The morning's sun rose clear and resplendent, touching thefoamy waves into a network of ruby-tinted light.

The feast had been made ready on the second floor at LaReserve, with whose arbor the reader is already familiar.The apartment destined for the purpose was spacious andlighted by a number of windows, over each of which waswritten in golden letters for some inexplicable reason thename of one of the principal cities of France; beneath thesewindows a wooden balcony extended the entire length of thehouse. And although the entertainment was fixed for twelveo'clock, an hour previous to that time the balcony wasfilled with impatient and expectant guests, consisting ofthe favored part of the crew of the Pharaon, and otherpersonal friends of the bride-groom, the whole of whom hadarrayed themselves in their choicest costumes, in order todo greater honor to the occasion.

Various rumors were afloat to the effect that the owners ofthe Pharaon had promised to attend the nuptial feast; butall seemed unanimous in doubting that an act of such rareand exceeding condescension could possibly be intended.

Danglars, however, who now made his appearance, accompaniedby Caderousse, effectually confirmed the report, statingthat he had recently conversed with M. Morrel, who hadhimself assured him of his intention to dine at La Reserve.

In fact, a moment later M. Morrel appeared and was salutedwith an enthusiastic burst of applause from the crew of thePharaon, who hailed the visit of the shipowner as a sureindication that the man whose wedding feast he thusdelighted to honor would ere long be first in command of theship; and as Dantes was universally beloved on board hisvessel, the sailors put no restraint on their tumultuous joyat finding that the opinion and choice of their superiors soexactly coincided with their own.

With the entrance of M. Morrel, Danglars and Caderousse weredespatched in search of the bride-groom to convey to him theintelligence of the arrival of the important personage whosecoming had created such a lively sensation, and to beseechhim to make haste.

Danglars and Caderousse set off upon their errand at fullspeed; but ere they had gone many steps they perceived agroup advancing towards them, composed of the betrothedpair, a party of young girls in attendance on the bride, bywhose side walked Dantes' father; the whole brought up byFernand, whose lips wore their usual sinister smile.

Neither Mercedes nor Edmond observed the strange expressionof his countenance; they were so happy that they wereconscious only of the sunshine and the presence of eachother.

Having acquitted themselves of their errand, and exchanged ahearty shake of the hand with Edmond, Danglars andCaderousse took their places beside Fernand and old Dantes,- the latter of whom attracted universal notice. The oldman was attired in a suit of glistening watered silk,trimmed with steel buttons, beautifully cut and polished.His thin but wiry legs were arrayed in a pair of richlyembroidered clocked stockings, evidently of Englishmanufacture, while from his three-cornered hat depended along streaming knot of white and blue ribbons. Thus he camealong, supporting himself on a curiously carved stick, hisaged countenance lit up with happiness, looking for all theworld like one of the aged dandies of 1796, parading thenewly opened gardens of the Tuileries and Luxembourg. Besidehim glided Caderousse, whose desire to partake of the goodthings provided for the wedding-party had induced him tobecome reconciled to the Dantes, father and son, althoughthere still lingered in his mind a faint and unperfectrecollection of the events of the preceding night; just asthe brain retains on waking in the morning the dim and mistyoutline of a dream.

As Danglars approached the disappointed lover, he cast onhim a look of deep meaning, while Fernand, as he slowlypaced behind the happy pair, who seemed, in their ownunmixed content, to have entirely forgotten that such abeing as himself existed, was pale and abstracted;occasionally, however, a deep flush would overspread hiscountenance, and a nervous contraction distort his features,while, with an agitated and restless gaze, he would glancein the direction of Marseilles, like one who eitheranticipated or foresaw some great and important event.

Dantes himself was simply, but becomingly, clad in the dresspeculiar to the merchant service - a costume somewhatbetween a military and a civil garb; and with his finecountenance, radiant with joy and happiness, a more perfectspecimen of manly beauty could scarcely be imagined.

