The Count of Monte Cristo

Back Forward Menu

"Not at all, my good friend."

"How? Not at all?"

"Why, just think for a moment; with this red handkerchief on my head,
with scarcely any shoes, no papers, and ten gold napoleons in my pocket,
without reckoning what was there before--making in all about two hundred
francs,--why, I should certainly be arrested at the barriers. Then,
to justify myself, I should say that you gave me the money; this would
cause inquiries, it would be found that I left Toulon without giving
due notice, and I should then be escorted back to the shores of the
Mediterranean. Then I should become simply No. 106, and good-by to
my dream of resembling the retired baker! No, no, my boy; I prefer
remaining honorably in the capital." Andrea scowled. Certainly, as he
had himself owned, the reputed son of Major Cavalcanti was a wilful
fellow. He drew up for a minute, threw a rapid glance around him, and
then his hand fell instantly into his pocket, where it began playing