ignoto."

"Listen," said Monte Cristo; "I have had little to do with it, for I am
at variance both with the father-in-law and the young man; there is only
Mademoiselle Eugenie, who appears but little charmed with the thoughts
of matrimony, and who, seeing how little I was disposed to persuade her
to renounce her dear liberty, retains any affection for me."

"And do you say this wedding is at hand?"

"Oh, yes, in spite of all I could say. I do not know the young man;
he is said to be of good family and rich, but I never trust to vague
assertions. I have warned M. Danglars of it till I am tired, but he
is fascinated with his Luccanese. I have even informed him of a
circumstance I consider very serious; the young man was either charmed
by his nurse, stolen by gypsies, or lost by his tutor, I scarcely know
which. But I do know his father lost sight of him for more than ten
years; what he did during these ten years, God only knows. Well, all
that was useless. They have commissioned me to write to the major to
demand papers, and here they are. I send them, but like Pilate--washing
my hands."

"And what does Mademoiselle d'Armilly say to you for robbing her of her
pupil?"

"Oh, well, I don't know; but I understand that she is going to
Italy. Madame Danglars asked me for letters of recommendation for the
impresari; I gave her a few lines for the director of the Valle Theatre,
who is under some obligation to me. But what is the matter, Albert? you
look dull; are you, after all, unconsciously in love with Mademoiselle
Eugenie?"

"I am not aware of it," said Albert, smiling sorrowfully. Beauchamp
turned to look at some paintings. "But," continued Monte Cristo, "you
are not in your usual spirits?"

"I have a dreadful headache," said Albert.

"Well, my dear viscount," said Monte Cristo, "I have an infallible
remedy to propose to you."

"What is that?" asked the young man.

"A change."

"Indeed?" said Albert.

"Yes; and as I am just now excessively annoyed, I shall go from home.
Shall we go together?"

"You annoyed, count?" said Beauchamp; "and by what?"

"Ah, you think very lightly of it; I should like to see you with a brief
preparing in your house."

"What brief?"

"The one M. de Villefort is preparing against my amiable assassin--some
brigand escaped from the gallows apparently."

"True," said Beauchamp; "I saw it in the paper. Who is this Caderousse?"

"Some provincial, it appears. M. de Villefort heard