The pretext of an opera engagement was so much the morefeasible, as there chanced to be on that very night a morethan ordinary attraction at the Academie Royale. Levasseur,who had been suffering under severe illness, made hisreappearance in the character of Bertrand, and, as usual,the announcement of the most admired production of thefavorite composer of the day had attracteda brilliant andfashionable audience. Morcerf, like most other young men ofrank and fortune, had his orchestra stall, with thecertainty of always finding a seat in at least a dozen ofthe principal boxes occupied by persons of his acquaintance;he had, moreover, his right of entry into the omnibus box.Chateau-Renaud rented a stall beside his own, whileBeauchamp, as a journalist, had unlimited range all over thetheatre. It happened that on this particular night theminister's box was placed at the disposal of Lucien Debray,who offered it to the Comte de Morcerf, who again, upon hismother's rejection of it, sent it to Danglars, with anintimation that he should probably do himself the honor ofjoining the baroness and her daughter during the evening, inthe event of their accepting the box in question. The ladiesreceived the offer with too much pleasure to dream of arefusal. To no class of persons is the presentation of agratuitous opera-box more acceptable than to the wealthymillionaire, who still hugs economy while boasting ofcarrying a king's ransom in his waistcoat pocket.

Danglars had, however, protested against showing himself ina ministerial box, declaring that his political principles,and his parliamentary position as member of the oppositionparty would not permit him so to commit himself; thebaroness had, therefore, despatched a note to Lucien Debray,bidding him call for them, it being wholly impossible forher to go alone with Eugenie to the opera. There is nogainsaying the fact that a very unfavorable constructionwould have been put upon the circumstance if the two womenhad gone without escort, while the addition of a third, inthe person of her mother's admitted lover, enabledMademoiselle Danglars to defy malice and ill-nature. Onemust take the world as one finds it.

The curtain rose, as usual, to an almost empty house, itbeing one of the absurdities of Parisian fashion never toappear at the opera until after the beginning of theperformance, so that the first act is generally playedwithout the slightest attention being paid to it, that partof the audience already assembled being too much occupied inobserving the fresh arrivals, while nothing is heard but thenoise of opening and shutting doors, and the buzz ofconversation. "Surely," said Albert, as the door of a box onthe first circle opened, "that must be the Countess G - - ."

"And who is the Countess G - - ?" inquired Chateau-Renaud.

"What a question! Now, do you know, baron, I have a greatmind to pick a quarrel with you for asking it; as if all theworld did not know who the Countess G - - was."

"Ah, to be sure," replied Chateau-Renaud; "the lovelyVenetian, is it not?"

"Herself." At this moment the countess perceived Albert, andreturned his salutation with a smile. "You know her, itseems?" said Chateau-Renaud.

"Franz introduced me to her at Rome," replied Albert.

"Well, then, will you do as much for me in Paris as Franzdid for you in Rome?"

"With pleasure."

There was a cry of "Shut up!" from the audience. Thismanifestation on the part of the spectators of their wish tobe allowed to hear the music, produced not the slightesteffect on the two young men, who continued theirconversation. "The countess was present at the races in theChamp-de-Mars," said Chateau-Renaud.

"To-day?"

"Yes."

"Bless me, I quite forgot the races. Did you bet?"

"Oh, merely a paltry fifty louis."

"And who was the winner?"

"Nautilus. I staked on him."

"But there were three races, were there not?"

"Yes; there was the prize given by the Jockey Club - a goldcup, you know - and a very singular circumstance occurredabout that race."

"What was it?"

"Oh, shut up!" again interposed some of the audience.

"Why, it was won by a horse and rider utterly unknown on thecourse."

"Is that possible?"

"True as day. The fact was, nobody had observed a horseentered by the name of Vampa, or that of a jockey styledJob, when, at the last moment, a splendid roan, mounted by ajockey about as big as your fist, presented themselves atthe starting-post. They were obliged to stuff at leasttwenty pounds weight of shot in the small rider's pockets,to make him weight; but with all that he outstripped Arieland Barbare, against whom he ran, by at least three wholelengths."

