World Literature Classics Library: The Count of Monte Cristo

Chapter 138 The Tomb of the Villefort Family (2)
Thus, the future son-in-law got into the same carriage, and Morrel had good reason to feel uneasy when he saw them pass by.Villefort returns to Saint-Honoré with Franz.When the prosecutor arrived home, without seeing anyone, and without telling his wife and daughter, he led Franz into his study and asked the young man to sit down in a chair.

"Monsieur d'Epinet," he said to the young man, "I would like to remind you that, though at first glance it seems inappropriate to talk about it, it is not, since obedience to the wishes of the dead is the first sacrifice we make to the coffin. So I want to remind you that the day before yesterday Madame de Saint-Méran, on her deathbed, ordered Valentine to be married without any delay. The entire property of Mr. and Mrs. Meylan will be inherited by Valentine. Yesterday the notary showed me all the papers, according to which we will finally conclude the marriage contract. You can see the notary, and in my name Let the notary take a look at these papers. The notary is M. Deschamps, of Place de Beauvois, Saint-Honoré."

"Monsieur," replied d'Epinet, "Mademoiselle Valentine is in a state of grief, and perhaps it is not yet the time for her to think of marriage. To tell you the truth, I fear—"

"As for Valentine," said M. de Villefort, interrupting Epinet, "her greatest desire is to fulfill her grandmother's last wish, so there will be no difficulty on her part, I believe. I can assure you."

"In that case, sir," said Franz, "I shall have no difficulty on my part, and everything is at your own discretion. I am not only gratified to keep my word, but to keep it. , and feel very fortunate.”

"Very well," said Villefort, "we are now ready for everything. The marriage contract should have been signed three days ago, so everything is ready to be signed today."

"But what about the defense?" said Franz hesitantly.

"Don't worry, Monsieur," said Villefort, "there will be no omissions in the etiquette. Mademoiselle Valentine can go to her estate at Saint-Méran for three months in accordance with the regulations. I said her The manor, for the estate is now hers. If you like, you can be officially married there in a week's time, without religious ceremony, without notification, without ostentation, without entertainment, Saint-Méran. Madame had hoped that her granddaughter would be married at their estate. When you are married, sir, you may return to Paris, while your wife mourns with her stepmother."

"At your convenience, sir," said Franz.

"Well," continued M. de Villefort, "please wait a moment. Valentine will be in the drawing-room in half an hour. I will send for M. Deschamps, and we will read and sign the marriage contract at once. Madame de Villefort tonight." Just accompany Valentine to her estate, and we shall join them there in a week."

"Sir," said Franz, "I have a request which I hope you will grant."

"What request?"

"I would like to have Albert Moseff and Raoul Chateau-Lenault present at the signing. You know, they are my witnesses."

"Half an hour will suffice to inform them. Will you send for them, or will you do so yourself?"

"I think I'd better go on my own, sir."

"Well, I'll be waiting here in half an hour, and Valentine will be ready in half an hour."

Franz bowed to M. de Villefort, and went out.As the young man left the mansion, just as the street door was closed, Villefort immediately sent word to Valentine to come down to the drawing-room in half an hour, while Villefort was waiting for the notary and M. d'Epinet. Witnesses.This sudden news caused a sensation in the whole family, Madame de Villefort could not believe it was true, while Valentina was paralyzed with fright as if struck by a bolt from the blue.She looked around, as if looking for someone to rescue her.She wanted to go downstairs to her grandfather, but on the way she met M. de Villefort, who took her by the arm, and led her into the drawing-room.Passing through the hall, Valentine met Baroy, and cast a despairing look at the old servant.

A short time after Valentine's arrival, Madame de Villefort came into the drawing-room with little Edward.The young woman, who had clearly shared the family's grief, was pale and exhausted.She sat down, holding little Edward on her lap, and now and then, with a movement almost convulsive, she held the child close to her face, as if her whole being had been concentrated in the child.Not long after, the rattle of two carriages driving into the vestibule was heard.One of the two cars belonged to the notary, and in the other were Franz and his two friends.Everyone came to the living room at once.

Valentine's face turned pale, and she could vaguely see that not only her temples were bulging with blue veins, but also around her eye circles and even her cheeks were covered with blue veins.Franz, not quite in control of his emotions, seemed very agitated.Chateau-Renoir and Albert looked at each other in astonishment. In their view, the ceremony that had just ended was sad, but it was not necessarily more sad than the ceremony that will be held now.Madame de Villefort sat in the shadow behind a velvet drapery, and with her head bent so often over her child, it was difficult to read from her face what was going on in her heart.M. de Villefort had his usual expressionless face.

The notary laid the papers on the table, according to the old custom of their law, then sat down in his chair, took off his spectacles, and turned his face towards Franz. "Are you Monsieur Franz Kenel, Baron d'Epinay?" he asked, though he knew it perfectly well.

