“Recognize me by this!” said the cardinal, drawing a folded paper from his bosom and handing it to the princess.
“That is Count Paulo’s handwriting!” she joyfully exclaimed.
“Ah, you recognize the handwriting,” said the cardinal, “and you see that this letter is addressed to me. Count Paulo therefore considers me his friend!”
“May I read this letter?”
“I beg you to do so.”
Natalie unfolded the letter and read: “Warn the Princess Tartaroff; danger threatens her!”
“That is all?” she asked with a smile.
“That is all!” said the cardinal; “but when Paulo considered these few words of sufficient importance to send them to me, you may well suppose they are of the utmost significance.”
“Count Paulo is in Siberia,” said Natalie, shaking her head; “how could he have written you from thence?”
“How he succeeded in doing so, I know not, but the firm, determined will of man often conquers supposed impossibilities! Enough—in a mysterious, enigmatical manner was this letter put into the hands of our ambassador at St. Petersburg, with the most urgent prayer that he would immediately send it to me by a special courier, with all the necessary particulars.”