重地在桌子旁边的椅子上坐了下来，象瘫下来似的。 “我看你象个疯子似的乱跑，就叫了你一声，怕你去跳海，”卡德鲁斯大笑着说。“见鬼！一个人有了朋友，不但得请他喝酒，还得劝阻他不要没事找事地去喝三四品顺水！” -------------- （法国旧时一种液体容量单位，“一品顺”等于零点九三升。） -------------- 弗尔南多象是在呻吟似的叹了一口气，一下子伏在了桌子上，把脸埋在两只手掌里。 “咦，我说，弗尔南多，”卡德鲁斯一开头就戳到了对方痛处，这种小市民气的人由于好奇心竟忘记了说话的技巧，“你的脸色看上去很不对劲，象是失恋了似的。”说完便爆发出一阵粗鲁的大笑。 “得了罢！”腾格拉尔说，“象他那样棒的青年小伙子怎么会在情场上吃败仗呢。卡德鲁斯，你别开他的玩笑了！” “不，”卡德鲁斯答道，“你只要听听他叹息的声音就知道了！得了，得了，弗尔南多把头抬起来，跟我们说说看。朋友们可是最关心你的健康，你不回答我们可不太好呀。” “我很好，没生什么玻”弗尔南多紧握双拳，头依然没抬起来说。“啊！你看，腾格拉尔，”卡德鲁斯对他的朋友使了个眼色，说道，“是这么回事，现在在你眼前的弗尔南多，他是一个勇敢的迦太罗尼亚人，是马赛首屈一指的渔夫。他爱上了一位非常漂亮的姑娘，芳名叫美塞苔丝，不幸得很，那位漂亮姑娘却偏偏爱着法老号上的大副，今天法老号到了——你该明白这其中的奥妙了吧！” “不，我不明白。”腾格拉尔说。 “可怜的弗尔南多，竟然被人家姑娘给拒绝了。”卡德鲁斯补充说。 “是的，可这又怎么样？”弗尔南多猛地抬起头来，眼睛直盯着卡德鲁斯，象要找谁来出气似的。“谁管得着美塞苔丝？她要爱谁就爱谁，不是吗？” “哦！如果你偏要这么说，可就是另一回事了！”卡德鲁斯说。“我以为你是个真正的迦太罗尼亚人呢，人家告诉我说，凡是迦太罗尼亚人是绝不会让对手夺去一样东西的。人家甚至还对我说，尤其是弗尔南多，他的报复心可重了。” 弗尔南多凄然微笑了一下，“一个情人是永远不会使人害怕的！”他说。 “可怜的人！”腾格拉尔说，他假装感动得同情起这个青年来。“唉，你看，他没料到唐太斯会这样突然地回来。他正以为他已经在海上死了，或碰巧移情别恋了！突然发生了这种事，的确是很令人难受的。” “唉，真的，但无论如何，”卡德鲁斯一面说话，一面喝酒，这时拉马尔格酒的酒劲已开始在发作了，——“不管怎么说，这次唐太斯回来可是交了好运了，受打击的不只是弗尔南多一个人，腾格拉尔？” “哦，你的话没错，不过要我说他自己也快要倒霉了！” “嗯，别提了，”卡德鲁斯说，他给弗尔南多倒了一杯酒，也给自己倒了一杯，这已是他喝的也不知是第八杯还是第九杯了，而腾格拉尔始终只是抿一下酒杯而已。没关系你就等着看他是怎样娶那位可爱的美塞苔丝吧，——他这次回来就是来办这件事的。“ 腾格拉尔这时以锐利的目光盯着那青年，卡德鲁斯的话字字句句都融进了那青年的心里。 “他们什么结婚时候？”他问。 “还没决定！”弗尔南多低声地说。 “不过，快了，”卡德鲁斯说，“这是肯定的，就象唐太斯肯定就要当法老号的船长一样。呃，对不对。腾格拉尔？” 腾格拉尔被这个意外的攻击吃了一惊，他转身向卡德鲁斯，细察他的脸部的表情，看看他是不是故意的，但他在那张醉醉醺醺的脸上看到了嫉妒。 “来吧，”他倒满三只酒杯说：“我们来为爱德蒙。唐太斯船长，为美丽的迦太罗尼亚女人的丈夫干一杯！” 卡德鲁斯哆嗦着的手把杯子送到嘴边，咕咚一声一饮而进。弗尔南多则把酒杯掉在了地上，杯子碎了。 “呃，呃，呃，”卡德鲁斯舌头发硬的说。“迦太罗尼亚人村那边，小山岗上那是什么东西呀？看弗尔南多！你的眼睛比我好使。我一点也看不清楚。你知道酒是骗人的家伙，但我敢说那是一对情人，正手挽手地在那儿并肩散步。老天爷！他们不知道我们能看见他们，这会儿他们正在拥抱呢！” 腾格拉尔当然不会放过让弗尔南多更加痛苦的机会。 “你认识他们吗，弗尔南多先生？”他说。 “认识，”那青年低声回答。“那是爱德蒙先生和美塞苔丝小、姐！” “啊！看那儿，喏！”卡德鲁斯说，“人怎么竟认不出他们呢！喂，唐太斯，喂，美丽的姑娘！到这边来，告诉我们，你们什么时候举行婚礼，因为弗尔南多先生就是不告诉我们！” “你别嚷好吗？”腾格拉尔故意阻止卡德鲁斯，后者却要说下去的样子带着醉鬼的拗性，已把头探出了凉棚。“为人要公道一点，让那对情人安安静静地去谈情说爱吧。看咱们的弗尔南多先生，向人家学习一下吧，人家这才叫通情达理！” 弗尔南多已被腾格拉尔挑逗得忍无可忍了，他象一头被激怒的公牛，忽地一下站了起来，好象憋足了一股劲要向他的敌人冲去似的。正在这时，美塞苔丝带着微笑优雅地抬起她那张可爱的脸，闪动着她那对明亮的眸子。一看到这对眼睛，弗尔南多就想起她曾发出的威胁，便又沉重地跌回了他的座位上了。腾格拉尔对这两个人，看看这个又看看那个，一个在发酒疯，另一个却完全被爱征服了。 “我跟这个傻瓜打交道是搞不出什么名堂来的，”他默默地自语道，“我竟在这儿夹在了一个是醉鬼，一个是懦夫中间，这真让我不安，可这个迦太罗尼亚人那闪光的眼睛却象西班牙人、西西里人和卡拉布兰人，而他不仅将要娶到一位漂亮的姑娘，而且又要做船长，他可以嘲笑我们这些人，除非——”腾格拉尔的嘴边浮起一个阴险的微笑——“除非我来做点什么干涉一下。”他加上了一句。 “喂！”卡德鲁斯继续喊道，并用拳头撑住桌子，抬起了半个身子——“喂，爱德蒙！ 你竟究是没看见你的朋友呢，还是春风得意不愿和他们讲话？“ “不是的，我的亲爱的朋友，”唐太斯回答，“我不是什么骄傲，只是我太快活了，而想快活是比骄傲更容易使人盲目的。” “呀，这倒是一种说法！”卡德鲁斯说。“噢，您好唐太斯夫人！” 美塞苔丝庄重地点头示意说：“现在请先别这么称呼我，在我的家乡，人们说，对一个未结婚的姑娘，就拿她未婚夫的姓名称呼她，是会给她带来恶运的。所以，请你还是叫我美塞苔丝吧。” “我们得原谅这位好心的卡德鲁斯邻居，”唐太斯说，“他不小心说错话了。” “那么，就赶快举行婚礼呀，唐太斯先生。”腾格拉尔向那对年青人致意说。 “我也是想越快越好，腾格拉尔先生。今天先到我父亲那儿把一切准备好，明天就在这儿的瑞瑟夫酒家举行婚礼。我希望我的好朋友都能来，也就是说，请您也来，腾格拉尔先生，还有你，卡德鲁斯。” “弗尔南多呢，”卡德鲁斯说完便格格地笑了几声，“也请他去吗？” “我妻子的兄长也是我的兄长，”爱德蒙说，“假如这种场合他不在，美塞苔丝和我就会感到很遗憾。” 弗尔南多张开嘴想说话，但话到嘴边又止住了。 “今天准备，明天举行婚礼！你也太急了点吧，船长！” “腾格拉尔，”爱德蒙微笑着说，“我也要像美塞苔丝刚才对卡德鲁斯所说的那样对你说一遍，请不要把还不属于我的头衔戴到我的头上，那样或许会使我倒霉的。” “对不起，”腾格拉尔回答，“我只不过是说你太匆忙了点。我们的时间还很多——法老号在三个月内是不会再出海的。” “人总是急于得到幸福的，腾格拉尔先生，因为我们受苦的时间太长了，实在不敢相信天下会有好运这种东西。我之所以这么着急，倒也并非完全为了我自己，我还得去巴黎去一趟。” “去巴黎？真的！你是第一次去那儿吧？” “是的。” “你去那儿有事吗”？ “不是我的私事，是可怜的莱克勒船长最后一次差遣。你知道我指的是什么，腾格拉尔，这是我应尽的义务，而且，我去只要不长的时间就够了。” “是，是，我知道，”腾格拉尔说，然后他又低声对自己说，“到巴黎去，一定是去送大元帅给他的信。嗯！这封信倒使我有了一个主意！一个好主意唉，唐太斯，我的朋友，你还没有正式任命为法老号上的第一号人物呢。”于是他又转向那正要离去的爱德蒙大声喊到。“一路顺风！” “谢谢。”爱德蒙友好地点一下头说。于是这对情人便又平静而又欢喜地继续走他们的路去了。

英文原文 Chapter 4 Conspiracy. Danglars followed Edmond and Mercedes with his eyes until the two lovers disappeared behind one of the angles of Fort Saint Nicolas, then turning round, he perceived Fernand, who had fallen, pale and trembling, into his chair, while Caderousse stammered out the words of a drinking-song. "Well, my dear sir," said Danglars to Fernand, "here is a marriage which does not appear to make everybody happy." "It drives me to despair," said Fernand. "Do you, then, love Mercedes?" "I adore her!" "For long?" "As long as I have known her -- always." "And you sit there, tearing your hair, instead of seeking to remedy your condition; I did not think that was the way of your people." "What would you have me do?" said Fernand. "How do I know? Is it my affair? I am not in love with Mademoiselle Mercedes; but for you -- in the words of the gospel, seek, and you shall find." "I have found already." "What?" "I would stab the man, but the woman told me that if any misfortune happened to her betrothed, she would kill herself." "Pooh! Women say those things, but never do them." "You do not know Mercedes; what she threatens she will do." "Idiot!" muttered Danglars; "whether she kill herself or not, what matter, provided Dantes is not captain?" "Before Mercedes should die," replied Fernand, with the accents of unshaken resolution, "I would die myself!" "That's what I call love!" said Caderousse with a voice more tipsy than ever. "That's love, or I don't know what love is." "Come," said Danglars, "you appear to me a good sort of fellow, and hang me, I should like to help you, but" -- "Yes," said Caderousse, "but how?" "My dear fellow," replied Danglars, "you are three parts drunk; finish the bottle, and you will be completely so. Drink then, and do not meddle with what we are discussing, for that requires all one's wit and cool judgment." "I -- drunk!" said Caderousse; "well that's a good one! I could drink four more such bottles; they are no bigger than cologne flasks. Pere Pamphile, more wine!" and Caderousse rattled his glass upon the table. "You were saying, sir" -- said Fernand, awaiting with great anxiety the end of this interrupted remark. "What was I saying? I forget. This drunken Caderousse has made me lose the thread of my sentence." "Drunk, if you like; so much the worse for those who fear wine, for it is because they have bad thoughts which they are afraid the liquor will extract from their hearts;" and Caderousse began to sing the two last lines of a song very popular at the time, -- `Tous les mechants sont beuveurs d'eau; C'est bien prouve par le deluge.'* * "The wicked are great drinkers of water As the flood proved once for all." "You said, sir, you would like to help me, but" -- "Yes; but I added, to help you it would be sufficient that Dantes did not marry her you love; and the marriage may easily be thwarted, methinks, and yet Dantes need not die." "Death alone can separate them," remarked Fernand. "You talk like a noodle, my friend," said Caderousse; "and here is Danglars, who is a wide-awake, clever, deep fellow, who will prove to you that you are wrong. Prove it, Danglars. I have answered for you. Say there is no need why Dantes should die; it would, indeed, be a pity he should. Dantes is a good fellow; I like Dantes. Dantes, your health." Fernand rose impatiently. "Let him run on," said Danglars, restraining the young man; "drunk as he is, he is not much out in what he says. Absence severs as well as death, and if the walls of a prison were between Edmond and Mercedes they would be as effectually separated as if he lay under a tombstone." "Yes; but one gets out of prison," said Caderousse, who, with what sense was left him, listened eagerly to the conversation, "and when one gets out and one's name is Edmond Dantes, one seeks revenge" -- "What matters that?" muttered Fernand. "And why, I should like to know," persisted Caderousse, "should they put Dantes in prison? he has not robbed or killed or murdered." "Hold your tongue!" said Danglars. "I won't hold my tongue!" replied Caderousse; "I say I want to know why they should put Dantes in prison; I like Dantes; Dantes, your health!" and he swallowed another glass of wine. Danglars saw in the muddled look of the tailor the progress of his intoxication, and turning towards Fernand, said, "Well, you understand there is no need to kill him." "Certainly not, if, as you said just now, you have the means of having Dantes arrested. Have you that means?" "It is to be found for the searching. But why should I meddle in the matter? it is no affair of mine." "I know not why you meddle," said Fernand, seizing his arm; "but this I know, you have some motive of personal hatred against Dantes, for he who himself hates is never mistaken in the sentiments of others." "I! -- motives of hatred against Dantes? None, on my word! I saw you were unhappy, and your unhappiness interested me; that's all; but since you believe I act for my own account, adieu, my dear friend, get out of the affair as best you may;" and Danglars rose as if he meant to depart. "No, no," said Fernand, restraining him, "stay! It is of very little consequence to me at the end of the matter whether you have any angry feeling or not against Dantes. I hate him! I confess it openly. Do you find the means, I will execute it, provided it is not to kill the man, for Mercedes has declared she will kill herself if Dantes is killed." Caderousse, who had let his head drop on the table, now raised it, and looking at Fernand with his dull and fishy eyes, he said, -- "Kill Dantes! who talks of killing Dantes? I won't have him killed -- I won't! He's my friend, and this morning offered to share his money with me, as I shared mine with him. I won't have Dantes killed -- I won't!" "And who has said a word about killing him, muddlehead?" replied Danglars. "We were merely joking; drink to his health," he added, filling Caderousse's glass, "and do not interfere with us." "Yes, yes, Dantes' good health!" said Caderousse, emptying his glass, "here's to his health! his health -- hurrah!" "But the means -- the means?" said Fernand. "Have you not hit upon any?" asked Danglars. "No! -- you undertook to do so." "True," replied Danglars; "the French have the superiority over the Spaniards, that the Spaniards ruminate, while the French invent." "Do you invent, then," said Fernand impatiently. "Waiter," said Danglars, "pen, ink, and paper." "Pen, ink, and paper," muttered Fernand. "Yes; I am a supercargo; pen, ink, and paper are my tools, and without my tools I am fit for nothing." "Pen, ink, and paper, then," called Fernand loudly. "There's what you want on that table," said the waiter. "Bring them here." The waiter did as he was desired. "When one thinks," said Caderousse, letting his hand drop on the paper, "there is here wherewithal to kill a man more sure than if we waited at the corner of a wood to assassinate him! I have always had more dread of a pen, a bottle of ink, and a sheet of paper, than of a sword or pistol." "The fellow is not so drunk as he appears to be," said Danglars. "Give him some more wine, Fernand." Fernand filled Caderousse's glass, who, like the confirmed toper he was, lifted his hand from the paper and seized the glass. The Catalan watched him until Caderousse, almost overcome by this fresh assault on his senses, rested, or rather dropped, his glass upon the table. "Well!" resumed the Catalan, as he saw the final glimmer of Caderousse's reason vanishing before the last glass of wine. "Well, then, I should say, for instance," resumed Danglars, "that if after a voyage such as Dantes has just made, in which he touched at the Island of Elba, some one were to denounce him to the king's procureur as a Bonapartist agent" -- "I will denounce him!" exclaimed the young man hastily. "Yes, but they will make you then sign your declaration, and confront you with him you have denounced; I will supply you with the means of supporting your accusation, for I know the fact well. But Dantes cannot remain forever in prison, and one day or other he will leave it, and the day when he comes out, woe betide him who was the cause of his incarceration!" "Oh, I should wish nothing better than that he would come and seek a quarrel with me." "Yes, and Mercedes! Mercedes, who will detest you if you have only the misfortune to scratch the skin of her dearly beloved Edmond!" "True!" said Fernand. "No, no," continued Danglars; "if we resolve on such a step, it would be much better to take, as I now do, this pen, dip it into this ink, and write with the left hand (that the writing may not be recognized) the denunciation we propose." And Danglars, uniting practice with theory, wrote with his left hand, and in a writing reversed from his usual style,and totally unlike it, the following lines, which he handed to Fernand, and which Fernand read in an undertone: -- "The honorable, the king's attorney, is informed by a friend of the throne and religion, that one Edmond Dantes, mate of the ship Pharaon, arrived this morning from Smyrna, after having touched at Naples and Porto-Ferrajo, has been intrusted by Murat with a letter for the usurper, and by the usurper with a letter for the Bonapartist committee in Paris. Proof of this crime will be found on arresting him, for the letter will be found upon him, or at his father's, or in his cabin on board the Pharaon." "Very good," resumed Danglars; "now your revenge looks like common-sense, for in no way can it revert to yourself, and the matter will thus work its own way; there is nothing to do now but fold the letter as I am doing, and write upon it, `To the king's attorney,' and that's all settled." And Danglars wrote the address as he spoke. "Yes, and that's all settled!" exclaimed Caderousse, who, by a last effort of intellect, had followed the reading of the letter, and instinctively comprehended all the misery which such a denunciation must entail. "Yes, and that's all settled; only it will be an infamous shame;" and he stretched out his hand to reach the letter. "Yes," said Danglars, taking it from beyond his reach; "and as what I say and do is merely in jest, and I, amongst the first and foremost, should be sorry if anything happened to Dantes -- the worthy Dantes -- look here!" And taking the letter, he squeezed it up in his hands and threw it into a corner of the arbor. "All right!" said Caderousse. "Dantes is my friend, and I won't have him ill-used." "And who thinks of using him ill? Certainly neither I nor Fernand," said Danglars, rising and looking at the young man, who still remained seated, but whose eye was fixed on the denunciatory sheet of paper flung into the corner. "In this case," replied Caderousse, "let's have some more wine. I wish to drink to the health of Edmond and the lovely Mercedes." "You have had too much already, drunkard," said Danglars; "and if you continue, you will be compelled to sleep here, because unable to stand on your legs." "I?" said Caderousse, rising with all the offended dignity of a drunken man, "I can't keep on my legs? Why, I'll wager I can go up into the belfry of the Accoules, and without staggering, too!" "Done!" said Danglars, "I'll take your bet; but to-morrow -- to-day it is time to return. Give me your arm, and let us go." "Very well, let us go," said Caderousse; "but I don't want your arm at all. Come, Fernand, won't you return to Marseilles with us?" "No," said Fernand; "I shall return to the Catalans." "You're wrong. Come with us to Marseilles -- come along." "I will not." "What do you mean? you will not? Well, just as you like, my prince; there's liberty for all the world. Come along, Danglars, and let the young gentleman return to the Catalans if he chooses." Danglars took advantage of Caderousse's temper at the moment, to take him off towards Marseilles by the Porte Saint-Victor, staggering as he went. When they had advanced about twenty yards, Danglars looked back and saw Fernand stoop, pick up the crumpled paper, and putting it into his pocket then rush out of the arbor towards Pillon. "Well," said Caderousse, "why, what a lie he told! He said he was going to the Catalans, and he is going to the city. Hallo, Fernand!" "Oh, you don't see straight," said Danglars; "he's gone right enough." "Well," said Caderousse, "I should have said not – how treacherous wine is!" "Come, come," said Danglars to himself, "now the thing is at work and it will effect its purpose unassisted."

中文翻译 第四章　阴谋 腾格拉尔的眼睛一直随着爱德蒙和美塞苔丝，直到他们消失在圣。尼古拉堡的一个拐角处才回过头来仔细地观察弗尔南多，弗尔南多已经倒在椅子里，脸色苍白，浑身发抖，卡德鲁斯正在一边含糊地唱歌一边喝酒。 “我亲爱的先生，”腾格拉尔对弗尔南多说，“这桩婚事，并不能使人人快活。” “它使人失望。”弗尔南多说。 “那么，你也爱美塞苔丝吗？” “我崇拜她！” “你爱上她很久了吗？” “从第一次见她，我就爱上她了。” “既然这样，那么你为什么不去想个补救的办法。见鬼，我想不到你们迦太人会这样窝囊。” “你叫我怎么办”弗尔南多说。 “我怎么知道？这是我的事吗？又不是我爱上了美塞苔丝小、姐——是你。‘找吧，’福音书上说，‘你总会找到的。’” “我已经找到了。” “什么？” “我要杀了那个男的，那个女人曾经对我说，如果她的未婚夫遭到什么不幸，她就会自杀的。” “得了吧，人都会这么说的，但决不会真的去做的。” “你不了解美塞苔丝，她是说得出来，就做得到的。” “傻瓜！”腾格拉尔自言自语地说，“只要唐太斯当不上船长就行，她自杀不自杀跟我有什么关系？” “如果美塞苔丝死了，”弗尔南多语气坚决地说，“那我也情愿死。” “这就是我所说的爱情！”卡德鲁斯说，他的口齿比刚才更加含糊不清了，“这是爱情！，否则我就不知道爱情究竟是什么了。” “喂，”腾格拉尔说，“我看你倒是个老实人，活该我倒霉，我倒愿意帮你的忙，可是——” “喂，”卡德鲁斯说，“可是什么？” “亲爱的人，”腾格拉尔回答说，“你现在已经醉得差不多了，喝光这一瓶，你就会烂醉了，去喝吧，别来打扰我们的事情，因为这事得动一下脑筋才能冷静地下判断。” “我喝酒！”卡德鲁斯说，“好，那倒不错！这种酒瓶还没有香水瓶子大，我能喝上四瓶，邦费勒老爹，再拿点酒来！”卡德鲁斯用他的酒杯敲着桌子嚷道。 “先生，你刚才说——？”弗尔南多等这一段插话一说完就着急的问道。 “我刚才说什么来着？我怎么想不起来。卡德鲁斯这个酒鬼把我的思路给打断了。” “爱喝就喝，那些怕酒的人就不敢喝，因为他们心里怀着鬼胎，怕给酒勾出来。”卡德鲁斯此时又哼起了当时一首极流行的歌曲的最后两句来：坏蛋个个都喝水，洪水可以做证人“先生，你刚才说你很愿意帮我的忙，就是——” “对了，就是我附带说一句，我帮你的忙，只要唐太斯娶不到你所爱的那个人就算了，我看，那件事是不难办到的，只是不必非把唐太斯置于死地。” “只有死才能拆开他们。”弗尔南多说。“看你讲话的这个样子，真象一个呆子，朋友，”卡德鲁斯说，“这位是腾格拉尔，他是一个诡计多端的智多星，他马上就能证明你错了，证明给他看，腾格拉尔。我来代你回答吧。唐太斯不一定非死不可，假如他死了，也实在太可惜了，唐太斯是个好人。我喜欢唐太斯。唐太斯，祝你健康！” 弗尔南多不耐烦地站起来。“让他去说吧。”腾格拉尔按住那青年说，“他虽喝醉了，但讲的话倒也不失道理。分离和死亡会产生同样的结果，假如爱德蒙和美塞苔丝之间隔着一道监狱的墙，那么他们不得不分手，其结果与让他躺的坟墓里一样的。” “不错，但关在牢里的人是会出来的，”卡德鲁斯说，他凭着尚存的一些理智仍在努力倾听着谈话，“而他一旦出来，象爱德蒙。唐太斯这样的人，他报起仇来——” “那有什么可怕？”弗尔南多轻声地说。 “噢，我倒知道，”卡德鲁斯说，“凭什么把唐太斯关到牢里去？他又没有抢劫，杀人，害人。” “闭嘴。”腾格拉尔说。 “我就不闭嘴！”卡德鲁斯继续说，“凭什么关系把唐太斯关到牢里去。我喜欢唐太斯。唐太斯我祝你健康！”他又喝了一杯酒。 腾格拉尔看到那裁缝的神色已经恍恍惚惚了，知道酒性已经发作了，便转过去，对弗尔南多说：“喂，你知道没人非要让他死不可。” “那当然了，假如象你刚才所说的那样，你有办法可以使唐太斯被捕，那当然就没有这个必要了。你有办法吗？” “只要去找，总是有办法的？” “我不知道这事究竟是否与你有关，”弗尔南多抓住他的手臂说，“但我知道，你对唐太斯也一定怀有某种私怨，因为心怀怨恨的人是决不会看错别人的情绪的。” “我？我怀有恨唐太斯的动机？不！我发誓！我是看到你很不快活，而我又很关心你，仅此而已，既然你认为我怀有什么私心，那就再见吧，我亲爱的朋友，你自己想办法解决这事吧。”腾格拉尔站起来装作要走的样子。 “不，不，”弗尔南多拉住他的手说，“请别走！你究竟恨不恨唐太斯与我没有关系。 我是恨他！我可以公开宣布恨他。只要你能有办法，我就来干，——只要不杀了他就行，因为美塞苔斯曾说过，假如唐太斯死了，她也要去自杀。“ 卡德鲁斯本来已把头伏在桌子上，现在忽然抬起头来，用他那迟钝无光的眼睛望着弗尔南多说：“杀唐太斯！谁说要杀唐太斯？我不愿意他死——我不愿意！他是我的朋友，今天早上还说要借钱给我，象我借给他一样。我不许人杀唐太斯——我不许！” “谁说过要杀他了，你这傻瓜！”腾格拉尔答道。“我们只是开开玩笑而已，喝杯酒，祝他身体健康吧，”他给卡德鲁斯倒满了酒，又说，“别来打扰我们。” “对，对，为唐太斯身体健康干杯！”卡德鲁斯把酒一饮而尽说，“这杯祝他身体健康祝他健康！嗨！” “可是办法，——办法呢？”弗尔南多说。 “你还一点也想不起来吗？” “没有，办法得由你想。” “真的，”腾格拉尔说道，“法国人比西班牙人强，西班牙人还在苦苦思考之时，法国人则一拍脑袋主意就来了。” “那么你有主意了吗？”弗尔南多不耐烦地说。 “伙计，”腾格拉尔说。“把笔墨纸张拿过来。” “笔墨纸张？”弗尔南多咕哝的说。 “是的，我是一个押运员。笔墨和纸张是我的工具，没有工具我是什么事都做不了的。” “把笔墨纸张拿来！”弗尔南多大声喊道。 “都在那张桌子上。”侍者指指文具说。 “拿到这儿来。” 侍者听命给他拿了过来。 卡德鲁斯手按着纸说：“想到用这东西杀人比候在树林旁边暗杀还要牢靠，也太令人寒心了！我一向就害怕笔、墨水和纸，比害怕刀剑或手熗还要厉害。” “这家伙看来并不象他外表那样醉的厉害，”腾格拉尔说，“再灌他几杯，弗尔南多。” 弗尔南多又给卡德鲁斯斟满酒，后者原是一个酒徒，一看见酒，便放开了纸，抓起了酒杯。那迦太兰人一直看着卡德鲁斯，直看到他在这次进攻之下毫无招架之力，把酒杯象掉下来似的放到桌上为止。 “好了！”那迦太兰人看到卡德鲁斯最后的一点理智也消失在这杯酒里了，才又继续说道。 “好了，那么，譬如说，”腾格拉尔重又继续说道，“唐太斯现在刚刚航海回来，途中又在厄尔巴岛靠过，这次航海以后，假如有人向检察官告发，说他是一个拿破仑党的眼线的话——” “我去告发他！”青年连忙喊道。 “好的，但这样他们就会叫你在告发书上签名的，还叫你和被告对质，我可以给你提供告发他的资料，因为我对于事实知道得很清楚。但唐太斯不会在牢里给关一辈子的，总有一天他会出来的。他一出来，必定要找那个使他入狱的人报仇的。” “嘿，我就盼着他来找我打架呢。” “是的，可是美塞苔丝，——美塞苔丝呢，只要你碰破她心爱的爱德蒙一层皮，她就会痛恨你的呀！” “一点不错！”弗尔南多说。 “不行，不能这样做！”腾格拉尔继续说，“但是假如我们决定采取我现在所说的这个办法，那就好得多了，只要这支笔，蘸着这瓶墨水，用左手（那样笔迹就不会被人认出来） 写一封告密信就得了。“腾格拉尔一面说着一面写了起来，他用左手写下了几行歪歪斜斜的根本看不出是他自己的笔迹的文字，然后他把那篇文字交给弗尔南多，弗尔南多低声读道：”检察官先生台鉴，敝人拥护王室及教会之人士，兹向您报告有爱德蒙。唐太斯其人，系法老号之大副，今晨自士麦拿经那不勒斯抵埠，中途曾停靠费拉约港。此人受缪拉之命送信与逆贼，并受逆贼命送信与巴黎拿破仑党委员会。犯罪证据在将其逮捕时即可获得，信件不是在其身上，就是在其父家中，或者在法老号上他的船舱里。“ “好极了，”腾格拉尔说，“这样你的报仇就不会被人知道了，这封信自可生效，而且肯定追究不到你的头上来的。没什么别的事了，只要象我这样把信折叠起来，写上‘呈交皇家检察官阁下’，一切就都解决了。”腾格拉尔一面说着，一面把收信人的姓名地址都写在了上面。 “不错，一切都解决了！”卡德鲁斯喊道，他凭着最后一点清醒已听到了那封信的内容，知道如果这样一去告密，会出现什么样的后果，“不错，一切都解决了，只是这样做太可耻了，太不名誉了！”他伸手想拿那封信。 “是的，”腾格拉尔说，一面把信移开了，使他拿不到，“我刚才所说所做的不过是开开玩笑而已，假如唐太斯，这位可敬的唐太斯遭到了什么不幸，我会第一个感到难过的，你看，”他拿起了那封信，把它揉成一团，抛向凉棚的一个角落里。 “这就对了！”卡德鲁斯说。“唐太斯是我的朋友，我可不能让他被人陷害。” “哪个鬼家伙想陷害他？肯定不是我，弗尔南多也不会！” 腾格拉尔说着便站了起来望了一眼那个青年，青年依旧坐着，但眼睛却盯在了那被抛在角落里的告密信上。 “既然这样，”卡德鲁斯说道，“我们再来喝点酒吧。我想再喝几杯来祝德爱德蒙和那可爱的美塞苔丝健康。” “你已经喝得不少了啦，酒鬼，”腾格拉尔说，“你要是再喝，就得睡在这儿了，因为你连站都站不起来了。” “我喝多了。”卡德鲁斯一面说，一面带着一个醉鬼被冒犯时的那副样子站了起来，“我站不起来了？我跟你打赌，我能一口气跑上阿歌兰史教堂的钟楼，连脚步都不会乱！” “好吧！”腾格拉尔说，“我跟你打赌，不过等明天吧，——今天该回去了。我们走吧，我来扶你。” “很好，我们这就走，”卡德鲁斯说，“但我可用不着你来扶。走，弗尔南多，你不和我们一块儿回马赛吗？” “不，”弗尔南多回答，“我回迦太兰村。” “你错啦。跟我们一起到马赛去吧，走吧。” “我不去。” “你这是什么意思？你不去？好，随你的便吧，我的小伙子，在这个世界上人人都是自由的。走吧，腾格拉尔，随那位先生的便罢，他高兴就让他回迦太兰村去好了。” 腾格拉尔这时是很愿意顺着卡德鲁斯的脾气行事的，他扶着他踉踉跄跄地沿着胜利港向马赛走去。 他们大约向前走了二十码左右，腾格拉尔回过头来，看见弗尔南多正在弯腰捡起那张揉皱的纸，并塞进他的口袋里，然后冲出凉棚，向皮隆方面奔去。 “咦，”卡德鲁斯说，“看，他多会撒谎！他说要回迦太兰村去，可却朝城里那个方向走去了。喂，弗尔南多！” “唔，是你弄错了，”腾格拉尔说，“他一点没错。” “噢，”卡德鲁斯说，“我还以为他走错了呢，酒这东西真会骗人！” “哼，”腾格拉尔心里想，“这件事我看开端还不错，现在只待静观它的发展了。”

