The Count of Monte Cristo

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hoping to conceal its true cause even from his seconds. Beauchamp had
not been seen since the day he visited Albert, and those of whom the
latter inquired always told him he was out on a journey which would
detain him some days. Where he was no one knew.

One morning Albert was awakened by his valet de chambre, who announced
Beauchamp. Albert rubbed his eyes, ordered his servant to introduce
him into the small smoking-room on the ground-floor, dressed himself
quickly, and went down. He found Beauchamp pacing the room; on
perceiving him Beauchamp stopped. "Your arrival here, without waiting my
visit at your house to-day, looks well, sir," said Albert. "Tell me, may
I shake hands with you, saying, 'Beauchamp, acknowledge you have injured
me, and retain my friendship,' or must I simply propose to you a choice
of arms?"

"Albert," said Beauchamp, with a look of sorrow which stupefied the
young man, "let us first sit down and talk."