《基督山伯爵》第070章 舞会

　　IT WAS in the warmest days of July, when in due course of time the Saturday arrived upon which the ball was to take place at M. de Morcerf's. It was ten o'clock at night; the branches of the great trees in the garden of the count's house stood out boldly against the azure canopy of heaven, which was studded with golden stars, but where the last fleeting clouds of a vanishing storm yet lingered. From the apartments on the ground-floor might be heard the sound of music, with the whirl of the waltz and galop, while brilliant streams of light shone through the openings of the Venetian blinds. At this moment the garden was only occupied by about ten servants, who had just received orders from their mistress to prepare the supper, the serenity of the weather continuing to increase. Until now, it had been undecided whether the supper should take place in the dining-room, or under a long tent erected on the lawn, but the beautiful blue sky, studded with stars, had settled the question in favor of the lawn. The gardens were illuminated with colored lanterns, according to the Italian custom, and, as is usual in countries where the luxuries of the table--the rarest of all luxuries in their complete form--are well understood, the supper-table was loaded with wax-lights and flowers.

　　At the time the Countess of Morcerf returned to the rooms, after giving her orders, many guests were arriving, more attracted by the charming hospitality of the countess than by the distinguished position of the count; for, owing to the good taste of Merc茅d猫s, one was sure of finding some devices at her entertainment worthy of describing, or even copying in case of need. Madame Danglars, in whom the events we have related had caused deep anxiety, had hesitated about going to Madame de Morcerf's, when during the morning her carriage happened to meet that of Villefort. The latter made a sign, and when the carriages had drawn close together, said,--"You are going to Madame de Morcerf's, are you not?"

　　"No," replied Madame Danglars, "I am too ill."

　　"You are wrong," replied Villefort, significantly; "it is important that you should be seen there."

　　"Do you think so?" asked the baroness.

　　"I do."

　　"In that case I will go." And the two carriages passed on towards their different destinations. Madame Danglars therefore came, not only beautiful in person, but radiant with splendor; she entered by one door at the time when Merc茅d猫s appeared at the door. The countess took Albert to meet Madame Danglars. He approached, paid her some well merited compliments on her toilet, and offered his arm to conduct her to a seat. Albert looked around him. "You are looking for my daughter?" said the baroness, smiling.

　　"I confess it," replied Albert. "Could you have been so cruel as not to bring her?"

　　"Calm yourself. She has met Mademoiselle de Villefort, and has taken her arm; see, they are following us, both in white dresses, one with a bouquet of camellias, the other with one of myosotis. But tell me"--

　　"Well, what do you wish to know?"

　　"Will not the Count of Monte Cristo be here to-night?"

　　"Seventeen！" replied Albert.

　　"What do you mean?"

　　"I only mean that the count seems the rage," replied the viscount, smiling, "and that you are the seventeenth person that has asked me the same question. The count is in fashion; I congratulate him upon it."

　　"And have you replied to every one as you have to me?"

　　"Ah, to be sure, I have not answered you; be satisfied, we shall have this 'lion;' we are among the privileged ones."

　　"Were you at the opera yesterday?"

　　"No."

　　"He was there."

　　"Ah, indeed? And did the eccentric person commit any new originality?"

　　"Can he be seen without doing so? Elssler was dancing in the Diable Boiteux; the Greek princess was in ecstasies. After the cachucha he placed a magnificent ring on the stem of a bouquet, and threw it to the charming danseuse, who, in the third act, to do honor to the gift, reappeared with it on her finger. And the Greek princess,--will she be here?"

　　"No, you will be deprived of that pleasure; her position in the count's establishment is not sufficiently understood."

　　"Wait; leave me here, and go and speak to Madame de Villefort, who is trying to attract your attention."

　　Albert bowed to Madame Danglars, and advanced towards Madame de Villefort, whose lips opened as he approached. "I wager anything," said Albert, interrupting her, "that I know what you were about to say."

　　"Well, what is it?"

　　"If I guess rightly, will you confess it?"

　　"Yes."

　　"On your honor?"

　　"On my honor."

　　"You were going to ask me if the Count of Monte Cristo had arrived, or was expected."

　　"Not at all. It is not of him that I am now thinking. I was going to ask you if you had received any news of Monsieur Franz."

　　"Yes,--yesterday."

　　"What did he tell you?"

　　"That he was leaving at the same time as his letter."

　　"Well, now then, the count?"

　　"The count will come, of that you may be satisfied."

　　"You know that he has another name besides Monte Cristo?"

　　"No, I did not know it."

　　"Monte Cristo in the name of an island, and he has a family name."

