After saying these important things, because it was still daytime, it was inconvenient for Charlotte to leave, so Charles and Charlotte began to chat with each other, chatting with each other, and were ready to delay until the night before letting her leave.

Because the information Charlotte sent him was very valuable and useful, Charles was also quite grateful to her, so he also deliberately pleased Charlotte, and the two talked quite happily.

Before nightfall, his sister returned from the studio, and the two of them took a picture in the living room.

"Wow, our little sister is getting prettier and prettier!" As soon as she saw her cousin, who was becoming more and more beautiful and lovely, Charlotte said hello very happily and walked in front of Fran, "It won't be long before she becomes a great beauty!" ”

Compared to the enthusiastic Charlotte, she seemed to be a little overwhelmed, shrank back slightly, and then immediately stood behind her brother and looked at each other warily.

"Why, it's only been a long time since you haven't seen me, have you forgotten me?" Charlotte was a little puzzled, "Kid, I'm your cousin Charlotte!?" ”

Then she looked at Charles with some uneasiness, "Charles, have I changed so much?" ”

This was the first time Charles had seen Charlotte so nervous, and no matter how much the two of them had quarreled before, she was very calm and strong. It seems that no matter what kind of woman she is, the most important thing is really her appearance.

"No, it hasn't changed, or it's become prettier." Because he was in a good mood today, Charles complimented Charlotte, "It's normal for children to be forgetful, don't take it to heart, she's just a little recognized because she hasn't seen her for a long time." ”

"I see......" Charlotte finally breathed a sigh of relief, but still subconsciously brushed her hair.

"Don't be afraid, little girl." Charles touched his sister's head, and then dragged her to Charlotte, "This is our cousin, who used to live in our house and took good care of you, how sad it is for you to make the family like this!" Here, say hello to her. ”

Although Charles had already explained, Fran's expression was still very strange, but in the end, he couldn't resist his brother and could only whisper hello to Charlotte.

"Hello ......"

Although she was saying hello, it was obvious that she was still a little guarded, and her eyes were evasive.

Now Charlotte can also see that this cousin, who has not seen each other for a year or two, is a little hostile to herself, and it is obvious that she does not welcome herself.

Why? When have I ever offended this little girl? Charlotte was at a loss.

She thought about it, but couldn't figure it out.

When she lived at Marshal Tréville's house before, she got along well with the Charles siblings, after all, she was also favored by others, and of course she couldn't make a fool of other people's children. Moreover, she usually had no dealings with Fran, and she really couldn't think of how she could be hated by this child.

Forget it, no matter. After thinking for a while, Charlotte, who had no clue, simply stopped thinking about it.

Of course she wasn't happy to be treated like this, but she wasn't like a child - God knows what a child was thinking.

"Alright, Charles, don't bother you, I think it's about the same time, it's time to go." She stopped caring about the child, looked at Charles, and said goodbye to him.

"Huh? Why don't you stay for dinner? Charles wanted to stay.

"No, there are a lot of people, and I don't want to stay long." Charlotte shook her head and refused, then suddenly laughed, "Besides, you have dinner with a lady who has an insoles, isn't it clear that you are telling others that something is wrong?" Okay, let's have another meal together when we have a chance in the future, goodbye! No need to send it. ”

Before Charles could say anything more, Charlotte turned and walked out of the room, and Charles could only watch as her back disappeared from the door.

When it comes to walking, Charlotte is always so helpless.

"Sir, she'...... What is she here for? While Charles was still smiling wryly, Fran asked timidly beside him.

"She's here to visit the door." Of course, Charles couldn't tell his sister the truth, so he had to cover it up casually, "She's been wandering outside for too long, so she misses us a little, so she came over to take a look." ”

"It's definitely not a good thing to wander around outside." Fran commented a little unceremoniously, "You have to watch out for her, I have always thought she is dangerous......"

