By Sapt's devices and my own ungoverned passion I had been forced on, and the way back had closed behind me; and the passion still drove me in the same direction as the devices seduced me.

I faced all Strelsau that night as the King and the accepted suitor of the Princess Flavia.
At last, at three in the morning, when the cold light of dawning day began to steal in, I was in my dressing-room, and Sapt alone was with me.

I sat like a man dazed, staring into the fire; he puffed at his pipe; Fritz was gone to bed, having almost refused to speak to me.

On the table by me lay a rose; it had been in Flavia's dress, and, as we parted, she had kissed it and given it to me.
Sapt advanced his hand towards the rose, but, with a quick movement, I shut mine down upon it.
"That's mine," I said, "not yours--nor the King's either." "We struck a good blow for the King tonight," said he.
I turned on him fiercely.
"What's to prevent me striking a blow for myself ?" I said.
He nodded his head.
"I know what's in your mind," he said.

"Yes, lad; but you're bound in honour." "Have you left me any honour ?" "Oh, come, to play a little trick on a girl--" "You can spare me that.