At eight o'clock in the morning Albert had arrived at
Beauchamp's door. The valet de chambre had received orders to usher
him in at once. Beauchamp was in his bath. "Here I am," said
Albert.
"Well, my poor friend," replied Beauchamp, "I expected you."
"I need not say I think you are too faithful and too kind to
have spoken of that painful circumstance. Your having sent for me
is another proof of your affection. So, without losing time, tell
me, have you the slightest idea whence this terrible blow
proceeds?"
"I think I have some clew."
"But first tell me all the particulars of this shameful plot."
Beauchamp proceeded to relate to the young man, who was overwhelmed
with shame and grief, the following facts. Two days previously, the
article had appeared in another paper besides the Impartial, and,
what was more serious, one that was well known as a government
paper. Beauchamp was breakfasting when he read the paragraph. He
sent immediately for a cabriolet, and hastened to the publisher's
office. Although professing diametrically opposite principles from
those of the editor of the other paper, Beauchamp — as it
sometimes, we may say often, happens — was his intimate friend. The
editor was reading, with apparent delight, a leading article in the
same paper on beet-sugar, probably a composition of his own.
"Ah, pardieu," said Beauchamp, "with the paper in your hand, my
friend, I need not tell you the cause of my visit."
"Are you interested in the sugar question?" asked the editor of
the ministerial paper.
"No," replied Beauchamp, "I have not considered the question; a
totally different subject interests me."
"What is it?"
"The article relative to Morcerf."
"Indeed? Is it not a curious affair?"
"So curious, that I think you are running a great risk of a
prosecution for defamation of character."
"Not at all; we have received with the information all the
requisite proofs, and we are quite sure M. de Morcerf will not
raise his voice against us; besides, it is rendering a service toraise his voice against us; besides, it is rendering a service to
one's country to denounce these wretched criminals who are unworthy
of the honor bestowed on them." Beauchamp was thunderstruck. "Who,
then, has so correctly informed you?" asked he; "for my paper,
which gave the first information on the subject, has been obliged
to stop for want of proof; and yet we are more interested than you
in exposing M. de Morcerf, as he is a peer of France, and we are of
the opposition."
"Oh, that is very simple; we have not sought to scandalize. This
news was brought to us. A man arrived yesterday from Yanina,
bringing a formidable array of documents; and when we hesitated to
publish the accusatory article, he told us it should be inserted in
some other paper."
Beauchamp understood that nothing remained but to submit, and
left the office to despatch a courier to Morcerf. But he had been
unable to send to Albert the following particulars, as the events
had transpired after the messenger's departure; namely, that the
same day a great agitation was manifest in the House of Peers among
the usually calm members of that dignified assembly. Every one had
arrived almost before the usual hour, and was conversing on the
melancholy event which was to attract the attention of the public
towards one of their most illustrious colleagues. Some were
perusing the article, others making comments and recalling
circumstances which substantiated the charges still more. The Count
of Morcerf was no favorite with his colleagues. Like all upstarts,
he had had recourse to a great deal of haughtiness to maintain his
position. The true nobility laughed at him, the talented repelled
him, and the honorable instinctively despised him. He was, in fact,
in the unhappy position of the victim marked for sacrifice; the
finger of God once pointed at him, every one was prepared to raise
the hue and cry.
The Count of Morcerf alone was ignorant of the news. He did not
take in the paper containing the defamatory article, and had passedtake in the paper containing the defamatory article, and had passed
the morning in writing letters and in trying a horse. He arrived at
his usual hour, with a proud look and insolent demeanor; he
alighted, passed through the corridors, and entered the house
without observing the hesitation of the door-keepers or the
coolness of his colleagues. Business had already been going on for
half an hour when he entered. Every one held the accusing paper,
but, as usual, no one liked to take upon himself the responsibility
of the attack. At length an honorable peer, Morcerf's acknowledged
enemy, ascended the tribune with that solemnity which announced
that the expected moment had arrived. There was an impressive
silence; Morcerf alone knew not why such profound attention was
given to an orator who was not always listened to with so much
complacency. The count did not notice the introduction, in which
the speaker announced that his communication would be of that vital
importance that it demanded the undivided attention of the House;
but at the mention of Yanina and Colonel Fernand, he turned so
frightfully pale that every member shuddered and fixed his eyes
upon him. Moral wounds have this peculiarity, — they may be hidden,
but they never close; always painful, always ready to bleed when
touched, they remain fresh and open in the heart.
The article having been read during the painful hush that
followed, a universal shudder pervaded the assembly. and
immediately the closest attention was given to the orator as he
resumed his remarks. He stated his scruples and the difficulties of
the case; it was the honor of M. de Morcerf, and that of the whole
House, he proposed to defend, by provoking a debate on personal
questions, which are always such painful themes of discussion. He
concluded by calling for an investigation, which might dispose of
the calumnious report before it had time to spread, and restore M.
de Morcerf to the position he had long held in public opinion.de Morcerf to the position he had long held in public opinion.
Morcerf was so completely overwhelmed by this great and unexpected
calamity that he could scarcely stammer a few words as he looked
around on the assembly. This timidity, which might proceed from the
astonishment of innocence as well as the shame of guilt,
conciliated some in his favor; for men who are truly generous are
always ready to compassionate when the misfortune of their enemy
surpasses the limits of their hatred.
The president put it to the vote, and it was decided that the
investigation should take place. The count was asked what time he
required to prepare his defence. Morcerf's courage had revived when
he found himself alive after this horrible blow. "My lords,"
answered he, "it is not by time I could repel the attack made on me
by enemies unknown to me, and, doubtless, hidden in obscurity; it
is immediately, and by a thunderbolt, that I must repel the flash
of lightning which, for a moment, startled me. Oh, that I could,
instead of taking up this defence, shed my last drop of blood to
prove to my noble colleagues that I am their equal in worth." These
words made a favorable impression on behalf of the accused. "I
demand, then, that the examination shall take place as soon as
possible, and I will furnish the house with all necessary
information."
"What day do you fix?" asked the president.
"To-day I am at your service," replied the count. The president
rang the bell. "Does the House approve that the examination should
take place to-day?"
"Yes," was the unanimous answer.
A committee of twelve members was chosen to examine the proofs
brought forward by Morcerf. The investigation would begin at eight
o'clock that evening in the committee-room, and if postponement
were necessary, the proceedings would be resumed each evening at
the same hour. Morcerf asked leave to retire; he had to collect the
documents he had long been preparing against this storm, which his
sagacity had foreseen.