Lovely as the Greek girls of Cyprus or Chios, Mercedesboasted the same bright flashing eyes of jet, and ripe,round, coral lips. She moved with the light, free step of anArlesienne or an Andalusian. One more practiced in the artsof great cities would have hid her blushes beneath a veil,or, at least, have cast down her thickly fringed lashes, soas to have concealed the liquid lustre of her animated eyes;but, on the contrary, the delighted girl looked around herwith a smile that seemed to say: "If you are my friends,rejoice with me, for I am very happy."

As soon as the bridal party came in sight of La Reserve, M.Morrel descended and came forth to meet it, followed by thesoldiers and sailors there assembled, to whom he hadrepeated the promise already given, that Dantes should bethe successor to the late Captain Leclere. Edmond, at theapproach of his patron, respectfully placed the arm of hisaffianced bride within that of M. Morrel, who, forthwithconducting her up the flight of wooden steps leading to thechamber in which the feast was prepared, was gayly followedby the guests, beneath whose heavy tread the slightstructure creaked and groaned for the space of severalminutes.

"Father," said Mercedes, stopping when she had reached thecentre of the table, "sit, I pray you, on my right hand; onmy left I will place him who has ever been as a brother tome," pointing with a soft and gentle smile to Fernand; buther words and look seemed to inflict the direst torture onhim, for his lips became ghastly pale, and even beneath thedark hue of his complexion the blood might be seenretreating as though some sudden pang drove it back to theheart.

During this time, Dantes, at the opposite side of the table,had been occupied in similarly placing his most honoredguests. M. Morrel was seated at his right hand, Danglars athis left; while, at a sign from Edmond, the rest of thecompany ranged themselves as they found it most agreeable.

Then they began to pass around the dusky, piquant, Arlesiansausages, and lobsters in their dazzling red cuirasses,prawns of large size and brilliant color, the echinus withits prickly outside and dainty morsel within, the clovis,esteemed by the epicures of the South as more than rivallingthe exquisite flavor of the oyster, - all the delicacies,in fact, that are cast up by the wash of waters on the sandybeach, and styled by the grateful fishermen "fruits of thesea."

"A pretty silence truly!" said the old father of thebride-groom, as he carried to his lips a glass of wine ofthe hue and brightness of the topaz, and which had just beenplaced before Mercedes herself. "Now, would anybody thinkthat this room contained a happy, merry party, who desirenothing better than to laugh and dance the hours away?"

"Ah," sighed Caderousse, "a man cannot always feel happybecause he is about to be married."

"The truth is," replied Dantes, "that I am too happy fornoisy mirth; if that is what you meant by your observation,my worthy friend, you are right; joy takes a strange effectat times, it seems to oppress us almost the same as sorrow."

Danglars looked towards Fernand, whose excitable naturereceived and betrayed each fresh impression.

"Why, what ails you?" asked he of Edmond. "Do you fear anyapproaching evil? I should say that you were the happiestman alive at this instant."

"And that is the very thing that alarms me," returnedDantes. "Man does not appear to me to be intended to enjoyfelicity so unmixed; happiness is like the enchanted palaceswe read of in our childhood, where fierce, fiery dragonsdefend the entrance and approach; and monsters of all shapesand kinds, requiring to be overcome ere victory is ours. Iown that I am lost in wonder to find myself promoted to anhonor of which I feel myself unworthy - that of being thehusband of Mercedes."

"Nay, nay!" cried Caderousse, smiling, "you have notattained that honor yet. Mercedes is not yet your wife. Justassume the tone and manner of a husband, and see how shewill remind you that your hour is not yet come!"

The bride blushed, while Fernand, restless and uneasy,seemed to start at every fresh sound, and from time to timewiped away the large drops of perspiration that gathered onhis brow.

"Well, never mind that, neighbor Caderousse; it is not worthwhile to contradict me for such a trifle as that. 'Tis truethat Mercedes is not actually my wife; but," added he,drawing out his watch, "in an hour and a half she will be."

