In his whole life, perhaps, Franz had never beforeexperienced so sudden an impression, so rapid a transitionfrom gayety to sadness, as in this moment. It seemed asthough Rome, under the magic breath of some demon of thenight, had suddenly changed into a vast tomb. By a chance,which added yet more to the intensity of the darkness, themoon, which was on the wane, did not rise until eleveno'clock, and the streets which the young man traversed wereplunged in the deepest obscurity. The distance was short,and at the end of ten minutes his carriage, or rather thecount's, stopped before the Hotel de Londres. Dinner waswaiting, but as Albert had told him that he should notreturn so soon, Franz sat down without him. Signor Pastrini,who had been accustomed to see them dine together, inquiredinto the cause of his absence, but Franz merely replied thatAlbert had received on the previous evening an invitationwhich he had accepted. The sudden extinction of themoccoletti, the darkness which had replaced the light, andthe silence which had succeeded the turmoil, had left inFranz's mind a certain depression which was not free fromuneasiness. He therefore dined very silently, in spite ofthe officious attention of his host, who presented himselftwo or three times to inquire if he wanted anything.

Franz resolved to wait for Albert as late as possible. Heordered the carriage, therefore, for eleven o'clock,desiring Signor Pastrini to inform him the moment thatAlbert returned to the hotel. At eleven o'clock Albert hadnot come back. Franz dressed himself, and went out, tellinghis host that he was going to pass the night at the Duke ofBracciano's. The house of the Duke of Bracciano is one ofthe most delightful in Rome, the duchess, one of the lastheiresses of the Colonnas, does its honors with the mostconsummate grace, and thus their fetes have a Europeancelebrity. Franz and Albert had brought to Rome letters ofintroduction to them, and their first question on hisarrival was to inquire the whereabouts of his travellingcompanion. Franz replied that he had left him at the momentthey were about to extinguish the moccoli, and that he hadlost sight of him in the Via Macello. "Then he has notreturned?" said the duke.

"I waited for him until this hour," replied Franz.

"And do you know whither he went?"

"No, not precisely; however, I think it was something verylike a rendezvous."

"Diavolo!" said the duke, "this is a bad day, or rather abad night, to be out late; is it not, countess!" These wordswere addressed to the Countess G - - , who had justarrived, and was leaning on the arm of Signor Torlonia, theduke's brother.

"I think, on the contrary, that it is a charming night,"replied the countess, "and those who are here will complainof but one thing - its too rapid flight."

"I am not speaking," said the duke with a smile, "of thepersons who are here; the men run no other danger than thatof falling in love with you, and the women of falling ill ofjealousy at seeing you so lovely; I meant persons who wereout in the streets of Rome."

"Ah," asked the countess, "who is out in the streets of Romeat this hour, unless it be to go to a ball?"

"Our friend, Albert de Morcerf, countess, whom I left inpursuit of his unknown about seven o'clock this evening,"said Franz, "and whom I have not seen since."

"And don't you know where he is?"

"Not at all."

"Is he armed?"

"He is in masquerade."

"You should not have allowed him to go," said the duke toFranz; "you, who know Rome better than he does."

"You might as well have tried to stop number three of thebarberi, who gained the prize in the race to-day," repliedFranz; "and then moreover, what could happen to him?"

"Who can tell? The night is gloomy, and the Tiber is verynear the Via Macello." Franz felt a shudder run through hisveins at observing that the feeling of the duke and thecountess was so much in unison with his own personaldisquietude. "I informed them at the hotel that I had thehonor of passing the night here, duke," said Franz, "anddesired them to come and inform me of his return."

"Ah," replied the duke, "here I think, is one of my servantswho is seeking you."

The duke was not mistaken; when he saw Franz, the servantcame up to him. "Your excellency," he said, "the master ofthe Hotel de Londres has sent to let you know that a man iswaiting for you with a letter from the Viscount of Morcerf."

"A letter from the viscount!" exclaimed Franz.

"Yes."

"And who is the man?"

"I do not know."

"Why did he not bring it to me here?"

"The messenger did not say."

"And where is the messenger?"

"He went away directly he saw me enter the ball-room to findyou."

