they say that we have no more tears,--still I think that
when one is in trouble one should have the power of weeping. Where
is Valentine, sir? It is on her account I am here; I wish to see
Valentine." Villefort thought it would be terrible to reply that
Valentine was at a ball; so he only said that she had gone out with her
step-mother, and that she should be fetched. "This instant, sir--this
instant, I beseech you!" said the old lady. Villefort placed the arm
of Madame de Saint-Meran within his own, and conducted her to his
apartment. "Rest yourself, mother," he said.

The marchioness raised her head at this word, and beholding the man who
so forcibly reminded her of her deeply-regretted child, who still
lived for her in Valentine, she felt touched at the name of mother, and
bursting into tears, she fell on her knees before an arm-chair, where
she buried her venerable head. Villefort left her to the care of the
women, while old Barrois ran, half-scared, to his master; for nothing
frightens old people so much as when death relaxes its vigilance over
them for a moment in order to strike some other old person. Then,
while Madame de Saint-Meran remained on her knees, praying fervently,
Villefort sent for a cab, and went himself to fetch his wife and
daughter from Madame de Morcerf's. He was so pale when he appeared at
the door of the ball-room, that Valentine ran to him, saying--

"Oh, father, some misfortune has happened!"

"Your grandmamma has just arrived, Valentine," said M. de Villefort.

"And grandpapa?" inquired the young girl, trembling with apprehension.
M. de Villefort only replied by offering his arm to his daughter. It was
just in time, for Valentine's head swam, and she staggered; Madame de
Villefort instantly hastened to her assistance, and aided her husband in
dragging her to the carriage, saying--"What a singular event! Who could
have thought it? Ah, yes, it is indeed strange!" And the wretched
family departed, leaving a cloud of sadness hanging over the rest of
the evening. At the foot of the stairs, Valentine found Barrois awaiting
her.

"M. Noirtier wishes to see you to-night, he said, in an undertone.

"Tell him I will come when I leave my dear grandmamma," she replied,
feeling, with true delicacy, that the person to whom she could be of the
most service just then was Madame de Saint-Meran. Valentine found her
grandmother in bed; silent caresses, heartwrung sobs, broken sighs,
burning tears, were