About two o'clock the following day a calash, drawn by apair of magnificent English horses, stopped at the door ofMonte Cristo and a person, dressed in a blue coat, withbuttons of a similar color, a white waistcoat, over whichwas displayed a massive gold chain, brown trousers, and aquantity of black hair descending so low over his eyebrowsas to leave it doubtful whether it were not artificial solittle did its jetty glossiness assimilate with the deepwrinkles stamped on his features - a person, in a word,who, although evidently past fifty, desired to be taken fornot more than forty, bent forwards from the carriage door,on the panels of which were emblazoned the armorial bearingsof a baron, and directed his groom to inquire at theporter's lodge whether the Count of Monte Cristo residedthere, and if he were within. While waiting, the occupant ofthe carriage surveyed the house, the garden as far as hecould distinguish it, and the livery of servants who passedto and fro, with an attention so close as to be somewhatimpertinent. His glance was keen but showed cunning ratherthan intelligence; his lips were straight, and so thin that,as they closed, they were drawn in over the teeth; hischeek-bones were broad and projecting, a never-failing proofof audacity and craftiness; while the flatness of hisforehead, and the enlargement of the back of his skull,which rose much higher than his large and coarsely shapedears, combined to form a physiognomy anything butprepossessing, save in the eyes of such as considered thatthe owner of so splendid an equipage must needs be all thatwas admirable and enviable, more especially when they gazedon the enormous diamond that glittered in his shirt, and thered ribbon that depended from his button-hole.

The groom, in obedience to his orders, tapped at the windowof the porter's lodge, saying, "Pray, does not the Count ofMonte Cristo live here?"

"His excellency does reside here," replied the concierge;"but" - added he, glancing an inquiring look at Ali. Alireturned a sign in the negative. "But what?" asked thegroom.

"His excellency does not receive visitors to-day."

"Then here is my master's card, - the Baron Danglars. Youwill take it to the count, and say that, although in hasteto attend the Chamber, my master came out of his way to havethe honor of calling upon him."

"I never speak to his excellency," replied the concierge;"the valet de chambre will carry your message." The groomreturned to the carriage. "Well?" asked Danglars. The man,somewhat crest-fallen by the rebuke he had received,repeated what the concierge had said. "Bless me," murmuredBaron Danglars, "this must surely be a prince instead of acount by their styling him `excellency,' and only venturingto address him by the medium of his valet de chambre.However, it does not signify; he has a letter of credit onme, so I must see him when he requires his money."

Then, throwing himself back in his carriage, Danglars calledout to his coachman, in a voice that might be heard acrossthe road, "To the Chamber of Deputies."

Apprised in time of the visit paid him, Monte Cristo had,from behind the blinds of his pavilion, as minutely observedthe baron, by means of an excellent lorgnette, as Danglarshimself had scrutinized the house, garden, and servants."That fellow has a decidedly bad countenance," said thecount in a tone of disgust, as he shut up his glass into itsivory case. "How comes it that all do not retreat inaversion at sight of that flat, receding, serpent-likeforehead, round, vulture-shaped head, and sharp-hooked nose,like the beak of a buzzard? Ali," cried he, striking at thesame time on the brazen gong. Ali appeared. "SummonBertuccio," said the count. Almost immediately Bertuccioentered the apartment. "Did your excellency desire to seeme?" inquired he. "I did," replied the count. "You no doubtobserved the horses standing a few minutes since at thedoor?"

"Certainly, your excellency. I noticed them for theirremarkable beauty."

"Then how comes it," said Monte Cristo with a frown, "that,when I desired you to purchase for me the finest pair ofhorses to be found in Paris, there is another pair, fully asfine as mine, not in my stables?" At the look ofdispleasure, added to the angry tone in which the countspoke, Ali turned pale and held down his head. "It is notyour fault, my good Ali," said the count in the Arabiclanguage, and with a gentleness none would have thought himcapable of showing, either in voice or face - "it is notyour fault. You do not understand the points of Englishhorses." The countenance of poor Ali recovered its serenity."Permit me to assure your excellency," said Bertuccio, "thatthe horses you speak of were not to be sold when I purchasedyours." Monte Cristo shrugged his shoulders. "It seems, sirsteward," said he, "that you have yet to learn that allthings are to be sold to such as care to pay the price."

