Or you may leave the table,' he added, his temper
ripping out.
'I decline your invitation, Herr von Gondremark; and my sovereign,
as I continue to observe with regret, is still absent from the
board,' replied the Doctor calmly; and he resumed the perusal of the
paper, the rest chafing and exchanging glances. 'Madame and
gentlemen,' he said, at last, 'what I hold in my hand is simply a
declaration of war.'
'Simply,' said Seraphina, flashing defiance.
'The sovereign of this country is under the same roof with us,'
continued Gotthold, 'and I insist he shall be summoned. It is
needless to adduce my reasons; you are all ashamed at heart of this
projected treachery.'
The council waved like a sea. There were various outcries.
'You insult the Princess,' thundered Gondremark.
'I maintain my protest,' replied Gotthold.
At the height of this confusion the door was thrown open; an usher
announced, 'Gentlemen, the Prince!' and Otto, with his most
excellent bearing, entered the apartment. It was like oil upon the
troubled waters; every one settled instantly into his place, and
Griesengesang, to give himself a countenance, became absorbed in the
arrangement of his papers; but in their eagerness to dissemble, one
and all neglected to rise.
'Gentlemen,' said the Prince, pausing.
They all got to their feet in a moment; and this reproof still
further demoralised the weaker brethren.
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