一八一五年二月二十四日，在避風堰了望塔上的了望員嚮人們發出了信號，告之三桅帆船法老號到了。它是從士麥拿出發經過的裏雅斯特和那不勒斯來的。立刻一位領港員被派出去，繞過伊夫堡，在摩琴海岬和裏翁島之間登上了船。
聖·琪安海島的平臺上即刻擠滿了看熱鬧的人。在馬賽，一艘大船的進港終究是一件大事，尤其是象法老號這樣的大船，船主是本地人，船又是在佛喜造船廠裏建造裝配的，因而就特別引人註目。
法老號漸漸駛近了，它已順利通過了卡拉沙林島和傑羅斯島之間由幾次火山爆發所造成的海峽，繞過波米琪島，駛近了港口。儘管船上扯起了三張主桅帆，一張大三角帆和一張後桅帆，但它駛得非常緩慢，一副無精打采的樣子，以致岸上那些看熱鬧的人本能地預感到有什麽不幸的事發生了，於是互相探問船上究竟發生了什麽不幸的事。不過那些航海行傢們一眼就看出，假如的確發生了什麽意外事情的話，那一定與船的本身無關。因為從各方面來看，它並無絲毫失去操縱的跡象。領港員正在駕駛着動作敏捷的法老號通過馬賽港狹窄的甬道進口。在領港員的旁邊，有一青年正在動作敏捷地打着手勢，他那敏銳的眼光註視着船的每一個動作，並重複領港員的每一個命令。
岸上看熱鬧的人中彌漫着一種焦躁不安的情緒。其中有一位忍耐不住了，他等不及帆船入港就跳進了一隻小艇迎着大船駛去，那衹小艇在大船到裏瑟夫灣對面的地方時便靠攏了法老號。
大船上的那個青年看見了來人，就摘下帽子，從領港員身旁離開並來到了船邊。他是一個身材瘦長的青年，年齡約莫有十九歲左右的樣子，有着一雙黑色的眼睛和一頭烏黑的頭髮；他的外表給人一種極其鎮定和堅毅的感覺，那種鎮定和堅毅的氣質是衹有從小就經過大風大浪，艱難險阻的人才具有的。
“啊！是你呀，唐太斯？”小艇的人喊道。“出了什麽事？為什麽你們船上顯得這樣喪氣？”
“太不幸了，莫雷爾先生！”那個青年回答說，“太不幸了，尤其是對我！在契維塔韋基亞附近，我們失去了我們勇敢的萊剋勒船長。”
“貨呢？”船主焦急地問。
“貨都安全，莫雷爾先生，那方面我想你是可以滿意的。但可憐的萊剋勒船長——”
“貨物怎麽樣”？船主問道。
“貨物未受任何損失，平安到達。不過，可憐的萊剋勒船長他……”“他怎麽了？出了什麽事？”船主帶着稍微放鬆一點的口氣問。“那位可敬的船長怎麽了？”
“他死了。”
“掉在海裏了嗎？”
“不，先生，他是得腦膜炎死的，臨終時痛苦極了。”說完他便轉身對船員喊到：“全體註意！準備拋錨！”
全體船員立刻按命令行動起來。船上一共有八個到十個海員，他們有的奔到大帆的索子那裏，有的奔到三角帆和主帆的索子那裏，有的則去控製轉帆索和捲帆索。那青年水手四下環視了一下，看到他的命令已被迅速準確地執行，便又轉過臉去對着船主。
“這件不幸的事是怎麽發生的？”船主先等了一會兒便又重新拾起話題。
“唉，先生！完全是始料不到的事。在離開那不勒斯以前，萊剋勒船長曾和那不勒斯港督交談了很久。開船的時候，他就覺得頭極不舒服。二十四個小時後，他就開始發燒，三天後就死了。我們按慣例海葬了他，想來他也可以安心長眠了。我們把他端端正正地縫裹在吊床裏，頭腳處放了兩塊各三十六磅重的鉛塊，就在艾爾及裏奧島外把他海葬了。我們把他的佩劍和十字榮譽勳章帶了回來準備交給他的太太做紀念。船長這一生總算沒虛度了。青年的臉上露出一個憂鬱的微笑，又說，“他和英國人打仗打了十年，到頭來仍能象常人那樣死在床上。”
“愛德蒙，你知道，”船主說道，他顯得越來越放心了，“我們都是凡人，都免不了一死，老年人終究要讓位給青年人。不然，你看，青年人就無法得到升遷的機會，而且你已嚮我保證貨物——”
“貨物是完好無損的，莫雷爾先生，請相信我好了。我想這次航行你至少賺二萬五千法郎呢。”
這時，船正在駛過圓塔，青年就喊道：“註意，準備收主帆，後帆和三角帆！”
他的命令立刻被執行了，猶如在一艘大戰艦上一樣。
“收帆！捲帆！”最後那個命令剛下達完，所有的帆就都收了下來，船在憑藉慣性嚮前滑行，幾乎覺不到是在嚮前移動了。
“現在請您上船來吧，莫雷爾先生，”唐太斯說，他看到船主已經有點着急便說道，“你的押運員騰格拉爾先生已走出船艙了，他會把詳細情形告訴您的。我還得去照顧拋錨和給這衹船挂喪的事。”
船主沒再說什麽便立即抓住了唐太斯拋給他的一條繩子，以水手般敏捷的動作爬上船邊的弦梯，那青年去執行他的任務了，把船王和那個他稱為騰格拉爾的人留在了一起。騰格拉爾現在正嚮船主走來。他約莫有二十五六歲，天生一副對上諂媚對下輕視無禮，不討人喜歡的面孔。他在船上擔任押運員，本來就惹水手們討厭，他個人的一些作派也是惹人討厭的一個因素，船員都憎惡他，卻很愛戴愛德蒙·唐太斯。
“莫雷爾先生，”騰格拉爾說，“你聽說我們所遭到的不幸了吧？”
“唉，是的！可憐的萊剋勒船長！他的確是一個勇敢而又誠實的人！”
“而且也是一名一流的海員，是在大海與藍天之間度過一生的——是負責莫雷爾父子公司這種重要的公司的最合適的人才。”騰格拉爾回答。
“可是，”船主一邊說，一邊把眼光盯在了正在指揮拋錨的唐太斯身上，“在我看來，騰格拉爾，一個水手要幹得很內行，實在也不必象你所說的那樣的老海員纔行，因為你看，我們這位朋友愛德蒙，不需任何人的指示，似乎也幹得很不錯，完全可以稱職了。”
“是的，”騰格拉爾嚮愛德蒙掃了一眼，露出仇恨的目光說，“是的，他很年輕，而年輕人總是自視甚高的，船長剛去世，他就跟誰也不商量一下，竟自作主張地獨攬指揮權，對下面發號施令起來，而且還在厄爾巴島耽擱了一天半，沒有直航返回馬賽。”
“說到他執掌這衹船的指揮權，”莫雷爾說道，“他既然是船上大副，這就應該是他的職責。至於在厄爾巴島耽擱了一天半的事兒，是他的錯，除非這衹船有什麽故障。”
“這衹船是象你我的身體一樣，毫病，莫雷爾先生，那一天半的時間完全是浪費——衹是因為他要到岸上玩玩，別無他事。”
“唐太斯！”船主轉過身去喊青年，“到這兒來！”
“等一下，先生，”唐太斯回答，“我就來。”然後他對船員喊道，“拋錨！”
錨立刻拋下去了，鐵鏈嘩啦啦一陣響聲過去。雖有領港員在場，唐太斯仍然剋盡職守，直到這項工作完成，纔喊“降旗，把旗降在旗桿半中央。把公司的旗也降一半緻哀，“看，”騰格拉爾說，“他簡直已自命為船長啦。”
“嗯，事實上，他已經的確是了。”船主說。
“不錯，就缺你和你的和夥人簽字批準了，摩斯爾先生。”
“那倒不難。”船主說，“不錯，他很年輕，但依我看，他似乎可以說已是一個經驗豐富的海員了。”
騰格拉爾的眉際掠過一片陰雲。
“對不起，莫雷爾先生，”唐太斯走過來說，“船現在已經停妥，我可以聽的您吩咐了。剛纔是您在叫我嗎？”
騰格拉爾嚮後退了一兩步。
“我想問問你為什麽要在厄爾巴島停泊耽擱了一天半時間。”
“究竟為什麽我也不十分清楚，我衹是在執行萊剋勒船長最後的一個命令而已。他在臨終的時候，要我送一包東西給貝特朗元帥。”
“你見到他了嗎，愛德蒙？”
“誰？”
“元帥。”
“見到了。”
莫雷爾嚮四周張望了一下，把唐太斯拖到一邊，急忙問道：“陛下他好嗎？”
“看上去還不錯。”
“這麽說，你見到陛下了，是嗎？”
“我在元帥房間裏的時候，他進來了。”
“你和他講了話嗎？”
“是他先跟我講話的，先生。”唐太斯微笑着說。
“他跟你都說了些什麽？”
“問了我一些關於船的事——什麽時候啓航開回馬賽，從哪兒來，船裝了些什麽貨。我敢說，假如船上沒有裝貨，而我又是船主的話，他會把船買下來的。但我告訴他，我衹是大副，船是莫雷爾父子公司的。‘哦，哦！’他說，‘我瞭解他們！莫雷爾這個傢族的人世世代代都當船主。當我駐守在瓦朗斯的時候，我那個團裏面也有一個姓莫雷爾的人。”
“太對了！一點不錯！”船主非常高興地喊道。“那是我的叔叔波立卡·莫雷爾，他後來被提升到上尉。唐太斯，你一定要去告訴我叔叔，說陛下還記得他，你將看到那個老兵，被感動得掉眼淚的。好了，好了！”他慈愛地拍拍愛德蒙的肩膀繼續說，“你做得很對，唐太斯，你是應該執行萊剋勒船長的命令在厄爾巴島靠一下岸的——但是如果你曾帶一包東西給元帥，並還同陛下講過話的事被人知道的話，那你就會受連累的。”
“我怎麽會受連累呢？”唐太斯問。“我連帶去的是什麽東西根本都不知道，而陛下所問及的，又是一般的人所常問的那些普通問題。哦，對不起，海關關員和衛生部的檢查員來了１”說完那青年人就嚮舷門那兒迎過去了。
他剛離開，騰格拉爾就湊了過來說道：
“哦，看來他已拿出充分的理由來嚮您解釋他為什麽在費拉約港靠岸的原因了，是吧？”
“是的，理由很充分，我親愛的騰格拉爾。”
“哦，那就好，”押運員說，“看到一個同伴工作上不能盡責，心裏總是很難受的。”
“唐太斯是盡了責的，”船主說道，“這件事不必多說了，這次耽擱是按萊剋勒船長的吩咐做的。”
“說到萊剋勒船長，唐太斯沒有把一封他的信轉給你嗎？”
“給我的信？沒有呀。有一封信嗎？”
“我相信除了那包東西外，萊剋勒船長還另有一封信托他轉交的。”
“你說的是一包什麽東西，騰格拉爾？”
“咦，就是唐太斯在費拉約港留下的那包東西呀。”
“你怎麽知道他曾留了一包東西在費拉約港呢？”
經船主這樣一問，騰格拉爾的臉頓時漲紅了。“那天我經過船長室門口時，那門是半開着的，我便看見船長把那包東西和一封信交給了唐太斯。”
“他沒有對我提到這件事，”船主說，“但是如果有信，他一定會交給我的。”
騰格拉爾想了一會兒。“這樣的話，莫雷爾先生，請你，”他說，“有關這事，請你別再去問唐太斯了，或許是我弄錯了。”
這時，那青年人回來了，騰格拉爾便乘機溜走了。
“喂，我親愛的唐太斯，你現在沒事了嗎？”船主問。
“沒事了，先生。”
“你回來的挺快呀。”
“是的。我拿了一份我們的進港證給了海關關員，其餘的證件，我已交給了領港員，他們已派人和他同去了。”
“那麽你在這兒的事都做完了是嗎？”
唐太斯嚮四周看了一眼。
“沒事了現在一切都安排妥了。”
“那麽你願意和我一起去共進晚餐嗎？”
“請你原諒，莫雷爾先生。我得先去看看我父親。但對你的盛情我還是非常感激的。”
“沒錯，唐太斯，真是這樣，我早就知道你是一個好兒子。”
“嗯”唐太斯猶豫了一下問道：“你知道我父親的近況嗎？”
“我相信他很好，我親愛的愛德蒙，不過最近我沒見到他。”
“是啊，他老愛把自己關在他那個小屋裏。”
“但那至少可以說明，當你不在的時候，他的日子還過得去。”
唐太斯微笑了一下。“我父親是很要強的，很要面子，先生。即便是他餓肚子沒飯吃了，恐怕除了上帝以外，他不會嚮任何人去乞討的。”
“那麽好吧，你先去看你的父親吧，我們等着你。”
“我恐怕還得再請你原諒，莫雷爾先生，——因為我看過父親以後，我還有另外一個地方要去一下。”
“真是的，唐太斯，我怎麽給忘記了，在迦泰羅尼亞人那裏，還有一個人也象你父親一樣在焦急地期待着你呢，——那可愛的美塞苔絲。”
唐太斯的臉紅了。
“哈哈！”船主說，“難怪她到我這兒來了三次，打聽法老號有什麽消息沒有呢。嘻嘻！愛德蒙，你的這位小情婦可真漂亮啊！”
“她不是我的情婦，”青年水手神色莊重嚴肅地說，“她是我的未婚妻。”
“有時兩者是一回事。”莫雷爾微笑着說。
“我們倆可不是這樣的，先生。”唐太斯回答。
“得了，得了，我親愛的愛德蒙，”船主又說，“我不耽擱你了。我的事你辦得很出色，我也應該讓你有充分的時間去痛快地辦一下自己的事了。你要錢用嗎？”
“不，先生，我的報酬還都在這兒，——差不多有三個月的薪水呢。”
“你真是一個守規矩的小夥子，愛德蒙。”
“我還有一位可憐的父親呢，先生。”
“不錯，不錯，我知道你是一個好兒子。那麽去吧，去看你的父親去吧。我自己也有個兒子，要是他航海三個月回來後，竟還有人阻擾他來看我，我會大大地發火的。”
“那麽我可以走了嗎，先生？”
“走吧，假如你再沒有什麽事要跟我說的話。”
“沒有了。”
“萊剋勒船長臨終前，沒有托你交一封信給我嗎？”
“他當時已經根本不能動筆了，先生。不過，我倒想起了一件事，我還得嚮你請兩星期的假。”
“是去結婚嗎？”
“是的，先是去結婚，然後還得到巴黎去一次。”
“好，好。你就離開兩個星期吧，唐太斯。反正船上卸貨得花六個星期，卸完貨以後，還得要過三個月以後才能再出海，你衹要在三個月以內回來就行，——因為法老號，”船主拍拍青年水手的背，又說，“沒有船長是不能出海的呀。”
“沒有船長！”唐太斯眼睛裏閃爍着興奮的光芒，不禁說道，“你說什麽呀，你好象窺視到了我心底最秘密的一綫希望。你真要任命我做法老號的船長嗎？”
“我親愛的唐太斯，假如我是一人說了就算數的老闆，我現在就可任命你，事情也就一言為定了，但你也知道，意大利有一句俗話——誰有了一個合夥人，誰就有了一個主人。但這事至少已成功一半了，因為在兩張投票之中，你已經得到了一標。讓我去把另外那一票也為你爭取過來吧，我盡力辦到。”
“啊，莫雷爾先生，”青年水手的眼睛裏含着淚水，緊握住船主的手喊道——“莫雷爾先生，我代表我父親和美塞苔絲謝謝你了。”
“好了，好了，愛德蒙，別提了，上天保佑好心人！快到你父親那兒去吧，快去看看美塞苔絲吧，然後再到我這兒來。”
“我把您送上岸好嗎？”
“不用了，謝謝你。我還得留下來和騰格拉爾核對一下帳目。你在這次航行裏對他還滿意嗎？”
“那得看您這個問題是指哪一方面了，先生。假如您的意思是問，他是不是一個好夥計？那麽我要說不是，因為自從那次我傻裏傻氣地和他吵了一次架以後，我曾嚮他提議在山島上停留十分鐘以消除不愉快，我想他從那以後開始討厭我了——那次的事我本來就不該提那個建議，而他拒絶我也是很對的。假如你的問題是指他做押運員是否稱職，那我就說他是無可挑剔的，對他的工作你會滿意的。”
“但你要告訴我，唐太斯，假如由你來負責法老號，你願意把騰格拉爾留在船上嗎？”
“莫雷爾先生，”唐太斯回答道，“無論我做船長也好，做大副也好，凡是那些能獲得我們船主信任的人，我對他們總是極尊重的。”
“好，好，唐太斯！我看你在各個方面都是好樣的。別讓我再耽誤你了，快去吧，我看你已有些急不可耐啦。”
“那麽我可以走了嗎？”
“快走吧。我已經說過了。”
“我可以藉用一下您的小艇嗎？”
“當然可以。”
“那麽，莫雷爾先生，再會吧。再一次多謝啦！”
“我希望不久能再看到你，我親愛的愛德蒙。祝你好運！”
青年水手跳上了小艇，坐在船尾，吩咐朝卡納比埃爾街劃去。兩個水手即刻劃動起來，小船就飛快地在那從港口直到奧爾蘭碼頭的千百衹帆船中間穿梭過去。
船主微笑着目送着他，直到他上了岸，消失在卡納比埃爾街上的人流裏。這條街從清晨五點鐘直到晚上九點鐘都擁擠着川流不息的人群。卡納比埃爾街是馬賽最有名的街道，馬賽的居民很以它為自豪，他們甚至煞有其事地莊重地宣稱：“假如巴黎也有一條卡納比埃爾街，那巴黎就可稱為小馬賽了。”
船主轉過身來時，看見騰格拉爾正站在他背後。騰格拉爾表面上看似在等候他的吩咐，實際上卻象他一樣，在用目光遙送那青年水手。這兩個人雖然都在註視着愛德蒙·唐太斯，但兩個人目光裏的神情和含義卻大不相同。
（第一章完）
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On the 24th of February, 1815, the look-out at Notre-Dame de la Garde signalled the three-master, the Pharaon from Smyrna, Trieste, and Naples.
