young son were absent, you conversed for a
considerable time with somebody?"

"Yes, in truth, yes," answered the young lady, turning very red, "I do
remember conversing with a person wrapped in a long woollen mantle; he
was a medical man, I think."

"Precisely so, madame; this man was myself; for a fortnight I had been
at that hotel, during which period I had cured my valet de chambre of
a fever, and my landlord of the jaundice, so that I really acquired a
reputation as a skilful physician. We discoursed a long time, madame, on
different subjects; of Perugino, of Raffaelle, of manners, customs, of
the famous aquatofana, of which they had told you, I think you said,
that certain individuals in Perugia had preserved the secret."

"Yes, true," replied Madame de Villefort, somewhat uneasily, "I remember
now."

"I do not recollect now all the various subjects of which we discoursed,
madame," continued the count with perfect calmness; "but I perfectly
remember that, falling into the error which others had entertained
respecting me, you consulted me as to the health of Mademoiselle de
Villefort."

"Yes, really, sir, you were in fact a medical man," said Madame de
Villefort, "since you had cured the sick."

"Moliere or Beaumarchais would reply to you, madame, that it was
precisely because I was not, that I had cured my patients; for myself,
I am content to say to you that I have studied chemistry and the
natural sciences somewhat deeply, but still only as an amateur, you
understand."--At this moment the clock struck six. "It is six o'clock,"
said Madame de Villefort, evidently agitated. "Valentine, will you not
go and see if your grandpapa will have his dinner?" Valentine rose, and
saluting the count, left the apartment without speaking.

"Oh, madame," said the count, when Valentine had left the room, "was it
on my account that you sent Mademoiselle de Villefort away?"

"By no means," replied the young lady quickly; "but this is the hour
when we usually give M. Noirtier the unwelcome meal that sustains his
pitiful existence. You are aware, sir, of the deplorable condition of my
husband's father?"

"Yes, madame, M. de Villefort spoke of it to me--a paralysis, I think."

"Alas, yes; the poor old gentleman is entirely helpless; the mind alone
is still active in this human machine, and that is faint and flickering,
like the light of a lamp about to expire. But excuse me, sir, for
talking of our domestic misfortunes; I