"And was it not found out at last to whom the horse andjockey belonged?"

"No."

"You say that the horse was entered under the name ofVampa?"

"Exactly; that was the title."

"Then," answered Albert, "I am better informed than you are,and know who the owner of that horse was."

"Shut up, there!" cried the pit in chorus. And this time thetone and manner in which the command was given, betokenedsuch growing hostility that the two young men perceived, forthe first time, that the mandate was addressed to them.Leisurely turning round, they calmly scrutinized the variouscountenances around them, as though demanding some oneperson who would take upon himself the responsibility ofwhat they deemed excessive impertinence; but as no oneresponded to the challenge, the friends turned again to thefront of the theatre, and affected to busy themselves withthe stage. At this moment the door of the minister's boxopened, and Madame Danglars, accompanied by her daughter,entered, escorted by Lucien Debray, who assiduouslyconducted them to their seats.

"Ha, ha," said Chateau-Renaud, "here comes some friends ofyours, viscount! What are you looking at there? don't yousee they are trying to catch your eye?" Albert turned round,just in time to receive a gracious wave of the fan from thebaroness; as for Mademoiselle Eugenie, she scarcelyvouchsafed to waste the glances of her large black eyes evenupon the business of the stage. "I tell you what, my dearfellow," said Chateau-Renaud, "I cannot imagine whatobjection you can possibly have to Mademoiselle Danglars - that is, setting aside her want of ancestry and somewhatinferior rank, which by the way I don't think you care verymuch about. Now, barring all that, I mean to say she is adeuced fine girl!"

"Handsome, certainly," replied Albert, "but not to my taste,which I confess, inclines to something softer, gentler, andmore feminine."

"Ah, well," exclaimed Chateau-Renaud, who because he hadseen his thirtieth summer fancied himself duly warranted inassuming a sort of paternal air with his more youthfulfriend, "you young people are never satisfied; why, whatwould you have more? your parents have chosen you a bridebuilt on the model of Diana, the huntress, and yet you arenot content."

"No, for that very resemblance affrights me; I should haveliked something more in the manner of the Venus of Milo orCapua; but this chase-loving Diana continually surrounded byher nymphs gives me a sort of alarm lest she should some daybring on me the fate of Actaeon."

And, indeed, it required but one glance at MademoiselleDanglars to comprehend the justness of Morcerf's remark - she was beautiful, but her beauty was of too marked anddecided a character to please a fastidious taste; her hairwas raven black, but its natural waves seemed somewhatrebellious; her eyes, of the same color as her hair, weresurmounted by well-arched brows, whose great defect,however, consisted in an almost habitual frown, while herwhole physiognomy wore that expression of firmness anddecision so little in accordance with the gentler attributesof her sex - her nose was precisely what a sculptor wouldhave chosen for a chiselled Juno. Her mouth, which mighthave been found fault with as too large, displayed teeth ofpearly whiteness, rendered still more conspicuous by thebrilliant carmine of her lips, contrasting vividly with hernaturally pale complexion. But that which completed thealmost masculine look Morcerf found so little to his taste,was a dark mole, of much larger dimensions than these freaksof nature generally are, placed just at the corner of hermouth; and the effect tended to increase the expression ofself-dependence that characterized her countenance. The restof Mademoiselle Eugenie's person was in perfect keeping withthe head just described; she, indeed, reminded one of Diana,as Chateau-Renaud observed, but her bearing was more haughtyand resolute. As regarded her attainments, the only fault tobe found with them was the same that a fastidiousconnoisseur might have found with her beauty, that they weresomewhat too erudite and masculine for so young a person.She was a perfect linguist, a first-rate artist, wrotepoetry, and composed music; to the study of the latter sheprofessed to be entirely devoted, following it with anindefatigable perseverance, assisted by a schoolfellow, - ayoung woman without fortune whose talent promised to developinto remarkable powers as a singer. It was rumored that shewas an object of almost paternal interest to one of theprincipal composers of the day, who excited her to spare nopains in the cultivation of her voice, which might hereafterprove a source of wealth and independence. But this counseleffectually decided Mademoiselle Danglars never to commitherself by being seen in public with one destined for atheatrical life; and acting upon this principle, thebanker's daughter, though perfectly willing to allowMademoiselle Louise d'Armilly (that was the name of theyoung virtuosa) to practice with her through the day, tookespecial care not to be seen in her company. Still, thoughnot actually received at the Hotel Danglars in the light ofan acknowledged friend, Louise was treated with far morekindness and consideration than is usually bestowed on agoverness.

