“I thought it would!” rejoined the officer, mistaking the meaning of the remark. “Not to take the least notice of me! It is incredible, and yet it is true.”
The young man strode up and down the room in violent excitement.
“Won’t you take some refreshment, Captain Dispolsen?” cried the officer.
The young man started.
“I am not Captain Dispolsen.”
“What!” said the officer angrily, sitting up as he spoke; “and pray who are you, then, that venture to introduce yourself here at this hour?”
The young man displayed his papers.
“I wish to see Count Griffenfeld,—I would say, your prisoner.”
“The Count! the Count!” muttered the officer in some displeasure. “But, to be sure, this paper is in order; here is the signature of Vice-Chancellor Grummond de Knud. ‘Admit the bearer to visit all the royal prisons at any hour and at any time.’ Grummond de Knud is brother to old General Levin de Knud, who is in command at Throndhjem, and you must know that this old general had the bringing up of my future brother-in-law.”
“Thanks for these family details, Lieutenant. Don’t you think you have told me enough of them?”