Volume I Part 38 (1/2)

Monte-Crisobwed his head and a tear glistened in his eye

It was in memory of his friend and teacher, the Abbe Faria

Sante-Croce looked wonderingly at the count

”You are a God!” he exclai to forgive,” replied the count, gently; ”I have only to keep what I have promised Spero, come here”

”Here I am, papa,” called the boy

”Good, my son You know your duty Accompany the patriots; take my place until Aslitta's condition permits me to relieve you”

A cannon-shot caused the house to shake to its foundations, and Haydee, pale and treins,” she whispered to her husband ”Oh, the cruelty!”

Monte-Cristo threw his ar the boy a wink, he consolingly said:

”Spero will be worthy of you and o”

Spero pressed a kiss on Haydee's lips, threw his arms about his father's neck and whispered in his ear:

”I will doto the marquis he put his hand in that of the old o!”

A half-hour passed by Monte-Cristo and Haydee were still busied with Aslitta, when a servant entered bearing a sealed letter on a silver salver

”A courier who has coht it,” said the servant, in answer to a question of the count's

”Did he give his name?”

”Yes; he said his name was Penelon, and that he came from Marseilles”

”From Marseilles!” exclaimed Haydee, anxiously; ”oh, quick! see what the letter says”

Monte-Crisoboke the seal The letter only contained a feords:

”I arief Come at once!

”MERCEDES”

The count handed the letter to Haydee The latter read it and then said: