“Oh, simply to amuse myself: and there is my secretary. Hush!”
At this moment the door opened, and a beautiful girl of seventeen or eighteen came towards us.
“Is that your secretary?” I asked.
“Yes; Marie, my dear little granddaughter. Bow to Monsieur. You ought to, after the sleepless nights you have passed through thinking of him.”
“I?” said the girl, blushing. “I do not know the gentleman!”
“But you know ‘Monte Christo’ and the ‘Three Musketeers?’”
“Monsieur Dumas! Is it possible?” cried she.
“Yes, Monsieur Dumas. You see that you know him.”
“Oh, sir, I am so glad to see you!”