Believe me

　　She thanked them both with a smile. "No," returned she, "butI feel some emotion on seeing, for the first time, the manwithout whose intervention we should have been in tears anddesolation. Monsieur," continued the countess, advancingwith the majesty of a queen, "I owe to you the life of myson, and for this I bless you. Now, I thank you for thepleasure you give me in thus affording me the opportunity ofthanking you as I have blessed you, from the bottom of myheart." The count bowed again, but lower than before; He waseven paler than Mercedes. "Madame," said he, "the count andyourself recompense too generously a simple action. To savea man, to spare a father's feelings, or a mother'ssensibility, is not to do a good action, but a simple deedof humanity." At these words, uttered with the mostexquisite sweetness and politeness, Madame de Morcerfreplied. "It is very fortunate for my son, monsieur, that hefound such a friend, and I thank God that things are thus."And Mercedes raised her fine eyes to heaven with so ferventan expression of gratitude, that the count fancied he sawtears in them. M. de Morcerf approached her. "Madame," saidhe. "I have already made my excuses to the count forquitting him, and I pray you to do so also. The sittingcommences at two; it is now three, and I am to speak."

　　"Go, then, and monsieur and I will strive our best to forgetyour absence," replied the countess, with the same tone ofdeep feeling. "Monsieur," continued she, turning to MonteCristo, "will you do us the honor of passing the rest of theday with us?"

　　"Believe me, madame, I feel most grateful for your kindness,but I got out of my travelling carriage at your door thismorning, and I am ignorant how I am installed in Paris,which I scarcely know; this is but a trifling inquietude, Iknow, but one that may be appreciated."

　　"We shall have the pleasure another time," said thecountess; "you promise that?" Monte Cristo inclined himselfwithout answering, but the gesture might pass for assent. "Iwill not detain you, monsieur," continued the countess; "Iwould not have our gratitude become indiscreet orimportunate."

　　"My dear Count," said Albert, "I will endeavor to returnyour politeness at Rome, and place my coupe at your disposaluntil your own be ready."

　　"A thousand thanks for your kindness, viscount," returnedthe Count of Monte Cristo "but I suppose that M. Bertucciohas suitably employed the four hours and a half I have givenhim, and that I shall find a carriage of some sort ready atthe door." Albert was used to the count's manner ofproceeding; he knew that, like Nero, he was in search of theimpossible, and nothing astonished him, but wishing to judgewith his own eyes how far the count's orders had beenexecuted, he accompanied him to the door of the house. MonteCristo was not deceived. As soon as he appeared in the Countof Morcerf's ante-chamber, a footman, the same who at Romehad brought the count's card to the two young men, andannounced his visit, sprang into the vestibule, and when hearrived at the door the illustrious traveller found hiscarriage awaiting him. It was a coupe of Koller's building,and with horses and harness for which Drake had, to theknowledge of all the lions of Paris, refused on the previousday seven hundred guineas. "Monsieur," said the count toAlbert, "I do not ask you to accompany me to my house, as Ican only show you a habitation fitted up in a hurry, and Ihave, as you know, a reputation to keep up as regards notbeing taken by surprise. Give me, therefore, one more daybefore I invite you; I shall then be certain not to fail inmy hospitality."