英文原文 Chapter 5 The Marriage-Feast. The morning's sun rose clear and resplendent, touching the foamy waves into a network of ruby-tinted light. The feast had been made ready on the second floor at La Reserve, with whose arbor the reader is already familiar. The apartment destined for the purpose was spacious and lighted by a number of windows, over each of which was written in golden letters for some inexplicable reason the name of one of the principal cities of France; beneath these windows a wooden balcony extended the entire length of the house. And although the entertainment was fixed for twelve o'clock, an hour previous to that time the balcony was filled with impatient and expectant guests, consisting of the favored part of the crew of the Pharaon, and other personal friends of the bride-groom, the whole of whom had arrayed themselves in their choicest costumes, in order to do greater honor to the occasion. Various rumors were afloat to the effect that the owners of the Pharaon had promised to attend the nuptial feast; but all seemed unanimous in doubting that an act of such rare and exceeding condescension could possibly be intended. Danglars, however, who now made his appearance, accompanied by Caderousse, effectually confirmed the report, stating that he had recently conversed with M. Morrel, who had himself assured him of his intention to dine at La Reserve. In fact, a moment later M. Morrel appeared and was saluted with an enthusiastic burst of applause from the crew of the Pharaon, who hailed the visit of the shipowner as a sure indication that the man whose wedding feast he thus delighted to honor would ere long be first in command of the ship; and as Dantes was universally beloved on board his vessel, the sailors put no restraint on their tumultuous joy at finding that the opinion and choice of their superiors so exactly coincided with their own. With the entrance of M. Morrel, Danglars and Caderousse were despatched in search of the bride-groom to convey to him the intelligence of the arrival of the important personage whose coming had created such a lively sensation, and to beseech him to make haste. Danglars and Caderousse set off upon their errand at full speed; but ere they had gone many steps they perceived a group advancing towards them, composed of the betrothed pair, a party of young girls in attendance on the bride, by whose side walked Dantes' father; the whole brought up by Fernand, whose lips wore their usual sinister smile. Neither Mercedes nor Edmond observed the strange expression of his countenance; they were so happy that they were conscious only of the sunshine and the presence of each other. Having acquitted themselves of their errand, and exchanged a hearty shake of the hand with Edmond, Danglars and Caderousse took their places beside Fernand and old Dantes,-- the latter of whom attracted universal notice. The old man was attired in a suit of glistening watered silk, trimmed with steel buttons, beautifully cut and polished. His thin but wiry legs were arrayed in a pair of richly embroidered clocked stockings, evidently of English manufacture, while from his three-cornered hat depended amlong streaming knot of white and blue ribbons. Thus he came along, supporting himself on a curiously carved stick, his aged countenance lit up with happiness, looking for all the world like one of the aged dandies of 1796, parading the newly opened gardens of the Tuileries and Luxembourg. Beside him glided Caderousse, whose desire to partake of the good things provided for the wedding-party had induced him to become reconciled to the Dantes, father and son, although there still lingered in his mind a faint and unperfect recollection of the events of the preceding night; just as the brain retains on waking in the morning the dim and misty outline of a dream. As Danglars approached the disappointed lover, he cast on him a look of deep meaning, while Fernand, as he slowly paced behind the happy pair, who seemed, in their own unmixed content, to have entirely forgotten that such a being as himself existed, was pale and abstracted; occasionally, however, a deep flush would overspread his countenance, and a nervous contraction distort his features, while, with an agitated and restless gaze, he would glance in the direction of Marseilles, like one who either anticipated or foresaw some great and important event. Dantes himself was simply, but becomingly, clad in the dress peculiar to the merchant service -- a costume somewhat between a military and a civil garb; and with his fine countenance, radiant with joy and happiness, a more perfect specimen of manly beauty could scarcely be imagined. Lovely as the Greek girls of Cyprus or Chios, Mercedes boasted the same bright flashing eyes of jet, and ripe, round, coral lips. She moved with the light, free step of an Arlesienne or an Andalusian. One more practiced in the arts of great cities would have hid her blushes beneath a veil, or, at least, have cast down her thickly fringed lashes, so as to have concealed the liquid lustre of her animated eyes; but, on the contrary, the delighted girl looked around her with a smile that seemed to say: "If you are my friends, rejoice with me, for I am very happy." As soon as the bridal party came in sight of La Reserve, M. Morrel descended and came forth to meet it, followed by the soldiers and sailors there assembled, to whom he had repeated the promise already given, that Dantes should be the successor to the late Captain Leclere. Edmond, at the approach of his patron, respectfully placed the arm of his affianced bride within that of M. Morrel, who, forthwith conducting her up the flight of wooden steps leading to the chamber in which the feast was prepared, was gayly followed by the guests, beneath whose heavy tread the slight structure creaked and groaned for the space of several minutes. "Father," said Mercedes, stopping when she had reached the centre of the table, "sit, I pray you, on my right hand; on my left I will place him who has ever been as a brother to me," pointing with a soft and gentle smile to Fernand; but her words and look seemed to inflict the direst torture on him, for his lips became ghastly pale, and even beneath the dark hue of his complexion the blood might be seen retreating as though some sudden pang drove it back to the heart. During this time, Dantes, at the opposite side of the table, had been occupied in similarly placing his most honored guests. M. Morrel was seated at his right hand, Danglars at his left; while, at a sign from Edmond, the rest of the company ranged themselves as they found it most agreeable. Then they began to pass around the dusky, piquant, Arlesian sausages, and lobsters in their dazzling red cuirasses, prawns of large size and brilliant color, the echinus with its prickly outside and dainty morsel within, the clovis, esteemed by the epicures of the South as more than rivaling the exquisite flavor of the oyster, -- all the delicacies, in fact, that are cast up by the wash of waters on the sandy beach, and styled by the grateful fishermen "fruits of the sea." "A pretty silence truly!" said the old father of the bride-groom, as he carried to his lips a glass of wine of the hue and brightness of the topaz, and which had just been placed before Mercedes herself. "Now, would anybody think that this room contained a happy, merry party, who desire nothing better than to laugh and dance the hours away?" "Ah," sighed Caderousse, "a man cannot always feel happy because he is about to be married." "The truth is," replied Dantes, "that I am too happy for noisy mirth; if that is what you meant by your observation, my worthy friend, you are right; joy takes a strange effect at times, it seems to oppress us almost the same as sorrow." Danglars looked towards Fernand, whose excitable nature received and betrayed each fresh impression. "Why, what ails you?" asked he of Edmond. "Do you fear any approaching evil? I should say that you were the happiest man alive at this instant." "And that is the very thing that alarms me," returnedn Dantes. "Man does not appear to me to be intended to enjoy felicity so unmixed; happiness is like the enchanted palaces we read of in our childhood, where fierce, fiery dragons defend the entrance and approach; and monsters of all shapes and kinds, requiring to be overcome ere victory is ours. I own that I am lost in wonder to find myself promoted to an honor of which I feel myself unworthy -- that of being the husband of Mercedes." "Nay, nay!" cried Caderousse, smiling, "you have not attained that honor yet. Mercedes is not yet your wife. Just assume the tone and manner of a husband, and see how she will remind you that your hour is not yet come!" The bride blushed, while Fernand, restless and uneasy, seemed to start at every fresh sound, and from time to time wiped away the large drops of perspiration that gathered on his brow. "Well, never mind that, neighbor Caderousse; it is not worth while to contradict me for such a trifle as that. 'Tis true that Mercedes is not actually my wife; but," added he, drawing out his watch, "in an hour and a half she will be." A general exclamation of surprise ran round the table, with the exception of the elder Dantes, whose laugh displayed the still perfect beauty of his large white teeth. Mercedes looked pleased and gratified, while Fernand grasped the handle of his knife with a convulsive clutch. "In an hour?" inquired Danglars, turning pale. "How is that, my friend?" "Why, thus it is," replied Dantes. "Thanks to the influence of M. Morrel, to whom, next to my father, I owe every blessing I enjoy, every difficulty his been removed. We have purchased permission to waive the usual delay; and at half-past two o'clock the mayor of Marseilles will be waiting for us at the city hall. Now, as a quarter-past one has already struck, I do not consider I have asserted too much in saying, that, in another hour and thirty minutes Mercedes will have become Madame Dantes." Fernand closed his eyes, a burning sensation passed across his brow, and he was compelled to support himself by the table to prevent his falling from his chair; but in spite of all his efforts, he could not refrain from uttering a deep groan, which, however, was lost amid the noisy felicitations of the company. "Upon my word," cried the old man, "you make short work of this kind of affair. Arrived here only yesterday morning, and married to-day at three o'clock! Commend me to a sailor for going the quick way to work!" "But," asked Danglars, in a timid tone, "how did you manage about the other formalities -- the contract – the settlement?" "The contract," answered Dantes, laughingly, "it didn't take long to fix that. Mercedes has no fortune; I have none to settle on her. So, you see, our papers were quickly written out, and certainly do not come very expensive." This joke elicited a fresh burst of applause. "So that what we presumed to be merely the betrothal feast turns out to be the actual wedding dinner!" said Danglars. "No, no," answered Dantes; "don't imagine I am going to put you off in that shabby manner. To-morrow morning I start for Paris; four days to go, and the same to return, with one day to discharge the commission intrusted to me, is all the time I shall be absent. I shall be back here by the first of March, and on the second I give my real marriage feast." This prospect of fresh festivity redoubled the hilarity of the guests to such a degree, that the elder Dantes, who, at the commencement of the repast, had commented upon the silence that prevailed, now found it difficult, amid the general din of voices, to obtain a moment's tranquillity in which to drink to the health and prosperity of the bride and bride-groom. Dantes, perceiving the affectionate eagerness of his father, responded by a look of grateful pleasure; while Mercedes glanced at the clock and made an expressive gesture to Edmond. Around the table reigned that noisy hilarity which usually prevails at such a time among people sufficiently free from the demands of social position not to feel the trammels of etiquette. Such as at the commencement of the repast had not been able to seat themselves according to their inclination rose unceremoniously, and sought out more agreeable companions. Everybody talked at once, without waiting for a reply and each one seemed to be contented with expressing his or her own thoughts. Fernand's paleness appeared to have communicated itself to Danglars. As for Fernand himself, he seemed to be enduring the tortures of the damned; unable to rest, he was among the first to quit the table, and, as though seeking to avoid the hilarious mirth that rose in such deafening sounds, he continued, in utter silence, to pace the farther end of the salon. Caderousse approached him just as Danglars, whom Fernand seemed most anxious to avoid, had joined him in a corner of the room. "Upon my word," said Caderousse, from whose mind the friendly treatment of Dantes, united with the effect of the excellent wine he had partaken of, had effaced every feeling of envy or jealousy at Dantes' good fortune, -- "upon my word, Dantes is a downright good fellow, and when I see him sitting there beside his pretty wife that is so soon to be. I cannot help thinking it would have been a great pity to have served him that trick you were planning yesterday." "Oh, there was no harm meant," answered Danglars; "at first I certainly did feel somewhat uneasy as to what Fernand might be tempted to do; but when I saw how completely he had mastered his feelings, even so far as to become one of his rival's attendants, I knew there was no further cause for apprehension." Caderousse looked full at Fernand -- he was ghastly pale. "Certainly," continued Danglars, "the sacrifice was no trifling one, when the beauty of the bride is concerned. Upon my soul, that future captain of mine is a lucky dog! Gad, I only wish he would let me take his place." "Shall we not set forth?" asked the sweet, silvery voice of Mercedes; "two o'clock has just struck, and you know we are expected in a quarter of an hour." "To be sure! -- to be sure!" cried Dantes, eagerly quitting the table; "let us go directly!" His words were re-echoed by the whole party, with vociferous cheers. At this moment Danglars, who had been incessantly observing every change in Fernand's look and manner, saw him stagger and fall back, with an almost convulsive spasm, against a seat placed near one of the open windows. At the same instant his ear caught a sort of indistinct sound on the stairs, followed by the measured tread of soldiery, with the clanking of swords and military accoutrements; then came a hum and buzz as of many voices, so as to deaden even the noisy mirth of the bridal party, among whom a vague feeling of curiosity and apprehension quelled every disposition to talk, and almost instantaneously the most deathlike stillness prevailed. The sounds drew nearer. Three blows were struck upon the panel of the door. The company looked at each other in consternation. "I demand admittance," said a loud voice outside the room, "in the name of the law!" As no attempt was made to prevent it, the door was opened, and a magistrate, wearing his official scarf, presented himself, followed by four soldiers and a corporal. Uneasiness now yielded to the most extreme dread on the part of those present. "May I venture to inquire the reason of this unexpected visit?" said M. Morrel, addressing the magistrate, whom he evidently knew; "there is doubtless some mistake easily explained." "If it be so," replied the magistrate, "rely upon every reparation being made; meanwhile, I am the bearer of an order of arrest, and although I most reluctantly perform the task assigned me, it must, nevertheless, be fulfilled. Who among the persons here assembled answers to the name of Edmond Dantes?" Every eye was turned towards the young man who, spite of the agitation he could not but feel, advanced with dignity, and said, in a firm voice, "I am he; what is your pleasure with me?" "Edmond Dantes," replied the magistrate, "I arrest you in the name of the law!" "Me!" repeated Edmond, slightly changing color, "and wherefore, I pray?" "I cannot inform you, but you will be duly acquainted with the reasons that have rendered such a step necessary at the preliminary examination." M. Morrel felt that further resistance or remonstrance was useless. He saw before him an officer delegated to enforce the law, and perfectly well knew that it would be as unavailing to seek pity from a magistrate decked with his official scarf, as to address a petition to some cold marble effigy. Old Dantes, however, sprang forward. There are situations which the heart of a father or a mother cannot be made to understand. He prayed and supplicated in terms so moving, that even the officer was touched, and, although firm in his duty, he kindly said, "My worthy friend, let me beg of you to calm your apprehensions. Your son has probably neglected some prescribed form or attention in registering his cargo, and it is more than probable he will be set at liberty directly he has given the information required, whether touching the health of his crew, or the value of his freight." "What is the meaning of all this?" inquired Caderousse, frowningly, of Danglars, who had assumed an air of utter surprise. "How can I tell you?" replied he; "I am, like yourself, utterly bewildered at all that is going on, and cannot in the least make out what it is about." Caderousse then looked around for Fernand, but he had disappeared. The scene of the previous night now came back to his mind with startling clearness. The painful catastrophe he had just witnessed appeared effectually to have rent away the veil which the intoxication of the evening before had raised between himself and his memory. "So, so," said he, in a hoarse and choking voice, to Danglars, "this, then, I suppose, is a part of the trick you were concerting yesterday? All I can say is, that if it be so, 'tis an ill turn, and well deserves to bring double evil on those who have projected it." "Nonsense," returned Danglars, "I tell you again I have nothing whatever to do with it; besides, you know very well that I tore the paper to pieces." "No, you did not!" answered Caderousse, "you merely threw it by -- I saw it lying in a corner." "Hold your tongue, you fool! -- what should you know about it? -- why, you were drunk!" "Where is Fernand?" inquired Caderousse. "How do I know?" replied Danglars; "gone, as every prudent man ought to be, to look after his own affairs, most likely. Never mind where he is, let you and I go and see what is to be done for our poor friends." During this conversation, Dantes, after having exchanged a cheerful shake of the hand with all his sympathizing friends, had surrendered himself to the officer sent to arrest him, merely saying, "Make yourselves quite easy, my good fellows, there is some little mistake to clear up, that's all, depend upon it; and very likely I may not have to go so far as the prison to effect that." "Oh, to be sure!" responded Danglars, who had now approached the group, "nothing more than a mistake, I feel quite certain." Dantes descended the staircase, preceded by the magistrate, and followed by the soldiers. A carriage awaited him at the door; he got in, followed by two soldiers and the magistrate, and the vehicle drove off towards Marseilles. "Adieu, adieu, dearest Edmond!" cried Mercedes, stretching out her arms to him from the balcony. The prisoner heard the cry, which sounded like the sob of a broken heart, and leaning from the coach he called out, "Good-by, Mercedes -- we shall soon meet again!" Then the vehicle disappeared round one of the turnings of Fort Saint Nicholas. "Wait for me here, all of you!" cried M. Morrel; "I will take the first conveyance I find, and hurry to Marseilles, whence I will bring you word how all is going on." "That's right!" exclaimed a multitude of voices, "go, and return as quickly as you can!" This second departure was followed by a long and fearful state of terrified silence on the part of those who were left behind. The old father and Mercedes remained for some time apart, each absorbed in grief; but at length the two poor victims of the same blow raised their eyes, and with a simultaneous burst of feeling rushed into each other's arms. Meanwhile Fernand made his appearance, poured out for himself a glass of water with a trembling hand; then hastily swallowing it, went to sit down at the first vacant place, and this was, by mere chance, placed next to the seat on which poor Mercedes had fallen half fainting, when released from the warm and affectionate embrace of old Dantes. Instinctively Fernand drew back his chair. "He is the cause of all this misery -- I am quite sure of it," whispered Caderousse, who had never taken his eyes off Fernand, to Danglars. "I don't think so," answered the other; he's too stupid to imagine such a scheme. I only hope the mischief will fall upon the head of whoever wrought it." "You don't mention those who aided and abetted the deed," said Caderousse. "Surely," answered Danglars, "one cannot be held responsible for every chance arrow shot into the air." "You can, indeed, when the arrow lights point downward on somebody's head." Meantime the subject of the arrest was being canvassed in every different form. "What think you, Danglars," said one of the party, turning towards him, "of this event?" "Why," replied he, "I think it just possible Dantes may have been detected with some trifling article on board ship considered here as contraband." "But how could he have done so without your knowledge, Danglars, since you are the ship's supercargo?" "Why, as for that, I could only know what I was told respecting the merchandise with which the vessel was laden. I know she was loaded with cotton, and that she took in her freight at Alexandria from Pastret's warehouse, and at Smyrna from Pascal's; that is all I was obliged to know, and I beg I may not be asked for any further particulars." "Now I recollect," said the afflicted old father; "my poor boy told me yesterday he had got a small case of coffee, and another of tobacco for me!" "There, you see," exclaimed Danglars. "Now the mischief is out; depend upon it the custom-house people went rummaging about the ship in our absence, and discovered poor Dantes' hidden treasures." Mercedes, however, paid no heed to this explanation of her lover's arrest. Her grief, which she had hitherto tried to restrain, now burst out in a violent fit of hysterical sobbing. "Come, come," said the old man, "be comforted, my poor child; there is still hope!" "Hope!" repeated Danglars. "Hope!" faintly murmured Fernand, but the word seemed to die away on his pale agitated lips, and a convulsive spasm passed over his countenance. "Good news! good news!" shouted forth one of the party stationed in the balcony on the lookout. "Here comes M. Morrel back. No doubt, now, we shall hear that our friend is released!" Mercedes and the old man rushed to meet the shipowner and greeted him at the door. He was very pale. "What news?" exclaimed a general burst of voices. "Alas, my friends," replied M. Morrel, with a mournful shake of his head, "the thing has assumed a more serious aspect than I expected." "Oh, indeed -- indeed, sir, he is innocent!" sobbed forth Mercedes. "That I believe!" answered M. Morrel; "but still he is charged" -- "With what?" inquired the elder Dantes. "With being an agent of the Bonapartist faction!" Many of our readers may be able to recollect how formidable such an accusation became in the period at which our story is dated. A despairing cry escaped the pale lips of Mercedes; the old man sank into a chair. "Ah, Danglars!" whispered Caderousse, "you have deceived me-- the trick you spoke of last night has been played; but I cannot suffer a poor old man or an innocent girl to die of grief through your fault. I am determined to tell them all about it." "Be silent, you simpleton!" cried Danglars, grasping him by the arm, "or I will not answer even for your own safety. Who can tell whether Dantes be innocent or guilty? The vessel did touch at Elba, where he quitted it, and passed a whole day in the island. Now, should any letters or other documents of a compromising character be found upon him, will it not be taken for granted that all who uphold him are his accomplices?" With the rapid instinct of selfishness, Caderousse readily perceived the solidity of this mode of reasoning; he gazed, doubtfully, wistfully, on Danglars, and then caution supplanted generosity. "Suppose we wait a while, and see what comes of it," said he, casting a bewildered look on his companion. "To be sure!" answered Danglars. "Let us wait, by all means. If he be innocent, of course he will be set at liberty; if guilty, why, it is no use involving ourselves in a conspiracy." "Let us go, then. I cannot stay here any longer." "With all my heart!" replied Danglars, pleased to find the other so tractable. "Let us take ourselves out of the way, and leave things for the present to take their course." After their departure, Fernand, who had now again become the friend and protector of Mercedes, led the girl to her home, while the friends of Dantes conducted the now half-fainting man back to his abode. The rumor of Edmond's arrest as a Bonapartist agent was not slow in circulating throughout the city. "Could you ever have credited such a thing, my dear Danglars?" asked M. Morrel, as, on his return to the port for the purpose of gleaning fresh tidings of Dantes, from M. de Villefort, the assistant procureur, he overtook his supercargo and Caderousse. "Could you have believed such a thing possible?" "Why, you know I told you," replied Danglars, "that I considered the circumstance of his having anchored at the Island of Elba as a very suspicious circumstance." "And did you mention these suspicions to any person beside myself?" "Certainly not!" returned Danglars. Then added in a low whisper, "You understand that, on account of your uncle, M. Policar Morrel, who served under the other government, and who does not altogether conceal what he thinks on the subject, you are strongly suspected of regretting the abdication of Napoleon. I should have feared to injure both Edmond and yourself, had I divulged my own apprehensions to a soul. I am too well aware that though a subordinate, like myself, is bound to acquaint the shipowner with everything that occurs, there are many things he ought most carefully to conceal from all else." "'Tis well, Danglars -- 'tis well!" replied M. Morrel. "You are a worthy fellow; and I had already thought of your interests in the event of poor Edmond having become captain of the Pharaon." "Is it possible you were so kind?" "Yes, indeed; I had previously inquired of Dantes what was his opinion of you, and if he should have any reluctance to continue you in your post, for somehow I have perceived a sort of coolness between you." "And what was his reply?" "That he certainly did think he had given you offence in an affair which he merely referred to without entering into particulars, but that whoever possessed the good opinion and confidence of the ship's owner would have his preference also." "The hypocrite!" murmured Danglars. "Poor Dantes!" said Caderousse. "No one can deny his being a noble-hearted young fellow." "But meanwhile," continued M. Morrel, "here is the Pharaon without a captain." "Oh," replied Danglars, "since we cannot leave this port for the next three months, let us hope that ere the expiration of that period Dantes will be set at liberty." "No doubt; but in the meantime?" "I am entirely at your service, M. Morrel," answered Danglars. "You know that I am as capable of managing a ship as the most experienced captain in the service; and it will be so far advantageous to you to accept my services, that upon Edmond's release from prison no further change will be requisite on board the Pharaon than for Dantes and myself each to resume our respective posts." "Thanks, Danglars -- that will smooth over all difficulties. I fully authorize you at once to assume the command of the Pharaon, and look carefully to the unloading of her freight. Private misfortunes must never be allowed to interfere with business." "Be easy on that score, M. Morrel; but do you think we shall be permitted to see our poor Edmond?" "I will let you know that directly I have seen M. de Villefort, whom I shall endeavor to interest in Edmond's favor. I am aware he is a furious royalist; but, in spite of that, and of his being king's attorney, he is a man like ourselves, and I fancy not a bad sort of one." "Perhaps not," replied Danglars; "but I hear that he is ambitious, and that's rather against him." "Well, well," returned M. Morrel, "we shall see. But now hasten on board, I will join you there ere long." So saying, the worthy shipowner quitted the two allies, and proceeded in the direction of the Palais de Justice. "You see," said Danglars, addressing Caderousse, "the turn things have taken. Do you still feel any desire to stand up in his defence?" "Not the slightest, but yet it seems to me a shocking thing that a mere joke should lead to such consequences." "But who perpetrated that joke, let me ask? neither you nor myself, but Fernand; you knew very well that I threw the paper into a corner of the room -- indeed, I fancied I had destroyed it." "Oh, no," replied Caderousse, "that I can answer for, you did not. I only wish I could see it now as plainly as I saw it lying all crushed and crumpled in a corner of the arbor." "Well, then, if you did, depend upon it, Fernand picked it up, and either copied it or caused it to be copied; perhaps, even, he did not take the trouble of recopying it. And now I think of it, by Heavens, he may have sent the letter itself! Fortunately, for me, the handwriting was disguised." "Then you were aware of Dantes being engaged in a conspiracy?" "Not I. As I before said, I thought the whole thing was a joke, nothing more. It seems, however, that I have unconsciously stumbled upon the truth." "Still," argued Caderousse, "I would give a great deal if nothing of the kind had happened; or, at least, that I had had no hand in it. You will see, Danglars, that it will turn out an unlucky job for both of us." "Nonsense! If any harm come of it, it should fall on the guilty person; and that, you know, is Fernand. How can we be implicated in any way? All we have got to do is, to keep our own counsel, and remain perfectly quiet, not breathing a word to any living soul; and you will see that the storm will pass away without in the least affecting us." "Amen!" responded Caderousse, waving his hand in token of adieu to Danglars, and bending his steps towards the Allees de Meillan, moving his head to and fro, and muttering as he went, after the manner of one whose mind was overcharged with one absorbing idea. "So far, then," said Danglars, mentally, "all has gone as I would have it. I am, temporarily, commander of the Pharaon, with the certainty of being permanently so, if that fool of a Caderousse can be persuaded to hold his tongue. My only fear is the chance of Dantes being released. But, there, he is in the hands of Justice; and," added he with a smile, "she will take her own." So saying, he leaped into a boat, desiring to be rowed on board the Pharaon, where M. Morrel had agreed to meet him.

中文翻译 第五章　婚宴 清晨，明媚的朝阳染红了天空，抚慰着那吐着白沫的浪潮。 瑞瑟夫酒家此时已备好了丰富的酒筵，（酒家的那座凉棚是读者们已熟悉了的）。摆席的那个大厅非常宽敞，并排开着几扇大窗子，每个窗子上都有用金字写着的法国各大城市的名字。在这排窗子底下，是一条跟屋子一样长的木板走廊。筵席虽预定在十二点钟开始。但在这之前的一小时，走廊上便早已挤满了性急的前来贺喜的客人，他们有些是法老号上同唐太斯要好的船员，有些是他的私人朋友，全都穿着最漂亮的衣服，给这个愉快的日子增光不少，大家都在纷纷议论，法老号的船主要来参加婚宴，但大家又似乎都不相信唐太斯能有这么大的面子。 还是与卡德鲁斯同来的腾格拉尔证实了这个消息，说他刚才遇到了莫雷尔先生，莫雷尔先生亲口说要来赴宴。 果然，不一会儿，莫雷尔先生便走了进来。法老号的水手们纷纷向他致意、欢呼。在他们看来船主的光临证实了一个传闻，唐太斯不久就要做法老号船长了，由于唐太斯是船员们都一致爱戴的人物，所以当船员们发现他们上司的意见和选择正好符合了他们的愿望时，也就禁不住欢喜起来。 这一阵嘈杂而亲热的欢迎过去以后，腾格拉尔和卡德鲁斯便被派去到新郎家中去报告重要人物已经到了的消息，希望新郎赶快来迎接他的贵宾。 二人便火速前往，但他们还没走出百步远，就有一群人向他们走来，前面走着的那对新人和一群伴随新娘的青年人，新娘的旁边是唐太斯的父亲，他们的后面则跟着弗尔南多。他的脸上仍旧挂着一种阴险的微笑。 美塞苔丝和爱德蒙都没有注意到他脸上那种异样的表情。他们实在是太幸福了，所以他们的眼睛除了互相深情地注视着以外，就只看到他们头上那明朗而美丽的天空。 腾格拉尔他们完成了自己的使命，并向爱德蒙亲热地道贺以后，腾格拉尔就走到了弗尔南多的身边，卡德鲁斯则和唐太斯老爹留在了一起。老唐太斯现在已成了众人注目的焦点。 他穿着一套剪裁合体、熨得笔挺、钉着铁钮扣的黑衣服。他那瘦小但依旧相当有力的小腿上套着一双脚踝处绣满了花的长统袜子，一看便知是英国货；他的三角帽上垂下一长条蓝白色丝带结成的穗子；拄着一根雕刻得很奇特的手杖。卡德鲁斯一副卑谄的样子跟在他身旁，希望美餐一顿的渴望使他又与唐太斯父子重归于好了，昨晚上的事，他脑子里留有模糊不清的印象，——就象人从梦中醒来时脑子里留下的模糊印象一样。 腾格拉尔走近那个失恋的情人的时候，意味深长的看了他一眼。只见弗尔南多脸色苍白，神情茫然地慢慢跟在那对幸福的人后面，而面前那对满心欢喜的人却似乎已完全忘记了还有他这个人存在着。他的脸偶尔会突然涨得通红，神经质的抽搐一下，——焦急不安的朝马赛那个方向望一眼，好象在期待某种惊人的大事发生似的。 唐太斯的衣着不仅很合式，而且也很简单，他穿着一套半似军服，半似便服的商船船员制服。他那张英俊的脸上闪着喜悦和幸福的光芒，显得更加英气勃发。 美塞苔丝可爱得象塞浦路斯或凯奥斯的希腊美女一样，她的眼睛乌黑明亮，嘴唇鲜红娇嫩，她的步伐就象阿尔妇女和安达卢西亚妇女那样轻盈和婀娜多姿。假如她是一个城里姑娘，她一定会把她的喜悦掩饰起来，或至少垂下她那浓密的睫毛，以掩饰她那一对水汪汪的热情的眼睛，但美塞苔丝却是一个劲地微笑着左右顾盼，好象在说：“假如你们是我的朋友，那么就和我一起欢乐吧，因为我实在是太幸福了。” 当这队伴着新郎新娘的行列进入瑟夫酒家的时候，莫雷尔先生就迎上前来，他身后跟着早已聚集在那儿的士兵和水手，他们已经从莫雷尔先生那儿知道他已经许过的诺言，知道唐太斯就要接替已故的莱克勒船长了，爱德蒙一走到雇主的前面，便把他的未婚妻的手臂递给莫雷尔先生，后者就带着她踏上了木头楼梯，向摆好了酒席的大厅走去，宾客们嘻嘻哈哈地跟在后面，楼梯在拥挤的人群脚下吱吱地响着。 “爸爸，”美塞苔丝走到桌子前面停下来说。“请您坐到我的右边，左边这个置人要让一位始终象亲兄弟那样照顾我的人坐，”她这句温柔而甜密的话象一把匕首直刺入弗尔南多的心。他的嘴唇苍白，棕黑的皮肤下，可以看见血液突然退去，象是受到了某种意外的压缩，流回到了心脏里去了一样。 这时，坐在桌子对面的唐太斯，也同样正在安排他最尊贵的来宾莫雷尔先生坐在他在右边，腾格拉尔坐在他的左边，其余的人也都各自找到了他们认为最适当的位子坐下。 现在便开始尽情地享受那些放满在桌子上的美味佳肴了。新鲜香美的阿尔腊肠，鲜红耀目的带壳龙虾，色彩鲜明的大虾，外面有刺而里面细腻上口的海胆，还有为南方食客所极力赞美、认为比牡蛎还香美可口的蛤蜊——这一切，再加上无数从沙滩上捕来的，被那些该感谢的渔夫称为“海果”的各种珍馔美肴，都呈在了这次婚筵席上。 “真安静啊！”新郎的父亲说，他正拿起一杯黄玉色的酒举到嘴边，这杯酒是美塞苔丝献上的，谁会想到这儿有三十个又说又笑的人呢？ “唉！”卡德鲁斯叹息到，“做丈夫的并非永远是开心的，”事实是，“唐太斯答，”我是太幸福了，所以反而乐不起来了，假如你是这样认为的话，我可敬的朋友，我想你是说对了，有的时候，快乐会产生一种奇特的效果，它会压住我们，就象悲哀一样。“ 腾格拉尔向弗尔南多看了看，只见他易于激动的天性把每一个新的感受都明显地表露在脸上。 “咦，你有什么不快乐？”他问爱德蒙。“你难道怕有什么样的灾难降临吗？我敢说今天在众人眼里你最称心如意啦。” “使我感到不安的也正是这一点，”唐太斯答道“在我看来幸福似乎不该这样轻易到手的，幸福应该是我们小时候书上所读到的神奇的魔宫，有凶猛的毒龙守在入口，有各种各样大大小小的的妖魔鬼怪挡主去路，要征服这一切，就非去战斗不可。我现在真得觉得有点奇怪，凭什么获得这份荣耀——做美塞苔丝的丈夫。” “丈夫，丈夫？”卡德鲁斯大声笑着说，“还没有做成呢，我的船长，你就试试去做个丈夫吧，瞧瞧会怎么样。” 美塞苔丝不禁脸上泛起了红晕。焦躁不安的弗尔南多每当听到一点响声就会显得很吃惊的样子，他不时抹一下额头上沁出汗，那汗珠就象暴风雨即将来时落下的雨蹼那样粗大。 “哦，那倒没什么，卡德鲁斯邻居，这种小事是不值得一提的，不错，美塞苔丝此刻还不能真正算我的妻子，但是，”他掏出表来看了看，就说，“再过一个半小时，她就是我的妻子了。” 所有的人都惊叫了一声，只有老唐太斯除外，他开怀大笑，露出一排很整齐的牙齿。美塞苔丝微笑了一下，不再羞涩了。弗尔南多则神经质地紧握着他的刀柄。 “一个小时？”腾格拉尔问，他的脸色也变白了，“怎么回事，我的朋友？ “是的，，”唐太斯回答道，“在这儿我特别感谢莫雷尔先生在这世界上，除了我父亲以外，我的幸福完全归功于他，由于他的帮忙，一切困难都已经解决了。我们已经付了结婚预告费，两点半的时候，马赛市长就会在维丽大酒家等候我们。现在已经是一点一刻了，所以我说再过一个半小时美塞苔丝会变成唐太斯夫人并非言之过早。” 弗尔南多闭上了双眼，一种火一样的感觉掠过了他的眉头，他不得不将身子伏在桌子上以免跌倒。他虽然努力克制着自己，但仍禁不住发出一声长叹，但是他的叹息声被嘈杂的祝贺声淹没了。 “凭良心，”老人大声说，“这事你办得真迅速。昨天早晨才到这儿的，今天三点钟就结婚！我终于相信了水手是办事的快手！” “可是”腾格拉尔胆怯地说。“其它手续怎么办呢，——婚书，文契？” “噢，你真是！”唐太斯笑着回答说，“我们的婚书早已写好子。美塞苔丝没有什么财产，我也一样。所以，你看，我们的婚书根本没费多少时间就写好了，而且也没花几个钱。”这个笑话引起众人一阵哄笑和掌声。 “那么，我们认为只不过是订婚的喜酒变成结婚的喜酒了。”腾格拉尔说。 “不，不！”唐太斯回答，“可别把人看成是那么小器，明天得动身到巴黎去。四天来回，再加一天的时间办事就够了。三月初我就能回来，回来后，第二天我就请大家喝喜酒。” 想到又一次有美餐的机会，宾客们更加欢乐无比，老唐太斯还在宴席一开始的时候就曾嫌太静，现在人们是如此嘈杂喧哗，他竟很想找一个机会来向新娘新郎表示祝贺了。 唐太斯觉察到父亲那种亲热的焦急之情，便愉快地报以感激的一笑。美塞苔丝的眼睛不时地去瞟一眼摆在房子里的钟，她向爱德蒙做了一个手势，示意。 席间的气氛是愉快的，无拘无束的，这是在社交集会时司空见惯的现象，大家太快乐了以致摆脱了一切拘谨礼仪的束缚。那些在席间觉得座位不称心的人已经换了位置，并找到了称心如意的邻座。有的人都在乱哄哄地说，不住嘴地说着话，谁也不关心谁，大家都在各说各的话。 弗尔南多苍白的脸色似乎已传染给腾格拉尔的脸上，弗尔南多自己却似乎正在忍受着死囚一般的痛苦，他再也坐不住了，站起来首先离开席，象要躲开这一片震耳欲聋的声音里所洋溢的喜气似的，一言不发地在大厅另一端走来走去。 弗尔南多似乎要躲开腾格拉尔，而腾格拉尔却偏偏又来找他，卡德鲁斯一见这种情形，也向别房间的那一角走过去。 “凭良心讲，”卡德鲁斯说，由于唐太斯友善的款待和他喝下的那些美酒的满足劲也起了作用，他脑子里对唐太斯交了好运的妒嫉之意反而一扫而光了，“——凭良心讲，唐太斯实在是一个顶好的人，当我看到他坐在他那漂亮的未婚妻旁边时候，一想到你们昨天的计划用的那有套把戏，真觉得太不应该了。” “哦，那事反正又不是真的，”腾格拉尔回答说，“最初我是出于同情弗尔南多受到的打击，但当我看到他甚至做着他的情敌的伴郎仍完全克制住他自己的情感时，我知道这事就不必再多说了。”卡德鲁斯凝视着弗尔南多，弗尔南多的脸色白的象一张纸。“说实在的，”腾格拉尔又说，“姑娘长得可真美，这个牺牲可不算校说真的，我那位未来的船长真是个交好运的家伙！老天爷！我真希望，我如果是他就好了。” “我们可以走了吗？美塞苔丝那银铃般的声音问道，”两点钟已经过了，你知道我们说好的在一刻钟之内到维丽大酒家的。“ “是的，没错！”唐太斯一面大声说，一面急忙站了起来说：“我们马上就走吧！” 于上全体宾客随声咐和着，也都一起欢呼着站了起来，并开始组成一个行列。 就在这时，正在密切注意着弗尔南多的腾格拉尔突然看见他象痉挛似的抽搐了一下，踉踉跄跄退到了一扇开着的窗子前面，靠在身边的一把椅子上。此时，只听楼梯上响起了一片嘈杂声并夹杂着士兵整齐的步伐，刀剑的铿锵声以及佩挂物的撞击声，接着又传来了一片由众多声音所组成的嗡嗡声，这片嗡嗡声窒息了喜宴的喧哗声，房间里立刻罩上了一种不安的气氛。 那嘈声愈来愈近了。房门上响起了三下叩击声。人们神色惊奇面面相觑。 “我们是来执行法院命令的，”一个响亮的声音喊道，但房间里谁也没有应声，门开了，一个佩挂绶带的警长走了进来，后面跟着四个士兵和一个伍长。在场的人们现在由不安变成了极端的恐惧。 “请问警长突然驾到，有何贵干？”莫雷尔先生走上前去对那警长说道，他们显然是彼此认识的。“我想一定是发生了什么误会吧。” “莫雷尔先生。”警长回答道，“如果是误会，很快就可以澄清的。现在，我只是奉命来把人带走，虽然我自己也很不愿意执行交给我的这项任务，但我又必须完成它。在这些人当中哪位是爱德蒙。唐太斯？”人们的眼睛唰得一下都转了那青年身上，那青年虽也很不安，却依旧很庄严地挺身而出，用坚定的口吻说：“我就是，请问有什么事？” “爱德蒙。唐太斯，”警长回答说，“我以法律的名义逮捕你！” “逮捕我！”爱德蒙应了一声，脸上微微有点变色，“请问这是为什么？” “我不清楚，不过你在第一次被审问的时候就会知道的。” 莫雷尔先生觉得此事辩也是没用的。一个绶带军官在外执行命令已不再是一个人，而变成了冷酷无情的法律的化身。 老唐太斯急忙向警长走去，——因为有些事情是做父母的心所无法了解的。他拼命的求情，他的恳求和眼泪虽毫无用处，但他那极度失望的样子却打动了警长的同情心。“先生，”他说，“请你冷静一点。您的儿子大概是触犯了海关或卫生公署的某些条例，很可能在回答几个问题以后就会被释放的。” “这到底是怎么回事？”卡德鲁斯横眉怒目地问腾格拉尔，而后者却装出一副莫名其妙的的神情。 “我怎么知道？”他答道，“我和你一样，对眼前的事根本一无所知，他们说的话我一点儿都不懂。”卡德鲁斯于是用目光四下里寻找弗尔南多，但他已经不见了。 前一天的情景极其清晰地浮现在他脑子里了。他现在目击的这场突如其来的横祸已揭去了他昨天醉酒时蒙在记忆上的那层薄纱。 “哼！”他声音嘶哑地对腾格拉尔说，“这个，难道就是你昨天那套鬼把戏里的一部分吧？果真如此的话，玩把戏的那个家伙真该死！这种做法太可耻了。” “别胡说了。”腾格拉尔反驳道，“你明明看见我把那张纸撕碎了扔了的。 “不，你没有！”卡德鲁斯答道，“你只是把它扔在了一边。我看见你把它扔在一个角落里了。” “闭嘴！你根本什么也没看见。你当时喝醉了！” “弗尔南多去哪儿了？”卡德鲁斯问。 “我怎么知道？”腾格拉尔回答，“大概是处理他自己的事情去了吧，先别管他在哪儿了，我们赶紧去看看有没有什么办法可以帮一下我们那位可怜的朋友。” 在他们谈话的时候，唐太斯正和他的朋友们一一握手告别，然后他走到那位官员身边，说：“请诸位放心，我只不过去解释一些小误会而已，我想我又没犯什么法，不会坐牢的。” “唔，肯定是这样！”腾格拉尔接着话茬说，他现在已走到大家的前面，“我相信只不过是一点误会而已。” 唐太斯夹在警长和士兵中间走下楼去。门口已有一辆马车在等候着他了。他钻进了车里，两个兵和那警长也接着进去了，马车就向马赛驶去了。 “再见了，再见了，我亲爱的爱德蒙！”美塞苔丝扑到栏杆上向他伸出手臂大声喊着。 这样被带走的人听到那最后的一声呼喊，象感到了他未婚妻的心被撕碎了一般，他从车厢里探出头来喊道：“再见了，美塞苔丝。”于是马车就转过圣尼古位堡的一个拐角不见了。 “你们大家都在这儿等我！”莫雷尔先生喊道，“我马上找一辆马车赶到马赛去，等打听着消息回来告诉你们。” “对呀！”许多声音异口同声的喊道，“去吧，快去快回！” 莫雷尔先生走了以后，留下来的那些人都有些不知所措。 老爹和美塞苔丝各自怀着满腹的忧愁木然呆立着，最后，这两个遭受同一打击下的不幸的人的目光终于碰到了一起，悲伤地拥抱在了一起。这时弗尔南多又出现了，他用一只颤抖的手给自己倒了一杯水，一饮而尽，然后在一张椅子上坐了下来。 美塞苔丝已离开了老人的怀抱，正虚弱地倒在一张椅子上，碰巧弗尔南多的座位就在她的旁边，他本能地把他的椅子拖后了一点。 “是他！”卡德鲁斯低声对腾格拉尔说，他的眼睛始终没离开过弗尔南多。 “我倒不这样认为，”那一个回答说，“他太蠢了，绝想不出这种计谋的。我希望那个做孽的人会受惩罚。” “你怎么不说那个给他出谋划策的人该受罚呢！”卡德鲁斯说。 “当然罗，”腾格拉尔说，“不过，并不是每个人都要对他随口说的负责的！” “哼，如果随便讲话的真的兑现了就该他负责。” 这时，对被捕这件事大家都在议论纷纷。 “腾格拉尔，”有人问，“你对这事怎么看？” “我想，”腾格拉尔说，“可能是唐太斯在船上被搜出了什么被认为是违禁品的小东西吧。” “但假如他真这样做了，你怎么会不知道呢？腾格拉尔，你不是船上的押运员吗？” “我只知道我要对船上装的货物负责。我知道船上装着棉花，是从亚历山大港潘斯德里先生的货仓和士麦拿潘斯考先生的货仓里装上船的。我所知道仅此而已，至于别的什么，我是没必要去过问的。” “噢，现在我想起来了！”那可怜的老爹说，“我的儿子昨天告诉我，说他有一小盒咖啡和一点烟草在船上带给我！” “你看，这就对了！”腾格拉尔宣称说。“现在祸根找着了，一定是海关关员当我不在的时候上船去搜查，发现了可怜的唐太斯藏着宝贝了。” 美塞苔丝根本不相信她的爱人被捕的这种说法。她一直努力克制着悲哀，现在突然地放声大哭起来。 “别哭，别哭，”老人说，“我可怜的孩子，事情会有希望！” “会有希望的！腾格拉尔也说。 “会有希望的！”弗尔南多也想这么说，但他的话却哽住了，他的嘴唇蠕动了一下，但始终没发出声音来。 “这下好了！好消息！”站在走廊上的一个人忽然喊道。 “莫雷尔先生回来了。他一定会带好消息给我们的。” 美塞苔丝和老人急忙奔向前去迎接船主，在门口碰到了他。莫雷尔先生的脸色非常惨白。 “有什么消息？”大家异口同声地问。 “唉，诸位，”莫雷尔先生无奈地摇摇头说，“事情比我们预料的要严重得多。” “呵，先生，他是无罪的呀！”美塞苔丝抽搭着说。 “这我相信！”莫雷尔先生回答说，“可是他仍然被指控为——” “什么罪名？”老唐太斯问。 “控他是一个拿破仑党的眼线！” 读者们一定还记得，在我们这个故事发生的那个年代，这是多么可怕的一个罪名。美塞苔丝绝望地惨叫了一声，而心碎的老人则气息奄奄地倒在了一张椅子上。 “腾格拉尔！”卡德鲁斯低声说，“你骗了我，——昨天晚上你说的那套鬼把戏已成现实了。现在我明白了。但我不忍心看到一个可怜的老头子和一个无辜的姑娘这样痛苦不堪。 我要去把一切都告诉他们。“ “闭嘴，你这傻瓜！”腾格拉尔急忙抓住他的胳膊恶狠狠地说，“不然我可不负责你自己的人身安全。谁能说清楚唐太斯究竟是有罪还是无罪？船的确停靠过厄尔巴岛，他的确曾离船在岛上呆了一整天。现在，假如从他身上找到什么有关的信件或其他文件，到那时凡是帮他说话的人都会被看作是他的同谋的。” 出于自私心的本能，卡德鲁斯立刻感觉出了这番话的份量。他满脸恐惧和忧虑地望着腾格拉尔，然后连忙采取了进一步退两步的态度。 “那么，我们等等再说吧。”他嗫嚅着说道。 “是啊！”腾格拉尔回答。“我们等等再说吧。假如他的确是无辜的，那自然会被释放，假如的确有罪，那我们可犯不上为他而受连累。” “那么我们走吧。我们不能再呆在这儿了。” “好，我们走吧！”腾格拉尔为能找到一个一同退场的同伴而感到很高兴。“我们不管这事了，别人爱走不走，随他们的便。” 他们走了以后，弗尔南多又成了美塞苔丝的保护人了，领她回迦太兰村去了。而唐太斯的一些朋友则护送着那位心碎的老人回家去了。 爱德蒙被控为拿破仑党的眼线从而被捕的消息很快就在城里流传开了。 “你能相信有这种事情吗，我亲爱的腾格拉尔？”莫雷尔先生问，他因急于回城去打听唐太斯的新消息，途中赶上了他的押运员和卡德鲁斯。“你认为这种事可能吗？” “噢，您知道，我已经对您说过，”腾格拉尔回答说“我觉得他在厄尔巴岛停靠这件事是非常可疑的。” “你的这种怀疑除了对我以外还对别人提起过吗？” “当然没有！”腾格拉尔回答说。然后又低声耳语道，“您知道，您的叔叔波立卡。莫雷尔先生曾在先朝当过官，而且关于这件事又不怎么隐讳，所以说不定您也会有很大的嫌疑的，人家会说您也不满于拿破仑的垮台。假如我对别人讲了我心中的疑虑那我不是就伤害到了爱德蒙和您么。我很清楚，象我这样做下属的人，不论发生了什么事情，都应该先通知船主，而且必须小心谨慎，不能让其他的人知道才行。” “很好，腾格拉尔，很好！”莫雷尔先生说道。“你是一个好小伙子，本来，我在安排那可怜的爱德蒙当法老号的船长的时候，也打算过如何安排你的。” “你说什么，先生！” “我事先曾问过唐太斯，问他对你有何看法，对你继续在船任职什么意见——因为我已看出你们之间的关系相当冷淡。” “他是怎么回答的？” “他说他的确因某件事得罪过你，但记不清是为什么了。他说不论是谁，只要船主信任他，他也应该尊敬他。” “伪君子！”腾格拉尔低声地骂了一句。 “可怜的唐太斯！”卡德鲁斯说。“谁都无法否认他是一个心地高尚的好小伙子！” “可就目前这种状况来看，”莫雷尔先生继续说，“我们可别忘了法老号现在是处在没有船长管理的状态之中。” “噢！”腾格拉尔回答说，“反正我们三个月之内还不会离开这个港口，但愿到那时，唐太斯能被释放出来。” “这点我毫不怀疑，只是这期间我们怎么办呢？” “哦，这期间反正我在这儿，莫雷尔先生，”腾格拉尔答道，“您也知道，我管理船上一切的本领，并不亚于经验最丰富的现任船长。假如您愿意让我为您效劳，这对您也是很有利的，因为唐太斯一旦获释回来，法老号上的人事就不必再变动了，只要唐太斯和我各干各的本职工作就行了。” “谢谢，我的好朋友，谢谢你的这个好主意——这下可把所有问题都解决了。我立刻任命你来指挥法老号，并监督卸货。不论个人出了什么事，业务总不能受影响。” “请放心好了，莫雷尔先生，但您想我们什么时候才去探望可怜的爱德蒙呢？” “我见到维尔福先生以后，就可以马上让你知道的，我要尽力要求他为爱德蒙说说情。 我知道他是个激烈的保王党。但是，除了这点和他那检察官的地位以外，他也是个人，而且我不认为他是个坏人！“ “也许不是坏人，”腾格拉尔答道，“但我听说，他野心勃勃，而野心又最会使人的心肠变硬的！” “唉，也只能这样了！”莫雷尔先生说，“我们走一步看一步吧！你现在赶快到船上去吧，我等会儿到船上来找你。”说着那可敬的船主离开了那两位朋友，向法院的方向走去了。 “你看，”腾格拉尔对卡德鲁斯说，“事情变复杂了吧。你现在还想去为爱德蒙辩护吗？” “不，当然不，但我觉得开玩笑竟开出这样可怕的后果也实在太可怕了。” “我倒要问问，这种后果是谁造成的？不是你，也不是我，而是弗尔南多。你当然知道得很清楚，我把那张纸丢在房间的角落里了，——真的，我还以为我当时把它撕了呢。” “噢，没有！”卡德鲁斯答道，“这一点我记得很清楚，你没有撕。我清清楚楚地看见你把它揉皱了丢在凉棚角落里，我倒真希望那纸条现在还在那儿。” “嗯，如果你的确看到过，那又有什么办法，一定是弗尔南多把它拾了起来，另外抄了一遍，或改写了一遍，或许，他甚至根本就没重抄。现在我想起来了，天哪！他也许就是把那张纸条给送去了１谢天谢地，幸亏我那笔迹是伪装过的。” “那么，你是否早就知道唐太斯参与了谋反的呢？” “不，我早就说过，我还以为只不过是一个玩笑罢了。但似乎是，象阿尔勒甘一样，我在玩笑中道出了实情。” “可是，”卡德鲁斯又说道，“我真不愿意看到发生这样的事，或至少应该与我无关。 你就等着瞧吧，腾格拉尔，这件事会使我们两个都倒霉的。“ “胡说！如果这件事真会带来什么灾难，那也应该落到那个罪人的头上，而那个人，你也知道，是弗尔南多。我们怎么会牵扯在里面呢？只要我们自己保守秘密，不声不响的，对这件事不去对别人泄露一个字就得了。这样你就会看到那风波过去，而我们丝毫不受任何影响。” “那好吧！”卡德鲁斯答应了一声，就挥手告别了腾格拉尔，朝梅朗港方向走去了，他一边走，一面晃动着脑袋嘴里还念念有词的，像在自己苦思冥想似的。 “好了，现在，”腾格拉尔自言自语地说，“一切都已随了我的心愿。我已暂时当上了法老号船长，而且还可能永远地当下去，只要卡德鲁斯那个傻瓜不多嘴多舌的。我只怕唐太斯会重新放出来的。不过，他已落到了法院的手里，”他又带着微笑说，“而法院是公正的，”说着，他便跳进了一只小艇，叫人摇到法老号上去，因为莫雷尔先生说过要在那儿见他的。

