The breakfast room was finished in oak, the living room in mahogany with blue velvet furnishings, and the bedroom featured green damask. There was even a study for Emmanuel, who never studied, and a music room for Julie, who never played. The entire second floor belonged to Maximilian, with rooms similar to his sister's, except he had a billiard room instead of a breakfast parlor, where he entertained his friends.
When the Count's carriage stopped at the gate, Maximilian was outside supervising the grooming of his horse and smoking a cigar.
Cocles opened the gate, and the Count's servant, Baptistin, jumped down from the carriage to inquire whether Monsieur and Madame Herbault and Monsieur Maximilian Morrel would receive his excellency, the Count of Monte Cristo.
"The Count of Monte Cristo?" Morrel cried, throwing away his cigar and rushing to the carriage. "Of course we'll see him! Thank you a thousand times, Count, for not forgetting your promise!"
