hat sum; but keep it, and we shall be quits."

"Count," said Danglars, "are you speaking seriously?"

"I never joke with bankers," said Monte Cristo in a freezing manner,
which repelled impertinence; and he turned to the door, just as the
valet de chambre announced,--"M. de Boville, receiver-general of the
charities."

"Ma foi," said Monte Cristo; "I think I arrived just in time to obtain
your signatures, or they would have been disputed with me."

Danglars again became pale, and hastened to conduct the count out. Monte
Cristo exchanged a ceremonious bow with M. de Boville, who was standing
in the waiting-room, and who was introduced into Danglars' room as soon
as the count had left. The count's sad face was illumined by a faint
smile, as he noticed the portfolio which the receiver-general held in
his hand. At the door he found his carriage, and was immediately driven
to the bank. Meanwhile Danglars, repressing all emotion, advanced to
meet the receiver-general. We need not say that a smile of condescension
was stamped upon his lips. "Good-morning, creditor," said he; "for I
wager anything it is the creditor who visits me."

"You are right, baron," answered M. de Boville; "the charities present
themselves to you through me: the widows and orphans depute me to
receive alms to the amount of five millions from you."

"And yet they say orphans are to be pitied," said Danglars, wishing to
prolong the jest. "Poor things!"

"Here I am in their name," said M. de Boville; "but did you receive my
letter yesterday?"

"Yes."

"I have brought my receipt."

"My dear M. de Boville, your widows and orphans must oblige me by
waiting twenty-four hours, since M. de Monte Cristo whom you just saw
leaving here--you did see him, I think?"

"Yes; well?"

"Well, M. de Monte Cristo has just carried off their five millions."

"How so?"

"The count has an unlimited credit upon me; a credit opened by Thomson
& French, of Rome; he came to demand five millions at once, which I paid
him with checks on the bank. My funds are deposited there, and you
can understand that if I draw out ten millions on the same day it will
appear rather strange to the governor. Two days will be a different
thing," said Danglars, smiling.

"Come," said Boville, with a tone of entire incredulity, "five millions
to that gentleman who just left, and who bowed to me as though he knew
me?"

"Perhaps he knows you, though you do not know him; M. de Monte Cris