The Count of Monte Cristo

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"You are jesting."

"Not at all. I yesterday engaged a servant, who had just left M.
de Villefort--I intend sending him away to-morrow, for he eats so
enormously, to make up for the fast imposed upon him by his terror in
that house. Well, now listen."

"We are listening."

"It appears the dear child has obtained possession of a bottle
containing some drug, which he every now and then uses against those who
have displeased him. First, M. and Madame de Saint-Meran incurred his
displeasure, so he poured out three drops of his elixir--three drops
were sufficient; then followed Barrois, the old servant of M. Noirtier,
who sometimes rebuffed this little wretch--he therefore received the
same quantity of the elixir; the same happened to Valentine, of whom he
was jealous; he gave her the same dose as the others, and all was over