Scarcely had the count's horses cleared the angle of theboulevard, than Albert, turning towards the count, burstinto a loud fit of laughter - much too loud in fact not togive the idea of its being rather forced and unnatural."Well," said he, "I will ask you the same question whichCharles IX. put to Catherine de Medicis, after the massacreof Saint Bartholomew, `How have I played my little part?'"

"To what do you allude?" asked Monte Cristo.

"To the installation of my rival at M. Danglars'."

"What rival?"

"Ma foi, what rival? Why, your protege, M. AndreaCavalcanti!"

"Ah, no joking, viscount, if you please; I do not patronizeM. Andrea - at least, not as concerns M. Danglars."

"And you would be to blame for not assisting him, if theyoung man really needed your help in that quarter, but,happily for me, he can dispense with it."

"What, do you think he is paying his addresses?"

"I am certain of it; his languishing looks and modulatedtones when addressing Mademoiselle Danglars fully proclaimhis intentions. He aspires to the hand of the proudEugenie."

"What does that signify, so long as they favor your suit?"

"But it is not the case, my dear count: on the contrary. Iam repulsed on all sides."

"What!"

"It is so indeed; Mademoiselle Eugenie scarcely answers me,and Mademoiselle d'Armilly, her confidant, does not speak tome at all."

"But the father has the greatest regard possible for you,"said Monte Cristo.

"He? Oh, no, he has plunged a thousand daggers into myheart, tragedy-weapons, I own, which instead of woundingsheathe their points in their own handles, but daggers whichhe nevertheless believed to be real and deadly."

"Jealousy indicates affection."

"True; but I am not jealous."

"He is."

"Of whom? - of Debray?"

"No, of you."

"Of me? I will engage to say that before a week is past thedoor will be closed against me."

"You are mistaken, my dear viscount."

"Prove it to me."

"Do you wish me to do so?"

"Yes."

"Well, I am charged with the commission of endeavoring toinduce the Comte de Morcerf to make some definitearrangement with the baron."

"By whom are you charged?"

"By the baron himself."

"Oh," said Albert with all the cajolery of which he wascapable. "You surely will not do that, my dear count?"

"Certainly I shall, Albert, as I have promised to do it."

"Well," said Albert, with a sigh, "it seems you aredetermined to marry me."

"I am determined to try and be on good terms with everybody,at all events," said Monte Cristo. "But apropos of Debray,how is it that I have not seen him lately at the baron'shouse?"

"There has been a misunderstanding."

"What, with the baroness?"

"No, with the baron."

"Has he perceived anything?"

"Ah, that is a good joke!"

"Do you think he suspects?" said Monte Cristo with charmingartlessness.

"Where have you come from, my dear count?" said Albert.

"From Congo, if you will."

"It must be farther off than even that."

"But what do I know of your Parisian husbands?"

"Oh, my dear count, husbands are pretty much the sameeverywhere; an individual husband of any country is a prettyfair specimen of the whole race."

"But then, what can have led to the quarrel between Danglarsand Debray? They seemed to understand each other so well,"said Monte Cristo with renewed energy.

"Ah, now you are trying to penetrate into the mysteries ofIsis, in which I am not initiated. When M. Andrea Cavalcantihas become one of the family, you can ask him thatquestion." The carriage stopped. "Here we are," said MonteCristo; "it is only half-past ten o'clock, come in."

"Certainly I will."

"My carriage shall take you back."

"No, thank you; I gave orders for my coupe to follow me."

"There it is, then," said Monte Cristo, as he stepped out ofthe carriage. They both went into the house; thedrawing-room was lighted up - they went in there. "You willmake tea for us, Baptistin," said the count. Baptistin leftthe room without waiting to answer, and in two secondsreappeared, bringing on a waiter all that his master hadordered, ready prepared, and appearing to have sprung fromthe ground, like the repasts which we read of in fairytales. "Really, my dear count," said Morcerf. "what I admirein you is, not so much your riches, for perhaps there arepeople even wealthier than yourself, nor is it only yourwit, for Beaumarchais might have possessed as much, - butit is your manner of being served, without any questions, ina moment, in a second; it is as it they guessed what youwanted by your manner of ringing, and made a point ofkeeping everything you can possibly desire in constantreadiness."

"What you say is perhaps true; they know my habits. Forinstance, you shall see; how do you wish to occupy yourselfduring tea-time?"

"Ma foi, I should like to smoke."

Monte Cristo took the gong and struck it once. In about thespace of a second a private door opened, and Ali appeared,bringing two chibouques filled with excellent latakia. "Itis quite wonderful," said Albert.

"Oh no, it is as simple as possible," replied Monte Cristo."Ali knows I generally smoke while I am taking my tea orcoffee; he has heard that I ordered tea, and he also knowsthat I brought you home with me; when I summoned him henaturally guessed the reason of my doing so, and as he comesfrom a country where hospitality is especially manifestedthrough the medium of smoking, he naturally concludes thatwe shall smoke in company, and therefore brings twochibouques instead of one - and now the mystery is solved."

