I have asserted too much in saying, that in another hour and thirty minutes Mercédès will be called Madame Dantès."
Fernand closed his eyes, a cloud of flame scorched his eyelids, and he leaned on the table to prevent his falling; but, in spite of all his
efforts, he could not refrain from uttering a deep groan, which, however, was lost amid the noisy felicitations of the company.
"Upon my word," cried the old man, "you make short work of this kind of affairs. Arrived here only yesterday morning, and married to-day at three o'clock! Commend me to a sailor for going the quick way to work!"
"But," asked Danglars, in a timid tone, "how did you manage about the other formalities — the contract — the settlement?"
"Oh, bless you," answered Dantès, laughingly, "our papers were soon
