Albert had proceeded no farther than the door, where he remained rooted to the spot, being completely fascinated by the sight of such surpassing beauty, beheld as it was for the first time, and of which an inhabitant of more northern climes could form no adequate idea.
"Whom do you bring?" asked the young girl in Romaic, of Monte Cristo; "is it a friend, a brother, a simple acquaintance, or an enemy.""A friend," said Monte Cristo in the same language.
"What is his name?"
"Count Albert; it is the same man whom I rescued from the hands of the banditti at Rome.""In what language would you like me to converse with him?"Monte Cristo turned to Albert."Do you know modern Greek,"asked he.
"Alas, no," said Albert; "nor even ancient Greek, my dear count; never had Homer or Plato a more unworthy scholar than myself.""Then," said Haidee, proving by her remark that she had quite understood Monte Cristo's question and Albert's answer, "then I will speak either in French or Italian, if my lord so wills it."Monte Cristo reflected one instant."You will speak in Italian," said he.Then, turning towards Albert, -- "It is a pity you do not understand either ancient or modern Greek, both of which Haidee speaks so fluently; the poor child will be obliged to talk to you in Italian, which will give you but a very false idea of her powers of conversation." The count made a sign to Haidee to address his visitor."Sir,"she said to Morcerf, "you are most welcome as the friend of my lord and master." This was said in excellent Tuscan, and with that soft Roman accent which makes the language of Dante as sonorous as that of Homer.Then, turning to Ali, she directed him to bring coffee and pipes, and when he had left the room to execute the orders of his young mistress she beckoned Albert to approach nearer to her.Monte Cristo and Morcerf drew their seats towards a small table, on which were arranged music, drawings, and vases of flowers.Ali then entered bringing coffee and chibouques; as to M.
Baptistin, this portion of the building was interdicted to him.Albert refused the pipe which the Nubian offered him.
"Oh, take it -- take it," said the count; "Haidee is almost as civilized as a Parisian; the smell of an Havana is disagreeable to her, but the tobacco of the East is a most delicious perfume, you know."Ali left the room.The cups of coffee were all prepared, with the addition of sugar, which had been brought for Albert.Monte Cristo and Haidee took the beverage in the original Arabian manner, that is to say, without sugar.
Haidee took the porcelain cup in her little slender fingers and conveyed it to her mouth with all the innocent artlessness of a child when eating or drinking something which it likes.At this moment two women entered, bringing salvers filled with ices and sherbet, which they placed on two small tables appropriated to that purpose."My dear host, and you, signora," said Albert, in Italian, "excuse my apparent stupidity.I am quite bewildered, and it is natural that it should be so.Here I am in the heart of Paris; but a moment ago I heard the rumbling of the omnibuses and the tinkling of the bells of the lemonade-sellers, and now Ifeel as if I were suddenly transported to the East; not such as I have seen it, but such as my dreams have painted it.
Oh, signora, if I could but speak Greek, your conversation, added to the fairy-scene which surrounds me, would furnish an evening of such delight as it would be impossible for me ever to forget.""I speak sufficient Italian to enable me to converse with you, sir," said Haidee quietly; "and if you like what is Eastern, I will do my best to secure the gratification of your tastes while you are here.""On what subject shall I converse with her?" said Albert, in a low tone to Monte Cristo.
"Just what you please; you may speak of her country and of her youthful reminiscences, or if you like it better you can talk of Rome, Naples, or Florence.""Oh," said Albert, "it is of no use to be in the company of a Greek if one converses just in the same style as with a Parisian; let me speak to her of the East.""Do so then, for of all themes which you could choose that will be the most agreeable to her taste." Albert turned towards Haidee."At what age did you leave Greece, signora?"asked he.
"I left it when I was but five years old," replied Haidee.
"And have you any recollection of your country?""When I shut my eyes and think, I seem to see it all again.
The mind can see as well as the body.The body forgets sometimes -- but the mind never forgets.""And how far back into the past do your recollections extend?""I could scarcely walk when my mother, who was called Vasiliki, which means royal," said the young girl, tossing her head proudly, "took me by the hand, and after putting in our purse all the money we possessed, we went out, both covered with veils, to solicit alms for the prisoners, saying, `He who giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord.'
Then when our purse was full we returned to the palace, and without saying a word to my father, we sent it to the convent, where it was divided amongst the prisoners.""And how old were you at that time?"
"I was three years old," said Haidee.
"Then you remember everything that went on about you from the time when you were three years old?" said Albert.
"Everything."
"Count," said Albert, in a low tone to Monte Cristo, "do allow the signora to tell me something of her history.You prohibited my mentioning my father's name to her, but perhaps she will allude to him of her own accord in the course of the recital, and you have no idea how delighted Ishould be to hear our name pronounced by such beautiful lips." Monte Cristo turned to Haidee, and with an expression of countenance which commanded her to pay the most implicit attention to his words, he said in Greek, -- "Tell us the fate of your father; but neither the name of the traitor nor the treason." Haidee sighed deeply, and a shade of sadness clouded her beautiful brow.
"What are you saying to her?" said Morcerf in an undertone.