prepared for me by my steward, and cost me — well, somewhere about
30,000 francs." Debray conveyed the count's reply to the baroness.
Poor Danglars looked so crest-fallen and discomfited that Monte
Cristo assumed a pitying air towards him. "See," said the count,
"how very ungrateful women are. Your kind attention, in providing
for the safety of the baroness by disposing of the horses, does not
seem to have made the least impression on her. But so it is; a
woman will often, from mere wilfulness, prefer that which is
dangerous to that which is safe. Therefore, in my opinion, my dear
baron, the best and easiest way is to leave them to their fancies,
and allow them to act as they please, and then, if any mischief
follows, why, at least, they have no one to blame but themselves."
Danglars made no reply; he was occupied in anticipations of the
coming scene between himself and the baroness, whose frowning brow,
like that of Olympic Jove, predicted a storm. Debray, who perceived
the gathering clouds, and felt no desire to witness the explosion
of Madame Danglars' rage, suddenly recollected an appointment,
which compelled him to take his leave; while Monte Cristo,
unwilling by prolonging his stay to destroy the advantages he hoped
to obtain, made a farewell bow and departed, leaving Danglars to
endure the angry reproaches of his wife.
"Excellent," murmured Monte Cristo to himself, as he came away.
"All has gone according to my wishes. The domestic peace of this
family is henceforth in my hands. Now, then, to play another
master-stroke, by which I shall gain the heart of both husband and
wife — delightful! Still," added he, "amid all this, I have not yet
been presented to Mademoiselle Eugenie Danglars, whose acquaintance
I should have been glad to make. But," he went on with his peculiar
smile, "I am here in Paris, and have plenty of time before me — by
and by will do for that." With these reflections he entered his
carriage and returned home. Two hours afterwards, Madame Danglarscarriage and returned home. Two hours afterwards, Madame Danglars
received a most flattering epistle from the count, in which he
entreated her to receive back her favorite "dappled grays,"
protesting that he could not endure the idea of making his entry
into the Parisian world of fashion with the knowledge that his
splendid equipage had been obtained at the price of a lovely
woman's regrets. The horses were sent back wearing the same harness
she had seen on them in the morning; only, by the count's orders,
in the centre of each rosette that adorned either side of their
heads, had been fastened a large diamond.
To Danglars Monte Cristo also wrote, requesting him to excuse
the whimsical gift of a capricious millionaire, and to beg the
baroness to pardon the Eastern fashion adopted in the return of the
horses.
During the evening, Monte Cristo quitted Paris for Auteuil,
accompanied by Ali. The following day, about three o'clock, a
single blow struck on the gong summoned Ali to the presence of the
count. "Ali," observed his master, as the Nubian entered the
chamber, "you have frequently explained to me how more than
commonly skilful you are in throwing the lasso, have you not?" Ali
drew himself up proudly, and then returned a sign in the
affirmative. "I thought I did not mistake. With your lasso you
could stop an ox?" Again Ali repeated his affirmative gesture. "Or
a tiger?" Ali bowed his head in token of assent. "A lion even?" Ali
sprung forwards, imitating the action of one throwing the lasso,
then of a strangled lion.
"I understand," said Monte Cristo; "you wish to tell me you have
hunted the lion?" Ali smiled with triumphant pride as he signified
that he had indeed both chased and captured many lions. "But do you
believe you could arrest the progress of two horses rushing
forwards with ungovernable fury?" The Nubian smiled. "It is well,"
said Monte Cristo. "Then listen to me. Ere long a carriage will
dash past here, drawn by the pair of dappled gray horses you saw medash past here, drawn by the pair of dappled gray horses you saw me
with yesterday; now, at the risk of your own life, you must manage
to stop those horses before my door."
Ali descended to the street, and marked a straight line on the
pavement immediately at the entrance of the house, and then pointed
out the line he had traced to the count, who was watching him. The
count patted him gently on the shoulder, his usual mode of praising
Ali, who, pleased and gratified with the commission assigned him,
walked calmly towards a projecting stone forming the angle of the
street and house, and, seating himself thereon, began to smoke his
chibouque, while Monte Cristo re-entered his dwelling, perfectly
assured of the success of his plan. Still, as five o'clock
approached, and the carriage was momentarily expected by the count,
the indication of more than common impatience and uneasiness might
be observed in his manner. He stationed himself in a room
commanding a view of the street, pacing the chamber with restless
steps, stopping merely to listen from time to time for the sound of
approaching wheels, then to cast an anxious glance on Ali; but the
regularity with which the Nubian puffed forth the smoke of his
chibouque proved that he at least was wholly absorbed in the
enjoyment of his favorite occupation. Suddenly a distant sound of
rapidly advancing wheels was heard, and almost immediately a
carriage appeared, drawn by a pair of wild, ungovernable horses,
while the terrified coachman strove in vain to restrain their
furious speed.
In the vehicle was a young woman and a child of about seven or
eight clasped in each other's arms. Terror seemed to have deprived
them even of the power of uttering a cry. The carriage creaked and
rattled as it flew over the rough stones, and the slightest
obstacle under the wheels would have caused disaster; but it kept
on in the middle of the road, and those who saw it pass uttered
cries of terror.
Ali suddenly cast aside his chibouque, drew the lasso from his