Volume I Part 42 (2/2)
”I anxiously read all papers--I inquired and hoped, but I could bring nothing to light At length I resolved to write to Paris to the Minister of War--I received no answer, and my despair increased daily
”Then an accident led Monsieur Beauchamp to Marseilles--I took heart to look for him, and acquainted him with my sorrow He received me very kindly, listened to me, and promised to exert hiht days I received the sad news--”
”Then Albert is dead?” said the count, sorrowfully
”Oh, God, no--say not so--he cannot, he dare not be dead!” sobbed Mercedes ”The nehich Beauchah My poor son, captain in the first Zouave regio, after an expedition against the Kabyles, disappeared; they fear the wild horde has taken him away!”
Monte-Cristo reflected a moment and then inquired: ”Did it happen before or after the submission of Abd-el-Kader?”
”After, as much as I can tell Monsieur Beauchamp, however, was not satisfied with the uncertain reports--he inforh in Paris, and he would not fail to have the Zouave sent to Marseilles to inform me of all, in a more particular way”
”And has this Zouave arrived?” inquired Monte-Cristo, animatedly
”Yes, a few days since”
”And what does he say?”
”He maintains Albert is still alive”
”Then we may yet hope for the best, Mercedes,” said Monte-Cristo, consolingly ”God owes you a recoain!”
”If you say so, I believe it,” replied Mercedes sincerely
”May I also speak with the Zouave?”
”Certainly--he is downstairs now”
”Then let him come up; I should like to ask hieant; Monte-Cristo looked at her pitifully and then whispered:
”Mercedes--here this has reference to my life--you have known me from childhood--have I ever broken uilty of it!”
”I did not wish to hear of that--you have my oath, and with the help of God I shall keep the same!”
CHAPTER xxxVII
THE RING
Cap in hand, the Zouave appeared, and, throwing an inquisitive glance at the count, he said politely: