Maximum-assistance view: every word above everyday vocabulary is explained at every appearance; each name is introduced at its first appearance in the chapter.

Chapter 1. Marseilles—The Arrival (a coming)

On the 24th of February, 1815, the look-out (a watch kept; a watcher) at Notre-Dame (the great cathedral of Paris) de la Garde (guard, in French) signalled the three-master (a ship with three masts), the Pharaon (the name of Morrel's ship) from Smyrna, Trieste (an Adriatic port), and Naples.

As usual, a pilot put off immediately, and rounding the Château d’If (the island fortress prison off Marseilles), got on board the vessel (a container; a ship) between Cape Morgiou (a creek near Marseilles) and Rion (a French place name) island.

Immediately, and according to custom (settled usage), the ramparts (a defensive wall) of Fort Saint-Jean (a fort of Marseilles) were covered with spectators (one who looks on); it is always an event at Marseilles for a ship to come into port, especially when this ship, like the Pharaon, has been built, rigged (to fit out), and laden (loaded) at the old Phocée (the old Greek name for Marseilles) docks (a landing place for boats), and belongs (to be one's own; to be part of) to an owner of the city.

The ship drew on and had safely (without harm) passed the strait (straits: a narrow sea channel), which some volcanic (of volcanoes) shock (a violent jolt) has made between the Calasareigne (a small island off Marseilles) and Jaros (a family name) islands; had doubled Pomègue (a small island off Marseilles), and approached the harbor (a ship's shelter; to shelter) under topsails (a sail set above the lowest sail), jib (a sail set at the front of a ship), and spanker (the sail set at the back of a ship), but so slowly and sedately (calmly and gravely) that the idlers (one who does nothing), with that instinct (inborn prompting) which is the forerunner (one who comes before) of evil, asked one another what misfortune (bad fortune) could have happened on board. However, those experienced in navigation (steering ships by water) saw plainly (clearly and simply) that if any accident had occurred (to happen), it was not to the vessel (a container; a ship) herself, for she bore down with all the evidence of being skilfully (with skill) handled, the anchor (the iron that holds a ship in place) a-cockbill (hanging ready to drop, said of an anchor), the jib-boom (the spar extending the bowsprit) guys already eased (comfort; freedom from effort) off, and standing by the side of the pilot, who was steering (to guide the course) the Pharaon towards the narrow (of little width) entrance (the way in) of the inner port, was a young man, who, with activity and vigilant (watchful) eye, watched every motion of the ship, and repeated (to say or do again) each direction of the pilot.

The vague (unclear; dim) disquietude (an uneasy mind) which prevailed (to win through; be widespread) among the spectators (one who looks on) had so much affected one of the crowd that he did not await (to wait for) the arrival (a coming) of the vessel (a container; a ship) in harbor (a ship's shelter; to shelter), but jumping into a small skiff (a small light rowing boat), desired to be pulled alongside (by the side of) the Pharaon, which he reached as she rounded into La Réserve (a tavern near Marseilles) basin (a wide shallow bowl).

When the young man on board saw this person approach, he left his station by the pilot, and, hat in hand, leaned (to tilt against; thin) over the ship’s bulwarks (a defending wall).

He was a fine, tall, slim (gracefully thin) young fellow of eighteen (eighteen) or twenty, with black eyes, and hair as dark as a raven (the large black crow-like bird)’s wing; and his whole appearance bespoke (showed; declared) that calmness (quiet calm) and resolution peculiar (peculiar: its own; particular — the old sense here) to men accustomed (to make used to) from their cradle (a baby's rocking bed) to contend (to struggle against) with danger.

“Ah, is it you, Dantès (the young sailor this story follows)?” cried the man in the skiff (a small light rowing boat). “What’s the matter? and why have you such an air of sadness (sorrow) aboard (on board a ship)?”

“A great misfortune (bad fortune), M. Morrel (the shipowner of Marseilles who employs Dantès),” replied the young man, “a great misfortune (bad fortune), for me especially! Off Civita (town, in Italian, used in place names) Vecchia (old, in Italian, used in place names) we lost our brave (full of courage) Captain Leclere (the captain of the Pharaon at the start of this story).”

