them, they are falling into their appointed order; and
when, again, our attention is directed to them, we are surprised at
the progress they have made towards the proposed end. My father and M.
Danglars served together in Spain, my father in the army and M. Danglars
in the commissariat department. It was there that my father, ruined by
the revolution, and M. Danglars, who never had possessed any patrimony,
both laid the foundations of their different fortunes."

"Yes," said Monte Cristo "I think M. Danglars mentioned that in a visit
which I paid him; and," continued he, casting a side-glance at Lucien,
who was turning over the leaves of an album, "Mademoiselle Eugenie is
pretty--I think I remember that to be her name."

"Very pretty, or rather, very beautiful," replied Albert, "but of that
style of beauty which I do not appreciate; I am an ungrateful fellow."

"You speak as if you were already her husband."

"Ah," returned Albert, in his turn looking around to see what Lucien was
doing.

"Really," said Monte Cristo, lowering his voice, "you do not appear to
me to be very enthusiastic on the subject of this marriage."

"Mademoiselle Danglars is too rich for me," replied Morcerf, "and that
frightens me."

"Bah," exclaimed Monte Cristo, "that's a fine reason to give. Are you
not rich yourself?"

"My father's income is about 50,000 francs per annum; and he will give
me, perhaps, ten or twelve thousand when I marry."

"That, perhaps, might not be considered a large sum, in Paris
especially," said the count; "but everything does not depend on wealth,
and it is a fine thing to have a good name, and to occupy a high station
in society. Your name is celebrated, your position magnificent; and
then the Comte de Morcerf is a soldier, and it is pleasing to see
the integrity of a Bayard united to the poverty of a Duguesclin;
disinterestedness is the brightest ray in which a noble sword can
shine. As for me, I consider the union with Mademoiselle Danglars a most
suitable one; she will enrich you, and you will ennoble her." Albert
shook his head, and looked thoughtful. "There is still something else,"
said he.

"I confess," observed Monte Cristo, "that I have some difficulty in
comprehending your objection to a young lady who is both rich and
beautiful."

"Oh," said Morcerf, "this repugnance, if repugnance it may be called, is
not all on my side."

"Whence can it arise, then? for you told me your father desired the
mar