"Oh," said the countess to Franz, "go with all speed - pooryoung man! Perhaps some accident has happened to him."

"I will hasten," replied Franz.

"Shall we see you again to give us any information?"inquired the countess.

"Yes, if it is not any serious affair, otherwise I cannotanswer as to what I may do myself."

"Be prudent, in any event," said the countess.

"Oh, pray be assured of that." Franz took his hat and wentaway in haste. He had sent away his carriage with orders forit to fetch him at two o'clock; fortunately the PalazzoBracciano, which is on one side in the Corso, and on theother in the Square of the Holy Apostles, is hardly tenminutes' walk from the Hotel de Londres. As he came near thehotel, Franz saw a man in the middle of the street. He hadno doubt that it was the messenger from Albert. The man waswrapped up in a large cloak. He went up to him, but, to hisextreme astonishment, the stranger first addressed him."What wants your excellency of me?" inquired the man,retreating a step or two, as if to keep on his guard.

"Are not you the person who brought me a letter," inquiredFranz, "from the Viscount of Morcerf?"

"Your excellency lodges at Pastrini's hotel?"

"I do."

"Your excellency is the travelling companion of theviscount?"

"I am."

"Your excellency's name" -

"Is the Baron Franz d'Epinay."

"Then it is to your excellency that this letter isaddressed."

"Is there any answer?" inquired Franz, taking the letterfrom him.

"Yes - your friend at least hopes so."

"Come up-stairs with me, and I will give it to you."

"I prefer waiting here," said the messenger, with a smile.

"And why?"

"Your excellency will know when you have read the letter."

"Shall I find you here, then?"

"Certainly."

Franz entered the hotel. On the staircase he met SignorPastrini. "Well?" said the landlord.

"Well - what?" responded Franz.

"You have seen the man who desired to speak with you fromyour friend?" he asked of Franz.

"Yes, I have seen him," he replied, "and he has handed thisletter to me. Light the candles in my apartment, if youplease." The inn-keeper gave orders to a servant to gobefore Franz with a light. The young man had found SignorPastrini looking very much alarmed, and this had only madehim the more anxious to read Albert's letter; and so he wentinstantly towards the waxlight, and unfolded it. It waswritten and signed by Albert. Franz read it twice before hecould comprehend what it contained. It was thus worded: -

My Dear Fellow, - The moment you have received this, havethe kindness to take the letter of credit from mypocket-book, which you will find in the square drawer of thesecretary; add your own to it, if it be not sufficient. Runto Torlonia, draw from him instantly four thousand piastres,and give them to the bearer. It is urgent that I should havethis money without delay. I do not say more, relying on youas you may rely on me. Your friend,

Albert de Morcerf.

P.S. - I now believe in Italian banditti.

Below these lines were written, in a strange hand, thefollowing in Italian: -

Se alle sei della mattina le quattro mile piastre non sononelle mie mani, alla sette il conte Alberto avra cessato divivere.

Luigi Vampa.

"If by six in the morning the four thousand piastres are notin my hands, by seven o'clock the Count Albert will haveceased to live."

This second signature explained everything to Franz, who nowunderstood the objection of the messenger to coming up intothe apartment; the street was safer for him. Albert, then,had fallen into the hands of the famous bandit chief, inwhose existence he had for so long a time refused tobelieve. There was no time to lose. He hastened to open thesecretary, and found the pocket-book in the drawer, and init the letter of credit. There were in all six thousandpiastres, but of these six thousand Albert had alreadyexpended three thousand. As to Franz, he had no letter ofcredit, as he lived at Florence, and had only come to Rometo pass seven or eight days; he had brought but a hundredlouis, and of these he had not more than fifty left. Thusseven or eight hundred piastres were wanting to them both tomake up the sum that Albert required. True, he might in sucha case rely on the kindness of Signor Torlonia. He was,therefore, about to return to the Palazzo Bracciano withoutloss of time, when suddenly a luminous idea crossed hismind. He remembered the Count of Monte Cristo. Franz wasabout to ring for Signor Pastrini, when that worthypresented himself. "My dear sir," he said, hastily, "do youknow if the count is within?"

"Yes, your excellency; he has this moment returned."

"Is he in bed?"