The curtain fell almost immediately after the entrance ofMadame Danglars into her box, the band quitted the orchestrafor the accustomed half-hour's interval allowed between theacts, and the audience were left at liberty to promenade thesalon or lobbies, or to pay and receive visits in theirrespective boxes. Morcerf and Chateau-Renaud were amongstthe first to avail themselves of this permission. For aninstant the idea struck Madame Danglars that this eagernesson the part of the young viscount arose from his impatienceto join her party, and she whispered her expectations to herdaughter, that Albert was hurrying to pay his respects tothem. Mademoiselle Eugenie, however, merely returned adissenting movement of the head, while, with a cold smile,she directed the attention of her mother to an opposite boxon the first circle, in which sat the Countess G - - , andwhere Morcerf had just made his appearance. "So we meetagain, my travelling friend, do we?" cried the countess,extending her hand to him with all the warmth and cordialityof an old acquaintance; "it was really very good of you torecognize me so quickly, and still more so to bestow yourfirst visit on me."

"Be assured," replied Albert, "that if I had been aware ofyour arrival in Paris, and had known your address, I shouldhave paid my respects to you before this. Allow me tointroduce my friend, Baron de Chateau-Renaud, one of the fewtrue gentlemen now to be found in France, and from whom Ihave just learned that you were a spectator of the races inthe Champ-de-Mars, yesterday." Chateau-Renaud bowed to thecountess.

"So you were at the races, baron?" inquired the countesseagerly.

"Yes, madame."

"Well, then," pursued Madame G - - with considerableanimation, "you can probably tell me who won the Jockey Clubstakes?"

"I am sorry to say I cannot," replied the baron; "and I wasjust asking the same question of Albert."

"Are you very anxious to know, countess?" asked Albert.

"To know what?"

"The name of the owner of the winning horse?"

"Excessively; only imagine - but do tell me, viscount,whether you really are acquainted with it or no?"

"I beg your pardon, madame, but you were about to relatesome story, were you not? You said, `only imagine,' - andthen paused. Pray continue."

"Well, then, listen. You must know I felt so interested inthe splendid roan horse, with his elegant little rider, sotastefully dressed in a pink satin jacket and cap, that Icould not help praying for their success with as muchearnestness as though the half of my fortune were at stake;and when I saw them outstrip all the others, and come to thewinning-post in such gallant style, I actually clapped myhands with joy. Imagine my surprise, when, upon returninghome, the first object I met on the staircase was theidentical jockey in the pink jacket! I concluded that, bysome singular chance, the owner of the winning horse mustlive in the same hotel as myself; but, as I entered myapartments, I beheld the very gold cup awarded as a prize tothe unknown horse and rider. Inside the cup was a smallpiece of paper, on which were written these words - `FromLord Ruthven to Countess G - - .'"

"Precisely; I was sure of it," said Morcerf.

"Sure of what?"

"That the owner of the horse was Lord Ruthven himself."

"What Lord Ruthven do you mean?"

"Why, our Lord Ruthven - the Vampire of the SalleArgentino!"

