Still there was no stir in the streets, still the royal standard floated at the top of the flag staffs.
Rischenheim plunged down the stairs: his feet were too slow for his eagerness.

At the bottom he found the girl Rosa sweeping the passage with great apparent diligence.
"You're going out, my lord ?" she asked.
"Why, yes; I have business.

Pray stand on one side, this passage is so cursedly narrow." Rosa showed no haste in moving.
"And the Count Rupert, is he going out also ?" she asked.
"You see he's not with me.

He'll wait." Rischenheim broke off and asked angrily: "What business is it of yours, girl?
Get out of the way!" She moved aside now, making him no answer.

He rushed past; she looked after him with a smile of triumph.