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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5d5889c --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #66280 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/66280) diff --git a/old/66280-0.txt b/old/66280-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 3cb3976..0000000 --- a/old/66280-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,15344 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of An Uncrowned King, by Sydney C. Grier - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: An Uncrowned King - A Romance of High Politics - -Author: Sydney C. Grier - -Release Date: September 12, 2021 [eBook #66280] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN UNCROWNED KING *** - - - - - AN UNCROWNED KING - - A ROMANCE OF HIGH POLITICS - - BY - SYDNEY C. GRIER - AUTHOR OF ‘IN FURTHEST IND,’ - ‘HIS EXCELLENCY’S ENGLISH GOVERNESS,’ ETC. - - - (_First in the Balkan Series_) - - - THIRD IMPRESSION - - - WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS - EDINBURGH AND LONDON - MCMVII - _All Rights reserved_ - - - - - CONTENTS. - - I. A KINGDOM GOING BEGGING - II. FRESH WOODS AND PASTURES NEW - III. “IF THOU WERT KIND AS THOU ART FAIR----” - IV. A CANDID FRIENDSHIP - V. A CALL OF DUTY - VI. A ROYAL PROGRESS - VII. CHECK - VIII. FOR HIS GOOD - IX. A WOMAN OF HER WORD - X. REASONS OF STATE - XI. A DELICATE NEGOTIATION - XII. TO OBLIGE A LADY - XIII. PUNIC FAITH - XIV. OVER THE BORDER AND AWAY - XV. TERMS OF ACCOMMODATION - XVI. WORDS FROM DYING LIPS - XVII. MINE AND COUNTERMINE - XVIII. SO NEAR, AND YET---- - XIX. PILGRIMS PERFORCE - XX. TAKEN BY SURPRISE - XXI. A REVOLT OR A REVOLUTION? - XXII. A KING WITHOUT A CROWN - XXIII. UNDER WHICH KING? - XXIV. THE KING HAS HIS OWN - - - - - NOTE. - -_It may be interesting to know that the Monmouthshire pronunciation of -the name Caerleon is Carleen, whence arises the form Carlino._ - - - - - AN UNCROWNED KING. - - CHAPTER I. - A KINGDOM GOING BEGGING. - -“After question-time, the First Lord of the Treasury rose to make a -statement with regard to the course of public business, the salient -feature of which was the announcement that the Government found -themselves compelled to appropriate all the time of private members -during the remainder of the session. We understand that this action on -the part of the Ministry has aroused strong feeling on both sides of -the House, particularly among those members who have charge of private -bills. One of the supporters of the Government who has been very -hardly treated is Viscount Usk, whose bill for permitting peers to -become candidates for seats in the Lower House, on relinquishing their -right to a seat in the House of Lords, had obtained the first place in -the ballot for Tuesday next.” - -Thus far the ‘Fleet Street Gazette,’ but “strong feeling” was a mild -term to apply to the sentiment evoked in the minds of honourable -members by the Government statement. That a portion of their time -would be confiscated they had guessed only too well, but such a -drastic measure as this was quite unexpected. Rage, disappointment, -and disgust were depicted on face after face along the back benches, -and the popular Minister to whose task it fell to make the -announcement was allowed to resume his seat without a single -expression of approval. Among the most wrathful of the malcontents was -Lord Usk, whose cup had been dashed from his lips in the peculiarly -cruel manner noticed sympathetically by the ‘Fleet Street,’ and who -sat moodily in his place, gnawing the end of his moustache, his -forehead drawn into a heavy frown. Mr Forfar, the First Lord, lounging -delicately from the House after hurling his thunderbolt, with his -short-sighted eyes fixed on space, on the paper in his hand, on -anything but the scowling faces of his supporters, encountered his -gaze without intending to do so, and leaned over the benches to speak -to him. - -“Rather rough on you, Usk. Better luck next time!” - -“It’s all very well for you to laugh----” began Lord Usk, savagely, -and then stopped short, finding that he was making rather a weak -remark, whereas he had meant to say something cutting. Mr Forfar waved -his hand soothingly, and passed on with a smile. - -“If it had been any one but Usk,” he said to his colleague, Sir James -Morrell, when they were outside the House, “I should have thought he -meant ratting, but he is quite safe. He gets excited now and then, but -he will sulk to-night and be all right to-morrow.” - -After a time Lord Usk also quitted the House, and went to the library -to see whether there were any letters for him. There were none of any -interest, and he was toying somewhat aimlessly with the magazines on -one of the tables, when he descried looming in the distance the form -of the party Whip, intent on beating up recruits for the dinner-hour. -The sight roused him again to fierce resentment. On ordinary occasions -Usk was the mildest of men, and one of the Whip’s pattern members, not -only voting safely with the party in important divisions (with the -exception of occasional outbursts on the question of Temperance and -kindred subjects, which were dealt with tenderly as the eccentricities -of youth), but proving himself almost always ready to dine in the -precincts, in case of a call during the dinner-hour. But now his -forbearance had been strained too far, and he rebelled. He was not -going to help to keep a house for a Government which valued his -services as little as did this one, and he evaded the Whip with some -difficulty, for his height rendered him conspicuous among the other -members, and slipped out into Palace Yard. - -“I’ll take a night off, and drop in at Mrs Sadleir’s,” he thought, his -resentment already beginning to give way under the soothing -recollection of his revenge on the Whip. - -Mrs Sadleir’s was one of the few houses at which Usk was at all a -constant guest, for he hated society with an almost anarchist hatred -quite at variance with his political opinions generally. Very quickly, -on his first introduction into the world of London, he had learnt by -bitter experience to divide the women he met into two categories. -There were those who were anxious to marry him, either personally, or -vicariously to some relation, and those who were not. It was in vain -that he tried by turns to gain the reputation of a student, a cynic, -and a misogynist; the young ladies and their mothers still thought -that a man in his present position, to say nothing of his prospect of -succeeding to the Marquisate of Caerleon at no very distant date, -ought not to be judged too harshly, even for such unamiable -peculiarities as these. This led him to forswear almost entirely the -company of the fair sex, for the young ladies who did not want to -marry him made the fact so conspicuous, and were so anxious to force -it upon his notice, that he resented their aggressive prudery as -strongly as he did their sisters’ too evident wiles. Hence he was -wont, now that his experience was gained, sternly to resist all -attempts to allure him into general society, and he had become known -to the party leaders as a young man who devoted himself to the study -of sociological and political problems, and affected the company of -his elders. But he was content to visit at Mrs Sadleir’s house, and -under her wing to confront the hordes of society girls who thirsted -for his prospective coronet, since he knew that she had neither -daughter nor niece to recommend him as a wife, and that she had a most -unfeminine aversion to match-making. Mrs Sadleir had been a dear -friend of his mother’s, and on Lady Caerleon’s death had done much to -supply her place to Usk and his brother Cyril. Ill-natured persons -said that she was trying to achieve a social success by becoming the -second Lady Caerleon, but better-informed people scouted the idea, -knowing well that she had refused Lord Caerleon very decidedly two -years after his wife’s death, although without any diminution of the -friendship which had always existed between them. - -For a rising young politician of pronounced imperialist views, like -Usk, Mrs Sadleir’s house was emphatically one to visit. Her husband, -who had held an important permanent post in the Foreign Office, had -gathered around him in his leisure hours men of all nations with whom -he came in contact in the course of his duties, and after his death -his widow found herself unable to dispense with the excitement of the -brilliant society to which she had grown accustomed. It was a -commonplace among her friends that, in most cases, she could, if she -liked, announce forthcoming diplomatic changes before the ministers -who arranged them, and some said that a good deal of the political -history of Europe had been made at different times in her -drawing-room. Yet she was not an intriguer, far less a conspirator, -but simply a cultivated, tactful woman, with a talent for bringing -together at the right time the right people, or, at any rate, the -people who it was desirable should meet one another. She came forward -now to greet Lord Usk, as he mounted her staircase, and made him a -sign to wait until she had got rid of a voluble Italian secretary of -embassy, who was impressing some fact upon her with a good deal of -gesticulation. Mrs Sadleir’s gracious and striking personality was -reflected in her dress. Her gown was black, made in a severe yet -fanciful style that was unlike any one else’s. On her head she wore an -arrangement of black lace, which was no more to be called a cap than a -veil, and was the despair of her maid, but which, taken in conjunction -with her bright dark eyes and the silver hair rolled smoothly back -from her forehead, gave her the look of a great lady of the old -_régime_. Having disposed of the Italian, she turned to Usk. - -“I am very glad indeed that you have come in to-night, Usk, for I have -some one here whom you will enjoy meeting. I was almost inclined to -send a message to you at the House by Dr Egerton, who was going on -there; but I thought you might come, and therefore I waited. It is M. -Drakovics to whom I want to introduce you.” - -“What! the Kossuth of the Balkans--the Thracian premier?” asked Usk, -much interested. - -“Yes, the great history-maker of to-day. It is a liberal education -(pray don’t think I intend a pun) to hear him talk. Come and I will -take you to him.” - -She did not lead him into the crowded drawing-room, full of light and -laughter, but into a smaller room near at hand, where a solitary -gentleman in evening dress was dimly visible by the rays of a Moorish -lamp hanging in a window-recess. He was a small shrunken man, with a -large bald head and a massive brow; and as Usk’s eyes grew accustomed -to the dim light, he saw in the bronzed face and heavy grey moustache -the hint of a likeness to another and a more successful statesman than -the Hungarian patriot, a likeness which was, moreover, not altogether -distasteful to M. Drakovics himself. - -“Lord Usk--M. Drakovics,” said Mrs Sadleir, briskly. “Now I am going -to leave you to have a good talk, for I want you to know one another. -If you will sit here in the recess, the curtains will hide you, and -you will not be seized upon by any troublesome acquaintances.” - -“Milord,” said M. Drakovics, bowing formally, but scanning Usk from -head to foot in a way which made the younger man feel that he was -being reckoned up and his measure taken, “I am much honoured in -meeting you. Your name, and your father’s name also, are very well -known to us in Thracia.” - -“You are very kind,” said Usk, in the embarrassed way in which the -average Englishman receives a compliment. “I’m sure I am delighted to -have the chance of meeting you here. I never expected to be able to -hear about the Thracian revolution from one who was in it.” - -“From one who may be said to have been at the head of it,” corrected -M. Drakovics, gravely. “You are interested in Eastern Europe, milord?” - -“Naturally, since no one who takes any interest whatever in -international politics can well avoid keeping his eye on the Balkan -States,” said Usk; “and Thracia has always seemed to me the most -promising of them all, if only she got a chance. Your long struggle -against Roum, and the way in which you won your freedom, have shown -what your people are made of.” - -“Yes, indeed,” responded M. Drakovics, his eyes lighting up, “Thracia -is the nation of the future in Eastern Europe. We are the only truly -European race south of the Carpathians. The Mœsians are Slavs, the -Dardanians half Roumis. Our blood is chiefly Latin, with a large -Teutonic admixture. Our very language is far more nearly akin to the -Italian than to the Slavonic.” - -“And yet your own name is Slavonic?” suggested Usk. - -“Most of our names are, just as in religion we belong to the Orthodox -Church. It is the result of our isolation, hemmed in as we are by Slav -races. But our aspirations are wholly Western, and the national hatred -of Scythia, our great Slav neighbour, is a perfect passion.” - -“That was the cause of your revolution, wasn’t it?” asked Usk. “We are -generally rather misty about your politics here, I’m afraid, but that -seems to have penetrated into most people’s minds.” - -“It was the cause,” returned M. Drakovics. “You are aware, milord, -that when we threw off the Roumi yoke, many years ago, we did so with -the assistance--the moral support--of Scythia. For this assistance we -have been paying dearly ever since, while our country has groaned -under the rule of the House of Franza. No doubt the simplest plan -would have been to place a Scythian grand-duke at once upon the -throne, but it was more politic to allow us to elect a national -sovereign, and then to make him a Scythian tributary. Our first king, -Alexander Franza, the patriot who had conducted the struggle for -freedom to a successful issue, saw the danger, and tried to avert it, -straining every nerve to pay off the loans advanced by Scythia for -various purposes; but he died before he could effect this object, and -his successors, instead of following his example, borrowed more -largely still, thus placing the kingdom completely in the hands of -Scythia. You know what our history has been since our independence was -guaranteed; how, with one of the finest countries in Europe, the -resources of which are as yet scarcely touched, we have been -constantly on the verge of bankruptcy. So it was when the late king, -Peter II., ascended the throne, and our masters appeared to think that -the time had come to complete their conquest. Of course he was a -pensioner of Scythia, like his predecessors, but he was also a man of -pleasure. When the country had been drained of money to supply his -whims, he was forced to turn to Scythia once more. Money was granted -him, but only for a consideration. One by one the highest posts in the -army and Court were filled with Scythians, and it was of no use for -the Thracians to complain. The Sertchaieff Ministry was in power, and -as matters grew worse, its members clung the more closely to their -places, fearing the result of any change for themselves. Then a chance -incident caused an explosion----” - -“It was connected with your own election to the Legislative Assembly, -was it not?” asked Usk. - -“It was, milord. I had been absent from my country for many years, -owing to my having once taken part in a meeting of those who wished to -bring about a reform by means of constitutional agitation. I was a -young man when I threw in my lot with the reformers, and had just -begun to practise at the bar, but I was obliged to leave Thracia, and -sacrifice all my prospects. My years of exile were not wasted. I -travelled, I worked, I associated with earnest men--and I found my -country a byword everywhere. At last I could endure it no longer, and -I made up my mind to set on foot one more effort to stir up my -compatriots to a sense of their degradation. I returned to Thracia, -and found myself received with joy, yet with fear, by my old friends -and by the younger generation of patriots that had sprung up. Once -more we set ourselves to form a constitutional party, and to educate -public opinion. Our objects were simple,--the dismissal of the -Scythians who had been thrust into public offices, the reform of the -whole corrupt administration, the discontinuance of the system of -borrowing, and the gradual repayment of our debt to Scythia out of the -money saved by reducing expenses and gained by the proper development -of the country. We were quite ignorant of the extent to which our -views found favour among the people, but we determined upon a bold -stroke--in order both to advertise our programme and to show us how we -were supported. The Elections were approaching, and we resolved to -contest every seat for which we could find a candidate. The -Administration was utterly taken by surprise, but its members -perceived that their salvation lay in striking at once, and they chose -to begin with me. I was elected by a large majority for the -constituency to which I offered myself, but my election was declared -void by a Government decree, and a fresh poll was announced. Troops -were drafted into the town, nominally to preserve the peace, in -reality to force my constituents to vote for the Government candidate, -and vast numbers of persons crowded in from the country districts, -drawn by the prospect of a tumult. I was passing through the -market-place when a band of my supporters called upon me for a speech. -Then, milord, I felt a strange fire seize me. I remembered the effect, -long before, of my speech to the meeting for taking part in which I -was exiled. I remembered that in my days as barrister I had often -moved the court to tears and to indignation. It was merely a flash of -memory, but with it came the impulse to act. I sought a place from -which to speak--I climbed upon a country cart--I spoke--I heard the -people shouting--the Government agent ordered the soldiers to arrest -me--I saw them pushing their way through the crowd--they closed round -me, dragged me down--I appealed to the bystanders--I was rescued--I -spoke again, and raised the cry of Reform. Before I knew what had -happened I was at the head of a revolution, the people had put -themselves under my guidance, the troops had joined us, the Government -agent was seeking the means for flight. By my orders he was captured -and lodged in prison--I seemed to perceive at once what was to be -done. The telegraph-office was seized, no message allowed to be sent -but by my authority. To each of our candidates for the Assembly I -telegraphed what had happened, and his orders. A brief pause to -concert my plans with my chief supporters, and we were in motion -again. The news spread through the country like wildfire; in a short -time the whole army was with us, and the people were thronging to us -in enormous numbers. We marched to Bellaviste, and entered the city -without striking a blow. When we laid before the king our demands for -a change of Ministry and a new constitution, he preferred to abdicate -rather than grant them. We were nothing loath, and he has retired to -the south of France on a suitable income. A provisional government was -formed, and has remained in power, supported by the whole force of the -national sentiment, for nearly a year. The success of our movement was -due to its spontaneity. If we had prepared for it, Scythia would have -gained some inkling of our plan, and might have out-plotted us, but -she could not without any excuse interfere with the accomplished fact. -In the very first moment of our freedom we ranged Pannonia on our side -by making overtures to her for the conclusion of a commercial treaty -which had hitherto been hindered by the intrigues of Scythia. To -Scythia we were able to guarantee, through the good offices, secretly -exercised, of Pannonia, the regular payment of her interest, and the -gradual extinction of the debt itself, while the dismissed officials -received honourable terms. It was not easy to arrange all this, for at -first we found it difficult to obtain money, and the Thracians are -hot-blooded and had much to avenge, but I would not remain at their -head except with their promise to acquiesce in my decisions. Balancing -Pannonia against Scythia in this way, we have passed through a year of -national life, although Scythia refuses to recognise us, and has -worked upon our suzerain, Roum, to withhold from us up to the present -time the right we claim of choosing our own form of government.” - -“Then, if that right were conceded, you would proclaim a republic?” - -“Certainly not, milord. I myself might approve of such a step -theoretically, but our people are not ripe for it, and not only -Scythia, but Pannonia and the other friendly or neutral Powers, would -be alienated by the idea. I look around me on the present chaotic -state of the country, at the new Thracia which is rising out of the -ruins of the old, and I see that it would be impossible for any man -popularly elected to introduce the necessary reforms unless he were -guaranteed dictatorial powers for a term of years; and for this we -cannot hope. In spite of our marvellous success hitherto, we are not -perfect, nor even unanimous, and there are many divisions and -jealousies among us.” - -“It shows great self-abnegation on your part to give up the idea of a -republic,” said Usk, “for you yourself would be the only possible -President.” - -“I fear you rate my moral qualities too highly, milord. The presidency -would not be a bed of roses. Even as matters now stand, my life has -already been attempted three times, and if I were President, Scythia -would never rest until she had--well, brought about my removal, and -had plunged Thracia into such a state of anarchy as might seem to -justify her in the sight of Europe in interfering to restore order. -Besides, I am a Thracian, one of the people, and they need some one -who is above them and outside them to rule them at present. This is -the reason why we are seeking to re-establish the monarchy on a -constitutional basis. This is the reason why I have come to England to -offer the crown of Thracia to you, Milord Usk.” - -“Come to offer the crown to me!” repeated Usk, stupidly. - -“I will not disguise from you, milord,” said M. Drakovics, bringing -his head very close to his hearer’s, and speaking low and earnestly, -“that we have made many attempts to obtain a king from the different -reigning families of Europe. It was at first our great hope that we -might secure one of the younger members of the English royal house, -but this honour has been absolutely refused to us, and it was the same -with several German princely families. We offered the crown to Prince -Otto Georg of Schwarzwald-Molzau, the King of Mœsia’s cousin, whose -family were willing that he should accept it, but he considered that -the kingdom was likely to be too troublesome to be agreeable. We had -even thought of a French prince, but there is the religious -difficulty----” - -“But I do not belong to the Greek Church, and I have no intention of -joining it,” interrupted Usk. - -“We could accept a Protestant, milord, but a Roman Catholic would be -impossible.” - -“But I am not even remotely connected with royalty,” objected Usk -again. - -“It is the boast of you English nobles that you are on a level with -any of the princely houses of the Continent that are not absolutely -royal,” said M. Drakovics, “and you are far richer.” - -“Not our family, at any rate,” said Usk, with a shrug. “But I have had -no experience in governing. Why don’t you ask some one who has been -Viceroy of India or Lord Lieutenant of Ireland?” - -“Because they are old, milord, and you are young: our young nation -needs a young man at its head. But you are not a novice in the affairs -of State. Who is so fit to introduce constitutional principles into -Thracia as a member of the British House of Commons--one, moreover, -who has shown himself friendly to any reasonable reform judiciously -and fairly carried out? Nor would you find the actual work of -governing a very difficult matter. I, who have been said to be the -Revolution, am now the Government. I make the laws, and then commend -them to the people, and this would continue to be the case as long as -I was so happy as to retain your confidence, while you acted as the -visible head of the Government and the sign of the unity of the -nation.” - -“As the figurehead, in fact?” said Usk. - -“Precisely, milord.” - -“But you ought to have a soldier, and I am not one.” - -“You are an officer of Volunteer cavalry, and that is sufficient.” - -“You seem to know a good deal about me.” - -“It is natural to study deeply the history of one’s future king, -milord, and you appear to be better fitted for the high post I offer -you than any of the other noblemen to whom my thoughts have turned.” - -“But this is absurd!” cried Usk. “You must know that I should not be -allowed to entertain such an idea for a moment. Our Government would -put a stop to it instantly. It would be high treason, -treaty-breaking--I don’t know what.” - -“The matter is a secret, milord. Once in Thracia, and crowned, your -Government could scarcely bring you back.” - -“Do you expect me to give up my own country--make myself an outlaw, in -fact--for the sake of your precious Thracia?” - -“Yes, milord,” said M. Drakovics, steadily, “that is what I do expect. -You are the very man for us--by reason of your personal advantages -especially. Our people worship tall fair men, for they recall to them -the heroes of their legends. Then you are descended from a great house -of warriors. Milord your father fought in the Crimea, your grandfather -at Waterloo, and your great-uncle was killed fighting in the cause of -Greek Independence. Again, you are unmarried, but yet you do not share -the tastes of our late lamented sovereign, King Peter Franza, and you -would thus be able to consolidate your dynasty and strengthen your -kingdom by an advantageous matrimonial alliance.” - -“That is not the way in which English people are accustomed to look at -marriage,” said Usk, coldly. - -“It is the way in which a patriotic king looks at the subject, milord. -I am making no effort to disguise from you the drawbacks of the great -position I offer you. We do not want a pleasure-seeker, but one who -will be a martyr, if need be. We require a man who will give up his -country, his friends, his own happiness--who will be ready either to -live or to die for this Thracia of ours, which we have saved from -Scythia and the Franzas.” - -M. Drakovics saw that his words had at last produced something of the -effect he desired. Usk’s head was lifted proudly, and the light of -battle shone in his eyes, but his response was disappointing. - -“I will consider the question,” he said. - -“Give me your promise, milord. Why should you hesitate? You are not -thinking of palaces and the probable length of your Civil List, I -know, so why not let me feel happy in the certainty that my country’s -future is assured?” - -“I must consult my father. He has a right to be told.” - -“Come back to Thracia with me, and be crowned, and then tell him. He -will be glad to be spared the trouble of advising you.” - -“No, it would not be fair to him. I will let you know some time -to-morrow. Good night,” and he left the room before M. Drakovics could -stop him or even say anything further. His impulse was to get out of -the house at once, and cool his heated brain by walking back to his -lodgings, but he did not like to leave without bidding farewell to Mrs -Sadleir. Entering the drawing-room in search of her, he was accosted -by a man whom he knew slightly as connected in some way with the -‘Daily Chronograph.’ - -“Nasty sell for you, wasn’t it?” he remarked. Usk stared at him -blankly. - -“I don’t know what you mean,” he said. - -“Why, this afternoon--about that Bill of yours. Have you forgotten it -already?” - -“Oh--my Bill,” repeated Usk, vaguely. “I have been thinking of--of -other things since then. Excuse me, I can’t stay.” - -“He looks perfectly dazed,” said the other man to himself. “What can -it be? Has some girl chucked him? No! who’s that talking to Mrs -Sadleir? Drakovics, no less!” - -He made his way towards his hostess, arriving just in time to hear her -farewell to Usk. - -“Perhaps you will have something to tell me to-morrow, Usk. If so, -look in about three o’clock. I shall be quite alone.” - -“Nuts!” muttered the journalist. Then aloud to Mrs Sadleir he added, -“Surely I saw our old friend Drakovics here just now?” - -“Yes, he is here to-night,” said the hostess. “We don’t make a fuss -about our foreign guests nowadays, and have receptions at Trentham -House and public festivities for them, you see. They come and go -quietly.” - -“Still looking for a king, eh? He has come to England to try and get -hold of the latest royal infant as a ruler for his one-horse State, -hasn’t he?” - -Clever woman though she was, Mrs Sadleir could occasionally be -“drawn,” and this the ‘Chronograph’ man knew well. She smiled now -significantly as she answered-- - -“No, I really don’t think he has designs on the Princess’s baby this -time. What, must you go?” - -Indeed he must, post-haste to the ‘Chronograph’ office, bearing news -which set editor, foreign editor, sub-editor, and printer frantically -to work altering and cutting and curtailing the copy already set up in -such a way as to provide room for a column with startling headlines:-- - - - “THE BALKAN QUESTION. - RECONSTRUCTION OF THE THRACIAN MONARCHY. - ROMANTIC CHOICE OF A KING. - CROWN OFFERED TO AN ENGLISH NOBLEMAN. - INTERVIEW WITH VISCOUNT USK, M.P.” - - -In justice to the journalist, it must be said that the account of the -“interview” was very short, consisting chiefly of the true statement -that Lord Usk had kept his own counsel and declined to discuss the -subject; but the foreign editor and his subordinates supplied a -concise account of Thracia and its history and revolution to fill up -the space, and to gratify the interest and curiosity of the British -public, which developed both these qualities very largely on the -morrow. - -Usk was not a subscriber to the ‘Daily Chronograph,’ and his -man-servant, who was, knew his duty far too well to put any questions -to his master in the morning, although there was a flutter of pleased -excitement diversifying his usual sober demeanour, which Usk noticed -with a feeling of miserable surprise. - -“Very likely I talked in my sleep,” he said to himself, conscious of -having spent a troubled night, and then he mapped out his plan of -operations for the day. The morning must be spent at the House of -Commons, where he was serving on an important Committee, but in the -afternoon he would run down into Kent, to the country-house at which -his father was staying, and tell Lord Caerleon all about M. Drakovics -and his offer. Having arrived at this decision, he drove to the House -without meeting any of his acquaintances, and did his best to -concentrate his mind on the work of the Committee, although he could -not help glancing furtively at Mr Forfar, who was stretching his long -length a few seats from him, and wondering what he would say if he -knew the honour which the Thracian Government was desirous of -conferring upon his supporter. As it chanced, Mr Forfar had happened -to glance at the ‘Chronograph’ before coming down to the House, and -was now asking himself languidly whether it was Usk or the editor who -had suddenly gone mad, but this Usk did not know. That the secret of -his proposed elevation was not confined to himself, however, he -discovered as he left the committee-room, when one of his friends -rushed past him in a hurry. - -“Been reading a lot of lies in the ‘Chronograph’ about you, Usk,” he -cried cheerfully. “What rot those newspaper fellows will put in -sometimes!” - -Then it had got about already! Usk was literally unable to muster up -the necessary courage to go and look at the paper, and as he quitted -the House he felt guiltily that the members he met turned to look at -him, and that the policemen who had the advantage of knowing him by -sight were reaping a golden harvest for pointing him out to eager and -ignorant questioners. He wanted to see what the ‘Chronograph’ said -about him, and to know how it had gained its information, but it -seemed much too barefaced a proceeding to walk into a shop and buy a -copy. He would go home, and send his servant out to get one. But when -he reached his lodgings he found that this was unnecessary. In the -arm-chair in his sitting-room sat his father, with a copy of the -delinquent journal in his hand. - -“Well, Usk,” said Lord Caerleon, “good morning. May I ask whether this -is true?” and he held out the paper, which was folded in such a way as -to exhibit the headlines to the best advantage. - -“I don’t know what they say there,” returned Usk, “but it’s true that -Drakovics invited me last night to become King of Thracia. He said he -came to England on purpose.” - -“Ah!” said Lord Caerleon, meditatively. “Seen Cyril this morning?” - -“No,” said Usk, surprised by the sudden question. - -“Well, I have, and I can tell you what he is doing now. He is going -about with my authority contradicting this report, and talking big -about libel actions against the ‘Daily Chronograph.’” - -“That strikes one as rather premature, doesn’t it?” said Usk, and his -father knew by his tone that he was not pleased. - -“It has got that appearance,” he said quickly, “but these things -spread so fast, and it had to be stopped before it brought you into -trouble. Look here, Usk, I want you to give this thing up, and I’ll -tell you my reasons.” - -“Yes, sir?” and Usk prepared himself to listen. - -“Well, the first is that I’m an old man, and I can’t do without you. -My father’s elder brother, your great-uncle, went off to fight for -Greece, as you know, and never came back. I can’t give you up for that -sort of thing at my age. Is that enough for you, Usk?” - -“Certainly, if you put it in that way.” - -Lord Caerleon’s eyes glistened, but he went on gruffly enough. - -“My second reason is that you are not the man for it. Oh, I know that -you would look the part all right, and do your utmost to make the -thing a success, but there’s more worldly wisdom in Cyril’s little -finger than in your whole body. If the fools had only thought of -offering the crown to him, he would be at the head of a Balkan -Confederacy in a month, but you---- The fact is, Usk, you are too -English--you don’t know when you’re beaten. Instead of taking a -licking quietly, you are up again as soon as you come to, and fighting -with all the breath knocked out of you. As for Cyril, he will have -made it up with the other chap after the first round, and started -ahead to choose his own ground, ready for another fight when it’s -necessary, and that time Cyril will win.” - -“Shall I advise Drakovics to transfer his offer to Cyril, then?” - -“Certainly not. I don’t intend to subsidise a bankrupt Balkan State -out of my rents, and I have no wish that you should be obliged to do -it either. Cyril will come to smash quite soon enough without a crown -to drag him down. He is so sharp that he is bound to go too far some -day. No, Usk, you are the man for it if there was a fair field, but -there isn’t, and I can’t stand your going off and being shot or -dynamited by Scythian agents.” - -“But Mrs Sadleir must have known what Drakovics wanted, and yet she -said nothing to dissuade me from accepting the crown.” - -“I daresay not. Women are always ready to send out sons and lovers on -forlorn hopes--especially other people’s sons and lovers. It requires -a practical, unromantic man to look into the thing first, and decide -whether the game is worth the candle. Mrs Sadleir is as sensible a -woman generally as any I know, but she has not outlived her -enthusiasms yet, and she is quite ready to give Thracia a king at my -expense, and I don’t see it. When I’m gone, it will be a different -thing. You will have only yourself to please then, but the Thracians -will probably have killed or banished two or three kings, and run -through a few republics, by that time. In any case, I ask you, as a -favour to me, to refuse this offer now.” - -“I will write to Drakovics at once,” said Usk, and he did. - - - - - CHAPTER II. - FRESH WOODS AND PASTURES NEW. - -A year had passed, and the situation in Thracia remained unchanged. -The search for a king initiated by M. Drakovics had not yet proved -successful, but the Provisional Government was still in office, and -the Thracians lived and throve under a regimen of what their enemies -called autocracy washed down by draughts of rhetoric. M. Drakovics -alone, against whose life two further attempts had been made, looked -out ahead with troubled eyes, and yearned for the tall Englishman who -had seemed likely to prove such an efficient coadjutor in his task of -governing. - -In England, however, the year had not been barren of changes. General -Lord Caerleon slept with his fathers in the family burying-place in -Llandiarmid Abbey, and Viscount Usk’s place in the House of Commons -knew him no more. Misfortune seemed to dog this young man’s footsteps. -Once again he had obtained leave to bring in his Bill, but it had been -deliberately talked out by the Labour members in revenge for his -voting against them on one of their pet questions. There was thus no -help for him, and on his father’s death he was compelled to vacate his -seat, and seek the serene retirement of the Upper House. Moreover, the -constituents whom he was so sorry to leave did not display on this -occasion the fixity of purpose with which he had always credited them, -for they rejected with ignominy the candidate who inherited his -principles, and chose as their representative an agitator who promised -to bring in a Bill to divide the Llandiarmid domain among them in the -shape of allotments. - -Nor was this all, for before very long he found that even the -possession of a historic house and innumerable heirlooms was not an -unmixed privilege. The marquisate was by no means a rich one, for its -inheritors had all indulged a reprehensible taste for investing their -spare cash in works of art instead of more easily convertible -securities, and the succession duty on these bade fair to ruin their -unfortunate possessor. The owner of land which would not let, and of -pictures which he could not sell, he found himself forced to raise the -necessary money by means of mortgages on his unmanageable property, -when all other means had failed. The interest on these mortgages was -another important consideration, and when, after settling matters as -far as possible, the new Marquis and his brother met one evening in -the great hall at Llandiarmid to talk things over, the outlook was far -from cheerful. - -“It’s quite evident that we can’t keep up this place, Cyril,” said -Caerleon. “If I could let it for a year or so, and get the house in -town off my hands, I think we might just tide over the present -difficulty.” - -“Surely it would be enough to sell Caerleon House,” said Cyril, -lazily, but with some surprise in his tone, as he sat with his arms -behind his head and looked at his brother. “No one will expect you to -entertain much here while you are in mourning, so you can lie low for -a year or two and keep down expenses.” - -“It’s not only of the actual expenses of the place this year that I am -thinking,” said Caerleon, “but of the future. I want to put things -right for you, Cyril, and to do that I must save.” - -“Oh, don’t trouble yourself about me,” said Cyril, lightly. “I have -always fallen on my feet hitherto, and I suppose you’ll find me a -crust and a shake-down in your diggings, wherever they are.” - -It had been a shock to Caerleon to discover, from some words his -father had let fall on his deathbed, that he had made no special -provision for Cyril, leaving him almost entirely dependent on his -elder brother, and that this omission was due to design, and not to -forgetfulness. - -“I want you two to stick together,” said the old Marquis to his elder -son, “and therefore I have not left Cyril anything of his own. He has -your mother’s money, which will keep him from starvation, but for -anything more he must come to you. He may have some consideration for -your money, but he would be sure to speculate with anything that was -in his own power.” - -Caerleon found this utterance hard to reconcile with the high opinion -his father had once expressed of Cyril’s shrewdness and worldly -wisdom, and he also resented the arrangement as unfair to Cyril. What -if he should desire to marry? Hence his eagerness to put matters on a -more satisfactory footing. - -“I am afraid that things will have to remain as they are just now,” he -said; “but you may be sure that as soon as possible I shall do what I -can for you.” - -“Thanks, awfully,” yawned Cyril. “But what about the present? When you -have succeeded in leaving yourself without any rest for the sole of -your foot except your London lodgings, what do you mean to do?” - -“What is there to do?” asked Caerleon. “I can do no good in the Lords, -and I can’t stay in the Commons. They even take away from me the means -of living on my own place----” - -“And cultivating the higher faculties of your tenants, and making -Llandiarmid a social centre for all the art and learning and -enlightenment of the county,” said Cyril. “Well, granted all this, -what then?” - -“Let us go abroad,” said Caerleon, suddenly. “We haven’t had a prowl -together for years, and we can sink our titles and live on the cheap.” - -“By all means,” said Cyril. “Let us leave our ungrateful country, -which presents our ancestors with dinner-services and swords of honour -and statues and plate, which we don’t want and mustn’t sell, and makes -us pay duty on them. The wide world is before us. Where shall we turn? -I say, let us go to Kashmir and shoot mountain sheep, or Polar bears, -or my lord the elephant, or anything we may come across.” - -“Won’t do,” said Caerleon. “I should have you knocking up again, right -away from all medical help. It must be somewhere nearer home.” - -“Oh, let’s go to Bournemouth or Torquay, then. So cheerful, and so -novel, and plenty of doctors.” - -“No, I know. We will go to Hungary and look up Gyula Temeszy. He -promised us some wolf-hunting if ever we came to see him.” - -“Very well. I haven’t met him since he came down to Eton to see his -old tutor again, and tipped me a sov. because I was your brother; but -I suppose he’ll know you all right, and accept your references for my -respectability. Going to write to him now?” - -“Rather not. We will drop in on him and take him by surprise, and then -we can loiter on the way if we like, and not rush across Europe by -express. We will go quietly, and look out for adventures.” - -“All right; then you intend to walk, I suppose? That means no -servants, of course.” - -“We won’t make any cut-and-dried plan, but go as we choose, and I -don’t see why we shouldn’t tramp it occasionally, when you feel up to -it. I won’t take Jameson, certainly, and I don’t think you’ll want -your man. Let us take Harry Wright between us. He can turn his hand to -most things, and he’ll be useful if we are obliged to get horses. We -may have to ride to Temeszy’s place. I fancy there’s no railway near -it.” - -“I’m agreeable,” said Cyril; “and we’ll stay away until we yearn for -home again, and feel able to say, ‘England, with all thy faults (and -you’ve a beastly lot of them), I love thee still.’ We don’t at -present.” - -In this way the matter was settled, and a few days later the two -brothers left Llandiarmid for London, where Caerleon did his best to -make a satisfactory disposition of his rather complicated affairs, and -Cyril went round to say good-bye to his lady friends. Cyril was a very -popular young man in London society, where he had found a footing as -soon as he left Eton. He had slipped out of sight for a short time as -unpaid attaché in the British Embassy at Pavelsburg, but the Scythian -winter proved too severe for him, and he was invalided home, to take -up a pleasant existence about town, while assuring every one that he -was only waiting until a suitable post should offer itself for his -acceptance in some more genial clime. As a poverty-stricken younger -son, he was free from the pursuit of the match-making mothers and -daughters who had made Caerleon’s life such a burden to him. No one -wanted to marry him, and, fortunately for himself, he felt no -particular desire to marry any one. The part he had chosen in the -Human Comedy was that of the Laughing Philosopher, and he played it -with complete satisfaction to himself and to his world. He was a -universal favourite among the ladies, helping the elder ones to -arrange their cotillons and organise their charity bazaars, while for -the younger he designed costumes for fancy balls, and was always ready -to suggest new ideas for any scheme of pleasure. With men he was not -quite so popular. Those who did not know him well regarded him as -entirely a ladies’ man, while some few who had penetrated more deeply -into his character were a little afraid of him, and half suspected him -of hiding deep designs under a mask of frivolity. This was not the -case, however. Cyril was fully conscious of his own powers of mind, -but he had no scruple as to using them to smooth his path in society -until some more important object should come in his way. - -Among the many houses at which he felt compelled to declare his plans -was Mrs Sadleir’s, and he breathed a sigh of relief when he found -himself approaching it at the end of an afternoon of polite -lamentation and playful scolding on the subject of his madness in -burying his social talents among unappreciative foreigners. Mrs -Sadleir was too much at home with him to waste time in unnecessary -_badinage_. If she had anything to say, she was wont to come to the -point at once, and this particular occasion proved to be no exception -to the rule. - -“And so you are going to Hungary, Cyril?” she said, as he came into -the room, without offering him any conventional greeting. “Oh, don’t -accuse me of witchcraft. I have had Caerleon here already. He dropped -in between visits to his lawyer and his tailor, I believe, and he -struck me as not looking at all well, poor fellow! Now, I have only -one remark to make. Has it occurred to you that Hungary and Thracia -are not at all far apart?” - -“No, indeed,” said Cyril, with a start. “I never thought of it. And -I’m certain it hasn’t struck Caerleon either--that is, unless you have -put it into his head.” - -“My dear Cyril,” said Mrs Sadleir, severely, “I was not born -yesterday. Your poor dear father called and gave me such a scolding -last year for tempting Caerleon to throw his life away in Thracia that -I vowed I would never speak to either of you on the subject again, and -I haven’t mentioned it to Caerleon. I merely wish to know whether you -think there is any possibility that M. Drakovics’s scheme may be -carried out after all?” - -“Well, I don’t know,” said Cyril, reflectively. “Caerleon is in rather -an ugly temper just now, for him, and I shouldn’t much wonder if he -did anything foolish. The Governor is gone, you see, and it was only -his expressed wish that kept him at home before.” - -“Yes, I see,” returned Mrs Sadleir. “And what do you think of the -matter, Cyril? On which side would your influence be thrown?” - -“Well,” said Cyril, “it seems to me that it wouldn’t be bad fun to try -the thing. I’m not up to larks much generally, but there’s a good deal -that’s new in this one. I wouldn’t go in for it myself on any account, -but I shouldn’t so much mind seeing Caerleon through. It would -certainly be a new sensation, one of the few still possible for most -ordinary mortals in this worn-out old world, to find oneself a king’s -brother--a royalty, in fact. One hears of a few fellows who have been -made kings in the Cannibal Islands, or Central Africa; but it’s not -often that one gets the chance of a properly organised European -kingdom. It’s not half a bad idea.” - -“Then I am to understand,” said Mrs Sadleir, “that in case M. -Drakovics should under any circumstances renew his offer of the crown -(mind, I don’t in the least say he will, for his patriotic feelings -were very much wounded by Caerleon’s refusal), your valuable advice -and assistance would be cast on the side of the angels--that is, of -the luckless Thracians?” - -“Well,” said Cyril again, “I think the angels would get it that time. -I should never think of letting Caerleon go into a job of the kind by -himself; but really and truly I don’t believe he would come to such -awful smash if I was there to back him up. I should make it my -business to play him off against Drakovics. It isn’t healthy for that -old man to get his own way to the extent he does. I am morally certain -that he would very soon begin to presume if he had only Caerleon to -deal with.” - -“M. Drakovics ought to be very much obliged to you. I almost think it -is my duty to warn him of your intentions. You know that I correspond -with him occasionally? But really, Cyril, I scarcely think that it -would be possible for you and Caerleon to reign together in the -affectionate way you suggest, like the two kings of Barataria.” - -“Or the Heavenly Twins,” said Cyril. “No, of course I mean the Siamese -Twins. I’m afraid the kingdom would hardly support the double honour. -No, Mrs Sadleir, my ambition is a much higher one. I mean to be the -power behind the throne.” - -“But that is M. Drakovics’s destined place,” objected Mrs Sadleir. - -“Then I shall be the man behind Drakovics,” said Cyril, calmly. - -“I don’t know that I am justified in letting a firebrand like you -loose upon Thracia,” said Mrs Sadleir; “but M. Drakovics knows -something about your family, and if he chooses to take Caerleon with -such an encumbrance, it will be his own doing. You don’t know M. -Drakovics, do you, Cyril? Well, I will give you a letter of -introduction to him if you like--only to be delivered if you visit -Thracia, of course. When you have had a little time in Hungary, you -will be able to judge better of Caerleon’s state of mind, and to see -whether he is inclined to give the kingdom a trial. If so, extend your -travels into Thracia, and deliver the letter. Here it is. I have been -writing it this afternoon.” - -“Rather previous, surely?” asked Cyril, with uplifted eyebrows; but he -took the letter readily enough, putting it into his safest pocket, and -it was packed carefully among his most treasured possessions when he -and his brother started on their journey, an event which was announced -to the world in the stereotyped terms by the ‘Morning Post’:-- - -“The Marquis of Caerleon and Lord Cyril Mortimer left England -yesterday afternoon for the Continent, with the intention of -undertaking an extended tour in Eastern Europe.” - -Thanks to Caerleon’s foresight in not sending word to his friend of -their intended visit to Hungary, the tour was carried on in a very -leisurely fashion indeed, and the brothers lounged through Europe, to -use Cyril’s phrase, by unfrequented routes, spending now a day and now -a week in old half-deserted towns, left high and dry by the stream of -modern progress. There was nothing very inspiriting in such travelling -to men who were neither antiquarians nor photographic maniacs; but -Caerleon had a vague idea that he was improving his mind by visiting -the scenes made famous by old German history, while Cyril was as well -content to put in his time on the Continent in this way as in another. -The person who suffered most was Wright, the groom, who found himself -debarred in most places from communion with his kind owing to his -ignorance of the language, and he rejoiced unfeignedly when the course -of his masters’ wanderings brought them at last to Janoszwar, the town -that lay nearest to Count Gyula Temeszy’s castle. - -Janoszwar was reached late one evening, and the travellers looked -about them in some dismay as they drove to the hotel which had been -recommended to them by some tourists they had met at Szegedin as the -only one at which it was possible for English people to stay. The town -was very small, and almost incredibly dirty, while, to put the -finishing touch to their discomfiture, they found on arriving that -they could not be received at the hotel. Its accommodation was -extremely limited at the best of times, and at present all the rooms -were in the occupation of the family of a Scythian officer of high -rank, who was visiting the town for the sake of the mineral springs in -its neighbourhood. This the landlord, a Hungarian who had spent -several years in America, explained volubly and sorrowfully, and -invited his intending guests to depart at once. But Cyril was very -tired, and Caerleon, fearing that he might be going to fall ill again, -tried to parley, pointing out that it was impossible for them to drive -on eighteen miles farther to the Château Temeszy that night, and -offering double the usual prices for the necessary accommodation. -Still the landlord remained firm (though with deepening regret, as -recognising that he had to deal with wealthy English _milords_), -declaring that the Herr Oberst had assured him he would leave -instantly if any other guests were admitted into the hotel. There -seemed to be nothing to do but to seek some other resting-place, and -Caerleon was just returning to the carriage in despair, when a -white-haired man came slowly down the outer staircase of the inn, -leaning heavily on a stick. - -“Here is the gracious Herr Oberst himself!” said the landlord; and -Cyril, who had been acting as his brother’s interpreter for the worthy -man’s Hungarian German and even less intelligible English, prepared to -address the new-comer in Scythian, but this proved unnecessary. - -“Sure I thought I heard English voices,” said the Herr Oberst, “and it -struck me that the landlord might be following too rigorously the -orders I gave um. The fact is, gentlemen, that most of the people rich -enough to travel in these parts are Austrian Jews, and me wife has a -great objection to Jews, so that the only way I could get her here was -by engaging to keep out of their reach. But I can assure you that I -had no desire to inconvenience English travellers---- You are English, -gentlemen?” - -“We are,” said Caerleon. “I am Lord Caerleon, and this is my brother.” - -“I am much honoured, me lord,” said the Herr Oberst, bowing deeply. -“Allow me to introjuce meself. Me name is O’Malachy--The O’Malachy, at -your servus, the representatuv of the ancient kings of Leitrum,--and I -will be much displeased if you go a step farther to-night. Sure me son -has not yet arrived, and what does me daughter want with two rooms? -We’ll just tell some of the landlord’s fellers to bundle our traps out -of the rooms, and you will have them.” - -“Pray don’t disturb Miss O’Malachy,” entreated Caerleon in -consternation. “I could not think of turning a lady out of her room. -If you would be so kind as to allow my brother to occupy the room your -son is not using, my servant and I will find quarters elsewhere.” - -“Not a bit of ut!” cried the O’Malachy. “Would I turn you away when -there are empty rooms waiting for you? Come, young gentleman,” turning -to Cyril, “just make your brother understand that if he won’t stay -he’ll oblige us all to turn out and leave the place free for um. Is -not a whole hotel big enough for two families?” - -“You are very kind,” began Caerleon. But the O’Malachy was in full -retreat up the stairs again. At the top he turned and paused for a -moment, the lamplight shining on his bronzed face and white moustache -and imperial. - -“A good night to you!” he called out. “I’ll be pleased to resoom your -acquaintance in the morning, me lord. Now, you don’t leave this -hotel--at least, it’ll be the worse for ut if you do!” - -After this hospitable intimation, the travellers held back no longer, -and speedily found themselves established in most comfortable -quarters, for the landlord was delighted not to be compelled to turn -away such promising guests from his door. Nothing was too good for -them, and they went to bed well content, after commissioning the host -to procure horses in the morning for their intended ride to Château -Temeszy. - -In the morning, then, they started on this last stage of their -journey, leaving Wright at the hotel with the luggage until it could -be sent for, and bidding a grateful farewell to the O’Malachy, who was -smoking a wonderful cigar on the balcony over the door. The ride was a -long one, and the roads very bad, but Caerleon had brought a map of -the district in his pocket, and with its aid they succeeded in finding -their way. But when they reached the castle disappointment awaited -them. Everything was shut up, and the only person in authority was an -aged steward, who informed them that Count Temeszy Gyula (putting the -surname first in true Hungarian fashion) was in Paris, and the rest of -the family at Vienna. The English gentlemen might inspect the castle -and the stables while a meal was being prepared for them, the best -possible at such short notice, but the old man could not venture to -invite them to take up their quarters in the house without -instructions from his master. It was also possible that the Count’s -foresters might organise a wolf-hunt one day for the strangers’ -benefit, but it would still be best for them to return to Janoszwar -until Count Gyula could be communicated with. - -“I didn’t know that we were such suspicious-looking characters,” -grumbled Cyril after lunch, as they mounted their horses to retrace -their weary way. - -“And we shall have to quarter ourselves upon the O’Malachy again,” -responded Caerleon. “That’s what I hate. It looks such a shabby thing -to do.” - -But when they reached the hotel they found their rooms ready, and the -landlord and Wright expecting them. - -“The old gentleman up-stairs tell us to look out for you, my lord,” -said the latter to his master. “’E said as you’d most likely be comin’ -back about this time.” - -“Did the O’Malachy know that Temeszy was away when we started?” asked -Caerleon of Cyril as they sat at dinner. - -“Don’t know,” said Cyril. “Perhaps he thought you looked as though a -ride would do you good. He seems a decent enough old chap, anyhow. His -wife is a Scythian lady, Wright tells me.” - -“Oh, by the bye, that reminds me,” said Caerleon; “we must call -to-morrow. I’ll tell Wright to hunt up our visiting-cards, and we’ll -do the thing in style.” - - - -But Caerleon and his brother were not destined to make the -acquaintance of the O’Malachy’s family in the orthodox fashion they -had contemplated, for in the morning, as they breakfasted, they heard -excited voices outside their door. They had just decided that it would -not do to pay their call until the afternoon, and that the morning -might profitably be spent in climbing one of the mountains which -surrounded the little town, and Cyril, who was not devoid of -curiosity, thought that the present would be a good opportunity of -consulting the landlord as to the best way to take. Opening the door, -therefore, he stepped out casually, to find the landlord, his wife, -and the servants engaged in an animated colloquy with a very handsome -lady in an elaborate dressing-gown, who was standing on the outer -stair and talking French and German alternately. - -“You tell me that she is gone?” she was saying. “But no! I say it is -impossible. She would be terrified.” - -“There is no danger, madame,” suggested the landlord, soothingly; “and -no doubt the gracious young lady knows this.” - -“No danger!” cried madame, vivaciously. “When there may at this very -moment be wolves, brigands, avalanches, menacing my child? What though -she does think she is safe? Her very confidence may be her greatest -danger. She must be followed--rescued--immediately.” - -“I assure you, madame, that mademoiselle is perfectly safe,” repeated -the landlord. Madame wrung her hands. - -“My excellent man, how can you understand a mother’s feelings? I tell -you my daughter must be rescued. If there is no one else, I will go -myself, although I have never walked a mile in my life, and the Herr -Oberst is quite helpless with his gout.” - -“It is unnecessary for madame to incommode herself,” said the -landlord, sulkily. “If she insists upon it, two of the men shall go, -although it is absolutely impossible to spare them from the farm.” - -“Naturally I insist upon it,” returned madame. “What is your farm to -me? The men shall be paid. Send them off at once. If only there was -some friend near who might help us!” - -“Pardon me, madame,” said Caerleon, coming forward. He had been -listening in bewilderment to the colloquy over Cyril’s shoulder, and -picking up snatches of what was said. “I think I have the honour of -addressing Madame O’Malachy? Can my brother and I be of any assistance -to you?” - -“My dear sir,” said madame, with a charming smile, “I am ashamed to -trouble you, but you would confer the greatest possible favour on my -husband and myself if you would be so good as to help us. My daughter -is a headstrong child, and she has started off early this morning to -visit the sick daughter of a huntsman in the mountains. To ask you to -give up your own concerns on account of the whim of a foolish girl is -too bad, and yet I have no one else to send.” - -“We shall be delighted if we can be of any use,” said Caerleon. “Do I -understand that you would like us to meet Mademoiselle O’Malachy and -bring her home? We were intending to spend the morning in the -mountains, so that we shall not even need to change our plans.” - -“Monsieur is too good,” returned Madame O’Malachy. “I am desolated to -be obliged to incommode him in this way, but my daughter has always -lived in the country with her godmother, and knows nothing of the -dangers which beset a young girl alone.” - -“Still, madame,” put in Cyril, “one can have nothing but admiration -for the philanthropic instinct which has prompted mademoiselle to set -out by herself to relieve a sick girl.” - -“You are too amiable, monsieur,” said madame. “My daughter is -_dévote_, what you call ‘religious,’ and this characteristic makes a -great deal of trouble for herself and for other people. But behold me -only half-dressed!” and madame became suddenly aware that her abundant -dark hair, scarcely yet tinged with grey, was coiled negligently in a -loose knot on her neck; “pardon me, gentlemen, and remember my -anxiety. Pray scold my daughter well when you find her. _Au revoir_!” -and she retreated up-stairs. - -“Pleasant woman, Madame O’Malachy,” Caerleon remarked to Cyril when -they had obtained directions from the landlord as to the exact -situation of the huntsman’s cottage, and had started on their walk, -“but I can’t quite make her out.” - -“Can’t you?” said Cyril. “I can. I’ve met too many of her before.” - -“She seemed so very anxious and excited,” went on Caerleon, pursuing -his own train of thought, “and yet she doesn’t appear to care much for -her daughter.” - -“Not a scrap!” said Cyril, emphatically. “Rather hates her than -otherwise, I should say, from her tone. Fact is, either she -particularly wants the hotel to herself to-day, or she wishes to throw -one of us, presumably you, into the society of the young lady. Well, -forewarned is forearmed.” - -“But it couldn’t have been all humbug. She wouldn’t have shown up in -that costume if she hadn’t been really anxious.” - -“That costume!” said Cyril. “I’m as sure as that I’m here that every -hair of that coil was arranged with an eye to its effect on us.” - -“But she came down in a dressing-gown.” - -“Yes, but what kind of dressing-gown? When a Scythian lady, and still -more a Sarmatian,--and there’s a good deal more of the Sarmatian than -the Scythian about our fair friend,--shows up in a dressing-gown, you -may be pretty sure that it’s a court-dress rather differently made. -Madame knows how to dress her part to the letter.” - -Caerleon only grunted in answer to this, and they went on in silence -for some time. The path was steep, and Cyril found that climbing took -all the breath he had to spare. - -“How much farther now to the top?” he asked at last, when they reached -a sheltered nook in the hillside where a few pine-trees nestled. - -“A good two miles yet,” said Caerleon, looking back on the way they -had come. - -“Then I give in,” said Cyril, resolutely, sitting down on a rock. “I’m -about done, and I shall leave the further chase of this young person -to you. Ten to one but she’ll come down some other way when you are -gone on to the hut, and I shall get hold of her first and give her a -good lecture.” - -“Lecture a strange girl?” - -“Rather! I shall say, ‘My young friend, to try and thrust your -schoolmistress’s views on papa and mamma is not religion, but -self-will, and to emphasise them by running off like this is not -heroic, but bad-tempered.’” - -“All right; I wish you luck. If mademoiselle has a tongue anything -like her mamma’s, you will be pretty well pulverised by the time I -come back. Well, I’m off. See you again in an hour.” - - - - - CHAPTER III. - “IF THOU WERT KIND AS THOU ART FAIR----” - -Leaving his brother to contemplate the beauties of nature under the -shade of the pines, Caerleon walked on, finding his progress much more -rapid than it had been when Cyril was his companion, and arrived -before very long at a point from which he was able to descry the -huntsman’s cottage, built under the shelter of a towering crag. -Pausing for a moment to determine which of two paths now before him -would be more likely to lead him directly towards it, he heard -footsteps above him, and presently a lady came in sight round a -turning in the right-hand path. Tall and slight, she wore a plain -tweed dress and felt hat, and the trim neatness of her appearance -struck Caerleon as most refreshing after the alternate dowdiness and -magnificence of many of the Austrian belles he had come across. It did -not occur to him at first that this stately lady could be the -hoydenish little Scythian schoolgirl of whom he was in search, but -presently it struck him as unlikely that two young ladies would be -wandering alone in the mountains on the same day, and he advanced to -meet the girl. - -“Excuse me,” he said, taking off his cap, “but have I the honour of -speaking to Mdlle. O’Malachy?” - -“I am Nadia O’Malachy,” she replied, looking at him with an expression -in which he read surprise not wholly unmixed with resentment. He -noticed that her eyes were large and grey, and that her wavy dark hair -grew low on her brow. She spoke English readily, but with a slight -foreign accent. - -“I must ask you to forgive me for stopping you in this way,” said -Caerleon, wishing to disarm her evident suspicion, “but the fact is -that Madame O’Malachy was very anxious about you, and I promised to -see you safely back to the hotel.” - -“My mother sent you after me?” she said quickly. “It was quite -unnecessary. Pray continue your walk.” - -“The object of my walk is achieved,” said Caerleon. “I have only to -return.” - -“I have told you,” said the girl, with angry dignity, “that I do not -desire your company.” - -Caerleon laughed inwardly. The walk seemed to promise some amusement. -“And I regret, mademoiselle,” he said, “that having promised to see -you home, I must do it. I will walk behind you, if you prefer it.” - -“Oh no,” said Mdlle. O’Malachy, pointing to the path beside her with -an imperious gesture, “I do not wish to insult you. You consider -yourself a gentleman. I took you for one.” - -She walked on by his side, apparently expecting a retort, but he -maintained a resolute silence, although secretly convulsed by the -contrast between the intention she expressed and the words which -followed it. Suddenly, to his surprise, she turned to him. - -“I beg your pardon. I ought not to have said that. I was wrong.” - -“Pray don’t apologise,” said Caerleon. “I am here only as your -mother’s messenger, and I quite understand that you find my presence -disagreeable, and that I can’t expect you to consider my feelings.” - -“I do not consider them,” she retorted. “I apologised because it was -right to do it when I had been rude.” - -“As a punishment to yourself?” asked Caerleon, much amused. - -“Certainly not,” she answered. “As a means of self-discipline.” - -“I see--and a punishment to me?” - -“By no means. Why should I punish you? What you do has no interest for -me. Oh, I beg your pardon. That was rude again.” - -“Not at all. But I am interested in your self-disciplinary system. Do -you mind explaining it a little more fully? I think I ought to hear -something about it, you know, since I have to suffer from it.” - -“Now she’s going to flare up again,” he thought, as his companion -turned and glared at him, but the anger faded out of her eyes as he -looked at her in calm expectancy. - -“It is a just rebuke,” she said, in a low voice. “I will tell you, -although I do not care to speak of myself, but it will be a good -punishment for me, as you say. My godmother, with whom I have always -lived until lately, used to encourage me to self-denial when I was a -child, saying that one could never rise to the height of a great -renunciation unless one trained oneself for it by means of constant -smaller ones. As I grew older, the principle seemed to me so excellent -that I have followed it in other things.--When you were little, did -you never hold your hand in the flame of the candle to try and find -out whether you could be a martyr?” - -“No,” said Caerleon; “I have often done it, but I am afraid it was -because I was told not to.” - -“Well, I have done it--often. And so with other things. I discovered -in myself a strong tendency to insincerity, and fearing to yield to -it, I made it a duty never to let politeness or the desire to please -keep me from saying what I thought. How dreadful it would be to fail -in truthfulness at some great crisis on account of a long course of -petty hypocrisies! But I found that this made me appear rude, and I am -very proud, and did not like to confess myself in the wrong. So here -was another opportunity for self-discipline, and I resolved to let -nothing prevent me from instantly asking pardon of any one I had -offended in this way.” - -“I see--without regard to that person’s feelings. And may I ask -whether Madame--your godmother--pursues the same system?” - -“My godmother is Princess Soudaroff. No; she does not need it, she is -too good. Her life is given up to working among the poor. Her house is -an asylum for the wretched. She loves every one, is kind to every -one.” - -“And she has impressed her views upon you, has she? Did I understand -you to say that she brought you up?” - -“Yes; she pitied the life I led with my parents, and she adopted me as -her own. She gave me everything I could need, and provided excellent -teachers for me; but, best of all, she allowed me to help her in her -work. Sometimes we lived at her country house, and worked among the -peasants, and sometimes in Pavelsburg, and then our work lay among the -poorest of the poor. Oh, what a life it was! She cares for body and -soul alike. The hospitals and prisons are visited, Bible-classes, -sewing-classes held; drunkards reached, young girls away from home -befriended and taken care of. To be in trouble or in loneliness--that -gives you claim enough upon my Princess.” - -“I didn’t know that you went in for all this kind of thing in -Scythia,” said Caerleon. “It’s not quite one’s idea of the Greek -Church, somehow.” - -“But we are Evangelicals; we are separated,” said the girl, eagerly. -“They say we are heretics,--Non-conformists, I think you call it in -England,--and they persecute us. My godmother has often been in danger -of exile, but something has always happened to save her. She has no -fear at all.” - -“Only for you, perhaps. I suppose the reason you are here is that she -sent you away when danger threatened. You didn’t leave her, I am -sure.” - -“Not of my own free will, never! My mother sent for me; but not on -account of any danger. She gave me up willingly enough when I was of -no use to her, but now she thinks that I am old enough to be of -assistance. Assistance to her!” - -“I daresay it is better for you, after all, than your life with -Princess Soudaroff,” said Caerleon, judicially. “We can’t always have -what we like, you know, and it doesn’t look well for a girl to be -unable to get on with her mother.” - -“How dare you say that?” she cried, turning upon him again. “What do -you know of my circumstances? Do you think I have not tried, longed, -_agonised_ to honour my father and mother? but I will not help them in -their work. Don’t talk to me of the look of things until you know -something about them. Oh, I beg----” - -“Excuse me,” said Caerleon, quickly, “but if you have to apologise to -me again, do you mind turning your head away, and doing it in a -whisper? The effect on yourself would be the same, and it would spare -my feelings.” - -“You are a scoffer!” said Mdlle. O’Malachy, sharply. - -“I hope not; but I am afraid that your apologies will get on my -nerves.” - -“Your nerves?” she looked him up and down, and then laughed. “You -don’t suffer from nerves?” - -“You don’t know how wearing it is to be always looking out for -apologies--and getting them.” - -“But why should it affect your nerves? You are English, you do not -drink absinthe?” She was still looking him over in the light of a -curious medical problem, and her tone was full of interest. - -“I hope you don’t intend to catechise me upon my private vices,” said -Caerleon, hastily. “What I said was only in joke. I don’t know what -nerves are.” - -“A joke?” Evidently it had not occurred to her that any one could take -such a liberty on such short acquaintance. “But I do not even know -your name, sir.” - -“And is it necessary to know a man’s name before he may make a joke in -conversation with you?” asked Caerleon, laughing, but she did not hear -him. - -“I know you must be one of the English noblemen who are staying in the -hotel, and you cannot be the brother--he is small and delicate, my -father said so. You are, then, the pretender?” - -“The pretender?” asked Caerleon in astonishment. - -“I beg your pardon--I should have remembered that the word has a worse -meaning in English than in French. The aspirant, I should say--the -aspirant to the throne of Thracia?” - -“Well, I was, a year ago; or rather the throne of Thracia aspired to -me. I refused it, you know.” - -“I remember; I was sorry. But you are going to accept it now?” - -“Now? I don’t know what you mean. I haven’t a thought of it.” - -“Then why are you here?” - -“Here? in Hungary? To visit my friend, Count Temeszy.” - -“But you are on your way to Thracia?” - -“I assure you I am not. What can have put it into your head?” - -“Every one thinks so. My parents quite believe it--and so do others.” - -“Then they are mistaken, that’s all.” - -“But why do you stay here, since Count Temeszy is away? You leave -soon?” - -“Not that I know of. Why should we?” - -“Sir,” her voice was very earnest, “will you be angry if I give you a -warning? If there is no special reason to keep you here, do not -remain. My father is not--is not a good friend for young men.” - -“A card-sharper, of course!” was the thought that darted through -Caerleon’s mind. “It’s good of her to tell me, poor girl!” Aloud he -added, “Thank you for your warning, mademoiselle. Perhaps you would be -so kind as to mention to your father that I don’t carry the revenues -of Thracia about with me.” - -“You won’t understand,” cried the girl, passionately; “it is nothing -about money. Consider what political disturbances your acceptance of -the crown might bring about, and that there are those who will suspect -you of desiring to provoke them so long as you remain in this part of -Europe, however innocent your motives may be. I remember that when the -crown was offered to you last year, the affair was much discussed in -our circle. I myself heard Count Wratisloff say in my godmother’s -drawing-room, ‘Here is the peace of Europe hanging upon the caprice of -a boy!’” - -“I am much obliged to him,” said Caerleon, grimly. - -“Now I have offended you again. I am sorry. Count Wratisloff is a man -who speaks a little emphatically sometimes, but he had no intention of -being unkind. He prayed for you himself at our prayer-meeting the next -day.” - -“Very kind of him, I’m sure. I suppose he prayed that I might refuse -the crown?” - -“Oh no. How could he pretend to regulate the course of public affairs? -If the time is come for a great European war, who can prevent it? He -prayed that all might happen for the best.” - -“Then you and your circle are fatalists, mademoiselle?” - -“Surely not. ‘What will be, will be’--that is what the fatalists say, -is it not?” she looked at him inquiringly. “But what we say is, ‘What -will be, must be for the best.’” - -“But why pray about it, then?” asked Caerleon, interested by this -frank confession of faith. - -“That we may be brought to believe that it is so when we cannot see -it,” she answered, in a low voice; and although Caerleon would -willingly have pursued the subject, a turn in the path here brought -them in sight of Cyril, and there was no further opportunity for -private conversation. During the rest of the way home they spoke -chiefly of temperance work, Mdlle. O’Malachy recounting incidents from -her experience among Princess Soudaroff’s _protégés_, and Caerleon -replying with reminiscences of the various abortive attempts at -restrictive legislation which he had supported in his House of Commons -days, while Cyril listened and smiled with lofty contempt. - -“Here we are,” he said at last, with undisguised relief, “and here is -your father coming to meet us, mademoiselle.” - -“Naughty girl!” cried the O’Malachy, shaking his fist playfully at his -daughter. “I hope you’ve given trouble enough to us and to these -gentlemen? There’s your mother waiting for you on the balcony. Go and -settle ut with her yourself. Me lord, I can’t tell you how grateful I -am to you and to Lord Cyrul for your goodnuss to-day. Me wife is very -nervous, but you have been most kind in relieving her anxiety. May I -hope that you will give us the pleasure of your company at dinner this -evening? Madame O’Malachy will like to thank you herself.” - -“You are very kind,” said Caerleon. “We were hoping to call this -afternoon----” - -“Call!” cried the O’Malachy in high contempt. “Would you talk about -calling in this wildernuss? Come to-night, and we’ll be delightud to -see you.” - -The invitation was accepted with suitable gratitude, and the O’Malachy -returned to his wife and daughter, while Caerleon and Cyril sought -their own quarters. Lunch was rather a silent ceremony, for Caerleon -felt an unaccountable aversion to detailing to his brother his -conversation with Nadia O’Malachy. - -“Not going out again, surely?” said Cyril, when the meal was over, and -Caerleon took up his cap from the window-seat. - -“I want a smoke.” - -“Well, there are no ladies here, thank goodness! Sit down and smoke -like a reasonable human being.” - -“No, I want a walk.” - -“I should have thought you had had walking enough for one day,” -grumbled Cyril, but Caerleon was already outside, and he was obliged -to address the remainder of his complaint to his cigar. “He walks with -her all morning, does he? and then goes out again to think about her? -I ought to have foreseen this. That’s the drawback of the kind of life -we’ve been leading for a man of Caerleon’s stamp. He’s scarcely spoken -to a lady since the Governor died, and now the first decent-looking -girl he meets bowls him over at once. What a blessing it is that I’m -not susceptible!” - -Caerleon’s walk lasted for over two hours, and Cyril, with a telegram -in his hand, was awaiting him impatiently when he returned. - -“Back at last!” he said. “Do see what this is. It may be to summon us -home about something, or it may be from Temeszy.” - -“It is from Temeszy,” said Caerleon, opening it. “The steward must -have telegraphed to him yesterday as soon as we were gone. He has -business in Paris which will keep him there for more than a month, but -he wants us to take up our quarters at the castle, ride his horses, -hunt his wolves, or whatever else in the way of game there may be -about, and so on--in fact, use the house as if it was our own.” - -“Well, what do you think?” asked Cyril. - -“If you ask me,” said Caerleon, slowly, “I think that we might as well -have stayed at Llandiarmid as bury ourselves out there without Temeszy -or any one to speak to.” - -“I see,” said Cyril. “You mean to stay on here for the present, then?” - -“Yes, I think we might.” - -“But you forget that Mr or M. O’Malachy is coming back. What is one to -call a fellow who has an Irish father and a Sarmatian mother, and has -been brought up abroad? But anyhow, he is coming, and we have got his -room.” - -“I forgot that,” said Caerleon, rather crestfallen. “We must find out -to-night when he is expected. There’s no need to leave until he -comes.” - -Once more Cyril drew dark inferences from his brother’s words, but he -made no remark, and at the appointed time they presented themselves in -Madame O’Malachy’s _salon_, where a most cordial welcome awaited them. -They were the only guests, and it fell naturally to Caerleon to escort -his hostess to the table and to sit beside her, a privilege for which -he was not as grateful as he ought to have been, for he could hear -Cyril and Nadia wrangling busily throughout the meal. Guessing that -his brother was treating Mdlle. O’Malachy to a little _fin de siècle_ -philosophy, he had no difficulty in imagining the light in which it -would strike her, and his anxiety to hear what she was saying in reply -distracted his attention a little from her mother, who conversed -vivaciously in French, addressing him as “_mon cher marquis_” in a way -that reminded him vaguely of the Molière he had read when at school. - -“I am longing that you should know my son,” she observed at last. “He -is of the same age as your brother, and I have a presentiment that -they will be friends. Louis is a true enthusiast, and it is this trait -in his character that has caused us no small anxiety. My husband has -perhaps told you that until a short time ago the unfortunate boy was -an officer in the Scythian army. Would you believe that he has -resigned his post in order to join the Thracian revolutionists?” - -“Indeed?” said Caerleon, much interested; “and has he joined them -yet?” - -“No, but he intends to do so as soon as possible. Imagine his throwing -away all his prospects like this! It is madness.” - -“Come now, Barbara,” put in the O’Malachy from his end of the table. -“Louie is a very decent feller, and he may make his way yet. You -wouldn’t believe that I meself began life as a leader in the Sarmatian -insurrection, would you?” he asked, turning to the young men with an -air of extreme innocence. - -“No, indeed,” said Caerleon, dimly conscious that Cyril started, and -pursed up his lips as though to whistle. - -“It’s true, then. When I left Ireland as a young man, after a little -difficulty with the Government connectud with the troubles of ’48, I -took, though it is not I should say ut, a prominent part in the -Sarmatian affair, and yet here I am now, a colonel in the Scythian -army. I learned wisdom, you see. The Scythians were not so bad as I -had thought them, and the Sarmatians were a good deal worse, and so ut -happened that I changed sides, perhaps with a little persuasion of -another kind addud on,” and he glanced waggishly at his wife, who -laughed rather nervously, and remarked that the candles were burning -low. - -“But have you never visited England since 1848?” asked Caerleon. -“Surely there can be no danger of your being arrested now? I hope I -may have the pleasure of welcoming you at Llandiarmid yet.” - -“Yes,” said Cyril, “if you began as a Sarmatian revolutionist and end -as a Scythian officer, we may hope to see you in a comfortable berth -in the Constabulary yet, O’Malachy.” - -“Ah, but there’s another businuss since ’48,” said the O’Malachy. “You -know Balster, the feller that was made Irush Secretary two or three -years ago? When I heard he had got the Irush Offus, I sent um a -present of a box of cigars, the brand I always smoke meself--he had -admired them greatly when I met um at Ludwigsbad some time before. -Well, would you believe ut? Sure ’twas a mighty queer piece of -work--the police opened the box when ut got to Doblun, and they found -dynamite in ut. So then they accused me of trying to blow the man up, -and I daren’t set foot in me native land. I was sorry, of course; but -how was ut me fault?” - -“Do you mean to imply,” asked Caerleon, “that the police took the -cigars out and put dynamite instead of them?” - -“All I can say,” replied the O’Malachy, spreading out his hands with a -deprecatory gesture, “is that I sent cigars, and that the police -fellers found an infernal machine. You must make what you can of ut.” - -“Oh, don’t harp on the subject, Caerleon,” put in Cyril, seeing that -his brother was not satisfied. “Can’t you see that it’s very naturally -disagreeable to the O’Malachy? When do you expect your son, -O’Malachy?” - -“In two or three days, Lord Cyrul. I am greatly pleased that he will -be so fortunate as to meet you here.” - -“Oh, but we shan’t be here,” said Caerleon, seizing his opportunity. -“We must not forget that we are trespassing on your kindness all the -time we occupy these rooms. We will clear out to-morrow, if you like.” - -“That you won’t,” returned the O’Malachy. “Why, when I was hearing in -the town yesterday that your friend was in Parrus, and knew that you -would be wanting to come back here, I went straight to the landlord, -and got um to clear out another room for Louie, without any fuss at -all. So now the place is plenty big for both of us, and I will think -that you are offended with us if you turn out before you have seen all -you want of the neighbourhood.” - -“Since you are so kind,” said Caerleon, “we will certainly stay on for -the present.” Here a frown from Cyril reached him, and an almost -imperceptible “Don’t!” and he added rather lamely, “That is, if you -are quite sure we are not inconveniencing you--or Miss O’Malachy.” - -“My dear marquis,” said Madame O’Malachy, “let me assure you that your -society is already doing my husband far more good than the waters -here. As for my daughter, how should you inconvenience her?” - -“Oh no; why should I need two rooms?” asked Nadia, gloomily, and -Caerleon could get nothing but monosyllables from her during the -remainder of the evening. When the guests were gone, however, she -turned to her parents as she was leaving the room. - -“You may be interested to know,” she said in her clear hard voice, -“that Lord Caerleon has no intention of going to Thracia, nor of -accepting the Thracian crown. I am not in the habit of helping you in -your work, but I thought that this piece of news might possibly lead -you to alter your plans a little.” - -“Many thanks, my daughter,” said Madame O’Malachy, while her husband -laughed softly. “In what way are our plans to be changed?” - -“Surely you can leave Lord Caerleon and his brother alone, now that -you know this, and not seek to involve them in any danger?” - -“Mademoiselle,” said the O’Malachy, rising and standing with his back -to the stove, “may I remind you of one small fact? We have not, as you -remark, the honour of your assistance, and I regret to say that this -necessarily deprives you of any pleasure you might derive from sharing -our confidence. Whatever plans your mother and I may have in view, we -do not feel inclined to risk their reaching Lord Caerleon by -communicating them to you.” - -Nadia’s face grew crimson, but she threw her head back proudly as she -bade her parents good-night and left the room. - -“There is a little fool for you!” said Madame O’Malachy with lazy -contempt. - - - -“What did you mean by making signs to me at dinner?” asked Caerleon of -Cyril, when they were alone together in his room. - -“Any one with ordinary common-sense would have seen that I meant you -not to accept the O’Malachy’s offer, but to go on at once, away from -here.” - -“But why in the world? You said nothing of this before.” - -“Because I did not know who he was, but at dinner it suddenly flashed -upon me that he was the hero of a story which I heard when I was in -Pavelsburg. Old Dostelsky, who helped in putting down the Sarmatian -rebellion, told it to two or three of us in the smoking-room one -night.” - -“Something spicy, I suppose? Come, let us hear it.” - -“Well, it seems that the O’Malachy was, as he said, one of the -Sarmatian leaders, and he gave the Scythians so much trouble that they -were ready to go any lengths to get rid of him. They tried fair means -and they tried foul--open attacks, and bribes, and attempted -assassination, but it was all no good. At last--I don’t know whether -it was a lucky guess, or whether something showed them his weak -point--they thought of working upon his susceptibilities. They had a -decoy handy, Mdlle. Barbara Platovska, a young Sarmatian lady, brought -up in Paris and trained in Scythia. She had done a good deal of work -for them already, and she was as plucky and as wily as she was -beautiful, so that she was a valuable instrument. Well, they sent her -off with a free hand, and a pardon for O’Malachy, signed by the -Emperor, in her pocket, together with a promise of employment for him -in the Scythian army. Mdlle. Barbara lays her plans, and presently, -travelling by night through a forest where the rebels had one of their -camps, she falls into their hands. There was some talk of shooting her -at once, for her face was unmistakable, and they all knew what harm -she had done to their cause; but she singled out O’Malachy, and threw -herself at his feet and demanded his protection. You wouldn’t find -many Irishmen who would refuse to help a pretty woman in such a -plight, and O’Malachy pulled her behind him, and told the rest to come -on. They nearly got to blows, but at last they agreed to give the girl -some form of trial, and they carried her off to their headquarters. -Naturally O’Malachy kept close to her on the way, and she used her -opportunity so well that before the journey was over he was head and -ears in love with her. He soon discovered that the rest were -determined to kill her, and the very first night that he had the -chance he helped her to escape from the ruined tower in which she was -imprisoned, and escorted her back to her friends. Up to that time he -fully meant to go back and give himself up to his comrades, but now -was Mdlle. Barbara’s chance. She never let him alone on that journey, -until she had got him to promise to come in with her and surrender. He -must have been pretty sick of the Sarmatians altogether--they were -rather a shady lot, always quarrelling and fighting among -themselves--and there was nothing to be made out of their job, and he -was in love as well, and he thought she loved him, so he consented. He -got his pardon and his post in the Scythian army, and he meant to get -Mdlle. Barbara. But when he went to claim her she met him as she had -done the other men she had betrayed, turned her back on him and told -him that no traitor should ever be her husband. But she had tried that -trick once too often. He had her against the wall with a revolver to -her head in an instant, and then and there he made her promise to -marry him. And that wasn’t all, either. He took her to the table, -still with the revolver pointed at her, and made her write out and -sign an account of the scene. Then he let her go, but she married him -the next week. You see he could have ruined her with that paper. If it -had once come to her employers’ ears that she had lost her nerve, and -yielded to threats, they would never have made use of her again. -Perhaps, too, the O’Malachy’s style of wooing pleased her, or she may -have had a soft place for him in her heart all along. At any rate, -they married, and went into partnership, and you see what a happy -couple they are.” - -“But how did the story get about?” asked Caerleon. “Surely it was to -the interest of both of them to keep it quiet.” - -“Oh, the O’Malachy let it out one evening when he had been -dining--told it as rather a fine thing, I believe.” - -“The old beast! to go and give his wife away like that,” remarked -Caerleon, with righteous indignation. - -“Well, after all, she doesn’t show up so very much worse than he does -in the matter,” said Cyril. “They are rather a well-matched pair. You -know what their present manner of life is?” - -“Oh yes, I know. Card-sharping.” - -Cyril stared. “Not unless you are speaking in parables, and alluding -to political cards. They are spies of the Scythian Government, _agents -provocateurs_, and so on. The O’Malachy is supposed to be travelling -for his health, a pursuit which enables him to be pretty constantly on -the move, and turn up just where his presence is required. Oh, he’s a -fine old fellow! Wasn’t that rich about Balster and the infernal -machine? It was an awful sell for him, though. Sorry! of course he was -sorry--that Balster didn’t open it himself, and get blown up. That’s -one of his little ways of employing his leisure hours, and the whole -family are really otherwise engaged than in health-seeking, very much -so.” - -“Not all of them. Miss O’Malachy is not.” - -“Well, you certainly know more about her than I do, so I can’t say. -You have a queer taste in fathers-in-law, though.” - -“Don’t talk rot,” said Caerleon, indignantly. “I won’t hear the girl -slandered, but I can’t even make out whether I like her or not. She -says the most appalling things in the coolest voice, and then -apologises.” - -“Well,” said Cyril, getting near the door, “when a man goes out to -think about a girl, and wastes two hours of his valuable time in -trying to decide whether he likes her or not, and then comes back -without having found out, it looks as though he was pretty far gone -already.” And Cyril quitted the room in a hurry, dexterously avoiding -the boot which Caerleon hurled at him. - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - A CANDID FRIENDSHIP. - -In the morning no reference was made to the conversation of the -evening before on the part either of Caerleon or of Cyril, although -the latter found an ominous confirmation of his suspicions in the fact -that his brother did not offer to change his plans in any way as a -consequence of what had been said. - -“He must really be smitten with the girl,” argued Cyril, mentally, -“for if he wasn’t, he would take fright at the hints I gave him, and -want to part company with these people at once. Well, it’s his own -look-out. He ought to marry, and it’s very evident that he’ll marry -whom he likes. This girl is not bad-looking, and it’s a strong point -in her favour that the O’Malachy daren’t set foot on English ground. A -decent veil can be drawn over his existence so long as he keeps out of -the way. At any rate, it’s not my business to make a fuss, and if I -did, Caerleon would probably go and propose at once. I’m glad I said -what I did, for now he knows what he’s about. He can’t say that he’s -been let in for anything blindfold, but I mean to be satisfied with -that.” - -Having decided on adopting the attitude of benevolent neutrality, -Cyril accompanied his brother without a murmur to the post-office, and -the telegram refusing Count Temeszy’s invitation was duly despatched. -Returning towards the inn, they took their way through the Kurgarten, -a desolate piece of ground adorned with a few straggling bushes and a -good many dilapidated plaster statues, and here they found the -O’Malachy family, occupying three of the paintless and rickety chairs -arranged in a circle round the kiosk in which the waters of the -medicinal spring were dispensed by an unattractive Hebe. The O’Malachy -was sipping his morning tumbler of greenish and muddy-looking fluid -with the air of a martyr, while his wife, in the most coquettish of -Parisian morning costumes and hats, was communicating to her daughter -her impressions of the few other health-seekers who patronised the -Janoszwar waters, the majority of whom were the Hungarian Jewesses she -regarded with such strong aversion. Nadia sat bolt upright beside her, -silent and rebellious, her face, with its expression of enforced -resignation, protesting, as clearly as her attitude, against her -mother’s discourse and the delight she took in it. The contrast -between the two figures--the one so markedly rigid and repellent, the -other all that was graceful, pliant, and pleasing--was a sharp one, -and Caerleon, as he approached, found himself wishing emphatically, -although in silence, that Nadia could manage to avoid the -contamination of her surroundings without holding herself so -aggressively aloof from them. Cyril was less reticent. - -“Good gracious! how sulky that girl looks,” he remarked. “Wretchedly -bad form to listen to her mother’s talk with that face on. Such talk -as it is, too! I wish we had Madame O’Malachy at some of the houses -one goes to in London. Her conversational powers are lost out here.” - -“Perhaps Miss O’Malachy finds the talk less edifying than it is -lively,” said Caerleon, absently, trying to put himself in Nadia’s -place, and to realise the disgust which the stream of scandal and -innuendo in which her mother delighted must arouse in her. - -“Don’t be a prig,” was the sole answer vouchsafed by Cyril; and they -went on and greeted the O’Malachys, and annexed two unoccupied chairs -near them, Caerleon contriving to place himself beside Nadia, Cyril -beside her mother. Presently the O’Malachy finished his penance, and -they rose and sauntered together towards the hotel. - -“We have heard from my son this morning, my dear marquis,” said Madame -O’Malachy to Caerleon. “He hopes to be with us to-morrow.” - -“Does he intend to make a long stay here?” - -“Alas, no! He is still mad on the subject of Thracia, and insists on -going there almost immediately. What can he expect but defeat and -ruin? But he shall not go into danger alone. There are mineral springs -at Tatarjé, which the O’Malachy has been advised to visit, and we -shall all accompany my poor misguided Louis. We may not be able to do -much, but at any rate we shall be near him.” - -“But if the country is in such a dangerous state, are you not afraid -to visit it?” asked Caerleon. - -“Afraid!” repeated Madame O’Malachy, high scorn in her tone. “My dear -marquis, for what do you take us? We are accustomed to danger.” - -“I should rather like to see Thracia,” remarked Caerleon, not very -relevantly. “It must be a very interesting country.” - -“Then why wouldn’t you and Lord Cyrul come with us?” asked the -O’Malachy. - -“Oh no, my friend,” cried his wife, “that would never do. Have you -forgotten the unsettled state of Thracia? Do you not remember that the -people hate travellers, throw all kinds of vexatious restrictions in -their way, seize every opportunity of insulting and injuring them? Our -dear marquis must not come. The country is positively dangerous.” - -“Is that intended as a reason for our not visiting it?” asked -Caerleon. “Cyril, I think we’ll make a tour in Thracia.” - -“Oh, all right,” said Cyril. “I hope your will is made, though as I am -to be with you, it won’t much matter.” - -“But you cannot intend this in earnest?” asked Madame O’Malachy, with -a most ingenuous air of simplicity. “I tell you that it is absolutely -dangerous to go to Thracia.” - -“You are going the wrong way to keep our friends back, Barbara,” said -the O’Malachy. “Do you not know that to hear that a place is dangerous -makes ut their juty to visut ut?” - -“But these English are so strange!” cried his wife, with artless -amazement. “They write letters to their ‘Times’ to complain if the -slightest inconvenience touches them at a hotel, or if a street-boy -calls them a bad name, and yet they go to look for danger when it is -unnecessary.” - -“One of the contradictions of human nature,” remarked the O’Malachy, -grimly, but when he and his wife and daughter had reached their own -room, he returned to the subject: “I don’t know what you were driving -at just now, Barbara. Were you really trying to turn the young fellers -back, or not? Caerleon is a decent boy enough. Was your heart suddenly -filled with compassion for um, or were you trying to make terms with -your conscience?” - -“That is it,” returned Madame O’Malachy, with a side-glance at her -daughter. “I do not wish to have it on my conscience that I brought -these young men into Thracia. It is not my affair.” - -“Then whose is it?” asked Nadia. - -“I say,” went on her mother, “that I have done all in my power to turn -them back. _I_ have not led them on to their ruin. _I_ have not made -myself disagreeable to my own family, and pleasant to them, that I -might induce them to attach themselves to my company. When they get -into trouble--into danger,” raising her voice as Nadia rose hurriedly -and left the room, “their blood will not be on _my_ head.” - -“How you women hate one another!” laughed the O’Malachy, softly. - - - -Louis O’Malachy arrived the next day, a dark-browed, taciturn, -broad-shouldered young man, about a year older than Nadia, moving with -a peculiar stiffness, as though his movements had always been -restrained by a tight uniform, or by the orders of a drill-sergeant. -He took a great fancy to Cyril,--at least, his mother said that he had -done so, and it was quite true that he lost no opportunity of seeking -his company. Indeed, the brothers found it almost impossible to escape -from him, for whenever they went out, he invariably made his -appearance, and offered himself as their companion. This being the -case, Madame O’Malachy, out of compassion for Caerleon, who found -himself, as she phrased it, the unwelcome third in this devoted -comradeship, fell into the habit of ordering Nadia to accompany her -brother on all these occasions. To Caerleon himself she observed, with -a cold-blooded frankness which reminded him of her daughter’s first -interview with him, that to no one but an Englishman would she think -of permitting the privilege of escorting Mdlle. O’Malachy in her -walks, but she understood that in England it was only when young -people were not allowed to meet freely that there was any fear that -complications might arise. She made this remark in Nadia’s hearing, -and the girl, who had resisted the proposal strenuously in private, -yielded in sheer terror as to what her mother might proceed to say to -Caerleon if she still hung back. She knew perfectly well that he -divined her reason for coming, and pitied her for it, and the -realisation plunged her into the depths of confusion and shame, -sensations which were quite new to her. That she, who in her Scythian -home had looked the whole world in the face, without a particle of -fear, should now be trembling lest this Englishman, almost a stranger, -should lay his finger on a quivering wound, made her abjectly -miserable. It needed all Caerleon’s tact, all his careful insistence -on the _rôle_ of friendly critic which he had adopted when they first -met, to re-establish matters on a footing of any confidence between -them. He succeeded in appearing so unconscious of anything wrong that -she persuaded herself at last that he had not perceived the -implication conveyed in her mother’s words, and after this she was at -ease with him again, and they discussed social and political problems, -illustrated from the experience of each, to their hearts’ content, -while Cyril and Louis luxuriated in Balkan politics. Cyril was deeply -interested in this young enthusiast, and not a little puzzled by him -also. Louis was still intending to proceed to Thracia in a few days, -in order to offer his services to M. Drakovics, but his utterances on -the subject were not marked by the fiery fanaticism which might have -been expected from him on the authority of his past record. - -“An enthusiast?” said Cyril to himself. “He’s no more an enthusiast -than I am, and that’s putting it pretty strong. A plotter he may be. -If he’s a patriot, he’s one of his father’s stamp, the dynamite and -dagger school. And yet only an enthusiast would have taken such a step -as to throw up his commission in the Scythian army for the sake of -joining the Thracians. But what is he doing here? If he means to go to -Thracia, why not hurry on there at once? It’s not like an enthusiast -to stick for days doing nothing at Janoszwar. Perhaps he hopes to -enlist Caerleon and me as volunteers. Perhaps he doesn’t like -Caerleon’s dangling after his sister. Can that be it?” - -He thought of the contemptuous sniff with which Louis had more than -once manifested his opinion of the way in which Caerleon gravitated -inevitably to Nadia’s side when they took their walks, but otherwise -there was nothing to show that he disapproved of the intimacy. He -might not welcome it, but he was not actively hostile; by no word nor -action would he influence the result in either direction. - -“Is he a philosopher or a blackmailer?” soliloquised Cyril. “Or does -he only think Caerleon is a fool? I know men often are amused when any -one falls in love with their sisters, and I can’t say that I wonder at -it myself in this case. What Caerleon can find to like in that sulky -girl I can’t imagine, but he really seems to be hooked this time.” - -Whatever Caerleon’s inducement might be, he went on his way calmly, -heeding neither Cyril’s lack of sympathy nor young O’Malachy’s scoffs, -for he had now fully made up his mind about Nadia. At first he had -been alternately attracted and repelled by her, but the repulsion had -gradually faded before the attraction. The girl was so transparently -honest, so sincere in her earnest intolerance, so unconventional in -the way in which she persisted in testing everything by the standards -of right and wrong, instead of those of custom and fashion, that the -man who had turned in disgust from the artificiality of the frivolous -or emancipated girls he had met in troops in London could not but hail -her as a kindred spirit. It is true that she offended his taste and -outraged his views of propriety twenty times a day by her decided -utterances, but now that he knew what prompted these remarks he could -honour the intention if he could not appreciate the result. And -besides, she was softening, he was sure, under the influence of her -friendship with him--he could not mistake the change; and it was -seldom indeed that she addressed him nowadays with the abruptness -which he had mentally stigmatised as _farouche_ on his first meeting -with her. In the society of her own family, however, this change was -not visible, and she was still rigid, severe, uncompromisingly plain -of speech. In his character of candid friend, Caerleon felt it to be -his duty to take her to task occasionally on this subject. - -“I wish,” he said to her one day with some trepidation, for he had -suffered more than once in his self-imposed task of smoothing down the -angles of this young lady’s disposition, “that you could think it -right to leave off apologising when you have said anything unpleasant. -You have quite dropped it with me, you know, but you keep it up with -my brother and your own people.” - -“But you told me that it was worse to you than the rude things I had -said,” objected Nadia, “and it is not so with the rest.” - -“No, indeed, they enjoy it,” said Caerleon, “and that is just why I -hate it. Can’t you see that your brother and mine think it a good joke -to stir you up to say rude things, just for the pleasure of hearing -you apologise with a jerk the next minute?” - -“Yes, I see it,” she answered; “but that makes it all the better -discipline for me.” - -“Not for me,” said Caerleon. “I think your system ought to take some -account of other people’s feelings.” - -“But surely,” she said, “if I give pleasure to my brother and yours by -acting in this way, I am considering other people’s feelings in doing -it?” - -Her voice as she asked the question was not particularly cheerful, but -Caerleon treasured up the remark in his memory as the first approach -to a joke that he had ever heard Nadia utter. - -“Wouldn’t it be equally good discipline,” he said, “to stop before -saying the rude things, and try to say something pleasant instead?” - -“But that would not be true.” Nadia regarded him with absolute horror. -“Come what may, I must be true.” - -“It’s rather presumptuous of me to quote texts to you,” said Caerleon, -“but isn’t there something about ‘speaking the truth in love’?” - -“Why should it be presumptuous of you to quote texts to me?” she -asked, quickly. - -“Well, you see,” he answered, with some hesitation, “I don’t live by -rule, as you do. I haven’t a system of self-discipline, or anything of -that sort.” - -“You think I am proud--conceited?” she said. “You think I set myself -up upon a pedestal? Ah no, Lord Caerleon, I entreat you, do not think -that. God knows how very weak and feeble I am, how continually I -discover in myself that horrible temptation to insincerity. Since I -have known you, it has beset me even more than before. Because I know -that you are listening, I am perpetually tempted to let things pass, -to join for politeness’ sake in conversation that I know is wrong. You -cannot tell what it costs me to speak out, and you try to make it -harder for me.” - -“Indeed I don’t wish to do that,” said Caerleon, touched by the -illogical reproach of her last sentence. “I only want to ask you -whether you couldn’t make your protests mentally, and not aloud. I -never like to hear a girl speak to her mother as you do. Can’t you -make some allowance for her? She must have had a hard life--and bad -training, perhaps. There may be more excuse for her than we think.” - -“I wish I knew it, then!” cried Nadia. “You have not seen as much of -her as I have; you cannot know her as I do. She delights in intrigue -for its own sake. It gives her an artistic pleasure to do a thing in a -roundabout way instead of straight. Do you not see that it is far -worse for me to realise this than it can be for you? You cannot tell -what torture it was for me to find out, when I first came here from -home--from my godmother’s--that my mother would never tell the truth -if a falsehood were possible. I felt that I must stand against her -influence, or I might grow like her.” - -“I don’t fancy you would,” said Caerleon; “but of course, as you say, -you are a better judge of your own circumstances than I am. I suppose -you feel the same with reference to your brother. It seems as though -you had scarcely a civil word for him.” - -“He has not many for me,” said Nadia, drily. “No, I do not like Louis. -He is not good.” - -“Not like him!” cried Caerleon. “But he is your brother.” - -“I hope I love him,” said Nadia, meditatively. “I should not like -anything bad to happen to him. To do him good--to save his soul--I -would die, oh, how willingly! But I cannot like him.” - -“But wouldn’t you be better able to do him good if you did like him?” -asked Caerleon. Nadia considered for a moment. - -“I can’t help it. One cannot like a person who one knows is not good. -You yourself, if Milord Cyril were to become false, to break his -faith, you could not like him any longer.” - -“I see what you mean, but I’m afraid I should have a sneaking fondness -for the poor old chap still,” said Caerleon. “But has your brother -done anything, that you should talk of him in this way?” - -“I do not _know_,” was the reply. “I only guess. They tell me nothing. -But I have found out enough to be sure about him.” - -“And what is that?” asked Caerleon, incautiously. Nadia drew herself -up. - -“That I cannot tell you, Lord Caerleon. If you had now any interest in -Thracia, or were likely to be at all affected by my brother’s doings, -I might tell you what I believe to be the truth, but you cannot expect -me to gratify mere curiosity.” - -“I beg your pardon, I’m sure,” said Caerleon, taken aback by this -outburst. “Pray don’t think that I want to know anything you don’t -wish to tell me.” - -“Please forgive me,” said Nadia. “I was rude again. Only I am afraid -of telling you what I ought not, and I don’t wish to be disloyal, even -to my family.” - -“I quite understand,” said Caerleon, although at the very moment he -was reflecting that the ins and outs of a woman’s mind were beyond the -wit of man to penetrate. “But tell me what you mean by saying _if_ I -had any interest in Thracia? I remember that on the day I met you -first you told me you were sorry when I declined the crown. Why was -it?” - -“Because I thought you ought to have accepted it,” returned Nadia. -Then, fearing that her tone had been slightly dictatorial, she added, -hastily, “I mean that if I had been in your place I should have -accepted it.” - -“But you thought so--you, a Scythian in politics?” asked Caerleon. - -“I thought I had told you that our circle--my godmother’s--are not -necessarily Scythian in politics,” said Nadia. “We desire to take the -side of justice, of right. I am certain that if Scythia were to enter -on an unrighteous war, Count Wratisloff would lift up his voice -against it at once. And so we desired for Thracia only the man who -would be most likely to rule it well.” - -“Then you think I ought to have accepted the crown?” said Caerleon -again. She caught him up quickly. - -“I cannot judge for you. Only your own conscience can do that. But I -have always been taught never to refuse work that offered itself -unsought, unless it would interfere with other work on which one was -already engaged, and even then one should consider carefully which was -the more important of the two. You know best where your -responsibilities would have been greatest--in Thracia, or at home in -England. Wherever there was most to do, there your work lay, I think. -And you might have done so much for Thracia!” - -“But would you have had me go there against my father’s express wish?” -asked Caerleon, indignantly. “If you will allow me to have had a -conscience at all in the matter, I believe it pointed distinctly to -staying at home as the right thing for me to do.” - -“That made a difference,” assented Nadia. “I cannot judge of your -circumstances for you, as I have said, but I was sorry at the time -that you refused the crown, and I am sorry still that you are not King -of Thracia now. You might do so much good there.” - -A little annoyed by her persistence, Caerleon walked on beside her in -silence for a while. They had left Cyril and Louis far behind, and -were following a path which presently crossed the main road cut -through the mountains. At ordinary times the road was almost as lonely -as the rocky paths, but on this occasion a band of men were visible in -the distance, coming from the direction of the plain. - -“It must be some of the Thracian harvesters,” said Nadia. “When their -own harvest is ended, numbers of them cross into Hungary and hire -themselves out to help the farmers, for the corn ripens later here. I -suppose they are returning home with their wages, now that the harvest -is over.” - -As they walked on, they gained a closer view of the Thracians, a body -of tall, lithe, dark-skinned men, tired and footsore, wearing ragged -clothes that had once been gaily coloured, shirts that had once been -white, and great leather boots. They slackened their pace as they -approached the strangers, and one man, who seemed to be the leader of -the party, addressed Nadia in broken German. - -“Oh, the poor things!” she said, turning to Caerleon. “This has been a -terribly bad year for them. The rain and the floods have injured the -corn so much that there was scarcely any harvest. They have only -earned enough to keep them while at work, and they have nothing to buy -food with on their journey home. I wish I could give them something, -but I have no money,” and she exhibited an empty purse as she spoke. - -“Poor beggars!” said Caerleon. “Give them this, Miss O’Malachy,” and -he turned a handful of loose coin out of his pocket and poured it into -Nadia’s hand. She gave it to the man, who was profuse in his -gratitude, and rapidly reckoning up the value of the money, said that -it would be enough to feed himself and his companions until they -reached their homes. Turning over the coins in his hand as if to -assure himself of their reality, he came upon an English shilling, and -looked at it in a puzzled way. - -“Tell him that it’s all right, and that he can get it changed in the -first big town he comes to,” said Caerleon to Nadia; but when she -interpreted the words to the man, he scouted the idea that there was -anything wrong about the coin. They liked English things, he said, and -he would make a hole in the shilling and wear it in memory of the -gracious lady who had given it to him. - -“Oh, but it was not mine,” said Nadia, hastily. “You must thank Lord -Caerleon.” - -“Lor’ Carlin’?” repeated the man, puzzled. Then, as Nadia pointed to -Caerleon, his faced beamed with delight. “Not Carlino? the English -Prince Carlino?” - -“Yes,” said Nadia. “Prince and king are the only titles they -understand,” she added, to Caerleon, who was suffering agonies of -embarrassment at the moment, for the man went down on his knees before -him, and kissed his hand and laid it on his head. Then, before -Caerleon could protest, he had risen, and was beckoning frantically to -his companions, calling out to them in an unknown tongue. - -“This is too much,” said Caerleon to Nadia. “I shall tell them that -you gave them the money after all.” - -“But that would not be true,” responded Nadia, in her matter-of-fact -way; and Caerleon was forced to allow his hand to be kissed by each of -the men in turn, the leader closing the ceremony by going through it -himself a second time, saying earnestly in his barbarous German-- - -“Ah, why did not your Highness come to Thracia?” - -“There!” said Nadia, when they had gone on their way, followed by the -blessings of the Thracians, “think how much you might have done for -these poor men if you had been king. The whole country is desolate, or -only half cultivated. It needs draining, improving, farming on proper -methods. You Englishmen all understand farming, don’t you? You could -teach them just the things they ought to learn, and introduce English -implements. And then, you could also enforce temperance legislation. -The people drink dreadfully, rich and poor alike, and there is no -Government control of the liquor traffic. It would be virgin soil, the -ideal spot for testing all the schemes. You could try as many -experiments as you liked, even if you did not insist on total -prohibition at once.” - -“I’m afraid I should experiment myself off the throne in no time,” -said Caerleon, laughing, but Nadia glanced at him without a smile. - -“Better to fall through doing right than to succeed through doing -wrong,” she said. - -“You are oracular to-day,” said Caerleon, but this made her angry, and -she told him that as he did not like the way she talked, she would not -talk at all,--a decision to which she adhered persistently, so that -they returned to the hotel in silence. Her petulance was the more -provoking in that this was their last day at Janoszwar, and that on -the morrow the O’Malachy family would start on their journey to -Thracia, while Cyril and Caerleon continued their walking-tour. It was -their intention first to visit a number of ruined castles and other -objects of interest out of the beaten track, and then to rejoin their -friends at Witska, a mountain village celebrated for a medicinal -spring, and situated exactly on the Thracian frontier. Just at the -last moment Louis O’Malachy volunteered to accompany them on their -tramp, and as they could not very well refuse his offer they accepted -it, although neither of them anticipated much pleasure from his -society. - -“He must be up to something,” soliloquised Cyril; “but what can it be? -I suppose we have merely to await developments; but meanwhile, to -avoid any risk of accident, I will get Miss O’Malachy to do a little -piece of business for me.” - -This piece of business was merely the posting of the letter of -introduction to M. Drakovics which Mrs Sadleir had intrusted to Cyril; -but he had an idea that Louis might wish, for some reason of his own, -to intercept the missive if he knew of its existence, or even saw it -posted, for he could not rid himself of the notion that the taciturn -young patriot had other ends in view than that of furthering the -independence of Thracia. Acting on this resolution, he succeeded in -finding Nadia alone, and gave the letter into her charge, to be posted -as soon as possible after her arrival on Thracian soil, adding at a -venture that it might prove to have an important effect on the -after-history of Europe. He saw at once that she understood what he -meant, and that she sympathised with his object, for her face lighted -up. - -“I see. I will be most careful. I thank you for trusting me--for -letting me help, Lord Cyril.” - -“What a fanatic the girl is!” said Cyril to himself, as he went his -way; but he entertained a comfortable conviction that it was rather -safer to trust a fanatic than a cynic, and he felt secure as to the -fate of Mrs Sadleir’s letter, and the note he had written to accompany -it. An hour later he left Janoszwar with Caerleon and Louis, and they -began a tour for which none of them cared much, except to count the -days until it should come to an end. Caerleon missed his talks with -Nadia, Cyril was anxious to get to Witska and see whether the letter -had produced any effect on M. Drakovics, and Louis displayed an -eagerness to reach Thracia, and enlist in the patriot army, which was -rather inconsistent with his having come on the tour at all. In -consequence, they clung most carefully to the route they had laid down -previously, and no one suggested digressions even when the most famous -ruins or inviting landscapes were found to lie just a few hours’ march -off the road. On the very day they had fixed they reached Witska, a -picturesque little town with rocky streets, and whitewashed houses -clinging to the steep hillside, and found it filled with numbers of -men from the plains in their holiday attire. - - - - CHAPTER V. - A CALL OF DUTY. - -“There must be a fair or festival of some sort going on,” said -Caerleon, as they made their way to the inn, where it had been -arranged that the O’Malachy was to secure rooms for them. - -“Perhaps the people have come together to do you honour,” suggested -Louis, lightly enough, but it struck Cyril that there was a shade of -anxiety in his tone. - -The inn was an oriental-looking house built round a courtyard, but -conforming to the customs of the West so far as to possess a -coffee-room--a fact which was proudly announced in German and Thracian -in very large letters. There were no windows on the exterior of the -house to the ground-floor rooms, a testimony to the frequent -occurrence of border raids and attacks from brigands in the days when -the inn was built, but balconies ran round each of the two upper -storeys, both inside and outside, giving the only means of access to -the rooms which opened upon them. The courtyard was thronged with -people, among whom Caerleon fancied he recognised some of the -harvesters that Nadia and he had met a fortnight before, and they -watched with breathless curiosity the three dusty figures in tourist -suits and hobnailed boots, and commented upon their appearance audibly -but unintelligibly. The landlord, who met them at the door, bowed -almost to the ground before them, but as he could speak no tongue of -Western Europe, they were unable to question him as to the nature of -the attraction which had brought the crowd together. Behind him, -however, stood Wright the groom, doing his best to compose his face, -which had wreathed itself into an irrepressible grin of delight at -welcoming his master, into the blank immobility which he considered -becoming and suitable. In his hand was a visiting-card, which he -presented to Caerleon. - -“The gentleman up-stairs give it me for you, my lord, and ’e’s waitin’ -for you in the coffee-room, and I do ’ope, my lord, if I may make so -bold, as your lordship don’t think of stayin’ long in this ’ere -country, where there ain’t a creetur can speak a word of a Crishtan -tongue.” - -“That remains to be seen,” said Cyril, looking round Caerleon’s -shoulder at the card, and seeing, as he expected, the name of M. -Drakovics. - -“Has the old brute come to plague me again about his precious -kingdom?” said Caerleon, impatiently. “He might have waited until I -had made myself respectable, at any rate. Well, I suppose I must see -him, but I’ll wash off a little of the dust of travel first”--“and -just ask Nadia what she really thinks about the business,” he added to -himself, as Wright led the way up-stairs, and along the gallery which -crossed the front of the house. - -“Which are the O’Malachy’s rooms, Wright?” he asked aloud, but as he -spoke, Madame O’Malachy glided out of a doorway near him with her -finger on her lip. - -“Ah, my dear marquis, I am enchanted to see you!” she said, brightly. -“But I will not detain you; you are summoned to more important -business than talking with a chattering old woman--is it not so? Only -I would ask you to have the great kindness to step softly and not to -speak loud, for my daughter is a little indisposed.” - -“Miss O’Malachy ill? I hope it is not serious?” cried Caerleon. - -“Nothing serious, I assure you. Merely a slight headache and -lassitude, which will pass off to-morrow. Rest and quiet are her best -medicines. She is too energetic, too eager for work, my dear marquis, -but I know that I may count on your consideration.” - -She went back into her room, and Caerleon pursued his way -disappointed. - -“I shan’t be able to ask her about this wretched kingdom, then,” he -grumbled to himself. “But, after all, I know what she thinks, for she -gave me her views pretty plainly the last time I talked to her.” - -“The old gentleman seemed to be in a orful ’urry, my lord,” put in -Wright, and Caerleon made a hasty toilet, and entered the coffee-room, -where M. Drakovics was marching impatiently from the door to the -window and back again. Caerleon would have shaken hands with him, but -he drew back with a low bow. - -“Your Majesty,” he said, “I am here to announce to you that by a -_plébiscite_ of the whole nation you are a second time invited to -occupy the throne of Thracia. I have with me a petition signed by -every member of the Legislative Assembly, and by the mayor of every -township and the head of every village community in the country, -entreating you to lay aside your scruples, and come to our help. The -people will accept any conditions you may choose to make, as to -advisers, Civil List, or anything of the kind;--I know that this will -not affect your decision,” as Caerleon turned away with an impatient -gesture, “but I mention it to show you that the Thracians wish to deal -generously with the man who will honour them by taking up their cause -against the world.” - -“I must have the night to think it over,” said Caerleon, after some -moments of futile consideration. “You will remain here as my guest, I -hope? By the bye, who are all the people outside?” - -“They are your Majesty’s loyal subjects,” returned M. Drakovics, “who -have come here to conduct you, as they hope, in triumph to -Bellaviste.” - -“Very kind of them,” said Caerleon, “but I am not their king yet. This -proceeding looks unpleasantly like compulsion, M. Drakovics. I have no -idea of being made king by force.” - -“Your Majesty is entirely mistaken,” returned M. Drakovics in alarm. -“These men are here with the sole intention of doing you honour, and -of adding their entreaties to mine if you should prove to be still -obdurate. They are all patriots, almost in despair for their country, -for we are convinced that Scythia is meditating some great blow -against us.” - -“Well, I will think about it,” said Caerleon, and no further allusion -was made to the subject during the evening. - -On the plea of extreme fatigue, Caerleon and Cyril excused themselves -to their guest as early as was possible with due regard for -politeness, and prepared to consider the situation in concert. Leaning -out of the window of Caerleon’s room, with the watch-fires of the -expectant Thracians starring the mountain-slopes on every hand, they -discussed the subject in all its bearings. As was generally the case -on such occasions, Cyril did most of the talking, and he summed up his -arguments very concisely before they separated for the night. - -“The question is just this, Caerleon: have you backbone enough to be a -Thracian for the future, instead of an Englishman? That’s what it will -come to, you know. There will be the most awful row at home, and we -may find ourselves outlawed, or declared guilty of high treason, or I -don’t know what. So long as we keep to Thracian soil, we shall be all -right, if we can only manage to stay there; but I suppose if we -ventured into any British possession they might put us in prison and -keep us there out of harm’s way. Scythia is bound to make a fuss, and -to send the strongest possible diplomatic representations to St -James’s about us even if she doesn’t go to war, and you must make up -your mind to disregard appeals and commands, from whomsoever they may -come, and public opinion too. You won’t any longer be a British peer, -poor, perhaps, but universally looked up to--but an adventurer,--a -filibuster, in fact. That’s the bad side of it. On the other hand, you -consider that your country has treated you pretty shabbily, and holds -out no particular prospects to you in your present circumstances. -Forfar and the Duke never did much for you either, and I don’t see -that you need refuse such an offer as this just to save them from -diplomatic complications. Of course, if the worst came to the worst, -you might sacrifice yourself, and abdicate magnanimously in order to -prevent a European war, but I don’t think it will get as far as that. -Scythia will brag and bluster--perhaps try to put you out of the way, -but that is our private affair. And in Thracia you have just the field -you have always wanted for your administrative and philanthropic -talents. From what Drakovics says, they seem to have a fairly good -army, but very little else. You will have to make the nation. Oh, -there’s no question as to which is the biggest thing to do. As King of -Thracia, in the people’s present state of mind, your opportunities -would be limitless.” - -“And that is what one ought to think of,” said Caerleon, recalling -Nadia’s words. “Cyril, old man, I’ll take it.” - -“Good for you, old chap,” returned Cyril. “I say, I suppose I shall -have to call you ‘your Majesty’ now--in public, that is. Behind the -scenes, the augurs may wink as they please. Well, I bag the post of -your private secretary, at any rate. That will enable me to give your -Majesty a good wigging when I think it called for, and to keep you -from getting into trouble. Well, now that your royal mind is made up, -I’m off. Ta, ta.” - -When the two young men entered the coffee-room in the morning, M. -Drakovics advanced to meet them, far too anxious as to the result of -their conference to let the matter rest until after breakfast, as -Caerleon had intended. The Premier’s face was worn and haggard with -anxiety, and his voice shook as he asked-- - -“May I inquire whether your Majesty has decided what course you will -take?” - -“Yes,” said Caerleon. “I have made up my mind to accept the crown.” - -He had no time to say more, for, to his horror and Cyril’s delight, M. -Drakovics fell at his feet and covered his hands with kisses, while he -tried in vain to induce him to rise. Cyril recovered himself first. - -“Perhaps we might postpone any further raptures until after -breakfast,” he suggested, mildly. “Even kings have appetites,--their -brothers certainly have.” - -“One moment!” cried M. Drakovics, rising and going towards the window. -“Your majesty cannot tell what a load you have taken from my heart,” -he added, huskily, turning again to Caerleon. “I am satisfied now as -to the future of my country. But I must tell the people. They have -been as anxious as myself, and they will rejoice as I do.” - -He stepped out on the balcony, and addressed the crowd of Thracians, -who had again gathered in front of the house. A tremendous shout burst -from them when he had finished speaking. Turning round with blazing -eyes he beckoned to Caerleon. - -“Show yourself to your people, your Majesty. Speak a few words to -them--I will interpret--and they will love you for ever.” - -Caerleon followed him out, intending to comply with the request, but -speech was impossible in presence of the cry of welcome that went up -as soon as he became visible. For some minutes he was perforce silent, -while the people shouted themselves hoarse, flung their caps into the -air, leaped for joy, embraced one another, and wept copiously. He felt -oddly reminded of his coming of age, and how he had risen to make his -speech at the great dinner his father had given to the Llandiarmid -tenants amid a scene of excitement such as this, when the sturdy -farmers had sprung up like one man, and drunk his health with -acclamations. They had presented him with an old silver -punch-bowl--rather an incongruous gift for an uncompromising -temperance man--and it had put him into an awkward predicament. A -happy thought had struck him, he remembered, and he had told them that -he would use the bowl for salad--a statement which was regarded as an -exquisite joke, and received with shouts of approving laughter. It was -queer that this should all pass through his mind now, as he stood -waiting until the rejoicing calmed down a little, and he was able to -obtain a moment’s silence. He found himself almost as much at a loss -for words as on that earlier occasion, but at last he managed to say-- - -“Gentlemen” (he felt strongly that this form of address sounded as -though he were speaking to his former constituents rather than to his -subjects, but it was difficult to know what other to use. “My people” -would be a ridiculous affectation as yet, and “Men of Thracia” sounded -theatrical). “Gentlemen, your trusted leader, M. Drakovics, has done -me the honour of inviting me in your name to accept the crown of -Thracia. It is only fair for me to tell you that I don’t feel at all -equal to the task of governing; but I have thought over the matter, -and I hope that I am doing the right thing in undertaking it. God -helping me, my sole aim will be to do what I can for the good of -Thracia and the peace of Europe. I feel sure that I may count upon the -help and advice of M. Drakovics in the difficulties which are sure to -meet us, and I can promise to stick to you if you will stick to me.” - -There! it was over, and he was conscious that he had made a wretched -mull of what he had meant to say, and felt certain that Cyril was -grinning behind him, and maturing chaff on the subject of “House of -Commons oratory,” but M. Drakovics was translating his words to the -Thracians, and they were replying with shouts of applause which echoed -back from the mountain-side. - -“Long live the English prince! Long live King Carlino! Down with -Scythia! Long live Thracia and King Carlino!” - -“I say, you know, this won’t do,” Cyril was saying to M. Drakovics, as -soon as the three on the balcony could hear each other speak. “What do -they mean by talking like that? His name is Philip. He can’t go down -to posterity as King Caerleon. It would be as bad as King York or King -Lancaster. You must put them right.” - -“That we can do in his Majesty’s proclamations,” said M. Drakovics. -“The people have grown so much accustomed to the name Carlino that I -fear they will always apply it to him. It sounds familiar to their -ears, and it is a kind of affectionate diminutive. But with regard to -our future plans----” he went on, addressing Caerleon. “Will your -Majesty allow me to tell the people that you will start to-day on your -journey to Bellaviste?” - -“Is it really necessary?” asked Caerleon. “I hate doing things in such -a hurry.” - -“It is absolutely necessary,” returned M. Drakovics, “that your -Majesty should be crowned as speedily as possible. The whole future of -your reign may depend upon it.” - -“Oh, very well,” said Caerleon. “In for a penny, in for a pound. I -have to live for Thracia now, I suppose. I’ll tell my man to pack up.” - -He went back into the room before M. Drakovics could forestall him, or -even intimate to Cyril that it would look well for him to do his -brother’s errands in future, and ran up-stairs to look for Wright, for -bells there were none in this primitive hostelry. But Wright and the -reason for seeking him were speedily forgotten when he reached the -upper balcony, for he saw Nadia coming towards him from the direction -of the rooms occupied by the O’Malachy family. - -“I hope you are better this morning,” he said, eagerly, hastening to -meet her. “I am so glad to see that you are able to be up.” - -“But I am always up at six,” said Nadia. “Did you think I was ill?” - -“I understood from your mother----” he began, but remembering that to -finish would be to charge Madame O’Malachy with deceiving him, he -changed the form of his sentence lamely enough, “I saw nothing of you -when I got here yesterday, you know, and I was afraid you were not -well.” - -“Did you expect to find me at the gate waiting for you?” asked Nadia, -sharply. “Oh, I did not intend to be so rude,” and she blushed -crimson. “I only mean that my room is at the back of the house, and I -did not even know you had arrived.” - -“I was hoping,” said Caerleon, deliberately, “that we might meet again -as friends, though I was so unfortunate as to offend you the last time -we had a talk.” - -“Now you are trying to make me ashamed of myself for being cross,” -said Nadia, “and it is not kind of you. Lord Caerleon,” she broke off -suddenly, and surveyed him with puzzled eyes, “has anything happened? -What is the matter?” - -“Why?” he asked. - -“Because you look different. Something has happened. What is it?” - -“Well, I am once more king elect, or designate, or whatever you like -to call it, of Thracia, if that will account for it. I didn’t know -that the divinity that doth hedge a king was visible outwardly, but I -suppose that’s what you mean.” - -“You have accepted the crown?” she asked, anxiously. - -“I have accepted it, bearing in mind my last conversation with you. I -hope you are pleased with me now?” - -“It was what I said that influenced you to consent? You would not have -done it otherwise?” - -“Scarcely, I think; but you showed me my duty so very clearly that I -could hardly turn my back on it. You made it quite evident that you -considered I was shirking responsibility when I refused the crown -before.” - -“But how can it signify what I thought of you? How can my conscience -judge for yours? Oh, I have been thinking often since we have been -here that I may have led you wrong. I ought to have advised you to see -which was the harder to do--to accept or decline the crown--and to -choose that.” - -“But this is a new standard!” cried Caerleon. “Is it to take the place -of the measuring of the responsibilities?” - -“Not exactly; only to be used with it. Don’t you see? Perhaps you -prefer a responsible position, and then it might be better for you to -take a lower place.” - -“I don’t quite see it,” said Caerleon; “but no doubt it’s all right, -since it satisfies you.” - -“Oh, don’t follow me!” she cried, passionately. “I may have led you -wrong already. Is it too late to do anything?” - -“Quite too late, I’m afraid,” said Caerleon. “I am as much King of -Thracia as I can be before I’m crowned, I suppose. Won’t you -congratulate me on my elevation, since I owe it to your influence?” - -He held out his hand, and Nadia took it, but to his horror she stooped -and touched it with her lips. “May God grant your Majesty a long and -useful reign!” she said, and turned to fly, but Caerleon caught her -wrist. - -“Nadia, are you joking?” he said, angrily. - -“Let me go! let me go!” she panted. “Oh, please let me go!” The cry -seemed to be wrung from her by some sudden sharp pain, and Caerleon -saw that her lips were quivering and her eyes full of tears. He loosed -his hold, and she made her escape, leaving him gazing stupidly at the -hand she had kissed. - -“Oh, this little fool!” groaned Madame O’Malachy, at the partially -open door of her room, whence she had witnessed the whole scene. “She -might have had him at her feet at this moment, and now he may not be -able to declare himself for weeks. And for what? A trifle, a caprice, -a nothing! I snap my fingers at it! Will nothing but a crowned king -serve you, mademoiselle? Surely it is as well to receive a crown with -your husband as after him? Ah, these niceties of lovers’ etiquette! -Who cares whether the marquis thinks that his prospective kingdom has -induced you to accept him, or not? You know, and I know, that you have -been in love with him since the second time you saw him. Fool! I have -no patience with you,” and hurling these words through her clenched -teeth at the absent Nadia, her mother hurried through two or three -intermediate rooms and came upon Caerleon through a door at the end of -the balcony. - -“What, my dear marquis, is it you?” she cried, with a start. “You are -early this morning. But perhaps I ought to say ‘your Majesty’? One -cannot pretend not to know the reason of M. Drakovics’s presence -here.” - -“I hope M. Drakovics is happy,” returned Caerleon, in a tone which -showed pretty plainly that he himself was not. “I have accepted the -offer of the Thracian crown.” - -“Then I congratulate the Thracians,” said Madame O’Malachy, heartily. -“My dear marquis (you really must excuse my employing the old title), -I have seldom heard a more delightful piece of news. The Thracians -could not do better, and for yourself it is a situation exactly -adapted to your character and talents. You have your opportunity now.” - -“I thought so myself until a minute ago,” said Caerleon, gloomily; -“but now I begin to doubt it. Nadia will have nothing to say to me.” - -“Nadia--my daughter?” with a slight elevation of the eyebrows. - -“Yes,” said Caerleon, scarcely noticing the touch of _hauteur_ which -the lady had infused into her tone. “She seemed so much disappointed -about my having refused the crown before that I thought she would -certainly be pleased now, and she--she spoke as if she had never met -me before in her life.” - -“But that may be quite as well,” returned Madame O’Malachy, gracefully -determined not to be baulked of her point. “You must remember that the -friendship _à l’anglaise_ which has subsisted hitherto between your -Majesty and my daughter cannot continue under present circumstances. -You will now occupy very different positions.” - -“Is that what Miss O’Malachy is thinking?” asked Caerleon, quickly. - -“I have not spoken to her on the subject, but I have no doubt that she -has that in her mind.” - -“Then might I beg that you will have the kindness to let me see her -again at once, madame? I will do my best to disabuse her of the idea.” - -“But what will you do, my dear marquis?” - -“Ask her to share the throne with me.” - -“But it is impossible!” cried Madame O’Malachy. “I cannot hear of such -a thing. Your Majesty’s chivalrous sentiments have carried you away, -and you are willing to atone for a slight mistake by a lifelong -sacrifice. Your friendship was a mistake--I admit it freely, in view -of the events which have since come to pass--but we will not make -matters worse by overestimating it. I sympathise with you, but I -assure you that you need fear no trouble from us. Suffer us simply to -retire quietly--we will not force ourselves upon your notice, and my -daughter is far too proud to exhibit any regret for what has -happened.” - -“But you don’t understand, madame,” cried Caerleon, impatiently. -“There is nothing to regret in our friendship--on my side, at any -rate. Of course I can’t answer for Miss O’Malachy’s feelings, but I am -only anxious to replace the friendship by--by something stronger.” - -“My dear marquis, I honour your chivalry, but your future is not in -your own hands. M. Drakovics will have something to say about it.” - -“M. Drakovics will have nothing to say on the subject of my marriage. -That is a question I shall settle for myself.” - -“But you must consider your kingdom. Much may depend on your marriage, -and an alliance with a penniless girl not of royal blood--in modern -times, at any rate,” she laughed, “might do you a great deal of harm.” - -“I don’t think I am called upon to consider my kingdom to such an -extent as that,” said Caerleon. “I am anxious to have the matter -settled before I am crowned, so that if the Thracians think themselves -entitled to complain, they may do it before I am irrevocably their -king.” - -“But there is no need to publish your determination,” said Madame -O’Malachy, anxiously. “It would sound as though you wished to defy M. -Drakovics and his party. And there is another reason why you must -proceed very cautiously, and that is Nadia herself. You may trust -me--I am an old woman, old and experienced, and Nadia is very young -and foolish. As a woman of the world, I can appreciate your -willingness to jeopardise your position for her sake; but you know -what she is--an eccentric, a fanatic. I am convinced that she fears -being thought to pursue you on account of your kingdom, and thinks -also that you may have perceived her feelings towards you, and only -desire to marry her out of pity.” - -Caerleon stood pondering. He knew that the woman before him was false -to the core--that very morning had given him another proof of the -fact--but her words sounded so likely to be true, and the state of -feeling they described so characteristic of Nadia, that he was bound -to believe them. After all, she was Nadia’s mother, and ought to -understand her, and what interest could she have in misrepresenting -things in this case? It was only natural to suppose that she would be -more likely to strain every nerve to forward his wishes than to put -obstacles in his way. Moreover, he had now confided in her to such an -extent that he might as well throw himself on her compassion -altogether. - -“But what can I do?” he asked. “You will let me see her and plead my -cause?” - -“Not at present, if you are a wise man,” said Madame O’Malachy. “Leave -her to herself for a little. Let her please her pride with the belief -that she has repulsed you effectually--her heart will suffer all the -more. Then, when you are in your rightful place at Bellaviste, with -all your splendour about you, speak to her again. She must see then -that you seek her only because you love her, and she will be thankful -to perceive it.” - -“But how shall I see her at Bellaviste?” asked Caerleon. “Are you -going on there?” - -“Have you forgotten,” asked Madame O’Malachy, rather reproachfully, -“that it has always been our intention to accompany Louis when he goes -to try and obtain a post in the Thracian army? Shall we be less likely -to visit Thracia now that we have a friend upon the throne?” - -“But why not come on with us now?” asked Caerleon. “May I not have the -pleasure of receiving you as my guests? I don’t know the capacity of -the palace at Bellaviste; but it must certainly be large enough to -accommodate your party, if you don’t mind roughing it for a time in a -bachelor’s household.” - -“A thousand thanks,” said Madame O’Malachy, with her sweetest smile, -“but I am afraid we must decline your hospitable proposition. However, -we will certainly continue our journey into your kingdom, and no doubt -there will be a hotel at Bellaviste which can take us in. Rely upon me -as your friend. I am not an enthusiast, I do not pretend to have no -regard for the splendours of a throne, but I wish you well, and what -help I can give you with this daughter of mine I will.” - -And with this assurance of support Caerleon was obliged to be content. - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - A ROYAL PROGRESS. - -“Where is the King?” asked M. Drakovics, coming into the coffee-room -hastily about an hour later, and finding only Cyril, who was engaged -in performing some complicated operation with a bradawl and the strap -of a knapsack. - -“His Majesty,” returned Cyril, in the choicest ‘Court Circular’ style, -“is walking out this morning, and at this moment is probably -conversing in a friendly spirit with some of his faithful subjects, -through the medium of Mr Louis O’Malachy.” - -“These O’Malachys again!” cried M. Drakovics. “This must be stopped!” - -He turned angrily to leave the room, but Cyril was at the door before -him. - -“One moment, monsieur. I wish to know on what terms we are to stand?” - -“I do not understand you, milord”--M. Drakovics was astonished--“but I -hope to satisfy you later. Meanwhile, are you aware that Colonel -O’Malachy and his family leave this place to-day, before his Majesty, -for Bellaviste, and intend to reside there for the present? That -cannot be allowed.” - -“Now we have come to the point,” said Cyril. “I want a plain answer to -a plain question, M. Drakovics. Are you and I to work together or not? -If we are to be friends, I will tell you at once that you are -meditating a very great mistake, and that I should be glad to help you -to avoid it.” - -“Milord!” The Kossuth of the Balkans looked Cyril up and down in -amazement visibly mingled with scorn. “I am highly honoured by your -offer of co-operation, but my dull mind fails to perceive its -advantages.” - -“No?” said Cyril, with unruffled good-humour, “and yet there are two -very obvious ones. In the first place, you have to reckon with my -influence over my brother. You cannot persuade yourself that you know -him as well as I do, and if you consider the matter a little, I think -you will see that my advice is quite as likely to be followed as -yours, and that the consequences of this might be unpleasant if you -and I had the misfortune to disagree. In the second place, although -you are very clever and very powerful, you are neither omnipotent nor -omniscient, and there are circumstances in which the help of a man who -has a certain amount of knowledge of the world, and some slight -experience in diplomacy, might possibly stand you in good stead, even -though he were the humble individual before you.” - -M. Drakovics gasped. The colossal impudence of his sovereign’s brother -appeared literally to take away his breath. “If you were not an -Englishman,” he said, slowly, “I should think that you wanted to be -bought off.” - -“But since I am an Englishman,” said Cyril, “you can’t quite see what -Thracia could offer me that I should care for; and you are about right -there. I am going in for this business just for the fun of the thing, -and for the sake of backing up Caerleon. I don’t know, of course, what -Mrs Sadleir told you about me in the letter I forwarded; but from what -she said when she wrote it, I think she must have let you know what my -views were.” - -“She did,” said M. Drakovics, with some hesitation, “but still----” He -looked thoughtfully at Cyril for a moment, and then spoke quickly, -“You have no doubt studied carefully the present position of affairs -in the Balkans, milord. What should be my course at the moment with -regard to Roum, which holds suzerain rights over Thracia?” - -“Despatch a special messenger, well provided with money, to Czarigrad -immediately,” said Cyril, without an instant’s pause. “Make the -Government there see that the election of an Englishman as king is a -fresh bulwark against Scythian aggression. Secure their moral support -at any cost, and get an assurance, no matter what you have to pay for -it, that even if Scythia brings pressure on them to censure or disavow -your action, they will at least take no active steps against you.” - -“Excellent!” cried M. Drakovics. “My dear friend, the messenger has -already started. How your ideas jump with mine! But tell me, what -next?” - -“Send off immediately notes to the various Powers, informing them of -my brother’s election, and inviting their sovereigns to be present at -the coronation. Once the despatches are gone, don’t lose a minute. -Instead of heading straight for Bellaviste, let us go at once to the -nearest city or monastery where an archbishop is to be found. Beg, -borrow, or buy a crown--you could make one with two or three of those -gold plates from the _icons_, fastened together--and get Caerleon -crowned without the smallest delay. Remonstrances from the Powers will -be beginning to pour in by that time, of course; but they will have to -follow you about the country, and you won’t open them until after the -ceremony. Then you will regret that they arrived so late that, in the -bustle and rush attendant upon the coronation, they remained -unnoticed.” - -“Oh, my friend, why were you not born a Thracian?” cried M. Drakovics, -seizing Cyril in his arms, and imprinting a fervent kiss on each of -his cheeks. “Your plan is almost perfect: it has only one -drawback--that it is impossible. Every King of Thracia must be crowned -in the chapel of St Peter at Bellaviste. It is a small, rude building, -standing in the quadrangle of the palace, and in it Alexander Franza, -first of the name--the patriot king--saw a vision of St Peter, the -night before the great battle in which he burst the Roumi yoke. No -other coronation would be valid in the opinion of the people, nor can -the crown be legally removed from the chapel. It is kept in a great -chest built into the wall, of which I hold one key, the Metropolitan -another, and the king the third. I have it now to deliver to his -Majesty, but none of the keys will open the box without the other two. -Your brother cannot be crowned until we reach Bellaviste, for no -make-shift crown would be tolerated by the Thracians.” - -“It is an enormous pity,” said Cyril. “Time is everything to us just -now. Why not disregard the superstition of the people, and spring on -them a king ready crowned, and safe on his throne?” - -“Ah, you do not know my countrymen,” said M. Drakovics, sorrowfully. -“Such a thing would be an outrage, a defiance of their religious -feelings. No, we must wait until we reach Bellaviste; but I will take -your advice as to the protests from the Powers. What is your feeling -about Scythia?” - -“Send the same note to her as to the other Powers; but let it be well -understood privately that if she makes one hostile movement, you are -prepared to contest every inch of ground, and will at the same moment -throw yourself upon the protection of Pannonia, who will be only too -ready to interfere if there is any likelihood of war in the Balkans, -and will be supported by her allies. Meanwhile, see that your army is -ready to mobilise at the shortest notice, and look out for Scythian -spies.” - -“But that is my very point!” cried M. Drakovics. “These O’Malachys are -Scythian spies, all of them. That is one imperative reason for their -not being allowed to approach Bellaviste, and the other is that Madame -O’Malachy is anxious to entrap the King into marrying her daughter.” - -“Let us take the charges one at a time,” said Cyril, calmly. “The -O’Malachy and his wife are spies--there is no doubt of that--but for -that very reason I would not only welcome them to Bellaviste, but I -would find room for them in the palace itself, if I could.” - -“You are joking!” said M. Drakovics, in astonishment. - -“Not at all, I assure you. Think a moment. The more completely we can -treat the O’Malachy family as my brother’s guests, the better we can -have them under observation. There is such a thing as a censorship -even of private letters and telegrams in disturbed times, I believe; -and it would be easier to work it with people we knew, and on whom we -kept a constant watch, than with obscure persons whose doings might -escape our attention. Again, expelled from Thracia, which is what I -suppose you would suggest, the O’Malachys would linger just across the -frontier, setting in motion a whole horde of spies, all of whom we -could not hope to discover, while we could never be sure that they -themselves had not re-entered the kingdom in some disguise. It -certainly seems a bold thing to admit them into the very heart of our -defences, but they would be clever if they managed to see more than -they were meant to see.” - -“But about Mademoiselle?” asked M. Drakovics, anxiously. “The King -cannot marry her. He must form an alliance which will strengthen his -throne.” - -“You are right,--he must. But did you intend to tell him so? I know -Caerleon a good deal better than you do, and you may take my word for -it that as soon as you had finished your remarks he would go straight -to Miss O’Malachy and lay the crown at her feet. So far as he is -concerned, you must let the matter take its course. Nothing can be -said to him.” - -“But how, then, would you prevent it?” cried M. Drakovics. “Is the -girl to be kidnapped and carried off?” - -“My good sir--no! Do you want all Europe in a ferment, and Caerleon -throwing up the kingdom to go and look for her? The O’Malachy and his -wife would make the finest political capital possible out of such a -tale. No; we must act merely by means of moral suasion, you and I and -Miss O’Malachy.” - -“Miss O’Malachy? The girl?” gasped M. Drakovics. - -“Exactly--the young lady. You are a very clever man, M. Drakovics, but -you have not had the advantage of spending a year in the British -Embassy at Pavelsburg, and making an exhaustive study of Scythian -society ladies. I know well enough the Cercle Evangélique in which -Miss O’Malachy was brought up--not that it is in favour in high -quarters, quite the contrary; but I was interested in it out of -curiosity. Its members may be called fanatics--they certainly are not -worldly-wise--and I am pretty sure that Princess Soudaroff has made -her god-daughter as great an enthusiast as she is herself. Now you -will see why I am ready to lay aside in her case the usual rule of -considering every one a knave until he or she is proved otherwise, and -why I expect her to do our business for us.” - -“But how?” - -“I will lay the case before her, and point out that Caerleon will ruin -his cause and jeopardise his crown if he marries her. Then she will -refuse him for his own sake.” - -“Impossible, milord! Refuse a crown?” - -“For his sake, I tell you. That’s what the girl is like. Well, will -you leave it to me? If I fail, after fair trial, I give you full leave -to break off the match in your own way.” - -“I agree, milord, though I cannot believe you will succeed. No woman -on earth would decline a crown, to be shared with the man whom, -according to you, she loves passionately. But you shall try. By all -means, milord, we work together, if you please.” - -“I thought so,” laughed Cyril to himself, as M. Drakovics went out. - -A little later, he saw from the balcony the O’Malachys’ -travelling-carriage coming round to the door, and watched while the -family took their places in it. Madame O’Malachy, gracious and -graceful as ever, was nodding pleasantly to the landlady as the -luggage was put up, and her husband was cracking a joke with the -travelled waiter, through whom all communications with the authorities -of the inn were obliged to be conducted. Louis, surly and -unapproachable as usual, took his seat in the carriage without a word, -and Nadia was equally silent as she sat upright by her mother’s side, -her face covered with a thick veil, which aroused Cyril’s suspicions -instantly. - -“She has been crying,” he said. “What a pity her complexion isn’t like -her mother’s, for a little powder and paint would put it all right in -that case. What Caerleon can see in her I cannot imagine.” - -In spite of his antipathy to the O’Malachys, he kept his place on the -balcony and waved a farewell to the travellers, watching the carriage -as it wound round the curves of the rough mountain road until it was -finally out of sight, when he went back into the coffee-room to join -Caerleon and M. Drakovics, who were discussing the question of the -costume in which the new King was to make the journey to his capital. -Evening dress and a tall hat formed M. Drakovics’s idea of the clothes -suitable to the occasion; but Wright, who was assisting uninvited at -the discussion, and who bore a grudge already against the Premier for -inducing Caerleon to remain in Thracia, flatly declined to “make a -tomfool” of his master by helping him to don a swallow-tail coat in -the daytime. Caerleon himself thought it would be the proper thing to -adopt the Thracian national dress, as a delicate compliment to the -people; but M. Drakovics objected to this on the ground that the -Thracians were expecting an Englishman, and would be disappointed if -they found him dressed like themselves. - -“Will your Majesty not wear your uniform?” he asked, offering another -suggestion in his turn. “That of your Volunteer cavalry, I mean?” - -“My Yeomanry uniform?” said Caerleon. “I haven’t got it here. In fact, -I should have no right to wear it any longer if I had, for I resigned -my commission before I left home, because the expenses connected with -the troop were too much for me to meet in my present circumstances.” - -“But your uniform’s ’ere, all the same, my lord,” said Wright. “If -your lordship remembers, it was sent on with the ’eavy luggage before -the troop was decided to be given up, in case there was any grand -doin’s while your lordship were at the castle,” and he nodded vaguely -in the direction which he imagined to be that of Château Temeszy. - -“Oh, well, if you’ve got it, you may as well wear it, Caerleon,” said -Cyril. “It’s only a cast-off now, after all, and if Ceylon coolies and -African chiefs are allowed to sport discarded British uniforms, I -don’t see why the King of Thracia shouldn’t.” - -“Your comparisons are not exactly flattering to Thracia,” said -Caerleon, “and I don’t think it’s quite the thing to sport the old -uniform under the circumstances. Ordinary riding-togs are the best -thing for a long ride like this, and if it’s absolutely necessary, one -can add a top hat and a black coat before entering Bellaviste;” and to -this decision he adhered, in spite of the Premier’s remonstrances and -of Cyril’s jeers. - -It had been arranged that the King and his companions were to ride the -greater part of the way to Bellaviste, escorted by the Thracians who -had accompanied M. Drakovics, and most of whom had brought horses with -them; for although a railway from the frontier to the capital was -nearly completed, it had not yet been opened for passenger traffic. It -was a picturesque procession which wound down the mountain-side, -headed by Caerleon and M. Drakovics; but when the level ground was -reached the symmetry of the march was much disturbed, for the younger -men among the Thracians broke the line out of pure gladness, racing -their horses against one another, and riding hither and thither on -either side of the main body. Whenever a village was reached, the -inhabitants were summoned to the church by the ringing of the bell, -and Caerleon, standing on the steps, was proclaimed king by M. -Drakovics. Everywhere the people poured forth in delight to meet the -party, bringing offerings of bread and salt, which were to be touched -by the King and afterwards consumed by the givers. - -On these occasions Cyril generally remained in the background, afraid -of being caught laughing, as he told M. Drakovics, to the no small -indignation of the Premier. Wright shared his objection to publicity, -but for a different reason, feeling very uneasy in his mind as to the -whole proceeding, now that he understood its import, and not at all -sure that it was consistent with his duty to Queen Victoria to become -a subject of Caerleon. There was an unhappy consciousness that -something was wrong about his whole aspect, which would have afforded -Cyril infinite amusement at any other time; but now, as from his -commanding position on horseback he watched his brother’s -close-cropped fair head towering above the unkempt locks of his new -subjects, he was busy trying to enter into the feelings of the -Thracians. Mothers brought their children to look at Caerleon, for -good luck, as they said, “that their eyes might see the King’s face”; -old men came tottering up to touch his coat or his riding-whip, and to -call down blessings on his head. It was all too absurdly medieval, -thought Cyril, as the office-bearers of the little towns came hurrying -to take the oath of allegiance to their new King, and the peasants -crowded round to entreat him to raise an army to conquer Scythia, in -which every man of them would enlist. Why should they make all this -fuss about an unimaginative Englishman, who merely looked -uncomfortable when a more than usually fervent assurance of devotion -was translated to him, and who could say nothing in return but that he -would try to do his best for the people and the country? There could -be no idea of Divine Right in this case, for how could such a -sentiment consist with the popular election of the monarch? and as for -loyalty, how could they feel loyalty to a man of whom they knew -nothing but that he was an English prince, for whom M. Drakovics -vouched as a suitable candidate for the throne? Cyril decided at last -that they regarded Caerleon as the incarnation of the spirit of the -late revolution, and as a bulwark against Scythia and the return of -the House of Franza; but the Thracians themselves would probably have -explained their delight much more simply by saying that they had a -king at last, that he was young, good-looking, and fair-haired, and -that he spoke courteously and looked like a soldier. - -After three days spent in this kind of travelling the party came in -sight of Bellaviste, and here they were met by what M. Drakovics -called the “Sacred Band,” but which was known to military critics as -the crack regiment of the Thracian army. It had been recruited on the -classical principle, the men being divided into little groups of five -or ten, all hailing from the same village, while in the same way each -company represented a district, and each battalion a province. - -“This regiment, your Majesty,” said M. Drakovics, as he presented the -officers to Caerleon, “is the backbone of your army. Representative, -from its composition, of the whole nation, it was the first to declare -for freedom, and when it had done so, the doom of the House of Franza -was sealed. I can assure you that the Sacred Band, to which, with your -gracious permission, I will from to-day grant the honour of calling -itself the Carlino Regiment, will prove to be the bulwark of your -throne.” - -The grant of its new name was received with great enthusiasm by the -regiment, which was formed up for inspection, and when this ceremony -was over, proceeded to escort the King into his capital. M. Drakovics, -riding as usual beside his sovereign, pointed out the chief features -of interest on the road. The city of Bellaviste itself was situated on -a hill, which rose steeply from the river, but fell away gradually on -the other sides. The highest portion of the hill was occupied by the -palace, which with its gardens was surrounded by a strong wall capable -of defence against a foe unprovided with artillery. Below this, on -three sides, the houses of the town covered the slopes as far as the -lowlands, while a broad rampart ran round the whole, set with towers -at intervals. - -“That is all our work since the revolution,” said M. Drakovics, -pointing to this rampart with pride. “Under the Franzas, the money -voted for fortifications was all spent on excavating and arming -useless batteries along the river-front, which no foe would think of -attacking, while the town was left defenceless.” - -“I don’t think you are giving King Peter the credit he deserves,” said -Cyril. “If his batteries on the river-face are well placed, he ought -to be able to command the whole channel, and his position would be -most important in view of a European war. Matters would be very much -in his hands, for unless he chose, the Pannonian gunboats could not -get out to sea, nor could the Scythian war-ships get up the river. The -great danger would be that he might find himself taken in the rear. I -suppose he meant to see to that when he had finished his batteries.” - -“Our views were not so exalted, milord,” said M. Drakovics. “Safety -was our great consideration, and when we were free our first thought -was to erect a wall, which, if it could not stand against modern -artillery, would at any rate serve to resist any insurrectionary -force.” - -“And to whom is the defence of the wall intrusted?” asked Caerleon. -“To the Sacred Band?” - -“No, indeed,” answered the Premier. “Their barracks are two miles away -from the city, on that farther hill. The people were afraid that if -their king had a regiment at his command in Bellaviste, he might use -it to overthrow the constitution. The city is garrisoned by the city -guard, which is entirely composed of young men belonging to Bellaviste -families. One company of this forms the palace guard, with a very -elaborate uniform and special rights. It was the favourite corps of -King Peter Franza, and we scarcely expected that its members would be -willing to fall in with the new state of things, particularly when we -were forced to deprive them of some of their privileges. But the -officers are all staunch--we took care of that.” - -“Did your care extend to giving the palace guard as many occasions of -discontent as possible?” asked Cyril. “You owed the success of your -revolution to the co-operation of the army, and the army must be very -dense if it has not learnt the lesson. What you will have to guard -against in the future is a military revolt, and it sounds to the -uninitiated as though you were carefully working one up.” - -“We were obliged to deprive the guard as far as possible of its power -of mischief, milord. In its former state it was a standing menace, but -under its present officers it is excellently affected to the -Government.” - -At the gate of the city the Sacred Band handed over its escort duties -to the guard, which was paraded for the King’s inspection, after which -all the troops fell in for the march through the streets. The houses -were gaily decorated, and the windows and roofs crowded with people, -who welcomed Caerleon with shouts of joy. It was still early in the -day, and M. Drakovics had arranged a programme of events. Orders had -been sent forward to prepare for the coronation; but it was found -impossible to complete the arrangements before the morrow, and all -that could be done on this occasion was to visit the hall of the -Assembly, in order to receive the loyal addresses of the Legislative -body, and their oath of allegiance. Then followed the reception of -addresses from the municipality of Bellaviste, and as many other local -authorities as had been able to get them ready in time; after which -came lunch at the Hôtel de Ville, and a state progress through the -town. Further receptions followed this, and the events of the day -concluded with a parade of the palace guard in the courtyard of the -palace. It needed all M. Drakovics’s powers of persuasion to induce -his sovereign to conduct a third inspection after his round of duties; -but he represented so forcibly the disappointment which would be felt -in the city if any slight were offered to the guard, that Caerleon -yielded. They were a fine body of men, wearing a very handsome, if -somewhat foppish, uniform, and their officers were seasoned old -soldiers, whose aspect presented a curious contrast to that of the -rank and file. One more speech, translated by M. Drakovics, was -necessary here, and this duty performed, Caerleon entered his palace -with a sigh of relief. Owing to the delay in the coronation -arrangements, which included a state banquet, no special function had -been fixed for that evening, except that the town was to be -illuminated later on; and although M. Drakovics would have liked to -linger at the palace and talk international politics, Caerleon’s -disinclination for further conversation on the subject was so -extremely pronounced that he found it impossible to remain, and the -brothers were left alone together. - -“Call this being king?” said Caerleon, when he and Cyril met at dinner -in the comparatively small room which they had chosen out of the -wilderness of state apartments as their dining-room when by -themselves, for there were few regular court officials at present. The -chief functionaries had all gone into exile with the late king, and it -had not been possible to appoint their successors as yet, so that -matters were in the hands of such of the less important officials as -had adopted the cause of the revolution. These had not yet acquired -the reverential obtuseness which would have enabled those whose places -they had taken to maintain their position about the king as long as -etiquette required, in spite of his disinclination for their society. -Accordingly they effaced themselves obediently when their sovereign -intimated that their attendance was not further desired that night, -and it did not strike Caerleon that even the freedom he now enjoyed -would have been impossible in a properly constituted court. “I call it -being a slave, no less,” he went on. “What a luxurious beast old -Franza must have been! I never saw anything like the rooms up-stairs. -Well, if luxury could compensate him for all the bother and fuss, he -deserved it.” - -“‘Uneasy lies the head----’” began Cyril. - -“Oh, shut up, and don’t quote moral platitudes,” said Caerleon, -wearily. “I tell you what, Cyril, there are two things we’ll do. We’ll -look out some attic place where we can smoke in peace, with two chairs -in it and a rug on the floor, and we will break through that absurd -rule of never going out without an escort. I mean to do the -Haroun-al-Raschid business, and poke about a little _incog_.” - -“All right,” said Cyril; “I’ll be Grand Vizier. We will get hold of a -couple of fur caps and these Thracian cloaks with high fur collars, -and have some fun. Shall we begin to-night with the illuminations, or -are you fagged out?” - -“I don’t see why we shouldn’t,” said Caerleon. “Root out some cloaks, -will you? There are servants enough, and it’s a charity to give them -something to do. It’ll be all right if we are in by eleven o’clock, -when some of those chaps from the town are coming to serenade us.” - -Through the medium of Wright, who was preparing very reluctantly to -resign the care of his master’s personal belongings into the hands of -the new servants and return to his natural sphere, the charge of the -stables, Cyril procured the required disguises, and he and his brother -wrapped themselves up and slipped out. The palace was built round a -square courtyard, in the midst of which stood the rude little chapel -of St Peter, where the workmen had been busied all day in making -preparations for the coronation. As the servants were all at supper, -and the guards in their own hall, only the sentries were to be seen, -and Caerleon and Cyril stole along in the shadow, giving the password -when it was demanded, and reaching the gardens in safety. A private -gate, to which they alone possessed a key, supplied them with the -means of exit, and they descended the steep street and mingled with -the crowd which was admiring the illuminations. These were more -ambitious than successful, and although the Thracians were full of -delight, Cyril turned up his nose at the display, and commented on it -in disparaging whispers. - -“It _is_ rather slow here,” said Caerleon, stopping short suddenly. -“Let us go and look up the O’Malachys.” - -It was in Cyril’s mind to say, “I wondered how soon you would get to -that,” but he held his tongue, and followed Caerleon to the Hôtel -Occidental, the whereabouts of which the King had discovered in the -course of his progress through the town. Keeping their cloaks well up -to their faces, they passed through the hall without being recognised, -and were conducted up-stairs to the O’Malachys’ sitting-room, where -they found the Herr Oberst himself, Louis, and Nadia. Madame O’Malachy -was suffering from a bad headache, and had gone early to her room. - -“Indeed and ’tis very condescending in your Majesty to come and see us -like this,” said the O’Malachy, when he had apologised for his wife’s -absence. “Sure ’twas only an hour ago I was saying to Louie here, -‘What will we do about paying our respects to the King? Will we call -upon um, or wait until he sends for us?’ And we couldn’t make up our -minds about ut at all.” - -“That’s not true,” said Cyril to himself. “I’m pretty sure you decided -to wait until Caerleon came and looked you up, which you guessed he -would do before long.” - -“For pity’s sake,” said Caerleon, sinking into the chair which Louis -pushed towards him, “leave the kingdom alone for a little while, -O’Malachy. I am sick to death of it. Here, at any rate, let me have a -little respite.” - -“As you please,” said the O’Malachy, with a gracious wave of the hand. -“I suppose a king may take a holiday like other people if he wants ut. -You will find Liberty Hall here, whenever you like to look in.” - -Caerleon sighed contentedly, and leaned back in his chair. The room -looked comfortable and home-like, very different from the gorgeous -solitudes at the palace. The O’Malachy, white-haired and soldierly, -with a sly twinkle in his eye, was the picture of a courteous host. -Nadia sat close by, under the light, with her work; and Louis, buried -in a Bellaviste weekly journal, seemed less out of harmony with his -surroundings than usual. The place was a haven of rest. But rest in -itself was not sufficient for complete happiness, and Caerleon’s state -of contentment did not last long. Cyril, watching from the background, -was no better pleased. Before the evening was over, he had lost -patience altogether with Nadia. Why did she sit there stiffly, in the -full blaze of the electric light, working with unremitting assiduity -at some coarse and unlovely garment for the poor, and refusing to -answer any remark except in monosyllables? She would not take Caerleon -into the conservatory to show him the flowers, as he asked her, nor -did she respond to her father’s suggestion that she should point out -to him the view from the balcony. There she sat, never looking up, -sewing away as if for dear life, and acting as an effectual damper on -the conversation of the rest, while Cyril was longing for a smoke with -Louis and his father, and one or two of the latter’s stories, which -were not altogether suited for ladies’ ears. All that Caerleon wanted -was to be left alone with her, but she succeeded in baffling all his -efforts, and Cyril waxed furious over her foolishness. Did she really -imagine that by dint of coyness and coldness she could keep her lover -from making her an open avowal of his feelings? Surely she must know -that he would insist upon a plain answer, and that it would be -impossible to put him off for ever? Caerleon would hear her decision -from her own lips at one time or another, and the sooner she dismissed -him and bade him turn his mind to other subjects the better. - -These thoughts were seething in Cyril’s brain all the evening; but -Nadia remained unconscious of their import and as immovable as before. -The only time she exhibited any animation was when the brothers rose -to go. - -“You have not seen much of this place yet,” she said to Caerleon as he -bade her good-night, “but I have gone about a good deal yesterday and -to-day. There is plenty for you to do. The drunkenness is awful. You -have before you as much work as you can wish.” - -A chuckle from Louis followed her eager speech, and Caerleon had no -opportunity to say more than that he would give his best attention to -the matter, before Cyril hurried him away. They passed through the -streets almost in silence, reached the palace without attracting -notice, and after enduring patiently a long performance from the town -band, went to bed. - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - CHECK. - -“I feel I’ve about earned my night’s repose,” yawned Cyril to -himself in the solitude of his own room. “If all the Thracians have -worked as hard to-day as their king and his brother, they’re an -industrious nation. Hullo! some of them must be at it still. I suppose -old Drakovics has been hurrying them, for fear things won’t be ready -for the coronation.” - -His eye had caught a faint glimmer in the eastern windows of St -Peter’s chapel, which could hardly be the effect of moonlight, and as -he lay down he congratulated himself that he was not obliged to work -all through the night at putting up decorations. For an hour or so he -slept the sleep of the weary; then he was aroused by shouts and cries -pealing through the palace. - -“Another revolution!” was his first thought, as he jumped out of bed -and groped for his revolver; but as soon as he threw back the -window-curtains, a flood of light poured into the room. The chapel of -St Peter was blazing furiously, and the courtyard was full of guards -and servants, some staring stupidly at the flames, others tumbling -over one another in eager but ineffectual efforts to take measures for -stopping the fire. - -“Put on some clothes and come out, Cyril,” said Caerleon’s voice at -the door. “Those idiots there haven’t an idea what to do.” - -Hastily obeying, Cyril found himself placed at the head of a band of -water-carriers, while Caerleon took his stand close to the burning -pile, and directed the throwing of the water as the buckets were -passed from hand to hand. There were proper appliances all over the -palace for use in case of an outbreak of fire, but the buckets were -rusted into holes and the hoses were leaky; and if Wright had not -organised from among the onlookers a force to fetch pails from the -stables, it would have been impossible to procure a sufficient -quantity of water. Even as it was, the flames were not finally -vanquished until the roof and walls of the building had fallen in, and -the morning light showed only a heap of smoking ruins. St Peter’s -chapel was a total wreck, and the crown and other regalia of Thracia -were buried under the _débris_. - -When the fire had been practically extinguished, Cyril returned to his -room, but not to sleep, for his mind was occupied with a very -pertinent question,--What was the cause of the conflagration? To most -of the household at the palace, the answer appeared obvious. Of course -the men at work in the chapel must have dropped some sparks on the -woodwork or the draperies, or have left a candle burning close to -them. The sentry at the door had noticed nothing until his comrade at -the opposite side of the courtyard, who could see the windows, had -remarked that the workmen must be burning candles enough to light the -whole of Thracia. Astonished to hear this, since he knew that all the -workmen had gone home some hours before, the sentry had at once -alarmed the guard, and the officer in charge procured the chapel key -and opened the door. The place was already a mass of flame within, and -the fire gained additional strength immediately, owing to the rush of -air from the doorway, and burst forth from the windows. The guard -raised the alarm at once, but nothing effectual had been done to -extinguish the flames until Caerleon took command of the amateur -firemen, and his help came too late to be of service. Over all these -details Cyril pondered as he lay in bed. It seemed to him almost -impossible that the fire should have been accidental, for its sudden -outbreak and great strength alike appeared to point to its having been -caused intentionally. Moreover, the time at which it occurred was a -most fortunate one for the Scythian party in the State, for it was -certain that the coronation must now be postponed, if only for a day. -But if the conflagration were the result of a plot, where was the -incendiary to be sought? Was he a traitor in the household, or a -Scythian emissary who had passed himself off as one of the workmen? -Cyril went down-stairs in the morning with his mind full of questions -of this nature, and in the breakfast-room he found M. Drakovics, who -was overflowing with the information he had already gained. - -Immediately on hearing of the fire, the Premier had sent to arrest -forthwith all the workmen who had been employed on the decoration of -the chapel; and they had already been interrogated, with the result -that it seemed certain that none of their number was the culprit. The -antecedents of all of them were well known and satisfactory, and the -contractor was able to show that he had purposely employed none but -strong Carlinists on the work. The men were certain that they had left -no lights behind them in the chapel, with the exception of the lamps -always kept burning before the sacred pictures, and they venerated the -place far too highly to smoke there, so that the question of sparks -was disposed of. - -“Now,” said M. Drakovics, triumphantly, “we have proved who did not -cause the fire; but beyond that, I am in a position to inform your -Majesty that the miscreant was undoubtedly an emissary of Scythia, and -was either a woman or a man in women’s clothes.” - -“If you can prove that already, your police must beat ours hollow,” -said Caerleon. “Let us hear about it.” - -“In the first place, your Majesty, I have been examining the ruins, -with the aid of a detachment of sappers. We were searching for the -crown jewels--which are now, alas! shapeless lumps of metal, their -precious stones for the most part calcined--and we found distinct -traces of petroleum in more than one spot. Does not that fact speak -for itself? Petroleum is never used in lighting the chapel, and it is -a favourite weapon of incendiaries. Upon making this discovery, I -proceeded to interrogate the guard, who were all under arrest. Those -who were posted at the gates last night were unanimous in declaring -that no unauthorised person had passed in after the workmen had -departed, with the exception of one woman, who said that she was the -mother of one of the decorators employed, and that her son had left -behind him his book of gold-leaf, which she had come to fetch. The -sentries describe her as very old and bent, but with piercing dark -eyes,--and wearing the dress of the respectable artisan class. The -acting master of the household had not yet locked the chapel doors, -and the woman was therefore allowed to go in and look for the book, -which took her some time to find. She came out with it in her hand, -and the door was immediately locked. The theory is that she carried in -with her a supply of petroleum in a can----” - -“Or perhaps in bladders hung round her waist, as brandy used to be -smuggled into England,” put in Cyril, who had been following the -details with much interest. - -M. Drakovics bowed. “Very possibly, milord. Having saturated the -woodwork behind the screen of the sanctuary with the oil, she would -arrange a slow match which would not come in contact with it for some -hours, and would then take her departure, provided with a book of -gold-leaf to deceive the guard. The master of the household, looking -in from the doorway, would notice nothing, and would lock the door and -take away the key, leaving the match to do its work.” - -“But why may not the culprit be the woman she gave herself out to be?” -asked Caerleon. - -“Because, your Majesty, the woman’s son and the other members of her -family are all able to swear that from nine to ten o’clock, the hour -at which the incendiary did her work, Nicola Stanovics’s mother was -engaged in a violent quarrel with her daughter-in-law, who had left -her infant at home while she went out to see the illuminations. The -old woman met her at the door as she returned, and their dispute -almost ended in blows. Moreover, the guard, when confronted with -Marynia Stanovics, declared without hesitation that she was not the -woman whom they had admitted.” - -“Well, that seems to clear the old lady, at any rate,” said Caerleon. -“Your work has been most successful in a negative direction. Have you -any positive clue to go upon?” - -It did not appear that M. Drakovics as yet possessed anything of the -kind, although he was willing to detail the various theories which had -been formed on the subject, but Cyril did not listen. His mind was -occupied with a hypothesis of his own, the foundation fact of which -was Madame O’Malachy’s headache of the evening before. Again and again -he went through the details, for his suspicions at first seemed -preposterous, but the more he thought over the matter, the more likely -did it appear that Madame O’Malachy had slipped out of doors in -disguise, carrying with her the necessary supply of petroleum, and -successfully effected the firing of the chapel. His visit to the hotel -with Caerleon had given him the means of reaching this conclusion, -inasmuch as if they had not happened to call no one would have known -that Madame O’Malachy was not spending the evening hours in the -society of her family. The plot must have been maturing for some time, -since both the disguise and the petroleum would be difficult to -procure in Bellaviste without exciting suspicion, and it could not be -doubted that its object was to delay the coronation,--although whether -the lady had done her work in pursuance of orders from her Scythian -employers, or with an eye to her daughter’s future, Cyril found -himself unable to determine. It was not difficult to guess that she -was playing a double game, and that whereas she had been commissioned -to use every possible means to prevent Caerleon’s ascending the -Thracian throne, she was not unwilling to assist him in establishing -himself there, provided that her daughter shared his elevation. To -pursue at the same time two lines of policy so diametrically opposed -to one another might well need almost superhuman skill, and it -appeared evident to Cyril that for the sake of placing her good faith -to her employers beyond suspicion, Madame O’Malachy had taken a step -so desperate that it bade fair to ruin her private schemes. Had he but -overheard his brother’s parting conversation with her at Witska, he -might have discovered that she had not yet found the problem of -serving two masters an insoluble one. In spite of his ignorance of -this factor in the case, however, he was filled with a lively -admiration for both her resolution and her daring. - -“What an actress the woman must be!” he said to himself. “What pluck, -what nerve she has! But this sort of thing won’t do. She will think -nothing of dynamiting us before long, if this is the way she begins. -We shall be obliged to take a hostage from her. She doesn’t care a -scrap for the girl; but if Louis, for whom she does seem to have a -little natural affection, were safely installed here, she would think -twice before blowing us up. I must get that settled.” - -“There is one thing that makes me feel less regret than I should -otherwise have done for the postponement of the coronation,” M. -Drakovics was saying. “I have received this morning a despatch in -cipher from my agent at Czarigrad, saying that he finds the Roumi -Government far more favourably disposed towards Thracia and your -Majesty than we could have dared to hope. He has even received a hint -from a very high quarter to the effect that if we could put off the -coronation for a certain length of time, so as to avoid anything that -might have the appearance of a desire to force the hand of the Grand -Signior, our right as a nation to choose our own sovereign would -before very long be recognised. That would strengthen our position in -Europe enormously. If Roum recognises us, Scythia can do little.” - -“But Scythia will in the meantime bring pressure on Roum to refuse to -recognise us,” said Cyril. “Surely you are losing a great opportunity -for the chance of grasping at a shadow. Is it decided that the -coronation shall be postponed?” - -“What else can we do?” asked M. Drakovics. “The King must be crowned -in St Peter’s chapel, and with the crown of Alexander the Patriot. The -chapel is in ruins, the crown a mere lump of metal, and both must be -restored before they can be used.” - -“But this is madness!” cried Cyril. “Do you intend to wait for the -chapel to be rebuilt? It will probably take months. After all, when it -is restored, it won’t be the old chapel, so why not have the -coronation somewhere else at once?” - -“Because you are not acquainted with our people, milord,” was the -studiously mild reply of M. Drakovics. “They would not recognise any -king not crowned on that spot, and with that crown. Moreover, in an -emergency like the present, when our actions are certain to be -jealously scrutinised in order to discover the least flaw in the -legality of our proceedings, we must be doubly careful to do -everything in the very strictest order.” - -“Then why not clear away the ruins and hold the ceremony in the open -air, or in a tent pitched on the site of the chapel?” cried Cyril. -“There must be jewellers in Bellaviste, who would not take more than -a day to knock together out of your lump of gold something -sufficiently like a crown for all practical purposes. Take my word for -it, M. Drakovics, if we lose the day finally, it will be owing to -delay now.” - -“You must allow me to differ from you, milord,” was the answer. “In my -opinion, the day is far more likely to be lost through undue -precipitation. But after all, the matter is entirely in his Majesty’s -hands. Is it your wish, sir, that the coronation should take place -immediately or not?” - -“Well,” said Caerleon, “you ought to know best,--and naturally it -would be a very good thing to begin the reign with full recognition -from Roum.” - -“Your reign has begun,” said Cyril. “The coronation only puts a seal -upon it, half-sentimental, half-religious.” - -“Still,” said Caerleon, “we are not the best judges, Cyril. If M. -Drakovics, who is better acquainted with Thracia than we are, thinks -that it will be more serviceable to the country to delay the -coronation, I have no objection.” - -“That’s all very well,” thought Cyril. “You are calculating that in a -month or two you ought to be able to break down Miss O’Malachy’s -scruples. I am sorry to be under the painful necessity of putting a -spoke in your wheel, my dear fellow.” - -“If your Majesty is pleased to delay the coronation,” said M. -Drakovics, “may I ask you to visit the Hôtel de Ville with me this -morning? The people have been gathering together from all the country -round to witness the ceremony, and it will be necessary to explain to -them what has occurred. There is another thing I was anxious to know. -Your Majesty mentioned a few days ago that your brother had some idea -of offering himself as your private secretary. I see that -correspondence is already beginning to pour in, and as the office is a -very delicate and important one, I venture to ask whether Milord Cyril -is still in the same mind?” - -“M. Drakovics means me to earn my board and lodging,” said Cyril, who -was conscious of a grudge against the statesman for rejecting his -counsel. - -“I am quite sure that M. Drakovics means nothing of the kind,” said -Caerleon, sharply. “He knows very well that you are here as my guest.” - -“As the guest of the nation, if I may be permitted to correct your -Majesty,” said M. Drakovics. “Thracia owes far too much to your family -not to desire to see as many of its members as possible. My reason for -asking this question to-day is that Milord Cyril has displayed such a -talent for diplomacy that I am anxious not to lose his co-operation in -the work I have in hand at present. His one fault is that, like all -young diplomats, he wishes to begin, as you say in England, at the top -of the tree, and in this he does himself an injustice, for his forte -lies rather in working in combination with others than in isolated -action, if he will allow me to say so.” - -“Well, Cyril, the bitter pill is pretty well gilded,” said Caerleon, -laughing. “What do you say? Will you take the situation?” - -“I suppose I should have to read all your letters,” said Cyril. “That -sounds fairly interesting. Then I should have to write the -answers--not quite so delightful, but still passable. Yes; I’ll take -it.” - -“If your Majesty will permit me, I will give Milord Cyril a few hints -as to the duties of this new position,” said M. Drakovics. - -“Very well,” returned Caerleon. “I am going to stroll round to the -stables, Cyril. When your initiation is complete, you’ll find me -there.” - -“Now,” said Cyril, closing the door on his brother, and turning to M. -Drakovics, “I want to know what you expect to gain by putting off the -coronation in this way. You are giving the Scythians and their -sympathisers a gratuitous triumph, and losing time, which is of -inestimable value. If you have a reason, why keep it a secret?” - -“I have a reason, milord,” answered M. Drakovics. “That my opinion -does not accord with yours is a matter for regret; but I hope that it -will not be anything more. I am deeply anxious that you should remain -at Bellaviste, for I need your help.” - -“Oh, I suppose I may as well stay here and take Caerleon’s body home -when you have got him shot as a filibuster by a Scythian force sent to -restore order,” said Cyril. - -“You are pleased to be sarcastic, milord,” said M. Drakovics. “Without -in the least allowing that the calamity which you prophesy is likely -to occur, I would ask you to remember that the cause is more important -than the man. If Roum recognises our choice of a king, our future -position as a free nation is unassailable, and we are justified in the -sight of Europe. If your brother is crowned king at once, we are -merely, under present circumstances, a vassal State which has -rebelled, and elected its own ruler. No one could be more grateful to -his Majesty for accepting the crown than I am, but Thracia must come -first.” - -“I see,” said Cyril; “your business is to take care of Thracia. Very -well, be it so; mine will be to take care of Caerleon. The kingdom -will only be a secondary thing with me, as part of Caerleon’s -property.” - -“Then I hope, milord, that you will prove your care by persuading his -Majesty to exercise greater prudence than you both showed last night. -To walk through the streets alone, and in disguise, in the midst of -crowds of strangers, to the lodging of a family of Scythian spies, -where the merest trifle--an accident with a pistol, a drop of poison -in a cup of coffee--might have effected the utmost that Scythia could -desire, can scarcely be called wise.” - -“Well, if you had your eye on us all the time we ought to have been -fairly safe,” said Cyril, angry but taken aback. - -“You surely do not imagine that I should allow the King to risk his -life so rashly without taking precautions to ensure his safety?” said -M. Drakovics. “You were followed the whole way by one of my most -trusted agents in the Police, a man whom you will do well always to -order to accompany you if his Majesty chooses to go out again -_incognito_. You had no idea that you were tracked, but he never lost -sight of you.” - -“Until we reached the hotel, I suppose?” said Cyril. - -“On the contrary, you were never more carefully watched than during -your visit there. Ever since Colonel O’Malachy and his wife arrived in -Bellaviste, a police agent in a room on the opposite side of the -street has kept them under constant surveillance by means of mirrors -ingeniously placed at different angles, so that you were in full view -during the whole time you spent in their _salon_.” - -“But what is the object of all this police shadowing?” asked Cyril, -rather disgusted. - -“To avert mischief,” returned M. Drakovics. “And although we did not -succeed in preventing the burning of the chapel, yet we have -discovered its author. Perhaps you would be surprised to hear how -Madame O’Malachy was employed during the time of your visit last -night?” - -“On the contrary,” said Cyril in his turn; “I am flattered to find -that you have come to the same conclusion as myself. She was burning -the chapel.” - -M. Drakovics was a little disconcerted. “I congratulate you on the -soundness of your instincts, milord,” he said. - -“But why did you not prevent the fire, if you knew of it beforehand?” -asked Cyril. - -“Unfortunately, milord, my agent was so much occupied in watching his -Majesty and yourself, that he failed to observe Madame O’Malachy -leaving the hotel, and only saw her return. It was not until he heard -the evidence of the sentries that he divined what her errand had been. -But perhaps you will now agree with me in my estimate of the O’Malachy -family?” - -“By the bye,” said Cyril, quickly, “what did you mean just now by -saying that you needed my help?” - -“It was on the subject of his Majesty’s marriage,” said M. Drakovics, -looking rather confused. “This morning, before you came in, I ventured -to suggest to the King the advisability of his consolidating his -position by an alliance with some lady belonging to a royal house, but -he refused to allow me to say anything on the subject.” - -“It’s just what I told you!” cried Cyril. “Englishmen are not -accustomed to have their marriages arranged for them, and Caerleon is -the very last man to stand it. Now, M. Drakovics, I thought this -matter was to be left to me. Am I to have a free hand or not? If I am -to be interfered with, I will have nothing to do with it.” - -“If you can guarantee a successful result, milord, I shall be most -happy to leave it to you,” returned M. Drakovics. - -“Because,” continued Cyril, “you are making exactly the same mistake -as Miss O’Malachy. I believe she thinks that she can tire Caerleon out -by snubbing him, and you intend to make use of the information you -have gained, by dint of spying on her mother, to terrify the whole -family into leaving the kingdom. Miss O’Malachy is as anxious to be -out of Thracia as you are to get her out; but you had better not put -that beautiful plan of yours into execution unless you want Caerleon -to go after her. He will have his answer, and if you leave things to -me I will arrange that he shall have it soon, so that the affair may -be over.” - -“You seem very certain of success, milord.” - -“If I am to succeed, I must be absolutely free. The first thing to be -done is to give Lieutenant O’Malachy a commission in the palace -guard.” - -“And why, milord?” - -“To keep him out of mischief, and to prevent his mother’s perceiving -that we have discovered her little game. This is my test of the extent -of your confidence in me, monsieur. Is it to be accepted?” - -“It shall be,” returned M. Drakovics, after a severe mental struggle. -“The matter is so important that it is worth even a dangerous -experiment.” - -When his protracted interview with M. Drakovics was over and Cyril -went in search of Caerleon, his first words on finding him were to -suggest that it would be a graceful recognition of the sacrifices -Louis O’Malachy had made in the cause of Thracia to appoint him at -once to a lieutenancy in the palace guard, thus showing him special -favour by placing him close to the sovereign’s own person. Caerleon -looked surprised. - -“I think it’s a very good idea,” he said; “but you have always been so -suspicious of the poor fellow’s motives that I should not have -expected you to propose it. I will have the commission made out at -once. And as we are now on the subject of the O’Malachy family, I may -as well remind you of something of which Drakovics apparently is not -aware. He attacked me this morning about marrying; but you know, if he -doesn’t, that I intend to marry Miss O’Malachy, and no one else.” - -“I never imagined that you wanted to imitate the Grand Signior of -Roum, and marry twenty or thirty ladies at once,” said Cyril; but -seeing Caerleon’s face darken, he added hastily, “I beg your pardon, -old man. I was only joking. Do you intend to make formal proposals at -once to papa for the hand of mademoiselle?” - -“Not yet,” said Caerleon. “You see,” he went on quickly, as if it was -a relief to unburden himself to his brother, “I can’t tell a bit how -she’ll take it. She has never given me the least encouragement, and -last night she scarcely spoke to me. Unfortunately, I can’t help -guessing that the kingdom would weigh pretty heavily with her parents -in my favour, and I don’t want the poor girl worried into marrying me, -nor her life made a burden to her because she won’t. Madame O’Malachy -has promised me her support; but though it sounds a little ungrateful, -I would rather manage the business without her interference.” - -“I don’t think any amount of worrying would make Miss O’Malachy do a -thing she had made up her mind not to do,” said Cyril. “But seriously, -Caerleon, I can’t believe she means to marry you. She gave you the -cold shoulder pointedly enough last night. Can’t you chuck up the -business, old man? I don’t imagine you care for her very -particularly.” - -“Don’t you?” asked Caerleon, looking down on him with a smile. “My -dear boy, you are very young still.” - -“If you mean to insinuate that I haven’t had twice as much experience -in affairs of the kind as you have,” began Cyril, with a great show of -indignation, “I’ll----” - -“I daresay--ten times as much. That accounts for your ignorance.” - -“Well, don’t look so horribly superior. It’s awfully riling for the -other fellow, don’t you know? Now, look here, you leave this thing to -me, and I’ll do you a good turn. You want to find out the state of -Miss O’Malachy’s feelings before approaching her father. I’ll manage -to get you a chance of speaking to her alone.” - -“Thanks, but I think I can look after my own opportunities.” - -“No, you can’t; not as king, with Drakovics and his spies always -prowling about after you. Do you know that we had a fellow shadowing -us last night?” - -“Yes, I felt sure at the time that we were being dogged.” - -“But why didn’t you say so?” - -“I didn’t want to make you nervous.” - -“Stuff!” cried Cyril, ungratefully. “You were afraid I should consider -it wiser to give up the expedition and go back. Keep your -thoughtfulness for Miss O’Malachy in future. After that piece of -cheek, you don’t deserve a good turn, but I will mention that I am -going down to the O’Malachys’ this morning to tell them about dear -Louie’s commission. Shall I take any message from you?” - -“I’ll come too,” said Caerleon, promptly. - -“No, you won’t. You are due at the Hôtel de Ville, to hear old -Drakovics spout from the balcony. It would be ‘Hamlet’ with Hamlet -left out if you weren’t there. Well, shall I take her a bouquet in -your name? No, that would be too pronounced--might be regarded by the -family as a declaration. Shall I say anything to her for you?” - -“Yes; you can say that I mean to begin this very day the inquiry she -suggested to me.” - -“All right; nothing like setting to work at once. Now, off you go to -uniform and duty. I am the best off this morning.” - -Sauntering down to the hotel, Cyril came upon Louis and his father in -the hall, waiting impatiently for Madame O’Malachy, who was going with -them to hear the speeches in the market-place. Going up-stairs, he -found Nadia in the sitting-room, arranging the flowers for the table, -carefully and conscientiously, as she did everything, adding a spray -here, and taking one away there, and holding up the vase to see the -effect, then lifting everything out and beginning again. - -Before her stood a glass in which her mother had placed carelessly two -or three blossoms and a spray or two of feathery fern, which seemed to -have arranged themselves, but of which the effect was perfect. By the -table stood Madame O’Malachy, buttoning her long gloves and -criticising freely her daughter’s work. - -“You have no taste, Nadia. Surely it must be evident, even to you, -that a brick is not the best model for a bouquet? Don’t pull the -flowers about so much; you will ruin them, and I cannot afford any -more to-day.” - -“I am commissioned to say that the hothouses at the palace are at your -disposal, madame, if you would honour my brother by allowing him to -send you some flowers,” said Cyril, coming forward. - -“His Majesty’s conduct is angelic,” returned Madame O’Malachy. “But of -what use are all the flowers in Thracia if the artist’s eye for their -arrangement is wanting?” She had taken the vase from Nadia and removed -half its contents, then, with a twirl here and a poke there, she -transformed the remainder into a thing of beauty. “I regret to -perceive that the artistic instinct, the soul of poetry, is wanting in -my daughter. She is very thorough, extremely conscientious, but what -one may call--not heavy, that would be unkind--shall we say _solid_? I -am perpetually worrying myself to discover why she bears no -resemblance at all to me. ‘A reversion to an earlier type,’ I suppose -the scientific gentlemen would call it; _I_ say that she is one of the -trials of my life. For me, I am not at all conscientious, I do nothing -thoroughly; but I think I am not heavy?” She paused with her eyebrows -uplifted in interrogation; and Cyril, though he had been reflecting -what wretchedly bad form it was for a woman to try to make her -daughter feel small in this way, had presence of mind enough to answer -that such a word could never be mentioned in the same breath with the -name of Madame O’Malachy. - -“But I must hurry away,” the lady went on, “or O’Malachy will come up -to look for me. I shall hear your news when I return, Milord Cyril.” - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - FOR HIS GOOD. - -“I think I have one piece of news that at any rate you will like to -hear,” said Cyril, as Madame O’Malachy rustled out of the room and -down the corridor towards the lift. - -Nadia’s grey eyes glanced towards him. “You did not come here to offer -us hothouse flowers,” she remarked. “There is something else that you -have to say.” - -“Won’t you believe that I came to enjoy the delightful conversation of -Madame and yourself?” asked Cyril, lazily, for he was in a -particularly comfortable chair, and found the spectacle of Nadia’s -laborious dealing with the flowers very entertaining. - -“No,” she answered, bluntly, irritated by his manner. - -“Well, Caerleon intends to offer your brother a commission in the -palace guard. Is that important enough to satisfy you?” - -“I daresay it is important, but it is not what you came to say.” - -“You are a little exacting, mademoiselle. Is this what you want? My -brother asked me to tell you that he proposes to begin to-day the -investigation you recommended him to set on foot.” - -“That is good!” she cried. “I knew I should not be disappointed in -him. But you have another message still.” - -“Pardon me, I have no other message, although my business with you -grows, if I may say so, out of that last message.” - -“Precisely, and I know what it is. You wish to say that his Majesty’s -eager compliance with my wishes betokens a state of affairs which you, -as a man of the world, consider highly inexpedient when it exists in -connection with the King of Thracia and a penniless foreigner.” - -“I had no intention of saying anything so rude; but I will own that -although when Caerleon and I first had the honour of meeting your -family, I saw no insuperable objection to his pleasing himself in -marrying, things are different now. I blame myself very much that I -did not foresee this change and try----” - -“I don’t want your regrets, Lord Cyril,” interrupted Nadia. “Let us -keep to the facts as they are. They are sufficiently obvious. I agree -with you, that for the King to marry me would probably cost him his -throne, and that is a sacrifice I could not accept.” - -“I’m very glad you see it in this light,” began Cyril, rather taken -aback by her coolness; but she interrupted him. - -“You know quite well that I should have preferred our acquaintance to -cease when we parted at Witska, and that since that could not be, I am -most anxious to leave Thracia as soon as possible. I have done all I -could to induce my parents to return to Janoszwar, but in vain. You -must do your part. Why will you not help me? Why have you given Louis -this commission, when it will only be an excuse for our remaining in -the country?” - -“As a delicate compliment to the future Queen of Thracia,” said Cyril, -in his smoothest tones. “At least, I am sure that is the light in -which Caerleon regards it.” - -“He should not be so confident,” said Nadia. “Queen of Thracia you at -least know that I shall never be. I expect you to help me in -disappointing the King for his good. This is my plan. My parents are -Scythian agents--you know that already, but I make the admission that -you may have fuller right to take action”--and she laughed bitterly. -“As for Louis, I don’t know whether he has accepted the commission you -are offering him or not; but if he has, it is only that he may do you -greater harm. He is here for the purpose of plotting against the -independence of Thracia. Well, then, have us arrested to-night and -conveyed to the frontier; then your anxieties may cease.” - -“I beg your pardon; they would only begin,” said Cyril. “You are -leaving Caerleon out of your reckoning altogether, Miss O’Malachy. Do -you know, I wished most fervently as I came down here just now that I -could bring myself to say that I was come to make terms with you on -Caerleon’s behalf and with his knowledge. Matters would be so much -easier if I could only request you in his name to leave the kingdom, -and not seek to continue a friendship begun under such different -circumstances. But I couldn’t make up my mind to rob the poor fellow -of his character in that way, and so----” - -“I should never have believed you!” cried Nadia, with flashing eyes. - -“You are very flattering. But if I had assured you that it was true?” - -“I should have asked the King himself.” - -“Surely not?” said Cyril. “I thought that young ladies never, under -any circumstances, spoke out boldly and asked for an explanation?” - -“I should in such a case,” said Nadia, proudly. “I would do anything -rather than believe him false and a coward.” - -“Well, unfortunately, I can’t make you think that of him,” said Cyril. -“I know perfectly well that if you left Bellaviste, as you propose, he -would simply follow you anywhere, and insist upon your marrying him.” - -“I would never do it,” said Nadia, her lips white. - -“I never thought you would; but I am afraid it would move Europe to -laughter to see the King of Thracia pursuing from place to place a -young lady----” - -“Who was the daughter of a Scythian spy!” cried Nadia, with a fierce -laugh. “You are right, Lord Cyril; it would be worse than wrong, it -would be ridiculous. And ridicule must never touch any one connected -with Lord Cyril Mortimer; he could not endure it, all his relations -must be above suspicion in that respect. Well, I will not only leave -Bellaviste, but I will write to his Majesty a letter explaining my -reason for doing so. Does that satisfy you?” - -“But--excuse me,” said Cyril; “has my brother ever really asked you to -marry him?” - -“If he had, he would have received his answer already,” returned -Nadia. “Most certainly he has not.” - -“You really must pardon me--but do you intend to write a letter -declining a proposal that has never been made to you?” - -“Why not? You know, and he knows, and I know, that he loves me. Why -make all this trouble? You do not wish him to write to me first? I -might keep his letter, sell it to a newspaper, make it the groundwork -of a scandal that would spread through Europe, who knows? Come, I will -write now: you shall tell me what to say if you like.” - -“Excuse me, but this will never do,” said Cyril, refusing to give way -when she tried to pass him and reach the writing-table. “Do you think -Caerleon would under any circumstances consent to regard a message in -a letter--which was not even written in answer to one from him--as -your final decision? He would see at once that there had been outside -influence at work, and suspect that you had written under pressure. He -must hear everything from your own lips.” - -“Oh, why must you make it so hard for me? Let me write,” entreated -Nadia, standing before him with clasped hands. - -“It is impossible,” said Cyril, firmly. “You must see him.” - -“Is it absolutely necessary? Then I suppose I must,” said Nadia, -drawing a deep breath. “But remember, Lord Cyril, I will tell no lies. -He shall know my reason for refusing him.” - -“I thought,” said Cyril, “that young ladies considered themselves -justified in telling a little fib on such occasions, such as saying -that they found they did not care for their suitors in quite the right -way, or something of the kind?” - -“The young ladies with whom you are acquainted may tell fibs,” -returned Nadia, with a cool incisiveness that reminded him of her -mother, “but I do not. Does it not seem to you hard enough to have to -refuse the man who loves me, that you wish me to do it by means of a -lie?” - -“How can you expect him to accept his dismissal if you go into details -in the way you propose?” asked Cyril. “Can’t you simply refuse him -without giving a reason? It is a lady’s privilege, you know.” - -“That I will not do!” cried Nadia, fiercely. “He shall not be forced -to think that the woman to whom he has given his love is insensible--a -stone. He shall know that her suffering is at least as great as his.” - -“Well, you have your own ideas as to the best way of imparting -consolation, certainly,” said Cyril. “I suppose I can’t quarrel with -you, so long as you do really send him off.” - -“Of course I shall send him away,” said Nadia. “I have known for a -week that it must be done. Bring him here, and I will tell him that I -cannot marry him. Perhaps you would wish to remain in the room, so as -to assure yourself that I keep faith with you?” - -“Caerleon must not come here,” said Cyril, thoughtfully, disregarding -the taunt. “It is most important for us to avoid notice. I must -contrive a meeting for you somewhere, which may seem accidental, even -if it is observed.” - -“Do you wish to destroy my good name as well as your brother’s -happiness, Lord Cyril?” she asked, cuttingly. Cyril made a movement of -impatience. - -“You are determined to put me in the wrong,” he said, facing her -indignant eyes without flinching. “If you will only remember that my -brother’s name would be at least as much affected as yours in such a -case, you will judge me more fairly. I can assure you that the only -meeting of which I was thinking was one in the intervals of a dance, -or some entertainment of the kind. Surely you must see the need for -secrecy? It is not merely that my brother must not marry you. He must -marry some one else.” - -Cyril had his revenge for all the unpleasantness of the morning, for -Nadia, after one wild start, stood as if she had been turned to stone. - -“Another girl?” she gasped at last. “Who is she? Do I know her? No; -don’t tell me her name. I shall hear it quite soon enough, and I don’t -want to hate her. Some princess? and she is to marry him?