　　"I never heard it."

　　"Well, then, I am better informed than you; his name is Zaccone."

　　"It is possible."

　　"He is a Maltese."

　　"That is also possible.

　　"The son of a shipowner."

　　"Really, you should relate all this aloud, you would have the greatest success."

　　"He served in India, discovered a mine in Thessaly, and comes to Paris to establish a mineral water-cure at Auteuil."

　　"Well, I'm sure," said Morcerf, "this is indeed news！ Am I allowed to repeat it?"

　　"Yes, but cautiously, tell one thing at a time, and do not say I told you."

　　"Why so?"

　　"Because it is a secret just discovered."

　　"By whom?"

　　"The police."

　　"Then the news originated"--

　　"At the prefect's last night. Paris, you can understand, is astonished at the sight of such unusual splendor, and the police have made inquiries."

　　"Well, well！ Nothing more is wanting than to arrest the count as a vagabond, on the pretext of his being too rich."

　　"Indeed, that doubtless would have happened if his credentials had not been so favorable."

　　"Poor count！ And is he aware of the danger he has been in?"

　　"I think not."

　　"Then it will be but charitable to inform him. When he arrives, I will not fail to do so."

　　Just then, a handsome young man, with bright eyes, black hair, and glossy mustache, respectfully bowed to Madame de Villefort. Albert extended his hand. "Madame," said Albert, "allow me to present to you M. Maximilian Morrel, captain of Spahis, one of our best, and, above all, of our bravest officers."

　　"I have already had the pleasure of meeting this gentleman at Auteuil, at the house of the Count of Monte Cristo," replied Madame de Villefort, turning away with marked coldness of manner. This answer, and especially the tone in which it was uttered, chilled the heart of poor Morrel. But a recompense was in store for him; turning around, he saw near the door a beautiful fair face, whose large blue eyes were, without any marked expression, fixed upon him, while the bouquet of myosotis was gently raised to her lips.

　　The salutation was so well understood that Morrel, with the same expression in his eyes, placed his handkerchief to his mouth; and these two living statues, whose hearts beat so violently under their marble aspect, separated from each other by the whole length of the room, forgot themselves for a moment, or rather forgot the world in their mutual contemplation. They might have remained much longer lost in one another, without any one noticing their abstraction. The Count of Monte Cristo had just entered.

　　We have already said that there was something in the count which attracted universal attention wherever he appeared. It was not the coat, unexceptional in its cut, though simple and unornamented; it was not the plain white waistcoat; it was not the trousers, that displayed the foot so perfectly formed--it was none of these things that attracted the attention,--it was his pale complexion, his waving black hair, his calm and serene expression, his dark and melancholy eye, his mouth, chiselled with such marvellous delicacy, which so easily expressed such high disdain,--these were what fixed the attention of all upon him. Many men might have been handsomer, but certainly there could be none whose appearance was more significant, if the expression may be used. Everything about the count seemed to have its meaning, for the constant habit of thought which he had acquired had given an ease and vigor to the expression of his face, and even to the most trifling gesture, scarcely to be understood. Yet the Parisian world is so strange, that even all this might not have won attention had there not been connected with it a mysterious story gilded by an immense fortune.

　　Meanwhile he advanced through the assemblage of guests under a battery of curious glances towards Madame de Morcerf, who, standing before a mantle-piece ornamented with flowers, had seen his entrance in a looking-glass placed opposite the door, and was prepared to receive him. She turned towards him with a serene smile just at the moment he was bowing to her. No doubt she fancied the count would speak to her, while on his side the count thought she was about to address him; but both remained silent, and after a mere bow, Monte Cristo directed his steps to Albert, who received him cordially. "Have you seen my mother?" asked Albert.

　　"I have just had the pleasure," replied the count; "but I have not seen your father."

　　"See, he is down there, talking politics with that little group of great geniuses."

　　"Indeed?" said Monte Cristo; "and so those gentlemen down there are men of great talent. I should not have guessed it. And for what kind of talent are they celebrated? You know there are different sorts."

　　"That tall, harsh-looking man is very learned, he discovered, in the neighborhood of Rome, a kind of lizard with a vertebra more than lizards usually have, and he immediately laid his discovery before the Institute. The thing was discussed for a long time, but finally decided in his favor. I can assure you the vertebra made a great noise in the learned world, and the gentleman, who was only a knight of the Legion of Honor, was made an officer."

　　"Come," said Monte Cristo, "this cross seems to me to be wisely awarded. I suppose, had he found another additional vertebra, they would have made him a commander."

　　"Very likely," said Albert.

