Recording intelligenceAI-generated brief · check the source for context

The Will

26:49 recording · EN · 1 speaker

Listen to the original

Brief overview

Paralysed Noirtier dictates a will by eye signals, disinheriting Valentine over her forced marriage.

  1. Two eye signals made the will validClosing the eyes meant yes and winking meant no, enough for the notary's conscience.
  2. Nine hundred thousand francs, counted in the roomThe casket held exactly the sum Nortier had signalled, in bank script, proving his mind sound.
  3. The marriage, not the money, drove the disinheritanceNortier struck Valentin from the will only because she was engaged to Monsieur France d'Epinay.
Executive Summary AI
  • Villefort summons a notary to his paralysed father Monsieur Nortier, who has lost voice and motion, and warns that the old man's meaning can barely be caught; the notary answers that he cannot draw a valid act for a client who cannot speak.
  • Valentin, who has interpreted for her grandfather for six years, saves the interview by teaching the notary the two signs — closing the eyes means yes, winking means no — and Nortier confirms through the alphabet and the dictionary that he wants to make his will.
  • Questioned sum by sum, Nortier stops the notary at nine hundred thousand francs, and a casket fetched by Barris is opened to reveal exactly that amount in bank script, worth about 400 livres of income, proving his mind intact.
  • To the astonishment of the room, he refuses to leave the fortune to Valentin, to Edward de Villefort or to his own son, and finally makes clear, through her hand, that he is disinheriting her because she has engaged herself to Monsieur France d'Epinay against his wishes.
  • Villefort insists the marriage will go ahead, so Nortier directs the whole nine hundred thousand francs to charitable purposes, and the will is approved, sealed before the witnesses and entrusted the same day to Monsieur de Champs, the family notary.
Key Quote
“Sir, said she, I perfectly understand my grandfather's meaning at all times.”
— Valentin
Key Quote
“Now I cannot be sure of the approbation or disapprobation of a client who cannot speak,”
— the notary
Key Quote
“Monsieur Nortier, being deprived of voice and motion, is accustomed to convey his meaning by closing his eyes when he wishes to signify yes, and to wink when he means no.”
— Valentin

Transcript

0:00 THE WILL The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandra Dumas. Chapter 59. The Will.
0:30 As soon as Barrows had left the room, Nortia looked at Valentin with a malicious expression
0:38 that said many things. The young girl perfectly understood the look, and so did Villacourt, for his countenance became
0:48 clouded, and he knitted his eyebrows angrily. He took a seat, and quietly awaited the arrival
0:57 of the notary. Nautia saw him seat himself with an appearance of perfect indifference, at the same time giving a
1:09 side look at Valentin, which made her understand that she also was to remain in the room.
1:17 Three quarters of an hour after, Barris returned, bringing the notary with him. Sir, said Villefort, after the first solutions were over,
1:29 you were sent for by Monsieur Nortier, whom you see here. All his limbs have been completely
1:37 paralysed. He has lost his voice also, and we ourselves find much trouble in endeavouring to catch some fragments of his
1:47 meaning. Nautia cast an appealing look on Valentin, which look was at once so earnest and
1:57 imperative that she answered immediately, Sir, said she, I perfectly understand my grandfather's meaning at all times.
2:08 That is quite true, said Barras, and that is what I told the gentleman as we walked along.
2:16 Permit me, said the notary, turning first to Villefort and then to Valentin. Permit me to state that the case in question is just one
2:28 of those in which a public officer like myself cannot proceed to act without thereby incurring
2:36 a dangerous responsibility. The first thing necessary to render an act valid is, that the notary should be thoroughly convinced
2:47 that he has faithfully interpreted the will and wishes of the person dictating the act.
2:55 Now I cannot be sure of the approbation or disapprobation of a client who cannot speak,
3:03 and as the object of his desire or his repugnance cannot be clearly
3:09 proved to me on account of his want of speech, my services here would be quite useless and cannot
3:17 be legally exercised. The notary then prepared to retire. An imperceptible smile of triumph was expressed
3:28 on the lips of the procurer. Nautia looked at Valentin with an expression so full of grief
3:36 that she arrested the departure of the notary.
3:40 Sir, said she, the language which I speak with my grandfather may be easily learnt,
3:49 and I can teach you in a few minutes, to understand it almost as well as I can myself.
3:57 Will you tell me what you require in order to set your conscience quite at ease on the subject. In order to render an act valid, I must be certain
4:08 of the approbation or disapprobation of my client. Illness of body would not affect the validity of
4:17 the deed, but sanity of mind is absolutely requisite. Well, sir, by the help of two signs with which I will acquaint you presently,
4:30 you may ascertain with perfect certainty that my grandfather is still in the full possession
4:36 of all his mental faculties. Monsieur Nortier, being deprived of voice and motion, is accustomed to convey his meaning by closing his
4:48 eyes when he wishes to signify yes, and to wink when he means no. You now know quite enough to
4:57 enable you to converse with Monsieur Nautier. Try. Nautier gave Valentin such a look of tenderness and gratitude that it was comprehended
5:10 even by the notary himself. You have heard and understood what your granddaughter has been saying,
5:18 sir, have you? asked the notary. Nautier closed his eyes, and you approve of what she said, that is to say,
5:30 you declare that the signs which she mentioned are really those by means of which you are
5:37 accustomed to convey your thoughts? Yes. It was you who sent for me? Yes. To make your will? Yes. And you do not wish me to go away
5:51 without fulfilling your original intentions? The old man winked violently. Well, sir,
5:59 said the young girl, do you understand now, and is your conscience perfectly at rest on the subject?
6:07 But before the notary could answer, Philefort had drawn him aside. Sir, said he, do you suppose for
6:16 a moment that a man can sustain a physical shock such as Monsignor Nortier has received, without any detriment to his mental faculties?
6:28 It is not exactly that, sir, said the notary, which makes me uneasy, but the difficulty will

Showing the first 40 of 161 lines.