servant, he had, as we have said, been with his master for five and
twenty years, therefore he knew all his habits, and it was seldom
that Noirtier found it necessary to ask for anything, so prompt was
he in administering to all the necessities of the invalid.
Villefort did not need the help of either Valentine or the domestic
in order to carry on with his father the strange conversation which
he was about to begin. As we have said, he perfectly understood the
old man's vocabulary, and if he did not use it more often, it was
only indifference and ennui which prevented him from so doing. He
therefore allowed Valentine to go into the garden, sent away
Barrois, and after having seated himself at his father's right
hand, while Madame de Villefort placed herself on the left, he
addressed him thus: —
"I trust you will not be displeased, sir, that Valentine has not
come with us, or that I dismissed Barrois, for our conference will
be one which could not with propriety be carried on in the presence
of either. Madame de Villefort and I have a communication to make
to you."
Noirtier's face remained perfectly passive during this long
preamble, while, on the contrary, Villefort's eye was endeavoring
to penetrate into the inmost recesses of the old man's heart.
"This communication," continued the procureur, in that cold and
decisive tone which seemed at once to preclude all discussion,
"will, we are sure, meet with your approbation." The eye of the
invalid still retained that vacancy of expression which prevented
his son from obtaining any knowledge of the feelings which were
passing in his mind; he listened, nothing more. "Sir," resumed
Villefort, "we are thinking of marrying Valentine." Had the old
man's face been moulded in wax it could not have shown less emotion
at this news than was now to be traced there. "The marriage will
take place in less than three months," said Villefort. Noirtier's
eye still retained its inanimate expression.
Madame de Villefort now took her part in the conversation andMadame de Villefort now took her part in the conversation and
added, — "We thought this news would possess an interest for you,
sir, who have always entertained a great affection for Valentine;
it therefore only now remains for us to tell you the name of the
young man for whom she is destined. It is one of the most desirable
connections which could possibly be formed; he possesses fortune, a
high rank in society, and every personal qualification likely to
render Valentine supremely happy, — his name, moreover, cannot be
wholly unknown to you. It is M. Franz de Quesnel, Baron
d'Epinay."
While his wife was speaking, Villefort had narrowly watched the
old man's countenance. When Madame de Villefort pronounced the name
of Franz, the pupil of M. Noirtier's eye began to dilate, and his
eyelids trembled with the same movement that may be perceived on
the lips of an individual about to speak, and he darted a lightning
glance at Madame de Villefort and his son. The procureur, who knew
the political hatred which had formerly existed between M. Noirtier
and the elder d'Epinay, well understood the agitation and anger
which the announcement had produced; but, feigning not to perceive
either, he immediately resumed the narrative begun by his wife.
"Sir," said he, "you are aware that Valentine is about to enter her
nineteenth year, which renders it important that she should lose no
time in forming a suitable alliance. Nevertheless, you have not
been forgotten in our plans, and we have fully ascertained
beforehand that Valentine's future husband will consent, not to
live in this house, for that might not be pleasant for the young
people, but that you should live with them; so that you and
Valentine, who are so attached to each other, would not be
separated, and you would be able to pursue exactly the same course
of life which you have hitherto done, and thus, instead of losing,
you will be a gainer by the change, as it will secure to you two
children instead of one, to watch over and comfort you."children instead of one, to watch over and comfort you."
Noirtier's look was furious; it was very evident that something
desperate was passing in the old man's mind, for a cry of anger and
grief rose in his throat, and not being able to find vent in
utterance, appeared almost to choke him, for his face and lips
turned quite purple with the struggle. Villefort quietly opened a
window, saying, "It is very warm, and the heat affects M.
Noirtier." He then returned to his place, but did not sit down.
"This marriage," added Madame de Villefort, "is quite agreeable to
the wishes of M. d'Epinay and his family; besides, he had no
relations nearer than an uncle and aunt, his mother having died at
his birth, and his father having been assassinated in 1815, that is
to say, when he was but two years old; it naturally followed that
the child was permitted to choose his own pursuits, and he has,
therefore, seldom acknowledged any other authority but that of his
own will."
"That assassination was a mysterious affair," said Villefort,
"and the perpetrators have hitherto escaped detection, although
suspicion has fallen on the head of more than one person." Noirtier
made such an effort that his lips expanded into a smile.
"Now," continued Villefort, "those to whom the guilt really
belongs, by whom the crime was committed, on whose heads the
justice of man may probably descend here, and the certain judgment
of God hereafter, would rejoice in the opportunity thus afforded of
bestowing such a peace-offering as Valentine on the son of him
whose life they so ruthlessly destroyed." Noirtier had succeeded in
mastering his emotion more than could have been deemed possible
with such an enfeebled and shattered frame. "Yes, I understand,"
was the reply contained in his look; and this look expressed a
feeling of strong indignation, mixed with profound contempt.
Villefort fully understood his father's meaning, and answered by a
slight shrug of his shoulders. He then motioned to his wife to take