a second Austerlitz. Ideas do not become extinct, sire; they slumber
sometimes, but only revive the stronger before they sleep entirely.'
Ideas and men appeared the same to him. One thing only puzzles me,
namely, how Franz d'Epinay will like a grandfather who cannot be
separated from his wife. But where is Franz?"

"In the first carriage, with M. de Villefort, who considers him already
as one of the family."

Such was the conversation in almost all the carriages; these two sudden
deaths, so quickly following each other, astonished every one, but no
one suspected the terrible secret which M. d'Avrigny had communicated,
in his nocturnal walk to M. de Villefort. They arrived in about an hour
at the cemetery; the weather was mild, but dull, and in harmony with
the funeral ceremony. Among the groups which flocked towards the
family vault, Chateau-Renaud recognized Morrel, who had come alone in a
cabriolet, and walked silently along the path bordered with yew-trees.
"You here?" said Chateau-Renaud, passing his arms through the young
captain's; "are you a friend of Villefort's? How is it that I have never
met you at his house?"

"I am no acquaintance of M. de Villefort's." answered Morrel, "but I was
of Madame de Saint-Meran." Albert came up to them at this moment with
Franz.

"The time and place are but ill-suited for an introduction." said
Albert; "but we are not superstitious. M. Morrel, allow me to present
to you M. Franz d'Epinay, a delightful travelling companion, with whom
I made the tour of Italy. My dear Franz, M. Maximilian Morrel, an
excellent friend I have acquired in your absence, and whose name you
will hear me mention every time I make any allusion to affection, wit,
or amiability." Morrel hesitated for a moment; he feared it would be
hypocritical to accost in a friendly manner the man whom he was tacitly
opposing, but his oath and the gravity of the circumstances recurred
to his memory; he struggled to conceal his emotion and bowed to Franz.
"Mademoiselle de Villefort is in deep sorrow, is she not?" said Debray
to Franz.

"Extremely," replied he; "she looked so pale this morning, I scarcely
knew her." These apparently simple words pierced Morrel to the
heart. This man had seen Valentine, and spoken to her! The young and
high-spirited officer required all his strength of mind to resist
breaking his oath. He took the arm of Chateau-Renaud, and turned towards
the vault, where the attendants had already pla