pleasure of dabbling in stocks, I stayed away till some favorable
chance should present itself of carrying my wish into execution.
Your offer, however, smooths all difficulties, and I have only to
ask you, my dear M. de Morcerf" (these words were accompanied by a
most peculiar smile), "whether you undertake, upon my arrival in
France, to open to me the doors of that fashionable world of which
I know no more than a Huron or a native of Cochin-China?"
"Oh, that I do, and with infinite pleasure," answered Albert;
"and so much the more readily as a letter received this morning
from my father summons me to Paris, in consequence of a treaty of
marriage (my dear Franz, do not smile, I beg of you) with a family
of high standing, and connected with the very cream of Parisian
society."
"Connected by marriage, you mean," said Franz, laughingly.
"Well, never mind how it is," answered Albert, "it comes to the
same thing in the end. Perhaps by the time you return to Paris, I
shall be quite a sober, staid father of a family! A most edifying
representative I shall make of all the domestic virtues — don't you
think so? But as regards your wish to visit our fine city, my dear
count, I can only say that you may command me and mine to any
extent you please."
"Then it is settled," said the count, "and I give you my solemn
assurance that I only waited an opportunity like the present to
realize plans that I have long meditated." Franz did not doubt that
these plans were the same concerning which the count had dropped a
few words in the grotto of Monte Cristo, and while the Count was
speaking the young man watched him closely, hoping to read
something of his purpose in his face, but his countenance was
inscrutable especially when, as in the present case, it was veiled
in a sphinx-like smile. "But tell me now, count," exclaimed Albert,
delighted at the idea of having to chaperon so distinguished a
person as Monte Cristo; "tell me truly whether you are in earnest,
or if this project of visiting Paris is merely one of theor if this project of visiting Paris is merely one of the
chimerical and uncertain air castles of which we make so many in
the course of our lives, but which, like a house built on the sand,
is liable to be blown over by the first puff of wind?"
"I pledge you my honor," returned the count, "that I mean to do
as I have said; both inclination and positive necessity compel me
to visit Paris."
"When do you propose going thither?"
"Have you made up your mind when you shall be there
yourself?"
"Certainly I have; in a fortnight or three weeks' time, that is
to say, as fast as I can get there!"
"Nay," said the Count; "I will give you three months ere I join
you; you see I make an ample allowance for all delays and
difficulties.
"And in three months' time," said Albert, "you will be at my
house?"
"Shall we make a positive appointment for a particular day and
hour?" inquired the count; "only let me warn you that I am
proverbial for my punctilious exactitude in keeping my
engagements."
"Day for day, hour for hour," said Albert; "that will suit me to
a dot."
"So be it, then," replied the count, and extending his hand
towards a calendar, suspended near the chimney-piece, he said,
"to-day is the 21st of February;" and drawing out his watch, added,
"it is exactly half-past ten o'clock. Now promise me to remember
this, and expect me the 21st of May at the same hour in the
forenoon."
"Capital," exclaimed Albert; "your breakfast shall be
waiting."
"Where do you live?"
"No. 27, Rue du Helder."
"Have you bachelor's apartments there? I hope my coming will not
put you to any inconvenience."
"I reside in my father's house, but occupy a pavilion at the
farther side of the court-yard, entirely separated from the main
building."
"Quite sufficient," replied the count, as, taking out his
tablets, he wrote down "No. 27, Rue du Helder, 21st May, half-past
ten in the morning."
"Now then," said the count, returning his tablets to his pocket,
"make yourself perfectly easy; the hand of your time-piece will not"make yourself perfectly easy; the hand of your time-piece will not
be more accurate in marking the time than myself."
"Shall I see you again ere my departure?" asked Albert.
"That depends; when do you leave?"
"To-morrow evening, at five o'clock."
"In that case I must say adieu to you, as I am compelled to go
to Naples, and shall not return hither before Saturday evening or
Sunday morning. And you, baron," pursued the count, addressing
Franz, "do you also depart to-morrow?"
"Yes."
"For France?"
"No, for Venice; I shall remain in Italy for another year or
two."
"Then we shall not meet in Paris?"
"I fear I shall not have that honor."
"Well, since we must part," said the count, holding out a hand
to each of the young men, "allow me to wish you both a safe and
pleasant journey." It was the first time the hand of Franz had come
in contact with that of the mysterious individual before him, and
unconsciously he shuddered at its touch, for it felt cold and icy
as that of a corpse. "Let us understand each other," said Albert;
"it is agreed — is it not? — that you are to be at No. 27, in the
Rue du Helder, on the 21st of May, at half-past ten in the morning,
and your word of honor passed for your punctuality?"
"The 21st of May, at half-past ten in the morning, Rue du
Helder, No. 27," replied the Count. The young men then rose, and
bowing to the count, quitted the room. "What is the matter?" asked
Albert of Franz, when they had returned to their own apartments;
"you seem more than commonly thoughtful."
"I will confess to you, Albert," replied Franz, "the count is a
very singular person, and the appointment you have made to meet him
in Paris fills me with a thousand apprehensions."
"My dear fellow," exclaimed Albert, "what can there possibly be
in that to excite uneasiness? Why, you must have lost your
senses."
"Whether I am in my senses or not," answered Franz, "that is the
way I feel."
"Listen to me, Franz," said Albert; "I am glad that the occasion
has presented itself for saying this to you, for I have noticed how