"Doesn't that always remember her?" Charles was a little surprised, "Then why was he so angry just now?" She's our cousin. ”

"Even if it's a cousin, if you do something wrong, you do something wrong." Fran didn't back down, but rarely insisted on her opinion in front of her brother, "A good girl doesn't show up at a young age, who knows who she usually sees." ”

"Not everyone lives the same way." Seeing his sister slandering Charlotte like this, Charles was a little unhappy. "I know she's done something wrong, but she's our family after all, and she's not the kind of person who is frivolous, so you don't have to think too much, we shouldn't maliciously speculate about others behind our backs - especially you, you can't do that, you're a good boy."

Being counted down by her brother like this, Fran didn't dare to say any more, she lowered her head, and seemed a little embarrassed.

"Well, you're right, sir, I'm ...... I know wrong. ”

In her brother's eyes, she is an unsophisticated child, she doesn't know why her brother is so obsessed with the so-called innocent cuteness, but since he wants to see himself like this, then he is naïve, and he really shouldn't slander others behind his back.

"It's okay, don't admit it, it's just a small thing." Charles laughed again, "Alright, let's be happy, it's time for dinner." ”

"So is she really just coming to our house to meet her relatives?" Just as Charles was about to go to the restaurant, Fran suddenly asked coldly. "Isn't there any other scheme?"

"yes, of course." Without looking back, Charles replied, "What else could there be?" ”

He didn't notice his sister, who was silently following behind him, but his gaze stayed out of his coat pocket, stopping at the pistol's half-exposed hilt.

For her to lie to me. The naïve child thought to himself.

………………………………

As night fell, the brother and sister's dinner ended as usual, and just as Charles was about to go to his study to read a book, the servant suddenly delivered a letter from the Count's palace in Monte Cristo.

Charles immediately opened the letter.

The letter was very brief - the Count said that he had a new young man introduced by a friend, a nobleman from Italy, who admired the prosperity of Paris very much, and hoped that he could help introduce him so that he could enter the social scene of Paris, after all, young people know the preferences of young people best.

"...... from Italy Aristocrat? Charles's expression suddenly became very exciting.

If he hadn't received the news from Charlotte just now, Charles might not have felt that something was wrong, after all, the children of the aristocracy all over Europe wanted to come to Paris to enjoy the fancy world, but now, the situation is different......

Is this person to be introduced, is it a young Italian nobleman or an Italian bandit robber?

Charles sneered inwardly.

But now is not the time to tear up with the Earl, and Charles decides to remain quiet, treating everything as if it didn't happen, and doing whatever the Count tells him to do.

Anyway, in this day and age, how much difference can there be between nobles and robbers?

With this in mind, early the next morning, Charles rushed to the Earl's palace again.

The Count quickly had him taken to his study on the second floor, and this time, in addition to the Earl, there was an additional young man.

The young man, who looked to be in his early twenties, had yellow hair that had just covered his ears, a fashionable brown mustache, black eyes, fair skin, and looked like he had not been subjected to much hard work since childhood, and was of great stature.

At this time, the young man was lying casually on a sofa, gently tapping his leather boots with the golden-headed cane he was holding in his hand, and he had a dashing air.

He was richly dressed and fashionable, and under the packaging of all kinds of fashionable gadgets, he was almost no different from those boys and brothers in the Parisian social scene, and he was full of that flashy and light atmosphere.

However, his eyes were different, and the dark pupils scanned the corners of the room alertly, and when Charles entered, he immediately looked at him, showing his master's wariness. And that scattered gaze, unconsciously, occasionally revealed a vicious anger, revealing that this young man was definitely not a person to be messed with.

This guy is quite like a nobleman, Charles thought to himself.

"Earl, yesterday you said you wanted to introduce me to a man...... Is that him? After greeting the Earl, Charles went straight to the point.

"Yes, it was introduced to me by a friend of mine." The Earl nodded, "He hopes that this young man will be able to get rid of his previous bad luck and find his own happiness in this city." ”

"Oh, he's in the right place!" Charles shrugged, "There's nothing missing here, except happiness. As long as a person is willing to look for it seriously, he will definitely find it. ”

"My name is Andre Cavalcanti." At this time, the young man also stood up from the couch and respectfully extended his hand to Charles, "You are Mr. Treville, aren't you?" ”

Although he is still quite reserved on the surface, there is an unconsciously envy in his demeanor.

