"At whatever hour you may think proper to come, sir, I shall always be delighted to receive you," the ambassador made answer.
At a sign from his master the usher drew up a chair, and then retired. The two gentlemen bowed again to each other, and sat down.
"Now I am ready to listen to you," the ambassador said; "be kind enough to speak, my lord count—"
"I implore your Excellency," don Jaime eagerly interrupted, "to permit me to maintain my incognito even toward yourself."
"Very good, sir, I will respect your wishes," the ambassador remarked, with a bow.
Don Jaime opened his pocketbook, and took from it a document, which he handed to the ambassador.
"Will your Excellency," he said, "deign to cast your eyes on this royal order?"
The ambassador took the order, and began reading it with the most earnest attention; when he had finished he returned the paper to don Jaime, who folded it up and placed it again in his pocketbook.
"Do you demand the execution of this royal order, caballero?" the ambassador said.
Don Jaime bowed.