“What! another _lettre-de-cachet_!” he exclaimed, a good deal disconcerted. “Do you know, my friend, these things are getting far too common. The people are beginning to question them. Will nothing else content you?” “Nothing else, sire. Why, it is three weeks since I have asked for one—and my enemies are so many.” “Ah! I know; but this name—I have never heard of it. Who is the wretched man?” “He is a sorcerer, sire. It is not a day since he terrified me fearfully in this very room.” “In this room! How did an unknown man get here?” “He bribed Zamara to give him access, under pretence of presenting a petition, and once here, said horrible things, threatening me with death.” “Ha!” “And saying, that to save the king’s life was rank treason.” “Give me a pen.” She opened the portfolio wide, spread it across his knees, and went to the table for a pen. Her hand shook as she reached it toward him, and he remarked it. “I know! I know!” she said. “The fright has not left me yet.” Louis signed the order, which was to bury Dr. Gosner in one of the gloomiest vaults of the Bastille, and laying it in the portfolio, handed it and the pen back to the countess. “It will be very difficult for this bold man to frighten you hereafter,” he said, rising a little wearily. “Such audacity must be checked. You will know how to put the order in force?” “Always gracious, always good!” exclaimed the countess. “Ah, sire! if you could read all the gratitude in my heart!” “I am just now content to read it in those eyes. Adieu! or rather, _au revoir_, sweet friend!” The woman permitted Louis to go. She was anxious to see him depart, that she might use the cruel order he had just signed. She watched him eagerly till he disappeared behind the trees of the Park, then rang her bell for Zamara before seating herself to write a note, which she completed without looking up, though the Indian dwarf stood by her chair within a minute after her bell sounded. “Take this,” she said, sealing the note which inclosed the _lettre-de-cachet_, “deliver this yourself, and at once. Do not return to me until you know that this audacious man is on his way to the Bastille. Above all things, say that I want the ring from his left hand. Without that, do not dare to look on my face again.” “Madame shall be obeyed,” said the dwarf, taking the letter and darting from the room. CHAPTER V. THE DWARF AND THE DAUPHINESS. On the second day after this scene in the favorite’s bower room, Zamara came unsummoned into the presence of his mistress, and laid a ring, with its green scarabee in her hand. She started up with a shriek, and dashed the ring from her vehemently. The dwarf picked up the ring, and stood holding it with a frightened look, astonished at the excitement it had occasioned. “Madame commanded that Zamara should not return without it,” he said, with tears in his eyes. “Is it wrong?”