"In that case," resumed the aged nobleman, "I would like to welcome your daughter immediately to the Palazzo Massetti!"
"She shall be sent for without an instant's delay," answered Monte-Cristo. "Giovanni, return in the barouche to the Hôtel de France and bring Zuleika to your father!"
The young man joyously obeyed and in a very short space of time Monte-Cristo's daughter came timidly and blushingly into the presence of the Count Massetti, leaning upon the arm of her betrothed, whose countenance fairly shone with happiness. The youthful pair were accompanied by Mme. Morrel.
When the presentations had been made, the venerable Patrician stood for a moment contemplating his future daughter-in-law.
"So this is Zuleika!" he said at length. "She is a beautiful and charming girl, and I do not doubt that the attractions of her mind are fully equal to those of her person! My child," he continued, addressing Monte-Cristo's daughter, "I welcome you to my home and to my heart! Make Giovanni as happy as I know he will make you! Now, my children, accept a father's blessing!"
The young couple knelt at the old man's feet and he extended his hands above their heads. When they arose he took Zuleika in his arms and tenderly kissed her.
In the general joy Valentine was not forgotten, the aged Count renewing to her the expression of his gratitude he had previously made to her husband in her behalf.
It was ultimately arranged that the marriage contract should be signed within a week, and this formality was complied with in the presence of many of the young Viscount's relatives, of Monte-Cristo, Mercédès, M. and Mme. Albert de Morcerf, Espérance and M. and Mme. Morrel, Mercédès and the Morcerfs having come post-haste to Rome to take part in the auspicious event. Monte-Cristo gave his daughter the dowry of a Princess and his liberality was fully matched by that of the Count Massetti who settled upon Giovanni a fortune equal to that of some oriental potentate.
The marriage took place in Rome and was a grand affair, the wedding festivities lasting all day and far into the night. The happy occasion had the character of a public rejoicing, for the populace grateful to the Count of Monte-Cristo and Maximilian Morrel for the suppression of Luigi Vampa and his dangerous outlaws, who for years had been the terror of rich and poor alike, paraded the streets in vast bodies in honor of Zuleika's nuptials with the man whom the notorious brigand chief had so nearly succeeded in overwhelming with irretrievable ruin and disgrace.
From a very early hour in the morning the Palazzo Massetti was surrounded by cheering and enthusiastic throngs, and by eight o'clock the vast gardens of the Massettis' were thrown open freely to all who chose to enter. The preparations there were on a gigantic and princely scale. Huge tables had been placed in various broad alleys and literally groaned beneath the weight of the abundant and inviting refreshments, while vast casks of excellent wines were on tap. An army of servants waited upon the people, liberally supplying them with the appetizing edibles and the exhilarating product of the vintage. The Papal and French flags were everywhere displayed in company, and the beauty of the decorations of the gardens was such as to excite universal wonder and admiration. The health of the Viscount Massetti and his charming bride was drunk thousands of times amid acclamations of delight, but throughout the whole colossal assemblage perfect order was preserved, the military police on duty finding their occupation a sinecure.