As usual, a pilot put off immediately, and rounding the Chateau d'If, got on board the vessel between Cape Morgion and Rion island.
Immediately, and according to custom, the ramparts of Fort Saint-Jean were covered with spectators; it is always an event at Marseilles for a ship to come into port, especially when this ship, like the Pharaon, has been built, rigged, and laden at the old Phocee docks, and belongs to an owner of the city.
The ship drew on and had safely passed the strait, which some volcanic shock has made between the Calasareigne and Jaros islands; had doubled Pomegue, and approached the harbor under topsails, jib, and spanker, but so slowly and sedately that the idlers, with that instinct which is the forerunner of evil, asked one another what misfortune could have happened on board. However, those experienced in navigation saw plainly that if any accident had occurred, it was not to the vessel herself, for she bore down with all the evidence of being skilfully handled, the anchor a-cockbill, the jib-boom guys already eased off, and standing by the side of the pilot, who was steering the Pharaon towards the narrow entrance of the inner port, was a young man, who, with activity and vigilant eye, watched every motion of the ship, and repeated each direction of the pilot.
The vague disquietude which prevailed among the spectators had so much affected one of the crowd that he did not await the arrival of the vessel in harbor, but jumping into a small skiff, desired to be pulled alongside the Pharaon, which he reached as she rounded into La Reserve basin.
When the young man on board saw this person approach, he left his station by the pilot, and, hat in hand, leaned over the ship's bulwarks.
He was a fine, tall, slim young fellow of eighteen or twenty, with black eyes, and hair as dark as a raven's wing; and his whole appearance bespoke that calmness and resolution peculiar to men accustomed from their cradle to contend with danger.
"Ah, is it you, Dantes?" cried the man in the skiff. "What's the matter? and why have you such an air of sadness aboard?"
"A great misfortune, M. Morrel," replied the young man, -- "a great misfortune, for me especially! Off Civita Vecchia we lost our brave Captain Leclere."
"And the cargo?" inquired the owner, eagerly.
"Is all safe, M. Morrel; and I think you will be satisfied on that head. But poor Captain Leclere -- "
"What happened to him?" asked the owner, with an air of considerable resignation. "What happened to the worthy captain?"
"He died."
"Fell into the sea?"
"No, sir, he died of brain-fever in dreadful agony." Then turning to the crew, he said, "Bear a hand there, to take in sail!"
All hands obeyed, and at once the eight or ten seamen who composed the crew, sprang to their respective stations at the spanker brails and outhaul, topsail sheets and halyards, the jib downhaul, and the topsail clewlines and buntlines. The young sailor gave a look to see that his orders were promptly and accurately obeyed, and then turned again to the owner.
"And how did this misfortune occur?" inquired the latter, resuming the interrupted conversation.
"Alas, sir, in the most unexpected manner. After a long talk with the harbor-master, Captain Leclere left Naples greatly disturbed in mind. In twenty-four hours he was attacked by a fever, and died three days afterwards. We performed the usual burial service, and he is at his rest, sewn up in his hammock with a thirty-six pound shot at his head and his heels, off El Giglio island. We bring to his widow his sword and cross of honor. It was worth while, truly," added the young man with a melancholy smile, "to make war against the English for ten years, and to die in his bed at last, like everybody else."
"Why, you see, Edmond," replied the owner, who appeared more comforted at every moment, "we are all mortal, and the old must make way for the young. If not, why, there would be no promotion; and since you assure me that the cargo -- "
"Is all safe and sound, M. Morrel, take my word for it; and I advise you not to take 25,000 francs for the profits of the voyage."
Then, as they were just passing the Round Tower, the young man shouted: "Stand by there to lower the topsails and jib; brail up the spanker!"
The order was executed as promptly as it would have been on board a man-of-war.
"Let go -- and clue up!" At this last command all the sails were lowered, and the vessel moved almost imperceptibly onwards.
"Now, if you will come on board, M. Morrel," said Dantes, observing the owner's impatience, "here is your supercargo, M. Danglars, coming out of his cabin, who will furnish you with every particular. As for me, I must look after the anchoring, and dress the ship in mourning."
The owner did not wait for a second invitation. He seized a rope which Dantes flung to him, and with an activity that would have done credit to a sailor, climbed up the side of the ship, while the young man, going to his task, left the conversation to Danglars, who now came towards the owner. He was a man of twenty-five or twenty-six years of age, of unprepossessing countenance, obsequious to his superiors, insolent to his subordinates; and this, in addition to his position as responsible agent on board, which is always obnoxious to the sailors, made him as much disliked by the crew as Edmond Dantes was beloved by them.
"Well, M. Morrel," said Danglars, "you have heard of the misfortune that has befallen us?"
"Yes -- yes: poor Captain Leclere! He was a brave and an honest man."
"And a first-rate seaman, one who had seen long and honorable service, as became a man charged with the interests of a house so important as that of Morrel & Son," replied Danglars.
"But," replied the owner, glancing after Dantes, who was watching the anchoring of his vessel, "it seems to me that a sailor needs not be so old as you say, Danglars, to understand his business, for our friend Edmond seems to understand it thoroughly, and not to require instruction from any one."
"Yes," said Danglars, darting at Edmond a look gleaming with hate. "Yes, he is young, and youth is invariably self-confident. Scarcely was the captain's breath out of his body when he assumed the command without consulting any one, and he caused us to lose a day and a half at the Island of Elba, instead of making for Marseilles direct."
"As to taking command of the vessel," replied Morrel, "that was his duty as captain's mate; as to losing a day and a half off the Island of Elba, he was wrong, unless the vessel needed repairs."
"The vessel was in as good condition as I am, and as, I hope you are, M. Morrel, and this day and a half was lost from pure whim, for the pleasure of going ashore, and nothing else."
"Dantes," said the shipowner, turning towards the young man, "come this way!"
"In a moment, sir," answered Dantes, "and I'm with you." Then calling to the crew, he said -- "Let go!"
The anchor was instantly dropped, and the chain ran rattling through the port-hole. Dantes continued at his post in spite of the presence of the pilot, until this manoeuvre was completed, and then he added, "Half-mast the colors, and square the yards!"
"You see," said Danglars, "he fancies himself captain already, upon my word."
"And so, in fact, he is," said the owner.
"Except your signature and your partner's, M. Morrel."
"And why should he not have this?" asked the owner; "he is young, it is true, but he seems to me a thorough seaman, and of full experience."
A cloud passed over Danglars' brow. "Your pardon, M. Morrel," said Dantes, approaching, "the vessel now rides at anchor, and I am at your service. You hailed me, I think?"
Danglars retreated a step or two. "I wished to inquire why you stopped at the Island of Elba?"
"I do not know, sir; it was to fulfil the last instructions of Captain Leclere, who, when dying, gave me a packet for Marshal Bertrand."
"Then did you see him, Edmond?"
"Who?"
"The marshal."
"Yes."
Morrel looked around him, and then, drawing Dantes on one side, he said suddenly -- "And how is the emperor?"
"Very well, as far as I could judge from the sight of him."
"You saw the emperor, then?"
"He entered the marshal's apartment while I was there."
"And you spoke to him?"
"Why, it was he who spoke to me, sir," said Dantes, with a smile.
"And what did he say to you?"
"Asked me questions about the vessel, the time she left Marseilles, the course she had taken, and what was her cargo. I believe, if she had not been laden, and I had been her master, he would have bought her. But I told him I was only mate, and that she belonged to the firm of Morrel & Son. `Ah, yes,' he said, `I know them. The Morrels have been shipowners from father to son; and there was a Morrel who served in the same regiment with me when I was in garrison at Valence.'"
"Pardieu, and that is true!" cried the owner, greatly delighted. "And that was Policar Morrel, my uncle, who was afterwards a captain. Dantes, you must tell my uncle that the emperor remembered him, and you will see it will bring tears into the old soldier's eyes. Come, come," continued he, patting Edmond's shoulder kindly, "you did very right, Dantes, to follow Captain Leclere's instructions, and touch at Elba, although if it were known that you had conveyed a packet to the marshal, and had conversed with the emperor, it might bring you into trouble."
"How could that bring me into trouble, sir?" asked Dantes; "for I did not even know of what I was the bearer; and the emperor merely made such inquiries as he would of the first comer. But, pardon me, here are the health officers and the customs inspectors coming alongside." And the young man went to the gangway. As he departed, Danglars approached, and said, --
"Well, it appears that he has given you satisfactory reasons for his landing at Porto-Ferrajo?"
"Yes, most satisfactory, my dear Danglars."
"Well, so much the better," said the supercargo; "for it is not pleasant to think that a comrade has not done his duty."
"Dantes has done his," replied the owner, "and that is not saying much. It was Captain Leclere who gave orders for this delay."
"Talking of Captain Leclere, has not Dantes given you a letter from him?"
"To me? -- no -- was there one?"
"I believe that, besides the packet, Captain Leclere confided a letter to his care."
"Of what packet are you speaking, Danglars?"
"Why, that which Dantes left at Porto-Ferrajo."
"How do you know he had a packet to leave at Porto-Ferrajo?"
Danglars turned very red.
"I was passing close to the door of the captain's cabin, which was half open, and I saw him give the packet and letter to Dantes."
"He did not speak to me of it," replied the shipowner; "but if there be any letter he will give it to me."
Danglars reflected for a moment. "Then, M. Morrel, I beg of you," said he, "not to say a word to Dantes on the subject. I may have been mistaken."
At this moment the young man returned; Danglars withdrew.
"Well, my dear Dantes, are you now free?" inquired the owner.
"Yes, sir."
"You have not been long detained."
"No. I gave the custom-house officers a copy of our bill of lading; and as to the other papers, they sent a man off with the pilot, to whom I gave them."
"Then you have nothing more to do here?"
"No -- everything is all right now."
"Then you can come and dine with me?"
"I really must ask you to excuse me, M. Morrel. My first visit is due to my father, though I am not the less grateful for the honor you have done me."
"Right, Dantes, quite right. I always knew you were a good son."
"And," inquired Dantes, with some hesitation, "do you know how my father is?"
"Well, I believe, my dear Edmond, though I have not seen him lately."
"Yes, he likes to keep himself shut up in his little room."
"That proves, at least, that he has wanted for nothing during your absence."
Dantes smiled. "My father is proud, sir, and if he had not a meal left, I doubt if he would have asked anything from anyone, except from Heaven."
"Well, then, after this first visit has been made we shall count on you."
"I must again excuse myself, M. Morrel, for after this first visit has been paid I have another which I am most anxious to pay."
"True, Dantes, I forgot that there was at the Catalans some one who expects you no less impatiently than your father -- the lovely Mercedes."
Dantes blushed.
"Ah, ha," said the shipowner, "I am not in the least surprised, for she has been to me three times, inquiring if there were any news of the Pharaon. Peste, Edmond, you have a very handsome mistress!"
"She is not my mistress," replied the young sailor, gravely; "she is my betrothed."
"Sometimes one and the same thing," said Morrel, with a smile.
"Not with us, sir," replied Dantes.
"Well, well, my dear Edmond," continued the owner, "don't let me detain you. You have managed my affairs so well that I ought to allow you all the time you require for your own. Do you want any money?"
"No, sir; I have all my pay to take -- nearly three months' wages."
"You are a careful fellow, Edmond."
"Say I have a poor father, sir."
