Page:Hoffmann's Strange Stories - Hoffman - 1855.djvu/370

 which if it should fail you in one instance, is, of course, lost to you forever. The king will never show favor to a criminal of this class; for, by so doing, he would, of necessity, draw on himself the bitterest hatred of the people, who feel themselves every night in danger of their lives, if they venture abroad. It is possible that Brusson himself may change his mind, and, by a full or partial confession, will find means of moving the judges in his favor."

De Scuderi found herself obliged to submit to the opinion of the learned advocate, and returned home in very low spirits. She was unable to divert her attention from the subject, and was sitting alone in her chamber at a late hour of the night, imploring one by one all the saints in the Calendar, that they would assist her invention with some device to save the unhappy youth, when Martiniere entered, and announced a visit from the Count de Miossen. This nobleman was well known at court, as colonel of the king's Garde d'Honneur, and having earnestly requested an audience of the lady de Scuderi, was, of course, admitted.

"Forgive me, Mademoiselle," said the Count, bowing with military grace and politeness, "if I thus trouble you at an inconvenient hour. We soldiers have no the time at our command; and besides, a few words will plead my apology. It is on account of your protege, Olivier Brusson, that I have come hither."

"Olivier Brusson!" said de Scuderi, with her attention on the utmost stretch, "what can you have to say of that most unfortunate of mortals?" "I thought, indeed," said de Miossen with a smile, "that the name of that youth would procure me a favorable hearing, for though all the world has been convinced of his guilt, I am aware that you hold a different opinion, which is said to depend on the prisoner's own assertions. With me the case is altogether different, and no one can be more perfectly certain than I am, (not even Brusson himself,) that he is perfectly guiltless as to the death of Cardillac." "Good heaven! my lord Count," said de Scuderi,