第一百零一章 Locusta
This chapter centers on Valentine de Villefort’s midnight vigil as she awaits potential danger, following Monte Cristo’s warning about her stepmother’s murderous intentions. The chapter reveals the full extent of Madame de Villefort’s plot to eliminate Valentine for inheritance money and introduces the Count’s countermeasure to save her through a mysterious pastille.
Midnight Vigil
Valentine remains alone as midnight approaches, listening to clocks strike the hour. She counts the seconds, comparing them to her heart’s faster beatings. Unable to imagine anyone desiring her death, she questions what she could have done to provoke an enemy.
A Dreadful Suspicion
The thought that an assassin might tire of poison and resort to steel fills Valentine with terror. She fears Monte Cristo may not arrive in time to rescue her, and she may never see Morrel again. She nearly decides to ring for help but recalls the Count’s luminous eye and feels ashamed at the thought of owing him more debt.
The Count’s Signal
Twenty minutes pass slowly, followed by another ten. The half-hour strikes, and Valentine hears the sound of fingernails grating against the library door—Monte Cristo’s signal that he still watches and advises her to do the same. Simultaneously, she detects movement near Edward’s room.
The Poisoner Arrives
A door opens slowly, and Valentine throws herself down, shading her eyes. She hears a voice whisper her name twice, but she remains silent as promised. The sound of liquid pouring into her empty glass follows, and she ventures to glance through her eyelashes.
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