M. de Morcerf will kill me." Morrel
looked at him in utter amazement. "But what has happened, then, since
last evening, count?"

"The same thing that happened to Brutus the night before the battle of
Philippi; I have seen a ghost."

"And that ghost"--

"Told me, Morrel, that I had lived long enough." Maximilian and Emmanuel
looked at each other. Monte Cristo drew out his watch. "Let us go," said
he; "it is five minutes past seven, and the appointment was for eight
o'clock." A carriage was in readiness at the door. Monte Cristo stepped
into it with his two friends. He had stopped a moment in the passage
to listen at a door, and Maximilian and Emmanuel, who had considerately
passed forward a few steps, thought they heard him answer by a sigh to a
sob from within. As the clock struck eight they drove up to the place of
meeting. "We are first," said Morrel, looking out of the window. "Excuse
me, sir," said Baptistin, who had followed his master with indescribable
terror, "but I think I see a carriage down there under the trees."

Monte Cristo sprang lightly from the carriage, and offered his hand to
assist Emmanuel and Maximilian. The latter retained the count's hand
between his. "I like," said he, "to feel a hand like this, when its
owner relies on the goodness of his cause."

"It seems to me," said Emmanuel, "that I see two young men down there,
who are evidently, waiting." Monte Cristo drew Morrel a step or two
behind his brother-in-law. "Maximilian," said he, "are your affections
disengaged?" Morrel looked at Monte Cristo with astonishment. "I do not
seek your confidence, my dear friend. I only ask you a simple question;
answer it;--that is all I require."

"I love a young girl, count."

"Do you love her much?"

"More than my life."

"Another hope defeated!" said the count. Then, with a sigh, "Poor
Haidee!" murmured he.

"To tell the truth, count, if I knew less of you, I should think that
you were less brave than you are."

"Because I sigh when thinking of some one I am leaving? Come, Morrel, it
is not like a soldier to be so bad a judge of courage. Do I regret life?
What is it to me, who have passed twenty years between life and death?
Moreover, do not alarm yourself, Morrel; this weakness, if it is such,
is betrayed to you alone. I know the world is a drawing-room, from which
we must retire politely and honestly; that is, with a bow, and our debts
of honor paid."

"That is to the purpose. Have you br