"I should say no."

"Then ring at his door, if you please, and request him to beso kind as to give me an audience." Signor Pastrini did ashe was desired, and returning five minutes after, he said,- "The count awaits your excellency." Franz went along thecorridor, and a servant introduced him to the count. He wasin a small room which Franz had not yet seen, and which wassurrounded with divans. The count came towards him. "Well,what good wind blows you hither at this hour?" said he;"have you come to sup with me? It would be very kind ofyou."

"No; I have come to speak to you of a very serious matter."

"A serious matter," said the count, looking at Franz withthe earnestness usual to him; "and what may it be?"

"Are we alone?"

"Yes," replied the count, going to the door, and returning.Franz gave him Albert's letter. "Read that," he said. Thecount read it.

"Well, well!" said he.

"Did you see the postscript?"

"I did, indeed.

"`Se alle sei della mattina le quattro mile piastre non sononelle mie mani, alla sette il conte Alberto avra cessato divivere.

"`Luigi Vampa.'"

"What think you of that?" inquired Franz.

"Have you the money he demands?"

"Yes, all but eight hundred piastres." The count went to hissecretary, opened it, and pulling out a drawer filled withgold, said to Franz, - "I hope you will not offend me byapplying to any one but myself."

"You see, on the contrary, I come to you first andinstantly," replied Franz.

"And I thank you; have what you will; "and he made a sign toFranz to take what he pleased.

"Is it absolutely necessary, then, to send the money toLuigi Vampa?" asked the young man, looking fixedly in histurn at the count.

"Judge for yourself," replied he. "The postscript isexplicit."

"I think that if you would take the trouble of reflecting,you could find a way of simplifying the negotiation," saidFranz.

"How so?" returned the count, with surprise.

"If we were to go together to Luigi Vampa, I am sure hewould not refuse you Albert's freedom."

"What influence can I possibly have over a bandit?"

"Have you not just rendered him a service that can never beforgotten?"

"What is that?"

"Have you not saved Peppino's life?"

"Well, well, said the count, "who told you that?"

"No matter; I know it." The count knit his brows, andremained silent an instant. "And if I went to seek Vampa,would you accompany me?"

"If my society would not be disagreeable."

"Be it so. It is a lovely night, and a walk without Romewill do us both good."

"Shall I take any arms?"

"For what purpose?"

"Any money?"

"It is useless. Where is the man who brought the letter?"

"In the street."

"He awaits the answer?"

"Yes."

"I must learn where we are going. I will summon him hither."

"It is useless; he would not come up."

"To your apartments, perhaps; but he will not make anydifficulty at entering mine." The count went to the windowof the apartment that looked on to the street, and whistledin a peculiar manner. The man in the mantle quitted thewall, and advanced into the middle of the street. "Salite!"said the count, in the same tone in which he would havegiven an order to his servant. The messenger obeyed withoutthe least hesitation, but rather with alacrity, and,mounting the steps at a bound, entered the hotel; fiveseconds afterwards he was at the door of the room. "Ah, itis you, Peppino," said the count. But Peppino, instead ofanswering, threw himself on his knees, seized the count'shand, and covered it with kisses. "Ah," said the count, "youhave, then, not forgotten that I saved your life; that isstrange, for it is a week ago."

"No, excellency; and never shall I forget it," returnedPeppino, with an accent of profound gratitude.

"Never? That is a long time; but it is something that youbelieve so. Rise and answer." Peppino glanced anxiously atFranz. "Oh, you may speak before his excellency," said he;"he is one of my friends. You allow me to give you thistitle?" continued the count in French, "it is necessary toexcite this man's confidence."

"You can speak before me," said Franz; "I am a friend of thecount's."

"Good!" returned Peppino. "I am ready to answer anyquestions your excellency may address to me."

"How did the Viscount Albert fall into Luigi's hands?"

"Excellency, the Frenchman's carriage passed several timesthe one in which was Teresa."

"The chief's mistress?"

"Yes. The Frenchman threw her a bouquet; Teresa returned it- all this with the consent of the chief, who was in thecarriage."

"What?" cried Franz, "was Luigi Vampa in the carriage withthe Roman peasants?"