--and he is -mine!” - -“I am sure you must see,” Cyril went on quietly, “that both for her -sake and his we must get this matter settled without any fuss.” - -“If she marries him, I don’t think a little trouble would hurt her,” -said Nadia, enviously. - -“I hope it may be so. But you must remember that this marriage would -be an arranged thing--a literal _mariage de convenance_, indeed. We -could hardly expect her to feel towards Caerleon as--as you do, and -although, if she cared for him, she might overlook even a scandal, yet -if she did not, the merest whisper might turn her against him. Without -considering her feelings in such a case at all, you must remember that -it would be very painful indeed for Caerleon. I am sure you would not -wish their married life to be unhappy.” - -“If she married him for the sake of the crown, she would deserve to be -unhappy,” said Nadia. - -“I am afraid we must leave that to her own conscience,” said Cyril. - -“Conscience!” cried Nadia, “and what of yours? If the King ever -discovers what you have been doing this morning, I think--I should be -almost sorry--even for you.” - -“I leave myself in your hands, you see, in perfect confidence.” - -“Oh yes, honour among thieves!” said Nadia, bitterly. “We are both -plotting against the King, and therefore we may well keep faith with -one another. Have you delivered all your messages now, Lord Cyril? If -so, I must ask you to go, for I am busy. Pray ring for a waiter to -attend you down-stairs.” - -She gave him a distant bow, and remained standing by the table, tall -and rigid, until he was out of sight, then dragged herself slowly -across the corridor to her own room, groping with outspread hands as -though she had been in darkness, opened the door, entered, locked it, -and threw herself on the floor, a shuddering, sobbing heap. - -“Quite an exciting morning!” said Cyril to himself, as he strolled -back to the palace. “It’s a pity that that Nadia girl can’t be queen, -after all. She is cut out for ruling a nation given to revolutions, -like this one. I can fancy her facing a yelling mob without turning a -hair. But melodrama in daily life is a bore. After our conversation -one feels mean, somehow--rather as if one had been committing murder.” - - - -All unconscious of what Nadia stigmatised as the plot against his -happiness, Caerleon spent the morning in the balcony of the Hôtel de -Ville, listening, with what patience he might, to speeches of which he -could not understand a word. It was his first opportunity of making -the acquaintance of the other members of the Drakovics Ministry, who -were on ordinary occasions rather cast into the shade by the -commanding personality of their chief. The greater number of them were -country gentlemen, belonging to the class of landed proprietors which -formed the backbone of the nation, since each man’s tenants and -villagers followed his lead in peace and war as his feudal vassals. -Living in rude plenty, untouched by the influence of western luxury, -on their own estates, these chieftains had found their patriotic and -religious instincts outraged by the irregular life and Scythian -sympathies of the late king, and they had given their support loyally -to M. Drakovics at the time of the revolution, believing him to be the -only man who could save the State from the various dangers which -threatened it. They had accepted posts in the Administration merely in -order that the prestige of their names might assist the Premier in his -task, and he reciprocated the service by allowing them to remain at -their ease in the country unless their presence was demanded at the -capital on some important occasion, such as a parliamentary crisis; -but they had rallied around him to-day in their full strength without -being summoned, conspicuous in their rich national costume, -magnificent with fur and gold embroideries. Caerleon they were -prepared to welcome as the Premier’s choice, but their first meeting -with him disposed them to take a fancy to him for his own sake; and -when some one had remembered that the English were supposed to be, as -a nation, lovers of sport, he received so many invitations to come and -hunt various animals that he might have imagined that life in Thracia -was mainly devoted to the chase. - -The persons who in reality carried on the work of government were not -the grey-haired chiefs who surrounded their new King, but the army of -inferior officials to whom the Scythian newspapers were wont to refer -scathingly as “briefless barristers and unsuccessful journalists.” -They were western to a fault, wore their black broadcloth as though to -the manner born, and it was easy to see that it was on them, and not -on the titular heads of their departments, that M. Drakovics relied -for the prosecution of his policy. Each of these men was directly -responsible to him, for the nominal Ministers relied on him to tell -them what papers they were to sign, and what orders they were to give, -and he sent them as subordinates whom he chose. On these subordinates -he could depend, for he had raised them from their original obscurity -to the position they occupied at present, and all their interests were -bound up with his, so that they were ready to cling to him through -thick and thin. Perilous as such an autocracy may appear, the dangers -which usually accompany an experiment of the kind had not as yet shown -themselves in any great degree, probably owing to the common peril -from Scythia which menaced ruler and ruled alike, while the -administration of King Peter Franza had been so corrupt that the -people hailed the present one as a foretaste of the millennium. - -During the greater part of the time Caerleon found abundant interest -in watching the throng around him, while the Ministers made speeches -one after the other, or presented loyal addresses from the districts -they represented, and the people in the market-place cheered whenever -they caught an allusion to the revolution or to the new King. When -this preliminary business was over, M. Drakovics came forward for the -most important event of the day--the speech which was to explain the -postponement of the coronation. As he proceeded, Caerleon became -interested in spite of his ignorance of the language, for the -Premier’s tones and gestures were almost eloquent enough to take the -place of words. He had appeared hitherto as an astute politician, -genuinely patriotic, no doubt, according to his lights, but not -capable of any very lofty flight of imagination. But now Caerleon -could wonder no longer at his power of swaying the susceptible -Thracians, since he himself could feel the force of his scathing -denunciation of the former _régime_, his reference to the revolution, -brief yet full of meaning, his indignant declaration that to Scythia, -their constant enemy, they owed the two years of uncertainty and -instability which had retarded the rightful development of the -country, and his joyful reminder that at last they had found a prince -willing to cast in his lot with theirs, and to dare and suffer as a -Thracian. When the wild outburst of cheering which followed the last -sentence had ceased, M. Drakovics continued in a lower voice, charged -with deep meaning. Scythian jealousy was not yet dead, Scythian enmity -was not even slumbering; already had an attempt been made to prevent -the ratification of the people’s choice. Be it so! Thracia was in no -hurry; she would delay the ceremony of crowning her king for a while, -and make more seemly preparations for conducting it with fitting -splendour. Scythia had endeavoured to brand the opening of the new -reign with a bad omen, by the destruction of the ancient relic which -was at once the sign and the home of the nation’s faith; but Thracia -would turn the omen into one of joy, for as St Peter’s chapel rose -stronger and more beautiful from its ashes, so would the kingdom of -Carlino rise powerful and pure from the unavoidable disorders of the -revolution, and the oppression and corruption which had marked the -rule of Peter Franza and Ivan Sertchaieff. - -“If that man’s words are equal to his voice and manner,” said Caerleon -to himself, as M. Drakovics ceased, “he must be one of the greatest -orators in the world.” - -More speeches from different representatives of the people followed; -but at last the King was able to return to the palace, and to seek his -brother in the room which M. Drakovics had recommended should be -allotted to him for the performance of his duties as Caerleon’s -secretary. Cyril was testing the security of the cupboards which lined -the panelled walls, and he was so resolutely bent on expatiating on -the business-like appearance of his surroundings that it was some time -before Caerleon could put the question he was anxious to ask. - -“Well, did you see her?” - -“Oh, Miss O’Malachy?” asked Cyril, raising his eyebrows. “Yes, I saw -her. I can’t say that she impressed me favourably. She never does, -somehow.” - -“Happily it’s not necessary that she should,” returned Caerleon, -sharply. “When am I to see her?” - -“I have been thinking about that, and I can’t find an opportunity -earlier than that ball which the municipality are to give next week.” - -“But how am I to speak to her when we are dancing?” - -“You don’t imagine she would dance? You must sit out, of course. This -is how we shall have to work it. I will ask her to sit out with me, -and take her into the conservatory, or some place of that kind, where -you will be waiting. Then I’ll keep guard until you have said what you -want to say (I hope and trust it won’t take long), and I will convoy -her back to her mother.” - -“I think I am capable of doing that,” said Caerleon. - -“Yes, if she accepts you; but I don’t for a moment think she will. You -see what I mean, old man?--it seems rather a nasty thing to say--but I -don’t believe she cares for you sufficiently. She’s as proud as -Lucifer, and people are bound to say that she married you for the sake -of the crown. Would she be able to stand it?” - -“I believe she is sensible enough not to care what people say if she -once sees that it is right to marry me. But you never have understood -her. Look here, Cyril; why should we put it off so long? Let us give a -ball ourselves one evening this week.” - -“How can we, when you haven’t a lady at the head of affairs? You might -let yourself in for most horrible awkwardness. I don’t even know -whether it would be proper for Madame O’Malachy to bring her daughter. -You can’t go compromising yourself in the eyes of Europe in this way. -Don’t think of giving balls until you are married, unless you like to -get Mrs Sadleir out from home, and introduce her as your aunt and the -natural head of your establishment.” - -“I’m certain she would never come,” said Caerleon, gloomily. “But -after all,” and his face brightened, “perhaps it is as well to wait -for a week. If I can tell Nadia that I have come to some conclusion on -the question of initiating temperance legislation, it may please her, -so I will set to work at once. I am going to send to England for some -books I want. I don’t know whether there is anything you would like me -to order for you at the same time?” - -“Give me the list, and let me write,” said Cyril, quickly. “You have a -secretary now, Caerleon, and you mustn’t go sending orders to -tradesmen with your own royal hand. It’s making yourself too cheap.” - -But writing to a London bookseller was an inconsiderable trifle -compared with the work which Caerleon proceeded to undertake as a -necessary consequence of his promise to Nadia. Cyril showed no -inclination for the inquisitorial rambles he meditated, and he was -therefore obliged to secure the services of the detective whom M. -Drakovics had recommended, and who spoke English sufficiently well to -be of use. Under his guidance, the King paid surprise visits to -different parts of his capital at various hours of the day, mingling -freely with the people who thronged the _cafés_ and there spent their -time in drinking brandy and discussing politics. It was in vain to -attempt any disguise, for the Thracians knew their sovereign’s height -and figure too well for anything of the kind to be successful; but -they are a polite nation, and when Caerleon came among them -_incognito_, they did not appear to recognise him, perceiving that he -wished to acquaint himself with the characteristics of the national -life. Perhaps they were also a little flattered by the interest he -showed in their favourite pursuits, for they were always ready to -talk, and through the medium of his escort he obtained a great deal of -valuable information, the result of which went far to convince him -that Nadia was in the right, and that temperance legislation of some -kind was a crying need of the country. There seemed to be no effective -restraint on the sale of spirits, and during the last two years more -especially the vendors had reaped a golden harvest. The feeling of -uncertainty and unrest caused by the revolution, and the delay in -obtaining a king, had disposed the people to indulge in much talk and -speculation on political subjects; and to enjoy this to its fullest -extent, it was natural that they should resort to the _cafés_, where -coffee proved inadequate to quench their patriotic thirst. That some -change must be made in this state of affairs if the country was to -prosper, Caerleon was not slow to recognise, and the wisdom of his -decision was confirmed by the statistics which M. Drakovics obtained -at his request from Government officers all over Thracia; so that the -subject cost him much anxious thought during the week which preceded -the municipal ball at the Hôtel de Ville. - -For Cyril, also, this was a period not devoid of anxiety. In spite of -all his precautions, the secret of Caerleon’s admiration for Nadia had -become public property. The disclosure was mainly due to an American -journalist who was supposed to be writing up the minor Courts of -Europe for the benefit of aspiring New York belles, and who had -hastened to Thracia as soon as he heard of the accession of a bachelor -king, and taken up his quarters at the Hôtel Occidental. At the -_table d’hôte_ he fell in with the O’Malachy family, and was -immediately captivated by the cosmopolitan charms of Madame O’Malachy. -From her he learnt all that there was to be learnt about the new -sovereign, and not improbably a good deal more; and since nothing is -sacred to the New Journalist, he worked up all that he heard into what -he called “A Real Royal Romance,” for the columns of the paper he -represented. The details caused great excitement among the heiresses -of the Fifth Avenue, and filtered gradually back, through the medium -of English and Parisian newspapers, to those of Bellaviste, where M. -Drakovics, after reading them, made Cyril’s life a burden to him. - -“There has been frightful mismanagement somewhere!” he cried, charging -into the secretary’s office on the very morning of the municipal ball, -after Cyril had with difficulty restrained him hitherto from issuing -edicts for the suppression of the offending newspapers and the -expulsion of the American special correspondent. “This is the point to -which your diplomacy has led us, milord. Here is the editor of the -‘Empire City Crier’ telegraphing to this Mr Hicks, ‘Cable immediately -full particulars of Miss O’Malachy’s appearance, style of dress, taste -in perfumes and bonbons. All the latest novelties here are named after -her. Send any recent portraits.’ And here in Bellaviste we have the -whole female population, from the wives of the Ministers to the -shop-girls, crowding the street in front of the hotel to catch a -glimpse of her, and insisting on dressing their hair like hers. It is -intolerable!” - -“It is,” assented Cyril. “But I hope this state of affairs will come -to an end to-day. If it does not, I shall perceive that in some way or -other you have failed to adhere to our compact. Have confidence in me, -and you will see that it will be all right. Only you must be -absolutely passive at the ball to-night; and if you happen to miss my -brother from the room at the same time as Miss O’Malachy, merely try -to cover his absence as far as possible. If you don’t, I give you fair -warning, I’ll advise her to marry him.” - -“Naturally I will keep to our agreement, milord,” said M. Drakovics, -and went away unhappy. But Cyril was doomed not to be left in peace -this morning. Another visitor was announced--this time the O’Malachy, -who entered with his most military air, and with a look of repressed -sadness on his face. - -“Come to play the outraged parent!” groaned Cyril, mentally, and he -was not mistaken. The O’Malachy refused to take a chair, and stood -tall and solemn in the middle of the floor, looking at Cyril more in -sorrow than in anger. - -“Lord Cyrul,” he said, “I’m aware that your position and ours have -changed since circumstances first introjuced us to each other. But I -am still a father, with a father’s feelings, and the representatuv of -the ancient kings of Leitrum is not a man that can rightly be -slighted. I’d willingly have remained with me family in our modust -obscurity, but we have been removed from ut by the King’s action. I am -not an ambitious man, there’s no one can accuse me of thrusting me -daughter upon his Majusty, but neither will I have a slur cast upon -her. You know as well as I do how greatly your brother sought me -daughter’s presence until a week ago. Since then he has never come -near her, and people are talking. I ask you plainly, what are his -Majusty’s intentions?” - -“The most honourable possible,” replied Cyril, with suitable -seriousness. “I may mention to you, in the strictest confidence, that -my brother is hoping to propose to Miss O’Malachy at the ball -to-night. Of course she will be there?” - -“The last thing I heard was that she did not dance, and would not -come,” said the O’Malachy, ruefully. Cyril smiled. - -“I think Madame O’Malachy will be able to induce her to come, if you -take them a special message from me to say that her presence is -indispensable,” he said. - -“Ah now, if you could write that to them in the King’s name?” -suggested the O’Malachy, brightening. - -“Wouldn’t you like to have it to show?” thought Cyril. Aloud he added, -“I think you must know, O’Malachy, that M. Drakovics is bent upon the -King’s marrying some lady belonging to a royal house. Under these -circumstances, it is as well not to give him any opportunity of -interfering until my brother has settled things with Miss O’Malachy. -Such a paper as you propose might lead to complications with him.” - -“I dislike all this secrecy greatly,” grumbled the O’Malachy. “Why -would not his Majusty have given some public hint of his intentions? -’Twould have been an excellent opporchunity when he gazetted umself -honorary colonel of the Carlino Regiment.” - -“My dear O’Malachy, would you have him imply that your daughter was -ready to jump at his offer?” asked Cyril, and he looked rather -nonplussed. - -“I’ll not keep you longer now,” he said, moving towards the door. “You -understand, Lord Cyrul, that in case of--of an alliance between your -family and mine, me wife and I would esteem ut alike our juty and our -pleasure to place what little experience and influence we may possess -at the disposal of his Majusty and the Thracian Government?” - -“What a double-dyed old traitor he is!” thought Cyril, as he returned -from seeing his visitor to the door. “I believe I should prefer his -enmity to his friendship.” - -And having disposed of the matter satisfactorily, he applied himself -to more important business, not thinking again of the evening until it -was time to dress for the ball. - - - - CHAPTER IX. - A WOMAN OF HER WORD. - -The ball given by the municipality of Bellaviste at the Hôtel de -Ville in honour of their new King was the grandest entertainment ever -seen in the city. Every one who had the slightest claim to receive an -invitation was present, with the exception of the agents representing -the various Powers, and the staffs of their respective consulates, who -held themselves severely aloof from a festivity of which the _raison -d’être_ was the social inauguration of a sovereignty not recognised -by the arbiters of European opinion. The display of Thracian costumes -and Parisian toilettes was dazzling, but the observed of all observers -were Madame O’Malachy and her daughter, who were by no means among the -smartest people present. Mr Hicks, the American newspaper -correspondent, who had attended so many society functions that he knew -as much about female dress as the cleverest lady paragraphist that -ever reported an aristocratic wedding, was inclined to be dissatisfied -with Nadia’s appearance. There was a kind of affectation of humility, -he thought, a too evident desire to emphasise the distance between -Caerleon and herself, in her severely plain dress of black net, cut -barely low enough to pass muster on such an occasion, and in the -absence of any relief, such as might have been afforded by flowers or -ornaments, that marked it. It was true that her beautiful head and -shoulders appeared to derive additional grace from the simplicity of -their surroundings, but there was something unsuitable about the -general effect. Did the beggar-maid don her oldest rags when Cophetua -came to woo her? Mr Hicks thought not. And again, why did Miss -O’Malachy look so like a victim led to the sacrifice as she followed -her mother into the room, and so anxious and unhappy when her eye -rested on the King? Mere excitement would not account for her troubled -expression, and she was sure enough of her prize not to be fearful as -to the outcome of the ordeal of the evening. Could it be possible that -she did not reciprocate the King’s affection? Was it--could it be--Mr -Hicks ground his teeth as he intercepted a disapproving glance -levelled at Nadia by Cyril, and felt for one agonised moment that he -had missed the most thrilling point of his romance--was there a -rivalry between the brothers? - -“I call it real mean of the old lady never to have given me a hint,” -he groaned, thinking of the extra columns of copy such an intimation -would have supplied, but presently he grew calm again. “There’s -nothing of the sort, or those two fellows couldn’t carry on as they -are doing. A woman can be as sweet as possible to another when she -hates her like poison; but two men can’t be easy together when they -have quarrelled over a girl.” - -Reassured to find that he had not let slip an opportunity of gaining -information, he set himself once more to watch the glittering scene -and observed that Caerleon invited Nadia to dance with him as soon as -he had done his duty to the wives of the city fathers. He saw Madame -O’Malachy’s thrill of anxious expectation as the King approached her, -and divined instantly that the offer of such an honour was in itself -equivalent to a proposal of marriage. But Nadia declined it, although -her watchful mother softened the refusal by adding that she did not -dance. - -“He shouldn’t have come to ask her himself,” soliloquised Mr Hicks, -who knew a good deal more about the etiquette proper for royalty than -did most of the exalted personages at whose Courts he sojourned. -“Ought to have sent his brother, or his equerry--if he has one. And -she had no business to refuse, anyway. A girl that don’t dance ought -not to go to Court balls.” - -But although he turned away with a feeling of lordly contempt for -people who could manage their affairs so badly, Mr Hicks took care not -to lose sight of Nadia during the evening. More than half the -programme had been gone through when he saw Cyril sauntering up to -her. He also saw Nadia shiver slightly, then sit very erect, and he -guessed that the fateful moment had come. - -“Will you sit out this dance with me?” asked Cyril, adjusting one of -his sleeve-links as he spoke. The American, watching him, thought the -action a piece of aristocratic rudeness, but Cyril was merely doing -his best not to look towards Madame O’Malachy. If she should gain from -his face an inkling of his compact with her daughter, she was quite -capable, he was sure, of making a scene in public, supposing that she -judged it to be to her interest to do so, and he felt much relieved -when he had succeeded in avoiding her eye, and had left her engrossed -in conversation with Mr Hicks. With Nadia on his arm, he led the way -to one of the smaller balconies, which were curtained off from the -corridors, and decorated with plants and palms, and here he found her -a seat. - -“Caerleon may not be here just yet,” he said. “I saw him dancing with -Madame Sertchaieff just now. He has to be civil to her, you know, as -she is the War Minister’s wife.” He went on talking lightly in his -ordinary tones, and did not testify any resentment when Nadia -vouchsafed no answer to his cheerful commonplaces, but sat still, her -rigid hands outstretched before her and locked in one another, until -her face changed suddenly at the sound of a footstep without. - -“I was very lucky in getting off so soon,” said a voice, and Caerleon -drew back the curtain and stood before them, in all the magnificence -of the full-dress uniform of the Carlino Regiment. “I caught my spur -in Madame Sertchaieff’s dress,” he went on, “and tore it so badly that -she had to go and get it sewn up. Now, Cyril, old man, if you will add -to your kindness by making yourself scarce for a little while, I shall -be much obliged.” - -Resisting the temptation to give Nadia a last glance of warning, Cyril -departed obediently, and mounted guard in the corridor outside with an -air of philosophical calmness, which he was very far from feeling. If -she should fail him now! “It would make Thracia too hot to hold me,” -he mused, “for she’s bound to tell Caerleon the whole story at once,” -and he shifted his position impatiently as he pictured the look of -pain and aversion which the revelation would bring into Caerleon’s -honest eyes. He would have been still more anxious as to the results -of his diplomacy if he could have heard the words in which, without -wasting time on preliminaries, his brother went straight to the matter -in hand. - -“I am going to ask you to make a great sacrifice for me, Nadia. Those -silly women out there may think that it’s something very grand to be -Queen of Thracia, but you know better, and so do I. It means -isolation, and worry, and being opposed and thwarted in what you have -set your heart on, and it is very likely to mean danger, perhaps -death. There are not many women I could ask to share these things with -me; but I think that you care for me enough to be willing to help me -through it all.” - -He had struck the right chord at once, and the eloquence of Nadia’s -eyes encouraged him to go on. - -“I know,” he said, taking her hands in his, “that it doesn’t sound the -proper thing for me to throw it all on you, and ask you to take me as -a charity, but it seems to appeal to you more strongly if it is put in -that light. Doesn’t it signify to you at all that I care for you, -Nadia? that I have loved you since the very first day I saw you? I -don’t believe you realise in the least what you are to me. I wish I -could make you understand how I love you. Look at me--look into my -eyes, and perhaps you will see.” - -But Nadia shivered, and drew her hands out of his clasp. The vehemence -of his tone frightened her, and she dared not meet his eye. She could -not say a word, for the lump which had suddenly risen in her throat -seemed to choke her. He noticed her agitation, and tried to speak more -calmly. - -“I am sure you can’t possibly know,” he said, “what a revelation it is -to a man who has become accustomed to look at things in an ordinary -everyday way, to be brought into close contact with a woman whose sole -idea is to do right. One’s courage fails sometimes, when one is alone -against the world, and I want you to help me to do what ought to be -done for the kingdom.” - -“I can’t marry you,” gasped Nadia, looking up at him with anguished -eyes; “it would not be right.” - -“Not right! Why not?” he asked in astonishment. - -“On account of so many things. My parents--Louis----” - -“I am sure you need not trouble yourself about them,” said Caerleon, -with an involuntary smile at the thought of the ease with which the -O’Malachy family would almost certainly be managed. “Louis is provided -for in the army, and your father and mother will give up their -wandering life, and settle down quietly here.” - -“But it is myself!” cried Nadia, desperately. “I am not what you want -in a wife, not good enough, not--not important enough. I should do -nothing but bring trouble upon you. I am afraid to marry you. I dare -not do it. I will not.” - -“I think you will, when you understand how much I want you,” said -Caerleon, with all the spirit of his fighting forefathers roused by -her opposition. “Why, I am offering you work, and you know you have -often told me that it is wrong to refuse work when it comes in one’s -way. You cannot tell me that you mean to cast me off because you are -afraid of the silly remarks people will make?” - -“Oh, why will you make me say it?” she cried, driven to bay by his -tone. “I will not marry you, then, because you ought to marry a -princess--some one who has been brought up to be a queen, and whose -family will be a support to you in Europe. That is what you must do.” - -“Nadia!” he said in astonishment, “you tell me to marry a stranger, -when I love you? You can’t think that right?” - -“I know,” she said, despairingly. “It all seems to me horribly, -fearfully wrong, but it must be right, because it is so hard to do.” - -“You are in love with martyrdom,” he said, with unwonted sternness; -“but you have no right to try to sacrifice me as well as yourself.” - -“Very well, say that I am in love with martyrdom, then,” she answered, -drearily. “Persuade yourself that I love it better than I do you.” - -“I have no doubt you do,” returned Caerleon; “but I have the -misfortune to love you better than an utterly unnecessary sacrifice.” - -“And I,” she said, “love you so much that for your sake I can separate -myself from you for ever.” - -“Is that your idea of love?” he asked bitterly, but with something of -dismay in his voice. - -“It is,” she answered. - -“But, Nadia, this is monstrous!” he cried. “You tell me that you love -me, and yet you order me to marry some one else. You must know that -such a thing can’t be right. Sit down here quietly, and let us talk -the matter out. I think you will see that you are cruelly unfair.” - -“I daresay I should,” said Nadia, refusing to take the seat to which -he tried to draw her. “I have not a doubt that you could convince -me--make me yield, at any rate, since my own heart is on your side. -But you will not. I know that you are stronger than I am, and you will -not take an ignoble advantage of your strength to make me do what I -know is wrong. Think,” as he gazed at her in silence, “how we should -feel, if I married you, and our marriage plunged Thracia into -misfortunes--if you were forced to abdicate.” - -“I should do it with a good conscience, and go home happily with you,” -returned Caerleon, with unexpected promptness. “If that’s all, I’ll -abdicate now. What do I care for the kingdom? There has been nothing -but worry and rumours of approaching trouble since I accepted it, and -if it’s to come between you and me, I’ll have nothing more to do with -it.” - -“Oh no, no,” entreated Nadia, clinging to his arm as he turned towards -the doorway. “Don’t talk like that! Let me believe in you still. You -accepted the kingdom because it was right, for the sake of the people, -and I know you will govern wisely. Don’t let me be disappointed in -you. If I can give you up because it is right, you can give me up. I -can bear anything if I am sure that I can trust you to go on as you -have begun.” - -“What can I do?” broke out Caerleon in his despair. “You do your best -to break my heart, and then you expect me not even to struggle. Nadia, -have you no pity? Give me some hope. Say that after a year--two -years--any length of time--I may speak to you again. What is a man to -do when you bring up his own sense of honour against him?” - -“He must submit,” said Nadia. Caerleon stood looking at her in -silence, his heart protesting wildly against the barriers she had -raised between them. It was on his lips to say, “You have told me you -love me, and that’s enough. Nothing shall part us.” He felt sure that -his love must prevail over her scruples; she had said so herself. But -she had appealed to his chivalry; how could he disappoint her? The -struggle was a cruel one, and he turned away from her without a word. -She saw her advantage, and went on-- - -“I know you will let me be proud of you still. You won’t know where I -am, but I shall always watch what you are doing, and I shall feel glad -to think that perhaps I have helped you--a little. And then some day -you will meet some one whom it is right for you to marry, and you will -remember that I wished it----” - -“Are you trying to drive me mad, Nadia?” he cried, turning upon her -fiercely. “If you told me you did not care for me, I could bear it -better. But it makes one feel such a fool, when you have said you love -me, to stand back and let you go. How can you expect it of me?” - -“It is right,” she answered, slowly. - -“Let me kiss you once, only once,” he entreated. - -“Oh no, no, no!” she almost shrieked, feeling that her resolution must -give way at the touch of his lips. “Keep your kisses for your bride!” - -“I don’t think I have deserved that,” he said, bitterly. “Understand -once for all, Nadia, that you need not lay the flattering unction to -your soul that I shall comfort myself as you please yourself by -imagining I shall do. I can’t marry you against your will, but I won’t -marry any other woman. Until I met you I thought that I should never -marry, and now that you won’t have me I know it. It is you or no one, -and you will cheerfully sacrifice me to a fancied scruple----” - -“You see that you are well rid of me,” said Nadia. - -“Nonsense!” cried Caerleon. “I love you more than ever. I can’t do -without you. Just think of the life to which you are condemning me. To -be alone always, never to be able to get away from the glare and rush -of public life, never to have any one to cheer me on, never to have a -home. I thought you would have helped me. I thought you would be there -to advise me when I could not see my way clearly. You always seem to -be sure of the right path at once. Do you really think that marrying -the Emperor of Scythia’s daughter--if I had the faintest intention of -taking the advice you have been giving me to-night--would ever make up -for that? I don’t mean to marry to strengthen my position in Europe. I -want a wife who will look at things without fear or favour, and help -me to do what is right. Isn’t this a mission for you? Tell me, my -dearest, is there no chance for me?” - -“None,” she answered, with difficulty, the fervency of his pleading -almost destroying her power of speech. “Please, please, say no more. -You cannot tell how my heart is longing to say Yes; but I dare not -yield. Don’t you see that all the course of our lives has been leading -up to this--to the great choice between right and wrong? It is right -now to think of the kingdom, and not of ourselves, and so I can be -strong to refuse you for your own sake. It is hard for you, I know, -but I think it is harder for me. You can stand alone, but I--oh! I -could not do it if I was not sure it was right. Never, never think -that I did not love you. Please let me go.” He loosed her hands, and -she drew aside the curtain and passed out, looking back at him as he -stood watching her in despairing silence, then tapped Cyril on the -shoulder with her fan. “Will you kindly take me back to my mother, -Lord Cyril? She was intending to leave early.” - -Mr Hicks, when in after days he related his impressions of the -incidents of that evening, whether in conversation or in the columns -of the ‘Empire City Crier,’ was wont to remark, with much originality -and force, that coming events cast their shadows before them, and that -there is no accounting for the sympathetic movements of certain finely -constituted minds. This was his way of leading up to the striking fact -that while he and Madame O’Malachy were in the midst of a pleasant -chat, in which the reputations of various Thracian notabilities -suffered rather severely, the lady broke off suddenly in the course of -a sentence and sighed deeply. In response to his anxious inquiries, -she assured him that she was not ill, but that she felt a presentiment -of coming misfortune,--“and at such a time as this,” she added, “you, -monsieur, as a friend of the family, will be at no loss to understand -the subject of my anxiety. You will pardon a mother’s weakness, but it -is hard to see two young lives wrecked by an obstinate pride. You have -watched with interest the course of the attachment--the royal idyl, as -I might call it--between the King and my daughter, and I know you will -sympathise with me in my fear lest Nadia, in her sensitive delicacy, -should have refused her lover through fear of being supposed to covet -his throne.” - -“And you’ll scarcely believe me,” Mr Hicks was accustomed to continue, -ignorant that by means of a mirror behind him Madame O’Malachy had -noticed Nadia approaching her from the other end of the room, and -discerned in an instant that her companion was not Caerleon, “but the -words were not out of her mouth when I saw Lord Cyril in the distance, -with Miss O’Malachy on his arm as white as a sheet, and I knew her -mother was right at once. No girl that had just accepted a king ever -went about with a face like that.” - -“Oh, Mr Hicks, do tell!” his enraptured audience would exclaim; and Mr -Hicks would go on to detail how Madame O’Malachy had turned as white -as her daughter on seeing her face, but had said calmly that the heat -of the room was too much for Miss Nadia, and they must go home; and -how she had turned to him with a sorrowful look that went to his -heart, and whispered, “My kind friend, do this for us. If any one -speaks to you of the matter we were discussing, let it be known that -my daughter has refused his Majesty for the reason I feared.” - -In fulfilling this parting request Mr Hicks, as a gallant American, -and therefore a sworn servant of the fair sex, had spent the remainder -of the evening, only pausing to glance at the King as he passed -through the hall about half an hour later with set face and firmly -closed lips on his way back to the palace, on the plea of illness. To -the observer who had noted duly at the beginning of the entertainment -that “his Majesty looked extremely well, and conversed affably with -the different persons presented to him,” the change spoke volumes; but -other people were not quite so ready to accept Madame O’Malachy’s -explanation as he was. More than one of the chaperons with whom he -touched on the subject gave it as her opinion that the King had -informed Miss O’Malachy that he could not, consistently with his duty -to the nation, marry her; and that a harrowing scene had ensued. It -was extraordinary how widely it was known in the ballroom that -something of the kind had occurred, and Mr Hicks found his duty of -impressing Madame O’Malachy’s view of the case on his friends to be no -sinecure. But he persevered, for he sympathised deeply with her in her -disappointment, and he was also sorry for Nadia, who, as he rightly -supposed, would have a good deal to endure from her mother on the way -home. “Those outspoken, affectionate women can do an astonishing -amount of reproaching when they are once worked up,” he said to -himself; but he never dreamed of the storm of sarcasm and cruel -invective under which Nadia was writhing at the moment. - -The next day found Bellaviste society divided into two parties, one of -which accepted Madame O’Malachy’s account of the events of the evening -before, and believed that an insane pride had driven Nadia to refuse -the King; while the other, led by Madame Sertchaieff, and relying on -the authority of M. Drakovics, held that his Majesty had, more or less -directly, declined to marry her. Madame Sertchaieff was the great lady -of Bellaviste. As the wife of the Minister for War (the brother of the -Ivan Sertchaieff who had been the last Premier of the late king), she -took the lead in the society of the city, and derived no small honour -from the fact that her husband was the only member of the Ministry -whom M. Drakovics treated on anything approaching a footing of -equality. With every desire to make the Thracian army invincible, the -Premier was handicapped by an absolute ignorance of military affairs, -and since General Sertchaieff had turned his back on his brother and -his party to adopt the cause of the revolution, he left all the actual -work of the bureau in his hands, and also consulted him frequently on -the general policy of the Government. Consequently, when Madame -Sertchaieff (it is needless to say that she had not been among the -ladies whose eagerness to see Nadia had so deeply scandalised the -Premier) averred that she had guessed, from the excitement visible in -the King’s manner when he danced with her, that he was screwing up his -courage to the point of formally breaking off his relations with Miss -O’Malachy, and further hinted that the step had been taken on the -advice and with the full approval of M. Drakovics, she carried many of -her hearers with her. Curiosity was rife as to what would be the next -step on either side; but on the evening after the ball the public -excitement was cruelly balked by the news that the O’Malachy family, -with the exception of Louis, had left the city. They were gone because -it could not but be disagreeable to Miss O’Malachy to run the risk of -meeting her rejected lover at every turn, said Mr Hicks and his party; -because they had received a secret mandate from the police advising -them to depart, said Madame Sertchaieff and her friends; because the -O’Malachy and his wife, perceiving that there was no opening in -Thracia for their peculiar talents, had determined to return to the -service of their Scythian employers, thought Cyril. - -Had Cyril possessed a conscience in good working order, it might have -given him a certain amount of trouble at this time; but systematic -neglect and snubbing had reduced his to a condition in which, while it -prevented his full enjoyment of his achievements, it never interfered -with him during their performance, nor caused him to wish that they -had not succeeded. Like the British matron in “Locksley Hall,” he had -amassed “a little hoard of maxims,” or perhaps it would be more -correct to say impressions, during his social career, and these he -employed as balm whenever his conscience gave him a feeble prick. On -the subject of love and marriage these impressions were particularly -vivid. Every man, Cyril considered, was bound to fall in love a -greater or less number of times, and the malady was like the measles, -in that some took it slightly and others severely. Marriage was one of -the things which were better managed in France. Even as it was, every -sensible man with a name and a possible career married with a keen eye -to present and future advantage, but the alliance ought to be arranged -for him as soon as he entered public life, in order to avoid wasting -time in the unprofitable experiments mentioned above. Marrying for -love was a folly which only the most foolhardy of men would commit, -for when the love was gone--and in Cyril’s scheme of life it was bound -to go very soon--where were you? Circumstances had forced him hitherto -to acknowledge a possible exception in the case of his brother. It was -eminently desirable that Caerleon should marry; but it was equally -evident that he would not marry any one who did not captivate his -fancy, and when Nadia appeared on the scene Cyril saw no invincible -objection to his pleasing himself. His tastes were simple, and his -income, in ordinary years, quite sufficient for his moderate wants, so -that money was not a necessity; and if Nadia was not likely to achieve -a success in society, Caerleon, on his side, was too much of a faddist -ever to get on in Parliament, and thus it might be the most suitable -thing for them to settle down at Llandiarmid and elevate the peasantry -and lead the county. In this roseate view, as Cyril now ruefully -perceived, his wonted foresight had been badly at fault, for he ought -to have remembered the shadowy crown, the bestowal of which had since -changed everything. Nadia O’Malachy as Queen of Thracia was simply -_impossible_, and Caerleon ought to have seen this for himself. - -“Why, if I had been in his place,” thought Cyril, forgetting that -their views upon the subject were diametrically opposed, “I would have -settled the matter off my own bat, and not thrown it all on the girl.” - -It was in this view that, after seeing Madame O’Malachy and her -daughter to their carriage on the fateful evening, he had returned to -his brother, and found him still standing as Nadia had left him. - -“Anything up, old man?” he inquired, sympathetically. - -“She won’t have me,” responded Caerleon with a kind of dull despair. - -“I thought so.” Cyril was careful not to assume a tone of superiority, -which his brother might have resented under the circumstances. “Well, -one doesn’t object to a spice of pride in a girl, but this is rather -too much. I’m awfully----” - -“It was not what you think,” Caerleon interrupted quickly. “She -refused me because she thought it best--for the kingdom.” - -“If only Drakovics knew how completely she agreed with him!” murmured -Cyril. “But really, you know, Caerleon, such virtue is a little too -bright and good for daily life. It’s convenient for the rest of us -that there are people like that, though they might be rather -overpowering to live with, and all we can do is to profit at their -expense.” - -“If you came here to rot me about her----” began Caerleon, angrily. - -“I came to fetch you back to the ballroom. People are asking what has -become of you.” - -“Let them ask. You don’t imagine that I am going to dance again -to-night?” - -“I suppose you don’t mean to stay here. You had better get home. You -look seedy enough for anything. I’ll end up the business for you.” - -The offer was thankfully accepted, and it was late when Cyril returned -to the palace; but he saw by the lights in Caerleon’s rooms that he -was still awake, although a knock at the door only produced a mandate -from his brother to “go to bed, and let him alone.” But Cyril did not -sleep that night as soundly as a conscienceless man ought to do, and -whenever he awoke he heard Caerleon tramping backwards and forwards -through his series of rooms. - - - - CHAPTER X. - REASONS OF STATE. - -The reader will without doubt expect to hear that the King appeared -in public at his usual hour the next morning, bearing the traces of -the night’s vigil in his haggard face and deeply lined brow; that he -went through the day’s business with invincible resolution, but with -an abstracted manner, the gloom of which was lightened by an -occasional unconquerable sigh; and that he frequently put his hand to -his forehead as though to push back the brooding weight of care which -oppressed him. It is disappointing to be obliged to chronicle the fact -that Caerleon made no attempt to act in this heroic but rather -harrowing fashion. He did not appear at all outside his own rooms, but -remained shut up in his study, where he buried himself in the piles of -blue-books and parliamentary reports for which he had sent to London, -growling at Cyril through the door when he besieged him in his -retreat, and sending word to M. Drakovics that if he had anything -special to communicate he might state his message in writing. For -three days he laboured unceasingly, consulting authorities, drawing -up, testing, and destroying draft schemes, guarded by the faithful -Wright, who had been summoned from the stables by a sudden message -from his master, and informed all comers that “’is Majesty was not to -be disturbed.” The fact that he would have found great pleasure in -knocking the Premier down, if he had attempted to force an entrance -into the room, undoubtedly contributed to the success of his -guardianship. - -It happened fortunately that nothing occurred during the three days to -render necessary an interview between the King and his Minister, and -Cyril and M. Drakovics, giving out that Caerleon had not yet recovered -from the illness which had attacked him at the ball, took things into -their own hands, and got through a large amount of important business. -In so far as international politics were concerned, their course lay -at present chiefly in the direction of bluff, for the Powers, scarcely -recovered from their surprise at Caerleon’s election, had not as yet -determined upon the action to be taken in the matter. Notes and -protests were flying about from cabinet to cabinet, and the papers -announced daily, with awful and mysterious joy, that such and such a -statesman had been closeted for over an hour with such and such a -potentate, or that this great personage had visited that great -personage, and that each had emerged from the interview with a clouded -brow. In England, Parliament was enjoying a long recess, and the few -stray politicians who were in the habit of arrogating to themselves an -interest in the peace of Europe were reduced to writing frantic -letters to the papers to demand that a special session should be -summoned immediately for the purpose of dethroning Caerleon, or else -to inquire why the Government did not at once recognise him as King of -Thracia, according to the direction taken by their respective -sympathies. - -But Cyril’s chief concern was with less responsible -individuals,--inventors who wished Caerleon to purchase the secret of -their new and destructive engines of warfare, or Englishmen who were -anxious either to enlist in the Thracian army or to raise a troop of -irregular horse in the King’s name. To them all Cyril replied with a -polite assurance that at the present moment the Thracian army was on -so satisfactory a footing that his Majesty had no intention of -increasing it, but that when he did so, the correspondent’s obliging -offer should be borne in mind. This form of words committed Caerleon -to nothing, while intimating also that although he desired peace he -was prepared for war, and it was calculated to convey a gentle warning -to Scythia, and to keep the rest of Europe in a state of agreeable -expectancy. Cyril was not a little pleased with his own capacity for -statecraft, and he did his best to raise the spirits of M. Drakovics, -who was inclined to fear that the King’s persistent seclusion -foreshadowed some kind of _coup d’état_, or even a determination to -govern altogether without a Minister in future. Caerleon was merely -working off his disappointment, Cyril assured the Premier, and he -would be all right in a day or two. But even Cyril had not calculated -on the manner in which his brother had employed his time in his -solitude. It was brought to his knowledge at last through the medium -of Wright, who on the third evening after the ball entered the -smoking-room, where Cyril was sitting with M. Drakovics, and laid a -large sealed envelope on the table between them. - -“’Is Majesty says, my lord, will you and ’is Excellency,” with a nod -in the direction of the Premier, “kindly read that, and be ready to -discuss with ’im to-morrow any improvements you can suggest.” - -It was with no small apprehension that Cyril and M. Drakovics, when -Wright had departed, opened and read the paper. They did not quite -know what they feared, but their brows grew no lighter as they -advanced, and at the close Cyril summed up in a tone of utter -despair-- - -“A strict system of licensing to be established for three years all -through the kingdom, preparatory to the general adoption of a -modification of the Gothenburg scheme! It is the biggest thing ever -undertaken in the temperance way!” - -“It is absolutely impossible,” said M. Drakovics. “It cannot be done.” - -“I am very much afraid it will have to be done,” said Cyril, “if you -mean to keep your king. Caerleon has always been mad on the subject of -temperance. His extreme views on that question destroyed his chances -of office in England, and it would be just like him to risk his crown -by putting them forward now. Besides, monsieur, it is just possible he -may have noticed that there is sometimes a slight confusion as to -which of you is King and which is Minister, and that he means to have -it cleared up.” - -“It cannot be done,” repeated M. Drakovics, hopelessly, as he rose to -go home, taking the paper with him; but when he met his sovereign in -the morning he found that the plea of impossibility was not accepted. - -“I am not King for my own pleasure, nor did I come here to rule -Thracia in accordance with your ideas, M. Drakovics,” said Caerleon, -“but for her own good. If I can’t do that, I had better go back to -England.” - -“But this legislation is undertaken so suddenly--so early in your -Majesty’s reign,” objected M. Drakovics. - -“Exactly. The people are well affected towards me just now, and will -accept a change more readily than they would later, when things had -settled down. But of course I have no intention of forcing my views on -them against their will.” - -“Your Majesty will listen to my advice on the subject?” - -“As to the best method of introducing the scheme, certainly. I know -that you agree with me as to the necessity of stringent -legislation--you have said so several times. I think it will be best -to bring in the measure at once as a Government bill, letting it be -known at the same time that my retaining the crown depends upon its -passing without delay.” - -“This is interfering with the liberty of the subject with a -vengeance!” said Cyril. “Are you really bent on risking your crown in -this way, Caerleon?” - -“I will not rule over a nation of drunkards,” returned Caerleon. - -“But set to work gradually. Do things by degrees,” urged Cyril. - -“And establish vested interests,” said Caerleon, quickly, “and thus -have all our difficulties at home reproduced? No; things are in a -state of chaos at present, and there is just this chance of bringing -them into order. The more thoughtful among the people see that -something must be done, and the Thracians will understand--and -appreciate--a single act of authority--call it despotism if you -like--better than any amount of compromises.” - -“But why not go the whole hog, then, and decree prohibition right off? -I know that is what you temperance fanatics are always aiming at in -the far distance.” - -“Because it would simply lead to the spread of smuggling and secret -distilling, and an illicit traffic which the police would be bribed to -condone. They would be corrupted, and the people as bad as ever. -Moreover, we should need to revise our commercial treaties, especially -with Pannonia, so as to forbid the importation of spirits, and this is -too big a thing to be carried through in a hurry, particularly just -now. And then, though you call me a fanatic, I am not so bigoted a -temperance man as to feel called upon to deprive those people of -alcohol for whom a moderate amount of it may be desirable, or even -necessary. I merely wish to keep the younger generation from growing -up with a taste for dram-drinking, and to make it impossible for men -to meet at the _cafés_ and muddle themselves with adulterated spirits -as they do now.” - -“But why fool about with licences at all, instead of establishing your -beloved Gothenburg system at once throughout the kingdom?” - -“Because our present statistics are so imperfect that we have no idea -either as to the number of existing public-houses, or the proportion -which would meet the actual needs of the country. At present, any man -who has a front yard and a table has only to borrow a bench or two and -get in a cask of spirits on credit, and there is a new dram-shop. To -buy out all these fellows at once would entail an expense impossible -for us to meet. In future, as you see, no further taverns are to be -opened, except by permission from the central authority, while each -year, by means of the sum of money I propose to appropriate for the -purpose from my civil list, the rights of a certain number of existing -proprietors will be compulsorily acquired. By the end of the third -year we ought to have reduced the multitude of public-houses to -something corresponding with the needs of the country, and then there -will be a chance for the Gothenburg system. The surviving publicans, -who will have been chosen for their good behaviour and careful -management during the three years of probation, will have become used -to State control, and will have the choice of continuing their -employment as salaried servants of the State, or of being bought out -at once. I know the scheme is not perfect, but it is the best I can -devise with the means at our disposal. We have to deal with the -Thracians as we find them.” - -“Then what are the advantages you claim?” - -“Restriction without confiscation, the limitation of public-houses to -the smallest possible number, the placing of control in the hands of -an impartial central department, with trustworthy inspectors at its -command, instead of biassed local bodies, and the chance of weaning -the younger generation from the drinking habits of their fathers.” - -“I call it grandmotherly legislation,” murmured Cyril. - -“There are worse things even than that. I am convinced that this is -our one opportunity of action, while the country is in its present -unsettled state. The licensing plan will be established before the -people know where they are, and according to the scheme that will -develop into the Gothenburg system as soon as the idea has become -general. If you will be so good as to have the Bill drafted, M. -Drakovics, I shall be glad to go through the several clauses with -you.” - -And Caerleon saw his brother and his Prime Minister retire -discomfited. The die was cast. He had embarked on the course Nadia had -pointed out, and begun the work to which she had urged him. At least -she would know that he was doing his best. His action might be -unconstitutional, but if so, that was for the people to resent. If -they were wise, they would prefer to be well governed, even by a -stretch of the royal prerogative, rather than continue in their -present state. If they were not wise, they might seek another king. - -But the Thracians proved that they were wise. Caerleon’s researches -into the social life of Bellaviste, and some of his speeches to -prominent persons since he had been in the city, had awakened public -feeling on the subject of the drinking customs of the community. The -chief desire of the people was to appear in the eyes of Europe as an -enlightened nation, and it was a grievous blow for them to discover -that they had struck their new King as an assemblage of drunkards. The -reproach must be rolled away, and the proposal for reform was -accordingly received with acclamation. M. Drakovics was sufficiently -far-sighted to perceive that divided councils at this juncture would -ruin the future of the kingdom without doing any good to the question, -and on the principle of giving up his own way with a good grace when -he surrendered it at all, he threw himself loyally into the King’s -scheme, bestowed endless trouble on the drafting and details of the -measure, and introduced it himself in one of his famous speeches. Nor -did his pains end here. It was necessary to press the Bill through all -its stages as quickly as possible, as, in spite of the enthusiasm with -which it was received, a strong opposition to its provisions soon made -itself felt, which gathered strength as time went on. The distillers -and shopkeepers of Bellaviste, who had been among the staunchest -supporters of the late king, but who had profited much by the -excitement of the revolution and the thirst it engendered, were -disposed to resist strenuously any interference with their thriving -trade of spirit-selling. Opposed to them were the bulk of the national -party, young students and politicians principally, with a sprinkling -of old patriots who remembered the emancipation of Thracia from the -Roumi yoke, and the simple and frugal life which had preceded the rule -of the later Franzas. These men had the courage of their convictions. -A temperance society, which had been founded by the wife of a former -British Consul-General, and had for some time led a languishing -existence in Bellaviste, took a new lease of life, and added numbers -of enthusiastic converts every day to its roll. Caerleon was -unanimously entreated to become the president, and consented to accept -the office, whereupon a loyal member made a suggestion for a new medal -bearing the King’s portrait, which was taken up with enthusiasm, and a -large supply ordered. From that day forward the display of a blue -ribbon, with one of these medals hanging from it, betokened the ardent -Carlinist; and those English reformers who deprecate the degrading of -the temperance question into a matter of party politics, would have -been forced to admit that in Bellaviste to have taken the pledge was -the unerring mark of a member of the national party. But in spite of -the ardour of the new converts, the voting power of the liquor-sellers -would have swamped the Bill in the Legislative Assembly, if M. -Drakovics had not summoned to his aid in the Upper House his -supporters from the provinces. The chieftains rallied around him at -his call, and since they all entertained a wholesome dislike and -contempt for the vices of the city, they voted with one accord for the -Bill, which was passed triumphantly into law. M. Drakovics stood by it -to the end without flinching; but when it had received the King’s -assent, he relieved his mind in private to Cyril. - -“One would scarcely have anticipated,” he said, “that the people would -so enthusiastically support the new King without once asking what were -the views of the old Minister.” - -“Why, what could you expect?” said Cyril. “You introduced the Bill; -naturally they thought you approved of it.” - -“They took it for granted,” said M. Drakovics. “The King is now -everything; I have only to execute his orders.” - -“Yes,” said Cyril, “you meant him to be figure-head, and he insists on -steering. It must be slightly disconcerting.” - -“You laugh at me, milord? I would ask you to remember that cases have -been known in history in which a Minister who has raised a King to -power has also deprived him of it.” - -“And other cases in which the King has dispensed with the services of -the Minister,” said Cyril, quickly. “I will back my reminiscences -against yours, M. Drakovics. But it is foolish to go on quoting modern -instances in this way, especially when you remember that Caerleon -doesn’t care a straw whether you deprive him of the kingdom or not. -You have done your best for the Bill, and laid my brother under an -obligation. You can’t do without him, nor he without you; so don’t let -us hear any more about dethroning kings and that sort of thing. It’s -very bad form to talk to me in that way, at any rate, and I don’t like -it. We shall rub along together very well if we are willing to give -and take on both sides. And to cheer you, I’ll tell you something that -will please you. I shouldn’t wonder if Caerleon has done a very good -stroke of business in getting this Bill passed.” - -“A good stroke for himself? Naturally so.” - -“And for the kingdom too. Here is a regular assemblage of English -papers which has just come in, and I have been looking through them to -see how our proceedings are regarded. Our own men, poor beggars! are -waiting for an authoritative pronouncement from the Government before -saying anything; though it is easy to see that they consider Caerleon -a rather dangerous lunatic at large. But the Radical papers, from -which I was anticipating floods of eloquence, are checked in their -wild career, most of them, by this Liquor Bill. They are nearly all -committed to temperance reform at home, and they positively can’t -slate the first man that’s courageous enough to try it, even if he is -defying their dearly beloved Scythia. Of course their cry is for -absolute prohibition; but none of them have been able to get so near -it as even to bring about the adoption of the Scandinavian system, and -though they scout the idea of compensation as unnecessary, they can’t -help respecting a man who sacrifices a third of his civil list to form -a fund for buying up licences. The non-temperance papers are rabid, -naturally. Caerleon is a faddist, and a Puritan, and an Exeter Hall -autocrat, and all the rest of it. In ‘Mendacity,’ Dickinson calmly--or -rather frantically--demands that he should be impeached, not for his -temperance legislation, of course, but for poaching on Scythia’s -preserves. Rather a fine idea to impeach the king of a foreign -country, whom you can’t possibly get hold of, isn’t it?” - -“Then the English papers have awakened to a knowledge of our -proceedings at last?” said M. Drakovics, with rather a sickly smile. -“The Government has given no indication of its policy as yet, I -suppose?” - -“No,” returned Cyril; “but I think there is a storm brewing.” - -“Ah!” said M. Drakovics, quickly. “Why?” - -“On account of the extraordinary number of letters which have come for -Caerleon from different family friends, old comrades of my father’s, -and so on. The Master of his college has written, and the Bishop of -Carsfield--who was head of Eton in our day--and a good many others -whose names carry weight; and all their letters are in the same -strain, begging him to reconsider the step he has taken, and return to -England at once, while he has the chance. No doubt the Powers have -begun to see that it’s all very well to send notes to St James’s -demanding that Caerleon shall be recalled, but that St James’s has no -power in the matter. If the Government had sent him out, it might -recall him; but he came on his own initiative, and it would only be -courting a rebuff to order him back if he wouldn’t come. Our men are -too wise to lay themselves open to such a slight, but all the moral -influence they can exercise unofficially will be brought to bear.” - -“Ah!” said M. Drakovics again. - -“For instance,” Cyril went on, “here is a long screed from Forfar, -writing, as he says, not as leader of the party, but as a personal -friend of Caerleon’s. That’s all very well; but it’s quite evident -that the letter is a private warning from him and the Duke----” - -“What Duke?” asked M. Drakovics. - -“His brother-in-law, the Duke of Old Sarum, of course,” said Cyril, -impatiently. “He entreats Caerleon to withdraw from Thracia -immediately, and hints how very painful it would be for the Government -to be forced to take action against him. He says that he has broken -through strict official usage in sending him this friendly warning, -and earnestly trusts he will accept it. After this they must act as -they find necessary, and he will have to take the consequences. That -last little touch of menace is the Duke’s, I know.” - -“And what does the King say? Will he take the advice proffered by all -these old friends and kind people?” asked M. Drakovics, anxiously. - -“Rather not!” laughed Cyril. “He means to stick to you and Thracia. -No; there’s only one thing that would uproot him, I think. If Forfar -and the Duke had the sense to get a certain Person to write to him and -request him as a favour to abdicate, and not to imperil the peace of -Europe----” - -“I see,” said M. Drakovics, “you mean the----” - -“There is no need to mention names,” said Cyril. “I merely say that I -am afraid Caerleon’s chivalry would incline him to follow the advice -of a Person in such a position, and with so much experience.” - -“But have they tried the expedient?” asked M. Drakovics, looking -anxiously at the heap of papers on the table, as though he expected -the letter of the Illustrious Personage to arrive by the ordinary -post, bearing a 2½d. stamp. - -“Not they!” said Cyril. “A bold, picturesque dash like that is quite -undreamt of in their philosophy. But I will tell you what I have -here--two more warnings. One is from a man who was at Pavelsburg with -me. This is what he says: ‘Dear Cill, _Que diable fait ton frère dans -cette galère_? If you will take a straight tip, get him out of it as -quickly as you can. I say this for auld lang syne.’ The other is from -Mrs Sadleir--not a letter, simply a sentence underlined in one of -these precious newspapers--‘If he is wise, the so-called King will do -his best to obtain recognition from Roum as soon as possible.’” - -“Exactly,” said M. Drakovics, with a ghastly smile, “and my news this -morning is that there is a hitch in our negotiations with Roum. Our -agent at Czarigrad has been refused an audience, while a special -Scythian mission was received with peculiar warmth.” - -“Ah!” said Cyril, “and if the recognition is refused, you are a rebel, -and Caerleon and I are filibusters. Decidedly, in such a case as this, -nothing succeeds _but_ success. _Allons_, monsieur! we are all in the -same boat, and we may as well stick to the ship. It is possible that -the Grand Signior was only trying to put Scythia off the scent. If it -is so, we shall see. If not----” - -The sentence was left unfinished as M. Drakovics departed shaking his -head, and Cyril returned to his work of writing answers to his -brother’s correspondents. He had no further private conversation with -the Premier until one morning several days later, when M. Drakovics -entered the office in great excitement. - -“Milord, we are lost! Our agent at Czarigrad telegraphs that the -recognition is definitely refused. There is a _rapprochement_ between -Scythia and Pannonia--the Emperors have met. Secret negotiations are -proceeding among the Powers, and the British Government is understood -to have decided to remain neutral. There is only one thing that can -save Thracia. His Majesty must marry the Princess Ottilie of Mœsia.” - -“Indeed!” said Cyril. “What good will that do?” - -“Everything. The King of Mœsia is the nephew of the Grand Duke of -Schwarzwald-Molzau, and that house is connected with every reigning -family in Europe. Moreover, the King, so I learn from my correspondent -at Eusebia, would like the match. The Queen wishes her daughter to -marry the Prince of Dardania, but he objects to him, and has more than -hinted that he would prefer a son-in-law from Thracia. Again, we can -offer an inducement. There is a strip of territory on our Mœsian -frontier which has been ours since the last war. The people are really -Mœsians by race, and give us more trouble than all our Thracians put -together; but we have held fast to the territory, knowing that it -would be useful as a _quid pro quo_ in case we were ever desirous of -obtaining a concession from Mœsia. The King would give anything to -have it back, and in exchange for it we shall gain the strongest -family alliance we could propose, and the help of Mœsia and the -Mœsian army in case of war.” - -“There seems to be a good deal of the _quid pro quo_ in your -philosophy,” said Cyril. “The difficulty will be to make Caerleon come -into the scheme. How are you going to get him to propose?” - -“There is no need for his Majesty to conduct the preliminary -negotiations in person,” said M. Drakovics, drily. “I have already -telegraphed to Eusebia instructing our agent to make formal proposals -to the King for the hand of the Princess.” - -“And this without telling Caerleon?” cried Cyril in astonishment. -“Well, I don’t envy you when you try to break the news to him. If he -kicks you down-stairs, don’t say that I didn’t warn you.” - -“But it is you that will be kicked, milord, not I,” said M. Drakovics, -calmly. “His Majesty is your charge, the kingdom is mine,--that is our -agreement, as you know. I have done my part in this affair by setting -on foot negotiations which will ensure the safety of the kingdom. It -falls to you to bring his Majesty to acquiesce in them.” - -Caught in his own trap in this way, Cyril passed a very bad quarter of -an hour with M. Drakovics. The elder man was resolute, the younger -furious--the ground of his fury being not so much the nature of the -Premier’s action as the fact that he had taken it without consulting -him. That M. Drakovics had exceeded his powers and got into a scrape, -and was now looking to him to save him from the consequences, was -Cyril’s view of the case; but as often as he urged it M. Drakovics -replied with perfect calmness that it had been necessary to act -immediately, and that if he had consulted Cyril the latter would have -hesitated to agree without first sounding his brother, a course which -would have destroyed all hope of success. Finally, M. Drakovics, with -a cool obstinacy which showed Cyril another reason for his being -called the Bismarck instead of the Kossuth of the Balkans, reiterated -his demand that Cyril should undertake to acquaint Caerleon with the -part it was desired that he should play. - -“You see, milord,” he observed, frankly, “if the King was angry with -me, and lost his temper so far as to address me rudely, or even, -perhaps, to attempt to strike me, I am bound to resent it, for I -represent Thracia. I should feel compelled to resign, and then Thracia -is lost. But you are different, and, moreover, you are better -acquainted than I am with his Majesty’s character, and the best way of -approaching him on such a delicate matter.” - -“It strikes me that my valour is the better part of your discretion,” -said Cyril; “but there is something in what you say. Don’t imagine -that I shall spare you, though. I quite see that Caerleon ought to -marry this Mœsia girl--in fact, that it will probably make all the -difference between success and a big smash if he does--but I don’t -think you have acted on the square. You needn’t blame me if you are -out of office this evening. Well, now to beard the lion in his den. It -may as well be done at once, before an ecstatic telegram arrives from -King Johann Casimir, welcoming his proposed son-in-law to his kingdom -and his heart.” - -M. Drakovics smiled to see Cyril pause in front of one of the mirrors -in the corridor as he spoke, and rearrange his tie, which had become -twisted in the heat of the argument; but when he saw him put his hands -in his pockets and lounge idly into Caerleon’s study he understood him -better. Cyril’s _rôle_ was to be that of absolute innocence. - -Caerleon was sitting at his writing-table, busied with the reports and -telegrams from Thracian agents at the various European Courts which M. -Drakovics had brought for his consideration, taking care to abstract -the one from Eusebia. He looked up as Cyril came in. - -“Have you heard of the different blows which are about to fall on us?” -he said. “Things look pretty black.” - -“Oh yes, Drakovics has been telling me about them,” returned Cyril. “I -hear that you are to act Curtius, and throw yourself into the gulf.” - -“By abdicating? Has Drakovics come to that already? I haven’t. I don’t -mean to give up Thracia without a little fighting, unless they can -find a better man whom the people will accept.” - -“Something much more heroic than abdicating. There is a lady in the -case. Marriage is the gulf.” - -“Then I fear the gulf will remain unfilled,” said Caerleon, turning -back to his papers. - -“Oh, that’s all fudge. You know it’s the only thing to be done.” - -“There’s no need to discuss the subject,” said Caerleon, coldly. “You -know what I feel about it.” - -“But what is the good of wearing the willow all your life----?” - -“I have already said that I decline to discuss the subject with you,” -said Caerleon, and Cyril saw that in speaking calmly he was putting a -very strong constraint upon himself. He changed his tone instantly. - -“Oh, very well. Of course I have no right to complain if you tell -Drakovics things you won’t tell me. Still, it’s rather rough on a -man.” - -“What do you mean? You know perfectly well that nothing is further -from my thoughts than to discuss my private affairs with Drakovics.” - -“Oh, I suppose you call this a public affair,” returned Cyril, with -the air of a man who has neither time nor inclination for such nice -distinctions. “I don’t want to appear inquisitive, but perhaps you’ll -let me know the day when it’s fixed?” - -“Cyril, are you mad? or is this a particularly feeble joke? Tell me -what you are driving at.” - -“Of course it’s no business of mine,” Cyril went on, unheeding; “but -when you have gone so far as to authorise Drakovics to make proposals -in your name for the hand of a lady, I think I might have been told.” - -“I send a proposal? and through Drakovics? You must be dreaming. Who -is the lady?” - -“Princess Ottilie of Mœsia.” - -“A girl I have never spoken to in my life!” Caerleon’s tone was one of -hopeless bewilderment. - -“Oh yes, you have. You danced with her at the State ball two years -ago, when the Mœsias visited England, don’t you remember? The King -looked on and smiled approvingly, and the chaperons began to put their -heads together and discuss seriously the best way of preventing -foreign royalties from carrying off the biggest things in the marriage -market. I believe they came to the conclusion that no princess ought -ever to be allowed to marry a subject. With princes it was different, -of course. You can’t have forgotten?” - -“I remember her--a black-eyed, rather bouncing girl. But you don’t -mean,” and Caerleon grew hot and cold as the recollection came back to -him of the chaff he had endured from his friends on account of the -unmistakable favour shown him by the royal guests,--“you don’t mean -that they are on the track of that foolery again? They must be made to -understand at once that it’s absolutely impossible. You never believed -it?” - -“I was very glad to hear it.” - -“What! when you know that it’s less than a month since I asked Nadia -O’Malachy to marry me, and that I would willingly chuck up the kingdom -to-day if she would only take me?” - -“I hoped,” said Cyril, deliberately, “that you regarded that affair as -over and done with, and were intending to sacrifice your private -feelings and do the best thing for the country.” - -“You thought I was intending to be a scoundrel?” - -“I _wish_ you would not be melodramatic,” said Cyril, pathetically. -“Here we are, between the devil, which is Scythia, and the deep sea of -the neutrality of the other Powers, and you have the chance of -settling everything on a firm foundation by marrying a very handsome -girl belonging to one of the oldest houses in Europe. I am not given -to preaching, but I do say that it would be a sin not to sacrifice -your feelings in such a case, and marry her. The marriage would simply -be the making of you and Thracia both.” - -“I--will--not--do--it,” said Caerleon, forcing out the words slowly. - -“As for Miss O’Malachy,” went on Cyril, “I give her credit for -possessing much too good sense to wish to keep you a bachelor all your -life for her sake. If you were to consult her, I am sure she would -wish you to make a suitable marriage. In fact, I should think she has -probably advised you already to do so.” The blow told, for Caerleon -winced at the remembrance of the advice which it had been almost -harder for him to hear from her lips than for Nadia to give. “She knew -perfectly well what she was doing when she refused you. It meant that -you were each to go your own way in the future, with no thought of the -other. If you don’t marry, it will be thought you still have hopes of -her.” - -“And what is it to you if I have?” demanded Caerleon, so fiercely that -Cyril jumped. He could not think of anything to say, and presently -Caerleon resumed in a quieter tone, “But I have none. She put me on my -honour to stick to the kingdom, and so long as I am king she will have -nothing to do with me.” - -“I knew she was a sensible woman!” said Cyril, triumphantly. “Now, -Caerleon, let me advise you to take this thing quietly. See Princess -Ottilie. You haven’t an idea what she is really like, and you may find -her very like Miss O’Malachy----” (“I hope to goodness he won’t!” he -added to himself), “or she may catch your heart at the rebound, or you -may fall head over ears in love with her, and find that you really -mistook your feelings last time----” - -“I am so sure of my feelings,” interrupted Caerleon, “that I won’t -pretend to run after another girl for anything you can offer me.” - -“Then I should like to know what you mean to do,” said Cyril. “It’s -not a private and personal matter; it is to save your kingdom.” - -“Hang the kingdom!” cried Caerleon. “I won’t sell myself for the sake -of Thracia. If I can’t be king and be a gentleman, let the kingdom -go.” - -“If you would only listen for a moment!” sighed Cyril. “This is what I -was going to say. Take no further steps of any kind, and leave -everything to Drakovics. Things can be formally arranged without your -going near the girl, and the mere fact that the preliminaries are -settled will do all we want. Once we are past this crisis, and Scythia -and Pannonia have quarrelled again, you can pay a visit to Eusebia, -and make yourself so disgustingly disagreeable that the Princess will -be bound to throw you over.” - -“Of all the shabby tricks!” cried Caerleon, pushing back his chair -violently. “I declare, Cyril, if I didn’t know you were joking, I’d -kick you out of the room. Entrap a girl into a bogus engagement for -the sake of gaining a political advantage, indeed!” - -“I only wish you had displayed a little of this aggressive virtue -before,” said Cyril. “You quite gave Drakovics to understand, when he -first offered you the crown, that you were prepared to fall in with -his views on matrimony, and he has merely been acting upon that.” - -“On the contrary, I disagreed with his ideas even then,” said -Caerleon; “and if I hadn’t, what has happened since would have put my -adopting them out of the question. You ought to know that. But perhaps -it was you that put Drakovics up to this business about Princess -Ottilie?” turning upon him sharply. - -“No, on my honour,” said Cyril, eagerly, relieved at being able to -deny with perfect truth this direct accusation. “Drakovics is a -Spartan sort of fellow, and I suppose he thinks that as soon as you -are off with the old love you may as well be on with a new. It’s his -own idea altogether.” - -“I beg your pardon, old man,” said Caerleon. “Everything is so crooked -in this wretched place that I was even beginning to suspect you. But I -am glad you had nothing to do with it. Just telephone to Drakovics to -come up at once, will you?” - -“Why?” asked Cyril, standing before the tube, lest his brother should -resent his hesitation and insist on using it himself. - -“That he may explain to the King of Mœsia that he has made a mistake, -of course.” - -“But, Caerleon, you can’t do things in that way!” cried Cyril. “Think -of the girl! Why, the news is public property by this time, all over -Europe, and there isn’t a soul that won’t believe but that you have -found out something against her that has made you change your mind.” - -“Then I will disown Drakovics’s action, and say that he acted without -my authority.” - -“Then he will resign, and you will lose the only man who possesses the -confidence of the people, and can support you to any purpose at this -juncture. You can’t do it, Caerleon. Besides, that again is a nasty -one for the girl. Won’t you see her? No one can tell what might happen -then.” - -“If I see her, I shall simply tell her the whole story,” said -Caerleon, grimly. “She will have no wish to marry me after that.” - -“Let me tell her about the matter for you,” suggested Cyril. - -“No, thank you,” returned his brother. “I have a pretty fair idea of -the way you would speak of it--as a youthful indiscretion, of which I -was ashamed. And I am not ashamed. I should be the proudest man on -earth if Nadia were to be crowned with me this day two months.” - -“Very well,” sighed Cyril. “I suppose if you will make an ass of -yourself, you must. We are to arrange, then, for a personal interview, -in the course of which you will, in so many words, refuse to marry -Princess Ottilie?” - -“There’s no occasion to do anything so rude. I shall simply tell her -the truth, and leave it to her to refuse me. Or I’ll write to her. -Yes, that’s much the best plan. It will save time and a lot of -difficulty.” - -“But you can’t!” cried Cyril, with his hand on the door. “Do you mean -to write to a girl who hasn’t even accepted you, and tell her you -won’t marry her? No, you must see her, as you say, and explain things. -I’ll manage to get you an interview somehow, though it’s against my -better judgment.” - -“Be quick, then,” cried Caerleon after him, as he went out, “for if -there’s any delay, I shall write to her myself.” - - - - CHAPTER XI. - A DELICATE NEGOTIATION. - -“Well?” asked M. Drakovics, anxiously, when Cyril appeared in his -office. “How did his Majesty receive the news?” - -“As badly as you could wish. He won’t hear of marrying Princess -Ottilie, and wanted to telegraph his views at once to Eusebia. -However, I have got him to consent to see the lady, so that the honour -of refusing him may rest with her, and if we play our cards well, that -ought to give us all we want.” - -“How?” asked M. Drakovics, quickly. - -“It will gain us time and a favourable impression, and if we can once -succeed in separating Scythia and Pannonia, we ought certainly to be -able to prevent their coming together again.” - -“Undoubtedly we ought to be able to manage that. But how do you -propose to bring about a coolness between them?” - -“The coolness will come of its own accord fast enough when it is -understood that Caerleon is going to marry Princess Ottilie, for the -Empress of Pannonia was one of the Schwarzwald-Molzaus, and they -always stick together. Our business, therefore, is to produce the -impression, even if it is only a temporary one, that he is going to -marry her.” - -“Right!” said M. Drakovics, emphatically. “And your method?” - -“We are to consider it settled, I suppose, that the King of Mœsia -will take kindly to the idea? Very well; then as soon as his answer is -received, you must telegraph to inquire whether he will give a private -audience to a confidential envoy of the highest rank, in order to -discuss matters connected with the proposed marriage. He is pretty -safe to consent, and then either you or I must go to Eusebia.” - -“But why?” - -“In reality to arrange for this interview which is to end everything. -But if the European public chooses to regard the mission in a -different light, we cannot help it.” - -“Ah!” said M. Drakovics. “But you must go. I dare not leave Bellaviste -at this juncture. I cannot trust the townspeople.” - -“Never mind,” said Cyril, “I will go. It will look even better, as it -is a family matter. There is no need to wait for King Johann’s answer -before making our preparations. If you will set about having relays of -horses got ready for me at all the posting-stations, I shall be able -to start as soon as things are settled.” - -“And you will not have to go as far as Eusebia,” said M. Drakovics. -“The King and Queen and Court are at Herzensruh, a country-seat which -is only a few miles from our own frontier. Your idea is excellent, and -yet--! Without a doubt, it would be still more effective if only we -could produce the impression that the King himself was coming -_incognito_ to plead his own cause. I suppose it would be impossible -for you to personate him?” - -“Considering that there is just eight inches’ difference between our -heights, and that the King and Queen and Princess all know him by -sight, it is probable that it would,” said Cyril. “But, believe me, -monsieur, my visit will serve our views better than any romantic -journey Caerleon himself could make.” - -“What do you intend to say to King Johann?” asked M. Drakovics. - -“My cue will be this. Caerleon is a very modest and retiring fellow, -with an exaggerated idea of his own defects. He has been horrified to -discover that proposals have been made for his marriage without his -having had any opportunity of consulting privately the wishes of the -Princess----” - -“I see,” said M. Drakovics. “You may lay as much blame on me as you -like,” he added, magnanimously. “I am a statesman, a plain man of -business, knowing nothing of the subtleties of love-making, you -perceive?” - -“Precisely. Well, Caerleon cannot bring himself to believe that the -Princess would be willing to accept him if she knew what he was really -like. A ballroom acquaintance does not seem to him to form a -sufficient foundation for a happy marriage, and he is afraid that his -character and tastes might not attract the young lady’s fancy. This -distressing diffidence is making his life such a burden to him, that I -am sent to see whether a meeting between the young people cannot be -arranged before anything irrevocable is settled. Of course, when the -interview has once taken place, all will come right. It would be -treason to the Princess to think otherwise. You see, if it is properly -put, it is rather complimentary to her than not.” - -“Yes; but then the meeting will destroy everything.” - -“But we shall have done what we wanted, and you may be sure I will -mention as late a date for it as possible. And I don’t despair of -squaring Princess Ottilie. Caerleon has agreed to abide by her -decision, and if she won’t consent to refuse him, he must marry her. -There’s no doubt that if he told his story to King Johann, he would -simply laugh at it, and the Princess might possibly do the same. But -that must depend on any chance I may get of speaking to her alone. -Where is the meeting to be?” - -“There need be no difficulty about that. We have several matters in -dispute with Dardania, and it has long been agreed that King Carlino -and the Prince of Dardania should meet and talk them over under the -excuse of a hunting-party. Now, our frontiers meet those of Mœsia and -Dardania at a spot only three or four miles from Herzensruh, and it -will be the easiest possible thing for the Mœsian royal family to -arrange for an interview at the same time. The date and the exact -details you will of course decide.” - -“All right,” said Cyril; “but isn’t it rather a pity to have the -Prince of Dardania knocking about on such a delicate occasion? He -might be inclined to spoil sport.” - -“Pooh!” cried M. Drakovics; “he may try, but he will not succeed. What -chance has a prince when a king is in the way? All women are dazzled -by a crown, and the Queen and her daughter will be the very first to -scorn him.” - -“Very conveniently for us,” said Cyril. “Well, we will consider that -settled. Now for another highly important matter. The whole thing must -be carried through with exaggerated secrecy, and yet the secret must -leak out, do you see? or we shall have all our trouble for nothing.” - -“Certainly,” said M. Drakovics. “A whisper to my agents on the various -Bourses of Europe will ensure its dissemination.” - -“Whispers are apt to be overheard,” said Cyril, “and I have a better -plan. You remember Hicks, the American who gave us so much trouble -over the O’Malachy business? Well, it so happens that he is spending -two or three days here now after going to Bashi Konak and back. I met -him last night, and he tried to pump me and find out how his Majesty -was getting over his disappointment. Of course I told him nothing, -only shook my head and looked knowing, and intimated that I could make -startling revelations an if I would; but that is a good foundation for -our business now.” - -“And you knew nothing at that time of all this!” said M. Drakovics, -with reluctant admiration. - -“Of course not; but I was not going to give myself away by saying so. -What would become of diplomacy if a man said plainly when he knew -nothing about a thing? Hicks is going to be as good as a news-agency -to us, but he will have to find out everything for himself. You -understand?” - -“I am deeply interested, milord. Pray proceed.” - -“Well, in the evening you will bring out a special Gazette with an -official announcement that the rumours which have been lately in -circulation as to a _rapprochement_ between us and Mœsia are wholly -premature and unauthorised. Of course there are no rumours whatever, -but that is a detail. There will be some soon enough after this -_communiqué_, and it will stir Hicks up. Then, when it is dark, I -will send down our English groom to the Hôtel Occidental, to inquire -whether they can let us have two horses that are good for a hard -long-distance ride next morning. We could use our own horses, -naturally, but there would be no publicity in that. He will not say -where they are to go, but he will hint mysteriously at a country not -far to the west of us, and he will obstinately refuse to state who is -going to travel. After that, I think it will be surprising if Mr Hicks -doesn’t hire a window overlooking the west gate, and sit up all night -to see the start.” - -“And then?” - -“I shall take only Wright with me, but you will accompany me to the -gate, mentioning loud enough to be heard that the relays of horses are -ready all the way. I shall be muffled up, as though to escape -recognition; but when I am abreast of Hicks the muffler will slip for -a moment--quite accidentally, of course--and he will just catch a -glimpse of my face. That will be enough for him, and the news will be -all over Europe by the evening. I only rely on you to take no further -steps without consulting me, and to keep any papers which speak of the -marriage as a certainty out of Caerleon’s way until I return.” - -“But are you able to undertake so long a ride, milord?” - -“Oh, I shall do it somehow. The more dead tired I am the better the -impression will be--haste and eagerness so intense, you know, and all -that sort of thing. Besides, I shall take it out of Caerleon a little. -He will be horribly cut up when he finds that I have undergone so much -fatigue just out of tenderness for his scruples, and it ought to make -him easier to manage in future. Riding hard all the way, I should be -back in three days. That is quite long enough to give him a fright.” - -“Milord,” said M. Drakovics, with deep conviction, “I am more and more -thankful that it is your brother, and not you, who is King of Thracia. -Hitherto I have bemoaned my hard fate in having to manage a man with a -conscience; but I perceive now that compared with a man without one he -is simplicity itself to deal with.” - -“Isn’t that pretty good, from you to me?” asked Cyril with slow scorn, -and the Premier shrugged his shoulders and spread forth his hands -deprecatingly as he bowed himself out. - -If the interests of strict morality are to be considered, it would -have been well that the several portions of Cyril’s scheme should not -have met with the complete success which actually attended them. The -appearance of the special Gazette with its enigmatical announcement -created a great sensation in the city, which was heightened by the -fact that the alarming foreign news of the morning had been eagerly -noised abroad by Scythian sympathisers among the townspeople. Wright -performed his business at the Hôtel Occidental with the most -appropriate woodenness of manner, stoutly refusing to be drawn into -any clear statement as to the intended destination of the travellers, -but giving the necessary hints with an extensive facial contortion -which he denominated a wink. Things had fallen out so well that Cyril -felt a good deal of pleasurable excitement as he walked through the -silent streets in the autumn twilight of the next morning but one, -wondering whether Mr Hicks would be equal to the occasion. The King of -Mœsia had replied with effusion, both to the first overtures made by -M. Drakovics, and to the later telegram respecting the envoy, and the -energetic sending of messages backwards and forwards, the news of -which had in some way penetrated to the town, had heightened the -popular excitement. The horses were waiting at the west gate, under -charge of a mounted police official who was to escort the travellers -during the first stage of their journey, and there was a little crowd -of inquisitive citizens gathered at no great distance. A thrill of -triumph ran through Cyril as he recognised among them the sallow face -and scanty beard of the American, and he rejoiced that virtue should -not be its own sole reward in the case of Mr Hicks’s early rising. He -had muffled his throat and the lower part of his face in a silk scarf, -and turned up his collar, and as he mounted his horse it was easy to -let the scarf slip for a moment, which was all that the journalist -required. He went back to the hotel with a sensation in his note-book, -and Cyril rode away on his quest cheered by a pleasing consciousness -of success. - -Prior to this day’s experiences, Wright had always entertained a -deep-rooted conviction that Lord Cyril’s horsemanship was far inferior -to that of his brother, both as regarded skill and endurance; but now -he was compelled to admit that he rode “like a Trojan,” whatever that -vague but evidently expressive comparison might mean. With short halts -for food and change of horses, they rode on hour after hour, being -handed over by their first guide to a second, and so on at every -stage, and arriving at Schloss Herzensruh late at night. Cyril found -himself intrusted to the care of the master of the household, who -treated him with breathless consideration, and intimated that he would -be admitted in the morning to an intensely private and confidential -interview with King Johann, and be allowed to depart early, so as to -avoid comment. The King of Mœsia had not Cyril’s reasons for desiring -an unauthorised publicity for the object of his errand, and the envoy -congratulated himself that he had not trusted to the enterprise of -Mœsian journalists. - -Morning came, and Cyril was conducted with extreme precaution to the -King’s private room, where there was a secretary on guard at the door, -and a stalwart gamekeeper outside the window. Secrecy having been -ensured by this means, King Johann greeted his guest with delight, and -proceeded to lay bare to him his mind and the state of feeling in his -kingdom far more thoroughly than he had any idea of doing. The -impression that he produced on Cyril was that of a fussy, nervous man, -half elated by the fact of his having emancipated himself from his -wife’s control, and half afraid of the consequences. Throughout their -married life it had always been his custom to follow her advice, and -his kingdom had flourished exceedingly, until a few months before, -when the little rift within the lute had originated in the double -question of the marriage of Princess Ottilie, the only child of the -royal couple, and the succession to the crown. The constitution of -Mœsia did not allow a female to occupy the throne, and there was -therefore no question of the Princess’s bringing that perilous dowry -to her future husband; but while her mother wished her to marry the -Prince of Dardania, a distant connection of her own, the King was -prepared to allow her to marry any one else, but not the Prince. The -reason for this difference of opinion was to be found in the fact that -there was a strong party, both in the Mœsian Legislature and in the -country, who desired the selection of Prince Alexis as their future -ruler, anticipating that, when united with Dardania, the kingdom of -Mœsia would be strong enough to strike awe even into her triumphant -rival Thracia. The members of this party were most anxious for the -marriage, and the Queen supported them with the calm determination -which had always hitherto had its due weight with her more hasty -husband; but some time after the affair had been considered as -settled, its course was interrupted by an alien influence, wielded by -the King’s uncle, the reigning Grand-Duke of Schwarzwald-Molzau. He -had always regarded the kingdom of Mœsia as a snug preserve for one -of the many cadets of his house, and it did not suit him at all that -his plans should be crossed. Emissaries from Molzau were despatched to -Mœsia, the King was invited to revisit the cradle of his race, and -both there and in his own court he was cajoled, threatened, flattered, -and bribed until he refused his consent to the projected marriage. The -Queen was at first incredulous,--it seemed impossible that her power -could have vanished with such suddenness; but the Schwarzwald-Molzaus -had parted husband and wife only too effectually, and an armed -neutrality now existed between them. - -This was the state of affairs in Mœsia, when M. Drakovics replied to -King Johann’s half-veiled hints as to the desirability of a closer -alliance between the two kingdoms by the formal demand of Princess -Ottilie’s hand for Caerleon--a demand which the monarch had hastened -with somewhat unkingly eagerness to grant. With the Princess safely -married to some one else, the Prince of Dardania would be deprived of -one of the chief influences on which he relied for support in his -candidature for the throne, while there was no fear that the Mœsians -would ever elect Caerleon as their sovereign. The mutual hatred -between Mœsia and Thracia was far too great for the two nations to -consent to be united under any circumstances, and this left the way -clear for the formal adoption by the reigning sovereign, and -subsequent accession to the Mœsian throne, of one of the younger -princes of the house of Schwarzwald-Molzau. - -The first question of importance to be discussed between King Johann -and his guest was that of the treaty, as to the provisions of which -the King was nervously anxious. In fact, he was depending upon the -acquisition of the disputed strip of country as a means of reconciling -his subjects to the Thracian alliance, and preventing their mourning -over the discomfiture of their favourite, Prince Alexis. Hence, -although he heard it with wonder, he accepted with avidity the -suggestion which Cyril had arranged with M. Drakovics should be made. -In order to avoid the unpleasant savour of a bargain, in which the -Princess would be handed over in return for the tract of land, the -treaty respecting the disputed territory was to be drawn up and signed -before any public announcement was made as to the marriage. The King -did not appear to consider that it was less objectionable for his -daughter to act as a seal upon the treaty than as an equivalent in it; -but he grasped eagerly at the offer, and Cyril, who had been -representing in the highest possible light the delicacy of his -brother’s feelings, and the absolute certainty of his refusing to -countenance anything in the nature of a bargain, heaved a sigh of -unfeigned relief. - -“This gives us a hold on the old fellow if the wedding doesn’t come -off after all,” he thought, while the King was hugging himself in the -idea that he had just achieved one of the most astute strokes of -policy of modern times. It was agreed that the treaty should be signed -as soon as it could be formally drawn up, and when King Johann -suggested that this ratification might well take place at a personal -meeting of the two sovereigns on the disputed territory, Cyril found -the necessary opening for imparting the real object of his journey. -The King listened in astonishment as he unfolded his story of -Caerleon’s excessive humility, and his determination to consult the -wishes of the Princess before he would consider himself engaged to -her. - -“But this is abs--romantic!” cried the King. “It is a piece of the -Middle Ages. Naturally the girl will accept him when she has been -instructed to do so. Why should she not? His fears are preposterous.” - -“That is exactly my own view, sir,” said Cyril, in the tone of one -whose endurance had been taxed to the utmost; “but I regret to say -that I cannot enforce it upon my brother. However, after what your -Majesty has just said of the docile disposition of her Royal Highness, -I hope the matter will prove to be merely a form.” - -“There is no doubt of that,” said the king, hastily. “If the King of -Thracia is bent upon taking this course I must allow it, although he -will find it a very bad precedent,--undermining his authority, -admitting doubts as to his power, and so on. But I will give my -daughter her orders, and the Queen and she both know by this time that -it will be the worse for her if she does not obey.” - -The irrepressible triumph which animated these words betrayed the -exultation of the weak-minded man who had gained a victory over a -strong-minded woman; but Cyril discreetly took no notice of the tone, -wondering only whether the King had intended to conduct his daughter -by main force to the altar, and whether he imagined his auditor to be -labouring under the delusion that the marriage would be a voluntary -one on the part of Princess Ottilie. It was agreed that the important -interview should take place the day after the signing of the treaty, -at a hunting-party to be given by the King at Schloss Herzensruh, the -previous day’s business having been conducted on the strip of -territory which belonged at present to Thracia, but which would pass -to Mœsia by the treaty. This settled, the King rose, and signed to -Cyril to accompany him. - -“Now that is all arranged, I will present you to the Queen and the -Princess,” he said; and Cyril, divining that the presentation was -intended as a token of defiance to the Queen, followed him from the -room with lively interest as he marched across the corridor and -entered by the door which a servant threw open. - -“This is the Lord Cyril Mortimer, brother and envoy extraordinary of -the King of Thracia,” announced King Johann, in a voice which was in -itself a declaration of war; but Cyril saw at a glance that the Queen -and her daughter had no intention of taking up the gauntlet. Both were -perfectly calm and very friendly, and inquired graciously after people -they had met in England. Princess Ottilie was taller and thinner than -when he had last seen her, and it struck him that she had lost the -loud manner which had aroused Caerleon’s dislike. She was growing more -like her mother; but Cyril felt that it would be long before the -impulsive dark-eyed girl would attain to the stately calmness of the -unintellectual, placid-looking lady who was said to possess one of the -wisest heads in Europe. She had foiled M. Drakovics once, at a period -of acute crisis, and the Thracian Premier had never forgiven her for -her victory, although he was wont to consider it a feather in his cap, -as in that of the statesman whom he most wished to resemble, that he -had all the ladies against him. A few minutes’ confidential -communication with the Queen would throw light on many things, Cyril -thought; but this was impossible so long as the King remained in the -room, moving about uneasily. Her parting words, however, surprised him -not a little. - -“Tell his Majesty that I am looking forward to renewing my -acquaintance with him,” she said. “Among our many English friends, -there is none that I remember with so much admiration. I feel that one -can have the most perfect confidence in him.” - -“Your Majesty is too good,” said Cyril, astonished. “I am sure my -brother has never ventured to hope that he held such a place in your -recollection.” - -“He is the most perfect gentleman I ever knew,” she said emphatically, -and Cyril pondered over her words as he rode away from the castle. The -last sentence he felt at liberty to disregard. It was a taunt flung at -her husband by the Queen as a reply to his challenge; but he scented -danger in the expressions she had used at first. - -“She’s up to something,” he said to himself, “but I can’t for the life -of me see what it is. It’s all very well for Drakovics to say that -women will do such and such things; but that’s where he and fellows of -his stamp always go wrong--in imagining that they can generalise about -women. It’s scarcely ever possible to judge of a woman’s probable -conduct from precedents. She is quite capable of striking out a new -line each time. I wonder now whether the Queen thinks she will be able -to get round the old man, and make him break off the match? Well, so -long as we get the treaty signed, and they don’t set to work too soon, -it doesn’t much matter. If only the King had not hung about as he did, -I could have found out a good many interesting things. But he was -afraid they would let on about Prince Alexis, and so he has -effectually stopped my giving the Princess a warning as to Caerleon’s -little game. It’s his own fault if the scheme goes wrong. I wonder -whether he will be able to carry through the business with Pannonia -properly.” - -This unpleasant doubt exercised Cyril’s mind frequently during his -long ride. He had devoted the concluding portion of his interview with -the King to coaching him delicately for the part he was to play, -without actually making any suggestions as to the means to be used. -King Johann flattered himself that he was an accomplished diplomatist, -but his young visitor could scarcely have ventured to leave him to act -alone if he had not felt the issue to be so clear that the worst -bungling could hardly succeed in obscuring it. The King’s duty was -merely to intimate to his uncle, the Grand-Duke of Schwarzwald-Molzau, -that if Caerleon’s position in Europe were secured, and he were -allowed to marry Princess Ottilie, the succession to the Mœsian -throne would be left open for one of the younger princes of the parent -house. There could be little doubt that he would welcome the -suggestion, and contrive to bring about the desired change in the -policy of the Powers by influencing Pannonian diplomacy through his -daughter the Empress. Thus Cyril’s mind was tolerably at ease when, -after nearly a day and a half of riding--for he had started too late -to complete the return journey in one day--he reached the -neighbourhood of Bellaviste. They were passing through a small village -when the first distant glimpse of the city was obtained, and Wright -urged his horse up to Cyril’s. - -“Beg your pardon, my lord, but p’raps you’d like to rest ’ere for a -hour or so, and give these ’ere ’orses a feed and a bit of a rub-down. -It looks as though we didn’t know ’ow to treat a ’orse to bring ’im in -like this, and me always a-jawin’ the stable-boys about it.” - -“I am sorry that the stable-boys will have to lose their object-lesson -to-day, Wright,” said Cyril, with a smile of the utmost gentleness, -“for it is important for us to hurry. But you need not think I am -ashamed of the state the horses are in. If you like to ride yours -through the next puddle, and get him well splashed, I have no -objection.” - -Wright touched his hat, and fell back with an inarticulate grunt, -making no attempt to profit by the permission accorded him. At Schloss -Herzensruh he had fallen in with a fellow-exile in the person of King -Johann’s coachman, who was also an Englishman, and he had informed -him, in the course of a long and generally lugubrious exchange of -confidences, that “a straighter rider than ’is Majesty, nor a -pleasanter master, I don’t wish to see--and it do take something like -a ’orse to carry ’is Majesty,” he added with professional pride; “but -Lord Cyril--there! ’e’s beyond me.” Cyril smiled to himself over the -groom’s look of bewilderment as he rode on, and reflected that it -would have been a thousand pities to spoil the effect of their return -by care for the appearance of the horses. As it was, when the dusty -and travel-stained riders and their weary beasts entered the gates of -Bellaviste, they created a sensation. A keen curiosity had been rife -ever since Cyril’s departure, to account for which the wildest -theories had been started, and his return promised fresh interest to -the townsfolk. They gathered about him in crowds, and inquired -anxiously the object of his journey, and whether all was well. To the -first question he professed himself unable to give an answer; but on -the subject of the second he was able to reassure his questioners, -although the most audacious hints as to the King’s possible marriage -could gain no confirmation from his lips until he met Mr Hicks. - -“Well, Lord Cyril, guess his Majesty’s about got over his -disappointment, anyway?” remarked the journalist confidentially. - -Cyril responded in two words of the American’s own language, “You -bet!” and rode on to the palace. Dismounting hastily, he forbade the -servants to announce him, and hurrying up the steps, staggered into -Caerleon’s study, and collapsed upon the sofa. - -“What! back already?” said Caerleon, looking up from his papers. - -Cyril sat up. “_Already_!” he remarked, tragically; “I have ridden -night and day for the sake of a fad of yours, and this is all I get -for it!” - -“My dear fellow, what made you do such a thing?” cried Caerleon, -rising and coming towards him. “I never thought of your rushing to -Mœsia and back like this. We shall have you ill again. Let me get you -some brandy.” - -“You had better call one of the servants, and let me give the order,” -said Cyril, with crushing irony. “_You_ are a temperance man. Well, at -any rate I hope you will be pleased to know that I have made -arrangements for you to meet the Princess.” - -“Is it really necessary for me to meet her?” asked Caerleon, -anxiously. “I have been hoping you would manage to nip the scheme in -the bud without that.” - -“When you forbade me to mention the matter!” cried Cyril, with natural -indignation. “I had plenty of opportunities for telling the King your -story, but you had hinted that I should misrepresent it, so I said -nothing. Of course I did the wrong thing. Well, I have done all I can, -and I am dead beat. Just let me alone, that’s all I want.” - -He turned over on the sofa and went to sleep, for it was perfectly -true that he was very tired after the three days’ ride, while Caerleon -stood looking at him in much apprehension and self-reproach. To cover -his brother with a rug and send for the Court physician to see him -were obviously the only things for the King to do; but when the doctor -averred that there was nothing amiss with the patient but fatigue, and -prescribed merely rest and mental relaxation, he could not accept the -comfort thus conveyed. When Cyril had been roused with much difficulty -from the sofa, and persuaded to go to bed, Caerleon went round to the -stables to speak to Wright, whom he found engaged in superintending -the grooming of one of the horses, which he conceived had been -neglected during his absence. - -“Glad to see you looking so fit, Wright,” said his master, as Wright -straightened himself against the wall, and touched his cap. “I was -afraid I should find you dead beat. Lord Cyril seems to be tired out.” - -“Do ’e, your Majesty?” responded Wright. “I ’adn’t noticed it. If -you’ll believe me, I think as ’is lordship’s ’avin’ a little joke with -you. ’E’s always tryin’ on them sort of games, beggin’ your Majesty’s -pardon.” - -This was added as an afterthought, in response to Caerleon’s look of -astonishment, as the King turned on his heel, and walked away in -displeasure. Wright was getting disgustingly impudent, he reflected. -No doubt too much had been made of him, and he felt that he had a -right to put on side, as the only Englishman among the servants, but -he must be taught his place. Caerleon was painfully conscious that -there was not always a complete unity of aims and agreement as to -means between Cyril and himself, but that Wright should venture to -notice the fact was insufferable. He should learn that being the -King’s fellow-countryman did not necessarily make him his confidant, -and a studied repressiveness of manner in addressing him for some days -would go far to make him forget that he had been chosen as Cyril’s -sole companion on his important mission--an honour which seemed to -have encouraged him to presume. And upon this decision Caerleon -proceeded to act, to the signal discomfiture of Wright, whose natural -enemies the stable-boys asserted themselves unmercifully when they saw -that the royal favour had forsaken him. - -Cyril, in the meantime, was enjoying himself. In obedience to the -orders of the physician, he spent several days on a sofa in his room, -and had all the papers brought him for his amusement. In this way he -was enabled to exercise a very effectual press censorship, weeding the -journals carefully, and sending down for Caerleon’s perusal only such -old-fashioned and painfully respectable prints as never hint at an -approaching royal marriage until the betrothal is actually announced. -Thanks to Mr Hicks, all the more modern and go-ahead papers were -teeming with reports and rumours on the subject of an anticipated -Mœsio-Thracian alliance, and two days after his return Cyril noted -with satisfaction a paragraph in a semi-official German paper to the -effect that the Emperor of Pannonia appeared inclined to recede from -the policy he had adopted of giving Scythia a free hand with regard to -Thracia, and to maintain an attitude of reserve. This in itself was -cheering, but for several days the situation continued to be extremely -unsettled, constant rumours of _rapprochements_ and coolnesses coming -to make matters doubtful. At last it was accepted as fairly certain -that Scythia and Pannonia were unable to agree on the Thracian -question, and that neither would trust the other to interfere; but -before things had reached this dead-lock, which left matters as they -had been before the two countries had arrived at their temporary -agreement, Cyril had received a cipher message from King Johann -Casimir to say that all was well. - -This prepared the way for the signing of the treaty, which M. -Drakovics had been drafting in accordance with Cyril’s notes of his -conversation with the Mœsian sovereign; and when everything was -ready, Caerleon and Cyril left Bellaviste for the frontier, in order -to entertain the Prince of Dardania for a week’s hunting. The visit -was a purely informal one, M. Drakovics only coming down twice to -discuss various questions of policy, and the little party in the -hunting-lodge found their stay very pleasant. The Prince of Dardania -was young and athletic, and a mighty hunter, and displayed as much -delight over his escape from the cares of State and the supervision of -his Prime Minister as did Caerleon. The two became great friends, and -their intimacy caused Cyril much apprehension, owing to his constant -fear that they might discuss together the situation with respect to -Mœsia. He gave himself endless trouble, and caught several colds, in -accompanying them on all their expeditions, when he would much rather -have remained sitting over the fire at the hunting-lodge or lounging -about the little village; but he felt the absolute necessity of -preventing their coming to an understanding. He knew that he was a -hindrance to their enjoyment, for long walks were obliged to be -curtailed, and bridges sought instead of fords, in consideration of -his physical weakness; but Caerleon could not bring himself to suggest -that he should remain at home, and Prince Alexis smiled and said -nothing. - -At times it struck Cyril that all his trouble was unnecessary, for -that the Prince could not be aware that Caerleon was his rival; but it -seemed impossible that the European gossip as to the approaching -disposal of Princess Ottilie’s hand should not have reached his ears. -More than once, also, Cyril caught him looking Caerleon over, in a -musing, business-like fashion, as though he were taking stock of him, -and after moments such as this he always redoubled his efforts to keep -the two from being alone together. He felt sure that Prince Alexis -knew what was going on when, in response to a question from Caerleon -as to whether he intended to join the hunting-party at Schloss -Herzensruh the day after the signing of the treaty, he replied that he -could not well intrude on the King of Mœsia at such a purely family -gathering, but that he would no doubt be able to pay his respects -later. And yet it seemed strange that he made no attempt to win -Caerleon over to his side, a fact which left Cyril still troubled by -uncertainty, even after the treaty was signed. The points of -difficulty between Thracia and Dardania had been satisfactorily -arranged by the two sovereigns and their Ministers, and they were -incorporated into an addition to the Mœsian treaty, although Cyril -almost feared that the negotiations would fall through when he saw the -meeting between King Johann Casimir and Prince Alexis. The King’s -manner was nervously triumphant, and inclined to be unfriendly, and -most men would have taken offence at it, especially after the rupture -which had already occurred between them; but the Prince passed it by -without notice, and all went off peaceably. - - - - CHAPTER XII. - TO OBLIGE A LADY. - -The next day was that appointed for the fateful hunting-party, and -when Caerleon and Cyril bade farewell to Prince Alexis, who was -returning for a few days to his capital of Bashi Konak, they were both -conscious of concealing a good deal of excitement under a veil of -calmness. Cyril fancied that there was a twinkle in the Prince’s eye -as he wished them good sport, and he was roused again to wonder -whether their guest knew anything of the affair in hand. However this -might be, he departed without making any allusion to it, and Cyril -awoke to the fact that Caerleon, who now realised for the first time -the full falseness of his position, was in a state of misery and -nervousness only to be described as pitiable. When Cyril recognised -this fact he was appalled, for it seemed to him that the mere sight of -his brother’s face was enough to betray to King Johann the artifice -which had been employed against him; but presently he reflected that -Caerleon’s disquietude and evident unhappiness fitted in exactly with -the story he had told the King, and his mind was at ease as they rode -through the forest together. At Schloss Herzensruh every one was -waiting to start for the forest, and the lawn in front of the windows -was occupied by a confused group of jägers, dogs, and beaters. The -Queen did not appear on this occasion, but the King hurried to greet -the brothers, and presented Caerleon at once to Princess Ottilie, who -was looking sportsmanlike and ready for business in a French _costume -de chasse_, with leather-faced skirt and many-pocketed jacket all -complete, while a jäger behind her was holding her neat little rifle. - -“I know how fond of sport you English are, and therefore I gave my -daughter directions to wear this dress to-day in compliment to your -brother,” said the King, complacently, to Cyril, when they had -withdrawn a step or two from the pair, leaving Caerleon to devise and -utter incoherent remarks on the weather, which were received by the -Princess with demure politeness. - -“And Caerleon bars a shooting woman above all things!” was Cyril’s -agonised mental comment, even while he was assuring the King that -although the Princess would look charming in anything, she was -absolutely irresistible in hunting costume. But as he spoke, his -thoughts were wandering, for it struck him that Princess Ottilie -appeared to be very favourably inclined towards Caerleon. There was a -hint of pleased excitement in her manner, which even the delight of -wearing the most _chic_ and becoming of new dresses seemed inadequate -to produce; and when, in response to one of her companion’s laboured -remarks, she raised her eyes smilingly and scanned his face, it -appeared to Cyril that the expression in them was more than friendly. -The thought almost made him giddy. What if the whim of a -strong-willed, fickle girl should succeed in doing what he and M. -Drakovics, with all their statesmanship, had failed to achieve, and -bring about Caerleon’s marriage with her? Although he had suggested -the possibility of such a thing in order to comfort the Premier, he -had never regarded it seriously himself; but now it struck him as by -no means unlikely that Princess Ottilie might refuse to grant her -unwilling suitor the dismissal he craved, in which case, Cyril -decided, his brother would feel himself compelled to marry her. At -this point the voice of King Johann broke in on his meditations. - -“I am about to desire my daughter to show his Majesty the path through -the forest which leads to the withered pine, a familiar landmark -here,” said the King. “You and I will then lead the hunt in the -opposite direction.” - -“Excuse me,” said Cyril, hastily, “but I am afraid that such evident -assistance would simply render my brother incapable of addressing -himself to her Royal Highness at all. If we keep to our present order, -your Majesty and I and the servants can easily turn into a fresh path -when we are once in the wood.” - -The King agreed to this plan, although not without some hesitation, -and Cyril manœuvred the army of beaters so adroitly that before they -had been ten minutes in the forest Caerleon and the Princess found -themselves alone. The result of the discovery was absolutely to -deprive Caerleon of the power of speech, and he walked on in silence -beside his companion, who was firing off nervous little sentences at -intervals. We are told, by those who should be well qualified to speak -on the subject, that words are apt to fail him who desires to offer -his hand and heart to the girl of his choice; but what is his -difficulty compared with that of the man who finds it his duty to -explain to an expectant lady why he does _not_ propose? The cold sweat -stood on Caerleon’s brow as the Princess ceased her spasmodic remarks -abruptly, and appeared from her silence to be expecting him to speak; -but after an awful five minutes, in the course of which he twice -cleared his throat and made a vain attempt to say something--it did -not matter what--she herself, to his astonishment, broke the ice. - -“I--I have something to say to your Majesty,” she began. “You have -come here with the intention of--of marrying me----” - -This was more and more terrible. It rushed into Caerleon’s tortured -mind that Princess Ottilie must belong to a German variety of the New -Woman, and that she was going to propose to him. How was he to manage -to refuse her? She must be stopped at any cost. - -“On the contrary,” he interrupted, floundering desperately into what -he had to say--“your Highness is mistaken. I have no desire--no -intention--no--no hope of marrying you.” - -“Indeed!” cried Princess Ottilie, facing him with crimson cheeks and -flashing eyes. “Then pray understand that your feelings are entirely -reciprocated. I have no desire--no intention of marrying your -Majesty,” and she made him an elaborate curtsey, which was rather -incongruous when taken in conjunction with her gaiters and short -skirts. But Caerleon was far too deeply impressed with the conviction -that he had blundered horribly in beginning his delicate task to -notice anything of the kind. - -“I assure you,” he said, earnestly, “that nothing could be further -from my mind than to wish to insult your Royal Highness. I can only -ask you to pardon my bungling way of expressing myself. I came here -intending to throw myself upon your mercy, and beg you to release me -from an engagement which was entered into without my consent.” - -Princess Ottilie still stood angry and irresolute, darting distrustful -glances at him, but it seemed to Caerleon that she was more disposed -to listen than at first. He hurried on-- - -“I will speak to you freely, Princess--not that I am ashamed of what I -have to say; quite the contrary. There is a lady whom I love, and whom -I would give anything to marry. But she has refused me--she is not of -royal blood, and she considers that it would be prejudicial to the -interests of Thracia were she to marry me. I have no hope of getting -her to change her mind so long as I remain on the throne, but I will -never marry any one else. It would be perjury. When I heard that -Drakovics had set on foot negotiations for my marriage with you I was -horror-struck, and tried to break them off at once. But it was pointed -out to me that this might seem to cast a slur on you, and so--I didn’t -do it. I think you will see that if I acted wrongly it was because I -was desirous of doing nothing to hurt your feelings. I am truly sorry -if what I said at first sounded rude, but I was anxious to get you to -refuse me. You see that I could not possibly marry you, since I love -Nadia.” - -“Nadia--is that her name?” asked the Princess, sharply. She had been -standing motionless, biting her glove, during Caerleon’s laboured and -stammering harangue, her brows contracted into an anxious frown, but -now her face relaxed. “I like to hear you say it. Your voice sounds as -if you loved her. If I wished to tease you, I might insist on holding -you to your engagement, but I don’t, for”--and she mimicked the words -he had uttered some minutes before--“I also came here intending to -throw myself on your mercy, and beg you to release me from an -engagement which was entered into without my consent. Only,” and her -voice took a tone of entreaty, “I have more to ask than you.” - -“If I can help you in any way, pray command me,” said Caerleon, -inexpressibly relieved to find himself transformed from a suppliant -into a possible benefactor. - -Princess Ottilie smiled anxiously. “You don’t know what you are -promising, but I shall hold you to your offer. I am going to confide -to you something that no one knows except my mother. It is she who has -advised me to consult you, for she has the greatest confidence in your -honour and discretion.” - -This was spoken very quickly, as if it was a lesson, and Caerleon -could only say that, in so far as it rested with him, the Queen and -Princess should have no cause to repent of the honour they were doing -him. - -Almost before the words were out of his mouth, the girl went on -speaking hurriedly, walking fast with her face turned away from him, -and her hands twisting themselves nervously together: “I also have a -romance, your Majesty--a love-story, you call it. After I had visited -England with my parents two years ago, we spent some weeks at -Pavelsburg, and there I met some one--a distant relation of my -mother’s. All these political troubles had not happened then”--she -looked up at him piteously--“and I might follow the dictates of my own -heart. My father and mother were delighted; the Emperor was pleased. -We could not help loving one another; but what happened afterwards -would not have seemed so hard if all had not been so bright at first. -He had spoken to my mother; she had told my father; but our engagement -was not to be announced until we returned home, and the betrothal -could take place publicly. But when we reached Eusebia, everything was -changed. Your revolution--the Thracian revolution--had taken place; -Scythia and Pannonia had quarrelled; the statesmen were playing chess -on the map of Europe, and he and I were two of the pawns. He is -related to the imperial family of Scythia, and Pannonia could not -allow Scythian influence in the Balkans to be strengthened by his -marriage with me. They did not tell us plainly that our duty compelled -us to part,--they worked underground, through the Grand Duke, my -father’s uncle; they sowed dissension between my father and mother; -they made our home miserable; they have parted my Prince and me. That -is my story, and no one has any pity for us.” - -She paused and wrung her hands, her dark eyes searching Caerleon’s -face, her lips quivering painfully. - -“Don’t cry,” he said in alarm. “If I can help you I will. What is it -that you want me to do?” - -“There is no one I can trust, no one who will help me. My father -orders me to marry you, and Pannonia and the whole of our own family -are behind him. I could not escape; they would track me all over the -world. My only hope is to divert their attention altogether for a -time--for a few days, and so to obtain the chance of marrying my -Prince.” - -“But who is he--this happy man?” asked Caerleon. - -“Alexis Alexievitch,” she replied, with a vivid blush. - -“The Prince of Dardania!” cried Caerleon. “Why, we have been hunting -together for a week, and he has never said a word about this.” - -“He was to leave it all to me, unless he found some unexpected -opportunity,” said the Princess. “He is making all the preparations. -It is a difficult matter, because we must be married both by Greek and -Lutheran rites, and he has found it best to bring a pastor from -Weldart, from my mother’s people. The pastor cannot arrive for a week, -and we must bridge over that time until I can escape into Dardanian -territory, and be married. Now, do you see what I want you to do?” - -“I really don’t,” said Caerleon, the wildest ideas of personation, -elopement, and abduction chasing one another through his brain. - -“I should have thought it was simple enough,” said the Princess, with -a certain amount of contempt. “That week must be filled up, and -therefore I want you to engage yourself to me for that time.” - -“Oh!” said Caerleon, stupidly. “But I thought you made a very solemn -ceremony of your betrothals here?” - -“And you think your Mdlle. Nadia might object? Well, I will promise -you by anything you like that I will not hold you to the engagement.” - -“It’s not that,” he said, gruffly. “I am not going to tell a pack of -lies.” - -“Oh!” exclaimed the Princess in her turn. “But I’m afraid I can’t tell -them for you. Do you really mind going through the form of betrothal, -knowing that neither of us means it? You can say the words without -intention, or with a mental reservation, you know. No? Well, I see -what we must do. The betrothal must be put off for a week. I have sent -for a new dress from Paris, and I will not appear at the ceremony -until I have it to wear. My father will allow that plea. Have you not -noticed that men who will calmly break a woman’s heart in a great -matter, will let her have her way without difficulty in a little one, -especially if it has anything to do with dress? It will be generally -understood that we are engaged, and that will put the -Schwarzwald-Molzaus off the scent.” - -“But I can’t say that I want to marry you when I don’t,” objected -Caerleon. - -“Did they teach your Majesty that story about George Washington very -carefully when you were a little boy? I have toiled through his -history often, but it never left such a deep impression on me. Very -well, you must say that you will marry me if I am willing, and I will -say the same about you. That will make us both safe.” - -“But, excuse me,” said Caerleon, “is all this really necessary? Don’t -you think that if I spoke to your father, and told him what your -feelings were, and interceded with him on behalf of Prince Alexis, he -might relent?” - -Princess Ottilie’s eyes flashed. “Your Majesty,” she said, “my mother -went down on her knees to my father to entreat his pity for me, his -only child, and without avail. Do you think that a stranger’s -intercessions would have more effect on him?” - -“But have you tried telling him that your happiness depends on this -marriage, and refusing to have anything to say to any one but the -Prince?” - -“No; I have not done so lately,” said the Princess, in a peculiar -tone. “I did at first; but do you know what the consequence would have -been if I had persisted? They would have banished my mother from the -kingdom, or imprisoned her in a fortress, and what could I have done -then? Therefore I said no more. Of late we have endeavoured to appear -resigned to our fate, confiding in your honour and generosity.” - -“But would it not put things right if I were to withdraw from my -proposal at once?” - -“So far right that my father would oblige me to marry one of my -cousins, the Schwarzwald-Molzaus, instead of you, and I could look for -no mercy from him. You must help me. You cannot leave me to my misery, -when I have trusted you in this way. Help me for the sake of your own -Nadia, as you would wish another man to help her if she were in my -place. Oh, your Majesty, you cannot refuse me!” - -“Very well. I’ll do what I can,” said Caerleon, rather grudgingly, as -it seemed even to himself, but the idea of the suggested deception was -hateful to him. - -“And you will tell no one what has passed between us?” - -“Of course I won’t repeat your confidences without your permission.” - -“Not even to your brother?” - -“Not even to him, if you would rather not, though I don’t think I have -ever kept anything secret from him before.” - -“Your brother above all,” repeated the Princess, emphatically. “On -your honour?” - -“You don’t seem to trust him,” said Caerleon, feeling hurt. - -“Not at all. It is simply that I owe him a little grudge. You know -that he visited my father here nearly three weeks ago? I want to play -him a trick in return for some things he did then. You understand, it -is a whim of mine?” - -“Yes,” returned Caerleon, only half satisfied. - -“Ah! well, your Majesty, we are engaged--for a week. It will be -necessary for us to appear in public together, but I will do my best -not to be a very exacting companion. I know that you English do not -make as much of betrothal as we Molzäuers do. Still, one must keep up -appearances. I look to you to play your part.” - -“In this way?” asked Caerleon, provoked by her mischievous tone, as he -raised her hand to his lips. - -“Ah, that is your custom? We in Germany should think it a little cold. -If anything more is requisite, pray do the proper thing, without -considering my feelings.” - -“If my brother was here he would make a pretty speech about the -honour’s being too great for safety,” said Caerleon. “I am not a good -hand at compliments, and so, Princess, I must simply ask you not to -tempt me.” - -“Which is a polite way of saying that you decline the honour,” said -the Princess, pouting slightly, and trying to withdraw her hand. At -this interesting moment King Johann and Cyril, followed by the -jägers, appeared at the end of the path. Cyril and the servants drew -back hastily, but the King advanced with much dignity, and approached -the pair. - -“Is it possible that the dearest wish of my heart is granted me?” he -asked in a voice broken by emotion. “You have arrived at an -understanding?” - -“If the Princess will take me, I hope--er--er--I am ready--er--I will -marry her,” stammered Caerleon. - -“And if his Majesty will have me, I shall welcome the honour of -marrying him,” said Princess Ottilie boldly, a mischievous light in -her black eyes. - - - -“Then you really are engaged to her?” asked Cyril, incredulously, when -the brothers next found themselves alone together. - -“I suppose so,” returned Caerleon, gruffly enough. - -“Well I am most extraordinarily delighted to hear it, of course. -Congrats, and all that sort of thing, old man. I suppose she wouldn’t -let you off?” - -“That’s about it.” - -“You ought to feel flattered by that, at any rate. She’s an awfully -good-looking girl,--any amount of go in her. I shouldn’t wonder if you -find her rather overpowering though, just at first. I’ll take her off -your hands now and then if you do. She’ll think a heap more of you if -you are busy sometimes.” - -“I should have thought you would have recommended me to try and get -used to her if I have got to marry her,” growled Caerleon. - -Cyril laughed. - -“What, in these progressive days?” he asked. “You are behind the age, -old man. You will contrive to exist very happily together by making -sure of never finding yourselves in the same place at the same time.” -And he went away to draw up an official announcement to be sent to M. -Drakovics for insertion in a special Gazette, stigmatising the -circumstantial reports which had appeared of late on the subject of -the King’s approaching marriage as absurdly premature, since the date -even of the betrothal was not yet fixed. As for Caerleon, he prepared -with a failing heart for his interview with the Queen, who had -expressed a desire to see her daughter’s _fiancé_. The King himself -led him into the boudoir where the Queen sat knitting, and was much -relieved to see her kiss him on the forehead when he stooped to kiss -her hand. He had feared that although Princess Ottilie had proved -unexpectedly pliable, her mother would be more difficult to persuade; -and he ascribed the gratifying reality partly to the Queen’s sense of -his own masterful personality, and partly to the liking she had -already expressed for her future son-in-law. Pitying the young man’s -evident shyness and misery, King Johann volunteered to leave him alone -with the Queen for a time lest his presence should prove a restraint -on their mutual confidences, and the moment that he had left the room -the Queen dropped her knitting and sat upright. - -“I can never thank you sufficiently for what you have done to-day,” -she said, in a quick sharp whisper. “You have helped me to save my -child.” - -“I am very glad if I have been so fortunate as to please you,” said -Caerleon, lamely. - -“My daughter has told me your story,” the Queen went on. “Your -confidence in her has touched us both extremely. If ever I can in any -way serve or befriend the young lady whom you love, I rely upon you to -turn to me without hesitation.” - -“Your Majesty is too good,” stammered Caerleon. - -“There is one thing I wish to say while we are alone,” continued the -Queen, rapidly. “It is uncertain when Prince Alexis will be able to -complete the arrangements for the wedding, and even when I know the -day I will not tell you. You are to be completely ignorant. The news -must surprise you as much as any one. I am afraid that your engagement -must last at least eight days; but you know that it is not now -proposed to celebrate the betrothal until ten days hence. I hope you -will not find the time very irksome, but my child is a little wayward -occasionally. Here comes the King.” - -When Caerleon went out from the Queen’s boudoir, with the King’s arm -in his, it was to begin the most horrible fortnight of his life. If he -had done wrong in yielding to Princess Ottilie’s entreaties, he was -amply punished for it as the days went on. He loathed the idea of -deceiving the King, tyrannical and weak-minded though he was; he -loathed the delighted congratulations which came pouring in through M. -Drakovics from all Thracia as soon as it became known that the date of -the betrothal was actually fixed. He was deceiving the man whose bread -he was eating, for on the return from the hunt the King had insisted -that the brothers should take up their quarters at Schloss Herzensruh; -he was deceiving Cyril, who had never, so he fondly believed, -concealed a thought from him; he was deceiving his simple-minded -subjects, and he was laying up a store of self-loathing which became -in course of time almost unbearable. And, worst of all, he was turning -his back on Nadia, forsaking her, and, so far as the world could see, -preparing to marry another girl, exactly as she had begged him to do, -and prophesied that he would do. This last aspect of the case would -have made the situation intolerable to a woman, but Caerleon was -possessed of a dogged patience which forced him to go on to the bitter -end, having once given his promise to Princess Ottilie. But he -discovered very soon that, although it had been easy enough to offer -her his help in the forest, with her tearful eyes fixed upon him and -her indignant voice ringing in his ears, it was much more difficult to -carry out his promise gracefully. - -He did his best, although it must be confessed that that best was but -poor. When Cyril suggested mildly that it was usual to send presents -to the lady in the course of an engagement, he followed his advice, -and telegraphed to Paris and Vienna orders for jewellery and objects -of art; but he did so with the bitter recollection that he had never -given Nadia so much as a keepsake, while here he was showering costly -gifts upon a girl for whom he did not care a straw. It was the same -with the rides, on which it was the Princess’s will and pleasure that -he should accompany her at least once a-day. He had never had the -chance of riding with Nadia; but he had little opportunity of -forgetting that Princess Ottilie had a splendid seat, and rode like an -Englishwoman, as Cyril told her once, assuring her at the same time -that it was the highest compliment he could pay her. At first, indeed, -Caerleon welcomed the prospect of the rides, as likely to restrict his -intercourse with his _fiancée_ to the polite and friendly terms on -which he felt it was both right and reasonable they should meet. But -he had reckoned without Princess Ottilie, even as he had left out of -his calculations the enterprising photographers who travelled from -Bellaviste and Eusebia, and arranged cameras in ambush by the side of -the road along which the riders were to pass, and the enthusiastic -amateurs who took snap-shots at them with kodaks. The Princess had -eyes like a hawk, and could detect the most artfully concealed camera -some minutes before she came abreast of it, and distinguish a -photographic maniac at any distance, and at the crucial moment she -would begin a confidential low-toned conversation, which obliged -Caerleon to lean politely towards her in order to hear what she said; -or she would drop her riding-whip. It was against his principles, she -had discovered, to allow the groom to pick it up, and thus she had the -pleasure of seeing him dismount and rescue it himself, while the -lurking enemy gloated over the negative he had secured, which was -destined to appear after the lapse of a week or two, in a more or less -appalling guise, in one of the Continental illustrated journals. - -“It isn’t the riding I mind, but I do bar her tricks,” Caerleon -bemoaned himself one day to Cyril, who had witnessed an incident of -this kind. - -“Never mind,” said Cyril. “She only wants to show you off.” - -“If she carries on much more, I shall cut,” said the victim, gloomily. - -“Beastly mean, if you do,” said Cyril. “The girl’s awfully gone on -you. When I get her alone sometimes, and sing your praises to her, you -should see how pleased she is. Don’t be a fool, old man. Any other -chap would think himself in clover to have a smart, good-looking girl, -and a princess too, in love with him to such an extent.” - -“Well, I shall get thrown, then. That will stop the rides, at any -rate.” - -“Don’t, if you take my advice. She will insist on nursing you--rather -like it than otherwise. As to your finding it a bore to go out with -her----” - -“I shouldn’t, if I wasn’t engaged to her,” groaned Caerleon. - -“Oh, Lothario!” laughed Cyril, but he forbore to pursue the subject -further. He was so highly delighted by the unexpected success of his -diplomacy that he could afford to be generous. How the Princess had -managed to draw Caerleon into the engagement he could not guess, but -he was the last man in the world to quarrel with the accomplished -fact. He could stand a good deal from Caerleon in these days, he told -himself, taking credit for extraordinary forbearance towards a fellow -who was as bad as a bear with a sore head. Why couldn’t he put a good -face on it, as the Princess did? She had been obliged to discard her -old love, but she didn’t let the fact spoil all her enjoyment of -life--not she. - -As will have been observed, Caerleon’s task was not made easier by his -_fiancée_. Princess Ottilie saw the full comedy of the situation, -where he perceived only its tragic irony, and she took a lively -pleasure in emphasising the details of the plot. A born actress, no -mere tame acceptance of facts would content her, and she played -shamelessly to the gallery. Ordinary love-making was poor,--everything -for her must be intense, and surcharged with meaning. She never left -Caerleon alone. Loving epithets flowed from her lips in a way that -made him feel that he must be blushing scarlet a dozen times a-day. -She claimed his time and attention as a right, obliged him to assist -her in the most incongruous tasks, made him turn over the pages of her -music for her during what seemed interminable hours (she was a most -accomplished musician), and appealed in an injured tone to Cyril, or -the Queen, or the ladies-in-waiting, if he showed signs of fatigue or -preoccupation. The general effect produced was that of a modern and -substantial Titania wooing a singularly unresponsive clown, to the -great edification of the beholders. - - - - CHAPTER XIII. - PUNIC FAITH. - -Matters came to a crisis on a certain dreadful evening when the -Prince of Dardania, who was staying at one of his palaces a short -distance on the other side of the frontier, dined at the castle. An -invitation had been sent him, with what the King congratulated himself -was a refinement of cruelty, that he might see with his own eyes how -complete was the ruin of his hopes, and the scheme met with a success -of which its originator had not dreamed. Whether through malice or -through nervousness, Princess Ottilie overacted her part enormously -that night, insomuch that she awakened doubts even in the mind of -Prince Alexis, and thrilled Caerleon with a new horror. Perhaps she -had changed her mind, and would after all refuse to release him,--and -what would be his position in such a case? It comforted him to see -that the Queen managed to exchange a few whispered words with the -Prince, as he took his leave after an evening of chilling neglect, but -he himself had an account to settle with Princess Ottilie. The next -morning the pair had “words” in the conservatory, and Caerleon -informed his _fiancée_ succinctly that he had no intention of being -used as an instrument of torture with which to harass Prince Alexis. - -“If you try it on again, I shall simply make the whole thing known,” -he said. - -“You threaten me?” wept the Princess. - -“Not if you behave decently,” he answered, with a roughness which only -his desperate situation could excuse; “but if a man is supposed to be -engaged, he has a right to have a voice in the proceedings of his--of -the lady. The fact is, you think you can go as far as you like with -me, and I won’t have it. You wouldn’t dare to carry on in this way -with my brother Cyril, or any other man, because you know he might -respond, and then you would get into trouble. But as I consider myself -virtually engaged to some one else, and was soft-hearted enough to -believe what you told me in the forest, you think you can make as big -a fool of me as you like; but I’m not going to stand it.” - -“You are brutal,” sobbed Princess Ottilie. “As you say, any other man -would feel honoured to be treated in the way I treat you.” - -“Let him,” said Caerleon. “I don’t; and I tell you plainly, it’s not -to go on.” - -“You are a monster to talk to me like this, at any rate,” she said, -drying her eyes. “Now that you have delivered your lecture, and I have -listened, I will only say one thing, that I would never allow my -prince to speak to me as you have done.” - -She vouchsafed no other expression of penitence, and even this remark -Caerleon understood to be intended more as a hit; nor did his lecture -seem to have had much effect upon her conduct, for when later in the -day Cyril, on finding Princess Ottilie alone, noticed the heaviness of -her eyes, and ventured to hope that she was not suffering from -headache, she told him frankly that she had been crying, and gave him -to understand that her tears were due to a doubt as to Caerleon’s real -feelings towards her. A good deal of diplomacy was needed to soothe -her apprehensions, and when Cyril left her, with his mind made up to -seek Caerleon and warn him to be more careful, he found himself seized -upon by the King, who was strongly of the opinion that something was -wrong. Why did Caerleon look so gloomy? and why had he made the -Princess cry that morning? were his unanswerable questions; and -although Cyril, with what he told himself was perfect truth, urged -that he could not imagine any reason why his brother, who was -notoriously an advocate of love-matches, should engage himself to the -Princess against his will, he was obliged to fall back on Caerleon’s -imaginary unworthiness and low opinion of himself as an explanation. -He saw that the King was only half satisfied, and the next day he was -forced to feel that this tendency towards mistrust had made itself -evident at a very inopportune moment. - -Hosts and guests alike at Schloss Herzensruh breakfasted in their own -rooms, and it was immediately after the early meal that Cyril received -an intimation that the King desired his attendance as soon as -possible. The wording of the message struck him as peculiar; but he -finished his dressing hurriedly, and presented himself in the study. -To his astonishment, he found King Johann surrounded by piles of -newspaper packets bearing English stamps, which had just arrived by -post. Several of them had been opened, and Cyril was surprised to see -that each contained a copy of that well-known weekly, ‘Mendacity,’ -dated two or three days back. Furthermore, on looking at those still -unopened, he recognised in each case the cover of ‘Mendacity.’ - -“Lord Cyril,” said the King, and Cyril was surprised to see that the -fussy little man could look really kingly, “I have sent for you -because all the arrangements for my daughter’s engagement have been -conducted through you, and also because I was anxious not to trouble -your brother if this matter is susceptible of explanation. You see -these papers? I think every one of my English friends has sent me a -copy, and the same paragraph is marked in each. Perhaps you will -kindly read it.” - -He put one of the papers into Cyril’s hand, and he read the marked -paragraph:-- - - - “‘I have no desire to be reckoned among the “unco guid,” and it has - always been my belief that young men will be young men. Still, I am - not sorry that my Temperance friends should have the chance of - learning the true character of the gay Lothario whom the criminal - inertness of a Tory Government has permitted to establish himself on - the throne of Thracia. We have heard a good deal lately about the - superior morality of this gentleman. His people have all been made - suddenly sober--not by Act of Parliament, but by his “royal” decree; - he has sacrificed a large part of his income for the purpose of buying - up licences, and he is about to put the finishing touch to his - catalogue of good deeds by making a love-match with the wealthy and - beautiful daughter of a neighbouring sovereign. Perhaps it will be - news for some of my readers to learn that this so-called “King” is - bound by every tie of honour to marry a Scythian lady of noble family, - whose acquaintance he made before seizing upon the throne, and whom he - subsequently abandoned in the most heartless manner, and under - circumstances of peculiar cruelty. What does the Nonconformist - conscience think of this? Scythia has a long account already - outstanding against this choice specimen of the British aristocracy, - and when the day of reckoning comes, the swords of her soldiers will - not leap from their scabbards with the less alacrity for the - remembrance of his behaviour towards their countrywoman.’” - - -The time occupied in reading the paragraph through afforded Cyril the -opportunity of collecting his thoughts, for he had guessed its drift -from the very first sentences. Now he threw down the paper and cried -hotly-- - -“I hope to goodness Caerleon has not seen this! If he has, he will -simply go off to Scythia at once, and marry the girl whether she -wishes it or not.” - -“Then the story is true?” shouted the King, half rising from his -chair, the veins in his forehead swelling. - -“Like most lies, it rejoices in a substratum of truth,” answered -Cyril, coolly. - -“Be good enough to explain to me exactly what you mean,” said the -King, his fury in a measure disarmed by the young man’s serenity. - -“The facts are very simple,” returned Cyril. “During our tour in -Hungary, we made the acquaintance of a Scythian officer and his -family. The only daughter was a most estimable young lady, and my -brother fell deeply in love with her. We may presume that his -affection was not returned--at any rate, when he proposed to her, she -refused him. That’s all, unless she has changed her mind by this -time.” - -“And you can assure me, on your honour as a nobleman, that there is no -other foundation for this--this tale?” - -Cyril drew himself up. “I have not the honour to understand your -Majesty. Is it possible that you can for a moment have believed the -story to be true?” - -“There was some justification for such a belief, in this printed paper -and in the anxiety of my English friends,” said the King, drily. - -“If that is the case, I think your Majesty has shown pretty plainly -that the prospect of a marriage between my brother and the Princess -does not meet with your approval,” said Cyril, with awful coldness. -“If your Majesty will permit me, I will communicate the fact to him, -and we will leave the castle at once.” - -“No, no! you are too hasty,” said King Johann, quickly. “It is surely -only natural that I should resent such an aspersion on the character -of my future son-in-law. Surely, too, I may complain of a want of -openness on your part. Why have I heard nothing of this prior -attachment?” - -“One is not particularly anxious to publish it abroad that one’s -brother has made a fool of himself,” said Cyril, frankly. “I don’t -mind acknowledging that I was glad to hush the matter up. But Caerleon -insisted on telling the Princess all about it, and I know that he did -so before their engagement took place. No doubt that is one reason for -his looking so seedy lately. Of course he felt that it wasn’t quite -fair for a man with an experience of that kind fresh in his memory to -seek the love of a whole-hearted, unworldly young girl like her Royal -Highness.” - -This was carrying the war into the enemy’s camp with a vengeance, and -the King climbed down from his high horse somewhat hastily. - -“I do not complain so much of the concealment of the matter from -myself, as of the fact that other persons have been allowed to obtain -a knowledge of it,” he said, wisely waiving the question of Princess -Ottilie’s inexperience in affairs of the heart. Cyril made no remark, -but accepted the words as confirmation of a suspicion which had -occurred to him once or twice, that King Johann’s ignorance was merely -official, and that he had all along been aware of the existence of -Nadia, although he had acquiesced discreetly in the silence hitherto -maintained with regard to her. “How do you suppose that the news -reached England?” the King went on. - -“From a Scythian source, no doubt,” answered Cyril, promptly. -“Dickinson, the editor of ‘Mendacity,’ hunts up the scandals of all -nations for his wretched rag. I suppose you have no Scythian newspaper -of last week?” - -“I remember now that one was sent me. It is evident that I have not so -many kind friends in Scythia as in England. I put it on one side, for -I do not myself read Scythian easily; and I thought--the Queen--about -this marriage--things might be said----” - -“As matters stand, it is a very good thing you did not,” said Cyril, -answering the thought rather than the words. “Her Majesty might have -misunderstood the whole affair. We all know that ladies are often apt -to take strong prejudices, unfortunately.” - -“Will you read it, and see what it says?” suggested the King. - -“I don’t know much Scythian, but I might manage to puzzle it out,” -said Cyril; and the King brought out a crumpled paper, which the two -studied painfully for some minutes. - -“Ah, here it is!” cried Cyril, and he began to translate rapidly and -freely: “‘The Carlino-O’Malachy affair, of which so much has lately -been heard in society, appears likely to have far-reaching -consequences.’ Then there comes pretty much what we have just read in -‘Mendacity.’ Then it goes on: ‘With a view to obtaining authoritative -information on the subject, a representative of this journal called -yesterday upon Colonel O’Malachy, who was paying a flying visit to the -city, and left this morning. Colonel O’Malachy is a veteran soldier, -wearing a medal for distinguished services, and the order of the -Byzantine Empire. He has served in----’ oh, that doesn’t signify. ‘The -gallant officer maintained an attitude of strict reserve, but admitted -that the published accounts of the Thracian usurper’s conduct are -substantially true. The publicity which had been given to the matter -was, however, quite contrary to his wishes and those of his family, -for it was not, he said, the custom of a house which numbered kings -among its ancestors to submit its wrongs to the arbitrament of a court -either of law or of public opinion. Let but an appeal be made to arms, -and he would trust to meet the English filibuster face to face on the -soil he has seized, and to sheathe the sword, which had drunk Moslem -blood in ’77, in his treacherous heart.’” - -“That conclusion is rather fine,” observed Cyril. “I always knew that -the O’Malachy was about as picturesque an old villain as remains -unhung in these degenerate days; but I did not know he was quite -capable of these heroics.” - -“Perhaps a telegram which I received before you came in may throw some -light upon the matter,” said the King. “It is from our Minister at -Pavelsburg, telling me that this very paper had been warned by the -censor, at his request, for publishing unauthorised news. He added -that the news related to the King of Thracia.” - -“Only warned? not suspended?” said Cyril. “That shows they were not -sorry to have it believed, then. Well, I fear we can do nothing to -bring Scythia to a sense of the error of her ways; but I think I can -put a spoke in Dickinson’s wheel.” - -“I am about to indite a formal complaint to the British Government,” -said the King. “It is intolerable that a newspaper should be allowed -to libel the sovereign of a neighbouring country in this way, -especially when it is remembered that he is on the point of connecting -himself with my family.” - -“I’m afraid that will scarcely do,” said Cyril. “You see, for one -thing, Caerleon isn’t exactly the sovereign of a neighbouring -country--at least, no one seems quite to know whether he is a -sovereign at all, or not.” - -“But that will be satisfactorily settled before long,” said the King. - -“If Pannonia supports us at Czarigrad in pressing anew for our -recognition from Roum it will be, but not otherwise,” said Cyril, -shortly. “But this uncertainty disposes of any idea of appealing to -the British Government. What we have to do is to work upon Dickinson -in a way he can understand.” - -“And what is that?” asked King Johann. - -“I know a man on the staff of the ‘Universe,’” answered Cyril, “and it -will give him and his chief the purest pleasure to make Dickinson take -a back seat over this business. I shall simply send him one little -fact, and he will work it up with a few flourishes about Dickinson’s -abnormal faculty for discovering mares’ nests, and a passing remark or -two on the subject of his descent from the man who hated Aristides.” - -“But what is the fact?” asked the King, eagerly. - -“Merely this, that the brother of the much-injured lady is still an -officer in my brother’s guard, and dined at our table, quite in a -friendly spirit, the night before we left Bellaviste. If the O’Malachy -had any sense of dramatic consistency, he would have ordered him to -resign his commission; but as the idea hasn’t struck him, we are all -right.” - -“But the mere demonstration that the charge he has brought against -your brother is an absurdity will not affect this Dickinson,” said the -King. - -“Oh yes, it will. The very suggestion that he has been taken in by -such a ridiculous story will be a sufficient punishment for him.” - -“But if the aim of his journal is to circulate lies, he cannot have -any regard for the truth,” objected the King. - -“He cares very much about his reputation as a shrewd man of the -world,” said Cyril. “And you musn’t judge his paper from its title. -That is Dickinson’s little joke. He calls it ‘Mendacity’ on the _lucus -a non lucendo_ principle, from a theory of his that the name is -intended to indicate what the paper is not. The ‘Times,’ he says, is -behind the times; the ‘Standard’ lags in the rear, instead of leading; -and it is just the same with his paper--in each case the contents -contradict the name. But some people think that there is more truth in -the title than anywhere inside the cover.” - -“So it would appear,” said the King. - -“We are rather proud of Dickinson at home,” Cyril went on. “He is a -purely English product, and _fin de siècle_ at that. No other nation -can rival his peculiar humour.” The King looked as though he, at any -rate, found it difficult also to appreciate the bent of Mr Dickinson’s -genius. “But the ‘Universe’ will have him on toast this time with a -vengeance,” continued Cyril, cheerfully. “I suppose we may consider -the little affair agreeably settled, sir? Perhaps I may remark that -the sooner our application at Czarigrad is granted the easier we shall -find it to deal with cases of this kind.” - -“Naturally,” said the King, “before I took any steps whatever to -promote a marriage between my daughter and your brother, it was -understood that Pannonia would at once do her best to secure the -recognition of your rights from Roum.” - -This was a most satisfactory assurance, and Cyril went away well -pleased. The morrow was the day fixed for the betrothal--a ceremony -which, according to German ideas, would be wellnigh as indissoluble as -marriage itself--and it struck him that the Emperor of Pannonia would -probably consider it a pleasing and friendly act to begin to press the -claims of Thracia on the Roumi Government immediately, in order to -obtain Caerleon’s recognition by the suzerain Power as a graceful -wedding-gift to the betrothed pair. All seemed to be prospering with -Cyril’s schemes, and he prepared with a light heart for his departure -from Schloss Herzensruh. It was considered more correct that the King -of Thracia should arrive on Mœsian soil from his own territory on the -morning of the betrothal, and the brothers were therefore to return to -their shooting-box for the night. Caerleon’s state of mind was a -pitiable one. The time fixed for his penance had all but dragged out -its weary course, and yet he saw no hope of obtaining his release. -What was he to do if no means of escape offered itself during the one -day that was left? He was firmly resolved under no circumstances to -take upon him the solemn vows of betrothal; but how was he to refuse -to do so without either casting a slur on Princess Ottilie or -betraying her secret? It is absurd, even humiliating, to be obliged to -confess it, but the idea of flight presented itself to him more than -once in tempting colours. - -The first break in the clouds became visible at the mid-day meal, -which might be considered either as a late breakfast or as an early -lunch, and at which Princess Ottilie did not appear. She was not very -well, her mother said, and had decided to remain in her room for the -day; and she herself sent a special message to Caerleon to the effect -that her indisposition was caused by grief regarding the anxiously -expected Paris dress, which had indeed arrived, but was horribly cut, -and made her look hideous. King Johann received the excuse with -considerable seriousness, and remarked that his daughter had an -undisciplined mind, and he hoped that Caerleon would teach her to be -less frivolous when they were married; but it was evident that he -regarded the cause of the illness as amply sufficient under the -circumstances, and Caerleon recalled with some amusement the -Princess’s words in the forest. He could afford to be amused now, for -he guessed that Princess Ottilie intended on the morrow to urge her -indisposition as a reason for postponing the betrothal; and, although -the means were not such as he would have chosen, he was so nearly -desperate by this time as to be ready to snatch at any prospect of -escape. Hence he also was able to leave the castle cheerfully, and -even to endure with patience the chaff in which Cyril indulged as they -rode through the forest, although it dealt chiefly with -engagement-rings and loss of bachelor freedom, and similar well-worn -and appropriate themes. - -The afternoon passed quickly, in its unwonted freedom from the -Princess’s rather exacting society, and with the dusk arrived M. -Drakovics, who had journeyed from Bellaviste expressly for the purpose -of being present at the betrothal ceremony. Much to Caerleon’s relief, -he made no pretence of congratulation, and displayed no special -interest in the event of the morrow; but immediately after dinner -produced a vast pile of reports and returns on the subject of the new -liquor laws, and invited the King to go through them with him. -Caerleon was only too glad to welcome any work that promised to -distract his mind from the gnawing anxiety which assailed him whenever -he reflected that it was possible that Princess Ottilie might not be -able to carry out her plan after all, and he threw himself into the -task with avidity. With Cyril it was otherwise. He was consumed by an -intense restlessness, a haunting fear lest some unforeseen catastrophe -should interfere with his schemes just as they were on the point of -realisation; and he wandered from room to room, pausing now and then -to turn over with unquiet fingers the documents which the other two -were perusing so strenuously. - -“What’s up, Cyril? Anything wrong?” asked Caerleon at last. - -“Only the fidgets, as old nurse used to say when I was a kid. I’m as -much excited as if it was I who was going to be betrothed to-morrow -instead of you. I can’t keep quiet. I think I shall go for a walk.” - -“Now? at this time of night?” - -“Rather. I feel as if I had an inexhaustible fund of energy to work -off. By the by, have those rubies arrived yet?” - -“Yes. Wright went to fetch them from the town this afternoon. He was -just in time to meet the Vienna express.” - -“Did you send him on to Schloss Herzensruh with them?” - -“No; of course not. I’m going to take them with me in the morning.” - -“What an outer barbarian you are!” cried Cyril. “Do you expect -Princess Ottilie to put them on in public? She must have them in time -to study the effect properly in the glass, and admire herself in them. -Give them to me, and I’ll take them to her at once.” - -“You don’t mean that you would carry that case of jewels through the -forest alone at night?” - -“Who is to know that I am carrying it? It will go into my pocket. -Besides, there are no robbers here; it’s a regular Forest of Arden, a -most suitable place for a betrothal. So trot out the box.” - -“A little later in the year the forest will be dangerous on account of -the wolves; but they have not come down from the mountains yet, and -Milord Cyril will be in no danger,” said M. Drakovics, who found -Cyril’s restless peregrinations very trying. - -“That reminds me,” said Caerleon gloomily, as he unlocked one of the -table-drawers and took out the jewel-case; “there came a message this -morning from one of the mountain villages, saying that several people -have been killed by a large solitary wolf, which can neither be -trapped nor shot. They think it’s a were-wolf, and they sent to beg me -to come up and try to shoot it. It seems that my Express rifle has -made a name for itself, and there’s some superstition about the King’s -bullet, besides. It’s a horrid bother that I can’t go. I suppose I -shall have to let Prince Alexis know. One can’t leave the people to be -decimated on the chance of my having a day off some time next week. -There you are, Cyril, if you are bent on going. Don’t lose those -rubies, or I’ll tell the man to send in the bill to you.” - -Cyril was already in the hall donning his fur-lined coat and cap; and -putting the case in his pocket, he started on his lonely walk. Autumn -was passing into winter, but there was no snow on the ground as yet, -and the dry leaves crackled pleasantly under his feet as he struck -into the moonlit path between the tall black tree-stems. For a short -time he walked fast and steadily, in order to exorcise the feeling of -excitement which possessed him; then he slackened his pace a little, -and as the stillness of the forest made itself felt, began to whistle. -He was tramping vigorously along, with his hands thrust deep in his -pockets, when it seemed to him that he saw the figure of a man on the -path some distance in front of him. The shadows cast by the moonlight -from the tree-trunks were so perplexing that he could not be sure that -his eyes had not deceived him; but his blood kindled with an -excitement which was by no means disagreeable, as he assured himself -that his revolver was in its usual pocket. If there was a man in front -of him he had passed completely out of sight, and Cyril scanned -narrowly the straight stems on either side of the path as he walked -on, assuring himself that he was looking for some distorted tree which -must have taken the shape of a human figure in the moonlight. No such -trunk appeared, however; but at the next turn of the path he caught -sight of a tall man leaning against a tree. His hand went to his -revolver instantly; but he recognised the Prince of Dardania, and -stepped back with a laugh. - -“What! you here?” both exclaimed simultaneously. Cyril recovered -himself first. “I didn’t know you were in the habit of taking midnight -rambles on Thracian territory,” he said. “Are you meditating a woful -sonnet?” He stopped hurriedly, remembering that the quotation was -rather an unhappy one under the circumstances, and reflecting that -there could be little doubt that Prince Alexis had been taking a last -look at the abode of the lady of his love before she was lost to him -for ever. - -“Not exactly,” returned the Prince, with some hesitation. “In fact, I -was wondering whether I might ask you to do me a good turn. But -perhaps your own business is urgent?” - -“Oh, I am not love, only love’s messenger,” said Cyril, carelessly. “I -am taking a small parcel to Schloss Herzensruh from my brother.” - -“Then, if you will, you can give me the very help I need,” said the -Prince, turning and walking by Cyril’s side. “You see me, as you say -in England, in a hole. The fact is, my dear Mortimer, I am in love.” - -Cyril’s first remark was fortunately only uttered mentally, for it was -not of a sympathetic character. “I hardly see how I am to help you,” -he added aloud. - -“No?” said the Prince; “but I do. Perhaps you may be surprised to hear -that I love a lady of the Queen of Mœsia’s household?” - -“A lady of the household!” cried Cyril. “But I thought----” - -“That I was in love with the Princess? But, my dear friend, a screen -is sometimes necessary. At any rate, both the Queen and the Princess -know the truth now.” - -“Then I suppose that’s the secret of the snubbing you got the other -night? It certainly was tremendous. I was really sorry for you.” - -“Well,” pursued the Prince, “the Queen has treated me better than I -could have dared to hope. She is so good as to give her sanction to my -plans for a private marriage to-night.” - -“But why private?” asked Cyril. - -“My friend, I have Ministers, who interest themselves unduly in my -affairs at times. I wish to present my marriage to them as an -accomplished fact.” - -“I see; and no doubt the Queen thinks that a public wedding might -encourage the rest of her ladies to go and do likewise, a consummation -which would scarcely meet her views. Well, if the ruling power is so -propitious, why don’t you go in and win?” - -“That is all that I desire. I have everything prepared at my -summer-palace five miles away, the chapel ready, witnesses, Greek and -Lutheran clergy to perform the ceremony. But how shall I reach my -bride? King Johann has peopled the forest in the neighbourhood of the -castle with gamekeepers and frontier-guards, and if I am seen, all is -lost. The news would be carried to him immediately, and he bears such -a grudge against me that he would spare no pains to discover my object -and to thwart it.” - -“But still, I don’t see what you want me to do,” said Cyril. - -“Merely this, to bring my bride from the castle, and escort her to me -here. I have two good horses waiting, one with a lady’s saddle, and it -will not take you long.” - -“But do you think I am going to compromise myself in this way out of -pure philanthropy?” said Cyril. “I insist on being asked to the -wedding.” - -“Then I fear that you will be obliged to escort the bride all the way -to my house, while I start off on foot,” said the Prince, “for I have -not brought another horse.” - -“The honour is only too great,” returned Cyril. “I am determined that -nothing shall do me out of my share of the fun. Why, I daresay you -have never even thought of getting hold of any one to propose the -health of the bridal pair, and I’ve been told I’m rather good at that -sort of thing.” - -“No; I have not, indeed,” said the Prince. “You are in earnest? Then I -will give you your directions, and part from you here. When you have -delivered your message, and left the castle, knock three times at the -postern-door close to the angle of the wall on this side. If the -mistress of the household opens it, say that you are come on my behalf -to fetch Fräulein von Staubach.” - -“What? the lectrice?” asked Cyril. - -“Yes; Fräulein von Staubach is the Queen’s lectrice and secretary. -You know her?” the Prince asked, rather anxiously. - -“I have caught a glimpse of her once or twice--just enough to see that -she was a fair-haired girl in spectacles. She doesn’t show up as much -as some of the other ladies.” - -“No; she is generally busy writing the Queen’s letters. But you will -know her when you see her? The Princess might play you a trick. She -has a mole on the back of her left wrist.” - -“Oh, I shall know her all right. Then, when I have got her safe, we -have only to mount and ride away, I suppose?” - -“Yes; the horses are here, you see, tied to this tree.” - -“But suppose we meet any of the gamekeepers? They will think it queer, -to say the least, to see me riding about late at night with one of the -Queen’s ladies.” - -“Unless you say that Fräulein von Staubach has been summoned back to -Germany by a sudden message, and that you are escorting her to the -station, I don’t see what you can do; and that would leave a good deal -unexplained,” said the Prince, laughing. “They are scarcely likely to -stop you, and no blame can attach to you afterwards, when everything -comes out. You are merely doing a friend a good turn.” - -“All right, then,” said Cyril. “We shall meet again,” and he waved his -hand as Prince Alexis started on his lengthy walk, while he went on to -the castle. - - - - CHAPTER XIV. - OVER THE BORDER AND AWAY. - -Cyril’s appearance at so late an hour caused some surprise at -Schloss Herzensruh, but his ostensible errand did not take long to -perform. After receiving a promise from the high functionary to whom -he delivered the jewels that they should be placed in the Princess’s -hands immediately, and declining alike the King’s invitation to come -in and rest and his offer of an escort through the forest, he was very -soon outside the grounds again. When he had gone far enough to be out -of sight of any one who might be looking after him from the porter’s -lodge, he turned aside from the path, and made his way to the little -door in the wall which Prince Alexis had described to him. It opened -immediately at his third knock, and in the shadow behind it he saw two -ladies standing, the taller of whom was unmistakably the Queen. - -“I was not expecting you, Lord Cyril,” she said, but without any show -of surprise. - -“The Prince of Dardania has intrusted me with the honour of escorting -Fräulein von Staubach over the frontier into his territory, your -Majesty,” said Cyril, while the other lady giggled hysterically. - -“My Sophie, control yourself,” said the Queen, with an authoritative -touch on her shoulder. “You have met Lord Cyril Mortimer before, I -think? I will not keep you here, in case my absence should be -remarked. Lord Cyril, I may trust you?” - -“I will do my best to justify the confidence which your Majesty and -the Prince are reposing in me,” said Cyril. “But if you will pardon my -hurrying you, I think that Fräulein von Staubach and I ought to start -at once. We have a fairly long ride before us.” - -“Farewell, my child!” said the Queen, pressing what struck Cyril as a -very affectionate kiss on the girl’s forehead. “I shall expect to hear -from you to-morrow.” - -Fräulein von Staubach’s reply was inaudible; but she threw her arms -round the Queen’s neck and kissed her vehemently, then, without -looking back, she took Cyril’s offered arm and walked quickly away -with him, the Queen locking the door after them. As they picked their -way among the tree-trunks--for Cyril thought it better not to keep to -the path--he stole a look once and again at his companion when they -came to a patch of moonlight. She was of middle height, and apparently -rather stout, although this might be the fault of her wraps, and her -fair hair was elaborately frizzed in front, and gathered into the -fashionable lump behind. Her eyes were concealed by her spectacles; -but Cyril could just distinguish that her eyebrows were so fair as to -be almost colourless under the long gauze veil which covered her face, -and was tied in a bow under her chin. So far as he could tell, she was -wearing a white evening dress, with the train carefully looped up, and -a heavy fur cloak over it. A less suitable costume for a midnight ride -in winter could scarcely be imagined, and he remarked that it might -have been wise to come in a riding-habit. - -“Oh, but I could not be married in a habit. What a hideous idea!” she -exclaimed, in a high-pitched voice with a marked Low German accent, -such as after that night Cyril could never hear without a shudder. - -“I fear you will find it difficult to ride in that dress,” he -persisted. - -“It will be difficult for me to ride at all,” she said, with a giggle; -and Cyril restrained with difficulty an exclamation of disgust. It -began to be clear to him now why the Prince had so readily resigned to -him the honour of escorting his bride from her old to her new home. -They had reached the horses by this time, and Cyril prepared to assist -his charge to mount. - -“Put your left hand on my shoulder, and hold the pommel with your -right,” he said; “and give me your left foot. Now, spring!” - -He gave a mighty heave, and the lady sprang; but with such ill success -that she came down again in the same place. A second and a third -attempt failed in like manner, and Cyril lost patience. - -“If I can’t mount you this time, Fräulein, I shall be obliged to take -you back to the castle. It won’t do to keep you poised in mid-air all -night.” - -On this occasion, however, they were successful, thanks to a frantic -effort on the part of Fräulein von Staubach, and Cyril mounted his -own horse (the animals were fortunately quiet ones) and guided both -into the path. - -“Try to sit a little straighter in your saddle,” he said to his -companion. “If the beast begins to trot, you will go off.” - -“Oh no!” she giggled shrilly. “I shall hold round his neck.” - -Cyril was silent in deep disgust, and resolved mentally that he would -not speak to her again; but when a disposition on the part of the -horses to break into a trot had been checked two or three times by -little screams from her, he remarked drily-- - -“We shall never reach the palace to-night at this rate.” - -“Never mind me, then, _Mein Herr_, I will hold to the pommel,” she -responded valiantly, and Cyril set his teeth hard and urged the horses -on. In some wonderful way his companion managed to keep her seat, and, -with the help of a few directions from him, got on better than he had -expected, although he still muttered wrathfully to himself that he was -thankful there was no one about to see him giving riding-lessons to a -_sack_! Slowly the long miles were covered, and midnight had passed -when the riders entered the courtyard of the Prince of Dardania’s -palace, which Cyril had already visited with Caerleon. Here all was -bustle, servants bearing torches were ranged on either side of the -door, and Prince Alexis himself hastened anxiously forward to receive -his bride, who slipped from her horse into his arms with a hysterical -laugh. - -“It has been almost too much!” Cyril heard her say, as the Prince led -her up the steps, and it struck him that she had visibly increased in -height since his first glimpse of her in the castle garden. - -“I’ve heard of people who got two inches taller owing to the -consciousness of success, but I never saw it happen before,” he said -to himself, as he gave the horses into the charge of a servant, and -allowed himself to be conducted into the palace by a bowing official. -The door opened into a great hall, through which Prince Alexis had -just led his bride into a side room, where Cyril had a momentary view -of a number of Dardanian ladies, evidently of high rank, gathering -around their future Princess; but his guide conducted him through a -long passage into a chapel, where everything was in readiness for the -celebration of the Greek marriage-rite. The space on one side of the -aisle was filled with Dardanian chiefs and nobles, splendid-looking -men in gorgeous national costumes; and as Cyril was ushered to his -place among them, he wondered how long it would be before a similar -throng was gathered together for Caerleon’s wedding, and how many -different religious ceremonies it would take to marry him. He had -abundant opportunity for meditation, for the Lutheran rite was -proceeding in another room; but after a while the vacant seats on the -other side of the chapel were filled by the ladies of whom he had -caught a glimpse, and the bride and bridegroom entered, and advanced -up the aisle. The lady’s face was hidden by an elaborate lace veil, -and Cyril felt a momentary curiosity as to the means by which she had -managed to bring it with her; but his attention was soon distracted to -more important details. The half-married bride was undoubtedly taller -than she had appeared in the garden, and carried herself regally; and -as Cyril gazed at her by the flickering light of the lamps burning -before the sacred pictures and on the dais, it struck him that she was -otherwise altered. Fräulein von Staubach was fair, but he was almost -certain that this girl’s knot of hair was dark; and when she turned -her head for a moment, it seemed to him that her eyebrows also were -dark and strongly marked. - -What had happened? What was the meaning of this enigma? Had he been -fooled? He listened eagerly to the words of the priest, trying to -discover some clue to the mystery; but he was unacquainted with the -service and with the language in which it was conducted, and he had no -prayer-book. He gathered that some question was being asked of the -bridegroom; but strain his ears as he would, he could not distinguish -in it the name of Sophie von Staubach, while for one awful instant he -was haunted by the dread that he had heard the words Ottilie Ivanovna. -A moment or two more, and his fear was confirmed, for the question -addressed to the bride was answered, not in the shrill Low German -accents of Fräulein von Staubach, but in the clear decided tones of -Princess Ottilie. Cyril was standing quietly by, while his brother’s -bride was married to another man before his eyes! He sprang forward, -but a hand laid upon his shoulder on either side held him back. He was -gripped by the two stalwart Dardanians between whom he was standing. - -“Monsieur must not disturb the ceremony,” said one of them in bad -French; and Cyril, seeing that he was overmatched, resisted the -temptation to disturb the ceremony to some purpose by a shout -proclaiming the falseness of the bride, and remained mute and -motionless throughout the protracted rite, with its prayers and -incense, its presentation of the Common Cup, and its crowning and -marching round the dais, although during the whole time the thought -was forcing itself into his mind that Caerleon must have known of all -this. The fact that he had been looking forward to such a -_dénoûment_ explained both his willingness to enter into the -engagement at all, and his callousness with regard to his _fiancée_, -while his anxiety and misery throughout the past week were accounted -for by the uncertainty of his position. And Princess Ottilie! Cyril -ground his teeth as he remembered her tormenting doubts as to -Caerleon’s affection, and how he had comforted her, while all the time -she had been carrying on this complicated train of deception. But, -after all, her moral turpitude was nothing to that of Caerleon. Cyril, -the shrewd, the far-sighted, the diplomatist, had been duped, and by -the brother whom he had always regarded as an honest simpleton, whose -every thought he believed that he knew. It may seem a paradox to say -that when Cyril’s first rage had cooled, the effect of his discovery -was to heighten very considerably his respect for Caerleon, but so it -was. The man by whom he had been deceived in this way must be -possessed of a certain amount of brains. - -Cyril had arrived at this point in his meditations when the ceremony -concluded, and the bridal company left the chapel to sign the -register. He was among the foremost who followed them into the room in -which the book was placed in readiness, and when she had written her -name, Princess Ottilie offered the pen to him with a mischievous -smile-- - -“Come, Lord Cyril; you will add your name as a witness?” - -“I am much honoured, but your Royal Highness will not catch me twice,” -he replied; and she turned away with a laugh. He felt tempted to make -his escape at once; but pride forbade him to slink away and show -himself defeated, and he determined to face her again, and tell her -one or two home-truths. His opportunity came later, when the bridal -pair had proceeded to the throne-room to receive the congratulations -of those present, and his name was duly announced by the grand -chamberlain. - -“Now, Lord Cyril,” said the Princess, when he had uttered the -requisite formula with just the shade of exaggeration which showed -that his good wishes were not wholly sincere, “confess that you were -completely deceived. Of course it would have been much more sensible -to wear a riding-habit; but I knew that the real Sophie von Staubach -would never consent to be married in one, and I felt that I must dress -the character consistently.” - -“The illusion was perfect,” returned Cyril. “I can only congratulate -your Royal Highness on the skill with which you have rendered the -first act of your--tragedy.” - -“Tragedy?” asked Prince Alexis, sharply. “Why tragedy?” - -“If I wished to be unpleasant,” said Cyril, “I might quote -Shakespeare, and say, ‘She has deceived her father, and may thee.’ But -that would be impolite, and besides, the tragedy to which I refer is -not a domestic but a public one. It doesn’t require much foresight to -prophesy that the results of this night’s work will be - - - ‘Sword and fire, - Red ruin, and the breaking up of laws, - The craft of kindred and the ruthless hosts - Of Scythia swarming o’er the Euxine sea.’ - - -But you really must excuse me,” he broke off apologetically; “I seem -to be dealing in English literature specimens, adapted to suit present -circumstances, to-night. The fact is, that my mind is still so -completely under the spell of the superb acting of her Royal Highness, -that poetry comes to my tongue more readily than prose.” - -The Prince frowned. “I fail to see why a European war should be the -consequence of our marriage, as you seem to imply.” - -“Simply because Thracia has been induced to part with territory under -a misapprehension.” - -“Ah, my price!” cried Princess Ottilie. “You see I am acquainted with -your little plans, Lord Cyril, and I have out-plotted you. You are -angry to-night, but to-morrow you will see that you have deserved it. -You have done all you could to make me believe that your brother was -deeply in love with me, when the whole time I knew from his own lips -that it was all he could do to endure the sight of me. It was I who -arranged with the Prince that you were to be brought here to-night. I -was determined to have my revenge on you, to show you that there were -others who could lay plots as well as yourself. Don’t talk about -misapprehensions. Your brother the King will be the first to tell you -that he has aided me throughout in this conspiracy of mine until -to-day.” - -“That my brother was foolish enough to allow himself to be persuaded -to join you in playing a practical joke, in very doubtful taste, on -your father, will make no difference to the Thracians,” retorted -Cyril. “They will demand back the territory out of which they have -been cozened, and the great Powers will be drawn into the war.” - -“I hope the consequences will not be so serious as you seem to -expect,” said Prince Alexis, breaking into the war of words. “I enjoy -some little influence at the Scythian Court, and I can promise you -that it shall be exerted on behalf of the independence of Thracia, and -in favour of your brother, to whom I shall always be grateful for the -part he has played during the last few days. And now, Lord Cyril, we -must not detain you longer, or King Carlino will be anxious about you. -Stefan here will take you to a room where there is refreshment -prepared, and after that you will find a fresh horse and an escort of -six of my guard to conduct you back to Thracia. I owe you many thanks -for the assistance you have given me to-night.” - -“And remember,” added Princess Ottilie, as Cyril bowed, “that though I -can’t quite forgive King Carlino for the way in which he has treated -me, I am sorry I teased him so much. But I am not sorry that I hoaxed -you to-night.” - -Thus dismissed, Cyril had no option but to take his leave of the royal -couple, and commit himself to the charge of Stefan, who brought him to -a buffet, where he made a hasty meal. He was conscious that it would -have been more in keeping with his tragic utterances to quit the -palace at once, refusing either to eat or drink within its walls, and -denouncing vengeance against its perjured mistress; but the night was -very cold, he was tired, and there was a long ride before him. And -after all, it could not be denied that the Princess had played her -part wonderfully well; there was no disgrace in having been deceived -by her. But it was inexcusable to have been taken in by Caerleon, -clumsy and unwilling actor as he was; and the only point Cyril could -allege in his own favour was that he might be pardoned for not -suspecting such an unprecedented event as his brother’s lending -himself to support a course of deception. The thought comforted him to -some extent, however, and as he mounted the horse prepared for him he -felt more at peace with himself. The ride home occupied a much shorter -space of time than the former one had done, and Cyril laughed angrily -to himself as he remembered the amount of trouble he had wasted in -giving a riding-lesson to the best rider in Mœsia. The thought -recalled to him his grudge against Caerleon, and when he had dismissed -his Dardanian escort a little way from the hunting-lodge, he made up -his mind to punish his brother by giving him one more night’s -suspense. He was bound to hear in the morning of what had happened; -but it would only be a richly deserved punishment for him not to be -relieved from his anxiety sooner. Accordingly, Cyril went straight to -bed as soon as he entered the house, although he heard the voices of -Caerleon and M. Drakovics still engaged in earnest discourse in the -dining-room. - -Half an hour later footsteps paused outside his door, and Caerleon’s -voice said, “Asleep, old man?” to which he replied only by a sleepy -grunt. - -“I’m glad I didn’t let the fellow come in and bemoan himself to me,” -he reflected, as the footsteps passed on. “I should have had to tell -him the whole thing in self-defence.” - -Cyril slept late the next morning, and when he awoke he heard Caerleon -tramping moodily up and down outside his window, speaking a cheerless -word now and again to the dogs. He rose and dressed slowly, turning -over in his mind the various methods which occurred to him of -utilising this defeat of his as a stepping-stone to further victories. -Presently the sound of another voice in the garden arrested his -attention, and looking out, he saw one of the King of Mœsia’s -gorgeously attired jägers giving Caerleon a parcel, which he said he -had been commanded by the Queen to place in his own hands. As soon as -the man was gone, Caerleon, in some surprise, opened the packet, and -Cyril saw that it contained the case of rubies which he himself had -carried to Schloss Herzensruh the night before. Lying above the jewels -was a paper, which Caerleon unfolded, and read the contents. - -“Oh, joy! she’s off!” he cried, infinite relief in his tones. “I’m rid -of her at last.” - -“Chuck it in,” said Cyril, and his brother handed it to him, turning -to rearrange the glowing gems on their velvet bed, with fingers that -were not quite steady. The paper was in the Princess’s writing:-- - - - “At last I am able to release your Majesty from a position which I - grieve to see you have found intolerably irksome. They say that we - women are willing to sell our very souls for jewels; but you will - believe me when I tell you that I had far rather see your rubies in - the possession of the person to whom they rightly belong, and to whom - you would prefer to give them. When this time of storm and stress is - over, and you meet Mdlle. Nadia again, present them to her with my - love. Tell her this also in all friendliness, that if she desires a - testimony to your character, she need only refer to me. You were right - in saying, when you scolded me so rudely two days ago, that I should - never have dared to go so far with any one else; but I felt that I - could trust you, and my trust was justified by the event. At any rate, - I will bear witness that you were softened by none of my overtures, - that you kept me at a distance--not gently, no, I cannot say - gently--but firmly, certainly, always firmly. Forgive me; this is the - last time I shall tease you. My husband and I pray for your happiness - and that of your bride.--From your friend, - - “Ottilie, Princess of Dardania. - - “I entreat you to give my remembrances to your brother, who will tell - you any particulars about my wedding that you may care to hear.” - - -“Then you are glad to be out of it?” said Cyril. - -“Glad? Rather! If I wasn’t a middle-aged monarch, I should throw up my -cap and jump for joy. Give me the letter and I’ll tear it up. I -shouldn’t like Nadia ever to come upon the detestable thing. Fancy a -woman’s writing like that!” - -“Then you intend to try your luck again with Miss O’Malachy?” - -“How can I, so long as I am king? But to have got rid of this wretched -entanglement seems to bring me nearer to her at once.” - -“What a selfish beast you are!” was Cyril’s remark. “Thinking only of -yourself, and nothing about Thracia, and what the breaking off of this -affair will involve.” - -“I’m very sorry if it leads to trouble,” said Caerleon, trying to look -suitably serious, “and I’ll do all I can to set it right, short of -running into another engagement; but you can’t expect me to be sorry -that this one is over.” - -“The wedding will lead to war, undoubtedly.” - -“Why should it? If I don’t feel myself insulted by the Princess’s way -of leading up to it, I don’t see why any one else should.” - -“Thracia won’t see things in the same light, though. The whole nation -has been insulted in your person, and, furthermore, cheated into -giving up territory without a return. Nothing but blood will wash out -the remembrance.” - -“But I will explain the whole thing to everybody.” - -“Do. Who do you think will believe you? No one will imagine that a -sane man could make such an utter and irretrievable idiot of himself. -It will simply be thought that you are trying to shield the girl. No; -all you can do is to keep your mouth shut. Look here,” Cyril was -struck by a sudden inspiration, “Will you leave Drakovics and me to -put things straight?” - -“If you think you can do it better without me,” replied Caerleon -pacifically, overlooking his brother’s uncomplimentary language in -consideration of the provocation he had received. “But mind, on your -honour, there must be no more meddling with marriages and engagements. -If I hear so much as a whisper of such a thing, I will repudiate all -your negotiations, and take the management of affairs into my own -hands.” - -“No fear. After this job has turned out so badly, I shall not take up -the matrimonial agency business again in a hurry. I only want to have -you out of the way, because I am afraid that King Johann will get -round you. Go and kill your were-wolf, can’t you? and be a benefit to -society.” - -“I’d go like a shot, all the more that I shan’t have to bring _her_ -the skin; but don’t you think it would look rather bad--rather -unfeeling, you know?” - -“I think you are the most exasperating idiot I ever had to do with,” -returned Cyril, hopelessly. “Don’t you see that it will look worse for -you to be hanging about here with that face on? Go and be alone with -nature and your grief--or, in plain English, go and grin where no one -can see you.” - -“All right,” said Caerleon, with a laugh. “May I have breakfast -first?” - -“Yes, so long as you are well out of the way before they can send here -from the castle. Give your orders now, so that you can start as soon -as you have finished.” - -“By the by,” said Caerleon, “what did the Princess mean by saying that -you could give me particulars of the wedding?” - -“Well, if you particularly want to know, I was present at the -ceremony--not intentionally, as you can guess.” - -“Last night? Queer that you should just have happened to drop in upon -them.” - -This was all that passed between them on the subject, for Cyril was -resolved never to reveal the crowning deception of which he had been -the victim. He could only hope that Princess Ottilie would be equally -reticent. - -The brothers breakfasted alone; and after the meal Cyril hurried -Caerleon off to the mountains, in dire fear lest an emissary from -Schloss Herzensruh should appear before he had arranged his plan of -action with M. Drakovics. As soon as his brother had left the house he -obtained admission to the Premier’s room, where M. Drakovics was -devouring a blue-book full of statistics simultaneously with his -breakfast. He looked up in some surprise as Cyril entered. - -“You are early, milord.” - -“Are you prepared to meet a great emergency, monsieur?” - -M. Drakovics collected his thoughts, and was prepared immediately. - -“You need not tell me what the emergency is, milord. The King refuses -to fulfil his engagement.” - -“Not at all. The Princess has bolted.” - -“Bolted?” inquired M. Drakovics, mildly. - -“Yes, bolted--cut and run, eloped, with the Prince of Dardania.” - -“But is it too late to stop them?” - -“Quite. They were married last night.” - -“But this is appalling, milord!” - -“It is bad enough; but there is worse behind. My brother was in the -plot.” - -“Impossible, milord! You cannot tell me that his Majesty would enter -into an agreement to make himself the laughing-stock of the world?” - -“It is unfortunately too true that my brother only engaged himself to -the Princess that he might help her to carry out this design of hers. -Of course the Queen was in it as well. Between them they have made a -good deal of use of him. I am as much astonished as you can possibly -be that he should have listened to them for an instant.” - -“Ah! that admission scarcely accords with the claim which you advanced -some time ago to a complete knowledge of his Majesty’s character,” -said M. Drakovics, looking up with a smile which was more like a -snarl. - -“You have a right to make any remarks you please on the subject,” said -Cyril, quietly. “They cannot be more bitter than those I have been -making to myself. In fact, I have no doubt that we could pass an hour -or two very pleasantly in exchanging a series of mutual -recriminations. But if you are the man I think you, you will not waste -time in squabbling, but will join with me in using the few minutes we -have before us in taking measures which may yet turn this crushing -defeat into a triumph.” - -“Milord, you are superb!” said M. Drakovics, looking at him with -heartfelt if somewhat reluctant admiration. “You have the true -diplomatic spirit. I accept your rebuke willingly, and rejoice that I -have such a colleague at my side in this crisis. What are the measures -you would propose?” - -“There is one fatal flaw in our case,” said Cyril,--“Caerleon’s -connivance in the Princess’s plot. If that once comes out, nothing can -save us. But the happy couple are both animated by sentiments of such -deep gratitude towards him, that I don’t think they are likely to -split. If the Queen was on the opposite side, she would be dangerous; -but King Johann is not likely to ask her advice, and she will not feel -inclined to interfere uninvited. Therefore I think we may count upon -the facts not transpiring, unless Caerleon publishes it in one of -these unaccountable chivalrous fits of his. He is out of the way for -to-day, and we ought to be able to get things settled by the time he -comes back in such a way that it will not dawn upon him how we managed -it. Bounce is our only chance. Our business just now is to keep -Caerleon on the throne, not to give Europe lessons in morality gratis -at his expense. How soon can the First Army Corps be ready to -mobilise?” - -“In twenty-four hours. We tried the experiment only a fortnight ago.” - -“Good. Then telegraph to Sertchaieff to mass it on the Mœsian -frontier as soon as it can be got there. You see our game?” - -“I do, milord. It is a bold, but not an impossible one to play. But -why not occupy the ceded territory at once?” - -“Because we don’t wish to start the war if we can help it. We must -carry this business through without giving the Powers cause to -interfere, if possible. Pannonia will do our work if we make proper -use of the Schwarzwald-Molzau family influence; but for us to cross -the Mœsian frontier would be to defy her to do her worst. Still, you -might also telegraph to the commandant at Feodoratz, ordering him to -be ready to move out with his troops at a moment’s notice. They are -only ten miles away from the disputed strip, and could take possession -and hold it easily until they were relieved the day after to-morrow by -the First Army Corps. There is a horn! You had better be in the -drawing-room with me to receive the messenger.” - -“One moment, milord. Where is the King?” - -“I have sent him out shooting. He is better out of the way this -morning.” - -“But if the King of Mœsia were to send after him and capture him, we -should be lost.” - -“King Johann Casimir will not know where he is, if I can help it,” -said Cyril, “and the idea would scarcely occur to his mind, in any -case. If he were on good terms with the Queen, it is the kind of bold -measure that would suggest itself to her; but he isn’t, and therefore -he won’t have the benefit of her advice.” - -They went into the drawing-room, the only part of the little house -that boasted of foreign furniture and decorations, and presently a -very high official of the Mœsian Court was ushered in. M. Drakovics -and Cyril received him with grave faces and in dead silence. - -“My orders are to open my business to no one but the King himself,” -said the messenger. - -“His Majesty cannot grant an audience to any one this morning,” -returned Cyril, coldly. “About an hour ago he received a letter from -her Royal Highness, the perusal of which has deeply affected him. I -will take charge of any message of which you may be the bearer.” - -But this was not within the scope of the ambassador’s instructions, -and after a little more parleying, he took his departure, after which -M. Drakovics seized the opportunity of sending off his telegrams. It -was some time before another horn was heard; but now it was King -Johann Casimir himself who rode up to the shooting-box, and asked to -see King Carlino, only to receive the same answer as his -representative. - -“It is absolutely impossible for me even to inform my brother of your -Majesty’s arrival,” said Cyril; “but if you can suggest any means by -which the gravity of the present crisis may be lessened, M. Drakovics -and I are empowered to consider the proposal, and to take any -preliminary measures that may be necessary.” - -The King sat down, and Cyril saw that the battle was half won, -although his first words were full of dignity. - -“I do not understand you, Lord Cyril. This is a most unfortunate and -disagreeable affair; but it does not seem to me to bring about a -crisis.” - -“No?” said Cyril. “Will your Majesty consider for a moment how the -facts will strike the ears of Europe? A trustful young King, whose -advisers are above all things anxious to live in peace with their -nearest neighbours, is inveigled (I beg your Majesty’s pardon, but -that is the word that will be used) into ceding a portion of territory -in return for the promise of the hand of a certain lady. The -unimportant detail that the lady is determined to marry another person -is not communicated to him, although he himself insists, so delicate -is his sense of honour, on acquainting her with the facts of a past -and gone love-affair of his own before he will ask her to engage -herself to him. Then, when the territory has been ceded, she suddenly -elopes with the other man, and he is left in the lurch. I ask you -whether the position is likely to be accepted meekly, either by a man -of my brother’s character or by a high-spirited nation like Thracia?” - -“But you cannot imagine that I had anything to do with my daughter’s -marriage?” cried the King. - -“I bring no accusations, your Majesty. I have merely stated the case -as it will appear to Thracia and to Europe, although I grant there is -at present no proof that you were acquainted with the Princess’s -intention of eloping last night. Thracia gave up a portion of -territory in order to gain a certain alliance, which is now refused -her. It is impossible that you can have been ignorant of the mutual -affection that existed between her Royal Highness and the Prince of -Dardania; but you gave no hint of it either to my brother or to me, -and this serves to complicate the situation. M. Drakovics will tell -your Majesty what steps we have felt it necessary to take in order to -vindicate the dignity of the country.” - -King Johann Casimir turned helplessly to the Premier. - -“I fear that when the news once becomes known in Thracia, the popular -indignation there will be overwhelming,” said the latter, “and I have -therefore been the more anxious to conduct everything in the most -regular way possible. Unless your Majesty can suggest any means of -relieving the tension of the situation, I may remark that we shall be -forced to declare war this evening, and to proceed to occupy the -disputed territory immediately.” - -“But there will be a revolution in Mœsia if that strip of land is -lost through the action of any member of my family,” cried the King. - -A look of satisfaction flashed from M. Drakovics to Cyril over King -Johann’s head. “The possibility of such an occurrence can hardly be -expected to influence the action of Thracia, although it is doubtless -fraught with much interest to your Majesty’s advisers,” said the -Premier. - -“Nothing could be further from our thoughts than to regard such a -disastrous event with indifference,” cried Cyril, warmly. “My brother -would be horrified by the very idea. Is there nothing that your -Majesty can suggest that would avert such a calamity, while at the -same time salving the wounded honour of Thracia?” - -“We have no power of raising an indemnity,” said the King. - -“The very suggestion is an insult, your Majesty!” cried M. Drakovics. -“We Thracians are striving for our national life, not for money. What -we desire is a place among the nations. Any assistance towards the -attainment of our ideal----” he broke off, watching the King narrowly. - -“In what direction?” - -“Our chief reason for congratulating ourselves on the alliance -proposed between King Carlino and your Majesty’s family was the -conviction that Thracia would thereby range herself on the side of -Pannonia and European peace. That hope is now lost, for what claim -have we upon the friendship of Pannonia? But if there were any means -by which she might be induced to support us still in obtaining our -recognition from the Grand Signior of Roum----” - -“I see. You desire our understanding to remain in force, with the one -unfortunate exception?” said the King, obviously much relieved. - -“Exactly. We desire that our alliance with your Majesty’s kingdom may -continue,” said M. Drakovics. “This object may appear a small -advantage in return for which to waive our claim to the ceded -territory; but it is of such importance to us that if it is assured, -I can answer for the tranquillity of Thracia.” - -“My brother is also extremely anxious not to press hardly upon your -Majesty,” said Cyril. “It would not be like him not to feel keenly -such a slight as he has received; but out of consideration for you, -and for the sake of his kingdom, he will lay aside his own feeling in -the matter. Your Majesty will wish, no doubt, to consult your -Ministers--who were to arrive at the castle last night, I remember, in -order to be present at the ceremony so unhappily interrupted--before -signifying your adherence to the plan we suggest; and you will -probably also consider it advisable to communicate with the Emperor of -Pannonia. M. Drakovics will undertake that no active steps shall be -taken until this evening in the matter of the frontier; and I do not -doubt that your Majesty will think, on considering the circumstances, -that to give us the assurance we ask is merely a piece of -international courtesy.” - - - -“It’s done!” said Cyril, meeting Caerleon that night on his return in -triumph with the were-wolf’s skin, “though I thought my hair would -have turned grey with anxiety while we waited. The treaty with Mœsia -is to stand, and Pannonia will continue to support us at Czarigrad. -These seem only little things; but they mean a good deal to us, and -they stave off the Great War for a little while longer. Everything is -quiet now.” - -“Wait a minute,” said Caerleon. “There’s something I want to say. It -seems to me that neither of you,” glancing from Cyril to M. Drakovics, -“has quite understood hitherto my intentions about marrying. That -there may be no doubt about them in the future, I intend to declare -you my heir, Cyril, when we return to Bellaviste, and this must be -confirmed by the Legislative Assembly if I am to stay in Thracia. Miss -O’Malachy won’t marry me, and I won’t marry any one else; but this -plan will secure the succession to the throne.” - -“I don’t quite appreciate being set up side by side with you for -Scythia to plot against,” said Cyril; “but never mind, I daresay I -shall get used to it in time.” - -“And I cannot doubt that your Majesty’s choice will be most popular in -Thracia,” said M. Drakovics. - -“Ah, very good,--and when I have time, Cyril, I will set about looking -for a wife for you,” said Caerleon, lazily. - - - - - CHAPTER XV. - TERMS OF ACCOMMODATION. - -The two months which had been fraught with events of so much moment -to Caerleon had not been devoid of incident for Nadia, although her -circumstances afforded at first sight far less promise of excitement -than did his. Since their hasty departure from Bellaviste, the -O’Malachy and his wife had been sojourning at the frontier village of -Witska, where they seemed inclined to remain as a thorn in the side of -M. Drakovics, and this the more that he could not discover any motive, -even that of devising plots, for their doing so. His agents visited -the village perpetually, both in disguise and in their proper persons, -and after dogging the footsteps of the Herr Oberst and his wife for a -longer or shorter time, and even making incursions into their rooms at -the inn when they were out, returned to their employer baffled. In -fact, there seemed nothing for them to observe. The “Kur” arrangements -at Witska were more primitive even than those at Janoszwar; but the -O’Malachy drank the regulation number of tumblers of medicated water -with unfaltering bravery, and took the prescribed stroll afterwards, -accompanied by his wife, on the only level piece of road in the -village, duly increasing the distance a little every day. The -afternoon was invariably spent in the open air, in a sheltered spot at -the foot of a blank wall belonging to the oldest part of the inn, -Madame O’Malachy reading aloud occasional extracts from one of the -French novels which were her constant companions, and her husband -responding lazily with good-humoured criticisms. No life could have -appeared more simple and innocent, none more entirely above-board. And -yet, as Nadia could have told, although she based her opinion rather -upon various small indications than upon actual evidence, the worthy -couple were the whole time carrying on an extensive and complicated -secret correspondence, and acting as intermediaries between the -Thracian patriots who disliked the present _régime_ and their -Scythian sympathisers. An unexpected meeting with her mother early one -morning showed Nadia that she was pale and heavy-eyed, as though she -had worked late the evening before; and the mystery was explained a -few nights after, when, hearing sounds in the house after midnight, -and fearing she knew not what, she equipped herself with great bravery -for a search, and discovered both her father and mother still in their -sitting-room, the one engaged in writing letters and the other in -destroying a number of papers which appeared to contain reports of -some kind. - -After this revelation, Nadia kept her eyes open, and arrived before -long at the conclusion that very few people came to the village, with -the exception, of course, of the emissaries of M. Drakovics, who were -not charged with messages of one kind or another for her parents. It -seldom happened that a letter arrived by post, or was openly -delivered; but pedlars and travelling showmen, artisans wandering in -search of work, and roaming gipsies, each and all seemed to have a -secret understanding with the O’Malachy and his wife. Sometimes a -sign, scarcely perceptible save to the initiated, would convey the -needed information--sometimes, Nadia felt sure, letters were brought; -but she never saw one change hands, nor came upon any trace of it -afterwards. It was evident that any documents which might prove -compromising were immediately and punctiliously burnt, and this -precaution it was that baffled the men employed by M. Drakovics, who -had no means of distinguishing the remains of burnt paper among the -ashes raked out from the great stove. - -Another curious fact which Nadia discovered about this time was the -secret of the means by which her parents held their necessary -consultations without attracting the attention of the spies by -prolonged conferences, or wasting a portion of their working hours at -night. Coming upon them one day in the sunny spot where they usually -sat, she found her mother, as she thought, reading aloud in French; -but the first words that reached her ear scarcely sounded as though -they were drawn from the novel on Madame O’Malachy’s knee. - -“You see what Louis says: ‘Our friend X. has come over at last. His -Majesty’s promises were too attractive. He engages to bring all his -employés with him when the word is given.’ This despatch must be sent -on immediately. It will show that there are others upon whom we can -depend beside the city guard. ‘“_Adorable Erminie_!” _s’écria -Léonide, en se précipitant_----’ What do you want, my daughter?” - -Nadia delivered the message with which she was charged from the -landlord, and retired, and it was some time before she lighted on the -meaning of this curiously disjointed sentence. It occurred to her at -last, in one of those flashes of insight which sometimes present to -the mind in a moment the solution of a mystery long pondered over in -vain, that the adventures of Léonide and Erminie were merely a blind, -and that when Madame O’Malachy was supposed by those who were set to -watch her to be reading to her husband in French, she was in reality -discussing with him the progress of their schemes. No thought of -profiting by this discovery to penetrate into her parents’ plans -occurred to Nadia, and in any case the idea of acting as a spy would -have been abhorrent to her; but even had she been anxious to probe -more deeply the mystery of M. X. and his employés, her father and -mother kept their secrets as carefully concealed from her as from the -Thracian police-agents themselves. If the subject of Thracia was -mentioned when she was in their company, it was merely as the text of -a bantering discourse, conducted with more or less of good-humour on -the O’Malachy’s part, but punctuated with bitter reproaches on that of -his wife. Neither of them could forgive Nadia for her folly in -refusing Caerleon, when the acceptance of his proposal would have -raised the whole family to affluence and distinction, although Madame -O’Malachy resented much more strongly than her husband the loss of the -material benefits promised by the match. His easy-going nature -accepted serenely enough the change in the position of affairs, and -the necessity of plotting against the man he had hoped to welcome as a -son-in-law; but both he and his wife were careful to guard against -giving Nadia any inkling of the consequences which might ensue to -Thracia and its king from her refusal. Although they never engaged in -their mysterious work until she was out of the way, they would not run -the risk of stimulating her curiosity by showing any eagerness to get -rid of her, and allowed her to join them or not just as she pleased. -But the certainty of finding herself either reproached or laughed at -for the foolish way in which she had mismanaged what Madame O’Malachy -called “_l’affaire Carlino_” made her only anxious to shun their -society; and during the first few days of their stay at Witska she -roamed about the garden alone, finding nothing to do but to recall the -past, and feeling that she had nothing in the whole world to which to -look forward. This being the case, it is not surprising that she -caught herself one day wishing that she had not forbidden Caerleon so -absolutely ever to renew his suit, but the discovery shocked and -horrified her extremely. - -“All my life I have been preparing to make a stand at some great -crisis,” she said to herself; “and now that it has come, I am giving -way already. I must find something to do. Of what use is it to train -myself to be a martyr, if I cannot bear a week’s loneliness?” - -She summoned all her resolution to enable her to meet this unexpected -demand, and reviewed the state of affairs. With mingled shame and -disgust she realised that she had been cherishing the vague thought -that it was scarcely worth while to take up any settled work at -present, and that this was owing to a half-hope that something might -still happen to set things right and render her sacrifice unnecessary. -It was a bitter disappointment to her to find that she could be so -false to her dearest principles, and her first impulse was to place -her determination beyond the possibility of change. As a step in the -desired direction, she tore up the letter she had been about to -despatch to her godmother, Princess Soudaroff, and wrote another. She -knew that of late her letters had been somewhat short and superficial, -telling all the trivial pieces of news she could find, but never -touching on the all-important subject which had engrossed the minds of -her parents, from the moment of their first sight of Caerleon, to that -of her parting from him at Bellaviste. It is true that both Caerleon -and Cyril had found a casual mention in the earlier letters written -from Janoszwar; but as time went on both names, and especially that of -the elder brother, had dropped out of sight in a way that would have -caused some idea of the truth to enter the mind of most women, but the -Princess was not inclined to be suspicious by nature. Nadia’s heart -smote her now for her reticence, and she told her story to the -Princess, suppressing only two material facts,--the name of her -lover--this was due to her anxiety to behave fairly towards -Caerleon,--and, as a natural corollary, her reason for refusing him. -It must be confessed that she was not altogether sorry to be unable to -lay the whole of the facts before her godmother; for although the -Princess was very sympathetic in cases of conscience, she had a habit -of looking at things differently from any one else, and Nadia had a -lurking suspicion that in this case she might tell her that she had -acted hastily, and ought to have asked advice. And this was merely -what her own conscience hinted to her many times a-day. Before giving -Caerleon her final answer she had been upheld by the expectation that -the consciousness of having done right would bring her peace, if not -happiness; but she now knew little indeed of either feeling. This made -her begin to doubt whether she might not have been led astray by her -own conviction of the goodness of the deed; and the doubt returned -again and again to make her wretched. - -Her duty to her godmother performed, and her resolution placed beyond -recall, Nadia told herself that her lack of occupation had undoubtedly -made it easier for her to fail in steadfastness, and that she must -find something to do. She would no longer remain all day in the inn -garden, but would go out into the village and try to make friends with -the people, and this not only by way of a moral medicine for herself, -but as a duty which she had neglected hitherto. She could not at first -speak the language of the villagers nor they hers; but the interest -she showed in the children won her a way into the hearts of the women, -and she discovered, much to her surprise, that when a child was sick -or hurt she could do more for it than any one else in Witska. In times -of health the little ones found her somewhat solemn and -unapproachable, for although she longed to make friends with them, she -was not one of those who can throw themselves heart and soul into the -small interests which seem so momentous to children; but when they -were ill the experience she had gained in Princess Soudaroff’s -cottage-hospital stood her in good stead. The nurses there had been -wont to laugh at her as slow and clumsy; but at Witska, where there -was no one to watch her with critical eyes, she succeeded in putting -into practice the lessons she had learned. One or two cases of -recovery from severe illness, which seemed miraculous to the -villagers, but which were really due to patient nursing and modern -methods of treatment, gained her a wide reputation, and appeals began -to reach her from outlying hamlets and solitary huts, entreating her -to pay a visit to some sick child. When these requests were translated -to her by the cosmopolitan waiter, she welcomed them eagerly, for they -promised fresh work, and work was what she wanted. A wild desire would -seize her now and again to see Caerleon’s face once more, to hear his -pleasant voice, to meet the glance, half puzzled, half amused, which -he would cast at her when she had said anything that startled him. The -vehemence of this longing for his presence alarmed her. She felt that -she could almost volunteer to go to Bellaviste as a spy, if such a -course would enable her to catch a glimpse of him; that she would be -willing to meet the doom which Thracia kept for Scythian spies, if -only she had seen him first. In this state of mind she welcomed the -calls which came to her to take long mountain-walks and seek out -distant families where a child lay ill, for the exertion of the day -brought her back at night so tired that she was glad to go to bed and -sleep the sleep of utter exhaustion. At first her long excursions drew -upon her some opposition from her father. - -“Sure it’s not the thing,” he said, “for a young lady to be roaming -about alone like this. I won’t allow ut.” - -“What would you have, O’Malachy?” asked his wife, scornfully. “Can we -afford to engage a retinue to attend upon a girl who might be Queen of -Thracia if she liked, and will not? Nothing will happen to her. She is -a failure.” - -Left to her own devices in this unflattering way, Nadia gladly -accepted the implied permission to pursue her lonely walks, attended -only by one of the great dogs which were kept to protect the flocks -from the wolves, and which had attached himself to her. She saw no -trace of the smugglers and outlaws of whom vague tales were current in -the village; but one very real alarm beset her at times, of which she -said nothing at home. It became evident to her by degrees that her -proceedings were being watched. She would find herself tracked by -pursuers of whom she could only obtain a glimpse by stratagem; and -when she had learned to speak the language a little, she would hear at -the cottages to which she was bound that a stranger had been there -since her last visit, making inquiries as to the gracious lady and her -doings. At first she was at a loss to imagine who could think her of -sufficient importance to dog her steps in this way; but presently it -dawned upon her that M. Drakovics, who still declined to be persuaded -that she was not engaged in a conspiracy against Caerleon, had -instructed his emissaries to keep an eye on her. This solution of the -mystery satisfied herself; and as no one else appeared to notice -anything unusual, she was not obliged to parry the remarks of others. -The shepherds warned her to be careful, and not to stray from the -beaten track, lest she should run into danger; but she knew that the -wolves were not likely to venture from their fastnesses as yet, and, -moreover, her mother’s words echoed bitterly in her ears. Nothing -would happen to her, or, if it did, it would not signify. She was a -failure. And yet, while her heart sank lower, she refused to allow -herself to contemplate the possibility of reversing her decision. If -she could bring Caerleon back to her with a word, she would not utter -it, to ruin him and his kingdom. What he had called her mania for -martyrdom was still strong upon her, and the more fervently she longed -to reverse her decision the more sternly she crushed down the pain. - -But there was a harder battle in store for her than the fight she -fought daily with herself, and she was obliged to face it when she was -weakest. The news had just reached her through a German newspaper of -Caerleon’s initiation of the temperance legislation which she had -pressed upon him, and it recalled to her mind his forecast of the -difficulties of the work, and the appeal he had made to her to help -him in it. Then she had received a letter from her godmother, -overflowing with kindness, but containing a little gentle chiding. - - - “Why should you not be more frank with me, my child?” the Princess - wrote. “Surely you know that if in any way I could help you, it would - be my delight to do so, and yet you leave me to receive through a - stranger an appeal on your behalf. I had a visitor this morning in the - shape of Madame Bourenine, whom you know by name as the confidante of - the Empress. She said that she had come to talk to me about the - love-affair of Nadia Mikhailovna, but she mentioned no other names. - Nor did I, for I knew none. After some conversation leading to nothing - in particular, she inquired at last whether, if the obstacles to your - marriage could be removed, I should be willing to give it my sanction. - Knowing only that you had felt it your duty to refuse your lover for - some reason with which I was not acquainted, what could I say but that - if you thought it right to marry him I should be delighted to help you - in any way I could? After receiving this answer, she left me, - apparently satisfied. But, my child, have I deserved to be treated in - such a way? Why should Madame Bourenine know more of your affairs than - I? I do not ask for your confidence if you feel it right to withhold - it, but I pray you to understand that no one on earth can desire your - happiness and your best good more than I. I commit you to God’s - keeping, dear child.” - - -After receiving this letter Nadia started on one of her mountain -expeditions with her mind in a whirl. Who could the persons be that -were interesting themselves in the state of affairs between her and -Caerleon, and what was their motive for doing so? She puzzled herself -with these questions in vain as she walked; but when she returned to -the inn at a somewhat earlier hour than usual, she found that they -were destined to a speedy solution. Entering the sitting-room, she was -surprised to see a stranger talking to her parents,--a smooth and -polished gentleman, with a highly waxed moustache. A conviction that -she had seen him somewhere before came over her as she paused just -inside the door; but she could not at the moment identify him with any -one she knew. - -“And this is mademoiselle!” said the stranger, an almost imperceptible -smile curling the ends of his moustache as he saw her standing erect -and astonished in the doorway, with her plain tweed dress damp and -muddy, and her hair blown about by the wind. - -“Yes, M. le Prince, it is my daughter,” said Madame O’Malachy, and -Nadia noticed a repressed excitement in her manner. “Nadia, Vladimir -Alexandrovitch has been so good as to pay us a visit here on his -return journey from Czarigrad to Pavelsburg, entirely on your -account.” - -“Mademoiselle and I are not wholly unknown to each other,” said the -visitor. “At one time I had the felicity of meeting her tolerably -often at my sister-in-law’s house. If she does me the honour to -recollect me, she may remember that even in those days I ventured to -prophesy that she would be a beautiful woman; but I was not happy -enough to discern that her _beaux yeux_ would exercise an influence on -the history of Europe.” - -Nadia’s brow grew stormy. She had now a very clear recollection of the -elegant young man who had been wont to torment with compliments and -caresses the shy, passionate little girl who followed his -sister-in-law wherever she went, and also of her relief when -circumstances had removed him from her neighbourhood. There was no -very close intercourse nowadays between Princess Soudaroff and her -brother-in-law, although the relations between them were perfectly -friendly. The present Prince was not a member of the Cercle -Evangélique. - -“I fear I am an unfortunate messenger,” he went on, with a covert -smile as he noticed the change in Nadia’s expression. “I have -prejudiced mademoiselle against me already. But I would ask her to -believe that I am here purely in the hope of being able to render some -service to her and to the gentleman who is so happy as to possess her -heart.” - -“How dare you say that?” cried Nadia, angrily. - -“I beg your pardon, mademoiselle. I remember that in the old days you -used to prefer plain speaking to polite circumlocutions, and as only -your own family are present, I have ventured to come to the point at -once. It cannot, surely, be a secret to your respected parents that, -with a generosity which does you infinite credit, you have declined -the addresses of the person who is at present in possession of the -throne of Thracia, for fear lest a marriage with you should endanger -his future career?” - -“I have never told you anything of the kind,” said Nadia, sharply, -“and I am sure the King of Thracia has not. I cannot tell how you have -found it out.” - -“Ah, these wicked newspapers!” murmured the Prince, smiling gently at -Nadia’s unintentional admission, “they publish everything. But if you -assure me that they have been misinformed, mademoiselle, I can only -resign the hope of serving you which has brought me here, and depart, -entreating your forgiveness for having troubled you.” - -“They were not misinformed. It is quite true that the King asked me to -marry him, and that I refused,” said Nadia, bluntly. - -“So I imagined, mademoiselle. I felt convinced that such a magnificent -self-renunciation could not be merely a creation of fancy. But there -is no reason,” he went on quickly, as she rejected his praise with a -gesture of impatience, “why your delicacy should be alarmed by the -thought that your admirable conduct has become known. It has won you -friends all over Europe, and I may mention that in Scythia persons in -a very exalted position have been much pleased with the spirit which -you displayed under extremely trying circumstances, and have even been -led to wonder whether it might not be possible to avert the -difficulties which you feared might result from the marriage proposed -to you. Pray sit down, mademoiselle,”--he rose and handed her his -chair, and she accepted it mechanically, for her limbs were trembling -so violently that she could scarcely stand,--“and let us consider the -matter. The sympathies of my sister-in-law, Pauline Vassilievna, have -been engaged, and she testifies the greatest eagerness to assist in -bringing the affair to a happy conclusion. May I take it for granted -that the only obstacle to a marriage between Lord Caerleon and -yourself lay in these honourable scruples of yours?” - -Nadia nodded silently, and he went on, watching her as a cat might -watch a mouse. - -“The first difficulty was caused, no doubt, by the difference of -position? Well, I do not deny that between Nadia Mikhailovna and the -King of Thracia there is a serious gap; but it is not so wide that it -cannot be bridged. We can scarcely aspire to restore the ancient regal -glories of your father’s house,” he smiled indulgently, “but his -Majesty the Emperor has for some time entertained the desire of -conferring on my good friend Colonel O’Malachy a patent of nobility, -in recognition of his long and meritorious services; and between Lord -Caerleon and the Countess Nadia, daughter of Count O’Malachy de -Lisnacoola, there is no very great disparity of rank.” - -“But Carlino is King of Thracia,” Nadia managed to say. - -“Pardon me. I am aware that he calls himself king, but he has simply -usurped the throne. He cannot be king without the consent of the -Powers, and of Roum, the suzerain State. His so-called election is -merely the work of an ignorant peasantry, led on by irresponsible -agitators. The present condition of Thracia is a standing menace to -European peace, and it cannot be suffered to continue. If this errand -with which I am charged to you fails to bring about a settlement, Lord -Caerleon must fall. He is nothing but an adventurer, a land-pirate.” - -“But,” urged Nadia, more for the sake of gaining time than for any -other reason, “if this patent of nobility is intended as a reward for -my father’s services, why should it not be granted to him in any -case?” - -“Sure that’s the most sensuble thing I’ve ever heard you say, Nadia,” -exclaimed the O’Malachy, with hearty approval, while his wife frowned -angrily, and Prince Soudaroff looked a little nonplussed. - -“You forget, mademoiselle, that the conferring of the patent would -involve in this instance a grant of estates sufficient for the -maintenance of the title, such as it would be invidious to bestow upon -an officer of Colonel O’Malachy’s standing in an isolated case, unless -for very special reasons of State. But not only are those whom I -represent willing to aid you in this way,--I am further authorised to -promise that the Scythian ambassador at Czarigrad shall be instructed, -if the marriage takes place, to support the Thracian claim for the -confirmation by the Grand Signior of Lord Caerleon’s election as king. -The bride will thus have the satisfaction of bringing not only -happiness to her husband, but peace and security to Thracia.” - -“But only the confirmation of King Carlino’s election? Not the -recognition of the right of the Thracians to elect their own king?” - -“Certainly not, mademoiselle. Roum would be unable to accord such a -recognition without the consent of the Powers, which would not be -given under any circumstances.” - -“I can quite believe it. And now, M. le Prince, I know that in the -political world nothing goes for nothing. What is the price to be paid -for this kindness on the part of the Emperor?” - -“Nadia!” cried her mother. “I am grieved--astonished----” - -“Madame,” said the Prince, with a deprecating wave of his hand, “when -I undertook this errand I expected to be misunderstood. There are no -conditions attached to his Majesty’s favours, mademoiselle. He gives -without any desire of receiving in return. I do not say that he does -not look for gratitude. His heart is so tender that even years of -ruling and much bitter experience have not hardened it. He may well -anticipate that some little attention would be paid to his wishes, -some slight concessions made on the part of those who will owe so much -to him; but that is all.” - -“Ah!” said Nadia, sharply. “And what are these concessions?” - -“They are so slight, mademoiselle, that his Majesty is quite content -to leave them in the background until matters are as happily arranged -as you can desire--in other words, until your marriage with Lord -Caerleon has taken place. On so joyful an occasion the sole anxiety of -a man of generous impulses, such as I understand this unfortunately -misguided nobleman to be, would be to take counsel with his bride as -to the means by which he might testify some portion of his gratitude -to the potentate to whom he owed his happiness.” - -“I see,” said Nadia, crimson but persistent. “And it would be my part -to suggest that these concessions should be made, as signs of our -joint gratitude to the Emperor. But I must know something more about -them. It would be impossible for me to recommend them to the King -unless I had been told what they were.” - -“They are so slight, mademoiselle, as scarcely to be called -concessions,--they would merely take the form of a graceful -acknowledgment of the Emperor’s kindness. Until this unhappy -revolution occurred, the connection was so close between Scythia and -Thracia that there will appear nothing strange in returning to the -custom by which in all matters of foreign policy the advice tendered -by Scythia was followed by the Thracian Government. Again, Scythia has -borne such a prominent part in organising the Thracian kingdom and in -training the army that to appoint a Scythian officer as Minister of -War would cause no surprise, and seem only natural.” - -“Ah!” said Nadia again, “and that is not all?” - -“It is evident, mademoiselle, that while the present Ministry is in -power in Thracia, the Emperor cannot feel towards that country the -cordiality he would wish to entertain. It is to the interest of the -Cabinet at present in office to oppose any tendency towards a -reconciliation with Scythia, simply because their own position depends -upon their maintaining a hostile attitude. But the matter will right -itself. When the King shows his gratitude and friendliness towards -Scythia in the two ways I have indicated, the Drakovics Ministry -cannot remain in office. The Assembly will be dissolved, M. Drakovics -will disappear as suddenly as he rose to power, and the King, -assisted, if necessary, by Scythia, will obtain by means of a general -election a more serviceable Government.” - -“By means of compulsion and forged voting-papers, I suppose,” said -Nadia. She had no reason to feel any special love for M. Drakovics; -but he was an honest man and a patriot, and really anxious to do what -seemed to him to be best both for Caerleon and Thracia. She rose from -her chair, and spoke wearily: “I am sorry that I shall not have the -opportunity of advising the King to accept your conditions, M. le -Prince.” - -“There are no conditions, mademoiselle. What is desired is merely an -honourable understanding that you will employ your influence over Lord -Caerleon to induce him to comply with the Emperor’s wishes in this -direction.” - -“And into that understanding I cannot enter. I will not help to thrust -the Thracians back into the bondage from which the revolution freed -them. I will never advise the King to take the steps you propose, and -I hope and believe that he would decline to listen to me if I did.” - -“Nadia, you are mad!” cried Madame O’Malachy, shrilly. “If you have no -regard for your lover, will not the thought of your family move you? -The old age of your parents and your brother’s future would be secured -by your accepting the gracious kindness you scorn.” - -“It is still possible that on mature consideration mademoiselle may -change her mind,” said Prince Soudaroff, looking calmly through a -handful of papers which he took from his pocket. “His Majesty’s offer -will remain open for a week. But I cannot honestly advise any delay. -We have merely to seek a _rapprochement_ with Pannonia, and secure her -opposition, instead of her neutrality, to the negotiations at -Czarigrad, and the fate of Lord Caerleon and his ‘kingdom’ is sealed. -Thracia is honeycombed with disaffection, and such a failure in -foreign policy will precipitate matters. One more thought, -mademoiselle. I told you just now that Lord Caerleon was a -land-pirate. Have you recollected what is the fate of a captured -pirate?” - -“I had rather know that he was dead than saved by betraying the nation -that trusted him,” said Nadia, stoutly. No harassing doubts assailed -her now. Such an offer as this could not but be refused. - -“And again,” the Prince went on, not heeding her words. “Lord Caerleon -is only a man; and we men are not angels in constancy. Your refusal -has made him miserable, it is true; but he will not remain long in -this state of mind. You have wounded his self-esteem; you have shown -him that there are certain things which you love better than you love -him. It does not signify that these things are the highest and most -creditable sentiments--he must be a very exceptional man who could -endure to see them preferred to himself. And Lord Caerleon is not an -exceptional man; he is simply a young Englishman, half child and half -barbarian, whose idea is that when he wants anything he must have it. -You have denied him that on which he had set his heart, and very soon -his one anxiety will be to punish you. I happen to know that M. -Drakovics, his Minister, is doing his utmost to obtain for him the -hand of some princess of a royal house. There is still time to win him -back, for he loves you at present, in spite of the way in which you -have treated him. But if you delay only a very few days you may be too -late. Owing to your own cruelty, you may see your lover urged into a -marriage with another woman, whom he does not love, but whom he is -willing to accept in order to punish you. Or perhaps,” with a smile, -“you may see him marrying joyfully--who shall say?--some royal lady -who has succeeded in captivating his inconstant heart, which was at -your disposal if you would have received it, but cannot support your -coldness.” - -“I can’t help it!” cried Nadia, trembling from head to foot. “If I -could withstand him, do you think I will listen to you? He is quite -right to marry some one else; I told him to do it. Ah! if you wanted -me to give way, you should have brought him here; but you would never -dare to utter to his face the horrible lies you tell of him behind his -back. I can only thank you for not putting me to the test.” - -“Would ut be quite impossuble?” asked the O’Malachy, as she closed the -door sharply behind her. - -“Quite,” returned his wife. “Drakovics and Milord Cyril watch over him -night and day. No one is allowed to hold communication with him except -through them.” - -“Yes,” rejoined Prince Soudaroff, meditatively. “I fear King Carlino -has had his last chance.” - -“I observe,” said Madame O’Malachy, “that in your conversation with my -daughter you made no allusion to the religious difficulty, M. le -Prince.” - -“If so, madame, it is for the excellent reason that no religious -difficulty exists. On the contrary, the fact that mademoiselle is a -member of the Orthodox Church has contributed largely to induce the -Emperor to suggest the terms I was authorised to offer.” - -“But sure the girl’s a schismatic--an Evangelical, or whatever the -fools call themselves?” cried the O’Malachy, while his wife nodded -quickly. - -“Pardon me, my dear colonel, but Scythian law makes no provision for -schismatics. Mademoiselle was baptised in the Orthodox Church, and it -is impossible for her to quit it. Her marriage, to be valid, must be -celebrated according to the orthodox rite, and the Emperor and the -clergy may be trusted not to lose the hold they would thus gain upon -Thracia.” - -“That such a scheme should be wrecked by a girl’s obstinacy!” cried -Madame O’Malachy. “It is maddening!” - - - - - CHAPTER XVI. - WORDS FROM DYING LIPS. - -Prince Soudaroff left Witska that afternoon, and the week allowed to -Nadia for deliberation slipped away, but no message was sent to -request him to return or to accept the offer with which he was -charged. If he was mortified by this lack of success, he must have -felt himself avenged a little later, when both his auguries of evil in -turn proved true. The first hint of the fulfilment of his prophecy -reached Nadia one morning when her mother threw a newspaper to her as -she came into the sitting-room. - -“Now I hope you are happy!” she said. “You have succeeded in bringing -about the ruin of Thracia and your Carlino.” - -Nadia took up the paper, a German one, and read the piece of news -which figured most prominently in its columns. The _rapprochement_ -which had taken place between the Emperors of Scythia and Pannonia was -announced, and also the subsequent refusal by the Roumi Government to -confirm Caerleon’s election as king--the two events which had plunged -Cyril and M. Drakovics into their complicated intrigues with Mœsia. -Mr Hicks had not yet given to the world the information which he was -to amass with so much astuteness, and therefore nothing was at present -known of these negotiations, so that the paper only reflected the -general opinion when it remarked that the cause of Thracia was already -lost. Cyril was still an unknown quantity in Balkan politics; and -although most people were acquainted to a certain extent with the -resourcefulness and strength of will of M. Drakovics, they could not -conceive it possible that even he could devise any means of tiding -over such a crisis as this. Nadia did not venture to dissent from the -universal opinion; but there was no sign of trembling in the hand -which held the paper as she read through the announcement and the -editorial comments upon it, and she looked round unfalteringly at her -mother. - -“I had rather that he should fall honourably than reign as a pensioner -of Scythia,” she said. - -“You are a fool!” was Madame O’Malachy’s angry answer. “Go and look -after your sick brats. It is all you are fit for.” - -But three or four days later she came into Nadia’s room early in the -morning wearing an expression in which rage and triumph were mingled. - -“You have indeed done well for yourself, mademoiselle!” she said, -putting her hand on her daughter’s shoulder as she slept and shaking -her. “Your Carlino is to marry the Princess Ottilie of Mœsia. The -betrothal is to take place next week.” - -“It is not true!” cried Nadia, starting up in bed. - -“It is most true. That touches you, does it not? This, then, is your -faithful, your constant lover! He assures you of his undying -affection, and six weeks after saying the words he betroths himself to -another.” - -“He is quite right,” said Nadia, recollecting herself. “I told him to -do it.” - -“I can quite believe it! But you never thought he would obey you,” -said Madame O’Malachy, putting down her candle and gazing with cruel -certainty into her daughter’s pale face. “Don’t tell me that you did, -mademoiselle. You might try to impose upon Prince Soudaroff with your -exalted generosity, but you felt confident that Carlino would remain -faithful to you. However, I may tell you this for your comfort. Your -father has always believed hitherto that Carlino would refuse to -accept his dismissal as final, and would try his fate again before -long. But now, if he meets him he will kill him.” - -“Why?” asked Nadia, as calmly as she could. “He is only doing this in -obedience to me.” - -“Why!” cried her mother. “Because he has insulted us, played with us, -made us the laughing-stock of Europe. Although you may be a fool, your -father knows how to avenge the honour of his house, and he will not -fail to do it. You refused to share the Thracian throne; but it is -Carlino who has put it out of his own power to offer you the crown a -second time, and for this he must be rewarded as he deserves. In every -way we are undone. Not only have we lost the position we might have -held in Thracia, but this marriage will endanger the result of all our -labours in Europe.” - -“Ah!” cried Nadia, assuming a sudden interest in politics in the vain -hope of diverting from herself the gaze of her mother’s glittering -eyes, “it was this marriage that Vladimir Alexandrovitch was anxious -to prevent. He foresaw the possibility of its taking place, and he -knew that it would bring Pannonia to the help of King Carlino. Thracia -is saved, then!” - -“Yes; and you----?” asked Madame O’Malachy, with her most merciless -smile, as she retired from the room, half baffled by her daughter’s -resolution, but certain that she left a sting behind her. And this was -indeed the case. Although Nadia had succeeded in making herself -believe that she wished Caerleon to follow the advice she had given -him, she discovered now that she had never expected him to do so. She -had found an unspeakable comfort in remembering the indignant rebuke -with which he had answered her when she told him that although he -loved her, it was his duty to marry some other woman; and even now she -sorrowed less for the fact that she was herself forsaken than that her -lover had proved unstable. He had failed in faith; he was fearless and -stainless no more. Well, no doubt it was better so. He was no longer -hers, he had not been hers since they parted at Bellaviste; and if he -was proved not to be the blameless knight she had imagined him, at -least he was a wise king, and was preparing to take the only step by -which it seemed possible to save his kingdom in the present crisis. -Undoubtedly it was better so. But Nadia’s heart and soul rose up in -rebellion against this view of the case, and all day, as she followed -the mountain-paths, or moved about inside the hut in which lay the -sick child she was visiting, she was mourning in silence a trust -betrayed, a high ideal shattered. It was her own fault, she knew; she -had told him to forget her, but she had illogically expected him to -disobey, and required him to be stronger morally than she was. - -But after a day or two other things happened to trouble her. It was -generally known throughout Europe by this time that there was a -difference of opinion between Scythia and Pannonia on the subject of -Thracia, and that in all probability the interposition of Pannonia and -her allies at Czarigrad would obtain a settlement of affairs in -Caerleon’s favour. This prospect served to stimulate the activity of -the Thracian conspirators both at home and in exile, who had been -lying low for a week or two, and watching the course of events, but -now realised that they could not look to the Powers to do their -business for them. The O’Malachy and his wife became increasingly -busy, much to the alarm of Nadia, who felt certain that they -contemplated delivering some blow, the nature of which she could not -divine, against the Thracian kingdom. At last the O’Malachy left -Witska on urgent business, and she gathered that his destination was -Pavelsburg, although she could only guess at his probable errand -there. Nor were her anxieties allayed one day when she found her -mother reading with much irritation a newspaper which had just arrived -by the post. - -“There seems to be no end to the annoyance you bring upon us, Nadia,” -said Madame O’Malachy. “As if your foolishness was not enough, your -father must needs improve upon it for the benefit of the newspapers. -It must have been after dinner, I suppose, as usual. No doubt they -gathered round him and drank wine with him, and flattered and -sympathised with him, until he was ready to tell them anything. I -cannot trust him alone for a day, and yet I cannot leave Witska. Pig! -ass! why does he not see that in recounting this pitiful story he -forgets that Louis is in Bellaviste, in the Palace itself, and must -stay there?” - -“What has my father been saying?” asked Nadia, her colour changing. - -“Merely parading you before the eyes of Europe as a forsaken heroine,” -replied Madame O’Malachy, tearing the offending newspaper briskly -across, and throwing the fragments into the stove; “but I will put a -stop to that. Give me those telegraph-forms.” - -Surprised by her mother’s unaccustomed confidence in her, Nadia -obeyed, and was further astonished to find herself consulted as to the -wording of the telegram which was to warn the O’Malachy not to repeat -his indiscretion, but to maintain a strict silence on the subject of -his daughter in future. Several forms were wasted before the message -satisfied Madame O’Malachy, but she did not breathe freely until Nadia -had taken it to the post-office. As soon as she had time to think, she -made a mental resolution to seize any papers other than merely local -ones which might enter the house, and destroy them before Nadia could -see them. This measure was imperatively necessary, if there was to be -any peace in the family; for even her intrepid spirit quailed when she -pictured to herself the scene which would ensue if Nadia discovered -the construction which the O’Malachy, or the reporters of his words, -had placed upon Caerleon’s treatment of her. To Madame O’Malachy, -whose common-sense was one of her strongest points, the state of mind -in which her husband could choose to boast of the long-past glories of -his race, while he did his best at the same moment to proclaim that -his daughter had been most cruelly jilted, was incomparably absurd, -and the telegram she sent him was short and sharp. The injury -inflicted upon Nadia’s future by the publication of a report such as -he had set on foot touched her keenly, for all her hopes for old age -were based upon the possibility of her daughter’s making a brilliant -marriage; and to have her name bandied about in such a connection -could not but militate against her prospects. Trouble caused by an -incident of this kind she could understand and sympathise with, while -Nadia’s refusal of Caerleon and the reasons for it were a sealed book -to her, and she was unusually kind to the girl during that day and the -next. But on the second evening her sympathy seemed to have exhausted -itself, for her manner once more became brusque and her tone -sarcastic, and Nadia, whose spirits had risen under the influence of -the change in her mother, realised that her presence was no longer -desired in the sitting-room. As she opened the door a sudden impulse -made her return to the table at which Madame O’Malachy was busied with -her writing materials. - -“If you are planning anything against _him_, spare him for my sake,” -she said in a low voice, and stopped suddenly, amazed at her own -temerity. - -“Go to bed; you are a little fool,” returned her mother, scathingly. - -Nadia’s sleep was much disturbed that night. Two or three times she -thought she heard stealthy steps in the passage, and once the -unmistakable sound of the shutting of a door. She could not rid -herself of the idea that some deadly blow was being prepared against -Caerleon; there were evil possibilities in the slightest noise that -reached her ears as she lay awake trembling and listening. She cried -herself to sleep at last, and was only awakened in the morning by a -voice at her door. - -“Fräulein! Fräulein!”--the agitated accents were those of the -many-tongued waiter,--“pray come down at once. The gracious Frau -Oberstin has met with an accident. Boris the cowherd found her lying -on the hillside just now, and they are bringing her in.” - -Startled and horrified, Nadia threw on a dressing-gown, and rushed -down-stairs. The passage was filled with the hangers-on of the inn, -who made way for her to pass into one of the smaller rooms on the -ground-floor, into which a figure wearing the dress of the -country-people had just been carried on a stretcher. Nadia looked -round in amazement. This was a peasant woman, not her mother. But from -the motionless form came a well-known voice. - -“You need not look so terrified, my daughter. I am not injured, merely -too stiff to move. Absolutely I cannot stir a foot. It is evident that -I have been walking in my sleep again. You remember that it is an old -trick of mine? I suppose you must send for a doctor, for form’s sake, -but pray do not let any one be alarmed.” - -It appeared that there was a doctor to be found at a little town some -miles distant, and a messenger was despatched at once to bring him to -Witska, while Nadia did her best to make her mother comfortable. -Assisted by an excited maid-servant, who insisted on relating in bad -German how it had happened to her, some weeks before, to meet the Frau -Oberstin coming along the balcony at night with a candle in her hand -and a fixed look in her eyes, she brought down a bedstead from one of -the upper rooms, and succeeded in lifting Madame O’Malachy and placing -her upon it, the sufferer still protesting that she felt no pain -whatever, merely an inability to move. Nadia’s mind was occupied with -the problem presented by the accident. If her mother had only been -walking in her sleep, how had it happened that she had laid aside her -own dress and put on the peasant costume? The place where she had been -found was at the foot of a precipitous incline on which there abutted -one of the walls of the garden belonging to the inn. Between the wall -and the margin of the steep was a narrow ledge, affording just room -for a sure-footed person to pass along it. It was unlikely that a -sleep-walker would light upon this track without having seen it -before; but any one who was bound on secret or important business -would find it an excellent means of reaching the road which led down -the mountain without being seen from the village. Was it possible that -Madame O’Malachy had been carrying treasonable letters in disguise -when a chance slip had made her lose her footing? - -This was the question which, try as she would, Nadia could not succeed -in banishing from her mind during the earlier part of the day, but -when the doctor arrived he gave a new direction to her thoughts. He -was a taciturn man, and asked so few questions that Madame O’Malachy -set him down as a fool; but when his examination was over he made a -sign to Nadia to accompany him out of the room. - -“Where is the Herr Oberst?” he asked. “I understand from the landlord -that he is away.” - -“I think he must be in Scythia,” answered Nadia. “He went to -Pavelsburg on important business, but I do not know whether he is -there still.” - -“He should be summoned at once,” said the doctor. - -“But he will return in a few days,” said Nadia, astonished. “You don’t -wish me to telegraph to him? That would make him think that my mother -was dangerously ill----” - -“Yes?” said the doctor, with an intonation that made her start and -shiver. - -“But she is not even severely hurt! She has absolutely no pain!” she -cried, frantically. - -“That is the worst symptom in the case,” he replied, in his most -repressive and business-like tone. “She is suffering from paralysis, -caused by----” And he entered into a learned disquisition on the exact -nature of the injury sustained, culminating in the fact that the -paralysis, which was now confined to the lower limbs, must necessarily -creep upwards by degrees until it reached a certain point, after -which---- He paused, and Nadia, who had been listening like one in a -dream, forced herself to ask the question-- - -“And how long--how long will it be before this point is reached?” - -“It may be to-night, it may be to-morrow,” he answered. “Therefore, if -I may advise you, send your telegram immediately.” - -In a stunned condition she returned into the room to ask her mother -the O’Malachy’s address, only to be met by the question why she wanted -it. - -“The doctor thought he ought to know that you were ill,” she murmured. - -“But why?” asked Madame O’Malachy. “He must not be sent for unless it -is absolutely necessary. Did the doctor say it was necessary?” she -added, quickly. - -Nadia bowed her head, unable to speak. For a moment her mother’s eager -eyes searched her face keenly, then closed, as though in utter -weariness. - -“You will find your father’s address on an envelope in my desk. Go and -send your telegram, then bring the desk here to me. I will rest a -little.” - -But when Nadia returned to the room, her mother did not seem inclined -to rest. She made her tear up a number of papers and burn them, then -sent her up-stairs for others, which were treated in the same way. -Nadia had no opportunity of saying a word. At last, when the papers -were all disposed of, she screwed her courage to the point of asking -whether she should read aloud a little. - -“If you like,” returned Madame O’Malachy, indifferently. “You will -find on my toilet-table the novel I was reading. I may as well finish -it.” - -“Oh, not that, to-day!” entreated Nadia. - -“And why not?” asked her mother. “If not that, nothing, thank you.” - -No more could be said, and Nadia remained silent, feeling that she had -wasted an opportunity. All that could be done during the day for her -mother’s comfort she did, feeling all the time humbly and unhappily -conscious that she was not a good nurse. Her movements were too -deliberate, no one could call her deft, and she felt sure that -mistakes which passed unnoticed by her sick children and their parents -were setting her mother’s teeth on edge at this moment. There was no -one to give her any real help, although the people of the inn did what -they could. The doctor had departed immediately after giving his -verdict, and would not return until late at night, for he was an -over-worked general practitioner, and was gone to visit several cases -in a different direction, in which his ministrations might possibly -prove effective, while for this patient nothing could be done. Even if -the O’Malachy were still to be found at the address to which the -telegram had been sent, he could not be expected at Witska for three -days at least, and it was by no means certain that he had not left -before it could reach him. Nadia felt utterly lonely. Wearied and -inexpressibly miserable, she sat down by the stove in the dusk, -longing to say something, she knew not what, to her mother, to break -down, even at this eleventh hour, the barrier of silence which their -lives had raised between them. But she was tongue-tied, and it was -Madame O’Malachy who spoke first. - -“Turn your face this way a little, my daughter, that I may see you. -No; I cannot understand it. Tell me, what was it about you that -attracted the notice of King Carlino?” - -“I don’t know,” said Nadia, humbly. “I think it was only that he loved -me.” - -“Yes; but why did he love you?” resumed Madame O’Malachy. “You do not -make the most of yourself, you have no conversation, you make no -effort to be agreeable. Is it that he admired your plainness of -speech, which I, for one, call brutal?” - -“Perhaps, a little,” said Nadia. “Not altogether, certainly.” - -“You seem very doubtful,” said her mother. “Have you never asked -yourself these interesting questions? How are you to retain your -influence over men if you have no idea of the means by which you first -attracted their attention--their admiration?” - -“I don’t want to obtain influence over men,” said Nadia, in a choking -voice. “My own life has not been so successful that I need make any -more efforts to direct others.” - -“That exactly proves the truth of what I was saying,” said Madame -O’Malachy. “Tell me,” she added suddenly--“do you still love this -young man?” - -Nadia dropped on her knees by the bedside, and hid her face in the -coverlet. “It is cruel to ask me,” she sobbed, “when he is going to -marry the Princess of Mœsia; but I do.” - -“I hear that he looks most unhappy, and appears to loathe the -engagement into which he has undoubtedly been forced,” said her -mother. Nadia raised her clasped hands in wild appeal. - -“Oh, don’t tell me that!” she cried. “Let me feel at least that he is -happy, whatever becomes of me. I pray every day that they may love -each other, and that their marriage may be a blessing to Thracia and -to themselves.” - -“You bear no malice against him, then?” - -“How could I? He is doing what I felt must be right.” - -“You would not wish him to be punished? If you knew of any danger----” - -“Oh, mother!” she looked up with a cry. “I would walk barefoot to -Bellaviste to warn him, even if he was to be married to-morrow. You -have not joined in any plot to injure him?” - -“Hush! I cannot tell you now. I must speak to your father, if he -returns in time. Leave me alone with him when he comes, and I will -tell you afterwards. If he does not return, I will tell you before the -end.” - -Nadia returned to her place, and they talked no more until the sounds -of bustle outside announced an arrival. - -“It is your father,” said Madame O’Malachy; “I hear his voice. -Besides,” as Nadia’s face showed signs of incredulity, “no one else -would arrive so late. His business must have taken a shorter time than -we anticipated, and no doubt he started on his return journey two days -ago, and so missed the telegram.” - -Nadia went out, and found the O’Malachy in the passage, engaged in -hearing from the waiter what had occurred. He looked anxious and -worried. - -“This is a bad businuss, Nadia,” he said. “Where is your mother?” - -Nadia took him into the room, and, mindful of her mother’s injunction, -left them alone together. From her post in the passage she could hear -their voices, her mother’s anxious and pleading, the O’Malachy’s gruff -and obdurate. After a time he opened the door and called to her to -come in, telling her to get him something to eat, but refusing to -yield to her suggestion that he should take his meal in another room. -Presently he sent her away to unpack his portmanteau and get out what -he needed, and then he himself saw the doctor, and received his -assurance that there would be no marked change in the patient’s -condition before morning. Nadia had made preparations for sitting up -with her mother; but he ordered her peremptorily to bed, and declared -his intention of taking the night-watch himself. It was evident that -he did not mean to leave her alone with Madame O’Malachy for a moment, -and her anxiety became keen. A look from her mother warned her to -obey, and she left the room, but lingered in the passage. Presently -she heard Madame O’Malachy urging her husband to make himself -comfortable in the cushioned chair which had been brought down for -him, and rest a little after his journey, and before very long there -was perfect silence in the room. Nadia opened the door softly, and -peeped in. A low “Hush!” from her mother brought her noiselessly to -the side of the bed, where Madame O’Malachy lay wide awake, while the -O’Malachy was beginning to give audible evidence of having fallen -asleep in his chair. - -“Kneel down here,” whispered Madame O’Malachy, “where your father -cannot see you if he wakes. Nadia, I have been trying to induce him to -abandon the plot we had arranged--so much of it, at least, as -threatens Carlino’s life--but he will not consent. He has got hold of -the idea that the King and Lord Cyril were playing with him all the -time we were at Bellaviste, and he says he will not allow himself to -be made a fool in the eyes of Europe. He will not consent to -relinquish his revenge.” - -“And you have arranged to murder the King?” gasped Nadia. “Oh, -mother!” - -“What did you say, Barbara?” asked the O’Malachy, sitting up and -looking round sharply. “If you want anything, don’t be afraid of -asking me for ut. Sure I wasn’t asleep, but I can’t get the noise of -the train out of me ears.” - -“Thanks, O’Malachy, I want nothing,” returned his wife, and he settled -himself once more in his chair; but it was some time before the two -women ventured to begin their conversation afresh. - -“If you wish to save the King,” Madame O’Malachy whispered, “listen to -me now. The betrothal is to take place the day after to-morrow, and -two days later Carlino will return to Bellaviste. On a certain day -soon after his return he is to inspect the garrison of Tatarjé--that -is, if he escapes your father. There are two routes to the town, and -it is at present doubtful which he will choose. Louis is to discover -this, and to let your father know. When a letter comes from him, and -your father leaves this place on any pretext, you will know what is -intended, and it is for you to warn the King, if you are still in the -same mind.” - -“But why not write at once and caution Lord Cyril?” asked Nadia. - -“Because we have confederates in the post-office, and your letter -would be stopped. We are not alone, Nadia. The conspiracy is an -extensive one, with ramifications throughout the whole of Thracia, and -supporters in Scythia. It will take its course, but I will help you to -save your Carlino’s life if I can.” - -“But must I denounce my father to save him?” asked Nadia, horrified. - -“Never! You will merely tell the King not to visit Tatarjé on that -day, or if he must go, to alter his route. The change of plan will at -once become known to Louis, and he will warn your father that the plot -has been discovered, and that he must escape. Or if, through any -mischance, he should be away, do you telegraph at once to Mr F. X. -O’Reilly, at Tatarjé, ‘Go to Pavelsburg immediately, and await -further orders there.’ Your father will understand. He is to pass at -Tatarjé as an English newspaper correspondent, come to see the -inspection, and he will leave at once.” - -“But is the rest of the plot to take its course?” - -“Certainly. I tell you nothing, and you know nothing. I am not -betraying anything that is indispensable to it. It was Louis who -suggested to your father that it would ensure the success of the -revolt if Carlino were got rid of first of all, and your father caught -at the idea at once. It is entirely the fulfilment of his private -revenge, and all the arrangements have been our work alone, though -there is no doubt that the removal would be welcomed by the other -parties to the conspiracy, however eagerly they might appear to -reprobate it in deference to public opinion. It is with reference to -this alone that I will aid you; but once the alarm is given, the -King’s friends will look after his life carefully enough. In the -revolution, when it arrives, he must take his chance; but if he falls, -it will be in fair fight, not by a shot fired from an ambush. Only be -sure that when you warn him, you give your message either to Lord -Cyril or to himself. They would believe you, but M. Drakovics would -put you in prison in the hope of obtaining further information. And -you must go to Bellaviste in disguise, for fear Louis should recognise -you. In any case, keep out of his way; he would not allow you to spoil -his plans.” - -“But why do you all hate the King in this way?” asked Nadia, -tearfully. - -“Your father hates him because he thinks he over-reached him in the -matter of his proposing to you. If it had not been for this engagement -to Princess Ottilie, he would have been most anxious that his life -should be spared, hoping that he might yet return and marry you. But -Louis does not hate him--it is merely a matter of business. He is at -Bellaviste to bring about a revolution, and he will do so more easily -if Carlino is out of the way. He finds your father incensed against -him, and immediately proposes to himself to take advantage of his -desire for revenge to kill Carlino. No; he is not sacrificing his -father----” as Nadia raised a horrified face. “Do you think that I -would have permitted such a thing? The arrangements for escaping from -the spot and leaving the country in safety are so complete that it -would be almost impossible for your father to be captured, or even for -his share in the--execution--to be known,--unless,” and Madame -O’Malachy smiled with a trace of her old sarcastic spirit, “he told -the story himself. But neither do I hate Carlino. I have almost a -liking for him; but he is weak--he lets slip his chances. If he had -married you, I would have done anything for him; but he allowed you, -with your absurd scruples, to send him away. If he had been a _man_, -he would have laughed at you. He should have made you marry him, and -then you would have liked him all the better for his roughness.” - -“I should not!” cried Nadia, with flashing eyes. “I should have hated -him, despised him. How could I like him if he made me do what I felt -to be wrong?” - -“Gently!” said her mother, as the O’Malachy stirred and muttered in -his sleep. “Now you are beyond me. I speak only from experience, you -from imagination, which is naturally far more trustworthy. But your -father is uneasy. If he finds you here he will be ready to kill us -both. Creep out quietly.” - -“Let me stay with you here,” entreated Nadia. “I will be very -quiet,--I will not speak. I--I should like to know you better. You -have been so good to me to-day.” - -“It is too late,” returned her mother. “I also--there are many things -which one could wish to change, looking at them to-night. But one -cannot do it now.” - -“But--let me ask you just this--are you----” - -“No; I know what you would say, but I cannot listen. You are -Protestant, I Catholic. But you may pray for me if you like. Now go.” - -Nadia rose and kissed her silently, and went out. The longing which -both she and her mother had just put into words was strong upon her. -If only they could have changed so many things! But it was too late. -Old counsels of her godmother’s, Caerleon’s little-heeded -remonstrances, came thronging back into her mind as she gained her own -room and sank down upon a chair. She bowed her head upon the table, -and sobbed. - -“It is all my fault!” she said. “I never know how much reason I have -to love any one before it is too late. Oh, if it may not be too late -for her!” - - - - - CHAPTER XVII. - MINE AND COUNTERMINE. - -It was broad daylight when the tinkling of a little bell aroused -Nadia. Rising stiff and cramped from the uncomfortable position in -which she had fallen asleep, kneeling beside her bed, she went to the -window, which looked into the courtyard of the inn. A priest, followed -by a youthful acolyte, was picking his way across the square towards -the gate--not the Greek pope of the village, but a Roman Catholic -priest from Boloszjen, the town from which the doctor came--and it was -the boy who was ringing the bell she had heard. Divining at once that -the priest had been summoned to administer the last sacraments to her -mother, she hastened down-stairs, to find the O’Malachy and the -travelled waiter talking in low voices in the passage. - -“And the gracious young lady was not even awakened?” she heard the -waiter ask. - -“_À quoi cela servirait-il? Mademoiselle est Protestante_,” replied -the O’Malachy, and the words fell on Nadia’s ear without conveying any -impression to her mind. She advanced towards her mother’s door, and -the waiter made a hasty movement as though to prevent her from -entering the room, but she passed him and went in. Then she realised -what had happened. - -Stepping noiselessly, she drew back the sheet from the quiet form upon -the bed, and wondered at the expression of the face. Was it the hand -of death alone that had stamped upon the beautiful features the -serenity which had never characterised them in the stormy days of -life? Or had God spoken to the soul in the silent hours of the night, -when no human watcher was at hand, and the friendly and engrossing -sounds of earth were hushed for the time, and was the priest’s -anointing only a feeble emblem of the peace of God which passeth all -understanding? Nadia felt no inclination to weep as she gazed upon the -dead face. “Two hands upon the breast, and labour is past”--the -Scythian proverb recurred to her mind, and she felt a sudden -lightening of the load that had weighed her down since the first -intimation of her mother’s danger had reached her. The issue was not -hers, it belonged to God--God, who knew all the circumstances of -Barbara O’Malachy’s life, the bad training, the evil influences, and -in later years, the dead weight of an ill-spent past, and the constant -companionship of one who owed it to her efforts that he had preferred -the rewards of dishonour to a hero’s death. - -What must have been the full effect of such a companionship Nadia did -not wholly realise until the O’Malachy entered the room, and found her -still standing and gazing entranced. She dropped the sheet as he came -up to the bed. - -“She looks so peaceful,” she said, with a break in her voice, “but I -wish I had been here. You might have sent for me when you saw that she -was worse.” - -“Sure there was not time,” replied the O’Malachy, lamely enough. “It -was not until daylight that I saw how nearly she was gone, and then I -could think of nothing but sending for Father John immediately.” - -Nadia looked at him in silence, reading in his stumbling excuses the -fear which had influenced him that even at the last her mother might -find means to warn her of the plot against Caerleon’s life, and -understanding that this had been his reason for keeping her away. She -wished now that she had braved his anger, and insisted on remaining in -the room all night, and yet a quarrel in the very presence of the -dying could have done no possible good to any one. She looked at him -again as he stood shifting his position uneasily at the foot of the -bed, and she read in his face not only the grief which she had -expected to find there, but also something else, something that was -more like annoyance. - -“I want to speak to you, Nadia, if you’ll come into the parlour,” he -said. “There are some arrangements we ought to get settled.” - -“Can’t we leave them for a little while--just to-day?” asked Nadia. - -“Time is a luckshury that we don’t possess,” answered her father, -opening the door for her, and motioning her out. “I may likely be -called away any moment.” - -“Not before the--the funeral?” asked Nadia, in horror. - -“I hope not; but if a letter comes to summon me on important businuss, -it stands to reason that I must go. I have arranged for the funeral to -take place to-morrow afternoon.” - -“To-morrow? so soon?” cried Nadia. - -“Sure is it not better that I would be here for ut than not? Your -blessud mother knew all about the work I’m on, and she would not have -had me leave ut. I am thinking of sending you back to Princess -Soudaroff, Nadia. When you came to us she said she would be glad to -have you again any time.” - -Nadia’s heart leapt, but she reproached herself immediately for her -gladness. “If you would only let me stay with you, I should like it -better.” - -“Stay with me?” echoed the O’Malachy. “Is it taking on your mother’s -part of the work you mean? I’d not have thought you had the gifts for -ut.” - -“Oh no, not that!” said Nadia, earnestly. “Father, won’t you give it -up? You have your pay, and you could go back to your regiment, and I -could keep house for you.” - -“Is it settling down to parades and courts-martial she means?” asked -the O’Malachy in astonishment. “She might have been Queen of Thracia, -and she talks of beginning life again on a linesman’s pay for the two -of us, in some dirty hole of a Scythian garruson town! Sure it’s -little you know of ut, mademoiselle.” - -“I don’t mind how dull it is, or how poor we are,” urged Nadia, -thrilled with the hope of detaching her father from his present mode -of life. - -“But sure I do,” was his instant response. “How do you think I could -enjure ut at all after the life your blessud mother and I have led? -You are just five-and-thirty years too late in your praise of -poverty.” - -“But my mother----” began Nadia. He cut her short. - -“I’d have you remember, Nadia, that what I am your mother made me, and -if she did show the white feather just at the end, sure ’twas the -first time in her life--or maybe the second,” he added, meditatively; -“and ’tis not likely I will change me ways before I’m on me deathbed, -as she was. No, I have me work, and I’ll keep to ut. I will write to -the Princess about you, and you’ll be better to telegraph to let her -know you are coming.” - -“Not just yet,” pleaded Nadia; “I am very anxious to stay here as long -as I can.” - -The O’Malachy looked pleased. “Sure we’ll not be partud altogether at -all,” he said. “If all goes well in Thracia, I’ll come and see you, -and we’ll maybe find ut possuble to set up housekeeping together in -some place.” - -Nadia shuddered. “If all went well in Thracia,” meant to her father -that when they next met, Caerleon’s blood would be between them. She -changed the subject hastily. - -“Will you telegraph to Louis, father, or shall I?” - -“Ah, it wouldn’t be a bad thing to have um here,” responded the -O’Malachy thoughtfully. “But no. Louie is a soldier, and he must not -leave his duty. I’ll not have ut said that Michael O’Malachy called -his son away from the work he had to do. I’ll write to um meself.” - -The day dragged slowly by, and the next followed like it. The -O’Malachy was restless and uneasy, dividing his time between making up -arrears of correspondence and watching the road which led up the -mountain. To Nadia, who knew what he must be expecting, and what -arrangements his letters were intended to make, this period of -inaction was almost unbearable, but it was not until shortly before -the funeral that she found how deeply the suspense had tried her. -Feverishly anxious to go out, to do anything that might relieve the -tension of the long hours, it cost her a flood of tears and a sharp -wordy battle when she found that she was not intended to follow her -mother to the grave. The O’Malachy was inflexible. In Ireland, he -said, ladies never attended funerals, and he would not have things -done otherwise than decently here because they were out on a -God-forsaken hill in a desolate (he pronounced it daysolut) country. -Too much exhausted to contend longer, Nadia yielded at last to the -imperious dictates of propriety, and declining the landlady’s offer of -her company, betook herself to solitude and a quiet corner of the inn -garden. - -She had been sitting there for some time, in a spot quite concealed -from any one in the house by bushes and an intervening angle of wall, -and the sad procession had wound its way out of sight and hearing, -when she was startled by a persistent rustling in the boughs of a -large tree which overhung the parapet near her. At this season of the -year it was bare of leaves, but its branches were still so thickly -covered with ivy that they concealed the cause of the disturbance as -completely as if they had been laden with their native foliage, and -the effect was sufficiently alarming. In the strained state of her -nerves, Nadia’s first impulse was to take to flight and seek refuge in -the house; but she summoned up all her courage, and walked boldly -towards the tree, asking, in the best Thracian she could muster-- - -“Is there any one here?” - -There was no answer, but she heard a further rustling immediately over -her head, and looking up quickly, caught sight of a man peering at her -through the screen of ivy. For a moment they remained staring at one -another, and then the intruder, feeling apparently that there was no -possibility of concealing himself further, bent down towards her, and -asked in a low voice in German-- - -“The gracious lady is related to the Herr Oberst O’Malachy?” - -“Yes,” said Nadia, astonished by the contrast between the speaker’s -dress and his words. His appearance was that of a wandering artisan -seeking for work, but his voice was gentlemanly and his accent -refined. - -“Then may I trouble her to hand to the Herr Oberst in private a small -packet? I was charged to deliver it only to himself or to the gracious -lady, and I have waited here for hours, hoping to see one or other of -them in the garden, for there is one of Drakovics’s spies hanging -about in front of the inn. Happily I found my way up the mountain by a -shepherd’s path, and he did not see me, but I was beginning to wonder -whether I must stay here until it was dark, and then manage to climb -up to the balcony and tap at the Herr Oberst’s window. The attempt -would have been both unpleasant and dangerous, and I cannot be too -thankful that fate directed the gracious lady’s steps to this part of -the garden.” - -A flood of thoughts rushed across Nadia’s mind as she stood on tiptoe -and held out her hand for the letter, listening to what the messenger -said without hearing it. This man was one of the Thracian -conspirators. Even now he was acting as an emissary of Louis’s, and -carrying despatches to the various persons who were engaged in the -plot. Despatches!--had not her mother warned her that the O’Malachy -was expecting a message from Louis, a message which was to inform him -of the route by which Caerleon would enter Tatarjé, a message which -would enable him to carry out the dreadful deed he was contemplating? -This man had brought it. It was for him that the O’Malachy had been -watching since his return from Pavelsburg, but he had counted upon -intercepting him either in going to or returning from the grave if he -arrived to-day, for it was evident that he had not discovered the -presence of the secret agent in the village street. And his refusal to -let Nadia attend the funeral--the prohibition which had cost her so -many tears--had been the means of placing in her power the precious -scrap of paper on which, humanly speaking, hung Caerleon’s life! It -did not at the moment occur to her, what was indeed the case, that the -messenger had mistaken her for her mother, and had thus given her the -note without any misgiving; but as soon as the envelope was in her -hand, a cold chill ran through her. How was she to find out what it -contained? To suppress the letter would mean the ruin of her only -chance of helping Caerleon if the action were discovered, while to -open it, read it, and close it again, would be dishonourable. And -yet--and yet--surely if such an action could ever be justifiable, it -was so in this case. Her fingers closed upon the flap of the envelope; -it would be easy, when once the messenger had departed, to soften the -gum with a little hot water and examine the letter, but the teaching -of a lifetime was too strong for her, and she repulsed the temptation -in horror. The next moment another thought occurred to her, which -differed from the first, although she did not see this at the time, in -degree rather than in kind. - -“Was there any verbal message,” she asked, “to be delivered in case -you were taken prisoner, and obliged to destroy the letter?” - -“It is scarcely necessary to give it now,” said the messenger with a -smile, looking down at Nadia as she stood with the letter in her hand, -and her face upturned to his, “but if the gracious lady wishes to -assure herself of my good faith, it was this: _Friday, in the Wolf’s -Glen_.” - -Nadia breathed freely. The words told her what she wanted to know, the -date, now three days hence, on which Caerleon was to inspect the -garrison of Tatarjé, and the route by which he would travel. In the -Wolf’s Glen the O’Malachy would lie in wait, on murder bent, unless -she could succeed in thwarting his purpose. - -“Thank you,” she said to the messenger. “I will give the letter to the -Herr Oberst,” and she watched him make his way along the branches of -the tree until he was safely beyond the wall, and could drop to the -ground. Then she went quietly indoors, intent on possessing herself, -before the O’Malachy’s return, of something she had noticed among her -mother’s belongings. It was a dagger about ten inches long, very -bright and sharp, concealed ingeniously in a case shaped like a furled -fan, and she had a vague idea that it might serve her as a means of -defence on her way to Bellaviste, and perhaps stand her in good stead -when there, if she found it necessary to frighten any one. It was -alarming enough to her, at any rate, and she hoped earnestly that she -might not be obliged to produce it at all, while the thought of using -it against a living creature made her shudder; but she hid it -carefully in her dress, and returned to the garden. Meeting her father -when he entered, she gave him the letter. - -“How did you get this?” he asked, looking at her suspiciously. - -“A stranger gave it to me in the garden. He looked like a Thracian,” -she answered. - -“You don’t know um? Did he say anything?” - -“He asked me to give it to you, and said that he was charged to -deliver it only to you or me.” - -“Poor Louie!” said the O’Malachy, with apparent irrelevance. “Boys -will get into scrapes now and then, and if he tries to find some way -of writing to his old father without his colonel’s finding ut out, why -in the wide world wouldn’t he?” - -Understanding that she was intended to accept this transparent fiction -as an explanation of the way in which the letter had been delivered, -Nadia was silent, and her father retired to read it. When he returned, -his manner was hurried and eager. - -“This letter brings me marching orders,” he said, and she noticed that -he avoided meeting her eye. “Poor Louie’s greatly troubled. He has got -umself into a very bad scrape, and to settle his businuss I must start -for Tatarjé by the morning train to-morrow.” - -“Oh, what has he been doing?” cried Nadia, in genuine terror. For the -moment she really thought that, besides the expected intimation as to -Caerleon’s movements, the letter must have contained bad news of the -kind indicated by her father. - -The O’Malachy frowned. “It’s not the kind of businuss we generally -talk over with ladies,” he said severely; and if Nadia’s heart had not -been so heavy, she could have laughed at the dignity of his manner as -he administered this rebuke to her curiosity. All fear for Louis left -her mind instantly, and she was ready to listen to her father when he -resumed, after a moment’s interval to allow the reproof to take -effect, “I’ll likely have to leave here by six in the morning to get -to the station in time for me train. What to do about you I don’t -know. You must telegraph to Princess Soudaroff at once, but your train -will not start from Boloszjen until mid-day to-morrow, and ’t is not a -right thing to leave you alone here.” - -“Oh, please don’t trouble about me,” said Nadia. “Why, there is not -even a connection between Boloszjen and the Thracian railway, is -there? No, if you will settle the hotel bill, and arrange for a -carriage to take me to Boloszjen, I can start by myself quite -comfortably.” It would not have been human nature not to add, “You -must think about Louis first, you know.” - -The O’Malachy lent a ready ear to the suggestion, which fitted in with -his own wishes. It was evident that his preparations at Tatarjé were -by no means complete as yet, probably owing to the uncertainty which -had prevailed hitherto as to the exact date of the inspection, and his -anxiety to be gone was great. Nadia packed for him the portion of his -possessions which he would allow her to touch, and in the morning -watched him drive away from the inn, bound for the starting-point of -the Thracian railway, which had at last been completed as far as the -capital. Now that he could no longer interfere with her, she must -mature and carry out her own plans. In accordance with her father’s -injunction, she had telegraphed the evening before to Princess -Soudaroff, asking whether she might come to her at Pavelsburg, but -adding on her own account that she must pay a hurried visit to -Bellaviste before starting for Scythia. Shortly after the O’Malachy’s -departure the answer arrived, assuring her of a warm welcome, and -promising that the Princess would send a lady belonging to her -household to meet her on the Scythian frontier if she would let her -know when she expected to reach it. Nadia had been watching anxiously -for this telegram--not that she was doubtful as to the welcome she -would receive from the Princess, but because she could not well start -on her journey until the missive had arrived. As soon as she had read -it she sought for the travelled waiter. - -“I am obliged to change the Herr Oberst’s plans for me,” she said when -she found him. “I shall not go to Boloszjen in the carriage, but I -want you to have the luggage taken there and booked for Pavelsburg in -my name. Then even if I am late for the train the boxes will not be -lost. I am going to see little Ilona, the shepherd’s daughter, and to -take her some clothes. I shall not come back to Witska, but I believe -it is possible to cross the mountains from the shepherd’s hut and walk -to the station beyond Boloszjen and catch the train there, is it not? -Ilona’s father will show me the way, so you need not be alarmed if you -do not see me at Boloszjen.” - -The waiter and the landlord both showed great concern on hearing of -the gracious young lady’s determination to fatigue herself so much -before starting on her journey, but she refused to yield to any of -their suggestions, accepting only the offer of a boy to carry the -parcel of clothes. Even this she would have declined if she had not -feared that such persistent ungraciousness would excite suspicion, and -she paid and dismissed her attendant as soon as the cottage came in -sight. Her plans were already laid, and she walked on boldly, carrying -in her arms the bundle, which contained the Thracian peasant-dress -that Madame O’Malachy had worn on the fateful night of her accident. -On entering the hut she was welcomed with a cry of delight by the sick -child, whom she had nursed through a bad attack of bronchitis, and her -mother; the father was away with his sheep. Nadia had no time to lose. -She had picked up a sufficient knowledge of Thracian to make herself -understood, and she plunged into her subject at once. - -“I want you to let me change my dress here, Yerma,” she said. “I have -a friend in great danger at Bellaviste, and I must go to warn him.” -Glancing at the sympathetic faces of the mother and child, she knew -that she was safe with them, and went on, “I thought I would wear -clothes like yours, because I should attract less attention on the -road. My own dress I will leave with you. You will be able to make a -winter frock out of it for Ilona.” - -The delicacy of the shepherd’s wife and daughter touched and surprised -her, for they asked no questions and simply did their best to give her -what help they could. Under Yerma’s directions she put on the coarse -linen gown and heavy sheepskin-lined pelisse which, in conjunction -with high boots reaching to the knee, form the winter dress of the -Thracian women. Then she knelt down by Ilona’s bed, that the child -might arrange on her head the coloured handkerchief which serves as -bonnet and also as veil, and is pulled so far over the face that it is -sometimes difficult to see from under it. Ilona called out in delight -that no one would recognise the gracious lady now that she was dressed -like this, and Yerma, after conjuring her to hide her hands in the -long sleeves, agreed with the child. Gloves are never worn in Thracia -by the poorer classes, the wide cuffs of the sleeves serving as a -protection from the cold of winter. When her toilet was complete, -Nadia stooped and kissed the child, and left the cottage with Yerma, -who had volunteered to show her the path which led down to the -lowlands on this side of the mountain. They spoke little as they -ventured cautiously on the slippery descent; but when they had reached -the road which led to the distant station, Yerma fell on her knees and -kissed Nadia’s hand. - -“God and the saints bless you for all your kindness to my little -Ilona!” she said. “We shall all pray for you, gracious lady, and for -the gracious gentleman at Bellaviste, that you may be in time to warn -him, and that you may both be happy.” - -“And only yesterday Carlino betrothed himself to the Princess -Ottilie!” was the thought in Nadia’s mind, as she turned away with -tears in her eyes from the grateful woman, and set out on her long -lonely journey. It was fortunate for her that winter had as yet -scarcely set in, and that the weather was unusually dry, for in an -ordinary season it would have been impossible for a solitary woman to -make her way along the road she was following. The cavernous ruts, -into a few of which good-sized boulders had been pitched at haphazard, -apparently with a view of filling up the holes, showed what the depth -of the mud must be in wet weather; and Nadia fancied that perhaps the -boulders had not been allowed to take up their present positions -entirely by chance, as she had imagined at first, for pedestrians -might find them extremely useful, and even necessary, as -stepping-stones. She plodded on bravely over the uneven track, knowing -that it must eventually lead her to the station, if she only followed -it far enough; but it was so long that at times she was ready to sit -down in despair, imagining that she had lost her way, for the narrow -strip of rough stones and dry mud appeared unending. But she had not -cultivated fortitude and endurance all her life for nothing. The -temperament which had led her to practise martyrdom as a child was a -potent aid to her now, and she toiled on, the remembrance of the -mother and child in the shepherd’s hut praying for the success of her -mission giving her fresh courage. The few wayfarers she met looked at -her curiously as a stranger to the neighbourhood, but the fact that -she had no luggage with her, and that she was able to answer their -rough but kindly greetings in Thracian, seemed to forbid any shadow of -suspicion, and they passed her as a woman making her way from one -village to another. Still she pressed on, for the day was advancing, -and the train which would reach Bellaviste at noon on the morrow -started at four o’clock. An anxious fear seized upon her that after -all she might not be in time, and goaded her to fresh efforts. With -panting breath and stumbling feet she hurried along, and at last saw -far in front of her the collection of wooden sheds which marked the -starting-point of the Thracian railway system. Cheered by the sight, -she almost lost her feeling of weariness during the last half-mile of -the way, although, when the station was once reached and her ticket -taken, she was glad to sink upon a bench and do nothing, think of -nothing, but rest. When the train came in, she noticed its arrival -mechanically, but it did not occur to her to take any active steps -with regard to entering it, and had it not been for a warning from her -neighbour on the bench, a pleasant-looking elderly woman laden with -bundles, she would have been left behind. - -Awakened by this friend in need to the fact that the train was just -about to start, Nadia insisted on helping her to carry her bundles, -and was glad to establish herself on the seat next to her in the -carriage, which was constructed on the American pattern. They were the -only women present, but the men gathered together at the other end and -talked among themselves, and Nadia’s friend arranged her parcels on -the bench in front of her, and producing a covered brazier filled with -hot charcoal, invited Nadia to put her feet upon it and make herself -comfortable. She was a cheerful, talkative person, and beguiled the -way with quaint legends relating to the hills and valleys they were -passing--legends which would have been full of interest for her hearer -if she had not been so tired. Her long walk, the close atmosphere of -the train, and the monotonous voice of her companion, all combined to -make Nadia overpoweringly sleepy, but she succeeded in dissembling the -fact until an irresistible nod brought her head into sudden and -violent contact with the good woman’s shoulder. - -“Have you heard the story of the young prince and his witch-mother?” -the narrator was saying. “There was a learned gentleman from -Bellaviste travelling in our parts this summer, who heard me telling -it to the children, and he was so pleased with it that he wrote it all -down, every word. But you are tired, poor thing! Lie down here, and -take this bundle of mine for a pillow, and I will cover you with my -cloak. No, don’t thank me. I have a daughter just your age. She is -married, and lives at Bellaviste, and I am going to see her now for -the first time since the wedding.” - -All the time she was talking she was busy arranging a comfortable -place on the bench for Nadia, and then tucked her up in the most -motherly way. The girl was deeply thankful to be allowed to rest, for -mind and body were alike worn out. But the strain upon her was too -great to permit of peaceful sleep, and she awoke at last with a start, -shivering and trembling, to find her face wet with tears, and her -friend laying a warning hand upon her shoulder. “I woke you because -you began to scream,” she said. “You have been crying all the time you -were asleep, and talking in a language I don’t understand, but I -thought some of the men there might hear you if you spoke loud, and -know what you were saying.” - -“Thank you,” said Nadia, sitting up and pushing back the hair from her -face. “It was very kind of you to wake me, for I am in great trouble, -and it might have done terrible harm if any one had understood what I -said. I will tell you what I am doing here,” she went on, moved to -confidence as she looked into the motherly eyes opposite her. “There -is a friend of mine in great danger at Bellaviste, and I have -information which may save his life if I can only get there in time.” - -“But you are not a Thracian?” - -“No, I come from the frontier, but my friend is in the Carlino -regiment.” - -“Ah, he has been getting into trouble with his sergeant, I suppose? I -know how it is: they always think the sergeant is hard upon them, -until they become sergeants themselves, and then they can see no good -in the men. My Elisaveta’s husband is a sergeant in the city guard -himself, and he has told me some fine tales! But your sweetheart--ah, -we all know what ‘friend’ means--must have done something very foolish -indeed to get himself into such trouble.” - -“If they kill him, it will be a shameful, horrible murder!” cried -Nadia, hotly. - -“Well, I suppose you have information to prove what you say. Are you -going to appeal to the Minister for War?” - -“Oh no, no! To the King.” - -“The King? Ah, that is wise, no doubt. He is young, and every one says -he is kind-hearted, and he is going to be married, so that your -sweetheart’s case ought to touch his feelings.” - -“Yes,” murmured Nadia, seeing at a glance the full irony of the -situation. - -“Yes, I think that on the whole you have come at a very favourable -time. Have you written out your petition?” - -“No, I never thought of that,” said Nadia. “I meant to try and speak -to him.” - -“But he might not catch sight of you, or he might have no time to -listen. If he had a paper which would remind him of you, he might tell -his brother, Prince Kyrillo,”--Nadia did not at first recognise Cyril -under this designation,--“to inquire into the case afterwards. We must -certainly get one drawn up. To-morrow morning the train stops for half -an hour at a place where a cousin of mine lives. She is the -station-master’s wife, and she will be able to write for us. Or -perhaps you can write? But it ought to be in French. Our King is -learning Thracian, they say, but he certainly cannot know it well yet, -and it would be a great advantage if he was able to read the petition -at once.” - -“I can write French,” said Nadia. - -“Really? Ah, I thought you were better off than you seemed to be. I -shouldn’t wonder if you were a lady’s-maid, now, in some noble -family?” - -“I belong to the household of a lady of high rank,” said Nadia. Her -friend looked at her doubtfully. - -“I hope your sweetheart is good enough for you. I should say you might -do better than a private soldier--even in the Carlinos. Don’t you let -yourself be led away by a handsome face and a fine uniform, my girl. -An honest farmer with plenty of sheep and pigs, and a little money -hidden behind a brick in the wall, would be likely to make you a far -better husband, and you wouldn’t have all the trouble of moving about -after the regiment, which is bad enough when you are a sergeant’s -wife, but is terrible when you have only a private’s pay to depend -upon. But there! young folks will choose as they like, and it’s no use -speaking to them.” - -“He is good enough to marry a princess,” said Nadia, with tears in her -eyes. “Please tell me about the petition. What shall I say in it?” - -“Well, you oughtn’t to tell everything, or he won’t need to see you, -and you want to be able to throw yourself at his feet, and melt his -heart by your pleading. We must make up something slow and sad--like -the stories.” And to Nadia’s astonishment, the practical business-like -woman threw back her head, half-closed her eyes, and recited her -improvised plaint in a kind of chant. - - - “Most Illustrious Majesty,--Deign to permit a mourner to approach - your royal throne. - - “She comes not to cast a shadow upon your marriage joy, but to plead - with you for the one she loves more than life. - - “The beloved of her soul is doomed to death--death undeserved, death - most cruel--and you alone can avert this fearful sorrow. - - “Great is the power of the law, but greater is the word of the King. - - “For you heaven has ordained happiness; do not, then, refuse to look - upon those to whom bitterness and sorrow are appointed. - - “Give to the suppliant who now appeals to you the joy of beholding the - light of your countenance, that you may be assured that not only your - mercy, but your justice, will be satisfied if you grant her petition. - - “That God may grant you a long and happy life with the royal lady to - whom your troth is plighted, is the wish of all your subjects. - - “But especially, whether you grant her entreaty or refuse it, will it - be the prayer of her who is now kneeling before you.” - - -“It is splendid!” said Nadia. “I should never have thought of such a -way of putting it. It could not be better--except that I shall say -‘this shameful murder,’ instead of ‘this fearful sorrow.’ They say the -King loves justice, and that will show him that a crime will be -committed if he refuses to interfere.” - -“You are bold,” said her friend. “But after all, no doubt the King -will stand more from a girl than he would from an old woman, and he is -an Englishman, and boldness may please him.” - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII. - SO NEAR, AND YET---- - -The long hours of evening and night wore away, so monotonously that -Nadia began to feel as if a slow and uneven progress on a badly laid -track, conducted to the accompaniment of the clanking of couplings and -the dull thud of the engine, and diversified by halts of varying -duration at unfinished and ill-lighted stations, was a normal -condition of her life, and might be expected to last for ever. The men -at the other end of the carriage made themselves comfortable upon the -benches, and the two women slumbered intermittently among the bundles. -Whenever she awoke Nadia busied herself in laying her plans for the -morrow, as she sat gazing into the flying darkness, with an occasional -glimpse of a distant star or a cloud of rushing steam. Her friend’s -insistence upon the necessity of a written petition had given her a -new idea, but she did not intend to make use of it unless she was -forced to do so by circumstances. It was still her intention to throw -herself suddenly at Caerleon’s feet and entreat him to listen to her -for a moment. If, not perceiving who she was, he should depute Cyril -to inquire into her case, all would be well; but if he should -recognise her, and she were compelled to deliver her warning to -himself, she still cherished the wild hope that she would be able to -retreat and lose herself in the crowd before he could recover from his -astonishment. The petition was only to be used in case she found it -difficult to obtain access to him. There was little likelihood of his -recognising her handwriting, which he had only seen once or twice, but -she hoped that the idea of a miscarriage of justice would rouse him at -once to make inquiries, when Cyril would naturally be the messenger -chosen. - -In thus providing against various contingencies she passed the waking -hours of the night, and in the morning, when the train stopped at the -station where her friend’s cousin lived, she felt that she was -prepared for any event. The station-master’s residence was not -imposing in appearance, consisting as it did of four whitewashed walls -and a thatched roof, but the owner’s wife received her visitors with -much hospitality, insisted on their sharing her breakfast, and -supplied them with the means of making a hasty and somewhat primitive -toilet. During the meal Nadia’s first friend unfolded the girl’s -story, in so far as she had heard it, to her cousin, and engaged her -help in the matter of drawing up the petition. The hostess wasted no -time in assuring them of her sympathy, but produced at once a pen and -ink and some sheets of official paper from a hole under the thatch, -which served apparently as her husband’s bureau, and Nadia sat down to -write at the small low table, from which the breakfast things had been -hastily removed. It was no easy matter to translate into passable -French the sonorous Thracian which her travelling companion poured -forth, to the loudly expressed admiration of the station-master’s -wife, and the latter complicated the matter almost at the beginning by -exclaiming-- - -“Oh no, Maria! You must not mention the marriage, it would be most -unsuitable. Haven’t you heard the news?” - -“News? What news?” cried Nadia and her friend together. - -“Why, about the poor King. The engine-driver on the train from -Bellaviste which passed through the station this morning told my -husband what he had heard them saying last night. The wicked girl--for -wicked she is, princess or no princess--whom he was going to marry -went and ran off with some one else on the very day before the -betrothal!” - -“I wish her husband joy of her!” said Nadia’s friend, grimly. “A jilt -like that will come to no good. After all, the poor young King is well -rid of such a minx. But I was afraid you were going to say that -something had happened to the King--and I see you were too,” she went -on, looking at Nadia, from whose hand the pen had fallen. “That would -have been bad for you; for Milos Drakovics, good patriot though he is, -is a man of iron, and would never listen to a girl’s entreaties, -especially on a matter that touched the discipline of the army. Well, -we must alter the words of the petition. Perhaps the poor King’s heart -will be softened by his trouble.” - -Awkward as the transposition of sentiment might appear, the Thracian -poetess was equal to the occasion, and the petition was successfully -drawn out, with its wording altered to correspond with the change of -circumstances. After the first shock of surprise and ineffable relief, -Nadia wrote steadily on, without allowing herself time to think. Not -until she was again in the train, with the farewells and good wishes -of her kindly hostess ringing in her ears, did she permit herself to -remember that Caerleon was once more free, that now there was no one -who had the right to stand between him and herself. She knew that she -ought to feel sorry that a scheme of so much excellence had failed, -that such a cruel indignity had been put upon Caerleon in the face of -all Europe, but she was not. She was silently, unspeakably glad, and -all the morning as she sat listening patiently to her companion’s -legends, and putting in appropriate remarks at intervals, her thoughts -were of the spring of happiness which was rising again in her heart. - -“You look better this morning,” the good woman observed complacently, -as they neared Bellaviste. “No doubt it makes you feel more -comfortable to have the written paper to depend upon in case you get -flustered when you see his Majesty and can’t say a word. That was how -my Elisaveta felt when the War Minister’s lady spoke to her one day at -a military _fête_. Now be sure and let me hear how you get on. I wish -you would come and eat some dinner with us, and let me take you -afterwards to some place where you will be able to get a sight of his -Majesty; but if you won’t, you won’t. Only, if you get into any -trouble, ask for the quarters of Serge Georgevics, and even if I am -gone home, you will find Elisaveta there, and she will help you in any -way she can, for I am going to tell her all about you.” - -It was with difficulty that even on the platform at Bellaviste Nadia -released herself from her kind friend, but when she had delivered the -bundles she had been helping to carry into the charge of Sergeant -Georgevics, who was waiting to meet his mother-in-law, and had refused -a second invitation to dinner, she found herself free. The sergeant -told her that the King had already returned to the city, and was now -receiving the Ministers at the palace, but that he would drive through -the streets in the afternoon, that the townspeople might be gratified -by a sight of him before he left the capital again for Tatarjé. There -were, therefore, still two hours to spare before she could hope to see -him, and she walked restlessly about the less frequented streets until -she was tired, and then, fearing that she might be too exhausted to -perform her task, went into a quiet restaurant for a cup of coffee and -a roll. This frugal meal over, she made her way into the principal -street, where she waited with all the patience she could command until -the appearance of bodies of troops and police showed that the King -might be expected to pass by before long. In spite of the failure of -M. Drakovics to discover the nature of the plots hatched at Witska, he -had learnt enough to make him anxious for the King’s safety, and the -road was to be lined on either side with mounted soldiers and -gendarmes by way of precaution. Crowds of people gathered on the -pavement as time went on, and the windows and house-tops were as -closely packed with spectators as on the day when the King had first -entered his capital. The Thracians were resolved not only to -demonstrate their sympathy with their monarch under the somewhat -trying circumstances of his return from the Mœsian frontier, but also -to testify their appreciation of the diplomacy of his advisers. This -might well be said to have succeeded, in spite of the untoward event -which had occurred, in obtaining for Thracia peace with honour, and -hence no patriot stayed at home who could possibly get out into the -streets. Nadia succeeded in maintaining a position in the front rank -by dint of clinging to a lamp-post, and she peered anxiously between -the soldiers in front of her to catch the first glimpse of the -procession. At last the distant sound of mighty cheering arose, and as -it came closer she caught sight of the glittering helmets and -breastplates of the escort. Now she must act. Loosing her hold of the -lamp-post, she slipped in between the horses of the two mounted men -nearest her and tried to press to the front. But strict orders had -been given to allow no one to pass the guards, and the man on her -right caught her shoulder and turned her back. - -“You can’t go any further, my girl. If you want to see the King, stand -still where you are, and you will get a splendid sight of him as he -passes. You don’t want to be introduced to him, do you?” - -“I have a petition to present,” she said eagerly, disregarding the -man’s rough humour. “I must give it into his hand.” - -“A petition? Let me see it.” - -Nadia gave it to him, and he scrutinised it carefully, upside-down, -from the seal which the station-master’s wife had insisted on adding -at the foot, in the idea that it gave the document an official -appearance, to the loyal address at the head, turned it over, smelt -it, and handed it back to her. He could not even read sufficiently to -know that it was not in Thracian, but he was satisfied that it was not -calculated to convey any harm to the King. - -“Yes, it’s all right,” he said. “You can throw it into the King’s -carriage as you stand there. Or, if you are afraid of missing, I will -throw it for you, if you will thrust it into my hand just at the -moment, so that the sergeant may not see.” - -“Oh no, I must give it to him,” cried Nadia in a frenzy. The first -carriage was close at hand now, and she saw that Caerleon was in it, -sitting with his face to the horses, with Cyril and General -Sertchaieff opposite him. - -“But you can’t,” said the trooper, with a grim smile. What possessed -her to do it Nadia could never afterwards determine, but she snatched -out her dagger and struck at him wildly. He parried the blow with the -greatest ease, knocked the dagger out of her hand, and seized both her -wrists in an iron grasp, crying-- - -“Help! Here’s a woman trying to murder the King!” - -“Holy Peter!” cried another, as Nadia struggled in vain to free -herself. “Look at her white hands. She is a Scythian spy!” - -“A Scythian spy!” said another voice. “Kill her, then!” An officer of -the escort had forced his horse into the group, about which the crowd -was surging and shouting. Nadia became vaguely aware that the -new-comer’s face was familiar to her, that his eyes were like her -mother’s,--that he was her brother Louis. Madame O’Malachy’s words -recurred to her mind, “Louis will not allow you to spoil his plans,” -and as they did so, she saw that he had something in his hand. He -raised it, and for one awful instant, which seemed an hour, she was -looking down the barrel of a revolver. Her eyes were fixed on the -little steel circle so close in front of them, but she saw Louis’s -finger moving to the trigger, and a shrill scream of terror broke from -her as she cowered back and raised her elbow to shield herself. The -crack she was expecting came, sounding to her like a thunder-clap, and -the crowd yelled excitedly, but the bullet sped harmlessly over her -head, as the weapon was knocked up by the senior officer of the -escort, who had caught her captor’s agonised cry of “Accomplices, -lieutenant! she may have accomplices!” - -“You will return to the palace, Lieutenant O’Malachy, and consider -yourself under arrest,” said the captain, and Louis saluted, and -backing his horse out of the crowd, rode away, followed by the cheers -of the mob, which appeared to approve of his endeavour to execute -lynch law. But Nadia did not even look after him. She had seen, over -the heads of the pushing and struggling people, who had forced their -way past the guards and into the road, Caerleon spring up in the -carriage and call to the coachman to stop, had seen Cyril throw -himself out before his brother could get his foot on the step. - -“Your Majesty wishes me to settle this matter for you?” he said -imperatively, refusing to allow Caerleon to descend. - -“Good heavens, Cyril! don’t you see that it’s Nadia? I tell you I -heard her voice. Let me pass!” But Cyril held his ground. - -“Go on and leave me to settle things, unless you want to involve her -and yourself in the biggest scandal that ever spread through Europe. -It’s for her sake, I tell you!” - -“May I entreat his Majesty to continue his drive?” said an agitated -commissary of police, thrusting his way to the front through the -raging, roaring mass of people that had closed around the troopers and -their prisoner. “The crowd are beginning to believe that the assassin -has accomplished her purpose, and the woman will be torn in pieces -before we can get her to the prison, unless the King will drive on and -show himself, and so distract their attention from her.” - -“Do you want her blood on your head?” cried Cyril, pushing his brother -back into his place. “Go on, and let me see after her. I promise you I -will take no steps without your leave. Drive on,” he called to the -coachman. - -Angry and bewildered, Caerleon found himself carried on, past the -seething crowd into which Cyril was now forcing his way, and between -fresh rows of anxious spectators who had not been able to leave their -places, so closely were they packed together, and who were necessarily -a prey to the wildest rumours. They greeted the King with tumultuous -cheers; and as the news spread, those who were on the outskirts of the -crowd, and found it impossible to obtain a view of him, rushed to the -churches and began to ring the bells, so that the drive continued in a -perfect pandemonium of sound. Caerleon, bowing mechanically to right -and left, and wondering what could have brought Nadia to Bellaviste, -and where Cyril would take her, could scarcely hear himself speak when -he remembered that it would be suitable to make some remark to his -companion on what had happened. He looked across at General -Sertchaieff, but started when his eyes fell upon his face, for it was -pale and set, and as expressionless as a mask. - -“I am afraid this alarm has given you a shock, General?” he said, -wondering whether it would be advisable to summon a doctor to -prescribe for the Minister of War. - -“Who would not be painfully affected by the attempt to perpetrate such -a crime, sir?” returned General Sertchaieff. “Whom can we trust when -Scythia turns our peasant-girls into assassins? I know these women: -they will dare everything and tell nothing.” - -“I hope you will find you are mistaken,” said Caerleon. “I myself am -quite convinced that it was not an attempt at assassination at all.” - -Etiquette forbade General Sertchaieff to advance an opinion contrary -to that of his sovereign, but he shook his head sadly, and it was -evident that the people were sharers in his belief. Indeed, before -Caerleon returned to the palace, it was commonly known in the city -that the would-be assassin--a woman of extraordinary stature, and -armed with three dynamite bombs, a dagger, and a couple of -revolvers--had mounted the step of the carriage and dealt a stab at -the King, which was only not fatal because the troopers had seized her -and dragged her back just in time. In view of such a determined -attempt at murder, it is not wonderful that the people thronged into -the churches to return thanks for the King’s escape, and that every -loyal householder in Bellaviste devised and proceeded to execute -marvellous impromptu illuminations for the evening with candles and -oil-lamps. Cyril smiled grimly over the popular enthusiasm as he -returned to the palace, and wondered impatiently how things were ever -to be set right. Out of doors, the people were breathing out furious -threats against the assassin; inside the palace Caerleon was waiting -in restless anxiety for news of her. - -“Well, where is she?” he asked eagerly, as Cyril came in. - -“In the prison. We had to take her there to save her life,--the people -were kicking up such a row,” as Caerleon uttered an exclamation of -horror; “but she is in the governor’s house, treated as a guest; and -the governor’s wife, rather a jolly old lady, but as deaf as a -post,--which is an advantage under the circumstances,--is looking -after her like a mother.” - -“But what brought her here?” - -“She came to warn you of a plot. So far as I can make out--for she -won’t mention any names--that good-for-nothing father of hers is -intending to murder you to-morrow on the way to Tatarjé. Madame -O’Malachy died the other day, and on her deathbed she let out the -secret. Miss O’Malachy kept her own counsel, and started off here as -soon as she could to give you the tip.” - -Caerleon drew a long breath. “Well,” he said triumphantly, “I hope you -see now that it is positively incumbent on me to marry her. Think of -her coming all that way to warn me! She must care for me, after all.” - -“I was always under the impression that she did care for you, but -refused you on conscientious grounds for the good of the kingdom,” -said Cyril. - -“Oh yes, of course; but it’s quite a different thing now. You must -think me an utter cad if you imagine that I’m going to let her take -this journey just to save me, and get herself into awful trouble with -her own people, and then simply send her adrift again after it all. -It’s absolutely the only thing to be done.” - -“It’s a most unfortunate affair altogether,” said Cyril, meditatively. -“If you ask me, Caerleon, I say that the only thing to be done is to -get her out of the city to-night, and hush the matter up. Just wait a -moment, and listen to me. You may not know--I didn’t want to bother -you at the time--that very nasty reports got into the Scythian papers -a little while ago about you and her. The O’Malachys left Bellaviste -hastily and in dudgeon, you see, and the old man takes it into his -head suddenly to express a deadly hatred of you, and begins to talk -big about the vengeance he will have for the way in which you have -treated his daughter. The girl makes no sign, but all at once, hearing -of your engagement to Princess Ottilie (for she must have started -before it was known to be at an end), she returns in disguise and -attempts to murder you--that is how it will appear,--and all this will -be simply nuts for the newspapers.” - -“This is awful!” groaned Caerleon, aghast. “You mean to say that I -have let her in for vile suspicions of that kind?” - -“I should have said that she had let you in for them. But it’s my firm -impression that she knows as little about this Scythian _canard_ as -you did a minute ago. If she had known, she is not fool enough to have -used that dagger as she did.” - -“I don’t quite see what you are driving at. That doesn’t make any -difference. Get out a special ‘Gazette,’ will you?--you’re always -issuing special ‘Gazettes’ for some reason or other--and tell the -truth in it for once. Give her reason for coming here, and--no, I’ll -draw it up myself.” - -“Caerleon, stop!” cried Cyril, peremptorily, “and listen to me. You -can’t carry things off in this way. No one would believe your story, -and it would be said that you had married her as the price of her -silence.” - -“Stuff!” said Caerleon, contemptuously. “I shall ask the Queen of -Mœsia to invite her to Eusebia on a short visit, and that will put an -end to these slanders. As for leaving her unprotected now, I tell you -I won’t hear of it.” - -“Do you mean to marry her against her will?” asked Cyril. - -“No, I shall see her and make her understand the state of the -case--not telling her anything of what you have said, of course. But I -am sure I could have made her listen to me before, only she begged me -not to urge her against her conscience, and I obeyed her, like a fool! -At any rate, I won’t do that again. It would be absurd to talk about -refusing me now for the sake of the kingdom,--after what has happened -she must know that, for if I don’t marry her I shan’t marry at -all,--and besides, when once the people hear why she came here to-day, -they will be ready to worship her.” - -“Then I suppose there is no use in my giving you her message?” said -Cyril. - -“You may as well let me have it,” said Caerleon, reluctantly. - -“She impressed upon me that she would not consent to see you under any -circumstances. She said she came here to try to do you a service, and -found herself your prisoner. If you chose to force yourself upon her -in defiance of her wishes, she must submit, since you were her gaoler, -but she believed you were a gentleman, and would respect her desire -for privacy.” - -“What is one to do with a girl like that?” groaned Caerleon. He would -have liked to accuse Cyril of inventing the message, but it bore the -impress of Nadia’s somewhat impracticable style of heroism too plainly -not to be genuine. “Still, she doesn’t understand the case. I will put -it to her that if she will marry me, she will be clearing me from -imputations that have been made against me.” - -“If she doesn’t understand the case then, she is not so clever as I -think her,” retorted Cyril; “and if you don’t put it strong enough she -won’t listen to you for a moment. Now look here: she has a home -promised her at Pavelsburg with Princess Soudaroff, her godmother, -with whom she lived before, and she only needs an escort to the -Scythian frontier. The governor’s wife would be quite willing to take -the little trip at your expense, and I will accompany them as far as -Boloszjen, where they will get the proper train. Then she will be all -right, and we can hush the matter up without any scandal at all.” - -“And leave this wretched slander unrefuted?” - -“Nonsense! the mere fact of the Princess’s receiving her again into -her house will refute it. Besides, I contradicted it at the time.” - -“I am extremely obliged to you for your solicitude about my affairs. -Perhaps on another occasion you will remember that I also have some -slight interest in them. Well, I will see her, and then decide.” - -“Of course, if you care to force yourself upon her after what she has -said----” - -“You will drive me wild, Cyril. I will write to her, then.” - -“No, you won’t. At least, I am not going to carry any letter. You -ought to know by this time that you should never put on paper anything -that might prove compromising later on. I’ll take any number of -messages from you, if you like, and deliver them without note or -comment.” - -“What do I care about being compromised? If you will tell me the most -compromising form in which a letter can be written, I’ll write it.” - -“I see. What I was afraid of was your compromising her.” - -“Oh, go and tell her what I want. You badger a man till he doesn’t -know whether he’s standing on his head or his heels! But if you will -make her understand that I beg and beseech and entreat her to marry -me, and that I undertake that the people shall receive her joyfully as -queen, I’ll forgive you--that is, if you bring back word that she says -yes.” - -“Very well. I suppose I may give orders for a carriage and relays of -horses to be ready to-morrow morning? Whether Miss O’Malachy decides -to take the Trans-Continental express for Pavelsburg, or to go and -stay at Eusebia preparatory to being transformed into the Queen of -Thracia, we must get her out of the place before people are about. -I’ll take Wright to drive, if you can spare him. He couldn’t tell -tales here if he would.” - -“Oh, all right. But what on earth is the good of all this fuss? Tell -her that if she will only have me, we will be married as soon as we -can get a British chaplain up here.” - -“Do keep cool,” entreated Cyril. “In any case, I thought that the lady -always fixed the day?” - -He left the room as Caerleon gave a despairing groan, and returned to -the gaol for his second interview with Nadia. He found her sitting -with the wife of the governor, a pleasant-looking, white-haired old -lady whom deafness appeared to condemn to perpetual speech. Cyril -could hear her monotonous voice rambling on as he came up the stairs, -and it was not until he had written on a piece of paper that it was -very important he should speak to Nadia Mikhailovna in private that -she withdrew to the chimney-corner and comparative silence. Nadia had -laid aside her peasant’s dress, which had been torn almost to rags in -the rough handling she had received from the crowd, and the old lady -had lent her a black gown of her own, which was so much too large -about the waist that it was necessary to keep it in place by a sash. -This gave her a somewhat nun-like appearance, and she looked very tall -and severe as she accompanied Cyril to the window. - -“I suppose you have come to tell me what is to happen to me,” she -said, with extreme coldness, and yet before his entrance the irony of -the situation had almost made her laugh. To have come all the way from -Witska to save Caerleon, and to find herself accused of trying to -murder him! - -“I am here as the bearer of a message from my brother, which I have -promised to deliver to you word for word,” said Cyril. “If it had not -been for your appeal to his good feeling, he would be here himself -now; or he would have written, but I refused to carry a letter. He -implores you to reconsider your former determination, and to consent -to marry him. He undertakes that there shall be no opposition to the -match among the people, and he will regard it as the proudest day of -his life if you will be crowned with him next month as Queen of -Thracia.” He paused for a moment, then went on. “I am anxious to keep -my word to Caerleon, and therefore I will tell you that no one could -be more delighted than he was at the rupture of his engagement to -Princess Ottilie of Mœsia.” - -“Ah!” said Nadia, her eyes shining for a moment, “and what do you -advise me to do?” - -“I don’t presume to offer you any advice whatever. If my counsel was -not in accordance with your wishes, I dare not hope that you would -follow it, and if it agreed with them, it would be unnecessary. I am -so anxious to leave you absolutely unfettered, that I will go so far -as to say that I see no likelihood of my brother’s taking the course -which it seems to me would be most advantageous for the kingdom, and -making another attempt to ally himself with a royal house. He appears -firm in his determination to allow no one to occupy your place in his -heart. I congratulate you on your triumph.” - -“I hate you!” cried Nadia, with fierce irrelevance. “If anything could -induce me to marry Carlino, it would be the thought that I was -spoiling your plans by doing it.” - -Cyril shrugged his shoulders. “I hope that I should never forget -myself so far as to behave otherwise than politely to the lady who had -honoured my brother with her hand,” he said. - -“Oh no, there is no fear of that,” said Nadia, wearily. “But do you -think I don’t know what would happen if I married him? Don’t be -afraid--I am not going to accept his offer. Your conduct would be -unexceptionable, no doubt, but the things you would say--the hints you -would give--the way you would look at me! Whenever trouble came upon -Thracia, you would make me understand that you considered it was due -to me. I cannot see how you and Carlino can be brothers. He is so--and -you are----” - -“We seem to be both easier to imagine than describe, at any rate,” -said Cyril. “I said I wouldn’t offer you any advice, and I won’t. If I -were an orator like Drakovics, I might discourse to you on the beauty -of self-sacrifice, the expediency of renouncing one’s private wishes -for the sake of the State, and other similarly appropriate themes. But -being merely a man of the world, I can only say, marry Caerleon if you -like, and become Queen of Thracia. No doubt you will be very happy -until the next revolution comes. Or else leave him free still, and let -him and the kingdom have a chance.” - -“I believe,” said Nadia, slowly, “that you would prefer that your -brother had been killed rather than that he should be saved through -me.” - -“Now you are becoming excited,” said Cyril, “and when you think over -the things you have said you will be sorry for them. Certainly I might -wish that you had not chosen to warn him in such a noticeable--one -might almost say theatrical--way. But that is a detail, a mere error -of judgment, and does not really prejudice the fact, for which both he -and I must always remain grateful to you.” - -“Thank you,” said Nadia. “After receiving such a handsome -acknowledgment of my services, it is only fair for me to give you the -satisfaction of hearing that I refuse absolutely to marry the King, -and that I will leave Bellaviste as soon as you will allow me.” - -“I can’t pretend not to be relieved by your decision,” remarked Cyril, -frankly. “Pray be sure that I will do my best to settle the -arrangements for your journey as much in accordance with your wishes -as possible, although it will unfortunately be necessary to make the -start very early in the morning, in order to avoid exciting attention. -I propose, if you will allow me, to do myself the honour of -accompanying you as far as Boloszjen----” - -“Oh, why make all this fuss--this pretence of asking my permission?” -asked Nadia, impatiently. “I know quite well that I am a prisoner, and -must submit to whatever arrangements my gaolers may choose to make for -me.” - -“Excuse me,” said Cyril, “but I understood that you were leaving -Thracia by your own choice, and going to rejoin your friends? I think -you will see that this is both a more correct and a more agreeable way -of looking at the matter. To return to our subject. The first part of -the journey we must make by road, for it would not be advisable for -you to take the train from here. We will get on board at some country -station, where no one is likely to recognise us. Our good friend -Madame Bruics here will accompany you as far as the Scythian frontier, -and give you into the charge of Princess Soudaroff’s lady-in-waiting.” - -“I am most grateful to you for your kindness and consideration,” said -Nadia, rising to leave the room. “Perhaps you will tell Madame Bruics -anything else you may have to say. I am very tired.” - -“If your gratitude is to be interpreted by your looks, it is not a -kind I should care to get much of,” said Cyril to himself as she -retired. It took some time to explain in writing to Madame Bruics what -was required of her and to meet her various objections, but at last -Cyril was able to leave the prison and return to the palace. Sending -for Wright to give him his orders for the morrow, he found the groom -bursting with excitement and importance. - -“’Ave you ’eard, my lord, as ’ow Mr O’Malachy ’ave sloped?” he asked -eagerly, as soon as the footman who had conducted him into Cyril’s -presence had departed. - -“Sloped? Lieutenant O’Malachy?” cried Cyril, and cursed himself for a -fool. Why had it not occurred to him to order Louis’s arrest instantly -on hearing Nadia’s story? He might have guessed that her father’s plot -needed a confederate in the city to enable him to carry it out -successfully. “Is it certain that he is gone?” he asked of Wright. - -“Quite certain, my lord. The capting’s in a orful way about it, been -rowin’ the sergeants shameful, and one on ’em tell me. The capting, ’e -put Mr O’Malachy under arrest for shootin’ at the young lady, and tell -’im to come back ’ere. Contrairywise, ’e rides to the post-office, as -bold as brass, and sends off a Government telegram to Mr Francis -Xavier O’Reilly, at Tatarjé, orderin’ ’im to leave the country within -twenty-four hours. Then ’e rides out at the Feodoratz gate, sayin’ as -’e’s a-actin’ aide-de-camp to ’is Majesty, and no one see ’im since. -’Is ’orse ’ave come back to ’is stable, but they say as Mr O’Malachy -must ’ave ’ad a change of clothes ’id away ready somewheres, and ’ave -got away like that, though why ’e should want to is beyond me.” - -But Louis’s motive was not beyond Cyril’s comprehension, for it was -evident to him that, expecting that Nadia would involve him in her -disclosures, he had seized the earliest opportunity for flight--a -contingency against which he had carefully provided beforehand--and -that he had, moreover, succeeded in warning his father to escape from -Tatarjé at least an hour before Cyril had telegraphed thither to -arrest him. The loquacious Wright found himself dismissed somewhat -hastily, with instructions to have the carriage ready at six in the -morning; and Cyril turned from the unpleasant contemplation of the -oversight of which he had been guilty to drafting the announcement -which was to appear on the morrow in a special ‘Gazette,’ in order to -tranquillise the minds of the people. It was evident, he wrote, that a -certain amount of misconception existed as to the incident of the day. -The supposed attempt to murder the King was not, as had been imagined, -the outcome of a plot, but it was hoped that in consequence of it the -ramifications of a very extensive conspiracy would be laid bare. As -for the young woman who had been arrested, she could not be held -responsible for the intended crime, and having been found harmless, -she had been restored to her friends. The last sentence pleased Cyril -extremely, both on account of its plausibility and its adherence to -the truth, although he reminded himself as he read it over that he -must keep the ‘Gazette’ out of Caerleon’s way. His next duty was to -write a full account of what had happened to M. Drakovics, who had -remained on the frontier in order that he might meet the Premier of -Mœsia, and to tell him all that he had succeeded in extracting from -Nadia on the subject of the plot. This was not much, for she knew very -little, and declined to tell even the whole of that, but there was one -point which seemed to Cyril to be of considerable importance. Who was -the X. of whom Nadia had heard Madame O’Malachy speaking to her -husband, saying that he had been induced by bribes to join in the -conspiracy, and to bring with him all the men in his employment? After -much cogitation, Cyril could only decide that he must be one of the -large distillers whose trade had been spoiled by the temperance -legislation of the present Government, and who would therefore be -inclined to prefer a change in the state of affairs. He resolved to -keep an eye on persons of this class in future, and he mentioned his -conjecture to the Premier in order to see whether he agreed with him -or not. - -At the appointed hour the next morning, one of the royal carriages -stopped before the door of the gaol, and Madame Bruics and Nadia came -out and took their places inside. Cyril occupied the seat opposite -them, acting, as Nadia felt, more as guard than as escort. Madame -Bruics was fortunately sleepy and disinclined to talk, and they drove -on in silence until they were about to pass the palace. With a sudden -impulse Nadia bent forward and looked out of the window--to take a -last look at the place which held Caerleon. But when they came abreast -of the small private gate, she started, for beside it there stood in -the winter twilight a tall figure wrapped in a cloak. With a gasp -Nadia realised that Caerleon was there,--that a word, a sign, would -bring him to her, would end the long struggle in the way in which her -heart ached for it to end. - -“How did the beggar manage to find out when we were starting?” asked -Cyril of himself with lively disgust, for the moment was a crucial -one. He was equal to it, however. “You see him?” he whispered to -Nadia. “You will give in now, I know.” - -She turned away from him impatiently, feeling even then a mingled -shame and surprise that she could choose to wring Caerleon’s heart -rather than allow his brother to triumph over her. Her eyes met -Caerleon’s, and he stepped forward eagerly. For one moment she looked -into his face, saw its expression of earnest entreaty change to one of -disappointment, and read in it that her decision was accepted, as it -was given, in silence. She waved her hand to him as he drew back, the -carriage passed on, and he was left standing by the roadside, without -a word said. - - - - - CHAPTER XIX. - PILGRIMS PERFORCE. - -The long journey on which Nadia’s unflinching determination had -embarked her was performed alternately by road and rail until -Boloszjen was reached, but from that point it was possible to find a -train running directly to Pavelsburg. At Boloszjen Cyril parted from -the travellers, after seeing them safely into their carriage. Since -leaving Bellaviste, Nadia had not exchanged a single word with him -that was not absolutely necessary, for the hatred she had frankly -avowed to him during their interview at the gaol had not been -diminished by the taunt which had finally sealed Caerleon’s fate, but -now she put aside her dislike sufficiently to make an appeal to him on -behalf of poor old Madame Bruics, who was to return alone from the -Scythian frontier. Precluded by her deafness from receiving either -advice or warning, unless these were tendered in writing, the old lady -would be quite helpless if left to herself, and Nadia told Cyril that -it was his duty to send Wright to escort her and bring her home. Such -plain speaking was rather a bitter pill for Cyril, who was wont to -pride himself on his foresight and tactful consideration, and felt -that in this case especially he had done more than any one could have -expected of him; but he recognised the cruelty involved in sending -poor Madame Bruics upon a wild-goose chase over the railways of -Central Europe, and put the crowning touch to his self-abnegation by -depriving Caerleon of Wright’s services for some days longer. He -parted from Nadia in a polite and hostile manner--that is to say, she -did not offer to shake hands with him, and he went away marvelling at -the uncharitableness of some people. - -Wright as an escort was much more to Nadia’s taste than his master had -been, although he considered it his duty to come to the window of the -carriage at every station and inquire whether the ladies would like -some tea--for tea, in his opinion, was the only refreshment acceptable -to the feminine mind, and as such, was capable of being imbibed at all -hours and at very short intervals. When they reached the Scythian -frontier, and Nadia, to her great joy, had discovered Marie Karlovna, -a German lady belonging to her godmother’s household, waiting to meet -her, she commended Madame Bruics to Wright’s care with great -earnestness, although he viewed her solicitude as impassively as he -did the coin which she ventured to slip into his hand, and at which he -glanced immediately in order to ascertain its value. But when she had -seen Madame Bruics established in the return train, and was turning -away with Marie Karlovna, she heard footsteps behind her, and looking -round, found Wright close at hand. - -“Beg your pardon, ma’am,” he said, in a low voice and with great -embarrassment, “but don’t you go for to take on about the King. ’E -always rides straight, ’e do--not like some people as ought to know -better and doesn’t; and ’e knows ’is own mind, and as some poetry chap -says, ‘’Is ’eart is always true.’” - -For a moment after the utterance of this sentiment, the presumptuous -groom felt ready to sink into the earth under the combined weight of -his own daring and the glance which Nadia turned on him, but while he -was wondering apprehensively whether she would give him in charge on -the spot or write to Lord Cyril to complain of his conduct, the fire -died out of her eyes, and she said gently-- - -“Thank you, Wright. I know quite well that what you say of the King is -true. He is the best of men, and nothing of all that has happened is -his fault.” - -Wright touched his hat and retired, red in the face but with a clear -conscience, deciding in his honest mind that Miss O’Malachy would make -a sight better wife for ’is Majesty than that there princess would -’ave done, and that he ’oped he might one day ’ave the honour of -trainin’ a ’orse for ’er to ride. And Nadia looked after his short -sturdy figure with something like affection, not unmingled with envy, -for he loved Caerleon, and he was going back to him now. She was -leaving him farther and farther behind as she travelled on to -Pavelsburg with Marie Karlovna, who had evidently received strict -orders not to tease her with questions, for she talked exclusively of -the great conference of members of different evangelical denominations -which had recently been held in the city, and of other matters -interesting to the supporters of the Cercle Evangélique. At last the -capital was reached, and Nadia saw awaiting her on the platform a tall -stout elderly lady, carelessly dressed, with her abundant grey hair -surmounted by a ludicrously unfashionable bonnet. If these personal -characteristics had not been sufficient of themselves to identify -Princess Soudaroff, other evidence would have been furnished by the -almost adoring reverence with which she was surrounded by the minor -officials of the railway, among whom she had worked for years. But -Nadia needed no such additional help. She could scarcely wait for the -door of the carriage to be opened, but precipitated herself down the -steps and into her godmother’s arms. - -“Oh, Marraine, I have so longed to see you!” she cried. - -“Not more than I to see you, dear child,” returned the Princess, -patting Nadia’s shoulder affectionately. “You have been out into the -world since we parted. How has it used you?” - -“Oh, I have so much to tell you, to ask you,” said Nadia, with a sigh -that was almost a sob, but her godmother stilled her eagerness with a -gesture. - -“When we reach home, my child--not now. Come, we attract attention. My -good Marie, I am rejoiced to see you. You are ready? The carriage is -waiting.” - -“They have not been taking care of you while I have been away, -Marraine,” said Nadia, when she was seated in the carriage by the -Princess’s side. “You want me to choose your dresses and bonnets for -you again.” - -“Very well, my child,” smiled her godmother. “Marie Karlovna has -looked after my clothes since you went to join your parents, and she -said that it was no use getting expensive things for me, because I -always gave them away.” Marie Karlovna made a deprecating gesture of -assent, and Nadia smiled, remembering that she had seen the Princess -take a sable-lined cloak from her own shoulders and give it to a -beggar-woman. “But this bonnet,” Princess Soudaroff went on, “I chose -for myself, and I think you must like it, dear child. I saw Olga -Ivanovna, the Bible-woman, wearing one, and it pleased me so much that -I asked her to have one made for me exactly like it. And she did, and -this is the bonnet.” - -“Oh, Marraine, I shan’t rest until I have taken you out shopping, and -made you get some fresh clothes,” said Nadia, laughing; and then it -suddenly struck her what a mockery it was to come back and take up her -old duties as if she had scarcely been away a week, after the scenes -through which she had passed in the interval. The tears rose into her -eyes again, and her godmother laid a sympathising hand upon her arm. - -“Have patience, my child; you shall tell me everything as soon as we -reach home,” and Nadia dried her eyes resolutely, and tried to assume -an interest in the changes that had taken place during her absence in -the streets through which they were passing. When they arrived at the -large house of which the Princess occupied a part, she had regained -her calmness sufficiently to be able to reply with a smile and a kind -word to the greetings of the servants who crowded to welcome her, and -who formed a motley group, owing to the Princess’s fondness for taking -her friends’ failures into her household and giving them another -trial. - -“I see that the house is as full as ever,” said Nadia, as her -godmother led her up the stairs, after bestowing upon her a kiss of -welcome at the door. - -“Yes, you will find many old friends, although some have succeeded in -obtaining other situations. Ah, do you remember my maid Katinka, the -pretty girl who married the handsome young carpenter on my country -estate? He has deserted her most cruelly, poor thing! and she came to -me almost in despair. I could not take her back as maid, for I am -trying to train little Vera, a _protégée_, as you may remember my -telling you, of Countess Wratisloff’s. She was serving in a little -shop, amid very undesirable surroundings, and she was not a success as -Countess Wratisloff’s kitchen-maid, so I offered to take her. It was a -little trying at first, but she has done better lately. Of course I -cannot turn her out and give Katinka her place, so Katinka is -sempstress now, and I can scarcely find her work enough to do.” - -While she was speaking, the Princess was leading Nadia through the -rooms which had always been hers, and she now pointed out the little -changes and improvements she had made in view of the girl’s return. - -“How good you are to me, Marraine!” said Nadia, gratefully. - -“Would you have me cruel to you, my poor child? Now, come,” and she -sat down in the arm-chair--“come and tell me all about your troubles.” - -“Oh, Marraine!” cried Nadia, throwing herself on the ground and -burying her face in her godmother’s dress, “I have given up everything -because it was right to do it, and I cannot even learn to forgive!” - -“Not _even_ forgive? But that is often the hardest thing of all to do. -Tell me about it, my child,” repeated the Princess, and Nadia poured -forth the story of her first meeting with Caerleon, of his kindness to -her, and of the way in which each had learnt to love the other; then -his sudden acceptance of the kingdom, with all the changes it had -brought in its train; his repeated appeal to her to share his throne, -the intrigues by means of which Scythia had sought to gain ascendancy -over him through her, her journey to Bellaviste to warn him of the -plot against his life, and her resolute but ignominious departure. - -“I gave him up because it was right to do it, Marraine,” she said; -“and not only am I miserable myself, but I have made him miserable.” - -“Was it right?” asked the Princess, quietly. - -“Oh yes, Marraine, of course,--at least I knew it must be right -because it was so hard to do.” - -“Is that the way in which you test your duties, my child? It is a wise -plan in many cases, but sometimes dangerous--for instance, if you -begin to regard ‘difficult’ as synonymous with ‘right.’ You are told -to ‘endure hardness as a good soldier,’ but never to follow hardness -as an aim in itself. It is Christ you are to follow. What would you -think of a soldier who chose to live out in the snow rather than in -the barracks provided for him? Would he make himself a better soldier -by ruining his health and risking his life in such a way?” - -“No, but----” the idea was too novel for Nadia to grasp it at once in -its entirety. - -“And think what it is that you have been accepting as right,” the -Princess went on, with sudden passion. “You tell the man who has -assured you that he loves you alone in the world that if he desires to -please you he must marry another woman. This may be self-sacrifice, my -child, but it is certainly sin.” - -“But the kingdom--the people----” gasped Nadia, confounded. - -“Was the King to sin for the sake of his kingdom? Could you not have -parted from him for a time, if it was necessary, each assured of the -other’s love, and content to wait--all your lives, perhaps--in case a -way might possibly be opened for you? It may be that in taking your -own path you have missed the training God meant for you.” - -“But the uncertainty would have been so dreadful. Surely it was better -to end it at once,” urged Nadia. - -“Better? to you, perhaps. But what of this poor Carlino? Had you no -misgivings, my child?” - -“None at all, at first. When Carlino told me at Witska that he had -accepted the crown, I had been wondering just before whether I had -done right in urging him to take it, and while he was speaking I saw -quite suddenly what I must do. Since I had goaded him into becoming -king--I really did, Marraine; I said dreadful things to him--this was -my punishment, that the kingdom should come between him and me. There -was no question about my duty.” - -“But why punish the poor Carlino?” asked the Princess. - -“I don’t know, Marraine--because I could not do my duty without -punishing him, I suppose. I am afraid I didn’t think of that--I was so -unhappy, and yet I never doubted that I was right. And then, when Lord -Cyril came to speak to me about it, it was just the same. He seemed -not to have a doubt as to my refusing Carlino, but took it for granted -both that I ought to do it and that I should.” - -“And you felt unwilling to disappoint Lord Cyril?” said the Princess, -with a sarcasm that came oddly from her gentle lips. “Your parents, -also, would have been disappointed, no doubt, if you had become Queen -of Thracia?” - -“Oh no,” returned Nadia in surprise. “They wished it above all -things.” - -“And you felt that anything that they desired was on that account -alone to be regarded with suspicion? I know that you are inclined to -be always in opposition, my child. To us of the older generation, -dissent is a sorrowful necessity; to you young reformers it is the -breath of life. You feel happier when you have found something with -which you can disagree.” - -Nadia digested this unpalatable remark with what patience she might. -“Carlino has hinted something of the same kind to me,” she said, “but -I did not know that I was quite so bad as that.” - -“You have never doubted the wisdom of your action, then?” - -“Oh yes, often, when we were at Witska the second time. The doubts -used to torment me. And then came the offer which was brought by -Vladimir Alexandrovitch. You would not have had me accept that, -Marraine?” - -“And enslave your husband’s kingdom? God forbid, my child. But you -have received a message from Carlino himself, since that time, have -you not?” - -“Yes, but---- It was Lord Cyril again, Marraine. I forgot all my -doubts when he put things before me.” - -“Then it was only necessary for him to take it for granted again that -you would refuse his brother, and you did?” - -“Oh no, Marraine; you do not know Lord Cyril at all. This time he took -it for granted that I should give way and marry Carlino, and I could -not resist proving him a false prophet.” - -“You care much less, then, for the happiness of Carlino than for the -opinion of his brother, since you prefer to disappoint your lover -rather than hear Lord Cyril say, ‘I have prophesied it’?” - -“No, indeed, I have no respect for Lord Cyril’s opinion; but it is the -things he says--he has a power over me.” - -“You do not love Carlino sufficiently to disregard Lord Cyril’s -sneers?” - -“Marraine! I love him well enough to give him up.” - -“Yes; but you are afraid to marry him lest his brother should taunt -you if anything went wrong. If you loved him better, my child, you -would have no cause to fear Lord Cyril, for his words would have no -effect upon you.” - -“Then it is my own fault, after all?” said Nadia, hopelessly. -“Marraine, it seems to me that I am continually discovering things too -late. Now that my mother is dead, I see that we might have been much -more to one another, and now that Carlino will never approach me -again, I find that it was I myself, and not Lord Cyril, whom I have -been blaming in my mind, that kept us apart. I am always wrong. But -you will help me; you will show me what I ought to do.” - -“But I am not sure that I should be right in keeping you with me -here,” said the Princess. “You have come home at a sad time, dear -child. We Evangelicals are suspected by all the world just now, and -the spies of the Holy Synod are watching us.” - -“But suspected, Marraine? How should we be suspected, when we pray -always for the Emperor and for Scythia, and counsel patient submission -even to unjust laws?” - -“Alas, my child! why did the wolf suspect the lamb? Marie Karlovna -will have told you of our late conference, and of the blessing and -support which resulted from it to many among the brethren. But such a -gathering from all parts of the empire attracted the notice of the -police, and they made a raid on the hotel in which some of the -brethren, who could not all be accommodated in the houses of the -faithful here, were staying. Strange to say, there was a band of -Oudenist conspirators lodging in the same house, and on being apprised -of the approach of the police they fled, leaving a secret -printing-press and a quantity of seditious literature concealed in one -of our friends’ rooms. Happily, our brothers were able, after some -weeks’ imprisonment, to convince the tribunal of their innocence, but -M. Tourquemadischeff and the Holy Synod considered that the object for -which they had come together was scarcely to be preferred to Oudenism. -All the churches which had taken part in the conference were censured, -and ordered to keep their members at home for the future, and all our -free evangelistic services are forbidden. We are daily expecting to -hear that Anton Gregorievitch is exiled.” - -“Oh, Marraine, Count Wratisloff! But what has he done, and what shall -we do without him?” - -“‘God removes His labourers, and continues His work,’” quoted the -Princess. “The pillar of our faith and our work is the living God, not -Anton Gregorievitch. You ask what he has done. He has denounced wars -of aggression and religious persecutions, he has prayed in public that -the Emperor might be granted judicious advisers, and he has devoted -his fortune to helping the poor and needy.” - -“But what is he doing now?” asked Nadia. “How does he endure the -suspense?” - -“He goes on with his work, one day at a time. The great evangelistic -services held at his house have come to an end, but his -Bible-readings, his visiting of the sick, both at their homes and in -the hospitals, his efforts to raise the condition of the peasantry, he -will not cease.” - -“Nor have you ceased yours, Marraine, I am sure.” - -“Ah, we women are not in such imminent danger, my child. But still, I -do not like to involve you in any risk. Would you care to go and stay -in the South with my sister? or I have friends in England who would be -delighted to receive you?” - -“Are you suggesting that I should leave you? Never, Marraine! Let me -stay and help you as much as I can. I am not good enough for the -Bible-readings and the visiting of the hospitals, but I can be some -use to you with your accounts, and the soup-kitchen, and the -sewing-class.” - -“You shall, my child; and God grant that you may be blessed and be a -blessing in your life here.” - -The very next day Nadia slipped into her old place in the household, -and began her chosen work, much to the relief of the Princess, who -had, as she was wont to lament, no head for accounts, and found it -very pleasant to be released from the consideration of the innumerable -business details connected with all her charitable institutions. To -the girl herself, also, it was a delight to be able to plunge into -work once more, and she was glad to be kept busy almost all day long, -getting in supplies for the girls’ boarding-house, checking the sales -at the Bible-depot, and arranging for the despatch of necessary stores -to the hospital on her godmother’s country estate. But wherever she -went, she was always conscious of the presence and scrutiny of various -watchful, ostentatiously quiet-looking men, who were invariably to be -seen lounging in the neighbourhood of the different institutions. The -Princess’s warning had given her the clue to their appearance there. -They were the spies of M. Tourquemadischeff, the Procurator of the -Holy Synod. - -Things went on quietly, however, until the evening of the second -Sunday after her arrival in Pavelsburg, when Nadia accompanied her -godmother and several other members of the household to Count -Wratisloff’s house for a Bible-reading. There were only about twenty -persons present, for although many more would have been glad to -attend, the number of the invitations had been restricted, in order to -give the police no pretext for interference. The Count had been one of -Nadia’s heroes for years, and she embraced eagerly the opportunity of -hearing him once again, for what might, as she now learned, be the -last time. The address partook of the character of a farewell, and the -speaker prefaced it by remarking that it had been intimated to him by -a high authority that he might remain in Scythia unmolested if he -would consent to discontinue his evangelistic work, but that if he -persisted in carrying it on, however quietly, his exile would follow. -The holding of this meeting was his answer to the offer, and he seized -the occasion to make a last solemn appeal to those who heard him. -Their leaders might be exiled, he said, their assemblies prohibited, -but their faith did not depend on either the one or the other. Lands -and wealth might be taken from them, but they could live, as some of -their brethren already did from choice, like the poor, and share with -them what they gained by the labour of their hands. They might be -deported to distant parts of the empire, might be sent even to -Hyperborea, the dismal region of almost perpetual night; but, if so, -it was because there was work for them to do there, even though it -were only the exhibition of a contented spirit under hardships, and -God could make even Hyperborean darkness to be light. Let them feel -assured that for every earthly good of which they were deprived, there -was a greater blessing waiting to reach them, which could not do so -unless the way were prepared for it by the removal of the worldly -delight. Was there, then, any reason for condemning the rulers of the -empire, or even the authorities of the Church which they had quitted -with so much sorrow and reluctance, but which branded them as -heretics? None; they were only instruments in the hand of God, and -could do nothing without Him. And, therefore, no resentment must be -felt towards them, for all that happened would prove to be for the -best. And even when the cloud was darkest, and no silver lining was -visible, were the sufferers never themselves to blame? Had they never -injured any one without offering redress, never refused haughtily a -proffered reconciliation, never alienated by their unsympathetic -demeanour those who would fain have been friendly? If they had, and -there were few who could say they had not, let them bear their -punishment meekly, accepting it as less than they deserved, and asking -that even out of the sad consequences of their own faults and failings -good might arise to the people of God. - -The coincidence between the burden of Count Wratisloff’s address and -the words which had fallen from the Princess on the night of her -arrival struck Nadia forcibly, in spite of the difference in the -circumstances to which they applied, but the similarity did not -altogether please her. It was hard to acknowledge to herself that her -heroic conduct in refusing Caerleon had been wrong from the outset and -based upon a mistake, harder still to confess that Cyril would have -been powerless for harm if she had not given him a hold upon her by -being willing to accept his arguments as true ones. She was silent -enough during the farewells and the drive home, but when they had -arrived at the Princess’s house she hesitated to face the solitude of -her own room, and lingered with Marie Karlovna, echoing her voluble -lamentations over the approaching loss of Count Wratisloff. Leaving -her at last, and passing along the passage, she heard sobs proceeding -from a room on her left, and looking in, found the sempstress Katinka -crying as though her heart would break. - -“What is the matter, Katinka? Can I do anything for you?” she asked, -gently. - -“No, thank you, Nadia Mikhailovna,” sobbed the girl. “No one can help -me, for the trouble is in myself. I have an enemy whom I cannot -forgive.” - -Nadia started, surprised to find a story so like her own. “Tell me -about it,” she said, sitting down beside Katinka. - -“It is Anna, my husband’s sister,” responded the maid, brokenly. “I -was so happy with my Yegor, he was so kind to me; and Pauline -Vassilievna had promised to have a cottage built for us close to her -own country-house, so that I might be near her still. But Anna always -hated me, because I came from the town, and she was jealous because -Yegor was so fond of me, and because of the new house. She never -showed her enmity to me--if she had I could have guarded against -it--but she made up lies about me, and told them to Yegor. He was -passionate, and I was proud. I told him that if he could listen to -such things about me it was enough to show that he did not love me in -the least. He told me to deny them, and I would not. He went to her -for advice, and she told him even worse tales, and then he left me -without another word, and I have never seen him since. And now Anton -Gregorievitch says that I must forgive Anna, though she has ruined my -home and taken away my husband and spoilt my whole life. And I cannot -do it.” - -“I am like you, Katinka,” said Nadia. “I also have an enemy whom I -cannot forgive. He spoils even my prayers.” - -“But you are a great lady, Nadia Mikhailovna,” said Katinka, in -surprise. “Who can have injured you?” - -“He could not have injured me if I had not allowed him--helped him to -do it,” said Nadia. “That is why I can’t forgive him, Katinka.” - -“But that is like me,” said Katinka. “If I had not been too proud to -explain, Yegor would have believed me at once, I am sure. Have we both -helped our enemies by doing wrong ourselves?” - -“I believe we have,” said Nadia, and both girls sat silent for a -while, Nadia in her velvet and furs beside the sempstress in her -peasant dress. At last Katinka looked up. - -“I have been thinking,” she said. “After all, Anna was fond of Yegor; -she had brought him up, and kept house for him until we were married. -Perhaps I was not as kind to her as I might have been, and a great -deal of the trouble was my own fault--and I want to be forgiven -myself, Nadia Mikhailovna----” - -“And so do I,” said Nadia, softly. - -“Somehow,” said Katinka, “looking at it in this way, I seem to have -been worse than I thought, and Anna not so bad. It is not so hard to -forgive--I will, I can forgive her.” - -“I will forgive him; I do,” said Nadia. - - - -“Marraine,” said Nadia the next morning, “I know why you took me to -Count Wratisloff’s last night.” - -“I hoped you might hear something to help you, my child,” the Princess -answered. “Is your difficulty gone?” - -“If I saw Lord Cyril now,” said Nadia, slowly, little thinking that it -would not be long before she had an opportunity of proving the truth -of her words, “ill or in any trouble, I should feel so sorry for him -that I would nurse him, or do anything I could to help him. And -yesterday I am afraid I should have been glad.” - -“And you are happier now, my child?” - -“So happy, Marraine, that I want you to find me some other work to -do,--a class of little girls, perhaps, to teach. I don’t want to keep -my happiness to myself. I can never feel really hopeless or miserable -again.” - -“Take care, dear child,” said the Princess; then, her thoughts -reverting to the Scythian translation of the ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’ -which she was reading, she went on, “Christian’s path to the Celestial -City was not all smooth, even after he had lost his burden. There was -the Hill Difficulty, and the fight with Apollyon, and Vanity Fair, and -Doubting Castle. And there is always oneself to fight against.” - -Although Nadia, in her eagerness, was scarcely willing to listen to a -forecast that seemed to her so gloomy, there came very soon to the -Cercle Evangélique a loss such as that which parted Christian from -Faithful. The first intimation of it reached Princess Soudaroff’s -household on the Thursday morning, when, as the ladies were at -breakfast, they heard a voice inquiring for Pauline Vassilievna, and -shortly afterwards the servant announced Vladimir Alexandrovitch, and -ushered in Prince Soudaroff. - -“Pray don’t let me disturb you, ladies,” he said to Nadia and Marie -Karlovna, who had risen at his entrance, after a general greeting. “My -business is not private. I come merely to bring my sister-in-law a -piece of news. Anton Gregorievitch is exiled.” - -“Hyperborea?” gasped the three ladies at once. - -“No, merely exiled from the empire. I suppose this will make a good -deal of difference to you?” - -“If God means His work to go on, He will supply the labourers,” said -the Princess. - -“But will it make no change in your plans?” - -“I think not. Why should it?” The Princess was on good terms with her -brother-in-law, although they differed in their religious views. Some -years before, when her own family, fearing that she would bestow the -whole of her property in charity, had applied that it should be placed -under legal guardianship, he had been appointed her trustee, and had -dealt out her money to her ever since faithfully, if with a good deal -of mockery. Hence she was grateful to him for continuing to supply her -with an unfailing store of cash for distribution to those in need, -whereas if left to her own guardianship she would have deprived -herself in a single year of all power to give. - -“Oh, there is no reason whatever,” he answered lightly. “I am afraid -that this will not be the last of the banishments, that is all. But we -all know that ladies will have their way, though empires fall. I only -wish you good people could manage to keep out of the clutches of the -Holy Synod. You ought to know by this time that we are determined to -drive out all our most industrious subjects because they are Jews, and -exile all our best because they are heretics. We mean to be orthodox -if we can’t be either prosperous or pious. Adieu, my sister.” - -He was gone, and the three ladies gathered round the table again to -discuss the situation. - -“We shall be obliged to make new arrangements for some of the work -to-morrow,” said the Princess. “I fear that we cannot carry on all -Count and Countess Wratisloff’s classes to-day, but we will not let -them drop if we can help it. I will do my best to prepare an address -for the Count’s navvy Bible-class this evening. The police will have -prevented him from finding any one to take his place. Then there is -the Countess’s Bible-reading at the house of blind Dmitri -Nicolaievitch. We must think of some one for that.” - -“I will try, if you like, Marraine,” said Nadia, timidly. “If I find -that I am too nervous, blind Dmitri will read, I know, and at any rate -I can tell the people what has happened to Anton Gregorievitch.” - -“Very well, my child. The carriage shall take you on after leaving me -at the Mission-room, and I will call for you afterwards.” - -In pursuance of this arrangement, Nadia found herself that evening a -member of the little gathering of poor people who met in the blind -man’s room to hear the Bible read and explained by Countess -Wratisloff, and of whom the host was the only one that could read. -None of them had heard of the fate which had befallen the Count and -Countess, and several burst into loud lamentations when Nadia told her -story. But above the tumult the voice of blind Dmitri was heard. - -“Let us lay before God the case of our father, who has been taken from -us, brothers, and of the work which he must leave undone.” - -They knelt down, and Dmitri prayed long and earnestly. Before he had -come to the end of his prayer, the cottage door opened. The blind man -heard the sound, but took no notice, thinking that one of the members -of the class had come in late; but Nadia, glancing up involuntarily, -saw the glint of uniform-buttons in the lamplight. She recognised the -state of affairs at once. M. Tourquemadischeff had sent a body of -police to break up the meeting. That they remained silent so long was -due to the unconsciousness of the blind man, who continued his prayer -without perceiving their presence. The moment that he had finished, an -officer stepped forward and arrested Nadia in the Emperor’s name. -Another was taking down the names and addresses of those who were -present, and their men were searching the cottage for forbidden books, -one carrying off the huge volumes of the Bible in Moon’s type which -Princess Soudaroff had provided for Dmitri. This done, her captors -ordered Nadia to accompany them; and she obeyed as though in a dream, -while the poor people pressed round her weeping, and trying to kiss -her hands or the hem of her dress. Outside the cottage was waiting a -covered sledge which she was desired to enter, the two officials -following. After a drive which lasted for some time the sledge -stopped, and she was conducted into a small stuffy room, in which two -officers were sitting writing. They looked up with some surprise on -seeing her, but proceeded to ask her name, age, abode, religious -views, and also what she was doing in Dmitri’s house. They made no -attempt to entrap her into any admissions, for it was evident that -this was a strictly preliminary inquiry; but when it was over she -found herself relegated to a bare stone cell for the night. This hard -reality brought home to her the nature of her position. The way she -was treading led to Caucasia or Hyperborea, to separation from -friends, to association with the vilest criminals, the stigma of a -felon. But in her exalted state of mind the thought did not trouble -her, and she preferred to dwell on the remembrance of Dmitri’s prayer. -“I will trust and not be afraid,” were the words with which he had -concluded; and with these on her lips she lay down upon the rough -bench without undressing and fell asleep. - -“Nadia, my dear child!” were the words that awakened her in the -morning. “Forgive me. I was warned yesterday afternoon that a raid was -intended, but I thought it would be the navvies’ class which they -would attack, and I never dreamt of their arresting you. My child, I -have been driving about all night from police-station to -police-station, and from Minister to Minister, first to find you and -then to release you. I went first of all to Vladimir Alexandrovitch, -and he accompanied me everywhere. He said that it would never do to -allow you to be sent to Hyperborea, for we should have King Carlino -invading Scythia with an Anglo-Thracian army to release you. Of course -that was only his jest; but we left no stone unturned to set you free. -I threatened to force my way into the Emperor’s presence, and lay the -matter before him; I threatened to put it into the hands of the -British Embassy--although I really don’t know whether you are a -British subject or not--Vladimir Alexandrovitch says that you -certainly are not; I threatened to stir up English public opinion -through the Evangelical Alliance. At last I succeeded in obtaining an -order for your release, and for myself--this.” - -Nadia took the paper she held out. It was an official permission for -Pauline Vassilievna Soudarova to travel outside the Scythian -dominions, until the Emperor should revoke the leave thus granted. - -“Oh, Marraine!” cried Nadia, sadly, “and this is all through me. -Exile!” - -“Oh no, dear child. It is merely permissive, you see. Now, what shall -we do? Shall we accept the permission, and place Dr Schmidt and Marie -Karlovna in charge of all our work, leaving the house as it is, and -directing operations by letter? Or shall we disregard it, and wait -until we are arrested, and conducted to the frontier by the police, -while the institutions are all closed, and our poor people sent to -Caucasia? I want your opinion.” - -“I don’t like beating a retreat, Marraine,” said Nadia, frankly, “but -if we can ensure the continuance of the work better by leaving at -once, perhaps we ought to go.” - -“That was just what I thought,” said the Princess. “Now, my child, I -have a scheme. I wish to follow in the footsteps of St Paul.” - -“A pilgrimage, Marraine?” asked Nadia. - -“Not quite. A friend of mine has a yacht, which is lying at Cadiz, and -which he is anxious to let for the winter, and I am thinking of hiring -it. I have visited the Holy Land already, but I should like to see -Malta and Asia Minor and the Ægean. It would be most interesting; -and, from the Bosphorus, one might even visit the Black Sea, and -perhaps meet some--some old friends. I have a strong conviction that -we are not driven out of Scythia in this way for nothing--without some -good purpose.” - -“Yes, Marraine,” said Nadia, sedately, as the Princess ended her -sentence rather hastily; but in her heart she knew that her godmother -was anxious to see whether there was no possibility of bringing her -and Caerleon together again. Her heart leaped at the thought, but -calmer considerations succeeded to the momentary ecstasy. Was it -likely that Caerleon would be willing to put his fate again to the -touch after two refusals? It was scarcely probable. - - - - - CHAPTER XX. - TAKEN BY SURPRISE. - -At the Thracian capital preparations were now being made a second -time for the King’s coronation. The outer walls of the chapel of St -Peter had risen from their ashes in the courtyard of the palace, and -the decoration of the interior was almost complete; while the crown -and other regalia had been subjected to a process of renovation, and -were ready for service, though somewhat shorn of their original -splendour. Many circumstances seemed to combine to enable the ceremony -to take place under the happiest auspices. Cyril had been duly -presented to the Legislative Assembly as Caerleon’s heir after the -visit to Tatarjé, and the announcement was received with acclamation. -An income was voted him from the public funds, and the title of -Prince, already conferred informally by the people, granted him by a -royal proclamation. Even M. Drakovics was content that the succession -to the throne should thus be secured, for recent events had convinced -him effectually that the King’s marrying was out of the question. The -first steps had been taken towards putting into operation the new -liquor laws; and, although there had been a good deal of discontent in -the capital, in the country the people had grumbled and submitted. -Most important of all, the Roumi Government had at length given way -before the representations of Pannonia and her allies, and had agreed -to recognise Caerleon’s election as king, safeguarding the suzerain -rights of the Grand Signior by the stipulation that he should nominate -a special commissioner to attend the coronation and invest the new -ruler with a portion of his insignia. - -“We are getting on swimmingly,” said Cyril, dropping into the -Premier’s office late in the afternoon, three or four days before the -date fixed for the ceremony. “One almost wishes that things wouldn’t -all go quite so smoothly. It makes one think of chucking one’s watch -into the river, or making some other sacrifice of that sort to avert -misfortune, like the ancients, you know. I believe my brain would give -way under the pressure if it went on much longer. When Caerleon is -safely crowned and off my hands I shall breathe freely.” - -“I have reason to believe,” said M. Drakovics, “that the pro-Scythian -party are planning to strike some blow during the coronation -proceedings. All the indications seem to point to that, although we -have been unable to discover what course they intend to take. They -would scarcely try to burn the chapel a second time, but they might -use dynamite, or attempt to get up a military _coup d’état_.” - -“And we must provide against those possibilities by rigorously -excluding strangers from the ceremony, and associating the Carlino -regiment with the city troops as guards,” said Cyril. “Well, we have -three days left for making preparations. I’m glad I just looked in. I -thought you would probably have something to say to me.” - -“What is the King doing this afternoon?” asked M. Drakovics. - -“Holding his review for the benefit of Prince Otto Georg, of course, -with General Sertchaieff in attendance. When one has a foreign Prince -to entertain, and a little army doing nothing, one may as well trot -out one to amuse the other. By the bye, I believe that I have a -crumpled rose-leaf in the fact that we can’t get away from the -Schwarzwald-Molzaus. One meets them all over Europe, and the meeting -is neither unexpected nor a pleasure.” - -It may be noted, as sadly characteristic of the littleness of human -nature, that neither Caerleon nor Cyril could find a good word to say -of the Princess of Dardania. One had been deceived by her, the other -had helped her to deceive him, but they made common cause against her. - -“You would not think, looking at Prince Otto Georg now, that at the -time of the Franco-Prussian war his name was in every one’s mouth, -would you?” said M. Drakovics. “He was a dashing young cavalry -officer--very young--and I remember distinctly the incident which -brought him into special notice. Our friend General Sertchaieff was, I -believe, at the German headquarters at the time, and it was he who, -when we were first compelled to seek a king, suggested, from his -recollection of the matter, that the crown should be offered to Prince -Otto Georg. The Prince was carrying despatches--for Moltke, I -think--and was taken prisoner by a small body of French cavalry. He -managed to destroy the despatches, but he had been made acquainted -with the contents, and this his captors guessed. They were too far -from their headquarters to take him there that night, and therefore -they halted in a stable, put their prisoner in the empty loft and took -away the ladder, and sat down round a fire underneath. They must have -got hold of some wine--at any rate, they went to sleep one by one, and -the fire burned low. Prince Otto Georg watched his opportunity, and -let himself drop from the entrance to the loft. He fell among the -embers of the fire, and burnt his hands badly, but he crept past the -Frenchmen to the spot where their horses were tied, unfastened them -all, and led them across the grass until they were out of hearing. -Then he mounted one, driving the rest before him for a short distance, -after which he turned them loose and rode for his life, reaching his -destination safely and delivering his message.” - -“You are quite right in saying that no one would imagine it who looked -at him now,” said Cyril, as M. Drakovics rose to escort him to the -door. “By the bye, you have rather a good view of the river from this -window. What steamer is that flying Pannonian colours?” - -“A Scythian trader, I fancy,” returned the Premier. “A good many of -them hoist the Pannonian flag while they are here. It prevents -unpleasantness, and we don’t ask too many questions, knowing that we -can gain nothing but benefit from their coming, even though it is -under the rose. A thriving trade with Scythia would in itself be -almost a guarantee of peace. This particular ship has just unloaded -her cargo, and leaves to-morrow.” - -“Brought wheat, I suppose?” - -“No; machinery for use in the arsenal. Sertchaieff has had two