"I don't regard him so lightly," said I, in reply to the gesture.
"You have already had to face much more serious obstacles."
"I could not choose the terms then; I can now. But I will take the chance of what I may do. I can almost pledge myself for the countess, unless you have undermined my influence with her. That is your lookout. But if you set her free at once, and she consents, I will pledge myself to let your scheme go on as you desire, and will see that the Duke Marx is back in Munich as soon as the Countess Minna is safe out of the clutches of your agents and across the French frontier. There is no time to lose," I added, rising, for the thought of seeing Minna had filled me with eagerness.
"What guarantee have I that you will do this?"
"None. What can you have—except that the sooner I have shaken myself free from this infernal intrigue the better I shall be pleased."
The sincerity with which I said this appeared to satisfy him; for after a moment he rose to end the interview.
"And where shall I find the Countess Minna?" I asked.
"She had better not return to Munich. She can join you at Gramberg."
"Thank you, I prefer to fetch her myself," I interposed quickly.
"There is a difficulty——" he began thoughtfully.