Volume I Part 5 (1/2)
”EDMOND DANTES, Count of Monte-Cristo”
Meanwhile the count's vessel departed further and further from the island; a fresh breeze filled the sail and it disappeared from view
Valentine and Maximilian waved a cordial farewell to the travellers with their hands Then the shi+p vanished from the horizon
CHAPTER VIII
THE SENTENCE OF DEATH
Monsieur de Villefort was not alone--Dr d'Avigny accompanied his patient, and whispered a word in his ear now and then
Villefort was only a ruin now His hanging lower lip and glassy eyes impressed the spectators and the bench sadly, and even those ere accustomed to be attacked by him in the days of his power as a district-attorney now only felt pity for the e wasaddress to the jury:
”Gentlereatest care to Monsieur de Villefort, was so kind as to accompany his patient to-day
Before I subpoenaed Monsieur de Villefort I inquired of his physician whether he could attend court without injury to hientlee,” said the old physician, deeply moved ”Monsieur de Villefort's condition is hopeless, and would not be changed in any way by his appearing in court--the apathy of ny turned to his patient and led hihout the rooaze criminals ont to tres he had forreat excitement, had outstretched his arms toward Monsieur de Villefort, and alain in his seat crushed and annihilated
”Monsieur de Villefort,” said the judge, ”tell us--” He proceeded no further Villefort tried to rise, and e waited a short while and then continued:
”Monsieur de Villefort, are you able to answer a few questions I shall address to you?”
Villefort nodded and stammered with soe, turning toward the prisoner, ”stand up”
Benedetto obeyed the order
”Look at Monsieur de Villefort,” continued the judge, ”and tell me, upon your conscience, whether you uphold the accusations made by you at a former trial of this case”
Benedetto was either, as pious souls say, ”touched by compassion,” or else the most accomplished hypocrite in existence He clasped both hands to his face and murmured in a voice choked with tears:
”Pardon, father--pardon!”
”What does the radually recovering his voice, and to the astonishment of the spectators was soon in possession of his speech
”He calls you father,” replied the judge, ”you yourself have acknowledged him as your son”