What is his name?

　　Albert passed his hand through his hair, and curled hismustache, then, having satisfied himself as to his personalappearance, followed the count into the room, the latterhaving previously resumed his hat and gloves. Ali wasstationed as a kind of advanced guard, and the door was keptby the three French attendants, commanded by Myrtho. Haideewas awaiting her visitors in the first room of herapartments, which was the drawing-room. Her large eyes weredilated with surprise and expectation, for it was the firsttime that any man, except Monte Cristo, had been accorded anentrance into her presence. She was sitting on a sofa placedin an angle of the room, with her legs crossed under her inthe Eastern fashion, and seemed to have made for herself, asit were, a kind of nest in the rich Indian silks whichenveloped her. Near her was the instrument on which she hadjust been playing; it was elegantly fashioned, and worthy ofits mistress. On perceiving Monte Cristo, she arose andwelcomed him with a smile peculiar to herself, expressive atonce of the most implicit obedience and also of the deepestlove. Monte Cristo advanced towards her and extended hishand, which she as usual raised to her lips.

　　Albert had proceeded no farther than the door, where heremained rooted to the spot, being completely fascinated bythe sight of such surpassing beauty, beheld as it was forthe first time, and of which an inhabitant of more northernclimes could form no adequate idea.

　　"Whom do you bring?" asked the young girl in Romaic, ofMonte Cristo; "is it a friend, a brother, a simpleacquaintance, or an enemy."

　　"A friend," said Monte Cristo in the same language.

　　"What is his name?"

　　"Count Albert; it is the same man whom I rescued from thehands of the banditti at Rome."

　　"In what language would you like me to converse with him?"

　　Monte Cristo turned to Albert. "Do you know modern Greek,"asked he.

　　"Alas, no," said Albert; "nor even ancient Greek, my dearcount; never had Homer or Plato a more unworthy scholar thanmyself."

　　"Then," said Haidee, proving by her remark that she hadquite understood Monte Cristo's question and Albert'sanswer, "then I will speak either in French or Italian, ifmy lord so wills it."

　　Monte Cristo reflected one instant. "You will speak inItalian," said he. Then, turning towards Albert, -- "It is apity you do not understand either ancient or modern Greek,both of which Haidee speaks so fluently; the poor child willbe obliged to talk to you in Italian, which will give youbut a very false idea of her powers of conversation." Thecount made a sign to Haidee to address his visitor. "Sir,"she said to Morcerf, "you are most welcome as the friend ofmy lord and master." This was said in excellent Tuscan, andwith that soft Roman accent which makes the language ofDante as sonorous as that of Homer. Then, turning to Ali,she directed him to bring coffee and pipes, and when he hadleft the room to execute the orders of his young mistressshe beckoned Albert to approach nearer to her. Monte Cristoand Morcerf drew their seats towards a small table, on whichwere arranged music, drawings, and vases of flowers. Alithen entered bringing coffee and chibouques; as to M.Baptistin, this portion of the building was interdicted tohim. Albert refused the pipe which the Nubian offered him."Oh, take it -- take it," said the count; "Haidee is almostas civilized as a Parisian; the smell of an Havana isdisagreeable to her, but the tobacco of the East is a mostdelicious perfume, you know."