xplicit demand
for reparation; and there, the signature of your master the King, at
the foot of it. You cannot be ignorant of the hand, nor can you dare to
pretend it is a forgery."

If my insulting language had brought the flush of auger to his cheek,
this "damning proof" completely overcame all his presence of mind,
and left him in a state of confusion and perplexity that any one, save
myself, must have pitied.

"The writing is certainly in the King's hand," said he, "and therefore I
am obliged to concede the fact that your claim possesses features I was
not previously aware of; with your leave, then, I will lay this document
before the Spanish Minister--"

"You shall do no such thing, sir," said I, haughtily; "my asserted right
is just what it was before I showed you that paper; nor shall I stoop to
any corroborative testimony of my claim, even from the hand of royalty;"
and with this impertinent speech I advanced towards the grate and thrust
the paper into the fire, pressing it down into the blaze with my foot,
and watching till I saw it consumed.

The diplomatist watched me narrowly throughout this brief proceeding,
and I half feared that he had seen through my stratagem, as he said,
"Well, Count, as not a shadow of doubt can exist now as to the authentic
character of your demand, the best course will be to have a personal
interview with the Spanish Ambassador. He 'receives' this evening at
his palace, and, with your leave, we will wait upon him together. Of
course the time and place will not admit of any discussion of this
claim, but you can be presented,--a necessary preliminary to the
intercourse that will follow."

This all looked marvellously like a trap; but as any doubt or indecision
now would be ruin, I affected to be much pleased with the proposal, and
we parted.

CHAPTER XXXIII. A SOIREE IN THE GREAT WORLD

It was not without considerable trepidation and great misgiving that I
awaited the evening. What subtlety might be in store for me, I could not
guess; but it seemed clear that the young secretary meditated a heavy
vengeance upon me, and would not lightly pardon the insult I had passed
upon him.

"I have it," thought I, after long and deep pondering: "his plan is
to introduce me into a great and crowded assembly, with ministers,
ambassadors, and generals, and then, in the face of a distinguished
company, to proclaim me a cheat and impostor. He has doubtless the
train all laid, only waitin