My mission is to take charge of you, to see
that you are restored to health and happiness. Come with me!"

"I will follow you, sweet vision, to the very end of the earth!" said
Giovanni, enthusiastically.

Valentine hastily beckoned to her husband; he hurried to her and she
whispered in his ear:

"Send one of the guides for a coupe. We must not lose a single moment.
Poor Massetti will follow me as a dog follows its master! While he is
under my influence it is imperative that he be removed to an asylum
where he can be properly looked after and if possible cured. No doubt
the guides can tell you of such an institution. Use the utmost dispatch,
Maximilian!"

The young soldier needed no repetition of these wise and humanitarian
injunctions. He gave the requisite directions and soon the desired
vehicle was in readiness without the Colosseum. Maximilian had also
ascertained the address of a proper curative institution.

Meanwhile Valentine had continued to employ her successful tactics with
the Viscount, who every moment yielded to her more and more. When the
coupe was announced, she said to him:

"My chariot is waiting to convey you to my Olympian abode. Will you come
with me?"

"Your wishes are my laws, oh! beautiful goddess!" replied Giovanni.
"Take me where you will, so that you do not desert me and leave me to
perish in despair!"

Mme. Morrel led the unresisting young man to the coupe, Maximilian and
the guides following the pair at a short distance in order to guard
against any unforeseen freak on the part of poor Massetti. There was no
occasion for their services, however, and the Viscount was soon safely
installed in the coupe with Valentine upon one side of him and her
husband upon the other.

After a brief drive, during which Giovanni, who seemed to have lost all
comprehension of the presence of any one save Valentine, remained
quietly gazing at her, the vehicle drew up in front of the insane
asylum.

Massetti was induced to enter the institution without the slightest
trouble. Maximilian thereupon made all the necessary arrangements, and
the young man was placed in comfortable quarters. The physician who
examined him stated that his case was not beyond hope.

CHAPTER XX.

THE ISLE OF MONTE-CRISTO.

At the appointed time the Count of Monte-Cristo and Zuleika, accompanied
by Ali, Peppino and Beppo, the two Italians attired in the traveling
garb of French servants, left Paris for Marseilles. O