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Updated: June 28, 2025
"Hallo, Bernenstein, what's the matter?" cried Anton, seeing that their tones and glances had grown angry. The crowd also had noticed the raised voices and hostile manner of the disputants, and began to gather round in a more compact group. Suddenly a voice came from inside the hall: it was distinct and loud, yet not without a touch of huskiness.
The revolver was in its place; Bernenstein coughed again. Yet he saw a chance. "Your pardon, sire," said he, "but we are not alone." The king lifted his eyebrows. "Is the business so private?" he asked. "I should prefer to tell it to your Majesty alone," pleaded the count.
"She is deciding," said Colonel Sapt, and again he pointed to the moon. "But she's a plaguey long time about it," remarked Lieutenant von Bernenstein. Rischenheim sat silent for a moment. His face was pale, and when he spoke his voice trembled. But his words were resolute enough. "I gave my honor to the queen, and even in that I will serve her if she commands me."
At another table young Bernenstein was drawing up, under the constable's direction, a narrative of Rupert of Hentzau's attempt on the king's life and the king's courage in defending himself. Enraged at this unfavorable reception, the audacious criminal had made a sudden attack on the king, with what issue all knew.
The Count of Luzau-Rischenheim did not make a very good breakfast. He sat opposite to the king. Colonel Sapt placed himself at the back of the king's chair, and Rischenheim saw the muzzle of a revolver resting on the top of the chair just behind his Majesty's right ear. Bernenstein stood in soldierly rigidity by the door; Rischenheim looked round at him once and met a most significant gaze.
Then followed more deliberation; Rudolf took up the talking now, for his was the bold plan on which they consulted. Sapt twirled his moustache, smiling doubtfully. "Yes, yes," murmured young Bernenstein, his eyes alight with excitement. "It's dangerous, but the best thing," said Rudolf, carefully sinking his voice yet lower, lest the prisoner should catch the lightest word of what he said.
He wore a confident air that became almost a swagger as he strolled to and fro past the motionless sentries. He had not long to wait. On the stroke of eight a gentleman, well-horsed but entirely unattended, rode up the carriage drive. Bernenstein, crying "Ah, it is the count!" ran to meet him. Rischenheim dismounted, holding out his hand to the young officer.
Bernenstein, however, persuaded her to go to the palace first and let it be known there that she was going to pay a visit to my wife. She arrived at the palace at eight o'clock, took a cup of chocolate, and then ordered her carriage. Bernenstein alone accompanied her when she set out for my house about nine. He was, by now, hardly less agitated than the queen herself.
I saw her clutch her gown and pull it away a little from her throat; save for that none in the group moved. The lantern's light was too dim to force notice from Mr. Rassendyll. Unconscious of our presence, he wrestled with fate that night in the gardens. Suddenly the faintest exclamation came from Sapt. He put his hand back and beckoned to Bernenstein.
"Possibly the king has his reasons for not wishing to be disturbed," suggested Bernenstein. "It's very possible," retorted Rischenheim significantly. "Meanwhile, my dear count, I shall take it as a personal favor if you'll move out of the doorway." "Do I incommode you by standing here?" answered the count. "Infinitely, my lord," answered Bernenstein stiffly.
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