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Scarcely had the count's horses cleared the angle of the boulevard, than Albert, turning towards the count, burst into a loud fit of laughter-- rather forced and unnatural "Well," said he, "I will ask you the same question which Charles IX put to Catherine de Medicis, after the massacre of Saint Bartholomew, 'How have I played my little part?'"

"To what do you allude?" asked Monte Cristo

"To the installation of lars'"

"What rival?"

"Ma foi, what rival? Why, your protege, M Andrea Cavalcanti!"

"Ah, no joking, viscount, if you please; I do not patronize M Andrea--at least, not as concerns M Danglars"

"And you would be to bla man really needed your help in that quarter, but, happily for me, he can dispense with it"

"What, do you think he is paying his addresses?"

"I a looks and lars fully proclaienie"

"What does that signify, so long as they favor your suit?"

"But it is not the case, my dear count: on the contrary I am repulsed on all sides"

"What!"