The Count of Monte Cristo. Alexandre Dumas

Bertrand.”

      “Then did you see him, Edmond?”

      “Who?”

      “The maréchal?”

      “Yes.”

      Morrel looked around him, and then, drawing Dantès on one side, he said suddenly:

      “And how is the emperor?”

      “Very well, as far as I could judge from my eyes.”

      “You saw the emperor, then?”

      “He entered the maréchal’s apartment whilst I was there.”

      “And you spoke to him?”

      “Why, it was he who spoke to me, sir,” said Dantès, with a smile.

      “And what did he say to you?”

      “Asked me questions about the ship, the time it left Marseilles, the course she had taken, and what was her cargo. I believe, if she had not been laden, and I had been master, he would have bought her. But I told him I was only mate, and that she belonged to the firm of Morrel and Son. ‘Ah! ah!’ he said. ‘I know them! The Morrels have been shipowners from father to son; and there was a Morrel who served in the same regiment with me when I was in garrison at Valence.’”

      “Pardieu! and that is true!” cried the owner, greatly delighted. “And that was Policar Morrel, my uncle, who was afterwards a captain. Dantès, you must tell my uncle that the emperor remembered him, and you will see it will bring tears into the old soldier’s eyes. Come, come!” continued he, patting Edmond’s shoulder kindly. “You did very right, Dantès, to follow Captain Leclere’s instruction, and touch at the Isle of Elba, although, if it were known, that you had conveyed a packet to the maréchal and had conversed with the emperor, it might bring you into trouble.”

      “How could that bring me into trouble, sir?” asked Dantès; “for I did not even know of what I was the bearer; and the emperor merely made such inquiries as he would of the first comer. But your pardon; here are the officers of health and the customs coming alongside!” and the young man went to the gangway. As he departed, Danglars approached, and said:

      “Well, it appears that he has given you satisfactory reasons for his landing at Porto-Ferrajo?”

      “Yes, most satisfactory, my dear Danglars.”

      “Well, so much the better,” said the supercargo; “for it is always painful to see a comrade who does not do his duty.”

      “Dantès has done his,” replied the owner, “and that is not saying much. It was Captain Leclere who gave orders for this delay.”

      “Talking of Captain Leclere, has not Dantès given you a letter from him?”

      “To me?—no—was there one?”

      “I believe that, besides the packet, Captain Leclere had confided a letter to his care.”

      “Of what packet are you speaking, Danglars?”

      “Why, that which Dantès left at Porto-Ferrajo.”

      “How do you know he had a packet to leave at Porto-Ferrajo?”

      Danglars turned very red.

      “I was passing close to the door of the captain’s cabin, which was half open, and I saw him give the packet and letter to Dantès.”

      “He did not speak to me of it,” replied the shipowner; “but if there be any letter he will give it to me.”

      Danglars reflected for a moment.

      “Then, M. Morrel, I beg of you,” said he, “not to say a word to Dantès on the subject, I may have been mistaken.”

      At this moment the young man returned, and Danglars retreated as before.

      “Well, my dear Dantès, are you now free?” inquired the owner.

      “Yes, sir.”

      “You have not been long detained?”

      “No. I gave the custom-house officers a copy of our bill of lading; and as to the other papers, they sent a man off with the pilot, to whom I gave them.”

      “Then you have nothing more to do here?”

      “No, all is arranged now.”

      “Then you can come and dine with me?”

      “Excuse me, M. Morrel, excuse me, if you please; but my first visit is due to my father, though I am not the less grateful for the honour you have done me.”

      “Right, Dantès, quite right. I always knew you were a good son.”

      “And,” inquired Dantès, with some hesitation, “do you know how my father is?”

      “Well, I believe, my dear Edmond, although I have not seen him lately.”

      “Yes, he likes to keep himself shut up in his little room.”

      “That proves, at least, that he has wanted for nothing during your absence.”

      Dantès smiled.

      “My father is proud, sir; and if he had not a meal left, I doubt if he would have asked anything from any one, except God.”

      “Well, then, after this first visit has been made we rely on you.”

      “I must again excuse myself, M. Morrel; for after this first visit has been paid I have another, which I am most anxious to pay.”

      “True, Dantès, I forgot that there was at the Catalans some one who expects you no less impatiently than your father—the lovely Mercédès.”

      Dantès blushed.

      “Ah! ah!” said the shipowner, “that does not astonish me, for she has been to me three times, inquiring if there were any news of the Pharaon. Peste! Edmond, you have a very handsome mistress!”

      “She is not my mistress,” replied the young sailor gravely, “she is my betrothed.”

      “Sometimes one and the same thing,” said Morrel, with a smile.

      “Not with us, sir,” replied Dantès.

      “Well, well, my dear Edmond,” continued the owner, “do not let me detain you. You have managed my affairs so well, that I ought to allow you all the time you require for your own. Do you want any money?”

      “No, sir; I have all my pay to take,—nearly three months’ wages.”

      “You are a careful fellow, Edmond.”

      “Say I have a poor father, sir.”

      “Yes, yes, I know how good a son you are, so now haste away to see your father. I have a son too, and I should be very wroth with those who detained him from me after a three months’ voyage.”

      “Then I have your leave, sir?”

      “Yes, if you have nothing more to say to me.”

      “Nothing.”

      “Captain Leclere did not, before he died, give you a letter for me?”

      “He was unable to write, sir. But that reminds me that I must ask your leave of absence for some days.”

      “To get married?”

      “Yes, first, and then to go to Paris.”

      “Very good; have what time you require, Dantès. It will take quite six weeks to unload the cargo, and we cannot get you ready for sea until three months after that; only be back again in three months, for the Pharaon,” added the owner, patting the young sailor on the back, “cannot sail without her captain.”

      “Without her captain!” cried Dantès, his eyes sparkling with animation; “pray mind what you say, for