I should even like a bath." The three of them were immediately attracted by a singular noise outside in the corridor.

The door swung in violently, crashing against the wall and shivering into atoms the Venetian mirror.

The king, the prince, and the chancellor were instantly upon their feet.

The king clutched the back of his chair with a grip of iron: Gretchen?
Her highness?
What was Gretchen doing here?
Ah, could he have flown! He muttered a curse at the chancellor for the delay.

But happily Gretchen did not see him.
The duke came in first, and he waited till the others were inside; then he shut the door with lesser violence and rushed over to the chancellor.
"Herbeck, you villain!" The chancellor stared at the Gipsy, at Von Arnsberg, at Grumbach.
"Herbeck, you black scoundrel!" cried the duke.