"What can the man want with me?" the Count muttered, so soon as he was alone.
He had not long to wait, for the door opened again and the governor made his appearance.
The prisoner rose to receive him, bowed, and then silently waited for him to speak.
The Major made the gaoler a sign to withdraw, and then, after a fresh bow, he said with cold politeness,—
"My lord Count, gentlemen should respect each other. Although the orders I have received on your account from the Cardinal are very strict, I still desire to shew you any attention that is not incompatible with my duty. I have, therefore, come to you frankly in order to have an understanding on the subject."
The Count guessed to what this speech tended, but did not let it be seen, and answered,—
"Mr. Governor, I am grateful, as I ought to be, for the steps you have been kind enough to take; may I ask you, therefore, to have the goodness to explain to me the nature of your orders, and what the favours are by which you can alleviate their severity. But, in the first place, as I am at home here," he added, with a melancholy smile; "do me the honour of seating yourself."
The Major bowed, but remained standing.
"It is unnecessary, my lord," he remarked, "as what I have to say to you is very short; in the first place, you will observe that I have had the delicacy to send you the trunk containing your effects unexamined as I had the right to do."
"I allow the fact, Major, and feel obliged; to you for it."