World Literature Classics Library: The Count of Monte Cristo

Chapter 163 Provocation
"At this moment," continued Beauchamp, "the hall was silent and dimly lit, and I hurried away without being seen. The bailiff who had brought me in was waiting for me at the door, and he led me through. aisle after aisle until I came to a small door opening into the Rue Vaugirard. I left the House of Lords with a mixture of pain and gratitude. Excuse me for saying this, Albert. I cannot help but feel great pain at the thought of you, but I am more than grateful to think of the noble act of the girl who avenged her father. Yes, I can swear to you, Albert, that this time the truth will come to light. The reason, of course, I personally think that this is at the hands of some enemy, but this enemy is actually just doing justice for the sky."

Albert put his head in his hands, raised his face flushed with shame and wet with tears, and grabbed Beauchamp tightly. "My friend," he said, "my life is over, and things have come to this point, and I can't be like you, and say it's God's punishment for me, but I want to see who it is that has done this to me." Cruel. Then, when I have found this man, I will kill him, or he will kill me. I hope you will help me in our friendship, Beauchamp, I think, although you have contempt in your heart, it will not kill your friendship with me, right?"

"Contempt? My friend, why should you be implicated in this unfortunate incident? No, thank God, times are different, and a son should not live for a father because of unjust prejudice. Look back at your life, Al Belle, indeed, your life has only just begun, but the morning light before the beautiful day can never be as pure as the luster of your life! No, Albert, you must take my word for it, you are young and you are rich , you can stay away from France. France is a great Babylon, where the world is full of vicissitudes and moods, and everything will be quickly forgotten. When you come back in three or four years after marrying some Russian princess, no one will remember that yesterday again. What happened, not to mention that this is an old event 16 years ago."

"Thank you, my dear Beauchamp, for your kindness in saying this, but it cannot be as you say. I have just told you what I think, but now I can change it if necessary. Saying, not thinking, but willing. You know, since I am the person involved in this matter, my opinion cannot be exactly the same as yours. What you think comes from the will of heaven, in my opinion, its source may not be so clear. To tell you the truth, I feel that God has nothing to do with this matter. Fortunately, I don't have to look for this invisible, intangible messenger who praises good and blames evil on behalf of heaven. I must find one who can touch and see The one who met me will take revenge. Ah! Yes, I swear to you, I have been heartbroken for a month, and I will hate it. Now, I will tell you again, Beauchamp, I will never stop eating fireworks. But beyond anything, if you are telling the truth, you are still my friend, and you should help me find out the hand that caused the trouble."

"Then be like this!" Beauchamp said, "If you insist that I return to the world from the sky, I will obey you. If you insist on finding some enemies, I will do it for you. In addition, I must also put this Find out the enemy, because finding that enemy is not only about your reputation, it is almost as much about mine."

"Oh! Beauchamp, then you should see that we can't delay any longer, we must search immediately. Every minute of delay, I feel that this is simply a long time. The informer has not been punished, perhaps he Just hoping to get away with it, and I swear on my honor, he's going to be very, very wrong if he thinks so!"

"Well, please listen to me, Mosef."

"Ah! Beauchamp, I think you know something in your heart. You really saved my life!"

"I can't say it's true, Albert, but at least it's a ray of light in the dark night. If we follow this light, we may be able to get to the bottom of it."

"Tell me quickly, you see, I'm going to die of anxiety."

"That's good! When I came back from Ioannina, there are some things I didn't tell you, so let me tell you now."

"Go ahead."

"The thing is, Albert. When I came to Ioannina, I had to go to the biggest banker there, and I had just said this, before I even had time to mention your father's name. Said: 'Ah! Very good, I have guessed your purpose.'

"'What? How did you guess that?'

"'Because I was asked about it a fortnight ago.'

"'Who?'

"'A banker in Paris who is a client of mine.'

"'What's his name?'

"'Mr Tanglar.'"

"He!" exclaimed Albert, "it is true that he has long been jealous of my poor father, who claims to be a commoner, and cannot bear the Count of Meusef as a member of the French Peerage. You see, I My marriage was inexplicably ruined, yes, that's the reason."

"You should find out more, Albert, and don't get angry. I say you'd better find out the situation, if it's true..."

