with sleepless vigilance,
watched their proceedings, had learned the deep lesson too well to be
further deceived, and that the fruits of the Revolution they had won
would not again be snatched from their lips."

"And the result of this triumph of the people you believe has advanced
the cause of human happiness?" asked Mercedes.

"Most unquestionably, dear, and most incalculably, too, perhaps."

"All your friends are not as disinterested as you have been, Edmond,"
said Mercedes.

"And why think you that, dear?"

"For six full years I know you have devoted all your powers of mind and
body and all your immense wealth to one single object."

"And that object?"

"Has been the happiness of your race."

"Well, dear?"

"And now, when a triumph has been achieved--now, when others, who have
been but mere instruments--blind instruments, many of them, in your
hands to accomplish they knew not what--come forward and assume place
and power--you, Edmond, the noble author and first cause of all, remain
quietly in seclusion, unknown, unnamed, unappreciated and uncommended,
while the others reap the fruits of your toil!"

"Well, dear?" said Dantes, smiling at the warmth of his wife in his
behalf.

"But it is not 'well,' Edmond. I say no one is as disinterested as you."

"Ah! love, what of ambition?"

Mercedes smiled.

"Let me tell you all, love, and then you will not, I fear, think me
disinterested," said Dantes seriously. "I should blush, indeed, at
praise so little deserved. You know all my early history. I suffered--I
was wronged--I was revenged. But was I happy? I sought happiness. All
men do so, even the most miserable. Some seek happiness in gratified
ambition, some in gratified avarice, some in gratified vanity, and some
in the gratification of a dominant lust for pleasure or for power. I
sought happiness in gratified revenge!"

Mercedes shuddered, and, hiding her face on the bosom of her husband,
clung to it more closely as if for protection. Dantes drew her form to
his as he would have drawn that of a child, and continued:

"I sought happiness in vengeance for terrible wrongs, and to win it I
devoted a life and countless wealth. What was the result?
Misery!--misery!--misery!"

"Poor Edmond!" murmured Mercedes, clinging to him closer than ever.

"At length I awoke, as from a dream. I saw my error. My whole life had
been a lie. I saw that God by a miracle had bestowed on me untold riches
for a nobler purpo