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"But, most gracious sir," implored the chamberlain, "I beg your permission to accompany you. Nobody can know " "Whether the White Lady may not stab and throttle me, would you say? No, Lehndorf, I fear no woman's shape, be she clothed in white or black. I am well armed, and methinks the White Lady will find her match in me.
Count Adam von Schwarzenberg had meanwhile opened the door to his little private antechamber, and caused to enter his officiating equery and chamberlain, von Lehndorf, as also his two pages in waiting. "Lehndorf," he said, "what think you? Would it be possible to arrange a small hunting party for to-day?"
He desired to pacify them, to smooth over the contention; but it was already too late, for ere he had reached the middle of the hall, a catastrophe had occurred between the contending parties. Counselor von Lastrow raised his arm, and administered to Chamberlain Lehndorf a sounding box upon the cheek.
All at once Chamberlain von Lehndorf rose from his place, took his glass with him, and went along the table to the Counselor of the Exchequer von Lastrow, who was carrying on an earnest conversation in an undertone with the burgomaster of Berlin.
He passed along the brilliant rows of guests with quick, hurried step, but while his lips wore a smile, he thought to himself, "When this abominable ceremony is over and I have completed the circuit, I shall absent myself; I shall see if it is the veritable Gabriel Nietzel, the " Just at this moment Chamberlain von Lehndorf approached him, and bent close to his ear.
For, only think, gracious sir, just now, as I passed through the front entry to get to your apartments, there the man stood, and as soon as he saw me he sprang at me, seized my arm, and whispered: 'Chamberlain von Lehndorf, I must speak to the Stadtholder. Only tell him my name, and I know that he will receive me." "And did he tell you his name, Lehndorf?" asked the count, as he walked forward.
Let the servants put on their new red hunting suits and my huntsman also his new livery, that the curious Berlin people may have something to gape at. Away with you, Lehndorf! You, pages, take the baskets, now I am off for the audience hall."
"No letters and dispatches from my son at Regensburg, Lehndorf?" "None, most gracious sir." "If a courier comes, let me know of it without delay," continued the count, moving forward. "Anything else new, Lehndorf?" "Nothing new, your excellency." "What noise was that just now in the antechamber, while the commandants were in my cabinet?"
He heard the confusion of voices, the clangor of the music, but it sounded hollow in his ear, and above all rang fearfully distinct the name which Lehndorf had pronounced Gabriel Nietzel! His guests sang and laughed, but he heard only that one name Gabriel Nietzel!
Then, with quiet, firm tread, he goes down the corridor, down the little staircase, and finally, with composed, haughty bearing, down the great staircase into the guardroom. "God be praised, your excellency, that you are here!" calls out Lehndorf, hastening to meet him. Count Schwarzenberg nods to him, and then turns to the soldiers, who stand there silent and motionless.
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