"Yes, yes, I know how good a son you are, so now hasten away to see your father. I have a son too, and I should be very wroth with those who detained him from me after a three months' voyage."
"Then I have your leave, sir?"
"Yes, if you have nothing more to say to me."
"Nothing."
"Captain Leclere did not, before he died, give you a letter for me?"
"He was unable to write, sir. But that reminds me that I must ask your leave of absence for some days."
"To get married?"
"Yes, first, and then to go to Paris."
"Very good; have what time you require, Dantes. It will take quite six weeks to unload the cargo, and we cannot get you ready for sea until three months after that; only be back again in three months, for the Pharaon," added the owner, patting the young sailor on the back, "cannot sail without her captain."
"Without her captain!" cried Dantes, his eyes sparkling with animation; "pray mind what you say, for you are touching on the most secret wishes of my heart. Is it really your intention to make me captain of the Pharaon?"
"If I were sole owner we'd shake hands on it now, my dear Dantes, and call it settled; but I have a partner, and you know the Italian proverb -- Chi ha compagno ha padrone -- `He who has a partner has a master.' But the thing is at least half done, as you have one out of two votes. Rely on me to procure you the other; I will do my best."
"Ah, M. Morrel," exclaimed the young seaman, with tears in his eyes, and grasping the owner's hand, "M. Morrel, I thank you in the name of my father and of Mercedes."
"That's all right, Edmond. There's a providence that watches over the deserving. Go to your father: go and see Mercedes, and afterwards come to me."
"Shall I row you ashore?"
"No, thank you; I shall remain and look over the accounts with Danglars. Have you been satisfied with him this voyage?"
"That is according to the sense you attach to the question, sir. Do you mean is he a good comrade? No, for I think he never liked me since the day when I was silly enough, after a little quarrel we had, to propose to him to stop for ten minutes at the island of Monte Cristo to settle the dispute -- a proposition which I was wrong to suggest, and he quite right to refuse. If you mean as responsible agent when you ask me the question, I believe there is nothing to say against him, and that you will be content with the way in which he has performed his duty."
"But tell me, Dantes, if you had command of the Pharaon should you be glad to see Danglars remain?"
"Captain or mate, M. Morrel, I shall always have the greatest respect for those who possess the owners' confidence."
"That's right, that's right, Dantes! I see you are a thoroughly good fellow, and will detain you no longer. Go, for I see how impatient you are."
"Then I have leave?"
"Go, I tell you."
"May I have the use of your skiff?"
"Certainly."
"Then, for the present, M. Morrel, farewell, and a thousand thanks!"
"I hope soon to see you again, my dear Edmond. Good luck to you."
The young sailor jumped into the skiff, and sat down in the stern sheets, with the order that he be put ashore at La Canebiere. The two oarsmen bent to their work, and the little boat glided away as rapidly as possible in the midst of the thousand vessels which choke up the narrow way which leads between the two rows of ships from the mouth of the harbor to the Quai d'Orleans.
The shipowner, smiling, followed him with his eyes until he saw him spring out on the quay and disappear in the midst of the throng, which from five o'clock in the morning until nine o'clock at night, swarms in the famous street of La Canebiere, -- a street of which the modern Phocaeans are so proud that they say with all the gravity in the world, and with that accent which gives so much character to what is said, "If Paris had La Canebiere, Paris would be a second Marseilles." On turning round the owner saw Danglars behind him, apparently awaiting orders, but in reality also watching the young sailor, -- but there was a great difference in the expression of the two men who thus followed the movements of Edmond Dantes.
聖·琪安海島的平臺上即刻擠滿了看熱鬧的人。在馬賽，一艘大船的進港終究是一件大事，尤其是象法老號這樣的大船，船主是本地人，船又是在佛喜造船廠裏建造裝配的，因而就特別引人註目。
法老號漸漸駛近了，它已順利通過了卡拉沙林島和傑羅斯島之間由幾次火山爆發所造成的海峽，繞過波米琪島，駛近了港口。儘管船上扯起了三張主桅帆，一張大三角帆和一張後桅帆，但它駛得非常緩慢，一副無精打采的樣子，以致岸上那些看熱鬧的人本能地預感到有什麽不幸的事發生了，於是互相探問船上究竟發生了什麽不幸的事。不過那些航海行傢們一眼就看出，假如的確發生了什麽意外事情的話，那一定與船的本身無關。因為從各方面來看，它並無絲毫失去操縱的跡象。領港員正在駕駛着動作敏捷的法老號通過馬賽港狹窄的甬道進口。在領港員的旁邊，有一青年正在動作敏捷地打着手勢，他那敏銳的眼光註視着船的每一個動作，並重複領港員的每一個命令。
岸上看熱鬧的人中彌漫着一種焦躁不安的情緒。其中有一位忍耐不住了，他等不及帆船入港就跳進了一隻小艇迎着大船駛去，那衹小艇在大船到裏瑟夫灣對面的地方時便靠攏了法老號。
大船上的那個青年看見了來人，就摘下帽子，從領港員身旁離開並來到了船邊。他是一個身材瘦長的青年，年齡約莫有十九歲左右的樣子，有着一雙黑色的眼睛和一頭烏黑的頭髮；他的外表給人一種極其鎮定和堅毅的感覺，那種鎮定和堅毅的氣質是衹有從小就經過大風大浪，艱難險阻的人才具有的。
“啊！是你呀，唐太斯？”小艇的人喊道。“出了什麽事？為什麽你們船上顯得這樣喪氣？”
“太不幸了，莫雷爾先生！”那個青年回答說，“太不幸了，尤其是對我！在契維塔韋基亞附近，我們失去了我們勇敢的萊剋勒船長。”
“貨呢？”船主焦急地問。
“貨都安全，莫雷爾先生，那方面我想你是可以滿意的。但可憐的萊剋勒船長——”
“貨物怎麽樣”？船主問道。
“貨物未受任何損失，平安到達。不過，可憐的萊剋勒船長他……”“他怎麽了？出了什麽事？”船主帶着稍微放鬆一點的口氣問。“那位可敬的船長怎麽了？”
“他死了。”
“掉在海裏了嗎？”
“不，先生，他是得腦膜炎死的，臨終時痛苦極了。”說完他便轉身對船員喊到：“全體註意！準備拋錨！”
全體船員立刻按命令行動起來。船上一共有八個到十個海員，他們有的奔到大帆的索子那裏，有的奔到三角帆和主帆的索子那裏，有的則去控製轉帆索和捲帆索。那青年水手四下環視了一下，看到他的命令已被迅速準確地執行，便又轉過臉去對着船主。
“這件不幸的事是怎麽發生的？”船主先等了一會兒便又重新拾起話題。
“唉，先生！完全是始料不到的事。在離開那不勒斯以前，萊剋勒船長曾和那不勒斯港督交談了很久。開船的時候，他就覺得頭極不舒服。二十四個小時後，他就開始發燒，三天後就死了。我們按慣例海葬了他，想來他也可以安心長眠了。我們把他端端正正地縫裹在吊床裏，頭腳處放了兩塊各三十六磅重的鉛塊，就在艾爾及裏奧島外把他海葬了。我們把他的佩劍和十字榮譽勳章帶了回來準備交給他的太太做紀念。船長這一生總算沒虛度了。青年的臉上露出一個憂鬱的微笑，又說，“他和英國人打仗打了十年，到頭來仍能象常人那樣死在床上。”
“愛德蒙，你知道，”船主說道，他顯得越來越放心了，“我們都是凡人，都免不了一死，老年人終究要讓位給青年人。不然，你看，青年人就無法得到升遷的機會，而且你已嚮我保證貨物——”
“貨物是完好無損的，莫雷爾先生，請相信我好了。我想這次航行你至少賺二萬五千法郎呢。”
這時，船正在駛過圓塔，青年就喊道：“註意，準備收主帆，後帆和三角帆！”
他的命令立刻被執行了，猶如在一艘大戰艦上一樣。
“收帆！捲帆！”最後那個命令剛下達完，所有的帆就都收了下來，船在憑藉慣性嚮前滑行，幾乎覺不到是在嚮前移動了。
“現在請您上船來吧，莫雷爾先生，”唐太斯說，他看到船主已經有點着急便說道，“你的押運員騰格拉爾先生已走出船艙了，他會把詳細情形告訴您的。我還得去照顧拋錨和給這衹船挂喪的事。”
船主沒再說什麽便立即抓住了唐太斯拋給他的一條繩子，以水手般敏捷的動作爬上船邊的弦梯，那青年去執行他的任務了，把船王和那個他稱為騰格拉爾的人留在了一起。騰格拉爾現在正嚮船主走來。他約莫有二十五六歲，天生一副對上諂媚對下輕視無禮，不討人喜歡的面孔。他在船上擔任押運員，本來就惹水手們討厭，他個人的一些作派也是惹人討厭的一個因素，船員都憎惡他，卻很愛戴愛德蒙·唐太斯。
“莫雷爾先生，”騰格拉爾說，“你聽說我們所遭到的不幸了吧？”
“唉，是的！可憐的萊剋勒船長！他的確是一個勇敢而又誠實的人！”
“而且也是一名一流的海員，是在大海與藍天之間度過一生的——是負責莫雷爾父子公司這種重要的公司的最合適的人才。”騰格拉爾回答。
“可是，”船主一邊說，一邊把眼光盯在了正在指揮拋錨的唐太斯身上，“在我看來，騰格拉爾，一個水手要幹得很內行，實在也不必象你所說的那樣的老海員纔行，因為你看，我們這位朋友愛德蒙，不需任何人的指示，似乎也幹得很不錯，完全可以稱職了。”
“是的，”騰格拉爾嚮愛德蒙掃了一眼，露出仇恨的目光說，“是的，他很年輕，而年輕人總是自視甚高的，船長剛去世，他就跟誰也不商量一下，竟自作主張地獨攬指揮權，對下面發號施令起來，而且還在厄爾巴島耽擱了一天半，沒有直航返回馬賽。”
“說到他執掌這衹船的指揮權，”莫雷爾說道，“他既然是船上大副，這就應該是他的職責。至於在厄爾巴島耽擱了一天半的事兒，是他的錯，除非這衹船有什麽故障。”
“這衹船是象你我的身體一樣，毫病，莫雷爾先生，那一天半的時間完全是浪費——衹是因為他要到岸上玩玩，別無他事。”
“唐太斯！”船主轉過身去喊青年，“到這兒來！”
“等一下，先生，”唐太斯回答，“我就來。”然後他對船員喊道，“拋錨！”
錨立刻拋下去了，鐵鏈嘩啦啦一陣響聲過去。雖有領港員在場，唐太斯仍然剋盡職守，直到這項工作完成，纔喊“降旗，把旗降在旗桿半中央。把公司的旗也降一半緻哀，“看，”騰格拉爾說，“他簡直已自命為船長啦。”
“嗯，事實上，他已經的確是了。”船主說。
“不錯，就缺你和你的和夥人簽字批準了，摩斯爾先生。”
“那倒不難。”船主說，“不錯，他很年輕，但依我看，他似乎可以說已是一個經驗豐富的海員了。”
騰格拉爾的眉際掠過一片陰雲。
“對不起，莫雷爾先生，”唐太斯走過來說，“船現在已經停妥，我可以聽的您吩咐了。剛纔是您在叫我嗎？”
騰格拉爾嚮後退了一兩步。
“我想問問你為什麽要在厄爾巴島停泊耽擱了一天半時間。”
“究竟為什麽我也不十分清楚，我衹是在執行萊剋勒船長最後的一個命令而已。他在臨終的時候，要我送一包東西給貝特朗元帥。”
“你見到他了嗎，愛德蒙？”
“誰？”
“元帥。”
“見到了。”
莫雷爾嚮四周張望了一下，把唐太斯拖到一邊，急忙問道：“陛下他好嗎？”
“看上去還不錯。”
“這麽說，你見到陛下了，是嗎？”
“我在元帥房間裏的時候，他進來了。”
“你和他講了話嗎？”
“是他先跟我講話的，先生。”唐太斯微笑着說。
“他跟你都說了些什麽？”
“問了我一些關於船的事——什麽時候啓航開回馬賽，從哪兒來，船裝了些什麽貨。我敢說，假如船上沒有裝貨，而我又是船主的話，他會把船買下來的。但我告訴他，我衹是大副，船是莫雷爾父子公司的。‘哦，哦！’他說，‘我瞭解他們！莫雷爾這個傢族的人世世代代都當船主。當我駐守在瓦朗斯的時候，我那個團裏面也有一個姓莫雷爾的人。”
“太對了！一點不錯！”船主非常高興地喊道。“那是我的叔叔波立卡·莫雷爾，他後來被提升到上尉。唐太斯，你一定要去告訴我叔叔，說陛下還記得他，你將看到那個老兵，被感動得掉眼淚的。好了，好了！”他慈愛地拍拍愛德蒙的肩膀繼續說，“你做得很對，唐太斯，你是應該執行萊剋勒船長的命令在厄爾巴島靠一下岸的——但是如果你曾帶一包東西給元帥，並還同陛下講過話的事被人知道的話，那你就會受連累的。”
“我怎麽會受連累呢？”唐太斯問。“我連帶去的是什麽東西根本都不知道，而陛下所問及的，又是一般的人所常問的那些普通問題。哦，對不起，海關關員和衛生部的檢查員來了１”說完那青年人就嚮舷門那兒迎過去了。
他剛離開，騰格拉爾就湊了過來說道：
“哦，看來他已拿出充分的理由來嚮您解釋他為什麽在費拉約港靠岸的原因了，是吧？”
“是的，理由很充分，我親愛的騰格拉爾。”
“哦，那就好，”押運員說，“看到一個同伴工作上不能盡責，心裏總是很難受的。”
“唐太斯是盡了責的，”船主說道，“這件事不必多說了，這次耽擱是按萊剋勒船長的吩咐做的。”
“說到萊剋勒船長，唐太斯沒有把一封他的信轉給你嗎？”
“給我的信？沒有呀。有一封信嗎？”
“我相信除了那包東西外，萊剋勒船長還另有一封信托他轉交的。”
“你說的是一包什麽東西，騰格拉爾？”
“咦，就是唐太斯在費拉約港留下的那包東西呀。”
“你怎麽知道他曾留了一包東西在費拉約港呢？”
經船主這樣一問，騰格拉爾的臉頓時漲紅了。“那天我經過船長室門口時，那門是半開着的，我便看見船長把那包東西和一封信交給了唐太斯。”
“他沒有對我提到這件事，”船主說，“但是如果有信，他一定會交給我的。”
騰格拉爾想了一會兒。“這樣的話，莫雷爾先生，請你，”他說，“有關這事，請你別再去問唐太斯了，或許是我弄錯了。”
這時，那青年人回來了，騰格拉爾便乘機溜走了。
“喂，我親愛的唐太斯，你現在沒事了嗎？”船主問。
“沒事了，先生。”
“你回來的挺快呀。”
“是的。我拿了一份我們的進港證給了海關關員，其餘的證件，我已交給了領港員，他們已派人和他同去了。”
“那麽你在這兒的事都做完了是嗎？”
唐太斯嚮四周看了一眼。
“沒事了現在一切都安排妥了。”
“那麽你願意和我一起去共進晚餐嗎？”
“請你原諒，莫雷爾先生。我得先去看看我父親。但對你的盛情我還是非常感激的。”
“沒錯，唐太斯，真是這樣，我早就知道你是一個好兒子。”
“嗯”唐太斯猶豫了一下問道：“你知道我父親的近況嗎？”
“我相信他很好，我親愛的愛德蒙，不過最近我沒見到他。”
“是啊，他老愛把自己關在他那個小屋裏。”
“但那至少可以說明，當你不在的時候，他的日子還過得去。”
唐太斯微笑了一下。“我父親是很要強的，很要面子，先生。即便是他餓肚子沒飯吃了，恐怕除了上帝以外，他不會嚮任何人去乞討的。”
“那麽好吧，你先去看你的父親吧，我們等着你。”
“我恐怕還得再請你原諒，莫雷爾先生，——因為我看過父親以後，我還有另外一個地方要去一下。”
“真是的，唐太斯，我怎麽給忘記了，在迦泰羅尼亞人那裏，還有一個人也象你父親一樣在焦急地期待着你呢，——那可愛的美塞苔絲。”
唐太斯的臉紅了。
“哈哈！”船主說，“難怪她到我這兒來了三次，打聽法老號有什麽消息沒有呢。嘻嘻！愛德蒙，你的這位小情婦可真漂亮啊！”
“她不是我的情婦，”青年水手神色莊重嚴肅地說，“她是我的未婚妻。”
“有時兩者是一回事。”莫雷爾微笑着說。
“我們倆可不是這樣的，先生。”唐太斯回答。
“得了，得了，我親愛的愛德蒙，”船主又說，“我不耽擱你了。我的事你辦得很出色，我也應該讓你有充分的時間去痛快地辦一下自己的事了。你要錢用嗎？”
“不，先生，我的報酬還都在這兒，——差不多有三個月的薪水呢。”
“你真是一個守規矩的小夥子，愛德蒙。”
“我還有一位可憐的父親呢，先生。”
“不錯，不錯，我知道你是一個好兒子。那麽去吧，去看你的父親去吧。我自己也有個兒子，要是他航海三個月回來後，竟還有人阻擾他來看我，我會大大地發火的。”
“那麽我可以走了嗎，先生？”
“走吧，假如你再沒有什麽事要跟我說的話。”
“沒有了。”
“萊剋勒船長臨終前，沒有托你交一封信給我嗎？”
“他當時已經根本不能動筆了，先生。不過，我倒想起了一件事，我還得嚮你請兩星期的假。”
“是去結婚嗎？”
“是的，先是去結婚，然後還得到巴黎去一次。”
“好，好。你就離開兩個星期吧，唐太斯。反正船上卸貨得花六個星期，卸完貨以後，還得要過三個月以後才能再出海，你衹要在三個月以內回來就行，——因為法老號，”船主拍拍青年水手的背，又說，“沒有船長是不能出海的呀。”
“沒有船長！”唐太斯眼睛裏閃爍着興奮的光芒，不禁說道，“你說什麽呀，你好象窺視到了我心底最秘密的一綫希望。你真要任命我做法老號的船長嗎？”
“我親愛的唐太斯，假如我是一人說了就算數的老闆，我現在就可任命你，事情也就一言為定了，但你也知道，意大利有一句俗話——誰有了一個合夥人，誰就有了一個主人。但這事至少已成功一半了，因為在兩張投票之中，你已經得到了一標。讓我去把另外那一票也為你爭取過來吧，我盡力辦到。”
“啊，莫雷爾先生，”青年水手的眼睛裏含着淚水，緊握住船主的手喊道——“莫雷爾先生，我代表我父親和美塞苔絲謝謝你了。”
“好了，好了，愛德蒙，別提了，上天保佑好心人！快到你父親那兒去吧，快去看看美塞苔絲吧，然後再到我這兒來。”
“我把您送上岸好嗎？”
“不用了，謝謝你。我還得留下來和騰格拉爾核對一下帳目。你在這次航行裏對他還滿意嗎？”
“那得看您這個問題是指哪一方面了，先生。假如您的意思是問，他是不是一個好夥計？那麽我要說不是，因為自從那次我傻裏傻氣地和他吵了一次架以後，我曾嚮他提議在山島上停留十分鐘以消除不愉快，我想他從那以後開始討厭我了——那次的事我本來就不該提那個建議，而他拒絶我也是很對的。假如你的問題是指他做押運員是否稱職，那我就說他是無可挑剔的，對他的工作你會滿意的。”
“但你要告訴我，唐太斯，假如由你來負責法老號，你願意把騰格拉爾留在船上嗎？”
“莫雷爾先生，”唐太斯回答道，“無論我做船長也好，做大副也好，凡是那些能獲得我們船主信任的人，我對他們總是極尊重的。”
“好，好，唐太斯！我看你在各個方面都是好樣的。別讓我再耽誤你了，快去吧，我看你已有些急不可耐啦。”
“那麽我可以走了嗎？”
“快走吧。我已經說過了。”
“我可以藉用一下您的小艇嗎？”
“當然可以。”
“那麽，莫雷爾先生，再會吧。再一次多謝啦！”
“我希望不久能再看到你，我親愛的愛德蒙。祝你好運！”
