The Count of Monte Cristo

Back Forward Menu

friend," said the baroness.

"No, Hermine," replied Debray; "you cannot make me believe that; on the
contrary, you were in excellent spirits when you arrived at the count's.
M. Danglars was disagreeable, certainly, but I know how much you care
for his ill-humor. Some one has vexed you; I will allow no one to annoy
you."

"You are deceived, Lucien, I assure you," replied Madame Danglars; "and
what I have told you is really the case, added to the ill-humor you
remarked, but which I did not think it worth while to allude to." It
was evident that Madame Danglars was suffering from that nervous
irritability which women frequently cannot account for even to
themselves; or that, as Debray had guessed, she had experienced some
secret agitation that she would not acknowledge to any one. Being a
man who knew that the former of these symptoms was one of the inherent
penalties of womanhood, he did not then press his inquiries, but waited