Marianne, overcome by her tears and emotions, hastened to her own room, and the reverend priest remained alone with his sacristan.
They silently looked at each other, and their faces were distorted by a knavish, grinning laugh.
"It was a wonderful scene," said the priest, who was no other than Joseph Ribas. "In earnest, I was quite affected by it myself, and Icame near weeping at my own sublime homily. Confess, Stephano, that a consecrated priest could not have better gone through the ceremony.""We have both performed our parts," simpered Stephano, the sacristan, "and I think the count must be satisfied with us."At that moment the count returned to the room. Natalie had begged to be left alone--she needed solitude and prayer.
The priest, Joseph Ribas, and the sacristan, Stephano, gave him sly, interrogating glances.
"I am satisfied with you," said Orloff, with a smile. "You are both excellent actors. This new little countess was pleased and touched by your discourse, Joseph, my very worthy priest. Where did you learn this new villainy?""In the high school of the galleys, your excellency," said Ribas.
"Only there is one taught such precious things. We had a priest there, a real consecrated priest, who was sentenced for life. From /ennui/ he gave lessons to the smartest among us in his art, and taught us how to fold the hands, roll the eyes, and render the voice tremulous. But now, your excellency, one thing! You desired to know who it was that warned your princess to-day. I can now give you information on that point. It was the French Cardinal Bernis!""They are, therefore, beginning to observe our movements,"thoughtfully remarked Orloff, "and these gentlemen diplomatists wish to take a hand in the game. Ah, we understand the French policy. It is the same now that it was when they helped to make the Princess Elizabeth empress. At that time they interposed, that Russia might be so occupied with her own affairs as to have no time for looking into those of France. Precisely so is it to-day. They would compassionate the daughter as they did the mother. With the help of Natalie they would again bless Russia with a revolution, that we might not have time to observe the events now fermenting in France. But this time we shall be more cautious, my shrewd French cardinal. Stephano, let every preparation be made for our immediate departure. We are no longer safe and unobserved here. Therefore we will go to Leghorn.""We alone, or with the princess?" asked Stephano.
"My wife will naturally accompany me," said Orloff, with a derisive smile.
"Will she consent to leave Rome?" asked Joseph Ribas.
"I shall request her to do so," proudly replied Orloff, "and I think my request will be a command to her."And the proud count was not mistaken. His request was a command for her. He told her she must leave Rome because she was no longer in safety there, and Princess Natalie believed him.
"We will go to Leghorn, and there await the arrival of the Russian fleet," said he. "When that fleet shall have safely arrived, then our ends will be attained, then we shall have conquered, for then it will be evident that the empress has conceived no suspicion; and I am the commander of that fleet, which is wholly manned with conspirators who all await you as their empress. Will you follow me to Leghorn, Natalie?"She clung with tender submissiveness to his bosom.
"I will follow you everywhere," murmured she, "and any place to which you conduct me will be a paradise for me!"
