lancholy, "Let us go out, Albert," said he; "a ride in the wood
in the phaeton, or on horseback, will refresh you; we will then return
to breakfast, and you shall attend to your affairs, and I to mine."

"Willingly," said Albert; "but let us walk. I think a little exertion
would do me good." The two friends walked out on the fortress. When
arrived at the Madeleine,--"Since we are out," said Beauchamp, "let
us call on M. de Monte Cristo; he is admirably adapted to revive one's
spirits, because he never interrogates, and in my opinion those who ask
no questions are the best comforters."

"Gladly," said Albert; "I love him--let us call."

Chapter 85. The Journey.

Monte Cristo uttered a joyful exclamation on seeing the young men
together. "Ah, ha!" said he, "I hope all is over, explained and
settled."

"Yes," said Beauchamp; "the absurd reports have died away, and should
they be renewed, I would be the first to oppose them; so let us speak no
more of it."

"Albert will tell you," replied the count "that I gave him the same
advice. Look," added he. "I am finishing the most execrable morning's
work."

"What is it?" said Albert; "arranging your papers, apparently."

"My papers, thank God, no,--my papers are all in capital order, because
I have none; but M. Cavalcanti's."

"M. Cavalcanti's?" asked Beauchamp.

"Yes; do you not know that this is a young man whom the count is
introducing?" said Morcerf.

"Let us not misunderstand each other," replied Monte Cristo; "I
introduce no one, and certainly not M. Cavalcanti."

"And who," said Albert with a forced smile, "is to marry Mademoiselle
Danglars instead of me, which grieves me cruelly."

"What? Cavalcanti is going to marry Mademoiselle Danglars?" asked
Beauchamp.

"Certainly; do you come from the end of the world?" said Monte Cristo;
"you, a journalist, the husband of renown? It is the talk of all Paris."

"And you, count, have made this match?" asked Beauchamp.

"I? Silence, purveyor of gossip, do not spread that report. I make a
match? No, you do not know me; I have done all in my power to oppose
it."

"Ah, I understand," said Beauchamp, "on our friend Albert's account."

"On my account?" said the young man; "oh, no, indeed, the count will do
me the justice to assert that I have, on the contrary, always entreated
him to break off my engagement, and happily it is ended. The count
pretends I have not him to thank;--so be it--I will erect an altar Deo