"Ah! yes, if that is the case," cried Albert, "I shall have him accountable for the torture I am suffering."

"You have to watch out, Mosef, he's an old man."

"I do to his age what he does to my family's honor. He hates my father, why doesn't he beat my father to his face? Oh! no, he cringes at the sight of a man."

"Albert, I don't mean to blame you, but I just advise you to exercise restraint. Albert, you'd better be more cautious."

"Oh, you don't have to be afraid. Besides, you will go with me, Beauchamp, and someone should testify about important matters. If Mr. Tangla is indeed guilty, he will not live before this evening, or I will die. Really Beauchamp, I want to restore my reputation with a grand funeral."

"Well then, since you have made up your mind, Albert, you should just do it. Do you mean to go to Mr. Tanglar? Let's go."

They sent their servants to find a cab.As they were about to enter the banker's house, they saw Mr. Andra Cavallecanti's carriage and servants at the door.

"Ah! That's very good!" Albert said sadly, "If Mr. Tangra refuses to fight me, I'll leave his son-in-law alone, and the Cavalleconti family will come out to fight. "

The servant informed the banker of Albert's visit. As soon as the banker heard Albert's name, he immediately ordered the door to thank the guests behind closed doors, because he already knew what happened yesterday.But it was too late, Albert walked in behind the servant, and upon hearing Tangla's order, he opened the door and broke into Tangla's study, followed by Beauchamp.

"But, sir," Tangla shouted, "can't I be in charge of my own home, can I see whoever wants to see me or not? I think you are too carried away."

"No, monsieur," said Albert coldly, "in some cases, such as yours now, unless out of cowardice--I can give you this step--it is imperative, at least to some People have to be like this."

"Then what do you want from me, sir?"

"I'm here," Mosef said, walking towards Tangra, and pretending to be dismissive of Cavalcanti, who was leaning against the fireplace, "I'm here to invite you Find me in a secluded corner where no one will bother you, 10 minutes will do, I won't ask you for more time. There must be two people to meet, but one of them ends up You have to stay under the leaves."

Tangra's face suddenly turned pale, Cavalle Conti seemed to say something, Albert turned to him and said: "Oh! My God! If you want to go, please go, Mr. Viscount, you have This right, you can go, because you are almost a member of this family, and I will meet as many people as there are people who are willing to go to me."

Cavallekonti was stunned and just stared at Tangra in a daze.Tangla tried her best to keep calm, stood up from the chair, and walked between the two young men.Albert's disrespectful remarks to Cavalle-Conti changed Tangla's situation, and he also hoped that Albert's intention for coming was in other ways, not the reasons he estimated at the beginning.

"Well, sir," he said to Albert, "if you come to quarrel with this gentleman because I have a preference for him and not for you, then I may as well explain it first, and I will do so in such a case. Hand it over to the prosecutor."

"You're mistaken, sir," said Mocerf, with a dark smile. "I was not talking about marriage at all. I spoke to Mr. Cavalle-Conti just now because I saw him for a while." I want to intervene in what we are talking about. But please note that what you said is right," he continued, "I am here to quarrel today, and I see who is arguing with whom, but don't worry, Mr. Tangra, you have priority."

"Sir," Tangla said, his face pale with anger and fear, "I warn you, if I am unlucky and meet a mad dog on the way, I will kill it, and I don't think it is a crime at all. , On the contrary, I feel that I have done a good thing for the society. If you are also crazy and want to bite me, tell you, I will beat you to death without mercy. Humph! If your father's reputation is discredited, is it mine? Is it wrong?"

"Yes, that's despicable!" cried Albert. "Of course it's your fault."

Tangra couldn't help but took a step back. "My fault!" he said, "you are mad! What do I know about Greece? When have I been in those places? Did I persuade your father to give up the castle of Ioannina as a betrayal? ?”

"Stop talking nonsense!" Albert said hoarsely. "Yes, you didn't yell and attack directly, but you were the one who incited the flames with clever words."

"I?"

"Yes, you! Where did the wind come from?"

"But I think the papers have made it clear to you, from Ioannina, indeed!"

"Who wrote to Ionina?"

"Ionina?"

"Yes, who wrote to inquire about my father?"

"I suppose anyone can write to Ionina."

"But there was only one person who wrote the letter."

"only one person?"

