Page:The Count of Monte-Cristo (1887 Volume 1).djvu/95

 

O sooner had Villefort left the saloon than he dropped the mask of gayety and assumed the grave air of a man who holds the balance of life and death in his hands. But, in spite of the mobility of his features, a mobility which he had more than once studied, as a clever actor does, before his mirror, it was on this occasion a labor for him to contract his brows and make his countenance stern and judicial. Except the recollection of the line of politics his father had adopted, and which might interfere, unless he acted with the greatest prudence, with his own career, Villefort was as happy as a man could be. Already rich, he held a high official situation, though only twenty-seven. He was about to marry a young and charming woman, whom he loved, not passionately, but discreetly, as a magistrate ought to love; and besides her personal attractions, which were very great, Mademoiselle de Saint-Méran's family possessed considerable political influence, which her parents, having no other child, would, of course, exert in his favor. The dowry of his wife amounted to thirty thousand dollars, besides the prospect of inheriting one hundred thousand more at her father's death.

At the door he met the commissary of police, who was waiting for him. The sight of this officer recalled Villefort from the third heaven to earth; he composed his face as we have before described, and said:

"I have read the letter, monsieur, and you have acted rightly in arresting this man; now inform me what you have discovered concerning him and the conspiracy."

"We know nothing as yet of the conspiracy, monsieur; all the papers found have been sealed up and placed on your bureau. The prisoner himself is named Edmond Dantès, mate on board the three-master, the