English
AgloomyscenehadindeedjustpassedatthehouseofM.deVillefort.
Aftertheladieshaddepartedfortheball,whitheralltheentreatiesofMadamedeVilleforthadfailedinpersuadinghimtoaccompanythem,theprocureurhadshuthimselfupinhisstudy,accordingtohiscustom,withaheapofpaperscalculatedtoalarmanyoneelse,butwhichgenerallyscarcelysatisfiedhisinordinatedesires.
Butthistimethepaperswereamerematterofform.
Villeforthadsecludedhimself,nottostudy,buttoreflect;andwiththedoorlockedandordersgiventhatheshouldnotbedisturbedexceptingforimportantbusiness,hesatdowninhisarm–chairandbegantoponderovertheevents,theremembranceofwhichhadduringthelasteightdaysfilledhismindwithsomanygloomythoughtsandbitterrecollections.
Then,insteadofplungingintothemassofdocumentspiledbeforehim,heopenedthedrawerofhisdesk,touchedaspring,anddrewoutaparcelofcherishedmemoranda,amongstwhichhehadcarefullyarranged,incharactersonlyknowntohimself,thenamesofallthosewho,eitherinhispoliticalcareer,inmoneymatters,atthebar,orinhismysteriousloveaffairs,hadbecomehisenemies.
Theirnumberwasformidable,nowthathehadbeguntofear,andyetthesenames,powerfulthoughtheywere,hadoftencausedhimtosmilewiththesamekindofsatisfactionexperiencedbyatravellerwhofromthesummitofamountainbeholdsathisfeetthecraggyeminences,thealmostimpassablepaths,andthefearfulchasms,throughwhichhehassoperilouslyclimbed.
Whenhehadrunoverallthesenamesinhismemory,againreadandstudiedthem,commentingmeanwhileuponhislists,heshookhishead.
“No,”hemurmured,“noneofmyenemieswouldhavewaitedsopatientlyandlaboriouslyforsolongaspaceoftime,thattheymightnowcomeandcrushmewiththissecret.
Sometimes,asHamletsays—but,likeaphosphoriclight,theyrisebuttomislead.
ThestoryhasbeentoldbytheCorsicantosomepriest,whoinhisturnhasrepeatedit.
M.deMonteCristomayhaveheardit,andtoenlightenhimself—butwhyshouldhewishtoenlightenhimselfuponthesubject?”
askedVillefort,afteramoment’sreflection,“whatinterestcanthisM.deMonteCristoorM.Zaccone,—sonofashipownerofMalta,discovererofamineinThessaly,nowvisitingParisforthefirsttime,—whatinterest,Isay,canhetakeindiscoveringagloomy,mysterious,anduselessfactlikethis?
However,amongalltheincoherentdetailsgiventomebytheAbbeBusoniandbyLordWilmore,bythatfriendandthatenemy,onethingappearscertainandclearinmyopinion—thatinnoperiod,innocase,innocircumstance,couldtherehavebeenanycontactbetweenhimandme.”
'Fouldeedswillrise,Tho'alltheeartho'erwhelmthemtomen'seyes;'
ButVillefortutteredwordswhichevenhehimselfdidnotbelieve.
Hedreadednotsomuchtherevelation,forhecouldreplytoordenyitstruth;—hecaredlittleforthatmene,tekel,upharsin,whichappearedsuddenlyinlettersofblooduponthewall;—butwhathewasreallyanxiousforwastodiscoverwhosehandhadtracedthem.
Whilehewasendeavoringtocalmhisfears,—andinsteadofdwellinguponthepoliticalfuturethathadsooftenbeenthesubjectofhisambitiousdreams,wasimaginingafuturelimitedtotheenjoymentsofhome,infearofawakeningtheenemythathadsolongslept,—thenoiseofacarriagesoundedintheyard,thenheheardthestepsofanagedpersonascendingthestairs,followedbytearsandlamentations,suchasservantsalwaysgiveventtowhentheywishtoappearinterestedintheirmaster’sgrief.
Hedrewbacktheboltofhisdoor,andalmostdirectlyanoldladyentered,unannounced,carryinghershawlonherarm,andherbonnetinherhand.
Thewhitehairwasthrownbackfromheryellowforehead,andhereyes,alreadysunkenbythefurrowsofage,nowalmostdisappearedbeneaththeeyelidsswollenwithgrief.
“Oh,sir,”shesaid;“oh,sir,whatamisfortune!
