Page:The Count of Monte-Cristo (1887 Volume 2).djvu/138

120 had made him tremble in the grotto of Monte-Cristo and in the ruins of the Colosseum! He was quite convinced that the man was no other than "Sindbad the Sailor."

Under any other circumstances, his curiosity to know more of so singular a personage would have been so great that he would have sought to renew their acquaintance; but in the present instance, the conversation he had overheard made him judge that his appearance at such a time would be anything but agreeable. As we have seen, therefore, he permitted his former host to retire; but fully promising not to let a second occasion slip, should chance afford him another opportunity.

Franz was too much occupied with his thoughts to sleep, and his night was passed in contemplation of the chain of circumstances connecting the visitor to the Colosseum arid the inhabitant of the grotto of Monte-Cristo, and tending to prove that they were one and the same person; and the more he thought, the firmer grew his opinion.

Worn out at length, he fell asleep at daybreak, and did not awake till late. Like a genuine Frenchman, Albert had arranged for the evening; he had sent to engage a box at the Teatro Argentine, and Franz, having a number of letters to write, relinquished the carriage to Albert for the whole of the day.

At five o'clock Albert returned; he had left his letters of introduction, and had received in return invitations for every evening, and had seen Rome. One day was for Albert ample time for all this.

Neither had he neglected to ascertain the name of the piece to be played that night at the Teatro Argentine, and also what performers appeared in it. The opera was "Parisina," and the actors were Coselli, Moriani, and La Spech.

The young men, therefore, had reason to consider themselves fortunate in having the opportunity of hearing one of the best works by the composer of "Lucia di Lammermoor," supported by three of the most renowned vocalists of Italy.

Albert had never been able to endure the Italian theaters, with their orchestras from which nobody stirs, and the absence of balconies, or open boxes. This was hard on a man who had had his stall at the Bouffes and his share in the omnibus-box at the Opera. Still, in despite of this, Albert displayed his most dazzling and effective costume each time he visited the theaters; but, alas! his recherchee toilet was wholly thrown away; for, to the shame of one of the most worthy representatives of Parisian fashion, Albert, after four months' wanderings in Italy, had not met with a single adventure.

Sometimes Albert would affect to make a joke of his want of success, but internally he was deeply piqued to think that he, Albert de Morcerf,