青年水手跳上了小艇，坐在船尾，吩咐朝卡納比埃爾街劃去。兩個水手即刻劃動起來，小船就飛快地在那從港口直到奧爾蘭碼頭的千百衹帆船中間穿梭過去。
船主微笑着目送着他，直到他上了岸，消失在卡納比埃爾街上的人流裏。這條街從清晨五點鐘直到晚上九點鐘都擁擠着川流不息的人群。卡納比埃爾街是馬賽最有名的街道，馬賽的居民很以它為自豪，他們甚至煞有其事地莊重地宣稱：“假如巴黎也有一條卡納比埃爾街，那巴黎就可稱為小馬賽了。”
船主轉過身來時，看見騰格拉爾正站在他背後。騰格拉爾表面上看似在等候他的吩咐，實際上卻象他一樣，在用目光遙送那青年水手。這兩個人雖然都在註視着愛德蒙·唐太斯，但兩個人目光裏的神情和含義卻大不相同。
（第一章完）
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On the 24th of February, 1815, the look-out at Notre-Dame de la Garde signalled the three-master, the Pharaon from Smyrna, Trieste, and Naples.
As usual, a pilot put off immediately, and rounding the Chateau d'If, got on board the vessel between Cape Morgion and Rion island.
Immediately, and according to custom, the ramparts of Fort Saint-Jean were covered with spectators; it is always an event at Marseilles for a ship to come into port, especially when this ship, like the Pharaon, has been built, rigged, and laden at the old Phocee docks, and belongs to an owner of the city.
The ship drew on and had safely passed the strait, which some volcanic shock has made between the Calasareigne and Jaros islands; had doubled Pomegue, and approached the harbor under topsails, jib, and spanker, but so slowly and sedately that the idlers, with that instinct which is the forerunner of evil, asked one another what misfortune could have happened on board. However, those experienced in navigation saw plainly that if any accident had occurred, it was not to the vessel herself, for she bore down with all the evidence of being skilfully handled, the anchor a-cockbill, the jib-boom guys already eased off, and standing by the side of the pilot, who was steering the Pharaon towards the narrow entrance of the inner port, was a young man, who, with activity and vigilant eye, watched every motion of the ship, and repeated each direction of the pilot.
The vague disquietude which prevailed among the spectators had so much affected one of the crowd that he did not await the arrival of the vessel in harbor, but jumping into a small skiff, desired to be pulled alongside the Pharaon, which he reached as she rounded into La Reserve basin.
When the young man on board saw this person approach, he left his station by the pilot, and, hat in hand, leaned over the ship's bulwarks.
He was a fine, tall, slim young fellow of eighteen or twenty, with black eyes, and hair as dark as a raven's wing; and his whole appearance bespoke that calmness and resolution peculiar to men accustomed from their cradle to contend with danger.
"Ah, is it you, Dantes?" cried the man in the skiff. "What's the matter? and why have you such an air of sadness aboard?"
"A great misfortune, M. Morrel," replied the young man, -- "a great misfortune, for me especially! Off Civita Vecchia we lost our brave Captain Leclere."
"And the cargo?" inquired the owner, eagerly.
"Is all safe, M. Morrel; and I think you will be satisfied on that head. But poor Captain Leclere -- "
"What happened to him?" asked the owner, with an air of considerable resignation. "What happened to the worthy captain?"
"He died."
"Fell into the sea?"
"No, sir, he died of brain-fever in dreadful agony." Then turning to the crew, he said, "Bear a hand there, to take in sail!"
All hands obeyed, and at once the eight or ten seamen who composed the crew, sprang to their respective stations at the spanker brails and outhaul, topsail sheets and halyards, the jib downhaul, and the topsail clewlines and buntlines. The young sailor gave a look to see that his orders were promptly and accurately obeyed, and then turned again to the owner.
"And how did this misfortune occur?" inquired the latter, resuming the interrupted conversation.
"Alas, sir, in the most unexpected manner. After a long talk with the harbor-master, Captain Leclere left Naples greatly disturbed in mind. In twenty-four hours he was attacked by a fever, and died three days afterwards. We performed the usual burial service, and he is at his rest, sewn up in his hammock with a thirty-six pound shot at his head and his heels, off El Giglio island. We bring to his widow his sword and cross of honor. It was worth while, truly," added the young man with a melancholy smile, "to make war against the English for ten years, and to die in his bed at last, like everybody else."
"Why, you see, Edmond," replied the owner, who appeared more comforted at every moment, "we are all mortal, and the old must make way for the young. If not, why, there would be no promotion; and since you assure me that the cargo -- "
"Is all safe and sound, M. Morrel, take my word for it; and I advise you not to take 25,000 francs for the profits of the voyage."
Then, as they were just passing the Round Tower, the young man shouted: "Stand by there to lower the topsails and jib; brail up the spanker!"
The order was executed as promptly as it would have been on board a man-of-war.
"Let go -- and clue up!" At this last command all the sails were lowered, and the vessel moved almost imperceptibly onwards.
"Now, if you will come on board, M. Morrel," said Dantes, observing the owner's impatience, "here is your supercargo, M. Danglars, coming out of his cabin, who will furnish you with every particular. As for me, I must look after the anchoring, and dress the ship in mourning."
The owner did not wait for a second invitation. He seized a rope which Dantes flung to him, and with an activity that would have done credit to a sailor, climbed up the side of the ship, while the young man, going to his task, left the conversation to Danglars, who now came towards the owner. He was a man of twenty-five or twenty-six years of age, of unprepossessing countenance, obsequious to his superiors, insolent to his subordinates; and this, in addition to his position as responsible agent on board, which is always obnoxious to the sailors, made him as much disliked by the crew as Edmond Dantes was beloved by them.
"Well, M. Morrel," said Danglars, "you have heard of the misfortune that has befallen us?"
"Yes -- yes: poor Captain Leclere! He was a brave and an honest man."
"And a first-rate seaman, one who had seen long and honorable service, as became a man charged with the interests of a house so important as that of Morrel & Son," replied Danglars.
"But," replied the owner, glancing after Dantes, who was watching the anchoring of his vessel, "it seems to me that a sailor needs not be so old as you say, Danglars, to understand his business, for our friend Edmond seems to understand it thoroughly, and not to require instruction from any one."
"Yes," said Danglars, darting at Edmond a look gleaming with hate. "Yes, he is young, and youth is invariably self-confident. Scarcely was the captain's breath out of his body when he assumed the command without consulting any one, and he caused us to lose a day and a half at the Island of Elba, instead of making for Marseilles direct."
"As to taking command of the vessel," replied Morrel, "that was his duty as captain's mate; as to losing a day and a half off the Island of Elba, he was wrong, unless the vessel needed repairs."
"The vessel was in as good condition as I am, and as, I hope you are, M. Morrel, and this day and a half was lost from pure whim, for the pleasure of going ashore, and nothing else."
"Dantes," said the shipowner, turning towards the young man, "come this way!"
"In a moment, sir," answered Dantes, "and I'm with you." Then calling to the crew, he said -- "Let go!"
The anchor was instantly dropped, and the chain ran rattling through the port-hole. Dantes continued at his post in spite of the presence of the pilot, until this manoeuvre was completed, and then he added, "Half-mast the colors, and square the yards!"
"You see," said Danglars, "he fancies himself captain already, upon my word."
"And so, in fact, he is," said the owner.
"Except your signature and your partner's, M. Morrel."
"And why should he not have this?" asked the owner; "he is young, it is true, but he seems to me a thorough seaman, and of full experience."
A cloud passed over Danglars' brow. "Your pardon, M. Morrel," said Dantes, approaching, "the vessel now rides at anchor, and I am at your service. You hailed me, I think?"
Danglars retreated a step or two. "I wished to inquire why you stopped at the Island of Elba?"
"I do not know, sir; it was to fulfil the last instructions of Captain Leclere, who, when dying, gave me a packet for Marshal Bertrand."
"Then did you see him, Edmond?"
"Who?"
"The marshal."
"Yes."
Morrel looked around him, and then, drawing Dantes on one side, he said suddenly -- "And how is the emperor?"
"Very well, as far as I could judge from the sight of him."
"You saw the emperor, then?"
"He entered the marshal's apartment while I was there."
"And you spoke to him?"
"Why, it was he who spoke to me, sir," said Dantes, with a smile.
"And what did he say to you?"
"Asked me questions about the vessel, the time she left Marseilles, the course she had taken, and what was her cargo. I believe, if she had not been laden, and I had been her master, he would have bought her. But I told him I was only mate, and that she belonged to the firm of Morrel & Son. `Ah, yes,' he said, `I know them. The Morrels have been shipowners from father to son; and there was a Morrel who served in the same regiment with me when I was in garrison at Valence.'"
"Pardieu, and that is true!" cried the owner, greatly delighted. "And that was Policar Morrel, my uncle, who was afterwards a captain. Dantes, you must tell my uncle that the emperor remembered him, and you will see it will bring tears into the old soldier's eyes. Come, come," continued he, patting Edmond's shoulder kindly, "you did very right, Dantes, to follow Captain Leclere's instructions, and touch at Elba, although if it were known that you had conveyed a packet to the marshal, and had conversed with the emperor, it might bring you into trouble."
