e heart of Paris; but a moment ago I heard
the rumbling of the omnibuses and the tinkling of the bells of the
lemonade-sellers, and now I feel as if I were suddenly transported to
the East; not such as I have seen it, but such as my dreams have painted
it. Oh, signora, if I could but speak Greek, your conversation, added
to the fairy-scene which surrounds me, would furnish an evening of such
delight as it would be impossible for me ever to forget."

"I speak sufficient Italian to enable me to converse with you, sir,"
said Haidee quietly; "and if you like what is Eastern, I will do my best
to secure the gratification of your tastes while you are here."

"On what subject shall I converse with her?" said Albert, in a low tone
to Monte Cristo.

"Just what you please; you may speak of her country and of her youthful
reminiscences, or if you like it better you can talk of Rome, Naples, or
Florence."

"Oh," said Albert, "it is of no use to be in the company of a Greek if
one converses just in the same style as with a Parisian; let me speak to
her of the East."

"Do so then, for of all themes which you could choose that will be the
most agreeable to her taste." Albert turned towards Haidee. "At what age
did you leave Greece, signora?" asked he.

"I left it when I was but five years old," replied Haidee.

"And have you any recollection of your country?"

"When I shut my eyes and think, I seem to see it all again. The mind can
see as well as the body. The body forgets sometimes--but the mind never
forgets."

"And how far back into the past do your recollections extend?"

"I could scarcely walk when my mother, who was called Vasiliki, which
means royal," said the young girl, tossing her head proudly, "took me by
the hand, and after putting in our purse all the money we possessed, we
went out, both covered with veils, to solicit alms for the prisoners,
saying, 'He who giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord.' Then when our
purse was full we returned to the palace, and without saying a word to
my father, we sent it to the convent, where it was divided amongst the
prisoners."

"And how old were you at that time?"

"I was three years old," said Haidee.

"Then you remember everything that went on about you from the time when
you were three years old?" said Albert.

"Everything."

"Count," said Albert, in a low tone to Monte Cristo, "do allow
the signora to tell me something of her history. You prohibited my
mentionin