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"I don't know yet; but I will certainly pay the friar. Let me

see-the count my uncle, who is one of the secret council, will do

the service; dear uncle! How pleased I am when I can make him

work for me, a politician of his stamp! The day after to-morrow I

will be at Milan, and in some way or other the friar shall have

his due."

Meanwhile breakfast was brought in, which however did not

interrupt the important discussion. Count Attilio interested

himself in the cause from his friendship for his cousin, and the

honour of the name, according to his notions of friendship and

honour; yet he could hardly help laughing every now and then at

the ridiculous issue of the adventure. But Don Roderick, who had

calculated upon making a master-stroke, was vexed at his signal

failure, and agitated by various passions. "Fine stories will be

circulated," said he, "of last night's affair, but no matter; as

to justice, I defy it: it does not exist; and if it did, I should

equally defy it. Apropos, I have sent word this morning to the

constable, to make no deposition respecting the affair, and he

will be sure to follow my advice; but tattling always annoys

me,-it is enough that you have it in your power to laugh at me."