"Agreed, my lord," the spy replied, coldly; "but if I have spoken the truth?"
"If you have spoken the truth," he exclaimed, but suddenly broke off, "but no, it is impossible, I repeat!" and seeing a fugitive smile playing round the lips of his companion, he added, "well, be it so; if you have spoken the truth, you shall fix your own reward, and whatever it may be, on my word as a gentleman, you shall have it."
"Thanks, my lord," he replied, with a bow; "I hold you to your word."
The Count walked several times up and down the saloon, suffering from intense agitation, appearing to have completely forgotten the presence of the spy, muttering unconnected words, breaking out into passionate gestures, and in all probability revolving in his head sinister projects of vengeance. At length he stopped and addressed the spy again.
"Withdraw," he said to him, "but do not leave the palace; or, stay, wait a moment."
Seizing a bell on the table, he rang it violently.
A valet appeared.
"A corporal and four men," he said.
The spy shrugged his shoulders.
"Why all these precautions, my lord?" he asked; "is it not contrary to my interest to go away?"