"Oh, then all is
well. I may safely confide in whoever knows and loves Count Paulo, for
he must bear in his bosom a noble heart!"
And turning to Joseph Ribas with a charming smile, she said, "Sir, lead
me now where you will. We will both gladly follow you!"
"Let us, first of all, go into the villa, and send away those
troublesome people!" said the Russian officer, preceding the two women
to the house.
The bailiffs and soldiers were still there, occupied with sealing the
doors and closets. Joseph Ribas approached them with angry glances, and,
turning to Stephano, said, "Sir, I shall call you to account for this
over-hasty and illegal proceeding!"
"I am in my right!" morosely answered Stephano. "Here is the command to
attach this villa. It has fallen to the Russian crown as the property of
the traitor Rasczinsky."
"There is only the one error to be corrected," said Joseph Ribas, "that
this villa was not the property of Count Rasczinsky, as he some months
ago sold it to his friend, my master. And as, so far as I know, the
illustrious count, my master, never was a traitor, you will please to
respect his property!"
"You will have first to authenticate your assertions!" responded
Stephano, with a rude laugh.
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