The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas père Read Free Book Online

be compelled to sleep here, because unable to stand on your legs."
    "I?" said Caderousse, rising with all the offended dignity of a drunken man, "I can't keep on my legs? Why, I'll wager I can go up into the belfry of the Accoules, and without staggering, too!"
    "Done!" said Danglars, "I'll take your bet; but to–morrow—to–day it is time to return. Give me your arm, and let us go."
    "Very well, let us go," said Caderousse; "but I don't want your arm at all. Come, Fernand, won't you return to Marseilles with us?"
    "No," said Fernand; "I shall return to the Catalans."
    "You're wrong. Come with us to Marseilles—come along."
    "I will not."
    "What do you mean? you will not? Well, just as you like, my prince; there's liberty for all the world. Come along, Danglars, and let the young gentleman return to the Catalans if he chooses."
    Danglars took advantage of Caderousse's temper at the moment, to take him off towards Marseilles by the Porte Saint–Victor, staggering as he went.
    When they had advanced about twenty yards, Danglars looked back and saw Fernand stoop, pick up the crumpled paper, and putting it into his pocket then rush out of the arbor towards Pillon.
    "Well," said Caderousse, "why, what a lie he told! He said he was going to the Catalans, and he is going to the city. Hallo, Fernand!"
    "Oh, you don't see straight," said Danglars; "he's gone right enough."
    "Well," said Caderousse, "I should have said not—how treacherous wine is!"
    "Come, come," said Danglars to himself, "now the thing is at work and it will effect its purpose unassisted."

Chapter 5.
The Marriage–Feast.
    The morning's sun rose clear and resplendent, touching the foamy waves into a network of ruby–tinted light.
    The feast had been made ready on the second floor at La Reserve, with whose arbor the reader is already familiar. The apartment destined for the purpose was spacious and lighted by a number of windows, over each of which was written in golden letters for some inexplicable reason the name of one of the principal cities of France; beneath these windows a wooden balcony extended the entire length of the house. And although the entertainment was fixed for twelve o'clock, an hour previous to that time the balcony was filled with impatient and expectant guests, consisting of the favored part of the crew of the Pharaon, and other personal friends of the bride–groom, the whole of whom had arrayed themselves in their choicest costumes, in order to do greater honor to the occasion.
    Various rumors were afloat to the effect that the owners of the Pharaon had promised to attend the nuptial feast; but all seemed unanimous in doubting that an act of such rare and exceeding condescension could possibly be intended.
    Danglars, however, who now made his appearance, accompanied by Caderousse, effectually confirmed the report, stating that he had recently conversed with M. Morrel, who had himself assured him of his intention to dine at La Reserve.
    In fact, a moment later M. Morrel appeared and was saluted with an enthusiastic burst of applause from the crew of the Pharaon, who hailed the visit of the shipowner as a sure indication that the man whose wedding feast he thus delighted to honor would ere long be first in command of the ship; and as Dantes was universally beloved on board his vessel, the sailors put no restraint on their tumultuous joy at finding that the opinion and choice of their superiors so exactly coincided with their own.
    With the entrance of M. Morrel, Danglars and Caderousse were despatched in search of the bride–groom to convey to him the intelligence of the arrival of the important personage whose coming had created such a lively sensation, and to beseech him to make haste.
    Danglars and Caderousse set off upon their errand at full speed; but ere they had gone many steps they perceived a group advancing towards them, composed of the betrothed pair, a party of young girls in attendance on the bride, by whose side walked