"Papa," he said to the old gentleman, "Monsieur de Villefort is sinking rapidly."
"You have come at the right time," said D'Avigny, turning toward Maximilian; "where is Valentine?"
"At the home of my sister Madame d'Herbault."
"Then tell the two ladies, please, to come here at once," said the old gentleman. "Valentine can be at hand to come to her father when I call."
Morrel went away, and the father and son went to Monsieur de Villefort.
CHAPTER XII
THE CONFESSION
With his head between his hands, Monsieur de Villefort sat in his easy-chair, as if an uninterested spectator. When the door opened he rose in his chair, and, looking expectantly at the two physicians who entered, said: