TO THOSE WHO LOVE FANFAR.
Night was coming on. The last rays of the setting sun shone on the water
at Havre.
Down on the shore among the rocks, was a fisherman's hut; in it was a
man alone; he was restlessly pacing to and fro. Occasionally he stopped
and seemed to listen, but he only heard the lapping of the water on the
beach. Hour after hour elapsed; he seemed to be waiting for some one.
Suddenly he started; he heard a stone fall. He went to the door and
looked out. Two figures were to be seen dimly in the fog. He waited a
minute, and then he said, "Whom do you seek?"
A brief silence, and a sweet voice replied, "Fanfar."
The two shadows were two women--Francoise and Caillette.
The young man seized a lamp and went to meet them.
"But Fanfar! where is Fanfar?" asked Caillette.
Presently other steps were heard.
"Whom do you seek?" asked the young man, once more.
"Fanfar!" answered a trembling voice.
And under the yellow rays of the lamp two more women were seen--Irene de
Salves and Francine. When the latter beheld Arthur de Montferrand she
started, while Irene impulsively pronounced his name.
They all entered the cottage, and looked around the room anxiously. The
same name was on every lip. Fanfar, where was he?
The night after Fanfar had been carried to the hotel Fongereues, a
mysterious note had been sent to Irene, to Francine, and Caillette.
"_To all who love Fanfar:_
"Repair at once to Havre. Go to the cottage of the fisherman Pierre.
Wait! Hope!"
Similar instructions had been sent to Arthur, but to the questions
addressed to him by these four ladies, he could only say that he knew no
more than they.
"We must wait," he said.
"But Gudel?" asked Caillette. "Where is he?"
"I know not," Arthur replied, "and yet I am almost sure that these notes
are from him."
Caillette went to Irene's side. The poor girl loved Fanfar with all her
heart, and she believed that he was lost to her, for if by a miracle she
were to see him again it would be as Irene's lover. But she accepted the
sacrifice. She said in a low voice to Irene:
"I am glad you came, for you love him."
Irene pressed her hand; she could not speak.
Suddenly Irene started, her instinct had told her the truth.
"And you," she exclaimed, "you also love him."
The two girls embraced each other tenderly. All this time Francoise sat
perfectly silent, she was content now that Cinette was near her, but
still she thought of Jacques with longing.
Where was old Labarre?
Arthur leaned against the window looking out into the night, and
listening to the voice of the waters. He had long since discovered that
he loved Francine, and he said to himself:
"If I restore her brother to her, she may learn to love me."
And now he waited anxiously for a signal, which would give him the right
to speak a word of hope to this little group of friends. He uttered a
little exclamation.
"Come here!" he cried, gayly, "come here, and look out!"
From among the dark waters rose a brilliant rocket which, darting
through the air, fell in a shower of brilliant sparks.
The three girls ran to the window. How long were those last moments of
waiting. Finally the measured beat of oars was heard, the prow of a boat
struck against the pebbly beach, and shadows were seen coming toward the
cottage. The door opened.
Irene and Caillette burst into tears.
Francine cried, "Fanfar! my brother!"
"Zounds!" cried Gudel, "it was not such an easy matter getting here."
Fanfar sank on his knees before Francoise. "My poor mother!" he
exclaimed.
And the invalid took Fanfar's head in her trembling hands, and kissed
him tenderly.
"And Bobichel! you here, too!" cried Caillette, overjoyed.
Irene went to Fanfar's side. "I have come," she said, quietly.
Without leaving his mother he took the girl's fair hand and pressed it
to his lips.
Arthur began to question Gudel, and from him learned the whole truth.
The friends, after Fanfar's body was removed, decided on reflection that
Cyprien was the sole person who could aid them. At first he refused to
give them the smallest information, but finally he was made to speak.
They went to the Hotel de Fongereues, but the sad party had left for
Alsace. Two leagues away they were overtaken however. Labarre was told
the whole truth. Fanfar was liberated, and restored to life by the
physician whom Gudel had brought with him. The Marquis de Fongereues
went on to the chateau with the body of the Vicomte.
"And Labarre, where is he?"
"In the boat waiting for us, but I have not yet told you all. We should
have made an end of Cyprien, for he threatened to denounce us. The only
thing for Fanfar is to flee the country. A quarter of a league from
shore a vessel awaits us. Come, Fanfar, there is no time to lose, you
know that you start for America to-night."
There was a long silence. Labarre entered.
"Marquis," he said, "it is time."
There was a startled exclamation. Whom did he salute by this title?
Fanfar rose.
"Do not call me by this name. I am Jacques, the adopted son of Simon
Fougere."
Irene went to him.
"Jacques," she said, "you long since bade me seek to make myself loved.
Have I followed your advice?"
"I love you," answered Fanfar, simply.
"Do you wish me to become your wife?"
Caillette uttered a smothered exclamation.
"Fanfar," she said, "the lady loves you truly."
The young man pressed his hand upon his eyes.
"Thanks," he said, "your hearts are all noble and good."
"Come one and all!" cried Iron Jaws, gayly.
"Are you going?" asked Arthur.
Francine replied with downcast eyes: "Can I leave my brother?"
"Then I too will go," Arthur exclaimed, "I too will begin to take life
seriously, if you will aid me."
* * * * *
After the Vicomte de Talizac was buried, the Marquis disappeared and was
no more heard of. Magdalena committed suicide. Bobichel married
Caillette, whom he adored as much as he adored Fanfar. Francoise and
Labarre neither of them lived long. Cyprien continued to act as spy for
the French government. And La Roulante was assassinated in a drunken
frolic.
This was the story of Fanfar, which we have completed, for Fanfar's
modesty was too great to allow him to say what we have said for him.
The party all went to Algeria, intending thence to start for America,
but finally decided to remain where French activity finds such a wide
field. They lived contented and happy, forgotten and forgetting.
"And I am truly thankful," said Fanfar, in conclusion, extending his
hand to Monte-Cristo, "that I have been permitted to utilize my former
talents for your benefit."
Monte-Cristo lingered a week or more that Esperance might recover from
his fatigue of both body and mind, but the day finally came when the
caravan started for France.
"Monsieur Fanfar," said the Count, "are we never to meet again?"
"Ah! who can say!" and Fanfar smiled. "I shall never forget my beloved
France, and I am sometimes sick with longing to return."
"Then, some day if I need you for the protection of my son, and send for
you," said Monte-Cristo, "you will come?"
"I swear that I will." And Fanfar laid his hand on the boy's head.
"We will all swear!" cried Iron Jaws. "The son of Monte-Cristo is sacred
to us. Who ever touches a hair of his head shall suffer."
We have now to learn how Fanfar and his friends kept this promise.