‘What!’ said Mirabeau, in the same calm voice, ‘you Fitzgerald? I should never have recognised you.’
‘And are you really the Count de Mirabeau?’
‘Gabriel Riquetti, Count de Mirabeau, is my name,’ replied he slowly. ‘How did you find me out? What chance led you here?’
‘No chance, nor accident. I have come expressly to see and speak with you. I am a Garde du Corps, and have assumed this disguise to gain access to you unremarked.’
‘A Garde du Corps!’ said the Count, in some surprise.
‘Yes, Signor Gabriel. My life has had its turns of good and ill fortune since we parted—the best being that I serve a great prince and a kind master.’
‘Well said, but not over-prudent words to utter in the Faubourg St. Antoine,’ rejoined the Count, smiling. ‘Go on.’
‘I have come with a message from Monsieur, to desire you will hasten immediately to St. Cloud, where he will meet you. Secrecy and speed are both essential, for which reasons he intrusted me with a mere verbal message, but to secure me your confidence he gave me this ring.’
Mirabeau smiled, and with such a scoffing significance that Gerald stopped, unable to proceed further.
‘And then?’ said Mirabeau.