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diff --git a/old/69550-0.txt b/old/69550-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 934cf33..0000000 --- a/old/69550-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7821 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Mercia, the astronomer royal, by A. -Garland Mears - -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: Mercia, the astronomer royal - A romance - -Author: A. Garland Mears - -Release Date: December 15, 2022 [eBook #69550] - -Language: English - -Produced by: Richard Tonsing and the Online Distributed Proofreading - Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from - images generously made available by The Internet Archive) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MERCIA, THE ASTRONOMER -ROYAL *** - - - - - - MERCIA, - THE ASTRONOMER ROYAL: - =A Romance.= - - - BY - - A. GARLAND MEARS, - - AUTHOR OF - ‘IDYLLS, LEGENDS, AND LYRICS,’ ‘THE STORY OF A TRUST,’ ‘TALES OF OUR - TOWN,’ ETC. - - - LONDON: - SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, HAMILTON, KENT & CO. LTD. - 4 STATIONERS’-HALL COURT. - 1895. - - _All rights reserved._ - - - - - PRINTED BY - SPOTTISWOODE AND CO., NEW-STREET SQUARE - LONDON - - - - - MERCIA - - THE ASTRONOMER ROYAL. - - - ‘Whoever knows the origin, the entrance, the locality, and the - five-fold power of life enjoys immortality.’ - - From THE PRASNA, in _Bibliotheca Indica_. - - - - - CONTENTS - - - PROLOGUE. - PART PAGE - I. 1 - II. 23 - III. 31 - - MERCIA, THE ASTRONOMER ROYAL. - CHAPTER PAGE - I. 41 - II. 73 - III. 85 - IV. 103 - V. 127 - VI. 132 - VII. 158 - VIII. 186 - IX. 230 - X. 264 - XI. 287 - XII. 295 - XIII. 341 - - - - - PROLOGUE - - - - - PART I - - -The year of grace, 2002, had arrived and the world had seen many -changes. The kingdoms of the earth had gone through great experiences. -Nations had risen and fallen; the boundaries of Empires had been -modified; for a serious redistribution of territory had taken place. - -Petty sovereignties had now become merged into greater ones, having -fallen a prey to the strong; for the dominant Powers had divided the -spoil by agreement. - -Nevertheless, on the whole, peace and contentment reigned; for advanced -knowledge, not only taught the inutility, gross inhumanity, and waste of -war, but science had made such wonderful progress in the arts of warfare -throughout the whole world, that a battle actually meant the complete -annihilation of both sides; thus a victory for either became an -impossibility. - -Along with this enforced peace-keeping the wave of civilisation had -spread everywhere carrying its mind-culture, its arts, and handicrafts -to the uttermost parts of the earth; until the world had become a huge -beehive of active industry, although not necessarily a severe -muscle-wearing one. - -Through all the generations dating from the close of the nineteenth -century the social question relative to the status of woman had been -ever uppermost, having been kept to the front by the intense longing of -the sex for a wider walk of life, a more extended field of action. - -They demanded a great reformation, a complete recast of social -economics. - -The leading features of their programme being a higher education, which -should be recognised by the Universities, Law, and Medical Corporations, -in order that more honourable, lucrative, and responsible employments -might be opened to them. - -They demanded also, political, social, and marital equality between the -sexes; for they averred that women were being cramped and crippled by -old-time conventionalities, the outcome of the customs and prejudices of -mediæval ignorance and tyranny, which had invariably relegated their sex -to a lower platform of liberty. - -As citizens it placed them in the position of minors and lunatics, they -averred, and as wives it gave them but little more authority than what -their children possessed from a legal point of view, however talented -and cultivated they might be. - -Loud and bitter were the railings of the dominant sex against the -movement. Men scoffed and derided ‘the new woman,’ as they mockingly -termed her. - -She became the subject of epigram, pun, and pleasantry generally; the -butt of every shallow humorist, and dubbed ‘the new darn on the old -bluestocking,’ whatever that might mean. She was told that her -aspirations were bold and offensive in the extreme; that they ‘unsexed’ -her. - -Nor was she spared by her own sex. If a lady novelist had the courage to -make a stand for social purity the critics would pounce upon her, -condemning her work as ‘improper.’ - -Mostly those following this calling were males; but there were to be -found feminine monstrosities among writers, who to curry favour with the -multitude, stooped to the unworthiness of writing down those devoted -champions of liberty for their own sex. - -It was a long battle and a hard, this struggle for equality. Man’s -dominance and woman’s subjugation had not been a healthy influence -throughout the ages, for either sex. - -Society taught, and the laws of the realm favoured the theory, that the -code of morality for the man was widely different to that which should -guide the woman. - -But the new woman saw whence this incongruity sprang, and showed that it -had its birth and continued existence in the coarser instincts of the -male, whose desires it tended to foster and encourage. - -‘Truly,’ she exclaimed, ‘the arrogance and selfishness of man is not -difficult to discover, although veiled by the hypocritical excuse of -keeping intact the sweet delicacy and spirituality of woman. Men demand -that we should continue to repose a child-like confidence in their -goodness; well, we shall be only too ready to grant it as soon as we are -assured that they have made themselves worthy of our trust.’ - -Education and experience had now opened her eyes: impelled by necessity -she shook off the bonds that had bound her so long and utilised the -talents that had for ages lain dormant, turning them into worthier and -more useful channels. - -How their first steps in the ways of liberty were derided! Nevertheless, -there came forward high-souled men who held out a helping hand to these -struggling children, who were laboriously and anxiously stretching and -straining to reach the longed-for goal. - -The crowning joy came at last. Slowly, and by almost imperceptible -degrees, she won one concession, and then another, until by the time the -second millenary was reached her great ambition was attained. - -Like all wise reforms it benefited equally its adversaries as -supporters; and man, who at the outset bitterly opposed the movement, -reaped the advantage derived therefrom, to his own comfort and content. - -Woman’s position was now assured, and she took her place alongside man -on equal terms. If a post of honour, or high emolument were vacant, sex -was not taken into consideration in the choice of a candidate, for the -person best suited for the position was selected according to his or her -proved ability, or past experience. - -It frequently happened that a young fellow earning but 100_l._ a year -would woo successfully a young lady filling a position of importance -that yielded her 500_l._ per annum. For it might chance that she had -enjoyed the advantage over him of a superior training, or inherited -abler ability for that particular employment; and these combined with -perhaps, superior family influence exerted on her behalf had given her -the better start. - -In such a case as this, with their united incomes, the young couple were -in a position to set up housekeeping in a fairly respectable style; the -bridegroom’s good luck might be envied by his companions, but no one -thought the worse of either. - -Moreover it worked beneficially for the male in other ways. If accident, -or sickness deprived a man of the capability of following his -employment, he and his family, were not reduced to want, for the wife -became the bread-winner, leaving him in charge of the housekeeping. - -This arrangement was considered no hardship by the wife; for she was -relieved of domestic cares, and control of domestic servants, which, as -a rule, the husband discharged with great success. It was frequently -found that a master obtained readier obedience and more faithful service -than a mistress. Whether this was owing to his requirements being less -exacting than those of a mistress, or to that indefinable influence -which one sex holds over the other, cannot be determined; doubtless it -was a combination of the two that gave the man greater empire over the -woman-servant. - -It is not to be supposed that a domestic servant occupied the humble -position she held in previous times; for a well-appointed household -requiring at least four servants, in the nineteenth century would at -this period need but one. The vast amount of mechanical contrivances -worked by electricity minimised labour to such an extent that it raised -the position of a domestic servant to that of a working electrician of -the nineteenth century; which period saw the birth of the practical use -of electric energy. In fact, a thoroughly good domestic servant who knew -her work, that is to say, a woman who understood, and successfully -conducted the various machines, keeping them in working order, could -readily command her two pounds a week, and run a home, husband, and -children on her own account. - -The social economy of this time was entirely different to that of any -previous period. Marriage in no way incapacitated a woman-servant from -keeping her situation. Indeed, it had a contrary effect; most people -preferring a steady-going married woman with responsibilities, to a -flirty inexperienced maiden who might use her position in the household -to wile away a heedless son, or a somewhat lonesome husband. As a rule, -however, such an occurrence happened rarely; the marriage state was -mostly a very happy one, and faithfully kept on both sides, for a high -standard of morality ruled supreme. - -Other factors supported this beneficent condition; for all being equal -as breadwinners, and the number of the sexes equally balanced, a man -deemed himself fortunate when he secured a good wife and did his utmost -to please her. - -On her side affection alone prompted her to marry; the unworthy motive -of making marriage the means of obtaining a home of her own, no longer -existed, as every parent trained his daughter equally as his son to hold -a position of independence, by giving her a trade, or profession to -follow. - -Both humble and high-born possessed more or less practical knowledge of -physiology; especially those branches dealing directly with health, and -the functions of reproduction, which enabled women to fill more -intelligently the positions of wife and mother. - -It was appointed by Government that all persons should be taught the -more important branches of this science in the public schools, as soon -as they reached the age of twelve years together with the principles of -social economy. It was considered a gross immorality on the part of -parents to bring into existence a large family of children, whom they -could not possibly rear with comfort to themselves, or with any degree -of justice to their offspring. - -But over and above the personal inconvenience of poor people being -overburdened with children, the disadvantage of giving birth to large -families was recognised by all from an economic point of view: for the -world was becoming so thickly populated that it appeared obvious a -difficulty would arise in providing foodstuffs for so many millions of -human beings, notwithstanding the very material assistance the science -of chemistry afforded in feeding the multitude. - -All persons, therefore recognised the necessity of supporting -legislative authority on this point, for being an intellectual people -they saw it worked to their advantage from every point of view. - -Inordinate reproduction interfered with a wife’s ability to supplement -her husband’s income by following her own profession, and thereby making -a very narrow income into an easy one. - -In bygone days if the mistress of a public school entered the marriage -state she entered the schoolroom no more; custom decreed that with -marriage all bread winning ceased on her side, and her husband’s small -income must suffice. - -Of course the _raison d’être_ of this custom was not far to seek, for -her child-bearing duties, to which no limit was placed, would -considerably interfere with those of her situation. - -But at this advanced period public opinion decreed that such a course -was the outcome of brute ignorance; for physiological and psychological -science taught that the position of parent was the most responsible in -all creation, and to bring any number of children into the world until -Nature refused to do more, was a condition of life in its wildest state; -for man in every other form of life controls the exuberance of Nature, -for wise purposes. - -As soon as a wife decided on becoming a mother,—and most women looked -forward to that position with keen interest, for the love of children is -ever paramount in the female breast,—she would brace herself to the -fulfilment of the duties of this great responsibility. - -She realised that on herself alone rested, not only the building up of -the physical frame of her unborn child, but also the formation of the -pre-natal mind, with all its mental and moral capacities. - -She knew that every thought, impulse, and action of hers would leave -their impress upon the brain of her child; for a stimulus would be given -to the development of the faculties in those directions, according to -the degree in which she exercised her own. - -In order, therefore to ensure herself the possession of a child perfect -in physique, and intellect; and endowed with such faculties of mind as -formed her beau ideal of a beautiful character, she underwent a course -of self-denial and watchfulness throughout the whole period of -pregnancy. - -During this important period, the greatest in her life, she took heed -that no emotion, thought, or action was indulged in on her part that she -would object to seeing reproduced in her child, however modified these -might be by the new individuality. - -To ensure this she followed a system of wholesome and healthy -employment, which served the two-fold purpose of keeping her mind pure, -and her muscle-power in practice. By experience it was found that the -most beautiful characters had been given to the world by parents noted -for their industry, morality and unselfishness. - -Then there were the intellectual powers of the child’s mind to consider, -for it was not left to chance the arrangement of his talents, or -capabilities for a profession. - -Expectant parents took time by the forelock, for instead of waiting for -the period when their son’s schooling would be completed for the choice -of a profession, they carefully considered the question long before he -put in an appearance, and made their plans regarding his future with -twentieth-century forethought. - -If it so happened that the ambition of a couple was to see their son a -professor of music then the mother-that-was-to-be took her _rôle_ -accordingly. - -During this interesting time she would devote herself almost exclusively -to the pursuit of music; daily practising on the instruments she wished -him to excel in; studying the theory of music, attending high-class -musical entertainments; encouraging lovers of music at her house, and in -fact, neglecting nothing that lay in her power to foster and encourage -the growth of that group of faculties, whose possession makes the -perfect musician. - -Indeed, the friends of a lady _enceinte_ would suspect her condition, -not from seeing her lying about on the couch, or other indolent -indulgences, but from her increased activities in a regular and definite -direction. - -‘It’s easy to see,’ a neighbour would remark in fireside parlance, ‘that -Mistress Woodward is expecting a son; evidently they are going to make -him a civil engineer. Mark, how she is slaving over mathematics and -reading up every work on engineering she can lay her hands on. Why, her -boudoir is filled with mechanical drawings: you would think she was -about building all the suspension bridges, and electrometers in the -Empire. It is a son, you may be sure; she would hardly put a daughter to -such a profession, seeing that when one comes she will be an heiress. -Yes, the grandmother left all her property to the grand-daughter, _when -she arrives_. I suppose they will have one; it goes without saying that -they will, _under the circumstances_.’ - -Or this might be the gossip. - -‘It’s coming off at last! They’re going to give themselves a baby—poor -things! ’Twas a silly love match, thou remembers, and their united -incomes were as nothing compared with their ideas, brought up as they -were in every luxury. However, the wife got a good appointment last -October owing to the influence of her friends; result—she is going to -have a baby—a girl, I am told. It is plain enough to see what trade the -child is to follow, for the expectant mother is now running a laboratory -and slaves in it nightly, besides attending the Government lectures on -chemistry held weekly in the large hall of the Science Schools. Well, it -is a useful profession, and will do equally well for a boy; it’s just -possible they may have made a mistake and the baby will prove to be a -boy after all. I never thought either of them over intelligent—they are -sure to blunder—but what matters it? They can have a girl next time. Of -course they will treat themselves to two children—they can now afford -it.’ - -Still another sample of twentieth-century table talk. - -_Mr. Brown._ ‘Hast thou seen Smithers lately? It is a long time since I -set eyes on him; what is he doing?’ - -_Mr. White._ ‘Oh, all his spare time is taken up showing Mistress -Smithers how to manufacture flying machines. He takes her into his -workshop daily, explaining the uses of this, that and the other. She has -a lathe of her own, run by electricity, and she makes the parts and fits -them together. Of course as soon as the baby is born she will drop it, -for Smithers is well off now; capital business that flying machine one, -especially with that new patent of his—it almost goes like the wind, and -a lot steadier.’ - -_Mr. Brown._ ‘Bless my life! why she went through all that fag four -years ago, I remember very well I could never get a minute with him. As -soon as ever his workmen were gone, in went the wife for her lessons, -and mighty quick she was too, in taking it all in. Are they going to -have _two_ sons?’ - -_Mr. White._ ‘Not if they know it! They made a mistake last time; it -appears ’twas an order for a daughter that went, while they thought it -was for a son, so Mistress Smithers has to go through all her exercises -_de novo_; it is to be hoped they have made no blunder _this_ time, for -it is no joke after all, for the poor woman.’ - -_Mr. Brown._ ‘The boy should be a genius when he comes, seeing that -_both_ parents are adepts in the business. Occasionally we have freaks -of nature,—now, haven’t we? Rememberest thou those Percys, they were -going to have a _poet_, forsooth! but, ha, ha, ha, he turned out a -simpleton!! He now takes the pence for the man who lends out his flying -machine to boys. So much for manufacturing poets beforehand.’ - -_Mr. White._ ‘It was a maxim of the ancients that poets must be born not -made, and it still holds good in these days of light: for a great poet -only comes once in an epoch. He is an intellectual giant, as it were, -and the conditions under which he is formed are not yet fathomed. It is -comparatively easy for a woman to take up any ordinary employment with a -view of giving a certain bias to the child’s faculties, but how in the -name of goodness can a person all at once simulate the poet, and expect -her child to come into the world a ready-made bard—why it is -preposterous!’ - -_Mr. Brown._ ‘We cannot limit the possibilities of the future: only a -hundred years ago the possibility of arranging the sex of a child was -laughed at as a simple absurdity. Now we arrange not only the number of -our children but their sex also; and very properly too, for we can do -greater justice to our progeny when we know what we are about, than if -they came by blind chance, merely.’ - -_Mr. White._ ‘We are twenty-first century people, now—let us remember -that fact, two thousand and two! Yea, verily, the world is growing very -old and that blessed millennium hasn’t come yet!’ - -_Mr. Brown._ ‘_This_ is the millennium. We shall get no better. Is not -the prophecy fulfilled of the ancient poets—“The wolf and the lamb shall -lie down together?” Where is war? It has ceased to exist. Civilisation -and science have worked out the miracle, and given to war its quietus.’ - -It is necessary to explain that by this time such a perfect knowledge of -physiology was attained that the sex of the desired offspring could be -regulated by parents. As soon as the discovery was made, and fully and -completely tested, it was not locked up as a professional secret, but -was given to the people by order of the Government in a handbook of -health that was issued yearly at a nominal cost, which contained -up-to-date information on hygiene, or general management of Health, and -Home. By this means at least two-thirds of the children born were males, -which kept the balance fairly even of the sexes. For notwithstanding the -fact that Nature had at all times given the predominance of number to -the masculine sex, yet owing to the numerous accidents that befell men -while in the pursuit of their calling; and also to the severer strain on -their constitution as the breadwinners, the mortality was consequently -greater. From these causes mainly the nations found themselves mostly, -with a redundance of adult females. - -But a complete metamorphosis had now set in, for the people had eagerly -taken advantage of the information afforded them, availing themselves of -it to such an extent that the succeeding generation of males found -themselves with a very inadequate supply of wives. - -This awkward dilemma was, however, remedied in course of time, and -eventually a fairly even number of the sexes was obtained. - -But there was still another factor that assisted in maintaining the -balance—the opening of trades and professions to women, which custom had -kept so long closed against them, causing parents to hesitate in sending -their daughters to learn trades and professions. ‘Better have no -daughters at all,’ thought many susceptible ones, ‘if they must toil for -their living like men.’ But time works wonders: the day came when a -daughter brought as much honour and credit to her family as ever a son -could possibly have achieved. - -What men in the first instance regarded as an invasion of their rights, -proved in the end an inestimable blessing. A wife ceased to be a kind of -encumbrance upon a struggling man, and became a helpmate in a very -substantial sense; for marriage no longer incapacitating a woman from -continuing her employment, the income of a couple was doubled: by this -means the two were enabled to live in greater comfort and with less -strain and worry to the husband. Thus the longevity of the male was -increased by the more equal distribution of labour between the sexes, -for the wear and tear to the nervous system in the battle of life being -reduced, had its share in prolonging masculine life and sustaining an -equality of number of the sexes. - -As every person loved his profession, or trade, ‘being born to it,’ in a -most literal sense, his enthusiasm and interest in it never slackened, -consequently, no woman deemed it a hardship to follow the calling her -parents had designed for her, even when marriage made it no longer a -necessity. When the duties of her situation were discharged each day, -supposing she filled one, for few women ever thought of throwing up a -good post on account of getting married—she would return to her home, -whose appointments denoted the presence of the greatest refinement and -comfort, and finish the day, for the hours of labour were short, in the -society of her husband and children, varied by the enjoyment of social -pleasures, or intellectual pursuits. - - - - - PART II - - -For over a hundred years woman had been gradually developing in strength -and stature, and had by this time attained as great a height as man -formerly possessed. ‘Woman’s weakness’ was an unknown term, except from -ancient literature, for owing to the various athletic exercises which -for generations had been the universal custom for girls and women to -engage in, and also to the increased physical strength attained by -abstemiousness from much child-bearing, they had almost overtaken the -males in vigour, and endurance. Courage being the accompaniment of -bodily strength the myth of a woman running away from a mouse was -regarded as a silly invention of their ancestors for the purpose of -pleasantry, or a playful manner of showing up the difference of the -organisation of the sexes. But there were cynics to be found who averred -that the comic papers of the nineteenth century in their skits on -society gave as true a reflection of its condition, from one point of -view, as the most veracious and trustworthy historian could have -afforded. - -It appeared, indeed, utterly absurd to the twentieth-century mind, when -they turned over the leaves of some ancient copy of _Punch_ to see the -joke portraying the bald-headed pater looking aghast when the monthly -nurse presents him with the twelfth consignment, which are twins! - -‘Why the man ought to be dandling his grand-children at his time of -life, he is actually bald, and babies coming still!’ the reader of those -ancient cynicisms would exclaim. - -They could not understand the imprudence of parents bringing children -into the world for almost the whole of their natural lives. Leaving -themselves without leisure or ease to enjoy the fruits of their industry -in middle age, while yet youthful enough to appreciate the pleasures of -life. - -The nursery story—most artistically illustrated, of course,—descriptive -of the condition of their ancestors formed a curious revelation to -twentieth-century children. - -‘This is the man who toiled all day to fill the mouths of seven hungry -children that didn’t get enough. - -‘This is the woman all worn with care, who was wife to the man that -toiled all day, to fill the mouths of seven hungry children that didn’t -get enough. - -‘This is the strap the woman used, all worn with care, who was wife to -the man that toiled all day to fill the mouths of seven hungry children -that didn’t get enough. - -‘This is the pup that eat up the strap the woman used, all worn with -care, who was wife to the man that toiled all day to fill the mouths of -seven hungry children that didn’t get enough. - -‘This is the cat that clawed the pup, that eat up the strap, the woman -used, all worn with care, who was wife to the man that toiled all day to -fill the mouths of seven hungry children that didn’t get enough. - -‘This is the tank that drowned the cat, that clawed the pup, that eat up -the strap the woman used, all worn with care, who was wife to the man -that toiled all day to fill the mouths of seven hungry children that -didn’t get enough.’ - -This melancholy record of the fortunes of the nineteenth-century -representative peasant, was doubtless a variation of the legend of the -old woman that lived in a shoe. Nevertheless it amused the little tots -of twenty-first century time. For the extraordinary picture of seven -little children inhabiting one poor little cottage appeared utterly -absurd to their advanced minds, which could scarcely comprehend the -folly of a poor man possessing more mouths to fill than was possible. -‘What did he want with all those?’ they innocently inquired. - -But their nurse could only reply—‘She didn’t quite know: it was a way -they had in nineteenth-century times.’ - -The laws of health were so strictly taught in all schools that no -individual could possibly grow up ignorant on those points; and every -man, mostly, knew how to take charge of his own body. - -Nevertheless professors of medicine still flourished on the face of the -earth; but the masculine sex had for generations past lost the monopoly -of the profession. - -As a rule, however, the lady doctor was in no greater demand than her -male rival, men still holding their own to some extent; for the world -will ever see those women who prefer men to dance attendance on them. - -The profession was, indeed, pretty equally divided between the sexes; -most mothers preferring females to prescribe for their children in times -of dangerous sickness, believing that they were more successful in their -treatment of the troubles of childhood. Besides, it followed as a -natural consequence that as the lady accoucheur brought the child into -the world, which was the invariable custom, it was only fair that she -should have the medical care of the little one afterwards. - -The serious infant mortality which prevailed among the lower orders up -to the close of the nineteenth century, was now so reduced, that -parents, as a rule, succeeded in rearing their families intact. - -Greater enlightenment in the methods of their upbringing, together with -superior sanitary arrangements of the domicile, no doubt tended largely -towards effecting this change. - -Small families being the rule, instead of the exception, it must be -admitted that with a lesser number to provide for, greater care and -comfort could be bestowed upon their offspring; so that the reduction of -the birthrate had the effect of reducing the death-rate; this fact -combined with increased longevity of the adult, quite doubled the -average of human life. - -The difference in dress between men and women was not great; the sexes -were mostly distinguishable by the method of dressing their hair. - -Men had ceased cutting their hair closely, for it was found that this -practice materially injured its growth, and finally ended in making all -the males bald before they were twenty years of age. - -Specialists averred that the cause of the trouble arose from two -sources. By constantly cropping the hair an unnatural stimulus was -imparted to its growth, which quickly impoverished the hair follicles, -and so brought about their early decay. Also, the scalp being unduly -deprived of its natural covering of long hair was left an easy prey to -every germ, or fungus that chose to make its home there. For these -reasons men decided to wear their hair long, and usually kept it from -six to twelve inches in length, in curls about their neck, which had the -effect of giving them a very romantic appearance. - -Women allowed their hair its full natural length, arranging it in coils -and plaits, pretty much in the manner of the ancients. - -At this time there were persons with fads who affected high art in -gastronomical matters; preferring to patronise the food-chemist rather -than the butcher and baker. Chemical foodstuffs for the supply of the -waste of the various tissues of the body were arranged in pills and -tabloids, the quantity allowed for a meal being printed on the label. - -This practice however, failed to meet with anything approaching popular -favour, for mankind still loved too well the pleasures of the table to -give up a good dinner for a pill. For who would prefer a nitrogenous -tabloid to the delicacies of the banquet, which form the necessary -concomitants of the soul-inspiring nectars usually quaffed by the -appreciative Teuton on every available occasion? - -Indeed, to him the loss of the sensations of that comfort and -satisfaction which follow a good meal was tantamount to bidding adieu to -the most substantial pleasure of life. - -Besides, their internal arrangements had something to say in the matter; -and their utter collapse for want of some substance to keep them in -position proved a warning to the daring experimenter. - -Notwithstanding all the arguments of advanced scientists, the -food-chemists failed in disestablishing the old-fashioned system of -eating and drinking. - -Moreover there were physiologists who declared that it was an -impossibility as man is constituted, to sustain life by means of -elemental substances being introduced into the system unless a complete -reconstruction of the organisation could be effected. - -For the various organs that acted together, forming a laboratory for the -change of foodstuffs into vital force, having no occupation must -necessarily languish, and get out of gear through sheer inanition. - -Thus the revolution in animal economy was perforce left over for the -people of a more advanced period to deal with. - - - - - PART III - - -The nineteenth century saw the development of natural science to such a -gigantic extent that the people could only exclaim—‘It is like reading a -fairy tale of double-distilled enchantment; Aladdin’s lamp is as nothing -compared with it!’ - -Great as was the civilisation of the ancients their genius had never -attained to such heights as were reached by the scientists of that -epoch. - -Electricity was impounded into the service of man, and put to every -possible purpose. - -Experiment and research continued to be the order of the day; and the -great glow of enthusiasm that fired the votaries of science never abated -until all that was possible to be learnt concerning the adaptations of -electric energy were known far and wide. Before the dawn of the -twentieth century every country on the face of the earth was bound -together by a network of electrical energy. - -Scientific knowledge had therefore made such vast progress all over the -world, and the uses to which electric force could be applied had become -so widely known that nations found they must settle their differences by -some method other than warfare. - -By the use of electric lightning, as it was named, to distinguish it -from cloud lightning, whole armies could be annihilated by a couple of -electricians. And as skilful workmen of this class were in full force in -every country, and at the word of command were ready to apply this -deadly instrument of destruction with instantaneous effect, the powers -of warfare were pretty equally balanced. - -In course of time, on this account, standing armies were abolished, for -obviously, they were absolutely useless for the defence of a nation, and -in their stead a supreme Court of Justice was set up, entitled THE -WORLD’S TRIBUNAL. - -This was composed of delegates, or representatives from every nation, -each being entitled to send two persons who were usually chosen from the -ministry. - -It is needless to explain that such a position of responsibility was -given only to men of excellent wisdom and proved ability, who had -already won the confidence of their country. As a rule, the decisions of -this unique Court were abided by, but if a judgment gave general -dissatisfaction, then a return to an extremely primitive method of -warfare was permitted, under certain modified conditions. - -A company of picked men, famous in athletic exercises were selected by -the countries in dispute and pitted against each other, armed with -electrically-charged lances, very short, and silvered over to give them -a more imposing appearance. - -The object of each combatant was not to take life, or give serious -injury to his adversary, but simply to temporarily paralyse his right -arm, the combat being conducted according to certain stringent -regulations and conditions. - -At one time females offered themselves for the trial, and gave good -proof of their prowess and ability; but this ambition did not obtain for -long, and their desire of emulation in merely muscular exercises grew -into disfavour; for woman considered it incumbent upon her to keep in -advance of man in intellectual and philanthropical pursuits. - -Social history had taught her that man must possess an ideal for his -guidance, and where was that to be found if not in woman? It was her -influence, and her example which had advanced him to his present high -morality, his present plane of purity. - -Sometimes several generations would pass away before an occasion arose -for the GREAT TEST TOURNAMENT to take place, so that when an engagement -of this kind came off, it formed, in truth, a world’s fête. Kings and -commoners flocked from all parts to witness this unusual spectacle: for -the old love of combativeness was still dominant in the human mind, -although mainly kept under excellent restraint. - -The opportunity therefore, of seeing such an important contest, the -result of which bore such serious issues, was eagerly sought by all -classes, in every country. Indeed, it was patronised to such an extent -that it was found necessary to restrict the number of sightseers to one -million. For it was found most inconvenient to entertain and provide -accommodation for more, there being no room for such a heavy addition to -their numbers in the already well-filled city. All cities were pretty -nearly alike, in this respect, the world being very thickly populated. - -THE GREAT TEST TOURNAMENT formed, in truth, a grand and imposing -spectacle. What an exciting scene would then present itself! - -Flying machines impelled by electric energy darkened the air. Sumptuous -carriages set in motion by the same force, and filled with gaily -costumed men and women eager to witness the scene, whirled along the -roads formed of cement as smooth as glass, and hard as adamant. - -Horsemen elegantly attired, cantered briskly along the side road, which -was devoted specially to their use, for that designed for general -purposes was too smooth for the equestrian. - -Horses, indeed, were trotted out more for display than absolute use, by -the wealthy, for the means of locomotion was accessible to all. - -The poorest person, almost, could conveniently run his own electric car; -for the expense of construction was light, and by a simple process of -the conservation of energy the supply of electric force was sustained at -a small cost. - -By this time the concentration and conservation of solar energy was in -general practice; usually large manufactories favoured its use, for the -storage of the sun’s rays had become practicable and was superseding -electricity to some extent. The ocean was no impediment to personal -locomotion, for seas were skimmed over by means of electrical flying -machines; while ships impelled by the same force were used chiefly for -the transport of cargo. - -Nevertheless, there was still a large percentage of persons who -preferred riding the wave on an electric, or solar energy impelled -vessel, to floating through the air in a flying machine, for nerves were -not yet out of fashion. - -Notwithstanding all the dreams of nineteenth-century political reformers -England had still retained its old institutions, for the Empire -continued to be ruled by a monarchical form of government diluted -somewhat with the constitutional. So far from being a great Republic by -this time the tendency went the other way, for new conditions sprang up -which gave the Sovereign a degree of absolutism which the fondest hopes -of the Royalist could never have conjured up. By reason of marriages and -intermarriages between the Royal Houses of Great Britain and Germany the -two families became so intermixed that in consequence of the sudden -death of the heir-apparent to the German crown, followed immediately by -the death of the Emperor, the Sovereign of England woke up one morning -to find himself the direct successor to the throne of the