“And the cargo (the goods a ship carries)?” inquired (to ask) the owner, eagerly (with eager keenness).

“Is all safe, M. Morrel; and I think you will be satisfied (content) on that head. But poor Captain Leclere——”

“What happened to him?” asked the owner, with an air of considerable (fairly large) resignation (giving up office; patient acceptance). “What happened to the worthy (deserving) captain?”

“He died.”

“Fell into the sea?”

“No, sir, he died of brain-fever (a fever of the brain, from shock) in dreadful (filling with dread) agony (extreme suffering).” Then turning to the crew, he said, “Bear a hand there, to take in sail (the wind-catching sheet; to travel by ship)!”

All hands obeyed (to do as ordered), and at once the eight or ten seamen (a sailor) who composed (to put together; to calm) the crew, sprang to their respective (belonging to each) stations at the spanker (the sail set at the back of a ship) brails (a rope for gathering in a sail) and outhaul (a rope for hauling out a sail), topsail (a sail set above the lowest sail) sheets (a broad thin layer) and halyards (halyards: ropes for raising sails), the jib (a sail set at the front of a ship) downhaul (a rope for hauling down a sail), and the topsail (a sail set above the lowest sail) clewlines (a rope for hauling up the corner of a sail) and buntlines (a rope for hauling up the foot of a sail). The young sailor (a man who works a ship) gave a look to see that his orders were promptly (without delay) and accurately (exactly) obeyed (to do as ordered), and then turned again to the owner.

“And how did this misfortune (bad fortune) occur (to happen)?” inquired (to ask) the latter, resuming (to take up again) the interrupted (broken in upon) conversation.

0023m

“Alas, sir, in the most unexpected (not looked for) manner. After a long talk with the harbor-master (the officer in charge of a harbour), Captain Leclere left Naples greatly (to a great degree) disturbed (to break the quiet of) in mind. In twenty-four (twenty-four) hours he was attacked by a fever (burning body heat), and died three days afterwards (later). We performed the usual burial (the putting of a body in the ground) service, and he is at his rest, sewn (to stitch with needle and thread) up in his hammock (a hanging bed of netting) with a thirty-six-pound (firing a shot of thirty six pounds) shot at his head and his heels (the foot's back), off El Giglio (a small island off the Italian coast) island. We bring to his widow (a wife whose husband has died) his sword (the long blade weapon) and cross of honor. It was worth while, truly,” added the young man with a melancholy (gentle deep sadness) smile, “to make war against the English for ten years, and to die in his bed at last, like everybody else.”

“Why, you see, Edmond (the first name of the young sailor this story follows),” replied the owner, who appeared more comforted (ease; consolation) at every moment, “we are all mortal (mortal: human — the old sense here), and the old must make way for the young. If not, why, there would be no promotion (a raising in rank); and since you assure (to promise; make sure) me that the cargo (the goods a ship carries)——”

“Is all safe and sound, M. Morrel, take my word for it; and I advise (to counsel) you not to take 25,000 francs (the French coin) for the profits of the voyage (a journey).”

Then, as they were just passing the Round Tower, the young man shouted (a loud cry): “Stand by there to lower the topsails (a sail set above the lowest sail) and jib (a sail set at the front of a ship); brail (a rope for gathering in a sail) up the spanker (the sail set at the back of a ship)!”

The order was executed (to carry out; to put to death) as promptly (without delay) as it would have been on board a man-of-war (a warship).

“Let go—and clue (a guide to an answer) up!” At this last command all the sails (the wind-catching sheet; to travel by ship) were lowered, and the vessel (a container; a ship) moved almost imperceptibly (too gradually to notice) onwards (forward).

“Now, if you will come on board, M. Morrel,” said Dantès, observing (to watch; to remark) the owner’s impatience (restless eagerness), “here is your supercargo (an officer in charge of a ship's cargo), M. Danglars (the shipowner's clerk, later a rich banker), coming out of his cabin (a room aboard a ship), who will furnish (fitted out with furniture) you with every particular. As for me, I must look after the anchoring (dropping anchor), and dress the ship in mourning (grief for the dead; black clothes of grief).”

