e nothing whatever to conceal;
but," he added, with twinkling eyes, "I warn you in advance that you
will be no wiser after you have witnessed my operations and their result
than you are at present!"

The Viscount was sitting in a large arm-chair, his face buried in his
hands. At the entrance of the four men he murmured, without looking up:

"Why has the beautiful vision left me? Why does the divine Juno deny me
the light of her presence?"

Dr. Absalom glanced inquiringly at his companions.

"He means Valentine, my wife," explained Maximilian. "She resorted to a
pardonable little artifice to lure him hither."

"Let her be sent for at once," said the Hebrew. "I shall have need of
her."

"But," objected Monte-Cristo, "Mme. Morrel is taking charge of my
daughter, this poor young man's betrothed, who is terribly cast down by
her lover's fearful misfortune and cannot be left alone."

"His betrothed!" exclaimed Dr. Absalom. "Better and better! Let her also
be brought! I shall have need of her too!"

"You shall be obeyed, Doctor," said Monte-Cristo, and M. Morrel was at
once dispatched to the Hotel de France with instructions to return
immediately with his wife and Zuleika.

When they had arrived and their presence in an adjoining apartment was
announced to Dr. Absalom by Maximilian, the Hebrew said:

"M. Morrel, kindly conduct your wife hither, and you, M. the Count, go
to your daughter and remain with her until I summon you. Tell the poor
child to be of good cheer! that her lover shall be restored to her!"

Monte-Cristo quitted the chamber, followed by Maximilian, who instantly
came back with Valentine.

"Mme. Morrel," said the Jewish physician, "go to the patient and take
his hand."

Valentine did as directed. At her touch the Viscount started up,
exclaiming, in tones of the utmost delight:

"Divine Juno, pardon me! I have wronged you! I thought you had deserted
me, but I was in error, for you are here!"

He fixed his eyes upon her, gazing at her like one entranced, paying no
heed whatever to the others in the apartment. Valentine glanced at Dr.
Absalom, who slowly left his place, gliding stealthily to Massetti's
side. Erecting himself to his full height, he extended his hands above
Giovanni's head; almost instantly the demented man sank back into his
chair as if pressed down by some colossal, some irresistible force; then
he closed his eyes, falling into a calm, peaceful slumber. Valentine,
released from