"Explain yourself more plainly."
"I will tell you everything, but let these men go away."
"Follow me," said the count.
The count ordered Coucou to take charge of the dead lion, and of Bertuccio's body, which would be buried in the morning. He then gazed intently at the girl, and recognized two pale six-cornered stars in dead gold color on her cheeks. This filled him with new hope.
"Poor Bertuccio," sighed the Jackal, "he was a good comrade."
"And a faithful soul," added Monte-Cristo.
Spero came running up, and winding his arm around his father's neck, whisperingly asked:
"Papa, why could I not accompany you?"
"My child, it was a fight with a lion."
"You were not afraid? Why should I have been?"