Ishalldieofit;oh,yes,Ishallcertainlydieofit!”
Andthen,fallinguponthechairnearestthedoor,sheburstintoaparoxysmofsobs.
Theservants,standinginthedoorway,notdaringtoapproachnearer,werelookingatNoirtier’soldservant,whohadheardthenoisefromhismaster’sroom,andruntherealso,remainingbehindtheothers.
Villefortrose,andrantowardshismother–in–law,foritwasshe.
“Why,whatcanhavehappened?”heexclaimed,“whathasthusdisturbedyou?IsM.deSaint–Meranwithyou?”
“M.deSaint–Meranisdead,”answeredtheoldmarchioness,withoutprefaceandwithoutexpression;sheappearedtobestupefied.
Villefortdrewback,andclaspinghishandstogether,exclaimed—”Dead!—sosuddenly?”
“Aweekago,”continuedMadamedeSaint–Meran,“wewentouttogetherinthecarriageafterdinner.
M.deSaint–Meranhadbeenunwellforsomedays;still,theideaofseeingourdearValentineagaininspiredhimwithcourage,andnotwithstandinghisillnesshewouldleave.
AtsixleaguesfromMarseilles,afterhavingeatensomeofthelozengesheisaccustomedtotake,hefellintosuchadeepsleep,thatitappearedtomeunnatural;stillIhesitatedtowakehim,althoughIfanciedthathisfacewasflushed,andthattheveinsofhistemplesthrobbedmoreviolentlythanusual.
However,asitbecamedark,andIcouldnolongersee,Ifellasleep;Iwassoonarousedbyapiercingshriek,asfromapersonsufferinginhisdreams,andhesuddenlythrewhisheadbackviolently.
Icalledthevalet,Istoppedthepostilion,IspoketoM.deSaint–Meran,Iappliedmysmelling–salts;butallwasover,andIarrivedatAixbythesideofacorpse.”
Villefortstoodwithhismouthhalfopen,quitestupefied.
“Ofcourseyousentforadoctor?”
“Immediately;but,asIhavetoldyou,itwastoolate.”
“Yes;butthenhecouldtellofwhatcomplaintthepoormarquishaddied.”
“Oh,yes,sir,hetoldme;itappearstohavebeenanapoplecticstroke.”
“Andwhatdidyoudothen?”
“M.deSaint–Meranhadalwaysexpressedadesire,incasehisdeathhappenedduringhisabsencefromParis,thathisbodymightbebroughttothefamilyvault.
Ihadhimputintoaleadencoffin,andIamprecedinghimbyafewdays.”
“Oh,mypoormother,”saidVillefort,“tohavesuchdutiestoperformatyourageaftersuchablow!”
“Godhassupportedmethroughall;andthen,mydearmarquis,hewouldcertainlyhavedoneeverythingformethatIperformedforhim.
ItistruethatsinceIlefthim,Iseemtohavelostmysenses.
Icannotcry;atmyagetheysaythatwehavenomoretears,—stillIthinkthatwhenoneisintroubleoneshouldhavethepowerofweeping.WhereisValentine,sir?
ItisonheraccountIamhere;IwishtoseeValentine.”
VillefortthoughtitwouldbeterribletoreplythatValentinewasataball;soheonlysaidthatshehadgoneoutwithherstep–mother,andthatsheshouldbefetched.
“Thisinstant,sir—thisinstant,Ibeseechyou!”saidtheoldlady.
VillefortplacedthearmofMadamedeSaint–Meranwithinhisown,andconductedhertohisapartment.“Restyourself,mother,”hesaid.
Themarchionessraisedherheadatthisword,andbeholdingthemanwhosoforciblyremindedherofherdeeply–regrettedchild,whostilllivedforherinValentine,shefelttouchedatthenameofmother,andburstingintotears,shefellonherkneesbeforeanarm–chair,wheresheburiedhervenerablehead.
Villefortlefthertothecareofthewomen,whileoldBarroisran,half–scared,tohismaster;fornothingfrightensoldpeoplesomuchaswhendeathrelaxesitsvigilanceoverthemforamomentinordertostrikesomeotheroldperson.
Then,whileMadamedeSaint–Meranremainedonherknees,prayingfervently,Villefortsentforacab,andwenthimselftofetchhiswifeanddaughterfromMadamedeMorcerf’s.
