Chapter 6. The Deputy Procureur du Roi (5) Capítulo 6. El Subprocurador del Rey (5)

"Just the same as though you prayed that a physician might only be called upon to prescribe for headaches, measles, and the stings of wasps, or any other slight affection of the epidermis. « De même que si vous priiez pour qu'un médecin ne soit appelé à prescrire que pour les maux de tête, la rougeole et les piqûres de guêpes, ou toute autre affection légère de l'épiderme. If you wish to see me the king's attorney, you must desire for me some of those violent and dangerous diseases from the cure of which so much honor redounds to the physician." Si vous voulez me voir procureur du roi, vous devez désirer pour moi quelques-unes de ces maladies violentes et dangereuses dont la guérison revient tant au médecin. » At this moment, and as though the utterance of Villefort's wish had sufficed to effect its accomplishment, a servant entered the room, and whispered a few words in his ear. En ce moment, et comme si l'énoncé du vœu de Villefort eût suffi à accomplir son accomplissement, un domestique entra dans la chambre et lui murmura quelques mots à l'oreille. Villefort immediately rose from table and quitted the room upon the plea of urgent business; he soon, however, returned, his whole face beaming with delight. Renee regarded him with fond affection; and certainly his handsome features, lit up as they then were with more than usual fire and animation, seemed formed to excite the innocent admiration with which she gazed on her graceful and intelligent lover. Renée le considérait avec une affection affectueuse ; et certainement ses beaux traits, éclairés comme ils l'étaient alors d'un feu et d'une animation plus qu'ordinaires, semblaient formés pour exciter l'admiration innocente avec laquelle elle regardait son amant gracieux et intelligent.

"You were wishing just now," said Villefort, addressing her, "that I were a doctor instead of a lawyer. Well, I at least resemble the disciples of Esculapius in one thing--that of not being able to call a day my own, not even that of my betrothal." Eh bien, je ressemble au moins aux disciples d'Esculape sur un point : celui de ne pouvoir appeler un jour le mien, pas même celui de mes fiançailles. » "And wherefore were you called away just now?" « Et pourquoi avez-vous été appelé tout à l'heure ? asked Mademoiselle de Saint-Meran, with an air of deep interest.

"For a very serious matter, which bids fair to make work for the executioner." "Pour une affaire très sérieuse, qui offre juste de faire du travail pour le bourreau." "How dreadful!" exclaimed Renee, turning pale.

"Is it possible?" burst simultaneously from all who were near enough to the magistrate to hear his words.

"Why, if my information prove correct, a sort of Bonaparte conspiracy has just been discovered." "Can I believe my ears?" cried the marquise.

"I will read you the letter containing the accusation, at least," said Villefort:-- " 'The king's attorney is informed by a friend to the throne and the religions institutions of his country, that one named Edmond Dantes, mate of the ship Pharaon, this day arrived from Smyrna, after having touched at Naples and Porto-Ferrajo, has been the bearer of a letter from Murat to the usurper, and again taken charge of another letter from the usurper to the Bonapartist club in Paris. Ample corroboration of this statement may be obtained by arresting the above-mentioned Edmond Dantes, who either carries the letter for Paris about with him, or has it at his father's abode. Should it not be found in the possession of father or son, then it will assuredly be discovered in the cabin belonging to the said Dantes on board the Pharaon. ' " "But," said Renee, "this letter, which, after all, is but an anonymous scrawl, is not even addressed to you, but to the king's attorney." "True; but that gentleman being absent, his secretary, by his orders, opened his letters; thinking this one of importance, he sent for me, but not finding me, took upon himself to give the necessary orders for arresting the accused party." "Then the guilty person is absolutely in custody?" said the marquise.

"Nay, dear mother, say the accused person. You know we cannot yet pronounce him guilty." "He is in safe custody," answered Villefort; "and rely upon it, if the letter is found, he will not be likely to be trusted abroad again, unless he goes forth under the especial protection of the headsman." — Il est en garde à vue, répondit Villefort ; « et comptez-vous sur lui, si la lettre est trouvée, il ne sera probablement plus digne de confiance à l'étranger, à moins qu'il ne parte sous la protection particulière du bourreau. » "And where is the unfortunate being?" asked Renee.

"He is at my house." "Come, come, my friend," interrupted the marquise, "do not neglect your duty to linger with us. You are the king's servant, and must go wherever that service calls you." "O Villefort!" cried Renee, clasping her hands, and looking towards her lover with piteous earnestness, "be merciful on this the day of our betrothal." The young man passed round to the side of the table where the fair pleader sat, and leaning over her chair said tenderly,-- Le jeune homme passa à côté de la table où était assise la belle plaideuse, et, penché sur sa chaise, dit tendrement :

"To give you pleasure, my sweet Renee, I promise to show all the lenity in my power; but if the charges brought against this Bonapartist hero prove correct, why, then, you really must give me leave to order his head to be cut off." Renee shuddered.

"Never mind that foolish girl, Villefort," said the marquise. "She will soon get over these things." "Elle se remettra bientôt de ces choses." So saying, Madame de Saint-Meran extended her dry bony hand to Villefort, who, while imprinting a son-in-law's respectful salute on it, looked at Renee, as much as to say, "I must try and fancy 'tis your dear hand I kiss, as it should have been." En disant cela, madame de Saint-Méran tendit sa main sèche et osseuse à Villefort, qui, tout en y imprimant le salut respectueux d'un gendre, regarda Renée jusqu'à dire : chère main que j'embrasse, comme il aurait dû être." "These are mournful auspices to accompany a betrothal," sighed poor Renee. — Ce sont de tristes auspices pour accompagner des fiançailles, soupira la pauvre Renée. "Upon my word, child!" exclaimed the angry marquise, "your folly exceeds all bounds. s'écria la marquise en colère, votre folie dépasse toutes les bornes. I should be glad to know what connection there can possibly be between your sickly sentimentality and the affairs of the state!" "O mother!" murmured Renee.

"Nay, madame, I pray you pardon this little traitor. I promise you that to make up for her want of loyalty, I will be most inflexibly severe;" then casting an expressive glance at his betrothed, which seemed to say, "Fear not, for your dear sake my justice shall be tempered with mercy," and receiving a sweet and approving smile in return, Villefort quitted the room. Je vous promets que pour compenser son manque de loyauté, je serai d'une sévérité inflexible ; puis jetant un coup d'œil expressif à sa fiancée, qui semblait dire : " et recevant en retour un sourire doux et approbateur, Villefort quitta la pièce.