Good morning, everyone.

Good morning, everyone, and welcome back to 1001 Stories for the Road and the Count of

of Monte Cristo by Alexandra Dumas.

This is your host, John Haggardorn.

It's October 22nd, and I'm going in for a back surgery tomorrow, October 23rd. And they've given me a med, which is just about taking away

my voice in the past few days, but I feel like I might have it now.

I've turned up the base, turned down the trouble. I'm trying to speak softly. And I'll test this out. And if it doesn't work that well, I'll be back next week with a full-throated couple of chapters for you. But I'm going to give this a try now, and we'll see how it sounds. I know I'm kind of selfish, too, because I'm really into this story, and I'd like to read some today.

But we'll see.

I don't want to torture you.

And now, Chapter 76.

Progress of Cavalcanti the Younger.

Meanwhile, Monsieur Cavalcanti the Elder had returned to his service, not in the army of his majesty, the Emperor of Austria, but at the gaming table at the baths of Luca, of which he was

one of the most assiduous courteous.

He had spent every farthing that had been allowed for his journey as a reward for the majestic and solemn manner in which he had maintained his assumed character of father.

Monsieur Andrea, at his departure, inherited all the papers which proved that he had indeed the honor of being the son of the Marquis Bartolomeo, and the Marcionis, all of a corsonari.

He was now fairly launched in that Parisian society, which gives such ready access to foreigners,

and treats them, not as they really are, but as they wish to be considered.

Besides, what is required of a young man in Paris, to speak his language tolerably, to make a good appearance, to be a good gamester, and to pay in cash.

They are certainly less particular with a foreigner than with a Frenchman.

Andrea had then, in a fortnight, attained a very fair position.

He was called Count. He was said to possess 50, attained a very fair position. He was called Count.

He was said to possess 50,000 levers per annum,

...