Page:The Count of Monte-Cristo (1887 Volume 2).djvu/311

293 "'Woman!'

"'The road takes a turn-he is obliged to follow it-whilst alongside of the canal there is a shorter road."

"'Woman!—you offend God! There!—listen!'

"And at this moment there was heard a tremendous peal of thunder, whilst the livid lightning illumined the room; and the thunder, then rolling away to a distance, seemed as though it left the cursed abode lingeringly. 'Mercy!' said Caderousse, crossing himself.

"At the same moment, and in the midst of the silence so full of terror which usually follows claps of thunder, they heard a knocking at the door. Caderousse and his wife started and looked aghast at each other.

"'Who's there?' cried Caderousse, rising, and drawing up in a heap the gold and notes scattered over the table, and which he covered with his two hands.

"'It is I,' shouted a voice.

"'And who are you?'

"'Why, Joannes the jeweler.'

"'Well, and you said I offended God,' said La Carconte, with a horrid smile. "Why, it is God who sends him back again.' Caderousse fell back, pale and breathless, in his chair.

"La Carconte, on the contrary, rose, and going with a firm step toward the door, opened it, saying, as she did so:

"'Come in, dear M. Joannes.'

"'Ma foi!' said the jeweler, drenched with rain, 'it seems as if I was not to return to Beaucaire to-night. The shortest follies are best, my dear Caderousse. You offered me hospitality, and I accept it; and have returned to sleep beneath your friendly roof.'

"Caderousse stammered out some words, whilst he wiped away the damp that started to his brow. La Carconte double-locked the door behind the jeweler."