"How could that bring me into trouble, sir?" asked Dantes; "for I did not even know of what I was the bearer; and the emperor merely made such inquiries as he would of the first comer. But, pardon me, here are the health officers and the customs inspectors coming alongside." And the young man went to the gangway. As he departed, Danglars approached, and said, --
"Well, it appears that he has given you satisfactory reasons for his landing at Porto-Ferrajo?"
"Yes, most satisfactory, my dear Danglars."
"Well, so much the better," said the supercargo; "for it is not pleasant to think that a comrade has not done his duty."
"Dantes has done his," replied the owner, "and that is not saying much. It was Captain Leclere who gave orders for this delay."
"Talking of Captain Leclere, has not Dantes given you a letter from him?"
"To me? -- no -- was there one?"
"I believe that, besides the packet, Captain Leclere confided a letter to his care."
"Of what packet are you speaking, Danglars?"
"Why, that which Dantes left at Porto-Ferrajo."
"How do you know he had a packet to leave at Porto-Ferrajo?"
Danglars turned very red.
"I was passing close to the door of the captain's cabin, which was half open, and I saw him give the packet and letter to Dantes."
"He did not speak to me of it," replied the shipowner; "but if there be any letter he will give it to me."
Danglars reflected for a moment. "Then, M. Morrel, I beg of you," said he, "not to say a word to Dantes on the subject. I may have been mistaken."
At this moment the young man returned; Danglars withdrew.
"Well, my dear Dantes, are you now free?" inquired the owner.
"Yes, sir."
"You have not been long detained."
"No. I gave the custom-house officers a copy of our bill of lading; and as to the other papers, they sent a man off with the pilot, to whom I gave them."
"Then you have nothing more to do here?"
"No -- everything is all right now."
"Then you can come and dine with me?"
"I really must ask you to excuse me, M. Morrel. My first visit is due to my father, though I am not the less grateful for the honor you have done me."
"Right, Dantes, quite right. I always knew you were a good son."
"And," inquired Dantes, with some hesitation, "do you know how my father is?"
"Well, I believe, my dear Edmond, though I have not seen him lately."
"Yes, he likes to keep himself shut up in his little room."
"That proves, at least, that he has wanted for nothing during your absence."
Dantes smiled. "My father is proud, sir, and if he had not a meal left, I doubt if he would have asked anything from anyone, except from Heaven."
"Well, then, after this first visit has been made we shall count on you."
"I must again excuse myself, M. Morrel, for after this first visit has been paid I have another which I am most anxious to pay."
"True, Dantes, I forgot that there was at the Catalans some one who expects you no less impatiently than your father -- the lovely Mercedes."
Dantes blushed.
"Ah, ha," said the shipowner, "I am not in the least surprised, for she has been to me three times, inquiring if there were any news of the Pharaon. Peste, Edmond, you have a very handsome mistress!"
"She is not my mistress," replied the young sailor, gravely; "she is my betrothed."
"Sometimes one and the same thing," said Morrel, with a smile.
"Not with us, sir," replied Dantes.
"Well, well, my dear Edmond," continued the owner, "don't let me detain you. You have managed my affairs so well that I ought to allow you all the time you require for your own. Do you want any money?"
"No, sir; I have all my pay to take -- nearly three months' wages."
"You are a careful fellow, Edmond."
"Say I have a poor father, sir."
"Yes, yes, I know how good a son you are, so now hasten away to see your father. I have a son too, and I should be very wroth with those who detained him from me after a three months' voyage."
"Then I have your leave, sir?"
"Yes, if you have nothing more to say to me."
"Nothing."
"Captain Leclere did not, before he died, give you a letter for me?"
"He was unable to write, sir. But that reminds me that I must ask your leave of absence for some days."
"To get married?"
"Yes, first, and then to go to Paris."
"Very good; have what time you require, Dantes. It will take quite six weeks to unload the cargo, and we cannot get you ready for sea until three months after that; only be back again in three months, for the Pharaon," added the owner, patting the young sailor on the back, "cannot sail without her captain."
"Without her captain!" cried Dantes, his eyes sparkling with animation; "pray mind what you say, for you are touching on the most secret wishes of my heart. Is it really your intention to make me captain of the Pharaon?"
"If I were sole owner we'd shake hands on it now, my dear Dantes, and call it settled; but I have a partner, and you know the Italian proverb -- Chi ha compagno ha padrone -- `He who has a partner has a master.' But the thing is at least half done, as you have one out of two votes. Rely on me to procure you the other; I will do my best."
"Ah, M. Morrel," exclaimed the young seaman, with tears in his eyes, and grasping the owner's hand, "M. Morrel, I thank you in the name of my father and of Mercedes."
"That's all right, Edmond. There's a providence that watches over the deserving. Go to your father: go and see Mercedes, and afterwards come to me."
"Shall I row you ashore?"
"No, thank you; I shall remain and look over the accounts with Danglars. Have you been satisfied with him this voyage?"
"That is according to the sense you attach to the question, sir. Do you mean is he a good comrade? No, for I think he never liked me since the day when I was silly enough, after a little quarrel we had, to propose to him to stop for ten minutes at the island of Monte Cristo to settle the dispute -- a proposition which I was wrong to suggest, and he quite right to refuse. If you mean as responsible agent when you ask me the question, I believe there is nothing to say against him, and that you will be content with the way in which he has performed his duty."
"But tell me, Dantes, if you had command of the Pharaon should you be glad to see Danglars remain?"
"Captain or mate, M. Morrel, I shall always have the greatest respect for those who possess the owners' confidence."
"That's right, that's right, Dantes! I see you are a thoroughly good fellow, and will detain you no longer. Go, for I see how impatient you are."
"Then I have leave?"
"Go, I tell you."
"May I have the use of your skiff?"
"Certainly."
"Then, for the present, M. Morrel, farewell, and a thousand thanks!"
"I hope soon to see you again, my dear Edmond. Good luck to you."
The young sailor jumped into the skiff, and sat down in the stern sheets, with the order that he be put ashore at La Canebiere. The two oarsmen bent to their work, and the little boat glided away as rapidly as possible in the midst of the thousand vessels which choke up the narrow way which leads between the two rows of ships from the mouth of the harbor to the Quai d'Orleans.
The shipowner, smiling, followed him with his eyes until he saw him spring out on the quay and disappear in the midst of the throng, which from five o'clock in the morning until nine o'clock at night, swarms in the famous street of La Canebiere, -- a street of which the modern Phocaeans are so proud that they say with all the gravity in the world, and with that accent which gives so much character to what is said, "If Paris had La Canebiere, Paris would be a second Marseilles." On turning round the owner saw Danglars behind him, apparently awaiting orders, but in reality also watching the young sailor, -- but there was a great difference in the expression of the two men who thus followed the movements of Edmond Dantes.
我們暫且先放下不談騰格拉爾如何懷着仇恨，竭力在船主莫雷爾的耳邊講他的同伴的壞話的。且說唐太斯橫過了卡納比埃爾街，順着諾埃尹街轉入梅蘭巷，走進了靠左邊的一傢小房子裏。他在黑暗的樓梯上一手扶着欄桿，一手按在他那狂跳的心上，急急地奔上了四層樓梯。他在一扇半開半掩的門前停了下來，那半開的門裏是一個小房間。
唐太斯的父親就住在這個房間裏。法老號到港的消息老人還不知道。這時他正踩在一張椅子上，用顫抖的手指在窗口綁紮牽牛花和萎草花，想編成一個花棚。突然他覺得一隻手臂攔腰抱住了他，隨即一個熟悉的聲音在耳邊喊起來，“父親！親愛的父親！”
老人驚叫了一聲，轉過身來，一看是自己的兒子，就顫巍巍地臉色慘白地倒在了他的懷抱中。
“你怎麽啦，我最親愛的父親！你病了嗎？”青年吃驚地問。
“不，不，我親愛的愛德蒙——我的孩子——我的寶貝！不，我沒想到你回來了。我真太高興了，這樣突然的看見你太讓我激動了——天哪，我覺得我都快要死了。”
“高興點，親愛的父親！是我——真的是我！人們都說高興絶不會有傷身體的，所以我就偷偷的溜了進來。嗨！對我笑笑，不要拿這種疑惑的眼光看我呀。是我回來啦，我們現在要過快活的日子了。”
“孩子，我們要過快活的日子，——我們要過快活的日子，”老人說道。“但我們怎麽才能快活呢？難道你會永遠不再離開我了嗎？來，快告訴我你交了什麽好運了？”
“願上帝寬恕我：我的幸福是建立在另一傢人喪親的痛苦上的，但上帝知道我並不是自己要這樣的。事情既然已經發生了，我實在無法裝出那種悲哀的樣子。父親，我們那位好心的船長萊剋勒先生他死了，承蒙莫雷爾先生的推薦，我極有可能接替他的位置。你懂嗎，父親？想想看，我二十歲就能當上船長，薪水是一百金路易［法國金幣名。］，還可以分紅利！這可是象我這樣的窮水手以前連想都不敢想的呀。”
“是的，我親愛的孩子，”老人回答說，——“是的，這真是一樁大喜事的。”
“嗯，等我拿到第一筆錢時，我就為你買一所房子，要帶花園的，你可以在裏面種種牽牛花，萎草花和皂莢花什麽的。你怎麽了，父親，你不舒服嗎？”
“沒什麽，沒什麽，就會好的。”老人說着，終因年老體衰，力不從心，倒在了椅子裏。
“來，來，”青年說，“喝點酒吧，父親，你就會好的。你把酒放在哪兒了？”
“不，不用了，謝謝。你不用找了，我不喝。”老人說。
“喝，一定要喝父親，告訴我酒在什麽地方？”唐太斯一面說着，一面打開了兩三個碗櫃。
“你找不到的，”老人說，“沒有酒了。”
“什麽！沒有酒了？”唐太斯說，他的臉色漸漸變白了，看着老人那深陷的雙頰，又看看那空空的碗櫃——“什麽！沒有酒了？父親，你缺錢用嗎？”
“我衹要見到了你，就什麽都不缺了。”老人說。
“可是，”唐太斯擦了一把額頭上的冷汗，囁嚅地說，——“可是三個月前我臨走的時候給你留下過兩百法郎呀。”
“是的，是的，愛德蒙，一點兒不錯。但你當時忘了你還欠我們鄰居卡德魯斯一筆小債。他跟我提起了這件事，對我說，假如我不代你還債，他就會去找莫雷爾先生，去嚮他討還，所以，為了免得你受影響……”
“那麽？”
“哪，我就把錢還給他了。”
“可是，”唐太斯叫了起來，“我欠了卡德魯斯一百四十法朗埃！”
“不錯。”老人吶吶地說。
“那就是說你就從我留給你的兩百法朗裏抽出來還了他了？”
老人做了一個肯定的表示。
“這麽說，三個月來你就衹靠六十個法朗來維持生活！”青年自言自語地說。
“你知道我花銷不大。”老人說。
“噢，上帝饒恕我吧！”愛德蒙哭着跪到了老人的面前。
“你這是怎麽了？”
“你使我感到太傷心了！”
“這沒什麽，孩子。”老人說，“我一看到你，就什麽都忘了，現在一切都好了。”
“是啊，我回來了，”青年說，“帶着一個幸福遠大的前程和一點錢回來了。看，父親，看！”他說，“拿着吧——拿着，趕快叫人去買點東西。”說着他翻開口袋，把錢全倒在桌子上，一共有十幾塊金洋，五六塊艾居［法國銀幣名。］和一些小零幣。老唐太斯的臉上頓時展開了笑容。
“這些錢是誰的？”他問。
“是我的！你的！我們的！拿着吧，去買些吃的東西。快活些，明天我們還會有更多的。”
“小聲點，輕點聲，”老人微笑着說。”我還是把你的錢節省點用吧——因為大傢要是看見我一次買了那麽多的東西，就會說我非得等着你回來才能買得起那些東西。”
“隨你便吧，但最重要的，父親，該先雇一個傭人。我决不再讓你獨自一個人長期孤零零地生活了。我私下帶了一些咖啡和上等煙草，現在都放在船上的小箱子裏，明天早晨我就可以拿來給你了。噓，別出聲！有人來了。”
“是卡德魯斯，他一定是聽到了你回來的消息，知道你交了好運了，來嚮你道賀的。”
“哼！口是心非的傢夥，”愛德蒙輕聲說道。“不過，他畢竟是我們的鄰居，而且還幫過我們的忙，所以我們還是應該表示歡迎的。”
愛德蒙的這句話剛輕聲講完，卡德魯斯那個黑發蓬鬆的頭便出現在門口。他看上去約莫二十五六歲，手裏拿着一塊布料，他原是一個裁縫，這塊布料是他預備拿來做衣服的襯裏用的。
“怎麽！真是你回來了嗎，愛德蒙？”他帶着很重的馬賽口音開口說道，露出滿口白得如象牙一樣的牙齒笑着。
“是的，我回來了，卡德魯斯鄰居，我正準備着想使你高興一下呢。”唐太斯回答道，答話雖彬彬有禮，卻仍掩飾不住他內心的冷淡。
“謝謝，謝謝，不過幸虧我還不需要什麽。倒是有時人傢需要我的幫忙呢。”唐太斯不覺動了一下。“我不是指你，我的孩子。不，不！我借錢給你，你還了我。好鄰居之間這種事是常有的，我們已經兩清了。”
“我們對那些幫助過我們的人是永遠忘不了的。”唐太斯說，“因為我們雖還清了他們的錢，卻還不清負他們的情的。”
“還提它幹什麽？過去的都過去了。讓我們來談談你這次幸運的歸來的事兒吧，孩子。我剛纔到碼頭上去配一塊細花布，碰到了我們的朋友騰格拉爾。‘怎麽！你也在馬賽呀！’我當時就喊了出來。他說：‘是呀。’‘我還以為你在士麥拿呢。’‘不錯，我去過那兒，但現在又回來了。’‘我那親愛的小傢夥愛德蒙他在哪兒，’我問他。騰格拉爾就回答說：‘一定在他父親那兒。’所以我就急忙跑來了，”卡德魯斯接着說，“來高高興興地和老朋友握手。”
“好心的卡德魯斯！”老人說，“他待我們多好啊！”
“是呀，我當然要這樣的，我愛你們，並且敬重你們，天底下好人可不多啊！我的孩子，你好象是發了財回來啦。”裁縫一面說，一面斜眼看着唐太斯拋在桌子上的那一把金幣和銀幣。
青年看出了從他鄰居那黑眼睛裏流露出的貪婪的目光。
他漫不經心地說，“這些錢不是我的，父親看出我擔心，他當我不在的時候缺錢用，為了讓我放心，就把他錢包裏的錢都倒在桌子上給我看。來吧，父親。”唐太斯接着說，“快把這些錢收回到你的箱子裏去吧，——除非我們的鄰居卡德魯斯要用，我們倒是樂意幫這個忙的。”
“不，孩子，不，”卡德魯斯說，“我根本不需要，幹我這行夠吃的了。把你的錢收起來吧，——我說。一個人的錢不一定非得很多，我雖用不上你的錢，但對你的好意我還是很感激的。”
“我可是真心的呀。”唐太斯說。
“那當然，那當然。唔，我聽說你和莫雷爾先生的關係不錯，你這衹得寵的小狗！”
“莫雷爾先生待我一直特別友善。”唐太斯回答。
“那麽他請你吃飯你不該拒絶他呀。”
“什麽！你竟然回絶他請你吃飯？”老唐太斯說。“他邀請過你吃飯嗎？”
“是的，我親愛的父親。”愛德蒙回答。看到父親因自己的兒子得到別人的器重而顯出驚異的神情，便笑了笑。
“孩子呀，你為什麽拒絶呢？”老人問。
“為了快點回來看你呀，我親愛的父親，”青年答道，“我太想你了。”
“但你這樣做一定會使可敬的莫雷爾先生不高興的，”卡德魯斯說。“尤其是當你快要升為船長的時候，是不該在這時得罪船主的。”
“但我已把謝絶的理由嚮他解釋過了，”唐太斯回答，“我想他會諒解的。”
“但是要想當船長，就該對船主恭敬一點纔好。”
“我希望不恭順也能當船長。”唐太斯說。
“那更好，——那更好！你這個消息會讓那些老朋友聽了都高興的，我還知道聖·尼古拉堡那邊有一個人，聽到這個好消息也會高興的。”
“你是說美塞苔絲嗎？”老人說。
“是的，我親愛的父親，現在我已經見過了你，知道你很好，並不缺什麽，我就放心了。請允許我到迦太羅尼亞人的村裏，好嗎？”
“去吧，我親愛的孩子，”老唐太斯說，“望上帝保佑你的妻子，就如同保佑我的兒子一樣！”
