ish
to be left alone."

"Mother," said the young man, "you know how gladly I would obey your
wish, but an urgent and important affair obliges me to leave you for the
whole evening."

"Well," replied Mercedes, sighing, "go, Albert; I will not make you a
slave to your filial piety." Albert pretended he did not hear, bowed
to his mother, and quitted her. Scarcely had he shut her door, when
Mercedes called a confidential servant, and ordered him to follow Albert
wherever he should go that evening, and to come and tell her immediately
what he observed. Then she rang for her lady's maid, and, weak as she
was, she dressed, in order to be ready for whatever might happen. The
footman's mission was an easy one. Albert went to his room, and dressed
with unusual care. At ten minutes to eight Beauchamp arrived; he had
seen Chateau-Renaud, who had promised to be in the orchestra before the
curtain was raised. Both got into Albert's coupe; and, as the young man
had no reason to conceal where he was going, he called aloud, "To
the opera." In his impatience he arrived before the beginning of the
performance.

Chateau-Renaud was at his post; apprised by Beauchamp of the
circumstances, he required no explanation from Albert. The conduct
of the son in seeking to avenge his father was so natural that
Chateau-Renaud did not seek to dissuade him, and was content with
renewing his assurances of devotion. Debray was not yet come, but Albert
knew that he seldom lost a scene at the opera. Albert wandered about
the theatre until the curtain was drawn up. He hoped to meet with M. de
Monte Cristo either in the lobby or on the stairs. The bell summoned
him to his seat, and he entered the orchestra with Chateau-Renaud and
Beauchamp. But his eyes scarcely quitted the box between the columns,
which remained obstinately closed during the whole of the first act. At
last, as Albert was looking at his watch for about the hundredth time,
at the beginning of the second act the door opened, and Monte Cristo
entered, dressed in black, and, leaning over the front of the box,
looked around the pit. Morrel followed him, and looked also for his
sister and brother in-law; he soon discovered them in another box, and
kissed his hand to them.

The count, in his survey of the pit, encountered a pale face and
threatening eyes, which evidently sought to gain his attention. He
recognized Albert, but thought it better not to notice him, as he looked
so angry and disco