"To Algiers? But why am I not allowed to accompany you? You know that with you I am not afraid of any danger, and—"
Haydee became suddenly silent. She noticed that her husband's eye, remarkably sorrowful, turned from her and Spero, and bending her little head she whispered:
"Forgive me. I know that I dare not leave Spero."
Monte-Cristo trembled. The most difficult was to come yet.
"Haydee," he then said, softly, "you cannot accompany me. I shall explain to you immediately why it cannot be. Not because you dare not leave Spero—"
He stopped short. The expression of terror in Haydee's beautiful eyes benumbed him.
"What do you mean by that?" she ejaculated, pale and trembling. "You do not intend to rob me of my last consolation, do you?"
"Compose yourself, Haydee. Remember the words which you uttered just now. Yes, I leave you, and take Spero with me."
"Spero—to go away with you!" groaned the young wife, with panting breast; "oh, my lord and master, that you cannot really mean! You do not wish to kill me, and—"