“Yes; very well. Now whisper to me.”
Oliva obeyed with a docility which charmed her companion.
The black domino, who had his back turned to them, did not see all this; but his companion did. “Take care, monseigneur,” said she; “there are two masks watching us.”
“Oh, do not be afraid, countess; they cannot recognize us. Do not mind them; but let me assure you that never form was so enchanting as yours, never eyes so brilliant, never——”
“Hush! the spies approach.”
“Spies!” said the cardinal, uneasily. “Disguise your voice if they make you speak, and I will do the same.”
Oliva and her blue domino indeed approached; he came up to the cardinal, and said, “Mask——”
“What do you want?” said the cardinal, in a voice as unlike his natural one as he could make it.
“The lady who accompanies me desires me to ask you some questions.”
“Ask,” said M. de Rohan.