"Not half a minute."
"Then I am in good time!"
He had already fastened his sword, and seized his helmet.
"Excuse my hurry. You know ..."
"No excuses! A matter of course. Au revoir."
He held out his hand to the young man, in whose fine features, now full of life again, he noticed a strange quiver. Kurt evidently wanted to say something, and could not hit upon the right word. So he only pressed Bertram's hand vigorously.
"Well, au revoir!"
He hurried away. Bertram stood gazing at the door through which the slender young figure had vanished.
"Heaven be thanked! It is at least no disgrace to yield to him. He is thoroughly sound and sweet,--mind and body alike!"