“他的妻子！”卡德魯斯說，“你說得太早了點吧，唐太斯老爹。她還沒正式成為他的妻子呢。”
“是這樣的，但從各方面看，她肯定會成為我妻子的。”愛德蒙回答。
“不錯，不錯，”卡德魯斯說，“但你這次回來得很快，做得是對的，我的孩子。”
“你這是什麽意思？”
“因為美塞苔絲是一位非常漂亮的姑娘，而漂亮姑娘總是不乏有人追求的。尤其是她，身後有上打的追求者呢。”
“真的嗎？”愛德蒙雖微笑着回答，但微笑裏卻流露出一點的不安。
“啊，是的，“卡德魯斯又說，“而且都是些條件不錯的人呢，但你知道，你就要做船長了，她怎麽會拒絶你呢？”
“你是說，“唐太斯問道，他微笑着並沒有掩飾住他的焦急，“假如我不是一個船長——”
“唉，唉。”卡德魯斯說。
“得了，得了，”年輕的唐太斯說：“一般說來，對女人，我可比你瞭解的得多，尤其是美塞苔絲。我相信，不論我當不當船長，她都是忠誠於我的。”
“那再好也沒有了，卡德魯斯說。“一個人快要結婚的時候，信心十足總是好事。別管這些了，我的孩子，快去報到吧，並把你的希望告訴她。”
“我就去。”愛德蒙回答他，擁抱了一下他的父親，揮揮手和卡德魯斯告辭，就走出房間去了。
卡德魯斯又呆了一會，便離開老唐太斯，下樓去見騰格拉爾，後者正在西納剋街的拐角上等他。
“怎麽樣，”騰格拉爾說，“你見到他了嗎？”
“我剛從他那兒來。”
“他提到他希望做船長的事了嗎？”
“他說的若有其事，那口氣就好象事情已經决定了似的。”
“別忙！”騰格拉爾說，“依我看，他未免太心急了”。
“怎麽，這件事莫雷爾先生好象已經答應他了啦。”
“這麽說他已經在那兒自鳴得意了嗎？”
“他簡直驕傲得很，已經要來關照我了。好象他是個什麽大人物似的，而且還要借錢給我，好象是一個銀行傢。”
“你拒絶了嗎？”
“當然，雖然我即便是接受了也問心無愧，因為他第一次摸到發亮的銀幣，還是我放到他手裏的。但現在唐太斯先生已不再要人幫忙了，他就要做船長了。”
“呸！”騰格拉爾說，“他現在還沒有做成呢。”
“他還是做不成的好，”卡德魯斯回答，“不然我們就別想再跟他說上話了。”
“假如我們願意可以還讓他爬上去，”騰格拉爾答道，“他爬不上去，或許不如現在呢。”
“你這話是什麽意思？”
“沒什麽，我不過自己這麽說着玩兒罷了。他還愛着那個漂亮的迦太尼亞小妞嗎？”
“簡直愛得發瘋了，但除非是我弄錯了，在這方面他可能要遇到點麻煩了。”
“你說清楚點。”
“我幹嗎要說清楚呢？”
“這件事或許比你想象得還要重要，你不喜歡唐太斯對吧？”
“我一嚮不喜歡目空一切的人。”
“那麽關於迦太羅尼亞人的事，把你所知道的都告訴我吧。”
“我所知道的可都不怎麽確切，衹是就我親眼見的來說，我猜想那位未來的船長會在老醫務所路附近。”
“你知道些什麽事，告訴我！”
“是這樣的，我每次看見美塞苔絲進城時，總有一個身材魁梧高大的迦太羅尼亞小夥子陪着她，那個人有一對黑色的眼睛，膚色褐中透紅，很神氣很威武，她叫他表哥。”
“真的！那麽你認為這位表兄在追求她嗎？”
“我衹是這麽想。一個身材魁梧的二十幾歲的小夥子，對一個漂亮的十七歲的少女還能有什麽別的想法呢？”
“你說唐太斯已到迦太羅尼亞人那兒去了嗎”？
“我沒有下樓他就去了。”
“那我們就到這條路上去吧，我們可以在瑞瑟夫酒傢那兒等着，一面喝拉瑪爾格酒，一面聽聽消息。”
“誰嚮我們通消息呢？”
“我們在半路上等着他呀，看一下他的神色怎麽樣，就知道了。”
“走吧，”卡德魯斯說，“但話說在前面，你來付酒錢。”
“那當然，”騰格拉爾說道。他們快步走嚮約定的地點，要了瓶酒。
邦非爾老爹看見唐太斯在十分鐘以前剛剛過去。他們既確知了他還在迦太羅尼亞人的村裏。便在長着嫩葉的梧桐樹下和大楓樹底下坐下來。頭上的樹枝間，小鳥們正在動人地合唱着，歌唱春天的好時光。
（第二章完）
————————————————————
We will leave Danglars struggling with the demon of hatred, and endeavoring to insinuate in the ear of the shipowner some evil suspicions against his comrade, and follow Dantes, who, after having traversed La Canebiere, took the Rue de Noailles, and entering a small house, on the left of the Allees de Meillan, rapidly ascended four flights of a dark staircase, holding the baluster with one hand, while with the other he repressed the beatings of his heart, and paused before a half-open door, from which he could see the whole of a small room.
This room was occupied by Dantes' father. The news of the arrival of the Pharaon had not yet reached the old man, who, mounted on a chair, was amusing himself by training with trembling hand the nasturtiums and sprays of clematis that clambered over the trellis at his window. Suddenly, he felt an arm thrown around his body, and a well-known voice behind him exclaimed, "Father -- dear father!"
The old man uttered a cry, and turned round; then, seeing his son, he fell into his arms, pale and trembling.
"What ails you, my dearest father? Are you ill?" inquired the young man, much alarmed.
"No, no, my dear Edmond -- my boy -- my son! -- no; but I did not expect you; and joy, the surprise of seeing you so suddenly -- Ah, I feel as if I were going to die."
"Come, come, cheer up, my dear father! 'Tis I -- really I! They say joy never hurts, and so I came to you without any warning. Come now, do smile, instead of looking at me so solemnly. Here I am back again, and we are going to be happy."
"Yes, yes, my boy, so we will -- so we will," replied the old man; "but how shall we be happy? Shall you never leave me again? Come, tell me all the good fortune that has befallen you."
"God forgive me," said the young man, "for rejoicing at happiness derived from the misery of others, but, Heaven knows, I did not seek this good fortune; it has happened, and I really cannot pretend to lament it. The good Captain Leclere is dead, father, and it is probable that, with the aid of M. Morrel, I shall have his place. Do you understand, father? Only imagine me a captain at twenty, with a hundred louis pay, and a share in the profits! Is this not more than a poor sailor like me could have hoped for?"
"Yes, my dear boy," replied the old man, "it is very fortunate."
"Well, then, with the first money I touch, I mean you to have a small house, with a garden in which to plant clematis, nasturtiums, and honeysuckle. But what ails you, father? Are you not well?"
"'Tis nothing, nothing; it will soon pass away" -- and as he said so the old man's strength failed him, and he fell backwards.
"Come, come," said the young man, "a glass of wine, father, will revive you. Where do you keep your wine?"
"No, no; thanks. You need not look for it; I do not want it," said the old man.
"Yes, yes, father, tell me where it is," and he opened two or three cupboards.
"It is no use," said the old man, "there is no wine."
"What, no wine?" said Dantes, turning pale, and looking alternately at the hollow cheeks of the old man and the empty cupboards. "What, no wine? Have you wanted money, father?"
"I want nothing now that I have you," said the old man.
"Yet," stammered Dantes, wiping the perspiration from his brow, -- "yet I gave you two hundred francs when I left, three months ago."
"Yes, yes, Edmond, that is true, but you forgot at that time a little debt to our neighbor, Caderousse. He reminded me of it, telling me if I did not pay for you, he would be paid by M. Morrel; and so, you see, lest he might do you an injury" --
"Well?"
"Why, I paid him."
"But," cried Dantes, "it was a hundred and forty francs I owed Caderousse."
"Yes," stammered the old man.
"And you paid him out of the two hundred francs I left you?"
The old man nodded.
"So that you have lived for three months on sixty francs," muttered Edmond.
"You know how little I require," said the old man.
"Heaven pardon me," cried Edmond, falling on his knees before his father.
"What are you doing?"
"You have wounded me to the heart."
"Never mind it, for I see you once more," said the old man; "and now it's all over -- everything is all right again."
"Yes, here I am," said the young man, "with a promising future and a little money. Here, father, here!" he said, "take this -- take it, and send for something immediately." And he emptied his pockets on the table, the contents consisting of a dozen gold pieces, five or six five-franc pieces, and some smaller coin. The countenance of old Dantes brightened.
"Whom does this belong to?" he inquired.
"To me, to you, to us! Take it; buy some provisions; be happy, and to-morrow we shall have more."
"Gently, gently," said the old man, with a smile; "and by your leave I will use your purse moderately, for they would say, if they saw me buy too many things at a time, that I had been obliged to await your return, in order to be able to purchase them."
"Do as you please; but, first of all, pray have a servant, father. I will not have you left alone so long. I have some smuggled coffee and most capital tobacco, in a small chest in the hold, which you shall have to-morrow. But, hush, here comes somebody."
"'Tis Caderousse, who has heard of your arrival, and no doubt comes to congratulate you on your fortunate return."
"Ah, lips that say one thing, while the heart thinks another," murmured Edmond. "But, never mind, he is a neighbor who has done us a service on a time, so he's welcome."
As Edmond paused, the black and bearded head of Caderousse appeared at the door. He was a man of twenty-five or six, and held a piece of cloth, which, being a tailor, he was about to make into a coat-lining.
"What, is it you, Edmond, back again?" said he, with a broad Marseillaise accent, and a grin that displayed his ivory-white teeth.
"Yes, as you see, neighbor Caderousse; and ready to be agreeable to you in any and every way," replied Dantes, but ill-concealing his coldness under this cloak of civility.
"Thanks -- thanks; but, fortunately, I do not want for anything; and it chances that at times there are others who have need of me." Dantes made a gesture. "I do not allude to you, my boy. No! -- no! I lent you money, and you returned it; that's like good neighbors, and we are quits."
"We are never quits with those who oblige us," was Dantes' reply; "for when we do not owe them money, we owe them gratitude."
"What's the use of mentioning that? What is done is done. Let us talk of your happy return, my boy. I had gone on the quay to match a piece of mulberry cloth, when I met friend Danglars. `You at Marseilles?' -- `Yes,' says he.
"`I thought you were at Smyrna.' -- `I was; but am now back again.'
"`And where is the dear boy, our little Edmond?'
"`Why, with his father, no doubt,' replied Danglars. And so I came," added Caderousse, "as fast as I could to have the pleasure of shaking hands with a friend."
"Worthy Caderousse!" said the old man, "he is so much attached to us."
"Yes, to be sure I am. I love and esteem you, because honest folks are so rare. But it seems you have come back rich, my boy," continued the tailor, looking askance at the handful of gold and silver which Dantes had thrown on the table.
The young man remarked the greedy glance which shone in the dark eyes of his neighbor. "Eh," he said, negligently. "this money is not mine. I was expressing to my father my fears that he had wanted many things in my absence, and to convince me he emptied his purse on the table. Come, father" added Dantes, "put this money back in your box -- unless neighbor Caderousse wants anything, and in that case it is at his service."
"No, my boy, no," said Caderousse. "I am not in any want, thank God, my living is suited to my means. Keep your money -- keep it, I say; -- one never has too much; -- but, at the same time, my boy, I am as much obliged by your offer as if I took advantage of it."
"It was offered with good will," said Dantes.
"No doubt, my boy; no doubt. Well, you stand well with M. Morrel I hear, -- you insinuating dog, you!"
"M. Morrel has always been exceedingly kind to me," replied Dantes.
"Then you were wrong to refuse to dine with him."
"What, did you refuse to dine with him?" said old Dantes; "and did he invite you to dine?"
"Yes, my dear father," replied Edmond, smiling at his father's astonishment at the excessive honor paid to his son.
"And why did you refuse, my son?" inquired the old man.
"That I might the sooner see you again, my dear father," replied the young man. "I was most anxious to see you."
"But it must have vexed M. Morrel, good, worthy man," said Caderousse. "And when you are looking forward to be captain, it was wrong to annoy the owner."
"But I explained to him the cause of my refusal," replied Dantes, "and I hope he fully understood it."
"Yes, but to be captain one must do a little flattery to one's patrons."
"I hope to be captain without that," said Dantes.
"So much the better -- so much the better! Nothing will give greater pleasure to all your old friends; and I know one down there behind the Saint Nicolas citadel who will not be sorry to hear it."
"Mercedes?" said the old man.
"Yes, my dear father, and with your permission, now I have seen you, and know you are well and have all you require, I will ask your consent to go and pay a visit to the Catalans."
"Go, my dear boy," said old Dantes: "and heaven bless you in your wife, as it has blessed me in my son!"
"His wife!" said Caderousse; "why, how fast you go on, father Dantes; she is not his wife yet, as it seems to me."
