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The Count of Monte Cristo
Chapter 80. The Accusation.
Alexandre Dumas
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       M. D'Avrigny soon restored the magistrate to consciousness, who had looked like a second corpse in that chamber of death. "Oh, death is in my house!" cried Villefort.
       "Say, rather, crime!" replied the doctor.
       "M. d'Avrigny," cried Villefort, "I cannot tell you all I feel at this moment, -- terror, grief, madness."
       "Yes," said M. d'Avrigny, with an imposing calmness, "but I think it is now time to act. I think it is time to stop this torrent of mortality. I can no longer bear to be in possession of these secrets without the hope of seeing the victims and society generally revenged." Villefort cast a gloomy look around him. "In my house," murmured he, "in my house!"
       "Come, magistrate," said M. d'Avrigny, "show yourself a man; as an interpreter of the law, do honor to your profession by sacrificing your selfish interests to it."
       "You make me shudder, doctor. Do you talk of a sacrifice?"
       "I do."
       "Do you then suspect any one?"
       "I suspect no one; death raps at your door -- it enters -- it goes, not blindfolded, but circumspectly, from room to room. Well, I follow its course, I track its passage; I adopt the wisdom of the ancients, and feel my way, for my friendship for your family and my respect for you are as a twofold bandage over my eyes; well" --
       "Oh, speak, speak, doctor; I shall have courage."
       "Well, sir, you have in your establishment, or in your family, perhaps, one of the frightful monstrosities of which each century produces only one. Locusta and Agrippina, living at the same time, were an exception, and proved the determination of providence to effect the entire ruin of the Roman empire, sullied by so many crimes. Brunehilde and Fredegonde were the results of the painful struggle of civilization in its infancy, when man was learning to control mind, were it even by an emissary from the realms of darkness. All these women had been, or were, beautiful. The same flower of innocence had flourished, or was still flourishing, on their brow, that is seen on the brow of the culprit in your house." Villefort shrieked, clasped his hands, and looked at the doctor with a supplicating air. But the latter went on without pity: --
       "`Seek whom the crime will profit,' says an axiom of jurisprudence."
       "Doctor," cried Villefort, "alas, doctor, how often has man's justice been deceived by those fatal words. I know not why, but I feel that this crime" --
       "You acknowledge, then, the existence of the crime?"
       "Yes, I see too plainly that it does exist. But it seems that it is intended to affect me personally. I fear an attack myself, after all these disasters."
       "Oh, man," murmured d'Avrigny, "the most selfish of all animals, the most personal of all creatures, who believes the earth turns, the sun shines, and death strikes for him alone, -- an ant cursing God from the top of a blade of grass! And have those who have lost their lives lost nothing? -- M. de Saint-Meran, Madame de Saint-Meran, M. Noirtier" --
       "How? M. Noirtier?"
       "Yes; think you it was the poor servant's life was coveted? No, no; like Shakespeare's `Polonius,' he died for another. It was Noirtier the lemonade was intended for -- it is Noirtier, logically speaking, who drank it. The other drank it only by accident, and, although Barrois is dead, it was Noirtier whose death was wished for."
       "But why did it not kill my father?"
       "I told you one evening in the garden after Madame de Saint-Meran's death -- because his system is accustomed to that very poison, and the dose was trifling to him, which would be fatal to another; because no one knows, not even the assassin, that, for the last twelve months, I have given M. Noirtier brucine for his paralytic affection, while the assassin is not ignorant, for he has proved that brucine is a violent poison."
       "Oh, have pity -- have pity!" murmured Villefort, wringing his hands.
       "Follow the culprit's steps; he first kills M. de Saint-Meran" --
       "O doctor!"
       "I would swear to it; what I heard of his symptoms agrees too well with what I have seen in the other cases." Villefort ceased to contend; he only groaned. "He first kills M. de Saint-Meran," repeated the doctor, "then Madame de Saint-Meran, -- a double fortune to inherit." Villefort wiped the perspiration from his forehead. "Listen attentively."
       "Alas," stammered Villefort, "I do not lose a single word."
       "M. Noirtier," resumed M. d'Avrigny in the same pitiless tone, -- "M. Noirtier had once made a will against you -- against your family -- in favor of the poor, in fact; M. Noirtier is spared, because nothing is expected from him. But he has no sooner destroyed his first will and made a second, than, for fear he should make a third, he is struck down. The will was made the day before yesterday, I believe; you see there has been no time lost."
       "Oh, mercy, M. d'Avrigny!"
       "No mercy, sir! The physician has a sacred mission on earth; and to fulfil it he begins at the source of life, and goes down to the mysterious darkness of the tomb. When crime has been committed, and God, doubtless in anger, turns away his face, it is for the physician to bring the culprit to justice."
       "Have mercy on my child, sir," murmured Villefort.
       "You see it is yourself who have first named her -- you, her father."
       "Have pity on Valentine! Listen -- it is impossible! I would as willingly accuse myself! Valentine, whose heart is pure as a diamond or a lily."
