Count of Monte Cristo

The Viscountess of Kemont's party was extremely luxurious, and many people came to her ball.Her nephew Franz has also returned from England.The kind aunt is looking for a beautiful wife for her handsome and rich nephew.So this ball also invited many unmarried girls, and of course unmarried young men or widowed gentlemen were indispensable.Of course Edmond and Linke received the invitation, and when they returned to the villa after the auction that night, the Viscountess of Kemont came to visit in person, and she also asked where they had spent the past seven years. can be a neighbor.And the Viscountess of Kemont very enthusiastically requested that they must go to the ball held by her, and it would be best if they could bring the beautiful and elegant Miss Heidi with them. "You know, beautiful ladies always make any ball better," she said.

At exactly five o'clock in the afternoon, the dance began on time.The door of the Viscountess of Kemont was wide open, and various gorgeous carriages came one by one.In front of the mansion of the Viscountess de Kermont, there was a large garden with beautiful plane trees and plum trees.Every spring, the flowers are in full bloom and compete for beauty.The entire living room is very large and can accommodate many people, and the surrounding rooms are also opened, and servants shuttle through it, serving these nobles.The ceiling is inlaid with rose-colored glass, and the lights come down from the ceiling. The large ceilings are full of candles. Although there is still sunset outside, the curtains have blocked the day and night.

Because of the proximity, the Count of Monte Cristo, Lin Ke, and Heidi came early, and the Count of Monte Cristo has become the center of these guests.The guests invited by the Viscountess of Kemont surrounded him, asking all kinds of questions.With a smile on his face, the Count of Monte Cristo answered their strange questions in an orderly manner, until another heavyweight guest came in to get rid of his predicament.

M. de Villefort and his family have arrived.Madame de Villefort is holding her husband, the prosecutor, and behind her are her stepdaughter Valentine and her own son Edward.The Viscountess of Kemont hurriedly went up to them, and greeted them with a smile all over her face.Then the Count de Morsay and his family came, and they came in a carriage, the Countess de Morsay in it, and Albert and his father on horses.In particular, the Earl of Demersay was still wearing a military uniform, majestic, and it was his half-white hair that revealed his age.When the Countess of Demersay got out of the car, Linke clearly heard the exclamation of the people around her.He also looked in that direction.She was wearing the latest Parisian blouse with silver trimmed cuffs and pearl buttons, and a pair of silk trousers on a white background embroidered with pink roses.She has thick hair, and the most special thing is that her eyes are as deep as the sea, containing the wisdom of time and time. Time treats her extremely preferentially, and the eyes of other women around her are full of jealousy and envy.

Lin Ke looked at Edmond's expression again, only to find that he had turned his head and was talking to a gentleman, as if he hadn't paid attention to the arrival of these people.Lin Ke sneered from the bottom of his heart, and drank the brandy in his hand, while Heidi brought over a small fruit, "Brother, these are delicious." She handed Lin Ke a small piece of pineapple.She sneaked out, and the ladies had a big drawing room where they stayed until the ball started.

"I think you won't be at peace for a while." Lin Ke said with a smile, following his gaze, Heidi found that Albert had already walked towards her.Heidi blinked mischievously, and there was a flash of helplessness in her eyes.

Lin Ke sighed softly, "Heidi, don't play with fire."

"I'm sensible." She turned around gently, thinking of the beautiful butterfly, and then flew to the side of Albert.

Lin Ke shrugged, everyone at this ball has their own purpose.Just as he was thinking this way, several important guests over there had also arrived.Baron Danglars, his wife and their daughter had already got off the carriage. Watching them exchange greetings, Lin Ke carefully observed Danglars. The banker was obviously too speculative, and there was not much hair left on his head. There is a round face and two pairs of small eyes, which seem to be unable to open.

He didn't help his wife when he got out of the carriage, his eyes slipped around in the crowd, and he went straight to the Count of Monte Cristo, as if he saw a lot of bonds that were about to appreciate in value.His wife, Baroness Danglars, glanced at her husband arrogantly, then smiled at Viscountess Kermont, pulled her daughter affectionately and exchanged greetings artificially.

Before the opening dance, these people will communicate with each other, talk about politics, public debt, investment and recent news events. Of course, their main topic is the Count of Monte Cristo. Everyone is very curious about him.The rescue incident in front of the villa that afternoon was brought up again, and Madame de Villefort recounted the thrilling scenes in front of everyone.The Count of Monte Cristo repeatedly said that this was not necessary, but others refused. They also talked about the two horses and the extremely luxurious carriage he brought, and Mrs. Tanglars was very grateful for the fifty thousand francs he presented. She also said that if there is a place where she can help in the future, she will definitely do her best to help.As soon as Mrs. Danglars finished speaking, the topic was taken up by her husband, Baron Danglars, a banker in Paris.He first complimented the powerful nobles present, and then said that the famous British bank Thomson and Fren Bank are going to cooperate with him, and they will definitely make a lot of money. If everyone wants to save Or you must choose his bank for other business, and he seems to have inadvertently mentioned that he gave the Count of Monte Cristo an unlimited loan. This original intention was to show his own ability and wealth. The Count of Monte Cristo's admiration and curiosity reached its peak.

The Count of Monte Cristo told some things about his travels. His adventurous and exciting voyage made all the guests exclaim aloud. Looking at him is like watching a hero!The eyes of the ladies are all warm and passionate.

After the Count of Monte Cristo said a few things, he changed the subject, "Okay, okay, God, let's change the subject and talk about you. I have just been in Paris for half a month and have already been conquered by this city."

