Chapter 58 - Monsieur Noirtier de Villefort

Summary

In the presence of his paralyzed father Noirtier, Villefort and Madame de Villefort announce Valentine's impending marriage to Franz d'Epinay, a match Noirtier opposes with visible fury. After the couple departs, Valentine enters and, through a complex system of eye movements and a dictionary, discovers Noirtier's anger stems from his fear for her unhappiness and his dislike of Franz. Interpreting his desire for a notary as a potential legal maneuver, she summons one, prompting Villefort to reluctantly agree while expressing disdain for the redundancy of the request, as Barrois triumphantly fetches the professional.

Characters

• Villefort / Crown Prosecutor / Monsieur de Villefort (the crown prosecutor) — Villefort conducts the formal announcement of Valentine's engagement to Noirtier with icy detachment, interpreting the old man's eyes with practiced ease. He dismisses his wife after Noirtier refuses to see Edouard, and later reacts with contempt to Noirtier's demand for a notary, agreeing only to mockingly apologize to the visitor on his behalf.
• Mme de Villefort / Madame de Villefort — Madame de Villefort sits beside her husband and details the advantages of the match to Noirtier, insisting that Franz d'Epinay is a suitable husband for Valentine. She attempts to secure Noirtier's acquiescence regarding his living arrangements and, after receiving a refusal to see Edouard, suggests sending for Valentine before leaving the room with her husband.
• Noirtier / Grandfather / M. Noirtier / Papa Noirtier (the old man, the invalid) — Noirtier sits motionless in his wheelchair, communicating solely through his eyes. He reacts with savage anger to the news of Valentine's engagement to Franz d'Epinay, blinking vigorously to refuse Edouard, and eventually signaling for a notary to be fetched, displaying an obstinacy that overrides his son's authority.
• Valentine — Valentine enters her grandfather's room to find him distressed and uses a dictionary to communicate his thoughts, learning that he dislikes the proposed marriage to Franz. She interprets his final request for a notary as a legal action and runs to summon one, smiling at the old man with affectionate relief.
• Barrois (the old servant) — Barrois, the long-serving servant, recognizes Noirtier's authority and argues against Villefort's refusal to provide a notary. He leaves the room in triumph to fetch one, prioritizing the wishes of the paralyzed master over the commands of the prosecutor.