She looked up at me brightly, gave me a pretty nod of recognition, then turned expectantly to Mornac, who was still standing at her elbow, saying, “Then it is no longer a question of my exile, monsieur?”
“No, madame; there has been a mistake. The government has no reason to suspect your loyalty.” He turned directly on me. “Madame, do you know this officer?”
“Yes,” said the Countess, smiling.
“Did you see him receive a small sack of diamonds in Morsbronn?”
The Countess gave me a quick glance of surprise. “Yes,” she said, wonderingly.
“Thank you, madame; that is sufficient,” he replied; and before I could understand what he was about he had conducted the Countess to the next room and had closed the door behind him.
“Quick!” muttered Speed at my elbow; “let’s back out of this trap. There’s no use; he’s one of them, and he means to ruin you.”
“I won’t go!” I said, in a cold fury; “I’ll choke the truth out of him, I tell you.”
“Man! Man! He’s the Emperor’s shadow! You’re done for; come on while there’s time. I tell you there’s no hope for you here.”
“Hope! What do I care?” I said, harshly. “Why, Speed, that man is a common thief.”