"Eh!" he said, negligently, "this money is not mine: I was expressing to my father my fears that he had wanted many things in my abscence, and to convince me he emptied his purse on the table. Come, father," added Dantès, "put this money back in your box — unless neighbor Caderousse wants anything, and in that case it is at his service."
"No, my boy, no," said Caderousse. "I am not in any want, thank God! the trade keeps me. Keep your money — keep it, I say; — one never has too much; — but, at the same time, my boy, I am as much obliged by your offer as if I took advantage of it."
"It was offered with good-will" said Dantès.
"No doubt, my boy; no doubt. Well, you stand well with M. Morrel, I hear, — you insinuating dog, you!"
"M. Morrel has always been exceedingly kind to me," replied Dantès.
"Then you were wrong to refuse to dine with him."
"What! did you refuse to dine with him!" said old Dantès; "and did he invite you to dine?"
"Yes, my dear father," replied Edmund, smiling at his father's astonishment at the excessive honor paid to his son.
"And why did you refuse, my son?" inquired the old man.
"That I might the sooner be with you again, my dear father," replied the young man. "I was most anxious to see you."
"But it must have vexed M. Morrel, good, worthy man," said Caderousse. "And when you are looking forward to be captain, it was wrong to vex the owner."
"But I explained to him the cause of my refusal," replied Dantès; "and I hope he fully understood it."
"Yes, but to be captain one must give way a little to one's patrons."
"I hope to be captain without that," said Dantès.
"So much the better — so much the better! Nothing will give greater pleasure to all your old friends; and I know one down there behind the citadel of Saint Nicolas who will not be sorry to hear it."
"Mercédès?" said the old man.
"Yes, my dear father, and with your permission, now I have seen you, and know you are well, and have all you require, I will ask your consent to go and pay a visit to the Catalans."
"Go, my dear boy," said old Dantès; "and Heaven bless you in your wife, as it has blessed me in my son!"
"His wife!" said Caderousse; "why, how fast you go on, father Dantès; she is not his wife yet, I fancy."
"No, but according to all probability she soon will be," replied Edmond.
