'Show them in,' said the Count advancing towards the door.
The guests entered, and Lowendhal, having noticed his daughter, looked at her as though in reproach at finding her there.
The greeting was stiff, Sulkowski received them coldly, not being able to explain their visit. He motioned to them to be seated, when Bandissin said:
'Count, we wish to speak to you without witnesses, we are sent by the King.'
Sulkowski's face did not change, he pointed to the next room.
The ladies, who could not hear the conversation, remained seated, frightened and curious.
The Countess trembled, feeling that this boded no good.
The Baroness wished to leave, but the Countess retained her by force, and she had not the strength to resist.
When the men entered the other room, Bandissin, an old and obedient soldier, took from his pocket and with evident pain a warrant signed by the King.
He handed it in silence to Sulkowski, who, in passing the threshold of that room, seemed to have strayed into another world, and stood pale and as though thunderstruck.