The beautiful woman bent her head still nearer to him. Even her cruel heart felt the compliment conveyed in this acknowledgment of her power. "And what do you wish of me, my poor boy?" she murmured softly in his ear.
"I wish an interview with you after the opera—a strictly confidential interview."
"Very well. Come to me as soon as I get home, and I will admit you."
"No; you shall not turn me away so easily, with an empty promise."
"What, must I swear to you, then?"
"No, give me the little key, and I shall be sure of gaining admittance."
"I am almost afraid to trust you with it," objected the marchioness, with an arch look; "but still you shall have it—there! And now guard it well, and be discreet."
Vajdar kissed the hand extended to him and retired. The fair Cyrene turned again toward the stage and joined in the applause. One might have thought she was applauding the prima-donna; but no, she was applauding herself.
Benjamin Vajdar returned home, left the police officer quartered in his antechamber, and, with his servant's aid, began packing his trunks. After that task was accomplished he waited impatiently for the close of the opera and Rozina's return. When his watch told him that he must have waited long enough, he passed noiselessly through the secret passage and opened the mysterious door in the tall clock at its farther end. The marchioness was not there. One hour, two hours, he waited in her boudoir, and still she failed to appear.
"Very well; so be it," said Vajdar to himself. "You thought to outwit me; we shall see which will outwit the other."