英文原文 Chapter 6 The Deputy Procureur du Roi. In one of the aristocratic mansions built by Puget in the Rue du Grand Cours opposite the Medusa fountain, a second marriage feast was being celebrated, almost at the same hour with the nuptial repast given by Dantes. In this case, however, although the occasion of the entertainment was similar, the company was strikingly dissimilar. Instead of a rude mixture of sailors, soldiers, and those belonging to the humblest grade of life, the present assembly was composed of the very flower of Marseilles society, -- magistrates who had resigned their office during the usurper's reign; officers who had deserted from the imperial army and joined forces with Conde; and younger members of families, brought up to hate and execrate the man whom five years of exile would convert into a martyr, and fifteen of restoration elevate to the rank of a god. The guests were still at table, and the heated and energetic conversation that prevailed betrayed the violent and vindictive passions that then agitated each dweller of the South, where unhappily, for five centuries religious strife had long given increased bitterness to the violence of party feeling. The emperor, now king of the petty Island of Elba, after having held sovereign sway over one-half of the world, counting as his subjects a small population of five or six thousand souls, -- after having been accustomed to hear the "Vive Napoleons" of a hundred and twenty millions of human beings, uttered in ten different languages, -- was looked upon here as a ruined man, separated forever from any fresh connection with France or claim to her throne. The magistrates freely discussed their political views; the military part of the company talked unreservedly of Moscow and Leipsic, while the women commented on the divorce of Josephine. It was not over the downfall of the man, but over the defeat of the Napoleonic idea, that they rejoiced, and in this they foresaw for themselves the bright and cheering prospect of a revivified political existence. An old man, decorated with the cross of Saint Louis, now rose and proposed the health of King Louis XVIII. It was the Marquis de Saint-Meran. This toast, recalling at once the patient exile of Hartwell and the peace-loving King of France, excited universal enthusiasm; glasses were elevated in the air a l'Anglais, and the ladies, snatching their bouquets from their fair bosoms, strewed the table with their floral treasures. In a word, an almost poetical fervor prevailed. "Ah," said the Marquise de Saint-Meran, a woman with a stern, forbidding eye, though still noble and distinguished in appearance, despite her fifty years -- "ah, these revolutionists, who have driven us from those very possessions they afterwards purchased for a mere trifle during the Reign of Terror, would be compelled to own, were they here, that all true devotion was on our side, since we were content to follow the fortunes of a falling monarch, while they, on the contrary, made their fortune by worshipping the rising sun; yes, yes, they could not help admitting that the king, for whom we sacrificed rank, wealth, and station was truly our `Louis the well-beloved,' while their wretched usurper his been, and ever will be, to them their evil genius, their `Napoleon the accursed.' Am I not right, Villefort?" "I beg your pardon, madame. I really must pray you to excuse me, but -- in truth -- I was not attending to the conversation." "Marquise, marquise!" interposed the old nobleman who had proposed the toast, "let the young people alone; let me tell you, on one's wedding day there are more agreeable subjects of conversation than dry politics." "Never mind, dearest mother," said a young and lovely girl, with a profusion of light brown hair, and eyes that seemed to float in liquid crystal, "'tis all my fault for seizing upon M. de Villefort, so as to prevent his listening to what you said. But there -- now take him -- he is your own for as long as you like. M. Villefort, I beg to remind you my mother speaks to you." "If the marquise will deign to repeat the words I but imperfectly caught, I shall be delighted to answer," said M. de Villefort. "Never mind, Renee," replied the marquise, with a look of tenderness that seemed out of keeping with her harsh dry features; but, however all other feelings may be withered in a woman's nature, there is always one bright smiling spot in the desert of her heart, and that is the shrine of maternal love. "I forgive you. What I was saying, Villefort, was, that the Bonapartists had not our sincerity, enthusiasm, or devotion." "They had, however, what supplied the place of those fine qualities," replied the young man, "and that was fanaticism. Napoleon is the Mahomet of the West, and is worshipped by his commonplace but ambitions followers, not only as a leader and lawgiver, but also as the personification of equality." "He!" cried the marquise: "Napoleon the type of equality! For mercy's sake, then, what would you call Robespierre? Come, come, do not strip the latter of his just rights to bestow them on the Corsican, who, to my mind, has usurped quite enough." "Nay, madame; I would place each of these heroes on his right pedestal -- that of Robespierre on his scaffold in the Place Louis Quinze; that of Napoleon on the column of the Place Vendome. The only difference consists in the opposite character of the equality advocated by these two men; one is the equality that elevates, the other is the equality that degrades; one brings a king within reach of the guillotine, the other elevates the people to a level with the throne. Observe," said Villefort, smiling, "I do not mean to deny that both these men were revolutionary scoundrels, and that the 9th Thermidor and the 4th of April, in the year 1814, were lucky days for France, worthy of being gratefully remembered by every friend to monarchy and civil order; and that explains how it comes to pass that, fallen, as I trust he is forever, Napoleon has still retained a train of parasitical satellites. Still, marquise, it has been so with other usurpers -- Cromwell, for instance, who was not half so bad as Napoleon, had his partisans and advocates." "Do you know, Villefort, that you are talking in a most dreadfully revolutionary strain? But I excuse it, it is impossible to expect the son of a Girondin to be free from a small spice of the old leaven." A deep crimson suffused the countenance of Villefort. "'Tis true, madame," answered he, "that my father was a Girondin, but he was not among the number of those who voted for the king's death; he was an equal sufferer with yourself during the Reign of Terror, and had well-nigh lost his head on the same scaffold on which your father perished." "True," replied the marquise, without wincing in the slightest degree at the tragic remembrance thus called up; "but bear in mind, if you please, that our respective parents underwent persecution and proscription from diametrically opposite principles; in proof of which I may remark, that while my family remained among the stanchest adherents of the exiled princes, your father lost no time in joining the new government; and that while the Citizen Noirtier was a Girondin, the Count Noirtier became a senator." "Dear mother," interposed Renee, "you know very well it was agreed that all these disagreeable reminiscences should forever be laid aside." "Suffer me, also, madame," replied Villefort, "to add my earnest request to Mademoiselle de Saint-Meran's, that you will kindly allow the veil of oblivion to cover and conceal the past. What avails recrimination over matters wholly past recall? For my own part, I have laid aside even the name of my father, and altogether disown his political principles. He was -- nay, probably may still be -- a Bonapartist, and is called Noirtier; I, on the contrary, am a stanch royalist, and style myself de Villefort. Let what may remain of revolutionary sap exhaust itself and die away with the old trunk, and condescend only to regard the young shoot which has started up at a distance from the parent tree, without having the power, any more than the wish, to separate entirely from the stock from which it sprung." "Bravo, Villefort!" cried the marquis; "excellently well said! Come, now, I have hopes of obtaining what I have been for years endeavoring to persuade the marquise to promise; namely, a perfect amnesty and forgetfulness of the past." "With all my heart," replied the marquise; "let the past be forever forgotten. I promise you it affords me as little pleasure to revive it as it does you. All I ask is, that Villefort will be firm and inflexible for the future in his political principles. Remember, also, Villefort, that we have pledged ourselves to his majesty for your fealty and strict loyalty, and that at our recommendation the king consented to forget the past, as I do" (and here she extended to him her hand) -- "as I now do at your entreaty. But bear in mind, that should there fall in your way any one guilty of conspiring against the government, you will be so much the more bound to visit the offence with rigorous punishment, as it is known you belong to a suspected family." "Alas, madame," returned Villefort, "my profession, as well as the times in which we live, compels me to be severe. I have already successfully conducted several public prosecutions, and brought the offenders to merited punishment. But we have not done with the thing yet." "Do you, indeed, think so?" inquired the marquise. "I am, at least, fearful of it. Napoleon, in the Island of Elba, is too near France, and his proximity keeps up the hopes of his partisans. Marseilles is filled with half-pay officers, who are daily, under one frivolous pretext or other, getting up quarrels with the royalists; from hence arise continual and fatal duels among the higher classes of persons, and assassinations in the lower." "You have heard, perhaps," said the Comte de Salvieux, one of M. de Saint-Meran's oldest friends, and chamberlain to the Comte d'Artois, "that the Holy Alliance purpose removing him from thence?" "Yes; they were talking about it when we left Paris," said M. de Saint-Meran; "and where is it decided to transfer him?" "To Saint Helena." "For heaven's sake, where is that?" asked the marquise. "An island situated on the other side of the equator, at least two thousand leagues from here," replied the count. "So much the better. As Villefort observes, it is a great act of folly to have left such a man between Corsica, where he was born, and Naples, of which his brother-in-law is king, and face to face with Italy, the sovereignty of which he coveted for his son." "Unfortunately," said Villefort, "there are the treaties of 1814, and we cannot molest Napoleon without breaking those compacts." "Oh, well, we shall find some way out of it," responded M. de Salvieux. "There wasn't any trouble over treaties when it was a question of shooting the poor Duc d'Enghien." "Well," said the marquise, "it seems probable that, by the aid of the Holy Alliance, we shall be rid of Napoleon; and we must trust to the vigilance of M. de Villefort to purify Marseilles of his partisans. The king is either a king or no king; if he be acknowledged as sovereign of France, he should be upheld in peace and tranquillity; and this can best be effected by employing the most inflexible agents to put down every attempt at conspiracy -- 'tis the best and surest means of preventing mischief." "Unfortunately, madame," answered Villefort, "the strong arm of the law is not called upon to interfere until the evil has taken place." "Then all he has got to do is to endeavor to repair it." "Nay, madame, the law is frequently powerless to effect this; all it can do is to avenge the wrong done." "Oh, M. de Villefort," cried a beautiful young creature, daughter to the Comte de Salvieux, and the cherished friend of Mademoiselle de Saint-Meran, "do try and get up some famous trial while we are at Marseilles. I never was in a law-court; I am told it is so very amusing!" "Amusing, certainly," replied the young man, "inasmuch as, instead of shedding tears as at the fictitious tale of woe produced at a theatre, you behold in a law-court a case of real and genuine distress -- a drama of life. The prisoner whom you there see pale, agitated, and alarmed, instead of-- as is the case when a curtain falls on a tragedy – going home to sup peacefully with his family, and then retiring to rest, that he may recommence his mimic woes on the morrow, -- is removed from your sight merely to be reconducted to his prison and delivered up to the executioner. I leave you to judge how far your nerves are calculated to bear you through such a scene. Of this, however, be assured, that should any favorable opportunity present itself, I will not fail to offer you the choice of being present." "For shame, M. de Villefort!" said Renee, becoming quite pale; "don't you see how you are frightening us? -- and yet you laugh." "What would you have? 'Tis like a duel. I have already recorded sentence of death, five or six times, against the movers of political conspiracies, and who can say how many daggers may be ready sharpened, and only waiting a favorable opportunity to be buried in my heart?" "Gracious heavens, M. de Villefort," said Renee, becoming more and more terrified; "you surely are not in earnest." "Indeed I am," replied the young magistrate with a smile; "and in the interesting trial that young lady is anxious to witness, the case would only be still more aggravated. Suppose, for instance, the prisoner, as is more than probable, to have served under Napoleon -- well, can you expect for an instant, that one accustomed, at the word of his commander, to rush fearlessly on the very bayonets of his foe, will scruple more to drive a stiletto into the heart of one he knows to be his personal enemy, than to slaughter his fellow-creatures, merely because bidden to do so by one he is bound to obey? Besides, one requires the excitement of being hateful in the eyes of the accused, in order to lash one's self into a state of sufficient vehemence and power. I would not choose to see the man against whom I pleaded smile, as though in mockery of my words. No; my pride is to see the accused pale, agitated, and as though beaten out of all composure by the fire of my eloquence." Renee uttered a smothered exclamation. "Bravo!" cried one of the guests; "that is what I call talking to some purpose." "Just the person we require at a time like the present," said a second. "What a splendid business that last case of yours was, my dear Villefort!" remarked a third; "I mean the trial of the man for murdering his father. Upon my word, you killed him ere the executioner had laid his hand upon him." "Oh, as for parricides, and such dreadful people as that," interposed Renee, "it matters very little what is done to them; but as regards poor unfortunate creatures whose only crime consists in having mixed themselves up in political intrigues" -- "Why, that is the very worst offence they could possibly commit; for, don't you see, Renee, the king is the father of his people, and he who shall plot or contrive aught against the life and safety of the parent of thirty-two millions of souls, is a parricide upon a fearfully great scale?" "I don't know anything about that," replied Renee; "but, M. de Villefort, you have promised me -- have you not? -- always to show mercy to those I plead for." "Make yourself quite easy on that point," answered Villefort, with one of his sweetest smiles; "you and I will always consult upon our verdicts." "My love," said the marquise, "attend to your doves, your lap-dogs, and embroidery, but do not meddle with what you do not understand. Nowadays the military profession is in abeyance and the magisterial robe is the badge of honor. There is a wise Latin proverb that is very much in point." "Cedant arma togae," said Villefort with a bow. "I cannot speak Latin," responded the marquise. "Well," said Renee, "I cannot help regretting you had not chosen some other profession than your own -- a physician, for instance. Do you know I always felt a shudder at the idea of even a destroying angel?" "Dear, good Renee," whispered Villefort, as he gazed with unutterable tenderness on the lovely speaker. "Let us hope, my child," cried the marquis, "that M. de Villefort may prove the moral and political physician of this province; if so, he will have achieved a noble work." "And one which will go far to efface the recollection of his father's conduct," added the incorrigible marquise. "Madame," replied Villefort, with a mournful smile, "I have already had the honor to observe that my father has – at least, I hope so -- abjured his past errors, and that he is, at the present moment, a firm and zealous friend to religion and order -- a better royalist, possibly, than his son; for he has to atone for past dereliction, while I have no other impulse than warm, decided preference and conviction." Having made this well-turned speech, Villefort looked carefully around to mark the effect of his oratory, much as he would have done had he been addressing the bench in open court. "Do you know, my dear Villefort," cried the Comte de Salvieux, "that is exactly what I myself said the other day at the Tuileries, when questioned by his majesty's principal chamberlain touching the singularity of an alliance between the son of a Girondin and the daughter of an officer of the Duc de Conde; and I assure you he seemed fully to comprehend that this mode of reconciling political differences was based upon sound and excellent principles. Then the king, who, without our suspecting it, had overheard our conversation, interrupted us by saying, `Villefort' -- observe that the king did not pronounce the word Noirtier, but, on the contrary, placed considerable emphasis on that of Villefort -- `Villefort,' said his majesty, `is a young man of great judgment and discretion, who will be sure to make a figure in his profession; I like him much, and it gave me great pleasure to hear that he was about to become the son-in-law of the Marquis and Marquise de Saint-Meran. I should myself have recommended the match, had not the noble marquis anticipated my wishes by requesting my consent to it.'" "Is it possible the king could have condescended so far as to express himself so favorably of me?" asked the enraptured Villefort. "I give you his very words; and if the marquis chooses to be candid, he will confess that they perfectly agree with what his majesty said to him, when he went six months ago to consult him upon the subject of your espousing his daughter." "That is true," answered the marquis. "How much do I owe this gracious prince! What is there I would not do to evince my earnest gratitude!" "That is right," cried the marquise. "I love to see you thus. Now, then, were a conspirator to fall into your hands, he would be most welcome." "For my part, dear mother." interposed Renee, "I trust your wishes will not prosper, and that Providence will only permit petty offenders, poor debtors, and miserable cheats to fall into M. de Villefort's hands, -- then I shall be contented." "Just the same as though you prayed that a physician might only be called upon to prescribe for headaches, measles, and the stings of wasps, or any other slight affection of the epidermis. If you wish to see me the king's attorney, you must desire for me some of those violent and dangerous diseases from the cure of which so much honor redounds to the physician." At this moment, and as though the utterance of Villefort's wish had sufficed to effect its accomplishment, a servant entered the room, and whispered a few words in his ear. Villefort immediately rose from table and quitted the room upon the plea of urgent business; he soon, however, returned, his whole face beaming with delight. Renee regarded him with fond affection; and certainly his handsome features, lit up as they then were with more than usual fire and animation, seemed formed to excite the innocent admiration with which she gazed on her graceful and intelligent lover. "You were wishing just now," said Villefort, addressing her, "that I were a doctor instead of a lawyer. Well, I at least resemble the disciples of Esculapius in one thing -- that of not being able to call a day my own, not even that of my betrothal." "And wherefore were you called away just now?" asked Mademoiselle de Saint-Meran, with an air of deep interest. "For a very serious matter, which bids fair to make work for the executioner." "How dreadful!" exclaimed Renee, turning pale. "Is it possible?" burst simultaneously from all who were near enough to the magistrate to hear his words. "Why, if my information prove correct, a sort of Bonaparte conspiracy has just been discovered." "Can I believe my ears?" cried the marquise. "I will read you the letter containing the accusation, at least," said Villefort: -- "`The king's attorney is informed by a friend to the throne and the religions institutions of his country, that one named Edmond Dantes, mate of the ship Pharaon, this day arrived from Smyrna, after having touched at Naples and Porto-Ferrajo, has been the bearer of a letter from Murat to the usurper, and again taken charge of another letter from the usurper to the Bonapartist club in Paris. Ample corroboration of this statement may be obtained by arresting the above-mentioned Edmond Dantes, who either carries the letter for Paris about with him, or has it at his father's abode. Should it not be found in the possession of father or son, then it will assuredly be discovered in the cabin belonging to the said Dantes on board the Pharaon.'" "But," said Renee, "this letter, which, after all, is but an anonymous scrawl, is not even addressed to you, but to the king's attorney." "True; but that gentleman being absent, his secretary, by his orders, opened his letters; thinking this one of importance, he sent for me, but not finding me, took upon himself to give the necessary orders for arresting the accused party." "Then the guilty person is absolutely in custody?" said the marquise. "Nay, dear mother, say the accused person. You know we cannot yet pronounce him guilty." "He is in safe custody," answered Villefort; "and rely upon it, if the letter is found, he will not be likely to be trusted abroad again, unless he goes forth under the especial protection of the headsman." "And where is the unfortunate being?" asked Renee. "He is at my house." "Come, come, my friend," interrupted the marquise, "do not neglect your duty to linger with us. You are the king's servant, and must go wherever that service calls you." "O Villefort!" cried Renee, clasping her hands, and looking towards her lover with piteous earnestness, "be merciful on this the day of our betrothal." The young man passed round to the side of the table where the fair pleader sat, and leaning over her chair said tenderly, -- "To give you pleasure, my sweet Renee, I promise to show all the lenity in my power; but if the charges brought against this Bonapartist hero prove correct, why, then, you really must give me leave to order his head to be cut off." Renee shuddered. "Never mind that foolish girl, Villefort," said the marquise. "She will soon get over these things." So saying, Madame de Saint-Meran extended her dry bony hand to Villefort, who, while imprinting a son-in-law's respectful salute on it, looked at Renee, as much as to say, "I must try and fancy 'tis your dear hand I kiss, as it should have been." "These are mournful auspices to accompany a betrothal," sighed poor Renee. "Upon my word, child!" exclaimed the angry marquise, "your folly exceeds all bounds. I should be glad to know what connection there can possibly be between your sickly sentimentality and the affairs of the state!" "O mother!" murmured Renee. "Nay, madame, I pray you pardon this little traitor. I promise you that to make up for her want of loyalty, I will be most inflexibly severe;" then casting an expressive glance at his betrothed, which seemed to say, "Fear not, for your dear sake my justice shall be tempered with mercy," and receiving a sweet and approving smile in return, Villefort quitted the room.

中文翻译 第六章　代理检察官 差不多就在唐太斯举行婚宴的同一个时间里，大法院路上墨杜萨喷泉对面的一座宏大的贵族式的巨宅里，也正有人在设宴请吃订婚酒。但这儿的宾客可不是水手，士兵和那些头面人物下层平民百姓；团聚在这儿的都是马赛上流社会的头面人物，——文官曾在拿破仑统治的时期辞职退休；武官则从法军里开小差并投身于外国列强的军队里，而那些青年人则都在咒骂那个逆贼的环境中长大的，五年的流放的生活本该把这个人变成一个殉道者，而十五年的复辟生涯却使他被尊为半神的人。 宾客们围坐在餐桌前，席间的谈话热烈而紧张，谈话里充满了当时使南方居民们激昂复仇的情绪，法国南部曾经过五百年的宗教斗争，所以党派之间的对立的情绪极其激烈。 那个皇帝，曾一度统治过半个世界，并听惯了一亿二千万臣民用十种不同的语言高呼“拿破仑万岁！”现在却被贬为爱尔巴岛的国王，仅仅统治着五六千人；在餐桌边上这些人看来，他已经永远失去了法国，永远失去了他在法国的皇位了。 那些文官们滔滔不绝地讨论着他们的政治观点；武官们则在谈论莫斯科和来比锡战役，女人们则正在议论着约瑟芬皇后离婚的事。这一群保皇党人不但在庆祝一个人的垮台，而且还在庆祝一种主义的灭亡，他们相信政治上的繁荣已重新在他们眼前展现开来，他们已从痛苦的恶梦中醒来了。 一个佩戴着圣路易十字勋章的老人站了起来，他提议为国王路易十八的健康干杯。这位老人是圣梅朗侯爵。这一杯酒立刻使人联想到了在哈威尔的放逐生活和那爱好和平的法国国王，大家群情激昂，纷纷学英国人举杯祝贺的样子把酒杯举到了空中，太太小、姐们则把挂在她们胸前的花束解开来散花女神般地把花撒了一桌。一时间，席上气氛热烈充满了诗意。 圣。梅朗侯爵夫人有着一对严厉而令人憎恶的眼睛，虽然是已有五十岁了但看上去仍有贵族气派，她说：“那些革命党人，他们不仅赶走我们，还抢走我们的财产，到后来在恐怖时期却只卖了一点点钱。他们如果在这儿，就不得不承认，真正的信仰还是站在我们这一边的，因为我们自愿追随一个没落的王朝的命运，而他们却恰恰相反，他们只知道对一个初升的朝阳顶礼膜拜，是的，是的，我们不得不承认：我们为之牺牲了官位财富的这位国王，才真正是我们‘万民爱戴的路易’，而他们那个篡权夺位者却永远只是个被人诅咒的‘该死的拿破仑’。我说的对不对，维尔福？” “您说什么，请您原谅，夫人。真的请您原谅，我刚才没留心听您在说什么。” “夫人，夫人！”刚才那个提议祝酒的老人插进来说，“别去打扰那些年青人吧，他们快要结婚了，当然他们要谈什么就去谈好了，只是自然不会去谈政治了。” “算了吧，我亲爱的妈妈，”一个年轻的美人说道，她长着浓密褐色头发，眼睛水灵灵顾盼如珍珠般闪亮，“这都怪我不好，是我刚才缠住了维尔福先生，以致使他没有听到您说的话。好了现在您跟他说吧，而且您爱谈多久就谈多久。维尔福先生，我请您注意，我母亲在跟您说话呢。” “如果侯爵夫人愿意把刚才的话再说一遍，我是非常乐于答复。”福尔维先生说。 “算了，蕾妮，我饶了你。”侯爵夫人说道，她那严厉死板的脸上露出一点温柔慈爱的神色。 女人总是这样的，其他的一切感情或许都会萎谢，但在母性的胸怀里，总有宽厚善良的一面，这是上帝特地给母爱留下的一席之地——“福尔维，我刚才说：拿破仑党分子丝毫没有我们那种真诚，热情和忠心。” “啊，夫人，他们倒也有代替这些品德的东西，”青年回答说，“那就是狂热。拿破仑是西方的穆罕默德，他的那些庸庸碌碌却又野心勃勃的信徒们很崇拜他，他们不仅把他看作一个领袖和立法者，还把他看作平民的化身。” “他！”侯爵夫人喊道，“拿破仑，平等的象征！天哪！那么，你把罗伯斯庇尔［罗伯斯庇尔（１７５８—１７９４）法国资产阶级革命时期时代雅各宾党的领袖，革命政府的首脑，在热月九日政变后，被处死。］又比做什么？算了，不要把后者头衔拿来去赐给那个科西嘉人［指拿破仑］了。我看，篡位的事已经够多的了。” “不，夫人，如果给这些英雄们树上纪念像的话，我要给他们每个人一个正确的地位——罗伯庇尔的应该树在他建立的断头台那个地方；拿破仑的则应该刻在旺多姆广场上的廊柱上。这两个人所代表的平等，其性质上是相反的，差别就在于——前一个是降低了平等，而后一个则是抬高了平等的地位。一个要把国王送上断头台，而另一个则要把人民抬高到王位上。请注意，”维尔福微着笑说，“我并不是在否认我刚才说的这两个人都是闹革命的混蛋，我承认热月九日［热月九日是罗伯斯庇尔等人被捕的日子。］和四月四日［这里指的是１８１４年４月初拿破仑退位被囚的日子］是法国并不幸运的两个日子，是值得王朝和文明社会的朋友们庆祝的日子，我想说的是，虽然我想信拿破仑已永远一蹶不振，但他却仍然拥有一批狂热的信徒。还有，侯爵夫人，其他那些大逆不道的人也都是这样的，——譬如说，克伦威尔吧［克伦威尔（１５９９—１６５８），英国政治家，资产阶级革命的领导人。］他虽然还不及拿破仑的一半，但他也有他的信徒。” “你知道不知道，维尔福，你满口都是革命党那种可怕的强辩，这一点我倒可以原谅，一个吉伦党徒［１８世纪法国资产阶级革命时期，代表大工商业资产阶级的政党，１７９２年后转向反对革命。］的儿子，难道会对恐怖保留一点兴趣。” 维尔福的脸涨的通红，“不错，夫人，”他回答道，“我的父亲是一个吉伦特党党员，但他并没有去投票赞成处死国王。在恐怖时期，他也和您一样是一个受难者，也几乎和您的父亲一样在同一个断头台上被杀。” “不错，”侯爵夫人回答，这个被唤醒的悲惨的记忆丝毫没使她动容，“但我要请您记住，我们两家的父亲虽然同时被害，但他们各自的原因却是大相径庭的。为了证明这一点，我来把旧事重新提一遍：亲王［指路易十八］被流放的时候，我的家庭成员依旧是他忠诚的臣仆，而你的父亲却迫不及待的去投奔了新政府，公民瓦蒂成为吉伦特党以后，就摇身一变成了瓦蒂埃伯爵，并以上议员和政治家的姿态出现了。” “亲爱的妈妈，”蕾妮插进来说：“您是知道的，大家早已讲好了的，别再提这些讨厌的往事了。” “夫人，”维尔福说道，“我同意圣。梅明小、姐的话，垦求您把过去忘了吧，这些陈年老账还翻它做什么？我本人不仅放弃了我父亲的政治主张，而且还抛弃了他的姓。他以前是——不，或许现在还是——一个拿破仑党人，他叫他的诺瓦蒂埃。我呢，相反，是一个忠诚的保皇党人，我姓我的维尔福。在一棵老树上还残余着点革命的液汁，就让它随着枯萎的老树干一起去干枯吧，至于那些新生的丫枝，它生长的地方离主干已隔开了一段距离，它很想和主干完全脱离关系，只是心有余而力不足罢了。” “好，维尔福！”侯爵叫道，“说得妙极了！这几年来，我总在劝侯爵夫人，忘掉过去的事情，但从未成功过，但愿你能替我说服她。” “好了，”侯爵夫人说道：“让我们永远忘记过去的事吧！这样再好不过了。至少，维尔福将来一定不会再动摇了。记住，维尔福，我们已用我们的身家性命向皇上为你作了担保，正因为如此，皇上才答应不追究过去（说到这里，她把她的手伸给他吻了一下），象我现在答应你的请求一样。你也要牢牢记祝要是有谁犯了颠覆政府罪而落到了你的手里，你可一定得严惩罪犯，因为大家都知道，你出身于一个可疑的家庭。” “嗨，夫人！”维尔福回答说，“我的职业，正象我们现在所处的这个时代一样，要求我不得不严厉的，我已经很顺利的处理了几次公诉，都使罪犯受了应得的惩罚。不幸的是，我们现在还没到万事大吉的时候。” “你真这样认为吗？”侯爵夫人问。 “恐怕是这样的。那在厄尔巴岛上的拿破仑，离法国仍然太近了，由于他近在咫尺，他的信徒们就会仍然抱有希望。马赛到处是些领了半饷休养的军官，他们每天尽为些鸡毛蒜皮的小事而借口和保皇党人吵架，所以上流社会中常常闹决斗，而下层社会中则时常闹暗杀。” “你或许也听说过吧？”萨尔维欧伯爵说。萨尔维欧伯爵是圣。梅朗侯爵老朋友之一，又是亚托士伯爵的侍从官。“听说神圣同盟想要移居他地呢。” “是的，我们离开巴黎的时候，他们正在研究这件事，”圣。梅朗侯爵说，“他们要把他移居到什么地方云呢？” “到圣赫勒拿岛。” “到圣。爱仑？那是个什么地方？”侯爵夫人问。 “是赤道那边的一个岛，离这儿有六千哩。”伯爵回答。 “那好极了！正如维尔福所说的，把这样一个人留在现在那个地方真是太蠢了，那儿一边靠近科西嘉——他出生的地方，一边靠近那勒斯——他妹夫在那儿做国王的地方，而对面就是意大利，他曾垂涎过那儿的主权，还想使他儿子做那儿的国王呢。” “不幸的是，”维尔福说，“我们被一八一四年的条约束缚着，除非破坏那些条约，否则我们是无法动一动拿破仑的。” “哼，那些条约迟早要被破坏，”萨尔维欧伯爵说，“不幸是德。昂甘公爵就是被他熗毙的，难道我们还要为他这样严守条约吗？” “嗯，”侯爵夫人说，“有神圣同盟的帮助，我们有可能除掉拿破仑，至于他在马赛的那些信徒，我们必须让维尔福先生来予以肃清。要做国王就得象一个国王，那样来统治不然就干脆不做国王，如果我们承认他是法国的最高统治者，就必须为他这个王国保持和平与安宁。而最好的办法就是任命一批忠贞不渝的大臣来平定每一次可能的暴乱，——这是防止出乱子的最好方法。” “夫人，”维尔福回答说，“不幸的是法律之手段虽强硬却无法做到防患于未然。” “那么，法律的工作只是来弥补祸患了。” “不，夫人，这一步法律也常常无力办到，它所能做的，只是惩戒既成的祸患而已。” “噢，维尔福先生！”一个美丽的年轻姑娘喊道，她是萨尔维欧伯爵的女儿，圣。梅朗小、姐的密友，“您想想办法，我们还在马赛的时候办几件轰动的案子吧，我从来没到过法庭看审讯案子，我听说那儿非常有趣！” “有趣，当然罗，”青年答道，“比起在剧院里看杜撰的悲剧当然要有趣得多，在法院里，您所看到的案子是活生生的悲剧，——真正人生悲剧。您在那儿所看到的犯人，脸色苍白，焦急，惊恐，而当那场悲剧降下幕以后，他却无法回家平静地和他的家人共进晚餐，然后休息，准备明天再来重演一遍那悲哀的样子，他离开了您的视线以后，就被押回到了牢房里，被交给了刽子手。您自己来决定吧，看看您的神经能否受得了这样的场面。对这种事，请您放心，一旦有什么好机会，我一定不会忘了通知您，至于到场不到场，自然由您自己来决定。” 蕾妮脸色苍白地说：“您难道没看见您把我们都吓成什么样了吗？您还笑呢。” “那你们想看到些什么？这是一种生死决斗。算起来，我已经判处过五六个政治犯和其他罪犯的死刑了，而谁能断定此刻又有多少正磨刀霍霍？伺机来对付我呢？” “我的天！维尔福先生，”蕾妮说，她已愈来愈害怕了，“您不是在开玩笑吧？” “我说的是真话，”年轻的法官面带微笑地回答说，“碰到有趣的审问，年轻的姑娘希望满足她的好奇心，而我是希望满足我的进取心，所以这种案件只会越审越严重。举个例子来说，在拿破仑手下的那些士兵——您能相信吗，他们习惯于听到命令就盲目地前冲去杀他从没见过的俄国人，奥地利人或匈牙利人，但当他们一旦知道了自己的私人仇敌以后，竟会畏畏缩缩地不敢用小刀刺进他的心脏？而且，这种事主要的是敌意在起作用，假如不是因为敌意，我们的职业就毫无意义了。 对我来说，当我看到被告眼中冒着怒火的时候，我就会觉得勇气倍增，精神亢奋。这已不再是一场诉讼，而是一场战斗。我攻击他，他反击我，我加倍地进攻，于是战斗就结束了，象所有的战斗一样，其结果不是胜就是败。整个诉讼过程就是这么一回事，其间的在于言辞争辩是否有利，如果被告嘲笑我说的话，我便想到，我一定是哪儿说的不好，我说的话一定苍白无力而不得当的。那么，您想，当一个检察官证实被告是有罪的，并看到被告在他的雄辩之下脸色苍白，低头认罪的时候，他会感到多么得意啊！那个低下的头不久就要被砍掉了——“蕾妮轻轻地叫了一声。 “好！”有一个来宾喊道，“这正是我所谓有意义的谈话。” “他正是目前我们所需要的人材。”第二个说。 “上次那件案子您办得漂亮极了，我亲爱的维尔福！”第三个说，“我是指那个谋杀生父的案子。说真的，他还没被交给刽子手之前，就已被您置于死地了。” “噢！说到那个东式父的逆子，对这种罪犯，什么惩罚都不过分的，”蕾妮插进来说道，“但对那些不幸的政治犯，他们惟一的罪名不就是参与政治阴谋——” “什么，那可是最大逆不道的罪名。难道您不明白吗，蕾妮，君为民父，凡是任何阴谋或计划想推翻或谋杀三千二百万人民之父的生命和安全的人，不就是一个更坏的弑父逆子吗？” “那种事我一点都不懂，”蕾妮回答，“可是，不管怎样维尔福先生，您已经答应过我——不是吗？——对那些我为他们求情的人，一定要从宽处理的。” “这一点您放心好了，”维尔福带着他甜蜜的微笑回答。 “对于最终的判决，我们一定来商量着办好了。” “宝贝，”侯爵夫人说，“你不要去照顾一下鸽子，你的小狗和刺绣吧，别来干预那些你根本不懂的事。这种年头，真是武事不修，文官得道，关于这一点，有一句拉丁话说得非常深刻。” “‘Ｃｅｄａｎｔａｒｍａｔｏｇ，’［拉丁文：不要武器，要长袍（即：偃武修文）］”维尔福微微欠身道。 “我不敢说拉丁语。”侯爵夫人说。 “嗯，”蕾妮说，“我真觉的有点儿遗憾，您为什么不选择另外一种职业——譬如说，做一个医生，杀人天使，虽然有天使之称，但在我看来似乎总是可怕的。” “亲爱的，好心的蕾妮！”维尔福低声说道温柔地看了一眼那可爱的姑娘。 “我的孩子，”侯爵大声说，“维尔福先生将成为本省道德上和政治上的医生，这是一种高尚的职业。” “而且可以洗刷掉他父亲的行为给人们种下的印象。”本性难移的侯爵夫人又接上一句。 “夫人，”维尔福苦笑着说道，“我很幸运地看到我父亲已经——至少我希望——公开承认了他过去的错误，他目前已是宗教和秩序的忠诚的朋友——一个或许比他的儿子还要好的保皇党，因为他是带着忏悔之情，而我只不过是凭着一腔热血罢了。”说完这篇斟字酌句演讲以后，维尔福环顾了一下四周，以观察他演说词的效果好象他此刻是在法庭上对旁听席讲话似的。 “好啊，我亲爱的维尔福，”萨尔维欧伯爵大声说道“您的话简直就象那次我在伊勒里宫讲的一样，那次御前大臣问我，他说一个吉伦特党徒的儿子同一个保皇党的女儿的联姻是否有点奇特，他很理解这种政治上化敌为友的主张，而且这正是国王的主张。想不到国王听到了我们的谈话，他插话说‘维尔福’——请注意。国王在这儿并没有叫‘诺瓦蒂埃’这个名字，相反的却很郑重地使用了‘维尔福’这个姓。国王说”‘维尔福’是一个极有判断能力，极小心细致的青年，他在他那一行一定会成为一个出人头地的人物，我很喜欢他，我很高兴听到他将要成为圣。梅朗侯爵夫妇的女婿。倘若不是他们先来求我同意这桩婚事的话，我自己本来也是这么想把这一对撮合起来的。“ “陛下是那样说的吗，伯爵？”维尔福喜不自禁地问。 “我是照他的话说的，一个字也没改。如果侯爵愿意直言相告的话，他一定会承认，我所讲的这些和他六个月前去见陛下求他恩准和他女儿的婚事时陛下对他讲的话完全一致。” “是这样的，”侯爵回答说，“他说的是实情。” 我对这位宽宏慈悲的国王是感恩载德！我将竭尽全力为国王效劳“。 “那太好了，”侯爵夫人大声说道，“我就喜欢你这个样子，现在，好了，如果现在一个谋反分子落在你的手里，我们可正等着他呢。” “我，啊，亲爱的妈妈”，蕾妮说。“我祈祷上帝请他不要听您的话，请他只让一些无足轻重的小犯人，穷苦的债务人，可怜的骗子落到维尔福先生的手里，那样我们晚上睡觉才能安稳。 “那还不是一回事”维尔福大笑着说，“您就等于祈求只许一个医生治头痛，麻疹，蜂蜇，或一些轻微病症一样，您希望我当检察官的话，您就应该给我来一些疑难病症的病人，这样才能显出我这个医生医术高明呀。” 正在这时，象是维尔福的愿望一说出口就能达到似的，一个仆人走了进来，在他的耳边低声说了些什么，维尔福立刻站起来离开了席位，说有要事待办，就走了出去，但一会他又回来了，满脸洋溢着喜悦的神色。蕾妮含情脉脉地望着他，她钦慕凝视着她那温雅聪明的爱人，当然了，他有漂亮的仪容，眼睛里闪耀着非凡的热情奋发的光芒，这些正是她爱慕的。 您刚才希望我去做一个医生“维尔福对她说道”好吧，同希腊神医埃斯科拉庇的教条相比我致少有一点是大同小异的，就是没有哪一天可以说是属于我自己的，即使是在我订婚的这一天。“ “刚才又要叫你到哪儿去？”圣。梅朗小、姐微微带着不安的神色问。 “唉！假如我听到的话是真的，哪么现在就有一个病人，已危在旦夕了，这种病很严重，已经病得行将就木了。” “多可怕呀！”蕾妮惊叫了起来，她本来因激动而变得发红的面颊变得煞白。 “真有这么一会事？”在座的宾客们异口同声地惊喊了起来。 “噢，如果我得到的消息确凿的话，刚才我们又发现一次拿破仑党的阴谋活动。” “这次可能是真的吗？”侯爵夫人喊到。 “请让我来把这封密信念给你们听吧。”维尔福说“‘敝人系拥护王室及教会之人士，兹向您报告，有爱德蒙。唐太斯其人，系法老号之大副，今晨自士麦拿经那不勒斯抵埠，中途曾停靠费拉约港。此人受缪拉之命送信与逆贼，并受逆贼之命送信与巴黎拿破仑党委员会。犯罪证据在将其逮捕时即可获得，该信件不是在其身上，就是在其父家中，或者在法老号上他的船舱里。’” “可是，”蕾妮说，“这必竟只是一封乱写的匿名信，况且又不是写给你的，这是写给检察官的。” “不错，检察官不在，他的秘书便受命拆开看了这封信。他认为这事很重要，遂派人来找我，又因找不到我。他就自己下了逮捕令，把那人抓了起来。” “这么说那个罪犯已被逮捕了，是吗？”侯爵夫人说。 “这应该说是被告。”蕾妮说。 “已经被捕了，”维尔福回答说，“正如我们刚才有幸向蕾妮小、姐说过的那样，假如那封关键的信找到了，那个病人可就没救了。” “那个不幸的人在哪儿？”蕾妮问。 “他在我们家里。” “快去吧，我的朋友，”侯爵夫人插进来说，“别因为和我们呆在一起而疏忽了你的职责。你是国王的臣仆，职务所在，不论哪儿都得去。” “噢，维尔福先生！”蕾妮紧握着他的双手喊道，“今天是我们订婚的日子，你可要对那人宽大一点啊！”那青年绕过桌子，走到那美丽的姑娘身边，靠在她的椅子上，温柔地说：“为了让您高兴，我亲爱的蕾妮，在我力所能及的范围内，我答应您尽量宽大些。但假如证据确凿的话，您就必须同意，我下命令把他杀头。” 蕾妮一听到最后两个字便痉挛似的震颤了一下，把头转向了一边，好象她那温柔的天性受不了如此冷酷，说要把一个活生生的人杀掉似的。 “别听那傻姑娘唠叨了，维尔福，”侯爵夫人说，“她不久就会听惯这些事情的。”说着，圣。梅朗夫人就把她那瘦骨嶙嶙的手伸给了维尔福，他一边吻，一边望着蕾妮，他的眼睛似乎在对她说，“我亲爱的此刻我吻的是您的手；或至少我希望如此。” “这些都是不祥之兆！”可怜的蕾妮叹息道。 “说真的，孩子！”侯爵夫人愤愤地说，“你真是太傻，太孩子气了。我倒想知道，你这种讨厌的怪脾气和国家大事究竟有什么关系！” “啊，妈妈！”蕾妮低声埋怨地说。 “夫人，我求您饶恕她这一次小小的错误吧，”维尔福说，“我答应您，我一定尽我的职责，对罪犯严惩不贷。”但当法官的维尔福在向侯爵夫人说这番话的时候，做情人的维尔福却向未婚妻丢了个眼色，他的目光说：“放心吧，蕾妮，为了您的爱，我会从宽处理的。”蕾妮以她最甜蜜的温柔的微笑回报了他那一眼，于是维尔福就满怀着无比幸福走了出去。

