The Count of Monte Cristo

Back Forward Menu

"Do you say so now, Mercedes?--then what would you say if you knew the
extent of the sacrifice I make to you? Suppose that the Supreme Being,
after having created the world and fertilized chaos, had paused in the
work to spare an angel the tears that might one day flow for mortal sins
from her immortal eyes; suppose that when everything was in readiness
and the moment had come for God to look upon his work and see that it
was good--suppose he had snuffed out the sun and tossed the world back
into eternal night--then--even then, Mercedes, you could not imagine
what I lose in sacrificing my life at this moment." Mercedes looked at
the count in a way which expressed at the same time her astonishment,
her admiration, and her gratitude. Monte Cristo pressed his forehead on
his burning hands, as if his brain could no longer bear alone the weight
of its thoughts. "Edmond," said Mercedes, "I have but one word more to
say to you." The count smiled bitterly. "Edmond," continued she, "you
will see that if my face is pale, if my eyes are dull, if my beauty is
gone; if Mercedes, in short, no longer resembles her former self in her
features, you will see that her heart is still the same. Adieu, then,