"Please come with me in the garden, Madame Caraman; I like to hear more particulars about this Count of Monte-Cristo."
"But, Clary," said the French lady with astonishment, "have you never heard of the count? What do they read yonder in England?"
"Oh, various matters—but what has this to do with the count?"
"More than you think of; you have stocked in your little heart a great deal of ballast, and neglected the most necessary things. Do you know the author Alexandre Dumas?"
"Only as far as the name is concerned."
"H'm—I thought so; yes—France does not for no purpose possess the credit of being at the head of civilization."
"But Mamma Caraman, when are we then to return to our subject, the count?" asked Clary, impatiently.
"At once. Alexandre Dumas has written many romances, and one of the most interesting is 'The Count of Monte-Cristo.'"
"Mamma Caraman," said Clary, vexed, "how is it that you intend to dish up for me such a childish fable?"