The other hesitated. This wonderful self-command produced a certain effect on him. He had seen with his own eyes that the blow had struck home, but all further satisfaction was denied him. The wound should not bleed in his presence. The injured man pressed his hand on the spot, and stood erect as before. Was the haughty, stubborn spirit, the arrogance of this Raven, never to be broken?
"We have discussed the principal topics under notice," replied the Superintendent, with a certain embarrassment. "If you have other claims on your time, I will not detain you."
"Go on, I beg!" The Baron's voice was low, but very steady.
The Superintendent saw that any show of forbearance would be looked on as an insult. He therefore took up the thread of their former conversation. The remarks made by Raven, as he concluded his report, were perfectly apt and to the point, but they were spoken mechanically, and his manner, too, was mechanical as he rose from his chair when the Superintendent prepared to depart.
"Your Excellency has no other recommendations to make to me?"
"No; I can only recommend you to follow out your instructions as punctually as hitherto. In that case, some recognition of your services will surely follow."
The other thought fit to feign bewilderment.
"I do not understand your Excellency. To what instructions do you allude?"
"To those you received before leaving the capital, when, together with the official duties of your service, a special surveillance was committed to you."
"Ah! the surveillance of the town, you mean? I think, in that respect, I have done my duty. Besides, the troubles are over now, and all that is at an end."