When Albert finally got the Count of Monte Cristo alone, he grinned. "My dear Count, let me show you what a bachelor pad looks like in this city. I know you're used to fancy Italian mansions, but you can see how us young guys live in the capital. I'll open the windows as we go. Fresh air, you know?"
Monte Cristo had already seen the breakfast room and main salon downstairs. Albert first led him to his studio, his favorite room in the apartment. The Count's eyes swept over Albert's collection: antique cabinets, Japanese porcelain, exotic fabrics, Venetian glass, and weapons from around the world. To Albert's surprise, Monte Cristo recognized everything instantly, their origins, their ages, their histories. Albert had expected to play tour guide, but instead found himself being educated by his guest, learning about archaeology, minerals, and natural history as they moved through the room.
