to
knows everybody."

"Five millions!"

"Here is his receipt. Believe your own eyes." M. de Boville took the
paper Danglars presented him, and read:--

"Received of Baron Danglars the sum of five million one hundred thousand
francs, to be repaid on demand by the house of Thomson & French of
Rome."

"It is really true," said M. de Boville.

"Do you know the house of Thomson & French?"

"Yes, I once had business to transact with it to the amount of 200,000
francs; but since then I have not heard it mentioned."

"It is one of the best houses in Europe," said Danglars, carelessly
throwing down the receipt on his desk.

"And he had five millions in your hands alone! Why, this Count of Monte
Cristo must be a nabob?"

"Indeed I do not know what he is; he has three unlimited credits--one
on me, one on Rothschild, one on Lafitte; and, you see," he added
carelessly, "he has given me the preference, by leaving a balance
of 100,000 francs." M. de Boville manifested signs of extraordinary
admiration. "I must visit him," he said, "and obtain some pious grant
from him."

"Oh, you may make sure of him; his charities alone amount to 20,000
francs a month."

"It is magnificent! I will set before him the example of Madame de
Morcerf and her son."

"What example?"

"They gave all their fortune to the hospitals."

"What fortune?"

"Their own--M. de Morcerf's, who is deceased."

"For what reason?"

"Because they would not spend money so guiltily acquired."

"And what are they to live upon?"

"The mother retires into the country, and the son enters the army."

"Well, I must confess, these are scruples."

"I registered their deed of gift yesterday."

"And how much did they possess?"

"Oh, not much--from twelve to thirteen hundred thousand francs. But to
return to our millions."

"Certainly," said Danglars, in the most natural tone in the world. "Are
you then pressed for this money?"

"Yes; for the examination of our cash takes place to-morrow."

"To-morrow? Why did you not tell me so before? Why, it is as good as a
century! At what hour does the examination take place?"

"At two o'clock."

"Send at twelve," said Danglars, smiling. M. de Boville said nothing,
but nodded his head, and took up the portfolio. "Now I think of it, you
can do better," said Danglars.

"How do you mean?"

"The receipt of M. de Monte Cristo is as good as money; take it to
Rothschild's or Lafitte's, and they will take it off you