"So, but according to all probability she soon will be," replied Edmond.
"Yes -- yes," said Caderousse; "but you were right to return as soon as possible, my boy."
"And why?"
"Because Mercedes is a very fine girl, and fine girls never lack followers; she particularly has them by dozens."
"Really?" answered Edmond, with a smile which had in it traces of slight uneasiness.
"Ah, yes," continued Caderousse, "and capital offers, too; but you know, you will be captain, and who could refuse you then?"
"Meaning to say," replied Dantes, with a smile which but ill-concealed his trouble, "that if I were not a captain" --
"Eh -- eh!" said Caderousse, shaking his head.
"Come, come," said the sailor, "I have a better opinion than you of women in general, and of Mercedes in particular; and I am certain that, captain or not, she will remain ever faithful to me."
"So much the better -- so much the better," said Caderousse. "When one is going to be married, there is nothing like implicit confidence; but never mind that, my boy, -- go and announce your arrival, and let her know all your hopes and prospects."
"I will go directly," was Edmond's reply; and, embracing his father, and nodding to Caderousse, he left the apartment.
Caderousse lingered for a moment, then taking leave of old Dantes, he went downstairs to rejoin Danglars, who awaited him at the corner of the Rue Senac.
"Well," said Danglars, "did you see him?"
"I have just left him," answered Caderousse.
"Did he allude to his hope of being captain?"
"He spoke of it as a thing already decided."
"Indeed!" said Danglars, "he is in too much hurry, it appears to me."
"Why, it seems M. Morrel has promised him the thing."
"So that he is quite elated about it?"
"Why, yes, he is actually insolent over the matter -- has already offered me his patronage, as if he were a grand personage, and proffered me a loan of money, as though he were a banker."
"Which you refused?"
"Most assuredly; although I might easily have accepted it, for it was I who put into his hands the first silver he ever earned; but now M. Dantes has no longer any occasion for assistance -- he is about to become a captain."
"Pooh!" said Danglars, "he is not one yet."
"Ma foi, it will be as well if he is not," answered Caderousse; "for if he should be, there will be really no speaking to him."
"If we choose," replied Danglars, "he will remain what he is; and perhaps become even less than he is."
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing -- I was speaking to myself. And is he still in love with the Catalane?"
"Over head and ears; but, unless I am much mistaken, there will be a storm in that quarter."
"Explain yourself."
"Why should I?"
"It is more important than you think, perhaps. You do not like Dantes?"
"I never like upstarts."
"Then tell me all you know about the Catalane."
"I know nothing for certain; only I have seen things which induce me to believe, as I told you, that the future captain will find some annoyance in the vicinity of the Vieilles Infirmeries."
"What have you seen? -- come, tell me!"
"Well, every time I have seen Mercedes come into the city she has been accompanied by a tall, strapping, black-eyed Catalan, with a red complexion, brown skin, and fierce air, whom she calls cousin."
"Really; and you think this cousin pays her attentions?"
"I only suppose so. What else can a strapping chap of twenty-one mean with a fine wench of seventeen?"
"And you say that Dantes has gone to the Catalans?"
"He went before I came down."
"Let us go the same way; we will stop at La Reserve, and we can drink a glass of La Malgue, whilst we wait for news."
"Come along," said Caderousse; "but you pay the score."
"Of course," replied Danglars; and going quickly to the designated place, they called for a bottle of wine, and two glasses.
Pere Pamphile had seen Dantes pass not ten minutes before; and assured that he was at the Catalans, they sat down under the budding foliage of the planes and sycamores, in the branches of which the birds were singing their welcome to one of the first days of spring.
唐太斯的父親就住在這個房間裏。法老號到港的消息老人還不知道。這時他正踩在一張椅子上，用顫抖的手指在窗口綁紮牽牛花和萎草花，想編成一個花棚。突然他覺得一隻手臂攔腰抱住了他，隨即一個熟悉的聲音在耳邊喊起來，“父親！親愛的父親！”
老人驚叫了一聲，轉過身來，一看是自己的兒子，就顫巍巍地臉色慘白地倒在了他的懷抱中。
“你怎麽啦，我最親愛的父親！你病了嗎？”青年吃驚地問。
“不，不，我親愛的愛德蒙——我的孩子——我的寶貝！不，我沒想到你回來了。我真太高興了，這樣突然的看見你太讓我激動了——天哪，我覺得我都快要死了。”
“高興點，親愛的父親！是我——真的是我！人們都說高興絶不會有傷身體的，所以我就偷偷的溜了進來。嗨！對我笑笑，不要拿這種疑惑的眼光看我呀。是我回來啦，我們現在要過快活的日子了。”
“孩子，我們要過快活的日子，——我們要過快活的日子，”老人說道。“但我們怎麽才能快活呢？難道你會永遠不再離開我了嗎？來，快告訴我你交了什麽好運了？”
“願上帝寬恕我：我的幸福是建立在另一傢人喪親的痛苦上的，但上帝知道我並不是自己要這樣的。事情既然已經發生了，我實在無法裝出那種悲哀的樣子。父親，我們那位好心的船長萊剋勒先生他死了，承蒙莫雷爾先生的推薦，我極有可能接替他的位置。你懂嗎，父親？想想看，我二十歲就能當上船長，薪水是一百金路易［法國金幣名。］，還可以分紅利！這可是象我這樣的窮水手以前連想都不敢想的呀。”
“是的，我親愛的孩子，”老人回答說，——“是的，這真是一樁大喜事的。”
“嗯，等我拿到第一筆錢時，我就為你買一所房子，要帶花園的，你可以在裏面種種牽牛花，萎草花和皂莢花什麽的。你怎麽了，父親，你不舒服嗎？”
“沒什麽，沒什麽，就會好的。”老人說着，終因年老體衰，力不從心，倒在了椅子裏。
“來，來，”青年說，“喝點酒吧，父親，你就會好的。你把酒放在哪兒了？”
“不，不用了，謝謝。你不用找了，我不喝。”老人說。
“喝，一定要喝父親，告訴我酒在什麽地方？”唐太斯一面說着，一面打開了兩三個碗櫃。
“你找不到的，”老人說，“沒有酒了。”
“什麽！沒有酒了？”唐太斯說，他的臉色漸漸變白了，看着老人那深陷的雙頰，又看看那空空的碗櫃——“什麽！沒有酒了？父親，你缺錢用嗎？”
“我衹要見到了你，就什麽都不缺了。”老人說。
“可是，”唐太斯擦了一把額頭上的冷汗，囁嚅地說，——“可是三個月前我臨走的時候給你留下過兩百法郎呀。”
“是的，是的，愛德蒙，一點兒不錯。但你當時忘了你還欠我們鄰居卡德魯斯一筆小債。他跟我提起了這件事，對我說，假如我不代你還債，他就會去找莫雷爾先生，去嚮他討還，所以，為了免得你受影響……”
“那麽？”
“哪，我就把錢還給他了。”
“可是，”唐太斯叫了起來，“我欠了卡德魯斯一百四十法朗埃！”
“不錯。”老人吶吶地說。
“那就是說你就從我留給你的兩百法朗裏抽出來還了他了？”
老人做了一個肯定的表示。
“這麽說，三個月來你就衹靠六十個法朗來維持生活！”青年自言自語地說。
“你知道我花銷不大。”老人說。
“噢，上帝饒恕我吧！”愛德蒙哭着跪到了老人的面前。
“你這是怎麽了？”
“你使我感到太傷心了！”
“這沒什麽，孩子。”老人說，“我一看到你，就什麽都忘了，現在一切都好了。”
“是啊，我回來了，”青年說，“帶着一個幸福遠大的前程和一點錢回來了。看，父親，看！”他說，“拿着吧——拿着，趕快叫人去買點東西。”說着他翻開口袋，把錢全倒在桌子上，一共有十幾塊金洋，五六塊艾居［法國銀幣名。］和一些小零幣。老唐太斯的臉上頓時展開了笑容。
“這些錢是誰的？”他問。
“是我的！你的！我們的！拿着吧，去買些吃的東西。快活些，明天我們還會有更多的。”
“小聲點，輕點聲，”老人微笑着說。”我還是把你的錢節省點用吧——因為大傢要是看見我一次買了那麽多的東西，就會說我非得等着你回來才能買得起那些東西。”
“隨你便吧，但最重要的，父親，該先雇一個傭人。我决不再讓你獨自一個人長期孤零零地生活了。我私下帶了一些咖啡和上等煙草，現在都放在船上的小箱子裏，明天早晨我就可以拿來給你了。噓，別出聲！有人來了。”
“是卡德魯斯，他一定是聽到了你回來的消息，知道你交了好運了，來嚮你道賀的。”
“哼！口是心非的傢夥，”愛德蒙輕聲說道。“不過，他畢竟是我們的鄰居，而且還幫過我們的忙，所以我們還是應該表示歡迎的。”
愛德蒙的這句話剛輕聲講完，卡德魯斯那個黑發蓬鬆的頭便出現在門口。他看上去約莫二十五六歲，手裏拿着一塊布料，他原是一個裁縫，這塊布料是他預備拿來做衣服的襯裏用的。
“怎麽！真是你回來了嗎，愛德蒙？”他帶着很重的馬賽口音開口說道，露出滿口白得如象牙一樣的牙齒笑着。
“是的，我回來了，卡德魯斯鄰居，我正準備着想使你高興一下呢。”唐太斯回答道，答話雖彬彬有禮，卻仍掩飾不住他內心的冷淡。
“謝謝，謝謝，不過幸虧我還不需要什麽。倒是有時人傢需要我的幫忙呢。”唐太斯不覺動了一下。“我不是指你，我的孩子。不，不！我借錢給你，你還了我。好鄰居之間這種事是常有的，我們已經兩清了。”
“我們對那些幫助過我們的人是永遠忘不了的。”唐太斯說，“因為我們雖還清了他們的錢，卻還不清負他們的情的。”
“還提它幹什麽？過去的都過去了。讓我們來談談你這次幸運的歸來的事兒吧，孩子。我剛纔到碼頭上去配一塊細花布，碰到了我們的朋友騰格拉爾。‘怎麽！你也在馬賽呀！’我當時就喊了出來。他說：‘是呀。’‘我還以為你在士麥拿呢。’‘不錯，我去過那兒，但現在又回來了。’‘我那親愛的小傢夥愛德蒙他在哪兒，’我問他。騰格拉爾就回答說：‘一定在他父親那兒。’所以我就急忙跑來了，”卡德魯斯接着說，“來高高興興地和老朋友握手。”
“好心的卡德魯斯！”老人說，“他待我們多好啊！”
“是呀，我當然要這樣的，我愛你們，並且敬重你們，天底下好人可不多啊！我的孩子，你好象是發了財回來啦。”裁縫一面說，一面斜眼看着唐太斯拋在桌子上的那一把金幣和銀幣。
青年看出了從他鄰居那黑眼睛裏流露出的貪婪的目光。
他漫不經心地說，“這些錢不是我的，父親看出我擔心，他當我不在的時候缺錢用，為了讓我放心，就把他錢包裏的錢都倒在桌子上給我看。來吧，父親。”唐太斯接着說，“快把這些錢收回到你的箱子裏去吧，——除非我們的鄰居卡德魯斯要用，我們倒是樂意幫這個忙的。”
“不，孩子，不，”卡德魯斯說，“我根本不需要，幹我這行夠吃的了。把你的錢收起來吧，——我說。一個人的錢不一定非得很多，我雖用不上你的錢，但對你的好意我還是很感激的。”
“我可是真心的呀。”唐太斯說。
“那當然，那當然。唔，我聽說你和莫雷爾先生的關係不錯，你這衹得寵的小狗！”
“莫雷爾先生待我一直特別友善。”唐太斯回答。
“那麽他請你吃飯你不該拒絶他呀。”
“什麽！你竟然回絶他請你吃飯？”老唐太斯說。“他邀請過你吃飯嗎？”
“是的，我親愛的父親。”愛德蒙回答。看到父親因自己的兒子得到別人的器重而顯出驚異的神情，便笑了笑。
“孩子呀，你為什麽拒絶呢？”老人問。
“為了快點回來看你呀，我親愛的父親，”青年答道，“我太想你了。”
“但你這樣做一定會使可敬的莫雷爾先生不高興的，”卡德魯斯說。“尤其是當你快要升為船長的時候，是不該在這時得罪船主的。”
“但我已把謝絶的理由嚮他解釋過了，”唐太斯回答，“我想他會諒解的。”
“但是要想當船長，就該對船主恭敬一點纔好。”
“我希望不恭順也能當船長。”唐太斯說。
“那更好，——那更好！你這個消息會讓那些老朋友聽了都高興的，我還知道聖·尼古拉堡那邊有一個人，聽到這個好消息也會高興的。”
“你是說美塞苔絲嗎？”老人說。
“是的，我親愛的父親，現在我已經見過了你，知道你很好，並不缺什麽，我就放心了。請允許我到迦太羅尼亞人的村裏，好嗎？”
“去吧，我親愛的孩子，”老唐太斯說，“望上帝保佑你的妻子，就如同保佑我的兒子一樣！”
“他的妻子！”卡德魯斯說，“你說得太早了點吧，唐太斯老爹。她還沒正式成為他的妻子呢。”
“是這樣的，但從各方面看，她肯定會成為我妻子的。”愛德蒙回答。
“不錯，不錯，”卡德魯斯說，“但你這次回來得很快，做得是對的，我的孩子。”
“你這是什麽意思？”
“因為美塞苔絲是一位非常漂亮的姑娘，而漂亮姑娘總是不乏有人追求的。尤其是她，身後有上打的追求者呢。”
“真的嗎？”愛德蒙雖微笑着回答，但微笑裏卻流露出一點的不安。
“啊，是的，“卡德魯斯又說，“而且都是些條件不錯的人呢，但你知道，你就要做船長了，她怎麽會拒絶你呢？”
“你是說，“唐太斯問道，他微笑着並沒有掩飾住他的焦急，“假如我不是一個船長——”
“唉，唉。”卡德魯斯說。
“得了，得了，”年輕的唐太斯說：“一般說來，對女人，我可比你瞭解的得多，尤其是美塞苔絲。我相信，不論我當不當船長，她都是忠誠於我的。”
“那再好也沒有了，卡德魯斯說。“一個人快要結婚的時候，信心十足總是好事。別管這些了，我的孩子，快去報到吧，並把你的希望告訴她。”
“我就去。”愛德蒙回答他，擁抱了一下他的父親，揮揮手和卡德魯斯告辭，就走出房間去了。
卡德魯斯又呆了一會，便離開老唐太斯，下樓去見騰格拉爾，後者正在西納剋街的拐角上等他。
“怎麽樣，”騰格拉爾說，“你見到他了嗎？”
“我剛從他那兒來。”
“他提到他希望做船長的事了嗎？”
“他說的若有其事，那口氣就好象事情已經决定了似的。”
“別忙！”騰格拉爾說，“依我看，他未免太心急了”。
“怎麽，這件事莫雷爾先生好象已經答應他了啦。”
“這麽說他已經在那兒自鳴得意了嗎？”
“他簡直驕傲得很，已經要來關照我了。好象他是個什麽大人物似的，而且還要借錢給我，好象是一個銀行傢。”
“你拒絶了嗎？”
“當然，雖然我即便是接受了也問心無愧，因為他第一次摸到發亮的銀幣，還是我放到他手裏的。但現在唐太斯先生已不再要人幫忙了，他就要做船長了。”
“呸！”騰格拉爾說，“他現在還沒有做成呢。”
“他還是做不成的好，”卡德魯斯回答，“不然我們就別想再跟他說上話了。”
“假如我們願意可以還讓他爬上去，”騰格拉爾答道，“他爬不上去，或許不如現在呢。”
“你這話是什麽意思？”
“沒什麽，我不過自己這麽說着玩兒罷了。他還愛着那個漂亮的迦太尼亞小妞嗎？”
“簡直愛得發瘋了，但除非是我弄錯了，在這方面他可能要遇到點麻煩了。”
“你說清楚點。”
“我幹嗎要說清楚呢？”
“這件事或許比你想象得還要重要，你不喜歡唐太斯對吧？”
“我一嚮不喜歡目空一切的人。”
“那麽關於迦太羅尼亞人的事，把你所知道的都告訴我吧。”
“我所知道的可都不怎麽確切，衹是就我親眼見的來說，我猜想那位未來的船長會在老醫務所路附近。”
“你知道些什麽事，告訴我！”
“是這樣的，我每次看見美塞苔絲進城時，總有一個身材魁梧高大的迦太羅尼亞小夥子陪着她，那個人有一對黑色的眼睛，膚色褐中透紅，很神氣很威武，她叫他表哥。”
“真的！那麽你認為這位表兄在追求她嗎？”
“我衹是這麽想。一個身材魁梧的二十幾歲的小夥子，對一個漂亮的十七歲的少女還能有什麽別的想法呢？”
“你說唐太斯已到迦太羅尼亞人那兒去了嗎”？
“我沒有下樓他就去了。”
“那我們就到這條路上去吧，我們可以在瑞瑟夫酒傢那兒等着，一面喝拉瑪爾格酒，一面聽聽消息。”
“誰嚮我們通消息呢？”
“我們在半路上等着他呀，看一下他的神色怎麽樣，就知道了。”
“走吧，”卡德魯斯說，“但話說在前面，你來付酒錢。”
“那當然，”騰格拉爾說道。他們快步走嚮約定的地點，要了瓶酒。
邦非爾老爹看見唐太斯在十分鐘以前剛剛過去。他們既確知了他還在迦太羅尼亞人的村裏。便在長着嫩葉的梧桐樹下和大楓樹底下坐下來。頭上的樹枝間，小鳥們正在動人地合唱着，歌唱春天的好時光。
（第二章完）
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We will leave Danglars struggling with the demon of hatred, and endeavoring to insinuate in the ear of the shipowner some evil suspicions against his comrade, and follow Dantes, who, after having traversed La Canebiere, took the Rue de Noailles, and entering a small house, on the left of the Allees de Meillan, rapidly ascended four flights of a dark staircase, holding the baluster with one hand, while with the other he repressed the beatings of his heart, and paused before a half-open door, from which he could see the whole of a small room.
