Over her shoulders peered eager faces, in which greed and pleasure and
impassibility were written. One face, however, had on it the dull red of
shame. Not until now did the full force of his intended dishonesty
come home to the Englishman; not until now did he realize the complete
degradation to which his uniform had lowered him. His had been the hand
to stay this misfortune, and he had not lifted it. This king had been
his father's friend; and he had taken up arms against him. O, he had
begun life badly; he was making the end still more dismal. Would this
woman ever be his? Her promises were not worth the air that had carried
them to his ear. He, the consort of a queen? A cold sweat dampened his
forehead. How he loved her! And that kiss.... Queen or not, he would not
be her dupe, his would not be a tame surrender.

From the Platz and the Park, where the two armies had bivouacked, came
an intermittent cheering. The flames of bonfires were reflected on the
windows, throwing out in dull, yellow relief the faces of Madame and her
staff.

Between the private apartments of the king and the throne room was
a wide sliding door. Suddenly this opened and closed. With his back
against it, a pistol in one hand and a saber in the other, stood Captain
von Mitter, his face cold and resolute. All eyes were instantly directed
toward him.

"Captain," said Madame, imperiously, "summon to me Monseigneur the
archbishop!"

Her command fell on ears of stone. Von Mitter made no sign that he heard
her.

"Take care, Monsieur," she warned; "I am mistress here. If you will not
obey me, my officers will."

"Madame, I acknowledge no mistress save the daughter of the king. No one
shall pass this door to announce your presence to Monseigneur."

This reply was greeted with sundry noises, such as sabers coming from
scabbards, clicking of pistol locks, and the moving of feet. Madame
put out her hand suggestively, and the noise ceased. Von Mitter smiled
disdainfully, but did not stir.

"I warn you, Madame," he said, "that this is war. I accept all the
responsibilities of my position. I know nothing of any surrender or
victory. To me you are simply an enemy. I will kill any one who attempts
to pass. I should be pleased if General Kronau would make the first step
to question my sincerity."

Kronau's fingers twitched around his revolver, but Madame touched his
arm. She could read faces. The young Captain was in earnest. She would
temporize.