"Certainly you give a most commonplace air to yourexplanation, but it is not the less true that you - Ah, butwhat do I hear?" and Morcerf inclined his head towards thedoor, through which sounds seemed to issue resembling thoseof a guitar.

"Ma foi, my dear viscount, you are fated to hear music thisevening; you have only escaped from Mademoiselle Danglars'piano, to be attacked by Haidee's guzla."

"Haidee - what an adorable name! Are there, then, reallywomen who bear the name of Haidee anywhere but in Byron'spoems?"

"Certainly there are. Haidee is a very uncommon name inFrance, but is common enough in Albania and Epirus; it is asit you said, for example, Chastity, Modesty, Innocence, - it is a kind of baptismal name, as you Parisians call it."

"Oh, that is charming," said Albert, "how I should like tohear my countrywomen called Mademoiselle Goodness,Mademoiselle Silence, Mademoiselle Christian Charity! Onlythink, then, if Mademoiselle Danglars, instead of beingcalled Claire-Marie-Eugenie, had been named MademoiselleChastity-Modesty-Innocence Danglars; what a fine effect thatwould have produced on the announcement of her marriage!"

"Hush," said the count, "do not joke in so loud a tone;Haidee may hear you, perhaps."

"And you think she would be angry?"

"No, certainly not," said the count with a haughtyexpression.

"She is very amiable, then, is she not?" said Albert.

"It is not to be called amiability, it is her duty; a slavedoes not dictate to a master."

"Come; you are joking yourself now. Are there any moreslaves to be had who bear this beautiful name?"

"Undoubtedly."

"Really, count, you do nothing, and have nothing like otherpeople. The slave of the Count of Monte Cristo! Why, it is arank of itself in France, and from the way in which youlavish money, it is a place that must be worth a hundredthousand francs a year."

"A hundred thousand francs! The poor girl originallypossessed much more than that; she was born to treasures incomparison with which those recorded in the `Thousand andOne Nights' would seem but poverty."

"She must be a princess then."

"You are right; and she is one of the greatest in hercountry too."

"I thought so. But how did it happen that such a greatprincess became a slave?"

"How was it that Dionysius the Tyrant became a schoolmaster?The fortune of war, my dear viscount, - the caprice offortune; that is the way in which these things are to beaccounted for."

"And is her name a secret?"

"As regards the generality of mankind it is; but not foryou, my dear viscount, who are one of my most intimatefriends, and on whose silence I feel I may rely, if Iconsider it necessary to enjoin it - may I not do so?"

"Certainly; on my word of honor."

"You know the history of the pasha of Yanina, do you not?"

"Of Ali Tepelini?* Oh, yes; it was in his service that myfather made his fortune."

"True, I had forgotten that."

Ali Pasha, "The Lion," was born at Tepelini, an Albanianvillage at the foot of the Klissoura Mountains, in 1741. Bydiplomacy and success in arms he became almost supreme rulerof Albania, Epirus, and adjacent territory. Having arousedthe enmity of the Sultan, he was proscribed and put to deathby treachery in 1822, at the age of eighty. - Ed.

"Well, what is Haidee to Ali Tepelini?"

"Merely his daughter."

"What? the daughter of Ali Pasha?"

"Of Ali Pasha and the beautiful Vasiliki."

"And your slave?"

"Ma foi, yes."

"But how did she become so?"

"Why, simply from the circumstance of my having bought herone day, as I was passing through the market atConstantinople."

"Wonderful! Really, my dear count, you seem to throw a sortof magic influence over all in which you are concerned; whenI listen to you, existence no longer seems reality, but awaking dream. Now, I am perhaps going to make an imprudentand thoughtless request, but" -

"Say on."

"But, since you go out with Haidee, and sometimes even takeher to the opera" -

"Well?"

"I think I may venture to ask you this favor."

"You may venture to ask me anything."

"Well then, my dear count, present me to your princess."

"I will do so; but on two conditions."

"I accept them at once."

"The first is, that you will never tell any one that I havegranted the interview."

"Very well," said Albert, extending his hand; "I swear Iwill not."

"The second is, that you will not tell her that your fatherever served hers."

"I give you my oath that I will not."

"Enough, viscount; you will remember those two vows, willyou not? But I know you to be a man of honor." The countagain struck the gong. Ali reappeared. "Tell Haidee," saidhe, "that I will take coffee with her, and give her tounderstand that I desire permission to present one of myfriends to her." Ali bowed and left the room. "Now,understand me," said the count, "no direct questions, mydear Morcerf; if you wish to know anything, tell me, and Iwill ask her."

"Agreed." Ali reappeared for the third time, and drew backthe tapestried hanging which concealed the door, to signifyto his master and Albert that they were at liberty to passon. "Let us go in," said Monte Cristo.

