The Count of Monte Cristo

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"Why, what can have happened?" he exclaimed, "what has thus disturbed
you? Is M. de Saint-Meran with you?"

"M. de Saint-Meran is dead," answered the old marchioness, without
preface and without expression; she appeared to be stupefied. Villefort
drew back, and clasping his hands together, exclaimed--"Dead!--so
suddenly?"

"A week ago," continued Madame de Saint-Meran, "we went out together in
the carriage after dinner. M. de Saint-Meran had been unwell for some
days; still, the idea of seeing our dear Valentine again inspired him
with courage, and notwithstanding his illness he would leave. At six
leagues from Marseilles, after having eaten some of the lozenges he is
accustomed to take, he fell into such a deep sleep, that it appeared to
me unnatural; still I hesitated to wake him, although I fancied that
his face was flushed, and that the veins of his temples throbbed more
violently than usual. However, as it became dark, and I could no longer