“You have my promise,” he said, after a minute’s pause, extending his hand to Monte Cristo. “Only remember⁠—”

“On the 5th of October, Morrel, I shall expect you at the Island of Monte Cristo. On the 4th a yacht will wait for you in the port of Bastia, it will be called the Eurus . You will give your name to the captain, who will bring you to me. It is understood⁠—is it not?”

“But, count, do you remember that the 5th of October⁠—”

“Child,” replied the count, “not to know the value of a man’s word! I have told you twenty times that if you wish to die on that day, I will assist you. Morrel, farewell!”

“Do you leave me?”

“Yes; I have business in Italy. I leave you alone in your struggle with misfortune⁠—alone with that strong-winged eagle which God sends to bear aloft the elect to his feet. The story of Ganymede, Maximilian, is not a fable, but an allegory.”