rself, I am in total ignorance so far as her history is
concerned. She is French, that is evident, and she has gone so far as
to admit to me that Louise d' Armilly is only her professional name,
but what her real name is she has more than once positively refused to
disclose to me. She is equally reticent as to the rumors afloat
regarding her. You are, doubtless, aware that she is reputed to be the
daughter of a French banker who mysteriously disappeared. This she
neither denies nor affirms; she merely maintains an obstinate silence
whenever it is mentioned in her presence."

"Your recital interests me greatly, Captain," said Monte-Cristo. "You
are more privileged than myself in that you enjoy the acquaintance of
this eccentric young lady, but she does not seem to repose a greater
degree of confidence in you than in me, for she has told you absolutely
nothing."

"Well," said Joliette, "you will see her to-night, at any rate, despite
her prohibition. She cannot keep you out of the theatre, for the box is
purchased and here are the tickets."

"But she will be angry with you, Captain," said the Count, slyly, "for
bringing such an undesirable auditor. I had better go alone and occupy
some obscure seat. I do not wish you to forfeit Mlle. d' Armilly's
smiles for me."

"Pshaw!" replied Joliette, "there is plainly some mistake. She does not
know you, will not recognize you. She has certainly confounded you with
some one else."

"Perhaps so," said Monte-Cristo; "but women's memories are good, and I
warn you that you are taking a grave risk."

"None whatever, I assure you. It is more than likely that, in answering
your note as she did, Mlle. d' Armilly was influenced solely by caprice.
If she should ask me after the performance who was my companion, I have
only to give you a fictitious name and she will be none the wiser."

That evening Captain Joliette and the Count of Monte-Cristo made their
way through the dense throng in front of the Apollo Theatre, and were
finally shown into a lower proscenium box commanding a full view of the
stage. Monte-Cristo instinctively sought refuge behind the curtains and
drapery of the box, where he could sit unobserved and yet be enabled to
closely scrutinize the mysterious singer who appeared to have such an
intense aversion for him.

Although still early the house was already crowded in every part, and
throngs were unable to gain even admission. The vast audience was made
up chiefly of