creatures who have formed for themselves a life of dreams and a
paradise of realities."
"But," said Franz to the count, "with this theory, which renders
you at once judge and executioner of your own cause, it would be
difficult to adopt a course that would forever prevent your falling
under the power of the law. Hatred is blind, rage carries you away;
and he who pours out vengeance runs the risk of tasting a bitter
draught."
"Yes, if he be poor and inexperienced, not if he be rich and
skilful; besides, the worst that could happen to him would be the
punishment of which we have already spoken, and which the
philanthropic French Revolution has substituted for being torn to
pieces by horses or broken on the wheel. What matters this
punishment, as long as he is avenged? On my word, I almost regret
that in all probability this miserable Peppino will not be
beheaded, as you might have had an opportunity then of seeing how
short a time the punishment lasts, and whether it is worth even
mentioning; but, really this is a most singular conversation for
the Carnival, gentlemen; how did it arise? Ah, I recollect, you
asked for a place at my window; you shall have it; but let us first
sit down to table, for here comes the servant to inform us that
breakfast is ready." As he spoke, a servant opened one of the four
doors of the apartment, saying — "Al suo commodo!" The two young
men arose and entered the breakfast-room.
During the meal, which was excellent, and admirably served,
Franz looked repeatedly at Albert, in order to observe the
impressions which he doubted not had been made on him by the words
of their entertainer; but whether with his usual carelessness he
had paid but little attention to him, whether the explanation of
the Count of Monte Cristo with regard to duelling had satisfied
him, or whether the events which Franz knew of had had their effect
on him alone, he remarked that his companion did not pay the least
regard to them, but on the contrary ate like a man who for the lastregard to them, but on the contrary ate like a man who for the last
four or five months had been condemned to partake of Italian
cookery — that is, the worst in the world. As for the count, he
just touched the dishes; he seemed to fulfil the duties of a host
by sitting down with his guests, and awaited their departure to be
served with some strange or more delicate food. This brought back
to Franz, in spite of himself, the recollection of the terror with
which the count had inspired the Countess G—— , and her firm
conviction that the man in the opposite box was a vampire. At the
end of the breakfast Franz took out his watch. "Well," said the
count, "what are you doing?"
"You must excuse us, count," returned Franz, "but we have still
much to do."
"What may that be?"
"We have no masks, and it is absolutely necessary to procure
them."
"Do not concern yourself about that; we have, I think, a private
room in the Piazza del Popolo; I will have whatever costumes you
choose brought to us, and you can dress there."
"After the execution?" cried Franz.
"Before or after, whichever you please."
"Opposite the scaffold?"
"The scaffold forms part of the fete."
"Count, I have reflected on the matter," said Franz, "I thank
you for your courtesy, but I shall content myself with accepting a
place in your carriage and at your window at the Rospoli Palace,
and I leave you at liberty to dispose of my place at the Piazza del
Popolo."
"But I warn you, you will lose a very curious sight," returned
the count.
"You will describe it to me," replied Franz, "and the recital
from your lips will make as great an impression on me as if I had
witnessed it. I have more than once intended witnessing an
execution, but I have never been able to make up my mind; and you,
Albert?"
"I," replied the viscount, — "I saw Castaing executed, but I
think I was rather intoxicated that day, for I had quitted college
the same morning, and we had passed the previous night at a
tavern."
"Besides, it is no reason because you have not seen an executiontavern."
"Besides, it is no reason because you have not seen an execution
at Paris, that you should not see one anywhere else; when you
travel, it is to see everything. Think what a figure you will make
when you are asked, `How do they execute at Rome?' and you reply,
`I do not know'! And, besides, they say that the culprit is an
infamous scoundrel, who killed with a log of wood a worthy canon
who had brought him up like his own son. Diable, when a churchman
is killed, it should be with a different weapon than a log,
especially when he has behaved like a father. If you went to Spain,
would you not see the bull-fight? Well, suppose it is a bull-fight
you are going to see? Recollect the ancient Romans of the Circus,
and the sports where they killed three hundred lions and a hundred
men. Think of the eighty thousand applauding spectators, the sage
matrons who took their daughters, and the charming Vestals who made
with the thumb of their white hands the fatal sign that said,
`Come, despatch the dying.'"
"Shall you go, then, Albert?" asked Franz.
"Ma foi, yes; like you, I hesitated, but the count's eloquence
decides me."
"Let us go, then," said Franz, "since you wish it; but on our
way to the Piazza del Popolo, I wish to pass through the Corso. Is
this possible, count?"
"On foot, yes, in a carriage, no."
"I will go on foot, then."
"Is it important that you should go that way?"
"Yes, there is something I wish to see."
"Well, we will go by the Corso. We will send the carriage to
wait for us on the Piazza del Popolo, by the Strada del Babuino,
for I shall be glad to pass, myself, through the Corso, to see if
some orders I have given have been executed."
"Excellency," said a servant, opening the door, "a man in the
dress of a penitent wishes to speak to you."
"Ah, yes" returned the count, "I know who he is, gentlemen; will
you return to the salon? you will find good cigars on the centre
table. I will be with you directly." The young men rose and
returned into the salon, while the count, again apologizing, left