Chapter 76 Chapter 76: The Progress of Cavalcanti the Younger

By this time old Mr. Cavalcanti had returned, not to his service in the army of His Majesty the Emperor of Austria, but to the gaming table at Lucca's bathhouse, where he had been one of its staunchest customers.He had spent all his rewards for playing a father with authority on this trip.On his departure, he handed over to Monsieur André all the supporting documents, which confirmed that the latter was indeed the son of the Marquis of Bartoluccio and the Marquis of Olivia Corsinelli.M. André had now entered society very well in Parisian society, which was very ready to accept foreigners, and to treat them not as they really were, but as they wished to be.Moreover, what is required of a young man in Paris?As long as he speaks decent French, as long as he looks good, as long as he is a skilled player and pays his bills in cash, that is enough.These conditions make no difference between foreigners and Frenchmen.So, within two weeks, Andrei had acquired a very desirable position.His Excellency the Viscount, as he was called by others, was said to have an income of fifty thousand livres a year; and it was often said that his father had a great fortune buried in the quarries at Seravicha.As to this last point, it was not taken seriously when it was first spoken of, but a scholar who later declared that he had seen the quarries added a great deal to a subject which was then somewhat uncertain. The great certainty puts a layer of authenticity on it.

Such was the state of Paris society at that time, which we have presented to our readers. One evening Monte Cristo visited M. Danglars.Danglars went out; but the count was invited by the baroness to enter, and he accepted Auteuil's dinner. Since that supper and the events that followed, Madame Danglars has heard the servant come every time to announce the news of Monte Cristo. The name always makes me shudder nervously.If he does not come, the bitterness becomes very tense: if he does, his dignified countenance, his bright eyes, his kindly manner, his solicitous concern, soon drive away the tension. All Mrs. Grall's uneasy emotions.

It seemed to the baroness that a man of such amiable and agreeable manner could not have been suspicious of her.Moreover, even the most dishonest person will only have evil intentions when there is a conflict of interest with her, otherwise, no one will think of harming others for no reason.When Monte Cristo entered the hostess' drawing-room, which we have once introduced to our readers, Mademoiselle Eugenie was admiring with M. Cavalcanti some pictures which they would pass on to the baroness. Look.The count's visit soon had its usual effect; the baroness was, though slightly, bewildered when the servant came to announce her.But she still received the earl with a smile.The latter, on the other hand, took in the whole scene with just one glance.

The baroness reclined in a mandarin chair, Eugenie sat beside her, and Cavalcanti stood.Cavalcanti was dressed in black, like the protagonist in Goethe's poems, wearing black leather shoes and openwork white stockings, with a beautiful snow-white hand inserted in his light-colored hair, with a diamond shining in the middle of the hair Shine because Monte Cristo, despite all his persuasion, could not resist the vain young man's desire to put a diamond ring on his little finger.In addition to this gesture, he also cast glances and begging sighs at Mademoiselle Danglars from time to time.Mademoiselle Danglars was the same as ever—cold, pretty, and sarcastic, never once did that look and that sigh fail to pass her eyes and ears; On top of the shield—that shield, according to some philosophers, protected the chest of the Greek poetess Sappho several times.Eugenie bowed indifferently to the count, and immediately escaped to her study with excuses after the greeting, where two cheerful voices sang loudly to the melody of the piano.Monte Cristo knew from this that Mademoiselle Danglars preferred to stay with her music teacher, Mademoiselle Rosie Amélie, rather than with him and M. Cavalcanti.

At this moment, while the count was talking to Madame Danglars, and pretending to be very interested in the conversation, he paid special attention to the nostalgic look of M. André Cavalcanti, the way he listened to him. The way the music came from the room that dared not enter, and his admiring attitude.The banker returned shortly after.His eyes undoubtedly fell on Monte Cristo, and then it was Andre's turn.As for his wife, he bowed to her with the manner some husbands do to their wives, which unmarried men must never understand, unless a comprehensive code of conjugal life is published in the future.

"Didn't the ladies invite you to play with them?" Danglars said to André. "Oh! No, sir," replied Andrei with a sigh, which was more pronounced than on previous occasions.Danglars went at once to the door and opened it. Two young ladies were sitting side by side on the chairs in front of the piano, and they were accompaniment to each other, each with one hand--they liked to practice this way, and they had already become very good at it.Looking through the open door, Mademoiselle Amiley and Eugenie formed a picture very fond of the Germans.She was somewhat pretty, very elegant--not a bad figure, but a little on the thin side, with great locks of curls hanging down her neck (which was a little too long, like some of those sculptures by Perugino. like fairies), with lazy eyes.It is said that her chest is very healthy, and one day in the future, it will be like "Clemon's Violin" In the novel, Antony is the heroine of the novel. ——Annotation] died in singing like Antoine in .

