to increase the value,
if possible. I have, therefore, received a very good education, and have
been treated by these kidnappers very much as the slaves were treated
in Asia Minor, whose masters made them grammarians, doctors, and
philosophers, in order that they might fetch a higher price in the Roman
market." Monte Cristo smiled with satisfaction; it appeared as if he had
not expected so much from M. Andrea Cavalcanti. "Besides," continued
the young man, "if there did appear some defect in education, or offence
against the established forms of etiquette, I suppose it would be
excused, in consideration of the misfortunes which accompanied my birth,
and followed me through my youth."

"Well," said Monte Cristo in an indifferent tone, "you will do as you
please, count, for you are the master of your own actions, and are the
person most concerned in the matter, but if I were you, I would not
divulge a word of these adventures. Your history is quite a romance,
and the world, which delights in romances in yellow covers, strangely
mistrusts those which are bound in living parchment, even though they be
gilded like yourself. This is the kind of difficulty which I wished
to represent to you, my dear count. You would hardly have recited your
touching history before it would go forth to the world, and be deemed
unlikely and unnatural. You would be no longer a lost child found,
but you would be looked upon as an upstart, who had sprung up like a
mushroom in the night. You might excite a little curiosity, but it is
not every one who likes to be made the centre of observation and the
subject of unpleasant remark."

"I agree with you, monsieur," said the young man, turning pale, and,
in spite of himself, trembling beneath the scrutinizing look of his
companion, "such consequences would be extremely unpleasant."

"Nevertheless, you must not exaggerate the evil," said Monte Cristo,
"for by endeavoring to avoid one fault you will fall into another. You
must resolve upon one simple and single line of conduct, and for a man
of your intelligence, this plan is as easy as it is necessary; you must
form honorable friendships, and by that means counteract the prejudice
which may attach to the obscurity of your former life." Andrea visibly
changed countenance. "I would offer myself as your surety and friendly
adviser," said Monte Cristo, "did I not possess a moral distrust of my
best friends, and a sort of inclination to lead others to doubt