The Count of Monte Cristo

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paid him some attention. "Well, what do you think of this, my fine
fellow?" asked Debray of the sergeant-at-arms, slipping a louis into his
hand. "There will be extenuating circumstances," he replied.



Chapter 111. Expiation.

Notwithstanding the density of the crowd, M. de Villefort saw it open
before him. There is something so awe-inspiring in great afflictions
that even in the worst times the first emotion of a crowd has generally
been to sympathize with the sufferer in a great catastrophe. Many people
have been assassinated in a tumult, but even criminals have rarely
been insulted during trial. Thus Villefort passed through the mass
of spectators and officers of the Palais, and withdrew. Though he had
acknowledged his guilt, he was protected by his grief. There are
some situations which men understand by instinct, but which reason is