clerks -on the wharf for three days checking all the cases as they were -unloaded. When everything is in working order we shall be far more -independent of other nations than any of our neighbours. This is -another piece of good news for your Highness to convey to his -Majesty.” - -“Yes, I think that on the whole Caerleon has about as pleasant a berth -as he could wish,” responded Cyril as he went out. - -It is generally recognised that our good fortune is always much more -clearly visible to others than to ourselves, and the fact that -Caerleon himself was totally unconvinced of the advantages of his -position need not, therefore, excite any astonishment. If Cyril had -thought fit to broach in his brother’s presence his theory of the -expedience of making some sacrifice to fortune in order to avert the -perils arising from unbroken prosperity, Caerleon would have reminded -him bitterly that his separation from Nadia was quite effectual in -preventing him, at any rate, from growing intoxicated with success. -His face was gloomy enough at the present moment as he rode up to the -palace with his royal guest after the review, General Sertchaieff and -a group of officers following them at some little distance. It was a -wretched wintry afternoon, and only a German prince would have -appreciated the compliment paid him in holding a review in his honour -on such a day; but the courteous gentleman who rode beside the -taciturn King was overflowing with contentment and good humour. Prince -Otto Georg of Schwarzwald-Molzau was a gay young man of forty-five or -so, a younger son of the reigning Grand-Duke, and said by his -detractors to live on the reputation he had gained in the -Franco-Prussian war, and on anticipations of a _guerre de revanche_. -This was unkind, although it is undeniable that of late years he had -been much better known in Paris or at Monte Carlo than on the -parade-ground or the manœuvre-field; but there was a certain amount -of truth in the accusation, for he was one of the men who are content -to vegetate indefinitely unless aroused by some great stimulus. He had -come to Bellaviste to represent his father at the coronation of -Caerleon, ostensibly as a kind of _amende honorable_ for Princess -Ottilie’s heartless conduct; but as he was the brother of the Empress -of Pannonia, it was generally believed that political considerations -were not wholly unconnected with his visit. It was not, however, of -politics that he was speaking as he rode up the street at the side of -his host. - -“You have the material for a fine army here,” he said; “but you want -drill, drill, organisation, organisation. Your men are too much -inclined to be independent, to act individually or in small bodies, -without waiting for orders. Here we are in Europe--we do not, as in -semi-savage warfare, need scouts, men of initiative. The ideal -European army is absolutely a machine, without any thought or volition -of its own, merely what is communicated to it by its head. If the -different items forming that army once begin to try and think for -themselves, whether in seeking cover or in making an advance, all is -lost. Their only concern is to obey orders, and their commander’s -business is to obtain the victory. It is even more humane for the -leader to be untrammelled, when he is once in action, by -considerations as to the lives of his men, and so on, for he has -planned his movements with the view of attaining a certain end with -the minimum of loss, and they must be carried out exactly if he is to -win. The better an army, the more completely is its will merged in -that of its leader--that is to say, the more thoroughly is it drilled -into a machine. Your men are more like Cossacks, or irregular levies, -at any rate, than thoroughly trained soldiers. It is easy to see that -your army has been drilled by Scythians, not by Germans.” - -“You will hurt General Sertchaieff’s feelings severely if you tell him -that,” said Caerleon, glancing back at the War Minister. “I believe we -flatter ourselves that we are in a very high state of military -efficiency.” - -Prince Otto Georg laughed silently. “Your _corps d’élite_ amuses me,” -he said; “your city guard, I mean, and that portion of it especially -which you call the palace guard. The uniforms of these gentlemen are -so magnificent, and their drill is so lamentable--to a German eye, at -least. They are beautiful to behold, but a much smaller number of good -soldiers, or even of your Carlinos, would scatter them with the -greatest ease. By the bye, is it true that you discovered a Scythian -plot among the palace guard which led to the degradation of an -officer?” - -“Not exactly,” said Caerleon, “although we seem to have been -victimised very ingeniously by the officer you mean. He presented -himself here as having thrown up a post in the Scythian army for the -purpose of joining us, and we gave him a commission. About a month ago -we were warned of a plot, which contemplated murdering me, among other -laudable objects, and to our surprise, for we had not heard anything -to connect him with it, this man disappeared promptly. We have never -succeeded in catching him, and all we could do was to outlaw him and -strike his name off the roll with ignominy.” - -“You leave too much power and responsibility in the hands of these -guards of yours,” said Prince Otto Georg, abruptly. “They will grow to -think themselves supreme in the State.” - -“We are doing our best to reduce their privileges gradually,” replied -Caerleon. “They have behaved extremely well so far, on the whole, and -we have no excuse for heroic measures.” - -“Nevertheless, you would find such a measure your best policy, if I -may venture to advise you,” said the Prince. “I could almost envy you -the task of bringing your army into shape. It might turn out little -less exciting than actual war.” - -“Perhaps you would like the privilege of doing it?” suggested -Caerleon. “But I forgot, you have declined it already. If you have no -objection to telling me, I should very much like to hear why you -refused the Thracian crown when it was offered you?” - -“To tell the truth,” replied the Prince, confidentially, “it was -because I thought that I should find Thracia dull. Drakovics imagined -that I was afraid to accept the offer, and I was afraid--that I should -be bored. You see, it was not likely that my election would excite the -opposition yours has done, for I had the Schwarzwald-Molzau influence -behind me from the first. But under present circumstances, I must own, -the position looks more hopeful. You have the army to reform, and also -Drakovics to conquer. I see you are beginning to teach him that the -State is not Drakovics, but he has not fully learnt the lesson even -yet. Yes, I think that, on the whole, the situation is distinctly -interesting.” - -“I am glad that it strikes you in that light,” said Caerleon. “I -suppose I am not up to the work.” - -“What! you are not thinking of abdicating?” asked the Prince, in -dismay. - -“Abdicating? No! Now that I’m here I’ll stick to the place. The -kingdom has cost me enough already, but I’ll stay on until I’m driven -out, and try the temperance experiment properly, in spite of -obstructionists and rioters.” - -“You take things too seriously, my dear fellow,” said the older man -compassionately. “Look at me. I live quietly, I am not devoted to -philanthropy, or any other form of excitement. I recognise that these -are days for management, not for despotism. If a wave of excitement of -any kind should arise, it might carry me with it, though not by my own -choice. Similarly, I might find it necessary, were I in your position, -to issue a decree, and enforce its fulfilment, but I should much -prefer to flatter the people into originating it themselves. But you -young men must always plunge into things so madly. You will have -prompt obedience, unreasoning submission instantly. You have not -learned to take things easily.” - -“I am afraid I have an invincible prejudice in favour of wearing out -rather than rusting out,” said Caerleon; “and I think,” he added, with -a quiet smile, “that your own early history would be on my side, -Prince, if I called it as a witness against you.” - -Prince Otto Georg smiled, much gratified by the compliment, and the -atmosphere at the palace that evening was extremely agreeable. A State -banquet had been held the night before in honour of the guest, but -to-day, at Prince Otto’s special request, General Sertchaieff had been -invited to join the royal party informally, since he wished to have -some conversation with him on the subject of the Franco-Prussian war. -The War Minister was highly flattered by this mark of favour, and he -exchanged reminiscences at great length with the Prince, which he was -well qualified to do, having gone through the war attached, as a great -favour, to the staff of one of the German princes. After such an -opening, it was not remarkable that the tone of the conversation -continued to be extremely warlike, and became even undesirably -technical in character, to the unmilitary auditor, when it turned on -modern weapons and projectiles. This was in the smoking-room after -dinner, and although Caerleon was quite content to allow the two -visitors to discuss velocities and electric-firing apparatus together, -Cyril objected to being left out in the cold, and after several -valiant attempts succeeded at last in bringing the talk round to the -comparatively simple theme of the use of the revolver in warfare. The -two experts rose to the bait, and displayed as much enthusiasm with -regard to the mechanism and weight of various types of revolvers as to -those of the machine-gun, and Cyril, who flattered himself that he -knew something about revolvers, was able to take part in the -conversation. - -“I wish I could show you what I mean,” he said at last, after an -animated discussion of various knotty points, “but we can’t try -pistol-practice in this room, for fear of breaking something.” They -were not in the sacred “den” which Caerleon had established in an -out-of-the-way upper room, but in what might be called the State -smoking-room, which had been furnished in gorgeous Moorish style by -the late king. “Caerleon has a revolver of the kind I was describing, -and I believe it’s out and out the best.” - -“Let us send for it, if the Prince would like to see it,” said -Caerleon. - -“I’ll get it,” said Cyril, “if you’ll give me your keys. I’ll get mine -too. It’s a newer make, but I’m sure it’s not so good.” - -He returned in a few minutes with both weapons, and explained their -action to the guests, General Sertchaieff showing special interest in -the subject, and examining the mechanism over and over again. Indeed, -it appeared almost that he had looked at it too long for his peace of -mind, for just before taking his leave, after arranging that the -Prince should visit the arsenal in a day or two with Caerleon, in -order to inspect the new machinery, which would then be unpacked, he -might have been observed to slip Cyril’s revolver into his own pocket, -and take it away with him. Cyril did not happen to remember to look -for it when he went to bed, and the loss was therefore not discovered. -Prince Otto Georg was duly escorted to the rooms he occupied in the -front of the palace, Caerleon and Cyril betook themselves to theirs in -the southern wing, and silence settled down upon the building. - -Cyril had been asleep for some time when he was awakened by a low, -hurried tapping at his door. Sitting up in bed, he called to the -intruder to come in, wondering sleepily why the sentry in the passage -could not keep people from knocking him up in the middle of the night. -To his astonishment it was Wright who entered, closing the door -carefully behind him, and striking a match on his clothes as he -advanced. - -“How dare you come here like this, Wright?” demanded Cyril, angrily. -“You must be drunk.” Wright took no notice of the accusation, but lit -a candle, and placed it in such a position that the mirror came -between it and the window. - -“No, my lord,” arresting Cyril’s hand as he was about to turn on the -electric light, “don’t show no more light, if you vally your life. -I’ve been down at the stables, my lord, lookin’ to ’is Majesty’s -charger, as was ’urt to-day by the General’s ’orse knockin’ up agin -’im, and when I come back to the ’ouse, I see as things ain’t right. -Do your lordship know as there ain’t a single sentry anywheres about? -I come all the way up ’ere without meetin’ one, nor a servant neither, -right from the door I come in at.” - -“Good gracious!” cried Cyril, “there must be something wrong. Can the -guards have deserted in a lump?” - -“Well, my lord,” said Wright, “they may be all a-sleepin’ quiet in -their beds, or they mayn’t.” - -“We must go down and rout them out,” said Cyril, getting out of bed. -“You go in by this door, Wright, and wake the King, while I get some -clothes on.” - -Almost the first thought that now occurred to Cyril’s mind was the -recollection of his revolver, but when he looked for it in vain in its -accustomed place, he remembered that he must have left it down-stairs. - -“I must go and hunt it up,” he said to himself, as he hurried into his -clothes. “Caerleon has got his, at any rate. I remember now that he -was carrying it.” - -But while the words were in his mouth, Caerleon came in hastily in his -shirt-sleeves, with his revolver in his hand. - -“Who has been tampering with this, Cyril?” he asked, sharply. “Some -one has given it a wrench, and the trigger won’t work.” - -“There’s something fishy about all these mysterious occurrences,” said -Cyril. “Does it strike you that our guns are at the other end of the -house, and that we have no other weapons here?” - -“If you ask me, my lords,” said Wright, impressively, “I think there’s -foul play.” - -“Stuff!” said Caerleon. “Don’t croak until you’re told, Wright. If we -can’t find any weapons, we must get hold of something that will do -instead--not that I think there’s any danger, but it’s as well to be -on the safe side.” - -“Of course,” said Cyril, “the guards _may_ have all struck work at -once, and be enjoying sweet repose in their quarters, but the -coincidence about the revolvers is suspicious.” - -“I have it!” cried Caerleon. “There are our dress-swords, which will -be better than nothing. Put on a coat or something, Cyril, while I get -them out, and don’t stand there shivering.” - -He went back to his room, and returned with his own sword, while -Wright unearthed Cyril’s; and armed with these elaborate if not -particularly dependable instruments of warfare, they prepared to start -on their voyage of discovery. - -“Haven’t you got a weapon of any sort, Wright?” asked Caerleon of the -groom. - -“Buckle, your Majesty,” returned Wright, unfastening the strap round -his waist. “’E ain’t bad at a pinch.” - -Thus unsatisfactorily accoutred, they set out along the corridor. The -electric light was burning brightly, but, as Wright had said, there -was not a human being to be seen. It felt almost uncanny to be -marching noiselessly over the thick carpets, in the blaze of light, -without hearing a sound or uttering a word, and Cyril and Wright -caught themselves glancing apprehensively at the open doors of dark -rooms and at the heavy folds of _portières_. As for Caerleon, he was -far too much incensed against the guards on account of what he -conceived to be their dereliction of duty to have any thought of -supernatural terrors, or even of the more palpable danger of a -possible enemy lurking to intercept him. His intention was to go -straight to the guard-room and give the guards a thorough fright, -which would teach them not to confide too trustfully in their -sovereign’s drowsiness on another occasion. The head of the great -staircase was reached without encountering any further suspicious -circumstances; but Wright, looking out into the courtyard from a -window, pointed out to Cyril in a whisper that there were no lights -visible there. They began to descend the stairs, and as they did so, -there was a sound of footsteps in the hall beneath, and several men -appeared from the direction of the entrance. Both parties caught sight -of each other at the same moment, and halted suddenly, Caerleon, -Cyril, and Wright half-way between the head of the stair and the -landing in the middle, the others on the lowest step. They were -General Sertchaieff, Louis O’Malachy, and half-a-dozen stalwart -troopers of the palace guard. For a moment astonishment kept every one -silent, then Caerleon recovered himself. - -“May I ask the meaning of this, General? What brings you to the palace -at this hour, in the company of a man who is a traitor and a spy?” - -“Milord Caerleon,” returned the War Minister, “I am deputed by the -National Convention to inform you that Thracia has returned to her -true allegiance. The city is in the hands of the patriotic supporters -of the exiled King, and you might well expect that no mercy would be -shown you. Our gracious monarch, however, abhors bloodshed, even in -the case of an adventurer whose usurpation began in fraud, and has -been maintained by means of force and treachery, and it has been -decided, in accordance with his expressed wish, to spare your life on -condition of your abdicating and leaving the country instantly.” - -“And you are the person to bring me this message?” said Caerleon. “I -hope I am to understand that you have been compelled to do so by -force?” - -“Milord,” said General Sertchaieff, “your question touches my honour. -I am acting of my own free will as the agent of my rightful sovereign, -King Peter II.” - -“X.!” cried Cyril. “What fools we have been!” But the veins on -Caerleon’s forehead were swelling, and there was a dangerous glitter -in his eye. - -“Then you are a perjured traitor,” was his answer to General -Sertchaieff. “As for abdicating, I’ll do nothing of the sort, and I’ll -leave the country just as soon as you can get me out of it, and not -before.” - -“Come on, you bloomin’ cowards!” yelled Wright, the joy of battle -carrying him away. “We ain’t afraid of yer! Eight men don’t dare fight -three. Yah!” - -The long-drawn contempt infused into the last monosyllable appeared to -stimulate the courage of the attacking party, and they made a rush up -the steps and threw themselves upon the defenders, who were much -embarrassed by the extent of their position, for the staircase was a -very wide one. Cyril singled out General Sertchaieff as his opponent, -and if any one had found time to watch them, a very pretty display of -swordsmanship might have been seen. Louis O’Malachy had not mounted -the stairs with the rest of his party, but had disappeared, apparently -to summon further assistance, and the soldiers left their leader to -account for Cyril, and devoted their attention to Caerleon. He found -himself hard put to it to maintain his position against them, although -Wright, using as a buckler a chair which he had caught up on the -landing, rendered him yeoman service by dealing fierce and disabling -blows with his belt on the heads and wrists of the opposing swordsmen. -All too soon Caerleon’s untrustworthy blade broke off in his hand, and -he was left to repel his assailants with the remaining half, but their -shout of triumph distracted the attention of General Sertchaieff, who -glanced aside for a moment, and in that moment Cyril ran him through -the arm and obliged him to drop his sword. Wright whisked up the sword -immediately, and thrust it into Caerleon’s hand before any of the -enemy could prevent him, and the fight was now of a more equal -character, since General Sertchaieff was forced to retire disabled. He -retreated no further than the half-way landing, however, and taking -out his revolver, began to fire and load again as fast as he could -with his left hand. - -“If he’s going to pot at us one by one, we’re done for!” gasped Cyril. - -“If he shoots no better than this, we’re all right,” returned -Caerleon, breathlessly, and the fight went on in silence until a -sudden exclamation of rage from Cyril showed the King his brother’s -sword shivered at his feet. At the same moment a heavy blow from -behind threw him forward among the enemy, and a howl of fury from -Wright proclaimed that an attack in the rear had proved successful. -When Caerleon recovered his scattered senses, he found himself held -down by four men, while Cyril and Wright were in a like predicament. -Under cover of the noise made by General Sertchaieff’s pistol -practice, Louis O’Malachy had led a party round and captured the -position from behind. - -“I think your lordship will now see that it is expedient to submit -without further resistance,” said General Sertchaieff smoothly, as he -tied a handkerchief round his wounded arm. Caerleon made no answer, -for he had caught Wright’s eye, and seen his free hand stealing -towards the ankle of one of the men who held him, and in another -instant two of the captors had gone down with a crash, and Caerleon -was on his feet and hitting out furiously, while Wright made herculean -but unavailing efforts to join him. But the struggle was hopeless from -the first, for Caerleon could not even get his back against the wall, -and he was dragged down by sheer weight of numbers, and bound firmly -with the tasselled cord torn from a curtain. - -“I don’t think you will get that undone,” said Louis, bending over him -and testing the knots, then, with that tendency towards the theatrical -which besets a certain class of Irishmen in moments of excitement, he -kicked him heavily, adding, “That is for my sister.” - -“Nasty coward!” growled Wright. “’It a man when ’e’s down that you -don’t dare touch when ’e’s up, and bring in a young lady’s name about -it, you precious blackguard, do!” - -“Captain O’Malachy,” interrupted General Sertchaieff, as Louis -advanced threateningly towards his unconquerable assailant, “if you -will be so good as to take three men and secure the person of the -Prince of Schwarzwald-Molzau, I will wait here with the prisoners for -your return.” - -Louis departed instantly, to return before long with a laugh. - -“No fighting there. He accepts the situation with great philosophy,” -he said, and Caerleon felt oddly disappointed. Something had given him -the idea that he might reckon on Prince Otto Georg for support at this -crisis. - -“Your presence is now required down-stairs, milord,” said General -Sertchaieff. “If you will give yourself the trouble of walking, it -will be as well; otherwise we must take you.” - -Choosing the less of the two evils, Caerleon allowed himself to be -dragged to his feet and conducted down the stairs to his study by his -captors, wondering vaguely whether a scaffold and a block would meet -his eyes on entering. Nothing of the kind was visible, however, -although the room was crowded with people--officers of the palace and -city guards mostly, with a sprinkling of civilians, principally -officials connected with the Ministry of War, and a number of men of -foreign appearance, who were evidently exiles returned from Scythia. -On the writing-table lay a document, which General Sertchaieff -presented to Caerleon as a formal deed of abdication, and demanded his -signature. - -“I thought you had done with that foolery,” said Caerleon. “I have -told you already that I won’t abdicate.” - -“Milord,” said the War Minister, impressively, “we are anxious not to -shed blood, but we are not men to be trifled with; and if you refuse -to sign the paper, Captain O’Malachy has his orders.” - -“Sign under compulsion,” whispered Cyril. “I can bear witness that you -were forced by threats to do it, and it can’t stand.” - -“Shut up, Cyril!” said Caerleon, gruffly. “Have you unlimited time to -waste, General?” - -“At least consider your brother and your servant, who must suffer with -you if you remain obstinate, instead of returning in safety to -England,” said General Sertchaieff. - -“If ’is Majesty will say anything to get me my ’ands free for a -moment, fust thing I do, I’ll give you one in the eye,” said Wright, -ferociously. - -“We are to understand, then, milord, that you refuse finally to sign -the deed?” asked the General. - -“I do refuse,” said Caerleon, “and if there is one man here, of all -those who have taken oaths of allegiance to me and have eaten my -bread, who has one spark of honesty left in him, I hope he will let it -be known that I preferred death to abdication.” - -“May I ask whether you are referring to me?” demanded Louis O’Malachy. -“I have not offered to carry any messages of yours to my unhappy -sister.” - -“No, I don’t think you ever had a spark of honesty in you,” returned -Caerleon. “And as for your sister, to send a message to her through -you would be to insult her.” - -“Captain O’Malachy, you will conduct the prisoners to the river-bank, -and follow the directions you have received,” said General -Sertchaieff. - -Caerleon drew a long breath. To be led out, and shot like a dog! But -his stubborn English pride came to his aid. Show any sign of flinching -before these Scythian spies and Thracian traitors? Never! and he -squared his shoulders and held his head erect as he was led out of the -room. On the threshold a thought struck him, and he paused to say-- - -“I do not know whether this rebellion is to be conducted according to -the usages of civilised nations in time of war, but in any case I -entreat you, for the honour of Thracia, to allow Prince Otto Georg of -Schwarzwald-Molzau to return unharmed to his own country. He came here -merely as my guest, and has taken no part in Thracian politics.” - -“Make your mind easy, milord,” said a tall man, with a strong likeness -to General Sertchaieff, who stood among the returned exiles. “As the -representative of my gracious sovereign, I can assure you that the -King of Thracia does not make war on non-combatants.” - -Caerleon bowed his head in acknowledgment of the reply, and followed -his guards. They passed through the courtyard, where the first snow -lay on the ground, new-fallen, then out through the gardens. A few -steps further brought them to the batteries on the river-face of the -town, and they were ordered to enter the lift by which shells and -ammunition were raised from the shore. The descent accomplished, they -came out on the bank of the river, where a boat was lying, manned by -two sailors whom Louis addressed in Scythian. The prisoners were -thrust in without ceremony, the soldiers took their places, and the -boat was pushed off from the shore. - -“Caerleon,” said Cyril, in a low voice, “I’m sorry I’ve brought you to -this, old man. If I had had the sense to see through that blackguard -O’Malachy, it wouldn’t have happened.” - -“Oh, don’t go and blame yourself,” said Caerleon, hastily. “It’s just -as much my fault. Wright, I wish you were not obliged to lie just on -my chest. No, don’t wriggle, that’s worse.” - -“Silence, dogs!” said one of the soldiers, angrily, and the boatmen -rowed steadily on until they reached the Scythian steamer which had -attracted Cyril’s notice that afternoon. The prisoners were dragged up -the ladder, and placed in a row on the deck. - -“You have one more chance,” said Louis O’Malachy to Caerleon. “Will -you sign?” - -“No,” returned Caerleon, doggedly. - -“Then I must carry out my orders. Your fate is on your own head.” - - - - - CHAPTER XXI. - A REVOLT OR A REVOLUTION? - -While Caerleon and his two companions were lying bound on the grand -staircase of the palace, under the charge of General Sertchaieff, -Prince Otto Georg was aroused from sleep by a sudden incursion of -armed men into his room. Sitting up, he blinked curiously at them as -their leader turned on the electric light and came to his bedside. - -“It is my duty to inform your Highness that you are my prisoner,” were -the words which met his ears, and which were emphasised by the casual -display of a revolver in the hand of the speaker. - -“I do not think,” said the Prince, with extreme mildness, fumbling the -while mechanically but unsuccessfully for his eyeglass, “that I have -the pleasure of recognising your face, sir. When were you presented to -me?” - -“My name is O’Malachy,” returned the intruder, “and I am a captain in -the army of King Peter II. of Thracia. It is unfortunate that your -Highness’s visit to Bellaviste should chance to coincide with a slight -readjustment of affairs here--the restoration of the rightful -sovereign, and the overthrow of the tyranny under which the country -has groaned for so long.” - -“I assure you that I fully perceive my presence to be _de trop_ in -these painful domestic circumstances,” said the Prince. - -“Pray do not imagine for a moment that your Highness will be put to -any inconvenience. You are the guest of King Peter instead of the -usurper Carlino, that is all. I regret that I am obliged, merely as a -matter of form, to post a sentry, by General Sertchaieff’s directions, -in the corridor outside your door, with orders to fire if you attempt -to leave your room.” - -“In that case, you may be sure that I will not trouble the sentry,” -said Prince Otto Georg, blandly. “But before I wish you good-night, -Herr Captain, perhaps you will kindly enlighten me on one point. What -of King Carlino? Did I understand you to say that he had abdicated the -throne?” - -“The propriety of doing so has not yet been represented to him,” -returned Louis, “but there can be little doubt that he will find it -advisable to yield quietly. A pistol at the head, Highness, is -occasionally a powerful persuasive.” - -“Thanks; I will not detain you longer,” and the Prince waved his hand -politely, and laid his head on the pillow again. “If I know anything -of my young friend Carlino, he will choose the pistol,” he mused, as -Louis and his men left the room, and the former locked the door on the -outside. For a moment the prisoner lay listening, while the sentry -began his measured tramp up and down the corridor, then he sat up -suddenly. - -“Let me think,” he said to himself. “There may yet be a chance of -doing something. For these plotters, there are two points of attack, -Carlino and Drakovics. Both men must be in their hands to give them -any hope of success. Now it is scarcely likely that their numbers are -sufficient to allow them to seize both at once--that is, to obtain the -mastery of the palace and the town at one blow. Which will they -attempt to capture first? Drakovics is the most important--Carlino is -a figurehead, comparatively speaking--but still, I think this is one -of the cases in which the natural foolishness of mankind may safely be -considered as a factor. The seizure of Carlino would appear a greater -success at first--and it would give them the command of the palace, -which they could defend against the town, while the town could not -long hold out against a foe in possession of the palace. They have, -then, concentrated their strength on the palace in order to make a -prisoner of the King, and while they are doing their best to induce -him to abdicate, it may yet be possible to warn Drakovics.” - -Prince Otto Georg was out of bed now, and dressing in the dark with -the speed and silence of an old campaigner. Hurrying into his boots -and a fur-lined coat, he went to the window, drew up the blind -noiselessly, and looked out. - -“Snow!” he said. “So far, so good.” - -He returned and took one of the sheets from the bed, then, with the -utmost care, opened the window, which was fortunately a casement, and -moved easily. As has been already mentioned, the room was in the front -of the palace, and the window opened directly two or three feet above -the great porch. Here Prince Otto had noticed the day before a hinged -iron ladder, folded up and concealed by the coping from the view of -any one below, but ready in case of fire. He climbed out upon the -leaden roof of the porch and looked round. No light shone from any of -the windows on this side of the building, and the great door was fast -shut. The conspirators had made their entrance through the courtyard -from the back, and the sentries who kept guard in front of the palace -on ordinary occasions had forsaken their posts like the rest, while it -had not occurred to Louis to place any others. There was not a soul to -be seen. Prince Otto Georg drew out and unfolded the ladder, let it -down over the side of the porch, and fastening it firmly at the top by -the hooks attached to it, descended it in safety. It was impossible to -remove it when he had reached the ground, and he could only hope that, -as the side of the porch was in deep shadow, it might escape the -notice of any one who might chance to come out at the front door. - -“And now,” he said to himself, wrapping the sheet round him, “one may -as well take every precaution, painful as it would be to be discovered -in this costume. To think of my giving myself all this trouble for the -sake of a man I saw for the first time the day before yesterday!” - -Gathering up the ends of the sheet, he walked cautiously across the -garden, indistinguishable among the whitened shrubs to any one looking -out of the windows of the palace. But on arriving at the wall he found -his further progress impeded, for there was a sentry on guard at the -gate, and another at the corner overlooking the town. Prince Otto -groaned mentally, but there was no help for it. Choosing a spot as -remote as possible from both sentries, he climbed the wall by the aid -of a tree which grew beside it, and threw his fur-lined coat over into -the road. This done, he let himself drop from the branches, with -considerably less agility and confidence in his own powers than he had -felt at the time of his former exploit of the kind, but with happier -results, for the coat broke his fall, and he rose unhurt, and after -creeping a short distance in the shadow of the wall, turned down a -side-street, and made the best of his way to M. Drakovics’s house. In -spite of the highly logical reasoning with which he had started on his -journey, he felt a good deal of misgiving as to whether he had been -justified in calculating so confidently on human folly; and it was -with unfeigned joy that on coming round the corner of the house he -caught sight of the Premier standing at a window with a light behind -him, and looking out at the river. To attract his attention was the -work of a moment, and in obedience to the call M. Drakovics, in -extreme astonishment, hastened to admit his visitor by a side-door. -There was no time for lengthy explanations. - -“There is a plot to depose the King and restore the house of Franza, -headed by General Sertchaieff and Captain O’Malachy. They have seized -the palace, and the King is in their hands. By the uniforms of the men -whom I saw, I believe that both the palace and the city guard are -implicated.” - -After the first exclamation of surprise, M. Drakovics remained silent, -passing his hand thoughtfully over his chin, until the Prince had -finished speaking. - -“When your Highness arrived, I was watching the Scythian steamer in -the river,” he said. “Boats have been going to and fro between her and -the quay all evening, and it struck me that something was wrong. No -doubt they were bringing arms on shore.” - -“What do you intend to do?” asked Prince Otto Georg, interrupting his -meditation impatiently. “Have you men enough whom you can trust to -defend this house, or the Hôtel de Ville?” - -“The police are staunch,” returned M. Drakovics; “but to oppose them -to the city guard would be simply massacre. There are not enough of -them. No! Is your Highness prepared for flight? To reach the Carlino -barracks is our only hope.” - -“If you think we can do more good there, I am ready to go,” said the -Prince. “But what about the city, and your adherents?” - -“The conspirators will not injure the city, since they must be -reckoning upon the townspeople as their chief support,” said M. -Drakovics; “and if your Highness will wait for one instant, I will do -what I can to warn the most prominent among the Carlinists.” - -He turned aside to a speaking-tube, and after the preliminary whistle, -began to converse with some person apparently at the other end of the -house. - -“A band of traitors have formed a plot to restore the Franza dynasty. -They are in possession of the palace and of the King’s person, and -will be here in a few minutes. Listen carefully to what I say. You -will offer no resistance. No, I do not want your comments; listen. You -will say that I am spending the night out of town. If you are further -questioned, I trust to your ingenuity to account for my absence. -Telephone now at once to the bureaus of all the other Ministers, -except the Ministry of War, that the situation is to be accepted until -I send word to the contrary. If the Sertchaieffs turn you out of your -offices, submit; if not, go on as usual. Of course you will take no -oath to Peter Franza, on pain of being dealt with as traitors when I -return. Keep me informed at the Carlino barracks of anything you may -discover with regard to the extent and progress of the conspiracy. You -understand?” - -The invisible auditor apparently answered that he did, for M. -Drakovics replaced the plug in the mouth of the tube, and turned to -Prince Otto Georg. - -“I am sorry to have kept your Highness waiting so long. If you will -come this way, we shall find my boat in its shed.” - -They hurried down the garden to the river, and got out the boat. M. -Drakovics, who was well accustomed to the water, took possession of -both oars, remarking drily that there was no time to waste in giving -rowing lessons just then. Prince Otto Georg pushed the boat off, and -they began to drop down with the current, keeping in the shade of the -bank. Presently M. Drakovics uttered a stifled exclamation, and the -Prince, glancing over his shoulder, saw that the Scythian steamer had -left her moorings, and was also dropping down the stream. It was not -long before she passed them, the wash caused by her screw making the -boat rock. - -“If only we could intercept her under the barracks!” sighed the -Premier. “But she is much more likely to intercept us. If they -discover that I have escaped by water they will signal to her from the -palace, and she will pick us up. We will row only as far as the -outskirts of the city, and then walk to the barracks.” - -This programme was carried out, rather to the relief of Prince Otto -Georg, who was more at home on land than in a boat. A brisk walk of -two miles, uninterrupted by any exciting incidents, brought them to -the barracks, where they were duly challenged by a sentry, rescued by -the guard, and conducted into the presence of the hastily aroused and -arrayed commandant. M. Drakovics detailed what had happened, and the -acting colonel, in response to his suggestion, immediately alarmed his -force, and gave orders to prepare the place for defence in case of an -attack from the town. This done, an informal council of war was -called, composed of the chief officers of the regiment, Prince Otto, -and the Premier. - -“First of all, Colonel, are your men to be trusted?” asked M. -Drakovics. - -“They are devoted heart and soul to King Carlino,” was the soldier’s -reply. “The news you brought has put them into a perfect frenzy.” - -“Good,” said M. Drakovics. “I wonder whether the same can be said of -the garrisons in the provinces? Perhaps you will have the goodness to -telegraph inquiries to the fortresses with which you are in -communication, Colonel?” - -A young officer left the room to carry out the order, but returned -with the news that no communication could be established with any -other station. - -“I thought so,” said M. Drakovics. “They have cut the telegraph wires. -This plot is a larger thing than we anticipated, gentlemen. Be so good -as to have a horse and a mounted escort prepared for me, Colonel. I -must start before morning to rouse the country.” - -“Pardon me,” interrupted Prince Otto Georg. “May I inquire whether you -have any guns here, Colonel, that will carry as far as the town?” - -“Alas, no!” replied the Colonel. “Our guns are very old-fashioned, and -useful only for firing salutes. His Excellency the Premier will -remember that there was some question lately of erecting regular -fortifications upon this hill, and quartering a battery of garrison -artillery here, but that the Minister for War opposed the suggestion -on the ground of the shock such a proceeding would give to the -susceptibilities of the people of Bellaviste.” - -“I remember,” said M. Drakovics, curtly. “But what was your Highness’s -idea?” - -“It struck me that the threat of shelling the town might enable us to -secure the King’s being given up to us unhurt,” said the Prince. - -“Ah, General Sertchaieff knows our resources too well for that. But I -very much fear that we may even now be too late to save the King.” - -“What!” was the general cry. “You cannot imagine----” - -“I do not for a moment believe that he will consent to abdicate, and I -fear they will not keep him a prisoner, lest the Thracians should -rally to release him.” - -“But as a hostage for themselves in case of defeat?” - -“They do not mean to be defeated. They are fighting with ropes round -their necks, and to murder the King would be a plain declaration that -they had left themselves no way of escape. They are well supported, -but they know that there is no help for them if they fail.” - -“Then you think that this conspiracy is incited by Scythia?” - -“Not openly, of course. Scythia’s opportunity will come later, when -she can throw troops into the country under pretext of curing -disorder. No; she has merely allowed fugitives from us to take refuge -and hatch their plots upon her soil, and there may possibly be a few -retired Scythian officers who have returned with them. But Scythia has -not authorised them to come, nor supplied them officially with money. -If they succeed, she will reap the advantage of their labours; if they -fail, she will disown them.” - -“It is possible that there may be retired officers of other armies who -will take the opposite side,” said Prince Otto Georg. “Allow me, your -Excellency, to offer myself as a volunteer.” - -“Your Highness is most welcome,” said the Premier. “You will not, I -trust, involve yourself in any difficulty with Germany upon our -account?” - -“If the telegraph wires are cut, no remonstrance can reach me,” said -the Prince, drily. - -“In that case,” said M. Drakovics, “I may give utterance to my most -earnest wish under the circumstances. I know you will agree with me, -gentlemen, that we cannot do better than invite his Serene Highness to -direct the military operations for the recovery of the capital. Our -own Commander-in-Chief has betrayed his trust, and the officer next in -seniority to him is a _protégé_ of his, the commandant of Tatarjé. -Prince Otto Georg of Schwarzwald-Molzau is the pupil of Moltke, and -has had a larger experience of war than any of us can boast. If you -concur in my suggestion, I will draw up a formal invitation to him to -take the command of the army before I start on my journey.” - -The officers made no objection to the appointment, and indeed, in the -helpless condition to which they were reduced by the cutting of the -telegraph wires, and their ignorance of the state of feeling in the -other garrisons, to say nothing of the treachery of their natural -leader, they were only too glad to feel a strong hand at the helm. -Moreover, they had feared that M. Drakovics might be about to install -himself as Commander-in-Chief, and it was a relief to their minds to -obtain a soldier instead. Prince Otto Georg’s appointment was -therefore received with acclamations, and when M. Drakovics departed -on his journey, he left him firmly established in his post. - -To describe in any detail the doings of the next three days would be a -task both long and dreary. As soon as it was light on the first -morning, an officer, bearing a flag of truce, was despatched to the -city to ask for an assurance of the safety of the King, but he was -fired upon from the gate, and obliged to return without gaining any -information. News on other points was, however, obtained in various -ways. In spite of the absence of telegraphic communication, Prince -Otto Georg received constant intelligence through messengers. From M. -Drakovics’s confidential clerk in Bellaviste he learned, by means of a -cipher letter carried by a fisherman, that nothing had been seen or -heard of Caerleon, but that King Peter Franza was not among the -returned exiles, having preferred to remain at Nice in trustful -quietness while his faithful subjects regained his throne for him. -General Sertchaieff’s brother, the late Premier, was, however, one of -those who had returned, and was now at the head of affairs. He had -taken possession of the Government offices, and had levied a certain -sum of money from the town--a measure which had called forth much -opposition from the people, although the city guard enforced the -payment of the impost. News arrived also from M. Drakovics. The -garrison of Feodoratz he found to be staunchly Carlinist, while that -of Tatarjé was divided, and the division was carried to such a point -that the detachment which sympathised with the house of Franza had -already set out for Bellaviste with the commandant in order to join -the insurgents. This was Prince Otto Georg’s opportunity. Posting his -men in a wood on the road by which the mutineers were expected to -arrive, he attacked them unawares as they straggled along in a -disorderly crowd, captured the field-artillery they were bringing with -them, and left only a few scattered fugitives to carry the news to -Bellaviste. - -This victory proved to possess a double value for the Carlinists. Not -only did it deprive the rebels of the reinforcement they had been -anxiously expecting, but the news of the battle, spreading with -extraordinary rapidity from village to village, came in the nick of -time to secure the allegiance of the people, who were bewildered by -the sudden rush of events. The country gentlemen and their mountain -clans required no such earnest of the eventual success of the -Carlinist cause; but the bulk of the dwellers in the more settled -districts were accustomed by long tradition to side with the party in -power, and it is undoubtedly startling to retire to rest one night -knowing that you have an idolised King on the throne, and a determined -Minister exercising all the functions of government, and to find on -awaking in the morning that your King has probably been murdered, and -certainly been dethroned, while your Premier is stumping the country -for support. In such a case it was difficult for the obedient -partisans of “Government” to know exactly who the Government was, and -Prince Otto Georg’s victory came just when it was needed to quiet -their minds. He took his prizes back in triumph to the barracks, and -the whole of the next day was spent in maturing and preparing with -their aid his plan of attack on the city. At night M. Drakovics -returned from his tour of the outlying districts, bringing with him a -military contingent drawn from the faithful portion of the Tatarjé -garrison, and an irregular force of mountain chiefs and their -retainers. - -“I half hoped that your Highness might have retaken the city by this -time,” he said to Prince Otto Georg. - -“I never strike until I am ready,” replied the Prince, and M. -Drakovics deferred to his wider experience, nor did he, when the plan -of attack had been explained to him, regret that he had done so. - -The next morning--the third after the seizure of the palace--broke -dull and hazy, a fact which Prince Otto Georg hailed with delight as -of the greatest moment to his scheme. During the two days that he had -held office he had stopped all the vessels which came up the river, so -that he had now under the guns of the barracks a miniature fleet of -small steamers and cargo-boats, from which he selected a certain -number to convey the greater portion of the artillery which he had -captured from the Tatarjé rebels. Each vessel mounted one gun, and -carried a small number of soldiers, sufficient merely to work it and -to defend the ship. Before it was light these ships were now towed up -the river in perfect silence by boats with muffled oars, and anchored -close under the batteries, the fire from which would, owing to this -precaution, pass harmlessly overhead. The batteries had been -constructed to command the deep channel in which alone warships could -anchor, and their guns were hopelessly unable to reach the small -river-steamers with their light draught of water. Secured in this way -against interference from above, the vessels opened fire on the town, -and maintained their position with ease, even beating off successfully -a boat-expedition led against them by Louis O’Malachy. Although the -effect of the firing was small, since Prince Otto Georg’s object was -to frighten rather than hurt, it was evident that the rebels regarded -the situation as serious, for they left the batteries which they had -been engaged in constructing in other parts of the town, and began to -throw one up at the end of M. Drakovics’s garden, with the intention -of rendering the position of the vessels untenable. This gave the -Prince the opportunity for which he had been waiting. He had very soon -perceived that when the rebels had effected their great _coup_, and -had telegraphed to the various European capitals the news of the -revolution (as M. Drakovics informed him had certainly been done), and -then cut the wires, they had worked themselves at least as much harm -as their opponents. If they had managed to capture M. Drakovics as -they had intended, all would have been well; but they had been baulked -in this, and he, once outside the limited zone in which the wires were -cut, had used the telegraph to call together his adherents from all -parts of the country, while they had no means either of gaining -information or of sending orders to their more distant supporters. -Disappointed of the help they had expected from Tatarjé, their action -would necessarily be partial and undecided, since they had no idea of -the extent to which their views found support outside the capital, -although it was evident that the country had not risen in their favour -as they had anticipated. It was true that they had made an attempt at -a cavalry reconnaissance the day before; but the troopers had been -driven back into the town in disorder with the help of the guns taken -from the Tatarjé contingent, and at the present moment every one was -far too much engrossed by the attack on the river-face to think about -obtaining information on the land side. - -Once assured that his naval demonstration was successful, Prince Otto -Georg led the main body of his little army, together with two guns -which he had reserved for this purpose, round to the other side of the -city, remote alike from the river and the Carlino barracks. By taking -advantage of every scrap of cover afforded by the woods and rising -ground, he succeeded in performing this manœuvre without its being -perceived by the townspeople, the attention of whose leaders was -completely occupied by the attack on the river-face. Bringing his guns -into position on the edge of a wood, he formed up his men in readiness -to advance, and opened fire on the gate nearest him, following up the -first effective shot by an immediate rush forward. The small guns -mounted on the wall, and served by half-hearted townsmen, who were by -no means anxious to provoke an artillery fire which would probably -bring their houses about their ears, had little result in checking the -advance of the besiegers, and before the rebel leaders could be -recalled from their futile labours on the other side of the city, the -gate was down and the Carlinists were pouring in. - -Prince Otto Georg smiled grimly as he watched the operations from a -point of vantage. “Never trust citizens to defend their town,” he -said. “They surrendered Strasburg.” - -The worst of the fighting was yet to come. From house to house and -from street to street Prince Otto Georg’s soldiers made their way, -with their ranks at one moment swelled by a band of welcoming -sympathisers, at another thinned by a stream of fire from some public -building turned into a fortress, and fiercely defended by desperate -men, who had rushed from the river-face to make a last effort for -their lives. While one party of the assailants was making for the -palace, two others were gaining possession of the walls, and turning -the guns there upon the quarters where the strongest resistance was -experienced; and the Prince himself appeared to be ubiquitous, alike -in keeping up communications with the strong force he had left to hold -the gate, guarding against a flank attack by an overlooked force of -the enemy, and moderating the fierceness of the strife by proclaiming, -whenever he could get a hearing, quarter to those who were willing to -lay down their arms. After all, the bulk of the townspeople were very -glad to submit to the besiegers. The exactions of the rebels had not -endeared them to any one within the walls, and there had been rumours -of what was to happen to the faithless city on King Peter’s return -which caused most people to tremble for their property, if not for -their lives. Only the men of the city guard, knowing, as M. Drakovics -had said, that they fought with ropes round their necks, persisted in -maintaining the fight, making a stand at every available point, and at -last crowding with their leaders into the palace for a final effort. - -Even now, if it had been possible to move the great guns from the -river batteries to the palace, and turn them against the town, the -result of the day’s fighting might have been different; but time and -appliances were alike wanting for this operation, and after a short -resistance the wall of the garden was scaled, and the rebels made -their last stand in the palace itself. - -“Take them alive! Take them alive!” had been the reiterated order of -Prince Otto Georg and M. Drakovics. “_They know what has become of the -King_,” and the Carlinists, mad with rage and fight though they were, -did their best to obey. When the stubborn contest ended at last, Ivan -Sertchaieff, the Premier, lay dead on the grand staircase where -Caerleon had been taken prisoner; his brother, less fortunate, was in -the hands of the victors, and with him were Louis O’Malachy and about -a score of others. The civilians of the party were committed to the -custody of the police, who had been imprisoned in their barracks by -the rebels, and had done good service by breaking out during the -street-fighting and joining the Carlinists. A summary court-martial -sat immediately, under the presidency of Prince Otto Georg, to try -such of the prisoners as had belonged to the army, while M. Drakovics, -who had fought his way in with the troops, searched the palace and -interrogated the other captives as to the King’s whereabouts. - -What the Prince was chiefly anxious to discover from the men before -him was the extent to which the disaffection which had led to the -rebellion had spread in the army and in the country, and also whether -Scythia had committed herself to any definite encouragement of the -scheme; but from General Sertchaieff he could gain nothing but a -denial of the competency of the tribunal to try him, from Louis a -declaration that he was a Scythian subject, and from the rest more or -less vehement protestations of devotion to the house of Franza and of -their readiness to die in its service. The competence of a court -presided over by the Commander-in-Chief to try officers undoubtedly -belonging to the army could not be seriously questioned, and the trial -proceeded with due ceremony until it was interrupted by a tremendous -uproar outside the hall. Prince Otto Georg ordered the sentries to -clear the approaches to the court; but the moment that the door was -opened a motley throng of Carlinists streamed in, with M. Drakovics, -wrathful and agitated, at their head. - -“What is the meaning of this unseemly proceeding?” inquired Prince -Otto Georg. “I am surprised that you should so far forget the gravity -of the occasion as to interrupt the trial.” - -He was addressing himself to M. Drakovics; but his words were drowned -by the excited crowd, who pressed about the prisoners with shouts and -gestures of rage, and were only prevented from rushing upon them by -the exertions of the guards. - -“Where is the King?” they cried. “Give us back our Carlino!” - -“Gentlemen,” said M. Drakovics, addressing the officers who formed the -court, “I am grieved beyond measure to tell you that we have searched -the palace and a great part of the city, but we can find no trace of -our beloved sovereign.” - -General Sertchaieff smiled sardonically. “It is scarcely likely that -you will,” he said. - -“Great heaven!” cried Prince Otto Georg; “they have murdered him, -then!” - -“You will not find it easy to bring him back,” went on General -Sertchaieff. “Ask Captain O’Malachy if you wish to hear what has -become of your Carlino.” It was evident from his tone that he -anticipated a surprise for his hearers; but it was also clear that -when Louis spoke he received one himself. While the rapid dialogue was -in progress, Louis had been weighing the situation in his mind. Would -truth or falsehood serve the cause best at this juncture? The fate of -his comrades and himself was already sealed, and nothing that he could -say or refrain from saying would avail to save any of them. But what -of that? It was still possible to produce an impression which might go -far to effect the object aimed at by the revolt. Were Caerleon alive, -the Drakovics party would rally around him in irresistible strength; -if he were dead, the weary, dispiriting search for a King must begin -again, with all the jealousies and strifes it involved, and the -opportunity it offered to Scythia for armed intervention. He hesitated -no longer. - -“You will certainly consult the best authority,” he said, -sarcastically. “I had the honour of being present during his Majesty’s -last moments.” - -A howl of rage went up from the crowd of Carlinists, and the rest of -the prisoners repressed a start of astonishment. - -“You killed him?” was the cry. Louis bowed calmly. - -“That duty fell to me,” he said. - -“But how? where?” asked many voices. - -“I took him on board the Scythian steamer,” returned Louis, “with his -brother and his English servant. They were all bound. I stabbed them -one after the other, and threw their bodies into the river.” - -“But why on board the steamer?” asked Prince Otto Georg. - -“Because it was feared that some of our less ardent supporters might -object to Carlino’s death if it was carried out before their eyes,” -said Louis. - -“You give us to understand that you murdered three unarmed men in cold -blood?” said Prince Otto Georg. “This is inconceivable. Human nature -is not capable of so horrible an atrocity, though why you should -attempt to deceive us in such a matter I cannot imagine. You are not -in earnest?” - -“Am I likely to tell you anything but the truth at such a moment, and -on such a subject?” retorted Louis. “Your Carlino is dead, and I -killed him. I have not yet heard any of my comrades,” he glanced round -at his fellow-prisoners, “deliver the dying message with which he -charged them. I am the only honest one among them, after all. He -wished it to be known that he chose death rather than abdication. -Well, he had it.” - -“You--a soldier,” said the Prince to General Sertchaieff, “and -connived at the commission of this dastardly murder?” - -“We did not expect to make our revolution with rose-water,” returned -the ex-Minister. “Our intention was to surprise Carlino, and to force -him to abdicate by means of threats, if possible; but Captain -O’Malachy had strict orders to kill him if any resistance or rescue -were attempted, and he did so.” - -“I should wish to adjourn the court,” said Prince Otto George. “I do -not feel that I can conduct business properly after receiving this -terrible news.” - -“Then the mountain men will break in and tear the prisoners to -pieces,” said M. Drakovics, in a low voice, glancing at the crowd of -excited peasants who stood with weapons in their hands, muttering -imprecations and glaring at the self-accused murderers. “I entreat -your Highness to bring the trial to a close, so that it may be evident -that the murderers will meet the punishment demanded by their crimes, -and then to come with me to break the news to the people.” - -Prince Otto Georg turned impatiently to the papers on the table before -him, and M. Drakovics succeeded in inducing his followers to leave the -hall by assuring them that summary justice would be done by the -court-martial. Indeed, the evidence was so clear that there could be -no doubt of the result of the trial. Even leaving out of sight the -added atrocity of the murder of the King, the prisoners had committed -a sufficient number of crimes against both military and civil law to -cause them to incur the death-penalty several times over. There was -not a dissentient voice among the members of the court, and the -President pronounced the sentence with a sensation not far removed -from loathing. - -“I never saw a man so bloodthirsty as that O’Malachy,” he said to -himself as he left the chair after the prisoners had been removed. “I -believe that the murder was his doing altogether, for Sertchaieff -seemed at first as much surprised as I was. I wonder whether there -could have been any truth in that story about a sister of his that got -into the Scythian papers? It would account for his peculiar ferocity.” - -It would have afforded Louis additional gratification had he known -that the apparent purposelessness of his conduct had cast a slur upon -Caerleon’s name, but he was very well content as things were. His was -not the part of the informer, who is said to be present, by some -strange fatality, whenever two Irishmen are plotting together, and -through whom the best-laid schemes go wrong; on the contrary, he had -carried out his share of the conspiracy with triumphant success, and -even at the bitter end had turned defeat into victory. Of this -character were his exultant musings as he was led away with his -companions, but in indulging such hopeful anticipations he was -reckoning without his host. M. Drakovics’s proverbial resourcefulness -had not forsaken him at this crisis, and from the moment of hearing -the fatal news of Caerleon’s death he had been preparing a _coup -d’état_. When Prince Otto left the hall in which the court-martial -had been held, he found that he was awaiting him, and the two men rode -down the steep street with their escort to the Hôtel de Ville, in the -square in front of which were assembled the loyal townspeople and the -irregular troops. A momentary cheer saluted the Premier and his -companion as they made their appearance on the balcony; but the news -of the King’s murder had spread among the people, and the feeling of -mourning was universal. The soldiers alone greeted Prince Otto Georg -with shouts when M. Drakovics presented him to the crowd as the -saviour of Thracia, and he retired into the background while his -companion came forward again to speak. The crowning triumph of the -great orator’s eloquence was to be obtained to-day, and the lack of -responsiveness among his audience only served to stimulate him to -surpass himself. - -He began his speech by paying a well-deserved tribute to the troops, -both regular and irregular, who had fought so bravely in crushing the -revolt. Their courage and endurance had been beyond all praise; but -they had been sustained by the hope of rescuing their beloved King -from the hands of the dastardly conspirators who sought to deprive him -of his throne. The struggle was successful, the victory was won, but, -alas! success had come too late. Their young sovereign, who had given -up the splendid prospects which belonged to him in his own country in -order to lead the forlorn hope in Thracia, had chosen to die rather -than forsake the trust he had received from the people. He was the -last martyr on the glorious roll of Thracian independence. Let them -look around them. There on the hill above them was the sacred shrine -at which, that very day, Carlino was to have received the crown of -Thracia, and there also was the palace in which he should have lived -for many happy years, beloved and honoured. But beside them there -flowed the river, accursed from that day forward, whose waters had -rolled over his blood-stained corpse, and there remained yet in the -land of the living the miscreants who had not scrupled to murder in -cold blood a bound and defenceless man. - -The yell of mingled rage and grief which arose from the people at -these words rendered it impossible for the speaker to proceed with his -oration for some minutes; but at last he succeeded in restoring -comparative silence, broken only by the sobs of the women. What now -remained for Thracia? he demanded. She had lost her place among the -nations; she could not protect the stranger who had come at her call -to assist her. But at least she could avenge his death, both on the -traitors who had sprung from her own soil and on the perfidious nation -which had stooped to use such instruments to further its shameful -ends. With this object in view let her proceed without an hour’s delay -to the election of another king, and who could be better fitted for -the post than the illustrious Prince who had been raised up by -Providence to help her in her utmost need, and who had striven side by -side with her own sons for the rescue of Carlino? That Prince, he went -on, checking by an imperative gesture the protest which Prince Otto -Georg sprang forward to make, had shrunk once already from accepting -the throne, owing to a sensitive modesty which did him all honour, but -this was no time for holding back. Thracia appealed to him to accept -the place left vacant by the man who had been moved by its very -difficulties to undertake it,--would the German hang behind where the -Englishman had pressed forward? Let the Prince make his decision, -knowing, as he did, that his election would be hailed with delight by -the country, and welcomed by all Europe with the exception of Scythia, -and let him devote his life to the avenging of Caerleon’s murder. - -Prince Otto Georg yielded. In after days he complained that he had -been carried away by the fervid rhetoric of M. Drakovics and the -frenzied enthusiasm of the people; but he accepted the throne in the -excitement of the moment, although with a slight mental reservation -respecting the last clause of the Premier’s invitation, and the -proviso that his election should be approved by the Powers. About this -condition there proved to be little difficulty. The Roumi envoy, who -had been on his way to attend Caerleon’s coronation when the rebellion -broke out, had discreetly remained upon the frontier in order to see -to which side victory would ultimately incline, and the Premier -hastened to obtain his good offices as an intermediary with Czarigrad. -M. Drakovics had already closed the post-offices throughout the -country in the name of the public safety, and forbidden the issue of -passports to foreign newspaper correspondents, so that Thracian -affairs were enveloped in the most profound mystery, while secret -messages flashed about among the Powers. Prince Otto Georg’s elevation -to the throne seemed to commend itself to every one as an excellent -solution of the Thracian difficulty. Pannonia and the house of -Schwarzwald-Molzau welcomed the election as a set-off to the rebuff -sustained by their joint diplomacy in the matter of Princess Ottilie’s -marriage, while the authorities of Prince Otto’s own country were not -sorry to find in it a way of escape from the intricate international -questions involved in his unauthorised connection with the suppression -of the revolt. Even Scythia, whether because she judged it well to -remain for a time in the background after the failure of the -conspiracy, or because, having given in her approval to Prince Otto -Georg’s candidature two years ago, she considered that it would appear -inconsistent to draw back now, offered no objection to his accepting -the crown, while bright visions of a Scythian princess seated beside -him on the Thracian throne at some future date began to float before -the eyes of the Pavelsburg authorities. M. Drakovics hurried back to -Bellaviste in triumph, and the new King was crowned the very next day, -with the regalia prepared for his murdered predecessor. The palace was -still filled with the traces of the devastating fight which had been -waged within its walls, and the chapel of St Peter itself had not -escaped scathless, while the people who looked on at the ceremony had -scarcely a cheer to spare for their new sovereign, since their -thoughts were all with Carlino. But as though to give point to the -words with which M. Drakovics had ushered in the new reign, the guns -which announced the accession of King Otto Georg thundered forth also -the knell of the traitors who had conspired against Caerleon. - - - - - CHAPTER XXII. - A KING WITHOUT A CROWN. - -Banished from Scythia, Princess Soudaroff and Nadia turned their -faces southwards, and after a hurried winter journey across Central -Europe and a more leisurely one through Spain, found themselves at -Cadiz and on board the yacht Anna Karénina. The Princess had acted -with her usual impulsiveness in deciding on the way in which she would -spend her winter, and she was a little startled when she found herself -in command of a ship, the crew of which, with one exception, was -entirely English. She had no experience of yachting whatever, and her -ignorance made her fall an easy prey to the captain, an ancient -mariner endowed with as many wiles as those popularly attributed to -the heathen Chinee. Like his late Majesty King George III., however, -this gentleman “gloried in the name of Briton,” and considered that -all foreigners were constitutionally afflicted with a more or less -mild form of insanity. It was both right and advisable to humour their -fancies, especially when they were sufficiently wealthy to hire a -large yacht for the winter; but it was also necessary to guide them -gently in the direction in which they ought to go, and to restrain -their natural eccentricities by the moral influence of a stronger -mind. - -On the very day that the Princess first came on board, the captain -asserted his independence by refusing to receive his orders through -the courier, a useful and important individual whom Prince Soudaroff -had chosen to accompany the ladies on their travels, and protect them -from extortion by the way, since if he did cheat them right and left -himself he would take good care that no one else should have the -opportunity of doing so. The Princess, in her kindness of heart, -recognised at once that it was only natural that the captain should -dislike to take orders from Alessandro, and accorded him the privilege -of seeing her whenever he found it necessary, thus yielding herself as -a helpless slave to a most unbending autocrat. Not that Captain Binks -was rude or overbearing--far from it. The commander of a Cunarder -could not have been more accommodating and urbane; but it was evident -that he must know more about the winds and currents and shoals of the -Mediterranean than his employer, and when some conjunction of these -natural objects interfered to prevent anything that the Princess was -anxious to do, it certainly could not be considered the fault of -Captain Binks. This being the case, it was not, perhaps, a just -punishment which overtook the old sailor when, after a short cruise in -which he had regulated the ladies’ trips on shore in regular -man-of-war fashion, the yacht was run into by a lumbering collier as -she lay at anchor outside the Grand Harbour of Valetta on the night -after arriving in sight of Malta. It had been Captain Binks’s -intention to take the Anna Karénina into the harbour by daylight, -thereby exhibiting to all and sundry both her beauties and his own -seamanship, and then to grant the Princess the day in which to make -her pilgrimage to St Paul’s Bay and back while he took stores on -board; but now the spars and bulwarks were so much damaged as to -render necessary a stay of a week or more in the island. - -It must be confessed that this accident gave keen pleasure to Nadia, -who was not a favourite with Captain Binks; but the Princess failed to -perceive either his uplifting or his fall, for she was absorbed, as -usual, in schemes of kindness for the benefit of those about her. She -was acquainted with the histories of all the crew by this time, knew -how many children each man had, and who had aged parents to support, -and it was her delight to write letters home for them in her formal -foreign hand with its queer twirls and flourishes, while Nadia, -longing to be of some use or help to some one, stood shyly aloof, and -wondered how her godmother managed to take so much interest in the -affairs of all these strangers. In one of the Princess’s pleasures, -however, Nadia’s interest was as deep as that of her godmother, for -the person involved had been connected with herself at one of the -crises of her life. It was on the day that they sailed from Cadiz, -before they had been on board more than a few hours, that the Princess -came into Nadia’s cabin with a face radiant with delight. - -“Who do you think is the carpenter on this ship, my child?” she asked. - -“I don’t know, Marraine,” said Nadia, looking up puzzled. “Some -relation of the English coachman you had once?” - -“No; it is not an Englishman--it is a Scythian.” - -“One of our own people? or a Bibelist? The Oudenist cabinetmaker you -visited in the hospital, perhaps?” - -“Dear child, no. But it is a person of whom you have often -heard--Yegor Popoff, my poor Katinka’s husband.” - -“Oh, Marraine! How did he get here?” - -“When he left Katinka, he went to Pavelsburg to look for work, and -made a voyage to Sweden as ship’s carpenter. At Bergen he heard that -my friend Feodor Petrovitch, to whom this yacht belongs, was in the -harbour looking out for a carpenter, as the one he had brought from -England had died, and he obtained the post. And now, without our -knowing it, he was waiting at Cadiz, and we, without his knowing it, -were bringing Katinka to him. Do you see now why we were driven out of -Scythia, my child?” - -“I see,” said Nadia. “But what are you going to do? Have you said -anything?” - -“Said anything?” cried the Princess. “My dear child, I have said -everything! I sent for Yegor to come to me in the saloon, and I have -spoken to him very seriously. I told him how wrong and foolish he had -been in doubting Katinka and in listening to Anna at all, and much -more so in running away as he did. He saw it all for himself--in fact, -nothing but pride had kept him from coming back and telling her so. He -was waiting for her to write first, when she did not know where he -was! I think I made him thoroughly ashamed of himself. When I saw that -he was really sorry, I slipped out and fetched Katinka. _She_ was -ready enough to forgive, poor child! and I left them together. What a -happy beginning for our voyage, is it not?” - -Nadia acquiesced, and a new hope rose suddenly in her own heart. Could -this voyage be destined to bring Caerleon and herself together, as it -had already united Yegor and Katinka? The same thought had occurred to -the maid, who came shyly to tell her that she and Yegor were praying -that she might be as happy as they were. They did not know her story; -but Katinka guessed at it, and found it easy to fill up the details -from imagination. Her sympathy contributed still further to raise -Nadia’s spirits, and perhaps to bring her into the somewhat -uncharitable frame of mind in which she welcomed the discomfiture of -Captain Binks. In any case, she submitted cheerfully to the necessary -detention at Valetta, in spite of the desolate aspect of the dried-up -town, with its huge fortifications and flat-roofed white houses, and -was indefatigable in helping the Princess to render habitable the -enormous rooms, stone-floored and scantily furnished, in which they -took up their abode while the repairs to the yacht were pending. - -Here it was that two days later they heard the news of the rebellion -in Thracia--news which sent all the special correspondents who keep -portmanteaus ready packed, in case of a sudden summons, to the Balkans -at racing speed. Carlino was dethroned, Peter was restored, Bellaviste -was in the hands of the Franzist party,--this was what the telegram, -despatched by M. Sertchaieff and his brother the General, told the -world, and after its contents had been made public there was silence -for several days. What those days of waiting were to Nadia it is -impossible to describe. As is always the case when no authoritative -news can be obtained, the most sensational rumours were rife--all, of -course, founded on “private messages of undoubted trustworthiness,” or -on the utterances of “a person who was better acquainted with the east -of Europe than any other man living.” The purveyors of news of this -description were largely concerned with the fate of Caerleon, and his -supposed adventures formed the universal subject of conversation in -Valetta society. There was not an Englishman in the island that did -not admire the way in which he had stuck to his kingdom, although -there were some who objected to his having gone to Thracia at all, and -many were the conjectures, each backed by the authority of some -newspaper statement or other, as to what had become of him. He had -yielded to the demands of the rebels without striking a blow; he had -refused to abdicate until a pistol was held to his head; he had -offered such a strenuous resistance that he had been vanquished only -when severely wounded; he was now imprisoned in one of the underground -galleries of the Bellaviste fortifications; he had entered the service -of King Peter; he had disappeared mysteriously; he had blown out his -brains; he had been murdered;--the variety and mutual inconsistency of -the rumours bore reliable testimony to one point only, the -impenetrable mystery that shrouded his fate. It seemed certain that he -was not at large, or why was he making no effort to regain his throne? -but it seemed certain also that the victory of the insurgents had not -been so complete as was at first reported, or why did they not send -for King Peter? - -That easy-going gentleman was still at Nice, apparently caring very -little whether he was restored to his kingdom or not, and professing -to have no more certain knowledge than any one else whether Thracia -was in a state of civil war or had submitted calmly to the new order -of things. Meanwhile the Thracian border was beset by hordes of eager -journalists, each man anxious to obtain for his own paper the first -authentic news, and all alike refused an entrance into the kingdom. -One or two, more enterprising than their fellows, succeeded in -crossing the frontier at some unguarded point; but they were detected -and seized before they had got a mile nearer the capital, and after a -few hours’ detention in a police-station to cool their ardour, were -escorted over the border again without gaining any information beyond -a further addition to the stock of rumours. - -At last a definite piece of news made its way to the frontier, and -remained uncontradicted. M. Drakovics, still strong in the possession -of office, was at Tatarjé, and was engaged in conference with the -envoy from Roum, while negotiations were being carried on with the -various Powers. The next day the embargo on special correspondents was -removed, and the long-tried newspaper men rushed across the frontier, -and raced one another to Bellaviste. The ‘Empire City Crier’ only -missed gaining the earliest details through an unfortunate accident -which befell the cart in which its representative was being conveyed -at break-neck speed across country; but as it was, the correspondent -of the ‘Fleet Street’ took the first place, with the unconquerable Mr -Hicks as a good second. After them came the representatives of -numberless other journals, and Europe was speedily deluged with full, -true, and particular accounts of the origin, progress, and extinction -of the revolt. - -The news reached Malta in time for publication in the morning papers. -Ever since the first tidings of the outbreak had arrived, the Princess -and Nadia had heard nothing discussed, whether in public or in -private, but the “Thracian business,” with all the gruesome details -which the hopes or fears or imaginations of different people had -grafted on to the truth. The long uncertainty had made the girl sick -with fear. She was almost driven to feel that it would have been less -painful to hear once for all that Caerleon was dead than to have -absolutely no idea as to what had become of him. On this particular -morning she was crouching in one of the windows of the great bare -drawing-room, afraid to go out lest she should hear the question of -Caerleon’s fate discussed once again, but knowing that she could not -refrain from listening to the conjectures which tormented her, when -the Princess was summoned to an interview with Captain Binks. -Breakfast was only just over; but the autocrat of the Anna Karénina -resembled time and tide in that he waited for no man, and he wanted -the Princess’s authority for some item of the repairs to the yacht. -The formality, which was naturally of a purely ceremonial character, -having been gone through, Captain Binks was about to depart, when the -Princess caught sight of a newspaper sticking out of his pocket. - -“Is that to-day’s paper?” she asked, moved by a sudden impulse of -alarm for which there appeared no special reason. - -“Yes, your Highness. Sad business this about Thracia. I wish I had the -men that murdered that poor fellow aboard of my ship. There would be -no yard-arms to let when I’d done with ’em.” - -“Murdered?” said the Princess, with sinking heart. “Please let me -see.” - -Captain Binks smoothed out the crumpled sheet and handed it to her, -and she read the account, telegraphed in the first instance from -Bellaviste to London, over a hastily repaired wire, by the -correspondent of the ‘Fleet Street,’ of the recapture of the city, of -Louis O’Malachy’s confession, and of Prince Otto Georg’s election to -the vacant throne. As she read it she resolved instantly that Nadia -should hear nothing of the news until the report was confirmed. - -“Thank you, my good captain,” she said, handing the paper back to its -owner. “It is indeed terrible! Will you have the goodness to send -Alessandro to me as you go out?” - -Captain Binks departed, somewhat disappointed by the indifference with -which the Princess had received the news, and which he attributed to -the fact of her being a foreigner, and she hastily laid her plans -while waiting for the courier to appear. The account in the newspaper -had mentioned the presence of Mr Hicks in Bellaviste, apropos of the -accident which had delayed his arrival there, and the Princess had a -certain amount of acquaintance with Mr Hicks. He had been sent on a -journalistic mission to Scythia some time ago, charged to ascertain -the real facts as to the persecution of the Evangelicals, rumours of -which had reached America, and he had gone to the fountainhead, and -had interviewed Count Wratisloff and herself. When Alessandro entered -the room she directed him to procure a carriage for the whole day, and -intrusted him also with a telegram to be despatched immediately, -addressed to Mr Hicks at Bellaviste, and inquiring whether the reports -which had reached Malta of recent events in Thracia were trustworthy. -Alessandro was relieved of his usual duty of accompanying the -carriage, and ordered to wait at the house and bring the return -telegram to his mistress as soon as it arrived. Having made these -arrangements, the Princess went in search of Nadia, whom she found -still curled up on the stone window-seat. - -“I have ordered the carriage to take us to Il Boschetto this morning, -my child,” she said, briskly. “We will spend the day there, and come -back in the evening. It will be a pleasant change, and you will like -to see the orange-groves.” - -“Yes, Marraine,” assented Nadia, without showing much interest in the -prospect. “I suppose there is not likely to be any news before we get -back--genuine news, I mean?” - -“If there is, it shall be brought out to us,” said the Princess. “You -may be sure of that, dear child.” - -Somewhat comforted, Nadia went to her room to prepare for the drive; -but her godmother did not breathe freely until they were safely -outside the gates of the city and well on their way. At any moment, -while they were in the house, some acquaintance might come in, and -enter upon the one absorbing topic of conversation. But it was too -early as yet for most of the Valetta ladies to be out, while the -gentlemen were still busy in office or orderly-room, and all was safe -when once the white city on its steep hill had been left behind, and -the long country drive begun. Bare little fields with stone walls -enclosing them, without a tree or a bush to break the monotony, -interspersed with small houses like square stone boxes, windowless and -chimneyless, lay on either side of the road. After driving some -distance, they came in sight of Città Vecchia. Here there is a grotto -which is said to have been at one time the abode of St Paul; but the -Princess thought that its genuineness was too problematical for it to -call for a visit, and the city was left on one side, in spite of the -remonstrances of the driver of the carriage. - -Il Boschetto was reached after a further drive--a pleasant oasis of -gardens and orange-groves in the midst of the surrounding desolation, -and the northern eyes of the Princess and Nadia rejoiced in the -luxuriant greenness. The place was a favourite one for picnics; but it -happened that there were no other visitors that day, and they had the -gardens to themselves. After lunch the Princess suggested a rest in -the shade; but Nadia could not sit still, and preferred to walk on by -herself and obtain a view of the sea from a hill near at hand. She had -been gone some time, and the Princess was becoming a little drowsy, -when the sound of footsteps roused her to full consciousness, and she -saw Alessandro coming towards her with a telegram in his hand. Taking -it from him, she turned back among the trees and tore it open:-- - - - “Too true that King Carlino was murdered at outbreak of revolt. Prince - Otto Georg of Schwarzwald-Molzau is to be crowned King to-day.” - - -“This poor Carlino!” broke from the Princess. “And my poor child! how -shall I tell her?” - -“Marraine,” said the panting voice of Nadia behind her, “wasn’t that -Alessandro I saw from the hill-top just now? It looked like him, and -he seemed to be coming here. Did he bring any news?” - -The Princess turned quickly, guilty and tongue-tied, crumpling the -telegram in her hand. Nadia caught sight of it, and knew at once what -it was. - -“Marraine, you have had news of Carlino!” she cried, snatching the -paper from her godmother’s reluctant hand and reading it. The moment -that the words had met her eyes she dropped it with a groan. - -“He is dead, and I have killed him!” she cried. - -“Killed him? But you did not kill him, my child,” said the Princess. - -“Yes, I did; I urged him to accept the crown, I wouldn’t let him -abdicate when he wished to do it. I made him stay in Thracia, and I -have killed him. It is my doing.” - -“It is God’s will, dear child. You may have been the instrument----” - -“I was,” said Nadia, in the same hard voice. “You told me that I had -been doing wrong the night I came to Pavelsburg, and now this has -happened to make me sure of it. It is all through me. Don’t speak to -me, Marraine. No doubt it is well that I should see what harm my -wanting my own way can do. But why should he be punished for what was -my fault?” - -She stood looking away through the trees with stony eyes that saw -nothing, and the Princess laid her hand on her arm and guided her -gently back to the carriage. When they reached it, Alessandro came -bustling up to express a hope that the telegram had not contained any -bad news, but Nadia neither saw nor heard him. As they left the -gardens behind them, she sat looking out over the arid landscape, -refusing to listen to the Princess’s attempts to comfort her. - -“Please don’t speak to me just now, Marraine. Let me get used to the -thought,” she said at last, and her godmother desisted with a sigh -from her well-meant efforts. They had passed Città Vecchia before the -Princess spoke again; and this time she did not address Nadia, but -seeing two weary-looking men toiling along the road a short distance -in front of the carriage, she called to Alessandro, who was riding -behind-- - -“Tell the driver to stop when we come up to those men, Alessandro. -They look tired, and we might drive them into Valetta.” - -Alessandro obeyed in silence, for he was becoming accustomed to his -mistress’s eccentricities, but with a slight grimace. - -“Vill your ’ighness zat I speak to zem?” he asked, as the carriage -stopped. - -“No,” said the Princess, “I will invite them myself. This one does not -look like a Maltese. I will try him in English. My poor man, I fear -you are in some distress. Can we help you in any way?” - -The second wayfarer, a Maltese peasant in the ordinary dusty cotton -clothes and Phrygian cap, stared in surprise and utter lack of -comprehension at the lady; but the one whom the Princess had addressed -came forward respectfully, touching the place where the brim of his -hat would naturally have been, if he had worn one. He was an -undersized, light-haired man, haggard and unshaven, and clad in what -looked like the tattered remains of a suit of livery of some kind. - -“I’m sure you’re very good, ma’am,” he said. “If you would be so kind -as tell me the word for ‘doctor’ in this chap’s lingo, and ’ow to find -one in the town yonder when we gets to it, me and my master would be -no end obliged to you.” - -“Your master is ill--hurt?” asked the Princess. “You have been -shipwrecked with him, perhaps?” - -“No, ma’am; we ain’t been shipwrecked,” returned the man, politely but -repressively. “I ’ope as you’ll excuse me sayin’ any more, for my -master is a very well-known gentleman; but bein’ in difficulties just -now, so to speak, ’e tell me not to mention ’is name. But we want a -doctor badly, and as we couldn’t make out these fellers, nor them us, -’is Maj---- I mean my master, said as me and this chap ’ad better go -on to the town there, and see where we was. We’ve tried ’em in English -and in French and in Thracian----” he broke off suddenly, and stared -at Nadia, whose attention had been caught by the last word, and who -had turned and was regarding him fixedly. - -“It is you, is it, Wright?” she said, with listless indifference. -“Then you forsook him too?” - -“Me forsook ’is Majesty, miss?” cried Wright, much injured. “Not until -’e tell me to. Would you ’ave me say, ‘Go yourself,’ when ’e sent me -for the doctor?” - -“_He sent you_?” Nadia almost screamed. “When? Where?” - -“About ’alf a hour ago, miss; from this chap’s farm’ouse over there.” - -“Then he is alive? They didn’t kill him? Tell me quickly, or I shall -go mad. He is there, you say?” - -“Why, yes, miss,” said Wright, stolidly, trying to disentangle the -sheaf of questions which Nadia poured upon him in her agitation. “’E’s -there, of course--leastways, I left ’im there, and it stands to reason -as ’e ain’t dead.” - -“Oh, Marraine!” sobbed Nadia, burying her face on the Princess’s -shoulder, “do you hear? He’s alive, he’s alive!” - -“Compose yourself, my child,” said the Princess, although Wright’s -wooden face showed no sign of his having observed the girl’s -excitement. “Who is this worthy man? Tell me.” - -“He is the King’s groom, the man who brought me to meet Marie -Karlovna. Oh, Marraine, he isn’t dead!” - -“My good man,” said the Princess, abandoning the attempt to reduce -Nadia to reason, and addressing Wright, “get into the carriage, and we -will return to find your master, and drive him to Valetta.” - -“Not with you, ma’am,” said Wright, in horror. “It ain’t my place at -no time, and now----” he looked at his disreputable clothes with -disgust. “If I might ride on the box this little way, and get down -before comin’ into the town, so as not to disgrace you----” - -“Your companion will sit on the box, and show the driver the way to -his farm,” said the Princess. “Tell him so, Alessandro. Now, my good -man, if you wish to be of assistance to your master, you will do as I -tell you.” - -Thus adjured, Wright obeyed in much confusion, and took the seat -opposite the Princess, making himself as small as possible, and with -great delicacy keeping his face turned from Nadia, who was leaning -back in her place, holding her parasol so as to shield her from -observation, and crying quietly for joy. - -“Now tell me,” said the Princess, when the carriage had turned and -they were driving in the direction of the farm, “is it the King who is -ill?” - -“No, ma’am; it’s ’is brother, Prince Cyril. ’E’s always been sickly, -and me and ’is Majesty think as the cold ’as got to ’is chest. ’E was -moanin’ awful when I come away.” - -“Poor boy!” said the Princess. “And what did the King propose to do -when he reached the town?” - -“I don’t rightly know, ma’am, seein’ as ’e’s precious ’ard up. We -didn’t ’ave no money with us when we was took, except a copper or two -as I ’ad in my pockets, and ’is Majesty ain’t quite sure what ’e can -lay ’is ’and on ’ere. You see, the British Government, they didn’t -like ’is takin’ the kingdom on, and ’e don’t know that ’e mightn’t be -took up if ’e showed ’imself. That’s why I didn’t tell you ’is name -until I see Miss O’Malachy.” - -“I see,” said the Princess, beckoning to Alessandro, who rode up, and -received his mistress’s orders to return to Valetta and prepare some -of the unused rooms at her lodgings, and to secure the services of a -doctor, all without making any fuss, or saying who the new visitors -were. He departed at once, and the Princess began to inquire into -Cyril’s symptoms, a subject which lasted Wright until the carriage -arrived at the farm. The peasant descended from the box and led the -way into the little courtyard with its high stone walls and one tree, -while two or three women and a number of children peered shyly at the -ladies from the shelter of the outbuildings. Wright went straight into -the house, and with an innate dramatic instinct, the existence of -which had hitherto been unsuspected in him, announced merely-- - -“There’s two ladies ’ere, your Majesty, with a carriage, as will be -pleased to give you and ’is ’ighness a lift into the city.” - -“Ladies!” Nadia heard Caerleon remark, in tones of dismay; but -catching sight of their shadows behind Wright, he took his courage in -both hands and came towards them. There is a popular superstition, -which is an article of faith with some people, that a gentleman looks -like a gentleman under any circumstances. Perhaps Caerleon was the -exception which is said to prove the rule--at any rate, wearing -neither coat nor waistcoat, and not having had the opportunity of -washing or shaving for several days, he presented the appearance of an -unusually powerful ruffian with whom trade had not prospered of late. - -“I am most grateful for your kindness,” he said, coming to the door -and bowing to the Princess; “but I could not think of trespassing upon -it by accepting your offer. The fact is, we are not exactly in trim -for ladies’---- Nadia!” he seized her hand in both his, and stood -gazing at her, forgetful alike of the Princess and of what he had been -saying, until Nadia, feeling herself growing crimson under the look in -his eyes, drew her hand away and retreated behind the Princess. - -“My child, you are acquainted with this gentleman, I think?” murmured -her godmother reprovingly; and Nadia came forward again for an instant -and said in confusion-- - -“The King of Thracia--Princess Soudaroff,” and retired in greater -confusion still, feeling that it was indeed the most unkindest cut of -all that she should be the first to remind him of his altered estate, -by presenting him to the Princess instead of the Princess to him. But -her godmother was already crossing the room towards Cyril, who was -lying moaning and only half-conscious on a bed of maize-leaves in a -corner. - -“I am afraid he is very ill,” said the Princess aside to Caerleon, -“and he certainly cannot be nursed here. We must take him to Valetta -in my carriage immediately, and there is a room in my lodgings where -he can be well looked after, and you will be safe at the same time.” - -“Oh, really,” began Caerleon, “I don’t know how to thank you enough; -but I can’t saddle you with all the bother of an invalid in this way.” - -“Of course not,” said the Princess; “I saddle myself with him. I have -the room, and he needs it. Besides, you are friends of my dear -child’s, so that I cannot count you as strangers, though I hope I -should do the same if you were.” - -“I have seen my godmother bring home a dying beggar from the roadside, -in a most dreadful state, and have him nursed and cared for,” said -Nadia, reassuringly. The comparison suggested was not a particularly -happy one; but her intention was so kind that Caerleon felt ashamed of -the twinkle in his eye as he glanced at her, and hoped she had not -seen it. - -“See,” said the Princess, “we will get into the carriage, and you and -your servant shall carry your brother to it. Then we will make room -for you too, and the groom shall go on the box. Stay,” and she drew -him aside and put her purse into his hand, “you will wish to reward -these honest people who have given you shelter, and you can repay me -afterwards, when you have been able to make arrangements.” - -“You are too good, Princess,” said Caerleon, gratefully; and he -remunerated the farmer and his family for their kindness in a way that -left them calling down blessings on his head. Then he and Wright -carried Cyril to the carriage, where the Princess and Nadia had been -arranging the cushions as comfortably as they could for him, and when -he had been propped up safely, they were able to leave the farm on the -way back to Valetta. There was little opportunity for conversation -during the drive, for Cyril was restless and uneasy, and turned -continually from Nadia to his brother in weary bewilderment, relapsing -now and then into moaning unconsciousness, so that every one was glad -when the city was reached. It was now dusk, and the friendly twilight -prevented the Princess’s strange companions from being noticed in -their passage through the streets and their entrance into the house. -Alessandro had done his work well. The doctor was in attendance, and -Cyril was speedily relegated to a comfortable bed, and delivered over -to the care of an elderly woman, the widow of a martyred Bibelist, -whom the Princess had brought with her on her travels as Nadia’s maid. -The doctor said that cold and exposure had brought on an attack of -pleurisy, but he hoped that it might not prove very serious; and -Caerleon, much relieved by the verdict, gave himself up to the tender -mercies of Alessandro, who provided suitable clothes in a marvellous -manner, and sent him down in proper trim, an hour later, to dine with -the ladies. He was warmly welcomed by the Princess, who had found all -her kindness of heart necessary hitherto to help her to conceal the -dismay she had felt at his appearance, and who positively beamed upon -the transformation effected by Alessandro. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIII. - UNDER WHICH KING? - -“Your Majesty will relate to us your adventures?” said the Princess, -when they were seated at table. “At present we know only that the -insurgents declared most solemnly that they had killed you, and that -we find you are here in Malta several days after your supposed death.” - -“I can’t at all understand that confession myself,” said Caerleon, -smiling, “for the men who made it had the best possible means of -knowing what had really happened to us. Well, to go back to the -beginning of everything, it seems, from what my brother has since told -me, that he and Drakovics had some idea that an attempt would be made -on my life at the coronation, which was to take place to-day--or -yesterday--or was it the day before?--I am in a state of utter -confusion now as to the day of the week. I suppose the rumour was a -mere blind, intended to distract our attention from the real plot. At -any rate, rather less than a week ago, Wright woke us in the middle of -the night, and told us there was not a sentry to be seen about the -place, and that the servants had all disappeared. We got up and looked -for our revolvers, but they had been tampered with, and the only -weapons we could find were the wretched Brummagem swords we wear in -full dress. We started out along the corridor with these in our hands, -but it wasn’t until we came to the landing that we caught sight of the -enemy. Then we had a fight on the stair-way, like old Umslopogaas, and -we were led forcibly to the conclusion that a Zulu battle-axe was a -more satisfactory weapon than a tailor-made sword. Still, with General -Sertchaieff’s sword, which Wright got hold of for me, I think we might -have managed to hold our own, if they hadn’t come upon us from behind -and knocked us down the stairs. Then they tied us up with -curtain-ropes, and wanted me to sign a deed of abdication, but I -wouldn’t do it.” - -“I am sure you would not!” cried Nadia, with flashing eyes. “Did they -threaten to kill you?” - -“Well, the atmosphere was rather threatening, certainly, and they were -kind enough to warn us that our fate was in our own hands, and that -sort of thing. Then they took us down to the river, and on board a -steamer, and there, I don’t mind telling you, I did think that our -last hour was come. They blindfolded us, and I made sure we were to be -shot at once; but then they began to drag us along the deck, and I -thought they must be going to make us walk the plank, that there might -be no signs of violence visible on our bodies. I know it crossed my -mind even then that they must have a robust faith in human nature if -they believed that three bound and blindfolded corpses would be -imagined to have got into the river by accident. At last I felt them -give me a good push forwards, but instead of falling overboard I found -myself on my hands and knees in a cabin. The next moment my brother -and Wright were flung in on top of me, and the door was locked. I -believe they never really meant to kill us after all, only to frighten -us into begging for mercy, or something of the kind; but if that was -the case, they were disappointed. Before we had picked ourselves up we -heard the men who had brought us on board putting off again in the -boat, and the steamer started immediately. They must have been getting -up steam beforehand in readiness for our arrival. We set to work at -once to try and free ourselves, and as our hands were tied in front of -us, we managed to do it after a time. Wright succeeded first, and he -helped us. Then we got off the handkerchiefs which were tied over our -eyes, but the place was quite dark. We felt all round and about it, -and made up our minds that we must be in some sort of deck-cabin, but -there were no windows, only wooden shutters. There was no furniture, -nothing but a heap of old tarpaulins, and it was frightfully cold, for -the snow was on the ground when we started. Cyril hadn’t got a proper -coat on, merely a smoking-jacket, and he began to shiver horribly. I -had no coat either, but Wright gave him his, and we took turns in -walking about so as to keep warm, and covering ourselves as best we -could with the tarpaulin. If you asked me how long we stayed in that -place, I should say about six hundred years, but I suppose it can’t -have been more than six days,--or was it only five? A grinning -Scythian rascal with a lantern opened the door and poked us in some -ship’s biscuit and water several times during our voyage. I really -never knew before how old and stale ship’s biscuit could be. We tried -to induce the fellow to bring us some better food for Cyril and a -blanket or two; but we had no money with us, and he demanded cash -down, and exhibited a holy horror of dealing on credit. Cyril got -worse and worse, and we couldn’t do anything for him. We gave him all -the tarpaulin to keep him warm, but it was wretched stiff stuff, and -wouldn’t cover him properly. At first he was able to talk sensibly to -us, and to try to appeal to the jailer’s better nature in Scythian, -but as time went on he became half-delirious, and we could see that he -was suffering horribly. We banged at the door and did everything we -could devise to attract attention, and we promised the jailer -unheard-of sums if he would bring the captain or some one in authority -to speak to us, but he only laughed. All this time we could tell that -the ship was moving, but happily there was not much sea on. At last, -this morning, she stopped suddenly, and as far as we could make out, a -boat came on board, and then put off again. Whether this was an order -for some change in our destination I don’t know, but not very long -afterwards they called to us to come out of the cabin. Wright and I -dragged Cyril up, and helped him out into a sort of passage-place, -where the light dazzled us, for we had seen nothing but the jailer’s -lantern since we had been on board. Before we could look round or -manage to see who was there, we were blindfolded again and our hands -tied, and we were taken down the ship’s side into a boat. We were -rowed some way until we felt the keel grate on some sort of shore, and -then they hauled us out and dumped us down upon the sand, and we heard -them rowing away again. Our hands were tied behind us this time, so -that it was a long while before we could get them free, and when we -got our eyes uncovered, the ship was steaming away from us right out -at sea, almost out of sight. There we were stranded, on a desert -island for all we knew, with poor old Cyril gabbling away in all sorts -of languages, and quite off his head. We drew him under the shadow of -the cliff, and Wright went a little way along the beach to look for a -path. He found a place where there was a gap in the cliffs, and went -up it a short distance, and then came back and told me that he could -see houses a good way off. We lifted poor Cyril between us, and -carried him up through the gap and along a little field-path to the -house where you found us. There were only the women and children at -home, and they couldn’t understand us, nor we them; but they were very -kind to us, and gave us food and made up a bed of leaves for Cyril. -Then when the farmer came back from work, we had another try at making -ourselves understood; but it was no good, and we couldn’t even get him -to tell us slowly where we were. He talked so fast, and said so much, -that though I had an idea that he mentioned Valetta, I couldn’t be -sure of it. However, I thought it was very likely that they had -brought us to Malta as the nearest piece of British territory to -Thracia, so Wright and I agreed that he had better get the farmer to -take him to the town we could see in the distance, and look about for -some good Samaritan who could speak English, and might be able to -guide him to a doctor. But I never hoped to fall in with two such good -Samaritans as those who brought him back.” - -“Hush!” said the Princess, “let us have no compliments, please. To -have been the means of helping fellow-creatures in distress is enough -for me, and if it is not enough for Mdlle. O’Malachy, she may say so -for herself. But tell me--do you seriously consider that you are in -danger here?” - -“I haven’t an idea,” said Caerleon. “The English Government has never -recognised me as King of Thracia, and therefore it has no right to -consider me as anything but a private person; but there might be some -official who would prefer security to logic, and put me in prison just -to prevent any risk of accidents. I must telegraph to Drakovics -to-morrow, and see how things stand, and after I have heard from him I -shall know better what to do.” - -“Quite so,” said the Princess. “You are aware that the Thracians, -believing you to be dead, have chosen one of the Schwarzwald-Molzau -princes as their king?” - -“I know--Prince Otto Georg, a very good fellow; he was staying with me -at Bellaviste before I--well, left. I have no wish whatever to -interfere with his election,--though no doubt it will be an awful sell -for him when he hears that I am alive after all.” - -“I doubt whether you could interfere even if you were anxious to do -so,” said the Princess. “We heard that he was to be crowned to-day, -and it is possible that his coronation might bar any claim on your -part.” - -“I shan’t be sorry,” said Caerleon. “It seems to me that this would -end a very difficult situation in a very desirable way. It certainly -looks as though my captors were of your opinion. If that boat this -morning brought the news of Otto Georg’s coronation to the men who had -me in charge, it appears that they considered me no longer dangerous. -Otherwise they might have marooned us somewhere along the North -African coast, where there would have been very little chance of our -ever turning up again to trouble them, or if they were particular -about British territory, they could have found one or two rather nasty -places on the shores of Cyprus.” - -“But you are the King still,” said Nadia, with fierce eagerness. - -“I really don’t know, and I can’t say that I care very much if I am -not. It has not been such a delightful post as to make me want to turn -the other man out of it if he likes it. And if I am not king I must -surely be a very harmless individual, who might safely be left in -peace.” - -“Yes,” said the Princess, “and yet it might be supposed that you had -come here for the purpose of setting on foot a plot for your own -restoration. I will tell you what I will do. We have not yet attended -one of the Governor’s receptions, but I brought with me a letter of -introduction to him, and I will deliver it to-morrow morning. I will -represent your situation to him in his private capacity, and if as -Governor he considers it his duty to arrest you, he will give me some -hint of his intention, and you shall take refuge on board the Anna -Karénina, and leave the port. Under the Scythian flag you will be -safe.” - -“This is the irony of fate,” said Caerleon. “Scythia has turned me out -of Thracia, and now she is to protect me against the lawful -authorities of my own country.” - -“Then you believe that the plot against you was of Scythian origin?” -asked the Princess. Caerleon reflected for a moment before answering. - -“I do not think that there were any Scythians among the actual -plotters,” he said; “but I feel pretty sure that they would never have -entered into the conspiracy if they had not felt sure of Scythia’s -support in case of success, and her sympathy if they failed. I think -it’s quite possible, too, that she strained a point in granting the -exiles permission first to settle in her territory, and then to leave -it.” - -“But who were the leaders of the conspiracy?” asked Nadia, suddenly. - -“Well, I saw most of General Sertchaieff; but I hear that his brother, -the former Premier, was in it too.” - -“Yes, I saw their names; but that is not what I mean. Was my brother -there?” - -“There were a good many of them altogether,” said Caerleon, evasively. - -“Was Louis there?” she persisted. - -“Well--yes, he was,” admitted Caerleon. - -“You need not be afraid of hurting my feelings,” said Nadia, her eyes -gleaming ominously. “He has no special tenderness for me--he would -have shot me once if another man had not knocked his hand up just in -time, so don’t try to spare him.” - -“My child,” said the Princess, “do not say what you may afterwards -regret. Your unhappy brother is dead.” - -“Dead?” said Nadia, awed. “Was he killed in the fighting?” - -“No,” said the Princess, “afterwards. Do you wish to leave us, my -child? His Majesty will be so kind as to excuse you,” and Nadia rose -and left the room. - -“What became of Louis O’Malachy?” asked Caerleon, returning to his -place after opening the door for her. “All that I know about the -outbreak is what I heard from your man just now, and he did not -mention his name.” - -“He was to be shot this morning with General Sertchaieff and others -among the rebels who had belonged to the army,” said the Princess. - -“I can’t say that I don’t think his fate was well deserved,” said -Caerleon, hotly. “When I remember the way in which that fellow -deceived us all--pretending that he had given up his commission in the -Scythian army for the sake of throwing in his lot with Thracia, and -how he took the oaths to me, and received the pay of our Government -while all the time he was plotting against it--I feel as though -shooting was too good for him. But that’s not all,” he rose from his -seat and began to walk up and down the room. “As Miss O’Malachy says, -when she came to Bellaviste to warn me that her father meant to murder -me, he actually fired at her--would have killed her rather than allow -her to betray his secret. There are some things one feels it very hard -to forgive a man, though he is dead.” - -“It is cases of this kind,” said the Princess, with apparent -irrelevance, “that make one wish that Scripture and reason allowed us -to believe in the efficacy of prayers for the dead.” - -“It is, indeed,” Caerleon assented heartily, although wondering a -little at the turn the conversation was taking. But when the Princess -spoke next, she had changed the subject again. - -“My poor Nadia is very much alone in the world,” she remarked. “Now -that her father has cast her off, she has really no relations left.” - -“Is the O’Malachy acting the Roman father?” asked Caerleon. “I was -surprised that he took no part in the rebellion.” - -“He has been laid up with a bad attack of gout at a little town in -Scythian Sarmatia,” said the Princess, “and no doubt his illness has -saved his life. He must have heard from his son the reason for the -failure of the plot which you mention, for Nadia has received a long -letter from him, containing the promise of his dying curse, and -declaring that from thenceforward she was no daughter of his.” - -“She could have worse spared a better father,” said Caerleon. - -The Princess smiled. “That is exactly my idea. No doubt it is selfish -of me, but I cannot but rejoice that Colonel O’Malachy has cast her -off so unequivocally. When she came to me first, as a little child, I -was always afraid that a day would come when her parents would claim -her again, and, as you know, they did.” - -“And I’m afraid that I can’t say I’m sorry for it,” said Caerleon. “It -was to my advantage, you see, for if Miss O’Malachy had remained in -Scythia with your Highness, I might never have met her--nor yourself, -madame,” he added, hastily. - -“I did not know that Englishmen were so fond of paying compliments,” -said the Princess, looking surprised. “However, as I was about to -remark, it is a great happiness to me to know that my god-daughter is -altogether mine from henceforth.” - -“I--I’m afraid you don’t quite understand what I wanted to say,” said -Caerleon, desperately. “I don’t know whether she has told you, but it -doesn’t seem right for me to be staying in your house without your -knowing it--I mean that I have twice asked Miss O’Malachy to marry -me.” - -“You are candid,” said the Princess, smiling. “Nadia has told me of -your obliging offer, I assure you. May I ask whether this plain -speaking is intended as a prelude to a third proposal?” - -“I wish it might be! But that must depend upon circumstances.” - -“I see. Your Majesty is a prudent lover.” - -“But you don’t see what I mean,” persisted Caerleon. “I can’t be -certain until I know whether I am still King of Thracia or not.” - -“Then you consider that Nadia is good enough to be your wife, but not -to be your queen?” - -“I think she is fit for any throne on earth,” said Caerleon, -indignantly. “Your Highness seems determined to misunderstand me. It -is not my fault that Nadia--I beg your pardon, Miss O’Malachy--is not -Queen of Thracia at this moment; but she would not have me when I was -King, and yet she wouldn’t allow me to abdicate. She put me on my -honour to stay in Thracia until I was turned out, and refused to have -anything to say to me as long as I stayed there. Of course I see the -difficulties in the way. Her Scythian blood, and her name, would make -the people detest the marriage at first, even now, especially after -what has just happened, and Drakovics would oppose it violently, and -he is capable of a good deal. But time works wonders, and if she would -have given me a grain of hope, I would have waited any number of -years; but she wouldn’t, and therefore your Highness can’t wonder that -I shall be glad if Prince Otto Georg is left in peaceable possession -of the throne.” - -“This is a declaration of war, then? If you find yourself once more a -private individual, you will again ask Nadia to marry you, and do your -best to deprive me of my child?” - -“Like a shot,” returned Caerleon, promptly. “I am sorry if you think I -am ungrateful, but I thought it only fair to tell you the state of the -case.” - -“You are right. I prefer an open enemy. Now, I can see that all your -fatigues and anxieties have left you very tired, and no wonder. Don’t -let me keep you up if you would rather go to your room at once. I hope -the servants have made you comfortable?” - -“Perfectly, thank you. But I am going to sit up and look after my -brother.” - -“Are you?” asked the Princess. “I think not. I lay my commands upon -you to leave him to-night to my care and Tatiana’s, while you take a -good rest. If you wish to please me (and you know that I am a very -important person to please if you want to marry Nadia) you will do as -I tell you.” - -“How can I thank you for all your kindness?” asked Caerleon, -gratefully, but she stopped him at once. - -“By saying nothing about it. Good night.” - -“I don’t think she is really as angry with me for wanting to marry -Nadia as she seemed to be just now,” was Caerleon’s reflection as he -kissed her hand, while the Princess was congratulating herself that -she had at least shown him plainly that he need not contemplate -marrying Nadia out of pity, nor imagine that she had no friends. - - - -The next day opened brightly for the fugitives from Thracia. In the -first place, Tatiana announced that she thought Cyril seemed a shade -better. Next, Wright won a victory which filled his soul with delight. -Entering his master’s dressing-room before he was up, he discovered -Alessandro and an aiding and abetting boy engaged in putting out the -clothes which they had procured for Caerleon to wear. In the present -state of affairs, Wright looked upon this duty as his own, and after -the employment of much broken English and many Italian gestures on the -side of the two foreigners, and much silent contempt on his part, he -ousted his rivals and remained master of the situation. Lastly, the -Princess interviewed the Governor at an absurdly early hour, and found -him in a most reasonable frame of mind. Truth to tell, when his -Excellency heard that Princess Soudaroff wished to see him on urgent -private business, his thoughts flew immediately to Captain Binks, -whose tyranny, owing to his own boastful spirit, had become a joke in -the town. As a man of honour, the Governor was rejoiced to welcome the -opportunity of delivering this harmless and excellent foreign lady -from her oppressor, and accorded her an interview at once. His -amazement, when he found that she had come to inquire his opinion as -to the personality of the reigning King of Thracia, and not to ask his -advice as to the best way in which to get rid of the captain of her -yacht, was extreme, but he was quite ready to help her. He had not a -doubt that Prince Otto Georg would immediately be recognised as King -by the Powers, and in that case Caerleon could probably count on being -left unmolested, unless he took to devising plots against the new -_régime_ in Thracia. At any rate, if orders for his arrest should be -sent from England, his Excellency would contrive that the Princess -should hear of the mandate by a side wind before it could be carried -out. - -This was the news which the Princess imparted to Caerleon when he -appeared, much ashamed of having overslept himself, at the late -breakfast. The intelligence, following on his conversation with her -the night before, served to raise his spirits considerably, and he -went so far as to chaff her gently on the subject of the exactions of -Captain Binks, of which he had heard from Wright, much to her -amusement, while Nadia listened in silence, pleased at his -cheerfulness, but still puzzled by it. After breakfast, nothing would -satisfy him but to go out at once and despatch his telegrams to King -Otto Georg and M. Drakovics. He felt himself a free man once more, but -he was feverishly anxious to have the charter of his liberty signed -and sealed. It was only as he enjoyed the unwonted sensation of -filling in the telegraph-forms that he realised what a relief it was -not to find himself waylaid during his walk to the post-office by -half-a-dozen broken-hearted officials, all beseeching him, -reverentially and almost with tears, not to give himself the trouble -of writing out his messages with his own hand. As he left the building -he made an eager mental calculation of the time which must necessarily -elapse before he could receive his assurance of release from -Bellaviste, and rejoiced to discover that a few hours ought to be -sufficient to end his suspense. It was not only that he was desirous -to escape from the trammels of etiquette--he had endured them for the -past three months, and could manage to endure them again, he thought, -if it would do any human being any earthly good,--but there was Nadia. -He could not help knowing that she had been glad to see him again the -night before; she had allowed him to hold her hand, and her beautiful -eyes had been full of tears when they fell before his,--and yet, if he -was King of Thracia still, she would persist in maintaining the -barrier which she had erected between them. If it was his duty to go -back to Thracia and take up the weary round again without the support -of her companionship, he would do it, doggedly if not with a good -grace; but if things had been settled otherwise without any action on -his part, how gladly would he hail the release! He was fully convinced -by this time that he was not suited to be a king--the position -demanded mental and moral (or perhaps unmoral) qualifications of which -he was not possessed, and a quiet life in England with Nadia was more -than ever his ideal of happiness. He walked back to the house as -though he had been treading on air, and was greeted by a friendly -smile from Alessandro, who had washed his hands of Wright, but still -retained a proprietary interest in Wright’s master, and took occasion -to inform him that the doctor had arrived some time ago to pay his -morning visit to Cyril. Almost before the courier had finished -speaking, Caerleon caught sight of Nadia standing on the piazza and -apparently waiting for him. He ran up the steps at once. - -“I have just been telegraphing my congratulations to the new King,” he -said, “and assuring him that I had far rather he was on the throne -than I. I feel like a schoolboy out for a holiday.” - -“Oh, hush!” said Nadia, gravely. “I have bad news for you. The doctor -is here, and he says that your brother is decidedly worse.” - -Caerleon gazed at her in astonishment. “But I thought he was so much -better!” he cried. - -“That was only a temporary improvement, attributable to the greater -comfort of his surroundings,” she answered, quoting the medical -pronouncement word for word. “The doctor hoped that the pain would -decrease a good deal in the night; but it is worse, and he is afraid -he will be obliged to perform an operation.” - -With a muttered apology, Caerleon hurried past her, and hastened -up-stairs to Cyril’s room, meeting the doctor on the way, and hearing -the unfavourable verdict confirmed. The patient’s state was critical, -and the remedies which had been applied seemed to have failed of their -effect. Everything depended now on constant care and attention, and -this the Princess and her household might be relied upon to furnish. -But such a transference of responsibility could not satisfy Caerleon. -He insisted on taking his share, and much more than his share, of the -nursing, and would never have quitted his brother’s room if he had not -been compelled to do so. The Princess and the doctor between them -hunted him out for a walk twice a-day, and obliged him to take his -meals in an adjoining room, but except during these short intervals he -insisted on remaining with Cyril. The telegram which reached him from -M. Drakovics, inquiring anxiously what course he intended to pursue -with regard to Thracia, and that from King Otto Georg, offering to -resign the kingdom to him at once, were read and answered by the -patient’s bedside, and forgotten as soon as they had been disposed of, -in the all-absorbing interest of the struggle between life and death. -The Princess was surprised and touched by the devotion of the elder -brother to the younger, but Nadia read Caerleon’s feelings more -clearly. He was indignant with himself for acquiescing so easily in -the cheerful view at first taken of Cyril’s state, and for allowing -his mind to turn to considerations respecting his own love and -happiness when the brother who had come to Thracia for his sake, who -had done his best to keep him on his unstable throne, and who was -suffering even now through his misfortune, was too much prostrated by -pain and weakness even to realise the gravity of his own condition. To -devote himself now altogether to Cyril, and to atone for his past -neglect by cutting himself off almost entirely from Nadia’s society, -was his first impulse, but Nadia only admired him the more on this -very account, for in a similar case her own instinct would have been -to do exactly the same. As it was, she stifled a sigh over the -memories of that first evening and morning, when Caerleon had seemed -so happy and had talked so cheerfully as to recall the first days of -her acquaintance with him, and turned heroically to taking her share -of the nursing, or to doing what she could towards leaving her -godmother free to devote herself to the invalid. - -“What an ungrateful wretch I am!” she said to herself. “A week ago it -would have seemed to me the very height of happiness merely to know -that Carlino was alive, and yet now that he is in the same house, and -I see him every day, I am not content. Can it be that I am jealous of -poor Lord Cyril? It sounds dreadful, and yet, when I see that Carlino -is always thinking about him, and never speaks to me unless he is -obliged, it makes me miserable. And I ought to be glad to be able to -do anything for Lord Cyril, and so I am,--only I am glad that I -forgave him before I knew how hard it would be.” - -Another thing that made the time she spent in nursing Cyril more than -ordinarily hard for Nadia was the fact that her presence always seemed -to exert on the patient an influence the reverse of soothing. Whether -it was that her anxious, painstaking ways irritated him, or that his -conscience pricked him with regard to her, did not appear, but his -fevered eyes followed her persistently about the room, and seemed to -be addressing some entreaty to her. The doctor noticed it at last. - -“He has something on his mind,” he said to Caerleon. “Has anything -occurred to trouble him, do you know?” - -“Nothing but our leaving Thracia, so far as I am aware.” - -“He did not leave any young lady behind him there, of whom Miss -O’Malachy may remind him, did he?” - -“Oh no. He’s not that sort of fellow at all,” responded Caerleon, with -absolute assurance. But no other suggestion presented itself to his -mind, and he found himself puzzling continually over the uneasiness -Cyril showed in Nadia’s presence. Could it be that for some reason she -was vaguely connected in his mind with her brother? Nadia herself -could offer no explanation but this, and the discovery of the real -cause of Cyril’s aversion to her surprised her almost as much as it -did Caerleon. She was left in charge of the patient one day, while -Caerleon ate his lunch in the dressing-room, and he was astonished -after a time to hear the sounds of an altercation from the -sick-room,--if that could be called an altercation in which all the -speaking was on one side. - -“Is he delirious?” he asked, opening the door slightly. “Can I help -you?” - -“Oh, do go away,” said Nadia, her face flushed and angry. “No, it’s -too late; he has heard your voice. I think he must be delirious.” - -“But what is it? Does he want anything?” - -“He wants me to tell you something, and I won’t. There is no reason -why I should, and it can’t do any good.” - -“But how do you know that is what is troubling him?” - -“It struck me suddenly that he wanted something, and I asked him all -the things I could think of, until it flashed upon me that it was -this, and I have told him I can’t do it, and he won’t be satisfied.” - -“Can’t you tell me, just to quiet his mind? I will never think of it -again, but this excitement must be very bad for him.” He glanced at -Cyril, who was straining his ears to catch their low-toned -conversation. - -“No; I can’t. He has no right to ask it of me, nor have you. It is -merely a thing between him and me, and it would make no difference if -I told it to you, except that you would think worse of him. I say to -him that he must tell you about it himself if he wants you to know -it.” - -“How can he, when he hasn’t strength to utter a word?” asked Caerleon, -indignant at what seemed her unkindness. “Come, I must insist on your -telling me. Do you know that this anxiety is the worst possible thing -for him? You cannot refuse to ease his mind.” - -“You care a great deal more for his feelings than you do for mine!” -cried Nadia, angrily. - -“If you really believe that, I must bear it, I suppose. Kindly tell me -this mystery.” - -“It is merely that he came to see me at Bellaviste, some days before -the great ball, and got me to promise that I would not marry you if -you asked me. That’s all. And it made no difference whatever. I would -never have married you under any circumstances.” - -And launching this Parthian arrow at him, she retreated defiantly, -leaving him stupefied. He remembered how Cyril had offered to help him -in his suit, had arranged for him a meeting with Nadia, had contrived -to keep M. Drakovics from suspecting what was going on,--and all the -time he had been playing this double game. Now he was lying helpless, -gazing with anxious eyes at his brother, and awaiting his reception of -the news. With those eyes upon him, Caerleon could not hesitate. - -“It’s all right, old man,” he said, with something like a groan; “she -says herself that it made no difference, you see.” - -Whether Cyril accepted the forgiveness with less difficulty than it -was offered, or whether it was that his act of treachery did not loom -so large in his eyes as in his brother’s, certain it is that he seemed -to begin to mend from that time. The doctor commented on the -improvement in his condition, and opined that the load on his mind had -been removed, and Caerleon, although conscious that it had merely been -transferred to his own, agreed with him. It was fortunate for the -ex-King that public affairs were now once more of a character to -engross his mind, for side by side with the realisation of Cyril’s -perfidy came the knowledge that Nadia was most grievously offended -with him, and that she ignored him resolutely whenever they met. But -it was high time that the affairs of Thracia should be settled on a -definite basis, and two delegates, one the president of the -Legislative Assembly, the other M. Drakovics’s chief supporter in the -Ministry, were about to visit Malta for the purpose of opening -negotiations with Caerleon, since the Premier himself dared not leave -the kingdom at this juncture. A very short conference with their late -sovereign convinced the ambassadors that they were not likely to meet -with any opposition on his part to the established state of things. To -King Otto Georg’s offer to abdicate he had from the first returned an -unqualified refusal, and he scouted even the idea of retiring into -private life on his laurels and a pension, as his predecessor had -done. His reign of three months had been merely an interlude in his -life, he said, although a most picturesque and stirring one, and he -was quite content to return to England as poor as he had left it now -that peace and liberty were so happily secured to Thracia. The news of -this noble self-abnegation was duly telegraphed to Bellaviste, and -rehearsed to the Assembly by M. Drakovics, who was overcome by emotion -during the delivery of his speech, although not to such an extent as -to be unable to cope with the business side of the question. It was -immediately arranged to give legal effect to the renunciation by -drawing up a document renouncing all claims to the Thracian throne, to -be taken to Malta with all possible speed, and there signed by -Caerleon and Cyril. To Caerleon the signing of this document was a -formal release from his fetters, and when he was informed that the -commissioners had brought it to the house, and were awaiting his -presence, he so far forgot the dignity of his late position as to -whistle while he hurried down-stairs. But before he could enter the -drawing-room Nadia came flying along the lofty stone passage, and -forgetting her displeasure of the past week, caught his arm. - -“Don’t sign it,” she gasped. “You are the true King.” - -“But I have no objection whatever to signing it,” he replied. - -“Oh, don’t say that!” she entreated. “Don’t forsake your work. There -was so much to be done, and you were sent there to do it.” - -“Perhaps,” said Caerleon, “and I was ready to stay on there as long as -I was wanted. I was not anxious to leave Bellaviste--in fact, I -objected most strongly to doing so; I had no hand in announcing my own -death, nor in getting King Otto Georg crowned, but all these things -happened, and it is pretty clear to me that any work that is to be -done is left for other people.” - -“But you must not leave it,” she cried. “Oh, why won’t you listen to -me?” - -“Isn’t that rather hard, when I have always obeyed you so implicitly? -I don’t deny that if you would have listened to me at Bellaviste on a -certain evening, Thracia would not have appeared quite such a howling -wilderness as it did latterly. But after all, that was not the cause -of my leaving, and I would not go back there now, even if you refused -to have anything more to say to me unless I did.” - -“You have no right whatever to suggest such a thing,” said Nadia, with -great dignity. - -“Quite so; I haven’t. But I know very well that I am not going back on -the old footing, which I suppose you intended should continue? I -thought so. It seems to me that you are making the choice a very easy -one. But I beg your pardon for teasing you. The fact is, that I am not -going to plunge Thracia, and perhaps Europe, into bloodshed to gratify -my personal ambition--or even yours for me. King Otto Georg is liked -by the people and acceptable to the Powers, whereas my return would be -the signal for revolution, perhaps for a European war. That risk I -will not incur, even to please you.” - -“I never thought you were a coward!” she cried, bitterly. Caerleon -looked down at her with a smile which he could not repress. - -“I wonder whether it has ever occurred to you what a very queer girl -you are?” he said. For the moment he thought that Nadia would have -struck him. - -“How dare you say that to me?” she cried, and rushed away. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIV. - THE KING HAS HIS OWN. - -“Can you spare me a minute or two, Princess?” asked Caerleon, coming -into the cool and shaded drawing-room, where his hostess sat writing a -circular letter to her band of Bible-women at Pavelsburg. - -“I will spare you any number of minutes--half an hour if you like,” -returned the Princess, with a smile. “Sit down here,” and she pointed -to a low chair beside her. - -“Cyril and I have been talking over our plans,” Caerleon went on, but -she interrupted him impulsively. - -“I hope you did not decide to adopt any of them, then, for I have one -to suggest. The doctor recommends a sea-voyage for your brother, and I -have been looking forward to your coming with us for a cruise in the -Anna Karénina.” - -“You are much too kind,” said Caerleon. “After the shameful way in -which we have been imposing upon your good nature all these weeks, we -really can’t quarter ourselves upon you any longer. Now that Cyril is -well enough to travel, we ought to be looking out for some place of -our own.” - -“But what will you do?” asked the Princess. “You would not return to -England now--in February? It would be fatal. And if you were -travelling about on the Continent, your brother could not be properly -looked after. Oh, I know that you and your good Wright would take -every care of him, but it would not be the care which a woman -gives--which we have been giving him.” - -“I should think not,” said Caerleon. “We could never aspire to -approach you in that. But--you will excuse my saying it--I don’t think -my presence on board your yacht would meet with Miss O’Malachy’s -approval.” - -“What!” cried the Princess, with astonishing duplicity, “am I to -understand that Miss O’Malachy has been making herself disagreeable to -my guests, in my house?” - -“Good gracious! I shall get the poor girl into trouble,” was -Caerleon’s instant reflection. Aloud he added hastily, “Not at all, I -assure you. It was merely a fancy of mine that she might not care for -me as a fellow-passenger.” - -“Then I trust that it will remain a fancy. I should be very seriously -displeased if Miss O’Malachy forgot herself in such an extraordinary -way. But perhaps you do not wish to leave Malta at present?” - -“It’s the very thing I do wish,” cried Caerleon. The leaders of -Valetta society had shown a tendency to lionise him of late, and an -enterprising newspaper man had come out from England expressly to -interview him. “I am absolutely yearning to get away.” - -“Then come with us,” said the Princess. “Come as a favour to me. I am -really afraid of the captain of my yacht, and all my friends here tell -me that I ought to get rid of him. He seems to have been boasting to -his acquaintances in the harbour that he can make me do as he likes. -There is no harm in that, so long as he does not make me do anything -wrong, but it was unnecessary to publish abroad the fact. I will not -discharge him, for I have no fault to find with him professionally, -and it is only reasonable to suppose that he must know more about the -sea than I. But still, I do not care that he should regulate all my -movements, and I have been looking to you to protect me against him.” - -“Oh, if I can be of any use----” - -“Then it is settled. You are coming with us. And now, I want your help -at once. Captain Binks informed me this morning that if I had any -intention of continuing my voyage at all, this was the time for -visiting the Ægean. Just to prove to him that I am a free agent, can -you suggest any cruising-ground that is not the Ægean?” - -“Let me see. You are in search of the places visited by St Paul, are -you not? Well, you know, there is the other Malta--the other Melita, I -mean--up somewhere in the Adriatic, off the Austrian coast.” Caerleon -spoke from a somewhat hazy recollection of long-past discussions which -had enlivened various Greek Testament classes in his college days. “I -believe the theory that it is the real Melita is quite exploded, but -you are not bound to concur with the critics without seeing the place -for yourself. It would be fairly new ground, and you could touch at -the Ionian Islands on the way.” - -“Excellent!” cried the Princess, clapping her hands. “I think we shall -astonish Captain Binks.” - -So much astonished, indeed, was the worthy man when he realised that -his employer had taken matters into her own hands, and chosen a course -for herself without consulting him, that he forgot to make his usual -objections until it was too late to urge them with any hope of -success, and when he did so, the Princess merely referred him to -Caerleon. - -“Lord Caerleon suggested this trip,” she said, “and if there are any -difficulties, he will know how to meet them. He is a gentleman of -great experience, my good captain.” - -To the surprise of every one Captain Binks surrendered at discretion. -It was only fitting that he should take the lead when the other person -concerned was a woman and a foreigner; but when there was an English -gentleman on board the captain knew his place. The Princess’s mild -suggestions he had regarded as eccentricities, to be nipped in the bud -for fear of disaster, while he would have welcomed the wildest -proposals Caerleon had cared to make as oracular utterances to be -obeyed literally for the honour of the British flag. - -Under these happy auspices the voyage began, and the greatest harmony -prevailed among the passengers on board the Anna Karénina, with one -unfortunate exception. Captain Binks might defer humbly to Caerleon, -the Princess might honour him with her fullest confidence, but Nadia -would not so much as speak a civil word to him. In the circumscribed -surroundings of the yacht she could not succeed in ignoring him -altogether, but she could and did cavil at everything that he said, -and lost no opportunity of making cutting remarks at his expense. The -most trying part of it was that, as in the case of a certain historic -curse, no one seemed at all affected by what she said, and least of -all the person most concerned. When she was cherishing a lively -indignation against Caerleon on high moral grounds, and was determined -to prove to him how thoroughly she despised and detested his conduct, -it was melancholy and even irritating to find that her disapproval had -no more effect upon him than rain upon the plumage of the proverbial -duck, and that when she had exhausted herself in a tempest of -indignation he was willing to return to the charge unruffled as soon -as she liked. To tell the truth, her behaviour puzzled him not a -little; but he had no mind to lose an hour of Nadia’s society now that -it was possible to enjoy it, and submitted with perfect good humour to -hearing all his actions criticised and his most innocent remarks -railed at. - -Matters reached their worst point on the day that the Anna Karénina -visited Ithaca. It verged a little upon the commonplace, no doubt, but -still it was only natural that Caerleon should fall into the snare of -making the inevitable comparison between the characters of Penelope -and Ulysses as he stood on deck beside Nadia and watched the island -fade from sight, but it was distinctly unfortunate that having said so -much, he did not stop there. - -“But nowadays,” he went on, “we have changed it all. Penelope goes out -into the world, and has her fling, or her _Wanderjahr_, whatever that -may be, and Ulysses stays in Ithaca, and keeps the home together until -it pleases her to come back.” - -“Did you intend that comparison to apply to me?” demanded Nadia, -standing on the defensive at once. - -“No, really. It didn’t strike me that there was any resemblance. Do -you see one?” - -“If you didn’t mean it, why did you say it?” - -“I assure you that there was not the slightest personal allusion -intended. It was a most innocent remark, made merely for the sake of -conversation.” - -“Pray don’t trouble yourself to make conversation for my benefit. I -should have thought you would see by this time that your efforts were -not appreciated.” - -She walked away, and about an hour passed before Caerleon came upon -her again, sitting in a basket-chair near the companion. His evil -genius prompted him immediately to cross the deck to her side, and -say--“Shall we resume our argument, Miss O’Malachy? I don’t think we -finished it.” - -“I do not wish to talk about nothing,” she returned; “and when I have -anything to say to you, I will say it.” - -“This sounds alarming. Do you mean that I am forbidden to speak to you -unless I am first addressed?” - -“I mean,” she said passionately, but in a low voice, “that I wish I -might never have to speak to you again.” - -Caerleon looked at her in utter bewilderment, not believing that she -could be serious. “In the old days you would have apologised to me as -soon as you had said that,” he said, trying to treat the speech as a -joke. But she rose and looked him in the face. - -“I wish I had never seen you,” she said. “This last month has been the -most miserable time of my life.” - -“What have I done?” asked Caerleon of himself helplessly, as she -turned and went below. “Have I teased her too much? But no--she could -never have meant all the things she has said, and she couldn’t expect -me to think she did. I don’t know what to do.” - -She did not appear in the saloon again that evening, and he sat -through dinner gloomy and conscience-stricken. The Princess had -letters to write when the meal was over, and Caerleon and Cyril went -on deck for their usual constitutional. Cyril broke the silence first, -as they tramped steadily and soundlessly backwards and forwards. - -“I say, old man,” he began, with some hesitation, “excuse my asking, -but how long are you going to let that girl treat you in this way?” - -“In what way?” inquired Caerleon, too much relieved at finding some -one with whom he might discuss his perplexities to feel angry at his -brother’s interference. - -“Why, the way she goes on from morning to night, slanging you all day -long, and snapping your head off if you open your mouth! She’s making -you the laughing-stock of the ship. When you come on deck together the -men begin to grin.” This was a slight exercise of the imagination on -Cyril’s part, although it was true that he had seen Captain Binks -close his left eye on one occasion in a way that expressed unutterable -things, intending the action for the benefit of Wright, who ignored it -loftily. - -“Well,” said Caerleon, “it pleases her--at least, I suppose it does, -or I don’t see why she should do it--and it doesn’t hurt me much. But -what makes her so angry with me I can’t tell.” - -“I can. It’s her belief that you’re laughing at her.” - -“But that’s absurd.” - -“No, it isn’t. She thinks you don’t take her seriously, and the modern -woman must be taken seriously, or die.” - -“But Nadia is not a modern woman,” said Caerleon, placidly. - -“Oh, I know she is a cross between a Puritan and an early Christian; -but even those excellent people would have turned rusty if they had -thought they were being humbugged. And she is in deadly earnest, and -you do nothing but rag her.” - -“Not intentionally, on my word and honour. But what am I to do? I can -never manage to hit on the right thing to say. How did you learn to -understand women, Cyril?” - -“I didn’t learn, it is a gift--improved by cultivation, of course. You -will never have it, old man,” Cyril dropped into Nadia’s chair as he -spoke, and Caerleon leaned against the bulwark opposite him; “but if I -may venture on one small bit of advice, do make an effort to -understand the woman you want to marry.” - -“I’ve done that until my brain is softening. If she wasn’t so utterly -truthful and transparent, so that one knows she means everything she -says----” - -“Oh, you ridiculous idiot!” cried Cyril. “Then why do you stay to be -slanged?” - -“Because I hope all the time that she doesn’t mean it.” - -“There you are! I tell you, Caerleon, that unfortunate girl is pretty -nearly desperate. Do you think she talks to you in this way out of -pure cussedness, or for fun? She has raged at you for a fortnight, and -you laugh at her the whole time.” - -“But if she has anything against me, why in the world doesn’t she tell -me so plainly, and let us have it out once for all?” - -“Your reasoning would be most cogent if you were only speaking of a -man, but lovely woman has her own ways of doing things. And when you -come to think of it, you would be rather startled if the lady in the -present case marched up to you some morning and informed you that you -had offended her grievously, giving details, of course, and added that -all intimate relations between you would be suspended until you had -purged your contempt. That is the actual state of things, of course, -but Miss O’Malachy is not going to tell you so. She has let you see it -pretty plainly, and I’m not surprised that she is in despair over your -denseness. The most maddening thing you can do to a woman is to ignore -her moods, and when she is in love with you----! I tell you it -wouldn’t astonish me in the least if she left the ship at the next -port we come to, and tried to lose herself. Another woman would throw -herself overboard, but she is not that sort. The Princess’s teaching -does not produce suicides.” - -Caerleon’s face was very pale. “For heaven’s sake, Cyril, stop talking -in that way, and tell me what you think I ought to do. It’s no use -trying to appeal to her feelings, for I’ve done it, and she simply -scathed me.” - -“Listen,” said Cyril, sitting up in order to give greater effect to -his words. “You must lay aside that contented, don’t-care manner of -yours. It maddens her. I know you do care, and with some women your -manner would answer admirably, but she can’t see through it. Look -here; I know you will naturally feel shy of taking my advice after -that business at Bellaviste, but this is a straight tip----” - -Caerleon started. “I was not thinking of that,” he said. - -“Well, you don’t imagine that it is very agreeable to me to remind you -of it, do you? I felt that I had to let you know of it when I was so -bad, but I’ve been glad enough since that you seemed ready to forget -it. Now, old man, if you have forgiven me, take my advice in this. I -give you my word that I’m trying to do my level best for you and her. -Turn rusty yourself. Let her see that she has gone too far. If she -tries to begin rating you, give it her back----” - -“I can’t. You seem to forget that she’s a woman, and that I care for -her.” - -“Yes, you can; if it’s for her own sake. Don’t you see, it will show -her that you are in earnest? Once she knows that she has made you -really angry, she will be ready to do anything she can to appease you. -Matters must come to a crisis then. Try to make yourself feel that she -isn’t treating you fairly. She has no business to inflict on an -innocent inexperienced fellow like you the punishment which would be -all very well for a hardened old offender, such as your humble -servant. Yes, that’s your line. Get up a feeling of indignation. Lay -it on hot and strong. Provoke an explosion, or you’ll never get the -chance of an explanation.” - -“Well, I will try. Anything’s better than the way we have been going -on lately. But suppose it doesn’t succeed?” - -“It must, unless you are too late already; but you will have to be on -the look-out for the slightest change in her manner. Don’t lose your -chance, or you’ll blame yourself for it all your life. Now I’m going -below to turn in.” - -He disappeared, but Caerleon remained long on deck, meditating on what -he had said. As it happened, the Princess also was moved just at this -time to take some notice of the state of affairs, and the next morning -she said suddenly to Nadia-- - -“Have you quarrelled with Carlino, my child? You do not seem to be on -good terms with him.” - -“He cares nothing for what I say or do,” responded Nadia, sullenly. - -“Is there any encouragement for him to care, dear child? What has he -done that you should treat him as you do?” - -“He has disappointed me, Marraine. I thought he was brave, that he -could be trusted, and he has abandoned his work, and betrayed his -trust. He sneers at the mere idea of honour.” - -“My child, you astonish me!” cried the Princess. “Are you certain of -this? To make such accusations without proof is cruel.” - -“I know it by what he has said to me himself, Marraine. I had not -spoken to him for a week, but I laid aside my anger and implored him -to be firm, to do his duty,--and he laughed at me.” - -“I am certain you are making a mistake, Nadia,” said her godmother, -with most unusual decision. “You have judged hastily and harshly, and -you are wronging an excellent man. You should cultivate more faith in -your fellow-creatures, and especially in your lover. Are you the only -person in the world that can possibly be in the right? Allow Carlino -to possess a conscience as well as yourself, I entreat you. You have -been very hard upon him, and I feel that I must give you a warning. Am -I to understand that for a whole month you have been cherishing these -angry feelings against him, without even doing him the courtesy of -asking whether you understood him rightly on the occasion to which you -refer? You would not have treated your worst enemy in this way at one -time. You may have misunderstood him; you may have refused to listen -to what he had to say. Give him the chance of explaining the reasons -for his action, and don’t press him too far. No man will put up with -such treatment for ever.” - -“I want to make him care,” said Nadia, with fierce determination, and -she went on deck, stifling in her heart the Princess’s warnings and -the answering echo of her own conscience, which told her that the real -reason for her quarrel with Caerleon was that he had disappointed her -ambitious dreams for him. Emerging from the companion, she found the -subject of her thoughts examining the distant coast-line with the aid -of a glass borrowed from Captain Binks. Ordinarily he would have -turned at once to greet her, and offered her the telescope, but now he -took no notice of her approach. - -“Is that island very interesting?” she inquired, sarcastically. - -He did not answer, and she repeated the question with a little added -sarcasm. - -“I beg your pardon,” he replied, coldly. “Were you speaking to me? I -understood that I was not to be favoured with your conversation in -future.” - -This was unexpected. Nadia looked at him in surprise, unaware that he -was congratulating himself on the way in which she had addressed him. -If there had been the slightest sign of softening in her manner, he -could not have followed Cyril’s advice. - -“And you are satisfied that it should be so?” she asked, in blank -dismay. - -“If it satisfies you. What pleases you must always please me,” he -said, politely, and then folded up the telescope and walked away, -leaving her suddenly conscious that the deck was very wide and bare, -and that she was very lonely and desperately miserable. At breakfast -he ignored her in the most pointed way, answering briefly and -repressively when she addressed him, but confining his own -conversation exclusively to the Princess and Cyril. It was one of the -hardest things he had ever done in his life, to keep up this pretence -of coldness when he found Nadia’s beautiful eyes scanning his face -timidly from time to time; but the remembrance of Cyril’s words the -night before armed him with a determination not to yield until he had -gained his point. Accordingly, he held aloof from the ladies all the -morning, chatting with Captain Binks upon the bridge, and Cyril, who -was reading aloud to the Princess as she worked, observed with -satisfaction that Nadia’s needle made no progress, and that the -reluctant tears dropped slowly on the stuff which she was supposed to -be forming into a garment. - -“She is thoroughly frightened at last,” he said to himself. “After -all, it’s just as well that Caerleon should have given her her head so -freely hitherto. It makes the sudden pull-up all the more effective. -Now, if I can manage it, he shall get things settled this afternoon, -for he will never be able to go on with this.” - -Pity for the desolate Nadia was making itself felt even by the -business-like Cyril; but pity itself could not induce him to relax one -whit of his precautions for securing a happy ending to Caerleon’s -wooing. When they landed that afternoon on a small island, inhabited -only by a few fishermen and goatherds, he sent his brother to walk -with the Princess, and to carry the stock of Gospels and -picture-tracts which she always distributed at the huts they visited, -while he himself, on the plea of weakness, followed slowly with Nadia. -When the Princess and Caerleon emerged from the little church on the -hill-top, whither the village priest had taken them to look at the -ancient _icons_ and service-books, they found him waiting for them -outside alone. - -“Miss O’Malachy was tired, and I left her to rest on the way up,” he -said. “Caerleon, don’t you think it would be a delicate attention if -you went and offered her your arm? Give me the Princess’s books, and -we will try and establish communications with the old pope here.” - -Very willingly Caerleon left his brother talking to the priest in a -wonderful medley of dialects, and began to descend the path by which -they had come up the hill. A bare-footed little girl herding goats was -the only person he saw until he came upon Nadia, sitting upon a stone, -with her face buried in her hands. - -“Can I--can I do anything for you, Miss O’Malachy?” he asked, -hesitatingly. - -“Yes--you can go away,” she returned, fiercely, without looking up, -but the tears were forcing themselves through her fingers, and she -began to sob in a hopeless way that went to Caerleon’s heart. He stood -looking at her, without an idea what to do, until she rose suddenly. - -“If you will not go away, I must,” she said in her most dogged tone, -dashing away her tears, but for once Caerleon saw his opportunity and -grasped it. - -“No, you will not,” he said, barring her path. “We must have an -explanation, Nadia. I want to know what you mean by treating me in -this way?” - -“In what way?” It was evident that this carrying of the war into her -own territories took Nadia by surprise. - -“Why, the way you have behaved to me ever since we came on -board,--rating me all day long, and treating me as if I was the dust -under your feet.” - -“It has not done you much harm. I wish it had,” and her grey eyes -flashed stormily. - -“How do you know whether it has or not? Do you think I am going to beg -for mercy from a girl who doesn’t mind what she says to me, and rather -likes to make me a public spectacle, because she knows that I care for -her too much to say anything in return? No; the fact is, Nadia,” he -stopped her indignant denial, “that you have been taking a mean -advantage of me. You treat me like a dog because you know that I love -you, and would rather have you scolding me all day than be King of -Thracia.” - -“At least avoid that subject,” said Nadia, with a sudden shiver. “But -no, as you say, it may be better to come to an explanation. How can -you expect me to have anything to do with you when I know that you -gave up your work like a coward that you might be able to marry me?” - -“I promise you I didn’t,” cried Caerleon. - -“You almost told me so. At any rate, you did not deny it.” - -“I didn’t know that you expected me to state everything in plain -English, but I will. You know how I hated Bellaviste; but still, if -King Otto Georg had not been elected and crowned in my place, or if it -had been possible for the Powers to object to him more strongly than -they did to me, I would have gone back, and stayed there until I was -kicked out again. But as I said to you a month ago, I was not going to -risk causing another revolution and a European war, even for your -sake. That is my position exactly, and I have told you all about it -already. It’s very hard, to be sure, that one’s motives are altogether -pure; but I honestly believe that I did not allow the thought of -marrying you to weigh with me in making my decision. You must trust me -a little, Nadia.” - -“But you said--you said that I was making your choice an easy one, -when I said I wouldn’t marry you if you went back. If you thought I -would marry you in case you gave up the kingdom for my sake, you were -mistaken. What have you to say now?” - -“Simply this, that my resolution was taken before you spoke to me that -day at all. If I had felt it right to go back, I hope I should have -gone, and done my duty to the best of my power, but I felt that it was -neither right nor desirable. It is unfortunate for me, from your point -of view, that duty and pleasure both pointed the same way in this -case, but I can’t help it. I can only give you my word. If you will -accept that, it’s all right, but if not---- Well, it’s for you to -decide.” - -“To decide what?” asked Nadia, sharply. - -“The question I have asked you once or twice already. I could not -expect you to marry me if you didn’t believe my word.” - -“I do believe your word,” said Nadia. “No, don’t touch me,” drawing -herself away from him as he took a step forward, “that is not the -question to be decided. You know what I am--you have seen during this -last month how truly hateful I can be when I take a thing into my -head; you see that I was not even ready to trust you, after all that -you have done. And I can’t promise to be any better--a little time ago -I thought that I should never be unreasonable and foolish again, and -now I have been worse than ever. Why don’t you say that you have been -mistaken in me, and let us part? I know I have deserved it--I will -never utter a word against you if you decide that this time I have -tried even your patience too far. What do you say?” - -“This,” replied Caerleon, promptly, taking her hands in his and -kissing her. “Why do you want me to punish myself?” - -“Don’t--please don’t,” cried Nadia, bursting into tears again. “You -don’t know all the wicked things I have thought. I believed that you -had been consulting Lord Cyril about the kingdom, and that he had -advised you to do just as you liked, and not care whether it was right -or wrong. I know he doesn’t like me, and I thought he would be glad to -get you to do anything that I wanted you not to do. I meant to refuse -you again, even if it broke my heart.” - -“And I haven’t a doubt you’d have done it,” said Caerleon, “but you -are a little hard on Cyril. It is due to him that we have had this -explanation at all, for he told me he was sure that there was -something that came between us, and advised me to speak to you. And -you do believe me now, dear, don’t you?” - -“Indeed I do,” said Nadia, smiling through her tears, “and I hope you -will always be my friend; but I am not going to marry you. I am such a -wretch. I shall make your life miserable.” - -“Are you going to start with that determination?” asked Caerleon, -“because it would be rude of me to say that you couldn’t make me -miserable if you tried. But if you are only judging from past -experience--well, I have been making you cry just now, but I hope I -shan’t be such a brute as to do it again. We must both turn over a new -leaf.” - -“At any rate,” said Nadia, with tremendous resolution, “I know what I -shall do. I will make it a matter of conscience always to obey any -order or suggestion of yours without the slightest hesitation. It only -makes trouble when I try to settle things for myself.” - -“What!” cried Caerleon, stepping back a pace and looking at her in -consternation, “do you intend to use me as a means of self-discipline? -I can’t stand that. And who talks about _orders_? You certainly have a -most unflattering opinion of me, Nadia. Am I such a tyrant as all -that? Haven’t I made you understand yet that what made me take to you -at the very first was that you looked at things so differently from -myself? I want you to differ from me. I want you to criticise my -plans, to show me where I am wrong, to tell me how everything strikes -you. Then we can thresh the matter out together, and decide it by our -joint wisdom. But tell me, do you really look upon me as such a -fearful despot?” - -“It’s not that,” said Nadia, slowly. “It is only that I feel I ought -to obey you--that I should like it--because you are so good, and I -have treated you so badly, and----” - -But her further reasons for obedience cannot be known, for Caerleon -interrupted her suddenly and forcibly, and it was some little time -before she freed herself and spoke again. - -“But would you really like me to marry you, Carlino?” She brought out -the name with an effort, and yet from her lips it sounded like a -caress. “I have thought lately that you must certainly have left off -caring for me.” - -“Did you really think that? What have I been doing? You didn’t believe -that I could possibly give you up? Won’t you ever trust me, Nadia? I -do entreat you, the next time you have anything against me, let us -have it out at once. Don’t accuse me in your mind for weeks without my -knowing it, and take everything I say and do as a sign of guilt. It’s -not fair. Only come and tell me what it is that you don’t like, and -give me a chance of explaining things. You will have a lot of trouble -with me, my darling, for I’m such a stupid fellow that I can’t see a -thing unless it’s plainly pointed out to me, but I will do my best to -look at things from your point of view. I do want to make you happy.” - -“A little time ago,” said Nadia, meditatively, “I should have said ‘I -want to try to help you to be good,’ but I know better now. I want you -to help me.” - -“Oh, that’s absurd,” cried Caerleon. “You will have to educate me up -to your level, you know. Don’t be too hard on me, dearest. I’m only an -ordinary man, and I haven’t been practising martyrdom from my youth -up, as you have. Let me off easily in the way of hurting my feelings, -and that sort of thing, just at first. By the bye, why did you send me -that cruel message through Cyril the time you came to Bellaviste?” - -“Because I was sure that I could not hold out if you came and spoke to -me yourself. I would have given worlds to stretch out my hands and -call to you to come to me when I saw you standing by the gate, -Carlino.” - -“If you had only yielded to that impulse!” said Caerleon. “Or if you -hadn’t refused me that night I asked you first to marry me! I am sure -that it would have been happier for both of us, dear.” - -“Not for you,” said Nadia, decidedly. “I have learnt one or two -lessons since then. But you would in all probability have been King of -Thracia still, so that you have to thank me for losing you your -kingdom, after all. But there is one thing I want to say now, Carlino, -just that you may see that I know all about it, and then we will never -mention the subject again. It is about that other girl to whom you -were engaged, and who married the Prince of Dardania. I quite -understand how it was. It was all my fault, for I made you so angry -with me that you took me at my word. You must not think that I am -vexed with you about it, for I know that you were not to blame. I -should only have been rightly punished if you had married her. Now -please don’t let us say anything more about it.” - -“But I must just say one thing,” said Caerleon. “Let me defend myself, -for I wasn’t quite the mean scoundrel you think me,--getting engaged -to one girl simply in order to punish another. Princess Ottilie asked -me to pretend to be engaged to her just for a fortnight or so, that -suspicion might be averted from her real lover, and I was fool enough -to do as she asked. She led me a pretty dance. I think even you would -have pitied me, Nadia, if you had seen me then. It served me right for -being such a fool, but I don’t think I was a cad. I never even kissed -her.” - -“If you had, you should never have kissed me,” said Nadia, hotly; and -Caerleon wondered anew at the intricacies of the feminine mind. “But I -am glad you have told me this,” she went on, after an interval, -“because it makes me more ashamed of myself. When you find me very -troublesome and very unbelieving, please whisper in my ear, ‘Remember -Princess Ottilie.’” - -“I had rather forget her, myself,” said Caerleon; “but I’ll do it if -you are sure you’ll like it. Oh, bother it all! there are the Princess -and Cyril going down to the boat. We’ll let them get on a little, and -catch them up afterwards.” - -“But the gig was to go to the mainland for the letters,” said Nadia, -innocently. “Are you not in a hurry to see yours?” - -“I had much sooner talk to you. Who knows when I shall find you in -this angelic frame of mind again?” - -“I knew you could not depend upon me,” and the tears began to rise -once more in Nadia’s eyes. “You can never feel certain that I shall -behave properly.” - -“Oh, what a doubly distilled ass I am!” cried Caerleon. “I wonder -whether there ever was a worse fellow for putting his foot in it than -I am. My darling, it was a joke. Please do try to expect jokes -sometimes, and don’t take all I say in earnest. I won’t joke more than -I can help.” - -“You must teach me,” said Nadia. “If you will explain your jokes at -first, I shall soon learn to understand them; and I will try not to be -so silly.” - -To which the infatuated Caerleon replied by declaring that on no -account would he have her in the slightest degree different from what -she was, and they went down the hill together in great peace and -contentment, to find the Princess and Cyril waiting for them at the -waterside. Once on board the yacht, Cyril was accommodating enough to -occupy himself with his letters, while Caerleon sought an interview -with the Princess, and received her warm approval of the engagement. -There was no lonely prowl on deck this evening for the two brothers. -Muffled in shawls, the Princess and Nadia joined them, and under the -lee of the deckhouse they discussed plans for the future. - -“I have heard from Mrs Sadleir,” said Caerleon, “in answer to a letter -I wrote asking her what she thought about my returning home. She -advises me not to come back just yet, since the Thracian question is -very much in people’s minds at present; but after a few months she -thinks I may count upon escaping notice. ‘Of course,’ she says, ‘you -will not expect to find yourself a _persona gratissima_ in exalted -circles, nor to receive the offer of the Pavelsburg Embassy when it -falls vacant, but I think there is little doubt that you will probably -be allowed to grow mangel-wurzels (whatever they may be) on your -ancestral acres in peace, and even to vote in the House of Lords now -and then if you do not make yourself too conspicuous.’ The next -sentence is slightly personal, but I hope you won’t mind, Nadia. ‘I am -all anxiety to know how the romance of the beautiful Scythian girl has -ended. If you succeed in winning her and bringing her back with you, -give me a week’s notice, and I will guarantee that she shall be the -greatest social success of these twenty years.’ Mrs Sadleir means you -to come, be seen, and conquer, Nadia.” - -“That will not be until some time hence,” said the Princess, seeing -Nadia look alarmed. “But since you are not to return home for three or -four months, Lord Caerleon, I hope we may count upon your society for -the rest of our tour. We have still all the coasts of the Ægean and -Cyprus to see, and I thought of spending Easter at Jerusalem.” - -“There is nothing on earth I should like better,” said Caerleon, with -enthusiasm. - -“And you, Lord Cyril?” asked the Princess. “I hope you will come too?” - -“You are very kind,” said Cyril, speaking with an evident excitement -unusual with him, “and I should be most delighted to accept your -invitation; but as soon as I am strong again I must set to work. You -won’t be surprised to hear that this Thracian business has about done -for me in the diplomatic service. Of course, if we arranged things -nowadays in a common-sense, Elizabethan kind of way, I should be made -British agent at Bellaviste immediately, on the score of my intimate -acquaintance with the country and the people; but we don’t, and I’m -afraid there are not many chiefs that would care to have me under them -now. I never have felt exactly drawn towards settling down and -cultivating mangel-wurzels, and after the experiences of the last -three months such a prospect looks less enticing than ever. This -letter here is from King Otto Georg. He wants me to go back to Thracia -as his private secretary--the post I held under you, Caerleon. He -finds himself horribly lonely, he says--by the bye, Drakovics is said -to be looking out for a wife for him, so that oughtn’t to last -long--and I can see that he wants me to act as a sort of under-study -for him as well. Drakovics is too important, both in view of the -possibility of his being assassinated, and of his influence in the -country. The King thinks that I might be useful in two ways, first, in -getting some idea of the manner in which things are done, so that -Drakovics’s removal might not necessarily mean the collapse of the -whole system of government; and secondly, in keeping Drakovics himself -from going too far. Of course Otto Georg, poor old fellow! can’t very -well do that sort of thing for himself, but I think that I, as a -friend of both parties, might be able to manage it.” - -“I don’t envy you,” said Caerleon, drily. - -“The position is delicate, but all the more interesting on that -account,” said Cyril. “Drakovics has rather a liking for me, somehow -or other, and if I can keep in with him, I might put the drag on when -he is inclined to act in a regal way that few kings would stand. Otto -Georg is a good fellow, and will see that I don’t have too much to do -in the way of routine work. In fact, I can see that he wants me as a -companion even more than as a secretary.” - -“You are very young,” said the Princess, and Caerleon laughed -unfeelingly, for only that evening he had told Cyril that he looked so -young and so innocent, with his pale face and thin hands, that all the -ladies at the different ports would take him for a schoolboy. “You -ought to have some one to take care of you.” - -“Ah, if Miss O’Malachy had only a sister to take pity on me!” sighed -Cyril. “But as it is, I must wait and grow older before I can venture -on a wife. When I come back from Bellaviste after thirty years or so -of service with Otto Georg, and stay with you in England, Caerleon, I -shall fix upon some sweet child just out of the schoolroom, with a -comfortable fortune of her own. I shall not look young or innocent -then. I shall be worn and grey, and slightly, very slightly, bald, and -I shall hint darkly to the dear girl at unknown depths in my past -history, with the description of which I will not pollute her ears. -That will fetch her more than anything. The attentions of a man with a -reputation for wickedness will set that girl on a pinnacle at once in -her own estimation.” - -“I shall warn her against you,” broke in Nadia, with righteous -indignation. - -“Do you think she would believe you?” asked Cyril, pityingly. “She -would naturally take the first opportunity of asking me whether the -charges against me were true. I need only look sad, and remark -mournfully that it was easy enough for a man to go to the dogs, but -hard indeed for him to recover himself when even his own relations -were against him; and if that girl and her fortune were not promised -to me before the interview was over, I don’t know anything of human -nature.” - -“This is merely one of Cyril’s jokes, dear,” whispered Caerleon behind -Nadia’s fan, as she sat looking puzzled and angry; and Cyril, who had -overheard him, laughed and went on. - -“I have another Bellaviste letter here, from our late master of the -household, who tells me that there is no hope of recovering any of our -personal property. The rebels looted the palace, and burned what they -couldn’t take away. The Assembly has voted us a handsome sum by way of -compensation, but, alas! one cannot ‘buy with gold the old -associations.’ I am especially sorry for you, Caerleon. Your rubies -are gone.” - -“Oh, those rubies!” cried Caerleon. - -“What rubies?” asked Nadia. - -“A set of rubies which a certain lady of whom you may have heard (she -is now the Princess of Dardania) presented to Caerleon with the -request that he would hand them on to you,” answered Cyril, promptly. - -“I am glad they are lost. I would never have worn them,” said Nadia, -with decision. “Come,” she said to Caerleon, “let us walk up and down -the deck a little, Carlino. It is cold here.” - -Caerleon rose immediately, and when they were gone Cyril turned and -looked benignly at the Princess. “Do you feel guilty?” he inquired. “I -ask because I am morally certain that while I took occasion to speak -to Caerleon last night for his good, you addressed a slight -remonstrance to Miss Nadia. This is the result. Do you not feel -appalled at the risk?” - -“All marriages are risks,” returned the Princess; “but I hope there -will be less danger than usual about this one. In the first place, -they cannot be married for six months at least, for it is not a year -until August since your father’s death, and they will learn to know -each other very thoroughly during this tour of ours.” - -“There’s a good deal in that,” assented Cyril. “If people can keep the -peace on board ship, they are pretty safe anywhere.” - -“Then,” went on the Princess, “your brother is singularly calm and -reasonable----” - -“And therefore well fitted to cope with an unreasonable woman, you -would say?” suggested Cyril. - -“No,” said the Princess, taking up the cudgels on behalf of her -god-daughter, “Nadia is not unreasonable. She is very downright, and -she sees only one thing at a time. I think you have a word for this -characteristic of hers, but I forget it.” - -“One-idea’d?” said Cyril. - -“Yes; that is it. And she will never do what she thinks is wrong.” - -“And she is always ready to be a martyr, and to make martyrs of other -people. Would it be rude to ask you, Princess, to suggest to her that -she has cultivated heroism long enough, and that the softer virtues of -daily life might have a turn with advantage?” - -“Our life in Scythia may not have been the best school for her,” said -the Princess, thoughtfully. “We Evangelicals have always been set -apart--laughed at even when we were not persecuted, and such an -experience fortifies one strongly against thinking too much of the -opinion of others. It also develops, as you imply, one set of -qualities rather at the expense of another set. And then she has that -Irish faculty of concentration--blind devotion to an idea I have heard -it called; but it need not necessarily be blind.” - -“Irish?” Cyril raised his eyebrows. “I should have said that I never -met any one more unlike the typical Irish girl than Miss O’Malachy. -Her brother, too, was extremely un-Hibernian.” - -“Ah, that is because you are thinking of the ordinary Irish -type--Colonel O’Malachy’s, for instance. Gay, what you call a ‘good -fellow,’ always ready for a frolic, possessing a keen sense of the -ridiculous. But there is also another kind of Irishmen altogether. -They have no sense of humour, or they would not preach under the -protection of the police to howling mobs, or sacrifice their lives and -their honour to some wrong-headed or hopeless cause. Nadia and her -brother belong to this type, so do many conspirators, and not a few -martyrs.” - -“This is rather a poor look-out for Caerleon,” said Cyril. - -“I don’t think so. Nadia has learnt a lesson from the past month; she -is humbled, and she will have less confidence in her own judgment from -henceforth. She has seen to-day something of your brother’s true -character, and the better she knows him, the more she will trust him. -Then, they will not have the trial and temptation of idleness, for -both of them are born workers. I look to see them do great things for -God and His poor on your brother’s estates in the provinces. They will -strengthen each other’s hands in the good work, and the opposition -which they will encounter from the world will bind them more closely -together at home.” - -“I suppose they will go in for closing all the public-houses on the -estate, and that sort of thing,” groaned Cyril. “By the bye, there was -part of Stefanovics’s letter that I didn’t read. I didn’t want to cast -a damp over their first evening. King Otto Georg has repealed -Caerleon’s liquor law.” - -“Oh, no!” cried the Princess. - -“He has, indeed. It seems that when the people found out that Caerleon -wasn’t killed, they wanted to have him back again, and there were -riots in several places. The King and Drakovics were concerting -measures for the maintenance of peace, when Drakovics was seized with -a bright idea. ‘Repeal the liquor law,’ he said. ‘That will please the -people, and release a sum of money, which you can apply to the relief -of taxation.’ They were in a pretty tight place, so the King jumped at -the idea, and the law was repealed just a week ago. Stefanovics says -that the Carlinists were all going about in austere dignity, like so -many Girondins, each man wearing his temperance medal with Caerleon’s -head on it at his button-hole, and lamenting the virtues of the late -reign, but the mass of the people accepted the bribe like a shot. -There were no more Carlinist riots, and now any one can get drunk that -likes.” - -“It is a sad step backwards,” murmured the Princess. - -“It is strange, isn’t it,” said Cyril, “that Miss O’Malachy should -have failed to keep Caerleon on the throne, after all her trying, and -that the one piece of his work which he hoped would last should be -undone six weeks after he leaves Thracia? They have both failed -utterly.” - -“Some people’s failures are better than other people’s successes,” -said the Princess, with unwonted sharpness. “I must say that I prefer -your brother’s failure to the success which would have been yours had -you been able to secure his remaining on the throne.” - -“Well, I can congratulate myself that I did what I could to keep him -there,” said Cyril, a little uncomfortably. - -“Can you indeed congratulate yourself?” asked the Princess. “I do not -know what your methods were, but I remember that you did not appear to -look back upon them with complacency when you thought yourself dying.” - -“Well, you know, I felt that I had played it rather low down on -Caerleon, and that isn’t a thing one cares to think of.” - -“You schemed to separate your brother and his bride,” said the -Princess. “Whether you actually went beyond the truth in anything that -you said I do not know; but it seems to me that you would not have -called your conduct honourable in a private matter.” - -“That’s just it. Public business is conducted on different -principles.” - -“Is it? But why? Public considerations required, as you thought, that -Carlino should not marry Nadia. Accordingly, you sought to separate -them, and you succeeded for a time. Happily, you were not permanently -successful, and your efforts were overruled for good. But of what use -were your attempts? God did not intend your brother to be King of -Thracia, and you could not keep him on the throne.” - -“But would you have one simply let things slide?” - -“I would have you leave things to God. When you find that you can go -no further in your chosen path without breaking His laws, is it not a -sign that you are to stop there?” - -“I don’t wonder that you Evangelicals get yourselves banished as you -do,” said Cyril, smiling. “The ordinary Scythian view of diplomacy -would certainly not agree with yours.” - -“You imply that ours is the English view? Then may I hope that you -will act on English and not on Scythian principles when you return to -Thracia?” - -“Would you have me bind myself by a pledge, Princess?” - -“Not unless you wish it. I only ask you to look back on the time you -spent at Bellaviste, and the means you used to force your brother to -remain there, and to ask yourself, Was it worth while?” - -“Considering that the result was failure, I think it was not,” said -Cyril, meditatively. “But I do not say that it would not have been -worth while if I had succeeded.” - -“And what would your success have been worth?” asked the Princess. “If -I were you, Lord Cyril, I would thank God night and morning that the -end of your enterprise was failure.” - - THE END. - - - - - TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES. - -Sydney C. Grier was the pseudonym of Hilda Caroline Gregg. - -This book is part of the author’s “Balkan Series.” The full series, in -order, being: - - An Uncrowned King - A Crowned Queen - The Kings of the East - The Prince of the Captivity - -Alterations to the text: - -Punctuation corrections--mostly quotation mark pairing. - -Note: minor spelling and hyphenization inconsistencies (_e.g._ -warships/war-ships, Grand-Duke/Grand Duke, etc.) have been left as is. - -[Title Page] - -Add brief note indicating this novel’s position in the series. See -above. - -[Chapter XII] - -“Congrats. and all that sort of thing, old man” change period to a -comma. - -[Chapter XVIII] - -Change “which passed _though_ the station this morning” to _through_. - -[End of Text] - - - - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN UNCROWNED KING *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. 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Grier - </title> - <style type="text/css"> - -/* Headers and Divisions */ - h1, h2, h3 {margin:2em 0em 1em 0em; page-break-before:always; text-align:center;} - - div.tp {text-align:center;} /* title page */ - - .nobreak {page-break-before:avoid;} - - /* center a block of text */ - div.quote_o {font-size:95%; margin:0.5em 2em 0.5em 2em; text-align:center;} - div.quote_i {display:inline-block; text-align:left;} - -/* General */ - - body {margin:0% 5% 0% 5%;} - - p {margin:0em 0em 0em 0em; text-align:justify; text-indent:2em;} - p.center {margin:0em 0em 0em 0em; text-align:center; text-indent:0em;} - p.noindent {text-indent:0em;} - p.sign2 {margin:0em 2em 0em 0em; text-align:right; text-indent:0em;} - p.spacer {margin:0.5em 0em 0.5em 0em; text-align:center; text-indent:0em;} - p.end {margin:1em 0em 0em 0em; text-align:center; text-indent:0em;} - - p.toc_1 {font-variant:small-caps; text-align:left; text-indent:0em;} - - div.letter {padding:1em 0em 1em 3em;} - - span.font80 {font-size:80%;} - - span.sc {font-variant:small-caps;} - - span.chap_sub {font-size:80%;} - -/* play/poetry indented verses */ - p.i0 {margin:0em 0em 0em 2em; text-indent:-2em;} - p.i1 {margin:0em 0em 0em 3em; text-indent:-2em;} - p.i2 {margin:0em 0em 0em 4em; text-indent:-2em;} - p.i3 {margin:0em 0em 0em 5em; text-indent:-2em;} - p.i4 {margin:0em 0em 0em 6em; text-indent:-2em;} - p.i5 {margin:0em 0em 0em 7em; text-indent:-2em;} - p.i6 {margin:0em 0em 0em 8em; text-indent:-2em;} - p.i7 {margin:0em 0em 0em 9em; text-indent:-2em;} - p.i8 {margin:0em 0em 0em 10em; text-indent:-2em;} - p.i9 {margin:0em 0em 0em 11em; text-indent:-2em;} - p.i10 {margin:0em 0em 0em 12em; text-indent:-2em;} - - </style> -</head> - -<body> - -<div style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of An Uncrowned King, by Sydney C. Grier</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: An Uncrowned King</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:0;'>A Romance of High Politics</p> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Sydney C. Grier</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: September 12, 2021 [eBook #66280]</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer</div> - -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN UNCROWNED KING ***</div> - -<div class="tp"> -<h1> -AN UNCROWNED KING -</h1> - -A ROMANCE OF HIGH POLITICS -<br/><br/> - -<span class="font80">BY</span><br/> -SYDNEY C. GRIER<br/> -<span class="font80">AUTHOR OF ‘IN FURTHEST IND,’<br/> -‘HIS EXCELLENCY’S ENGLISH GOVERNESS,’ ETC.</span> - -<br/><br/> -(<i>First in the Balkan Series</i>) - -<br/><br/> -<span class="font80">THIRD IMPRESSION</span> - -<br/><br/><br/><br/> -WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS<br/> -<span class="font80">EDINBURGH AND LONDON<br/> -MCMVII<br/> -<i>All Rights reserved</i></span> -</div> - - -<h2> -CONTENTS. -</h2> - -<p class="toc_1"> -<a href="#ch01">I. A KINGDOM GOING BEGGING</a> -</p> - -<p class="toc_1"> -<a href="#ch02">II. FRESH WOODS AND PASTURES NEW</a> -</p> - -<p class="toc_1"> -<a href="#ch03">III. “IF THOU WERT KIND AS THOU ART FAIR——”</a> -</p> - -<p class="toc_1"> -<a href="#ch04">IV. A CANDID FRIENDSHIP</a> -</p> - -<p class="toc_1"> -<a href="#ch05">V. A CALL OF DUTY</a> -</p> - -<p class="toc_1"> -<a href="#ch06">VI. A ROYAL PROGRESS</a> -</p> - -<p class="toc_1"> -<a href="#ch07">VII. CHECK</a> -</p> - -<p class="toc_1"> -<a href="#ch08">VIII. FOR HIS GOOD</a> -</p> - -<p class="toc_1"> -<a href="#ch09">IX. A WOMAN OF HER WORD</a> -</p> - -<p class="toc_1"> -<a href="#ch10">X. REASONS OF STATE</a> -</p> - -<p class="toc_1"> -<a href="#ch11">XI. A DELICATE NEGOTIATION</a> -</p> - -<p class="toc_1"> -<a href="#ch12">XII. TO OBLIGE A LADY</a> -</p> - -<p class="toc_1"> -<a href="#ch13">XIII. PUNIC FAITH</a> -</p> - -<p class="toc_1"> -<a href="#ch14">XIV. OVER THE BORDER AND AWAY</a> -</p> - -<p class="toc_1"> -<a href="#ch15">XV. TERMS OF ACCOMMODATION</a> -</p> - -<p class="toc_1"> -<a href="#ch16">XVI. WORDS FROM DYING LIPS</a> -</p> - -<p class="toc_1"> -<a href="#ch17">XVII. MINE AND COUNTERMINE</a> -</p> - -<p class="toc_1"> -<a href="#ch18">XVIII. SO NEAR, AND YET——</a> -</p> - -<p class="toc_1"> -<a href="#ch19">XIX. PILGRIMS PERFORCE</a> -</p> - -<p class="toc_1"> -<a href="#ch20">XX. TAKEN BY SURPRISE</a> -</p> - -<p class="toc_1"> -<a href="#ch21">XXI. A REVOLT OR A REVOLUTION?</a> -</p> - -<p class="toc_1"> -<a href="#ch22">XXII. A KING WITHOUT A CROWN</a> -</p> - -<p class="toc_1"> -<a href="#ch23">XXIII. UNDER WHICH KING?</a> -</p> - -<p class="toc_1"> -<a href="#ch24">XXIV. THE KING HAS HIS OWN</a> -</p> - - -<h2> -NOTE. -</h2> - -<p> -<i>It may be interesting to know that the Monmouthshire pronunciation of -the name Caerleon is Carleen, whence arises the form Carlino.</i> -</p> - - -<h2> -AN UNCROWNED KING. -</h2> - -<h3 class="nobreak" id="ch01"> -CHAPTER I.<br/> -<span class="chap_sub">A KINGDOM GOING BEGGING.</span> -</h3> - -<p class="noindent"> -“<span class="sc">After</span> question-time, the First Lord of the Treasury rose to make a -statement with regard to the course of public business, the salient -feature of which was the announcement that the Government found -themselves compelled to appropriate all the time of private members -during the remainder of the session. We understand that this action on -the part of the Ministry has aroused strong feeling on both sides of -the House, particularly among those members who have charge of private -bills. One of the supporters of the Government who has been very -hardly treated is Viscount Usk, whose bill for permitting peers to -become candidates for seats in the Lower House, on relinquishing their -right to a seat in the House of Lords, had obtained the first place in -the ballot for Tuesday next.” -</p> - -<p> -Thus far the ‘Fleet Street Gazette,’ but “strong feeling” was a mild -term to apply to the sentiment evoked in the minds of honourable -members by the Government statement. That a portion of their time -would be confiscated they had guessed only too well, but such a -drastic measure as this was quite unexpected. Rage, disappointment, -and disgust were depicted on face after face along the back benches, -and the popular Minister to whose task it fell to make the -announcement was allowed to resume his seat without a single -expression of approval. Among the most wrathful of the malcontents was -Lord Usk, whose cup had been dashed from his lips in the peculiarly -cruel manner noticed sympathetically by the ‘Fleet Street,’ and who -sat moodily in his place, gnawing the end of his moustache, his -forehead drawn into a heavy frown. Mr Forfar, the First Lord, lounging -delicately from the House after hurling his thunderbolt, with his -short-sighted eyes fixed on space, on the paper in his hand, on -anything but the scowling faces of his supporters, encountered his -gaze without intending to do so, and leaned over the benches to speak -to him. -</p> - -<p> -“Rather rough on you, Usk. Better luck next time!” -</p> - -<p> -“It’s all very well for you to laugh——” began Lord Usk, savagely, -and then stopped short, finding that he was making rather a weak -remark, whereas he had meant to say something cutting. Mr Forfar waved -his hand soothingly, and passed on with a smile. -</p> - -<p> -“If it had been any one but Usk,” he said to his colleague, Sir James -Morrell, when they were outside the House, “I should have thought he -meant ratting, but he is quite safe. He gets excited now and then, but -he will sulk to-night and be all right to-morrow.” -</p> - -<p> -After a time Lord Usk also quitted the House, and went to the library -to see whether there were any letters for him. There were none of any -interest, and he was toying somewhat aimlessly with the magazines on -one of the tables, when he descried looming in the distance the form -of the party Whip, intent on beating up recruits for the dinner-hour. -The sight roused him again to fierce resentment. On ordinary occasions -Usk was the mildest of men, and one of the Whip’s pattern members, not -only voting safely with the party in important divisions (with the -exception of occasional outbursts on the question of Temperance and -kindred subjects, which were dealt with tenderly as the eccentricities -of youth), but proving himself almost always ready to dine in the -precincts, in case of a call during the dinner-hour. But now his -forbearance had been strained too far, and he rebelled. He was not -going to help to keep a house for a Government which valued his -services as little as did this one, and he evaded the Whip with some -difficulty, for his height rendered him conspicuous among the other -members, and slipped out into Palace Yard. -</p> - -<p> -“I’ll take a night off, and drop in at Mrs Sadleir’s,” he thought, his -resentment already beginning to give way under the soothing -recollection of his revenge on the Whip. -</p> - -<p> -Mrs Sadleir’s was one of the few houses at which Usk was at all a -constant guest, for he hated society with an almost anarchist hatred -quite at variance with his political opinions generally. Very quickly, -on his first introduction into the world of London, he had learnt by -bitter experience to divide the women he met into two categories. -There were those who were anxious to marry him, either personally, or -vicariously to some relation, and those who were not. It was in vain -that he tried by turns to gain the reputation of a student, a cynic, -and a misogynist; the young ladies and their mothers still thought -that a man in his present position, to say nothing of his prospect of -succeeding to the Marquisate of Caerleon at no very distant date, -ought not to be judged too harshly, even for such unamiable -peculiarities as these. This led him to forswear almost entirely the -company of the fair sex, for the young ladies who did not want to -marry him made the fact so conspicuous, and were so anxious to force -it upon his notice, that he resented their aggressive prudery as -strongly as he did their sisters’ too evident wiles. Hence he was -wont, now that his experience was gained, sternly to resist all -attempts to allure him into general society, and he had become known -to the party leaders as a young man who devoted himself to the study -of sociological and political problems, and affected the company of -his elders. But he was content to visit at Mrs Sadleir’s house, and -under her wing to confront the hordes of society girls who thirsted -for his prospective coronet, since he knew that she had neither -daughter nor niece to recommend him as a wife, and that she had a most -unfeminine aversion to match-making. Mrs Sadleir had been a dear -friend of his mother’s, and on Lady Caerleon’s death had done much to -supply her place to Usk and his brother Cyril. Ill-natured persons -said that she was trying to achieve a social success by becoming the -second Lady Caerleon, but better-informed people scouted the idea, -knowing well that she had refused Lord Caerleon very decidedly two -years after his wife’s death, although without any diminution of the -friendship which had always existed between them. -</p> - -<p> -For a rising young politician of pronounced imperialist views, like -Usk, Mrs Sadleir’s house was emphatically one to visit. Her husband, -who had held an important permanent post in the Foreign Office, had -gathered around him in his leisure hours men of all nations with whom -he came in contact in the course of his duties, and after his death -his widow found herself unable to dispense with the excitement of the -brilliant society to which she had grown accustomed. It was a -commonplace among her friends that, in most cases, she could, if she -liked, announce forthcoming diplomatic changes before the ministers -who arranged them, and some said that a good deal of the political -history of Europe had been made at different times in her -drawing-room. Yet she was not an intriguer, far less a conspirator, -but simply a cultivated, tactful woman, with a talent for bringing -together at the right time the right people, or, at any rate, the -people who it was desirable should meet one another. She came forward -now to greet Lord Usk, as he mounted her staircase, and made him a -sign to wait until she had got rid of a voluble Italian secretary of -embassy, who was impressing some fact upon her with a good deal of -gesticulation. Mrs Sadleir’s gracious and striking personality was -reflected in her dress. Her gown was black, made in a severe yet -fanciful style that was unlike any one else’s. On her head she wore an -arrangement of black lace, which was no more to be called a cap than a -veil, and was the despair of her maid, but which, taken in conjunction -with her bright dark eyes and the silver hair rolled smoothly back -from her forehead, gave her the look of a great lady of the old -<i>régime</i>. Having disposed of the Italian, she turned to Usk. -</p> - -<p> -“I am very glad indeed that you have come in to-night, Usk, for I have -some one here whom you will enjoy meeting. I was almost inclined to -send a message to you at the House by Dr Egerton, who was going on -there; but I thought you might come, and therefore I waited. It is M. -Drakovics to whom I want to introduce you.” -</p> - -<p> -“What! the Kossuth of the Balkans—the Thracian premier?” asked Usk, -much interested. -</p> - -<p> -“Yes, the great history-maker of to-day. It is a liberal education -(pray don’t think I intend a pun) to hear him talk. Come and I will -take you to him.” -</p> - -<p> -She did not lead him into the crowded drawing-room, full of light and -laughter, but into a smaller room near at hand, where a solitary -gentleman in evening dress was dimly visible by the rays of a Moorish -lamp hanging in a window-recess. He was a small shrunken man, with a -large bald head and a massive brow; and as Usk’s eyes grew accustomed -to the dim light, he saw in the bronzed face and heavy grey moustache -the hint of a likeness to another and a more successful statesman than -the Hungarian patriot, a likeness which was, moreover, not altogether -distasteful to M. Drakovics himself. -</p> - -<p> -“Lord Usk—M. Drakovics,” said Mrs Sadleir, briskly. “Now I am going -to leave you to have a good talk, for I want you to know one another. -If you will sit here in the recess, the curtains will hide you, and -you will not be seized upon by any troublesome acquaintances.” -</p> - -<p> -“Milord,” said M. Drakovics, bowing formally, but scanning Usk from -head to foot in a way which made the younger man feel that he was -being reckoned up and his measure taken, “I am much honoured in -meeting you. Your name, and your father’s name also, are very well -known to us in Thracia.” -</p> - -<p> -“You are very kind,” said Usk, in the embarrassed way in which the -average Englishman receives a compliment. “I’m sure I am delighted to -have the chance of meeting you here. I never expected to be able to -hear about the Thracian revolution from one who was in it.” -</p> - -<p> -“From one who may be said to have been at the head of it,” corrected -M. Drakovics, gravely. “You are interested in Eastern Europe, milord?” -</p> - -<p> -“Naturally, since no one who takes any interest whatever in -international politics can well avoid keeping his eye on the Balkan -States,” said Usk; “and Thracia has always seemed to me the most -promising of them all, if only she got a chance. Your long struggle -against Roum, and the way in which you won your freedom, have shown -what your people are made of.” