I almost pitied him at that moment. But the Grand Duchess was waiting for me in her room.
"I'm at your service, sir," I said. "Tomorrow, or any day you like."
"Tomorrow," he replied bitterly. "Do you think I'm going to give you a chance of seeing her? She's waiting for you, I know. You haven't given me your answer. I must have it now, sir. At once."
This was too much. I wrenched my arm away and thrust him aside with great violence. He crashed into the wall.
He drew his sword.
I felt quite equal to snatching it from his hand and turning it against him then and there. But I ran the risk of being wounded, and, besides, there would be a commotion, a scene. That must at all costs be avoided.
"Herr von Hagen," I said in low tones, "listen to me. I know you wouldn't be talking like this or trying to pick a quarrel, if you didn't love the Grand. Duchess yourself."
"Sir," he replied, furious, "I forbid you ..."
"Just listen to me," I said, and there was a ring of impatient authority in my voice which impressed him. "You love her, I repeat. I'm going now to appeal as much to your love as to your loyalty as a soldier. The Grand Duchess Aurora, that glorious woman, is in terrible danger tonight. You must understand that. Every minute, every second, that you make me lose increases that danger. On that I can give you my word of honour here and now."
I saw that I had hit home.