“Good gracious, no! My son Frederic, who has just left the palace, was on duty yesterday in the donjon, and he saw no one.”
“Really, noble lady?” repeated the general.
“So,” added the countess, with a triumphant smile, “you need not wait for your Ordener any longer, General.”
The governor was cold and calm.
“I am no longer expecting him, Countess, it is true.”
“General,” said the countess, turning, “I thought we were alone. Who is this?”
The countess looked searchingly at Ordener, who bowed.
“Really,” she continued, “I never saw him but once; still, if it were not for that dress, I should say—General, is this the viceroy’s son?”
“Himself, noble lady,” said Ordener, with another bow.
The countess smiled.