tones that sounded in the valet's ears like distant thunder. "Answer my
questions, sir"

Gaspardi raised his eyes.

"To whom was the note addressed that was given you by the emperor this
morning?"

"Your majesty, I did not presume to look at it," replied Gaspardi,
quietly. "His imperial majesty was pleased to tell me where to take it,
and that sufficed me."

"And whither did you take it?"

"Imperial majesty, I have forgotten the house."

"What street, then?"

"Pardon me, imperial majesty; these dreadful German names are too hard
for my Italian tongue. As soon as I had obeyed his majesty's commands, I
forgot the name of the street."

"So that you are resolved not to tell me where you went with the
emperor's note?"

"Indeed, imperial majesty, I have totally forgotten."

The empress looked as if she longed to annihilate a menial who defied
her so successfully.