"His excellency is not, perhaps, aware that M. Danglars gave16,000 francs for his horses?"

"Very well. Then offer him double that sum; a banker neverloses an opportunity of doubling his capital."

"Is your excellency really in earnest?" inquired thesteward. Monte Cristo regarded the person who durst presumeto doubt his words with the look of one equally surprisedand displeased. "I have to pay a visit this evening,"replied he. "I desire that these horses, with completely newharness, may be at the door with my carriage." Bertucciobowed, and was about to retire; but when he reached thedoor, he paused, and then said, "At what o'clock does yourexcellency wish the carriage and horses to be ready?"

"At five o'clock," replied the count.

"I beg your excellency's pardon," interposed the steward ina deprecating manner, "for venturing to observe that it isalready two o'clock."

"I am perfectly aware of that fact," answered Monte Cristocalmly. Then, turning towards Ali, he said, "Let all thehorses in my stables be led before the windows of your younglady, that she may select those she prefers for hercarriage. Request her also to oblige me by saying whether itis her pleasure to dine with me; if so, let dinner be servedin her apartments. Now, leave me, and desire my valet dechambre to come hither." Scarcely had Ali disappeared whenthe valet entered the chamber. "Monsieur Baptistin," saidthe count, "you have been in my service one year, the time Igenerally give myself to judge of the merits or demerits ofthose about me. You suit me very well." Baptistin bowed low."It only remains for me to know whether I also suit you?"

"Oh, your excellency!" exclaimed Baptistin eagerly.

"Listen, if you please, till I have finished speaking,"replied Monte Cristo. "You receive 1,500 francs per annumfor your services here - more than many a brave subaltern,who continually risks his life for his country, obtains. Youlive in a manner far superior to many clerks who work tentimes harder than you do for their money. Then, thoughyourself a servant, you have other servants to wait uponyou, take care of your clothes, and see that your linen isduly prepared for you. Again, you make a profit upon eacharticle you purchase for my toilet, amounting in the courseof a year to a sum equalling your wages."

"Nay, indeed, your excellency."

"I am not condemning you for this, Monsieur Baptistin; butlet your profits end here. It would be long indeed ere youwould find so lucrative a post as that you have how the goodfortune to fill. I neither ill-use nor ill-treat my servantsby word or action. An error I readily forgive, but wilfulnegligence or forgetfulness, never. My commands areordinarily short, clear, and precise; and I would rather beobliged to repeat my words twice, or even three times, thanthey should be misunderstood. I am rich enough to knowwhatever I desire to know, and I can promise you I am notwanting in curiosity. If, then, I should learn that you hadtaken upon yourself to speak of me to any one favorably orunfavorably, to comment on my actions, or watch my conduct,that very instant you would quit my service. You may nowretire. I never caution my servants a second time - remember that." Baptistin bowed, and was proceeding towardsthe door. "I forgot to mention to you," said the count,"that I lay yearly aside a certain sum for each servant inmy establishment; those whom I am compelled to dismiss lose(as a matter of course) all participation in this money,while their portion goes to the fund accumulating for thosedomestics who remain with me, and among whom it will bedivided at my death. You have been in my service a year,your fund has already begun to accumulate - let it continueto do so."

This address, delivered in the presence of Ali, who, notunderstanding one word of the language in which it wasspoken, stood wholly unmoved, produced an effect on M.Baptistin only to be conceived by such as have occasion tostudy the character and disposition of French domestics. "Iassure your excellency," said he, "that at least it shall bemy study to merit your approbation in all things, and I willtake M. Ali as my model."

"By no means," replied the count in the most frigid tones;"Ali has many faults mixed with most excellent qualities. Hecannot possibly serve you as a pattern for your conduct, notbeing, as you are, a paid servant, but a mere slave - adog, who, should he fail in his duty towards me, I shouldnot discharge from my service, but kill." Baptistin openedhis eyes with astonishment.

