Page:The Count of Monte-Cristo (1887 Volume 2).djvu/314

296 "Caderousse shut the door, while La Carconte lighted a candle by the smoldering ashes.

"'You must be tired,' said she to the jeweler; 'I have spread a pair of sheets on your bed, so you have nothing to do but to sleep as soundly as I wish you may.'

"Joannes remained a short time listening whether the storm seemed to abate in its fury, but when he had assured himself that the violence of the rain and thunder increased, he bade his host good-night, and mounted the stairs.

"As he passed over my head, I heard the flooring creak beneath his tread. The quick, eager glance of La Carconte followed him as he ascended the staircase, while Caderousse, on the contrary, turned his back, and seemed most anxiously to avoid even glancing at him.

"All these particulars did not strike me at the time as they have since done; in fact, all that had happened (with the exception of the story of the diamond, which certainly did wear an air of improbability) appeared natural enough; but, worn out as I was with fatigue, and purposing to proceed onward directly the tempest abated, I determined to take a few hours' sleep.

"Overhead I could accurately distinguish every movement of the jeweler, who, after making the best arrangements in his power for passing a comfortable night, threw himself on his bed, and I could hear it creak beneath his weight.

"Insensibly my eyelids grew heavy, and having no suspicion of any thing wrong, I sought not to shake off the sleepy feeling. For the last time I looked in upon the room where Caderousse and his wife were sitting; the former was seated upon one of those low wooden stools which in country places are frequently used instead of chairs; his back being turned toward me, prevented me from seeing the expression of his countenance neither should I have been able to do so had he been placed differently, as his head was buried between his two ham Is. La Carconte gazed on him for some time; then, shrugging up her shoulders, she took her seat immediately opposite to him.

"At this moment the expiring embers caught a piece of wood that lay near, and a bright gleam was thrown on the scene and the actors in it. La Carconte still kept her eyes fixed on her husband, but as he made no sign of changing his position, she extended her hard, bony hand, and touched him on the forehead.

"Caderousse shuddered. The woman's lips seemed to move, as though she were talking; but whether she merely spoke in an undertone, or that my senses were dulled by sleep, I did not catch a word she uttered. There was a mist before my eyes, and that dreamy feeling which pre-