The owner did not wait for a second invitation (a bidding to come). He seized (to grab; take hold) a rope (a thick twisted cord) which Dantès flung (to throw with force) to him, and with an activity that would have done credit to a sailor (a man who works a ship), climbed (to go up) up the side of the ship, while the young man, going to his task, left the conversation to Danglars, who now came towards the owner. He was a man of twenty-five (twenty-five) or twenty-six (twenty-six) years of age, of unprepossessing (unprepossessing: not pleasing at first sight) countenance (the face; composure), obsequious (cringing and over-eager to please) to his superiors (higher; one above), insolent (rudely bold) to his subordinates (one under another's command); and this, in addition to his position as responsible agent on board, which is always obnoxious (hateful) to the sailors (a man who works a ship), made him as much disliked (not to like) by the crew as Edmond Dantès (the young sailor this story begins with) was beloved (dearly loved) by them.

“Well, M. Morrel,” said Danglars, “you have heard of the misfortune (bad fortune) that has befallen (to happen to) us?”

“Yes—yes: poor Captain Leclere! He was a brave (full of courage) and an honest man.”

“And a first-rate (of the best kind) seaman (a sailor), one who had seen long and honorable (worthy of honor) service, as became a man charged with the interests (interest: the spectacle that draws a crowd — the old sense here) of a house so important as that of Morrel & Son,” replied Danglars.

“But,” replied the owner, glancing (a quick look) after Dantès, who was watching the anchoring (dropping anchor) of his vessel (a container; a ship), “it seems to me that a sailor (a man who works a ship) needs not be so old as you say, Danglars, to understand his business, for our friend Edmond seems to understand it thoroughly (through and through), and not to require instruction (teaching; an order) from anyone.”

“Yes,” said Danglars, darting (to shoot swiftly) at Edmond a look gleaming (a soft flash of light) with hate. “Yes, he is young, and youth is invariably (without exception) self-confident (sure of oneself). Scarcely (hardly) was the captain’s breath out of his body when he assumed the command without consulting (to seek counsel) anyone, and he caused us to lose a day and a half at the Island of Elba (the island where Napoleon was first sent), instead of making for Marseilles direct.”

0025m

“As to taking command of the vessel (a container; a ship),” replied Morrel, “that was his duty as captain’s mate; as to losing a day and a half off the Island of Elba, he was wrong, unless the vessel (a container; a ship) needed repairs (to mend).”

“The vessel (a container; a ship) was in as good condition (condition: social rank — the old sense here) as I am, and as, I hope you are, M. Morrel, and this day and a half was lost from pure whim (a passing fancy), for the pleasure of going ashore (on land), and nothing else.”

“Dantès,” said the shipowner (a man who owns ships), turning towards the young man, “come this way!”

“In a moment, sir,” answered Dantès, “and I’m with you.” Then calling to the crew, he said, “Let go!”

The anchor (the iron that holds a ship in place) was instantly (at once) dropped, and the chain ran rattling (a quick knocking noise) through the port-hole (a round window in a ship's side). Dantès continued at his post in spite (ill will) of the presence of the pilot, until this manœuvre (to move carefully and cleverly) was completed, and then he added, “Half-mast (with the flag lowered as a sign of mourning) the colors, and square the yards!”

“You see,” said Danglars, “he fancies (the imagination; a liking) himself captain already, upon my word.”

“And so, in fact, he is,” said the owner.

“Except your signature (one's written name) and your partner’s, M. Morrel.”

“And why should he not have this?” asked the owner; “he is young, it is true, but he seems to me a thorough (thoroughfare: a busy public street) seaman (a sailor), and of full experience.”

A cloud (a sky mass of vapor; to darken with sadness) passed over Danglars’ brow (the forehead).

“Your pardon (to let off a punishment), M. Morrel,” said Dantès, approaching, “the vessel (a container; a ship) now rides at anchor (the iron that holds a ship in place), and I am at your service. You hailed (frozen rain; to call out to) me, I think?”