Hewassopalewhenheappearedatthedooroftheball–room,thatValentinerantohim,saying—
“Oh,father,somemisfortunehashappened!”
“Yourgrandmammahasjustarrived,Valentine,”saidM.deVillefort.
“Andgrandpapa?”inquiredtheyounggirl,tremblingwithapprehension.
M.deVillefortonlyrepliedbyofferinghisarmtohisdaughter.
Itwasjustintime,forValentine’sheadswam,andshestaggered;MadamedeVillefortinstantlyhastenedtoherassistance,andaidedherhusbandindragginghertothecarriage,saying—”Whatasingularevent!Whocouldhavethoughtit?Ah,yes,itisindeedstrange!”
Andthewretchedfamilydeparted,leavingacloudofsadnesshangingovertherestoftheevening.
Atthefootofthestairs,ValentinefoundBarroisawaitingher.
“M.Noirtierwishestoseeyouto–night,hesaid,inanundertone.
“TellhimIwillcomewhenIleavemydeargrandmamma,”shereplied,feeling,withtruedelicacy,thatthepersontowhomshecouldbeofthemostservicejustthenwasMadamedeSaint–Meran.
Valentinefoundhergrandmotherinbed;silentcaresses,heartwrungsobs,brokensighs,burningtears,wereallthatpassedinthissadinterview,whileMadamedeVillefort,leaningonherhusband’sarm,maintainedalloutwardformsofrespect,atleasttowardsthepoorwidow.
Shesoonwhisperedtoherhusband,“Ithinkitwouldbebetterformetoretire,withyourpermission,forthesightofmeappearsstilltoafflictyourmother–in–law.”MadamedeSaint–Meranheardher.
“Yes,yes,”shesaidsoftlytoValentine,“letherleave;butdoyoustay.”
MadamedeVillefortleft,andValentineremainedalonebesidethebed,fortheprocureur,overcomewithastonishmentattheunexpecteddeath,hadfollowedhiswife.
Meanwhile,BarroishadreturnedforthefirsttimetooldNoirtier,whohavingheardthenoiseinthehouse,had,aswehavesaid,senthisoldservanttoinquirethecause;onhisreturn,hisquickintelligenteyeinterrogatedthemessenger.
“Alas,sir,”exclaimedBarrois,“agreatmisfortunehashappened.
MadamedeSaint–Meranhasarrived,andherhusbandisdead!”
M.deSaint–MeranandNoirtierhadneverbeenonstricttermsoffriendship;still,thedeathofoneoldmanalwaysconsiderablyaffectsanother.
Noirtierlethisheadfalluponhischest,apparentlyoverwhelmedandthoughtful;thenheclosedoneeye,intokenofinquiry.“MademoiselleValentine?”Noirtiernoddedhishead.
“Sheisattheball,asyouknow,sinceshecametosaygood–bytoyouinfulldress.”Noirtieragainclosedhislefteye.“Doyouwishtoseeher?”
Noirtieragainmadeanaffirmativesign.
“Well,theyhavegonetofetchher,nodoubt,fromMadamedeMorcerf’s;Iwillawaitherreturn,andbeghertocomeuphere.Isthatwhatyouwishfor?”
“Yes,”repliedtheinvalid.
Barrois,therefore,aswehaveseen,watchedforValentine,andinformedherofhergrandfather’swish.
Consequently,ValentinecameuptoNoirtier,onleavingMadamedeSaint–Meran,whointhemidstofhergriefhadatlastyieldedtofatigueandfallenintoafeverishsleep.
Withinreachofherhandtheyplacedasmalltableuponwhichstoodabottleoforangeade,herusualbeverage,andaglass.
Then,aswehavesaid,theyounggirlleftthebedsidetoseeM.Noirtier.
Valentinekissedtheoldman,wholookedatherwithsuchtendernessthathereyesagainfilledwithtears,whosesourceshethoughtmustbeexhausted.
Theoldgentlemancontinuedtodwelluponherwiththesameexpression.
“Yes,yes,”saidValentine,“youmeanthatIhaveyetakindgrandfatherleft,doyounot.”
Theoldmanintimatedthatsuchwashismeaning.
“Ah,yes,happilyIhave,”repliedValentine.
“Withoutthat,whatwouldbecomeofme?”
Itwasoneo’clockinthemorning.Barrois,whowishedtogotobedhimself,observedthataftersuchsadeventseveryonestoodinneedofrest.