A general exclamation of surprise ran round the table, withthe exception of the elder Dantes, whose laugh displayed thestill perfect beauty of his large white teeth. Mercedeslooked pleased and gratified, while Fernand grasped thehandle of his knife with a convulsive clutch.

"In an hour?" inquired Danglars, turning pale. "How is that,my friend?"

"Why, thus it is," replied Dantes. "Thanks to the influenceof M. Morrel, to whom, next to my father, I owe everyblessing I enjoy, every difficulty his been removed. We havepurchased permission to waive the usual delay; and athalf-past two o'clock the mayor of Marseilles will bewaiting for us at the city hall. Now, as a quarter-past onehas already struck, I do not consider I have asserted toomuch in saying, that, in another hour and thirty minutesMercedes will have become Madame Dantes."

Fernand closed his eyes, a burning sensation passed acrosshis brow, and he was compelled to support himself by thetable to prevent his falling from his chair; but in spite ofall his efforts, he could not refrain from uttering a deepgroan, which, however, was lost amid the noisy felicitationsof the company.

"Upon my word," cried the old man, "you make short work ofthis kind of affair. Arrived here only yesterday morning,and married to-day at three o'clock! Commend me to a sailorfor going the quick way to work!"

"But," asked Danglars, in a timid tone, "how did you manageabout the other formalities - the contract - thesettlement?"

"The contract," answered Dantes, laughingly, "it didn't takelong to fix that. Mercedes has no fortune; I have none tosettle on her. So, you see, our papers were quickly writtenout, and certainly do not come very expensive." This jokeelicited a fresh burst of applause.

"So that what we presumed to be merely the betrothal feastturns out to be the actual wedding dinner!" said Danglars.

"No, no," answered Dantes; "don't imagine I am going to putyou off in that shabby manner. To-morrow morning I start forParis; four days to go, and the same to return, with one dayto discharge the commission intrusted to me, is all the timeI shall be absent. I shall be back here by the first ofMarch, and on the second I give my real marriage feast."

This prospect of fresh festivity redoubled the hilarity ofthe guests to such a degree, that the elder Dantes, who, atthe commencement of the repast, had commented upon thesilence that prevailed, now found it difficult, amid thegeneral din of voices, to obtain a moment's tranquillity inwhich to drink to the health and prosperity of the bride andbride-groom.

Dantes, perceiving the affectionate eagerness of his father,responded by a look of grateful pleasure; while Mercedesglanced at the clock and made an expressive gesture toEdmond.

Around the table reigned that noisy hilarity which usuallyprevails at such a time among people sufficiently free fromthe demands of social position not to feel the trammels ofetiquette. Such as at the commencement of the repast had notbeen able to seat themselves according to their inclinationrose unceremoniously, and sought out more agreeablecompanions. Everybody talked at once, without waiting for areply and each one seemed to be contented with expressinghis or her own thoughts.

Fernand's paleness appeared to have communicated itself toDanglars. As for Fernand himself, he seemed to be enduringthe tortures of the damned; unable to rest, he was among thefirst to quit the table, and, as though seeking to avoid thehilarious mirth that rose in such deafening sounds, hecontinued, in utter silence, to pace the farther end of thesalon.

Caderousse approached him just as Danglars, whom Fernandseemed most anxious to avoid, had joined him in a corner ofthe room.

"Upon my word," said Caderousse, from whose mind thefriendly treatment of Dantes, united with the effect of theexcellent wine he had partaken of, had effaced every feelingof envy or jealousy at Dantes' good fortune, - "upon myword, Dantes is a downright good fellow, and when I see himsitting there beside his pretty wife that is so soon to be.I cannot help thinking it would have been a great pity tohave served him that trick you were planning yesterday."

"Oh, there was no harm meant," answered Danglars; "at firstI certainly did feel somewhat uneasy as to what Fernandmight be tempted to do; but when I saw how completely he hadmastered his feelings, even so far as to become one of hisrival's attendants, I knew there was no further cause forapprehension." Caderousse looked full at Fernand - he wasghastly pale.