Danglars retreated (a falling back) a step or two. “I wished to inquire (to ask) why you stopped at the Island of Elba?”

“I do not know, sir; it was to fulfil (to carry out fully) the last instructions (teaching; an order) of Captain Leclere, who, when dying, gave me a packet (a small package) for Marshal (the highest army rank; to order) Bertrand (a French man's name).”

“Then did you see him, Edmond?”

“Who?”

“The marshal (the highest army rank; to order).”

“Yes.”

Morrel looked around him, and then, drawing Dantès on one side, he said suddenly—

“And how is the emperor (the ruler of many lands)?”

“Very well, as far as I could judge from the sight of him.”

“You saw the emperor (the ruler of many lands), then?”

“He entered the marshal (the highest army rank; to order)’s apartment while I was there.”

“And you spoke to him?”

“Why, it was he who spoke to me, sir,” said Dantès, with a smile.

“And what did he say to you?”

“Asked me questions about the vessel (a container; a ship), the time she left Marseilles, the course she had taken, and what was her cargo (the goods a ship carries). I believe, if she had not been laden (loaded), and I had been her master, he would have bought her. But I told him I was only mate, and that she belonged (to be one's own; to be part of) to the firm of Morrel & Son. ‘Ah, yes,’ he said, ‘I know them. The Morrels (the family of the shipowner Morrel) have been shipowners (a man who owns ships) from father to son; and there was a Morrel who served in the same regiment (a body of soldiers under a colonel) with me when I was in garrison (the troops holding a town) at Valence (a French town).’”

“Pardieu (a mild French oath)! and that is true!” cried the owner, greatly (to a great degree) delighted (greatly pleased). “And that was Policar (a French family name) Morrel, my uncle (a parent's brother), who was afterwards (later) a captain. Dantès, you must tell my uncle (a parent's brother) that the emperor (the ruler of many lands) remembered him, and you will see it will bring tears (a drop of weeping; to rip) into the old soldier (a man of the army)’s eyes. Come, come,” continued he, patting (a light tap of the hand) Edmond’s shoulder kindly (kind; gently), “you did very right, Dantès, to follow Captain Leclere’s instructions (teaching; an order), and touch at Elba, although if it were known that you had conveyed (to carry; make known) a packet (a small package) to the marshal (the highest army rank; to order), and had conversed (to talk together) with the emperor (the ruler of many lands), it might bring you into trouble.”

0027m

“How could that bring me into trouble, sir?” asked Dantès; “for I did not even know of what I was the bearer (one who carries); and the emperor (the ruler of many lands) merely (only) made such inquiries (a searching for facts) as he would of the first comer (comers: those who come). But, pardon (to let off a punishment) me, here are the health officers and the customs (settled usage) inspectors (a police officer of rank) coming alongside (by the side of).” And the young man went to the gangway (a passage between rows). As he departed (to go away), Danglars approached, and said,—

“Well, it appears that he has given you satisfactory (good enough) reasons for his landing (a coming to land; a stair platform) at Porto-Ferrajo (the chief town of Elba)?”

“Yes, most satisfactory (good enough), my dear Danglars.”

“Well, so much the better,” said the supercargo (an officer in charge of a ship's cargo); “for it is not pleasant (pleasing) to think that a comrade (a companion) has not done his duty.”

“Dantès has done his,” replied the owner, “and that is not saying much. It was Captain Leclere who gave orders for this delay (to put off).”

“Talking of Captain Leclere, has not Dantès given you a letter from him?”

“To me?—no—was there one?”

“I believe that, besides the packet (a small package), Captain Leclere confided (to trust with a secret) a letter to his care.”

“Of what packet (a small package) are you speaking, Danglars?”

“Why, that which Dantès left at Porto-Ferrajo.”

“How do you know he had a packet (a small package) to leave at Porto-Ferrajo?”

Danglars turned very red.

“I was passing close to the door of the captain’s cabin (a room aboard a ship), which was half open, and I saw him give the packet (a small package) and letter to Dantès.”

“He did not speak to me of it,” replied the shipowner (a man who owns ships); “but if there be any letter he will give it to me.”

