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Chapter 86. The Trial. At eight o'clock in the morning Albert had
arrived at Beauchamp's door. The valet de chambre had received orders to usher him in
at once. Beauchamp was in his bath. "Here I am," said Albert.
"Well, my poor friend," replied Beauchamp, "I expected you."
"I need not say I think you are too faithful and too kind to have spoken of that painful
circumstance. Your having sent for me is another proof of your affection. So, without losing
time, tell me, have you the slightest idea whence this terrible blow proceeds?"
"I think I have some clew." "But first tell me all the particulars of
this shameful plot." Beauchamp proceeded to relate to the young man, who was overwhelmed
with shame and grief, the following facts. Two days previously, the article had appeared
in another paper besides the Impartial, and, what was more serious, one that was well known
as a government paper. Beauchamp was breakfasting when he read the paragraph. He sent immediately
for a cabriolet, and hastened to the publisher's office. Although professing diametrically
opposite principles from those of the editor of the other paper, Beauchamp—as it sometimes,
we may say often, happens—was his intimate friend. The editor was reading, with apparent
delight, a leading article in the same paper on beet-sugar, probably a composition of his
own. "Ah, pardieu," said Beauchamp, "with the paper
in your hand, my friend, I need not tell you the cause of my visit."
"Are you interested in the sugar question?" asked the editor of the ministerial paper.
"No," replied Beauchamp, "I have not considered the question; a totally different subject
interests me." "What is it?"
"The article relative to Morcerf." "Indeed? Is it not a curious affair?"
"So curious, that I think you are running a great risk of a prosecution for defamation
of character." "Not at all; we have received with the information
all the requisite proofs, and we are quite sure M. de Morcerf will not raise his voice
against us; besides, it is rendering a service to one's country to denounce these wretched
criminals who are unworthy of the honor bestowed on them." Beauchamp was thunderstruck. "Who,
then, has so correctly informed you?" asked he; "for my paper, which gave the first information
on the subject, has been obliged to stop for want of proof; and yet we are more interested
than you in exposing M. de Morcerf, as he is a peer of France, and we are of the opposition."
"Oh, that is very simple; we have not sought to scandalize. This news was brought to us.
A man arrived yesterday from Yanina, bringing a formidable array of documents; and when
we hesitated to publish the accusatory article, he told us it should be inserted in some other
paper." Beauchamp understood that nothing remained
but to submit, and left the office to despatch a courier to Morcerf. But he had been unable
to send to Albert the following particulars, as the events had transpired after the messenger's
departure; namely, that the same day a great agitation was manifest in the House of Peers
among the usually calm members of that dignified assembly. Every one had arrived almost before
the usual hour, and was conversing on the melancholy event which was to attract the
attention of the public towards one of their most illustrious colleagues. Some were perusing
the article, others making comments and recalling circumstances which substantiated the charges
still more. The Count of Morcerf was no favorite with his colleagues. Like all upstarts, he
had had recourse to a great deal of haughtiness to maintain his position. The true nobility
laughed at him, the talented repelled him, and the honorable instinctively despised him.
He was, in fact, in the unhappy position of the victim marked for sacrifice; the finger
of God once pointed at him, every one was prepared to raise the hue and cry.
The Count of Morcerf alone was ignorant of the news. He did not take in the paper containing
the defamatory article, and had passed the morning in writing letters and in trying a
horse. He arrived at his usual hour, with a proud look and insolent demeanor; he alighted,
passed through the corridors, and entered the house without observing the hesitation
of the door-keepers or the coolness of his colleagues. Business had already been going
on for half an hour when he entered. Every one held the accusing paper, but, as usual,
no one liked to take upon himself the responsibility of the attack. At length an honorable peer,
Morcerf's acknowledged enemy, ascended the tribune with that solemnity which announced
that the expected moment had arrived. There was an impressive silence; Morcerf alone knew
not why such profound attention was given to an orator who was not always listened to
with so much complacency. The count did not notice the introduction, in which the speaker
announced that his communication would be of that vital importance that it demanded
the undivided attention of the House; but at the mention of Yanina and Colonel Fernand,
he turned so frightfully pale that every member shuddered and fixed his eyes upon him. Moral
wounds have this peculiarity,—they may be hidden, but they never close; always painful,
always ready to bleed when touched, they remain fresh and open in the heart.
The article having been read during the painful hush that followed, a universal shudder pervaded
the assembly, and immediately the closest attention was given to the orator as he resumed
his remarks. He stated his scruples and the difficulties of the case; it was the honor
of M. de Morcerf, and that of the whole House, he proposed to defend, by provoking a debate
on personal questions, which are always such painful themes of discussion. He concluded
by calling for an investigation, which might dispose of the calumnious report before it
had time to spread, and restore M. de Morcerf to the position he had long held in public
opinion. Morcerf was so completely overwhelmed by this great and unexpected calamity that
he could scarcely stammer a few words as he looked around on the assembly. This timidity,
which might proceed from the astonishment of innocence as well as the shame of guilt,
conciliated some in his favor; for men who are truly generous are always ready to compassionate
when the misfortune of their enemy surpasses the limits of their hatred.
The president put it to the vote, and it was decided that the investigation should take
place. The count was asked what time he required to prepare his defence. Morcerf's courage
had revived when he found himself alive after this horrible blow. "My lords," answered he,
"it is not by time I could repel the attack made on me by enemies unknown to me, and,
doubtless, hidden in obscurity; it is immediately, and by a thunderbolt, that I must repel the
flash of lightning which, for a moment, startled me. Oh, that I could, instead of taking up
this defence, shed my last drop of blood to prove to my noble colleagues that I am their
equal in worth." These words made a favorable impression on behalf of the accused. "I demand,
then, that the examination shall take place as soon as possible, and I will furnish the
house with all necessary information." "What day do you fix?" asked the president.
"To-day I am at your service," replied the count. The president rang the bell. "Does
the House approve that the examination should take place to-day?"
"Yes," was the unanimous answer. A committee of twelve members was chosen to
examine the proofs brought forward by Morcerf. The investigation would begin at eight o'clock
that evening in the committee-room, and if postponement were necessary, the proceedings
would be resumed each evening at the same hour. Morcerf asked leave to retire; he had
to collect the documents he had long been preparing against this storm, which his sagacity
had foreseen. Albert listened, trembling now with hope,
then with anger, and then again with shame, for from Beauchamp's confidence he knew his
father was guilty, and he asked himself how, since he was guilty, he could prove his innocence.
Beauchamp hesitated to continue his narrative. "What next?" asked Albert.
"What next? My friend, you impose a painful task on me. Must you know all?"
"Absolutely; and rather from your lips than another's."
"Muster up all your courage, then, for never have you required it more." Albert passed
his hand over his forehead, as if to try his strength, as a man who is preparing to defend
his life proves his shield and bends his sword. He thought himself strong enough, for he mistook
fever for energy. "Go on," said he. "The evening arrived; all Paris was in expectation.
Many said your father had only to show himself to crush the charge against him; many others
said he would not appear; while some asserted that they had seen him start for Brussels;
and others went to the police-office to inquire if he had taken out a passport. I used all
my influence with one of the committee, a young peer of my acquaintance, to get admission
to one of the galleries. He called for me at seven o'clock, and, before any one had
arrived, asked one of the door-keepers to place me in a box. I was concealed by a column,
and might witness the whole of the terrible scene which was about to take place. At eight
o'clock all were in their places, and M. de Morcerf entered at the last stroke. He held
some papers in his hand; his countenance was calm, and his step firm, and he was dressed
with great care in his military uniform, which was buttoned completely up to the chin. His
presence produced a good effect. The committee was made up of Liberals, several of whom came
forward to shake hands with him." Albert felt his heart bursting at these particulars,
but gratitude mingled with his sorrow: he would gladly have embraced those who had given
his father this proof of esteem at a moment when his honor was so powerfully attacked.
"At this moment one of the door-keepers brought in a letter for the president. 'You are at
liberty to speak, M. de Morcerf,' said the president, as he unsealed the letter; and
the count began his defence, I assure you, Albert, in a most eloquent and skilful manner.
He produced documents proving that the Vizier of Yanina had up to the last moment honored
him with his entire confidence, since he had interested him with a negotiation of life
and death with the emperor. He produced the ring, his mark of authority, with which Ali
Pasha generally sealed his letters, and which the latter had given him, that he might, on
his return at any hour of the day or night, gain access to the presence, even in the harem.
Unfortunately, the negotiation failed, and when he returned to defend his benefactor,
he was dead. 'But,' said the count, 'so great was Ali Pasha's confidence, that on his death-bed
he resigned his favorite mistress and her daughter to my care.'" Albert started on hearing
these words; the history of Haidee recurred to him, and he remembered what she had said
of that message and the ring, and the manner in which she had been sold and made a slave.
"And what effect did this discourse produce?" anxiously inquired Albert. "I acknowledge
it affected me, and, indeed, all the committee also," said Beauchamp.
"Meanwhile, the president carelessly opened the letter which had been brought to him;
but the first lines aroused his attention; he read them again and again, and fixing his
eyes on M. de Morcerf, 'Count,' said he, 'you have said that the Vizier of Yanina confided
his wife and daughter to your care?'—'Yes, sir,' replied Morcerf; 'but in that, like
all the rest, misfortune pursued me. On my return, Vasiliki and her daughter Haidee had
disappeared.'—'Did you know them?'—'My intimacy with the pasha and his unlimited
confidence had gained me an introduction to them, and I had seen them above twenty times.'
"'Have you any idea what became of them?'—'Yes, sir; I heard they had fallen victims to their
sorrow, and, perhaps, to their poverty. I was not rich; my life was in constant danger;
I could not seek them, to my great regret.' The president frowned imperceptibly. 'Gentlemen,'
said he, 'you have heard the Comte de Morcerf's defence. Can you, sir, produce any witnesses
to the truth of what you have asserted?'—'Alas, no, monsieur,' replied the count; 'all those
who surrounded the vizier, or who knew me at his court, are either dead or gone away,
I know not where. I believe that I alone, of all my countrymen, survived that dreadful
war. I have only the letters of Ali Tepelini, which I have placed before you; the ring,
a token of his good-will, which is here; and, lastly, the most convincing proof I can offer,
after an anonymous attack, and that is the absence of any witness against my veracity
and the purity of my military life.' A murmur of approbation ran through the assembly; and
at this moment, Albert, had nothing more transpired, your father's cause had been gained. It only
remained to put it to the vote, when the president resumed: 'Gentlemen and you, monsieur,—you
will not be displeased, I presume, to listen to one who calls himself a very important
witness, and who has just presented himself. He is, doubtless, come to prove the perfect
innocence of our colleague. Here is a letter I have just received on the subject; shall
it be read, or shall it be passed over? and shall we take no notice of this incident?'
M. de Morcerf turned pale, and clinched his hands on the papers he held. The committee
decided to hear the letter; the count was thoughtful and silent. The president read:—
"'Mr. President,—I can furnish the committee of inquiry into the conduct of the Lieutenant-General
the Count of Morcerf in Epirus and in Macedonia with important particulars.'
"The president paused, and the count turned pale. The president looked at his auditors.
'Proceed,' was heard on all sides. The president resumed:—
"'I was on the spot at the death of Ali Pasha. I was present during his last moments. I know
what is become of Vasiliki and Haidee. I am at the command of the committee, and even
claim the honor of being heard. I shall be in the lobby when this note is delivered to
you.' "'And who is this witness, or rather this
enemy?' asked the count, in a tone in which there was a visible alteration. 'We shall
know, sir,' replied the president. 'Is the committee willing to hear this witness?'—'Yes,
yes,' they all said at once. The door-keeper was called. 'Is there any one in the lobby?'
said the president. "'Yes, sir.'—'Who is it?'—'A woman, accompanied
by a servant.' Every one looked at his neighbor. 'Bring her in,' said the president. Five minutes
after the door-keeper again appeared; all eyes were fixed on the door, and I," said
Beauchamp, "shared the general expectation and anxiety. Behind the door-keeper walked
a woman enveloped in a large veil, which completely concealed her. It was evident, from her figure
and the perfumes she had about her, that she was young and fastidious in her tastes, but
that was all. The president requested her to throw aside her veil, and it was then seen
that she was dressed in the Grecian costume, and was remarkably beautiful."
"Ah," said Albert, "it was she." "Who?"
"Haidee." "Who told you that?"
