This etext was produced by David Widger <widger@cecomet.net>
[NOTE: There is a short list of bookmarks, or pointers, at the end of thefile for those who may wish to sample the author's ideas before making anentire meal of them. D.W.]
By JULES CLARETIE
The very evening of the day when the package of letters had killed inAndras all happiness and all faith, the Hungarian prince presentedhimself in the Rue d'Aumale, to seek Michel Menko.
Menko! That boy whom he had loved almost as a brother, that man for whomhe had hoped a glorious future, Michel, Michel Menko, had betrayed him,and struck him with the perfidy of a coward. Yes, at the door of thechurch, when it was too late, or rather, at a time when the blow would besurer and the wound more deadly—then Menko had said to him: "My dearPrince, the woman whom you love, the woman whom you have married, hasbeen my mistress. Here, read, see how she loved me!"
Had Michel been before him, Andras would have seized the young man by thethroat, and strangled him on the spot; but, when he reached the Rued'Aumale, he did not find Menko.
"The Count left town yesterday," said the servant, in answer to hisquestion.
"Yesterday! Where has he gone?"
"The Count must have taken the steamer to-day at Havre for New York.The Count did not tell us exactly where he was going, however, but toAmerica, somewhere. We only know, the coachman Pierre, and myself, thatthe Count will not return again to Paris. We are still in his service,however, and are to await his orders."
Hesitating a little, the servant added:
"Have I not the honor to speak to Prince Zilah?"
"Why?" asked Andras.
The valet replied with a humble but very sincere air:
"Because, if Monseigneur should hear from the Count, and there is anyquestion of the package which I took to Maisons-Lafitte this morning forMonseigneur—"
"Well?" said Andras.
"Monseigneur would greatly oblige me if he would not let the Count knowthat I did not fulfil his orders last evening."
"Last evening? What do you mean? Explain yourself!" said the Prince,sternly.
"When he left yesterday, the Count expressly ordered me to take thepackage to Monseigneur that very evening. I beg Monseigneur's pardon;but I had an invitation to a wedding, and I did not carry out the Count'sinstructions until this morning. But, as Monseigneur was not at home,I took the train to Maisons-Lafitte. I hope that I did not arrive toolate. The Count was very particular about it, and I should be very sorryif my negligence has done any harm."
Andras listened, gazing intently upon the face of the servant, who was alittle discountenanced by this silent inquisition.
"So Count Menko wished the package to be delivered to me yesterday?"
"I beg Monseigneur not to tell the Count that he was not obeyed."
"Yesterday?" repeated Andras.
"Yes, yesterday, Monseigneur. The Count departed, thinking it would bedone; and, indeed, he had a right to think so. I am very careful,Monseigneur, very careful; and if Monseigneur should some day have needof a—"
The Prince stopped the valet with a gesture. It was repugnant to Andrasto have this man mixed up in a sec