His stern voice was heard quickly enough, and with lightning speed our weapons found scabbards, and we stood, all five, with hanging heads and flushed faces.
For a moment the King was silent. Doubtless he looked sternly upon each one of us, but I think not an eye was raised to meet his. Certainly my own gazed only upon the toe of my shoe.
‘I am amazed!’ said the King, very distinctly. ‘Are you, gentlemen, in ignorance of the King’s commands in respect to quarrelling?’
‘Speak you, Vladimirsky’ said the King.
‘Pardon, Majesty,’ said Vladimirsky, ‘I have not the plea of ignorance.’
‘And you, Zofsky?’
‘I was struck first, Majesty,’ said Zofsky; ‘my anger carried me away: I am guilty.’
‘Struck? Within the precincts of my Court? And by whom?’ thundered the King.
‘By me, Majesty,’ I said, ‘whom he first insulted in a manner which it was impossible to tolerate!’