The Count of Monte Cristo

Chapter 70

It was in the warmest days of July, when in due course of

time the Saturday arrived upon which the ball was to take

place at M. de Morcerf's. It was ten o'clock at night; the

branches of the great trees in the garden of the count's

house stood out boldly against the azure canopy of heaven,

which was studded with golden stars, but where the last

fleeting clouds of a vanishing storm yet lingered. From the

apartments on the ground-floor might be heard the sound of

music, with the whirl of the waltz and galop, while

brilliant streams of light shone through the openings of the

Venetian blinds. At this moment the garden was only occupied

by about ten servants, who had just received orders from

their mistress to prepare the supper, the serenity of the

weather continuing to increase.