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And, unless I am mistaken, we shall find among her booty all the jewels that were missing at last winter's entertainments; for, as I had the honor of reminding his majesty, the Countess Baillou was at every ball where jewels were lost. I told the emperor that if he would give you freedom, I engaged to find something more than a mare's nest when I tracked you hither.
Her dress for the evening was of white satin, and the coronal of brilliants which flashed among the braids of her black hair was worthy to be the bridal-diadem of a queen. The Countess Baillou was tall and stately in her beauty, hers was the fascination of the dark-eyed Italian, united to the majesty of a daughter of ancient Rome, and the union was irresistible.
To think that they are willing to commit any deed of folly for the sake of a fair face and two bright eyes." "And you, my angel, are cruel to all, and for me alone has the proud Countess Baillou a heart." "A heart!" ejaculated the countess, with irony. "Do you believe in hearts, silly Carlo? My dear friend, I at least am without such an inconvenience. If I love any thing it is gold.
You need not make such a grimace, Gunther. If you feel badly, console yourself with your work." The emperor seated himself at the table and went on looking over his petitions, occasionally murmuring to himself, "Our emperor is a poor, callow mouse!" The days of the Countess Baillou glided away in one continued round of pleasure. She was the cynosure of all eyes at concert, ball, or festival.
Moreover, he was the adorer of the most admired woman in Vienna, the lovely Countess Baillou. She, too, had disappeared. Where could they be? Was it accident, or had she responded to his love, and left a world of worshippers, to live for him alone? Finally the mystery was solved. A few days after the arrest of Podstadsky, Szekuly also had been arrested.
The countess disappeared, and the count put out his head. It was his steward, who announced that a lady, closely veiled, wished to speak with Count Podstadsky on urgent business. "Show her into the anteroom. The Countess Baillou will do me the favor to receive her." "My lord," said the steward, "the lady wishes to see you alone." "Indeed? Then show her in here."
The bills announced that Count Podstadsky-Liechtenstein had been condemned to three days of pillory, to public sweeping of the streets, and ten years' detention in the house of correction. Colonel von Szekuly to three days of pillory, and four years' detention. The guilt of the Countess Baillou not having been fully established, she was pardoned by the emperor.
"Countess Arabella Baillou," said one of the figures, "I arrest you in the name of the emperor." She looked defiance at him. "Who are you that dare arrest me?" He took off his hat and bowed derisively. "I am the director of police, countess, very much at your service. Here is my authority for your arrest."
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.
One of these patrols had just passed the garden-wall of the hotel, of which the Countess Baillou had been the presiding goddess. He looked up at the darkened windows as he went, wondered whither the goddess had flown, and walked on.
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