Chapter 30 The Fifth of September
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THE
EXTENSION provided for by the agent of Thomson & French, at the moment
when Morrel expected it least, was to the poor shipowner so decided a
stroke of good fortune that he almost dared to believe that fate was at
length grown weary of wasting her spite upon him. The same day he told his
wife, Emmanuel, and his daughter all that had occurred; and a ray of hope,
if not of tranquillity, returned to the family. Unfortunately, however,
Morrel had not only engagements with the house of Thomson & French,
who had shown themselves so considerate towards him; and, as he had said,
in business he had correspondents, and not friends. When he thought the
matter over, he could by no means account for this generous conduct on the
part of Thomson & French towards him; and could only attribute it to
some such selfish argument as this:--"We had better help a man who
owes us nearly 300,000 francs, and have those 300,000 francs at the end of
three months than hasten his ruin, and get only six or eight per cent of
our money back again." Unfortunately, whether through envy or
stupidity, all Morrel's correspondents did not take this view; and some
even came to a contrary decision. The bills signed by Morrel were
presented at his office with scrupulous exactitude, and, thanks to the
delay granted by the Englishman, were paid by Cocl¨¨s
with equal punctuality. Cocl¨¨s
thus remained in his accustomed tranquillity. It was Morrel alone who
remembered with alarm, that if he had to repay on the 15th the 50,000
francs of M. de Boville, and on the 30th the 32,500 francs of bills, for
which, as well as the debt due to the inspector of prisons, he had time
granted, he must be a ruined man. The
opinion of all the commercial men was that, under the reverses which had
successively weighed down Morrel, it was impossible for him to remain
solvent. Great, therefore, was the astonishment when at the end of the
month, he cancelled all his obligations with his usual punctuality. Still
confidence was not restored to all minds, and the general opinion was that
the complete ruin of the unfortunate shipowner had been postponed only
until the end of the month. The month passed, and Morrel made
extraordinary efforts to get in all his resources. Formerly his paper, at
any date, was taken with confidence, and was even in request. Morrel now
tried to negotiate bills at ninety days only, and none of the banks would
give him credit. Fortunately, Morrel had some funds coming in on which he
could rely; and, as they reached him, he found himself in a condition to
meet his engagements when the end of July came. The agent of Thomson &
French had not been again seen at Marseilles; the day after, or two days
after his visit to Morrel, he had disappeared; and as in that city he had
had no intercourse but with the mayor, the inspector of prisons, and M.
Morrel, his departure left no trace except in the memories of these three
persons. As to the sailors of the Pharaon, they must have found snug
berths elsewhere, for they also had disappeared. Captain
Gaumard, recovered from his illness, had returned from Palma. He delayed
presenting himself at Morrel's, but the owner, hearing of his arrival,
went to see him. The worthy shipowner knew, from Penelon's recital, of the
captain's brave conduct during the storm, and tried to console him. He
brought him also the amount of his wages, which Captain Gaumard had not
dared to apply for. As he descended the staircase, Morrel met Penelon, who
was going up. Penelon had, it would seem, made good use of his money, for
he was newly clad. When he saw his employer, the worthy tar seemed much
embarrassed, drew on one side into the corner of the landing-place, passed
his quid from one cheek to the other, stared stupidly with his great eyes,
and only acknowledged the squeeze of the hand which Morrel as usual gave
him by a slight pressure in return. Morrel attributed Penelon's
embarrassment to the elegance of his attire; it was evident the good
fellow had not gone to such an expense on his own account; he was, no
doubt, engaged on board some other vessel, and thus his bashfulness arose
from the fact of his not having, if we may so express ourselves, worn
mourning for the Pharaon longer. Perhaps he had come to tell Captain
Gaumard of his good luck, and to offer him employment from his new master.