"Yes, sir," replied Franz.

The notary is in debt. "I must tell you, monsieur," said he, "that M. de Villefort entrusts me to tell you that, in view of your proposed marriage to Mademoiselle de Villefort, M. Noirquier has changed his mind about his granddaughter, Villefort. Mademoiselle has automatically lost all the property that Mr. Noirquier originally decided to bequeath to her. I should also explain,” continued the notary, “the testator is only entitled to partly transfer his property. If the transfer is complete, the The will cannot be established if there is an objection, and the will is invalid.”

"Yes," said M. de Villefort, "but I hereby affirm to M. d'Epinet that, as long as I live, I will never challenge my father's will, and, in view of my position, I will never suffer any disgrace. "

"Sir," said Franz, "I regret to ask such a question in the presence of Mademoiselle Valentine. I have never inquired about the amount of her property. Her property, however reduced, is worth less than mine. The property is much more considerable. The family name of the family of M. de Villefort and M. de Villefort is good. What I want is the lintel of glory, but I want only happiness."

A feeling of gratitude welled up in Valentine's heart, and she was moved by it, but it was so small that she could hardly perceive it, and two tears were seen running quietly from her cheeks.

"Besides, sir," said Villefort to his future son-in-law, "this will, apart from the surprises which have partly frustrated your expectations, has no intention of injuring you personally. It is therefore only the loss of M. Noirquier's intellect that has caused your loss. It is not that Mademoiselle Valentine will be married to you, but that Valentine will come out of the court, to my father's displeasure. Valentine No matter who they marry, the old man will be depressed. It is inevitable to think only of yourself when you are old, sir. Mademoiselle Valentine was always with the old man, and she will become the Baroness d'Epinay. It is difficult. My father's condition is very sad. We seldom talk to him about serious matters, and he is unable to understand things because of his mental decline. I really think that at this time, M. Noirquier only Remembering that his granddaughter is going to get married, as for everything else, even the name of his future grandson-in-law, he can't remember it anymore."

After M. de Villefort had finished speaking, Franz bowed, but just as he had finished speaking, the door of the drawing-room was suddenly opened, and Baroy was standing in the doorway. "Gentlemen," he said, with a certainty, which is indeed unusual for a servant to speak to his master on such a solemn occasion, "Gentlemen, M. Noirquier de Villefort invites Franz Caine Monsieur d'Epinay, the Baron d'Epinay will go and talk at once." Like a notary, he repeated all of Franz's titles in order not to make a mistake.

Villefort fell silent for a moment.Madame de Villefort could not help letting go, and the son she was holding slipped from her lap and fell to the ground.Valentine suddenly stood up, her face turned pale, she was silent, like a stone statue.Albert and Chateau-Renoir looked at each other again, even more astonished than before.The notary looked at Villefort in awe.

"That's impossible," said the prosecutor, "and Mr. Epinet cannot leave the drawing room now."

"It is at this very moment," said Baroy with the same decisiveness, "that my master, Monsieur Noirquier, has some important business to say to Monsieur Franz d'Epinet."

"Can my grandpa speak now?" Edward asked as presumptuously as usual.

But not even Madame de Villefort had the time to laugh at this witty remark.At this moment, everyone in the living room was contemplating, and the whole atmosphere seemed solemn.

"Return to M. Noirquier," said Villefort, "his request cannot be fulfilled."

"Then Monsieur Noirquier will inform gentlemen," said Barroy, "that he will have him carried into the drawing-room at once."

The shock in the living room was even more shocking, and everyone was dumbfounded.A smile appeared on Madame de Villefort's face, and Valentine could not help but look up at the ceiling, silently thanking the heavens for her kindness.

"Valentine," said Villefort, "I think you'd better go and see what happened to your grandfather's whim?"

Valentine had just taken a few steps to go out when M. de Villefort changed his mind. "Wait a moment," he said, "I will go with you."

"Excuse me, monsieur," said Franz, "but I feel that, since M. Noirquier wants to see me, I should be the more obliged to comply with his request. Besides, I have never had the opportunity to see him, and I can now." It is a great honor to pay him my respects in person."

"Ah, my God!" said Villefort, with an air of apparent agitation, "you need not trouble yourself."

"I beg your pardon, monsieur," said Franz firmly, looking as though he had lost all hope, "I think that the present opportunity must not be missed, in order to express to M. Noirquier his dislike of me. It's unfair. No matter how deep his prejudice may be, I am determined to thaw it out with all my heart."

In spite of Villefort's dissuasion, Franz got up and followed Valentine.At this moment Valentine was walking down the stairs step by step, and her grief had turned into joy, as if she had been killed in the sea, and now she could feel the rocks to cling to.M. de Villefort went out after them.For the third time Chateau-Lenaud and Mosev stared at each other, they became more and more confused.

(End of this chapter)