e."

"Delightful; shall we be quite retired? have no society, no neighbors?"

"Our companions will be riding-horses, dogs to hunt with, and a
fishing-boat."

"Exactly what I wish for; I will apprise my mother of my intention, and
return to you."

"But shall you be allowed to go into Normandy?"

"I may go where I please."

"Yes, I am aware you may go alone, since I once met you in Italy--but to
accompany the mysterious Monte Cristo?"

"You forget, count, that I have often told you of the deep interest my
mother takes in you."

"'Woman is fickle.' said Francis I.; 'woman is like a wave of the sea,'
said Shakespeare; both the great king and the great poet ought to have
known woman's nature well."

"Woman's, yes; my mother is not woman, but a woman."

"As I am only a humble foreigner, you must pardon me if I do not
understand all the subtle refinements of your language."

"What I mean to say is, that my mother is not quick to give her
confidence, but when she does she never changes."

"Ah, yes, indeed," said Monte Cristo with a sigh; "and do you think she
is in the least interested in me?"

"I repeat it, you must really be a very strange and superior man, for my
mother is so absorbed by the interest you have excited, that when I am
with her she speaks of no one else."

"And does she try to make you dislike me?"

"On the contrary, she often says, 'Morcerf, I believe the count has a
noble nature; try to gain his esteem.'"

"Indeed?" said Monte Cristo, sighing.

"You see, then," said Albert, "that instead of opposing, she will
encourage me."

"Adieu, then, until five o'clock; be punctual, and we shall arrive at
twelve or one."

"At Treport?"

"Yes; or in the neighborhood."

"But can we travel forty-eight leagues in eight hours?"

"Easily," said Monte Cristo.

"You are certainly a prodigy; you will soon not only surpass the
railway, which would not be very difficult in France, but even the
telegraph."

"But, viscount, since we cannot perform the journey in less than seven
or eight hours, do not keep me waiting."

"Do not fear, I have little to prepare." Monte Cristo smiled as he
nodded to Albert, then remained a moment absorbed in deep meditation.
But passing his hand across his forehead as if to dispel his revery,
he rang the bell twice and Bertuccio entered. "Bertuccio," said he, "I
intend going this evening to Normandy, instead of to-morrow or the
next day. You will have sufficient time bef