Did the young man recognize that face by the light of the lantern in his tilbury, or was he merely struck with the horrible appearance of his interrogator? We cannot say, but only relate the fact that he shuddered and stepped back suddenly.
"What do you want of me?" he asked.
"Pardon, Gaffer, if I disturb you," said the man with the red hand kerchief, "but I want to speak to you."
"You have no right to beg at night," said the groom, endeavoring to rid his master of the troublesome intruder.
"I am not begging, my fine fellow," said the unknown to the servant, with so ironical an expression of eye, and so frightful a smile, that he withdrew; "I only wish to say two or three words to your master, who gave me a commission to execute about a fortnight ago."
"Come," said Andrea, with sufficient nerve for his servant not to perceive his agitation, "what do you want! Speak quickly, friend."
"I wish—I wish you to spare me the walk back to Paris," said the man in a low voice, "I am very tired, and not having eaten so good a dinner as you have, I can scarcely support myself."
The young man shuddered at this strange familiarity.
"Well," he said, "well, what do you want?"
"Well, then, I want you to take me up in your fine carriage, and carry me back." Andrea turned pale, but said nothing.
"Yes!" said the man with the red kerchief, thrusting his hands into his pockets, and looking impudently at the youth, "I have taken the whim into my head; do you understand, Master Benedetto?"
At this name, no doubt the young man reflected a little, for he went toward his groom, saying:
"This man is right; I did indeed charge him with a commission, the result of which he must tell me; walk to the barrier, there take a cab, that you may not be too late."
The surprised groom retired.
"Let me at least reach a shady spot," said Andrea.
"Oh! as for that, I'll conduct you to a splendid spot," said the man with the handkerchief; and, taking the horse's bit, he led the tilbury to a place where it was certainly impossible for any one to witness the honor that Andrea conferred upon him.
"Don't think I want the honor of riding in your fine carriage," said he; "oh, no, it's only because I am tired, and also because I have a litt! business to talk over with you."
"Come, step in," said the young man. It was a pity this scene had not occurred in daylight, for it was curious to see this beggar throwing himself heavily down on the cushion beside the young and elegant driver
