‘Gentlemen,’ said the Prince, pausing.
They all got to their feet in a moment; and this reproof still further demoralised the weaker brethren.
The Prince moved slowly towards the lower end of the table; then he paused again, and, fixing his eye on Greisengesang, ‘How comes it, Herr Cancellarius,’ he asked, ‘that I have received no notice of the change of hour?’
‘Your Highness,’ replied the Chancellor, ‘her Highness the Princess . . . ’ and there paused.
‘I understood,’ said Seraphina, taking him up, ‘that you did not purpose to be present.’
Their eyes met for a second, and Seraphina’s fell; but her anger only burned the brighter for that private shame.
‘And now, gentlemen,’ said Otto, taking his chair, ‘I pray you to be seated. I have been absent: there are doubtless some arrears; but ere we proceed to business, Herr Grafinski, you will direct four thousand crowns to be sent to me at once. Make a note, if you please,’ he added, as the treasurer still stared in wonder.
‘Four thousand crowns?’ asked Seraphina. ‘Pray, for what?’
‘Madam,’ returned Otto, smiling, ‘for my own purposes.’
Gondremark spurred up Grafinski underneath the table.