"Sir," said the count, "the world, unjust as it is, will be pleased with your resolution; your friends will be proud of you, and M. d'Epinay, even if he took Mademoiselle de Villefort without any dowry, which he will not do, would be delighted with the idea of entering a family which could make such sacrifices in order to keep a promise and fulfill a duty."
At the conclusion of these words, the count rose to depart.
"Are you going to leave us, M. le Comte?" said Madame de Villefort.
"I am sorry to say I must do so, madame; I only came to remind you of your promise for Saturday." .
"Did you fear that we should forget it?"
"You are very good, madame; but M. de Villefort has so many important and urgent occupations."
"My husband has given his word, sir," said Madame de Villefort; "you have just seen him keep it when he has all to lose, and surely there is more reason for his doing so where he has all to gain!"
"And," said Villefort, "is it at your house in the Champs Elysees that you receive your visitors?"
"No," said Monte-Cristo, "and this renders your kindness more meritorious, it is in the country."
"In the country?"
"Yes."
"Where is it, then? near Paris, is it not?"
"Very near; only half a league from the Barriers, it is at Auteuil."
"At Auteuil?" said Villefort; "true, Madame de Villefort told me you lived at Auteuil, since it was to your house that she was taken. And in what part of Auteuil do you reside?"
"Rue de la Fontaine."
"Rue de la Fontaine!" exclaimed Villefort, in an agitated tone; "at what number?"
"No. 28."
"Then," cried Villefort, "was it you who bought M. de Saint-Meran's house?"
"Did it belong to M. de Saint-Meran?" demanded Monte-Cristo.
"Yes," replied Madame de Villefort; "and, would you believe it, M. le Comte"
"Believe what?"
"You think this house pretty, do you not?"
"I think it charming."
"Well! my husband would never live in it."
"Indeed!" returned Monte-Cristo; "that is a prejudice on your part, M. de Villefort, for which I am quite at a loss to account."