"Alas, I guess it. But go on, Beauchamp. You see I am calm and strong. And yet we must
be drawing near the disclosure." "M. de Morcerf," continued Beauchamp, "looked
at this woman with surprise and terror. Her lips were about to pass his sentence of life
or death. To the committee the adventure was so extraordinary and curious, that the interest
they had felt for the count's safety became now quite a secondary matter. The president
himself advanced to place a seat for the young lady; but she declined availing herself of
it. As for the count, he had fallen on his chair; it was evident that his legs refused
to support him. "'Madame,' said the president, 'you have engaged
to furnish the committee with some important particulars respecting the affair at Yanina,
and you have stated that you were an eyewitness of the event.'—'I was, indeed,' said the
stranger, with a tone of sweet melancholy, and with the sonorous voice peculiar to the
East. "'But allow me to say that you must have been
very young then.'—'I was four years old; but as those events deeply concerned me, not
a single detail has escaped my memory.'—'In what manner could these events concern you?
and who are you, that they should have made so deep an impression on you?'—'On them
depended my father's life,' replied she. 'I am Haidee, the daughter of Ali Tepelini, pasha
of Yanina, and of Vasiliki, his beloved wife.' "The blush of mingled pride and modesty which
suddenly suffused the cheeks of the young woman, the brilliancy of her eye, and her
highly important communication, produced an indescribable effect on the assembly. As for
the count, he could not have been more overwhelmed if a thunderbolt had fallen at his feet and
opened an immense gulf before him. 'Madame,' replied the president, bowing with profound
respect, 'allow me to ask one question; it shall be the last: Can you prove the authenticity
of what you have now stated?'—'I can, sir,' said Haidee, drawing from under her veil a
satin satchel highly perfumed; 'for here is the register of my birth, signed by my father
and his principal officers, and that of my baptism, my father having consented to my
being brought up in my mother's faith,—this latter has been sealed by the grand primate
of Macedonia and Epirus; and lastly (and perhaps the most important), the record of the sale
of my person and that of my mother to the Armenian merchant El-Kobbir, by the French
officer, who, in his infamous bargain with the Porte, had reserved as his part of the
*** the wife and daughter of his benefactor, whom he sold for the sum of four hundred thousand
francs.' A greenish pallor spread over the count's cheeks, and his eyes became bloodshot
at these terrible imputations, which were listened to by the assembly with ominous silence.
"Haidee, still calm, but with a calmness more dreadful than the anger of another would have
been, handed to the president the record of her sale, written in Arabic. It had been supposed
some of the papers might be in the Arabian, Romaic, or Turkish language, and the interpreter
of the House was in attendance. One of the noble peers, who was familiar with the Arabic
language, having studied it during the famous Egyptian campaign, followed with his eye as
the translator read aloud:— "'I, El-Kobbir, a slave-merchant, and purveyor
of the harem of his highness, acknowledge having received for transmission to the sublime
emperor, from the French lord, the Count of Monte Cristo, an emerald valued at eight hundred
thousand francs; as the ransom of a young Christian slave of eleven years of age, named
Haidee, the acknowledged daughter of the late lord Ali Tepelini, pasha of Yanina, and of
Vasiliki, his favorite; she having been sold to me seven years previously, with her mother,
who had died on arriving at Constantinople, by a French colonel in the service of the
Vizier Ali Tepelini, named Fernand Mondego. The above-mentioned purchase was made on his
highness's account, whose mandate I had, for the sum of four hundred thousand francs.
"'Given at Constantinople, by authority of his highness, in the year 1247 of the Hegira.
"'Signed El-Kobbir.' "'That this record should have all due authority,
it shall bear the imperial seal, which the vendor is bound to have affixed to it.'
"Near the merchant's signature there was, indeed, the seal of the sublime emperor. A
dreadful silence followed the reading of this document; the count could only stare, and
his gaze, fixed as if unconsciously on Haidee, seemed one of fire and blood. 'Madame,' said
the president, 'may reference be made to the Count of Monte Cristo, who is now, I believe,
in Paris?'—'Sir,' replied Haidee, 'the Count of Monte Cristo, my foster-father, has been
in Normandy the last three days.' "'Who, then, has counselled you to take this
step, one for which the court is deeply indebted to you, and which is perfectly natural, considering
your birth and your misfortunes?'—'Sir,' replied Haidee, 'I have been led to take this
step from a feeling of respect and grief. Although a Christian, may God forgive me,
I have always sought to revenge my illustrious father. Since I set my foot in France, and
knew the traitor lived in Paris, I have watched carefully. I live retired in the house of
my noble protector, but I do it from choice. I love retirement and silence, because I can
live with my thoughts and recollections of past days. But the Count of Monte Cristo surrounds
me with every paternal care, and I am ignorant of nothing which passes in the world. I learn
all in the silence of my apartments,—for instance, I see all the newspapers, every
periodical, as well as every new piece of music; and by thus watching the course of
the life of others, I learned what had transpired this morning in the House of Peers, and what
was to take place this evening; then I wrote.' "'Then,' remarked the president, 'the Count
of Monte Cristo knows nothing of your present proceedings?'—'He is quite unaware of them,
and I have but one fear, which is that he should disapprove of what I have done. But
it is a glorious day for me,' continued the young girl, raising her ardent gaze to heaven,
'that on which I find at last an opportunity of avenging my father!'
