JOY UNBOUNDED.
The news of the result of Luigi Vampa's trial spread with the utmost
rapidity throughout Rome and occasioned the wildest rejoicing, still
further augmenting the popularity of Monte-Cristo and Captain Morrel,
who were credited by the Roman populace with having brought about the
dreaded brigand chief's conviction and inspired his sentence.
Everywhere, while the vast importance of old Pasquale Solara's testimony
was recognized and admitted, the wretched shepherd himself was execrated
as an unnatural, heartless father, as a diabolical scoundrel without a
single redeeming trait. The fact of his having turned State's evidence
saved him from the heavy hand of the law, but his mortal wound would
soon rid the world of him and this circumstance occasioned hearty
congratulation in all quarters.
The morning succeeding Vampa's trial a messenger arrived at the Hotel de
France from the Count Massetti, bearing a brief note in which the aged
nobleman begged his son to come to him at once. Giovanni exhibited this
note triumphantly to Zuleika and the friends who had labored so
untiringly and successfully in his cause, and, together with the Count
of Monte-Cristo and M. Morrel, immediately repaired to the Palazzo
Massetti in Monte-Cristo's barouche. The old Count received his son with
open arms and cordially greeted Monte-Cristo and Maximilian.
"Giovanni," said he, frankly, "I admit that I was wrong, that I was led
astray by what seemed to me to be convincing proof. My pride and honor
revolted at the stain apparently cast upon them and I acted as almost
any Roman father would have done. I acknowledge that I was hasty, that I
proceeded to extremities without due reflection or examination. These
admissions in the presence of your noble, self-sacrificing friends cost
me dear, but, you observe that I do not shrink from them,
notwithstanding the deep humiliation. I humbly ask your forgiveness and
restore all I have taken from you. Again you are my beloved son and
heir."
The old nobleman paused, greatly affected; his eyes were full of tears,
tears of mingled contrition and delight. The Viscount's emotion was such
that for an instant he was unable to reply. He, however, recovered
control of himself with a mighty effort, and said, in a voice tremulous
with his colossal joy:
"Father, I have nothing to forgive. Appearances warranted all you did,
and I can only thank Heaven that the truth has been developed before it
was too late!"
With these words he threw himself upon the old Patrician's neck. The
Count embraced him, drawing him to his heart and their tears mingled
together, for Giovanni also was weeping now.
Slowly and as if reluctantly releasing his recovered and rehabilitated
son, the Count turned to M. Morrel.
"Captain," he said, "I owe you an ample apology for my haughty and
imperious treatment when you stated to me the object of your mission to
Rome. I tender it at this moment and venture to hope that you will
accept it even though it comes at the eleventh hour!"
"Count," replied Maximilian, "I should be worse than a boor did I not
accept it. Here is my hand in token of my renewed friendship and
esteem."
Old Massetti took the Captain's proffered hand and pressed it warmly.
"You fully sustain the reputation of the great nation to which you
belong," said he, with the utmost cordiality, "--you are as noble as you
are generous!"
"Count," answered M. Morrel, bowing profoundly, "you flatter me! Say
rather that I am a French soldier and as such never shrink from my duty
no matter in what shape it may come!"
"As you please, Captain," returned the aged nobleman, with an agreeable
smile. "To my apology I must, however, add my gratitude for all you have
done to aid Giovanni and in the expression of that gratitude I must
include Mme. Morrel, of whose heroic exploit in the Colosseum and
subsequent devotion to my son in his hour of mental darkness I have
heard."
Maximilian again bowed profoundly.
Advancing to the Count of Monte-Cristo the elder Massetti said:
"Now, your Excellency, it is your turn. Your name and deeds have long
been familiar to me, but to whom are they not familiar! Still, though
you have frequently honored Rome with your illustrious presence, never
have I had the pleasure of meeting you until this happy day when I, too,
am included in the long list of those who have received overwhelming
benefits at your hands. Edmond Dantes, Count of Monte-Cristo, I owe to
you my son's restoration to sanity brought about by little less than a
miracle, a blessing almost as great as his rehabilitation, for which
also I am on the endless roll of your debtors."
Monte-Cristo bowed, but made no reply.
