documents he had long been preparing against this storm, which his
sagacity had foreseen.
Albert listened, trembling now with hope, then with anger, and
then again with shame, for from Beauchamp's confidence he knew his
father was guilty, and he asked himself how, since he was guilty,
he could prove his innocence. Beauchamp hesitated to continue his
narrative. "What next?" asked Albert.
"What next? My friend, you impose a painful task on me. Must you
know all?"
"Absolutely; and rather from your lips than another's."
"Muster up all your courage, then, for never have you required
it more." Albert passed his hand over his forehead, as if to try
his strength, as a man who is preparing to defend his life proves
his shield and bends his sword. He thought himself strong enough,
for he mistook fever for energy. "Go on," said he.
"The evening arrived; all Paris was in expectation. Many said
your father had only to show himself to crush the charge against
him; many others said he would not appear; while some asserted that
they had seen him start for Brussels; and others went to the
police-office to inquire if he had taken out a passport. I used all
my influence with one of the committee, a young peer of my
acquaintance, to get admission to one of the galleries. He called
for me at seven o'clock, and, before any one had arrived, asked one
of the door-keepers to place me in a box. I was concealed by a
column, and might witness the whole of the terrible scene which was
about to take place. At eight o'clock all were in their places, and
M. de Morcerf entered at the last stroke. He held some papers in
his hand; his countenance was calm, and his step firm, and he was
dressed with great care in his military uniform, which was buttoned
completely up to the chin. His presence produced a good effect. The
committee was made up of Liberals, several of whom came forward to
shake hands with him."
Albert felt his heart bursting at these particulars, but
gratitude mingled with his sorrow: he would gladly have embracedgratitude mingled with his sorrow: he would gladly have embraced
those who had given his father this proof of esteem at a moment
when his honor was so powerfully attacked. "At this moment one of
the door-keepers brought in a letter for the president. `You are at
liberty to speak, M. de Morcerf,' said the president, as he
unsealed the letter; and the count began his defence, I assure you,
Albert, in a most eloquent and skilful manner. He produced
documents proving that the Vizier of Yanina had up to the last
moment honored him with his entire confidence, since he had
interested him with a negotiation of life and death with the
emperor. He produced the ring, his mark of authority, with which
Ali Pasha generally sealed his letters, and which the latter had
given him, that he might, on his return at any hour of the day or
night, gain access to the presence, even in the harem.
Unfortunately, the negotiation failed, and when he returned to
defend his benefactor, he was dead. `But,' said the count, `so
great was Ali Pasha's confidence, that on his death-bed he resigned
his favorite mistress and her daughter to my care.'" Albert started
on hearing these words; the history of Haidee recurred to him, and
he remembered what she had said of that message and the ring, and
the manner in which she had been sold and made a slave. "And what
effect did this discourse produce?" anxiously inquired Albert. "I
acknowledge it affected me, and, indeed, all the committee also,"
said Beauchamp.
"Meanwhile, the president carelessly opened the letter which had
been brought to him; but the first lines aroused his attention; he
read them again and again, and fixing his eyes on M. de Morcerf,
`Count,' said he, `you have said that the Vizier of Yanina confided
his wife and daughter to your care?' — `Yes, sir,' replied Morcerf;
`but in that, like all the rest, misfortune pursued me. On my
return, Vasiliki and her daughter Haidee had disappeared.' — `Did
you know them?' — `My intimacy with the pasha and his unlimitedyou know them?' — `My intimacy with the pasha and his unlimited
confidence had gained me an introduction to them, and I had seen
them above twenty times.'
"`Have you any idea what became of them?' — `Yes, sir; I heard
they had fallen victims to their sorrow, and, perhaps, to their
poverty. I was not rich; my life was in constant danger; I could
not seek them, to my great regret.' The president frowned
imperceptibly. `Gentlemen,' said he, `you have heard the Comte de
Morcerf's defence. Can you, sir, produce any witnesses to the truth
of what you have asserted?' — `Alas, no, monsieur,' replied the
count; `all those who surrounded the vizier, or who knew me at his
court, are either dead or gone away, I know not where. I believe
that I alone, of all my countrymen, survived that dreadful war. I
have only the letters of Ali Tepelini, which I have placed before
you; the ring, a token of his good-will, which is here; and,
lastly, the most convincing proof I can offer, after an anonymous
attack, and that is the absence of any witness against my veracity
and the purity of my military life.' A murmur of approbation ran
through the assembly; and at this moment, Albert, had nothing more
transpired, your father's cause had been gained. It only remained
to put it to the vote, when the president resumed: `Gentlemen and
you, monsieur, — you will not be displeased, I presume, to listen
to one who calls himself a very important witness, and who has just
presented himself. He is, doubtless, come to prove the perfect
innocence of our colleague. Here is a letter I have just received
on the subject; shall it be read, or shall it be passed over? and
shall we take no notice of this incident?' M. de Morcerf turned
pale, and clinched his hands on the papers he held. The committee
decided to hear the letter; the count was thoughtful and silent.
The president read: —
"`Mr. President, — I can furnish the committee of inquiry into
the conduct of the Lieutenant-General the Count of Morcerf in