re congenial.

"Permit me to inform you, Count," said he, bowing, "that I have received
a letter of advice from Thomson & French, of Rome."

"I am glad to hear it, baron,--for I must claim the privilege of
addressing you after the manner of your servants. I have acquired the
bad habit of calling persons by their titles from living in a country
where barons are still barons by right of birth. But as regards the
letter of advice, I am charmed to find that it has reached you; that
will spare me the troublesome and disagreeable task of coming to you for
money myself. You have received a regular letter of advice?"

"Yes," said Danglars, "but I confess I didn't quite comprehend its
meaning."

"Indeed?"

"And for that reason I did myself the honor of calling upon you, in
order to beg for an explanation."

"Go on, monsieur. Here I am, ready to give you any explanation you
desire."

"Why," said Danglers, "in the letter--I believe I have it about
me"--here he felt in his breast-pocket--"yes, here it is. Well, this
letter gives the Count of Monte Cristo unlimited credit on our house."

"Well, baron, what is there difficult to understand about that?"

"Merely the term unlimited--nothing else, certainly."

"Is not that word known in France? The people who wrote are
Anglo-Germans, you know."

"Oh, as for the composition of the letter, there is nothing to be said;
but as regards the competency of the document, I certainly have doubts."

"Is it possible?" asked the count, assuming all air and tone of the
utmost simplicity and candor. "Is it possible that Thomson & French
are not looked upon as safe and solvent bankers? Pray tell me what
you think, baron, for I feel uneasy, I can assure you, having some
considerable property in their hands."

"Thomson & French are perfectly solvent," replied Danglars, with an
almost mocking smile: "but the word unlimited, in financial affairs, is
so extremely vague."

"Is, in fact, unlimited," said Monte Cristo.

"Precisely what I was about to say," cried Danglars. "Now what is vague
is doubtful; and it was a wise man who said, 'when in doubt, keep out.'"

"Meaning to say," rejoined Monte Cristo, "that however Thomson & French
may be inclined to commit acts of imprudence and folly, the Baron
Danglars is not disposed to follow their example."

"Not at all."

"Plainly enough. Messrs. Thomson & French set no bounds to their
engagements while those of M. Danglars have their limits; he