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Morrel went also to the notary, who confir Then he went to call on Monte Cristo and heard still more Franz had been to announce the cere the count to excuse her not inviting hierous illness of his ould cast a glooret should be shared by the count whom she wished every happiness The day before Franz had been presented to Madame de Saint-Meran, who had left her bed to receive hied to return to it iitation would not escape the count's penetrating eye Monte Cristo was more affectionate than ever,--indeed, his manner was so kind that several ti him all But he recalled the promise he hadman read Valentine's letter twenty times in the course of the day It was her first, and on what an occasion! Each tireat is the power of a woeous a resolution! What devotion does she deserve froht she really to be supremely loved! She becomes at once a queen and a wife, and it is ied intensely for the moment when he should hear Valentine say, "Here I a for her escape; two ladders were hidden in the clover-field; a cabriolet was ordered for Maxihts; at the turning of the first street they would light the lamps, as it would be foolish to attract the notice of the police by too ht of the moment when, from the top of that wall, he should protect the descent of his dear Valentine, pressing in his arms for the first time her of whom he had yet only kissed the delicate hand

When the afternoon arrived and he felt that the hour was drawing near, he wished for solitude, his agitation was extreme; a simple question from a friend would have irritated him He shut hilanced over the page without understanding a word, and he threay the book, and for the second time sat down to sketch his plan, the ladders and the fence At length the hour drew near Never did a o on peacefully Morrel torht at half-past six He then said, "It is tinature was indeed fixed to take place at nine o'clock, but perhaps Valentine will not wait for that" Consequently, Morrel, having left the Rue Meslay at half-past eight by his timepiece, entered the clover-field while the clock of Saint-Phillippe du Roule was striking eight The horse and cabriolet were concealed behind a small ruin, where Morrel had often waited