The Count of Monte Cristo

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that it might almost be heard, "here is in this cup some syrup of
violets, and this decanter contains the remainder of the lemonade of
which M. Noirtier and Barrois partook. If the lemonade be pure and
inoffensive, the syrup will retain its color; if, on the contrary,
the lemonade be drugged with poison, the syrup will become green. Look
closely!"

The doctor then slowly poured some drops of the lemonade from the
decanter into the cup, and in an instant a light cloudy sediment began
to form at the bottom of the cup; this sediment first took a blue shade,
then from the color of sapphire it passed to that of opal, and from opal
to emerald. Arrived at this last hue, it changed no more. The result of
the experiment left no doubt whatever on the mind.

"The unfortunate Barrois has been poisoned," said d'Avrigny, "and I will
maintain this assertion before God and man." Villefort said nothing, but
he clasped his hands, opened his haggard eyes, and, overcome with his