"Well, what is the matter now?" asked the inspector, gruffly, as Madame Danglars handed him the priest's letter. He grumblingly opened the letter, but when he had read its contents his face lighted up and, making a respectful bow, he said:
"Madame, after reading these lines, I can only carry out all your wishes, as far as they are confined within the limits of the rules in force here. You desire to see one of our prisoners?"
"Yes, sir."
"You are aware that such an interview can only take place in the presence of the chaplain?"
Madame Danglars became frightened. She had not expected this.
"I will have the chaplain informed," continued the official. "In fact, I shall let him come into my office. This is a special favor. Yesterday there was a lady here to see Benedetto, who was not permitted to converse with him except in the presence of the port inspector and the jailer."
"A lady?" exclaimed Madame Danglars, vivaciously. "Can you tell me who she was?"
"Oh, certainly, it was Mademoiselle de Villefort, the daughter of the recently deceased district-attorney."
"Monsieur de Villefort is dead?" said Madame Danglars in a choking voice.
"Yes, madame, he died in a private lunatic asylum in Paris. Did you know the gentleman?"