CHAPTER XLII.
TO THOSE WHO LOVE FANFAR.
Night was coming on. The last rays of the setting sun shone on the waterat Havre.
Down on the shore among the rocks, was a fisherman's hut; in it was aman alone; he was restlessly pacing to and fro. Occasionally he stoppedand seemed to listen, but he only heard the lapping of the water on thebeach. 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 andlooked out. Two figures were to be seen dimly in the fog. He waited aminute, 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 deSalves and Francine. When the latter beheld Arthur de Montferrand shestarted, while Irene impulsively pronounced his name.
They all entered the cottage, and looked around the room anxiously. Thesame name was on every lip. Fanfar, where was he?
The night after Fanfar had been carried to the hotel Fongereues, amysterious 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 questionsaddressed to him by these four ladies, he could only say that he knew nomore 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 notesare from him."
Caillette went to Irene's side. The poor girl loved Fanfar with all herheart, and she believed that he was lost to her, for if by a miracle shewere to see him again it would be as Irene's lover. But she accepted thesacrifice. 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 satperfectly silent, she was content now that Cinette was near her, butstill she thought of Jacques with longing.
Where was old Labarre?
Arthur leaned against the window looking out into the night, andlistening to the voice of the waters. He had long since discovered thathe 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 rightto speak a word of hope to this little group of friends. He uttered alittle exclamation.
"Come here!" he cried, gayly, "come here, and look out!"
From among the dark waters rose a brilliant rocket which, dartingthrough the air, fell in a shower of brilliant sparks.
The three girls ran to the window. How long were those last moments ofwaiting. Finally the measured beat of oars was heard, the prow of a boatstruck against the pebbly beach, and shadows were seen coming toward thecottage. 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!" heexclaimed.
And the invalid took Fanfar's head in her trembling hands, and kissedhim 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 itto 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 thatCyprien was the sole person who could aid them. At first he refused togive them the smallest information, but finally he was made to speak.They went to the Hotel de Fongereues, but the sad party had left forAlsace. Two leagues away they were overtaken however. Labarre was toldthe whole truth. Fanfar was liberated, and restored to life by thephysician whom Gudel had brought with him. The Marquis de Fongereueswent 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 shouldhave made an end of Cyprien, for he threatened to denounce us. The onlything for Fanfar is to flee the country. A quarter of a league fromshore a vessel awaits us. Come, Fanfar, there is no time to lose, youknow 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 SimonFougere."
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 lifeseriously, if you will aid me."
* * * * *
After the Vicomte de Talizac was buried, the Marquis disappeared and wasno more heard of. Magdalena committed suicide. Bobichel marriedCaillette, whom he adored as much as he adored Fanfar. Francoise andLabarre neither of them lived long. Cyprien continued to act as spy forthe French government. And La Roulante was assassinated in a drunkenfrolic.
This was the story of Fanfar, which we have completed, for Fanfar'smodesty 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 widefield. They lived contented and happy, forgotten and forgetting.
"And I am truly thankful," said Fanfar, in conclusion, extending hishand to Monte-Cristo, "that I have been permitted to utilize my formertalents for your benefit."
Monte-Cristo lingered a week or more that Esperance might recover fromhis fatigue of both body and mind, but the day finally came when thecaravan 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 belovedFrance, and I am sometimes sick with longing to return."
"Then, some day if I need you for the protection of my son, and send foryou," 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 sacredto us. Who ever touches a hair of his head shall suffer."
We have now to learn how Fanfar and his friends kept this promise.