The Count of Monte Cristo

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at the count almost with terror. "Am I mistaken, then?" said Monte
Cristo.

"No, sir, the facts were precisely what you have stated," said Madame
de Villefort; "and it was to prevent the renewal of old feuds that M. de
Villefort formed the idea of uniting in the bonds of affection the two
children of these inveterate enemies."

"It was a sublime and charitable thought," said Monte Cristo, "and the
whole world should applaud it. It would be noble to see Mademoiselle
Noirtier de Villefort assuming the title of Madame Franz d'Epinay."
Villefort shuddered and looked at Monte Cristo as if he wished to read
in his countenance the real feelings which had dictated the words he
had just uttered. But the count completely baffled the procureur, and
prevented him from discovering anything beneath the never-varying
smile he was so constantly in the habit of assuming. "Although,"
said Villefort, "it will be a serious thing for Valentine to lose