I have had ten or twelve sailors under me, and if you question them, they will tell you that they love and respect me, not as a father, for I am too young, but as an elder brother." "But you may have excited jealousy.

You are about to become captain at nineteen--an elevated post; you are about to marry a pretty girl, who loves you; and these two pieces of good fortune may have excited the envy of some one." "You are right; you know men better than I do, and what you say may possibly be the case, I confess; but if such persons are among my acquaintances I prefer not to know it, because then I should be forced to hate them." "You are wrong; you should always strive to see clearly around you.

You seem a worthy young man; I will depart from the strict line of my duty to aid you in discovering the author of this accusation.

Here is the paper; do you know the writing ?" As he spoke, Villefort drew the letter from his pocket, and presented it to Dantes.

Dantes read it.