It was in the warmest days of July, when in due course oftime the Saturday arrived upon which the ball was to takeplace at M. de Morcerf's. It was ten o'clock at night; thebranches of the great trees in the garden of the count'shouse stood out boldly against the azure canopy of heaven,which was studded with golden stars, but where the lastfleeting clouds of a vanishing storm yet lingered. From theapartments on the ground-floor might be heard the sound ofmusic, with the whirl of the waltz and galop, whilebrilliant streams of light shone through the openings of theVenetian blinds. At this moment the garden was only occupiedby about ten servants, who had just received orders fromtheir mistress to prepare the supper, the serenity of theweather continuing to increase. Until now, it had beenundecided whether the supper should take place in thedining-room, or under a long tent erected on the lawn, butthe beautiful blue sky, studded with stars, had settled thequestion in favor of the lawn. The gardens were illuminatedwith colored lanterns, according to the Italian custom, and,as is usual in countries where the luxuries of the table - the rarest of all luxuries in their complete form - arewell understood, the supper-table was loaded with wax-lightsand flowers.

At the time the Countess of Morcerf returned to the rooms,after giving her orders, many guests were arriving, moreattracted by the charming hospitality of the countess thanby the distinguished position of the count; for, owing tothe good taste of Mercedes, one was sure of finding somedevices at her entertainment worthy of describing, or evencopying in case of need. Madame Danglars, in whom the eventswe have related had caused deep anxiety, had hesitated aboutgoing to Madame de Morcerf's, when during the morning hercarriage happened to meet that of Villefort. The latter madea sign, and when the carriages had drawn close together,said, - "You are going to Madame de Morcerf's, are younot?"

"No," replied Madame Danglars, "I am too ill."

"You are wrong," replied Villefort, significantly; "it isimportant that you should be seen there."

"Do you think so?" asked the baroness.

"I do."

"In that case I will go." And the two carriages passed ontowards their different destinations. Madame Danglarstherefore came, not only beautiful in person, but radiantwith splendor; she entered by one door at the time whenMercedes appeared at the door. The countess took Albert tomeet Madame Danglars. He approached, paid her some wellmerited compliments on her toilet, and offered his arm toconduct her to a seat. Albert looked around him. "You arelooking for my daughter?" said the baroness, smiling.

"I confess it," replied Albert. "Could you have been socruel as not to bring her?"

"Calm yourself. She has met Mademoiselle de Villefort, andhas taken her arm; see, they are following us, both in whitedresses, one with a bouquet of camellias, the other with oneof myosotis. But tell me" -

"Well, what do you wish to know?"

"Will not the Count of Monte Cristo be here to-night?"

"Seventeen!" replied Albert.

"What do you mean?"

"I only mean that the count seems the rage," replied theviscount, smiling, "and that you are the seventeenth personthat has asked me the same question. The count is infashion; I congratulate him upon it."

"And have you replied to every one as you have to me?"

"Ah, to be sure, I have not answered you; be satisfied, weshall have this `lion;' we are among the privileged ones."

"Were you at the opera yesterday?"

"No."

"He was there."

"Ah, indeed? And did the eccentric person commit any neworiginality?"

"Can he be seen without doing so? Elssler was dancing in the`Diable Boiteux;' the Greek princess was in ecstasies. Afterthe cachucha he placed a magnificent ring on the stem of abouquet, and threw it to the charming danseuse, who, in thethird act, to do honor to the gift, reappeared with it onher finger. And the Greek princess, - will she be here?"

"No, you will be deprived of that pleasure; her position inthe count's establishment is not sufficiently understood."

"Wait; leave me here, and go and speak to Madame deVillefort, who is trying to attract your attention."

Albert bowed to Madame Danglars, and advanced towards Madamede Villefort, whose lips opened as he approached. "I wageranything," said Albert, interrupting her, "that I know whatyou were about to say."

"Well, what is it?"

"If I guess rightly, will you confess it?"

"Yes."

"On your honor?"

"On my honor."

"You were going to ask me if the Count of Monte Cristo hadarrived, or was expected."

"Not at all. It is not of him that I am now thinking. I wasgoing to ask you if you had received any news of MonsieurFranz."

"Yes, - yesterday."

"What did he tell you?"

"That he was leaving at the same time as his letter."

"Well, now then, the count?"

"The count will come, of that you may be satisfied."

"You know that he has another name besides Monte Cristo?"

"No, I did not know it."

"Monte Cristo in the name of an island, and he has a familyname."

"I never heard it."

"Well, then, I am better informed than you; his name isZaccone."

"It is possible."

"He is a Maltese."

"That is also possible.

"The son of a shipowner."

"Really, you should relate all this aloud, you would havethe greatest success."

"He served in India, discovered a mine in Thessaly, andcomes to Paris to establish a mineral water-cure atAuteuil."

"Well, I'm sure," said Morcerf, "this is indeed news! Am Iallowed to repeat it?"

"Yes, but cautiously, tell one thing at a time, and do notsay I told you."

"Why so?"

"Because it is a secret just discovered."

"By whom?"

"The police."

