Page:The Count of Monte-Cristo (1887 Volume 2).djvu/161

143 my skill in all bodily exercises, and the indifference to danger I have gradually acquired, I should be almost certain to kill my man. Oh! I would fight for such a cause; but in return for a slow, profound, eternal torture, I would give back the same, were it possible: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, as the Orientals say, our masters in everything; those favored creatures who have formed for themselves a life of dreams and a paradise of realities."

"But," said Franz to the count, "with this theory, which renders you at once judge and executioner of your own cause, it would be difficult to adopt a course that would forever prevent your falling under the power of the law. Hatred is blind; rage carries you away; and he who pours out vengeance, runs the risk of tasting a bitter draught."

"Yes, if he be poor and inexperienced; not if he be rich and skillful; besides, the worst that could happen to him would be the punishment of which we have already spoken, and which the philanthropic French Eevolution has substituted for being torn to pieces by horses or broken on the wheel. What matters this punishment, as long as he is avenged? On my word, I almost regret that in all probability this miserable Peppino will not be decapitato, as you might have seen how short a time the punishment lasts, and whether it is worth even mentioning; but, really, this is a most singular conversation for the Carnival, gentlemen; how did it arise? Ah! I recollect, you asked for a place at my window; you shall have it; but let me first sit down to table, for here comes the servant to inform us breakfast is ready."

As he spoke, a servant opened one of the four doors of the salon, saying:

"Al suo commodo!"

The two young men rose and entered the breakfast-room.

During the meal, which was excellent, and admirably served, Franz looked repeatedly at Albert, in order to remark the impression which he doubted not had been made on him by the words of their entertainer; but whether with his usual carelessness Albert had paid but little attention to him, whether the explanation of the Count of Monte-Cristo with regard to duelling had satisfied him, or whether the events which Franz knew of had a double effect on him alone, he remarked that his compan ion did not pay the least regard to them, but, on the contrary, ate like a man who for the last four or five months had been condemned to partake of Italian cookery that is, the worst in the world.

As for the count, he just touched the dishes; he seemed as if he fulfilled the duties of simple politeness by sitting down with his gue and awaited their departure to be served with some strange or more delicate food.