Albert passed his hand through his hair, and curled hismustache, then, having satisfied himself as to his personalappearance, followed the count into the room, the latterhaving previously resumed his hat and gloves. Ali wasstationed as a kind of advanced guard, and the door was keptby the three French attendants, commanded by Myrtho. Haideewas awaiting her visitors in the first room of herapartments, which was the drawing-room. Her large eyes weredilated with surprise and expectation, for it was the firsttime that any man, except Monte Cristo, had been accorded anentrance into her presence. She was sitting on a sofa placedin an angle of the room, with her legs crossed under her inthe Eastern fashion, and seemed to have made for herself, asit were, a kind of nest in the rich Indian silks whichenveloped her. Near her was the instrument on which she hadjust been playing; it was elegantly fashioned, and worthy ofits mistress. On perceiving Monte Cristo, she arose andwelcomed him with a smile peculiar to herself, expressive atonce of the most implicit obedience and also of the deepestlove. Monte Cristo advanced towards her and extended hishand, which she as usual raised to her lips.

Albert had proceeded no farther than the door, where heremained rooted to the spot, being completely fascinated bythe sight of such surpassing beauty, beheld as it was forthe first time, and of which an inhabitant of more northernclimes could form no adequate idea.

"Whom do you bring?" asked the young girl in Romaic, ofMonte Cristo; "is it a friend, a brother, a simpleacquaintance, or an enemy."

"A friend," said Monte Cristo in the same language.

"What is his name?"

"Count Albert; it is the same man whom I rescued from thehands of the banditti at Rome."

"In what language would you like me to converse with him?"

Monte Cristo turned to Albert. "Do you know modern Greek,"asked he.

"Alas, no," said Albert; "nor even ancient Greek, my dearcount; never had Homer or Plato a more unworthy scholar thanmyself."

"Then," said Haidee, proving by her remark that she hadquite understood Monte Cristo's question and Albert'sanswer, "then I will speak either in French or Italian, ifmy lord so wills it."

Monte Cristo reflected one instant. "You will speak inItalian," said he. Then, turning towards Albert, - "It is apity you do not understand either ancient or modern Greek,both of which Haidee speaks so fluently; the poor child willbe obliged to talk to you in Italian, which will give youbut a very false idea of her powers of conversation." Thecount made a sign to Haidee to address his visitor. "Sir,"she said to Morcerf, "you are most welcome as the friend ofmy lord and master." This was said in excellent Tuscan, andwith that soft Roman accent which makes the language ofDante as sonorous as that of Homer. Then, turning to Ali,she directed him to bring coffee and pipes, and when he hadleft the room to execute the orders of his young mistressshe beckoned Albert to approach nearer to her. Monte Cristoand Morcerf drew their seats towards a small table, on whichwere arranged music, drawings, and vases of flowers. Alithen entered bringing coffee and chibouques; as to M.Baptistin, this portion of the building was interdicted tohim. Albert refused the pipe which the Nubian offered him."Oh, take it - take it," said the count; "Haidee is almostas civilized as a Parisian; the smell of an Havana isdisagreeable to her, but the tobacco of the East is a mostdelicious perfume, you know."

Ali left the room. The cups of coffee were all prepared,with the addition of sugar, which had been brought forAlbert. Monte Cristo and Haidee took the beverage in theoriginal Arabian manner, that is to say, without sugar.Haidee took the porcelain cup in her little slender fingersand conveyed it to her mouth with all the innocentartlessness of a child when eating or drinking somethingwhich it likes. At this moment two women entered, bringingsalvers filled with ices and sherbet, which they placed ontwo small tables appropriated to that purpose. "My dearhost, and you, signora," said Albert, in Italian, "excuse myapparent stupidity. I am quite bewildered, and it is naturalthat it should be so. Here I am in the heart of Paris; but amoment ago I heard the rumbling of the omnibuses and thetinkling of the bells of the lemonade-sellers, and now Ifeel as if I were suddenly transported to the East; not suchas I have seen it, but such as my dreams have painted it.Oh, signora, if I could but speak Greek, your conversation,added to the fairy-scene which surrounds me, would furnishan evening of such delight as it would be impossible for meever to forget."

"I speak sufficient Italian to enable me to converse withyou, sir," said Haidee quietly; "and if you like what isEastern, I will do my best to secure the gratification ofyour tastes while you are here."

"On what subject shall I converse with her?" said Albert, ina low tone to Monte Cristo.

"Just what you please; you may speak of her country and ofher youthful reminiscences, or if you like it better you cantalk of Rome, Naples, or Florence."

"Oh," said Albert, "it is of no use to be in the company ofa Greek if one converses just in the same style as with aParisian; let me speak to her of the East."

"Do so then, for of all themes which you could choose thatwill be the most agreeable to her taste." Albert turnedtowards Haidee. "At what age did you leave Greece, signora?"asked he.

"I left it when I was but five years old," replied Haidee.

"And have you any recollection of your country?"

"When I shut my eyes and think, I seem to see it all again.The mind can see as well as the body. The body forgetssometimes - but the mind never forgets."

"And how far back into the past do your recollectionsextend?"

