"M. le Comte," said he, "you have offered us places in your carnage,
and at your windows of the Rospoli Palace. Can you tell us where we
can obtain a sight of the Piazza del Popolo?"
"Ah!" said the count negligently, looking attentively at Morcerf, "is there not something like an execution upon the Piazza del Popolo?"
"Yes," returned Franz, finding that the count was coming to the point he wished.
"Stay, I think I told my steward yesterday to attend to this; perhaps I can render you this slight service also."
He extended his hand, and rang the bell thrice.
"Did you ever occupy yourself," said he to Franz, "with the employ ment of time and the means of simplifying the summoning your serv ants? I have. When I ring once, it is for my valet; twice, for my maitre d'hotel; thrice, for my steward; thus I do not waste a minute or a word. Here he is!"
A man of about five-and-forty to fifty entered, exactly resembling the smuggler who had introduced Franz into the cavern; but he did not appear to recognize him.
It was evident he had his orders.
"M. Bertuccio," said the count, "have you procured me windows looking on the Piazza del Popolo, as I ordered you yesterday?"
"Yes, excellency," returned the steward; "but it was very late."
"Did I not tell you I wished for one?" replied the count, frowning.
"And your excellency has one, which was let to Prince Lobanieff; but I was obliged to pay a hundred"
"That will do—that will do, M. Bertuccio; spare these gentlemen all such domestic managements. You have the window, that is sufficient. Give orders to the coachman; and be in readiness on the stairs to conduct us to it."
The steward bowed, and was about to quit the room.
"Ah!" continued the count, "be good enough to ask Pastrini if he has received the tavoletta, and if he can send us an account of the execution."
"There is no need to do that," said Franz, taking out his tablets; "for I saw the account, and copied it down."
"Very well; you can retire, Bertuccio; I need you no longer. Let us know when breakfast is ready. These gentlemen," added he, turning to the two friends, "will, I trust, do me the honor to breakfast?"
"But, M. le Comte," said Albert, "we shall abuse your kindness."
"Not at all; on the contrary, you will give me great pleasure. You will, one or other of you, perhaps both, return it to me at Paris. M. Bertuccio, lay covers for three."
