The Count of Monte Cristo

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the marriage, for I have but a short time to live."

"You, madame?" "You, dear mamma?" exclaimed M. de Villefort and
Valentine at the same time.

"I know what I am saying," continued the marchioness; "I must hurry you,
so that, as she has no mother, she may at least have a grandmother to
bless her marriage. I am all that is left to her belonging to my poor
Renee, whom you have so soon forgotten, sir."

"Ah, madame," said Villefort, "you forget that I was obliged to give a
mother to my child."

"A stepmother is never a mother, sir. But this is not to the
purpose,--our business concerns Valentine, let us leave the dead in
peace."