"Worthy fellows!" said Morrel, as he went away, "may your
new master love you as I loved you, and be more fortunate than I have
been!" August
rolled by in unceasing efforts on the part of Morrel to renew his credit
or revive the old. On the 20th of August it was known at Marseilles that
he had left town in the mailcoach, and then it was said that the bills
would go to protest at the end of the month, and that Morrel had gone away
and left his chief clerk Emmanuel, and his cashier Cocl¨¨s, to meet the creditors. But, contrary to all
expectation, when the 31st of August came, the house opened as usual, and
Cocl¨¨s appeared behind the grating of
the counter, examined all bills presented with the usual scrutiny, and,
from first to last, paid all with the usual precision. There came in,
moreover, two drafts which M. Morrel had fully anticipated, and which Cocl¨¨s paid as punctually as the bills
which the shipowner had accepted. All this was incomprehensible, and then,
with the tenacity peculiar to prophets of bad news, the failure was put
off until the end of September. On the 1st, Morrel returned; he was
awaited by his family with extreme anxiety, for from this journey to Paris
they hoped great things. Morrel had thought of Danglars, who was now
immensely rich, and had lain under great obligations to Morrel in former
days, since to him it was owing that Danglars entered the service of the
Spanish banker, with whom he had laid the foundations of his vast wealth.
It was said at this moment that Danglars was worth from six to eight
millions of francs, and had unlimited credit. Danglars, then, without
taking a crown from his pocket, could save Morrel; he had but to pass his
word for a loan, and Morrel was saved. Morrel had long thought of Danglars,
but had kept away from some instinctive motive, and had delayed as long as
possible availing himself of this last resource. And Morrel was right, for
he returned home crushed by the humiliation of a refusal. Yet, on his
arrival, Morrel did not utter a complaint, or say one harsh word. He
embraced his weeping wife and daughter, pressed Emmanuel's hand with
friendly warmth, and then going to his private room on the second floor
had sent for Cocl¨¨s.
"Then," said the two women to Emmanuel, "we are indeed
ruined." It
was agreed in a brief council held among them, that Julie should write to
her brother, who was in garrison at N?mes, to come to them as speedily as
possible. The poor women felt instinctively that they required all their
strength to support the blow that impended. Besides, Maximilian Morrel,
though hardly two and twenty, had great influence over his father. He was
a strong-minded, upright young man. At the time when he decided on his
profession his father had no desire to choose for him, but had consulted
young Maximilian's taste. He had at once declared for a military life, and
had in consequence studied hard, passed brilliantly through the
Polytechnic School, and left it as sub-lieutenant of the 53d of the line.
For a year he had held this rank, and expected promotion on the first
vacancy. In his regiment Maximilian Morrel was noted for his rigid
observance, not only of the obligations imposed on a soldier, but also of
the duties of a man; and he thus gained the name of "the stoic."
We need hardly say that many of those who gave him this epithet repeated
it because they had heard it, and did not even know what it meant. This
was the young man whom his mother and sister called to their aid to
sustain them under the serious trial which they felt they would soon have
to endure. They had not mistaken the gravity of this event, for the moment
after Morrel had entered his private office with Cocl¨¨s, Julie saw the latter leave it pale, trembling,
and his features betraying the utmost consternation. She would have
questioned him as he passed by her, but the worthy creature hastened down
the staircase with unusual precipitation, and only raised his hands to
heaven and exclaimed, "Oh, mademoiselle, mademoiselle, what a
dreadful misfortune! Who could ever have believed it!" A moment
afterwards Julie saw him go up-stairs carrying two or three heavy ledgers,
a portfolio, and a bag of money. Morrel
examined the ledgers, opened the portfolio, and counted the money. All his
funds amounted to 6,000, or 8,000 francs, his bills receivable up to the
5th to 4,000 or 5,000, which, making the best of everything, gave him
14,000 francs to meet debts amounting to 287,500 francs. He had not even
the means for making a possible settlement on account. However, when
Morrel went down to his dinner, he appeared very calm. This calmness was
more alarming to the two women than the deepest dejection would have been.
