"Then," continued Beauchamp, "I took advantage of the silence
and the darkness to leave the house without being seen. The usher
who had introduced me was waiting for me at the door, and he
conducted me through the corridors to a private entrance opening
into the Rue de Vaugirard. I left with mingled feelings of sorrow
and delight. Excuse me, Albert, — sorrow on your account, and
delight with that noble girl, thus pursuing paternal vengeance.
Yes, Albert, from whatever source the blow may have proceeded — it
may be from an enemy, but that enemy is only the agent of
providence." Albert held his head between his hands; he raised his
face, red with shame and bathed in tears, and seizing Beauchamp's
arm, "My friend," said he, "my life is ended. I cannot calmly say
with you, `Providence has struck the blow;' but I must discover who
pursues me with this hatred, and when I have found him I shall kill
him, or he will kill me. I rely on your friendship to assist me,
Beauchamp, if contempt has not banished it from your heart."
"Contempt, my friend? How does this misfortune affect you? No,
happily that unjust prejudice is forgotten which made the son
responsible for the father's actions. Review your life, Albert;
although it is only just beginning, did a lovely summer's day ever
dawn with greater purity than has marked the commencement of your
career? No, Albert, take my advice. You are young and rich — leave
Paris — all is soon forgotten in this great Babylon of excitement
and changing tastes. You will return after three or four years with
a Russian princess for a bride, and no one will think more of what
occurred yesterday than if it had happened sixteen years ago."
"Thank you, my dear Beauchamp, thank you for the excellent
feeling which prompts your advice; but it cannot be. I have told
you my wish, or rather my determination. You understand that,
interested as I am in this affair, I cannot see it in the same
light as you do. What appears to you to emanate from a celestiallight as you do. What appears to you to emanate from a celestial
source, seems to me to proceed from one far less pure. Providence
appears to me to have no share in this affair; and happily so, for
instead of the invisible, impalpable agent of celestial rewards and
punishments, I shall find one both palpable and visible, on whom I
shall revenge myself, I assure you, for all I have suffered during
the last month. Now, I repeat, Beauchamp, I wish to return to human
and material existence, and if you are still the friend you profess
to be, help me to discover the hand that struck the blow."
"Be it so," said Beauchamp; "if you must have me descend to
earth, I submit; and if you will seek your enemy, I will assist
you, and I will engage to find him, my honor being almost as deeply
interested as yours."
"Well, then, you understand, Beauchamp, that we begin our search
immediately. Each moment's delay is an eternity for me. The
calumniator is not yet punished, and he may hope that he will not
be; but, on my honor, it he thinks so, he deceives himself."
"Well, listen, Morcerf."
"Ah, Beauchamp, I see you know something already; you will
restore me to life."
"I do not say there is any truth in what I am going to tell you,
but it is, at least, a ray of light in a dark night; by following
it we may, perhaps, discover something more certain."
"Tell me; satisfy my impatience."
"Well, I will tell you what I did not like to mention on my
return from Yanina."
"Say on."
"I went, of course, to the chief banker of the town to make
inquiries. At the first word, before I had even mentioned your
father's name" —
"`Ah,' said he. `I guess what brings you here.'
"`How, and why?'
"`Because a fortnight since I was questioned on the same
subject.'
"`By whom?' — `By a Paris banker, my correspondent.'
"`Whose name is' —
"`Danglars.'"
"He!" cried Albert; "yes, it is indeed he who has so long
pursued my father with jealous hatred. He, the man who would be
popular, cannot forgive the Count of Morcerf for being created apopular, cannot forgive the Count of Morcerf for being created a
peer; and this marriage broken off without a reason being assigned
— yes, it is all from the same cause."
"Make inquiries, Albert, but do not be angry without reason;
make inquiries, and if it be true" —
"Oh, yes, if it be true," cried the young man, "he shall pay me
all I have suffered."
"Beware, Morcerf, he is already an old man."
"I will respect his age as he has respected the honor of my
family; if my father had offended him, why did he not attack him
personally? Oh, no, he was afraid to encounter him face to
face."
"I do not condemn you, Albert; I only restrain you. Act
prudently."
"Oh, do not fear; besides, you will accompany me. Beauchamp,
solemn transactions should be sanctioned by a witness. Before this
day closes, if M. Danglars is guilty, he shall cease to live, or I
shall die. Pardieu, Beauchamp, mine shall be a splendid
funeral!"
"When such resolutions are made, Albert, they should be promptly
executed. Do you wish to go to M. Danglars? Let us go immediately."
They sent for a cabriolet. On entering the banker's mansion, they
perceived the phaeton and servant of M. Andrea Cavalcanti. "Ah,
parbleu, that's good," said Albert, with a gloomy tone. "If M.
Danglars will not fight with me, I will kill his son-in-law;
Cavalcanti will certainly fight." The servant announced the young
man; but the banker, recollecting what had transpired the day
before, did not wish him admitted. It was, however, too late;
Albert had followed the footman, and, hearing the order given,
forced the door open, and followed by Beauchamp found himself in
the banker's study. "Sir," cried the latter, "am I no longer at
liberty to receive whom I choose in my house? You appear to forget
yourself sadly."
"No, sir," said Albert, coldly; "there are circumstances in
which one cannot, except through cowardice, — I offer you that
refuge, — refuse to admit certain persons at least."
"What is your errand, then, with me, sir?"