"No more, no less." The Syndic started violently, then was still.

But the hand which in the first instant of surprise he had raised to shield his eyes, trembled; and behind it great drops of sweat rose on his brow, and bore witness to the conflict in his breast.
"You are jesting," he said presently, without removing his hand.
"It is no jest," Basterga answered soberly.

"You know the Grand Duke's keen desire.

We have talked of it before.

And were it only a matter," he shrugged his shoulders, "of the how--of ways and means in fact--there need be no impossibility, your position being what it is.