第367章

"Do so, then; it will be a wiser plan than the first which you proposed.""But if, in spite of all my precautions, I am at last obliged to fight, will you not be my second?""My dear viscount," said Monte Cristo gravely, "you must have seen before to-day that at all times and in all places I have been at your disposal, but the service which you have just demanded of me is one which it is out of my power to render you.""Why?"

"Perhaps you may know at some future period, and in the mean time I request you to excuse my declining to put you in possession of my reasons.""Well, I will have Franz and Chateau-Renaud; they will be the very men for it.""Do so, then."

"But if I do fight, you will surely not object to giving me a lesson or two in shooting and fencing?""That, too, is impossible."

"What a singular being you are! -- you will not interfere in anything.""You are right -- that is the principle on which I wish to act.""We will say no more about it, then.Good-by, count."Morcerf took his hat, and left the room.He found his carriage at the door, and doing his utmost to restrain his anger he went at once to find Beauchamp, who was in his office.It was a gloomy, dusty-looking apartment, such as journalists' offices have always been from time immemorial.

The servant announced M.Albert de Morcerf.Beauchamp repeated the name to himself, as though he could scarcely believe that he had heard aright, and then gave orders for him to be admitted.Albert entered.Beauchamp uttered an exclamation of surprise on seeing his friend leap over and trample under foot all the newspapers which were strewed about the room."This way, this way, my dear Albert!" said he, holding out his hand to the young man."Are you out of your senses, or do you come peaceably to take breakfast with me? Try and find a seat -- there is one by that geranium, which is the only thing in the room to remind me that there are other leaves in the world besides leaves of paper.""Beauchamp," said Albert, "it is of your journal that I come to speak.""Indeed? What do you wish to say about it?""I desire that a statement contained in it should be rectified.""To what do you refer? But pray sit down.""Thank you," said Albert, with a cold and formal bow.

"Will you now have the kindness to explain the nature of the statement which has displeased you?""An announcement has been made which implicates the honor of a member of my family.""What is it?" said Beauchamp, much surprised; "surely you must be mistaken.""The story sent you from Yanina."

"Yanina?"

"Yes; really you appear to be totally ignorant of the cause which brings me here.""Such is really the case, I assure you, upon my honor!

Baptiste, give me yesterday's paper," cried Beauchamp.

"Here, I have brought mine with me," replied Albert.

Beauchamp took the paper, and read the article to which Albert pointed in an undertone."You see it is a serious annoyance," said Morcerf, when Beauchamp had finished the perusal of the paragraph."Is the officer referred to a relation of yours, then?" demanded the journalist.

"Yes," said Albert, blushing.

"Well, what do you wish me to do for you?" said Beauchamp mildly.

"My dear Beauchamp, I wish you to contradict this statement." Beauchamp looked at Albert with a benevolent expression.

"Come," said he, "this matter will want a good deal of talking over; a retractation is always a serious thing, you know.Sit down, and I will read it again." Albert resumed his seat, and Beauchamp read, with more attention than at first, the lines denounced by his friend."Well," said Albert in a determined tone, "you see that your paper his insulted a member of my family, and I insist on a retractation being made.""You insist?"

"Yes, I insist."

"Permit me to remind you that you are not in the Chamber, my dear Viscount.""Nor do I wish to be there," replied the young man, rising.