Sapt turned away with a little sigh. Bernenstein was an apt
pupil, but the colonel was exhausted by so much explanation. He
knocked softly at the door of the room. The queen's voice bade
him enter, and he passed in. Bernenstein was left alone again in
the passage, pondering over what he had heard and rehearsing the
part that it now fell to him to play. As he thought he may well
have raised his head proudly. The service seemed so great and the
honor so high, that he almost wished he could die in the
performing of his role. It would be a finer death than his
soldier's dreams had dared to picture.

At one o'clock Colonel Sapt came out. "Go to bed till six," said
he to Bernenstein.

"I'm not sleepy."

"No, but you will be at eight if you don't sleep now."

"Is the queen coming out, Colonel?"

"In a minute, Lieutenant."

"I should like to kiss her hand."

"Well, if you think it worth waiting a quarter of an hour for!"
said Sapt, with a slight smile.

"You said a minute, sir."