"And I will give you my help to the door, tonnerre de Brest!" exclaimed the other, and caught the Count's arm under his with a grip of iron.
Steven wrenched himself free. Yet a man has not sober English blood in him for nothing. Humiliating as was the position, a moment's reflection convinced him that resistance and futile struggle would but render him ridiculous. Ridiculous, in the light of those dark eyes!
"Lead, then, fellow," said he to Friedel; and, after bowing low to the lady, followed his escort with what dignity he could muster towards the door opening on the forest.
There was such a seething of rage in his brain, such an itching in his palm to feel it against yonder insolent Schmidt's full cheek, that it was not till he found himself on the threshold of a dimly lighted wooden building, gazing blankly in upon heaps of straw, that he realized that a barn was considered good enough for the night's lodging of a Count Waldorff-Kielmansegg.
"May you rest you sweetly, sir," said Friedel, and tramped away.
CHAPTER III
GREEN ADVENTURE
"Non ego hoc ferrem, calidus juventa,
Consule Planco."
HORACE.
"Comrades again!"
Turning round with a start, Steven beheld the crazy musician at his elbow.