and drew forth two orders on the treasury for 500,000 francs each,
payable at sight to the bearer. A man like Danglars was wholly
inaccessible to any gentler method of correction. The effect of the
present revelation was stunning; he trembled and was on the verge
of apoplexy. The pupils of his eyes, as he gazed at Monte Cristo
dilated horribly.
"Come, come," said Monte Cristo, "confess honestly that you have
not perfect confidence in Thomson & French. I understand, and
foreseeing that such might be the case, I took, in spite of my
ignorance of affairs, certain precautions. See, here are two
similar letters to that you have yourself received; one from the
house of Arstein & Eskeles of Vienna, to Baron Rothschild, the
other drawn by Baring of London, upon M. Laffitte. Now, sir, you
have but to say the word, and I will spare you all uneasiness by
presenting my letter of credit to one or other of these two firms."
The blow had struck home, and Danglars was entirely vanquished;
with a trembling hand he took the two letters from the count, who
held them carelessly between finger and thumb, and proceeded to
scrutinize the signatures, with a minuteness that the count might
have regarded as insulting, had it not suited his present purpose
to mislead the banker. "Oh, sir," said Danglars, after he had
convinced himself of the authenticity of the documents he held, and
rising as if to salute the power of gold personified in the man
before him, — "three letters of unlimited credit! I can be no
longer mistrustful, but you must pardon me, my dear count, for
confessing to some degree of astonishment."
"Nay," answered Monte Cristo, with the most gentlemanly air,
"'tis not for such trifling sums as these that your banking house
is to be incommoded. Then, you can let me have some money, can you
not?"
"Whatever you say, my dear count; I am at your orders."
"Why," replied Monte Cristo, "since we mutually understand each
other — for such I presume is the case?" Danglars bowedother — for such I presume is the case?" Danglars bowed
assentingly. "You are quite sure that not a lurking doubt or
suspicion lingers in your mind?"
"Oh, my dear count," exclaimed Danglars, "I never for an instant
entertained such a feeling towards you."
"No, you merely wished to be convinced, nothing more; but now
that we have come to so clear an understanding, and that all
distrust and suspicion are laid at rest, we may as well fix a sum
as the probable expenditure of the first year, suppose we say six
millions to" —
"Six millions!" gasped Danglars — "so be it."
"Then, if I should require more," continued Monte Cristo in a
careless manner, "why, of course, I should draw upon you; but my
present intention is not to remain in France more than a year, and
during that period I scarcely think I shall exceed the sum I
mentioned. However, we shall see. Be kind enough, then, to send me
500,000 francs to-morrow. I shall be at home till midday, or if
not, I will leave a receipt with my steward."
"The money you desire shall be at your house by ten o'clock
to-morrow morning, my dear count," replied Danglars. "How would you
like to have it? in gold, silver, or notes?"
"Half in gold, and the other half in bank-notes, if you please,"
said the count, rising from his seat.
"I must confess to you, count," said Danglars, "that I have
hitherto imagined myself acquainted with the degree of all the
great fortunes of Europe, and still wealth such as yours has been
wholly unknown to me. May I presume to ask whether you have long
possessed it?"
"It has been in the family a very long while," returned Monte
Cristo, "a sort of treasure expressly forbidden to be touched for a
certain period of years, during which the accumulated interest has
doubled the capital. The period appointed by the testator for the
disposal of these riches occurred only a short time ago, and they
have only been employed by me within the last few years. Your
ignorance on the subject, therefore, is easily accounted for.ignorance on the subject, therefore, is easily accounted for.
However, you will be better informed as to me and my possessions
ere long." And the count, while pronouncing these latter words,
accompanied them with one of those ghastly smiles that used to
strike terror into poor Franz d'Epinay.
"With your tastes, and means of gratifying them," continued
Danglars, "you will exhibit a splendor that must effectually put us
poor miserable millionaires quite in the shade. If I mistake not
you are an admirer of paintings, at least I judged so from the
attention you appeared to be bestowing on mine when I entered the
room. If you will permit me, I shall be happy to show you my
picture gallery, composed entirely of works by the ancient masters
— warranted as such. Not a modern picture among them. I cannot
endure the modern school of painting."
"You are perfectly right in objecting to them, for this one
great fault — that they have not yet had time to become old."
"Or will you allow me to show you several fine statues by
Thorwaldsen, Bartoloni, and Canova? — all foreign artists, for, as
you may perceive, I think but very indifferently of our French
sculptors."
"You have a right to be unjust to them, monsieur; they are your
compatriots."
"But all this may come later, when we shall be better known to
each other. For the present, I will confine myself (if perfectly
agreeable to you) to introducing you to the Baroness Danglars —
excuse my impatience, my dear count, but a client like you is
almost like a member of the family." Monte Cristo bowed, in sign
that he accepted the proffered honor; Danglars rang and was
answered by a servant in a showy livery. "Is the baroness at home?"
inquired Danglars.
"Yes, my lord," answered the man.
"And alone?"
"No, my lord, madame has visitors."
"Have you any objection to meet any persons who may be with
madame, or do you desire to preserve a strict incognito?"
"No, indeed," replied Monte Cristo with a smile, "I do not
arrogate to myself the right of so doing."