THE COUNT OF MONTE-CRISTO
CHAPTER XCVI
THE CONTRACT
HREE days after the scene we have just described, namely, toward five o'clock in the afternoon of the day fixed for the signature of the marriage-contract between Mademoiselle Eugénie Danglars and Andrea Cavalcanti, whom the banker persisted in calling prince, a fresh breeze agitated all the leaves in the little garden situated in front of the Count of Monte-Cristo's house. The latter was preparing to go out while his horses were impatiently pawing the ground, held in by the coachman, who had been seated a quarter of an hour on his box, when the elegant phaeton, with which we are familiar, rapidly turned the angle of the entrance-gate, and threw, rather than set down, on the steps of the door, M. Andrea Cavalcanti, as much decked and gay as if he, on his side, was going to marry a princess.
He inquired after the count with his usual familiarity, and, bounding lightly to the first story, met him on top of the stairs.
The count stopped on seeing the young man. As for Andrea, he was launched, and when once launched nothing stopped him.
"Ah! good-morning, my dear count," said he.
"Ah, M. Andrea!" said the latter, with his half-jesting tone; "how do you do?"
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