"And what is his name?"
"He will only tell it to your Excellency."
"Hum! I do not like such precautions, for they never forbode anything good; listen, José! When he arrives, tell him I never receive people who insist on keeping their incognito."
"But he is here, my lord."
"Ah! well then, it will be all the more easy, tell him so at once."
And he turned his back. The usher bowed and left the room, but returned almost immediately.
"Well! Have you sent him away?" the Count asked.
"No, my lord, he gave me this card requesting me to hand it your Excellency. He declares that, in default of his name, it will be sufficient to secure his admission to your presence."
"Oh! Oh!" said the Count, "That is curious, let me see this famous talisman."
He took the card from the usher's hand and looked at it absently; but all at once he started, frowned and said to the usher,