"My debt, vast as it is," continued old Massetti, "is I learn to be yet
further augmented by an alliance between our two houses, and I need not
tell you that this increase of my obligations will be a burden of joy
that I shall accept with thanks to Heaven for the signal favor shown
me!"
Monte-Cristo repeated his bow and said:
"You ratify the compact between our two children then, Count Massetti?"
"With more delight than I can express!" replied the latter,
enthusiastically. "May I ask another favor of your Excellency?" he
added, suddenly.
"Certainly," said Monte-Cristo, somewhat astonished and casting a look
of inquiry at his venerable host.
"In that case," resumed the aged nobleman, "I would like to welcome your
daughter immediately to the Palazzo Massetti!"
"She shall be sent for without an instant's delay," answered
Monte-Cristo. "Giovanni, return in the barouche to the Hotel de France
and bring Zuleika to your father!"
The young man joyously obeyed and in a very short space of time
Monte-Cristo's daughter came timidly and blushingly into the presence of
the Count Massetti, leaning upon the arm of her betrothed, whose
countenance fairly shone with happiness. The youthful pair were
accompanied by Mme. Morrel.
When the presentations had been made, the venerable Patrician stood for
a moment contemplating his future daughter-in-law.
"So this is Zuleika!" he said at length. "She is a beautiful and
charming girl, and I do not doubt that the attractions of her mind are
fully equal to those of her person! My child," he continued, addressing
Monte-Cristo's daughter, "I welcome you to my home and to my heart! Make
Giovanni as happy as I know he will make you! Now, my children, accept a
father's blessing!"
The young couple knelt at the old man's feet and he extended his hands
above their heads. When they arose he took Zuleika in his arms and
tenderly kissed her.
In the general joy Valentine was not forgotten, the aged Count renewing
to her the expression of his gratitude he had previously made to her
husband in her behalf.
It was ultimately arranged that the marriage contract should be signed
within a week, and this formality was complied with in the presence of
many of the young Viscount's relatives, of Monte-Cristo, Mercedes, M.
and Mme. Albert de Morcerf, Esperance and M. and Mme. Morrel, Mercedes
and the Morcerfs having come post-haste to Rome to take part in the
auspicious event. Monte-Cristo gave his daughter the dowry of a Princess
and his liberality was fully matched by that of the Count Massetti who
settled upon Giovanni a fortune equal to that of some oriental
potentate.
The marriage took place in Rome and was a grand affair, the wedding
festivities lasting all day and far into the night. The happy occasion
had the character of a public rejoicing, for the populace grateful to
the Count of Monte-Cristo and Maximilian Morrel for the suppression of
Luigi Vampa and his dangerous outlaws, who for years had been the terror
of rich and poor alike, paraded the streets in vast bodies in honor of
Zuleika's nuptials with the man whom the notorious brigand chief had so
nearly succeeded in overwhelming with irretrievable ruin and disgrace.
From a very early hour in the morning the Palazzo Massetti was
surrounded by cheering and enthusiastic throngs, and by eight o'clock
the vast gardens of the Massettis' were thrown open freely to all who
chose to enter. The preparations there were on a gigantic and princely
scale. Huge tables had been placed in various broad alleys and literally
groaned beneath the weight of the abundant and inviting refreshments,
while vast casks of excellent wines were on tap. An army of servants
waited upon the people, liberally supplying them with the appetizing
edibles and the exhilarating product of the vintage. The Papal and
French flags were everywhere displayed in company, and the beauty of the
decorations of the gardens was such as to excite universal wonder and
admiration. The health of the Viscount Massetti and his charming bride
was drunk thousands of times amid acclamations of delight, but
throughout the whole colossal assemblage perfect order was preserved,
the military police on duty finding their occupation a sinecure.
Immediately in front of the Palazzo Massetti a triumphal arch had been
erected. It was covered with the intertwined ensigns of Rome and France
and at its apex bore an appropriate motto formed of creamy white orange
blossoms and scarlet roses.
The interior of the palazzo rivaled in dazzling splendor the most superb
and gorgeous vision that ever entranced a devotee of hatchis while
dreaming under the potent influence of his favorite drug.