"Then the news originated" -

"At the prefect's last night. Paris, you can understand, isastonished at the sight of such unusual splendor, and thepolice have made inquiries."

"Well, well! Nothing more is wanting than to arrest thecount as a vagabond, on the pretext of his being too rich."

"Indeed, that doubtless would have happened if hiscredentials had not been so favorable."

"Poor count! And is he aware of the danger he has been in?"

"I think not."

"Then it will be but charitable to inform him. When hearrives, I will not fail to do so."

Just then, a handsome young man, with bright eyes, blackhair, and glossy mustache, respectfully bowed to Madame deVillefort. Albert extended his hand. "Madame," said Albert,"allow me to present to you M. Maximilian Morrel, captain ofSpahis, one of our best, and, above all, of our bravestofficers."

"I have already had the pleasure of meeting this gentlemanat Auteuil, at the house of the Count of Monte Cristo,"replied Madame de Villefort, turning away with markedcoldness of manner. This answer, and especially the tone inwhich it was uttered, chilled the heart of poor Morrel. Buta recompense was in store for him; turning around, he sawnear the door a beautiful fair face, whose large blue eyeswere, without any marked expression, fixed upon him, whilethe bouquet of myosotis was gently raised to her lips.

The salutation was so well understood that Morrel, with thesame expression in his eyes, placed his handkerchief to hismouth; and these two living statues, whose hearts beat soviolently under their marble aspect, separated from eachother by the whole length of the room, forgot themselves fora moment, or rather forgot the world in their mutualcontemplation. They might have remained much longer lost inone another, without any one noticing their abstraction. TheCount of Monte Cristo had just entered.

We have already said that there was something in the countwhich attracted universal attention wherever he appeared. Itwas not the coat, unexceptional in its cut, though simpleand unornamented; it was not the plain white waistcoat; itwas not the trousers, that displayed the foot so perfectlyformed - it was none of these things that attracted theattention, - it was his pale complexion, his waving blackhair, his calm and serene expression, his dark andmelancholy eye, his mouth, chiselled with such marvellousdelicacy, which so easily expressed such high disdain, - these were what fixed the attention of all upon him. Manymen might have been handsomer, but certainly there could benone whose appearance was more significant, if theexpression may be used. Everything about the count seemed tohave its meaning, for the constant habit of thought which hehad acquired had given an ease and vigor to the expressionof his face, and even to the most trifling gesture, scarcelyto be understood. Yet the Parisian world is so strange, thateven all this might not have won attention had there notbeen connected with it a mysterious story gilded by animmense fortune.

Meanwhile he advanced through the assemblage of guests undera battery of curious glances towards Madame de Morcerf, who,standing before a mantle-piece ornamented with flowers, hadseen his entrance in a looking-glass placed opposite thedoor, and was prepared to receive him. She turned towardshim with a serene smile just at the moment he was bowing toher. No doubt she fancied the count would speak to her,while on his side the count thought she was about to addresshim; but both remained silent, and after a mere bow, MonteCristo directed his steps to Albert, who received himcordially. "Have you seen my mother?" asked Albert.

"I have just had the pleasure," replied the count; "but Ihave not seen your father."

"See, he is down there, talking politics with that littlegroup of great geniuses."

"Indeed?" said Monte Cristo; "and so those gentlemen downthere are men of great talent. I should not have guessed it.And for what kind of talent are they celebrated? You knowthere are different sorts."

"That tall, harsh-looking man is very learned, hediscovered, in the neighborhood of Rome, a kind of lizardwith a vertebra more than lizards usually have, and heimmediately laid his discovery before the Institute. Thething was discussed for a long time, but finally decided inhis favor. I can assure you the vertebra made a great noisein the learned world, and the gentleman, who was only aknight of the Legion of Honor, was made an officer."

"Come," said Monte Cristo, "this cross seems to me to bewisely awarded. I suppose, had he found another additionalvertebra, they would have made him a commander."

"Very likely," said Albert.

"And who can that person be who has taken it into his headto wrap himself up in a blue coat embroidered with green?"

"Oh, that coat is not his own idea; it is the Republic's,which deputed David* to devise a uniform for theAcademicians."

Louis David, a famous French painter.

"Indeed?" said Monte Cristo; "so this gentleman is anAcademician?"

"Within the last week he has been made one of the learnedassembly."

"And what is his especial talent?"

"His talent? I believe he thrusts pins through the heads ofrabbits, he makes fowls eat madder, and punches the spinalmarrow out of dogs with whalebone."

"And he is made a member of the Academy of Sciences forthis?"

"No; of the French Academy."

"But what has the French Academy to do with all this?"

"I was going to tell you. It seems" -

"That his experiments have very considerably advanced thecause of science, doubtless?"

"No; that his style of writing is very good."

"This must be very flattering to the feelings of the rabbitsinto whose heads he has thrust pins, to the fowls whosebones he has dyed red, and to the dogs whose spinal marrowhe has punched out?"

Albert laughed.

"And the other one?" demanded the count.

"That one?"

"Yes, the third."

"The one in the dark blue coat?"

"Yes."

