Page:The Count of Monte-Cristo (1887 Volume 3).djvu/33

Rh marked by the justice of God. That Grod, desirous in his mercy to punish but one person, has visited this justice on him alone."

Monte-Cristo, with a smile on his lips, had yet a roar at his heart, which would have made Villefort fly had he but heard it.

"Adieu, sir," said the magistrate, who had risen from his seat; "I leave you, bearing a remembrance of you—a remembrance of esteem, which I hope will not be disagreeable to you when you know me better; for I am not a man to bore my friends, as you will learn. Besides, you have made an eternal friend of Madame de Villefort."

The count bowed, and contented himself with seeing Villefort to the door of his cabinet, the procureur being escorted to his carriage by two footmen, who, on a signal from their master, followed him with every mark of attention. When he had gone, Monte-Cristo drew a hard breath from his oppressed bosom, and said:

"Enough of this poison; let me now seek the antidote."

Then sounding his bell, he said to Ali, who entered:

"I am going to visit madame—have the carriage ready at one o'clock."