The door closed behind them, and they walked to and fro under the platform.
"What brings you here?" the countess asked hastily. "Are you finally bringing me the news that Gritti is going to be called back?"
"You haven't fulfilled the condition yet, Leonora. What have you told the tribunal of the secrets from Vienna?"
"Was it my fault? Didn't I do everything a woman might be capable of, and didn't I make this stubborn German squirm in my web like a fish on dry land? But never, a word about his occupation had come across his lips. And today, he's departing, as you would know. The annoyance of having spent so much time on him in vain is making me ill."
"It would be preferred if he was ill."
"How come?"
"He wants to leave, his path couldn't be blocked. But we're certain that it would cause the greatest harm to the republic if he should actually reach Vienna. The pretext for his vacation is meaningless. The true reason is that he has things to report in Vienna, which he doesn't even dare to entrust a secret courier with. And therefore, it is imperative to prevent this journey."
"So, prevent it. Whether he's leaving or staying is completely indifferent to me."
"You've got the easiest means in your hands, Leonora, to keep him here."
"These would be?"