The Son of Monte-Cristo, Volume II

by Jules Lermina

  CHAPTER XLVI

  IN COURBEVOIE

  We left Spero at the moment when the walls of the room he was in openedand presented the horrible spectacle which met his eyes. In what way hadthe poor child got in such company? Benedetto, of course, had done thisdastardly act. He had drugged her after he had abducted her fromMonte-Cristo's house, and the poor girl was unable to give utterance toa cry. She saw everything that went on about her, but was unable to saya word. And Spero had to gaze at these terrible scenes; he could notkeep his eyes away. He tried in vain to find a means of entering thehall. The whole scene had been arranged by Benedetto and Larsagny in asatanic spirit. Larsagny owned the house in Courbevoie, and had oftenpresided at its bacchanalian revels. Carmen had not called him a masterof immorality for nothing. While Spero was beating the iron railing indespair, the light suddenly went out and all was still. The vicomtestrained his eyes to see what was going on in the hall, and not seeinganything, waited in the agony of fear for what was coming.

  In about ten minutes it became light again in the hall, and now theyoung man saw Jane again, but this time she was alone.

  Spero breathed more freely, and, beside himself, he called:

  "Jane! Jane! come to me!"

  At the rear of the hall a door opened, and Spero recognized in a man whocrossed the threshold--Monsieur de Larsagny.

  Larsagny drew near to Jane, and, sinking upon his knees, he pressed hislips to the young girl's hand. Spero breathlessly followed Larsagny'smovements, and when he saw that Jane made no resistance, he becameviolent. With all his strength, he threw himself against the ironrailing; it gave way, and with a cry Spero rushed upon Monsieur deLarsagny. In a second the banker lay on the floor. Throwing his armsabout Jane, Spero cried:

  "Jane, my darling, do you not know me? I am--Monte-Cristo."

  "Monte-Cristo!" cried Larsagny, in terror, and with a gasp he fell backdead--a stroke of apoplexy had put an end to his life.

  Spero did not know that he was the living picture of his father. EdmondDantes had just looked like that when he was arrested at Marseillesthrough the intrigues of Danglars, Fernand and Villefort, andDanglars-Larsagny had thought it was Monte-Cristo who stood before him.

  Jane still lay motionless in Spero's arms. The vicomte calleddespairingly for help, but none came.

  Suddenly it occurred to him that Jane's condition was due to somenarcotic, and with a cry of joy he pulled a small crystal vial from hisbreast pocket. It contained a liquid the Abbe Faria had taught EdmondDantes how to make. Putting the vial to Jane's lips, he poured a fewdrops down her throat.

  The effect was instantaneous. Jane uttered a deep sigh, and looked atthe young man with returning consciousness.

  "Spero!" she cried. "You here in this terrible place? Oh, go--go away;you must not stay here."

  "Jane, I have come to take you with me."

  "No!--oh, no! I am accursed! I must not accompany you!" sobbed the younggirl.

  "What nonsense, child. You have been abducted from my house and broughthere against your will. Come with me; I will bring you away, or else diewith you!"

  "Not for any price," groaned Jane. "Go--leave this place, and let medie! I cannot live any longer--the shame kills me."

  "Jane, do not speak so. Jane, my Jane, do you really refuse to accompanyme?"

  "God forgive me if I do wrong; I cannot leave you," she murmured, as shethrew herself into the young man's arms.

  But at this moment the coarse songs sounded again, and a man entered thehall. It was Benedetto!