“If I only knew the way to do that, chère madame, how gladly would I do it.”
“Well, then, your Eminence shall see what a good friend I am to you. I will take charge of this parcel for you while you are on your holiday, and I promise you it shall be as safe with me as it ever was at the Hofburg.”
“You, madame?”
“Yes. I was starting for Petersburg to-night, as you know, and if you like I will take the candlesticks with me, packed up among my best court gowns and laces; then, if you wish, I will either leave them at the Marïonoff palace with your card, or keep them until your arrival, if you prefer to deliver them actually yourself.”
“Madame! you are a thousand times too kind,” said his Eminence hesitatingly. “I really hardly like to take you at your word, and yet——”
“It would relieve you of a great anxiety, is it not so? and, moreover, will leave you free to start on your incognito travel, and not to disappoint those who wished to accompany you,” she added archly, noting how ready his Eminence was to yield.
“Ah, madame, do not tempt me, lest I might accept,” he said, still resisting for form’s sake.
“Say no more about it then, and accept my friendly offer as it was meant,” she said, as, with a charming gesture, she stretched out her hand towards the Cardinal, who gallantly kissed the tips of her dainty fingers.
“How can I thank you, chère madame?” he said with an unmistakable sigh of relief, as he finally gave in to her kind persuasion.
“By telling me all the latest scandals about my best friends,” she said laughingly, settling herself once more comfortably in her luxurious arm-chair.