"Nay, nay," answered Monte-Cristo, with the easiest air, "'tis not for
such sums as these to astonish the banking-house of M. le Baron Danglars. You can, then, let me have some money?"
"By all means, M. le Comte. What sum do you want!"
"Why," replied Monte-Cristo, "since we mutually understand each other for such I presume is the case?" Danglars bowed assentingly.
"You are quite sure that not a lurking doubt or suspicion lingers in your mind?"
"Oh, M. le Comte!" exclaimed Danglars, "I never for an instant entertained such a feeling toward you."
"No, no! you merely wished to be convinced; but now that we have come to an understanding, and you have lost all distrust, we may as well fix a sum for the first year:—suppose we say six millions to"
"Six millions!" gasped out Danglars,—"certainly, whatever you please."
"Then if I should require more," continued Monte-Cristo, in a careless, indifferent manner, "why, of course, I should draw upon you; but my present intention is not to remain in France more than a year, and during that period I scarcely think I shall exceed the sum I mentioned. However, we shall see. Let me have five hundred thousand francs sent to me to-morrow, to begin with; I shall be at home till noon, and if not will leave a receipt with my steward."
"The money you desire shall be at your house by ten o'clock to-morrow morning, M. le Comte," replied Danglars. "How would you like to have it? in gold, silver, or notes!"
"Half in gold, and the other half in bank-notes, if you please," said the count, rising from his seat.
"I must confess to you, M. le Comte," said Danglars, "that I have hitherto imagined myself acquainted with the great fortunes of Europe, and still, wealth such as yours has been wholly unknown to me. May I presume to ask whether you have long possessed it?"
"It has been in the family a very long while," returned Monte-Cristo, "a sort of treasure expressly forbidden to be touched for a certain period of years, during which the accumulated interest has trebled the capital. The period appointed by the testator for the disposal of these riches occurred only a short time ago, and they have only been employed by me within the last few years. Your ignorance on the subject, therefore, is easily accounted for. However, you will be better informed as to me and my possessions ere long."
And the count, while pronouncing these latter words, accompanied them with one of those ghastly smiles that used to strike terror into Franz d'Epinay.