Danglars reflected (to throw back; to think over) for a moment. “Then, M. Morrel, I beg (to ask humbly) of you,” said he, “not to say a word to Dantès on the subject. I may have been mistaken.”

At this moment the young man returned; Danglars withdrew (to draw back).

“Well, my dear Dantès, are you now free?” inquired (to ask) the owner.

“Yes, sir.”

“You have not been long detained (to hold back).”

“No. I gave the custom-house (the office where duties on goods are collected) officers a copy of our bill of lading (the loading of a ship, and its cargo); and as to the other papers, they sent a man off with the pilot, to whom I gave them.”

“Then you have nothing more to do here?”

“No—everything is all right now.”

“Then you can come and dine (to eat dinner) with me?”

“I really must ask you to excuse me, M. Morrel. My first visit is due to my father, though I am not the less grateful (full of thanks) for the honor you have done me.”

0029m

“Right, Dantès, quite right. I always knew you were a good son.”

“And,” inquired (to ask) Dantès, with some hesitation (a pause of doubt), “do you know how my father is?”

“Well, I believe, my dear Edmond, though I have not seen him lately (not long ago).”

“Yes, he likes to keep himself shut up in his little room.”

“That proves, at least, that he has wanted for nothing during your absence (being away).”

Dantès smiled. “My father is proud, sir, and if he had not a meal (a sitting of food) left, I doubt if he would have asked anything from anyone, except from Heaven.”

“Well, then, after this first visit has been made we shall count on you.”

“I must again excuse myself, M. Morrel, for after this first visit has been paid I have another which I am most anxious (full of worry) to pay.”

“True, Dantès, I forgot that there was at the Catalans (the fishing village of Catalans near Marseilles) someone who expects you no less impatiently (with restless eagerness) than your father—the lovely Mercédès (the Catalan girl Dantès is to marry).”

Dantès blushed (to redden with shame).

“Ah, ha,” said the shipowner (a man who owns ships), “I am not in the least surprised, for she has been to me three times, inquiring (to ask) if there were any news of the Pharaon. Peste (an exclamation in French, meaning the plague)! Edmond, you have a very handsome (fine-looking) mistress (the lady of the house; a kept woman)!”

“She is not my mistress (the lady of the house; a kept woman),” replied the young sailor (a man who works a ship), gravely (with deep seriousness); “she is my betrothed (the one promised in marriage).”

“Sometimes one and the same thing,” said Morrel, with a smile.

“Not with us, sir,” replied Dantès.

“Well, well, my dear Edmond,” continued the owner, “don’t let me detain (to hold back) you. You have managed my affairs so well that I ought (should) to allow you all the time you require for your own. Do you want any money?”

“No, sir; I have all my pay to take—nearly three months’ wages (pay for labor; to carry on war).”

“You are a careful fellow, Edmond.”

“Say I have a poor father, sir.”

“Yes, yes, I know how good a son you are, so now hasten (to hurry) away to see your father. I have a son too, and I should be very wroth (angry) with those who detained (to hold back) him from me after a three months’ voyage (a journey).”

“Then I have your leave, sir?”

“Yes, if you have nothing more to say to me.”

“Nothing.”

“Captain Leclere did not, before he died, give you a letter for me?”

“He was unable to write, sir. But that reminds (to bring back to mind) me that I must ask your leave of absence (being away) for some days.”

“To get married?”

“Yes, first, and then to go to Paris.”

“Very good; have what time you require, Dantès. It will take quite six weeks to unload (to take off a load) the cargo (the goods a ship carries), and we cannot get you ready for sea until three months after that; only be back again in three months, for the Pharaon,” added the owner, patting (a light tap of the hand) the young sailor (a man who works a ship) on the back, “cannot sail (the wind-catching sheet; to travel by ship) without her captain.”

“Without her captain!” cried Dantès, his eyes sparkling (to flash with small lights) with animation (lively spirit); “pray (to speak to God) mind what you say, for you are touching (touching: concerning — the old sense here) on the most secret wishes of my heart. Is it really your intention (what one means to do) to make me captain of the Pharaon?”

