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"A stepmother is never a mother, sir But this is not to the purpose,--our business concerns Valentine, let us leave the dead in peace"

All this was said with such exceeding rapidity, that there was so of delirium

"It shall be as you wish, madame," said Villefort; "more especially since your wishes coincide with randmother," interrupted Valentine, "consider decorum--the recent death You would not have me marry under such sad auspices?"

"My child," exclaimed the old lady sharply, "let us hear none of the conventional objections that deter weakfor the future I also was married at the death-bed of my mother, and certainly I have not been less happy on that account"

"Still that idea of death, oing to die--do you understand? Well, before dying, I wish to see my son-in-laish to tell him to make my child happy; I wish to read in his eyes whether he intends to obey me;--in fact, I will know him--I will!" continued the old lady, with a fearful expression, "that I rave to find him, if he should not fulfil his duty!"

"Madame," said Villefort, "you must lay aside these exalted ideas, which almost assuraves, rise no ht I have had a fearful sleep It see over ainst my will, and ill appear impossible above all to you, sir, I saithfro into Mada-rooure" Valentine screamed "It was the fever that disturbed you, madame," said Villefort

"Doubt, if you please, but I aure, and as if to preventthe testilass removed--the same which is there now on the table"

"Oh, dear mother, it was a dream"

"So little was it a dream, that I stretched my hand towards the bell; but when I did so, the shade disappeared; ht"

"But she saw no one?"

"Phantoht to see them It was the soul of my husband!--Well, if my husband's soul can coranddaughter? the tie is even more direct, it seems to me"