"I returned to the Prince, and told him that Estella had said she was too ill to leave her room, and that she refused to obey his summons. Unaccustomed to contradiction, especially in his own house, he grew furious.
"'Call the servants,' he shouted; 'we will see who is master here!'
"A few of the men came running; Frederika entered with them; some of the women followed. We proceeded up stairs to Estella's door. The Prince shook it violently.
"'Open the door,' he cried, 'or I will break it down.'
"I began to hope that he would rush to the doom he has so long deserved.
"The calm, steady voice of Estella was now heard from within the room; speaking in a high and ringing tone:
"'I appeal to my country. I demand the right to leave this house. I am an American citizen. The Constitution of the United States forbids human slavery. My fathers helped to found this government. No one has the right to sell me into the most hideous bondage. I come of a great and noble race. I demand my release.'
"'Come, come, open the door,' cried the Prince, flinging himself against it until it quivered.
"The voice of Estella was heard again, in solemn tones:
"'The man who enters here dies!'