The Count of Monte Cristo

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when the count arrived, having gazed at him with all their eyes, retired
after that reasonable delay which politeness admits and curiosity
requires. "What is your sister Valentine doing?" inquired Madame de
Villefort of Edward; "tell some one to bid her come here, that I may
have the honor of introducing her to the count."

"You have a daughter, then, madame?" inquired the count; "very young, I
presume?"

"The daughter of M. de Villefort by his first marriage," replied the
young wife, "a fine well-grown girl."

"But melancholy," interrupted Master Edward, snatching the feathers out
of the tail of a splendid parroquet that was screaming on its gilded
perch, in order to make a plume for his hat. Madame de Villefort merely
cried,--"Be still, Edward!" She then added,--"This young madcap is,
however, very nearly right, and merely re-echoes what he has heard me