The Count of Monte Cristo

Back Forward Menu

escape; two ladders were hidden in the clover-field; a cabriolet was
ordered for Maximilian alone, without a servant, without lights; at the
turning of the first street they would light the lamps, as it would be
foolish to attract the notice of the police by too many precautions.
Occasionally he shuddered; he thought of the moment when, from the
top of that wall, he should protect the descent of his dear Valentine,
pressing in his arms for the first time her of whom he had yet only
kissed the delicate hand.

When the afternoon arrived and he felt that the hour was drawing near,
he wished for solitude, his agitation was extreme; a simple question
from a friend would have irritated him. He shut himself in his room, and
tried to read, but his eye glanced over the page without understanding
a word, and he threw away the book, and for the second time sat down
to sketch his plan, the ladders and the fence. At length the hour
drew near. Never did a man deeply in love allow the clocks to go on
peacefully. Morrel tormented his so effectually that they struck eight