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Rh "To-day the preliminaries, to-morrow or next day the ceremony! you are in a hurry, captain!"

"Danglars," said Edmond, smiling, "I will say to you as Mercédès said just now to Caderousse, 'Do not give me a title which does not belong to me'; that may bring me bad luck."

"Your pardon," replied Danglars, "I merely said you seemed in a hurry, and we have lots of time; the Pharaon cannot be under way again in less than three months."

"We are always in a hurry to be happy, M. Danglars; for when we have suffered a long time, we have great difficulty in believing in good fortune. But it is not selfishness alone that makes me thus in haste; I must go to Paris."

"To Paris! really! and will it be the first time you have ever been there, Dantès?"

"Yes."

"Have you business there?"

"Not of my own; the last commission of poor Captain Leclere; you understand, Danglars,—it is sacred. Besides, I shall only take the time to go and return."

"Yes, yes, I understand," said Danglars, aloud; and then in a low tone he added, "To Paris, no doubt, to deliver the letter which the Grand Marshal gave him. Ah! this letter gives me an idea—a capital idea! Ah! Dantès, my friend, you are not yet registered number one on board the good ship Pharaon"; then, turning toward Edmond, who was walking away, "Good journey," he cried.

"Thank ye," said Edmond, with a friendly nod, and the two lovers continued their route, calm and joyous as two blessed souls that ascend to heaven.