them to heaven. If
he wanted Valentine, he closed his right eye only, and if Barrois, the
left. At Madame de Villefort's proposition he instantly winked his eyes.
Provoked by a complete refusal, she bit her lip and said, "Then shall
I send Valentine to you?" The old man closed his eyes eagerly, thereby
intimating that such was his wish. M. and Madame de Villefort bowed and
left the room, giving orders that Valentine should be summoned to her
grandfather's presence, and feeling sure that she would have much to do
to restore calmness to the perturbed spirit of the invalid. Valentine,
with a color still heightened by emotion, entered the room just after
her parents had quitted it. One look was sufficient to tell her that her
grandfather was suffering, and that there was much on his mind which he
was wishing to communicate to her. "Dear grandpapa," cried she, "what
has happened? They have vexed you, and you are angry?" The paralytic
closed his eyes in token of assent. "Who has displeased you? Is it my
father?"

"No."

"Madame de Villefort?"

"No."

"Me?" The former sign was repeated. "Are you displeased with me?" cried
Valentine in astonishment. M. Noirtier again closed his eyes. "And what
have I done, dear grandpapa, that you should be angry with me?" cried
Valentine.

There was no answer, and she continued. "I have not seen you all day.
Has any one been speaking to you against me?"

"Yes," said the old man's look, with eagerness.

"Let me think a moment. I do assure you, grandpapa--Ah--M. and Madame de
Villefort have just left this room, have they not?"

"Yes."

"And it was they who told you something which made you angry? What
was it then? May I go and ask them, that I may have the opportunity of
making my peace with you?"

"No, no," said Noirtier's look.

"Ah, you frighten me. What can they have said?" and she again tried to
think what it could be.

"Ah, I know," said she, lowering her voice and going close to the old
man. "They have been speaking of my marriage,--have they not?"

"Yes," replied the angry look.

"I understand; you are displeased at the silence I have preserved on the
subject. The reason of it was, that they had insisted on my keeping the
matter a secret, and begged me not to tell you anything of it. They did
not even acquaint me with their intentions, and I only discovered them
by chance, that is why I have been so reserved with you, dear grandpapa.
Pray forgive me." But there was n