Page:The Count of Monte-Cristo (1887 Volume 3).djvu/37

Rh "You now understand, Haydée," said the count, "that from this moment you are absolutely free; that here you exercise unlimited sway, and are at liberty to lay aside or continue the costume of your country, as it may suit your inclination. Within this mansion you are absolute mistress of your actions, and may go abroad or remain in your apartments as may seem most agreeable to you. A carriage waits your orders, and Ali and Myrta will accompany you whithersoever you desire to go. There is but one favor I would entreat of you."

"Oh, speak!"

"Preserve the secret of your birth. Make no allusion to the past; nor upon any occasion be induced to pronounce the names of your illus trious father or ill-fated mother!"

"I have already told my lord I will not converse with any one save himself."

"It is possible, Haydée, that this oriental seclusion may not be practicable in Paris. Endeavor, then, to accustom yourself to our manner of living in these northern climes, as you did to those of Rome, Florence, Milan, and Madrid; it may be useful to you one of these days, whether you remain here or return to the East."

The fair girl raised her tearful eyes toward Monte-Cristo, as she said with touching earnestness, "My lord would mean whether we return to the East, would he not?"

"My child," returned Monte-Cristo, "you know full well that when ever we part, it will be by no fault or wish of mine; the tree forsakes not the blossom that embellishes it—it is the flower that falls from the tree on which it grew."

"My lord," replied Haydée, "never will I quit you; I could not exist without you."

"My poor girl, in ten years I shall be old; you will be still young."

"My father had numbered sixty years, and the snows of age were on his head, but I admired and loved him far better than all the gay, handsome youths I saw."

"Then tell me, Haydée, do you believe you shall be able to accustom yourself to our present mode of life?"

"Shall I see you!"

"Every day."

"Then what does my lord apprehend for me?"

"I fear your growing weary."

"Nay, my lord, that cannot be. In the morning, I shall think of your coming, and in the evening remember that you have been here; then, too, when alone, I can call forth mighty pictures of the past, see vast horizons bounded only by Pindus and Olympus. Oh, believe me, that