augmenting the popularity of Monte-Cristo and Captain Morrel,
who were credited by the Roman populace with having brought about the
dreaded brigand chief's conviction and inspired his sentence.
Everywhere, while the vast importance of old Pasquale Solara's testimony
was recognized and admitted, the wretched shepherd himself was execrated
as an unnatural, heartless father, as a diabolical scoundrel without a
single redeeming trait. The fact of his having turned State's evidence
saved him from the heavy hand of the law, but his mortal wound would
soon rid the world of him and this circumstance occasioned hearty
congratulation in all quarters.

The morning succeeding Vampa's trial a messenger arrived at the Hotel de
France from the Count Massetti, bearing a brief note in which the aged
nobleman begged his son to come to him at once. Giovanni exhibited this
note triumphantly to Zuleika and the friends who had labored so
untiringly and successfully in his cause, and, together with the Count
of Monte-Cristo and M. Morrel, immediately repaired to the Palazzo
Massetti in Monte-Cristo's barouche. The old Count received his son with
open arms and cordially greeted Monte-Cristo and Maximilian.

"Giovanni," said he, frankly, "I admit that I was wrong, that I was led
astray by what seemed to me to be convincing proof. My pride and honor
revolted at the stain apparently cast upon them and I acted as almost
any Roman father would have done. I acknowledge that I was hasty, that I
proceeded to extremities without due reflection or examination. These
admissions in the presence of your noble, self-sacrificing friends cost
me dear, but, you observe that I do not shrink from them,
notwithstanding the deep humiliation. I humbly ask your forgiveness and
restore all I have taken from you. Again you are my beloved son and
heir."

The old nobleman paused, greatly affected; his eyes were full of tears,
tears of mingled contrition and delight. The Viscount's emotion was such
that for an instant he was unable to reply. He, however, recovered
control of himself with a mighty effort, and said, in a voice tremulous
with his colossal joy:

"Father, I have nothing to forgive. Appearances warranted all you did,
and I can only thank Heaven that the truth has been developed before it
was too late!"

With these words he threw himself upon the old Patrician's neck. The
Count embraced him, drawing him to his heart and their tears mingled
together, for G