"Certainly," continued Danglars, "the sacrifice was notrifling one, when the beauty of the bride is concerned.Upon my soul, that future captain of mine is a lucky dog!Gad, I only wish he would let me take his place."

"Shall we not set forth?" asked the sweet, silvery voice ofMercedes; "two o'clock has just struck, and you know we areexpected in a quarter of an hour."

"To be sure! - to be sure!" cried Dantes, eagerly quittingthe table; "let us go directly!"

His words were re-echoed by the whole party, with vociferouscheers.

At this moment Danglars, who had been incessantly observingevery change in Fernand's look and manner, saw him staggerand fall back, with an almost convulsive spasm, against aseat placed near one of the open windows. At the sameinstant his ear caught a sort of indistinct sound on thestairs, followed by the measured tread of soldiery, with theclanking of swords and military accoutrements; then came ahum and buzz as of many voices, so as to deaden even thenoisy mirth of the bridal party, among whom a vague feelingof curiosity and apprehension quelled every disposition totalk, and almost instantaneously the most deathlikestillness prevailed.

The sounds drew nearer. Three blows were struck upon thepanel of the door. The company looked at each other inconsternation.

"I demand admittance," said a loud voice outside the room,"in the name of the law!" As no attempt was made to preventit, the door was opened, and a magistrate, wearing hisofficial scarf, presented himself, followed by four soldiersand a corporal. Uneasiness now yielded to the most extremedread on the part of those present.

"May I venture to inquire the reason of this unexpectedvisit?" said M. Morrel, addressing the magistrate, whom heevidently knew; "there is doubtless some mistake easilyexplained."

"If it be so," replied the magistrate, "rely upon everyreparation being made; meanwhile, I am the bearer of anorder of arrest, and although I most reluctantly perform thetask assigned me, it must, nevertheless, be fulfilled. Whoamong the persons here assembled answers to the name ofEdmond Dantes?" Every eye was turned towards the young manwho, spite of the agitation he could not but feel, advancedwith dignity, and said, in a firm voice, "I am he; what isyour pleasure with me?"

"Edmond Dantes," replied the magistrate, "I arrest you inthe name of the law!"

"Me!" repeated Edmond, slightly changing color, "andwherefore, I pray?"

"I cannot inform you, but you will be duly acquainted withthe reasons that have rendered such a step necessary at thepreliminary examination."

M. Morrel felt that further resistance or remonstrance wasuseless. He saw before him an officer delegated to enforcethe law, and perfectly well knew that it would be asunavailing to seek pity from a magistrate decked with hisofficial scarf, as to address a petition to some cold marbleeffigy. Old Dantes, however, sprang forward. There aresituations which the heart of a father or a mother cannot bemade to understand. He prayed and supplicated in terms somoving, that even the officer was touched, and, althoughfirm in his duty, he kindly said, "My worthy friend, let mebeg of you to calm your apprehensions. Your son has probablyneglected some prescribed form or attention in registeringhis cargo, and it is more than probable he will be set atliberty directly he has given the information required,whether touching the health of his crew, or the value of hisfreight."

"What is the meaning of all this?" inquired Caderousse,frowningly, of Danglars, who had assumed an air of uttersurprise.

"How can I tell you?" replied he; "I am, like yourself,utterly bewildered at all that is going on, and cannot inthe least make out what it is about." Caderousse then lookedaround for Fernand, but he had disappeared.

The scene of the previous night now came back to his mindwith startling clearness. The painful catastrophe he hadjust witnessed appeared effectually to have rent away theveil which the intoxication of the evening before had raisedbetween himself and his memory.

"So, so," said he, in a hoarse and choking voice, toDanglars, "this, then, I suppose, is a part of the trick youwere concerting yesterday? All I can say is, that if it beso, 'tis an ill turn, and well deserves to bring double evilon those who have projected it."

"Nonsense," returned Danglars, "I tell you again I havenothing whatever to do with it; besides, you know very wellthat I tore the paper to pieces."

