CHAPTER XVI
MACHIAVELLI AND COMPANY
The Marquis of Fougereuse was sitting in his study, and Simon stoodbeside him.
"So he has escaped from us again?" remarked the marquis frowning.
"God knows how it happened, my lord; my plans were all so well laid thatI cannot understand how the affair fell through?"
"Postponed is not given up," observed the nobleman; "and as Fanfaro doesnot yet suspect who he really is, he can go on compromising himself.Have you any further details with regard to the conspiracy?"
"Yes, my lord, we have trustworthy witnesses, who can swear, in case ofneed, that Fanfaro planned an attempt upon the sacred person of theking."
"Very good; but still the attempt must be really made, so that Fanfarocould be convicted."
"I have attended to that. One of our agents will set the harmlessattempt in motion, and the individual selected--who, by the way, hasescaped the gallows more than once--will swear in court that Fanfaro isthe intellectual head of the assassination and chief conspirator."
Before the marquis could express his satisfaction, the Marquis ofMontferrand was announced.
"A visit at this hour!" cried Fougereuse, in amazement; "it is hardlyseven o'clock."
"The gentleman comes on important business, as he informed me," said theservant.
"Bring the marquis in," ordered the nobleman; and as the servant wentaway he hastily said to Simon: "Hide behind the curtain, and remainthere until the interview is over; perhaps you might hear something thatwill further our plans." Simon nodded and disappeared, while the marquiswas led in.
Arthur's father was a man of imposing presence. He looked down upon thebeggar nobility which fawned about the court, to receive money orfavors.
The old man looked pale. He hastily approached the marquis and said:
"Marquis, you imagine you are a faithful adherent of the monarchy, butscandals such as take place to-day are not calculated to raise theFougereuse and Talizacs in the estimation of the court."
"You are speaking in riddles, marquis!" exclaimed Fougereuse, inamazement.
"So much the worse for you, if your son's conduct must be told you byanother party," said the old man, sternly.
"What is the matter with my son?"
"The Vicomte de Talizac has dishonored himself and the cause you serve."
"My son is young and wild. Has he again committed one of his stupidfollies?" asked the marquis, uneasily.
"If it only were a stupid folly! The vicomte had a quarrel last nightwith my son, because my son wished to hinder him from committing adastardly act. My son boxed the vicomte's ears, upon which the lattertried to stab him with a knife."
"Impossible!" cried Fougereuse, in a rage.
"I am speaking the truth," declared the old gentleman, calmly.
"What was the nature of this dastardly act?"
"The vicomte was drunk and employed people to abduct a respectable younggirl, a street-singer. My son was in the society of yours, in arestaurant of a low order. When he heard what the affair was, heenergetically protested and tried to hinder the vicomte and his friendVelletri from carrying out their plot. They quarrelled, the vicomte wasboxed on the ears and my son was stabbed. They both received what theydeserved. What brought me here is another matter. You are aware that Iconsented to speak to my cousin the Comtesse of Salves in relation tothe marriage of her daughter with your son. From what happened lastnight, I should regard it as a misfortune for Irene if she becomes thevicomte's wife. I came here to tell you this."
Fougereuse became pale and clutched the back of a chair to keep fromfalling. At this moment the rustle of a silk dress was heard, andMadeleine, the marquis's wife, entered the room.
The marquis excitedly approached her.
"The vicomte is a scoundrel!" he cried, in a rage; "he has dragged theold noble name in the mud, thanks to his mother's bringing up. You havenever refused him a wish."
Madeleine's blue eyes shot gleams of fire; she looked above her husbandas if he had been empty air, and turned to the Marquis of Montferrand.
"Monsieur le Marquis," she politely said, "my son desired me to offeryou his apologies."
"Apology?" repeated Montferrand, coldly, "for the box on the ear hegot?"
"No, my lord, but because he was so intoxicated as to raise the ire ofyour son. He would not have gone so far if he had been sober. As to theaffair with the street-singer, it is not so serious as you imagine. Myson regrets very much that such a trivial affair has been the means ofcausing a rupture between him and your son. He has already taken stepsto indemnify the girl for the wrong he did her, and I am positive thelittle one will have her liberty restored to her before many hours havepassed. Is the word of the Marquise de Fougereuse sufficient for you, mylord?"
"Perfectly sufficient," said Montferrand, gallantly kissing themarquise's hand.
"Then we can count on seeing you to-night at our house?" askedMadeleine. "I have a surprise in store for my friends."
"Can one find out in advance the nature of it?" asked Montferrand, whileFougereuse looked anxiously at Madeleine.
"Oh, yes; his majesty has condescended to appoint the vicomte a captainin the Life Guards with the decoration of St. Louis," said the marquiseproudly.
"Oh, I call that a surprise," cried Fougereuse, more freely, andMontferrand hastened to extend his congratulations.
"The Countess of Salves and her daughter have signified their intentionof being present," continued Madeleine, "and as soon as my son receiveshis commission, the engagement of the young couple will be announced."
"It is only what one might expect from the Marquise of Fougereuse," saidMontferrand politely, as he rose. "Good-by then, until this evening."
The marquis accompanied the old man to the door, then returned to hiswife and excitedly asked:
"Madeleine, is all this true?"
Instead of answering, the marquise contemptuously shrugged her shouldersand left the room to hunt up her son.
"It is all settled," she said; "here are the twenty thousand francs youneed to silence the girl; and now try to bring honor to your newposition."
Madeleine placed a pocket-book on the table and went away. Talizaclaughed in his sleeve. He did not think he could obtain the money soeasily.
The Son of Monte-Cristo, Volume II Page 16