blush
that belied his words. "I was in Italy on a little pleasure trip and
naturally drifted to the Eternal City. I learned only this morning that
you were installed at the Palazzo Costi and instantly hastened to pay my
respects."

When their cordial greetings were over and they were seated side by side
upon a commodious sofa luxuriously upholstered in crimson silk, the
Count said, abruptly:

"Captain, did you ever hear of a French opera singer named Louise d'
Armilly?"

Again the young man colored deeply, a circumstance that did not escape
the close observation of his companion, who instantly divined that the
famous prima donna counted for more in the reasons that had brought the
Captain to Rome than that gallant warrior was willing to admit.

"Yes," stammered Joliette, "I have heard of her, and report says she is
a remarkably charming lady as well as a great artiste."

"Your tone is enthusiastic, my dear Captain," returned Monte-Cristo,
smiling pleasantly. "Perhaps you are acquainted with Mlle. d' Armilly."

"Well, to confess, Count," said Joliette, with a laugh, "I am acquainted
with her, and, curiously enough, part of my mission here to-day was to
ask you to occupy a box at the performance of 'Lucrezia Borgia' this
evening. Will you accept?"

"With genuine delight," was Monte-Cristo's ready answer. "I desire to
see this mysterious prima donna for more than one reason. In the first
place, her name is dimly familiar to me, though I cannot remember where
I ever heard it, and, in the second place, she flatly refused a visit
from me no later than this morning."

Joliette looked greatly surprised.

"Refused a visit from you, Count! I would not believe it did I not hear
it from your own lips. Mlle. d' Armilly must be mad! She surely cannot
know what an honor it is to receive a visit from the Count of
Monte-Cristo!"

The Count smiled in his peculiar way, and handed the Captain Mlle. d'
Armilly's singular reply to his note. The young man glanced at it in
amazement, reading it again and again; finally he stammered out:

"It is her handwriting, but what can she mean?"

"That is exactly what I would like to know, and I see by your manner and
words that you are powerless to enlighten me. Still, you can tell me who
this Mlle. d' Armilly is, and that will in all probability furnish me
with the key to her rather shabby treatment of me."

"My dear Count, I am acquainted with the young lady, it is true, but,
like you