Monte-Cristo's Daughter
decorations of the gardens was such as to excite universal wonder and
admiration. The health of the Viscount Massetti and his charming bride
was drunk thousands of times amid acclamations of delight, but
throughout the whole colossal assemblage perfect order was preserved,
the military police on duty finding their occupation a sinecure.
Immediately in front of the Palazzo Massetti a triumphal arch had been
erected. It was covered with the intertwined ensigns of Rome and France
and at its apex bore an appropriate motto formed of creamy white orange
blossoms and scarlet roses.
The interior of the palazzo rivaled in dazzling splendor the most superb
and gorgeous vision that ever entranced a devotee of hatchis while
dreaming under the potent influence of his favorite drug.
In the principal salon were gathered many personages with whom the
reader is familiar, all in festal attire--the Count of Monte-Cristo and
his beloved wife Mercedes, their friends Maximilian and Valentine
Morrel, Esperance, Mlle. Louise d' Armilly and M. and Madame Albert de
Morcerf. Many noble relatives of the groom were also present, to say
nothing of hosts of acquaintances. Old Count Massetti, who seemed
rejuvenated and whose venerable countenance was wreathed in smiles of
joy, moved about among his guests the happiest of the happy.
Presently a door was thrown open, a valet announced the bride and groom
and Giovanni entered proudly with the lovely Zuleika hanging upon his
arm, her beauty heightened by her blushes and diffidence. She wore a
magnificent robe of white satin that a Queen might have envied and the
radiance of diamonds of inestimable value flashed from a tasteful
necklace that adorned her pearly throat; upon her night black hair
rested a wreath of orange blossoms and her flowing bridal veil was
fastened back by a sparkling emerald pin.. A murmur of admiration and
approval arose from the guests as they beheld Monte-Cristo's daughter
and noted her unequaled charms.
The procession to St. Peter's was witnessed by compact masses of
spectators, who loudly cheered the bride and groom and hailed with
tumultuous applause all the well-known personages as they in turn
appeared.
Within the vast cathedral the concourse was immense, but was kept at a
suitable distance by uniformed ushers.
The Pope himself united the young couple in the holy bonds of wedlock,
having consented to do so in consequence of his high esteem for the
Massetti house, the oldest and most aristocratic in his dominions, and
out of consideration for the Count of Monte-Cristo, whose wonderful
history had penetrated even the august portals of the Vatican. At the
close of the impressive ceremony His Holiness blessed the newly-made
husband and wife, and immediately afterwards the grand organ burst out
with a triumphal peal, an unseen choir chanting a jubilant marriage
hymn, whereupon the bride and groom surrounded by their bridesmaids and
groomsmen, Esperance holding the first place among the latter, received
the congratulations of their relatives and friends.
That night there was unbounded festivity at the Palazzo Massetti, the
glad celebration terminating with a grand ball and an elaborate supper.
The next morning Giovanni and Zuleika started upon an extended bridal
tour which was to embrace the most interesting portions of Europe.
Eventually they settled in Paris, as they had originally decided, where
Giovanni bought a magnificent residence, furnishing it with all the
luxury of the orient.
Their married life was as happy as it was favored, and Zuleika never had
occasion to regret that she had clung to Giovanni when all the rest of
the world seemed to have deserted him.
Esperance and the young husband at once became as fast friends as ever,
and the dark cloud that had separated them in the past was completely
forgotten.
The Count of Monte-Cristo and Mercedes continued to lead a tranquil and
charming existence in the palatial mansion on the Rue du Helder. Upon
the elevation of Louis Napoleon to power the Count, who distrusted him
and his schemes, abandoned politics and the agitation of public life
forever, contenting himself with doing all the good in his power and
aiding the needy in a quiet, unostentatious way. His daughter and her
husband spent a great deal of their time at the family mansion, and the
Count and Mercedes acquired additional delight thereby. Albert de
Morcerf, his wife and Mlle. Louise d' Armilly remained inmates of the
Monte-Cristo residence, aiding not a little in promoting the comfort and
happiness of their generous and agreeable hosts.
Maximilian Morrel and his wife returned to Marseilles, but they were
frequently in Paris and never failed to find vast enjoyment and
gratification in the society of the Monte-Cristos, the Massettis and
their friends.
Giovanni's father died a year or two after the marriage of his son,
leaving him his title, his palaces, his vineyard and all his colossal
wealth; but even this change in his condition did not induce the young
Count to return to Rome, where the sad associations of the past were too
powerful for him.
Old Solara expired in the hospital at Rome a few days subsequent to
Vampa's trial, and Annunziata lived long with Mme. de Rancogne in the
Refuge at Civita Vecchia, drawing what consolation she could from
abundant good works.
Peppino and Beppo remained in the service of the Count of Monte-Cristo,
leading honest and upright lives.
Waldmann and Siebecker were caught red-handed in the commission of a
murder and ended their iniquitous association on the scaffold, the knife
of the guillotine ridding the world of two extremely dangerous wretches.
As for Danglars, he suddenly disappeared from Paris one day and was
heard of no more.
THE END.