World Literature Classics Library: The Count of Monte Cristo

Chapter 158 Beauchamp
For two weeks all Paris was buzzing about the audacity of someone to try to burglarize the Count's apartment.The criminal left an indictment before his death, and he signed it, saying that Benedetto was the murderer who assassinated him.The police station has been ordered to use all police forces to search for the murderer.Cuderos's knife, blackout lantern, key chain, and his clothes were sent to the courthouse for temporary storage, but the vest he was wearing was not found, and his body was sent to the mortuary park.Whenever people asked, the count always said that he was at the Villa Auteuil when the accident happened, and he only knew it after hearing what the elder Buzzoni had said.It was a pure coincidence that night that Elder Buzzoni wanted to spend the night at the count's residence, and was going to do some research with some rare books in his library.Only Beticio's face turned pale when he heard the name Benedetto mentioned in front of him, but no one thought to pay attention to whether Beticio's face turned pale.Villefort was called upon to inspect the scene of the crime, and he took up the case, and proceeded to the preparatory trial with as much zeal as he did the other criminal cases for which he was charged.

But three weeks had elapsed, and the investigation, despite all its energy and intensity, had yielded nothing, and Parisian society had begun to place the case of an attempted burglary in the count's apartment, only to be murdered by an accomplice. At the back of the mind, everyone is now concerned about the big event that Miss Tangla will marry Count Andra Cavalleconti.The marriage was almost publicly announced, and Cavalle-Conti seemed to be the lady's fiancé in the banker's house.

I have already written to the old Mr. Cavallecanti, and he replied that he is very much in favor of the marriage, but he deeply regrets that he cannot get the Italian city name from Bama because of his busy business.He escaped and came, but he declared that he agreed to take out all the principal of the 15 livre annuity.The principal of 300 million francs has been negotiated and deposited in the Tangla firm, and Tangla will try to increase its value.Some people also persuaded Cavallecanti Jr., saying that they were worried about whether his future father-in-law's current financial strength was strong, because Tangra suffered successive losses in securities transactions recently.But this little Cavallekanti didn't value money, and he had great trust in Tangla's family. Those words of persuasion were completely in vain, and he didn't listen to them at all.And he was very considerate of Tangla, he didn't say a word to the Baron what others told him.In this way, the baron was even more fond of Count Andra Cavalleconti.Miss Eugenie Tangra's attitude was different. She hated marriage by nature, and the reason why she agreed with Andra was only to get rid of Mosef.And now that Andra is making progress, she has begun to dislike Andra obviously.Perhaps the baron was aware of it, but he might think that his daughter's dislike of Andra was just out of capriciousness, so he closed his eyes and pretended not to see it.

At this time, the time limit for Beauchamp's request for an extension was approaching.In addition, Monte Cristo told Mocerf at the beginning that it is better to let nature take its course in such a matter, and Mercerf later realized that the count's advice was indeed the best policy, because no one paid attention to the article about the general. According to the newsletter, no one thought that the officer who sold the castle of Ionina was the noble earl of the House of Nobles.But Albert always felt insulted, because the news, though only a few lines, had offended him greatly, and was evidently intended to be slanderous.When the two of them talked about the last time last time, Albert felt bitter when he thought of Beauchamp's appearance.Albert was therefore always thinking of the duel, and he hoped that, if Beauchamp would agree to the duel, it would be best to keep the reason for the duel secret, even from his witnesses.

As for Beauchamp, he was never seen again since the day Albert called for him, and whenever anyone asked for him, the newspapers replied that he had gone away and would not return for a few days.Where did he go?No one knows.One morning the valet woke up Albert and informed him of Beauchamp's visit.Albert rubbed his eyes, and ordered Beauchamp to wait for him in the small living room on the ground floor, and then he hurriedly dressed and went downstairs.He entered the living room and saw Beauchamp pacing up and down the room, but Beauchamp stopped immediately when he saw Albert.

"I was going to see you to-day, and it seems a good sign that you came to me without waiting for me, Monsieur," said Albert. To say: 'Beauchamp, I'm sorry, you and I are still friends?' Or, without further ado, I'll ask you: 'Which weapon do you use?'"

"Albert," Beauchamp said sadly, and Albert was shocked when he heard that, "Let's sit down first and talk slowly."

"But I think on the contrary, sir, that you have to answer my question before we sit down, don't you?"

"Albert," said the reporter, "sometimes the difficulty lies in not knowing how to answer."

"I can give you a simple answer, sir, and now I will ask you again: will you retract your statement, will you or will you not?"

