第18章

"With being an agent of the Bonapartist faction!" Many of our readers may be able to recollect how formidable such an accusation became in the period at which our story is dated.

A despairing cry escaped the pale lips of Mercedes; the old man sank into a chair.

"Ah, Danglars!" whispered Caderousse, "you have deceived me -- the trick you spoke of last night has been played; but Icannot suffer a poor old man or an innocent girl to die of grief through your fault.I am determined to tell them all about it.""Be silent, you simpleton!" cried Danglars, grasping him by the arm, "or I will not answer even for your own safety.Who can tell whether Dantes be innocent or guilty? The vessel did touch at Elba, where he quitted it, and passed a whole day in the island.Now, should any letters or other documents of a compromising character be found upon him, will it not be taken for granted that all who uphold him are his accomplices?"With the rapid instinct of selfishness, Caderousse readily perceived the solidity of this mode of reasoning; he gazed, doubtfully, wistfully, on Danglars, and then caution supplanted generosity.

"Suppose we wait a while, and see what comes of it," said he, casting a bewildered look on his companion.

"To be sure!" answered Danglars."Let us wait, by all means.

If he be innocent, of course he will be set at liberty; if guilty, why, it is no use involving ourselves in a conspiracy.""Let us go, then.I cannot stay here any longer.""With all my heart!" replied Danglars, pleased to find the other so tractable."Let us take ourselves out of the way, and leave things for the present to take their course."After their departure, Fernand, who had now again become the friend and protector of Mercedes, led the girl to her home, while the friends of Dantes conducted the now half-fainting man back to his abode.

The rumor of Edmond arrest as a Bonapartist agent was not slow in circulating throughout the city.

"Could you ever have credited such a thing, my dear Danglars?" asked M.Morrel, as, on his return to the port for the purpose of gleaning fresh tidings of Dantes, from M.

de Villefort, the assistant procureur, he overtook his supercargo and Caderousse."Could you have believed such a thing possible?""Why, you know I told you," replied Danglars, "that Iconsidered the circumstance of his having anchored at the Island of Elba as a very suspicious circumstance.""And did you mention these suspicions to any person beside myself?""Certainly not!" returned Danglars.Then added in a low whisper, "You understand that, on account of your uncle, M.

Policar Morrel, who served under the other government, and who does not altogether conceal what he thinks on the subject, you are strongly suspected of regretting the abdication of Napoleon.I should have feared to injure both Edmond and yourself, had I divulged my own apprehensions to a soul.I am too well aware that though a subordinate, like myself, is bound to acquaint the shipowner with everything that occurs, there are many things he ought most carefully to conceal from all else.""'Tis well, Danglars -- 'tis well!" replied M.Morrel."You are a worthy fellow; and I had already thought of your interests in the event of poor Edmond having become captain of the Pharaon.""Is it possible you were so kind?"

"Yes, indeed; I had previously inquired of Dantes what was his opinion of you, and if he should have any reluctance to continue you in your post, for somehow I have perceived a sort of coolness between you.""And what was his reply?"

"That he certainly did think he had given you offence in an affair which he merely referred to without entering into particulars, but that whoever possessed the good opinion and confidence of the ship's owner would have his preference also.""The hypocrite!" murmured Danglars.