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"However," said Mada to the one idea which incessantly occupied her mind, "perhaps it would be better to explain this unlucky affair to M d'Epinay, in order to give hi his claim to the hand of Madereat pity," said Villefort

"A great pity," said Monte Cristo

"Undoubtedly," said Villefort, e once concerted and then broken off, throws a sort of discredit on a young lady; then again, the old reports, which I was so anxious to put an end to, will instantly gain ground No, it will all go well; M d'Epinay, if he is an honorable ed to Mademoiselle de Villefort, unless he were actuated by a decided feeling of avarice, but that is iree with M de Villefort," said Monte Cristo, fixing his eyes on Madame de Villefort; "and if I were sufficiently inti my advice, I would persuade hi back, to settle this affair at once beyond all possibility of revocation I will answer for the success of a project which will reflect so hted with the proposition, but his wife slightly changed color "Well, that is all that I wanted, and I will be guided by a counsellor such as you are," said he, extending his hand to Monte Cristo "Therefore let every one here look upon what has passed to-day as if it had not happened, and as though we had never thought of such a thing as a change in our original plans"

"Sir," said the count, "the world, unjust as it is, will be pleased with your resolution; your friends will be proud of you, and M d'Epinay, even if he took Mademoiselle de Villefort without any dohich he will not do, would be delighted with the idea of entering a family which could make such sacrifices in order to keep a promise and fulfil a duty" At the conclusion of these words, the count rose to depart "Are you going to leave us, count?" said Madame de Villefort

"I am sorry to say I must do so, madame, I only came to remind you of your proet it?"

"You are very good, ent occupations"

"My husband has given me his word, sir," said Madame de Villefort; "you have just seen hi to lose, and surely there is ain"