"You seen incredulous," said Monte Cristo who repeated toAli in the Arabic language what he had just been saying toBaptistin in French. The Nubian smiled assentingly to hismaster's words, then, kneeling on one knee, respectfullykissed the hand of the count. This corroboration of thelesson he had just received put the finishing stroke to thewonder and stupefaction of M. Baptistin. The count thenmotioned the valet de chambre to retire, and to Ali tofollow to his study, where they conversed long and earnestlytogether. As the hand of the clock pointed to five the countstruck thrice upon his gong. When Ali was wanted one strokewas given, two summoned Baptistin, and three Bertuccio. Thesteward entered. "My horses," said Monte Cristo.

"They are at the door harnessed to the carriage as yourexcellency desired. Does your excellency wish me toaccompany him?"

"No, the coachman, Ali, and Baptistin will go." The countdescended to the door of his mansion, and beheld hiscarriage drawn by the very pair of horses he had so muchadmired in the morning as the property of Danglars. As hepassed them he said - "They are extremely handsomecertainly, and you have done well to purchase them, althoughyou were somewhat remiss not to have procured them sooner."

"Indeed, your excellency, I had very considerable difficultyin obtaining them, and, as it is, they have cost an enormousprice."

"Does the sum you gave for them make the animals lessbeautiful," inquired the count, shrugging his shoulders.

"Nay, if your excellency is satisfied, it is all that Icould wish. Whither does your excellency desire to bedriven?"

"To the residence of Baron Danglars, Rue de la Chausseed'Antin." This conversation had passed as they stood uponthe terrace, from which a flight of stone steps led to thecarriage-drive. As Bertuccio, with a respectful bow, wasmoving away, the count called him back. "I have anothercommission for you, M. Bertuccio," said he; "I am desirousof having an estate by the seaside in Normandy - forinstance, between Havre and Boulogne. You see I give you awide range. It will be absolutely necessary that the placeyou may select have a small harbor, creek, or bay, intowhich my corvette can enter and remain at anchor. She drawsonly fifteen feet. She must be kept in constant readiness tosail immediately I think proper to give the signal. Make therequisite inquiries for a place of this description, andwhen you have met with an eligible spot, visit it, and if itpossess the advantages desired, purchase it at once in yourown name. The corvette must now, I think, be on her way toFecamp, must she not?"

"Certainly, your excellency; I saw her put to sea the sameevening we quitted Marseilles."

"And the yacht."

"Was ordered to remain at Martigues."

"'Tis well. I wish you to write from time to time to thecaptains in charge of the two vessels so as to keep them onthe alert."

"And the steamboat?"

"She is at Chalons?"

"Yes."

"The same orders for her as for the two sailing vessels."

"Very good."

"When you have purchased the estate I desire, I wantconstant relays of horses at ten leagues apart along thenorthern and southern road."

"Your excellency may depend upon me." The Count made agesture of satisfaction, descended the terrace steps, andsprang into his carriage, which was whirled along swiftly tothe banker's house. Danglars was engaged at that moment,presiding over a railroad committee. But the meeting wasnearly concluded when the name of his visitor was announced.As the count's title sounded on his ear he rose, andaddressing his colleagues, who were members of one or theother Chamber, he said, - "Gentlemen, pardon me for leavingyou so abruptly; but a most ridiculous circumstance hasoccurred, which is this, - Thomson & French, the Romanbankers, have sent to me a certain person calling himselfthe Count of Monte Cristo, and have given him an unlimitedcredit with me. I confess this is the drollest thing I haveever met with in the course of my extensive foreigntransactions, and you may readily suppose it has greatlyroused my curiosity. I took the trouble this morning to callon the pretended count - if he were a real count hewouldn't be so rich. But, would you believe it, `He was notreceiving.' So the master of Monte Cristo gives himself airsbefitting a great millionaire or a capricious beauty. I madeinquiries, and found that the house in the Champs Elysees ishis own property, and certainly it was very decently keptup. But," pursued Danglars with one of his sinister smiles,"an order for unlimited credit calls for something likecaution on the part of the banker to whom that order isgiven. I am very anxious to see this man. I suspect a hoaxis intended, but the instigators of it little knew whom theyhad to deal with. `They laugh best who laugh last!'"

