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The Count, seeing that Thaddeus had approached so near the spot

where he had halted under arms, shouted: "To arms! Seize him!"

The jockeys rushed forward, and, before Thaddeus could comprehend

what was happening to him, they had already caught him; they ran

towards the mansion and poured into the yard. The mansion awoke,

the dogs barked, the watchmen shouted, the Judge rushed out half

clad; he saw the armed throng and thought that they were robbers

until he recognised the Count. "What does this mean?" he asked.

The Count flashed his sword over him, but, when he saw that he

was unarmed, his fury grew cool.

"Soplica," he said, "ancestral enemy of my family, to-day I

punish thee for ancient and for fresh offences; to-day thou wilt

render me an account for the seizure of my fortune before I

avenge me for the insult to my honour!"

But the Judge crossed himself and cried:-