"It was he who drove, disguised as the coachman," repliedPeppino.

"Well?" said the count.

"Well, then, the Frenchman took off his mask; Teresa, withthe chief's consent, did the same. The Frenchman asked for arendezvous; Teresa gave him one - only, instead of Teresa,it was Beppo who was on the steps of the church of SanGiacomo."

"What!" exclaimed Franz, "the peasant girl who snatched hismocoletto from him" -

"Was a lad of fifteen," replied Peppino. "But it was nodisgrace to your friend to have been deceived; Beppo hastaken in plenty of others."

"And Beppo led him outside the walls?" said the count.

"Exactly so; a carriage was waiting at the end of the ViaMacello. Beppo got in, inviting the Frenchman to follow him,and he did not wait to be asked twice. He gallantly offeredthe right-hand seat to Beppo, and sat by him. Beppo told himhe was going to take him to a villa a league from Rome; theFrenchman assured him he would follow him to the end of theworld. The coachman went up the Via di Ripetta and the PortaSan Paola; and when they were two hundred yards outside, asthe Frenchman became somewhat too forward, Beppo put a braceof pistols to his head, the coachman pulled up and did thesame. At the same time, four of the band, who were concealedon the banks of the Almo, surrounded the carriage. TheFrenchman made some resistance, and nearly strangled Beppo;but he could not resist five armed men. and was forced toyield. They made him get out, walk along the banks of theriver, and then brought him to Teresa and Luigi, who werewaiting for him in the catacombs of St. Sebastian."

"Well," said the count, turning towards Franz, "it seems tome that this is a very likely story. What do you say to it?"

"Why, that I should think it very amusing," replied Franz,"if it had happened to any one but poor Albert."

"And, in truth, if you had not found me here," said thecount, "it might have proved a gallant adventure which wouldhave cost your friend dear; but now, be assured, his alarmwill be the only serious consequence."

"And shall we go and find him?" inquired Franz.

"Oh, decidedly, sir. He is in a very picturesque place - doyou know the catacombs of St. Sebastian?"

"I was never in them; but I have often resolved to visitthem."

"Well, here is an opportunity made to your hand, and itwould be difficult to contrive a better. Have you acarriage?"

"No."

"That is of no consequence; I always have one ready, day andnight."

"Always ready?"

"Yes. I am a very capricious being, and I should tell youthat sometimes when I rise, or after my dinner, or in themiddle of the night, I resolve on starting for someparticular point, and away I go." The count rang, and afootman appeared. "Order out the carriage," he said, "andremove the pistols which are in the holsters. You need notawaken the coachman; Ali will drive." In a very short timethe noise of wheels was heard, and the carriage stopped atthe door. The count took out his watch. "Half-past twelve,"he said. "We might start at five o'clock and be in time, butthe delay may cause your friend to pass an uneasy night, andtherefore we had better go with all speed to extricate himfrom the hands of the infidels. Are you still resolved toaccompany me?"

"More determined than ever."

"Well, then, come along."

Franz and the count went downstairs, accompanied by Peppino.At the door they found the carriage. Ali was on the box, inwhom Franz recognized the dumb slave of the grotto of MonteCristo. Franz and the count got into the carriage. Peppinoplaced himself beside Ali, and they set off at a rapid pace.Ali had received his instructions, and went down the Corso,crossed the Campo Vaccino, went up the Strada San Gregorio,and reached the gates of St. Sebastian. Then the porterraised some difficulties, but the Count of Monte Cristoproduced a permit from the governor of Rome, allowing him toleave or enter the city at any hour of the day or night; theportcullis was therefore raised, the porter had a louis forhis trouble, and they went on their way. The road which thecarriage now traversed was the ancient Appian Way, andbordered with tombs. From time to time, by the light of themoon, which began to rise, Franz imagined that he sawsomething like a sentinel appear at various points among theruins, and suddenly retreat into the darkness on a signalfrom Peppino. A short time before they reached the Baths ofCaracalla the carriage stopped, Peppino opened the door, andthe count and Franz alighted.

"In ten minutes," said the count to his companion, "we shallbe there."

