Page:The Count of Monte-Cristo (1887 Volume 5).djvu/211

191 her face hidden by her hands, was giving free scope to those sighs and tears which had been so long restrained by the presence of her son.

Monte-Cristo advanced a few paces, which were heard on the gravel. Mercédès raised her head, and uttered a cry of terror on beholding a man before her.

"Madame," said the count, "it is no longer in my power to restore you to happiness, but I offer you consolation; will you deign to accept it as coming from a friend?"

"I am, indeed, most wretched," replied Mercédès. "Alone in the world, I had but my son, and he has left me!"