"Without her captain?" cried Dantès, his eyes sparkling with animation; "pray mind what you say, for you are touching on the most secret wishes of my heart. Is it really your intention to nominate me captain of the Pharaon?"
"If I were sole owner I would give you my hand, my dear Dantès, and say, 'It is settled'; but I have a partner, and you know the Italian proverb — Chi ha compagno ha padrone — 'He who has a partner has a master.' But the thing is at least half done, as you have one out of two voices. Rely on me to procure you the other; I will do my best."
"Ah! M. Morrel," exclaimed the young seaman, with tears in his eyes, and grasping the owner's hand, "M. Morrel, I thank you in the name of my father and of Mercédès."
"Good, good! Edmond. There's a sweet little cherub that sits up aloft that keeps a good watch for good fellows! Go and see your father; go and see Mercédès, and come to me afterward."
"Shall I row you on shore?"
"No, I thank you; I shall remain and look over the accounts with Danglars. Have you been satisfied with him this voyage?"
"That is according to the sense you attach to the question, sir. Do you mean, he is a good comrade? No, for I think he never liked me since the day when I was silly enough, after a little quarrel we had, to propose to him to stop for ten minutes at the isle of Monte-Cristo to settle the dispute — a proposition which I was wrong to suggest, and he quite right to refuse. If you mean as supercargo that you ask me the question, I believe there is nothing to say against him, and that you will be content with the way in which he has performed his duty."
"But tell me, Dantès, if you had the command of the Pharaon, should you be glad to retain Danglars?"
"Captain or mate, M. Morrel," replied Dantes, "I shall always have the greatest respect for those who possess our owners' confidence."
"Good! good! Dantès. I see you are a thorough good fellow, and will detain you no longer. Go, for I see how impatient you are."
"Then I have leave?"
"Go, I tell you."
"May I have the use of your skiff?"
"Certainly."
"Then, for the present, M. Morrel, farewell, and a thousand thanks!"
"I hope soon to see you again, my dear Edmond. Good luck to you!"
The young sailor jumped into the skiff, and sat down in the stern, desiring to be put ashore at the Cannebière. The two rowers bent to their work, and the little boat glided away as rapidly as possible in the
