”Albert, are you ready?” Gustave asked and knocked on the door to his friend’s room.

”Yes, I’ll be right there.” Albert replied and left the room.

“The carriage is waiting outside. We have to hurry.” Gustave said and nearly ran down the corridor. The manor was almost empty, except for a few servants. And because the two young gentlemen were going out, most of them had retired early.

“Have a pleasant evening, young sirs.” the butler said as he bowed to them when they stepped outside.

“Thank you.” Gustave replied with a smile. They walked down the steps to the carriage and stepped inside. The door was closed, and they were soon on their way.

“I think we are going to have a good time tonight, right, Albert?” Gustave said and looked at Albert.

“I certainly hope so.” Albert replied and looked out. the moon shined brightly and the sky was cloudless.

“I have heard that they put much more work into the ball this year. If you think about last year, you can’t blame them if they did so. It was so boring last year!” Gustave said and recounted last year’s ball. But Albert didn’t listen. His thoughts were elsewhere.

Somehow he didn’t want to go to the ball. He felt like he should be at home. Even though he did look forward to the party, he also felt tired. Perhaps that was because he hadn’t had any sleep the night before. He had been wide-awake, turning back and forth in his bed, not the slightest tired. He hadn’t been able to find rest, and it annoyed, which also helped tear on his energy. And it was as if got even more tired the closer they came to Paris. Balls also made him think about Rome, and what had happened there. What if he had not went to Rome? If both his mother and Fernand had forbidden him to go? Ironic, wasn’t it? It was in Rome he had met the count, and it was Fernand who had permitted Albert to go. Fernand was really responsible for his own downfall. No, not really. He couldn’t have known and the count would surely find some other way of interfering with their lives. He was cunning and cruel enough to do so.

Gustave looked closely at him and didn’t know what to say.

“Are you all right?” he asked. Albert nodded.

“Yes, I am fine.” Albert said and tried to smile. But it was a forced smile, and after years of friendship, Gustave could see it. But he didn’t protest and felt it was better to forget it and think about something else.

“I wonder who will come tonight.” Gustave said to change subject.

“The usual, I think. Gerard will be there, that’s for sure.” Albert said with a smile.

“Absolutely. He wouldn’t miss a ball for the world!” Gustave agreed. “But I just hope he brought his sister.”

“I doubt it. I don’t think their parents would let her come even though her brother is with her.” Albert said. But it would not decrease Gustave’s spirit.

“Perhaps they will this time.” Gustave said. “Don’t you think she’s beautiful? You were quite taken by her at the last ball.”

“She is. But I am not taken by her.” Albert said. Ever since he had been to Rome, he had not been able to forget that girl he met. He sometimes wondered where she was.

“Of course you were. You couldn’t take your eyes of her.” Gustave said teasingly.

“Please, stop that.” Albert said calmly.

“Don’t you want to see her again?” Gustave teased.

“I said stop it!” Albert retorted.

He sat quite still, looking out the window as they reached Paris. The streets were empty, except for a few drunkards who were wandering about on their own. A sting in the heart made Albert think about the past. He suddenly remembered one incident several years ago when his father… when Fernand had come home early one morning, drunk and with a bottle in his hand…

“Ah, Albert! There you are, my boy.” Fernand said and staggered towards the stairs where Albert was standing, looking down at his father. Fernand stumbled and nearly fell as he made his way up.

“Why are you acting like that, father?” Albert asked. He was four years old, and had just woken up. He had been looking for his mother after having looked in her empty bedroom.

“Like this? I… I don’t know.” Fernand said and laughed a little.

“Been out drinking all night, have you?” Mercedes said and walked out from one of the parlours downstairs. She didn’t notice Albert.

“Ah, Mercedes, my dear, sweet wife.” Fernand laughed loudly and walked down to her.

“Go to bed and sleep it off. And please don’t ruin the carpets.” Mercedes said calmly, as if she had seen this many times before. Then she saw Albert.

“Albert, go back to bed. Quickly.” she ordered. Then she rushed up the stairs and gently but firmly pushed Albert on his way back to his room. The door was closed, but Albert slowly opened it and walked out. He heard his parents’ raised voices clearly.

“How dare you show up like this in front of Albert?” Mercedes shouted.

“Oh, stop being so overprotective of him! He’ll turn into a girl if you continue.” Fernand said annoyed.

“I don’t mind your drinking, but do not behave like this when Albert is present! He is just a child!” Mercedes continued. She sounded even angrier than before.

“Be quiet, woman. My head hurts.” Fernand moaned. Albert heard him walk up the stairs. Albert quickly ran into his room and closed the door. He heard a door being opened and then slammed. Albert rushed back to bed and closed his eyes as he heard his mother’s gentle footsteps coming closer. The door was opened and he heard his mother walked closer. She gently caressed his cheek and kissed his brow.

“I am sorry.” she whispered and walked out, not knowing he was awake.

“Albert. Albert! Come on. We’re here.” Gustave said and gently pushed Albert. Albert was pulled back to reality and looked at Gustave in surprise.

“What?” he asked, not having heard what his friend said.

“We are here.” Gustave repeated. Albert looked out and saw the grand opera-house. A large banner hang above the entrance and hundreds of people walked around outside or were on their way inside. The two friends stepped outside and walked to the entrance. There was a large queue, but it didn’t take long before they were inside.

The entire opera-house had been decorated with coloured ribbons and flowers. There were candles everywhere and the entire ball-room shined. There were couples dancing on the floor and some stood at the walls, talking and getting something to drink.

“I don’t see anyone we know. Perhaps we should walk around and keep watch.” Gustave said after having skimmed the room.

“Good idea.” Albert said.

