"To-day the preliminaries, to-morrow or next day the ceremony! you are in a hurry, captain!"
"Danglars," said Edmond, smiling, "I will say to you as Mercédès said just now to Caderousse, 'Do not give me a title which does not belong to me'; that may bring me bad luck."
"Your pardon," replied Danglars, "I merely said you seemed in a hurry, and we have lots of time; the Pharaon cannot be under way again in less than three months."
"We are always in a hurry to be happy, M. Danglars; for when we have suffered a long time, we have great difficulty in believing in good fortune. But it is not selfishness alone that makes me thus in haste; I must go to Paris."
"To Paris! really! and will it be the first time you have ever been there, Dantès?"
"Yes."
"Have you business there?"
"Not of my own; the last commission of poor Captain Leclere; you understand, Danglars, — it is sacred. Besides, I shall only take the time to go and return."
"Yes, yes, I understand," said Danglars, aloud; and then in a low tone he added, "To Paris, no doubt, to deliver the letter which the Grand Marshal gave him. Ah! this letter gives me an idea — a capital idea! Ah! Dantès, my friend, you are not yet registered number one on board the good ship Pharaon"; then, turning toward Edmond, who was walking away, "Good journey," he cried.
"Thank ye," said Edmond, with a friendly nod, and the two lovers continued their route, calm and joyous as two blessed souls that ascend to heaven.
