Welcome back everyone to 1001 Stories for the Road.

This is your host and storyteller, John Haggardorn.

Today, Chapter 58, from the Count of Monte Cristo.

Monsieur Nortier de Villavort.

We will now relate what was passing in the house of the King's attorney after the departure of Madame Danglars and her daughter,

and during the time of the conversation between Maximilian and Valentine,

which we have just detailed.

Monsieur de Villefort entered his father's room, followed by Madame de Villefort.

Both of the visitors, after saluting the old man and speaking to Berra, a faithful servant,

who had been 25 years in his service, took their places on either side of the paralytic.

Monsieur Norgier was sitting in an armjare which moved upon casters,

in which he was wheeled into the room in the morning,

and in the same way drawn out again at night.

He was placed before a large glass which reflected the whole apartment,

and so, without any attempt to move, which would have been impossible,

he could see all who entered

the room and everything which was going on around him.

Monsieur Nortier, although almost as immovable as a corpse, looked at the newcomers with a quick

and intelligent expression, perceiving at once, by their ceremonious courtesy, that they

were come on business of an unexpected and official character.

Sight and hearing were the only senses remaining, and they, like two solitary sparks,

remain to animate the miserable body which seemed fit for nothing but the grave.

...