I left it when I was but five years old,

　　Ali left the room. The cups of coffee were all prepared,with the addition of sugar, which had been brought forAlbert. Monte Cristo and Haidee took the beverage in theoriginal Arabian manner, that is to say, without sugar.Haidee took the porcelain cup in her little slender fingersand conveyed it to her mouth with all the innocentartlessness of a child when eating or drinking somethingwhich it likes. At this moment two women entered, bringingsalvers filled with ices and sherbet, which they placed ontwo small tables appropriated to that purpose. "My dearhost, and you, signora," said Albert, in Italian, "excuse myapparent stupidity. I am quite bewildered, and it is naturalthat it should be so. Here I am in the heart of Paris; but amoment ago I heard the rumbling of the omnibuses and thetinkling of the bells of the lemonade-sellers, and now Ifeel as if I were suddenly transported to the East; not suchas I have seen it, but such as my dreams have painted it.Oh, signora, if I could but speak Greek, your conversation,added to the fairy-scene which surrounds me, would furnishan evening of such delight as it would be impossible for meever to forget."

　　"I speak sufficient Italian to enable me to converse withyou, sir," said Haidee quietly; "and if you like what isEastern, I will do my best to secure the gratification ofyour tastes while you are here."

　　"On what subject shall I converse with her?" said Albert, ina low tone to Monte Cristo.

　　"Just what you please; you may speak of her country and ofher youthful reminiscences, or if you like it better you cantalk of Rome, Naples, or Florence."

　　"Oh," said Albert, "it is of no use to be in the company ofa Greek if one converses just in the same style as with aParisian; let me speak to her of the East."

　　"Do so then, for of all themes which you could choose thatwill be the most agreeable to her taste." Albert turnedtowards Haidee. "At what age did you leave Greece, signora?"asked he.

　　"I left it when I was but five years old," replied Haidee.

　　"And have you any recollection of your country?"

　　"When I shut my eyes and think, I seem to see it all again.The mind can see as well as the body. The body forgetssometimes -- but the mind never forgets."

　　"And how far back into the past do your recollectionsextend?"

　　"I could scarcely walk when my mother, who was calledVasiliki, which means royal," said the young girl, tossingher head proudly, "took me by the hand, and after putting inour purse all the money we possessed, we went out, bothcovered with veils, to solicit alms for the prisoners,saying, `He who giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord.'Then when our purse was full we returned to the palace, andwithout saying a word to my father, we sent it to theconvent, where it was divided amongst the prisoners."