Zuleika at this critical juncture
both surprised them and filled them with consternation. What answer
should they make to her when she inquired concerning Giovanni? How was
the fact of his sad condition to be kept from her when all Rome knew of
it and it was the current gossip of the city? Valentine had written
several letters to the girl since quitting Paris, but in them had dealt
only in generalities; she had studiously refrained from informing her of
the true state of things, hoping against hope that she would eventually
have some cheering intelligence to impart. The Count, however, speedily
relieved the devoted husband and wife of their anxiety. He knew as well
as they that his daughter could not fail soon to learn that the Viscount
was a maniac and preferred to break the terrible news to her himself. As
soon, therefore, as the greetings were over, before Zuleika could
whisper to Mme. Morrel the question that was trembling on her lips, the
dreaded inquiry as to her lover and his whereabouts, he said, in a quiet
tone:

"Maximilian and Valentine, you, no doubt, wonder why we have come to
Rome, what is our business here. I will tell you. We have come to clear
an unfortunate man, the Viscount Giovanni Massetti, of a fearful charge
that has long hung over him."

M. and Mme. Morrel exchanged glances. Now was their time to speak, to
avow their mission to Monte-Cristo.

"Count," said Maximilian, pointing to his wife, "we also came hither on
the same errand. Zuleika confessed her love for the young Italian to
Valentine, who extracted from her the nature of the charge to which you
have just alluded. Pardon us for having acted without your
authorization, but we desired to succeed before confessing to you the
part we had taken in the affair."

Monte-Cristo smiled.

"You need no pardon from me," he said, gently, much affected by this
proof of devotion to his daughter and through her to him; "on the
contrary you have my gratitude as well as Zuleika's! But what success
have you met with?"

"Alas! none of any moment as yet," answered M. Morrel, sadly.

"Such a result was to be expected," returned the Count, gravely. "You
had no evidence to establish Giovanni's innocence and it was impossible
for you to obtain any. I have the evidence, conclusive evidence! When
the proper moment arrives I will produce it, remove the stain from his
name and confound his enemies!"

"Thank God!" simultaneously exclaimed M. and Mme. Morrel, Va