"Not so, please your highness—this evening."
"Announce me, any way," said the prelate, putting a double-louis gold piece in his hand.
Fritz intimated that the visitor should follow him; and he walked briskly to the door of the ante-chamber, which a large chandelier with a dozen tapers illuminated. The visitor followed, surprised and meditative.
"There must be some mistake, my friend," he said, pausing at the door, "in which case I do not wish to disturb the count. It is impossible he can expect me, as he could not know I was coming."
"As your highness is Cardinal Prince Rohan, you are certainly expected by my lord."
Lighting the other candelabra, Fritz bowed and went out. Five minutes elapsed, during which the prelate, the prey to singular emotion, scanned the elegant furniture of the room, and the half-dozen paintings by masters on the tapestried walls. When the door opened, Count Fenix appeared on the threshold.
"Good-evening to your highness," he simply said.
"I am told that you expected me," observed the visitor, without replying to the welcome. "Expected this evening? impossible!"
"I ask your pardon, but I was expecting your highness," returned the host. "I may be doubted, seeing how paltry is my reception, but I have hardly got settled yet, from being but a few days in town. I hope for your eminence's excusing me."
"My visit expected? Who could have forewarned you?"