"This is unheard of! Are not you the only son of Gottfried Gottfried, right hand of Duke Casimir, highest in favor with his Grace?
And within two years, according to the law of the headsman, must you not also don the Red and the Black and stand at the Duke's left hand, as your father at his right, when he sits in judgment ?" I bowed my head for answer.
"Even so," said I; "but long before that time I shall be either in a far country waging the wars of another lord, or in a country yet farther--that to which the men of my race have directed so many untimeously." "Have you at all thought of the land or the lord to whom you would transfer your allegiance ?" said Gerard von Sturm, carelessly rapping with his fingers on the bare white of the skull before him.
"I have not," I replied as easily.
He looked down a moment, and drew his black robe thoughtfully over his knee as if turning the matter over in his mind.

"What think you of Plassenburg and the service of Prince Karl ?" he said at last.
"The place is too near and the man a usurper," I replied, brusquely.
"I am not so sure," Master Gerard mused, slowly, "that it might not be advantageous to bide near home.

Duke Casimir is mortal, after all--long and prosperously may he live!" (Here he inclined his head piously, while naming his master.) "But who knows how long he may be spared to reign over a loving people.

And after that, why, there may be more usurpers.
For by the name 'usurper' the ignorant mostly mean men of the strong heart and sure brain, who can hold that which they have with one hand and reach out for more with the other." While he spoke thus he looked at me with his green eyes half closed.
"But," said I, calmly enough, though my heart beat fast, "I am but a lad untried.

I may never rise beyond a private soldier.