Alexandre Dumas: The Count of Monte Cristo

Chapter 77: Haidee. (continued)

"The noise increased; steps were heard approaching nearer and nearer: they were descending the steps leading to the cavern. Selim made ready his lance. Soon a figure appeared in the gray twilight at the entrance of the cave, formed by the reflection of the few rays of daylight which had found their way into this gloomy retreat. `Who are you?' cried Selim. `But whoever you may be, I charge you not to advance another step.' -- `Long live the emperor!' said the figure. `He grants a full pardon to the Vizier Ali, and not only gives him his life, but restores to him his fortune and his possessions.' My mother uttered a cry of joy, and clasped me to her bosom. `Stop,' said Selim, seeing that she was about to go out; `you see I have not yet received the ring,' -- `True,' said my mother. And she fell on her knees, at the same time holding me up towards heaven, as if she desired, while praying to God in my behalf, to raise me actually to his presence."

And for the second time Haidee stopped, overcome by such violent emotion that the perspiration stood upon her pale brow, and her stifled voice seemed hardly able to find utterance, so parched and dry were her throat and lips. Monte Cristo poured a little iced water into a glass, and presented it to her, saying with a mildness in which was also a shade of command, -- "Courage."

Haidee dried her eyes, and continued: "By this time our eyes, habituated to the darkness, had recognized the messenger of the pasha, -- it was a friend. Selim had also recognized him, but the brave young man only acknowledged one duty, which was to obey. `In whose name do you come?' said he to him. `I come in the name of our master, Ali Tepelini.' -- `If you come from Ali himself,' said Selim, `you know what you were charged to remit to me?' -- `Yes,' said the messenger, `and I bring you his ring.' At these words he raised his hand above his head, to show the token; but it was too far off, and there was not light enough to enable Selim, where he was standing, to distinguish and recognize the object presented to his view. `I do not see what you have in your hand,' said Selim. `Approach then,' said the messenger, `or I will come nearer to you, if you prefer it.' -- `I will agree to neither one nor the other,' replied the young soldier; `place the object which I desire to see in the ray of light which shines there, and retire while I examine it.' -- `Be it so,' said the envoy; and he retired, after having first deposited the token agreed on in the place pointed out to him by Selim.