Page:The Count of Monte-Cristo (1887 Volume 3).djvu/298

278 "In that case I will go." And the two carnages passed on toward their different destinations.

Madame Danglars therefore came, not only beautiful in person, but radiant with splendor; she entered by one door at the same time Mercedes appeared at the other. The countess took Albert to meet Madame Danglars. He approached, paid her some well-merited compliments on her toilet, and offered his arm to conduct her to a seat. Albert looked around him.

"You are looking for my daughter?" said the baroness smiling.

"I confess it," replied Albert. "Could you have been so cruel as not to bring her?"

"Calm yourself. She has met Mademoiselle de Villefort, and has taken her arm; see, they are following us, both in white dresses, one with a bouquet of camellias, the other with one of myosotis. But tell me "

"Well, what do you wish to know!"

"Will not the Count of Monte-Cristo be here to-night?"

"Seventeen" replied Albert.

"What do you mean?"

"I only mean that the count seems the rage," replied the viscount, smiling, "and that you are the seventeenth person that has asked me the same question. The count is in fashion; I congratulate him upon it."

"And have you replied to every one as you have to me?"

"Ah! to be sure, I have not answered you; be satisfied, we shall have this 'lion'; we are among the privileged ones."

"Were you at the Opera yesterday!"

"No."

"He was there."

"Ah, indeed! And did the eccentric person commit any new originality."

"Can he be seen without doing so? Elssler was dancing in le Dialle Boîteux; the Greek princess was in ecstasies. After the cachúcha he placed a magnificent ring on the stem of a bouquet, and threw it to the charming danseuse, who, in the third act, to do honor to the gift, re-appeared with it on her finger. And the Greek princess, will she be here?"

"No, you will be deprived of that pleasure; her position in the count's establishment is not sufficiently understood."

"Now, leave me here, and go and speak to Madame de Villefort, who is longing to engage your attention."

Albert bowed to Madame Danglars, and advanced toward Madame de Villefort, whose lips opened as he approached.

"I wager anything," said Albert, interrupting her, "that I know what you were about to say."