In another instant the door opened and Cardinal Rohan was announced.
"Show him in," said the abbess, encouraged by the new addition to the party being a churchman.
The prince had no sooner saluted the princess than he exclaimed with surprise on seeing Balsamo:
"Are you here, my lord?"
"Are you acquaintances?" cried the princess, more and more astonished. "Then you can tell me who this is."
"Nothing is easier; the gentleman is a magician."
"His eminence will make this clear presently, and to everybody's satisfaction," said the count.
"Has the gentleman been telling your highness' fortune, that I see you so affected?" questioned the cardinal.
"The marriage certificate at once!" cried the princess, to the astonishment of the newcomer, ignorant of the allusion.
"What is this?"