Chapter 58. M. Noirtier de Villefort
We will now relate what was passing in the house of the king’s attorneyafter the departure of Madame Danglars and her daughter, and during thetime of the conversation between Maximilian and Valentine, which we havejust detailed.
M. de Villefort entered his father’s room, followed by Madame deVillefort. Both of the visitors, after saluting the old man and speakingto Barrois, a faithful servant, who had been twenty-five years in hisservice, took their places on either side of the paralytic.
M. Noirtier was sitting in an armchair, which moved upon casters, inwhich he was wheeled into the room in the morning, and in the same waydrawn out again at night. He was placed before a large glass, whichreflected the whole apartment, and so, without any attempt to move,which would have been impossible, he could see all who entered the roomand everything which was going on around him. M. Noirtier, althoughalmost as immovable as a corpse, looked at the new-comers with a quickand intelligent expression, perceiving at once, by their ceremoniouscourtesy, that they were come on business of an unexpected and officialcharacter.
Sight and hearing were the only senses remaining, and they, like twosolitary sparks, remained to animate the miserable body which seemed fitfor nothing but the grave; it was only, however, by means of one ofthese senses that he could reveal the thoughts and feelings that stilloccupied his mind, and the look by which he gave expression to his innerlife was like the distant gleam of a candle which a traveller sees bynight across some desert place, and knows that a living being dwellsbeyond the silence and obscurity.
Noirtier’s hair was long and white, and flowed over his shoulders; whilein his eyes, shaded by thick black lashes, was concentrated, as it oftenhappens with an organ which is used to the exclusion of the others, allthe activity, address, force, and intelligence which were formerlydiffused over his whole body; and so although the movement of the arm,the sound of the voice, and the agility of the body, were wanting, thespeaking eye sufficed for all. He commanded with it; it was the mediumthrough which his thanks were conveyed. In short, his whole appearanceproduced on the mind the impression of a corpse with living eyes, andnothing could be more startling than to observe the expression of angeror joy suddenly lighting up these organs, while the rest of the rigidand marble-like features were utterly deprived of the power ofparticipation. Three persons only could understand this language of thepoor paralytic; these were Villefort, Valentine, and the old servant ofwhom we have already spoken. But as Villefort saw his father but seldom,and then only when absolutely obliged, and as he never took any pains toplease or gratify him when he was there, all the old man’s happiness wascentred in his granddaughter. Valentine, by means of her love, herpatience, and her devotion, had learned to read in Noirtier’s look allthe varied feelings which were passing in his mind. To this dumblanguage, which was so unintelligible to others, she answered bythrowing her whole soul into the expression of her countenance, and inthis manner were the conversations sustained between the blooming girland the helpless invalid, whose body could scarcely be called a livingone, but who, nevertheless, possessed a fund of knowledge andpenetration, united with a will as powerful as ever although clogged bya body rendered utterly incapable of obeying its impulses.
Valentine had solved the problem, and was able easily to understand histhoughts, and to convey her own in return, and, through her untiring anddevoted assiduity, it was seldom that, in the ordinary transactions ofevery-day life, she failed to anticipate the wishes of the living,thinking mind, or the wants of the almost inanimate body.
As to the servant, he had, as we have said, been with his master forfive-and-twenty years, therefore he knew all his habits, and it wasseldom that Noirtier found it necessary to ask for anything, so promptwas he in administering to all the necessities of the invalid.
Villefort did not need the help of either Valentine or the domestic inorder to carry on with his father the strange conversation which he wasabout to begin. As we have said, he perfectly understood the old man’svocabulary, and if he did not use it more often, it was onlyindifference and ennui which prevented him from so doing. He thereforeallowed Valentine to go into the garden, sent away Barrois, and afterhaving seated himself at his father’s right hand, while Madame deVillefort placed herself on the left, he addressed him thus:
“I trust you will not be displeased, sir, that Valentine has not comewith us, or that I dismissed Barrois, for our conference will be onewhich could not with propriety be carried on in the presence of either.Madame de Villefort and I have a communication to make to you.”
