I am very sure no nabob would have sent me a pair of horses worth
32,000 francs, wearing on their heads four diamonds valued at 5,000
francs each."

"He seems to have a mania for diamonds," said Morcerf, smiling, "and I
verily believe that, like Potemkin, he keeps his pockets filled, for
the sake of strewing them along the road, as Tom Thumb did his flint
stones."

"Perhaps he has discovered some mine," said Madame Danglars. "I suppose
you know he has an order for unlimited credit on the baron's banking
establishment?"

"I was not aware of it," replied Albert, "but I can readily believe it."

"And, further, that he stated to M. Danglars his intention of only
staying a year in Paris, during which time he proposed to spend six
millions.

"He must be the Shah of Persia, travelling incog."

"Have you noticed the remarkable beauty of the young woman, M. Lucien?"
inquired Eugenie.

"I really never met with one woman so ready to do justice to the charms
of another as yourself," responded Lucien, raising his lorgnette to his
eye. "A most lovely creature, upon my soul!" was his verdict.

"Who is this young person, M. de Morcerf?" inquired Eugenie; "does
anybody know?"

"Mademoiselle," said Albert, replying to this direct appeal, "I can give
you very exact information on that subject, as well as on most points
relative to the mysterious person of whom we are now conversing--the
young woman is a Greek."

"So I should suppose by her dress; if you know no more than that, every
one here is as well-informed as yourself."

"I am extremely sorry you find me so ignorant a cicerone," replied
Morcerf, "but I am reluctantly obliged to confess, I have nothing
further to communicate--yes, stay, I do know one thing more, namely,
that she is a musician, for one day when I chanced to be breakfasting
with the count, I heard the sound of a guzla--it is impossible that it
could have been touched by any other finger than her own."

"Then your count entertains visitors, does he?" asked Madame Danglars.

"Indeed he does, and in a most lavish manner, I can assure you."

"I must try and persuade M. Danglars to invite him to a ball or dinner,
or something of the sort, that he may be compelled to ask us in return."

"What," said Debray, laughing; "do you really mean you would go to his
house?"

"Why not? my husband could accompany me."

"But do you know this mysterious count is a bachelor?"

"You have ample proof to the contrary, if