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Count Sagan, his big chest covered with gold-lace and orders, loomed at the head of the table, Wallenloup and Ulm to his right and left, Adiron, Unziar, Adolf and Varanheim seated according to their rank. At the foot of the table in the uniform of the Guard but without a sword stood the prisoner.
Wallenloup grunted. 'As the wife of our colonel-in-chief, madame, I feel sure your kindness will be appreciated, he said grimly. Madame de Sagan's blue eyes glanced up into Rallywood's face as her fingers touched his breast. 'No, as your friend, she said softly. Then all at once Rallywood discovered how numerous were his friends and well-wishers in Maäsau.
A week later Rallywood returned from the frontier to take up his appointment in the Guard. Advised by a note from Wallenloup that his quarters were not yet in readiness for him at the Palace, he drove direct to the Continental on his arrival in Révonde. Here presently Counsellor dropped in upon him.
Varanheim looked at Unziar and Unziar looked at Adolf, and they smiled. 'I think, said little Adolf, 'we might find others to brawl with. 'The river is abominably cold, added Unziar. 'And the same dish is served for us all, concluded Varanheim. Wallenloup laughed. 'I have laid the alternative before you, gentlemen, he said, 'the cards or the dice.
Youth, engrossed in the problem of self, persistently ignores those far more varied and profound problems to be found hidden in more experienced hearts and lives. Wallenloup, who distrusted all women and was accordingly disliked by not a few, always claimed a waltz with Valerie whenever he had the good fortune to meet her.
'Gentlemen, said Wallenloup at length, when his last remark had been received with approval, 'I have the honour to inform you that M. Selpdorf has seen fit to appoint, vice Captain Insermann, deceased, Lieutenant John Rallywood, of the Frontier Cavalry. A silence followed this announcement. 'Upon whose recommendation has M. Selpdorf taken this step? inquired Captain Colendorp gravely.
He shook hands gravely with the young man, then detaching a star of gun-metal from his breast, he awkwardly attempted to fasten it to the lapel of Rallywood's coat. 'I see you have not the star of the Guard. May I give you mine? Unziar, see to this; I cannot attach it. 'No, Colonel Wallenloup; that should rather be my duty, said the Countess Sagan, who happened to be standing by.
Unziar's eyes burned, Wallenloup was frowning. But Sagan swept on. He was a man who trampled horribly upon a fallen foe. At last Wallenloup could bear it no longer. He rose to his feet and saluting the Count led the way from the room, the line closing with Rallywood between Adolf and Unziar as guard.
'Then' Elmur laid a hand on the old man's shoulder, but Sagan shook it off 'then, Captain Colendorp, he must go to make room for another who can better fill his place! Just as Wallenloup must go to give room to another and less obstructive chief. Colendorp's dark eyes glared straight in front of him.
On this occasion Colonel Wallenloup, the commandant, was not present. Of him it was told that while still a lieutenant he had been offered, as a reward for services rendered to the Crown, the command of any Maäsaun regiment he might choose to select, and he had replied that he would rather be a lieutenant of the Guard than a field-marshal elsewhere.
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