or your arrest.'

The diamonds slipped from the Graevenitz's fingers, and fell unheeded on
the floor, while all the glow and youth faded from her face.

'What are you saying? It is you who are mad--I know--it is his Highness,'
she stammered hoarsely, seemingly incapable of comprehending the meaning
of her sister's words. Suddenly her vigour returned, her courage, and
that perfect grip of startling events which had stood her in good stead
for many years.

'Where are they? Maria, bolt all the doors--quick, girl! In the court,
you say? Tell them I am in the garden, send them round, then shut and bar
each window.' She gave her orders clearly and calmly, like some general,
the practised commander in a hundred sieges. By this time all the inmates
of Freudenthal had gathered at the door of her apartment: Baron Sittmann
and his sons, the brothers Pfau, a horde of serving men and women. Once
more the Graevenitz seemed to be the great Landhofmeisterin whose lightest
word was law, and they did her bidding without question or comment.

'Back, all of you, I will speak with Baron Roeder.' She moved to her
bedchamber window which looked upon the garden. Below, on the terrace,
stood Roeder and another officer consulting together in low tones, while
through the garden tramped the soldiers, seeking her whom they had
treated with royal honours for twenty years. She flung open the window
and stood before the two officers.

'Monsieur le Baron Roeder,' she said slowly, 'to what do I owe the
pleasure of your visit? I am rejoiced to see you; but kindly desire your
men to spare my garden--they are ruining my flowers.'

Roeder looked dumbfounded.

'Certainly, your Excellency,' he stammered, 'but I must crave a word with
you immediately.'

'I regret, Monsieur, that illness confines me to my room. I cannot
receive you. Tell me your business from where you are.' She spoke
mockingly, looking down at the man below.

'Impossible! Madame, I must speak with you face to face,' he said
angrily; and indeed it was an absurd situation.

'We are face to face, Monsieur de Roeder, and I pray you tell me your
mission without delay. I am fatigued with standing so long. Come, I am
not in the habit of waiting, Monsieur.'

'Then, Madame, I arrest you in the Duke's name. You are my prisoner, and
if you will not come quietly, I shall be obliged to use force,'--this
with a gesture towards the soldiers, who had formed into line behind him.

'I am Countess