orboded evil. He then
returned to Paris, and although in the same carriage with Chateau-Renaud
and Albert, he did not hear one word of their conversation. As Franz was
about to take leave of M. de Villefort, "When shall I see you again?"
said the latter.

"At what time you please, sir," replied Franz.

"As soon as possible."

"I am at your command, sir; shall we return together?"

"If not unpleasant to you."

"On the contrary, I shall feel much pleasure." Thus, the future father
and son-in-law stepped into the same carriage, and Morrel, seeing
them pass, became uneasy. Villefort and Franz returned to the Faubourg
Saint-Honore. The procureur, without going to see either his wife or
his daughter, went at once to his study, and, offering the young man
a chair,--"M. d'Epinay," said he, "allow me to remind you at this
moment,--which is perhaps not so ill-chosen as at first sight may
appear, for obedience to the wishes of the departed is the first
offering which should be made at their tomb,--allow me then to remind
you of the wish expressed by Madame de Saint-Meran on her death-bed,
that Valentine's wedding might not be deferred. You know the affairs of
the deceased are in perfect order, and her will bequeaths to Valentine
the entire property of the Saint-Meran family; the notary showed me
the documents yesterday, which will enable us to draw up the contract
immediately. You may call on the notary, M. Deschamps, Place Beauveau,
Faubourg Saint-Honore, and you have my authority to inspect those
deeds."

"Sir," replied M. d'Epinay, "it is not, perhaps, the moment for
Mademoiselle Valentine, who is in deep distress, to think of a husband;
indeed, I fear"--

"Valentine will have no greater pleasure than that of fulfilling her
grandmother's last injunctions; there will be no obstacle from that
quarter, I assure you."

"In that case," replied Franz, "as I shall raise none, you may make
arrangements when you please; I have pledged my word, and shall feel
pleasure and happiness in adhering to it."

"Then," said Villefort, "nothing further is required. The contract was
to have been signed three days since; we shall find it all ready, and
can sign it to-day."

"But the mourning?" said Franz, hesitating.

"Don't be uneasy on that score," replied Villefort; "no ceremony will be
neglected in my house. Mademoiselle de Villefort may retire during the
prescribed three months to her estate of Saint-Meran; I say hers, for
she i