　　"And who can that person be who has taken it into his head to wrap himself up in a blue coat embroidered with green?"

　　"Oh, that coat is not his own idea; it is the Republic's, which deputed David* to devise a uniform for the Academicians."

　　* Louis David, a famous French painter.

　　"Indeed?" said Monte Cristo; "so this gentleman is an Academician?"

　　"Within the last week he has been made one of the learned assembly."

　　"And what is his especial talent?"

　　"His talent? I believe he thrusts pins through the heads of rabbits, he makes fowls eat madder, and punches the spinal marrow out of dogs with whalebone."

　　"And he is made a member of the Academy of Sciences for this?"

　　"No; of the French Academy."

　　"But what has the French Academy to do with all this?"

　　"I was going to tell you. It seems"--

　　"That his experiments have very considerably advanced the cause of science, doubtless?"

　　"No; that his style of writing is very good."

　　"This must be very flattering to the feelings of the rabbits into whose heads he has thrust pins, to the fowls whose bones he has dyed red, and to the dogs whose spinal marrow he has punched out?"

　　Albert laughed.

　　"And the other one?" demanded the count.

　　"That one?"

　　"Yes, the third."

　　"The one in the dark blue coat?"

　　"Yes."

　　"He is a colleague of the count, and one of the most active opponents to the idea of providing the Chamber of Peers with a uniform. He was very successful upon that question. He stood badly with the Liberal papers, but his noble opposition to the wishes of the court is now getting him into favor with the journalists. They talk of making him an ambassador."

　　"And what are his claims to the peerage?"

　　"He has composed two or three comic operas, written four or five articles in the Siecle, and voted five or six years on the ministerial side."

　　"Bravo, Viscount," said Monte Cristo, smiling; "you are a delightful cicerone. And now you will do me a favor, will you not?"

　　"What is it?"

　　"Do not introduce me to any of these gentlemen; and should they wish it, you will warn me." Just then the count felt his arm pressed. He turned round; it was Danglars.

　　"Ah, is it you, baron?" said he.

　　"Why do you call me baron?" said Danglars; "you know that I care nothing for my title. I am not like you, viscount; you like your title, do you not?"

　　"Certainly," replied Albert, "seeing that without my title I should be nothing; while you, sacrificing the baron, would still remain the millionaire."

　　"Which seems to me the finest title under the royalty of July," replied Danglars.

　　"Unfortunately," said Monte Cristo, "one's title to a millionaire does not last for life, like that of baron, peer of France, or Academician; for example, the millionaires Franck & Poulmann, of Frankfort, who have just become bankrupts."

　　"Indeed?" said Danglars, becoming pale.

　　"Yes; I received the news this evening by a courier. I had about a million in their hands, but, warned in time, I withdrew it a month ago."

　　"Ah, mon Dieu," exclaimed Danglars, "they have drawn on me for 200,000 francs！" "Well, you can throw out the draft; their signature is worth five per cent."

　　"Yes, but it is too late," said Danglars, "I have honored their bills."

　　"Then," said Monte Cristo, "here are 200,000 francs gone after"--

　　"Hush, do not mention these things," said Danglars; then, approaching Monte Cristo, he added, "especially before young M. Cavalcanti;" after which he smiled, and turned towards the young man in question. Albert had left the count to speak to his mother, Danglars to converse with young Cavalcanti; Monte Cristo was for an instant alone. Meanwhile the heat became excessive. The footmen were hastening through the rooms with waiters loaded with ices. Monte Cristo wiped the perspiration from his forehead, but drew back when the waiter was presented to him; he took no refreshment. Madame de Morcerf did not lose sight of Monte Cristo; she saw that he took nothing, and even noticed his gesture of refusal.

　　"Albert," she asked, "did you notice that?"

　　"What, mother?"

　　"That the count has never been willing to partake of food under the roof of M. de Morcerf."

　　"Yes; but then he breakfasted with me--indeed, he made his first appearance in the world on that occasion."

　　"But your house is not M. de Morcerf's," murmured Merc茅d猫s; "and since he has been here I have watched him."

　　"Well?"

　　"Well, he has taken nothing yet."

　　"The count is very temperate." Merc茅d猫s smiled sadly. "Approach him," said she, "and when the next waiter passes, insist upon his taking something."

　　"But why, mother?"

　　"Just to please me, Albert," said Merc茅d猫s. Albert kissed his mother's hand, and drew near the count. Another salver passed, loaded like the preceding ones; she saw Albert attempt to persuade the count, but he obstinately refused. Albert rejoined his mother; she was very pale.

　　"Well," said she, "you see he refuses?"

