Stories to remember - Chapter 2

DANTE COMES HOME

Near the harbour of Marseilles lived a beautiful young girl. Her hair was black as jet and her eyes were dark and soft as velvet. Her name was Mercedes. She lived alone, for her father and mother had died some years ago.

As the Pharaon was lying in the harbour, she sat at home talking to her cousin, Fernand Mondego, a young man of twenty. 

Fernand was a slodier. He had asked Mercedes many times to marry him, but she had always refused because she was in love with Edmond Dantes. So Fernand the soldier hated Edmond the sailor.

While Fernand and Mercedes were talking together, Dante was getting ready to leave his ship. He said goodbye to his ship-mates and walked ashore. First he went to his father's house. His father looked old and weak, and there was neither food nor wine in the house.

'Father, what has happened?' cried Dante. 'I gave you two hundred francs when I set out on my voyage.' 

'Yes, Edmond,' said his father, 'but there was our neighbour, Caderousse. You owed him a hundred and forty francs. He threatened to go to Monsieur Morrel if I did not repay him.'

So the old man had paid Caderousse one hundred and forty francs and had lived for the past three months on only sixty francs. Dante was very upset. He gave his father some money and asked him to buy food and wine for himself as soon as possible.

'Don't worry, there will be plenty more money,' he said 'for I have been appointed captain of the Pharaon for her next voyage.'

As Dante was speaking, Caderousse came into the room. He had heard what Dante had said.

'Congratulations,' said Caderousse, 'on your good fortune.' 

Dante thanked him and tried not to show his dislike of the man. Then he said that he must see Mercedes. He wanted to arrange to marry her on the following day.

'You seem to be in a hurry,' said Caderousse.

'Yes,' replied Dante. 'I must make a trip to Paris as soon as possible, and I wish to be married before I go.'

'Why must you go to Paris?' asked his father.

'To carry out the last request of poor Captain Leclere,' replied Dante.

So saying, he hurried out of the house. When he had gone, Caderousse also went outside where Danglars, the supercargo, was waiting for him.

'Ah, there you are!' said Danglars. 'Did you see him? What did he say?'

'He already talks as though he were captain of the Pharaon,' replied Caderousse.

Danglars' face turned crimson with anger and his voice was wild. 'He shall not become captain if I can help it!' he cried.