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes, indeed,” responded M. Drakovics, his eyes lighting up, “Thracia -is the nation of the future in Eastern Europe. We are the only truly -European race south of the Carpathians. The Mœsians are Slavs, the -Dardanians half Roumis. Our blood is chiefly Latin, with a large -Teutonic admixture. Our very language is far more nearly akin to the -Italian than to the Slavonic.” -</p> - -<p> -“And yet your own name is Slavonic?” suggested Usk. -</p> - -<p> -“Most of our names are, just as in religion we belong to the Orthodox -Church. It is the result of our isolation, hemmed in as we are by Slav -races. But our aspirations are wholly Western, and the national hatred -of Scythia, our great Slav neighbour, is a perfect passion.” -</p> - -<p> -“That was the cause of your revolution, wasn’t it?” asked Usk. “We are -generally rather misty about your politics here, I’m afraid, but that -seems to have penetrated into most people’s minds.” -</p> - -<p> -“It was the cause,” returned M. Drakovics. “You are aware, milord, -that when we threw off the Roumi yoke, many years ago, we did so with -the assistance—the moral support—of Scythia. For this assistance we -have been paying dearly ever since, while our country has groaned -under the rule of the House of Franza. No doubt the simplest plan -would have been to place a Scythian grand-duke at once upon the -throne, but it was more politic to allow us to elect a national -sovereign, and then to make him a Scythian tributary. Our first king, -Alexander Franza, the patriot who had conducted the struggle for -freedom to a successful issue, saw the danger, and tried to avert it, -straining every nerve to pay off the loans advanced by Scythia for -various purposes; but he died before he could effect this object, and -his successors, instead of following his example, borrowed more -largely still, thus placing the kingdom completely in the hands of -Scythia. You know what our history has been since our independence was -guaranteed; how, with one of the finest countries in Europe, the -resources of which are as yet scarcely touched, we have been -constantly on the verge of bankruptcy. So it was when the late king, -Peter II., ascended the throne, and our masters appeared to think that -the time had come to complete their conquest. Of course he was a -pensioner of Scythia, like his predecessors, but he was also a man of -pleasure. When the country had been drained of money to supply his -whims, he was forced to turn to Scythia once more. Money was granted -him, but only for a consideration. One by one the highest posts in the -army and Court were filled with Scythians, and it was of no use for -the Thracians to complain. The Sertchaieff Ministry was in power, and -as matters grew worse, its members clung the more closely to their -places, fearing the result of any change for themselves. Then a chance -incident caused an explosion——” -</p> - -<p> -“It was connected with your own election to the Legislative Assembly, -was it not?” asked Usk. -</p> - -<p> -“It was, milord. I had been absent from my country for many years, -owing to my having once taken part in a meeting of those who wished to -bring about a reform by means of constitutional agitation. I was a -young man when I threw in my lot with the reformers, and had just -begun to practise at the bar, but I was obliged to leave Thracia, and -sacrifice all my prospects. My years of exile were not wasted. I -travelled, I worked, I associated with earnest men—and I found my -country a byword everywhere. At last I could endure it no longer, and -I made up my mind to set on foot one more effort to stir up my -compatriots to a sense of their degradation. I returned to Thracia, -and found myself received with joy, yet with fear, by my old friends -and by the younger generation of patriots that had sprung up. Once -more we set ourselves to form a constitutional party, and to educate -public opinion. Our objects were simple,—the dismissal of the -Scythians who had been thrust into public offices, the reform of the -whole corrupt administration, the discontinuance of the system of -borrowing, and the gradual repayment of our debt to Scythia out of the -money saved by reducing expenses and gained by the proper development -of the country. We were quite ignorant of the extent to which our -views found favour among the people, but we determined upon a bold -stroke—in order both to advertise our programme and to show us how we -were supported. The Elections were approaching, and we resolved to -contest every seat for which we could find a candidate. The -Administration was utterly taken by surprise, but its members -perceived that their salvation lay in striking at once, and they chose -to begin with me. I was elected by a large majority for the -constituency to which I offered myself, but my election was declared -void by a Government decree, and a fresh poll was announced. Troops -were drafted into the town, nominally to preserve the peace, in -reality to force my constituents to vote for the Government candidate, -and vast numbers of persons crowded in from the country districts, -drawn by the prospect of a tumult. I was passing through the -market-place when a band of my supporters called upon me for a speech. -Then, milord, I felt a strange fire seize me. I remembered the effect, -long before, of my speech to the meeting for taking part in which I -was exiled. I remembered that in my days as barrister I had often -moved the court to tears and to indignation. It was merely a flash of -memory, but with it came the impulse to act. I sought a place from -which to speak—I climbed upon a country cart—I spoke—I heard the -people shouting—the Government agent ordered the soldiers to arrest -me—I saw them pushing their way through the crowd—they closed round -me, dragged me down—I appealed to the bystanders—I was rescued—I -spoke again, and raised the cry of Reform. Before I knew what had -happened I was at the head of a revolution, the people had put -themselves under my guidance, the troops had joined us, the Government -agent was seeking the means for flight. By my orders he was captured -and lodged in prison—I seemed to perceive at once what was to be -done. The telegraph-office was seized, no message allowed to be sent -but by my authority. To each of our candidates for the Assembly I -telegraphed what had happened, and his orders. A brief pause to -concert my plans with my chief supporters, and we were in motion -again. The news spread through the country like wildfire; in a short -time the whole army was with us, and the people were thronging to us -in enormous numbers. We marched to Bellaviste, and entered the city -without striking a blow. When we laid before the king our demands for -a change of Ministry and a new constitution, he preferred to abdicate -rather than grant them. We were nothing loath, and he has retired to -the south of France on a suitable income. A provisional government was -formed, and has remained in power, supported by the whole force of the -national sentiment, for nearly a year. The success of our movement was -due to its spontaneity. If we had prepared for it, Scythia would have -gained some inkling of our plan, and might have out-plotted us, but -she could not without any excuse interfere with the accomplished fact. -In the very first moment of our freedom we ranged Pannonia on our side -by making overtures to her for the conclusion of a commercial treaty -which had hitherto been hindered by the intrigues of Scythia. To -Scythia we were able to guarantee, through the good offices, secretly -exercised, of Pannonia, the regular payment of her interest, and the -gradual extinction of the debt itself, while the dismissed officials -received honourable terms. It was not easy to arrange all this, for at -first we found it difficult to obtain money, and the Thracians are -hot-blooded and had much to avenge, but I would not remain at their -head except with their promise to acquiesce in my decisions. Balancing -Pannonia against Scythia in this way, we have passed through a year of -national life, although Scythia refuses to recognise us, and has -worked upon our suzerain, Roum, to withhold from us up to the present -time the right we claim of choosing our own form of government.” -</p> - -<p> -“Then, if that right were conceded, you would proclaim a republic?” -</p> - -<p> -“Certainly not, milord. I myself might approve of such a step -theoretically, but our people are not ripe for it, and not only -Scythia, but Pannonia and the other friendly or neutral Powers, would -be alienated by the idea. I look around me on the present chaotic -state of the country, at the new Thracia which is rising out of the -ruins of the old, and I see that it would be impossible for any man -popularly elected to introduce the necessary reforms unless he were -guaranteed dictatorial powers for a term of years; and for this we -cannot hope. In spite of our marvellous success hitherto, we are not -perfect, nor even unanimous, and there are many divisions and -jealousies among us.” -</p> - -<p> -“It shows great self-abnegation on your part to give up the idea of a -republic,” said Usk, “for you yourself would be the only possible -President.” -</p> - -<p> -“I fear you rate my moral qualities too highly, milord. The presidency -would not be a bed of roses. Even as matters now stand, my life has -already been attempted three times, and if I were President, Scythia -would never rest until she had—well, brought about my removal, and -had plunged Thracia into such a state of anarchy as might seem to -justify her in the sight of Europe in interfering to restore order. -Besides, I am a Thracian, one of the people, and they need some one -who is above them and outside them to rule them at present. This is -the reason why we are seeking to re-establish the monarchy on a -constitutional basis. This is the reason why I have come to England to -offer the crown of Thracia to you, Milord Usk.” -</p> - -<p> -“Come to offer the crown to me!” repeated Usk, stupidly. -</p> - -<p> -“I will not disguise from you, milord,” said M. Drakovics, bringing -his head very close to his hearer’s, and speaking low and earnestly, -“that we have made many attempts to obtain a king from the different -reigning families of Europe. It was at first our great hope that we -might secure one of the younger members of the English royal house, -but this honour has been absolutely refused to us, and it was the same -with several German princely families. We offered the crown to Prince -Otto Georg of Schwarzwald-Molzau, the King of Mœsia’s cousin, whose -family were willing that he should accept it, but he considered that -the kingdom was likely to be too troublesome to be agreeable. We had -even thought of a French prince, but there is the religious -difficulty——” -</p> - -<p> -“But I do not belong to the Greek Church, and I have no intention of -joining it,” interrupted Usk. -</p> - -<p> -“We could accept a Protestant, milord, but a Roman Catholic would be -impossible.” -</p> - -<p> -“But I am not even remotely connected with royalty,” objected Usk -again. -</p> - -<p> -“It is the boast of you English nobles that you are on a level with -any of the princely houses of the Continent that are not absolutely -royal,” said M. Drakovics, “and you are far richer.” -</p> - -<p> -“Not our family, at any rate,” said Usk, with a shrug. “But I have had -no experience in governing. Why don’t you ask some one who has been -Viceroy of India or Lord Lieutenant of Ireland?” -</p> - -<p> -“Because they are old, milord, and you are young: our young nation -needs a young man at its head. But you are not a novice in the affairs -of State. Who is so fit to introduce constitutional principles into -Thracia as a member of the British House of Commons—one, moreover, -who has shown himself friendly to any reasonable reform judiciously -and fairly carried out? Nor would you find the actual work of -governing a very difficult matter. I, who have been said to be the -Revolution, am now the Government. I make the laws, and then commend -them to the people, and this would continue to be the case as long as -I was so happy as to retain your confidence, while you acted as the -visible head of the Government and the sign of the unity of the -nation.” -</p> - -<p> -“As the figurehead, in fact?” said Usk. -</p> - -<p> -“Precisely, milord.” -</p> - -<p> -“But you ought to have a soldier, and I am not one.” -</p> - -<p> -“You are an officer of Volunteer cavalry, and that is sufficient.” -</p> - -<p> -“You seem to know a good deal about me.” -</p> - -<p> -“It is natural to study deeply the history of one’s future king, -milord, and you appear to be better fitted for the high post I offer -you than any of the other noblemen to whom my thoughts have turned.” -</p> - -<p> -“But this is absurd!” cried Usk. “You must know that I should not be -allowed to entertain such an idea for a moment. Our Government would -put a stop to it instantly. It would be high treason, -treaty-breaking—I don’t know what.” -</p> - -<p> -“The matter is a secret, milord. Once in Thracia, and crowned, your -Government could scarcely bring you back.” -</p> - -<p> -“Do you expect me to give up my own country—make myself an outlaw, in -fact—for the sake of your precious Thracia?” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes, milord,” said M. Drakovics, steadily, “that is what I do expect. -You are the very man for us—by reason of your personal advantages -especially. Our people worship tall fair men, for they recall to them -the heroes of their legends. Then you are descended from a great house -of warriors. Milord your father fought in the Crimea, your grandfather -at Waterloo, and your great-uncle was killed fighting in the cause of -Greek Independence. Again, you are unmarried, but yet you do not share -the tastes of our late lamented sovereign, King Peter Franza, and you -would thus be able to consolidate your dynasty and strengthen your -kingdom by an advantageous matrimonial alliance.” -</p> - -<p> -“That is not the way in which English people are accustomed to look at -marriage,” said Usk, coldly. -</p> - -<p> -“It is the way in which a patriotic king looks at the subject, milord. -I am making no effort to disguise from you the drawbacks of the great -position I offer you. We do not want a pleasure-seeker, but one who -will be a martyr, if need be. We require a man who will give up his -country, his friends, his own happiness—who will be ready either to -live or to die for this Thracia of ours, which we have saved from -Scythia and the Franzas.” -</p> - -<p> -M. Drakovics saw that his words had at last produced something of the -effect he desired. Usk’s head was lifted proudly, and the light of -battle shone in his eyes, but his response was disappointing. -</p> - -<p> -“I will consider the question,” he said. -</p> - -<p> -“Give me your promise, milord. Why should you hesitate? You are not -thinking of palaces and the probable length of your Civil List, I -know, so why not let me feel happy in the certainty that my country’s -future is assured?” -</p> - -<p> -“I must consult my father. He has a right to be told.” -</p> - -<p> -“Come back to Thracia with me, and be crowned, and then tell him. He -will be glad to be spared the trouble of advising you.” -</p> - -<p> -“No, it would not be fair to him. I will let you know some time -to-morrow. Good night,” and he left the room before M. Drakovics could -stop him or even say anything further. His impulse was to get out of -the house at once, and cool his heated brain by walking back to his -lodgings, but he did not like to leave without bidding farewell to Mrs -Sadleir. Entering the drawing-room in search of her, he was accosted -by a man whom he knew slightly as connected in some way with the -‘Daily Chronograph.’ -</p> - -<p> -“Nasty sell for you, wasn’t it?” he remarked. Usk stared at him -blankly. -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t know what you mean,” he said. -</p> - -<p> -“Why, this afternoon—about that Bill of yours. Have you forgotten it -already?” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh—my Bill,” repeated Usk, vaguely. “I have been thinking of—of -other things since then. Excuse me, I can’t stay.” -</p> - -<p> -“He looks perfectly dazed,” said the other man to himself. “What can -it be? Has some girl chucked him? No! who’s that talking to Mrs -Sadleir? Drakovics, no less!” -</p> - -<p> -He made his way towards his hostess, arriving just in time to hear her -farewell to Usk. -</p> - -<p> -“Perhaps you will have something to tell me to-morrow, Usk. If so, -look in about three o’clock. I shall be quite alone.” -</p> - -<p> -“Nuts!” muttered the journalist. Then aloud to Mrs Sadleir he added, -“Surely I saw our old friend Drakovics here just now?” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes, he is here to-night,” said the hostess. “We don’t make a fuss -about our foreign guests nowadays, and have receptions at Trentham -House and public festivities for them, you see. They come and go -quietly.” -</p> - -<p> -“Still looking for a king, eh? He has come to England to try and get -hold of the latest royal infant as a ruler for his one-horse State, -hasn’t he?” -</p> - -<p> -Clever woman though she was, Mrs Sadleir could occasionally be -“drawn,” and this the ‘Chronograph’ man knew well. She smiled now -significantly as she answered— -</p> - -<p> -“No, I really don’t think he has designs on the Princess’s baby this -time. What, must you go?” -</p> - -<p> -Indeed he must, post-haste to the ‘Chronograph’ office, bearing news -which set editor, foreign editor, sub-editor, and printer frantically -to work altering and cutting and curtailing the copy already set up in -such a way as to provide room for a column with startling headlines:— -</p> - -<div class="quote_o"> -“THE BALKAN QUESTION.<br/> -RECONSTRUCTION OF THE THRACIAN MONARCHY.<br/> -ROMANTIC CHOICE OF A KING.<br/> -CROWN OFFERED TO AN ENGLISH NOBLEMAN.<br/> -INTERVIEW WITH VISCOUNT USK, M.P.” -</div> - -<p> -In justice to the journalist, it must be said that the account of the -“interview” was very short, consisting chiefly of the true statement -that Lord Usk had kept his own counsel and declined to discuss the -subject; but the foreign editor and his subordinates supplied a -concise account of Thracia and its history and revolution to fill up -the space, and to gratify the interest and curiosity of the British -public, which developed both these qualities very largely on the -morrow. -</p> - -<p> -Usk was not a subscriber to the ‘Daily Chronograph,’ and his -man-servant, who was, knew his duty far too well to put any questions -to his master in the morning, although there was a flutter of pleased -excitement diversifying his usual sober demeanour, which Usk noticed -with a feeling of miserable surprise. -</p> - -<p> -“Very likely I talked in my sleep,” he said to himself, conscious of -having spent a troubled night, and then he mapped out his plan of -operations for the day. The morning must be spent at the House of -Commons, where he was serving on an important Committee, but in the -afternoon he would run down into Kent, to the country-house at which -his father was staying, and tell Lord Caerleon all about M. Drakovics -and his offer. Having arrived at this decision, he drove to the House -without meeting any of his acquaintances, and did his best to -concentrate his mind on the work of the Committee, although he could -not help glancing furtively at Mr Forfar, who was stretching his long -length a few seats from him, and wondering what he would say if he -knew the honour which the Thracian Government was desirous of -conferring upon his supporter. As it chanced, Mr Forfar had happened -to glance at the ‘Chronograph’ before coming down to the House, and -was now asking himself languidly whether it was Usk or the editor who -had suddenly gone mad, but this Usk did not know. That the secret of -his proposed elevation was not confined to himself, however, he -discovered as he left the committee-room, when one of his friends -rushed past him in a hurry. -</p> - -<p> -“Been reading a lot of lies in the ‘Chronograph’ about you, Usk,” he -cried cheerfully. “What rot those newspaper fellows will put in -sometimes!” -</p> - -<p> -Then it had got about already! Usk was literally unable to muster up -the necessary courage to go and look at the paper, and as he quitted -the House he felt guiltily that the members he met turned to look at -him, and that the policemen who had the advantage of knowing him by -sight were reaping a golden harvest for pointing him out to eager and -ignorant questioners. He wanted to see what the ‘Chronograph’ said -about him, and to know how it had gained its information, but it -seemed much too barefaced a proceeding to walk into a shop and buy a -copy. He would go home, and send his servant out to get one. But when -he reached his lodgings he found that this was unnecessary. In the -arm-chair in his sitting-room sat his father, with a copy of the -delinquent journal in his hand. -</p> - -<p> -“Well, Usk,” said Lord Caerleon, “good morning. May I ask whether this -is true?” and he held out the paper, which was folded in such a way as -to exhibit the headlines to the best advantage. -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t know what they say there,” returned Usk, “but it’s true that -Drakovics invited me last night to become King of Thracia. He said he -came to England on purpose.” -</p> - -<p> -“Ah!” said Lord Caerleon, meditatively. “Seen Cyril this morning?” -</p> - -<p> -“No,” said Usk, surprised by the sudden question. -</p> - -<p> -“Well, I have, and I can tell you what he is doing now. He is going -about with my authority contradicting this report, and talking big -about libel actions against the ‘Daily Chronograph.’” -</p> - -<p> -“That strikes one as rather premature, doesn’t it?” said Usk, and his -father knew by his tone that he was not pleased. -</p> - -<p> -“It has got that appearance,” he said quickly, “but these things -spread so fast, and it had to be stopped before it brought you into -trouble. Look here, Usk, I want you to give this thing up, and I’ll -tell you my reasons.” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes, sir?” and Usk prepared himself to listen. -</p> - -<p> -“Well, the first is that I’m an old man, and I can’t do without you. -My father’s elder brother, your great-uncle, went off to fight for -Greece, as you know, and never came back. I can’t give you up for that -sort of thing at my age. Is that enough for you, Usk?” -</p> - -<p> -“Certainly, if you put it in that way.” -</p> - -<p> -Lord Caerleon’s eyes glistened, but he went on gruffly enough. -</p> - -<p> -“My second reason is that you are not the man for it. Oh, I know that -you would look the part all right, and do your utmost to make the -thing a success, but there’s more worldly wisdom in Cyril’s little -finger than in your whole body. If the fools had only thought of -offering the crown to him, he would be at the head of a Balkan -Confederacy in a month, but you—— The fact is, Usk, you are too -English—you don’t know when you’re beaten. Instead of taking a -licking quietly, you are up again as soon as you come to, and fighting -with all the breath knocked out of you. As for Cyril, he will have -made it up with the other chap after the first round, and started -ahead to choose his own ground, ready for another fight when it’s -necessary, and that time Cyril will win.” -</p> - -<p> -“Shall I advise Drakovics to transfer his offer to Cyril, then?” -</p> - -<p> -“Certainly not. I don’t intend to subsidise a bankrupt Balkan State -out of my rents, and I have no wish that you should be obliged to do -it either. Cyril will come to smash quite soon enough without a crown -to drag him down. He is so sharp that he is bound to go too far some -day. No, Usk, you are the man for it if there was a fair field, but -there isn’t, and I can’t stand your going off and being shot or -dynamited by Scythian agents.” -</p> - -<p> -“But Mrs Sadleir must have known what Drakovics wanted, and yet she -said nothing to dissuade me from accepting the crown.” -</p> - -<p> -“I daresay not. Women are always ready to send out sons and lovers on -forlorn hopes—especially other people’s sons and lovers. It requires -a practical, unromantic man to look into the thing first, and decide -whether the game is worth the candle. Mrs Sadleir is as sensible a -woman generally as any I know, but she has not outlived her -enthusiasms yet, and she is quite ready to give Thracia a king at my -expense, and I don’t see it. When I’m gone, it will be a different -thing. You will have only yourself to please then, but the Thracians -will probably have killed or banished two or three kings, and run -through a few republics, by that time. In any case, I ask you, as a -favour to me, to refuse this offer now.” -</p> - -<p> -“I will write to Drakovics at once,” said Usk, and he did. -</p> - - -<h3 id="ch02"> -CHAPTER II.<br/> -<span class="chap_sub">FRESH WOODS AND PASTURES NEW.</span> -</h3> - -<p class="noindent"> -<span class="sc">A year</span> had passed, and the situation in Thracia remained unchanged. -The search for a king initiated by M. Drakovics had not yet proved -successful, but the Provisional Government was still in office, and -the Thracians lived and throve under a regimen of what their enemies -called autocracy washed down by draughts of rhetoric. M. Drakovics -alone, against whose life two further attempts had been made, looked -out ahead with troubled eyes, and yearned for the tall Englishman who -had seemed likely to prove such an efficient coadjutor in his task of -governing. -</p> - -<p> -In England, however, the year had not been barren of changes. General -Lord Caerleon slept with his fathers in the family burying-place in -Llandiarmid Abbey, and Viscount Usk’s place in the House of Commons -knew him no more. Misfortune seemed to dog this young man’s footsteps. -Once again he had obtained leave to bring in his Bill, but it had been -deliberately talked out by the Labour members in revenge for his -voting against them on one of their pet questions. There was thus no -help for him, and on his father’s death he was compelled to vacate his -seat, and seek the serene retirement of the Upper House. Moreover, the -constituents whom he was so sorry to leave did not display on this -occasion the fixity of purpose with which he had always credited them, -for they rejected with ignominy the candidate who inherited his -principles, and chose as their representative an agitator who promised -to bring in a Bill to divide the Llandiarmid domain among them in the -shape of allotments. -</p> - -<p> -Nor was this all, for before very long he found that even the -possession of a historic house and innumerable heirlooms was not an -unmixed privilege. The marquisate was by no means a rich one, for its -inheritors had all indulged a reprehensible taste for investing their -spare cash in works of art instead of more easily convertible -securities, and the succession duty on these bade fair to ruin their -unfortunate possessor. The owner of land which would not let, and of -pictures which he could not sell, he found himself forced to raise the -necessary money by means of mortgages on his unmanageable property, -when all other means had failed. The interest on these mortgages was -another important consideration, and when, after settling matters as -far as possible, the new Marquis and his brother met one evening in -the great hall at Llandiarmid to talk things over, the outlook was far -from cheerful. -</p> - -<p> -“It’s quite evident that we can’t keep up this place, Cyril,” said -Caerleon. “If I could let it for a year or so, and get the house in -town off my hands, I think we might just tide over the present -difficulty.” -</p> - -<p> -“Surely it would be enough to sell Caerleon House,” said Cyril, -lazily, but with some surprise in his tone, as he sat with his arms -behind his head and looked at his brother. “No one will expect you to -entertain much here while you are in mourning, so you can lie low for -a year or two and keep down expenses.” -</p> - -<p> -“It’s not only of the actual expenses of the place this year that I am -thinking,” said Caerleon, “but of the future. I want to put things -right for you, Cyril, and to do that I must save.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, don’t trouble yourself about me,” said Cyril, lightly. “I have -always fallen on my feet hitherto, and I suppose you’ll find me a -crust and a shake-down in your diggings, wherever they are.” -</p> - -<p> -It had been a shock to Caerleon to discover, from some words his -father had let fall on his deathbed, that he had made no special -provision for Cyril, leaving him almost entirely dependent on his -elder brother, and that this omission was due to design, and not to -forgetfulness. -</p> - -<p> -“I want you two to stick together,” said the old Marquis to his elder -son, “and therefore I have not left Cyril anything of his own. He has -your mother’s money, which will keep him from starvation, but for -anything more he must come to you. He may have some consideration for -your money, but he would be sure to speculate with anything that was -in his own power.” -</p> - -<p> -Caerleon found this utterance hard to reconcile with the high opinion -his father had once expressed of Cyril’s shrewdness and worldly -wisdom, and he also resented the arrangement as unfair to Cyril. What -if he should desire to marry? Hence his eagerness to put matters on a -more satisfactory footing. -</p> - -<p> -“I am afraid that things will have to remain as they are just now,” he -said; “but you may be sure that as soon as possible I shall do what I -can for you.” -</p> - -<p> -“Thanks, awfully,” yawned Cyril. “But what about the present? When you -have succeeded in leaving yourself without any rest for the sole of -your foot except your London lodgings, what do you mean to do?” -</p> - -<p> -“What is there to do?” asked Caerleon. “I can do no good in the Lords, -and I can’t stay in the Commons. They even take away from me the means -of living on my own place——” -</p> - -<p> -“And cultivating the higher faculties of your tenants, and making -Llandiarmid a social centre for all the art and learning and -enlightenment of the county,” said Cyril. “Well, granted all this, -what then?” -</p> - -<p> -“Let us go abroad,” said Caerleon, suddenly. “We haven’t had a prowl -together for years, and we can sink our titles and live on the cheap.” -</p> - -<p> -“By all means,” said Cyril. “Let us leave our ungrateful country, -which presents our ancestors with dinner-services and swords of honour -and statues and plate, which we don’t want and mustn’t sell, and makes -us pay duty on them. The wide world is before us. Where shall we turn? -I say, let us go to Kashmir and shoot mountain sheep, or Polar bears, -or my lord the elephant, or anything we may come across.” -</p> - -<p> -“Won’t do,” said Caerleon. “I should have you knocking up again, right -away from all medical help. It must be somewhere nearer home.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, let’s go to Bournemouth or Torquay, then. So cheerful, and so -novel, and plenty of doctors.” -</p> - -<p> -“No, I know. We will go to Hungary and look up Gyula Temeszy. He -promised us some wolf-hunting if ever we came to see him.” -</p> - -<p> -“Very well. I haven’t met him since he came down to Eton to see his -old tutor again, and tipped me a sov. because I was your brother; but -I suppose he’ll know you all right, and accept your references for my -respectability. Going to write to him now?” -</p> - -<p> -“Rather not. We will drop in on him and take him by surprise, and then -we can loiter on the way if we like, and not rush across Europe by -express. We will go quietly, and look out for adventures.” -</p> - -<p> -“All right; then you intend to walk, I suppose? That means no -servants, of course.” -</p> - -<p> -“We won’t make any cut-and-dried plan, but go as we choose, and I -don’t see why we shouldn’t tramp it occasionally, when you feel up to -it. I won’t take Jameson, certainly, and I don’t think you’ll want -your man. Let us take Harry Wright between us. He can turn his hand to -most things, and he’ll be useful if we are obliged to get horses. We -may have to ride to Temeszy’s place. I fancy there’s no railway near -it.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’m agreeable,” said Cyril; “and we’ll stay away until we yearn for -home again, and feel able to say, ‘England, with all thy faults (and -you’ve a beastly lot of them), I love thee still.’ We don’t at -present.” -</p> - -<p> -In this way the matter was settled, and a few days later the two -brothers left Llandiarmid for London, where Caerleon did his best to -make a satisfactory disposition of his rather complicated affairs, and -Cyril went round to say good-bye to his lady friends. Cyril was a very -popular young man in London society, where he had found a footing as -soon as he left Eton. He had slipped out of sight for a short time as -unpaid attaché in the British Embassy at Pavelsburg, but the Scythian -winter proved too severe for him, and he was invalided home, to take -up a pleasant existence about town, while assuring every one that he -was only waiting until a suitable post should offer itself for his -acceptance in some more genial clime. As a poverty-stricken younger -son, he was free from the pursuit of the match-making mothers and -daughters who had made Caerleon’s life such a burden to him. No one -wanted to marry him, and, fortunately for himself, he felt no -particular desire to marry any one. The part he had chosen in the -Human Comedy was that of the Laughing Philosopher, and he played it -with complete satisfaction to himself and to his world. He was a -universal favourite among the ladies, helping the elder ones to -arrange their cotillons and organise their charity bazaars, while for -the younger he designed costumes for fancy balls, and was always ready -to suggest new ideas for any scheme of pleasure. With men he was not -quite so popular. Those who did not know him well regarded him as -entirely a ladies’ man, while some few who had penetrated more deeply -into his character were a little afraid of him, and half suspected him -of hiding deep designs under a mask of frivolity. This was not the -case, however. Cyril was fully conscious of his own powers of mind, -but he had no scruple as to using them to smooth his path in society -until some more important object should come in his way. -</p> - -<p> -Among the many houses at which he felt compelled to declare his plans -was Mrs Sadleir’s, and he breathed a sigh of relief when he found -himself approaching it at the end of an afternoon of polite -lamentation and playful scolding on the subject of his madness in -burying his social talents among unappreciative foreigners. Mrs -Sadleir was too much at home with him to waste time in unnecessary -<i>badinage</i>. If she had anything to say, she was wont to come to the -point at once, and this particular occasion proved to be no exception -to the rule. -</p> - -<p> -“And so you are going to Hungary, Cyril?” she said, as he came into -the room, without offering him any conventional greeting. “Oh, don’t -accuse me of witchcraft. I have had Caerleon here already. He dropped -in between visits to his lawyer and his tailor, I believe, and he -struck me as not looking at all well, poor fellow! Now, I have only -one remark to make. Has it occurred to you that Hungary and Thracia -are not at all far apart?” -</p> - -<p> -“No, indeed,” said Cyril, with a start. “I never thought of it. And -I’m certain it hasn’t struck Caerleon either—that is, unless you have -put it into his head.” -</p> - -<p> -“My dear Cyril,” said Mrs Sadleir, severely, “I was not born -yesterday. Your poor dear father called and gave me such a scolding -last year for tempting Caerleon to throw his life away in Thracia that -I vowed I would never speak to either of you on the subject again, and -I haven’t mentioned it to Caerleon. I merely wish to know whether you -think there is any possibility that M. Drakovics’s scheme may be -carried out after all?” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, I don’t know,” said Cyril, reflectively. “Caerleon is in rather -an ugly temper just now, for him, and I shouldn’t much wonder if he -did anything foolish. The Governor is gone, you see, and it was only -his expressed wish that kept him at home before.” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes, I see,” returned Mrs Sadleir. “And what do you think of the -matter, Cyril? On which side would your influence be thrown?” -</p> - -<p> -“Well,” said Cyril, “it seems to me that it wouldn’t be bad fun to try -the thing. I’m not up to larks much generally, but there’s a good deal -that’s new in this one. I wouldn’t go in for it myself on any account, -but I shouldn’t so much mind seeing Caerleon through. It would -certainly be a new sensation, one of the few still possible for most -ordinary mortals in this worn-out old world, to find oneself a king’s -brother—a royalty, in fact. One hears of a few fellows who have been -made kings in the Cannibal Islands, or Central Africa; but it’s not -often that one gets the chance of a properly organised European -kingdom. It’s not half a bad idea.” -</p> - -<p> -“Then I am to understand,” said Mrs Sadleir, “that in case M. -Drakovics should under any circumstances renew his offer of the crown -(mind, I don’t in the least say he will, for his patriotic feelings -were very much wounded by Caerleon’s refusal), your valuable advice -and assistance would be cast on the side of the angels—that is, of -the luckless Thracians?” -</p> - -<p> -“Well,” said Cyril again, “I think the angels would get it that time. -I should never think of letting Caerleon go into a job of the kind by -himself; but really and truly I don’t believe he would come to such -awful smash if I was there to back him up. I should make it my -business to play him off against Drakovics. It isn’t healthy for that -old man to get his own way to the extent he does. I am morally certain -that he would very soon begin to presume if he had only Caerleon to -deal with.” -</p> - -<p> -“M. Drakovics ought to be very much obliged to you. I almost think it -is my duty to warn him of your intentions. You know that I correspond -with him occasionally? But really, Cyril, I scarcely think that it -would be possible for you and Caerleon to reign together in the -affectionate way you suggest, like the two kings of Barataria.” -</p> - -<p> -“Or the Heavenly Twins,” said Cyril. “No, of course I mean the Siamese -Twins. I’m afraid the kingdom would hardly support the double honour. -No, Mrs Sadleir, my ambition is a much higher one. I mean to be the -power behind the throne.” -</p> - -<p> -“But that is M. Drakovics’s destined place,” objected Mrs Sadleir. -</p> - -<p> -“Then I shall be the man behind Drakovics,” said Cyril, calmly. -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t know that I am justified in letting a firebrand like you -loose upon Thracia,” said Mrs Sadleir; “but M. Drakovics knows -something about your family, and if he chooses to take Caerleon with -such an encumbrance, it will be his own doing. You don’t know M. -Drakovics, do you, Cyril? Well, I will give you a letter of -introduction to him if you like—only to be delivered if you visit -Thracia, of course. When you have had a little time in Hungary, you -will be able to judge better of Caerleon’s state of mind, and to see -whether he is inclined to give the kingdom a trial. If so, extend your -travels into Thracia, and deliver the letter. Here it is. I have been -writing it this afternoon.” -</p> - -<p> -“Rather previous, surely?” asked Cyril, with uplifted eyebrows; but he -took the letter readily enough, putting it into his safest pocket, and -it was packed carefully among his most treasured possessions when he -and his brother started on their journey, an event which was announced -to the world in the stereotyped terms by the ‘Morning Post’:— -</p> - -<p> -“The Marquis of Caerleon and Lord Cyril Mortimer left England -yesterday afternoon for the Continent, with the intention of -undertaking an extended tour in Eastern Europe.” -</p> - -<p> -Thanks to Caerleon’s foresight in not sending word to his friend of -their intended visit to Hungary, the tour was carried on in a very -leisurely fashion indeed, and the brothers lounged through Europe, to -use Cyril’s phrase, by unfrequented routes, spending now a day and now -a week in old half-deserted towns, left high and dry by the stream of -modern progress. There was nothing very inspiriting in such travelling -to men who were neither antiquarians nor photographic maniacs; but -Caerleon had a vague idea that he was improving his mind by visiting -the scenes made famous by old German history, while Cyril was as well -content to put in his time on the Continent in this way as in another. -The person who suffered most was Wright, the groom, who found himself -debarred in most places from communion with his kind owing to his -ignorance of the language, and he rejoiced unfeignedly when the course -of his masters’ wanderings brought them at last to Janoszwar, the town -that lay nearest to Count Gyula Temeszy’s castle. -</p> - -<p> -Janoszwar was reached late one evening, and the travellers looked -about them in some dismay as they drove to the hotel which had been -recommended to them by some tourists they had met at Szegedin as the -only one at which it was possible for English people to stay. The town -was very small, and almost incredibly dirty, while, to put the -finishing touch to their discomfiture, they found on arriving that -they could not be received at the hotel. Its accommodation was -extremely limited at the best of times, and at present all the rooms -were in the occupation of the family of a Scythian officer of high -rank, who was visiting the town for the sake of the mineral springs in -its neighbourhood. This the landlord, a Hungarian who had spent -several years in America, explained volubly and sorrowfully, and -invited his intending guests to depart at once. But Cyril was very -tired, and Caerleon, fearing that he might be going to fall ill again, -tried to parley, pointing out that it was impossible for them to drive -on eighteen miles farther to the Château Temeszy that night, and -offering double the usual prices for the necessary accommodation. -Still the landlord remained firm (though with deepening regret, as -recognising that he had to deal with wealthy English <i>milords</i>), -declaring that the Herr Oberst had assured him he would leave -instantly if any other guests were admitted into the hotel. There -seemed to be nothing to do but to seek some other resting-place, and -Caerleon was just returning to the carriage in despair, when a -white-haired man came slowly down the outer staircase of the inn, -leaning heavily on a stick. -</p> - -<p> -“Here is the gracious Herr Oberst himself!” said the landlord; and -Cyril, who had been acting as his brother’s interpreter for the worthy -man’s Hungarian German and even less intelligible English, prepared to -address the new-comer in Scythian, but this proved unnecessary. -</p> - -<p> -“Sure I thought I heard English voices,” said the Herr Oberst, “and it -struck me that the landlord might be following too rigorously the -orders I gave um. The fact is, gentlemen, that most of the people rich -enough to travel in these parts are Austrian Jews, and me wife has a -great objection to Jews, so that the only way I could get her here was -by engaging to keep out of their reach. But I can assure you that I -had no desire to inconvenience English travellers—— You are English, -gentlemen?” -</p> - -<p> -“We are,” said Caerleon. “I am Lord Caerleon, and this is my brother.” -</p> - -<p> -“I am much honoured, me lord,” said the Herr Oberst, bowing deeply. -“Allow me to introjuce meself. Me name is O’Malachy—The O’Malachy, at -your servus, the representatuv of the ancient kings of Leitrum,—and I -will be much displeased if you go a step farther to-night. Sure me son -has not yet arrived, and what does me daughter want with two rooms? -We’ll just tell some of the landlord’s fellers to bundle our traps out -of the rooms, and you will have them.” -</p> - -<p> -“Pray don’t disturb Miss O’Malachy,” entreated Caerleon in -consternation. “I could not think of turning a lady out of her room. -If you would be so kind as to allow my brother to occupy the room your -son is not using, my servant and I will find quarters elsewhere.” -</p> - -<p> -“Not a bit of ut!” cried the O’Malachy. “Would I turn you away when -there are empty rooms waiting for you? Come, young gentleman,” turning -to Cyril, “just make your brother understand that if he won’t stay -he’ll oblige us all to turn out and leave the place free for um. Is -not a whole hotel big enough for two families?” -</p> - -<p> -“You are very kind,” began Caerleon. But the O’Malachy was in full -retreat up the stairs again. At the top he turned and paused for a -moment, the lamplight shining on his bronzed face and white moustache -and imperial. -</p> - -<p> -“A good night to you!” he called out. “I’ll be pleased to resoom your -acquaintance in the morning, me lord. Now, you don’t leave this -hotel—at least, it’ll be the worse for ut if you do!” -</p> - -<p> -After this hospitable intimation, the travellers held back no longer, -and speedily found themselves established in most comfortable -quarters, for the landlord was delighted not to be compelled to turn -away such promising guests from his door. Nothing was too good for -them, and they went to bed well content, after commissioning the host -to procure horses in the morning for their intended ride to Château -Temeszy. -</p> - -<p> -In the morning, then, they started on this last stage of their -journey, leaving Wright at the hotel with the luggage until it could -be sent for, and bidding a grateful farewell to the O’Malachy, who was -smoking a wonderful cigar on the balcony over the door. The ride was a -long one, and the roads very bad, but Caerleon had brought a map of -the district in his pocket, and with its aid they succeeded in finding -their way. But when they reached the castle disappointment awaited -them. Everything was shut up, and the only person in authority was an -aged steward, who informed them that Count Temeszy Gyula (putting the -surname first in true Hungarian fashion) was in Paris, and the rest of -the family at Vienna. The English gentlemen might inspect the castle -and the stables while a meal was being prepared for them, the best -possible at such short notice, but the old man could not venture to -invite them to take up their quarters in the house without -instructions from his master. It was also possible that the Count’s -foresters might organise a wolf-hunt one day for the strangers’ -benefit, but it would still be best for them to return to Janoszwar -until Count Gyula could be communicated with. -</p> - -<p> -“I didn’t know that we were such suspicious-looking characters,” -grumbled Cyril after lunch, as they mounted their horses to retrace -their weary way. -</p> - -<p> -“And we shall have to quarter ourselves upon the O’Malachy again,” -responded Caerleon. “That’s what I hate. It looks such a shabby thing -to do.” -</p> - -<p> -But when they reached the hotel they found their rooms ready, and the -landlord and Wright expecting them. -</p> - -<p> -“The old gentleman up-stairs tell us to look out for you, my lord,” -said the latter to his master. “’E said as you’d most likely be comin’ -back about this time.” -</p> - -<p> -“Did the O’Malachy know that Temeszy was away when we started?” asked -Caerleon of Cyril as they sat at dinner. -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t know,” said Cyril. “Perhaps he thought you looked as though a -ride would do you good. He seems a decent enough old chap, anyhow. His -wife is a Scythian lady, Wright tells me.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, by the bye, that reminds me,” said Caerleon; “we must call -to-morrow. I’ll tell Wright to hunt up our visiting-cards, and we’ll -do the thing in style.” -</p> - -<p> -<br/> -</p> - -<p> -But Caerleon and his brother were not destined to make the -acquaintance of the O’Malachy’s family in the orthodox fashion they -had contemplated, for in the morning, as they breakfasted, they heard -excited voices outside their door. They had just decided that it would -not do to pay their call until the afternoon, and that the morning -might profitably be spent in climbing one of the mountains which -surrounded the little town, and Cyril, who was not devoid of -curiosity, thought that the present would be a good opportunity of -consulting the landlord as to the best way to take. Opening the door, -therefore, he stepped out casually, to find the landlord, his wife, -and the servants engaged in an animated colloquy with a very handsome -lady in an elaborate dressing-gown, who was standing on the outer -stair and talking French and German alternately. -</p> - -<p> -“You tell me that she is gone?” she was saying. “But no! I say it is -impossible. She would be terrified.” -</p> - -<p> -“There is no danger, madame,” suggested the landlord, soothingly; “and -no doubt the gracious young lady knows this.” -</p> - -<p> -“No danger!” cried madame, vivaciously. “When there may at this very -moment be wolves, brigands, avalanches, menacing my child? What though -she does think she is safe? Her very confidence may be her greatest -danger. She must be followed—rescued—immediately.” -</p> - -<p> -“I assure you, madame, that mademoiselle is perfectly safe,” repeated -the landlord. Madame wrung her hands. -</p> - -<p> -“My excellent man, how can you understand a mother’s feelings? I tell -you my daughter must be rescued. If there is no one else, I will go -myself, although I have never walked a mile in my life, and the Herr -Oberst is quite helpless with his gout.” -</p> - -<p> -“It is unnecessary for madame to incommode herself,” said the -landlord, sulkily. “If she insists upon it, two of the men shall go, -although it is absolutely impossible to spare them from the farm.” -</p> - -<p> -“Naturally I insist upon it,” returned madame. “What is your farm to -me? The men shall be paid. Send them off at once. If only there was -some friend near who might help us!” -</p> - -<p> -“Pardon me, madame,” said Caerleon, coming forward. He had been -listening in bewilderment to the colloquy over Cyril’s shoulder, and -picking up snatches of what was said. “I think I have the honour of -addressing Madame O’Malachy? Can my brother and I be of any assistance -to you?” -</p> - -<p> -“My dear sir,” said madame, with a charming smile, “I am ashamed to -trouble you, but you would confer the greatest possible favour on my -husband and myself if you would be so good as to help us. My daughter -is a headstrong child, and she has started off early this morning to -visit the sick daughter of a huntsman in the mountains. To ask you to -give up your own concerns on account of the whim of a foolish girl is -too bad, and yet I have no one else to send.” -</p> - -<p> -“We shall be delighted if we can be of any use,” said Caerleon. “Do I -understand that you would like us to meet Mademoiselle O’Malachy and -bring her home? We were intending to spend the morning in the -mountains, so that we shall not even need to change our plans.” -</p> - -<p> -“Monsieur is too good,” returned Madame O’Malachy. “I am desolated to -be obliged to incommode him in this way, but my daughter has always -lived in the country with her godmother, and knows nothing of the -dangers which beset a young girl alone.” -</p> - -<p> -“Still, madame,” put in Cyril, “one can have nothing but admiration -for the philanthropic instinct which has prompted mademoiselle to set -out by herself to relieve a sick girl.” -</p> - -<p> -“You are too amiable, monsieur,” said madame. “My daughter is -<i>dévote</i>, what you call ‘religious,’ and this characteristic makes a -great deal of trouble for herself and for other people. But behold me -only half-dressed!” and madame became suddenly aware that her abundant -dark hair, scarcely yet tinged with grey, was coiled negligently in a -loose knot on her neck; “pardon me, gentlemen, and remember my -anxiety. Pray scold my daughter well when you find her. <i>Au revoir</i>!” -and she retreated up-stairs. -</p> - -<p> -“Pleasant woman, Madame O’Malachy,” Caerleon remarked to Cyril when -they had obtained directions from the landlord as to the exact -situation of the huntsman’s cottage, and had started on their walk, -“but I can’t quite make her out.” -</p> - -<p> -“Can’t you?” said Cyril. “I can. I’ve met too many of her before.” -</p> - -<p> -“She seemed so very anxious and excited,” went on Caerleon, pursuing -his own train of thought, “and yet she doesn’t appear to care much for -her daughter.” -</p> - -<p> -“Not a scrap!” said Cyril, emphatically. “Rather hates her than -otherwise, I should say, from her tone. Fact is, either she -particularly wants the hotel to herself to-day, or she wishes to throw -one of us, presumably you, into the society of the young lady. Well, -forewarned is forearmed.” -</p> - -<p> -“But it couldn’t have been all humbug. She wouldn’t have shown up in -that costume if she hadn’t been really anxious.” -</p> - -<p> -“That costume!” said Cyril. “I’m as sure as that I’m here that every -hair of that coil was arranged with an eye to its effect on us.” -</p> - -<p> -“But she came down in a dressing-gown.” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes, but what kind of dressing-gown? When a Scythian lady, and still -more a Sarmatian,—and there’s a good deal more of the Sarmatian than -the Scythian about our fair friend,—shows up in a dressing-gown, you -may be pretty sure that it’s a court-dress rather differently made. -Madame knows how to dress her part to the letter.” -</p> - -<p> -Caerleon only grunted in answer to this, and they went on in silence -for some time. The path was steep, and Cyril found that climbing took -all the breath he had to spare. -</p> - -<p> -“How much farther now to the top?” he asked at last, when they reached -a sheltered nook in the hillside where a few pine-trees nestled. -</p> - -<p> -“A good two miles yet,” said Caerleon, looking back on the way they -had come. -</p> - -<p> -“Then I give in,” said Cyril, resolutely, sitting down on a rock. “I’m -about done, and I shall leave the further chase of this young person -to you. Ten to one but she’ll come down some other way when you are -gone on to the hut, and I shall get hold of her first and give her a -good lecture.” -</p> - -<p> -“Lecture a strange girl?” -</p> - -<p> -“Rather! I shall say, ‘My young friend, to try and thrust your -schoolmistress’s views on papa and mamma is not religion, but -self-will, and to emphasise them by running off like this is not -heroic, but bad-tempered.’” -</p> - -<p> -“All right; I wish you luck. If mademoiselle has a tongue anything -like her mamma’s, you will be pretty well pulverised by the time I -come back. Well, I’m off. See you again in an hour.” -</p> - - -<h3 id="ch03"> -CHAPTER III.<br/> -<span class="chap_sub">“IF THOU WERT KIND AS THOU ART FAIR——”</span> -</h3> - -<p class="noindent"> -<span class="sc">Leaving</span> his brother to contemplate the beauties of nature under the -shade of the pines, Caerleon walked on, finding his progress much more -rapid than it had been when Cyril was his companion, and arrived -before very long at a point from which he was able to descry the -huntsman’s cottage, built under the shelter of a towering crag. -Pausing for a moment to determine which of two paths now before him -would be more likely to lead him directly towards it, he heard -footsteps above him, and presently a lady came in sight round a -turning in the right-hand path. Tall and slight, she wore a plain -tweed dress and felt hat, and the trim neatness of her appearance -struck Caerleon as most refreshing after the alternate dowdiness and -magnificence of many of the Austrian belles he had come across. It did -not occur to him at first that this stately lady could be the -hoydenish little Scythian schoolgirl of whom he was in search, but -presently it struck him as unlikely that two young ladies would be -wandering alone in the mountains on the same day, and he advanced to -meet the girl. -</p> - -<p> -“Excuse me,” he said, taking off his cap, “but have I the honour of -speaking to Mdlle. O’Malachy?” -</p> - -<p> -“I am Nadia O’Malachy,” she replied, looking at him with an expression -in which he read surprise not wholly unmixed with resentment. He -noticed that her eyes were large and grey, and that her wavy dark hair -grew low on her brow. She spoke English readily, but with a slight -foreign accent. -</p> - -<p> -“I must ask you to forgive me for stopping you in this way,” said -Caerleon, wishing to disarm her evident suspicion, “but the fact is -that Madame O’Malachy was very anxious about you, and I promised to -see you safely back to the hotel.” -</p> - -<p> -“My mother sent you after me?” she said quickly. “It was quite -unnecessary. Pray continue your walk.” -</p> - -<p> -“The object of my walk is achieved,” said Caerleon. “I have only to -return.” -</p> - -<p> -“I have told you,” said the girl, with angry dignity, “that I do not -desire your company.” -</p> - -<p> -Caerleon laughed inwardly. The walk seemed to promise some amusement. -“And I regret, mademoiselle,” he said, “that having promised to see -you home, I must do it. I will walk behind you, if you prefer it.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh no,” said Mdlle. O’Malachy, pointing to the path beside her with -an imperious gesture, “I do not wish to insult you. You consider -yourself a gentleman. I took you for one.” -</p> - -<p> -She walked on by his side, apparently expecting a retort, but he -maintained a resolute silence, although secretly convulsed by the -contrast between the intention she expressed and the words which -followed it. Suddenly, to his surprise, she turned to him. -</p> - -<p> -“I beg your pardon. I ought not to have said that. I was wrong.” -</p> - -<p> -“Pray don’t apologise,” said Caerleon. “I am here only as your -mother’s messenger, and I quite understand that you find my presence -disagreeable, and that I can’t expect you to consider my feelings.” -</p> - -<p> -“I do not consider them,” she retorted. “I apologised because it was -right to do it when I had been rude.” -</p> - -<p> -“As a punishment to yourself?” asked Caerleon, much amused. -</p> - -<p> -“Certainly not,” she answered. “As a means of self-discipline.” -</p> - -<p> -“I see—and a punishment to me?” -</p> - -<p> -“By no means. Why should I punish you? What you do has no interest for -me. Oh, I beg your pardon. That was rude again.” -</p> - -<p> -“Not at all. But I am interested in your self-disciplinary system. Do -you mind explaining it a little more fully? I think I ought to hear -something about it, you know, since I have to suffer from it.” -</p> - -<p> -“Now she’s going to flare up again,” he thought, as his companion -turned and glared at him, but the anger faded out of her eyes as he -looked at her in calm expectancy. -</p> - -<p> -“It is a just rebuke,” she said, in a low voice. “I will tell you, -although I do not care to speak of myself, but it will be a good -punishment for me, as you say. My godmother, with whom I have always -lived until lately, used to encourage me to self-denial when I was a -child, saying that one could never rise to the height of a great -renunciation unless one trained oneself for it by means of constant -smaller ones. As I grew older, the principle seemed to me so excellent -that I have followed it in other things.—When you were little, did -you never hold your hand in the flame of the candle to try and find -out whether you could be a martyr?” -</p> - -<p> -“No,” said Caerleon; “I have often done it, but I am afraid it was -because I was told not to.” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, I have done it—often. And so with other things. I discovered -in myself a strong tendency to insincerity, and fearing to yield to -it, I made it a duty never to let politeness or the desire to please -keep me from saying what I thought. How dreadful it would be to fail -in truthfulness at some great crisis on account of a long course of -petty hypocrisies! But I found that this made me appear rude, and I am -very proud, and did not like to confess myself in the wrong. So here -was another opportunity for self-discipline, and I resolved to let -nothing prevent me from instantly asking pardon of any one I had -offended in this way.” -</p> - -<p> -“I see—without regard to that person’s feelings. And may I ask -whether Madame—your godmother—pursues the same system?” -</p> - -<p> -“My godmother is Princess Soudaroff. No; she does not need it, she is -too good. Her life is given up to working among the poor. Her house is -an asylum for the wretched. She loves every one, is kind to every -one.” -</p> - -<p> -“And she has impressed her views upon you, has she? Did I understand -you to say that she brought you up?” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes; she pitied the life I led with my parents, and she adopted me as -her own. She gave me everything I could need, and provided excellent -teachers for me; but, best of all, she allowed me to help her in her -work. Sometimes we lived at her country house, and worked among the -peasants, and sometimes in Pavelsburg, and then our work lay among the -poorest of the poor. Oh, what a life it was! She cares for body and -soul alike. The hospitals and prisons are visited, Bible-classes, -sewing-classes held; drunkards reached, young girls away from home -befriended and taken care of. To be in trouble or in loneliness—that -gives you claim enough upon my Princess.” -</p> - -<p> -“I didn’t know that you went in for all this kind of thing in -Scythia,” said Caerleon. “It’s not quite one’s idea of the Greek -Church, somehow.” -</p> - -<p> -“But we are Evangelicals; we are separated,” said the girl, eagerly. -“They say we are heretics,—Non-conformists, I think you call it in -England,—and they persecute us. My godmother has often been in danger -of exile, but something has always happened to save her. She has no -fear at all.” -</p> - -<p> -“Only for you, perhaps. I suppose the reason you are here is that she -sent you away when danger threatened. You didn’t leave her, I am -sure.” -</p> - -<p> -“Not of my own free will, never! My mother sent for me; but not on -account of any danger. She gave me up willingly enough when I was of -no use to her, but now she thinks that I am old enough to be of -assistance. Assistance to her!” -</p> - -<p> -“I daresay it is better for you, after all, than your life with -Princess Soudaroff,” said Caerleon, judicially. “We can’t always have -what we like, you know, and it doesn’t look well for a girl to be -unable to get on with her mother.” -</p> - -<p> -“How dare you say that?” she cried, turning upon him again. “What do -you know of my circumstances? Do you think I have not tried, longed, -<i>agonised</i> to honour my father and mother? but I will not help them in -their work. Don’t talk to me of the look of things until you know -something about them. Oh, I beg——” -</p> - -<p> -“Excuse me,” said Caerleon, quickly, “but if you have to apologise to -me again, do you mind turning your head away, and doing it in a -whisper? The effect on yourself would be the same, and it would spare -my feelings.” -</p> - -<p> -“You are a scoffer!” said Mdlle. O’Malachy, sharply. -</p> - -<p> -“I hope not; but I am afraid that your apologies will get on my -nerves.” -</p> - -<p> -“Your nerves?” she looked him up and down, and then laughed. “You -don’t suffer from nerves?” -</p> - -<p> -“You don’t know how wearing it is to be always looking out for -apologies—and getting them.” -</p> - -<p> -“But why should it affect your nerves? You are English, you do not -drink absinthe?” She was still looking him over in the light of a -curious medical problem, and her tone was full of interest. -</p> - -<p> -“I hope you don’t intend to catechise me upon my private vices,” said -Caerleon, hastily. “What I said was only in joke. I don’t know what -nerves are.” -</p> - -<p> -“A joke?” Evidently it had not occurred to her that any one could take -such a liberty on such short acquaintance. “But I do not even know -your name, sir.” -</p> - -<p> -“And is it necessary to know a man’s name before he may make a joke in -conversation with you?” asked Caerleon, laughing, but she did not hear -him. -</p> - -<p> -“I know you must be one of the English noblemen who are staying in the -hotel, and you cannot be the brother—he is small and delicate, my -father said so. You are, then, the pretender?” -</p> - -<p> -“The pretender?” asked Caerleon in astonishment. -</p> - -<p> -“I beg your pardon—I should have remembered that the word has a worse -meaning in English than in French. The aspirant, I should say—the -aspirant to the throne of Thracia?” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, I was, a year ago; or rather the throne of Thracia aspired to -me. I refused it, you know.” -</p> - -<p> -“I remember; I was sorry. But you are going to accept it now?” -</p> - -<p> -“Now? I don’t know what you mean. I haven’t a thought of it.” -</p> - -<p> -“Then why are you here?” -</p> - -<p> -“Here? in Hungary? To visit my friend, Count Temeszy.” -</p> - -<p> -“But you are on your way to Thracia?” -</p> - -<p> -“I assure you I am not. What can have put it into your head?” -</p> - -<p> -“Every one thinks so. My parents quite believe it—and so do others.” -</p> - -<p> -“Then they are mistaken, that’s all.” -</p> - -<p> -“But why do you stay here, since Count Temeszy is away? You leave -soon?” -</p> - -<p> -“Not that I know of. Why should we?” -</p> - -<p> -“Sir,” her voice was very earnest, “will you be angry if I give you a -warning? If there is no special reason to keep you here, do not -remain. My father is not—is not a good friend for young men.” -</p> - -<p> -“A card-sharper, of course!” was the thought that darted through -Caerleon’s mind. “It’s good of her to tell me, poor girl!” Aloud he -added, “Thank you for your warning, mademoiselle. Perhaps you would be -so kind as to mention to your father that I don’t carry the revenues -of Thracia about with me.” -</p> - -<p> -“You won’t understand,” cried the girl, passionately; “it is nothing -about money. Consider what political disturbances your acceptance of -the crown might bring about, and that there are those who will suspect -you of desiring to provoke them so long as you remain in this part of -Europe, however innocent your motives may be. I remember that when the -crown was offered to you last year, the affair was much discussed in -our circle. I myself heard Count Wratisloff say in my godmother’s -drawing-room, ‘Here is the peace of Europe hanging upon the caprice of -a boy!’” -</p> - -<p> -“I am much obliged to him,” said Caerleon, grimly. -</p> - -<p> -“Now I have offended you again. I am sorry. Count Wratisloff is a man -who speaks a little emphatically sometimes, but he had no intention of -being unkind. He prayed for you himself at our prayer-meeting the next -day.” -</p> - -<p> -“Very kind of him, I’m sure. I suppose he prayed that I might refuse -the crown?” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh no. How could he pretend to regulate the course of public affairs? -If the time is come for a great European war, who can prevent it? He -prayed that all might happen for the best.” -</p> - -<p> -“Then you and your circle are fatalists, mademoiselle?” -</p> - -<p> -“Surely not. ‘What will be, will be’—that is what the fatalists say, -is it not?” she looked at him inquiringly. “But what we say is, ‘What -will be, must be for the best.’” -</p> - -<p> -“But why pray about it, then?” asked Caerleon, interested by this -frank confession of faith. -</p> - -<p> -“That we may be brought to believe that it is so when we cannot see -it,” she answered, in a low voice; and although Caerleon would -willingly have pursued the subject, a turn in the path here brought -them in sight of Cyril, and there was no further opportunity for -private conversation. During the rest of the way home they spoke -chiefly of temperance work, Mdlle. O’Malachy recounting incidents from -her experience among Princess Soudaroff’s <i>protégés</i>, and Caerleon -replying with reminiscences of the various abortive attempts at -restrictive legislation which he had supported in his House of Commons -days, while Cyril listened and smiled with lofty contempt. -</p> - -<p> -“Here we are,” he said at last, with undisguised relief, “and here is -your father coming to meet us, mademoiselle.” -</p> - -<p> -“Naughty girl!” cried the O’Malachy, shaking his fist playfully at his -daughter. “I hope you’ve given trouble enough to us and to these -gentlemen? There’s your mother waiting for you on the balcony. Go and -settle ut with her yourself. Me lord, I can’t tell you how grateful I -am to you and to Lord Cyrul for your goodnuss to-day. Me wife is very -nervous, but you have been most kind in relieving her anxiety. May I -hope that you will give us the pleasure of your company at dinner this -evening? Madame O’Malachy will like to thank you herself.” -</p> - -<p> -“You are very kind,” said Caerleon. “We were hoping to call this -afternoon——” -</p> - -<p> -“Call!” cried the O’Malachy in high contempt. “Would you talk about -calling in this wildernuss? Come to-night, and we’ll be delightud to -see you.” -</p> - -<p> -The invitation was accepted with suitable gratitude, and the O’Malachy -returned to his wife and daughter, while Caerleon and Cyril sought -their own quarters. Lunch was rather a silent ceremony, for Caerleon -felt an unaccountable aversion to detailing to his brother his -conversation with Nadia O’Malachy. -</p> - -<p> -“Not going out again, surely?” said Cyril, when the meal was over, and -Caerleon took up his cap from the window-seat. -</p> - -<p> -“I want a smoke.” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, there are no ladies here, thank goodness! Sit down and smoke -like a reasonable human being.” -</p> - -<p> -“No, I want a walk.” -</p> - -<p> -“I should have thought you had had walking enough for one day,” -grumbled Cyril, but Caerleon was already outside, and he was obliged -to address the remainder of his complaint to his cigar. “He walks with -her all morning, does he? and then goes out again to think about her? -I ought to have foreseen this. That’s the drawback of the kind of life -we’ve been leading for a man of Caerleon’s stamp. He’s scarcely spoken -to a lady since the Governor died, and now the first decent-looking -girl he meets bowls him over at once. What a blessing it is that I’m -not susceptible!” -</p> - -<p> -Caerleon’s walk lasted for over two hours, and Cyril, with a telegram -in his hand, was awaiting him impatiently when he returned. -</p> - -<p> -“Back at last!” he said. “Do see what this is. It may be to summon us -home about something, or it may be from Temeszy.” -</p> - -<p> -“It is from Temeszy,” said Caerleon, opening it. “The steward must -have telegraphed to him yesterday as soon as we were gone. He has -business in Paris which will keep him there for more than a month, but -he wants us to take up our quarters at the castle, ride his horses, -hunt his wolves, or whatever else in the way of game there may be -about, and so on—in fact, use the house as if it was our own.” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, what do you think?” asked Cyril. -</p> - -<p> -“If you ask me,” said Caerleon, slowly, “I think that we might as well -have stayed at Llandiarmid as bury ourselves out there without Temeszy -or any one to speak to.” -</p> - -<p> -“I see,” said Cyril. “You mean to stay on here for the present, then?” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes, I think we might.” -</p> - -<p> -“But you forget that Mr or M. O’Malachy is coming back. What is one to -call a fellow who has an Irish father and a Sarmatian mother, and has -been brought up abroad? But anyhow, he is coming, and we have got his -room.” -</p> - -<p> -“I forgot that,” said Caerleon, rather crestfallen. “We must find out -to-night when he is expected. There’s no need to leave until he -comes.” -</p> - -<p> -Once more Cyril drew dark inferences from his brother’s words, but he -made no remark, and at the appointed time they presented themselves in -Madame O’Malachy’s <i>salon</i>, where a most cordial welcome awaited them. -They were the only guests, and it fell naturally to Caerleon to escort -his hostess to the table and to sit beside her, a privilege for which -he was not as grateful as he ought to have been, for he could hear -Cyril and Nadia wrangling busily throughout the meal. Guessing that -his brother was treating Mdlle. O’Malachy to a little <i>fin de siècle</i> -philosophy, he had no difficulty in imagining the light in which it -would strike her, and his anxiety to hear what she was saying in reply -distracted his attention a little from her mother, who conversed -vivaciously in French, addressing him as “<i>mon cher marquis</i>” in a way -that reminded him vaguely of the Molière he had read when at school. -</p> - -<p> -“I am longing that you should know my son,” she observed at last. “He -is of the same age as your brother, and I have a presentiment that -they will be friends. Louis is a true enthusiast, and it is this trait -in his character that has caused us no small anxiety. My husband has -perhaps told you that until a short time ago the unfortunate boy was -an officer in the Scythian army. Would you believe that he has -resigned his post in order to join the Thracian revolutionists?” -</p> - -<p> -“Indeed?” said Caerleon, much interested; “and has he joined them -yet?” -</p> - -<p> -“No, but he intends to do so as soon as possible. Imagine his throwing -away all his prospects like this! It is madness.” -</p> - -<p> -“Come now, Barbara,” put in the O’Malachy from his end of the table. -“Louie is a very decent feller, and he may make his way yet. You -wouldn’t believe that I meself began life as a leader in the Sarmatian -insurrection, would you?” he asked, turning to the young men with an -air of extreme innocence. -</p> - -<p> -“No, indeed,” said Caerleon, dimly conscious that Cyril started, and -pursed up his lips as though to whistle. -</p> - -<p> -“It’s true, then. When I left Ireland as a young man, after a little -difficulty with the Government connectud with the troubles of ’48, I -took, though it is not I should say ut, a prominent part in the -Sarmatian affair, and yet here I am now, a colonel in the Scythian -army. I learned wisdom, you see. The Scythians were not so bad as I -had thought them, and the Sarmatians were a good deal worse, and so ut -happened that I changed sides, perhaps with a little persuasion of -another kind addud on,” and he glanced waggishly at his wife, who -laughed rather nervously, and remarked that the candles were burning -low. -</p> - -<p> -“But have you never visited England since 1848?” asked Caerleon. -“Surely there can be no danger of your being arrested now? I hope I -may have the pleasure of welcoming you at Llandiarmid yet.” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes,” said Cyril, “if you began as a Sarmatian revolutionist and end -as a Scythian officer, we may hope to see you in a comfortable berth -in the Constabulary yet, O’Malachy.” -</p> - -<p> -“Ah, but there’s another businuss since ’48,” said the O’Malachy. “You -know Balster, the feller that was made Irush Secretary two or three -years ago? When I heard he had got the Irush Offus, I sent um a -present of a box of cigars, the brand I always smoke meself—he had -admired them greatly when I met um at Ludwigsbad some time before. -Well, would you believe ut? Sure ’twas a mighty queer piece of -work—the police opened the box when ut got to Doblun, and they found -dynamite in ut. So then they accused me of trying to blow the man up, -and I daren’t set foot in me native land. I was sorry, of course; but -how was ut me fault?” -</p> - -<p> -“Do you mean to imply,” asked Caerleon, “that the police took the -cigars out and put dynamite instead of them?” -</p> - -<p> -“All I can say,” replied the O’Malachy, spreading out his hands with a -deprecatory gesture, “is that I sent cigars, and that the police -fellers found an infernal machine. You must make what you can of ut.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, don’t harp on the subject, Caerleon,” put in Cyril, seeing that -his brother was not satisfied. “Can’t you see that it’s very naturally -disagreeable to the O’Malachy? When do you expect your son, -O’Malachy?” -</p> - -<p> -“In two or three days, Lord Cyrul. I am greatly pleased that he will -be so fortunate as to meet you here.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, but we shan’t be here,” said Caerleon, seizing his opportunity. -“We must not forget that we are trespassing on your kindness all the -time we occupy these rooms. We will clear out to-morrow, if you like.” -</p> - -<p> -“That you won’t,” returned the O’Malachy. “Why, when I was hearing in -the town yesterday that your friend was in Parrus, and knew that you -would be wanting to come back here, I went straight to the landlord, -and got um to clear out another room for Louie, without any fuss at -all. So now the place is plenty big for both of us, and I will think -that you are offended with us if you turn out before you have seen all -you want of the neighbourhood.” -</p> - -<p> -“Since you are so kind,” said Caerleon, “we will certainly stay on for -the present.” Here a frown from Cyril reached him, and an almost -imperceptible “Don’t!” and he added rather lamely, “That is, if you -are quite sure we are not inconveniencing you—or Miss O’Malachy.” -</p> - -<p> -“My dear marquis,” said Madame O’Malachy, “let me assure you that your -society is already doing my husband far more good than the waters -here. As for my daughter, how should you inconvenience her?” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh no; why should I need two rooms?” asked Nadia, gloomily, and -Caerleon could get nothing but monosyllables from her during the -remainder of the evening. When the guests were gone, however, she -turned to her parents as she was leaving the room. -</p> - -<p> -“You may be interested to know,” she said in her clear hard voice, -“that Lord Caerleon has no intention of going to Thracia, nor of -accepting the Thracian crown. I am not in the habit of helping you in -your work, but I thought that this piece of news might possibly lead -you to alter your plans a little.” -</p> - -<p> -“Many thanks, my daughter,” said Madame O’Malachy, while her husband -laughed softly. “In what way are our plans to be changed?” -</p> - -<p> -“Surely you can leave Lord Caerleon and his brother alone, now that -you know this, and not seek to involve them in any danger?” -</p> - -<p> -“Mademoiselle,” said the O’Malachy, rising and standing with his back -to the stove, “may I remind you of one small fact? We have not, as you -remark, the honour of your assistance, and I regret to say that this -necessarily deprives you of any pleasure you might derive from sharing -our confidence. Whatever plans your mother and I may have in view, we -do not feel inclined to risk their reaching Lord Caerleon by -communicating them to you.” -</p> - -<p> -Nadia’s face grew crimson, but she threw her head back proudly as she -bade her parents good-night and left the room. -</p> - -<p> -“There is a little fool for you!” said Madame O’Malachy with lazy -contempt. -</p> - -<p> -<br/> -</p> - -<p> -“What did you mean by making signs to me at dinner?” asked Caerleon of -Cyril, when they were alone together in his room. -</p> - -<p> -“Any one with ordinary common-sense would have seen that I meant you -not to accept the O’Malachy’s offer, but to go on at once, away from -here.” -</p> - -<p> -“But why in the world? You said nothing of this before.” -</p> - -<p> -“Because I did not know who he was, but at dinner it suddenly flashed -upon me that he was the hero of a story which I heard when I was in -Pavelsburg. Old Dostelsky, who helped in putting down the Sarmatian -rebellion, told it to two or three of us in the smoking-room one -night.” -</p> - -<p> -“Something spicy, I suppose? Come, let us hear it.” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, it seems that the O’Malachy was, as he said, one of the -Sarmatian leaders, and he gave the Scythians so much trouble that they -were ready to go any lengths to get rid of him. They tried fair means -and they tried foul—open attacks, and bribes, and attempted -assassination, but it was all no good. At last—I don’t know whether -it was a lucky guess, or whether something showed them his weak -point—they thought of working upon his susceptibilities. They had a -decoy handy, Mdlle. Barbara Platovska, a young Sarmatian lady, brought -up in Paris and trained in Scythia. She had done a good deal of work -for them already, and she was as plucky and as wily as she was -beautiful, so that she was a valuable instrument. Well, they sent her -off with a free hand, and a pardon for O’Malachy, signed by the -Emperor, in her pocket, together with a promise of employment for him -in the Scythian army. Mdlle. Barbara lays her plans, and presently, -travelling by night through a forest where the rebels had one of their -camps, she falls into their hands. There was some talk of shooting her -at once, for her face was unmistakable, and they all knew what harm -she had done to their cause; but she singled out O’Malachy, and threw -herself at his feet and demanded his protection. You wouldn’t find -many Irishmen who would refuse to help a pretty woman in such a -plight, and O’Malachy pulled her behind him, and told the rest to come -on. They nearly got to blows, but at last they agreed to give the girl -some form of trial, and they carried her off to their headquarters. -Naturally O’Malachy kept close to her on the way, and she used her -opportunity so well that before the journey was over he was head and -ears in love with her. He soon discovered that the rest were -determined to kill her, and the very first night that he had the -chance he helped her to escape from the ruined tower in which she was -imprisoned, and escorted her back to her friends. Up to that time he -fully meant to go back and give himself up to his comrades, but now -was Mdlle. Barbara’s chance. She never let him alone on that journey, -until she had got him to promise to come in with her and surrender. He -must have been pretty sick of the Sarmatians altogether—they were -rather a shady lot, always quarrelling and fighting among -themselves—and there was nothing to be made out of their job, and he -was in love as well, and he thought she loved him, so he consented. He -got his pardon and his post in the Scythian army, and he meant to get -Mdlle. Barbara. But when he went to claim her she met him as she had -done the other men she had betrayed, turned her back on him and told -him that no traitor should ever be her husband. But she had tried that -trick once too often. He had her against the wall with a revolver to -her head in an instant, and then and there he made her promise to -marry him. And that wasn’t all, either. He took her to the table, -still with the revolver pointed at her, and made her write out and -sign an account of the scene. Then he let her go, but she married him -the next week. You see he could have ruined her with that paper. If it -had once come to her employers’ ears that she had lost her nerve, and -yielded to threats, they would never have made use of her again. -Perhaps, too, the O’Malachy’s style of wooing pleased her, or she may -have had a soft place for him in her heart all along. At any rate, -they married, and went into partnership, and you see what a happy -couple they are.” -</p> - -<p> -“But how did the story get about?” asked Caerleon. “Surely it was to -the interest of both of them to keep it quiet.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, the O’Malachy let it out one evening when he had been -dining—told it as rather a fine thing, I believe.” -</p> - -<p> -“The old beast! to go and give his wife away like that,” remarked -Caerleon, with righteous indignation. -</p> - -<p> -“Well, after all, she doesn’t show up so very much worse than he does -in the matter,” said Cyril. “They are rather a well-matched pair. You -know what their present manner of life is?” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh yes, I know. Card-sharping.” -</p> - -<p> -Cyril stared. “Not unless you are speaking in parables, and alluding -to political cards. They are spies of the Scythian Government, <i>agents -provocateurs</i>, and so on. The O’Malachy is supposed to be travelling -for his health, a pursuit which enables him to be pretty constantly on -the move, and turn up just where his presence is required. Oh, he’s a -fine old fellow! Wasn’t that rich about Balster and the infernal -machine? It was an awful sell for him, though. Sorry! of course he was -sorry—that Balster didn’t open it himself, and get blown up. That’s -one of his little ways of employing his leisure hours, and the whole -family are really otherwise engaged than in health-seeking, very much -so.” -</p> - -<p> -“Not all of them. Miss O’Malachy is not.” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, you certainly know more about her than I do, so I can’t say. -You have a queer taste in fathers-in-law, though.” -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t talk rot,” said Caerleon, indignantly. “I won’t hear the girl -slandered, but I can’t even make out whether I like her or not. She -says the most appalling things in the coolest voice, and then -apologises.” -</p> - -<p> -“Well,” said Cyril, getting near the door, “when a man goes out to -think about a girl, and wastes two hours of his valuable time in -trying to decide whether he likes her or not, and then comes back -without having found out, it looks as though he was pretty far gone -already.” And Cyril quitted the room in a hurry, dexterously avoiding -the boot which Caerleon hurled at him. -</p> - - -<h3 id="ch04"> -CHAPTER IV.<br/> -<span class="chap_sub">A CANDID FRIENDSHIP.</span> -</h3> - -<p class="noindent"> -<span class="sc">In</span> the morning no reference was made to the conversation of the -evening before on the part either of Caerleon or of Cyril, although -the latter found an ominous confirmation of his suspicions in the fact -that his brother did not offer to change his plans in any way as a -consequence of what had been said. -</p> - -<p> -“He must really be smitten with the girl,” argued Cyril, mentally, -“for if he wasn’t, he would take fright at the hints I gave him, and -want to part company with these people at once. Well, it’s his own -look-out. He ought to marry, and it’s very evident that he’ll marry -whom he likes. This girl is not bad-looking, and it’s a strong point -in her favour that the O’Malachy daren’t set foot on English ground. A -decent veil can be drawn over his existence so long as he keeps out of -the way. At any rate, it’s not my business to make a fuss, and if I -did, Caerleon would probably go and propose at once. I’m glad I said -what I did, for now he knows what he’s about. He can’t say that he’s -been let in for anything blindfold, but I mean to be satisfied with -that.” -</p> - -<p> -Having decided on adopting the attitude of benevolent neutrality, -Cyril accompanied his brother without a murmur to the post-office, and -the telegram refusing Count Temeszy’s invitation was duly despatched. -Returning towards the inn, they took their way through the Kurgarten, -a desolate piece of ground adorned with a few straggling bushes and a -good many dilapidated plaster statues, and here they found the -O’Malachy family, occupying three of the paintless and rickety chairs -arranged in a circle round the kiosk in which the waters of the -medicinal spring were dispensed by an unattractive Hebe. The O’Malachy -was sipping his morning tumbler of greenish and muddy-looking fluid -with the air of a martyr, while his wife, in the most coquettish of -Parisian morning costumes and hats, was communicating to her daughter -her impressions of the few other health-seekers who patronised the -Janoszwar waters, the majority of whom were the Hungarian Jewesses she -regarded with such strong aversion. Nadia sat bolt upright beside her, -silent and rebellious, her face, with its expression of enforced -resignation, protesting, as clearly as her attitude, against her -mother’s discourse and the delight she took in it. The contrast -between the two figures—the one so markedly rigid and repellent, the -other all that was graceful, pliant, and pleasing—was a sharp one, -and Caerleon, as he approached, found himself wishing emphatically, -although in silence, that Nadia could manage to avoid the -contamination of her surroundings without holding herself so -aggressively aloof from them. Cyril was less reticent. -</p> - -<p> -“Good gracious! how sulky that girl looks,” he remarked. “Wretchedly -bad form to listen to her mother’s talk with that face on. Such talk -as it is, too! I wish we had Madame O’Malachy at some of the houses -one goes to in London. Her conversational powers are lost out here.” -</p> - -<p> -“Perhaps Miss O’Malachy finds the talk less edifying than it is -lively,” said Caerleon, absently, trying to put himself in Nadia’s -place, and to realise the disgust which the stream of scandal and -innuendo in which her mother delighted must arouse in her. -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t be a prig,” was the sole answer vouchsafed by Cyril; and they -went on and greeted the O’Malachys, and annexed two unoccupied chairs -near them, Caerleon contriving to place himself beside Nadia, Cyril -beside her mother. Presently the O’Malachy finished his penance, and -they rose and sauntered together towards the hotel. -</p> - -<p> -“We have heard from my son this morning, my dear marquis,” said Madame -O’Malachy to Caerleon. “He hopes to be with us to-morrow.” -</p> - -<p> -“Does he intend to make a long stay here?” -</p> - -<p> -“Alas, no! He is still mad on the subject of Thracia, and insists on -going there almost immediately. What can he expect but defeat and -ruin? But he shall not go into danger alone. There are mineral springs -at Tatarjé, which the O’Malachy has been advised to visit, and we -shall all accompany my poor misguided Louis. We may not be able to do -much, but at any rate we shall be near him.” -</p> - -<p> -“But if the country is in such a dangerous state, are you not afraid -to visit it?” asked Caerleon. -</p> - -<p> -“Afraid!” repeated Madame O’Malachy, high scorn in her tone. “My dear -marquis, for what do you take us? We are accustomed to danger.” -</p> - -<p> -“I should rather like to see Thracia,” remarked Caerleon, not very -relevantly. “It must be a very interesting country.” -</p> - -<p> -“Then why wouldn’t you and Lord Cyrul come with us?” asked the -O’Malachy. -</p> - -<p> -“Oh no, my friend,” cried his wife, “that would never do. Have you -forgotten the unsettled state of Thracia? Do you not remember that the -people hate travellers, throw all kinds of vexatious restrictions in -their way, seize every opportunity of insulting and injuring them? Our -dear marquis must not come. The country is positively dangerous.” -</p> - -<p> -“Is that intended as a reason for our not visiting it?” asked -Caerleon. “Cyril, I think we’ll make a tour in Thracia.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, all right,” said Cyril. “I hope your will is made, though as I am -to be with you, it won’t much matter.” -</p> - -<p> -“But you cannot intend this in earnest?” asked Madame O’Malachy, with -a most ingenuous air of simplicity. “I tell you that it is absolutely -dangerous to go to Thracia.” -</p> - -<p> -“You are going the wrong way to keep our friends back, Barbara,” said -the O’Malachy. “Do you not know that to hear that a place is dangerous -makes ut their juty to visut ut?” -</p> - -<p> -“But these English are so strange!” cried his wife, with artless -amazement. “They write letters to their ‘Times’ to complain if the -slightest inconvenience touches them at a hotel, or if a street-boy -calls them a bad name, and yet they go to look for danger when it is -unnecessary.” -</p> - -<p> -“One of the contradictions of human nature,” remarked the O’Malachy, -grimly, but when he and his wife and daughter had reached their own -room, he returned to the subject: “I don’t know what you were driving -at just now, Barbara. Were you really trying to turn the young fellers -back, or not? Caerleon is a decent boy enough. Was your heart suddenly -filled with compassion for um, or were you trying to make terms with -your conscience?” -</p> - -<p> -“That is it,” returned Madame O’Malachy, with a side-glance at her -daughter. “I do not wish to have it on my conscience that I brought -these young men into Thracia. It is not my affair.” -</p> - -<p> -“Then whose is it?” asked Nadia. -</p> - -<p> -“I say,” went on her mother, “that I have done all in my power to turn -them back. <i>I</i> have not led them on to their ruin. <i>I</i> have not made -myself disagreeable to my own family, and pleasant to them, that I -might induce them to attach themselves to my company. When they get -into trouble—into danger,” raising her voice as Nadia rose hurriedly -and left the room, “their blood will not be on <i>my</i> head.” -</p> - -<p> -“How you women hate one another!” laughed the O’Malachy, softly. -</p> - -<p> -<br/> -</p> - -<p> -Louis O’Malachy arrived the next day, a dark-browed, taciturn, -broad-shouldered young man, about a year older than Nadia, moving with -a peculiar stiffness, as though his movements had always been -restrained by a tight uniform, or by the orders of a drill-sergeant. -He took a great fancy to Cyril,—at least, his mother said that he had -done so, and it was quite true that he lost no opportunity of seeking -his company. Indeed, the brothers found it almost impossible to escape -from him, for whenever they went out, he invariably made his -appearance, and offered himself as their companion. This being the -case, Madame O’Malachy, out of compassion for Caerleon, who found -himself, as she phrased it, the unwelcome third in this devoted -comradeship, fell into the habit of ordering Nadia to accompany her -brother on all these occasions. To Caerleon himself she observed, with -a cold-blooded frankness which reminded him of her daughter’s first -interview with him, that to no one but an Englishman would she think -of permitting the privilege of escorting Mdlle. O’Malachy in her -walks, but she understood that in England it was only when young -people were not allowed to meet freely that there was any fear that -complications might arise. She made this remark in Nadia’s hearing, -and the girl, who had resisted the proposal strenuously in private, -yielded in sheer terror as to what her mother might proceed to say to -Caerleon if she still hung back. She knew perfectly well that he -divined her reason for coming, and pitied her for it, and the -realisation plunged her into the depths of confusion and shame, -sensations which were quite new to her. That she, who in her Scythian -home had looked the whole world in the face, without a particle of -fear, should now be trembling lest this Englishman, almost a stranger, -should lay his finger on a quivering wound, made her abjectly -miserable. It needed all Caerleon’s tact, all his careful insistence -on the <i>rôle</i> of friendly critic which he had adopted when they first -met, to re-establish matters on a footing of any confidence between -them. He succeeded in appearing so unconscious of anything wrong that -she persuaded herself at last that he had not perceived the -implication conveyed in her mother’s words, and after this she was at -ease with him again, and they discussed social and political problems, -illustrated from the experience of each, to their hearts’ content, -while Cyril and Louis luxuriated in Balkan politics. Cyril was deeply -interested in this young enthusiast, and not a little puzzled by him -also. Louis was still intending to proceed to Thracia in a few days, -in order to offer his services to M. Drakovics, but his utterances on -the subject were not marked by the fiery fanaticism which might have -been expected from him on the authority of his past record. -</p> - -<p> -“An enthusiast?” said Cyril to himself. “He’s no more an enthusiast -than I am, and that’s putting it pretty strong. A plotter he may be. -If he’s a patriot, he’s one of his father’s stamp, the dynamite and -dagger school. And yet only an enthusiast would have taken such a step -as to throw up his commission in the Scythian army for the sake of -joining the Thracians. But what is he doing here? If he means to go to -Thracia, why not hurry on there at once? It’s not like an enthusiast -to stick for days doing nothing at Janoszwar. Perhaps he hopes to -enlist Caerleon and me as volunteers. Perhaps he doesn’t like -Caerleon’s dangling after his sister. Can that be it?” -</p> - -<p> -He thought of the contemptuous sniff with which Louis had more than -once manifested his opinion of the way in which Caerleon gravitated -inevitably to Nadia’s side when they took their walks, but otherwise -there was nothing to show that he disapproved of the intimacy. He -might not welcome it, but he was not actively hostile; by no word nor -action would he influence the result in either direction. -</p> - -<p> -“Is he a philosopher or a blackmailer?” soliloquised Cyril. “Or does -he only think Caerleon is a fool? I know men often are amused when any -one falls in love with their sisters, and I can’t say that I wonder at -it myself in this case. What Caerleon can find to like in that sulky -girl I can’t imagine, but he really seems to be hooked this time.” -</p> - -<p> -Whatever Caerleon’s inducement might be, he went on his way calmly, -heeding neither Cyril’s lack of sympathy nor young O’Malachy’s scoffs, -for he had now fully made up his mind about Nadia. At first he had -been alternately attracted and repelled by her, but the repulsion had -gradually faded before the attraction. The girl was so transparently -honest, so sincere in her earnest intolerance, so unconventional in -the way in which she persisted in testing everything by the standards -of right and wrong, instead of those of custom and fashion, that the -man who had turned in disgust from the artificiality of the frivolous -or emancipated girls he had met in troops in London could not but hail -her as a kindred spirit. It is true that she offended his taste and -outraged his views of propriety twenty times a day by her decided -utterances, but now that he knew what prompted these remarks he could -honour the intention if he could not appreciate the result. And -besides, she was softening, he was sure, under the influence of her -friendship with him—he could not mistake the change; and it was -seldom indeed that she addressed him nowadays with the abruptness -which he had mentally stigmatised as <i>farouche</i> on his first meeting -with her. In the society of her own family, however, this change was -not visible, and she was still rigid, severe, uncompromisingly plain -of speech. In his character of candid friend, Caerleon felt it to be -his duty to take her to task occasionally on this subject. -</p> - -<p> -“I wish,” he said to her one day with some trepidation, for he had -suffered more than once in his self-imposed task of smoothing down the -angles of this young lady’s disposition, “that you could think it -right to leave off apologising when you have said anything unpleasant. -You have quite dropped it with me, you know, but you keep it up with -my brother and your own people.” -</p> - -<p> -“But you told me that it was worse to you than the rude things I had -said,” objected Nadia, “and it is not so with the rest.” -</p> - -<p> -“No, indeed, they enjoy it,” said Caerleon, “and that is just why I -hate it. Can’t you see that your brother and mine think it a good joke -to stir you up to say rude things, just for the pleasure of hearing -you apologise with a jerk the next minute?” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes, I see it,” she answered; “but that makes it all the better -discipline for me.” -</p> - -<p> -“Not for me,” said Caerleon. “I think your system ought to take some -account of other people’s feelings.” -</p> - -<p> -“But surely,” she said, “if I give pleasure to my brother and yours by -acting in this way, I am considering other people’s feelings in doing -it?” -</p> - -<p> -Her voice as she asked the question was not particularly cheerful, but -Caerleon treasured up the remark in his memory as the first approach -to a joke that he had ever heard Nadia utter. -</p> - -<p> -“Wouldn’t it be equally good discipline,” he said, “to stop before -saying the rude things, and try to say something pleasant instead?” -</p> - -<p> -“But that would not be true.” Nadia regarded him with absolute horror. -“Come what may, I must be true.” -</p> - -<p> -“It’s rather presumptuous of me to quote texts to you,” said Caerleon, -“but isn’t there something about ‘speaking the truth in love’?” -</p> - -<p> -“Why should it be presumptuous of you to quote texts to me?” she -asked, quickly. -</p> - -<p> -“Well, you see,” he answered, with some hesitation, “I don’t live by -rule, as you do. I haven’t a system of self-discipline, or anything of -that sort.” -</p> - -<p> -“You think I am proud—conceited?” she said. “You think I set myself -up upon a pedestal? Ah no, Lord Caerleon, I entreat you, do not think -that. God knows how very weak and feeble I am, how continually I -discover in myself that horrible temptation to insincerity. Since I -have known you, it has beset me even more than before. Because I know -that you are listening, I am perpetually tempted to let things pass, -to join for politeness’ sake in conversation that I know is wrong. You -cannot tell what it costs me to speak out, and you try to make it -harder for me.” -</p> - -<p> -“Indeed I don’t wish to do that,” said Caerleon, touched by the -illogical reproach of her last sentence. “I only want to ask you -whether you couldn’t make your protests mentally, and not aloud. I -never like to hear a girl speak to her mother as you do. Can’t you -make some allowance for her? She must have had a hard life—and bad -training, perhaps. There may be more excuse for her than we think.” -</p> - -<p> -“I wish I knew it, then!” cried Nadia. “You have not seen as much of -her as I have; you cannot know her as I do. She delights in intrigue -for its own sake. It gives her an artistic pleasure to do a thing in a -roundabout way instead of straight. Do you not see that it is far -worse for me to realise this than it can be for you? You cannot tell -what torture it was for me to find out, when I first came here from -home—from my godmother’s—that my mother would never tell the truth -if a falsehood were possible. I felt that I must stand against her -influence, or I might grow like her.” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t fancy you would,” said Caerleon; “but of course, as you say, -you are a better judge of your own circumstances than I am. I suppose -you feel the same with reference to your brother. It seems as though -you had scarcely a civil word for him.” -</p> - -<p> -“He has not many for me,” said Nadia, drily. “No, I do not like Louis. -He is not good.” -</p> - -<p> -“Not like him!” cried Caerleon. “But he is your brother.” -</p> - -<p> -“I hope I love him,” said Nadia, meditatively. “I should not like -anything bad to happen to him. To do him good—to save his soul—I -would die, oh, how willingly! But I cannot like him.” -</p> - -<p> -“But wouldn’t you be better able to do him good if you did like him?” -asked Caerleon. Nadia considered for a moment. -</p> - -<p> -“I can’t help it. One cannot like a person who one knows is not good. -You yourself, if Milord Cyril were to become false, to break his -faith, you could not like him any longer.” -</p> - -<p> -“I see what you mean, but I’m afraid I should have a sneaking fondness -for the poor old chap still,” said Caerleon. “But has your brother -done anything, that you should talk of him in this way?” -</p> - -<p> -“I do not <i>know</i>,” was the reply. “I only guess. They tell me nothing. -But I have found out enough to be sure about him.” -</p> - -<p> -“And what is that?” asked Caerleon, incautiously. Nadia drew herself -up. -</p> - -<p> -“That I cannot tell you, Lord Caerleon. If you had now any interest in -Thracia, or were likely to be at all affected by my brother’s doings, -I might tell you what I believe to be the truth, but you cannot expect -me to gratify mere curiosity.” -</p> - -<p> -“I beg your pardon, I’m sure,” said Caerleon, taken aback by this -outburst. “Pray don’t think that I want to know anything you don’t -wish to tell me.” -</p> - -<p> -“Please forgive me,” said Nadia. “I was rude again. Only I am afraid -of telling you what I ought not, and I don’t wish to be disloyal, even -to my family.” -</p> - -<p> -“I quite understand,” said Caerleon, although at the very moment he -was reflecting that the ins and outs of a woman’s mind were beyond the -wit of man to penetrate. “But tell me what you mean by saying <i>if</i> I -had any interest in Thracia? I remember that on the day I met you -first you told me you were sorry when I declined the crown. Why was -it?” -</p> - -<p> -“Because I thought you ought to have accepted it,” returned Nadia. -Then, fearing that her tone had been slightly dictatorial, she added, -hastily, “I mean that if I had been in your place I should have -accepted it.” -</p> - -<p> -“But you thought so—you, a Scythian in politics?” asked Caerleon. -</p> - -<p> -“I thought I had told you that our circle—my godmother’s—are not -necessarily Scythian in politics,” said Nadia. “We desire to take the -side of justice, of right. I am certain that if Scythia were to enter -on an unrighteous war, Count Wratisloff would lift up his voice -against it at once. And so we desired for Thracia only the man who -would be most likely to rule it well.” -</p> - -<p> -“Then you think I ought to have accepted the crown?” said Caerleon -again. She caught him up quickly. -</p> - -<p> -“I cannot judge for you. Only your own conscience can do that. But I -have always been taught never to refuse work that offered itself -unsought, unless it would interfere with other work on which one was -already engaged, and even then one should consider carefully which was -the more important of the two. You know best where your -responsibilities would have been greatest—in Thracia, or at home in -England. Wherever there was most to do, there your work lay, I think. -And you might have done so much for Thracia!” -</p> - -<p> -“But would you have had me go there against my father’s express wish?” -asked Caerleon, indignantly. “If you will allow me to have had a -conscience at all in the matter, I believe it pointed distinctly to -staying at home as the right thing for me to do.” -</p> - -<p> -“That made a difference,” assented Nadia. “I cannot judge of your -circumstances for you, as I have said, but I was sorry at the time -that you refused the crown, and I am sorry still that you are not King -of Thracia now. You might do so much good there.” -</p> - -<p> -A little annoyed by her persistence, Caerleon walked on beside her in -silence for a while. They had left Cyril and Louis far behind, and -were following a path which presently crossed the main road cut -through the mountains. At ordinary times the road was almost as lonely -as the rocky paths, but on this occasion a band of men were visible in -the distance, coming from the direction of the plain. -</p> - -<p> -“It must be some of the Thracian harvesters,” said Nadia. “When their -own harvest is ended, numbers of them cross into Hungary and hire -themselves out to help the farmers, for the corn ripens later here. I -suppose they are returning home with their wages, now that the harvest -is over.” -</p> - -<p> -As they walked on, they gained a closer view of the Thracians, a body -of tall, lithe, dark-skinned men, tired and footsore, wearing ragged -clothes that had once been gaily coloured, shirts that had once been -white, and great leather boots. They slackened their pace as they -approached the strangers, and one man, who seemed to be the leader of -the party, addressed Nadia in broken German. -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, the poor things!” she said, turning to Caerleon. “This has been a -terribly bad year for them. The rain and the floods have injured the -corn so much that there was scarcely any harvest. They have only -earned enough to keep them while at work, and they have nothing to buy -food with on their journey home. I wish I could give them something, -but I have no money,” and she exhibited an empty purse as she spoke. -</p> - -<p> -“Poor beggars!” said Caerleon. “Give them this, Miss O’Malachy,” and -he turned a handful of loose coin out of his pocket and poured it into -Nadia’s hand. She gave it to the man, who was profuse in his -gratitude, and rapidly reckoning up the value of the money, said that -it would be enough to feed himself and his companions until they -reached their homes. Turning over the coins in his hand as if to -assure himself of their reality, he came upon an English shilling, and -looked at it in a puzzled way. -</p> - -<p> -“Tell him that it’s all right, and that he can get it changed in the -first big town he comes to,” said Caerleon to Nadia; but when she -interpreted the words to the man, he scouted the idea that there was -anything wrong about the coin. They liked English things, he said, and -he would make a hole in the shilling and wear it in memory of the -gracious lady who had given it to him. -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, but it was not mine,” said Nadia, hastily. “You must thank Lord -Caerleon.” -</p> - -<p> -“Lor’ Carlin’?” repeated the man, puzzled. Then, as Nadia pointed to -Caerleon, his faced beamed with delight. “Not Carlino? the English -Prince Carlino?” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes,” said Nadia. “Prince and king are the only titles they -understand,” she added, to Caerleon, who was suffering agonies of -embarrassment at the moment, for the man went down on his knees before -him, and kissed his hand and laid it on his head. Then, before -Caerleon could protest, he had risen, and was beckoning frantically to -his companions, calling out to them in an unknown tongue. -</p> - -<p> -“This is too much,” said Caerleon to Nadia. “I shall tell them that -you gave them the money after all.” -</p> - -<p> -“But that would not be true,” responded Nadia, in her matter-of-fact -way; and Caerleon was forced to allow his hand to be kissed by each of -the men in turn, the leader closing the ceremony by going through it -himself a second time, saying earnestly in his barbarous German— -</p> - -<p> -“Ah, why did not your Highness come to Thracia?” -</p> - -<p> -“There!” said Nadia, when they had gone on their way, followed by the -blessings of the Thracians, “think how much you might have done for -these poor men if you had been king. The whole country is desolate, or -only half cultivated. It needs draining, improving, farming on proper -methods. You Englishmen all understand farming, don’t you? You could -teach them just the things they ought to learn, and introduce English -implements. And then, you could also enforce temperance legislation. -The people drink dreadfully, rich and poor alike, and there is no -Government control of the liquor traffic. It would be virgin soil, the -ideal spot for testing all the schemes. You could try as many -experiments as you liked, even if you did not insist on total -prohibition at once.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’m afraid I should experiment myself off the throne in no time,” -said Caerleon, laughing, but Nadia glanced at him without a smile. -</p> - -<p> -“Better to fall through doing right than to succeed through doing -wrong,” she said. -</p> - -<p> -“You are oracular to-day,” said Caerleon, but this made her angry, and -she told him that as he did not like the way she talked, she would not -talk at all,—a decision to which she adhered persistently, so that -they returned to the hotel in silence. Her petulance was the more -provoking in that this was their last day at Janoszwar, and that on -the morrow the O’Malachy family would start on their journey to -Thracia, while Cyril and Caerleon continued their walking-tour. It was -their intention first to visit a number of ruined castles and other -objects of interest out of the beaten track, and then to rejoin their -friends at Witska, a mountain village celebrated for a medicinal -spring, and situated exactly on the Thracian frontier. Just at the -last moment Louis O’Malachy volunteered to accompany them on their -tramp, and as they could not very well refuse his offer they accepted -it, although neither of them anticipated much pleasure from his -society. -</p> - -<p> -“He must be up to something,” soliloquised Cyril; “but what can it be? -I suppose we have merely to await developments; but meanwhile, to -avoid any risk of accident, I will get Miss O’Malachy to do a little -piece of business for me.” -</p> - -<p> -This piece of business was merely the posting of the letter of -introduction to M. Drakovics which Mrs Sadleir had intrusted to Cyril; -but he had an idea that Louis might wish, for some reason of his own, -to intercept the missive if he knew of its existence, or even saw it -posted, for he could not rid himself of the notion that the taciturn -young patriot had other ends in view than that of furthering the -independence of Thracia. Acting on this resolution, he succeeded in -finding Nadia alone, and gave the letter into her charge, to be posted -as soon as possible after her arrival on Thracian soil, adding at a -venture that it might prove to have an important effect on the -after-history of Europe. He saw at once that she understood what he -meant, and that she sympathised with his object, for her face lighted -up. -</p> - -<p> -“I see. I will be most careful. I thank you for trusting me—for -letting me help, Lord Cyril.” -</p> - -<p> -“What a fanatic the girl is!” said Cyril to himself, as he went his -way; but he entertained a comfortable conviction that it was rather -safer to trust a fanatic than a cynic, and he felt secure as to the -fate of Mrs Sadleir’s letter, and the note he had written to accompany -it. An hour later he left Janoszwar with Caerleon and Louis, and they -began a tour for which none of them cared much, except to count the -days until it should come to an end. Caerleon missed his talks with -Nadia, Cyril was anxious to get to Witska and see whether the letter -had produced any effect on M. Drakovics, and Louis displayed an -eagerness to reach Thracia, and enlist in the patriot army, which was -rather inconsistent with his having come on the tour at all. In -consequence, they clung most carefully to the route they had laid down -previously, and no one suggested digressions even when the most famous -ruins or inviting landscapes were found to lie just a few hours’ march -off the road. On the very day they had fixed they reached Witska, a -picturesque little town with rocky streets, and whitewashed houses -clinging to the steep hillside, and found it filled with numbers of -men from the plains in their holiday attire. -</p> - - -<h3 id="ch05"> -CHAPTER V.<br/> -<span class="chap_sub">A CALL OF DUTY.</span> -</h3> - -<p class="noindent"> -“<span class="sc">There</span> must be a fair or festival of some sort going on,” said -Caerleon, as they made their way to the inn, where it had been -arranged that the O’Malachy was to secure rooms for them. -</p> - -<p> -“Perhaps the people have come together to do you honour,” suggested -Louis, lightly enough, but it struck Cyril that there was a shade of -anxiety in his tone. -</p> - -<p> -The inn was an oriental-looking house built round a courtyard, but -conforming to the customs of the West so far as to possess a -coffee-room—a fact which was proudly announced in German and Thracian -in very large letters. There were no windows on the exterior of the -house to the ground-floor rooms, a testimony to the frequent -occurrence of border raids and attacks from brigands in the days when -the inn was built, but balconies ran round each of the two upper -storeys, both inside and outside, giving the only means of access to -the rooms which opened upon them. The courtyard was thronged with -people, among whom Caerleon fancied he recognised some of the -harvesters that Nadia and he had met a fortnight before, and they -watched with breathless curiosity the three dusty figures in tourist -suits and hobnailed boots, and commented upon their appearance audibly -but unintelligibly. The landlord, who met them at the door, bowed -almost to the ground before them, but as he could speak no tongue of -Western Europe, they were unable to question him as to the nature of -the attraction which had brought the crowd together. Behind him, -however, stood Wright the groom, doing his best to compose his face, -which had wreathed itself into an irrepressible grin of delight at -welcoming his master, into the blank immobility which he considered -becoming and suitable. In his hand was a visiting-card, which he -presented to Caerleon. -</p> - -<p> -“The gentleman up-stairs give it me for you, my lord, and ’e’s waitin’ -for you in the coffee-room, and I do ’ope, my lord, if I may make so -bold, as your lordship don’t think of stayin’ long in this ’ere -country, where there ain’t a creetur can speak a word of a Crishtan -tongue.” -</p> - -<p> -“That remains to be seen,” said Cyril, looking round Caerleon’s -shoulder at the card, and seeing, as he expected, the name of M. -Drakovics. -</p> - -<p> -“Has the old brute come to plague me again about his precious -kingdom?” said Caerleon, impatiently. “He might have waited until I -had made myself respectable, at any rate. Well, I suppose I must see -him, but I’ll wash off a little of the dust of travel first”—“and -just ask Nadia what she really thinks about the business,” he added to -himself, as Wright led the way up-stairs, and along the gallery which -crossed the front of the house. -</p> - -<p> -“Which are the O’Malachy’s rooms, Wright?” he asked aloud, but as he -spoke, Madame O’Malachy glided out of a doorway near him with her -finger on her lip. -</p> - -<p> -“Ah, my dear marquis, I am enchanted to see you!” she said, brightly. -“But I will not detain you; you are summoned to more important -business than talking with a chattering old woman—is it not so? Only -I would ask you to have the great kindness to step softly and not to -speak loud, for my daughter is a little indisposed.” -</p> - -<p> -“Miss O’Malachy ill? I hope it is not serious?” cried Caerleon. -</p> - -<p> -“Nothing serious, I assure you. Merely a slight headache and -lassitude, which will pass off to-morrow. Rest and quiet are her best -medicines. She is too energetic, too eager for work, my dear marquis, -but I know that I may count on your consideration.” -</p> - -<p> -She went back into her room, and Caerleon pursued his way -disappointed. -</p> - -<p> -“I shan’t be able to ask her about this wretched kingdom, then,” he -grumbled to himself. “But, after all, I know what she thinks, for she -gave me her views pretty plainly the last time I talked to her.” -</p> - -<p> -“The old gentleman seemed to be in a orful ’urry, my lord,” put in -Wright, and Caerleon made a hasty toilet, and entered the coffee-room, -where M. Drakovics was marching impatiently from the door to the -window and back again. Caerleon would have shaken hands with him, but -he drew back with a low bow. -</p> - -<p> -“Your Majesty,” he said, “I am here to announce to you that by a -<i>plébiscite</i> of the whole nation you are a second time invited to -occupy the throne of Thracia. I have with me a petition signed by -every member of the Legislative Assembly, and by the mayor of every -township and the head of every village community in the country, -entreating you to lay aside your scruples, and come to our help. The -people will accept any conditions you may choose to make, as to -advisers, Civil List, or anything of the kind;—I know that this will -not affect your decision,” as Caerleon turned away with an impatient -gesture, “but I mention it to show you that the Thracians wish to deal -generously with the man who will honour them by taking up their cause -against the world.” -</p> - -<p> -“I must have the night to think it over,” said Caerleon, after some -moments of futile consideration. “You will remain here as my guest, I -hope? By the bye, who are all the people outside?” -</p> - -<p> -“They are your Majesty’s loyal subjects,” returned M. Drakovics, “who -have come here to conduct you, as they hope, in triumph to -Bellaviste.” -</p> - -<p> -“Very kind of them,” said Caerleon, “but I am not their king yet. This -proceeding looks unpleasantly like compulsion, M. Drakovics. I have no -idea of being made king by force.” -</p> - -<p> -“Your Majesty is entirely mistaken,” returned M. Drakovics in alarm. -“These men are here with the sole intention of doing you honour, and -of adding their entreaties to mine if you should prove to be still -obdurate. They are all patriots, almost in despair for their country, -for we are convinced that Scythia is meditating some great blow -against us.” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, I will think about it,” said Caerleon, and no further allusion -was made to the subject during the evening. -</p> - -<p> -On the plea of extreme fatigue, Caerleon and Cyril excused themselves -to their guest as early as was possible with due regard for -politeness, and prepared to consider the situation in concert. Leaning -out of the window of Caerleon’s room, with the watch-fires of the -expectant Thracians starring the mountain-slopes on every hand, they -discussed the subject in all its bearings. As was generally the case -on such occasions, Cyril did most of the talking, and he summed up his -arguments very concisely before they separated for the night. -</p> - -<p> -“The question is just this, Caerleon: have you backbone enough to be a -Thracian for the future, instead of an Englishman? That’s what it will -come to, you know. There will be the most awful row at home, and we -may find ourselves outlawed, or declared guilty of high treason, or I -don’t know what. So long as we keep to Thracian soil, we shall be all -right, if we can only manage to stay there; but I suppose if we -ventured into any British possession they might put us in prison and -keep us there out of harm’s way. Scythia is bound to make a fuss, and -to send the strongest possible diplomatic representations to St -James’s about us even if she doesn’t go to war, and you must make up -your mind to disregard appeals and commands, from whomsoever they may -come, and public opinion too. You won’t any longer be a British peer, -poor, perhaps, but universally looked up to—but an adventurer,—a -filibuster, in fact. That’s the bad side of it. On the other hand, you -consider that your country has treated you pretty shabbily, and holds -out no particular prospects to you in your present circumstances. -Forfar and the Duke never did much for you either, and I don’t see -that you need refuse such an offer as this just to save them from -diplomatic complications. Of course, if the worst came to the worst, -you might sacrifice yourself, and abdicate magnanimously in order to -prevent a European war, but I don’t think it will get as far as that. -Scythia will brag and bluster—perhaps try to put you out of the way, -but that is our private affair. And in Thracia you have just the field -you have always wanted for your administrative and philanthropic -talents. From what Drakovics says, they seem to have a fairly good -army, but very little else. You will have to make the nation. Oh, -there’s no question as to which is the biggest thing to do. As King of -Thracia, in the people’s present state of mind, your opportunities -would be limitless.” -</p> - -<p> -“And that is what one ought to think of,” said Caerleon, recalling -Nadia’s words. “Cyril, old man, I’ll take it.” -</p> - -<p> -“Good for you, old chap,” returned Cyril. “I say, I suppose I shall -have to call you ‘your Majesty’ now—in public, that is. Behind the -scenes, the augurs may wink as they please. Well, I bag the post of -your private secretary, at any rate. That will enable me to give your -Majesty a good wigging when I think it called for, and to keep you -from getting into trouble. Well, now that your royal mind is made up, -I’m off. Ta, ta.” -</p> - -<p> -When the two young men entered the coffee-room in the morning, M. -Drakovics advanced to meet them, far too anxious as to the result of -their conference to let the matter rest until after breakfast, as -Caerleon had intended. The Premier’s face was worn and haggard with -anxiety, and his voice shook as he asked— -</p> - -<p> -“May I inquire whether your Majesty has decided what course you will -take?” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes,” said Caerleon. “I have made up my mind to accept the crown.” -</p> - -<p> -He had no time to say more, for, to his horror and Cyril’s delight, M. -Drakovics fell at his feet and covered his hands with kisses, while he -tried in vain to induce him to rise. Cyril recovered himself first. -</p> - -<p> -“Perhaps we might postpone any further raptures until after -breakfast,” he suggested, mildly. “Even kings have appetites,—their -brothers certainly have.” -</p> - -<p> -“One moment!” cried M. Drakovics, rising and going towards the window. -“Your majesty cannot tell what a load you have taken from my heart,” -he added, huskily, turning again to Caerleon. “I am satisfied now as -to the future of my country. But I must tell the people. They have -been as anxious as myself, and they will rejoice as I do.” -</p> - -<p> -He stepped out on the balcony, and addressed the crowd of Thracians, -who had again gathered in front of the house. A tremendous shout burst -from them when he had finished speaking. Turning round with blazing -eyes he beckoned to Caerleon. -</p> - -<p> -“Show yourself to your people, your Majesty. Speak a few words to -them—I will interpret—and they will love you for ever.” -</p> - -<p> -Caerleon followed him out, intending to comply with the request, but -speech was impossible in presence of the cry of welcome that went up -as soon as he became visible. For some minutes he was perforce silent, -while the people shouted themselves hoarse, flung their caps into the -air, leaped for joy, embraced one another, and wept copiously. He felt -oddly reminded of his coming of age, and how he had risen to make his -speech at the great dinner his father had given to the Llandiarmid -tenants amid a scene of excitement such as this, when the sturdy -farmers had sprung up like one man, and drunk his health with -acclamations. They had presented him with an old silver -punch-bowl—rather an incongruous gift for an uncompromising -temperance man—and it had put him into an awkward predicament. A -happy thought had struck him, he remembered, and he had told them that -he would use the bowl for salad—a statement which was regarded as an -exquisite joke, and received with shouts of approving laughter. It was -queer that this should all pass through his mind now, as he stood -waiting until the rejoicing calmed down a little, and he was able to -obtain a moment’s silence. He found himself almost as much at a loss -for words as on that earlier occasion, but at last he managed to say— -</p> - -<p> -“Gentlemen” (he felt strongly that this form of address sounded as -though he were speaking to his former constituents rather than to his -subjects, but it was difficult to know what other to use. “My people” -would be a ridiculous affectation as yet, and “Men of Thracia” sounded -theatrical). “Gentlemen, your trusted leader, M. Drakovics, has done -me the honour of inviting me in your name to accept the crown of -Thracia. It is only fair for me to tell you that I don’t feel at all -equal to the task of governing; but I have thought over the matter, -and I hope that I am doing the right thing in undertaking it. God -helping me, my sole aim will be to do what I can for the good of -Thracia and the peace of Europe. I feel sure that I may count upon the -help and advice of M. Drakovics in the difficulties which are sure to -meet us, and I can promise to stick to you if you will stick to me.” -</p> - -<p> -There! it was over, and he was conscious that he had made a wretched -mull of what he had meant to say, and felt certain that Cyril was -grinning behind him, and maturing chaff on the subject of “House of -Commons oratory,” but M. Drakovics was translating his words to the -Thracians, and they were replying with shouts of applause which echoed -back from the mountain-side. -</p> - -<p> -“Long live the English prince! Long live King Carlino! Down with -Scythia! Long live Thracia and King Carlino!” -</p> - -<p> -“I say, you know, this won’t do,” Cyril was saying to M. Drakovics, as -soon as the three on the balcony could hear each other speak. “What do -they mean by talking like that? His name is Philip. He can’t go down -to posterity as King Caerleon. It would be as bad as King York or King -Lancaster. You must put them right.” -</p> - -<p> -“That we can do in his Majesty’s proclamations,” said M. Drakovics. -“The people have grown so much accustomed to the name Carlino that I -fear they will always apply it to him. It sounds familiar to their -ears, and it is a kind of affectionate diminutive. But with regard to -our future plans——” he went on, addressing Caerleon. “Will your -Majesty allow me to tell the people that you will start to-day on your -journey to Bellaviste?” -</p> - -<p> -“Is it really necessary?” asked Caerleon. “I hate doing things in such -a hurry.” -</p> - -<p> -“It is absolutely necessary,” returned M. Drakovics, “that your -Majesty should be crowned as speedily as possible. The whole future of -your reign may depend upon it.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, very well,” said Caerleon. “In for a penny, in for a pound. I -have to live for Thracia now, I suppose. I’ll tell my man to pack up.” -</p> - -<p> -He went back into the room before M. Drakovics could forestall him, or -even intimate to Cyril that it would look well for him to do his -brother’s errands in future, and ran up-stairs to look for Wright, for -bells there were none in this primitive hostelry. But Wright and the -reason for seeking him were speedily forgotten when he reached the -upper balcony, for he saw Nadia coming towards him from the direction -of the rooms occupied by the O’Malachy family. -</p> - -<p> -“I hope you are better this morning,” he said, eagerly, hastening to -meet her. “I am so glad to see that you are able to be up.” -</p> - -<p> -“But I am always up at six,” said Nadia. “Did you think I was ill?” -</p> - -<p> -“I understood from your mother——” he began, but remembering that to -finish would be to charge Madame O’Malachy with deceiving him, he -changed the form of his sentence lamely enough, “I saw nothing of you -when I got here yesterday, you know, and I was afraid you were not -well.” -</p> - -<p> -“Did you expect to find me at the gate waiting for you?” asked Nadia, -sharply. “Oh, I did not intend to be so rude,” and she blushed -crimson. “I only mean that my room is at the back of the house, and I -did not even know you had arrived.” -</p> - -<p> -“I was hoping,” said Caerleon, deliberately, “that we might meet again -as friends, though I was so unfortunate as to offend you the last time -we had a talk.” -</p> - -<p> -“Now you are trying to make me ashamed of myself for being cross,” -said Nadia, “and it is not kind of you. Lord Caerleon,” she broke off -suddenly, and surveyed him with puzzled eyes, “has anything happened? -What is the matter?” -</p> - -<p> -“Why?” he asked. -</p> - -<p> -“Because you look different. Something has happened. What is it?” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, I am once more king elect, or designate, or whatever you like -to call it, of Thracia, if that will account for it. I didn’t know -that the divinity that doth hedge a king was visible outwardly, but I -suppose that’s what you mean.” -</p> - -<p> -“You have accepted the crown?” she asked, anxiously. -</p> - -<p> -“I have accepted it, bearing in mind my last conversation with you. I -hope you are pleased with me now?” -</p> - -<p> -“It was what I said that influenced you to consent? You would not have -done it otherwise?” -</p> - -<p> -“Scarcely, I think; but you showed me my duty so very clearly that I -could hardly turn my back on it. You made it quite evident that you -considered I was shirking responsibility when I refused the crown -before.” -</p> - -<p> -“But how can it signify what I thought of you? How can my conscience -judge for yours? Oh, I have been thinking often since we have been -here that I may have led you wrong. I ought to have advised you to see -which was the harder to do—to accept or decline the crown—and to -choose that.” -</p> - -<p> -“But this is a new standard!” cried Caerleon. “Is it to take the place -of the measuring of the responsibilities?” -</p> - -<p> -“Not exactly; only to be used with it. Don’t you see? Perhaps you -prefer a responsible position, and then it might be better for you to -take a lower place.” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t quite see it,” said Caerleon; “but no doubt it’s all right, -since it satisfies you.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, don’t follow me!” she cried, passionately. “I may have led you -wrong already. Is it too late to do anything?” -</p> - -<p> -“Quite too late, I’m afraid,” said Caerleon. “I am as much King of -Thracia as I can be before I’m crowned, I suppose. Won’t you -congratulate me on my elevation, since I owe it to your influence?” -</p> - -<p> -He held out his hand, and Nadia took it, but to his horror she stooped -and touched it with her lips. “May God grant your Majesty a long and -useful reign!” she said, and turned to fly, but Caerleon caught her -wrist. -</p> - -<p> -“Nadia, are you joking?” he said, angrily. -</p> - -<p> -“Let me go! let me go!” she panted. “Oh, please let me go!” The cry -seemed to be wrung from her by some sudden sharp pain, and Caerleon -saw that her lips were quivering and her eyes full of tears. He loosed -his hold, and she made her escape, leaving him gazing stupidly at the -hand she had kissed. -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, this little fool!” groaned Madame O’Malachy, at the partially -open door of her room, whence she had witnessed the whole scene. “She -might have had him at her feet at this moment, and now he may not be -able to declare himself for weeks. And for what? A trifle, a caprice, -a nothing! I snap my fingers at it! Will nothing but a crowned king -serve you, mademoiselle? Surely it is as well to receive a crown with -your husband as after him? Ah, these niceties of lovers’ etiquette! -Who cares whether the marquis thinks that his prospective kingdom has -induced you to accept him, or not? You know, and I know, that you have -been in love with him since the second time you saw him. Fool! I have -no patience with you,” and hurling these words through her clenched -teeth at the absent Nadia, her mother hurried through two or three -intermediate rooms and came upon Caerleon through a door at the end of -the balcony. -</p> - -<p> -“What, my dear marquis, is it you?” she cried, with a start. “You are -early this morning. But perhaps I ought to say ‘your Majesty’? One -cannot pretend not to know the reason of M. Drakovics’s presence -here.” -</p> - -<p> -“I hope M. Drakovics is happy,” returned Caerleon, in a tone which -showed pretty plainly that he himself was not. “I have accepted the -offer of the Thracian crown.” -</p> - -<p> -“Then I congratulate the Thracians,” said Madame O’Malachy, heartily. -“My dear marquis (you really must excuse my employing the old title), -I have seldom heard a more delightful piece of news. The Thracians -could not do better, and for yourself it is a situation exactly -adapted to your character and talents. You have your opportunity now.” -</p> - -<p> -“I thought so myself until a minute ago,” said Caerleon, gloomily; -“but now I begin to doubt it. Nadia will have nothing to say to me.” -</p> - -<p> -“Nadia—my daughter?” with a slight elevation of the eyebrows. -</p> - -<p> -“Yes,” said Caerleon, scarcely noticing the touch of <i>hauteur</i> which -the lady had infused into her tone. “She seemed so much disappointed -about my having refused the crown before that I thought she would -certainly be pleased now, and she—she spoke as if she had never met -me before in her life.” -</p> - -<p> -“But that may be quite as well,” returned Madame O’Malachy, gracefully -determined not to be baulked of her point. “You must remember that the -friendship <i>à l’anglaise</i> which has subsisted hitherto between your -Majesty and my daughter cannot continue under present circumstances. -You will now occupy very different positions.” -</p> - -<p> -“Is that what Miss O’Malachy is thinking?” asked Caerleon, quickly. -</p> - -<p> -“I have not spoken to her on the subject, but I have no doubt that she -has that in her mind.” -</p> - -<p> -“Then might I beg that you will have the kindness to let me see her -again at once, madame? I will do my best to disabuse her of the idea.” -</p> - -<p> -“But what will you do, my dear marquis?” -</p> - -<p> -“Ask her to share the throne with me.” -</p> - -<p> -“But it is impossible!” cried Madame O’Malachy. “I cannot hear of such -a thing. Your Majesty’s chivalrous sentiments have carried you away, -and you are willing to atone for a slight mistake by a lifelong -sacrifice. Your friendship was a mistake—I admit it freely, in view -of the events which have since come to pass—but we will not make -matters worse by overestimating it. I sympathise with you, but I -assure you that you need fear no trouble from us. Suffer us simply to -retire quietly—we will not force ourselves upon your notice, and my -daughter is far too proud to exhibit any regret for what has -happened.” -</p> - -<p> -“But you don’t understand, madame,” cried Caerleon, impatiently. -“There is nothing to regret in our friendship—on my side, at any -rate. Of course I can’t answer for Miss O’Malachy’s feelings, but I am -only anxious to replace the friendship by—by something stronger.” -</p> - -<p> -“My dear marquis, I honour your chivalry, but your future is not in -your own hands. M. Drakovics will have something to say about it.” -</p> - -<p> -“M. Drakovics will have nothing to say on the subject of my marriage. -That is a question I shall settle for myself.” -</p> - -<p> -“But you must consider your kingdom. Much may depend on your marriage, -and an alliance with a penniless girl not of royal blood—in modern -times, at any rate,” she laughed, “might do you a great deal of harm.” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t think I am called upon to consider my kingdom to such an -extent as that,” said Caerleon. “I am anxious to have the matter -settled before I am crowned, so that if the Thracians think themselves -entitled to complain, they may do it before I am irrevocably their -king.” -</p> - -<p> -“But there is no need to publish your determination,” said Madame -O’Malachy, anxiously. “It would sound as though you wished to defy M. -Drakovics and his party. And there is another reason why you must -proceed very cautiously, and that is Nadia herself. You may trust -me—I am an old woman, old and experienced, and Nadia is very young -and foolish. As a woman of the world, I can appreciate your -willingness to jeopardise your position for her sake; but you know -what she is—an eccentric, a fanatic. I am convinced that she fears -being thought to pursue you on account of your kingdom, and thinks -also that you may have perceived her feelings towards you, and only -desire to marry her out of pity.” -</p> - -<p> -Caerleon stood pondering. He knew that the woman before him was false -to the core—that very morning had given him another proof of the -fact—but her words sounded so likely to be true, and the state of -feeling they described so characteristic of Nadia, that he was bound -to believe them. After all, she was Nadia’s mother, and ought to -understand her, and what interest could she have in misrepresenting -things in this case? It was only natural to suppose that she would be -more likely to strain every nerve to forward his wishes than to put -obstacles in his way. Moreover, he had now confided in her to such an -extent that he might as well throw himself on her compassion -altogether. -</p> - -<p> -“But what can I do?” he asked. “You will let me see her and plead my -cause?” -</p> - -<p> -“Not at present, if you are a wise man,” said Madame O’Malachy. “Leave -her to herself for a little. Let her please her pride with the belief -that she has repulsed you effectually—her heart will suffer all the -more. Then, when you are in your rightful place at Bellaviste, with -all your splendour about you, speak to her again. She must see then -that you seek her only because you love her, and she will be thankful -to perceive it.” -</p> - -<p> -“But how shall I see her at Bellaviste?” asked Caerleon. “Are you -going on there?” -</p> - -<p> -“Have you forgotten,” asked Madame O’Malachy, rather reproachfully, -“that it has always been our intention to accompany Louis when he goes -to try and obtain a post in the Thracian army? Shall we be less likely -to visit Thracia now that we have a friend upon the throne?” -</p> - -<p> -“But why not come on with us now?” asked Caerleon. “May I not have the -pleasure of receiving you as my guests? I don’t know the capacity of -the palace at Bellaviste; but it must certainly be large enough to -accommodate your party, if you don’t mind roughing it for a time in a -bachelor’s household.” -</p> - -<p> -“A thousand thanks,” said Madame O’Malachy, with her sweetest smile, -“but I am afraid we must decline your hospitable proposition. However, -we will certainly continue our journey into your kingdom, and no doubt -there will be a hotel at Bellaviste which can take us in. Rely upon me -as your friend. I am not an enthusiast, I do not pretend to have no -regard for the splendours of a throne, but I wish you well, and what -help I can give you with this daughter of mine I will.” -</p> - -<p> -And with this assurance of support Caerleon was obliged to be content. -</p> - - -<h3 id="ch06"> -CHAPTER VI.<br/> -<span class="chap_sub">A ROYAL PROGRESS.</span> -</h3> - -<p class="noindent"> -“<span class="sc">Where</span> is the King?” asked M. Drakovics, coming into the coffee-room -hastily about an hour later, and finding only Cyril, who was engaged -in performing some complicated operation with a bradawl and the strap -of a knapsack. -</p> - -<p> -“His Majesty,” returned Cyril, in the choicest ‘Court Circular’ style, -“is walking out this morning, and at this moment is probably -conversing in a friendly spirit with some of his faithful subjects, -through the medium of Mr Louis O’Malachy.” -</p> - -<p> -“These O’Malachys again!” cried M. Drakovics. “This must be stopped!” -</p> - -<p> -He turned angrily to leave the room, but Cyril was at the door before -him. -</p> - -<p> -“One moment, monsieur. I wish to know on what terms we are to stand?” -</p> - -<p> -“I do not understand you, milord”—M. Drakovics was astonished—“but I -hope to satisfy you later. Meanwhile, are you aware that Colonel -O’Malachy and his family leave this place to-day, before his Majesty, -for Bellaviste, and intend to reside there for the present? That -cannot be allowed.” -</p> - -<p> -“Now we have come to the point,” said Cyril. “I want a plain answer to -a plain question, M. Drakovics. Are you and I to work together or not? -If we are to be friends, I will tell you at once that you are -meditating a very great mistake, and that I should be glad to help you -to avoid it.” -</p> - -<p> -“Milord!” The Kossuth of the Balkans looked Cyril up and down in -amazement visibly mingled with scorn. “I am highly honoured by your -offer of co-operation, but my dull mind fails to perceive its -advantages.” -</p> - -<p> -“No?” said Cyril, with unruffled good-humour, “and yet there are two -very obvious ones. In the first place, you have to reckon with my -influence over my brother. You cannot persuade yourself that you know -him as well as I do, and if you consider the matter a little, I think -you will see that my advice is quite as likely to be followed as -yours, and that the consequences of this might be unpleasant if you -and I had the misfortune to disagree. In the second place, although -you are very clever and very powerful, you are neither omnipotent nor -omniscient, and there are circumstances in which the help of a man who -has a certain amount of knowledge of the world, and some slight -experience in diplomacy, might possibly stand you in good stead, even -though he were the humble individual before you.” -</p> - -<p> -M. Drakovics gasped. The colossal impudence of his sovereign’s brother -appeared literally to take away his breath. “If you were not an -Englishman,” he said, slowly, “I should think that you wanted to be -bought off.” -</p> - -<p> -“But since I am an Englishman,” said Cyril, “you can’t quite see what -Thracia could offer me that I should care for; and you are about right -there. I am going in for this business just for the fun of the thing, -and for the sake of backing up Caerleon. I don’t know, of course, what -Mrs Sadleir told you about me in the letter I forwarded; but from what -she said when she wrote it, I think she must have let you know what my -views were.” -</p> - -<p> -“She did,” said M. Drakovics, with some hesitation, “but still——” He -looked thoughtfully at Cyril for a moment, and then spoke quickly, -“You have no doubt studied carefully the present position of affairs -in the Balkans, milord. What should be my course at the moment with -regard to Roum, which holds suzerain rights over Thracia?” -</p> - -<p> -“Despatch a special messenger, well provided with money, to Czarigrad -immediately,” said Cyril, without an instant’s pause. “Make the -Government there see that the election of an Englishman as king is a -fresh bulwark against Scythian aggression. Secure their moral support -at any cost, and get an assurance, no matter what you have to pay for -it, that even if Scythia brings pressure on them to censure or disavow -your action, they will at least take no active steps against you.” -</p> - -<p> -“Excellent!” cried M. Drakovics. “My dear friend, the messenger has -already started. How your ideas jump with mine! But tell me, what -next?” -</p> - -<p> -“Send off immediately notes to the various Powers, informing them of -my brother’s election, and inviting their sovereigns to be present at -the coronation. Once the despatches are gone, don’t lose a minute. -Instead of heading straight for Bellaviste, let us go at once to the -nearest city or monastery where an archbishop is to be found. Beg, -borrow, or buy a crown—you could make one with two or three of those -gold plates from the <i>icons</i>, fastened together—and get Caerleon -crowned without the smallest delay. Remonstrances from the Powers will -be beginning to pour in by that time, of course; but they will have to -follow you about the country, and you won’t open them until after the -ceremony. Then you will regret that they arrived so late that, in the -bustle and rush attendant upon the coronation, they remained -unnoticed.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, my friend, why were you not born a Thracian?” cried M. Drakovics, -seizing Cyril in his arms, and imprinting a fervent kiss on each of -his cheeks. “Your plan is almost perfect: it has only one -drawback—that it is impossible. Every King of Thracia must be crowned -in the chapel of St Peter at Bellaviste. It is a small, rude building, -standing in the quadrangle of the palace, and in it Alexander Franza, -first of the name—the patriot king—saw a vision of St Peter, the -night before the great battle in which he burst the Roumi yoke. No -other coronation would be valid in the opinion of the people, nor can -the crown be legally removed from the chapel. It is kept in a great -chest built into the wall, of which I hold one key, the Metropolitan -another, and the king the third. I have it now to deliver to his -Majesty, but none of the keys will open the box without the other two. -Your brother cannot be crowned until we reach Bellaviste, for no -make-shift crown would be tolerated by the Thracians.” -</p> - -<p> -“It is an enormous pity,” said Cyril. “Time is everything to us just -now. Why not disregard the superstition of the people, and spring on -them a king ready crowned, and safe on his throne?” -</p> - -<p> -“Ah, you do not know my countrymen,” said M. Drakovics, sorrowfully. -“Such a thing would be an outrage, a defiance of their religious -feelings. No, we must wait until we reach Bellaviste; but I will take -your advice as to the protests from the Powers. What is your feeling -about Scythia?” -</p> - -<p> -“Send the same note to her as to the other Powers; but let it be well -understood privately that if she makes one hostile movement, you are -prepared to contest every inch of ground, and will at the same moment -throw yourself upon the protection of Pannonia, who will be only too -ready to interfere if there is any likelihood of war in the Balkans, -and will be supported by her allies. Meanwhile, see that your army is -ready to mobilise at the shortest notice, and look out for Scythian -spies.” -</p> - -<p> -“But that is my very point!” cried M. Drakovics. “These O’Malachys are -Scythian spies, all of them. That is one imperative reason for their -not being allowed to approach Bellaviste, and the other is that Madame -O’Malachy is anxious to entrap the King into marrying her daughter.” -</p> - -<p> -“Let us take the charges one at a time,” said Cyril, calmly. “The -O’Malachy and his wife are spies—there is no doubt of that—but for -that very reason I would not only welcome them to Bellaviste, but I -would find room for them in the palace itself, if I could.” -</p> - -<p> -“You are joking!” said M. Drakovics, in astonishment. -</p> - -<p> -“Not at all, I assure you. Think a moment. The more completely we can -treat the O’Malachy family as my brother’s guests, the better we can -have them under observation. There is such a thing as a censorship -even of private letters and telegrams in disturbed times, I believe; -and it would be easier to work it with people we knew, and on whom we -kept a constant watch, than with obscure persons whose doings might -escape our attention. Again, expelled from Thracia, which is what I -suppose you would suggest, the O’Malachys would linger just across the -frontier, setting in motion a whole horde of spies, all of whom we -could not hope to discover, while we could never be sure that they -themselves had not re-entered the kingdom in some disguise. It -certainly seems a bold thing to admit them into the very heart of our -defences, but they would be clever if they managed to see more than -they were meant to see.” -</p> - -<p> -“But about Mademoiselle?” asked M. Drakovics, anxiously. “The King -cannot marry her. He must form an alliance which will strengthen his -throne.” -</p> - -<p> -“You are right,—he must. But did you intend to tell him so? I know -Caerleon a good deal better than you do, and you may take my word for -it that as soon as you had finished your remarks he would go straight -to Miss O’Malachy and lay the crown at her feet. So far as he is -concerned, you must let the matter take its course. Nothing can be -said to him.” -</p> - -<p> -“But how, then, would you prevent it?” cried M. Drakovics. “Is the -girl to be kidnapped and carried off?” -</p> - -<p> -“My good sir—no! Do you want all Europe in a ferment, and Caerleon -throwing up the kingdom to go and look for her? The O’Malachy and his -wife would make the finest political capital possible out of such a -tale. No; we must act merely by means of moral suasion, you and I and -Miss O’Malachy.” -</p> - -<p> -“Miss O’Malachy? The girl?” gasped M. Drakovics. -</p> - -<p> -“Exactly—the young lady. You are a very clever man, M. Drakovics, but -you have not had the advantage of spending a year in the British -Embassy at Pavelsburg, and making an exhaustive study of Scythian -society ladies. I know well enough the Cercle Evangélique in which -Miss O’Malachy was brought up—not that it is in favour in high -quarters, quite the contrary; but I was interested in it out of -curiosity. Its members may be called fanatics—they certainly are not -worldly-wise—and I am pretty sure that Princess Soudaroff has made -her god-daughter as great an enthusiast as she is herself. Now you -will see why I am ready to lay aside in her case the usual rule of -considering every one a knave until he or she is proved otherwise, and -why I expect her to do our business for us.” -</p> - -<p> -“But how?” -</p> - -<p> -“I will lay the case before her, and point out that Caerleon will ruin -his cause and jeopardise his crown if he marries her. Then she will -refuse him for his own sake.” -</p> - -<p> -“Impossible, milord! Refuse a crown?” -</p> - -<p> -“For his sake, I tell you. That’s what the girl is like. Well, will -you leave it to me? If I fail, after fair trial, I give you full leave -to break off the match in your own way.” -</p> - -<p> -“I agree, milord, though I cannot believe you will succeed. No woman -on earth would decline a crown, to be shared with the man whom, -according to you, she loves passionately. But you shall try. By all -means, milord, we work together, if you please.” -</p> - -<p> -“I thought so,” laughed Cyril to himself, as M. Drakovics went out. -</p> - -<p> -A little later, he saw from the balcony the O’Malachys’ -travelling-carriage coming round to the door, and watched while the -family took their places in it. Madame O’Malachy, gracious and -graceful as ever, was nodding pleasantly to the landlady as the -luggage was put up, and her husband was cracking a joke with the -travelled waiter, through whom all communications with the authorities -of the inn were obliged to be conducted. Louis, surly and -unapproachable as usual, took his seat in the carriage without a word, -and Nadia was equally silent as she sat upright by her mother’s side, -her face covered with a thick veil, which aroused Cyril’s suspicions -instantly. -</p> - -<p> -“She has been crying,” he said. “What a pity her complexion isn’t like -her mother’s, for a little powder and paint would put it all right in -that case. What Caerleon can see in her I cannot imagine.” -</p> - -<p> -In spite of his antipathy to the O’Malachys, he kept his place on the -balcony and waved a farewell to the travellers, watching the carriage -as it wound round the curves of the rough mountain road until it was -finally out of sight, when he went back into the coffee-room to join -Caerleon and M. Drakovics, who were discussing the question of the -costume in which the new King was to make the journey to his capital. -Evening dress and a tall hat formed M. Drakovics’s idea of the clothes -suitable to the occasion; but Wright, who was assisting uninvited at -the discussion, and who bore a grudge already against the Premier for -inducing Caerleon to remain in Thracia, flatly declined to “make a -tomfool” of his master by helping him to don a swallow-tail coat in -the daytime. Caerleon himself thought it would be the proper thing to -adopt the Thracian national dress, as a delicate compliment to the -people; but M. Drakovics objected to this on the ground that the -Thracians were expecting an Englishman, and would be disappointed if -they found him dressed like themselves. -</p> - -<p> -“Will your Majesty not wear your uniform?” he asked, offering another -suggestion in his turn. “That of your Volunteer cavalry, I mean?” -</p> - -<p> -“My Yeomanry uniform?” said Caerleon. “I haven’t got it here. In fact, -I should have no right to wear it any longer if I had, for I resigned -my commission before I left home, because the expenses connected with -the troop were too much for me to meet in my present circumstances.” -</p> - -<p> -“But your uniform’s ’ere, all the same, my lord,” said Wright. “If -your lordship remembers, it was sent on with the ’eavy luggage before -the troop was decided to be given up, in case there was any grand -doin’s while your lordship were at the castle,” and he nodded vaguely -in the direction which he imagined to be that of Château Temeszy. -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, well, if you’ve got it, you may as well wear it, Caerleon,” said -Cyril. “It’s only a cast-off now, after all, and if Ceylon coolies and -African chiefs are allowed to sport discarded British uniforms, I -don’t see why the King of Thracia shouldn’t.” -</p> - -<p> -“Your comparisons are not exactly flattering to Thracia,” said -Caerleon, “and I don’t think it’s quite the thing to sport the old -uniform under the circumstances. Ordinary riding-togs are the best -thing for a long ride like this, and if it’s absolutely necessary, one -can add a top hat and a black coat before entering Bellaviste;” and to -this decision he adhered, in spite of the Premier’s remonstrances and -of Cyril’s jeers. -</p> - -<p> -It had been arranged that the King and his companions were to ride the -greater part of the way to Bellaviste, escorted by the Thracians who -had accompanied M. Drakovics, and most of whom had brought horses with -them; for although a railway from the frontier to the capital was -nearly completed, it had not yet been opened for passenger traffic. It -was a picturesque procession which wound down the mountain-side, -headed by Caerleon and M. Drakovics; but when the level ground was -reached the symmetry of the march was much disturbed, for the younger -men among the Thracians broke the line out of pure gladness, racing -their horses against one another, and riding hither and thither on -either side of the main body. Whenever a village was reached, the -inhabitants were summoned to the church by the ringing of the bell, -and Caerleon, standing on the steps, was proclaimed king by M. -Drakovics. Everywhere the people poured forth in delight to meet the -party, bringing offerings of bread and salt, which were to be touched -by the King and afterwards consumed by the givers. -</p> - -<p> -On these occasions Cyril generally remained in the background, afraid -of being caught laughing, as he told M. Drakovics, to the no small -indignation of the Premier. Wright shared his objection to publicity, -but for a different reason, feeling very uneasy in his mind as to the -whole proceeding, now that he understood its import, and not at all -sure that it was consistent with his duty to Queen Victoria to become -a subject of Caerleon. There was an unhappy consciousness that -something was wrong about his whole aspect, which would have afforded -Cyril infinite amusement at any other time; but now, as from his -commanding position on horseback he watched his brother’s -close-cropped fair head towering above the unkempt locks of his new -subjects, he was busy trying to enter into the feelings of the -Thracians. Mothers brought their children to look at Caerleon, for -good luck, as they said, “that their eyes might see the King’s face”; -old men came tottering up to touch his coat or his riding-whip, and to -call down blessings on his head. It was all too absurdly medieval, -thought Cyril, as the office-bearers of the little towns came hurrying -to take the oath of allegiance to their new King, and the peasants -crowded round to entreat him to raise an army to conquer Scythia, in -which every man of them would enlist. Why should they make all this -fuss about an unimaginative Englishman, who merely looked -uncomfortable when a more than usually fervent assurance of devotion -was translated to him, and who could say nothing in return but that he -would try to do his best for the people and the country? There could -be no idea of Divine Right in this case, for how could such a -sentiment consist with the popular election of the monarch? and as for -loyalty, how could they feel loyalty to a man of whom they knew -nothing but that he was an English prince, for whom M. Drakovics -vouched as a suitable candidate for the throne? Cyril decided at last -that they regarded Caerleon as the incarnation of the spirit of the -late revolution, and as a bulwark against Scythia and the return of -the House of Franza; but the Thracians themselves would probably have -explained their delight much more simply by saying that they had a -king at last, that he was young, good-looking, and fair-haired, and -that he spoke courteously and looked like a soldier. -</p> - -<p> -After three days spent in this kind of travelling the party came in -sight of Bellaviste, and here they were met by what M. Drakovics -called the “Sacred Band,” but which was known to military critics as -the crack regiment of the Thracian army. It had been recruited on the -classical principle, the men being divided into little groups of five -or ten, all hailing from the same village, while in the same way each -company represented a district, and each battalion a province. -</p> - -<p> -“This regiment, your Majesty,” said M. Drakovics, as he presented the -officers to Caerleon, “is the backbone of your army. Representative, -from its composition, of the whole nation, it was the first to declare -for freedom, and when it had done so, the doom of the House of Franza -was sealed. I can assure you that the Sacred Band, to which, with your -gracious permission, I will from to-day grant the honour of calling -itself the Carlino Regiment, will prove to be the bulwark of your -throne.” -</p> - -<p> -The grant of its new name was received with great enthusiasm by the -regiment, which was formed up for inspection, and when this ceremony -was over, proceeded to escort the King into his capital. M. Drakovics, -riding as usual beside his sovereign, pointed out the chief features -of interest on the road. The city of Bellaviste itself was situated on -a hill, which rose steeply from the river, but fell away gradually on -the other sides. The highest portion of the hill was occupied by the -palace, which with its gardens was surrounded by a strong wall capable -of defence against a foe unprovided with artillery. Below this, on -three sides, the houses of the town covered the slopes as far as the -lowlands, while a broad rampart ran round the whole, set with towers -at intervals. -</p> - -<p> -“That is all our work since the revolution,” said M. Drakovics, -pointing to this rampart with pride. “Under the Franzas, the money -voted for fortifications was all spent on excavating and arming -useless batteries along the river-front, which no foe would think of -attacking, while the town was left defenceless.” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t think you are giving King Peter the credit he deserves,” said -Cyril. “If his batteries on the river-face are well placed, he ought -to be able to command the whole channel, and his position would be -most important in view of a European war. Matters would be very much -in his hands, for unless he chose, the Pannonian gunboats could not -get out to sea, nor could the Scythian war-ships get up the river. The -great danger would be that he might find himself taken in the rear. I -suppose he meant to see to that when he had finished his batteries.” -</p> - -<p> -“Our views were not so exalted, milord,” said M. Drakovics. “Safety -was our great consideration, and when we were free our first thought -was to erect a wall, which, if it could not stand against modern -artillery, would at any rate serve to resist any insurrectionary -force.” -</p> - -<p> -“And to whom is the defence of the wall intrusted?” asked Caerleon. -“To the Sacred Band?” -</p> - -<p> -“No, indeed,” answered the Premier. “Their barracks are two miles away -from the city, on that farther hill. The people were afraid that if -their king had a regiment at his command in Bellaviste, he might use -it to overthrow the constitution. The city is garrisoned by the city -guard, which is entirely composed of young men belonging to Bellaviste -families. One company of this forms the palace guard, with a very -elaborate uniform and special rights. It was the favourite corps of -King Peter Franza, and we scarcely expected that its members would be -willing to fall in with the new state of things, particularly when we -were forced to deprive them of some of their privileges. But the -officers are all staunch—we took care of that.” -</p> - -<p> -“Did your care extend to giving the palace guard as many occasions of -discontent as possible?” asked Cyril. “You owed the success of your -revolution to the co-operation of the army, and the army must be very -dense if it has not learnt the lesson. What you will have to guard -against in the future is a military revolt, and it sounds to the -uninitiated as though you were carefully working one up.” -</p> - -<p> -“We were obliged to deprive the guard as far as possible of its power -of mischief, milord. In its former state it was a standing menace, but -under its present officers it is excellently affected to the -Government.” -</p> - -<p> -At the gate of the city the Sacred Band handed over its escort duties -to the guard, which was paraded for the King’s inspection, after which -all the troops fell in for the march through the streets. The houses -were gaily decorated, and the windows and roofs crowded with people, -who welcomed Caerleon with shouts of joy. It was still early in the -day, and M. Drakovics had arranged a programme of events. Orders had -been sent forward to prepare for the coronation; but it was found -impossible to complete the arrangements before the morrow, and all -that could be done on this occasion was to visit the hall of the -Assembly, in order to receive the loyal addresses of the Legislative -body, and their oath of allegiance. Then followed the reception of -addresses from the municipality of Bellaviste, and as many other local -authorities as had been able to get them ready in time; after which -came lunch at the Hôtel de Ville, and a state progress through the -town. Further receptions followed this, and the events of the day -concluded with a parade of the palace guard in the courtyard of the -palace. It needed all M. Drakovics’s powers of persuasion to induce -his sovereign to conduct a third inspection after his round of duties; -but he represented so forcibly the disappointment which would be felt -in the city if any slight were offered to the guard, that Caerleon -yielded. They were a fine body of men, wearing a very handsome, if -somewhat foppish, uniform, and their officers were seasoned old -soldiers, whose aspect presented a curious contrast to that of the -rank and file. One more speech, translated by M. Drakovics, was -necessary here, and this duty performed, Caerleon entered his palace -with a sigh of relief. Owing to the delay in the coronation -arrangements, which included a state banquet, no special function had -been fixed for that evening, except that the town was to be -illuminated later on; and although M. Drakovics would have liked to -linger at the palace and talk international politics, Caerleon’s -disinclination for further conversation on the subject was so -extremely pronounced that he found it impossible to remain, and the -brothers were left alone together. -</p> - -<p> -“Call this being king?” said Caerleon, when he and Cyril met at dinner -in the comparatively small room which they had chosen out of the -wilderness of state apartments as their dining-room when by -themselves, for there were few regular court officials at present. The -chief functionaries had all gone into exile with the late king, and it -had not been possible to appoint their successors as yet, so that -matters were in the hands of such of the less important officials as -had adopted the cause of the revolution. These had not yet acquired -the reverential obtuseness which would have enabled those whose places -they had taken to maintain their position about the king as long as -etiquette required, in spite of his disinclination for their society. -Accordingly they effaced themselves obediently when their sovereign -intimated that their attendance was not further desired that night, -and it did not strike Caerleon that even the freedom he now enjoyed -would have been impossible in a properly constituted court. “I call it -being a slave, no less,” he went on. “What a luxurious beast old -Franza must have been! I never saw anything like the rooms up-stairs. -Well, if luxury could compensate him for all the bother and fuss, he -deserved it.” -</p> - -<p> -“‘Uneasy lies the head——’” began Cyril. -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, shut up, and don’t quote moral platitudes,” said Caerleon, -wearily. “I tell you what, Cyril, there are two things we’ll do. We’ll -look out some attic place where we can smoke in peace, with two chairs -in it and a rug on the floor, and we will break through that absurd -rule of never going out without an escort. I mean to do the -Haroun-al-Raschid business, and poke about a little <i>incog</i>.” -</p> - -<p> -“All right,” said Cyril; “I’ll be Grand Vizier. We will get hold of a -couple of fur caps and these Thracian cloaks with high fur collars, -and have some fun. Shall we begin to-night with the illuminations, or -are you fagged out?” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t see why we shouldn’t,” said Caerleon. “Root out some cloaks, -will you? There are servants enough, and it’s a charity to give them -something to do. It’ll be all right if we are in by eleven o’clock, -when some of those chaps from the town are coming to serenade us.” -</p> - -<p> -Through the medium of Wright, who was preparing very reluctantly to -resign the care of his master’s personal belongings into the hands of -the new servants and return to his natural sphere, the charge of the -stables, Cyril procured the required disguises, and he and his brother -wrapped themselves up and slipped out. The palace was built round a -square courtyard, in the midst of which stood the rude little chapel -of St Peter, where the workmen had been busied all day in making -preparations for the coronation. As the servants were all at supper, -and the guards in their own hall, only the sentries were to be seen, -and Caerleon and Cyril stole along in the shadow, giving the password -when it was demanded, and reaching the gardens in safety. A private -gate, to which they alone possessed a key, supplied them with the -means of exit, and they descended the steep street and mingled with -the crowd which was admiring the illuminations. These were more -ambitious than successful, and although the Thracians were full of -delight, Cyril turned up his nose at the display, and commented on it -in disparaging whispers. -</p> - -<p> -“It <i>is</i> rather slow here,” said Caerleon, stopping short suddenly. -“Let us go and look up the O’Malachys.” -</p> - -<p> -It was in Cyril’s mind to say, “I wondered how soon you would get to -that,” but he held his tongue, and followed Caerleon to the Hôtel -Occidental, the whereabouts of which the King had discovered in the -course of his progress through the town. Keeping their cloaks well up -to their faces, they passed through the hall without being recognised, -and were conducted up-stairs to the O’Malachys’ sitting-room, where -they found the Herr Oberst himself, Louis, and Nadia. Madame O’Malachy -was suffering from a bad headache, and had gone early to her room. -</p> - -<p> -“Indeed and ’tis very condescending in your Majesty to come and see us -like this,” said the O’Malachy, when he had apologised for his wife’s -absence. “Sure ’twas only an hour ago I was saying to Louie here, -‘What will we do about paying our respects to the King? Will we call -upon um, or wait until he sends for us?’ And we couldn’t make up our -minds about ut at all.” -</p> - -<p> -“That’s not true,” said Cyril to himself. “I’m pretty sure you decided -to wait until Caerleon came and looked you up, which you guessed he -would do before long.” -</p> - -<p> -“For pity’s sake,” said Caerleon, sinking into the chair which Louis -pushed towards him, “leave the kingdom alone for a little while, -O’Malachy. I am sick to death of it. Here, at any rate, let me have a -little respite.” -</p> - -<p> -“As you please,” said the O’Malachy, with a gracious wave of the hand. -“I suppose a king may take a holiday like other people if he wants ut. -You will find Liberty Hall here, whenever you like to look in.” -</p> - -<p> -Caerleon sighed contentedly, and leaned back in his chair. The room -looked comfortable and home-like, very different from the gorgeous -solitudes at the palace. The O’Malachy, white-haired and soldierly, -with a sly twinkle in his eye, was the picture of a courteous host. -Nadia sat close by, under the light, with her work; and Louis, buried -in a Bellaviste weekly journal, seemed less out of harmony with his -surroundings than usual. The place was a haven of rest. But rest in -itself was not sufficient for complete happiness, and Caerleon’s state -of contentment did not last long. Cyril, watching from the background, -was no better pleased. Before the evening was over, he had lost -patience altogether with Nadia. Why did she sit there stiffly, in the -full blaze of the electric light, working with unremitting assiduity -at some coarse and unlovely garment for the poor, and refusing to -answer any remark except in monosyllables? She would not take Caerleon -into the conservatory to show him the flowers, as he asked her, nor -did she respond to her father’s suggestion that she should point out -to him the view from the balcony. There she sat, never looking up, -sewing away as if for dear life, and acting as an effectual damper on -the conversation of the rest, while Cyril was longing for a smoke with -Louis and his father, and one or two of the latter’s stories, which -were not altogether suited for ladies’ ears. All that Caerleon wanted -was to be left alone with her, but she succeeded in baffling all his -efforts, and Cyril waxed furious over her foolishness. Did she really -imagine that by dint of coyness and coldness she could keep her lover -from making her an open avowal of his feelings? Surely she must know -that he would insist upon a plain answer, and that it would be -impossible to put him off for ever? Caerleon would hear her decision -from her own lips at one time or another, and the sooner she dismissed -him and bade him turn his mind to other subjects the better. -</p> - -<p> -These thoughts were seething in Cyril’s brain all the evening; but -Nadia remained unconscious of their import and as immovable as before. -The only time she exhibited any animation was when the brothers rose -to go. -</p> - -<p> -“You have not seen much of this place yet,” she said to Caerleon as he -bade her good-night, “but I have gone about a good deal yesterday and -to-day. There is plenty for you to do. The drunkenness is awful. You -have before you as much work as you can wish.” -</p> - -<p> -A chuckle from Louis followed her eager speech, and Caerleon had no -opportunity to say more than that he would give his best attention to -the matter, before Cyril hurried him away. They passed through the -streets almost in silence, reached the palace without attracting -notice, and after enduring patiently a long performance from the town -band, went to bed. -</p> - - -<h3 id="ch07"> -CHAPTER VII.<br/> -<span class="chap_sub">CHECK.</span> -</h3> - -<p class="noindent"> -“<span class="sc">I feel</span> I’ve about earned my night’s repose,” yawned Cyril to -himself in the solitude of his own room. “If all the Thracians have -worked as hard to-day as their king and his brother, they’re an -industrious nation. Hullo! some of them must be at it still. I suppose -old Drakovics has been hurrying them, for fear things won’t be ready -for the coronation.” -</p> - -<p> -His eye had caught a faint glimmer in the eastern windows of St -Peter’s chapel, which could hardly be the effect of moonlight, and as -he lay down he congratulated himself that he was not obliged to work -all through the night at putting up decorations. For an hour or so he -slept the sleep of the weary; then he was aroused by shouts and cries -pealing through the palace. -</p> - -<p> -“Another revolution!” was his first thought, as he jumped out of bed -and groped for his revolver; but as soon as he threw back the -window-curtains, a flood of light poured into the room. The chapel of -St Peter was blazing furiously, and the courtyard was full of guards -and servants, some staring stupidly at the flames, others tumbling -over one another in eager but ineffectual efforts to take measures for -stopping the fire. -</p> - -<p> -“Put on some clothes and come out, Cyril,” said Caerleon’s voice at -the door. “Those idiots there haven’t an idea what to do.” -</p> - -<p> -Hastily obeying, Cyril found himself placed at the head of a band of -water-carriers, while Caerleon took his stand close to the burning -pile, and directed the throwing of the water as the buckets were -passed from hand to hand. There were proper appliances all over the -palace for use in case of an outbreak of fire, but the buckets were -rusted into holes and the hoses were leaky; and if Wright had not -organised from among the onlookers a force to fetch pails from the -stables, it would have been impossible to procure a sufficient -quantity of water. Even as it was, the flames were not finally -vanquished until the roof and walls of the building had fallen in, and -the morning light showed only a heap of smoking ruins. St Peter’s -chapel was a total wreck, and the crown and other regalia of Thracia -were buried under the <i>débris</i>. -</p> - -<p> -When the fire had been practically extinguished, Cyril returned to his -room, but not to sleep, for his mind was occupied with a very -pertinent question,—What was the cause of the conflagration? To most -of the household at the palace, the answer appeared obvious. Of course -the men at work in the chapel must have dropped some sparks on the -woodwork or the draperies, or have left a candle burning close to -them. The sentry at the door had noticed nothing until his comrade at -the opposite side of the courtyard, who could see the windows, had -remarked that the workmen must be burning candles enough to light the -whole of Thracia. Astonished to hear this, since he knew that all the -workmen had gone home some hours before, the sentry had at once -alarmed the guard, and the officer in charge procured the chapel key -and opened the door. The place was already a mass of flame within, and -the fire gained additional strength immediately, owing to the rush of -air from the doorway, and burst forth from the windows. The guard -raised the alarm at once, but nothing effectual had been done to -extinguish the flames until Caerleon took command of the amateur -firemen, and his help came too late to be of service. Over all these -details Cyril pondered as he lay in bed. It seemed to him almost -impossible that the fire should have been accidental, for its sudden -outbreak and great strength alike appeared to point to its having been -caused intentionally. Moreover, the time at which it occurred was a -most fortunate one for the Scythian party in the State, for it was -certain that the coronation must now be postponed, if only for a day. -But if the conflagration were the result of a plot, where was the -incendiary to be sought? Was he a traitor in the household, or a -Scythian emissary who had passed himself off as one of the workmen? -Cyril went down-stairs in the morning with his mind full of questions -of this nature, and in the breakfast-room he found M. Drakovics, who -was overflowing with the information he had already gained. -</p> - -<p> -Immediately on hearing of the fire, the Premier had sent to arrest -forthwith all the workmen who had been employed on the decoration of -the chapel; and they had already been interrogated, with the result -that it seemed certain that none of their number was the culprit. The -antecedents of all of them were well known and satisfactory, and the -contractor was able to show that he had purposely employed none but -strong Carlinists on the work. The men were certain that they had left -no lights behind them in the chapel, with the exception of the lamps -always kept burning before the sacred pictures, and they venerated the -place far too highly to smoke there, so that the question of sparks -was disposed of. -</p> - -<p> -“Now,” said M. Drakovics, triumphantly, “we have proved who did not -cause the fire; but beyond that, I am in a position to inform your -Majesty that the miscreant was undoubtedly an emissary of Scythia, and -was either a woman or a man in women’s clothes.” -</p> - -<p> -“If you can prove that already, your police must beat ours hollow,” -said Caerleon. “Let us hear about it.” -</p> - -<p> -“In the first place, your Majesty, I have been examining the ruins, -with the aid of a detachment of sappers. We were searching for the -crown jewels—which are now, alas! shapeless lumps of metal, their -precious stones for the most part calcined—and we found distinct -traces of petroleum in more than one spot. Does not that fact speak -for itself? Petroleum is never used in lighting the chapel, and it is -a favourite weapon of incendiaries. Upon making this discovery, I -proceeded to interrogate the guard, who were all under arrest. Those -who were posted at the gates last night were unanimous in declaring -that no unauthorised person had passed in after the workmen had -departed, with the exception of one woman, who said that she was the -mother of one of the decorators employed, and that her son had left -behind him his book of gold-leaf, which she had come to fetch. The -sentries describe her as very old and bent, but with piercing dark -eyes,—and wearing the dress of the respectable artisan class. The -acting master of the household had not yet locked the chapel doors, -and the woman was therefore allowed to go in and look for the book, -which took her some time to find. She came out with it in her hand, -and the door was immediately locked. The theory is that she carried in -with her a supply of petroleum in a can——” -</p> - -<p> -“Or perhaps in bladders hung round her waist, as brandy used to be -smuggled into England,” put in Cyril, who had been following the -details with much interest. -</p> - -<p> -M. Drakovics bowed. “Very possibly, milord. Having saturated the -woodwork behind the screen of the sanctuary with the oil, she would -arrange a slow match which would not come in contact with it for some -hours, and would then take her departure, provided with a book of -gold-leaf to deceive the guard. The master of the household, looking -in from the doorway, would notice nothing, and would lock the door and -take away the key, leaving the match to do its work.” -</p> - -<p> -“But why may not the culprit be the woman she gave herself out to be?” -asked Caerleon. -</p> - -<p> -“Because, your Majesty, the woman’s son and the other members of her -family are all able to swear that from nine to ten o’clock, the hour -at which the incendiary did her work, Nicola Stanovics’s mother was -engaged in a violent quarrel with her daughter-in-law, who had left -her infant at home while she went out to see the illuminations. The -old woman met her at the door as she returned, and their dispute -almost ended in blows. Moreover, the guard, when confronted with -Marynia Stanovics, declared without hesitation that she was not the -woman whom they had admitted.” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, that seems to clear the old lady, at any rate,” said Caerleon. -“Your work has been most successful in a negative direction. Have you -any positive clue to go upon?” -</p> - -<p> -It did not appear that M. Drakovics as yet possessed anything of the -kind, although he was willing to detail the various theories which had -been formed on the subject, but Cyril did not listen. His mind was -occupied with a hypothesis of his own, the foundation fact of which -was Madame O’Malachy’s headache of the evening before. Again and again -he went through the details, for his suspicions at first seemed -preposterous, but the more he thought over the matter, the more likely -did it appear that Madame O’Malachy had slipped out of doors in -disguise, carrying with her the necessary supply of petroleum, and -successfully effected the firing of the chapel. His visit to the hotel -with Caerleon had given him the means of reaching this conclusion, -inasmuch as if they had not happened to call no one would have known -that Madame O’Malachy was not spending the evening hours in the -society of her family. The plot must have been maturing for some time, -since both the disguise and the petroleum would be difficult to -procure in Bellaviste without exciting suspicion, and it could not be -doubted that its object was to delay the coronation,—although whether -the lady had done her work in pursuance of orders from her Scythian -employers, or with an eye to her daughter’s future, Cyril found -himself unable to determine. It was not difficult to guess that she -was playing a double game, and that whereas she had been commissioned -to use every possible means to prevent Caerleon’s ascending the -Thracian throne, she was not unwilling to assist him in establishing -himself there, provided that her daughter shared his elevation. To -pursue at the same time two lines of policy so diametrically opposed -to one another might well need almost superhuman skill, and it -appeared evident to Cyril that for the sake of placing her good faith -to her employers beyond suspicion, Madame O’Malachy had taken a step -so desperate that it bade fair to ruin her private schemes. Had he but -overheard his brother’s parting conversation with her at Witska, he -might have discovered that she had not yet found the problem of -serving two masters an insoluble one. In spite of his ignorance of -this factor in the case, however, he was filled with a lively -admiration for both her resolution and her daring. -</p> - -<p> -“What an actress the woman must be!” he said to himself. “What pluck, -what nerve she has! But this sort of thing won’t do. She will think -nothing of dynamiting us before long, if this is the way she begins. -We shall be obliged to take a hostage from her. She doesn’t care a -scrap for the girl; but if Louis, for whom she does seem to have a -little natural affection, were safely installed here, she would think -twice before blowing us up. I must get that settled.” -</p> - -<p> -“There is one thing that makes me feel less regret than I should -otherwise have done for the postponement of the coronation,” M. -Drakovics was saying. “I have received this morning a despatch in -cipher from my agent at Czarigrad, saying that he finds the Roumi -Government far more favourably disposed towards Thracia and your -Majesty than we could have dared to hope. He has even received a hint -from a very high quarter to the effect that if we could put off the -coronation for a certain length of time, so as to avoid anything that -might have the appearance of a desire to force the hand of the Grand -Signior, our right as a nation to choose our own sovereign would -before very long be recognised. That would strengthen our position in -Europe enormously. If Roum recognises us, Scythia can do little.” -</p> - -<p> -“But Scythia will in the meantime bring pressure on Roum to refuse to -recognise us,” said Cyril. “Surely you are losing a great opportunity -for the chance of grasping at a shadow. Is it decided that the -coronation shall be postponed?” -</p> - -<p> -“What else can we do?” asked M. Drakovics. “The King must be crowned -in St Peter’s chapel, and with the crown of Alexander the Patriot. The -chapel is in ruins, the crown a mere lump of metal, and both must be -restored before they can be used.” -</p> - -<p> -“But this is madness!” cried Cyril. “Do you intend to wait for the -chapel to be rebuilt? It will probably take months. After all, when it -is restored, it won’t be the old chapel, so why not have the -coronation somewhere else at once?” -</p> - -<p> -“Because you are not acquainted with our people, milord,” was the -studiously mild reply of M. Drakovics. “They would not recognise any -king not crowned on that spot, and with that crown. Moreover, in an -emergency like the present, when our actions are certain to be -jealously scrutinised in order to discover the least flaw in the -legality of our proceedings, we must be doubly careful to do -everything in the very strictest order.” -</p> - -<p> -“Then why not clear away the ruins and hold the ceremony in the open -air, or in a tent pitched on the site of the chapel?” cried Cyril. -“There must be jewellers in Bellaviste, who would not take more than -a day to knock together out of your lump of gold something -sufficiently like a crown for all practical purposes. Take my word for -it, M. Drakovics, if we lose the day finally, it will be owing to -delay now.” -</p> - -<p> -“You must allow me to differ from you, milord,” was the answer. “In my -opinion, the day is far more likely to be lost through undue -precipitation. But after all, the matter is entirely in his Majesty’s -hands. Is it your wish, sir, that the coronation should take place -immediately or not?” -</p> - -<p> -“Well,” said Caerleon, “you ought to know best,—and naturally it -would be a very good thing to begin the reign with full recognition -from Roum.” -</p> - -<p> -“Your reign has begun,” said Cyril. “The coronation only puts a seal -upon it, half-sentimental, half-religious.” -</p> - -<p> -“Still,” said Caerleon, “we are not the best judges, Cyril. If M. -Drakovics, who is better acquainted with Thracia than we are, thinks -that it will be more serviceable to the country to delay the -coronation, I have no objection.” -</p> - -<p> -“That’s all very well,” thought Cyril. “You are calculating that in a -month or two you ought to be able to break down Miss O’Malachy’s -scruples. I am sorry to be under the painful necessity of putting a -spoke in your wheel, my dear fellow.” -</p> - -<p> -“If your Majesty is pleased to delay the coronation,” said M. -Drakovics, “may I ask you to visit the Hôtel de Ville with me this -morning? The people have been gathering together from all the country -round to witness the ceremony, and it will be necessary to explain to -them what has occurred. There is another thing I was anxious to know. -Your Majesty mentioned a few days ago that your brother had some idea -of offering himself as your private secretary. I see that -correspondence is already beginning to pour in, and as the office is a -very delicate and important one, I venture to ask whether Milord Cyril -is still in the same mind?” -</p> - -<p> -“M. Drakovics means me to earn my board and lodging,” said Cyril, who -was conscious of a grudge against the statesman for rejecting his -counsel. -</p> - -<p> -“I am quite sure that M. Drakovics means nothing of the kind,” said -Caerleon, sharply. “He knows very well that you are here as my guest.” -</p> - -<p> -“As the guest of the nation, if I may be permitted to correct your -Majesty,” said M. Drakovics. “Thracia owes far too much to your family -not to desire to see as many of its members as possible. My reason for -asking this question to-day is that Milord Cyril has displayed such a -talent for diplomacy that I am anxious not to lose his co-operation in -the work I have in hand at present. His one fault is that, like all -young diplomats, he wishes to begin, as you say in England, at the top -of the tree, and in this he does himself an injustice, for his forte -lies rather in working in combination with others than in isolated -action, if he will allow me to say so.” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, Cyril, the bitter pill is pretty well gilded,” said Caerleon, -laughing. “What do you say? Will you take the situation?” -</p> - -<p> -“I suppose I should have to read all your letters,” said Cyril. “That -sounds fairly interesting. Then I should have to write the -answers—not quite so delightful, but still passable. Yes; I’ll take -it.” -</p> - -<p> -“If your Majesty will permit me, I will give Milord Cyril a few hints -as to the duties of this new position,” said M. Drakovics. -</p> - -<p> -“Very well,” returned Caerleon. “I am going to stroll round to the -stables, Cyril. When your initiation is complete, you’ll find me -there.” -</p> - -<p> -“Now,” said Cyril, closing the door on his brother, and turning to M. -Drakovics, “I want to know what you expect to gain by putting off the -coronation in this way. You are giving the Scythians and their -sympathisers a gratuitous triumph, and losing time, which is of -inestimable value. If you have a reason, why keep it a secret?” -</p> - -<p> -“I have a reason, milord,” answered M. Drakovics. “That my opinion -does not accord with yours is a matter for regret; but I hope that it -will not be anything more. I am deeply anxious that you should remain -at Bellaviste, for I need your help.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, I suppose I may as well stay here and take Caerleon’s body home -when you have got him shot as a filibuster by a Scythian force sent to -restore order,” said Cyril. -</p> - -<p> -“You are pleased to be sarcastic, milord,” said M. Drakovics. “Without -in the least allowing that the calamity which you prophesy is likely -to occur, I would ask you to remember that the cause is more important -than the man. If Roum recognises our choice of a king, our future -position as a free nation is unassailable, and we are justified in the -sight of Europe. If your brother is crowned king at once, we are -merely, under present circumstances, a vassal State which has -rebelled, and elected its own ruler. No one could be more grateful to -his Majesty for accepting the crown than I am, but Thracia must come -first.” -</p> - -<p> -“I see,” said Cyril; “your business is to take care of Thracia. Very -well, be it so; mine will be to take care of Caerleon. The kingdom -will only be a secondary thing with me, as part of Caerleon’s -property.” -</p> - -<p> -“Then I hope, milord, that you will prove your care by persuading his -Majesty to exercise greater prudence than you both showed last night. -To walk through the streets alone, and in disguise, in the midst of -crowds of strangers, to the lodging of a family of Scythian spies, -where the merest trifle—an accident with a pistol, a drop of poison -in a cup of coffee—might have effected the utmost that Scythia could -desire, can scarcely be called wise.” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, if you had your eye on us all the time we ought to have been -fairly safe,” said Cyril, angry but taken aback. -</p> - -<p> -“You surely do not imagine that I should allow the King to risk his -life so rashly without taking precautions to ensure his safety?” said -M. Drakovics. “You were followed the whole way by one of my most -trusted agents in the Police, a man whom you will do well always to -order to accompany you if his Majesty chooses to go out again -<i>incognito</i>. You had no idea that you were tracked, but he never lost -sight of you.” -</p> - -<p> -“Until we reached the hotel, I suppose?” said Cyril. -</p> - -<p> -“On the contrary, you were never more carefully watched than during -your visit there. Ever since Colonel O’Malachy and his wife arrived in -Bellaviste, a police agent in a room on the opposite side of the -street has kept them under constant surveillance by means of mirrors -ingeniously placed at different angles, so that you were in full view -during the whole time you spent in their <i>salon</i>.” -</p> - -<p> -“But what is the object of all this police shadowing?” asked Cyril, -rather disgusted. -</p> - -<p> -“To avert mischief,” returned M. Drakovics. “And although we did not -succeed in preventing the burning of the chapel, yet we have -discovered its author. Perhaps you would be surprised to hear how -Madame O’Malachy was employed during the time of your visit last -night?” -</p> - -<p> -“On the contrary,” said Cyril in his turn; “I am flattered to find -that you have come to the same conclusion as myself. She was burning -the chapel.” -</p> - -<p> -M. Drakovics was a little disconcerted. “I congratulate you on the -soundness of your instincts, milord,” he said. -</p> - -<p> -“But why did you not prevent the fire, if you knew of it beforehand?” -asked Cyril. -</p> - -<p> -“Unfortunately, milord, my agent was so much occupied in watching his -Majesty and yourself, that he failed to observe Madame O’Malachy -leaving the hotel, and only saw her return. It was not until he heard -the evidence of the sentries that he divined what her errand had been. -But perhaps you will now agree with me in my estimate of the O’Malachy -family?” -</p> - -<p> -“By the bye,” said Cyril, quickly, “what did you mean just now by -saying that you needed my help?” -</p> - -<p> -“It was on the subject of his Majesty’s marriage,” said M. Drakovics, -looking rather confused. “This morning, before you came in, I ventured -to suggest to the King the advisability of his consolidating his -position by an alliance with some lady belonging to a royal house, but -he refused to allow me to say anything on the subject.” -</p> - -<p> -“It’s just what I told you!” cried Cyril. “Englishmen are not -accustomed to have their marriages arranged for them, and Caerleon is -the very last man to stand it. Now, M. Drakovics, I thought this -matter was to be left to me. Am I to have a free hand or not? If I am -to be interfered with, I will have nothing to do with it.” -</p> - -<p> -“If you can guarantee a successful result, milord, I shall be most -happy to leave it to you,” returned M. Drakovics. -</p> - -<p> -“Because,” continued Cyril, “you are making exactly the same mistake -as Miss O’Malachy. I believe she thinks that she can tire Caerleon out -by snubbing him, and you intend to make use of the information you -have gained, by dint of spying on her mother, to terrify the whole -family into leaving the kingdom. Miss O’Malachy is as anxious to be -out of Thracia as you are to get her out; but you had better not put -that beautiful plan of yours into execution unless you want Caerleon -to go after her. He will have his answer, and if you leave things to -me I will arrange that he shall have it soon, so that the affair may -be over.” -</p> - -<p> -“You seem very certain of success, milord.” -</p> - -<p> -“If I am to succeed, I must be absolutely free. The first thing to be -done is to give Lieutenant O’Malachy a commission in the palace -guard.” -</p> - -<p> -“And why, milord?” -</p> - -<p> -“To keep him out of mischief, and to prevent his mother’s perceiving -that we have discovered her little game. This is my test of the extent -of your confidence in me, monsieur. Is it to be accepted?” -</p> - -<p> -“It shall be,” returned M. Drakovics, after a severe mental struggle. -“The matter is so important that it is worth even a dangerous -experiment.” -</p> - -<p> -When his protracted interview with M. Drakovics was over and Cyril -went in search of Caerleon, his first words on finding him were to -suggest that it would be a graceful recognition of the sacrifices -Louis O’Malachy had made in the cause of Thracia to appoint him at -once to a lieutenancy in the palace guard, thus showing him special -favour by placing him close to the sovereign’s own person. Caerleon -looked surprised. -</p> - -<p> -“I think it’s a very good idea,” he said; “but you have always been so -suspicious of the poor fellow’s motives that I should not have -expected you to propose it. I will have the commission made out at -once. And as we are now on the subject of the O’Malachy family, I may -as well remind you of something of which Drakovics apparently is not -aware. He attacked me this morning about marrying; but you know, if he -doesn’t, that I intend to marry Miss O’Malachy, and no one else.” -</p> - -<p> -“I never imagined that you wanted to imitate the Grand Signior of -Roum, and marry twenty or thirty ladies at once,” said Cyril; but -seeing Caerleon’s face darken, he added hastily, “I beg your pardon, -old man. I was only joking. Do you intend to make formal proposals at -once to papa for the hand of mademoiselle?” -</p> - -<p> -“Not yet,” said Caerleon. “You see,” he went on quickly, as if it was -a relief to unburden himself to his brother, “I can’t tell a bit how -she’ll take it. She has never given me the least encouragement, and -last night she scarcely spoke to me. Unfortunately, I can’t help -guessing that the kingdom would weigh pretty heavily with her parents -in my favour, and I don’t want the poor girl worried into marrying me, -nor her life made a burden to her because she won’t. Madame O’Malachy -has promised me her support; but though it sounds a little ungrateful, -I would rather manage the business without her interference.” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t think any amount of worrying would make Miss O’Malachy do a -thing she had made up her mind not to do,” said Cyril. “But seriously, -Caerleon, I can’t believe she means to marry you. She gave you the -cold shoulder pointedly enough last night. Can’t you chuck up the -business, old man? I don’t imagine you care for her very -particularly.” -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t you?” asked Caerleon, looking down on him with a smile. “My -dear boy, you are very young still.” -</p> - -<p> -“If you mean to insinuate that I haven’t had twice as much experience -in affairs of the kind as you have,” began Cyril, with a great show of -indignation, “I’ll——” -</p> - -<p> -“I daresay—ten times as much. That accounts for your ignorance.” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, don’t look so horribly superior. It’s awfully riling for the -other fellow, don’t you know? Now, look here, you leave this thing to -me, and I’ll do you a good turn. You want to find out the state of -Miss O’Malachy’s feelings before approaching her father. I’ll manage -to get you a chance of speaking to her alone.” -</p> - -<p> -“Thanks, but I think I can look after my own opportunities.” -</p> - -<p> -“No, you can’t; not as king, with Drakovics and his spies always -prowling about after you. Do you know that we had a fellow shadowing -us last night?” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes, I felt sure at the time that we were being dogged.” -</p> - -<p> -“But why didn’t you say so?” -</p> - -<p> -“I didn’t want to make you nervous.” -</p> - -<p> -“Stuff!” cried Cyril, ungratefully. “You were afraid I should consider -it wiser to give up the expedition and go back. Keep your -thoughtfulness for Miss O’Malachy in future. After that piece of -cheek, you don’t deserve a good turn, but I will mention that I am -going down to the O’Malachys’ this morning to tell them about dear -Louie’s commission. Shall I take any message from you?” -</p> - -<p> -“I’ll come too,” said Caerleon, promptly. -</p> - -<p> -“No, you won’t. You are due at the Hôtel de Ville, to hear old -Drakovics spout from the balcony. It would be ‘Hamlet’ with Hamlet -left out if you weren’t there. Well, shall I take her a bouquet in -your name? No, that would be too pronounced—might be regarded by the -family as a declaration. Shall I say anything to her for you?” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes; you can say that I mean to begin this very day the inquiry she -suggested to me.” -</p> - -<p> -“All right; nothing like setting to work at once. Now, off you go to -uniform and duty. I am the best off this morning.” -</p> - -<p> -Sauntering down to the hotel, Cyril came upon Louis and his father in -the hall, waiting impatiently for Madame O’Malachy, who was going with -them to hear the speeches in the market-place. Going up-stairs, he -found Nadia in the sitting-room, arranging the flowers for the table, -carefully and conscientiously, as she did everything, adding a spray -here, and taking one away there, and holding up the vase to see the -effect, then lifting everything out and beginning again. -</p> - -<p> -Before her stood a glass in which her mother had placed carelessly two -or three blossoms and a spray or two of feathery fern, which seemed to -have arranged themselves, but of which the effect was perfect. By the -table stood Madame O’Malachy, buttoning her long gloves and -criticising freely her daughter’s work. -</p> - -<p> -“You have no taste, Nadia. Surely it must be evident, even to you, -that a brick is not the best model for a bouquet? Don’t pull the -flowers about so much; you will ruin them, and I cannot afford any -more to-day.” -</p> - -<p> -“I am commissioned to say that the hothouses at the palace are at your -disposal, madame, if you would honour my brother by allowing him to -send you some flowers,” said Cyril, coming forward. -</p> - -<p> -“His Majesty’s conduct is angelic,” returned Madame O’Malachy. “But of -what use are all the flowers in Thracia if the artist’s eye for their -arrangement is wanting?” She had taken the vase from Nadia and removed -half its contents, then, with a twirl here and a poke there, she -transformed the remainder into a thing of beauty. “I regret to -perceive that the artistic instinct, the soul of poetry, is wanting in -my daughter. She is very thorough, extremely conscientious, but what -one may call—not heavy, that would be unkind—shall we say <i>solid</i>? I -am perpetually worrying myself to discover why she bears no -resemblance at all to me. ‘A reversion to an earlier type,’ I suppose -the scientific gentlemen would call it; <i>I</i> say that she is one of the -trials of my life. For me, I am not at all conscientious, I do nothing -thoroughly; but I think I am not heavy?” She paused with her eyebrows -uplifted in interrogation; and Cyril, though he had been reflecting -what wretchedly bad form it was for a woman to try to make her -daughter feel small in this way, had presence of mind enough to answer -that such a word could never be mentioned in the same breath with the -name of Madame O’Malachy. -</p> - -<p> -“But I must hurry away,” the lady went on, “or O’Malachy will come up -to look for me. I shall hear your news when I return, Milord Cyril.” -</p> - - -<h3 id="ch08"> -CHAPTER VIII.