"Is it possible?" exclaimed the countess; "is he here inParis?"

"To be sure, - why not?"

"And you visit him? - meet him at your own house andelsewhere?"

"I assure you he is my most intimate friend, and M. deChateau-Renaud has also the honor of his acquaintance."

"But why are you so sure of his being the winner of theJockey Club prize?"

"Was not the winning horse entered by the name of Vampa?"

"What of that?"

"Why, do you not recollect the name of the celebrated banditby whom I was made prisoner?"

"Oh, yes."

"And from whose hands the count extricated me in sowonderful a manner?"

"To be sure, I remember it all now."

"He called himself Vampa. You see. it's evident where thecount got the name."

"But what could have been his motive for sending the cup tome?"

"In the first place, because I had spoken much of you tohim, as you may believe; and in the second, because hedelighted to see a countrywoman take so lively an interestin his success."

"I trust and hope you never repeated to the count all thefoolish remarks we used to make about him?"

"I should not like to affirm upon oath that I have not.Besides, his presenting you the cup under the name of LordRuthven" -

"Oh, but that is dreadful! Why, the man must owe me afearful grudge."

"Does his action appear like that of an enemy?"

"No; certainly not."

"Well, then" -

"And so he is in Paris?"

"Yes."

"And what effect does he produce?"

"Why," said Albert, "he was talked about for a week; thenthe coronation of the queen of England took place, followedby the theft of Mademoiselle Mars's diamonds; and so peopletalked of something else."

"My good fellow," said Chateau-Renaud, "the count is yourfriend and you treat him accordingly. Do not believe whatAlbert is telling you, countess; so far from the sensationexcited in the Parisian circles by the appearance of theCount of Monte Cristo having abated, I take upon myself todeclare that it is as strong as ever. His first astoundingact upon coming amongst us was to present a pair of horses,worth 32,000 francs, to Madame Danglars; his second, thealmost miraculous preservation of Madame de Villefort'slife; now it seems that he has carried off the prize awardedby the Jockey Club. I therefore maintain, in spite ofMorcerf, that not only is the count the object of interestat this present moment, but also that he will continue to beso for a month longer if he pleases to exhibit aneccentricity of conduct which, after all, may be hisordinary mode of existence."

"Perhaps you are right," said Morcerf; "meanwhile, who is inthe Russian ambassador's box?"

"Which box do you mean?" asked the countess.

"The one between the pillars on the first tier - it seemsto have been fitted up entirely afresh."

"Did you observe any one during the first act?" askedChateau-Renaud.

"Where?"

"In that box."

"No," replied the countess, "it was certainly empty duringthe first act;" then, resuming the subject of their previousconversation, she said, "And so you really believe it wasyour mysterious Count of Monte Cristo that gained theprize?"

"I am sure of it."

"And who afterwards sent the cup to me?"

"Undoubtedly."

"But I don't know him," said the countess; "I have a greatmind to return it."

"Do no such thing, I beg of you; he would only send youanother, formed of a magnificent sapphire, or hollowed outof a gigantic ruby. It is his way, and you must take him asyou find him." At this moment the bell rang to announce thedrawing up of the curtain for the second act. Albert rose toreturn to his place. "Shall I see you again?" asked thecountess. "At the end of the next act, with your permission,I will come and inquire whether there is anything I can dofor you in Paris?"

"Pray take notice," said the countess, "that my presentresidence is 22 Rue de Rivoli, and that I am at home to myfriends every Saturday evening. So now, you are bothforewarned." The young men bowed, and quitted the box. Uponreaching their stalls, they found the whole of the audiencein the parterre standing up and directing their gaze towardsthe box formerly possessed by the Russian ambassador. A manof from thirty-five to forty years of age, dressed in deepblack, had just entered, accompanied by a young womandressed after the Eastern style. The lady was surpassinglybeautiful, while the rich magnificence of her attire drewall eyes upon her. "Hullo," said Albert; "it is Monte Cristoand his Greek!"

