"Oh, this time, doctor, you shall not have to reproach me with weakness. This time I will know the assassin, and will pursue him."
"Let us try first to save the victim before we think of revenging her," said d'Avrigny. "Come." The same cabriolet which had brought Villefort took them back at full speed, and at this moment Morrel rapped at Monte Cristo's door. The count was in his study and was reading with an angry look something which Bertuccio had brought in haste. Hearing the name of Morrel, who had left him only two hours before, the count raised his head, arose, and sprang to meet him. "What is the matter, Maximilian?" asked he; "you are pale, and the perspiration rolls from your forehead." Morrel fell into a chair. "Yes," said he, "I came quickly; I wanted to speak to you."
"Are all your family well?" asked the count, with an affectionate benevolence, whose sincerity no one could for a moment doubt.
"Thank you, count--thank you," said the young man, evidently embarrassed how to begin the conversation; "yes, every one in my family is well."
"So much the better; yet you have something to tell me?" replied the count with increased anxiety.
"Yes," said Morrel, "it is true; I have but now left a house where death has just entered, to run to you."
"Are you then come from M. de Morcerf's?" asked Monte Cristo.
"No," said Morrel; "is some one dead in his house?"
"The general has just blown his brains out," replied Monte Cristo with great coolness.
"Oh, what a dreadful event!" cried Maximilian.
"Not for the countess, or for Albert," said Monte Cristo; "a dead father or husband is better than a dishonored one,--blood washes out shame."
"Poor countess," said Maximilian, "I pity her very much; she is so noble a woman!"
"Pity Albert also, Maximilian; for believe me he is the worthy son of the countess. But let us return to yourself. You have hastened to me--can I have the happiness of being useful to you?"
"Yes, I need your help: that is I thought like a madman that you could lend me your assistance in a case where God alone can succor me."
"Tell me what it is," replied Monte Cristo.
"Oh," said Morrel, "I know not, indeed, if I may reveal this secret to mortal ears, but fatality impels me, necessity constrains me, count"--Morrel hesitated. "Do you think I love you?" said Monte Cristo, taking the young man's hand affectionately in his.
"Oh, you encourage me, and something tells me there," placing his hand on his heart, "that I ought to have no secret from you."