"There are some curious people in this world," said Pembroke, when he
had succeeded in quieting me.
I had no argument to offer. After a time I said: "To-morrow, cousin,
we shall return to America, our native land. When we are older it will
be pleasant to recount our adventures."
Arriving at our rooms, we found them in possession of a lieutenant of
the guard hussars. He was drumming on the hearthstone with the end of
his sword scabbard. As we entered he rose and briefly saluted us.
"Which of you two gentlemen is Herr Winthrop?" he asked.
"I am he," said I.
"His Majesty commands your immediate presence at the palace."
"The King?"
"Yes."
"Have you any idea what his desires are?"
"A soldier never presumes to know His Majesty's desires, only his
commands. Let us begone at once, sir. I have been waiting for an
hour. His Majesty likes dispatch."
"It cannot be anything serious," said I to Pembroke, who wore a worried
frown.
Perhaps the King had heard of the duel. I was in a mood to care but
little what the King had heard, or what he was going to do. The thing
uppermost in my mind was that Gretchen had begged my life of the
Prince--and then run away!
At the palace the Chancellor met me in the anteroom. His face was
grave almost to gloominess.
"Have you ever seen a King angry?" he asked. "Ah, it is not a pleasant
sight, on my word; least of all, to the one who has caused a King's
anger."
"You alarm me," I said. "Have I done aught to bring the anger of the
King upon my head?"
"Ah, but you have! The King is like a bear in his den. He walks back
and forth, waving his hands, pulling his mustache and muttering dire
threats."
"Might I not take to my legs?" I asked. After all, I cared more than I
thought I should in regard to what the King might do to me.
The Chancellor gave my back a sounding thump, and roared with laughter.
"Cheerful, my son; be cheerful! You are a favorite already."
"You bewilder me."
"You have powerful friends; and if the King is angry you need have no
fear."
"I should like to know--" I began.
"Ah!" interrupted the Chancellor, "the audience is ended; it is our
turn. The Austrian Ambassador," he whispered as a gray-haired man
passed us, bowing. There was an exchange of courtesies, and once more
I stood before the King.