"I could scarcely walk when my mother, who was calledVasiliki, which means royal," said the young girl, tossingher head proudly, "took me by the hand, and after putting inour purse all the money we possessed, we went out, bothcovered with veils, to solicit alms for the prisoners,saying, `He who giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord.'Then when our purse was full we returned to the palace, andwithout saying a word to my father, we sent it to theconvent, where it was divided amongst the prisoners."

"And how old were you at that time?"

"I was three years old," said Haidee.

"Then you remember everything that went on about you fromthe time when you were three years old?" said Albert.

"Everything."

"Count," said Albert, in a low tone to Monte Cristo, "doallow the signora to tell me something of her history. Youprohibited my mentioning my father's name to her, butperhaps she will allude to him of her own accord in thecourse of the recital, and you have no idea how delighted Ishould be to hear our name pronounced by such beautifullips." Monte Cristo turned to Haidee, and with an expressionof countenance which commanded her to pay the most implicitattention to his words, he said in Greek, - "Tell us thefate of your father; but neither the name of the traitor northe treason." Haidee sighed deeply, and a shade of sadnessclouded her beautiful brow.

"What are you saying to her?" said Morcerf in an undertone.

"I again reminded her that you were a friend, and that sheneed not conceal anything from you."

"Then," said Albert, "this pious pilgrimage in behalf of theprisoners was your first remembrance; what is the next?"

"Oh, then I remember as if it were but yesterday sittingunder the shade of some sycamore-trees, on the borders of alake, in the waters of which the trembling foliage wasreflected as in a mirror. Under the oldest and thickest ofthese trees, reclining on cushions, sat my father; my motherwas at his feet, and I, childlike, amused myself by playingwith his long white beard which descended to his girdle, orwith the diamond-hilt of the scimitar attached to hisgirdle. Then from time to time there came to him an Albanianwho said something to which I paid no attention, but whichhe always answered in the same tone of voice, either `Kill,'or `Pardon.'"

"It is very strange," said Albert, "to hear such wordsproceed from the mouth of any one but an actress on thestage, and one needs constantly to be saying to one's self,`This is no fiction, it is all reality,' in order to believeit. And how does France appear in your eyes, accustomed asthey have been to gaze on such enchanted scenes?"

"I think it is a fine country," said Haidee, "but I seeFrance as it really is, because I look on it with the eyesof a woman; whereas my own country, which I can only judgeof from the impression produced on my childish mind, alwaysseems enveloped in a vague atmosphere, which is luminous orotherwise, according as my remembrances of it are sad orjoyous."

"So young," said Albert, forgetting at the moment theCount's command that he should ask no questions of the slaveherself, "is it possible that you can have known whatsuffering is except by name?"

Haidee turned her eyes towards Monte Cristo, who, making atthe same time some imperceptible sign, murmured, - "Go on."

"Nothing is ever so firmly impressed on the mind as thememory of our early childhood, and with the exception of thetwo scenes I have just described to you, all my earliestreminiscences are fraught with deepest sadness."

"Speak, speak, signora," said Albert, "I am listening withthe most intense delight and interest to all you say."

Haidee answered his remark with a melancholy smile. "Youwish me, then, to relate the history of my past sorrows?"said she.

"I beg you to do so," replied Albert.

"Well, I was but four years old when one night I wassuddenly awakened by my mother. We were in the palace ofYanina; she snatched me from the cushions on which I wassleeping, and on opening my eyes I saw hers filled withtears. She took me away without speaking. When I saw herweeping I began to cry too. `Hush, child!' said she. Atother times in spite of maternal endearments or threats, Ihad with a child's caprice been accustomed to indulge myfeelings of sorrow or anger by crying as much as I feltinclined; but on this occasion there was an intonation ofsuch extreme terror in my mother's voice when she enjoinedme to silence, that I ceased crying as soon as her commandwas given. She bore me rapidly away.

"I saw then that we were descending a large staircase;around us were all my mother's servants carrying trunks,bags, ornaments, jewels, purses of gold, with which theywere hurrying away in the greatest distraction.

"Behind the women came a guard of twenty men armed with longguns and pistols, and dressed in the costume which theGreeks have assumed since they have again become a nation.You may imagine there was something startling and ominous,"said Haidee, shaking her head and turning pale at the mereremembrance of the scene, "in this long file of slaves andwomen only half-aroused from sleep, or at least so theyappeared to me, who was myself scarcely awake. Here andthere on the walls of the staircase, were reflected giganticshadows, which trembled in the flickering light of thepine-torches till they seemed to reach to the vaulted roofabove.

"`Quick!' said a voice at the end of the gallery. This voicemade every one bow before it, resembling in its effect thewind passing over a field of wheat, by its superior strengthforcing every ear to yield obeisance. As for me, it made metremble. This voice was that of my father. He came last,clothed in his splendid robes and holding in his hand thecarbine which your emperor presented him. He was leaning onthe shoulder of his favorite Selim, and he drove us allbefore him, as a shepherd would his straggling flock. Myfather," said Haidee, raising her head, "was thatillustrious man known in Europe under the name of AliTepelini, pasha of Yanina, and before whom Turkey trembled."