Monte Cristo cast a quick and curious glance at the sanctuary; he had heard much of Miss Amélie before, but this was the first time he had seen her. "Oh!" said the banker to his daughter, "have we all been left out in the cold?" So he led the young man into the study, and, whether by chance or on purpose, Andrei went in. , the door was ajar, so that they could see nothing from where the count or baroness sat; but as the banker was with André, Madame Danglars could not Don't pay attention to them. Soon the count heard Andrea's voice, singing a Corsican folk song with the accompaniment of the piano.Hearing this song, the count smiled, and it made him forget André and think of Benedetto, while Madame Danglars praised Monte Cristo for her husband's strong will, because he had just been injured by Meran's business that morning. Three or four million francs were lost in frustration.This praise is indeed well deserved, because if the count had not heard it from the baroness, or hired him to inquire about it in his penetrating way, he would not have doubted it from the baron's face alone. to this point. "Hum!" thought Monte Cristo, "he has begun to hide his losses, and a month ago he boasted," and he exclaimed, "Oh, Madame, M. Danglars is very capable, and he will soon be in the The Stock Exchange recovers all losses."

"I think you have a wrong idea, like many people," said Madame Danglars. "What idea?" said Monte Cristo. "It is thought that Mr. Danglars is engaged in speculation, but in fact he has never done it." "Yes, ma'am, I remember Mr. Debray telling me—wait a minute, what's the matter with him? I haven't seen him for three or four days." "I didn't see him either," said Madame Danglars with great composure, "but you haven't finished your sentence yet." "What words?" "Mr. Debray tells you—"

"Ah, yes, he told me, you're the victim of speculative failure." "I've always enjoyed that game very much, I admit it," said Madame Danglars, "but I don't now." "Then you are wrong, ma'am. Destiny is a certainty. If I am a woman, and blessed to be a banker's wife, however much I may trust my husband's good fortune—for in speculation, you You know, it's all a matter of luck--well, I mean no matter how sure I am of my husband's luck, I'm going to get a fortune that has nothing to do with him, even if I have to put it into someone else's hands without telling him. No hesitation."

Madame Danglars could not help blushing, in spite of all her efforts to restrain herself. "Well," said Monte Cristo, who seemed not to notice her bewildered expression, "I heard that the Neapolitan debt went up yesterday." "I didn't buy that kind of bond. I never bought that kind of bond. Have we talked too much about money, count? We are like two stock speculators. Have you ever heard of the fate?" How is God persecuting poor Villeforts?" "What is it?" said the count, looking bewildered. "When the Marquis of Saint-Méran came to Paris, he died within a few days of his journey, and the Marquise also died within a few days after arriving in Paris. Do you know that?"