"Mercerf, when the question involves the reputation, social status and life of a person like the Count of the French House of Peers, Mr. Major General, it is not enough to answer with 'yes' or 'no'."

"Then what should we do?"

"As I am, Albert. It should be said that money, time and fatigue are nothing when the honor and interests of a whole family are at stake. Before a duel, you can't just say specious things, but you have to say it with certainty. It should also be said that a man who has shaken my hand for three years now wants me to swing a sword at him, or wants me to buckle at him. To pistol trigger, I at least need to understand why I have to do such a thing, so that when I go to the duel field, I can have a clear conscience and a clean ear, and only then can a person wave his arm to save himself s life."

"Very good, very good!" Mosef said impatiently, "Is this ⒗ barley ⑧ red sheath cut?"

"I mean to tell you that I just came back from Ioannina."

"From Ioannina? You?"

"Yes, it's me."

"impossible."

"My dear Albert, here is my passport, here are the visas for various places: Geneva, Milan, Venice, Trieste, Delvino and Ioannina, for a republic, a You will always believe in the police department of a kingdom and an empire, right?"

Albert glanced at the passport, then raised his eyes and looked at Beauchamp in surprise. "Have you been to Ioannina?" he asked.

"Albert, suppose you were a foreigner, a stranger, an ordinary little nobleman, like the Englishman who came to me three or four months ago to apologize to him, and I ended up killing him, so as to save Always messing with me so you'll understand I'm not asking for it. But, I feel like I have to give you face. I went for a week and came back for another week in quarantine It took four days, and I stayed there for forty-eight hours, and it took me exactly the three weeks I wanted. I came back last night, and I am coming to you now."

"My God, my God! You talk so obliquely, Beauchamp, what I want you to say, and you take your time and refuse to say it!"

"Because in fact, Albert..."

"Look at your hesitation."

"Yes, I dare not say it directly."

"You don't dare to admit that your correspondent deceived you? Oh! Don't be too proud, Beauchamp. Just admit it, Beauchamp. You must not let people doubt your courage."

"Oh! That's not the case," whispered Beauchamp, "on the contrary..."

Albert's face turned horribly pale, and he wanted to say something, but he swallowed it again.

"My friend," Bo Shangyu said earnestly, "please believe me, I would be happy if I really want to apologize to you, and I will definitely say this apology sincerely. But, hey..."

"But what?"

"That text message was right, my friend."

"What? The French officer..."

"Yes."

"That Fernand?"

"Yes."

"The traitor who betrayed the owner and offered the city..."

"Let's just say what I said, please forgive me, he is your father!"

Albert was furious, and really wanted to rush towards Beauchamp, but Beauchamp blocked it with his hand, but it was Beauchamp's gentle gaze that really restrained Albert.

"Look, my friend," said Beauchamp, drawing a piece of paper from his pocket, "this is evidence."

Albert opened the paper, which was a certificate jointly issued by four well-known people in Ioannina, unanimously confirming that Colonel Fernand Mondego was the colonel of the teaching team under the governor of Ali-Terberan, and surrendered the city for money. .All four signatures were certified by the consulate.Albert's legs went limp, and he sank dejectedly on a chair.Now the matter is clearly revealed, and the certificate contains the first and last names, verbatim.Albert was dejected and silent. After a while, he only felt that his body was torn apart, but he saw the veins on his neck burst out, and tears poured out like a fountain.Beauchamp looked at the heartbroken young man in front of him with great sympathy, and then approached him.

"Albert," said Beauchamp. "Now you understand my intentions, don't you? I have to see all this with my own eyes, and I have to make my own judgment. I hope that the final explanation will be in favor of your father, and I hope that I can speak justice for your father. But it is not what I want. , what I have been able to prove is that this officer of the teaching team, this Fernand Mondego who was single-handedly promoted by Governor Ali to be the general of the Governor's Palace is none other than Count Fernand Mosef , I thought that I was fortunate to be regarded as a confidant by you, so I rushed to find you immediately."

Albert just leaned back in his chair dully, covering his eyes with his hands, as if trying to block out all the light.