Having delivered himself of this pompous address, utteredwith a degree of energy that left the baron almost out ofbreath, he bowed to the assembled party and withdrew to hisdrawing-room, whose sumptuous furnishings of white and goldhad caused a great sensation in the Chaussee d'Antin. It wasto this apartment he had desired his guest to be shown, withthe purpose of overwhelming him at the sight of so muchluxury. He found the count standing before some copies ofAlbano and Fattore that had been passed off to the banker asoriginals; but which, mere copies as they were, seemed tofeel their degradation in being brought into juxtapositionwith the gaudy colors that covered the ceiling. The countturned round as he heard the entrance of Danglars into theroom. With a slight inclination of the head, Danglars signedto the count to be seated, pointing significantly to agilded arm-chair, covered with white satin embroidered withgold. The count sat down. "I have the honor, I presume, ofaddressing M. de Monte Cristo."

The count bowed. "And I of speaking to Baron Danglars,chevalier of the Legion of Honor, and member of the Chamberof Deputies?"

Monte Cristo repeated all the titles he had read on thebaron's card.

Danglars felt the irony and compressed his lips. "You will,I trust, excuse me, monsieur, for not calling you by yourtitle when I first addressed you," he said, "but you areaware that we are living under a popular form of government,and that I am myself a representative of the liberties ofthe people."

"So much so," replied Monte Cristo, "that while you callyourself baron you are not willing to call anybody elsecount."

"Upon my word, monsieur," said Danglars with affectedcarelessness, "I attach no sort of value to such emptydistinctions; but the fact is, I was made baron, and alsochevalier of the Legion of Honor, in return for servicesrendered, but" -

"But you have discarded your titles after the example setyou by Messrs. de Montmorency and Lafayette? That was anoble example to follow, monsieur."

"Why," replied Danglars, "not entirely so; with theservants, - you understand."

"I see; to your domestics you are `my lord,' the journalistsstyle you `monsieur,' while your constituents call you`citizen.' These are distinctions very suitable under aconstitutional government. I understand perfectly." AgainDanglars bit his lips; he saw that he was no match for MonteCristo in an argument of this sort, and he thereforehastened to turn to subjects more congenial.

"Permit me to inform you, Count," said he, bowing, "that Ihave received a letter of advice from Thomson & French, ofRome."

"I am glad to hear it, baron, - for I must claim theprivilege of addressing you after the manner of yourservants. I have acquired the bad habit of calling personsby their titles from living in a country where barons arestill barons by right of birth. But as regards the letter ofadvice, I am charmed to find that it has reached you; thatwill spare me the troublesome and disagreeable task ofcoming to you for money myself. You have received a regularletter of advice?"

"Yes," said Danglars, "but I confess I didn't quitecomprehend its meaning."

"Indeed?"

"And for that reason I did myself the honor of calling uponyou, in order to beg for an explanation."

"Go on, monsieur. Here I am, ready to give you anyexplanation you desire."

"Why," said Danglers, "in the letter - I believe I have itabout me" - here he felt in his breast-pocket - "yes, hereit is. Well, this letter gives the Count of Monte Cristounlimited credit on our house."

"Well, baron, what is there difficult to understand aboutthat?"

"Merely the term unlimited - nothing else, certainly."

"Is not that word known in France? The people who wrote areAnglo-Germans, you know."

"Oh, as for the composition of the letter, there is nothingto be said; but as regards the competency of the document, Icertainly have doubts."

"Is it possible?" asked the count, assuming all air and toneof the utmost simplicity and candor. "Is it possible thatThomson & French are not looked upon as safe and solventbankers? Pray tell me what you think, baron, for I feeluneasy, I can assure you, having some considerable propertyin their hands."

"Thomson & French are perfectly solvent," replied Danglars,with an almost mocking smile: "but the word unlimited, infinancial affairs, is so extremely vague."

"Is, in fact, unlimited," said Monte Cristo.

"Precisely what I was about to say," cried Danglars. "Nowwhat is vague is doubtful; and it was a wise man who said,`when in doubt, keep out.'"

"Meaning to say," rejoined Monte Cristo, "that howeverThomson & French may be inclined to commit acts ofimprudence and folly, the Baron Danglars is not disposed tofollow their example."

"Not at all."

"Plainly enough. Messrs. Thomson & French set no bounds totheir engagements while those of M. Danglars have theirlimits; he is a wise man, according to his own showing."

"Monsieur," replied the banker, drawing himself up with ahaughty air, "the extent of my resources has never yet beenquestioned."

"It seems, then, reserved for me," said Monte Cristo coldly,"to be the first to do so."

"By what right, sir?"

"By right of the objections you have raised, and theexplanations you have demanded, which certainly must havesome motive."

Once more Danglars bit his lips. It was the second time hehad been worsted, and this time on his own ground. Hisforced politeness sat awkwardly upon him, and approachedalmost to impertinence. Monte Cristo on the contrary,preserved a graceful suavity of demeanor, aided by a certaindegree of simplicity he could assume at pleasure, and thuspossessed the advantage.

"Well, sir," resumed Danglars, after a brief silence, "Iwill endeavor to make myself understood, by requesting youto inform me for what sum you propose to draw upon me?"

"Why, truly," replied Monte Cristo, determined not to losean inch of the ground he had gained, "my reason for desiringan `unlimited' credit was precisely because I did not knowhow much money I might need."

The banker thought the time had come for him to take theupper hand. So throwing himself back in his arm-chair, hesaid, with an arrogant and purse-proud air, - "Let me begof you not to hesitate in naming your wishes; you will thenbe convinced that the resources of the house of Danglars,however limited, are still equal to meeting the largestdemands; and were you even to require a million" -

"I beg your pardon," interposed Monte Cristo.

"I said a million," replied Danglars, with the confidence ofignorance.

"But could I do with a million?" retorted the count. "Mydear sir, if a trifle like that could suffice me, I shouldnever have given myself the trouble of opening an account. Amillion? Excuse my smiling when you speak of a sum I am inthe habit of carrying in my pocket-book or dressing-case."And with these words Monte Cristo took from his pocket asmall case containing his visiting-cards, and drew forth twoorders on the treasury for 500,000 francs each, payable atsight to the bearer. A man like Danglars was whollyinaccessible to any gentler method of correction. The effectof the present revelation was stunning; he trembled and wason the verge of apoplexy. The pupils of his eyes, as hegazed at Monte Cristo dilated horribly.

"Come, come," said Monte Cristo, "confess honestly that youhave not perfect confidence in Thomson & French. Iunderstand, and foreseeing that such might be the case, Itook, in spite of my ignorance of affairs, certainprecautions. See, here are two similar letters to that youhave yourself received; one from the house of Arstein &Eskeles of Vienna, to Baron Rothschild, the other drawn byBaring of London, upon M. Laffitte. Now, sir, you have butto say the word, and I will spare you all uneasiness bypresenting my letter of credit to one or other of these twofirms." The blow had struck home, and Danglars was entirelyvanquished; with a trembling hand he took the two lettersfrom the count, who held them carelessly between finger andthumb, and proceeded to scrutinize the signatures, with aminuteness that the count might have regarded as insulting,had it not suited his present purpose to mislead the banker."Oh, sir," said Danglars, after he had convinced himself ofthe authenticity of the documents he held, and rising as ifto salute the power of gold personified in the man beforehim, - "three letters of unlimited credit! I can be nolonger mistrustful, but you must pardon me, my dear count,for confessing to some degree of astonishment."

"Nay," answered Monte Cristo, with the most gentlemanly air,"'tis not for such trifling sums as these that your bankinghouse is to be incommoded. Then, you can let me have somemoney, can you not?"

"Whatever you say, my dear count; I am at your orders."

"Why," replied Monte Cristo, "since we mutually understandeach other - for such I presume is the case?" Danglarsbowed assentingly. "You are quite sure that not a lurkingdoubt or suspicion lingers in your mind?"

"Oh, my dear count," exclaimed Danglars, "I never for aninstant entertained such a feeling towards you."

"No, you merely wished to be convinced, nothing more; butnow that we have come to so clear an understanding, and thatall distrust and suspicion are laid at rest, we may as wellfix a sum as the probable expenditure of the first year,suppose we say six millions to" -

"Six millions!" gasped Danglars - "so be it."

"Then, if I should require more," continued Monte Cristo ina careless manner, "why, of course, I should draw upon you;but my present intention is not to remain in France morethan a year, and during that period I scarcely think I shallexceed the sum I mentioned. However, we shall see. Be kindenough, then, to send me 500,000 francs to-morrow. I shallbe at home till midday, or if not, I will leave a receiptwith my steward."

"The money you desire shall be at your house by ten o'clockto-morrow morning, my dear count," replied Danglars. "Howwould you like to have it? in gold, silver, or notes?"

"Half in gold, and the other half in bank-notes, if youplease," said the count, rising from his seat.

"I must confess to you, count," said Danglars, "that I havehitherto imagined myself acquainted with the degree of allthe great fortunes of Europe, and still wealth such as yourshas been wholly unknown to me. May I presume to ask whetheryou have long possessed it?"

"It has been in the family a very long while," returnedMonte Cristo, "a sort of treasure expressly forbidden to betouched for a certain period of years, during which theaccumulated interest has doubled the capital. The periodappointed by the testator for the disposal of these richesoccurred only a short time ago, and they have only beenemployed by me within the last few years. Your ignorance onthe subject, therefore, is easily accounted for. However,you will be better informed as to me and my possessions erelong." And the count, while pronouncing these latter words,accompanied them with one of those ghastly smiles that usedto strike terror into poor Franz d'Epinay.

"With your tastes, and means of gratifying them," continuedDanglars, "you will exhibit a splendor that must effectuallyput us poor miserable millionaires quite in the shade. If Imistake not you are an admirer of paintings, at least Ijudged so from the attention you appeared to be bestowing onmine when I entered the room. If you will permit me, I shallbe happy to show you my picture gallery, composed entirelyof works by the ancient masters - warranted as such. Not amodern picture among them. I cannot endure the modern schoolof painting."

"You are perfectly right in objecting to them, for this onegreat fault - that they have not yet had time to becomeold."

"Or will you allow me to show you several fine statues byThorwaldsen, Bartoloni, and Canova? - all foreign artists,for, as you may perceive, I think but very indifferently ofour French sculptors."

"You have a right to be unjust to them, monsieur; they areyour compatriots."

"But all this may come later, when we shall be better knownto each other. For the present, I will confine myself (ifperfectly agreeable to you) to introducing you to theBaroness Danglars - excuse my impatience, my dear count,but a client like you is almost like a member of thefamily." Monte Cristo bowed, in sign that he accepted theproffered honor; Danglars rang and was answered by a servantin a showy livery. "Is the baroness at home?" inquiredDanglars.

"Yes, my lord," answered the man.

"And alone?"

"No, my lord, madame has visitors."

"Have you any objection to meet any persons who may be withmadame, or do you desire to preserve a strict incognito?"

"No, indeed," replied Monte Cristo with a smile, "I do notarrogate to myself the right of so doing."

"And who is with madame? - M. Debray?" inquired Danglars,with an air of indulgence and good-nature that made MonteCristo smile, acquainted as he was with the secrets of thebanker's domestic life.

"Yes, my lord," replied the servant, "M. Debray is withmadame." Danglars nodded his head; then, turning to MonteCristo, said, "M. Lucien Debray is an old friend of ours,and private secretary to the Minister of the Interior. Asfor my wife, I must tell you, she lowered herself bymarrying me, for she belongs to one of the most ancientfamilies in France. Her maiden name was De Servieres, andher first husband was Colonel the Marquis of Nargonne."

"I have not the honor of knowing Madame Danglars; but I havealready met M. Lucien Debray."

"Ah, indeed?" said Danglars; "and where was that?"

"At the house of M. de Morcerf."

"Ah, ha, you are acquainted with the young viscount, areyou?"

"We were together a good deal during the Carnival at Rome."

"True, true," cried Danglars. "Let me see; have I not heardtalk of some strange adventure with bandits or thieves hidin ruins, and of his having had a miraculous escape? Iforget how, but I know he used to amuse my wife and daughterby telling them about it after his return from Italy."

"Her ladyship is waiting to receive you, gentlemen," saidthe servant, who had gone to inquire the pleasure of hismistress. "With your permission," said Danglars, bowing, "Iwill precede you, to show you the way."

"By all means," replied Monte Cristo; "I follow you."