Page:The Count of Monte-Cristo (1887 Volume 3).djvu/102

82 merits. Ali, my Nubian slave, had the good fortune of rendering to your friend that eminent assistance."

"Was it Ali," asked the Count de Morcerf, "who rescued my son from the hands of bandits?"

"No, M. le Comte," replied Monte-Cristo, pressing with friendly warmth the hand held out to him by the general; "in this instance I accept your thanks; but you have already tendered them, and fully discharged your debt and I feel mortified to find you still revert to it. May I beg of you, Madame la Baronne, to honor me with an introduction to your daughter?"

"Oh! you are no stranger—at least not by name," replied Madame Dauglars, "and the last two or three days we have really talked of nothing else but yourself. Eugenie," continued the baroness, turning toward her daughter, "M. le Comte de Monte-Cristo."

The count bowed, while Mademoiselle Danglars returned a slight inclination of the head.

"You have a charming young person with you to-night, M. le Comte," said Eugenie. "Your daughter, I presume?"

"No, indeed," said Monte-Cristo, astonished at the coolness and freedom of the question. She is a poor Greek left under my care."

"And what is her name?"

"Haydée," replied Monte-Cristo.

"A Greek?" murmured Count de Morcerf.

"Yes, indeed, count," said Madame Danglars; "and tell me, did you ever see at the court of Ali Tebelin, whom you so gloriously served, a richer costume than is displayed before us?"

"Did I hear rightly, M. le Comte," said Monte-Cristo, "that you served at Janina?"

"I was inspector-general of the pasha's troops," replied Morcerf; "and I seek not to conceal that I owe my fortune, such as it is, to the liberality of the illustrious Albanese chief."

"But look! pray look," exclaimed Madame Danglars.

"Where?" stammered out Morcerf.

"There, there!" said Monte-Cristo, as, wrapping his arms around the count, he leaned with him over the front of the box, just as Haydée, whose eyes were in search of the count, perceived his pale features close to the countenance of Morcerf, whom he was holding in his arms.

This sight produced on the girl the effect of the head of Medusa. She bent forward as though to assure herself of what she beheld, then uttering a faint cry, threw herself back in her seat. The sound reached the ear of Ali, who instantly opened the box-door.

"Bless me!" exclaimed Eugenie, "what has happened to your ward, M. le Comte? she seems taken suddenly ill!"