‘Ah! In that case you bring me a letter from him, no doubt?’
‘I bring your Highness a message simply. The Prince desires to see you.’
‘But I cannot leave Petersburg—surely my brother knows that!’
‘He knows it so well that he is in Petersburg.’
Prince Louis sprang to his feet, thunderstruck.
‘Victor is here!—already!’ he exclaimed in confusion.
For answer I named the hotel at which we had put up, explaining at the same time that the Prince wished to preserve his incognito strictly.
Prince Louis prepared to accompany me to the hotel in the carriage which had brought me to his house. As we drove along, he inquired—
‘Are you in my brother’s confidence?’
‘I believe I enjoy that honour,’ was my reply. ‘At least I am acquainted with the business which has brought him here.’