Noirtier’s face remained perfectly passive during this long preamble,while, on the contrary, Villefort’s eye was endeavoring to penetrateinto the inmost recesses of the old man’s heart.
“This communication,” continued the procureur, in that cold and decisivetone which seemed at once to preclude all discussion, “will, we aresure, meet with your approbation.”
The eye of the invalid still retained that vacancy of expression whichprevented his son from obtaining any knowledge of the feelings whichwere passing in his mind; he listened, nothing more.
“Sir,” resumed Villefort, “we are thinking of marrying Valentine.” Hadthe old man’s face been moulded in wax it could not have shown lessemotion at this news than was now to be traced there. “The marriage willtake place in less than three months,” said Villefort.
Noirtier’s eye still retained its inanimate expression.
Madame de Villefort now took her part in the conversation and added:
“We thought this news would possess an interest for you, sir, who havealways entertained a great affection for Valentine; it therefore onlynow remains for us to tell you the name of the young man for whom she isdestined. It is one of the most desirable connections which couldpossibly be formed; he possesses fortune, a high rank in society, andevery personal qualification likely to render Valentine supremelyhappy,—his name, moreover, cannot be wholly unknown to you. It is M.Franz de Quesnel, Baron d’Épinay.”
While his wife was speaking, Villefort had narrowly watched the oldman’s countenance. When Madame de Villefort pronounced the name ofFranz, the pupil of M. Noirtier’s eye began to dilate, and his eyelidstrembled with the same movement that may be perceived on the lips of anindividual about to speak, and he darted a lightning glance at Madame deVillefort and his son. The procureur, who knew the political hatredwhich had formerly existed between M. Noirtier and the elder d’Épinay,well understood the agitation and anger which the announcement hadproduced; but, feigning not to perceive either, he immediately resumedthe narrative begun by his wife.
“Sir,” said he, “you are aware that Valentine is about to enter hernineteenth year, which renders it important that she should lose no timein forming a suitable alliance. Nevertheless, you have not beenforgotten in our plans, and we have fully ascertained beforehand thatValentine’s future husband will consent, not to live in this house, forthat might not be pleasant for the young people, but that you shouldlive with them; so that you and Valentine, who are so attached to eachother, would not be separated, and you would be able to pursue exactlythe same course of life which you have hitherto done, and thus, insteadof losing, you will be a gainer by the change, as it will secure to youtwo children instead of one, to watch over and comfort you.”
30165m
Noirtier’s look was furious; it was very evident that somethingdesperate was passing in the old man’s mind, for a cry of anger andgrief rose in his throat, and not being able to find vent in utterance,appeared almost to choke him, for his face and lips turned quite purplewith the struggle. Villefort quietly opened a window, saying, “It isvery warm, and the heat affects M. Noirtier.” He then returned to hisplace, but did not sit down.
“This marriage,” added Madame de Villefort, “is quite agreeable to thewishes of M. d’Épinay and his family; besides, he had no relationsnearer than an uncle and aunt, his mother having died at his birth, andhis father having been assassin
ated in 1815, that is to say, when he wasbut two years old; it naturally followed that the child was permitted tochoose his own pursuits, and he has, therefore, seldom acknowledged anyother authority but that of his own will.”
“That assassination was a mysterious affair,” said Villefort, “and theperpetrators have hitherto escaped detection, although suspicion hasfallen on the head of more than one person.”
Noirtier made such an effort that his lips expanded into a smile.
“Now,” continued Villefort, “those to whom the guilt really belongs, bywhom the crime was committed, on whose heads the justice of man mayprobably descend here, and the certain judgment of God hereafter, wouldrejoice in the opportunity thus afforded of bestowing such a peace-offering as Valentine on the son of him whose life they so ruthlesslydestroyed.” Noirtier had succeeded in mastering his emotion more thancould have been deemed possible with such an enfeebled and shatteredframe.
“Yes, I understand,” was the reply contained in his look; and this lookexpressed a feeling of strong indignation, mixed with profound contempt.Villefort fully understood his father’s meaning, and answered by aslight shrug of his shoulders. He then motioned to his wife to takeleave.
“Now sir,” said Madame de Villefort, “I must bid you farewell. Would youlike me to send Edward to you for a short time?”
It had been agreed that the old man should express his approbation byclosing his eyes, his refusal by winking them several times, and if hehad some desire or feeling to express, he raised them to heaven. If hewanted Valentine, he closed his right eye only, and if Barrois, theleft. At Madame de Villefort’s proposition he instantly winked his eyes.
Provoked by a complete refusal, she bit her lip and said, “Then shall Isend Valentine to you?” The old man closed his eyes eagerly, therebyintimating that such was his wish.
M. and Madame de Villefort bowed and left the room, giving orders thatValentine should be summoned to her grandfather’s presence, and feelingsure that she would have much to do to restore calmness to the perturbedspirit of the invalid. Valentine, with a color still heightened byemotion, entered the room just after her parents had quitted it. Onelook was sufficient to tell her that her grandfather was suffering, andthat there was much on his mind which he was wishing to communicate toher.
“Dear grandpapa,” cried she, “what has happened? They have vexed you,and you are angry?”
The paralytic closed his eyes in token of assent.
“Who has displeased you? Is it my father?”
“No.”
“Madame de Villefort?”
“No.”
“Me?” The former sign was repeated.
“Are you displeased with me?” cried Valentine in astonishment. M.Noirtier again closed his eyes.
“And what have I done, dear grandpapa, that you should be angry withme?” cried Valentine.
There was no answer, and she continued:
“I have not seen you all day. Has anyone been speaking to you againstme?”
“Yes,” said the old man’s look, with eagerness.
“Let me think a moment. I do assure you, grandpapa—Ah—M. and Madame deVillefort have just left this room, have they not?”
“Yes.”
“And it was they who told you something which made you angry? What wasit then? May I go and ask them, that I may have the opportunity ofmaking my peace with you?”
“No, no,” said Noirtier’s look.
“Ah, you frighten me. What can they have said?” and she again tried tothink what it could be.
“Ah, I know,” said she, lowering her voice and going close to the oldman. “They have been speaking of my marriage,—have they not?”
“Yes,” replied the angry look.
“I understand; you are displeased at the silence I have preserved on thesubject. The reason of it was, that they had insisted on my keeping thematter a secret, and begged me not to tell you anything of it. They didnot even acquaint me with their intentions, and I only discovered themby chance, that is why I have been so reserved with you, dear grandpapa.Pray forgive me.”
But there was no look calculated to reassure her; all it seemed to saywas, “It is not only your reserve which afflicts me.”
“What is it, then?” asked the young girl. “Perhaps you think I shallabandon you, dear grandpapa, and that I shall forget you when I ammarried?”
“No.”
“They told you, then, that M. d’Épinay consented to our all livingtogether?”
“Yes.”
“Then why are you still vexed and grieved?” The old man’s eyes beamedwith an expression of gentle affection.
“Yes, I understand,” said Valentine; “it is because you love me.” Theold man assented.
“And you are afraid I shall be unhappy?”
“Yes.”
“You do not like M. Franz?” The eyes repeated several times, “No, no,no.”
“Then you are vexed with the engagement?”
“Yes.”
“Well, listen,” said Valentine, throwing herself on her knees, andputting her arm round her grandfather’s neck, “I am vexed, too, for I donot love M. Franz d’Épinay.”
An expression of intense joy illumined the old man’s eyes.
“When I wished to retire into a convent, you remember how angry you werewith me?” A tear trembled in the eye of the invalid. “Well,” continuedValentine, “the reason of my proposing it was that I might escape thishateful marriage, which drives me to despair.” Noirtier’s breathing camethick and short.
“Then the idea of this marriage really grieves you too? Ah, if you couldbut help me—if we could both together defeat their plan! But you areunable to oppose them,—you, whose mind is so quick, and whose will is sofirm are nevertheless, as weak and unequal to the contest as I ammyself. Alas, you, who would have been such a powerful protector to mein the days of your health and strength, can now only sympathize in myjoys and sorrows, without being able to take any active part in them.However, this is much, and calls for gratitude and Heaven has not takenaway all my blessings when it leaves me your sympathy and kindness.”