"No, you did not!" answered Caderousse, "you merely threw itby - I saw it lying in a corner."

"Hold your tongue, you fool! - what should you know aboutit? - why, you were drunk!"

"Where is Fernand?" inquired Caderousse.

"How do I know?" replied Danglars; "gone, as every prudentman ought to be, to look after his own affairs, most likely.Never mind where he is, let you and I go and see what is tobe done for our poor friends."

During this conversation, Dantes, after having exchanged acheerful shake of the hand with all his sympathizingfriends, had surrendered himself to the officer sent toarrest him, merely saying, "Make yourselves quite easy, mygood fellows, there is some little mistake to clear up,that's all, depend upon it; and very likely I may not haveto go so far as the prison to effect that."

"Oh, to be sure!" responded Danglars, who had now approachedthe group, "nothing more than a mistake, I feel quitecertain."

Dantes descended the staircase, preceded by the magistrate,and followed by the soldiers. A carriage awaited him at thedoor; he got in, followed by two soldiers and themagistrate, and the vehicle drove off towards Marseilles.

"Adieu, adieu, dearest Edmond!" cried Mercedes, stretchingout her arms to him from the balcony.

The prisoner heard the cry, which sounded like the sob of abroken heart, and leaning from the coach he called out,"Good-by, Mercedes - we shall soon meet again!" Then thevehicle disappeared round one of the turnings of Fort SaintNicholas.

"Wait for me here, all of you!" cried M. Morrel; "I willtake the first conveyance I find, and hurry to Marseilles,whence I will bring you word how all is going on."

"That's right!" exclaimed a multitude of voices, "go, andreturn as quickly as you can!"

This second departure was followed by a long and fearfulstate of terrified silence on the part of those who wereleft behind. The old father and Mercedes remained for sometime apart, each absorbed in grief; but at length the twopoor victims of the same blow raised their eyes, and with asimultaneous burst of feeling rushed into each other's arms.

Meanwhile Fernand made his appearance, poured out forhimself a glass of water with a trembling hand; then hastilyswallowing it, went to sit down at the first vacant place,and this was, by mere chance, placed next to the seat onwhich poor Mercedes had fallen half fainting, when releasedfrom the warm and affectionate embrace of old Dantes.Instinctively Fernand drew back his chair.

"He is the cause of all this misery - I am quite sure ofit," whispered Caderousse, who had never taken his eyes offFernand, to Danglars.

"I don't think so," answered the other; he's too stupid toimagine such a scheme. I only hope the mischief will fallupon the head of whoever wrought it."

"You don't mention those who aided and abetted the deed,"said Caderousse.

"Surely," answered Danglars, "one cannot be held responsiblefor every chance arrow shot into the air."

"You can, indeed, when the arrow lights point downward onsomebody's head."

Meantime the subject of the arrest was being canvassed inevery different form.

"What think you, Danglars," said one of the party, turningtowards him, "of this event?"

"Why," replied he, "I think it just possible Dantes may havebeen detected with some trifling article on board shipconsidered here as contraband."

"But how could he have done so without your knowledge,Danglars, since you are the ship's supercargo?"

"Why, as for that, I could only know what I was toldrespecting the merchandise with which the vessel was laden.I know she was loaded with cotton, and that she took in herfreight at Alexandria from Pastret's warehouse, and atSmyrna from Pascal's; that is all I was obliged to know, andI beg I may not be asked for any further particulars."

"Now I recollect," said the afflicted old father; "my poorboy told me yesterday he had got a small case of coffee, andanother of tobacco for me!"

"There, you see," exclaimed Danglars. "Now the mischief isout; depend upon it the custom-house people went rummagingabout the ship in our absence, and discovered poor Dantes'hidden treasures."

Mercedes, however, paid no heed to this explanation of herlover's arrest. Her grief, which she had hitherto tried torestrain, now burst out in a violent fit of hystericalsobbing.

"Come, come," said the old man, "be comforted, my poorchild; there is still hope!"

