He desired me to say that it was absolutely and most indubitably necessary that your excellency should be at the little door to-night at twelve o'clock.

Do not fear, Signora Contessina; we can manage it very well." "I do not wish to know what you advise me to fear, or not to fear," answered Hedwig, haughtily; for she could not bear to feel that the man should counsel her or encourage her.
"Pardon, excellency; I thought--" began Temistocle humbly; but Hedwig interrupted him.
"Temistocle," she said, "I have no money to give you, as I told you yesterday.

But here is another stone, like the other.

Take it, and arrange this matter as best you can." Temistocle took the jewel and bowed to the ground, eying curiously the little case from which she had taken it.
"I have thought and combined everything," he said.

"Your excellency will see that it is best you should go alone to the staircase; for, as we say, a mouse makes less noise than a rat.