He then took Peppino aside, gave him an order in a lowvoice, and Peppino went away, taking with him a torch,brought with them in the carriage. Five minutes elapsed,during which Franz saw the shepherd going along a narrowpath that led over the irregular and broken surface of theCampagna; and finally he disappeared in the midst of thetall red herbage, which seemed like the bristling mane of anenormous lion. "Now," said the count, "let us follow him."Franz and the count in their turn then advanced along thesame path, which, at the distance of a hundred paces, ledthem over a declivity to the bottom of a small valley. Theythen perceived two men conversing in the obscurity. "Oughtwe to go on?" asked Franz of the count; "or shall we waitawhile?"

"Let us go on; Peppino will have warned the sentry of ourcoming." One of the two men was Peppino, and the other abandit on the lookout. Franz and the count advanced, and thebandit saluted them. "Your excellency," said Peppino,addressing the count, "if you will follow me, the opening ofthe catacombs is close at hand."

"Go on, then," replied the count. They came to an openingbehind a clump of bushes and in the midst of a pile ofrocks, by which a man could scarcely pass. Peppino glidedfirst into this crevice; after they got along a few pacesthe passage widened. Peppino passed, lighted his torch, andturned to see if they came after him. The count firstreached an open space and Franz followed him closely. Thepassageway sloped in a gentle descent, enlarging as theyproceeded; still Franz and the count were compelled toadvance in a stooping posture, and were scarcely able toproceed abreast of one another. They went on a hundred andfifty paces in this way, and then were stopped by, "Whocomes there?" At the same time they saw the reflection of atorch on a carbine barrel.

"A friend!" responded Peppino; and, advancing alone towardsthe sentry, he said a few words to him in a low tone; andthen he, like the first, saluted the nocturnal visitors,making a sign that they might proceed.

Behind the sentinel was a staircase with twenty steps. Franzand the count descended these, and found themselves in amortuary chamber. Five corridors diverged like the rays of astar, and the walls, dug into niches, which were arrangedone above the other in the shape of coffins, showed thatthey were at last in the catacombs. Down one of thecorridors, whose extent it was impossible to determine, raysof light were visible. The count laid his hand on Franz'sshoulder. "Would you like to see a camp of bandits inrepose?" he inquired.

"Exceedingly," replied Franz.

"Come with me, then. Peppino, put out the torch." Peppinoobeyed, and Franz and the count were in utter darkness,except that fifty paces in advance of them a reddish glare,more evident since Peppino had put out his torch, wasvisible along the wall. They advanced silently, the countguiding Franz as if he had the singular faculty of seeing inthe dark. Franz himself, however, saw his way more plainlyin proportion as he went on towards the light, which servedin some manner as a guide. Three arcades were before them,and the middle one was used as a door. These arcades openedon one side into the corridor where the count and Franzwere, and on the other into a large square chamber, entirelysurrounded by niches similar to those of which we havespoken. In the midst of this chamber were four stones, whichhad formerly served as an altar, as was evident from thecross which still surmounted them. A lamp, placed at thebase of a pillar, lighted up with its pale and flickeringflame the singular scene which presented itself to the eyesof the two visitors concealed in the shadow. A man wasseated with his elbow leaning on the column, and was readingwith his back turned to the arcades, through the openings ofwhich the newcomers contemplated him. This was the chief ofthe band, Luigi Vampa. Around him, and in groups, accordingto their fancy, lying in their mantles, or with their backsagainst a sort of stone bench, which went all round thecolumbarium, were to be seen twenty brigands or more, eachhaving his carbine within reach. At the other end, silent,scarcely visible, and like a shadow, was a sentinel, who waswalking up and down before a grotto, which was onlydistinguishable because in that spot the darkness seemedmore dense than elsewhere. When the count thought Franz hadgazed sufficiently on this picturesque tableau, he raisedhis finger to his lips, to warn him to be silent, and,ascending the three steps which led to the corridor of thecolumbarium, entered the chamber by the middle arcade, andadvanced towards Vampa, who was so intent on the book beforehim that he did not hear the noise of his footsteps.

