“Oh, Elphega, do try to play a less passive part in our affairs. The count and myself, as you see, are tolerably active. I return to your husband to-morrow. For mercy’s sake, do not confine yourself to praying for our sins, like the Madonna whom the Italians invoke when about to commit a murder! D’Ahlefeld, too, must see to rewarding me a little more munificently than he has hitherto done. My fortune is closely connected with yours; but I am tired of being the husband’s servant when I am the wife’s lover, and of being only the tutor, the teacher, the pedagogue, when I am almost the father.” At this instant midnight struck, and one of the women entered, reminding the countess that by the palace regulations all lights must be put out at that hour. The countess, glad to end a painful interview, recalled her attendants. “Permit me, gracious Countess,” said Musdœmon, as he withdrew, “to retain a hope of seeing you to-morrow, and to lay at your feet my homage and sincere respect.” VIII. It cannot be but thou hast murdered him; So should a murderer look; so dead, so grim! SHAKESPEARE: _Midsummer Night’s Dream_. “Upon my honor, old man,” said Ordener to Spiagudry, “I began to think that the corpses who lodge in this building would have to open the door.” “Excuse me, sir,” replied the keeper, in whose ears the names of king and viceroy still rang, as he repeated his trite excuse, “I was--I was sound asleep.” “Then I suppose your dead men do not sleep, and it was probably they whom I heard talking just now.” Spiagudry was confused. “You--stranger,--you--heard?” “Oh, yes! but what does it matter? I did not come here to meddle with your affairs, but to interest you in mine. Let us go inside.” Spiagudry was by no means anxious to allow the new-comer to see Gill’s body, but these last words comforted him considerably; and besides, how could he prevent his entrance? He accordingly allowed the young man to pass, and closing the door, said: “Benignus Spiagudry is at your service in all that relates to human science; yet if, as your unseasonable visit seems to show, you suppose that you are dealing with a sorcerer, you are wrong; _ne famam credas_; I am only a learned man. Enter my laboratory, stranger.” “Not at all,” said Ordener; “my errand is with these corpses.” “These corpses!” said Spiagudry, beginning to tremble again. “But, sir, you cannot see them.” “What! I cannot see bodies which are placed here for the sole purpose of being seen! I repeat, that I wish to question you concerning one of them; it is your duty to answer. Obey cheerfully, old man, or you will be forced to obey.” Spiagudry had a sincere respect for swords, and he saw the flash of steel at Ordener’s side. “_Nihil non arrogat armis_,” he muttered; and fumbling with his bunch of keys, he opened the grating, and admitted the stranger into the second section of the hall. “Show me the captain’s clothes,” said the latter.