"He is a colleague of the count, and one of the most activeopponents to the idea of providing the Chamber of Peers witha uniform. He was very successful upon that question. Hestood badly with the Liberal papers, but his nobleopposition to the wishes of the court is now getting himinto favor with the journalists. They talk of making him anambassador."

"And what are his claims to the peerage?"

"He has composed two or three comic operas, written four orfive articles in the Siecle, and voted five or six years onthe ministerial side."

"Bravo, Viscount," said Monte Cristo, smiling; "you are adelightful cicerone. And now you will do me a favor, willyou not?"

"What is it?"

"Do not introduce me to any of these gentlemen; and shouldthey wish it, you will warn me." Just then the count felthis arm pressed. He turned round; it was Danglars.

"Ah, is it you, baron?" said he.

"Why do you call me baron?" said Danglars; "you know that Icare nothing for my title. I am not like you, viscount; youlike your title, do you not?"

"Certainly," replied Albert, "seeing that without my title Ishould be nothing; while you, sacrificing the baron, wouldstill remain the millionaire."

"Which seems to me the finest title under the royalty ofJuly," replied Danglars.

"Unfortunately," said Monte Cristo, "one's title to amillionaire does not last for life, like that of baron, peerof France, or Academician; for example, the millionairesFranck & Poulmann, of Frankfort, who have just becomebankrupts."

"Indeed?" said Danglars, becoming pale.

"Yes; I received the news this evening by a courier. I hadabout a million in their hands, but, warned in time, Iwithdrew it a month ago."

"Ah, mon Dieu," exclaimed Danglars, "they have drawn on mefor 200,000 francs!"

"Well, you can throw out the draft; their signature is worthfive per cent."

"Yes, but it is too late," said Danglars, "I have honoredtheir bills."

"Then," said Monte Cristo, "here are 200,000 francs goneafter" -

"Hush, do not mention these things," said Danglars; then,approaching Monte Cristo, he added, "especially before youngM. Cavalcanti;" after which he smiled, and turned towardsthe young man in question. Albert had left the count tospeak to his mother, Danglars to converse with youngCavalcanti; Monte Cristo was for an instant alone. Meanwhilethe heat became excessive. The footmen were hasteningthrough the rooms with waiters loaded with ices. MonteCristo wiped the perspiration from his forehead, but drewback when the waiter was presented to him; he took norefreshment. Madame de Morcerf did not lose sight of MonteCristo; she saw that he took nothing, and even noticed hisgesture of refusal.

"Albert," she asked, "did you notice that?"

"What, mother?"

"That the count has never been willing to partake of foodunder the roof of M. de Morcerf."

"Yes; but then he breakfasted with me - indeed, he made hisfirst appearance in the world on that occasion."

"But your house is not M. de Morcerf's," murmured Mercedes;"and since he has been here I have watched him."

"Well?"

"Well, he has taken nothing yet."

"The count is very temperate." Mercedes smiled sadly."Approach him," said she, "and when the next waiter passes,insist upon his taking something."

"But why, mother?"

"Just to please me, Albert," said Mercedes. Albert kissedhis mother's hand, and drew near the count. Another salverpassed, loaded like the preceding ones; she saw Albertattempt to persuade the count, but he obstinately refused.Albert rejoined his mother; she was very pale.

"Well," said she, "you see he refuses?"

"Yes; but why need this annoy you?"

"You know, Albert, women are singular creatures. I shouldlike to have seen the count take something in my house, ifonly an ice. Perhaps he cannot reconcile himself to theFrench style of living, and might prefer something else."

"Oh, no; I have seen him eat of everything in Italy; nodoubt he does not feel inclined this evening."

"And besides," said the countess, "accustomed as he is toburning climates, possibly he does not feel the heat as wedo."

"I do not think that, for he has complained of feelingalmost suffocated, and asked why the Venetian blinds werenot opened as well as the windows."

"In a word," said Mercedes, "it was a way of assuring methat his abstinence was intended." And she left the room. Aminute afterwards the blinds were thrown open, and throughthe jessamine and clematis that overhung the window onecould see the garden ornamented with lanterns, and thesupper laid under the tent. Dancers, players, talkers, alluttered an exclamation of joy - every one inhaled withdelight the breeze that floated in. At the same timeMercedes reappeared, paler than before, but with thatimperturbable expression of countenance which she sometimeswore. She went straight to the group of which her husbandformed the centre. "Do not detain those gentlemen here,count," she said; "they would prefer, I should think, tobreathe in the garden rather than suffocate here, since theyare not playing."

"Ah," said a gallant old general, who, in 1809, had sung"Partant pour la Syrie," - "we will not go alone to thegarden."

"Then," said Mercedes, "I will lead the way." Turningtowards Monte Cristo, she added, "count, will you oblige mewith your arm?" The count almost staggered at these simplewords; then he fixed his eyes on Mercedes. It was only amomentary glance, but it seemed to the countess to havelasted for a century, so much was expressed in that onelook. He offered his arm to the countess; she took it, orrather just touched it with her little hand, and theytogether descended the steps, lined with rhododendrons andcamellias. Behind them, by another outlet, a group of abouttwenty persons rushed into the garden with loud exclamationsof delight.