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"I, who would not spare Podstadsky and Szekuly, could not spare this traitor, though he has been very dear to me indeed. He must suffer, but I shall suffer with him. Mercy is so much more natural to man than justice! Still, mercy is the prerogative of Heaven alone. I am here to be equitable to all." An hour later the third regiment left Vienna for Szegedin, their new garrison.
"And allow me to accompany you home," said a mocking voice behind; and as Podstadsky turned with a start to see whence it came, he met the fiery black eyes of Eskeles Flies, who approached with a tall wax-light in his hand. The count trembled inwardly, but recovering his self-possession, he asked, with a haughty smile: "Are we in the carnival, and do you represent the Israelitish god of love?"
It was now well known that Podstadsky had forged notes; but it was impossible to suspect a man of Szekuly's unimpeachable character of any connection with a crime of that nature. Unhappily, however, though less in degree, the accusation against Szekuly was similar in kind. The Countess Baillou was his accuser.
I cannot write to him, however, that would be a compromise of my own honor; but I will send him a verbal message by my own faithful old nurse. She knows me too well to suspect me of clandestine intercourse with a wretch like Podstadsky." "Why not send the girl who delivered his letter?" "Because I discharged her on the spot for her indiscretion." "Bravely done, my precious child!
The accommodating steward retired in haste, and the lady, looking around with anxiety, murmured, "Are we alone?" "Entirely alone, my charming sphinx," replied Podstadsky. "The god of love alone shall hear the secrets which are to fall from your coral lips. But, first, let me remove this envious veil, my mysterious charmer."
Now I understand why it is that such a profligate as Count Podstadsky has been suffered to pollute our home by his visits!" The banker's face grew bright. "Then, Rachel, you do not love him?" said he, pressing his daughter to his heart. "Love him!" exclaimed Rachel, with a shudder, "love a man who has neither mind nor heart!"
She had just completed her toilet for a dinner given by the Princess Karl Liechtenstein, when Podstadsky had met her with the alarming intelligence which had obliged her to send an excuse. For one whole hour they had been considering their situation considering those words of the emperor; now planning one method of escape, now another,
The commoner himself felt aggrieved at the monarch who had treated a nobleman no better than he would have done a serf. Count Podstadsky was still in the elegant costume of the day. Graceful and distinguished in his bearing, he leaned his weary body, against the stake that supported the scaffold on which he was to suffer the last degree of public infamy.
Count Podstadsky came forward to meet her with ceremonious courtesy. They entered the gay saloons, but, as if led by one common impulse, both traversed the long suite of apartments in silence, and approached a door which led into a small boudoir evidently not lit up for the occasion. Once within, the door was closed, and the purple velvet portiere was dropped before it.
To see him in the box of the beautiful stranger was to fire the ambition of every man to know her; the more so that the haughty Podstadsky, instead of accepting a seat, was standing in an attitude of profound respect, which he maintained until he took his leave. Podstadsky, of course, was assailed with questions in relation to the countess.
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