Alas, Barros said that he wanted an old servant to be loyal to his master. Mr. Noirtier wanted to find a notary public. I think he really needed it. I’d better find one at once. In Barros’ eyes, he refused to recognize any other master except Noirtier, so he would never allow his master’s wishes to be obstructed.
But I want a notary, the old man, to affirm once again that he closed his eyes with a provocative air, as if to say, I’d like to see who dares to refuse my request.
Since you must want to find a notary, you can of course go to the pavilion.
Said villefort, but I will explain your physical condition to him first, and say it for you first. It will be ridiculous when I get it.
No, Barros said, I’ll just go and get a notary. Then the old servant went to work triumphantly
Chapter 59 Wills
As soon as Barros left the room, Noirtier looked at Valentine meaningfully. The girl understood the meaning of this kind of look, and Villefort also knew that his face was gloomy. His eyebrows were wrinkled together with anger. He sat in a chair and waited for the notary to come. Noirtier saw that he was sitting on the surface, but he glanced at Valentine. This was to say that she should stay in the room and not walk. After more than half an hour, Barros came back with the notary.
After exchanging pleasantries, Gevillefort said, it’s M. Noirtier. You’re here. He’s paralyzed and can’t speak. It often takes us a lot of effort to understand what he means. Noirtier cast a pleading look at Valentine, which was full of anxiety and urgency. She quickly replied, Ge, I can always understand my grandfather’s meaning.
That’s true, Barros said. I’ve told this gentleman so since we came all the way.
Allow me to say that the notary public first turned to Villefort and then to Valentine. Allow me to say a word. I am a public official. At present, if this case is false and rash, it will inevitably lead to dangerous liability. To be effective, the notary public must be completely convinced that he has faithfully acted according to the wishes of the client. Now, I can determine his exact meaning for a client who can’t speak. Because he has lost his language ability, he can’t clearly show me his likes and dislikes. Everything I have done here can’t be regarded as legal and effective.
With that, the notary was ready to leave, and the prosecutor’s mouth flashed with an imperceptible victory smile. Noirtier looked at Valentine with a sad expression. She quickly stopped the notary from leaving the cabinet. She said, my grandfather can speak languages easily, and I can teach you in a few minutes, but you can almost understand his exact meaning as I do. Can you tell me what you want in this respect?
In order to be notarized, I must be able to correctly determine whether my client agrees or opposes something. Physical illness does not affect the validity of the contract, but my mind must be absolutely clear-headed
Oh, you can be sure that my grandfather’s brain is still very healthy. Mr. Noirtier always closes his eyes to indicate no because he can’t talk and walk. You can talk to Noirtier now. Try it.
Noirtier gave Valentine a very kind and grateful look, even the notary turned white. You have heard and understood what your granddaughter just said, right? The notary asked Noirtier, closing his eyes. So you agree with her, that is to say, you always express your thoughts as she just said, right?
be
Did you ask me to come?
be
To make your will?
be
Would you like me to leave before it’s gone and you wish first?
The old man blinked desperately.
The girl in the pavilion said, do you understand now? You can rest assured.
The notary drew Villefort aside before he could answer.
Pavilion, he said, think about it. Can a person like Mr. Noirtier’s physical condition become like this, his brain power will not be affected at all?
I’m not worried about that, sir, said the notary, but I have to find out his thoughts before I can lead him to answer the question.
As you can see, this is impossible.
Old Valentine heard this conversation, and Noirtier looked at Valentine eagerly, making her feel obliged to stand up.
She said that it seems difficult at first glance, but you can rest assured that I can find out my grandfather’s thoughts and explain them to you to dispel all your doubts. I have been with Mr. Noirtier for six years. Let him tell you. During that period, I didn’t know what was going on in his mind.
No old man said
Well, then, let’s try and see what we can do. The notary said, you accept this lady. Do you explain, Mr. Noirtier?
The paralyzed old man gave a positive expression.
Well, sir, what do you want me to do? Do you want to make any written evidence?
Valentine typed the letter again, and Noirtier’s eyes signaled her to stop when she recited it to the mother.
What M. Noirtier wants is obviously a letter, said the notary.
Wait a minute, Valentine said. She turned to her grandfather and went on with her apostasy.
The old man stopped her when he heard her recite the second set of letters, so Valentine took the dictionary and turned her fingers in the notary’s eyes, slowly moving over the page line by line. When he pointed to the word will, Mr. Noirtier’s eyes told her to stop. The notary said that it was very clear that Mr. Noirtier was going to make his will.
Yes, yes, yes, the old man said that he missed.
Really, you have to admit that this is really strange. The surprised notary turned to M. Villefort and said.
It was the prosecutor who said, I think the will will be even more strange, because in my opinion, it would have been drafted by law without Valentine’s participation, and she was eager to explain her grandfather’s vague meaning. Is it a suitable candidate?
No, no, no, the paralyzed old man replied with eyes.
What, Villefort said that Valentine could not benefit from your will?
no
Notary public said that this matter has aroused his great interest, and he has decided to greatly expand this strange scene. I was extremely unlikely an hour ago, but now it is easy to realize. This will be read in front of seven witnesses, confirmed by the testator, and then sealed by the notary in front of the witnesses. It is of course more effective than making two ordinary wills. Some wills must go through certain procedures, but those procedures are always the same as the details. We can make it according to the testator’s career statement. In this respect, you have handled the doubts personally before, but we can help you. Besides these, we have to argue about the formalities again in the future. We should make it as accurate as possible. When I am a colleague to help me make a will, I always don’t need help, but this time I might as well make an exception. The notary continued to tell the old man that you are satisfied?
It was the old man’s eyes that said he was glad that others could understand him.