"Yes, it's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Cavalcanti." Charles shook the other man's hand as if nothing had happened, "Rest assured, if you are a friend of the Earl, then I will do everything I can to make your stay here enjoyable." ”

"That's great." Andre Cavalcanti nodded, smiling and even a little flattering. "My father thought that in order to get the most useful help, it would be better for me to make friends with the children of the nobles in Paris, and now it seems that I have achieved my goal, thank God."

Although he deliberately wanted to behave solemnly, he couldn't get rid of that frivolity.

"The Cavalcanti family, one of the most prestigious families in Florence, has an ancient and noble lineage." While Charles was still suspicious, the Count of Monte Cristo, seemingly consciously or unconsciously, helped the young man to explain, "And André is the heir to a branch of the family." This branch has always lived in the city of Lucca, near Tuscany, and is a prominent local family. ”

"Oh, that's amazing!" Charles replied with a smile.

"It stands to reason that Andre should have lived the life of a lord like his ancestors for generations, dedicating his years and knowledge to the territory and its people, but sometimes things always happen a little unexpectedly." "In his childhood, there was a gang of bandits, in collusion with his ill-intentioned governess, who abducted him, and sent him through a nightmare phase in his life. ”

"Oh God!" Charles opened his mouth in surprise, then looked at Andre Cavalcanti with great sympathy, "It's really unfortunate. ”

"Yes, it's unfortunate." Andrea Cavalcanti blinked, then sighed bitterly, "These shameless people kidnapped me for ransom, deprived me of everything I was entitled to, forced me to live a life like hell, and even worse, they put my father and mother in agony...... I will never forgive these sinners! ”

"Then why did your father get back to you?" Just as André was still sentimental, Charles asked coldly.

After André went missing, his father, Marquis Bartolomeo Cavalcanti, never gave up the search for his only son. Years of hard work had yielded no results, and he was on the verge of despair...... But suddenly one day, he finally received a letter saying that the gang that had abducted his son was now willing to return it to him, but for a large sum of money as a ransom. Without hesitation, the Marquis ordered the money to be sent to the border between France and Piedmont, and then his son was finally recovered. Before André could reply, the Count gave an explanation.

"......I see," Charles sighed, then looked at André with relief, "God is still on your side, my friend." ”

"God's providence came a little late, but it was still timely." Andrea Cavalcanti let out another long sigh, "The bandits who kidnapped me from my father have always wanted to sell me back to him, all they want is ransom. And in order to get the most out of their deals, they need me to preserve my social identity and value, so they have always been willing to educate me as they deserve. In ancient times, slave owners in Asia Minor used to train their slaves to be grammar teachers, doctors, and philosophers so that they could be sold for a good price in the Roman market, and the kidnappers treated me just as they did. ”

"In this day and age, kidnappers are also talking about professional ethics." Charles nodded incessantly, as if glad that his new friend had finally come to an end. "On the bright side, even though you have suffered so much before, at least you are free now, and you can usher in a new life, like the young master of the Cavalcanti family."

If the Count of Monte Cristo had said this, he would have believed it, but since Charlotte's message, to be honest, he wouldn't believe a word.

With the excuse of "being kidnapped since childhood", then it is much easier for a person to play the role of a nobleman, and what heraldic lineage, what family history, what life experience, these noble knowledge that needs to be made up for a long time (in fact, it is useless) can be completely covered up.

Isn't this all about fooling people, Earl? Charles sneered inwardly.

He now believes that André Cavalcanti must have been the bandit and outlaw who had followed the Count from Italy into France.

But it's not a question of whether he believes it or not, it's whether he wants to believe it — and at least for now, he does.

He was willing to cooperate with the Count in this play.

