They soon heard other steps approaching. The queen and Andrée kept close, ready to slip in if the door should open; then they heard the Swiss say, “It is a gentleman, lieutenant, who insists on coming in.”
“Well, I suppose that is not astonishing, as we belong to the castle,” said the count.
“It is no doubt a natural wish, but a forbidden one,” replied the officer.
“Forbidden—by whom? morbleu!”
“By the king.”
“But the king would not wish an officer of the castle to sleep outside.”
“Sir, I am not the judge of that; I have only to obey orders.”
“Come, lieutenant, open the door; we cannot talk through this oak.”
“Sir, I repeat to you that my orders are to keep it shut; and if you are an officer, as you say, you know that I must obey.”
“Lieutenant, you speak to the colonel of a regiment.”