"I have come to you," Beauchamp went on, "because I want to tell you, Albert, that in these times of change, the faults of our fathers cannot be passed on to our children. Albert, we were all born into this revolution." The years that followed, and revolution after revolution, seldom managed to live without getting some mud or blood on their uniform or on the robes of their judges. Albert, since the proofs are in my Here, since your secret is in my hands alone, no one in this world can compel me to fight you, and I have no doubt that, from your own conscience, you will regard this duel as a crime. However, it is difficult for you to say anything now and it is inconvenient to force me. I can take the initiative to give it to you. These evidences, these exposing materials, and these supporting documents are only in my possession. You see, are they all wiped out? This is appalling Do you think the secret should be kept only between you and me? I swear on my honor that since it has been entrusted to me, I will keep it to myself. Tell me, is that good, Albert? ? Tell me, is that good, my friend?"

Albert threw himself on Beauchamp's neck. "Ah! how noble your heart is!" he cried.

"Here you are." Beauchamp handed all the documents to Albert and said.

Albert took the papers with his trembling hand, gripped them tightly, and crumpled the papers. He wanted to tear them to pieces, but he knew that if any small piece of paper was blown away by the wind, He shuddered at the thought that some day it might hit him again on the forehead, and he went to the candle that was always burning for his cigars, and burned the papers to ashes, one by one, "Dear friend, Noble friend!" Albert said softly while burning the paper.

"May all this be forgotten like a nightmare;" said Beauchamp, "may it all die like the last sparks swiftly moving on a burnt paper; Like the last wisp of blue smoke, it will drift away without a trace."

"Yes, yes," said Albert, "what I wish to leave behind is an eternal friendship with my Saviour, which may be passed on to our children and grandchildren. May this friendship remind me every moment of my life. The blood that flows in my veins, my life on earth, the reputation of my family name, all this is your gift, because if such things get out, O Beauchamp, I will surely shoot myself Smashed head. Oh, no, my poor mother! I can't bear to shoot and let my mother die with me, and I have to stay away from my country."

"My dear Albert!" said Beauchamp.

But such a joy came unexpectedly, and it was almost like a mirage, and Albert's joy turned into sorrow in an instant.

"What's the matter?" asked Beauchamp, "oh, what's the matter, my friend?"

"It seems to me," said Albert, "that I am deeply distressed. Listen, Beauchamp, the admiration, the confidence, the pride which a father inspires in his son, when his name is spotless, do not pass for a moment. Oh! Beauchamp, Beauchamp! How do I see my father now? Do I have to back away when he puts his lips to my forehead and kisses me, when he reaches out to shake my hand? Ah, Beauchamp, I am the most unfortunate man in the world. Ah! my mother, my poor mother," said Albert, looking tearfully at his mother's portrait, "if you knew all these things, You must be full of sorrows and sorrows, and it will be extremely painful!"

"Oh!" said Beauchamp, taking Albert's hands, "you must hold on, my friend!"

"But where did you get the news that first appeared in your paper?" cried Albert. "There must be some old grudge behind it, some unknown Enemy against enemy."

"Hey!" said Beauchamp, "that's why you should stand still, Albert! Don't show the slightest trace of sorrow in your face, and you must first swallow this bitter fruit like a thick cloud that covers ruins and death. This bad luck The secret of the truth will only be revealed when the storm blows. Hold on, my friend, you must preserve your strength and wait for the time when the truth will be revealed."

"Oh! But do you think that the matter is over at this point?" asked Albert apprehensively.

"I, I hope nothing will happen, but there are always unpredictable things. By the way, I will ask you again..."

"What's the matter?" Albert asked when Beauchamp hesitated to speak.

"Are you still planning to marry Miss Tanglar?"

"Why would you ask me such a question at this moment, Beauchamp?"

"Because I think whether this marriage is a good match or ends in remorse is closely related to what we are talking about now."

"What?" Albert said, his forehead flushed suddenly, "Do you think Mr. Tanglar..."

"I'm just asking how your marriage is going. Forget it. I don't mean anything else. Don't think too much about my words."

"No," said Albert, "the engagement has been broken."

"Okay." Beauchamp said.Seeing that Albert was gloomy again, he went on: "Well, Albert, if you can trust me, we'll go for a walk together, take a buggy or ride into the woods, and you'll be able to get away." Let's relax, and then we'll find a place to have lunch together, after dinner you will do your business, and I will do mine."

"Very well," said Albert, "but let us walk; I think it would do me good to be a little tired."

"Agreed." Beauchamp said.

The two friends walked out of the mansion and walked along the boulevard to the Place de la Madeleine.

"Well," said Beauchamp, "now that we've come here, drop by Monsieur Monte Cristo on the way, he can refresh your mind, he doesn't ask questions, but he is very refreshing. I think, don't ask questions. The person who asks the truth can best comfort others.”

"Very well," said Albert, "let us go to him; I am very fond of him."

(End of this chapter)