he moment seemed
to outvie the sun in splendor. As for the ladies, it is needless to say
that while they coveted the millions, they thought they did not need
them for themselves, as they were beautiful enough without them. Andrea,
surrounded by his friends, complimented, flattered, beginning to believe
in the reality of his dream, was almost bewildered. The notary solemnly
took the pen, flourished it above his head, and said, "Gentlemen, we are
about to sign the contract."

The baron was to sign first, then the representative of M. Cavalcanti,
senior, then the baroness, afterwards the "future couple," as they are
styled in the abominable phraseology of legal documents. The baron took
the pen and signed, then the representative. The baroness approached,
leaning on Madame de Villefort's arm. "My dear," said she, as she took
the pen, "is it not vexatious? An unexpected incident, in the affair of
murder and theft at the Count of Monte Cristo's, in which he nearly fell
a victim, deprives us of the pleasure of seeing M. de Villefort."

"Indeed?" said M. Danglars, in the same tone in which he would have
said, "Oh, well, what do I care?"

"As a matter of fact," said Monte Cristo, approaching, "I am much afraid
that I am the involuntary cause of his absence."

"What, you, count?" said Madame Danglars, signing; "if you are, take
care, for I shall never forgive you." Andrea pricked up his ears.

"But it is not my fault, as I shall endeavor to prove." Every one
listened eagerly; Monte Cristo who so rarely opened his lips, was about
to speak. "You remember," said the count, during the most profound
silence, "that the unhappy wretch who came to rob me died at my house;
the supposition is that he was stabbed by his accomplice, on attempting
to leave it."

"Yes," said Danglars.

"In order that his wounds might be examined he was undressed, and his
clothes were thrown into a corner, where the police picked them up, with
the exception of the waistcoat, which they overlooked." Andrea turned
pale, and drew towards the door; he saw a cloud rising in the horizon,
which appeared to forebode a coming storm.

"Well, this waistcoat was discovered to-day, covered with blood, and
with a hole over the heart." The ladies screamed, and two or three
prepared to faint. "It was brought to me. No one could guess what the
dirty rag could be; I alone suspected that it was the waistcoat of the
murdered man. My valet, in examining this mournful reli