Noirtierwouldnotsaythattheonlyrestheneededwastoseehischild,butwishedhergood–night,forgriefandfatiguehadmadeherappearquiteill.
Thenextmorningshefoundhergrandmotherinbed;thefeverhadnotabated,onthecontraryhereyesglistenedandsheappearedtobesufferingfromviolentnervousirritability.“Oh,deargrandmamma,areyouworse?”
exclaimedValentine,perceivingallthesesignsofagitation.
“No,mychild,no,”saidMadamedeSaint–Meran;“butIwasimpatientlywaitingforyourarrival,thatImightsendforyourfather.”
“Myfather?”inquiredValentine,uneasily.
“Yes,Iwishtospeaktohim.”Valentinedurstnotopposehergrandmother’swish,thecauseofwhichshedidnotknow,andaninstantafterwardsVillefortentered.
“Sir,”saidMadamedeSaint–Meran,withoutusinganycircumlocution,andasiffearingshehadnotimetolose,“youwrotetomeconcerningthemarriageofthischild?”
“Yes,madame,”repliedVillefort,“itisnotonlyprojectedbutarranged.”
“Yourintendedson–in–lawisnamedM.Franzd’Epinay?”
“Yes,madame.”
“IshenotthesonofGenerald’Epinaywhowasonourside,andwhowasassassinatedsomedaysbeforetheusurperreturnedfromtheIslandofElba?”
“Thesame.”
“DoeshenotdisliketheideaofmarryingthegranddaughterofaJacobin?”
“Ourcivildissensionsarenowhappilyextinguished,mother,”saidVillefort;“M.d’Epinaywasquiteachildwhenhisfatherdied,heknowsverylittleofM.Noirtier,andwillmeethim,ifnotwithpleasure,atleastwithindifference.”
“Isitasuitablematch?”
“Ineveryrespect.”
“Andtheyoungman?”
“Isregardedwithuniversalesteem.”
“Youapproveofhim?”
“Heisoneofthemostwell–bredyoungmenIknow.”
DuringthewholeofthisconversationValentinehadremainedsilent.
“Well,sir,”saidMadamedeSaint–Meran,afterafewminutes’reflection,“Imusthastenthemarriage,forIhavebutashorttimetolive.”
“You,madame?”“You,dearmamma?”exclaimedM.deVillefortandValentineatthesametime.
“IknowwhatIamsaying,”continuedthemarchioness;“Imusthurryyou,sothat,asshehasnomother,shemayatleasthaveagrandmothertoblesshermarriage.
IamallthatislefttoherbelongingtomypoorRenee,whomyouhavesosoonforgotten,sir.”
“Ah,madame,”saidVillefort,“youforgetthatIwasobligedtogiveamothertomychild.”
“Astepmotherisneveramother,sir.Butthisisnottothepurpose,—ourbusinessconcernsValentine,letusleavethedeadinpeace.”
Allthiswassaidwithsuchexceedingrapidity,thattherewassomethingintheconversationthatseemedlikethebeginningofdelirium.
“Itshallbeasyouwish,madame,”saidVillefort;“moreespeciallysinceyourwishescoincidewithmine,andassoonasM.d’EpinayarrivesinParis”—
“Mydeargrandmother,”interruptedValentine,“considerdecorum—therecentdeath.Youwouldnothavememarryundersuchsadauspices?”
“Mychild,”exclaimedtheoldladysharply,“letushearnoneoftheconventionalobjectionsthatdeterweakmindsfrompreparingforthefuture.
Ialsowasmarriedatthedeath–bedofmymother,andcertainlyIhavenotbeenlesshappyonthataccount.”
“Stillthatideaofdeath,madame,”saidVillefort.
“Still?—Always!
ItellyouIamgoingtodie—doyouunderstand?
Well,beforedying,Iwishtoseemyson–in–law.
Iwishtotellhimtomakemychildhappy;Iwishtoreadinhiseyeswhetherheintendstoobeyme;—infact,Iwillknowhim—Iwill!”
continuedtheoldlady,withafearfulexpression,“thatImayrisefromthedepthsofmygravetofindhim,ifheshouldnotfulfilhisduty!”
“Madame,”saidVillefort,“youmustlayasidetheseexaltedideas,whichalmostassumetheappearanceofmadness.Thedead,onceburiedintheirgraves,risenomore.”
“AndItellyou,sir,thatyouaremistaken.ThisnightIhavehadafearfulsleep.
