Count of Monte Cristo

Drouot auction house in Paris.

Ancient wooden cabinets, Japanese porcelain, oriental silks, Venetian glassware, and weapons from all over the world can be found at Drouot.

An auction is being held here today, the exhibition hall is already full of people, and the boxes on the second floor are also full.Lin Ke and Edmond were in a box on the second floor. They had been in Paris for three days.Today, it was Albert who said that there was a big auction here, and Lin Ke came to follow him when he became interested.

Paris is indeed a bustling big city with everything you need, and they still live in the former castle, so the feeling of revisiting the old place is a little subtle.

"After you left, everyone still asked about your news? Your Excellency, you are a distinguished guest in everyone's eyes." Albert said.

"Where did this come from?"

"Everyone said that they have never seen someone as graceful and courageous as you. They all hope to see you again and communicate with you. Even my mother asked about you."

"Oh?"

Albert noticed that the atmosphere was a little subtle, he moved his body, he didn't know which sentence he said wrong, and saw the young oriental man looking at him with a half-smile, his eyes were dark, "Your mother also mentioned the count gone?"

"Yes." Albert continued, "She asked a few words, and she was very happy that I could make such a friend as the count, and thanked the count for saving my life."

"It's really thoughtful." The young man said in a low voice, and then stopped talking.

The Count of Monte Cristo asked him, "The young man I met at your house last time seems to be named Maximilian Montlain. How did you meet him?"

"Meng Lien? He is a friend of Beauchamp. I heard that he is a brave young man. You know that the circle in Paris is so big, and you can always know him. Your Excellency, are you interested in him?"

"No, just ask casually."

"So what are you going to bring back today? There are many good things here?" Albert looked at the booth below the stage.

The host on the booth is a typical French man. There is an oil painting on the booth in front of him, and he is introducing the oil painting eloquently.Following his introduction, someone started bidding, and the deal was completed in a short while.

The Count of Monte Cristo withdrew his gaze, "Where's your good friend Mr. Franz? I didn't know until I arrived in Paris that he was the nephew of the Baroness de Cremont. I hope he can forgive me for my poor hospitality in Rome." week."

"Your Excellency, are you the nobleman who bought Nuffield Castle?" Albert said loudly, surprised, "Naffield Castle has not had an owner for decades, but I remember Franz talking about that castle for a few years. It was bought by someone before, could it be you?"

"Yes. I came to Paris and bought it seven years ago. The Baroness Monquette invited me to her dinner party at that time. She was a very hospitable lady."

"Yes, I heard that Mrs. Monkett is going to hold a ball again. I have received invitations. Count, will you go?"

"I haven't been invited, and I don't know how to dance. This is the hobby of your young people. Madam has invited many people. Who will be the darlings of the ball?"

"You are so humble, my lord." Albert paused for a while, "How is Miss Heidi?"

The count of Monte Cristo had a complex look on his face, "She's fine." He said no more.Albert wanted to ask a few more questions, but he opened and closed his mouth, fidgeting just as the auction started.

A Chinese landscape painting began to be displayed on the booth below. Lin Ke sat up straight, and Edmund noticed it, and asked in a low voice, "Do you like it?"

Lin Ke nodded. He didn't understand Chinese landscape paintings, but he found them kind. His grandfather liked them very much, and his family had collected several paintings.In their castle in Greece, they had a special room for Chinese paintings, which Edmund bought for him.Edmund began to bid, but there were several people competing with him, and finally Edmond got it. Lin Ke approached Edmund slightly and whispered softly, "Heidi asked to bring her some silk when she goes back, please pay attention. ’ Then he turned his head and asked Albert, ‘I heard you are going to have a beautiful fiancée?’

"No," replied Morcerf; "my father would have liked the marriage very much, but I would not allow it. "

"Who is that lady?" said Monte Cristo, "doesn't it impress you?"

"Miss Eugenie Danglars, his father was a baron, and he was also a famous banker."

"It turned out to be him, and I was just going to visit him." The Count of Monte Cristo said, the corner of his mouth was raised, as if mocking and curious, "Will your father agree with you to do this? For the honor of the family?"

Albert did not answer, and the Count of Monte Cristo continued: "I have seen your father. He is a gentleman of noble birth. He was promoted step by step from a small soldier to the title of earl. If you go against his wishes, He will be very sad and disappointed, your father cared about his title very much."

