第264章

"No, no, I wish to do away with that mysterious reputation that you have given me, my dear viscount; it is tiresome to be always acting Manfred.I wish my life to be free and open.Go on, Baptistin.""Then to admit no one except Major Bartolomeo Cavalcanti and his son.""You hear -- Major Bartolomeo Cavalcanti -- a man who ranks amongst the most ancient nobility of Italy, whose name Dante has celebrated in the tenth canto of `The Inferno,' you remember it, do you not? Then there is his son, Andrea, a charming young man, about your own age, viscount, bearing the same title as yourself, and who is making his entry into the Parisian world, aided by his father's millions.The major will bring his son with him this evening, the contino, as we say in Italy; he confides him to my care.If he proves himself worthy of it, I will do what I can to advance his interests.You will assist me in the work, will you not?""Most undoubtedly.This Major Cavalcanti is an old friend of yours, then?""By no means.He is a perfect nobleman, very polite, modest, and agreeable, such as may be found constantly in Italy, descendants of very ancient families.I have met him several times at Florence, Bologna and Lucca, and he has now communicated to me the fact of his arrival in Paris.The acquaintances one makes in travelling have a sort of claim on one; they everywhere expect to receive the same attention which you once paid them by chance, as though the civilities of a passing hour were likely to awaken any lasting interest in favor of the man in whose society you may happen to be thrown in the course of your journey.This good Major Cavalcanti is come to take a second view of Paris, which he only saw in passing through in the time of the Empire, when he was on his way to Moscow.I shall give him a good dinner, he will confide his son to my care, I will promise to watch over him, I shall let him follow in whatever path his folly may lead him, and then I shall have done my part.""Certainly; I see you are a model Mentor," said Albert "Good-by, we shall return on Sunday.By the way, I have received news of Franz.""Have you? Is he still amusing himself in Italy?""I believe so; however, he regrets your absence extremely.

He says you were the sun of Rome, and that without you all appears dark and cloudy; I do not know if he does not even go so far as to say that it rains.""His opinion of me is altered for the better, then?""No, he still persists in looking upon you as the most incomprehensible and mysterious of beings.""He is a charming young man," said Monte Cristo "and I felt a lively interest in him the very first evening of my introduction, when I met him in search of a supper, and prevailed upon him to accept a portion of mine.He is, Ithink, the son of General d'Epinay?"

"He is."

"The same who was so shamefully assassinated in 1815?""By the Bonapartists."

"Yes.Really I like him extremely; is there not also a matrimonial engagement contemplated for him?""Yes, he is to marry Mademoiselle de Villefort.""Indeed?"

"And you know I am to marry Mademoiselle Danglars," said Albert, laughing.

"You smile."

"Yes."

"Why do you do so?"

"I smile because there appears to me to be about as much inclination for the consummation of the engagement in question as there is for my own.But really, my dear count, we are talking as much of women as they do of us; it is unpardonable." Albert rose.

"Are you going?"

"Really, that is a good idea! -- two hours have I been boring you to death with my company, and then you, with the greatest politeness, ask me if I am going.Indeed, count, you are the most polished man in the world.And your servants, too, how very well behaved they are; there is quite a style about them.Monsieur Baptistin especially; Icould never get such a man as that.My servants seem to imitate those you sometimes see in a play, who, because they have only a word or two to say, aquit themselves in the most awkward manner possible.Therefore, if you part with M.

Baptistin, give me the refusal of him."

"By all means."

"That is not all; give my compliments to your illustrious Luccanese, Cavalcante of the Cavalcanti; and if by any chance he should be wishing to establish his son, find him a wife very rich, very noble on her mother's side at least, and a baroness in right of her father, I will help you in the search.""Ah, ha; you will do as much as that, will you?""Yes."

"Well, really, nothing is certain in this world.""Oh, count, what a service you might render me! I should like you a hundred times better if, by your intervention, Icould manage to remain a bachelor, even were it only for ten years.""Nothing is impossible," gravely replied Monte Cristo; and taking leave of Albert, he returned into the house, and struck the gong three times.Bertuccio appeared."Monsieur Bertuccio, you understand that I intend entertaining company on Saturday at Auteuil." Bertuccio slightly started."Ishall require your services to see that all be properly arranged.It is a beautiful house, or at all events may be made so.""There must be a good deal done before it can deserve that title, your excellency, for the tapestried hangings are very old.""Let them all be taken away and changed, then, with the exception of the sleeping-chamber which is hung with red damask; you will leave that exactly as it is." Bertuccio bowed."You will not touch the garden either; as to the yard, you may do what you please with it; I should prefer that being altered beyond all recognition.""I will do everything in my power to carry out your wishes, your excellency.I should be glad, however, to receive your excellency's commands concerning the dinner.""Really, my dear M.Bertuccio," said the count, "since you have been in Paris, you have become quite nervous, and apparently out of your element; you no longer seem to understand me.""But surely your excellency will be so good as to inform me whom you are expecting to receive?""I do not yet know myself, neither is it necessary that you should do so.`Lucullus dines with Lucullus,' that is quite sufficient." Bertuccio bowed, and left the room.