The Prince moved slowly towards the lower end of the table; then he
paused again, and, fixing his eye on Greisengesang, 'How comes it,
Herr Cancellarius,' he asked, 'that I have received no notice of the
change of hour?'
'Your Highness,' replied the Chancellor, 'her Highness the Princess
. . .' and there paused.
'I understood,' said Seraphina, taking him up, 'that you did not
purpose to be present.'
Their eyes met for a second, and Seraphina's fell; but her anger
only burned the brighter for that private shame.
'And now, gentlemen,' said Otto, taking his chair, 'I pray you to be
seated. I have been absent: there are doubtless some arrears; but
ere we proceed to business, Herr Grafinski, you will direct four
thousand crowns to be sent to me at once. Make a note, if you
please,' he added, as the treasurer still stared in wonder.
'Four thousand crowns?' asked Seraphina. 'Pray, for what?'
'Madam,' returned Otto, smiling, 'for my own purposes.'
Gondremark spurred up Grafinski underneath the table.
'If your Highness will indicate the destination . . . ' began the
puppet.
'You are not here, sir, to interrogate your Prince,' said Otto.
Grafinski looked for help to his commander; and Gondremark came to
his aid, in suave and measured tones.
'Your Highness may reasonably be surprised,' he said; 'and Herr
Grafinski, although I am convinced he is clear of the intention of
offending, would have perhaps done better to begin with an
explanation.
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