The Count of Monte Cristo

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minutes thoughtfully and in evident uneasiness, watching both doors, and
listening to every sound. When his patience was exhausted, he called his
valet. "Etienne," said he, "see why Mademoiselle Eugenie has asked me to
meet her in the drawing-room, and why she makes me wait so long."

Having given this vent to his ill-humor, the baron became more calm;
Mademoiselle Danglars had that morning requested an interview with
her father, and had fixed on the gilded drawing-room as the spot. The
singularity of this step, and above all its formality, had not a
little surprised the banker, who had immediately obeyed his daughter
by repairing first to the drawing-room. Etienne soon returned from his
errand. "Mademoiselle's lady's maid says, sir, that mademoiselle is
finishing her toilette, and will be here shortly."

Danglars nodded, to signify that he was satisfied. To the world and to
his servants Danglars assumed the character of the good-natured man and
the indulgent father. This was one of his parts in the popular comedy he