       "No pity, procureur; the crime is fragrant. Mademoiselle herself packed all the medicines which were sent to M. de Saint-Meran; and M. de Saint-Meran is dead. Mademoiselle de Villefort prepared all the cooling draughts which Madame de Saint-Meran took, and Madame de Saint-Meran is dead. Mademoiselle de Villefort took from the hands of Barrois, who was sent out, the lemonade which M. Noirtier had every morning, and he has escaped by a miracle. Mademoiselle de Villefort is the culprit -- she is the poisoner! To you, as the king's attorney, I denounce Mademoiselle de Villefort, do your duty."
       "Doctor, I resist no longer -- I can no longer defend myself -- I believe you; but, for pity's sake, spare my life, my honor!"
       "M. de Villefort," replied the doctor, with increased vehemence, "there are occasions when I dispense with all foolish human circumspection. If your daughter had committed only one crime, and I saw her meditating another, I would say `Warn her, punish her, let her pass the remainder of her life in a convent, weeping and praying.' If she had committed two crimes, I would say, `Here, M. de Villefort, is a poison that the prisoner is not acquainted with, -- one that has no known antidote, quick as thought, rapid as lightning, mortal as the thunderbolt; give her that poison, recommending her soul to God, and save your honor and your life, for it is yours she aims at; and I can picture her approaching your pillow with her hypocritical smiles and her sweet exhortations. Woe to you, M. de Villefort, if you do not strike first!' This is what I would say had she only killed two persons but she has seen three deaths, -- has contemplated three murdered persons, -- has knelt by three corpses! To the scaffold with the poisoner -- to the scaffold! Do you talk of your honor? Do what I tell you, and immortality awaits you!"
       Villefort fell on his knees. "Listen," said he; "I have not the strength of mind you have, or rather that which you would not have, if instead of my daughter Valentine your daughter Madeleine were concerned." The doctor turned pale. "Doctor, every son of woman is born to suffer and to die; I am content to suffer and to await death."
       "Beware," said M. d'Avrigny, "it may come slowly; you will see it approach after having struck your father, your wife, perhaps your son."
       Villefort, suffocating, pressed the doctor's arm. "Listen," cried he; "pity me -- help me! No, my daughter is not guilty. If you drag us both before a tribunal I will still say, `No, my daughter is not guilty; -- there is no crime in my house. I will not acknowledge a crime in my house; for when crime enters a dwelling, it is like death -- it does not come alone.' Listen. What does it signify to you if I am murdered? Are you my friend? Are you a man? Have you a heart? No, you are a physician! Well, I tell you I will not drag my daughter before a tribunal, and give her up to the executioner! The bare idea would kill me -- would drive me like a madman to dig my heart out with my finger-nails! And if you were mistaken, doctor -- if it were not my daughter -- if I should come one day, pale as a spectre, and say to you, `Assassin, you have killed my child!' -- hold -- if that should happen, although I am a Christian, M. d'Avrigny, I should kill myself."
       "Well," said the doctor, after a moment's silence, "I will wait." Villefort looked at him as if he had doubted his words. "Only," continued M. d'Avrigny, with a slow and solemn tone, "if any one falls ill in your house, if you feel yourself attacked, do not send for me, for I will come no more. I will consent to share this dreadful secret with you, but I will not allow shame and remorse to grow and increase in my conscience, as crime and misery will in your house."
       "Then you abandon me, doctor?"
       "Yes, for I can follow you no farther, and I only stop at the foot of the scaffold. Some further discovery will be made, which will bring this dreadful tragedy to a close. Adieu."
       "I entreat you, doctor!"
       "All the horrors that disturb my thoughts make your house odious and fatal. Adieu, sir."
       "One word -- one single word more, doctor! You go, leaving me in all the horror of my situation, after increasing it by what you have revealed to me. But what will be reported of the sudden death of the poor old servant?"
       "True," said M. d'Avrigny; "we will return." The doctor went out first, followed by M. de Villefort. The terrified servants were on the stairs and in the passage where the doctor would pass. "Sir," said d'Avrigny to Villefort, so loud that all might hear, "poor Barrois has led too sedentary a life of late; accustomed formerly to ride on horseback, or in the carriage, to the four corners of Europe, the monotonous walk around that arm-chair has killed him -- his blood has thickened. He was stout, had a short, thick neck; he was attacked with apoplexy, and I was called in too late. By the way," added he in a low tone, "take care to throw away that cup of syrup of violets in the ashes."
       The doctor, without shaking hands with Villefort, without adding a word to what he had said, went out, amid the tears and lamentations of the whole household. The same evening all Villefort's servants, who had assembled in the kitchen, and had a long consultation, came to tell Madame de Villefort that they wished to leave. No entreaty, no proposition of increased wages, could induce them to remain; to every argument they replied, "We must go, for death is in this house." They all left, in spite of prayers and entreaties, testifying their regret at leaving so good a master and mistress, and especially Mademoiselle Valentine, so good, so kind, and so gentle. Villefort looked at Valentine as they said this. She was in tears, and, strange as it was, in spite of the emotions he felt at the sight of these tears, he looked also at Madame de Villefort, and it appeared to him as if a slight gloomy smile had passed over her thin lips, like a meteor seen passing inauspiciously between two clouds in a stormy sky.
