Mademoiselle Danglars, I cannot understand how any man can really
love her."
"The fact is, Maximilian, that I was there, and my presence had
the effect of rendering you unjust in your comparison."
"No; but tell me — it is a question of simple curiosity, and
which was suggested by certain ideas passing in my mind relative to
Mademoiselle Danglars" —
"I dare say it is something disparaging which you are going to
say. It only proves how little indulgence we may expect from your
sex," interrupted Valentine.
"You cannot, at least, deny that you are very harsh judges of
each other."
"If we are so, it is because we generally judge under the
influence of excitement. But return to your question."
"Does Mademoiselle Danglars object to this marriage with M. de
Morcerf on account of loving another?"
"I told you I was not on terms of strict intimacy with
Eugenie."
"Yes, but girls tell each other secrets without being
particularly intimate; own, now, that you did question her on the
subject. Ah, I see you are smiling."
"If you are already aware of the conversation that passed, the
wooden partition which interposed between us and you has proved but
a slight security."
"Come, what did she say?"
"She told me that she loved no one," said Valentine; "that she
disliked the idea of being married; that she would infinitely
prefer leading an independent and unfettered life; and that she
almost wished her father might lose his fortune, that she might
become an artist, like her friend, Mademoiselle Louise
d'Armilly."
"Ah, you see" —
"Well, what does that prove?" asked Valentine.
"Nothing," replied Maximilian.
"Then why did you smile?"
"Why, you know very well that you are reflecting on yourself,
Valentine."
"Do you want me to go away?"
"Ah, no, no. But do not let us lose time; you are the subject on
which I wish to speak."
"True, we must be quick, for we have scarcely ten minutes more
to pass together."
"Ma foi," said Maximilian, in consternation.
"Yes, you are right; I am but a poor friend to you. What a life"Yes, you are right; I am but a poor friend to you. What a life
I cause you to lead, poor Maximilian, you who are formed for
happiness! I bitterly reproach myself, I assure you."
"Well, what does it signify, Valentine, so long as I am
satisfied, and feel that even this long and painful suspense is
amply repaid by five minutes of your society, or two words from
your lips? And I have also a deep conviction that heaven would not
have created two hearts, harmonizing as ours do, and almost
miraculously brought us together, to separate us at last."
"Those are kind and cheering words. You must hope for us both,
Maximilian; that will make me at least partly happy."
"But why must you leave me so soon?"
"I do not know particulars. I can only tell you that Madame de
Villefort sent to request my presence, as she had a communication
to make on which a part of my fortune depended. Let them take my
fortune, I am already too rich; and, perhaps, when they have taken
it, they will leave me in peace and quietness. You would love me as
much if I were poor, would you not, Maximilian?"
"Oh, I shall always love you. What should I care for either
riches or poverty, if my Valentine was near me, and I felt certain
that no one could deprive me of her? But do you not fear that this
communication may relate to your marriage?"
"I do not think that is the case."
"However it may be, Valentine, you must not be alarmed. I assure
you that, as long as I live, I shall never love any one else!"
"You think to reassure me when you say that, Maximilian."
"Pardon me, you are right. I am a brute. But I was going to tell
you that I met M. de Morcerf the other day."
"Well?"
"Monsieur Franz is his friend, you know."
"What then?"
"Monsieur de Morcerf has received a letter from Franz,
announcing his immediate return." Valentine turned pale, and leaned
her hand against the gate. "Ah heavens, if it were that! But no,
the communication would not come through Madame de Villefort."
"Why not?"
"Because — I scarcely know why — but it has appeared as if"Why not?"
"Because — I scarcely know why — but it has appeared as if
Madame de Villefort secretly objected to the marriage, although she
did not choose openly to oppose it."
"Is it so? Then I feel as if I could adore Madame de
Villefort."
"Do not be in such a hurry to do that," said Valentine, with a
sad smile.
"If she objects to your marrying M. d'Epinay, she would be all
the more likely to listen to any other proposition."
"No, Maximilian, it is not suitors to which Madame de Villefort
objects, it is marriage itself."
"Marriage? If she dislikes that so much, why did she ever marry
herself?"
"You do not understand me, Maximilian. About a year ago, I
talked of retiring to a convent. Madame de Villefort, in spite of
all the remarks which she considered it her duty to make, secretly
approved of the proposition, my father consented to it at her
instigation, and it was only on account of my poor grandfather that
I finally abandoned the project. You can form no idea of the
expression of that old man's eye when he looks at me, the only
person in the world whom he loves, and, I had almost said, by whom
he is beloved in return. When he learned my resolution, I shall
never forget the reproachful look which he cast on me, and the
tears of utter despair which chased each other down his lifeless
cheeks. Ah, Maximilian, I experienced, at that moment, such remorse
for my intention, that, throwing myself at his feet, I exclaimed, —
`Forgive me, pray forgive me, my dear grandfather; they may do what
they will with me, I will never leave you.' When I had ceased
speaking, he thankfully raised his eyes to heaven, but without
uttering a word. Ah, Maximilian, I may have much to suffer, but I
feel as if my grandfather's look at that moment would more than
compensate for all."
"Dear Valentine, you are a perfect angel, and I am sure I do not
know what I — sabring right and left among the Bedouins — can have
done to merit your being revealed to me, unless, indeed, heaven