The Son of Monte-Cristo

by Jules Lermina

  CHAPTER XLVIII.

  A THUNDER CLAP.

  Goutran was startled by the tone in which Esperance spoke. He hastenedwith Carmen to the music-room, and then returned to the Vicomte.

  "I have been very negligent," the artist said, penitently, "and I have athousand apologies to make. And now, what may I do for you?"

  The Vicomte was very pale. He hesitated.

  "My friend," he said at last, "you have entire confidence in me, haveyou not?"

  "Most certainly. You have won both my esteem and affection."

  "And you think me incapable of falsehood?"

  "What a question!"

  "Then listen to me. I was standing in this spot just now--I had beenlistening to that girl's divine voice. You passed me and spoke to me,but I hardly knew what you said, when suddenly from behind that hangingcame these words, distinctly pronounced:

  "Take care, son of Monte-Cristo, take care! You are walking into a snarelaid for you. Take care!"

  "A snare! Who was it that spoke?"

  "I know not. I instantly drew aside the curtain, but there was no onethere."

  "No one!" Goutran smiled. "But this is sorcery, my dear fellow. Youmust have been dreaming. It was, of course, some illusion."

  "Illusion!" repeated Esperance, impatiently, "I tell you that I heardthe words distinctly."

  "Then it was some one who, seeing you buried in thought, played thiswretched joke."

  "That may be, but there was a tone of sincerity in the voice that struckme."

  "But there is no sense in the words. A snare! Who could spread one foryou in this house but myself? Now will you, in your turn, tell me if youhave absolute faith in me? I have been anxious to coax you from yourstudies and your solitude, and I was glad when I saw you come into-night. Now, my dear fellow, dismiss these fancies. Take my arm andmake a plunge into the furnace!"

  Goutran laughed as he led the way toward the room where Jane Zeld hadbeen singing.

  "Can the snare," continued Goutran, "be found in the delicious tones ofthat voice, which has moved you so deeply? Those eyes are wonderfullybright."

  Esperance found himself near the piano. Jane had risen, and wasreceiving the many compliments of her admirers. She saw Esperance, andas her eyes fell upon him, Goutran felt his companion start.

  "Suppose," he said, "that I present you to our star? Surely she willexorcise your dismal thoughts. Mademoiselle," he added, addressing Jane,"one of your most ardent admirers solicits the honor of being presentedto you."

  The two--Jane and Esperance--were now face to face. Esperance, pale andsilent, looked at Jane, while she stood waiting possibly for some wordsof praise.

  The crowd swept on, leaving these two persons almost alone, and at thismoment a candle fell from one of the chandeliers upon the train ofJane's black tulle, and shrieks from all the women rent the air. Flamesthreatened to envelop Jane. With a rapidity that was quicker thanthought, Esperance tore down one of the heavy Eastern portieres, andwrapped it around the girl. He did this so skilfully that in a minutethe flames were stifled, and Jane stood, pale but smiling, as if shehardly knew the danger she had been in. She was magnificent, envelopedin this mantle that looked like a royal robe.

  Having accomplished his work Esperance drew back, like a worshipperrecoiling in terror after touching the goddess.

  At this moment a man made his way through the crowd. He was dressed inan old-fashioned livery. His face was large-featured and solemn, but nowcontracted with terror.

  "Are you hurt?" he cried, as he reached Jane. Two persons started onhearing this voice--one was Jane. She colored deeply, and in muchagitation answered quickly:

  "No, my friend, I am not hurt. It was a slight accident, and thisgentleman saved me."

  Esperance started, because he felt sure that this voice and the one thathad addressed to him the strange words he had repeated to Goutran, wasthe same. The man turned and looked at the Count.

  "Who is this man who seems so interested in his friend?" asked some one.

  "Oh! he is the intendant--Master Jacques--who goes everywhere with JaneZeld," answered the ever-present reporter, delighted to have anopportunity of displaying his erudition. "He is called Maslenes at thehotel."

  Jane turned to Esperance:

  "Will you kindly add to your kindness by giving me your arm to mycarriage?"

  While the crowd, who had by no means recovered from their agitation,complimented her on her courage, Jane moved slowly from the room.Goutran made no effort to detain her, though he knew very well that herdeparture would be the signal for a general move, as it was long aftermidnight.

  Esperance tried to speak, but he found it impossible to say a word toJane. The intendant preceded them. It was plain to the most casualobserver that he had by no means gotten over his terror. His feet wereunsteady, and his hands trembled to that degree that he could hardlyopen the carriage door.

  "Once more let me thank you," said Jane, softly. "We shall meet again Itrust."

  Esperance, almost as if in a dream, bowed over her extended hand, andpressed a kiss upon it. The hand trembled, but it was not withdrawn toohastily.

  Then Esperance saw nothing more--neither the intendant, who lingered asif to speak to him, nor the coachman as he gathered up the reins. Heheard the rattle of wheels that bore Jane away, and laid his hand onhis heart to quell the strange tumult there. He remained standing on thepavement, blind to the curious gaze of his servants.

  "Are you going home sir, now?" asked his own coachman.

  "Ah! what did you say?" Esperance aroused himself and looked around."Yes, I wish to go home." He took a step to the carriage.

  "If you will wait a moment, sir, the footman will go for your hat."

  His hat! Esperance did not know that his head was uncovered. He wasamazed at himself, he felt a certain sense of shame.

  "No," he replied, "I will go for it myself."

  He went back to Goutran's apartment. As he passed through the vestibulehe heard a sarcastic laugh. He was of course mistaken, for only Goutran,with Carmen, were coming down the stairs--Monsieur de Laisangy, ComteVelleni, and his Secretary Fagiano.

  "You have behaved like a hero, Count!" cried Carmen, as soon as she sawhim.

  Her father at this moment had a violent attack of coughing. Through itall he said:

  "You have done well, sir."

  Signor Fagiano said in clear, distinct tones:

  "The Vicomte is a worthy son of his father!"

  I know not why, but these words sounded disagreeably to Esperance, whoturned quickly. But Fagiano was in the shadow, and Esperance saw onlyhis eyes, which were very bright. The Vicomte began to think his nerveswere sadly out of order.

  Goutran, when the door had closed on the last of his guests, turned tohim and asked how he would like a little walk up the Champs-Elysees.

  "Very much," answered the Vicomte, "I need fresh air."

  He took his hat from the hands of a lacquey, and the two young menwalked off together. Neither knew that Fagiano had not driven away withComte Velleni, but that, standing in a dark doorway, he followed theVicomte with his eyes. Hissing through his close shut teeth, he said:

  "Yes, worthy son of thy father, I swear that I will have my revenge!"