them
too; therefore, in departing from this rule, I should (as the actors
say) be playing a part quite out of my line, and should, therefore, run
the risk of being hissed, which would be an act of folly."

"However, your excellency," said Andrea, "in consideration of Lord
Wilmore, by whom I was recommended to you--"

"Yes, certainly," interrupted Monte Cristo; "but Lord Wilmore did not
omit to inform me, my dear M. Andrea, that the season of your youth was
rather a stormy one. Ah," said the count, watching Andrea's countenance,
"I do not demand any confession from you; it is precisely to avoid that
necessity that your father was sent for from Lucca. You shall soon
see him. He is a little stiff and pompous in his manner, and he is
disfigured by his uniform; but when it becomes known that he has been
for eighteen years in the Austrian service, all that will be pardoned.
We are not generally very severe with the Austrians. In short, you will
find your father a very presentable person, I assure you."

"Ah, sir, you have given me confidence; it is so long since we were
separated, that I have not the least remembrance of him, and, besides,
you know that in the eyes of the world a large fortune covers all
defects."

"He is a millionaire--his income is 500,000 francs."

"Then," said the young man, with anxiety, "I shall be sure to be placed
in an agreeable position."

"One of the most agreeable possible, my dear sir; he will allow you an
income of 50,000 livres per annum during the whole time of your stay in
Paris."

"Then in that case I shall always choose to remain there."

"You cannot control circumstances, my dear sir; 'man proposes, and God
disposes.'" Andrea sighed. "But," said he, "so long as I do remain in
Paris, and nothing forces me to quit it, do you mean to tell me that I
may rely on receiving the sum you just now mentioned to me?"

"You may."

"Shall I receive it from my father?" asked Andrea, with some uneasiness.

"Yes, you will receive it from your father personally, but Lord Wilmore
will be the security for the money. He has, at the request of your
father, opened an account of 6,000. francs a month at M. Danglars',
which is one of the safest banks in Paris."

"And does my father mean to remain long in Paris?" asked Andrea.

"Only a few days," replied Monte Cristo. "His service does not allow him
to absent himself more than two or three weeks together."

"Ah, my dear father!" exclaimed Andrea,