No sooner had Villefort left the salon, than he assumed thegrave air of a man who holds the balance of life and deathin his hands. Now, in spite of the mobility of hiscountenance, the command of which, like a finished actor, hehad carefully studied before the glass, it was by no meanseasy for him to assume an air of judicial severity. Exceptthe recollection of the line of politics his father hadadopted, and which might interfere, unless he acted with thegreatest prudence, with his own career, Gerard de Villefortwas as happy as a man could be. Already rich, he held a highofficial situation, though only twenty-seven. He was aboutto marry a young and charming woman, whom he loved, notpassionately, but reasonably, as became a deputy attorney ofthe king; and besides her personal attractions, which werevery great, Mademoiselle de Saint-Meran's family possessedconsiderable political influence, which they would, ofcourse, exert in his favor. The dowry of his wife amountedto fifty thousand crowns, and he had, besides, the prospectof seeing her fortune increased to half a million at herfather's death. These considerations naturally gaveVillefort a feeling of such complete felicity that his mindwas fairly dazzled in its contemplation.

At the door he met the commissary of police, who was waitingfor him. The sight of this officer recalled Villefort fromthe third heaven to earth; he composed his face, as we havebefore described, and said, "I have read the letter, sir,and you have acted rightly in arresting this man; now informme what you have discovered concerning him and theconspiracy."

"We know nothing as yet of the conspiracy, monsieur; all thepapers found have been sealed up and placed on your desk.The prisoner himself is named Edmond Dantes, mate on boardthe three-master the Pharaon, trading in cotton withAlexandria and Smyrna, and belonging to Morrel & Son, ofMarseilles."

"Before he entered the merchant service, had he ever servedin the marines?"

"Oh, no, monsieur, he is very young."

"How old?"

"Nineteen or twenty at the most."

At this moment, and as Villefort had arrived at the cornerof the Rue des Conseils, a man, who seemed to have beenwaiting for him, approached; it was M. Morrel.

"Ah, M. de Villefort," cried he, "I am delighted to see you.Some of your people have committed the strangest mistake - they have just arrested Edmond Dantes, mate of my vessel."

"I know it, monsieur," replied Villefort, "and I am nowgoing to examine him."

"Oh," said Morrel, carried away by his friendship, "you donot know him, and I do. He is the most estimable, the mosttrustworthy creature in the world, and I will venture tosay, there is not a better seaman in all the merchantservice. Oh, M. de Villefort, I beseech your indulgence forhim."

Villefort, as we have seen, belonged to the aristocraticparty at Marseilles, Morrel to the plebeian; the first was aroyalist, the other suspected of Bonapartism. Villefortlooked disdainfully at Morrel, and replied, -

"You are aware, monsieur, that a man may be estimable andtrustworthy in private life, and the best seaman in themerchant service, and yet be, politically speaking, a greatcriminal. Is it not true?"

The magistrate laid emphasis on these words, as if he wishedto apply them to the owner himself, while his eyes seemed toplunge into the heart of one who, interceding for another,had himself need of indulgence. Morrel reddened, for his ownconscience was not quite clear on politics; besides, whatDantes had told him of his interview with the grand-marshal,and what the emperor had said to him, embarrassed him. Hereplied, however, -

"I entreat you, M. de Villefort, be, as you always are, kindand equitable, and give him back to us soon." This give ussounded revolutionary in the deputy's ears.

"Ah, ah," murmured he, "is Dantes then a member of someCarbonari society, that his protector thus employs thecollective form? He was, if I recollect, arrested in atavern, in company with a great many others." Then he added,"Monsieur, you may rest assured I shall perform my dutyimpartially, and that if he be innocent you shall not haveappealed to me in vain; should he, however, be guilty, inthis present epoch, impunity would furnish a dangerousexample, and I must do my duty."

As he had now arrived at the door of his own house, whichadjoined the Palais de Justice, he entered, after having,coldly saluted the shipowner, who stood, as if petrified, onthe spot where Villefort had left him. The ante-chamber wasfull of police agents and gendarmes, in the midst of whom,carefully watched, but calm and smiling, stood the prisoner.Villefort traversed the ante-chamber, cast a side glance atDantes, and taking a packet which a gendarme offered him,disappeared, saying, "Bring in the prisoner."