They walked around for some time. But without luck. They didn’t met any of their friends. Or rather close friends. They stopped a few times to chat with several of their acquaintances, but they didn’t see any of their friends.

“We might as well go home.” Gustave said. “I really thought we would met somebody.”

“Me too. But they are in some of the parlours.” Albert suggested. Gustave nodded. They found the nearest door and walked in. The atmosphere was much more calm and dull in here. This was mostly older people who had long ceased dancing, and young people who were in want of a partner. They walked around for a while and then heard someone call.

“I just think the evening got much better.” Gustave smiled as he and Albert were met by Gerard and his sister Sophie.

“I didn’t think you would come.” Gerard beamed.

“But here we are.” Gustave smiled and smiled charmingly at Sophie who blushed.

“Oh, and I am so sorry to hear about your father, Albert.” Gerard said sympathetically. Albert moved uncomfortably.

“Thank you.” he said.

“Sophie, would honour me with a dance?” Gustave asked and offered Sophie his hand.

“Of course.” Sophie blushed and walked with him outside.

“Excuse me, but I have things to see to.” Gerard said and politely walked away. Albert didn’t mind being alone. He hadn’t actually thought it would be as boring as it was, and he welcomed the solitude. He walked around in the different parlours and in the ball-room.

Then he saw her. Or did he? Yes, it was her. The girl from Rome. He was sure it was. He walked towards her, but before he got to her, she left. Albert followed her and got a horrible sense of being back in Rome. He followed her down a narrow corridor and saw her enter a room and silently close the door behind her. He almost ran towards the door and slowly opened it. It was a small office, the only light came from the fireplace. The girl stood behind a desk and was busy looking through the drawers. He carefully closed the door, but she heard and looked up.

“What are you doing here?” she asked in surprise. Albert walked closer.

“I should ask you the same thing.”

“That’s none of your business. Now, leave or I’ll…” she began and reached for a pistol in the drawer.

“No! Please, you can trust me.” Albert said quickly. The girl lowered the pistol.

“You are not going to tell anyone?” she asked and looked at him in wonder.

“No, I promise.” he said. After a few moments he spoke again. “How were hired by the count of Monte Cristo?”

“Who?” the girl asked, but Albert could tell she lied.

“You know who I mean. Tell me.” Albert said firmly.

“He is a friend of my uncle, Luigi, and I was asked to come with him and his men to Rome for the carnival. The count had told me about a plan he had and what he wanted of me. And at the night of the carnival he pointed you out.” she said and sat down on the desk.

“So you knew of the count’s plans?” Albert asked and felt hate begin to boil in his veins. But somehow he could not hate her, only the count.

“No, not really. I was just told he had a plan with you, and he wanted me to lure you down to the catacombs.” the girl said innocently.

“So the kiss was just improvised?” Albert asked. The girl blushed. She nodded.

“Yes. I… I didn’t know how else to get your attention.” she said softly. “And somehow I wanted to.”

Now Albert blushed. He sat down in a chair and began to play with his hair like he often did when he was embarrassed or in deep thought. Then he looked at the girl.

“What’s your name?” he asked.

“Belle.” The girl said without looking at him.

“It suits you.” Albert said. Belle looked at him.

“What?” she asked.

“Sorry. I don’t know why I said that.” Albert said and smiled.

“I know your name, however. It’s Albert Mondego, son of count Mondego.” Belle said, trying to imitate the way Albert had spoken that night in Rome.

“You were there when they caught me?” Albert asked, feeling so embarrassed. Belle nodded with a smile.

“Yes. I walked down there to get you to my uncle, remember? I must say you were very brave.” Belle said impressed. Albert looked down and smiled.

“I just feel stupid now that I know the truth of it.”

“But why are you here?” he then asked her.

“It’s the only way I can make a living. Stealing. My family needs the money, and since my father died and my mother got ill…” Belle said but suddenly stopped.

“I am sorry.” Albert said.

“It’s all right. I mean, we have what we need. It’s just not enough to live a decent life.” Belle said. Then Albert stood up.

“Would you like to dance?” he asked. Belle looked at him for a moment and then smiled.

“Yes, very much.”

They left the room and walked back to the ball-room. They danced all night, and didn’t care if anybody noticed that they only danced with each other. Gustave stood nearby and smiled. Now he understood Albert’s sudden disappearance and his sudden lack of interest in Sophie.

“Will we see each other again?” Belle asked as they said good-bye outside the opera-house.

“I hope so. Or else, I am sure you can find me one day.” Albert answered. Belle nodded.

“I think so. Good-bye.” she said and walked away into the darkness. Albert looked after her and smiled slightly. When she was gone he turned around and saw Gustave stand nearby. He smiled teasingly.

“What?” Albert asked and walked towards the carriage.

“Nothing. I just wonder where you met that girl.” Gustave said as they stepped into the carriage.

“In Rome. During the carnival.” Albert answered.

“Really? Why didn’t you tell me about her?” Gustave asked, still smiling.

“I think the fact that I got abducted was more important than a girl I met.” Albert said, but he couldn’t help but smile back.

“What is her name? Does she live in Paris?” Gustave asked.

“Her name is Belle. And I think she lives in Paris. She didn’t tell.” Albert said, not looking at Gustave.

“Are you going to see her again?”

“I hope so.” Albert smiled. And that was end of that discussion. They talked about other things for the rest of the journey, but something bothered Albert. It was that memory he had suddenly remembered earlier that evening. He had never thought about it before. He didn’t even know it had happened. So why did he remember so many years after?

Finally I can write again! I did say I would soon be able to write again, didn’t I? Well, my finger sometimes still hurts, but other than that… Well, enough about that. Please review and let me know what you think!