Chapter 145: Chapter 145

"Honestly, count," Morcerf said, "I sincerely thank you for being so frank with me, and I gratefully accept your reasoning for excluding us. You say you want my mother’s good opinion, I can assure you that you already have it to an unusual degree."

"Do you really think so?" Monte Cristo asked with interest.

"I’m certain of it. We talked about you for an hour after you left the other day. But back to what we were discussing, if my mother knew about this thoughtfulness on your part, and I’ll definitely tell her, she’ll be very grateful to you. Though it’s true that my father will be equally angry."

The count laughed. "Well," he said to Morcerf, "I don’t think your father will be the only angry one. The Danglars will think I’m extremely rude. They know I’m close with you, that you’re actually one of my oldest acquaintances here, and they won’t find you at my house. They’ll certainly ask why I didn’t invite you. Make sure you come up with some prior commitment that sounds believable, and send me a written note about it. You know that with bankers, only written documentation counts."

"I’ll do better than that," Albert said. "My mother wants to go to the seaside. What day is your dinner?"

"This is Tuesday, well, tomorrow evening we’ll leave, and the day after we’ll be at the coast. Really, count, you have a wonderful way of putting people at ease."

"You’re giving me too much credit. I just want to do what’s agreeable to you, that’s all."

"When will you send the invitations?"

"Perfect. I’ll immediately visit Danglars and tell him that my mother and I are leaving town tomorrow. I haven’t seen you, so naturally I know nothing about your dinner."

"That’s foolish! Have you forgotten that Debray just saw you here at my house?"

"Here’s what we’ll do. I saw you and invited you casually, and you immediately said it would be impossible to accept because you’re going to the coast."

"Alright, that’s settled. But will you visit my mother before tomorrow?"

"Before tomorrow? That would be difficult to arrange. Besides, I’d just be in the way with all your departure preparations."

"Well, you can do even better. You were charming before, but if you agree to my proposal, you’ll be absolutely perfect."

"What do I need to do to reach such heights?"

"You’re completely free today, come have dinner with me. It’ll be a small group, just you, my mother, and me. You’ve barely met my mother. This will give you a chance to know her better. She’s a remarkable woman, and I only wish there was another one like her about twenty years younger. In that case, I assure you, there would soon be a new countess and viscountess in the family. As for my father, you won’t see him, he has official business and is dining with a colleague. We’ll talk about travel, and you, who’ve seen the whole world, can share your adventures. You can tell us about that beautiful Greek woman you were with at the opera the other night, the one you call your slave but treat like a princess. We’ll speak different languages, share stories. Come on, accept my invitation, and my mother will thank you." Newest update provıded by noveⅼfire.net

"Thank you so much," the count said, "your invitation is very kind, and I deeply regret that I can’t accept it. I’m not as free as you think. In fact, I have a very important appointment."

"Careful now, you were just teaching me how to credibly make excuses when declining dinner invitations. I need proof of this prior engagement. I’m not a banker like Danglars, but I’m just as skeptical."

"I’ll give you proof," the count replied, ringing a bell.

"Hmm," Morcerf said, "this is the second time you’ve refused to dine with my mother. It’s obvious you’re trying to avoid her."

Monte Cristo looked startled. "You don’t really mean that," he said. "Besides, here comes confirmation of my excuse."

His butler entered and stood at the door. "I couldn’t have known you’d visit today, could I?"

"Honestly, you’re such an extraordinary person that I wouldn’t bet on it."

"At any rate, I couldn’t have guessed you’d invite me to dinner."

"Well then, listen. What did I tell you this morning when I called you to my study?"

"To close the door to visitors as soon as the clock struck five," the butler replied.

"Ah, my dear count," Albert said.

"No, no, I want to dispel this mysterious reputation you’ve given me, my dear viscount. It gets tiresome always being seen as some enigmatic figure. I want my life to be open and straightforward. Continue, please."

"Then to admit no one except Major Bartolomeo Cavalcanti and his son."

