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"Who and what are you?" de inforiven to him on his entry, and that, already, in an hour's time, had swelled to volue of which "the accused" is always made the victito Messrs Morrel & Son"

"Your age?" continued Villefort

"Nineteen," returned Dantes

"What were you doing at the moment you were arrested?"

"I was at the festival of htly trereat was the contrast between that happy reat was the contrast between the sombre aspect of M de Villefort and the radiant face of Mercedes

"You were at the festival of yourin spite of hi girl I have been attached to for three years" Villefort, impassive as he as struck with this coincidence; and the tremulous voice of Dantes, surprised in the midst of his happiness, struck a sympathetic chord in his own boso married, and he was summoned from his own happiness to destroy that of another "This philosophic reflection," thought he, "will ed mentally, while Dantes awaited further questions, the antithesis by which orators often create a reputation for eloquence When this speech was arranged, Villefort turned to Dantes

"Go on, sir," said he

"What would you have me say?"

"Give all the information in your power"

"Tell me on which point you desire information, and I will tell all I know; only," added he, with a smile, "I warn you I know very little"

"Have you served under the usurper?"

"I was about to be mustered into the Royal Marines when he fell"

"It is reported your political opinions are extre of the kind, but was not sorry to make this inquiry, as if it were an accusation

"My political opinions!" replied Dantes "Alas, sir, I never had any opinions I a; I have no part to play If I obtain the situation I desire, I shall owe it to M Morrel Thus all my opinions--I will not say public, but private--are confined to these three sentiments,--I love my father, I respect M Morrel, and I adore Mercedes This, sir, is all I can tell you, and you see how uninteresting it is" As Dantes spoke, Villefort gazed at his ingenuous and open countenance, and recollected the words of Renee, ithout knoho the culprit was, had besought his indulgence for hie of cri man uttered convinced him more and more of his innocence This lad, for he was scarcely a man,--simple, natural, eloquent with that eloquence of the heart never found when sought for; full of affection for everybody, because he was happy, and because happiness renders even the wicked good--extended his affection even to his judge, spite of Villefort's severe look and stern accent Dantes seemed full of kindness