Rapid as had been Villefort's glance, it had served to givehim an idea of the man he was about to interrogate. He hadrecognized intelligence in the high forehead, courage in thedark eye and bent brow, and frankness in the thick lips thatshowed a set of pearly teeth. Villefort's first impressionwas favorable; but he had been so often warned to mistrustfirst impulses, that he applied the maxim to the impression,forgetting the difference between the two words. He stifled,therefore, the feelings of compassion that were rising,composed his features, and sat down, grim and sombre, at hisdesk. An instant after Dantes entered. He was pale, but calmand collected, and saluting his judge with easy politeness,looked round for a seat, as if he had been in M. Morrel'ssalon. It was then that he encountered for the first timeVillefort's look, - that look peculiar to the magistrate,who, while seeming to read the thoughts of others, betraysnothing of his own.

"Who and what are you?" demanded Villefort, turning over apile of papers, containing information relative to theprisoner, that a police agent had given to him on his entry,and that, already, in an hour's time, had swelled tovoluminous proportions, thanks to the corrupt espionage ofwhich "the accused" is always made the victim.

"My name is Edmond Dantes," replied the young man calmly; "Iam mate of the Pharaon, belonging to Messrs. Morrel & Son."

"Your age?" continued Villefort.

"Nineteen," returned Dantes.

"What were you doing at the moment you were arrested?"

"I was at the festival of my marriage, monsieur," said theyoung man, his voice slightly tremulous, so great was thecontrast between that happy moment and the painful ceremonyhe was now undergoing; so great was the contrast between thesombre aspect of M. de Villefort and the radiant face ofMercedes.

"You were at the festival of your marriage?" said thedeputy, shuddering in spite of himself.

"Yes, monsieur; I am on the point of marrying a young girl Ihave been attached to for three years." Villefort, impassiveas he was, was struck with this coincidence; and thetremulous voice of Dantes, surprised in the midst of hishappiness, struck a sympathetic chord in his own bosom - healso was on the point of being married, and he was summonedfrom his own happiness to destroy that of another. "Thisphilosophic reflection," thought he, "will make a greatsensation at M. de Saint-Meran's;" and he arranged mentally,while Dantes awaited further questions, the antithesis bywhich orators often create a reputation for eloquence. Whenthis speech was arranged, Villefort turned to Dantes.

"Go on, sir," said he.

"What would you have me say?"

"Give all the information in your power."

"Tell me on which point you desire information, and I willtell all I know; only," added he, with a smile, "I warn youI know very little."

"Have you served under the usurper?"

"I was about to be mustered into the Royal Marines when hefell."

"It is reported your political opinions are extreme," saidVillefort, who had never heard anything of the kind, but wasnot sorry to make this inquiry, as if it were an accusation.

"My political opinions!" replied Dantes. "Alas, sir, I neverhad any opinions. I am hardly nineteen; I know nothing; Ihave no part to play. If I obtain the situation I desire, Ishall owe it to M. Morrel. Thus all my opinions - I willnot say public, but private - are confined to these threesentiment, - I love my father, I respect M. Morrel, and Iadore Mercedes. This, sir, is all I can tell you, and yousee how uninteresting it is." As Dantes spoke, Villefortgazed at his ingenuous and open countenance, and recollectedthe words of Renee, who, without knowing who the culpritwas, had besought his indulgence for him. With the deputy'sknowledge of crime and criminals, every word the young manuttered convinced him more and more of his innocence. Thislad, for he was scarcely a man, - simple, natural, eloquentwith that eloquence of the heart never found when soughtfor; full of affection for everybody, because he was happy,and because happiness renders even the wicked good - extended his affection even to his judge, spite ofVillefort's severe look and stern accent. Dantes seemed fullof kindness.

"Pardieu," said Villefort, "he is a noble fellow. I hope Ishall gain Renee's favor easily by obeying the first commandshe ever imposed on me. I shall have at least a pressure ofthe hand in public, and a sweet kiss in private." Full ofthis idea, Villefort's face became so joyous, that when heturned to Dantes, the latter, who had watched the change onhis physiognomy, was smiling also.

"Sir," said Villefort, "have you any enemies, at least, thatyou know."

"I have enemies?" replied Dantes; "my position is notsufficiently elevated for that. As for my disposition, thatis, perhaps, somewhat too hasty; but I have striven torepress it. I have had ten or twelve sailors under me, andif you question them, they will tell you that they love andrespect me, not as a father, for I am too young, but as anelder brother."