"You hear that? Major Bartolomeo Cavalcanti, a man who ranks among the most ancient nobility, whose name appears in classic literature. And then there’s his son, Andrea, a charming young man about your age who shares your title and who’s making his debut in society, backed by his father’s millions. The major is bringing his son this evening and entrusting him to my care. If the young man proves worthy, I’ll do what I can to help advance his prospects. You’ll assist me with that, won’t you?"

"Absolutely. So this Major Cavalcanti is an old friend of yours?"

"Not at all. He’s a perfect gentleman, very polite, modest, and pleasant, the kind you constantly find among descendants of very old families. I’ve met him several times in various cities, and he recently informed me of his arrival here. The people you meet while traveling have a sort of claim on you. They expect to receive the same attention you once showed them by chance, as though the courtesies of a brief encounter should create lasting interest in someone you happened to meet during your journey. This good major has come to see the city again, which he only glimpsed briefly years ago during wartime when he was heading north. I’ll give him a good dinner, he’ll entrust his son to my care, I’ll promise to watch over him, then let the young man follow whatever path he chooses, and I’ll have done my duty."

"Certainly. I see you’re an exemplary mentor," Albert said. "Well, goodbye. We’ll be back on Sunday. By the way, I’ve heard from Franz."

"Have you? Is he still enjoying himself abroad?"

"I believe so. However, he misses you terribly. He says you were like the sun, and without you everything seems dark and gloomy. I think he even goes so far as to say it’s been raining."

"His opinion of me has improved, then?"

"No, he still insists on viewing you as the most incomprehensible and mysterious person alive."

"He’s a delightful young man," Monte Cristo said. "I took an immediate liking to him the first evening we met, when I found him looking for dinner and convinced him to share mine. He’s the son of General d’Epinay, isn’t he?"

"The one who was shamefully assassinated back in 1815?"

"Yes, by political enemies."

"I really do like him very much. Isn’t there also a marriage being arranged for him?"

"Yes, he’s supposed to marry Miss de Villefort."

"And as you know, I’m supposed to marry Miss Danglars," Albert said with a laugh.

"Because it seems to me there’s about as much enthusiasm for his engagement as there is for mine. But really, my dear count, we’re gossiping as much as they say women do. It’s inexcusable."

"That’s funny, I’ve been boring you for two hours, and you, with the utmost politeness, ask if I’m going. Truly, count, you’re the most refined man in the world. And your servants too, they’re so well-mannered. There’s real style about them. Your butler especially, I could never get someone like that. My servants are like those extras you sometimes see in plays who, because they only have a line or two, deliver them as awkwardly as possible. So if you ever part with your butler, give me first refusal."

"That’s not all, give my regards to your distinguished guest, this Cavalcanti fellow. And if by any chance he’s looking to establish his son with a marriage to someone very rich, very noble on her mother’s side at least, and a baroness through her father, I’ll help you with the search."

"You’d do that much, would you?"

"Well, nothing is certain in this world."

"Oh count, what a service you could render me! I’d like you a hundred times more if, through your intervention, I could manage to stay a bachelor for at least ten years."

"Nothing is impossible," Monte Cristo replied gravely.

Taking leave of Albert, he returned inside the house and struck a gong three times. His steward appeared.

"You understand that I’m hosting guests on Saturday at my country house."

The steward flinched slightly. "I’ll need you to ensure everything is properly arranged. It’s a beautiful house, or at least it can be made so."

"There’s quite a bit of work to be done before it deserves that description, sir. The wall hangings are very old."

"Have them all removed and replaced, except for the bedroom hung with red fabric. Leave that room exactly as it is."

"Don’t touch the garden either. As for the courtyard, do whatever you like with it. I’d prefer that area to be completely transformed."

"I’ll do everything possible to fulfill your wishes, sir. However, I’d appreciate receiving your instructions about the dinner itself."

"Really, my dear friend," the count said, "since you’ve been here, you’ve become quite nervous and seemingly out of your element. You no longer seem to understand me."

"But surely you’ll inform me whom you’re expecting to receive?"

"I don’t know yet myself, and it’s not necessary for you to know either. Let’s just say I’m dining well, regardless of the guests. That’s quite sufficient."

The steward bowed and left the room.