第308章

"I? -- not the least in the world; only I fancied that the honest Messager was an exception to the rule, and that it only announced telegraphic despatches.""Well, that's what puzzles me," replied Danglars; "the news of the return of Don Carlos was brought by telegraph.""So that," said Monte Cristo, "you have lost nearly 1,700,000 francs this month.""Not nearly, indeed; that is exactly my loss.""Diable," said Monte Cristo compassionately, "it is a hard blow for a third-rate fortune.""Third-rate," said Danglars, rather humble, "what do you mean by that?""Certainly," continued Monte Cristo, "I make three assortments in fortune -- first-rate, second-rate, and third-rate fortunes.I call those first-rate which are composed of treasures one possesses under one's hand, such as mines, lands, and funded property, in such states as France, Austria, and England, provided these treasures and property form a total of about a hundred millions; I call those second-rate fortunes, that are gained by manufacturing enterprises, joint-stock companies, viceroyalties, and principalities, not drawing more than 1,500,000 francs, the whole forming a capital of about fifty millions; finally, Icall those third-rate fortunes, which are composed of a fluctuating capital, dependent upon the will of others, or upon chances which a bankruptcy involves or a false telegram shakes, such as banks, speculations of the day -- in fact, all operations under the influence of greater or less mischances, the whole bringing in a real or fictitious capital of about fifteen millions.I think this is about your position, is it not?""Confound it, yes!" replied Danglars.

"The result, then, of six more such months as this would be to reduce the third-rate house to despair.""Oh," said Danglars, becoming very pale, how you are running on!""Let us imagine seven such months," continued Monte Cristo, in the same tone."Tell me, have you ever thought that seven times 1,700,000 francs make nearly twelve millions? No, you have not; -- well, you are right, for if you indulged in such reflections, you would never risk your principal, which is to the speculator what the skin is to civilized man.We have our clothes, some more splendid than others, -- this is our credit; but when a man dies he has only his skin; in the same way, on retiring from business, you have nothing but your real principal of about five or six millions, at the most; for third-rate fortunes are never more than a fourth of what they appear to be, like the locomotive on a railway, the size of which is magnified by the smoke and steam surrounding it.Well, out of the five or six millions which form your real capital, you have just lost nearly two millions, which must, of course, in the same degree diminish your credit and fictitious fortune; to follow out my simile, your skin has been opened by bleeding, and this if repeated three or four times will cause death -- so pay attention to it, my dear Monsieur Danglars.Do you want money? Do you wish me to lend you some?""What a bad calculator you are!" exclaimed Danglars, calling to his assistance all his philosophy and dissimulation."Ihave made money at the same time by speculations which have succeeded.I have made up the loss of blood by nutrition.Ilost a battle in Spain, I have been defeated in Trieste, but my naval army in India will have taken some galleons, and my Mexican pioneers will have discovered some mine.""Very good, very good! But the wound remains and will reopen at the first loss.""No, for I am only embarked in certainties," replied Danglars, with the air of a mountebank sounding his own praises; "to involve me, three governments must crumble to dust.""Well, such things have been."

"That there should be a famine!"

"Recollect the seven fat and the seven lean kine.""Or, that the sea should become dry, as in the days of Pharaoh, and even then my vessels would become caravans.""So much the better.I congratulate you, my dear M.

Danglars," said Monte Cristo; "I see I was deceived, and that you belong to the class of second-rate fortunes.""I think I may aspire to that honor," said Danglars with a smile, which reminded Monte Cristo of the sickly moons which bad artists are so fond of daubing into their pictures of ruins."But, while we are speaking of business," Danglars added, pleased to find an opportunity of changing the subject, "tell me what I am to do for M.Cavalcanti.""Give him money, if he is recommended to you, and the recommendation seems good.""Excellent; he presented himself this morning with a bond of 40,000 francs, payable at sight, on you, signed by Busoni, and returned by you to me, with your indorsement -- of course, I immediately counted him over the forty bank-notes."Monte Cristo nodded his head in token of assent."But that is not all," continued Danglars; "he has opened an account with my house for his son.""May I ask how much he allows the young man?""Five thousand francs per month."

"Sixty thousand francs per year.I thought I was right in believing that Cavalcanti to be a stingy fellow.How can a young man live upon 5,000 francs a month?""But you understand that if the young man should want a few thousands more" --"Do not advance it; the father will never repay it.You do not know these ultramontane millionaires; they are regular misers.And by whom were they recommended to you?""Oh, by the house of Fenzi, one of the best in Florence.""I do not mean to say you will lose, but, nevertheless, mind you hold to the terms of the agreement.""Would you not trust the Cavalcanti?"