The Villefort Family Vault — The Count of Monte Cristo

Two days after Madame de Saint-Méran's death, mourning-coaches filled the Faubourg Saint-Honoré. A black wagon from Marseilles carried the marquis's body, so Paris buried husband and wife together in the Villefort family vault at Père-Lachaise. Renée's grave had waited ten years for her parents to join her. Guests gossiped in the coaches about the sudden deaths, while no one guessed the poison secret Doctor d'Avrigny had shared with Villefort.

At the cemetery Albert introduced Maximilian Morrel to Franz d'Épinay. Morrel bowed with difficulty because he loved Valentine and had sworn to wait. Franz said Valentine looked pale with grief that morning. After the burial, Franz rode home in the same carriage as Villefort while Morrel watched and grew uneasy.

Villefort took Franz straight to his study without seeing his wife or daughter. He said obedience to the dead was the first duty owed at their tomb, and reminded Franz that Madame de Saint-Méran had wanted the wedding rushed. Franz hesitated because Valentine was mourning, but Villefort said she would be glad to obey her grandmother. He arranged for the contract to be signed that very day.

Half an hour later the drawing-room filled with witnesses. Valentine was led in pale and helpless. The notary announced that Noirtier had disinherited her because of the marriage. Franz said he cared for happiness, not fortune. Villefort claimed the old man was senile and jealous. Then Barrois entered and said Noirtier demanded to speak to Franz at once. Villefort refused, but Barrois added that his master would be carried down to the drawing-room himself. Valentine rejoiced, Franz insisted on going, and the three of them hurried toward Noirtier while Villefort followed in alarm.