Itseemedasthoughmysoulwerealreadyhoveringovermybody,myeyes,whichItriedtoopen,closedagainstmywill,andwhatwillappearimpossibleabovealltoyou,sir,Isaw,withmyeyesshut,inthespotwhereyouarenowstanding,issuingfromthatcornerwherethereisadoorleadingintoMadameVillefort’sdressing–room—Isaw,Itellyou,silentlyenter,awhitefigure.”Valentinescreamed.
“Itwasthefeverthatdisturbedyou,madame,”saidVillefort.
“Doubt,ifyouplease,butIamsureofwhatIsay.
Isawawhitefigure,andasiftopreventmydiscreditingthetestimonyofonlyoneofmysenses,Iheardmyglassremoved—thesamewhichistherenowonthetable.”
“Oh,dearmother,itwasadream.”
“Solittlewasitadream,thatIstretchedmyhandtowardsthebell;butwhenIdidso,theshadedisappeared;mymaidthenenteredwithalight.”
“Butshesawnoone?”
“Phantomsarevisibletothoseonlywhooughttoseethem.Itwasthesoulofmyhusband!
—Well,ifmyhusband’ssoulcancometome,whyshouldnotmysoulreappeartoguardmygranddaughter?
thetieisevenmoredirect,itseemstome.”
“Oh,madame,”saidVillefort,deeplyaffected,inspiteofhimself,“donotyieldtothosegloomythoughts;youwilllonglivewithus,happy,loved,andhonored,andwewillmakeyouforget”—
“Never,never,never,”saidthemarchioness.“WhendoesM.d’Epinayreturn?”
“Weexpecthimeverymoment.”
“Itiswell.Assoonashearrivesinformme.Wemustbeexpeditious.AndthenIalsowishtoseeanotary,thatImaybeassuredthatallourpropertyreturnstoValentine.”
“Ah,grandmamma,”murmuredValentine,pressingherlipsontheburningbrow,“doyouwishtokillme?Oh,howfeverishyouare;wemustnotsendforanotary,butforadoctor.”
“Adoctor?”saidshe,shrugginghershoulders,“Iamnotill;Iamthirsty—thatisall.”
“Whatareyoudrinking,deargrandmamma?”
“Thesameasusual,mydear,myglassisthereonthetable—giveittome,Valentine.”
Valentinepouredtheorangeadeintoaglassandgaveittohergrandmotherwithacertaindegreeofdread,foritwasthesameglassshefanciedthathadbeentouchedbythespectre.
Themarchionessdrainedtheglassatasingledraught,andthenturnedonherpillow,repeating,—”Thenotary,thenotary!”
M.deVillefortlefttheroom,andValentineseatedherselfatthebedsideofhergrandmother.
Thepoorchildappearedherselftorequirethedoctorshehadrecommendedtoheragedrelative.
Abrightspotburnedineithercheek,herrespirationwasshortanddifficult,andherpulsebeatwithfeverishexcitement.
ShewasthinkingofthedespairofMaximilian,whenheshouldbeinformedthatMadamedeSaint–Meran,insteadofbeinganally,wasunconsciouslyactingashisenemy.
Morethanonceshethoughtofrevealingalltohergrandmother,andshewouldnothavehesitatedamoment,ifMaximilianMorrelhadbeennamedAlbertdeMorcerforRaouldeChateau–Renaud;butMorrelwasofplebeianextraction,andValentineknewhowthehaughtyMarquisedeSaint–Merandespisedallwhowerenotnoble.
Hersecrethadeachtimebeenrepressedwhenshewasabouttorevealit,bythesadconvictionthatitwouldbeuselesstodoso;for,wereitoncediscoveredbyherfatherandmother,allwouldbelost.
Twohourspassedthus;MadamedeSaint–Meranwasinafeverishsleep,andthenotaryhadarrived.
Thoughhiscomingwasannouncedinaverylowtone,MadamedeSaint–Meranarosefromherpillow.“Thenotary!”sheexclaimed,“lethimcomein.”
Thenotary,whowasatthedoor,immediatelyentered.“Go,Valentine,”saidMadamedeSaint–Meran,“andleavemewiththisgentleman.”
“But,grandmamma”—
“Leaveme—go!”Theyounggirlkissedhergrandmother,andleftwithherhandkerchieftohereyes;atthedoorshefoundthevaletdechambre,whotoldherthatthedoctorwaswaitinginthedining–room.Valentineinstantlyrandown.
