the communication of Madame Taliazuchi, that
such mysteries were often nothing more than feigned intrigues, by which
the discoverer sought to bring sorrow and downfall to an enemy.

"Ah, signora! I understand now," said the marquis; "you did not come
here for patriotism or love for Prussia or her king, but from frantic
jealousy; not to serve King Frederick, but to overthrow Ranuzi."

Marietta shrugged her shoulders with a contemptuous expression.

"I am an Italian," said she, laconically.

"And the Italians love revenge," said the marquis.

"When one dares to injure them--yes."

"This Count Ranuzi has dared to injure you?"

A flash of scorn flamed for a moment in her eyes, then disappeared.
"Would I otherwise have betrayed him?" said she. "I am an Italian, and
you cannot ask that I shall feel patriotism for King Frederick or for
Prussia. Count Ranuzi is my countryman, judge, then, how deeply I have
been injured when I betray him, and give him over to death."

"To death? it is also then a crime worthy of death which these letters
will disclose to the king? You do not deceive yourself? Your thirst for
revenge does not make these things appear blacker, more important than
they really are?"

"No, I do not deceive myself. I speak but the simple truth."

"Then," said the marquis, with horror, "it is dangerous to leave Ranuzi
at liberty. I must apply to the commandant of Berlin, and ask that he be
arrested upon my responsibility."

Marietta was already at the door, but these words of the marquis
arrested her. With her hand resting upon the bolt, she stood and turned
her pale face back to D'Argens. "Certainly, it would be best and surest
to arrest him instantly," said she; and her heart bounded with delight
when she said to herself, with cruel pleasure: "When once arrested, he
can go no more to Madame du Trouffle."

The marquis did not reply, but he stepped thoughtfully through the room.
Marietta's eyes followed every movement with a fiery glance. At length
the marquis stood before her.

"I cannot take upon myself the responsibility of arresting this man.
I do not know that these letters, which I shall send to the king, are
really as dangerous as you say. The king must decide; I will send them
off by a courier to-day. But, in every event, Ranuzi must be watched,
and you shall be his guard. You must see that he does not escape. I make
you answerable. Ranuzi must not leave Berlin, and when the king's answer
is rec