trifling loungers who came from a picnic party to visit
Pere-la-Chaise, or by lovers who make it their rendezvous.
The two coffins were placed on trestles previously prepared for
their reception in the right-hand crypt belonging to the
Saint-Meran family. Villefort, Franz, and a few near relatives
alone entered the sanctuary.
As the religious ceremonies had all been performed at the door,
and there was no address given, the party all separated;
Chateau-Renaud, Albert, and Morrel, went one way, and Debray and
Beauchamp the other. Franz remained with M. de Villefort; at the
gate of the cemetery Morrel made an excuse to wait; he saw Franz
and M. de Villefort get into the same mourning coach, and thought
this meeting forboded evil. He then returned to Paris, and although
in the same carriage with Chateau-Renaud and Albert, he did not
hear one word of their conversation. As Franz was about to take
leave of M. de Villefort, "When shall I see you again?" said the
latter.
"At what time you please, sir," replied Franz.
"As soon as possible."
"I am at your command, sir; shall we return together?"
"If not unpleasant to you."
"On the contrary, I shall feel much pleasure." Thus, the future
father and son-in-law stepped into the same carriage, and Morrel,
seeing them pass, became uneasy. Villefort and Franz returned to
the Faubourg Saint-Honore. The procureur, without going to see
either his wife or his daughter, went at once to his study, and,
offering the young man a chair, — "M. d'Epinay," said he, "allow me
to remind you at this moment, — which is perhaps not so ill-chosen
as at first sight may appear, for obedience to the wishes of the
departed is the first offering which should be made at their tomb,
— allow me then to remind you of the wish expressed by Madame de
Saint-Meran on her death-bed, that Valentine's wedding might not be
deferred. You know the affairs of the deceased are in perfect
order, and her will bequeaths to Valentine the entire property of
the Saint-Meran family; the notary showed me the documentsthe Saint-Meran family; the notary showed me the documents
yesterday, which will enable us to draw up the contract
immediately. You may call on the notary, M. Deschamps, Place
Beauveau, Faubourg Saint-Honore, and you have my authority to
inspect those deeds."
"Sir," replied M. d'Epinay, "it is not, perhaps, the moment for
Mademoiselle Valentine, who is in deep distress, to think of a
husband; indeed, I fear" —
"Valentine will have no greater pleasure than that of fulfilling
her grandmother's last injunctions; there will be no obstacle from
that quarter, I assure you."
"In that case," replied Franz, "as I shall raise none, you may
make arrangements when you please; I have pledged my word, and
shall feel pleasure and happiness in adhering to it."
"Then," said Villefort, "nothing further is required. The
contract was to have been signed three days since; we shall find it
all ready, and can sign it to-day."
"But the mourning?" said Franz, hesitating.
"Don't be uneasy on that score," replied Villefort; "no ceremony
will be neglected in my house. Mademoiselle de Villefort may retire
during the prescribed three months to her estate of Saint-Meran; I
say hers, for she inherits it to-day. There, after a few days, if
you like, the civil marriage shall be celebrated without pomp or
ceremony. Madame de Saint-Meran wished her daughter should be
married there. When that is over, you, sir, can return to Paris,
while your wife passes the time of her mourning with her
mother-in-law."
"As you please, sir," said Franz.
"Then," replied M. de Villefort, "have the kindness to wait half
an hour; Valentine shall come down into the drawing-room. I will
send for M. Deschamps; we will read and sign the contract before we
separate, and this evening Madame de Villefort shall accompany
Valentine to her estate, where we will rejoin them in a week."
"Sir," said Franz, "I have one request to make."
"What is it?"
"I wish Albert de Morcerf and Raoul de Chateau-Renaud to be
present at this signature; you know they are my witnesses."present at this signature; you know they are my witnesses."
"Half an hour will suffice to apprise them; will you go for them
yourself, or shall you send?"
"I prefer going, sir."
"I shall expect you, then, in half an hour, baron, and Valentine
will be ready." Franz bowed and left the room. Scarcely had the
door closed, when M. de Villefort sent to tell Valentine to be
ready in the drawing-room in half an hour, as he expected the
notary and M. d'Epinay and his witnesses. The news caused a great
sensation throughout the house; Madame de Villefort would not
believe it, and Valentine was thunderstruck. She looked around for
help, and would have gone down to her grandfather's room, but on
the stairs she met M. de Villefort, who took her arm and led her
into the drawing-room. In the anteroom, Valentine met Barrois, and
looked despairingly at the old servant. A moment later, Madame de
Villefort entered the drawing-room with her little Edward. It was
evident that she had shared the grief of the family, for she was
pale and looked fatigued. She sat down, took Edward on her knees,
and from time to time pressed this child, on whom her affections
appeared centred, almost convulsively to her bosom. Two carriages
were soon heard to enter the court yard. One was the notary's; the
other, that of Franz and his friends. In a moment the whole party
was assembled. Valentine was so pale one might trace the blue veins
from her temples, round her eyes and down her cheeks. Franz was
deeply affected. Chateau-Renaud and Albert looked at each other
with amazement; the ceremony which was just concluded had not
appeared more sorrowful than did that which was about to begin.
Madame de Villefort had placed herself in the shadow behind a
velvet curtain, and as she constantly bent over her child, it was
difficult to read the expression of her face. M. de Villefort was,
as usual, unmoved.
The notary, after having according to the customary method
arranged the papers on the table, taken his place in an armchair,