"Yes," said Monte Cristo, "I have heard of it. But, as Claudius said to Hamlet, 'It is a law of nature that their parents die before them, and they mourn They will die before their children, so it will be their children's turn to mourn them.'? "But there's more to it than that." "Not only these!" "No, their daughter was supposed to marry—" "Monsieur Franz d'Epinay. Is the engagement broken?" "Yesterday morning, it appeared that Franz had declined the honor." "Really, do you know the reason?" "have no idea." "Strange! How can M. de Villefort endure this succession of misfortunes?" "He's just as usual—like a philosopher." At this moment Danglars returned alone. "Ah!" said the baroness, "have you lost Mr. Cavalcanti to your daughter?" "And Miss Armile," said the banker, and you think she's not human, then? ’ Then he turned to Monte Cristo and said, ‘Prince Cavalcanti is a lovely young man, isn’t he?But is he really a prince? " "It is not my duty to answer you," said Monte Cristo. "When they introduced me to his father, it was said that he was a marquess, so he should be an earl. But I don't think he seems to want that title." "Why?" said the banker. "If he's a prince, he shouldn't lose his identity. Everyone should assert their rights and I don't like anyone denying his parentage." "Oh! you are a perfect democrat," said Monte Cristo, smiling. "But don't you see what's wrong with yourself?" said the baroness. "If, by chance, M. de Morcerf came, he would know that M. Cavalcanti was in that room, and that he, in spite of being Euger Ni's fiancé, but never let him in." "It happens to be the right word for you," said the banker, "for he seldom comes here, and if he does, it is a coincidence." "But if he comes, he won't like to see that young man with your daughter." "He! You are wrong. Mr. Albert will not give us this face and be jealous of his fiancée. He doesn't love her to that extent. Besides, I don't care if he doesn't like it." "But, in our current situation—" "Yes, do you know how we are now? At his mother's ball, he danced only once with Eugenie, while Mr. Cavalcanti danced three times. He didn't care at all." The servant announces the Viscount Morcerf's visit.The baroness rose hastily to go to the study, but Danglars held her back. "Don't go!" he said.He looked at him in surprise.Monte Cristo seemed not to have noticed these circumstances.Albert came in, very handsomely dressed, and looking very happy.He bowed politely to the baroness, to Danglars as an acquaintance, and to Monte Cristo with affection.Then turning to the baroness again, she said: "May I ask Mademoiselle Danglars?" "She is well," Danglars answered hastily; "she is practicing singing with M. Cavalcanti in her little drawing-room." Albert maintained his calm and indifferent air; he might have been annoyed, but he knew that the eyes of Monte Cristo were upon him. "Monsieur Cavalcanti is a fine baritone," he said, "and Mademoiselle Eugenie is a fine soprano, and she plays the piano like Tellburg 12-1871), a famous Swiss pianist.—Annotation] is as wonderful. They must sing together very well." "The two of them are wonderful together," said Danglars. This remark was so vulgar that it made Madame Danglars blush, but Albert did not seem to notice it. "I'm sort of a musician," said the young man, "at least, that's what my teacher used to tell me. Strange to say, I don't have a voice that's good enough for anyone, especially a soprano." .” Danglars smiled, as if to say, that's all right.Then, evidently eager to achieve his effect, he said: "The prince and my daughter were greatly admired yesterday. You were not there, M. Morcerf?" "What prince?" asked Albert. "Prince Cavalcanti," said Danglars, insisting on addressing the young man by that. "Excuse me," said Albert, "I didn't know he was a prince. Did Prince Cavalcanti and Mademoiselle Eugenie sing yesterday? Needless to say, it must have been very nice. I'm sorry I wasn't there. But I I cannot accept your invitation, because I have already agreed to accompany my mother to the German concert hosted by the Countess Chateau-Renoir.” Then, after a short silence, Morcerf added, “I can go to Danglars. How do you say hello to Miss Ill?" As if this had never happened before. "Wait a minute," the banker stopped the young man and said, "Did you hear that nice little song? Da da is very nice. Wait a minute, let them finish singing! Good! Great! Great!" the banker Applause warmly. "Indeed," said Albert, "very well. No one understands the songs of his country better than Prince Cavalcanti. 'Prince' is what you call it, isn't it? But if he is not yet, he will be." It's easy to do. It's not a rare thing in Italy. Let's talk about those two lovely musicians, and you have to entertain us, Monsieur Danglars. Don't tell them there's a stranger here, let them go again. Sing a song. Listening to the song should be interesting from a short distance away, without being seen or seen, so that the singer will not be disturbed, so that he can freely release all his inspiration and let him The mind is free to run where it pleases." Danglars was very annoyed by Albert's indifference.He drew Monte Cristo aside. "What do you think of our lover?" said he. "He looks cold! But your words have been spoken." "Yes, of course, I promise to marry my daughter to a man who loves her, and not to one who doesn't. Even if Albert had been as rich as Cavalcanti, I would not have been so happy. He was so arrogant to see him marrying her." "Oh!" said Monte Cristo, "perhaps I am blinded by my partiality, but I can assure you that Monsieur de Morcerf is a very charming young man, he will make the lady happy, and sooner or later he will