CHAPTER LXVI.
UNITED IN DEATH.
Benedetto entered. He was now the escaped convict, neither more norless. On his lips was a hideous smile. He had attained his aim atlast--he had in his power the son of the man whom he hated, and revengewas sweet.
Esperance held Jane in his arms, and merely turned his head towardBenedetto.
"Who are you?" he cried. "I know you not, but if you are not the basestof the base, you will aid me to make my escape from this terrible place,and enable me to take this poor child with me."
"No, sir!" answered Benedetto, slowly. "I will not aid you to escape,and you will not save this woman."
"Ah! I understand you. You are the accomplice of these scoundrels. Verywell; I will make a way for myself."
He drew his revolvers from his pocket, and pointed one at Benedetto.
"Move!" he cried, "or I will kill you as I would a dog!"
"You would commit murder then, would you?"
"No--it would be simple self-protection. I am not your prisoner, andthis woman ought to be sacred to you."
"This woman," said Benedetto, "tells you she comes here not of her ownfree will. Do you believe her?"
"Jane! answer him, my beloved! Tell him he lies!"
Benedetto started back.
"Jane Zeld," he said, "tell the absolute truth. Tell the Vicomte if youconsider yourself worthy of him." Jane turned her weary eyes upon theVicomte. "Tell him if the daughter of the Lyons outcast has any right tolean on the arm of the Vicomte de Monte-Cristo. Jane Zeld, think of thepast. Tell this gentleman who your mother was. Tell him where she died."
"No, no!" cried Jane. "Enough! enough!"
"No, it is not enough. Lead the Vicomte to your mother's tomb and thereplace your hand in his, if you dare!"
"Be silent!" cried Esperance, who felt himself growing mad.
"But this is not all," continued Benedetto. "Jane Zeld, shall I tell theVicomte the name of your father?"
"I know it not!"
"Have you forgotten the man who took you from a wretched house at thetime of your mother's death? This man was Sanselme, the formerpriest--Sanselme, the former convict, and your father! And now, Vicomte,will you kill me? Do so, if you dare!"
Jane fell back, fainting.
"She is dead!" cried Esperance. "Ah! coward and assassin, I will haveyour life for this. Have you arms? I wish you to have some chance."
Benedetto threw aside the mantle he wore and showed two swords, one ofwhich he threw at the feet of Esperance.
Yes, he had long craved this duel, and, sure of his ability, felt thathe had to do with a mere boy.
Esperance seized the sword, and went up to Benedetto.
"You have insulted me," he said, gravely, "in insulting this woman whois dearer to me than life itself; it matters little who you are, prepareto die."
This room was a singular duelling ground, but Esperance cared little forthat. His pulse beat no more quickly than usual. He had greatly changedin the last few hours. He felt himself elevated to the dignity ofchastisement.
The two antagonists stood on guard. There was a moment of profoundsilence. In a mural painting on the walls of a German cathedral, two menstand like this, and a little distance off, half hidden behind a tree,is the figure of Death.
Esperance was perfectly cool, but Benedetto saw after two or threepasses that he had no boy antagonist. Calling together all his resourceshe made a lunge. His antagonist returned it, and grazed Benedetto'sbreast.
At this moment Jane revived. "Courage, Esperance, courage!" shemurmured.
The young man heard her voice, and the contest was renewed. Ten timesdid the sword of Esperance menace the heart of Benedetto, ten times didthe scoundrel escape death. But he began to feel afraid. The sword ofthe son of Monte-Cristo flashed and gleamed before his eyes like thefiery sword of the Bible. Esperance was gaining the advantage, and a cryof rage escaped the panting breast of Benedetto. Was it possible thatafter all, his vengeance was about to slip through his fingers? And washe to die instead of Monte-Cristo's son! He recoiled further andfurther, feeling that the sword of his opponent would pin him to thewall.
Monte-Cristo's son said to him, "Scoundrel! your life is in my power.Repent of the evil you have done, and I will show you mercy."
"Mercy!" sneered Benedetto. "You talk of mercy. Take care, I hate you! Ihate your father. Hasten to take my life or I swear that I will takeyours!"
"Die then!" cried Esperance.
And with a rapid movement of his sword he disarmed his adversary; hisblade was about to enter Benedetto's breast when the report of a pistolwas heard, and Esperance, shot through the heart, fell by Jane's side.She threw herself on his body with cries of despair. Benedetto, with aninfernal smile, turned away with a pistol in his hand.
It will be remembered that Esperance in his righteous anger had aimedhis pistols at Benedetto, but the thought of a murder in this uprightsoul was but a passing one, and when he drew his sword he laid down hispistols upon a chair near him.
At the moment when Benedetto felt that all was lost his eyes fell an thearms, and an infernal thought struck him. He gradually approached thechair, and finally, with a sudden movement, snatched one of therevolvers. The scoundrel had murdered his adversary. Esperance fell andJane encircled him with her arms.
Benedetto frowningly looked on. He had at last achieved his object.Unable to injure the man he hated, he had wounded him through his son,his only child!
"Farewell," sighed Esperance, "I love thee, Jane, but I am dying!"
"And I die with you!" answered Jane, with paling lips.
And as if the angel of death touched them both at the same time, theyslept in eternal night.
Benedetto did not move. Suddenly he started. Loud noises were heard atthe door of the deserted house.
"We are here, Esperance! We bring you aid!" voices called in cheeringtones.
Benedetto looked about like a wild boar at bay. Every issue was cut off.He knew that he had no pity to expect, for when these men beheld himhere with his two victims they would take his life without the smallesthesitation. He rushed to the window and opened it; the Seine ran dark athis feet.
Benedetto waited until Fanfar and his friends entered the room, andthen crying out to them, "You are too late! I have killed the son ofMonte-Cristo!" leaped into the river.
Goutran rushed to Esperance, and lifting him in his arms, saiddespairingly: "Dead! murdered!"
And in the presence of these two young creatures so beautiful in death,the men uncovered their bowed heads and Carmen knelt in passionateweeping.
The Son of Monte-Cristo Page 68