“Go, my dear boy,” said old Dantès; “and Heaven bless you in your wife, as it has blessed me in my son!”
“His wife!” said Caderousse; “why, how fast you go on, father Dantès; she is not his wife yet, as it seems to me.”
“No, but according to all probability she soon will be,” replied Edmond.
“Yes—yes,” said Caderousse; “but you were right to return as soon as possible, my boy.”
“And why?”
“Because Mercédès is a very fine girl, and fine girls never lack followers; she particularly has them by dozens.”
“Really?” answered Edmond, with a smile which had in it traces of slight uneasiness.
“Ah, yes,” continued Caderousse, “and capital offers, too; but you know, you will be captain, and who could refuse you then?”
“Meaning to say,” replied Dantès, with a smile which but ill-concealed his trouble, “that if I were not a captain——”