DANG. Yes, he

MOREL. (X'ing to R.) Ah! he is approaching!
DANG. (to CADEROUSSE) Come, I say, come!
CADE. Two bottles of wine, I think you said?
DANG. Yes, yes, everything.

CADE. With a distinct understanding, of course, that you pay! (they go off L.)

Enter EDMOND DantÉs, R.

EDMOND. (bowing) Monsieur Morel! this honour

MOREL. I have a few words to say to you, Edmond. (aside) Now to question him on that of which I have been told by Danglars. (aloud) Why, Edmond, on your voyage home, did you lose a day and a half by touching at the island of Elba ?

EDMOND. It was to accomplish a last wish of poor Captain Leclerc who, when dying, placed in my hands, a packet to be delivered to the Grand Marshal

MOREL. Indeed! tell me then, how is the Emperor? EDMOND. As well as I could judge by my own eyes, in perfect health.

MOREL. You saw the Emperor! I envy you that happiness, Edmond! But, be silent, for it might compromise you, were it known that you had spoken with the Emperor! EDMOND. Impossible, monsieur! I knew not of what I was the bearer and most common place were the questions which the emperor put to me!

MOREL. But, Edmond, did not Captain Leclerc when dying entrust you with a letter for me?

EDMOND. He had not strength to write, sir. But that reminds me that I have to ask you for a week's leave of absence.

MOREL. In order that you may be married?

EDMOND. Yes, Monsieur, but, first, I must go to Paris. MOREL. You shall have the time you wish for, and more if you require it, for it will be at least two months before "The Pharoah" has taken in all her cargo and is again ready for sea.

EDMOND. I thank you, sir.

MOREL. Were you satisfied with Danglars during the last voyage?

EDMOND. If you mean, did I like him as a messmate, I answer, no! For I believe that he has cherished rancour against me since the day that, in consequence of a slight quarrel we had had together, I was foolish enough to

propose to him that we should land for about ten minutes on the island of Monte Cristo. If 'tis in his quality of supercargo that you ask my opinion, I think there is nothing with which he may be reproached, and that you will have reason to be satisfied with the manner in which he has conducted your business.

MOREL. But, tell me candidly, Edmond, were you captain of "The Pharoah," would you be pleased to retain the services of Danglars ?

EDMOND. Captain or mate, Monsieur Morel, I shall always respect those who possess the confidence of my employers.

MOREL. You are a worthy fellow, Edmond Dantés-trust to my influence with my partner, and rely upon it that, ere many days, you will be captain of "The Pharoah!"

EDMOND. It is a promotion I had not hoped to attain for several years to come, and I thank you, sir, with all my heart, not only for myself, but in my father's name, and in that too of Mercedés ! (Music. Exeunt L.

SCENE SECOND.—Interior of Mercedés' House. (1st grooves.)

Enter MERCEDES, followed by FERNAND, R.

FERNAND. Mercedés, your mother approved my love for you, and you reject it, for the hundredth time reject it and destroy the hope which was the only purpose of my life.

MERC. You will own that I have never encouraged that hope-I love you as a brother-do not ask from me more than that fraternal friendship, for my heart is given to another. Have I not always told you that 'twas so?

FERNAND. You are poor, Mercedés, possessing only for shelter this hut, almost in ruins, bequeathed to you by your mother-it is with difficulty that you support existence, and you fear to join your poverty with mine-but Mercedés, loved by you, I would tempt fortune, you would bring me happiness, and I should become rich; I would quit the trade of a fisherman, have education sufficient for a counting-house, would in time, become a merchant!

MERC. No, you will be a soldier, you have been drawn in the conscription, and any moment may be called hence -only by permission do you enjoy your present liberty, and because there is no war. Indulge not, then, in dreams which would but make the reality more terrible.

FERNAND. Mercedés, he whom you expect, is perhaps in

constant.

MERC. Ah! I know that Edmond Dantés will be ever true to me, and while I have life shall love him!

FERNAND. Yet, he may be dead

MERC. Then I will too die

FERNAND. Or, it may be, has forgotten you
EDMOND. (without L.) Mercedés! Mercedés!

MERC. (crosses to L.) Ah! behold your answer—it is heEdmond Edmond! (music.)

EDMOND. (hurries on L.-they embrace) My heart's adored! FERNAND. (R. aside) Oh! demons! it is he!

EDMOND. (L. C.) Ah! pardon me, I did not observe that you were not alone-who is this gentleman ?

MERC. (c.) Fernand Mondego, the son of my mother's brother. You must be friends, Edmond; for after you, it is he whom I love best in the world-do you not recollect him?

EDMOND. Yes, yes. (crosses to c.) Your hand, brother of Mercedés! (FERNAND shrinks from him.)

MERC. (L. C.) Fernand!

