d by the valet de chambre, who never lost sight
of her for an instant, she was introduced to the magistrate's study.
Preoccupied as Madame Danglars had been with the object of her visit,
the treatment she had received from these underlings appeared to her so
insulting, that she began by complaining of it. But Villefort, raising
his head, bowed down by grief, looked up at her with so sad a smile that
her complaints died upon her lips. "Forgive my servants," he said, "for
a terror I cannot blame them for; from being suspected they have become
suspicious."

Madame Danglars had often heard of the terror to which the magistrate
alluded, but without the evidence of her own eyesight she could never
have believed that the sentiment had been carried so far. "You too,
then, are unhappy?" she said. "Yes, madame," replied the magistrate.

"Then you pity me!"

"Sincerely, madame."

"And you understand what brings me here?"

"You wish to speak to me about the circumstance which has just
happened?"

"Yes, sir,--a fearful misfortune."

"You mean a mischance."

"A mischance?" repeated the baroness.

"Alas, madame," said the procureur with his imperturbable calmness of
manner, "I consider those alone misfortunes which are irreparable."

"And do you suppose this will be forgotten?"

"Everything will be forgotten, madame," said Villefort. "Your daughter
will be married to-morrow, if not to-day--in a week, if not to-morrow;
and I do not think you can regret the intended husband of your
daughter."

Madame Danglars gazed on Villefort, stupefied to find him so almost
insultingly calm. "Am I come to a friend?" she asked in a tone full of
mournful dignity. "You know that you are, madame," said Villefort, whose
pale cheeks became slightly flushed as he gave her the assurance. And
truly this assurance carried him back to different events from those now
occupying the baroness and him. "Well, then, be more affectionate, my
dear Villefort," said the baroness. "Speak to me not as a magistrate,
but as a friend; and when I am in bitter anguish of spirit, do not tell
me that I ought to be gay." Villefort bowed. "When I hear misfortunes
named, madame," he said, "I have within the last few months contracted
the bad habit of thinking of my own, and then I cannot help drawing up
an egotistical parallel in my mind. That is the reason that by the side
of my misfortunes yours appear to me mere mischances; that is why my
dreadful position makes y