英文原文 Chapter 7 The Examination. No sooner had Villefort left the salon, than he assumed the grave air of a man who holds the balance of life and death in his hands. Now, in spite of the mobility of his countenance, the command of which, like a finished actor, he had carefully studied before the glass, it was by no means easy for him to assume an air of judicial severity. Except the recollection of the line of politics his father had adopted, and which might interfere, unless he acted with the greatest prudence, with his own career, Gerard de Villefort was as happy as a man could be. Already rich, he held a high official situation, though only twenty-seven. He was about to marry a young and charming woman, whom he loved, not passionately, but reasonably, as became a deputy attorney of the king; and besides her personal attractions, which were very great, Mademoiselle de Saint-Meran's family possessed considerable political influence, which they would, of course, exert in his favor. The dowry of his wife amounted to fifty thousand crowns, and he had, besides, the prospect of seeing her fortune increased to half a million at her father's death. These considerations naturally gave Villefort a feeling of such complete felicity that his mind was fairly dazzled in its contemplation. At the door he met the commissary of police, who was waiting for him. The sight of this officer recalled Villefort from the third heaven to earth; he composed his face, as we have before described, and said, "I have read the letter, sir, and you have acted rightly in arresting this man; now inform me what you have discovered concerning him and the conspiracy." "We know nothing as yet of the conspiracy, monsieur; all the papers found have been sealed up and placed on your desk. The prisoner himself is named Edmond Dantes, mate on board the three-master the Pharaon, trading in cotton with Alexandria and Smyrna, and belonging to Morrel & Son, of Marseilles." "Before he entered the merchant service, had he ever served in the marines?" "Oh, no, monsieur, he is very young." "How old?" "Nineteen or twenty at the most." At this moment, and as Villefort had arrived at the corner of the Rue des Conseils, a man, who seemed to have been waiting for him, approached; it was M. Morrel. "Ah, M. de Villefort," cried he, "I am delighted to see you. Some of your people have committed the strangest mistake -- they have just arrested Edmond Dantes, mate of my vessel." "I know it, monsieur," replied Villefort, "and I am now going to examine him." "Oh," said Morrel, carried away by his friendship, "you do not know him, and I do. He is the most estimable, the most trustworthy creature in the world, and I will venture to say, there is not a better seaman in all the merchant service. Oh, M. de Villefort, I beseech your indulgence for him." Villefort, as we have seen, belonged to the aristocratic party at Marseilles, Morrel to the plebeian; the first was a royalist, the other suspected of Bonapartism. Villefort looked disdainfully at Morrel, and replied, -- "You are aware, monsieur, that a man may be estimable and trustworthy in private life, and the best seaman in the merchant service, and yet be, politically speaking, a great criminal. Is it not true?" The magistrate laid emphasis on these words, as if he wished to apply them to the owner himself, while his eyes seemed to plunge into the heart of one who, interceding for another, had himself need of indulgence. Morrel reddened, for his own conscience was not quite clear on politics; besides, what Dantes had told him of his interview with the grand-marshal, and what the emperor had said to him, embarrassed him. He replied, however, -- "I entreat you, M. de Villefort, be, as you always are, kind and equitable, and give him back to us soon." This give us sounded revolutionary in the deputy's ears. "Ah, ah," murmured he, "is Dantes then a member of some Carbonari society, that his protector thus employs the collective form? He was, if I recollect, arrested in a tavern, in company with a great many others." Then he added, "Monsieur, you may rest assured I shall perform my duty impartially, and that if he be innocent you shall not have appealed to me in vain; should he, however, be guilty, in this present epoch, impunity would furnish a dangerous example, and I must do my duty." As he had now arrived at the door of his own house, which adjoined the Palais de Justice, he entered, after having, coldly saluted the shipowner, who stood, as if petrified, on the spot where Villefort had left him. The ante-chamber was full of police agents and gendarmes, in the midst of whom, carefully watched, but calm and smiling, stood the prisoner. Villefort traversed the ante-chamber, cast a side glance at Dantes, and taking a packet which a gendarme offered him, disappeared, saying, "Bring in the prisoner." Rapid as had been Villefort's glance, it had served to give him an idea of the man he was about to interrogate. He had recognized intelligence in the high forehead, courage in the dark eye and bent brow, and frankness in the thick lips that showed a set of pearly teeth. Villefort's first impression was favorable; but he had been so often warned to mistrust first impulses, that he applied the maxim to the impression, forgetting the difference between the two words. He stifled, therefore, the feelings of compassion that were rising, composed his features, and sat down, grim and sombre, at his desk. An instant after Dantes entered. He was pale, but calm and collected, and saluting his judge with easy politeness, looked round for a seat, as if he had been in M. Morrel's salon. It was then that he encountered for the first time Villefort's look, -- that look peculiar to the magistrate, who, while seeming to read the thoughts of others, betrays nothing of his own. "Who and what are you?" demanded Villefort, turning over a pile of papers, containing information relative to the prisoner, that a police agent had given to him on his entry, and that, already, in an hour's time, had swelled to voluminous proportions, thanks to the corrupt espionage of which "the accused" is always made the victim. "My name is Edmond Dantes," replied the young man calmly; "I am mate of the Pharaon, belonging to Messrs. Morrel & Son." "Your age?" continued Villefort. "Nineteen," returned Dantes. "What were you doing at the moment you were arrested?" "I was at the festival of my marriage, monsieur," said the young man, his voice slightly tremulous, so great was the contrast between that happy moment and the painful ceremony he was now undergoing; so great was the contrast between the sombre aspect of M. de Villefort and the radiant face of Mercedes. "You were at the festival of your marriage?" said the deputy, shuddering in spite of himself. "Yes, monsieur; I am on the point of marrying a young girl Ihave been attached to for three years." Villefort, impassive as he was, was struck with this coincidence; and the tremulous voice of Dantes, surprised in the midst of his happiness, struck a sympathetic chord in his own bosom – he also was on the point of being married, and he was summoned from his own happiness to destroy that of another. "This philosophic reflection," thought he, "will make a great sensation at M. de Saint-Meran's;" and he arranged mentally, while Dantes awaited further questions, the antithesis by which orators often create a reputation for eloquence. When this speech was arranged, Villefort turned to Dantes. "Go on, sir," said he. "What would you have me say?" "Give all the information in your power." "Tell me on which point you desire information, and I will tell all I know; only," added he, with a smile, "I warn you I know very little." "Have you served under the usurper?" "I was about to be mustered into the Royal Marines when he fell." "It is reported your political opinions are extreme," said Villefort, who had never heard anything of the kind, but was not sorry to make this inquiry, as if it were an accusation. "My political opinions!" replied Dantes. "Alas, sir, I never had any opinions. I am hardly nineteen; I know nothing; I have no part to play. If I obtain the situation I desire, I shall owe it to M. Morrel. Thus all my opinions -- I will not say public, but private -- are confined to these three sentiment, -- I love my father, I respect M. Morrel, and I adore Mercedes. This, sir, is all I can tell you, and you see how uninteresting it is." As Dantes spoke, Villefort gazed at his ingenuous and open countenance, and recollected the words of Renee, who, without knowing who the culprit was, had besought his indulgence for him. With the deputy's knowledge of crime and criminals, every word the young man uttered convinced him more and more of his innocence. This lad, for he was scarcely a man, -- simple, natural, eloquent with that eloquence of the heart never found when sought for; full of affection for everybody, because he was happy, and because happiness renders even the wicked good -- extended his affection even to his judge, spite of Villefort's severe look and stern accent. Dantes seemed full of kindness. "Pardieu," said Villefort, "he is a noble fellow. I hope I shall gain Renee's favor easily by obeying the first command she ever imposed on me. I shall have at least a pressure of the hand in public, and a sweet kiss in private." Full of this idea, Villefort's face became so joyous, that when he turned to Dantes, the latter, who had watched the change on his physiognomy, was smiling also. "Sir," said Villefort, "have you any enemies, at least, that you know." "I have enemies?" replied Dantes; "my position is not sufficiently elevated for that. As for my disposition, that is, perhaps, somewhat too hasty; but I have striven to repress it. I have had ten or twelve sailors under me, and if you question them, they will tell you that they love and respect me, not as a father, for I am too young, but as an elder brother." "But you may have excited jealousy. You are about to become captain at nineteen -- an elevated post; you are about to marry a pretty girl, who loves you; and these two pieces of good fortune may have excited the envy of some one." "You are right; you know men better than I do, and what you say may possibly be the case, I confess; but if such persons are among my acquaintances I prefer not to know it, because then I should be forced to hate them." "You are wrong; you should always strive to see clearly around you. You seem a worthy young man; I will depart from the strict line of my duty to aid you in discovering the author of this accusation. Here is the paper; do you know the writing?" As he spoke, Villefort drew the letter from his pocket, and presented it to Dantes. Dantes read it. A cloud passed over his brow as he said, -- "No, monsieur, I do not know the writing, and yet it is tolerably plain. Whoever did it writes well. I am very fortunate," added he, looking gratefully at Villefort, "to be examined by such a man as you; for this envious person is a real enemy." And by the rapid glance that the young man's eyes shot forth, Villefort saw how much energy lay hid beneath this mildness. "Now," said the deputy, "answer me frankly, not as a prisoner to a judge, but as one man to another who takes an interest in him, what truth is there in the accusation contained in this anonymous letter?" And Villefort threw disdainfully on his desk the letter Dantes had just given back to him. "None at all. I will tell you the real facts. I swear by my honor as a sailor, by my love for Mercedes, by the life of my father" -- "Speak, monsieur," said Villefort. Then, internally, "If Renee could see me, I hope she would be satisfied, and would no longer call me a decapitator." "Well, when we quitted Naples, Captain Leclere was attacked with a brain fever. As we had no doctor on board, and he was so anxious to arrive at Elba, that he would not touch at any other port, his disorder rose to such a height, that at the end of the third day, feeling he was dying, he called me to him. `My dear Dantes,' said he, `swear to perform what I am going to tell you, for it is a matter of the deepest importance.' "`I swear, captain,' replied I. "`Well, as after my death the command devolves on you as mate, assume the command, and bear up for the Island of Elba, disembark at Porto-Ferrajo, ask for the grand-marshal, give him this letter -- perhaps they will give you another letter, and charge you with a commission. You will accomplish what I was to have done, and derive all the honor and profit from it.' "`I will do it, captain; but perhaps I shall not be admitted to the grand marshal's presence as easily as you expect?' "`Here is a ring that will obtain audience of him, and remove every difficulty,' said the captain. At these words he gave me a ring. It was time -- two hours after he was delirious; the next day he died." "And what did you do then?" "What I ought to have done, and what every one would have done in my place. Everywhere the last requests of a dying man are sacred; but with a sailor the last requests of his superior are commands. I sailed for the Island of Elba, where I arrived the next day; I ordered everybody to remain on board, and went on shore alone. As I had expected, I found some difficulty in obtaining access to the grand-marshal; but I sent the ring I had received from the captain to him, and was instantly admitted. He questioned me concerning Captain Leclere's death; and, as the latter had told me, gave me a letter to carry on to a person in Paris. I undertook it because it was what my captain had bade me do. I landed here, regulated the affairs of the vessel, and hastened to visit my affianced bride, whom I found more lovely than ever. Thanks to M. Morrel, all the forms were got over; in a word I was, as I told you, at my marriage-feast; and I should have been married in an hour, and to-morrow I intended to start for Paris, had I not been arrested on this charge which you as well as I now see to be unjust." "Ah," said Villefort, "this seems to me the truth. If you have been culpable, it was imprudence, and this imprudence was in obedience to the orders of your captain. Give up this letter you have brought from Elba, and pass your word you will appear should you be required, and go and rejoin your friends. "I am free, then, sir?" cried Dantes joyfully. "Yes; but first give me this letter." "You have it already, for it was taken from me with some others which I see in that packet." "Stop a moment," said the deputy, as Dantes took his hat and gloves. "To whom is it addressed?" "To Monsieur Noirtier, Rue Coq-Heron, Paris." Had a thunderbolt fallen into the room, Villefort could not have been more stupefied. He sank into his seat, and hastily turning over the packet, drew forth the fatal letter, at which he glanced with an expression of terror. "M. Noirtier, Rue Coq-Heron, No. 13," murmured he, growing still paler. "Yes," said Dantes; "do you know him?" "No," replied Villefort; "a faithful servant of the king does not know conspirators." "It is a conspiracy, then?" asked Dantes, who after believing himself free, now began to feel a tenfold alarm. "I have, however, already told you, sir, I was entirely ignorant of the contents of the letter." "Yes; but you knew the name of the person to whom it was addressed," said Villefort. "I was forced to read the address to know to whom to give it." "Have you shown this letter to any one?" asked Villefort, becoming still more pale. "To no one, on my honor." "Everybody is ignorant that you are the bearer of a letter from the Island of Elba, and addressed to M. Noirtier?" "Everybody, except the person who gave it to me." "And that was too much, far too much," murmured Villefort. Villefort's brow darkened more and more, his white lips and clinched teeth filled Dantes with apprehension. After reading the letter, Villefort covered his face with his hands. "Oh," said Dantes timidly, "what is the matter?" Villefort made no answer, but raised his head at the expiration of a few seconds, and again perused the letter. "And you say that you are ignorant of the contents of this letter?" "I give you my word of honor, sir," said Dantes; "but what is the matter? You are ill -- shall I ring for assistance?-- shall I call?" "No," said Villefort, rising hastily; "stay where you are. It is for me to give orders here, and not you." "Monsieur," replied Dantes proudly, "it was only to summon assistance for you." "I want none; it was a temporary indisposition. Attend to yourself; answer me." Dantes waited, expecting a question, but in vain. Villefort fell back on his chair, passed his hand over his brow, moist with perspiration, and, for the third time, read the letter. "Oh, if he knows the contents of this!" murmured he, "and that Noirtier is the father of Villefort, I am lost!" And he fixed his eyes upon Edmond as if he would have penetrated his thoughts. "Oh, it is impossible to doubt it," cried he, suddenly. "In heaven's name!" cried the unhappy young man, "if you doubt me, question me; I will answer you." Villefort made a violent effort, and in a tone he strove to render firm, -- "Sir," said he, "I am no longer able, as I had hoped, to restore you immediately to liberty; before doing so, I must consult the trial justice; what my own feeling is you already know." "Oh, monsieur," cried Dantes, "you have been rather a friend than a judge." "Well, I must detain you some time longer, but I will strive to make it as short as possible. The principal charge against you is this letter, and you see" – Villefort approached the fire, cast it in, and waited until it was entirely consumed. "You see, I destroy it?" "Oh," exclaimed Dantes, "you are goodness itself." "Listen," continued Villefort; "you can now have confidence in me after what I have done." "Oh, command, and I will obey." "Listen; this is not a command, but advice I give you." "Speak, and I will follow your advice." "I shall detain you until this evening in the Palais de Justice. Should any one else interrogate you, say to him what you have said to me, but do not breathe a word of this letter." "I promise." It was Villefort who seemed to entreat, and the prisoner who reassured him. "You see," continued he, glancing toward the grate, where fragments of burnt paper fluttered in the flames, "the letter is destroyed; you and I alone know of its existence; should you, therefore, be questioned, deny all knowledge of it -- deny it boldly, and you are saved." "Be satisfied; I will deny it." "It was the only letter you had?" "It was." "Swear it." "I swear it." Villefort rang. A police agent entered. Villefort whispered some words in his ear, to which the officer replied by a motion of his head. "Follow him," said Villefort to Dantes. Dantes saluted Villefort and retired. Hardly had the door closed when Villefort threw himself half-fainting into a chair. "Alas, alas," murmured he, "if the procureur himself had been at Marseilles I should have been ruined. This accursed letter would have destroyed all my hopes. Oh, my father, must your past career always interfere with my successes?" Suddenly a light passed over his face, a smile played round his set mouth, and his haggard eyes were fixed in thought. "This will do," said he, "and from this letter, which might have ruined me, I will make my fortune. Now to the work I have in hand." And after having assured himself that the prisoner was gone, the deputy procureur hastened to the house of his betrothed.

中文翻译 第七章　审问 维尔福刚一进客厅，便收起了笑容，作出了一副手握生死大权者的庄严气派。他脸部的表情极富于变化，——这是他常常对着镜子训练出来的，因为一个职业演说家就应该是这样的表情，现在他得费点劲才能皱起他的眉头，装出一副庄严沉着的气派。维尔福唯一感到遗憾的就是他父亲的政治路线，如果不是他自己处事极端审慎，那过去的事情就会影响到他现在的事业，但除此之外，他可以说是享尽人间的幸福了。他很富有，虽然他仅仅只有２７岁，但已居高位，他快要和一个年青美丽的姑娘结婚，他爱她。并非出于热情，而是出于理智，是以一个代理检察官的态度爱她，他的未婚妻，不仅美丽而且还出身于最显赫的名门望族，她的父母膝下只有一个女儿，所以他们的政治势力可以全部用来培植他们的女婿。此外，她还可以给他带来一笔五万艾居的嫁奁，将来有一天大概还可以增加五十万遗产。这一切因素综合起来，使维尔福得到了无限的幸福，所以，当维尔福略一回省，静心默察自己内心世界的时候，他就好象自己眼花缭乱了起来。 维尔福在门口遇了正在等候他的警官。一见到这位警长，他便从九天之外回到地面上来了，于是他的脸上马上摆出了一副道貌岸然的样子，说道，那“信我看过了，先生，您办得很对，应该把那个人逮起来。现在请你告诉我，你有没有搜有到有关他造反的材料？” “关于他造反的材料，先生，我们现在还无从知道，我得到的材料已经放到您的办公桌上了。犯人名子叫爱德蒙。唐太斯，是三桅大帆船法老号上的大副，那条船是从亚历山大和士麦拿装棉花来的，是马摩父子公司所有。” “他在从事航海这个工作以前，有没有在海军服过役呢？” “哦，没有，先生，他还很年轻。” “多大年纪？” “顶多还不过十九、二十岁。” 这时，维尔福已经走到民康尼尔大街的拐角边处，有一个人似乎在那儿等他，那人走向前来，是莫雷尔先生。 “哦，维尔福先生，”他喊道，“很高兴见到您！刚才发生了一个很令人不可思意的事情——您手下的人把我船上的大副，爱德蒙。唐太斯抓走了。” “这事我知道，先生，”维尔福回答，“我现在就是去审问的。” “噢，”莫雷尔说道，由于他对那个朋友友情甚笃，便急切地求起情来，“您不知道他，但我很了解他。他是世界上最善良、最正直的人了，我敢说，在整个商船界，再没有一个比他更好的船员了，维尔福先生，我真心诚意地向您担保！” 正如我们已经知道维尔福是马赛上流社会中的人物，而莫雷尔只是一个平民，前者是一个保守党，而后者是一个拿破仑党的嫌疑犯。维尔福轻蔑地看着莫雷尔，冷冷地回答道。 “你知道，阁下，一个人的私生活上也可能是可敬可靠的，可以是商船界里最好的船员，但从政治上讲，可能是一个罪大恶极的人，是不是？” 代理法官这番话的语气很重，仿佛是冲着船主说的，而他那审视的眼光似乎直穿对方的心内，象是说，你竟敢为别人说人情，你应该知道你本人还需要宽大处理。莫雷尔的脸刷地红了，因为在政治方面，他的见解并不十分明朗；此外，唐太斯告诉过他的有关他谒见大元帅的事，以及皇上对他说的那番话更增加了他内心的不安，但他仍用深为关怀的语气说；“维尔福先生，我求您，您一向所做的事都是那样公正仁慈，早些把他送还给我们吧。” 这“给我们”三个字在代理检察官听来很有些革命的味道。“哦，哦！”他思忖道“难道唐太斯是烧炭党［十九世纪初意大利的一个秘密政治组织，因经常装扮成烧炭人集会于树林，故称烧炭党。］分子，不然的话他的保护人要用这种态度来求情呢？我记得他是在一个酒店里被捕的，当时有许多人同他在一起，假如他是冤枉的，那你的求情一定不会落空的，但是如果他有罪，那也只能施以惩罚。否则在目前这个时期，有罪不惩可太危险了，我不得不行使我的职权。” 这时，他已走到了自己的家门口，他的家就在法院隔壁，他态度冷淡地向船长行了个礼便进去了。那船主呆呆地立在维尔福离开他的地方，客厅里挤满了警察和宪兵，在他们中间，站着那个罪犯，他虽然被严加看管，却很镇定，而且还带着微笑。维尔福穿过客厅，瞥了唐太斯一眼，从一个宪兵手里接过一包东西，一边向里走，一边说：“把犯人带进来。” 维尔福刚才那一瞥虽然急促，但对那个即将要审问的犯人却已经有了一个初步的看法，他已从他那饱满的前额上看出了他的聪慧，从那黑眼睛里和弯弯的眉毛看出了勇敢，从那半张着的，露出一排洁白的牙齿的厚嘴唇上看出了他的直率。 维尔福的第一个印象很不错，但他也常常听人讲。切勿信任第一次的冲动，他把这句格言也用到印象上了，而且不顾这两者间的差别了，所以他抑住心头的怜悯感，板起脸来，在他的办公桌前座了下来，过了一会，唐太斯进来了，他的脸色也很苍白，但是很镇定，还是带着微笑，他从容有礼的向法官行了个礼，四下里看了看，象找个座位，好象他是在莫雷尔先生的客厅里似的，就在这时，当他的目光接触到维尔福的目光——那种法官所特有的目光，似乎象要看透嫌疑犯脑子里的罪恶思想似的。 “你是干什么的？”维尔福一边问，一边翻阅着一堆文件，那里边有关于这个犯人的材料，就是他进来时那个宪兵给他的。 “我叫爱德蒙。唐太斯，”青年镇定地回答说，“我是法老号船上的大副，那条船属于摩来尔父子公司所有。” “你的年龄”维尔福又问。“十九岁”唐太斯回答。 “你被捕的时候在干什么？” “我是在请人吃喜酒，先生。”青年人说着，他的声音有点儿微微颤抖，刚才那个快乐的时刻与现在这种痛苦的经历对照起来，差别实在是太大了，而维尔福先生阴沉的脸色和唐太斯满脸红光对照起来，也实在是反差太大了。“你在请人吃喜酒？”代理检察官问道，不由自主地打了个寒噤。 “是的，先生，我正要娶一位我爱了三年的姑娘。”维尔福虽然仍面不改色，但却为这个巧合吃了一惊。唐太斯颤抖的声音告诉他在他的胸膛里引起了一阵同情的共鸣。唐太斯是在他的幸福时刻被人召来的，而他自己也快要结婚了，他也是在自己的幸福时刻被人召来的，而他又是来破坏另一个人的幸福的。这种哲学上的相似之处，，在圣。梅朗侯爵家里倒是一个极好的话题，大谈而特谈一通。他这样想着，当唐太斯等待他往下问的时候，他起码在整理着他的思绪，他越想越觉得这是很好的对称话题，而演说家们往往用对称话题来获得雄辨之誉，当这篇演讲整理好之后，维尔福想到他可能产生的效果，不禁微笑了一下，然后他，转过来向唐太斯说“往下说，先生。” “您让我继续说些什么？” “把你知道的一切都讲出来。” “告诉我您要知道哪一方面的事情，这样我才可以把我所知道的一切都讲出来。”只是，他苦笑了一下，又说，“我得事先告诉您，我知道的很少。” “你有没有在逆贼手下服务过？” “我刚编入皇家海军的时候，他就倒台了。” “有人报告说，你政见很极端。”维尔福说，其实他根本没听说过这类事，但他偏要这么一提，就如同提出一项指控一样。 “我的政见！我！”唐太斯问道，“唉，先生，我从来没有什么政见，我还没满１９岁，我什么都不知道，我起不了什么作用，假如我得到了我所希望的那个职位，应该归功莫雷尔先生，所以，我的全部见解——我不说政见，而只是私人见解——不出这三个范围：我亲爱的父亲，我尊敬的莫雷尔先生，我喜欢的美茜蒂丝。先生，这就是我所能告诉您的一切，您瞧，对这些事您不会感兴趣的。” 唐太斯说话时，维尔福一直注视着他那温和而开朗的脸，耳边也似乎响起了蕾妮的话，蕾妮虽不认识这个嫌疑犯，但却替他求过情，请求他宽大处理，代理检察官根据案例和对犯人的审理来看，这个青年所说的每一字都愈来愈使他相信他是无辜的。这个孩子，——因为他还说不上是个成年人——单纯，自然说话时理直气壮充分显示出了他内心的坦然，他对每一个人都抱着好感，因为他很幸福。而即使在幸福产生了恶果的时候，他甚至还这般和蔼可亲，尽管维尔福装出一副可畏的目光和严厉的口吻。 “没错，”维尔福心想，“他是一个可爱的小伙子！看来我不难讨好蕾妮了，完成她第一次请求我做的事，这样我可以在公开场合吻她的手，还可以私下里讨一个甜蜜的吻”脑子里充满了这种想法，维尔福的脸也变得开朗起来了，所以当他转向唐太斯的时候，后者也注意到他脸色的改变，也微笑起来。 “先生”维尔福说，“你知不知道你有什么仇人吗？” “我有仇人？”唐太斯答道，“我的地位还不够那种资格。至于我自己的脾气，或许是有点急躁了，但我一直在努力地改正。我手下有十二三个水手，如果你问他们，他们会告诉您的，他们喜欢我尊敬我，把我看成是长兄一般，我不敢说敬我如父，因为我太年轻了。” “即使没有仇人，或许有人嫉妒你，你才１９岁就要做船长了——这对你来说算是一个很好的职位。你又要和一个爱你的姑娘结婚了，这两桩运气的事或许已引起另外一个人的嫉妒哩。” “您说的对。您对人们的了解比我深刻的多，我承认，您所说的这种事可能是存在的，但假如这些嫉妒的人是我的朋友，那我宁愿不知道他们，免得对他们产生仇恨。” “你错了，你应该随时尽可能地看清你周围的环境。你看来倒象是一个可敬的青年，我愿意破例帮你查出那个写这封信的发信人。信就在这儿，你认识这笔迹吗？”维尔福一边说一边从他的口袋里拿出了那封信，递给了唐太斯，唐太斯看完信。一片疑云浮上了他的眉头，他说：“不，先生，我不认识这笔迹，这是伪装过的，可是写的很流利。不管是谁写的，写这信的人很灵巧。”他感激地望着维尔福说：“我很幸运，能遇到象您这样的人来审问我。至于这个嫉妒我的人，倒真是个仇人。”从那青年人眼里射出来的急速的一瞥，维尔福看出来在温和的表面下蕴含着惊人的力量。 “现在，”代理检察官说：“坦白的告诉我——不是一个犯人面对法官，而是一个受委屈的孩子面对关心他的人。——这封匿名的告发信里究竟有多少是实情？”于是，维尔福把唐太斯刚才还给他的那封信轻蔑地扔在了他的办公桌上。 “没有一点儿是真的。我可以把实情告诉您。我以水手的名誉，以我对美塞苔丝的爱，以我父亲的生命向你发誓——” “说吧，先生，”维尔福说。然后，心想假如蕾妮看到我这个样子和场合，她一定很满意，一定不会再叫我刽子手了。 “唔，我们离开那不勒斯以后，莱克勒船长就突然得到了脑膜炎。我们船上没有医生，而他又急于要到爱尔巴去，所以沿途没有停靠任何港口。他的脑子愈来愈不清楚了，在第三天，快要过去的时候，他知道自己快不行了，就叫我到他那儿去。‘我亲爱的唐太斯，’他说，‘我要你发誓完成我将要你做的这件事，因为这是一件非常重要的大事。’”‘我发誓，船长，’我回答说。 “‘好，你是大副，我死后，这条船由你来指挥，把船驶向厄尔巴岛去，在费拉约岛靠岸，然后去找大元帅。把这封信交给他。也许他们会另外给你一封信，叫你当次信差。你一定要完成这本来应该是我去做的事，并享受它所带来的一切荣誉和利益。 “‘我一定照办，船长，但也许我去见大元帅时不象您预期的那样顺利，万一不让我见到他呢？’”‘这儿有一只戒指拿着他求见，就不会有问题了，船长说完就给了我这只戒指，他交给我的正是时候，两个小时后，他就昏迷不醒，第二天，他就去世了。’“ “你当时怎么办了？” “我做了我应该做的事，不论谁处在我的位置上，他都会那样做的，不论在那里，一个人快要死的时候，他的最后请求，都是神圣的，对一个水手来说，他的上司最后的请求就是命令。我向厄尔巴岛驶去，第二天就到了。我命令所有的人都留在船上，而我自己一个人上岸去了，不出我所料，我想见大元帅却遇到了一些麻烦，我把船长交给我的那个戒指拿了出来，元帅看过之后，马上就获准了。他问了一些关于莱克勒船长去世的事。而且，正如船长所说的的那样，大元帅给了我一封信，要我带去给一个住在巴黎的人。我接过了那封信，因为这是船长命令我这样做的事。我在此地靠岸，安排了船上的事，就赶快去看我的未婚妻了，我发现她更可爱，比以前更爱我了。但得谢谢莫雷尔先生，一切手续都在以前办好了，一句话，很顺利再就是我请人吃喜酒了。再过一个小时，我就已经结婚了，我本来是预备明天动身到巴黎去的，由于这次告密，我就被捕了，我看您现在和我一样，是很鄙视这次告密的。” “是的，”维尔福说，“看来这象是实事，既使你有错，也只能算是疏忽罪，而且即然是奉了你船长的命令，这种疏忽罪就不算什么了，你把从厄尔巴岛带来的这封信交给我们，记下你的话，然后回到你的朋友那里去吧，需要你的时候，你再来。” “那么，我是自由的了，先生？”唐太斯高兴地喊到。 “是的，你得先把那封信给我。” “已经在您这儿了，他们已早从我身上把它搜去了，还有其它的信，我看到都在那包东西里面。 “等一等，”正当唐太斯去拿他的帽子和手套时，代理法官叫住了他，那封信是写给谁的。“ “是给诺瓦蒂埃先生的，地址是巴黎高海隆路。” 即使是一个霹雷炸响，也未必能使他维尔福如此震惊，如此的意外，悴不及防，他倒在椅子里，匆忙地翻着他的口袋，带着恐怖的神色盯着它。 “高海隆路１３号诺瓦蒂埃先生收。”他轻声地念着，脸色变的十分苍白。 “是的，”唐太斯说，他也吃了一惊，，“难道您认识他吗？” “不，”维尔福急忙回答，‘国王忠实的奴仆是不认识叛匪的。’“那么说，这是个谋反案了吧？”唐太斯问，他本以为自己获得了自由，但现在比以前更加惊惶了，“但是，我已经对您说过，先生，我对信的内容，是一点也不知道的。” “不错，但你知道收信人的名子。”维尔福说。 “我要去送信，就不得不知道那个人的地址。” “这封信你有没有给别人看过？”维尔福问，脸色变得越来越苍白了。 “没有，我可以发誓。” “没有人知道你从厄尔巴岛带一封信给诺瓦蒂埃先生吗？” “除了给我这封信的人外，没有人知道！” “这就够了，”维尔福轻声地说，他的脸色越来越沉着，他这种神态使唐太斯满心疑惧。 维尔福读完这封信，低下了头，并用双手遮住了他的脸。 “噢，怎么回事？”唐太斯胆怯地问。维尔福没有回答，只是抬起头来嘘了一口气，又继续读那封信。 “你能向我发誓，说绝对不知道这封信的内容吗？” “我向您发誓，先生，到底是怎么一回事？您是病了吧，我拉铃叫人来帮忙好吧？”唐太斯说。 “不，你不要动，这儿发命令的是我，而不是你！”维尔福站起来说。 “先生，我是叫人来照顾您，您好像是病了。” “不，我不需要，只是一时的不舒服罢了，还是当心儿你自己吧，别管我，回答我提出的问题！” 但他什么也没有提，只是回到了椅子上，用手抹了一下他那大汗淋淋的额头，第三次读了那封信。“噢，如果他知道了内容，”他轻声地说，“那他就完了，而且知道诺瓦蒂埃就是维尔福的父亲，那我也就完了！”他用眼睛盯着爱德蒙，唐太斯好象要看穿他的心思似的。 “哦，用不着再怀疑了，他肯定已经知道了一切。”他突然大声喊。 “天哪，”那不幸的青年说，“假如您怀疑我，问我吧，我可以答应您的。” 维尔福费了好大的劲，极力想使自己镇定下来，他说，“先生，这次审问的结果是你的罪名严重，我无法象刚才希望的那样立刻给你自由了。在做出这样的规定前，我必须先去同预审官商量一下，但我对你的态度如何，你是知道的。” “噢，先生，”唐太斯说，“您刚才待我象兄弟，是一个朋友，而不象是一个法官。” “那好，我要再耽搁你一会的时间，但我会尽可能使时间缩短，你主要的罪状是这封信，你看——”维尔福走近壁炉，把信投进了火里，直等到它完全烧荆“你看，我销毁了它。” “噢，您太公正了，简直是太好了。”唐太斯说道。 “听着，你刚才看见我所做的事了吧，现在可以相信我了吧，信任我了吧！”维尔福对他说。 “是的，请您吩咐我吧，我一定遵命。” “今晚之前，我得把你扣留在法院里，假如有谁来审问你，对于这封信你一定不要提。” “我答应。” 现在看来倒好象是维尔福在求情，而犯人在安慰他了。你看，他说，“信是销毁了，只有你和我知道有这么一封信。所以，要是有人问到你，你就根本否认有这么一回事。” “放心，我一定否认的。” “你只有这一封信？” “是的。” “你发誓，” “我发誓！” 维尔福拉响了铃，警长走进来，维尔福在他的耳边低声说了几句话，警长点点头会意。 “跟他去吧。”维尔福对唐太斯说。唐太斯向维尔福感激地行了个礼，就走出去了。他身后的门还没有完全关上，维尔福已经精疲力尽了，他再也支持不住了，昏昏沉沉地躺在了一张椅子上。 过了一会他喃喃地说：“啊，我的上帝，假如检察官此时在马赛，假如刚才不是叫我，而是找到了预审法官，那可就全完了，这封告发信，差点把我打入十八层地狱。噢，我的父亲，难道你过去的行为，将永远阻碍我的成功吗？”突然他的脸上掠过了一丝微笑，他那犹豫的眼光变得坚定了起来，他似乎全神贯注地在盘算着一个想法。 “这个办法很好，”他说，“这封信本来就是使我完蛋的，它也许会使我飞黄腾达起来的。”他四周看了看，确信犯人已经离开以后，代理检察官就赶快向他新娘的家里走去了。

英文原文 Chapter 8 The Chateau D'If. The commissary of police, as he traversed the ante-chamber, made a sign to two gendarmes, who placed themselves one on Dantes' right and the other on his left. A door that communicated with the Palais de Justice was opened, and they went through a long range of gloomy corridors, whose appearance might have made even the boldest shudder. The Palais de Justice communicated with the prison, -- a somber edifice, that from its grated windows looks on the clock-tower of the Accoules. After numberless windings, Dantes saw a door with an iron wicket. The commissary took up an iron mallet and knocked thrice, every blow seeming to Dantes as if struck on his heart. The door opened, the two gendarmes gently pushed him forward, and the door closed with a loud sound behind him. The air he inhaled was no longer pure, but thick and mephitic, -- he was in prison. He was conducted to a tolerably neat chamber, but grated and barred, and its appearance, therefore, did not greatly alarm him; besides, the words of Villefort, who seemed to interest himself so much, resounded still in his ears like a promise of freedom. It was four o'clock when Dantes was placed in this chamber. It was, as we have said, the 1st of March, and the prisoner was soon buried in darkness. The obscurity augmented the acuteness of his hearing; at the slightest sound he rose and hastened to the door, convinced they were about to liberate him, but the sound died away, and Dantes sank again into his seat. At last, about ten o'clock, and just as Dantes began to despair, steps were heard in the corridor, a key turned in the lock, the bolts creaked, the massy oaken door flew open, and a flood of light from two torches pervaded the apartment. By the torchlight Dantes saw the glittering sabres and carbines of four gendarmes. He had advanced at first, but stopped at the sight of this display of force. "Are you come to fetch me?" asked he. "Yes," replied a gendarme. "By the orders of the deputy procureur?" "I believe so." The conviction that they came from M. de Villefort relieved all Dantes' apprehensions; he advanced calmly, and placed himself in the centre of the escort. A carriage waited at the door, the coachman was on the box, and a police officer sat beside him. "Is this carriage for me?" said Dantes. "It is for you," replied a gendarme. Dantes was about to speak; but feeling himself urged forward, and having neither the power nor the intention to resist, he mounted the steps, and was in an instant seated inside between two gendarmes; the two others took their places opposite, and the carriage rolled heavily over the stones. The prisoner glanced at the windows -- they were grated; he had changed his prison for another that was conveying him he knew not whither. Through the grating, however, Dantes saw they were passing through the Rue Caisserie, and by the Rue Saint-Laurent and the Rue Taramis, to the port. Soon he saw the lights of La Consigne. The carriage stopped, the officer descended, approached the guardhouse, a dozen soldiers came out and formed themselves in order; Dantes saw the reflection of their muskets by the light of the lamps on the quay. "Can all this force be summoned on my account?" thought he. The officer opened the door, which was locked, and, without speaking a word, answered Dantes' question; for he saw between the ranks of the soldiers a passage formed from the carriage to the port. The two gendarmes who were opposite to him descended first, then he was ordered to alight and the gendarmes on each side of him followed his example. They advanced towards a boat, which a custom-house officer held by a chain, near the quay. The soldiers looked at Dantes with an air of stupid curiosity. In an instant he was placed in the stern-sheets of the boat, between the gendarmes, while the officer stationed himself at the bow; a shove sent the boat adrift, and four sturdy oarsmen impelled it rapidly towards the Pilon. At a shout from the boat, the chain that closes the mouth of the port was lowered and in a second they were, as Dantes knew, in the Frioul and outside the inner harbor. The prisoner's first feeling was of joy at again breathing the pure air -- for air is freedom; but he soon sighed, for he passed before La Reserve, where he had that morning been so happy, and now through the open windows came the laughter and revelry of a ball. Dantes folded his hands, raised his eyes to heaven, and prayed fervently. The boat continued her voyage. They had passed the Tete de Morte, were now off the Anse du Pharo, and about to double the battery. This manoeuvre was incomprehensible to Dantes. "Whither are you taking me?" asked he. "You will soon know." "But still" -- "We are forbidden to give you any explanation." Dantes, trained in discipline, knew that nothing would be more absurd than to question subordinates, who were forbidden to reply; and so he remained silent. The most vague and wild thoughts passed through his mind. The boat they were in could not make a long voyage; there was no vessel at anchor outside the harbor; he thought, perhaps, they were going to leave him on some distant point. He was not bound, nor had they made any attempt to handcuff him; this seemed a good augury. Besides, had not the deputy, who had been so kind to him, told him that provided he did not pronounce the dreaded name of Noirtier, he had nothing to apprehend? Had not Villefort in his presence destroyed the fatal letter, the only proof against him? He waited silently, striving to pierce through the darkness. They had left the Ile Ratonneau, where the lighthouse stood, on the right, and were now opposite the Point des Catalans. It seemed to the prisoner that he could distinguish a feminine form on the beach, for it was there Mercedes dwelt. How was it that a presentiment did not warn Mercedes that her lover was within three hundred yards of her? One light alone was visible; and Dantes saw that it came from Mercedes' chamber. Mercedes was the only one awake in the whole settlement. A loud cry could be heard by her. But pride restrained him and he did not utter it. What would his guards think if they heard him shout like a madman? He remained silent, his eyes fixed upon the light; the boat went on, but the prisoner thought only of Mercedes. An intervening elevation of land hid the light. Dantes turned and perceived that they had got out to sea. While he had been absorbed in thought, they had shipped their oars and hoisted sail; the boat was now moving with the wind. In spite of his repugnance to address the guards, Dantes turned to the nearest gendarme, and taking his hand, -- "Comrade," said he, "I adjure you, as a Christian and a soldier, to tell me where we are going. I am Captain Dantes, a loyal Frenchman, thought accused of treason; tell me where you are conducting me, and I promise you on my honor I will submit to my fate." The gendarme looked irresolutely at his companion, who returned for answer a sign that said, "I see no great harm in telling him now," and the gendarme replied, -- "You are a native of Marseilles, and a sailor, and yet you do not know where you are going?" "On my honor, I have no idea." "Have you no idea whatever?" "None at all." "That is impossible." "I swear to you it is true. Tell me, I entreat." "But my orders." "Your orders do not forbid your telling me what I must know in ten minutes, in half an hour, or an hour. You see I cannot escape, even if I intended." "Unless you are blind, or have never been outside the harbor, you must know." "I do not." "Look round you then." Dantes rose and looked forward, when he saw rise within a hundred yards of him the black and frowning rock on which stands the Chateau d'If. This gloomy fortress, which has for more than three hundred years furnished food for so many wild legends, seemed to Dantes like a scaffold to a malefactor. "The Chateau d'If?" cried he, "what are we going there for?" The gendarme smiled. "I am not going there to be imprisoned," said Dantes; "it is only used for political prisoners. I have committed no crime. Are there any magistrates or judges at the Chateau d'If?" "There are only," said the gendarme, "a governor, a garrison, turnkeys, and good thick walls. Come, come, do not look so astonished, or you will make me think you are laughing at me in return for my good nature." Dantes pressed the gendarme's hand as though he would crush it. "You think, then," said he, "that I am taken to the Chateau d'If to be imprisoned there?" "It is probable; but there is no occasion to squeeze so hard." "Without any inquiry, without any formality?" "All the formalities have been gone through; the inquiry is already made." "And so, in spite of M. de Villefort's promises?" "I do not know what M. de Villefort promised you," said the gendarme, "but I know we are taking you to the Chateau d'If. But what are you doing? Help, comrades, help!" By a rapid movement, which the gendarme's practiced eye had perceived, Dantes sprang forward to precipitate himself into the sea; but four vigorous arms seized him as his feet quitted the bottom of the boat. He fell back cursing with rage. "Good!" said the gendarme, placing his knee on his chest; "believe soft-spoken gentlemen again! Harkye, my friend, I have disobeyed my first order, but I will not disobey the second; and if you move, I will blow your brains out." And he levelled his carbine at Dantes, who felt the muzzle against his temple. For a moment the idea of struggling crossed his mind, and of so ending the unexpected evil that had overtaken him. But he bethought him of M. de Villefort's promise; and, besides, death in a boat from the hand of a gendarme seemed too terrible. He remained motionless, but gnashing his teeth and wringing his hands with fury. At this moment the boat came to a landing with a violent shock. One of the sailors leaped on shore, a cord creaked as it ran through a pulley, and Dantes guessed they were at the end of the voyage, and that they were mooring the boat. His guards, taking him by the arms and coat-collar, forced him to rise, and dragged him towards the steps that lead to the gate of the fortress, while the police officer carrying a musket with fixed bayonet followed behind. Dantes made no resistance; he was like a man in a dream: he saw soldiers drawn up on the embankment; he knew vaguely that he was ascending a flight of steps; he was conscious that he passed through a door, and that the door closed behind him; but all this indistinctly as through a mist. He did not even see the ocean, that terrible barrier against freedom, which the prisoners look upon with utter despair. They halted for a minute, during which he strove to collect his thoughts. He looked around; he was in a court surrounded by high walls; he heard the measured tread of sentinels, and as they passed before the light he saw the barrels of their muskets shine. They waited upwards of ten minutes. Certain Dantes could not escape, the gendarmes released him. They seemed awaiting orders. The orders came. "Where is the prisoner?" said a voice. "Here," replied the gendarmes. "Let him follow me; I will take him to his cell." "Go!" said the gendarmes, thrusting Dantes forward. The prisoner followed his guide, who led him into a room almost under ground, whose bare and reeking walls seemed as though impregnated with tears; a lamp placed on a stool illumined the apartment faintly, and showed Dantes the features of his conductor, an under-jailer, ill-clothed, and of sullen appearance. "Here is your chamber for to-night," said he. "It is late, and the governor is asleep. To-morrow, perhaps, he may change you. In the meantime there is bread, water, and fresh straw; and that is all a prisoner can wish for. Goodnight." And before Dantes could open his mouth -- before he had noticed where the jailer placed his bread or the water -- before he had glanced towards the corner where the straw was, the jailer disappeared, taking with him the lamp and closing the door, leaving stamped upon the prisoner's mind the dim reflection of the dripping walls of his dungeon. Dantes was alone in darkness and in silence -- cold as the shadows that he felt breathe on his burning forehead. With the first dawn of day the jailer returned, with orders to leave Dantes where he was. He found the prisoner in the same position, as if fixed there, his eyes swollen with weeping. He had passed the night standing, and without sleep. The jailer advanced; Dantes appeared not to perceive him. He touched him on the shoulder. Edmond started. "Have you not slept?" said the jailer. "I do not know," replied Dantes. The jailer stared. "Are you hungry?" continued he. "I do not know." "Do you wish for anything?" "I wish to see the governor." The jailer shrugged his shoulders and left the chamber. Dantes followed him with his eyes, and stretched forth his hands towards the open door; but the door closed. All his emotion then burst forth; he cast himself on the ground, weeping bitterly, and asking himself what crime he had committed that he was thus punished. The day passed thus; he scarcely tasted food, but walked round and round the cell like a wild beast in its cage. One thought in particular tormented him: namely, that during his journey hither he had sat so still, whereas he might, a dozen times, have plunged into the sea, and, thanks to his powers of swimming, for which he was famous, have gained the shore, concealed himself until the arrival of a Genoese or Spanish vessel, escaped to Spain or Italy, where Mercedes and his father could have joined him. He had no fears as to how he should live -- good seamen are welcome everywhere. He spoke Italian like a Tuscan, and Spanish like a Castilian; he would have been free, and happy with Mercedes and his father, whereas he was now confined in the Chateau d'If, that impregnable fortress, ignorant of the future destiny of his father and Mercedes; and all this because he had trusted to Villefort's promise. The thought was maddening, and Dantes threw himself furiously down on his straw. The next morning at the same hour, the jailer came again. "Well," said the jailer, "are you more reasonable to-day?" Dantes made no reply. "Come, cheer up; is there anything that I can do for you?" "I wish to see the governor." "I have already told you it was impossible." "Why so?" "Because it is against prison rules, and prisoners must not even ask for it." "What is allowed, then?" "Better fare, if you pay for it, books, and leave to walk about." "I do not want books, I am satisfied with my food, and do not care to walk about; but I wish to see the governor." "If you worry me by repeating the same thing, I will not bring you any more to eat." "Well, then," said Edmond, "if you do not, I shall die of hunger -- that is all." The jailer saw by his tone he would be happy to die; and as every prisoner is worth ten sous a day to his jailer, he replied in a more subdued tone. "What you ask is impossible; but if you are very well behaved you will be allowed to walk about, and some day you will meet the governor, and if he chooses to reply, that is his affair." "But," asked Dantes, "how long shall I have to wait?" "Ah, a month -- six months -- a year." "It is too long a time. I wish to see him at once." "Ah," said the jailer, "do not always brood over what is impossible, or you will be mad in a fortnight." "You think so?" "Yes; we have an instance here; it was by always offering a million of francs to the governor for his liberty that an abbe became mad, who was in this chamber before you." "How long has he left it?" "Two years." "Was he liberated, then?" "No; he was put in a dungeon." "Listen!" said Dantes. "I am not an abbe, I am not mad; perhaps I shall be, but at present, unfortunately, I am not. I will make you another offer." "What is that?" "I do not offer you a million, because I have it not; but I will give you a hundred crowns if, the first time you go to Marseilles, you will seek out a young girl named Mercedes, at the Catalans, and give her two lines from me." "If I took them, and were detected, I should lose my place, which is worth two thousand francs a year; so that I should be a great fool to run such a risk for three hundred." "Well," said Dantes, "mark this; if you refuse at least to tell Mercedes I am here, I will some day hide myself behind the door, and when you enter I will dash out your brains with this stool." "Threats!" cried the jailer, retreating and putting himself on the defensive; "you are certainly going mad. The abbe began like you, and in three days you will be like him, mad enough to tie up; but, fortunately, there are dungeons here." Dantes whirled the stool round his head. "All right, all right," said the jailer; "all right, since you will have it so. I will send word to the governor." "Very well," returned Dantes, dropping the stool and sitting on it as if he were in reality mad. The jailer went out, and returned in an instant with a corporal and four soldiers. "By the governor's orders," said he, "conduct the prisoner to the tier beneath." "To the dungeon, then," said the corporal. "Yes; we must put the madman with the madmen." The soldiers seized Dantes, who followed passively. He descended fifteen steps, and the door of a dungeon was opened, and he was thrust in. The door closed, and Dantes advanced with outstretched hands until he touched the wall; he then sat down in the corner until his eyes became accustomed to the darkness. The jailer was right; Dantes wanted but little of being utterly mad.

中文翻译 第八章　伊夫堡 警长穿过外客厅的时候对两个宪兵做了一个手势，他们就跟上来了，一个站在唐太斯的右边，一个站在他的左边。一扇通向院子的门已经打开了，他们穿过了条长长的、阴森森的走廊，这条走廊的外貌，即使最大胆的人看了也会不寒而栗的，法院和监狱是相通的，监狱是一座幽暗的大建筑，从它铁格子的窗口望出去可以看见阿库尔教堂钟楼的尖顶。拐了无数的弯，唐太斯终于看见了一扇铁门，警长在门上敲了三下，唐太斯觉得每一个都敲在他的心里似的，门开了，两个宪兵把他轻轻地往前一推，他便迟疑地迈了进去，那门猛地在他的身后关上了。他呼吸到了一种空气，那是一种混浊的略带臭味的空气，他被带到了一个房间里，虽然门窗都装着铁栏杆，但还算是干净些，所以它的外观倒还不使他怎么害怕，再说代理检察官刚才似乎对他充满了关切，他的话还在他的耳边，象是在允诺给他自由似的，唐太斯被关进这个牢房的时候是下午四点钟，我们已经说过，这天是三月一日，所以没呆多久就进入了黑夜。幽暗使他的听觉变得敏锐了起来，每有一个微弱声音传进这个房间，他就赶快站起来到门边，都认为是来释放他的，但声音又渐渐沉寂了，唐太斯只好颓然地坐在了他的木凳子上，最后，大约到了十点左右，唐太斯开始绝望的时候，一把钥匙插入了锁，并转动了一下，门闩嘎嘎地响了几声，那笨重的大铁门便突然打开了，两只火把上的光照亮了整个房间，借着火把的灯光，唐太斯看清了四个宪兵身佩闪光的佩刀和马熗，他迎上前去，但一看到这些新增的士兵便又停下步来。 “你们是来接我的吗？”他问。 “是的。”一个士兵回答。 “是奉了代理检察官的命令吗？” “我想是吧。” “那好。” 即然相信他们是代理检察官派来的，不幸的唐太斯便打消了一切疑虑开了门。他镇定地迈步向前走去，自动地走在了宪兵的中间。门口有一辆马车车夫坐在车座上，他的身后有一位下级检察官。 “这辆马车是给我坐的吗？”唐太斯问。 “是给你坐的。”一个宪兵回答。 唐太斯想说什么，但觉得后边有人推了他一下，他既无力也无心作出什么拒绝，就登上了踏板，立刻被夹在了两个宪兵之间，其余两个在对面的位置上坐了下来，于是马车轮子开始在石路上笨重地滚动起来。 犯人看了看车窗，车窗也是钉着栏杆的。他虽然已从牢里出来，但现在正在被送到一个他所不知道的地方去。通过车窗和栏杆，唐太斯看到他们正经过凯塞立街。沿着劳伦码头和塔拉密司街向港口方向驶去，不久，他又觉得灯塔上的光穿过窗上的栏杆，照到了他的身上。 马车停了下来，那个警官下了车向卫兵室走去，不久，里面出来了十几个卫兵，排起队来，借着码头的灯光，唐太斯看到了他们的毛瑟熗在闪光。 “难道他们是为了我吗？”他想。 警官打开车门，他虽然什么也没说，但唐太斯的疑问已经得到了答复——因为他看见了两排士兵夹道排成了一条甬道，从马车直排到码头。坐在他对面的两个宪兵先下来然后命令他下了车，左右两边的宪兵跟在他的后面。他们向一艘小船走去，那条小船是一个海关关员的，用一条铁链拴在码头旁边。 士兵们都带着一种惊奇的神色看着唐太斯。刹那间，他已经被士兵们夹持着坐在船尾，警官刚坐在船头，船只一篙就被撑离了岸，四个健壮的桨手划着它迅速地向皮隆方向驶去。 船上喊了一声，封锁港口的铁链就垂了下来。转眼，他们已经到了港口外面。 犯人一到大海上最初是很高兴，他深深地吸了一口新鲜空气，——空气是自由的，他感到了一种舒畅，但不久他就叹了一口气，因为他正在从瑞瑟夫酒家经过，这天早上他还在那儿，还是那样地快乐，而现在，从那敞开的窗子里，传来了他人在跳舞，在欢笑，在喧哗的声音。唐太斯双手合在胸前，仰面朝天祈祷起来。 小船继续前进着，他们已经过了穆德峡，现在已经到了灯塔前面，正要绕过炮台。唐太斯对这一条航线感到有些不理解。 “你们要把我带到那里去？”他问。 “待一会你就知道了。” “但是——” “我们是奉命，不得向你做任何解释。” 唐太斯知道去向奉命不得作答的下属提出问题是毫无意义的举动，也就沉没了。 这时，他的脑子里冒出了一些奇怪的念头，他们所乘的这只小船是不能做长途航行的，港口外面又没有大帆船停泊在那里；他想，他们或许要在某个很偏僻的地方放他走，他没有被绑起来，他们也丝毫没有给他上手铐的意图，这似乎是个好兆头，而且，那位很仁慈地对待他的代理法官不是告诉过他，说是要他不提到诺瓦蒂埃这个可怕的名子，他就什么也不说了，也不必害怕，代理法官不是还当着他的面把那封致命的信毁了吗，那攻击他的唯一证据也没有了，于是，他就一言不发地等着，努力在黑暗中看清航向。 他们已经过了兰顿纽岛，那儿也有一座灯塔，立在他们右边，现在已正对着迦太罗尼亚人村的海面上，犯人更加睁大了眼睛，他好象在沙滩上隐隐约约地辨认女人的身影，因为美塞苔丝就在那儿。她怎么会不预感到她的爱人就在她的身边呢？ 有一处灯光还隐隐约约可辨，唐太斯认出那是美塞苔丝房间，在那个小小的村落里，只有美塞苔丝没睡，他真想大声喊出来让她听到自己的声音，但他没有喊，因为如果宪兵们听到他象一个疯子似的大声喊叫起来，他们会怎么想呢。 他依旧一言不发，但眼睛盯在那灯光上，小船继续前进着，他在思念着美塞苔丝。一片隆起的高地挡住了那灯光。唐太斯转过头来，发现他们已经划到了海上，在他沉思的时，他们早已经扯起了风帆。 唐太斯虽然极不愿意再提出疑问，但他还是禁不住转向靠近他的那个宪兵，抓住了他的一只手。 “朋友，我以一个基督教徒和水手的身份请求您，请您告诉我，我们究竟到那里去？我是唐太斯船长，一个忠实的法国人，有人诬告我是叛徒，请你告诉我你们究竟要押我到什么地方去，我以我的人格向你保证，我一定听天由命。” 那宪兵迟疑不决地看着他的同伴，他的同伴长叹一声，象是说告诉他也无妨。于是那宪兵回答说：“你是马赛本地人，又是个水手，怎么会不知道你在往什么地方去？” “凭良心说，我一点也不知道。” “那是不可能的。” “我向你们发誓，的确如此。告诉我吧，我求您们了。” “但那命令怎么办呢？” “那命令并没有阻止你告诉我在十分钟前，半小时，或一小时后我一定会知道的事呀。 别让我闷在葫芦里了吧，你看，我把你当成了朋友，我又不想反抗逃走，而且，我也做不出那样的事，我们究竟是到什么地方？“ “除非你是瞎子或是从来没出过马赛港，不然你一定会知道的。” “那么你四周看看吧！” 唐太斯站起来向前望去，他看到了一百码远处，在黑森森地岩石上，竖着的是伊夫堡。 三百多年来，这座阴森森的监狱曾有过许多可怕的传说，所以当他出现在唐太斯的眼前的时候，他就象一个死囚看见了断头台一样。 “伊夫堡？”他喊到，“我们到那儿去干什么？” 宪兵们只是笑了笑。 “我该不是被扣留到那儿吧？”唐太斯说，“那可是关重要的政治犯的地方。我没有犯罪。伊夫堡有法官吗？” “那儿，只有一个典狱长，一个卫队，一些囚卒和厚厚的墙。好，好别装出一副吃惊的样子了，不然我真要觉得你在用嘲笑来报答我的好意了。” “那么，这么说，我也要被关在这里面？” “或许是吧。不过，你这样紧紧地捏着我的手也无济于事呀。” “不经过任何手续了吧？” “一切手继已经办齐啦。” “这么说，也不用考虑维尔福先生所许的愿了吗？” “我们不知道维尔福先生曾许过你什么愿。”宪兵说，我知道我们是押你到伊夫监狱去，咦，你想干什么，朋友，抓住他！ 宪兵那训练有素的眼睛只看见了急速一动，那是唐太斯正跃身准备投入海里的一瞬间，但是，四条强有力的手臂已经抓住了他，以致他的脚好象给钉在了地板上一样，他疯狂地叫着跌进了船舱里。 好几个宪兵用膝头顶着他的胸膛说“你们水手的信用原来是这样的！别在相信这些甜言蜜语了！听着先生，我的朋友，我已经违背了我的第一个命令，但我不会违背第二个命令，你要是动一动，我马上就叫你的脑袋开花，”他的熗对着了唐太斯，后者觉得熗已顶住了他的头。 这时，他很想故意就此了结那些忽然降临到他头上的恶运，但正因为那恶运是不期而致，唐太斯认为它不会坚持太久的。他记起了维尔福先生的许诺，于是希望又复活了，而且他想，如果这样在船上死在一个宪兵的手里，似乎他觉得太平庸，太丢人的脸了。所以他索性倒在船舱里，怒吼了一声，恨恨地咬着自己的手。 这当儿，一个剧烈的震动使小船全身摇晃了一下，他们已经到达目的地，一个水手跳上岸去，一条铁索拖过滑轮，水手们已经在用缆绳系住小船。 宪兵们抓住他的手臂，硬拉他起身，拖他踏上石级，向城堡走去，那个警长跟在后面，拿着一把上了刺刀的火熗。 唐太斯没做什么反抗，他象是一个梦游的人，看见士兵排在两旁，他也知道在有石级的地方不得不抬脚迈上去，他觉得他过了一道门，那道门在他走过以后就关上了，他看到的所有的东西都象是在雾里似的，一切都是模模糊糊的，他甚至连海都看不见了，——海景在犯人的眼里是这样的令人沮丧。他只能带着痛苦的回忆望着犯人眼前那一片浩瀚的海洋了，知道他再也不能纵横驰骋了。 他们停了一下，乘这个时候也竭力使自己集中一下思想。 他向四周看了看，才发现他正站在一个高墙环绕的的正方形天井里。他听到哨兵们均匀的脚步，当他在灯光前走过时，他看见了他们的毛瑟熗在闪光。 他们等候了有十分钟，。宪兵确信唐太斯不会再逃走了，便松手放开他。他们象在等命令，而命令终于来了。 “犯人在什么地方？”一个声音在问。 “在这儿。”一个宪兵在回答。 “叫他到我这里来，我带他到他自己房间里去。” “走！”宪兵推着唐太斯说。 犯人跟在他的引路人后面走，后者领他走进了一个几乎埋在地下的房间，光秃秃的墙壁发出难闻的臭味，象是挂满了泪珠；长凳上放着一盏灯，灯光昏暗地照着房间，唐太斯看清了他引路人的面貌，他是一个下级狱卒，衣着十分不整齐，脸色阴沉沉的。 “这是你今天晚上的房间，”他说“时间已经晚了，典狱长先生已经睡了。明天，当他醒来看到关于处置你的命令的时候，他或许给你换地方。现在，这儿有面包，水和稻草。一个犯人所希望的也就是这些了，晚安。”唐太斯还没来得及看到狱卒把面包和水放在什么地方，还不曾向屋角看一看稻草究竟在什么地方，那狱卒已经拿起他的灯走了。 唐太斯，独自站在黑暗和寂静里，他头上的圆形拱顶发出冰冷的寒气，直逼进他火一样燃烧的额头，而他象那拱顶似的一言不发，一动也不动地站着。天一亮，狱卒就带着唐太斯不必调换房间的命令回来了。他发现犯人还站在那个地方，一动也没动，好象钉在那儿似的，他的两眼都哭肿了。他就是这样站了整整一夜的，不曾睡过一会儿。狱卒走向前去，唐太斯象没看见似的，他碰一碰他的肩头，唐太斯吃了一惊。 “你没有睡吗？”狱卒说。 “我不知道。”唐太斯回答。狱卒呆呆地瞪了他一会儿。 “你饿不饿？”他又问。 “我不知道。” “你想干什么？” “我想见一见典狱长。” 狱卒耸耸他的肩膀，便离开了房间走了。 唐太斯目送着他向那半开着的门伸出手去，但门又关上了，他的情绪一下子爆发了出来，他跌倒在地上，眼泪夺眶而出，他扪心自问，究竟犯了什么罪，要受到这样的惩罚。 这一天就这样过去了，他没吃一点食物，只是在斗室里走来走去，象一只被困在笼子里的野兽似的，最使他苦恼的是，在这次被押送的途中，他竟这样的平静和呆笨，他本来这次跳海也是成功的，他的游泳技术是素来有名的，他可以游到岸边躲起来，等到热那亚船或西班牙船来的时候，逃到西班牙或意大利去，美塞苔丝和他的父亲可以到那儿去找我团聚，他跟本用不着担心以后的生活，因为他是一个好海员是到处都受人欢迎的，他讲起意大利语来就象托斯卡人一样［意大利的一种民族。］，而讲起西班牙语来就象卡斯蒂利亚人［西班牙的一种民族。］，那时他就会很幸福的。但是现在他却被囚禁到了伊夫堡这个地方，再也无法知道他父亲和美塞苔丝的命运如何了。而这一切都是因为他轻信了维尔福的许诺，他愈想愈气得发疯，痛恨得在稻草上打滚。第二天早上，狱卒又来了。 “喂，你今天想了通吗，”狱卒说，唐太斯没有回答。 “好了，振作一点，在我力所能及的范围内，你有什么要求没有？” “我想见典狱长。” “唉，我已经告你，这是不可能的，”狱卒不耐烦地说。 “为什么不可能？” “因为这是这里的规定所不允许的。” “假如你付得起钱，伙食可以好一点，还有书可读，还可以让你散散步。” “我不要书，我对伙食已经很满意，我也不想什么散步，我只希望见见典狱长。” “假如你老拿这个问题来麻烦我，我就不给你饭吃啦。” “嗯，那么，假如你不拿来，我就饿死了，——那也成。” 唐太斯讲这些话的口吻使狱卒相信他的囚犯的确很愿意死，但由于狱卒每天从每一个犯人身上可以赚到十个左右的生活费，他说话时语气又软了下来，“你提的要求是不可能的，但你要是驯驯服服的在这儿，你就可以去散散步，你也许会有一天碰到典狱长，至于他是否能回答你的话，那就看他的了。” “可是，我要等多久呢？”唐太斯问。 “哦，一个月，——六个月——一年。” “这太久了，我希望能立刻见到他。” “噢，别老去想那些不可能的事，否则你不到二个星期就会发疯的！”狱卒说。 “你这样认为吗？” “是的，就会发疯的，疯子一开始的时候，就是这样的，我们这里就有这样一个例子。 有一个神甫先前就在这个牢房里，他也是总跟典狱长说，要求得到自由，他就是这样开始发疯的。“ “他离开这儿多久了？” “两年了。” “那么他被释放了吗？” “没有，他给关到地牢里了。” “听着，我不是那个神甫，我也没有疯，或许将来，我会疯，但目前还没有，我想跟你另外商量一件事。” “什么事？” “我给你一百万法郎，因为我没有那么多钱，假如你为我到马赛去一趟，到迦太罗尼亚人村找一个名叫美塞苔丝的姑娘，替我带两行字，我就给你一百个艾居。” “要是我听了你的话，信被人搜出来，我这个饭碗就保不住了，我在这里一年可挣一千里弗，为了三百里弗去冒这个险，我不成了个大傻瓜了。” “好吧，”唐太斯说，“那么你要记住，假如你不肯替我带个口信给美塞苔丝，又不肯告诉她我在这儿，总有一天，我会躲在门背后，当你进来的时候，我就用这张长凳把你的脑壳打碎。” “你威胁我，！狱卒一面喊，一面退后几步做出防备的样子，”你一定要发疯了，那个也象你这样开头的，三天之内，你就要象他那样穿上一件保险衣［专门用来束缚疯子的一种衣服。］但幸亏这里还有地牢。“ 唐太斯抓起长凳子，在他的头上挥舞着。 “好！”狱卒说，“好极了，即然你这样坚持如此，我就去告诉典狱长。” “这就对了，”唐太斯说完，放下长凳，坐在上面，垂下头，瞪着眼，象是真疯了似的。狱卒出去了，一会儿以后，带着一个伍长和四个兵回来了。 “奉典狱长之命，把犯人带到下面去。”他说。 “是的，我们必须疯子同疯子关在一起。”士兵们过来抓住了唐太斯的胳膊，唐太斯已经陷入一种虚弱的状态，毫不反抗地随着他们去了。 他向下走了十五级楼梯，一间地牢的门已经打开了，他走了进去，嘴里喃喃地说：“他说的不错，疯子应该和疯子在一起。”门关上了，唐太斯伸出双手向前走去，直到他碰到了墙壁，他于是在角落里座了下来，等他的眼睛渐渐习惯于黑暗，那狱卒说的不错，唐太斯离完全发疯已经不远了。

英文原文 Chapter 9 The Evening of the Betrothal. Villefort had, as we have said, hastened back to Madame de Saint-Meran's in the Place du Grand Cours, and on entering the house found that the guests whom he had left at table were taking coffee in the salon. Renee was, with all the rest of the company, anxiously awaiting him, and his entrance was followed by a general exclamation. "Well, Decapitator, Guardian of the State, Royalist, Brutus, what is the matter?" said one. "Speak out." "Are we threatened with a fresh Reign of Terror?" asked another. "Has the Corsican ogre broken loose?" cried a third. "Marquise," said Villefort, approaching his future mother-in-law, "I request your pardon for thus leaving you. Will the marquis honor me by a few moments' private conversation?" "Ah, it is really a serious matter, then?" asked the marquis, remarking the cloud on Villefort's brow. "So serious that I must take leave of you for a few days; so," added he, turning to Renee, "judge for yourself if it be not important." "You are going to leave us?" cried Renee, unable to hide her emotion at this unexpected announcement. "Alas," returned Villefort, "I must!" "Where, then, are you going?" asked the marquise. "That, madame, is an official secret; but if you have any commissions for Paris, a friend of mine is going there to-night, and will with pleasure undertake them." The guests looked at each other. "You wish to speak to me alone?" said the marquis. "Yes, let us go to the library, please." The marquis took his arm, and they left the salon. "Well," asked he, as soon as they were by themselves, "tell me what it is?" "An affair of the greatest importance, that demands my immediate presence in Paris. Now, excuse the indiscretion, marquis, but have you any landed property?" "All my fortune is in the funds; seven or eight hundred thousand francs." "Then sell out -- sell out, marquis, or you will lose it all." "But how can I sell out here?" "You have a broker, have you not?" "Yes." "Then give me a letter to him, and tell him to sell out without an instant's delay, perhaps even now I shall arrive too late." "The deuce you say!" replied the marquis, "let us lose no time, then!" And, sitting down, he wrote a letter to his broker, ordering him to sell out at the market price. "Now, then," said Villefort, placing the letter in his pocketbook, "I must have another!" "To whom?" "To the king." "To the king?" "Yes." "I dare not write to his majesty." "I do not ask you to write to his majesty, but ask M. de Salvieux to do so. I want a letter that will enable me to reach the king's presence without all the formalities of demanding an audience; that would occasion a loss of precious time." "But address yourself to the keeper of the seals; he has the right of entry at the Tuileries, and can procure you audience at any hour of the day or night." "Doubtless; but there is no occasion to divide the honors of my discovery with him. The keeper would leave me in the background, and take all the glory to himself. I tell you, marquis, my fortune is made if I only reach the Tuileries the first, for the king will not forget the service I do him." "In that case go and get ready. I will call Salvieux and make him write the letter." "Be as quick as possible, I must be on the road in a quarter of an hour." "Tell your coachman to stop at the door." "You will present my excuses to the marquise and Mademoiselle Renee, whom I leave on such a day with great regret." "You will find them both here, and can make your farewells in person." "A thousand thanks -- and now for the letter." The marquis rang, a servant entered. "Say to the Comte de Salvieux that I would like to see him." "Now, then, go," said the marquis. "I shall be gone only a few moments." Villefort hastily quitted the apartment, but reflecting that the sight of the deputy procureur running through the streets would be enough to throw the whole city into confusion, he resumed his ordinary pace. At his door he perceived a figure in the shadow that seemed to wait for him. It was Mercedes, who, hearing no news of her lover, had come unobserved to inquire after him. As Villefort drew near, she advanced and stood before him. Dantes had spoken of Mercedes, and Villefort instantly recognized her. Her beauty and high bearing surprised him, and when she inquired what had become of her lover, it seemed to him that she was the judge, and he the accused. "The young man you speak of," said Villefort abruptly, "is a great criminal. and I can do nothing for him, mademoiselle." Mercedes burst into tears, and, as Villefort strove to pass her, again addressed him. "But, at least, tell me where he is, that I may know whether he is alive or dead," said she. "I do not know; he is no longer in my hands," replied Villefort. And desirous of putting an end to the interview, he pushed by her, and closed the door, as if to exclude the pain he felt. But remorse is not thus banished; like Virgil's wounded hero, he carried the arrow in his wound, and, arrived at the salon, Villefort uttered a sigh that was almost a sob, and sank into a chair. Then the first pangs of an unending torture seized upon his heart. The man he sacrificed to his ambition, that innocent victim immolated on the altar of his father's faults, appeared to him pale and threatening, leading his affianced bride by the hand, and bringing with him remorse, not such as the ancients figured, furious and terrible, but that slow and consuming agony whose pangs are intensified from hour to hour up to the very moment of death. Then he had a moment's hesitation. He had frequently called for capital punishment on criminals, and owing to his irresistible eloquence they had been condemned, and yet the slightest shadow of remorse had never clouded Villefort's brow, because they were guilty; at least, he believed so; but here was an innocent man whose happiness he had destroyed: in this case he was not the judge, but the executioner. As he thus reflected, he felt the sensation we have described, and which had hitherto been unknown to him, arise in his bosom, and fill him with vague apprehensions. It is thus that a wounded man trembles instinctively at the approach of the finger to his wound until it be healed, but Villefort's was one of those that never close, or if they do, only close to reopen more agonizing than ever. If at this moment the sweet voice of Renee had sounded in his ears pleading for mercy, or the fair Mercedes had entered and said, "In the name of God, I conjure you to restore me my affianced husband," his cold and trembling hands would have signed his release; but no voice broke the stillness of the chamber, and the door was opened only by Villefort's valet, who came to tell him that the travelling carriage was in readiness. Villefort rose, or rather sprang, from his chair, hastily opened one of the drawers of his desk, emptied all the gold it contained into his pocket, stood motionless an instant, his hand pressed to his head, muttered a few inarticulate sounds, and then, perceiving that his servant had placed his cloak on his shoulders, he sprang into the carriage, ordering the postilions to drive to M. de Saint-Meran's. The hapless Dantes was doomed. As the marquis had promised, Villefort found the marquise and Renee in waiting. He started when he saw Renee, for he fancied she was again about to plead for Dantes. Alas, her emotions were wholly personal: she was thinking only of Villefort's departure. She loved Villefort, and he left her at the moment he was about to become her husband. Villefort knew not when he should return, and Renee, far from pleading for Dantes, hated the man whose crime separated her from her lover. Meanwhile what of Mercedes? She had met Fernand at the corner of the Rue de la Loge; she had returned to the Catalans, and had despairingly cast herself on her couch. Fernand, kneeling by her side, took her hand, and covered it with kisses that Mercedes did not even feel. She passed the night thus. The lamp went out for want of oil, but she paid no heed to the darkness, and dawn came, but she knew not that it was day. Grief had made her blind to all but one object -- that was Edmond. "Ah, you are there," said she, at length, turning towards Fernand. "I have not quitted you since yesterday," returned Fernand sorrowfully. M. Morrel had not readily given up the fight. He had learned that Dantes had been taken to prison, and he had gone to all his friends, and the influential persons of the city; but the report was already in circulation that Dantes was arrested as a Bonapartist agent; and as the most sanguine looked upon any attempt of Napoleon to remount the throne as impossible, he met with nothing but refusal, and had returned home in despair, declaring that the matter was serious and that nothing more could be done. Caderousse was equally restless and uneasy, but instead of seeking, like M. Morrel, to aid Dantes, he had shut himself up with two bottles of black currant brandy, in the hope of drowning reflection. But he did not succeed, and became too intoxicated to fetch any more drink, and yet not so intoxicated as to forget what had happened. With his elbows on the table he sat between the two empty bottles, while spectres danced in the light of the unsnuffed candle -- spectres such as Hoffmann strews over his punch-drenched pages, like black, fantastic dust. Danglars alone was content and joyous -- he had got rid of an enemy and made his own situation on the Pharaon secure. Danglars was one of those men born with a pen behind the ear, and an inkstand in place of a heart. Everything with him was multiplication or subtraction. The life of a man was to him of far less value than a numeral, especially when, by taking it away, he could increase the sum total of his own desires. He went to bed at his usual hour, and slept in peace. Villefort, after having received M. de Salvieux' letter, embraced Renee, kissed the marquise's hand, and shaken that of the marquis, started for Paris along the Aix road. Old Dantes was dying with anxiety to know what had become of Edmond. But we know very well what had become of Edmond.

中文翻译 第九章　订婚之夜 维尔福急匆匆赶回大高碌路，当他走进屋里的时候，发现他离开时的那些宾客已经移坐到客厅里了，蕾妮 和那些人都在着急地等待他，他一进来，立刻受到大家的欢呼。 “喂，专砍脑袋的人，国家的支柱，布鲁特斯［（公元前８５—４２）古罗马政治家］究竟是发生了什么 事？”一个人问。 “是不是新的恐怖时期又到了？”又一个人问。 “是那个科西嘉魔鬼逃了出来？”第三个人问。“ “侯爵夫人，”维尔福走到他未来的岳母跟前说，“我请您原谅我在这个时候离开您。 侯爵阁下，请允许我私下里同您说几句话，好吗？“ “呀，这事情十分重要吗？”侯爵问，他已经注意到维尔福满脸愁云。 “严重到我不得不离开你们几天，所以，”他又转过身去向蕾妮说“是的，事情是否严重，您自己是可想 而知的。” “您要离开我们了吗？”蕾妮掩饰不住她的情感，不禁地喊到。 “唉，我也是身不由己。”维尔福答道。 “那么，你要到那里去？”侯爵夫人问。 “夫人，这是法院的秘密，但假如您在巴黎有什么事要办，我的一位朋友今晚上就上那儿去。”宾客们都 不禁面面相觑。 “你要同我单独谈话吗？”侯爵说。 “是的，我们到您的书房里去吧。”侯爵挽起了他的手臂，同他一起走出客厅。 “好啦。”他们一进书房，他就问，“告诉我吧，出了什么事？” “一件非常重要的事，所以，我不得不立刻到巴黎去一趟。 现在，请原谅我不能泄露机密，侯爵，我大胆唐突问您一句，您的手里有没有国家证券？“ “我的财产都买成公债了，——有六七十万法朗吧。” “那么，卖掉，赶快卖它们。” “呃，我在这儿怎么卖呢？” “您总有个代理人吧？” “有的。” “那么写一封信给我带去，告诉他赶快卖掉，一分一秒都不要耽误，或者我到那儿时已经晚了！” “见鬼。”侯爵说，“那么我们不要浪费时间了。” “于是他坐了下来，写了一封信给他的代理人，命令他不论什么价钱都要赶快卖掉他的证券。 “唔，”现在，维尔福把信封夹进他的笔记本里，一面说，“再写一封信！‘”写给谁？“ “写给国王。” “我可不敢随便写信给国王。” “我不是要求您写信给国王，您叫萨欧伯爵写好了。我要一封能使我能尽快见到国王的信，无需经过那些 繁杂的拜见手续，不然会丧失很多宝贵时间的。” “你自己去问掌玺大臣好了，他有进奏权，会设法让你朝见的。” “当然可以，不过，何必要把我发现的功劳让别人来分享呢。掌玺大臣会把我甩向一边。而他一个人独亨 其功的，我告诉您，侯爵，假如我能第一个进入杜伊勒宫，我的前程就有保障了，因为，我这一次为国王 所作的事，他永远也不会忘掉的。” “即然如此，那你就快准备吧，我会叫萨尔维欧给您写你所需要的那封信的。” “最好能赶快写，再过一刻钟我就要上路了。” “你叫马车在门口停一下吧。” “您代我向夫人和蕾妮小姐表示歉意吧，我今天就这样离开她们，的确是非常抱歉的。” “她们都会到我这里来，这些话，留着你自己去说吧。” “多谢，多谢。请赶快写信吧。”侯爵拉了铃，一个仆人应声走进。 “去，告诉萨尔维伯爵，就说我在这儿等着他。” “现在好了，你可以走了。”侯爵说。 “好，我马上就回来！” 维尔福匆匆地走出了侯爵府，忽然他又想到，假如有看见代理法官走路这样慌张，全城准会骚动起来，所 以，他又恢复了他正常的恣态，官气十足地走去，在他的家门口，他看到了有一个人站在阴影里，看来好 象是等候他的，那是美塞苔丝，她因为得不到爱人的消息，所以，跑来打听他了。 当维尔福走过去的时候，她就迎上前来，唐太斯曾经提到过他的这位新娘，所以维尔福立刻就认出了她， 她美丽和端庄的仪恣使他吃了一惊，当她问道她的情人的情形的时候，他觉的她象是法官，而他倒成了犯 人了。 “你所说的那个青年是一个罪人，”维尔福急忙说，“我没法帮助他的忙，小姐。”美茜塞苔再也忍不住 她的眼泪了，当维尔福大步要走过她的时候，她又问道：“请您告诉我，他在什么地方，我想知道他究竟 是死是活。” “我不知道，他已经不由我管了。”维尔福回答。 他急于想结束这样的会面，所以就推开她，把门重重关上了，象是要把他的痛苦关到门外似的，但他内心 的痛苦是无法这样被驱逐的，象维吉尔［（公元前７１—１９）古罗马人］所说的致命箭一样，受伤的人 永远带着它。他走进去，关上门，一走到客厅，他就支持不住了，象呜咽似的，他长叹一声，倒进了一张 椅子上。 然后，在那颗受伤的心灵深处，又出现一个致命疮伤的最初征兆。那个由于他的野心而被他牺牲的人，那 个代他父亲受过的无辜的牺牲者，又在他的眼前出现了，他脸色苍白，带着威胁的神气，一只手牵着未婚 妻，她的脸色也是一样的苍白，这种形象使他深感内疚——不是古人所说的那种猛烈可怕的内疚，而是一 种缓慢的，折磨人的，与日俱增直到死亡的痛苦。 他犹豫了一会。他常常主张对犯人处以极刑，是靠了他那不可抗拒的雄辨把他们定罪的，他的眉头从来没 有留下一点儿阴影，因为他们是有罪的——至少，他相信是如此，但现在这件事却完全不一样，他给一个 清白无辜的判了无期徒刑——那是一个站在幸福之门无辜的人。这一次，他不是法官而是刽子手了。 他以前从没有过的这种感觉，现在，当他怀着茫然的恐惧，犹如一个受伤的人用一只手指去接触到他的伤 口时，会本能地颤抖起来一样。这一种感觉只有当伤口愈合以后，往往还会再次裂开，并且这一次裂开的 伤口更加疼痛。他的耳边响起了蕾妮请求他从宽办理的甜蜜声音或是那美塞苔丝似乎又进来对他说，“看 在上帝的份上，我求您把我的未婚夫还给我吧！”如果是这一种情形，那他就会不顾一切，用他那冰冷的 手签署他的释放令。但没有声音来打破房间的沉寂，只有维尔福的仆人进来告诉他长途旅行的马车已经准 备好了。 维尔福站起来，或者更确切地说，象是一个战胜了一次内心斗争的人那样，从椅子上一跃而起，急忙打开 他写字台的一个抽屉，把里面所有的金子都倒进他的口袋里，用手摸着头，一动也不动地站了一会，最后 ，他的仆人已把他的大氅披在了他的肩上，他这才出了门口，上了马车。吩咐车夫赶快到大高碌路侯爵府 。 不幸的唐太斯就这样被定了罪。 正如侯爵所说的，维尔福看见侯爵夫人和蕾妮都在书房里。他看见蕾妮的时候，不由得吃了一惊，因为在 他的想象中，她又要来为唐太斯求情了。唉，实际上她只想着维尔福即将离开她了。 她爱维尔福，而他却要在成为她的丈夫的这一刻离开她而去了，也不知道他何时才能回来，所以蕾妮非但 不为唐太斯求情，反而恨起这个人来了，就因为他的犯罪，她和他的爱人就得分离了。 那么，美塞苔丝又怎么样了呢，？她在碌琪路的拐角上遇到了弗尔南多。她回到了迦太罗尼亚人村后，便 绝望地躺在了床上。弗尔南多跪在了她的身边，拿起了她的手，吻遍了它。但美塞苔丝已毫无了感觉，那 一夜她就是这样过来的，灯油燃尽了，但她并没觉得黑暗，她也没有注意到它的光明，悲哀蒙住了她的双 眼，她只能看到一样东西，那就是唐太斯。 “啊，你在这儿，”她终于意识到了他的存在。 “从昨天起我就在这儿，就没有离开过您。”弗尔南多痛苦地说。 莫雷尔先生，就没有放弃过努力。他打听到唐太斯已经被投入了监狱，就去找他认识的所有的朋友和城里 那些有钱有势的朋友，但城里的风声已经传开，说唐太斯是被当做拿破仑党的密使而被捕的，而且当时再 大胆量的人也认为拿破仑东山再起是狂妄之举，因此，莫雷尔先生也四处遭到拒绝，只能是失望的回家。 卡德鲁斯也感到了不安，但是他没有想办法去救唐太斯，只是带了一瓶酒把自己关在房子里，想用酒来忘 掉他的回忆。 可是他没有做到这一点，他已醉的腿都抬不动了，但他却忘不掉那可怕的往事。 只有腾格拉尔一个人一点都不觉得烦恼或不安，他甚至还很高兴——他认为自己已除掉了一块绊脚石，并 保全了他在法老号上的地位。腾格拉尔是一个一心只为自己打算的人，这种人生下来耳朵上就夹了一支笔 ，心眼里头放着一瓶墨水，在他看来，一切都是加减乘除而已，在他看来，一个人的生命还不如一个数字 宝贵，因为数字使他有所增加，而生命却只会渐渐消亡。 维尔福接过了萨尔维欧先生写的信以后，就拥抱了一下蕾妮，吻了吻侯爵夫人的手，和侯爵握手告别，起 程前往巴黎去了。 唐太斯的老父亲正在被悲哀和焦急煎熬着。

英文原文 Chapter 10 The King's Closet at the Tuileries. We will leave Villefort on the road to Paris, travelling -- thanks to trebled fees -- with all speed, and passing through two or three apartments, enter at the Tuileries the little room with the arched window, so well known as having been the favorite closet of Napoleon and Louis XVIII., and now of Louis Philippe. There, seated before a walnut table he had brought with him from Hartwell, and to which, from one of those fancies not uncommon to great people, he was particularly attached, the king, Louis XVIII., was carelessly listening to a man of fifty or fifty-two years of age, with gray hair, aristocratic bearing, and exceedingly gentlemanly attire, and meanwhile making a marginal note in a volume of Gryphius's rather inaccurate, but much sought-after, edition of Horace -- a work which was much indebted to the sagacious observations of the philosophical monarch. "You say, sir" -- said the king. "That I am exceedingly disquieted, sire." "Really, have you had a vision of the seven fat kine and the seven lean kine?" "No, sire, for that would only betoken for us seven years of plenty and seven years of scarcity; and with a king as full of foresight as your majesty, scarcity is not a thing to be feared." "Then of what other scourge are you afraid, my dear Blacas?" "Sire, I have every reason to believe that a storm is brewing in the south." "Well, my dear duke," replied Louis XVIII., "I think you are wrongly informed, and know positively that, on the contrary, it is very fine weather in that direction." Man of ability as he was, Louis XVIII. liked a pleasant jest. "Sire," continued M. de Blacas, "if it only be to reassure a faithful servant, will your majesty send into Languedoc, Provence, and Dauphine, trusty men, who will bring you back a faithful report as to the feeling in these three provinces?" "Caninus surdis," replied the king, continuing the annotations in his Horace. "Sire," replied the courtier, laughing, in order that he might seem to comprehend the quotation, "your majesty may be perfectly right in relying on the good feeling of France, but I fear I am not altogether wrong in dreading some desperate attempt." "By whom?" "By Bonaparte, or, at least, by his adherents." "My dear Blacas," said the king, "you with your alarms prevent me from working." "And you, sire, prevent me from sleeping with your security." "Wait, my dear sir, wait a moment; for I have such a delightful note on the Pastor quum traheret -- wait, and I will listen to you afterwards." There was a brief pause, during which Louis XVIII. wrote, in a hand as small as possible, another note on the margin of his Horace, and then looking at the duke with the air of a man who thinks he has an idea of his own, while he is only commenting upon the idea of another, said, -- "Go on, my dear duke, go on -- I listen." "Sire," said Blacas, who had for a moment the hope of sacrificing Villefort to his own profit, "I am compelled to tell you that these are not mere rumors destitute of foundation which thus disquiet me; but a serious-minded man, deserving all my confidence, and charged by me to watch over the south" (the duke hesitated as he pronounced these words), "has arrived by post to tell me that a great peril threatens the king, and so I hastened to you, sire." "Mala ducis avi domum," continued Louis XVIII., still annotating. "Does your majesty wish me to drop the subject?" "By no means, my dear duke; but just stretch out your hand." "Which?" "Whichever you please -- there to the left." "Here, sire?" "I tell you to the left, and you are looking to the right; I mean on my left -- yes, there. You will find yesterday's report of the minister of police. But here is M. Dandre himself;" and M. Dandre, announced by the chamberlain-in-waiting, entered. "Come in," said Louis XVIII., with repressed smile, "come in, Baron, and tell the duke all you know -- the latest news of M. de Bonaparte; do not conceal anything, however serious, -- let us see, the Island of Elba is a volcano, and we may expect to have issuing thence flaming and bristling war -- bella, horrida bella." M. Dandre leaned very respectfully on the back of a chair with his two hands, and said, -- "Has your majesty perused yesterday's report?" "Yes, yes; but tell the duke himself, who cannot find anything, what the report contains -- give him the particulars of what the usurper is doing in his islet." "Monsieur," said the baron to the duke, "all the servants of his majesty must approve of the latest intelligence which we have from the Island of Elba. Bonaparte" -- M. Dandre looked at Louis XVIII., who, employed in writing a note, did not even raise his head. "Bonaparte," continued the baron, "is mortally wearied, and passes whole days in watching his miners at work at Porto-Longone." "And scratches himself for amusement," added the king. "Scratches himself?" inquired the duke, "what does your majesty mean?" "Yes, indeed, my dear duke. Did you forget that this great man, this hero, this demigod, is attacked with a malady of the skin which worries him to death, prurigo?" "And, moreover, my dear duke," continued the minister of police, "we are almost assured that, in a very short time, the usurper will be insane." "Insane?" "Raving mad; his head becomes weaker. Sometimes he weeps bitterly, sometimes laughs boisterously, at other time he passes hours on the seashore, flinging stones in the water and when the flint makes `duck-and-drake' five or six times, he appears as delighted as if he had gained another Marengo or Austerlitz. Now, you must agree that these are indubitable symptoms of insanity." "Or of wisdom, my dear baron -- or of wisdom," said Louis XVIII., laughing; "the greatest captains of antiquity amused themselves by casting pebbles into the ocean – see Plutarch's life of Scipio Africanus." M. de Blacas pondered deeply between the confident monarch and the truthful minister. Villefort, who did not choose to reveal the whole secret, lest another should reap all the benefit of the disclosure, had yet communicated enough to cause him the greatest uneasiness. "Well, well, Dandre," said Louis XVIII., "Blacas is not yet convinced; let us proceed, therefore, to the usurper's conversion." The minister of police bowed. "The usurper's conversion!" murmured the duke, looking at the king and Dandre, who spoke alternately, like Virgil's shepherds. "The usurper converted!" "Decidedly, my dear duke." "In what way converted?" "To good principles. Tell him all about it, baron." "Why, this is the way of it," said the minister, with the gravest air in the world: "Napoleon lately had a review, and as two or three of his old veterans expressed a desire to return to France, he gave them their dismissal, and exhorted them to `serve the good king.' These were his own words, of that I am certain." "Well, Blacas, what think you of this?" inquired the king triumphantly, and pausing for a moment from the voluminous scholiast before him. "I say, sire, that the minister of police is greatly deceived or I am; and as it is impossible it can be the minister of police as he has the guardianship of the safety and honor of your majesty, it is probable that I am in error. However, sire, if I might advise, your majesty will interrogate the person of whom I spoke to you, and I will urge your majesty to do him this honor." "Most willingly, duke; under your auspices I will receive any person you please, but you must not expect me to be too confiding. Baron, have you any report more recent than this dated the 20th February. -- this is the 4th of March?" "No, sire, but I am hourly expecting one; it may have arrived since I left my office." "Go thither, and if there be none -- well, well," continued Louis XVIII., "make one; that is the usual way, is it not?" and the king laughed facetiously. "Oh, sire," replied the minister, "we have no occasion to invent any; every day our desks are loaded with most circumstantial denunciations, coming from hosts of people who hope for some return for services which they seek to render, but cannot; they trust to fortune, and rely upon some unexpected event in some way to justify their predictions." "Well, sir, go"; said Louis XVIII., "and remember that I am waiting for you." "I will but go and return, sire; I shall be back in ten minutes." "And I, sire," said M. de Blacas, "will go and find my messenger." "Wait, sir, wait," said Louis XVIII. "Really, M. de Blacas, I must change your armorial bearings; I will give you an eagle with outstretched wings, holding in its claws a prey which tries in vain to escape, and bearing this device -- Tenax." "Sire, I listen," said De Blacas, biting his nails with impatience. "I wish to consult you on this passage, `Molli fugiens anhelitu,' you know it refers to a stag flying from a wolf. Are you not a sportsman and a great wolf-hunter? Well, then, what do you think of the molli anhelitu?" "Admirable, sire; but my messenger is like the stag you refer to, for he has posted two hundred and twenty leagues in scarcely three days." "Which is undergoing great fatigue and anxiety, my dear duke, when we have a telegraph which transmits messages in three or four hours, and that without getting in the least out of breath." "Ah, sire, you recompense but badly this poor young man, who has come so far, and with so much ardor, to give your majesty useful information. If only for the sake of M. de Salvieux, who recommends him to me, I entreat your majesty to receive him graciously." "M. de Salvieux, my brother's chamberlain?" "Yes, sire." "He is at Marseilles." "And writes me thence." "Does he speak to you of this conspiracy?" "No; but strongly recommends M. de Villefort, and begs me to present him to your majesty." "M. de Villefort!" cried the king, "is the messenger's name M. de Villefort?" "Yes, sire." "And he comes from Marseilles?" "In person." "Why did you not mention his name at once?" replied the king, betraying some uneasiness. "Sire, I thought his name was unknown to your majesty." "No, no, Blacas; he is a man of strong and elevated understanding, ambitious, too, and, pardieu, you know his father's name!" "His father?" "Yes, Noirtier." "Noirtier the Girondin? -- Noirtier the senator?" "He himself." "And your majesty has employed the son of such a man?" "Blacas, my friend, you have but limited comprehension. I told you Villefort was ambitious, and to attain this ambition Villefort would sacrifice everything, even his father." "Then, sire, may I present him?" "This instant, duke! Where is he?" "Waiting below, in my carriage." "Seek him at once." "I hasten to do so." The duke left the royal presence with the speed of a young man; his really sincere royalism made him youthful again. Louis XVIII. remained alone, and turning his eyes on his half-opened Horace, muttered, -- "Justum et tenacem propositi virum." M. de Blacas returned as speedily as he had departed, but in the ante-chamber he was forced to appeal to the king's authority. Villefort's dusty garb, his costume, which was not of courtly cut, excited the susceptibility of M. de Breze, who was all astonishment at finding that this young man had the audacity to enter before the king in such attire. The duke, however, overcame all difficulties with a word -- his majesty's order; and, in spite of the protestations which the master of ceremonies made for the honor of his office and principles, Villefort was introduced. The king was seated in the same place where the duke had left him. On opening the door, Villefort found himself facing him, and the young magistrate's first impulse was to pause. "Come in, M. de Villefort," said the king, "come in." Villefort bowed, and advancing a few steps, waited until the king should interrogate him. "M. de Villefort," said Louis XVIII., "the Duc de Blaca assures me you have some interesting information to communicate." "Sire, the duke is right, and I believe your majesty will think it equally important." "In the first place, and before everything else, sir, is the news as bad in your opinion as I am asked to believe?" "Sire, I believe it to be most urgent, but I hope, by the speed I have used, that it is not irreparable." "Speak as fully as you please, sir," said the king, who began to give way to the emotion which had showed itself in Blacas's face and affected Villefort's voice. "Speak, sir, and pray begin at the beginning; I like order in everything." "Sire," said Villefort, "I will render a faithful report to your majesty, but I must entreat your forgiveness if my anxiety leads to some obscurity in my language." A glance at the king after this discreet and subtle exordium, assured Villefort of the benignity of his august auditor, and he went on: -- "Sire, I have come as rapidly to Paris as possible, to inform your majesty that I have discovered, in the exercise of my duties, not a commonplace and insignificant plot, such as is every day got up in the lower ranks of the people and in the army, but an actual conspiracy -- a storm which menaces no less than your majesty's throne. Sire, the usurper is arming three ships, he meditates some project, which, however mad, is yet, perhaps, terrible. At this moment he will have left Elba, to go whither I know not, but assuredly to attempt a landing either at Naples, or on the coast of Tuscany, or perhaps on the shores of France. Your majesty is well aware that the sovereign of the Island of Elba has maintained his relations with Italy and France?" "I am, sir," said the king, much agitated; "and recently we have had information that the Bonapartist clubs have had meetings in the Rue Saint-Jacques. But proceed, I beg of you. How did you obtain these details?" "Sire, they are the results of an examination which I have made of a man of Marseilles, whom I have watched for some time, and arrested on the day of my departure. This person, a sailor, of turbulent character, and whom I suspected of Bonapartism, has been secretly to the Island of Elba. There he saw the grand-marshal, who charged him with an oral message to a Bonapartist in Paris, whose name I could not extract from him; but this mission was to prepare men's minds for a return (it is the man who says this, sire) – a return which will soon occur." "And where is this man?" "In prison, sire." "And the matter seems serious to you?" "So serious, sire, that when the circumstance surprised me in the midst of a family festival, on the very day of my betrothal, I left my bride and friends, postponing everything, that I might hasten to lay at your majesty's feet the fears which impressed me, and the assurance of my devotion." "True," said Louis XVIII., "was there not a marriage engagement between you and Mademoiselle de Saint-Meran?" "Daughter of one of your majesty's most faithful servants." "Yes, yes; but let us talk of this plot, M. de Villefort." "Sire, I fear it is more than a plot; I fear it is a conspiracy." "A conspiracy in these times," said Louis XVIII., smiling, "is a thing very easy to meditate, but more difficult to conduct to an end, inasmuch as, re-established so recently on the throne of our ancestors, we have our eyes open at once upon the past, the present, and the future. For the last ten months my ministers have redoubled their vigilance, in order to watch the shore of the Mediterranean. If Bonaparte landed at Naples, the whole coalition would be on foot before he could even reach Piomoino; if he land in Tuscany, he will be in an unfriendly territory; if he land in France, it must be with a handful of men, and the result of that is easily foretold, execrated as he is by the population. Take courage, sir; but at the same time rely on our royal gratitude." "Ah, here is M. Dandre!" cried de Blacas. At this instant the minister of police appeared at the door, pale, trembling, and as if ready to faint. Villefort was about to retire, but M. de Blacas, taking his hand, restrained him.

中文翻译 第十章　杜伊勒里宫的小书房 这里先不说维尔福是如何星夜兼程赶往巴黎，并经过两三座宫殿最后进入了杜伊勒宫的小书房，先说杜伊勒宫这间有拱形窗门的小书房，它是非常闻名的，因为拿破仑和路易十八都喜欢在这儿办公，而当今的路易。菲力浦又成了这里的主人。 在这部书房里，国王路易十八正坐在一张胡桃木制成的桌子上办公，这张桌子是他从哈德维尔带回来的， 他特别喜欢它，这原本也没有什么，因为大人物都有些癖好，而这就是他的癖好之一。此刻，他正在漫不经心地听一个约五十多岁，头发灰白，一副贵族仪表，风度极为高雅的人在讲话，他的手边放着一本格里夫斯版的贺拉斯［（公元前６５—８），古罗马人。］他正在上面作注释，国王那种聪慧博学的见解大多是从这本书上得来的。 “你在说什么，先生？”国王问。 “我感到非常不安，陛下。” “真得吗，难道你做了一个梦，梦见七只肥牛和七只瘦牛了吗？”［见《圣经旧约。创世纪》。书中讲埃及法老梦见七头肥牛和七头瘦牛在河边吃青草。约瑟解释说，这是预示着七个半年后时有七个荒年。后来果然应效。］“不，陛下，因为那个梦不过是预示着我们将有七个丰年和七个荒年，而象陛下这样明察万里的国王的治理，荒年倒不是一件可怕的事。” “那么，您还有什么可以担心的，我亲爱的勃拉卡斯？” “陛下，我有充分担心的理由相信南方正在酝酿着一次大的风暴。” “唉，亲爱的公爵，我想你是听错了。我所知道的正好相反，我确实知道那个地方风和日丽。”象路易十八这样一个人也喜欢开这样一个愉快的玩笑。 “陛下，就算只是为了让一个忠心的臣仆安心，陛下可否派可靠的人员去视察一下郎格多克，普罗旺斯和陀菲内，把这三省的民情带回来向您报告一下？” “Ｃｏｎｉｍｕｓｓｕｒｄｉｓ。［拉丁文：我们低声唱］”国王依旧在他的贺拉斯诗集上做注释。 “陛下，”朝臣回答，并笑了笑，做出他懂得这句话意思的样子，“陛下可以完全相信法兰西人民的忠心，但我所担心的某种亡命企图不见得是没有道理的。 “拿破仑或至少是他的党羽。” “我亲爱的勃拉卡斯，”国王说，“您这样惊慌都使我无法工作了。” “而您陛下，您这样高枕无忧地叫我不能安眠。” “等等，我亲爱的先生，请等一会儿，我在Ｐａｓｔｏｒｑｕｕｍｔｒａｈｅｒｅｔ［拉丁文：当牧童跟着走的时候］这一句上找到了一条非常有趣的注释——再等一会，我写好了以后就听您讲。” 谈话暂时中断了一会，路易十八用极小的字体在那本诗集上的空白处写下了一个注释，然后，他带着一种自满的神色抬起头来看着公爵，好象说他已经有了一个独到的见解，而对方只能复述他人的见解似的，他说：“说吧，我亲爱的公爵，请接着说下去，我听着。” “陛下，”勃拉卡斯说，此时他很想把维尔福的功劳占为己有，“我不得不告诉你，使我如此担忧不安的并不仅仅是谣言。 我派了我手下一个很有头脑的人去南方视察了一下动态。“公爵说这些话的时候有点儿犹豫，”他刚才急匆匆赶来告诉我，说陛下的安全受到了威胁，就急忙赶来了。“ “Ｍａａｄｕｃｉｓａｖｉｄｏｍｕｍ，”路易十八依旧边写注解边说道。 “陛下不想叫我把这件事说下去了吗？” “没有那个意思，亲爱的公爵，但您且伸手找一找。” “找什么？” “随便你找，就在左边。” “我告诉是在左边，您却在右边找，我说是在左边，——对了，就在那儿，你可以找警长大臣昨天的报告。哟，唐德雷本人来了。”在侍从官进来报告以后，唐德雷先生走了进来。 “进来，”路易十八微微一笑说，“进来，男爵，把你所知道的一切，关于拿破仑他最近的消息都告诉公爵，什么也不要隐瞒，不管它有多么严重。厄尔巴岛是不是个火山，那儿会不会爆发火焰和可怕的战争——Ｂｅｌｌａ！Ｈｏｒｒｉｄａｂｅｌｌａ！”唐德雷把双手背在身后，非常庄重地靠在一张椅子上说： “陛下有没有看过昨天的报告？” “看过了，看过了，你把内容讲给公爵听吧，他找不到那份报告，尤其是关于逆贼在他的小岛上一切的所做所为，要讲得详细点。” “阁下，”男爵对公爵说，“陛下所有的臣仆都应该以我们从厄尔巴岛得来的最新消息而感到欣慰，波拿巴，”唐德雷说到这里，望望路易十八，后者正在写一条注释，甚至连头都没有抬起来，——“波拿巴，”男爵继续说，“快要闷死了，他整天在澳特龙哥看矿工们干活。 “而且以搔痒来消遣。”国王加上一句。 “搔痒？”公爵问，“陛下这句话是什么意思？” “一点不错，我亲爱的公爵。您忘了这位伟人，这位英雄，这位半仙得了一种使他痒得要命的皮肤病吗？” “而且，公爵阁下，”警务大臣又说，“我们几乎可以肯定地说，逆贼就会发疯的。” “发疯？” “某种程度的发疯，他的神志已经不清了。他时而痛哭，时而狂笑，时而一连几小时在海边上拿石子来打水漂当那石子在水面上连跳五六下的时候，他就高兴得好象又取得了一次马伦戈［在捷克，一八○五年，拿破仑在此打败奥俄联军。］或奥斯特利茨［在意大利，一八○○年，拿破仑在此打败奥军。］之役一样。我想您也得承认，这些无可争辩的事实都是脑力衰弱的象征。” “或是智慧的象征，男爵阁下，——或许是智慧的象征，”路易十八笑着说。“古代最伟大的船长们也都是在大海上打水漂儿取乐的，不信可看普鲁塔克［（公元４６—１２６），古希腊历史家。］著的《施底奥。阿菲力加弩传》。” 勃拉卡斯公爵对国王和大臣这种盲目的泰然处之的态度深感不解。只可惜维尔福不肯泄露全部秘密，深恐他的功劳被人抢去，但所透露给他那点信息已经够使他感到不安的了。 “喂，唐德雷，”路易十八说，“勃拉卡斯还是不相信，再讲一点逆贼的转变给他听听。” 警务大臣躬身致意。 “逆贼的转变？”公爵喃喃地说，看着眼前象维吉尔诗里的牧童那样一唱一答的国王和唐德雷。“逆贼转变了？” “一点不错，我亲爱的公爵。” “转变成什么样了？” “变得循规蹈矩了。男爵，你说给他听听。” “哦，是这样的，公爵阁下，”大臣以极其庄重的语气说，“拿破仑最近作了一次侦查，他的两三个旧臣表示想重回法国，他便给他们准了假并告诫他们要‘为他们的好国王效劳’。这些都是他亲口说的，公爵阁下，我确信无疑。” “喂，勃拉卡斯，你对这事怎么看？”国王得意地问，停了一会儿他的注解工作。 “我说，陛下，如果不是警务大臣部下被人骗了，就是我受骗了，但警务大臣是不可能受骗的，因为他是陛下安全和荣誉的保障，所以大概出错的是我。可是，陛下，假如您能允许我再进一谏言的话，陛下不妨问一下我刚才对您提起过的那个人，而且我请求陛下赐给他这种荣幸。” “我非常愿意，公爵，只要您赞成，您高兴要我接见谁，我就接见谁，只要他手里不拿熗就行。大臣先生，您有没有比这更新的报告？这是二月二十日的，而我们现在已经是三月三日了。” “还没有，陛下，但我时刻都在等待着，说不定今天早晨我离开办公室的这段时间里，新的报告又到了。” “那么去走一趟吧，假如那儿还没有？——哦，哦，”路易十八又说，“就造一份好了，你们不是经常这 样做吗？”国王笑着说。 “噢，陛下，”部长回答，“我们根本无需来捏造报告。每天，我们的办公桌上都堆满了最为详尽的告密书，都是那些被革职的人员送来的，虽然他们现在尚未官复原职，但却都很乐意回来为陛下效劳。他们相信命运，希望有朝一日会发生意外的大事以使他们的期望变成现实。” “好吧，先生，去吧。”路易十八说，“别忘了我在等着你。” “我只要来去的时间就够了，陛下。我十分钟内就回来。” “我呢，陛下，”勃拉卡斯公爵说，“我去找一下我的信使。” “等一下，先生，等一下，”路易十八说。“真的，勃拉卡斯，我看您这种雄赳赳气昂昂的样子。我让你猜一谜，有一只展开双翅的老鹰，它的脚爪抓住了一只猎物，这个猎物想逃跑，但又逃不了，它的名字就叫做——Ｔｅｎａｘ［拉丁文：固执］。” “陛下，我知道了。”勃拉卡斯公爵说，不耐烦地咬着他的指甲。 “我想同您商讨一下这句话，‘Ｍｏｌｌｉｆｕｇｉｅｎｓａｎｈｅｌｉｔｕ［拉丁文：气喘吁吁地逃跑的胆小鬼。］，’您知道，这是指一只逃避狼的牡鹿。您不是一个狩猎行家和猎狼人吗？那么，您觉得那只Ｍｏｌｌｉａｎｈｅｌｉｔｕ如何？” “妙极了，陛下，不过我那个信使正象您所说的那只牡鹿一样，因为他只花三天多一点的时间，就跑了六百六十哩路来到这里。” “那一定够疲倦，够焦急的罗，我亲爱的公爵，而现在我们已经有了快报，要不了三四个钟头就可送到了，根本用不着大喘气。” “啊，陛下，恐怕您对这个可怜的青年太不领情了，他从那么远的地方跑来，满怀极大的热情，来给陛下送一份有用的情报，是萨尔维欧先生介绍给我的，看在萨尔欧维先生的面子上，我也求陛下就接见他一次吧。” “萨尔欧维先生？是我弟弟那个侍从官吗？” “是的陛下。” “他在罗赛。” “是从那儿写信给我的。” “不，但是他极力向我推荐了维尔福先生，要求我带他来见陛下。” “维尔福先生！”国王喊道，“那个信使的名子叫维尔福吗？” “是的，陛下” “他从马赛赶来的吗？” “是的他亲自赶来的。” “您为什么不早提起他的名字呢？”国王问道，“而且还很有野心，真的！您知道他的父亲叫什么名字吗 ？” “他的父亲？” “是的，叫诺瓦蒂埃。” “是那个吉伦特党徒诺瓦蒂埃吗？是那个做上议员的诺瓦蒂埃。” “就是他。” “陛下怎么用了这么一个人的儿子。” “勃拉卡斯，我的朋友，你知道的真是太少了。我告诉过您，维尔福是很有野心的，只要自己能成功，他什么都可以牺牲掉，甚至于他的父亲。” “那，陛下，人可以带他进来吗？” “马上带他进来，公爵。他在那儿？” “就在下面，在我的马车里。” “立刻去叫他。” 公爵就象个年青人那样敏捷地走了出去，他尽忠国王的热忱使他年青了许多，房间里只剩下了路易十八。 他又把目光投向了那半开的贺拉斯诗集上，嘴里喃喃说到“Ｊｕｓｔｕｍｅｔｔｅｎａｃｅｍｐｒｏｐｏｓｉｔｉｖｉｒｕｍ［拉丁文：一个正直而坚定的人。］” 勃拉卡斯公爵以他下楼时的同样速度回来了，但一到了候见厅里，他又不得不停下来等待通告。维尔福穿的不是进见时的服装，再加上那种风尘扑扑的外貌，引起了司仪大臣勃黎齐的怀疑，他对这个青年竟敢穿这样的衣服来谒见国王陛下感到非常惊讶，但公爵终于用“奉国王之命”几个字排除了一切困难，所以不管这位司仪大臣的意见如何，不管他如何尊重他的戒律，维尔福还是被通报了。 国王仍是坐在公爵离开他的那个老地方，门一开，维尔福发现他正面对着国王，那青年法官的第一个动作便是停了脚步。 “进来，维尔福先生，”国王说，维尔福鞠了一躬，向前走了几步，等候国王垂询。 “维尔福先生，”路易十八说，“勃拉卡斯公爵告诉我说你有很重要的消息要报告。” “陛下，公爵说得不错，我相信陛下一定会意识到它的重要性的。” “在还没有谈正事以前，你先告诉我，先生，依你看，这件事情真的象他们对我说的那么严重吗？” “陛下，这个事情的确很严重，我希望由于我来的正是时候，事情不至于无法挽救。” “你尽量说吧，先生，”国王说，他开始被勃拉卡斯脸上的神色和维尔福激动的语气打动了，“说吧，先生，请从头说起，我喜欢一切都有条有理。” “陛下，”维尔福说，“我向您保证献上一份可靠的情报，假如由于我很焦急而出现有些地方语无伦次，请陛下恕罪。”讲完了这一段谨慎而又巧妙的开场白之后，维尔福向国王瞥了一眼，看到了他那威严的听者面露慈祥，这才放下心来。于是，继续说：“陛下，我尽可能快点到巴黎来，是向陛下报告一件我在执行任务时发现的事情，这不是象每天在下层阶级或军队里所发生的那种无足轻重的、平凡的暴乱，它的确是一次谋反——是一次威胁到陛下王位的的谋反。陛下，逆贼武装了三条船，并定下了阴谋计划，那计划既狂妄，又可怕，此时此刻，他已经离开了厄尔巴岛，去哪儿我不知道，但是肯定是要在某一个地方登陆，不是在那不勒斯，就是在托斯卡纳海岸，甚至可能到法国海岸，陛下不会不知道，这个厄尔巴岛之主与意大利和法国都保持着联系。” “我知道，先生，”国王说，并显得十分激动，“最近我还获得情报，知道那拿破仑分子在圣。杰克司街 集会妄图死灰获复燃。但请你说下去，你是怎么知道这个消息的？” “陛下，我是在审问一个马赛人时知道的，我对他已经注意到了好长时间，他是在我离开的那一天被抓起来的。他是一个不安分守己的水手，我一向就怀疑他是一个拿破仑党分子，最近他秘密到爱巴尔岛去了一趟，在那儿见了大元帅，大元帅叫他带一个口信到巴黎，给一个在巴黎的拿破仑分子，只是巴黎的那个拿破仑分子叫什么名字，我没能盘审出来，但口信内容我已经知道了，就是这个人要招集人马——不久就要卷土重来了。” “这个人现在在那里？”国王问。 “在狱监里。” “你觉得这事很严重吗？” “严重极了，陛下，这件事发生的时候我正在家里请客，那天是我订婚的日子，当时我大吃一惊，马上离开了我的未婚妻和朋友们，以便赶快地赶到陛下的脚下，向陛下陈述谋反的事件，以表示我对陛下的忠心。” “对了，你是和圣。梅朗小姐订婚吗？”路易十八问。 “是的，是陛下一个忠诚的臣仆的女儿。” “是的，是的。还是让我们接着谈这次阴谋造反的事吧，维尔福先生。” “陛下，我担心这不仅是一次谋反的阴谋，而是一次真正的谋反。” “在目前这个时间谋反，”路易十八笑一笑说。“想想到很容易，但成功很难，因为我们祖先刚刚恢复王位，我们对于过去，现在和未来都看得很清楚。过去十个月来，我们的各个大臣都加倍地警惕着地中海，以确保平安无事，如波拿巴在那不勒斯登陆，那么在他到达皮昂比诺以前，是整个联军就会行动起来，如果他在托斯卡纳登陆，就踏上了一块与他为敌的国土，如果他在法国登陆，那他只有带点少数的人马，象他这样被人民深恶痛绝的人，其结果是可以想得到的，放心吧，好了先生，不过，王室仍然很感谢您。” “啊，唐德雷阁下来了！”勃拉卡卡斯大声喊到。这时，警务大臣在门口出现了，他脸色苍白，全身颤抖，象就要昏死过去的样子，维尔福正想告退，勃拉斯公爵却拉住了他的手，留住了他。

英文原文 Chapter 11 The Corsican Ogre. At the sight of this agitation Louis XVIII. pushed from him violently the table at which he was sitting. "What ails you, baron?" he exclaimed. "You appear quite aghast. Has your uneasiness anything to do with what M. de Blacas has told me, and M. de Villefort has just confirmed?"M. de Blacas moved suddenly towards the baron, but the fright of the courtier pleaded for the forbearance of the statesman; and besides, as matters were, it was much more to his advantage that the prefect of police should triumph over him than that he should humiliate the prefect. "Sire" -- stammered the baron. "Well, what is it?" asked Louis XVIII. The minister of police, giving way to an impulse of despair, was about to throw himself at the feet of Louis XVIII., who retreated a step and frowned. "Will you speak?" he said. "Oh, sire, what a dreadful misfortune! I am, indeed, to be pitied. I can never forgive myself!" "Monsieur," said Louis XVIII., "I command you to speak." "Well, sire, the usurper left Elba on the 26th February, and landed on the 1st of March." "And where? In Italy?" asked the king eagerly. "In France, sire, -- at a small port, near Antibes, in the Gulf of Juan." "The usurper landed in France, near Antibes, in the Gulf of Juan, two hundred and fifty leagues from Paris, on the 1st of March, and you only acquired this information to-day, the 4th of March! Well, sir, what you tell me is impossible. You must have received a false report, or you have gone mad." "Alas, sire, it is but too true!" Louis made a gesture of indescribable anger and alarm, and then drew himself up as if this sudden blow had struck him at the same moment in heart and countenance. "In France!" he cried, "the usurper in France! Then they did not watch over this man. Who knows? they were, perhaps, in league with him." "Oh, sire," exclaimed the Duc de Blacas, "M. Dandre is not a man to be accused of treason! Sire, we have all been blind, and the minister of police has shared the general blindness, that is all." "But" -- said Villefort, and then suddenly checking himself, he was silent; then he continued, "Your pardon, sire," he said, bowing, "my zeal carried me away. Will your majesty deign to excuse me?" "Speak, sir, speak boldly," replied Louis. "You alone forewarned us of the evil; now try and aid us with the remedy." "Sire," said Villefort, "the usurper is detested in the south; and it seems to me that if he ventured into the south, it would be easy to raise Languedoc and Provence against him." "Yes, assuredly," replied the minister; "but he is advancing by Gap and Sisteron." "Advancing -- he is advancing!" said Louis XVIII. "Is he then advancing on Paris?" The minister of police maintained a silence which was equivalent to a complete avowal. "And Dauphine, sir?" inquired the king, of Villefort. "Do you think it possible to rouse that as well as Provence?" "Sire, I am sorry to tell your majesty a cruel fact; but the feeling in Dauphine is quite the reverse of that in Provence or Languedoc. The mountaineers are Bonapartists, sire." "Then," murmured Louis, "he was well informed. And how many men had he with him?" "I do not know, sire," answered the minister of police. "What, you do not know! Have you neglected to obtain information on that point? Of course it is of no consequence," he added, with a withering smile. "Sire, it was impossible to learn; the despatch simply stated the fact of the landing and the route taken by the usurper." "And how did this despatch reach you?" inquired the king. The minister bowed his head, and while a deep color overspread his cheeks, he stammered out, -- "By the telegraph, sire." -- Louis XVIII. advanced a step, and folded his arms over his chest as Napoleon would have done. "So then," he exclaimed, turning pale with anger, "seven conjoined and allied armies overthrew that man. A miracle of heaven replaced me on the throne of my fathers after five-and-twenty years of exile. I have, during those five-and-twenty years, spared no pains to understand the people of France and the interests which were confided to me; and now, when I see the fruition of my wishes almost within reach, the power I hold in my hands bursts, and shatters me to atoms!" "Sire, it is fatality!" murmured the minister, feeling that the pressure of circumstances, however light a thing to destiny, was too much for any human strength to endure. "What our enemies say of us is then true. We have learnt nothing, forgotten nothing! If I were betrayed as he was, I would console myself; but to be in the midst of persons elevated by myself to places of honor, who ought to watch over me more carefully than over themselves, -- for my fortune is theirs -- before me they were nothing -- after me they will be nothing, and perish miserably from incapacity-- ineptitude! Oh, yes, sir, you are right -- it is fatality!" The minister quailed before this outburst of sarcasm. M. de Blacas wiped the moisture from his brow. Villefort smiled within himself, for he felt his increased importance. "To fall," continued King Louis, who at the first glance had sounded the abyss on which the monarchy hung suspended, -- "to fall, and learn of that fall by telegraph! Oh, I would rather mount the scaffold of my brother, Louis XVI., than thus descend the staircase at the Tuileries driven away by ridicule. Ridicule, sir -- why, you know not its power in France, and yet you ought to know it!" "Sire, sire," murmured the minister, "for pity's" -- "Approach, M. de Villefort," resumed the king, addressing the young man, who, motionless and breathless, was listening to a conversation on which depended the destiny of a kingdom. "Approach, and tell monsieur that it is possible to know beforehand all that he has not known." "Sire, it was really impossible to learn secrets which that man concealed from all the world." "Really impossible! Yes -- that is a great word, sir. Unfortunately, there are great words, as there are great men; I have measured them. Really impossible for a minister who has an office, agents, spies, and fifteen hundred thousand francs for secret service money, to know what is going on at sixty leagues from the coast of France! Well, then, see, here is a gentleman who had none of these resources at his disposal -- a gentleman, only a simple magistrate, who learned more than you with all your police, and who would have saved my crown, if, like you, he had the power of directing a telegraph." The look of the minister of police was turned with concentrated spite on Villefort, who bent his head in modest triumph. "I do not mean that for you, Blacas," continued Louis XVIII.; "for if you have discovered nothing, at least you have had the good sense to persevere in your suspicions. Any other than yourself would have considered the disclosure of M. de Villefort insignificant, or else dictated by venal ambition," These words were an allusion to the sentiments which the minister of police had uttered with so much confidence an hour before. Villefort understood the king's intent. Any other person would, perhaps, have been overcome by such an intoxicating draught of praise; but he feared to make for himself a mortal enemy of the police minister, although he saw that Dandre was irrevocably lost. In fact, the minister, who, in the plenitude of his power, had been unable to unearth Napoleon's secret, might in despair at his own downfall interrogate Dantes and so lay bare the motives of Villefort's plot. Realizing this, Villefort came to the rescue of the crest-fallen minister, instead of aiding to crush him. "Sire," said Villefort, "the suddenness of this event must prove to your majesty that the issue is in the hands of Providence; what your majesty is pleased to attribute to me as profound perspicacity is simply owing to chance, and I have profited by that chance, like a good and devoted servant -- that's all. Do not attribute to me more than I deserve, sire, that your majesty may never have occasion to recall the first opinion you have been pleased to form of me." The minister of police thanked the young man by an eloquent look, and Villefort understood that he had succeeded in his design; that is to say, that without forfeiting the gratitude of the king, he had made a friend of one on whom, in case of necessity, he might rely. "'Tis well," resumed the king. "And now, gentlemen," he continued, turning towards M. de Blacas and the minister of police, "I have no further occasion for you, and you may retire; what now remains to do is in the department of the minister of war." "Fortunately, sire," said M. de Blacas, "we can rely on the army; your majesty knows how every report confirms their loyalty and attachment." "Do not mention reports, duke, to me, for I know now what confidence to place in them. Yet, speaking of reports, baron, what have you learned with regard to the affair in the Rue Saint-Jacques?" "The affair in the Rue Saint-Jacques!" exclaimed Villefort, unable to repress an exclamation. Then, suddenly pausing, he added, "Your pardon, sire, but my devotion to your majesty has made me forget, not the respect I have, for that is too deeply engraved in my heart, but the rules of etiquette." "Go on, go on, sir," replied the king; "you have to-day earned the right to make inquiries here." "Sire," interposed the minister of police, "I came a moment ago to give your majesty fresh information which I had obtained on this head, when your majesty's attention was attracted by the terrible event that has occurred in the gulf, and now these facts will cease to interest your majesty." "On the contrary, sir, -- on the contrary," said Louis XVIII., "this affair seems to me to have a decided connection with that which occupies our attention, and the death of General Quesnel will, perhaps, put us on the direct track of a great internal conspiracy." At the name of General Quesnel, Villefort trembled. "Everything points to the conclusion, sire," said the minister of police, "that death was not the result of suicide, as we first believed, but of assassination. General Quesnel, it appears, had just left a Bonapartist club when he disappeared. An unknown person had been with him that morning, and made an appointment with him in the Rue Saint-Jacques; unfortunately, the general's valet, who was dressing his hair at the moment when the stranger entered, heard the street mentioned, but did not catch the number." As the police minister related this to the king, Villefort, who looked as if his very life hung on the speaker's lips, turned alternately red and pale. The king looked towards him. "Do you not think with me, M. de Villefort, that General Quesnel, whom they believed attached to the usurper, but who was really entirely devoted to me, has perished the victim of a Bonapartist ambush?" "It is probable, sire," replied Villefort. "But is this all that is known?" "They are on the track of the man who appointed the meeting with him." "On his track?" said Villefort. "Yes, the servant has given his description. He is a man of from fifty to fifty-two years of age, dark, with black eyes covered with shaggy eyebrows, and a thick mustache. He was dressed in a blue frock-coat, buttoned up to the chin, and wore at his button-hole the rosette of an officer of the Legion of Honor. Yesterday a person exactly corresponding with this description was followed, but he was lost sight of at the corner of the Rue de la Jussienne and the Rue Coq-Heron." Villefort leaned on the back of an arm-chair, for as the minister of police went on speaking he felt his legs bend under him; but when he learned that the unknown had escaped the vigilance of the agent who followed him, he breathed again. "Continue to seek for this man, sir," said the king to the minister of police; "for if, as I am all but convinced, General Quesnel, who would have been so useful to us at this moment, has been murdered, his assassins, Bonapartists or not, shall be cruelly punished." It required all Villefort's coolness not to betray the terror with which this declaration of the king inspired him. "How strange," continued the king, with some asperity; "the police think that they have disposed of the whole matter when they say, `A murder has been committed,' and especially so when they can add, `And we are on the track of the guilty persons.'" "Sire, your majesty will, I trust, be amply satisfied on this point at least." "We shall see. I will no longer detain you, M. de Villefort, for you must be fatigued after so long a journey; go and rest. Of course you stopped at your father's?" A feeling of faintness came over Villefort. "No, sire," he replied, "I alighted at the Hotel de Madrid, in the Rue de Tournon." "But you have seen him?" "Sire, I went straight to the Duc de Blacas." "But you will see him, then?" "I think not, sire." "Ah, I forgot," said Louis, smiling in a manner which proved that all these questions were not made without a motive; "I forgot you and M. Noirtier are not on the best terms possible, and that is another sacrifice made to the royal cause, and for which you should be recompensed." "Sire, the kindness your majesty deigns to evince towards me is a recompense which so far surpasses my utmost ambition that I have nothing more to ask for." "Never mind, sir, we will not forget you; make your mind easy. In the meanwhile" (the king here detached the cross of the Legion of Honor which he usually wore over his blue coat, near the cross of St. Louis, above the order of Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel and St. Lazare, and gave it to Villefort) -- "in the meanwhile take this cross." "Sire," said Villefort, "your majesty mistakes; this is an officer's cross." "Ma foi," said Louis XVIII., "take it, such as it is, for I have not the time to procure you another. Blacas, let it be your care to see that the brevet is made out and sent to M. de Villefort." Villefort's eyes were filled with tears of joy and pride; he took the cross and kissed it. "And now," he said, "may I inquire what are the orders with which your majesty deigns to honor me?" "Take what rest you require, and remember that if you are not able to serve me here in Paris, you may be of the greatest service to me at Marseilles." "Sire," replied Villefort, bowing, "in an hour I shall have quitted Paris." "Go, sir," said the king; "and should I forget you (kings' memories are short), do not be afraid to bring yourself to my recollection. Baron, send for the minister of war. Blacas, remain." "Ah, sir," said the minister of police to Villefort, as they left the Tuileries, "you entered by luck's door – your fortune is made." "Will it be long first?" muttered Villefort, saluting the minister, whose career was ended, and looking about him for a hackney-coach. One passed at the moment, which he hailed; he gave his address to the driver, and springing in, threw himself on the seat, and gave loose to dreams of ambition. Ten minutes afterwards Villefort reached his hotel, ordered horses to be ready in two hours, and asked to have his breakfast brought to him. He was about to begin his repast when the sound of the bell rang sharp and loud. The valet opened the door, and Villefort heard some one speak his name. "Who could know that I was here already?" said the young man. The valet entered. "Well," said Villefort, "what is it? -- Who rang? – Who asked for me?" "A stranger who will not send in his name." "A stranger who will not send in his name! What can he want with me?" "He wishes to speak to you." "To me?" "Yes." "Did he mention my name?" "Yes." "What sort of person is he?" "Why, sir, a man of about fifty." "Short or tall?" "About your own height, sir." "Dark or fair?" "Dark, -- very dark; with black eyes, black hair, black eyebrows." "And how dressed?" asked Villefort quickly. "In a blue frock-coat, buttoned up close, decorated with the Legion of Honor." "It is he!" said Villefort, turning pale. "Eh, pardieu," said the individual whose description we have twice given, entering the door, "what a great deal of ceremony! Is it the custom in Marseilles for sons to keep their fathers waiting in their anterooms?" "Father!" cried Villefort, "then I was not deceived; I felt sure it must be you." "Well, then, if you felt so sure," replied the new-comer, putting his cane in a corner and his hat on a chair, "allow me to say, my dear Gerard, that it was not very filial of you to keep me waiting at the door." "Leave us, Germain," said Villefort. The servant quitted the apartment with evident signs of astonishment.

中文翻译 第十一章　科西嘉岛的魔王 看到这种神色慌张的样子，路易十八就猛地推开了那张他正在写字的桌子。 “出什么事了，男爵先生？”他惊讶地问，“看来你好象是一副大难临头的样子，你这惊慌犹豫的样子，是否与刚才勃拉卡斯先生又加以证实的事有关？” 勃拉卡斯公爵赶紧向男爵走去，那大臣的惊慌的神色完全吓退了这位元老的得意心情，说实在的，在这种情况下，如果是警务大臣战胜了他，实在是比使大臣受到羞辱对他有利得多。 “陛下，”——男爵嚅嚅地说。 “什么事？”路易十八问。那绝望几乎压倒了警务大臣，几乎是扑到了国王的脚下，后者不由得倒退了几步，并皱起了眉头。 “请您快说呀。”他说。 “噢，陛下，灾难降临了，我真该死，我永远也不能饶恕我自己！” “先生我命令你快说。”路易十八说道。 “陛下，逆贼已在二月十八日离开了厄尔巴岛，三月一日登陆了。” “在那儿？——在意大利吗？”国王问。 “在法国，陛下，昂蒂布附近一个小巷口的琪恩湾那儿。” “那逆贼于三月一日在离巴黎七百五十哩的琪恩湾昂布附近登陆，而今天都三月四日了你才得到消息！哦，先生，你告诉我的事是难以叫人想象的，如果不是你得到了一份假情报，那么你就是发疯了。” “唉，陛下，这事千真万确！” 国王做了一个难以形容的，愤怒和惊惶的动作，然后猛地一下子挺直并站了起来，象是这个突然的打击同时击中了他的脸和心一样。“在法国，”他喊到，“这个逆贼已经到了法国了！这么说，他们没有看住这个人，谁知道？或许他们是和他串通的！” “噢，陛下！”勃拉卡斯公爵惊喊到，这事决不该怪罪唐德雷说他不忠。陛下，我们都瞎了眼，警务大臣也同大家一样仅此而已。“ “但是，”——维尔福刚刚说了两个字，便又突然停住了。 “请您原谅，陛下，”他一面说一面欠了一下身子，我的忠诚已使我无法自制了。望陛下宽恕。“ “说吧，先生，大胆地说吧，”国王说道。“看来只有你一个人把这个坏消息及早告诉了我们，现在请你帮助我们找到什么补救的办法！” “陛下，”维尔福说：“逆贼在南方是遭人憎恨的，假如他想在那儿冒险，我们就很容易发动郎格多克和普罗旺斯两省的民众起来反对他。” “那是当然”，大臣说道，只不过是顺着加普和锡斯特龙挺进。 “挺进，他在挺进！”路易十八说。“这么说他是在向巴黎挺进了吗？” 警务大臣一声不响了，这无疑是一种默认。 “陀菲内省呢，先生？”国王问维尔福，“你觉得我们也可能象在普罗旺斯省那样去做吗？” “陛下，我很抱歉不得不禀告陛下一个严酷的事实，陀菲内的民情远不如普罗旺斯或朗格多克。那些山民都是拿破仑党分子，陛下。” “那么，路易十八喃喃地说，”他的情报倒很正确了，他带了多少人？“ “我不知道。陛下。警务大臣说。 “什么！你不知道，你没去打听打听这方面的消息？是啊，这件事没什么了不起，”他说着苦笑了一下。 “陛下，这是没法知道的，快报上只提到了登陆和逆贼所走的路线。” “你这个快报是怎么来的？” 大臣低下了头，涨红了脸，他喃喃地说，“快报是投递站接力送来的，陛下。” 路易十八向前跨了一步，象拿破仑那样交叉起双臂。“哦，这么说七国联军推翻了那个人，在我经过了二十五年的流亡以后，上天显出奇迹，又把我送到了我父亲的宝座上。在这二十五年中，我研究，探索，分析我的国家和人民和事物，而今正当我全部心愿就要实现的时候，我手里的权力却爆炸了，把我炸得粉碎！” “陛下这是劫数！”大臣轻声地说，他觉得这样的一种压力，在命运之神看来不论多么微不足道，却已经能够压跨一个人了。 “那么，我们的敌人抨击我们说的话没错了，什么都没有学到，什么都不会忘记！假如我也象他那样为国家所共弃，那我倒可以自慰，既然是大家推荐我为尊，他们大家就应该爱护我胜过爱护他们自己才是。因为我的荣辱也就是他们的荣辱，在我继位之前，他们是一无所有的，在我逊位之后，他们也将一无所有，我竟会因他们的愚昧和无能而自取灭亡！噢，是的，先生，你说的不错——这是劫数！”在这一番冷嘲热讽之下，大臣一直躬着腰，不敢抬头。勃拉卡斯德公爵一个劲地擦着他头上的冷汗。只有维尔福暗自得意，因为他觉得他越发显得重要了。 “亡国！”国王路易又说，他一眼就看出了国王将要坠入的深渊——。“亡国，从快报上才知道亡国的消息！噢，我情愿踏上我哥哥路易十六的断头台而不愿意这样丑态百出地被人赶下杜伊勒宫的楼梯。笑话呀，你为什么不知道他在法国的力量，而这原是你应该知道的！” “陛下，陛下，”大臣咕哝地说，“陛下开恩——” “请您过来，维尔福先生，”国王又对那青年说道，后者一动也不动，屏住了呼吸，倾听一场关系到一个国王的命运的谈话，——“来来，告诉大臣先生，他所不知道的一切，别人却能事先知道。” “陛下，那个人一手遮盖住了天下人的耳目，谁也无法事先知道这个计划。” “无法知道，这是多么伟大的字眼，不幸的是我已经都知道了，天下确实有伟大的字眼，先生，一位大臣他手里有庞大的机关，有警察，有秘探，有一百五十万法朗的秘密活动经费，竟无法说出离法国一百八十里以外的情况。难道真的无法知道，那么，看看吧，这儿有一位先生，他的手下并没有这些条件，只是一个法官，可他却比你和所有警务都知道的多。假如，他象你那样有权指挥快报机构的话，他早就可以帮我保住这顶皇冠啦。” 警务大臣的眼光都转到维尔福身上，神色中带着仇恨，后者却带着胜利的谦逊低下了头。 “我并没有在说您，勃拉卡斯，”路易十八继续说道，“因为算是您没有发现什么，但至少您很明达，曾坚持您的怀疑，要是换了个人，就会认为维尔福先生的发现是无足轻重的，或他只是想贪功邀赏罢了。”这些话是射向警务大臣一小时前带着极为自信的口气所发的那番议论的，维尔福很明白国王讲话的意图。 要是换了别人，也许被这一番赞誉所陶醉，而忘乎所以了，但他怕自己会成为警务大臣的死敌，他已看出大臣的失败是无可挽回的了。事情也确实如此，这位大臣的权力在握的时候虽不能揭穿拿破仑的秘密，但在他垂死挣扎之际，却可能揭穿他的秘密，因为他只要问一问唐太斯便一切都明白了，所以维尔福不得不落井下石，反而来帮他一把了。 “陛下，”维尔福说，事态变化之迅速足以向陛下证明：只有上帝掀起一阵风暴才能把它止祝陛下誉臣有先见之明，实际上我纯粹是出于偶然，我只不过象一个忠心的臣仆那样抓住了这个偶然的机会而已。陛下，请不要对我过奖了，否则，我将来恐怕再无机会来附和您的好意了。“ 警务大臣向这位青年人投去了感激的一瞥，维尔福明白他的计划已经成功了，也就是说他既没有损害了国王的感激之情，又新交上了一个朋友，必要时，也许可以依靠他呢。 “那也好，”国王又开始说道，“先生们，”他转过向勃拉卡斯公爵和警务大臣说道，“我对你们没有什么可以谈的了，你们可以退下了。剩下的事必须由陆军部来办理了。” “幸亏，陛下，”勃拉卡斯说，“我们可以信赖陆军，陛下知道。所有的报告都证实他们是忠心耿耿的。” “先生，别再向我提起报告了！我现在已经知道可以信赖他们的程度了，可是，说到报告，男爵阁下，你知道有关圣。杰克司事件的消息吗？” “圣。杰克司街的事件！”维尔福禁不住惊叫了一声。然后，又急忙换了口气说，“请您原谅，陛下，我对陛下的忠诚使我忘记了——倒不是忘记了对您的尊敬，而是一时忘记了礼仪。” “请随意一些，先生！”国王答道，“今天你有提出问题的权利。” “陛下，”警务大臣回答道，“我刚才就是来向陛下报告有关这方面的最新消息的，碰巧陛下的注意力都集中到那件可怕的大事上去了，现在陛下恐怕不会再感兴趣了吧。” “恰恰相反，先生，恰恰相反，”路易十八说，“依我看和刚才我们所关心的事一定有关系，奎斯奈尔将军之死或许会引起一次内部的大叛乱。” 维尔福听到奎斯奈尔将军的名字不禁颤粟了一下。 “陛下，”警务大臣说，“事实上，一切证据都说明这他的死，并不象我们以前所相信的那样是自杀，而是一次谋杀。好象是奎斯奈尔将军在离开一个拿破仑党俱乐部的时候失踪的。那天早晨，曾有人和他在一起，并约他在圣。杰克司街相会，不幸的是当那个陌生人进来的时候，将军的贴身保镖正在梳头，他只听到了街名，没听清门牌号码。” 当警务大臣向国王讲述这件事的时候，维尔福全神贯注地听着，脸上一阵红一阵白，好象他的整个生命都维系于这番话上似的。国王把目光转到了他的身上。 “维尔福先生，人们都以为这位奎斯奈尔将军是追随逆贼的，但实际上他却是完全忠心于我的，我觉得他是拿破仑党所设的一次圈套的牺牲品，你是否与我有同感？” “这是可能的，陛下，”维尔福回答。“但现在只知道这些吗？” “他们已经在跟踪那个和他约会的人了。” “已经跟踪他了吗？”维尔福说。 “是的，仆人已把他的外貌描绘了出来。他是一个年约五十一二岁的人，棕褐色皮肤，蓬松的眉毛底下有一双黑色的眼睛，胡子又长又密。他身穿蓝色披风，钮孔上挂着荣誉团军官的玫瑰花形徽章。昨天跟踪到一个人，他的外貌和以上所描过的完全相符，但那人到裘森尼街和高海隆路的拐角上便突然不见了。” 维尔福将身子靠在了椅背上，因为警务大臣在讲述的时候，他直觉得两腿发软，当他听到那人摆脱了跟踪他的密探的时候，他才松了一口气。 “继续追踪这个人，先生，”国王对警务大臣说，“奎斯尔将军目前对我们非常有用，从各方面看来，我相信他是被谋杀的，假如果真如此，那么暗杀他的凶手，不论是否是拿破仑党，都该从严惩处。” 国王讲这些话的，维尔福在极力使自己镇定下来，以免露出恐怖的神色。 “多妙呀！”国王用很尖酸的语气继续说道。“当警务部说‘又发生了一起谋杀案’的时候，尤其是，当他们又加上一句‘我们已经在追踪凶手’的时候，他们就以为一切就都已了结。” “陛下，我相信陛下对此已经满意了。” “等着瞧吧。我不再耽搁你了，男爵。维尔福先生，你经过这次长途旅程，一定很疲乏了，回去休息吧。你大概是下塌在你父亲那儿吧？” 维尔福感到微微有点昏眩。“不，陛下，”他答道，“我下塌在导农街的马德里饭店里。” “你去见过他了吗？” “陛下，我刚到就去找勃拉卡斯公爵先生了。” “但你总得去见他吧？” “我不想去见他，陛下。” “呀，我忘啦，”路易十八说道，随即微笑了一下，借以表示这一切问题是没有任何意图的，“我忘记了你和诺瓦莱埃先生的关系并不太好，这又是效忠王室而作出的一次牺牲，为了两次牺牲你该得到报偿。” “陛下，陛下对我的仁慈已超过了我所希望的最高报偿，我已别无所求了。” “那算什么，先生，我们是不会忘记你的，你放心好了。现在（说到这里，国王将他佩戴在蓝色上衣上的荣誉勋章摘了下来，递给了维尔福，这枚勋章原先戴在他的圣。路易十字勋章的旁边。圣。拉柴勋章之上的）——现在暂时先接受这个勋章吧。” “陛下，”维尔福说，“陛下搞错了，这种勋章是军人佩戴的。” “是啊！”路易十八说，“拿着吧，就算这样吧，因为我来不及给你弄个别的了。勃拉卡斯，您记得把荣誉勋位证书发给维尔福先生。” 维尔福的眼睛里充满了喜悦和得意的泪水。他接过勋章在上面吻了一下。“现在，”他说，“我能问一下：陛下还有什么命令赐我去执行吗？” “你需要休息，先休息去吧，要记住，你虽然不能在巴黎这儿为我服务，但你在马赛对我也是很有用处呢。” “陛下，”维尔福一面鞠躬，一面回答，“我在一个钟头之内就要离开巴黎了。” “去吧，先生，”国王说，“假如我忘了你（国王记忆力都不强），就设法使我想起你来，不用怕。男爵先生，去叫军政大臣来。勃拉卡斯，你留在这儿。” “啊，先生，”在他们离开杜伊勒里宫的时候，警务部长对维尔福说，“您走的门路不错，您的前程远大！”“谁知道能否真的前程远大？”维尔福心里这样思忖着，一面向大臣致敬告别，他的任务已经完成了，他环顾四周寻找出租的马车。这时正巧有一辆从眼前经过，他便喊住了它，告诉了地址，然后跳到车里，躺在座位上，做起野心梦来了。 十分钟之后，维尔福到了他的旅馆，他吩咐马车两小时后来接他，并吩咐把早餐给他拿来。他正要进餐时，门铃有了，听那铃声，便知道这人果断有力。仆人打开了门，维尔福听到来客提到了他的名字。 “谁会知道我在这儿呢？”青年自问道。 仆人走进来。 “咦，”维尔福说，“什么事？谁拉铃？谁要见我？” “一个陌生人，他不愿意说出他的姓名。” “一个不愿意说出姓名的陌生人，他想干什么？” “他想同您说话。” “同我。” “是的。” “他有没有说出我的名字？” “说了。” “他是个什么样的人。” “唔，先生，是一个五十岁左右的人。” “个头是高是矮？” “跟您差不多，先生。” “头发是黑的还是黄的？” “黑，——黑极了，黑眼睛，黑头发，黑眉毛。” “穿什么衣服？”维尔福急忙问。 “穿一件蓝色的披风，排胸扣的，还挂着荣誉勋章。” “是他！”维尔福说道，脸色变得苍白。 “呃，一点不错！”我们已描绘过两次外貌的那个人走进门来说，“规矩还不少哪！儿子叫他父亲候在外客厅里，这可是马赛的规矩吗？” “父亲！”维尔福喊道，“我没弄错，我觉得这一定是您。” “哦，那么，假如你觉得这样肯定，”来客一面说着，一面把他的手杖靠在了一个角落里，把帽子放在了一张椅子上，“让我告诉你，我亲爱的杰拉尔，你要我这样等在门外可太不客气了。” “你去吧，茄曼。”维尔福说。于是那仆人带着一脸的惊异神色退出了房间。

