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326 guide me, like the light of the sun, still, doctor, I want, notwithstanding my conviction, to believe this axiom errare humanum est."

"Listen, Villefort," said the doctor, "is there one of my brethren in whom you have equal confidence with myself."

"Why do you ask me that?―what do you wish?"

"Send for him; I will tell him what I have seen, and we will consult together, and hold an autopsy."

"And you will find traces of poison?"

"No, I did not say of poison, but we can prove what was the state of the body: we shall discover the cause of her sudden death, and we shall say, 'Dear Villefort, if this thing has been caused by negligence, watch over your servants; if from hatred, watch your enemies.'"

"What do you propose to me, d'Avrigny?" said Villefort in despair, "so soon as another is admitted into our secret, an inquest will become necessary; and an inquest in my house―impossible! Still," continued the procureur, looking at the doctor with uneasiness, "if you wish it if you demand it, it shall be done. But, doctor, you see me already so grieved―how can I introduce into my house so much scandal, after so much sorrow? My wife and my daughter would die of it! And I, doctor―you know a man does not arrive at the post I occupy―one has not been procureur du roi twenty-five years without having amassed a tolerable number of enemies: mine are numerous. Let this affair be talked of; it will be a triumph for them, which will make them rejoice, and cover me with shame. Pardon me, doctor, these worldly ideas; were you a priest I should not dare tell you that; but you are a man, and you know mankind. Doctor, pray recall your words; you have said nothing, have you?"

"My dear M. de Villefort," replied the doctor, "my first duty is humanity. I would have saved Madame de Saint-Meran, if science could have done it; but she is dead, my duty regards the living. Let us bury this terrible secret in the deepest recesses of our hearts; I am willing, if any one should suspect this, that my silence on this subject should be imputed to my ignorance. Meanwhile, sir, watch always― watch carefully, for, perhaps, the evil may not stop here. And when you have found the culprit, if you find him, I will say to you, 'You are a magistrate; do as you will!'"

"I thank you, doctor," said Villefort, with indescribable joy; "I never had a better friend than you." And, as if he feared Doctor d'Avrigny would recall his promise, he hurried him toward the house.

When they were gone, Morrel ventured out from under the trees and the moon shone upon his face, which was so pale it might have been taken for a phantom.