After dinner Morrel usually went out and used to take his coffee at the
Phocaean club, and read the Semaphore; this day he did not leave the
house, but returned to his office. As
to Cocl¨¨s,
he seemed completely bewildered. For part of the day he went into the
court-yard, seated himself on a stone with his head bare and exposed to
the blazing sun. Emmanuel tried to comfort the women, but his eloquence
faltered. The young man was too well acquainted with the business of the
house, not to feel that a great catastrophe hung over the Morrel family.
Night came, the two women had watched, hoping that when he left his room
Morrel would come to them, but they heard him pass before their door, and
trying to conceal the noise of his footsteps. They listened; he went into
his sleeping-room, and fastened the door inside. Madame Morrel sent her
daughter to bed, and half an hour after Julie had retired, she rose, took
off her shoes, and went stealthily along the passage, to see through the
keyhole what her husband was doing. In the passage she saw a retreating
shadow; it was Julie, who, uneasy herself, had anticipated her mother. The
young lady went towards Madame Morrel. "He
is writing," she said. They had understood each other without
speaking. Madame Morrel looked again through the keyhole, Morrel was
writing; but Madame Morrel remarked, what her daughter had not observed,
that her husband was writing on stamped paper. The terrible idea that he
was writing his will flashed across her; she shuddered, and yet had not
strength to utter a word. Next day M. Morrel seemed as calm as ever, went
into his office as usual, came to his breakfast punctually, and then,
after dinner, he placed his daughter beside him, took her head in his
arms, and held her for a long time against his bosom. In the evening,
Julie told her mother, that although he was apparently so calm, she had
noticed that her father's heart beat violently. The next two days passed
in much the same way. On the evening of the 4th of September, M. Morrel
asked his daughter for the key of his study. Julie trembled at this
request, which seemed to her of bad omen. Why did her father ask for this
key which she always kept, and which was only taken from her in childhood
as a punishment? The young girl looked at Morrel. "What
have I done wrong, father," she said, "that you should take this
key from me?" "Nothing,
my dear," replied the unhappy man, the tears starting to his eyes at
this simple question,--"nothing, only I want it." Julie made a
pretence to feel for the key. "I must have left it in my room,"
she said. And she went out, but instead of going to her apartment she
hastened to consult Emmanuel. "Do not give this key to your
father," said he, "and to-morrow morning, if possible, do not
quit him for a moment." She questioned Emmanuel, but he knew nothing,
or would not say what he knew. During the night, between the 4th and 5th
of September, Madame Morrel remained listening for every sound, and, until
three o'clock in the morning, she heard her husband pacing the room in
great agitation. It was three o'clock when he threw himself on the bed.
The mother and daughter passed the night together. They had expected
Maximilian since the previous evening. At eight o'clock in the morning
Morrel entered their chamber. He was calm; but the agitation of the night
was legible in his pale and careworn visage. They did not dare to ask him
how he had slept. Morrel was kinder to his wife, more affectionate to his
daughter, than he had ever been. He could not cease gazing at and kissing
the sweet girl. Julie, mindful of Emmanuel's request, was following her
father when he quitted the room, but he said to her quickly,--"Remain
with your mother, dearest." Julie wished to accompany him. "I
wish you to do so," said he. This
was the first time Morrel had ever so spoken, but he said it in a tone of
paternal kindness, and Julie did not dare to disobey. She remained at the
same spot standing mute and motionless. An instant afterwards the door
opened, she felt two arms encircle her, and a mouth pressed her forehead.