"Who comes there?" cried the sentinel, who was lessabstracted, and who saw by the lamp-light a shadowapproaching his chief. At this challenge, Vampa rosequickly, drawing at the same moment a pistol from hisgirdle. In a moment all the bandits were on their feet, andtwenty carbines were levelled at the count. "Well," said hein a voice perfectly calm, and no muscle of his countenancedisturbed, "well, my dear Vampa, it appears to me that youreceive a friend with a great deal of ceremony."

"Ground arms," exclaimed the chief, with an imperative signof the hand, while with the other he took off his hatrespectfully; then, turning to the singular personage whohad caused this scene, he said, "Your pardon, yourexcellency, but I was so far from expecting the honor of avisit, that I did not really recognize you."

"It seems that your memory is equally short in everything,Vampa," said the count, "and that not only do you forgetpeople's faces, but also the conditions you make with them."

"What conditions have I forgotten, your excellency?"inquired the bandit, with the air of a man who, havingcommitted an error, is anxious to repair it.

"Was it not agreed," asked the count, "that not only myperson, but also that of my friends, should be respected byyou?"

"And how have I broken that treaty, your excellency?"

"You have this evening carried off and conveyed hither theVicomte Albert de Morcerf. Well," continued the count, in atone that made Franz shudder, "this young gentleman is oneof my friends - this young gentleman lodges in the samehotel as myself - this young gentleman has been up and downthe Corso for eight hours in my private carriage, and yet, Irepeat to you, you have carried him off, and conveyed himhither, and," added the count, taking the letter from hispocket, "you have set a ransom on him, as if he were anutter stranger."

"Why did you not tell me all this - you?" inquired thebrigand chief, turning towards his men, who all retreatedbefore his look. "Why have you caused me thus to fail in myword towards a gentleman like the count, who has all ourlives in his hands? By heavens, if I thought one of you knewthat the young gentleman was the friend of his excellency, Iwould blow his brains out with my own hand!"

"Well," said the count, turning towards Franz, "I told youthere was some mistake in this."

"Are you not alone?" asked Vampa with uneasiness.

"I am with the person to whom this letter was addressed, andto whom I desired to prove that Luigi Vampa was a man of hisword. Come, your excellency," the count added, turning toFranz, "here is Luigi Vampa, who will himself express to youhis deep regret at the mistake he has committed." Franzapproached, the chief advancing several steps to meet him."Welcome among us, your excellency," he said to him; "youheard what the count just said, and also my reply; let meadd that I would not for the four thousand piastres at whichI had fixed your friend's ransom, that this had happened."

"But," said Franz, looking round him uneasily, "where is theViscount? - I do not see him."

"Nothing has happened to him, I hope," said the countfrowningly.

"The prisoner is there," replied Vampa, pointing to thehollow space in front of which the bandit was on guard, "andI will go myself and tell him he is free." The chief wenttowards the place he had pointed out as Albert's prison, andFranz and the count followed him. "What is the prisonerdoing?" inquired Vampa of the sentinel.

"Ma foi, captain," replied the sentry, "I do not know; forthe last hour I have not heard him stir."

"Come in, your excellency," said Vampa. The count and Franzascended seven or eight steps after the chief, who drew backa bolt and opened a door. Then, by the gleam of a lamp,similar to that which lighted the columbarium, Albert was tobe seen wrapped up in a cloak which one of the bandits hadlent him, lying in a corner in profound slumber. "Come,"said the count, smiling with his own peculiar smile, "not sobad for a man who is to be shot at seven o'clock to-morrowmorning." Vampa looked at Albert with a kind of admiration;he was not insensible to such a proof of courage.

"You are right, your excellency," he said; "this must be oneof your friends." Then going to Albert, he touched him onthe shoulder, saying, "Will your excellency please toawaken?" Albert stretched out his arms, rubbed his eyelids,and opened his eyes. "Oh," said he, "is it you, captain? Youshould have allowed me to sleep. I had such a delightfuldream. I was dancing the galop at Torlonia's with theCountess G - - ." Then he drew his watch from his pocket,that he might see how time sped.

"Half-past one only?" said he. "Why the devil do you rouseme at this hour?"

"To tell you that you are free, your excellency."

"My dear fellow," replied Albert, with perfect ease of mind,"remember, for the future, Napoleon's maxim, `Never awakenme but for bad news;' if you had let me sleep on, I shouldhave finished my galop, and have been grateful to you all mylife. So, then, they have paid my ransom?"