Albert, without knowing why, started on hearing these wordspronounced with such a haughty and dignified accent; itappeared to him as if there was something supernaturallygloomy and terrible in the expression which gleamed from thebrilliant eyes of Haidee at this moment; she appeared like aPythoness evoking a spectre, as she recalled to his mind theremembrance of the fearful death of this man, to the news ofwhich all Europe had listened with horror. "Soon," saidHaidee, "we halted on our march, and found ourselves on theborders of a lake. My mother pressed me to her throbbingheart, and at the distance of a few paces I saw my father,who was glancing anxiously around. Four marble steps leddown to the water's edge, and below them was a boat floatingon the tide.

"From where we stood I could see in the middle of the lake alarge blank mass; it was the kiosk to which we were going.This kiosk appeared to me to be at a considerable distance,perhaps on account of the darkness of the night, whichprevented any object from being more than partiallydiscerned. We stepped into the boat. I remember well thatthe oars made no noise whatever in striking the water, andwhen I leaned over to ascertain the cause I saw that theywere muffled with the sashes of our Palikares.* Besides therowers, the boat contained only the women, my father,mother, Selim, and myself. The Palikares had remained on theshore of the lake, ready to cover our retreat; they werekneeling on the lowest of the marble steps, and in thatmanner intended making a rampart of the three others, incase of pursuit. Our bark flew before the wind. `Why doesthe boat go so fast?' asked I of my mother.

Greek militiamen in the war for independence. - Ed.

"`Silence, child! Hush, we are flying!' I did notunderstand. Why should my father fly? - he, theall-powerful - he, before whom others were accustomed tofly - he, who had taken for his device, `They hate me; thenthey fear me!' It was, indeed, a flight which my father wastrying to effect. I have been told since that the garrisonof the castle of Yanina, fatigued with long service" -

Here Haidee cast a significant glance at Monte Cristo, whoseeyes had been riveted on her countenance during the wholecourse of her narrative. The young girl then continued,speaking slowly, like a person who is either inventing orsuppressing some feature of the history which he isrelating. "You were saying, signora," said Albert, who waspaying the most implicit attention to the recital, "that thegarrison of Yanina, fatigued with long service" -

"Had treated with the Serasker* Koorshid, who had been sentby the sultan to gain possession of the person of my father;it was then that Ali Tepelini - after having sent to thesultan a French officer in whom he reposed great confidence- resolved to retire to the asylum which he had long beforeprepared for himself, and which he called kataphygion, orthe refuge."

"And this officer," asked Albert, "do you remember his name,signora?" Monte Cristo exchanged a rapid glance with theyoung girl, which was quite unperceived by Albert. "No,"said she, "I do not remember it just at this moment; but ifit should occur to me presently, I will tell you." Albertwas on the point of pronouncing his father's name, whenMonte Cristo gently held up his finger in token of reproach;the young man recollected his promise, and was silent.

A Turkish pasha in command of the troops of a province. - Ed.

"It was towards this kiosk that we were rowing. Aground-floor, ornamented with arabesques, bathing itsterraces in the water, and another floor, looking on thelake, was all which was visible to the eye. But beneath theground-floor, stretching out into the island, was a largesubterranean cavern, to which my mother, myself, and thewomen were conducted. In this place were together 60,000pouches and 200 barrels; the pouches contained 25,000,000 ofmoney in gold, and the barrels were filled with 30,000pounds of gunpowder.

"Near the barrels stood Selim, my father's favorite, whom Imentioned to you just now. He stood watch day and night witha lance provided with a lighted slowmatch in his hand, andhe had orders to blow up everything - kiosk, guards, women,gold, and Ali Tepelini himself - at the first signal givenby my father. I remember well that the slaves, convinced ofthe precarious tenure on which they held their lives, passedwhole days and nights in praying, crying, and groaning. Asfor me, I can never forget the pale complexion and blackeyes of the young soldier, and whenever the angel of deathsummons me to another world, I am quite sure I shallrecognize Selim. I cannot tell you how long we remained inthis state; at that period I did not even know what timemeant. Sometimes, but very rarely, my father summoned me andmy mother to the terrace of the palace; these were hours ofrecreation for me, as I never saw anything in the dismalcavern but the gloomy countenances of the slaves and Selim'sfiery lance. My father was endeavoring to pierce with hiseager looks the remotest verge of the horizon, examiningattentively every black speck which appeared on the lake,while my mother, reclining by his side, rested her head onhis shoulder, and I played at his feet, admiring everythingI saw with that unsophisticated innocence of childhood whichthrows a charm round objects insignificant in themselves,but which in its eyes are invested with the greatestimportance. The heights of Pindus towered above us; thecastle of Yanina rose white and angular from the blue watersof the lake, and the immense masses of black vegetationwhich, viewed in the distance, gave the idea of lichensclinging to the rocks, were in reality gigantic fir-treesand myrtles.