<br/> -<span class="chap_sub">FOR HIS GOOD.</span> -</h3> - -<p class="noindent"> -“<span class="sc">I think</span> I have one piece of news that at any rate you will like to -hear,” said Cyril, as Madame O’Malachy rustled out of the room and -down the corridor towards the lift. -</p> - -<p> -Nadia’s grey eyes glanced towards him. “You did not come here to offer -us hothouse flowers,” she remarked. “There is something else that you -have to say.” -</p> - -<p> -“Won’t you believe that I came to enjoy the delightful conversation of -Madame and yourself?” asked Cyril, lazily, for he was in a -particularly comfortable chair, and found the spectacle of Nadia’s -laborious dealing with the flowers very entertaining. -</p> - -<p> -“No,” she answered, bluntly, irritated by his manner. -</p> - -<p> -“Well, Caerleon intends to offer your brother a commission in the -palace guard. Is that important enough to satisfy you?” -</p> - -<p> -“I daresay it is important, but it is not what you came to say.” -</p> - -<p> -“You are a little exacting, mademoiselle. Is this what you want? My -brother asked me to tell you that he proposes to begin to-day the -investigation you recommended him to set on foot.” -</p> - -<p> -“That is good!” she cried. “I knew I should not be disappointed in -him. But you have another message still.” -</p> - -<p> -“Pardon me, I have no other message, although my business with you -grows, if I may say so, out of that last message.” -</p> - -<p> -“Precisely, and I know what it is. You wish to say that his Majesty’s -eager compliance with my wishes betokens a state of affairs which you, -as a man of the world, consider highly inexpedient when it exists in -connection with the King of Thracia and a penniless foreigner.” -</p> - -<p> -“I had no intention of saying anything so rude; but I will own that -although when Caerleon and I first had the honour of meeting your -family, I saw no insuperable objection to his pleasing himself in -marrying, things are different now. I blame myself very much that I -did not foresee this change and try——” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t want your regrets, Lord Cyril,” interrupted Nadia. “Let us -keep to the facts as they are. They are sufficiently obvious. I agree -with you, that for the King to marry me would probably cost him his -throne, and that is a sacrifice I could not accept.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’m very glad you see it in this light,” began Cyril, rather taken -aback by her coolness; but she interrupted him. -</p> - -<p> -“You know quite well that I should have preferred our acquaintance to -cease when we parted at Witska, and that since that could not be, I am -most anxious to leave Thracia as soon as possible. I have done all I -could to induce my parents to return to Janoszwar, but in vain. You -must do your part. Why will you not help me? Why have you given Louis -this commission, when it will only be an excuse for our remaining in -the country?” -</p> - -<p> -“As a delicate compliment to the future Queen of Thracia,” said Cyril, -in his smoothest tones. “At least, I am sure that is the light in -which Caerleon regards it.” -</p> - -<p> -“He should not be so confident,” said Nadia. “Queen of Thracia you at -least know that I shall never be. I expect you to help me in -disappointing the King for his good. This is my plan. My parents are -Scythian agents—you know that already, but I make the admission that -you may have fuller right to take action”—and she laughed bitterly. -“As for Louis, I don’t know whether he has accepted the commission you -are offering him or not; but if he has, it is only that he may do you -greater harm. He is here for the purpose of plotting against the -independence of Thracia. Well, then, have us arrested to-night and -conveyed to the frontier; then your anxieties may cease.” -</p> - -<p> -“I beg your pardon; they would only begin,” said Cyril. “You are -leaving Caerleon out of your reckoning altogether, Miss O’Malachy. Do -you know, I wished most fervently as I came down here just now that I -could bring myself to say that I was come to make terms with you on -Caerleon’s behalf and with his knowledge. Matters would be so much -easier if I could only request you in his name to leave the kingdom, -and not seek to continue a friendship begun under such different -circumstances. But I couldn’t make up my mind to rob the poor fellow -of his character in that way, and so——” -</p> - -<p> -“I should never have believed you!” cried Nadia, with flashing eyes. -</p> - -<p> -“You are very flattering. But if I had assured you that it was true?” -</p> - -<p> -“I should have asked the King himself.” -</p> - -<p> -“Surely not?” said Cyril. “I thought that young ladies never, under -any circumstances, spoke out boldly and asked for an explanation?” -</p> - -<p> -“I should in such a case,” said Nadia, proudly. “I would do anything -rather than believe him false and a coward.” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, unfortunately, I can’t make you think that of him,” said Cyril. -“I know perfectly well that if you left Bellaviste, as you propose, he -would simply follow you anywhere, and insist upon your marrying him.” -</p> - -<p> -“I would never do it,” said Nadia, her lips white. -</p> - -<p> -“I never thought you would; but I am afraid it would move Europe to -laughter to see the King of Thracia pursuing from place to place a -young lady——” -</p> - -<p> -“Who was the daughter of a Scythian spy!” cried Nadia, with a fierce -laugh. “You are right, Lord Cyril; it would be worse than wrong, it -would be ridiculous. And ridicule must never touch any one connected -with Lord Cyril Mortimer; he could not endure it, all his relations -must be above suspicion in that respect. Well, I will not only leave -Bellaviste, but I will write to his Majesty a letter explaining my -reason for doing so. Does that satisfy you?” -</p> - -<p> -“But—excuse me,” said Cyril; “has my brother ever really asked you to -marry him?” -</p> - -<p> -“If he had, he would have received his answer already,” returned -Nadia. “Most certainly he has not.” -</p> - -<p> -“You really must pardon me—but do you intend to write a letter -declining a proposal that has never been made to you?” -</p> - -<p> -“Why not? You know, and he knows, and I know, that he loves me. Why -make all this trouble? You do not wish him to write to me first? I -might keep his letter, sell it to a newspaper, make it the groundwork -of a scandal that would spread through Europe, who knows? Come, I will -write now: you shall tell me what to say if you like.” -</p> - -<p> -“Excuse me, but this will never do,” said Cyril, refusing to give way -when she tried to pass him and reach the writing-table. “Do you think -Caerleon would under any circumstances consent to regard a message in -a letter—which was not even written in answer to one from him—as -your final decision? He would see at once that there had been outside -influence at work, and suspect that you had written under pressure. He -must hear everything from your own lips.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, why must you make it so hard for me? Let me write,” entreated -Nadia, standing before him with clasped hands. -</p> - -<p> -“It is impossible,” said Cyril, firmly. “You must see him.” -</p> - -<p> -“Is it absolutely necessary? Then I suppose I must,” said Nadia, -drawing a deep breath. “But remember, Lord Cyril, I will tell no lies. -He shall know my reason for refusing him.” -</p> - -<p> -“I thought,” said Cyril, “that young ladies considered themselves -justified in telling a little fib on such occasions, such as saying -that they found they did not care for their suitors in quite the right -way, or something of the kind?” -</p> - -<p> -“The young ladies with whom you are acquainted may tell fibs,” -returned Nadia, with a cool incisiveness that reminded him of her -mother, “but I do not. Does it not seem to you hard enough to have to -refuse the man who loves me, that you wish me to do it by means of a -lie?” -</p> - -<p> -“How can you expect him to accept his dismissal if you go into details -in the way you propose?” asked Cyril. “Can’t you simply refuse him -without giving a reason? It is a lady’s privilege, you know.” -</p> - -<p> -“That I will not do!” cried Nadia, fiercely. “He shall not be forced -to think that the woman to whom he has given his love is insensible—a -stone. He shall know that her suffering is at least as great as his.” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, you have your own ideas as to the best way of imparting -consolation, certainly,” said Cyril. “I suppose I can’t quarrel with -you, so long as you do really send him off.” -</p> - -<p> -“Of course I shall send him away,” said Nadia. “I have known for a -week that it must be done. Bring him here, and I will tell him that I -cannot marry him. Perhaps you would wish to remain in the room, so as -to assure yourself that I keep faith with you?” -</p> - -<p> -“Caerleon must not come here,” said Cyril, thoughtfully, disregarding -the taunt. “It is most important for us to avoid notice. I must -contrive a meeting for you somewhere, which may seem accidental, even -if it is observed.” -</p> - -<p> -“Do you wish to destroy my good name as well as your brother’s -happiness, Lord Cyril?” she asked, cuttingly. Cyril made a movement of -impatience. -</p> - -<p> -“You are determined to put me in the wrong,” he said, facing her -indignant eyes without flinching. “If you will only remember that my -brother’s name would be at least as much affected as yours in such a -case, you will judge me more fairly. I can assure you that the only -meeting of which I was thinking was one in the intervals of a dance, -or some entertainment of the kind. Surely you must see the need for -secrecy? It is not merely that my brother must not marry you. He must -marry some one else.” -</p> - -<p> -Cyril had his revenge for all the unpleasantness of the morning, for -Nadia, after one wild start, stood as if she had been turned to stone. -</p> - -<p> -“Another girl?” she gasped at last. “Who is she? Do I know her? No; -don’t tell me her name. I shall hear it quite soon enough, and I don’t -want to hate her. Some princess? and she is to marry him?—and he is -mine!” -</p> - -<p> -“I am sure you must see,” Cyril went on quietly, “that both for her -sake and his we must get this matter settled without any fuss.” -</p> - -<p> -“If she marries him, I don’t think a little trouble would hurt her,” -said Nadia, enviously. -</p> - -<p> -“I hope it may be so. But you must remember that this marriage would -be an arranged thing—a literal <i>mariage de convenance</i>, indeed. We -could hardly expect her to feel towards Caerleon as—as you do, and -although, if she cared for him, she might overlook even a scandal, yet -if she did not, the merest whisper might turn her against him. Without -considering her feelings in such a case at all, you must remember that -it would be very painful indeed for Caerleon. I am sure you would not -wish their married life to be unhappy.” -</p> - -<p> -“If she married him for the sake of the crown, she would deserve to be -unhappy,” said Nadia. -</p> - -<p> -“I am afraid we must leave that to her own conscience,” said Cyril. -</p> - -<p> -“Conscience!” cried Nadia, “and what of yours? If the King ever -discovers what you have been doing this morning, I think—I should be -almost sorry—even for you.” -</p> - -<p> -“I leave myself in your hands, you see, in perfect confidence.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh yes, honour among thieves!” said Nadia, bitterly. “We are both -plotting against the King, and therefore we may well keep faith with -one another. Have you delivered all your messages now, Lord Cyril? If -so, I must ask you to go, for I am busy. Pray ring for a waiter to -attend you down-stairs.” -</p> - -<p> -She gave him a distant bow, and remained standing by the table, tall -and rigid, until he was out of sight, then dragged herself slowly -across the corridor to her own room, groping with outspread hands as -though she had been in darkness, opened the door, entered, locked it, -and threw herself on the floor, a shuddering, sobbing heap. -</p> - -<p> -“Quite an exciting morning!” said Cyril to himself, as he strolled -back to the palace. “It’s a pity that that Nadia girl can’t be queen, -after all. She is cut out for ruling a nation given to revolutions, -like this one. I can fancy her facing a yelling mob without turning a -hair. But melodrama in daily life is a bore. After our conversation -one feels mean, somehow—rather as if one had been committing murder.” -</p> - -<p> -<br/> -</p> - -<p> -All unconscious of what Nadia stigmatised as the plot against his -happiness, Caerleon spent the morning in the balcony of the Hôtel de -Ville, listening, with what patience he might, to speeches of which he -could not understand a word. It was his first opportunity of making -the acquaintance of the other members of the Drakovics Ministry, who -were on ordinary occasions rather cast into the shade by the -commanding personality of their chief. The greater number of them were -country gentlemen, belonging to the class of landed proprietors which -formed the backbone of the nation, since each man’s tenants and -villagers followed his lead in peace and war as his feudal vassals. -Living in rude plenty, untouched by the influence of western luxury, -on their own estates, these chieftains had found their patriotic and -religious instincts outraged by the irregular life and Scythian -sympathies of the late king, and they had given their support loyally -to M. Drakovics at the time of the revolution, believing him to be the -only man who could save the State from the various dangers which -threatened it. They had accepted posts in the Administration merely in -order that the prestige of their names might assist the Premier in his -task, and he reciprocated the service by allowing them to remain at -their ease in the country unless their presence was demanded at the -capital on some important occasion, such as a parliamentary crisis; -but they had rallied around him to-day in their full strength without -being summoned, conspicuous in their rich national costume, -magnificent with fur and gold embroideries. Caerleon they were -prepared to welcome as the Premier’s choice, but their first meeting -with him disposed them to take a fancy to him for his own sake; and -when some one had remembered that the English were supposed to be, as -a nation, lovers of sport, he received so many invitations to come and -hunt various animals that he might have imagined that life in Thracia -was mainly devoted to the chase. -</p> - -<p> -The persons who in reality carried on the work of government were not -the grey-haired chiefs who surrounded their new King, but the army of -inferior officials to whom the Scythian newspapers were wont to refer -scathingly as “briefless barristers and unsuccessful journalists.” -They were western to a fault, wore their black broadcloth as though to -the manner born, and it was easy to see that it was on them, and not -on the titular heads of their departments, that M. Drakovics relied -for the prosecution of his policy. Each of these men was directly -responsible to him, for the nominal Ministers relied on him to tell -them what papers they were to sign, and what orders they were to give, -and he sent them as subordinates whom he chose. On these subordinates -he could depend, for he had raised them from their original obscurity -to the position they occupied at present, and all their interests were -bound up with his, so that they were ready to cling to him through -thick and thin. Perilous as such an autocracy may appear, the dangers -which usually accompany an experiment of the kind had not as yet shown -themselves in any great degree, probably owing to the common peril -from Scythia which menaced ruler and ruled alike, while the -administration of King Peter Franza had been so corrupt that the -people hailed the present one as a foretaste of the millennium. -</p> - -<p> -During the greater part of the time Caerleon found abundant interest -in watching the throng around him, while the Ministers made speeches -one after the other, or presented loyal addresses from the districts -they represented, and the people in the market-place cheered whenever -they caught an allusion to the revolution or to the new King. When -this preliminary business was over, M. Drakovics came forward for the -most important event of the day—the speech which was to explain the -postponement of the coronation. As he proceeded, Caerleon became -interested in spite of his ignorance of the language, for the -Premier’s tones and gestures were almost eloquent enough to take the -place of words. He had appeared hitherto as an astute politician, -genuinely patriotic, no doubt, according to his lights, but not -capable of any very lofty flight of imagination. But now Caerleon -could wonder no longer at his power of swaying the susceptible -Thracians, since he himself could feel the force of his scathing -denunciation of the former <i>régime</i>, his reference to the revolution, -brief yet full of meaning, his indignant declaration that to Scythia, -their constant enemy, they owed the two years of uncertainty and -instability which had retarded the rightful development of the -country, and his joyful reminder that at last they had found a prince -willing to cast in his lot with theirs, and to dare and suffer as a -Thracian. When the wild outburst of cheering which followed the last -sentence had ceased, M. Drakovics continued in a lower voice, charged -with deep meaning. Scythian jealousy was not yet dead, Scythian enmity -was not even slumbering; already had an attempt been made to prevent -the ratification of the people’s choice. Be it so! Thracia was in no -hurry; she would delay the ceremony of crowning her king for a while, -and make more seemly preparations for conducting it with fitting -splendour. Scythia had endeavoured to brand the opening of the new -reign with a bad omen, by the destruction of the ancient relic which -was at once the sign and the home of the nation’s faith; but Thracia -would turn the omen into one of joy, for as St Peter’s chapel rose -stronger and more beautiful from its ashes, so would the kingdom of -Carlino rise powerful and pure from the unavoidable disorders of the -revolution, and the oppression and corruption which had marked the -rule of Peter Franza and Ivan Sertchaieff. -</p> - -<p> -“If that man’s words are equal to his voice and manner,” said Caerleon -to himself, as M. Drakovics ceased, “he must be one of the greatest -orators in the world.” -</p> - -<p> -More speeches from different representatives of the people followed; -but at last the King was able to return to the palace, and to seek his -brother in the room which M. Drakovics had recommended should be -allotted to him for the performance of his duties as Caerleon’s -secretary. Cyril was testing the security of the cupboards which lined -the panelled walls, and he was so resolutely bent on expatiating on -the business-like appearance of his surroundings that it was some time -before Caerleon could put the question he was anxious to ask. -</p> - -<p> -“Well, did you see her?” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, Miss O’Malachy?” asked Cyril, raising his eyebrows. “Yes, I saw -her. I can’t say that she impressed me favourably. She never does, -somehow.” -</p> - -<p> -“Happily it’s not necessary that she should,” returned Caerleon, -sharply. “When am I to see her?” -</p> - -<p> -“I have been thinking about that, and I can’t find an opportunity -earlier than that ball which the municipality are to give next week.” -</p> - -<p> -“But how am I to speak to her when we are dancing?” -</p> - -<p> -“You don’t imagine she would dance? You must sit out, of course. This -is how we shall have to work it. I will ask her to sit out with me, -and take her into the conservatory, or some place of that kind, where -you will be waiting. Then I’ll keep guard until you have said what you -want to say (I hope and trust it won’t take long), and I will convoy -her back to her mother.” -</p> - -<p> -“I think I am capable of doing that,” said Caerleon. -</p> - -<p> -“Yes, if she accepts you; but I don’t for a moment think she will. You -see what I mean, old man?—it seems rather a nasty thing to say—but I -don’t believe she cares for you sufficiently. She’s as proud as -Lucifer, and people are bound to say that she married you for the sake -of the crown. Would she be able to stand it?” -</p> - -<p> -“I believe she is sensible enough not to care what people say if she -once sees that it is right to marry me. But you never have understood -her. Look here, Cyril; why should we put it off so long? Let us give a -ball ourselves one evening this week.” -</p> - -<p> -“How can we, when you haven’t a lady at the head of affairs? You might -let yourself in for most horrible awkwardness. I don’t even know -whether it would be proper for Madame O’Malachy to bring her daughter. -You can’t go compromising yourself in the eyes of Europe in this way. -Don’t think of giving balls until you are married, unless you like to -get Mrs Sadleir out from home, and introduce her as your aunt and the -natural head of your establishment.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’m certain she would never come,” said Caerleon, gloomily. “But -after all,” and his face brightened, “perhaps it is as well to wait -for a week. If I can tell Nadia that I have come to some conclusion on -the question of initiating temperance legislation, it may please her, -so I will set to work at once. I am going to send to England for some -books I want. I don’t know whether there is anything you would like me -to order for you at the same time?” -</p> - -<p> -“Give me the list, and let me write,” said Cyril, quickly. “You have a -secretary now, Caerleon, and you mustn’t go sending orders to -tradesmen with your own royal hand. It’s making yourself too cheap.” -</p> - -<p> -But writing to a London bookseller was an inconsiderable trifle -compared with the work which Caerleon proceeded to undertake as a -necessary consequence of his promise to Nadia. Cyril showed no -inclination for the inquisitorial rambles he meditated, and he was -therefore obliged to secure the services of the detective whom M. -Drakovics had recommended, and who spoke English sufficiently well to -be of use. Under his guidance, the King paid surprise visits to -different parts of his capital at various hours of the day, mingling -freely with the people who thronged the <i>cafés</i> and there spent their -time in drinking brandy and discussing politics. It was in vain to -attempt any disguise, for the Thracians knew their sovereign’s height -and figure too well for anything of the kind to be successful; but -they are a polite nation, and when Caerleon came among them -<i>incognito</i>, they did not appear to recognise him, perceiving that he -wished to acquaint himself with the characteristics of the national -life. Perhaps they were also a little flattered by the interest he -showed in their favourite pursuits, for they were always ready to -talk, and through the medium of his escort he obtained a great deal of -valuable information, the result of which went far to convince him -that Nadia was in the right, and that temperance legislation of some -kind was a crying need of the country. There seemed to be no effective -restraint on the sale of spirits, and during the last two years more -especially the vendors had reaped a golden harvest. The feeling of -uncertainty and unrest caused by the revolution, and the delay in -obtaining a king, had disposed the people to indulge in much talk and -speculation on political subjects; and to enjoy this to its fullest -extent, it was natural that they should resort to the <i>cafés</i>, where -coffee proved inadequate to quench their patriotic thirst. That some -change must be made in this state of affairs if the country was to -prosper, Caerleon was not slow to recognise, and the wisdom of his -decision was confirmed by the statistics which M. Drakovics obtained -at his request from Government officers all over Thracia; so that the -subject cost him much anxious thought during the week which preceded -the municipal ball at the Hôtel de Ville. -</p> - -<p> -For Cyril, also, this was a period not devoid of anxiety. In spite of -all his precautions, the secret of Caerleon’s admiration for Nadia had -become public property. The disclosure was mainly due to an American -journalist who was supposed to be writing up the minor Courts of -Europe for the benefit of aspiring New York belles, and who had -hastened to Thracia as soon as he heard of the accession of a bachelor -king, and taken up his quarters at the Hôtel Occidental. At the -<i>table d’hôte</i> he fell in with the O’Malachy family, and was -immediately captivated by the cosmopolitan charms of Madame O’Malachy. -From her he learnt all that there was to be learnt about the new -sovereign, and not improbably a good deal more; and since nothing is -sacred to the New Journalist, he worked up all that he heard into what -he called “A Real Royal Romance,” for the columns of the paper he -represented. The details caused great excitement among the heiresses -of the Fifth Avenue, and filtered gradually back, through the medium -of English and Parisian newspapers, to those of Bellaviste, where M. -Drakovics, after reading them, made Cyril’s life a burden to him. -</p> - -<p> -“There has been frightful mismanagement somewhere!” he cried, charging -into the secretary’s office on the very morning of the municipal ball, -after Cyril had with difficulty restrained him hitherto from issuing -edicts for the suppression of the offending newspapers and the -expulsion of the American special correspondent. “This is the point to -which your diplomacy has led us, milord. Here is the editor of the -‘Empire City Crier’ telegraphing to this Mr Hicks, ‘Cable immediately -full particulars of Miss O’Malachy’s appearance, style of dress, taste -in perfumes and bonbons. All the latest novelties here are named after -her. Send any recent portraits.’ And here in Bellaviste we have the -whole female population, from the wives of the Ministers to the -shop-girls, crowding the street in front of the hotel to catch a -glimpse of her, and insisting on dressing their hair like hers. It is -intolerable!” -</p> - -<p> -“It is,” assented Cyril. “But I hope this state of affairs will come -to an end to-day. If it does not, I shall perceive that in some way or -other you have failed to adhere to our compact. Have confidence in me, -and you will see that it will be all right. Only you must be -absolutely passive at the ball to-night; and if you happen to miss my -brother from the room at the same time as Miss O’Malachy, merely try -to cover his absence as far as possible. If you don’t, I give you fair -warning, I’ll advise her to marry him.” -</p> - -<p> -“Naturally I will keep to our agreement, milord,” said M. Drakovics, -and went away unhappy. But Cyril was doomed not to be left in peace -this morning. Another visitor was announced—this time the O’Malachy, -who entered with his most military air, and with a look of repressed -sadness on his face. -</p> - -<p> -“Come to play the outraged parent!” groaned Cyril, mentally, and he -was not mistaken. The O’Malachy refused to take a chair, and stood -tall and solemn in the middle of the floor, looking at Cyril more in -sorrow than in anger. -</p> - -<p> -“Lord Cyrul,” he said, “I’m aware that your position and ours have -changed since circumstances first introjuced us to each other. But I -am still a father, with a father’s feelings, and the representatuv of -the ancient kings of Leitrum is not a man that can rightly be -slighted. I’d willingly have remained with me family in our modust -obscurity, but we have been removed from ut by the King’s action. I am -not an ambitious man, there’s no one can accuse me of thrusting me -daughter upon his Majusty, but neither will I have a slur cast upon -her. You know as well as I do how greatly your brother sought me -daughter’s presence until a week ago. Since then he has never come -near her, and people are talking. I ask you plainly, what are his -Majusty’s intentions?” -</p> - -<p> -“The most honourable possible,” replied Cyril, with suitable -seriousness. “I may mention to you, in the strictest confidence, that -my brother is hoping to propose to Miss O’Malachy at the ball -to-night. Of course she will be there?” -</p> - -<p> -“The last thing I heard was that she did not dance, and would not -come,” said the O’Malachy, ruefully. Cyril smiled. -</p> - -<p> -“I think Madame O’Malachy will be able to induce her to come, if you -take them a special message from me to say that her presence is -indispensable,” he said. -</p> - -<p> -“Ah now, if you could write that to them in the King’s name?” -suggested the O’Malachy, brightening. -</p> - -<p> -“Wouldn’t you like to have it to show?” thought Cyril. Aloud he added, -“I think you must know, O’Malachy, that M. Drakovics is bent upon the -King’s marrying some lady belonging to a royal house. Under these -circumstances, it is as well not to give him any opportunity of -interfering until my brother has settled things with Miss O’Malachy. -Such a paper as you propose might lead to complications with him.” -</p> - -<p> -“I dislike all this secrecy greatly,” grumbled the O’Malachy. “Why -would not his Majusty have given some public hint of his intentions? -’Twould have been an excellent opporchunity when he gazetted umself -honorary colonel of the Carlino Regiment.” -</p> - -<p> -“My dear O’Malachy, would you have him imply that your daughter was -ready to jump at his offer?” asked Cyril, and he looked rather -nonplussed. -</p> - -<p> -“I’ll not keep you longer now,” he said, moving towards the door. “You -understand, Lord Cyrul, that in case of—of an alliance between your -family and mine, me wife and I would esteem ut alike our juty and our -pleasure to place what little experience and influence we may possess -at the disposal of his Majusty and the Thracian Government?” -</p> - -<p> -“What a double-dyed old traitor he is!” thought Cyril, as he returned -from seeing his visitor to the door. “I believe I should prefer his -enmity to his friendship.” -</p> - -<p> -And having disposed of the matter satisfactorily, he applied himself -to more important business, not thinking again of the evening until it -was time to dress for the ball. -</p> - - -<h3 id="ch09"> -CHAPTER IX.<br/> -<span class="chap_sub">A WOMAN OF HER WORD.</span> -</h3> - -<p class="noindent"> -<span class="sc">The</span> ball given by the municipality of Bellaviste at the Hôtel de -Ville in honour of their new King was the grandest entertainment ever -seen in the city. Every one who had the slightest claim to receive an -invitation was present, with the exception of the agents representing -the various Powers, and the staffs of their respective consulates, who -held themselves severely aloof from a festivity of which the <i>raison -d’être</i> was the social inauguration of a sovereignty not recognised -by the arbiters of European opinion. The display of Thracian costumes -and Parisian toilettes was dazzling, but the observed of all observers -were Madame O’Malachy and her daughter, who were by no means among the -smartest people present. Mr Hicks, the American newspaper -correspondent, who had attended so many society functions that he knew -as much about female dress as the cleverest lady paragraphist that -ever reported an aristocratic wedding, was inclined to be dissatisfied -with Nadia’s appearance. There was a kind of affectation of humility, -he thought, a too evident desire to emphasise the distance between -Caerleon and herself, in her severely plain dress of black net, cut -barely low enough to pass muster on such an occasion, and in the -absence of any relief, such as might have been afforded by flowers or -ornaments, that marked it. It was true that her beautiful head and -shoulders appeared to derive additional grace from the simplicity of -their surroundings, but there was something unsuitable about the -general effect. Did the beggar-maid don her oldest rags when Cophetua -came to woo her? Mr Hicks thought not. And again, why did Miss -O’Malachy look so like a victim led to the sacrifice as she followed -her mother into the room, and so anxious and unhappy when her eye -rested on the King? Mere excitement would not account for her troubled -expression, and she was sure enough of her prize not to be fearful as -to the outcome of the ordeal of the evening. Could it be possible that -she did not reciprocate the King’s affection? Was it—could it be—Mr -Hicks ground his teeth as he intercepted a disapproving glance -levelled at Nadia by Cyril, and felt for one agonised moment that he -had missed the most thrilling point of his romance—was there a -rivalry between the brothers? -</p> - -<p> -“I call it real mean of the old lady never to have given me a hint,” -he groaned, thinking of the extra columns of copy such an intimation -would have supplied, but presently he grew calm again. “There’s -nothing of the sort, or those two fellows couldn’t carry on as they -are doing. A woman can be as sweet as possible to another when she -hates her like poison; but two men can’t be easy together when they -have quarrelled over a girl.” -</p> - -<p> -Reassured to find that he had not let slip an opportunity of gaining -information, he set himself once more to watch the glittering scene -and observed that Caerleon invited Nadia to dance with him as soon as -he had done his duty to the wives of the city fathers. He saw Madame -O’Malachy’s thrill of anxious expectation as the King approached her, -and divined instantly that the offer of such an honour was in itself -equivalent to a proposal of marriage. But Nadia declined it, although -her watchful mother softened the refusal by adding that she did not -dance. -</p> - -<p> -“He shouldn’t have come to ask her himself,” soliloquised Mr Hicks, -who knew a good deal more about the etiquette proper for royalty than -did most of the exalted personages at whose Courts he sojourned. -“Ought to have sent his brother, or his equerry—if he has one. And -she had no business to refuse, anyway. A girl that don’t dance ought -not to go to Court balls.” -</p> - -<p> -But although he turned away with a feeling of lordly contempt for -people who could manage their affairs so badly, Mr Hicks took care not -to lose sight of Nadia during the evening. More than half the -programme had been gone through when he saw Cyril sauntering up to -her. He also saw Nadia shiver slightly, then sit very erect, and he -guessed that the fateful moment had come. -</p> - -<p> -“Will you sit out this dance with me?” asked Cyril, adjusting one of -his sleeve-links as he spoke. The American, watching him, thought the -action a piece of aristocratic rudeness, but Cyril was merely doing -his best not to look towards Madame O’Malachy. If she should gain from -his face an inkling of his compact with her daughter, she was quite -capable, he was sure, of making a scene in public, supposing that she -judged it to be to her interest to do so, and he felt much relieved -when he had succeeded in avoiding her eye, and had left her engrossed -in conversation with Mr Hicks. With Nadia on his arm, he led the way -to one of the smaller balconies, which were curtained off from the -corridors, and decorated with plants and palms, and here he found her -a seat. -</p> - -<p> -“Caerleon may not be here just yet,” he said. “I saw him dancing with -Madame Sertchaieff just now. He has to be civil to her, you know, as -she is the War Minister’s wife.” He went on talking lightly in his -ordinary tones, and did not testify any resentment when Nadia -vouchsafed no answer to his cheerful commonplaces, but sat still, her -rigid hands outstretched before her and locked in one another, until -her face changed suddenly at the sound of a footstep without. -</p> - -<p> -“I was very lucky in getting off so soon,” said a voice, and Caerleon -drew back the curtain and stood before them, in all the magnificence -of the full-dress uniform of the Carlino Regiment. “I caught my spur -in Madame Sertchaieff’s dress,” he went on, “and tore it so badly that -she had to go and get it sewn up. Now, Cyril, old man, if you will add -to your kindness by making yourself scarce for a little while, I shall -be much obliged.” -</p> - -<p> -Resisting the temptation to give Nadia a last glance of warning, Cyril -departed obediently, and mounted guard in the corridor outside with an -air of philosophical calmness, which he was very far from feeling. If -she should fail him now! “It would make Thracia too hot to hold me,” -he mused, “for she’s bound to tell Caerleon the whole story at once,” -and he shifted his position impatiently as he pictured the look of -pain and aversion which the revelation would bring into Caerleon’s -honest eyes. He would have been still more anxious as to the results -of his diplomacy if he could have heard the words in which, without -wasting time on preliminaries, his brother went straight to the matter -in hand. -</p> - -<p> -“I am going to ask you to make a great sacrifice for me, Nadia. Those -silly women out there may think that it’s something very grand to be -Queen of Thracia, but you know better, and so do I. It means -isolation, and worry, and being opposed and thwarted in what you have -set your heart on, and it is very likely to mean danger, perhaps -death. There are not many women I could ask to share these things with -me; but I think that you care for me enough to be willing to help me -through it all.” -</p> - -<p> -He had struck the right chord at once, and the eloquence of Nadia’s -eyes encouraged him to go on. -</p> - -<p> -“I know,” he said, taking her hands in his, “that it doesn’t sound the -proper thing for me to throw it all on you, and ask you to take me as -a charity, but it seems to appeal to you more strongly if it is put in -that light. Doesn’t it signify to you at all that I care for you, -Nadia? that I have loved you since the very first day I saw you? I -don’t believe you realise in the least what you are to me. I wish I -could make you understand how I love you. Look at me—look into my -eyes, and perhaps you will see.” -</p> - -<p> -But Nadia shivered, and drew her hands out of his clasp. The vehemence -of his tone frightened her, and she dared not meet his eye. She could -not say a word, for the lump which had suddenly risen in her throat -seemed to choke her. He noticed her agitation, and tried to speak more -calmly. -</p> - -<p> -“I am sure you can’t possibly know,” he said, “what a revelation it is -to a man who has become accustomed to look at things in an ordinary -everyday way, to be brought into close contact with a woman whose sole -idea is to do right. One’s courage fails sometimes, when one is alone -against the world, and I want you to help me to do what ought to be -done for the kingdom.” -</p> - -<p> -“I can’t marry you,” gasped Nadia, looking up at him with anguished -eyes; “it would not be right.” -</p> - -<p> -“Not right! Why not?” he asked in astonishment. -</p> - -<p> -“On account of so many things. My parents—Louis——” -</p> - -<p> -“I am sure you need not trouble yourself about them,” said Caerleon, -with an involuntary smile at the thought of the ease with which the -O’Malachy family would almost certainly be managed. “Louis is provided -for in the army, and your father and mother will give up their -wandering life, and settle down quietly here.” -</p> - -<p> -“But it is myself!” cried Nadia, desperately. “I am not what you want -in a wife, not good enough, not—not important enough. I should do -nothing but bring trouble upon you. I am afraid to marry you. I dare -not do it. I will not.” -</p> - -<p> -“I think you will, when you understand how much I want you,” said -Caerleon, with all the spirit of his fighting forefathers roused by -her opposition. “Why, I am offering you work, and you know you have -often told me that it is wrong to refuse work when it comes in one’s -way. You cannot tell me that you mean to cast me off because you are -afraid of the silly remarks people will make?” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, why will you make me say it?” she cried, driven to bay by his -tone. “I will not marry you, then, because you ought to marry a -princess—some one who has been brought up to be a queen, and whose -family will be a support to you in Europe. That is what you must do.” -</p> - -<p> -“Nadia!” he said in astonishment, “you tell me to marry a stranger, -when I love you? You can’t think that right?” -</p> - -<p> -“I know,” she said, despairingly. “It all seems to me horribly, -fearfully wrong, but it must be right, because it is so hard to do.” -</p> - -<p> -“You are in love with martyrdom,” he said, with unwonted sternness; -“but you have no right to try to sacrifice me as well as yourself.” -</p> - -<p> -“Very well, say that I am in love with martyrdom, then,” she answered, -drearily. “Persuade yourself that I love it better than I do you.” -</p> - -<p> -“I have no doubt you do,” returned Caerleon; “but I have the -misfortune to love you better than an utterly unnecessary sacrifice.” -</p> - -<p> -“And I,” she said, “love you so much that for your sake I can separate -myself from you for ever.” -</p> - -<p> -“Is that your idea of love?” he asked bitterly, but with something of -dismay in his voice. -</p> - -<p> -“It is,” she answered. -</p> - -<p> -“But, Nadia, this is monstrous!” he cried. “You tell me that you love -me, and yet you order me to marry some one else. You must know that -such a thing can’t be right. Sit down here quietly, and let us talk -the matter out. I think you will see that you are cruelly unfair.” -</p> - -<p> -“I daresay I should,” said Nadia, refusing to take the seat to which -he tried to draw her. “I have not a doubt that you could convince -me—make me yield, at any rate, since my own heart is on your side. -But you will not. I know that you are stronger than I am, and you will -not take an ignoble advantage of your strength to make me do what I -know is wrong. Think,” as he gazed at her in silence, “how we should -feel, if I married you, and our marriage plunged Thracia into -misfortunes—if you were forced to abdicate.” -</p> - -<p> -“I should do it with a good conscience, and go home happily with you,” -returned Caerleon, with unexpected promptness. “If that’s all, I’ll -abdicate now. What do I care for the kingdom? There has been nothing -but worry and rumours of approaching trouble since I accepted it, and -if it’s to come between you and me, I’ll have nothing more to do with -it.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh no, no,” entreated Nadia, clinging to his arm as he turned towards -the doorway. “Don’t talk like that! Let me believe in you still. You -accepted the kingdom because it was right, for the sake of the people, -and I know you will govern wisely. Don’t let me be disappointed in -you. If I can give you up because it is right, you can give me up. I -can bear anything if I am sure that I can trust you to go on as you -have begun.” -</p> - -<p> -“What can I do?” broke out Caerleon in his despair. “You do your best -to break my heart, and then you expect me not even to struggle. Nadia, -have you no pity? Give me some hope. Say that after a year—two -years—any length of time—I may speak to you again. What is a man to -do when you bring up his own sense of honour against him?” -</p> - -<p> -“He must submit,” said Nadia. Caerleon stood looking at her in -silence, his heart protesting wildly against the barriers she had -raised between them. It was on his lips to say, “You have told me you -love me, and that’s enough. Nothing shall part us.” He felt sure that -his love must prevail over her scruples; she had said so herself. But -she had appealed to his chivalry; how could he disappoint her? The -struggle was a cruel one, and he turned away from her without a word. -She saw her advantage, and went on— -</p> - -<p> -“I know you will let me be proud of you still. You won’t know where I -am, but I shall always watch what you are doing, and I shall feel glad -to think that perhaps I have helped you—a little. And then some day -you will meet some one whom it is right for you to marry, and you will -remember that I wished it——” -</p> - -<p> -“Are you trying to drive me mad, Nadia?” he cried, turning upon her -fiercely. “If you told me you did not care for me, I could bear it -better. But it makes one feel such a fool, when you have said you love -me, to stand back and let you go. How can you expect it of me?” -</p> - -<p> -“It is right,” she answered, slowly. -</p> - -<p> -“Let me kiss you once, only once,” he entreated. -</p> - -<p> -“Oh no, no, no!” she almost shrieked, feeling that her resolution must -give way at the touch of his lips. “Keep your kisses for your bride!” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t think I have deserved that,” he said, bitterly. “Understand -once for all, Nadia, that you need not lay the flattering unction to -your soul that I shall comfort myself as you please yourself by -imagining I shall do. I can’t marry you against your will, but I won’t -marry any other woman. Until I met you I thought that I should never -marry, and now that you won’t have me I know it. It is you or no one, -and you will cheerfully sacrifice me to a fancied scruple——” -</p> - -<p> -“You see that you are well rid of me,” said Nadia. -</p> - -<p> -“Nonsense!” cried Caerleon. “I love you more than ever. I can’t do -without you. Just think of the life to which you are condemning me. To -be alone always, never to be able to get away from the glare and rush -of public life, never to have any one to cheer me on, never to have a -home. I thought you would have helped me. I thought you would be there -to advise me when I could not see my way clearly. You always seem to -be sure of the right path at once. Do you really think that marrying -the Emperor of Scythia’s daughter—if I had the faintest intention of -taking the advice you have been giving me to-night—would ever make up -for that? I don’t mean to marry to strengthen my position in Europe. I -want a wife who will look at things without fear or favour, and help -me to do what is right. Isn’t this a mission for you? Tell me, my -dearest, is there no chance for me?” -</p> - -<p> -“None,” she answered, with difficulty, the fervency of his pleading -almost destroying her power of speech. “Please, please, say no more. -You cannot tell how my heart is longing to say Yes; but I dare not -yield. Don’t you see that all the course of our lives has been leading -up to this—to the great choice between right and wrong? It is right -now to think of the kingdom, and not of ourselves, and so I can be -strong to refuse you for your own sake. It is hard for you, I know, -but I think it is harder for me. You can stand alone, but I—oh! I -could not do it if I was not sure it was right. Never, never think -that I did not love you. Please let me go.” He loosed her hands, and -she drew aside the curtain and passed out, looking back at him as he -stood watching her in despairing silence, then tapped Cyril on the -shoulder with her fan. “Will you kindly take me back to my mother, -Lord Cyril? She was intending to leave early.” -</p> - -<p> -Mr Hicks, when in after days he related his impressions of the -incidents of that evening, whether in conversation or in the columns -of the ‘Empire City Crier,’ was wont to remark, with much originality -and force, that coming events cast their shadows before them, and that -there is no accounting for the sympathetic movements of certain finely -constituted minds. This was his way of leading up to the striking fact -that while he and Madame O’Malachy were in the midst of a pleasant -chat, in which the reputations of various Thracian notabilities -suffered rather severely, the lady broke off suddenly in the course of -a sentence and sighed deeply. In response to his anxious inquiries, -she assured him that she was not ill, but that she felt a presentiment -of coming misfortune,—“and at such a time as this,” she added, “you, -monsieur, as a friend of the family, will be at no loss to understand -the subject of my anxiety. You will pardon a mother’s weakness, but it -is hard to see two young lives wrecked by an obstinate pride. You have -watched with interest the course of the attachment—the royal idyl, as -I might call it—between the King and my daughter, and I know you will -sympathise with me in my fear lest Nadia, in her sensitive delicacy, -should have refused her lover through fear of being supposed to covet -his throne.” -</p> - -<p> -“And you’ll scarcely believe me,” Mr Hicks was accustomed to continue, -ignorant that by means of a mirror behind him Madame O’Malachy had -noticed Nadia approaching her from the other end of the room, and -discerned in an instant that her companion was not Caerleon, “but the -words were not out of her mouth when I saw Lord Cyril in the distance, -with Miss O’Malachy on his arm as white as a sheet, and I knew her -mother was right at once. No girl that had just accepted a king ever -went about with a face like that.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, Mr Hicks, do tell!” his enraptured audience would exclaim; and Mr -Hicks would go on to detail how Madame O’Malachy had turned as white -as her daughter on seeing her face, but had said calmly that the heat -of the room was too much for Miss Nadia, and they must go home; and -how she had turned to him with a sorrowful look that went to his -heart, and whispered, “My kind friend, do this for us. If any one -speaks to you of the matter we were discussing, let it be known that -my daughter has refused his Majesty for the reason I feared.” -</p> - -<p> -In fulfilling this parting request Mr Hicks, as a gallant American, -and therefore a sworn servant of the fair sex, had spent the remainder -of the evening, only pausing to glance at the King as he passed -through the hall about half an hour later with set face and firmly -closed lips on his way back to the palace, on the plea of illness. To -the observer who had noted duly at the beginning of the entertainment -that “his Majesty looked extremely well, and conversed affably with -the different persons presented to him,” the change spoke volumes; but -other people were not quite so ready to accept Madame O’Malachy’s -explanation as he was. More than one of the chaperons with whom he -touched on the subject gave it as her opinion that the King had -informed Miss O’Malachy that he could not, consistently with his duty -to the nation, marry her; and that a harrowing scene had ensued. It -was extraordinary how widely it was known in the ballroom that -something of the kind had occurred, and Mr Hicks found his duty of -impressing Madame O’Malachy’s view of the case on his friends to be no -sinecure. But he persevered, for he sympathised deeply with her in her -disappointment, and he was also sorry for Nadia, who, as he rightly -supposed, would have a good deal to endure from her mother on the way -home. “Those outspoken, affectionate women can do an astonishing -amount of reproaching when they are once worked up,” he said to -himself; but he never dreamed of the storm of sarcasm and cruel -invective under which Nadia was writhing at the moment. -</p> - -<p> -The next day found Bellaviste society divided into two parties, one of -which accepted Madame O’Malachy’s account of the events of the evening -before, and believed that an insane pride had driven Nadia to refuse -the King; while the other, led by Madame Sertchaieff, and relying on -the authority of M. Drakovics, held that his Majesty had, more or less -directly, declined to marry her. Madame Sertchaieff was the great lady -of Bellaviste. As the wife of the Minister for War (the brother of the -Ivan Sertchaieff who had been the last Premier of the late king), she -took the lead in the society of the city, and derived no small honour -from the fact that her husband was the only member of the Ministry -whom M. Drakovics treated on anything approaching a footing of -equality. With every desire to make the Thracian army invincible, the -Premier was handicapped by an absolute ignorance of military affairs, -and since General Sertchaieff had turned his back on his brother and -his party to adopt the cause of the revolution, he left all the actual -work of the bureau in his hands, and also consulted him frequently on -the general policy of the Government. Consequently, when Madame -Sertchaieff (it is needless to say that she had not been among the -ladies whose eagerness to see Nadia had so deeply scandalised the -Premier) averred that she had guessed, from the excitement visible in -the King’s manner when he danced with her, that he was screwing up his -courage to the point of formally breaking off his relations with Miss -O’Malachy, and further hinted that the step had been taken on the -advice and with the full approval of M. Drakovics, she carried many of -her hearers with her. Curiosity was rife as to what would be the next -step on either side; but on the evening after the ball the public -excitement was cruelly balked by the news that the O’Malachy family, -with the exception of Louis, had left the city. They were gone because -it could not but be disagreeable to Miss O’Malachy to run the risk of -meeting her rejected lover at every turn, said Mr Hicks and his party; -because they had received a secret mandate from the police advising -them to depart, said Madame Sertchaieff and her friends; because the -O’Malachy and his wife, perceiving that there was no opening in -Thracia for their peculiar talents, had determined to return to the -service of their Scythian employers, thought Cyril. -</p> - -<p> -Had Cyril possessed a conscience in good working order, it might have -given him a certain amount of trouble at this time; but systematic -neglect and snubbing had reduced his to a condition in which, while it -prevented his full enjoyment of his achievements, it never interfered -with him during their performance, nor caused him to wish that they -had not succeeded. Like the British matron in “Locksley Hall,” he had -amassed “a little hoard of maxims,” or perhaps it would be more -correct to say impressions, during his social career, and these he -employed as balm whenever his conscience gave him a feeble prick. On -the subject of love and marriage these impressions were particularly -vivid. Every man, Cyril considered, was bound to fall in love a -greater or less number of times, and the malady was like the measles, -in that some took it slightly and others severely. Marriage was one of -the things which were better managed in France. Even as it was, every -sensible man with a name and a possible career married with a keen eye -to present and future advantage, but the alliance ought to be arranged -for him as soon as he entered public life, in order to avoid wasting -time in the unprofitable experiments mentioned above. Marrying for -love was a folly which only the most foolhardy of men would commit, -for when the love was gone—and in Cyril’s scheme of life it was bound -to go very soon—where were you? Circumstances had forced him hitherto -to acknowledge a possible exception in the case of his brother. It was -eminently desirable that Caerleon should marry; but it was equally -evident that he would not marry any one who did not captivate his -fancy, and when Nadia appeared on the scene Cyril saw no invincible -objection to his pleasing himself. His tastes were simple, and his -income, in ordinary years, quite sufficient for his moderate wants, so -that money was not a necessity; and if Nadia was not likely to achieve -a success in society, Caerleon, on his side, was too much of a faddist -ever to get on in Parliament, and thus it might be the most suitable -thing for them to settle down at Llandiarmid and elevate the peasantry -and lead the county. In this roseate view, as Cyril now ruefully -perceived, his wonted foresight had been badly at fault, for he ought -to have remembered the shadowy crown, the bestowal of which had since -changed everything. Nadia O’Malachy as Queen of Thracia was simply -<i>impossible</i>, and Caerleon ought to have seen this for himself. -</p> - -<p> -“Why, if I had been in his place,” thought Cyril, forgetting that -their views upon the subject were diametrically opposed, “I would have -settled the matter off my own bat, and not thrown it all on the girl.” -</p> - -<p> -It was in this view that, after seeing Madame O’Malachy and her -daughter to their carriage on the fateful evening, he had returned to -his brother, and found him still standing as Nadia had left him. -</p> - -<p> -“Anything up, old man?” he inquired, sympathetically. -</p> - -<p> -“She won’t have me,” responded Caerleon with a kind of dull despair. -</p> - -<p> -“I thought so.” Cyril was careful not to assume a tone of superiority, -which his brother might have resented under the circumstances. “Well, -one doesn’t object to a spice of pride in a girl, but this is rather -too much. I’m awfully——” -</p> - -<p> -“It was not what you think,” Caerleon interrupted quickly. “She -refused me because she thought it best—for the kingdom.” -</p> - -<p> -“If only Drakovics knew how completely she agreed with him!” murmured -Cyril. “But really, you know, Caerleon, such virtue is a little too -bright and good for daily life. It’s convenient for the rest of us -that there are people like that, though they might be rather -overpowering to live with, and all we can do is to profit at their -expense.” -</p> - -<p> -“If you came here to rot me about her——” began Caerleon, angrily. -</p> - -<p> -“I came to fetch you back to the ballroom. People are asking what has -become of you.” -</p> - -<p> -“Let them ask. You don’t imagine that I am going to dance again -to-night?” -</p> - -<p> -“I suppose you don’t mean to stay here. You had better get home. You -look seedy enough for anything. I’ll end up the business for you.” -</p> - -<p> -The offer was thankfully accepted, and it was late when Cyril returned -to the palace; but he saw by the lights in Caerleon’s rooms that he -was still awake, although a knock at the door only produced a mandate -from his brother to “go to bed, and let him alone.” But Cyril did not -sleep that night as soundly as a conscienceless man ought to do, and -whenever he awoke he heard Caerleon tramping backwards and forwards -through his series of rooms. -</p> - - -<h3 id="ch10"> -CHAPTER X.<br/> -<span class="chap_sub">REASONS OF STATE.</span> -</h3> - -<p class="noindent"> -<span class="sc">The</span> reader will without doubt expect to hear that the King appeared -in public at his usual hour the next morning, bearing the traces of -the night’s vigil in his haggard face and deeply lined brow; that he -went through the day’s business with invincible resolution, but with -an abstracted manner, the gloom of which was lightened by an -occasional unconquerable sigh; and that he frequently put his hand to -his forehead as though to push back the brooding weight of care which -oppressed him. It is disappointing to be obliged to chronicle the fact -that Caerleon made no attempt to act in this heroic but rather -harrowing fashion. He did not appear at all outside his own rooms, but -remained shut up in his study, where he buried himself in the piles of -blue-books and parliamentary reports for which he had sent to London, -growling at Cyril through the door when he besieged him in his -retreat, and sending word to M. Drakovics that if he had anything -special to communicate he might state his message in writing. For -three days he laboured unceasingly, consulting authorities, drawing -up, testing, and destroying draft schemes, guarded by the faithful -Wright, who had been summoned from the stables by a sudden message -from his master, and informed all comers that “’is Majesty was not to -be disturbed.” The fact that he would have found great pleasure in -knocking the Premier down, if he had attempted to force an entrance -into the room, undoubtedly contributed to the success of his -guardianship. -</p> - -<p> -It happened fortunately that nothing occurred during the three days to -render necessary an interview between the King and his Minister, and -Cyril and M. Drakovics, giving out that Caerleon had not yet recovered -from the illness which had attacked him at the ball, took things into -their own hands, and got through a large amount of important business. -In so far as international politics were concerned, their course lay -at present chiefly in the direction of bluff, for the Powers, scarcely -recovered from their surprise at Caerleon’s election, had not as yet -determined upon the action to be taken in the matter. Notes and -protests were flying about from cabinet to cabinet, and the papers -announced daily, with awful and mysterious joy, that such and such a -statesman had been closeted for over an hour with such and such a -potentate, or that this great personage had visited that great -personage, and that each had emerged from the interview with a clouded -brow. In England, Parliament was enjoying a long recess, and the few -stray politicians who were in the habit of arrogating to themselves an -interest in the peace of Europe were reduced to writing frantic -letters to the papers to demand that a special session should be -summoned immediately for the purpose of dethroning Caerleon, or else -to inquire why the Government did not at once recognise him as King of -Thracia, according to the direction taken by their respective -sympathies. -</p> - -<p> -But Cyril’s chief concern was with less responsible -individuals,—inventors who wished Caerleon to purchase the secret of -their new and destructive engines of warfare, or Englishmen who were -anxious either to enlist in the Thracian army or to raise a troop of -irregular horse in the King’s name. To them all Cyril replied with a -polite assurance that at the present moment the Thracian army was on -so satisfactory a footing that his Majesty had no intention of -increasing it, but that when he did so, the correspondent’s obliging -offer should be borne in mind. This form of words committed Caerleon -to nothing, while intimating also that although he desired peace he -was prepared for war, and it was calculated to convey a gentle warning -to Scythia, and to keep the rest of Europe in a state of agreeable -expectancy. Cyril was not a little pleased with his own capacity for -statecraft, and he did his best to raise the spirits of M. Drakovics, -who was inclined to fear that the King’s persistent seclusion -foreshadowed some kind of <i>coup d’état</i>, or even a determination to -govern altogether without a Minister in future. Caerleon was merely -working off his disappointment, Cyril assured the Premier, and he -would be all right in a day or two. But even Cyril had not calculated -on the manner in which his brother had employed his time in his -solitude. It was brought to his knowledge at last through the medium -of Wright, who on the third evening after the ball entered the -smoking-room, where Cyril was sitting with M. Drakovics, and laid a -large sealed envelope on the table between them. -</p> - -<p> -“’Is Majesty says, my lord, will you and ’is Excellency,” with a nod -in the direction of the Premier, “kindly read that, and be ready to -discuss with ’im to-morrow any improvements you can suggest.” -</p> - -<p> -It was with no small apprehension that Cyril and M. Drakovics, when -Wright had departed, opened and read the paper. They did not quite -know what they feared, but their brows grew no lighter as they -advanced, and at the close Cyril summed up in a tone of utter -despair— -</p> - -<p> -“A strict system of licensing to be established for three years all -through the kingdom, preparatory to the general adoption of a -modification of the Gothenburg scheme! It is the biggest thing ever -undertaken in the temperance way!” -</p> - -<p> -“It is absolutely impossible,” said M. Drakovics. “It cannot be done.” -</p> - -<p> -“I am very much afraid it will have to be done,” said Cyril, “if you -mean to keep your king. Caerleon has always been mad on the subject of -temperance. His extreme views on that question destroyed his chances -of office in England, and it would be just like him to risk his crown -by putting them forward now. Besides, monsieur, it is just possible he -may have noticed that there is sometimes a slight confusion as to -which of you is King and which is Minister, and that he means to have -it cleared up.” -</p> - -<p> -“It cannot be done,” repeated M. Drakovics, hopelessly, as he rose to -go home, taking the paper with him; but when he met his sovereign in -the morning he found that the plea of impossibility was not accepted. -</p> - -<p> -“I am not King for my own pleasure, nor did I come here to rule -Thracia in accordance with your ideas, M. Drakovics,” said Caerleon, -“but for her own good. If I can’t do that, I had better go back to -England.” -</p> - -<p> -“But this legislation is undertaken so suddenly—so early in your -Majesty’s reign,” objected M. Drakovics. -</p> - -<p> -“Exactly. The people are well affected towards me just now, and will -accept a change more readily than they would later, when things had -settled down. But of course I have no intention of forcing my views on -them against their will.” -</p> - -<p> -“Your Majesty will listen to my advice on the subject?” -</p> - -<p> -“As to the best method of introducing the scheme, certainly. I know -that you agree with me as to the necessity of stringent -legislation—you have said so several times. I think it will be best -to bring in the measure at once as a Government bill, letting it be -known at the same time that my retaining the crown depends upon its -passing without delay.” -</p> - -<p> -“This is interfering with the liberty of the subject with a -vengeance!” said Cyril. “Are you really bent on risking your crown in -this way, Caerleon?” -</p> - -<p> -“I will not rule over a nation of drunkards,” returned Caerleon. -</p> - -<p> -“But set to work gradually. Do things by degrees,” urged Cyril. -</p> - -<p> -“And establish vested interests,” said Caerleon, quickly, “and thus -have all our difficulties at home reproduced? No; things are in a -state of chaos at present, and there is just this chance of bringing -them into order. The more thoughtful among the people see that -something must be done, and the Thracians will understand—and -appreciate—a single act of authority—call it despotism if you -like—better than any amount of compromises.” -</p> - -<p> -“But why not go the whole hog, then, and decree prohibition right off? -I know that is what you temperance fanatics are always aiming at in -the far distance.” -</p> - -<p> -“Because it would simply lead to the spread of smuggling and secret -distilling, and an illicit traffic which the police would be bribed to -condone. They would be corrupted, and the people as bad as ever. -Moreover, we should need to revise our commercial treaties, especially -with Pannonia, so as to forbid the importation of spirits, and this is -too big a thing to be carried through in a hurry, particularly just -now. And then, though you call me a fanatic, I am not so bigoted a -temperance man as to feel called upon to deprive those people of -alcohol for whom a moderate amount of it may be desirable, or even -necessary. I merely wish to keep the younger generation from growing -up with a taste for dram-drinking, and to make it impossible for men -to meet at the <i>cafés</i> and muddle themselves with adulterated spirits -as they do now.” -</p> - -<p> -“But why fool about with licences at all, instead of establishing your -beloved Gothenburg system at once throughout the kingdom?” -</p> - -<p> -“Because our present statistics are so imperfect that we have no idea -either as to the number of existing public-houses, or the proportion -which would meet the actual needs of the country. At present, any man -who has a front yard and a table has only to borrow a bench or two and -get in a cask of spirits on credit, and there is a new dram-shop. To -buy out all these fellows at once would entail an expense impossible -for us to meet. In future, as you see, no further taverns are to be -opened, except by permission from the central authority, while each -year, by means of the sum of money I propose to appropriate for the -purpose from my civil list, the rights of a certain number of existing -proprietors will be compulsorily acquired. By the end of the third -year we ought to have reduced the multitude of public-houses to -something corresponding with the needs of the country, and then there -will be a chance for the Gothenburg system. The surviving publicans, -who will have been chosen for their good behaviour and careful -management during the three years of probation, will have become used -to State control, and will have the choice of continuing their -employment as salaried servants of the State, or of being bought out -at once. I know the scheme is not perfect, but it is the best I can -devise with the means at our disposal. We have to deal with the -Thracians as we find them.” -</p> - -<p> -“Then what are the advantages you claim?” -</p> - -<p> -“Restriction without confiscation, the limitation of public-houses to -the smallest possible number, the placing of control in the hands of -an impartial central department, with trustworthy inspectors at its -command, instead of biassed local bodies, and the chance of weaning -the younger generation from the drinking habits of their fathers.” -</p> - -<p> -“I call it grandmotherly legislation,” murmured Cyril. -</p> - -<p> -“There are worse things even than that. I am convinced that this is -our one opportunity of action, while the country is in its present -unsettled state. The licensing plan will be established before the -people know where they are, and according to the scheme that will -develop into the Gothenburg system as soon as the idea has become -general. If you will be so good as to have the Bill drafted, M. -Drakovics, I shall be glad to go through the several clauses with -you.” -</p> - -<p> -And Caerleon saw his brother and his Prime Minister retire -discomfited. The die was cast. He had embarked on the course Nadia had -pointed out, and begun the work to which she had urged him. At least -she would know that he was doing his best. His action might be -unconstitutional, but if so, that was for the people to resent. If -they were wise, they would prefer to be well governed, even by a -stretch of the royal prerogative, rather than continue in their -present state. If they were not wise, they might seek another king. -</p> - -<p> -But the Thracians proved that they were wise. Caerleon’s researches -into the social life of Bellaviste, and some of his speeches to -prominent persons since he had been in the city, had awakened public -feeling on the subject of the drinking customs of the community. The -chief desire of the people was to appear in the eyes of Europe as an -enlightened nation, and it was a grievous blow for them to discover -that they had struck their new King as an assemblage of drunkards. The -reproach must be rolled away, and the proposal for reform was -accordingly received with acclamation. M. Drakovics was sufficiently -far-sighted to perceive that divided councils at this juncture would -ruin the future of the kingdom without doing any good to the question, -and on the principle of giving up his own way with a good grace when -he surrendered it at all, he threw himself loyally into the King’s -scheme, bestowed endless trouble on the drafting and details of the -measure, and introduced it himself in one of his famous speeches. Nor -did his pains end here. It was necessary to press the Bill through all -its stages as quickly as possible, as, in spite of the enthusiasm with -which it was received, a strong opposition to its provisions soon made -itself felt, which gathered strength as time went on. The distillers -and shopkeepers of Bellaviste, who had been among the staunchest -supporters of the late king, but who had profited much by the -excitement of the revolution and the thirst it engendered, were -disposed to resist strenuously any interference with their thriving -trade of spirit-selling. Opposed to them were the bulk of the national -party, young students and politicians principally, with a sprinkling -of old patriots who remembered the emancipation of Thracia from the -Roumi yoke, and the simple and frugal life which had preceded the rule -of the later Franzas. These men had the courage of their convictions. -A temperance society, which had been founded by the wife of a former -British Consul-General, and had for some time led a languishing -existence in Bellaviste, took a new lease of life, and added numbers -of enthusiastic converts every day to its roll. Caerleon was -unanimously entreated to become the president, and consented to accept -the office, whereupon a loyal member made a suggestion for a new medal -bearing the King’s portrait, which was taken up with enthusiasm, and a -large supply ordered. From that day forward the display of a blue -ribbon, with one of these medals hanging from it, betokened the ardent -Carlinist; and those English reformers who deprecate the degrading of -the temperance question into a matter of party politics, would have -been forced to admit that in Bellaviste to have taken the pledge was -the unerring mark of a member of the national party. But in spite of -the ardour of the new converts, the voting power of the liquor-sellers -would have swamped the Bill in the Legislative Assembly, if M. -Drakovics had not summoned to his aid in the Upper House his -supporters from the provinces. The chieftains rallied around him at -his call, and since they all entertained a wholesome dislike and -contempt for the vices of the city, they voted with one accord for the -Bill, which was passed triumphantly into law. M. Drakovics stood by it -to the end without flinching; but when it had received the King’s -assent, he relieved his mind in private to Cyril. -</p> - -<p> -“One would scarcely have anticipated,” he said, “that the people would -so enthusiastically support the new King without once asking what were -the views of the old Minister.” -</p> - -<p> -“Why, what could you expect?” said Cyril. “You introduced the Bill; -naturally they thought you approved of it.” -</p> - -<p> -“They took it for granted,” said M. Drakovics. “The King is now -everything; I have only to execute his orders.” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes,” said Cyril, “you meant him to be figure-head, and he insists on -steering. It must be slightly disconcerting.” -</p> - -<p> -“You laugh at me, milord? I would ask you to remember that cases have -been known in history in which a Minister who has raised a King to -power has also deprived him of it.” -</p> - -<p> -“And other cases in which the King has dispensed with the services of -the Minister,” said Cyril, quickly. “I will back my reminiscences -against yours, M. Drakovics. But it is foolish to go on quoting modern -instances in this way, especially when you remember that Caerleon -doesn’t care a straw whether you deprive him of the kingdom or not. -You have done your best for the Bill, and laid my brother under an -obligation. You can’t do without him, nor he without you; so don’t let -us hear any more about dethroning kings and that sort of thing. It’s -very bad form to talk to me in that way, at any rate, and I don’t like -it. We shall rub along together very well if we are willing to give -and take on both sides. And to cheer you, I’ll tell you something that -will please you. I shouldn’t wonder if Caerleon has done a very good -stroke of business in getting this Bill passed.” -</p> - -<p> -“A good stroke for himself? Naturally so.” -</p> - -<p> -“And for the kingdom too. Here is a regular assemblage of English -papers which has just come in, and I have been looking through them to -see how our proceedings are regarded. Our own men, poor beggars! are -waiting for an authoritative pronouncement from the Government before -saying anything; though it is easy to see that they consider Caerleon -a rather dangerous lunatic at large. But the Radical papers, from -which I was anticipating floods of eloquence, are checked in their -wild career, most of them, by this Liquor Bill. They are nearly all -committed to temperance reform at home, and they positively can’t -slate the first man that’s courageous enough to try it, even if he is -defying their dearly beloved Scythia. Of course their cry is for -absolute prohibition; but none of them have been able to get so near -it as even to bring about the adoption of the Scandinavian system, and -though they scout the idea of compensation as unnecessary, they can’t -help respecting a man who sacrifices a third of his civil list to form -a fund for buying up licences. The non-temperance papers are rabid, -naturally. Caerleon is a faddist, and a Puritan, and an Exeter Hall -autocrat, and all the rest of it. In ‘Mendacity,’ Dickinson calmly—or -rather frantically—demands that he should be impeached, not for his -temperance legislation, of course, but for poaching on Scythia’s -preserves. Rather a fine idea to impeach the king of a foreign -country, whom you can’t possibly get hold of, isn’t it?” -</p> - -<p> -“Then the English papers have awakened to a knowledge of our -proceedings at last?” said M. Drakovics, with rather a sickly smile. -“The Government has given no indication of its policy as yet, I -suppose?” -</p> - -<p> -“No,” returned Cyril; “but I think there is a storm brewing.” -</p> - -<p> -“Ah!” said M. Drakovics, quickly. “Why?” -</p> - -<p> -“On account of the extraordinary number of letters which have come for -Caerleon from different family friends, old comrades of my father’s, -and so on. The Master of his college has written, and the Bishop of -Carsfield—who was head of Eton in our day—and a good many others -whose names carry weight; and all their letters are in the same -strain, begging him to reconsider the step he has taken, and return to -England at once, while he has the chance. No doubt the Powers have -begun to see that it’s all very well to send notes to St James’s -demanding that Caerleon shall be recalled, but that St James’s has no -power in the matter. If the Government had sent him out, it might -recall him; but he came on his own initiative, and it would only be -courting a rebuff to order him back if he wouldn’t come. Our men are -too wise to lay themselves open to such a slight, but all the moral -influence they can exercise unofficially will be brought to bear.” -</p> - -<p> -“Ah!” said M. Drakovics again. -</p> - -<p> -“For instance,” Cyril went on, “here is a long screed from Forfar, -writing, as he says, not as leader of the party, but as a personal -friend of Caerleon’s. That’s all very well; but it’s quite evident -that the letter is a private warning from him and the Duke——” -</p> - -<p> -“What Duke?” asked M. Drakovics. -</p> - -<p> -“His brother-in-law, the Duke of Old Sarum, of course,” said Cyril, -impatiently. “He entreats Caerleon to withdraw from Thracia -immediately, and hints how very painful it would be for the Government -to be forced to take action against him. He says that he has broken -through strict official usage in sending him this friendly warning, -and earnestly trusts he will accept it. After this they must act as -they find necessary, and he will have to take the consequences. That -last little touch of menace is the Duke’s, I know.” -</p> - -<p> -“And what does the King say? Will he take the advice proffered by all -these old friends and kind people?” asked M. Drakovics, anxiously. -</p> - -<p> -“Rather not!” laughed Cyril. “He means to stick to you and Thracia. -No; there’s only one thing that would uproot him, I think. If Forfar -and the Duke had the sense to get a certain Person to write to him and -request him as a favour to abdicate, and not to imperil the peace of -Europe——” -</p> - -<p> -“I see,” said M. Drakovics, “you mean the——” -</p> - -<p> -“There is no need to mention names,” said Cyril. “I merely say that I -am afraid Caerleon’s chivalry would incline him to follow the advice -of a Person in such a position, and with so much experience.” -</p> - -<p> -“But have they tried the expedient?” asked M. Drakovics, looking -anxiously at the heap of papers on the table, as though he expected -the letter of the Illustrious Personage to arrive by the ordinary -post, bearing a 2½d. stamp. -</p> - -<p> -“Not they!” said Cyril. “A bold, picturesque dash like that is quite -undreamt of in their philosophy. But I will tell you what I have -here—two more warnings. One is from a man who was at Pavelsburg with -me. This is what he says: ‘Dear Cill, <i>Que diable fait ton frère dans -cette galère</i>? If you will take a straight tip, get him out of it as -quickly as you can. I say this for auld lang syne.’ The other is from -Mrs Sadleir—not a letter, simply a sentence underlined in one of -these precious newspapers—‘If he is wise, the so-called King will do -his best to obtain recognition from Roum as soon as possible.’” -</p> - -<p> -“Exactly,” said M. Drakovics, with a ghastly smile, “and my news this -morning is that there is a hitch in our negotiations with Roum. Our -agent at Czarigrad has been refused an audience, while a special -Scythian mission was received with peculiar warmth.” -</p> - -<p> -“Ah!” said Cyril, “and if the recognition is refused, you are a rebel, -and Caerleon and I are filibusters. Decidedly, in such a case as this, -nothing succeeds <i>but</i> success. <i>Allons</i>, monsieur! we are all in the -same boat, and we may as well stick to the ship. It is possible that -the Grand Signior was only trying to put Scythia off the scent. If it -is so, we shall see. If not——” -</p> - -<p> -The sentence was left unfinished as M. Drakovics departed shaking his -head, and Cyril returned to his work of writing answers to his -brother’s correspondents. He had no further private conversation with -the Premier until one morning several days later, when M. Drakovics -entered the office in great excitement. -</p> - -<p> -“Milord, we are lost! Our agent at Czarigrad telegraphs that the -recognition is definitely refused. There is a <i>rapprochement</i> between -Scythia and Pannonia—the Emperors have met. Secret negotiations are -proceeding among the Powers, and the British Government is understood -to have decided to remain neutral. There is only one thing that can -save Thracia. His Majesty must marry the Princess Ottilie of Mœsia.” -</p> - -<p> -“Indeed!” said Cyril. “What good will that do?” -</p> - -<p> -“Everything. The King of Mœsia is the nephew of the Grand Duke of -Schwarzwald-Molzau, and that house is connected with every reigning -family in Europe. Moreover, the King, so I learn from my correspondent -at Eusebia, would like the match. The Queen wishes her daughter to -marry the Prince of Dardania, but he objects to him, and has more than -hinted that he would prefer a son-in-law from Thracia. Again, we can -offer an inducement. There is a strip of territory on our Mœsian -frontier which has been ours since the last war. The people are really -Mœsians by race, and give us more trouble than all our Thracians put -together; but we have held fast to the territory, knowing that it -would be useful as a <i>quid pro quo</i> in case we were ever desirous of -obtaining a concession from Mœsia. The King would give anything to -have it back, and in exchange for it we shall gain the strongest -family alliance we could propose, and the help of Mœsia and the -Mœsian army in case of war.” -</p> - -<p> -“There seems to be a good deal of the <i>quid pro quo</i> in your -philosophy,” said Cyril. “The difficulty will be to make Caerleon come -into the scheme. How are you going to get him to propose?” -</p> - -<p> -“There is no need for his Majesty to conduct the preliminary -negotiations in person,” said M. Drakovics, drily. “I have already -telegraphed to Eusebia instructing our agent to make formal proposals -to the King for the hand of the Princess.” -</p> - -<p> -“And this without telling Caerleon?” cried Cyril in astonishment. -“Well, I don’t envy you when you try to break the news to him. If he -kicks you down-stairs, don’t say that I didn’t warn you.” -</p> - -<p> -“But it is you that will be kicked, milord, not I,” said M. Drakovics, -calmly. “His Majesty is your charge, the kingdom is mine,—that is our -agreement, as you know. I have done my part in this affair by setting -on foot negotiations which will ensure the safety of the kingdom. It -falls to you to bring his Majesty to acquiesce in them.” -</p> - -<p> -Caught in his own trap in this way, Cyril passed a very bad quarter of -an hour with M. Drakovics. The elder man was resolute, the younger -furious—the ground of his fury being not so much the nature of the -Premier’s action as the fact that he had taken it without consulting -him. That M. Drakovics had exceeded his powers and got into a scrape, -and was now looking to him to save him from the consequences, was -Cyril’s view of the case; but as often as he urged it M. Drakovics -replied with perfect calmness that it had been necessary to act -immediately, and that if he had consulted Cyril the latter would have -hesitated to agree without first sounding his brother, a course which -would have destroyed all hope of success. Finally, M. Drakovics, with -a cool obstinacy which showed Cyril another reason for his being -called the Bismarck instead of the Kossuth of the Balkans, reiterated -his demand that Cyril should undertake to acquaint Caerleon with the -part it was desired that he should play. -</p> - -<p> -“You see, milord,” he observed, frankly, “if the King was angry with -me, and lost his temper so far as to address me rudely, or even, -perhaps, to attempt to strike me, I am bound to resent it, for I -represent Thracia. I should feel compelled to resign, and then Thracia -is lost. But you are different, and, moreover, you are better -acquainted than I am with his Majesty’s character, and the best way of -approaching him on such a delicate matter.” -</p> - -<p> -“It strikes me that my valour is the better part of your discretion,” -said Cyril; “but there is something in what you say. Don’t imagine -that I shall spare you, though. I quite see that Caerleon ought to -marry this Mœsia girl—in fact, that it will probably make all the -difference between success and a big smash if he does—but I don’t -think you have acted on the square. You needn’t blame me if you are -out of office this evening. Well, now to beard the lion in his den. It -may as well be done at once, before an ecstatic telegram arrives from -King Johann Casimir, welcoming his proposed son-in-law to his kingdom -and his heart.” -</p> - -<p> -M. Drakovics smiled to see Cyril pause in front of one of the mirrors -in the corridor as he spoke, and rearrange his tie, which had become -twisted in the heat of the argument; but when he saw him put his hands -in his pockets and lounge idly into Caerleon’s study he understood him -better. Cyril’s <i>rôle</i> was to be that of absolute innocence. -</p> - -<p> -Caerleon was sitting at his writing-table, busied with the reports and -telegrams from Thracian agents at the various European Courts which M. -Drakovics had brought for his consideration, taking care to abstract -the one from Eusebia. He looked up as Cyril came in. -</p> - -<p> -“Have you heard of the different blows which are about to fall on us?” -he said. “Things look pretty black.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh yes, Drakovics has been telling me about them,” returned Cyril. “I -hear that you are to act Curtius, and throw yourself into the gulf.” -</p> - -<p> -“By abdicating? Has Drakovics come to that already? I haven’t. I don’t -mean to give up Thracia without a little fighting, unless they can -find a better man whom the people will accept.” -</p> - -<p> -“Something much more heroic than abdicating. There is a lady in the -case. Marriage is the gulf.” -</p> - -<p> -“Then I fear the gulf will remain unfilled,” said Caerleon, turning -back to his papers. -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, that’s all fudge. You know it’s the only thing to be done.” -</p> - -<p> -“There’s no need to discuss the subject,” said Caerleon, coldly. “You -know what I feel about it.” -</p> - -<p> -“But what is the good of wearing the willow all your life——?” -</p> - -<p> -“I have already said that I decline to discuss the subject with you,” -said Caerleon, and Cyril saw that in speaking calmly he was putting a -very strong constraint upon himself. He changed his tone instantly. -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, very well. Of course I have no right to complain if you tell -Drakovics things you won’t tell me. Still, it’s rather rough on a -man.” -</p> - -<p> -“What do you mean? You know perfectly well that nothing is further -from my thoughts than to discuss my private affairs with Drakovics.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, I suppose you call this a public affair,” returned Cyril, with -the air of a man who has neither time nor inclination for such nice -distinctions. “I don’t want to appear inquisitive, but perhaps you’ll -let me know the day when it’s fixed?” -</p> - -<p> -“Cyril, are you mad? or is this a particularly feeble joke? Tell me -what you are driving at.” -</p> - -<p> -“Of course it’s no business of mine,” Cyril went on, unheeding; “but -when you have gone so far as to authorise Drakovics to make proposals -in your name for the hand of a lady, I think I might have been told.” -</p> - -<p> -“I send a proposal? and through Drakovics? You must be dreaming. Who -is the lady?” -</p> - -<p> -“Princess Ottilie of Mœsia.” -</p> - -<p> -“A girl I have never spoken to in my life!” Caerleon’s tone was one of -hopeless bewilderment. -</p> - -<p> -“Oh yes, you have. You danced with her at the State ball two years -ago, when the Mœsias visited England, don’t you remember? The King -looked on and smiled approvingly, and the chaperons began to put their -heads together and discuss seriously the best way of preventing -foreign royalties from carrying off the biggest things in the marriage -market. I believe they came to the conclusion that no princess ought -ever to be allowed to marry a subject. With princes it was different, -of course. You can’t have forgotten?” -</p> - -<p> -“I remember her—a black-eyed, rather bouncing girl. But you don’t -mean,” and Caerleon grew hot and cold as the recollection came back to -him of the chaff he had endured from his friends on account of the -unmistakable favour shown him by the royal guests,—“you don’t mean -that they are on the track of that foolery again? They must be made to -understand at once that it’s absolutely impossible. You never believed -it?” -</p> - -<p> -“I was very glad to hear it.” -</p> - -<p> -“What! when you know that it’s less than a month since I asked Nadia -O’Malachy to marry me, and that I would willingly chuck up the kingdom -to-day if she would only take me?” -</p> - -<p> -“I hoped,” said Cyril, deliberately, “that you regarded that affair as -over and done with, and were intending to sacrifice your private -feelings and do the best thing for the country.” -</p> - -<p> -“You thought I was intending to be a scoundrel?” -</p> - -<p> -“I <i>wish</i> you would not be melodramatic,” said Cyril, pathetically. -“Here we are, between the devil, which is Scythia, and the deep sea of -the neutrality of the other Powers, and you have the chance of -settling everything on a firm foundation by marrying a very handsome -girl belonging to one of the oldest houses in Europe. I am not given -to preaching, but I do say that it would be a sin not to sacrifice -your feelings in such a case, and marry her. The marriage would simply -be the making of you and Thracia both.” -</p> - -<p> -“I—will—not—do—it,” said Caerleon, forcing out the words slowly. -</p> - -<p> -“As for Miss O’Malachy,” went on Cyril, “I give her credit for -possessing much too good sense to wish to keep you a bachelor all your -life for her sake. If you were to consult her, I am sure she would -wish you to make a suitable marriage. In fact, I should think she has -probably advised you already to do so.” The blow told, for Caerleon -winced at the remembrance of the advice which it had been almost -harder for him to hear from her lips than for Nadia to give. “She knew -perfectly well what she was doing when she refused you. It meant that -you were each to go your own way in the future, with no thought of the -other. If you don’t marry, it will be thought you still have hopes of -her.” -</p> - -<p> -“And what is it to you if I have?” demanded Caerleon, so fiercely that -Cyril jumped. He could not think of anything to say, and presently -Caerleon resumed in a quieter tone, “But I have none. She put me on my -honour to stick to the kingdom, and so long as I am king she will have -nothing to do with me.” -</p> - -<p> -“I knew she was a sensible woman!” said Cyril, triumphantly. “Now, -Caerleon, let me advise you to take this thing quietly. See Princess -Ottilie. You haven’t an idea what she is really like, and you may find -her very like Miss O’Malachy——” (“I hope to goodness he won’t!” he -added to himself), “or she may catch your heart at the rebound, or you -may fall head over ears in love with her, and find that you really -mistook your feelings last time——” -</p> - -<p> -“I am so sure of my feelings,” interrupted Caerleon, “that I won’t -pretend to run after another girl for anything you can offer me.” -</p> - -<p> -“Then I should like to know what you mean to do,” said Cyril. “It’s -not a private and personal matter; it is to save your kingdom.” -</p> - -<p> -“Hang the kingdom!” cried Caerleon. “I won’t sell myself for the sake -of Thracia. If I can’t be king and be a gentleman, let the kingdom -go.” -</p> - -<p> -“If you would only listen for a moment!” sighed Cyril. “This is what I -was going to say. Take no further steps of any kind, and leave -everything to Drakovics. Things can be formally arranged without your -going near the girl, and the mere fact that the preliminaries are -settled will do all we want. Once we are past this crisis, and Scythia -and Pannonia have quarrelled again, you can pay a visit to Eusebia, -and make yourself so disgustingly disagreeable that the Princess will -be bound to throw you over.” -</p> - -<p> -“Of all the shabby tricks!” cried Caerleon, pushing back his chair -violently. “I declare, Cyril, if I didn’t know you were joking, I’d -kick you out of the room. Entrap a girl into a bogus engagement for -the sake of gaining a political advantage, indeed!” -</p> - -<p> -“I only wish you had displayed a little of this aggressive virtue -before,” said Cyril. “You quite gave Drakovics to understand, when he -first offered you the crown, that you were prepared to fall in with -his views on matrimony, and he has merely been acting upon that.” -</p> - -<p> -“On the contrary, I disagreed with his ideas even then,” said -Caerleon; “and if I hadn’t, what has happened since would have put my -adopting them out of the question. You ought to know that. But perhaps -it was you that put Drakovics up to this business about Princess -Ottilie?” turning upon him sharply. -</p> - -<p> -“No, on my honour,” said Cyril, eagerly, relieved at being able to -deny with perfect truth this direct accusation. “Drakovics is a -Spartan sort of fellow, and I suppose he thinks that as soon as you -are off with the old love you may as well be on with a new. It’s his -own idea altogether.” -</p> - -<p> -“I beg your pardon, old man,” said Caerleon. “Everything is so crooked -in this wretched place that I was even beginning to suspect you. But I -am glad you had nothing to do with it. Just telephone to Drakovics to -come up at once, will you?” -</p> - -<p> -“Why?” asked Cyril, standing before the tube, lest his brother should -resent his hesitation and insist on using it himself. -</p> - -<p> -“That he may explain to the King of Mœsia that he has made a mistake, -of course.” -</p> - -<p> -“But, Caerleon, you can’t do things in that way!” cried Cyril. “Think -of the girl! Why, the news is public property by this time, all over -Europe, and there isn’t a soul that won’t believe but that you have -found out something against her that has made you change your mind.” -</p> - -<p> -“Then I will disown Drakovics’s action, and say that he acted without -my authority.” -</p> - -<p> -“Then he will resign, and you will lose the only man who possesses the -confidence of the people, and can support you to any purpose at this -juncture. You can’t do it, Caerleon. Besides, that again is a nasty -one for the girl. Won’t you see her? No one can tell what might happen -then.” -</p> - -<p> -“If I see her, I shall simply tell her the whole story,” said -Caerleon, grimly. “She will have no wish to marry me after that.” -</p> - -<p> -“Let me tell her about the matter for you,” suggested Cyril. -</p> - -<p> -“No, thank you,” returned his brother. “I have a pretty fair idea of -the way you would speak of it—as a youthful indiscretion, of which I -was ashamed. And I am not ashamed. I should be the proudest man on -earth if Nadia were to be crowned with me this day two months.” -</p> - -<p> -“Very well,” sighed Cyril. “I suppose if you will make an ass of -yourself, you must. We are to arrange, then, for a personal interview, -in the course of which you will, in so many words, refuse to marry -Princess Ottilie?” -</p> - -<p> -“There’s no occasion to do anything so rude. I shall simply tell her -the truth, and leave it to her to refuse me. Or I’ll write to her. -Yes, that’s much the best plan. It will save time and a lot of -difficulty.” -</p> - -<p> -“But you can’t!” cried Cyril, with his hand on the door. “Do you mean -to write to a girl who hasn’t even accepted you, and tell her you -won’t marry her? No, you must see her, as you say, and explain things. -I’ll manage to get you an interview somehow, though it’s against my -better judgment.” -</p> - -<p> -“Be quick, then,” cried Caerleon after him, as he went out, “for if -there’s any delay, I shall write to her myself.” -</p> - - -<h3 id="ch11"> -CHAPTER XI.<br/> -<span class="chap_sub">A DELICATE NEGOTIATION.</span> -</h3> - -<p class="noindent"> -“<span class="sc">Well</span>?” asked M. Drakovics, anxiously, when Cyril appeared in his -office. “How did his Majesty receive the news?” -</p> - -<p> -“As badly as you could wish. He won’t hear of marrying Princess -Ottilie, and wanted to telegraph his views at once to Eusebia. -However, I have got him to consent to see the lady, so that the honour -of refusing him may rest with her, and if we play our cards well, that -ought to give us all we want.” -</p> - -<p> -“How?” asked M. Drakovics, quickly. -</p> - -<p> -“It will gain us time and a favourable impression, and if we can once -succeed in separating Scythia and Pannonia, we ought certainly to be -able to prevent their coming together again.” -</p> - -<p> -“Undoubtedly we ought to be able to manage that. But how do you -propose to bring about a coolness between them?” -</p> - -<p> -“The coolness will come of its own accord fast enough when it is -understood that Caerleon is going to marry Princess Ottilie, for the -Empress of Pannonia was one of the Schwarzwald-Molzaus, and they -always stick together. Our business, therefore, is to produce the -impression, even if it is only a temporary one, that he is going to -marry her.” -</p> - -<p> -“Right!” said M. Drakovics, emphatically. “And your method?” -</p> - -<p> -“We are to consider it settled, I suppose, that the King of Mœsia -will take kindly to the idea? Very well; then as soon as his answer is -received, you must telegraph to inquire whether he will give a private -audience to a confidential envoy of the highest rank, in order to -discuss matters connected with the proposed marriage. He is pretty -safe to consent, and then either you or I must go to Eusebia.” -</p> - -<p> -“But why?” -</p> - -<p> -“In reality to arrange for this interview which is to end everything. -But if the European public chooses to regard the mission in a -different light, we cannot help it.” -</p> - -<p> -“Ah!” said M. Drakovics. “But you must go. I dare not leave Bellaviste -at this juncture. I cannot trust the townspeople.” -</p> - -<p> -“Never mind,” said Cyril, “I will go. It will look even better, as it -is a family matter. There is no need to wait for King Johann’s answer -before making our preparations. If you will set about having relays of -horses got ready for me at all the posting-stations, I shall be able -to start as soon as things are settled.” -</p> - -<p> -“And you will not have to go as far as Eusebia,” said M. Drakovics. -“The King and Queen and Court are at Herzensruh, a country-seat which -is only a few miles from our own frontier. Your idea is excellent, and -yet—! Without a doubt, it would be still more effective if only we -could produce the impression that the King himself was coming -<i>incognito</i> to plead his own cause. I suppose it would be impossible -for you to personate him?” -</p> - -<p> -“Considering that there is just eight inches’ difference between our -heights, and that the King and Queen and Princess all know him by -sight, it is probable that it would,” said Cyril. “But, believe me, -monsieur, my visit will serve our views better than any romantic -journey Caerleon himself could make.” -</p> - -<p> -“What do you intend to say to King Johann?” asked M. Drakovics. -</p> - -<p> -“My cue will be this. Caerleon is a very modest and retiring fellow, -with an exaggerated idea of his own defects. He has been horrified to -discover that proposals have been made for his marriage without his -having had any opportunity of consulting privately the wishes of the -Princess——” -</p> - -<p> -“I see,” said M. Drakovics. “You may lay as much blame on me as you -like,” he added, magnanimously. “I am a statesman, a plain man of -business, knowing nothing of the subtleties of love-making, you -perceive?” -</p> - -<p> -“Precisely. Well, Caerleon cannot bring himself to believe that the -Princess would be willing to accept him if she knew what he was really -like. A ballroom acquaintance does not seem to him to form a -sufficient foundation for a happy marriage, and he is afraid that his -character and tastes might not attract the young lady’s fancy. This -distressing diffidence is making his life such a burden to him, that I -am sent to see whether a meeting between the young people cannot be -arranged before anything irrevocable is settled. Of course, when the -interview has once taken place, all will come right. It would be -treason to the Princess to think otherwise. You see, if it is properly -put, it is rather complimentary to her than not.” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes; but then the meeting will destroy everything.” -</p> - -<p> -“But we shall have done what we wanted, and you may be sure I will -mention as late a date for it as possible. And I don’t despair of -squaring Princess Ottilie. Caerleon has agreed to abide by her -decision, and if she won’t consent to refuse him, he must marry her. -There’s no doubt that if he told his story to King Johann, he would -simply laugh at it, and the Princess might possibly do the same. But -that must depend on any chance I may get of speaking to her alone. -Where is the meeting to be?” -</p> - -<p> -“There need be no difficulty about that. We have several matters in -dispute with Dardania, and it has long been agreed that King Carlino -and the Prince of Dardania should meet and talk them over under the -excuse of a hunting-party. Now, our frontiers meet those of Mœsia and -Dardania at a spot only three or four miles from Herzensruh, and it -will be the easiest possible thing for the Mœsian royal family to -arrange for an interview at the same time. The date and the exact -details you will of course decide.” -</p> - -<p> -“All right,” said Cyril; “but isn’t it rather a pity to have the -Prince of Dardania knocking about on such a delicate occasion? He -might be inclined to spoil sport.” -</p> - -<p> -“Pooh!” cried M. Drakovics; “he may try, but he will not succeed. What -chance has a prince when a king is in the way? All women are dazzled -by a crown, and the Queen and her daughter will be the very first to -scorn him.” -</p> - -<p> -“Very conveniently for us,” said Cyril. “Well, we will consider that -settled. Now for another highly important matter. The whole thing must -be carried through with exaggerated secrecy, and yet the secret must -leak out, do you see? or we shall have all our trouble for nothing.” -</p> - -<p> -“Certainly,” said M. Drakovics. “A whisper to my agents on the various -Bourses of Europe will ensure its dissemination.” -</p> - -<p> -“Whispers are apt to be overheard,” said Cyril, “and I have a better -plan. You remember Hicks, the American who gave us so much trouble -over the O’Malachy business? Well, it so happens that he is spending -two or three days here now after going to Bashi Konak and back. I met -him last night, and he tried to pump me and find out how his Majesty -was getting over his disappointment. Of course I told him nothing, -only shook my head and looked knowing, and intimated that I could make -startling revelations an if I would; but that is a good foundation for -our business now.” -</p> - -<p> -“And you knew nothing at that time of all this!” said M. Drakovics, -with reluctant admiration. -</p> - -<p> -“Of course not; but I was not going to give myself away by saying so. -What would become of diplomacy if a man said plainly when he knew -nothing about a thing? Hicks is going to be as good as a news-agency -to us, but he will have to find out everything for himself. You -understand?” -</p> - -<p> -“I am deeply interested, milord. Pray proceed.” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, in the evening you will bring out a special Gazette with an -official announcement that the rumours which have been lately in -circulation as to a <i>rapprochement</i> between us and Mœsia are wholly -premature and unauthorised. Of course there are no rumours whatever, -but that is a detail. There will be some soon enough after this -<i>communiqué</i>, and it will stir Hicks up. Then, when it is dark, I -will send down our English groom to the Hôtel Occidental, to inquire -whether they can let us have two horses that are good for a hard -long-distance ride next morning. We could use our own horses, -naturally, but there would be no publicity in that. He will not say -where they are to go, but he will hint mysteriously at a country not -far to the west of us, and he will obstinately refuse to state who is -going to travel. After that, I think it will be surprising if Mr Hicks -doesn’t hire a window overlooking the west gate, and sit up all night -to see the start.” -</p> - -<p> -“And then?” -</p> - -<p> -“I shall take only Wright with me, but you will accompany me to the -gate, mentioning loud enough to be heard that the relays of horses are -ready all the way. I shall be muffled up, as though to escape -recognition; but when I am abreast of Hicks the muffler will slip for -a moment—quite accidentally, of course—and he will just catch a -glimpse of my face. That will be enough for him, and the news will be -all over Europe by the evening. I only rely on you to take no further -steps without consulting me, and to keep any papers which speak of the -marriage as a certainty out of Caerleon’s way until I return.” -</p> - -<p> -“But are you able to undertake so long a ride, milord?” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, I shall do it somehow. The more dead tired I am the better the -impression will be—haste and eagerness so intense, you know, and all -that sort of thing. Besides, I shall take it out of Caerleon a little. -He will be horribly cut up when he finds that I have undergone so much -fatigue just out of tenderness for his scruples, and it ought to make -him easier to manage in future. Riding hard all the way, I should be -back in three days. That is quite long enough to give him a fright.” -</p> - -<p> -“Milord,” said M. Drakovics, with deep conviction, “I am more and more -thankful that it is your brother, and not you, who is King of Thracia. -Hitherto I have bemoaned my hard fate in having to manage a man with a -conscience; but I perceive now that compared with a man without one he -is simplicity itself to deal with.” -</p> - -<p> -“Isn’t that pretty good, from you to me?” asked Cyril with slow scorn, -and the Premier shrugged his shoulders and spread forth his hands -deprecatingly as he bowed himself out. -</p> - -<p> -If the interests of strict morality are to be considered, it would -have been well that the several portions of Cyril’s scheme should not -have met with the complete success which actually attended them. The -appearance of the special Gazette with its enigmatical announcement -created a great sensation in the city, which was heightened by the -fact that the alarming foreign news of the morning had been eagerly -noised abroad by Scythian sympathisers among the townspeople. Wright -performed his business at the Hôtel Occidental with the most -appropriate woodenness of manner, stoutly refusing to be drawn into -any clear statement as to the intended destination of the travellers, -but giving the necessary hints with an extensive facial contortion -which he denominated a wink. Things had fallen out so well that Cyril -felt a good deal of pleasurable excitement as he walked through the -silent streets in the autumn twilight of the next morning but one, -wondering whether Mr Hicks would be equal to the occasion. The King of -Mœsia had replied with effusion, both to the first overtures made by -M. Drakovics, and to the later telegram respecting the envoy, and the -energetic sending of messages backwards and forwards, the news of -which had in some way penetrated to the town, had heightened the -popular excitement. The horses were waiting at the west gate, under -charge of a mounted police official who was to escort the travellers -during the first stage of their journey, and there was a little crowd -of inquisitive citizens gathered at no great distance. A thrill of -triumph ran through Cyril as he recognised among them the sallow face -and scanty beard of the American, and he rejoiced that virtue should -not be its own sole reward in the case of Mr Hicks’s early rising. He -had muffled his throat and the lower part of his face in a silk scarf, -and turned up his collar, and as he mounted his horse it was easy to -let the scarf slip for a moment, which was all that the journalist -required. He went back to the hotel with a sensation in his note-book, -and Cyril rode away on his quest cheered by a pleasing consciousness -of success. -</p> - -<p> -Prior to this day’s experiences, Wright had always entertained a -deep-rooted conviction that Lord Cyril’s horsemanship was far inferior -to that of his brother, both as regarded skill and endurance; but now -he was compelled to admit that he rode “like a Trojan,” whatever that -vague but evidently expressive comparison might mean. With short halts -for food and change of horses, they rode on hour after hour, being -handed over by their first guide to a second, and so on at every -stage, and arriving at Schloss Herzensruh late at night. Cyril found -himself intrusted to the care of the master of the household, who -treated him with breathless consideration, and intimated that he would -be admitted in the morning to an intensely private and confidential -interview with King Johann, and be allowed to depart early, so as to -avoid comment. The King of Mœsia had not Cyril’s reasons for desiring -an unauthorised publicity for the object of his errand, and the envoy -congratulated himself that he had not trusted to the enterprise of -Mœsian journalists. -</p> - -<p> -Morning came, and Cyril was conducted with extreme precaution to the -King’s private room, where there was a secretary on guard at the door, -and a stalwart gamekeeper outside the window. Secrecy having been -ensured by this means, King Johann greeted his guest with delight, and -proceeded to lay bare to him his mind and the state of feeling in his -kingdom far more thoroughly than he had any idea of doing. The -impression that he produced on Cyril was that of a fussy, nervous man, -half elated by the fact of his having emancipated himself from his -wife’s control, and half afraid of the consequences. Throughout their -married life it had always been his custom to follow her advice, and -his kingdom had flourished exceedingly, until a few months before, -when the little rift within the lute had originated in the double -question of the marriage of Princess Ottilie, the only child of the -royal couple, and the succession to the crown. The constitution of -Mœsia did not allow a female to occupy the throne, and there was -therefore no question of the Princess’s bringing that perilous dowry -to her future husband; but while her mother wished her to marry the -Prince of Dardania, a distant connection of her own, the King was -prepared to allow her to marry any one else, but not the Prince. The -reason for this difference of opinion was to be found in the fact that -there was a strong party, both in the Mœsian Legislature and in the -country, who desired the selection of Prince Alexis as their future -ruler, anticipating that, when united with Dardania, the kingdom of -Mœsia would be strong enough to strike awe even into her triumphant -rival Thracia. The members of this party were most anxious for the -marriage, and the Queen supported them with the calm determination -which had always hitherto had its due weight with her more hasty -husband; but some time after the affair had been considered as -settled, its course was interrupted by an alien influence, wielded by -the King’s uncle, the reigning Grand-Duke of Schwarzwald-Molzau. He -had always regarded the kingdom of Mœsia as a snug preserve for one -of the many cadets of his house, and it did not suit him at all that -his plans should be crossed. Emissaries from Molzau were despatched to -Mœsia, the King was invited to revisit the cradle of his race, and -both there and in his own court he was cajoled, threatened, flattered, -and bribed until he refused his consent to the projected marriage. The -Queen was at first incredulous,—it seemed impossible that her power -could have vanished with such suddenness; but the Schwarzwald-Molzaus -had parted husband and wife only too effectually, and an armed -neutrality now existed between them. -</p> - -<p> -This was the state of affairs in Mœsia, when M. Drakovics replied to -King Johann’s half-veiled hints as to the desirability of a closer -alliance between the two kingdoms by the formal demand of Princess -Ottilie’s hand for Caerleon—a demand which the monarch had hastened -with somewhat unkingly eagerness to grant. With the Princess safely -married to some one else, the Prince of Dardania would be deprived of -one of the chief influences on which he relied for support in his -candidature for the throne, while there was no fear that the Mœsians -would ever elect Caerleon as their sovereign. The mutual hatred -between Mœsia and Thracia was far too great for the two nations to -consent to be united under any circumstances, and this left the way -clear for the formal adoption by the reigning sovereign, and -subsequent accession to the Mœsian throne, of one of the younger -princes of the house of Schwarzwald-Molzau. -</p> - -<p> -The first question of importance to be discussed between King Johann -and his guest was that of the treaty, as to the provisions of which -the King was nervously anxious. In fact, he was depending upon the -acquisition of the disputed strip of country as a means of reconciling -his subjects to the Thracian alliance, and preventing their mourning -over the discomfiture of their favourite, Prince Alexis. Hence, -although he heard it with wonder, he accepted with avidity the -suggestion which Cyril had arranged with M. Drakovics should be made. -In order to avoid the unpleasant savour of a bargain, in which the -Princess would be handed over in return for the tract of land, the -treaty respecting the disputed territory was to be drawn up and signed -before any public announcement was made as to the marriage. The King -did not appear to consider that it was less objectionable for his -daughter to act as a seal upon the treaty than as an equivalent in it; -but he grasped eagerly at the offer, and Cyril, who had been -representing in the highest possible light the delicacy of his -brother’s feelings, and the absolute certainty of his refusing to -countenance anything in the nature of a bargain, heaved a sigh of -unfeigned relief. -</p> - -<p> -“This gives us a hold on the old fellow if the wedding doesn’t come -off after all,” he thought, while the King was hugging himself in the -idea that he had just achieved one of the most astute strokes of -policy of modern times. It was agreed that the treaty should be signed -as soon as it could be formally drawn up, and when King Johann -suggested that this ratification might well take place at a personal -meeting of the two sovereigns on the disputed territory, Cyril found -the necessary opening for imparting the real object of his journey. -The King listened in astonishment as he unfolded his story of -Caerleon’s excessive humility, and his determination to consult the -wishes of the Princess before he would consider himself engaged to -her. -</p> - -<p> -“But this is abs—romantic!” cried the King. “It is a piece of the -Middle Ages. Naturally the girl will accept him when she has been -instructed to do so. Why should she not? His fears are preposterous.” -</p> - -<p> -“That is exactly my own view, sir,” said Cyril, in the tone of one -whose endurance had been taxed to the utmost; “but I regret to say -that I cannot enforce it upon my brother. However, after what your -Majesty has just said of the docile disposition of her Royal Highness, -I hope the matter will prove to be merely a form.” -</p> - -<p> -“There is no doubt of that,” said the king, hastily. “If the King of -Thracia is bent upon taking this course I must allow it, although he -will find it a very bad precedent,—undermining his authority, -admitting doubts as to his power, and so on. But I will give my -daughter her orders, and the Queen and she both know by this time that -it will be the worse for her if she does not obey.” -</p> - -<p> -The irrepressible triumph which animated these words betrayed the -exultation of the weak-minded man who had gained a victory over a -strong-minded woman; but Cyril discreetly took no notice of the tone, -wondering only whether the King had intended to conduct his daughter -by main force to the altar, and whether he imagined his auditor to be -labouring under the delusion that the marriage would be a voluntary -one on the part of Princess Ottilie. It was agreed that the important -interview should take place the day after the signing of the treaty, -at a hunting-party to be given by the King at Schloss Herzensruh, the -previous day’s business having been conducted on the strip of -territory which belonged at present to Thracia, but which would pass -to Mœsia by the treaty. This settled, the King rose, and signed to -Cyril to accompany him. -</p> - -<p> -“Now that is all arranged, I will present you to the Queen and the -Princess,” he said; and Cyril, divining that the presentation was -intended as a token of defiance to the Queen, followed him from the -room with lively interest as he marched across the corridor and -entered by the door which a servant threw open. -</p> - -<p> -“This is the Lord Cyril Mortimer, brother and envoy extraordinary of -the King of Thracia,” announced King Johann, in a voice which was in -itself a declaration of war; but Cyril saw at a glance that the Queen -and her daughter had no intention of taking up the gauntlet. Both were -perfectly calm and very friendly, and inquired graciously after people -they had met in England. Princess Ottilie was taller and thinner than -when he had last seen her, and it struck him that she had lost the -loud manner which had aroused Caerleon’s dislike. She was growing more -like her mother; but Cyril felt that it would be long before the -impulsive dark-eyed girl would attain to the stately calmness of the -unintellectual, placid-looking lady who was said to possess one of the -wisest heads in Europe. She had foiled M. Drakovics once, at a period -of acute crisis, and the Thracian Premier had never forgiven her for -her victory, although he was wont to consider it a feather in his cap, -as in that of the statesman whom he most wished to resemble, that he -had all the ladies against him. A few minutes’ confidential -communication with the Queen would throw light on many things, Cyril -thought; but this was impossible so long as the King remained in the -room, moving about uneasily. Her parting words, however, surprised him -not a little. -</p> - -<p> -“Tell his Majesty that I am looking forward to renewing my -acquaintance with him,” she said. “Among our many English friends, -there is none that I remember with so much admiration. I feel that one -can have the most perfect confidence in him.” -</p> - -<p> -“Your Majesty is too good,” said Cyril, astonished. “I am sure my -brother has never ventured to hope that he held such a place in your -recollection.” -</p> - -<p> -“He is the most perfect gentleman I ever knew,” she said emphatically, -and Cyril pondered over her words as he rode away from the castle. The -last sentence he felt at liberty to disregard. It was a taunt flung at -her husband by the Queen as a reply to his challenge; but he scented -danger in the expressions she had used at first. -</p> - -<p> -“She’s up to something,” he said to himself, “but I can’t for the life -of me see what it is. It’s all very well for Drakovics to say that -women will do such and such things; but that’s where he and fellows of -his stamp always go wrong—in imagining that they can generalise about -women. It’s scarcely ever possible to judge of a woman’s probable -conduct from precedents. She is quite capable of striking out a new -line each time. I wonder now whether the Queen thinks she will be able -to get round the old man, and make him break off the match? Well, so -long as we get the treaty signed, and they don’t set to work too soon, -it doesn’t much matter. If only the King had not hung about as he did, -I could have found out a good many interesting things. But he was -afraid they would let on about Prince Alexis, and so he has -effectually stopped my giving the Princess a warning as to Caerleon’s -little game. It’s his own fault if the scheme goes wrong. I wonder -whether he will be able to carry through the business with Pannonia -properly.” -</p> - -<p> -This unpleasant doubt exercised Cyril’s mind frequently during his -long ride. He had devoted the concluding portion of his interview with -the King to coaching him delicately for the part he was to play, -without actually making any suggestions as to the means to be used. -King Johann flattered himself that he was an accomplished diplomatist, -but his young visitor could scarcely have ventured to leave him to act -alone if he had not felt the issue to be so clear that the worst -bungling could hardly succeed in obscuring it. The King’s duty was -merely to intimate to his uncle, the Grand-Duke of Schwarzwald-Molzau, -that if Caerleon’s position in Europe were secured, and he were -allowed to marry Princess Ottilie, the succession to the Mœsian -throne would be left open for one of the younger princes of the parent -house. There could be little doubt that he would welcome the -suggestion, and contrive to bring about the desired change in the -policy of the Powers by influencing Pannonian diplomacy through his -daughter the Empress. Thus Cyril’s mind was tolerably at ease when, -after nearly a day and a half of riding—for he had started too late -to complete the return journey in one day—he reached the -neighbourhood of Bellaviste. They were passing through a small village -when the first distant glimpse of the city was obtained, and Wright -urged his horse up to Cyril’s. -</p> - -<p> -“Beg your pardon, my lord, but p’raps you’d like to rest ’ere for a -hour or so, and give these ’ere ’orses a feed and a bit of a rub-down. -It looks as though we didn’t know ’ow to treat a ’orse to bring ’im in -like this, and me always a-jawin’ the stable-boys about it.” -</p> - -<p> -“I am sorry that the stable-boys will have to lose their object-lesson -to-day, Wright,” said Cyril, with a smile of the utmost gentleness, -“for it is important for us to hurry. But you need not think I am -ashamed of the state the horses are in. If you like to ride yours -through the next puddle, and get him well splashed, I have no -objection.” -</p> - -<p> -Wright touched his hat, and fell back with an inarticulate grunt, -making no attempt to profit by the permission accorded him. At Schloss -Herzensruh he had fallen in with a fellow-exile in the person of King -Johann’s coachman, who was also an Englishman, and he had informed -him, in the course of a long and generally lugubrious exchange of -confidences, that “a straighter rider than ’is Majesty, nor a -pleasanter master, I don’t wish to see—and it do take something like -a ’orse to carry ’is Majesty,” he added with professional pride; “but -Lord Cyril—there! ’e’s beyond me.” Cyril smiled to himself over the -groom’s look of bewilderment as he rode on, and reflected that it -would have been a thousand pities to spoil the effect of their return -by care for the appearance of the horses. As it was, when the dusty -and travel-stained riders and their weary beasts entered the gates of -Bellaviste, they created a sensation. A keen curiosity had been rife -ever since Cyril’s departure, to account for which the wildest -theories had been started, and his return promised fresh interest to -the townsfolk. They gathered about him in crowds, and inquired -anxiously the object of his journey, and whether all was well. To the -first question he professed himself unable to give an answer; but on -the subject of the second he was able to reassure his questioners, -although the most audacious hints as to the King’s possible marriage -could gain no confirmation from his lips until he met Mr Hicks. -</p> - -<p> -“Well, Lord Cyril, guess his Majesty’s about got over his -disappointment, anyway?” remarked the journalist confidentially. -</p> - -<p> -Cyril responded in two words of the American’s own language, “You -bet!” and rode on to the palace. Dismounting hastily, he forbade the -servants to announce him, and hurrying up the steps, staggered into -Caerleon’s study, and collapsed upon the sofa. -</p> - -<p> -“What! back already?” said Caerleon, looking up from his papers. -</p> - -<p> -Cyril sat up. “<i>Already</i>!” he remarked, tragically; “I have ridden -night and day for the sake of a fad of yours, and this is all I get -for it!” -</p> - -<p> -“My dear fellow, what made you do such a thing?” cried Caerleon, -rising and coming towards him. “I never thought of your rushing to -Mœsia and back like this. We shall have you ill again. Let me get you -some brandy.” -</p> - -<p> -“You had better call one of the servants, and let me give the order,” -said Cyril, with crushing irony. “<i>You</i> are a temperance man. Well, at -any rate I hope you will be pleased to know that I have made -arrangements for you to meet the Princess.” -</p> - -<p> -“Is it really necessary for me to meet her?” asked Caerleon, -anxiously. “I have been hoping you would manage to nip the scheme in -the bud without that.” -</p> - -<p> -“When you forbade me to mention the matter!” cried Cyril, with natural -indignation. “I had plenty of opportunities for telling the King your -story, but you had hinted that I should misrepresent it, so I said -nothing. Of course I did the wrong thing. Well, I have done all I can, -and I am dead beat. Just let me alone, that’s all I want.” -</p> - -<p> -He turned over on the sofa and went to sleep, for it was perfectly -true that he was very tired after the three days’ ride, while Caerleon -stood looking at him in much apprehension and self-reproach. To cover -his brother with a rug and send for the Court physician to see him -were obviously the only things for the King to do; but when the doctor -averred that there was nothing amiss with the patient but fatigue, and -prescribed merely rest and mental relaxation, he could not accept the -comfort thus conveyed. When Cyril had been roused with much difficulty -from the sofa, and persuaded to go to bed, Caerleon went round to the -stables to speak to Wright, whom he found engaged in superintending -the grooming of one of the horses, which he conceived had been -neglected during his absence. -</p> - -<p> -“Glad to see you looking so fit, Wright,” said his master, as Wright -straightened himself against the wall, and touched his cap. “I was -afraid I should find you dead beat. Lord Cyril seems to be tired out.” -</p> - -<p> -“Do ’e, your Majesty?” responded Wright. “I ’adn’t noticed it. If -you’ll believe me, I think as ’is lordship’s ’avin’ a little joke with -you. ’E’s always tryin’ on them sort of games, beggin’ your Majesty’s -pardon.” -</p> - -<p> -This was added as an afterthought, in response to Caerleon’s look of -astonishment, as the King turned on his heel, and walked away in -displeasure. Wright was getting disgustingly impudent, he reflected. -No doubt too much had been made of him, and he felt that he had a -right to put on side, as the only Englishman among the servants, but -he must be taught his place. Caerleon was painfully conscious that -there was not always a complete unity of aims and agreement as to -means between Cyril and himself, but that Wright should venture to -notice the fact was insufferable. He should learn that being the -King’s fellow-countryman did not necessarily make him his confidant, -and a studied repressiveness of manner in addressing him for some days -would go far to make him forget that he had been chosen as Cyril’s -sole companion on his important mission—an honour which seemed to -have encouraged him to presume. And upon this decision Caerleon -proceeded to act, to the signal discomfiture of Wright, whose natural -enemies the stable-boys asserted themselves unmercifully when they saw -that the royal favour had forsaken him. -</p> - -<p> -Cyril, in the meantime, was enjoying himself. In obedience to the -orders of the physician, he spent several days on a sofa in his room, -and had all the papers brought him for his amusement. In this way he -was enabled to exercise a very effectual press censorship, weeding the -journals carefully, and sending down for Caerleon’s perusal only such -old-fashioned and painfully respectable prints as never hint at an -approaching royal marriage until the betrothal is actually announced. -Thanks to Mr Hicks, all the more modern and go-ahead papers were -teeming with reports and rumours on the subject of an anticipated -Mœsio-Thracian alliance, and two days after his return Cyril noted -with satisfaction a paragraph in a semi-official German paper to the -effect that the Emperor of Pannonia appeared inclined to recede from -the policy he had adopted of giving Scythia a free hand with regard to -Thracia, and to maintain an attitude of reserve. This in itself was -cheering, but for several days the situation continued to be extremely -unsettled, constant rumours of <i>rapprochements</i> and coolnesses coming -to make matters doubtful. At last it was accepted as fairly certain -that Scythia and Pannonia were unable to agree on the Thracian -question, and that neither would trust the other to interfere; but -before things had reached this dead-lock, which left matters as they -had been before the two countries had arrived at their temporary -agreement, Cyril had received a cipher message from King Johann -Casimir to say that all was well. -</p> - -<p> -This prepared the way for the signing of the treaty, which M. -Drakovics had been drafting in accordance with Cyril’s notes of his -conversation with the Mœsian sovereign; and when everything was -ready, Caerleon and Cyril left Bellaviste for the frontier, in order -to entertain the Prince of Dardania for a week’s hunting. The visit -was a purely informal one, M. Drakovics only coming down twice to -discuss various questions of policy, and the little party in the -hunting-lodge found their stay very pleasant. The Prince of Dardania -was young and athletic, and a mighty hunter, and displayed as much -delight over his escape from the cares of State and the supervision of -his Prime Minister as did Caerleon. The two became great friends, and -their intimacy caused Cyril much apprehension, owing to his constant -fear that they might discuss together the situation with respect to -Mœsia. He gave himself endless trouble, and caught several colds, in -accompanying them on all their expeditions, when he would much rather -have remained sitting over the fire at the hunting-lodge or lounging -about the little village; but he felt the absolute necessity of -preventing their coming to an understanding. He knew that he was a -hindrance to their enjoyment, for long walks were obliged to be -curtailed, and bridges sought instead of fords, in consideration of -his physical weakness; but Caerleon could not bring himself to suggest -that he should remain at home, and Prince Alexis smiled and said -nothing. -</p> - -<p> -At times it struck Cyril that all his trouble was unnecessary, for -that the Prince could not be aware that Caerleon was his rival; but it -seemed impossible that the European gossip as to the approaching -disposal of Princess Ottilie’s hand should not have reached his ears. -More than once, also, Cyril caught him looking Caerleon over, in a -musing, business-like fashion, as though he were taking stock of him, -and after moments such as this he always redoubled his efforts to keep -the two from being alone together. He felt sure that Prince Alexis -knew what was going on when, in response to a question from Caerleon -as to whether he intended to join the hunting-party at Schloss -Herzensruh the day after the signing of the treaty, he replied that he -could not well intrude on the King of Mœsia at such a purely family -gathering, but that he would no doubt be able to pay his respects -later. And yet it seemed strange that he made no attempt to win -Caerleon over to his side, a fact which left Cyril still troubled by -uncertainty, even after the treaty was signed. The points of -difficulty between Thracia and Dardania had been satisfactorily -arranged by the two sovereigns and their Ministers, and they were -incorporated into an addition to the Mœsian treaty, although Cyril -almost feared that the negotiations would fall through when he saw the -meeting between King Johann Casimir and Prince Alexis. The King’s -manner was nervously triumphant, and inclined to be unfriendly, and -most men would have taken offence at it, especially after the rupture -which had already occurred between them; but the Prince passed it by -without notice, and all went off peaceably. -</p> - - -<h3 id="ch12"> -CHAPTER XII.<br/> -<span class="chap_sub">TO OBLIGE A LADY.</span> -</h3> - -<p class="noindent"> -<span class="sc">The</span> next day was that appointed for the fateful hunting-party, and -when Caerleon and Cyril bade farewell to Prince Alexis, who was -returning for a few days to his capital of Bashi Konak, they were both -conscious of concealing a good deal of excitement under a veil of -calmness. Cyril fancied that there was a twinkle in the Prince’s eye -as he wished them good sport, and he was roused again to wonder -whether their guest knew anything of the affair in hand. However this -might be, he departed without making any allusion to it, and Cyril -awoke to the fact that Caerleon, who now realised for the first time -the full falseness of his position, was in a state of misery and -nervousness only to be described as pitiable. When Cyril recognised -this fact he was appalled, for it seemed to him that the mere sight of -his brother’s face was enough to betray to King Johann the artifice -which had been employed against him; but presently he reflected that -Caerleon’s disquietude and evident unhappiness fitted in exactly with -the story he had told the King, and his mind was at ease as they rode -through the forest together. At Schloss Herzensruh every one was -waiting to start for the forest, and the lawn in front of the windows -was occupied by a confused group of jägers, dogs, and beaters. The -Queen did not appear on this occasion, but the King hurried to greet -the brothers, and presented Caerleon at once to Princess Ottilie, who -was looking sportsmanlike and ready for business in a French <i>costume -de chasse</i>, with leather-faced skirt and many-pocketed jacket all -complete, while a jäger behind her was holding her neat little rifle. -</p> - -<p> -“I know how fond of sport you English are, and therefore I gave my -daughter directions to wear this dress to-day in compliment to your -brother,” said the King, complacently, to Cyril, when they had -withdrawn a step or two from the pair, leaving Caerleon to devise and -utter incoherent remarks on the weather, which were received by the -Princess with demure politeness. -</p> - -<p> -“And Caerleon bars a shooting woman above all things!” was Cyril’s -agonised mental comment, even while he was assuring the King that -although the Princess would look charming in anything, she was -absolutely irresistible in hunting costume. But as he spoke, his -thoughts were wandering, for it struck him that Princess Ottilie -appeared to be very favourably inclined towards Caerleon. There was a -hint of pleased excitement in her manner, which even the delight of -wearing the most <i>chic</i> and becoming of new dresses seemed inadequate -to produce; and when, in response to one of her companion’s laboured -remarks, she raised her eyes smilingly and scanned his face, it -appeared to Cyril that the expression in them was more than friendly. -The thought almost made him giddy. What if the whim of a -strong-willed, fickle girl should succeed in doing what he and M. -Drakovics, with all their statesmanship, had failed to achieve, and -bring about Caerleon’s marriage with her? Although he had suggested -the possibility of such a thing in order to comfort the Premier, he -had never regarded it seriously himself; but now it struck him as by -no means unlikely that Princess Ottilie might refuse to grant her -unwilling suitor the dismissal he craved, in which case, Cyril -decided, his brother would feel himself compelled to marry her. At -this point the voice of King Johann broke in on his meditations. -</p> - -<p> -“I am about to desire my daughter to show his Majesty the path through -the forest which leads to the withered pine, a familiar landmark -here,” said the King. “You and I will then lead the hunt in the -opposite direction.” -</p> - -<p> -“Excuse me,” said Cyril, hastily, “but I am afraid that such evident -assistance would simply render my brother incapable of addressing -himself to her Royal Highness at all. If we keep to our present order, -your Majesty and I and the servants can easily turn into a fresh path -when we are once in the wood.” -</p> - -<p> -The King agreed to this plan, although not without some hesitation, -and Cyril manœuvred the army of beaters so adroitly that before they -had been ten minutes in the forest Caerleon and the Princess found -themselves alone. The result of the discovery was absolutely to -deprive Caerleon of the power of speech, and he walked on in silence -beside his companion, who was firing off nervous little sentences at -intervals. We are told, by those who should be well qualified to speak -on the subject, that words are apt to fail him who desires to offer -his hand and heart to the girl of his choice; but what is his -difficulty compared with that of the man who finds it his duty to -explain to an expectant lady why he does <i>not</i> propose? The cold sweat -stood on Caerleon’s brow as the Princess ceased her spasmodic remarks -abruptly, and appeared from her silence to be expecting him to speak; -but after an awful five minutes, in the course of which he twice -cleared his throat and made a vain attempt to say something—it did -not matter what—she herself, to his astonishment, broke the ice. -</p> - -<p> -“I—I have something to say to your Majesty,” she began. “You have -come here with the intention of—of marrying me——” -</p> - -<p> -This was more and more terrible. It rushed into Caerleon’s tortured -mind that Princess Ottilie must belong to a German variety of the New -Woman, and that she was going to propose to him. How was he to manage -to refuse her? She must be stopped at any cost. -</p> - -<p> -“On the contrary,” he interrupted, floundering desperately into what -he had to say—“your Highness is mistaken. I have no desire—no -intention—no—no hope of marrying you.” -</p> - -<p> -“Indeed!” cried Princess Ottilie, facing him with crimson cheeks and -flashing eyes. “Then pray understand that your feelings are entirely -reciprocated. I have no desire—no intention of marrying your -Majesty,” and she made him an elaborate curtsey, which was rather -incongruous when taken in conjunction with her gaiters and short -skirts. But Caerleon was far too deeply impressed with the conviction -that he had blundered horribly in beginning his delicate task to -notice anything of the kind. -</p> - -<p> -“I assure you,” he said, earnestly, “that nothing could be further -from my mind than to wish to insult your Royal Highness. I can only -ask you to pardon my bungling way of expressing myself. I came here -intending to throw myself upon your mercy, and beg you to release me -from an engagement which was entered into without my consent.” -</p> - -<p> -Princess Ottilie still stood angry and irresolute, darting distrustful -glances at him, but it seemed to Caerleon that she was more disposed -to listen than at first. He hurried on— -</p> - -<p> -“I will speak to you freely, Princess—not that I am ashamed of what I -have to say; quite the contrary. There is a lady whom I love, and whom -I would give anything to marry. But she has refused me—she is not of -royal blood, and she considers that it would be prejudicial to the -interests of Thracia were she to marry me. I have no hope of getting -her to change her mind so long as I remain on the throne, but I will -never marry any one else. It would be perjury. When I heard that -Drakovics had set on foot negotiations for my marriage with you I was -horror-struck, and tried to break them off at once. But it was pointed -out to me that this might seem to cast a slur on you, and so—I didn’t -do it. I think you will see that if I acted wrongly it was because I -was desirous of doing nothing to hurt your feelings. I am truly sorry -if what I said at first sounded rude, but I was anxious to get you to -refuse me. You see that I could not possibly marry you, since I love -Nadia.” -</p> - -<p> -“Nadia—is that her name?” asked the Princess, sharply. She had been -standing motionless, biting her glove, during Caerleon’s laboured and -stammering harangue, her brows contracted into an anxious frown, but -now her face relaxed. “I like to hear you say it. Your voice sounds as -if you loved her. If I wished to tease you, I might insist on holding -you to your engagement, but I don’t, for”—and she mimicked the words -he had uttered some minutes before—“I also came here intending to -throw myself on your mercy, and beg you to release me from an -engagement which was entered into without my consent. Only,” and her -voice took a tone of entreaty, “I have more to ask than you.” -</p> - -<p> -“If I can help you in any way, pray command me,” said Caerleon, -inexpressibly relieved to find himself transformed from a suppliant -into a possible benefactor. -</p> - -<p> -Princess Ottilie smiled anxiously. “You don’t know what you are -promising, but I shall hold you to your offer. I am going to confide -to you something that no one knows except my mother. It is she who has -advised me to consult you, for she has the greatest confidence in your -honour and discretion.” -</p> - -<p> -This was spoken very quickly, as if it was a lesson, and Caerleon -could only say that, in so far as it rested with him, the Queen and -Princess should have no cause to repent of the honour they were doing -him. -</p> - -<p> -Almost before the words were out of his mouth, the girl went on -speaking hurriedly, walking fast with her face turned away from him, -and her hands twisting themselves nervously together: “I also have a -romance, your Majesty—a love-story, you call it. After I had visited -England with my parents two years ago, we spent some weeks at -Pavelsburg, and there I met some one—a distant relation of my -mother’s. All these political troubles had not happened then”—she -looked up at him piteously—“and I might follow the dictates of my own -heart. My father and mother were delighted; the Emperor was pleased. -We could not help loving one another; but what happened afterwards -would not have seemed so hard if all had not been so bright at first. -He had spoken to my mother; she had told my father; but our engagement -was not to be announced until we returned home, and the betrothal -could take place publicly. But when we reached Eusebia, everything was -changed. Your revolution—the Thracian revolution—had taken place; -Scythia and Pannonia had quarrelled; the statesmen were playing chess -on the map of Europe, and he and I were two of the pawns. He is -related to the imperial family of Scythia, and Pannonia could not -allow Scythian influence in the Balkans to be strengthened by his -marriage with me. They did not tell us plainly that our duty compelled -us to part,—they worked underground, through the Grand Duke, my -father’s uncle; they sowed dissension between my father and mother; -they made our home miserable; they have parted my Prince and me. That -is my story, and no one has any pity for us.” -</p> - -<p> -She paused and wrung her hands, her dark eyes searching Caerleon’s -face, her lips quivering painfully. -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t cry,” he said in alarm. “If I can help you I will. What is it -that you want me to do?” -</p> - -<p> -“There is no one I can trust, no one who will help me. My father -orders me to marry you, and Pannonia and the whole of our own family -are behind him. I could not escape; they would track me all over the -world. My only hope is to divert their attention altogether for a -time—for a few days, and so to obtain the chance of marrying my -Prince.” -</p> - -<p> -“But who is he—this happy man?” asked Caerleon. -</p> - -<p> -“Alexis Alexievitch,” she replied, with a vivid blush. -</p> - -<p> -“The Prince of Dardania!” cried Caerleon. “Why, we have been hunting -together for a week, and he has never said a word about this.” -</p> - -<p> -“He was to leave it all to me, unless he found some unexpected -opportunity,” said the Princess. “He is making all the preparations. -It is a difficult matter, because we must be married both by Greek and -Lutheran rites, and he has found it best to bring a pastor from -Weldart, from my mother’s people. The pastor cannot arrive for a week, -and we must bridge over that time until I can escape into Dardanian -territory, and be married. Now, do you see what I want you to do?” -</p> - -<p> -“I really don’t,” said Caerleon, the wildest ideas of personation, -elopement, and abduction chasing one another through his brain. -</p> - -<p> -“I should have thought it was simple enough,” said the Princess, with -a certain amount of contempt. “That week must be filled up, and -therefore I want you to engage yourself to me for that time.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh!” said Caerleon, stupidly. “But I thought you made a very solemn -ceremony of your betrothals here?” -</p> - -<p> -“And you think your Mdlle. Nadia might object? Well, I will promise -you by anything you like that I will not hold you to the engagement.” -</p> - -<p> -“It’s not that,” he said, gruffly. “I am not going to tell a pack of -lies.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh!” exclaimed the Princess in her turn. “But I’m afraid I can’t tell -them for you. Do you really mind going through the form of betrothal, -knowing that neither of us means it? You can say the words without -intention, or with a mental reservation, you know. No? Well, I see -what we must do. The betrothal must be put off for a week. I have sent -for a new dress from Paris, and I will not appear at the ceremony -until I have it to wear. My father will allow that plea. Have you not -noticed that men who will calmly break a woman’s heart in a great -matter, will let her have her way without difficulty in a little one, -especially if it has anything to do with dress? It will be generally -understood that we are engaged, and that will put the -Schwarzwald-Molzaus off the scent.” -</p> - -<p> -“But I can’t say that I want to marry you when I don’t,” objected -Caerleon. -</p> - -<p> -“Did they teach your Majesty that story about George Washington very -carefully when you were a little boy? I have toiled through his -history often, but it never left such a deep impression on me. Very -well, you must say that you will marry me if I am willing, and I will -say the same about you. That will make us both safe.” -</p> - -<p> -“But, excuse me,” said Caerleon, “is all this really necessary? Don’t -you think that if I spoke to your father, and told him what your -feelings were, and interceded with him on behalf of Prince Alexis, he -might relent?” -</p> - -<p> -Princess Ottilie’s eyes flashed. “Your Majesty,” she said, “my mother -went down on her knees to my father to entreat his pity for me, his -only child, and without avail. Do you think that a stranger’s -intercessions would have more effect on him?” -</p> - -<p> -“But have you tried telling him that your happiness depends on this -marriage, and refusing to have anything to say to any one but the -Prince?” -</p> - -<p> -“No; I have not done so lately,” said the Princess, in a peculiar -tone. “I did at first; but do you know what the consequence would have -been if I had persisted? They would have banished my mother from the -kingdom, or imprisoned her in a fortress, and what could I have done -then? Therefore I said no more. Of late we have endeavoured to appear -resigned to our fate, confiding in your honour and generosity.” -</p> - -<p> -“But would it not put things right if I were to withdraw from my -proposal at once?” -</p> - -<p> -“So far right that my father would oblige me to marry one of my -cousins, the Schwarzwald-Molzaus, instead of you, and I could look for -no mercy from him. You must help me. You cannot leave me to my misery, -when I have trusted you in this way. Help me for the sake of your own -Nadia, as you would wish another man to help her if she were in my -place. Oh, your Majesty, you cannot refuse me!” -</p> - -<p> -“Very well. I’ll do what I can,” said Caerleon, rather grudgingly, as -it seemed even to himself, but the idea of the suggested deception was -hateful to him. -</p> - -<p> -“And you will tell no one what has passed between us?” -</p> - -<p> -“Of course I won’t repeat your confidences without your permission.” -</p> - -<p> -“Not even to your brother?” -</p> - -<p> -“Not even to him, if you would rather not, though I don’t think I have -ever kept anything secret from him before.” -</p> - -<p> -“Your brother above all,” repeated the Princess, emphatically. “On -your honour?” -</p> - -<p> -“You don’t seem to trust him,” said Caerleon, feeling hurt. -</p> - -<p> -“Not at all. It is simply that I owe him a little grudge. You know -that he visited my father here nearly three weeks ago? I want to play -him a trick in return for some things he did then. You understand, it -is a whim of mine?” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes,” returned Caerleon, only half satisfied. -</p> - -<p> -“Ah! well, your Majesty, we are engaged—for a week. It will be -necessary for us to appear in public together, but I will do my best -not to be a very exacting companion. I know that you English do not -make as much of betrothal as we Molzäuers do. Still, one must keep up -appearances. I look to you to play your part.” -</p> - -<p> -“In this way?” asked Caerleon, provoked by her mischievous tone, as he -raised her hand to his lips. -</p> - -<p> -“Ah, that is your custom? We in Germany should think it a little cold. -If anything more is requisite, pray do the proper thing, without -considering my feelings.” -</p> - -<p> -“If my brother was here he would make a pretty speech about the -honour’s being too great for safety,” said Caerleon. “I am not a good -hand at compliments, and so, Princess, I must simply ask you not to -tempt me.” -</p> - -<p> -“Which is a polite way of saying that you decline the honour,” said -the Princess, pouting slightly, and trying to withdraw her hand. At -this interesting moment King Johann and Cyril, followed by the -jägers, appeared at the end of the path. Cyril and the servants drew -back hastily, but the King advanced with much dignity, and approached -the pair. -</p> - -<p> -“Is it possible that the dearest wish of my heart is granted me?” he -asked in a voice broken by emotion. “You have arrived at an -understanding?” -</p> - -<p> -“If the Princess will take me, I hope—er—er—I am ready—er—I will -marry her,” stammered Caerleon. -</p> - -<p> -“And if his Majesty will have me, I shall welcome the honour of -marrying him,” said Princess Ottilie boldly, a mischievous light in -her black eyes. -</p> - -<p> -<br/> -</p> - -<p> -“Then you really are engaged to her?” asked Cyril, incredulously, when -the brothers next found themselves alone together. -</p> - -<p> -“I suppose so,” returned Caerleon, gruffly enough. -</p> - -<p> -“Well I am most extraordinarily delighted to hear it, of course. -Congrats, and all that sort of thing, old man. I suppose she wouldn’t -let you off?” -</p> - -<p> -“That’s about it.” -</p> - -<p> -“You ought to feel flattered by that, at any rate. She’s an awfully -good-looking girl,—any amount of go in her. I shouldn’t wonder if you -find her rather overpowering though, just at first. I’ll take her off -your hands now and then if you do. She’ll think a heap more of you if -you are busy sometimes.” -</p> - -<p> -“I should have thought you would have recommended me to try and get -used to her if I have got to marry her,” growled Caerleon. -</p> - -<p> -Cyril laughed. -</p> - -<p> -“What, in these progressive days?” he asked. “You are behind the age, -old man. You will contrive to exist very happily together by making -sure of never finding yourselves in the same place at the same time.” -And he went away to draw up an official announcement to be sent to M. -Drakovics for insertion in a special Gazette, stigmatising the -circumstantial reports which had appeared of late on the subject of -the King’s approaching marriage as absurdly premature, since the date -even of the betrothal was not yet fixed. As for Caerleon, he prepared -with a failing heart for his interview with the Queen, who had -expressed a desire to see her daughter’s <i>fiancé</i>. The King himself -led him into the boudoir where the Queen sat knitting, and was much -relieved to see her kiss him on the forehead when he stooped to kiss -her hand. He had feared that although Princess Ottilie had proved -unexpectedly pliable, her mother would be more difficult to persuade; -and he ascribed the gratifying reality partly to the Queen’s sense of -his own masterful personality, and partly to the liking she had -already expressed for her future son-in-law. Pitying the young man’s -evident shyness and misery, King Johann volunteered to leave him alone -with the Queen for a time lest his presence should prove a restraint -on their mutual confidences, and the moment that he had left the room -the Queen dropped her knitting and sat upright. -</p> - -<p> -“I can never thank you sufficiently for what you have done to-day,” -she said, in a quick sharp whisper. “You have helped me to save my -child.” -</p> - -<p> -“I am very glad if I have been so fortunate as to please you,” said -Caerleon, lamely. -</p> - -<p> -“My daughter has told me your story,” the Queen went on. “Your -confidence in her has touched us both extremely. If ever I can in any -way serve or befriend the young lady whom you love, I rely upon you to -turn to me without hesitation.” -</p> - -<p> -“Your Majesty is too good,” stammered Caerleon. -</p> - -<p> -“There is one thing I wish to say while we are alone,” continued the -Queen, rapidly. “It is uncertain when Prince Alexis will be able to -complete the arrangements for the wedding, and even when I know the -day I will not tell you. You are to be completely ignorant. The news -must surprise you as much as any one. I am afraid that your engagement -must last at least eight days; but you know that it is not now -proposed to celebrate the betrothal until ten days hence. I hope you -will not find the time very irksome, but my child is a little wayward -occasionally. Here comes the King.” -</p> - -<p> -When Caerleon went out from the Queen’s boudoir, with the King’s arm -in his, it was to begin the most horrible fortnight of his life. If he -had done wrong in yielding to Princess Ottilie’s entreaties, he was -amply punished for it as the days went on. He loathed the idea of -deceiving the King, tyrannical and weak-minded though he was; he -loathed the delighted congratulations which came pouring in through M. -Drakovics from all Thracia as soon as it became known that the date of -the betrothal was actually fixed. He was deceiving the man whose bread -he was eating, for on the return from the hunt the King had insisted -that the brothers should take up their quarters at Schloss Herzensruh; -he was deceiving Cyril, who had never, so he fondly believed, -concealed a thought from him; he was deceiving his simple-minded -subjects, and he was laying up a store of self-loathing which became -in course of time almost unbearable. And, worst of all, he was turning -his back on Nadia, forsaking her, and, so far as the world could see, -preparing to marry another girl, exactly as she had begged him to do, -and prophesied that he would do. This last aspect of the case would -have made the situation intolerable to a woman, but Caerleon was -possessed of a dogged patience which forced him to go on to the bitter -end, having once given his promise to Princess Ottilie. But he -discovered very soon that, although it had been easy enough to offer -her his help in the forest, with her tearful eyes fixed upon him and -her indignant voice ringing in his ears, it was much more difficult to -carry out his promise gracefully. -</p> - -<p> -He did his best, although it must be confessed that that best was but -poor. When Cyril suggested mildly that it was usual to send presents -to the lady in the course of an engagement, he followed his advice, -and telegraphed to Paris and Vienna orders for jewellery and objects -of art; but he did so with the bitter recollection that he had never -given Nadia so much as a keepsake, while here he was showering costly -gifts upon a girl for whom he did not care a straw. It was the same -with the rides, on which it was the Princess’s will and pleasure that -he should accompany her at least once a-day. He had never had the -chance of riding with Nadia; but he had little opportunity of -forgetting that Princess Ottilie had a splendid seat, and rode like an -Englishwoman, as Cyril told her once, assuring her at the same time -that it was the highest compliment he could pay her. At first, indeed, -Caerleon welcomed the prospect of the rides, as likely to restrict his -intercourse with his <i>fiancée</i> to the polite and friendly terms on -which he felt it was both right and reasonable they should meet. But -he had reckoned without Princess Ottilie, even as he had left out of -his calculations the enterprising photographers who travelled from -Bellaviste and Eusebia, and arranged cameras in ambush by the side of -the road along which the riders were to pass, and the enthusiastic -amateurs who took snap-shots at them with kodaks. The Princess had -eyes like a hawk, and could detect the most artfully concealed camera -some minutes before she came abreast of it, and distinguish a -photographic maniac at any distance, and at the crucial moment she -would begin a confidential low-toned conversation, which obliged -Caerleon to lean politely towards her in order to hear what she said; -or she would drop her riding-whip. It was against his principles, she -had discovered, to allow the groom to pick it up, and thus she had the -pleasure of seeing him dismount and rescue it himself, while the -lurking enemy gloated over the negative he had secured, which was -destined to appear after the lapse of a week or two, in a more or less -appalling guise, in one of the Continental illustrated journals. -</p> - -<p> -“It isn’t the riding I mind, but I do bar her tricks,” Caerleon -bemoaned himself one day to Cyril, who had witnessed an incident of -this kind. -</p> - -<p> -“Never mind,” said Cyril. “She only wants to show you off.” -</p> - -<p> -“If she carries on much more, I shall cut,” said the victim, gloomily. -</p> - -<p> -“Beastly mean, if you do,” said Cyril. “The girl’s awfully gone on -you. When I get her alone sometimes, and sing your praises to her, you -should see how pleased she is. Don’t be a fool, old man. Any other -chap would think himself in clover to have a smart, good-looking girl, -and a princess too, in love with him to such an extent.” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, I shall get thrown, then. That will stop the rides, at any -rate.” -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t, if you take my advice. She will insist on nursing you—rather -like it than otherwise. As to your finding it a bore to go out with -her——” -</p> - -<p> -“I shouldn’t, if I wasn’t engaged to her,” groaned Caerleon. -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, Lothario!” laughed Cyril, but he forbore to pursue the subject -further. He was so highly delighted by the unexpected success of his -diplomacy that he could afford to be generous. How the Princess had -managed to draw Caerleon into the engagement he could not guess, but -he was the last man in the world to quarrel with the accomplished -fact. He could stand a good deal from Caerleon in these days, he told -himself, taking credit for extraordinary forbearance towards a fellow -who was as bad as a bear with a sore head. Why couldn’t he put a good -face on it, as the Princess did? She had been obliged to discard her -old love, but she didn’t let the fact spoil all her enjoyment of -life—not she. -</p> - -<p> -As will have been observed, Caerleon’s task was not made easier by his -<i>fiancée</i>. Princess Ottilie saw the full comedy of the situation, -where he perceived only its tragic irony, and she took a lively -pleasure in emphasising the details of the plot. A born actress, no -mere tame acceptance of facts would content her, and she played -shamelessly to the gallery. Ordinary love-making was poor,—everything -for her must be intense, and surcharged with meaning. She never left -Caerleon alone. Loving epithets flowed from her lips in a way that -made him feel that he must be blushing scarlet a dozen times a-day. -She claimed his time and attention as a right, obliged him to assist -her in the most incongruous tasks, made him turn over the pages of her -music for her during what seemed interminable hours (she was a most -accomplished musician), and appealed in an injured tone to Cyril, or -the Queen, or the ladies-in-waiting, if he showed signs of fatigue or -preoccupation. The general effect produced was that of a modern and -substantial Titania wooing a singularly unresponsive clown, to the -great edification of the beholders. -</p> - - -<h3 id="ch13"> -CHAPTER XIII.<br/> -<span class="chap_sub">PUNIC FAITH.</span> -</h3> - -<p class="noindent"> -<span class="sc">Matters</span> came to a crisis on a certain dreadful evening when the -Prince of Dardania, who was staying at one of his palaces a short -distance on the other side of the frontier, dined at the castle. An -invitation had been sent him, with what the King congratulated himself -was a refinement of cruelty, that he might see with his own eyes how -complete was the ruin of his hopes, and the scheme met with a success -of which its originator had not dreamed. Whether through malice or -through nervousness, Princess Ottilie overacted her part enormously -that night, insomuch that she awakened doubts even in the mind of -Prince Alexis, and thrilled Caerleon with a new horror. Perhaps she -had changed her mind, and would after all refuse to release him,—and -what would be his position in such a case? It comforted him to see -that the Queen managed to exchange a few whispered words with the -Prince, as he took his leave after an evening of chilling neglect, but -he himself had an account to settle with Princess Ottilie. The next -morning the pair had “words” in the conservatory, and Caerleon -informed his <i>fiancée</i> succinctly that he had no intention of being -used as an instrument of torture with which to harass Prince Alexis. -</p> - -<p> -“If you try it on again, I shall simply make the whole thing known,” -he said. -</p> - -<p> -“You threaten me?” wept the Princess. -</p> - -<p> -“Not if you behave decently,” he answered, with a roughness which only -his desperate situation could excuse; “but if a man is supposed to be -engaged, he has a right to have a voice in the proceedings of his—of -the lady. The fact is, you think you can go as far as you like with -me, and I won’t have it. You wouldn’t dare to carry on in this way -with my brother Cyril, or any other man, because you know he might -respond, and then you would get into trouble. But as I consider myself -virtually engaged to some one else, and was soft-hearted enough to -believe what you told me in the forest, you think you can make as big -a fool of me as you like; but I’m not going to stand it.” -</p> - -<p> -“You are brutal,” sobbed Princess Ottilie. “As you say, any other man -would feel honoured to be treated in the way I treat you.” -</p> - -<p> -“Let him,” said Caerleon. “I don’t; and I tell you plainly, it’s not -to go on.” -</p> - -<p> -“You are a monster to talk to me like this, at any rate,” she said, -drying her eyes. “Now that you have delivered your lecture, and I have -listened, I will only say one thing, that I would never allow my -prince to speak to me as you have done.” -</p> - -<p> -She vouchsafed no other expression of penitence, and even this remark -Caerleon understood to be intended more as a hit; nor did his lecture -seem to have had much effect upon her conduct, for when later in the -day Cyril, on finding Princess Ottilie alone, noticed the heaviness of -her eyes, and ventured to hope that she was not suffering from -headache, she told him frankly that she had been crying, and gave him -to understand that her tears were due to a doubt as to Caerleon’s real -feelings towards her. A good deal of diplomacy was needed to soothe -her apprehensions, and when Cyril left her, with his mind made up to -seek Caerleon and warn him to be more careful, he found himself seized -upon by the King, who was strongly of the opinion that something was -wrong. Why did Caerleon look so gloomy? and why had he made the -Princess cry that morning? were his unanswerable questions; and -although Cyril, with what he told himself was perfect truth, urged -that he could not imagine any reason why his brother, who was -notoriously an advocate of love-matches, should engage himself to the -Princess against his will, he was obliged to fall back on Caerleon’s -imaginary unworthiness and low opinion of himself as an explanation. -He saw that the King was only half satisfied, and the next day he was -forced to feel that this tendency towards mistrust had made itself -evident at a very inopportune moment. -</p> - -<p> -Hosts and guests alike at Schloss Herzensruh breakfasted in their own -rooms, and it was immediately after the early meal that Cyril received -an intimation that the King desired his attendance as soon as -possible. The wording of the message struck him as peculiar; but he -finished his dressing hurriedly, and presented himself in the study. -To his astonishment, he found King Johann surrounded by piles of -newspaper packets bearing English stamps, which had just arrived by -post. Several of them had been opened, and Cyril was surprised to see -that each contained a copy of that well-known weekly, ‘Mendacity,’ -dated two or three days back. Furthermore, on looking at those still -unopened, he recognised in each case the cover of ‘Mendacity.’ -</p> - -<p> -“Lord Cyril,” said the King, and Cyril was surprised to see that the -fussy little man could look really kingly, “I have sent for you -because all the arrangements for my daughter’s engagement have been -conducted through you, and also because I was anxious not to trouble -your brother if this matter is susceptible of explanation. You see -these papers? I think every one of my English friends has sent me a -copy, and the same paragraph is marked in each. Perhaps you will -kindly read it.” -</p> - -<p> -He put one of the papers into Cyril’s hand, and he read the marked -paragraph:— -</p> - -<div class="letter"> - -<p> -“‘I have no desire to be reckoned among the “unco guid,” and it has -always been my belief that young men will be young men. Still, I am -not sorry that my Temperance friends should have the chance of -learning the true character of the gay Lothario whom the criminal -inertness of a Tory Government has permitted to establish himself on -the throne of Thracia. We have heard a good deal lately about the -superior morality of this gentleman. His people have all been made -suddenly sober—not by Act of Parliament, but by his “royal” decree; -he has sacrificed a large part of his income for the purpose of buying -up licences, and he is about to put the finishing touch to his -catalogue of good deeds by making a love-match with the wealthy and -beautiful daughter of a neighbouring sovereign. Perhaps it will be -news for some of my readers to learn that this so-called “King” is -bound by every tie of honour to marry a Scythian lady of noble family, -whose acquaintance he made before seizing upon the throne, and whom he -subsequently abandoned in the most heartless manner, and under -circumstances of peculiar cruelty. What does the Nonconformist -conscience think of this? Scythia has a long account already -outstanding against this choice specimen of the British aristocracy, -and when the day of reckoning comes, the swords of her soldiers will -not leap from their scabbards with the less alacrity for the -remembrance of his behaviour towards their countrywoman.’” -</p> - -</div> - -<p> -The time occupied in reading the paragraph through afforded Cyril the -opportunity of collecting his thoughts, for he had guessed its drift -from the very first sentences. Now he threw down the paper and cried -hotly— -</p> - -<p> -“I hope to goodness Caerleon has not seen this! If he has, he will -simply go off to Scythia at once, and marry the girl whether she -wishes it or not.” -</p> - -<p> -“Then the story is true?” shouted the King, half rising from his -chair, the veins in his forehead swelling. -</p> - -<p> -“Like most lies, it rejoices in a substratum of truth,” answered -Cyril, coolly. -</p> - -<p> -“Be good enough to explain to me exactly what you mean,” said the -King, his fury in a measure disarmed by the young man’s serenity. -</p> - -<p> -“The facts are very simple,” returned Cyril. “During our tour in -Hungary, we made the acquaintance of a Scythian officer and his -family. The only daughter was a most estimable young lady, and my -brother fell deeply in love with her. We may presume that his -affection was not returned—at any rate, when he proposed to her, she -refused him. That’s all, unless she has changed her mind by this -time.” -</p> - -<p> -“And you can assure me, on your honour as a nobleman, that there is no -other foundation for this—this tale?” -</p> - -<p> -Cyril drew himself up. “I have not the honour to understand your -Majesty. Is it possible that you can for a moment have believed the -story to be true?” -</p> - -<p> -“There was some justification for such a belief, in this printed paper -and in the anxiety of my English friends,” said the King, drily. -</p> - -<p> -“If that is the case, I think your Majesty has shown pretty plainly -that the prospect of a marriage between my brother and the Princess -does not meet with your approval,” said Cyril, with awful coldness. -“If your Majesty will permit me, I will communicate the fact to him, -and we will leave the castle at once.” -</p> - -<p> -“No, no! you are too hasty,” said King Johann, quickly. “It is surely -only natural that I should resent such an aspersion on the character -of my future son-in-law. Surely, too, I may complain of a want of -openness on your part. Why have I heard nothing of this prior -attachment?” -</p> - -<p> -“One is not particularly anxious to publish it abroad that one’s -brother has made a fool of himself,” said Cyril, frankly. “I don’t -mind acknowledging that I was glad to hush the matter up. But Caerleon -insisted on telling the Princess all about it, and I know that he did -so before their engagement took place. No doubt that is one reason for -his looking so seedy lately. Of course he felt that it wasn’t quite -fair for a man with an experience of that kind fresh in his memory to -seek the love of a whole-hearted, unworldly young girl like her Royal -Highness.” -</p> - -<p> -This was carrying the war into the enemy’s camp with a vengeance, and -the King climbed down from his high horse somewhat hastily. -</p> - -<p> -“I do not complain so much of the concealment of the matter from -myself, as of the fact that other persons have been allowed to obtain -a knowledge of it,” he said, wisely waiving the question of Princess -Ottilie’s inexperience in affairs of the heart. Cyril made no remark, -but accepted the words as confirmation of a suspicion which had -occurred to him once or twice, that King Johann’s ignorance was merely -official, and that he had all along been aware of the existence of -Nadia, although he had acquiesced discreetly in the silence hitherto -maintained with regard to her. “How do you suppose that the news -reached England?” the King went on. -</p> - -<p> -“From a Scythian source, no doubt,” answered Cyril, promptly. -“Dickinson, the editor of ‘Mendacity,’ hunts up the scandals of all -nations for his wretched rag. I suppose you have no Scythian newspaper -of last week?” -</p> - -<p> -“I remember now that one was sent me. It is evident that I have not so -many kind friends in Scythia as in England. I put it on one side, for -I do not myself read Scythian easily; and I thought—the Queen—about -this marriage—things might be said——” -</p> - -<p> -“As matters stand, it is a very good thing you did not,” said Cyril, -answering the thought rather than the words. “Her Majesty might have -misunderstood the whole affair. We all know that ladies are often apt -to take strong prejudices, unfortunately.” -</p> - -<p> -“Will you read it, and see what it says?” suggested the King. -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t know much Scythian, but I might manage to puzzle it out,” -said Cyril; and the King brought out a crumpled paper, which the two -studied painfully for some minutes. -</p> - -<p> -“Ah, here it is!” cried Cyril, and he began to translate rapidly and -freely: “‘The Carlino-O’Malachy affair, of which so much has lately -been heard in society, appears likely to have far-reaching -consequences.’ Then there comes pretty much what we have just read in -‘Mendacity.’ Then it goes on: ‘With a view to obtaining authoritative -information on the subject, a representative of this journal called -yesterday upon Colonel O’Malachy, who was paying a flying visit to the -city, and left this morning. Colonel O’Malachy is a veteran soldier, -wearing a medal for distinguished services, and the order of the -Byzantine Empire. He has served in——’ oh, that doesn’t signify. ‘The -gallant officer maintained an attitude of strict reserve, but admitted -that the published accounts of the Thracian usurper’s conduct are -substantially true. The publicity which had been given to the matter -was, however, quite contrary to his wishes and those of his family, -for it was not, he said, the custom of a house which numbered kings -among its ancestors to submit its wrongs to the arbitrament of a court -either of law or of public opinion. Let but an appeal be made to arms, -and he would trust to meet the English filibuster face to face on the -soil he has seized, and to sheathe the sword, which had drunk Moslem -blood in ’77, in his treacherous heart.’” -</p> - -<p> -“That conclusion is rather fine,” observed Cyril. “I always knew that -the O’Malachy was about as picturesque an old villain as remains -unhung in these degenerate days; but I did not know he was quite -capable of these heroics.” -</p> - -<p> -“Perhaps a telegram which I received before you came in may throw some -light upon the matter,” said the King. “It is from our Minister at -Pavelsburg, telling me that this very paper had been warned by the -censor, at his request, for publishing unauthorised news. He added -that the news related to the King of Thracia.” -</p> - -<p> -“Only warned? not suspended?” said Cyril. “That shows they were not -sorry to have it believed, then. Well, I fear we can do nothing to -bring Scythia to a sense of the error of her ways; but I think I can -put a spoke in Dickinson’s wheel.” -</p> - -<p> -“I am about to indite a formal complaint to the British Government,” -said the King. “It is intolerable that a newspaper should be allowed -to libel the sovereign of a neighbouring country in this way, -especially when it is remembered that he is on the point of connecting -himself with my family.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’m afraid that will scarcely do,” said Cyril. “You see, for one -thing, Caerleon isn’t exactly the sovereign of a neighbouring -country—at least, no one seems quite to know whether he is a -sovereign at all, or not.” -</p> - -<p> -“But that will be satisfactorily settled before long,” said the King. -</p> - -<p> -“If Pannonia supports us at Czarigrad in pressing anew for our -recognition from Roum it will be, but not otherwise,” said Cyril, -shortly. “But this uncertainty disposes of any idea of appealing to -the British Government. What we have to do is to work upon Dickinson -in a way he can understand.” -</p> - -<p> -“And what is that?” asked King Johann. -</p> - -<p> -“I know a man on the staff of the ‘Universe,’” answered Cyril, “and it -will give him and his chief the purest pleasure to make Dickinson take -a back seat over this business. I shall simply send him one little -fact, and he will work it up with a few flourishes about Dickinson’s -abnormal faculty for discovering mares’ nests, and a passing remark or -two on the subject of his descent from the man who hated Aristides.” -</p> - -<p> -“But what is the fact?” asked the King, eagerly. -</p> - -<p> -“Merely this, that the brother of the much-injured lady is still an -officer in my brother’s guard, and dined at our table, quite in a -friendly spirit, the night before we left Bellaviste. If the O’Malachy -had any sense of dramatic consistency, he would have ordered him to -resign his commission; but as the idea hasn’t struck him, we are all -right.” -</p> - -<p> -“But the mere demonstration that the charge he has brought against -your brother is an absurdity will not affect this Dickinson,” said the -King. -</p> - -<p> -“Oh yes, it will. The very suggestion that he has been taken in by -such a ridiculous story will be a sufficient punishment for him.” -</p> - -<p> -“But if the aim of his journal is to circulate lies, he cannot have -any regard for the truth,” objected the King. -</p> - -<p> -“He cares very much about his reputation as a shrewd man of the -world,” said Cyril. “And you musn’t judge his paper from its title. -That is Dickinson’s little joke. He calls it ‘Mendacity’ on the <i>lucus -a non lucendo</i> principle, from a theory of his that the name is -intended to indicate what the paper is not. The ‘Times,’ he says, is -behind the times; the ‘Standard’ lags in the rear, instead of leading; -and it is just the same with his paper—in each case the contents -contradict the name. But some people think that there is more truth in -the title than anywhere inside the cover.” -</p> - -<p> -“So it would appear,” said the King. -</p> - -<p> -“We are rather proud of Dickinson at home,” Cyril went on. “He is a -purely English product, and <i>fin de siècle</i> at that. No other nation -can rival his peculiar humour.” The King looked as though he, at any -rate, found it difficult also to appreciate the bent of Mr Dickinson’s -genius. “But the ‘Universe’ will have him on toast this time with a -vengeance,” continued Cyril, cheerfully. “I suppose we may consider -the little affair agreeably settled, sir? Perhaps I may remark that -the sooner our application at Czarigrad is granted the easier we shall -find it to deal with cases of this kind.” -</p> - -<p> -“Naturally,” said the King, “before I took any steps whatever to -promote a marriage between my daughter and your brother, it was -understood that Pannonia would at once do her best to secure the -recognition of your rights from Roum.” -</p> - -<p> -This was a most satisfactory assurance, and Cyril went away well -pleased. The morrow was the day fixed for the betrothal—a ceremony -which, according to German ideas, would be wellnigh as indissoluble as -marriage itself—and it struck him that the Emperor of Pannonia would -probably consider it a pleasing and friendly act to begin to press the -claims of Thracia on the Roumi Government immediately, in order to -obtain Caerleon’s recognition by the suzerain Power as a graceful -wedding-gift to the betrothed pair. All seemed to be prospering with -Cyril’s schemes, and he prepared with a light heart for his departure -from Schloss Herzensruh. It was considered more correct that the King -of Thracia should arrive on Mœsian soil from his own territory on the -morning of the betrothal, and the brothers were therefore to return to -their shooting-box for the night. Caerleon’s state of mind was a -pitiable one. The time fixed for his penance had all but dragged out -its weary course, and yet he saw no hope of obtaining his release. -What was he to do if no means of escape offered itself during the one -day that was left? He was firmly resolved under no circumstances to -take upon him the solemn vows of betrothal; but how was he to refuse -to do so without either casting a slur on Princess Ottilie or -betraying her secret? It is absurd, even humiliating, to be obliged to -confess it, but the idea of flight presented itself to him more than -once in tempting colours. -</p> - -<p> -The first break in the clouds became visible at the mid-day meal, -which might be considered either as a late breakfast or as an early -lunch, and at which Princess Ottilie did not appear. She was not very -well, her mother said, and had decided to remain in her room for the -day; and she herself sent a special message to Caerleon to the effect -that her indisposition was caused by grief regarding the anxiously -expected Paris dress, which had indeed arrived, but was horribly cut, -and made her look hideous. King Johann received the excuse with -considerable seriousness, and remarked that his daughter had an -undisciplined mind, and he hoped that Caerleon would teach her to be -less frivolous when they were married; but it was evident that he -regarded the cause of the illness as amply sufficient under the -circumstances, and Caerleon recalled with some amusement the -Princess’s words in the forest. He could afford to be amused now, for -he guessed that Princess Ottilie intended on the morrow to urge her -indisposition as a reason for postponing the betrothal; and, although -the means were not such as he would have chosen, he was so nearly -desperate by this time as to be ready to snatch at any prospect of -escape. Hence he also was able to leave the castle cheerfully, and -even to endure with patience the chaff in which Cyril indulged as they -rode through the forest, although it dealt chiefly with -engagement-rings and loss of bachelor freedom, and similar well-worn -and appropriate themes. -</p> - -<p> -The afternoon passed quickly, in its unwonted freedom from the -Princess’s rather exacting society, and with the dusk arrived M. -Drakovics, who had journeyed from Bellaviste expressly for the purpose -of being present at the betrothal ceremony. Much to Caerleon’s relief, -he made no pretence of congratulation, and displayed no special -interest in the event of the morrow; but immediately after dinner -produced a vast pile of reports and returns on the subject of the new -liquor laws, and invited the King to go through them with him. -Caerleon was only too glad to welcome any work that promised to -distract his mind from the gnawing anxiety which assailed him whenever -he reflected that it was possible that Princess Ottilie might not be -able to carry out her plan after all, and he threw himself into the -task with avidity. With Cyril it was otherwise. He was consumed by an -intense restlessness, a haunting fear lest some unforeseen catastrophe -should interfere with his schemes just as they were on the point of -realisation; and he wandered from room to room, pausing now and then -to turn over with unquiet fingers the documents which the other two -were perusing so strenuously. -</p> - -<p> -“What’s up, Cyril? Anything wrong?” asked Caerleon at last. -</p> - -<p> -“Only the fidgets, as old nurse used to say when I was a kid. I’m as -much excited as if it was I who was going to be betrothed to-morrow -instead of you. I can’t keep quiet. I think I shall go for a walk.” -</p> - -<p> -“Now? at this time of night?” -</p> - -<p> -“Rather. I feel as if I had an inexhaustible fund of energy to work -off. By the by, have those rubies arrived yet?” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes. Wright went to fetch them from the town this afternoon. He was -just in time to meet the Vienna express.” -</p> - -<p> -“Did you send him on to Schloss Herzensruh with them?” -</p> - -<p> -“No; of course not. I’m going to take them with me in the morning.” -</p> - -<p> -“What an outer barbarian you are!” cried Cyril. “Do you expect -Princess Ottilie to put them on in public? She must have them in time -to study the effect properly in the glass, and admire herself in them. -Give them to me, and I’ll take them to her at once.” -</p> - -<p> -“You don’t mean that you would carry that case of jewels through the -forest alone at night?” -</p> - -<p> -“Who is to know that I am carrying it? It will go into my pocket. -Besides, there are no robbers here; it’s a regular Forest of Arden, a -most suitable place for a betrothal. So trot out the box.” -</p> - -<p> -“A little later in the year the forest will be dangerous on account of -the wolves; but they have not come down from the mountains yet, and -Milord Cyril will be in no danger,” said M. Drakovics, who found -Cyril’s restless peregrinations very trying. -</p> - -<p> -“That reminds me,” said Caerleon gloomily, as he unlocked one of the -table-drawers and took out the jewel-case; “there came a message this -morning from one of the mountain villages, saying that several people -have been killed by a large solitary wolf, which can neither be -trapped nor shot. They think it’s a were-wolf, and they sent to beg me -to come up and try to shoot it. It seems that my Express rifle has -made a name for itself, and there’s some superstition about the King’s -bullet, besides. It’s a horrid bother that I can’t go. I suppose I -shall have to let Prince Alexis know. One can’t leave the people to be -decimated on the chance of my having a day off some time next week. -There you are, Cyril, if you are bent on going. Don’t lose those -rubies, or I’ll tell the man to send in the bill to you.” -</p> - -<p> -Cyril was already in the hall donning his fur-lined coat and cap; and -putting the case in his pocket, he started on his lonely walk. Autumn -was passing into winter, but there was no snow on the ground as yet, -and the dry leaves crackled pleasantly under his feet as he struck -into the moonlit path between the tall black tree-stems. For a short -time he walked fast and steadily, in order to exorcise the feeling of -excitement which possessed him; then he slackened his pace a little, -and as the stillness of the forest made itself felt, began to whistle. -He was tramping vigorously along, with his hands thrust deep in his -pockets, when it seemed to him that he saw the figure of a man on the -path some distance in front of him. The shadows cast by the moonlight -from the tree-trunks were so perplexing that he could not be sure that -his eyes had not deceived him; but his blood kindled with an -excitement which was by no means disagreeable, as he assured himself -that his revolver was in its usual pocket. If there was a man in front -of him he had passed completely out of sight, and Cyril scanned -narrowly the straight stems on either side of the path as he walked -on, assuring himself that he was looking for some distorted tree which -must have taken the shape of a human figure in the moonlight. No such -trunk appeared, however; but at the next turn of the path he caught -sight of a tall man leaning against a tree. His hand went to his -revolver instantly; but he recognised the Prince of Dardania, and -stepped back with a laugh. -</p> - -<p> -“What! you here?” both exclaimed simultaneously. Cyril recovered -himself first. “I didn’t know you were in the habit of taking midnight -rambles on Thracian territory,” he said. “Are you meditating a woful -sonnet?” He stopped hurriedly, remembering that the quotation was -rather an unhappy one under the circumstances, and reflecting that -there could be little doubt that Prince Alexis had been taking a last -look at the abode of the lady of his love before she was lost to him -for ever. -</p> - -<p> -“Not exactly,” returned the Prince, with some hesitation. “In fact, I -was wondering whether I might ask you to do me a good turn. But -perhaps your own business is urgent?” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, I am not love, only love’s messenger,” said Cyril, carelessly. “I -am taking a small parcel to Schloss Herzensruh from my brother.” -</p> - -<p> -“Then, if you will, you can give me the very help I need,” said the -Prince, turning and walking by Cyril’s side. “You see me, as you say -in England, in a hole. The fact is, my dear Mortimer, I am in love.” -</p> - -<p> -Cyril’s first remark was fortunately only uttered mentally, for it was -not of a sympathetic character. “I hardly see how I am to help you,” -he added aloud. -</p> - -<p> -“No?” said the Prince; “but I do. Perhaps you may be surprised to hear -that I love a lady of the Queen of Mœsia’s household?” -</p> - -<p> -“A lady of the household!” cried Cyril. “But I thought——” -</p> - -<p> -“That I was in love with the Princess? But, my dear friend, a screen -is sometimes necessary. At any rate, both the Queen and the Princess -know the truth now.” -</p> - -<p> -“Then I suppose that’s the secret of the snubbing you got the other -night? It certainly was tremendous. I was really sorry for you.” -</p> - -<p> -“Well,” pursued the Prince, “the Queen has treated me better than I -could have dared to hope. She is so good as to give her sanction to my -plans for a private marriage to-night.” -</p> - -<p> -“But why private?” asked Cyril. -</p> - -<p> -“My friend, I have Ministers, who interest themselves unduly in my -affairs at times. I wish to present my marriage to them as an -accomplished fact.” -</p> - -<p> -“I see; and no doubt the Queen thinks that a public wedding might -encourage the rest of her ladies to go and do likewise, a consummation -which would scarcely meet her views. Well, if the ruling power is so -propitious, why don’t you go in and win?” -</p> - -<p> -“That is all that I desire. I have everything prepared at my -summer-palace five miles away, the chapel ready, witnesses, Greek and -Lutheran clergy to perform the ceremony. But how shall I reach my -bride? King Johann has peopled the forest in the neighbourhood of the -castle with gamekeepers and frontier-guards, and if I am seen, all is -lost. The news would be carried to him immediately, and he bears such -a grudge against me that he would spare no pains to discover my object -and to thwart it.” -</p> - -<p> -“But still, I don’t see what you want me to do,” said Cyril. -</p> - -<p> -“Merely this, to bring my bride from the castle, and escort her to me -here. I have two good horses waiting, one with a lady’s saddle, and it -will not take you long.” -</p> - -<p> -“But do you think I am going to compromise myself in this way out of -pure philanthropy?” said Cyril. “I insist on being asked to the -wedding.” -</p> - -<p> -“Then I fear that you will be obliged to escort the bride all the way -to my house, while I start off on foot,” said the Prince, “for I have -not brought another horse.” -</p> - -<p> -“The honour is only too great,” returned Cyril. “I am determined that -nothing shall do me out of my share of the fun. Why, I daresay you -have never even thought of getting hold of any one to propose the -health of the bridal pair, and I’ve been told I’m rather good at that -sort of thing.” -</p> - -<p> -“No; I have not, indeed,” said the Prince. “You are in earnest? Then I -will give you your directions, and part from you here. When you have -delivered your message, and left the castle, knock three times at the -postern-door close to the angle of the wall on this side. If the -mistress of the household opens it, say that you are come on my behalf -to fetch Fräulein von Staubach.” -</p> - -<p> -“What? the lectrice?” asked Cyril. -</p> - -<p> -“Yes; Fräulein von Staubach is the Queen’s lectrice and secretary. -You know her?” the Prince asked, rather anxiously. -</p> - -<p> -“I have caught a glimpse of her once or twice—just enough to see that -she was a fair-haired girl in spectacles. She doesn’t show up as much -as some of the other ladies.” -</p> - -<p> -“No; she is generally busy writing the Queen’s letters. But you will -know her when you see her? The Princess might play you a trick. She -has a mole on the back of her left wrist.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, I shall know her all right. Then, when I have got her safe, we -have only to mount and ride away, I suppose?” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes; the horses are here, you see, tied to this tree.” -</p> - -<p> -“But suppose we meet any of the gamekeepers? They will think it queer, -to say the least, to see me riding about late at night with one of the -Queen’s ladies.” -</p> - -<p> -“Unless you say that Fräulein von Staubach has been summoned back to -Germany by a sudden message, and that you are escorting her to the -station, I don’t see what you can do; and that would leave a good deal -unexplained,” said the Prince, laughing. “They are scarcely likely to -stop you, and no blame can attach to you afterwards, when everything -comes out. You are merely doing a friend a good turn.” -</p> - -<p> -“All right, then,” said Cyril. “We shall meet again,” and he waved his -hand as Prince Alexis started on his lengthy walk, while he went on to -the castle. -</p> - - -<h3 id="ch14"> -CHAPTER XIV.<br/> -<span class="chap_sub">OVER THE BORDER AND AWAY.</span> -</h3> - -<p class="noindent"> -<span class="sc">Cyril’s</span> appearance at so late an hour caused some surprise at -Schloss Herzensruh, but his ostensible errand did not take long to -perform. After receiving a promise from the high functionary to whom -he delivered the jewels that they should be placed in the Princess’s -hands immediately, and declining alike the King’s invitation to come -in and rest and his offer of an escort through the forest, he was very -soon outside the grounds again. When he had gone far enough to be out -of sight of any one who might be looking after him from the porter’s -lodge, he turned aside from the path, and made his way to the little -door in the wall which Prince Alexis had described to him. It opened -immediately at his third knock, and in the shadow behind it he saw two -ladies standing, the taller of whom was unmistakably the Queen. -</p> - -<p> -“I was not expecting you, Lord Cyril,” she said, but without any show -of surprise. -</p> - -<p> -“The Prince of Dardania has intrusted me with the honour of escorting -Fräulein von Staubach over the frontier into his territory, your -Majesty,” said Cyril, while the other lady giggled hysterically. -</p> - -<p> -“My Sophie, control yourself,” said the Queen, with an authoritative -touch on her shoulder. “You have met Lord Cyril Mortimer before, I -think? I will not keep you here, in case my absence should be -remarked. Lord Cyril, I may trust you?” -</p> - -<p> -“I will do my best to justify the confidence which your Majesty and -the Prince are reposing in me,” said Cyril. “But if you will pardon my -hurrying you, I think that Fräulein von Staubach and I ought to start -at once. We have a fairly long ride before us.” -</p> - -<p> -“Farewell, my child!” said the Queen, pressing what struck Cyril as a -very affectionate kiss on the girl’s forehead. “I shall expect to hear -from you to-morrow.” -</p> - -<p> -Fräulein von Staubach’s reply was inaudible; but she threw her arms -round the Queen’s neck and kissed her vehemently, then, without -looking back, she took Cyril’s offered arm and walked quickly away -with him, the Queen locking the door after them. As they picked their -way among the tree-trunks—for Cyril thought it better not to keep to -the path—he stole a look once and again at his companion when they -came to a patch of moonlight. She was of middle height, and apparently -rather stout, although this might be the fault of her wraps, and her -fair hair was elaborately frizzed in front, and gathered into the -fashionable lump behind. Her eyes were concealed by her spectacles; -but Cyril could just distinguish that her eyebrows were so fair as to -be almost colourless under the long gauze veil which covered her face, -and was tied in a bow under her chin. So far as he could tell, she was -wearing a white evening dress, with the train carefully looped up, and -a heavy fur cloak over it. A less suitable costume for a midnight ride -in winter could scarcely be imagined, and he remarked that it might -have been wise to come in a riding-habit. -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, but I could not be married in a habit. What a hideous idea!” she -exclaimed, in a high-pitched voice with a marked Low German accent, -such as after that night Cyril could never hear without a shudder. -</p> - -<p> -“I fear you will find it difficult to ride in that dress,” he -persisted. -</p> - -<p> -“It will be difficult for me to ride at all,” she said, with a giggle; -and Cyril restrained with difficulty an exclamation of disgust. It -began to be clear to him now why the Prince had so readily resigned to -him the honour of escorting his bride from her old to her new home. -They had reached the horses by this time, and Cyril prepared to assist -his charge to mount. -</p> - -<p> -“Put your left hand on my shoulder, and hold the pommel with your -right,” he said; “and give me your left foot. Now, spring!” -</p> - -<p> -He gave a mighty heave, and the lady sprang; but with such ill success -that she came down again in the same place. A second and a third -attempt failed in like manner, and Cyril lost patience. -</p> - -<p> -“If I can’t mount you this time, Fräulein, I shall be obliged to take -you back to the castle. It won’t do to keep you poised in mid-air all -night.” -</p> - -<p> -On this occasion, however, they were successful, thanks to a frantic -effort on the part of Fräulein von Staubach, and Cyril mounted his -own horse (the animals were fortunately quiet ones) and guided both -into the path. -</p> - -<p> -“Try to sit a little straighter in your saddle,” he said to his -companion. “If the beast begins to trot, you will go off.