The Son Of Monte Cristo Part 61 (1/2)

Whenever Monte-Cristo established hiician of the Arabian Nights had touched it with his wand There was not a dark or gloohts blazed everywhere The rarest pictures and choicest furniture were to be seen Everything was nificent and harmonious The tall stature of the Count, his excessive pallor and the exaggerated attention he paid to his dress, added to this effect, as did the dark face of Ali, who, invariably draped in soft, white folds, stood like a bronze statue near the many colored portieres With the Vicomte, however, all colors were softer than with his father The cabinet, for exaray and black velvet, and the rugs were fur, of the saray

The Vicoh careful He disliked anything that made him conspicuous His face and his voice had a certain sadness that contrasted strangely with his name of Esperance[A] Books lay open on the table before hiination had never touched hiolden wand

[A] Esperance means Hope

Esperance was very pale as he read his father's letter He extended his hand and rang the bell

Coucon entered, looking very differently from those old days in Africa

Not that he wore a livery, but his brown suit was simple and well cut

In his eyes, however, was one?” asked Esperance

”Yes, sir, while you were asleep”

”Why was not I awakened?”

”Because the Count forbade it He siiven to you”

”Was Bertuccio with my father?”

”Yes, sir”

”In what direction did he go?”

”I know not, and I assure you that no one in the hotel knows lad when this examination was over Esperance was never harsh or severe with his people, but they never felt at ease with hiiven no hint of where the Count was going, and when Esperance was fully convinced of this he dis the roo master stopped him

”I want to say to you, Coucon, that I am fully aware of your fidelity, and that I trust you implicitly You once assisted my father to save my life”

”Never mind that, sir”

”And if my manner is cold toward you, reatly pleased, laid his huge hand into the delicate one of the Vicomte, who pressed it warmly

The Zouave uttered an excla--only--”

”Only what?”