英文原文 Chapter 12 Father and Son. M. Noirtier -- for it was, indeed, he who entered – looked after the servant until the door was closed, and then, fearing, no doubt, that he might be overheard in the ante-chamber, he opened the door again, nor was the precaution useless, as appeared from the rapid retreat of Germain, who proved that he was not exempt from the sin which ruined our first parents. M. Noirtier then took the trouble to close and bolt the ante-chamber door, then that of the bed-chamber, and then extended his hand to Villefort, who had followed all his motions with surprise which he could not conceal. "Well, now, my dear Gerard," said he to the young man, with a very significant look, "do you know, you seem as if you were not very glad to see me?" "My dear father," said Villefort, "I am, on the contrary, delighted; but I so little expected your visit, that it has somewhat overcome me." "But, my dear fellow," replied M. Noirtier, seating himself, "I might say the same thing to you, when you announce to me your wedding for the 28th of February, and on the 3rd of March you turn up here in Paris." "And if I have come, my dear father," said Gerard, drawing closer to M. Noirtier, "do not complain, for it is for you that I came, and my journey will be your salvation." "Ah, indeed!" said M. Noirtier, stretching himself out at his ease in the chair. "Really, pray tell me all about it, for it must be interesting." "Father, you have heard speak of a certain Bonapartist club in the Rue Saint-Jacques?" "No. 53; yes, I am vice-president." "Father, your coolness makes me shudder." "Why, my dear boy, when a man has been proscribed by the mountaineers, has escaped from Paris in a hay-cart, been hunted over the plains of Bordeaux by Robespierre's bloodhounds, he becomes accustomed to most things. But go on, what about the club in the Rue Saint-Jacques?" "Why, they induced General Quesnel to go there, and General Quesnel, who quitted his own house at nine o'clock in the evening, was found the next day in the Seine." "And who told you this fine story?" "The king himself." "Well, then, in return for your story," continued Noirtier,"I will tell you another." "My dear father, I think I already know what you are about to tell me." "Ah, you have heard of the landing of the emperor?" "Not so loud, father, I entreat of you -- for your own sake as well as mine. Yes, I heard this news, and knew it even before you could; for three days ago I posted from Marseilles to Paris with all possible speed, half-desperate at the enforced delay." "Three days ago? You are crazy. Why, three days ago the emperor had not landed." "No matter, I was aware of his intention." "How did you know about it?" "By a letter addressed to you from the Island of Elba." "To me?" "To you; and which I discovered in the pocket-book of the messenger. Had that letter fallen into the hands of another, you, my dear father, would probably ere this have been shot." Villefort's father laughed. "Come, come," said he, "will the Restoration adopt imperial methods so promptly? Shot, my dear boy? What an idea! Where is the letter you speak of? I know you too well to suppose you would allow such a thing to pass you." "I burnt it, for fear that even a fragment should remain; for that letter must have led to your condemnation." "And the destruction of your future prospects," replied Noirtier; "yes, I can easily comprehend that. But I have nothing to fear while I have you to protect me." "I do better than that, sir -- I save you." "You do? Why, really, the thing becomes more and more dramatic -- explain yourself." "I must refer again to the club in the Rue Saint-Jacques." "It appears that this club is rather a bore to the police. Why didn't they search more vigilantly? they would have found" -- "They have not found; but they are on the track." "Yes, that the usual phrase; I am quite familiar with it. When the police is at fault, it declares that it is on the track; and the government patiently awaits the day when it comes to say, with a sneaking air, that the track is lost." "Yes, but they have found a corpse; the general has been killed, and in all countries they call that a murder." "A murder do you call it? why, there is nothing to prove that the general was murdered. People are found every day in the Seine, having thrown themselves in, or having been drowned from not knowing how to swim." "Father, you know very well that the general was not a man to drown himself in despair, and people do not bathe in the Seine in the month of January. No, no, do not be deceived; this was murder in every sense of the word." "And who thus designated it?" "The king himself." "The king! I thought he was philosopher enough to allow that there was no murder in politics. In politics, my dear fellow, you know, as well as I do, there are no men, but ideas -- no feelings, but interests; in politics we do not kill a man, we only remove an obstacle, that is all. Would you like to know how matters have progressed? Well, I will tell you. It was thought reliance might be placed in General Quesnel; he was recommended to us from the Island of Elba; one of us went to him, and invited him to the Rue Saint-Jacques, where he would find some friends. He came there, and the plan was unfolded to him for leaving Elba, the projected landing, etc. When he had heard and comprehended all to the fullest extent, he replied that he was a royalist. Then all looked at each other, -- he was made to take an oath, and did so, but with such an ill grace that it was really tempting Providence to swear him, and yet, in spite of that, the general was allowed to depart free -- perfectly free. Yet he did not return home. What could that mean? why, my dear fellow, that on leaving us he lost his way, that's all. A murder? really, Villefort, you surprise me. You, a deputy procureur, to found an accusation on such bad premises! Did I ever say to you, when you were fulfilling your character as a royalist, and cut off the head of one of my party, `My son, you have committed a murder?' No, I said, `Very well, sir, you have gained the victory; to-morrow, perchance, it will be our turn.'" "But, father, take care; when our turn comes, our revenge will be sweeping." "I do not understand you." "You rely on the usurper's return?" "We do." "You are mistaken; he will not advance two leagues into the interior of France without being followed, tracked, and caught like a wild beast." "My dear fellow, the emperor is at this moment on the way to Grenoble; on the 10th or 12th he will be at Lyons, and on the 20th or 25th at Paris." "The people will rise." "Yes, to go and meet him." "He has but a handful of men with him, and armies will be despatched against him." "Yes, to escort him into the capital. Really, my dear Gerard, you are but a child; you think yourself well informed because the telegraph has told you, three days after the landing, `The usurper has landed at Cannes with several men. He is pursued.' But where is he? what is he doing? You do not know at all, and in this way they will chase him to Paris, without drawing a trigger." "Grenoble and Lyons are faithful cities, and will oppose to him an impassable barrier." "Grenoble will open her gates to him with enthusiasm – all Lyons will hasten to welcome him. Believe me, we are as well informed as you, and our police are as good as your own. Would you like a proof of it? well, you wished to conceal your journey from me, and yet I knew of your arrival half an hour after you had passed the barrier. You gave your direction to no one but your postilion, yet I have your address, and in proof I am here the very instant you are going to sit at table. Ring, then, if you please, for a second knife, fork, and plate, and we will dine together." "Indeed!" replied Villefort, looking at his father with astonishment, "you really do seem very well informed." "Eh? the thing is simple enough. You who are in power have only the means that money produces -- we who are in expectation, have those which devotion prompts." "Devotion!" said Villefort, with a sneer. "Yes, devotion; for that is, I believe, the phrase for hopeful ambition." And Villefort's father extended his hand to the bell-rope, to summon the servant whom his son had not called. Villefort caught his arm. "Wait, my dear father," said the young man, "one word more." "Say on." "However stupid the royalist police may be, they do know one terrible thing." "What is that?" "The description of the man who, on the morning of the day when General Quesnel disappeared, presented himself at his house." "Oh, the admirable police have found that out, have they?And what may be that description?" "Dark complexion; hair, eyebrows, and whiskers, black; blue frock-coat, buttoned up to the chin; rosette of an officer of the Legion of Honor in his button-hole; a hat with wide brim, and a cane." "Ah, ha, that's it, is it?" said Noirtier; "and why, then, = have they not laid hands on him?" "Because yesterday, or the day before, they lost sight of him at the corner of the Rue Coq-Heron." "Didn't I say that your police were good for nothing?" "Yes; but they may catch him yet." "True," said Noirtier, looking carelessly around him, "true, if this person were not on his guard, as he is;" and he added with a smile, "He will consequently make a few changes in his personal appearance." At these words he rose, and put off his frock-coat and cravat, went towards a table on which lay his son's toilet articles, lathered his face, took a razor, and, with a firm hand, cut off the compromising whiskers. Villefort watched him with alarm not devoid of admiration. His whiskers cut off, Noirtier gave another turn to his hair; took, instead of his black cravat, a colored neckerchief which lay at the top of an open portmanteau; put on, in lieu of his blue and high-buttoned frock-coat, a coat of Villefort's of dark brown, and cut away in front; tried on before the glass a narrow-brimmed hat of his son's, which appeared to fit him perfectly, and, leaving his cane in the corner where he had deposited it, he took up a small bamboo switch, cut the air with it once or twice, and walked about with that easy swagger which was one of his principal characteristics. "Well," he said, turning towards his wondering son, when this disguise was completed, "well, do you think your police will recognize me now." "No, father," stammered Villefort; "at least, I hope not." "And now, my dear boy," continued Noirtier, "I rely on your prudence to remove all the things which I leave in your care." "Oh, rely on me," said Villefort. "Yes, yes; and now I believe you are right, and that you have really saved my life; be assured I will return the favor hereafter." Villefort shook his head. "You are not convinced yet?" "I hope at least, that you may be mistaken." "Shall you see the king again?" "Perhaps." "Would you pass in his eyes for a prophet?" "Prophets of evil are not in favor at the court, father." "True, but some day they do them justice; and supposing a second restoration, you would then pass for a great man." "Well, what should I say to the king?" "Say this to him: `Sire, you are deceived as to the feeling in France, as to the opinions of the towns, and the prejudices of the army; he whom in Paris you call the Corsican ogre, who at Nevers is styled the usurper, is already saluted as Bonaparte at Lyons, and emperor at Grenoble. You think he is tracked, pursued, captured; he is advancing as rapidly as his own eagles. The soldiers you believe to be dying with hunger, worn out with fatigue, ready to desert, gather like atoms of snow about the rolling ball as it hastens onward. Sire, go, leave France to its real master, to him who acquired it, not by purchase, but by right of conquest; go, sire, not that you incur any risk, for your adversary is powerful enough to show you mercy, but because it would be humiliating for a grandson of Saint Louis to owe his life to the man of Arcola, Marengo, Austerlitz.' Tell him this, Gerard; or, rather, tell him nothing. Keep your journey a secret; do not boast of what you have come to Paris to do, or have done; return with all speed; enter Marseilles at night, and your house by the back-door, and there remain, quiet, submissive, secret, and, above all, inoffensive; for this time, I swear to you, we shall act like powerful men who know their enemies. Go, my son -- go, my dear Gerard, and by your obedience to my paternal orders, or, if you prefer it, friendly counsels, we will keep you in your place. This will be," added Noirtier, with a smile, "one means by which you may a second time save me, if the political balance should some day take another turn, and cast you aloft while hurling me down. Adieu, my dear Gerard, and at your next journey alight at my door." Noirtier left the room when he had finished, with the same calmness that had characterized him during the whole of this remarkable and trying conversation. Villefort, pale and agitated, ran to the window, put aside the curtain, and saw him pass, cool and collected, by two or three ill-looking men at the corner of the street, who were there, perhaps, to arrest a man with black whiskers, and a blue frock-coat, and hat with broad brim. Villefort stood watching, breathless, until his father had disappeared at the Rue Bussy. Then he turned to the various articles he had left behind him, put the black cravat and blue frock-coat at the bottom of the portmanteau, threw the hat into a dark closet, broke the cane into small bits and flung it in the fire, put on his travelling-cap, and calling his valet, checked with a look the thousand questions he was ready to ask, paid his bill, sprang into his carriage, which was ready, learned at Lyons that Bonaparte had entered Grenoble, and in the midst of the tumult which prevailed along the road, at length reached Marseilles, a prey to allbthe hopes and fears which enter into the heart of man with ambition and its first successes.

中文翻译 第十二章　父与子 诺瓦蒂埃先生因为进来的人的确就是他，用他的眼睛一直跟随着那仆人，一直看到他把门关上，然后，他又走过去把门打开了，无疑他是怕外客厅里有人偷听，这个预防倒并非没用，因为，从茄曼的突然退下这个行动上来看，他显然也犯了我们的始祖因之而堕落的原罪。诺瓦蒂埃先生不怕麻烦地小心地去关上了外客厅的门，又关上了卧室的门，然后才把他的手伸给了维尔福，而后者正带着惊魂未定的神色在呆呆地注视着他的一举一动。 “啊，我亲爱的杰拉尔，”来客对青年说道，并深情地望了他一眼，“你知道么，看样子你似乎并不十分高兴看到我？” “我亲爱的父亲，”维尔福说，“我，恰恰相反，我是很高兴的，只是我没想到您会来，父亲，所以吃了一惊。” “可是，我亲爱的朋友，”诺瓦蒂埃先生一边说，一边找了一个地方坐了下来，“我倒正想对你说这句话，因为你告诉我说你是在二月二十八日订婚，而三月三日却已到了巴黎这儿了。” “我亲爱的父亲，”杰拉尔说着，一面把椅子拉近了诺瓦蒂埃先生，“就算我来了，您也不必抱怨，因为我是为您而来的，我这次来也许能救您的命呢。” “啊，真的吗！”诺瓦蒂埃先生已舒舒服服地躺在椅子里了。“真的，请讲给我听听，法官先生，这一定很有趣。” “父亲，您听说过圣杰克司街有一个拿破仑党俱乐部吗？” “不错，在五十三号，我就是该俱乐部的副主席。” “父亲，您的镇定简直使我有点儿害怕了。” “噢，我的好孩子，一个曾被山岳党所放逐，曾躲在干草车里逃出了巴黎，被罗伯斯庇尔的暗探在波尔多的旷野里追逐过的人，他对很多事情都早已习惯了。请往下说吧，圣杰克司街的俱乐部怎么了？” “哦，他们引诱奎斯尔将军去那里，奎斯奈尔将军是在晚上九点钟离家的，次日在赛纳河里被人发现的。” “这个故事是谁告诉你的？” “国王亲自告诉我的。” “那么好吧，作为对你的故事的回报，”诺瓦蒂埃又说，“我也讲个故事给你听听。” “我亲爱的父亲，我想，我已经知道您要告诉我的是什么了。” “哦，你已听到皇帝陛下登陆的消息了？” “别这么大声，父亲，我求求您，——为了您自己也为了我。是的，我听说这个消息了，甚至比您还早就听说了。三天以前，我以最快的速度，几乎拼命似的从马赛赶到巴黎来，因为我恨不得把我脑子里的所苦恼着的一个念头一下子就送到六百里以外去。” “三天以前！你疯啦？三天以前圣上还没有登陆呢。” “那没有关系，我早已知道他的计划了。” “你是怎么知道的”“ “从一封由厄尔巴岛发出的送给您的信上知道的。” “给我的信？” “是给您的，我是在那送信人的笔记本里发现的。要是那封信落到了别人的手里，您我亲爱的父亲呀，您这个时候大概早已被熗毙啦。”维尔福的父亲大笑起来。“嗯，嗯，”他说，“看来昏君倒也从圣上那儿学到了速断速决的方法了。熗毙！我的好孩子！你这个刑罚执行得太快了吧。你所说的这封信在哪儿？我非常了解你的为人，我想你是不会让这样的一件东西随便乱扔的吧。” “我把它给烧了，就怕留下只字片言，因为那封信简直就是您的判决书。” “而且还会断送你的前程，”诺瓦蒂埃说道，“是的，这一点我倒不难理解。既然有你来保护我我就什么都不必怕了。” “我不仅仅是保护了您，先生，我救了您的命！” “是吗？咦，事情真是愈来愈戏剧化了，请你再说说看！” “我得再回到圣杰克司街那个俱乐部的话题上去。” “看来这俱乐部倒颇使警务部头痛。那他们为什么不再仔细地搜一搜呢？他们会找到——” “他们没有找到，但他们已经有线索了。” “不过那是老生常谈，这句话的意思我知道得很清楚。当警务部没有办法的时候，他们就宣称已经有线索了，于是政府就耐心地等着，直等到有一天，他们说象一溜青烟一样，那个线索失踪了。” “不错，但他们找到了一具尸体，奎斯奈尔将军被害了，而在世界各国，他们都称那是一次谋杀。” “谋杀！你是这样认为吗？咦，根本没有任何证据可以证明将军是被谋杀的呀。赛纳河里每天都可能捞到死人，或是自己跳下去的，或是因为不会游泳而淹死的。” “父亲，您知道得很清楚，将军并不是一个会因绝望而跳水自杀的人，大正月里也不会有人在赛纳河里洗澡。不，不！不要弄错了，这次的死明明是一次谋杀。” “这是谁定性的？” “国王亲自说的。” “国王！我还当他是一个哲学家，能懂得政治上并无谋杀这件事呢。亲爱的，你我都知道得很清楚，在政治上，是没有人的存在的，只有主义，没有感情可言，只有利害。在政治上，我们不是杀了一个人，而是除去了一个障碍。你想不想知道实情？好吧，我来告诉你。最初大家都很信赖奎斯奈尔将军，他是厄尔巴岛方面介绍来的。我们中有人到他那儿去邀请他到圣杰克司街去，请他去见几个朋友。他去了，大家就把计划告诉了他，如何离开厄尔巴岛，在什么时间登陆等等。当他知道了详情以后，他回答说，他是一个保皇党。当时大家都面面相觑，我们叫他发誓保守秘密，他发了个誓，但口是心非，以致真的激怒了上天来显灵报应！尽管如此，大家还是让将军自由地离开了，完全让他自由了。可是他却没回家。让我怎么说呢？唉，亲爱的，很可能他在离开我们之后，他迷了路。你说谋杀！真的，维尔福，你太令我吃惊了！你，一个代理检察官，竟如此捕风捉影地给人定罪！当你为王宅尽忠，把我党的一个成员杀头的时候，我是否对你说过，‘我的儿子，你犯了谋杀罪啦？’没有，我只是说，‘好极了，先生，你得胜了，明天，说不定，胜利又是我们的了。“ “但是，父亲，要注意，当我们胜利了的时候，我们的报复可是铁面无情的。” “我不懂你的意思。” “您是在指望逆贼复位吗？” “我们是这样想的。” “您错啦，他在法国境内还走不出五里路，就会被跟踪，追逐的，象一只野兽那样被抓住的。” “我亲爱的朋友，圣上这个时候已在格勒诺布尔的路上了。十一、二日他就会到达里昂，而在二十日或二十五日到达巴黎。” “人民会起来——” “是的，起来迎接他的。” “他只带了几个人来，而我们会派军队去剿灭他的。” “是的，他们会护送他进首都的。真的，我亲爱的杰拉尔，你只是个小孩子，你自以为消息很灵通，因为有一份急报在皇上登陆后对你说，‘逆贼携随从数人于戛纳登陆，已在追逐中。’那么他现在在哪儿？在干些什么？恐怕你一点都不知道吧。他在被追逐中，你所知道的仅此而已。妙极了，象这样，他们可以不费一熗一弹就把他直追到巴黎来。” “格勒诺布尔和里昂都是效忠王室的城市，人民会起来反对他，使那儿变成一道插翅难飞的关卡。” “格勒诺布尔会热情地为他大开城门的，全里昂的人也都会赶快出来欢迎的。相信我，我们同你们一样消息灵通；我们的警务部也象你们的一样效率高。要给你举一个例子来证明吗？就拿你这次到巴黎来说吧。你想瞒过我，尽管你的行踪只告诉了你的马车夫，可是我却得到了你的住址，证据是，你刚在桌子面前一坐下，我就来到了这儿。现在，假如你不介意，请拉一下铃再要一副刀叉碟子来，我们一同进餐吧。” “真是这样！”维尔福惊奇地望着他的父亲回答，“你们的消息看来的确很灵通。” “呃，事情很简单。你们当权的人所拥有的，只不过是金钱能收买到的东西，而我们在野人，却可以得到由信仰所激发的一切。” “信仰？”维尔福微笑着说。 “不错，是信仰。那两个字的含义，我相信，就是有希望的雄心。”说完，维尔福的父亲伸手去准备拉那条叫人的铃绳，想叫侍者进来。维尔福却按住了他的手臂。 “等一等，我亲爱的父亲，青年说道，我再说一句话。” “说吧。” “不管保皇党的警务部多么无能，他们却知道一件可怕的事。” “什么事？” “就是有个人的外貌特征在奎斯奈将军失踪的那天早上到将军家里去过。” “哦，能干的警务部知道了这件事，那个人的外貌特征什么样？” “褐色的皮肤，头发，眉毛胡须，都是黑的，排胸扣的蓝色披风，钮扣上挂着荣誉团军官的玫瑰形勋章，戴阔边帽子，一支藤手杖。” “啊，啊！他们知道了这一切？”诺瓦蒂埃说，“那么，为什么他们不捉住那个人？” “因为昨天，或者前天，他们跟踪那人到高海隆路拐角上的时候，把他给跟丢了。” “我说你们警备部是些脓包吗？” “是的，或许他们迟早会捉到他的。” “不错，”诺瓦蒂埃说，随即漫不经心地环四周看了看——“不错，假如这个人事先没有得到警告或许会被他们抓住的，但现在他已经得到了警告。”他微笑了一下又说，“因此他就要改变他的相貌和穿着了，说着他走到放梳妆品的桌子前面，在脸上擦了一些肥皂，拿起一把剃刀，用一只结实的手刮掉那险些给他添麻烦的胡子，因为它们是给警务部留下了非常明显的印象。维尔福惊奇地注视着他。 胡子刮掉了，诺瓦蒂埃又把他的头发重新整理了一下，然后，拿起一条放在一只打开着的旅行皮包上面的花领巾，打了上去，穿上了维尔福的一件燕尾服式的棕黑色的一衣，脱下了他自己那件高领蓝色披风，在镜子前面试，他又拿了他儿子的一顶狭边帽子，觉得非常合适；把手杖放在原先那个壁炉角落里，拿起一支细竹手杖，用他那有力的手虎虎地试了一下，这支细手杖是文雅代理法官走路时用的，拿着它更显得从容轻快，这是他的主要特征之一。 “好了”化完了妆以后，他转过身来寻着他惊讶得目瞪口呆的儿子说，“怎么样，你们警务部还能认出吗？” “认不出来了，父亲。维尔福讷纳地说，”至少，我希望如此。“ “现在，我亲爱的孩子，”诺瓦蒂埃又说，“我留给你来照料这些东西，全凭你的谨慎来把它处理掉了。” “哦，放心好了。”维尔福说。 “是，是的，我现在相信你的确说的不错，你真的救了我的命，但你放心，我很快就会向你报恩的。” 维尔福摇摇头。 “你不相信？” “至少，我希望是您弄错了。” “你愿不愿意在他面前当一个预言家呢？” “讲祸事的预言家是不受宫廷欢迎的，父亲。” “不错，但他们总有一天会得到报偿的，假如真的发生了第二次的复辟，你那时就可以成为一个伟人了。” “好吧，我对国王该说些什么呢？” “对他这样说：”陛下，关于法国的形势，市民的舆论，军队的士气，您受骗了。那个在巴黎被您称为科西嘉岛的魔王，在内韦尔被冠以逆贼头衔的人，已经在里昂被人欢呼为波拿巴，在格勒诺布尔被尊为皇帝了。您以为他是在被围剿，被追逐，或将要被擒获了，但他却在迅速前进，就象他所养的鹰那样。 您所信赖的士兵都快要饿死，累死啦，他们随时都准备着开小差，然后象雪片附在向前滚的雪球似地赶到他那儿去。陛下，走吧！把法兰西让给它真正的主了吧，让给那个不是把它买到手，而是征服它的人吧。 走吧，陛下，倒并不是因为您会遇到什么危险，因为您的对手很强大，会宽容您的，面对圣。路易的孙子来说，竟让那个打赢了阿柯尔战役，马伦戈战役，奥斯特利茨战役的那个人饶他一命未免也太丢脸了。‘ 就对他这样说，或者，最好还是什么也不要告诉他。把你这次行程严守秘密，别吹嘘你到巴黎来干什么，或曾干了什么。赶快回去，在黑夜里进入马赛，从后门溜回家，静静地，服服贴贴地，不声不响地呆在那儿，而最重要的，就是不要惹人讨厌，因为这一次，我敢向你保证，我们认清了谁是敌人以后要给以狠狠的惩罚的。 走吧，我的儿子，走吧，我亲爱的杰拉尔，假如你能听从我的话或者如果你高兴，把它算作友好的忠告也行，我们还可以保留你的原职的。这个，“诺瓦蒂埃微笑了一下又说，”就算是一种交易吧，假如有一天，在政治的天平上你高我低的时候，还希望你再救我一命。再见了，我亲爱的杰拉尔，下次再来时，请在我的门口下车。“诺瓦蒂埃在讲这番话后，他便以同样安祥的态度离开了房间。维尔福脸色苍白，急忙奔到窗前，撩开窗帘，看着他泰然自若地走过街口两三个鬼头鬼脑的人的身边，这两三个人，也许就是等候在那儿来抓一个长黑胡子的，穿蓝色披风，戴阔边呢帽的人的。维尔福屏息静气地站在那儿呆望着，直望到他的父亲拐入了蒲赛街。然后他转过身来急忙去处理他留下来的那堆东西，把那黑领结和蓝披风塞进旅行包的箱底里，把帽子仍进了黑洞洞的壁厨里，把手杖折成几段，一下子投进了壁炉，然后戴上他的旅行便帽，叫仆人来，用眼色示意让他不要提任何问题，付了饭店的账，跳上那辆早已等候着的马车里，他在里昂得知波拿巴已进入格勒诺布尔，沿途到处都是兵荒马乱的，他终于到达马赛，这个野心勃勃的人初尝成功的喜悦，但同时，他心中又充满了种种希望和忧虑。

英文原版 Chapter 13 The Hundred Days. M. Noirtier was a true prophet, and things progressed rapidly, as he had predicted. Every one knows the history of the famous return from Elba, a return which was unprecedented in the past, and will probably remain without a counterpart in the future. Louis XVIII. made but a faint attempt to parry this unexpected blow; the monarchy he had scarcely reconstructed tottered on its precarious foundation, and at a sign from the emperor the incongruous structure of ancient prejudices and new ideas fell to the ground. Villefort, therefore, gained nothing save the king's gratitude (which was rather likely to injure him at the present time) and the cross of the Legion of Honor, which he had the prudence not to wear, although M. de Blacas had duly forwarded the brevet. Napoleon would, doubtless, have deprived Villefort of his office had it not been for Noirtier, who was all powerful at court, and thus the Girondin of '93 and the Senator of 1806 protected him who so lately had been his protector. All Villefort's influence barely enabled him to stifle the secret Dantes had so nearly divulged. The king's procureur alone was deprived of his office, being suspected of royalism. However, scarcely was the imperial power established – that is, scarcely had the emperor re-entered the Tuileries and begun to issue orders from the closet into which we have introduced our readers, -- he found on the table there Louis XVIII.'s half-filled snuff-box, -- scarcely had this occurred when Marseilles began, in spite of the authorities, to rekindle the flames of civil war, always smouldering in the south, and it required but little to excite the populace to acts of far greater violence than the shouts and insults with which they assailed the royalists whenever they ventured abroad. Owing to this change, the worthy shipowner became at that moment -- we will not say all powerful, because Morrel was a prudent and rather a timid man, so much so, that many of the most zealous partisans of Bonaparte accused him of "moderation" -- but sufficiently influential to make a demand in favor of Dantes. Villefort retained his place, but his marriage was put off until a more favorable opportunity. If the emperor remained on the throne, Gerard required a different alliance to aid his career; if Louis XVIII. returned, the influence of M. de Saint-Meran, like his own, could be vastly increased, and the marriage be still more suitable. The deputy-procureur was, therefore, the first magistrate of Marseilles, when one morning his door opened, and M. Morrel was announced. Any one else would have hastened to receive him; but Villefort was a man of ability, and he knew this would be a sign of weakness. He made Morrel wait in the ante-chamber, although he had no one with him, for the simple reason that the king's procureur always makes every one wait, and after passing a quarter of an hour in reading the papers, he ordered M. Morrel to be admitted. Morrel expected Villefort would be dejected; he found him as he had found him six weeks before, calm, firm, and full of that glacial politeness, that most insurmountable barrier which separates the well-bred from the vulgar man. He had entered Villefort's office expecting that the magistrate would tremble at the sight of him; on the contrary, he felt a cold shudder all over him when he saw Villefort sitting there with his elbow on his desk, and his head leaning on his hand. He stopped at the door; Villefort gazed at him as if he had some difficulty in recognizing him; then, after a brief interval, during which the honest shipowner turned his hat in his hands, -- "M. Morrel, I believe?" said Villefort. "Yes, sir." "Come nearer," said the magistrate, with a patronizing wave of the hand, "and tell me to what circumstance I owe the honor of this visit." "Do you not guess, monsieur?" asked Morrel. "Not in the least; but if I can serve you in any way I shall be delighted." "Everything depends on you." "Explain yourself, pray." "Monsieur," said Morrel, recovering his assurance as he proceeded, "do you recollect that a few days before the landing of his majesty the emperor, I came to intercede for a young man, the mate of my ship, who was accused of being concerned in correspondence with the Island of Elba? What was the other day a crime is to-day a title to favor. You then served Louis XVIII., and you did not show any favor -- it was your duty; to-day you serve Napoleon, and you ought to protect him -- it is equally your duty; I come, therefore, to ask what has become of him?" Villefort by a strong effort sought to control himself. "What is his name?" said he. "Tell me his name." "Edmond Dantes." Villefort would probably have rather stood opposite the muzzle of a pistol at five-and-twenty paces than have heard this name spoken; but he did not blanch. "Dantes," repeated he, "Edmond Dantes." "Yes, monsieur." Villefort opened a large register, then went to a table, from the table turned to his registers, and then, turning to Morrel, -- "Are you quite sure you are not mistaken, monsieur?" said he, in the most natural tone in the world. Had Morrel been a more quick-sighted man, or better versed in these matters, he would have been surprised at the king's procureur answering him on such a subject, instead of referring him to the governors of the prison or the prefect of the department. But Morrel, disappointed in his expectations of exciting fear, was conscious only of the other's condescension. Villefort had calculated rightly. "No," said Morrel; "I am not mistaken. I have known him for ten years, the last four of which he was in my service. Do not you recollect, I came about six weeks ago to plead for clemency, as I come to-day to plead for justice. You received me very coldly. Oh, the royalists were very severe with the Bonapartists in those days." "Monsieur," returned Villefort, "I was then a royalist, because I believed the Bourbons not only the heirs to the throne, but the chosen of the nation. The miraculous return of Napoleon has conquered me, the legitimate monarch is he who is loved by his people." "That's right!" cried Morrel. "I like to hear you speak thus, and I augur well for Edmond from it." "Wait a moment," said Villefort, turning over the leaves of a register; "I have it -- a sailor, who was about to marry a young Catalan girl. I recollect now; it was a very serious charge." "How so?" "You know that when he left here he was taken to the Palais de Justice." "Well?" "I made my report to the authorities at Paris, and a week after he was carried off." "Carried off!" said Morrel. "What can they have done with him?" "Oh, he has been taken to Fenestrelles, to Pignerol, or to the Sainte-Marguerite islands. Some fine morning he will return to take command of your vessel." "Come when he will, it shall be kept for him. But how is it he is not already returned? It seems to me the first care of government should be to set at liberty those who have suffered for their adherence to it." "Do not be too hasty, M. Morrel," replied Villefort. "The order of imprisonment came from high authority, and the order for his liberation must proceed from the same source; and, as Napoleon has scarcely been reinstated a fortnight, the letters have not yet been forwarded." "But," said Morrel, "is there no way of expediting all these formalities -- of releasing him from arrest?" "There has been no arrest." "How?" "It is sometimes essential to government to cause a man's disappearance without leaving any traces, so that no written forms or documents may defeat their wishes." "It might be so under the Bourbons, but at present" -- "It has always been so, my dear Morrel, since the reign of Louis XIV. The emperor is more strict in prison discipline than even Louis himself, and the number of prisoners whose names are not on the register is incalculable." Had Morrel even any suspicions, so much kindness would have dispelled them. "Well, M. de Villefort, how would you advise me to act?" asked he. "Petition the minister." "Oh, I know what that is; the minister receives two hundred petitions every day, and does not read three." "That is true; but he will read a petition countersigned and presented by me." "And will you undertake to deliver it?" "With the greatest pleasure. Dantes was then guilty, and now he is innocent, and it is as much my duty to free him as it was to condemn him." Villefort thus forestalled any danger of an inquiry, which, however improbable it might be, if it did take place would leave him defenceless. "But how shall I address the minister?" "Sit down there," said Villefort, giving up his place to Morrel, "and write what I dictate." "Will you be so good?" "Certainly. But lose no time; we have lost too much already." "That is true. Only think what the poor fellow may even now be suffering." Villefort shuddered at the suggestion; but he had gone too far to draw back. Dantes must be crushed to gratify Villefort's ambition. Villefort dictated a petition, in which, from an excellent intention, no doubt, Dantes' patriotic services were exaggerated, and he was made out one of the most active agents of Napoleon's return. It was evident that at the sight of this document the minister would instantly release him. The petition finished, Villefort read it aloud. "That will do," said he; "leave the rest to me." "Will the petition go soon?" "To-day." "Countersigned by you?" "The best thing I can do will be to certify the truth of the contents of your petition." And, sitting down, Villefort wrote the certificate at the bottom. "What more is to be done?" "I will do whatever is necessary." This assurance delighted Morrel, who took leave of Villefort, and hastened to announce to old Dantes that he would soon see his son. As for Villefort, instead of sending to Paris, he carefully preserved the petition that so fearfully compromised Dantes, in the hopes of an event that seemed not unlikely, -- that is, a second restoration. Dantes remained a prisoner, and heard not the noise of the fall of Louis XVIII.'s throne, or the still more tragic destruction of the empire. Twice during the Hundred Days had Morrel renewed his demand, and twice had Villefort soothed him with promises. At last there was Waterloo, and Morrel came no more; he had done all that was in his power, and any fresh attempt would only compromise himself uselessly. Louis XVIII. remounted the throne; Villefort, to whom Marseilles had become filled with remorseful memories, sought and obtained the situation of king's procureur at Toulouse, and a fortnight afterwards he married Mademoiselle de Saint-Meran, whose father now stood higher at court than ever. And so Dantes, after the Hundred Days and after Waterloo, remained in his dungeon, forgotten of earth and heaven. Danglars comprehended the full extent of the wretched fate that overwhelmed Dantes; and, when Napoleon returned to France, he, after the manner of mediocre minds, termed the coincidence, "a decree of Providence." But when Napoleon returned to Paris, Danglars' heart failed him, and he lived in constant fear of Dantes' return on a mission of vengeance. He therefore informed M. Morrel of his wish to quit the sea, and obtained a recommendation from him to a Spanish merchant, into whose service he entered at the end of March, that is, ten or twelve days after Napoleon's return. He then left for Madrid, and was no more heard of. Fernand understood nothing except that Dantes was absent. What had become of him he cared not to inquire. Only, during the respite the absence of his rival afforded him, he reflected, partly on the means of deceiving Mercedes as to the cause of his absence, partly on plans of emigration and abduction, as from time to time he sat sad and motionless on the summit of Cape Pharo, at the spot from whence Marseilles and the Catalans are visible, watching for the apparition of a young and handsome man, who was for him also the messenger of vengeance. Fernand's mind was made up; he would shoot Dantes, and then kill himself. But Fernand was mistaken; a man of his disposition never kills himself, for he constantly hopes. During this time the empire made its last conscription, and every man in France capable of bearing arms rushed to obey the summons of the emperor. Fernand departed with the rest, bearing with him the terrible thought that while he was away, his rival would perhaps return and marry Mercedes. Had Fernand really meant to kill himself, he would have done so when he parted from Mercedes. His devotion, and the compassion he showed for her misfortunes, produced the effect they always produce on noble minds -- Mercedes had always had a sincere regard for Fernand, and this was now strengthened by gratitude. "My brother," said she as she placed his knapsack on his shoulders, "be careful of yourself, for if you are killed, I shall be alone in the world." These words carried a ray of hope into Fernand's heart. Should Dantes not return, Mercedes might one day be his. Mercedes was left alone face to face with the vast plain that had never seemed so barren, and the sea that had never seemed so vast. Bathed in tears she wandered about the Catalan village. Sometimes she stood mute and motionless as a statue, looking towards Marseilles, at other times gazing on the sea, and debating as to whether it were not better to cast herself into the abyss of the ocean, and thus end her woes. It was not want of courage that prevented her putting this resolution into execution; but her religious feelings came to her aid and saved her. Caderousse was, like Fernand, enrolled in the army, but, being married and eight years older, he was merely sent to the frontier. Old Dantes, who was only sustained by hope, lost all hope at Napoleon's downfall. Five months after he had been separated from his son, and almost at the hour of his arrest, he breathed his last in Mercedes' arms. M. Morrel paid the expenses of his funeral, and a few small debts the poor old man had contracted. There was more than benevolence in this action; there was courage; the south was aflame, and to assist, even on his death-bed, the father of so dangerous a Bonapartist as Dantes, was stigmatized as a crime.

