applauding spectators, the sage matrons who took their daughters, and
the charming Vestals who made with the thumb of their white hands
the fatal sign that said, 'Come, no nonsense! dispatch this man, already nearly dead.'"
"Shall you go, then, Albert?" asked Franz.
"Ma foil yes: like you, I hesitated, but the count's eloquence decides me!"
"Let us go, then," said Franz, "since you wish it; but on our way to the Piazza del Popolo, I wish to pass through the Corso. Is this possible, M. le Comte!"
"On foot, yes! in a carriage, no!"
"I will go on foot, then!"
"Is it important that you should pass through this street?"
"Yes, there is something I wish to see."
"Well, we will pass by the Corso. We will send the carriage to wait for us on the Piazza del Popolo, by the Strada del Babuino, for I shall be glad to pass myself through the Corso to see if some orders I have given have been executed."
"Excellency," said a servant, opening the door, "a man in the dress of a penitent wishes to speak to you."
"Ah! yes!" returned the count, "I know who he is, gentlemen; will you return to the salon? you will find on the center-table some excellent Havana cigars. I will be with you directly."
The young men rose and returned into the salon, whilst the count, again apologizing, left by another door. Albert, who was a great smoker, and who had considered it no small sacrifice to be deprived of the cigars of the Cafe de Paris, approached the table, and uttered a cry of joy at perceiving some veritable puros.
"Well," asked Franz, "what think you of the Count of Monte-Cristo?"
"What do I think?" said Albert, evidently surprised at such a question from his companion; "I think that he is a delightful fellow, who does the honors of his table admirably; who has traveled much, seen much, read much; is, like Brutus, of the Stoic school, and moreover," added he, sending a volume of smoke in curls up toward the ceiling, "that he has excellent cigars."
Such was Albert's opinion of the count, and as Franz well knew that Albert professed never to form an opinion except upon long reflection, he made no attempt to change it.
"But," said he, "did you remark one very singular thing?"
"What?"
"How attentively he looked at you."
"At me?"
