l you not? But
I know you to be a man of honor." The count again struck the gong. Ali
reappeared. "Tell Haidee," said he, "that I will take coffee with her,
and give her to understand that I desire permission to present one of my
friends to her." Ali bowed and left the room. "Now, understand me," said
the count, "no direct questions, my dear Morcerf; if you wish to know
anything, tell me, and I will ask her."

"Agreed." Ali reappeared for the third time, and drew back the
tapestried hanging which concealed the door, to signify to his master
and Albert that they were at liberty to pass on. "Let us go in," said
Monte Cristo.

Albert passed his hand through his hair, and curled his mustache, then,
having satisfied himself as to his personal appearance, followed the
count into the room, the latter having previously resumed his hat and
gloves. Ali was stationed as a kind of advanced guard, and the door was
kept by the three French attendants, commanded by Myrtho. Haidee was
awaiting her visitors in the first room of her apartments, which was the
drawing-room. Her large eyes were dilated with surprise and expectation,
for it was the first time that any man, except Monte Cristo, had been
accorded an entrance into her presence. She was sitting on a sofa placed
in an angle of the room, with her legs crossed under her in the Eastern
fashion, and seemed to have made for herself, as it were, a kind of
nest in the rich Indian silks which enveloped her. Near her was
the instrument on which she had just been playing; it was elegantly
fashioned, and worthy of its mistress. On perceiving Monte Cristo, she
arose and welcomed him with a smile peculiar to herself, expressive at
once of the most implicit obedience and also of the deepest love. Monte
Cristo advanced towards her and extended his hand, which she as usual
raised to her lips.

Albert had proceeded no farther than the door, where he remained rooted
to the spot, being completely fascinated by the sight of such surpassing
beauty, beheld as it was for the first time, and of which an inhabitant
of more northern climes could form no adequate idea.

"Whom do you bring?" asked the young girl in Romaic, of Monte Cristo;
"is it a friend, a brother, a simple acquaintance, or an enemy."

"A friend," said Monte Cristo in the same language.

"What is his name?"

"Count Albert; it is the same man whom I rescued from the hands of the
banditti at Rome."

"In what language would you lik