中文翻译 第十三章　百日 诺瓦蒂埃先生真是一个预言家，事态的发展正如他所说的那样。谁都知道从爱尔巴岛卷土重来的这次著名的历史事件，——那次奇妙的复归，不仅是史无前例，而且大概也会后无来者。 路易十八对这一猛烈的打击只是软弱无力地抵抗了一下。他这个还没有坐稳的王朝，本来基础就不稳固，一向是摇摇欲坠，只要拿破仑一挥手，这座由旧偏见和新观念不好调和而构成的上层建筑便坍了下来。所以维尔福从国王那里只得了一些感激（这在目前反而可说是对他有害的）和荣誉十字勋章，但对这个勋章，他倒多了个心眼，并没有佩挂它，尽管勃拉卡斯公爵按时把荣誉勋位证书送了来。 诺瓦蒂埃当时成了显赫一时的人物，要不是为了他，拿破仑无疑早就把维尔福免职了。 这个一七九三年的吉伦特党人和一八○六年的上议员保护了这个不久前保护过他的人。 帝国正在复活期间，但已不难预见它的二次倾覆了。维尔福的全部力量都用在封住那几乎被唐太斯所泄漏的秘密上了。只有检察官被免了职，因为他有效忠于王室的嫌疑。 帝国的权力刚刚建立，也就是说，皇帝刚刚住进杜伊勒里宫，从我们已经向读者们介绍过的那间小书房里发出了无数命令，在桌子上路易十八留下的那半空的鼻烟盒还敞开在那里。在马赛，不管官员们的态度如何，老百姓已知道：南北始终未被扑灭的内战的余烬又重新燃起来了；保党人如果敢冒险外出，必定会遭到斥骂和侮辱，这时如果要想挑起人民来报复他们，是不费吹灰之力的。 由于时势的变化，那位可敬的船主在当时虽还说不上势倾全市，因为他毕竟是个谨慎而胆小的人，以致许多最狂热的拿破仑党分子竟斥他为“温和派”，但却已有足够的势力可使他所提出的要求闻达于当局，而他的那个要求，我们不难猜到，是与唐太斯有关的。 维尔福的上司虽已倒台，他本人却依旧保留了原职，只是他的婚事已暂时搁在了一边，以期等待一个更有利的时机。假如皇帝能保住王位，那么杰拉尔就需要一个不同的联姻来帮助他的事业，他的父亲已负责再给他另找一个了。假如路易十八重登王位，则圣。梅朗侯爵以及他本人的势力就会大增，那桩婚事也就比以前更实惠了。 代理检察官暂时当上了马赛的首席法官，一天早晨，仆人推门进来，说莫雷尔先生来访。换了别人很可能就会赶忙去接见船主了。但维尔福是一个很能干的人，他知道这样做等于是在显其软弱。所以尽管他并没有别的客人，但仍让莫雷尔在外客厅里等候，理由只是代理检察官总是要叫每个人都等候一下的，读了一刻钟的报纸以后，他才吩咐请莫雷尔先生进来。 莫雷尔原以为维尔福会显出一副垂头丧气的样子。没想到见到他的时候，发觉他仍象六个星期以前见到他的时候一样，镇定，稳重，冷漠而彬彬有礼，这是教养有素的上等人和平民之间最难逾越的鸿沟。他走进维尔福的书房。满以为那法官见他就会发抖，但正相反，他看到的是维尔福坐在那儿，手肘支在办公桌上，用手托着头，于是他自己感到浑身打了个寒颤。他在门口停了下来。维尔福凝视了他一会儿，象是有点不认识他了似的。在这短短的一瞬间，那诚实的船主只是困惑地把他的帽子在两手中转动着，然后——“ 我想您是莫雷尔先生吧？”维尔福说。 “是的，先生。” “请进来先生，”法官象赐恩似地摆一摆手说，“请告诉我是什么原因使我能有幸看到你的来访。” “您猜不到吗，先生？”莫雷尔问。 “猜不到，但假如我可以做出什么为您效劳的话，我是很高兴的。” “先生，”莫雷尔说，他渐渐恢复了自信心，“您还记得吧，在皇帝陛下登陆的前几天，我曾来为一个青年人求过情，他是我船上的大副，被控与厄尔巴岛有联系。那样的联系，在当时是一种罪名，尽管在今天却已是一种荣耀了。您当时是为路易十八效劳，不能庇护他，那是您的职责。但今天您定是为拿破仑效劳，您就应该保护他了，——这同样也是您的职责。所以我就是来问问那个青年人现在怎么样了。” 维尔福竭力控制住自己。“他叫什么名字？”他问道。“把他的姓名告诉我。” “爱德蒙。唐太斯。” 虽然，维尔福宁愿面对一支二十五步外的熗口也不愿听人提到这个名字，但他依旧面不改色。 “唐太斯？”他重复了一遍，“爱德蒙。唐太斯？” “是的，先生。” 维尔福翻开一大卷档案，放到桌子上，又从桌子上那儿走去翻另外那些档案，然后转向莫雷尔：“您肯定没弄错吗，先生？”他以世界上最自然的口吻说道。 假若莫雷尔再心细一点，或对这种事较有经验的话，那他说应该觉得奇怪，为什么对代理检察官不打发他去问监狱长，去问档案官，而是这样亲自答复他。但此时莫雷尔在维尔福身上没发现半点恐惧，只觉得对方很谦恭。维尔福的作法果然不错。 “没有，”莫雷尔说，“我没弄错。我认识他已经十年了，在他被捕的那一小时里，他还在为我服务呢。 您也许还记得，六个星期以前，我曾来请求您对他从宽办理。正象我今天来请求您对他公道一些一样。您当时接待我的态度非常冷淡，啊，在那个年头里，保皇党人对拿破仑党当时是非常严厉的。” “先生，”维尔福答道，“我当时是一个保皇党人，因为当时我以为波旁家族不仅是王伯的嫡系继承者，而且是国人所拥戴的君主。但皇帝这次奇迹般地复位证明我是错了，只有万民所爱戴的人才是合法的君主。” “这就对了。”莫雷尔大声说道。“我很高兴听到您这样说，我相信可以从您这番话上得到爱德蒙的喜讯。” “等一等，”维尔福一边说，一边翻阅一宗档案，“有了，他是一个水手，而且快要娶一个年轻的迦太兰姑娘了。我现在想起来了，这是一件非常严重的案子。” “怎么回事？” “您知道，他离开这儿以后，就被关到法院的监狱里去了。” “那么后来呢？” “我向巴黎打了个报告，把从他身上找到的文件附送去了。你该明白，这是我的职责。过了一个星期，他就被带走了。“ “带走了！”莫雷尔说。“他们把那个可怜的孩子怎样了呢？” “哦，他大概被送到费尼斯德里，壁尼罗尔，或圣。玛加里岛去了。你一定会在某一天看到他回来再给您当船长的。” “无论他什么时候回来，那个位置都给他保留着。但他怎么还不回来呢？依我看，依拿破仑党法院最关切的事，就该是释放那些被保皇党法院关进监狱里去的人。” “别太心急，莫雷尔先生，”维尔福说道，“凡事我们都得按法律手续进行。禁闭令是上面签发的，他的释放令也得在老地方办理。拿破仑复位还不到两个星期，那些信还没送出去呢。” “但是，”莫雷尔说，“现在我们已经赢了，除了等待办理这些正式手续之外，难道就没有别的办法了吗？我有几个朋友，他们有点势力，我可以弄到一张撤消逮捕的命令的。” “根本就没什么逮捕令。” “那么，在入狱登记簿上勾消他的名字。” “政治犯是不登记的。有时，政府就是用这种办法来使一个人失踪而不留任何痕迹的。入了册就有据可查了。“ “波旁王执政时，或许是那样，但现在——” “任何时代都是这样的，我亲爱的莫雷尔，从路易十四那个时代就开始这样了。皇帝对于狱规的管理比路易更加严格，监狱里不登记姓名的犯人多得不计其数。” 即使莫雷尔再有什么怀疑，这番苦口婆心的辩解也足以使之完全消除了。“那么，维尔福先生，您能否给我个什么忠告以便使可怜的唐太斯快点回来？”他问道。 “去求一下警务大臣吧。” “噢，我知道那意味着什么。大臣每天都要收到两百封请愿书，但他还看不了三封。” “那倒是真的，不过由我签署的，并由我呈上去的请愿书他一定会看的。” “您愿意负责送去吗？” “非常愿意。唐太斯当时有罪，但现在他已无罪了。当时把他判罪和现在使他重获自由都同样是我的职责。” 这样，维尔福就避免了一次调查的危险，一经查究，他可就完了，这虽然并不一定会成为事实，但却是很有可能的。 “可是我怎么去对大臣说明？” “到这儿来，”维尔福一边说，一边把他的座位让给了莫雷尔，“我说，您写。” “真的由您费心来办吗？” “当然罗。别浪费时间了，我们已经浪费得太多啦。” “是的。想想那个可怜的青年人还在那儿等待着，在那儿受苦，或许在那儿绝望了呢。” 维尔福一想到那个犯人在那黑暗寂静的牢房里咒骂他，就不禁打了个寒颤。但他仍不肯让步，在维尔福的野心的重压之下，唐太斯是必须被摧毁的。 维尔福口述了一封措辞美妙的请愿书，他在里面夸大了唐太斯的爱国心和对拿破仑党的功劳。以致唐太斯简直成了使拿破仑卷土重来最出力的一名活跃分子。据推测，一看到这份函件，大臣会立刻释放他的。请愿书写好了，维尔福把它朗诵了一遍。 “成了，”他说，“其余的事交给我来办好了。” “请愿书很快就送去吗？” “今天就送出去。” “由您批署？” “证明您的请愿书内容属实，这是我很乐意做的事。”维尔福说着便坐了下来，在信的末端签上了字。 “还要做什么别的吗？”莫雷尔问。 “去等着吧，”维尔福回答，“一切由我来负责好了。” 这个保证使莫雷尔充满了希望，于是他告别了维尔福，赶快去告诉老唐太斯，说不久就可以看见他的儿子了。 维尔福却并没有履行诺言把信送到巴黎去，而是小心地把那封现在看来可以救唐太斯但未来却极易危害他的请愿书保存了起来，以等待那件似乎并非不可能的事情的发生，好二次复辟。 “这样唐太斯仍然还是犯人，被埋没在黑牢的深处，他根本听不到路易十八垮台的消息，以及帝国倾覆时那更可怕的骚动。 但维尔福却用警觉的目光注视着一切，用警觉的耳朵倾听着一切。在拿破仑复位的“百日”期间，莫雷尔曾先后两次提出他的请求，但都被维尔福甜言蜜语地把他哄骗走了。最后发生了滑铁卢之战，莫雷尔就不再来了。他已尽了他力所能及的一切，这时任何新的尝试不仅徒劳无益而且很可能会有害他自己。 路易十八又重新登上了王位。在马赛能引起维尔福内心愧疚的记忆太多了，所以他请求并获准了调任图卢兹检察官一职，两星期后，他就和蕾妮结婚了，岳父在宫廷里比以前更显赫了。这就说明了在“百日”期间和滑铁卢战役以后，唐太斯为什么会依旧被关在牢里，好象上帝已把他忘了似的，但实际上人们并没有忘记他。 腾格拉尔很清楚他给了唐太斯那一击是多么厉害，他象所有做贼心虚但又要小聪明的人一样，诿称这是天意。当拿破仑回到巴黎以后，腾格拉尔害怕极了，唯恐唐太斯会随时来复仇，于是他便把自己希望出海的想法告诉了莫雷尔先生，得到了一封介绍信，把他介绍给了一个西班牙商人，三月底就到那儿去供职，那是在拿破仑回来后的第十一二天。他当时离开马赛后去了马德里，此后就没有听到他的消息了。 弗尔南多只知道唐太斯已从眼前消失了，其他的事他则一概不知。到底唐太斯怎么样了，他也懒得去问。 只是，在他情敌不在的这一期间，他时时苦思冥想，有时想到编个离开的理由来欺骗美茜蒂丝，有时想迁移或强行把她带走。于是他常常忧郁地，一动不动地坐在弗罗湾的顶端，从那儿可以同时望到马赛和迦太罗尼亚人村，他是在守望着一个英俊的年轻人出现在他眼前，那个人就是他的复仇使者。弗尔南多已下定决心：他要一熗打死唐太斯，然后自杀。但他错了，他这个人是不会自杀的，因为他还抱有某种希望。 在这个时候，帝国作了最后一次呼吁，法国境内所有能拿起武器的男子都赶去听从他们皇帝的号召了，弗尔南多和其他的人一同离开了马赛，但心里却怀着一个可怕的念头，深恐他的敌人会在他不在的时候回来，而同美茜蒂丝结了婚。假若弗尔南多真的想自杀，则在他离开美茜蒂丝的时候就该这样做的了。他对她的关心，以及他对她的不幸所表示的同情，都产生了效果。美茜蒂丝一向象兄妹般地深爱着弗尔南多，现在这份情谊上又加上了一份感激之情。 “哥哥，”她把行囊挂上他肩头的时候说，“你要自己当心一点，因为如果你再永远离开了我，那我在这个世界上就只有孤零零的一个人了。”这些话在弗尔南多心中注入了一线希望。如果唐太斯不回来的话，总有一天，美茜蒂丝也许就是他的了。 现在只剩下美茜蒂丝一个人孤零零地来面对这从未如此荒凉的大平原，和从未如此一望无际的大海了。她天天以泪洗面，人们看见她有时不断地在迦太罗尼亚人住的这个小村子周围徘徊，有时看见她一动不动地象一尊石像似的站着，呆望着马赛；又有时看见她坐在海边，倾听那如同自己的哀愁那样永恒的海的呻吟，她常常自问，是否应该让自己投入海洋那无底的深渊里，也许这样可以比忍受如此焦灼的等待更好一些。 她并非缺乏这样做的勇气，而是她的宗教观念帮了她的忙，救了她的命。 卡德鲁斯也象弗尔南多一样应征入伍了，但由于他已经结婚，且比弗尔南多大八岁，所以仅被派去驻守边疆。老唐太斯一直是靠希望支撑着的，拿破仑一倒，全部希望都成了泡影。在和他的儿子分离五个月以后，几乎也可以说就在他儿子被捕的那一刻，他就在美茜蒂丝的怀里咽下了最后一口气。莫雷尔先生不仅负担了他的全部丧葬费，还把那可怜的老人生前所借的几笔小债也还清了。 这样做不仅需要出于慈悲心，而且也需要勇气，——因为象唐太斯这样危险的一个拿破仑分子，即使你去帮助他临终的父亲，也会被人当作一个罪名来污蔑的。

英文原文 Chapter 14 The Two Prisoners. A year after Louis XVIII.'s restoration, a visit was made by the inspector-general of prisons. Dantes in his cell heard the noise of preparation, -- sounds that at the depth where he lay would have been inaudible to any but the ear of a prisoner, who could hear the splash of the drop of water that every hour fell from the roof of his dungeon. He guessed something uncommon was passing among the living; but he had so long ceased to have any intercourse with the world, that he looked upon himself as dead. The inspector visited, one after another, the cells and dungeons of several of the prisoners, whose good behavior or stupidity recommended them to the clemency of the government. He inquired how they were fed, and if they had any request to make. The universal response was, that the fare was detestable, and that they wanted to be set free. The inspector asked if they had anything else to ask for. They shook their heads. What could they desire beyond their liberty? The inspector turned smilingly to the governor. "I do not know what reason government can assign for these useless visits; when you see one prisoner, you see all, -- always the same thing, -- ill fed and innocent. Are there any others?" "Yes; the dangerous and mad prisoners are in the dungeons." "Let us visit them," said the inspector with an air of fatigue. "We must play the farce to the end. Let us see the dungeons." "Let us first send for two soldiers," said the governor. "The prisoners sometimes, through mere uneasiness of life, and in order to be sentenced to death, commit acts of useless violence, and you might fall a victim." "Take all needful precautions," replied the inspector. Two soldiers were accordingly sent for, and the inspector descended a stairway, so foul, so humid, so dark, as to be loathsome to sight, smell, and respiration. "Oh," cried the inspector, "who can live here?" "A most dangerous conspirator, a man we are ordered to keep the most strict watch over, as he is daring and resolute." "He is alone?" "Certainly." "How long his he been there?" "Nearly a year." "Was he placed here when he first arrived?" "No; not until he attempted to kill the turnkey, who took his food to him." "To kill the turnkey?" "Yes, the very one who is lighting us. Is it not true,Antoine?" asked the governor. "True enough; he wanted to kill me!" returned the turnkey. "He must be mad," said the inspector. "He is worse than that, -- he is a devil!" returned the turnkey. "Shall I complain of him?" demanded the inspector. "Oh, no; it is useless. Besides, he is almost mad now, and in another year he will be quite so." "So much the better for him, -- he will suffer less," said the inspector. He was, as this remark shows, a man full of philanthropy, and in every way fit for his office. "You are right, sir," replied the governor; "and this remark proves that you have deeply considered the subject. Now we have in a dungeon about twenty feet distant, and to which you descend by another stair, an abbe, formerly leader of a party in Italy, who has been here since 1811, and in 1813 he went mad, and the change is astonishing. He used to weep, he now laughs; he grew thin, he now grows fat. You had better see him, for his madness is amusing." "I will see them both," returned the inspector; "I must conscientiously perform my duty." This was the inspector's first visit; he wished to display his authority. "Let us visit this one first," added he. "By all means," replied the governor, and he signed to the turnkey to open the door. At the sound of the key turning in the lock, and the creaking of the hinges, Dantes, who was crouched in a corner of the dungeon, whence he could see the ray of light that came through a narrow iron grating above, raised his head. Seeing a stranger, escorted by two turnkeys holding torches and accompanied by two soldiers, and to whom the governor spoke bareheaded, Dantes, who guessed the truth, and that the moment to address himself to the superior authorities was come, sprang forward with clasped hands. The soldiers interposed their bayonets, for they thought that he was about to attack the inspector, and the latter recoiled two or three steps. Dantes saw that he was looked upon as dangerous. Then, infusing all the humility he possessed into his eyes and voice, he addressed the inspector, and sought to inspire him with pity. The inspector listened attentively; then, turning to the governor, observed, "He will become religious -- he is already more gentle; he is afraid, and retreated before the bayonets -- madmen are not afraid of anything; I made some curious observations on this at Charenton." Then, turning to the prisoner, "What is it you want?" said he. "I want to know what crime I have committed -- to be tried; and if I am guilty, to be shot; if innocent, to be set at liberty." "Are you well fed?" said the inspector. "I believe so; I don't know; it's of no consequence. What matters really, not only to me, but to officers of justice and the king, is that an innocent man should languish in prison, the victim of an infamous denunciation, to die here cursing his executioners." "You are very humble to-day," remarked the governor; "you are not so always; the other day, for instance, when you tried to kill the turnkey." "It is true, sir, and I beg his pardon, for he his always been very good to me, but I was mad." "And you are not so any longer?" "No; captivity has subdued me -- I have been here so long." "So long? -- when were you arrested, then?" asked the inspector. "The 28th of February, 1815, at half-past two in the afternoon." "To-day is the 30th of July, 1816, -- why it is but seventeen months." "Only seventeen months," replied Dantes. "Oh, you do not know what is seventeen months in prison! -- seventeen ages rather, especially to a man who, like me, had arrived at the summit of his ambition -- to a man, who, like me, was on the point of marrying a woman he adored, who saw an honorable career opened before him, and who loses all in an instant -- who sees his prospects destroyed, and is ignorant of the fate of his affianced wife, and whether his aged father be still living! Seventeen months captivity to a sailor accustomed to the boundless ocean, is a worse punishment than human crime ever merited. Have pity on me, then, and ask for me, not intelligence, but a trial; not pardon, but a verdict -- a trial, sir, I ask only for a trial; that, surely, cannot be denied to one who is accused!" "We shall see," said the inspector; then, turning to the governor, "On my word, the poor devil touches me. You must show me the proofs against him." "Certainly; but you will find terrible charges." "Monsieur," continued Dantes, "I know it is not in your power to release me; but you can plead for me -- you can have me tried -- and that is all I ask. Let me know my crime, and the reason why I was condemned. Uncertainty is worse than all." "Go on with the lights," said the inspector. "Monsieur," cried Dantes, "I can tell by your voice you are touched with pity; tell me at least to hope." "I cannot tell you that," replied the inspector; "I can only promise to examine into your case." "Oh, I am free -- then I am saved!" "Who arrested you?" "M. Villefort. See him, and hear what he says." "M. Villefort is no longer at Marseilles; he is now at Toulouse." "I am no longer surprised at my detention," murmured Dantes, "since my only protector is removed." "Had M. de Villefort any cause of personal dislike to you?" "None; on the contrary, he was very kind to me." "I can, then, rely on the notes he has left concerning you?" "Entirely." "That is well; wait patiently, then." Dantes fell on his knees, and prayed earnestly. The door closed; but this time a fresh inmate was left with Dantes -- hope. "Will you see the register at once," asked the governor, "or proceed to the other cell?" "Let us visit them all," said the inspector. "If I once went up those stairs. I should never have the courage to come down again." "Ah, this one is not like the other, and his madness is less affecting than this one's display of reason." "What is his folly?" "He fancies he possesses an immense treasure. The first year he offered government a million of francs for his release; the second, two; the third, three; and so on progressively. He is now in his fifth year of captivity; he will ask to speak to you in private, and offer you five millions." "How curious! -- what is his name?" "The Abbe Faria." "No. 27," said the inspector. "It is here; unlock the door, Antoine." The turnkey obeyed, and the inspector gazed curiously into the chamber of the "mad abbe." In the centre of the cell, in a circle traced with a fragment of plaster detached from the wall, sat a man whose tattered garments scarcely covered him. He was drawing in this circle geometrical lines, and seemed as much absorbed in his problem as Archimedes was when the soldier of Marcellus slew him. He did not move at the sound of the door, and continued his calculations until the flash of the torches lighted up with an unwonted glare the sombre walls of his cell; then, raising his head, he perceived with astonishment the number of persons present. He hastily seized the coverlet of his bed, and wrapped it round him. "What is it you want?" said the inspector. "I, monsieur," replied the abbe with an air of surprise -- "I want nothing." "You do not understand," continued the inspector; "I am sent here by government to visit the prison, and hear the requests of the prisoners." "Oh, that is different," cried the abbe; "and we shall understand each other, I hope." "There, now," whispered the governor, "it is just as I told you." "Monsieur," continued the prisoner, "I am the Abbe Faria, born at Rome. I was for twenty years Cardinal Spada's secretary; I was arrested, why, I know not, toward the beginning of the year 1811; since then I have demanded my liberty from the Italian and French government." "Why from the French government?" "Because I was arrested at Piombino, and I presume that, like Milan and Florence, Piombino has become the capital of some French department." "Ah," said the inspector, "you have not the latest news from Italy?" "My information dates from the day on which I was arrested," returned the Abbe Faria; "and as the emperor had created the kingdom of Rome for his infant son, I presume that he has realized the dream of Machiavelli and Caesar Borgia, which was to make Italy a united kingdom." "Monsieur," returned the inspector, "providence has changed this gigantic plan you advocate so warmly." "It is the only means of rendering Italy strong, happy, and independent." "Very possibly; only I am not come to discuss politics, but to inquire if you have anything to ask or to complain of." "The food is the same as in other prisons, -- that is, very bad; the lodging is very unhealthful, but, on the whole, passable for a dungeon; but it is not that which I wish to speak of, but a secret I have to reveal of the greatest importance." "We are coming to the point," whispered the governor. "It is for that reason I am delighted to see you," continued the abbe, "although you have disturbed me in a most important calculation, which, if it succeeded, would possibly change Newton's system. Could you allow me a few words in private." "What did I tell you?" said the governor. "You knew him," returned the inspector with a smile. "What you ask is impossible, monsieur," continued he, addressing Faria. "But," said the abbe, "I would speak to you of a large sum, amounting to five millions." "The very sum you named," whispered the inspector in his turn. "However," continued Faria, seeing that the inspector was about to depart, "it is not absolutely necessary for us to be alone; the governor can be present." "Unfortunately," said the governor, "I know beforehand what you are about to say; it concerns your treasures, does it not?" Faria fixed his eyes on him with an expression that would have convinced any one else of his sanity. "Of course," said he; "of what else should I speak?" "Mr. Inspector," continued the governor, "I can tell you the story as well as he, for it has been dinned in my ears for the last four or five years." "That proves," returned the abbe, "that you are like those of Holy Writ, who having ears hear not, and having eyes see not." "My dear sir, the government is rich and does not want your treasures," replied the inspector; "keep them until you are liberated." The abbe's eyes glistened; he seized the inspector's hand. "But what if I am not liberated," cried he, "and am detained here until my death? this treasure will be lost. Had not government better profit by it? I will offer six millions, and I will content myself with the rest, if they will only give me my liberty." "On my word," said the inspector in a low tone, "had I not been told beforehand that this man was mad, I should believe what he says." "I am not mad," replied Faria, with that acuteness of hearing peculiar to prisoners. "The treasure I speak of really exists, and I offer to sign an agreement with you, in which I promise to lead you to the spot where you shall dig; and if I deceive you, bring me here again, -- I ask no more." The governor laughed. "Is the spot far from here?" "A hundred leagues." "It is not ill-planned," said the governor. "If all the prisoners took it into their heads to travel a hundred leagues, and their guardians consented to accompany them, they would have a capital chance of escaping." "The scheme is well known," said the inspector; "and the abbe's plan has not even the merit of originality." Then turning to Faria -- "I inquired if you are well fed?" said he. "Swear to me," replied Faria, "to free me if what I tell you prove true, and I will stay here while you go to the spot." "Are you well fed?" repeated the inspector. "Monsieur, you run no risk, for, as I told you, I will stay here; so there is no chance of my escaping." "You do not reply to my question," replied the inspector impatiently. "Nor you to mine," cried the abbe. "You will not accept my gold; I will keep it for myself. You refuse me my liberty; God will give it me." And the abbe, casting away his coverlet, resumed his place, and continued his calculations. "What is he doing there?" said the inspector. "Counting his treasures," replied the governor. Faria replied to this sarcasm with a glance of profound contempt. They went out. The turnkey closed the door behind them. "He was wealthy once, perhaps?" said the inspector. "Or dreamed he was, and awoke mad." "After all," said the inspector, "if he had been rich, he would not have been here." So the matter ended for the Abbe Faria. He remained in his cell, and this visit only increased the belief in his insanity. Caligula or Nero, those treasure-seekers, those desirers of the impossible, would have accorded to the poor wretch, in exchange for his wealth, the liberty he so earnestly prayed for. But the kings of modern times, restrained by the limits of mere probability, have neither courage nor desire. They fear the ear that hears their orders, and the eye that scrutinizes their actions. Formerly they believed themselves sprung from Jupiter, and shielded by their birth; but nowadays they are not inviolable. It has always been against the policy of despotic governments to suffer the victims of their persecutions to reappear. As the Inquisition rarely allowed its victims to be seen with their limbs distorted and their flesh lacerated by torture, so madness is always concealed in its cell, from whence, should it depart, it is conveyed to some gloomy hospital, where the doctor has no thought for man or mind in the mutilated being the jailer delivers to him. The very madness of the Abbe Faria, gone mad in prison, condemned him to perpetual captivity. The inspector kept his word with Dantes; he examined the register, and found the following note concerning him: -- Edmond Dantes: Violent Bonapartist; took an active part in the return from Elba. The greatest watchfulness and care to be exercised. This note was in a different hand from the rest, which showed that it had been added since his confinement. The inspector could not contend against this accusation; he simply wrote, -- "Nothing to be done." This visit had infused new vigor into Dantes; he had, till then, forgotten the date; but now, with a fragment of plaster, he wrote the date, 30th July, 1816, and made a mark every day, in order not to lose his reckoning again. Days and weeks passed away, then months -- Dantes still waited; he at first expected to be freed in a fortnight. This fortnight expired, he decided that the inspector would do nothing until his return to Paris, and that he would not reach there until his circuit was finished, he therefore fixed three months; three months passed away, then six more. Finally ten months and a half had gone by and no favorable change had taken place, and Dantes began to fancy the inspector's visit but a dream, an illusion of the brain. At the expiration of a year the governor was transferred; he had obtained charge of the fortress at Ham. He took with him several of his subordinates, and amongst them Dantes' jailer. A new governor arrived; it would have been too tedious to acquire the names of the prisoners; he learned their numbers instead. This horrible place contained fifty cells; their inhabitants were designated by the numbers of their cell, and the unhappy young man was no longer called Edmond Dantes -- he was now number 34.

中文翻译 第十四章　两犯人 路易十八复位后一年左右，监狱巡查员到伊夫堡来作了一次视察。唐太斯从他那幽深的地牢里听到了那准备迎接巡查员的嘈杂的声音，在地牢里的一般是听不见的，只有听惯了蜘蛛在夜的静寂里织网，凝聚在黑牢顶上的水珠间歇的滴声犯人的耳朵才能听得出来。他猜想生活在自由之中的那些人发生什么不平常的事了。他已很久没同外界发生任何接触了，以致他把自己看作了死人。 巡查员依次视察大牢单间牢房和地牢，有几个犯人，由于他们的行为良好或愚蠢得到了当局的怜悯。巡查员问他们的伙食如何，有什么要求没有。他们一致回答说伙食太坏，要求恢复自由。巡查员又问他们还有什么别的要求没有。他们摇摇头！他们除了自由以外还能希求什么别的呢？巡查员微笑着转过身来对监狱长说：“我真不明白上面为什么要作这些无用的视察，你见过一个犯人，就等于见到了全体犯人，说得总是老一套，什么伙食坏啦，冤枉啦。还有别的犯人吗？” “有，危险的犯人和发疯的犯人都在地牢里。” “我们去看看，”巡察查员带着疲乏的神色说。“我得完成我的任务。我们下去吧。” “请等一下，我们先派两个士兵去，”监狱长说。“那些犯人有时只为了活得不耐烦，想判个死刑，就会毫无意义地走极端，那样你或许可能成为一个牺牲品的。” “必须采取一切必要的防范措施。”巡查员说。 于是便找来了两个兵，巡查员他们顺着一条污臭，潮湿，黑暗的楼梯往下走，仅走过这些地方，就已使眼 睛，鼻子和呼吸感到很难受了。 “噢！”巡查员走到中途停下来说道，“见什么鬼，是谁住在这种地方？” “一个最危险的谋反分子，一个我们奉命要特别严加看守的人，这个家伙什么都干得出。” “就他一个人吗？” “当然罗。” “他到这儿多久了？” “有一年了吧。” “他一来就关在这种地方吗？” “不，是他想杀死一狱卒以后才关到这里来的。” “他想杀死狱卒？” “是呀，就是替我们掌灯的这一个。对不对，安多尼？” “对，他要杀我！”狱卒回答。 “他一定是发疯了。”巡察说。 “他比疯子还糟糕——他是一个恶鬼！”狱卒答道。 “您要我训斥他一顿吗？”巡查员问。 “噢，不必了，这是没有用的。他已经受够罪的了。而且，他现在差不多已经疯了，再过一年，就会变成一个十足的疯子的。” “疯了对他来说反而好些，——他的痛苦会少一些。”巡查员说。从这句话上读者可以看出，巡查员是一个较有人情味的人，做他这份差事很合适。 “您说得不错，先生，”监狱长说，“这句话说明您对这一行很有研究，现在，大约再走二十步，下一层楼梯，我们就可以在一间地牢里看见一个老神甫，他原是意大利一个政党的领袖，从一八一一年起他就在这儿了，一八一三年发了疯，从那时起，他就来了一个惊人的转变。他时而哭，时而笑。以前愈来愈瘦，现在胖起来了。您最好还是去看看他，别去看那个，因为他疯得很有趣。” “两个我都要看，”巡查员回答，“我做事不能敷衍唐塞。” 这是巡查员第一次视察，他想显示一下他的权威。“我们先去看这一个。”他又说。 “好的。”监狱长答道。于是他向狱卒示意，叫他打开牢门。 听到钥匙在锁里的转动的声音以及铰链的嘎嘎声，那本来踯伏在地牢的一角，带着说不出的快乐在享受从铁栅里射进来的一线微光的唐太斯，他抬起头来。看到了一个陌生人，两个狱卒掌着灯，还有两个兵陪着他，而且监狱长还脱了帽对他讲话，唐太斯猜到来者是何许人，知道他向上层当局申诉的时机到了，于是合着双手跳向前去。 两个兵急忙用他们的刺刀向前一挡，因为他们以为他要来伤害巡查员，巡查员也退后了两三步。唐太斯看出自己被人当作是一个危险的犯人了。于是，他脸上做了一个心地最温顺，最卑微的人所能有的全部表情，用一种令人非常惊讶的虔敬的雄辩进行了一番表白，想打动巡查员的心。 巡查员留神倾听着，然后转向监狱长，说道：“他会皈依宗教的，他已经驯服多了。他很害怕，看见刺刀就后退，疯子是什么都不怕的。这一点在夏朗东曾出于好奇心而观察过几次。” 然后他又转向犯人，“你有什么要求？”他说。 “我要求知道我犯了什么罪，我要求公开审判，总而言之，我要求：假如我有罪，就熗毙我，假如我是冤枉的，就该让我自由。” “你的伙食怎么样？”巡查员说。 “还可以，我也不知道，但那没有关系。真正重要的是，一个清白无辜的人，不该是一次卑鄙的告密的牺牲品，不该就这样一直咒骂着他的刽子手而老死在狱中，这不仅关系到我这个不幸的犯人，还关系到司法长官，更关系到统治我们的国王。” “你今天倒非常恭顺，”监狱长说。“但你并不总是这样的，譬如说，那一天，你就要想杀死狱卒。” “不错，先生，我请他原谅，因为他一向待我很好，我当时非常恼怒，简直是发疯啦。” “你现在不那样了吗？” “不了，监狱生活已经使我低头屈膝，俯首贴耳了。我来这儿已经这么久啦。” “这么久啦？你是什么时候被捕的？”巡查员问。 “一八一五年二月二十八日，下午两点半钟。” “今天是一八一六年七月三十。咦，才十七个月呀。” “才十七个月！”唐太斯答道。“噢，您不知道在监狱里的十七个月意味着什么！那简直等于说十七个世纪，尤其是象我这样一个即将得到幸福，将和他所喜欢的女子结婚的人，他看到光明的前途就在他眼前而霎那间竟一切都失去了，他从最欢乐的白天一下子堕入了无穷无尽的黑夜。他看到自己的前途给毁灭了， 他不知道他未婚妻的命运现在怎样了，也不知道他年老的父亲究竟是否还活着！十七个月的监狱生活对一个呼吸惯了海上的空气，过惯了水手的独立生活，看惯了海阔天空，无拘无束的人是太难过了！先生，即使是犯了人类史上最令人发指的罪行，十七个月的禁闭也是惩罚得太重了。可怜可怜我吧，我不求赦罪，只求公开审判。先生，我只要求见一见法官，他们是不该拒绝审问嫌疑犯的。” “我们研究研究吧，”巡查员说，然后转向监狱长，“凭良心说，这个可怜的犯人真使我有点感动了。你一定得把他的档案给我看看。” “当然可以，但您只会看到对他不利的可怕的记录。” “先生，”唐太斯又说，“我知道您无权释放我的，但您可以代我向上面提出请求，您可以使我受审，我所要求的仅此而已。” “你说明白一点。”巡查员说。 “先生，”唐太斯大声说道，“从您的声音里我可以听出您已经被怜悯心所感动了，请告诉我，至少我有希望吧。” “我还不能这样说，”巡查员答道，“我只能答应调查一下你的案子。” “噢，那么我自由了！我得救了！” “是谁下令逮捕你的？” “是维尔福先生。请去见他，听他说些什么。” “维尔福先生已不在马赛了，他现在在图卢兹。” “怪不得我迟迟不放，”唐太斯喃喃地说，“原来我唯一的保护人调走了。” “他对你有没有什么私人的恩怨？” “一点没有，正相反，他对我非常好。” “那么，关于你的事，我可以信赖他所留下来的记录或他给我的意见了？” “绝对可信。” “很好，那么，耐心等着吧。” 唐太斯跪下来，喃喃地祷告着，他祈祷上帝赐福于这个象救世主去拯救地狱里的灵魂一样到他狱中来的这个人。门又关上了，但现在唐太斯心中又怀有了一个新来的希望。 “您是想马上看那档案呢，还是先去看看别的牢房？”监狱长问。 “我们先把牢房看完了再说吧，”巡查员说。“我一旦上去了，恐怕就没有勇气再下来了。” “嗯，这个犯人，不象那一个。他疯得跟他的邻居不一样，也不那么感动人。” “他有什么怪念头？” “他只认为他有着一处极大的宝藏。头一年，他提议献给政府一百万让他自由，第二年，两百万，第三年，三百万，不断地这样加上去。现在他入狱已经是五个年头了，他一定会要求和您密谈，给您五百万的。” “哦，那倒的确很有趣。这位大富翁叫什么名字？” “法利亚神甫。” “二十七号。”巡查员说。 “就是这里，打开门，安多尼。” 狱卒遵命打开了牢门，巡查员好奇地向“疯神甫”的牢房里探视着。在这个地牢的中央，有一个用从墙壁上挖下来的石灰画成的圆圈，圆圈里坐着一个人，他的衣服已成了碎布条，难以遮住身体了。他正在圆圈里划几何线，那神态就象阿基米德当马赛鲁斯的兵来杀他时的那样全神贯注。尽管开门的声音很响，但他却一动也不动，继续演算他的问题，直到火炬的光以稀有的光芒照亮了地牢阴暗的墙壁，他才抬起头来，很惊奇地发现他的地牢里竟来了这么多人。他急忙从他的床上抓过被单，把他自己裹了起来。 “你有什么要求？”巡查员问。 “我吗，先生！”神甫带着一种惊愕的神气答道，“我什么要求也没有。” “你没弄明白，”巡查员又说，“我是当局派来视察监狱，听取犯人的要求的。” “哦，那就不同了，”神甫大声说，“我希望我们大家能互想谅解。” “又来了，监狱长低声说道，”就象我告诉过您的那样，他又要开始讲了。“ “先生，”犯人继续说道，“我是法里亚神甫，罗马人。我曾给红衣主教斯巴达当过二十年秘书。我是在一八一一年被捕的，是什么原因我却不知道。从那时起，我就在向意法两国政府要求还我自由。” “为什么要向法国政府要求呢？” “因为我是在皮昂比诺被捕的，而据我推测，象梅朗和佛罗伦萨一样，皮昂比诺已成为法国所属的省会了。” 巡查员和监狱长相视而笑。 “见鬼！亲爱的，”巡察员说，“你从意大利得来的新闻已经是老皇历啦！” “这是根据我被捕那一天的消息推测的，”法利亚神甫答道。“既然皇帝要为他的儿子建立罗马王国，我想他大概也已实现了马基难里和凯撒。布琪亚的梦想，把意大利变成了一个统一的王国了吧。” “先生，”巡查员回答说，“上帝已经把你这个看来竭诚支持的计划改变过了。” “这可是使意大利获得幸福和独立和唯一方法呀。” “可能是吧，但我不是来和你讨论意大利政治的，我是来问你，你对于吃的和住的有什么要求吗。” “吃的东西和其他监狱一样，也就是说，坏极了，住的地方非常不卫生，但既然是地牢，也总算还过得去。这都没什么关系。我要讲的是一个秘密，我所要揭露的秘密可是极其重要的。” “那一套又来了。”监狱长耳语道。 “为了那个理由，我很高兴见到您，”神甫继续说道，“尽管您刚才打断了我一次最重要的演算，如果那 个演算成功，可能会把牛顿的学说都改变过来。您能允许我同您私下谈几句话吗？” “我说得怎么样？”监狱长说。 “你的确了解。”巡查员回答道。 “你所要求的事是不可能的，先生。”他对法利亚说道。 “可是，神甫说，”我要和您说的可是很大一笔钱，达五百万呢。“ “正是你所说的那个数目。”这次是巡查员对监狱长耳语了。 “当然，法里亚看到巡查员已想走开，就继续说，”我们也并非绝对要单独谈话，监狱长也可以在场。“ “不幸的是，”监狱长说，“我早已知道你要说什么了，是关于你的宝藏，是不是？” 法里亚眼睛盯住他，那种表情足以使任何人都相信他是神志清楚的。“当然罗，”他说，“除此之外我还有什么可说的呢？” “巡查员先生，监狱长又说，”那个故事我也可以告诉您，因为它已经在我耳边喋喋不休了四五年了。“ “那就证明，”神甫说道。“你正如《圣经》上所说的那些人，他们视而不见，听而不闻。” “政府不需要你的宝藏，”巡查员说道：“留着吧，等你释放以后自己享用好了。” 神甫的眼睛闪闪发光，他一把抓住巡查员的手。“可以假如我出不了狱呢，”他大声说道。“假如，偏偏不讲公道，我被老关在这间地牢里，假如我死在这儿而不曾告诉过任何人我的秘密，则那个宝藏不是就白白地丧失了吗？”倒不如由政府享一点利益，我自己也享受一点，那不更好吗？“我情愿出到六百万，先生，是的，我愿意放弃六百万，余下的那些我也就满足了，只要换来我的自由。” “老实说，”巡查员低声说道，“要不是你事先早告诉我这个人是个疯子，说不定我真会相信他说的话呢。” “我没有疯！”法里亚大声回答说道，他有着犯人们那特有的敏锐的听觉，把巡查员所说的每一个字都听得清清楚楚。 “我所说的宝藏真有其事，我提议来签订一个协议，内容说明，我答应领你们到那个地方去，由你们来挖，假如我欺骗了你们，就把我再带回到这儿来，我不求别的。” 监狱长大笑起来。“那个地方离这儿远吗？” “三百里。” “这个主意倒不坏，”监狱长说道。“假如每个犯人都想作一次三百里的旅行，而他们的看守又答应陪他 们去，他们倒是有了一个很妙的逃跑的机会了。” “这个办法并不新奇，巡查员说道，”神甫先生看来是不能享受发明权了。“然后他又转向法里亚，”我已经问过了你的伙食怎么样？“他说。 “请对我发个誓，”法里亚答道，“假如我对您讲的话证明是真实的话，就一定要让我自由，那么你们去那儿，我可以留在这儿等。” “你的伙食怎么样？”巡查员又问了一遍。 “先生，你们毫无危险呀，因为，如我所说的，我愿意在这儿等，那我就不会有逃跑的机会啦。” “你还没回答我的问题呢。”巡查员不耐烦地说道。 “你也没回答我的呀，”神甫大声说道。“那以，你也该受诅咒！象其他那些不肯相信我的傻瓜一样。你不愿意接受我的金子，我就留着给自己。你不肯给我自由，上帝会给我的。你们走吧！我没什么可说的了。”于是神甫扔下他的床单，又坐回到了老地方，继续进行他的演算去了。 “他在那儿干什么？” “在计算他的宝藏呢。”监狱长回答说。 法里亚以极其轻蔑的一瞥回敬了这句讽刺他的话。 他们走了出去，狱卒在他们身后把门又锁上了。 “或许他曾一度有过钱。”巡查员说。 “也许是做梦发了财，醒来后就疯了。” “总而言之，”巡查员说，“假如他有钱，他就不会到这儿来了。”这句话坦白道出了当时的腐败情形。 法里亚神甫的这次遭遇就这样结束了。他依旧还是住在他的地牢里，这次视察只是更加使人相信他是个疯子了。 假如神甫遭到的是那些热衷于寻找宝藏的人，那些认为天下没有办不到之事的狂想者，如凯力球垃王或尼罗王，则他们就会答应这个可怜的人，允许他以他的财富来换取他迫切祈求得到的自由和空气。但近代的国王，他们生活的天地是这样狭窄，已不再有勇气狂想了。 从前，国王都相信他们是天神的儿子，或至少如此自以为是，而且多少还带着点他们父亲天神的风度。而现在，云层后面的变幻虽尚无法控制，但国王却已都自视为常人了。 要专制政府允许那些牺牲在他人的政权之下的重见天日，一向是和他们的政策相违背的。犯人被毒打得肢体不全，血肉模糊，法庭当然不愿意他再被人看见，疯子总是被藏在地牢里的，即使让他出狱，也不过是往某个阴气沉沉的医院里一送，狱卒送他到那儿时往往只是一具变了形的人体残骸了，连医生也认不出这还是一个人，还留有一点思想。法里亚神是在监狱里发疯的，单凭他的发疯就足以判他无期徒刑。 巡查员实践了他对唐太斯的诺言。他检查了档案，找到了下面这张关于他的记录：爱德蒙。唐太斯拿破仑党分子，曾负责协助逆贼自厄尔巴岛归来。应严加看守，小心戒备。 这条记录的笔迹和其它的不同，证明是在他入狱以后附加的。巡查员面对眼前记录上这个无法抗争的罪名，只得批上一句，“无需复议。” 那次巡查又在唐太斯的心中重新燃起了希望。自从入狱以来，他已忘记了计算日期。但巡查员给了他一个新的日期，他没有忘记。他用一块从屋顶上掉下来的石灰在墙上写道，“一八一六年七月三十日”，从那时起，他每天做一个记号，以免再把日子忘掉。日子一天天，一个星期一个星期地过去了，后来是一个月一个月地过去了，唐太斯仍然处在期待之中。他最初预计可在两个星期以内释放。可是两个星期过去然后他想到巡查员可在回到巴黎以前是不会有所行动的，而他要在巡查完毕以后才能回到那儿，所以他又定期为三个月。但三个月也过去了，三个月之后又过了六个月。在这么长一段时间里，没有发生任何有利的转变。于是唐太斯开始幻想，认为巡查员的视察只不过是一个梦，是脑子里的一个幻想而已。 一年以后，监狱长被调任汉姆市长。他带走了几个下属，看管唐太斯的狱卒也在其中。 新监狱长到任了。他认为记犯人的名字实在太麻烦了，所以干脆他用他们的号码来代替。这个可怕的地方一共有五十个房间，犯人们以他们的房间号码来命名。那不幸的青年已不再叫爱德蒙。唐太斯，他现在成了“三十四号”。