THE COUNT OF MONTE-CRISTO.
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Where is Valentine, sir? It is on her account I am here; I wish to see Valentine."
Villefort thought it would be terrible to reply that Valentine was at a ball; so he only said that she had gone out with her step-mother, and. that she should be fetched. "This instant, sir—this instant, I beseech
Madame De Saint-Méran.
you!" said the old lady. Villefort placed the arm of Madame de Saint-Méran within his own, and conducted her to his apartment.
"Rest yourself, mother," he said. .
The marchioness raised her head at this word, and beholding the man who so forcibly reminded her of her deeply regretted child, who still