This room was occupied by Dantes' father. The news of the arrival of the Pharaon had not yet reached the old man, who, mounted on a chair, was amusing himself by training with trembling hand the nasturtiums and sprays of clematis that clambered over the trellis at his window. Suddenly, he felt an arm thrown around his body, and a well-known voice behind him exclaimed, "Father -- dear father!"
The old man uttered a cry, and turned round; then, seeing his son, he fell into his arms, pale and trembling.
"What ails you, my dearest father? Are you ill?" inquired the young man, much alarmed.
"No, no, my dear Edmond -- my boy -- my son! -- no; but I did not expect you; and joy, the surprise of seeing you so suddenly -- Ah, I feel as if I were going to die."
"Come, come, cheer up, my dear father! 'Tis I -- really I! They say joy never hurts, and so I came to you without any warning. Come now, do smile, instead of looking at me so solemnly. Here I am back again, and we are going to be happy."
"Yes, yes, my boy, so we will -- so we will," replied the old man; "but how shall we be happy? Shall you never leave me again? Come, tell me all the good fortune that has befallen you."
"God forgive me," said the young man, "for rejoicing at happiness derived from the misery of others, but, Heaven knows, I did not seek this good fortune; it has happened, and I really cannot pretend to lament it. The good Captain Leclere is dead, father, and it is probable that, with the aid of M. Morrel, I shall have his place. Do you understand, father? Only imagine me a captain at twenty, with a hundred louis pay, and a share in the profits! Is this not more than a poor sailor like me could have hoped for?"
"Yes, my dear boy," replied the old man, "it is very fortunate."
"Well, then, with the first money I touch, I mean you to have a small house, with a garden in which to plant clematis, nasturtiums, and honeysuckle. But what ails you, father? Are you not well?"
"'Tis nothing, nothing; it will soon pass away" -- and as he said so the old man's strength failed him, and he fell backwards.
"Come, come," said the young man, "a glass of wine, father, will revive you. Where do you keep your wine?"
"No, no; thanks. You need not look for it; I do not want it," said the old man.
"Yes, yes, father, tell me where it is," and he opened two or three cupboards.
"It is no use," said the old man, "there is no wine."
"What, no wine?" said Dantes, turning pale, and looking alternately at the hollow cheeks of the old man and the empty cupboards. "What, no wine? Have you wanted money, father?"
"I want nothing now that I have you," said the old man.
"Yet," stammered Dantes, wiping the perspiration from his brow, -- "yet I gave you two hundred francs when I left, three months ago."
"Yes, yes, Edmond, that is true, but you forgot at that time a little debt to our neighbor, Caderousse. He reminded me of it, telling me if I did not pay for you, he would be paid by M. Morrel; and so, you see, lest he might do you an injury" --
"Well?"
"Why, I paid him."
"But," cried Dantes, "it was a hundred and forty francs I owed Caderousse."
"Yes," stammered the old man.
"And you paid him out of the two hundred francs I left you?"
The old man nodded.
"So that you have lived for three months on sixty francs," muttered Edmond.
"You know how little I require," said the old man.
"Heaven pardon me," cried Edmond, falling on his knees before his father.
"What are you doing?"
"You have wounded me to the heart."
"Never mind it, for I see you once more," said the old man; "and now it's all over -- everything is all right again."
"Yes, here I am," said the young man, "with a promising future and a little money. Here, father, here!" he said, "take this -- take it, and send for something immediately." And he emptied his pockets on the table, the contents consisting of a dozen gold pieces, five or six five-franc pieces, and some smaller coin. The countenance of old Dantes brightened.
"Whom does this belong to?" he inquired.
"To me, to you, to us! Take it; buy some provisions; be happy, and to-morrow we shall have more."
"Gently, gently," said the old man, with a smile; "and by your leave I will use your purse moderately, for they would say, if they saw me buy too many things at a time, that I had been obliged to await your return, in order to be able to purchase them."
"Do as you please; but, first of all, pray have a servant, father. I will not have you left alone so long. I have some smuggled coffee and most capital tobacco, in a small chest in the hold, which you shall have to-morrow. But, hush, here comes somebody."
"'Tis Caderousse, who has heard of your arrival, and no doubt comes to congratulate you on your fortunate return."
"Ah, lips that say one thing, while the heart thinks another," murmured Edmond. "But, never mind, he is a neighbor who has done us a service on a time, so he's welcome."
As Edmond paused, the black and bearded head of Caderousse appeared at the door. He was a man of twenty-five or six, and held a piece of cloth, which, being a tailor, he was about to make into a coat-lining.
"What, is it you, Edmond, back again?" said he, with a broad Marseillaise accent, and a grin that displayed his ivory-white teeth.
"Yes, as you see, neighbor Caderousse; and ready to be agreeable to you in any and every way," replied Dantes, but ill-concealing his coldness under this cloak of civility.
"Thanks -- thanks; but, fortunately, I do not want for anything; and it chances that at times there are others who have need of me." Dantes made a gesture. "I do not allude to you, my boy. No! -- no! I lent you money, and you returned it; that's like good neighbors, and we are quits."
"We are never quits with those who oblige us," was Dantes' reply; "for when we do not owe them money, we owe them gratitude."
"What's the use of mentioning that? What is done is done. Let us talk of your happy return, my boy. I had gone on the quay to match a piece of mulberry cloth, when I met friend Danglars. `You at Marseilles?' -- `Yes,' says he.
"`I thought you were at Smyrna.' -- `I was; but am now back again.'
"`And where is the dear boy, our little Edmond?'
"`Why, with his father, no doubt,' replied Danglars. And so I came," added Caderousse, "as fast as I could to have the pleasure of shaking hands with a friend."
"Worthy Caderousse!" said the old man, "he is so much attached to us."
"Yes, to be sure I am. I love and esteem you, because honest folks are so rare. But it seems you have come back rich, my boy," continued the tailor, looking askance at the handful of gold and silver which Dantes had thrown on the table.
The young man remarked the greedy glance which shone in the dark eyes of his neighbor. "Eh," he said, negligently. "this money is not mine. I was expressing to my father my fears that he had wanted many things in my absence, and to convince me he emptied his purse on the table. Come, father" added Dantes, "put this money back in your box -- unless neighbor Caderousse wants anything, and in that case it is at his service."
"No, my boy, no," said Caderousse. "I am not in any want, thank God, my living is suited to my means. Keep your money -- keep it, I say; -- one never has too much; -- but, at the same time, my boy, I am as much obliged by your offer as if I took advantage of it."
"It was offered with good will," said Dantes.
"No doubt, my boy; no doubt. Well, you stand well with M. Morrel I hear, -- you insinuating dog, you!"
"M. Morrel has always been exceedingly kind to me," replied Dantes.
"Then you were wrong to refuse to dine with him."
"What, did you refuse to dine with him?" said old Dantes; "and did he invite you to dine?"
"Yes, my dear father," replied Edmond, smiling at his father's astonishment at the excessive honor paid to his son.
"And why did you refuse, my son?" inquired the old man.
"That I might the sooner see you again, my dear father," replied the young man. "I was most anxious to see you."
"But it must have vexed M. Morrel, good, worthy man," said Caderousse. "And when you are looking forward to be captain, it was wrong to annoy the owner."
"But I explained to him the cause of my refusal," replied Dantes, "and I hope he fully understood it."
"Yes, but to be captain one must do a little flattery to one's patrons."
"I hope to be captain without that," said Dantes.
"So much the better -- so much the better! Nothing will give greater pleasure to all your old friends; and I know one down there behind the Saint Nicolas citadel who will not be sorry to hear it."
"Mercedes?" said the old man.
"Yes, my dear father, and with your permission, now I have seen you, and know you are well and have all you require, I will ask your consent to go and pay a visit to the Catalans."
"Go, my dear boy," said old Dantes: "and heaven bless you in your wife, as it has blessed me in my son!"
"His wife!" said Caderousse; "why, how fast you go on, father Dantes; she is not his wife yet, as it seems to me."
"So, but according to all probability she soon will be," replied Edmond.
"Yes -- yes," said Caderousse; "but you were right to return as soon as possible, my boy."
"And why?"
"Because Mercedes is a very fine girl, and fine girls never lack followers; she particularly has them by dozens."
"Really?" answered Edmond, with a smile which had in it traces of slight uneasiness.
"Ah, yes," continued Caderousse, "and capital offers, too; but you know, you will be captain, and who could refuse you then?"
"Meaning to say," replied Dantes, with a smile which but ill-concealed his trouble, "that if I were not a captain" --
"Eh -- eh!" said Caderousse, shaking his head.
"Come, come," said the sailor, "I have a better opinion than you of women in general, and of Mercedes in particular; and I am certain that, captain or not, she will remain ever faithful to me."
"So much the better -- so much the better," said Caderousse. "When one is going to be married, there is nothing like implicit confidence; but never mind that, my boy, -- go and announce your arrival, and let her know all your hopes and prospects."
"I will go directly," was Edmond's reply; and, embracing his father, and nodding to Caderousse, he left the apartment.
Caderousse lingered for a moment, then taking leave of old Dantes, he went downstairs to rejoin Danglars, who awaited him at the corner of the Rue Senac.
"Well," said Danglars, "did you see him?"
"I have just left him," answered Caderousse.
"Did he allude to his hope of being captain?"
"He spoke of it as a thing already decided."
"Indeed!" said Danglars, "he is in too much hurry, it appears to me."
"Why, it seems M. Morrel has promised him the thing."
"So that he is quite elated about it?"
"Why, yes, he is actually insolent over the matter -- has already offered me his patronage, as if he were a grand personage, and proffered me a loan of money, as though he were a banker."
"Which you refused?"
"Most assuredly; although I might easily have accepted it, for it was I who put into his hands the first silver he ever earned; but now M. Dantes has no longer any occasion for assistance -- he is about to become a captain."
"Pooh!" said Danglars, "he is not one yet."
"Ma foi, it will be as well if he is not," answered Caderousse; "for if he should be, there will be really no speaking to him."
"If we choose," replied Danglars, "he will remain what he is; and perhaps become even less than he is."
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing -- I was speaking to myself. And is he still in love with the Catalane?"
"Over head and ears; but, unless I am much mistaken, there will be a storm in that quarter."
"Explain yourself."
"Why should I?"
"It is more important than you think, perhaps. You do not like Dantes?"
"I never like upstarts."
"Then tell me all you know about the Catalane."
"I know nothing for certain; only I have seen things which induce me to believe, as I told you, that the future captain will find some annoyance in the vicinity of the Vieilles Infirmeries."
"What have you seen? -- come, tell me!"
"Well, every time I have seen Mercedes come into the city she has been accompanied by a tall, strapping, black-eyed Catalan, with a red complexion, brown skin, and fierce air, whom she calls cousin."
"Really; and you think this cousin pays her attentions?"
"I only suppose so. What else can a strapping chap of twenty-one mean with a fine wench of seventeen?"
"And you say that Dantes has gone to the Catalans?"
"He went before I came down."
"Let us go the same way; we will stop at La Reserve, and we can drink a glass of La Malgue, whilst we wait for news."
"Come along," said Caderousse; "but you pay the score."
"Of course," replied Danglars; and going quickly to the designated place, they called for a bottle of wine, and two glasses.
Pere Pamphile had seen Dantes pass not ten minutes before; and assured that he was at the Catalans, they sat down under the budding foliage of the planes and sycamores, in the branches of which the birds were singing their welcome to one of the first days of spring.