Welcome back, listeners to the Count of Monte Cristo, chapter 52, toxicology.

This is your host and storyteller, John Hagadorn. This is 1001 Stories for the Road podcast,

and now chapter 52, toxicology. It was really the Count of Monte

Christo who had just arrived at Madame de Villefort's for the purpose of returning the

procurer's visit, and at his name, as may be easily imagined, the whole house was in confusion.

Madame de Villefort, who was alone in her drawing-room when the Count was announced,

desired that her son might be brought thither instantly to renew his thanks to the Count,

and Edward, who heard this great personage talked of for two whole days, made all possible haste to

come to him, not from obedience to his mother, or right of any feeling of gratitude to the Count,

but from sheer curiosity,

and that some chance remark might give him the opportunity for making one of the

impertinent speeches which made his mother say,

Oh, that naughty child!

But I can't be severe with him.

He is really so bright.

After the usual civilities, the Count inquired after Monsieur de Ville villefort my husband dines with the chancellor replied the young lady he has just gone and i am sure he'll be exceedingly sorry not to have had the pleasure of seeing you before he went

two visitors who were there when the count arrived having gazed at him him with all their eyes, "'retired after that reasonable delay, "'which politeness admits, and curiosity requires. "'What is your sister Valentine doing?' "'Inquired Madame de Villefort of Edward. "'Tell someone to bid her come here, "'that I may have the honor of introducing her to the Count.' "' have a daughter, then, madame? inquired the Count.

Very young, I presume.

The daughter of Monsieur de Villefort, by his first marriage, replied the young wife,

a fine, well-grown girl.

But melancholy, interrupted Master Edward, snatching the feathers out of the tail of a splendid parakeet

that was screaming on its gilded perch

...