"And it can be done without scandal?"
"Quite without scandal. Ah! my worthy friend, you must not consider us any longer as the honest barbarians described by Tacitus; we have really learnt something since then. Good-bye!"
"Will your Excellency allow me to escort you to your carriage?"
"On no account. My servant waits in the anteroom. Will you let him come in?"
"Will your Excellency permit me to be for the moment, as ever, your devoted servant?" Giraldi was in the act of offering his arm to the half-blind man, when a fresh visitor was announced.
"Who is it?" asked his Excellency, with some anxiety; "you know I must not be seen here by everybody."
"It is Councillor Schieler, your Excellency."
"Oh! only him. However, do not trust the sneaking fellow more than you can help! He has got some very useful qualities, but must be handled with care. Above all, do not trust him in the matter in question; it would be quite useless. His great protector can do nothing in the matter."
"And therefore it was that I took the liberty of applying to your Excellency."
"Advice to you always comes too late. One thing more. For the little family war which you have to wage here with these North German barbarians you require three times as much of the needful as for the great war. Are you fully provided?"