"Yes! This person is you."

"Yes, I did. I think my daughter is about to marry a young man. You can always learn about the young man's family situation. This is not only a right, but also a responsibility."

"But when you write, monsieur," said Albert, "you know very well what kind of reply you are going to receive."

"I know what's in my heart? Ah! I can swear to you," Tangla shouted, and his voice could not help revealing a little credible and reliable meaning. This may be due to his guilty conscience, but more importantly, he is deeply I couldn't help worrying about that poor young man, "I swear to you, I didn't even think of writing a letter to Ionina. How would I know about Governor Ali's martyrdom?"

"So, someone ordered you to write it?"

"of course."

"Did someone tell you to write it?"

"Correct."

"Who is this man? You must finish speaking, and speak."

"What's the point? It's very simple. When I told you about your father's history, I said it was always unclear how he started. The man asked me where your father got his start, and I replied that it was in Greece. So the man said to me: 'Hey, you should write to Ioannina and ask.'"

"Who gave you the idea?"

"Hmph! Count of Monte Cristo, your friend."

"The Count of Monte Cristo asked you to write to Ionina?"

"Yes, I did too. Would you like to read the correspondence? I can show it to you."

Albert and Beauchamp looked at each other. "Sir," said Beauchamp, who had remained silent all this time, "I think you want to put the blame on the count? The count is not in Paris, and it is impossible for him to defend himself at this moment."

"I will never shirk my responsibility, sir," Tangra said, "I must speak clearly. What I said just now in front of you two, I can say again in front of the Count of Monte Cristo."

"Does the count know what kind of reply you have received?"

"Reply and I'll show him."

"Does he know that my father's Christian name is Fernand and his family name is Mondego?"

"Yes, I told him long ago. Besides, if I do the same, other people will do the same, and I may even say that I do less. The day after I received the reply, your father Hearing the persuasion of M. Monte Cristo, come to me to formally propose marriage for you. The matter should be over, so I refused. I refused very simply, it is true, but I did not explain anything, and did not make a fuss. Yes. Yes, why should I publicize it loudly? Whether Mr. Moserf is honored or made a fool of himself, what does it matter to me? My income will not increase or decrease because of this.”

Albert felt that even his forehead was flushed, the matter was already obvious, and there was nothing more to doubt.Tang Gela shamelessly defended himself, but he said it very frankly. Although not necessarily all the truth, at least some of the words were true. Of course, he did not say this out of sincerity, but just because of a guilty conscience.Besides, what is Albert's purpose?He didn't want to find out who was more guilty of Tang La and Monte Cristo. He wanted to find someone who would stand up to the challenge no matter how serious it was. He wanted someone to fight. However, it was obvious that Don Guerra was not a man who dared to duel.

In addition, things that he had forgotten or never paid attention to, are now clearly in his mind, or appear in his mind one after another.Since Monte Cristo bought Governor Ali's daughter, he knew all about the ins and outs of the matter, and because he knew everything, he persuaded Tangra to write to Ionina.Knowing that Ioannina had replied to the letter, he complied with Albert's request and introduced him to meet Eddie.When he came to Ede, he deliberately turned the topic to Ali's death, and did not prevent Ede from talking about these things, but he spoke to the girl in modern Greek, and he must be explaining that Albert must not hear that. The European military officer was his father.Besides, didn't he tell Albert not to mention his father's name to Edette?At last, when he knew that the matter was about to be made public, he accompanied Albert to Normandy.There can be no doubt that all this was well planned, and that Monte Cristo must have conspired with the enemies of Albert's father.

Albert took Beauchamp aside and told him his thoughts. "You are right," said Beauchamp, "that there is a rough and vulgar side to this matter, which is exactly what M. Tangra did, and the explanation you are asking for should be referred to M. Monte Cristo."

Albert turned to Tangra and said: "Sir, I think you will know that I am not entangled with you now is only temporary, I have to find out whether your excuse is valid, and now I will ask the Count of Monte Cristo."

After finishing speaking, he bowed to the banker, and then walked out together with Beauchamp. He never seemed to pay any attention to Cavalle Conti who was standing beside him.Tangra accompanied them to the door, and at the door he expressed to Albert again that he himself had no intention of turning against Count Messef.

(End of this chapter)