`Are you mad

　　"We never knew who had revealed this fatal secret, which wehad so carefully concealed from him; however, it was thisanswer, in which the child's whole character revealeditself, that almost terrified me, and my arm fell withouttouching him. The boy triumphed, and this victory renderedhim so audacious, that all the money of Assunta, whoseaffection for him seemed to increase as he became moreunworthy of it, was spent in caprices she knew not how tocontend against, and follies she had not the courage toprevent. When I was at Rogliano everything went on properly,but no sooner was my back turned than Benedetto becamemaster, and everything went ill. When he was only eleven, hechose his companions from among the young men of eighteen ortwenty, the worst characters in Bastia, or, indeed, inCorsica, and they had already, for some mischievous pranks,been several times threatened with a prosecution. I becamealarmed, as any prosecution might be attended with seriousconsequences. I was compelled, at this period, to leaveCorsica on an important expedition; I reflected for a longtime, and with the hope of averting some impendingmisfortune, I resolved that Benedetto should accompany me. Ihoped that the active and laborious life of a smuggler, withthe severe discipline on board, would have a salutary effecton his character, which was now well-nigh, if not quite,corrupt. I spoke to Benedetto alone, and proposed to him toaccompany me, endeavoring to tempt him by all the promisesmost likely to dazzle the imagination of a child of twelve.He heard me patiently, and when I had finished, burst outlaughing.

　　"`Are you mad, uncle?' (he called me by this name when hewas in good humor); `do you think I am going to change thelife I lead for your mode of existence -- my agreeableindolence for the hard and precarious toil you impose onyourself, exposed to the bitter frost at night, and thescorching heat by day, compelled to conceal yourself, andwhen you are perceived, receive a volley of bullets, all toearn a paltry sum? Why, I have as much money as I want;mother Assunta always furnishes me when I ask for it! Yousee that I should be a fool to accept your offer.' Thearguments, and his audacity, perfectly stupefied me.Benedetto rejoined his associates, and I saw him from adistance point me out to them as a fool."

　　"Sweet child," murmured Monte Cristo.

　　"Oh, had he been my own son," replied Bertuccio, "or even mynephew, I would have brought him back to the right road, forthe knowledge that you are doing your duty gives youstrength, but the idea that I was striking a child whosefather I had killed, made it impossible for me to punishhim. I gave my sister, who constantly defended theunfortunate boy, good advice, and as she confessed that shehad several times missed money to a considerable amount, Ishowed her a safe place in which to conceal our littletreasure for the future. My mind was already made up.Benedetto could read, write, and cipher perfectly, for whenthe fit seized him, he learned more in a day than others ina week. My intention was to enter him as a clerk in someship, and without letting him know anything of my plan, toconvey him some morning on board; by this means his futuretreatment would depend upon his own conduct. I set off forFrance, after having fixed upon the plan. Our cargo was tobe landed in the Gulf of Lyons, and this was a difficultthing to do because it was then the year 1829. The mostperfect tranquillity was restored, and the vigilance of thecustom-house officers was redoubled, and their strictnesswas increased at this time, in consequence of the fair atBeaucaire.