There was such intensity of reproach in the look I gave her that proud and haughty sovereign though she was, she hung her head.
"Forgive me," she murmured.
Then she added:
"Very well, we're agreed. We will start tomorrow. Ring. I must give the necessary orders."
I pressed an electric bell. We heard steps. There was a knock at the door.
"Come in," said Aurora.
The door opened.
"Oh!" was all the Grand Duchess said.
Lieutenant von Hagen had just appeared in the doorway. He was rather pale and stood stiffly at attention, his right hand to his Kolbach, the burnished chin-strap of which encircled his clenched jaw.
"Lieutenant von Hagen!" said Aurora when she had recovered from her surprise. "Since when have officers under arrest acquired the habit of leaving the citadel?"