Volume I Part 22 (2/2)
Bertuccio departed, and immediately afterward the shi+p came to anchor
The count laid his arm on the shoulder of the pretty Greek, and tenderly led her to the boat in waiting Ali and Bertuccio followed, and the little vessel, driven by four strong oarsh the water
The boat soon reached the beach, and Monte-Cristo carried Haydee in his ar to the sailors, said:
”Come back for us in two hours”
The bark disappeared, and Monte-Cristo walked in the direction of the grotto Haydee followed hi some sanctuary, since it was at Monte-Cristo that she beca else in the world
The count divined the young wo her toward hi, at this place you became mine To-day I wish to hear from your own lips whether I really deserve my happiness”
The subterranean palace housed the travellers Fragrant perfuht of the wax candles the gold and silver service shone with fairy-like splendor
Monte-Cristo conducted Haydee to a char boudoir; her feet sank in wavy carpets, and after she had seated herself with incorace on a divan, the count stood beside her and proceeded to relate the story of his life It was a long time before he had finished his tale Haydee felt with him the horrors of his prison, she sobbed as he described the death of Faria, whom he called his spiritual father, and cried out in terror as she heard that the ce out Faria's treasure How rich he thought himself then, and how poor he was at the moment when he set foot on the land and heard that his father had died of starvation, and that Mercedes, his bride, had forgotten him and married the man who had betrayed hie hiainst hilars and Morcerf had succumbed to him, and he could now triumphantly exclaim: ”I am your master; I have punished all of you as you have deserved”
”Haydee,” said Monte-Cristo finally, ”what is your decision?”
”That you have fulfilled theto his wish and desire God ith you, for you have dealt out justice,” exclai
”And now, Haydee--now--”
”Now justice is satisfied and you will beco woman softly
”I wish to do so, Haydee, so help ood deed in the eternal scales, and the years which still remain to me shall be devoted to the noblest aims of huhtunexpected had happened, and, hastily drawing Haydee with hirotto
”What's theto the Nubian, who stood uneasily on a sharp ledge of the rock
Ali threw hiround and closed his eyes
”Ah!” exclaimed the count, ”you have a leefully
”And do you knoho he is?”
Ali's look expressed doubt He put his hand to his forehead and shook his head to indicate that his memory had deserted him
”Is the man wounded?”