"But you may have excited jealousy. You are about to becomecaptain at nineteen - an elevated post; you are about tomarry a pretty girl, who loves you; and these two pieces ofgood fortune may have excited the envy of some one."

"You are right; you know men better than I do, and what yousay may possibly be the case, I confess; but if such personsare among my acquaintances I prefer not to know it, becausethen I should be forced to hate them."

"You are wrong; you should always strive to see clearlyaround you. You seem a worthy young man; I will depart fromthe strict line of my duty to aid you in discovering theauthor of this accusation. Here is the paper; do you knowthe writing?" As he spoke, Villefort drew the letter fromhis pocket, and presented it to Dantes. Dantes read it. Acloud passed over his brow as he said, -

"No, monsieur, I do not know the writing, and yet it istolerably plain. Whoever did it writes well. I am veryfortunate," added he, looking gratefully at Villefort, "tobe examined by such a man as you; for this envious person isa real enemy." And by the rapid glance that the young man'seyes shot forth, Villefort saw how much energy lay hidbeneath this mildness.

"Now," said the deputy, "answer me frankly, not as aprisoner to a judge, but as one man to another who takes aninterest in him, what truth is there in the accusationcontained in this anonymous letter?" And Villefort threwdisdainfully on his desk the letter Dantes had just givenback to him.

"None at all. I will tell you the real facts. I swear by myhonor as a sailor, by my love for Mercedes, by the life ofmy father" -

"Speak, monsieur," said Villefort. Then, internally, "IfRenee could see me, I hope she would be satisfied, and wouldno longer call me a decapitator."

"Well, when we quitted Naples, Captain Leclere was attackedwith a brain fever. As we had no doctor on board, and he wasso anxious to arrive at Elba, that he would not touch at anyother port, his disorder rose to such a height, that at theend of the third day, feeling he was dying, he called me tohim. `My dear Dantes,' said he, `swear to perform what I amgoing to tell you, for it is a matter of the deepestimportance.'

"`I swear, captain,' replied I.

"`Well, as after my death the command devolves on you asmate, assume the command, and bear up for the Island ofElba, disembark at Porto-Ferrajo, ask for the grand-marshal,give him this letter - perhaps they will give you anotherletter, and charge you with a commission. You willaccomplish what I was to have done, and derive all the honorand profit from it.'

"`I will do it, captain; but perhaps I shall not be admittedto the grand marshal's presence as easily as you expect?'

"`Here is a ring that will obtain audience of him, andremove every difficulty,' said the captain. At these wordshe gave me a ring. It was time - two hours after he wasdelirious; the next day he died."

"And what did you do then?"

"What I ought to have done, and what every one would havedone in my place. Everywhere the last requests of a dyingman are sacred; but with a sailor the last requests of hissuperior are commands. I sailed for the Island of Elba,where I arrived the next day; I ordered everybody to remainon board, and went on shore alone. As I had expected, Ifound some difficulty in obtaining access to thegrand-marshal; but I sent the ring I had received from thecaptain to him, and was instantly admitted. He questioned meconcerning Captain Leclere's death; and, as the latter hadtold me, gave me a letter to carry on to a person in Paris.I undertook it because it was what my captain had bade medo. I landed here, regulated the affairs of the vessel, andhastened to visit my affianced bride, whom I found morelovely than ever. Thanks to M. Morrel, all the forms weregot over; in a word I was, as I told you, at mymarriage-feast; and I should have been married in an hour,and to-morrow I intended to start for Paris, had I not beenarrested on this charge which you as well as I now see to beunjust."

"Ah," said Villefort, "this seems to me the truth. If youhave been culpable, it was imprudence, and this imprudencewas in obedience to the orders of your captain. Give up thisletter you have brought from Elba, and pass your word youwill appear should you be required, and go and rejoin yourfriends.

"I am free, then, sir?" cried Dantes joyfully.

"Yes; but first give me this letter."

"You have it already, for it was taken from me with someothers which I see in that packet."

"Stop a moment," said the deputy, as Dantes took his hat andgloves. "To whom is it addressed?"

"To Monsieur Noirtier, Rue Coq-Heron, Paris." Had athunderbolt fallen into the room, Villefort could not havebeen more stupefied. He sank into his seat, and hastilyturning over the packet, drew forth the fatal letter, atwhich he glanced with an expression of terror.

