THE PREDICTED VISIT.
Lorenza was not mistaken.
A carriage, going through St. Denis gateway, and following the street
of the same name, turned into the road leading out to the Bastille.
As the clairvoyant had stated, this conveyance enclosed the Cardinal
Prince of Rohan, Bishop of Strasburg, whose impatience had caused him
to anticipate the hour fixed for his visit to the magician in his cave
of mystery.
The coachman, who had been inured to obscurity, pitfalls and dangers of
some darksome streets by the prelate's love adventures, was not daunted
the least when, after leaving the part of the way still populated and
lighted, he had to take the black and lonesome Bastille Boulevard.
The vehicle stopped at the corner of St. Claude Street, where it hid
along the trees twenty paces off.
Prince Rohan, in plain dress, glided up the street, and rapped three
times on the door, which he easily recognized from the indication the
count had afforded.
Fritz's steps sounded in the passage, and he opened the door.
"Is it here resides Count Fenix?" inquired Rohan.
"Yes, my lord, and he is at home."
"Say a visitor is here."
"Shall I announce his Eminence Cardinal Prince de Rohan?" asked Fritz.
The prince stood aghast, looking round him and at himself to see if
anything about him in costume or surroundings betrayed his rank. No; he
was alone and in civilian dress.
"How do you know my name?" he inquired.
"My lord told me just now, that he expected your Eminence."
"Yes, but to-morrow, or the day after?"
"Not so, please your highness--this evening."
"Announce me, any way," said the prelate, putting a double-louis gold
piece in his hand.
Fritz intimated that the visitor should follow him; and he walked
briskly to the door of the ante-chamber, which a large chandelier
with a dozen tapers illuminated. The visitor followed, surprised and
meditative.
"There must be some mistake, my friend," he said, pausing at the door,
"in which case I do not wish to disturb the count. It is impossible he
can expect me, as he could not know I was coming."
"As your highness is Cardinal Prince Rohan, you are certainly expected
by my lord."
Lighting the other candelabra, Fritz bowed and went out. Five minutes
elapsed, during which the prelate, the prey to singular emotion,
scanned the elegant furniture of the room, and the half-dozen paintings
by masters on the tapestried walls. When the door opened, Count Fenix
appeared on the threshold.
"Good-evening to your highness," he simply said.
"I am told that you expected me," observed the visitor, without
replying to the welcome. "Expected this evening? impossible!"
"I ask your pardon, but I was expecting your highness," returned the
host. "I may be doubted, seeing how paltry is my reception, but I have
hardly got settled yet, from being but a few days in town. I hope for
your eminence's excusing me."
"My visit expected? Who could have forewarned you?"
"Yourself, my lord. When you called your footman to the carriage door,
did you not say to him: 'Drive to St. Claude Street, in the Swamp, by
St. Denis Street and the Boulevard?'--words which he repeated to the
driver?"
"Yes; but how could you see this and hear the words, not being present?"
"I was not there, but I saw and heard at this distance, as I am, you
must not forget, a wizard."
"I had forgotten. By the way, am I to entitle you Baron Balsamo or
Count Fenix!"
"In my own house I have no title--I am plainly The MASTER."
"Ah, the title in alchemy. So, my master in hermetics, if you expected
me, the fire would be lit in the laboratory!"
"The fire is always kept burning, my lord. And I will have the honor to
show your highness into the place."
"I follow you on the condition that you do not personally confront me
with the devil. I am dreadfully afraid of his Satanic Majesty Lucifer."
"My lord, my familiar friends," replied Balsamo, "never forget how to
deal with princes, and they will behave properly."
"This encourages me; so, ho! for the laboratory."