granted the interview."
"Very well," said Albert, extending his hand; "I swear I will
not."
"The second is, that you will not tell her that your father ever
served hers."
"I give you my oath that I will not."
"Enough, viscount; you will remember those two vows, will you
not? But I know you to be a man of honor." The count again struck
the gong. Ali reappeared. "Tell Haidee," said he, "that I will take
coffee with her, and give her to understand that I desire
permission to present one of my friends to her." Ali bowed and left
the room. "Now, understand me," said the count, "no direct
questions, my dear Morcerf; if you wish to know anything, tell me,
and I will ask her."
"Agreed." Ali reappeared for the third time, and drew back the
tapestried hanging which concealed the door, to signify to his
master and Albert that they were at liberty to pass on. "Let us go
in," said Monte Cristo.
Albert passed his hand through his hair, and curled his
mustache, then, having satisfied himself as to his personal
appearance, followed the count into the room, the latter having
previously resumed his hat and gloves. Ali was stationed as a kind
of advanced guard, and the door was kept by the three French
attendants, commanded by Myrtho. Haidee was awaiting her visitors
in the first room of her apartments, which was the drawing-room.
Her large eyes were dilated with surprise and expectation, for it
was the first time that any man, except Monte Cristo, had been
accorded an entrance into her presence. She was sitting on a sofa
placed in an angle of the room, with her legs crossed under her in
the Eastern fashion, and seemed to have made for herself, as it
were, a kind of nest in the rich Indian silks which enveloped her.
Near her was the instrument on which she had just been playing; it
was elegantly fashioned, and worthy of its mistress. On perceiving
Monte Cristo, she arose and welcomed him with a smile peculiar to
herself, expressive at once of the most implicit obedience and alsoherself, expressive at once of the most implicit obedience and also
of the deepest love. Monte Cristo advanced towards her and extended
his hand, which she as usual raised to her lips.
Albert had proceeded no farther than the door, where he remained
rooted to the spot, being completely fascinated by the sight of
such surpassing beauty, beheld as it was for the first time, and of
which an inhabitant of more northern climes could form no adequate
idea.
"Whom do you bring?" asked the young girl in Romaic, of Monte
Cristo; "is it a friend, a brother, a simple acquaintance, 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 the hands
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 dear count;
never had Homer or Plato a more unworthy scholar than myself."
"Then," said Haidee, proving by her remark that she had quite
understood Monte Cristo's question and Albert's answer, "then I
will speak either in French or Italian, if my lord so wills
it."
Monte Cristo reflected one instant. "You will speak in Italian,"
said he. Then, turning towards Albert, — "It is a pity you do not
understand either ancient or modern Greek, both of which Haidee
speaks so fluently; the poor child will be obliged to talk to you
in Italian, which will give you but a very false idea of her powers
of conversation." The count made a sign to Haidee to address his
visitor. "Sir," she said to Morcerf, "you are most welcome as the
friend of my lord and master." This was said in excellent Tuscan,
and with that soft Roman accent which makes the language of Dante
as sonorous as that of Homer. Then, turning to Ali, she directed
him to bring coffee and pipes, and when he had left the room to
execute the orders of his young mistress she beckoned Albert toexecute the orders of his young mistress she beckoned Albert to
approach nearer to her. Monte Cristo and Morcerf drew their seats
towards a small table, on which were arranged music, drawings, and
vases of flowers. Ali then entered bringing coffee and chibouques;
as to M. Baptistin, this portion of the building was interdicted to
him. Albert refused the pipe which the Nubian offered him. "Oh,
take it — take it," said the count; "Haidee is almost as civilized
as a Parisian; the smell of an Havana is disagreeable to her, but
the tobacco of the East is a most delicious perfume, you know."
Ali left the room. The cups of coffee were all prepared, with
the addition of sugar, which had been brought for Albert. Monte
Cristo and Haidee took the beverage in the original Arabian manner,
that is to say, without sugar. Haidee took the porcelain cup in her
little slender fingers and conveyed it to her mouth with all the
innocent artlessness of a child when eating or drinking something
which it likes. At this moment two women entered, bringing salvers
filled with ices and sherbet, which they placed on two small tables
appropriated to that purpose. "My dear host, and you, signora,"
said Albert, in Italian, "excuse my apparent stupidity. I am quite
bewildered, and it is natural that it should be so. Here I am in
the heart of Paris; but a moment ago I heard the rumbling of the
omnibuses and the tinkling of the bells of the lemonade-sellers,
and now I feel as if I were suddenly transported to the East; not
such as 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 furnish an evening of
such delight as it would be impossible for me ever to forget."
"I speak sufficient Italian to enable me to converse with you,
sir," said Haidee quietly; "and if you like what is Eastern, I will
do my best to secure the gratification of your tastes while you are
here."
"On what subject shall I converse with her?" said Albert, in a