The strangers were, indeed, no other than the count andHaidee. In a few moments the young girl had attracted theattention of the whole house, and even the occupants of theboxes leaned forward to scrutinize her magnificent diamonds.The second act passed away during one continued buzz ofvoices - one deep whisper - intimating that some great anduniversally interesting event had occurred; all eyes, allthoughts, were occupied with the young and beautiful woman,whose gorgeous apparel and splendid jewels made a mostextraordinary spectacle. Upon this occasion an unmistakablesign from Madame Danglars intimated her desire to see Albertin her box directly the curtain fell on the second act, andneither the politeness nor good taste of Morcerf wouldpermit his neglecting an invitation so unequivocally given.At the close of the act he therefore went to the baroness.Having bowed to the two ladies, he extended his hand toDebray. By the baroness he was most graciously welcomed,while Eugenie received him with her accustomed coldness.

"My dear fellow," said Debray, "you have come in the nick oftime. There is madame overwhelming me with questionsrespecting the count; she insists upon it that I can tellher his birth, education, and parentage, where he came from,and whither he is going. Being no disciple of Cagliostro, Iwas wholly unable to do this; so, by way of getting out ofthe scrape, I said, `Ask Morcerf; he has got the wholehistory of his beloved Monte Cristo at his fingers' ends;'whereupon the baroness signified her desire to see you."

"Is it not almost incredible," said Madame Danglars, "that aperson having at least half a million of secret-servicemoney at his command, should possess so little information?"

"Let me assure you, madame," said Lucien, "that had I reallythe sum you mention at my disposal, I would employ it moreprofitably than in troubling myself to obtain particularsrespecting the Count of Monte Cristo, whose only merit in myeyes consists in his being twice as rich as a nabob.However, I have turned the business over to Morcerf, so praysettle it with him as may be most agreeable to you; for myown part, I care nothing about the count or his mysteriousdoings."

"I am very sure no nabob would have sent me a pair of horsesworth 32,000 francs, wearing on their heads four diamondsvalued at 5,000 francs each."

"He seems to have a mania for diamonds," said Morcerf,smiling, "and I verily believe that, like Potemkin, he keepshis pockets filled, for the sake of strewing them along theroad, as Tom Thumb did his flint stones."

"Perhaps he has discovered some mine," said Madame Danglars."I suppose you know he has an order for unlimited credit onthe baron's banking establishment?"

"I was not aware of it," replied Albert, "but I can readilybelieve it."

"And, further, that he stated to M. Danglars his intentionof only staying a year in Paris, during which time heproposed to spend six millions.

"He must be the Shah of Persia, travelling incog."

"Have you noticed the remarkable beauty of the young woman,M. Lucien?" inquired Eugenie.

"I really never met with one woman so ready to do justice tothe charms of another as yourself," responded Lucien,raising his lorgnette to his eye. "A most lovely creature,upon my soul!" was his verdict.

"Who is this young person, M. de Morcerf?" inquired Eugenie;"does anybody know?"

"Mademoiselle," said Albert, replying to this direct appeal,"I can give you very exact information on that subject, aswell as on most points relative to the mysterious person ofwhom we are now conversing - the young woman is a Greek."

"So I should suppose by her dress; if you know no more thanthat, every one here is as well-informed as yourself."

"I am extremely sorry you find me so ignorant a cicerone,"replied Morcerf, "but I am reluctantly obliged to confess, Ihave nothing further to communicate - yes, stay, I do knowone thing more, namely, that she is a musician, for one daywhen I chanced to be breakfasting with the count, I heardthe sound of a guzla - it is impossible that it could havebeen touched by any other finger than her own."

"Then your count entertains visitors, does he?" asked MadameDanglars.

"Indeed he does, and in a most lavish manner, I can assureyou."

