The Son of Monte-Cristo, Volume II
Page 32
CHAPTER XXXI
A THUNDERBOLT
The vicomte's disturbed features and the tone of his voice causedGontram to become anxious, and leading Carmen into the music-room, hestammered an excuse, and then returned to Spero.
"What has happened to you?" he asked, as he saw the young man was stillexcited. "I am afraid I am a very inattentive host."
"Oh, that is not it," said Spero, hesitating; "but--"
"Well, speak. You frighten me," said Gontram, uneasily.
"Gontram," began the vicomte, "you have confidence in me?"
"Certainly; but what have we to do with that now? You know that I esteemyou--"
"And you do not think me capable of deceiving or lying to you?"
"Spero, I do not know you any more," cried Gontram, more and moreconfused.
"Have patience, you will soon learn to understand me," said the vicomte,smiling curiously; "let me now tell you what has happened to me."
Spero took a long breath, and then continued:
"About ten minutes ago I was standing here, listening to the wonderfulsinging of that beautiful creature whom you call Jane Zild. The melodytransported me to another world, and I saw and heard very little of whatwas going on about me. Suddenly I heard a slight noise behind thedrapery, and these words reached my ears: 'Vicomte of Monte-Cristo, takecare of yourself. A trap has been set for you, and woe to you if you arefoolish enough not to notice it.'"
"A trap laid? What does that mean, and who was it that gave you thiswarning?" asked Gontram, in amazement.
"I do not know. Springing up I ran in the direction whence the wordscame. I shoved the drapery aside, but could see no one."
"No one?" repeated the painter, breathing more freely. "That looks likemagic! Are you sure, Spero, that you didn't deceive yourself?"
"You do not believe me," said the vicomte, smiling sorrowfully.
"Spero, you misunderstand me. Let us proceed to work thoroughly, and, ifpossible, find out what has occurred. You yourself confessed that youwere plunged in thought. In such half-dreamy conditions it often happensthat we imagine we see things which have no foundation in fact. Webelieve we see persons, hear voices--"
"You speak of imagination," interrupted Spero, "while I told you ofsomething that I actually have experienced. I heard the words clearlyand legibly; the voice was strange to me, and yet there was somethingsincere in it which struck me."
"Curious! Perhaps some one has played a joke upon you."
"That would not be improbable, yet I do not believe it. The words werespoken seriously."
"But you are mad! A trap, if laid for you, could only be done by me. Imust now ask you the same question you put to me: Have you confidence inme?"
"Perfect confidence," said the vicomte, warmly.
"God be praised! Now follow me to the parlor, and forget your blackthoughts," and, shoving his arm under the vicomte's, he led him into themusic-room.
"And where should the trap be?" asked Gontram, as they walked on; "notin Jane Zild's heavenly tones? Just look how the dark eyes are lookingat you--really you are in luck."
Jane Zild had risen after the song was ended, and while the applausesounded about her, she looked steadily at the vicomte.
"Banish the black thoughts," whispered Gontram to the young man, "comeand talk a little to the diva; she appears to expect it."
"Mademoiselle," he said, turning to Jane, "here is one of your mostenthusiastic admirers, who would consider himself happy if you wouldmake a tour of the gallery with him."
Gontram turned to other guests, and Spero timidly drew near to the younggirl and offered her his arm. Jane hesitated for a moment to take it,and looked expectantly at the vicomte. She waited, no doubt, for acompliment or some word from him. As Spero remained silent, a satisfiedsmile crossed the classical features of the diva, and placing her handon his arm she carelessly said: "Let us go."
Just then something unexpected happened. A burning candle fell downfrom the chandelier, and a flame licked the black lace dress of the divaand enveloped her.
A cry of horror came from the lips of the bystanders, and they allrushed away. Spero was the only one who showed self-possession. Quick asthought, he tore one of the draperies from the wall, and placing thethick cloth around the shoulders of the diva, he pressed her tightly tohis bosom.
The next minute Jane stood with pale face, but otherwise uninjured,before her rescuer, and holding her little hand to him, she whisperedcordially:
"Thanks, a thousand thanks!"
Spero took the long fingers and pressed his lips as respectfully uponthem as if Jane Zild were a queen and he her subject. The diva, with thedrapery still about her shoulders, looked really like a queen, and alleyes were turned admiringly toward her.
A man dressed in plain dark clothes hurried through the crowd, andlooking anxiously at Jane he cried in a vibrating voice:
"Are you injured?"
The diva trembled when she heard the voice, and blushing deeply, shehastily replied:
"No, thank God, I am not hurt. The coolness of the Vicomte ofMonte-Cristo prevented a misfortune."
The vicomte, too, trembled when he heard the unknown's words, for hefelt certain that the voice was the same as that which had given him themysterious warning.
The man bowed respectfully to the vicomte, and Jane, turning to Spero,said in cordial tones:
"Complete your good work, vicomte, and conduct me to my carriage."
Spero laid her little hand upon his arm and led her out. As Speroassisted her in the carriage she bowed again to him and whispered:
"I hope we shall see each other again."
Jane's companion looked at the vicomte in an embarrassed way; heevidently wished to say something to him, but had not the courage to doso. The next minute the horses started and the carriage rolled away.
Spero looked after the equipage as long as it could be seen and thencalled for his coachman, as he wished to go home too. Just as he wasabout to enter the carriage, the coachman, in surprise, exclaimed:
"You have forgotten your hat, vicomte. Jean, quick, go and get it."
Spero, in astonishment, felt his head; it was true, the coachman wasright.
"Stay, Jean, I shall go myself," he briefly said, as he hurried back tothe house.
Just as he reached the stairs, Monsieur de Larsagny and his daughter,whom Gontram escorted, and Count Vellini and his secretary came down.
"Vicomte," said Carmen, vivaciously, "you are a hero, and the rest ofthe gentlemen can take you for an example."
Monsieur de Larsagny coughed slightly, while Fagiano loudly cried:
"The vicomte is the worthy son of his father, the great count."
These words, although spoken in a respectful tone, displeased Spero, yethe kept silent and the guests departed.
"Stay a minute longer," begged Gontram, "I will take a walk with you,if it is agreeable; I am too much excited yet to go to bed."
"That is my position, too," replied the vicomte.
The servant brought them their hats and cloaks, and they both walked inthe direction of the Champs-Elysees. Neither of them noticed a dark formwhich stood at a street corner and looked after them.
"Have a care," hissed Fagiano's voice, "you shall suffer for being hisson."