The Count of Monte Cristo

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and Albert that they were at liberty to pass on. "Let us go in," said
Monte Cristo.

Albert passed his hand through his hair, and curled his mustache, then,
having satisfied himself as to his personal appearance, followed the
count into the room, the latter having previously resumed his hat and
gloves. Ali was stationed as a kind of advanced guard, and the door was
kept by the three French attendants, commanded by Myrtho. Haidee was
awaiting her visitors in the first room of her apartments, which was the
drawing-room. Her large eyes were dilated with surprise and expectation,
for it was the first time that any man, except Monte Cristo, had been
accorded an entrance into her presence. She was sitting on a sofa placed
in an angle of the room, with her legs crossed under her in the Eastern
fashion, and seemed to have made for herself, as it were, a kind of
nest in the rich Indian silks which enveloped her. Near her was
the instrument on which she had just been playing; it was elegantly
fashioned, and worthy of its mistress. On perceiving Monte Cristo, she