Page:The Count of Monte-Cristo (1887 Volume 3).djvu/215

Rh canti, that young man in a black coat, looking at Murillo's 'Madonna;' now he is turning."

This time Bertuccio would have uttered an exclamation, had not a look from Monte-Cristo silenced him. "Benedetto?" he muttered; "fatality!"

"Half-past six o'clock has just struck, M. Bertuccio," said the count, severely; "I ordered dinner at that hour, and I do not like to wait;" and he returned to his guests, while Bertuccio, leaning against the wall, succeeded in reaching the dining-room.

Five minutes afterward the doors of the drawing-room were thrown open, and Bertuccio appearing, said, with a violent effort, "The dinner waits."

The Count of Monte-Cristo offered his arm to Madame de Villefort. "M. de Villefort," he said, "will you conduct the Baroness Danglars?"

Villefort complied, and they passed on to the dining-room.