“But it must have vexed M. Morrel, good, worthy man,” said Caderousse. “And when you are looking forward to be captain, it was wrong to annoy the owner.”
   “But I explained to him the cause of my refusal,” replied Dantès, “and I hope he fully understood it.”
   “Yes, but to be captain one must do a little flattery to one’s patrons.”
   “I hope to be captain without that,” said Dantès.
   “So much the better—so much the better! Nothing will give greater pleasure to all your old friends; and I know one down there behind the Saint Nicolas citadel who will not be sorry to hear it.”
   “Mercédès?” said the old man.
   “Yes, my dear father, and with your permission, now I have seen you, and know you are well and have all you require, I will ask your consent to go and pay a visit to the Catalans.”
   “Go, my dear boy,” said old Dantès; “and Heaven bless you in your wife, as it has blessed me in my son!”
   “His wife!” said Caderousse; “why, how fast you go on, father Dantès; she is not his wife yet, as it seems to me.”
   “No, but according to all probability she soon will be,” replied Edmond.
   “Yes—yes,” said Caderousse; “but you were right to return as soon as possible, my boy.”
   “And why?”
   “Because Mercédès is a very fine girl, and fine girls never lack followers; she particularly has them by dozens.”
   “Really?” answered Edmond, with a smile which had in it traces of slight uneasiness.
   “Ah, yes,” continued Caderousse, “and capital offers, too; but you know, you will be captain, and who could refuse you then?”
   “Meaning to say,” replied Dantès, with a smile which but ill-concealed his trouble, “that if I were not a captain——”
   “Eh—eh!” said Caderousse, shaking his head.
   “Come, come,” said the sailor, “I have a better opinion than you of women in general, and of Mercédès in particular; and I am certain that, captain or not, she will remain ever faithful to me.”
   “So much the better—so much the better,” said Caderousse. “When one is going to be married, there is nothing like implicit confidence; but never mind that, my boy,—go and announce your arrival, and let her know all your hopes and prospects.”
   “I will go directly,” was Edmond’s reply; and, embracing his father, and nodding to Caderousse, he left the apartment.

The Vocabulary

vex vt. 使恼怒，使恼火
citadel n. 城堡，要塞
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修改:easior FROM 103.40.221.*
FROM 103.40.221.*