se than to make his creatures wretched. I saw that if
I would be happy I must make others happy, and to this end--the
happiness, not the misery, of my race--must my wealth and power be
devoted. To this end, then, did I devote myself, and to this end, for
six years, have I been devoted--to make myself happy by making others
happy--you among the rest, dear, dear Mercedes," he added, pressing her
to his bosom. "And am I then so disinterested?"

"But why should you achieve triumphs for others to enjoy, Edmond?" asked
the wife.

"You refer to the Provisional Government," said Dantes with a smile.
"Well, I see I must tell you all, even though by the revelation I prove
myself utterly unworthy of the praise of disinterestedness. I may tell
you, love--you my second self--without danger of being charged with
egotism, what I might not say to others. Our friend Lamartine is the
actual head of this Government. I had but to assent to the urgent
entreaties to secure that position for myself. These appointments seem
the result of nomination by the people. Yet they are not!"

"And why did you refuse to head the Government, Edmond?"

"I am ashamed to confess to you that I feared to accept," said Dantes
after a pause. "My own selfishness, not, alas! my disinterestedness, has
kept me from the post of peril. Perhaps, indeed, I can do far more for
the cause of my race as I am than I could by sacrificing myself for
office and position; at least, I hope so."

"Is the position of your friends then so perilous?" asked Mercedes.

"Dearest, they stand upon a volcano!" said Dantes, solemnly.

"Ha!" cried the lady in alarm.

"Mercedes--Mercedes!" continued Dantes with enthusiasm, "I sometimes am
startled with the idea that to me have been entrusted the awful powers
of foreknowledge, of prophecy, so fearfully true have some of my
predictions proved! The events of the past week I foresaw and foretold,
even to minute circumstances and the hours of their occurrence. And
now--glorious as is the triumph that France and the cause of man have
achieved--I perceive in the dim future a sea of commotion! All is not
yet settled. Within one month, revolution will succeed revolution
throughout Europe! Berlin, Vienna, and Madrid, perhaps also St.
Petersburg, London, and all the cities of Italy, will be in revolt. All
Europe must and will feel the events of the past week in Paris. Europe
must be free!"

"And our friends--Lamartine--Louis Blanc?"

"Within