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 But before I could reply, he added: "But there, that must be ridiculous, for the Princess tells me I may look upon you as a man devoted to her cause, and, therefore, to mine. I shall not be unmindful of those who help us, I would have you understand that—though I wish you did not make it so difficult for me to tell it you."

"I am not working for any hope of material reward at your hands," I answered equivocally. His patronising tone galled me.

"No matter. That will not prevent your accepting it when the time comes. Few men do that, I find—even Englishmen. But now I wish us to be friends and comrades, Count. Do you see any reason against it?"

"We have not begun auspiciously," said I drily.

"Hang it!" he cried with an oath. "You are as diffident as a girl in her teens. I don't find men inclined to quarrel with my offers of friendship, I can tell you. I am not without power and influence, I can assure you;" and he smiled boastfully.

I made no response to his offer. I could not.

"You have made a good choice of a house, Count," he said, after another pause. "I congratulate you. And where is the room where you are going to lure the coy pigeons to be trained in the service of the Princess Christina?" Evidently she had told him of the project.

"I will show it you, if you like," I said, rising.

"Nothing will please me better," he said, following me from the room. "Egad, a splendid hall!" he exclaimed in genuine admiration as we entered it. "Men tell me, too, that you know how to use the sword well. From all accounts you easily spitted that fool Ristich the first time at old Kolfort's, and did just what you liked with him when you met him on the ground."