thought the dying man; "that angel resembles the one I have lost." Monte
Cristo pointed out Morrel to the young woman, who advanced towards him
with clasped hands and a smile upon her lips.

"Valentine, Valentine!" he mentally ejaculated; but his lips uttered
no sound, and as though all his strength were centred in that internal
emotion, he sighed and closed his eyes. Valentine rushed towards him;
his lips again moved.

"He is calling you," said the count; "he to whom you have confided your
destiny--he from whom death would have separated you, calls you to him.
Happily, I vanquished death. Henceforth, Valentine, you will never
again be separated on earth, since he has rushed into death to find you.
Without me, you would both have died. May God accept my atonement in the
preservation of these two existences!"

Valentine seized the count's hand, and in her irresistible impulse of
joy carried it to her lips.

"Oh, thank me again!" said the count; "tell me till you are weary, that
I have restored you to happiness; you do not know how much I require
this assurance."

"Oh, yes, yes, I thank you with all my heart," said Valentine; "and if
you doubt the sincerity of my gratitude, oh, then, ask Haidee! ask my
beloved sister Haidee, who ever since our departure from France, has
caused me to wait patiently for this happy day, while talking to me of
you."

"You then love Haidee?" asked Monte Cristo with an emotion he in vain
endeavored to dissimulate.

"Oh, yes, with all my soul."

"Well, then, listen, Valentine," said the count; "I have a favor to ask
of you."

"Of me? Oh, am I happy enough for that?"

"Yes; you have called Haidee your sister,--let her become so indeed,
Valentine; render her all the gratitude you fancy that you owe to me;
protect her, for" (the count's voice was thick with emotion) "henceforth
she will be alone in the world."

"Alone in the world!" repeated a voice behind the count, "and why?"

Monte Cristo turned around; Haidee was standing pale, motionless,
looking at the count with an expression of fearful amazement.

"Because to-morrow, Haidee, you will be free; you will then assume
your proper position in society, for I will not allow my destiny to
overshadow yours. Daughter of a prince, I restore to you the riches and
name of your father."

Haidee became pale, and lifting her transparent hands to heaven,
exclaimed in a voice stifled with tears, "Then you leave me, my lord?"

"Haidee, Hai