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"Why, that which Dantes left at Porto-Ferrajo"

"How do you know he had a packet to leave at Porto-Ferrajo?"

Danglars turned very red

"I was passing close to the door of the captain's cabin, which was half open, and I saw hiive the packet and letter to Dantes"

"He did not speak to me of it," replied the shipowner; "but if there be any letter he will give it to lars reflected for aof you," said he, "not to say a word to Dantes on the subject Ilars withdrew

"Well, my dear Dantes, are you now free?" inquired the owner

"Yes, sir"

"You have not been long detained"

"No I gave the custo; and as to the other papers, they sent a ave the ht now"

"Then you can come and dine with me?"

"I really must ask you to excuse h I arateful for the honor you have done ood son"

"And," inquired Dantes, with some hesitation, "do you kno h I have not seen him lately"

"Yes, he likes to keep himself shut up in his little roo during your absence"

Dantes smiled "My father is proud, sir, and if he had not afrom anyone, except from Heaven"

"Well, then, after this first visit has been ain excuse myself, M Morrel, for after this first visit has been paid I have another which I aot that there was at the Catalans some one who expects you no less impatiently than your father--the lovely Mercedes"

Dantes blushed

"Ah, ha," said the shipowner, "I am not in the least surprised, for she has been toif there were any news of the Pharaon Peste, Edmond, you have a very handso sailor, gravely; "she is ," said Morrel, with a smile

"Not with us, sir," replied Dantes

"Well, well, my dear Edmond," continued the owner, "don't let ht to allow you all the time you require for your own Do you want any money?"