s. "It is an old man's caprice."

"And is there no means of making him revoke his decision?"

"Yes," said Madame de Villefort; "and it is still entirely in the power
of my husband to cause the will, which is now in prejudice of Valentine,
to be altered in her favor." The count, who perceived that M. and Madame
de Villefort were beginning to speak in parables, appeared to pay no
attention to the conversation, and feigned to be busily engaged in
watching Edward, who was mischievously pouring some ink into the bird's
water-glass. "My dear," said Villefort, in answer to his wife, "you know
I have never been accustomed to play the patriarch in my family, nor
have I ever considered that the fate of a universe was to be decided by
my nod. Nevertheless, it is necessary that my will should be respected
in my family, and that the folly of an old man and the caprice of
a child should not be allowed to overturn a project which I have
entertained for so many years. The Baron d'Epinay was my friend, as you
know, and an alliance with his son is the most suitable thing that could
possibly be arranged."

"Do you think," said Madame de Villefort, "that Valentine is in league
with him? She has always been opposed to this marriage, and I should not
be at all surprised if what we have just seen and heard is nothing but
the execution of a plan concerted between them."

"Madame," said Villefort, "believe me, a fortune of 900,000. francs is
not so easily renounced."

"She could, nevertheless, make up her mind to renounce the world, sir,
since it is only about a year ago that she herself proposed entering a
convent."

"Never mind," replied Villefort; "I say that this marriage shall be
consummated."

"Notwithstanding your father's wishes to the contrary?" said Madame de
Villefort, selecting a new point of attack. "That is a serious thing."
Monte Cristo, who pretended not to be listening, heard however, every
word that was said. "Madame," replied Villefort "I can truly say that
I have always entertained a high respect for my father, because, to the
natural feeling of relationship was added the consciousness of his moral
superiority. The name of father is sacred in two senses; he should be
reverenced as the author of our being and as a master whom we ought to
obey. But, under the present circumstances, I am justified in doubting
the wisdom of an old man who, because he hated the father, vents his
anger on the son. It would be ridiculous in