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The total amount was found to be as M Noirtier had stated "It is all as he has said; it is very evident that thetowards the paralytic, he said, "You possess, then, 900,000 francs of capital, which, according to thein an income of about 40,000 livres?"

"Yes"

"To whom do you desire to leave this fortune?"

"Oh," said Madame de Villefort, "there is not randdaughter, Mademoiselle de Villefort; it is she who has nursed and tended him for six years, and has, by her devoted attention, fully secured the affection, I had alrandfather, and it is but just that she should reap the fruit of her devotion" The eye of Noirtier clearly showed by its expression that he was not deceived by the false assent given by Madame de Villefort's words and manner to the motives which she supposed him to entertain "Is it, then, to Mademoiselle Valentine de Villefort that you leave these 900,000 francs?" de he had only to insert this clause, but waiting first for the assent of Noirtier, which it was necessary should be given before all the witnesses of this singular scene Valentine, when her name was made the subject of discussion, had stepped back, to escape unpleasant observation; her eyes were cast down, and she was crying The old man looked at her for an instant with an expression of the deepest tenderness, then, turning towards the notary, he significantly winked his eye in token of dissent

"What," said the notary, "do you not intend atee?"

"No"

"You are notany mistake, are you?" said the notary; "you really mean to declare that such is not your intention?"

"No," repeated Noirtier; "No" Valentine raised her head, struck dumb with astonishment It was not so much the conviction that she was disinherited that caused her grief, but her total inability to account for the feelings which had provoked her grandfather to such an act But Noirtier looked at her with so randpapa, I see now that it is only your fortune of which you deprive me; you still leave me the love which I have always enjoyed"

"Ah, yes, most assuredly," said the eyes of the paralytic, for he closed them with an expression which Valentine could not mistake "Thank you, thank you," murmured she The old man's declaration that Valentine was not the destined inheritor of his fortune had excited the hopes of Madaradually approached the invalid, and said: "Then, doubtless, dear M Noirtier, you intend leaving your fortune to your grandson, Edward de Villefort?" The winking of the eyes which answered this speech wasal to hatred