e
you; but, for pity's sake, spare my life, my honor!"

"M. de Villefort," replied the doctor, with increased vehemence, "there
are occasions when I dispense with all foolish human circumspection.
If your daughter had committed only one crime, and I saw her meditating
another, I would say 'Warn her, punish her, let her pass the remainder
of her life in a convent, weeping and praying.' If she had committed
two crimes, I would say, 'Here, M. de Villefort, is a poison that the
prisoner is not acquainted with,--one that has no known antidote, quick
as thought, rapid as lightning, mortal as the thunderbolt; give her that
poison, recommending her soul to God, and save your honor and your life,
for it is yours she aims at; and I can picture her approaching your
pillow with her hypocritical smiles and her sweet exhortations. Woe to
you, M. de Villefort, if you do not strike first!' This is what I would
say had she only killed two persons but she has seen three deaths,--has
contemplated three murdered persons,--has knelt by three corpses! To the
scaffold with the poisoner--to the scaffold! Do you talk of your honor?
Do what I tell you, and immortality awaits you!"

Villefort fell on his knees. "Listen," said he; "I have not the strength
of mind you have, or rather that which you would not have, if instead
of my daughter Valentine your daughter Madeleine were concerned." The
doctor turned pale. "Doctor, every son of woman is born to suffer and to
die; I am content to suffer and to await death."

"Beware," said M. d'Avrigny, "it may come slowly; you will see it
approach after having struck your father, your wife, perhaps your son."

Villefort, suffocating, pressed the doctor's arm. "Listen," cried he;
"pity me--help me! No, my daughter is not guilty. If you drag us
both before a tribunal I will still say, 'No, my daughter is not
guilty;--there is no crime in my house. I will not acknowledge a crime
in my house; for when crime enters a dwelling, it is like death--it does
not come alone.' Listen. What does it signify to you if I am murdered?
Are you my friend? Are you a man? Have you a heart? No, you are a
physician! Well, I tell you I will not drag my daughter before a
tribunal, and give her up to the executioner! The bare idea would
kill me--would drive me like a madman to dig my heart out with my
finger-nails! And if you were mistaken, doctor--if it were not my
daughter--if I should come one day, pale as a spectre, and say to