d, and the chibougues, with jasmine
tubes and amber mouthpieces, that he had seen, prepared so that there
was no need to smoke the same pipe twice, were still in their places and
were the only things in the whole room that had escaped from the clutch
of years unscathed. This chamber was brilliantly illuminated by the
blaze of several large lamps of tarnished silver and gold suspended from
the ceiling and protruding from the walls, and the salle-a-manger was
lighted in the same fashion.

Zuleika stood in the midst of all this decayed grandeur, lost in wonder,
utterly bewildered by what she beheld. She spoke not a single syllable,
for words were inadequate to express her deep amazement.

Monte-Cristo threw himself upon the divan from which a cloud of stifling
dust arose. Taking one of the chibouques in which a supply of Turkish
tobacco yet remained, he lighted it and began to smoke.

Zuleika now saw that the heavy, delicious perfume with which the grotto
palace was filled came from frankincense smouldering in a huge malachite
vase placed in the centre of this bewildering chamber.

After he had puffed a few whiffs of smoke from the chibouque,
Monte-Cristo removed the amber mouthpiece from his lips and rising said:

"You have now seen my subterranean abode, Zuleika, the abode where in
the past I sought refuge from the world and solace for my woes. It seems
to you like the product of some potent magician's spell and, in truth,
it was so, but that magician was good fortune and the spell was colossal
wealth, to the vast and subtle influence of which all nations and all
lands yield slavish submission and implicit obedience! You do not know
the romantic, incredible history of this abode, my daughter, and it is
not my intention to relate it to you, for your youthful brain could
scarcely comprehend it. Be satisfied then with what you have beheld.
Treasure it in your memory if you will either as a reality or merely as
a passing vision, but do not, I conjure you, ever mention this adventure
to me or any other living soul! I have had confidence in you, my child;
repay that confidence by strictly obeying this wish, nay, this command,
of mine! These grottoes belong to the past and to oblivion; to the past
and to oblivion, therefore, let them be consigned! Promise me to do as I
desire!"

Amazed by this strange speech, which the Count uttered in a voice
tremulous with emotion, as much as by any of the inexplicable wonders
she had s