during the restoration of the
Bourbons."

"Oh, I have often heard whispers of things that seem to me most
strange--the father a Bonapartist, the son a Royalist; what can have
been the reason of so singular a difference in parties and politics?
But to resume my story; I turned towards my grandfather, as though to
question him as to the cause of his emotion; he looked expressively
at the newspaper I had been reading. 'What is the matter, dear
grandfather?' said I, 'are you pleased?' He gave me a sign in the
affirmative. 'With what my father said just now?' He returned a sign in
the negative. 'Perhaps you liked what M. Danglars said?' Another sign in
the negative. 'Oh, then, you were glad to hear that M. Morrel (I didn't
dare to say Maximilian) had been made an officer of the Legion of
Honor?' He signified assent; only think of the poor old man's being so
pleased to think that you, who were a perfect stranger to him, had been
made an officer of the Legion of Honor! Perhaps it was a mere whim on
his part, for he is falling, they say, into second childhood, but I love
him for showing so much interest in you."

"How singular," murmured Maximilian; "your father hates me, while your
grandfather, on the contrary--What strange feelings are aroused by
politics."

"Hush," cried Valentine, suddenly; "some one is coming!" Maximilian
leaped at one bound into his crop of lucerne, which he began to pull up
in the most ruthless way, under the pretext of being occupied in weeding
it.

"Mademoiselle, mademoiselle!" exclaimed a voice from behind the trees.
"Madame is searching for you everywhere; there is a visitor in the
drawing-room."

"A visitor?" inquired Valentine, much agitated; "who is it?"

"Some grand personage--a prince I believe they said--the Count of Monte
Cristo."

"I will come directly," cried Valentine aloud. The name of Monte Cristo
sent an electric shock through the young man on the other side of the
iron gate, to whom Valentine's "I am coming" was the customary signal
of farewell. "Now, then," said Maximilian, leaning on the handle of his
spade, "I would give a good deal to know how it comes about that the
Count of Monte Cristo is acquainted with M. de Villefort."

Chapter 52. Toxicology.

It was really the Count of Monte Cristo who had just arrived at Madame
de Villefort's for the purpose of returning the procureur's visit,
and at his name, as may be easily imagined, the whole house was in
confusion. Mad