"We must go," replied Villefort, offering his arm.The others, attracted by curiosity, were already scattered in different parts of the house; for they thought the visit would not be limited to the one room, and that, at the same time, they would obtain a view of the rest of the building, of which Monte Cristo had created a palace.Each one went out by the open doors.Monte Cristo waited for the two who remained; then, when they had passed, he brought up the rear, and on his face was a smile, which, if they could have understood it, would have alarmed them much more than a visit to the room they were about to enter.They began by walking through the apartments, many of which were fitted up in the Eastern style, with cushions and divans instead of beds, and pipes instead of furniture.The drawing-rooms were decorated with the rarest pictures by the old masters, the boudoirs hung with draperies from China, of fanciful colors, fantastic design, and wonderful texture.At length they arrived at the famous room.There was nothing particular about it, excepting that, although daylight had disappeared, it was not lighted, and everything in it was old-fashioned, while the rest of the rooms had been redecorated.These two causes were enough to give it a gloomy aspect."Oh." cried Madame de Villefort, "it is really frightful." Madame Danglars tried to utter a few words, but was not heard.Many observations were made, the import of which was a unanimous opinion that there was something sinister about the room.
"Is it not so?" asked Monte Cristo."Look at that large clumsy bed, hung with such gloomy, blood-colored drapery!
And those two crayon portraits, that have faded from the dampness; do they not seem to say, with their pale lips and staring eyes, `We have seen'?" Villefort became livid;Madame Danglars fell into a long seat placed near the chimney."Oh," said Madame de Villefort, smiling, "are you courageous enough to sit down upon the very seat perhaps upon which the crime was committed?" Madame Danglars rose suddenly.
"And then," said Monte Cristo, "this is not all.""What is there more?" said Debray, who had not failed to notice the agitation of Madame Danglars.
"Ah, what else is there?" said Danglars; "for, at present, Icannot say that I have seen anything extraordinary.What do you say, M.Cavalcanti?""Ah," said he, "we have at Pisa, Ugolino's tower; at Ferrara, Tasso's prison; at Rimini, the room of Francesca and Paolo.""Yes, but you have not this little staircase," said Monte Cristo, opening a door concealed by the drapery."Look at it, and tell me what you think of it.""What a wicked-looking, crooked staircase," said Chateau-Renaud with a smile.
"I do not know whether the wine of Chios produces melancholy, but certainly everything appears to me black in this house," said Debray.
Ever since Valentine's dowry had been mentioned, Morrel had been silent and sad."Can you imagine," said Monte Cristo, "some Othello or Abbe de Ganges, one stormy, dark night, descending these stairs step by step, carrying a load, which he wishes to hide from the sight of man, if not from God?"Madame Danglars half fainted on the arm of Villefort, who was obliged to support himself against the wall."Ah, madame," cried Debray, "what is the matter with you? how pale you look!""It is very evident what is the matter with her," said Madame de Villefort; "M.de Monte Cristo is relating horrible stories to us, doubtless intending to frighten us to death.""Yes," said Villefort, "really, count, you frighten the ladies.""What is the matter?" asked Debray, in a whisper, of Madame Danglars.
"Nothing," she replied with a violent effort."I want air, that is all.""Will you come into the garden?" said Debray, advancing towards the back staircase.
"No, no," she answered, "I would rather remain here.""Are you really frightened, madame?" said Monte Cristo.
