第413章

"Well, we have time; look." Monte Cristo took the pistols he held in his hand when Mercedes entered, and fixing an ace of clubs against the iron plate, with four shots he successively shot off the four sides of the club.At each shot Morrel turned pale.He examined the bullets with which Monte Cristo performed this dexterous feat, and saw that they were no larger than buckshot."It is astonishing," said he."Look, Emmanuel." Then turning towards Monte Cristo, "Count," said he, "in the name of all that is dear to you, Ientreat you not to kill Albert! -- the unhappy youth has a mother.""You are right," said Monte Cristo; "and I have none." These words were uttered in a tone which made Morrel shudder."You are the offended party, count.""Doubtless; what does that imply?"

"That you will fire first."

"I fire first?"

"Oh, I obtained, or rather claimed that; we had conceded enough for them to yield us that.""And at what distance?"

"Twenty paces." A smile of terrible import passed over the count's lips."Morrel," said he, "do not forget what you have just seen.""The only chance for Albert's safety, then, will arise from your emotion.""I suffer from emotion?" said Monte Cristo.

"Or from your generosity, my friend; to so good a marksman as you are, I may say what would appear absurd to another.""What is that?"

"Break his arm -- wound him -- but do not kill him.""I will tell you, Morrel," said the count, "that I do not need entreating to spare the life of M.de Morcerf; he shall be so well spared, that he will return quietly with his two friends, while I" --"And you?"

"That will be another thing; I shall be brought home.""No, no," cried Maximilian, quite unable to restrain his feelings.

"As I told you, my dear Morrel, M.de Morcerf will kill me."Morrel looked at him in utter amazement."But what has happened, then, since last evening, count?""The same thing that happened to Brutus the night before the battle of Philippi; I have seen a ghost.""And that ghost" --

"Told me, Morrel, that I had lived long enough." Maximilian and Emmanuel looked at each other.Monte Cristo drew out his watch."Let us go," said he; "it is five minutes past seven, and the appointment was for eight o'clock." A carriage was in readiness at the door.Monte Cristo stepped into it with his two friends.He had stopped a moment in the passage to listen at a door, and Maximilian and Emmanuel, who had considerately passed forward a few steps, thought they heard him answer by a sigh to a sob from within.As the clock struck eight they drove up to the place of meeting."We are first," said Morrel, looking out of the window."Excuse me, sir," said Baptistin, who had followed his master with indescribable terror, "but I think I see a carriage down there under the trees."Monte Cristo sprang lightly from the carriage, and offered his hand to assist Emmanuel and Maximilian.The latter retained the count's hand between his."I like," said he, "to feel a hand like this, when its owner relies on the goodness of his cause.""It seems to me," said Emmanuel, "that I see two young men down there, who are evidently, waiting." Monte Cristo drew Morrel a step or two behind his brother-in-law.

"Maximilian," said he, "are your affections disengaged?"Morrel looked at Monte Cristo with astonishment."I do not seek your confidence, my dear friend.I only ask you a simple question; answer it; -- that is all I require.""I love a young girl, count."

"Do you love her much?"

"More than my life."

"Another hope defeated!" said the count.Then, with a sigh, "Poor Haidee!" murmured he.

"To tell the truth, count, if I knew less of you, I should think that you were less brave than you are.""Because I sigh when thinking of some one I am leaving?

Come, Morrel, it is not like a soldier to be so bad a judge of courage.Do I regret life? What is it to me, who have passed twenty years between life and death? Moreover, do not alarm yourself, Morrel; this weakness, if it is such, is betrayed to you alone.I know the world is a drawing-room, from which we must retire politely and honestly; that is, with a bow, and our debts of honor paid.""That is to the purpose.Have you brought your arms?""I? -- what for? I hope these gentlemen have theirs.""I will inquire," said Morrel.

"Do; but make no treaty -- you understand me?""You need not fear." Morrel advanced towards Beauchamp and Chateau-Renaud, who, seeing his intention, came to meet him.

The three young men bowed to each other courteously, if not affably.

"Excuse me, gentlemen," said Morrel, "but I do not see M.de Morcerf.""He sent us word this morning," replied Chateau-Renaud, "that he would meet us on the ground.""Ah," said Morrel.Beauchamp pulled out his watch."It is only five minutes past eight," said he to Morrel; "there is not much time lost yet.""Oh, I made no allusion of that kind," replied Morrel.

"There is a carriage coming," said Chateau-Renaud.It advanced rapidly along one of the avenues leading towards the open space where they were assembled."You are doubtless provided with pistols, gentlemen? M.de Monte Cristo yields his right of using his.""We had anticipated this kindness on the part of the count,"said Beauchamp, "and I have brought some weapons which Ibought eight or ten days since, thinking to want them on a similar occasion.They are quite new, and have not yet been used.Will you examine them.""Oh, M.Beauchamp, if you assure me that M.de Morcerf does not know these pistols, you may readily believe that your word will be quite sufficient.""Gentlemen," said Chateau-Renaud, "it is not Morcerf coming in that carriage; -- faith, it is Franz and Debray!" The two young men he announced were indeed approaching."What chance brings you here, gentlemen?" said Chateau-Renaud, shaking hands with each of them."Because," said Debray, "Albert sent this morning to request us to come." Beauchamp and Chateau-Renaud exchanged looks of astonishment."I think Iunderstand his reason," said Morrel.

"What is it?"