"See what you can do with the Courier," he says; "and I will decide
when I hear the result. One valuable hint I may give you before you go.
Your man is easily tempted by money--if you only offer him enough.
The other day, I asked him, in jest, what he would do for a
thousand pounds. He answered, 'Anything.' Bear that in mind; and offer
your highest bid without bargaining."
'The scene changes to the Courier's room, and shows the poor wretch
with a photographic portrait of his wife in his hand, crying.
The Countess enters.
'She wisely begins by sympathising with her contemplated accomplice.
He is duly grateful; he confides his sorrows to his gracious mistress.
Now that he believes himself to be on his death-bed, he feels remorse
for his neglectful treatment of his wife. He could resign himself to die;
but despair overpowers him when he remembers that he has saved no money,
and that he will leave his widow, without resources, to the mercy of
the world.
'On this hint, the Countess speaks. "Suppose you were asked to do
a perfectly easy thing," she says; "and suppose you were rewarded for
doing it by a present of a thousand pounds, as a legacy for your widow?"
'The Courier raises himself on his pillow, and looks at the Countess
with an expression of incredulous surprise.
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