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh no!” she giggled shrilly. “I shall hold round his neck.” -</p> - -<p> -Cyril was silent in deep disgust, and resolved mentally that he would -not speak to her again; but when a disposition on the part of the -horses to break into a trot had been checked two or three times by -little screams from her, he remarked drily— -</p> - -<p> -“We shall never reach the palace to-night at this rate.” -</p> - -<p> -“Never mind me, then, <i>Mein Herr</i>, I will hold to the pommel,” she -responded valiantly, and Cyril set his teeth hard and urged the horses -on. In some wonderful way his companion managed to keep her seat, and, -with the help of a few directions from him, got on better than he had -expected, although he still muttered wrathfully to himself that he was -thankful there was no one about to see him giving riding-lessons to a -<i>sack</i>! Slowly the long miles were covered, and midnight had passed -when the riders entered the courtyard of the Prince of Dardania’s -palace, which Cyril had already visited with Caerleon. Here all was -bustle, servants bearing torches were ranged on either side of the -door, and Prince Alexis himself hastened anxiously forward to receive -his bride, who slipped from her horse into his arms with a hysterical -laugh. -</p> - -<p> -“It has been almost too much!” Cyril heard her say, as the Prince led -her up the steps, and it struck him that she had visibly increased in -height since his first glimpse of her in the castle garden. -</p> - -<p> -“I’ve heard of people who got two inches taller owing to the -consciousness of success, but I never saw it happen before,” he said -to himself, as he gave the horses into the charge of a servant, and -allowed himself to be conducted into the palace by a bowing official. -The door opened into a great hall, through which Prince Alexis had -just led his bride into a side room, where Cyril had a momentary view -of a number of Dardanian ladies, evidently of high rank, gathering -around their future Princess; but his guide conducted him through a -long passage into a chapel, where everything was in readiness for the -celebration of the Greek marriage-rite. The space on one side of the -aisle was filled with Dardanian chiefs and nobles, splendid-looking -men in gorgeous national costumes; and as Cyril was ushered to his -place among them, he wondered how long it would be before a similar -throng was gathered together for Caerleon’s wedding, and how many -different religious ceremonies it would take to marry him. He had -abundant opportunity for meditation, for the Lutheran rite was -proceeding in another room; but after a while the vacant seats on the -other side of the chapel were filled by the ladies of whom he had -caught a glimpse, and the bride and bridegroom entered, and advanced -up the aisle. The lady’s face was hidden by an elaborate lace veil, -and Cyril felt a momentary curiosity as to the means by which she had -managed to bring it with her; but his attention was soon distracted to -more important details. The half-married bride was undoubtedly taller -than she had appeared in the garden, and carried herself regally; and -as Cyril gazed at her by the flickering light of the lamps burning -before the sacred pictures and on the dais, it struck him that she was -otherwise altered. Fräulein von Staubach was fair, but he was almost -certain that this girl’s knot of hair was dark; and when she turned -her head for a moment, it seemed to him that her eyebrows also were -dark and strongly marked. -</p> - -<p> -What had happened? What was the meaning of this enigma? Had he been -fooled? He listened eagerly to the words of the priest, trying to -discover some clue to the mystery; but he was unacquainted with the -service and with the language in which it was conducted, and he had no -prayer-book. He gathered that some question was being asked of the -bridegroom; but strain his ears as he would, he could not distinguish -in it the name of Sophie von Staubach, while for one awful instant he -was haunted by the dread that he had heard the words Ottilie Ivanovna. -A moment or two more, and his fear was confirmed, for the question -addressed to the bride was answered, not in the shrill Low German -accents of Fräulein von Staubach, but in the clear decided tones of -Princess Ottilie. Cyril was standing quietly by, while his brother’s -bride was married to another man before his eyes! He sprang forward, -but a hand laid upon his shoulder on either side held him back. He was -gripped by the two stalwart Dardanians between whom he was standing. -</p> - -<p> -“Monsieur must not disturb the ceremony,” said one of them in bad -French; and Cyril, seeing that he was overmatched, resisted the -temptation to disturb the ceremony to some purpose by a shout -proclaiming the falseness of the bride, and remained mute and -motionless throughout the protracted rite, with its prayers and -incense, its presentation of the Common Cup, and its crowning and -marching round the dais, although during the whole time the thought -was forcing itself into his mind that Caerleon must have known of all -this. The fact that he had been looking forward to such a -<i>dénoûment</i> explained both his willingness to enter into the -engagement at all, and his callousness with regard to his <i>fiancée</i>, -while his anxiety and misery throughout the past week were accounted -for by the uncertainty of his position. And Princess Ottilie! Cyril -ground his teeth as he remembered her tormenting doubts as to -Caerleon’s affection, and how he had comforted her, while all the time -she had been carrying on this complicated train of deception. But, -after all, her moral turpitude was nothing to that of Caerleon. Cyril, -the shrewd, the far-sighted, the diplomatist, had been duped, and by -the brother whom he had always regarded as an honest simpleton, whose -every thought he believed that he knew. It may seem a paradox to say -that when Cyril’s first rage had cooled, the effect of his discovery -was to heighten very considerably his respect for Caerleon, but so it -was. The man by whom he had been deceived in this way must be -possessed of a certain amount of brains. -</p> - -<p> -Cyril had arrived at this point in his meditations when the ceremony -concluded, and the bridal company left the chapel to sign the -register. He was among the foremost who followed them into the room in -which the book was placed in readiness, and when she had written her -name, Princess Ottilie offered the pen to him with a mischievous -smile— -</p> - -<p> -“Come, Lord Cyril; you will add your name as a witness?” -</p> - -<p> -“I am much honoured, but your Royal Highness will not catch me twice,” -he replied; and she turned away with a laugh. He felt tempted to make -his escape at once; but pride forbade him to slink away and show -himself defeated, and he determined to face her again, and tell her -one or two home-truths. His opportunity came later, when the bridal -pair had proceeded to the throne-room to receive the congratulations -of those present, and his name was duly announced by the grand -chamberlain. -</p> - -<p> -“Now, Lord Cyril,” said the Princess, when he had uttered the -requisite formula with just the shade of exaggeration which showed -that his good wishes were not wholly sincere, “confess that you were -completely deceived. Of course it would have been much more sensible -to wear a riding-habit; but I knew that the real Sophie von Staubach -would never consent to be married in one, and I felt that I must dress -the character consistently.” -</p> - -<p> -“The illusion was perfect,” returned Cyril. “I can only congratulate -your Royal Highness on the skill with which you have rendered the -first act of your—tragedy.” -</p> - -<p> -“Tragedy?” asked Prince Alexis, sharply. “Why tragedy?” -</p> - -<p> -“If I wished to be unpleasant,” said Cyril, “I might quote -Shakespeare, and say, ‘She has deceived her father, and may thee.’ But -that would be impolite, and besides, the tragedy to which I refer is -not a domestic but a public one. It doesn’t require much foresight to -prophesy that the results of this night’s work will be -</p> - -<div class="quote_o"><div class="quote_i"> -<p class="i8">‘Sword and fire,</p> -<p class="i0">Red ruin, and the breaking up of laws,</p> -<p class="i0">The craft of kindred and the ruthless hosts</p> -<p class="i0">Of Scythia swarming o’er the Euxine sea.’</p> -</div></div> - -<p class="noindent"> -But you really must excuse me,” he broke off apologetically; “I seem -to be dealing in English literature specimens, adapted to suit present -circumstances, to-night. The fact is, that my mind is still so -completely under the spell of the superb acting of her Royal Highness, -that poetry comes to my tongue more readily than prose.” -</p> - -<p> -The Prince frowned. “I fail to see why a European war should be the -consequence of our marriage, as you seem to imply.” -</p> - -<p> -“Simply because Thracia has been induced to part with territory under -a misapprehension.” -</p> - -<p> -“Ah, my price!” cried Princess Ottilie. “You see I am acquainted with -your little plans, Lord Cyril, and I have out-plotted you. You are -angry to-night, but to-morrow you will see that you have deserved it. -You have done all you could to make me believe that your brother was -deeply in love with me, when the whole time I knew from his own lips -that it was all he could do to endure the sight of me. It was I who -arranged with the Prince that you were to be brought here to-night. I -was determined to have my revenge on you, to show you that there were -others who could lay plots as well as yourself. Don’t talk about -misapprehensions. Your brother the King will be the first to tell you -that he has aided me throughout in this conspiracy of mine until -to-day.” -</p> - -<p> -“That my brother was foolish enough to allow himself to be persuaded -to join you in playing a practical joke, in very doubtful taste, on -your father, will make no difference to the Thracians,” retorted -Cyril. “They will demand back the territory out of which they have -been cozened, and the great Powers will be drawn into the war.” -</p> - -<p> -“I hope the consequences will not be so serious as you seem to -expect,” said Prince Alexis, breaking into the war of words. “I enjoy -some little influence at the Scythian Court, and I can promise you -that it shall be exerted on behalf of the independence of Thracia, and -in favour of your brother, to whom I shall always be grateful for the -part he has played during the last few days. And now, Lord Cyril, we -must not detain you longer, or King Carlino will be anxious about you. -Stefan here will take you to a room where there is refreshment -prepared, and after that you will find a fresh horse and an escort of -six of my guard to conduct you back to Thracia. I owe you many thanks -for the assistance you have given me to-night.” -</p> - -<p> -“And remember,” added Princess Ottilie, as Cyril bowed, “that though I -can’t quite forgive King Carlino for the way in which he has treated -me, I am sorry I teased him so much. But I am not sorry that I hoaxed -you to-night.” -</p> - -<p> -Thus dismissed, Cyril had no option but to take his leave of the royal -couple, and commit himself to the charge of Stefan, who brought him to -a buffet, where he made a hasty meal. He was conscious that it would -have been more in keeping with his tragic utterances to quit the -palace at once, refusing either to eat or drink within its walls, and -denouncing vengeance against its perjured mistress; but the night was -very cold, he was tired, and there was a long ride before him. And -after all, it could not be denied that the Princess had played her -part wonderfully well; there was no disgrace in having been deceived -by her. But it was inexcusable to have been taken in by Caerleon, -clumsy and unwilling actor as he was; and the only point Cyril could -allege in his own favour was that he might be pardoned for not -suspecting such an unprecedented event as his brother’s lending -himself to support a course of deception. The thought comforted him to -some extent, however, and as he mounted the horse prepared for him he -felt more at peace with himself. The ride home occupied a much shorter -space of time than the former one had done, and Cyril laughed angrily -to himself as he remembered the amount of trouble he had wasted in -giving a riding-lesson to the best rider in Mœsia. The thought -recalled to him his grudge against Caerleon, and when he had dismissed -his Dardanian escort a little way from the hunting-lodge, he made up -his mind to punish his brother by giving him one more night’s -suspense. He was bound to hear in the morning of what had happened; -but it would only be a richly deserved punishment for him not to be -relieved from his anxiety sooner. Accordingly, Cyril went straight to -bed as soon as he entered the house, although he heard the voices of -Caerleon and M. Drakovics still engaged in earnest discourse in the -dining-room. -</p> - -<p> -Half an hour later footsteps paused outside his door, and Caerleon’s -voice said, “Asleep, old man?” to which he replied only by a sleepy -grunt. -</p> - -<p> -“I’m glad I didn’t let the fellow come in and bemoan himself to me,” -he reflected, as the footsteps passed on. “I should have had to tell -him the whole thing in self-defence.” -</p> - -<p> -Cyril slept late the next morning, and when he awoke he heard Caerleon -tramping moodily up and down outside his window, speaking a cheerless -word now and again to the dogs. He rose and dressed slowly, turning -over in his mind the various methods which occurred to him of -utilising this defeat of his as a stepping-stone to further victories. -Presently the sound of another voice in the garden arrested his -attention, and looking out, he saw one of the King of Mœsia’s -gorgeously attired jägers giving Caerleon a parcel, which he said he -had been commanded by the Queen to place in his own hands. As soon as -the man was gone, Caerleon, in some surprise, opened the packet, and -Cyril saw that it contained the case of rubies which he himself had -carried to Schloss Herzensruh the night before. Lying above the jewels -was a paper, which Caerleon unfolded, and read the contents. -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, joy! she’s off!” he cried, infinite relief in his tones. “I’m rid -of her at last.” -</p> - -<p> -“Chuck it in,” said Cyril, and his brother handed it to him, turning -to rearrange the glowing gems on their velvet bed, with fingers that -were not quite steady. The paper was in the Princess’s writing:— -</p> - -<div class="letter"> - -<p> -“At last I am able to release your Majesty from a position which I -grieve to see you have found intolerably irksome. They say that we -women are willing to sell our very souls for jewels; but you will -believe me when I tell you that I had far rather see your rubies in -the possession of the person to whom they rightly belong, and to whom -you would prefer to give them. When this time of storm and stress is -over, and you meet Mdlle. Nadia again, present them to her with my -love. Tell her this also in all friendliness, that if she desires a -testimony to your character, she need only refer to me. You were right -in saying, when you scolded me so rudely two days ago, that I should -never have dared to go so far with any one else; but I felt that I -could trust you, and my trust was justified by the event. At any rate, -I will bear witness that you were softened by none of my overtures, -that you kept me at a distance—not gently, no, I cannot say -gently—but firmly, certainly, always firmly. Forgive me; this is the -last time I shall tease you. My husband and I pray for your happiness -and that of your bride.—From your friend, -</p> - -<p class="sign2"> -“<span class="sc">Ottilie</span>, Princess of Dardania. -</p> - -<p> -“I entreat you to give my remembrances to your brother, who will tell -you any particulars about my wedding that you may care to hear.” -</p> - -</div> - -<p> -“Then you are glad to be out of it?” said Cyril. -</p> - -<p> -“Glad? Rather! If I wasn’t a middle-aged monarch, I should throw up my -cap and jump for joy. Give me the letter and I’ll tear it up. I -shouldn’t like Nadia ever to come upon the detestable thing. Fancy a -woman’s writing like that!” -</p> - -<p> -“Then you intend to try your luck again with Miss O’Malachy?” -</p> - -<p> -“How can I, so long as I am king? But to have got rid of this wretched -entanglement seems to bring me nearer to her at once.” -</p> - -<p> -“What a selfish beast you are!” was Cyril’s remark. “Thinking only of -yourself, and nothing about Thracia, and what the breaking off of this -affair will involve.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’m very sorry if it leads to trouble,” said Caerleon, trying to look -suitably serious, “and I’ll do all I can to set it right, short of -running into another engagement; but you can’t expect me to be sorry -that this one is over.” -</p> - -<p> -“The wedding will lead to war, undoubtedly.” -</p> - -<p> -“Why should it? If I don’t feel myself insulted by the Princess’s way -of leading up to it, I don’t see why any one else should.” -</p> - -<p> -“Thracia won’t see things in the same light, though. The whole nation -has been insulted in your person, and, furthermore, cheated into -giving up territory without a return. Nothing but blood will wash out -the remembrance.” -</p> - -<p> -“But I will explain the whole thing to everybody.” -</p> - -<p> -“Do. Who do you think will believe you? No one will imagine that a -sane man could make such an utter and irretrievable idiot of himself. -It will simply be thought that you are trying to shield the girl. No; -all you can do is to keep your mouth shut. Look here,” Cyril was -struck by a sudden inspiration, “Will you leave Drakovics and me to -put things straight?” -</p> - -<p> -“If you think you can do it better without me,” replied Caerleon -pacifically, overlooking his brother’s uncomplimentary language in -consideration of the provocation he had received. “But mind, on your -honour, there must be no more meddling with marriages and engagements. -If I hear so much as a whisper of such a thing, I will repudiate all -your negotiations, and take the management of affairs into my own -hands.” -</p> - -<p> -“No fear. After this job has turned out so badly, I shall not take up -the matrimonial agency business again in a hurry. I only want to have -you out of the way, because I am afraid that King Johann will get -round you. Go and kill your were-wolf, can’t you? and be a benefit to -society.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’d go like a shot, all the more that I shan’t have to bring <i>her</i> -the skin; but don’t you think it would look rather bad—rather -unfeeling, you know?” -</p> - -<p> -“I think you are the most exasperating idiot I ever had to do with,” -returned Cyril, hopelessly. “Don’t you see that it will look worse for -you to be hanging about here with that face on? Go and be alone with -nature and your grief—or, in plain English, go and grin where no one -can see you.” -</p> - -<p> -“All right,” said Caerleon, with a laugh. “May I have breakfast -first?” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes, so long as you are well out of the way before they can send here -from the castle. Give your orders now, so that you can start as soon -as you have finished.” -</p> - -<p> -“By the by,” said Caerleon, “what did the Princess mean by saying that -you could give me particulars of the wedding?” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, if you particularly want to know, I was present at the -ceremony—not intentionally, as you can guess.” -</p> - -<p> -“Last night? Queer that you should just have happened to drop in upon -them.” -</p> - -<p> -This was all that passed between them on the subject, for Cyril was -resolved never to reveal the crowning deception of which he had been -the victim. He could only hope that Princess Ottilie would be equally -reticent. -</p> - -<p> -The brothers breakfasted alone; and after the meal Cyril hurried -Caerleon off to the mountains, in dire fear lest an emissary from -Schloss Herzensruh should appear before he had arranged his plan of -action with M. Drakovics. As soon as his brother had left the house he -obtained admission to the Premier’s room, where M. Drakovics was -devouring a blue-book full of statistics simultaneously with his -breakfast. He looked up in some surprise as Cyril entered. -</p> - -<p> -“You are early, milord.” -</p> - -<p> -“Are you prepared to meet a great emergency, monsieur?” -</p> - -<p> -M. Drakovics collected his thoughts, and was prepared immediately. -</p> - -<p> -“You need not tell me what the emergency is, milord. The King refuses -to fulfil his engagement.” -</p> - -<p> -“Not at all. The Princess has bolted.” -</p> - -<p> -“Bolted?” inquired M. Drakovics, mildly. -</p> - -<p> -“Yes, bolted—cut and run, eloped, with the Prince of Dardania.” -</p> - -<p> -“But is it too late to stop them?” -</p> - -<p> -“Quite. They were married last night.” -</p> - -<p> -“But this is appalling, milord!” -</p> - -<p> -“It is bad enough; but there is worse behind. My brother was in the -plot.” -</p> - -<p> -“Impossible, milord! You cannot tell me that his Majesty would enter -into an agreement to make himself the laughing-stock of the world?” -</p> - -<p> -“It is unfortunately too true that my brother only engaged himself to -the Princess that he might help her to carry out this design of hers. -Of course the Queen was in it as well. Between them they have made a -good deal of use of him. I am as much astonished as you can possibly -be that he should have listened to them for an instant.” -</p> - -<p> -“Ah! that admission scarcely accords with the claim which you advanced -some time ago to a complete knowledge of his Majesty’s character,” -said M. Drakovics, looking up with a smile which was more like a -snarl. -</p> - -<p> -“You have a right to make any remarks you please on the subject,” said -Cyril, quietly. “They cannot be more bitter than those I have been -making to myself. In fact, I have no doubt that we could pass an hour -or two very pleasantly in exchanging a series of mutual -recriminations. But if you are the man I think you, you will not waste -time in squabbling, but will join with me in using the few minutes we -have before us in taking measures which may yet turn this crushing -defeat into a triumph.” -</p> - -<p> -“Milord, you are superb!” said M. Drakovics, looking at him with -heartfelt if somewhat reluctant admiration. “You have the true -diplomatic spirit. I accept your rebuke willingly, and rejoice that I -have such a colleague at my side in this crisis. What are the measures -you would propose?” -</p> - -<p> -“There is one fatal flaw in our case,” said Cyril,—“Caerleon’s -connivance in the Princess’s plot. If that once comes out, nothing can -save us. But the happy couple are both animated by sentiments of such -deep gratitude towards him, that I don’t think they are likely to -split. If the Queen was on the opposite side, she would be dangerous; -but King Johann is not likely to ask her advice, and she will not feel -inclined to interfere uninvited. Therefore I think we may count upon -the facts not transpiring, unless Caerleon publishes it in one of -these unaccountable chivalrous fits of his. He is out of the way for -to-day, and we ought to be able to get things settled by the time he -comes back in such a way that it will not dawn upon him how we managed -it. Bounce is our only chance. Our business just now is to keep -Caerleon on the throne, not to give Europe lessons in morality gratis -at his expense. How soon can the First Army Corps be ready to -mobilise?” -</p> - -<p> -“In twenty-four hours. We tried the experiment only a fortnight ago.” -</p> - -<p> -“Good. Then telegraph to Sertchaieff to mass it on the Mœsian -frontier as soon as it can be got there. You see our game?” -</p> - -<p> -“I do, milord. It is a bold, but not an impossible one to play. But -why not occupy the ceded territory at once?” -</p> - -<p> -“Because we don’t wish to start the war if we can help it. We must -carry this business through without giving the Powers cause to -interfere, if possible. Pannonia will do our work if we make proper -use of the Schwarzwald-Molzau family influence; but for us to cross -the Mœsian frontier would be to defy her to do her worst. Still, you -might also telegraph to the commandant at Feodoratz, ordering him to -be ready to move out with his troops at a moment’s notice. They are -only ten miles away from the disputed strip, and could take possession -and hold it easily until they were relieved the day after to-morrow by -the First Army Corps. There is a horn! You had better be in the -drawing-room with me to receive the messenger.” -</p> - -<p> -“One moment, milord. Where is the King?” -</p> - -<p> -“I have sent him out shooting. He is better out of the way this -morning.” -</p> - -<p> -“But if the King of Mœsia were to send after him and capture him, we -should be lost.” -</p> - -<p> -“King Johann Casimir will not know where he is, if I can help it,” -said Cyril, “and the idea would scarcely occur to his mind, in any -case. If he were on good terms with the Queen, it is the kind of bold -measure that would suggest itself to her; but he isn’t, and therefore -he won’t have the benefit of her advice.” -</p> - -<p> -They went into the drawing-room, the only part of the little house -that boasted of foreign furniture and decorations, and presently a -very high official of the Mœsian Court was ushered in. M. Drakovics -and Cyril received him with grave faces and in dead silence. -</p> - -<p> -“My orders are to open my business to no one but the King himself,” -said the messenger. -</p> - -<p> -“His Majesty cannot grant an audience to any one this morning,” -returned Cyril, coldly. “About an hour ago he received a letter from -her Royal Highness, the perusal of which has deeply affected him. I -will take charge of any message of which you may be the bearer.” -</p> - -<p> -But this was not within the scope of the ambassador’s instructions, -and after a little more parleying, he took his departure, after which -M. Drakovics seized the opportunity of sending off his telegrams. It -was some time before another horn was heard; but now it was King -Johann Casimir himself who rode up to the shooting-box, and asked to -see King Carlino, only to receive the same answer as his -representative. -</p> - -<p> -“It is absolutely impossible for me even to inform my brother of your -Majesty’s arrival,” said Cyril; “but if you can suggest any means by -which the gravity of the present crisis may be lessened, M. Drakovics -and I are empowered to consider the proposal, and to take any -preliminary measures that may be necessary.” -</p> - -<p> -The King sat down, and Cyril saw that the battle was half won, -although his first words were full of dignity. -</p> - -<p> -“I do not understand you, Lord Cyril. This is a most unfortunate and -disagreeable affair; but it does not seem to me to bring about a -crisis.” -</p> - -<p> -“No?” said Cyril. “Will your Majesty consider for a moment how the -facts will strike the ears of Europe? A trustful young King, whose -advisers are above all things anxious to live in peace with their -nearest neighbours, is inveigled (I beg your Majesty’s pardon, but -that is the word that will be used) into ceding a portion of territory -in return for the promise of the hand of a certain lady. The -unimportant detail that the lady is determined to marry another person -is not communicated to him, although he himself insists, so delicate -is his sense of honour, on acquainting her with the facts of a past -and gone love-affair of his own before he will ask her to engage -herself to him. Then, when the territory has been ceded, she suddenly -elopes with the other man, and he is left in the lurch. I ask you -whether the position is likely to be accepted meekly, either by a man -of my brother’s character or by a high-spirited nation like Thracia?” -</p> - -<p> -“But you cannot imagine that I had anything to do with my daughter’s -marriage?” cried the King. -</p> - -<p> -“I bring no accusations, your Majesty. I have merely stated the case -as it will appear to Thracia and to Europe, although I grant there is -at present no proof that you were acquainted with the Princess’s -intention of eloping last night. Thracia gave up a portion of -territory in order to gain a certain alliance, which is now refused -her. It is impossible that you can have been ignorant of the mutual -affection that existed between her Royal Highness and the Prince of -Dardania; but you gave no hint of it either to my brother or to me, -and this serves to complicate the situation. M. Drakovics will tell -your Majesty what steps we have felt it necessary to take in order to -vindicate the dignity of the country.” -</p> - -<p> -King Johann Casimir turned helplessly to the Premier. -</p> - -<p> -“I fear that when the news once becomes known in Thracia, the popular -indignation there will be overwhelming,” said the latter, “and I have -therefore been the more anxious to conduct everything in the most -regular way possible. Unless your Majesty can suggest any means of -relieving the tension of the situation, I may remark that we shall be -forced to declare war this evening, and to proceed to occupy the -disputed territory immediately.” -</p> - -<p> -“But there will be a revolution in Mœsia if that strip of land is -lost through the action of any member of my family,” cried the King. -</p> - -<p> -A look of satisfaction flashed from M. Drakovics to Cyril over King -Johann’s head. “The possibility of such an occurrence can hardly be -expected to influence the action of Thracia, although it is doubtless -fraught with much interest to your Majesty’s advisers,” said the -Premier. -</p> - -<p> -“Nothing could be further from our thoughts than to regard such a -disastrous event with indifference,” cried Cyril, warmly. “My brother -would be horrified by the very idea. Is there nothing that your -Majesty can suggest that would avert such a calamity, while at the -same time salving the wounded honour of Thracia?” -</p> - -<p> -“We have no power of raising an indemnity,” said the King. -</p> - -<p> -“The very suggestion is an insult, your Majesty!” cried M. Drakovics. -“We Thracians are striving for our national life, not for money. What -we desire is a place among the nations. Any assistance towards the -attainment of our ideal——” he broke off, watching the King narrowly. -</p> - -<p> -“In what direction?” -</p> - -<p> -“Our chief reason for congratulating ourselves on the alliance -proposed between King Carlino and your Majesty’s family was the -conviction that Thracia would thereby range herself on the side of -Pannonia and European peace. That hope is now lost, for what claim -have we upon the friendship of Pannonia? But if there were any means -by which she might be induced to support us still in obtaining our -recognition from the Grand Signior of Roum——” -</p> - -<p> -“I see. You desire our understanding to remain in force, with the one -unfortunate exception?” said the King, obviously much relieved. -</p> - -<p> -“Exactly. We desire that our alliance with your Majesty’s kingdom may -continue,” said M. Drakovics. “This object may appear a small -advantage in return for which to waive our claim to the ceded -territory; but it is of such importance to us that if it is assured, -I can answer for the tranquillity of Thracia.” -</p> - -<p> -“My brother is also extremely anxious not to press hardly upon your -Majesty,” said Cyril. “It would not be like him not to feel keenly -such a slight as he has received; but out of consideration for you, -and for the sake of his kingdom, he will lay aside his own feeling in -the matter. Your Majesty will wish, no doubt, to consult your -Ministers—who were to arrive at the castle last night, I remember, in -order to be present at the ceremony so unhappily interrupted—before -signifying your adherence to the plan we suggest; and you will -probably also consider it advisable to communicate with the Emperor of -Pannonia. M. Drakovics will undertake that no active steps shall be -taken until this evening in the matter of the frontier; and I do not -doubt that your Majesty will think, on considering the circumstances, -that to give us the assurance we ask is merely a piece of -international courtesy.” -</p> - -<p> -<br/> -</p> - -<p> -“It’s done!” said Cyril, meeting Caerleon that night on his return in -triumph with the were-wolf’s skin, “though I thought my hair would -have turned grey with anxiety while we waited. The treaty with Mœsia -is to stand, and Pannonia will continue to support us at Czarigrad. -These seem only little things; but they mean a good deal to us, and -they stave off the Great War for a little while longer. Everything is -quiet now.” -</p> - -<p> -“Wait a minute,” said Caerleon. “There’s something I want to say. It -seems to me that neither of you,” glancing from Cyril to M. Drakovics, -“has quite understood hitherto my intentions about marrying. That -there may be no doubt about them in the future, I intend to declare -you my heir, Cyril, when we return to Bellaviste, and this must be -confirmed by the Legislative Assembly if I am to stay in Thracia. Miss -O’Malachy won’t marry me, and I won’t marry any one else; but this -plan will secure the succession to the throne.” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t quite appreciate being set up side by side with you for -Scythia to plot against,” said Cyril; “but never mind, I daresay I -shall get used to it in time.” -</p> - -<p> -“And I cannot doubt that your Majesty’s choice will be most popular in -Thracia,” said M. Drakovics. -</p> - -<p> -“Ah, very good,—and when I have time, Cyril, I will set about looking -for a wife for you,” said Caerleon, lazily. -</p> - - -<h3 id="ch15"> -CHAPTER XV.<br/> -<span class="chap_sub">TERMS OF ACCOMMODATION.</span> -</h3> - -<p class="noindent"> -<span class="sc">The</span> two months which had been fraught with events of so much moment -to Caerleon had not been devoid of incident for Nadia, although her -circumstances afforded at first sight far less promise of excitement -than did his. Since their hasty departure from Bellaviste, the -O’Malachy and his wife had been sojourning at the frontier village of -Witska, where they seemed inclined to remain as a thorn in the side of -M. Drakovics, and this the more that he could not discover any motive, -even that of devising plots, for their doing so. His agents visited -the village perpetually, both in disguise and in their proper persons, -and after dogging the footsteps of the Herr Oberst and his wife for a -longer or shorter time, and even making incursions into their rooms at -the inn when they were out, returned to their employer baffled. In -fact, there seemed nothing for them to observe. The “Kur” arrangements -at Witska were more primitive even than those at Janoszwar; but the -O’Malachy drank the regulation number of tumblers of medicated water -with unfaltering bravery, and took the prescribed stroll afterwards, -accompanied by his wife, on the only level piece of road in the -village, duly increasing the distance a little every day. The -afternoon was invariably spent in the open air, in a sheltered spot at -the foot of a blank wall belonging to the oldest part of the inn, -Madame O’Malachy reading aloud occasional extracts from one of the -French novels which were her constant companions, and her husband -responding lazily with good-humoured criticisms. No life could have -appeared more simple and innocent, none more entirely above-board. And -yet, as Nadia could have told, although she based her opinion rather -upon various small indications than upon actual evidence, the worthy -couple were the whole time carrying on an extensive and complicated -secret correspondence, and acting as intermediaries between the -Thracian patriots who disliked the present <i>régime</i> and their -Scythian sympathisers. An unexpected meeting with her mother early one -morning showed Nadia that she was pale and heavy-eyed, as though she -had worked late the evening before; and the mystery was explained a -few nights after, when, hearing sounds in the house after midnight, -and fearing she knew not what, she equipped herself with great bravery -for a search, and discovered both her father and mother still in their -sitting-room, the one engaged in writing letters and the other in -destroying a number of papers which appeared to contain reports of -some kind. -</p> - -<p> -After this revelation, Nadia kept her eyes open, and arrived before -long at the conclusion that very few people came to the village, with -the exception, of course, of the emissaries of M. Drakovics, who were -not charged with messages of one kind or another for her parents. It -seldom happened that a letter arrived by post, or was openly -delivered; but pedlars and travelling showmen, artisans wandering in -search of work, and roaming gipsies, each and all seemed to have a -secret understanding with the O’Malachy and his wife. Sometimes a -sign, scarcely perceptible save to the initiated, would convey the -needed information—sometimes, Nadia felt sure, letters were brought; -but she never saw one change hands, nor came upon any trace of it -afterwards. It was evident that any documents which might prove -compromising were immediately and punctiliously burnt, and this -precaution it was that baffled the men employed by M. Drakovics, who -had no means of distinguishing the remains of burnt paper among the -ashes raked out from the great stove. -</p> - -<p> -Another curious fact which Nadia discovered about this time was the -secret of the means by which her parents held their necessary -consultations without attracting the attention of the spies by -prolonged conferences, or wasting a portion of their working hours at -night. Coming upon them one day in the sunny spot where they usually -sat, she found her mother, as she thought, reading aloud in French; -but the first words that reached her ear scarcely sounded as though -they were drawn from the novel on Madame O’Malachy’s knee. -</p> - -<p> -“You see what Louis says: ‘Our friend X. has come over at last. His -Majesty’s promises were too attractive. He engages to bring all his -employés with him when the word is given.’ This despatch must be sent -on immediately. It will show that there are others upon whom we can -depend beside the city guard. ‘“<i>Adorable Erminie</i>!” <i>s’écria -Léonide, en se précipitant</i>——’ What do you want, my daughter?” -</p> - -<p> -Nadia delivered the message with which she was charged from the -landlord, and retired, and it was some time before she lighted on the -meaning of this curiously disjointed sentence. It occurred to her at -last, in one of those flashes of insight which sometimes present to -the mind in a moment the solution of a mystery long pondered over in -vain, that the adventures of Léonide and Erminie were merely a blind, -and that when Madame O’Malachy was supposed by those who were set to -watch her to be reading to her husband in French, she was in reality -discussing with him the progress of their schemes. No thought of -profiting by this discovery to penetrate into her parents’ plans -occurred to Nadia, and in any case the idea of acting as a spy would -have been abhorrent to her; but even had she been anxious to probe -more deeply the mystery of M. X. and his employés, her father and -mother kept their secrets as carefully concealed from her as from the -Thracian police-agents themselves. If the subject of Thracia was -mentioned when she was in their company, it was merely as the text of -a bantering discourse, conducted with more or less of good-humour on -the O’Malachy’s part, but punctuated with bitter reproaches on that of -his wife. Neither of them could forgive Nadia for her folly in -refusing Caerleon, when the acceptance of his proposal would have -raised the whole family to affluence and distinction, although Madame -O’Malachy resented much more strongly than her husband the loss of the -material benefits promised by the match. His easy-going nature -accepted serenely enough the change in the position of affairs, and -the necessity of plotting against the man he had hoped to welcome as a -son-in-law; but both he and his wife were careful to guard against -giving Nadia any inkling of the consequences which might ensue to -Thracia and its king from her refusal. Although they never engaged in -their mysterious work until she was out of the way, they would not run -the risk of stimulating her curiosity by showing any eagerness to get -rid of her, and allowed her to join them or not just as she pleased. -But the certainty of finding herself either reproached or laughed at -for the foolish way in which she had mismanaged what Madame O’Malachy -called “<i>l’affaire Carlino</i>” made her only anxious to shun their -society; and during the first few days of their stay at Witska she -roamed about the garden alone, finding nothing to do but to recall the -past, and feeling that she had nothing in the whole world to which to -look forward. This being the case, it is not surprising that she -caught herself one day wishing that she had not forbidden Caerleon so -absolutely ever to renew his suit, but the discovery shocked and -horrified her extremely. -</p> - -<p> -“All my life I have been preparing to make a stand at some great -crisis,” she said to herself; “and now that it has come, I am giving -way already. I must find something to do. Of what use is it to train -myself to be a martyr, if I cannot bear a week’s loneliness?” -</p> - -<p> -She summoned all her resolution to enable her to meet this unexpected -demand, and reviewed the state of affairs. With mingled shame and -disgust she realised that she had been cherishing the vague thought -that it was scarcely worth while to take up any settled work at -present, and that this was owing to a half-hope that something might -still happen to set things right and render her sacrifice unnecessary. -It was a bitter disappointment to her to find that she could be so -false to her dearest principles, and her first impulse was to place -her determination beyond the possibility of change. As a step in the -desired direction, she tore up the letter she had been about to -despatch to her godmother, Princess Soudaroff, and wrote another. She -knew that of late her letters had been somewhat short and superficial, -telling all the trivial pieces of news she could find, but never -touching on the all-important subject which had engrossed the minds of -her parents, from the moment of their first sight of Caerleon, to that -of her parting from him at Bellaviste. It is true that both Caerleon -and Cyril had found a casual mention in the earlier letters written -from Janoszwar; but as time went on both names, and especially that of -the elder brother, had dropped out of sight in a way that would have -caused some idea of the truth to enter the mind of most women, but the -Princess was not inclined to be suspicious by nature. Nadia’s heart -smote her now for her reticence, and she told her story to the -Princess, suppressing only two material facts,—the name of her -lover—this was due to her anxiety to behave fairly towards -Caerleon,—and, as a natural corollary, her reason for refusing him. -It must be confessed that she was not altogether sorry to be unable to -lay the whole of the facts before her godmother; for although the -Princess was very sympathetic in cases of conscience, she had a habit -of looking at things differently from any one else, and Nadia had a -lurking suspicion that in this case she might tell her that she had -acted hastily, and ought to have asked advice. And this was merely -what her own conscience hinted to her many times a-day. Before giving -Caerleon her final answer she had been upheld by the expectation that -the consciousness of having done right would bring her peace, if not -happiness; but she now knew little indeed of either feeling. This made -her begin to doubt whether she might not have been led astray by her -own conviction of the goodness of the deed; and the doubt returned -again and again to make her wretched. -</p> - -<p> -Her duty to her godmother performed, and her resolution placed beyond -recall, Nadia told herself that her lack of occupation had undoubtedly -made it easier for her to fail in steadfastness, and that she must -find something to do. She would no longer remain all day in the inn -garden, but would go out into the village and try to make friends with -the people, and this not only by way of a moral medicine for herself, -but as a duty which she had neglected hitherto. She could not at first -speak the language of the villagers nor they hers; but the interest -she showed in the children won her a way into the hearts of the women, -and she discovered, much to her surprise, that when a child was sick -or hurt she could do more for it than any one else in Witska. In times -of health the little ones found her somewhat solemn and -unapproachable, for although she longed to make friends with them, she -was not one of those who can throw themselves heart and soul into the -small interests which seem so momentous to children; but when they -were ill the experience she had gained in Princess Soudaroff’s -cottage-hospital stood her in good stead. The nurses there had been -wont to laugh at her as slow and clumsy; but at Witska, where there -was no one to watch her with critical eyes, she succeeded in putting -into practice the lessons she had learned. One or two cases of -recovery from severe illness, which seemed miraculous to the -villagers, but which were really due to patient nursing and modern -methods of treatment, gained her a wide reputation, and appeals began -to reach her from outlying hamlets and solitary huts, entreating her -to pay a visit to some sick child. When these requests were translated -to her by the cosmopolitan waiter, she welcomed them eagerly, for they -promised fresh work, and work was what she wanted. A wild desire would -seize her now and again to see Caerleon’s face once more, to hear his -pleasant voice, to meet the glance, half puzzled, half amused, which -he would cast at her when she had said anything that startled him. The -vehemence of this longing for his presence alarmed her. She felt that -she could almost volunteer to go to Bellaviste as a spy, if such a -course would enable her to catch a glimpse of him; that she would be -willing to meet the doom which Thracia kept for Scythian spies, if -only she had seen him first. In this state of mind she welcomed the -calls which came to her to take long mountain-walks and seek out -distant families where a child lay ill, for the exertion of the day -brought her back at night so tired that she was glad to go to bed and -sleep the sleep of utter exhaustion. At first her long excursions drew -upon her some opposition from her father. -</p> - -<p> -“Sure it’s not the thing,” he said, “for a young lady to be roaming -about alone like this. I won’t allow ut.” -</p> - -<p> -“What would you have, O’Malachy?” asked his wife, scornfully. “Can we -afford to engage a retinue to attend upon a girl who might be Queen of -Thracia if she liked, and will not? Nothing will happen to her. She is -a failure.” -</p> - -<p> -Left to her own devices in this unflattering way, Nadia gladly -accepted the implied permission to pursue her lonely walks, attended -only by one of the great dogs which were kept to protect the flocks -from the wolves, and which had attached himself to her. She saw no -trace of the smugglers and outlaws of whom vague tales were current in -the village; but one very real alarm beset her at times, of which she -said nothing at home. It became evident to her by degrees that her -proceedings were being watched. She would find herself tracked by -pursuers of whom she could only obtain a glimpse by stratagem; and -when she had learned to speak the language a little, she would hear at -the cottages to which she was bound that a stranger had been there -since her last visit, making inquiries as to the gracious lady and her -doings. At first she was at a loss to imagine who could think her of -sufficient importance to dog her steps in this way; but presently it -dawned upon her that M. Drakovics, who still declined to be persuaded -that she was not engaged in a conspiracy against Caerleon, had -instructed his emissaries to keep an eye on her. This solution of the -mystery satisfied herself; and as no one else appeared to notice -anything unusual, she was not obliged to parry the remarks of others. -The shepherds warned her to be careful, and not to stray from the -beaten track, lest she should run into danger; but she knew that the -wolves were not likely to venture from their fastnesses as yet, and, -moreover, her mother’s words echoed bitterly in her ears. Nothing -would happen to her, or, if it did, it would not signify. She was a -failure. And yet, while her heart sank lower, she refused to allow -herself to contemplate the possibility of reversing her decision. If -she could bring Caerleon back to her with a word, she would not utter -it, to ruin him and his kingdom. What he had called her mania for -martyrdom was still strong upon her, and the more fervently she longed -to reverse her decision the more sternly she crushed down the pain. -</p> - -<p> -But there was a harder battle in store for her than the fight she -fought daily with herself, and she was obliged to face it when she was -weakest. The news had just reached her through a German newspaper of -Caerleon’s initiation of the temperance legislation which she had -pressed upon him, and it recalled to her mind his forecast of the -difficulties of the work, and the appeal he had made to her to help -him in it. Then she had received a letter from her godmother, -overflowing with kindness, but containing a little gentle chiding. -</p> - -<div class="letter"> - -<p> -“Why should you not be more frank with me, my child?” the Princess -wrote. “Surely you know that if in any way I could help you, it would -be my delight to do so, and yet you leave me to receive through a -stranger an appeal on your behalf. I had a visitor this morning in the -shape of Madame Bourenine, whom you know by name as the confidante of -the Empress. She said that she had come to talk to me about the -love-affair of Nadia Mikhailovna, but she mentioned no other names. -Nor did I, for I knew none. After some conversation leading to nothing -in particular, she inquired at last whether, if the obstacles to your -marriage could be removed, I should be willing to give it my sanction. -Knowing only that you had felt it your duty to refuse your lover for -some reason with which I was not acquainted, what could I say but that -if you thought it right to marry him I should be delighted to help you -in any way I could? After receiving this answer, she left me, -apparently satisfied. But, my child, have I deserved to be treated in -such a way? Why should Madame Bourenine know more of your affairs than -I? I do not ask for your confidence if you feel it right to withhold -it, but I pray you to understand that no one on earth can desire your -happiness and your best good more than I. I commit you to God’s -keeping, dear child.” -</p> - -</div> - -<p> -After receiving this letter Nadia started on one of her mountain -expeditions with her mind in a whirl. Who could the persons be that -were interesting themselves in the state of affairs between her and -Caerleon, and what was their motive for doing so? She puzzled herself -with these questions in vain as she walked; but when she returned to -the inn at a somewhat earlier hour than usual, she found that they -were destined to a speedy solution. Entering the sitting-room, she was -surprised to see a stranger talking to her parents,—a smooth and -polished gentleman, with a highly waxed moustache. A conviction that -she had seen him somewhere before came over her as she paused just -inside the door; but she could not at the moment identify him with any -one she knew. -</p> - -<p> -“And this is mademoiselle!” said the stranger, an almost imperceptible -smile curling the ends of his moustache as he saw her standing erect -and astonished in the doorway, with her plain tweed dress damp and -muddy, and her hair blown about by the wind. -</p> - -<p> -“Yes, M. le Prince, it is my daughter,” said Madame O’Malachy, and -Nadia noticed a repressed excitement in her manner. “Nadia, Vladimir -Alexandrovitch has been so good as to pay us a visit here on his -return journey from Czarigrad to Pavelsburg, entirely on your -account.” -</p> - -<p> -“Mademoiselle and I are not wholly unknown to each other,” said the -visitor. “At one time I had the felicity of meeting her tolerably -often at my sister-in-law’s house. If she does me the honour to -recollect me, she may remember that even in those days I ventured to -prophesy that she would be a beautiful woman; but I was not happy -enough to discern that her <i>beaux yeux</i> would exercise an influence on -the history of Europe.” -</p> - -<p> -Nadia’s brow grew stormy. She had now a very clear recollection of the -elegant young man who had been wont to torment with compliments and -caresses the shy, passionate little girl who followed his -sister-in-law wherever she went, and also of her relief when -circumstances had removed him from her neighbourhood. There was no -very close intercourse nowadays between Princess Soudaroff and her -brother-in-law, although the relations between them were perfectly -friendly. The present Prince was not a member of the Cercle -Evangélique. -</p> - -<p> -“I fear I am an unfortunate messenger,” he went on, with a covert -smile as he noticed the change in Nadia’s expression. “I have -prejudiced mademoiselle against me already. But I would ask her to -believe that I am here purely in the hope of being able to render some -service to her and to the gentleman who is so happy as to possess her -heart.” -</p> - -<p> -“How dare you say that?” cried Nadia, angrily. -</p> - -<p> -“I beg your pardon, mademoiselle. I remember that in the old days you -used to prefer plain speaking to polite circumlocutions, and as only -your own family are present, I have ventured to come to the point at -once. It cannot, surely, be a secret to your respected parents that, -with a generosity which does you infinite credit, you have declined -the addresses of the person who is at present in possession of the -throne of Thracia, for fear lest a marriage with you should endanger -his future career?” -</p> - -<p> -“I have never told you anything of the kind,” said Nadia, sharply, -“and I am sure the King of Thracia has not. I cannot tell how you have -found it out.” -</p> - -<p> -“Ah, these wicked newspapers!” murmured the Prince, smiling gently at -Nadia’s unintentional admission, “they publish everything. But if you -assure me that they have been misinformed, mademoiselle, I can only -resign the hope of serving you which has brought me here, and depart, -entreating your forgiveness for having troubled you.” -</p> - -<p> -“They were not misinformed. It is quite true that the King asked me to -marry him, and that I refused,” said Nadia, bluntly. -</p> - -<p> -“So I imagined, mademoiselle. I felt convinced that such a magnificent -self-renunciation could not be merely a creation of fancy. But there -is no reason,” he went on quickly, as she rejected his praise with a -gesture of impatience, “why your delicacy should be alarmed by the -thought that your admirable conduct has become known. It has won you -friends all over Europe, and I may mention that in Scythia persons in -a very exalted position have been much pleased with the spirit which -you displayed under extremely trying circumstances, and have even been -led to wonder whether it might not be possible to avert the -difficulties which you feared might result from the marriage proposed -to you. Pray sit down, mademoiselle,”—he rose and handed her his -chair, and she accepted it mechanically, for her limbs were trembling -so violently that she could scarcely stand,—“and let us consider the -matter. The sympathies of my sister-in-law, Pauline Vassilievna, have -been engaged, and she testifies the greatest eagerness to assist in -bringing the affair to a happy conclusion. May I take it for granted -that the only obstacle to a marriage between Lord Caerleon and -yourself lay in these honourable scruples of yours?” -</p> - -<p> -Nadia nodded silently, and he went on, watching her as a cat might -watch a mouse. -</p> - -<p> -“The first difficulty was caused, no doubt, by the difference of -position? Well, I do not deny that between Nadia Mikhailovna and the -King of Thracia there is a serious gap; but it is not so wide that it -cannot be bridged. We can scarcely aspire to restore the ancient regal -glories of your father’s house,” he smiled indulgently, “but his -Majesty the Emperor has for some time entertained the desire of -conferring on my good friend Colonel O’Malachy a patent of nobility, -in recognition of his long and meritorious services; and between Lord -Caerleon and the Countess Nadia, daughter of Count O’Malachy de -Lisnacoola, there is no very great disparity of rank.” -</p> - -<p> -“But Carlino is King of Thracia,” Nadia managed to say. -</p> - -<p> -“Pardon me. I am aware that he calls himself king, but he has simply -usurped the throne. He cannot be king without the consent of the -Powers, and of Roum, the suzerain State. His so-called election is -merely the work of an ignorant peasantry, led on by irresponsible -agitators. The present condition of Thracia is a standing menace to -European peace, and it cannot be suffered to continue. If this errand -with which I am charged to you fails to bring about a settlement, Lord -Caerleon must fall. He is nothing but an adventurer, a land-pirate.” -</p> - -<p> -“But,” urged Nadia, more for the sake of gaining time than for any -other reason, “if this patent of nobility is intended as a reward for -my father’s services, why should it not be granted to him in any -case?” -</p> - -<p> -“Sure that’s the most sensuble thing I’ve ever heard you say, Nadia,” -exclaimed the O’Malachy, with hearty approval, while his wife frowned -angrily, and Prince Soudaroff looked a little nonplussed. -</p> - -<p> -“You forget, mademoiselle, that the conferring of the patent would -involve in this instance a grant of estates sufficient for the -maintenance of the title, such as it would be invidious to bestow upon -an officer of Colonel O’Malachy’s standing in an isolated case, unless -for very special reasons of State. But not only are those whom I -represent willing to aid you in this way,—I am further authorised to -promise that the Scythian ambassador at Czarigrad shall be instructed, -if the marriage takes place, to support the Thracian claim for the -confirmation by the Grand Signior of Lord Caerleon’s election as king. -The bride will thus have the satisfaction of bringing not only -happiness to her husband, but peace and security to Thracia.” -</p> - -<p> -“But only the confirmation of King Carlino’s election? Not the -recognition of the right of the Thracians to elect their own king?” -</p> - -<p> -“Certainly not, mademoiselle. Roum would be unable to accord such a -recognition without the consent of the Powers, which would not be -given under any circumstances.” -</p> - -<p> -“I can quite believe it. And now, M. le Prince, I know that in the -political world nothing goes for nothing. What is the price to be paid -for this kindness on the part of the Emperor?” -</p> - -<p> -“Nadia!” cried her mother. “I am grieved—astonished——” -</p> - -<p> -“Madame,” said the Prince, with a deprecating wave of his hand, “when -I undertook this errand I expected to be misunderstood. There are no -conditions attached to his Majesty’s favours, mademoiselle. He gives -without any desire of receiving in return. I do not say that he does -not look for gratitude. His heart is so tender that even years of -ruling and much bitter experience have not hardened it. He may well -anticipate that some little attention would be paid to his wishes, -some slight concessions made on the part of those who will owe so much -to him; but that is all.” -</p> - -<p> -“Ah!” said Nadia, sharply. “And what are these concessions?” -</p> - -<p> -“They are so slight, mademoiselle, that his Majesty is quite content -to leave them in the background until matters are as happily arranged -as you can desire—in other words, until your marriage with Lord -Caerleon has taken place. On so joyful an occasion the sole anxiety of -a man of generous impulses, such as I understand this unfortunately -misguided nobleman to be, would be to take counsel with his bride as -to the means by which he might testify some portion of his gratitude -to the potentate to whom he owed his happiness.” -</p> - -<p> -“I see,” said Nadia, crimson but persistent. “And it would be my part -to suggest that these concessions should be made, as signs of our -joint gratitude to the Emperor. But I must know something more about -them. It would be impossible for me to recommend them to the King -unless I had been told what they were.” -</p> - -<p> -“They are so slight, mademoiselle, as scarcely to be called -concessions,—they would merely take the form of a graceful -acknowledgment of the Emperor’s kindness. Until this unhappy -revolution occurred, the connection was so close between Scythia and -Thracia that there will appear nothing strange in returning to the -custom by which in all matters of foreign policy the advice tendered -by Scythia was followed by the Thracian Government. Again, Scythia has -borne such a prominent part in organising the Thracian kingdom and in -training the army that to appoint a Scythian officer as Minister of -War would cause no surprise, and seem only natural.” -</p> - -<p> -“Ah!” said Nadia again, “and that is not all?” -</p> - -<p> -“It is evident, mademoiselle, that while the present Ministry is in -power in Thracia, the Emperor cannot feel towards that country the -cordiality he would wish to entertain. It is to the interest of the -Cabinet at present in office to oppose any tendency towards a -reconciliation with Scythia, simply because their own position depends -upon their maintaining a hostile attitude. But the matter will right -itself. When the King shows his gratitude and friendliness towards -Scythia in the two ways I have indicated, the Drakovics Ministry -cannot remain in office. The Assembly will be dissolved, M. Drakovics -will disappear as suddenly as he rose to power, and the King, -assisted, if necessary, by Scythia, will obtain by means of a general -election a more serviceable Government.” -</p> - -<p> -“By means of compulsion and forged voting-papers, I suppose,” said -Nadia. She had no reason to feel any special love for M. Drakovics; -but he was an honest man and a patriot, and really anxious to do what -seemed to him to be best both for Caerleon and Thracia. She rose from -her chair, and spoke wearily: “I am sorry that I shall not have the -opportunity of advising the King to accept your conditions, M. le -Prince.” -</p> - -<p> -“There are no conditions, mademoiselle. What is desired is merely an -honourable understanding that you will employ your influence over Lord -Caerleon to induce him to comply with the Emperor’s wishes in this -direction.” -</p> - -<p> -“And into that understanding I cannot enter. I will not help to thrust -the Thracians back into the bondage from which the revolution freed -them. I will never advise the King to take the steps you propose, and -I hope and believe that he would decline to listen to me if I did.” -</p> - -<p> -“Nadia, you are mad!” cried Madame O’Malachy, shrilly. “If you have no -regard for your lover, will not the thought of your family move you? -The old age of your parents and your brother’s future would be secured -by your accepting the gracious kindness you scorn.” -</p> - -<p> -“It is still possible that on mature consideration mademoiselle may -change her mind,” said Prince Soudaroff, looking calmly through a -handful of papers which he took from his pocket. “His Majesty’s offer -will remain open for a week. But I cannot honestly advise any delay. -We have merely to seek a <i>rapprochement</i> with Pannonia, and secure her -opposition, instead of her neutrality, to the negotiations at -Czarigrad, and the fate of Lord Caerleon and his ‘kingdom’ is sealed. -Thracia is honeycombed with disaffection, and such a failure in -foreign policy will precipitate matters. One more thought, -mademoiselle. I told you just now that Lord Caerleon was a -land-pirate. Have you recollected what is the fate of a captured -pirate?” -</p> - -<p> -“I had rather know that he was dead than saved by betraying the nation -that trusted him,” said Nadia, stoutly. No harassing doubts assailed -her now. Such an offer as this could not but be refused. -</p> - -<p> -“And again,” the Prince went on, not heeding her words. “Lord Caerleon -is only a man; and we men are not angels in constancy. Your refusal -has made him miserable, it is true; but he will not remain long in -this state of mind. You have wounded his self-esteem; you have shown -him that there are certain things which you love better than you love -him. It does not signify that these things are the highest and most -creditable sentiments—he must be a very exceptional man who could -endure to see them preferred to himself. And Lord Caerleon is not an -exceptional man; he is simply a young Englishman, half child and half -barbarian, whose idea is that when he wants anything he must have it. -You have denied him that on which he had set his heart, and very soon -his one anxiety will be to punish you. I happen to know that M. -Drakovics, his Minister, is doing his utmost to obtain for him the -hand of some princess of a royal house. There is still time to win him -back, for he loves you at present, in spite of the way in which you -have treated him. But if you delay only a very few days you may be too -late. Owing to your own cruelty, you may see your lover urged into a -marriage with another woman, whom he does not love, but whom he is -willing to accept in order to punish you. Or perhaps,” with a smile, -“you may see him marrying joyfully—who shall say?—some royal lady -who has succeeded in captivating his inconstant heart, which was at -your disposal if you would have received it, but cannot support your -coldness.” -</p> - -<p> -“I can’t help it!” cried Nadia, trembling from head to foot. “If I -could withstand him, do you think I will listen to you? He is quite -right to marry some one else; I told him to do it. Ah! if you wanted -me to give way, you should have brought him here; but you would never -dare to utter to his face the horrible lies you tell of him behind his -back. I can only thank you for not putting me to the test.” -</p> - -<p> -“Would ut be quite impossuble?” asked the O’Malachy, as she closed the -door sharply behind her. -</p> - -<p> -“Quite,” returned his wife. “Drakovics and Milord Cyril watch over him -night and day. No one is allowed to hold communication with him except -through them.” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes,” rejoined Prince Soudaroff, meditatively. “I fear King Carlino -has had his last chance.” -</p> - -<p> -“I observe,” said Madame O’Malachy, “that in your conversation with my -daughter you made no allusion to the religious difficulty, M. le -Prince.” -</p> - -<p> -“If so, madame, it is for the excellent reason that no religious -difficulty exists. On the contrary, the fact that mademoiselle is a -member of the Orthodox Church has contributed largely to induce the -Emperor to suggest the terms I was authorised to offer.” -</p> - -<p> -“But sure the girl’s a schismatic—an Evangelical, or whatever the -fools call themselves?” cried the O’Malachy, while his wife nodded -quickly. -</p> - -<p> -“Pardon me, my dear colonel, but Scythian law makes no provision for -schismatics. Mademoiselle was baptised in the Orthodox Church, and it -is impossible for her to quit it. Her marriage, to be valid, must be -celebrated according to the orthodox rite, and the Emperor and the -clergy may be trusted not to lose the hold they would thus gain upon -Thracia.” -</p> - -<p> -“That such a scheme should be wrecked by a girl’s obstinacy!” cried -Madame O’Malachy. “It is maddening!” -</p> - - -<h3 id="ch16"> -CHAPTER XVI.<br/> -<span class="chap_sub">WORDS FROM DYING LIPS.</span> -</h3> - -<p class="noindent"> -<span class="sc">Prince Soudaroff</span> left Witska that afternoon, and the week allowed to -Nadia for deliberation slipped away, but no message was sent to -request him to return or to accept the offer with which he was -charged. If he was mortified by this lack of success, he must have -felt himself avenged a little later, when both his auguries of evil in -turn proved true. The first hint of the fulfilment of his prophecy -reached Nadia one morning when her mother threw a newspaper to her as -she came into the sitting-room. -</p> - -<p> -“Now I hope you are happy!” she said. “You have succeeded in bringing -about the ruin of Thracia and your Carlino.” -</p> - -<p> -Nadia took up the paper, a German one, and read the piece of news -which figured most prominently in its columns. The <i>rapprochement</i> -which had taken place between the Emperors of Scythia and Pannonia was -announced, and also the subsequent refusal by the Roumi Government to -confirm Caerleon’s election as king—the two events which had plunged -Cyril and M. Drakovics into their complicated intrigues with Mœsia. -Mr Hicks had not yet given to the world the information which he was -to amass with so much astuteness, and therefore nothing was at present -known of these negotiations, so that the paper only reflected the -general opinion when it remarked that the cause of Thracia was already -lost. Cyril was still an unknown quantity in Balkan politics; and -although most people were acquainted to a certain extent with the -resourcefulness and strength of will of M. Drakovics, they could not -conceive it possible that even he could devise any means of tiding -over such a crisis as this. Nadia did not venture to dissent from the -universal opinion; but there was no sign of trembling in the hand -which held the paper as she read through the announcement and the -editorial comments upon it, and she looked round unfalteringly at her -mother. -</p> - -<p> -“I had rather that he should fall honourably than reign as a pensioner -of Scythia,” she said. -</p> - -<p> -“You are a fool!” was Madame O’Malachy’s angry answer. “Go and look -after your sick brats. It is all you are fit for.” -</p> - -<p> -But three or four days later she came into Nadia’s room early in the -morning wearing an expression in which rage and triumph were mingled. -</p> - -<p> -“You have indeed done well for yourself, mademoiselle!” she said, -putting her hand on her daughter’s shoulder as she slept and shaking -her. “Your Carlino is to marry the Princess Ottilie of Mœsia. The -betrothal is to take place next week.” -</p> - -<p> -“It is not true!” cried Nadia, starting up in bed. -</p> - -<p> -“It is most true. That touches you, does it not? This, then, is your -faithful, your constant lover! He assures you of his undying -affection, and six weeks after saying the words he betroths himself to -another.” -</p> - -<p> -“He is quite right,” said Nadia, recollecting herself. “I told him to -do it.” -</p> - -<p> -“I can quite believe it! But you never thought he would obey you,” -said Madame O’Malachy, putting down her candle and gazing with cruel -certainty into her daughter’s pale face. “Don’t tell me that you did, -mademoiselle. You might try to impose upon Prince Soudaroff with your -exalted generosity, but you felt confident that Carlino would remain -faithful to you. However, I may tell you this for your comfort. Your -father has always believed hitherto that Carlino would refuse to -accept his dismissal as final, and would try his fate again before -long. But now, if he meets him he will kill him.” -</p> - -<p> -“Why?” asked Nadia, as calmly as she could. “He is only doing this in -obedience to me.” -</p> - -<p> -“Why!” cried her mother. “Because he has insulted us, played with us, -made us the laughing-stock of Europe. Although you may be a fool, your -father knows how to avenge the honour of his house, and he will not -fail to do it. You refused to share the Thracian throne; but it is -Carlino who has put it out of his own power to offer you the crown a -second time, and for this he must be rewarded as he deserves. In every -way we are undone. Not only have we lost the position we might have -held in Thracia, but this marriage will endanger the result of all our -labours in Europe.” -</p> - -<p> -“Ah!” cried Nadia, assuming a sudden interest in politics in the vain -hope of diverting from herself the gaze of her mother’s glittering -eyes, “it was this marriage that Vladimir Alexandrovitch was anxious -to prevent. He foresaw the possibility of its taking place, and he -knew that it would bring Pannonia to the help of King Carlino. Thracia -is saved, then!” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes; and you——?” asked Madame O’Malachy, with her most merciless -smile, as she retired from the room, half baffled by her daughter’s -resolution, but certain that she left a sting behind her. And this was -indeed the case. Although Nadia had succeeded in making herself -believe that she wished Caerleon to follow the advice she had given -him, she discovered now that she had never expected him to do so. She -had found an unspeakable comfort in remembering the indignant rebuke -with which he had answered her when she told him that although he -loved her, it was his duty to marry some other woman; and even now she -sorrowed less for the fact that she was herself forsaken than that her -lover had proved unstable. He had failed in faith; he was fearless and -stainless no more. Well, no doubt it was better so. He was no longer -hers, he had not been hers since they parted at Bellaviste; and if he -was proved not to be the blameless knight she had imagined him, at -least he was a wise king, and was preparing to take the only step by -which it seemed possible to save his kingdom in the present crisis. -Undoubtedly it was better so. But Nadia’s heart and soul rose up in -rebellion against this view of the case, and all day, as she followed -the mountain-paths, or moved about inside the hut in which lay the -sick child she was visiting, she was mourning in silence a trust -betrayed, a high ideal shattered. It was her own fault, she knew; she -had told him to forget her, but she had illogically expected him to -disobey, and required him to be stronger morally than she was. -</p> - -<p> -But after a day or two other things happened to trouble her. It was -generally known throughout Europe by this time that there was a -difference of opinion between Scythia and Pannonia on the subject of -Thracia, and that in all probability the interposition of Pannonia and -her allies at Czarigrad would obtain a settlement of affairs in -Caerleon’s favour. This prospect served to stimulate the activity of -the Thracian conspirators both at home and in exile, who had been -lying low for a week or two, and watching the course of events, but -now realised that they could not look to the Powers to do their -business for them. The O’Malachy and his wife became increasingly -busy, much to the alarm of Nadia, who felt certain that they -contemplated delivering some blow, the nature of which she could not -divine, against the Thracian kingdom. At last the O’Malachy left -Witska on urgent business, and she gathered that his destination was -Pavelsburg, although she could only guess at his probable errand -there. Nor were her anxieties allayed one day when she found her -mother reading with much irritation a newspaper which had just arrived -by the post. -</p> - -<p> -“There seems to be no end to the annoyance you bring upon us, Nadia,” -said Madame O’Malachy. “As if your foolishness was not enough, your -father must needs improve upon it for the benefit of the newspapers. -It must have been after dinner, I suppose, as usual. No doubt they -gathered round him and drank wine with him, and flattered and -sympathised with him, until he was ready to tell them anything. I -cannot trust him alone for a day, and yet I cannot leave Witska. Pig! -ass! why does he not see that in recounting this pitiful story he -forgets that Louis is in Bellaviste, in the Palace itself, and must -stay there?” -</p> - -<p> -“What has my father been saying?” asked Nadia, her colour changing. -</p> - -<p> -“Merely parading you before the eyes of Europe as a forsaken heroine,” -replied Madame O’Malachy, tearing the offending newspaper briskly -across, and throwing the fragments into the stove; “but I will put a -stop to that. Give me those telegraph-forms.” -</p> - -<p> -Surprised by her mother’s unaccustomed confidence in her, Nadia -obeyed, and was further astonished to find herself consulted as to the -wording of the telegram which was to warn the O’Malachy not to repeat -his indiscretion, but to maintain a strict silence on the subject of -his daughter in future. Several forms were wasted before the message -satisfied Madame O’Malachy, but she did not breathe freely until Nadia -had taken it to the post-office. As soon as she had time to think, she -made a mental resolution to seize any papers other than merely local -ones which might enter the house, and destroy them before Nadia could -see them. This measure was imperatively necessary, if there was to be -any peace in the family; for even her intrepid spirit quailed when she -pictured to herself the scene which would ensue if Nadia discovered -the construction which the O’Malachy, or the reporters of his words, -had placed upon Caerleon’s treatment of her. To Madame O’Malachy, -whose common-sense was one of her strongest points, the state of mind -in which her husband could choose to boast of the long-past glories of -his race, while he did his best at the same moment to proclaim that -his daughter had been most cruelly jilted, was incomparably absurd, -and the telegram she sent him was short and sharp. The injury -inflicted upon Nadia’s future by the publication of a report such as -he had set on foot touched her keenly, for all her hopes for old age -were based upon the possibility of her daughter’s making a brilliant -marriage; and to have her name bandied about in such a connection -could not but militate against her prospects. Trouble caused by an -incident of this kind she could understand and sympathise with, while -Nadia’s refusal of Caerleon and the reasons for it were a sealed book -to her, and she was unusually kind to the girl during that day and the -next. But on the second evening her sympathy seemed to have exhausted -itself, for her manner once more became brusque and her tone -sarcastic, and Nadia, whose spirits had risen under the influence of -the change in her mother, realised that her presence was no longer -desired in the sitting-room. As she opened the door a sudden impulse -made her return to the table at which Madame O’Malachy was busied with -her writing materials. -</p> - -<p> -“If you are planning anything against <i>him</i>, spare him for my sake,” -she said in a low voice, and stopped suddenly, amazed at her own -temerity. -</p> - -<p> -“Go to bed; you are a little fool,” returned her mother, scathingly. -</p> - -<p> -Nadia’s sleep was much disturbed that night. Two or three times she -thought she heard stealthy steps in the passage, and once the -unmistakable sound of the shutting of a door. She could not rid -herself of the idea that some deadly blow was being prepared against -Caerleon; there were evil possibilities in the slightest noise that -reached her ears as she lay awake trembling and listening. She cried -herself to sleep at last, and was only awakened in the morning by a -voice at her door. -</p> - -<p> -“Fräulein! Fräulein!”—the agitated accents were those of the -many-tongued waiter,—“pray come down at once. The gracious Frau -Oberstin has met with an accident. Boris the cowherd found her lying -on the hillside just now, and they are bringing her in.” -</p> - -<p> -Startled and horrified, Nadia threw on a dressing-gown, and rushed -down-stairs. The passage was filled with the hangers-on of the inn, -who made way for her to pass into one of the smaller rooms on the -ground-floor, into which a figure wearing the dress of the -country-people had just been carried on a stretcher. Nadia looked -round in amazement. This was a peasant woman, not her mother. But from -the motionless form came a well-known voice. -</p> - -<p> -“You need not look so terrified, my daughter. I am not injured, merely -too stiff to move. Absolutely I cannot stir a foot. It is evident that -I have been walking in my sleep again. You remember that it is an old -trick of mine? I suppose you must send for a doctor, for form’s sake, -but pray do not let any one be alarmed.” -</p> - -<p> -It appeared that there was a doctor to be found at a little town some -miles distant, and a messenger was despatched at once to bring him to -Witska, while Nadia did her best to make her mother comfortable. -Assisted by an excited maid-servant, who insisted on relating in bad -German how it had happened to her, some weeks before, to meet the Frau -Oberstin coming along the balcony at night with a candle in her hand -and a fixed look in her eyes, she brought down a bedstead from one of -the upper rooms, and succeeded in lifting Madame O’Malachy and placing -her upon it, the sufferer still protesting that she felt no pain -whatever, merely an inability to move. Nadia’s mind was occupied with -the problem presented by the accident. If her mother had only been -walking in her sleep, how had it happened that she had laid aside her -own dress and put on the peasant costume? The place where she had been -found was at the foot of a precipitous incline on which there abutted -one of the walls of the garden belonging to the inn. Between the wall -and the margin of the steep was a narrow ledge, affording just room -for a sure-footed person to pass along it. It was unlikely that a -sleep-walker would light upon this track without having seen it -before; but any one who was bound on secret or important business -would find it an excellent means of reaching the road which led down -the mountain without being seen from the village. Was it possible that -Madame O’Malachy had been carrying treasonable letters in disguise -when a chance slip had made her lose her footing? -</p> - -<p> -This was the question which, try as she would, Nadia could not succeed -in banishing from her mind during the earlier part of the day, but -when the doctor arrived he gave a new direction to her thoughts. He -was a taciturn man, and asked so few questions that Madame O’Malachy -set him down as a fool; but when his examination was over he made a -sign to Nadia to accompany him out of the room. -</p> - -<p> -“Where is the Herr Oberst?” he asked. “I understand from the landlord -that he is away.” -</p> - -<p> -“I think he must be in Scythia,” answered Nadia. “He went to -Pavelsburg on important business, but I do not know whether he is -there still.” -</p> - -<p> -“He should be summoned at once,” said the doctor. -</p> - -<p> -“But he will return in a few days,” said Nadia, astonished. “You don’t -wish me to telegraph to him? That would make him think that my mother -was dangerously ill——” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes?” said the doctor, with an intonation that made her start and -shiver. -</p> - -<p> -“But she is not even severely hurt! She has absolutely no pain!” she -cried, frantically. -</p> - -<p> -“That is the worst symptom in the case,” he replied, in his most -repressive and business-like tone. “She is suffering from paralysis, -caused by——” And he entered into a learned disquisition on the exact -nature of the injury sustained, culminating in the fact that the -paralysis, which was now confined to the lower limbs, must necessarily -creep upwards by degrees until it reached a certain point, after -which—— He paused, and Nadia, who had been listening like one in a -dream, forced herself to ask the question— -</p> - -<p> -“And how long—how long will it be before this point is reached?” -</p> - -<p> -“It may be to-night, it may be to-morrow,” he answered. “Therefore, if -I may advise you, send your telegram immediately.” -</p> - -<p> -In a stunned condition she returned into the room to ask her mother -the O’Malachy’s address, only to be met by the question why she wanted -it. -</p> - -<p> -“The doctor thought he ought to know that you were ill,” she murmured. -</p> - -<p> -“But why?” asked Madame O’Malachy. “He must not be sent for unless it -is absolutely necessary. Did the doctor say it was necessary?” she -added, quickly. -</p> - -<p> -Nadia bowed her head, unable to speak. For a moment her mother’s eager -eyes searched her face keenly, then closed, as though in utter -weariness. -</p> - -<p> -“You will find your father’s address on an envelope in my desk. Go and -send your telegram, then bring the desk here to me. I will rest a -little.” -</p> - -<p> -But when Nadia returned to the room, her mother did not seem inclined -to rest. She made her tear up a number of papers and burn them, then -sent her up-stairs for others, which were treated in the same way. -Nadia had no opportunity of saying a word. At last, when the papers -were all disposed of, she screwed her courage to the point of asking -whether she should read aloud a little. -</p> - -<p> -“If you like,” returned Madame O’Malachy, indifferently. “You will -find on my toilet-table the novel I was reading. I may as well finish -it.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, not that, to-day!” entreated Nadia. -</p> - -<p> -“And why not?” asked her mother. “If not that, nothing, thank you.” -</p> - -<p> -No more could be said, and Nadia remained silent, feeling that she had -wasted an opportunity. All that could be done during the day for her -mother’s comfort she did, feeling all the time humbly and unhappily -conscious that she was not a good nurse. Her movements were too -deliberate, no one could call her deft, and she felt sure that -mistakes which passed unnoticed by her sick children and their parents -were setting her mother’s teeth on edge at this moment. There was no -one to give her any real help, although the people of the inn did what -they could. The doctor had departed immediately after giving his -verdict, and would not return until late at night, for he was an -over-worked general practitioner, and was gone to visit several cases -in a different direction, in which his ministrations might possibly -prove effective, while for this patient nothing could be done. Even if -the O’Malachy were still to be found at the address to which the -telegram had been sent, he could not be expected at Witska for three -days at least, and it was by no means certain that he had not left -before it could reach him. Nadia felt utterly lonely. Wearied and -inexpressibly miserable, she sat down by the stove in the dusk, -longing to say something, she knew not what, to her mother, to break -down, even at this eleventh hour, the barrier of silence which their -lives had raised between them. But she was tongue-tied, and it was -Madame O’Malachy who spoke first. -</p> - -<p> -“Turn your face this way a little, my daughter, that I may see you. -No; I cannot understand it. Tell me, what was it about you that -attracted the notice of King Carlino?” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t know,” said Nadia, humbly. “I think it was only that he loved -me.” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes; but why did he love you?” resumed Madame O’Malachy. “You do not -make the most of yourself, you have no conversation, you make no -effort to be agreeable. Is it that he admired your plainness of -speech, which I, for one, call brutal?” -</p> - -<p> -“Perhaps, a little,” said Nadia. “Not altogether, certainly.” -</p> - -<p> -“You seem very doubtful,” said her mother. “Have you never asked -yourself these interesting questions? How are you to retain your -influence over men if you have no idea of the means by which you first -attracted their attention—their admiration?” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t want to obtain influence over men,” said Nadia, in a choking -voice. “My own life has not been so successful that I need make any -more efforts to direct others.” -</p> - -<p> -“That exactly proves the truth of what I was saying,” said Madame -O’Malachy. “Tell me,” she added suddenly—“do you still love this -young man?” -</p> - -<p> -Nadia dropped on her knees by the bedside, and hid her face in the -coverlet. “It is cruel to ask me,” she sobbed, “when he is going to -marry the Princess of Mœsia; but I do.” -</p> - -<p> -“I hear that he looks most unhappy, and appears to loathe the -engagement into which he has undoubtedly been forced,” said her -mother. Nadia raised her clasped hands in wild appeal. -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, don’t tell me that!” she cried. “Let me feel at least that he is -happy, whatever becomes of me. I pray every day that they may love -each other, and that their marriage may be a blessing to Thracia and -to themselves.” -</p> - -<p> -“You bear no malice against him, then?” -</p> - -<p> -“How could I? He is doing what I felt must be right.” -</p> - -<p> -“You would not wish him to be punished? If you knew of any danger——” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, mother!” she looked up with a cry. “I would walk barefoot to -Bellaviste to warn him, even if he was to be married to-morrow. You -have not joined in any plot to injure him?” -</p> - -<p> -“Hush! I cannot tell you now. I must speak to your father, if he -returns in time. Leave me alone with him when he comes, and I will -tell you afterwards. If he does not return, I will tell you before the -end.” -</p> - -<p> -Nadia returned to her place, and they talked no more until the sounds -of bustle outside announced an arrival. -</p> - -<p> -“It is your father,” said Madame O’Malachy; “I hear his voice. -Besides,” as Nadia’s face showed signs of incredulity, “no one else -would arrive so late. His business must have taken a shorter time than -we anticipated, and no doubt he started on his return journey two days -ago, and so missed the telegram.” -</p> - -<p> -Nadia went out, and found the O’Malachy in the passage, engaged in -hearing from the waiter what had occurred. He looked anxious and -worried. -</p> - -<p> -“This is a bad businuss, Nadia,” he said. “Where is your mother?” -</p> - -<p> -Nadia took him into the room, and, mindful of her mother’s injunction, -left them alone together. From her post in the passage she could hear -their voices, her mother’s anxious and pleading, the O’Malachy’s gruff -and obdurate. After a time he opened the door and called to her to -come in, telling her to get him something to eat, but refusing to -yield to her suggestion that he should take his meal in another room. -Presently he sent her away to unpack his portmanteau and get out what -he needed, and then he himself saw the doctor, and received his -assurance that there would be no marked change in the patient’s -condition before morning. Nadia had made preparations for sitting up -with her mother; but he ordered her peremptorily to bed, and declared -his intention of taking the night-watch himself. It was evident that -he did not mean to leave her alone with Madame O’Malachy for a moment, -and her anxiety became keen. A look from her mother warned her to -obey, and she left the room, but lingered in the passage. Presently -she heard Madame O’Malachy urging her husband to make himself -comfortable in the cushioned chair which had been brought down for -him, and rest a little after his journey, and before very long there -was perfect silence in the room. Nadia opened the door softly, and -peeped in. A low “Hush!” from her mother brought her noiselessly to -the side of the bed, where Madame O’Malachy lay wide awake, while the -O’Malachy was beginning to give audible evidence of having fallen -asleep in his chair. -</p> - -<p> -“Kneel down here,” whispered Madame O’Malachy, “where your father -cannot see you if he wakes. Nadia, I have been trying to induce him to -abandon the plot we had arranged—so much of it, at least, as -threatens Carlino’s life—but he will not consent. He has got hold of -the idea that the King and Lord Cyril were playing with him all the -time we were at Bellaviste, and he says he will not allow himself to -be made a fool in the eyes of Europe. He will not consent to -relinquish his revenge.” -</p> - -<p> -“And you have arranged to murder the King?” gasped Nadia. “Oh, -mother!” -</p> - -<p> -“What did you say, Barbara?” asked the O’Malachy, sitting up and -looking round sharply. “If you want anything, don’t be afraid of -asking me for ut. Sure I wasn’t asleep, but I can’t get the noise of -the train out of me ears.” -</p> - -<p> -“Thanks, O’Malachy, I want nothing,” returned his wife, and he settled -himself once more in his chair; but it was some time before the two -women ventured to begin their conversation afresh. -</p> - -<p> -“If you wish to save the King,” Madame O’Malachy whispered, “listen to -me now. The betrothal is to take place the day after to-morrow, and -two days later Carlino will return to Bellaviste. On a certain day -soon after his return he is to inspect the garrison of Tatarjé—that -is, if he escapes your father. There are two routes to the town, and -it is at present doubtful which he will choose. Louis is to discover -this, and to let your father know. When a letter comes from him, and -your father leaves this place on any pretext, you will know what is -intended, and it is for you to warn the King, if you are still in the -same mind.” -</p> - -<p> -“But why not write at once and caution Lord Cyril?” asked Nadia. -</p> - -<p> -“Because we have confederates in the post-office, and your letter -would be stopped. We are not alone, Nadia. The conspiracy is an -extensive one, with ramifications throughout the whole of Thracia, and -supporters in Scythia. It will take its course, but I will help you to -save your Carlino’s life if I can.” -</p> - -<p> -“But must I denounce my father to save him?” asked Nadia, horrified. -</p> - -<p> -“Never! You will merely tell the King not to visit Tatarjé on that -day, or if he must go, to alter his route. The change of plan will at -once become known to Louis, and he will warn your father that the plot -has been discovered, and that he must escape. Or if, through any -mischance, he should be away, do you telegraph at once to Mr F. X. -O’Reilly, at Tatarjé, ‘Go to Pavelsburg immediately, and await -further orders there.’ Your father will understand. He is to pass at -Tatarjé as an English newspaper correspondent, come to see the -inspection, and he will leave at once.” -</p> - -<p> -“But is the rest of the plot to take its course?” -</p> - -<p> -“Certainly. I tell you nothing, and you know nothing. I am not -betraying anything that is indispensable to it. It was Louis who -suggested to your father that it would ensure the success of the -revolt if Carlino were got rid of first of all, and your father caught -at the idea at once. It is entirely the fulfilment of his private -revenge, and all the arrangements have been our work alone, though -there is no doubt that the removal would be welcomed by the other -parties to the conspiracy, however eagerly they might appear to -reprobate it in deference to public opinion. It is with reference to -this alone that I will aid you; but once the alarm is given, the -King’s friends will look after his life carefully enough. In the -revolution, when it arrives, he must take his chance; but if he falls, -it will be in fair fight, not by a shot fired from an ambush. Only be -sure that when you warn him, you give your message either to Lord -Cyril or to himself. They would believe you, but M. Drakovics would -put you in prison in the hope of obtaining further information. And -you must go to Bellaviste in disguise, for fear Louis should recognise -you. In any case, keep out of his way; he would not allow you to spoil -his plans.” -</p> - -<p> -“But why do you all hate the King in this way?” asked Nadia, -tearfully. -</p> - -<p> -“Your father hates him because he thinks he over-reached him in the -matter of his proposing to you. If it had not been for this engagement -to Princess Ottilie, he would have been most anxious that his life -should be spared, hoping that he might yet return and marry you. But -Louis does not hate him—it is merely a matter of business. He is at -Bellaviste to bring about a revolution, and he will do so more easily -if Carlino is out of the way. He finds your father incensed against -him, and immediately proposes to himself to take advantage of his -desire for revenge to kill Carlino. No; he is not sacrificing his -father——” as Nadia raised a horrified face. “Do you think that I -would have permitted such a thing? The arrangements for escaping from -the spot and leaving the country in safety are so complete that it -would be almost impossible for your father to be captured, or even for -his share in the—execution—to be known,—unless,” and Madame -O’Malachy smiled with a trace of her old sarcastic spirit, “he told -the story himself. But neither do I hate Carlino. I have almost a -liking for him; but he is weak—he lets slip his chances. If he had -married you, I would have done anything for him; but he allowed you, -with your absurd scruples, to send him away. If he had been a <i>man</i>, -he would have laughed at you. He should have made you marry him, and -then you would have liked him all the better for his roughness.” -</p> - -<p> -“I should not!” cried Nadia, with flashing eyes. “I should have hated -him, despised him. How could I like him if he made me do what I felt -to be wrong?” -</p> - -<p> -“Gently!” said her mother, as the O’Malachy stirred and muttered in -his sleep. “Now you are beyond me. I speak only from experience, you -from imagination, which is naturally far more trustworthy. But your -father is uneasy. If he finds you here he will be ready to kill us -both. Creep out quietly.” -</p> - -<p> -“Let me stay with you here,” entreated Nadia. “I will be very -quiet,—I will not speak. I—I should like to know you better. You -have been so good to me to-day.” -</p> - -<p> -“It is too late,” returned her mother. “I also—there are many things -which one could wish to change, looking at them to-night. But one -cannot do it now.” -</p> - -<p> -“But—let me ask you just this—are you——” -</p> - -<p> -“No; I know what you would say, but I cannot listen. You are -Protestant, I Catholic. But you may pray for me if you like. Now go.” -</p> - -<p> -Nadia rose and kissed her silently, and went out. The longing which -both she and her mother had just put into words was strong upon her. -If only they could have changed so many things! But it was too late. -Old counsels of her godmother’s, Caerleon’s little-heeded -remonstrances, came thronging back into her mind as she gained her own -room and sank down upon a chair. She bowed her head upon the table, -and sobbed. -</p> - -<p> -“It is all my fault!” she said. “I never know how much reason I have -to love any one before it is too late. Oh, if it may not be too late -for her!” -</p> - - -<h3 id="ch17"> -CHAPTER XVII.<br/> -<span class="chap_sub">MINE AND COUNTERMINE.</span> -</h3> - -<p class="noindent"> -<span class="sc">It</span> was broad daylight when the tinkling of a little bell aroused -Nadia. Rising stiff and cramped from the uncomfortable position in -which she had fallen asleep, kneeling beside her bed, she went to the -window, which looked into the courtyard of the inn. A priest, followed -by a youthful acolyte, was picking his way across the square towards -the gate—not the Greek pope of the village, but a Roman Catholic -priest from Boloszjen, the town from which the doctor came—and it was -the boy who was ringing the bell she had heard. Divining at once that -the priest had been summoned to administer the last sacraments to her -mother, she hastened down-stairs, to find the O’Malachy and the -travelled waiter talking in low voices in the passage. -</p> - -<p> -“And the gracious young lady was not even awakened?” she heard the -waiter ask. -</p> - -<p> -“<i>À quoi cela servirait-il? Mademoiselle est Protestante</i>,” replied -the O’Malachy, and the words fell on Nadia’s ear without conveying any -impression to her mind. She advanced towards her mother’s door, and -the waiter made a hasty movement as though to prevent her from -entering the room, but she passed him and went in. Then she realised -what had happened. -</p> - -<p> -Stepping noiselessly, she drew back the sheet from the quiet form upon -the bed, and wondered at the expression of the face. Was it the hand -of death alone that had stamped upon the beautiful features the -serenity which had never characterised them in the stormy days of -life? Or had God spoken to the soul in the silent hours of the night, -when no human watcher was at hand, and the friendly and engrossing -sounds of earth were hushed for the time, and was the priest’s -anointing only a feeble emblem of the peace of God which passeth all -understanding? Nadia felt no inclination to weep as she gazed upon the -dead face. “Two hands upon the breast, and labour is past”—the -Scythian proverb recurred to her mind, and she felt a sudden -lightening of the load that had weighed her down since the first -intimation of her mother’s danger had reached her. The issue was not -hers, it belonged to God—God, who knew all the circumstances of -Barbara O’Malachy’s life, the bad training, the evil influences, and -in later years, the dead weight of an ill-spent past, and the constant -companionship of one who owed it to her efforts that he had preferred -the rewards of dishonour to a hero’s death. -</p> - -<p> -What must have been the full effect of such a companionship Nadia did -not wholly realise until the O’Malachy entered the room, and found her -still standing and gazing entranced. She dropped the sheet as he came -up to the bed. -</p> - -<p> -“She looks so peaceful,” she said, with a break in her voice, “but I -wish I had been here. You might have sent for me when you saw that she -was worse.” -</p> - -<p> -“Sure there was not time,” replied the O’Malachy, lamely enough. “It -was not until daylight that I saw how nearly she was gone, and then I -could think of nothing but sending for Father John immediately.” -</p> - -<p> -Nadia looked at him in silence, reading in his stumbling excuses the -fear which had influenced him that even at the last her mother might -find means to warn her of the plot against Caerleon’s life, and -understanding that this had been his reason for keeping her away. She -wished now that she had braved his anger, and insisted on remaining in -the room all night, and yet a quarrel in the very presence of the -dying could have done no possible good to any one. She looked at him -again as he stood shifting his position uneasily at the foot of the -bed, and she read in his face not only the grief which she had -expected to find there, but also something else, something that was -more like annoyance. -</p> - -<p> -“I want to speak to you, Nadia, if you’ll come into the parlour,” he -said. “There are some arrangements we ought to get settled.” -</p> - -<p> -“Can’t we leave them for a little while—just to-day?” asked Nadia. -</p> - -<p> -“Time is a luckshury that we don’t possess,” answered her father, -opening the door for her, and motioning her out. “I may likely be -called away any moment.” -</p> - -<p> -“Not before the—the funeral?” asked Nadia, in horror. -</p> - -<p> -“I hope not; but if a letter comes to summon me on important businuss, -it stands to reason that I must go. I have arranged for the funeral to -take place to-morrow afternoon.” -</p> - -<p> -“To-morrow? so soon?” cried Nadia. -</p> - -<p> -“Sure is it not better that I would be here for ut than not? Your -blessud mother knew all about the work I’m on, and she would not have -had me leave ut. I am thinking of sending you back to Princess -Soudaroff, Nadia. When you came to us she said she would be glad to -have you again any time.” -</p> - -<p> -Nadia’s heart leapt, but she reproached herself immediately for her -gladness. “If you would only let me stay with you, I should like it -better.” -</p> - -<p> -“Stay with me?” echoed the O’Malachy. “Is it taking on your mother’s -part of the work you mean? I’d not have thought you had the gifts for -ut.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh no, not that!” said Nadia, earnestly. “Father, won’t you give it -up? You have your pay, and you could go back to your regiment, and I -could keep house for you.” -</p> - -<p> -“Is it settling down to parades and courts-martial she means?” asked -the O’Malachy in astonishment. “She might have been Queen of Thracia, -and she talks of beginning life again on a linesman’s pay for the two -of us, in some dirty hole of a Scythian garruson town! Sure it’s -little you know of ut, mademoiselle.” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t mind how dull it is, or how poor we are,” urged Nadia, -thrilled with the hope of detaching her father from his present mode -of life. -</p> - -<p> -“But sure I do,” was his instant response. “How do you think I could -enjure ut at all after the life your blessud mother and I have led? -You are just five-and-thirty years too late in your praise of -poverty.” -</p> - -<p> -“But my mother——” began Nadia. He cut her short. -</p> - -<p> -“I’d have you remember, Nadia, that what I am your mother made me, and -if she did show the white feather just at the end, sure ’twas the -first time in her life—or maybe the second,” he added, meditatively; -“and ’tis not likely I will change me ways before I’m on me deathbed, -as she was. No, I have me work, and I’ll keep to ut. I will write to -the Princess about you, and you’ll be better to telegraph to let her -know you are coming.” -</p> - -<p> -“Not just yet,” pleaded Nadia; “I am very anxious to stay here as long -as I can.” -</p> - -<p> -The O’Malachy looked pleased. “Sure we’ll not be partud altogether at -all,” he said. “If all goes well in Thracia, I’ll come and see you, -and we’ll maybe find ut possuble to set up housekeeping together in -some place.” -</p> - -<p> -Nadia shuddered. “If all went well in Thracia,” meant to her father -that when they next met, Caerleon’s blood would be between them. She -changed the subject hastily. -</p> - -<p> -“Will you telegraph to Louis, father, or shall I?” -</p> - -<p> -“Ah, it wouldn’t be a bad thing to have um here,” responded the -O’Malachy thoughtfully. “But no. Louie is a soldier, and he must not -leave his duty. I’ll not have ut said that Michael O’Malachy called -his son away from the work he had to do. I’ll write to um meself.” -</p> - -<p> -The day dragged slowly by, and the next followed like it. The -O’Malachy was restless and uneasy, dividing his time between making up -arrears of correspondence and watching the road which led up the -mountain. To Nadia, who knew what he must be expecting, and what -arrangements his letters were intended to make, this period of -inaction was almost unbearable, but it was not until shortly before -the funeral that she found how deeply the suspense had tried her. -Feverishly anxious to go out, to do anything that might relieve the -tension of the long hours, it cost her a flood of tears and a sharp -wordy battle when she found that she was not intended to follow her -mother to the grave. The O’Malachy was inflexible. In Ireland, he -said, ladies never attended funerals, and he would not have things -done otherwise than decently here because they were out on a -God-forsaken hill in a desolate (he pronounced it daysolut) country. -Too much exhausted to contend longer, Nadia yielded at last to the -imperious dictates of propriety, and declining the landlady’s offer of -her company, betook herself to solitude and a quiet corner of the inn -garden. -</p> - -<p> -She had been sitting there for some time, in a spot quite concealed -from any one in the house by bushes and an intervening angle of wall, -and the sad procession had wound its way out of sight and hearing, -when she was startled by a persistent rustling in the boughs of a -large tree which overhung the parapet near her. At this season of the -year it was bare of leaves, but its branches were still so thickly -covered with ivy that they concealed the cause of the disturbance as -completely as if they had been laden with their native foliage, and -the effect was sufficiently alarming. In the strained state of her -nerves, Nadia’s first impulse was to take to flight and seek refuge in -the house; but she summoned up all her courage, and walked boldly -towards the tree, asking, in the best Thracian she could muster— -</p> - -<p> -“Is there any one here?” -</p> - -<p> -There was no answer, but she heard a further rustling immediately over -her head, and looking up quickly, caught sight of a man peering at her -through the screen of ivy. For a moment they remained staring at one -another, and then the intruder, feeling apparently that there was no -possibility of concealing himself further, bent down towards her, and -asked in a low voice in German— -</p> - -<p> -“The gracious lady is related to the Herr Oberst O’Malachy?” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes,” said Nadia, astonished by the contrast between the speaker’s -dress and his words. His appearance was that of a wandering artisan -seeking for work, but his voice was gentlemanly and his accent -refined. -</p> - -<p> -“Then may I trouble her to hand to the Herr Oberst in private a small -packet? I was charged to deliver it only to himself or to the gracious -lady, and I have waited here for hours, hoping to see one or other of -them in the garden, for there is one of Drakovics’s spies hanging -about in front of the inn. Happily I found my way up the mountain by a -shepherd’s path, and he did not see me, but I was beginning to wonder -whether I must stay here until it was dark, and then manage to climb -up to the balcony and tap at the Herr Oberst’s window. The attempt -would have been both unpleasant and dangerous, and I cannot be too -thankful that fate directed the gracious lady’s steps to this part of -the garden.” -</p> - -<p> -A flood of thoughts rushed across Nadia’s mind as she stood on tiptoe -and held out her hand for the letter, listening to what the messenger -said without hearing it. This man was one of the Thracian -conspirators. Even now he was acting as an emissary of Louis’s, and -carrying despatches to the various persons who were engaged in the -plot. Despatches!—had not her mother warned her that the O’Malachy -was expecting a message from Louis, a message which was to inform him -of the route by which Caerleon would enter Tatarjé, a message which -would enable him to carry out the dreadful deed he was contemplating? -This man had brought it. It was for him that the O’Malachy had been -watching since his return from Pavelsburg, but he had counted upon -intercepting him either in going to or returning from the grave if he -arrived to-day, for it was evident that he had not discovered the -presence of the secret agent in the village street. And his refusal to -let Nadia attend the funeral—the prohibition which had cost her so -many tears—had been the means of placing in her power the precious -scrap of paper on which, humanly speaking, hung Caerleon’s life! It -did not at the moment occur to her, what was indeed the case, that the -messenger had mistaken her for her mother, and had thus given her the -note without any misgiving; but as soon as the envelope was in her -hand, a cold chill ran through her. How was she to find out what it -contained? To suppress the letter would mean the ruin of her only -chance of helping Caerleon if the action were discovered, while to -open it, read it, and close it again, would be dishonourable. And -yet—and yet—surely if such an action could ever be justifiable, it -was so in this case. Her fingers closed upon the flap of the envelope; -it would be easy, when once the messenger had departed, to soften the -gum with a little hot water and examine the letter, but the teaching -of a lifetime was too strong for her, and she repulsed the temptation -in horror. The next moment another thought occurred to her, which -differed from the first, although she did not see this at the time, in -degree rather than in kind. -</p> - -<p> -“Was there any verbal message,” she asked, “to be delivered in case -you were taken prisoner, and obliged to destroy the letter?” -</p> - -<p> -“It is scarcely necessary to give it now,” said the messenger with a -smile, looking down at Nadia as she stood with the letter in her hand, -and her face upturned to his, “but if the gracious lady wishes to -assure herself of my good faith, it was this: <i>Friday, in the Wolf’s -Glen</i>.” -</p> - -<p> -Nadia breathed freely. The words told her what she wanted to know, the -date, now three days hence, on which Caerleon was to inspect the -garrison of Tatarjé, and the route by which he would travel. In the -Wolf’s Glen the O’Malachy would lie in wait, on murder bent, unless -she could succeed in thwarting his purpose. -</p> - -<p> -“Thank you,” she said to the messenger. “I will give the letter to the -Herr Oberst,” and she watched him make his way along the branches of -the tree until he was safely beyond the wall, and could drop to the -ground. Then she went quietly indoors, intent on possessing herself, -before the O’Malachy’s return, of something she had noticed among her -mother’s belongings. It was a dagger about ten inches long, very -bright and sharp, concealed ingeniously in a case shaped like a furled -fan, and she had a vague idea that it might serve her as a means of -defence on her way to Bellaviste, and perhaps stand her in good stead -when there, if she found it necessary to frighten any one. It was -alarming enough to her, at any rate, and she hoped earnestly that she -might not be obliged to produce it at all, while the thought of using -it against a living creature made her shudder; but she hid it -carefully in her dress, and returned to the garden. Meeting her father -when he entered, she gave him the letter. -</p> - -<p> -“How did you get this?” he asked, looking at her suspiciously. -</p> - -<p> -“A stranger gave it to me in the garden. He looked like a Thracian,” -she answered. -</p> - -<p> -“You don’t know um? Did he say anything?” -</p> - -<p> -“He asked me to give it to you, and said that he was charged to -deliver it only to you or me.” -</p> - -<p> -“Poor Louie!” said the O’Malachy, with apparent irrelevance. “Boys -will get into scrapes now and then, and if he tries to find some way -of writing to his old father without his colonel’s finding ut out, why -in the wide world wouldn’t he?” -</p> - -<p> -Understanding that she was intended to accept this transparent fiction -as an explanation of the way in which the letter had been delivered, -Nadia was silent, and her father retired to read it. When he returned, -his manner was hurried and eager. -</p> - -<p> -“This letter brings me marching orders,” he said, and she noticed that -he avoided meeting her eye. “Poor Louie’s greatly troubled. He has got -umself into a very bad scrape, and to settle his businuss I must start -for Tatarjé by the morning train to-morrow.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, what has he been doing?” cried Nadia, in genuine terror. For the -moment she really thought that, besides the expected intimation as to -Caerleon’s movements, the letter must have contained bad news of the -kind indicated by her father. -</p> - -<p> -The O’Malachy frowned. “It’s not the kind of businuss we generally -talk over with ladies,” he said severely; and if Nadia’s heart had not -been so heavy, she could have laughed at the dignity of his manner as -he administered this rebuke to her curiosity. All fear for Louis left -her mind instantly, and she was ready to listen to her father when he -resumed, after a moment’s interval to allow the reproof to take -effect, “I’ll likely have to leave here by six in the morning to get -to the station in time for me train. What to do about you I don’t -know. You must telegraph to Princess Soudaroff at once, but your train -will not start from Boloszjen until mid-day to-morrow, and ’t is not a -right thing to leave you alone here.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, please don’t trouble about me,” said Nadia. “Why, there is not -even a connection between Boloszjen and the Thracian railway, is -there? No, if you will settle the hotel bill, and arrange for a -carriage to take me to Boloszjen, I can start by myself quite -comfortably.” It would not have been human nature not to add, “You -must think about Louis first, you know.” -</p> - -<p> -The O’Malachy lent a ready ear to the suggestion, which fitted in with -his own wishes. It was evident that his preparations at Tatarjé were -by no means complete as yet, probably owing to the uncertainty which -had prevailed hitherto as to the exact date of the inspection, and his -anxiety to be gone was great. Nadia packed for him the portion of his -possessions which he would allow her to touch, and in the morning -watched him drive away from the inn, bound for the starting-point of -the Thracian railway, which had at last been completed as far as the -capital. Now that he could no longer interfere with her, she must -mature and carry out her own plans. In accordance with her father’s -injunction, she had telegraphed the evening before to Princess -Soudaroff, asking whether she might come to her at Pavelsburg, but -adding on her own account that she must pay a hurried visit to -Bellaviste before starting for Scythia. Shortly after the O’Malachy’s -departure the answer arrived, assuring her of a warm welcome, and -promising that the Princess would send a lady belonging to her -household to meet her on the Scythian frontier if she would let her -know when she expected to reach it. Nadia had been watching anxiously -for this telegram—not that she was doubtful as to the welcome she -would receive from the Princess, but because she could not well start -on her journey until the missive had arrived. As soon as she had read -it she sought for the travelled waiter. -</p> - -<p> -“I am obliged to change the Herr Oberst’s plans for me,” she said when -she found him. “I shall not go to Boloszjen in the carriage, but I -want you to have the luggage taken there and booked for Pavelsburg in -my name. Then even if I am late for the train the boxes will not be -lost. I am going to see little Ilona, the shepherd’s daughter, and to -take her some clothes. I shall not come back to Witska, but I believe -it is possible to cross the mountains from the shepherd’s hut and walk -to the station beyond Boloszjen and catch the train there, is it not? -Ilona’s father will show me the way, so you need not be alarmed if you -do not see me at Boloszjen.” -</p> - -<p> -The waiter and the landlord both showed great concern on hearing of -the gracious young lady’s determination to fatigue herself so much -before starting on her journey, but she refused to yield to any of -their suggestions, accepting only the offer of a boy to carry the -parcel of clothes. Even this she would have declined if she had not -feared that such persistent ungraciousness would excite suspicion, and -she paid and dismissed her attendant as soon as the cottage came in -sight. Her plans were already laid, and she walked on boldly, carrying -in her arms the bundle, which contained the Thracian peasant-dress -that Madame O’Malachy had worn on the fateful night of her accident. -On entering the hut she was welcomed with a cry of delight by the sick -child, whom she had nursed through a bad attack of bronchitis, and her -mother; the father was away with his sheep. Nadia had no time to lose. -She had picked up a sufficient knowledge of Thracian to make herself -understood, and she plunged into her subject at once. -</p> - -<p> -“I want you to let me change my dress here, Yerma,” she said. “I have -a friend in great danger at Bellaviste, and I must go to warn him.” -Glancing at the sympathetic faces of the mother and child, she knew -that she was safe with them, and went on, “I thought I would wear -clothes like yours, because I should attract less attention on the -road. My own dress I will leave with you. You will be able to make a -winter frock out of it for Ilona.” -</p> - -<p> -The delicacy of the shepherd’s wife and daughter touched and surprised -her, for they asked no questions and simply did their best to give her -what help they could. Under Yerma’s directions she put on the coarse -linen gown and heavy sheepskin-lined pelisse which, in conjunction -with high boots reaching to the knee, form the winter dress of the -Thracian women. Then she knelt down by Ilona’s bed, that the child -might arrange on her head the coloured handkerchief which serves as -bonnet and also as veil, and is pulled so far over the face that it is -sometimes difficult to see from under it. Ilona called out in delight -that no one would recognise the gracious lady now that she was dressed -like this, and Yerma, after conjuring her to hide her hands in the -long sleeves, agreed with the child. Gloves are never worn in Thracia -by the poorer classes, the wide cuffs of the sleeves serving as a -protection from the cold of winter. When her toilet was complete, -Nadia stooped and kissed the child, and left the cottage with Yerma, -who had volunteered to show her the path which led down to the -lowlands on this side of the mountain. They spoke little as they -ventured cautiously on the slippery descent; but when they had reached -the road which led to the distant station, Yerma fell on her knees and -kissed Nadia’s hand. -</p> - -<p> -“God and the saints bless you for all your kindness to my little -Ilona!” she said. “We shall all pray for you, gracious lady, and for -the gracious gentleman at Bellaviste, that you may be in time to warn -him, and that you may both be happy.” -</p> - -<p> -“And only yesterday Carlino betrothed himself to the Princess -Ottilie!” was the thought in Nadia’s mind, as she turned away with -tears in her eyes from the grateful woman, and set out on her long -lonely journey. It was fortunate for her that winter had as yet -scarcely set in, and that the weather was unusually dry, for in an -ordinary season it would have been impossible for a solitary woman to -make her way along the road she was following. The cavernous ruts, -into a few of which good-sized boulders had been pitched at haphazard, -apparently with a view of filling up the holes, showed what the depth -of the mud must be in wet weather; and Nadia fancied that perhaps the -boulders had not been allowed to take up their present positions -entirely by chance, as she had imagined at first, for pedestrians -might find them extremely useful, and even necessary, as -stepping-stones. She plodded on bravely over the uneven track, knowing -that it must eventually lead her to the station, if she only followed -it far enough; but it was so long that at times she was ready to sit -down in despair, imagining that she had lost her way, for the narrow -strip of rough stones and dry mud appeared unending. But she had not -cultivated fortitude and endurance all her life for nothing. The -temperament which had led her to practise martyrdom as a child was a -potent aid to her now, and she toiled on, the remembrance of the -mother and child in the shepherd’s hut praying for the success of her -mission giving her fresh courage. The few wayfarers she met looked at -her curiously as a stranger to the neighbourhood, but the fact that -she had no luggage with her, and that she was able to answer their -rough but kindly greetings in Thracian, seemed to forbid any shadow of -suspicion, and they passed her as a woman making her way from one -village to another. Still she pressed on, for the day was advancing, -and the train which would reach Bellaviste at noon on the morrow -started at four o’clock. An anxious fear seized upon her that after -all she might not be in time, and goaded her to fresh efforts. With -panting breath and stumbling feet she hurried along, and at last saw -far in front of her the collection of wooden sheds which marked the -starting-point of the Thracian railway system. Cheered by the sight, -she almost lost her feeling of weariness during the last half-mile of -the way, although, when the station was once reached and her ticket -taken, she was glad to sink upon a bench and do nothing, think of -nothing, but rest. When the train came in, she noticed its arrival -mechanically, but it did not occur to her to take any active steps -with regard to entering it, and had it not been for a warning from her -neighbour on the bench, a pleasant-looking elderly woman laden with -bundles, she would have been left behind. -</p> - -<p> -Awakened by this friend in need to the fact that the train was just -about to start, Nadia insisted on helping her to carry her bundles, -and was glad to establish herself on the seat next to her in the -carriage, which was constructed on the American pattern. They were the -only women present, but the men gathered together at the other end and -talked among themselves, and Nadia’s friend arranged her parcels on -the bench in front of her, and producing a covered brazier filled with -hot charcoal, invited Nadia to put her feet upon it and make herself -comfortable. She was a cheerful, talkative person, and beguiled the -way with quaint legends relating to the hills and valleys they were -passing—legends which would have been full of interest for her hearer -if she had not been so tired. Her long walk, the close atmosphere of -the train, and the monotonous voice of her companion, all combined to -make Nadia overpoweringly sleepy, but she succeeded in dissembling the -fact until an irresistible nod brought her head into sudden and -violent contact with the good woman’s shoulder. -</p> - -<p> -“Have you heard the story of the young prince and his witch-mother?” -the narrator was saying. “There was a learned gentleman from -Bellaviste travelling in our parts this summer, who heard me telling -it to the children, and he was so pleased with it that he wrote it all -down, every word. But you are tired, poor thing! Lie down here, and -take this bundle of mine for a pillow, and I will cover you with my -cloak. No, don’t thank me. I have a daughter just your age. She is -married, and lives at Bellaviste, and I am going to see her now for -the first time since the wedding.” -</p> - -<p> -All the time she was talking she was busy arranging a comfortable -place on the bench for Nadia, and then tucked her up in the most -motherly way. The girl was deeply thankful to be allowed to rest, for -mind and body were alike worn out. But the strain upon her was too -great to permit of peaceful sleep, and she awoke at last with a start, -shivering and trembling, to find her face wet with tears, and her -friend laying a warning hand upon her shoulder. “I woke you because -you began to scream,” she said. “You have been crying all the time you -were asleep, and talking in a language I don’t understand, but I -thought some of the men there might hear you if you spoke loud, and -know what you were saying.” -</p> - -<p> -“Thank you,” said Nadia, sitting up and pushing back the hair from her -face. “It was very kind of you to wake me, for I am in great trouble, -and it might have done terrible harm if any one had understood what I -said. I will tell you what I am doing here,” she went on, moved to -confidence as she looked into the motherly eyes opposite her. “There -is a friend of mine in great danger at Bellaviste, and I have -information which may save his life if I can only get there in time.” -</p> - -<p> -“But you are not a Thracian?” -</p> - -<p> -“No, I come from the frontier, but my friend is in the Carlino -regiment.” -</p> - -<p> -“Ah, he has been getting into trouble with his sergeant, I suppose? I -know how it is: they always think the sergeant is hard upon them, -until they become sergeants themselves, and then they can see no good -in the men. My Elisaveta’s husband is a sergeant in the city guard -himself, and he has told me some fine tales! But your sweetheart—ah, -we all know what ‘friend’ means—must have done something very foolish -indeed to get himself into such trouble.” -</p> - -<p> -“If they kill him, it will be a shameful, horrible murder!” cried -Nadia, hotly. -</p> - -<p> -“Well, I suppose you have information to prove what you say. Are you -going to appeal to the Minister for War?” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh no, no! To the King.” -</p> - -<p> -“The King? Ah, that is wise, no doubt. He is young, and every one says -he is kind-hearted, and he is going to be married, so that your -sweetheart’s case ought to touch his feelings.” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes,” murmured Nadia, seeing at a glance the full irony of the -situation. -</p> - -<p> -“Yes, I think that on the whole you have come at a very favourable -time. Have you written out your petition?” -</p> - -<p> -“No, I never thought of that,” said Nadia. “I meant to try and speak -to him.” -</p> - -<p> -“But he might not catch sight of you, or he might have no time to -listen. If he had a paper which would remind him of you, he might tell -his brother, Prince Kyrillo,”—Nadia did not at first recognise Cyril -under this designation,—“to inquire into the case afterwards. We must -certainly get one drawn up. To-morrow morning the train stops for half -an hour at a place where a cousin of mine lives. She is the -station-master’s wife, and she will be able to write for us. Or -perhaps you can write? But it ought to be in French. Our King is -learning Thracian, they say, but he certainly cannot know it well yet, -and it would be a great advantage if he was able to read the petition -at once.” -</p> - -<p> -“I can write French,” said Nadia. -</p> - -<p> -“Really? Ah, I thought you were better off than you seemed to be. I -shouldn’t wonder if you were a lady’s-maid, now, in some noble -family?” -</p> - -<p> -“I belong to the household of a lady of high rank,” said Nadia. Her -friend looked at her doubtfully. -</p> - -<p> -“I hope your sweetheart is good enough for you. I should say you might -do better than a private soldier—even in the Carlinos. Don’t you let -yourself be led away by a handsome face and a fine uniform, my girl. -An honest farmer with plenty of sheep and pigs, and a little money -hidden behind a brick in the wall, would be likely to make you a far -better husband, and you wouldn’t have all the trouble of moving about -after the regiment, which is bad enough when you are a sergeant’s -wife, but is terrible when you have only a private’s pay to depend -upon. But there! young folks will choose as they like, and it’s no use -speaking to them.” -</p> - -<p> -“He is good enough to marry a princess,” said Nadia, with tears in her -eyes. “Please tell me about the petition. What shall I say in it?” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, you oughtn’t to tell everything, or he won’t need to see you, -and you want to be able to throw yourself at his feet, and melt his -heart by your pleading. We must make up something slow and sad—like -the stories.” And to Nadia’s astonishment, the practical business-like -woman threw back her head, half-closed her eyes, and recited her -improvised plaint in a kind of chant. -</p> - -<div class="letter"> - -<p> -“<span class="sc">Most Illustrious Majesty</span>,—Deign to permit a mourner to approach -your royal throne. -</p> - -<p> -“She comes not to cast a shadow upon your marriage joy, but to plead -with you for the one she loves more than life. -</p> - -<p> -“The beloved of her soul is doomed to death—death undeserved, death -most cruel—and you alone can avert this fearful sorrow. -</p> - -<p> -“Great is the power of the law, but greater is the word of the King. -</p> - -<p> -“For you heaven has ordained happiness; do not, then, refuse to look -upon those to whom bitterness and sorrow are appointed. -</p> - -<p> -“Give to the suppliant who now appeals to you the joy of beholding the -light of your countenance, that you may be assured that not only your -mercy, but your justice, will be satisfied if you grant her petition. -</p> - -<p> -“That God may grant you a long and happy life with the royal lady to -whom your troth is plighted, is the wish of all your subjects. -</p> - -<p> -“But especially, whether you grant her entreaty or refuse it, will it -be the prayer of her who is now kneeling before you.” -</p> - -</div> - -<p> -“It is splendid!” said Nadia. “I should never have thought of such a -way of putting it. It could not be better—except that I shall say -‘this shameful murder,’ instead of ‘this fearful sorrow.’ They say the -King loves justice, and that will show him that a crime will be -committed if he refuses to interfere.” -</p> - -<p> -“You are bold,” said her friend. “But after all, no doubt the King -will stand more from a girl than he would from an old woman, and he is -an Englishman, and boldness may please him.” -</p> - - -<h3 id="ch18"> -CHAPTER XVIII.<br/> -<span class="chap_sub">SO NEAR, AND YET——</span> -</h3> - -<p class="noindent"> -<span class="sc">The</span> long hours of evening and night wore away, so monotonously that -Nadia began to feel as if a slow and uneven progress on a badly laid -track, conducted to the accompaniment of the clanking of couplings and -the dull thud of the engine, and diversified by halts of varying -duration at unfinished and ill-lighted stations, was a normal -condition of her life, and might be expected to last for ever. The men -at the other end of the carriage made themselves comfortable upon the -benches, and the two women slumbered intermittently among the bundles. -Whenever she awoke Nadia busied herself in laying her plans for the -morrow, as she sat gazing into the flying darkness, with an occasional -glimpse of a distant star or a cloud of rushing steam. Her friend’s -insistence upon the necessity of a written petition had given her a -new idea, but she did not intend to make use of it unless she was -forced to do so by circumstances. It was still her intention to throw -herself suddenly at Caerleon’s feet and entreat him to listen to her -for a moment. If, not perceiving who she was, he should depute Cyril -to inquire into her case, all would be well; but if he should -recognise her, and she were compelled to deliver her warning to -himself, she still cherished the wild hope that she would be able to -retreat and lose herself in the crowd before he could recover from his -astonishment. The petition was only to be used in case she found it -difficult to obtain access to him. There was little likelihood of his -recognising her handwriting, which he had only seen once or twice, but -she hoped that the idea of a miscarriage of justice would rouse him at -once to make inquiries, when Cyril would naturally be the messenger -chosen. -</p> - -<p> -In thus providing against various contingencies she passed the waking -hours of the night, and in the morning, when the train stopped at the -station where her friend’s cousin lived, she felt that she was -prepared for any event. The station-master’s residence was not -imposing in appearance, consisting as it did of four whitewashed walls -and a thatched roof, but the owner’s wife received her visitors with -much hospitality, insisted on their sharing her breakfast, and -supplied them with the means of making a hasty and somewhat primitive -toilet. During the meal Nadia’s first friend unfolded the girl’s -story, in so far as she had heard it, to her cousin, and engaged her -help in the matter of drawing up the petition. The hostess wasted no -time in assuring them of her sympathy, but produced at once a pen and -ink and some sheets of official paper from a hole under the thatch, -which served apparently as her husband’s bureau, and Nadia sat down to -write at the small low table, from which the breakfast things had been -hastily removed. It was no easy matter to translate into passable -French the sonorous Thracian which her travelling companion poured -forth, to the loudly expressed admiration of the station-master’s -wife, and the latter complicated the matter almost at the beginning by -exclaiming— -</p> - -<p> -“Oh no, Maria! You must not mention the marriage, it would be most -unsuitable. Haven’t you heard the news?” -</p> - -<p> -“News? What news?” cried Nadia and her friend together. -</p> - -<p> -“Why, about the poor King. The engine-driver on the train from -Bellaviste which passed through the station this morning told my -husband what he had heard them saying last night. The wicked girl—for -wicked she is, princess or no princess—whom he was going to marry -went and ran off with some one else on the very day before the -betrothal!” -</p> - -<p> -“I wish her husband joy of her!” said Nadia’s friend, grimly. “A jilt -like that will come to no good. After all, the poor young King is well -rid of such a minx. But I was afraid you were going to say that -something had happened to the King—and I see you were too,” she went -on, looking at Nadia, from whose hand the pen had fallen. “That would -have been bad for you; for Milos Drakovics, good patriot though he is, -is a man of iron, and would never listen to a girl’s entreaties, -especially on a matter that touched the discipline of the army. Well, -we must alter the words of the petition. Perhaps the poor King’s heart -will be softened by his trouble.” -</p> - -<p> -Awkward as the transposition of sentiment might appear, the Thracian -poetess was equal to the occasion, and the petition was successfully -drawn out, with its wording altered to correspond with the change of -circumstances. After the first shock of surprise and ineffable relief, -Nadia wrote steadily on, without allowing herself time to think. Not -until she was again in the train, with the farewells and good wishes -of her kindly hostess ringing in her ears, did she permit herself to -remember that Caerleon was once more free, that now there was no one -who had the right to stand between him and herself. She knew that she -ought to feel sorry that a scheme of so much excellence had failed, -that such a cruel indignity had been put upon Caerleon in the face of -all Europe, but she was not. She was silently, unspeakably glad, and -all the morning as she sat listening patiently to her companion’s -legends, and putting in appropriate remarks at intervals, her thoughts -were of the spring of happiness which was rising again in her heart. -</p> - -<p> -“You look better this morning,” the good woman observed complacently, -as they neared Bellaviste. “No doubt it makes you feel more -comfortable to have the written paper to depend upon in case you get -flustered when you see his Majesty and can’t say a word. That was how -my Elisaveta felt when the War Minister’s lady spoke to her one day at -a military <i>fête</i>. Now be sure and let me hear how you get on. I wish -you would come and eat some dinner with us, and let me take you -afterwards to some place where you will be able to get a sight of his -Majesty; but if you won’t, you won’t. Only, if you get into any -trouble, ask for the quarters of Serge Georgevics, and even if I am -gone home, you will find Elisaveta there, and she will help you in any -way she can, for I am going to tell her all about you.” -</p> - -<p> -It was with difficulty that even on the platform at Bellaviste Nadia -released herself from her kind friend, but when she had delivered the -bundles she had been helping to carry into the charge of Sergeant -Georgevics, who was waiting to meet his mother-in-law, and had refused -a second invitation to dinner, she found herself free. The sergeant -told her that the King had already returned to the city, and was now -receiving the Ministers at the palace, but that he would drive through -the streets in the afternoon, that the townspeople might be gratified -by a sight of him before he left the capital again for Tatarjé. There -were, therefore, still two hours to spare before she could hope to see -him, and she walked restlessly about the less frequented streets until -she was tired, and then, fearing that she might be too exhausted to -perform her task, went into a quiet restaurant for a cup of coffee and -a roll. This frugal meal over, she made her way into the principal -street, where she waited with all the patience she could command until -the appearance of bodies of troops and police showed that the King -might be expected to pass by before long. In spite of the failure of -M. Drakovics to discover the nature of the plots hatched at Witska, he -had learnt enough to make him anxious for the King’s safety, and the -road was to be lined on either side with mounted soldiers and -gendarmes by way of precaution. Crowds of people gathered on the -pavement as time went on, and the windows and house-tops were as -closely packed with spectators as on the day when the King had first -entered his capital. The Thracians were resolved not only to -demonstrate their sympathy with their monarch under the somewhat -trying circumstances of his return from the Mœsian frontier, but also -to testify their appreciation of the diplomacy of his advisers. This -might well be said to have succeeded, in spite of the untoward event -which had occurred, in obtaining for Thracia peace with honour, and -hence no patriot stayed at home who could possibly get out into the -streets. Nadia succeeded in maintaining a position in the front rank -by dint of clinging to a lamp-post, and she peered anxiously between -the soldiers in front of her to catch the first glimpse of the -procession. At last the distant sound of mighty cheering arose, and as -it came closer she caught sight of the glittering helmets and -breastplates of the escort. Now she must act. Loosing her hold of the -lamp-post, she slipped in between the horses of the two mounted men -nearest her and tried to press to the front. But strict orders had -been given to allow no one to pass the guards, and the man on her -right caught her shoulder and turned her back. -</p> - -<p> -“You can’t go any further, my girl. If you want to see the King, stand -still where you are, and you will get a splendid sight of him as he -passes. You don’t want to be introduced to him, do you?” -</p> - -<p> -“I have a petition to present,” she said eagerly, disregarding the -man’s rough humour. “I must give it into his hand.” -</p> - -<p> -“A petition? Let me see it.” -</p> - -<p> -Nadia gave it to him, and he scrutinised it carefully, upside-down, -from the seal which the station-master’s wife had insisted on adding -at the foot, in the idea that it gave the document an official -appearance, to the loyal address at the head, turned it over, smelt -it, and handed it back to her. He could not even read sufficiently to -know that it was not in Thracian, but he was satisfied that it was not -calculated to convey any harm to the King. -</p> - -<p> -“Yes, it’s all right,” he said. “You can throw it into the King’s -carriage as you stand there. Or, if you are afraid of missing, I will -throw it for you, if you will thrust it into my hand just at the -moment, so that the sergeant may not see.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh no, I must give it to him,” cried Nadia in a frenzy. The first -carriage was close at hand now, and she saw that Caerleon was in it, -sitting with his face to the horses, with Cyril and General -Sertchaieff opposite him. -</p> - -<p> -“But you can’t,” said the trooper, with a grim smile. What possessed -her to do it Nadia could never afterwards determine, but she snatched -out her dagger and struck at him wildly. He parried the blow with the -greatest ease, knocked the dagger out of her hand, and seized both her -wrists in an iron grasp, crying— -</p> - -<p> -“Help! Here’s a woman trying to murder the King!” -</p> - -<p> -“Holy Peter!” cried another, as Nadia struggled in vain to free -herself. “Look at her white hands. She is a Scythian spy!” -</p> - -<p> -“A Scythian spy!” said another voice. “Kill her, then!” An officer of -the escort had forced his horse into the group, about which the crowd -was surging and shouting. Nadia became vaguely aware that the -new-comer’s face was familiar to her, that his eyes were like her -mother’s,—that he was her brother Louis. Madame O’Malachy’s words -recurred to her mind, “Louis will not allow you to spoil his plans,” -and as they did so, she saw that he had something in his hand. He -raised it, and for one awful instant, which seemed an hour, she was -looking down the barrel of a revolver. Her eyes were fixed on the -little steel circle so close in front of them, but she saw Louis’s -finger moving to the trigger, and a shrill scream of terror broke from -her as she cowered back and raised her elbow to shield herself. The -crack she was expecting came, sounding to her like a thunder-clap, and -the crowd yelled excitedly, but the bullet sped harmlessly over her -head, as the weapon was knocked up by the senior officer of the -escort, who had caught her captor’s agonised cry of “Accomplices, -lieutenant! she may have accomplices!” -</p> - -<p> -“You will return to the palace, Lieutenant O’Malachy, and consider -yourself under arrest,” said the captain, and Louis saluted, and -backing his horse out of the crowd, rode away, followed by the cheers -of the mob, which appeared to approve of his endeavour to execute -lynch law. But Nadia did not even look after him. She had seen, over -the heads of the pushing and struggling people, who had forced their -way past the guards and into the road, Caerleon spring up in the -carriage and call to the coachman to stop, had seen Cyril throw -himself out before his brother could get his foot on the step. -</p> - -<p> -“Your Majesty wishes me to settle this matter for you?” he said -imperatively, refusing to allow Caerleon to descend. -</p> - -<p> -“Good heavens, Cyril! don’t you see that it’s Nadia? I tell you I -heard her voice. Let me pass!” But Cyril held his ground. -</p> - -<p> -“Go on and leave me to settle things, unless you want to involve her -and yourself in the biggest scandal that ever spread through Europe. -It’s for her sake, I tell you!” -</p> - -<p> -“May I entreat his Majesty to continue his drive?” said an agitated -commissary of police, thrusting his way to the front through the -raging, roaring mass of people that had closed around the troopers and -their prisoner. “The crowd are beginning to believe that the assassin -has accomplished her purpose, and the woman will be torn in pieces -before we can get her to the prison, unless the King will drive on and -show himself, and so distract their attention from her.” -</p> - -<p> -“Do you want her blood on your head?” cried Cyril, pushing his brother -back into his place. “Go on, and let me see after her. I promise you I -will take no steps without your leave. Drive on,” he called to the -coachman. -</p> - -<p> -Angry and bewildered, Caerleon found himself carried on, past the -seething crowd into which Cyril was now forcing his way, and between -fresh rows of anxious spectators who had not been able to leave their -places, so closely were they packed together, and who were necessarily -a prey to the wildest rumours. They greeted the King with tumultuous -cheers; and as the news spread, those who were on the outskirts of the -crowd, and found it impossible to obtain a view of him, rushed to the -churches and began to ring the bells, so that the drive continued in a -perfect pandemonium of sound. Caerleon, bowing mechanically to right -and left, and wondering what could have brought Nadia to Bellaviste, -and where Cyril would take her, could scarcely hear himself speak when -he remembered that it would be suitable to make some remark to his -companion on what had happened. He looked across at General -Sertchaieff, but started when his eyes fell upon his face, for it was -pale and set, and as expressionless as a mask. -</p> - -<p> -“I am afraid this alarm has given you a shock, General?” he said, -wondering whether it would be advisable to summon a doctor to -prescribe for the Minister of War. -</p> - -<p> -“Who would not be painfully affected by the attempt to perpetrate such -a crime, sir?” returned General Sertchaieff. “Whom can we trust when -Scythia turns our peasant-girls into assassins? I know these women: -they will dare everything and tell nothing.” -</p> - -<p> -“I hope you will find you are mistaken,” said Caerleon. “I myself am -quite convinced that it was not an attempt at assassination at all.” -</p> - -<p> -Etiquette forbade General Sertchaieff to advance an opinion contrary -to that of his sovereign, but he shook his head sadly, and it was -evident that the people were sharers in his belief. Indeed, before -Caerleon returned to the palace, it was commonly known in the city -that the would-be assassin—a woman of extraordinary stature, and -armed with three dynamite bombs, a dagger, and a couple of -revolvers—had mounted the step of the carriage and dealt a stab at -the King, which was only not fatal because the troopers had seized her -and dragged her back just in time. In view of such a determined -attempt at murder, it is not wonderful that the people thronged into -the churches to return thanks for the King’s escape, and that every -loyal householder in Bellaviste devised and proceeded to execute -marvellous impromptu illuminations for the evening with candles and -oil-lamps. Cyril smiled grimly over the popular enthusiasm as he -returned to the palace, and wondered impatiently how things were ever -to be set right. Out of doors, the people were breathing out furious -threats against the assassin; inside the palace Caerleon was waiting -in restless anxiety for news of her. -</p> - -<p> -“Well, where is she?” he asked eagerly, as Cyril came in. -</p> - -<p> -“In the prison. We had to take her there to save her life,—the people -were kicking up such a row,” as Caerleon uttered an exclamation of -horror; “but she is in the governor’s house, treated as a guest; and -the governor’s wife, rather a jolly old lady, but as deaf as a -post,—which is an advantage under the circumstances,—is looking -after her like a mother.” -</p> - -<p> -“But what brought her here?” -</p> - -<p> -“She came to warn you of a plot. So far as I can make out—for she -won’t mention any names—that good-for-nothing father of hers is -intending to murder you to-morrow on the way to Tatarjé. Madame -O’Malachy died the other day, and on her deathbed she let out the -secret. Miss O’Malachy kept her own counsel, and started off here as -soon as she could to give you the tip.” -</p> - -<p> -Caerleon drew a long breath. “Well,” he said triumphantly, “I hope you -see now that it is positively incumbent on me to marry her. Think of -her coming all that way to warn me! She must care for me, after all.” -</p> - -<p> -“I was always under the impression that she did care for you, but -refused you on conscientious grounds for the good of the kingdom,” -said Cyril. -</p> - -<p> -“Oh yes, of course; but it’s quite a different thing now. You must -think me an utter cad if you imagine that I’m going to let her take -this journey just to save me, and get herself into awful trouble with -her own people, and then simply send her adrift again after it all. -It’s absolutely the only thing to be done.” -</p> - -<p> -“It’s a most unfortunate affair altogether,” said Cyril, meditatively. -“If you ask me, Caerleon, I say that the only thing to be done is to -get her out of the city to-night, and hush the matter up. Just wait a -moment, and listen to me. You may not know—I didn’t want to bother -you at the time—that very nasty reports got into the Scythian papers -a little while ago about you and her. The O’Malachys left Bellaviste -hastily and in dudgeon, you see, and the old man takes it into his -head suddenly to express a deadly hatred of you, and begins to talk -big about the vengeance he will have for the way in which you have -treated his daughter. The girl makes no sign, but all at once, hearing -of your engagement to Princess Ottilie (for she must have started -before it was known to be at an end), she returns in disguise and -attempts to murder you—that is how it will appear,—and all this will -be simply nuts for the newspapers.” -</p> - -<p> -“This is awful!” groaned Caerleon, aghast. “You mean to say that I -have let her in for vile suspicions of that kind?” -</p> - -<p> -“I should have said that she had let you in for them. But it’s my firm -impression that she knows as little about this Scythian <i>canard</i> as -you did a minute ago. If she had known, she is not fool enough to have -used that dagger as she did.” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t quite see what you are driving at. That doesn’t make any -difference. Get out a special ‘Gazette,’ will you?—you’re always -issuing special ‘Gazettes’ for some reason or other—and tell the -truth in it for once. Give her reason for coming here, and—no, I’ll -draw it up myself.” -</p> - -<p> -“Caerleon, stop!” cried Cyril, peremptorily, “and listen to me. You -can’t carry things off in this way. No one would believe your story, -and it would be said that you had married her as the price of her -silence.” -</p> - -<p> -“Stuff!” said Caerleon, contemptuously. “I shall ask the Queen of -Mœsia to invite her to Eusebia on a short visit, and that will put an -end to these slanders. As for leaving her unprotected now, I tell you -I won’t hear of it.” -</p> - -<p> -“Do you mean to marry her against her will?” asked Cyril. -</p> - -<p> -“No, I shall see her and make her understand the state of the -case—not telling her anything of what you have said, of course. But I -am sure I could have made her listen to me before, only she begged me -not to urge her against her conscience, and I obeyed her, like a fool! -At any rate, I won’t do that again. It would be absurd to talk about -refusing me now for the sake of the kingdom,—after what has happened -she must know that, for if I don’t marry her I shan’t marry at -all,—and besides, when once the people hear why she came here to-day, -they will be ready to worship her.” -</p> - -<p> -“Then I suppose there is no use in my giving you her message?” said -Cyril. -</p> - -<p> -“You may as well let me have it,” said Caerleon, reluctantly. -</p> - -<p> -“She impressed upon me that she would not consent to see you under any -circumstances. She said she came here to try to do you a service, and -found herself your prisoner. If you chose to force yourself upon her -in defiance of her wishes, she must submit, since you were her gaoler, -but she believed you were a gentleman, and would respect her desire -for privacy.” -</p> - -<p> -“What is one to do with a girl like that?” groaned Caerleon. He would -have liked to accuse Cyril of inventing the message, but it bore the -impress of Nadia’s somewhat impracticable style of heroism too plainly -not to be genuine. “Still, she doesn’t understand the case. I will put -it to her that if she will marry me, she will be clearing me from -imputations that have been made against me.” -</p> - -<p> -“If she doesn’t understand the case then, she is not so clever as I -think her,” retorted Cyril; “and if you don’t put it strong enough she -won’t listen to you for a moment. Now look here: she has a home -promised her at Pavelsburg with Princess Soudaroff, her godmother, -with whom she lived before, and she only needs an escort to the -Scythian frontier. The governor’s wife would be quite willing to take -the little trip at your expense, and I will accompany them as far as -Boloszjen, where they will get the proper train. Then she will be all -right, and we can hush the matter up without any scandal at all.” -</p> - -<p> -“And leave this wretched slander unrefuted?” -</p> - -<p> -“Nonsense! the mere fact of the Princess’s receiving her again into -her house will refute it. Besides, I contradicted it at the time.” -</p> - -<p> -“I am extremely obliged to you for your solicitude about my affairs. -Perhaps on another occasion you will remember that I also have some -slight interest in them. Well, I will see her, and then decide.” -</p> - -<p> -“Of course, if you care to force yourself upon her after what she has -said——” -</p> - -<p> -“You will drive me wild, Cyril. I will write to her, then.” -</p> - -<p> -“No, you won’t. At least, I am not going to carry any letter. You -ought to know by this time that you should never put on paper anything -that might prove compromising later on. I’ll take any number of -messages from you, if you like, and deliver them without note or -comment.” -</p> - -<p> -“What do I care about being compromised? If you will tell me the most -compromising form in which a letter can be written, I’ll write it.” -</p> - -<p> -“I see. What I was afraid of was your compromising her.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, go and tell her what I want. You badger a man till he doesn’t -know whether he’s standing on his head or his heels! But if you will -make her understand that I beg and beseech and entreat her to marry -me, and that I undertake that the people shall receive her joyfully as -queen, I’ll forgive you—that is, if you bring back word that she says -yes.” -</p> - -<p> -“Very well. I suppose I may give orders for a carriage and relays of -horses to be ready to-morrow morning? Whether Miss O’Malachy decides -to take the Trans-Continental express for Pavelsburg, or to go and -stay at Eusebia preparatory to being transformed into the Queen of -Thracia, we must get her out of the place before people are about. -I’ll take Wright to drive, if you can spare him. He couldn’t tell -tales here if he would.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, all right. But what on earth is the good of all this fuss? Tell -her that if she will only have me, we will be married as soon as we -can get a British chaplain up here.” -</p> - -<p> -“Do keep cool,” entreated Cyril. “In any case, I thought that the lady -always fixed the day?” -</p> - -<p> -He left the room as Caerleon gave a despairing groan, and returned to -the gaol for his second interview with Nadia. He found her sitting -with the wife of the governor, a pleasant-looking, white-haired old -lady whom deafness appeared to condemn to perpetual speech. Cyril -could hear her monotonous voice rambling on as he came up the stairs, -and it was not until he had written on a piece of paper that it was -very important he should speak to Nadia Mikhailovna in private that -she withdrew to the chimney-corner and comparative silence. Nadia had -laid aside her peasant’s dress, which had been torn almost to rags in -the rough handling she had received from the crowd, and the old lady -had lent her a black gown of her own, which was so much too large -about the waist that it was necessary to keep it in place by a sash. -This gave her a somewhat nun-like appearance, and she looked very tall -and severe as she accompanied Cyril to the window. -</p> - -<p> -“I suppose you have come to tell me what is to happen to me,” she -said, with extreme coldness, and yet before his entrance the irony of -the situation had almost made her laugh. To have come all the way from -Witska to save Caerleon, and to find herself accused of trying to -murder him! -</p> - -<p> -“I am here as the bearer of a message from my brother, which I have -promised to deliver to you word for word,” said Cyril. “If it had not -been for your appeal to his good feeling, he would be here himself -now; or he would have written, but I refused to carry a letter. He -implores you to reconsider your former determination, and to consent -to marry him. He undertakes that there shall be no opposition to the -match among the people, and he will regard it as the proudest day of -his life if you will be crowned with him next month as Queen of -Thracia.” He paused for a moment, then went on. “I am anxious to keep -my word to Caerleon, and therefore I will tell you that no one could -be more delighted than he was at the rupture of his engagement to -Princess Ottilie of Mœsia.” -</p> - -<p> -“Ah!” said Nadia, her eyes shining for a moment, “and what do you -advise me to do?” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t presume to offer you any advice whatever. If my counsel was -not in accordance with your wishes, I dare not hope that you would -follow it, and if it agreed with them, it would be unnecessary. I am -so anxious to leave you absolutely unfettered, that I will go so far -as to say that I see no likelihood of my brother’s taking the course -which it seems to me would be most advantageous for the kingdom, and -making another attempt to ally himself with a royal house. He appears -firm in his determination to allow no one to occupy your place in his -heart. I congratulate you on your triumph.” -</p> - -<p> -“I hate you!” cried Nadia, with fierce irrelevance. “If anything could -induce me to marry Carlino, it would be the thought that I was -spoiling your plans by doing it.” -</p> - -<p> -Cyril shrugged his shoulders. “I hope that I should never forget -myself so far as to behave otherwise than politely to the lady who had -honoured my brother with her hand,” he said. -</p> - -<p> -“Oh no, there is no fear of that,” said Nadia, wearily. “But do you -think I don’t know what would happen if I married him? Don’t be -afraid—I am not going to accept his offer. Your conduct would be -unexceptionable, no doubt, but the things you would say—the hints you -would give—the way you would look at me! Whenever trouble came upon -Thracia, you would make me understand that you considered it was due -to me. I cannot see how you and Carlino can be brothers. He is so—and -you are——” -</p> - -<p> -“We seem to be both easier to imagine than describe, at any rate,” -said Cyril. “I said I wouldn’t offer you any advice, and I won’t. If I -were an orator like Drakovics, I might discourse to you on the beauty -of self-sacrifice, the expediency of renouncing one’s private wishes -for the sake of the State, and other similarly appropriate themes. But -being merely a man of the world, I can only say, marry Caerleon if you -like, and become Queen of Thracia. No doubt you will be very happy -until the next revolution comes. Or else leave him free still, and let -him and the kingdom have a chance.” -</p> - -<p> -“I believe,” said Nadia, slowly, “that you would prefer that your -brother had been killed rather than that he should be saved through -me.” -</p> - -<p> -“Now you are becoming excited,” said Cyril, “and when you think over -the things you have said you will be sorry for them. Certainly I might -wish that you had not chosen to warn him in such a noticeable—one -might almost say theatrical—way. But that is a detail, a mere error -of judgment, and does not really prejudice the fact, for which both he -and I must always remain grateful to you.” -</p> - -<p> -“Thank you,” said Nadia. “After receiving such a handsome -acknowledgment of my services, it is only fair for me to give you the -satisfaction of hearing that I refuse absolutely to marry the King, -and that I will leave Bellaviste as soon as you will allow me.” -</p> - -<p> -“I can’t pretend not to be relieved by your decision,” remarked Cyril, -frankly. “Pray be sure that I will do my best to settle the -arrangements for your journey as much in accordance with your wishes -as possible, although it will unfortunately be necessary to make the -start very early in the morning, in order to avoid exciting attention. -I propose, if you will allow me, to do myself the honour of -accompanying you as far as Boloszjen——” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, why make all this fuss—this pretence of asking my permission?” -asked Nadia, impatiently. “I know quite well that I am a prisoner, and -must submit to whatever arrangements my gaolers may choose to make for -me.” -</p> - -<p> -“Excuse me,” said Cyril, “but I understood that you were leaving -Thracia by your own choice, and going to rejoin your friends? I think -you will see that this is both a more correct and a more agreeable way -of looking at the matter. To return to our subject. The first part of -the journey we must make by road, for it would not be advisable for -you to take the train from here. We will get on board at some country -station, where no one is likely to recognise us. Our good friend -Madame Bruics here will accompany you as far as the Scythian frontier, -and give you into the charge of Princess Soudaroff’s lady-in-waiting.” -</p> - -<p> -“I am most grateful to you for your kindness and consideration,” said -Nadia, rising to leave the room. “Perhaps you will tell Madame Bruics -anything else you may have to say. I am very tired.” -</p> - -<p> -“If your gratitude is to be interpreted by your looks, it is not a -kind I should care to get much of,” said Cyril to himself as she -retired. It took some time to explain in writing to Madame Bruics what -was required of her and to meet her various objections, but at last -Cyril was able to leave the prison and return to the palace. Sending -for Wright to give him his orders for the morrow, he found the groom -bursting with excitement and importance. -</p> - -<p> -“’Ave you ’eard, my lord, as ’ow Mr O’Malachy ’ave sloped?” he asked -eagerly, as soon as the footman who had conducted him into Cyril’s -presence had departed. -</p> - -<p> -“Sloped? Lieutenant O’Malachy?” cried Cyril, and cursed himself for a -fool. Why had it not occurred to him to order Louis’s arrest instantly -on hearing Nadia’s story? He might have guessed that her father’s plot -needed a confederate in the city to enable him to carry it out -successfully. “Is it certain that he is gone?” he asked of Wright. -</p> - -<p> -“Quite certain, my lord. The capting’s in a orful way about it, been -rowin’ the sergeants shameful, and one on ’em tell me. The capting, ’e -put Mr O’Malachy under arrest for shootin’ at the young lady, and tell -’im to come back ’ere. Contrairywise, ’e rides to the post-office, as -bold as brass, and sends off a Government telegram to Mr Francis -Xavier O’Reilly, at Tatarjé, orderin’ ’im to leave the country within -twenty-four hours. Then ’e rides out at the Feodoratz gate, sayin’ as -’e’s a-actin’ aide-de-camp to ’is Majesty, and no one see ’im since. -’Is ’orse ’ave come back to ’is stable, but they say as Mr O’Malachy -must ’ave ’ad a change of clothes ’id away ready somewheres, and ’ave -got away like that, though why ’e should want to is beyond me.” -</p> - -<p> -But Louis’s motive was not beyond Cyril’s comprehension, for it was -evident to him that, expecting that Nadia would involve him in her -disclosures, he had seized the earliest opportunity for flight—a -contingency against which he had carefully provided beforehand—and -that he had, moreover, succeeded in warning his father to escape from -Tatarjé at least an hour before Cyril had telegraphed thither to -arrest him. The loquacious Wright found himself dismissed somewhat -hastily, with instructions to have the carriage ready at six in the -morning; and Cyril turned from the unpleasant contemplation of the -oversight of which he had been guilty to drafting the announcement -which was to appear on the morrow in a special ‘Gazette,’ in order to -tranquillise the minds of the people. It was evident, he wrote, that a -certain amount of misconception existed as to the incident of the day. -The supposed attempt to murder the King was not, as had been imagined, -the outcome of a plot, but it was hoped that in consequence of it the -ramifications of a very extensive conspiracy would be laid bare. As -for the young woman who had been arrested, she could not be held -responsible for the intended crime, and having been found harmless, -she had been restored to her friends. The last sentence pleased Cyril -extremely, both on account of its plausibility and its adherence to -the truth, although he reminded himself as he read it over that he -must keep the ‘Gazette’ out of Caerleon’s way. His next duty was to -write a full account of what had happened to M. Drakovics, who had -remained on the frontier in order that he might meet the Premier of -Mœsia, and to tell him all that he had succeeded in extracting from -Nadia on the subject of the plot. This was not much, for she knew very -little, and declined to tell even the whole of that, but there was one -point which seemed to Cyril to be of considerable importance. Who was -the X. of whom Nadia had heard Madame O’Malachy speaking to her -husband, saying that he had been induced by bribes to join in the -conspiracy, and to bring with him all the men in his employment? After -much cogitation, Cyril could only decide that he must be one of the -large distillers whose trade had been spoiled by the temperance -legislation of the present Government, and who would therefore be -inclined to prefer a change in the state of affairs. He resolved to -keep an eye on persons of this class in future, and he mentioned his -conjecture to the Premier in order to see whether he agreed with him -or not. -</p> - -<p> -At the appointed hour the next morning, one of the royal carriages -stopped before the door of the gaol, and Madame Bruics and Nadia came -out and took their places inside. Cyril occupied the seat opposite -them, acting, as Nadia felt, more as guard than as escort. Madame -Bruics was fortunately sleepy and disinclined to talk, and they drove -on in silence until they were about to pass the palace. With a sudden -impulse Nadia bent forward and looked out of the window—to take a -last look at the place which held Caerleon. But when they came abreast -of the small private gate, she started, for beside it there stood in -the winter twilight a tall figure wrapped in a cloak. With a gasp -Nadia realised that Caerleon was there,—that a word, a sign, would -bring him to her, would end the long struggle in the way in which her -heart ached for it to end. -</p> - -<p> -“How did the beggar manage to find out when we were starting?” asked -Cyril of himself with lively disgust, for the moment was a crucial -one. He was equal to it, however. “You see him?” he whispered to -Nadia. “You will give in now, I know.” -</p> - -<p> -She turned away from him impatiently, feeling even then a mingled -shame and surprise that she could choose to wring Caerleon’s heart -rather than allow his brother to triumph over her. Her eyes met -Caerleon’s, and he stepped forward eagerly. For one moment she looked -into his face, saw its expression of earnest entreaty change to one of -disappointment, and read in it that her decision was accepted, as it -was given, in silence. She waved her hand to him as he drew back, the -carriage passed on, and he was left standing by the roadside, without -a word said. -</p> - - -<h3 id="ch19"> -CHAPTER XIX.<br/> -<span class="chap_sub">PILGRIMS PERFORCE.</span> -</h3> - -<p class="noindent"> -<span class="sc">The</span> long journey on which Nadia’s unflinching determination had -embarked her was performed alternately by road and rail until -Boloszjen was reached, but from that point it was possible to find a -train running directly to Pavelsburg. At Boloszjen Cyril parted from -the travellers, after seeing them safely into their carriage. Since -leaving Bellaviste, Nadia had not exchanged a single word with him -that was not absolutely necessary, for the hatred she had frankly -avowed to him during their interview at the gaol had not been -diminished by the taunt which had finally sealed Caerleon’s fate, but -now she put aside her dislike sufficiently to make an appeal to him on -behalf of poor old Madame Bruics, who was to return alone from the -Scythian frontier. Precluded by her deafness from receiving either -advice or warning, unless these were tendered in writing, the old lady -would be quite helpless if left to herself, and Nadia told Cyril that -it was his duty to send Wright to escort her and bring her home. Such -plain speaking was rather a bitter pill for Cyril, who was wont to -pride himself on his foresight and tactful consideration, and felt -that in this case especially he had done more than any one could have -expected of him; but he recognised the cruelty involved in sending -poor Madame Bruics upon a wild-goose chase over the railways of -Central Europe, and put the crowning touch to his self-abnegation by -depriving Caerleon of Wright’s services for some days longer. He -parted from Nadia in a polite and hostile manner—that is to say, she -did not offer to shake hands with him, and he went away marvelling at -the uncharitableness of some people. -</p> - -<p> -Wright as an escort was much more to Nadia’s taste than his master had -been, although he considered it his duty to come to the window of the -carriage at every station and inquire whether the ladies would like -some tea—for tea, in his opinion, was the only refreshment acceptable -to the feminine mind, and as such, was capable of being imbibed at all -hours and at very short intervals. When they reached the Scythian -frontier, and Nadia, to her great joy, had discovered Marie Karlovna, -a German lady belonging to her godmother’s household, waiting to meet -her, she commended Madame Bruics to Wright’s care with great -earnestness, although he viewed her solicitude as impassively as he -did the coin which she ventured to slip into his hand, and at which he -glanced immediately in order to ascertain its value. But when she had -seen Madame Bruics established in the return train, and was turning -away with Marie Karlovna, she heard footsteps behind her, and looking -round, found Wright close at hand. -</p> - -<p> -“Beg your pardon, ma’am,” he said, in a low voice and with great -embarrassment, “but don’t you go for to take on about the King. ’E -always rides straight, ’e do—not like some people as ought to know -better and doesn’t; and ’e knows ’is own mind, and as some poetry chap -says, ‘’Is ’eart is always true.’” -</p> - -<p> -For a moment after the utterance of this sentiment, the presumptuous -groom felt ready to sink into the earth under the combined weight of -his own daring and the glance which Nadia turned on him, but while he -was wondering apprehensively whether she would give him in charge on -the spot or write to Lord Cyril to complain of his conduct, the fire -died out of her eyes, and she said gently— -</p> - -<p> -“Thank you, Wright. I know quite well that what you say of the King is -true. He is the best of men, and nothing of all that has happened is -his fault.” -</p> - -<p> -Wright touched his hat and retired, red in the face but with a clear -conscience, deciding in his honest mind that Miss O’Malachy would make -a sight better wife for ’is Majesty than that there princess would -’ave done, and that he ’oped he might one day ’ave the honour of -trainin’ a ’orse for ’er to ride. And Nadia looked after his short -sturdy figure with something like affection, not unmingled with envy, -for he loved Caerleon, and he was going back to him now. She was -leaving him farther and farther behind as she travelled on to -Pavelsburg with Marie Karlovna, who had evidently received strict -orders not to tease her with questions, for she talked exclusively of -the great conference of members of different evangelical denominations -which had recently been held in the city, and of other matters -interesting to the supporters of the Cercle Evangélique. At last the -capital was reached, and Nadia saw awaiting her on the platform a tall -stout elderly lady, carelessly dressed, with her abundant grey hair -surmounted by a ludicrously unfashionable bonnet. If these personal -characteristics had not been sufficient of themselves to identify -Princess Soudaroff, other evidence would have been furnished by the -almost adoring reverence with which she was surrounded by the minor -officials of the railway, among whom she had worked for years. But -Nadia needed no such additional help. She could scarcely wait for the -door of the carriage to be opened, but precipitated herself down the -steps and into her godmother’s arms. -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, Marraine, I have so longed to see you!” she cried. -</p> - -<p> -“Not more than I to see you, dear child,” returned the Princess, -patting Nadia’s shoulder affectionately. “You have been out into the -world since we parted. How has it used you?” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, I have so much to tell you, to ask you,” said Nadia, with a sigh -that was almost a sob, but her godmother stilled her eagerness with a -gesture. -</p> - -<p> -“When we reach home, my child—not now. Come, we attract attention. My -good Marie, I am rejoiced to see you. You are ready? The carriage is -waiting.” -</p> - -<p> -“They have not been taking care of you while I have been away, -Marraine,” said Nadia, when she was seated in the carriage by the -Princess’s side. “You want me to choose your dresses and bonnets for -you again.” -</p> - -<p> -“Very well, my child,” smiled her godmother. “Marie Karlovna has -looked after my clothes since you went to join your parents, and she -said that it was no use getting expensive things for me, because I -always gave them away.” Marie Karlovna made a deprecating gesture of -assent, and Nadia smiled, remembering that she had seen the Princess -take a sable-lined cloak from her own shoulders and give it to a -beggar-woman. “But this bonnet,” Princess Soudaroff went on, “I chose -for myself, and I think you must like it, dear child. I saw Olga -Ivanovna, the Bible-woman, wearing one, and it pleased me so much that -I asked her to have one made for me exactly like it. And she did, and -this is the bonnet.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, Marraine, I shan’t rest until I have taken you out shopping, and -made you get some fresh clothes,” said Nadia, laughing; and then it -suddenly struck her what a mockery it was to come back and take up her -old duties as if she had scarcely been away a week, after the scenes -through which she had passed in the interval. The tears rose into her -eyes again, and her godmother laid a sympathising hand upon her arm. -</p> - -<p> -“Have patience, my child; you shall tell me everything as soon as we -reach home,” and Nadia dried her eyes resolutely, and tried to assume -an interest in the changes that had taken place during her absence in -the streets through which they were passing. When they arrived at the -large house of which the Princess occupied a part, she had regained -her calmness sufficiently to be able to reply with a smile and a kind -word to the greetings of the servants who crowded to welcome her, and -who formed a motley group, owing to the Princess’s fondness for taking -her friends’ failures into her household and giving them another -trial. -</p> - -<p> -“I see that the house is as full as ever,” said Nadia, as her -godmother led her up the stairs, after bestowing upon her a kiss of -welcome at the door. -</p> - -<p> -“Yes, you will find many old friends, although some have succeeded in -obtaining other situations. Ah, do you remember my maid Katinka, the -pretty girl who married the handsome young carpenter on my country -estate? He has deserted her most cruelly, poor thing! and she came to -me almost in despair. I could not take her back as maid, for I am -trying to train little Vera, a <i>protégée</i>, as you may remember my -telling you, of Countess Wratisloff’s. She was serving in a little -shop, amid very undesirable surroundings, and she was not a success as -Countess Wratisloff’s kitchen-maid, so I offered to take her. It was a -little trying at first, but she has done better lately. Of course I -cannot turn her out and give Katinka her place, so Katinka is -sempstress now, and I can scarcely find her work enough to do.” -</p> - -<p> -While she was speaking, the Princess was leading Nadia through the -rooms which had always been hers, and she now pointed out the little -changes and improvements she had made in view of the girl’s return. -</p> - -<p> -“How good you are to me, Marraine!” said Nadia, gratefully. -</p> - -<p> -“Would you have me cruel to you, my poor child? Now, come,” and she -sat down in the arm-chair—“come and tell me all about your troubles.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, Marraine!” cried Nadia, throwing herself on the ground and -burying her face in her godmother’s dress, “I have given up everything -because it was right to do it, and I cannot even learn to forgive!” -</p> - -<p> -“Not <i>even</i> forgive? But that is often the hardest thing of all to do. -Tell me about it, my child,” repeated the Princess, and Nadia poured -forth the story of her first meeting with Caerleon, of his kindness to -her, and of the way in which each had learnt to love the other; then -his sudden acceptance of the kingdom, with all the changes it had -brought in its train; his repeated appeal to her to share his throne, -the intrigues by means of which Scythia had sought to gain ascendancy -over him through her, her journey to Bellaviste to warn him of the -plot against his life, and her resolute but ignominious departure. -</p> - -<p> -“I gave him up because it was right to do it, Marraine,” she said; -“and not only am I miserable myself, but I have made him miserable.” -</p> - -<p> -“Was it right?” asked the Princess, quietly. -</p> - -<p> -“Oh yes, Marraine, of course,—at least I knew it must be right -because it was so hard to do.” -</p> - -<p> -“Is that the way in which you test your duties, my child? It is a wise -plan in many cases, but sometimes dangerous—for instance, if you -begin to regard ‘difficult’ as synonymous with ‘right.’ You are told -to ‘endure hardness as a good soldier,’ but never to follow hardness -as an aim in itself. It is Christ you are to follow. What would you -think of a soldier who chose to live out in the snow rather than in -the barracks provided for him? Would he make himself a better soldier -by ruining his health and risking his life in such a way?” -</p> - -<p> -“No, but——” the idea was too novel for Nadia to grasp it at once in -its entirety. -</p> - -<p> -“And think what it is that you have been accepting as right,” the -Princess went on, with sudden passion. “You tell the man who has -assured you that he loves you alone in the world that if he desires to -please you he must marry another woman. This may be self-sacrifice, my -child, but it is certainly sin.” -</p> - -<p> -“But the kingdom—the people——” gasped Nadia, confounded. -</p> - -<p> -“Was the King to sin for the sake of his kingdom? Could you not have -parted from him for a time, if it was necessary, each assured of the -other’s love, and content to wait—all your lives, perhaps—in case a -way might possibly be opened for you? It may be that in taking your -own path you have missed the training God meant for you.” -</p> - -<p> -“But the uncertainty would have been so dreadful. Surely it was better -to end it at once,” urged Nadia. -</p> - -<p> -“Better? to you, perhaps. But what of this poor Carlino? Had you no -misgivings, my child?” -</p> - -<p> -“None at all, at first. When Carlino told me at Witska that he had -accepted the crown, I had been wondering just before whether I had -done right in urging him to take it, and while he was speaking I saw -quite suddenly what I must do. Since I had goaded him into becoming -king—I really did, Marraine; I said dreadful things to him—this was -my punishment, that the kingdom should come between him and me. There -was no question about my duty.” -</p> - -<p> -“But why punish the poor Carlino?” asked the Princess. -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t know, Marraine—because I could not do my duty without -punishing him, I suppose. I am afraid I didn’t think of that—I was so -unhappy, and yet I never doubted that I was right. And then, when Lord -Cyril came to speak to me about it, it was just the same. He seemed -not to have a doubt as to my refusing Carlino, but took it for granted -both that I ought to do it and that I should.” -</p> - -<p> -“And you felt unwilling to disappoint Lord Cyril?” said the Princess, -with a sarcasm that came oddly from her gentle lips. “Your parents, -also, would have been disappointed, no doubt, if you had become Queen -of Thracia?” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh no,” returned Nadia in surprise. “They wished it above all -things.” -</p> - -<p> -“And you felt that anything that they desired was on that account -alone to be regarded with suspicion? I know that you are inclined to -be always in opposition, my child. To us of the older generation, -dissent is a sorrowful necessity; to you young reformers it is the -breath of life. You feel happier when you have found something with -which you can disagree.” -</p> - -<p> -Nadia digested this unpalatable remark with what patience she might. -“Carlino has hinted something of the same kind to me,” she said, “but -I did not know that I was quite so bad as that.” -</p> - -<p> -“You have never doubted the wisdom of your action, then?” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh yes, often, when we were at Witska the second time. The doubts -used to torment me. And then came the offer which was brought by -Vladimir Alexandrovitch. You would not have had me accept that, -Marraine?” -</p> - -<p> -“And enslave your husband’s kingdom? God forbid, my child. But you -have received a message from Carlino himself, since that time, have -you not?” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes, but—— It was Lord Cyril again, Marraine. I forgot all my -doubts when he put things before me.” -</p> - -<p> -“Then it was only necessary for him to take it for granted again that -you would refuse his brother, and you did?” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh no, Marraine; you do not know Lord Cyril at all. This time he took -it for granted that I should give way and marry Carlino, and I could -not resist proving him a false prophet.” -</p> - -<p> -“You care much less, then, for the happiness of Carlino than for the -opinion of his brother, since you prefer to disappoint your lover -rather than hear Lord Cyril say, ‘I have prophesied it’?” -</p> - -<p> -“No, indeed, I have no respect for Lord Cyril’s opinion; but it is the -things he says—he has a power over me.” -</p> - -<p> -“You do not love Carlino sufficiently to disregard Lord Cyril’s -sneers?” -</p> - -<p> -“Marraine! I love him well enough to give him up.” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes; but you are afraid to marry him lest his brother should taunt -you if anything went wrong. If you loved him better, my child, you -would have no cause to fear Lord Cyril, for his words would have no -effect upon you.” -</p> - -<p> -“Then it is my own fault, after all?” said Nadia, hopelessly. -“Marraine, it seems to me that I am continually discovering things too -late. Now that my mother is dead, I see that we might have been much -more to one another, and now that Carlino will never approach me -again, I find that it was I myself, and not Lord Cyril, whom I have -been blaming in my mind, that kept us apart. I am always wrong. But -you will help me; you will show me what I ought to do.” -</p> - -<p> -“But I am not sure that I should be right in keeping you with me -here,” said the Princess. “You have come home at a sad time, dear -child. We Evangelicals are suspected by all the world just now, and -the spies of the Holy Synod are watching us.” -</p> - -<p> -“But suspected, Marraine? How should we be suspected, when we pray -always for the Emperor and for Scythia, and counsel patient submission -even to unjust laws?” -</p> - -<p> -“Alas, my child! why did the wolf suspect the lamb? Marie Karlovna -will have told you of our late conference, and of the blessing and -support which resulted from it to many among the brethren. But such a -gathering from all parts of the empire attracted the notice of the -police, and they made a raid on the hotel in which some of the -brethren, who could not all be accommodated in the houses of the -faithful here, were staying. Strange to say, there was a band of -Oudenist conspirators lodging in the same house, and on being apprised -of the approach of the police they fled, leaving a secret -printing-press and a quantity of seditious literature concealed in one -of our friends’ rooms. Happily, our brothers were able, after some -weeks’ imprisonment, to convince the tribunal of their innocence, but -M. Tourquemadischeff and the Holy Synod considered that the object for -which they had come together was scarcely to be preferred to Oudenism. -All the churches which had taken part in the conference were censured, -and ordered to keep their members at home for the future, and all our -free evangelistic services are forbidden. We are daily expecting to -hear that Anton Gregorievitch is exiled.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, Marraine, Count Wratisloff! But what has he done, and what shall -we do without him?” -</p> - -<p> -“‘God removes His labourers, and continues His work,’” quoted the -Princess. “The pillar of our faith and our work is the living God, not -Anton Gregorievitch. You ask what he has done. He has denounced wars -of aggression and religious persecutions, he has prayed in public that -the Emperor might be granted judicious advisers, and he has devoted -his fortune to helping the poor and needy.” -</p> - -<p> -“But what is he doing now?” asked Nadia. “How does he endure the -suspense?” -</p> - -<p> -“He goes on with his work, one day at a time. The great evangelistic -services held at his house have come to an end, but his -Bible-readings, his visiting of the sick, both at their homes and in -the hospitals, his efforts to raise the condition of the peasantry, he -will not cease.” -</p> - -<p> -“Nor have you ceased yours, Marraine, I am sure.” -</p> - -<p> -“Ah, we women are not in such imminent danger, my child. But still, I -do not like to involve you in any risk. Would you care to go and stay -in the South with my sister? or I have friends in England who would be -delighted to receive you?” -</p> - -<p> -“Are you suggesting that I should leave you? Never, Marraine! Let me -stay and help you as much as I can. I am not good enough for the -Bible-readings and the visiting of the hospitals, but I can be some -use to you with your accounts, and the soup-kitchen, and the -sewing-class.” -</p> - -<p> -“You shall, my child; and God grant that you may be blessed and be a -blessing in your life here.” -</p> - -<p> -The very next day Nadia slipped into her old place in the household, -and began her chosen work, much to the relief of the Princess, who -had, as she was wont to lament, no head for accounts, and found it -very pleasant to be released from the consideration of the innumerable -business details connected with all her charitable institutions. To -the girl herself, also, it was a delight to be able to plunge into -work once more, and she was glad to be kept busy almost all day long, -getting in supplies for the girls’ boarding-house, checking the sales -at the Bible-depot, and arranging for the despatch of necessary stores -to the hospital on her godmother’s country estate. But wherever she -went, she was always conscious of the presence and scrutiny of various -watchful, ostentatiously quiet-looking men, who were invariably to be -seen lounging in the neighbourhood of the different institutions. The -Princess’s warning had given her the clue to their appearance there. -They were the spies of M. Tourquemadischeff, the Procurator of the -Holy Synod. -</p> - -<p> -Things went on quietly, however, until the evening of the second -Sunday after her arrival in Pavelsburg, when Nadia accompanied her -godmother and several other members of the household to Count -Wratisloff’s house for a Bible-reading. There were only about twenty -persons present, for although many more would have been glad to -attend, the number of the invitations had been restricted, in order to -give the police no pretext for interference. The Count had been one of -Nadia’s heroes for years, and she embraced eagerly the opportunity of -hearing him once again, for what might, as she now learned, be the -last time. The address partook of the character of a farewell, and the -speaker prefaced it by remarking that it had been intimated to him by -a high authority that he might remain in Scythia unmolested if he -would consent to discontinue his evangelistic work, but that if he -persisted in carrying it on, however quietly, his exile would follow. -The holding of this meeting was his answer to the offer, and he seized -the occasion to make a last solemn appeal to those who heard him. -Their leaders might be exiled, he said, their assemblies prohibited, -but their faith did not depend on either the one or the other. Lands -and wealth might be taken from them, but they could live, as some of -their brethren already did from choice, like the poor, and share with -them what they gained by the labour of their hands. They might be -deported to distant parts of the empire, might be sent even to -Hyperborea, the dismal region of almost perpetual night; but, if so, -it was because there was work for them to do there, even though it -were only the exhibition of a contented spirit under hardships, and -God could make even Hyperborean darkness to be light. Let them feel -assured that for every earthly good of which they were deprived, there -was a greater blessing waiting to reach them, which could not do so -unless the way were prepared for it by the removal of the worldly -delight. Was there, then, any reason for condemning the rulers of the -empire, or even the authorities of the Church which they had quitted -with so much sorrow and reluctance, but which branded them as -heretics? None; they were only instruments in the hand of God, and -could do nothing without Him. And, therefore, no resentment must be -felt towards them, for all that happened would prove to be for the -best. And even when the cloud was darkest, and no silver lining was -visible, were the sufferers never themselves to blame? Had they never -injured any one without offering redress, never refused haughtily a -proffered reconciliation, never alienated by their unsympathetic -demeanour those who would fain have been friendly? If they had, and -there were few who could say they had not, let them bear their -punishment meekly, accepting it as less than they deserved, and asking -that even out of the sad consequences of their own faults and failings -good might arise to the people of God. -</p> - -<p> -The coincidence between the burden of Count Wratisloff’s address and -the words which had fallen from the Princess on the night of her -arrival struck Nadia forcibly, in spite of the difference in the -circumstances to which they applied, but the similarity did not -altogether please her. It was hard to acknowledge to herself that her -heroic conduct in refusing Caerleon had been wrong from the outset and -based upon a mistake, harder still to confess that Cyril would have -been powerless for harm if she had not given him a hold upon her by -being willing to accept his arguments as true ones. She was silent -enough during the farewells and the drive home, but when they had -arrived at the Princess’s house she hesitated to face the solitude of -her own room, and lingered with Marie Karlovna, echoing her voluble -lamentations over the approaching loss of Count Wratisloff. Leaving -her at last, and passing along the passage, she heard sobs proceeding -from a room on her left, and looking in, found the sempstress Katinka -crying as though her heart would break. -</p> - -<p> -“What is the matter, Katinka? Can I do anything for you?” she asked, -gently. -</p> - -<p> -“No, thank you, Nadia Mikhailovna,” sobbed the girl. “No one can help -me, for the trouble is in myself. I have an enemy whom I cannot -forgive.” -</p> - -<p> -Nadia started, surprised to find a story so like her own. “Tell me -about it,” she said, sitting down beside Katinka. -</p> - -<p> -“It is Anna, my husband’s sister,” responded the maid, brokenly. “I -was so happy with my Yegor, he was so kind to me; and Pauline -Vassilievna had promised to have a cottage built for us close to her -own country-house, so that I might be near her still. But Anna always -hated me, because I came from the town, and she was jealous because -Yegor was so fond of me, and because of the new house. She never -showed her enmity to me—if she had I could have guarded against -it—but she made up lies about me, and told them to Yegor. He was -passionate, and I was proud. I told him that if he could listen to -such things about me it was enough to show that he did not love me in -the least. He told me to deny them, and I would not. He went to her -for advice, and she told him even worse tales, and then he left me -without another word, and I have never seen him since. And now Anton -Gregorievitch says that I must forgive Anna, though she has ruined my -home and taken away my husband and spoilt my whole life. And I cannot -do it.” -</p> - -<p> -“I am like you, Katinka,” said Nadia. “I also have an enemy whom I -cannot forgive. He spoils even my prayers.” -</p> - -<p> -“But you are a great lady, Nadia Mikhailovna,” said Katinka, in -surprise. “Who can have injured you?” -</p> - -<p> -“He could not have injured me if I had not allowed him—helped him to -do it,” said Nadia. “That is why I can’t forgive him, Katinka.” -</p> - -<p> -“But that is like me,” said Katinka. “If I had not been too proud to -explain, Yegor would have believed me at once, I am sure. Have we both -helped our enemies by doing wrong ourselves?” -</p> - -<p> -“I believe we have,” said Nadia, and both girls sat silent for a -while, Nadia in her velvet and furs beside the sempstress in her -peasant dress. At last Katinka looked up. -</p> - -<p> -“I have been thinking,” she said. “After all, Anna was fond of Yegor; -she had brought him up, and kept house for him until we were married. -Perhaps I was not as kind to her as I might have been, and a great -deal of the trouble was my own fault—and I want to be forgiven -myself, Nadia Mikhailovna——” -</p> - -<p> -“And so do I,” said Nadia, softly. -</p> - -<p> -“Somehow,” said Katinka, “looking at it in this way, I seem to have -been worse than I thought, and Anna not so bad. It is not so hard to -forgive—I will, I can forgive her.” -</p> - -<p> -“I will forgive him; I do,” said Nadia. -</p> - -<p> -<br/> -</p> - -<p> -“Marraine,” said Nadia the next morning, “I know why you took me to -Count Wratisloff’s last night.” -</p> - -<p> -“I hoped you might hear something to help you, my child,” the Princess -answered. “Is your difficulty gone?” -</p> - -<p> -“If I saw Lord Cyril now,” said Nadia, slowly, little thinking that it -would not be long before she had an opportunity of proving the truth -of her words, “ill or in any trouble, I should feel so sorry for him -that I would nurse him, or do anything I could to help him. And -yesterday I am afraid I should have been glad.” -</p> - -<p> -“And you are happier now, my child?” -</p> - -<p> -“So happy, Marraine, that I want you to find me some other work to -do,—a class of little girls, perhaps, to teach. I don’t want to keep -my happiness to myself. I can never feel really hopeless or miserable -again.” -</p> - -<p> -“Take care, dear child,” said the Princess; then, her thoughts -reverting to the Scythian translation of the ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’ -which she was reading, she went on, “Christian’s path to the Celestial -City was not all smooth, even after he had lost his burden. There was -the Hill Difficulty, and the fight with Apollyon, and Vanity Fair, and -Doubting Castle. And there is always oneself to fight against.” -</p> - -<p> -Although Nadia, in her eagerness, was scarcely willing to listen to a -forecast that seemed to her so gloomy, there came very soon to the -Cercle Evangélique a loss such as that which parted Christian from -Faithful. The first intimation of it reached Princess Soudaroff’s -household on the Thursday morning, when, as the ladies were at -breakfast, they heard a voice inquiring for Pauline Vassilievna, and -shortly afterwards the servant announced Vladimir Alexandrovitch, and -ushered in Prince Soudaroff. -</p> - -<p> -“Pray don’t let me disturb you, ladies,” he said to Nadia and Marie -Karlovna, who had risen at his entrance, after a general greeting. “My -business is not private. I come merely to bring my sister-in-law a -piece of news. Anton Gregorievitch is exiled.” -</p> - -<p> -“Hyperborea?” gasped the three ladies at once. -</p> - -<p> -“No, merely exiled from the empire. I suppose this will make a good -deal of difference to you?” -</p> - -<p> -“If God means His work to go on, He will supply the labourers,” said -the Princess. -</p> - -<p> -“But will it make no change in your plans?” -</p> - -<p> -“I think not. Why should it?” The Princess was on good terms with her -brother-in-law, although they differed in their religious views. Some -years before, when her own family, fearing that she would bestow the -whole of her property in charity, had applied that it should be placed -under legal guardianship, he had been appointed her trustee, and had -dealt out her money to her ever since faithfully, if with a good deal -of mockery. Hence she was grateful to him for continuing to supply her -with an unfailing store of cash for distribution to those in need, -whereas if left to her own guardianship she would have deprived -herself in a single year of all power to give. -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, there is no reason whatever,” he answered lightly. “I am afraid -that this will not be the last of the banishments, that is all. But we -all know that ladies will have their way, though empires fall. I only -wish you good people could manage to keep out of the clutches of the -Holy Synod. You ought to know by this time that we are determined to -drive out all our most industrious subjects because they are Jews, and -exile all our best because they are heretics. We mean to be orthodox -if we can’t be either prosperous or pious. Adieu, my sister.” -</p> - -<p> -He was gone, and the three ladies gathered round the table again to -discuss the situation. -</p> - -<p> -“We shall be obliged to make new arrangements for some of the work -to-morrow,” said the Princess. “I fear that we cannot carry on all -Count and Countess Wratisloff’s classes to-day, but we will not let -them drop if we can help it. I will do my best to prepare an address -for the Count’s navvy Bible-class this evening. The police will have -prevented him from finding any one to take his place. Then there is -the Countess’s Bible-reading at the house of blind Dmitri -Nicolaievitch. We must think of some one for that.” -</p> - -<p> -“I will try, if you like, Marraine,” said Nadia, timidly. “If I find -that I am too nervous, blind Dmitri will read, I know, and at any rate -I can tell the people what has happened to Anton Gregorievitch.” -</p> - -<p> -“Very well, my child. The carriage shall take you on after leaving me -at the Mission-room, and I will call for you afterwards.” -</p> - -<p> -In pursuance of this arrangement, Nadia found herself that evening a -member of the little gathering of poor people who met in the blind -man’s room to hear the Bible read and explained by Countess -Wratisloff, and of whom the host was the only one that could read. -None of them had heard of the fate which had befallen the Count and -Countess, and several burst into loud lamentations when Nadia told her -story. But above the tumult the voice of blind Dmitri was heard. -</p> - -<p> -“Let us lay before God the case of our father, who has been taken from -us, brothers, and of the work which he must leave undone.” -</p> - -<p> -They knelt down, and Dmitri prayed long and earnestly. Before he had -come to the end of his prayer, the cottage door opened. The blind man -heard the sound, but took no notice, thinking that one of the members -of the class had come in late; but Nadia, glancing up involuntarily, -saw the glint of uniform-buttons in the lamplight. She recognised the -state of affairs at once. M. Tourquemadischeff had sent a body of -police to break up the meeting. That they remained silent so long was -due to the unconsciousness of the blind man, who continued his prayer -without perceiving their presence. The moment that he had finished, an -officer stepped forward and arrested Nadia in the Emperor’s name. -Another was taking down the names and addresses of those who were -present, and their men were searching the cottage for forbidden books, -one carrying off the huge volumes of the Bible in Moon’s type which -Princess Soudaroff had provided for Dmitri. This done, her captors -ordered Nadia to accompany them; and she obeyed as though in a dream, -while the poor people pressed round her weeping, and trying to kiss -her hands or the hem of her dress. Outside the cottage was waiting a -covered sledge which she was desired to enter, the two officials -following. After a drive which lasted for some time the sledge -stopped, and she was conducted into a small stuffy room, in which two -officers were sitting writing. They looked up with some surprise on -seeing her, but proceeded to ask her name, age, abode, religious -views, and also what she was doing in Dmitri’s house. They made no -attempt to entrap her into any admissions, for it was evident that -this was a strictly preliminary inquiry; but when it was over she -found herself relegated to a bare stone cell for the night. This hard -reality brought home to her the nature of her position. The way she -was treading led to Caucasia or Hyperborea, to separation from -friends, to association with the vilest criminals, the stigma of a -felon. But in her exalted state of mind the thought did not trouble -her, and she preferred to dwell on the remembrance of Dmitri’s prayer. -“I will trust and not be afraid,” were the words with which he had -concluded; and with these on her lips she lay down upon the rough -bench without undressing and fell asleep. -</p> - -<p> -“Nadia, my dear child!” were the words that awakened her in the -morning. “Forgive me. I was warned yesterday afternoon that a raid was -intended, but I thought it would be the navvies’ class which they -would attack, and I never dreamt of their arresting you. My child, I -have been driving about all night from police-station to -police-station, and from Minister to Minister, first to find you and -then to release you. I went first of all to Vladimir Alexandrovitch, -and he accompanied me everywhere. He said that it would never do to -allow you to be sent to Hyperborea, for we should have King Carlino -invading Scythia with an Anglo-Thracian army to release you. Of course -that was only his jest; but we left no stone unturned to set you free. -I threatened to force my way into the Emperor’s presence, and lay the -matter before him; I threatened to put it into the hands of the -British Embassy—although I really don’t know whether you are a -British subject or not—Vladimir Alexandrovitch says that you -certainly are not; I threatened to stir up English public opinion -through the Evangelical Alliance. At last I succeeded in obtaining an -order for your release, and for myself—this.” -</p> - -<p> -Nadia took the paper she held out. It was an official permission for -Pauline Vassilievna Soudarova to travel outside the Scythian -dominions, until the Emperor should revoke the leave thus granted. -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, Marraine!” cried Nadia, sadly, “and this is all through me. -Exile!” