ame de Villefort, who was alone in her drawing-room when
the count was announced, desired that her son might be brought thither
instantly to renew his thanks to the count; and Edward, who heard this
great personage talked of for two whole days, made all possible haste to
come to him, not from obedience to his mother, or out of any feeling of
gratitude to the count, but from sheer curiosity, and that some chance
remark might give him the opportunity for making one of the impertinent
speeches which made his mother say,--"Oh, that naughty child! But I
can't be severe with him, he is really so bright."

After the usual civilities, the count inquired after M. de Villefort.
"My husband dines with the chancellor," replied the young lady; "he has
just gone, and I am sure he'll be exceedingly sorry not to have had the
pleasure of seeing you before he went." Two visitors who were there
when the count arrived, having gazed at him with all their eyes, retired
after that reasonable delay which politeness admits and curiosity
requires. "What is your sister Valentine doing?" inquired Madame de
Villefort of Edward; "tell some one to bid her come here, that I may
have the honor of introducing her to the count."

"You have a daughter, then, madame?" inquired the count; "very young, I
presume?"

"The daughter of M. de Villefort by his first marriage," replied the
young wife, "a fine well-grown girl."

"But melancholy," interrupted Master Edward, snatching the feathers out
of the tail of a splendid parroquet that was screaming on its gilded
perch, in order to make a plume for his hat. Madame de Villefort merely
cried,--"Be still, Edward!" She then added,--"This young madcap is,
however, very nearly right, and merely re-echoes what he has heard me
say with pain a hundred times; for Mademoiselle de Villefort is, in
spite of all we can do to rouse her, of a melancholy disposition and
taciturn habit, which frequently injure the effect of her beauty. But
what detains her? Go, Edward, and see."

"Because they are looking for her where she is not to be found."

"And where are they looking for her?"

"With grandpapa Noirtier."

"And do you think she is not there?"

"No, no, no, no, no, she is not there," replied Edward, singing his
words.

"And where is she, then? If you know, why don't you tell?"

"She is under the big chestnut-tree," replied the spoiled brat, as he
gave, in spite of his mother's commands, live flies to the parrot, w