beneath the paint of her
make-up, and, with a loud scream, fell in a swoon. The curtain was at
once rung down, and the director, stating that the prima donna had been
seized with sudden and alarming indisposition, dismissed the audience.
Captain Joliette rushed to Mlle. d' Armilly's dressing-room and the
Count of Monte-Cristo wended his way back to the Palazzo Costi, utterly
bewildered by what had taken place.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] A full account of the life of Haydee, will be found in that great
romance "The Wife of Monte-Cristo," published complete and unabridged by
T. B. Peterson & Brothers, Philadelphia.

[2] A full account of his life and of Esperance's remarkable career will
be found in that absorbing novel, "The Son of Monte-Cristo," published
complete and unabridged by T. B. Peterson & Brothers, Philadelphia.

[3] For a full account of the life and career of "Edmond Dantes," one of
the most powerful and thrilling novels ever issued, see "Edmond Dantes,"
published complete and unabridged by T. B. Peterson & Brothers,
Philadelphia.

[4] See "The Son of Monte-Cristo," complete and unabridged edition,
published by T. B. Peterson & Brothers, Philadelphia.

[5] For a full account of the life and remarkable career of "The Count
of Monte-Cristo," Alexander Dumas' masterpiece, one of the greatest
romances ever written, see the illustrated and unabridged edition of it,
published by T. B. Peterson & Brothers, Philadelphia.

CHAPTER II.

A STRANGELY SENT EPISTLE.

Zuleika, Monte-Cristo's daughter, had been for some months in the
convent school conducted by the Sisterhood of the Sacred Heart. She was
not a close student though a rapid learner, and was rather inclined to
romance and adventure than to musty books of history and science. As has
already been stated, she had the early maturity of Greek girls. Besides,
she had attracted the attention of several Roman youths of high and
noble lineage, who had eagerly paid her the homage due to her beauty and
oriental attractiveness. Though but fifteen, she appreciated and felt
flattered by this homage, and naturally was impatient of the restraint
put upon her by the regulations of the convent school, which rigorously
excluded all male visitors save parents or guardians.

In the first rank of her youthful admirers was the Viscount Giovanni
Massetti. He was more ardent than any of the rest and, indeed, was
desperately in love with the fair and bewitching child of the d