Arms and the Woman

"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.