She looked up and uttered an exclamation of joy. "Maximilian,
my dearest brother!" she cried. At these words Madame Morrel rose,
and threw herself into her son's arms. "Mother," said the young
man, looking alternately at Madame Morrel and her daughter, "what has
occurred--what has happened? Your letter has frightened me, and I have
come hither with all speed." "Julie,"
said Madame Morrel, making a sign to the young man, "go and tell your
father that Maximilian has just arrived." The young lady rushed out
of the apartment, but on the first step of the staircase she found a man
holding a letter in his hand. "Are
you not Mademoiselle Julie Morrel?" inquired the man, with a strong
Italian accent. "Yes,
sir," replied Julie with hesitation; "what is your pleasure? I
do not know you." "Read
this letter," he said, handing it to her. Julie hesitated. "It
concerns the best interests of your father," said the messenger. The
young girl hastily took the letter from him. She opened it quickly and
read:-- "Go
this moment to the All¨¦es
de Meillan, enter the house No. 15, ask the porter for the key of the room
on the fifth floor, enter the apartment, take from the corner of the
mantelpiece a purse netted in red silk, and give it to your father. It is
important that he should receive it before eleven o'clock. You promised to
obey me implicitly. Remember your oath. "Sinbad
the Sailor." The
young girl uttered a joyful cry, raised her eyes, looked round to question
the messenger, but he had disappeared. She cast her eyes again over the
note to peruse it a second time, and saw there was a postscript. She
read:-- "It
is important that you should fulfil this mission in person and alone. If
you go accompanied by any other person, or should any one else go in your
place, the porter will reply that he does not know anything about
it." This
postscript decreased greatly the young girl's happiness. Was there nothing
to fear? was there not some snare laid for her? Her innocence had kept her
in ignorance of the dangers that might assail a young girl of her age. But
there is no need to know danger in order to fear it; indeed, it may be
observed, that it is usually unknown perils that inspire the greatest
terror. Julie
hesitated, and resolved to take counsel. Yet, through a singular impulse,
it was neither to her mother nor her brother that she applied, but to
Emmanuel. She hastened down and told him what had occurred on the day when
the agent of Thomson & French had come to her father's, related the
scene on the staircase, repeated the promise she had made, and showed him
the letter. "You must go, then, mademoiselle," said Emmanuel. "Go
there?" murmured Julie. "Yes;
I will accompany you." "But
did you not read that I must be alone?" said Julie. "And
you shall be alone," replied the young man. "I will await you at
the corner of the Rue de Mus¨¦e,
and if you are so long absent as to make me uneasy, I will hasten to
rejoin you, and woe to him of whom you shall have cause to complain to
me!" "Then,
Emmanuel?" said the young girl with hesitation, "it is your
opinion that I should obey this invitation?" "Yes.
Did not the messenger say your father's safety depended upon it?" "But
what danger threatens him, then, Emmanuel?" she asked. Emmanuel
hesitated a moment, but his desire to make Julie decide immediately made
him reply. "Listen,"
he said; "to-day is the 5th of September, is it not?" "Yes."
"To-day,
then, at eleven o'clock, your father has nearly three hundred thousand
francs to pay?" "Yes,
we know that." "Well,
then," continued Emmanuel, "we have not fifteen thousand francs
in the house." "What
will happen then?" "Why,
if to-day before eleven o'clock your father has not found someone who will
come to his aid, he will be compelled at twelve o'clock to declare himself
a bankrupt." "Oh,
come, then, come!" cried she, hastening away with the young man.
During this time, Madame Morrel had told her son everything. The young man
knew quite well that, after the succession of misfortunes which had
befallen his father, great changes had taken place in the style of living
and housekeeping; but he did not know that matters had reached such a
point. He was thunderstruck. Then, rushing hastily out of the apartment,
he ran up-stairs, expecting to find his father in his study, but he rapped
there in vain. While
he was yet at the door of the study he heard the bedroom door open,
turned, and saw his father. Instead of going direct to his study, M.
Morrel had returned to his bed-chamber, which he was only this moment
quitting. Morrel uttered a cry of surprise at the sight of his son, of
whose arrival he was ignorant. He remained motionless on the spot,
pressing with his left hand something he had concealed under his coat.
