The Son of Monte-Cristo, Volume II
Page 41
CHAPTER XL
A CONFESSION
Gontram was in love; night and day he only thought of Carmen.
"Either she or no one," he said to himself.
One morning, as he was returning home from a visit, the janitoraddressed him.
"Monsieur Sabran," he said, "I have something to tell you."
"Well, what is it?" asked Gontram, expectantly.
"H'm, Monsieur Sabran, it is about a lady," murmured the man.
"A lady? Which lady?"
"I do not know her, and my discretion did not permit me to ask her."
Gontram, in spite of his impatience, laughed. He knew the janitor to bethe most inquisitive person in the world, and judged his discretionaccordingly.
"Monsieur Alain, won't you tell me what the lady wanted of me?" askedthe painter.
"The lady was elegantly dressed, and asked me whether you were at home.When I told her you were not, she took a letter from her pocket and toldme to give it to you at once."
"Where is the letter?"
"Here, Monsieur Sabran," said the janitor, taking a perfumed note fromhis pocket and handing it to the painter.
The latter hastily tore it from his hand and went back to his residence.In his study he threw his gloves and hat on the table, and looked at thenote from all sides. It was signed "Carmen," and ran as follows:
"MONSIEUR GONTRAM--Or may I say, my dear friend--I would like to speak to you about a matter of some importance, and beg you to visit me this evening. I expect you at seven o'clock. Ring the garden bell. Be punctual. It concerns the fate of those you love.
"CARMEN."
What did Carmen mean by the expression, "The fate of those you love?"What did she know of his connections? Why should he have to go to theback door? How came it that Carmen asked him to meet her in thispeculiar manner?
Punctually at seven o'clock the painter was at the garden gate, and witha trembling hand Gontram pulled the bell-rope and was immediately let inby a maid.
"The lady is waiting," she said.
The maid opened the door of a charming boudoir and allowed Gontram toenter. With his hat in his hand the painter stood still in the centre ofthe room. The door was now opened, and Carmen, simply attired in blacksilk, entered. She was pale, but extremely handsome, and Gontram lookedadmiringly at her.
"Thank you," she said, offering her hand to the painter. "I hardly daredto hope you would come."
"You sent for me, and I have come," replied Gontram.
"Please sit down and listen to me."
Gontram took a seat next to Carmen.
"Monsieur Gontram, do you love me?" she suddenly asked.
Gontram trembled.
"Mademoiselle Carmen," he earnestly said, "I will answer your questioncandidly. Yes, I love you, love you warmly and tenderly, and if I havehesitated to tell you so, it was because I did not think myself worthyof you. I--"
"Oh, keep still--keep still!"
"But, Mademoiselle Carmen," said Gontram, "you know you can rely on me!"
For a time they were both silent.
"Listen to me," she finally said; "I hope you will not misunderstand me.Monsieur Gontram, I know that you are a brave, honest man. When youkissed me on the little balcony three days ago, I felt that you regardedit as a--silent engagement?"
"Yes!" cried Gontram.
"And yet," said Carmen, slowly, "you postponed asking Monsieur deLarsagny for my hand."
"I did not dare--"
"Thank God that you did not do it," cried Carmen, breathing more freely."No, Gontram, I can never--never be your wife!"
Gontram sprang up.
"Impossible, Carmen!" he cried, passionately. "Tell me that you arejoking!"
"No, Gontram, I am not joking," said Carmen, earnestly. "I can neverbecome your wife. Only an honest girl has the right to put her hand inyours."
"Explain yourself more clearly," said Gontram, deadly pale.
"Gontram, I love you, love you tenderly, and if ever there was a purelove, it is mine for you. Before I made your acquaintance I wentcarelessly through life. Good and bad were unknown meanings to me, and Idid not know what blushing was."
Carmen sank exhausted in a chair and burst into tears.
"Carmen, why do you cry?"
"Gontram, these tears are for me--for my lost youth--my tainted soul,"whispered Carmen. "Oh, Gontram, I am not what I appear to be. I am notthe daughter but the friend of Monsieur de Larsagny!"
Gontram uttered a wild cry, and, beating his face with his hands, hegasped for air; the shot had struck him to the heart.