do something— —his father was in a very good position." "Hmph!" said Danglars. "What is there to doubt?" "I mean the past--the old days of humble birth." "But a father's past life cannot affect his son." "That's true." "Come, don't be stubborn, a month ago you wished so much for this marriage. You know me—I'm terribly sorry. You met that little Cavalcanti at my house, and about him I I tell you again, I don't know anything." "But how much do I know." "Have you understood?" "Is it still necessary to understand? Isn't it possible to know what kind of person the other party is at a glance? First, he is very rich." "I'm not sure of that." "But you are responsible to him." "Fifty thousand livres--a trifle." "He had an excellent education." "Hmph!" said Monte Cristo this time. "He's a musician." "All Italians are musicians." "I say, Count, you are not doing justice to that young man." "Well, I admit that this incident makes me very unhappy. You have had such a long relationship with the Morcerves. I really don't want to see him come in like this." Danglars laughed. "You seem a Puritan," he said. "That sort of thing happens every day." "But you shouldn't break the contract just like that. The Morcerf family is eager to form this marriage." "real?" "certainly." "Then let them speak clearly, and you can give his father a hint, since your relationship with that family is so close." "Me? Where did you find that?" "It was obvious enough at their ball. Why, Countess, that contemptuous Mercédès, that haughty Catalonian, still took your arm and led you to the garden Did you go for a half-hour walk in the quiet path? But she usually doesn't open her mouth easily even to the oldest old friends. Would you like to take the responsibility to talk to the father?" "It's all very well, if you wish." "But this time it has to be settled. If he wants my daughter, let him fix the date and make his terms public—anyway, we'll either come to terms with each other, or we'll have a fight. You see— — don't delay any longer." "Yes, sir, I'll just take care of this matter for you." "I'm not saying I'm waiting for him willingly, but I'm waiting for him. You know, a banker must be true to his word." Danglars sighed just as M. Cavalcanti had done half an hour ago. Take a breath. "Good! Great! Great!" Morcerf applauded, imitating the banker, as the song was ending. Danglars began to look suspiciously at Morcerf, when suddenly a person came up and whispered something to him. "I'll be right back," said the banker to Monte Cristo; "wait for me. I may have something to say to you." The baroness opened the door of her daughter's study while her husband was away.Monsieur André, who had been sitting at the piano with Mademoiselle Eugenie, jumped like a spring.Albert smiled and bowed to Mademoiselle Danglars, who, without complacency, returned him with her usual indifference.Cavalcanti is clearly in a state of embarrassment; he bows to Morcerf, who tries to treat him with the utmost incivility.Then Albert began to praise Mademoiselle Danglars' voice, and said that after hearing what she had just sung, he regretted that he had not been able to attend last night. Cavalcanti felt awkward standing alone, so he turned and spoke to Monte Cristo. "Come," said Madame Danglars, "stop singing and talking nicely, and let us go to tea." "Come, Rosie," said Mademoiselle Danglars to her friend. They went into the next living room.Tea is ready.They had added sugar, according to the English custom, and put teaspoons into their glasses, and were about to drink when the door opened again, and Danglars entered, evidently very excited.Monte Cristo, in particular, noticed this look, and asked the banker for an explanation with his eyes. "The man I sent to Greece for information has returned," said Danglars. "Oh! Oh!" said the count, "that's why you went out." "yes." "Is King Otto all right?" Albert asked in the most relaxed tone. Danglars made no answer, but cast another suspicious glance at him; Monte Cristo turned his head to conceal the expression of sympathy on his face, which passed in a moment. "Shall we go back together?" said Albert to the count. "If you wish," answered the count. Albert did not understand the meaning of the banker's look, and turning to Monte Cristo, he said: "Did you see the way he looked at me?" Monte Cristo, of course, understood very well. "Of course," said the count, "but do you think there is any particular meaning in his glance?" "I do think so. What does he mean by news from Greece?" "How can I tell you?" "Because I thought you had intelligence agents in that country." Monte Cristo smiled meaningfully. "Stop," said Albert, "he is coming. I will compliment Mademoiselle Danglars on her jewelry, and ask her father to speak to you." "If you must compliment her, it is better to compliment her voice," said Monte Cristo. "No, that's what everybody says." "My dear Viscount, you are terribly reckless." Albert walked towards Eugenie with a smile.At this moment Danglars put his mouth to Monte Cristo's ear. "Your advice is very good," he said. "Behind the names 'Fernand' and 'Yanina' there is indeed a terrible history." "Really!" said Monte Cristo. "Yes, I could tell you everything, but take that young man away. I can't stand him here." "He's coming with me. Shall I call his father to see you?" "It's even more necessary now." "Excellent." The count gestured to Albert; they bowed to Madame and Mademoiselle--Albert was indifferent to Mademoiselle Danglars' indifference, and Monte Cristo gave Madame Danglars a second. A piece of advice hinted at how carefully a banker's wife should plan her future.Mr. Cavalcanti is back to where he started.