The Count of Monte Cristo

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lighting up these organs, while the rest of the rigid and marble-like
features were utterly deprived of the power of participation. Three
persons only could understand this language of the poor paralytic; these
were Villefort, Valentine, and the old servant of whom 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 to please or gratify
him when he was there, all the old man's happiness was centred in his
granddaughter. Valentine, by means of her love, her patience, and her
devotion, had learned to read in Noirtier's look all the varied feelings
which were passing in his mind. To this dumb language, which was so
unintelligible to others, she answered by throwing her whole soul
into the expression of her countenance, and in this manner were the
conversations sustained between the blooming girl and the helpless
invalid, whose body could scarcely be called a living one, but who,
nevertheless, possessed a fund of knowledge and penetration, united with
a will as powerful as ever although clogged by a body rendered utterly
incapable of obeying its impulses. Valentine had solved the problem,