Very well, sire, so far as I could judge by my eyes.
MOREL
You saw the Emperor, too?
EDMOND
He came to the home of the Marshal while I was there.
MOREL
And you spoke with him, Dantès?
EDMOND
Say rather he spoke to me, sir.
MOREL
What did he say to you?
EDMOND
He asked me some questions about the ship from the time of its departure from Marseille, the route it took and the cargo it carried. I think that if it had been empty and if I had been the master of this boat, his intention was to buy it, but I told him I was simply second in command and the boat belonged to the Morels of Marseille, “Oh, oh! The Morels,” he said, “I know them. They are owners from father to son, and there was a Morel who served in the same regiment with me while I was in garrison at Valence.”
MOREL
By God, that’s true, Dantès! That Morel—it was my Uncle Policar, who has since become Captain. Edmond, you will tell my Uncle that the Emperor remembered him and you will see him cry, the old grumbler. Come, come, you have done well to follow the instructions of Captain Leclere. But, if it became known you had spoken to the Emperor that could compromise you.
EDMOND
How could it compromise me, sir? I don’t know even what I brought, and the Emperor only questioned me in a way he would anyone. But pardon, here comes the customs officer who’s making everything go helter-skelter, as he usually does. You will excuse me, won’t you?
MOREL
Go ahead, go ahead.
EDMOND
Wait, gentlemen! Wait!
(Edmond goes to the customs officers.)
DANGLARS
(approaching)
Well, Mr. Morel, he gave you good reasons for his stop at Porto Ferraio, it appears?
MOREL
Excellent ones, my dear, Mr. Danglars.
EDMOND
Ah! So much the better! It’s always unfortunate to have a comrade who doesn’t know his duty.
MOREL
Dantès knows his, Danglars, and it was Captain Leclere who ordered this release.
DANGLARS
Apropos of Captain Leclere, didn’t he give you a letter from him?
MOREL
Who? Dantès?
DANGLARS
Yes.
MOREL
For me? No, was there one?
DANGLARS
I thought when he was dying, besides the package, the Captain had given him a letter and I thought the letter was for you.
MOREL
Besides the package.
DANGLARS
The one Dantès took to Porto Ferraio.
MOREL
How did you know he had a package to deliver to Porto Ferraio?
DANGLARS
I was passing before the door of the Captain which was open and I saw him give a package and a letter to Dantès.
MOREL
He didn’t mention it to me, if there was a letter he will give it to me.
DANGLARS
Then Mr. Morel, don’t speak of what I have just mentioned to you before Edmond. I was deceived.
(Edmond returns.)
MOREL
Well, my dear Dantès, are you free?
EDMOND
Yes, sir.
MOREL
The thing didn’t take long!
EDMOND
No, I gave the customs officers the list of our merchandise and they are now making their inspection.
MOREL
Then you have nothing to do here?
EDMOND
No sir, everything is in order.
MOREL
Then you can come to dine with us?
EDMOND
Excuse me, Mr. Morel, for refusing the great honor you are doing me; but my first visit must be, you understand, to my father.
MOREL
You’re perfectly right, Dantès, you’re perfectly right. I know you are a good son.
EDMOND
Do you know if his health has been good?
MOREL
Your father? I believe so, my dear Edmond, although I have not seen him.
EDMOND
Yes, he keeps himself shut up in his little room in the Meilban alley, right?
MOREL
It shows, at least, that he lacked for nothing during your absence.
EDMOND
My father is proud, sir, if he had lacked everything, I doubt he would ask anything of any person in this world, except God.
MOREL
Well, after this visit, can we count on you?
EDMOND
Truly, Mr. Morel, I am ashamed to reply this way to so much politeness but after this first visit, there is a second
