The butler stepped up and delivered his message: the queen regretted her inability to receive the count.

Rischenheim nodded, and, standing so that the door could not be shut, asked Bernenstein whether he knew where the king was.
Now Bernenstein was most anxious to get the pair of them away and the door shut, but he dared show no eagerness.
"Do you want another interview with the king already ?" he asked with a smile.

"The last was so pleasant, then ?" Rischenheim took no notice of the taunt, but observed sarcastically: "There's a strange difficulty in finding our good king.

The chancellor here doesn't know where he is, or at least he won't answer my questions." "Possibly the king has his reasons for not wishing to be disturbed," suggested Bernenstein.
"It's very possible," retorted Rischenheim significantly.
"Meanwhile, my dear count, I shall take it as a personal favor if you'll move out of the doorway." "Do I incommode you by standing here ?" answered the count.
"Infinitely, my lord," answered Bernenstein stiffly.
"Hallo, Bernenstein, what's the matter ?" cried Anton, seeing that their tones and glances had grown angry.

The crowd also had noticed the raised voices and hostile manner of the disputants, and began to gather round in a more compact group.
Suddenly a voice came from inside the hall: it was distinct and loud, yet not without a touch of huskiness.