Page:The Count of Monte-Cristo (1887 Volume 5).djvu/202

182 "I am ready," said Maximilian; "I came expressly to wish them farewell."

""Whither are you going, count?" asked Julie.

"In the first instance to Marseilles, madame."

"To Marseilles!" exclaimed the young couple.

"Yes, and I take your brother with me."

"Oh! count," said Julie, "will you restore him to us cured of his melancholy?" Morrel turned away to conceal the confusion of his countenance.

"You perceive, then, that he is not happy?" said the count.

"Yes," replied the young woman; "and I fear much that he finds our home but a dull one."

"I will undertake to divert him," replied the count.

"I am ready to accompany you, sir," said Maximilian. "Adieu, my kind friends! Emmanuel! Julie! Farewell!"

"How, farewell?" exclaimed Julie; "do you leave us thus so suddenly, without any preparations for your journey, without even a passport?"

"Needless delays but increase the grief of parting," said Monte-Cristo, "and Maximilian has doubtless provided himself with everything requisite; at least, I advised him to do so."

"I have a passport, and my clothes are ready packed," said Morrel, in his tranquil but mournful manner.

"Good!" said Monte-Cristo, smiling; "in these prompt arrangements we recognize the order of a well-disciplined soldier."

"And you quit us thus?" said Julie, "at a moment's warning; you do not give us a day no, not even an hour before your departure?"

"My carriage is at the door, madame; and I must be in Rome in five days."

"But does Maximilian go to Rome?" exclaimed Emmanuel.

"I am going wherever it may please the count to lead me," said Morrel, with a smile full of grief; "I am devoted to him for the next month."

"Oh! heavens! how strangely he expresses himself, count!" said Julie.

"Maximilian accompanies me," said the count, in his kindest and most persuasive manner; "therefore do not make yourself uneasy on your brother's account."

"Once more farewell, my dear sister; Emmanuel, adieu!" Morrel repeated.

"His carelessness and indifference touch me to the heart," said Julie. "Oh! Maximilian, Maximilian, you are certainly concealing something from us."