"Yes, it is the truth," continued Carmen; "I am the friend of an oldman. Ah, Gontram, how have I struggled with myself before I foundcourage enough to inform you of this."
Carmen had fallen to the floor. Clutching Gontram's knee she weptbitterly.
Gontram felt deep pity for her. He placed his hand on her hair, andgently said:
"Carmen, the confession I have just heard has shocked me very much; but,at the same time, it has also pleased me. That you did not wish to hearme, before you told me your story, raises you in my estimation, and lethim who is without sin cast the first stone!"
"You do not curse me? Do not cast me off?" asked Carmen, in surprise.
"Carmen, God knows your confession tore my heart; but, the more painfulthe blow was, the more I comprehended the great extent of my love foryou."
Carmen's tears still poured down. Gontram bent over her and tenderlyraised her up.
"Carmen," he earnestly said, "tell me, what can I do for you?"
Carmen raised her eyes, which were still full of tears, and tenderlywhispered to the young man:
"How good you are! Do you love the Vicomte of Monte-Cristo?" shesuddenly asked.
"I love and esteem him. But what makes you speak of the vicomte?"
"Because danger threatens him, and I want you to warn him."
"What is the nature of the danger?" asked Gontram.
"Powerful enemies are united against him, and if we are not more prudentthey will crush both him and us."
"Enemies! Who could be an enemy of Spero?"
"One of the enemies is Monsieur de Larsagny!"
"And the other?"
"Have you noticed the Count of Vellini's secretary?"
"Signor Fagiano? Yes, I know him."
"Fagiano is not his real name."
"Do you know it?"
"Not yet, but I hope to very soon. Signor Fagiano and Monsieur Larsagnyhave met before. When the Vicomte of Monte-Cristo was announced at your_soiree_ the other evening, Monsieur de Larsagny became pale as death,his eyes stared at the young man as if he had been a spectre, and,under pretence of seeking a cooler spot, he hurriedly left the room."
"Yes, I remember," said Gontram.
"As you know, shortly afterward we went out on the balcony and heard twovoices quarrelling. One of the voices said: 'Monsieur de Larsagny, takecare that you do not know my name too soon.' The next day I askedMonsieur de Larsagny about it, but he gave me evasive replies. Just thenthe visit of Signor Fagiano was announced and our conversation ended.That day I learned nothing; but two days later, when Signor Fagiano cameagain, I hid behind the drapery and listened. Don't think bad of me thatI did such a thing, but there was no other choice. As soon as the twoexchanged their first words, I saw at once they were partners in crime.I heard the Italian say:
"'I have taken the preliminary steps, and guarantee the success of theplan. Revenge is assured for us, but I must have some more money.'
"'Here is what I promised you,' replied Larsagny.
"I heard the crumpling of bank-notes. For a while all was still, andthen Monsieur de Larsagny said:
"'What do you intend to do now?'
"'Oh, I have already struck the young fool a blow,' replied the Italian.'She is in my power, and it will be easy for me to entrap him.'
"'But be careful, the slightest haste might ruin us.'
"'The Vicomte of Monte-Cristo shall suffer; he shall crawl and bend intortures I shall prepare for him, and my plans are so made that the lawcannot reach us.'
"'Then I am satisfied. Ah, if he only suffers for one hour the tortureshis father made me undergo,' hissed Larsagny.
"'You shall be satisfied. I have also a debt to settle with him.'
"The conversation was now carried on in such a low tone that I could notunderstand what was being said. I hurried to my room and made up my mindto draw you into my confidence."
"I thank you, Carmen," cried Gontram; "Spero is a friend, a brother, andI would gladly offer up my life to save his."
"Of whom could Fagiano have spoken when he said: 'She is in my power?'"asked Carmen.
"I hardly know. God help the scoundrels if they touch a hair of hishead!" Gontram had risen. He put his arm about the young girl's waistand gently drew her toward him.
"Carmen," he whispered, tenderly, "your confession was a bitter pill forme, but my love for you is the same as ever. Tell me once more that youlove me, too!"
"Oh, Gontram, I do not deserve so much kindness," sobbed Carmen.
"Now good-by," said Gontram. "You shall soon hear from me."
A last kiss and they separated.