My tongue clove to the roof of my mouth. Well, what could I have said in answer to him? He, gifted with all the blessings of life; this _preux_ chevalier; this dignitary, brave, bold, daring, courageous, loaded with honours, a short time ago my idol, was now to me loathsome, unbearable. “Do you think that I don’t remember? that I have forgotten?” he continued, avoiding looking me straight in the face. “Oh! I know well that for the most important part I am indebted to you.… Had it not been her faith in you, and in your interest, it would not have been so easy to cage the bird.…” The words of the count literally stung me. I stood confused, bewildered. “But, perhaps you do not know, you have not heard,” as if to console me, said the count--“do not take on so--we had received from Petersburg the most formal and detailed instructions concerning this usurper, this person who had taken to herself a name and lineage not belonging to her. The order was to arrest her at any cost, and bring her there. Well, now have you understood?” In my confusion and trouble I could make no answer. “The Pretender is now in our hands. The will of our Sovereign has been fulfilled, and the prisoner will soon sail for the north. There’ll be enough inquiries set on foot; they’ll dig down to the very roots.… All that’s not the work of foreigners alone. I think there’ll be mixed up in this not a few of our own travellers. In the papers of that liar there are not a few well-known signatures.…” “Yes, you’re rejoicing; there’ll be again new arrests, again inquiries,” thought I. “And yourself, what did you do, stony-hearted man?” “Why don’t you say something?” asked the count. “The whole town is in agitation; there are mobs, screams, threats. Have a care, count,” I added, unable to conceal my disgust; “this is not Russia.… You might get a stab when least expecting it.” “Ah, well, my fine fellow,” said he frowning, “whoever touches you or any other of ours, or even threatens, just point to the sea.… Seven hundred cannon, all sweeping the whole shore. I’ve only to raise my hand, and the whole town will be level and clear. There, go now, and tell every one that, and add that I fear no one.…” “Braggart!” thought I to myself, shivering with rage. I left the count without opening my mouth, and without even a bow. CHAPTER XVI. _THE BOTTLE CAST INTO THE SEA._