"Well, is the district-attorney coming?"
"He will be here soon," replied D'Avigny, to quiet the old man.
"But I have no more time," exclaimed Villefort, passionately.
"Monsieur de Villefort," said the physician earnestly, "you know that the district-attorney can only be informed in cases of the utmost importance, and—"
"And is it not an important case when a man who has himself filled the office of district-attorney for years wishes to speak to his successor before he dies?" said Villefort, sharply. "What is the name of the new district-attorney?"
"Monsieur de Flambois."
"Oh, my former assistant," muttered the sick man, with a bitter smile. "Doctor, it is a question of rehabilitation. Tell Monsieur de Flambois to hurry up."
"I will do so," said Fritz, after an interchange of looks with his father, and he immediately left the room.
The old physician also went away, and immediately afterward Morrel conducted his sister and Valentine into the private office of the doctor.