Thedoctorwasafriendofthefamily,andatthesametimeoneofthecleverestmenoftheday,andveryfondofValentine,whosebirthhehadwitnessed.
Hehadhimselfadaughteraboutherage,butwhoselifewasonecontinuedsourceofanxietyandfeartohimfromhermotherhavingbeenconsumptive.
“Oh,”saidValentine,“wehavebeenwaitingforyouwithsuchimpatience,dearM.d’Avrigny.
But,firstofall,howareMadeleineandAntoinette?”
MadeleinewasthedaughterofM.d’Avrigny,andAntoinettehisniece.M.d’Avrignysmiledsadly.
“Antoinetteisverywell,”hesaid,“andMadeleinetolerablyso.Butyousentforme,mydearchild.
ItisnotyourfatherorMadamedeVillefortwhoisill.
Asforyou,althoughwedoctorscannotdivestourpatientsofnerves,Ifancyyouhavenofurtherneedofmethantorecommendyounottoallowyourimaginationtotaketoowideafield.”Valentinecolored.
M.d’Avrignycarriedthescienceofdivinationalmosttoamiraculousextent,forhewasoneofthephysicianswhoalwaysworkuponthebodythroughthemind.
“No,”shereplied,“itisformypoorgrandmother.
Youknowthecalamitythathashappenedtous,doyounot?”
“Iknownothing.”saidM.d’Avrigny.
“Alas,”saidValentine,restraininghertears,“mygrandfatherisdead.”
“M.deSaint–Meran?”
“Yes.”
“Suddenly?”
“Fromanapoplecticstroke.”
“Anapoplecticstroke?”repeatedthedoctor.
“Yes,andmypoorgrandmotherfanciesthatherhusband,whomsheneverleft,hascalledher,andthatshemustgoandjoinhim.Oh,M.d’Avrigny,Ibeseechyou,dosomethingforher!”
“Whereisshe?”
“Inherroomwiththenotary.”
“AndM.Noirtier?”
“Justashewas,hismindperfectlyclear,butthesameincapabilityofmovingorspeaking.”
“Andthesameloveforyou—eh,mydearchild?”
“Yes,”saidValentine,“hewasveryfondofme.”
“Whodoesnotloveyou?”Valentinesmiledsadly.“Whatareyourgrandmother’ssymptoms?”
“Anextremenervousexcitementandastrangelyagitatedsleep;shefanciedthismorninginhersleepthathersoulwashoveringaboveherbody,whichsheatthesametimewatched.
Itmusthavebeendelirium;shefancies,too,thatshesawaphantomenterherchamberandevenheardthenoiseitmadeontouchingherglass.”
“Itissingular,”saidthedoctor;“IwasnotawarethatMadamedeSaint–Meranwassubjecttosuchhallucinations.”
“ItisthefirsttimeIeversawherinthiscondition,”saidValentine;“andthismorningshefrightenedmesothatIthoughthermad;andmyfather,whoyouknowisastrong–mindedman,himselfappeareddeeplyimpressed.”
“Wewillgoandsee,”saidthedoctor;“whatyoutellmeseemsverystrange.”
Thenotaryheredescended,andValentinewasinformedthathergrandmotherwasalone.“Goupstairs,”shesaidtothedoctor.
“Andyou?”
“Oh,Idarenot—sheforbademysendingforyou;and,asyousay,Iammyselfagitated,feverishandoutofsorts.
Iwillgoandtakeaturninthegardentorecovermyself.”
ThedoctorpressedValentine’shand,andwhilehevisitedhergrandmother,shedescendedthesteps.
Weneednotsaywhichportionofthegardenwasherfavoritewalk.
Afterremainingforashorttimeintheparterresurroundingthehouse,andgatheringarosetoplaceinherwaistorhair,sheturnedintothedarkavenuewhichledtothebench;thenfromthebenchshewenttothegate.
Asusual,Valentinestrolledforashorttimeamongherflowers,butwithoutgatheringthem.
Themourninginherheartforbadeherassumingthissimpleornament,thoughshehadnotyethadtimetoputontheoutwardsemblanceofwoe.Shethenturnedtowardstheavenue.
Assheadvancedshefanciedsheheardavoicespeakinghername.
Shestoppedastonished,thenthevoicereachedherearmoredistinctly,andsherecognizedittobethatofMaximilian.
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