"Your Majesty has done so much for me that I could not ask favours."
I looked at him for a minute; he had astonished me, that a man could and yet did not. I fear there are few in the world like him.
"Very well, General, I shall not forget. Landsberg has the appointment, also the secretaryship which is vacant."
He thanked me gravely and was about to depart, when I called him back.
"I was going to tell you something, General, but I think I had better wait a little while yet. I hope you will be properly curious."
"If your Majesty finds that I fail in my duty, it will be through curiosity."
It was some two or three weeks after Captain von Landsberg first took duty at the Palace that, when returning to my study one afternoon, I met him hurrying towards me. His face showed plainly that he was extremely upset, and angry. I stopped him, and asked whether there was anything the matter.
"I have just been seeking an audience with your Majesty."
"Then come with me now."
He followed me in silence, and I could almost feel his wrath as a physical body. I felt that something really serious must have occurred to upset him so completely, so once we were in my room I bade him sit down in order to recover himself better, whilst I turned away to sort some papers.