"Can't she stay at home, I'd like to know? Is this time of night my hour for receiving callers?"
"She says she must see your Excellency—it is important."
"A young person of strong character. Well, show her in. Besides," he added to himself, "she isn't a woman; she is a devil." Then resuming his chair, and without removing the bandage that adorned his head, he awaited his caller.
Alfonsine entered in travelling costume, and closed the door carefully behind her.
"My dear Baroness," began the governor, "I must beg you to be as brief as possible, for I have a fearful headache."
"I will do my errand in a very few words," was the reply. "I learned to-day of your removal from the governorship of Hungary."
"Ha! Is that so? And why am I removed?" The sufferer felt as if a cannon-ball had crashed through his head.
"Because there is an outcry against the present severe measures, and the public is to be told that the government is not responsible for them, but you personally in your excess of zeal."
The sick man pressed both hands to his temples, as if to keep his head from bursting.
"Beginning to-morrow, a new system is to be inaugurated," resumed Alfonsine, "and imprisonment is to take the place of the death penalty."