“Is the order in due form?” asked Emanuel.
“Perfectly, sir,” replied the captain. “And are you disposed to execute it?”
“Am I not under the orders of the Minister of Marine?”
“The prisoner may then be sent to you?”
“Whenever you will; but it had better be this evening, or as soon as possible, as I do not expect to be long in these roads.”
“I will take care that due diligence shall be used.”
“Is this all that you have to say to me?”
“Nothing further, excepting to add my thanks.”
“Do not add anything, sir. The minister orders, and I obey, that’s all. It is a duty which I fulfil, and not a service that I am rendering.”
Upon these words, the captain and the count bowed to each other and separated, more coldly even than they had met.