"The Joyous" was certainly not acting up to his reputation.
We had just adjourned to the drawing-room after supper, and were sipping our coffee.
The light from the central lamp fell on Baron von Arnstein's ring and miniature.
"Von Theyer was wearing them, poor fellow!" exclaimed Rakoczy gloomily. "See! there is a bloodstain on the miniature!"
"Poor fellow, indeed!" cried Dobozy. "I've no patience with you. He is as much to be regretted as a vicious old tusker! Besides, after such a knock-down blow, you were bound to fight."
"The general opinion; though Schlick thought that, as the emperor's special messenger, I acted rightly."
"At all events, you saved my life, John," I interrupted.
"And now," Dobozy answered merrily, "he regrets it!"
"No, no!" cried John. "I would kill a hundred Von Theyers if they threatened George's safety. Still, this hussar was a splendid soldier, and brave as a lion."
"He was the finest cavalry leader in the Austrian service," I said.