It was midnight when I rode into Hof, but every window was blazing, which was enough it itself, in that sleepy country, to tell the ferment of excitement in which the people were.  There was hooting and jeering as I rode through the crowded streets, and once a stone sang past my head, but I kept upon my way, neither slowing nor quickening my pace, until I came to the palace.  It was lit from base to battlement, and the dark shadows, coming and going against the yellow glare, spoke of the turmoil within.  For my part, I handed my mare to a groom at the gate, and striding in I demanded, in such a voice as an ambassador should have, to see the Prince instantly, upon business which would brook no delay.

The hall was dark, but I was conscious as I entered of a buzz of innumerable voices, which hushed into silence as I loudly proclaimed my mission.  Some great meeting was being held then—­a meeting which, as my instincts told me, was to decide this very question of war and peace.  It was possible that I might still be in time to turn the scale for the Emperor and for France.  As to the major-domo, he looked blackly at me, and showing me into a small ante-chamber he left me.  A minute later he returned to say that the Prince could not be disturbed at present, but that the Princess would take my message.

The Princess!  What use was there in giving it to her?  Had I not been warned that she was German in heart and soul, and that it was she who was turning her husband and her State against us?

‘It is the Prince that I must see,’ said I.

‘Nay, it is the Princess,’ said a voice at the door, and a woman swept into the chamber.  ’Von Rosen, you had best stay with us.  Now, sir, what is it that you have to say to either Prince or Princess of Saxe-Felstein?’

At the first sound of the voice I had sprung to my feet.  At the first glance I had thrilled with anger.  Not twice in a lifetime does one meet that noble figure, that queenly head, and those eyes as blue as the Garonne, and as chilling as her winter waters.

‘Time presses, sir!’ she cried, with an impatient tap of her foot.  ’What have you to say to me?’

‘What have I to say to you?’ I cried.  ’What can I say, save that you have taught me never to trust a woman more?  You have ruined and dishonoured me for ever.’

She looked with arched brows at her attendant.

’Is this the raving of fever, or does it come from some less innocent cause?’ said she.  ‘Perhaps a little blood-letting—­’

‘Ah, you can act!’ I cried.  ‘You have shown me that already.’

‘Do you mean that we have met before?’

‘I mean that you have robbed me within the last two hours.’

‘This is past all bearing,’ she cried, with an admirable affectation of anger.  ’You claim, as I understand, to be an ambassador, but there are limits to the privileges which such an office brings with it.’

‘You brazen it admirably,’ said I.  ’Your Highness will not make a fool of me twice in one night.’  I sprang forward and, stooping down, caught up the hem of her dress.  ’You would have done well to change it after you had ridden so far and so fast,’ said I.