"But the duck, Count, is it alive or for dinner?"
This was too much for us; and we laughed heartily while explaining.
I think our high spirits must have been contagious, for we were continually laughing all the way to the Palace, where we entered by a back door.
Colonel Woolgast was waiting. After assuring us that all was well, he, at my request, led the way to a room on the same floor as the Royal apartments.
Here, as Mr. Smith had stated, I found the uniforms laid out, and Bauen waiting.
In twenty minutes I was dressed, and looked at myself in a tall cheval glass.
I looked very nice indeed, the white and gold uniform set off my figure to the utmost, while the plumed helmet added to my height and general impressiveness. Even Carruthers admitted that I looked like a King, and a fine one, too, which was great praise from him, who was not given to paying me compliments.
I wore across my chest the broad ribbon of the "Star of Rudarlia" with its splendid insignia in diamonds and gold, which Mr. Smith fastened to my tunic.
At length, all was ready, and Woolgast slipped from the room.
Ten minutes later, came the sullen boom of a cannon; and the people who heard it knew that King Ivan was dead.