Von Nauheim was restless and fidgety, champing his cigar with quick, nervous bites, and blowing out the smoke rapidly in heavy puffs, and stealing furtive glances at me.
The situation was just as I would have had it. I had effectually concealed the fact that I had entered the room resolved to join them, and had produced the impression that at the last moment the baron's arguments had talked away my doubts. I kept my face impassive and set, as though weighing my words to the last moment.
"We shall go on with you, baron," I said quietly; "but of course under conditions."
"How can you make conditions, Prince?" he asked; and now the whole room was waiting upon our words.
"There must be a fresh declaration of allegiance to the Countess Minna as the future Queen."
"We are already pledged, every man of us, Prince," he returned.
"My uncle's death has altered matters," I answered. "And the declaration will be signed by all concerned here to-night and in my presence."
"That is scarcely necessary, as we have signed already. But if you make a point of it, yes."
"I do press it," I said firmly.
I had a strong reason which they did not yet see. I paused a moment before I made my next move, for it was a strong one.