Maximilian sprang down the staircase, and threw his arms round his
father's neck; but suddenly he recoiled, and placed his right hand on
Morrel's breast. "Father," he exclaimed, turning pale as death,
"what are you going to do with that brace of pistols under your
coat?" "Oh,
this is what I feared!" said Morrel. "Father,
father, in heaven's name," exclaimed the young man, "what are
these weapons for?" "Maximilian,"
replied Morrel, looking fixedly at his son, "you are a man, and a man
of honor. Come, and I will explain to you." And
with a firm step Morrel went up to his study, while Maximilian followed
him, trembling as he went. Morrel opened the door, and closed it behind
his son; then, crossing the anteroom, went to his desk on which he placed
the pistols, and pointed with his finger to an open ledger. In this ledger
was made out an exact balance-sheet of his affair's. Morrel had to pay,
within half an hour, 287,500 francs. All he possessed was 15,257 francs.
"Read!" said Morrel. The
young man was overwhelmed as he read. Morrel said not a word. What could
he say? What need he add to such a desperate proof in figures? "And
have you done all that is possible, father, to meet this disastrous
result?" asked the young man, after a moment's pause. "I
have," replied Morrel. "You
have no money coming in on which you can rely?" "None."
"You
have exhausted every resource?" "All."
"And
in half an hour," said Maximilian in a gloomy voice, "our name
is dishonored!" "Blood
washes out dishonor," said Morrel. "You
are right, father; I understand you." Then extending his hand towards
one of the pistols, he said, "There is one for you and one for
me--thanks!" Morrel caught his hand. "Your mother--your sister!
Who will support them?" A shudder ran through the young man's frame.
"Father," he said, "do you reflect that you are bidding me
to live?" "Yes,
I do so bid you," answered Morrel, "it is your duty. You have a
calm, strong mind, Maximilian. Maximilian, you are no ordinary man. I make
no requests or commands; I only ask you to examine my position as if it
were your own, and then judge for yourself." The
young man reflected for a moment, then an expression of sublime
resignation appeared in his eyes, and with a slow and sad gesture he took
off his two epaulets, the insignia of his rank. "Be it so, then, my
father," he said, extending his hand to Morrel, "die in peace,
my father; I will live." Morrel was about to cast himself on his
knees before his son, but Maximilian caught him in his arms, and those two
noble hearts were pressed against each other for a moment. "You know
it is not my fault," said Morrel. Maximilian smiled. "I know,
father, you are the most honorable man I have ever known." "Good,
my son. And now there is no more to be said; go and rejoin your mother and
sister." "My
father," said the young man, bending his knee, "bless me!"
Morrel took the head of his son between his two hands, drew him forward,
and kissing his forehead several times said, "Oh, yes, yes, I bless
you in my own name, and in the name of three generations of irreproachable
men, who say through me, 'The edifice which misfortune has destroyed,
providence may build up again.' On seeing me die such a death, the most
inexorable will have pity on you. To you, perhaps, they will accord the
time they have refused to me. Then do your best to keep our name free from
dishonor. Go to work, labor, young man, struggle ardently and
courageously; live, yourself, your mother and sister, with the most rigid
economy, so that from day to day the property of those whom I leave in
your hands may augment and fructify. Reflect how glorious a day it will
be, how grand, how solemn, that day of complete restoration, on which you
will say in this very office, 'My father died because he could not do what
I have this day done; but he died calmly and peaceably, because in dying
he knew what I should do.'" "My
father, my father!" cried the young man, "why should you not
live?" "If
I live, all would be changed; if I live, interest would be converted into
doubt, pity into hostility; if I live I am only a man who his broken his
word, failed in his engagements--in fact, only a bankrupt. If, on the
contrary, I die, remember, Maximilian, my corpse is that of an honest but
unfortunate man. Living, my best friends would avoid my house; dead, all
Marseilles will follow me in tears to my last home. Living, you would feel
shame at my name; dead, you may raise your head and say, 'I am the son of
him you killed, because, for the first time, he has been compelled to
break his word.'" The
young man uttered a groan, but appeared resigned. "And
now," said Morrel, "leave me alone, and endeavor to keep your
mother and sister away." "Will
you not see my sister once more?" asked Maximilian. A last but final
hope was concealed by the young man in the effect of this interview, and
therefore he had suggested it. Morrel shook his head. "I saw her this
morning, and bade her adieu." "Have
you no particular commands to leave with me, my father?" inquired
