Stories to remember - Chapter 37

THE MEETING

Mercedes begged Monte Cristo to spare Albert's life.

'I know you've suffered,' she said, 'but, Edmond, I too have suffered.'

'You haven't suffered for your father dying of hunger. You haven't seen the one you loved giving her hand to your rival while you rotted in a prison cell,' said Monte Cristo.

'No,' she said 'but I've seen him whom I loved on the point of murdering my son.'

She said this so sadly that Monte Cristo, at last, gave in.

'Very well,' he said, 'I forgive your son. I won't kill him tomorrow. He'll kill me instead.'

Mercedes started, and looked at Monte Cristo in surprise.

'But no!' she said. 'If you forgive him, there won't be a duel.'

'Of course there will,' said Monte Cristo. 'He has challenged me, and if I'm not there tomorrow at eight o'clock, I'll be disgraced before the world. No, Mercedes, there will be a duel, but I'll aim my pistol so as not to hit him. Instead of your son's blood staining the ground, it will be mine.'

'Oh no, Edmond, I trust in God as I trust you. Do I have your word that you will spare Albert tomorrow morning?'

Monte Cristo nodded. 'You have my promise.'

'Thank you, Edmond!' said Mercedes. 'I see you're still as noble as I always knew you to be and I have faith also that God will not allow you to be killed tomorrow. Thank you again, and goodbye!'

When she had gone, Monte Cristo turned to a mirror and looked at his reflection. 'What a fool I was!' he said. 'What a fool not to have torn my heart out on the day I vowed to revenge myself!'

The next morning, at eight o'clock, a little group of people waited under the trees in the Forest of Vincennes. It was the time appointed for the duel. Monte Cristo and his friends were there, Albert's friends were there, but Albert himself had not yet arrived. What had happened to him?

At five minutes past eight, Albert arrived at last. He jumped quickly out of his carriage. 'I wish to say something to the Count of Monte Cristo,' he said.

He turned to the people around him. 'You may all listen, for this is something which is concerns you all.'

Then he stood face to face with the Count.

'Sir,' he said in a voice full of emotion. 'I said that you had no right to punish my father. I have now learnt that you do have that right---not to revenge yourself on the Count of Morcerf for his betrayal of Ali Pacha, but for his treachery to you many years ago. I know now the suffering and misery which you endured as a result of his treachery. I say now that you had a right to take revenge, not on the Count of Morcerf but on Fernand Mondego; and I, his son, thank you for not making your revenge even greater.'