The Count of Monte Cristo

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"Well, you can do better. You were only a charming man before, but, if
you accede to my proposal, you will be adorable."

"What must I do to attain such sublimity?"

"You are to-day free as air--come and dine with me; we shall be a
small party--only yourself, my mother, and I. You have scarcely seen my
mother; you shall have an opportunity of observing her more closely.
She is a remarkable woman, and I only regret that there does not exist
another like her, about twenty years younger; in that case, I assure
you, there would very soon be a Countess and Viscountess of Morcerf. As
to my father, you will not see him; he is officially engaged, and dines
with the chief referendary. We will talk over our travels; and you, who
have seen the whole world, will relate your adventures--you shall tell
us the history of the beautiful Greek who was with you the other
night at the Opera, and whom you call your slave, and yet treat like a
princess. We will talk Italian and Spanish. Come, accept my invitation,