The Count of Monte Cristo

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     * The god of fruitfulness in Grecian mythology. In Crete he
     was supposed to be slain in winter with the decay of
     vegetation and to revive in the spring. Haidee's learned
     reference is to the behavior of an actor in the Dionysian
     festivals.--Ed.

"My mother experienced the same sensations, for I felt her tremble.
'Mamma, mamma,' said I, 'are we really to be killed?' And at the
sound of my voice the slaves redoubled their cries and prayers and
lamentations. 'My child,' said Vasiliki, 'may God preserve you from ever
wishing for that death which to-day you so much dread!' Then, whispering
to Selim, she asked what were her master's orders. 'If he send me
his poniard, it will signify that the emperor's intentions are not
favorable, and I am to set fire to the powder; if, on the contrary, he
send me his ring, it will be a sign that the emperor pardons him, and
I am to extinguish the match and leave the magazine untouched.'--'My
friend,' said my mother, 'when your master's orders arrive, if it is the