the gloomy darkness of the cavern. One single, solitary light was
burning there, and it appeared like a star set in a heaven of
blackness; it was Selim's flaming lance. My mother was a Christian,
and she prayed. Selim repeated from time to time the sacred words:
`God is great!' However, my mother had still some hope. As she was
coming down, she thought she recognized the French officer who had
been sent to Constantinople, and in whom my father placed so much
confidence; for he knew that all the soldiers of the French emperor
were naturally noble and generous. She advanced some steps towards
the staircase, and listened. `They are approaching,' said she;
`perhaps they bring us peace and liberty!' — `What do you fear,
Vasiliki?' said Selim, in a voice at once so gentle and yet so
proud. `If they do not bring us peace, we will give them war; if
they do not bring life, we will give them death.' And he renewed
the flame of his lance with a gesture which made one think of
Dionysus of Crete.* But I, being only a little child, was terrified
by this undaunted courage, which appeared to me both ferocious and
senseless, and I recoiled with horror from the idea of the
frightful death amidst fire and flames which probably awaited
us.
(* The god of fruitfulness in Grecian mythology. In Crete he was
supposed to be slain in winter with the decay of vegetation and to
revive in the spring. Haidee's learned reference is to the behavior
of an actor in the Dionysian festivals. — Ed.)
"My mother experienced the same sensations, for I felt her
tremble. `Mamma, mamma,' said I, `are we really to be killed?' And
at the sound of my voice the slaves redoubled their cries and
prayers and lamentations. `My child,' said Vasiliki, `may God
preserve you from ever wishing for that death which to-day you so
much dread!' Then, whispering to Selim, she asked what were her
master's orders. `If he send me his poniard, it will signify that
the emperor's intentions are not favorable, and I am to set fire tothe emperor's intentions are not favorable, and I am to set fire to
the powder; if, on the contrary, he send me his ring, it will be a
sign that the emperor pardons him, and I am to extinguish the match
and leave the magazine untouched.' — `My friend,' said my mother,
`when your master's orders arrive, if it is the poniard which he
sends, instead of despatching us by that horrible death which we
both so much dread, you will mercifully kill us with this same
poniard, will you not?' — `Yes, Vasiliki,' replied Selim
tranquilly.
"Suddenly we heard loud cries; and, listening, discerned that
they were cries of joy. The name of the French officer who had been
sent to Constantinople resounded on all sides amongst our
Palikares; it was evident that he brought the answer of the
emperor, and that it was favorable."
"And do you not remember the Frenchman's name?" said Morcerf,
quite ready to aid the memory of the narrator. Monte Cristo made a
sign to him to be silent.
"I do not recollect it," said Haidee.
"The noise increased; steps were heard approaching nearer and
nearer: they were descending the steps leading to the cavern. Selim
made ready his lance. Soon a figure appeared in the gray twilight
at the entrance of the cave, formed by the reflection of the few
rays of daylight which had found their way into this gloomy
retreat. `Who are you?' cried Selim. `But whoever you may be, I
charge you not to advance another step.' — `Long live the emperor!'
said the figure. `He grants a full pardon to the Vizier Ali, and
not only gives him his life, but restores to him his fortune and
his possessions.' My mother uttered a cry of joy, and clasped me to
her bosom. `Stop,' said Selim, seeing that she was about to go out;
`you see I have not yet received the ring,' — `True,' said my
mother. And she fell on her knees, at the same time holding me up
towards heaven, as if she desired, while praying to God in my
behalf, to raise me actually to his presence."
And for the second time Haidee stopped, overcome by such violentAnd for the second time Haidee stopped, overcome by such violent
emotion that the perspiration stood upon her pale brow, and her
stifled voice seemed hardly able to find utterance, so parched and
dry were her throat and lips. Monte Cristo poured a little iced
water into a glass, and presented it to her, saying with a mildness
in which was also a shade of command, — "Courage."
Haidee dried her eyes, and continued: "By this time our eyes,
habituated to the darkness, had recognized the messenger of the
pasha, — it was a friend. Selim had also recognized him, but the
brave young man only acknowledged one duty, which was to obey. `In
whose name do you come?' said he to him. `I come in the name of our
master, Ali Tepelini.' — `If you come from Ali himself,' said
Selim, `you know what you were charged to remit to me?' — `Yes,'
said the messenger, `and I bring you his ring.' At these words he
raised his hand above his head, to show the token; but it was too
far off, and there was not light enough to enable Selim, where he
was standing, to distinguish and recognize the object presented to
his view. `I do not see what you have in your hand,' said Selim.
`Approach then,' said the messenger, `or I will come nearer to you,
if you prefer it.' — `I will agree to neither one nor the other,'
replied the young soldier; `place the object which I desire to see
in the ray of light which shines there, and retire while I examine
it.' — `Be it so,' said the envoy; and he retired, after having
first deposited the token agreed on in the place pointed out to him
by Selim.
"Oh, how our hearts palpitated; for it did, indeed, seem to be a
ring which was placed there. But was it my father's ring? that was
the question. Selim, still holding in his hand the lighted match,
walked towards the opening in the cavern, and, aided by the faint
light which streamed in through the mouth of the cave, picked up
the token.
"`It is well,' said he, kissing it; `it is my master's ring!'
And throwing the match on the ground, he trampled on it and