At these words there appeared in Noirtier’s eye an expression of suchdeep meaning that the young girl thought she could read these wordsthere: “You are mistaken; I can still do much for you.”
“Do you think you can help me, dear grandpapa?” said Valentine.
“Yes.” Noirtier raised his eyes, it was the sign agreed on between himand Valentine when he wanted anything.
“What is it you want, dear grandpapa?” said Valentine, and sheendeavored to recall to mind all the things which he would be likely toneed; and as the ideas presented themselves to her mind, she repeatedthem aloud, then,—finding that all her efforts elicited nothing but aconstant “No,”—she said, “Come, since this plan does not answer, I willhave recourse to another.”
She then recited all the letters of the alphabet from A down to N. Whenshe arrived at that letter the paralytic made her understand that shehad spoken the initial letter of the thing he wanted.
“Ah,” said Valentine, “the thing you desire begins with the letter N; itis with N that we have to do, then. Well, let me see, what can you wantthat begins with N? Na—Ne—Ni—No——”
“Yes, yes, yes,” said the old man’s eye.
“Ah, it is No, then?”
“Yes.”
Valentine fetched a dictionary, which she placed on a desk beforeNoirtier; she opened it, and, seeing that the old man’s eye wasthoroughly fixed on its pages, she ran her finger quickly up and downthe columns. During the six years which had passed since Noirtier firstfell into this sad state, Valentine’s powers of invention had been toooften put to the test not to render her expert in devising expedientsfor gaining a knowledge of his wishes, and the constant practice had soperfected her in the art that she guessed the old man’s meaning asquickly as if he himself had been able to seek for what he wanted. Atthe word Notary, Noirtier made a sign to her to stop.
30169m
“Notary,” said she, “do you want a notary, dear grandpapa?” The old managain signified that it was a notary he desired.
“You would wish a notary to be sent for then?” said Valentine.
“Yes.”
“Shall my father be informed of your wish?”
“Yes.”
“Do you wish the notary to be sent for immediately?”
“Yes.”
“Then they shall go for him directly, dear grandpapa. Is that all youwant?”
“Yes.” Valentine rang the bell, and ordered the servant to tell Monsieuror Madame de Villefort that they were requested to come to M. Noirtier’sroom.
“Are you satisfied now?” inquired Valentine.
“Yes.”
“I am sure you are; it is not very difficult to discover that.” And theyoung girl smiled on her grandfather, as if he had been a child. M. deVillefort entered, followed by Barrois.
“What do you want me for, sir?” demanded he of the paralytic.
“Sir,” said Valentine, “my grandfather wishes for a notary.” At thisstrange and unexpected demand M. de Villefort and his father exchangedlooks.
“Yes,” motioned the latter, with a firmness which seemed to declare thatwith the help of Valentine and his old servant, who both knew what hiswishes were, he was quite prepared to maintain the contest.
“Do you wish for a notary?” asked Villefort.
“Yes.”
“What to do?”
Noirtier made no answer.
“What do you want with a notary?” again repeated Villefort. Theinvalid’s eye remained fixed, by which expression he intended tointimate that his resolution was unalterable.
“Is it to do us some ill turn? Do you think it is worth while?” saidVillefort.
“Still,” said Barrois, with the freedom and fidelity of an old servant,“if M. Noirtier asks for a notary, I suppose he really wishes for anotary; therefore I shall go at once and fetch one.” Barroisacknowledged no master but Noirtier, and never allowed his desires inany way to be contradicted.
30171m
“Yes, I do want a notary,” motioned the old man, shutting his eyes witha look of defiance, which seemed to say, “and I should like to see theperson who dares to refuse my request.”
“You shall have a notary, as you absolutely wish for one, sir,” saidVillefort; “but I shall explain to him your state of health, and makeexcuses for you, for the scene cannot fail of being a most ridiculousone.”
“Never mind that,” said Barrois; “I shall go and fetch a notary,nevertheless.” And the old servant departed triumphantly on his mission.