"I shall leave it alone," interrupted the incensed lady, using her fan violently. "It must be a peculiar household which you carry on at Rodeck with the young foreigner whom you have, perhaps, also brought as a curiosity from your travels. He has the face of a perfect brigand."
"My friend Rojanow! He has been pining a long time to be presented to Your Highness. You permit it, I hope?"
Without waiting for an answer he hastened away and took possession of Hartmut.
"Now it is your turn," he whispered, dragging him along unceremoniously. "I have been the victim long enough, and my most precious aunt has to have some one whom she can roast slowly. She insists upon marrying me off-hand, and you have the face of a perfect brigand, but, thank God! she does not come to Rodeck. I have taken care of that!"
In the next moment he stood before Her Highness, introducing his friend with his blandest smile.
CHAPTER XXII.
Herr von Wallmoden had lingered in the circle a few moments after the departure of the Princess; then, with his wife on his arm, he walked slowly through the suite of rooms, greeting an acquaintance here, conversing briefly there, until they finally reached the last of the reception rooms, which was rather deserted.
The tower room, opening directly from this, was not generally used in entertainments, but for tonight it had been transformed into a small, cosy apartment with curtains and carpets and a picturesque group of plants, and, with its dim lights, offered a pleasing contrast to the blinding flood of light and the commotion of the other rooms.
It was quite vacant now, which the Ambassador seemed to have counted upon when he entered with his wife and offered her a seat upon a divan.
"I must draw your attention to the fact, Adelaide, that you did an unwise thing just now," he began in a low tone. "Your remark to the Princess----"