Maximilian in a faltering voice. "Yes;
my son, and a sacred command." "Say
it, my father." "The
house of Thomson & French is the only one who, from humanity, or, it
may be, selfishness--it is not for me to read men's hearts--has had any
pity for me. Its agent, who will in ten minutes present himself to receive
the amount of a bill of 287,500 francs, I will not say granted, but
offered me three months. Let this house be the first repaid, my son, and
respect this man." "Father,
I will," said Maximilian. "And
now, once more, adieu," said Morrel. "Go, leave me; I would be
alone. You will find my will in the secretary in my bedroom." The
young man remained standing and motionless, having but the force of will
and not the power of execution. "Hear
me, Maximilian," said his father. "Suppose I was a soldier like
you, and ordered to carry a certain redoubt, and you knew I must be killed
in the assault, would you not say to me, as you said just now, 'Go,
father; for you are dishonored by delay, and death is preferable to
shame!'" "Yes,
yes," said the young man, "yes;" and once again embracing
his father with convulsive pressure, he said, "Be it so, my
father." And
he rushed out of the study. When his son had left him, Morrel remained an
instant standing with his eyes fixed on the door; then putting forth his
arm, he pulled the bell. After a moment's interval, Cocl¨¨s appeared. It
was no longer the same man--the fearful revelations of the three last days
had crushed him. This thought--the house of Morrel is about to stop
payment--bent him to the earth more than twenty years would otherwise have
done. "My
worthy Cocl¨¨s,"
said Morrel in a tone impossible to describe, "do you remain in the
ante-chamber. When the gentleman who came three months ago--the agent of
Thomson & French--arrives, announce his arrival to me." Cocl¨¨s made no reply; he made a sign
with his head, went into the anteroom, and seated himself. Morrel fell
back in his chair, his eyes fixed on the clock; there were seven minutes
left, that was all. The hand moved on with incredible rapidity, he seemed
to see its motion. What
passed in the mind of this man at the supreme moment of his agony cannot
be told in words. He was still comparatively young, he was surrounded by
the loving care of a devoted family, but he had convinced himself by a
course of reasoning, illogical perhaps, yet certainly plausible, that he
must separate himself from all he held dear in the world, even life
itself. To form the slightest idea of his feelings, one must have seen his
face with its expression of enforced resignation and its tear-moistened
eyes raised to heaven. The minute hand moved on. The pistols were loaded;
he stretched forth his hand, took one up, and murmured his daughter's
name. Then he laid it down seized his pen, and wrote a few words. It
seemed to him as if he had not taken a sufficient farewell of his beloved
daughter. Then he turned again to the clock, counting time now not by
minutes, but by seconds. He took up the deadly weapon again, his lips
parted and his eyes fixed on the clock, and then shuddered at the click of
the trigger as he cocked the pistol. At this moment of mortal anguish the
cold sweat came forth upon his brow, a pang stronger than death clutched
at his heart-strings. He heard the door of the staircase creak on its
hinges--the clock gave its warning to strike eleven--the door of his study
opened; Morrel did not turn round--he expected these words of Cocl¨¨s, "The agent of Thomson
& French." He
placed the muzzle of the pistol between his teeth. Suddenly he heard a
cry--it was his daughter's voice. He turned and saw Julie. The pistol fell
from his hands. "My father!" cried the young girl, out of
breath, and half dead with joy--"saved, you are saved!" And she
threw herself into his arms, holding in her extended hand a red, netted
silk purse. "Saved,
my child!" said Morrel; "what do you mean?" "Yes,
saved--saved! See, see!" said the young girl. Morrel
took the purse, and started as he did so, for a vague remembrance reminded
him that it once belonged to himself. At one end was the receipted bill
for the 287,000 francs, and at the other was a diamond as large as a
hazel-nut, with these words on a small slip of parchment: ¡¡ "JULIE'S
DOWRY." Morrel
passed his hand over his brow; it seemed to him a dream. At this moment
the clock struck eleven. He felt as if each stroke of the hammer fell upon
his heart. "Explain, my child," he said, "Explain, my
child," he said, "explain--where did you find this purse?" "In
a house in the All¨¦es
de Meillan, No. 15, on the corner of a mantelpiece in a small room on the
fifth floor." "But,"
cried Morrel, "this purse is not yours!" Julie handed to her
father the letter she had received in the morning. "And
did you go alone?" asked Morrel, after he had read it. "Emmanuel
accompanied me, father. He was to have waited for me at the corner of the
Rue de Mus¨¦e,
but, strange to say, he was not there when I returned." "Monsieur
Morrel!" exclaimed a voice on the stairs.--"Monsieur Morrel!"
