The Count of Monte Cristo

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Valentine met Barrois, and looked despairingly at the old servant. A
moment later, Madame de Villefort entered the drawing-room with her
little Edward. It was evident that she had shared the grief of the
family, for she was pale and looked fatigued. She sat down, took Edward
on her knees, and from time to time pressed this child, on whom her
affections appeared centred, almost convulsively to her bosom. Two
carriages were soon heard to enter the court yard. One was the notary's;
the other, that of Franz and his friends. In a moment the whole party
was assembled. Valentine was so pale one might trace the blue veins
from her temples, round her eyes and down her cheeks. Franz was deeply
affected. Chateau-Renaud and Albert looked at each other with amazement;
the ceremony which was just concluded had not appeared more sorrowful
than did that which was about to begin. Madame de Villefort had placed
herself in the shadow behind a velvet curtain, and as she constantly
bent over her child, it was difficult to read the expression of her
face. M. de Villefort was, as usual, unmoved.