"Your excellency, it is a precious ornament," said the soldier; "but
I must give it to you in secret."
"Withdraw, Conrad," said Hardenberg, beckoning to the servant, who had remained at the door, and was distrustfully and anxiously watching every motion of the soldier.
Conrad obeyed, but he left the door ajar, and remained close to it, ready to reenter the cabinet at the first word of his beloved master.
"Now we are alone. Speak!" said Hardenberg.
"Your excellency," whispered the soldier, advancing several steps, "the valet de chambre of Count St. Marsan—that is to say, my brother—has sent me to you. He dares not himself come, for the house of your excellency is watched by spies, and he would instantly be suspected, if he were seen entering it. I am to ask your excellency whether you will give me twenty louis d'ors for a letter from my brother which I am to deliver to yon."
"This letter, then, contains highly important information?"
"Yes, your excellency; my brother says he would let you have it at so low a rate because he had so long been connected with you, and because you had always treated him in a munificent manner."
"Does your brother require me to pay that sum before I have received the letter?"
"He said he would leave that entirely to your excellency; only he thinks it would be more advantageous to you to pay the money before reading the letter."
"How so, more advantageous to me?"