“If I were sole (the only; the foot's bottom) owner we’d shake (to move quickly to and fro) hands on it now, my dear Dantès, and call it settled (to fix in place; to bring to rest); but I have a partner, and you know the Italian proverb (a wise old saying)—Chi (who, in Italian) ha compagno (companion, in Italian) ha padrone (a master or landlord, in Italian)—‘He who has a partner has a master.’ But the thing is at least half done, as you have one out of two votes. Rely (to depend on) on me to procure (to obtain) you the other; I will do my best.”

“Ah, M. Morrel,” exclaimed (to cry out) the young seaman (a sailor), with tears (a drop of weeping; to rip) in his eyes, and grasping (to seize; to understand) the owner’s hand, “M. Morrel, I thank you in the name of my father and of Mercédès.”

“That’s all right, Edmond. There’s a providence (the care of God over the world) that watches over the deserving (worthy of). Go to your father; go and see Mercédès, and afterwards (later) come to me.”

“Shall I row you ashore (on land)?”

“No, thank you; I shall remain and look over the accounts with Danglars. Have you been satisfied (content) with him this voyage (a journey)?”

“That is according to the sense you attach (to fasten to; to join) to the question, sir. Do you mean is he a good comrade (a companion)? No, for I think he never liked me since the day when I was silly (foolish) enough, after a little quarrel (an angry dispute) we had, to propose (to offer; to offer marriage) to him to stop for ten minutes at the island of Monte Cristo (the small island the Count takes his title from) to settle (to fix in place; to bring to rest) the dispute (an argued quarrel)—a proposition (a stated plan) which I was wrong to suggest, and he quite right to refuse (to say no). If you mean as responsible agent when you ask me the question, I believe there is nothing to say against him, and that you will be content with the way in which he has performed his duty.”

“But tell me, Dantès, if you had command of the Pharaon should you be glad to see Danglars remain?”

“Captain or mate, M. Morrel, I shall always have the greatest respect for those who possess (to own; to hold) the owners’ confidence.”

“That’s right, that’s right, Dantès! I see you are a thoroughly (through and through) good fellow, and will detain (to hold back) you no longer. Go, for I see how impatient (restlessly eager) you are.”

“Then I have leave?”

“Go, I tell you.”

“May I have the use (use: habit; custom — the old sense here) of your skiff (a small light rowing boat)?”

“Certainly.”

“Then, for the present, M. Morrel, farewell (a goodbye), and a thousand thanks!”

“I hope soon to see you again, my dear Edmond. Good luck to you.”

The young sailor (a man who works a ship) jumped into the skiff (a small light rowing boat), and sat down in the stern (severe; a ship's rear) sheets (a broad thin layer), with the order that he be put ashore (on land) at La Canebière (the chief street of Marseilles). The two oarsmen (a man who rows a boat) bent (curved; determined on) to their work, and the little boat glided (to move smoothly) away as rapidly (fast) as possible in the midst (the middle) of the thousand vessels (a container; a ship) which choke (to stop the breath) up the narrow (of little width) way which leads between the two rows of ships from the mouth of the harbor (a ship's shelter; to shelter) to the Quai (a street along a river, in French) d’Orléans (a French city and royal house).

The shipowner (a man who owns ships), smiling (wearing a smile), followed him with his eyes until he saw him spring out on the quay (a stone landing place at the water's edge) and disappear (to vanish) in the midst (the middle) of the throng (a packed crowd), which from five o’clock (the time-keeping machine) in the morning until nine o’clock (the time-keeping machine) at night, swarms (a moving crowd of bees or men) in the famous street of La Canebière,—a street of which the modern Phocéens (the old Greek founders of Marseilles) are so proud that they say with all the gravity (the earth's pull; grave seriousness) in the world, and with that accent (the tone of one's speech) which gives so much character to what is said, “If Paris had La Canebière, Paris would be a second Marseilles.” On turning round the owner saw Danglars behind him, apparently awaiting (to wait for) orders, but in reality also watching the young sailor (a man who works a ship),—but there was a great difference in the expression of the two men who thus followed the movements of Edmond Dantès.