The Count of Monte Cristo

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Chateau-Renaud."

"And what do you suppose is the count's age?" inquired Mercedes,
evidently attaching great importance to this question.

"Thirty-five or thirty-six, mother."

"So young,--it is impossible," said Mercedes, replying at the same time
to what Albert said as well as to her own private reflection.

"It is the truth, however. Three or four times he has said to me, and
certainly without the slightest premeditation, 'at such a period I was
five years old, at another ten years old, at another twelve,' and
I, induced by curiosity, which kept me alive to these details, have
compared the dates, and never found him inaccurate. The age of this
singular man, who is of no age, is then, I am certain, thirty-five.
Besides, mother, remark how vivid his eye, how raven-black his hair,