"If I were to take off my mask, you would not know me, never having seen my features except in the dark. Here, however, is my letter of credit." The red domino gave Consuelo a sheet of music, on which was written a testimonial she could not mistake. She gave him the pocket book, not without trembling, and took care to add, "Take notice of what I have said, I am charged with no message for you; I alone send these letters and funds to the person you know of." "Then you are Trenck's mistress?" Terrified at the painful falsehood required from her, Consuelo was silent. "Tell me, madame," said the red domino; "the baron does not deny that he receives letters and aid from a person who loves him. Are you his mistress?" "I am that person," said Consuelo, "and I am as much wounded as I am surprised at your questions. Cannot I be the baron's friend, without exposing myself to the brutal expressions and outrageous suspicions you dare to use to me?" "The state of things is too important for us to stop at words. Listen: you charge me with a task which endangers and exposes me to troubles of more than one kind. Perhaps there may be some political plot, and with that I will have naught to do. I have given my word to the friends of Trenck, to aid him in a love matter. Let us understand; I did not promise to aid his _friendship._ The latter phrase is too vague, and makes me uneasy. I know you incapable of falsehood; and if you do not tell me positively that Trenck is your lover, and enable me to tell Albert of Rudolstadt----" "For heaven's sake, sir, do not torture me thus. Albert is dead." "As men think, I know he is dead; but to you and me he continues alive." "If you mean in a religious and symbolic sense, it is true; but, if in a material point of view----" "Let us not argue the matter. A veil covers your mind; but it will soon be lifted. What it concerns me now to know, is your position in relation to Trenck. If he is your lover, I will take charge of this commission, on which it is probable that his life depends, for he is without means. If you refuse to answer, I cannot be your messenger." "Well," said Consuelo, "he is my lover. Take the pocket-book, and hasten to send it to him."