The conductor, bidding Cecil to wait here, left him alone.
In a few moments a concealed door was opened, and a man of a tall, proud
form entered.
"At length!" he said, on perceiving Cecil. "I had begun to doubt your
coming."
"I waited until I could bring you decisive intelligence, your
excellency," said Cecil.
"And you bring it today?" quickly asked the unknown.
"In an hour we leave Rome for St. Petersburg!"
Uttering a loud cry of joy, the stranger walked the room in visible
commotion. Cecil followed him with timid, anxious glances, and, as he
still kept silence, Cecil said:
"Your excellency, I have truly performed what you required of me. I have
persuaded the count to make the journey, notwithstanding his opposition
to it, and, as you commanded, his ward remains behind in Rome, alone and
unprotected."
"Ah, you praise your acts because you desire your reward," said his
excellency, contemptuously opening his writing-desk, and drawing forth a
well-filled purse. "You there have your pay, good man!"
Cecil indignantly rejected the money. "I am no Judas, who betrays his
master for money," said he. "Please remember, your excellency, for what
I promised to fulfil your excellency's commands, and what reward you
promised me!"
"Ah, I now remember! You required my promise that no harm should befall
the count!"
"Only on that condition did I promise my assistance," said Cecil.
Pages:
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376