"I must try and persuade M. Danglars to invite him to a ballor dinner, or something of the sort, that he may becompelled to ask us in return."

"What," said Debray, laughing; "do you really mean you wouldgo to his house?"

"Why not? my husband could accompany me."

"But do you know this mysterious count is a bachelor?"

"You have ample proof to the contrary, if you lookopposite," said the baroness, as she laughingly pointed tothe beautiful Greek.

"No, no!" exclaimed Debray; "that girl is not his wife: hetold us himself she was his slave. Do you not recollect,Morcerf, his telling us so at your breakfast?"

"Well, then," said the baroness, "if slave she be, she hasall the air and manner of a princess."

"Of the `Arabian Nights'?"

"If you like; but tell me, my dear Lucien, what it is thatconstitutes a princess. Why, diamonds - and she is coveredwith them."

"To me she seems overloaded," observed Eugenie; "she wouldlook far better if she wore fewer, and we should then beable to see her finely formed throat and wrists."

"See how the artist peeps out!" exclaimed Madame Danglars."My poor Eugenie, you must conceal your passion for the finearts."

"I admire all that is beautiful," returned the young lady.

"What do you think of the count?" inquired Debray; "he isnot much amiss, according to my ideas of good looks."

"The count," repeated Eugenie, as though it had not occurredto her to observe him sooner; "the count? - oh, he is sodreadfully pale."

"I quite agree with you," said Morcerf; "and the secret ofthat very pallor is what we want to find out. The CountessG - - insists upon it that he is a vampire."

"Then the Countess G - - has returned to Paris, has she?"inquired the baroness.

"Is that she, mamma?" asked Eugenie; "almost opposite to us,with that profusion of beautiful light hair?"

"Yes," said Madame Danglars, "that is she. Shall I tell youwhat you ought to do, Morcerf?"

"Command me, madame."

"Well, then, you should go and bring your Count of MonteCristo to us."

"What for?" asked Eugenie.

"What for? Why, to converse with him, of course. Have youreally no desire to meet him?"

"None whatever," replied Eugenie.

"Strange child," murmured the baroness.

"He will very probably come of his own accord," saidMorcerf. "There; do you see, madame, he recognizes you, andbows." The baroness returned the salute in the most smilingand graceful manner.

"Well," said Morcerf, "I may as well be magnanimous, andtear myself away to forward your wishes. Adieu; I will goand try if there are any means of speaking to him."

"Go straight to his box; that will be the simplest plan."

"But I have never been presented."

"Presented to whom?"

"To the beautiful Greek."

"You say she is only a slave?"

"While you assert that she is a queen, or at least aprincess. No; I hope that when he sees me leave you, he willcome out."

"That is possible - go."

"I am going," said Albert, as he made his parting bow. Justas he was passing the count's box, the door opened, andMonte Cristo came forth. After giving some directions toAli, who stood in the lobby, the count took Albert's arm.Carefully closing the box door, Ali placed himself beforeit, while a crowd of spectators assembled round the Nubian.

"Upon my word," said Monte Cristo, "Paris is a strange city,and the Parisians a very singular people. See that clusterof persons collected around poor Ali, who is as muchastonished as themselves; really one might suppose he wasthe only Nubian they had ever beheld. Now I can promise you,that a Frenchman might show himself in public, either inTunis, Constantinople, Bagdad, or Cairo, without beingtreated in that way."

"That shows that the Eastern nations have too much goodsense to waste their time and attention on objectsundeserving of either. However, as far as Ali is concerned,I can assure you, the interest he excites is merely from thecircumstance of his being your attendant - you, who are atthis moment the most celebrated and fashionable person inParis."

"Really? and what has procured me so fluttering adistinction?"

"What? why, yourself, to be sure! You give away horses wortha thousand louis; you save the lives of ladies of high rankand beauty; under the name of Major Brack you runthoroughbreds ridden by tiny urchins not larger thanmarmots; then, when you have carried off the golden trophyof victory, instead of setting any value on it, you give itto the first handsome woman you think of!"

