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"At what time you please, sir," replied Franz
"As soon as possible"
"I aether?"
"If not unpleasant to you"
"On the contrary, I shall feel much pleasure" Thus, the future father and son-in-law stepped into the sa them pass, beca Saint-Honore The procureur, without going to see either his wife or his daughter, went at once to his study, and, offering the young man a chair,--"M d'Epinay," said he, "allow me to remind you at this ht may appear, for obedience to the wishes of the departed is the first offering which should be made at their tomb,--allow me then to remind you of the wish expressed by Mada ht not be deferred You know the affairs of the deceased are in perfect order, and her will bequeaths to Valentine the entire property of the Saint-Meran family; the notary showed me the documents yesterday, which will enable us to draw up the contract immediately YouSaint-Honore, and you have my authority to inspect those deeds"
"Sir," replied M d'Epinay, "it is not, perhaps, the moment for Mademoiselle Valentine, who is in deep distress, to think of a husband; indeed, I fear"-"Valentine will have no greater pleasure than that of fulfilling her grandmother's last injunctions; there will be no obstacle from that quarter, I assure you"
"In that case," replied Franz, "as I shall raise none, you edto it"
"Then," said Villefort, "nothing further is required The contract was to have been signed three days since; we shall find it all ready, and can sign it to-day"
"But the
"Don't be uneasy on that score," replied Villefort; "no cerelected inthe prescribed three months to her estate of Saint-Meran; I say hers, for she inherits it to-day There, after a few days, if you like, the civil e shall be celebrated without pohter should be married there When that is over, you, sir, can return to Paris, while your wife passes the ti with her mother-in-law"
"As you please, sir," said Franz
"Then," replied M de Villefort, "have the kindness to wait half an hour; Valentine shall co-roon the contract before we separate, and this evening Madame de Villefort shall accompany Valentine to her estate, where ill rejoin them in a week"