But Michael found his friend wholly unsympathetic with his chagrin.

To him, it was quite clear, the disappointment of not having been able to attend very closely to the second act of Tristan was negligible compared to the cause that had occasioned it.

It was possible for the ordinary mortal to see Tristan over and over again, but to converse with the Kaiser was a thing outside the range of the average man.

And again in this interval, as during the act itself, Michael was bombarded with questions.

What did the Kaiser say?
Did he remember Ashbridge?
Did Michael twice receive the iron grip?
Did the All-highest say anything about the manoeuvres?
Did he look tired, or was it only the light above his head that made him appear so haggard?
Even his opinion about the opera was of interest.