"I informed them at the hotel that I had the honor of passing the
night here, duke," said Franz, "and desired them to come and inform
me of his return."
"Ah!" replied the duke, "here, I think, is one of my servants who is seeking you."
The duke was not mistaken: when he saw Franz, the servant came up to him.
"Your excellency," he said, "the master of the Hotel de Londres has sent to let you know that a man is waiting for you with a letter from the Viscount de Morcerf."
"A letter from the viscount!" exclaimed Franz.
"Yes."
"And who is the man?"
"I do not know."
"Why did he not bring it to me here?"
"The messenger did not say."
"And where is the messenger?"
"He went away directly he saw me enter the ball-room to find you."
"Oh!" said the countess to Franz, "go with all speed poor young man! Perhaps some accident has happened to him."
"I will hasten," replied Franz.
"Shall we see you again to give us any information?" inquired the countess.
"Yes, if it is not any serious affair; otherwise I cannot answer as to what I may do myself."
"Be prudent, in any event," said the countess.
"Oh! pray, be assured of that."
Franz took his hat and went away in haste. He had sent away his carriage with orders for it to fetch him at two o'clock; fortunately the Palazzo Bracciano, which is on one side in the Corso and on the other in the Piazza dei Santi Apostoli, is hardly ten minutes' walk from the Hotel de Londres.
As he came near the hotel, Franz saw a man in the center of the street. He had no doubt that it was the messenger from Albert. The man was wrapped up in a large cloak. He went up to him, but, to his extreme astonishment, this man first addressed him.
"What wants your excellency of me?" inquired the man, retreating a step or two, as if to keep on his guard.
"Are not you the person who brought me a letter," inquired Franz, "from the Viscount de Morcerf?"
"Your excellency lodges at Pastrini's hotel?"
"I do."