　　"Yes; but why need this annoy you?"

　　"You know, Albert, women are singular creatures. I should like to have seen the count take something in my house, if only an ice. Perhaps he cannot reconcile himself to the French style of living, and might prefer something else."

　　"Oh, no; I have seen him eat of everything in Italy; no doubt he does not feel inclined this evening."

　　"And besides," said the countess, "accustomed as he is to burning climates, possibly he does not feel the heat as we do."

　　"I do not think that, for he has complained of feeling almost suffocated, and asked why the Venetian blinds were not opened as well as the windows."

　　"In a word," said Merc茅d猫s, "it was a way of assuring me that his abstinence was intended." And she left the room. A minute afterwards the blinds were thrown open, and through the jessamine and clematis that overhung the window one could see the garden ornamented with lanterns, and the supper laid under the tent. Dancers, players, talkers, all uttered an exclamation of joy--every one inhaled with delight the breeze that floated in. At the same time Merc茅d猫s reappeared, paler than before, but with that imperturbable expression of countenance which she sometimes wore. She went straight to the group of which her husband formed the centre. "Do not detain those gentlemen here, count," she said; "they would prefer, I should think, to breathe in the garden rather than suffocate here, since they are not playing."

　　"Ah," said a gallant old general, who, in 1809, had sung Partant pour la Syrie！--"we will not go alone to the garden."

　　"Then," said Merc茅d猫s, "I will lead the way." Turning towards Monte Cristo, she added, "count, will you oblige me with your arm?" The count almost staggered at these simple words; then he fixed his eyes on Merc茅d猫s. It was only a momentary glance, but it seemed to the countess to have lasted for a century, so much was expressed in that one look. He offered his arm to the countess; she took it, or rather just touched it with her little hand, and they together descended the steps, lined with rhododendrons and camellias. Behind them, by another outlet, a group of about twenty persons rushed into the garden with loud exclamations of delight.

　　这几天正是七月里最炎热的日子，马尔塞夫伯爵如期在星期六举行舞会。晚上十点钟。在伯爵府的花园里，高大的树木清晰地衬托着缀满金色星星的天空。今天象要下暴雨的样子，天空上现在还浮荡着一层薄雾。楼下的大厅里传出华尔兹和极乐舞的乐曲，百叶窗的窗缝里透出灿烂的灯光。这时，花园里有十来个仆人在那儿准备晚餐，他们刚刚接到主妇的命令，因为天气好转。已决定晚餐在草坪上的天幕下举行，那缀满星星的美丽的蓝空已使草坪占了决定的优势。花园里挂满了彩色的灯笼，这是按照意大利的风俗布置的，席面上布满了蜡烛和鲜花，这种排场世界各国豪华的席面上处处都一样，不必多讲。

　　马尔塞夫伯爵夫人吩咐过仆人以后，又回到屋里去，这时宾客们陆续到来，吸引他们来的多半不是由于伯爵的地位显赫，而是由于伯爵夫人优雅风度，因为由于美塞苔丝的高雅的情趣，他们一定可以在她的宴会上找到一些值得叙述，甚至值得模仿的布置方法。腾格拉尔夫人本来不想到马尔塞夫夫人那儿去，因为前面说过的那几件事使她心神不宁，但那天早晨，她的马车碰巧在路上和维尔福先生的马车相遇。两部马车很自然地并拢来，他说：鈥溌矶�塞夫夫人家的舞会您去不去？鈥�

　　鈥湶幌肴ィ�鈥澨诟窭�尔夫人回答，鈥溛业纳硖逄�不舒服。鈥�

　　鈥溎�错了，鈥澪�尔福意味深长地回答，鈥溎�应该在那儿露面，这是很重要的。鈥�

　　鈥溎敲次揖腿ァｂ�澦低炅讲柯沓稻头值蓝�驶了。

　　所以腾格拉尔夫人这会儿也来了。她不但长得美，而且周身上下打扮得珠光宝气；她从一扇门走进客厅，美塞苔丝正好也从另一扇门出现在客厅，伯爵夫人当即派阿尔贝去迎接腾格拉尔夫人。他迎上前去，对男爵夫人的打扮讲了几句恰如其分的恭维话，然后让她挽住他的胳膊引她入座。阿尔贝向四下里望望。