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh no, dear child. It is merely permissive, you see. Now, what shall -we do? Shall we accept the permission, and place Dr Schmidt and Marie -Karlovna in charge of all our work, leaving the house as it is, and -directing operations by letter? Or shall we disregard it, and wait -until we are arrested, and conducted to the frontier by the police, -while the institutions are all closed, and our poor people sent to -Caucasia? I want your opinion.” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t like beating a retreat, Marraine,” said Nadia, frankly, “but -if we can ensure the continuance of the work better by leaving at -once, perhaps we ought to go.” -</p> - -<p> -“That was just what I thought,” said the Princess. “Now, my child, I -have a scheme. I wish to follow in the footsteps of St Paul.” -</p> - -<p> -“A pilgrimage, Marraine?” asked Nadia. -</p> - -<p> -“Not quite. A friend of mine has a yacht, which is lying at Cadiz, and -which he is anxious to let for the winter, and I am thinking of hiring -it. I have visited the Holy Land already, but I should like to see -Malta and Asia Minor and the Ægean. It would be most interesting; -and, from the Bosphorus, one might even visit the Black Sea, and -perhaps meet some—some old friends. I have a strong conviction that -we are not driven out of Scythia in this way for nothing—without some -good purpose.” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes, Marraine,” said Nadia, sedately, as the Princess ended her -sentence rather hastily; but in her heart she knew that her godmother -was anxious to see whether there was no possibility of bringing her -and Caerleon together again. Her heart leaped at the thought, but -calmer considerations succeeded to the momentary ecstasy. Was it -likely that Caerleon would be willing to put his fate again to the -touch after two refusals? It was scarcely probable. -</p> - - -<h3 id="ch20"> -CHAPTER XX.<br/> -<span class="chap_sub">TAKEN BY SURPRISE.</span> -</h3> - -<p class="noindent"> -<span class="sc">At</span> the Thracian capital preparations were now being made a second -time for the King’s coronation. The outer walls of the chapel of St -Peter had risen from their ashes in the courtyard of the palace, and -the decoration of the interior was almost complete; while the crown -and other regalia had been subjected to a process of renovation, and -were ready for service, though somewhat shorn of their original -splendour. Many circumstances seemed to combine to enable the ceremony -to take place under the happiest auspices. Cyril had been duly -presented to the Legislative Assembly as Caerleon’s heir after the -visit to Tatarjé, and the announcement was received with acclamation. -An income was voted him from the public funds, and the title of -Prince, already conferred informally by the people, granted him by a -royal proclamation. Even M. Drakovics was content that the succession -to the throne should thus be secured, for recent events had convinced -him effectually that the King’s marrying was out of the question. The -first steps had been taken towards putting into operation the new -liquor laws; and, although there had been a good deal of discontent in -the capital, in the country the people had grumbled and submitted. -Most important of all, the Roumi Government had at length given way -before the representations of Pannonia and her allies, and had agreed -to recognise Caerleon’s election as king, safeguarding the suzerain -rights of the Grand Signior by the stipulation that he should nominate -a special commissioner to attend the coronation and invest the new -ruler with a portion of his insignia. -</p> - -<p> -“We are getting on swimmingly,” said Cyril, dropping into the -Premier’s office late in the afternoon, three or four days before the -date fixed for the ceremony. “One almost wishes that things wouldn’t -all go quite so smoothly. It makes one think of chucking one’s watch -into the river, or making some other sacrifice of that sort to avert -misfortune, like the ancients, you know. I believe my brain would give -way under the pressure if it went on much longer. When Caerleon is -safely crowned and off my hands I shall breathe freely.” -</p> - -<p> -“I have reason to believe,” said M. Drakovics, “that the pro-Scythian -party are planning to strike some blow during the coronation -proceedings. All the indications seem to point to that, although we -have been unable to discover what course they intend to take. They -would scarcely try to burn the chapel a second time, but they might -use dynamite, or attempt to get up a military <i>coup d’état</i>.” -</p> - -<p> -“And we must provide against those possibilities by rigorously -excluding strangers from the ceremony, and associating the Carlino -regiment with the city troops as guards,” said Cyril. “Well, we have -three days left for making preparations. I’m glad I just looked in. I -thought you would probably have something to say to me.” -</p> - -<p> -“What is the King doing this afternoon?” asked M. Drakovics. -</p> - -<p> -“Holding his review for the benefit of Prince Otto Georg, of course, -with General Sertchaieff in attendance. When one has a foreign Prince -to entertain, and a little army doing nothing, one may as well trot -out one to amuse the other. By the bye, I believe that I have a -crumpled rose-leaf in the fact that we can’t get away from the -Schwarzwald-Molzaus. One meets them all over Europe, and the meeting -is neither unexpected nor a pleasure.” -</p> - -<p> -It may be noted, as sadly characteristic of the littleness of human -nature, that neither Caerleon nor Cyril could find a good word to say -of the Princess of Dardania. One had been deceived by her, the other -had helped her to deceive him, but they made common cause against her. -</p> - -<p> -“You would not think, looking at Prince Otto Georg now, that at the -time of the Franco-Prussian war his name was in every one’s mouth, -would you?” said M. Drakovics. “He was a dashing young cavalry -officer—very young—and I remember distinctly the incident which -brought him into special notice. Our friend General Sertchaieff was, I -believe, at the German headquarters at the time, and it was he who, -when we were first compelled to seek a king, suggested, from his -recollection of the matter, that the crown should be offered to Prince -Otto Georg. The Prince was carrying despatches—for Moltke, I -think—and was taken prisoner by a small body of French cavalry. He -managed to destroy the despatches, but he had been made acquainted -with the contents, and this his captors guessed. They were too far -from their headquarters to take him there that night, and therefore -they halted in a stable, put their prisoner in the empty loft and took -away the ladder, and sat down round a fire underneath. They must have -got hold of some wine—at any rate, they went to sleep one by one, and -the fire burned low. Prince Otto Georg watched his opportunity, and -let himself drop from the entrance to the loft. He fell among the -embers of the fire, and burnt his hands badly, but he crept past the -Frenchmen to the spot where their horses were tied, unfastened them -all, and led them across the grass until they were out of hearing. -Then he mounted one, driving the rest before him for a short distance, -after which he turned them loose and rode for his life, reaching his -destination safely and delivering his message.” -</p> - -<p> -“You are quite right in saying that no one would imagine it who looked -at him now,” said Cyril, as M. Drakovics rose to escort him to the -door. “By the bye, you have rather a good view of the river from this -window. What steamer is that flying Pannonian colours?” -</p> - -<p> -“A Scythian trader, I fancy,” returned the Premier. “A good many of -them hoist the Pannonian flag while they are here. It prevents -unpleasantness, and we don’t ask too many questions, knowing that we -can gain nothing but benefit from their coming, even though it is -under the rose. A thriving trade with Scythia would in itself be -almost a guarantee of peace. This particular ship has just unloaded -her cargo, and leaves to-morrow.” -</p> - -<p> -“Brought wheat, I suppose?” -</p> - -<p> -“No; machinery for use in the arsenal. Sertchaieff has had two clerks -on the wharf for three days checking all the cases as they were -unloaded. When everything is in working order we shall be far more -independent of other nations than any of our neighbours. This is -another piece of good news for your Highness to convey to his -Majesty.” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes, I think that on the whole Caerleon has about as pleasant a berth -as he could wish,” responded Cyril as he went out. -</p> - -<p> -It is generally recognised that our good fortune is always much more -clearly visible to others than to ourselves, and the fact that -Caerleon himself was totally unconvinced of the advantages of his -position need not, therefore, excite any astonishment. If Cyril had -thought fit to broach in his brother’s presence his theory of the -expedience of making some sacrifice to fortune in order to avert the -perils arising from unbroken prosperity, Caerleon would have reminded -him bitterly that his separation from Nadia was quite effectual in -preventing him, at any rate, from growing intoxicated with success. -His face was gloomy enough at the present moment as he rode up to the -palace with his royal guest after the review, General Sertchaieff and -a group of officers following them at some little distance. It was a -wretched wintry afternoon, and only a German prince would have -appreciated the compliment paid him in holding a review in his honour -on such a day; but the courteous gentleman who rode beside the -taciturn King was overflowing with contentment and good humour. Prince -Otto Georg of Schwarzwald-Molzau was a gay young man of forty-five or -so, a younger son of the reigning Grand-Duke, and said by his -detractors to live on the reputation he had gained in the -Franco-Prussian war, and on anticipations of a <i>guerre de revanche</i>. -This was unkind, although it is undeniable that of late years he had -been much better known in Paris or at Monte Carlo than on the -parade-ground or the manœuvre-field; but there was a certain amount -of truth in the accusation, for he was one of the men who are content -to vegetate indefinitely unless aroused by some great stimulus. He had -come to Bellaviste to represent his father at the coronation of -Caerleon, ostensibly as a kind of <i>amende honorable</i> for Princess -Ottilie’s heartless conduct; but as he was the brother of the Empress -of Pannonia, it was generally believed that political considerations -were not wholly unconnected with his visit. It was not, however, of -politics that he was speaking as he rode up the street at the side of -his host. -</p> - -<p> -“You have the material for a fine army here,” he said; “but you want -drill, drill, organisation, organisation. Your men are too much -inclined to be independent, to act individually or in small bodies, -without waiting for orders. Here we are in Europe—we do not, as in -semi-savage warfare, need scouts, men of initiative. The ideal -European army is absolutely a machine, without any thought or volition -of its own, merely what is communicated to it by its head. If the -different items forming that army once begin to try and think for -themselves, whether in seeking cover or in making an advance, all is -lost. Their only concern is to obey orders, and their commander’s -business is to obtain the victory. It is even more humane for the -leader to be untrammelled, when he is once in action, by -considerations as to the lives of his men, and so on, for he has -planned his movements with the view of attaining a certain end with -the minimum of loss, and they must be carried out exactly if he is to -win. The better an army, the more completely is its will merged in -that of its leader—that is to say, the more thoroughly is it drilled -into a machine. Your men are more like Cossacks, or irregular levies, -at any rate, than thoroughly trained soldiers. It is easy to see that -your army has been drilled by Scythians, not by Germans.” -</p> - -<p> -“You will hurt General Sertchaieff’s feelings severely if you tell him -that,” said Caerleon, glancing back at the War Minister. “I believe we -flatter ourselves that we are in a very high state of military -efficiency.” -</p> - -<p> -Prince Otto Georg laughed silently. “Your <i>corps d’élite</i> amuses me,” -he said; “your city guard, I mean, and that portion of it especially -which you call the palace guard. The uniforms of these gentlemen are -so magnificent, and their drill is so lamentable—to a German eye, at -least. They are beautiful to behold, but a much smaller number of good -soldiers, or even of your Carlinos, would scatter them with the -greatest ease. By the bye, is it true that you discovered a Scythian -plot among the palace guard which led to the degradation of an -officer?” -</p> - -<p> -“Not exactly,” said Caerleon, “although we seem to have been -victimised very ingeniously by the officer you mean. He presented -himself here as having thrown up a post in the Scythian army for the -purpose of joining us, and we gave him a commission. About a month ago -we were warned of a plot, which contemplated murdering me, among other -laudable objects, and to our surprise, for we had not heard anything -to connect him with it, this man disappeared promptly. We have never -succeeded in catching him, and all we could do was to outlaw him and -strike his name off the roll with ignominy.” -</p> - -<p> -“You leave too much power and responsibility in the hands of these -guards of yours,” said Prince Otto Georg, abruptly. “They will grow to -think themselves supreme in the State.” -</p> - -<p> -“We are doing our best to reduce their privileges gradually,” replied -Caerleon. “They have behaved extremely well so far, on the whole, and -we have no excuse for heroic measures.” -</p> - -<p> -“Nevertheless, you would find such a measure your best policy, if I -may venture to advise you,” said the Prince. “I could almost envy you -the task of bringing your army into shape. It might turn out little -less exciting than actual war.” -</p> - -<p> -“Perhaps you would like the privilege of doing it?” suggested -Caerleon. “But I forgot, you have declined it already. If you have no -objection to telling me, I should very much like to hear why you -refused the Thracian crown when it was offered you?” -</p> - -<p> -“To tell the truth,” replied the Prince, confidentially, “it was -because I thought that I should find Thracia dull. Drakovics imagined -that I was afraid to accept the offer, and I was afraid—that I should -be bored. You see, it was not likely that my election would excite the -opposition yours has done, for I had the Schwarzwald-Molzau influence -behind me from the first. But under present circumstances, I must own, -the position looks more hopeful. You have the army to reform, and also -Drakovics to conquer. I see you are beginning to teach him that the -State is not Drakovics, but he has not fully learnt the lesson even -yet. Yes, I think that, on the whole, the situation is distinctly -interesting.” -</p> - -<p> -“I am glad that it strikes you in that light,” said Caerleon. “I -suppose I am not up to the work.” -</p> - -<p> -“What! you are not thinking of abdicating?” asked the Prince, in -dismay. -</p> - -<p> -“Abdicating? No! Now that I’m here I’ll stick to the place. The -kingdom has cost me enough already, but I’ll stay on until I’m driven -out, and try the temperance experiment properly, in spite of -obstructionists and rioters.” -</p> - -<p> -“You take things too seriously, my dear fellow,” said the older man -compassionately. “Look at me. I live quietly, I am not devoted to -philanthropy, or any other form of excitement. I recognise that these -are days for management, not for despotism. If a wave of excitement of -any kind should arise, it might carry me with it, though not by my own -choice. Similarly, I might find it necessary, were I in your position, -to issue a decree, and enforce its fulfilment, but I should much -prefer to flatter the people into originating it themselves. But you -young men must always plunge into things so madly. You will have -prompt obedience, unreasoning submission instantly. You have not -learned to take things easily.” -</p> - -<p> -“I am afraid I have an invincible prejudice in favour of wearing out -rather than rusting out,” said Caerleon; “and I think,” he added, with -a quiet smile, “that your own early history would be on my side, -Prince, if I called it as a witness against you.” -</p> - -<p> -Prince Otto Georg smiled, much gratified by the compliment, and the -atmosphere at the palace that evening was extremely agreeable. A State -banquet had been held the night before in honour of the guest, but -to-day, at Prince Otto’s special request, General Sertchaieff had been -invited to join the royal party informally, since he wished to have -some conversation with him on the subject of the Franco-Prussian war. -The War Minister was highly flattered by this mark of favour, and he -exchanged reminiscences at great length with the Prince, which he was -well qualified to do, having gone through the war attached, as a great -favour, to the staff of one of the German princes. After such an -opening, it was not remarkable that the tone of the conversation -continued to be extremely warlike, and became even undesirably -technical in character, to the unmilitary auditor, when it turned on -modern weapons and projectiles. This was in the smoking-room after -dinner, and although Caerleon was quite content to allow the two -visitors to discuss velocities and electric-firing apparatus together, -Cyril objected to being left out in the cold, and after several -valiant attempts succeeded at last in bringing the talk round to the -comparatively simple theme of the use of the revolver in warfare. The -two experts rose to the bait, and displayed as much enthusiasm with -regard to the mechanism and weight of various types of revolvers as to -those of the machine-gun, and Cyril, who flattered himself that he -knew something about revolvers, was able to take part in the -conversation. -</p> - -<p> -“I wish I could show you what I mean,” he said at last, after an -animated discussion of various knotty points, “but we can’t try -pistol-practice in this room, for fear of breaking something.” They -were not in the sacred “den” which Caerleon had established in an -out-of-the-way upper room, but in what might be called the State -smoking-room, which had been furnished in gorgeous Moorish style by -the late king. “Caerleon has a revolver of the kind I was describing, -and I believe it’s out and out the best.” -</p> - -<p> -“Let us send for it, if the Prince would like to see it,” said -Caerleon. -</p> - -<p> -“I’ll get it,” said Cyril, “if you’ll give me your keys. I’ll get mine -too. It’s a newer make, but I’m sure it’s not so good.” -</p> - -<p> -He returned in a few minutes with both weapons, and explained their -action to the guests, General Sertchaieff showing special interest in -the subject, and examining the mechanism over and over again. Indeed, -it appeared almost that he had looked at it too long for his peace of -mind, for just before taking his leave, after arranging that the -Prince should visit the arsenal in a day or two with Caerleon, in -order to inspect the new machinery, which would then be unpacked, he -might have been observed to slip Cyril’s revolver into his own pocket, -and take it away with him. Cyril did not happen to remember to look -for it when he went to bed, and the loss was therefore not discovered. -Prince Otto Georg was duly escorted to the rooms he occupied in the -front of the palace, Caerleon and Cyril betook themselves to theirs in -the southern wing, and silence settled down upon the building. -</p> - -<p> -Cyril had been asleep for some time when he was awakened by a low, -hurried tapping at his door. Sitting up in bed, he called to the -intruder to come in, wondering sleepily why the sentry in the passage -could not keep people from knocking him up in the middle of the night. -To his astonishment it was Wright who entered, closing the door -carefully behind him, and striking a match on his clothes as he -advanced. -</p> - -<p> -“How dare you come here like this, Wright?” demanded Cyril, angrily. -“You must be drunk.” Wright took no notice of the accusation, but lit -a candle, and placed it in such a position that the mirror came -between it and the window. -</p> - -<p> -“No, my lord,” arresting Cyril’s hand as he was about to turn on the -electric light, “don’t show no more light, if you vally your life. -I’ve been down at the stables, my lord, lookin’ to ’is Majesty’s -charger, as was ’urt to-day by the General’s ’orse knockin’ up agin -’im, and when I come back to the ’ouse, I see as things ain’t right. -Do your lordship know as there ain’t a single sentry anywheres about? -I come all the way up ’ere without meetin’ one, nor a servant neither, -right from the door I come in at.” -</p> - -<p> -“Good gracious!” cried Cyril, “there must be something wrong. Can the -guards have deserted in a lump?” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, my lord,” said Wright, “they may be all a-sleepin’ quiet in -their beds, or they mayn’t.” -</p> - -<p> -“We must go down and rout them out,” said Cyril, getting out of bed. -“You go in by this door, Wright, and wake the King, while I get some -clothes on.” -</p> - -<p> -Almost the first thought that now occurred to Cyril’s mind was the -recollection of his revolver, but when he looked for it in vain in its -accustomed place, he remembered that he must have left it down-stairs. -</p> - -<p> -“I must go and hunt it up,” he said to himself, as he hurried into his -clothes. “Caerleon has got his, at any rate. I remember now that he -was carrying it.” -</p> - -<p> -But while the words were in his mouth, Caerleon came in hastily in his -shirt-sleeves, with his revolver in his hand. -</p> - -<p> -“Who has been tampering with this, Cyril?” he asked, sharply. “Some -one has given it a wrench, and the trigger won’t work.” -</p> - -<p> -“There’s something fishy about all these mysterious occurrences,” said -Cyril. “Does it strike you that our guns are at the other end of the -house, and that we have no other weapons here?” -</p> - -<p> -“If you ask me, my lords,” said Wright, impressively, “I think there’s -foul play.” -</p> - -<p> -“Stuff!” said Caerleon. “Don’t croak until you’re told, Wright. If we -can’t find any weapons, we must get hold of something that will do -instead—not that I think there’s any danger, but it’s as well to be -on the safe side.” -</p> - -<p> -“Of course,” said Cyril, “the guards <i>may</i> have all struck work at -once, and be enjoying sweet repose in their quarters, but the -coincidence about the revolvers is suspicious.” -</p> - -<p> -“I have it!” cried Caerleon. “There are our dress-swords, which will -be better than nothing. Put on a coat or something, Cyril, while I get -them out, and don’t stand there shivering.” -</p> - -<p> -He went back to his room, and returned with his own sword, while -Wright unearthed Cyril’s; and armed with these elaborate if not -particularly dependable instruments of warfare, they prepared to start -on their voyage of discovery. -</p> - -<p> -“Haven’t you got a weapon of any sort, Wright?” asked Caerleon of the -groom. -</p> - -<p> -“Buckle, your Majesty,” returned Wright, unfastening the strap round -his waist. “’E ain’t bad at a pinch.” -</p> - -<p> -Thus unsatisfactorily accoutred, they set out along the corridor. The -electric light was burning brightly, but, as Wright had said, there -was not a human being to be seen. It felt almost uncanny to be -marching noiselessly over the thick carpets, in the blaze of light, -without hearing a sound or uttering a word, and Cyril and Wright -caught themselves glancing apprehensively at the open doors of dark -rooms and at the heavy folds of <i>portières</i>. As for Caerleon, he was -far too much incensed against the guards on account of what he -conceived to be their dereliction of duty to have any thought of -supernatural terrors, or even of the more palpable danger of a -possible enemy lurking to intercept him. His intention was to go -straight to the guard-room and give the guards a thorough fright, -which would teach them not to confide too trustfully in their -sovereign’s drowsiness on another occasion. The head of the great -staircase was reached without encountering any further suspicious -circumstances; but Wright, looking out into the courtyard from a -window, pointed out to Cyril in a whisper that there were no lights -visible there. They began to descend the stairs, and as they did so, -there was a sound of footsteps in the hall beneath, and several men -appeared from the direction of the entrance. Both parties caught sight -of each other at the same moment, and halted suddenly, Caerleon, -Cyril, and Wright half-way between the head of the stair and the -landing in the middle, the others on the lowest step. They were -General Sertchaieff, Louis O’Malachy, and half-a-dozen stalwart -troopers of the palace guard. For a moment astonishment kept every one -silent, then Caerleon recovered himself. -</p> - -<p> -“May I ask the meaning of this, General? What brings you to the palace -at this hour, in the company of a man who is a traitor and a spy?” -</p> - -<p> -“Milord Caerleon,” returned the War Minister, “I am deputed by the -National Convention to inform you that Thracia has returned to her -true allegiance. The city is in the hands of the patriotic supporters -of the exiled King, and you might well expect that no mercy would be -shown you. Our gracious monarch, however, abhors bloodshed, even in -the case of an adventurer whose usurpation began in fraud, and has -been maintained by means of force and treachery, and it has been -decided, in accordance with his expressed wish, to spare your life on -condition of your abdicating and leaving the country instantly.” -</p> - -<p> -“And you are the person to bring me this message?” said Caerleon. “I -hope I am to understand that you have been compelled to do so by -force?” -</p> - -<p> -“Milord,” said General Sertchaieff, “your question touches my honour. -I am acting of my own free will as the agent of my rightful sovereign, -King Peter II.” -</p> - -<p> -“X.!” cried Cyril. “What fools we have been!” But the veins on -Caerleon’s forehead were swelling, and there was a dangerous glitter -in his eye. -</p> - -<p> -“Then you are a perjured traitor,” was his answer to General -Sertchaieff. “As for abdicating, I’ll do nothing of the sort, and I’ll -leave the country just as soon as you can get me out of it, and not -before.” -</p> - -<p> -“Come on, you bloomin’ cowards!” yelled Wright, the joy of battle -carrying him away. “We ain’t afraid of yer! Eight men don’t dare fight -three. Yah!” -</p> - -<p> -The long-drawn contempt infused into the last monosyllable appeared to -stimulate the courage of the attacking party, and they made a rush up -the steps and threw themselves upon the defenders, who were much -embarrassed by the extent of their position, for the staircase was a -very wide one. Cyril singled out General Sertchaieff as his opponent, -and if any one had found time to watch them, a very pretty display of -swordsmanship might have been seen. Louis O’Malachy had not mounted -the stairs with the rest of his party, but had disappeared, apparently -to summon further assistance, and the soldiers left their leader to -account for Cyril, and devoted their attention to Caerleon. He found -himself hard put to it to maintain his position against them, although -Wright, using as a buckler a chair which he had caught up on the -landing, rendered him yeoman service by dealing fierce and disabling -blows with his belt on the heads and wrists of the opposing swordsmen. -All too soon Caerleon’s untrustworthy blade broke off in his hand, and -he was left to repel his assailants with the remaining half, but their -shout of triumph distracted the attention of General Sertchaieff, who -glanced aside for a moment, and in that moment Cyril ran him through -the arm and obliged him to drop his sword. Wright whisked up the sword -immediately, and thrust it into Caerleon’s hand before any of the -enemy could prevent him, and the fight was now of a more equal -character, since General Sertchaieff was forced to retire disabled. He -retreated no further than the half-way landing, however, and taking -out his revolver, began to fire and load again as fast as he could -with his left hand. -</p> - -<p> -“If he’s going to pot at us one by one, we’re done for!” gasped Cyril. -</p> - -<p> -“If he shoots no better than this, we’re all right,” returned -Caerleon, breathlessly, and the fight went on in silence until a -sudden exclamation of rage from Cyril showed the King his brother’s -sword shivered at his feet. At the same moment a heavy blow from -behind threw him forward among the enemy, and a howl of fury from -Wright proclaimed that an attack in the rear had proved successful. -When Caerleon recovered his scattered senses, he found himself held -down by four men, while Cyril and Wright were in a like predicament. -Under cover of the noise made by General Sertchaieff’s pistol -practice, Louis O’Malachy had led a party round and captured the -position from behind. -</p> - -<p> -“I think your lordship will now see that it is expedient to submit -without further resistance,” said General Sertchaieff smoothly, as he -tied a handkerchief round his wounded arm. Caerleon made no answer, -for he had caught Wright’s eye, and seen his free hand stealing -towards the ankle of one of the men who held him, and in another -instant two of the captors had gone down with a crash, and Caerleon -was on his feet and hitting out furiously, while Wright made herculean -but unavailing efforts to join him. But the struggle was hopeless from -the first, for Caerleon could not even get his back against the wall, -and he was dragged down by sheer weight of numbers, and bound firmly -with the tasselled cord torn from a curtain. -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t think you will get that undone,” said Louis, bending over him -and testing the knots, then, with that tendency towards the theatrical -which besets a certain class of Irishmen in moments of excitement, he -kicked him heavily, adding, “That is for my sister.” -</p> - -<p> -“Nasty coward!” growled Wright. “’It a man when ’e’s down that you -don’t dare touch when ’e’s up, and bring in a young lady’s name about -it, you precious blackguard, do!” -</p> - -<p> -“Captain O’Malachy,” interrupted General Sertchaieff, as Louis -advanced threateningly towards his unconquerable assailant, “if you -will be so good as to take three men and secure the person of the -Prince of Schwarzwald-Molzau, I will wait here with the prisoners for -your return.” -</p> - -<p> -Louis departed instantly, to return before long with a laugh. -</p> - -<p> -“No fighting there. He accepts the situation with great philosophy,” -he said, and Caerleon felt oddly disappointed. Something had given him -the idea that he might reckon on Prince Otto Georg for support at this -crisis. -</p> - -<p> -“Your presence is now required down-stairs, milord,” said General -Sertchaieff. “If you will give yourself the trouble of walking, it -will be as well; otherwise we must take you.” -</p> - -<p> -Choosing the less of the two evils, Caerleon allowed himself to be -dragged to his feet and conducted down the stairs to his study by his -captors, wondering vaguely whether a scaffold and a block would meet -his eyes on entering. Nothing of the kind was visible, however, -although the room was crowded with people—officers of the palace and -city guards mostly, with a sprinkling of civilians, principally -officials connected with the Ministry of War, and a number of men of -foreign appearance, who were evidently exiles returned from Scythia. -On the writing-table lay a document, which General Sertchaieff -presented to Caerleon as a formal deed of abdication, and demanded his -signature. -</p> - -<p> -“I thought you had done with that foolery,” said Caerleon. “I have -told you already that I won’t abdicate.” -</p> - -<p> -“Milord,” said the War Minister, impressively, “we are anxious not to -shed blood, but we are not men to be trifled with; and if you refuse -to sign the paper, Captain O’Malachy has his orders.” -</p> - -<p> -“Sign under compulsion,” whispered Cyril. “I can bear witness that you -were forced by threats to do it, and it can’t stand.” -</p> - -<p> -“Shut up, Cyril!” said Caerleon, gruffly. “Have you unlimited time to -waste, General?” -</p> - -<p> -“At least consider your brother and your servant, who must suffer with -you if you remain obstinate, instead of returning in safety to -England,” said General Sertchaieff. -</p> - -<p> -“If ’is Majesty will say anything to get me my ’ands free for a -moment, fust thing I do, I’ll give you one in the eye,” said Wright, -ferociously. -</p> - -<p> -“We are to understand, then, milord, that you refuse finally to sign -the deed?” asked the General. -</p> - -<p> -“I do refuse,” said Caerleon, “and if there is one man here, of all -those who have taken oaths of allegiance to me and have eaten my -bread, who has one spark of honesty left in him, I hope he will let it -be known that I preferred death to abdication.” -</p> - -<p> -“May I ask whether you are referring to me?” demanded Louis O’Malachy. -“I have not offered to carry any messages of yours to my unhappy -sister.” -</p> - -<p> -“No, I don’t think you ever had a spark of honesty in you,” returned -Caerleon. “And as for your sister, to send a message to her through -you would be to insult her.” -</p> - -<p> -“Captain O’Malachy, you will conduct the prisoners to the river-bank, -and follow the directions you have received,” said General -Sertchaieff. -</p> - -<p> -Caerleon drew a long breath. To be led out, and shot like a dog! But -his stubborn English pride came to his aid. Show any sign of flinching -before these Scythian spies and Thracian traitors? Never! and he -squared his shoulders and held his head erect as he was led out of the -room. On the threshold a thought struck him, and he paused to say— -</p> - -<p> -“I do not know whether this rebellion is to be conducted according to -the usages of civilised nations in time of war, but in any case I -entreat you, for the honour of Thracia, to allow Prince Otto Georg of -Schwarzwald-Molzau to return unharmed to his own country. He came here -merely as my guest, and has taken no part in Thracian politics.” -</p> - -<p> -“Make your mind easy, milord,” said a tall man, with a strong likeness -to General Sertchaieff, who stood among the returned exiles. “As the -representative of my gracious sovereign, I can assure you that the -King of Thracia does not make war on non-combatants.” -</p> - -<p> -Caerleon bowed his head in acknowledgment of the reply, and followed -his guards. They passed through the courtyard, where the first snow -lay on the ground, new-fallen, then out through the gardens. A few -steps further brought them to the batteries on the river-face of the -town, and they were ordered to enter the lift by which shells and -ammunition were raised from the shore. The descent accomplished, they -came out on the bank of the river, where a boat was lying, manned by -two sailors whom Louis addressed in Scythian. The prisoners were -thrust in without ceremony, the soldiers took their places, and the -boat was pushed off from the shore. -</p> - -<p> -“Caerleon,” said Cyril, in a low voice, “I’m sorry I’ve brought you to -this, old man. If I had had the sense to see through that blackguard -O’Malachy, it wouldn’t have happened.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, don’t go and blame yourself,” said Caerleon, hastily. “It’s just -as much my fault. Wright, I wish you were not obliged to lie just on -my chest. No, don’t wriggle, that’s worse.” -</p> - -<p> -“Silence, dogs!” said one of the soldiers, angrily, and the boatmen -rowed steadily on until they reached the Scythian steamer which had -attracted Cyril’s notice that afternoon. The prisoners were dragged up -the ladder, and placed in a row on the deck. -</p> - -<p> -“You have one more chance,” said Louis O’Malachy to Caerleon. “Will -you sign?” -</p> - -<p> -“No,” returned Caerleon, doggedly. -</p> - -<p> -“Then I must carry out my orders. Your fate is on your own head.” -</p> - - -<h3 id="ch21"> -CHAPTER XXI.<br/> -<span class="chap_sub">A REVOLT OR A REVOLUTION?</span> -</h3> - -<p class="noindent"> -<span class="sc">While</span> Caerleon and his two companions were lying bound on the grand -staircase of the palace, under the charge of General Sertchaieff, -Prince Otto Georg was aroused from sleep by a sudden incursion of -armed men into his room. Sitting up, he blinked curiously at them as -their leader turned on the electric light and came to his bedside. -</p> - -<p> -“It is my duty to inform your Highness that you are my prisoner,” were -the words which met his ears, and which were emphasised by the casual -display of a revolver in the hand of the speaker. -</p> - -<p> -“I do not think,” said the Prince, with extreme mildness, fumbling the -while mechanically but unsuccessfully for his eyeglass, “that I have -the pleasure of recognising your face, sir. When were you presented to -me?” -</p> - -<p> -“My name is O’Malachy,” returned the intruder, “and I am a captain in -the army of King Peter II. of Thracia. It is unfortunate that your -Highness’s visit to Bellaviste should chance to coincide with a slight -readjustment of affairs here—the restoration of the rightful -sovereign, and the overthrow of the tyranny under which the country -has groaned for so long.” -</p> - -<p> -“I assure you that I fully perceive my presence to be <i>de trop</i> in -these painful domestic circumstances,” said the Prince. -</p> - -<p> -“Pray do not imagine for a moment that your Highness will be put to -any inconvenience. You are the guest of King Peter instead of the -usurper Carlino, that is all. I regret that I am obliged, merely as a -matter of form, to post a sentry, by General Sertchaieff’s directions, -in the corridor outside your door, with orders to fire if you attempt -to leave your room.” -</p> - -<p> -“In that case, you may be sure that I will not trouble the sentry,” -said Prince Otto Georg, blandly. “But before I wish you good-night, -Herr Captain, perhaps you will kindly enlighten me on one point. What -of King Carlino? Did I understand you to say that he had abdicated the -throne?” -</p> - -<p> -“The propriety of doing so has not yet been represented to him,” -returned Louis, “but there can be little doubt that he will find it -advisable to yield quietly. A pistol at the head, Highness, is -occasionally a powerful persuasive.” -</p> - -<p> -“Thanks; I will not detain you longer,” and the Prince waved his hand -politely, and laid his head on the pillow again. “If I know anything -of my young friend Carlino, he will choose the pistol,” he mused, as -Louis and his men left the room, and the former locked the door on the -outside. For a moment the prisoner lay listening, while the sentry -began his measured tramp up and down the corridor, then he sat up -suddenly. -</p> - -<p> -“Let me think,” he said to himself. “There may yet be a chance of -doing something. For these plotters, there are two points of attack, -Carlino and Drakovics. Both men must be in their hands to give them -any hope of success. Now it is scarcely likely that their numbers are -sufficient to allow them to seize both at once—that is, to obtain the -mastery of the palace and the town at one blow. Which will they -attempt to capture first? Drakovics is the most important—Carlino is -a figurehead, comparatively speaking—but still, I think this is one -of the cases in which the natural foolishness of mankind may safely be -considered as a factor. The seizure of Carlino would appear a greater -success at first—and it would give them the command of the palace, -which they could defend against the town, while the town could not -long hold out against a foe in possession of the palace. They have, -then, concentrated their strength on the palace in order to make a -prisoner of the King, and while they are doing their best to induce -him to abdicate, it may yet be possible to warn Drakovics.” -</p> - -<p> -Prince Otto Georg was out of bed now, and dressing in the dark with -the speed and silence of an old campaigner. Hurrying into his boots -and a fur-lined coat, he went to the window, drew up the blind -noiselessly, and looked out. -</p> - -<p> -“Snow!” he said. “So far, so good.” -</p> - -<p> -He returned and took one of the sheets from the bed, then, with the -utmost care, opened the window, which was fortunately a casement, and -moved easily. As has been already mentioned, the room was in the front -of the palace, and the window opened directly two or three feet above -the great porch. Here Prince Otto had noticed the day before a hinged -iron ladder, folded up and concealed by the coping from the view of -any one below, but ready in case of fire. He climbed out upon the -leaden roof of the porch and looked round. No light shone from any of -the windows on this side of the building, and the great door was fast -shut. The conspirators had made their entrance through the courtyard -from the back, and the sentries who kept guard in front of the palace -on ordinary occasions had forsaken their posts like the rest, while it -had not occurred to Louis to place any others. There was not a soul to -be seen. Prince Otto Georg drew out and unfolded the ladder, let it -down over the side of the porch, and fastening it firmly at the top by -the hooks attached to it, descended it in safety. It was impossible to -remove it when he had reached the ground, and he could only hope that, -as the side of the porch was in deep shadow, it might escape the -notice of any one who might chance to come out at the front door. -</p> - -<p> -“And now,” he said to himself, wrapping the sheet round him, “one may -as well take every precaution, painful as it would be to be discovered -in this costume. To think of my giving myself all this trouble for the -sake of a man I saw for the first time the day before yesterday!” -</p> - -<p> -Gathering up the ends of the sheet, he walked cautiously across the -garden, indistinguishable among the whitened shrubs to any one looking -out of the windows of the palace. But on arriving at the wall he found -his further progress impeded, for there was a sentry on guard at the -gate, and another at the corner overlooking the town. Prince Otto -groaned mentally, but there was no help for it. Choosing a spot as -remote as possible from both sentries, he climbed the wall by the aid -of a tree which grew beside it, and threw his fur-lined coat over into -the road. This done, he let himself drop from the branches, with -considerably less agility and confidence in his own powers than he had -felt at the time of his former exploit of the kind, but with happier -results, for the coat broke his fall, and he rose unhurt, and after -creeping a short distance in the shadow of the wall, turned down a -side-street, and made the best of his way to M. Drakovics’s house. In -spite of the highly logical reasoning with which he had started on his -journey, he felt a good deal of misgiving as to whether he had been -justified in calculating so confidently on human folly; and it was -with unfeigned joy that on coming round the corner of the house he -caught sight of the Premier standing at a window with a light behind -him, and looking out at the river. To attract his attention was the -work of a moment, and in obedience to the call M. Drakovics, in -extreme astonishment, hastened to admit his visitor by a side-door. -There was no time for lengthy explanations. -</p> - -<p> -“There is a plot to depose the King and restore the house of Franza, -headed by General Sertchaieff and Captain O’Malachy. They have seized -the palace, and the King is in their hands. By the uniforms of the men -whom I saw, I believe that both the palace and the city guard are -implicated.” -</p> - -<p> -After the first exclamation of surprise, M. Drakovics remained silent, -passing his hand thoughtfully over his chin, until the Prince had -finished speaking. -</p> - -<p> -“When your Highness arrived, I was watching the Scythian steamer in -the river,” he said. “Boats have been going to and fro between her and -the quay all evening, and it struck me that something was wrong. No -doubt they were bringing arms on shore.” -</p> - -<p> -“What do you intend to do?” asked Prince Otto Georg, interrupting his -meditation impatiently. “Have you men enough whom you can trust to -defend this house, or the Hôtel de Ville?” -</p> - -<p> -“The police are staunch,” returned M. Drakovics; “but to oppose them -to the city guard would be simply massacre. There are not enough of -them. No! Is your Highness prepared for flight? To reach the Carlino -barracks is our only hope.” -</p> - -<p> -“If you think we can do more good there, I am ready to go,” said the -Prince. “But what about the city, and your adherents?” -</p> - -<p> -“The conspirators will not injure the city, since they must be -reckoning upon the townspeople as their chief support,” said M. -Drakovics; “and if your Highness will wait for one instant, I will do -what I can to warn the most prominent among the Carlinists.” -</p> - -<p> -He turned aside to a speaking-tube, and after the preliminary whistle, -began to converse with some person apparently at the other end of the -house. -</p> - -<p> -“A band of traitors have formed a plot to restore the Franza dynasty. -They are in possession of the palace and of the King’s person, and -will be here in a few minutes. Listen carefully to what I say. You -will offer no resistance. No, I do not want your comments; listen. You -will say that I am spending the night out of town. If you are further -questioned, I trust to your ingenuity to account for my absence. -Telephone now at once to the bureaus of all the other Ministers, -except the Ministry of War, that the situation is to be accepted until -I send word to the contrary. If the Sertchaieffs turn you out of your -offices, submit; if not, go on as usual. Of course you will take no -oath to Peter Franza, on pain of being dealt with as traitors when I -return. Keep me informed at the Carlino barracks of anything you may -discover with regard to the extent and progress of the conspiracy. You -understand?” -</p> - -<p> -The invisible auditor apparently answered that he did, for M. -Drakovics replaced the plug in the mouth of the tube, and turned to -Prince Otto Georg. -</p> - -<p> -“I am sorry to have kept your Highness waiting so long. If you will -come this way, we shall find my boat in its shed.” -</p> - -<p> -They hurried down the garden to the river, and got out the boat. M. -Drakovics, who was well accustomed to the water, took possession of -both oars, remarking drily that there was no time to waste in giving -rowing lessons just then. Prince Otto Georg pushed the boat off, and -they began to drop down with the current, keeping in the shade of the -bank. Presently M. Drakovics uttered a stifled exclamation, and the -Prince, glancing over his shoulder, saw that the Scythian steamer had -left her moorings, and was also dropping down the stream. It was not -long before she passed them, the wash caused by her screw making the -boat rock. -</p> - -<p> -“If only we could intercept her under the barracks!” sighed the -Premier. “But she is much more likely to intercept us. If they -discover that I have escaped by water they will signal to her from the -palace, and she will pick us up. We will row only as far as the -outskirts of the city, and then walk to the barracks.” -</p> - -<p> -This programme was carried out, rather to the relief of Prince Otto -Georg, who was more at home on land than in a boat. A brisk walk of -two miles, uninterrupted by any exciting incidents, brought them to -the barracks, where they were duly challenged by a sentry, rescued by -the guard, and conducted into the presence of the hastily aroused and -arrayed commandant. M. Drakovics detailed what had happened, and the -acting colonel, in response to his suggestion, immediately alarmed his -force, and gave orders to prepare the place for defence in case of an -attack from the town. This done, an informal council of war was -called, composed of the chief officers of the regiment, Prince Otto, -and the Premier. -</p> - -<p> -“First of all, Colonel, are your men to be trusted?” asked M. -Drakovics. -</p> - -<p> -“They are devoted heart and soul to King Carlino,” was the soldier’s -reply. “The news you brought has put them into a perfect frenzy.” -</p> - -<p> -“Good,” said M. Drakovics. “I wonder whether the same can be said of -the garrisons in the provinces? Perhaps you will have the goodness to -telegraph inquiries to the fortresses with which you are in -communication, Colonel?” -</p> - -<p> -A young officer left the room to carry out the order, but returned -with the news that no communication could be established with any -other station. -</p> - -<p> -“I thought so,” said M. Drakovics. “They have cut the telegraph wires. -This plot is a larger thing than we anticipated, gentlemen. Be so good -as to have a horse and a mounted escort prepared for me, Colonel. I -must start before morning to rouse the country.” -</p> - -<p> -“Pardon me,” interrupted Prince Otto Georg. “May I inquire whether you -have any guns here, Colonel, that will carry as far as the town?” -</p> - -<p> -“Alas, no!” replied the Colonel. “Our guns are very old-fashioned, and -useful only for firing salutes. His Excellency the Premier will -remember that there was some question lately of erecting regular -fortifications upon this hill, and quartering a battery of garrison -artillery here, but that the Minister for War opposed the suggestion -on the ground of the shock such a proceeding would give to the -susceptibilities of the people of Bellaviste.” -</p> - -<p> -“I remember,” said M. Drakovics, curtly. “But what was your Highness’s -idea?” -</p> - -<p> -“It struck me that the threat of shelling the town might enable us to -secure the King’s being given up to us unhurt,” said the Prince. -</p> - -<p> -“Ah, General Sertchaieff knows our resources too well for that. But I -very much fear that we may even now be too late to save the King.” -</p> - -<p> -“What!” was the general cry. “You cannot imagine——” -</p> - -<p> -“I do not for a moment believe that he will consent to abdicate, and I -fear they will not keep him a prisoner, lest the Thracians should -rally to release him.” -</p> - -<p> -“But as a hostage for themselves in case of defeat?” -</p> - -<p> -“They do not mean to be defeated. They are fighting with ropes round -their necks, and to murder the King would be a plain declaration that -they had left themselves no way of escape. They are well supported, -but they know that there is no help for them if they fail.” -</p> - -<p> -“Then you think that this conspiracy is incited by Scythia?” -</p> - -<p> -“Not openly, of course. Scythia’s opportunity will come later, when -she can throw troops into the country under pretext of curing -disorder. No; she has merely allowed fugitives from us to take refuge -and hatch their plots upon her soil, and there may possibly be a few -retired Scythian officers who have returned with them. But Scythia has -not authorised them to come, nor supplied them officially with money. -If they succeed, she will reap the advantage of their labours; if they -fail, she will disown them.” -</p> - -<p> -“It is possible that there may be retired officers of other armies who -will take the opposite side,” said Prince Otto Georg. “Allow me, your -Excellency, to offer myself as a volunteer.” -</p> - -<p> -“Your Highness is most welcome,” said the Premier. “You will not, I -trust, involve yourself in any difficulty with Germany upon our -account?” -</p> - -<p> -“If the telegraph wires are cut, no remonstrance can reach me,” said -the Prince, drily. -</p> - -<p> -“In that case,” said M. Drakovics, “I may give utterance to my most -earnest wish under the circumstances. I know you will agree with me, -gentlemen, that we cannot do better than invite his Serene Highness to -direct the military operations for the recovery of the capital. Our -own Commander-in-Chief has betrayed his trust, and the officer next in -seniority to him is a <i>protégé</i> of his, the commandant of Tatarjé. -Prince Otto Georg of Schwarzwald-Molzau is the pupil of Moltke, and -has had a larger experience of war than any of us can boast. If you -concur in my suggestion, I will draw up a formal invitation to him to -take the command of the army before I start on my journey.” -</p> - -<p> -The officers made no objection to the appointment, and indeed, in the -helpless condition to which they were reduced by the cutting of the -telegraph wires, and their ignorance of the state of feeling in the -other garrisons, to say nothing of the treachery of their natural -leader, they were only too glad to feel a strong hand at the helm. -Moreover, they had feared that M. Drakovics might be about to install -himself as Commander-in-Chief, and it was a relief to their minds to -obtain a soldier instead. Prince Otto Georg’s appointment was -therefore received with acclamations, and when M. Drakovics departed -on his journey, he left him firmly established in his post. -</p> - -<p> -To describe in any detail the doings of the next three days would be a -task both long and dreary. As soon as it was light on the first -morning, an officer, bearing a flag of truce, was despatched to the -city to ask for an assurance of the safety of the King, but he was -fired upon from the gate, and obliged to return without gaining any -information. News on other points was, however, obtained in various -ways. In spite of the absence of telegraphic communication, Prince -Otto Georg received constant intelligence through messengers. From M. -Drakovics’s confidential clerk in Bellaviste he learned, by means of a -cipher letter carried by a fisherman, that nothing had been seen or -heard of Caerleon, but that King Peter Franza was not among the -returned exiles, having preferred to remain at Nice in trustful -quietness while his faithful subjects regained his throne for him. -General Sertchaieff’s brother, the late Premier, was, however, one of -those who had returned, and was now at the head of affairs. He had -taken possession of the Government offices, and had levied a certain -sum of money from the town—a measure which had called forth much -opposition from the people, although the city guard enforced the -payment of the impost. News arrived also from M. Drakovics. The -garrison of Feodoratz he found to be staunchly Carlinist, while that -of Tatarjé was divided, and the division was carried to such a point -that the detachment which sympathised with the house of Franza had -already set out for Bellaviste with the commandant in order to join -the insurgents. This was Prince Otto Georg’s opportunity. Posting his -men in a wood on the road by which the mutineers were expected to -arrive, he attacked them unawares as they straggled along in a -disorderly crowd, captured the field-artillery they were bringing with -them, and left only a few scattered fugitives to carry the news to -Bellaviste. -</p> - -<p> -This victory proved to possess a double value for the Carlinists. Not -only did it deprive the rebels of the reinforcement they had been -anxiously expecting, but the news of the battle, spreading with -extraordinary rapidity from village to village, came in the nick of -time to secure the allegiance of the people, who were bewildered by -the sudden rush of events. The country gentlemen and their mountain -clans required no such earnest of the eventual success of the -Carlinist cause; but the bulk of the dwellers in the more settled -districts were accustomed by long tradition to side with the party in -power, and it is undoubtedly startling to retire to rest one night -knowing that you have an idolised King on the throne, and a determined -Minister exercising all the functions of government, and to find on -awaking in the morning that your King has probably been murdered, and -certainly been dethroned, while your Premier is stumping the country -for support. In such a case it was difficult for the obedient -partisans of “Government” to know exactly who the Government was, and -Prince Otto Georg’s victory came just when it was needed to quiet -their minds. He took his prizes back in triumph to the barracks, and -the whole of the next day was spent in maturing and preparing with -their aid his plan of attack on the city. At night M. Drakovics -returned from his tour of the outlying districts, bringing with him a -military contingent drawn from the faithful portion of the Tatarjé -garrison, and an irregular force of mountain chiefs and their -retainers. -</p> - -<p> -“I half hoped that your Highness might have retaken the city by this -time,” he said to Prince Otto Georg. -</p> - -<p> -“I never strike until I am ready,” replied the Prince, and M. -Drakovics deferred to his wider experience, nor did he, when the plan -of attack had been explained to him, regret that he had done so. -</p> - -<p> -The next morning—the third after the seizure of the palace—broke -dull and hazy, a fact which Prince Otto Georg hailed with delight as -of the greatest moment to his scheme. During the two days that he had -held office he had stopped all the vessels which came up the river, so -that he had now under the guns of the barracks a miniature fleet of -small steamers and cargo-boats, from which he selected a certain -number to convey the greater portion of the artillery which he had -captured from the Tatarjé rebels. Each vessel mounted one gun, and -carried a small number of soldiers, sufficient merely to work it and -to defend the ship. Before it was light these ships were now towed up -the river in perfect silence by boats with muffled oars, and anchored -close under the batteries, the fire from which would, owing to this -precaution, pass harmlessly overhead. The batteries had been -constructed to command the deep channel in which alone warships could -anchor, and their guns were hopelessly unable to reach the small -river-steamers with their light draught of water. Secured in this way -against interference from above, the vessels opened fire on the town, -and maintained their position with ease, even beating off successfully -a boat-expedition led against them by Louis O’Malachy. Although the -effect of the firing was small, since Prince Otto Georg’s object was -to frighten rather than hurt, it was evident that the rebels regarded -the situation as serious, for they left the batteries which they had -been engaged in constructing in other parts of the town, and began to -throw one up at the end of M. Drakovics’s garden, with the intention -of rendering the position of the vessels untenable. This gave the -Prince the opportunity for which he had been waiting. He had very soon -perceived that when the rebels had effected their great <i>coup</i>, and -had telegraphed to the various European capitals the news of the -revolution (as M. Drakovics informed him had certainly been done), and -then cut the wires, they had worked themselves at least as much harm -as their opponents. If they had managed to capture M. Drakovics as -they had intended, all would have been well; but they had been baulked -in this, and he, once outside the limited zone in which the wires were -cut, had used the telegraph to call together his adherents from all -parts of the country, while they had no means either of gaining -information or of sending orders to their more distant supporters. -Disappointed of the help they had expected from Tatarjé, their action -would necessarily be partial and undecided, since they had no idea of -the extent to which their views found support outside the capital, -although it was evident that the country had not risen in their favour -as they had anticipated. It was true that they had made an attempt at -a cavalry reconnaissance the day before; but the troopers had been -driven back into the town in disorder with the help of the guns taken -from the Tatarjé contingent, and at the present moment every one was -far too much engrossed by the attack on the river-face to think about -obtaining information on the land side. -</p> - -<p> -Once assured that his naval demonstration was successful, Prince Otto -Georg led the main body of his little army, together with two guns -which he had reserved for this purpose, round to the other side of the -city, remote alike from the river and the Carlino barracks. By taking -advantage of every scrap of cover afforded by the woods and rising -ground, he succeeded in performing this manœuvre without its being -perceived by the townspeople, the attention of whose leaders was -completely occupied by the attack on the river-face. Bringing his guns -into position on the edge of a wood, he formed up his men in readiness -to advance, and opened fire on the gate nearest him, following up the -first effective shot by an immediate rush forward. The small guns -mounted on the wall, and served by half-hearted townsmen, who were by -no means anxious to provoke an artillery fire which would probably -bring their houses about their ears, had little result in checking the -advance of the besiegers, and before the rebel leaders could be -recalled from their futile labours on the other side of the city, the -gate was down and the Carlinists were pouring in. -</p> - -<p> -Prince Otto Georg smiled grimly as he watched the operations from a -point of vantage. “Never trust citizens to defend their town,” he -said. “They surrendered Strasburg.” -</p> - -<p> -The worst of the fighting was yet to come. From house to house and -from street to street Prince Otto Georg’s soldiers made their way, -with their ranks at one moment swelled by a band of welcoming -sympathisers, at another thinned by a stream of fire from some public -building turned into a fortress, and fiercely defended by desperate -men, who had rushed from the river-face to make a last effort for -their lives. While one party of the assailants was making for the -palace, two others were gaining possession of the walls, and turning -the guns there upon the quarters where the strongest resistance was -experienced; and the Prince himself appeared to be ubiquitous, alike -in keeping up communications with the strong force he had left to hold -the gate, guarding against a flank attack by an overlooked force of -the enemy, and moderating the fierceness of the strife by proclaiming, -whenever he could get a hearing, quarter to those who were willing to -lay down their arms. After all, the bulk of the townspeople were very -glad to submit to the besiegers. The exactions of the rebels had not -endeared them to any one within the walls, and there had been rumours -of what was to happen to the faithless city on King Peter’s return -which caused most people to tremble for their property, if not for -their lives. Only the men of the city guard, knowing, as M. Drakovics -had said, that they fought with ropes round their necks, persisted in -maintaining the fight, making a stand at every available point, and at -last crowding with their leaders into the palace for a final effort. -</p> - -<p> -Even now, if it had been possible to move the great guns from the -river batteries to the palace, and turn them against the town, the -result of the day’s fighting might have been different; but time and -appliances were alike wanting for this operation, and after a short -resistance the wall of the garden was scaled, and the rebels made -their last stand in the palace itself. -</p> - -<p> -“Take them alive! Take them alive!” had been the reiterated order of -Prince Otto Georg and M. Drakovics. “<i>They know what has become of the -King</i>,” and the Carlinists, mad with rage and fight though they were, -did their best to obey. When the stubborn contest ended at last, Ivan -Sertchaieff, the Premier, lay dead on the grand staircase where -Caerleon had been taken prisoner; his brother, less fortunate, was in -the hands of the victors, and with him were Louis O’Malachy and about -a score of others. The civilians of the party were committed to the -custody of the police, who had been imprisoned in their barracks by -the rebels, and had done good service by breaking out during the -street-fighting and joining the Carlinists. A summary court-martial -sat immediately, under the presidency of Prince Otto Georg, to try -such of the prisoners as had belonged to the army, while M. Drakovics, -who had fought his way in with the troops, searched the palace and -interrogated the other captives as to the King’s whereabouts. -</p> - -<p> -What the Prince was chiefly anxious to discover from the men before -him was the extent to which the disaffection which had led to the -rebellion had spread in the army and in the country, and also whether -Scythia had committed herself to any definite encouragement of the -scheme; but from General Sertchaieff he could gain nothing but a -denial of the competency of the tribunal to try him, from Louis a -declaration that he was a Scythian subject, and from the rest more or -less vehement protestations of devotion to the house of Franza and of -their readiness to die in its service. The competence of a court -presided over by the Commander-in-Chief to try officers undoubtedly -belonging to the army could not be seriously questioned, and the trial -proceeded with due ceremony until it was interrupted by a tremendous -uproar outside the hall. Prince Otto Georg ordered the sentries to -clear the approaches to the court; but the moment that the door was -opened a motley throng of Carlinists streamed in, with M. Drakovics, -wrathful and agitated, at their head. -</p> - -<p> -“What is the meaning of this unseemly proceeding?” inquired Prince -Otto Georg. “I am surprised that you should so far forget the gravity -of the occasion as to interrupt the trial.” -</p> - -<p> -He was addressing himself to M. Drakovics; but his words were drowned -by the excited crowd, who pressed about the prisoners with shouts and -gestures of rage, and were only prevented from rushing upon them by -the exertions of the guards. -</p> - -<p> -“Where is the King?” they cried. “Give us back our Carlino!” -</p> - -<p> -“Gentlemen,” said M. Drakovics, addressing the officers who formed the -court, “I am grieved beyond measure to tell you that we have searched -the palace and a great part of the city, but we can find no trace of -our beloved sovereign.” -</p> - -<p> -General Sertchaieff smiled sardonically. “It is scarcely likely that -you will,” he said. -</p> - -<p> -“Great heaven!” cried Prince Otto Georg; “they have murdered him, -then!” -</p> - -<p> -“You will not find it easy to bring him back,” went on General -Sertchaieff. “Ask Captain O’Malachy if you wish to hear what has -become of your Carlino.” It was evident from his tone that he -anticipated a surprise for his hearers; but it was also clear that -when Louis spoke he received one himself. While the rapid dialogue was -in progress, Louis had been weighing the situation in his mind. Would -truth or falsehood serve the cause best at this juncture? The fate of -his comrades and himself was already sealed, and nothing that he could -say or refrain from saying would avail to save any of them. But what -of that? It was still possible to produce an impression which might go -far to effect the object aimed at by the revolt. Were Caerleon alive, -the Drakovics party would rally around him in irresistible strength; -if he were dead, the weary, dispiriting search for a King must begin -again, with all the jealousies and strifes it involved, and the -opportunity it offered to Scythia for armed intervention. He hesitated -no longer. -</p> - -<p> -“You will certainly consult the best authority,” he said, -sarcastically. “I had the honour of being present during his Majesty’s -last moments.” -</p> - -<p> -A howl of rage went up from the crowd of Carlinists, and the rest of -the prisoners repressed a start of astonishment. -</p> - -<p> -“You killed him?” was the cry. Louis bowed calmly. -</p> - -<p> -“That duty fell to me,” he said. -</p> - -<p> -“But how? where?” asked many voices. -</p> - -<p> -“I took him on board the Scythian steamer,” returned Louis, “with his -brother and his English servant. They were all bound. I stabbed them -one after the other, and threw their bodies into the river.” -</p> - -<p> -“But why on board the steamer?” asked Prince Otto Georg. -</p> - -<p> -“Because it was feared that some of our less ardent supporters might -object to Carlino’s death if it was carried out before their eyes,” -said Louis. -</p> - -<p> -“You give us to understand that you murdered three unarmed men in cold -blood?” said Prince Otto Georg. “This is inconceivable. Human nature -is not capable of so horrible an atrocity, though why you should -attempt to deceive us in such a matter I cannot imagine. You are not -in earnest?” -</p> - -<p> -“Am I likely to tell you anything but the truth at such a moment, and -on such a subject?” retorted Louis. “Your Carlino is dead, and I -killed him. I have not yet heard any of my comrades,” he glanced round -at his fellow-prisoners, “deliver the dying message with which he -charged them. I am the only honest one among them, after all. He -wished it to be known that he chose death rather than abdication. -Well, he had it.” -</p> - -<p> -“You—a soldier,” said the Prince to General Sertchaieff, “and -connived at the commission of this dastardly murder?” -</p> - -<p> -“We did not expect to make our revolution with rose-water,” returned -the ex-Minister. “Our intention was to surprise Carlino, and to force -him to abdicate by means of threats, if possible; but Captain -O’Malachy had strict orders to kill him if any resistance or rescue -were attempted, and he did so.” -</p> - -<p> -“I should wish to adjourn the court,” said Prince Otto George. “I do -not feel that I can conduct business properly after receiving this -terrible news.” -</p> - -<p> -“Then the mountain men will break in and tear the prisoners to -pieces,” said M. Drakovics, in a low voice, glancing at the crowd of -excited peasants who stood with weapons in their hands, muttering -imprecations and glaring at the self-accused murderers. “I entreat -your Highness to bring the trial to a close, so that it may be evident -that the murderers will meet the punishment demanded by their crimes, -and then to come with me to break the news to the people.” -</p> - -<p> -Prince Otto Georg turned impatiently to the papers on the table before -him, and M. Drakovics succeeded in inducing his followers to leave the -hall by assuring them that summary justice would be done by the -court-martial. Indeed, the evidence was so clear that there could be -no doubt of the result of the trial. Even leaving out of sight the -added atrocity of the murder of the King, the prisoners had committed -a sufficient number of crimes against both military and civil law to -cause them to incur the death-penalty several times over. There was -not a dissentient voice among the members of the court, and the -President pronounced the sentence with a sensation not far removed -from loathing. -</p> - -<p> -“I never saw a man so bloodthirsty as that O’Malachy,” he said to -himself as he left the chair after the prisoners had been removed. “I -believe that the murder was his doing altogether, for Sertchaieff -seemed at first as much surprised as I was. I wonder whether there -could have been any truth in that story about a sister of his that got -into the Scythian papers? It would account for his peculiar ferocity.” -</p> - -<p> -It would have afforded Louis additional gratification had he known -that the apparent purposelessness of his conduct had cast a slur upon -Caerleon’s name, but he was very well content as things were. His was -not the part of the informer, who is said to be present, by some -strange fatality, whenever two Irishmen are plotting together, and -through whom the best-laid schemes go wrong; on the contrary, he had -carried out his share of the conspiracy with triumphant success, and -even at the bitter end had turned defeat into victory. Of this -character were his exultant musings as he was led away with his -companions, but in indulging such hopeful anticipations he was -reckoning without his host. M. Drakovics’s proverbial resourcefulness -had not forsaken him at this crisis, and from the moment of hearing -the fatal news of Caerleon’s death he had been preparing a <i>coup -d’état</i>. When Prince Otto left the hall in which the court-martial -had been held, he found that he was awaiting him, and the two men rode -down the steep street with their escort to the Hôtel de Ville, in the -square in front of which were assembled the loyal townspeople and the -irregular troops. A momentary cheer saluted the Premier and his -companion as they made their appearance on the balcony; but the news -of the King’s murder had spread among the people, and the feeling of -mourning was universal. The soldiers alone greeted Prince Otto Georg -with shouts when M. Drakovics presented him to the crowd as the -saviour of Thracia, and he retired into the background while his -companion came forward again to speak. The crowning triumph of the -great orator’s eloquence was to be obtained to-day, and the lack of -responsiveness among his audience only served to stimulate him to -surpass himself. -</p> - -<p> -He began his speech by paying a well-deserved tribute to the troops, -both regular and irregular, who had fought so bravely in crushing the -revolt. Their courage and endurance had been beyond all praise; but -they had been sustained by the hope of rescuing their beloved King -from the hands of the dastardly conspirators who sought to deprive him -of his throne. The struggle was successful, the victory was won, but, -alas! success had come too late. Their young sovereign, who had given -up the splendid prospects which belonged to him in his own country in -order to lead the forlorn hope in Thracia, had chosen to die rather -than forsake the trust he had received from the people. He was the -last martyr on the glorious roll of Thracian independence. Let them -look around them. There on the hill above them was the sacred shrine -at which, that very day, Carlino was to have received the crown of -Thracia, and there also was the palace in which he should have lived -for many happy years, beloved and honoured. But beside them there -flowed the river, accursed from that day forward, whose waters had -rolled over his blood-stained corpse, and there remained yet in the -land of the living the miscreants who had not scrupled to murder in -cold blood a bound and defenceless man. -</p> - -<p> -The yell of mingled rage and grief which arose from the people at -these words rendered it impossible for the speaker to proceed with his -oration for some minutes; but at last he succeeded in restoring -comparative silence, broken only by the sobs of the women. What now -remained for Thracia? he demanded. She had lost her place among the -nations; she could not protect the stranger who had come at her call -to assist her. But at least she could avenge his death, both on the -traitors who had sprung from her own soil and on the perfidious nation -which had stooped to use such instruments to further its shameful -ends. With this object in view let her proceed without an hour’s delay -to the election of another king, and who could be better fitted for -the post than the illustrious Prince who had been raised up by -Providence to help her in her utmost need, and who had striven side by -side with her own sons for the rescue of Carlino? That Prince, he went -on, checking by an imperative gesture the protest which Prince Otto -Georg sprang forward to make, had shrunk once already from accepting -the throne, owing to a sensitive modesty which did him all honour, but -this was no time for holding back. Thracia appealed to him to accept -the place left vacant by the man who had been moved by its very -difficulties to undertake it,—would the German hang behind where the -Englishman had pressed forward? Let the Prince make his decision, -knowing, as he did, that his election would be hailed with delight by -the country, and welcomed by all Europe with the exception of Scythia, -and let him devote his life to the avenging of Caerleon’s murder. -</p> - -<p> -Prince Otto Georg yielded. In after days he complained that he had -been carried away by the fervid rhetoric of M. Drakovics and the -frenzied enthusiasm of the people; but he accepted the throne in the -excitement of the moment, although with a slight mental reservation -respecting the last clause of the Premier’s invitation, and the -proviso that his election should be approved by the Powers. About this -condition there proved to be little difficulty. The Roumi envoy, who -had been on his way to attend Caerleon’s coronation when the rebellion -broke out, had discreetly remained upon the frontier in order to see -to which side victory would ultimately incline, and the Premier -hastened to obtain his good offices as an intermediary with Czarigrad. -M. Drakovics had already closed the post-offices throughout the -country in the name of the public safety, and forbidden the issue of -passports to foreign newspaper correspondents, so that Thracian -affairs were enveloped in the most profound mystery, while secret -messages flashed about among the Powers. Prince Otto Georg’s elevation -to the throne seemed to commend itself to every one as an excellent -solution of the Thracian difficulty. Pannonia and the house of -Schwarzwald-Molzau welcomed the election as a set-off to the rebuff -sustained by their joint diplomacy in the matter of Princess Ottilie’s -marriage, while the authorities of Prince Otto’s own country were not -sorry to find in it a way of escape from the intricate international -questions involved in his unauthorised connection with the suppression -of the revolt. Even Scythia, whether because she judged it well to -remain for a time in the background after the failure of the -conspiracy, or because, having given in her approval to Prince Otto -Georg’s candidature two years ago, she considered that it would appear -inconsistent to draw back now, offered no objection to his accepting -the crown, while bright visions of a Scythian princess seated beside -him on the Thracian throne at some future date began to float before -the eyes of the Pavelsburg authorities. M. Drakovics hurried back to -Bellaviste in triumph, and the new King was crowned the very next day, -with the regalia prepared for his murdered predecessor. The palace was -still filled with the traces of the devastating fight which had been -waged within its walls, and the chapel of St Peter itself had not -escaped scathless, while the people who looked on at the ceremony had -scarcely a cheer to spare for their new sovereign, since their -thoughts were all with Carlino. But as though to give point to the -words with which M. Drakovics had ushered in the new reign, the guns -which announced the accession of King Otto Georg thundered forth also -the knell of the traitors who had conspired against Caerleon. -</p> - - -<h3 id="ch22"> -CHAPTER XXII.<br/> -<span class="chap_sub">A KING WITHOUT A CROWN.</span> -</h3> - -<p class="noindent"> -<span class="sc">Banished</span> from Scythia, Princess Soudaroff and Nadia turned their -faces southwards, and after a hurried winter journey across Central -Europe and a more leisurely one through Spain, found themselves at -Cadiz and on board the yacht Anna Karénina. The Princess had acted -with her usual impulsiveness in deciding on the way in which she would -spend her winter, and she was a little startled when she found herself -in command of a ship, the crew of which, with one exception, was -entirely English. She had no experience of yachting whatever, and her -ignorance made her fall an easy prey to the captain, an ancient -mariner endowed with as many wiles as those popularly attributed to -the heathen Chinee. Like his late Majesty King George III., however, -this gentleman “gloried in the name of Briton,” and considered that -all foreigners were constitutionally afflicted with a more or less -mild form of insanity. It was both right and advisable to humour their -fancies, especially when they were sufficiently wealthy to hire a -large yacht for the winter; but it was also necessary to guide them -gently in the direction in which they ought to go, and to restrain -their natural eccentricities by the moral influence of a stronger -mind. -</p> - -<p> -On the very day that the Princess first came on board, the captain -asserted his independence by refusing to receive his orders through -the courier, a useful and important individual whom Prince Soudaroff -had chosen to accompany the ladies on their travels, and protect them -from extortion by the way, since if he did cheat them right and left -himself he would take good care that no one else should have the -opportunity of doing so. The Princess, in her kindness of heart, -recognised at once that it was only natural that the captain should -dislike to take orders from Alessandro, and accorded him the privilege -of seeing her whenever he found it necessary, thus yielding herself as -a helpless slave to a most unbending autocrat. Not that Captain Binks -was rude or overbearing—far from it. The commander of a Cunarder -could not have been more accommodating and urbane; but it was evident -that he must know more about the winds and currents and shoals of the -Mediterranean than his employer, and when some conjunction of these -natural objects interfered to prevent anything that the Princess was -anxious to do, it certainly could not be considered the fault of -Captain Binks. This being the case, it was not, perhaps, a just -punishment which overtook the old sailor when, after a short cruise in -which he had regulated the ladies’ trips on shore in regular -man-of-war fashion, the yacht was run into by a lumbering collier as -she lay at anchor outside the Grand Harbour of Valetta on the night -after arriving in sight of Malta. It had been Captain Binks’s -intention to take the Anna Karénina into the harbour by daylight, -thereby exhibiting to all and sundry both her beauties and his own -seamanship, and then to grant the Princess the day in which to make -her pilgrimage to St Paul’s Bay and back while he took stores on -board; but now the spars and bulwarks were so much damaged as to -render necessary a stay of a week or more in the island. -</p> - -<p> -It must be confessed that this accident gave keen pleasure to Nadia, -who was not a favourite with Captain Binks; but the Princess failed to -perceive either his uplifting or his fall, for she was absorbed, as -usual, in schemes of kindness for the benefit of those about her. She -was acquainted with the histories of all the crew by this time, knew -how many children each man had, and who had aged parents to support, -and it was her delight to write letters home for them in her formal -foreign hand with its queer twirls and flourishes, while Nadia, -longing to be of some use or help to some one, stood shyly aloof, and -wondered how her godmother managed to take so much interest in the -affairs of all these strangers. In one of the Princess’s pleasures, -however, Nadia’s interest was as deep as that of her godmother, for -the person involved had been connected with herself at one of the -crises of her life. It was on the day that they sailed from Cadiz, -before they had been on board more than a few hours, that the Princess -came into Nadia’s cabin with a face radiant with delight. -</p> - -<p> -“Who do you think is the carpenter on this ship, my child?” she asked. -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t know, Marraine,” said Nadia, looking up puzzled. “Some -relation of the English coachman you had once?” -</p> - -<p> -“No; it is not an Englishman—it is a Scythian.” -</p> - -<p> -“One of our own people? or a Bibelist? The Oudenist cabinetmaker you -visited in the hospital, perhaps?” -</p> - -<p> -“Dear child, no. But it is a person of whom you have often -heard—Yegor Popoff, my poor Katinka’s husband.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, Marraine! How did he get here?” -</p> - -<p> -“When he left Katinka, he went to Pavelsburg to look for work, and -made a voyage to Sweden as ship’s carpenter. At Bergen he heard that -my friend Feodor Petrovitch, to whom this yacht belongs, was in the -harbour looking out for a carpenter, as the one he had brought from -England had died, and he obtained the post. And now, without our -knowing it, he was waiting at Cadiz, and we, without his knowing it, -were bringing Katinka to him. Do you see now why we were driven out of -Scythia, my child?” -</p> - -<p> -“I see,” said Nadia. “But what are you going to do? Have you said -anything?” -</p> - -<p> -“Said anything?” cried the Princess. “My dear child, I have said -everything! I sent for Yegor to come to me in the saloon, and I have -spoken to him very seriously. I told him how wrong and foolish he had -been in doubting Katinka and in listening to Anna at all, and much -more so in running away as he did. He saw it all for himself—in fact, -nothing but pride had kept him from coming back and telling her so. He -was waiting for her to write first, when she did not know where he -was! I think I made him thoroughly ashamed of himself. When I saw that -he was really sorry, I slipped out and fetched Katinka. <i>She</i> was -ready enough to forgive, poor child! and I left them together. What a -happy beginning for our voyage, is it not?” -</p> - -<p> -Nadia acquiesced, and a new hope rose suddenly in her own heart. Could -this voyage be destined to bring Caerleon and herself together, as it -had already united Yegor and Katinka? The same thought had occurred to -the maid, who came shyly to tell her that she and Yegor were praying -that she might be as happy as they were. They did not know her story; -but Katinka guessed at it, and found it easy to fill up the details -from imagination. Her sympathy contributed still further to raise -Nadia’s spirits, and perhaps to bring her into the somewhat -uncharitable frame of mind in which she welcomed the discomfiture of -Captain Binks. In any case, she submitted cheerfully to the necessary -detention at Valetta, in spite of the desolate aspect of the dried-up -town, with its huge fortifications and flat-roofed white houses, and -was indefatigable in helping the Princess to render habitable the -enormous rooms, stone-floored and scantily furnished, in which they -took up their abode while the repairs to the yacht were pending. -</p> - -<p> -Here it was that two days later they heard the news of the rebellion -in Thracia—news which sent all the special correspondents who keep -portmanteaus ready packed, in case of a sudden summons, to the Balkans -at racing speed. Carlino was dethroned, Peter was restored, Bellaviste -was in the hands of the Franzist party,—this was what the telegram, -despatched by M. Sertchaieff and his brother the General, told the -world, and after its contents had been made public there was silence -for several days. What those days of waiting were to Nadia it is -impossible to describe. As is always the case when no authoritative -news can be obtained, the most sensational rumours were rife—all, of -course, founded on “private messages of undoubted trustworthiness,” or -on the utterances of “a person who was better acquainted with the east -of Europe than any other man living.” The purveyors of news of this -description were largely concerned with the fate of Caerleon, and his -supposed adventures formed the universal subject of conversation in -Valetta society. There was not an Englishman in the island that did -not admire the way in which he had stuck to his kingdom, although -there were some who objected to his having gone to Thracia at all, and -many were the conjectures, each backed by the authority of some -newspaper statement or other, as to what had become of him. He had -yielded to the demands of the rebels without striking a blow; he had -refused to abdicate until a pistol was held to his head; he had -offered such a strenuous resistance that he had been vanquished only -when severely wounded; he was now imprisoned in one of the underground -galleries of the Bellaviste fortifications; he had entered the service -of King Peter; he had disappeared mysteriously; he had blown out his -brains; he had been murdered;—the variety and mutual inconsistency of -the rumours bore reliable testimony to one point only, the -impenetrable mystery that shrouded his fate. It seemed certain that he -was not at large, or why was he making no effort to regain his throne? -but it seemed certain also that the victory of the insurgents had not -been so complete as was at first reported, or why did they not send -for King Peter? -</p> - -<p> -That easy-going gentleman was still at Nice, apparently caring very -little whether he was restored to his kingdom or not, and professing -to have no more certain knowledge than any one else whether Thracia -was in a state of civil war or had submitted calmly to the new order -of things. Meanwhile the Thracian border was beset by hordes of eager -journalists, each man anxious to obtain for his own paper the first -authentic news, and all alike refused an entrance into the kingdom. -One or two, more enterprising than their fellows, succeeded in -crossing the frontier at some unguarded point; but they were detected -and seized before they had got a mile nearer the capital, and after a -few hours’ detention in a police-station to cool their ardour, were -escorted over the border again without gaining any information beyond -a further addition to the stock of rumours. -</p> - -<p> -At last a definite piece of news made its way to the frontier, and -remained uncontradicted. M. Drakovics, still strong in the possession -of office, was at Tatarjé, and was engaged in conference with the -envoy from Roum, while negotiations were being carried on with the -various Powers. The next day the embargo on special correspondents was -removed, and the long-tried newspaper men rushed across the frontier, -and raced one another to Bellaviste. The ‘Empire City Crier’ only -missed gaining the earliest details through an unfortunate accident -which befell the cart in which its representative was being conveyed -at break-neck speed across country; but as it was, the correspondent -of the ‘Fleet Street’ took the first place, with the unconquerable Mr -Hicks as a good second. After them came the representatives of -numberless other journals, and Europe was speedily deluged with full, -true, and particular accounts of the origin, progress, and extinction -of the revolt. -</p> - -<p> -The news reached Malta in time for publication in the morning papers. -Ever since the first tidings of the outbreak had arrived, the Princess -and Nadia had heard nothing discussed, whether in public or in -private, but the “Thracian business,” with all the gruesome details -which the hopes or fears or imaginations of different people had -grafted on to the truth. The long uncertainty had made the girl sick -with fear. She was almost driven to feel that it would have been less -painful to hear once for all that Caerleon was dead than to have -absolutely no idea as to what had become of him. On this particular -morning she was crouching in one of the windows of the great bare -drawing-room, afraid to go out lest she should hear the question of -Caerleon’s fate discussed once again, but knowing that she could not -refrain from listening to the conjectures which tormented her, when -the Princess was summoned to an interview with Captain Binks. -Breakfast was only just over; but the autocrat of the Anna Karénina -resembled time and tide in that he waited for no man, and he wanted -the Princess’s authority for some item of the repairs to the yacht. -The formality, which was naturally of a purely ceremonial character, -having been gone through, Captain Binks was about to depart, when the -Princess caught sight of a newspaper sticking out of his pocket. -</p> - -<p> -“Is that to-day’s paper?” she asked, moved by a sudden impulse of -alarm for which there appeared no special reason. -</p> - -<p> -“Yes, your Highness. Sad business this about Thracia. I wish I had the -men that murdered that poor fellow aboard of my ship. There would be -no yard-arms to let when I’d done with ’em.” -</p> - -<p> -“Murdered?” said the Princess, with sinking heart. “Please let me -see.” -</p> - -<p> -Captain Binks smoothed out the crumpled sheet and handed it to her, -and she read the account, telegraphed in the first instance from -Bellaviste to London, over a hastily repaired wire, by the -correspondent of the ‘Fleet Street,’ of the recapture of the city, of -Louis O’Malachy’s confession, and of Prince Otto Georg’s election to -the vacant throne. As she read it she resolved instantly that Nadia -should hear nothing of the news until the report was confirmed. -</p> - -<p> -“Thank you, my good captain,” she said, handing the paper back to its -owner. “It is indeed terrible! Will you have the goodness to send -Alessandro to me as you go out?” -</p> - -<p> -Captain Binks departed, somewhat disappointed by the indifference with -which the Princess had received the news, and which he attributed to -the fact of her being a foreigner, and she hastily laid her plans -while waiting for the courier to appear. The account in the newspaper -had mentioned the presence of Mr Hicks in Bellaviste, apropos of the -accident which had delayed his arrival there, and the Princess had a -certain amount of acquaintance with Mr Hicks. He had been sent on a -journalistic mission to Scythia some time ago, charged to ascertain -the real facts as to the persecution of the Evangelicals, rumours of -which had reached America, and he had gone to the fountainhead, and -had interviewed Count Wratisloff and herself. When Alessandro entered -the room she directed him to procure a carriage for the whole day, and -intrusted him also with a telegram to be despatched immediately, -addressed to Mr Hicks at Bellaviste, and inquiring whether the reports -which had reached Malta of recent events in Thracia were trustworthy. -Alessandro was relieved of his usual duty of accompanying the -carriage, and ordered to wait at the house and bring the return -telegram to his mistress as soon as it arrived. Having made these -arrangements, the Princess went in search of Nadia, whom she found -still curled up on the stone window-seat. -</p> - -<p> -“I have ordered the carriage to take us to Il Boschetto this morning, -my child,” she said, briskly. “We will spend the day there, and come -back in the evening. It will be a pleasant change, and you will like -to see the orange-groves.” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes, Marraine,” assented Nadia, without showing much interest in the -prospect. “I suppose there is not likely to be any news before we get -back—genuine news, I mean?” -</p> - -<p> -“If there is, it shall be brought out to us,” said the Princess. “You -may be sure of that, dear child.” -</p> - -<p> -Somewhat comforted, Nadia went to her room to prepare for the drive; -but her godmother did not breathe freely until they were safely -outside the gates of the city and well on their way. At any moment, -while they were in the house, some acquaintance might come in, and -enter upon the one absorbing topic of conversation. But it was too -early as yet for most of the Valetta ladies to be out, while the -gentlemen were still busy in office or orderly-room, and all was safe -when once the white city on its steep hill had been left behind, and -the long country drive begun. Bare little fields with stone walls -enclosing them, without a tree or a bush to break the monotony, -interspersed with small houses like square stone boxes, windowless and -chimneyless, lay on either side of the road. After driving some -distance, they came in sight of Città Vecchia. Here there is a grotto -which is said to have been at one time the abode of St Paul; but the -Princess thought that its genuineness was too problematical for it to -call for a visit, and the city was left on one side, in spite of the -remonstrances of the driver of the carriage. -</p> - -<p> -Il Boschetto was reached after a further drive—a pleasant oasis of -gardens and orange-groves in the midst of the surrounding desolation, -and the northern eyes of the Princess and Nadia rejoiced in the -luxuriant greenness. The place was a favourite one for picnics; but it -happened that there were no other visitors that day, and they had the -gardens to themselves. After lunch the Princess suggested a rest in -the shade; but Nadia could not sit still, and preferred to walk on by -herself and obtain a view of the sea from a hill near at hand. She had -been gone some time, and the Princess was becoming a little drowsy, -when the sound of footsteps roused her to full consciousness, and she -saw Alessandro coming towards her with a telegram in his hand. Taking -it from him, she turned back among the trees and tore it open:— -</p> - -<div class="letter"> - -<p> -“Too true that King Carlino was murdered at outbreak of revolt. Prince -Otto Georg of Schwarzwald-Molzau is to be crowned King to-day.” -</p> - -</div> - -<p> -“This poor Carlino!” broke from the Princess. “And my poor child! how -shall I tell her?” -</p> - -<p> -“Marraine,” said the panting voice of Nadia behind her, “wasn’t that -Alessandro I saw from the hill-top just now? It looked like him, and -he seemed to be coming here. Did he bring any news?” -</p> - -<p> -The Princess turned quickly, guilty and tongue-tied, crumpling the -telegram in her hand. Nadia caught sight of it, and knew at once what -it was. -</p> - -<p> -“Marraine, you have had news of Carlino!” she cried, snatching the -paper from her godmother’s reluctant hand and reading it. The moment -that the words had met her eyes she dropped it with a groan. -</p> - -<p> -“He is dead, and I have killed him!” she cried. -</p> - -<p> -“Killed him? But you did not kill him, my child,” said the Princess. -</p> - -<p> -“Yes, I did; I urged him to accept the crown, I wouldn’t let him -abdicate when he wished to do it. I made him stay in Thracia, and I -have killed him. It is my doing.” -</p> - -<p> -“It is God’s will, dear child. You may have been the instrument——” -</p> - -<p> -“I was,” said Nadia, in the same hard voice. “You told me that I had -been doing wrong the night I came to Pavelsburg, and now this has -happened to make me sure of it. It is all through me. Don’t speak to -me, Marraine. No doubt it is well that I should see what harm my -wanting my own way can do. But why should he be punished for what was -my fault?” -</p> - -<p> -She stood looking away through the trees with stony eyes that saw -nothing, and the Princess laid her hand on her arm and guided her -gently back to the carriage. When they reached it, Alessandro came -bustling up to express a hope that the telegram had not contained any -bad news, but Nadia neither saw nor heard him. As they left the -gardens behind them, she sat looking out over the arid landscape, -refusing to listen to the Princess’s attempts to comfort her. -</p> - -<p> -“Please don’t speak to me just now, Marraine. Let me get used to the -thought,” she said at last, and her godmother desisted with a sigh -from her well-meant efforts. They had passed Città Vecchia before the -Princess spoke again; and this time she did not address Nadia, but -seeing two weary-looking men toiling along the road a short distance -in front of the carriage, she called to Alessandro, who was riding -behind— -</p> - -<p> -“Tell the driver to stop when we come up to those men, Alessandro. -They look tired, and we might drive them into Valetta.” -</p> - -<p> -Alessandro obeyed in silence, for he was becoming accustomed to his -mistress’s eccentricities, but with a slight grimace. -</p> - -<p> -“Vill your ’ighness zat I speak to zem?” he asked, as the carriage -stopped. -</p> - -<p> -“No,” said the Princess, “I will invite them myself. This one does not -look like a Maltese. I will try him in English. My poor man, I fear -you are in some distress. Can we help you in any way?” -</p> - -<p> -The second wayfarer, a Maltese peasant in the ordinary dusty cotton -clothes and Phrygian cap, stared in surprise and utter lack of -comprehension at the lady; but the one whom the Princess had addressed -came forward respectfully, touching the place where the brim of his -hat would naturally have been, if he had worn one. He was an -undersized, light-haired man, haggard and unshaven, and clad in what -looked like the tattered remains of a suit of livery of some kind. -</p> - -<p> -“I’m sure you’re very good, ma’am,” he said. “If you would be so kind -as tell me the word for ‘doctor’ in this chap’s lingo, and ’ow to find -one in the town yonder when we gets to it, me and my master would be -no end obliged to you.” -</p> - -<p> -“Your master is ill—hurt?” asked the Princess. “You have been -shipwrecked with him, perhaps?” -</p> - -<p> -“No, ma’am; we ain’t been shipwrecked,” returned the man, politely but -repressively. “I ’ope as you’ll excuse me sayin’ any more, for my -master is a very well-known gentleman; but bein’ in difficulties just -now, so to speak, ’e tell me not to mention ’is name. But we want a -doctor badly, and as we couldn’t make out these fellers, nor them us, -’is Maj—— I mean my master, said as me and this chap ’ad better go -on to the town there, and see where we was. We’ve tried ’em in English -and in French and in Thracian——” he broke off suddenly, and stared -at Nadia, whose attention had been caught by the last word, and who -had turned and was regarding him fixedly. -</p> - -<p> -“It is you, is it, Wright?” she said, with listless indifference. -“Then you forsook him too?” -</p> - -<p> -“Me forsook ’is Majesty, miss?” cried Wright, much injured. “Not until -’e tell me to. Would you ’ave me say, ‘Go yourself,’ when ’e sent me -for the doctor?” -</p> - -<p> -“<i>He sent you</i>?” Nadia almost screamed. “When? Where?” -</p> - -<p> -“About ’alf a hour ago, miss; from this chap’s farm’ouse over there.” -</p> - -<p> -“Then he is alive? They didn’t kill him? Tell me quickly, or I shall -go mad. He is there, you say?” -</p> - -<p> -“Why, yes, miss,” said Wright, stolidly, trying to disentangle the -sheaf of questions which Nadia poured upon him in her agitation. “’E’s -there, of course—leastways, I left ’im there, and it stands to reason -as ’e ain’t dead.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, Marraine!” sobbed Nadia, burying her face on the Princess’s -shoulder, “do you hear? He’s alive, he’s alive!” -</p> - -<p> -“Compose yourself, my child,” said the Princess, although Wright’s -wooden face showed no sign of his having observed the girl’s -excitement. “Who is this worthy man? Tell me.” -</p> - -<p> -“He is the King’s groom, the man who brought me to meet Marie -Karlovna. Oh, Marraine, he isn’t dead!” -</p> - -<p> -“My good man,” said the Princess, abandoning the attempt to reduce -Nadia to reason, and addressing Wright, “get into the carriage, and we -will return to find your master, and drive him to Valetta.” -</p> - -<p> -“Not with you, ma’am,” said Wright, in horror. “It ain’t my place at -no time, and now——” he looked at his disreputable clothes with -disgust. “If I might ride on the box this little way, and get down -before comin’ into the town, so as not to disgrace you——” -</p> - -<p> -“Your companion will sit on the box, and show the driver the way to -his farm,” said the Princess. “Tell him so, Alessandro. Now, my good -man, if you wish to be of assistance to your master, you will do as I -tell you.” -</p> - -<p> -Thus adjured, Wright obeyed in much confusion, and took the seat -opposite the Princess, making himself as small as possible, and with -great delicacy keeping his face turned from Nadia, who was leaning -back in her place, holding her parasol so as to shield her from -observation, and crying quietly for joy. -</p> - -<p> -“Now tell me,” said the Princess, when the carriage had turned and -they were driving in the direction of the farm, “is it the King who is -ill?” -</p> - -<p> -“No, ma’am; it’s ’is brother, Prince Cyril. ’E’s always been sickly, -and me and ’is Majesty think as the cold ’as got to ’is chest. ’E was -moanin’ awful when I come away.” -</p> - -<p> -“Poor boy!” said the Princess. “And what did the King propose to do -when he reached the town?” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t rightly know, ma’am, seein’ as ’e’s precious ’ard up. We -didn’t ’ave no money with us when we was took, except a copper or two -as I ’ad in my pockets, and ’is Majesty ain’t quite sure what ’e can -lay ’is ’and on ’ere. You see, the British Government, they didn’t -like ’is takin’ the kingdom on, and ’e don’t know that ’e mightn’t be -took up if ’e showed ’imself. That’s why I didn’t tell you ’is name -until I see Miss O’Malachy.” -</p> - -<p> -“I see,” said the Princess, beckoning to Alessandro, who rode up, and -received his mistress’s orders to return to Valetta and prepare some -of the unused rooms at her lodgings, and to secure the services of a -doctor, all without making any fuss, or saying who the new visitors -were. He departed at once, and the Princess began to inquire into -Cyril’s symptoms, a subject which lasted Wright until the carriage -arrived at the farm. The peasant descended from the box and led the -way into the little courtyard with its high stone walls and one tree, -while two or three women and a number of children peered shyly at the -ladies from the shelter of the outbuildings. Wright went straight into -the house, and with an innate dramatic instinct, the existence of -which had hitherto been unsuspected in him, announced merely— -</p> - -<p> -“There’s two ladies ’ere, your Majesty, with a carriage, as will be -pleased to give you and ’is ’ighness a lift into the city.” -</p> - -<p> -“Ladies!” Nadia heard Caerleon remark, in tones of dismay; but -catching sight of their shadows behind Wright, he took his courage in -both hands and came towards them. There is a popular superstition, -which is an article of faith with some people, that a gentleman looks -like a gentleman under any circumstances. Perhaps Caerleon was the -exception which is said to prove the rule—at any rate, wearing -neither coat nor waistcoat, and not having had the opportunity of -washing or shaving for several days, he presented the appearance of an -unusually powerful ruffian with whom trade had not prospered of late. -</p> - -<p> -“I am most grateful for your kindness,” he said, coming to the door -and bowing to the Princess; “but I could not think of trespassing upon -it by accepting your offer. The fact is, we are not exactly in trim -for ladies’—— Nadia!” he seized her hand in both his, and stood -gazing at her, forgetful alike of the Princess and of what he had been -saying, until Nadia, feeling herself growing crimson under the look in -his eyes, drew her hand away and retreated behind the Princess. -</p> - -<p> -“My child, you are acquainted with this gentleman, I think?” murmured -her godmother reprovingly; and Nadia came forward again for an instant -and said in confusion— -</p> - -<p> -“The King of Thracia—Princess Soudaroff,” and retired in greater -confusion still, feeling that it was indeed the most unkindest cut of -all that she should be the first to remind him of his altered estate, -by presenting him to the Princess instead of the Princess to him. But -her godmother was already crossing the room towards Cyril, who was -lying moaning and only half-conscious on a bed of maize-leaves in a -corner. -</p> - -<p> -“I am afraid he is very ill,” said the Princess aside to Caerleon, -“and he certainly cannot be nursed here. We must take him to Valetta -in my carriage immediately, and there is a room in my lodgings where -he can be well looked after, and you will be safe at the same time.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, really,” began Caerleon, “I don’t know how to thank you enough; -but I can’t saddle you with all the bother of an invalid in this way.” -</p> - -<p> -“Of course not,” said the Princess; “I saddle myself with him. I have -the room, and he needs it. Besides, you are friends of my dear -child’s, so that I cannot count you as strangers, though I hope I -should do the same if you were.” -</p> - -<p> -“I have seen my godmother bring home a dying beggar from the roadside, -in a most dreadful state, and have him nursed and cared for,” said -Nadia, reassuringly. The comparison suggested was not a particularly -happy one; but her intention was so kind that Caerleon felt ashamed of -the twinkle in his eye as he glanced at her, and hoped she had not -seen it. -</p> - -<p> -“See,” said the Princess, “we will get into the carriage, and you and -your servant shall carry your brother to it. Then we will make room -for you too, and the groom shall go on the box. Stay,” and she drew -him aside and put her purse into his hand, “you will wish to reward -these honest people who have given you shelter, and you can repay me -afterwards, when you have been able to make arrangements.” -</p> - -<p> -“You are too good, Princess,” said Caerleon, gratefully; and he -remunerated the farmer and his family for their kindness in a way that -left them calling down blessings on his head. Then he and Wright -carried Cyril to the carriage, where the Princess and Nadia had been -arranging the cushions as comfortably as they could for him, and when -he had been propped up safely, they were able to leave the farm on the -way back to Valetta. There was little opportunity for conversation -during the drive, for Cyril was restless and uneasy, and turned -continually from Nadia to his brother in weary bewilderment, relapsing -now and then into moaning unconsciousness, so that every one was glad -when the city was reached. It was now dusk, and the friendly twilight -prevented the Princess’s strange companions from being noticed in -their passage through the streets and their entrance into the house. -Alessandro had done his work well. The doctor was in attendance, and -Cyril was speedily relegated to a comfortable bed, and delivered over -to the care of an elderly woman, the widow of a martyred Bibelist, -whom the Princess had brought with her on her travels as Nadia’s maid. -The doctor said that cold and exposure had brought on an attack of -pleurisy, but he hoped that it might not prove very serious; and -Caerleon, much relieved by the verdict, gave himself up to the tender -mercies of Alessandro, who provided suitable clothes in a marvellous -manner, and sent him down in proper trim, an hour later, to dine with -the ladies. He was warmly welcomed by the Princess, who had found all -her kindness of heart necessary hitherto to help her to conceal the -dismay she had felt at his appearance, and who positively beamed upon -the transformation effected by Alessandro. -</p> - - -<h3 id="ch23"> -CHAPTER XXIII.<br/> -<span class="chap_sub">UNDER WHICH KING?</span> -</h3> - -<p class="noindent"> -“<span class="sc">Your</span> Majesty will relate to us your adventures?” said the Princess, -when they were seated at table. “At present we know only that the -insurgents declared most solemnly that they had killed you, and that -we find you are here in Malta several days after your supposed death.” -</p> - -<p> -“I can’t at all understand that confession myself,” said Caerleon, -smiling, “for the men who made it had the best possible means of -knowing what had really happened to us. Well, to go back to the -beginning of everything, it seems, from what my brother has since told -me, that he and Drakovics had some idea that an attempt would be made -on my life at the coronation, which was to take place to-day—or -yesterday—or was it the day before?—I am in a state of utter -confusion now as to the day of the week. I suppose the rumour was a -mere blind, intended to distract our attention from the real plot. At -any rate, rather less than a week ago, Wright woke us in the middle of -the night, and told us there was not a sentry to be seen about the -place, and that the servants had all disappeared. We got up and looked -for our revolvers, but they had been tampered with, and the only -weapons we could find were the wretched Brummagem swords we wear in -full dress. We started out along the corridor with these in our hands, -but it wasn’t until we came to the landing that we caught sight of the -enemy. Then we had a fight on the stair-way, like old Umslopogaas, and -we were led forcibly to the conclusion that a Zulu battle-axe was a -more satisfactory weapon than a tailor-made sword. Still, with General -Sertchaieff’s sword, which Wright got hold of for me, I think we might -have managed to hold our own, if they hadn’t come upon us from behind -and knocked us down the stairs. Then they tied us up with -curtain-ropes, and wanted me to sign a deed of abdication, but I -wouldn’t do it.” -</p> - -<p> -“I am sure you would not!” cried Nadia, with flashing eyes. “Did they -threaten to kill you?” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, the atmosphere was rather threatening, certainly, and they were -kind enough to warn us that our fate was in our own hands, and that -sort of thing. Then they took us down to the river, and on board a -steamer, and there, I don’t mind telling you, I did think that our -last hour was come. They blindfolded us, and I made sure we were to be -shot at once; but then they began to drag us along the deck, and I -thought they must be going to make us walk the plank, that there might -be no signs of violence visible on our bodies. I know it crossed my -mind even then that they must have a robust faith in human nature if -they believed that three bound and blindfolded corpses would be -imagined to have got into the river by accident. At last I felt them -give me a good push forwards, but instead of falling overboard I found -myself on my hands and knees in a cabin. The next moment my brother -and Wright were flung in on top of me, and the door was locked. I -believe they never really meant to kill us after all, only to frighten -us into begging for mercy, or something of the kind; but if that was -the case, they were disappointed. Before we had picked ourselves up we -heard the men who had brought us on board putting off again in the -boat, and the steamer started immediately. They must have been getting -up steam beforehand in readiness for our arrival. We set to work at -once to try and free ourselves, and as our hands were tied in front of -us, we managed to do it after a time. Wright succeeded first, and he -helped us. Then we got off the handkerchiefs which were tied over our -eyes, but the place was quite dark. We felt all round and about it, -and made up our minds that we must be in some sort of deck-cabin, but -there were no windows, only wooden shutters. There was no furniture, -nothing but a heap of old tarpaulins, and it was frightfully cold, for -the snow was on the ground when we started. Cyril hadn’t got a proper -coat on, merely a smoking-jacket, and he began to shiver horribly. I -had no coat either, but Wright gave him his, and we took turns in -walking about so as to keep warm, and covering ourselves as best we -could with the tarpaulin. If you asked me how long we stayed in that -place, I should say about six hundred years, but I suppose it can’t -have been more than six days,—or was it only five? A grinning -Scythian rascal with a lantern opened the door and poked us in some -ship’s biscuit and water several times during our voyage. I really -never knew before how old and stale ship’s biscuit could be. We tried -to induce the fellow to bring us some better food for Cyril and a -blanket or two; but we had no money with us, and he demanded cash -down, and exhibited a holy horror of dealing on credit. Cyril got -worse and worse, and we couldn’t do anything for him. We gave him all -the tarpaulin to keep him warm, but it was wretched stiff stuff, and -wouldn’t cover him properly. At first he was able to talk sensibly to -us, and to try to appeal to the jailer’s better nature in Scythian, -but as time went on he became half-delirious, and we could see that he -was suffering horribly. We banged at the door and did everything we -could devise to attract attention, and we promised the jailer -unheard-of sums if he would bring the captain or some one in authority -to speak to us, but he only laughed. All this time we could tell that -the ship was moving, but happily there was not much sea on. At last, -this morning, she stopped suddenly, and as far as we could make out, a -boat came on board, and then put off again. Whether this was an order -for some change in our destination I don’t know, but not very long -afterwards they called to us to come out of the cabin. Wright and I -dragged Cyril up, and helped him out into a sort of passage-place, -where the light dazzled us, for we had seen nothing but the jailer’s -lantern since we had been on board. Before we could look round or -manage to see who was there, we were blindfolded again and our hands -tied, and we were taken down the ship’s side into a boat. We were -rowed some way until we felt the keel grate on some sort of shore, and -then they hauled us out and dumped us down upon the sand, and we heard -them rowing away again. Our hands were tied behind us this time, so -that it was a long while before we could get them free, and when we -got our eyes uncovered, the ship was steaming away from us right out -at sea, almost out of sight. There we were stranded, on a desert -island for all we knew, with poor old Cyril gabbling away in all sorts -of languages, and quite off his head. We drew him under the shadow of -the cliff, and Wright went a little way along the beach to look for a -path. He found a place where there was a gap in the cliffs, and went -up it a short distance, and then came back and told me that he could -see houses a good way off. We lifted poor Cyril between us, and -carried him up through the gap and along a little field-path to the -house where you found us. There were only the women and children at -home, and they couldn’t understand us, nor we them; but they were very -kind to us, and gave us food and made up a bed of leaves for Cyril. -Then when the farmer came back from work, we had another try at making -ourselves understood; but it was no good, and we couldn’t even get him -to tell us slowly where we were. He talked so fast, and said so much, -that though I had an idea that he mentioned Valetta, I couldn’t be -sure of it. However, I thought it was very likely that they had -brought us to Malta as the nearest piece of British territory to -Thracia, so Wright and I agreed that he had better get the farmer to -take him to the town we could see in the distance, and look about for -some good Samaritan who could speak English, and might be able to -guide him to a doctor. But I never hoped to fall in with two such good -Samaritans as those who brought him back.” -</p> - -<p> -“Hush!” said the Princess, “let us have no compliments, please. To -have been the means of helping fellow-creatures in distress is enough -for me, and if it is not enough for Mdlle. O’Malachy, she may say so -for herself. But tell me—do you seriously consider that you are in -danger here?” -</p> - -<p> -“I haven’t an idea,” said Caerleon. “The English Government has never -recognised me as King of Thracia, and therefore it has no right to -consider me as anything but a private person; but there might be some -official who would prefer security to logic, and put me in prison just -to prevent any risk of accidents. I must telegraph to Drakovics -to-morrow, and see how things stand, and after I have heard from him I -shall know better what to do.” -</p> - -<p> -“Quite so,” said the Princess. “You are aware that the Thracians, -believing you to be dead, have chosen one of the Schwarzwald-Molzau -princes as their king?” -</p> - -<p> -“I know—Prince Otto Georg, a very good fellow; he was staying with me -at Bellaviste before I—well, left. I have no wish whatever to -interfere with his election,—though no doubt it will be an awful sell -for him when he hears that I am alive after all.” -</p> - -<p> -“I doubt whether you could interfere even if you were anxious to do -so,” said the Princess. “We heard that he was to be crowned to-day, -and it is possible that his coronation might bar any claim on your -part.” -</p> - -<p> -“I shan’t be sorry,” said Caerleon. “It seems to me that this would -end a very difficult situation in a very desirable way. It certainly -looks as though my captors were of your opinion. If that boat this -morning brought the news of Otto Georg’s coronation to the men who had -me in charge, it appears that they considered me no longer dangerous. -Otherwise they might have marooned us somewhere along the North -African coast, where there would have been very little chance of our -ever turning up again to trouble them, or if they were particular -about British territory, they could have found one or two rather nasty -places on the shores of Cyprus.” -</p> - -<p> -“But you are the King still,” said Nadia, with fierce eagerness. -</p> - -<p> -“I really don’t know, and I can’t say that I care very much if I am -not. It has not been such a delightful post as to make me want to turn -the other man out of it if he likes it. And if I am not king I must -surely be a very harmless individual, who might safely be left in -peace.” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes,” said the Princess, “and yet it might be supposed that you had -come here for the purpose of setting on foot a plot for your own -restoration. I will tell you what I will do. We have not yet attended -one of the Governor’s receptions, but I brought with me a letter of -introduction to him, and I will deliver it to-morrow morning. I will -represent your situation to him in his private capacity, and if as -Governor he considers it his duty to arrest you, he will give me some -hint of his intention, and you shall take refuge on board the Anna -Karénina, and leave the port. Under the Scythian flag you will be -safe.” -</p> - -<p> -“This is the irony of fate,” said Caerleon. “Scythia has turned me out -of Thracia, and now she is to protect me against the lawful -authorities of my own country.” -</p> - -<p> -“Then you believe that the plot against you was of Scythian origin?” -asked the Princess. Caerleon reflected for a moment before answering. -</p> - -<p> -“I do not think that there were any Scythians among the actual -plotters,” he said; “but I feel pretty sure that they would never have -entered into the conspiracy if they had not felt sure of Scythia’s -support in case of success, and her sympathy if they failed. I think -it’s quite possible, too, that she strained a point in granting the -exiles permission first to settle in her territory, and then to leave -it.” -</p> - -<p> -“But who were the leaders of the conspiracy?” asked Nadia, suddenly. -</p> - -<p> -“Well, I saw most of General Sertchaieff; but I hear that his brother, -the former Premier, was in it too.” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes, I saw their names; but that is not what I mean. Was my brother -there?” -</p> - -<p> -“There were a good many of them altogether,” said Caerleon, evasively. -</p> - -<p> -“Was Louis there?” she persisted. -</p> - -<p> -“Well—yes, he was,” admitted Caerleon. -</p> - -<p> -“You need not be afraid of hurting my feelings,” said Nadia, her eyes -gleaming ominously. “He has no special tenderness for me—he would -have shot me once if another man had not knocked his hand up just in -time, so don’t try to spare him.” -</p> - -<p> -“My child,” said the Princess, “do not say what you may afterwards -regret. Your unhappy brother is dead.” -</p> - -<p> -“Dead?” said Nadia, awed. “Was he killed in the fighting?” -</p> - -<p> -“No,” said the Princess, “afterwards. Do you wish to leave us, my -child? His Majesty will be so kind as to excuse you,” and Nadia rose -and left the room. -</p> - -<p> -“What became of Louis O’Malachy?” asked Caerleon, returning to his -place after opening the door for her. “All that I know about the -outbreak is what I heard from your man just now, and he did not -mention his name.” -</p> - -<p> -“He was to be shot this morning with General Sertchaieff and others -among the rebels who had belonged to the army,” said the Princess. -</p> - -<p> -“I can’t say that I don’t think his fate was well deserved,” said -Caerleon, hotly. “When I remember the way in which that fellow -deceived us all—pretending that he had given up his commission in the -Scythian army for the sake of throwing in his lot with Thracia, and -how he took the oaths to me, and received the pay of our Government -while all the time he was plotting against it—I feel as though -shooting was too good for him. But that’s not all,” he rose from his -seat and began to walk up and down the room. “As Miss O’Malachy says, -when she came to Bellaviste to warn me that her father meant to murder -me, he actually fired at her—would have killed her rather than allow -her to betray his secret. There are some things one feels it very hard -to forgive a man, though he is dead.” -</p> - -<p> -“It is cases of this kind,” said the Princess, with apparent -irrelevance, “that make one wish that Scripture and reason allowed us -to believe in the efficacy of prayers for the dead.” -</p> - -<p> -“It is, indeed,” Caerleon assented heartily, although wondering a -little at the turn the conversation was taking. But when the Princess -spoke next, she had changed the subject again. -</p> - -<p> -“My poor Nadia is very much alone in the world,” she remarked. “Now -that her father has cast her off, she has really no relations left.” -</p> - -<p> -“Is the O’Malachy acting the Roman father?” asked Caerleon. “I was -surprised that he took no part in the rebellion.” -</p> - -<p> -“He has been laid up with a bad attack of gout at a little town in -Scythian Sarmatia,” said the Princess, “and no doubt his illness has -saved his life. He must have heard from his son the reason for the -failure of the plot which you mention, for Nadia has received a long -letter from him, containing the promise of his dying curse, and -declaring that from thenceforward she was no daughter of his.” -</p> - -<p> -“She could have worse spared a better father,” said Caerleon. -</p> - -<p> -The Princess smiled. “That is exactly my idea. No doubt it is selfish -of me, but I cannot but rejoice that Colonel O’Malachy has cast her -off so unequivocally. When she came to me first, as a little child, I -was always afraid that a day would come when her parents would claim -her again, and, as you know, they did.” -</p> - -<p> -“And I’m afraid that I can’t say I’m sorry for it,” said Caerleon. “It -was to my advantage, you see, for if Miss O’Malachy had remained in -Scythia with your Highness, I might never have met her—nor yourself, -madame,” he added, hastily. -</p> - -<p> -“I did not know that Englishmen were so fond of paying compliments,” -said the Princess, looking surprised. “However, as I was about to -remark, it is a great happiness to me to know that my god-daughter is -altogether mine from henceforth.” -</p> - -<p> -“I—I’m afraid you don’t quite understand what I wanted to say,” said -Caerleon, desperately. “I don’t know whether she has told you, but it -doesn’t seem right for me to be staying in your house without your -knowing it—I mean that I have twice asked Miss O’Malachy to marry -me.” -</p> - -<p> -“You are candid,” said the Princess, smiling. “Nadia has told me of -your obliging offer, I assure you. May I ask whether this plain -speaking is intended as a prelude to a third proposal?” -</p> - -<p> -“I wish it might be! But that must depend upon circumstances.” -</p> - -<p> -“I see. Your Majesty is a prudent lover.” -</p> - -<p> -“But you don’t see what I mean,” persisted Caerleon. “I can’t be -certain until I know whether I am still King of Thracia or not.” -</p> - -<p> -“Then you consider that Nadia is good enough to be your wife, but not -to be your queen?” -</p> - -<p> -“I think she is fit for any throne on earth,” said Caerleon, -indignantly. “Your Highness seems determined to misunderstand me. It -is not my fault that Nadia—I beg your pardon, Miss O’Malachy—is not -Queen of Thracia at this moment; but she would not have me when I was -King, and yet she wouldn’t allow me to abdicate. She put me on my -honour to stay in Thracia until I was turned out, and refused to have -anything to say to me as long as I stayed there. Of course I see the -difficulties in the way. Her Scythian blood, and her name, would make -the people detest the marriage at first, even now, especially after -what has just happened, and Drakovics would oppose it violently, and -he is capable of a good deal. But time works wonders, and if she would -have given me a grain of hope, I would have waited any number of -years; but she wouldn’t, and therefore your Highness can’t wonder that -I shall be glad if Prince Otto Georg is left in peaceable possession -of the throne.” -</p> - -<p> -“This is a declaration of war, then? If you find yourself once more a -private individual, you will again ask Nadia to marry you, and do your -best to deprive me of my child?” -</p> - -<p> -“Like a shot,” returned Caerleon, promptly. “I am sorry if you think I -am ungrateful, but I thought it only fair to tell you the state of the -case.” -</p> - -<p> -“You are right. I prefer an open enemy. Now, I can see that all your -fatigues and anxieties have left you very tired, and no wonder. Don’t -let me keep you up if you would rather go to your room at once. I hope -the servants have made you comfortable?” -</p> - -<p> -“Perfectly, thank you. But I am going to sit up and look after my -brother.” -</p> - -<p> -“Are you?” asked the Princess. “I think not. I lay my commands upon -you to leave him to-night to my care and Tatiana’s, while you take a -good rest. If you wish to please me (and you know that I am a very -important person to please if you want to marry Nadia) you will do as -I tell you.” -</p> - -<p> -“How can I thank you for all your kindness?” asked Caerleon, -gratefully, but she stopped him at once. -</p> - -<p> -“By saying nothing about it. Good night.” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t think she is really as angry with me for wanting to marry -Nadia as she seemed to be just now,” was Caerleon’s reflection as he -kissed her hand, while the Princess was congratulating herself that -she had at least shown him plainly that he need not contemplate -marrying Nadia out of pity, nor imagine that she had no friends. -</p> - -<p> -<br/> -</p> - -<p> -The next day opened brightly for the fugitives from Thracia. In the -first place, Tatiana announced that she thought Cyril seemed a shade -better. Next, Wright won a victory which filled his soul with delight. -Entering his master’s dressing-room before he was up, he discovered -Alessandro and an aiding and abetting boy engaged in putting out the -clothes which they had procured for Caerleon to wear. In the present -state of affairs, Wright looked upon this duty as his own, and after -the employment of much broken English and many Italian gestures on the -side of the two foreigners, and much silent contempt on his part, he -ousted his rivals and remained master of the situation. Lastly, the -Princess interviewed the Governor at an absurdly early hour, and found -him in a most reasonable frame of mind. Truth to tell, when his -Excellency heard that Princess Soudaroff wished to see him on urgent -private business, his thoughts flew immediately to Captain Binks, -whose tyranny, owing to his own boastful spirit, had become a joke in -the town. As a man of honour, the Governor was rejoiced to welcome the -opportunity of delivering this harmless and excellent foreign lady -from her oppressor, and accorded her an interview at once. His -amazement, when he found that she had come to inquire his opinion as -to the personality of the reigning King of Thracia, and not to ask his -advice as to the best way in which to get rid of the captain of her -yacht, was extreme, but he was quite ready to help her. He had not a -doubt that Prince Otto Georg would immediately be recognised as King -by the Powers, and in that case Caerleon could probably count on being -left unmolested, unless he took to devising plots against the new -<i>régime</i> in Thracia. At any rate, if orders for his arrest should be -sent from England, his Excellency would contrive that the Princess -should hear of the mandate by a side wind before it could be carried -out. -</p> - -<p> -This was the news which the Princess imparted to Caerleon when he -appeared, much ashamed of having overslept himself, at the late -breakfast. The intelligence, following on his conversation with her -the night before, served to raise his spirits considerably, and he -went so far as to chaff her gently on the subject of the exactions of -Captain Binks, of which he had heard from Wright, much to her -amusement, while Nadia listened in silence, pleased at his -cheerfulness, but still puzzled by it. After breakfast, nothing would -satisfy him but to go out at once and despatch his telegrams to King -Otto Georg and M. Drakovics. He felt himself a free man once more, but -he was feverishly anxious to have the charter of his liberty signed -and sealed. It was only as he enjoyed the unwonted sensation of -filling in the telegraph-forms that he realised what a relief it was -not to find himself waylaid during his walk to the post-office by -half-a-dozen broken-hearted officials, all beseeching him, -reverentially and almost with tears, not to give himself the trouble -of writing out his messages with his own hand. As he left the building -he made an eager mental calculation of the time which must necessarily -elapse before he could receive his assurance of release from -Bellaviste, and rejoiced to discover that a few hours ought to be -sufficient to end his suspense. It was not only that he was desirous -to escape from the trammels of etiquette—he had endured them for the -past three months, and could manage to endure them again, he thought, -if it would do any human being any earthly good,—but there was Nadia. -He could not help knowing that she had been glad to see him again the -night before; she had allowed him to hold her hand, and her beautiful -eyes had been full of tears when they fell before his,—and yet, if he -was King of Thracia still, she would persist in maintaining the -barrier which she had erected between them. If it was his duty to go -back to Thracia and take up the weary round again without the support -of her companionship, he would do it, doggedly if not with a good -grace; but if things had been settled otherwise without any action on -his part, how gladly would he hail the release! He was fully convinced -by this time that he was not suited to be a king—the position -demanded mental and moral (or perhaps unmoral) qualifications of which -he was not possessed, and a quiet life in England with Nadia was more -than ever his ideal of happiness. He walked back to the house as -though he had been treading on air, and was greeted by a friendly -smile from Alessandro, who had washed his hands of Wright, but still -retained a proprietary interest in Wright’s master, and took occasion -to inform him that the doctor had arrived some time ago to pay his -morning visit to Cyril. Almost before the courier had finished -speaking, Caerleon caught sight of Nadia standing on the piazza and -apparently waiting for him. He ran up the steps at once. -</p> - -<p> -“I have just been telegraphing my congratulations to the new King,” he -said, “and assuring him that I had far rather he was on the throne -than I. I feel like a schoolboy out for a holiday.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, hush!” said Nadia, gravely. “I have bad news for you. The doctor -is here, and he says that your brother is decidedly worse.” -</p> - -<p> -Caerleon gazed at her in astonishment. “But I thought he was so much -better!” he cried. -</p> - -<p> -“That was only a temporary improvement, attributable to the greater -comfort of his surroundings,” she answered, quoting the medical -pronouncement word for word. “The doctor hoped that the pain would -decrease a good deal in the night; but it is worse, and he is afraid -he will be obliged to perform an operation.” -</p> - -<p> -With a muttered apology, Caerleon hurried past her, and hastened -up-stairs to Cyril’s room, meeting the doctor on the way, and hearing -the unfavourable verdict confirmed. The patient’s state was critical, -and the remedies which had been applied seemed to have failed of their -effect. Everything depended now on constant care and attention, and -this the Princess and her household might be relied upon to furnish. -But such a transference of responsibility could not satisfy Caerleon. -He insisted on taking his share, and much more than his share, of the -nursing, and would never have quitted his brother’s room if he had not -been compelled to do so. The Princess and the doctor between them -hunted him out for a walk twice a-day, and obliged him to take his -meals in an adjoining room, but except during these short intervals he -insisted on remaining with Cyril. The telegram which reached him from -M. Drakovics, inquiring anxiously what course he intended to pursue -with regard to Thracia, and that from King Otto Georg, offering to -resign the kingdom to him at once, were read and answered by the -patient’s bedside, and forgotten as soon as they had been disposed of, -in the all-absorbing interest of the struggle between life and death. -The Princess was surprised and touched by the devotion of the elder -brother to the younger, but Nadia read Caerleon’s feelings more -clearly. He was indignant with himself for acquiescing so easily in -the cheerful view at first taken of Cyril’s state, and for allowing -his mind to turn to considerations respecting his own love and -happiness when the brother who had come to Thracia for his sake, who -had done his best to keep him on his unstable throne, and who was -suffering even now through his misfortune, was too much prostrated by -pain and weakness even to realise the gravity of his own condition. To -devote himself now altogether to Cyril, and to atone for his past -neglect by cutting himself off almost entirely from Nadia’s society, -was his first impulse, but Nadia only admired him the more on this -very account, for in a similar case her own instinct would have been -to do exactly the same. As it was, she stifled a sigh over the -memories of that first evening and morning, when Caerleon had seemed -so happy and had talked so cheerfully as to recall the first days of -her acquaintance with him, and turned heroically to taking her share -of the nursing, or to doing what she could towards leaving her -godmother free to devote herself to the invalid. -</p> - -<p> -“What an ungrateful wretch I am!” she said to herself. “A week ago it -would have seemed to me the very height of happiness merely to know -that Carlino was alive, and yet now that he is in the same house, and -I see him every day, I am not content. Can it be that I am jealous of -poor Lord Cyril? It sounds dreadful, and yet, when I see that Carlino -is always thinking about him, and never speaks to me unless he is -obliged, it makes me miserable. And I ought to be glad to be able to -do anything for Lord Cyril, and so I am,—only I am glad that I -forgave him before I knew how hard it would be.” -</p> - -<p> -Another thing that made the time she spent in nursing Cyril more than -ordinarily hard for Nadia was the fact that her presence always seemed -to exert on the patient an influence the reverse of soothing. Whether -it was that her anxious, painstaking ways irritated him, or that his -conscience pricked him with regard to her, did not appear, but his -fevered eyes followed her persistently about the room, and seemed to -be addressing some entreaty to her. The doctor noticed it at last. -</p> - -<p> -“He has something on his mind,” he said to Caerleon. “Has anything -occurred to trouble him, do you know?” -</p> - -<p> -“Nothing but our leaving Thracia, so far as I am aware.” -</p> - -<p> -“He did not leave any young lady behind him there, of whom Miss -O’Malachy may remind him, did he?” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh no. He’s not that sort of fellow at all,” responded Caerleon, with -absolute assurance. But no other suggestion presented itself to his -mind, and he found himself puzzling continually over the uneasiness -Cyril showed in Nadia’s presence. Could it be that for some reason she -was vaguely connected in his mind with her brother? Nadia herself -could offer no explanation but this, and the discovery of the real -cause of Cyril’s aversion to her surprised her almost as much as it -did Caerleon. She was left in charge of the patient one day, while -Caerleon ate his lunch in the dressing-room, and he was astonished -after a time to hear the sounds of an altercation from the -sick-room,—if that could be called an altercation in which all the -speaking was on one side. -</p> - -<p> -“Is he delirious?” he asked, opening the door slightly. “Can I help -you?” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, do go away,” said Nadia, her face flushed and angry. “No, it’s -too late; he has heard your voice. I think he must be delirious.” -</p> - -<p> -“But what is it? Does he want anything?” -</p> - -<p> -“He wants me to tell you something, and I won’t. There is no reason -why I should, and it can’t do any good.” -</p> - -<p> -“But how do you know that is what is troubling him?” -</p> - -<p> -“It struck me suddenly that he wanted something, and I asked him all -the things I could think of, until it flashed upon me that it was -this, and I have told him I can’t do it, and he won’t be satisfied.” -</p> - -<p> -“Can’t you tell me, just to quiet his mind? I will never think of it -again, but this excitement must be very bad for him.” He glanced at -Cyril, who was straining his ears to catch their low-toned -conversation. -</p> - -<p> -“No; I can’t. He has no right to ask it of me, nor have you. It is -merely a thing between him and me, and it would make no difference if -I told it to you, except that you would think worse of him. I say to -him that he must tell you about it himself if he wants you to know -it.” -</p> - -<p> -“How can he, when he hasn’t strength to utter a word?” asked Caerleon, -indignant at what seemed her unkindness. “Come, I must insist on your -telling me. Do you know that this anxiety is the worst possible thing -for him? You cannot refuse to ease his mind.” -</p> - -<p> -“You care a great deal more for his feelings than you do for mine!” -cried Nadia, angrily. -</p> - -<p> -“If you really believe that, I must bear it, I suppose. Kindly tell me -this mystery.” -</p> - -<p> -“It is merely that he came to see me at Bellaviste, some days before -the great ball, and got me to promise that I would not marry you if -you asked me. That’s all. And it made no difference whatever. I would -never have married you under any circumstances.” -</p> - -<p> -And launching this Parthian arrow at him, she retreated defiantly, -leaving him stupefied. He remembered how Cyril had offered to help him -in his suit, had arranged for him a meeting with Nadia, had contrived -to keep M. Drakovics from suspecting what was going on,—and all the -time he had been playing this double game. Now he was lying helpless, -gazing with anxious eyes at his brother, and awaiting his reception of -the news. With those eyes upon him, Caerleon could not hesitate. -</p> - -<p> -“It’s all right, old man,” he said, with something like a groan; “she -says herself that it made no difference, you see.” -</p> - -<p> -Whether Cyril accepted the forgiveness with less difficulty than it -was offered, or whether it was that his act of treachery did not loom -so large in his eyes as in his brother’s, certain it is that he seemed -to begin to mend from that time. The doctor commented on the -improvement in his condition, and opined that the load on his mind had -been removed, and Caerleon, although conscious that it had merely been -transferred to his own, agreed with him. It was fortunate for the -ex-King that public affairs were now once more of a character to -engross his mind, for side by side with the realisation of Cyril’s -perfidy came the knowledge that Nadia was most grievously offended -with him, and that she ignored him resolutely whenever they met. But -it was high time that the affairs of Thracia should be settled on a -definite basis, and two delegates, one the president of the -Legislative Assembly, the other M. Drakovics’s chief supporter in the -Ministry, were about to visit Malta for the purpose of opening -negotiations with Caerleon, since the Premier himself dared not leave -the kingdom at this juncture. A very short conference with their late -sovereign convinced the ambassadors that they were not likely to meet -with any opposition on his part to the established state of things. To -King Otto Georg’s offer to abdicate he had from the first returned an -unqualified refusal, and he scouted even the idea of retiring into -private life on his laurels and a pension, as his predecessor had -done. His reign of three months had been merely an interlude in his -life, he said, although a most picturesque and stirring one, and he -was quite content to return to England as poor as he had left it now -that peace and liberty were so happily secured to Thracia. The news of -this noble self-abnegation was duly telegraphed to Bellaviste, and -rehearsed to the Assembly by M. Drakovics, who was overcome by emotion -during the delivery of his speech, although not to such an extent as -to be unable to cope with the business side of the question. It was -immediately arranged to give legal effect to the renunciation by -drawing up a document renouncing all claims to the Thracian throne, to -be taken to Malta with all possible speed, and there signed by -Caerleon and Cyril. To Caerleon the signing of this document was a -formal release from his fetters, and when he was informed that the -commissioners had brought it to the house, and were awaiting his -presence, he so far forgot the dignity of his late position as to -whistle while he hurried down-stairs. But before he could enter the -drawing-room Nadia came flying along the lofty stone passage, and -forgetting her displeasure of the past week, caught his arm. -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t sign it,” she gasped. “You are the true King.” -</p> - -<p> -“But I have no objection whatever to signing it,” he replied. -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, don’t say that!” she entreated. “Don’t forsake your work. There -was so much to be done, and you were sent there to do it.” -</p> - -<p> -“Perhaps,” said Caerleon, “and I was ready to stay on there as long as -I was wanted. I was not anxious to leave Bellaviste—in fact, I -objected most strongly to doing so; I had no hand in announcing my own -death, nor in getting King Otto Georg crowned, but all these things -happened, and it is pretty clear to me that any work that is to be -done is left for other people.” -</p> - -<p> -“But you must not leave it,” she cried. “Oh, why won’t you listen to -me?” -</p> - -<p> -“Isn’t that rather hard, when I have always obeyed you so implicitly? -I don’t deny that if you would have listened to me at Bellaviste on a -certain evening, Thracia would not have appeared quite such a howling -wilderness as it did latterly. But after all, that was not the cause -of my leaving, and I would not go back there now, even if you refused -to have anything more to say to me unless I did.” -</p> - -<p> -“You have no right whatever to suggest such a thing,” said Nadia, with -great dignity. -</p> - -<p> -“Quite so; I haven’t. But I know very well that I am not going back on -the old footing, which I suppose you intended should continue? I -thought so. It seems to me that you are making the choice a very easy -one. But I beg your pardon for teasing you. The fact is, that I am not -going to plunge Thracia, and perhaps Europe, into bloodshed to gratify -my personal ambition—or even yours for me. King Otto Georg is liked -by the people and acceptable to the Powers, whereas my return would be -the signal for revolution, perhaps for a European war. That risk I -will not incur, even to please you.” -</p> - -<p> -“I never thought you were a coward!” she cried, bitterly. Caerleon -looked down at her with a smile which he could not repress. -</p> - -<p> -“I wonder whether it has ever occurred to you what a very queer girl -you are?” he said. For the moment he thought that Nadia would have -struck him. -</p> - -<p> -“How dare you say that to me?” she cried, and rushed away. -</p> - - -<h3 id="ch24"> -CHAPTER XXIV.<br/> -<span class="chap_sub">THE KING HAS HIS OWN.</span> -</h3> - -<p class="noindent"> -“<span class="sc">Can</span> you spare me a minute or two, Princess?” asked Caerleon, coming -into the cool and shaded drawing-room, where his hostess sat writing a -circular letter to her band of Bible-women at Pavelsburg. -</p> - -<p> -“I will spare you any number of minutes—half an hour if you like,” -returned the Princess, with a smile. “Sit down here,” and she pointed -to a low chair beside her. -</p> - -<p> -“Cyril and I have been talking over our plans,” Caerleon went on, but -she interrupted him impulsively. -</p> - -<p> -“I hope you did not decide to adopt any of them, then, for I have one -to suggest. The doctor recommends a sea-voyage for your brother, and I -have been looking forward to your coming with us for a cruise in the -Anna Karénina.” -</p> - -<p> -“You are much too kind,” said Caerleon. “After the shameful way in -which we have been imposing upon your good nature all these weeks, we -really can’t quarter ourselves upon you any longer. Now that Cyril is -well enough to travel, we ought to be looking out for some place of -our own.” -</p> - -<p> -“But what will you do?” asked the Princess. “You would not return to -England now—in February? It would be fatal. And if you were -travelling about on the Continent, your brother could not be properly -looked after. Oh, I know that you and your good Wright would take -every care of him, but it would not be the care which a woman -gives—which we have been giving him.” -</p> - -<p> -“I should think not,” said Caerleon. “We could never aspire to -approach you in that. But—you will excuse my saying it—I don’t think -my presence on board your yacht would meet with Miss O’Malachy’s -approval.” -</p> - -<p> -“What!” cried the Princess, with astonishing duplicity, “am I to -understand that Miss O’Malachy has been making herself disagreeable to -my guests, in my house?” -</p> - -<p> -“Good gracious! I shall get the poor girl into trouble,” was -Caerleon’s instant reflection. Aloud he added hastily, “Not at all, I -assure you. It was merely a fancy of mine that she might not care for -me as a fellow-passenger.” -</p> - -<p> -“Then I trust that it will remain a fancy. I should be very seriously -displeased if Miss O’Malachy forgot herself in such an extraordinary -way. But perhaps you do not wish to leave Malta at present?” -</p> - -<p> -“It’s the very thing I do wish,” cried Caerleon. The leaders of -Valetta society had shown a tendency to lionise him of late, and an -enterprising newspaper man had come out from England expressly to -interview him. “I am absolutely yearning to get away.” -</p> - -<p> -“Then come with us,” said the Princess. “Come as a favour to me. I am -really afraid of the captain of my yacht, and all my friends here tell -me that I ought to get rid of him. He seems to have been boasting to -his acquaintances in the harbour that he can make me do as he likes. -There is no harm in that, so long as he does not make me do anything -wrong, but it was unnecessary to publish abroad the fact. I will not -discharge him, for I have no fault to find with him professionally, -and it is only reasonable to suppose that he must know more about the -sea than I. But still, I do not care that he should regulate all my -movements, and I have been looking to you to protect me against him.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, if I can be of any use——” -</p> - -<p> -“Then it is settled. You are coming with us. And now, I want your help -at once. Captain Binks informed me this morning that if I had any -intention of continuing my voyage at all, this was the time for -visiting the Ægean. Just to prove to him that I am a free agent, can -you suggest any cruising-ground that is not the Ægean?” -</p> - -<p> -“Let me see. You are in search of the places visited by St Paul, are -you not? Well, you know, there is the other Malta—the other Melita, I -mean—up somewhere in the Adriatic, off the Austrian coast.” Caerleon -spoke from a somewhat hazy recollection of long-past discussions which -had enlivened various Greek Testament classes in his college days. “I -believe the theory that it is the real Melita is quite exploded, but -you are not bound to concur with the critics without seeing the place -for yourself. It would be fairly new ground, and you could touch at -the Ionian Islands on the way.” -</p> - -<p> -“Excellent!” cried the Princess, clapping her hands. “I think we shall -astonish Captain Binks.” -</p> - -<p> -So much astonished, indeed, was the worthy man when he realised that -his employer had taken matters into her own hands, and chosen a course -for herself without consulting him, that he forgot to make his usual -objections until it was too late to urge them with any hope of -success, and when he did so, the Princess merely referred him to -Caerleon. -</p> - -<p> -“Lord Caerleon suggested this trip,” she said, “and if there are any -difficulties, he will know how to meet them. He is a gentleman of -great experience, my good captain.” -</p> - -<p> -To the surprise of every one Captain Binks surrendered at discretion. -It was only fitting that he should take the lead when the other person -concerned was a woman and a foreigner; but when there was an English -gentleman on board the captain knew his place. The Princess’s mild -suggestions he had regarded as eccentricities, to be nipped in the bud -for fear of disaster, while he would have welcomed the wildest -proposals Caerleon had cared to make as oracular utterances to be -obeyed literally for the honour of the British flag. -</p> - -<p> -Under these happy auspices the voyage began, and the greatest harmony -prevailed among the passengers on board the Anna Karénina, with one -unfortunate exception. Captain Binks might defer humbly to Caerleon, -the Princess might honour him with her fullest confidence, but Nadia -would not so much as speak a civil word to him. In the circumscribed -surroundings of the yacht she could not succeed in ignoring him -altogether, but she could and did cavil at everything that he said, -and lost no opportunity of making cutting remarks at his expense. The -most trying part of it was that, as in the case of a certain historic -curse, no one seemed at all affected by what she said, and least of -all the person most concerned. When she was cherishing a lively -indignation against Caerleon on high moral grounds, and was determined -to prove to him how thoroughly she despised and detested his conduct, -it was melancholy and even irritating to find that her disapproval had -no more effect upon him than rain upon the plumage of the proverbial -duck, and that when she had exhausted herself in a tempest of -indignation he was willing to return to the charge unruffled as soon -as she liked. To tell the truth, her behaviour puzzled him not a -little; but he had no mind to lose an hour of Nadia’s society now that -it was possible to enjoy it, and submitted with perfect good humour to -hearing all his actions criticised and his most innocent remarks -railed at. -</p> - -<p> -Matters reached their worst point on the day that the Anna Karénina -visited Ithaca. It verged a little upon the commonplace, no doubt, but -still it was only natural that Caerleon should fall into the snare of -making the inevitable comparison between the characters of Penelope -and Ulysses as he stood on deck beside Nadia and watched the island -fade from sight, but it was distinctly unfortunate that having said so -much, he did not stop there. -</p> - -<p> -“But nowadays,” he went on, “we have changed it all. Penelope goes out -into the world, and has her fling, or her <i>Wanderjahr</i>, whatever that -may be, and Ulysses stays in Ithaca, and keeps the home together until -it pleases her to come back.” -</p> - -<p> -“Did you intend that comparison to apply to me?” demanded Nadia, -standing on the defensive at once. -</p> - -<p> -“No, really. It didn’t strike me that there was any resemblance. Do -you see one?” -</p> - -<p> -“If you didn’t mean it, why did you say it?” -</p> - -<p> -“I assure you that there was not the slightest personal allusion -intended. It was a most innocent remark, made merely for the sake of -conversation.” -</p> - -<p> -“Pray don’t trouble yourself to make conversation for my benefit. I -should have thought you would see by this time that your efforts were -not appreciated.” -</p> - -<p> -She walked away, and about an hour passed before Caerleon came upon -her again, sitting in a basket-chair near the companion. His evil -genius prompted him immediately to cross the deck to her side, and -say—“Shall we resume our argument, Miss O’Malachy? I don’t think we -finished it.” -</p> - -<p> -“I do not wish to talk about nothing,” she returned; “and when I have -anything to say to you, I will say it.” -</p> - -<p> -“This sounds alarming. Do you mean that I am forbidden to speak to you -unless I am first addressed?” -</p> - -<p> -“I mean,” she said passionately, but in a low voice, “that I wish I -might never have to speak to you again.” -</p> - -<p> -Caerleon looked at her in utter bewilderment, not believing that she -could be serious. “In the old days you would have apologised to me as -soon as you had said that,” he said, trying to treat the speech as a -joke. But she rose and looked him in the face. -</p> - -<p> -“I wish I had never seen you,” she said. “This last month has been the -most miserable time of my life.” -</p> - -<p> -“What have I done?” asked Caerleon of himself helplessly, as she -turned and went below. “Have I teased her too much? But no—she could -never have meant all the things she has said, and she couldn’t expect -me to think she did. I don’t know what to do.” -</p> - -<p> -She did not appear in the saloon again that evening, and he sat -through dinner gloomy and conscience-stricken. The Princess had -letters to write when the meal was over, and Caerleon and Cyril went -on deck for their usual constitutional. Cyril broke the silence first, -as they tramped steadily and soundlessly backwards and forwards. -</p> - -<p> -“I say, old man,” he began, with some hesitation, “excuse my asking, -but how long are you going to let that girl treat you in this way?” -</p> - -<p> -“In what way?” inquired Caerleon, too much relieved at finding some -one with whom he might discuss his perplexities to feel angry at his -brother’s interference. -</p> - -<p> -“Why, the way she goes on from morning to night, slanging you all day -long, and snapping your head off if you open your mouth! She’s making -you the laughing-stock of the ship. When you come on deck together the -men begin to grin.” This was a slight exercise of the imagination on -Cyril’s part, although it was true that he had seen Captain Binks -close his left eye on one occasion in a way that expressed unutterable -things, intending the action for the benefit of Wright, who ignored it -loftily. -</p> - -<p> -“Well,” said Caerleon, “it pleases her—at least, I suppose it does, -or I don’t see why she should do it—and it doesn’t hurt me much. But -what makes her so angry with me I can’t tell.” -</p> - -<p> -“I can. It’s her belief that you’re laughing at her.” -</p> - -<p> -“But that’s absurd.” -</p> - -<p> -“No, it isn’t. She thinks you don’t take her seriously, and the modern -woman must be taken seriously, or die.” -</p> - -<p> -“But Nadia is not a modern woman,” said Caerleon, placidly. -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, I know she is a cross between a Puritan and an early Christian; -but even those excellent people would have turned rusty if they had -thought they were being humbugged. And she is in deadly earnest, and -you do nothing but rag her.” -</p> - -<p> -“Not intentionally, on my word and honour. But what am I to do? I can -never manage to hit on the right thing to say. How did you learn to -understand women, Cyril?” -</p> - -<p> -“I didn’t learn, it is a gift—improved by cultivation, of course. You -will never have it, old man,” Cyril dropped into Nadia’s chair as he -spoke, and Caerleon leaned against the bulwark opposite him; “but if I -may venture on one small bit of advice, do make an effort to -understand the woman you want to marry.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’ve done that until my brain is softening. If she wasn’t so utterly -truthful and transparent, so that one knows she means everything she -says——” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, you ridiculous idiot!” cried Cyril. “Then why do you stay to be -slanged?” -</p> - -<p> -“Because I hope all the time that she doesn’t mean it.” -</p> - -<p> -“There you are! I tell you, Caerleon, that unfortunate girl is pretty -nearly desperate. Do you think she talks to you in this way out of -pure cussedness, or for fun? She has raged at you for a fortnight, and -you laugh at her the whole time.” -</p> - -<p> -“But if she has anything against me, why in the world doesn’t she tell -me so plainly, and let us have it out once for all?” -</p> - -<p> -“Your reasoning would be most cogent if you were only speaking of a -man, but lovely woman has her own ways of doing things. And when you -come to think of it, you would be rather startled if the lady in the -present case marched up to you some morning and informed you that you -had offended her grievously, giving details, of course, and added that -all intimate relations between you would be suspended until you had -purged your contempt. That is the actual state of things, of course, -but Miss O’Malachy is not going to tell you so. She has let you see it -pretty plainly, and I’m not surprised that she is in despair over your -denseness. The most maddening thing you can do to a woman is to ignore -her moods, and when she is in love with you——! I tell you it -wouldn’t astonish me in the least if she left the ship at the next -port we come to, and tried to lose herself. Another woman would throw -herself overboard, but she is not that sort. The Princess’s teaching -does not produce suicides.” -</p> - -<p> -Caerleon’s face was very pale. “For heaven’s sake, Cyril, stop talking -in that way, and tell me what you think I ought to do. It’s no use -trying to appeal to her feelings, for I’ve done it, and she simply -scathed me.” -</p> - -<p> -“Listen,” said Cyril, sitting up in order to give greater effect to -his words. “You must lay aside that contented, don’t-care manner of -yours. It maddens her. I know you do care, and with some women your -manner would answer admirably, but she can’t see through it. Look -here; I know you will naturally feel shy of taking my advice after -that business at Bellaviste, but this is a straight tip——” -</p> - -<p> -Caerleon started. “I was not thinking of that,” he said. -</p> - -<p> -“Well, you don’t imagine that it is very agreeable to me to remind you -of it, do you? I felt that I had to let you know of it when I was so -bad, but I’ve been glad enough since that you seemed ready to forget -it. Now, old man, if you have forgiven me, take my advice in this. I -give you my word that I’m trying to do my level best for you and her. -Turn rusty yourself. Let her see that she has gone too far. If she -tries to begin rating you, give it her back——” -</p> - -<p> -“I can’t. You seem to forget that she’s a woman, and that I care for -her.” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes, you can; if it’s for her own sake. Don’t you see, it will show -her that you are in earnest? Once she knows that she has made you -really angry, she will be ready to do anything she can to appease you. -Matters must come to a crisis then. Try to make yourself feel that she -isn’t treating you fairly. She has no business to inflict on an -innocent inexperienced fellow like you the punishment which would be -all very well for a hardened old offender, such as your humble -servant. Yes, that’s your line. Get up a feeling of indignation. Lay -it on hot and strong. Provoke an explosion, or you’ll never get the -chance of an explanation.” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, I will try. Anything’s better than the way we have been going -on lately. But suppose it doesn’t succeed?” -</p> - -<p> -“It must, unless you are too late already; but you will have to be on -the look-out for the slightest change in her manner. Don’t lose your -chance, or you’ll blame yourself for it all your life. Now I’m going -below to turn in.” -</p> - -<p> -He disappeared, but Caerleon remained long on deck, meditating on what -he had said. As it happened, the Princess also was moved just at this -time to take some notice of the state of affairs, and the next morning -she said suddenly to Nadia— -</p> - -<p> -“Have you quarrelled with Carlino, my child? You do not seem to be on -good terms with him.” -</p> - -<p> -“He cares nothing for what I say or do,” responded Nadia, sullenly. -</p> - -<p> -“Is there any encouragement for him to care, dear child? What has he -done that you should treat him as you do?” -</p> - -<p> -“He has disappointed me, Marraine. I thought he was brave, that he -could be trusted, and he has abandoned his work, and betrayed his -trust. He sneers at the mere idea of honour.” -</p> - -<p> -“My child, you astonish me!” cried the Princess. “Are you certain of -this? To make such accusations without proof is cruel.” -</p> - -<p> -“I know it by what he has said to me himself, Marraine. I had not -spoken to him for a week, but I laid aside my anger and implored him -to be firm, to do his duty,—and he laughed at me.” -</p> - -<p> -“I am certain you are making a mistake, Nadia,” said her godmother, -with most unusual decision. “You have judged hastily and harshly, and -you are wronging an excellent man. You should cultivate more faith in -your fellow-creatures, and especially in your lover. Are you the only -person in the world that can possibly be in the right? Allow Carlino -to possess a conscience as well as yourself, I entreat you. You have -been very hard upon him, and I feel that I must give you a warning. Am -I to understand that for a whole month you have been cherishing these -angry feelings against him, without even doing him the courtesy of -asking whether you understood him rightly on the occasion to which you -refer? You would not have treated your worst enemy in this way at one -time. You may have misunderstood him; you may have refused to listen -to what he had to say. Give him the chance of explaining the reasons -for his action, and don’t press him too far. No man will put up with -such treatment for ever.” -</p> - -<p> -“I want to make him care,” said Nadia, with fierce determination, and -she went on deck, stifling in her heart the Princess’s warnings and -the answering echo of her own conscience, which told her that the real -reason for her quarrel with Caerleon was that he had disappointed her -ambitious dreams for him. Emerging from the companion, she found the -subject of her thoughts examining the distant coast-line with the aid -of a glass borrowed from Captain Binks. Ordinarily he would have -turned at once to greet her, and offered her the telescope, but now he -took no notice of her approach. -</p> - -<p> -“Is that island very interesting?” she inquired, sarcastically. -</p> - -<p> -He did not answer, and she repeated the question with a little added -sarcasm. -</p> - -<p> -“I beg your pardon,” he replied, coldly. “Were you speaking to me? I -understood that I was not to be favoured with your conversation in -future.” -</p> - -<p> -This was unexpected. Nadia looked at him in surprise, unaware that he -was congratulating himself on the way in which she had addressed him. -If there had been the slightest sign of softening in her manner, he -could not have followed Cyril’s advice. -</p> - -<p> -“And you are satisfied that it should be so?” she asked, in blank -dismay. -</p> - -<p> -“If it satisfies you. What pleases you must always please me,” he -said, politely, and then folded up the telescope and walked away, -leaving her suddenly conscious that the deck was very wide and bare, -and that she was very lonely and desperately miserable. At breakfast -he ignored her in the most pointed way, answering briefly and -repressively when she addressed him, but confining his own -conversation exclusively to the Princess and Cyril. It was one of the -hardest things he had ever done in his life, to keep up this pretence -of coldness when he found Nadia’s beautiful eyes scanning his face -timidly from time to time; but the remembrance of Cyril’s words the -night before armed him with a determination not to yield until he had -gained his point. Accordingly, he held aloof from the ladies all the -morning, chatting with Captain Binks upon the bridge, and Cyril, who -was reading aloud to the Princess as she worked, observed with -satisfaction that Nadia’s needle made no progress, and that the -reluctant tears dropped slowly on the stuff which she was supposed to -be forming into a garment. -</p> - -<p> -“She is thoroughly frightened at last,” he said to himself. “After -all, it’s just as well that Caerleon should have given her her head so -freely hitherto. It makes the sudden pull-up all the more effective. -Now, if I can manage it, he shall get things settled this afternoon, -for he will never be able to go on with this.” -</p> - -<p> -Pity for the desolate Nadia was making itself felt even by the -business-like Cyril; but pity itself could not induce him to relax one -whit of his precautions for securing a happy ending to Caerleon’s -wooing. When they landed that afternoon on a small island, inhabited -only by a few fishermen and goatherds, he sent his brother to walk -with the Princess, and to carry the stock of Gospels and -picture-tracts which she always distributed at the huts they visited, -while he himself, on the plea of weakness, followed slowly with Nadia. -When the Princess and Caerleon emerged from the little church on the -hill-top, whither the village priest had taken them to look at the -ancient <i>icons</i> and service-books, they found him waiting for them -outside alone. -</p> - -<p> -“Miss O’Malachy was tired, and I left her to rest on the way up,” he -said. “Caerleon, don’t you think it would be a delicate attention if -you went and offered her your arm? Give me the Princess’s books, and -we will try and establish communications with the old pope here.” -</p> - -<p> -Very willingly Caerleon left his brother talking to the priest in a -wonderful medley of dialects, and began to descend the path by which -they had come up the hill. A bare-footed little girl herding goats was -the only person he saw until he came upon Nadia, sitting upon a stone, -with her face buried in her hands. -</p> - -<p> -“Can I—can I do anything for you, Miss O’Malachy?” he asked, -hesitatingly. -</p> - -<p> -“Yes—you can go away,” she returned, fiercely, without looking up, -but the tears were forcing themselves through her fingers, and she -began to sob in a hopeless way that went to Caerleon’s heart. He stood -looking at her, without an idea what to do, until she rose suddenly. -</p> - -<p> -“If you will not go away, I must,” she said in her most dogged tone, -dashing away her tears, but for once Caerleon saw his opportunity and -grasped it. -</p> - -<p> -“No, you will not,” he said, barring her path. “We must have an -explanation, Nadia. I want to know what you mean by treating me in -this way?” -</p> - -<p> -“In what way?” It was evident that this carrying of the war into her -own territories took Nadia by surprise. -</p> - -<p> -“Why, the way you have behaved to me ever since we came on -board,—rating me all day long, and treating me as if I was the dust -under your feet.” -</p> - -<p> -“It has not done you much harm. I wish it had,” and her grey eyes -flashed stormily. -</p> - -<p> -“How do you know whether it has or not? Do you think I am going to beg -for mercy from a girl who doesn’t mind what she says to me, and rather -likes to make me a public spectacle, because she knows that I care for -her too much to say anything in return? No; the fact is, Nadia,” he -stopped her indignant denial, “that you have been taking a mean -advantage of me. You treat me like a dog because you know that I love -you, and would rather have you scolding me all day than be King of -Thracia.” -</p> - -<p> -“At least avoid that subject,” said Nadia, with a sudden shiver. “But -no, as you say, it may be better to come to an explanation. How can -you expect me to have anything to do with you when I know that you -gave up your work like a coward that you might be able to marry me?” -</p> - -<p> -“I promise you I didn’t,” cried Caerleon. -</p> - -<p> -“You almost told me so. At any rate, you did not deny it.” -</p> - -<p> -“I didn’t know that you expected me to state everything in plain -English, but I will. You know how I hated Bellaviste; but still, if -King Otto Georg had not been elected and crowned in my place, or if it -had been possible for the Powers to object to him more strongly than -they did to me, I would have gone back, and stayed there until I was -kicked out again. But as I said to you a month ago, I was not going to -risk causing another revolution and a European war, even for your -sake. That is my position exactly, and I have told you all about it -already. It’s very hard, to be sure, that one’s motives are altogether -pure; but I honestly believe that I did not allow the thought of -marrying you to weigh with me in making my decision. You must trust me -a little, Nadia.” -</p> - -<p> -“But you said—you said that I was making your choice an easy one, -when I said I wouldn’t marry you if you went back. If you thought I -would marry you in case you gave up the kingdom for my sake, you were -mistaken. What have you to say now?” -</p> - -<p> -“Simply this, that my resolution was taken before you spoke to me that -day at all. If I had felt it right to go back, I hope I should have -gone, and done my duty to the best of my power, but I felt that it was -neither right nor desirable. It is unfortunate for me, from your point -of view, that duty and pleasure both pointed the same way in this -case, but I can’t help it. I can only give you my word. If you will -accept that, it’s all right, but if not—— Well, it’s for you to -decide.” -</p> - -<p> -“To decide what?” asked Nadia, sharply. -</p> - -<p> -“The question I have asked you once or twice already. I could not -expect you to marry me if you didn’t believe my word.” -</p> - -<p> -“I do believe your word,” said Nadia. “No, don’t touch me,” drawing -herself away from him as he took a step forward, “that is not the -question to be decided. You know what I am—you have seen during this -last month how truly hateful I can be when I take a thing into my -head; you see that I was not even ready to trust you, after all that -you have done. And I can’t promise to be any better—a little time ago -I thought that I should never be unreasonable and foolish again, and -now I have been worse than ever. Why don’t you say that you have been -mistaken in me, and let us part? I know I have deserved it—I will -never utter a word against you if you decide that this time I have -tried even your patience too far. What do you say?” -</p> - -<p> -“This,” replied Caerleon, promptly, taking her hands in his and -kissing her. “Why do you want me to punish myself?” -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t—please don’t,” cried Nadia, bursting into tears again. “You -don’t know all the wicked things I have thought. I believed that you -had been consulting Lord Cyril about the kingdom, and that he had -advised you to do just as you liked, and not care whether it was right -or wrong. I know he doesn’t like me, and I thought he would be glad to -get you to do anything that I wanted you not to do. I meant to refuse -you again, even if it broke my heart.” -</p> - -<p> -“And I haven’t a doubt you’d have done it,” said Caerleon, “but you -are a little hard on Cyril. It is due to him that we have had this -explanation at all, for he told me he was sure that there was -something that came between us, and advised me to speak to you. And -you do believe me now, dear, don’t you?” -</p> - -<p> -“Indeed I do,” said Nadia, smiling through her tears, “and I hope you -will always be my friend; but I am not going to marry you. I am such a -wretch. I shall make your life miserable.” -</p> - -<p> -“Are you going to start with that determination?” asked Caerleon, -“because it would be rude of me to say that you couldn’t make me -miserable if you tried. But if you are only judging from past -experience—well, I have been making you cry just now, but I hope I -shan’t be such a brute as to do it again. We must both turn over a new -leaf.” -</p> - -<p> -“At any rate,” said Nadia, with tremendous resolution, “I know what I -shall do. I will make it a matter of conscience always to obey any -order or suggestion of yours without the slightest hesitation. It only -makes trouble when I try to settle things for myself.” -</p> - -<p> -“What!” cried Caerleon, stepping back a pace and looking at her in -consternation, “do you intend to use me as a means of self-discipline? -I can’t stand that. And who talks about <i>orders</i>? You certainly have a -most unflattering opinion of me, Nadia. Am I such a tyrant as all -that? Haven’t I made you understand yet that what made me take to you -at the very first was that you looked at things so differently from -myself? I want you to differ from me. I want you to criticise my -plans, to show me where I am wrong, to tell me how everything strikes -you. Then we can thresh the matter out together, and decide it by our -joint wisdom. But tell me, do you really look upon me as such a -fearful despot?” -</p> - -<p> -“It’s not that,” said Nadia, slowly. “It is only that I feel I ought -to obey you—that I should like it—because you are so good, and I -have treated you so badly, and——” -</p> - -<p> -But her further reasons for obedience cannot be known, for Caerleon -interrupted her suddenly and forcibly, and it was some little time -before she freed herself and spoke again. -</p> - -<p> -“But would you really like me to marry you, Carlino?” She brought out -the name with an effort, and yet from her lips it sounded like a -caress. “I have thought lately that you must certainly have left off -caring for me.” -</p> - -<p> -“Did you really think that? What have I been doing? You didn’t believe -that I could possibly give you up? Won’t you ever trust me, Nadia? I -do entreat you, the next time you have anything against me, let us -have it out at once. Don’t accuse me in your mind for weeks without my -knowing it, and take everything I say and do as a sign of guilt. It’s -not fair. Only come and tell me what it is that you don’t like, and -give me a chance of explaining things. You will have a lot of trouble -with me, my darling, for I’m such a stupid fellow that I can’t see a -thing unless it’s plainly pointed out to me, but I will do my best to -look at things from your point of view. I do want to make you happy.” -</p> - -<p> -“A little time ago,” said Nadia, meditatively, “I should have said ‘I -want to try to help you to be good,’ but I know better now. I want you -to help me.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, that’s absurd,” cried Caerleon. “You will have to educate me up -to your level, you know. Don’t be too hard on me, dearest. I’m only an -ordinary man, and I haven’t been practising martyrdom from my youth -up, as you have. Let me off easily in the way of hurting my feelings, -and that sort of thing, just at first. By the bye, why did you send me -that cruel message through Cyril the time you came to Bellaviste?” -</p> - -<p> -“Because I was sure that I could not hold out if you came and spoke to -me yourself. I would have given worlds to stretch out my hands and -call to you to come to me when I saw you standing by the gate, -Carlino.” -</p> - -<p> -“If you had only yielded to that impulse!” said Caerleon. “Or if you -hadn’t refused me that night I asked you first to marry me! I am sure -that it would have been happier for both of us, dear.” -</p> - -<p> -“Not for you,” said Nadia, decidedly. “I have learnt one or two -lessons since then. But you would in all probability have been King of -Thracia still, so that you have to thank me for losing you your -kingdom, after all. But there is one thing I want to say now, Carlino, -just that you may see that I know all about it, and then we will never -mention the subject again. It is about that other girl to whom you -were engaged, and who married the Prince of Dardania. I quite -understand how it was. It was all my fault, for I made you so angry -with me that you took me at my word. You must not think that I am -vexed with you about it, for I know that you were not to blame. I -should only have been rightly punished if you had married her. Now -please don’t let us say anything more about it.” -</p> - -<p> -“But I must just say one thing,” said Caerleon. “Let me defend myself, -for I wasn’t quite the mean scoundrel you think me,—getting engaged -to one girl simply in order to punish another. Princess Ottilie asked -me to pretend to be engaged to her just for a fortnight or so, that -suspicion might be averted from her real lover, and I was fool enough -to do as she asked. She led me a pretty dance. I think even you would -have pitied me, Nadia, if you had seen me then. It served me right for -being such a fool, but I don’t think I was a cad. I never even kissed -her.” -</p> - -<p> -“If you had, you should never have kissed me,” said Nadia, hotly; and -Caerleon wondered anew at the intricacies of the feminine mind. “But I -am glad you have told me this,” she went on, after an interval, -“because it makes me more ashamed of myself. When you find me very -troublesome and very unbelieving, please whisper in my ear, ‘Remember -Princess Ottilie.’” -</p> - -<p> -“I had rather forget her, myself,” said Caerleon; “but I’ll do it if -you are sure you’ll like it. Oh, bother it all! there are the Princess -and Cyril going down to the boat. We’ll let them get on a little, and -catch them up afterwards.” -</p> - -<p> -“But the gig was to go to the mainland for the letters,” said Nadia, -innocently. “Are you not in a hurry to see yours?” -</p> - -<p> -“I had much sooner talk to you. Who knows when I shall find you in -this angelic frame of mind again?” -</p> - -<p> -“I knew you could not depend upon me,” and the tears began to rise -once more in Nadia’s eyes. “You can never feel certain that I shall -behave properly.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, what a doubly distilled ass I am!” cried Caerleon. “I wonder -whether there ever was a worse fellow for putting his foot in it than -I am. My darling, it was a joke. Please do try to expect jokes -sometimes, and don’t take all I say in earnest. I won’t joke more than -I can help.” -</p> - -<p> -“You must teach me,” said Nadia. “If you will explain your jokes at -first, I shall soon learn to understand them; and I will try not to be -so silly.” -</p> - -<p> -To which the infatuated Caerleon replied by declaring that on no -account would he have her in the slightest degree different from what -she was, and they went down the hill together in great peace and -contentment, to find the Princess and Cyril waiting for them at the -waterside. Once on board the yacht, Cyril was accommodating enough to -occupy himself with his letters, while Caerleon sought an interview -with the Princess, and received her warm approval of the engagement. -There was no lonely prowl on deck this evening for the two brothers. -Muffled in shawls, the Princess and Nadia joined them, and under the -lee of the deckhouse they discussed plans for the future. -</p> - -<p> -“I have heard from Mrs Sadleir,” said Caerleon, “in answer to a letter -I wrote asking her what she thought about my returning home. She -advises me not to come back just yet, since the Thracian question is -very much in people’s minds at present; but after a few months she -thinks I may count upon escaping notice. ‘Of course,’ she says, ‘you -will not expect to find yourself a <i>persona gratissima</i> in exalted -circles, nor to receive the offer of the Pavelsburg Embassy when it -falls vacant, but I think there is little doubt that you will probably -be allowed to grow mangel-wurzels (whatever they may be) on your -ancestral acres in peace, and even to vote in the House of Lords now -and then if you do not make yourself too conspicuous.’ The next -sentence is slightly personal, but I hope you won’t mind, Nadia. ‘I am -all anxiety to know how the romance of the beautiful Scythian girl has -ended. If you succeed in winning her and bringing her back with you, -give me a week’s notice, and I will guarantee that she shall be the -greatest social success of these twenty years.’ Mrs Sadleir means you -to come, be seen, and conquer, Nadia.” -</p> - -<p> -“That will not be until some time hence,” said the Princess, seeing -Nadia look alarmed. “But since you are not to return home for three or -four months, Lord Caerleon, I hope we may count upon your society for -the rest of our tour. We have still all the coasts of the Ægean and -Cyprus to see, and I thought of spending Easter at Jerusalem.” -</p> - -<p> -“There is nothing on earth I should like better,” said Caerleon, with -enthusiasm. -</p> - -<p> -“And you, Lord Cyril?” asked the Princess. “I hope you will come too?” -</p> - -<p> -“You are very kind,” said Cyril, speaking with an evident excitement -unusual with him, “and I should be most delighted to accept your -invitation; but as soon as I am strong again I must set to work. You -won’t be surprised to hear that this Thracian business has about done -for me in the diplomatic service. Of course, if we arranged things -nowadays in a common-sense, Elizabethan kind of way, I should be made -British agent at Bellaviste immediately, on the score of my intimate -acquaintance with the country and the people; but we don’t, and I’m -afraid there are not many chiefs that would care to have me under them -now. I never have felt exactly drawn towards settling down and -cultivating mangel-wurzels, and after the experiences of the last -three months such a prospect looks less enticing than ever. This -letter here is from King Otto Georg. He wants me to go back to Thracia -as his private secretary—the post I held under you, Caerleon. He -finds himself horribly lonely, he says—by the bye, Drakovics is said -to be looking out for a wife for him, so that oughtn’t to last -long—and I can see that he wants me to act as a sort of under-study -for him as well. Drakovics is too important, both in view of the -possibility of his being assassinated, and of his influence in the -country. The King thinks that I might be useful in two ways, first, in -getting some idea of the manner in which things are done, so that -Drakovics’s removal might not necessarily mean the collapse of the -whole system of government; and secondly, in keeping Drakovics himself -from going too far. Of course Otto Georg, poor old fellow! can’t very -well do that sort of thing for himself, but I think that I, as a -friend of both parties, might be able to manage it.” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t envy you,” said Caerleon, drily. -</p> - -<p> -“The position is delicate, but all the more interesting on that -account,” said Cyril. “Drakovics has rather a liking for me, somehow -or other, and if I can keep in with him, I might put the drag on when -he is inclined to act in a regal way that few kings would stand. Otto -Georg is a good fellow, and will see that I don’t have too much to do -in the way of routine work. In fact, I can see that he wants me as a -companion even more than as a secretary.” -</p> - -<p> -“You are very young,” said the Princess, and Caerleon laughed -unfeelingly, for only that evening he had told Cyril that he looked so -young and so innocent, with his pale face and thin hands, that all the -ladies at the different ports would take him for a schoolboy. “You -ought to have some one to take care of you.” -</p> - -<p> -“Ah, if Miss O’Malachy had only a sister to take pity on me!” sighed -Cyril. “But as it is, I must wait and grow older before I can venture -on a wife. When I come back from Bellaviste after thirty years or so -of service with Otto Georg, and stay with you in England, Caerleon, I -shall fix upon some sweet child just out of the schoolroom, with a -comfortable fortune of her own. I shall not look young or innocent -then. I shall be worn and grey, and slightly, very slightly, bald, and -I shall hint darkly to the dear girl at unknown depths in my past -history, with the description of which I will not pollute her ears. -That will fetch her more than anything. The attentions of a man with a -reputation for wickedness will set that girl on a pinnacle at once in -her own estimation.” -</p> - -<p> -“I shall warn her against you,” broke in Nadia, with righteous -indignation. -</p> - -<p> -“Do you think she would believe you?” asked Cyril, pityingly. “She -would naturally take the first opportunity of asking me whether the -charges against me were true. I need only look sad, and remark -mournfully that it was easy enough for a man to go to the dogs, but -hard indeed for him to recover himself when even his own relations -were against him; and if that girl and her fortune were not promised -to me before the interview was over, I don’t know anything of human -nature.” -</p> - -<p> -“This is merely one of Cyril’s jokes, dear,” whispered Caerleon behind -Nadia’s fan, as she sat looking puzzled and angry; and Cyril, who had -overheard him, laughed and went on. -</p> - -<p> -“I have another Bellaviste letter here, from our late master of the -household, who tells me that there is no hope of recovering any of our -personal property. The rebels looted the palace, and burned what they -couldn’t take away. The Assembly has voted us a handsome sum by way of -compensation, but, alas! one cannot ‘buy with gold the old -associations.’ I am especially sorry for you, Caerleon. Your rubies -are gone.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, those rubies!” cried Caerleon. -</p> - -<p> -“What rubies?” asked Nadia. -</p> - -<p> -“A set of rubies which a certain lady of whom you may have heard (she -is now the Princess of Dardania) presented to Caerleon with the -request that he would hand them on to you,” answered Cyril, promptly. -</p> - -<p> -“I am glad they are lost. I would never have worn them,” said Nadia, -with decision. “Come,” she said to Caerleon, “let us walk up and down -the deck a little, Carlino. It is cold here.” -</p> - -<p> -Caerleon rose immediately, and when they were gone Cyril turned and -looked benignly at the Princess. “Do you feel guilty?” he inquired. “I -ask because I am morally certain that while I took occasion to speak -to Caerleon last night for his good, you addressed a slight -remonstrance to Miss Nadia. This is the result. Do you not feel -appalled at the risk?” -</p> - -<p> -“All marriages are risks,” returned the Princess; “but I hope there -will be less danger than usual about this one. In the first place, -they cannot be married for six months at least, for it is not a year -until August since your father’s death, and they will learn to know -each other very thoroughly during this tour of ours.” -</p> - -<p> -“There’s a good deal in that,” assented Cyril. “If people can keep the -peace on board ship, they are pretty safe anywhere.” -</p> - -<p> -“Then,” went on the Princess, “your brother is singularly calm and -reasonable——” -</p> - -<p> -“And therefore well fitted to cope with an unreasonable woman, you -would say?” suggested Cyril. -</p> - -<p> -“No,” said the Princess, taking up the cudgels on behalf of her -god-daughter, “Nadia is not unreasonable. She is very downright, and -she sees only one thing at a time. I think you have a word for this -characteristic of hers, but I forget it.” -</p> - -<p> -“One-idea’d?” said Cyril. -</p> - -<p> -“Yes; that is it. And she will never do what she thinks is wrong.” -</p> - -<p> -“And she is always ready to be a martyr, and to make martyrs of other -people. Would it be rude to ask you, Princess, to suggest to her that -she has cultivated heroism long enough, and that the softer virtues of -daily life might have a turn with advantage?” -</p> - -<p> -“Our life in Scythia may not have been the best school for her,” said -the Princess, thoughtfully. “We Evangelicals have always been set -apart—laughed at even when we were not persecuted, and such an -experience fortifies one strongly against thinking too much of the -opinion of others. It also develops, as you imply, one set of -qualities rather at the expense of another set. And then she has that -Irish faculty of concentration—blind devotion to an idea I have heard -it called; but it need not necessarily be blind.” -</p> - -<p> -“Irish?” Cyril raised his eyebrows. “I should have said that I never -met any one more unlike the typical Irish girl than Miss O’Malachy. -Her brother, too, was extremely un-Hibernian.” -</p> - -<p> -“Ah, that is because you are thinking of the ordinary Irish -type—Colonel O’Malachy’s, for instance. Gay, what you call a ‘good -fellow,’ always ready for a frolic, possessing a keen sense of the -ridiculous. But there is also another kind of Irishmen altogether. -They have no sense of humour, or they would not preach under the -protection of the police to howling mobs, or sacrifice their lives and -their honour to some wrong-headed or hopeless cause. Nadia and her -brother belong to this type, so do many conspirators, and not a few -martyrs.” -</p> - -<p> -“This is rather a poor look-out for Caerleon,” said Cyril. -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t think so. Nadia has learnt a lesson from the past month; she -is humbled, and she will have less confidence in her own judgment from -henceforth. She has seen to-day something of your brother’s true -character, and the better she knows him, the more she will trust him. -Then, they will not have the trial and temptation of idleness, for -both of them are born workers. I look to see them do great things for -God and His poor on your brother’s estates in the provinces. They will -strengthen each other’s hands in the good work, and the opposition -which they will encounter from the world will bind them more closely -together at home.” -</p> - -<p> -“I suppose they will go in for closing all the public-houses on the -estate, and that sort of thing,” groaned Cyril. “By the bye, there was -part of Stefanovics’s letter that I didn’t read. I didn’t want to cast -a damp over their first evening. King Otto Georg has repealed -Caerleon’s liquor law.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, no!” cried the Princess. -</p> - -<p> -“He has, indeed. It seems that when the people found out that Caerleon -wasn’t killed, they wanted to have him back again, and there were -riots in several places. The King and Drakovics were concerting -measures for the maintenance of peace, when Drakovics was seized with -a bright idea. ‘Repeal the liquor law,’ he said. ‘That will please the -people, and release a sum of money, which you can apply to the relief -of taxation.’ They were in a pretty tight place, so the King jumped at -the idea, and the law was repealed just a week ago. Stefanovics says -that the Carlinists were all going about in austere dignity, like so -many Girondins, each man wearing his temperance medal with Caerleon’s -head on it at his button-hole, and lamenting the virtues of the late -reign, but the mass of the people accepted the bribe like a shot. -There were no more Carlinist riots, and now any one can get drunk that -likes.” -</p> - -<p> -“It is a sad step backwards,” murmured the Princess. -</p> - -<p> -“It is strange, isn’t it,” said Cyril, “that Miss O’Malachy should -have failed to keep Caerleon on the throne, after all her trying, and -that the one piece of his work which he hoped would last should be -undone six weeks after he leaves Thracia? They have both failed -utterly.” -</p> - -<p> -“Some people’s failures are better than other people’s successes,” -said the Princess, with unwonted sharpness. “I must say that I prefer -your brother’s failure to the success which would have been yours had -you been able to secure his remaining on the throne.” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, I can congratulate myself that I did what I could to keep him -there,” said Cyril, a little uncomfortably. -</p> - -<p> -“Can you indeed congratulate yourself?” asked the Princess. “I do not -know what your methods were, but I remember that you did not appear to -look back upon them with complacency when you thought yourself dying.” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, you know, I felt that I had played it rather low down on -Caerleon, and that isn’t a thing one cares to think of.” -</p> - -<p> -“You schemed to separate your brother and his bride,” said the -Princess. “Whether you actually went beyond the truth in anything that -you said I do not know; but it seems to me that you would not have -called your conduct honourable in a private matter.” -</p> - -<p> -“That’s just it. Public business is conducted on different -principles.” -</p> - -<p> -“Is it? But why? Public considerations required, as you thought, that -Carlino should not marry Nadia. Accordingly, you sought to separate -them, and you succeeded for a time. Happily, you were not permanently -successful, and your efforts were overruled for good. But of what use -were your attempts? God did not intend your brother to be King of -Thracia, and you could not keep him on the throne.” -</p> - -<p> -“But would you have one simply let things slide?” -</p> - -<p> -“I would have you leave things to God. When you find that you can go -no further in your chosen path without breaking His laws, is it not a -sign that you are to stop there?” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t wonder that you Evangelicals get yourselves banished as you -do,” said Cyril, smiling. “The ordinary Scythian view of diplomacy -would certainly not agree with yours.” -</p> - -<p> -“You imply that ours is the English view? Then may I hope that you -will act on English and not on Scythian principles when you return to -Thracia?” -</p> - -<p> -“Would you have me bind myself by a pledge, Princess?” -</p> - -<p> -“Not unless you wish it. I only ask you to look back on the time you -spent at Bellaviste, and the means you used to force your brother to -remain there, and to ask yourself, Was it worth while?” -</p> - -<p> -“Considering that the result was failure, I think it was not,” said -Cyril, meditatively. “But I do not say that it would not have been -worth while if I had succeeded.” -</p> - -<p> -“And what would your success have been worth?” asked the Princess. “If -I were you, Lord Cyril, I would thank God night and morning that the -end of your enterprise was failure.” -</p> - -<p class="end"> -THE END. -</p> - - -<h2> -TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES. -</h2> - -<p> -Sydney C. Grier was the pseudonym of Hilda Caroline Gregg. -</p> - -<p> -This book is part of the author’s “Balkan Series.” The full series, in -order, being: -</p> - -<div class="quote_o"><div class="quote_i"> -An Uncrowned King<br/> -A Crowned Queen<br/> -The Kings of the East<br/> -The Prince of the Captivity -</div></div> - -<p class="noindent"> -<b>Alterations to the text</b>: -</p> - -<p> -Punctuation corrections—mostly quotation mark pairing. -</p> - -<p> -Note: minor spelling and hyphenization inconsistencies (<i>e.g.</i> -warships/war-ships, Grand-Duke/Grand Duke, etc.) have been left as is. -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -[Title Page] -</p> - -<p> -Add brief note indicating this novel’s position in the series. See -above. -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -[Chapter XII] -</p> - -<p> -“Congrats. and all that sort of thing, old man” change period to a -comma. -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -[Chapter XVIII] -</p> - -<p> -Change “which passed <i>though</i> the station this morning” to <i>through</i>. -</p> - -<p class="end"> -[End of Text] -</p> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN UNCROWNED KING ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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