"And what will it be to me?" asked the young lady, slightly turning her head towards the count.
He came up to her, seated himself near her couch, and spoke with extreme courtesy, as he kissed the hand she negligently abandoned to him.
"You have assisted in a great and noble work, my lovely friend, and you have rendered very important assistance by taking charge of a secret correspondence, which has enabled me to preserve the appearance of a man of the world and ordinary traveller. I promise you an independent and brilliant position. The how you must leave to me. I hope you trust my words."
She gave him a quick look and said,--
"I do not doubt that you can keep your promise, or that you will keep it."
"But," he continued, "much remains still to be done, and I believe I can open out greater and nobler spheres to your genius and industry: will you continue to be my confederate?"
"I will," she replied; then a deep sigh heaved her breast, a rapid blush tinged her cheeks, and whilst a trembling fire sparkled in her eyes she said, "I have one wish."
"Express it!" he said with the gallantry of a man of the world; "if it be in my power to fulfil it--"
"I believe it is, for I have seen so many proofs of your power that I have unbounded confidence in it."
"Well?" he asked, gazing at her enquiringly.