EDMOND. Have I then so hurried hither to find an enemy? MERC. (x's to c.) An enemy! if I thought that, and that harm would come to you, Edmond, I would cast myself head foremost from the neighbouring rocks! But you are mistaken, Edmond-you have no enemy here! a devoted friend only; who now tenders you his hand. (FERNAND, as if fascinated by MERCEDES's look extends his hand for a moment, then withdraws it.)

FERNAND. (shuddering) No, no-I cannot-I cannot! (Music. Rushes off, L. EDMOND. Mercedés, Mercedés, misfortune will come to us from that man!

MERC. No, no-no ill can happen to us now that you have returned in safety-let me gaze upon you. Ah! how well your sailor's dress becomes you-so would any uniform, even that of an admiral. Oh! you know not, Edmond, how greatly I have suffered-when the tempest roared, and the furious sea was broken 'gainst the rocks. Oh, tell me, Edmond, at such times, did you think of poor Mercedés?

EDMOND. In calm or storm there has not been a moment in which I have not thought of you, and I have great news for you, darling Mercedés-I shall soon be captain of The Phareah."

66

MERC. Is't possible? what happiness!

Enter MONSIEUR MOREL, L.

EDMOND. Monsieur Morel !

MOREL. Yes; I have been saying to myself this silly couple would like to be married immediately.

EDMOND. Oh, yes, yes.

MOREL. Unfortunately that is impossible-for there are certain formalties and delays-but, at all events, we can affiance you.

EDMOND. Certainly, eh, Mercedés ?—and when, sir ?
MOREL. To-day.

EDMOND. and MERC.

}

Ah!

MOREL. And I have ordered the dinner, at the "Reserve," you know, hard by.

EDMOND. How shall I thank you for the interest you display ?

MOREL. You have helped to make me rich-and I wish to contribute towards your happiness.

EDMOND. Mercedés, I shall go mad with joy!

MOREL. No, no, you must not-for maniacs are not allowed to marry-though I have heard some people say that all are maniacs who do! (Music. Exeunt L.

SCENE THIRD.-The Reserve Tavern, L.-garden_and sea view beyond. DANGLARS and CADEROUSSE seated and drinking at table, L.-FERNAND at table, R.—music.

CADE. (L. of table, drunk) Look at him, Danglars, as I am a christian I am sorry for him. Fernand is a brave Catalan, no better fisherman in all Marseilles, and Mercedés is a beautiful girl-but she won't love Fernand, because she is going to marry Edmond Dantés. I hope I express myself clearly.

FERNAND. Mercedés is free-can love and marry whom she chooses.

DANG. Well, then, let us drink the health of Captain Edmond Dantés, the husband of the beautiful Catalan. (FERNAND writhes) They will presently be affianced-here you will remain, of course, and share in their festivity!

CADE. I will-festivity means bottles of wine—and when wine is afloat I can take my share-and everybody else's share if that's all!

B

FERNAND. (aside) Affianced, to-day-oh, curses! DANG. For, you see, he is going to Paris to-morrow. CADE. Tell him to ask the king if he wants a good tailor! DANG. (aside) Yes, to Paris-to deliver at its address the letter with which the grand marshal has entrusted him— that must be his errand, and that letter gives me an idea. Ah! my friend, Dantés, you are not yet Captain of The Pharoah!

CADE. Love is very good, I dare say; I never tried it myself, though I am a married man.

DANG. (to FERNAND) This approaching marriage will not be agreeable to everybody.

FERNAND. (aside) He will drive me mad!
DANG. You love Mercedés ?

FERNAND. I adore her!

DANG. And you sit there tearing your hair out instead of seeking for a remedy-the devil! I thought the people of your nation were of a different stamp!

ČADE. Excuse me-allow me

DANG. No, you are drunk.

CADE. I know it, and I am proud of it. (singing) “ Wine, mighty wine!"

DANG. (rising-to FERNAND) It seems to me that Dantés need not die, and yet not marry the woman that you love. CADE. Die, my friend Edmond Dantés-he is a good fellow, and I won't allow him to die-your good health, Edmond. (singing) "Wine, mighty wine!

DANG. Absence sunders as well as death, and let us suppose that there were between Edmond and Mercedés the walls of a prison, a tombstone would not more completely sever them.

CADE. I won't allow you to put my friend Edmond in prison. What has he done? he hasn't robbed you; and he hasn't murdered you, and he oughtn't to be imprisoned for that, if he had!

DANG. Silence!

CADE. I shan't-Edmond Dantés is my friend-your good health, Edmond Dantés.

FERNAND. (rising) But if-if-where are the means for the arrest of Dantés ?

DANG. If we sought well we should find them-but why do I meddle in the matter, it is no business of mine.

FERNAND. Yes, you have some private motive for hatred against Dantés; he who himself hates cannot be deceived. in the sentiment of others!