"Yes, but there are also disadvantages in Paris." Danglars said.

"What do you mean by this?" asked the Count of Monte Cristo, with feigned curiosity.

"People in Paris always show strong curiosity about unfamiliar fields, such as your investment and your deeds. They all want to know. I think it must make you very distressed, Your Excellency the Earl?"

"My investment?" The Count of Monte Cristo shook his head. "Speaking of investment, how much money did your bank make from the last increase in the price of Haitian public bonds? In three days, it rose from [-] to [-]. You The real power is in investment!" The Count of Monte Cristo's last sentence was very strange, with a great sense of sarcasm.

"What do you want in life, to be rich and free." Danglars read these two sentences with a complacent expression. "Ah, Haitian bonds!—Haitian bonds are a side dish in the French securities game. Investments are like this, and you must seize the time." At this time, the Count de Morcerf and M. de Villefort had left the place of conversation, and the others were concerned about these things. Even if they are not interested in the topic, they have already found their own talking partners and started talking in twos and threes.

The Count of Monte Cristo nodded as he listened. He saw Debray, the secretary of the minister, who was chatting and laughing with the baroness, and a few people on the other side were also talking about some recent news that could make a lot of money. Well, Edmund, who had good hearing, heard a voice jeeringly saying that he could go to Debray, or the Baroness Danglars, as Debray was a secretary to a government minister, and he had nothing else to do but a first-rate inquisition, He must have been a very good intelligence officer in war.So he asked: "You must have a source? Isn't Debray over there? I haven't seen him at your house recently."

Baron Danglars seemed to be stuck suddenly, he coughed a few times, and then took a few sips of wine as a cover, "Where, he is my wife's good friend."

"Oh." The Count of Monte Cristo raised the corners of his lips, "That is to say, if the information is inaccurate, then the investment will also fail?"

"Haha...Your Excellency, you are so humorous!" Danglars smiled contrivedly, then he found an excuse and left, as if he would reveal his truth if he said a little more.

The dance will start soon.Many young and beautiful ladies have found beautiful partners and danced on the dance floor, and the music of the musicians is always intoxicating.The piano playing is just right too.Edmund and Lin Ke stood with each other, but did not speak.Lin Ke kept his eyes on Heidi who was dancing with Albert. Heidi was very beautiful today, and her smile was also very sweet. Every time he turned around, Lin Ke could always see the eyes of many young boys falling on Heidi. .The Greek girl was always indifferent to those who liked her, and she was always fond of married women whose love was to beat down the envy of others.You see even the Viscountess of Kermont looked at her fondly.He obviously heard that the protagonist today is Franz, but he still hasn't seen the gentleman's shadow until now, maybe he won't appear today.

"Lin Ke," Edmund called him softly, with helplessness in his tone.

"What?" Linko didn't look back.

At this time, the music just stopped, and the people on the dance floor stopped one after another. For a while, people's voices overwhelmed Edmond, who was talking in a low voice, but it was also covered up.

"Your Excellency, I'm sorry to bother you. I want to introduce you to a friend." Franz appeared out of nowhere.

"Hello."

"Your Excellency, this is Marquis George from England. He would like to meet you very much." Franz introduced him to the young man next to him. This young man had an ageless face and was very handsome.Since he came to this living room, almost all eyes were on him.Franz continued, "This is His Excellency the Count of Monte Cristo from Italy."

Seeing his face, Lin Ke's expression was shocked and his breathing became short of breath. He unconsciously looked at Edmund, but Edmund remained calm. He gave Lin Ke a consoling look. Lin Ke pursed his lips and closed his eyes. Facing down, adjust your breathing slightly.

"Hello!" The Count of Monte Cristo owed God, "Marquis George, I hope your trip to Paris will satisfy you."

"You are too polite. I heard many legends about you along the way. I am very satisfied with this trip to Paris to meet His Excellency the Earl." His voice is also very pleasant, as if listening to a symphony, " I fell in love with the Earl at first sight, and I always felt that we must have met before."

"Haha... I also feel the same way about His Excellency the Marquis? Mr. Franz, how did you know His Excellency the Marquis? I think you must be willing to tell us about your trip to England?"

Franz owed God, "Of course, this is my honor." A servant came over with a wine glass, Franz took it, and said to Marquis George, "Your Excellency, do you still remember the first time I saw you?" I think it would be better if you came and told our Count of Monte Cristo?"

"Maybe." Marquis George laughed. "However, we are all friends now. You can't always call me Your Excellency the Marquis. I won't be able to inherit this title until next month. Call me Steven."

As soon as the word Steven came out, Lin Ke's heart jumped a few times. Edmund was beside him. Lin Ke could clearly feel that Edmond's temperament became colder, and the air around him became tense. stand up.Steven!That Steven who was rescued from the sea by them on the Maiden, that Steven who caused them to be captured by pirates and killed many of their partners!That Steven who secretly helped them escape in the end!Lin Ke always thought that he also died at sea, but he never expected to meet again, but he was the Marquess of England!

"I think this must be Mr. Eisen from the East." Suddenly Steven shifted his gaze to him.Lin Ke smiled and said hello, his expression as calm as possible. He always felt that Steven's eyes had some purpose, which made people uncomfortable.

Edmund took a small step forward calmly, blocking Steven's gaze, "Your Excellency the Marquis, you haven't told me how you met Franz, I can't wait to know your story Deeds."

"Yes, Your Excellency the Marquis, we can go for a walk in the front garden, otherwise, you will have to ask the ladies who are watching you to dance, I bet you definitely don't want to do this."

"Okay, then as you wish."

The three left the living room and walked towards the garden.