arranged the papers on the table, taken his place in an armchair,
and raised his spectacles, turned towards Franz:
"Are you M. Franz de Quesnel, baron d'Epinay?" asked he,
although he knew it perfectly.
"Yes, sir," replied Franz. The notary bowed. "I have, then, to
inform you, sir, at the request of M. de Villefort, that your
projected marriage with Mademoiselle de Villefort has changed the
feeling of M. Noirtier towards his grandchild, and that he
disinherits her entirely of the fortune he would have left her. Let
me hasten to add," continued he, "that the testator, having only
the right to alienate a part of his fortune, and having alienated
it all, the will will not bear scrutiny, and is declared null and
void."
"Yes." said Villefort; "but I warn M. d'Epinay, that during my
life-time my father's will shall never be questioned, my position
forbidding any doubt to be entertained."
"Sir," said Franz, "I regret much that such a question has been
raised in the presence of Mademoiselle Valentine; I have never
inquired the amount of her fortune, which, however limited it may
be, exceeds mine. My family has sought consideration in this
alliance with M. de Villefort; all I seek is happiness." Valentine
imperceptibly thanked him, while two silent tears rolled down her
cheeks. "Besides, sir," said Villefort, addressing himself to his
future son-in-law, "excepting the loss of a portion of your hopes,
this unexpected will need not personally wound you; M. Noirtier's
weakness of mind sufficiently explains it. It is not because
Mademoiselle Valentine is going to marry you that he is angry, but
because she will marry, a union with any other would have caused
him the same sorrow. Old age is selfish, sir, and Mademoiselle de
Villefort has been a faithful companion to M. Noirtier, which she
cannot be when she becomes the Baroness d'Epinay. My father's
melancholy state prevents our speaking to him on any subjects,
which the weakness of his mind would incapacitate him fromwhich the weakness of his mind would incapacitate him from
understanding, and I am perfectly convinced that at the present
time, although, he knows that his granddaughter is going to be
married, M. Noirtier has even forgotten the name of his intended
grandson." M. de Villefort had scarcely said this, when the door
opened, and Barrois appeared.
"Gentlemen," said he, in a tone strangely firm for a servant
speaking to his masters under such solemn circumstances, —
"gentlemen, M. Noirtier de Villefort wishes to speak immediately to
M. Franz de Quesnel, baron d'Epinay;" he, as well as the notary,
that there might be no mistake in the person, gave all his titles
to the bride-groom elect.
Villefort started, Madame de Villefort let her son slip from her
knees, Valentine rose, pale and dumb as a statue. Albert and
Chateau-Renaud exchanged a second look, more full of amazement than
the first. The notary looked at Villefort. "It is impossible," said
the procureur. "M. d'Epinay cannot leave the drawing-room at
present."
"It is at this moment," replied Barrois with the same firmness,
"that M. Noirtier, my master, wishes to speak on important subjects
to M. Franz d'Epinay."
"Grandpapa Noirtier can speak now, then," said Edward, with his
habitual quickness. However, his remark did not make Madame de
Villefort even smile, so much was every mind engaged, and so solemn
was the situation. Astonishment was at its height. Something like a
smile was perceptible on Madame de Villefort's countenance.
Valentine instinctively raised her eyes, as if to thank heaven.
"Pray go, Valentine," said; M. de Villefort, "and see what this
new fancy of your grandfather's is." Valentine rose quickly, and
was hastening joyfully towards the door, when M. de Villefort
altered his intention.
"Stop," said he; "I will go with you."
"Excuse me, sir," said Franz, "since M. Noirtier sent for me, I
am ready to attend to his wish; besides, I shall be happy to pay my
respects to him, not having yet had the honor of doing so."respects to him, not having yet had the honor of doing so."
"Pray, sir," said Villefort with marked uneasiness, "do not
disturb yourself."
"Forgive me, sir," said Franz in a resolute tone. "I would not
lose this opportunity of proving to M. Noirtier how wrong it would
be of him to encourage feelings of dislike to me, which I am
determined to conquer, whatever they may be, by my devotion." And
without listening to Villefort he arose, and followed Valentine,
who was running down-stairs with the joy of a shipwrecked mariner
who finds a rock to cling to. M. de Villefort followed them.
Chateau-Renaud and Morcerf exchanged a third look of still
increasing wonder.Noirtier was prepared to receive them, dressed in black, and
installed in his arm-chair. When the three persons he expected had
entered, he looked at the door, which his valet immediately
closed.
"Listen," whispered Villefort to Valentine, who could not
conceal her joy; "if M. Noirtier wishes to communicate anything
which would delay your marriage, I forbid you to understand him."
Valentine blushed, but did not answer. Villefort, approaching
Noirtier — "Here is M. Franz d'Epinay," said he; "you requested to
see him. We have all wished for this interview, and I trust it will
convince you how ill-formed are your objections to Valentine's
marriage."
Noirtier answered only by a look which made Villefort's blood
run cold. He motioned to Valentine to approach. In a moment, thanks
to her habit of conversing with her grandfather, she understood
that he asked for a key. Then his eye was fixed on the drawer of a
small chest between the windows. She opened the drawer, and found a
key; and, understanding that was what he wanted, again watched his
eyes, which turned toward an old secretary which had been neglected
for many years and was supposed to contain nothing but useless
documents. "Shall I open the secretary?" asked Valentine.
"Yes," said the old man.
"And the drawers?"
"Yes."
"Those at the side?"
"No."
"The middle one?"
"Yes." Valentine opened it and drew out a bundle of papers. "Is
that what you wish for?" asked she.
"No."
She took successively all the other papers out till the drawer
was empty. "But there are no more," said she. Noirtier's eye was
fixed on the dictionary. "Yes, I understand, grandfather," said the
young girl.
"He pointed to each letter of the alphabet. At the letter S the
old man stopped her. She opened, and found the word "secret."
"Ah, is there a secret spring?" said Valentine.
"Yes," said Noirtier.
"And who knows it?" Noirtier looked at the door where the
servant had gone out. "Barrois?" said she.
"Yes."
"Shall I call him?"
"Yes."
Valentine went to the door, and called Barrois. Villefort's