"Captain," he said, "I owe you an ample apology for my haughty and imperious treatment when you stated to me the object of your mission to Rome. I tender it at this moment and venture to hope that you will accept it even though it comes at the eleventh hour!"
"Count," replied Maximilian, "I should be worse than a boor did I not accept it. Here is my hand in token of my renewed friendship and esteem."
Old Massetti took the Captain's proffered hand and pressed it warmly.
"You fully sustain the reputation of the great nation to which you belong," said he, with the utmost cordiality, "--you are as noble as you are generous!"
"Count," answered M. Morrel, bowing profoundly, "you flatter me! Say rather that I am a French soldier and as such never shrink from my duty no matter in what shape it may come!"
"As you please, Captain," returned the aged nobleman, with an agreeable smile. "To my apology I must, however, add my gratitude for all you have done to aid Giovanni and in the expression of that gratitude I must include Mme. Morrel, of whose heroic exploit in the Colosseum and subsequent devotion to my son in his hour of mental darkness I have heard."
Maximilian again bowed profoundly.
Advancing to the Count of Monte-Cristo the elder Massetti said: "Now, your Excellency, it is your turn. Your name and deeds have long been familiar to me, but to whom are they not familiar! Still, though you have frequently honored Rome with your illustrious presence, never have I had the pleasure of meeting you until this happy day when I, too, am included in the long list of those who have received overwhelming benefits at your hands. Edmond Dantès, Count of Monte-Cristo, I owe to you my son's restoration to sanity brought about by little less than a miracle, a blessing almost as great as his rehabilitation, for which also I am on the endless roll of your debtors."
Monte-Cristo bowed, but made no reply.
"My debt, vast as it is," continued old Massetti, "is I learn to be yet further augmented by an alliance between our two houses, and I need not tell you that this increase of my obligations will be a burden of joy that I shall accept with thanks to Heaven for the signal favor shown me!"
Monte-Cristo repeated his bow and said: "You ratify the compact between our two children then, Count Massetti?"
"With more delight than I can express!" replied the latter, enthusiastically. "May I ask another favor of your Excellency?" he added, suddenly.
"Certainly," said Monte-Cristo, somewhat astonished and casting a look of inquiry at his venerable host.