But I saw that Rudolf's face had gone very pale.
"And we, your friends ?" pursued Sapt.

"For we've stood by you as we've stood by the queen, by God we have--Fritz, and young Bernenstein here, and I.If this truth's told, who'll believe that we were loyal to the king, that we didn't know, that we weren't accomplices in the tricking of the king--maybe, in his murder?
Ah, Rudolf Rassendyll, God preserve me from a conscience that won't let me be true to the woman I love, or to the friends who love me!" I had never seen the old fellow so moved; he carried me with him, as he carried Bernenstein.

I know now that we were too ready to be convinced; rather that, borne along by our passionate desire, we needed no convincing at all.

His excited appeal seemed to us an argument.

At least the danger to the queen, on which he dwelt, was real and true and great.
Then a sudden change came over him.