"It has been a great day," said the rascal, with a laugh. "A thousand
crowns!"
I separated the portières an inch. He stood at the side of the piano,
upon which he leaned an elbow. He was certainly handsome, much sought
after by women of a low class. The princess stood at Steinbock's left
and the Honorable Betty at his right, erect, their faces expressing
nothing, so forced was the repose.
"I never expected so great an honor. To wed a princess, when that
princess is your Highness! Faith, it is fine!"
"You may go at once," interrupted her Highness, her voice rising a key.
"Remember, you have only twenty-four hours between you and prison. You
waste valuable time."
"What! you wish to be rid of me so soon? Why, this is the bridal
night. One does not part with one's wife at this rate."
Leopold, the caretaker, made a warning gesture.
"Come, Leopold, I must have my jest," laughed Steinbock.
"Within certain bounds," returned the old man phlegmatically. "It is
high time you were off. You are foolhardy to match your chances with
justice. Prison stares you in the face."
"Bah! Do you believe it?"
"It is a positive fact," added the princess.
"But to leave like this has the pang of death!" Steinbock remonstrated,
"What! shall I be off without having even kissed the bride?"
"The bargain is concluded on all sides; you have your thousand crowns."
"But not love's tribute. I must have that. It is worth a thousand
crowns. Besides," with a perceptible change in his manner, "shall I
forget the contempt with which you have always looked upon me, even in
the old days that were fair and prosperous? Scarcely! Opportunity is
a thing that can not be permitted to pass thus lightly." Then I
observed his nose wrinkle; he was sniffing. "Tobacco! I did not know
that you smoked, Leopold."
"Begone!" cried the old fellow, his hands opening and shutting.
"Presently!" With a laugh he sprang toward her Highness, but Leopold
was too quick for him.
There was a short struggle, and I saw the valiant old man reel, fall
and strike his head on the stone of the hearth. He lay perfectly
motionless. So unexpected was this scene to my eyes that for a time I
was without any particular sense of movement. I stood like stone.
With an evil laugh Steinbock sprang toward her Highness again. Quick
as light she snatched up my crop, which lay on the table, and struck
the rascal full across the eyes, again and again and again, following
him as he stepped backward. Her defense was magnificent. But, as fate
determined to have it, Steinbock finally succeeded in wresting the
stick from her grasp. He was wild with pain and chagrin. It was then
I awoke to the fact that I was needed.