She knew her rights.

She was not afraid to speak plainly to any officer in the duchy, however high he might be placed.
"I can not get at you there, Gretchen," said the colonel, giving to his voice that venom which the lady's man always has at hand when thwarted in his gallantries.

"You will have to come hence presently." "She shall stay here all day," declared Fraeu Bauer decidedly.
"I can wait." The colonel, now possessing two smarts, one to his cheek and one to his vanity, made for the door.

But there was a bulk in the doorway formidable enough to be worth serious contemplation.
"What is going on here, little goose-girl ?" asked the grizzled old man, folding his arms round his oak staff.
"Herr Colonel insulted me." "Insulted you ?" The colonel laughed boisterously.

This was good; an officer insult a wench of this order! "Out of the way!" he snarled at the obstruction in the doorway.
"What did he try to do to you, Gretchen ?" "He tried to kiss me!" "The man who tries to kiss a woman against her will is always at heart a coward," said the mountaineer.
The colonel seized the old man by the shoulder to push him aside.