　　鈥溎�在找我的女儿，是不是？鈥澞芯舴蛉撕�笑说。

　　鈥溛页腥鲜堑模�鈥澃⒍�贝回答。鈥溎训滥�竟忍心没有带她来吗？鈥�

　　鈥湵鹱偶薄Ｋ�遇到了维尔福小姐，她们两个就走在一起了。瞧，她们来了，两个都穿着白衣服，一个捧着一束山茶花，一个捧着一束毋忘我花。哎，怎么鈥�

　　鈥溦饣啬�找什么？鈥�

　　鈥溁�督山伯爵今天晚上来不来？鈥�

　　鈥準�七个了！鈥澃⒍�贝答道。

　　鈥溎�这是什么意思？鈥�

　　鈥溛沂撬担�伯爵似乎是一团烈火，鈥澴泳粑⑿ψ呕卮穑�鈥溎闶堑谑�七个问我这个问题的人了。伯爵有多走红，我可真得祝贺他鈥�

　　鈥溎�对每一个人都是象对我这样回答的吗？鈥�

　　鈥湴。≌媸堑模�我还没有回答您。请放心，我们可以看到这位大人物。我们的运气够好的。鈥�

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　　鈥溍挥小ｂ��

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　　鈥溗�能没有惊人之举吗？鈥澴蛱煅莸氖恰度惩饶Ч怼�

　　［法国作家勒萨日（一六八八鈥斠黄咚钠撸┑淖髌罚�这里可能指根据原作改编的舞剧。鈥斺�斠胱ⅲ荩�伊丽莎跳舞的时候，那位希腊公主看得出了神。伊丽莎跳完舞以后，他把一只珍贵的戒指绑在一束花球上，抛给那个可爱的舞星，那个舞星为了表示珍视这件礼物，在第三幕的时候，就把它戴在手指上出场，向伯爵致意。那位希腊公主呢？她来不来？鈥�

　　鈥湶焕矗�可能使您失望了，她在伯爵家里的地位没人知道。鈥�

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　　阿尔贝对腾格拉尔夫人鞠了一躬，向维尔福夫人走过去。

　　当他走近的时候，她张开嘴巴刚要说话。鈥溛腋腋�你打赌，鈥澃⒍�贝打断她说，鈥溛抑�道您要说的是什么事。鈥�

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　　鈥湷腥稀ｂ��

　　鈥溣萌烁竦１＃库��

　　鈥溣萌烁竦１！ｂ��

　　鈥溎�要问我基督山伯爵到了没有，或者会不会来。鈥�

　　鈥溡坏阋膊欢浴Ｎ蚁衷谙氲牟皇撬�。我要问您有没有接到弗兰兹先生的什么消息？鈥�

　　鈥溣械模�昨天收到了一封信。鈥�

　　鈥溗�信里说些什么？鈥�

　　鈥澦�发封信时正启程回来。鈥�

　　鈥満茫�现在，告诉我伯爵会不会来。鈥�

　　鈥湶�爵会来的，不会使您失望。鈥�

　　鈥溎�知道他除了基督山以外还有一个名字吗？鈥�

　　鈥湶唬�我不知道。鈥�

　　鈥溁�督山是一个岛的名字，他有一个族姓。鈥�

　　鈥溛掖永疵惶�说过。鈥�

　　鈥満茫�那么，我比您消息灵通了，他姓柴康。鈥�

　　鈥溣锌赡堋ｂ��

　　鈥溗�是马耳他人。鈥�

　　鈥溡部赡艿摹ｂ��

　　鈥溗�是一个船主的儿子。鈥�

　　鈥溦娴模�您应该把这些事情大声宣布出来，您就可以大出风头了。鈥�

　　鈥溗�在印度服过兵役，在塞萨利发现了一个银矿，到巴黎来是想在欧特伊村建立一所温泉疗养院。鈥�

　　鈥溑叮÷矶�塞夫说，鈥溛腋叶涎裕�这实在是新闻！允许我讲给别人听吗？鈥�

　　鈥溈梢裕�但不要一下子捅出去，每次只讲一件事情，别说是我告诉您的。鈥�

　　鈥溛�什么？鈥�

　　鈥溡蛭�这是偶然发现的秘密。鈥�

　　鈥溗�发现的。鈥�

　　鈥溇�务部。鈥�

　　鈥溎敲凑庑┫�息的来源鈥斺�斺��

　　鈥準亲蛱焱砩洗幼芗嗄抢锾�来的。您当然也明白，巴黎对于这样不寻常的豪华人物总是有戒备的，所以警务部去调查了一下。鈥�

　　鈥満茫∠衷谑中�齐备，可以借口伯爵太有钱，把他当作流民抓起来了。鈥�

　　鈥溈刹皇牵�如果调查到的情况不是那么对他有利的话，这种事情无疑是会发生的。鈥�

　　鈥溈闪�的伯爵！他知道自己处境这么危险吗？鈥�

　　鈥溛蚁氩恢�道吧。鈥�

　　鈥溎敲从Ω梅⒎⒋缺�心去通知他。他来的时候，我一定这样做。鈥�

　　这时，一个眼睛明亮、头发乌黑、髭须光润的英俊年轻人过来向维尔福夫人恭恭敬敬地鞠了一躬。阿尔贝和他握握手。鈥湻蛉耍�鈥澃⒍�贝说，鈥溤市砦蚁蚰�介绍马西米兰路莫雷尔先生，驻阿尔及利亚的骑兵上尉，是我们最出色、最勇敢的军官之一。鈥�

　　鈥溛以谂诽匾粱�督山伯爵的家里已经有幸见过这位先生了。鈥澪�尔福夫人回答，带着不用掩饰的冷淡态度转身离去。

　　这句话语，尤其是说这句话的那种口气，使可怜的莫雷尔的心揪紧了。可是有一种补偿正在等候他。他转过身来，正巧看到一张美丽白皙的面孔，上面那一对蓝色的大眼睛正注视着他，那对眼睛里并没有什么明显的表情，但她把手里的那一束毋忘我花慢慢地举到她唇边。

　　莫雷尔对这种无声的问候心领神会，他也望着她，把他手帕举到嘴唇上。他们象两尊活的雕像，已佇立大厅两端，默默地互相凝视着，一时忘掉了他们自己，甚至忘掉了世界，但在他们那种大理石似的外表底下，他们的心却在剧烈地狂跳。

　　即使他们再多望很多时候，也不会有人注意到他们，可是基督山伯爵进来了。我们已经说过，伯爵不论在哪儿出现，他总能吸引大家的注意力。那并不是因为他的衣着，他的衣服简单朴素，剪裁也没有什么新奇怪诞的地方；更不是因为那件纯白的背心；也不是因为那条衬托出一双有模有样的脚的裤子鈥斺�斘�引旁人注意的不是这些东西，而是他那苍白的肤色和他那漆黑的卷发，他安详清纯的脸容；是那一双深邃、表情抑郁的眼睛；是那一张轮廓清楚、这样易于表达高度轻蔑表情的嘴巴。比他更漂亮的人或许还有很多，谁也不会有他这么富有表现力，如可以用这个词来形容的话。伯爵身上的一切似乎都有其含义，因为他有常作有益思索的习惯，所以无关紧要的动作，也会在他的脸上表现出无比的精明和刚强。

　　可是，巴黎社会的社交界是这样的不可思议，如果除此以外他没有一笔巨大的财产染上神秘色彩，这一切或许还是不能赢得他们的注意。

　　这时，他在无数好奇的眼光的注视之下，一面和熟人略作招呼，一面向马尔塞夫夫人走过去，马尔塞夫夫人正站在摆着几只花瓶的壁炉架子前面，已经从一面与门相对的镜子里看见他进来，已经准备好和他相见。伯爵向她鞠躬的时候，她带着一个开朗的微笑向他转过身来。她以为伯爵会和她讲话，而伯爵，也以为她会和自己说话，但两人都没有开口。于是，在鞠躬之后，基督山就迈步向阿尔贝迎过去，阿尔贝正张着双臂向他走来。

　　鈥溎�见过我母亲了吗？鈥澃⒍�贝问。

　　鈥溂�过了，鈥澆�爵回答，鈥湹�我还没有见过令尊。鈥�

　　鈥溓疲�他就在那面，正在和那群社会名流谈论政治呢。鈥�

　　鈥準锹穑库�澔�督山说，鈥溎敲矗�那面的那些先生都是社会名流。我倒没有想到。他们是哪一类方面的？您知道社会名流也有各种各样的。鈥�

　　鈥準紫龋�是一位学者就是那位瘦高个儿，他在罗马附近发现一种蜥蜴，那种蜥蜴的脊椎骨比普通的多一节，他立刻把他的发现在科学院提出。对那件事一直有人持异议，但他取得了胜利。那节脊椎骨在学术界引起了轰动了，而那位先生，他本来只是荣誉军团的一个骑士，就此晋封为军官。鈥�

　　鈥溑叮�鈥澔�督山说，鈥溇菸铱矗�这个十字章是该给的，我想，要是他再找到一节脊椎骨的话，他们就会封他做司令官了吧？鈥�

　　鈥溂�有可能。鈥澃⒍�贝说。

　　鈥溎歉龃├兜仔迓袒ɡ穹�的人是谁？他怎么竟想出穿这样一件怪衣服？鈥�

　　鈥溹蓿�那件衣服不是他自己想出来的，那是法兰西共和国的象征。共和政府委托大画家大卫［大卫（一七四八鈥斠话硕�五），法国著名画家，同情法国大革命。鈥斺�斠胱ⅲ莞�法兰西科学院院士设计的一种制服。鈥�

