As he was sitting thus, a very tall man, an officer in the uniform of the Guards, came in, and, walking straight to the prince's table, said: "Kellner, clean this table, and bring in the bill of fare." With these words, the officer sat down suddenly in the prince's lap, as if he did not see him at all.

He was a heavy man, and the prince, enraged at the insult, pushed him away and jumped to his feet.

As he did so, _his cap dropped off_.

The officer fell on his knees at once, crying: "Pardon, my prince, pardon! I never saw you!" This was more than the prince could be expected to believe.
"Nonsense! Count Frederick von Matterhorn," he said; "you must be intoxicated.

Sir! you have insulted your prince and your superior officer.