"One morning my father sent for us; my mother had beencrying all the night, and was very wretched; we found thepasha calm, but paler than usual. `Take courage, Vasiliki,'said he; `to-day arrives the firman of the master, and myfate will be decided. If my pardon be complete, we shallreturn triumphant to Yanina; if the news be inauspicious, wemust fly this night.' - `But supposing our enemy should notallow us to do so?' said my mother. `Oh, make yourself easyon that head,' said Ali, smiling; `Selim and his flaminglance will settle that matter. They would be glad to see medead, but they would not like themselves to die with me.'

"My mother only answered by sighs to consolations which sheknew did not come from my father's heart. She prepared theiced water which he was in the habit of constantly drinking,- for since his sojourn at the kiosk he had been parched bythe most violent fever, - after which she anointed hiswhite beard with perfumed oil, and lighted his chibouque,which he sometimes smoked for hours together, quietlywatching the wreaths of vapor that ascended in spiral cloudsand gradually melted away in the surrounding atmosphere.Presently he made such a sudden movement that I wasparalyzed with fear. Then, without taking his eyes from theobject which had first attracted his attention, he asked forhis telescope. My mother gave it him. and as she did so,looked whiter than the marble against which she leaned. Isaw my father's hand tremble. `A boat! - two! - three!'murmured my, father; - `four!' He then arose, seizing hisarms and priming his pistols. `Vasiliki,' said he to mymother, trembling perceptibly, `the instant approaches whichwill decide everything. In the space of half an hour weshall know the emperor's answer. Go into the cavern withHaidee.' - `I will not quit you,' said Vasiliki; `if youdie, my lord, I will die with you.' - `Go to Selim!' criedmy father. `Adieu, my lord,' murmured my mother, determiningquietly to await the approach of death. `Take awayVasiliki!' said my father to his Palikares.

"As for me, I had been forgotten in the general confusion; Iran toward Ali Tepelini; he saw me hold out my arms to him,and he stooped down and pressed my forehead with his lips.Oh, how distinctly I remember that kiss! - it was the lasthe ever gave me, and I feel as if it were still warm on myforehead. On descending, we saw through the lattice-workseveral boats which were gradually becoming more distinct toour view. At first they appeared like black specks, and nowthey looked like birds skimming the surface of the waves.During this time, in the kiosk at my father's feet, wereseated twenty Palikares, concealed from view by an angle ofthe wall and watching with eager eyes the arrival of theboats. They were armed with their long guns inlaid withmother-of-pearl and silver, and cartridges in great numberswere lying scattered on the floor. My father looked at hiswatch, and paced up and down with a countenance expressiveof the greatest anguish. This was the scene which presenteditself to my view as I quitted my father after that lastkiss. My mother and I traversed the gloomy passage leadingto the cavern. Selim was still at his post, and smiled sadlyon us as we entered. We fetched our cushions from the otherend of the cavern, and sat down by Selim. In great dangersthe devoted ones cling to each other; and, young as I was, Iquite understood that some imminent danger was hanging overour heads."

Albert had often heard - not from his father, for he neverspoke on the subject, but from strangers - the descriptionof the last moments of the vizier of Yanina; he had readdifferent accounts of his death, but the story seemed toacquire fresh meaning from the voice and expression of theyoung girl, and her sympathetic accent and the melancholyexpression of her countenance at once charmed and horrifiedhim. As to Haidee, these terrible reminiscences seemed tohave overpowered her for a moment, for she ceased speaking,her head leaning on her hand like a beautiful flower bowingbeneath the violence of the storm; and her eyes gazing onvacancy indicated that she was mentally contemplating thegreen summit of the Pindus and the blue waters of the lakeof Yanina, which, like a magic mirror, seemed to reflect thesombre picture which she sketched. Monte Cristo looked ather with an indescribable expression of interest and pity.

"Go on," said the count in the Romaic language.

Haidee looked up abruptly, as if the sonorous tones of MonteCristo's voice had awakened her from a dream; and sheresumed her narrative. "It was about four o'clock in theafternoon, and although the day was brilliant out-of-doors,we were enveloped in the gloomy darkness of the cavern. Onesingle, solitary light was burning there, and it appearedlike a star set in a heaven of blackness; it was Selim'sflaming lance. My mother was a Christian, and she prayed.Selim repeated from time to time the sacred words: `God isgreat!' However, my mother had still some hope. As she wascoming down, she thought she recognized the French officerwho had been sent to Constantinople, and in whom my fatherplaced so much confidence; for he knew that all the soldiersof the French emperor were naturally noble and generous. Sheadvanced some steps towards the staircase, and listened.`They are approaching,' said she; `perhaps they bring uspeace and liberty!' - `What do you fear, Vasiliki?' saidSelim, in a voice at once so gentle and yet so proud. `Ifthey do not bring us peace, we will give them war; if theydo not bring life, we will give them death.' And he renewedthe flame of his lance with a gesture which made one thinkof Dionysus of Crete.* But I, being only a little child, wasterrified by this undaunted courage, which appeared to meboth ferocious and senseless, and I recoiled with horrorfrom the idea of the frightful death amidst fire and flameswhich probably awaited us.

