escapes.)
EMMANUEL
I need to put on a coat.
(He leaves quickly.)
MAXIMILIAN
Ah, good, good, ah—Count, so your millions have their effect.
(going to the door)
This way, Count, this way.
(Monte Cristo enters.)
MONTE CRISTO
Well, sir, am I a man of my word? I said that I would arrive before you did.
MAXIMILIAN
Ah, Count, I’ve been here ten minutes already.
MONTE CRISTO
As for me, I got here several days ago and these several days have been well employed, I swear to you. But they told me you were with your sister and brother-in-law.
MAXIMILIAN
Yes, only at the announcement of your arrival, they escaped but, be easy, they will soon reappear, and in outfits more worthy of you.
MONTE CRISTO
Ah, my dear friend, I see with regret that I have caused a revolution in your family.
MAXIMILIAN
Oh, a peaceful revolution! They were both gardening when I arrived and dressed for it. Emmanuel is changing his vest for a suit coat, and Julie her slip for a dress.
MONTE CRISTO
You have a happy family, don’t you?
MAXIMILIAN
Oh! Yes, I can answer for that! They are young, they are gay, and they love each other, and with an income of twenty-five thousand francs, which they consider an immense fortune, they feel they possess the riches of Croesus. They are happy.
MONTE CRISTO
And you, Maximilian—aren’t you happy?
MAXIMILIAN
Oh! Me!
(sighing again)
It’s different.
MONTE CRISTO
Why do you sigh? Why are you silent? You distrust me? Maximilian, don’t you like me?
MAXIMILIAN
Me? Wait, what I am going to say to you is strange, Count, for between men, people don’t exchange this kind of confidence. Do I like you? From the moment I saw you, I felt a strange sympathy. I look at you, I try ineffectively to meet you again. Well, although my reason may tell me I never saw you before our meeting on the island of Monte Cristo, it seems to me that we met before; where? I don’t know. Suppose the two souls of Euryal and Nisus found themselves in the generations which followed them—well, my soul near you, would feel something like their souls would have felt.
MONTE CRISTO
Good, Maximilian, it is an act of providence, my friend.
MAXIMILIAN
Also, I’ve wanted to confide in you, Count.
MONTE CRISTO
About what?
MAXIMILIAN
One day when we are quite alone—
MONTE CRISTO
About love?
MAXIMILIAN
Yes.
MONTE CRISTO
Oh, my dear Maximilian, take care! When men like you love, they love with all their being, they love with their heart, they love with their soul, their entire being—their whole future is in their love. Do you think you are loved in return, Maximilian?
MAXIMILIAN
Oh, with a love equal to mine, I am sure.
MONTE CRISTO
Well, then, what’s there to ask of me? Ask God for this love to last, and so that it will last, disdain men, disdain the world—live for your love and in your love.
MAXIMILIAN
Oh! None of our sorrows come from each other. It’s her relatives who wish to marry her to someone else.
MONTE CRISTO
And you are counting on me to combat this opposition?
MAXIMILIAN
Yes.
MONTE CRISTO
Do I know them?
MAXIMILIAN
Perhaps. Eh, you know everyone don’t you—?
MONTE CRISTO
With the result that you want?
MAXIMILIAN
Listen, I know what fairy watched over your birth, my dear Count; but she gave you the power of persuasion. Yes, if I am alone, the relatives of the one I love will make great difficulties about giving her to me. If, on the contrary, the Count of Monte Cristo consents to act as my sponsor I am convinced that all difficulties will vanish before him.
MONTE CRISTO
Listen, Morel, I already told you and I repeat to you, I love you like a son, more than a son. You are right, I can accomplish much when I choose. Well, I choose for you to be happy, and so that you will be happy, I will give not only my fortune, but my blood.
MAXIMILIAN
Ah, Count!
MONTE CRISTO
You know I’m not prodigal with such demonstrations. Come find me at my house in Paris when you wish, #30 Champs Elysees, side by side with the house of Madame de Villefort!
MAXIMILIAN
Door to door, with Madame de Villefort?
MONTE CRISTO
You know her?
MAXIMILIAN
Oh!
MONTE CRISTO
Come when you like. We will lunch together and discuss it further, and you will dispose of your friend in any way you choose.
