Page:The Count of Monte-Cristo (1887 Volume 3).djvu/184

164 "Yes, his bodily faculties, for he can neither move nor speak; never theless, he thinks, acts, and wills in the manner I have described. I left him about five minutes ago, and he is now occupied in dictating his will to two notaries."

"But to do this he must have spoken?"

"He has done better than that—he has made himself understood."

"How was such a thing possible?"

"By the help of his eyes, which are still full of life, and, as you perceive, can inflict mortal injury."

"My dear," said Madame de Villefort, who had just entered the room, "perhaps you exaggerate the evil."

"Good-morning, madame!" said the count, bowing.

Madame de Villefort acknowledged the salutation with one of her most gracious smiles.

"What is this that M. de Yillefort has been telling me?" demanded Monte-Cristo, "and what incomprehensible misfortune—"

"Incomprehensible is the word!" interrupted the procureur du roi, shrugging his shoulders. "An old man's caprice!"

"And is there no means of making him revoke his decision?"

"Yes," said Madame de Villefort; "and it is still entirely in the power of my husband to cause the will, which is now in prejudice of Valentine, to be altered in her favor."

The count, who perceived that M. and Mme. de Villefort were beginning to speak in parables, appeared to pay no attention to the conversation, and feigned to be watching Edward, who was pouring ink into the bird's water-glass.

"My dear," said Villefort, in answer to his wife, "you know I never play the patriarch in my family, nor have I ever considered that the fate of a universe was to be decided by my nod. Nevertheless, it is necessary that my will should be respected in my family, and that the folly of an old man and the caprice of a child should not be allowed to overturn a project entertained for years. The Baron d'Epinay was my friend, as you know, and an alliance with his son is most suitable."

"Do you think," said Madame de Yillefort, "that Valentine is in league with him? She has always been opposed to this marriage, and I should not be at all surprised if what we have just seen and heard is nothing but the execution of a plan concerted between them."

"Madame," said Villefort, "believe me, a fortune of nine hundred thousand francs is not so easily renounced."

"She could renounce the world, sir, since it is only about a year ago that she proposed entering a convent."

"Never mind," replied Villefort; "I say that this marriage must take place!"