Three contiguous chapters, all dealing with the same subplot... Valentine!

Val is still bedridden, and still woozy (from the attempted poisoning). During the daytime, she feels normal, since Noirtier is wheeled into her room to keep watch. But at night, she's in a semi-conscious state where strange forms keep popping in and out of her room. In a daze, she sees an apparition examining the glass by her bedside. The figure tests the contents and speaks... it's the Count! He tells her it's OK to drink, and Val is reassured- the taste of the medicine is familiar and she says it helps clear her mind.

The Count says that he's been watching for her for 4 nights. He explains that someone in the household is trying to kill her! Now that she's lucid, she must wait and watch for the poisoner to come! So she lies in bed with one eye open, and a figure in white comes in and fills her glass. Val recognizes the person as Madame Villefort! Madame pours substances into Val's glass and leaves. The Count re-appears and tests the glass and tells her that it's a powerful poison. He convinces Val that she must trust him, and gives her a small pea-sized pill. He says not to be afraid if she wakes, but loses her senses and might be in a coffin. Val takes the pill.

By the next morning, the nurse checks up on her. Val is cold, stiff and not breathing! The nurse summons V. and Dr. D'Avrigny. The doctor picks up the glass curiously and sees a bit of liquid still in it. He confirms it's poison. Madame is terrified... she could have sworn that she completely emptied the glass and covered her tracks! HOW can the glass still contain poison? Meanwhile, Max heads up to Noirtier's room for his usual visit. Noirtier's eyes ask him to check on Valentine- somethings' very wrong. Max heads to Val's room and hears, "She's Dead."

1. NOW we learn the identity of the Villefort House Poisoner! Anyone truly surprised?
2. Poor Val, caught between a rock and a hard place! In her situation, would you trust the Count (a man you hardly know) and take his little pea-sized pellet at his urging?
3. The book really tries to put Val in an untenable position, but do you truly believe that she couldn't just leave? Run away and marry Max? Can anyone imagine Madame Villefort chasing them all across France to poison her and kill her for good? Any reason why they aren't calling the police?
4. Is Val dead? She's got all the symptoms of being dead! V. and Dr. D'Avigny know, and they're saying, "She's dead." and Max hears this. What will he do?