Chapter 187: Chapter 187
The two coffins were placed on prepared platforms in the right-hand crypt belonging to the Saint-Méran family. Villefort, Franz, and a few close relatives entered the sanctuary alone.
Since the religious ceremonies had been completed at the entrance and there were no speeches scheduled, the crowd dispersed. Château-Renaud, Albert, and Morrel went one direction, while Debray and Beauchamp headed another. Franz stayed with Villefort.
At the cemetery gates, Morrel made an excuse to wait. He watched Franz and Villefort climb into the same funeral coach together, and a sense of dread washed over him. He returned to Paris in the carriage with Château-Renaud and Albert, but didn't hear a word of their conversation.
As Franz prepared to say goodbye to Villefort, the older man asked, "When shall I see you again?"
"Whenever you wish, sir," Franz replied.
"As soon as possible."
"I'm at your service. Should we return together?"
"I'd be honored." The future father and son-in-law climbed into the same carriage, and Morrel, watching them pass, felt increasingly anxious.
Back at the Villefort mansion, the prosecutor didn't visit his wife or daughter. Instead, he went straight to his study and gestured for Franz to sit.
"Mr. d'Epinay," he began, "I want to remind you of something, and this timing might seem inappropriate at first, but honoring the wishes of the deceased is the most important tribute we can pay them. On her deathbed, Madame de Saint-Méran expressed her desire that Valentine's wedding should not be delayed. The deceased's affairs are perfectly in order, and her will leaves Valentine the entire Saint-Méran family fortune. The notary showed me the documents yesterday. We can draw up the marriage contract immediately. You can visit the notary, Mr. Deschamps, at Place Beauveau, and I authorize you to review those documents."
"Sir," Franz replied carefully, "perhaps now isn't the right time for Miss Valentine to think about marriage. She's grieving deeply. I'm concerned that-"
"Valentine will find no greater comfort than fulfilling her grandmother's final wishes. I assure you, there will be no objections from her."
"In that case," Franz said, "since I have no objections either, you may proceed as you see fit. I gave my word, and I intend to keep it."
"Excellent. The contract was supposed to be signed three days ago. We'll find everything ready and can sign it today."
"But what about the mourning period?" Franz asked hesitantly.
"Don't worry about that. Every proper tradition will be observed in my household. Miss Villefort will retire to her Saint-Méran estate for the prescribed three months, I say 'her' estate because she inherits it today. After a few days there, we can hold a quiet civil ceremony, as Madame de Saint-Méran wished. Afterward, you can return to Paris while your wife completes her mourning period with her mother-in-law."
"As you wish, sir." Thɪs chapter is updated by NovelHub(.)net
"Then please wait half an hour. Valentine will come down to the drawing room. I'll send for Mr. Deschamps. We'll read and sign the contract before separating, and this evening Mrs. Villefort will accompany Valentine to the estate. We'll join them in a week."
"Sir, I have one request."
"I'd like Albert de Morcerf and Raoul de Château-Renaud present for the signing. They're my witnesses."
"Half an hour should be enough time to notify them. Will you fetch them yourself, or should I send someone?"
"I'll expect you back in half an hour, then, and Valentine will be ready."
Franz bowed and left. The moment the door closed, Villefort sent word to Valentine: be ready in the drawing room in half an hour for the notary, Mr. d'Epinay, and his witnesses.
The news sent shockwaves through the household. Mrs. Villefort couldn't believe it, and Valentine was stunned. She looked around desperately for someone to help her. She wanted to run to her grandfather's room, but on the stairs she encountered Villefort himself, who took her arm and escorted her firmly to the drawing room.
In the hallway, Valentine met Barrois, the old family servant, and gave him a look of pure desperation.
Moments later, Mrs. Villefort entered the drawing room with her young son Edward. She clearly shared the family's grief, her face was pale and drawn with fatigue. She sat down, pulled Edward onto her lap, and periodically clutched the child to her chest almost compulsively, as if he were the only thing she cared about in the world.
Soon, two carriages pulled into the courtyard. One carried the notary, the other Franz and his witnesses. Within moments, everyone had assembled.
Valentine was so pale that the blue veins were visible at her temples, around her eyes, and down her cheeks. Franz looked deeply affected. Château-Renaud and Albert exchanged bewildered glances, the funeral ceremony they'd just attended hadn't seemed as grim as this contract signing.
Mrs. Villefort had positioned herself in shadow behind a velvet curtain, constantly bent over her child, making it impossible to read her expression. Villefort, as always, remained emotionless.
The notary arranged his papers on the table, settled into an armchair, adjusted his glasses, and turned to Franz.
"Are you Mr. Franz de Quesnel, Baron d'Epinay?" he asked, though he obviously knew the answer.
The notary nodded gravely, adjusting his spectacles before speaking. "I must inform you, at Mr. Villefort's explicit request, that your proposed marriage to Miss Villefort has deeply affected and entirely changed Mr. Noirtier's feelings toward his beloved granddaughter. Consequently, he has decided to disinherit her completely, cutting her off from every part of the fortune he would once have left her as an inheritance or dowry."
He paused for a moment, as if weighing his next words carefully, then quickly added with professional precision, "However, I should clarify that, legally speaking, under the current civil code, a person can only give away a specific portion of their estate. Since Mr. Noirtier attempted to dispose of everything, the will, therefore, cannot stand, will not hold up in court, and is declared entirely null and void."