　　鈥溦娴穆穑♀�澔�督山说，鈥溎敲凑馕幌壬�是一位科学院院士吗？鈥�

　　鈥溗�在一星期前刚被推举为一位学者。鈥�

　　鈥溗�的特殊才能是什么？鈥�

　　鈥溗�的才能我相信他能够用小针戳兔子的头，他能让母鸡吃茜草，他能够用鲸须挑出狗的脊髓。鈥�

　　鈥溛�了这些成绩，他成为科学院的院士了吗？鈥�

　　鈥湶唬�是法兰西学院的院士。鈥�

　　鈥湹�法兰四学院跟这一切有什么关系呢？鈥�

　　鈥溛揖鸵�告诉您了。看来似乎是因为鈥斺�斺��

　　鈥溡欢ㄒ蛭�他的实验大大地促进了科学的发展罗？鈥�

　　鈥湶唬�是因为他的书法非常挺秀。鈥�

　　鈥溦饩浠耙�是被那些让他用针戳过的兔子，那些骨头被他用茜草染成红色的鸡以及那些被他挑过脊髓的狗听到，它们一定要伤心死了。鈥�

　　阿尔贝大笑起来。

　　鈥溎且晃荒兀库�澆�爵问。

　　鈥溎囊晃唬库��

　　鈥準堑模�第三位。鈥�

　　鈥湴。〈┌道渡�衣服的那位？鈥�

　　鈥湺浴ｂ��

　　鈥溗�是伯爵的一个同僚，前一阵子极力反对贵族院的议员穿制服，他是自由主义派报纸的死对头，但因为他在制服问题上所做的抨击朝廷的高尚行动，自由派报纸大大为他捧场，这使他们言归于好，而且据说就要派他做大使了。鈥�

　　鈥溗�是凭什么资格入贵族院的？鈥�

　　鈥溗�曾编过两三部喜剧，在《世纪》报上写过四五篇文章，为部长大人当选捧了五六次场。鈥�

　　鈥溗档妹睿�子爵！鈥澔�督山微笑着说，鈥溎�是一位很有趣的导游。现在请您帮我一个忙，可不可以？鈥�

　　鈥準裁词拢库��

　　鈥湵鸾樯芪胰鲜墩饧肝幌壬�，如果他们有这个意思，请您为我挡驾。鈥�

　　这时，伯爵觉得有人抓住了他的胳膊。他转过身来，原来是腾格拉尔。鈥湴。∈悄�，男爵！鈥�

　　鈥溎�为什么要称呼我男爵呢？鈥澨诟窭�尔说，鈥溎�知道我对于我的头衔并不重视。我不象您，子爵，您很看重爵位是不是？鈥�

　　鈥湹比宦蓿�鈥澃⒍�贝回答，鈥溛乙�是没有了头衔，就一无所有了，而您，既使放弃男爵的头衔，却依旧不失为百万富翁。鈥�

　　鈥湶恍业氖牵�鈥澔�督山说，鈥湴偻蚋晃陶飧鐾废慰刹幌竽芯簟⒎ü�贵族或科学院院士那样可以终身保持的，譬如说，法兰克福的百万富翁，法波银行的大股东法郎克和波尔曼，最近就宣告破产了。鈥�

　　鈥溦娴穆穑库�澨诟窭�尔说，脸色顿时变得苍白。

　　鈥湶换嵊写恚�我是今天傍晚才得到的消息，我有一百万存在他们银行，但及时得到警告，在一个月以前就提出来了。鈥�

　　鈥湴。�我的上帝！鈥澨诟窭�尔喊道，鈥溗�们开了一张二十万法郎的汇票给我！鈥�

　　鈥溎�可得小心一点，他们的签字只剩百分之五的信用了。鈥�

　　鈥準堑模�但太迟啦，鈥澨诟窭�尔说，鈥溛铱吹角┳值钠本菥驼崭读恕ｂ��

　　鈥湹茫♀�澔�督山说，鈥溣质嵌�十万法郎，加上以前鈥溞辏”鹛嵴庑┦虑椋�鈥澨诟窭�尔说，然后，他向基督山凑近一步，又说，鈥溣绕涫窃谛】ㄍ叨�康蒂先生面前。鈥澦低暌院螅�他微笑了一下，转身向他所指的那个年轻人走去。