"Hope!" repeated Danglars.

"Hope!" faintly murmured Fernand, but the word seemed to dieaway on his pale agitated lips, and a convulsive spasmpassed over his countenance.

"Good news! good news!" shouted forth one of the partystationed in the balcony on the lookout. "Here comes M.Morrel back. No doubt, now, we shall hear that our friend isreleased!"

Mercedes and the old man rushed to meet the shipowner andgreeted him at the door. He was very pale.

"What news?" exclaimed a general burst of voices.

"Alas, my friends," replied M. Morrel, with a mournful shakeof his head, "the thing has assumed a more serious aspectthan I expected."

"Oh, indeed - indeed, sir, he is innocent!" sobbed forthMercedes.

"That I believe!" answered M. Morrel; "but still he ischarged" -

"With what?" inquired the elder Dantes.

"With being an agent of the Bonapartist faction!" Many ofour readers may be able to recollect how formidable such anaccusation became in the period at which our story is dated.

A despairing cry escaped the pale lips of Mercedes; the oldman sank into a chair.

"Ah, Danglars!" whispered Caderousse, "you have deceived me- the trick you spoke of last night has been played; but Icannot suffer a poor old man or an innocent girl to die ofgrief through your fault. I am determined to tell them allabout it."

"Be silent, you simpleton!" cried Danglars, grasping him bythe arm, "or I will not answer even for your own safety. Whocan tell whether Dantes be innocent or guilty? The vesseldid touch at Elba, where he quitted it, and passed a wholeday in the island. Now, should any letters or otherdocuments of a compromising character be found upon him,will it not be taken for granted that all who uphold him arehis accomplices?"

With the rapid instinct of selfishness, Caderousse readilyperceived the solidity of this mode of reasoning; he gazed,doubtfully, wistfully, on Danglars, and then cautionsupplanted generosity.

"Suppose we wait a while, and see what comes of it," saidhe, casting a bewildered look on his companion.

"To be sure!" answered Danglars. "Let us wait, by all means.If he be innocent, of course he will be set at liberty; ifguilty, why, it is no use involving ourselves in aconspiracy."

"Let us go, then. I cannot stay here any longer."

"With all my heart!" replied Danglars, pleased to find theother so tractable. "Let us take ourselves out of the way,and leave things for the present to take their course."

After their departure, Fernand, who had now again become thefriend and protector of Mercedes, led the girl to her home,while the friends of Dantes conducted the now half-faintingman back to his abode.

The rumor of Edmond arrest as a Bonapartist agent was notslow in circulating throughout the city.

"Could you ever have credited such a thing, my dearDanglars?" asked M. Morrel, as, on his return to the portfor the purpose of gleaning fresh tidings of Dantes, from M.de Villefort, the assistant procureur, he overtook hissupercargo and Caderousse. "Could you have believed such athing possible?"

"Why, you know I told you," replied Danglars, "that Iconsidered the circumstance of his having anchored at theIsland of Elba as a very suspicious circumstance."

"And did you mention these suspicions to any person besidemyself?"

"Certainly not!" returned Danglars. Then added in a lowwhisper, "You understand that, on account of your uncle, M.Policar Morrel, who served under the other government, andwho does not altogether conceal what he thinks on thesubject, you are strongly suspected of regretting theabdication of Napoleon. I should have feared to injure bothEdmond and yourself, had I divulged my own apprehensions toa soul. I am too well aware that though a subordinate, likemyself, is bound to acquaint the shipowner with everythingthat occurs, there are many things he ought most carefullyto conceal from all else."

"'Tis well, Danglars - 'tis well!" replied M. Morrel. "Youare a worthy fellow; and I had already thought of yourinterests in the event of poor Edmond having become captainof the Pharaon."

"Is it possible you were so kind?"

"Yes, indeed; I had previously inquired of Dantes what washis opinion of you, and if he should have any reluctance tocontinue you in your post, for somehow I have perceived asort of coolness between you."

"And what was his reply?"

