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Updated: May 17, 2025
Revenge, the clamor of revenge, was all the voice he heard. The chancellor bowed, turned to leave the room, when Hildegarde flew to the duke's side and snatched at his sleeve. "Father, you are mad!" "At least I am master in Ehrenstein. Herbeck, you will have the kindness to summon General Ducwitz." "Your Highness," replied Herbeck, "I have worked long and faithfully in your service.
A faint color grew under her tan, and waned, but her eyes wavered not the breadth of a hair. It was the colonel who finally was forced to turn his gaze elsewhere, chagrined. His face was not unfamiliar to her. "Beauty is a fickle goddess," remarked Ducwitz tritely, settling himself firmly in the saddle. "In giving, she is as blind as a bat. I know a duchess now but never mind."
"Ducwitz, your Highness?" cried the chancellor, chilled. "Immediately!" "Father!" "Must I give an order twice?" "Your Highness, if you call Ducwitz I shall surrender my portfolio to you." The chancellor spoke without anger, quietly but firmly. "Do so. There are others to take up your work." The duke, for the moment, had thrown reason to the winds.
Between times he exchanged a jest or two with the chancellor or talked battles with old Ducwitz; twice he caught the grand duke's eye, but there was only a friendly nod from that august personage, no invitation to talk. Thrice, while on the floor, her highness passed him; but there was never a smile, never a glance. He became careless and reckless.
"Whenever there's a pretty face about," supplemented Ducwitz. "I certainly shouldn't trouble to look at a homely one," the American retorted. "Pretty figure, too," said one of the aides, a colonel. But his eye held none of the abstract admiration which characterized the American's. The goose-girl had seen this look in other men's eyes; she knew.
All my heart and all my mind have been working toward this end, toward a greater peace and prosperity. The king has been generous enough to leave the publicity in our hands; that is to say, he agrees to accept the humiliation of being rejected by her serene highness." "That is very generous of him!" said the duke sarcastically. "Send for Ducwitz."
There was General Ducwitz, too, and some of his staff, and a smooth-faced, handsome young man in civilian riding-clothes, who, though he rode like a cavalryman, was obviously of foreign birth, an Englishman or an American. They were laughing and chatting amiably, for the grand duke of Ehrenstein bothered himself about formalities only at formal times.
Presently three men came out of the station door. Two were officers; the third, Colonel von Wallenstein, was in civilian dress. He was sullen and depressed. Said one of the officers: "And it is the express command of General Ducwitz that you will return here under the pain of death. Is that explicit?" "It is." The colonel got into his compartment and slammed the door viciously.
I can not recollect that I ever asked one personal favor. But I do so now. Do not send for Ducwitz to-night. See him in the morning. This is no time for haste. You will throw the army into Jugendheit, and there will follow a bloody war. For I have to inform you that the prince regent, recognizing the false position he is in, has taken the ram by the horns.
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