"Oh, signora, the steward is to meet me at twelve o'clock, to arrange that matter." And with these words he took his leave.
"I ought to have followed him," thought Lucretia, "to solve this agreeable riddle, by making acquaintance with my steward. But pshaw! I shall soon know all about it. Nobody has made me these presents without intending to get a word of thanks for the benefaction."
She had scarcely seated herself in a new and beautiful ottoman, which had replaced her faded, rickety old couch, before a servant appeared and announced,
"Her ladyship's steward!"
"My ladyship's steward!" echoed Lucretia. "Do let us make his acquaintance."
He came in—a small, slender man, apparently young, with a pair of twinkling black eyes, and a countenance expressive of great energy. With the air of a finished gentleman he bowed, advanced, and bowed again.
"Signor," said Hie countess, "you have been announced by a title which I have no right to bestow upon any person living—that of my steward. Pray tell me who you are."
"Gracious countess," answered he, smiling, "I have the honor to present myself. I am the Marquis de Villars, ambassador of his majesty the King of France to the court of Bavaria."
"And may I ask why, in addition to your other representative titles, you have assumed that of steward to the Countess of Canossa?"
"Because, signora, seeing that your habitation was not worthy of you, I have ventured to perform the duties of a faithful steward, by fitting it up in a manner which I hope is agreeable to the divinity at whose shrine the elector is now a worshipper?"