"And the Emperor consented?" "_Pardieu_, my dear sister. What else could his majesty do? My proposition smoothed every obstacle, and reconciled policy with mercy. It remains, therefore, only to find out, what has hitherto baffled all our researches, the retreat of our dear kinsfolk, and to make myself a welcome lover to the demoiselle. There is some disparity of years, I own; but--unless your sex and my glass flatter me overmuch--I am still a match for many a gallant of five-and-twenty." The Count said this with so charming a smile, and looked so pre-eminently handsome, that he carried off the coxcombry of the words as gracefully as if they had been spoken by some dazzling hero of the grand old comedy of Parisian life. Then interlacing his fingers, and lightly leaning his hands, thus clasped, upon his sister's shoulder, he looked into her face, and said slowly--"And now, my sister, for some gentle but deserved reproach. Have you not sadly failed me in the task I imposed on your regard for my interests? Is it not some years since you first came to England on the mission of discovering these worthy relatives of ours? Did I not entreat you to seduce into your toils the man whom I knew to be my enemy, and who was indubitably acquainted with our cousin's retreat--a secret he has hitherto locked within his bosom? Did you not tell me, that though he was then in England, you could find no occasion even to meet him, but that you had obtained the friendship of the statesman to whom I directed your attention as his most intimate associate? And yet you, whose charms are usually so irresistible, learn nothing from the statesman, as you see nothing of _milord_. Nay, baffled and misled, you actually supposed that the quarry has taken refuge in France. You go thither--you pretend to search the capital--the provinces, Switzerland, _que sais-je?_ all in vain--though--_-foi de gentilhomme_--your police cost me dearly--you return to England--the same chase and the same result. _Palsambleu, ma soeur_, I do too much credit to your talents not to question your zeal. In a word have you been in earnest--or have you not had some womanly pleasure in amusing yourself and abusing my trust?" "Giulio," answered Beatrice, sadly, "you know the influence you have exercised over my character and my fate. Your reproaches are not just. I made such inquiries as were in my power, and I have now cause to believe that I know one who is possessed of this secret, and can guide us to it." "Ah, you do!" exclaimed the Count. Beatrice did not heed the exclamation, but hurried on.