MERCÉDÈS
My husband was, for three years in the service of Ali Pasha of Janina—he was one of his last followers to remain faithful to him and he proudly admits that our small fortune came to us through the liberality of that great man who remembered him at the moment of his death.
MONTE CRISTO
(bowing to Mercédès side)
As for this one, Madame?
MERCÉDÈS
You are looking at mine—mine when I was young, alas.
MONTE CRISTO
It’s a fantasy costume you were wearing there, if I am not deceived—that of the Catalan Colony in the environs of Marseille.
MERCÉDÈS
Yes—the Count once saw me in this costume, and since our marriage, he wanted this pictures as a souvenir.
MONTE CRISTO
I understand—whoever has seen you in this costume must never forget you.
ALBERT
(entering)
Here I am, mother.
MERCÉDÈS
(falling into an armchair)
It was just in time, I was suffocating.
ALBERT
What! You are leaving us already, my dear Count?
MONTE CRISTO
I gave my reasons for my prompt departure to the Countess—reasons which she kindly appreciated.
ALBERT
Go on then, I won’t keep you longer. I don’t want our gratitude to become an indication of an importunity. But I beg you, let me try to render you in Paris the same hospitality I received from you in Rome. Let me put my coach and my horses at your disposal until you have time to obtain your own equipage.
MONTE CRISTO
A thousand thanks for your kindness Vicomte, but I think that if Mr. Bertuccio my Intendant has been agreeably employed during the five days he preceded me here, I shall find at the door a carriage fully harnessed. Only tell me, am I far from the Rue Mont Blanc?
ALBERT
A hundred paces. Are you going to the Rue Mont Blanc after leaving here?
MONTE CRISTO
Yes, to the home of Mr. Danglars, a banker.
MERCÉDÈS
(excitedly)
You know Mr. Danglars?
MONTE CRISTO
No, Madame, not at all. I know no one. I have letters of credit drawn on him—is he good?
ALBERT
Excellent.
(half voice)
He is my future father-in-law.
MONTE CRISTO
Oh! As that’s the case! My money relations and my relations of friendship won’t leave the family.
ALBERT
Thanks.
MONTE CRISTO
(bowing)
Madame.
ALBERT
(wanting to accompany him)
Allow me, dear Count—
MONTE CRISTO
(stopping him)
Oh—for goodness sake.
(Monte Cristo leaves)
ALBERT
(turning to Mercédès)
Ah! My God—what’s wrong? Do you feel ill?
MERCÉDÈS
In fact, I am a little indisposed. These roses, these tuberoses, these orange flowers, release, during the first hot spell to which they are unaccustomed, very violent perfumes that I’m not used to.
ALBERT
Germain! Germain! Remove these flowers right away.
MERCÉDÈS
What’s this name of Monte Cristo that the Count bears. Is it a family name, or place name or simply a title?
ALBERT
It’s a title, I think, mother, that’s all.
MERCÉDÈS
His manners are excellent, at least so far as I can judge from the short time he spent here.
ALBERT
Perfect, mother.
MERCÉDÈS
You saw, my dear Albert—pardon—it’s a mother’s question I am asking you—you saw Monte Cristo in his home?
ALBERT
Yes.
MERCÉDÈS
You are worldly, full of tact, extraordinary at your age. Tell me, do you think the Count is what he appears?
ALBERT
And what does he appear to be mother?
MERCÉDÈS
You said it yourself, just now—a great lord.
ALBERT
I will admit to you I don’t have a fixed opinion about him. I think he’s Maltese.
MERCÉDÈS
I don’t ask you about his origins—I am asking you about his person.
ALBERT
But you ought to be able to see. Thirty-five or thirty-six, mother.
MERCÉDÈS
(to herself)
Thirty-five or thirty-six—it’s impossible. Did