The god of fruitfulness in Grecian mythology. In Crete hewas supposed to be slain in winter with the decay ofvegetation and to revive in the spring. Haidee's learnedreference is to the behavior of an actor in the Dionysianfestivals. - Ed.

"My mother experienced the same sensations, for I felt hertremble. `Mamma, mamma,' said I, `are we really to bekilled?' And at the sound of my voice the slaves redoubledtheir cries and prayers and lamentations. `My child,' saidVasiliki, `may God preserve you from ever wishing for thatdeath which to-day you so much dread!' Then, whispering toSelim, she asked what were her master's orders. `If he sendme his poniard, it will signify that the emperor'sintentions are not favorable, and I am to set fire to thepowder; if, on the contrary, he send me his ring, it will bea sign that the emperor pardons him, and I am to extinguishthe match and leave the magazine untouched.' - `My friend,'said my mother, `when your master's orders arrive, if it isthe poniard which he sends, instead of despatching us bythat horrible death which we both so much dread, you willmercifully kill us with this same poniard, will you not?' - `Yes, Vasiliki,' replied Selim tranquilly.

"Suddenly we heard loud cries; and, listening, discernedthat they were cries of joy. The name of the French officerwho had been sent to Constantinople resounded on all sidesamongst our Palikares; it was evident that he brought theanswer of the emperor, and that it was favorable."

"And do you not remember the Frenchman's name?" saidMorcerf, quite ready to aid the memory of the narrator.Monte Cristo made a sign to him to be silent.

"I do not recollect it," said Haidee.

"The noise increased; steps were heard approaching nearerand nearer: they were descending the steps leading to thecavern. Selim made ready his lance. Soon a figure appearedin the gray twilight at the entrance of the cave, formed bythe reflection of the few rays of daylight which had foundtheir way into this gloomy retreat. `Who are you?' criedSelim. `But whoever you may be, I charge you not to advanceanother step.' - `Long live the emperor!' said the figure.`He grants a full pardon to the Vizier Ali, and not onlygives him his life, but restores to him his fortune and hispossessions.' My mother uttered a cry of joy, and clasped meto her bosom. `Stop,' said Selim, seeing that she was aboutto go out; you see I have not yet received the ring,' - `True,' said my mother. And she fell on her knees, at thesame time holding me up towards heaven, as if she desired,while praying to God in my behalf, to raise me actually tohis presence."

And for the second time Haidee stopped, overcome by suchviolent emotion that the perspiration stood upon her palebrow, and her stifled voice seemed hardly able to findutterance, so parched and dry were her throat and lips.Monte Cristo poured a little iced water into a glass, andpresented it to her, saying with a mildness in which wasalso a shade of command, - "Courage."

Haidee dried her eyes, and continued: "By this time oureyes, habituated to the darkness, had recognized themessenger of the pasha, - it was a friend. Selim had alsorecognized him, but the brave young man only acknowledgedone duty, which was to obey. `In whose name do you come?'said he to him. `I come in the name of our master, AliTepelini.' - `If you come from Ali himself,' said Selim,`you know what you were charged to remit to me?' - `Yes,'said the messenger, `and I bring you his ring.' At thesewords he raised his hand above his head, to show the token;but it was too far off, and there was not light enough toenable Selim, where he was standing, to distinguish andrecognize the object presented to his view. `I do not seewhat you have in your hand,' said Selim. `Approach then,'said the messenger, `or I will come nearer to you, if youprefer it.' - `I will agree to neither one nor the other,'replied the young soldier; `place the object which I desireto see in the ray of light which shines there, and retirewhile I examine it.' - `Be it so,' said the envoy; and heretired, after having first deposited the token agreed on inthe place pointed out to him by Selim.

"Oh, how our hearts palpitated; for it did, indeed, seem tobe a ring which was placed there. But was it my father'sring? that was the question. Selim, still holding in hishand the lighted match, walked towards the opening in thecavern, and, aided by the faint light which streamed inthrough the mouth of the cave, picked up the token.

"`It is well,' said he, kissing it; `it is my master'sring!' And throwing the match on the ground, he trampled onit and extinguished it. The messenger uttered a cry of joyand clapped his hands. At this signal four soldiers of theSerasker Koorshid suddenly appeared, and Selim fell, piercedby five blows. Each man had stabbed him separately, and,intoxicated by their crime, though still pale with fear,they sought all over the cavern to discover if there was anyfear of fire, after which they amused themselves by rollingon the bags of gold. At this moment my mother seized me inher arms, and hurrying noiselessly along numerous turningsand windings known only to ourselves, she arrived at aprivate staircase of the kiosk, where was a scene offrightful tumult and confusion. The lower rooms wereentirely filled with Koorshid's troops; that is to say, withour enemies. Just as my mother was on the point of pushingopen a small door, we heard the voice of the pasha soundingin a loud and threatening tone. My mother applied her eye tothe crack between the boards; I luckily found a smallopening which afforded me a view of the apartment and whatwas passing within. `What do you want?' said my father tosome people who were holding a paper inscribed withcharacters of gold. `What we want,' replied one, `is tocommunicate to you the will of his highness. Do you see thisfirman?' - `I do,' said my father. `Well, read it; hedemands your head.'