"And who has filled your head with all this nonsense?"

"Why, in the first place, I heard it from Madame Danglars,who, by the by, is dying to see you in her box, or to haveyou seen there by others; secondly, I learned it fromBeauchamp's journal; and thirdly, from my own imagination.Why, if you sought concealment, did you call your horseVampa?"

"That was an oversight, certainly," replied the count; "buttell me, does the Count of Morcerf never visit the Opera? Ihave been looking for him, but without success."

"He will be here to-night."

"In what part of the house?"

"In the baroness's box, I believe."

"That charming young woman with her is her daughter?"

"Yes."

"I congratulate you." Morcerf smiled. "We will discuss thatsubject at length some future time," said he. "But what doyou think of the music?"

"What music?"

"Why, the music you have been listening to."

"Oh, it is well enough as the production of a humancomposer, sung by featherless bipeds, to quote the lateDiogenes."

"From which it would seem, my dear count, that you can atpleasure enjoy the seraphic strains that proceed from theseven choirs of paradise?"

"You are right, in some degree; when I wish to listen tosounds more exquisitely attuned to melody than mortal earever yet listened to, I go to sleep."

"Then sleep here, my dear count. The conditions arefavorable; what else was opera invented for?"

"No, thank you. Your orchestra is too noisy. To sleep afterthe manner I speak of, absolute calm and silence arenecessary, and then a certain preparation" -

"I know - the famous hashish!"

"Precisely. So, my dear viscount, whenever you wish to beregaled with music come and sup with me."

"I have already enjoyed that treat when breakfasting withyou," said Morcerf.

"Do you mean at Rome?"

"I do."

"Ah, then, I suppose you heard Haidee's guzla; the poorexile frequently beguiles a weary hour in playing over to methe airs of her native land." Morcerf did not pursue thesubject, and Monte Cristo himself fell into a silentreverie. The bell rang at this moment for the rising of thecurtain. "You will excuse my leaving you," said the count,turning in the direction of his box.

"What? Are you going?"

"Pray, say everything that is kind to Countess G - - on thepart of her friend the Vampire."

"And what message shall I convey to the baroness!"

"That, with her permission, I shall do myself the honor ofpaying my respects in the course of the evening."

The third act had begun; and during its progress the Countof Morcerf, according to his promise, made his appearance inthe box of Madame Danglars. The Count of Morcerf was not aperson to excite either interest or curiosity in a place ofpublic amusement; his presence, therefore, was whollyunnoticed, save by the occupants of the box in which he hadjust seated himself. The quick eye of Monte Cristo however,marked his coming; and a slight though meaning smile passedover his lips. Haidee, whose soul seemed centred in thebusiness of the stage, like all unsophisticated natures,delighted in whatever addressed itself to the eye or ear.

The third act passed off as usual. Mesdemoiselles Noblet,Julie, and Leroux executed the customary pirouettes; Robertduly challenged the Prince of Granada; and the royal fatherof the princess Isabella, taking his daughter by the hand,swept round the stage with majestic strides, the better todisplay the rich folds of his velvet robe and mantle. Afterwhich the curtain again fell, and the spectators pouredforth from the theatre into the lobbies and salon. The countleft his box, and a moment later was saluting the BaronneDanglars, who could not restrain a cry of mingled pleasureand surprise. "You are welcome, count!" she exclaimed, as heentered. "I have been most anxious to see you, that I mightrepeat orally the thanks writing can so ill express."

"Surely so trifling a circumstance cannot deserve a place inyour remembrance. Believe me, madame, I had entirelyforgotten it."

"But it is not so easy to forget, monsieur, that the verynext day after your princely gift you saved the life of mydear friend, Madame de Villefort, which was endangered bythe very animals your generosity restored to me."