Albert said stubbornly, "I think the nature of the French is freedom. I can choose my own life path and life partner."

"Exactly, sir," said Monte Cristo, with a complex smile, which caused Albert to mutter for no reason.

"Count, is there anything you need the banker to do?"

Monte Cristo replied, "The manager of the Thomson French Bank in Rome said that if I go to Paris, I can enjoy the right of unlimited loans in the Paris bank."

Just as there was a commotion on the stage, Edmond stopped talking, looked down, and saw a large space on the first floor, and then two horses came up, they were obviously excellent horses with black hair, healthy and tall bones, Anyone who saw him would say that they were the two most beautiful and handsome horses in Paris.Sure enough, the people below started bidding.

"Ten thousand!" cried a voice.

"That's Viscount Drake." Albert introduced.He also held up a sign to bid: "Twelve thousand!"

"Ten fourteen thousand!" A woman's voice.Lin Ke looked to the box on the right. It was a very beautiful woman, and beside him sat a young French man with shining blue eyes.

"Sixteen thousand!" cried Albert after him.

The Count of Monte Cristo also noticed that he knew the young man, a reporter named Beauchamp, Albert smiled and nodded to them, "That's Mrs. Tanglars and Beauchamp, Your Excellency, I think you still remember him? "

"Yes." The Count of Monte Cristo also gestured to the lady, "Mrs. Danglars seems to like that young man very much, Albert, and you also like these two horses?" Albert heard him use the word yes. He knew that the Count of Monte Cristo had also taken a fancy to these two horses, so he would definitely get them, so he made no more bids.Albert said with a smile: "Yes, my lord, balls, banquets, and celebratory banquets are out of date. The Italian opera is now in London, and the French opera is everywhere, but not in Paris. As for the French theater, of course you know, then It's not worth seeing at all. The only entertainment we have now is a few races at the Mars Racecourse and the Sartorai Racecourse. These two horses will definitely make you show off at the racetrack."

"I accept your good words."

"Eighteen thousand!" The Viscount Drake bid, and he stood up, staring at the two horses on the field with glowing eyes.

The Count of Monte Cristo said, "Fifty thousand!" At this price, the field was quiet for a few seconds, and then it became lively.All of a sudden, there was a lot of discussion, everyone was talking about who this rich man was.

The host obviously didn't expect someone to offer such a high price, and after a moment of stunned reaction, he immediately asked, "Is there any more bids?" The Chinese landscape painting before had attracted many people's attention to their box, And all of a sudden, many people's eyes were focused on this box, and Lin Ke could even hear the whispers below.Mrs. Tanglars on the right has complicated eyes with admiration, but she is full of curiosity about them.

"Your Excellency, tomorrow your name will spread throughout Paris." Albert laughed, his tone very proud, "Parisians are always curious about rich people, you will definitely cause a sensation in Paris! Oh, no, you It has already caused a sensation!"

Lin Ke also affirmed his words, "Look, someone has already come over there."

Jacob went to open the door. Jacob had been in the box all the time, but today he was very silent and hardly spoke. Except for greeting Albert, the Count of Monte Cristo explained to Albert that he had a sore throat. It is inconvenient to speak.Albert expressed his understanding, and from this he also learned that the Count of Monte Cristo actually knew some medical skills, because he said that Jacob had gotten better after taking the medicine he prescribed.When the count went to his house before, he learned that the count had dabbled in painting, art, philosophy and literature. The more he got in touch with, the deeper his curiosity and admiration for the count of Monte Cristo.

It was Countess G who Albert was familiar with who entered the door. He also brought Debray and Montlain, and the two of them entered very excitedly.

"Your Excellency, you are so generous!"

"Hello, ma'am."

"Hello, Lord Earl."

Then several other people greeted each other one by one, "You won't take the liberty of us bothering you like this, will you?"

"Of course not." said the Count of Monte Cristo, "in fact, I would like to. I didn't treat you well last time I saw you, Countess, can you give me a chance today?"

"Hehe..." Countess G laughed, "I'm really disrespectful of your hospitality, but I'm curious about your adventure trip?"

"Boys, can you join us too?" The Count of Monte Cristo turned to Debray and Montlain who were behind him, and the two were extremely happy.

"Then" Albert said happily, "we can appreciate the next collection now, maybe everyone will get what they want?"

The Count of Monte Cristo also laughed, but if you look closely at his smile, you will definitely break out in a cold sweat.