eap the fruit of her devotion." The eye of Noirtier clearly
showed by its expression that he was not deceived by the false assent
given by Madame de Villefort's words and manner to the motives which she
supposed him to entertain. "Is it, then, to Mademoiselle Valentine de
Villefort that you leave these 900,000 francs?" demanded the notary,
thinking he had only to insert this clause, but waiting first for the
assent of Noirtier, which it was necessary should be given before all
the witnesses of this singular scene. Valentine, when her name was
made the subject of discussion, had stepped back, to escape unpleasant
observation; her eyes were cast down, and she was crying. The old
man looked at her for an instant with an expression of the deepest
tenderness, then, turning towards the notary, he significantly winked
his eye in token of dissent.

"What," said the notary, "do you not intend making Mademoiselle
Valentine de Villefort your residuary legatee?"

"No."

"You are not making any mistake, are you?" said the notary; "you really
mean to declare that such is not your intention?"

"No," repeated Noirtier; "No." Valentine raised her head, struck dumb
with astonishment. It was not so much the conviction that she was
disinherited that caused her grief, but her total inability to account
for the feelings which had provoked her grandfather to such an act. But
Noirtier looked at her with so much affectionate tenderness that she
exclaimed, "Oh, grandpapa, I see now that it is only your fortune of
which you deprive me; you still leave me the love which I have always
enjoyed."

"Ah, yes, most assuredly," said the eyes of the paralytic, for he closed
them with an expression which Valentine could not mistake. "Thank you,
thank you," murmured she. The old man's declaration that Valentine
was not the destined inheritor of his fortune had excited the hopes of
Madame de Villefort; she gradually approached the invalid, and said:
"Then, doubtless, dear M. Noirtier, you intend leaving your fortune
to your grandson, Edward de Villefort?" The winking of the eyes which
answered this speech was most decided and terrible, and expressed a
feeling almost amounting to hatred.

"No?" said the notary; "then, perhaps, it is to your son, M. de
Villefort?"

"No." The two notaries looked at each other in mute astonishment and
inquiry as to what were the real intentions of the testator. Villefort
and his wife both grew red, one from shame, the o