In the principal salon were gathered many personages with whom the
reader is familiar, all in festal attire--the Count of Monte-Cristo and
his beloved wife Mercedes, their friends Maximilian and Valentine
Morrel, Esperance, Mlle. Louise d' Armilly and M. and Madame Albert de
Morcerf. Many noble relatives of the groom were also present, to say
nothing of hosts of acquaintances. Old Count Massetti, who seemed
rejuvenated and whose venerable countenance was wreathed in smiles of
joy, moved about among his guests the happiest of the happy.
Presently a door was thrown open, a valet announced the bride and groom
and Giovanni entered proudly with the lovely Zuleika hanging upon his
arm, her beauty heightened by her blushes and diffidence. She wore a
magnificent robe of white satin that a Queen might have envied and the
radiance of diamonds of inestimable value flashed from a tasteful
necklace that adorned her pearly throat; upon her night black hair
rested a wreath of orange blossoms and her flowing bridal veil was
fastened back by a sparkling emerald pin.. A murmur of admiration and
approval arose from the guests as they beheld Monte-Cristo's daughter
and noted her unequaled charms.
The procession to St. Peter's was witnessed by compact masses of
spectators, who loudly cheered the bride and groom and hailed with
tumultuous applause all the well-known personages as they in turn
appeared.
Within the vast cathedral the concourse was immense, but was kept at a
suitable distance by uniformed ushers.
The Pope himself united the young couple in the holy bonds of wedlock,
having consented to do so in consequence of his high esteem for the
Massetti house, the oldest and most aristocratic in his dominions, and
out of consideration for the Count of Monte-Cristo, whose wonderful
history had penetrated even the august portals of the Vatican. At the
close of the impressive ceremony His Holiness blessed the newly-made
husband and wife, and immediately afterwards the grand organ burst out
with a triumphal peal, an unseen choir chanting a jubilant marriage
hymn, whereupon the bride and groom surrounded by their bridesmaids and
groomsmen, Esperance holding the first place among the latter, received
the congratulations of their relatives and friends.
That night there was unbounded festivity at the Palazzo Massetti, the
glad celebration terminating with a grand ball and an elaborate supper.
The next morning Giovanni and Zuleika started upon an extended bridal
tour which was to embrace the most interesting portions of Europe.
Eventually they settled in Paris, as they had originally decided, where
Giovanni bought a magnificent residence, furnishing it with all the
luxury of the orient.
Their married life was as happy as it was favored, and Zuleika never had
occasion to regret that she had clung to Giovanni when all the rest of
the world seemed to have deserted him.
Esperance and the young husband at once became as fast friends as ever,
and the dark cloud that had separated them in the past was completely
forgotten.
The Count of Monte-Cristo and Mercedes continued to lead a tranquil and
charming existence in the palatial mansion on the Rue du Helder. Upon
the elevation of Louis Napoleon to power the Count, who distrusted him
and his schemes, abandoned politics and the agitation of public life
forever, contenting himself with doing all the good in his power and
aiding the needy in a quiet, unostentatious way. His daughter and her
husband spent a great deal of their time at the family mansion, and the
Count and Mercedes acquired additional delight thereby. Albert de
Morcerf, his wife and Mlle. Louise d' Armilly remained inmates of the
Monte-Cristo residence, aiding not a little in promoting the comfort and
happiness of their generous and agreeable hosts.
Maximilian Morrel and his wife returned to Marseilles, but they were
frequently in Paris and never failed to find vast enjoyment and
gratification in the society of the Monte-Cristos, the Massettis and
their friends.
Giovanni's father died a year or two after the marriage of his son,
leaving him his title, his palaces, his vineyard and all his colossal
wealth; but even this change in his condition did not induce the young
Count to return to Rome, where the sad associations of the past were too
powerful for him.
Old Solara expired in the hospital at Rome a few days subsequent to
Vampa's trial, and Annunziata lived long with Mme. de Rancogne in the
Refuge at Civita Vecchia, drawing what consolation she could from
abundant good works.
Peppino and Beppo remained in the service of the Count of Monte-Cristo,
leading honest and upright lives.
Waldmann and Siebecker were caught red-handed in the commission of a
murder and ended their iniquitous association on the scaffold, the knife
of the guillotine ridding the world of two extremely dangerous wretches.
As for Danglars, he suddenly disappeared from Paris one day and was
heard of no more.
THE END.