lso disappeared.
The young man returned home and waited all the evening and all the next
day without getting any message. It was only on the following day,
at about ten o'clock in the morning, as he was starting to call on M.
Deschamps, the notary, that he received from the postman a small billet,
which he knew to be from Valentine, although he had not before seen her
writing. It was to this effect:--

Tears, entreaties, prayers, have availed me nothing. Yesterday, for
two hours, I was at the church of Saint-Phillippe du Roule, and for two
hours I prayed most fervently. Heaven is as inflexible as man, and the
signature of the contract is fixed for this evening at nine o'clock. I
have but one promise and but one heart to give; that promise is pledged
to you, that heart is also yours. This evening, then, at a quarter to
nine at the gate.

Your betrothed,

Valentine de Villefort.

P.S.--My poor grandmother gets worse and worse; yesterday her fever
amounted to delirium; to-day her delirium is almost madness. You will
be very kind to me, will you not, Morrel, to make me forget my sorrow in
leaving her thus? I think it is kept a secret from grandpapa Noirtier,
that the contract is to be signed this evening.

Morrel went also to the notary, who confirmed the news that the contract
was to be signed that evening. Then he went to call on Monte Cristo and
heard still more. Franz had been to announce the ceremony, and Madame de
Villefort had also written to beg the count to excuse her not inviting
him; the death of M. de Saint-Meran and the dangerous illness of his
widow would cast a gloom over the meeting which she would regret should
be shared by the count whom she wished every happiness. The day before
Franz had been presented to Madame de Saint-Meran, who had left her bed
to receive him, but had been obliged to return to it immediately after.
It is easy to suppose that Morrel's agitation would not escape the
count's penetrating eye. Monte Cristo was more affectionate than
ever,--indeed, his manner was so kind that several times Morrel was on
the point of telling him all. But he recalled the promise he had made to
Valentine, and kept his secret.

The young man read Valentine's letter twenty times in the course of the
day. It was her first, and on what an occasion! Each time he read it he
renewed his vow to make her happy. How great is the power of a woman who
has made so courageous a resolution! What devotion does she des