n Gottfried is a brave--a very brave man," she said.

And at that moment I was most grateful to her for the testimony. For
behind us stood the young Von Reuss, pulling at his mustache and looking
very superciliously over at me.

Then the Lady Ysolinde withdrew to her own apartments, and that day I got
no more words with her nor yet with Helene.

The Prince also went to his room, and I remained where I was, deeming
that for the present my duty was done.

The servant of the man whose coat I wore stood with another servitor
close at hand--indeed, many of all ranks stood about.

"That is the fellow," I heard one say, tauntingly, meaning me to
hear--"peacocking it there in my master's coat!"

His companion laughed contumeliously, at which the passion within me
suddenly stirred. I gave one of them the palm of my hand, and as the
other fell hastily back my foot took him.

"What ho, there! No quarrelling among the lackeys!" cried Von Reuss,
insolently, from the other side of the room.

"Were you, by any chance, speaking to me?" said I, politely, looking
over at him.

"Why, yes, fellow!" he said. "If you squabble with the waiting-men
concerning cast-off clothes, you had better do it in the stables, where,
as you say, your own wardrobe is kept."

"Sir," said I, "the coat I wear, I wear by the command of your Prince. It
shall be immediately returned to you when the Prince permits me to go off
duty. In the mean time, pray take notice that I am Captain Hugo
Gottfried, officer-in-waiting to the Prince Karl of Plassenburg, and that
my sword is wholly at your service."

"You are," retorted Von Reuss, "the son of my uncle Casimir's
Hereditary Executioner, and one day you may be mine. Let that be
sufficient honor for you."

"That I may be yours is the only part of my father's hereditary office I
covet!" said I, pointedly.

And certainly I had him there, for immediately he turned on his heel and
would have walked away.

But this I could not permit. So I strode sharply after him, and seizing
him by his embroidered shoulder-strap, I wheeled him about.

"But, sir," said I, "you have insulted an officer of the Prince. Will you
answer for that with your sword, or must I strike you on the face each
time I meet you to quicken your sense of honor?"

Before he had time to answer the Prince came in.

"What, quarrelling already, young Spitfire!" he cried. "I made you my
orderly--not my disorderly."

Von Reuss and I stood blank