," replied Beauchamp haughtily, "there are occasions when probity
commands"--

"M. Beauchamp," interposed this strange man, "the Count of Monte Cristo
bows to none but the Count of Monte Cristo himself. Say no more, I
entreat you. I do what I please, M. Beauchamp, and it is always well
done."

"Sir," replied the young man, "honest men are not to be paid with such
coin. I require honorable guaranties."

"I am, sir, a living guaranty," replied Monte Cristo, motionless, but
with a threatening look; "we have both blood in our veins which we wish
to shed--that is our mutual guaranty. Tell the viscount so, and that
to-morrow, before ten o'clock, I shall see what color his is."

"Then I have only to make arrangements for the duel," said Beauchamp.

"It is quite immaterial to me," said Monte Cristo, "and it was very
unnecessary to disturb me at the opera for such a trifle. In France
people fight with the sword or pistol, in the colonies with the carbine,
in Arabia with the dagger. Tell your client that, although I am the
insulted party, in order to carry out my eccentricity, I leave him the
choice of arms, and will accept without discussion, without dispute,
anything, even combat by drawing lots, which is always stupid, but with
me different from other people, as I am sure to gain."

"Sure to gain!" repeated Beauchamp, looking with amazement at the count.

"Certainly," said Monte Cristo, slightly shrugging his shoulders;
"otherwise I would not fight with M. de Morcerf. I shall kill him--I
cannot help it. Only by a single line this evening at my house let me
know the arms and the hour; I do not like to be kept waiting."

"Pistols, then, at eight o'clock, in the Bois de Vincennes," said
Beauchamp, quite disconcerted, not knowing if he was dealing with an
arrogant braggadocio or a supernatural being.

"Very well, sir," said Monte Cristo. "Now all that is settled, do let
me see the performance, and tell your friend Albert not to come any more
this evening; he will hurt himself with all his ill-chosen barbarisms:
let him go home and go to sleep." Beauchamp left the box, perfectly
amazed. "Now," said Monte Cristo, turning towards Morrel, "I may depend
upon you, may I not?"

"Certainly," said Morrel, "I am at your service, count; still"--

"What?"

"It is desirable I should know the real cause."

"That is to say, you would rather not?"

"No."

"The young man himself is acting blindfolded, and knows not the true
caus