nherits it to-day. There, after a few days, if you like, the
civil marriage shall be celebrated without pomp or ceremony. Madame de
Saint-Meran wished her daughter should be married there. When that is
over, you, sir, can return to Paris, while your wife passes the time of
her mourning with her mother-in-law."

"As you please, sir," said Franz.

"Then," replied M. de Villefort, "have the kindness to wait half an
hour; Valentine shall come down into the drawing-room. I will send for
M. Deschamps; we will read and sign the contract before we separate,
and this evening Madame de Villefort shall accompany Valentine to her
estate, where we will rejoin them in a week."

"Sir," said Franz, "I have one request to make."

"What is it?"

"I wish Albert de Morcerf and Raoul de Chateau-Renaud to be present at
this signature; you know they are my witnesses."

"Half an hour will suffice to apprise them; will you go for them
yourself, or shall you send?"

"I prefer going, sir."

"I shall expect you, then, in half an hour, baron, and Valentine will
be ready." Franz bowed and left the room. Scarcely had the door
closed, when M. de Villefort sent to tell Valentine to be ready in the
drawing-room in half an hour, as he expected the notary and M. d'Epinay
and his witnesses. The news caused a great sensation throughout the
house; Madame de Villefort would not believe it, and Valentine was
thunderstruck. She looked around for help, and would have gone down to
her grandfather's room, but on the stairs she met M. de Villefort,
who took her arm and led her into the drawing-room. In the anteroom,
Valentine met Barrois, and looked despairingly at the old servant. A
moment later, Madame de Villefort entered the drawing-room with her
little Edward. It was evident that she had shared the grief of the
family, for she was pale and looked fatigued. She sat down, took Edward
on her knees, and from time to time pressed this child, on whom her
affections appeared centred, almost convulsively to her bosom. Two
carriages were soon heard to enter the court yard. One was the notary's;
the other, that of Franz and his friends. In a moment the whole party
was assembled. Valentine was so pale one might trace the blue veins
from her temples, round her eyes and down her cheeks. Franz was deeply
affected. Chateau-Renaud and Albert looked at each other with amazement;
the ceremony which was just concluded had not appeared more sorrowful
than did that which