ect at
length some future time," said he. "But what do you think of the music?"

"What music?"

"Why, the music you have been listening to."

"Oh, it is well enough as the production of a human composer, sung by
featherless bipeds, to quote the late Diogenes."

"From which it would seem, my dear count, that you can at pleasure enjoy
the seraphic strains that proceed from the seven choirs of paradise?"

"You are right, in some degree; when I wish to listen to sounds more
exquisitely attuned to melody than mortal ear ever yet listened to, I go
to sleep."

"Then sleep here, my dear count. The conditions are favorable; what else
was opera invented for?"

"No, thank you. Your orchestra is too noisy. To sleep after the manner
I speak of, absolute calm and silence are necessary, and then a certain
preparation"--

"I know--the famous hashish!"

"Precisely. So, my dear viscount, whenever you wish to be regaled with
music come and sup with me."

"I have already enjoyed that treat when breakfasting with you," said
Morcerf.

"Do you mean at Rome?"

"I do."

"Ah, then, I suppose you heard Haidee's guzla; the poor exile frequently
beguiles a weary hour in playing over to me the airs of her native
land." Morcerf did not pursue the subject, and Monte Cristo himself fell
into a silent reverie. The bell rang at this moment for the rising of
the curtain. "You will excuse my leaving you," said the count, turning
in the direction of his box.

"What? Are you going?"

"Pray, say everything that is kind to Countess G---- on the part of her
friend the Vampire."

"And what message shall I convey to the baroness!"

"That, with her permission, I shall do myself the honor of paying my
respects in the course of the evening."

The third act had begun; and during its progress the Count of Morcerf,
according to his promise, made his appearance in the box of Madame
Danglars. The Count of Morcerf was not a person to excite either
interest or curiosity in a place of public amusement; his presence,
therefore, was wholly unnoticed, save by the occupants of the box in
which he had just seated himself. The quick eye of Monte Cristo however,
marked his coming; and a slight though meaning smile passed over his
lips. Haidee, whose soul seemed centred in the business of the stage,
like all unsophisticated natures, delighted in whatever addressed itself
to the eye or ear.

The third act passed off as usual. Mesdemoiselles Noblet, Julie,