“‘Yes, my little dear, and pray who are you?’
“‘I am Fritchen, sir,’ she said with a curtsy.
“‘You don’t say so! Pray sit down, Fritchen.’
“‘Thank you, sir.’
“‘And pray now, Fritchen, what is it you want with me?’
“‘My mistress desired me to say to you, sir—but it’s a great secret—that she is to be at the masquerade to-night in a blue domino, and she begs you will place this White Rose in your hat, and she wishes to have a few words with you.’
“‘And who may your mistress be, my pretty one?’
“‘Silence and Fidelity!’
“‘Ha! is it possible? the Margravine!’
“‘Hush! don’t speak so loud—you don’t know who may be listening. Black Stanislaus has been watching me all day, and I hardly could contrive to get out.’