He released me at once.
“As madam wills. Madam will claim protection of her friends the
Jacobins? For me, I consult only her safety.”
“What!” I panted at him, sinking back. “Tell me who are you?”
“Luigi de’ Medici, at madam’s service,” he said, with a bow; “a name,
at least, that should be a guarantee of some worth.”
“No doubt, sir; but, as a stranger, at your mercy”--
“I have the honour to be, madam, the chief of the police.”
The word awoke new frenzy in me.
“My God! I am betrayed. For pity’s sake, sir, tell me where we go.”
“I answered, madam, to the palace. I am a man of my word.”
“What palace?”
“Ah! At length madam talks reason. To the Palace of Caserta, ten
leagues away.”