　　阿尔贝离开伯爵去和他的母亲说话，腾格拉尔也已去和小卡瓦尔康蒂谈天，暂时只剩下基督山独自一个。这当儿，大厅里非常热。仆人托着摆满冷饮品的茶盘在人群里穿梭往来。

　　基督山不时擦着额头上的汗珠，但当仆人把盘子端到他面前来的时候，他却退后一步，不吃解热的东西。马尔塞夫夫人的眼光始终没有离开基督山，她看到他什么都没有吃过，甚至还注意到了他往后退的那个动作。

　　鈥湴⒍�贝，鈥澦�问道，鈥溎阕⒁獾矫挥校库��

　　鈥準裁词拢�母亲？鈥�

　　鈥溛颐乔氩�爵来赴宴，他从来没有接受过。鈥�

　　鈥準堑模�但他在我那儿吃过午饭，真的，那次他还是初次在巴黎社交界露面呢。鈥�

　　鈥湹�你的家并不是马尔塞夫先生的家，鈥澝廊�苔丝喃喃说，鈥溗�来这儿以后，我一直在观察他。鈥�

　　鈥準锹穑库��

　　鈥準堑模�他没有吃过任何东西。鈥�

　　鈥湶�爵的饮食是很节制的。鈥�

　　美塞苔丝抑郁地微笑了一下。鈥溎阍俟�去，鈥澦�说，鈥湹认乱淮瓮信趟屠吹氖焙颍�务必请他吃些东西。鈥�

　　鈥溛�什么，母亲？鈥�

　　鈥溙�我的话，阿尔贝。鈥澝廊�苔丝说。

　　阿尔贝拿起他母亲的手吻了一下，踱到伯爵身边。又有一只摆满冷饮品的盘子送了来，她看到阿尔贝想劝伯爵吃些东西，但他却坚决地拒绝了。阿尔贝回到母亲那儿，她的脸色非常苍白。

　　鈥準前桑�鈥澦�说，鈥溎憧吹剿�拒绝了吗！鈥�

　　鈥準堑模�但您何必因此难过呢？鈥�

　　鈥溎阒�道，阿尔贝，女人的心是很奇怪的，我喜欢看到伯爵在我的家里吃些东西，即使一粒石榴也好。也许他不习惯法国的饮食，喜欢吃别的东西吧。鈥�

　　鈥溑叮�不会的。在意大利的时候，我看他是什么都吃的，显然他今天晚上不想吃东西。鈥�

　　鈥溡残硎氢�澆�爵夫人说，鈥溗�是在热带过惯了的，他可能不象我们这样怕热。鈥�

　　鈥溛蚁氩患�得，因为他刚才还向我诉苦说，他感到热得几乎要窒息了，还问我为什么不把百叶窗也象玻璃那样打开。鈥�

　　鈥溈刹皇牵�鈥澝廊�苔丝说，鈥溦獾故歉龊冒旆ǎ�可以试试他是否故意不肯吃东西。鈥澯谑撬�离开大厅。一分钟以后，百叶窗全部打开了，透过那些垂下素馨花和女萎草的窗口，可以看到点缀着各色灯笼的花园和摆列在帐幕底下的宴席。跳舞的，玩牌的，谈话的所有的客人都发出了欢快的喊声。每一个人都欢欢喜喜地享受着微风。这时，美塞苔丝重新出现，她的脸色比以前更苍白了，但神色很镇定。她一直向以她丈夫为中心的那群人走过去。鈥湵鸢颜饧肝幌壬�拖在这儿，伯爵，鈥�

　　她说，鈥溛蚁耄�他们大概都愿意到花园里透透气，太闷了，他们不是在玩牌。鈥�

　　鈥湴。�鈥澮桓龇缌鞯睦辖�军说，鈥溛颐遣辉敢獾ザ赖交ㄔ袄锶ァｂ��

　　鈥溎敲矗�鈥澝廊�苔丝说，鈥溛依戳炻贰ｂ�澦�转向基督山，又说，鈥湶�爵，您可以陪我去走走吗？鈥�

　　对于这样简单的一句话，伯爵几乎踉跄了一下，他看了看美塞苔丝。那一瞥的时间实际上极其短暂，但伯爵夫人却觉得似乎有一世纪那么久。他把他的胳膊递给伯爵夫人。她挽起他的胳膊，或者说得确切些，只是用她那只纤细的小手轻轻触着它，于是他们一同走下那两旁列着踯躅花和山茶花的踏级。在他们的后面，二十多个人高声谈笑着从另外一扇小门里涌进花园。