The Son Of Monte Cristo Part 77 (1/2)

”Carave ot your brutality and I remained with you When you caard must be paid to appearances, that we hter And now, I ask”--she folded her arms on her breast--”I ask why you did not marry me?”

”Good heavens! because--”

”Because what? You cannot give ood reason Not a word of truth can ever be torn from you I am convinced that back of all these lies there is soe even to one wrong with you?”

”Everything I simply wish to know, and am resolved to knoho you are--if not--”

”If not?”

”I have not quite decided There are sos, bad as I am, which I will not stand, and I will make it the business of my life to discover what crimes you have coy started to his feet

”Look at yourself in the mirror,” cried Carmen, ”and tell y bit his lips so fiercely that the blood started Then suddenly, as if a thought had struck him, he cried:

”Cos to me I am an old man and have had many troubles”

”Indeed?”

”You have never questioned me like this before Even my appetite offends you Surely, there is no cri I will tell you--itfroe suands These villains took it into their heads to sell old For some time I would not yield, and was nearly starved Since that tier Do you see?”

Carmen did not see, and she said:

”But why did not the brigands take your y looked troubled as he replied:

”I am sure I don't know”

”It looks toa chastisement upon you, perhaps”

”Carmen!”

”Coer sub here I will no longer call ed into the ues which I divine”

”Carmen! once more I iged by you into an abyss of infas? I am rich, and honored by the favor of the Emperor”

”A fine recommendation, that!” cried Carmen, disdainfully