Monte Cristo, as though he had not observed her
confusion, "I have heard of a lucky hit that was made yesterday on the
Neapolitan bonds."

"I have none--nor have I ever possessed any; but really we have talked
long enough of money, count, we are like two stockbrokers; have you
heard how fate is persecuting the poor Villeforts?"

"What has happened?" said the count, simulating total ignorance.

"You know the Marquis of Saint-Meran died a few days after he had set
out on his journey to Paris, and the marchioness a few days after her
arrival?"

"Yes," said Monte Cristo, "I have heard that; but, as Claudius said to
Hamlet, 'it is a law of nature; their fathers died before them, and they
mourned their loss; they will die before their children, who will, in
their turn, grieve for them.'"

"But that is not all."

"Not all!"

"No; they were going to marry their daughter"--

"To M. Franz d'Epinay. Is it broken off?"

"Yesterday morning, it appears, Franz declined the honor."

"Indeed? And is the reason known?"

"No."

"How extraordinary! And how does M. de Villefort bear it?"

"As usual. Like a philosopher." Danglars returned at this moment
alone. "Well," said the baroness, "do you leave M. Cavalcanti with your
daughter?"

"And Mademoiselle d'Armilly," said the banker; "do you consider her no
one?" Then, turning to Monte Cristo, he said, "Prince Cavalcanti is a
charming young man, is he not? But is he really a prince?"

"I will not answer for it," said Monte Cristo. "His father was
introduced to me as a marquis, so he ought to be a count; but I do not
think he has much claim to that title."

"Why?" said the banker. "If he is a prince, he is wrong not to maintain
his rank; I do not like any one to deny his origin."

"Oh, you are a thorough democrat," said Monte Cristo, smiling.

"But do you see to what you are exposing yourself?" said the baroness.
"If, perchance, M. de Morcerf came, he would find M. Cavalcanti in that
room, where he, the betrothed of Eugenie, has never been admitted."

"You may well say, perchance," replied the banker; "for he comes so
seldom, it would seem only chance that brings him."

"But should he come and find that young man with your daughter, he might
be displeased."

"He? You are mistaken. M. Albert would not do us the honor to be
jealous; he does not like Eugenie sufficiently. Besides, I care not for
his displeasure."

"Still, situated as we are"--

"Yes, do you know how