"No!" replied he, with an air of triumph, which would have puzzled the most clever diviner.
"Then you hope?" said d'Avrigny, with surprise.
"Yes."
"What do you hope?" The old man made him understand with his eyes that he could not answer.
"Ah! yes, it is true!" murmured d'Avrigny. Then, turning to Noirtier, "Do you hope the assassin will be tried?"
"No."
"Then you hope the poison will take no effect on Valentine?"
"Yes."
"It is no news to you," added d'Avrigny, "to tell you an attempt has been made to poison her?" The old man made a sign that he entertained no doubt upon the subject. "Then how do you hope Valentine will escape?"
Noirtier kept his eye steadily fixed on the same spot. D'Avrigny followed the direction, and saw they were fixed on a bottle containing the mixture which he took every morning. "Ah! ah!" said d'Avrigny, struck with a sudden thought, "has it occurred to you " Noirtier did not let him finish.
"Yes," said he.
"To prepare her system to resist poison?"
"Yes."
"By accustoming her by degrees"
"Yes, yes, yes," said Noirtier, delighted to be understood.
"Truly! I had told you there was brucine in the mixture I give you."
"Yes."
"And by accustoming her to that poison, you have endeavored to neutralize the effect of a similar poison?" Noirtier's joy continued. "And you have succeeded!" exclaimed d'Avrigny. "Without that precaution Valentine would have died before assistance could have been procured. The dose has been excessive, but she has only been shaken by it; and this time, at any rate, Valentine will not die."
A superhuman joy expanded the old man's eyes, which were raised toward heaven with an expression of infinite gratitude. At this moment Villefort returned.
"Here, doctor," said he, "is what you sent me for."
"Was this prepared in your presence?"
"Yes," replied the procureur du roi.
"Have you not let it go out of your hands?"
"No."
