"My orders are precise," the former was saying. "Her Majesty is resting and will see no one."
"But have the goodness at least to send in my name," Von Hügelweiler returned pettishly.
"It would be no use, Captain," retorted the other. "The Queen is resting and must not be disturbed."
Von Hügelweiler's disappointment showed itself plainly in his crestfallen air.
"I want access to her Majesty," he said doggedly. "It is true that by admitting me you risk offending the Queen, but by not admitting me you offend me for a certainty."
"I am very sorry, Captain," said the officer in a conciliatory manner. He was quite a young man, and he was rather alarmed at having to defy so important a person as Von Hügelweiler had become. Still, he held stoutly to his position in the centre of the corridor.
"You may be sorrier still, if you persist," said the Captain darkly, detecting, as he fancied, symptoms of wavering on the other's part. "We move in strange times, Lieutenant, and my goodwill is better worth having than my enmity."
At this juncture, Trafford,—who had overheard this conversation, and whose approach had been inaudible on the thick carpet of the Palace corridor,—coughed affectedly, and advanced with admirable swagger.
"I wish to see her Majesty," he said, addressing the lieutenant on guard, and completely ignoring Von Hügelweiler.
It was the latter, however, who answered him.