"Did he give his name?"
"Yes; he said his name was Penelon, and that he came from Marseilles."
"From Marseilles!" exclaimed Haydee, anxiously; "oh, quick! see what the letter says."
Monte-Cristo broke the seal. The letter only contained a few words:
"I am dying from grief. Come at once!
"Mercedes."
The count handed the letter to Haydee. The latter read it and then said:
"When do we go?"
"Thanks, Haydee," said the count, tenderly. "We go as soon as my duty here is ended! Give the necessary orders. Let Bertuccio inform Jacopo and rest easy! See, Aslitta has recovered—God will protect Spero!"