"The count had not uttered one word the whole of this time. His colleagues looked at him,
and doubtless pitied his prospects, blighted under the perfumed breath of a woman. His
misery was depicted in sinister lines on his countenance. 'M. de Morcerf,' said the president,
'do you recognize this lady as the daughter of Ali Tepelini, pasha of Yanina?'—'No,'
said Morcerf, attempting to rise, 'it is a base plot, contrived by my enemies.' Haidee,
whose eyes had been fixed on the door, as if expecting some one, turned hastily, and,
seeing the count standing, shrieked, 'You do not know me?' said she. 'Well, I fortunately
recognize you! You are Fernand Mondego, the French officer who led the troops of my noble
father! It is you who surrendered the castle of Yanina! It is you who, sent by him to Constantinople,
to treat with the emperor for the life or death of your benefactor, brought back a false
mandate granting full pardon! It is you who, with that mandate, obtained the pasha's ring,
which gave you authority over Selim, the fire-keeper! It is you who stabbed Selim. It is you who
sold us, my mother and me, to the merchant, El-Kobbir! Assassin, assassin, assassin, you
have still on your brow your master's blood! Look, gentlemen, all!'
"These words had been pronounced with such enthusiasm and evident truth, that every eye
was fixed on the count's forehead, and he himself passed his hand across it, as if he
felt Ali's blood still lingering there. 'You positively recognize M. de Morcerf as the
officer, Fernand Mondego?'—'Indeed I do!' cried Haidee. 'Oh, my mother, it was you who
said, "You were free, you had a beloved father, you were destined to be almost a queen. Look
well at that man; it is he who raised your father's head on the point of a spear; it
is he who sold us; it is he who forsook us! Look well at his right hand, on which he has
a large wound; if you forgot his features, you would know him by that hand, into which
fell, one by one, the gold pieces of the merchant El-Kobbir!" I know him! Ah, let him say now
if he does not recognize me!' Each word fell like a dagger on Morcerf, and deprived him
of a portion of his energy; as she uttered the last, he hid his mutilated hand hastily
in his ***, and fell back on his seat, overwhelmed by wretchedness and despair. This scene completely
changed the opinion of the assembly respecting the accused count.
"'Count of Morcerf,' said the president, 'do not allow yourself to be cast down; answer.
The justice of the court is supreme and impartial as that of God; it will not suffer you to
be trampled on by your enemies without giving you an opportunity of defending yourself.
Shall further inquiries be made? Shall two members of the House be sent to Yanina? Speak!'
Morcerf did not reply. Then all the members looked at each other with terror. They knew
the count's energetic and violent temper; it must be, indeed, a dreadful blow which
would deprive him of courage to defend himself. They expected that his stupefied silence would
be followed by a fiery outburst. 'Well,' asked the president, 'what is your decision?'
"'I have no reply to make,' said the count in a low tone.
"'Has the daughter of Ali Tepelini spoken the truth?' said the president. 'Is she, then,
the terrible witness to whose charge you dare not plead "Not guilty"? Have you really committed
the crimes of which you are accused?' The count looked around him with an expression
which might have softened tigers, but which could not disarm his judges. Then he raised
his eyes towards the ceiling, but withdrew then, immediately, as if he feared the roof
would open and reveal to his distressed view that second tribunal called heaven, and that
other judge named God. Then, with a hasty movement, he tore open his coat, which seemed
to stifle him, and flew from the room like a madman; his footstep was heard one moment
in the corridor, then the rattling of his carriage-wheels as he was driven rapidly away.
'Gentlemen,' said the president, when silence was restored, 'is the Count of Morcerf convicted
of felony, treason, and conduct unbecoming a member of this House?'—'Yes,' replied
all the members of the committee of inquiry with a unanimous voice.
"Haidee had remained until the close of the meeting. She heard the count's sentence pronounced
without betraying an expression of joy or pity; then drawing her veil over her face
she bowed majestically to the councillors, and left with that dignified step which Virgil
attributes to his goddesses."