"Yes, in Italy; it was in Italy most probably," replied Monte Cristo; "you have travelled then in Italy, mademoiselle?""Yes; madame and I were there two years ago.The doctors, anxious for my lungs, had prescribed the air of Naples.We went by Bologna, Perugia, and Rome.""Ah, yes -- true, mademoiselle," exclaimed Monte Cristo as if this simple explanation was sufficient to revive the recollection he sought."It was at Perugia on Corpus Christi Day, in the garden of the Hotel des Postes, when chance brought us together; you, Madame de Villefort, and her son;I now remember having had the honor of meeting you.""I perfectly well remember Perugia, sir, and the Hotel des Postes, and the festival of which you speak," said Madame de Villefort, "but in vain do I tax my memory, of whose treachery I am ashamed, for I really do not recall to mind that I ever had the pleasure of seeing you before.""It is strange, but neither do I recollect meeting with you," observed Valentine, raising her beautiful eyes to the count.
"But I remember it perfectly," interposed the darling Edward.
"I will assist your memory, madame," continued the count;"the day had been burning hot; you were waiting for horses, which were delayed in consequence of the festival.
Mademoiselle was walking in the shade of the garden, and your son disappeared in pursuit of the peacock.""And I caught it, mamma, don't you remember?" interposed Edward, "and I pulled three such beautiful feathers out of his tail.""You, madame, remained under the arbor; do you not remember, that while you were seated on a stone bench, and while, as Itold you, Mademoiselle de Villefort and your young son were absent, you conversed for a considerable time with somebody?""Yes, in truth, yes," answered the young lady, turning very red, "I do remember conversing with a person wrapped in a long woollen mantle; he was a medical man, I think.""Precisely so, madame; this man was myself; for a fortnight I had been at that hotel, during which period I had cured my valet de chambre of a fever, and my landlord of the jaundice, so that I really acquired a reputation as a skilful physician.We discoursed a long time, madame, on different subjects; of Perugino, of Raffaelle, of manners, customs, of the famous aquatofana, of which they had told you, I think you said, that certain individuals in Perugia had preserved the secret.""Yes, true," replied Madame de Villefort, somewhat uneasily, "I remember now.""I do not recollect now all the various subjects of which we discoursed, madame," continued the count with perfect calmness; "but I perfectly remember that, falling into the error which others had entertained respecting me, you consulted me as to the health of Mademoiselle de Villefort.""Yes, really, sir, you were in fact a medical man," said Madame de Villefort, "since you had cured the sick.""Moliere or Beaumarchais would reply to you, madame, that it was precisely because I was not, that I had cured my patients; for myself, I am content to say to you that I have studied chemistry and the natural sciences somewhat deeply, but still only as an amateur, you understand." -- At this moment the clock struck six."It is six o'clock," said Madame de Villefort, evidently agitated."Valentine, will you not go and see if your grandpapa will have his dinner?"Valentine rose, and saluting the count, left the apartment without speaking.
"Oh, madame," said the count, when Valentine had left the room, "was it on my account that you sent Mademoiselle de Villefort away?""By no means," replied the young lady quickly; "but this is the hour when we usually give M.Noirtier the unwelcome meal that sustains his pitiful existence.You are aware, sir, of the deplorable condition of my husband's father?""Yes, madame, M.de Villefort spoke of it to me -- a paralysis, I think.""Alas, yes; the poor old gentleman is entirely helpless; the mind alone is still active in this human machine, and that is faint and flickering, like the light of a lamp about to expire.But excuse me, sir, for talking of our domestic misfortunes; I interrupted you at the moment when you were telling me that you were a skilful chemist.""No, madame, I did not say as much as that," replied the count with a smile; "quite the contrary.I have studied chemistry because, having determined to live in eastern climates I have been desirous of following the example of King Mithridates.""Mithridates rex Ponticus," said the young scamp, as he tore some beautiful portraits out of a splendid album, "the individual who took cream in his cup of poison every morning at breakfast.""Edward, you naughty boy," exclaimed Madame de Villefort, snatching the mutilated book from the urchin's grasp, "you are positively past bearing; you really disturb the conversation; go, leave us, and join your sister Valentine in dear grandpapa Noirtier's room.""The album," said Edward sulkily.
"What do you mean? -- the album!"
"I want the album."
"How dare you tear out the drawings?"
"Oh, it amuses me."
"Go -- go at once."
"I won't go unless you give me the album," said the boy, seating himself doggedly in an arm-chair, according to his habit of never giving way.
"Take it, then, and pray disturb us no longer," said Madame de Villefort, giving the album to Edward, who then went towards the door, led by his mother.The count followed her with his eyes.
"Let us see if she shuts the door after him," he muttered.
Madame de Villefort closed the door carefully after the child, the count appearing not to notice her; then casting a scrutinizing glance around the chamber, the young wife returned to her chair, in which she seated herself."Allow me to observe, madame," said the count, with that kind tone he could assume so well, "you are really very severe with that dear clever child.""Oh, sometimes severity is quite necessary," replied Madame de Villefort, with all a mother's real firmness.
