"We leave bribery to Lipski and his principal, Orloff; or shall I put the word in the plural, your grace, and say principals," said Zabern with a meaning smile.
Bora gave a slight start, which did not escape the other's notice.
"You see, dear duke," drawled Zabern airily, "we know all that is going on behind the scenes. Governor Orloff in his palace at Warsaw pulls the strings, and the puppets dance in the Diet of Slavowitz. Next week I shall manipulate the strings, and you shall see the figures dancing to my tune."
The duke began to grow somewhat uneasy under the knowledge displayed by Zabern. In his previous contests with the wily Pole he had always come off second-best. Was Zabern again to triumph over him?
"You talk boldly, marshal," he said with a supercilious smile, "but I think I shall win my roubles."
So saying he passed on with his company.
"Humph!" muttered Radzivil, gloomily, "it's quite clear that, vexed with the princess for excluding him from the cabinet, he will now throw in his lot with the Opposition."
"Therein appearing in his true colors," replied Zabern. "There he walks, a would-be sovereign, attended by a would-be court. Carpe diem, Bora, carpe diem! Enjoy your brief span of existence! The 15th of September next will see your end."
"The 15th of September?" repeated Dorislas. "That is the day of the princess's coronation."
"True; and if I rightly forecast the future, Dorislas, the duke will not outlive that day."