"That's what I want the most." Andrei's expression was full of eagerness, "I want to regain the life I lost, and double the compensation for it, whether it is to paralyze myself or indulge myself, I want to get back all the pleasures that I didn't get in my childhood." ”

"I can understand that, and I'm willing to help you." Charles nodded again, "But, friend, I would also like to remind you that it is easy to find happiness in Paris, but it also comes at the cost of a lot of money. ”

"Don't worry about that." The Count suddenly interjected, "The Marquis of Cavalcanti is a very rich man, and André is his only son, he must be willing to sacrifice a little money for Andrew's happiness." He had already entrusted the Tangral Bank to open an account for him, which he could receive five thousand francs a month, which was his pocket money. If there is anything else I need to spend, I can also support him, after all, he was introduced by my friend. ”

When he heard this number, Andrei's eyes lit up, obviously he himself did not expect that he would have so much pocket money to use.

"Yes, my father arranged for me to have an annual pocket of 60,000," Andre said with an unconcealed, greedy look that bordered on hunger, "I think this must be enough to spend, right?" ”

"By the average level, that's enough," Charles smiled, and teased him a little, "but if you follow the Earl's way, I'm afraid the 50,000 won't last a few days, and you'll still have to ask the Count for support then." ”

"Of course I can't compare with the Count." Finally, Andre was still a little shrewd, and immediately came to his senses, and then slapped the earl on the back, "The earl is my great benefactor, how can I bother him." Sixty thousand francs is enough for my expenses, and I am very grateful to my father, who is really good. ”

"This venerable father is much better than most fathers in France." Charles was still smiling, and he couldn't tell whether it was a compliment or a mockery, "Most of the fathers here are misers, they regard their sons as losers, no matter how rich they are, but they refuse to give them a big son, forcing these playboys to have no choice, as long as they live by gambling and cheating women's money, how many sins have been created, Andrei, I am really glad for you, there is such a good father, those people are afraid that they will envy you to death." ”

At first, Andre was still laughing, but later he felt that something was not right, so his smile turned into a dry laugh, as if he didn't know how to answer something about his father.

"Okay, Andre, you go and rest first, you have just been rescued, you are not mentally stable, you need to rest more." The Count waved his hand coldly and motioned for the other party to leave.

André was relieved of the siege, and immediately took his farewell to Charles and the Count and left.

"I'm afraid this young man is making you laugh, Charles." After André left, the Count smiled, and then looked at Charles, "Although he is still educated, and his words and deeds can still be seen by people, but after all, he has been away from society all these years...... So he still has a lot to learn, and if something embarrassing happens in a while, please don't see it. ”

"Rest assured, we've all been together for so long, Earl, and you can see that I'm not one who likes to embarrass people." Charles replied unhurriedly, "I can understand the pain he endured because of his childhood, and we have not had time to comfort such a person, how can we make him embarrassed?" I only wish I could help him find something happy in Paris and let him recoup all those years of loss. ”

"In Paris, it should be easy to find something to be happy with." The Count was still smiling, "You just need to let him play in peace and play in all the interesting places, his father gave him enough money to cover his expenses, right?" ”

"I see, Count." Charles nodded. "But everybody has different hobbies, do you know his hobbies?"

"I don't know much about this, I said, he was only introduced by a friend of mine, and I received him with trust in my friend, and I don't know much about his life and hobbies." The Earl gave a somewhat surprising reply, "But I suppose that's all that young people have in their hobbies, right?" Wouldn't it be okay to have fun like everyone else? ”

Got rid of the relationship so quickly?

Doesn't it suppose so?

If this Andrei was the Count's subordinate, he should have tried his best to help cover it up, how could he suddenly dissociate himself?

Charles was a little confused for a moment.

However, these are not too many questions now, but he has a vague feeling that this Andre Cavalcanti must have some unknown and unfamiliar background secrets.

"To be honest, I'm not very professional in having fun, but I have some friends who can take him, and they are professional." The charr made a promise.

Then, as if thinking of something else, he looked up at the Count again, "By the way, you just said that this young man was introduced by a friend of yours, which friend is it?" ”

"Lord Wilmore?"

It was the second time the charr had heard the name in two days.

Is it the nobleman from England?

Interesting, it seems that this Brit has to be seen.