"In what direction did he go?"
"I do not know. I was called to the count at two o'clock this morning, and after I had received the letter, I went away."
"Without asking any questions?"
"Oh, vicomte, no one asks the Count of Monte-Cristo for a reason," cried Coucou, vivaciously. "I am not a coward, but—"
"I know you possess courage," replied the young man.
"Sapristi—there, now, I have allowed myself to go again. I know that my way of speaking displeases you, vicomte, and I will try next time to do better."
"What makes you think that your language displeases me?" asked Spero, laughing.
"Because—excuse me, vicomte, but sometimes you look so stern—"
"Nonsense," interrupted Spero; "I may sometimes look troubled, but certainly not stern, and I beg you not to speak differently from what you were taught—speak to me as you do to my father."