The document went on to describe the growing tension in the secret meeting, how the club members had grown angry at General d'Epinay's refusal to join them.
"'You must either swear to keep our secret, or you must die,'" Franz read, his voice cracking. "Oh God... they threatened to kill him."
Valentine's hand flew to her mouth. Villefort paced behind them like a caged animal. Noirtier sat perfectly still, his commanding presence filling the room.
Franz read on, describing how his father had initially refused to take the oath, how he'd been surrounded by armed conspirators, how he'd finally relented when reminded he had a son to think about.
"'I swear by my honor not to reveal what I have seen and heard on February 5th, 1815, between nine and ten o'clock in the evening. I accept death as punishment should I ever violate this oath,'" Franz read his father's forced promise.
