hat cold and decisive
tone which seemed at once to preclude all discussion, "will, we are
sure, meet with your approbation." The eye of the invalid still retained
that vacancy of expression which prevented his son from obtaining any
knowledge of the feelings which were passing in his mind; he listened,
nothing more. "Sir," resumed Villefort, "we are thinking of marrying
Valentine." Had the old man's face been moulded in wax it could not have
shown less emotion at this news than was now to be traced there. "The
marriage will take place in less than three months," said Villefort.
Noirtier's eye still retained its inanimate expression.

Madame de Villefort now took her part in the conversation and
added,--"We thought this news would possess an interest for you,
sir, who have always entertained a great affection for Valentine; it
therefore only now remains for us to tell you the name of the young man
for whom she is destined. It is one of the most desirable connections
which could possibly be formed; he possesses fortune, a high rank in
society, and every personal qualification likely to render Valentine
supremely happy,--his name, moreover, cannot be wholly unknown to you.
It is M. Franz de Quesnel, Baron d'Epinay."

While his wife was speaking, Villefort had narrowly watched the old
man's countenance. When Madame de Villefort pronounced the name of
Franz, the pupil of M. Noirtier's eye began to dilate, and his eyelids
trembled with the same movement that may be perceived on the lips of an
individual about to speak, and he darted a lightning glance at Madame
de Villefort and his son. The procureur, who knew the political hatred
which had formerly existed between M. Noirtier and the elder d'Epinay,
well understood the agitation and anger which the announcement had
produced; but, feigning not to perceive either, he immediately resumed
the narrative begun by his wife. "Sir," said he, "you are aware that
Valentine is about to enter her nineteenth year, which renders it
important that she should lose no time in forming a suitable alliance.
Nevertheless, you have not been forgotten in our plans, and we have
fully ascertained beforehand that Valentine's future husband will
consent, not to live in this house, for that might not be pleasant for
the young people, but that you should live with them; so that you and
Valentine, who are so attached to each other, would not be separated,
and you would be able to pursue exactly the same