Anton answered his chaff, promising a bouquet for the young lady the next day, but declaring that he could not disappoint his cousin. He was interrupted by Rischenheim, who, looking round on the group of bystanders, now grown numerous, exclaimed: “What’s going on here, my dear chancellor? What are all these people hanging about here for? Ah, that’s a royal carriage!”
“The queen’s with the countess,” answered Helsing. “The people are waiting to see her come out.”
“She’s always worth seeing,” Anton pronounced, sticking his glass in his eye.
“And you’ve been to visit her?” pursued Rischenheim.
“Why, yes. I—I went to pay my respects, my dear Rischenheim.”
“An early visit!”
“It was more or less on business.”
“Ah, I have business also, and very important business. But it’s with the king.”
“I won’t keep you a moment, Rischenheim,” called Anton, as, bouquet in hand, he knocked at the door.
“With the king?” said Helsing. “Ah, yes, but the king—”