"It will be safer," I repeated.
"I don't wish to speak to you."
"It will be safer," I said for the third time; and then I crossed the room to where the men clustered about the throne were waiting for me.
"Where is the Countess Minna?" asked Baron Heckscher; and he could not restrain the evidence of his feeling of triumph.
"I regret that the Countess Minna von Gramberg is unable to be present. Baron Heckscher has known for some hours that this would be the case." I said this loudly enough for those about us to hear, and a glance into the man's face told me that he knew of my sudden disappointment, and was enjoying his triumph supremely. I kept out of my voice and manner all signs of alarm or anger, and added quietly to the baron, "You had better announce her indisposition, and stop this clamor."
On seeing me cross to the throne those who were leading the chorus took up the cry for Minna with redoubled energy.
"I will not answer for the effect of the disappointment," he said.
"Yet you will have to," said I, with a look he could not fail to understand.
"I don't understand you," he returned hotly.
"I will not fail to make my meaning quite plain," I retorted. "And you may not find the course so clear as you think."