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      (falling into an armchair)

      It was just in time, I was suffocating.

      ALBERT

      What! You are leaving us already, my dear Count?

      MONTE CRISTO

      I gave my reasons for my prompt departure to the Countess—reasons which she kindly appreciated.

      ALBERT

      Go on then, I won’t keep you longer. I don’t want our gratitude to become an indication of an importunity. But I beg you, let me try to render you in Paris the same hospitality I received from you in Rome. Let me put my coach and my horses at your disposal until you have time to obtain your own equipage.

      MONTE CRISTO

      A thousand thanks for your kindness Vicomte, but I think that if Mr. Bertuccio my Intendant has been agreeably employed during the five days he preceded me here, I shall find at the door a carriage fully harnessed. Only tell me, am I far from the Rue Mont Blanc?

      ALBERT

      A hundred paces. Are you going to the Rue Mont Blanc after leaving here?

      MONTE CRISTO

      Yes, to the home of Mr. Danglars, a banker.

      MERCÉDÈS

      (excitedly)

      You know Mr. Danglars?

      MONTE CRISTO

      No, Madame, not at all. I know no one. I have letters of credit drawn on him—is he good?

      ALBERT

      Excellent.

      (half voice)

      He is my future father-in-law.

      MONTE CRISTO

      Oh! As that’s the case! My money relations and my relations of friendship won’t leave the family.

      ALBERT

      Thanks.

      MONTE CRISTO

      (bowing)

      Madame.

      ALBERT

      (wanting to accompany him)

      Allow me, dear Count—

      MONTE CRISTO

      (stopping him)

      Oh—for goodness sake.

      (Monte Cristo leaves)

      ALBERT

      (turning to Mercédès)

      Ah! My God—what’s wrong? Do you feel ill?

      MERCÉDÈS

      In fact, I am a little indisposed. These roses, these tuberoses, these orange flowers, release, during the first hot spell to which they are unaccustomed, very violent perfumes that I’m not used to.

      ALBERT

      Germain! Germain! Remove these flowers right away.

      MERCÉDÈS

      What’s this name of Monte Cristo that the Count bears. Is it a family name, or place name or simply a title?

      ALBERT

      It’s a title, I think, mother, that’s all.

      MERCÉDÈS

      His manners are excellent, at least so far as I can judge from the short time he spent here.

      ALBERT

      Perfect, mother.

      MERCÉDÈS

      You saw, my dear Albert—pardon—it’s a mother’s question I am asking you—you saw Monte Cristo in his home?

      ALBERT

      Yes.

      MERCÉDÈS

      You are worldly, full of tact, extraordinary at your age. Tell me, do you think the Count is what he appears?

      ALBERT

      And what does he appear to be mother?

      MERCÉDÈS

      You said it yourself, just now—a great lord.

      ALBERT

      I will admit to you I don’t have a fixed opinion about him. I think he’s Maltese.

      MERCÉDÈS

      I don’t ask you about his origins—I am asking you about his person.

      ALBERT

      But you ought to be able to see. Thirty-five or thirty-six, mother.

      MERCÉDÈS

      (to herself)

      Thirty-five or thirty-six—it’s impossible. Did you notice how pale he is?

      ALBERT

      Yes, and I asked him the cause of this pallor—he told me that having been taken by the Barberry pirates, he was a prisoner for a long time in a dungeon.

      MERCÉDÈS

      Prisoner! And this man is friendly to you, Albert?

      ALBERT

      I believe so, mother.

      MERCÉDÈS

      And you like him, too?

      ALBERT

      Yes, although this friendship, I admit it, is mixed with a kind of terror.

      MERCÉDÈS

      Albert, I’ve always put you on guard against new acquaintances—now you are a man and can give me advice yourself. Still, I will repeat to you: be careful.

      ALBERT

      Still, for the advice to be profitable to me there must be something for me to be on guard against. The Count doesn’t gamble. The Count only drinks water. The Count is declared to be so rich that if he sneezes he would only cover me with money. What should I fear from the Count?

      MERCÉDÈS

      You are right and my fears are crazy, especially as they are for a man who has saved your life when he could have let you perish. But you know, my dear Albert, a mother’s heart is full of vague fears. Has the Count ever taken your hand?

      ALBERT

      Never, and I’ve noticed it.

      MERCÉDÈS

      Has he ever called you his friend?

      ALBERT

      Never.

      MERCÉDÈS

      Yet has he ever eaten at the same table with you, when you were his guest—when he was yours?

      ALBERT

      Never and even today as you saw—

      MERCÉDÈS

      Yes, yes, I saw—listen, I am giving a ball in three days, bring the Count, it’s important.

      ALBERT

      I will bring him, mother—I don’t think he will refuse to come.

      MERCÉDÈS

      If he comes, the rest is my concern and I will know what to do about it. Goodbye, Albert. Try to get the Count to be your friend.

      CURTAIN

      Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.

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