"M. Noirtier, Rue Coq-Heron, No. 13," murmured he, growingstill paler.

"Yes," said Dantes; "do you know him?"

"No," replied Villefort; "a faithful servant of the kingdoes not know conspirators."

"It is a conspiracy, then?" asked Dantes, who afterbelieving himself free, now began to feel a tenfold alarm."I have, however, already told you, sir, I was entirelyignorant of the contents of the letter."

"Yes; but you knew the name of the person to whom it wasaddressed," said Villefort.

"I was forced to read the address to know to whom to giveit."

"Have you shown this letter to any one?" asked Villefort,becoming still more pale.

"To no one, on my honor."

"Everybody is ignorant that you are the bearer of a letterfrom the Island of Elba, and addressed to M. Noirtier?"

"Everybody, except the person who gave it to me."

"And that was too much, far too much," murmured Villefort.Villefort's brow darkened more and more, his white lips andclinched teeth filled Dantes with apprehension. Afterreading the letter, Villefort covered his face with hishands.

"Oh," said Dantes timidly, "what is the matter?" Villefortmade no answer, but raised his head at the expiration of afew seconds, and again perused the letter.

"And you say that you are ignorant of the contents of thisletter?"

"I give you my word of honor, sir," said Dantes; "but whatis the matter? You are ill - shall I ring for assistance?- shall I call?"

"No," said Villefort, rising hastily; "stay where you are.It is for me to give orders here, and not you."

"Monsieur," replied Dantes proudly, "it was only to summonassistance for you."

"I want none; it was a temporary indisposition. Attend toyourself; answer me." Dantes waited, expecting a question,but in vain. Villefort fell back on his chair, passed hishand over his brow, moist with perspiration, and, for thethird time, read the letter.

"Oh, if he knows the contents of this!" murmured he, "andthat Noirtier is the father of Villefort, I am lost!" And hefixed his eyes upon Edmond as if he would have penetratedhis thoughts.

"Oh, it is impossible to doubt it," cried he, suddenly.

"In heaven's name!" cried the unhappy young man, "if youdoubt me, question me; I will answer you." Villefort made aviolent effort, and in a tone he strove to render firm, -

"Sir," said he, "I am no longer able, as I had hoped, torestore you immediately to liberty; before doing so, I mustconsult the trial justice; what my own feeling is youalready know."

"Oh, monsieur," cried Dantes, "you have been rather a friendthan a judge."

"Well, I must detain you some time longer, but I will striveto make it as short as possible. The principal chargeagainst you is this letter, and you see" - Villefortapproached the fire, cast it in, and waited until it wasentirely consumed.

"You see, I destroy it?"

"Oh," exclaimed Dantes, "you are goodness itself."

"Listen," continued Villefort; "you can now have confidencein me after what I have done."

"Oh, command, and I will obey."

"Listen; this is not a command, but advice I give you."

"Speak, and I will follow your advice."

"I shall detain you until this evening in the Palais deJustice. Should any one else interrogate you, say to himwhat you have said to me, but do not breathe a word of thisletter."

"I promise." It was Villefort who seemed to entreat, and theprisoner who reassured him.

"You see," continued he, glancing toward the grate, wherefragments of burnt paper fluttered in the flames, "theletter is destroyed; you and I alone know of its existence;should you, therefore, be questioned, deny all knowledge ofit - deny it boldly, and you are saved."

"Be satisfied; I will deny it."

"It was the only letter you had?"

"It was."

"Swear it."

"I swear it."

Villefort rang. A police agent entered. Villefort whisperedsome words in his ear, to which the officer replied by amotion of his head.

"Follow him," said Villefort to Dantes. Dantes salutedVillefort and retired. Hardly had the door closed whenVillefort threw himself half-fainting into a chair.

"Alas, alas," murmured he, "if the procureur himself hadbeen at Marseilles I should have been ruined. This accursedletter would have destroyed all my hopes. Oh, my father,must your past career always interfere with my successes?"Suddenly a light passed over his face, a smile played roundhis set mouth, and his haggard eyes were fixed in thought.

"This will do," said he, "and from this letter, which mighthave ruined me, I will make my fortune. Now to the work Ihave in hand." And after having assured himself that theprisoner was gone, the deputy procureur hastened to thehouse of his betrothed.