"It is not that I love you, Hugo, or that I want you to love me," she said, like one who explains that which is plain already, "except, of course, as your Little Playmate. But I could not bear that you should care about that—that woman."
It was evident that there were to be stirring times in the Castle of
Plassenburg, and that I, Hugo Gottfried, was to have my share of them.
As soon as we had arrived at the banqueting-hall, the Prince beckoned me and presented me formally to the Lady Ysolinde.
"Your Highness, this is Captain Hugo Gottfried, my new officer-in-waiting."
The Princess bowed gravely and held out her hand. Her aqua-marine eyes were bent upon me, suffused with a certain quick and evident pleasure which became them well.
"Your Highness has chosen excellently. I can bear witness that the
Captain Gottfried is a brave—a very brave man," she said.
And at that moment I was most grateful to her for the testimony. For behind us stood the young Von Reuss, pulling at his mustache and looking very superciliously over at me.
Then the Lady Ysolinde withdrew to her own apartments, and that day I got no more words with her nor yet with Helene.
The Prince also went to his room, and I remained where I was, deeming that for the present my duty was done.
The servant of the man whose coat I wore stood with another servitor close at hand—indeed, many of all ranks stood about.