"He is characteristic of his frivolous democracy, frivolous and perhaps amusing, but it is a time for serious not trifling things." John was glad enough to go with von Arnheim, who was silent and depressed.

Yet the thought came to him once more that there were princes and princes.

Von Arnheim led the way to a small bare room under the roof.

John saw that there were soldiers in the upper halls as well as the lower, and he was sorry that he had made such a boast to Auersperg.
As he now saw it his chance of escape glimmered into nothing.
"You should not have spoken so to His Highness," said von Arnheim.

"I could not help but hear.