By heaven, half a million francs really seems a trivial reward, and I don't know whether we can be satisfied with it." "I shall be satisfied," cried Leonore, with an enthusiastic glance, "only when you fulfill the vow which you made; when, after I have made you rich, you make me free and permit me to go with the man whom I love wherever I desire, taking care that you do not betray by a word, a hint, who I am, and what I was." "I will fulfill my oath to you," said Schulmeister earnestly, "for you have performed yours.

You have discovered a conspiracy, and through this discovery saved the emperor from a terrible misfortune, and given me the right to demand a high price.

You will make me rich; you will drive the demon of poverty from my head; I will repay you--I will guard yours from the demons of disgrace and shame; you shall have no cause to blush in the presence of the man whom you love.

On the day that I bring from the emperor half a million as my property and yours, your past and mine will both be effaced, and we will enter upon a new life, in a new world! Let the spy, Schulmeister, the adventuress Leonore de Simonie; be buried, and new people, new names, rise from the budding seeds of the half million.

But now farewell, my daughter, my beautiful Leonie.