Mr. Albert Timm wagged his hat, which he held in both hands behind his back, and said with imperturbable indifference, putting one foot a little forward: "It seems, baroness, you wish me to repeat my last question in the presence of this gentleman!" "Who is the young man?" asked the prince, somewhat astonished at Albert's manner and the excited state of the baroness. "A man," replied the latter, "who has annoyed us for some time with impudent demands for money, under the pretext of possessing certain pretended family secrets. I am afraid I shall have to invoke the assistance of the police to get rid of him." The prince looked at Albert from the height of his lofty figure, went slowly towards the table, took the little silver bell, and touched it. The servant entered immediately. "Show this man out!" said the prince. The servant was so amazed by this order that he did not trust his own ears. He looked, with a face full of embarrassment, first at the prince and then at Mr. Albert Timm, who was still standing quietly there, wagging his hat after the manner of a dog's tail, and again from Mr. Albert Timm to the prince. "Did you hear me?" said the latter, contracting his brows in a threatening manner. The servant came a step nearer to Timm. "My good friend, I will spare you the alternative either to have your nose knocked into your face or to be dismissed from the army," said Albert, good-naturedly, "and prefer, on that account, to go myself. As for you, baroness, we shall see each other again shortly, but upon a different footing; and as for you, _young man_, I should like to advise you hereafter not to meddle with matters which do not concern you in the least, in spite of the great airs you are giving yourself." The prince made a motion towards his left side. Fortunately he had left his sword in the hall. Albert did not wait for any further measures on the part of the lion he had roused, but made an ironical bow and left the room. The prince, who had never in his life been treated in this way, looked aghast; the baroness cast down her eyes. "That could not have happened at home, in Russia," said the prince. "I regret," said the baroness, "that accident should have made you witness so unpleasant an occurrence." At the same moment the servant re-entered the room, deadly pale, and cried, breathlessly: "Oh, ma'am! come quickly! The baron is dying!" "_Oh, mon Dieu!_" exclaimed the baroness, and seemed on the point of fainting. "Compose yourself madame! compose yourself!" said the prince. "Bear what has to be borne. Will you take my arm? Ho, there! show us the way!" CHAPTER III.