it observed," he added with a smile of intelligence.
"Most assuredly," responded Madame de Villefort in the same
tone. "As for me, so nervous, and so subject to fainting fits, I
should require a Doctor Adelmonte to invent for me some means of
breathing freely and tranquillizing my mind, in the fear I have of
dying some fine day of suffocation. In the meanwhile, as the thing
is difficult to find in France, and your abbe is not probably
disposed to make a journey to Paris on my account, I must continue
to use Monsieur Planche's anti-spasmodics; and mint and Hoffman's
drops are among my favorite remedies. Here are some lozenges which
I have made up on purpose; they are compounded doubly strong."
Monte Cristo opened the tortoise-shell box, which the lady
presented to him, and inhaled the odor of the lozenges with the air
of an amateur who thoroughly appreciated their composition. "They
are indeed exquisite," he said; "but as they are necessarily
submitted to the process of deglutition — a function which it is
frequently impossible for a fainting person to accomplish — I
prefer my own specific."
"Undoubtedly, and so should I prefer it, after the effects I
have seen produced; but of course it is a secret, and I am not so
indiscreet as to ask it of you."
"But I," said Monte Cristo, rising as he spoke — "I am gallant
enough to offer it you."
"How kind you are."
"Only remember one thing — a small dose is a remedy, a large one
is poison. One drop will restore life, as you have seen; five or
six will inevitably kill, and in a way the more terrible inasmuch
as, poured into a glass of wine, it would not in the slightest
degree affect its flavor. But I say no more, madame; it is really
as if I were prescribing for you." The clock struck half-past six,
and a lady was announced, a friend of Madame de Villefort, who came
to dine with her.
"If I had had the honor of seeing you for the third or fourth
time, count, instead of only for the second," said Madame de
Villefort; "if I had had the honor of being your friend, instead ofVillefort; "if I had had the honor of being your friend, instead of
only having the happiness of being under an obligation to you, I
should insist on detaining you to dinner, and not allow myself to
be daunted by a first refusal."
"A thousand thanks, madame," replied Monte Cristo "but I have an
engagement which I cannot break. I have promised to escort to the
Academie a Greek princess of my acquaintance who has never seen
your grand opera, and who relies on me to conduct her thither."
"Adieu, then, sir, and do not forget the prescription."
"Ah, in truth, madame, to do that I must forget the hour's
conversation I have had with you, which is indeed impossible."
Monte Cristo bowed, and left the house. Madame de Villefort
remained immersed in thought. "He is a very strange man," she said,
"and in my opinion is himself the Adelmonte he talks about." As to
Monte Cristo the result had surpassed his utmost expectations.
"Good," said he, as he went away; "this is a fruitful soil, and I
feel certain that the seed sown will not be cast on barren ground."
Next morning, faithful to his promise, he sent the prescription
requested.Our readers must now allow us to transport them again to the
enclosure surrounding M. de Villefort's house, and, behind the
gate, half screened from view by the large chestnut-trees, which on
all sides spread their luxuriant branches, we shall find some
people of our acquaintance. This time Maximilian was the first to
arrive. He was intently watching for a shadow to appear among the
trees, and awaiting with anxiety the sound of a light step on the
gravel walk. At length, the long-desired sound was heard, and
instead of one figure, as he had expected, he perceived that two
were approaching him. The delay had been occasioned by a visit from
Madame Danglars and Eugenie, which had been prolonged beyond the
time at which Valentine was expected. That she might not appear to
fail in her promise to Maximilian, she proposed to Mademoiselle
Danglars that they should take a walk in the garden, being anxious
to show that the delay, which was doubtless a cause of vexation to
him, was not occasioned by any neglect on her part. The young man,
with the intuitive perception of a lover, quickly understood the
circumstances in which she was involuntarily placed, and he was
comforted. Besides, although she avoided coming within speaking
distance, Valentine arranged so that Maximilian could see her pass
and repass, and each time she went by, she managed, unperceived by
her companion, to cast an expressive look at the young man, which
seemed to say, "Have patience! You see it is not my fault." And
Maximilian was patient, and employed himself in mentally
contrasting the two girls, — one fair, with soft languishing eyes,
a figure gracefully bending like a weeping willow; the other a
brunette, with a fierce and haughty expression, and as straight as
a poplar. It is unnecessary to state that, in the eyes of the young
man, Valentine did not suffer by the contrast. In about half an
hour the girls went away, and Maximilian understood that
Mademoiselle Danglars' visit had at last come to an end. In a fewMademoiselle Danglars' visit had at last come to an end. In a few
minutes Valentine re-entered the garden alone. For fear that any
one should be observing her return, she walked slowly; and instead
of immediately directing her steps towards the gate, she seated
herself on a bench, and, carefully casting her eyes around, to
convince herself that she was not watched, she presently arose, and
proceeded quickly to join Maximilian.
"Good-evening, Valentine," said a well-known voice.
"Good-evening, Maximilian; I know I have kept you waiting, but
you saw the cause of my delay."
"Yes, I recognized Mademoiselle Danglars. I was not aware that
you were so intimate with her."
"Who told you we were intimate, Maximilian?"
"No one, but you appeared to be so. From the manner in which you
walked and talked together, one would have thought you were two
school-girls telling your secrets to each other."
"We were having a confidential conversation," returned
Valentine; "she was owning to me her repugnance to the marriage
with M. de Morcerf; and I, on the other hand, was confessing to her
how wretched it made me to think of marrying M. d'Epinay."
"Dear Valentine!"
"That will account to you for the unreserved manner which you
observed between me and Eugenie, as in speaking of the man whom I
could not love, my thoughts involuntarily reverted to him on whom
my affections were fixed."
"Ah, how good you are to say so, Valentine! You possess a
quality which can never belong to Mademoiselle Danglars. It is that
indefinable charm which is to a woman what perfume is to the flower
and flavor to the fruit, for the beauty of either is not the only
quality we seek."
"It is your love which makes you look upon everything in that
light."
"No, Valentine, I assure you such is not the case. I was
observing you both when you were walking in the garden, and, on my
honor, without at all wishing to depreciate the beauty of
Mademoiselle Danglars, I cannot understand how any man can really
love her."