interrupted you at the moment
when you were telling me that you were a skilful chemist."

"No, madame, I did not say as much as that," replied the count with a
smile; "quite the contrary. I have studied chemistry because, having
determined to live in eastern climates I have been desirous of following
the example of King Mithridates."

"Mithridates rex Ponticus," said the young scamp, as he tore some
beautiful portraits out of a splendid album, "the individual who took
cream in his cup of poison every morning at breakfast."

"Edward, you naughty boy," exclaimed Madame de Villefort, snatching
the mutilated book from the urchin's grasp, "you are positively past
bearing; you really disturb the conversation; go, leave us, and join
your sister Valentine in dear grandpapa Noirtier's room."

"The album," said Edward sulkily.

"What do you mean?--the album!"

"I want the album."

"How dare you tear out the drawings?"

"Oh, it amuses me."

"Go--go at once."

"I won't go unless you give me the album," said the boy, seating himself
doggedly in an arm-chair, according to his habit of never giving way.

"Take it, then, and pray disturb us no longer," said Madame de
Villefort, giving the album to Edward, who then went towards the door,
led by his mother. The count followed her with his eyes.

"Let us see if she shuts the door after him," he muttered. Madame de
Villefort closed the door carefully after the child, the count appearing
not to notice her; then casting a scrutinizing glance around the
chamber, the young wife returned to her chair, in which she seated
herself. "Allow me to observe, madame," said the count, with that kind
tone he could assume so well, "you are really very severe with that dear
clever child."

"Oh, sometimes severity is quite necessary," replied Madame de
Villefort, with all a mother's real firmness.

"It was his Cornelius Nepos that Master Edward was repeating when he
referred to King Mithridates," continued the count, "and you interrupted
him in a quotation which proves that his tutor has by no means neglected
him, for your son is really advanced for his years."

"The fact is, count," answered the mother, agreeably flattered, "he has
great aptitude, and learns all that is set before him. He has but one
fault, he is somewhat wilful; but really, on referring for the moment
to what he said, do you truly believe that Mithridates used these
precautions, and that these precautions were efficacio