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本书目录

Chapter 1. Marseilles -- The Arrival.
Chapter 2. Father and Son.
Chapter 3. The Catalans.
Chapter 4. Conspiracy.
Chapter 5. The Marriage-Feast.
Chapter 6. The Deputy Procureur du Roi.
Chapter 7. The Examination.
Chapter 8. The Chateau D'If.
Chapter 9. The Evening of the Betrothal.
Chapter 10. The King's Closet at the Tuileries.
Chapter 11. The Corsican Ogre.
Chapter 12. Father and Son.
Chapter 13. The Hundred Days.
Chapter 14. The Two Prisoners.
Chapter 15. Number 34 and Number 27.
Chapter 16. A Learned Italian.
Chapter 17. The Abbe's Chamber.
Chapter 18. The Treasure.
Chapter 19. The Third Attack.
Chapter 20. The Cemetery of the Chateau D'If.
Chapter 21. The Island of Tiboulen.
Chapter 22. The Smugglers.
Chapter 23. The Island of Monte Cristo.
Chapter 24. The Secret Cave.
Chapter 25. The Unknown.
Chapter 26. The Pont du Gard Inn.
Chapter 27. The Story.
Chapter 28. The Prison Register.
Chapter 29. The House of Morrel & Son.
Chapter 30. The Fifth of September.
Chapter 31. Italy: Sinbad the Sailor.
Chapter 32. The Waking.
Chapter 33. Roman Bandits.
Chapter 34. The Colosseum.
Chapter 35. La Mazzolata.
Chapter 36. The Carnival at Rome.
Chapter 37. The Catacombs of Saint Sebastian.
Chapter 38. The Compact.
Chapter 39. The Guests.
Chapter 40. The Breakfast.
Chapter 41. The Presentation.
Chapter 42. Monsieur Bertuccio.
Chapter 43. The House at Auteuil.
Chapter 44. The Vendetta.
Chapter 45. The Rain of Blood.
Chapter 46. Unlimited Credit.
Chapter 47. The Dappled Grays.
Chapter 48. Ideology.
Chapter 49. Haidee.
Chapter 50. The Morrel Family.
Chapter 51. Pyramus and Thisbe.
Chapter 52. Toxicology.
Chapter 53. Robert le Diable.
Chapter 54. A Flurry in Stocks.
Chapter 55. Major Cavalcanti.
Chapter 56. Andrea Cavalcanti.
Chapter 57. In the Lucerne Patch.
Chapter 58. M. Noirtier de Villefort.
Chapter 59. The Will.
Chapter 60. The Telegraph.
Chapter 61.
Chapter 62. Ghosts.
Chapter 63. The Dinner.
Chapter 64. The Beggar.
Chapter 65. A Conjugal Scene.
Chapter 66. Matrimonial Projects.
Chapter 67. At the Office of the King's Attorney.
Chapter 68. A Summer Ball.
Chapter 69. The Inquiry.
Chapter 70. The Ball.
Chapter 71. Bread and Salt.
Chapter 72. Madame de Saint-Meran.
Chapter 73. The Promise.
Chapter 74. The Villefort Family Vault.
Chapter 75. A Signed Statement.
Chapter 76. Progress of Cavalcanti the Younger.
Chapter 77. Haidee.
Chapter 78. We hear From Yanina.
Chapter 79. The Lemonade.
Chapter 80. The Accusation.
Chapter 81. The Room of the Retired Baker.
Chapter 82. The Burglary.
Chapter 83. The Hand of God.
Chapter 84. Beauchamp.
Chapter 85. The Journey.
Chapter 86. The Trial.
Chapter 87. The Challenge.
Chapter 88. The Insult.
Chapter 89. A Nocturnal Interview.
Chapter 90. The Meeting.
Chapter 91. Mother and Son.
Chapter 92. The Suicide.
Chapter 93. Valentine.
Chapter 94. Maximilian's Avowal.
Chapter 95. Father and Daughter.
Chapter 96. The Contract.
Chapter 97. The Departure for Belgium.
Chapter 98. The Bell and Bottle Tavern.
Chapter 99. The Law.
Chapter 100. The Apparition.
Chapter 101. Locusta.
Chapter 102. Valentine.
Chapter 103. Maximilian.
Chapter 104. Danglars Signature.
Chapter 105. The Cemetery of Pere-la-Chaise.
Chapter 106. Dividing the Proceeds.
Chapter 107. The Lions' Den.
Chapter 108. The Judge.
Chapter 109. The Assizes.
Chapter 110. The Indictment.
Chapter 111. Expiation.
Chapter 112. The Departure.
Chapter 113. The Past.
Chapter 114. Peppino.
Chapter 115. Luigi Vampa's Bill of Fare.
Chapter 116. The Pardon.
Chapter 117. The Fifth of October.