Maximilian — The Count of Monte Cristo

Villefort, half-ashamed of his grief, orders an unknown young man from Valentine's death room, but Maximilian Morrel cannot detach his eyes from the pale figure on the disordered bed. When d'Avrigny tries to lead him out, Morrel goes briefly, then returns carrying Noirtier's armchair upstairs with superhuman strength and rolls the paralytic to the bedside. He calls Noirtier father before strangers, begs the old man to say he was Valentine's betrothed, and falls on his knees grasping her cold hand while Villefort, moved despite himself, offers sympathy.

The procureur tells Morrel to take a last farewell and leave her to the priest. Morrel refuses: Valentine needs an avenger, not only ministrations, and demands that Villefort the king's attorney hunt the assassin. He names the fourth death in four months, the poison attempt four days ago, and the garden conversation on the night of Madame de Saint-Méran's death that he overheard. d'Avrigny breaks his cowardly concessions and unites with Morrel in demanding justice for crime while Villefort insists fate, not murder, has struck his house.

Noirtier's eyes answer yes when Morrel asks whether he knows the assassin. Through a silent dialogue the grandfather sends Morrel and d'Avrigny out but keeps Villefort alone. When the quarter hour ends, Villefort returns livid, clutching torn quill fragments, and begs an oath that the horrible secret remain buried while he promises revenge within three days. Morrel presses Valentine's lips once and leaves groaning; d'Avrigny summons the doctor of the dead.

The district physician confirms death; Noirtier weeps when the sheet is lifted. Villefort asks for the nearest priest and retreats to work in his study. d'Avrigny brings an Italian abbé from next door who already knows Valentine's name; after the doctor departs, the priest bolts Valentine's door and the passage to Madame de Villefort's room while Noirtier remains inside.