"It
is his voice!" said Julie. At this moment Emmanuel entered, his
countenance full of animation and joy. "The Pharaon!" he cried;
"the Pharaon!" "What--what--the
Pharaon! Are you mad, Emmanuel? You know the vessel is lost." "The
Pharaon, sir--they signal the Pharaon! The Pharaon is entering the
harbor!" Morrel fell back in his chair, his strength was failing him;
his understanding weakened by such events, refused to comprehend such
incredible, unheard-of, fabulous facts. But his son came in.
"Father," cried Maximilian, "how could you say the Pharaon
was lost? The lookout has signalled her, and they say she is now coming
into port." "My
dear friends," said Morrel, "if this be so, it must be a miracle
of heaven! Impossible, impossible!" But
what was real and not less incredible was the purse he held in his hand,
the acceptance receipted--the splendid diamond. "Ah,
sir," exclaimed Cocl¨¨s,
"what can it mean?--the Pharaon?" "Come,
dear ones," said Morrel, rising from his seat, "let us go and
see, and heaven have pity upon us if it be false intelligence!" They
all went out, and on the stairs met Madame Morrel, who had been afraid to
go up into the study. In a moment they were at the Cannebiere. There was a
crowd on the pier. All the crowd gave way before Morrel. "The Pharaon,
the Pharaon!" said every voice. And,
wonderful to see, in front of the tower of Saint-Jean, was a ship bearing
on her stern these words, printed in white letters, "The Pharaon,
Morrel & Son, of Marseilles." She was the exact duplicate of the
other Pharaon, and loaded, as that had been, with cochineal and indigo.
She cast anchor, clued up sails, and on the deck was Captain Gaumard
giving orders, and good old Penelon making signals to M. Morrel. To doubt
any longer was impossible; there was the evidence of the senses, and ten
thousand persons who came to corroborate the testimony. As Morrel and his
son embraced on the pier-head, in the presence and amid the applause of
the whole city witnessing this event, a man, with his face half-covered by
a black beard, and who, concealed behind the sentry-box, watched the scene
with delight, uttered these words in a low tone: "Be happy, noble
heart, be blessed for all the good thou hast done and wilt do hereafter,
and let my gratitude remain in obscurity like your good deeds." And
with a smile expressive of supreme content, he left his hiding-place, and
without being observed, descended one of the flights of steps provided for
debarkation, and hailing three times, shouted "Jacopo, Jacopo,
Jacopo!" Then a launch came to shore, took him on board, and conveyed
him to a yacht splendidly fitted up, on whose deck he sprung with the
activity of a sailor; thence he once again looked towards Morrel, who,
weeping with joy, was shaking hands most cordially with all the crowd
around him, and thanking with a look the unknown benefactor whom he seemed
to be seeking in the skies. "And now," said the unknown,
"farewell kindness, humanity, and gratitude! Farewell to all the
feelings that expand the heart! I have been heaven's substitute to
recompense the good--now the god of vengeance yields to me his power to
punish the wicked!" At these words he gave a signal, and, as if only
awaiting this signal, the yacht instantly put out to sea. |
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