Recognizing her stepmother, Valentine couldn't suppress a shudder that vibrated through the bed.
Madame de Villefort instantly stepped back against the wall. Hidden in the shadows of the bed curtains, she silently watched for any movement from Valentine.
Valentine remembered Monte Cristo's terrible warning. She imagined the hand not holding the bottle must be gripping a long, sharp knife.
Gathering her remaining strength, she forced herself to close her eyes completely. But this simple action, usually so easy, became almost impossible. Curiosity fought desperately to keep her eyelids open, to learn the truth.
Madame de Villefort, reassured by the silence broken only by Valentine's regular breathing, extended her hand again. Half-hidden by the curtains, she succeeded in emptying the bottle's contents into the glass. Then she withdrew so quietly that Valentine didn't realize she'd left.