"This time, at least, I do not deserve your thanks. It wasAli, my Nubian slave, who rendered this service to Madame deVillefort."

"Was it Ali," asked the Count of Morcerf, "who rescued myson from the hands of bandits?"

"No, count," replied Monte Cristo taking the hand held outto him by the general; "in this instance I may fairly andfreely accept your thanks; but you have already tenderedthem, and fully discharged your debt - if indeed thereexisted one - and I feel almost mortified to find you stillreverting to the subject. May I beg of you, baroness, tohonor me with an introduction to your daughter?"

"Oh, you are no stranger - at least not by name," repliedMadame Danglars, "and the last two or three days we havereally talked of nothing but you. Eugenie," continued thebaroness, turning towards her daughter, "this is the Countof Monte Cristo." The Count bowed, while MademoiselleDanglars bent her head slightly. "You have a charming youngperson with you to-night, count," said Eugenie. "Is she yourdaughter?"

"No, mademoiselle," said Monte Cristo, astonished at thecoolness and freedom of the question. "She is a poorunfortunate Greek left under my care."

"And what is her name?"

"Haidee," replied Monte Cristo.

"A Greek?" murmured the Count of Morcerf.

"Yes, indeed, count," said Madame Danglars; "and tell me,did you ever see at the court of Ali Tepelini, whom you sogloriously and valiantly served, a more exquisite beauty orricher costume?"

"Did I hear rightly, monsieur," said Monte Cristo "that youserved at Yanina?"

"I was inspector-general of the pasha's troops," repliedMorcerf; "and it is no secret that I owe my fortune, such asit is, to the liberality of the illustrious Albanese chief."

"But look!" exclaimed Madame Danglars.

"Where?" stammered Morcerf.

"There," said Monte Cristo placing his arms around thecount, and leaning with him over the front of the box, justas Haidee, whose eyes were occupied in examining the theatrein search of her guardian, perceived his pale features closeto Morcerf's face. It was as if the young girl beheld thehead of Medusa. She bent forwards as though to assureherself of the reality of what she saw, then, uttering afaint cry, threw herself back in her seat. The sound washeard by the people about Ali, who instantly opened thebox-door. "Why, count," exclaimed Eugenie, "what hashappened to your ward? she seems to have been taken suddenlyill."

"Very probably," answered the count. "But do not be alarmedon her account. Haidee's nervous system is delicatelyorganized, and she is peculiarly susceptible to the odorseven of flowers - nay, there are some which cause her tofaint if brought into her presence. However," continuedMonte Cristo, drawing a small phial from his pocket, "I havean infallible remedy." So saying, he bowed to the baronessand her daughter, exchanged a parting shake of the hand withDebray and the count, and left Madame Danglars' box. Uponhis return to Haidee he found her still very pale. As soonas she saw him she seized his hand; her own hands were moistand icy cold. "Who was it you were talking with over there?"she asked.

"With the Count of Morcerf," answered Monte Cristo. "Hetells me he served your illustrious father, and that he oweshis fortune to him."

"Wretch!" exclaimed Haidee, her eyes flashing with rage; "hesold my father to the Turks, and the fortune he boasts ofwas the price of his treachery! Did not you know that, mydear lord?"

"Something of this I heard in Epirus," said Monte Cristo;"but the particulars are still unknown to me. You shallrelate them to me, my child. They are, no doubt, bothcurious and interesting."

"Yes, yes; but let us go. I feel as though it would kill meto remain long near that dreadful man." So saying, Haideearose, and wrapping herself in her burnoose of whitecashmire embroidered with pearls and coral, she hastilyquitted the box at the moment when the curtain was risingupon the fourth act.

"Do you observe," said the Countess G - - to Albert, whohad returned to her side, "that man does nothing like otherpeople; he listens most devoutly to the third act of `Robertle Diable,' and when the fourth begins, takes hisdeparture."