The Count of Monte Cristo

Back Forward Menu

reached the Salle des Pas-Perdus.

There was a great deal going on that morning, and many business-like
persons at the Palais; business-like persons pay very little attention
to women, and Madame Danglars crossed the hall without exciting any
more attention than any other woman calling upon her lawyer. There was
a great press of people in M. de Villefort's ante-chamber, but Madame
Danglars had no occasion even to pronounce her name. The instant she
appeared the door-keeper rose, came to her, and asked her whether she
was not the person with whom the procureur had made an appointment; and
on her affirmative answer being given, he conducted her by a private
passage to M. de Villefort's office. The magistrate was seated in an
arm-chair, writing, with his back towards the door; he did not move as
he heard it open, and the door-keeper pronounce the words, "Walk in,
madame," and then reclose it; but no sooner had the man's footsteps
ceased, than he started up, drew the bolts, closed the curtains, and
examined every corner of the room. Then, when he had assured himself