Page:The Count of Monte-Cristo (1887 Volume 2).djvu/120

102 peasant jumped into the chamber, seized her in his arms, and with superhuman skill and strength conveyed her to the turf of the lawn, where she fainted. When she recovered, her father was by her side. All the servants surrounded her, offering her assistance. An entire wing of the villa was burnt down; but what was that, as Carmela was safe and uninjured?

"Her preserver was everywhere sought for, but her preserver did not appear; he was inquired for everywhere, but no one had seen him. Carmela had been so agitated that she had not recognized him.

"As the count was immensely rich, excepting the danger Carmela had run, and, as appeared to him, the marvelous manner in which she had escaped, which was rather a favor of Providence than a real misfortune, the loss occasioned by the conflagration was to him but a trifle.

"The next day, at the usual hour, the two young peasants were on the borders of the forest. Luigi arrived first. He came toward Teresa in high spirits, and seemed to have completely forgotten the events of the previous evening. Teresa was very pensive, but seeing Luigi so cheerful, she on her part assumed a smiling, careless air, which was natural to her when no excitement of passion came to disturb her.

"Luigi took her arm beneath his own, and led her to the door of the grotto. There he paused. The young girl, perceiving that there was something extraordinary, looked at him steadfastly.

"'Teresa,' said Luigi, 'yesterday evening you told me you would give all the world to have a costume similar to that of the count's daughter.'

"'Yes,' replied Teresa, with astonishment; 'but I was mad to utter such a wish.'

"'And I replied, "Very well, you shall have it.'"

"'Yes,' replied the young girl, whose astonishment increased at every word uttered by Luigi, 'but of course your reply was only to please me.'

"'I have never promised more than I have given you, Teresa,' said Luigi proudly. 'Go into the grotto and dress yourself.'

"At these words he drew away the stone, and showed Teresa the grotto, lighted up by two wax lights, which burned on each side of a splendid mirror; on a rustic table, made by Luigi, were spread out the pearl necklace and the diamond pins, and on a chair at the side was laid the rest of the costume.

"Teresa uttered a cry of joy, and, without inquiring whence this attire came, or even thanking Luigi, darted into the grotto, transformed into a dressing-room.

"Luigi pushed the stone behind her, for he saw on the crest of a small adjacent hill which prevented him from seeing Palestrina from