The Count of Monte Cristo

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At these words there appeared in Noirtier's eye an expression of such
deep meaning that the young girl thought she could read these words
there: "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 him
and Valentine when he wanted anything.

"What is it you want, dear grandpapa?" said Valentine, and she
endeavored to recall to mind all the things which he would be likely to
need; and as the ideas presented themselves to her mind, she repeated
them aloud, then,--finding that all her efforts elicited nothing but a
constant "No,"--she said, "Come, since this plan does not answer, I
will have recourse to another." She then recited all the letters of the
alphabet from A down to N. When she arrived at that letter the paralytic
made her understand that she had spoken the initial letter of the thing