However, before he had time to speak, we were joined by the ladies, who had watched the progress of the fight from the stair-head.
The young fellow removed his cap, and bowed deferentially, almost to the ground.
"I am happy," he began with a stammer, very different from his former fluent speech, "to be of service to the Baroness von Arnstein and her daughter."
The elder lady looked at him in scorn, and said coldly, "Your ragamuffins have much to answer for, Captain von Theyer."
"And as for the service," exclaimed Theresa, "but for these gallant gentlemen who have now twice defended me against my own countrymen, it would be far too late."
"Were you in your right place, you would be outside, not inside, the walls of Vienna," the baroness said with a marked sneer.
"I have done what I believed to be my duty," the young man replied humbly, "and my influence has always been used on the side of mercy. This very night I am trying to arrange conditions for the entry of the emperor's troops."
"Conditions!" cried the baroness scornfully; "Windischgratz will make no terms with the rebels!"
"The night grows late," said Theresa, making him a mock curtsy, "and we have yet to repair the mischief done by your friends."
I was sorry to see the humiliation put upon this blue-eyed young fellow; and though it was no concern of mine, I felt relieved when, with a confused apology for the excesses committed by the rioters, he took his leave.