"No, your excellency."

"Well, then, how am I free?"

"A person to whom I can refuse nothing has come to demandyou."

"Come hither?"

"Yes, hither."

"Really? Then that person is a most amiable person." Albertlooked around and perceived Franz. "What," said he, "is ityou, my dear Franz, whose devotion and friendship are thusdisplayed?"

"No, not I," replied Franz, "but our neighbor, the Count ofMonte Cristo."

"Oh. my dear count." said Albert gayly, arranging his cravatand wristbands, "you are really most kind, and I hope youwill consider me as under eternal obligations to you, in thefirst place for the carriage, and in the next for thisvisit," and he put out his hand to the Count, who shudderedas he gave his own, but who nevertheless did give it. Thebandit gazed on this scene with amazement; he was evidentlyaccustomed to see his prisoners tremble before him, and yethere was one whose gay temperament was not for a momentaltered; as for Franz, he was enchanted at the way in whichAlbert had sustained the national honor in the presence ofthe bandit. "My dear Albert," he said, "if you will makehaste, we shall yet have time to finish the night atTorlonia's. You may conclude your interrupted galop, so thatyou will owe no ill-will to Signor Luigi, who has, indeed,throughout this whole affair acted like a gentleman."

"You are decidedly right, and we may reach the Palazzo bytwo o'clock. Signor Luigi," continued Albert, "is there anyformality to fulfil before I take leave of your excellency?"

"None, sir," replied the bandit, "you are as free as air."

"Well, then, a happy and merry life to you. Come, gentlemen,come."

And Albert, followed by Franz and the count, descended thestaircase, crossed the square chamber, where stood all thebandits, hat in hand. "Peppino," said the brigand chief,"give me the torch."

"What are you going to do?" inquired the count.

"l will show you the way back myself," said the captain;"that is the least honor that I can render to yourexcellency." And taking the lighted torch from the hands ofthe herdsman, he preceded his guests, not as a servant whoperforms an act of civility, but like a king who precedesambassadors. On reaching the door, he bowed. "And now, yourexcellency," added he, "allow me to repeat my apologies, andI hope you will not entertain any resentment at what hasoccurred."

"No, my dear Vampa," replied the count; "besides, youcompensate for your mistakes in so gentlemanly a way, thatone almost feels obliged to you for having committed them."

"Gentlemen," added the chief, turning towards the young men,"perhaps the offer may not appear very tempting to you; butif you should ever feel inclined to pay me a second visit,wherever I may be, you shall be welcome." Franz and Albertbowed. The count went out first, then Albert. Franz pausedfor a moment. "Has your excellency anything to ask me?" saidVampa with a smile.

"Yes, I have," replied Franz; "I am curious to know whatwork you were perusing with so much attention as weentered."

"Caesar's `Commentaries,'" said the bandit, "it is myfavorite work."

"Well, are you coming?" asked Albert.

"Yes," replied Franz, "here I am," and he, in his turn, leftthe caves. They advanced to the plain. "Ah, your pardon,"said Albert, turning round; "will you allow me, captain?"And he lighted his cigar at Vampa's torch. "Now, my dearcount," he said, "let us on with all the speed we may. I amenormously anxious to finish my night at the Duke ofBracciano's." They found the carriage where they had leftit. The count said a word in Arabic to Ali, and the horseswent on at great speed. It was just two o'clock by Albert'swatch when the two friends entered into the dancing-room.Their return was quite an event, but as they enteredtogether, all uneasiness on Albert's account ceasedinstantly. "Madame," said the Viscount of Morcerf, advancingtowards the countess, "yesterday you were so condescendingas to promise me a galop; I am rather late in claiming thisgracious promise, but here is my friend, whose character forveracity you well know, and he will assure you the delayarose from no fault of mine." And as at this moment theorchestra gave the signal for the waltz, Albert put his armround the waist of the countess, and disappeared with her inthe whirl of dancers. In the meanwhile Franz was consideringthe singular shudder that had passed over the Count of MonteCristo at the moment when he had been, in some sort, forcedto give his hand to Albert.