"With all my heart, madame," said Porporina.
"Why, 'madame?' whom do you call 'madame?'" said the princess, gaily, interrupting her.
"I mean, my dear Amelia," said Porporina, "that I would do so willingly, if there were not in the history of my life an important and almost formidable secret, on which so much hangs, that no desire, no prompting of my heart, can induce me to reveal!"
"Well, my dear child, I know your secret! and if I did not speak of it at the commencement of the supper, it was in consequence of a feeling of discretion, which my friendship for you now enables me to dispense with."
"You know my secret!" said Porporina, petrified with surprise. "Pardon me, madame; but that seems impossible!"
"You still continue to address me as highness. Can you doubt?"
"Excuse me, Amelia. But you cannot know my secret, unless you have really an understanding with Cagliostro, as is said."
"I have heard your adventure with Cagliostro spoken of, and I am dying with curiosity to learn its details. Curiosity, however, does not influence me this evening, but friendship, as I have sincerely told you. To encourage you, I will say, frankly, that since this morning have I learned that Consuelo Porporina may, if she pleases, legally assume the title of Countess of Rudolstadt!"
"In heaven's name, madame! who could tell you?"
"My dear Rudolstadt, you do not know that my sister, the Margravine of Bareith, is here?"