food during that time, will bring them back to their former fine condition, which means, I suppose, the same headstrong fury as they evinced yesterday.
"Adieu! I cannot return you many thanks for the drive of yesterday; but, after all, I ought not to blame you for the misconduct of your horses, more especially as it procured me the pleasure of an introduction to the Count of Monte-Cristo, and certainly that illustrious stranger, apart from the millions he is said to dispose of, seemed to me one of those curiously interesting problems I, for one, delight in solving at any risk or danger. Nay, so bent am I on following up my acquaintance with this remarkable personage, that if all other means fail, I really believe I shall have to borrow your horses again, and make another excursion to the Bois de Boulogne.
"My sweet Edward supported the accident with admirable courage he fainted but did not utter a single cry before, nor shed a tear after. You will consider these praises the result of blind maternal affection, but that delicate, fragile form contains a soul of iron. Valentine sends many affectionate remembrances to your dear Eugenie and with best love to her and yourself, I remain,
"Ever yours truly,
"P. S.—Do pray contrive some means for my meeting the Count of Monte-Cristo at your house. I must and will see him again. I have just made M. de Villefort promise to call on him, and I hope his visit will be returned."
Nothing was talked of throughout the evening but the adventure at Auteuil. Albert related it to his mother, Chateau-Benaud recounted it at the Jockey Club, and Debray detailed it at length in the salons of the minister; even Beauchamp accorded to it twenty lines in his journal, thereby placing him as a hero before all the fair members of the aristocracy of France.
Vast was the crowd of visitors and inquiring friends who left their names at the hotel of Madame de Villefort, with the design of renewing their visit at the right moment, of hearing from her lips all the interesting circumstances of this most romantic adventure.
As Heloise had stated, M. de Villefort donned his best black suit, drew on a pair of new white kid gloves, ordered the servants to attend the carriage dressed in their full livery, and forthwith drove to the hotel of the count, situated, as the reader is already informed, in the Avenue des Champs Elysees.
