"Bring some provisions from the grotto," ordered the count.
Jacopo and Ali did as they were told, and while the sailors carried the provisions to the bark, the count whispered a few words to the Nubian. Ali approached the wounded man, and, taking him in his strong arms, he carried him to the bark and placed him on the floor of the same. The count then took the box and threw it near Benedetto; he then took Haydee's arm in his own and went back with her, while Ali plunged into the water up to his waist and laid hold of the bark.
"Benedetto," cried the count aloud, "you have blasphemed God. You have trodden under foot all human and divine laws. Men cannot punish you; may God weigh guilt and punishment with each other! Ali, do your duty."
Ali, with a powerful movement, pushed the bark from the shore. The tide seized the light vessel, and in a short while it disappeared from the horizon.
"Oh, count," stammered Bertuccio, beside himself, "you have given him his life."
"If Almighty God wishes him to be saved, let it be so. He has the right to punish and forgive," replied the count, solemnly.
The yacht was now approaching the shore, in obedience to the command the sailor had brought, and, with Haydee and the seaman, the count got on board, and solemnly said:
"Bertuccio and Ali, do your duty!"
Haydee looked wonderingly at her husband; he took her head in his hands and earnestly said:
"My darling, I bury the past at this hour—the grottoes of Monte-Cristo are no more."