"My father answered with a loud laugh, which was morefrightful than even threats would have been, and he had notceased when two reports of a pistol were heard; he had firedthem himself, and had killed two men. The Palikares, whowere prostrated at my father's feet, now sprang up andfired, and the room was filled with fire and smoke. At thesame instant the firing began on the other side, and theballs penetrated the boards all round us. Oh, how noble didthe grand vizier my father look at that moment, in the midstof the flying bullets, his scimitar in his hand, and hisface blackened with the powder of his enemies! and how heterrified them, even then, and made them fly before him!`Selim, Selim!' cried he, `guardian of the fire, do yourduty!' - `Selim is dead,' replied a voice which seemed tocome from the depths of the earth, `and you are lost, Ali!'At the same moment an explosion was heard, and the flooringof the room in which my father was sitting was suddenly tornup and shivered to atoms - the troops were firing fromunderneath. Three or four Palikares fell with their bodiesliterally ploughed with wounds.

"My father howled aloud, plunged his fingers into the holeswhich the balls had made, and tore up one of the planksentire. But immediately through this opening twenty moreshots were fired, and the flame, rushing up like fire fromthe crater of a volcano, soon reached the tapestry, which itquickly devoured. In the midst of all this frightful tumultand these terrific cries, two reports, fearfully distinct,followed by two shrieks more heartrending than all, froze mewith terror. These two shots had mortally wounded my father,and it was he who had given utterance to these frightfulcries. However, he remained standing, clinging to a window.My mother tried to force the door, that she might go and diewith him, but it was fastened on the inside. All around himwere lying the Palikares, writhing in convulsive agonies,while two or three who were only slightly wounded weretrying to escape by springing from the windows. At thiscrisis the whole flooring suddenly gave way. my father fellon one knee, and at the same moment twenty hands were thrustforth, armed with sabres, pistols, and poniards - twentyblows were instantaneously directed against one man, and myfather disappeared in a whirlwind of fire and smoke kindledby these demons, and which seemed like hell itself openingbeneath his feet. I felt myself fall to the ground, mymother had fainted."

Haidee's arms fell by her side, and she uttered a deepgroan, at the same time looking towards the count as if toask if he were satisfied with her obedience to his commands.Monte Cristo arose and approached her, took her hand, andsaid to her in Romaic, "Calm yourself, my dear child, andtake courage in remembering that there is a God who willpunish traitors."

"It is a frightful story, count," said Albert, terrified atthe paleness of Haidee's countenance, "and I reproach myselfnow for having been so cruel and thoughtless in my request."

"Oh, it is nothing," said Monte Cristo. Then, patting theyoung girl on the head, he continued, "Haidee is verycourageous, and she sometimes even finds consolation in therecital of her misfortunes."

"Because, my lord." said Haidee eagerly, "my miseries recallto me the remembrance of your goodness."

Albert looked at her with curiosity, for she had not yetrelated what he most desired to know, - how she had becomethe slave of the count. Haidee saw at a glance the sameexpression pervading the countenances of her two auditors;she exclaimed, `When my mother recovered her senses we werebefore the serasker. `Kill,' said she, `but spare the honorof the widow of Ali.' - `It is not to me to whom you mustaddress yourself,' said Koorshid.

"`To whom, then?' - `To your new master.'

"`Who and where is he?' - `He is here.'

"And Koorshid pointed out one who had more than anycontributed to the death of my father," said Haidee, in atone of chastened anger. "Then," said Albert, "you becamethe property of this man?"

"No," replied Haidee, "he did not dare to keep us, so wewere sold to some slave-merchants who were going toConstantinople. We traversed Greece, and arrived half deadat the imperial gates. They were surrounded by a crowd ofpeople, who opened a way for us to pass, when suddenly mymother, having looked closely at an object which wasattracting their attention, uttered a piercing cry and fellto the ground, pointing as she did so to a head which wasplaced over the gates, and beneath which were inscribedthese words:

"`This is the head of Ali Tepelini Pasha of Yanina.' I criedbitterly, and tried to raise my mother from the earth, butshe was dead! I was taken to the slave-market, and waspurchased by a rich Armenian. He caused me to be instructed,gave me masters, and when I was thirteen years of age hesold me to the Sultan Mahmood."

"Of whom I bought her," said Monte Cristo, "as I told you,Albert, with the emerald which formed a match to the one Ihad made into a box for the purpose of holding my hashishpills."

"Oh, you are good, you are great, my lord!" said Haidee,kissing the count's hand, "and I am very fortunate inbelonging to such a master!" Albert remained quitebewildered with all that he had seen and heard. "Come,finish your cup of coffee," said Monte Cristo; "the historyis ended."