"That he certainly did think he had given you offence in anaffair which he merely referred to without entering intoparticulars, but that whoever possessed the good opinion andconfidence of the ship's owner would have his preferencealso."

"The hypocrite!" murmured Danglars.

"Poor Dantes!" said Caderousse. "No one can deny his being anoble-hearted young fellow."

"But meanwhile," continued M. Morrel, "here is the Pharaonwithout a captain."

"Oh," replied Danglars, "since we cannot leave this port forthe next three months, let us hope that ere the expirationof that period Dantes will be set at liberty."

"No doubt; but in the meantime?"

"I am entirely at your service, M. Morrel," answeredDanglars. "You know that I am as capable of managing a shipas the most experienced captain in the service; and it willbe so far advantageous to you to accept my services, thatupon Edmond's release from prison no further change will berequisite on board the Pharaon than for Dantes and myselfeach to resume our respective posts."

"Thanks, Danglars - that will smooth over all difficulties.I fully authorize you at once to assume the command of thePharaon, and look carefully to the unloading of her freight.Private misfortunes must never be allowed to interfere withbusiness."

"Be easy on that score, M. Morrel; but do you think we shallbe permitted to see our poor Edmond?"

"I will let you know that directly I have seen M. deVillefort, whom I shall endeavor to interest in Edmond'sfavor. I am aware he is a furious royalist; but, in spite ofthat, and of his being king's attorney, he is a man likeourselves, and I fancy not a bad sort of one."

"Perhaps not," replied Danglars; "but I hear that he isambitions, and that's rather against him."

"Well, well," returned M. Morrel, "we shall see. But nowhasten on board, I will join you there ere long." So saying,the worthy shipowner quitted the two allies, and proceededin the direction of the Palais de Justice.

"You see," said Danglars, addressing Caderousse, "the turnthings have taken. Do you still feel any desire to stand upin his defence?"

"Not the slightest, but yet it seems to me a shocking thingthat a mere joke should lead to such consequences."

"But who perpetrated that joke, let me ask? neither you normyself, but Fernand; you knew very well that I threw thepaper into a corner of the room - indeed, I fancied I haddestroyed it."

"Oh, no," replied Caderousse, "that I can answer for, youdid not. I only wish I could see it now as plainly as I sawit lying all crushed and crumpled in a corner of the arbor."

"Well, then, if you did, depend upon it, Fernand picked itup, and either copied it or caused it to be copied; perhaps,even, he did not take the trouble of recopying it. And now Ithink of it, by Heavens, he may have sent the letter itself!Fortunately, for me, the handwriting was disguised."

"Then you were aware of Dantes being engaged in aconspiracy?"

"Not I. As I before said, I thought the whole thing was ajoke, nothing more. It seems, however, that I haveunconsciously stumbled upon the truth."

"Still," argued Caderousse, "I would give a great deal ifnothing of the kind had happened; or, at least, that I hadhad no hand in it. You will see, Danglars, that it will turnout an unlucky job for both of us."

"Nonsense! If any harm come of it, it should fall on theguilty person; and that, you know, is Fernand. How can we beimplicated in any way? All we have got to do is, to keep ourown counsel, and remain perfectly quiet, not breathing aword to any living soul; and you will see that the stormwill pass away without in the least affecting us."

"Amen!" responded Caderousse, waving his hand in token ofadieu to Danglars, and bending his steps towards the Alleesde Meillan, moving his head to and fro, and muttering as hewent, after the manner of one whose mind was overchargedwith one absorbing idea.

"So far, then," said Danglars, mentally, "all has gone as Iwould have it. I am, temporarily, commander of the Pharaon,with the certainty of being permanently so, if that fool ofa Caderousse can be persuaded to hold his tongue. My onlyfear is the chance of Dantes being released. But, there, heis in the hands of Justice; and," added he with a smile,"she will take her own." So saying, he leaped into a boat,desiring to be rowed on board the Pharaon, where M. Morrelhad agreed to meet him.