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"Indeed, I should think not," replied Monte Cristo; "dorhbors for us who do not eat them preserved, as the Roardener--"ate dormice?"

"I have read so in Petronius," said the count

"Really? They can't be nice, though they do say 'as fat as a dor all day, and only waking to eat all night Listen Last year I had four apricots--they stole one, I had one nectarine, only one--well, sir, they ate half of it on the wall; a splendid nectarine--I never ate a better"

"You ate it?"

"That is to say, the half that was left--you understand; it was exquisite, sir Ah, those gentlemen never choose the worst morsels; like Mere Simon's son, who has not chosen the worst strawberries But this year," continued the horticulturist, "I'll take care it shall not happen, even if I should be forced to sit by the whole night to watch when the strawberries are ripe" Monte Cristo had seen enough Everypassion in his heart, as every fruit has its worathering the grape-leaves which screened the sun froardener "Did you coraph?" he said

"Yes, if it isn't contrary to the rules"

"Oh, no," said the gardener; "not in the least, since there is no danger that anyone can possibly understand e are saying"

"I have been told," said the count, "that you do not always yourselves understand the signals you repeat"

"That is true, sir, and that is what I like best," said the

"Why do you like that best?"

"Because then I have no responsibility I a as I work, nothing more is required of me"

"Is it possible," said Monte Cristo to himself, "that I can have met with a man that has no aardener, glancing at the sun-dial, "the ten o up with me?"

"I follow you" Monte Cristo entered the tohich was divided into three stories The tower contained iainst the wall; this was all the furniture The second was the -place; it contained a few poor articles of household furniture--a bed, a table, two chairs, a stone pitcher--and sonized as sweet pease, and of which the goodthe seeds; he had labelled them with as much care as if he had been master botanist in the Jardin des Plantes