Fatherland. - -It happened in this way. A great war broke out between Germany and -France in the year 1930, and in the midst of a fierce contest, where the -great field pieces were charged with missiles which emitted volleys of -electric lightning into the German ranks, a French electrician sent an -electric bolt at the Emperor and his son, killing the younger royal -warrior instantly, and severely injuring the elder. The following day -the Emperor succumbed to his injuries, to the intense grief of all his -subjects. - -This _coup_ failed to give the French nation the victory, but it gave -the German crown to the Sovereign of England, who was the only -successor. This was the last battle Europe ever saw; public opinion -decreed that such cruel slaughter should be discontinued for all time. -As a matter of course there was much opposition at the outset to the -Sovereign of another country swaying the sceptre of their beloved -fatherland, albeit he was in reality more German than English. - -Long speeches were made in the Reichstag, and ancient laws raked up to -show its utter unconstitutional character. But when it was pointed out -by their favourite minister, an old man full of wisdom and experience, -what a splendid gain it would prove to their country in having such a -powerful nation as the English merged into theirs; for united the two -could defy the world independently of any alliance with other great -Powers. To this unanswerable argument the opposition succumbed, and -gracefully gave way to the inevitable. - -The two countries set apart a whole week for national rejoicings at this -glorious union of two great nations in a manner unparalleled in all -history. It was poetically entitled the marriage of the beautiful -Sea-Girt Isle with the strong and Ever-Enduring Fatherland. This -euphemism took away the bitterness of the pill that most of the Germans -were mouthing, for they were not altogether satisfied at seeing their -country come under the dominance of another Power, albeit the ties of -consanguinity and policy bound both together. But the strongest factor -in producing satisfaction was the intense pleasure they felt in arousing -the ire and deep indignation of the French nation, who saw at a glance -her utter incapacity to cope with a rival whose dominions would now all -but encircle her, and whose power and possessions extended to every part -of the globe. - -Thus it came to pass that Albert Felicitas, King of Great Britain and -Ireland, and Emperor of India and Africa, was crowned Emperor of -Germany, which now held the small sovereignties of Denmark and Sweden. - -Henceforward this great portion of European territory was named THE -TEUTONIC EMPIRE, which comprising the Germanic and British Empires -united the scattered Teutons into one solid body. - - - - - MERCIA, THE ASTRONOMER ROYAL, - A ROMANCE. - - - - - CHAPTER I - - -Long before this period the women of England had become celebrated for -their mental attainments, splendid physique, and exceeding beauty; but -chiefest of all was the lovely and accomplished Mercia. - -Owing to her superior attainments in natural science, but especially -that branch dealing with astronomy she was appointed the position of -Astronomer Royal to the Emperor, Albert Felicitas, Supreme Ruler of the -Teutonic Empire. - -Mercia was acknowledged by all to be as beautiful as she was talented; -and the fame of her learning and genius was known throughout the Empire. - -She was now thirty years of age, being still in the first bloom of -womanhood; for woman was not fully developed until she attained the age -of twenty-five, as the term of human life was augmented. - -Man commonly reached his anticipated century of years; and it was no -extraordinary occurrence to see a hoary-haired veteran of one hundred -and twenty-five years surrounded by five or six generations of -descendants who had assembled to do him honour on his birthday. - -In former times Mercia would have been considered too tall for the ideal -of womanly beauty, for she was five feet, ten inches, in height. Indeed, -many women attained six feet in these days, but as they were perfectly -proportioned, and graceful in movement, their great height gave no idea -of awkwardness. Mercia’s form was perfectly moulded, her limbs reminding -the beholder of some chaste sculpture of the ancient Greeks, for her -flowing robes partially disclosed their contour. Beneath the -close-fitting sleeves of her tunic might be seen the fully developed -muscles of her arms, which were exquisitely shaped; the firm wrist was -small and round, the fore arm tapering upwards until the well-developed -muscle of the upper arm was reached. This was not unduly prominent, but -was softened and rounded beneath the clear skin, which, creamy white on -the inner side, disclosed a faint pink shade on the outer, denoting the -presence of perfect health. Her hands were moderately small, but perfect -in shape; the fingers were long and tapered, with deep, filbert-shaped -nails; indicating the intellectual cast of mind. The palm was tinged -with a shell pink, while the back was of transparent, pearly whiteness, -and fine as softest satin. - -She was not brilliantly fair in complexion, but her skin was beautifully -clear; and the soft roses that tinted her oval cheeks paled, or deepened -with her varying emotions. - -Her beautiful star-like eyes were of an indefinable shade, being neither -deep blue, nor brown decidedly. In the sunlight they beamed with a tint -borrowed from the deep azure of the heavens just before sunset, in the -shade they appeared a lovely, unfathomable brown. - -Her nut-brown hair was long, fine, and silky, showing the mental -temperament by its delicate texture. The head was fairly large, but -well-shaped. The forehead, the seat of intellect, was high, broad, and -full. Her eyebrows were well-arched, and curved in fair proportion; but -the space between the eyes was great, indicating very considerable -development of the perceptive faculties. - -It needed no brain specialist to discover at the first glance that -Mercia was born to her profession, for her powers of observation and -reflection were mapped upon her brow. - -Her long brown hair was arranged in glossy coils at the back of the -head, in ancient classic style, showing its perfect contour; while the -curls near the forehead fluttering like flossy silk, and shimmering in -the sun with a golden tint, softened the height of her broad and lofty -brow. - -Her breadth of chest indicated also that the physical part of her -training had reached the fullest perfection. The open collar of her -tunic partially disclosed her neck, Juno-shaped, and fine as cream-white -satin. - -In working hours she dressed in tunic, and trousers, made of dark, fine -cloth, while her evening, or reception toilette was composed of flowing -robes of bright, soft silk, which hung in graceful folds from her -shapely bust, and down her well-formed limbs. - -In her was seen personified modesty itself—not that of mere ignorance -and shyness—but the modesty born of nobility of mind, wisdom, and -purity. - -Mercia was devoted to her profession; and so great was her enthusiasm -that for fully six months in each year she made her observations of the -heavens all night long, snatching only an hour or two in the daytime for -sleep. - -She had discovered with the aid of the powerful instrument that -Geometrus, her chief assistant astronomer had invented, the existence of -a number of new planets which revolved around one of the principal suns, -hitherto unknown. The largest of these planets she named MERCIA, after -herself; to its sun she gave the title of GEOMETRUS, in honour of the -man she secretly loved, but dared not own it, not even to herself. - -It was a law, or rather, a regulation which was strictly enforced that -no Astronomer to the Emperor might marry. When a candidate for the post, -which was deemed as honourable as that of prime minister, was -successful, he was aware of the conditions his acceptance entailed. He -was required to take a solemn oath to give up all thought of love, or -matrimony, and devote the whole of his time, thought, and talent to the -fulfilment of his duties, and the furtherance of the science of -Astronomy, generally. - -Astronomy, and Meteorology were considered by the nation such important -branches of natural science, requiring in their pursuit so much -self-denial that it was deemed an absolute necessity that whoever filled -this important post should not be trammelled by the entanglements of -love, nor ties of wedlock. For it was considered the uxoriousness of an -affectionate husband, or wife, would while away the hours which -otherwise would have been devoted to his, or her duties, these entailing -long and severe rounds of night watchings. - -It is true Mercia possessed the power to give up her post and marry; but -to break the solemn oath she had given her Sovereign and country, to her -pure and honourable mind appeared monstrous. Besides, such a course -would have been attended with serious consequences, for to a certainty -almost, Geometrus would be requested to resign his position, and thus -both would lose, not only lucrative and honourable appointments, but -employment which each enthusiastically loved for its own sake. - -Geometrus was a tall, well-formed man of about thirty-five years; he -stood in his soft leather shoes, which were formed exactly to the shape -of the foot, at least six feet, two inches. - -His complexion was somewhat similar to that of Mercia, for his hair and -whiskers were of a bright brown; his eyes were dark and deep set: his -nose was large and straight, but that was the prevailing characteristic -of this time; for the nose being indicative of character, developed -greatly, keeping pace with the growth of brain-power of which it is the -sign, and outward index. - -The mouth was firm, the lips being compressed, while the chin was -prominent and broad. - -In his face the brain specialist could easily read his character, and -judge correctly his special turn of mind. - -Although he possessed, to some extent, the same powers of observation, -reflection, and calculation as Mercia, still, his most prominent faculty -was mechanics. In consequence of the excellent training he had received -at the public schools of Astronomy, the bent of his genius was turned in -this direction. - -For this reason he made an admirable assistant to the Chief Astronomer, -in so much, that he was always constructing wonderful instruments set -with peculiarly formed lenses of his own invention, by means of which -Mercia prosecuted with greater success her astronomical observations. - -In truth, the two were made for each other; not only as co-workers, but -also in disposition; for where there was a tendency towards an excess of -fiery energy on the one side, it was met with the calm serenity of -strict discipline on the other. - -Mercia was of calm and even temperament, being wonderfully patient and -enduring: the sweetness of her disposition was seldom ruffled, even -under the most trying circumstances. Although mild in manner, and in -speech, nevertheless she was by no means apathetic or easy going, for -her life was one constant round of industry. - -This rare combination of calmness and energy had been transmitted to her -by her mother, a lady of great learning and talent, who filled the -appointment of Chief Inspector of Public Schools under Government. - -This lady realising fully the immense responsibility she was about to -undertake when becoming a mother, took all the precautions, both -physical and mental, to ensure having for her offspring as perfect a -human being as was possible to obtain. - -The effect of this _régime_ on the part of the mother, benefited herself -equally as her offspring; for when the hour of accouchement arrived the -pains of child-birth were so light, and every muscle and organ of her -body in such perfect condition, that in the space of a week she was -fully restored and able to resume her social, household, or professional -duties, as if nothing had happened. - -There was no suckling of infants in these days, except by the very -lowest orders; women having by degrees lost that property for some -considerable time. As far back as the close of the nineteenth century -this power had commenced to fail them. - -Either through weakness engendered by much child-bearing, or the demands -of society upon the time of the women belonging to the upper and middle -classes, the habit of artificial suckling was resorted to, and -eventually adopted by all classes about that period, with the result -that in course of time Nature altogether refused to give any supply; for -she ever accommodates herself to the conditions under which she is -placed. - -Thus it came to pass that the mother was equally free as the father in -the matter of nursing, if she elected so to be; all the same, the child -was still most carefully and skilfully tended. - -The post of nurse was only filled by fully-trained, certificated women, -who thoroughly understood the management of children, and who were -competent to take them through any sickness without a doctor’s -assistance. - -By this time the English language had gained considerably by the -introduction of words from all nations, who on their side returned the -compliment by making it a speciality in their public schools, for -English was the commercial language of the whole world. - -But it became more than a commercial language to the Germans, for they -dropping their own tongue with its uncouth gutturals, adopted the -English, which was essentially their own, cultivated and enlarged, and -made more musical. - -Moreover another change was effected. - -The ancient and primitive style was reverted to in the matter of the -personal pronoun; for the substitution of the plural ‘you’ for its -singular ‘thou’ was considered ungrammatical, and therefore its use was -deemed improper to continue. - -This departure was imitated by the French who had been the original -authors of the anomaly in the early centuries. However, among the lower -orders, and in the fireside parlance the plural number was frequently -retained. - -At this period the Emperor Albert Felicitas reigned most peacefully over -the Teutonic Empire. He possessed a palace in each capital, dividing his -time among his various kingdoms with strict impartiality: not that it -mattered much where he resided, as the means of locomotion had arrived -at such perfection that a few hours’ journey sufficed to bring him to -any part of his European Empire. - -He wintered in Berlin in order to take advantage of the fine frosts, and -enjoy the exercise of sleighing. He summered in romantic Norway and -Sweden; utilising the early spring months in travelling through his -Eastern and African Empires alternately, and spent the beautiful autumn -in England. - -In his European dominions each country retained its House of Parliament, -which possessed powers to make laws dealing with domestic politics only; -these being afterwards sanctioned by the Emperor and his Cabinet. This -was formed of four ministers of each nationality, who were elected by -their country every seven years. - -But a cloud was hanging over the fair horizon of this happy Empire; a -deep dispute had been growing for upwards of a century between India and -her rulers, formerly the British, but now the Teutonic Empire. - -Western civilisation, or rather Western ideas, and education had brought -the natives of the Eastern Empire to such a degree of culture and -enlightenment that the subjugated ones realised that they had become the -equal of their masters long before the dawn of the twenty-first century. - -In point of fact, the close of the nineteenth century saw India -supplied, not only with elementary schools, but ‘High Schools,’ and -colleges of the first order, where the subjects taught met every want. -They consisted of civil engineering, mathematics, experimental physics, -mining, metallurgy, chemistry, architecture, forestry, farming, -veterinary surgery, &c. In the College of Science, Poona, at this period -all the foregoing subjects were taken. There was a farm of 150 acres in -connection with this college which had been transferred by Government to -the Agricultural Department; there were also a veterinary hospital where -lectures were delivered; mechanical, physical and chemical laboratories, -workshops, and foundries. A more complete arrangement for the training -of young India could not have been devised. Here students of various -nationalities, but chiefly Hindoos, studied and worked with the greatest -enthusiasm. - -Thus for a considerable period the natives had been availing themselves -of the means of education afforded them so benevolently by the English -Government, whose motto was ‘Educate your subjects and they will better -obey you;’ whereas it should have been—‘Educate your servants and you -make them your equals;’ for knowledge gives power, or to define it more -accurately in this case, knowledge gave insight, and discovered to its -votaries the glories and delights of an enlightened liberty. - -Notwithstanding the hindrances caused by religious superstitions they -made excellent progress; gradually emerging from the shackles of their -ancient beliefs which acted as chains to keep them in the slavery of -ignorance, they eventually became almost the equal of their rulers in -manufactures, art, science, and literature. - -Under these conditions they had become a powerful people, and -consequently were greatly dissatisfied with their position of -dependence. - -There had long been a growing feeling of dislike to the government of -their country being consigned to the charge of a mere representative of -the Teutonic Empire. - -They considered that the time had arrived that such a vast and important -Empire as theirs should be ruled by one supreme monarch, whose Court -would suitably represent their country’s wealth, power, and -intelligence. - -Once in the enjoyment of a Monarchical Government, tempered by the -restrictions of a Constitutional, they felt they would be no longer -handicapped as they had hitherto found themselves, for native gentlemen -who had benefited their country to a marked degree, as well as men of -acknowledged ability and genius, had, with rare exceptions, no titled -honours conferred upon them as tokens of recognition of their worth. -This omission they assigned to the jealousy of their rulers, coupled -with their overweening opinion of Western superiority. - -Thus to this very sensitive people it became a crying calamity that they -had no Court of their own wherein they could create dukes, lords, and -baronets _ad lib._ and set up a nobility and monarchy on their own -account; on the same lines of government favoured by their Teutonic -rulers. - -Although India was universal in its desire for ‘Home Government,’ -nevertheless, there were two great political parties in the country; one -was conservative and desired a Monarchical, the other preferred a -democratic or Republican form of government. - -Of course the Press was the expression of these opinions, which the -English and Germans eagerly perused, so that whenever a petition arrived -at the Teutonic Court praying for freedom these opposing opinions were -brought forward as an excuse for refusing their request. - -‘Why ask for powers of self-government,’ they retorted, ‘when you are -unable to agree upon what form it shall take? You are happier and better -as you are for you know not how to govern yourselves; you are our -children; we have educated you, and brought you up, as it were; why -desire to leave the parental control when it is only exercised for your -good?’ - -But the oppressed ones did not see it: they felt that they were only -step-children, who were kept out of the benefits accorded the offspring -of their rulers; for all posts of honour and handsome remuneration had -long been taken up by the overflowings of aristocratic Germanic and -English families. - -Even when in positions where natives were permitted the privilege of -filling alongside the Englishman, as far back as the nineteenth century -and upwards, natives were not remunerated with anything approaching the -same rate of income as their more favoured colleagues; although -performing identical duties in the hospitals. - -A reliable historian of the nineteenth century in treating this subject -says:—‘One serious obstacle in the way of increasing the supply of -medical men, (natives) seems to me the unfair and invidious difference -made in the remuneration of native as compared with English professional -men employed in our service, and the same it may be added, applies to -legal, and other departments of the State. Take Delhi, for example, -where the civil surgeon, a military man, is paid 1,150 rupees per month, -whilst his two native assistants receive only 150 each. In Lahore the -English civil surgeon gets 1,050 rupees, the native assistants 150 each. -Indeed, throughout India the proportion is everywhere as seven or eight -for the English, to one for the native official.’ - -Is it to be wondered at that the dissatisfaction felt at the ‘plums’ -being everywhere reserved for the British should begin to find utterance -in the native Press, and in the National Congress? - -So far as the medical department is concerned it cannot possibly be -urged, as it is in the legal administration, that the moral qualities -which are requisite demand a greatly increased scale of remuneration for -the Englishman. If the services of an English civil surgeon be worth -1,380_l._ per annum, surely those of his chief assistants, if they be of -any value whatever, must be rated low at 180_l._, no matter to what -nationality they belong. - -This does not apply, however, to the medical colleges and schools. For -example, at the Campbell Medical School and Hospital, Calcutta, the -superintendent, and English surgeon-major receive 550 rupees per month; -and there are eight professors and demonstrators, _all natives_, most of -whom get from 300 to 350 rupees, and a number of native assistants who -receive 100 to 150 rupees. - -‘Can anything prove more conclusively that it is not the incapacity of -the natives, but favouritism of the dominant race which awards -disproportionately high salaries to the English officials?’ - -‘Similar inequalities existed in most of the departments of the State, -which were of vital importance to the political relations of the -governors and the governed.’ - -Such were the outspoken sentiments of an Englishman whose high -attainments and wide experience of Indian administration made his -utterances worthy of the deepest consideration. - -Side by side with Western culture grew the desire to imitate the Western -system of home government. The initiatory movement in this direction -took the form of an infant ‘National Congress’ which had its birth in -the year of grace 1885, at Bombay, ‘where seventy-two native gentlemen -from all parts of India met together.’ There were representatives from -Karachi, Surat, Poona, Calcutta, Agra, Benares, Lucknow, Lahore, -Allahabad, Ahmedabad, Bombay, Madras, Tanjore, and several other -important places in India. Thus was constituted the nucleus of a greater -and more important organisation, which ultimately developed with the -growth of Western culture, for every educated Hindoo was as well -acquainted with the social and political history of Great Britain and -Ireland as any Englishman could possibly be. At this first Congress -‘they spent three days in the discussion of questions affecting the -interests of the native community, and in passing resolutions thereon.’ -The first resolution, which was supported by gentlemen of unquestioned -standing, asked for a fulfilment of the ‘promised inquiry’ into the -‘working of Indian administration, and suggested the appointment of a -Royal Commission, the people of India being adequately represented -thereon, and evidence taken both in India and England.’ - -‘An expansion of the supreme and local legislative councils by the -admission of a considerable number of elected members,’ was another -reform which was considered essential. - -‘Indirectly,’ said the first report, ‘this Conference will form the germ -of a native parliament, and if properly conducted will constitute in a -few years an unanswerable reply to the assertion that India is still -wholly unfit for any form of representative institutions.’ - -The answer to these aspirations and desires on the part of the educated -natives given by the governing classes in India practically were—‘That -the only government possible for India both in the interest of the -British as well as of the natives, and as a protection against Russia, -is a despotism.’ - -‘That any concessions to native opinion will interfere with that -despotism.’ - -‘That the authority and domination of the officials must not be -interfered with.’ - -‘That if such concessions are made they will only serve as an opening -for further demands, the object being ultimately to overthrow the -Government, and that the leading natives have that end in view.’ - -The prophets were correct: one hundred years later saw India with a -fully fledged Parliament, enacting laws for her own government and -finishing by demanding full control of Imperial politics, till finally -the control of the conqueror, however mild, was sought to be banished -completely. - -There were those who were foolish enough to hint at extinguishing the -Viceroy and all his court by means of electric lightning, but that -course would have been idiotic in the extreme, for their rulers in turn -could have annihilated the whole nation by the same process, so that to -endeavour to settle the question by main force was simply impossible. -Their grievance had by this time attained such magnitude that an immense -requisition signed by millions of the inhabitants, or rather the -natives, of India, was sent to the WORLD’S TRIBUNAL for consideration. - -What a tumult this action put the whole world into! Thousands of books -and pamphlets were issued on the subject in every country. Throughout -the globe newspapers and monthly journals eagerly discussed the question -in their columns, and took sides according to their trade or political -relationships with the countries in dispute, for self ever predominates -in the decisions of nations as in those of individuals. - -Notwithstanding all this literary energy the ‘Supreme Law of Nations’ -took its course. Delegates from every Government were summoned to appear -on May 1 in the year 2002 to consider the secession of the Indian, from -the control of the Teutonic Empire, and all the world wondered how it -would end. - -In due course a sub-committee was formed from the delegates with powers -to choose the place in which the WORLD’S TRIBUNAL should be held. It was -finally decided that Paris should be thus exalted, for this charming -city still held its own in the representation of the science and art of -the world. - -The Chamber of Deputies for this unparalleled occasion was -newly-decorated with the greatest lavishness. Exquisitely upholstered -chairs, resembling thrones in their sumptuousness were provided for the -occasion. The walls of the chief chamber in which the Court was to be -held were beautifully decorated and made to appear like fine ivory, set -in square slabs edged with gold: on each of the squares paintings of -exquisite workmanship relieved the coldness of the pure cream-coloured -ivory ground, while silken draperies skilfully embroidered with gold, in -richest designs hung in graceful folds from windows and doorways. On the -wall immediately behind the President’s chair were suspended valuable -paintings, the frames of which were composed of solid gold, whose -corners were set with gems of great value. - -Although much was done to please the eye in this temple of luxury, -nevertheless, there was naught provided to tempt the palate. - -The imagination of the ministers might revel in richest surroundings, -but only the plainest fare was provided in the anterooms for their -entertainment. - -With these regulations, we may be sure, that the matter under -consideration was not drawn out unduly, for who would remain in a place -where the pleasures of the table were so scantily considered? No time -being lost in gastronomical or bibulous gratifications the delegates -were enabled to bestow assiduous attention upon their duties, and -listened carefully to the charges brought by the Easterners against -their governors. - -They denounced emphatically the system of vice-government which was rife -with abuses, and explained that from the very commencement they regarded -this foreign intrusion as a degradation to their nation. They pointed -out that they were an ancient people, possessing all the prestige of -ages of civilisation, who could not forget the glories of bygone -centuries; for thousands of years they had been governed by their own -rulers, in true Eastern magnificence; at a period so remote that their -present rulers were then mere barbarians, unknown to the civilised -world. With such a past as theirs; their country possessing such classic -associations, standing proofs of which they had everywhere: in the -perfect architecture; in their ancient literature, all of which reminded -them of their former prestige and splendour. The time had arrived that -they could no longer ignore the duty that lay before them, namely, to -demand the restoration of their natural rights which had been filched -away from them by fraud and deceit without their consent or desire. -‘Yes!’ continued the speaker, ‘every inch of our territory has been -surveyed and measured by the foreign intruder, and the products of our -labour taxed heavily to uphold in luxury the children of the invader.’ - -It was the chief minister, Sir John Punjaub, a leading Hindoo, who made -this daring speech. He was a man advanced in years and full of learning, -with ever so many letters after his name, indicating his membership of -various scientific societies in England, Germany and India. - -His countrymen adored him, for he had expended his vast wealth for their -betterment, by the establishment of various philanthropic and -educational institutions: but they loved him chiefest of all for his -active enthusiasm in the promotion of their country’s political welfare, -and his kindly and ready sympathy in private life. - -It was said of him that never in his life had he turned away from a tale -of woe; ‘Better,’ he would say, ‘give ten times to the unworthy, than -once turn a deaf ear to the needy.’ - -The struggling youth who found the world too much for him in his first -start in life would take heart of hope and whisper to himself—‘I will go -to Sir John, he will tell me what to do, and how I am to gain my goal: -he sends no one away, he gives comfort and information; and if need be, -funds to the honest worker who seeks his aid.’ - -Thus like the god of day, this dear old man imparted life and joy, and -blessings wherever his influence reached, and the people in return -reverenced and loved him greatly. - -In the Eastern St. Stephen’s he held the position of Prime Minister, and -as a matter of course, upon him devolved the duty of stating the case of -the Indian Empire before the WORLD’S TRIBUNAL. - -He spoke in English of the purest diction, and pronunciation as perfect -as that of a polished Englishman; his great experience as a politician, -his gift of eloquence and his profound wisdom, all combined to make him -a unique interpreter of the feeling of India at this vitally important -crisis. - -The delegates listened in wrapt attention to every argument brought -forward, giving assiduous attention to their duties throughout, and -making notes of every point of any importance, on either side, all being -done without the smallest loss of time. The result of such industry was -that in fourteen days the whole of the evidence was gone through, after -which the members of the Tribunal made their speeches, expressing their -opinions upon the various points of the case in a clear and succinct -manner. - -This refraining from flowery oratory proved a capital saver of time, and -brought the matter to a close much earlier than if all had disported -themselves in high-flown rhetoric, or windy word-making. - -By this time the expression of language had attained such perfection; or -rather, the gift of eloquence had become so general that almost -everybody was able to express himself in well-chosen language with -little or no preparation. - -The result of this tongue-culture was a disfavour towards unnecessarily -drawn out speeches. Indeed, the rule adopted mostly by legislative and -other assemblies was timed speeches, generally from thirty to sixty -minutes’ duration; but very rarely was this latter period taken except -in cases of extraordinary importance. - -It would astonish a nineteenth-century parliamentarian if he could have -heard a thirty minutes’ speech at this time. Every sentence uttered -expressed a thought; not a superfluous word was used throughout; yet -every idea was enunciated fully and perfectly, for it was concentrated -thought projected in concentrated language. - -For several previous generations this power of _précis_ had been put in -general practice. Both parents and teachers making it a point to impress -upon children the vulgarity of verbosity; both in writing and speaking -an artistic method was inculcated that expressed every shade of thought -in the least possible number of words. - -Each day’s proceedings at the World’s Tribunal was known in every -country upon the same day. In a couple of hours from the close of the -chamber, the speeches appeared word for word, in the leading newspapers -of every country, including the most distant parts of Africa. - -Although eagerly perused by all, the contents were exceptionally -interesting to India. Millions of dark eyes daily scanned the pages that -brought them hope and fear alternately. - -At length the day arrived upon which the decision was to be formally -announced—it was the twenty-eighth from the commencement. Alas, the -bright hopes of this gentle people were cruelly blasted, for the verdict -of the Great Tribunal was against them. - -At first overwhelmed with disappointment they were perfectly paralysed. -A deep, dead silence reigned amidst that vast concourse of people while -it was being read out to them; for both high and low had assembled in -immense crowds in some open space of each great city of India. This was -followed by a sudden and furious anger that burst from the heart of the -multitude and found vent in the loud cries of—‘A trial by combat! A -trial by combat!’ - -The same day the Indian Press declared that the decision was unjust to a -degree, nay, iniquitous; and the people of India should refuse to accept -it. Immediately America took up the strain and declared she had never -approved of it, but having been in the minority when put to the vote -their opinion had gone for nothing. - -Then Russia had another word to say in the matter, and encouraged -America, until eventually it was conceded that India should be accorded -the benefit of the final test, and the great question decided by -personal prowess. - -To this arrangement the Teutonic Empire made no objection, for the -natural confidence and conceit of the English caused them to regard with -disdain an engagement where physical strength gave the victory. - -Thus the most primitive method of settling a dispute was resorted to, -when the verdict of experienced politicians failed. Muscle-power was to -prevail over mental even with the highly cultured people of this -advanced period. The fact was, that however well-intentioned a conclave -of politicians at the outset might be, there are so many influences at -work, and so many international interests to consider, that to mete out -justice with a Solomon-like impartiality proved more than human nature -was capable of. - - - - - CHAPTER II - THE BATTLE - - -Now, as stated previously, the method of combat was entirely different -from any practised in previous times, for the antagonist’s life was not -sought in any case, but disablement only. Victory was secured by -rendering useless the right arm of the foe by giving it a blow with a -short lance, or instrument electrically charged. - -The peculiarity of this weapon was that it did not give an electric -shock sufficient to kill a man, its effect being merely to paralyse the -part it touched, and as the rule was to strike only at the right arm, no -greater injury than the paralysis of that limb could take place. - -Occasionally it happened that the arm was permanently paralysed; but -mostly, only temporarily disabled, for clever electro physicians could -commonly restore the limb by cunning administration of counter shocks -which occasionally required several weeks, and even months, to effect a -thorough cure. - -Quack doctors had an evil time of it in these days; if any one took upon -himself to publicly prescribe, or vend medicines without having obtained -a proper diploma, he was arraigned and condemned to hard labour for a -term of years. The employment he was put to usually consisted of the -construction of public works, or something strictly useful, and -sufficiently profitable to cover the expenses of his detention. - -This too, was the reign of the specialist. In every trade, or profession -such perfect knowledge was requisite that it was customary to take up -but one branch and adhere to it solely. - -For instance, a person with a nervous complaint would not dream of -consulting a surgeon; the bone-setter never interfered with the fever -patient; nor the aurist with the oculist; the child-doctor and -accoucheuse kept strictly to her own department, except in rural -districts, where there would not have been sufficient employment for -each branch of medicine to be represented. - -The solicitor never appeared in a police case; for another branch of the -profession called ‘petty pleaders,’ conducted these, the study of which -possessed its own separate course, and examinations. The food-chemist’s -diploma was not identical with that of the ordinary pharmaceutical -chemist; indeed, all the various branches of chemistry of which there -was a great number, were separately chosen and studied with one definite -end in view, everyone keeping to one thing, and doing that perfectly. - -The country in which the contest should take place was decided by lot. -The question was—India or England. And the lot fell on England. But it -was indeed a difficult matter to discover a place sufficiently great in -this thickly populated country which would be suitable for this immense -tournament. Eventually, a space of sufficient area was fixed upon, which -consisted of a number of fields of sweet-smelling flowers that were -being cultivated for the manufacture of perfumes; for the wealthy still -affected the natural perfume of distilled flowers, to the manufactured -odours of the perfume-chemist. - -These meadows formed a space of about two hundred acres, and being only -a hundred miles from the metropolis proved most convenient for the -purpose. - -For several weeks previous to the day a large number of carpenters and -upholsterers were busily engaged making the necessary preparations. - -Tiers of seats to accommodate some thousands of persons were reared all -round the field of combat, covered with crimson and gold cloth; while -overhead were awnings of glittering silk composed of the finest drawn -threads of glass, which shone brilliantly in the summer’s sun. Indeed, -robes of silk formed of this material were common enough, for the cocoon -of the silkworm was insufficient to meet the demand for this favourite -fabric. - -But the throne, or seat of the Sovereign outshone all in magnificence. -It was formed of beautifully carved coromandel wood, the natural -markings of which presented the appearance of myriads of heads in -countless variety of form. Therein could be seen the human face in every -style of shape and expression; together with the heads of animals of -every description. - -This beautifully marked wood was relieved by inlayings of ivory, edged -with gold. - -The awning overhead which protected the monarch and his suite from the -heat of the noonday sun, or summer’s shower, was also made of glass -silk, the colours of which were artfully blended to represent the -brilliant hues of the rainbow. - -The daïs arranged for the accommodation of the umpires was also -handsomely decorated; and when the field was filled with the -richly-dressed knights of the silver lance, mounted on graceful steeds -of surpassing elegance of form, it looked, indeed, like fairyland -itself. - -And now, behold, the day and hour have arrived for the great tournament, -which has to decide the fate of the two contending Empires. Five hundred -mounted, and an equal number of unmounted warriors on either side take -their allotted positions, each armed with what appears to be a -glittering silver lance, but is in reality an electrically-charged -weapon whose only mission is to paralyse one particular limb of the -adversary. - -Dressed in crimson tunic, and steel-grey breeches, which displayed the -well-formed proportions of the lower limbs, the lines of English -combatants presented a most imposing appearance. Five hundred horsemen -brilliantly attired, with silver helmets glittering in the sunshine, and -mounted on well-trained steeds, awaited the signal to commence, while -the same number of athletes on foot stood with eager looks in perfect -readiness also. - -The Indian athletes formed also a glittering galaxy of imposing -splendour. Attired throughout in white and gold, their dark complexions -set off by cream and gold helmets which shone bravely in the sunshine, -they looked, indeed worthy antagonists for the bold and hardy -Northerner. With lances drawn the combatants at the given signal now -rush towards each other. Every man singles out his adversary, when a -masterly piece of parrying takes place. With great skill and display of -well-trained muscle-power the Eastern parries the Northern’s stroke, -which is unlike all hitherto known, it being allowable only on the right -arm. If in the heat of battle an athlete should inadvertently hit his -adversary in a vital part, and thereby cause his death, the unlucky -contestant must himself pay a heavy money penalty to the family of the -slaughtered man: this rule acted most beneficially, and formed on the -whole a very safe life-insurance for each combatant. - -The richly decorated galleries surrounding the scene of action are now -filled with the _élite_ of the whole world. Emperors, kings, czars, -princes, and potentates of high position accompanied by their ladies -beautifully attired make a _tout ensemble_ that once beheld could never -be forgotten. - -Such a variety too, of costume as was never before seen grouped -together, dazzled the beholder; for the Eastern style differed from the -West as greatly at this time as in any previous period, but in a -contrary way. During the lapse of many generations the Eastern had been -gradually adopting the Parisian or Western mode of dress; and the -Western the flowing Eastern robes, until by this time the two modes were -reversed; or, at least as much as our northerly climate would admit. - -Thus it came to pass that a fair-haired English maiden would be attired -in a flowing yellow silk robe, confined at the waist by a golden girdle, -and at her side her mother stood draped in rich velvet that hung in -graceful, flowing ripples from her shoulders; while the native of Turkey -rejoiced in a tight-fitting bodice, with skirt beflounced and befrilled -in nineteenth-century Western style. - -By this time the emancipation of Turkish women from their conventional -imprisonment had taken place to their intense satisfaction. It was a -long and hard battle this struggle for independence, and natural -freedom, and was only gained eventually through the intervention of the -chief women of the Teutonic Empire. - -These were composed of lady members of Parliament together with the -wives of the peers and nobles who in one great body went to the various -potentates who had sliced up the country amongst them, to beseech them -to advocate personal liberty to the female sex, in whatever degree or -position in society they moved, and further exhorted them to use their -influence with the people generally, to bring about this necessary -reformation. - -So the French, Russian, and Teutonic Empires graciously complied with -the request of the fair delegates, and what is more, kept their royal -promise to the best of their ability. - -This was accomplished in part by the issuing of edicts to the people, -who were first set the good example by the nobles whose interest it was -to co-operate with their conquerors, or rulers: thus by degrees the -women of the Teutonic race accomplished the emancipation of their sex in -the lazy and luxurious East. - -Never before was seen such a dazzling pageant as that viewed from the -flying machines which hung suspended in the air immediately above the -scene of action. Seated in these aërial carriages their occupants could -not fail to enjoy themselves, for they possessed the advantage of -freedom to eat, drink and be merry, while they watched the fortunes of -war as they developed in the field below without being hampered by -conventionalities, or inconvenient onlookers. - -At one moment they would see the Englishman parry the stroke of the -Indian who was making a furious attack on his adversary. The Indian was -indeed, struggling for dear liberty, and under this inspiration his -naturally calm and placid countenance, whose expression betokened his -gentle disposition, was fired with an enthusiasm that only a mighty -occasion could call forth. - -Ages of submission had given him a disposition to yield, for heredity is -all-powerful, nevertheless, he fought against his nature, as it were, in -order to obtain the benefits of that glorious liberty, of which the -Briton himself boasted so constantly. - -With this high resolve before his eyes, he set aside his natural -instincts, and becoming another man, excelled himself, and fought the -foeman bravely. - -Thrust and parry; thrust and parry, went on for hours, until at last the -sun was sinking in the horizon, and still the contest hung in even -balance. Scores of men fell from the ranks on either side with one arm -hanging helplessly at their side, while physicians with galvanic -batteries stood in their tents outside the enclosure ready to render -them needful service. - -Time was up at six o’clock, and not too soon, for fighting had commenced -at ten o’clock in the morning, and all were ready to drop with fatigue. -Then the signal was given to cease, when the whole, or uninjured men -were counted on each side; and to the intense disgust of the English who -were ever proud of their prowess, and the great and exceeding joy of the -unhappy Eastern the latter had won by just three men. Thus the patient -and persevering Eastern worsted for once the bold and hardy Northerner. -Then a ringing cheer burst forth from the thousand Indian athletes, and -their friends; which was caught up by the people suspended above, -filling the whole air with its shout of glad triumph. After all, Right -had overcome Might in this great struggle, which finally settled the -dispute of many generations. - -Among the two thousand contestants only twelve casualties occurred; in -other words, twelve men lost their lives in the encounter. Of these -seven were Hindus; but they died in a glorious cause and their names -were handed down to posterity by the erection of a splendid malachite -column on which was inscribed their names and a graceful tribute of -their countrymen’s gratitude in verse. This was composed by their -beloved minister, whose splendid appeal at the Great Tribunal had failed -to move the hearts of their judges; but the little verse, noble in its -simplicity and tender pathos, brought the unconscious tear to the eyes, -not only of the admiring Native, but also to the Briton himself, who no -longer grudged the Eastern his well-deserved victory. - - - - - CHAPTER III - - ‘Of queenly mien, of loveliest form, and eyes - Like gems set in translucent skies. - And all the beauty of the Court was dimmed - By fair Igerna: to Uther’s eyes she seemed - To stand a peerless pearl; a diamond divine; - Beyond all price, and fitted most to shine - In kingly coronet of the great on earth, - A prizeful jewel of unbounded worth. - ... All women she outvies - In every gentle grace. Her voice now thrilled - With soft delight his ravished ears, and filled - His listening soul with music’s harmony, - Sweet as the rippling water’s melody.’ - _Idylls, Legends and Lyrics._ - - -The Royal Observatory was a stately building of great height erected -close to the old building in Greenwich Park, which latter was kept as a -show place, and used also as a lecture hall for students of Astronomy. -The lower apartments of the new building were occupied by Mercia and her -household, while the upper rooms were devoted to the purposes of her -profession. A suite of rooms on the left wing were set apart as -workshops for Geometrus, whose spare time was always taken up with -planning or perfecting some wonderful astronomical instrument more -powerful than the world had hitherto seen. - -In a spacious apartment on the third floor which contained two powerful -telescopes, constructed on principles of entirely modern invention, -being capable of revealing the distant suns to an extent never before -dreamt of, was Mercia surrounded by curious astroscopes, -stellar-spectroscopes, and wonderfully constructed cameras, which -delineated in an instant the starry heights, the glory of which has been -the ambition of astronomers in all ages to fathom. - -She was seated at her desk making some mathematical calculations of the -celestial depths, and was so completely engrossed in her labours that -the entrance of her fellow-worker, Geometrus, went unheeded. At length, -coming to a close, she raised her head, when instantly a flush of -pleasure brought the rose more vividly into her cheeks. - -‘Ah, Geometrus, is it thou?’ she exclaimed, ‘I have finished the -measurement of thy namesake, the fixed star, and am happy at last. His -system of planets are now all perfect before me: I must write a treatise -on this new addition to science so that posterity may know what we have -attained.’ - -‘Why use the word “we,” my mistress,’ replied the young man, ‘it is thou -alone who hast done the work?’ - -‘It is true that I have made the observations and calculations, -Geometrus, but it was thy cunning which formed the instrument. Take thy -due, my friend, and be not over modest; some base imitator may some day -defraud thee of thine invention, unless thou wilt consent to acknowledge -it openly.’ - -‘I would that I might acknowledge openly the one deep thought of my -heart,’ he answered with a sigh as he turned to leave the apartment. - -‘Stay a little while, Geometrus, I would have some converse with thee. I -am buried so deeply in my work that I know not how the world is wagging. -What about the great dispute that is coming before the World’s Tribunal? -Is it a righteous cause this of the Eastern, thinkest thou?’ - -‘Nay, mistress, that is not for me to settle: judge for thyself. India -desires to regain her ancient freedom. The Government reins of the -foreigner however lightly held, gall her. She does not deny having -received great benefits from the invader, as great as the Romans -conferred upon the early Britons: nevertheless, she would prefer a -measure of mismanagement under a native ruler, than the most perfect -arrangements from the stranger.’ - -‘But it is folly in these enlightened times to imagine that India, once -our rule were withdrawn, would revert to the old order of things. -Ignorance and superstition, Eastern despotism and tyranny can never -again find a home in that beautiful country,’ remarked Mercia -thoughtfully. - -‘Oh, we are all well aware of that: but it suits our purpose to make -these assertions: we must invent a _raison d’être_ when we take upon -ourselves the government of a country that in no way belongs to us. It -is _pro re natâ_—for a special business—that we aver they can’t get -along without us. We have edged in little by little until we have -brought the whole Empire under our dominion. To give up India now, would -be as tantalising to us, as it would be to the victorious soldier if -asked to give up his loot; for in the good old times pillage was the -perquisite of the warrior. America evidently sympathises with India in -her desire for a monarchy. That country pretty well understands where -the shoe pinches for she has gone through experiences.’ - -‘I have read in books,’ observed Mercia smiling, ‘how American women -made wealthy by their parents’ success in trade, came hither to mate -with titled men; for there was no nobility in their own country. I -suppose possessing all the world could give save high rank they sought -in the parent country for that which their own lacked.’ - -‘They lacked not long,’ returned Geometrus laughingly, ‘for over fifty -years they have been in the enjoyment of a monarchy and all its -concomitant honours. The image and superscription of King Jonathan, the -First, that adorns the almighty dollar impresses one painfully with -their pinchbeck royalty.’ - -‘We shall get used to it in time,’ observed Mercia gently. ‘A young -republic cannot make an old monarchy. After all, there was a spice of -modesty in Jonathan when he elected a king, for he might have made him -an emperor while doing it.’ - -‘It wasn’t modesty at all—it was selfish prudence; they wanted to follow -the lines of a constitutional monarchy and considered it was the safest -thing to call their Figure Head a king.’ - -‘If India obtains her desire I wonder whom she will chose for Emperor. -Doubtless the people will want that dear old Prime Minister of theirs; -they could not have a worthier monarch.’ - -‘But he is old,’ replied Geometrus quickly, ‘and he is childless, what -is to become of the succession when he dies? There will arise tumults -and internal quarrels as to his successor: better choose a younger man, -and one likely to found a lasting royal line. Remember the fate of -Germany. Had there been a goodly half-dozen of sons to fall back upon an -English prince would never have had the chance of their crown.’ - -‘All’s well that ends well, Geometrus. Now is England invincible to the -whole world: in her position as a united Empire her power is paramount -everywhere.’ - -No sooner had Mercia made this observation than she heard the sound of -some unusual noise going on outside, and stepping to the window she saw -several gentlemen assembled near the Observatory, among whom she -discerned no other personage than the Emperor Felicitas himself. - -‘Here’s a pretty surprise for thee, Mistress Mercia,’ exclaimed -Geometrus excitedly; ‘none other than the Emperor! It is not I he seeks, -but thou, Mistress Mercia, I will then away.’ - -‘Stay, Geometrus!’ exclaimed Mercia quickly, ‘I would prefer thy company -when I receive the Emperor. I will now retire and change my dress for a -more suitable habit in which to receive so honourable a visitor.’ - -But before she could leave the room a messenger was at the door desiring -an audience for his royal master. - -Mercia silently bowed her assent; and a moment later the monarch entered -her studio. As he did so she rose from her seat at the large table, -which was covered with charts and maps of the celestial regions, all of -her own making, but the Emperor quickly stepping forward observed -gallantly, ‘Stay, lady, keep thy seat, for it is meet that monarchs -should serve thee, who art so full of knowledge and wisdom.’ - -‘Thou art my master,’ she answered in a grave tone. - -‘Thy Sovereign, yet thy servant,’ he replied with a deep bow. - -‘What is thy wish, Sire, wherefore am I honoured by this visit?’ - -‘I would know, fair Mercia, the cause of this change of temperature, not -only in my dominions, but from all accounts I hear it is general -throughout the world. For three successive years an extreme cold has -prevailed each season. I fain would learn the reason.’ - -‘Some serious internal changes are taking place within the body of our -sun. Great caverns, about one-fourth of the sun’s diameter have -discovered themselves in his centre. We are not the only planet-dwellers -suffering from cold at this time, for a difference will be experienced -throughout the whole of the solar system. But it is only a temporary -inconvenience; from close observation I find that our sun is absorbing -numerous meteoric bodies, of which there are billions wandering in -interstellar space, that have been projected from the innumerable suns -still called stars by the people, and for the sake of convenience the -title is retained by physicists. I conclude therefore that there is no -cause for alarm. Our sun has indeed sent out of himself great -projectiles into space, but he is ever capturing wandering bodies that -happen to come within his influence. In this way the hydrogen of the -fixed stars is pressed into our sun’s service and a constant heat -sustained, which may last for thousands of years to come.’ - -‘Of all the stars thou studiest nightly to such excellent purpose, thou -art the brightest, Mercia. Thou art truly the wisest of women; and as -fair as thou art far-seeing. Thy words give comfort to the world, and -thy beauty brings thy Sovereign much delight.’ - -While Felicitas was uttering these pleasant gallantries, he was -gradually edging his chair nearer and nearer to that of Mercia. - -Mercia’s countenance at once assumed a more serious expression; hastily -glancing towards that part of the room where Geometrus was seated she -found he had slipped out unobserved, doubtless with the intention of -leaving them quietly to their discussion on the sun’s condition. - -‘Truly, it is most kind of thee, Sire, to show such appreciation; but I -seek no flatteries, or compliments—nay—I will have none of them,’ she -answered with downcast eyes. - -‘Why, what harm is there in speaking a truth, Mercia? I do affirm that -thy beauty only exceeds thy knowledge, or thy knowledge thy beauty, I -know not which.’ - -‘Be it so, then, Sire. It is nothing to my credit if I be beautiful; I -had no part in the making; and as to my knowledge, it is a necessity to -possess it, for it is my livelihood—my very bread.’ - -‘Ah, Mercia, why spoil those eyes more beautiful than the brightest star -in gazing into unknown regions day and night; year in, year out? Thou -knowest no enjoyment—thou hast no pleasure of life, as other women; -thine existence is lonely—colourless. Drink of the draught of love as -nature wills it, and let the study of the stars stand over for a space.’ - -The voice of Felicitas as he uttered these words was low, but full of -passion; but Mercia, owing to the confusion that covered her, did not -notice the change of tone. The king’s words had indeed evoked emotions -in her breast that for years she had kept in strict abeyance: now, these -throbbed and pulsated through her frame with such force that she became -dumb, tongue-tied; at this inopportune moment a knock was heard at the -door, and the Emperor himself touched the electric button, when the door -opened of itself and gave admittance to another visitor. - -It was only Geometrus who had returned for a part of an instrument he -was making, which he had inadvertently left behind; his entrance, -however, put a prompt stoppage to the Emperor’s love-making; and Mercia, -hardly knowing what she was doing rose from her seat and turned to leave -the apartment; observing her intention the Emperor concluded that it was -time to withdraw. - -‘Farewell, mistress,’ he said lightly, as he made her a bow, ‘I will -come again, ere long and learn of thee the sun’s condition which is so -necessary to be acquainted with.’ - -It was the fashion at this time to call a woman ‘Mistress,’ whether -married or single. The abbreviation ‘Mrs.’ was discarded, as was also -‘Madam’ borrowed from the French, and the old English style resumed in -their stead; while ‘Miss’ was applied only to children. The married -woman was distinguished from the unmarried by the possession of two -surnames,—her father’s and husband’s, while the single woman was known -by her father’s name only. - -Mercia, in order to escape from observation quickly made her way into -her most private apartment, and shutting herself safely within she sank -upon the silken couch, and gave way to the tumult of feelings that -overwhelmed her. - -What did the Emperor mean by counselling her to relax in her duties and -give way to the passion of love? she asked herself. Was he putting her -probity to the test, merely to ascertain of what stuff she was made? or -was it only a random shot on his part, made for mere amusement, but -which had unwittingly touched her deepest feelings? Did he suspect her -affection for Geometrus?—but that was impossible; not a living soul knew -that she loved this man, not even Geometrus himself. Had Geometrus -betrayed himself in any way? Was it possible that in some unguarded -moment he had spoken of his passion for her to some friend who had -afterwards betrayed him to the Emperor? No, that was impossible. -Geometrus would not dare to speak of that which he was prohibited from -even hinting at to herself. Had some person, envious of her position, -invented some tale, and carried it to Felicitas with a view of bringing -about her downfall? If so, who could it be? Was it Heinrich, the German, -who longed for her post, and had he done this dishonourable thing to -obtain it? - -Then the thought crossed her mind of the possibility that the Emperor -might have been saying something for himself, of which the bare idea -brought the crimson to her cheeks: but this solution of the question she -endeavoured promptly to dismiss, for Felicitas was already married, and -to offer her, Mercia, an illicit love would be an unparalleled -presumption, even from an Emperor. - -‘What can have put this abominable thought into my head?’ she again -asked herself. Then she rose from her seat and paced up and down her -chamber with perturbed motions and flushed face. - -She felt that the whole thing was mystifying to a degree. At length, -after much cogitation she concluded to take no further notice of the -matter, for it would be undignified to seek explanations either of -Geometrus or the Emperor. - -‘Let me take up a position of inactivity,’ she murmured to herself, ‘I -will await developments as they unfold, and shape my course -accordingly.’ - -Did the Emperor dream of success in his endeavour to corrupt the -faultless Mercia? It was, indeed, a bold step for him to take with one -so high-minded, so self-controlled as she. But her very unattainability -made her all the more desirable in his eyes: the more he dwelt on the -futility of his wish the more violently his passion raged within him. - -‘I must have Mercia!’ he exclaimed to himself as nightly he lay awake -dwelling on her beauty, her goodness, and her extraordinary abilities. - -‘She must be mine, I cannot live without her! I will go to her again—I -will risk all, and tell her of my love. If need be, I will break down -that barrier that divides us; I will not be baulked of Mercia. If she -refuse to become mine secretly, I will wed her openly, and get rid of -that flat-faced Russian woman whom my ministers talked me into -marrying.’ - -Now Felicitas spoke wildly when he gave way to these thoughts, for it -was impossible to put away the Empress, he having no adequate cause -given him to justify such an attempt. Russia would indignantly resent -such treatment of their Princess, and none of the foreign Powers would -stand by him in his demand. - -From nineteenth-century immorality covered by the thick cloak of -religion, a change had gradually taken place for the better in matters -matrimonial. In fact, a high standard of morality in all things had -taken the place of religious superstitions; consequently, the teachings -of common sense were adopted in the remodelling of divorce laws, which -for ages had contained serious blemishes. This, in part, was owing to -the absurd restrictions of the clergy of those times, the upper members -of which body holding the position of chief legislators together with -the peers of the realm. - -These insisted on the indissolubility of the marriage tie, as far as -ever it was possible to make it, quoting ancient Mosaical laws in -support of their views, as if those old-time regulations which were -probably suitable enough in their day for the primitive people for whom -they were framed, should continue as a guide for all ages. - -But long before Felicitas’ time a great revolution had taken place in -laws matrimonial, which benefited society very materially. These were -now framed on more equitable principles, for the truest benevolence -pervaded their spirit, the punishment of the guilty one being not the -only object sought, as in nineteenth-century law, which forbade the -divorce, if it was discovered the two were agreed for it, but rather the -happiness of both. Marriage was now regarded as a serious civil contract -which could not easily be violated, but relief from its yoke was allowed -under certain conditions, without either party having been conjugally -unfaithful. If a couple living a notoriously unhappy life, and finding -they were totally unadapted for each other, finally agreed to separate, -it was possible to get the marriage contract annulled, and the two set -at liberty again. - -The children of the marriage, if any, would be equally divided between -them, or some amicable arrangement arrived at. - -This severance did not relieve the husband of the responsibility of her -maintenance, except in cases where the wife possessed sufficient means -of her own to live upon, or in the event of her marrying again, when of -course, all responsibility on his part ceased. - -It may be imagined that the Divorce Courts were kept pretty lively by -these innovations; it certainly had this effect for some little time; -but gradually as education and the higher morality advanced the number -of annulled marriages decreased. - -As soon as the social plane for woman was raised she became more -exacting in her requirements, preferring to remain single rather than -mate with the morally weak, or otherwise unsuitable person. - -To a man marriage was not the easy matter it had been to the -nineteenth-century bachelor, when numbers of unemployed, or,—owing to -their absurd training—hopelessly incompetent young women were to be had -for the asking. But this was all changed now; a desirable wife had -become as difficult to obtain as a desirable husband in previous -generations; and when a man’s suit proved successful, and he had gained -the object of his choice, he usually behaved in such a way towards her -as gave her considerable satisfaction. - -On her side too, rested a responsibility which she realised to the -utmost; and willingly yielded to the man she had elected the devotion of -a high-minded, unselfish affection. - -Love, in its purest form was woman’s ideal, for the heart as well as the -intellect was cultivated. - - - - - CHAPTER IV - - ‘Your wondrous, rare description, noble Earl, - Of beauteous Margaret hath astonished me. - Her virtues graced with external gifts, - Do breed love’s settled passions in my heart; - And like as rigour of tempestuous gusts - Provokes the mightiest hulk against the tide, - So am I driven, by breath of her renown - Either to suffer shipwreck, or arrive - Where I may have fruition of her love.’ - _King Henry VI._, sc. v. - - -We left Mercia somewhat settled in her mind regarding the course she -ought to take with the Emperor. - -If Felicitas should chance not to make mention of the subject of love, -which was a forbidden one to her, owing to her position, she made up her -mind to forbear making inquiries concerning his motive for introducing -it. - -She waited and watched each day for his coming with a vague hope in her -heart that he would look favourably upon Geometrus’ love, in the event -of his having knowledge of it. In any case, it could only be a -suspicion, seeing it was as yet undeclared on his part. - -Although she said nothing to Geometrus, nevertheless, he felt there was -something in the air. Often he would look at her wistfully and try to -probe her thoughts; for he saw most distinctly the preoccupation of her -mind as she strove to make her usual mathematical calculations. Still he -forbore questioning her, for the one subject he was desirous of -discussing with her, was entirely forbidden. Only his eyes told of the -love that filled his heart. - -Reason reminded him that it was indeed a hopeless affection, for he felt -assured that Mercia’s mind was so bound up in her vocation that she -could never be induced to abandon it in order to wed one who had so -little to offer her in return. Moreover, he too, would be sent adrift as -soon as the matter oozed out, for the same prohibition from marriage was -placed upon him. - -Numerous, indeed, were the plans he formed daily in his mind of what he -would do for a competent livelihood in the event of his acceptance by -Mercia. He knew it was useless to make her an offer unless he could see -his way clear to maintain her, when to accept him she must abandon a -highly lucrative and honourable position. - -‘But would she indeed make such a sacrifice for him?’ he asked himself, -‘Would it not be selfish on his part to prefer such a request? -True—true; he would not—dare not make it. It was selfish, utterly -selfish to dream of it for one moment. No, he would lock up his -feelings; he would carefully keep his heart-secret; he would not ruin -her life by asking her to share his comparatively humble position, -supposing she was willing to listen to him.’ - -Thus did Geometrus torment himself with many doubts and fears. At one -moment making bright plans for the future, wherein he saw himself -distinguished before the world for his wonderful instruments, the like -of which he knew had never been produced before, and probably would be -at no time beaten. These had been planned and invented in the first -instance for Mercia alone, yet for Mercia’s sake they should be given to -the world, so that he might become more worthy of her; a more honourable -mate for the peerless Mercia. - -Ah, Love, Love, how much thou hast to answer for! How many human hearts -hast thou set wildly beating for fame that would otherwise have remained -in quiet seclusion? How many mighty minds hast thou set daily and -nightly throbbing with pain by reason of thine unreasonable attraction? -Thou seekest thine affinity where it is forbidden thee to enter, ever -regardless of the restrictions and barriers invented by mankind for -their protection. - -Thou only dost behold the object of thy search; invisible to thine eyes -the barricades of worldly conventions. - - -Quite alone, and unattended by any member of his suite, Felicitas set -off to pay Mercia his promised visit; who on her side gladly gave him a -pleasant welcome. In her heart she fondly hoped that the interpretation -of his words would prove favourable to herself and Geometrus; and in -some way yet to be discovered, the monarch might benefit them. - -For could he not influence his ministers to do away with this absurd -marriage objection? Yes, Felicitas had power to help them, if he could -be induced to put it into operation. This was the one thing needful; the -monarch’s goodwill, and all would then be plain sailing. - -Their marriage need not hinder their work; they two could labour -together, she thought, and side by side discharge conscientiously their -allotted duties, to their country’s satisfaction and their own perfect -content. - -It so happened that Geometrus on that day had business in the city, -which detained him several hours, and as the Emperor was being driven in -a carriage drawn by horses—for this was the custom of royalty, that it -should be distinguished from the commonalty, who used electric force for -cheapness as for swiftness—he saw Geometrus enter a machine warehouse, -or shop, where electrical household machines were vended. - -‘Ah,’ thought the Emperor, ‘thou art there, my friend: pray make no -hurry on my account; thou wast truly _de trop_ on the last occasion I -called on mine astronomer; I could well have spared thy presence.’ - -Thus the Emperor felicitated himself upon his good fortune, in being -secured against a like interruption on this occasion. When arrived at -his destination, which was not very soon, owing to the slowness of the -journey—for the speed of the horse was not comparable with that of -electric energy—the Emperor entered the Observatory with a firm -resolution to make good use of the opportunity with which fortune had -favoured him. Now, Mercia, with the same motive in her mind, received -him very cordially, for she desired to make a favourable impression, -with a view of obtaining his royal clemency in the matter of matrimony, -albeit, it appeared on further reflection, but a bare possibility that -she would at any time change her present condition. - -‘Ah, Mistress Mercia,’ he exclaimed playfully, ‘what cheerful looks thou -dost carry to-day, methinks thy face betokens much content—hast thou -taken my words to heart, fair lady, ’twas truly excellent advice?’ - -‘Sire, thou saidst something concerning the sun—thou didst talk of -coming to learn more of his condition, I believe,’ answered Mercia -evasively. - -‘True,’ he replied with a laugh, ‘I fain would know more of the sun’s -late vagaries: but it would please me infinitely better to learn -something of thyself, dost thou never feel lonely?’ - -‘Often enough, Sire; the hours speed away at times very quickly when I -am hard at work, but when it is time to rest then the feeling of -solitude overwhelms me: I get appalled at the silence that surrounds me, -and a melancholy seizes me so severely that I rise unable to cope with -my duties.’ - -‘Art thou then tired of this occupation? It is indeed, too much for -thee. Rest a while, sweet Mercia, and let the stars take care of -themselves for a season.’ - -‘Oh, that would spoil all my calculations; the work of years would be as -naught were I to stay my hand now. No, I will wait until my treatise on -the stars is complete; then I will take some little change for my -health’s sake.’ - -‘Health, and Love, sweet Mercia, go hand in hand together. Let thine -heart melt to its influence, and all will go well with thee. Thy -melancholies will disappear; thy solitude lightened; for thou wilt have -a new theory to analyse—a new and a better one.’ - -‘Yes, thou canst love, dear Mercia, I know it; for thine eyes were made -for the conquest of man’s heart, rather than star-gazing. Cease to -disregard the designs of Nature when she formed thee, and yield thyself -to the pleasure of love.’ - -Mercia essayed to answer him, but her tongue refused her utterance, so -great was her confusion. She blushed violently, and at last stammered -out— - -‘Sire, I know not what answer to give in this matter—I am yet -unprepared,—perplexed with this reasoning of thine.’ - -‘Hast thou not felt the want of companionship, dear Mercia? Here penned -in this solitude only fit for a greybeard thou dost pine, yet knoweth -not what it is ails thee. It is good to be loved, fair one, to realise -how much thy womanhood means: hast thou never felt its joys—its pains?’ - -‘But my bond, Sire, I cannot break my bond, signed by my own hand, to -forswear love and marriage: no one but thyself can relieve me of this -obligation,’ exclaimed Mercia excitedly. - -‘I heartily relieve thee, then, my good Mercia. I care not for the bond -one iota, if that be all that’s in thy way. Keep thy post as thou likest -thy work so well, and enjoy the delights of love at the same time,’ -replied the delighted monarch, who found it most difficult to conceal -his fancied triumph. - -Mercia uttered a low cry of joy, and in her gratitude threw herself at -his feet, then taking his willing hand in hers, she pressed it to her -lips in silence, for her heart was too full for speech. - -When the matter had arrived thus far, the Emperor forgetting the caution -and self-restraint he had been hitherto exercising, was no longer able -to contain himself; stooping down towards the kneeling girl he caught -her in his arms, and in a perfect frenzy of rapture commenced to shower -hot kisses on her brow, her cheeks, her lips. - -Mercia was so completely taken aback by this unexpected raid, that her -brain fairly reeled for a moment; then recovering her senses she quickly -wrenched herself out of his arms, and gazing on him with blanched face, -she cried in a voice gasping with pain and indignation— - -‘What means the Emperor by this unheard-of liberty? What have I done -that I should be treated as a courtesan by my Sovereign?’ - -‘A courtesan!’ he repeated. ‘Why Mercia, I would give thee a crown if I -could! Thy queenly brow was truly made for one; and by the stars, thou -shalt have it yet! Yes, Mercia thou shalt share my throne and rule me, -my sweet, together with mine Empire.’ - -‘Share thy throne and rule thine Empire! Surely, Sire, thou hast gone -mad!’ - -‘Yes, truly, I am mad—mad with love for thee, and thou knowest it, -Mercia, else wouldst thou have kissed my hand in acknowledgment of it?’ - -‘In acknowledgment of _thy_ love!’ she answered in strong indignant -tones, ‘it was not so—thy love never entered my thought.’ - -‘Whose then?’ questioned Felicitas shortly. - -‘Geometrus,’ she acknowledged bravely. But the next moment she felt she -had given away both herself and him. - -‘Geometrus!’ he scoffingly repeated. ‘And dost thou place that poltroon -before me? Am I to be flouted for him?’ - -‘His love is honourable, and thine is not; therein lies the difference, -my Sire,’ she answered soothingly, with a view of bringing him to -reason. - -‘But my love _shall be made_ honourable, Mercia. I will get a divorce, -and thou shalt fill the Empress’s place—aye, and fill it far away better -than she has ever done! I hate her—curse her!’ And he ground his teeth -in rage at the thought of his wretched inability to accomplish what he -was so loudly boasting of. - -‘But I cannot rob another woman of her husband: I would not defraud the -meanest in thy realm, much less thine Empire’s highest lady.’ - -‘It is not robbery, Mercia, she doth not own my heart, and never did! I -was cozened into that marriage by my cousin Osbert—curse him—curse him -for a meddling fool!’ - -‘He, doubtless, did it for the best. The whole of thy Cabinet approved, -so did the nation. It is a new thing for me to learn that our Emperor -lives unhappily with his spouse—I cannot understand it.’ - -‘I never felt the chains gall till now, Mercia. A quiet indifference -kept me content until thy beauty set my heart a-beating with a new joy. -I knew not love till mine eyes dwelt upon thy loveliness, and mine ears -listened to the words that flowed from thy lips like a sweet, rippling -fountain, whose waters gave forth a pure, clear, life-giving stream. -Yes, I have drunk therein, and am filled with new emotions—new joys—new -hopes—new life!’ He clasped his hands in an ecstasy of happiness, as at -that supreme moment he gave rein to the powerful impulses that swayed -him. - -‘Now is my beauty an evil thing, and a curse to me!’ cried Mercia, at -the moment bowing her head in deep dejection, and hiding her face in her -hands. - -‘Would I had never been born, or that nature had shaped me uncomely, for -then this misfortune could not have overtaken me! Two men desire me, and -I may not have either. I must live in a world filled, like a garden with -flowers—flowers and blossoms of love; yet I may not touch them; their -fragrance is not for me; not one may I wear on my breast! Yet, they nod -and beckon me to pluck them: they offer me the incense of their being, -and would fain spend their full fragrance upon me; for their desire is -to nestle on my bosom, and give me the joy of their beauty and love.’ - -She spoke as one entranced, who ignoring all listeners felt naught of -the presence of another. For the moment her anguish was her only -companion, which the presence of Felicitas could not restrain. It was -the bursting wail of a heart kept long in subjection and unnatural -restriction, which now claimed its rights. Thus did the longing for love -bring sorrow to Mercia, such sorrow as she had never before tasted. - -As Felicitas gazed upon the beautiful woman standing before him in an -attitude of grief and despair, her head bowed down, her arms -outstretched, showing the contour of her perfect form, he felt as one in -a dream—a ravishing dream that inspired every sense with a deliciousness -he had never before experienced. - -On his enraptured ears her words fell like the music of a poem, for the -full, rich, melodious _timbre_ of her voice lent to them a peculiar -charm: their pathos melted him; their sweetness enchained him. - -Seized anew with the intoxication of his passion he sank on his knees -before her; his whole frame quivered with emotion, while the varying -tones of his voice testified how greatly the torrent of his passion -swept through his soul. - -‘Mercia, Mercia, give me thy love!’ he cried impetuously; ‘take me, my -beloved, spurn me no longer, for without thee I am as one dead! As a -world without sun, having no life, nor warmth, I shall go on my way -darkened for ever. Take me into the sunshine of thy love; give me new -life, dearest. Resuscitate and refresh me with the joy of thy beauty; -and let us drink of the wine of love’s pleasures for ever. Then shall we -two learn how good it is to love; how sweet it is to be together; how -delightful the blending of two souls made satisfied with their own -companionship.’ - -As one in a dream Mercia listened to his passionate outpourings; she -drank in his words as gratefully as the parched earth a summer’s shower; -but her mind was with Geometrus. In imagination she was with him, -listening to the pent-up eloquence that his soft dark eyes daily -expressed. - -‘It is Geometrus who speaks!’ she murmured absently; ‘Geometrus has -opened his heart to me at last!’ - -‘Geometrus!’ shouted the Emperor, almost out of his head with rage and -jealousy; ‘it is _not_ Geometrus—it is I, Felicitas—Felicitas thine -Emperor who abjectly offers thee his love, and his crown, and sues thee, -Mercia—his subject—his servant!’ - -Then Mercia, awakening from her love-dream began to realise her true -position. For an instant she paused, and passed her hand across her -brow, as if to recover her senses; then she said in a deliberate and -dignified voice— - -‘Felicitas, the Emperor hath no crown to offer his subject, Mercia, for -it sits already on the brow of his royal spouse; neither has he love to -offer his servant, Mercia, for it is sworn to his Empress for ever. It -is an insult to me, Mercia, thine offer of illicit love, and I refuse to -longer remain in thy service.’ - -Upon hearing these words the heat of his temper suddenly cooled; he saw -he had not only ruined his cause with the lady, but he was bringing upon -himself public dishonour; for the reason of the resignation of their -gifted and enthusiastic astronomer would be demanded by both ministers -and nation alike. As she turned to leave the apartment, for she -disdained having further converse with him, he forcibly caught her by -the dress, with a view of detaining her. - -‘Stay, Mercia, stay, and listen to me! Listen to one word more, I -beseech thee. Thou shalt, for indeed I will not let thee go!’ He shouted -fiercely, for she was wrenching herself out of his grasp. - -‘Touch me not!’ she exclaimed excitedly, ‘or I will kill thee as thou -standest!’ and from her girdle she took a small ebony stick, -electrically charged, which she wore as a kind of life-preserver, in -accordance with the custom of ladies, who worked, or walked out a good -deal alone. - -She had reached the door, and opened it, when who should rush upon the -scene but Geometrus accompanied by the Emperor’s cousin, Prince Osbert, -who had been seeking him for some time past. - -‘Mercia insulted, and by the Emperor! What is the meaning of this?’ -inquired Geometrus, at the same time facing Felicitas with eyes of fire. - -‘I am not insulting her,’ coolly rejoined the Emperor, ‘she has -disobeyed my commands respecting some important astronomical information -I required, and is endeavouring to shield her own shortcomings by -getting into a rage: ’tis woman’s way, but I’ll have none of it.’ - -Then Mercia drawing herself up to her full height, exclaimed in -indignant voice—‘Liar, and traitor, I despise thee! Bid thine Empress -come hither, I have somewhat to tell her. As for me, I shall never -receive thee here again, thou woman-betrayer! Get some other to fill my -place, for I shall quit it forthwith.’ - -Then she turned away with haughty mien and left the apartment. - -‘What’s all the row?’ inquired the Emperor’s cousin, who affected -vulgarity of speech when with his intimates. - -‘Explain this, Sire,’ demanded Geometrus, who was bursting with surprise -equally as indignation. - -‘Bah, it is naught—it is much ado about nothing,’ replied the Emperor -shrugging his shoulders. - -‘I do not believe it,’ promptly answered Geometrus; ‘my mistress is too -gentle, too self-restrained, and too honourable to make an unjust -accusation against anyone; least of all, her royal master. This matter -shall be looked into, Sire. Though thou art an Emperor thy conduct shall -be examined, and the light of the noonday sun thrown upon it; for it is -meet that those filling high places be honourable men.’ - -‘If Mistress Mercia sees fit to give up her post, thou Geometrus canst -worthily fill it,’ observed Felicitas in an insinuating manner, hoping -to mollify him by offering to place him in a more exalted position. - -‘By all that’s good, I take not my mistress’s place because thou hast -made it intolerable for her! No, Sire, that shall not be. But certainly -thou shalt answer for this day’s work, I warn thee.’ - -‘Thou hast no proof at all, fellow, that I have done aught amiss, save -her lying tale: it is all a woman’s hysterical nonsense, and I am sick -of the pother made of it,’ observed the Emperor, affecting great scorn. - -‘Let’s be off!’ cried Prince Osbert lightly; ‘we have had enough of this -now. Let the woman wiseacres in Parliament settle this little matter -among themselves: it will afford them much satisfaction, I’ll warrant.’ - -‘Parliament!’ echoed the Emperor, while his face turned very white. -‘Surely not: this trifle is unworthy serious consideration. It would ill -become our wise Senate if it occupied itself with the consideration of a -woman’s silly nonsense. I will, myself, settle this matter with Mistress -Mercia. I promise that, gentlemen, so do not trouble yourselves further -about it.’ - -‘It shall not end in this way;’ returned Geometrus firmly; ‘I shall see -that this matter is not hushed up.’ - -‘So shall I!’ came from a voice from behind a screen in the room; when -therefrom emerged an old man named Sadbag, a leading Radical politician, -who was dead against Royalty, and affected reform, advocating strongly a -Republican form of Government. - -‘The Emperor’s conduct is a disgrace to our civilisation,’ he continued, -‘I have seen the beginning and end of the whole affair; for I was seated -reading in that corner yonder, awaiting an audience of Mistress Mercia, -when the Emperor was ushered in unnoticed by me; I continued reading -until I dropped asleep and was aroused by the Emperor’s passionate tones -when making his love-appeals to the obdurate Mistress Mercia. She -scorned him, and he got furious. I saw it all! I will never forget the -scene if I live to the age of Methuselah!’ - -‘My stars, but Kate will make it hot for thee! She will have good cause -for her jealousy this time, old man! I wouldn’t be in thy shoes for a -kingdom; fancy, the virtuous Felicitas caught corrupting his astronomer! -Oh, my, this is funny!’ cried the light-minded prince, who laughed -heartily, at the thought of the scrape his cousin had got into. - -‘Funny isn’t the word for it—it is atrocious—abominable! It hath been -ever the custom of idle monarchs to fill up their time with seducing -good women. The hunting is more keen when the lady is virtuous, and -thereby the game made all the more delightful. Let’s do away with such -good-for-naughts—they are a disgrace to our country!’ cried the old man -excitedly addressing Geometrus. - -‘So then, wouldst thou trump up a story to lose me my crown in order to -establish thine own political absurdities? Thou, and the woman Mercia -are in league against me! You twain have hatched this conspiracy to work -my disgrace. But I will scatter it to the winds—I will prove its utter -falsity. I will show how futile are your plans to bring about a -revolution: Mercia and thou shall die for your crimes; for it is nothing -short of high treason.’ - -‘High bunkum, thy Majesty talkest!’ retorted Sadbag sarcastically; ‘thy -blundering only equals thy blustering. Thy cousin, the prince, and -Geometrus are witnesses of the truth of my statement, for they saw for -themselves the fag end of the affair; they caught thee forcibly -detaining the lady, and heard her threaten to kill thee.’ - -‘That of itself makes high treason! To threaten the life of the -Sovereign is enough—the law still holds good in my realms to punish such -crime with death. This one charge alone against Mercia is sufficient! -She must die the death of a felon, and pay for her temerity,’ returned -Felicitas, who thus interpreted the law with much assumption of dignity, -to suit his own convenience. - -‘The nation will not see Mercia die for such a dastard as thou!’ -exclaimed Geometrus, suddenly awakening from the stupor of surprise that -had overtaken him, as the matter developed itself. ‘I saw thee last week -philandering around her, but at that time I understood not its meaning; -neither did she; otherwise she would have taken more precaution in -receiving thee. Even then, she requested me to remain in the room when -she gave thee an audience. She surely had some instinct that thou wert -not to be trusted—ah—now I see it all!’ - -‘A trusty witness truly! She and thou have spent the time philandering -yourselves, and this is why thou measureth me a peck out of thine own -bushel. Thou shalt be indicted, Geometrus, for breaking the oath of -thine engagement. Thou hast been spending the nation’s time love-making, -and hatching high treason,—all three of you shall repent your little -games.’ - -‘Blacking the character of another will not clear thine own. These -wholesale indictments of thine will not serve thee. Thy case is a poor -one, and thou hadst better own thy fault, rather than invent outrageous -charges against thine accusers;’ urged the old man with greater calmness -than he had hitherto displayed. - -‘Mercia made the admission herself,’ replied Felicitas. ‘She said she -loved Geometrus and fain would marry him if she might.’ - -At this Geometrus started, and went very red in the face; being totally -unprepared for this avowal of the Emperor; which gave him a sudden -pleasure he was unable to conceal. - -‘There is proof abundant, if more be wanting, of the nature of the -Emperor’s business with Mercia,’ observed Sadbag reflectively, then -turning to the Emperor, he demanded—‘What happened that this matter of -Geometrus’s love was discussed between you?’ - -‘She desired me to use my influence with my Cabinet to get the custom -changed which hath been so long observed, so that she might retain her -post and take a husband at the same time.’ - -‘And thou, in thy great benevolence and generosity didst promise, and -finish by trying to make her pay for the boon by accommodating thy -desire?’ suggested Sadbag, following up the clue the Emperor’s -admissions had given him. - -‘I will answer no more of thy questions, fellow,’ responded Felicitas, -who looking very uncomfortable made for the door. - -‘I think this business is getting too hot for thy Majesty; thy capers -are costing too dearly. What folly to count on a strong-minded woman -like thine astronomer! Why didst thou not make advances to some idle -lady of thy court where such favours are dispensed more readily?’ - -‘I will have thee indicted for a revolutionist and a maker of mischief -in my realms, and pay thee well for all these insults,’ retorted the -Emperor as he left the Observatory. - -‘Bounce and boast help no one for long; not even an Emperor!’ called out -Sadbag after him. - - - - - CHAPTER V - - -The discussion then terminated, but not the dispute. Each went his own -way with the determination to work out the discomfiture of his -adversary, to the best of his ability. Sadbag made his way at once to -his club, the headquarters of the Radical Association, and related the -disgraceful occurrence to its leading members; who realising the gravity -of the situation convened a special meeting; so that measures might be -promptly taken to get first in the field in the exposure of the Emperor, -and thereby nullify his evil intentions. - -So perfect was the system of communication throughout the globe that the -same evening, not only had the Radical newspapers the whole story set in -type, but this society titbit appeared next morning on the breakfast -tables of the people throughout the whole of the Empire. As a matter of -fact, two hours later the news was in every part of the world. It gave a -splendid impetus to the trade, for each printing office turned out at -least three times its usual quantity of newspapers for the first week, -and double the number for every succeeding one the case lasted. - -The subject for long enough furnished matter for light little articles -in the monthlies, and heavy discourses in the quarterlies. It supplied -the novelist with material for his plots, and the delighted dramatist -for his plays. An Emperor on his knees to a subject was not an every day -situation, while the scene where she threatens his life was quite too -tragical to be neglected. It gave the libretto to the composer, great -and small, of comic opera, and in serious opera it was thrilling. Mercia -in a state of ecstatic bliss warbling sweetest love songs to the -enchanted Emperor, formed a delicious scene that was irresistibly -charming to all beholders. When the proper time arrived the fearless -Sadbag sent a full description of the affair to every journal throughout -the world. He even wrote it out, and telephoned the minutest details to -India, and every country in communication telephonically, with the -Teutonic Empire. - -Therein the love scene was graphically described, in Sadbag’s humorous -vein, but with due regard to Mercia’s sensitive feelings. - -For the first time her personal character was given to the world, but -such a halo of purity and modesty was drawn round it that it evoked -everywhere the most enthusiastic admiration for her character. - -The description of the Emperor’s duplicity and contemptible meanness was -given with ruthless vividness, when at the moment he was surprised, he -endeavoured to turn the tables on the high-minded lady, who having -proved invulnerable to all his blandishments he accused of having -committed the capital offence of high treason. - -From the commoner, to the crowned head of every country, almost, the -story of the Emperor of the Teutonic Empire and his astronomer was -discussed. In the cottage, the castle, the street corner, the court and -the club, it became at once the leading subject of conversation. - -‘Ah, well!’ observed one of the viceroys of Turkey—for that country had -been long before divided between Russia, France and England—‘this comes -of giving women too much freedom: had it been a man that was filling the -post of astronomer this could never have happened.’ - -‘But it might to his wife!’ answered one, - -‘With a different result,’ added another; - -‘Is then a married woman more compliant than a single?’ queried a third. - -‘It all depends upon the sort of woman,’ observed a fourth. - -‘The danger is lessened when the lady already runs a nursery,’ remarked -his neighbour cynically. - -‘Science meets that difficulty,’ interpolated another of the party. - -‘A husband’s jealousy is the greatest of all dangers,’ retorted his -neighbour. - -‘Cease these pleasantries, gentlemen, and discuss the matter seriously,’ -exclaimed an elderly minister with dignity, ‘England is to be indeed -congratulated on having women of such stamp as the peerless and -incorruptible Mercia. Search the world through and we shall be unable to -find any to compare with them in physique, or mental attainments. They -are indeed, Nature’s queens, and in every way fit to grace a coronet.’ - -‘Talking of coronets reminds one of crowns: there’s a pretty hubbub -going on just now; India expects to win her freedom and is casting about -for an Emperor,’ remarked another; - -‘Why not give it to Mercia, she’s as good as a man?’ suggested his -neighbour. - -‘Better, I should say,’ rejoined another of the group, ‘judging from -results.’ - -‘The natives would never stand it: every nabob wants it for himself.’ - -‘All cannot have it, that is very clear,’ remarked one of the party. - -‘Better settle the matter by giving it to none of them, and choose a -good stock from the country that ruled them, and made them what they -are; and thus establish a Royal Line which will do them credit for all -time,’ suggested the elderly minister, who was a Frenchman and a -believer in women, and especially a believer in the beautiful Mercia. - - - - - CHAPTER VI - - -We must leave these gentlemen in the far East, and come back to -Greenwich. - -While the Emperor was returning to London he cast about in his mind for -some way out of his difficulty. - -He felt it was little use seeking the assistance of his royal consort, -Catherine, daughter of Nicholas of Russia. - -She would have little sympathy with him in his trouble, unless he could -persuade her of his innocence of the charges that were being made -against him. - -Taking into consideration, too, that on that very morning he had -quarrelled with her, and brutally told her that he heartily wished -himself rid of her, it was at present, scarcely wisdom to seek her -advice. - -While his mind was thus filled with gloomy thoughts, the silence was -broken by Prince Osbert who was accompanying him to the palace. - -‘Here’s a pretty pickle, to be sure!’ exclaimed the prince, ‘a nice -position for a royal Emperor to be found interfering with his lady -astronomer, and she threatening his life to make him release her. What -thou canst do to re-establish thy reputation is about as clear as mud to -me, for by my conscience, I cannot see a way at all!’ - -‘What a prating fool thou art, Osbert! I can plainly see unless thy -tongue is kept from wagging thou wilt ruin me by thy talk. Say nothing -at all about the lady having been detained by me. I don’t mean to own to -that part of it. Let us declare that she deliberately turned upon me -when I expostulated with her upon her idleness; that will give the -matter a better appearance.’ - -‘Aye, truly, a better one for thee! But thinkest thou, cousin, that the -House will believe thee? I guess, they will sooner take Mercia’s word: -remember its lady members, how bravely they defend their sex at all -times. I wouldn’t give a sixpence for thy reputation after they have -handled thy case.’ - -‘What care I for the good opinion of a handful of women? What are they -in my vast dominions? Nothing, truly, nothing! Nevertheless, a monarch’s -virtue, should be, like Cæsar’s wife, above suspicion: so Osbert, good -cousin, thou must help me in this matter, and swear to all I tell thee.’ - -‘Commit perjury! No thanks, not if I know it. I cannot tell a lie—I’m -another Juvenile Washington. Besides, Felicitas, it goes against the -grain to do a dirty trick to any lady, least of all, our peerless -Mercia. - -‘She is a lady of untarnished reputation, with whom I would strongly -recommend thee to make thy peace. Indeed, the ways of Emperors with -their lady-subjects are quite too much for me—I cannot comprehend them.’ - -‘Heartless, thou ever wert, Osbert, pray try to realise my situation, -and give up thy attitudes and play-acting proclivities. Now, remember, I -had no hold on her person, when you two dropped upon us—I was merely -expostulating with her.’ - -‘I’ll have nothing to do with the matter at all, I shall say I was -seized with sudden blindness at that moment and saw nothing.’ - -‘Idiot, wilt thou keep to that?’ inquired Felicitas gloomily. - -‘Yes, I will stick to that, wild horses shall not drag other from me.’ - -‘No one will believe thee.’ - -‘No one would believe the other thing, so it comes to the same for -thee,’ returned Osbert lightly. - -‘What other thing?’ inquired Felicitas. - -‘Thy statement that she was idle, and thou wert reproving her for it. -Her work proves her industry: she has any amount to show in defence of -thy charge. Look at her maps; her writings; her daily announcements; her -daily registrations of her observations. The charge of idleness, I fear -me, will not help thy cause.’ - -‘It was not idleness in general, but some information in particular that -she failed to supply me with.’ - -‘Think it over, cousin, of what this particular information consisted. I -bet my garters it was somewhat thou canst not explain publicly.’ - -‘Cease thy chatter, and stick to thy resolve of having turned blind that -very moment; ’tis the best thou canst do for me, I see very plainly.’ - -‘So I see, too, and as we two see alike we cannot come to any -difference. Adieu, cousin, I hope Kate will not chide thee for having -eyes for other women! That is my best wish for thee, this fine day.’ - -‘I don’t think that fellow could think seriously for five minutes if he -had to be hanged for it,’ the Emperor muttered to himself, using the old -expression ‘hanged’ for it was still retained, although that form of -execution had been given up long before. - -As the Emperor was being driven back to the city, Prince Osbert who -cared little for his company at this moment, alighted from the carriage, -leaving him to the management of his own affairs. Felicitas, then -promptly decided upon driving to the official residence of his prime -minister, Mr. Stonesack, for he was anxious to confer with him -concerning the dilemma in which he was placed. Moreover, he desired to -intimate to his minister that steps must be taken at once for the arrest -of Sadbag and Geometrus. Neither could Mercia be left out of the -indictment, for according to his story, she was the principal aggressor. -He was not so lost to all good feeling that he experienced no pangs of -self-reproach for the part he was taking against the innocent girl; but -he could see only two ways out of the difficulty; either the impeachment -of Mercia and her friends, or a full confession of his own conduct. - -This latter would have been intolerable. The deliberate exposure of -himself to the public, and a big public it was, by this time, for it -embraced the whole world, after having so long played the part of Simon -Pure to popular opinion, was out of the question. He would certainly -shield himself, he thought, and if the worst came to Mercia he could -exercise his royal clemency on her behalf, and set her at liberty again. - -By this course he would get rid of the detestable Sadbag for good, and -Geometrus at the same time. Who knows, thought Felicitas with a faint -smile, but Mercia may still prove kind to me, if that fellow were only -put out of reach. - -Then followed in his mind bright visions of a lovely dwelling, situated -in some distant part of his dominions, with Mercia for its mistress, and -himself its secret owner, and constant visitor. How delightful! It -should be fitted up like fairyland itself, with every luxury, and every -appliance for her comfort. Little children might play about his knees, -of which there was poor prospect of ever seeing in his royal palace; for -so far, the Empress had proved barren. Then he awoke from his dream to -the provoking reality of his true situation. - -This pleasing reverie created, to some extent, a reaction in his mind. -As his temper cooled so did his courage to make this heinous charge -against innocent persons: but he supported himself with the reflection -that at most the unfortunate men could receive no greater punishment -than a term of imprisonment. - -By the time his carriage reached the prime minister’s residence he had -decided what to say, for he had succeeded in inventing an excellent -excuse for his visit to the Observatory. - -He realised that it was necessary to have his statement ready as to the -precise nature of the work he had requested his astronomer to prepare -for him, which through her neglect had caused the extraordinary scene of -which the prince had been an accidental witness. - -After much cogitation he evolved the feasible explanation that he had -requested her to make calculations of each perturbation of the sun’s -centre; and also to discover to what extent the additions of meteoric -matter to his body would affect solar heat. He desired this information -in the interests of all his subjects, but especially in those of -agriculturists, and fruit-culturists, whose crops had been ruined by the -continuous cold seasons. - -Under ordinary circumstances the Emperor would have obtained the -attendance of any of his ministers without leaving his apartment; in one -instant the summons would have reached him, had the minister been there -to receive it. - -Here was the difficulty, however, for delay increased the danger, and -allowed the enemy an advantage; accordingly the Emperor chose the less -dignified but safer course of calling in person on his minister. - -While Felicitas was relating his extraordinary account of the conduct of -their astronomer and the subsequent treatment he had received from her -friends, Stonesack’s countenance was a study to behold. At first he -appeared profoundly astonished; this gave way to so many varying -emotions that it was impossible to say what was going on in his mind, or -guess what opinion he had formed of the affair. However, he listened -very gravely to the story, in which the Emperor’s powers of imagination -had been considerably called upon. And when the minister was pressed for -an answer as to the best method of dealing with the delinquents, he -hesitated considerably, coughed; looked very red; blew his nose, and -finished by saying he didn’t know. - -‘At all events,’ urged the Emperor, ‘this revolutionary Sadbag, ought to -be indicted for wickedly conspiring to undermine my reputation, and -thereby bring me into my people’s disfavour.’ - -‘What about thy two astronomers, does thy Majesty desire to include them -in the indictment?’ - -‘Certainly,’ replied the Emperor, ‘did not Mistress Mercia threaten my -life with her ebony life-preserver, and hath not Geometrus taken her -part?’ - -‘Hath thy Majesty fully considered the merits of the case, that it be a -sound one; otherwise it had better not be gone into publicly at all. -Would it not be far wiser to administer correction to these foolish -persons by requiring them to make an apology for their ill-behaviour?’ - -‘That they will never do, I am assured! Their looks and language -betrayed their evil designs towards me. Get a warrant sent quickly, and -put them in prison without delay—even now they may be working me -infinite mischief.’ - -‘It will come to a trial in that case. What will the nation say? Will -the people take thy word in preference to that of Mercia?’ - -‘I care not what the people think! I know my own mind: I promised those -seditious ones what to expect, and they shall not be disappointed,’ -returned the Emperor hotly. - -‘As thy Majesty wills it: the warrant shall be made out and served -to-morrow. It cannot be done more quickly. In the meantime thy Majesty -will have opportunity to sleep upon thy purpose, and if thy mind be -changed by morning send a message to that effect, I will keep in -readiness for it.’ - -‘Count not upon that! There is no other way of dealing with those -wretched conspirators,’ replied Felicitas moodily. - - * * * * * - -While Felicitas was making his plans with the Prime Minister another -member of the Cabinet was listening with astonishment to Geometrus’ -story; for Geometrus having travelled to the city in his own electric -car made up for lost time by beating the Emperor’s horses in rapidity. -Consequently, he arrived at the official residence of the Chancellor of -the Exchequer, or Minister of Finance, about the same moment as -Felicitas at the Prime Minister’s. - -But Geometrus was not as well prepared with his statement as the -Emperor. Moreover, he was unaccustomed at seeking audience of great -people, and when he was ushered into the reception-hall of Lord -Divesdale he felt exceedingly shy, scarcely knowing how to state his -errand. - -‘My lord,’ said he, and then stopped short, and blushed violently. - -‘Pray be seated,’ said the minister in a kindly tone, for he was well -acquainted with Geometrus, and had an excellent opinion of him. - -‘I have somewhat to tell thy lordship,’ he commenced anew. - -‘What is it?’ inquired Divesdale as he sank back in his armchair, in -easy attitude. - -‘It concerns Mistress Mercia, the Astronomer Royal,’ he managed to -utter. - -‘Ah, whatever concerns Mistress Mercia interests me; for she holds my -good opinion,’ observed the minister smiling, and giving Geometrus a nod -of encouragement to proceed. - -‘I am heartily glad to learn that,’ rejoined Geometrus, recovering -himself, ‘for she stands in need of good assistance at this moment.’ - -‘What is the matter—has she met with any serious accident?’ inquired the -minister in alarm. - -‘She has met with that which is infinitely harder to bear to one of her -pure mind, than any physical injury.’ - -‘Thou speakest in riddles—pray explain thyself?’ returned his lordship a -little sharply, for he was getting impatient. - -‘My mistress has been grossly insulted by one who has taken advantage of -his high position,’ Geometrus proceeded to say, but evidently with much -reluctance. - -‘By whom—Prince Osbert?’ queried his lordship hastily. - -‘No, my lord, the Emperor himself,’ answered Geometrus in a low voice, -but firm; the tones of which betrayed also the pain it cost him to make -the disclosure. - -‘The Emperor!’ repeated Lord Divesdale in profound amazement. - -‘The same,’ Geometrus replied laconically. - -‘How—in what manner? Pray tell me in a reasonable way what thou knowest -of it?’ exclaimed Divesdale impatiently. - -‘The Emperor has been coming much of late to the Observatory. Last week -he made a journey thither ostensibly to talk astronomy with Mistress -Mercia. Yet I saw he looked annoyed at my entrance, and as if I had been -an interruption to him. However, this day he came again, and as I was in -the city at the time, he obtained good opportunity to say all he -desired, presumably, for it finished with Mercia tearing herself out of -his grasp and threatening to take his life if he detained her further. - -‘Prince Osbert, who had followed the Emperor to the Observatory for some -purpose, entered the building at the same moment as myself, and we two -suddenly came upon the scene just as Mercia had opened the door of the -apartment to leave him. I looked into her face and saw it expressed the -utmost scorn and indignation. “What is the meaning of this?” I asked, -turning to the Emperor. “Oh, nothing,” he replied; “she has forgotten a -duty, and I am upbraiding her.” “Liar!” exclaimed Mercia, “ask thine -Empress to come hither, I have somewhat to tell her, and as for -thee—find some other to fill my post, for I am thine astronomer no -longer.” - -‘Notwithstanding Mercia’s indignant refutation the Emperor persisted -with his charge against her of idleness, and disobedience to his -command; when I told him plainly that the matter should be made subject -of a public inquiry; for Mercia was too honourable and pure-minded to -invent a foul charge against anyone, least of all her royal master. - -‘At this critical moment who should emerge from a corner of the -apartment but Sadbag, the leading Radical member of Parliament? “I too, -will take care that this be seen into!” he exclaimed. At this, the -Emperor fumed furiously, and declared that it was all a plot against -him, and he would have the three of us arrested for conspiring to defame -his character; and finished by calling it high treason.’ - -‘How utterly absurd of him! But how did Sadbag come to be there so -conveniently? it is as good as a comedy, by Jove!’ - -‘He explained that he was first in Mercia’s reception-room awaiting an -audience of her, and by chance taking up a book he became so interested -in it that he finished by falling asleep over it, so that the entrance -of the Emperor, and a moment later of Mercia, he was quite unconscious -of; a screen stood between him and them, consequently his presence was -unperceived: and he only became aware of theirs when the Emperor in -impassioned tones pleaded his love suit with Mercia, who disdained it. -By that time Sadbag deemed it prudent to keep quiet, for he was getting -more than he bargained, when he ensconced himself in the huge easy chair -near the screen.’ - -‘What a shocking old man to spy at a love scene! I wonder how he -contained himself so long!’ exclaimed Divesdale, who was bursting with -merriment, for he ever saw the comic side of a thing, however grave it -might be. ‘The Emperor must apologise to fair Mercia, and to thee, too, -Geometrus. Throw aside thy dignity, et cetera, and help to square this -piece of business; it’s no earthly use making a hue and cry over it. No -lady cares to see herself a town talk! But this Sadbag—what are we to do -with him? He truly is a sad bag of cranks! A piece of positive -electricity, seeking its own level, not considering consequences; or a -flash of forked lightning ready to put one on toast; or a match in a -powder-box ready to pop—the man is in fact, too dangerous for anything.’ - -‘He’s the right man for the times! I’m not going to put the stopper on -him. The Emperor must be made an example of,’ returned Geometrus -fiercely. - -‘I hope not, by Jove! the peace of the community would be permanently -spoilt, if we all followed his example,’ observed his lordship drily. - -‘I mean that the Emperor should be made a warning to all light-minded -persons, in general, and monarchs in particular.’ - -‘Quite so: the Emperor by our endeavours shall be made more particular, -especially in his treatment of the ladies.’ - -‘And Sadbag is the right man to do it!’ shouted Geometrus, who was -getting quite warm with the discussion. - -‘He’s a right man in the wrong hole! I mean he’s got the Emperor in a -queer hole, and he won’t let him out of it! The position doth wholly -delight him. He’ll take a holy joy in “taking it out of him,” or -“putting him up a tree,” or making him eat humble pie, or what thou -likest! Oh, he’s a sad dog or sadbag, I know not which, and no mistake! -But we must circumvent him.’ - -‘I have no desire to circumvent him; I would infinitely prefer to help -him. I do not regard this affair in the same light as thou, and could -have hushed it up without the aid of a Cabinet minister, for the Emperor -desired the same on the spot, offering me promotion, but I refused it on -such terms,’ interposed Geometrus with much spirit. - -‘I would that all men were as thou art, my friend, for then there would -be neither place-maker nor place-seeker. What a perfect Government we -should have; everyone seeking his neighbour’s good to the detriment of -his own! The world indeed, would be too perfect for anything!’ - -‘No fear of that as long as there are those who strive to cover up -ill-doing. I will seek Mr. Sadbag and get counsel of him, for it is very -plain I can obtain no good advice from thee,’ said Geometrus, who was -altogether disgusted at the minister’s light raillery, and rose from his -seat to go away. - -‘Stay, I hear familiar footsteps! One seeks admission whom I would see -before thou leavest me,’ exclaimed the minister, who despite all his -playful talk, knew how to act most wisely. - -‘The Emperor! Sire, thy visit is well-timed; one moment, in private, I -beg,’ and Divesdale conducted Felicitas into an inner apartment. - -‘I require thy help and advice in a most painful matter,’ quoth the -Emperor, turning very red in the face, but his speech was interrupted by -the minister in a very offhand manner. - -‘Sire, not another word, I have heard the whole story—’tis a frightful -hobble, I must say. Truly a most diverting drama! Beats broad burlesque -to bits! If society should get hold of this precious piece of scandal -thy prestige will be ruined! An Emperor is a god, or at least, a -demigod, who should appear perfect before his people, whether he be or -no. But, now, he must step down from his pedestal, and apologise, just -to straighten things comfortably. Nay, it cannot be hard to kneel to a -deity, for Mercia is no less! All beautiful women are goddesses, let -down from the skies for our adoration: ’tis very plain they were created -for man’s worship: away, then, and fall down upon thy knees and implore -her mercy.’ - -‘But she will not hear me,’ cried the Emperor taken aback by this -unexpected harangue; ‘she is proud, haughty, and obdurate—ah, thou -knowest not Mercia!’ - -‘The woman never breathed who could turn a deaf ear to the man who -entreated her properly. Only kneel metaphorically, but talk to her -prettily, and gaze into her eyes with tenderest pathos, and she will -melt with pure pity for thy condition.’ - -‘I’ve done it all!’ blurted the Emperor unwittingly. ‘I mean it’s no -use, she is quite too hard-hearted to help me.’ - -‘I was sure of it, Sire, thou hast done too much already,’ exclaimed -Divesdale, with the audacity that is engendered of close intimacy. ‘I -will myself entreat her to overlook thy naughty conduct, and thy charges -against the two men must be withdrawn. By taking conciliatory measures -the thing may blow over; but otherwise it may prove very unpleasant for -thy Majesty.’ - -Thus with his raillery, for the Emperor and he were familiar friends, -Divesdale had discovered the truth; and now knew for certain what the -other minister only guessed at. - -‘Conciliatory measures!’ repeated the Emperor, who had by this time -recovered himself, and who knew that he had already gone too far to be -able to retract with any show of respectability, ‘impossible! She -threatened my life, and my prime minister has commanded that a warrant -be issued for her detention.’ - -‘Surely thy Majesty cannot be in earnest?’ - -‘I never was more so,’ the Emperor answered with an assumption of -haughtiness. - -‘What about Sadbag and Geometrus?’ - -‘They too will get served with the same sauce,’ replied Felicitas, with -true autocratic audacity. - -‘Has the prime minister really advised this measure?’ inquired Divesdale -gravely. - -‘I have commanded it,’ returned the Emperor sharply. - -‘On what grounds?’ - -‘Conspiracy; the three had conspired to scandalise me, and take away my -character.’ - -‘And they’ll do it too!’ cried Divesdale, with his characteristic -impulsiveness. - -‘They shall have the opportunity of publicly doing what they were bent -on privately.’ - -‘He has turned dotty, I’m sure of it,’ thought Divesdale, ‘in a monarch -a little madness is a great danger. Well,’ said he aloud, ‘thy Majesty -hath chosen thine own course and must abide by it, for I will wash my -hands of the affair.’ - -‘Oh, wash away!’ said Felicitas testily. - -‘Thine action against the two men is illegal: no warrant for their -imprisonment can be issued: their fault is merely libel, and all -Sovereigns are used to that!’ interposed the minister drily. - -‘Thou makest a mistake there, friend,’ answered the Emperor with a wise -look, ‘remember my royal mother, Victoria the Second, who led such a -virtuous life and was so proud thereof, that when the “Times” newspaper -published a paragraph announcing that she was about to marry her late -husband’s father she was so scandalised thereby that she caused an Act -to be passed decreeing that anyone who uttered a serious scandal against -the reigning Sovereign should be indicted for high treason, for she held -that the good name of the Sovereign should be considered as sacred as -their person; under this Act, therefore, are these two scandalmongers to -be arrested.’ - -‘Ah, yes, I had forgotten it! But that trifle would not be scandal now. -Only twelve months ago thy hand signed an Act permitting thy subjects to -marry whom they will, save those in the first degree of consanguinity. A -man may marry his grandmother now, if he choose!’ - -‘Of course,’ admitted the Emperor, ‘only he does not choose, as a rule.’ - -‘It is inadvisable from every point of view: nowadays one’s grandmother -attains such longevity that to marry her for her fortune, is like -turning monk for a livelihood: a man’s freedom arrives when ’tis not -worth the having, for she goes on living until he becomes grey-headed.’ - -‘True! But this is not my business!’ broke in the Emperor impatiently, -‘let us discuss what more nearly concerns me. Can I count on thy good -service in this matter, or no?’ - -‘Call a Cabinet Council,’ suggested Divesdale, ‘in the multitude of -councillors we shall get wisdom,’ he added, quoting from very ancient -history. - -The Emperor made a gesture of impatience at this sally, for he felt the -minister was drawing him, and took his departure forthwith. - -The thought instantly crossed the minister’s mind that the affair would -make a very interesting plot for his next novel; for he was a favourite -novelist whose works were welcomed by the people for their merit, and -not because they were written by a popular minister of the State. - -‘If we could only put the actual occurrences of life as they appear -before our eyes into our works what rattling good stories we could -write!’ laughed Divesdale, as he threw himself into his easy chair for a -smoke and a soliloquy. - -Ideals of art and literature are as subject to change and remodelling as -are theories of natural science, which are bound to give way as the -light of knowledge reveals little by little the true conditions of the -mysteries of life and its environments. Accordingly literature-making -had its fashions; a reaction had taken place, and from the field of -novel writing which had been in the past almost entirely filled by lady -writers, these were now self-eliminated; women having successfully taken -up the positions of historians, mathematicians, political economists, -and expounders of natural and mental philosophies. So successful was the -female in the writing of books designed for instruction that no male had -a chance in this walk of literature, unless he assumed a feminine -pen-name, and by this harmless subterfuge gain a reputation in spite of -his sex. - -Science as applied to manufactures had reached such perfection that the -stones for building purposes were now manufactured, the stone quarries, -as a matter of course, having almost given out. By a cunning admixture -of chemically prepared material whose chief substance was composed of -silicious sand brought from the pathless deserts by electric motive -power, at a comparatively small expense, this granular quartz, or flint -under certain conditions was reconverted into beautiful slabs of stone, -of hard and enduring quality. - -It was no uncommon sight to see whole streets, or terraces of handsome -houses built apparently of blocks of glittering granite which sparkled -bravely in the sunlight: nor were these imitations confined to one sort, -for various marbles were so closely imitated, and withal so hard and -enduring that the villas of the middle classes bore the appearance of -veritable marble halls. Inside the walls were not papered, but finished -with a dressing of apparently beautiful marble, while a wainscoting of -richly embroidered silk velvet imparted an air of comfort to the rooms; -a by no means unwelcome addition, for the climate of England, like the -poor, is always with us. - - - - - CHAPTER VII - - -When Mercia retired to her private apartment she hardly knew whither she -was going. At first she entered her usual sitting-room, then suddenly -she made a turn and rushed into her bedchamber where making sure there -could be no interruption she gave vent to the sorrow and indignation -that filled her breast, in a passionate flood of tears. For even the -twentieth-century woman was not illachrymable, being in this respect -pretty much the same as the most remote of her feminine ancestors. - -In a few moments, however, she recovered herself, and began to consider -her situation, or rather her loss of situation, for she had -inconsiderately thrown it up in the heat of her anger with the Emperor. -Not for an instant did the thought cross her mind of withdrawing her -resignation, or of making any attempt at reconciliation with the -monarch, whose utterly heartless and cowardly conduct filled her with -intense contempt, and disgust. As soon as the tumult of her feelings had -subsided she returned to her sitting-room and wrote out her letter of -resignation, wherein she explained in modest yet dignified terms her -reasons for taking this step; expressing at the same time the terrible -sacrifice it was costing her in thus throwing up a position which was so -specially adapted to her sympathies and pursuits, and of which there was -no hope of obtaining an adequate substitute elsewhere. - -When the letter was completed she remembered Geometrus and wishful to -satisfy him by making him fully acquainted with her movements she put it -through the copying press with a view of showing him its contents; then -ringing for a messenger it was despatched through the post without -delay, that it might be received in due order by the head of the -governmental department. - -Having gone thus far she began to feel more settled in her mind, -satisfied insomuch that she felt she had done the right thing in -resigning a position which exposed her to the importunities of a patron -who had proved as unprincipled in purpose as he was sensual in -inclinations. Then she began to torment herself with the reflection that -she had not proved such an icewoman as she had previously imagined -herself to be. ‘Yes,’ she owned to herself, ‘there was a moment when the -power of his passion moved me, and I could have yielded to the seduction -of the senses, pictured by him as the essence of love, until I -remembered there was a barrier that might not be moved; no, not for the -allurements of a century of deliciousness would I defraud another of one -iota of the affection which was sworn for all time to be hers. - -‘I have refused, perhaps, the crown of an Empress to take the lowly -condition of a poor scholar out of place; but I have remained true to -myself, and to my sex, and before all things have kept my heart and -hands clean: I have earned the approval of my conscience, and my -night-pillow is not made restless with the self-torture of knowing I had -inflicted an endless misery on another, and that other made like unto -myself; with all the capacities of suffering, having to drink daily of -life’s bitterest mortifications. - -‘But what a deadly traitor I have narrowly escaped—what a contemptible -monster he has proved himself, to thus turn on me like an adder!’ - -His threat of having her indicted for high treason gave her, however, no -uneasiness, for it only inspired her with the utmost scorn. She -dismissed it from her mind as having been on his part merely the outcome -of ungovernable anger at being exposed before his enemy, as Sadbag -undauntedly owned himself to be. How a man could express the most -profound attachment for her at one moment, and seek her destruction at -the next, seemed to her pure mind so monstrous and wholly unnatural that -its possibility in her case was altogether out of the question. - -That Felicitas would actually go the lengths of formally making such an -infamous accusation she could not bring herself to believe. Thus she sat -deeply pondering over the situation for at least two hours, unheeding -the passage of time in which startling doings were taking place in the -outside world, when she was interrupted by a double announcement, -dinner, and the advent of Sadbag. - -‘In a brown study, I see!’ exclaimed the old man as he entered the -apartment, ‘can I be of any use to thee?’ - -‘Thrice welcome,’ she answered quickly; ‘this solitude is unbearable: I -was longing for some sympathising friend in whose ears I could pour -forth my trouble.’ - -‘Thou art in a queer quandary, certainly,’ quoth Sadbag in gentle tones, -which were not wanting in sly humour, ‘nevertheless, there will be -somebody in a bigger by to-morrow morning.’ - -‘To whom dost thou refer?’ - -‘To Felicitas of course: the Emperor shall learn ere another twenty-four -hours the opinion of the nation anent profligacy.’ - -‘What hast thou done in this matter, Master Sadbag,’ said Mercia -anxiously, ‘pray tell me, for only an hour ago I sent in my -resignation?’ - -‘Sent thy resignation!’ repeated Sadbag, ‘why Mistress Mercia, there’s -no occasion for that! It is the Figure Head Felicitas who should resign; -for having no worthy occupation to fill his time he must needs get into -mischief; in much the same manner as those empty-headed puppies who -dawdle about the squares feasting their eyes on every comely woman who -is on her way home from her office, or business. Down with the monarchy, -I say, if this be all it is good for! Indeed, we have had enough of it. -Look at the centuries of oppression that Russia has gone through! The -country knew no real freedom until she shook off the thraldom of -despotism and all its concomitant tyrannies.’ - -‘Yes,’ replied Mercia earnestly, ‘Russia has attained the joys of a -Constitutional Monarchy through rivers of human blood; devastating -floods of fire, and seas of darkest misery: is it indeed worth the cost -of such terrible sacrifices?’ - -‘No great victory has ever been achieved save at infinite sacrifice. -True, it was a mighty one, but the result is worthy of it. The struggle -was long and severe; but greater severities have been put an end to—the -cruelties of oppression wrought upon millions of helpless beings, which -were accentuated by the conditions of civilisation and enlightenment -that surrounded them.’ - -‘Civilisation and enlightenment are of no avail unless the heart be -true, and the conscience good. If the moral nature be at fault what -avails the enlightenment of ages?’ observed Mercia thoughtfully. - -‘The occurrences of to-day is a case in point,’ continued Sadbag; ‘in -all history have we a parallel instance of meanness, cruelty, and -downright dishonesty as this experience with the Emperor? But I have -come to give thee good tidings—I think I have settled him. To-morrow the -whole world will ring of his doings. His hypocrisy, his deceit, and his -cowardice will make him the object of detestation to all. The four -quarters of the earth have got the story word for word, and we shall see -what comes of it.’ - -‘Sadbag, what hast thou done?’ demanded Mercia with eyes of fire and -cheek of flame. - -‘Fear nothing, sweet lady, thy fair fame hath been kept guarded and -unsullied by me. Not a word is given of which thou needest be ashamed. -In this recital thou art truly pictured; gentle, modest, and -unsuspecting up to the point where knowledge is forced upon thee, and -the deceiver shows his hand. Then, the art of the seducer utterly fails -in its purpose, for thine irreproachable virtue shielded thee as a coat -of armour; thy sense of honour to thy fellow-woman was as a wall of -defence to thy shoulders, for thou didst refuse the most tempting -blandishments rather than blight the happiness of a wife; albeit thou -wert offered the crown of an Empress as the reward of thy dishonour. But -what of thy letter of resignation; I wish I had seen it beforehand; for -the Emperor makes a bitter enemy, and will revile thee soundly to his -ministers?’ - -‘I think I have made myself pretty clear,’ replied Mercia, who had -considerably calmed down by this time; ‘here is a copy of my letter; -read it.’ - -‘Good!’ exclaimed Sadbag as soon as he had finished perusing the -document; ‘this is fine! Canst thou trust it with me for one night and I -will return it to-morrow morning without fail?’ - -‘Seeing thou hast done so much already,’ returned Mercia in a weary tone -of voice, ‘there can be no harm in giving it thee to make what use thou -mayest choose. But, listen, here comes Geometrus—I will invite him to -dine with us, and we three will discuss the matter together.’ - -At the next moment Geometrus had entered the apartment, and startled the -two with the look of painful concern on his countenance. - -‘Why so glum, my friend?’ cried Sadbag cheerily; ‘this is but a passing -cloud which will be carried away presently by the fair breezes of public -opinion. No one can hurt thee, or Mercia: I cannot say so much for -myself, for indeed I have meddled considerably in this business, and -nobody knows how it will turn out for me. But ye twain are innocent -victims, and have naught to fear in this advanced period of the world’s -history. Truth and justice should prevail in the dawn of the -twenty-first century, if ever it is to prevail at all on this earth. Ah, -I wonder if anything approaching perfection can ever be reached here!’ - -‘Our present day littérateurs,’ observed Mercia, ‘felicitate themselves -that we are in the enjoyment of such an advanced civilisation as the -world has never seen in the past, or possible to attain in the future. -But thou, Sadbag, seest much to improve in the political arena, and I -see much to be discovered in the world of Nature. We have still to learn -how to rule the elements. As yet, the winds and the storms, and the -waters, are our masters. The time will arrive when these shall be our -servants to come and go at our will. The rains it is true now water the -earth at our desire, but soon the winds shall be dispersed by our art, -and the heaving waves of the ocean shall be made subservient to our -will; not by the wand of the sorcerer, but by the hand of that more -wonderful magician—Science. When man has made Nature to obey his behests -then that extraordinary time shall have arrived that the prophets -dreamed of in the far off ages, which they symbolised by the metaphor of -the lion and the lamb lying side by side. This, indeed, is the true -millennium for which all may ardently pray; for it is the earth-glory -awaiting the planet-dwellers of our sun’s system, yea, of every star -system throughout the whole of the vast universe.’ - -Mercia paused, and looked at her friends, as if inquiring if she might -proceed. - -‘Go on,’ said Sadbag, ‘we delight to listen to thee.’ - -‘Ah, it is all very wonderful! The field of science possesses still -untrodden paths: mystery upon mystery are yet to be made clear; the -hidden secrets of psychology are still in darkness; we know not of what -stuff we are made. What is soul—what is mind? We cannot definitely -define them: we know only the manner in which these express themselves -to our physical nature: the spiritual is wrapped in impenetrable -mystery. How is it that one man utters the truths of a prophet, and -another can hardly be made to understand what is going on before his -eyes? Of course it is a difference in brain-power, the physiologist -tells us, but how is it that a more or less quantity of grey -brain-substance can give inspiration, knowledge, genius, power, -imagination, and even prescience? Who can answer that? When this -question is solved then is the chief millennium reached.’ - -‘Let me have a word now,’ said Sadbag, whose eyes glistened with the -enthusiasm that inspired him for the moment; ‘when the insignia of -Royalty is done away with; when kings are a luxury of the past, and -Emperors are persons of bygone history; when liberty and equality are -recognised everywhere; when exorbitant taxes are no longer levied on the -poor; when society recognises the duty of honesty and purity towards -each other, and the golden rule is abided by, then is the millennium! -Each of us has his goal, his ideal; this is my ideal, and this is the -religion I would have preached by the expounders of faiths, and of -doctrines. Scientific discoveries are being made step by step, first -this experiment, and then that. One man finds a glint of light, and -theorises on it, and he passes away, and another takes it up and -examines it further, and presently discovers a wider field of vision, -and he has dreams of its utilisation, but they end there; and a third, -having had an excellent foundation to start with, finishes by -discovering how to apply the knowledge to useful purposes, and gains the -reward; for the first sowed, and the last reaped; and he will give his -name to the invention, and will be hailed as the great genius, the true -discoverer.’ - -‘Yes,’ observed Mercia in reply to her guest, as seated at table she -dispensed her hospitalities with thoughtful care, ‘they are all links in -one great chain, one following the other in due order, displaying a -complete system, which is governed by fixed laws, that may not be -transgressed without penalty. But, say, Geometrus,’ uttered Mercia -anxiously, ‘how has it fared with thee—why art thou so melancholy?’ - -‘I cannot help it,’ he answered, sighing deeply the while; ‘a great -misfortune is overshadowing the three of us.’ - -Mercia regarded him earnestly. ‘What is it?’ she asked. - -‘The Emperor’s threat, I’ll be bound!’ growled out Sadbag. - -‘The same,’ answered Geometrus gloomily; ‘I have just come from -Divesdale, the Minister of Finance, who was having converse with the -Emperor upon the subject, and he tells me Felicitas is bent upon -punishing us, yea, the whole three—even Mercia is not to be spared.’ - -‘Yea, rather he is working the punishment that’s to fall on his own -pate!’ laughed Sadbag contemptuously. ‘When the proper time comes I -possess indisputable proof to show in open court of the truth of my -statement, which will place that of Mercia beyond doubt also; and thou, -Geometrus, being only an accessory in the affair, and not a chief actor, -when we are cleared thou wilt be also. Be assured this bogus prosecution -will be promptly stopped unless we insist on its full development.’ - -‘And where wilt thou obtain all this convincing evidence? There’s naught -but our bare word to support our statements: the highest potentate of -the realm and the policeman can never swear falsely?’ remarked Mercia, -cynically, who was awakening to the gravity of the situation. - -‘We shall be arrested to-morrow, at latest,’ interpolated the young man, -‘the warrants are being made out at this moment.’ - -‘Capital!’ shouted the elder man, slapping his knee exultingly, ‘I -wouldn’t miss the scene at the trial for a kingdom!’ - -‘Oh, Sadbag, thou art horrid!’ cried Mercia deprecatingly, ‘I shall -never survive the disgrace of it!’ - -‘Say, rather, thou wilt be too shy to survive the honour of it! Mercia, -mark me, the day of thy trial will be the dawn of thy glory. Truth will -triumph this time, notwithstanding the world’s wickedness. The words of -our ancient Solomon shall be verified—“A virtuous woman is as a crown to -her husband,” et cetera;’ and Sadbag looked slily at Geometrus, for an -irrepressible humour was ever bubbling up within him. - -‘But I haven’t a husband,’ murmured Mercia, blushingly, ‘so how can I -thus adorn him?’ - -‘The man and the opportunity are awaiting thee: the one at thy elbow, -the other looming near,’ explained Sadbag archly. - -It was Geometrus’s turn to blush now, which he did most becomingly,—‘If -Sadbag means me,’ he faltered out, ‘I would fain be the man, I confess; -but where is the opportunity? It seems to me that it was never so -distant as at present, and it was at all times too far to give hope.’ - -‘Modesty doth well become youth, but it is ill-placed in cases of the -heart. He that is daring gains the goal, but the fainthearted gives up -the race. It is true ye twain are in a predicament, having lost your -appointments, but you are no worse off than if this misfortune had never -befallen you, for marriage would have brought a like result. I propose,’ -Sadbag proceeded to say, ‘that thou Geometrus shalt ask Divesdale for -the appointment of Head of the Royal College of Natural Science, where -thou wilt have power to appoint all its various professors, and -lecturers. As astronomy is one of the principal subjects taught, give -Mercia the post of Chief Astronomical Lecturer, which carries no bar to -marriage. Now isn’t that plan most excellent! I flatter myself it is a -capital thought!’ - -‘It’s splendid, yet it possesses a fault!’ exclaimed Geometrus, whose -spirits began to rise at the bright prospect held before him; ‘could not -Mercia ask Divesdale for the appointment of Principal, and give me the -subordinate position of Professor?’ - -‘Whichever way you two choose to put it,’ replied Sadbag merrily; ‘after -all, when I come to consider it I believe Mercia would stand the better -chance with the minister; the nation at large, too, would be more -satisfied, as she hath renown and much goodwill of the people.’ - -‘I feel as if I were already installed, and am longing to award places -of honour to all my friends,’ broke in Mercia sweetly. ‘What post, dear -Sadbag, can I give thee? Political Expounder, or Professor of Economics? -Name the article and it shall be forthcoming; for I fain would testify -my gratitude for the honest goodwill thou dost show me.’ - -‘I want naught for myself,’ replied the old man with a comic shake of -the head, ‘but I have a grand-daughter ready to leave school whom I -would wish to enter the said College as a student. It would much oblige -me if thou wouldst examine her and judge for which science she is best -fitted. She must select one subject and bottom it thoroughly; I think -chemistry to be the most preferable.’ - -‘Chemistry!’ repeated Mercia smiling, ‘why my dear sir, that’s a very -big order, for it possesses several important branches, each one a study -of itself. One should be selected, and then there’s a possibility of -imparting something useful to thy grand-daughter. Nowadays no one has a -chance of success if he attempt too much—this is the day of the -Specialist!’ - -‘It isn’t every day one has a chance of a good talk with a lady of such -renown as thee, so I will benefit myself by taking the opportunity,’ -remarked Sadbag in a tone of great content; ‘I have a grandson also, -what shall I do with him?’ - -‘How old is he?’ inquired Geometrus, who thought it was time to put in -an oar. - -‘Sixteen, and as comely a youth as ever was seen. But he has no liking -for abstruse studies, and it is little use sending him to college with -his sister. Can you suggest something that is likely to prove agreeable -to his cast of mind?’ - -‘Article him to a marble manufacturer,’ replied Geometrus eagerly; ‘it -is the grandest trade going. We want marbles and granites for every -building, nowadays; we cannot obtain enough of them. There is plenty of -scope for further invention, for instance, porphyry has not yet been -successfully imitated but in appearance only, for it is too brittle for -any purpose necessitating strength and durability. A new “Stone Age” is -dawning, for not a brick will be used save in the cottage of the -poorest. Our large towns and cities will present greater beauty than -classic Italy saw in its best days; for they will be filled with -splendid halls and residences built apparently of various rare and -costly marbles, designed in high artistic form and stately structure. -What a wonderful age we are coming to, when the distant sands of Sahara -are brought to our shores and reconverted to their original solidity! It -is like a fairy tale of ancient days this transformation of the crumbled -rock of ages to the original compactness of solid blocks of glittering -stone. Who is the sorcerer of the modern time? The Geological-Chemist. - -‘Diamond making is as nothing compared with this useful manufacture, for -it converts the ugliness of cheap brick buildings into the beauties of -palaces. Even the sea sand on our own shores are cleansed and united -with chemically prepared material, and made to form a hard and -impenetrable silicious stone, more enduring than what it was in its -pristine solidity.’ - -Sadbag looked serious as Geometrus dilated on the usefulness of -Geologic-chemistry; then he remarked—‘I imagined that chemistry had -attained its limits, and further improvements in manufactures -impossible, almost, but I see with your eyes, Geometrus, and quite -understand that the world is still in its infancy, although it believes -it is acquainted with everything already.’ - -‘So they thought a hundred years ago!’ observed Geometrus laughingly; -‘the people of that time actually imagined they had scaled the extreme -heights of knowledge and there was nothing left to learn. But hark!’ he -exclaimed in an excited undertone, ‘there’s a ring at the great door—who -comes at this hour? Is it the warrants, I wonder! It is. There are the -police,’ continued he as he rose and looked through the window, ‘and the -police-van ready to accommodate us! Oh, Mercia is it possible that thou -must suffer this degradation?’ - -‘SHE SHALL NOT!’ exclaimed Sadbag vehemently, ‘as long as there’s a -breath left in this body of mine. My first thought was to fly,’ he -continued hurriedly, ‘on account of this copy of her letter which I was -about sending to the Press for publication; but I will hide it in this -vase instead, and get my solicitor to fetch it away afterwards; for I -will now stand my ground for Mercia’s sake. She shall be conveyed to -prison in her own carriage, or not at all, there’s no law to hinder -that, I warrant. We three shall all go together, but I would have -preferred my liberty a little longer for I have much to do before -getting my incarceration.’ - -‘Hide behind the screen again!’ whispered Mercia, ‘no one knows thou art -here; it is easy enough to do; and thou canst report upon the manner in -which I am treated, if need be—dost understand?’ - -‘Perfectly, I will do it, and come out if I see necessary,’ agreed the -old man with a roguish beam in his eyes, while he slipped behind in a -twinkle. He had no sooner disappeared than the constables entered the -apartment, which they did in a somewhat hesitating manner. Evidently, -they did not at all relish their work, for the inmates of the -Observatory, as well as the place itself inspired them with respect. - -‘Why this intrusion on a lady in her private apartment?’ demanded -Geometrus haughtily; for he considered they ought to have remained in -the entrance hall, until their errand was explained. - -‘What is your wish?’ inquired Mercia in quiet tones. - -‘Mistress, I have brought with me a document, an ugly document, truly, -to show a lady, and to such a one as thou it is indeed vexatious to have -the handling of it. Nevertheless, it has been entrusted to me, and -obedience is the first great principle of all order. Therefore, very -unwillingly, I confess, I call upon thee in the Emperor’s name to -surrender thyself—here is my authority,’ and he held out the warrant for -her perusal, still keeping his hold of it. When she had finished, she -stood for a moment thinking, whereupon he stepped forward to lead her -away, when Mercia falling back a little, drew herself up haughtily, and -exclaimed—‘Touch me not, fellow, I will leave this house of mine own -accord when I am fully prepared for my journey, for I must attire myself -suitably before going into the night air, also my carriage must be made -ready for me.’ - -‘We have brought the ordinary police-van by special order of the -Emperor, we dare not let any other be used,’ interpolated another -officer, for there were three of them. - -‘The police-van for _me_!’ repeated Mercia indignantly, ‘and by the -Emperor’s orders too! What has the Emperor to do with the administration -of the law? I refuse to obey such an order.’ - -‘And rightly so,’ interjected Geometrus hotly, then turning with furious -face upon the constables, he added—‘This lady goes with you in her own -carriage, or not at all.’ - -‘What is that to thee?’ returned the sergeant of police sharply, ‘a -pretty person to lay down conditions to us, and dictate how we are to -perform our duty, seeing thou art in the same boat thyself. Here is the -warrant for thy apprehension; and get thee ready quickly.’ - -‘If you touch her, any of you, against her will, I will strike him dead -with my electric dagger!’ shouted Geometrus, who was beside himself with -anger. - -‘There are more daggers than thine, young man,’ exclaimed one of the men -roughly, as he rushed towards Geometrus with his handcuffs opened ready -to clasp them in an instant; but Geometrus was too quick for him, and -tripping the constable with his foot, the latter staggered to the ground -awkwardly, while the handcuffs were dashed out of his grasp with a deft -blow from Geometrus. Then the other two constables springing to the aid -of their fellow took hold of Geometrus, one at either side, and a -desperate struggle was about to commence, but at this juncture out -rushed Sadbag from his hiding place exclaiming—‘Why all this bubbery, ye -idiots, what matters it what sort of vehicle you use for their -conveyance so that you get your prisoners safe in quod? That is enough -for you! Let the lady go as she will, and no more nonsense about it, -otherwise I will make it pretty hot, both for you and your masters, -afterwards.’ - -‘Now this is mighty convenient!’ said the sergeant dryly, for he held -the warrant for Sadbag as well; ‘we want thee also, my good fellow, and -thou hast saved us much trouble by popping out to lecture us; thou -couldst not repress thy speechifying instincts, even to save thy -liberty! I arrest thee, Joseph Sadbag, in the name of the Emperor -Felicitas! Here is my authority,’ and he pulled out of his side pocket -the document for Sadbag’s perusal. - -‘Oh, I know all about it,’ answered the old man testily, ‘I am willing -enough to become thy prisoner only let it be done quietly and decently, -for the Emperor will have sufficient to answer for without adding -further insult to this lady. He has already done that which will disgust -every decent minded person in his realms.’ - -‘Let him take charge of his own business; ’tis his affair, and I will -perform mine,’ replied the sergeant doggedly. - -‘You might come to a compromise,’ pleaded Sadbag in insinuating tones, -‘I have saved you heaps of labour, trouble and exertion in lying in -wait, and watching for me all over London by unexpectedly dropping -myself into your hands. Show your gratitude, my friends, by letting -Mistress Mercia take her seat in her own carriage, and one of your -constables may accompany her, while this gentleman and myself will go in -the police-van, with the remaining two of you, and we will pass our word -of honour not to overpower you, and seek to escape. Now are you -satisfied?’ - -‘Very well,’ agreed the sergeant gruffly, ‘we will take the offer—only -make haste!’ - -‘It is quite dark outside, Geometrus,’ observed the old man, ‘no one -will be any the wiser as to who are the occupants of the van: I don’t -much matter it myself—nevertheless, I will sue the Government for damage -to my reputation, for this act will accentuate the situation.’ - -‘I care not for myself one whit,’ returned the younger man in a pained -tone; ‘but I am heartily glad thou hast succeeded in saving Mercia such -an unnecessary disgrace.’ - -‘I hope we shan’t be kept a month of Sundays in our cells, for I am -simply dying to make my _dénouement_ in court,’ whispered Sadbag to his -friend, as he nimbly tripped down the broad staircase that led to the -entrance hall, with the policemen following at their heels. - -‘For the life of me I can’t imagine what thou art driving at—what the -deuce is thy _dénouement_?’ inquired Geometrus impatiently. - -‘Qui vivra verra!’ laughed Sadbag lightly; ‘“He that lives longest sees -most;” I mean to create a diversion in court.’ - -‘A diversion!’ repeated the young man in dismay. - -‘Well, maybe that’s not exactly the word for it; I am not a flowery -phraser: I mean to create an impression that may prove a diversion, or a -lesson, an example, a warning, a farce, a terror, a maxim, a moral, a -proverb, a motto; a subject for comic cuts, for high art paintings; for -pulpit sermons, stump orators, parsons, preachers, and petticoats to -moralise on; ’twill be a lesson to perjurers, profligates, and -hypocrites, generally; and at the finish each will say to his -neighbour—What a capital dodge, I wonder no one ever thought of doing -that before!’ and the old fellow rubbed his hands in high glee, at the -thought of his plan, the success of which he felt would amply repay him -for all the inconveniences of his most inopportune confinement. - -By this time Mercia’s carriage was in readiness, for it only required a -few minutes’ attention to put it in working order, and soon the -quartette, each under the influence of his own emotions, watched the -light barouche roll quickly along the smooth macadamised roadway, for -only heavy trams and waggons used the rails with which the principal -streets and roads were provided, lighter vehicles not requiring such -aids to locomotion. - -‘Farewell, my Mercia,’ the young man had whispered in her ear, just -before turning on the force; for the driver had taken the steering gear; -‘be strong and of good hope, Sadbag is our saviour, we have nought to -fear with his clear head and true heart to help us.’ - -‘Surely the gods will help their own sister!’ exclaimed Sadbag -gallantly, as he raised his hat in making a last adieu. ‘Wait till the -lucky bag is presented thee for a dip, and thou wilt see what a prize -comes to thy hand!’ - - - - - CHAPTER VIII - - ‘As atom unto atom firmly lies, - Obeying blindly that great law which makes - Subservient even lifeless matter; wakes - An energy, a force, whose hidden ties - Bind animate or inanimate in wise - True, order.... Thus are we twain commingled....’ - _Idylls, Legends and Lyrics._ - - -Perhaps the most wonderful of all the discoveries of this period was -that of psycho-magnetic sympathy, or psychic-energy, which was found to -pervade the nerve-centres of all human beings, in a greater or lesser -degree. In all ages the unseen bond that linked mankind together, with -more or less hidden force, had baffled the researches of psychologists, -and physiologists to such a degree, that at length the pursuit was -abandoned, and left for Charlatans to play with. - -Each epoch of the world’s history saw the development of some absurdity; -but these were in reality the fructification of the seedling; or infant -gropings after that higher knowledge which evidence the spiritual -aspirations of the human soul. - -In the very early stages of man’s history we find him in full belief of -fairies, gnomes, and hobgoblins, which eventually ripened into a -literature and folklore dealing with their doings, of quite ample -dimensions. And after all, who would like to make away with those -delightful stories that inspired his imagination in childhood’s days, -filling his mind with awe and wonder, while yet it was all receptive, -and when credulity was paramount? - -Then followed the belief in the wizards, witch, and magician, who were -held to have gotten their supernatural powers from the arch-magician, -Satan, himself: and every ill that nature sent humanity was ascribed to -the infernal agency of witchcraft. - -In these days handsome incomes were occasionally realised by courtly -magicians who unfolded the future to the high-born ladies that invoked -their aid. Did not Anne Boleyn see her future husband in the magician’s -mirror, when quite a girl, and as yet she knew nothing of him? The scene -of a masked ball in which King Henry the Eighth was the central figure, -and all the people paying him courtly homage, was found reflected in the -magic mirror, and the monarch pointed out as her future husband. Still -time went rolling onwards bringing its developments of man’s highest -aspirations—the desire to fathom that mystery of which he caught but a -glimmering. - -Then followed Mesmer’s discovery to which was attributed certain -psychological developments; these the Charlatan utilised to his own -advantage by claiming the power of second sight for some fair sleeper -whom he always took care to be provided with. - -Side by side with mesmerism grew another new idea which went infinitely -further than the mesmerised thought-reader. It was named Spiritualism, -the votaries of which professed to call up at will the departed spirits -of friends, enemies, and even of persons unknown to them in life. - -This new faith, for it developed into a religion seeing that once a -person got thoroughly soaked with it he wanted no church to teach him -the way to Heaven, he believing he had found a more direct passage than -what all the parsons in Christendom could show him. - -Revelations from Spirit-land were sought not only by the lower, and -partially educated classes, but also by the educated members of society; -practical business men being found in considerable numbers attending -spirit-rapping circles. Even the editor of the _Times_ newspaper in 1880 -was claimed by the Spiritualists to be one of them. - -Eventually, Spiritualism becoming unpopular by reason of its adoption by -the ignorant, together with the numerous exposures of fraud on the part -of its leading exponents, a new belief was found necessary for the -intellectual and cultured ones of the nineteenth century. - -This was borrowed from the East, the beliefs of Ancient India being -pressed into service and made to appear under a new form and given the -title of Theosophy. - -The whole series of superstitions under whatever name they might -appear—witchcraft, fortune-telling, mesmerism, spirit rapping, Mahatma -power, or the new-fangled faith of Theosophy, were in reality the deep -workings of the human mind, striving to fathom the secrets of nature. - -The physiology and psychology of the twenty-first century explained it. -It was indeed, simple enough, for everything is easy when you know it. - -It was found that a subtle fluid somewhat of the nature of electricity, -which was altogether imperceptible to sight, but whose presence was -indicated by a very delicate gauge called a psychometer pervaded the -nerve centres of all human beings. It imparted to them such a highly -sensitive condition that wherever the fluid was in great abundance it -gave to its possessor a corresponding amount of attraction, or influence -over others. - -The influence of this essence was not limited to a short distance, for -propinquity was not altogether necessary for its action; for a highly -endowed person could throw out an invisible stream of psycho-magnetic -sympathy that would find its way for hundreds of miles till it reached -the corresponding fluid of the person desired, causing such a -disturbance in his nerve-centres that immediately he would commence -thinking of his friend, mistress, or acquaintance, as the case might be. - -From this cause came into being that well known saying—‘Talk of the -Devil and he’s sure to show himself.’ - -The poet in every age, although knowing nothing of physiology, being -endowed with a superabundance of this wonderful essence, divined its -existence, calling it the unseen chains that bound humanity together. - -In fact, this was the source from which the true poet, novelist, orator, -and thought-reader derived his power. All these were endowed bountifully -with this subtle energy, putting it to the use for which their -individual talents led them. - -The actress who nightly enchained her auditory by her clever -impersonation of some ideal character, did not owe her triumph solely to -the influence of her splendid rhetoric, or histrionic art, but mainly to -this force which she unconsciously scattered broadcast around her, the -waves of which being caught up by the innumerable nerve-centres, which -responded with ready receptivity. - -The same force, but of a higher order, and more spiritual essence fired -the imagination of the poet, giving him burning words, and tender -sympathies that found their way into every heart. - -It inspired him also with prophetic insight; giving him the power of -seeing into the very heart of things, whether of the past, present, or -future. The ancients saw this and averred that poets are born not made; -for it was owing to the highly sensitive quality of this psychic-energy -that he possessed his gift of poesy. - -It comes into the life of a few to meet with some exquisitely charming -woman who excites love and admiration wherever she turns. All who come -in contact with her unite in declaring her to be the sweetest woman that -ever lived. No one can definitely tell you why she exercises so much -charm over him; she is admittedly not more beautiful, nor more talented -than others; nevertheless, she casts some indefinable, yet irresistible -spell over all around her. Something unfathomable, unknowable dwells in -her countenance, giving it an expression that haunts you. She sees into -your very heart, as it were; she knows exactly what to say, and what to -do to please and gratify you. - -She utters your thought for you, expressing it so beautifully and -perfectly that you are delighted with yourself, for she throws such a -glamour over you that you imagine you have given the happy expression to -the idea. What is this power she wields with such fascinating force? It -is the subtle fluid that is unconsciously emanating from her. This -secret, unseen energy profoundly stirs every nerve within you, sending -thrills of pleasure through your frame, and imparting warmth and life, -and love to all who come within its influence. - -Little children love her, and nestle in her skirts; not only the animals -of her own household, but the strange dog and cat look at her with -longing eyes, wishful for the pat, and kind word that will certainly be -granted. Each living thing feels the subtle influence and acknowledges -it unhesitatingly. Sickness and suffering can hardly diminish it, for -only death itself can annihilate it. - -The orator holds his audience spell bound apparently, by his splendid -eloquence; the whole audience which may consist of several thousands are -moved by one great emotion. Every pulse beats as one; only one feeling -pervades that vast assembly—perfect union of thought with the speaker. -He is exercising a spell over the multitude powerful as that of the -magician. - -The following day the speech appears in cold print, and strange to say, -there is nothing very remarkable about it. What was it that produced -such deep emotions in the breast of that great concourse of people? - -It was the wonderful influence of the speaker’s personality; it was the -abundant psychic-energy that spread itself in thought-waves all through -the multitude, making their hearts glow and swell with happiness. - -Such are the men who win great battles, for their soldiers are ready to -rush into any danger under the influence of their leader’s powerful -soul-energy. Mark how these great warriors attract women. He who fights -well, loves well, all chroniclers know that fact, and the unseen -mind-force with which Nature has so lavishly endowed him, gives him the -successful conquest of women’s hearts, equally as of men’s. - -At this time thought-reading was a perfected science, and only those -endowed with an extraordinary gift of psychic energy could pose with any -measure of success as a professional. - -So great was the perfection reached in this branch of science that a -professor of thought-reading was expected to describe not only the -thought of the inquirer, but also reveal the thoughts and motives of the -person who formed the subject of the inquiry. Nothing less than this -could satisfy the soul of the twenty-first century individual. - -Once the Professor was placed _en rapport_ with the person to be -analysed and reported upon, he was expected to give every particular of -his life, habits, attainments, thoughts and actions. In point of fact, -he had to keep a mental diary of the watched man’s doings. Woe betide -the silly swain who tried to run two sweethearts; if one of them grew -jealous she had but to tell her case to the thought-reader, and with a -good fee set his brain agoing, when soon she would be in possession of -every particular of her lover’s perfidy. - -As soon as the presence of this essence in all persons was clearly -demonstrated and established, it became the ambition of the food-chemist -to discover some phosphate that would increase the supply that nature -had given already. Numerous were the nostrums proposed for which were -claimed the power of imparting an augmented supply to man. - -The newspapers teemed with advertisements of these tabloids, some of -which were frequently headed with the legend ‘YE ARE NOT MEN BUT GODS!’ -And indeed, if the virtues of these chemical preparations attained only -half what was claimed for them, men would have been nearly gods by this -time. For the inherent desire of man to obtain power, by whatever name -it might be known, prompts him to accept any theories that promise this -desirable gift. - -For a time large fortunes were accumulated by the manufacture of -psychic-energy tabloids; enterprising chemists rivalling each other in -the production of the most excellent. Notwithstanding all these -deserving efforts on the part of mankind to raise himself, he remained -pretty much the same as nature formed him, save by the slower processes -of evolution. - -Of all the persons who laid claim to the gift of thought-reading there -was none so highly sensitive as the great Anglo-Indian, Dayanand Swami. -It was said of him that he almost lived upon a wonderful elixir of his -own manufacture, the preparation of which had been handed down to him -from his Mahatma forefather some generations back. - -In the solitude of the Indian jungle a hundred years previously his -fore-elder had discovered this wonderful plant, which not only -physically sustained him to a great extent, but furnished him with an -extraordinary supply of the mystic fluid. - -This ancient Mahatma was literally saturated with wisdom, without going -through the painful processes that men of that class are usually -compelled in the attainment of their ascetic ambition. By the agency of -this psychic gift he could unfold, without having read its history, the -glories of India in its ancient days; describing the magnificence of its -rulers; their pomp; their immense retinues, which were on such a scale -that the passage through his dominion by their Sovereign caused a famine -in the parts traversed. Only two classes existed in those good old -times, the very rich and the very poor. - -He could conjure up pictures of the workmen dropping down dead from -hunger and exhaustion who were engaged upon the erection of the -loveliest mausoleum that the world has ever seen; more like an exquisite -marble palace of fairy land than a resting place for the dead. Art had -indeed attained its highest perfection in those far off days, the -monuments of which the Eastern still gazes upon with pride and -affection. - -Or he could project his thought till it reached the mind of ministers in -England, when he could produce a mental negative, so to speak, of the -thought of the ministers respecting the policy they intended carrying -out which would affect India; for it was only on the occasion of some -great national question stirring the mind of the people that he cared to -put out his thought in this direction. - -Moreover, he possessed the power of seeing into futurity, for he -foretold that in one hundred years India would have her own supreme -Sovereign, one who would be of their own unbiassed choice, who lived -among them, and studied the happiness of her people. One who was loved -and reverenced throughout the world. Whose rule would bring honour, -dignity and renown to their beautiful and beloved India; and this -unrivalled potentate would be a woman, young, beautiful and talented. - -New, this prophecy of the old Mahatma could not refer to Victoria, the -first English Empress of India, for she was gathered to her forefathers -at that time, and King Albert, the First, reigned in her stead. - -The descendant of this wonderful Mahatma resided in London, his father -having been appointed by Government to the post of Collector, a position -of some importance in the Civil Service. But the son elected to follow a -profession that was more in accordance with the traditions of his -ancestors, and at the same time would supply a want in his own -generation, that was called into existence by the exigencies of the -times. - -The worn-out theories of Theosophy which deemed nirvana the highest -attainable condition of the human soul, had no attraction for him; but -he regarded it with some amount of reverence, inspired by the traditions -of an ancient religion, which cannot fail to cast a halo round it, even -when discarded by the more advanced modern. - -Dayanand Swami surrounded himself with the gorgeous luxuries of an -Eastern prince, although dwelling in the English metropolis, and -displayed his Eastern descent, by following Eastern customs as far as -English conventionalities would permit. Nevertheless, he kept in touch -with the times, accommodating himself to the requirements of the people -among whom he had made his home. - -The carriages of titled ladies might have been seen daily at his door; -for love troubles, and court troubles disturbed the peace of great dames -even in the twenty-first century. - -Native servants waited obsequiously on these noble visitors who formed -chiefly his _clientèle_, and whose rich fees sustained the splendours of -his household. - -Upon the arrival of a visitor the great door would be folded back, -revealing a courtyard arranged in a style of true Eastern magnificence. -The floor was formed of mosaics of elegant design cut from costly -marbles. Shrubs, flowers, and trees of exotic birth filled convenient -parterres, while a fountain played its crystal waters in feathery spray, -giving the scene a refreshing sense of coolness. Birds of beautiful -plumage disported themselves amongst the trees, adding colour, as well -as life to the picture. The tiny humming-bird, like a moving flower-bud -hung on the branches of beautiful shrubs, or basked in the sunshine of -this artificial Eastern clime; for the whole was covered with a high -dome of glass of considerable area, which was supported by graceful -pillars of manufactured marbles erected in regular succession. The -tropical temperature obtained by the conservation of solar heat, being -evenly sustained the year through, independently of the changes of -weather. - -The apartments within were arranged in similarly luxurious style. The -walls were hung with crimson satin, embroidered richly in gold, but the -colours were varied according to the character of the apartments. - -While the wall draperies of one room were composed of crimson satin, -those of another were pale blue, another yellow, and so on, all of which -were embroidered in richest hues, intermingled with gold. The couches -and curiously carved stools were upholstered in rich materials that were -in character with the decorations of the walls, and window draperies; -while Persian carpets of the softest velvet pile sank like turf beneath -the tread. - -Costly ornaments of Eastern manufacture adorned the side tables, or were -arranged on beautifully carved ivory brackets; while native Japanese -paintings, encased in richest frames gave the _tout ensemble_ a -decidedly oriental appearance. The picturesque delineations of the Jap, -whose ideas of art were totally different from those of the Western -world, made their paintings real curiosities to the English mind. These -represented lovers in nearly all stages of the _grande passion_ seated -in Japanese teahouses, or holding loving converse beneath the shade of -luxurious trees, whose branches seemed to reach the deep blue skies. In -another apartment portraits of great Eastern potentates, celebrated -Hindus, and venerable Mahatmas gave the English visitor an idea of the -former prestige of the Indian Empire. - -In the lady’s withdrawing-room containing the Japanese pictures, strains -of sweetest music were set agoing at will, given apparently by a -stringed band of automatic performers, made to imitate an orchestra of -little men; who looked excruciatingly comic, as they moved their arms up -and down, and waved about their funny little heads. The whole -arrangement was set in motion by the same energy that gave heat to the -apartments, conservatory, and cooking apparatus. - -In his ‘room of contemplation,’ or studio, was daily seated at stated -hours the highly gifted Swami, surrounded by his ‘silent servants’—his -books of Eastern lore. Tier upon tier of carved framework contained -works from the most remote antiquity, dating backwards nearly four -thousand years; and so on, through all the centuries, till quite -up-to-date literature of the various epochs was represented. Rare -manuscripts of the ancient Rig Veda, with plays, love stories, and -fables, together with works on medicine, philosophy, mathematics, -astronomy, and magic arts, all of very ancient date, filled the shelves -of the library. While gorgeously-bound volumes of poetry, part of which -were in the original Sanskrit, and part translated into English, were -strewed on the elegantly designed coffee-tables, or stands, with which -the drawing-room was furnished. - -Here is a graphic description of the drought in an Indian summer, taken -from a poem by Kâlidhâsa, of great antiquity, entitled— - - - _The Ritu-Sanhara, or, The Seasons._[1] - - ‘Now the burning summer sun - Hath unchallenged empire won; - And the scorching winds blow free - Blighting every herb and tree. - Should the longing exile try, - Watching with a lover’s eye - Well-remembered scenes to trace— - Vainly would he scan the place, - For the dust with shrouding veil - Wraps it in a mantle pale. - - Lo, the lion,—forest king— - Through the wood is wandering; - By the maddening thirst opprest - Ceaseless heaves his panting chest. - Though the elephant pass by - Scarcely turns his languid eye - Bleeding mouth and failing limb, - What is now his prey to him? - - Where the sparkling lake before - Filled its bed from shore to shore, - Roots and twisting fibres wind, - Dying fish in nets to bind; - There the cranes in anguish seek - Water with the thirsty beak. - - Elephants all mad with thirst - From the woods in fury burst: - From their mountain-caverns see - Buffaloes rush furiously. - With hanging tongue and foam-fleck’d hide, - Tossing high their nostrils wide, - Eager still their sides to cool - In the thick and shrunken pool.’ - -Footnote 1: - - Translated by Griffiths. - -Here is an equally graphic description of rain, from the same poem:— - - ‘Who is this that driveth near, - Heralded by sounds of fear? - Red his flag the lightning’s glare - Flashing through the murky air. - Pealing thunder for his drums— - Royally the monarch comes. - See! he rides amid the crowd, - On his elephant of cloud - Marshalling his kingly train: - Welcome, oh, thou lord of rain. - Gathered clouds, as black as night - Hide the face of heaven from sight: - Sailing on their airy road - Sinking with their watery load. - See, the peacocks hail the rain, - Spreading wide their jewelled train, - They will revel, dance and play - In their wildest joy to-day!’ - -Coming down to a period as late as the twelfth century of our era were -works representative of the Hindu poet of that time. Here is a -translation of a poem, a pastoral drama, by Jayadeva, of which it is -said ‘the exquisite melody of the verse can only be appreciated by those -who can enjoy the original Sanskrit.’ - -Krishna, the herdsman, loves Râdhâ, the shepherdess, but has wandered -from her to amuse himself with other maidens. Nanda, Krishna’s foster -father, gives her warning, saying:— - - ‘Go, gentle Râdhâ, seek thy wand’ring love; - Dusk are the woodlands,—black the sky above. - Bring thy dear wanderer home, and bid him rest - His weary head upon thy faithful breast.’ - -Then Râdhâ makes anxious search for him, pressing through forest and -tangled bushes, until a friend tells her in sheer pity that Krishna will -not be found in lonely forest shades, and thus sings to her:— - - ‘In this love-tide of spring, when the amorous breeze - Has kissed itself sweet on the beautiful trees, - And the humming of numberless bees, as they throng - To the blossoming shrubs swells the kokila’s song:— - - ‘In this love-tide of spring when the spirit is glad, - And the parted, yes, only the parted, are sad; - Thy lover, thy Krishna is dancing in glee - With troops of young maidens forgetful of thee. - Dispensing rich odours the sweet madhavî - With its lover-like wreathings encircles the tree; - And oh, e’en a hermit must yield to the power— - The ravishing scent of the malika flower. - - ‘Saffron robes his body grace; - Flowery wreaths his limbs entwine; - There’s a smile upon his face, - And his ears with jewels shine. - In that youthful company, - Amorous felon! revels he; - False to all—most false to thee.’ - -In the end Krishna, although faithless for a time, discovers the vanity -of all other loves, and returns with sorrow and longing to his own -darling Râdhâ. - -In Swami’s library were books containing collections of Hindu stories -that had been handed down for hundreds of years, and repeated orally by -each generation until at length various collections were made by native -_littérateurs_, which sometimes were given very fanciful titles. Indeed, -Hindu literature supplied the whole world with its stories, even the -Persians stole from it considerably. - -The following is an ancient Sanskrit love story by an author of repute, -of the name of Subandhu. The chief beauties of this tale lie in its -alliterations, double meaning of phrases, and puns, which bristle -everywhere, all of which are of necessity lost in the translation. The -plot is peculiar. - -A king who lived somewhere on the Ganges, was a follower of Siva, and -ruled his kingdom so admirably that impiety was unknown, proof by ordeal -never needed, and violence never practised. - -This king had a son, who was the delight of all who sought his -protection, his sagacity always securing him from deception. His -religious feeling was shown by marked devotion to cows, and to Brahmans; -and being comely as the god of love, (who by the way is furnished with -his bow and arrows, showing that the idea may have been borrowed by the -ancient Greeks,) he was admired by all maidens, far and near. The -extraordinary fact, was however, that the maiden with whom alone he fell -in love, was one that appeared to him in a dream. - -He longed to dream again, but the fervour of his emotion prevented -sleep. - -He shut himself up in solitude, and refused nourishment. Then a faithful -friend persuaded him that travelling might bring relief. They pursued -their way to the Vindhya Hills; the sun was about to set as they entered -a wilderness. - -The friend collected roots and fruits, and the young prince fell asleep -on a couch, made up of branches from the trees; but not for long. For he -was awakened by the conversation of two birds who nestled in the jambu -tree above him. - -The female bird was reproaching the male for coming home so late, -fearing that he must have been dangling after some other _sarikâ_. The -male bird replies solemnly that he has been attending to a transaction -most unprecedented. - -He then relates that in the city of Kusumapura, (probably Patna) there -is a lovely princess, named, Vasavadattâ. Being of full age, the king, -her father, invited ‘the high-born heirs of many principalities,’ that -she might choose a husband. - -The suitors came, and the damsel took her place upon a daïs to survey -them; but no one pleased her, and she and they withdrew in -disappointment. - -At night, the young prince who had fallen in love with her in a dream, -appeared to her in a vision; and she felt at once that he was her -destined husband. - -The vision made known his name, which was Kandarpaketu; but she suffers -torments of love and grief from not knowing how to meet with him. - -Under these circumstances her confidante volunteers to go in search for -him, and says the bird, she arrived here when I did, and is at this -moment beneath our tree. - -The lovesick prince no sooner heard this welcome intelligence than he -introduced himself to the confidante, talked with her for twenty-four -hours, (much too long, one would think) and then went with her to -Kusumapura. - -Here he found the lovely Vasavadattâ in a garden-house of ivory. On -seeing each other they faint for joy, and afterwards rehearse their past -sufferings. - -The confidante speaks for the princess, and says that ‘if the heavens -were a tablet, the sea an inkstand, the longevous Brahma an amanuensis, -and the king of serpents the narrator, only a trifling part of those -agonies could be told.’ - -They next resolve on what we should call a ‘runaway match;’ and this -they effect by mounting a magic steed which carries them to the Vindhya -forests in the twinkling of an eye. They sleep soundly in a bower of -flowery creepers, but when the sun is at meridian height the prince -awakes, and finds Vasavadattâ missing. He bitterly laments and wonders -what can have caused so dreadful an affliction. Poor Vasavadattâ having -been the first to awaken, and seeing her bridegroom looking pale and -emaciated, for the sickness of love had greatly reduced him, hastened -away to gather fruits and food to restore him. In the midst of this -loving occupation she was surprised by huntsmen and so frightened that -eventually she lost her way, and found herself unable to return to her -sorrowing bridegroom. After many dangers and difficulties were gone -through the prince at length discovers her; she is conducted back to his -father’s palace, and they live in the greatest love and happiness ever -after. - -Carved upon the oak panels that lined the walls of Dayanand Swami’s -‘room of contemplation’ were Sanskrit texts taken from THE RIG VEDA, the -ancient Hindu Scriptures; - -The portions selected had reference chiefly to the sun; the light of day -being considered typical of the light of learning. The following are the -English rendering of these short quotations from four thousand years old -poems. - - ‘HIS COURSERS BEAR ON HIGH THE DIVINE, ALL-KNOWING SUN THAT HE MAY BE - SEEN BY ALL WORLDS.’ - - ‘AT THE APPROACH OF THE ALL ILLUMINATING SUN THE CONSTELLATIONS DEPART - WITH THE NIGHT, LIKE THIEVES.’ - - ‘HIS ILLUMINATING RAYS BEHOLD MEN IN SUCCESSION LIKE BLAZING FIRES.’ - - ‘THOU OUTSTRIPPEST ALL IN SPEED; THOU ART VISIBLE TO ALL; THOU ART THE - SOURCE OF LIGHT; THOU SHINEST THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE FIRMAMENT.’ - - ‘THE DIVINE SAVITRI DISPLAYS HIS BANNER ON HIGH, DIFFUSING LIGHT - THROUGH ALL WORLDS.’ - - ‘CONTEMPLATING ALL THINGS, THE SUN HAS FILLED HEAVEN AND EARTH AND THE - FIRMAMENT WITH HIS RAYS.’ - - ‘THE TREMULOUS RAYS OF THE SUN THROW OFF THE DARKNESS, WHICH IS SPREAD - LIKE A SKIN OVER THE FIRMAMENT.’ - - ‘OH, DIVINE SUN, THOU PROCEEDEST WITH MOST POWERFUL HORSES, SPREADING - THY WEB OF RAYS AND CUTTING DOWN THE BLACK ABODE OF NIGHT!’ - -These texts being carved in the original tongue—Sanskrit—Swami’s English -visitors were very little the wiser for having gazed upon them. Indeed, -many persons imagined them to convey some deep mystic meaning that the -great man would have been most unwilling to reveal. After all, if they -could have looked over his shoulder and have seen how he spent his -moments of relaxation, they would have discovered him perusing sundry -very harmless works in his native language, for even collections of -fables and fairy tales, which was a favourite form of literature in the -East, served occasionally to relieve the weariness of his tired brain. - -Here is a story of a Jaina ascetic, taken from a work named ‘The -Panchatantra,’ a collection of fables and tales that long ago found -their way into Persia. Nûshîrvân, the King of Persia sent a physician to -India in search of medical knowledge and books; the physician not only -brought back medical books, but collections of fables also, which, being -translated into Pehlevi went forth to the world as the fables of Pilpay. - -The book opens by stating that a certain king was concerned at finding -that his sons were growing up without knowledge. He called a council at -which the necessity of acquiring knowledge was discussed, and also the -length of time required for the acquisition of such kinds of knowledge -that was considered indispensable. - -The conclusion at which the councillors arrived was that the king must -be advised to entrust his sons to a Brahman named Vishnusarman, who -undertook to teach them nîti in six months. This being arranged, -Vishnusarman took the young princes to his house, and composed for their -benefit a series of fables—the ‘Panchatantra,’ so called from ‘pancha,’ -five, and ‘tantra,’ section—namely, five narratives. They are stories -within stories, woven most intricately one within the other; here is a -short one, treating of the cunning ascetic. - -A certain king who reigned in Ayodhyâ, the capital of Kosala, sent his -minister to subdue a rebellion among some of the Rajahs in the hills. -Whilst the minister was absent a religious mendicant came to Kosala, who -by his skill in divination, his knowledge of hours, omens, aspects, and -ascensions; his dexterity in solving numbers, answering questions, and -detecting things covertly concealed, and his proficiency in all similar -branches of knowledge, acquired such fame and influence that it might be -said he had purchased the country, and it was his own. - -The fame of this man at last reached the king, who sent for him, and -found his conversation so agreeable that he wanted him constantly beside -him. One day, however, the mendicant did not appear, and when he next -came, he accounted for his absence by stating that he had been upon a -visit to Paradise, and that the deities sent their compliments to the -king. The king was simple enough to believe him and was filled with -astonishment and delight. - -His admiration of this marvellous faculty so engrossed his thought, that -the duties of his state and the pleasures of his palace, were equally -neglected. - -But after awhile his minister returned, having subdued the king’s -enemies in the hills, and is amazed and disgusted to find his king in -close conference with a naked mendicant, instead of occupying himself as -formerly with his appointed duties. - -He quickly ascertains the pretensions of the ascetic, and asked the king -if what he had heard of the mendicant’s celestial visit was true. - -The king assured him that it was, and the ascetic offered to satisfy the -general’s apparent scepticism, by departing for Swarga in his presence. - -With this intent the king and his courtiers accompanied the Sramanaka to -his cell, which he entered, and closed the door. - -After some delay, the general asked the king when they would see him -again. The king answered, ‘Have patience, on these occasions the sage -quits his earthly body and assumes an ethereal form in which alone he -can enter Indra’s heaven.’ - -‘If this be the case,’ said the general, ‘let us burn his cell, and thus -prevent his reassuming his earthly body; your majesty will then have -constantly an angelic person in your presence.’ - -To reconcile the king to this mode of proceeding the general tells him a -story which has reference to the serpent, or Nâga tribes of ancient -India. - -‘A Brahman named Devasarman had no child, which denial made his wife -miserable. At length, however, owing to some mystic words, a son is -promised, but what was the surprise of the mother, and the horror of the -attendants, when the child so eagerly desired proved to be a snake. - -‘The assistants wished to destroy the monster, but maternal affection -prevailed, and the snake was reared with all possible care and -affection. - -‘At the proper age the mother entreated her husband to provide a -suitable wife for their son. He said he would if he could gain admission -to Patâla, where Vasuki, the Serpent King, reigns over the Nâgas, and -might grant such a request. - -‘But his wife was so distressed that to divert her thoughts he consented -to travel. After some months they arrived at a city in which a Brahman -offered his own beautiful daughter as a wife for the serpent. - -‘The girl consented to the marriage and performed her duties admirably. -After a time her serpent-husband changed one night into a man, intending -in the morning to reassume his serpent form: but the girl’s father -discovering that the snake body was abandoned, seized the deserted skin -and threw it into the fire. - -‘The consequence of which was, that his son-in law ever remained in the -figure of a man, to the pride of his parents, and the happiness of his -wife.’ - -After hearing this narrative the king no longer hesitated. The -mendicant’s cell was set on fire; the mendicant perished in the flames, -and the king was as his general desired, released from the thraldom of a -cunning ascetic.[2] - -Footnote 2: - - From ‘Ancient and Mediæval India.’—_Manning._ - -When Swami was a boy, his youthful imagination was fired by these -ancient Hindu stories, but the one which tended most directly in forming -his ambition, giving him the desire to become a mind-reader, was the -following, taken from the ‘Vetala-Panchavinasati;’ or, ‘Twenty-five -Tales told by a Vetâl.’ A Vetâl may be the spirit of a deceased person, -or that of a living person who enters the body of another, leaving its -own, and taking possession of that of a corpse. - -A certain Brahman, named Shantil, gave up the world and lived in the -woods as a hermit, or ascetic. He had already become a magician by -Yogi-practice. But ordinary magic did not meet his full ambition. He -coveted universal superhuman power; and for this he required the -co-operation of an able pupil, carefully instructed, who should be -qualified to assist in the sacrifice of a specially indicated human -being. - -Whilst Shantil pursued his ascetic practice, and sat cross-legged, -Yogi-fashion, in his forest dwelling, a severe famine occurred in the -district of Delhi, or near Hastinapura. The distressed inhabitants -dispersed in search of food, and a Brahman, whose wife had died of -hunger, wandered with his two sons, who had not yet attained manhood, -into what is called a foreign country. - -Afar off they perceived a ‘forest surrounded by various trees, loaded -with ripe fruits; the symmetry, the neatness, and the admirable order of -the trees, and the abundance and diversity of a thousand sorts of -fruits,’ proved most captivating to the hungry men. - -Presently they found themselves in front of an edifice, stately as a -palace, although built with common materials. Within sat the dreadful -magician Shantil. - -To the weary wanderers he merely appeared as a holy ascetic; seated on -the customary sacred darbha grass, and holding in his hand the usual -string of holy beads, which consists of one hundred and eight of the -beautifully carved nuts, or seed vessels of the Eleocarpus, here called -in Sanskrit Rudrâksha. The travellers approached prostrating themselves, -and showing all imaginable reverence. - -Shantil returned their salutation, and inquired the object of their -journey. Having heard their story he turned to the father and said: ‘Oh, -Brahman, be not afraid: I will take care of your sons until the famine -is over: but on one condition, that you give me one of your boys, -whichever you like.’ - -The father, feeling he had no alternative, consented to the arrangement, -and after feasting on dainties for three days, he embraced his sons with -many tears, and departed. Shantil was a magician skilled in all arts and -sciences: nothing, indeed, was unknown to him. - -He lost no time in setting the boys tasks to exercise their faculties, -and prepare them also for the acquisition of magic. - -He soon ascertained that the younger boy had the higher capacity, and of -him he determined to possess himself: he never, therefore, allowed him -to go out of his sight. He taught him grammar, divinity, law, astronomy, -philosophy, physiognomy, alchemy, geography, the power of transferring -the soul to a dead body; the giving it animation, and several other -arts, amongst which was included astrology, or the art of foretelling -future events. In short, the law which prescribes that a preceptor shall -teach all that he knows to his pupil, if he be wise, and desirous of -knowledge, was fully obeyed. - -In this case, the diligent and accomplished preceptor, was striving to -secure an accomplice in a pupil. But, cunning as he was, he outwitted -himself; for wishing that the father should prefer the elder lad, he fed -him plentifully, and clothed him handsomely, whilst he kept his younger -and more promising pupil half starved, and poorly clad. - -As might be expected, the younger pupil became in consequence anxious to -escape, and being already master of the science which prognosticates -future events, he perceived that the famine had ceased, and that his -father was coming to claim one of his sons and carry him home. - -He knew also, that his father would be most attracted by his elder -brother, who looked fat, and was covered with jewels. Making use, -therefore, of his power of transporting himself to distant places, he -went to his father, and revealed to him the wicked character and -intentions of the Yogin, and obtained a solemn promise that his father -would choose him, and not his decorated brother, as the son to be taken -home. - -The father duly arrived at the hermitage, and though he experienced much -difficulty he at length induced the Yogin to part with his gifted pupil, -and with him he went away. - -But the father and son had not proceeded far before the son felt certain -that his tyrant was in pursuit, and for protection he felt it necessary -to change himself into a horse. At the same time, he charged his father -to sell him at a neighbouring fair; but for no consideration to part -with him to anyone in whose presence he should neigh, or paw the ground. - -As the young man apprehended, so it happened. Shantil, the Yogin, -tracked them, and discovering the disguise presented himself at the -fair, and offered so large a sum that the father, dazzled by the sight -of an enormous heap of gold, sold his son to his dreaded enemy. - -In vain the poor horse had neighed, over and over, and pawed the ground -to show his displeasure at the sale, but this only confirmed Shantil in -his desire to have him, so that the money-loving father was prevailed -upon to sell him. - -Shantil then rides his captive back to his hermitage keeping him under -severe restraint: but after a few days the imprisoned horse is able to -make himself known to his brother, who loosens his bonds, when he bounds -away. - -Again Shantil pursues, and again the fugitive escapes. On this occasion -assuming the form of a pigeon, he flies in at the open window of the -king’s palace and is protected and concealed for a time by a lovely -princess. - -But Shantil was his master in the arts of magic, and every disguise was -discovered. Upon his father he could not depend, for his father had sold -him for gold. One refuge alone remained; Shantil had no power over -Vetâls—the spirits which animate dead bodies, and despairing of other -refuge, the young Brahman Yogin rushed into a corpse which was hanging -on a tree in a public cemetery. - -This obliged Shantil to seek for a man with sufficient nerve and -resolution to go alone to the cemetery at night, cut down the body which -contained the Vetâl into which his pupil had entered, and bring corpse -and Vetâl to an appointed shrine, at which he would await them. - -The man of dauntless courage and resolution was found in King Vikrama. -Now, we do not know which Vikrama is meant, he of Ougein, A.D. 65, or -Harsha Vikrama, of A.D. 500, but it does not signify, but the city is -called Dhara, to the south of the river Godavery. - -In Hindu poetry and fiction Vikrama continually figures as the -representative of victorious courage. In this work he is described as -handsome as the god of love, a devotee in religious worship, deferential -to priests, hermits, and persons who disgusted with worldliness and -contumely of relatives, had given themselves up to think of God. - -He was skilled in sacred sciences; warlike, though merciful; a cherisher -of the poor, and a comforter of his subjects; whom he loved as if they -were his children. - -The palace of King Vikrama was large and magnificent. It contained the -most splendid and costly articles: it was constantly sprinkled with -aloes water, and every article of furniture was adorned by precious -stones. - -One day whilst Vikrama sat as usual on his throne, Shantil, the Yogin, -presented himself, and so holy did he appear that the king received him -with the utmost reverence, and coming down from his throne entreated his -guest to take his seat. He then stood with clasped hands and paid him -adoration. - -Shantil presented an artificial fruit which he had brought, gave the -benediction and went away. For several successive days the same thing -was repeated, until on one occasion the king happened to drop the fruit -which had been presented to him, a pet monkey broke it open, and a -splendid ruby was seen within. - -Thereupon the king desired to have all the other fruits which the holy -man had presented, brought into his presence, and each fruit, when -opened was found to contain rubies. The jewels were of the utmost -rarity. Indeed, the smallest were of such value, that the largest could -only be considered as beyond all price. - -‘Hermit,’ said the king, ‘with what intention didst thou present me with -such treasures; hast thou anything to ask of me?’ - -Shantil did not at once acknowledge what it was he wanted, but gradually -revealed that he was engaged in rites for obtaining superhuman -faculties, and that for their completion he required the personal -assistance of the king. - -He had travelled over the greater part of the world, he said, vainly -seeking such a person as would suit his enterprise. ‘At length,’ he -continued, ‘I came to your court, and have found in your Majesty the -physiognomy of a person fitted to act as assistant in the intended -sacrifice.’ - -The king did not give him time to say more, but eagerly promised to do -whatever was required. - -Shantil then explained that a certain Vetâl must be captured and given -into his possession. - -‘On the 14th of Aswin,’ said he, ‘at midnight, your Majesty must go -alone to the cemetery on the banks of the Godavery, beyond the town: you -must be clothed in black and bear in your hand a naked sword.’ - -When the appointed day arrived a certain tree was pointed out from which -he was to cut down the required corpse, and having thrown it across his -shoulders carry it in perfect silence to Shantil. - -Vikrama went and found this burial-ground filled with smoke from burning -corpses, and resounding with piercing cries of devils, which were coming -from all regions. - -At length King Vikrama found the tree, and climbing into it, he cut the -cord by which the corpse was suspended and threw it on the ground; but -just as he put out his hands to capture the Vetâl it jumped up, and -suspended itself as before, high up in the tree.[3] - -Footnote 3: - - Certain trees are considered the true home of the Vetâl: he is then - said ‘to live in his own house.’ - -This happened more than once, until the king discovered that he must -bind the corpse across his back before he came down. - -And now the king encountered another difficulty; for the wily Vetâl -within the corpse which he carried began telling stories, to beguile the -fatigue of the journey he said, but in truth, because he wanted to -escape; and Vikrama could only hold him on condition of his being -absolutely silent. - -The Vetâl’s plan was therefore, to put the king off his guard, and just -when his interest was excited to ask some pointed question. -Five-and-twenty times did this succeed. As soon as the king spoke the -Vetâl flew back to his tree, and the whole process had to be repeated. -The five-and-twenty stories called ‘Vetâlapanchavinsati,’ are a record -of the tales related on these occasions, which Crustnath Cassinathjee, a -modern Hindu, translated recently into English. - -What ultimately became of the persecuted Vetâl we will leave to the -reader who delights to revel in Eastern fairy lore, as did Swami from -his boyhood upwards. - -Magic and mystery possessed a charm for him that he could not overcome, -the result being that he too desired superhuman power, which should -astonish even the advanced scientists of the twenty-first century. - - - - - CHAPTER IX - - ‘I know the wealth of every urn - In which unnumbered rubies burn, - Beneath the pillars of Chilminar; - I know where the isles of perfume are, - Many a fathom down in the sea, - To the south of sun-bright Araby; - I know too, where the Genii hid - The jewelled cup of their King Jamshid, - With life’s elixir sparkling high.’ - _Lalla Rookh._ - - -Swami being in the possession of all the accumulated knowledge of -successive generations of Yogins, and having grown up as it were at the -feet of Gamaliel, in the person of his father—to whom had been imparted -the secrets of the ascetics of previous generations—was filled with -wonderful wisdom. - -Moreover, his powers were considerably perfected and strengthened by -reason of his advanced culture, aided by his natural gift of -psychic-energy; which latter was considerably augmented by the -soul-sustaining elixir upon which, it was said, he was chiefly -nourished. Rich and poor flocked to him in their emergencies; and it -must be recounted of him that although he knew very well that the latter -could in no wise adequately reward him, nevertheless, he gave the needy -as much of his valuable time as he could well afford; for his rich -customers kept him so fully occupied that he had hardly an hour in the -day to call his own. - -It goes without saying that most of the difficulties upon which he was -consulted proceeded from that arch mischief-maker—Jealousy, whose wiles -with the human heart have cost mankind no end of trouble, in all ages. -It was no uncommon occurrence for a fair Duchess to come and seek his -aid by informing her how and where her noble husband was spending his -evenings. But the Duke guessing full well that she would be making -tender inquiries respecting him, would beforehand endeavour to bribe the -high-minded Eastern to keep his tongue from telling. - -Or an over-anxious wife would worry herself concerning the safety of her -husband who had taken his monthly journey across the Atlantic in his -flying machine, of which she was most nervous. - -Or a young man striving to obtain a Government appointment, sought to -learn if his lady friend, of whom he was in mortal fear, would bowl him -out in the coming examination. - -Or an intending disputant in a law case would consult the -all-knowing-one as to the issue of his suit, if he engaged in it. Those -foolhardy enough to disregard his warnings, invariably proved -unfortunate; so that in the end, the great mind-reader got as many of -these clients as the most popular barrister; but bearing different -results. No matter of what the difficulty consisted this Anglo-Eastern -sage solved it satisfactorily. - -There was a time when the female portion of his _clientèle_ harried him -unfairly, by disregarding his professional hours, and coming to consult -him late in the evening. This grew so distressing to the gentle Eastern -that in the end he made a stand for liberty, by closing his doors -against them at a certain hour. It was not their desire to harass their -favourite fortune-teller, but they objected to being seen making him -their visits; for the raillery of their acquaintances gave these anxious -fair ones excruciating agonies. - -So Swami commanded his servants to admit no one after nine o’clock; for -listening to the recital of his client’s case was but a moiety of the -labour to be expended over it. - -Swami was a man of moderate height, that is to say, moderate for the -twenty-first century, when everybody nearly, attained a great stature. -His shoulders did not measure the breadth of the Teuton’s, nevertheless, -he knew no chest-weakness, for his daily athletic exercises from the age -of six gave him a constitution that bore the changes of the English -climate admirably. - -He had the beautifully soft, and peculiarly shaped eyes of his race, -that looked dark, dreamy and unfathomable. - -His black silken hair hung in natural ringlets around his neck, which -was smooth and of a deep cream colour: his complexion was the same, but -was relieved by the dark silky moustache which partially concealed his -well-cut lips. - -His nose was straight, coming in a line almost from the forehead, while -his chin was prominent and broad, indicating resolution of character. - -The forehead was high and full; while the whole expression of his -countenance gave the impression of his being a thinker, rather than a -man of action. Although he was averse to much speech nevertheless, his -natural fluency of language gave him such choice of words that he always -expressed himself with great grace and dignity. - -Notwithstanding all his wisdom and deep learning there was such an -indescribable air of simplicity and naturalness about him, that people -were inspired more with feelings of trust and affection for him, rather -than those of awe and wonder. - -If you endeavoured to guess his profession by his appearance you -might have said he was a poet, philosopher, or scholar, but never a -builder, architect, or civil engineer; for in truth, he was a -dreamer only, and took no interest in practical pursuits. -Nevertheless the nature of his occupation prevented him from -spending his time in mere contemplation, where he could live in a -world of his own creation; for his mind being daily taken up with -the affairs of others, forced him into the outside world, although -only in spirit. Seated in his ‘room of contemplation,’—as his -Eastern servants named it,—where he was surrounded with his books -and instruments of magic, and attired in a robe of rich yellow silk -that floated down his figure in ample folds, with turban of the same -hue, half concealing his dark silky hair, he looked indeed, a -perfect picture of Eastern beauty. - -He was a bachelor, so that the disturbing influence to the exercise of -genius of which our eighteenth-century artist[4] complained, did not -interfere with his occupations. The halo that surrounds the -unappropriated man had spread its lustre over him, making the pulse of -many a maiden quicken beneath the soft glance of those beautiful Eastern -eyes of his. - -Footnote 4: - - Sir Joshua Reynolds maintained that a wife and children spoilt an - artist’s genius. - -Even the noblest dame would hardly have hesitated to mate with a man who -was so universally admired and reverenced. Indeed, rumour averred, that -offers of marriage were by no means a rare occurrence with him, for -woman’s privileges extended to this departure from ancient usage by this -time. - -But Swami resisted the tender advances of his fair customers, for his -life was so entirely devoted to the profession he loved that marital -cares had no charm for him. - -Moreover, he had never met with the woman who could hold empire over -him; whose soul-energy, could mingle with his, and fill his whole being -with rapturous emotion, giving his life new charms, new hopes, and new -aspirations. Until that being came into his life he was determined to -live secluded and solitary, for, making no intimates of his customers, -the pleasures of friendship were unknown to him. - -One soft spring afternoon, a few days previous to that appointed for the -Great Test Tournament, there came rolling up to his residence the royal -carriage, drawn by prancing horses, and who should alight therefrom but -the Emperor Felicitas himself. The dark servants trembled at the -approach of such a mighty potentate, for Eastern ideas of the power of -princes are not easily overcome, but Swami himself received the monarch -with that easy and gentle courtesy he extended to everybody. - -‘What doth the Emperor of so many dominions require of me?’ he asked, -with a touch of his native Eastern politeness. - -‘Indeed,’ cried the Emperor impetuously, ‘I wish my crown anywhere but -on my head! What good is power if it leave one craving for that which he -most desires?’ - -‘I want that, Swami, which I am denied, and which my heart is bursting -for—the love of a woman—there! If thou hast magic power, as I am told -thou possessest greatly, tell me how I can attain this?’ - -‘Is she so perverse?’ asked Swami quietly. - -‘Perverse isn’t the word for it—she is ice, adamant—immovable as a rock! -Yes,’ returned the Emperor despondently, ‘she is as cold as she is -beautiful; and I have put her in prison! And, oh, I am utterly -miserable. Believe me, Swami, I cannot sleep, eat, or work, for I am -intensely, hopelessly miserable.’ - -‘I am truly sorry to see thy Majesty in such a plight,’ remarked Swami -kindly. ‘But why didst thou place the lady thou lovest in a prison? It -seems a high-handed way of dealing with a subject; truly a mighty -strange method of inducing her love?’ - -‘I was put in a quandary,’ replied Felicitas candidly, for he knew there -was no good gained by attempting to deceive the thought-reader; ‘I was -suddenly surprised by visitors as I was attempting to detain her, when a -craven spirit entered me, and I denounced her as a would-be murderer.’ - -‘Did she endeavour to harm thee?’ inquired Swami eagerly. - -‘Yes, truly she raised her ebony life-preserver to strike me if I -touched her.’ - -‘But she did it in self-defence, evidently,’ retorted Swami, while a -bright light illumined his usually dreamy eyes. - -‘Besides, those ebony trifles that ladies sometimes carry do not kill, -they do but temporarily paralyse the part they touch.’ - -‘Oh, it matters little now, what they do—I wish she had killed me -outright—anything but this dreadful torture of doubt to go through. This -frightful fear nearly drives me mad—I wish it were all over.’ - -‘What?’ inquired Swami, wishful to obtain a clear command from the king -in so many words, for his thoughts were in a state of the wildest -confusion. - -‘The trial—the trial—I dread it. I heartily wish I had never sent that -warrant. The Crown Prosecutor has got the case in hand, and, Swami, I am -heartily ashamed of it. Help me, I pray thee, and tell me how it will -all end, and I will well reward thee.’ - -The Emperor looked like one distraught; his blue eyes gleamed with -feverish excitement: his lips twitched uneasily, and he clasped his -hands together with the agony of his mind, over which fear more than -repentance predominated. - -Swami soon perceived wherein the Emperor’s chief trouble lay. ‘I see by -the brain-waves emanating from thee that the woman thou lovest is in -confinement in the first-class misdemeanants’ quarters, in the -Metropolitan Prison. Now that will do; I know enough. Let thy Majesty -come at this hour to-morrow, and I will show thee what thou desirest to -learn.’ - -Then the Emperor remembering that the real object of his visit was not -yet accomplished, blurted out—‘I desire to learn the issue of the trial, -that is my chief care at present.’ - -‘Of that I am aware, Sire,’ replied Swami courteously. ‘Thou desirest to -learn the issue of the trial on thine own account. I perfectly -understand it. In the meantime I would advise that the lady be allowed -her liberty, subject to her own recognisances. It will be more advisable -from every point of view, lest thy subjects deem thee harsh and unjust -towards her. Whichever way the trial goes it is wise to show a merciful -bearing, so that thou mayest retain thy subjects’ good opinion. It -cannot hurt the case for the lady will not flee, be well assured of -that. She will prefer to face her case in open court, for by all -accounts that have reached me of her character, Mercia isn’t made of -stuff to shirk a duty.’ - -‘Ha, Sorcerer, thou knowest her name! Who told it thee?’ exclaimed -Felicitas in much surprise. - -‘Thyself,’ replied the Soul-Reader, ‘I read it on thy brain. Moreover, -fear, more than love, predominates within thy bosom. Thy Majesty doth -dread the testimony of the witnesses arrayed against thee.’ - -‘I do not deny it,’ returned Felicitas meekly, for he was completely -subdued by the two-fold influence of anxiety concerning the impending -case, and awe of the Soul-reader’s power to divine his thought. - -‘I do not indeed, deny it,’ he continued, ‘for I certainly dread that -awful Sadbag, who with villainous guile hid behind the screen, and heard -me plead my cause with the beauteous Mercia. But I must own it gives me -more uneasiness the testimony of Mercia herself, for none will doubt her -word.’ - -‘Then, let me advise thy Majesty to withdraw the charge and set the lady -at liberty forthwith. A king’s cause should be just, and beyond -suspicion: himself the personification of integrity, truth, and -righteousness. He should rather suffer a slight, than in revenge work a -great injury. The way of a king should be perfect.’ - -Felicitas looking ill at ease endeavoured to take this rebuke lightly. -‘The law still holds good that “a king can do no wrong.” But, Swami,’ he -continued earnestly, and in a pleading tone, ‘thine advice is good if my -way be not: tell me first what the issue of the trial will be, and I -will then accommodate myself to circumstances.’ - -‘Be it so,’ answered Swami courteously. ‘Come at this hour to-morrow and -I will be prepared.’ - -When the Emperor arrived on the following day at the Soul-reader’s -dwelling, he was met at the door by Swami himself, who conducted him -into his library. From thence he led him into an inner room, which -having no window was in a state of complete darkness. - -‘It has cost me many hours of labour to obtain this result,’ explained -Swami to his visitor, ‘but it is, I believe, perfect. Presently, I will -illumine the sensitive plate on which the scene is projected from my -brain, and show to thy Majesty three pictures of the scenes which will -certainly be enacted at the court, during the coming trial. For I find -that the case will come off independently of thy action. I can only now -advise what course thy Majesty can best take concerning it.’ - -Then Swami, having all the results in readiness of his wonderful -instrument—the psycho-register—touched a spring, and forthwith an -immense illuminated picture, filling one side of the room and -representing a scene in the Great Hall, of the Court, almost dazzling in -its brilliancy of colouring, instantaneously appeared. So complete was -the surprise of Felicitas that he started back, for the strange -vividness, no less than the suddenness of the scene made him somewhat -nervous: but Swami, accustomed to finding his visitors startled, kindly -re-assured him. - -‘Sire,’ said he gently, ‘be not alarmed, there is nothing to hurt thy -Majesty.’ - -It proved, in truth, a most wonderful and striking picture of the Great -Justice Hall in the Metropolitan Court. Tiers of seats containing the -_élite_ of Great Britain, and Ireland, Berlin, Paris, and most of the -European Continent, were filled to overflowing; for nobles and great -dames, and even several crowned heads, had assembled from all parts to -see the _cause célèbre_. - -In the dock was seated Mercia, looking calm, beautiful, and -self-possessed. She was arrayed in a flowing crimson velvet gown that -cast a warm glow over her face which had paled considerably either -through anxiety, or prison confinement. - -Innumerable opera glasses were being levelled at her by both sexes; -while busy barristers in their black gowns and white wigs scanned their -note-books. The place set apart for newspaper reporters was filled with -representatives of the press setting in order their respective -phonographs, which were to register the whole proceedings of the case. -Where the distance was not great as soon as the court closed each day, -the phonograph containing the evidence of the witnesses, speeches of the -barristers, and in fact everything that was said at the trial, was -packed off forthwith to the editor of each newspaper, by the quickest -conveyance possible, who cut down the report as he thought fit, to suit -the dimensions of his space in the newspaper, and the fastidiousness of -his readers; for the frailties of human nature as delineated in a court -of justice do not form at all times an edifying spectacle for the young, -or the modest. - -On his feet stood the Crown Prosecutor, evidently stating his case, -while Geometrus and Sadbag were seated at one side; but no Emperor -Felicitas could be discovered anywhere: he indeed, was conspicuous by -his absence, seeing he was the only witness in his own case. - -Felicitas gazed in amazement at the immense group photographed there; -ejaculating from time to time, as he recognised each member of the -nobility with whom he was acquainted, pictured before him. - -‘By Jove!’ he exclaimed, ‘there is Nicholas of Russia, and his fat -Empress! How interested she looks—see she has got her ear-trumpet in -use, endeavouring to miss nothing. And Louis of France, forsooth; the -new Louis Twentieth, not at all a bad looking fellow! And Osbert my -cousin, who averred he’d be dumb, but evidently intends to be neither -blind, nor deaf. - -‘And there’s the Duke of Northumberland, with his skinny spouse seated -beside him; whose skin is just like a piece of crinkled yellow leather. -And Lord Lennox and his pretty bride! Well, I must say, they’re all most -excellent likenesses—they look indeed, like living pictures. What a -treat they are getting! An Emperor in a witness box isn’t an every-day -occurrence, to be sure! And, oh, there’s Mercia, how pale, how -beautiful, how sad she appears! Ah, Swami, I have no heart to go on with -this prosecution. I love her—I would die for her—canst thou not exercise -thy magic and _make_ her love _me_?’ - -‘I possess no power over the human heart,’ returned Swami coldly. ‘My -work is to make known futurity to a slight extent; which will serve as a -guidance to the inquirer in matters of difficulty. Besides,’ added the -Thought-reader lightly, ‘thy Majesty is no longer in the matrimonial -market. Why trouble then the lady when thou hast nothing to offer her -but disgrace?’ he inquired after a pause. - -‘I would make her mine Empress,’ cried Felicitas passionately. ‘I would -obtain a divorce and free myself from my intolerable fetters!’ - -‘Impossible!’ urged Swami, as it seemed defiantly. ‘Thy Majesty hath no -just cause for putting away thine Empress: she is a model of marital -purity, by all accounts.’ - -‘My plea would be on the ground of incompatibility of temper: we do not -agree in any way, and I shall never know happiness while I live with -her. Besides, what is to become of the Succession, with a barren woman -for Empress?’ demanded Felicitas with a look of triumph in his face, for -he imagined this would prove an unanswerable argument with the country. - -‘The Succession,’ returned Swami smiling, ‘can take no harm whatever, -with the numerous cousins thy Majesty is favoured with. Moreover, it -behoves me to remind thy Majesty that the Empress and thyself lived in -perfect harmony up to the time that thy mind wandered to the fair -astronomer. Curb thy desires: keep thy way pure, and engage thyself in -the affairs of the nation, taking good heed of thine high position, and -Mercia will soon pass out of thy life. Thus all will in time go well -with thee.’ - -‘How fine thou preachest, good Swami! Surely thou hast mistaken thy -vocation—for the gown of a priest would better befit thee. Dost thou -advise all thy customers in this strain?’ exclaimed the monarch angrily. - -‘I counsel each one who seeks my aid to the best of my ability. All who -come hither do so of their own free will. I invite no one—I press no -one. Let him who is dissatisfied with my forewarnings go his own way: I -will not quarrel with him for following his own council. For I find all -men in the end carry out their own designs, even if the wisdom of a -Solomon, double-distilled, were to warn them of their folly.’ - -‘Swami, forgive me!’ returned Felicitas humbly, ‘I meant no offence; but -I was nettled by being made to listen to good advice, to which I am -treated daily. The Empress bestows uninvited this article so generously -that in truth I want no more from anybody. Now, I pray, let us talk of -Mercia; would she marry me if I were free?’ - -‘She is destined for another, far beneath thy Majesty in social -position; but who can give her a heart wholly devoted to her: one who -has never desired the love of woman till his eyes gazed upon her -beauty—the beauty of her soul,’ replied Swami, with a countenance -irradiated with his own emotions. - -‘To look at thee, Swami, and to hear thy speech,’ cried the Emperor -excitedly, ‘one could only conclude that thou wert in love with her -thyself! Her beauty of person is good enough for me: I know naught of -soul-beauty! Few men do, I opine, save sorcerers; and they need no -femininities to comfort them, being above such frailties, I presume. -However, I am aware that Mercia is in love already. That fellow -Geometrus desires her, and she loves him: at all events she told me as -much. I suppose thy prophecy refers to him; for he is one also who -troubles little about the affairs of women; for he slaves all day making -astronomical instruments for Mercia to do her star-gazing with. He is -her devoted servant, and she appreciates him accordingly,’ observed -Felicitas cynically. - -‘But will she _marry_ him?’ remarked Swami musingly. - -‘Exercise thy soul-reading powers and discover for thyself,’ answered -the Emperor lightly. ‘Turn on the next scene, if it be ready, for I -would learn all with as great a speed as possible,’ he added. - -Upon hearing this request Swami pressed another button, and immediately -the room was enveloped in darkness, and the picture vanished altogether -from sight. The next picture which appeared upon the crystal plate, -portrayed the court with the same visitors in similar order as before, -but with this difference. The serious expression which the countenances -of all present wore in the first instance was now changed to that of -intense excitement in some, while the greater part of the audience -seemed bursting with merriment. - -Sadbag, who was the centre of all eyes, was in the witness box -manipulating a phonograph of the newest design, the boxed-up talk of -which was being apparently reeled out for the benefit of the court; the -nature of its revelations proving irresistibly comic to the assembly’s -point of view, while the old man’s air of triumph most graphically -seemed to say, ‘What do you think of that my friends?’ as he smirked -with an ‘I-told-you-so,’ sort of expression on his face. - -Mercia on her part was blushing violently, Geometrus was scowling -darkly, while all the barristers were endeavouring to conceal their -merriment by fluttering their pocket-handkerchiefs under the pretence of -blowing their noses. Prince Osbert was actually holding his sides; while -his face, puckered with merriment, seemed to say—‘Now isn’t this -excruciatingly funny?’ - -Mercia’s counsel wore an air of happy triumph, which appeared to -indicate complete satisfaction with his own good management of the case. -Felicitas was absent, as before, but his Empress was among the audience, -looking as flushed and angered as an injured wife might well be. - -‘What the deuce is everybody laughing at?’ queried the Emperor, while a -deep frown crossed his face,—‘I cannot understand it!’ - -Swami remained silent; he knew full well what the phonograph was saying, -but did not deem it wise to give the irascible monarch too much -information. - -‘Canst not thy Majesty comprehend the situation?’ he demanded suavely. - -‘No, I do not,’ answered Felicitas hotly, ‘tell me the meaning of it -all.’ - -‘Time alone will show the full development. There is sufficient pictured -to give thy Majesty ample warning.’ - -‘It is easy enough to see that I shall be made a pretty laughing-stock -for the whole world. That villain Sadbag has worked some vile trick upon -me—that is very evident. Strange that thou art unable to explain what -the beast is up to!’ muttered Felicitas to himself, for he was bursting -with rage at the very thought of the whole proceeding. - -‘We have had enough of this,’ observed Swami quietly, as he prudently -pressed the extinguishing button, producing perfect darkness. ‘We will -now show the closing scene and dismiss the matter for to-night.’ - -‘I am weary of it all,’ remarked the monarch disgusted with the -portrayals of the magic crystal, ‘I would I had never seen this sorcery, -I shall not get a wink of sleep this night.’ - -‘Nor to-morrow night either,’ said Swami coolly, as he switched on the -light revealing the third and last of the wonderful pictures. - -‘What meanest thou by that?’ inquired Felicitas curtly. - -‘The real trial commences to-morrow,’ replied the Soul-reader calmly, ‘a -messenger is at this moment awaiting thy Majesty’s return to remind thee -of the date.’ - -‘To-morrow!’ repeated the Emperor, ‘impossible! This cannot be the -date!’ - -‘It is truly,’ said Swami compassionately, ‘thine hour of trial is at -hand. But see, here is Mercia’s hour of triumph, mark how everybody is -showing her honour, and offering their congratulations.’ - -However striking these photo-crystal pictures had appeared, this last, -without doubt, displayed the most stirring scene. It represented the -intense joy of a great multitude, who were offering their -congratulations, and testifying their admiration of one who had gone -through a severe ordeal, out of which she had come victorious. - -The whole populace were paying her their sincerest homage in honest -English fashion. Some were waving their hats and cheering vociferously. -While a number had removed from their shafts the four bay horses that -drew her chariot. This latter was standing near the gates of the law -courts, and the men in warm enthusiasm, had commenced pulling the -carriage themselves. - -Others were casting wreaths of bay leaves into her lap; so numerous were -they that a great pile was being formed in the centre of her carriage. -These were intermixed with bouquets of the loveliest flowers, one of -which was composed of the most cunningly-wrought blossoms, the leaves of -which were studded with costly emeralds, and their buds bedewed with -diamonds of immense value. This beautiful and generous gift was being -offered by a gentleman whose face being turned aside, made the Emperor -unable to discover the features. - -Mercia looked perfectly radiant with pleasure, as she bowed her numerous -acknowledgments to the enthusiastic crowd that surrounded her. - -‘By Jove!’ exclaimed the Emperor excitedly, as he critically scanned the -mysterious figure, ‘I could swear those were thy dark curls clustering -round thine ears!’ - -‘Curls are common enough, Sire, and dark hair is no rarity in thy -realms,’ replied Swami evasively, who seemed a little put out at the -king’s speech. - -Felicitas gazed with feelings of wonder and envy, intermingled with -regret, upon the picture which glowed with resplendent colouring; every -figure in which presented such an apparent natural roundness that it was -difficult to imagine they were not endowed with life and motion. The -lineaments of those with whom he was acquainted were so exactly -delineated, and the natural pose and bearing of each individual so -vividly represented that he was impelled to put out his hand to touch -one of them. - -‘Hold!’ exclaimed Swami quickly, ‘touch it not, or thou art a dead man! -The shock would kill thee instantly, for these psychodevelopments are -wrought and illumined by strong frictional electricity of the deadliest -kind; the current of which is so powerful that it infinitely exceeds -that of forked lightning.’ - -‘Ha!’ ejaculated Felicitas paling, ‘it is certainly foolhardy to meddle -with such trickery; but, in truth, I had forgotten myself completely. It -is without doubt the most beautiful creation I have ever seen! How -wonderfully art thou endowed, Swami, I would I were only half as gifted -as thou art.’ Then, the Emperor fixing his gaze upon the beauteous face -of Mercia, who formed the central figure in the scene, and whose -countenance expressed the sweetest grace and modesty; commenced to thus -apostrophise her—‘This then is the end and issue of my suit——’ - -‘Which suit, thy lovesuit, or thy lawsuit?’ interrupted Swami lightly; -for the Emperor’s love-raptures for some reason annoyed him. - -‘Which suit?’ repeated Felicitas dreamily. - -‘Both suits, I suppose,’ added Swami laughingly. - -‘Ah truly,’ sighed the Emperor, ‘the twain have proved an utter failure. -I thought to bring her low—to humiliate her—to place her in such a -position as would force her to accept my royal clemency and bounty; but -alas, I have only brought about a public triumph for her, and public -dishonour to myself! Oh, Swami let not this be the finishing scene; thou -art all-powerful, make another wherein Mercia is my bride, the crowned -Empress of the Teutonic Empire.’ - -‘Be it so, Sire, a fourth picture shall appear wherein the completion of -her triumph shall be projected. Retire a few moments, and I will conjure -it presently.’ - -In less than ten minutes, Felicitas was summoned into the dark room, and -on the wonderful crystal there appeared the most beautiful vision of -womanly loveliness that art had ever created. Mercia looking radiant -with happiness, whose beauty was heightened and enhanced by the most -costly draperies and diamonds that wealth could produce, was seated on a -throne, surrounded by the imposing pageantry of a coronation ceremony. A -crown composed of magnificent diamonds and various precious stones of -immense value graced her well-shaped head, while brilliant gems sparkled -in the rich embroidery of her magnificent robes. - -Eastern potentates, and native princes of the various Eastern -possessions were paying her homage. Their Oriental costumes, rich with -jewels and resplendent with vivid colouring lent a charm to the most -magnificent scene of Oriental splendour that it was possible to -conceive. - -‘What an entrancing sight! What perfect loveliness!’ murmured the -Emperor, as he gazed with rapture on the beautiful picture before him. - -‘Mercia, dearest Mercia, how beautiful thou art! Did I not divine thou -wert made to grace a throne? Oh, thou sweet Mercia, listen to me. What -bliss to dwell with thee always; to listen to the divine melody of that -sweet voice; to clasp in mine that beautiful hand; to drink of the -nectar of those ruby lips; to know that thou wert all mine own! - -‘Oh, that I might share my crown, my realms, my all with thee! Thou -Queen of my heart, thou Light of my life! - -‘Art thou indeed to grace my throne? Is this thy Bridal Day foreshown? -Swami,’ continued he, turning to the Soul-reader, ‘is all that Eastern -pageantry to lend its lustre to my second nuptials?’ - -‘Surely not,’ answered Swami proudly, ‘does not thy Majesty perceive -that it is altogether an Oriental picture?’ - -‘But I am the Emperor of India,’ said Felicitas with much dignity, ‘how -then can Mercia be Empress unless _I_ place the consort crown on her -head?’ - -‘The days are numbered that see thee supreme Ruler of my country: a week -hence and India will have accomplished her freedom.’ - -‘Has fate decreed that the Hindu shall exceed the English in physical -strength? If this be thy divination then I believe nothing of it.’ - -‘All the worse for thee, Sire. Believe that which yields thee most -comfort, and forget my harmless prophecies. To-morrow attend the Law -Courts, and see all things reversed, as thy heart desireth. Perhaps, -like dreams, which are said to prove the contrary of what they picture, -the reality will come out the opposite of all thou hast seen this day -portrayed. It may be that Mercia, instead of being crowned an Empress, -shall to-morrow be consigned to execution, or life imprisonment?’ - -‘I would sooner see her die than wedded to another,’ murmured the -Emperor moodily. - -‘Thy Majesty is merciful as wise!’ responded Swami cynically, as he -pressed the extinguisher for the last time, and set the room in -darkness; obliterating for the moment the entrancing portrait of the -woman he was learning to love through the medium of soul-sympathy; for -he was as yet personally unacquainted with Mercia. - -‘I would I had never seen either thyself or thy psychical pictures,’ -said Felicitas bitterly. ‘What good is it looking into futurity? It does -but make one miserable beforehand. I cannot control the current of -events; all will take place exactly the same as if I had known nothing. -To look into the future is but to anticipate life’s troubles. - -‘What earthly use to learn the issue of the trial to-day, to-morrow -would have been soon enough to know my ill-fortune.’ - -‘Balak-like thou wouldst have me curse, when I can only bless,’ returned -Swami. ‘It is true that thy Majesty must reap as thou hast sown. We all -live under this unalterable law. As the husbandman sows seed expecting -its like to be reproduced, so we must be satisfied to gather the fruit -of our own actions. If we plant the crab, can we look for the apricot? -If we work dishonourable actions, can we reap honour thereby? - -‘The priest promises Heaven as the reward of a good life, but the only -Heaven assigned to man is that of his own creation—the delight that -pervades his soul in the knowledge that he has not lived in vain; that -he has been the source of comfort and happiness to others; that he has -kept the golden rule. Six little words, in fact, define it,—_that he -loves and is beloved_—for human love, in all its various sections, is -Heaven—no other Paradise exists.’ - -‘’Tis the want of this, that’s brought my trouble,’ murmured Felicitas. -‘If I had Mercia’s love then wouldst thou see how pious I could be.’ - -‘Is a child contented wholly when one desire is satisfied? No, he cries -hourly for new toys and new delights. Thy Majesty would weary in course -of time with the beauteous Mercia, as thou hast wearied of thy spouse. -Physical charms delight the eye for a season; but if there be no union -of psycho-magnetic sympathy there is no possibility of an enduring -affection. Sire, be content; as thou hast made thy bed, so must thou lie -upon it.’ - -‘That reminds me of my suit to-morrow,’ interrupted Felicitas -impatiently. ‘What wouldst thou advise in this dilemma?’ - -‘The case is surrounded with difficulties,’ answered Swami reflectively. -‘If thou withdraw the prosecution, the defenders would persist in its -being gone through. Sadbag, and Mercia’s counsel would not miss giving -the evidence they have in store, under any consideration. Her counsel -has decidedly made up his mind that nothing shall induce him to let the -case collapse. He will plead, if thou withdraw, that his client’s -character is at stake, and must be cleared by suitable investigation of -the charge. Besides, the charge is _thine_ no longer: it is in the hands -of the Public Prosecutor.’ - -‘I will be no witness for him,’ cried Felicitas, a new idea having -crossed his mind. ‘This night urgent affairs of state shall summon me to -Berlin. Good-bye, Swami, for the present. We shall see whether thy -soul-reading crystal plate has discovered to us the false or the true.’ - -‘Will thy Majesty be absent from the GREAT TEST TRIAL next Tuesday?’ -inquired Swami, with a view of reminding him of the date of that event. - -‘By all above us, no,’ emphatically ejaculated Felicitas, whose ideas -and recollections were in a decided jumble. The Emperor, if he be alive, -must without doubt, be present at the Tournament. - -‘I do not see how it could legally take place without me; for the king, -whose realms are in dispute, is ever deemed the chiefest witness of the -contest. - -‘I have ample time; for by to-morrow night Mercia’s cause will have been -heard and fully disposed of; there are still a few days left for the -scandal to blow over, before the 1st of May, when I will appear in my -proper place, and fulfil the duties that belong to my royal state.’ - -‘How convenient to be a king, and know naught of the penalties of -wrong-doing. A meaner mortal would be punished for perjury in such a -case! But here ’twill be glossed over, and the Emperor’s clemency -enlarged upon by his counsel,’ thought Swami, as he conducted the -monarch to the great doors, outside which his carriage stood in -readiness. - - - - - CHAPTER X - - ‘Whence all this strange attraction? ’Tis Nature’s law, - Which irresistibly impels and leads - With forces so unutterably strong, - And yet so hid—so wrapped in joy—concealed— - That whence it comes we nothing know, nor why— - We only know it is that Power called LOVE.’ - _Idylls, Legends and Lyrics._ - - -As soon as Swami got rid of his visitor, he quickly made his way to the -dark chamber, where he had been thirsting to rush for some time past, -and turning on the force brought to view the psycho-development of the -coronation scene, wherein the portrait of the beautiful astronomer was -the centre-piece. He had in reality prepared this mental feast for -himself, but was induced at the request of Felicitas to reveal its -charms to that monarch. - -As she sat upon her golden throne surrounded by the Maharajahs, and -Heads of the various Principalities of the Eastern Empire, decked in -their glittering robes, their crowns, and other courtly splendours, -heightened with all the attendant pomp of Eastern ceremonial, Swami saw -only the person of the matchless Mercia; for the rest possessed little -interest for him at this moment. - -As his gaze dwelt upon her sweet face, he looked into her eyes with -rapturous emotion, and clasping his hands together, knelt before this -lovely delineation of his secret adoration, uttering in tenderest -accents a passionate apostrophe. - -‘O, divine Mercia, I love thee! Thou hast brought into my life a new -element—a new force, as mysterious, as it is powerful. A new joy has -come into my heart hitherto unknown. A new hope is imparted to my lonely -life, irradiating its darkness, and giving the sweetest comfort known to -the human soul. I read the magic mirror of thine eyes, and see thy soul -all perfect, all pure, and unsullied. - -‘I mentally see thy thought, and mapped out before me read the -loveliness of thy mind; for by the motions of thy brain I am acquainted -with the rich treasures of thy cultured mind. - -‘Thou wert made to inspire the deepest emotions in the human heart; for -the mighty gift of soul-sympathy that pervades thy whole being, -exercises such power over every mind that all bow to thy magic -influence, deeming it a happiness to be near thee, however short the -moment. - -‘The lowliest feel thy charm, and draw comfort therefrom, while I, -dearest Mercia, am inspired with ineffable delight; for who could know -thee and not be fired with the noblest aims—the highest aspirations? - -‘Come then, sweet girl, come hither, and let mine eyes gaze upon the -casket that contains such a rich jewel—the form that contains such a -perfect soul!’ - -Then Swami, raising himself from his kneeling posture, and standing -erect, closed his eyes, and projecting from his nerve-centres a powerful -stream of psychic-energy, which, rushing in waves through the air, -almost instantly found its way to the fair prisoner. - -Immediately, without knowing the cause, she commenced thinking of the -great Soul-reader, experiencing a strong desire to go and see him. - -Now, in consequence of Swami’s advice the day previous, the Emperor had, -at the proper quarters intimated his desire to bestow the royal pardon -on the fair culprit; which command being as quickly carried out as -officialism would admit, Mercia was made acquainted with her position -with little delay. - -When the governor of the prison read the document to Mercia which -contained the so-called ‘pardon,’ an indignant flush rose instantly to -her cheeks. - -‘Ah!’ she disdainfully cried, ‘the Emperor generously sends me a pardon -before it is solicited, for a crime I have never committed! His clemency -oppresses me—it is really more than I can accept.’ - -‘It is certainly most unparalleled in prison records,’ remarked the -governor, who looked mystified. ‘I don’t know of a similar instance in -all my experience. The pardon should be accorded after the sentence is -passed, should the prisoner be found guilty. I understand that his -Gracious Majesty being himself the prosecutor, departs from the ordinary -routine observed in such matters. He desires to set thee at liberty -without further delay.’ - -‘I cannot accept his Majesty’s clemency without consulting my counsel,’ -replied Mercia after a pause: ‘the case is in readiness, he informs me, -and witnesses are fully prepared to establish my innocence. I will -therefore remain here until I have had a consultation with him. Be good -enough to send for him at once, and we two will consider the matter.’ - -While the governor of the prison was despatching his messenger to the -barrister, Swami’s brain-wave had in the meantime reached Mercia; -causing her to upset her plans somewhat; for she found herself being -impelled by a strong desire to regain her freedom without delay. - -Intimating her change of design to the governor, she took her departure -from the prison; and hiring a cab from the nearest public stand,—for -electricity did not do away with the Jehu, it only altered the -motive-power of his chariot—she instinctively gave orders to drive to -the great Soul-reader, and ere long found herself at his door. - -‘Why have I come hither?’ she asked herself, as she was being led -through the beautiful conservatory, which was brilliantly illumined by -electricity, for the sun had gone down by this time. - -‘What has brought me here?’ she murmured again to herself. - -‘What brings everybody hither?’ whispered Reason in her ear. - -‘Yes, yes,’ she replied mentally to her prompter, ‘of course I have come -to consult the great man in my difficulty. I seek his advice and -forewarning concerning the course I ought to pursue to-morrow. This is a -great emergency. No barrister can determine how the trial will end; for -Justice hath so many ways of turning that the most righteous cause runs -great risks in a law court. My case is not an ordinary one; my counsel -has had no experience in opposing the suit of an Emperor, for his own -Sovereign is his opponent! The whole thing bristles with difficulties -throughout.’ - -A few seconds sufficed for these reflections, for the motions of the -brain are intensely rapid: she had only proceeded a few steps when -Swami, who had come out to meet her, greeted her with the most profound -respect. - -His whole deportment displayed the deepest reverence of her, while his -countenance was irradiated with the light of a great joy. - -‘Welcome, sweet Lady!’ he murmured softly, ‘wilt thou graciously come -hither?’ Saying which he conducted her into his library, displaying the -utmost deference towards her, the while; then leading her to the softest -couch he begged her to be seated. - -‘Thou art Dayanand Swami, the great Soul-reader, and I am Mercia -Montgomery, the late Astronomer Royal,’ she faltered out, hardly knowing -what to say, she felt so singularly disturbed in her mind. - -‘I have heard great accounts of thine attainments,’ replied Swami, -endeavouring to check his excitement, ‘I have long desired the -opportunity of meeting with England’s rarest lady.’ - -Mercia looked at him earnestly for a moment; then blushed, and an -instant later recovering herself, she smiled archly— - -‘Ah!’ she exclaimed, ‘it seems to me that all men are given to flattery, -I imagined that the illustrious Swami would have been an exception.’ - -‘Because all men say the same that proves it is no flattery,’ said Swami -deprecatingly; ‘nevertheless it is not meet that one should give -expression to his opinion while yet he is a stranger. Pardon me, -Mistress Mercia, for the liberty taken. But let me entreat of thee to -raise thy veil; otherwise I shall be at a disadvantage when reading thy -destiny, which I presume, is the object of thy visit,’ he added -artfully. - -‘Certainly,’ answered Mercia innocently; while another bright smile lit -up her face with a singular radiance, as she threw back the dark veil -with which she had been careful to conceal herself while coming from the -prison. ‘I do not use these things always,’ she added, ‘it was the -disgrace of being seen come out of a prison that induced me to wear it -at all.’ - -‘The disgrace is his who sent thither the innocent. The noon of another -day shall place the dishonour where it is due. Lady, I am acquainted -with thy design in coming here, it is to learn the issue of thy trial. -Rest assured, all is well; the arrangements are perfect that thy friends -have made.’ - -‘Even so my counsel tells me: he says the evidence of Sadbag who was in -the room during the time that the Emperor accuses me of attempting his -life is most convincing. Nevertheless, as the old man himself is accused -of conspiring with me against his Majesty, the Emperor, I have my fears -anent the trial’s issue; for such evidence will not be credited the same -as if he were an independent witness. But now the matter has taken -another aspect. This day a pardon has come, unsolicited by me, from the -Emperor, and I am fully released without a trial, without condemnation, -I am _pardoned_! Unfold to me this mystery, I pray, and give me thy good -counsel.’ - -All this time the Soul-reader was gazing upon the beautiful face turned -towards him in anxious appeal: knowing full well of the certainty of her -position, his mind was not disturbed with the perplexities of the -situation. Nevertheless, he deemed it impolitic to explain everything -fully: such information could not turn the current of affairs, he argued -to himself; it would only have the effect of increasing her reluctance -to appear in court at all. - -‘Let thine anxieties be dispersed at once,’ he urged gently, ‘there is -no cause at all for alarm: only trust thy good friend Sadbag; he will -make it pretty warm for the Emperor.’ - -‘How so?’ inquired Mercia, with great curiosity. - -‘By his evidence, of course,’ replied Swami, who hesitated to recount -the full extent of Sadbag’s revelations, which could only increase her -embarrassment. - -‘Is this all then, that the great Soul-reader can show me?’ exclaimed -Mercia in a disappointed tone of voice; ‘I hoped to have seen the -wonderful mind-reflecting mirror that all the world speaks of. Is there -nothing at all in my future that is worthy of transmission to the plate? -If nothing better, then show me my future husband;’ she demanded, while -a roguish smile dimpled her face. - -‘Show thee thy future husband!’ repeated Swami nervously, ‘I cannot, -because I dare not,’ he added in evident excitement. - -‘But I desire it,’ persisted Mercia, ‘I fain would learn if there be -such an individual in store for me.’ - -‘I will tell thee whom thou shalt not marry, if that will suit,’ -returned Swami earnestly; with a view of evading the inquiry. - -‘That is indeed a negative method of satisfying a lady’s curiosity,’ -laughed Mercia gaily. ‘Well, then whom shall I _not_ marry?’ - -‘Neither Felicitas, nor Geometrus,’ replied he emphatically. - -Mercia coloured violently upon hearing Geometrus’ name thus mentioned, -then trying to regard it lightly, she observed—‘Who is it, show me his -reflection?’ - -‘Not to-night. Come again, dear lady, and the portrait shall be in -readiness for thee.’ - -‘Ah, Swami,’ returned Mercia sweetly; ‘I perceive that thou art only -playing with me. Thou knowest full well, that neither love nor marriage -is for me. If I win my case, I return to my post. My work is my -bridegroom; I am bound to no other; for therein is centred my every -thought—my whole life-work.’ - -‘The observation of the heavenly bodies shall be thy life-work no -longer; thou art called to do work even more glorious than the study of -the great universe; for thou art destined to rule millions of human -beings, whose happiness depends upon thy wisdom, whose well-being is -assured by thy just administration. Princes shall pay thee homage: the -great ones of the earth shall be proud of thy friendship. All nations -shall vie with each other in showing thee honour; and thine own people -shall love and adore thee.’ - -The Soul-reader uttered his prophecy as one in a dream. With his hands -clasped together, and quivering with the violence of his emotion, he -seemed insensible to his surroundings. His great dark eyes were filled -with a wonderful light, whose luminous rays seemed to possess the power -of reaching into futurity. Unconsciously to himself, the waves of -soul-sympathy filled the air, and entering Mercia’s system set her heart -beating wildly with an ecstatic pleasure, that was an entirely new -experience. - -Trembling with delight she awaited the moment when the fever of his -excitement should have subsided; and searched his countenance for the -first sign, that she might question him further. - -‘Oh, Swami,’ she exclaimed, at length; for she could wait no -longer—‘whose kingdom shall I govern, and where are my dominions? Is it -well that one so ignorant of State affairs as I should be advanced to -such immense responsibility—such power—such glory? Thou hast indeed -painted a picture glowing with bright colour. Should not thy psychic -power point to some experienced potentate, more worthy than I? Is not -this a word-blunder—some curious coincidence of name that hath upset thy -calculations? It is not I, Mercia, the astronomer, who is destined for -this brilliant future; this most glorious career?’ - -‘It is thou, Mercia, and no other,’ responded Swami impressively—‘there -is no king, or high potentate better fitted for this proud position. If -thou art filled with doubts, see the proof, and banish thy scepticism -forthwith. Come hither, and look upon thy portrait, brain-painted upon -the sensitive plate beneath the crystal.’ - -Taking her hand he led her, all quivering with emotion, into the dark -chamber, when turning on the energy he displayed the glittering picture, -ablaze with brilliant colouring; every figure presenting that aspect of -roundness, which seemed to endow it almost with life. - -‘Oh! It is myself—my very self!’ she exclaimed excitedly, her face lit -up with the intensity of her varying sensations. ‘How beautiful! Is it -possible that I shall ever look like that? What splendid jewelled robes! -What a magnificent crown, all ablaze with costly diamonds, sapphires, -emeralds, and rubies! How rich the Indian gold appears of which the -throne is composed, set in contrast with the white marble of the floor! - -‘What a glorious assemblage of Eastern princes, paying homage to their -Empress, and arrayed in all their courtly splendour! This is, truly, a -scene from some ancient Eastern fairy tale, told thousands of years ago -by the imaginative Asiatic, and thou, Swami, hast made my portrait its -centre-piece. Is it not so?’ she inquired; for her inherent modesty made -her doubt again. - -Then, Swami, his dark, speaking eyes filling with tears, and his heart -swelling with deep disappointment at seeing her doubt his integrity, for -a moment turned upon her a sad, reproachful gaze; when immediately, a -sudden passion seized him, forcing him prematurely, and against his -judgment, to give it utterance. - -‘Mercia, dost thou doubt me? Would I deceive the one being for whom my -heart yearns? I love thee—I love thee, thou gifted one! Thou art, -indeed, soul of my soul, life of my life! Thou art the true living -elixir; the true soul-energy which can for all time support my spirit. -Thou dost inspire a new energy into my being—a new goal for my -aspirations! Thy life-essence can alone mingle with mine, for only thy -soul can hold communion with mine. - -‘Physically, I have never before seen thee. These material, and natural -mirrors of the human brain have never until now reflected thine image on -their surface; nevertheless, I have gazed on thee through the medium of -my soul-sight, and have drank in the delight of thy beauty. - -‘I have looked into thy very soul, and read its inmost workings—thy -beautiful unsullied soul, clear as the limpid waters. - -‘Thy thought is no longer thine own; it is MINE, by the gift of DIVINE -LOVE! Yea, thou art mine, and I am thine!’ Swami gave utterance to his -passionate ecstasy as one in a dream, where the faculties being highly -exalted create sensations of the most delightful character. - -His face, beautiful in feature, and spiritual in expression at all -times, was now irradiated with the glowing fire of love. - -This new emotion filled him with a subtle rapture, imparting to him a -new fervour that lent a charm to every look and motion. - -His dreamy eyes had turned intensely brilliant, their excitement -spreading to every muscle of the face, imparted over all his countenance -a delicious softness, that instantly set every nerve in Mercia’s frame -a-throbbing. - -To her, as to him, it was indeed, a supreme moment, making her dumb by -reason of its intensity, as of its suddenness and power. Her countenance -was overspread with the warm glow of the unseen, mystic force, while her -bosom heaved with tumultuous emotions. Speechless she sat, with downcast -eyes, lost in a silent joy, while delicious sensations that were -entirely new to her, thrilled her whole frame. - -‘Is this then LOVE!’ she exclaimed at length; while a tone of ineffable -tenderness pervaded her utterance, making her voice low, soft, and -melodious. - -‘Am I then too, a victim to this conqueror of the world—a prisoner bound -in sweet captivity, with not the faintest wish to cast away my fetters? -Is this that strange and subtle power that guides and shapes the -destinies of the whole world; whose dominion the strongest bow to, whose -sceptre sways over prince and peasant?’ - -‘Even so, sweet Mercia, this is love. This is that which the Gods gave -to sweeten the labours of mankind: for who could bear the burden of life -from birth to death without this gracious comfort to sustain him?’ -answered Swami, as moving nearer to her side he took her hand in his, -and covered it with passionate kisses. - -‘I had thought,’ she murmured in a low voice ‘that love was not for me; -that my life should be devoted to my work. That the honour attained by -the close fulfilment of my duties would be ample reward. - -‘My ambition was to endeavour to be the best astronomer the world has -ever seen. But now this dream has passed away, I am even as other women, -who love and are beloved, and seek no more.’ - -‘My beloved, this is the sum of life’s happiness. Without love life is a -mere wilderness. He who goes through life unloved and unloving has -wasted his existence. - -‘The ascetic hopes for great reward when he reaches the Heaven of his -desires; but man may make or mar his own Paradise by his own hand. His -own course of life shapes it.’ - -‘To me, Swami,’ whispered Mercia earnestly, ‘it is happiness supreme to -know that thou art near. The world may shower its favours, or award its -indifference: it is all the same to me. I am satisfied with the -knowledge of thy love.’ - -‘And I am mad with joy!’ cried Swami passionately, as he covered her -face with ardent kisses; the first he had ever bestowed on woman; the -first she had ever received from man. - -‘Once I thought,’ she resumed, ‘that the tender regard in which I held -Geometrus was known by this name. But now mine eyes are opened. I see -that Friendship, not Love, inspired my affection. This new emotion hath -another birth; a different force behind it: for notwithstanding what has -happened this night I feel the same sincere regard for him. His love for -me never gave birth to the feeling that thine hath done: for I -deliberately disregarded it, deeming my work of greater importance. But -for thee, Swami, there is nothing I would not do—even to die; for life -without thy love would be a living death.’ - -‘Geometrus!’ exclaimed Swami, starting at the name: ‘In my own great joy -I had forgotten his disappointment. His loss is my great gain. I would I -could comfort him by making him acquainted with the honourable future -that is in store for him. For he will distinguish himself above all in -his profession, and the whole world shall honour him.’ - -‘Dear, dear Geometrus, thou dost indeed deserve it!’ cried she -enthusiastically, for her heart pained at the thought of what his sorrow -would be in losing her. ‘But tell me, Swami, of my coming glory. Where -is this Empire that I am destined to govern, and how can such a -wonderful event be brought about?’ - -‘It is the Empire of India, my sweet one; it is the home of my -fathers—my own beautiful country!’ he exclaimed rapturously. ‘Thou wilt -be chosen by the vote of the nation as their first Empress. To thee is -given the honour of establishing the Royal Line for India! Thou and I, -Mercia; our children, and children’s children shall hold the reins of -Government through all generations. - -‘Then will be re-established the sovereignty of my forefathers, who -reigned in India five hundred years ago. When thy coronation takes place -will be fulfilled the prophecy of my father’s father who predicted that -in one hundred years a woman, young, beautiful, and talented, should -reign over his country, dwelling with her people in happiness and -peace.’ - -‘How can these things be?’ mused Mercia, as she clasped her hands -together oppressed with this vision of greatness. - -‘THE GREAT TEST TOURNAMENT is the first step towards its attainment. In -a few days it is here; victory will be ours, and India will be free to -choose her own Ruler. Leave the rest to God, for thou hast no part in -its arrangement. The honour will be awarded, unsought by thee.’ - -‘I have still all to learn concerning the Administration of this great -country,’ said she reflectively. ‘It is true I am acquainted with its -history from a scholar’s point of view, but practically I know nothing. - -‘To rule a people successfully, we should be in perfect sympathy with -them; understanding their mode of thought, customs, and prejudices; -actually knowing their inner life. - -‘It is impossible to rule a people justly, and legislate to meet their -wants fully and completely, except we be in touch with them throughout.’ - -‘I will teach thee, Mercia, all this,’ said Swami eagerly. ‘I will be -ever at thy side to tell thee all that thou wouldst know. See,’ said he, -pointing to his noble tiers of books, for now they were in his library, -‘we two will read and study them together, and from those silent -teachers of every age gain the piled-up wisdom of numerous generations, -in a short space.’ - -‘What a treasury of ancient lore!’ exclaimed Mercia, as rising from her -seat, she went from tier to tier examining their contents. ‘I shall have -a continual feast—a daily enjoyment of wonderful Oriental literature, as -soon as I have mastered the necessary knowledge of up-to-date -administration, which of course, shall have my first attention.’ - -‘And by marking the mistakes of the present Administration, correct -thine own,’ added Swami, as he gazed lovingly upon her every movement. - -Thus conversing far into the night, on this most absorbing topic; to the -one, newly-born, and deeply interesting, by reason of its approaching -associations; to the other, for its memories of the past; its -unsatisfactory present,—from a patriot’s point of view,—and its promise -of a glorious future, the hours sped away unconsciously; till at length, -Mercia felt a languor stealing over her; which Swami perceiving suddenly -exclaimed—‘Dearest, thou art wearied. It is not meet to go forth at this -hour. Be my guest to-night, and to-morrow we two will attend the trial, -for now thou art my especial care.’ Then summoning his attendants he -bade them bring in certain refreshments of jellies, and light wines; -after partaking of which, the servants conducted her to a richly -furnished sleeping-chamber. Amidst the pearly-tinted silken sheets, and -richly embroidered coverlet, all delicately perfumed, Mercia sank into a -sound and refreshing slumber, giving no thought to the trial on the -morrow, or the difficulties her case would present now that she had -practically accepted the king’s pardon, without her counsel’s consent. - - - - - CHAPTER XI - - -The next morning when Mercia awoke and found herself in this luxurious -bedchamber, surrounded by every comfort that modern invention could -bestow; for every article of utility represented some rare work of art; -and every imaginable want was supplied by the most ingenious -arrangements; it seemed to her that she had gone through a series of -delightful scenes in a dream of wonderful vividness. - -The recollection of the previous evening, in which so much was seen, and -so much experienced, made it difficult to believe that it possessed any -greater solidity than the pictures in some stereoscopic arrangement. But -the great fact that a new and supreme joy reigned in her bosom—that she -loved, and was beloved—proved convincing evidence of its reality. For -the first time in her life she felt the supreme happiness—the -unutterable joy of this unique exaltation that comes once, or perhaps -twice, in a lifetime to every human being. - -When she had descended the magnificently carved staircase that led into -the reception rooms, she was met by Swami himself, who conducted her -into the breakfast-room where an inviting meal was awaiting her. The -most nourishing dishes, where the palate and the digestion were equally -considered being placed on the table by native servants, as soon as she -had put in an appearance, to which she paid fair justice. - -She was in excellent spirits; notwithstanding the thought of the ordeal -that lay before her; for nothing could damp, or depress them while under -the influence of the present bliss, and future dignities promised her. - -Swami, too, looked supremely happy. A quiet, suppressed joy beamed in -his deep, dreamy eyes, which shed its light over his expressive -countenance. His voice too, had a special softness in its tone, that was -peculiarly charming to Mercia’s sensitive ear. - -It was, in truth, the most delightful meal for these two beings that had -been their lot to partake of; the lives of both having been hitherto -solitary, laborious, and even ascetic to some extent. - -‘Now, isn’t this delightful!’ laughed Mercia, gaily. ‘How nice -everything tastes when one has good company! King Solomon knew what he -was talking about when he uttered oracularly—“Better a dinner of herbs -where love is, than the stalled ox,” et cetera; but in our case we score -heavily, having the enjoyment of both commodities.’ - -‘The proverb holds good all the same;’ replied Swami; ‘with thee, my -Life, the dinner of herbs would be a banquet, for thy face is a -continual feast for me; thy presence would sweeten the coarsest fare.’ - -‘When I enter my kingdom, Swami—but there—I cannot realise my future -glory—I feel that this is greatness thrust upon me! I cannot conceive -why the people of India should think of me—me—a poor astronomer! I have -no regal blood in my veins—no glorious ancestry to boast of. - -‘It is true my mother accomplished some good for the women of India, -devoting a great part of her life in the promotion of their welfare; but -that can scarcely bring any weight to the balance in my favour, in such -a case as this: the whole matter to my mind is inexplicable,’ said she -reflectively. - -Swami smiled, as he watched the puzzled look upon her face, for of -course it was all clear enough to him why the people of India had picked -her out as the representative of their country’s eminence and glory; -after a pause, he thought it no harm to tell her somewhat of the -situation. - -‘There are but two topics talked of just now, not only throughout this -Empire but the whole world. They form subject for conversation -everywhere. The Court; the spirit café, the theatre, the club, the -dinner-table; the street corner, the race-course, wherever men -congregate, or women either, the chief food for talk is THE GREAT TEST -TOURNAMENT, and the impeachment for high treason, of Mercia, the -Astronomer Royal, and her two friends—Geometrus, the Assistant -Astronomer, and Sadbag the Politician. - -‘It is well known how the case stands, for Sadbag gave it to the whole -world immediately before his imprisonment. Everyone believes in thine -innocence, and the Emperor’s guilt. They say he ought to be indicted for -perjury—but from his position that is impossible. There are even now -hundreds of letters in thy counsel’s keeping expressive of the sympathy -of every country. France offers thee a similar position in her Empire as -that thou hast resigned here, Russia does the same, even before they -know the issue of the trial; but when thine innocence is proved beyond -dispute, every country will vie with each other in showing thee honour; -the only method open to them of displaying their contempt of Felicitas’ -unworthy conduct. A two-fold motive will inspire India to top them all -in glorifying thee. One is sincere admiration for thy character and -attainments, the other is the punishment of their country’s tyrant, by -the promotion of one he sought to ruin; for it was Felicitas’ influence -which made the WORLD’S TRIBUNAL TRIAL of no account for India. - -‘For this reason they do not bless him—they curse him by electing -thee—his enemy—an enemy of his own making—for of all men thou shouldst -despise him utterly.’ - -‘I do heartily despise him—he’s the meanest cur I know,’ remarked Mercia -excitedly; ‘he is capable of saying anything to save his own skin: he -had scarcely finished protesting how much he loved me, when to suit the -situation he turned round and made a false charge against me, and my two -friends who were witnesses of my innocence.’ - -‘That matches my experience of him to a tee,’ returned Swami, who was -growing quite communicative with Mercia. ‘He came yesterday to have his -fortune told; he wished to learn the issue of the trial, hoping all -would go well with him. I showed him the principal phases of the trial, -projected on the psychic-plate beneath the stereoscopic crystal, the -sight of which made him boil with anger—he was vexed beyond description, -and for my pains in bringing out these splendid psychodevelopments I -only got his growlings to the effect that he wished he had never -troubled himself at all to seek my aid. “Thou wouldst have me curse, -when I can only bless,” said I, and gave him good counsel, at which he -fumed impatiently. But of all vacillating hounds, I think he takes the -cake. One moment love, or rather desire, then fear, envy, revenge, -swayed him by turns: he changed about like a weathercock moved by every -wind. - -‘However, fear was uppermost in his mind, all through, and reached its -climax when he beheld the pictures, so finally he decided to take his -flight to Berlin where he intends remaining until the trial be well -over, and all its attendant gossip grown stale, _as he hopes_. - -‘But the 1st of May will bring him back; he cannot miss the GREAT TEST -TOURNAMENT which quickly follows to-day’s event. Both will end -disastrously for him, and none will say “he’s sorry.”’ - -‘I’m sorry I can’t feel sorry either,’ remarked Mercia laughingly. ‘But -Swami, I must away now, and explain to my counsel this new aspect of -affairs. He must be prepared for the changes that have taken place last -night—the Emperor’s withdrawal of the suit; his flight, and my discharge -from prison. It is necessary that he be made acquainted with these -altered conditions, and shape his course accordingly.’ - -‘My carriage is in readiness for thee, Mercia, at any moment thou art -ready to depart. Shall I accompany thee, or no?’ - -‘I would prefer seeing him alone, dear Swami, I am not prepared to make -my lawyer my confessor, as would be almost necessary if I were in thy -company at such a time. But I count upon thy presence near me at the -trial, for few are my friends. I have led the life of a recluse almost, -so great has been my devotion to my work, and this is how that ingrate -has rewarded me. Farewell, dearest, for one hour only—in that time I -will see thee at the court.’ And Mercia stepping into the well-appointed -carriage belonging to Swami was driven away to the barrister’s. - - - - - CHAPTER XII - - -The Great Justice Hall, as it was named, was of such dimensions that it -afforded accommodation for several thousands of persons, who on this -occasion of unprecedented interest availed themselves of it without -delay. A long line of carriages containing the _élite_ of society -awaited the opening of the great door with that admirable spirit of -patience which the aristocracy display on great occasions. A few of -these vehicles were drawn by horses, but most were impelled by electric -motive force. - -A _queue_ of persons who kept no ‘carriage steerer,’ doing their own -driving usually, had come on foot, and had taken their places in the -order of their arrival, for the indecent rioting and pushing for -priority of places at the doors of public buildings was put down by this -time, a lady member of Parliament having brought a bill to make this -unruly behaviour punishable as street-brawling. - -By the time the Court was opened every available seat was filled, not -only by the _élite_ of the Empire, but by members of the Continental -aristocracy also; including two Crowned Heads among their number. On all -great occasions, when a crush was expected, the public were admitted by -ticket, which could be obtained by application to the Usher, who issued -no greater number than the accommodation afforded. - -The Emperor Nicholas, the Fourth, of Russia, accompanied by his Empress; -the newly-crowned Emperor, Louis XX., of France, occupied seats set -apart for the _crême de la crême_ of the aristocracy. - -It was, in point of fact, attended by a crowd of great personages, whose -importance could not admit of their presence at any ordinary affair, -however swift the means of locomotion lessened the inconvenience of -travel. - -It was not every day that an Emperor appeared in the witness box, and on -such an unparalleled occasion it was necessary to make an effort and not -miss such a rare treat. - -Then Mercia, herself, had occupied such a high position in everybody’s -estimation that the charge against her of High Treason, by her -threatened assault on the sacred person of his Majesty, gave a piquancy -to the affair which no vulgar assassin could have afforded. Besides, -those ‘in the know,’ expected to hear evidence so deliciously spicy that -to miss it would have been barbarity. Foreign journals having given -strong hints of the situation in their gossiping columns, inspired by -Sadbag’s telegrams to the secretaries of clubs in various cities, -including several continental clubs among their number. - -Of course the newspapers circulating in the Teutonic Empire were much -too circumspect to hint at the true aspect of the affair. To have -anticipated evidence; or to have expressed an opinion on a case still -pending would have led to serious difficulties, proving most -embarrassing to the proprietors. Consequently, a distracting shade of -mystery surrounded the coming trial, making it particularly attractive -to everybody. - -Whilst awaiting the proceedings, the anxious auditory amused themselves -by giving expression to their private opinions, which no law of libel at -any period of social history has been found powerful enough to repress. - -‘What glorious fun!’ cried the young sprig of nobility, ‘Felicitas -falling out with his lady Astronomer. I wouldn’t miss it for worlds!’ - -‘What a disgraceful episode in the annals of Royalty!’ remarked the -elderly prude, who was evidently as anxious as the fastest of -swell-ocracy to listen to the forthcoming details. - -‘I wouldn’t be Mercia for millions! It is altogether frightful to have -such dealings with a MAN!’ exclaimed the serious young lady; who showed -her abhorrence of such indecency by bringing her opera glasses to scan -the scene more critically. - -‘The Emperor has done quite right, to make a stand against the -machinations of rabid Republicans;’ remarked a staunch Royalist. ‘We -won’t know where we are if this kind of thing goes unpunished. It is -evident on the face of it that it is a conspiracy to lower the Imperial -prestige, so as to pave the way for a Republic, when the government of -the Empire would become a hotbed of office seekers, rivalling America of -a hundred years ago, whose motto was,—“National good go hang, we’ll -feather our nest while we may.”’ - -‘This comes of the preposterous advancement of women: had the Astronomer -Royal been a _man_ such a scene could not have occurred,’ observed an -acidulated Science-failure of the male sex, whose ill-success at -competitive exams. had rendered vicious. - -‘If it be a political intrigue, as the Royalist journals aver, how can -sex affect her loyalty? The same might have happened with a variation, -had the Astronomer Royal been of the male sex,’ returned his neighbour. - -‘It is a love-intrigue, ending with the usual quarrel,’ whispered an -elderly Solomon, wise in the knowledge of the world’s weakness. - -‘I thought Mercia incapable of love-intrigues, or any other, being a -perfect model of all the virtues,’ answered his neighbour. - -‘All women are “perfect” till they’re tried,’ uttered the same cynic -dryly. - -‘Which means that Mercia is no better than she should be,’ laughed -another. - -‘Perhaps she was _too_ good,’ remarked a third. - -‘Which way?’ inquired his friend, poking him with his elbow. - -‘That the evidence must show,’ replied another of the coterie. - -‘Was there ever a case where the honest, downright truth was given on -either side? I never knew one,’ emphatically declared another of the -group. ‘It has been the same through all time,’ he added after a pause, -‘for an eminent judge of the nineteenth century averred that throughout -the whole course of his long experience on the woolsack he had never -come across a case where the evidence was not, in more or less degree, -suppressed.’ - -‘The world’s stage keeps pretty much the same all through the piece; -humanity is very human yet;’ sighed a white-haired old gentleman, with a -very sweet expression on his countenance. - -‘It will be _sinfully_ disappointing if the case is hushed up,’ -whispered one man to his neighbour, in another part of the Hall. ‘The -Emperor is _non est_: he has _bunked_!’ - -‘What! Has he fled? Impossible! He dare not do so. _He_ threw the -gauntlet, and must abide the issue. He _cannot_ run away,’ returned his -friend who was bewildered with amazement. - -‘All the same, he is off, gone to Berlin on important State affairs, -leaving word that the trial could be abandoned altogether, or take its -chance without him.’ - -‘I hope it won’t be permitted to fall through,’ cried the other man -excitedly; ‘it would be monstrous after all this fuss, and preparation.’ - -‘I cannot find an adjective in our language strong enough to express -_my_ disappointment if it collapse. I want to see Mercia righted; she is -honour and probity itself, and the opportunity of clearing her character -should not be denied her, notwithstanding the absence of her accuser.’ - -‘See,’ said his friend, ‘the Empress is taking her seat near Nicholas of -Russia, that looks healthy—she is doubtless expecting a _dénouement_ of -which she wishes to be the witness.’ - -‘But there is no Felicitas to escort her, that proves the account of his -flight to be trustworthy.’ - -‘I wish her joy of the situation,’ remarked an all-knowing one; ‘she’ll -wish a thousand times over she had kept away.’ - -Just before the great clock pointed at half-past ten, disengaged -barristers, who came to see and hear for the sake of gaining experience, -took their appointed seats, for this custom was formally recognised. - -Counsel engaged in the case, arrayed in gown and wig, appeared also, -whose capabilities were freely discussed by the onlookers. - -But, when Mercia, escorted by the renowned Swami entered the Hall, so -universal was the feeling in her favour, that a great burst of applause -greeted her appearance. - -It was as spontaneous as it was unusual, for that great mass appeared to -be moved by one emotion, which could only find utterance by an intense -roar of hand-clapping; signifying as plainly as if delivered in so many -words—‘Mercia, we believe in thee: before we hear thy defence we feel in -our hearts that thine is a just cause, and thou art good and true to the -core!’ - -Mercia raised her eyes, and looking round at the assembled people, -smiled sweetly, and bowed her head in acknowledgment of the sympathy -accorded her; while attendant ushers vainly called for silence, deeming -it their duty to put down all demonstrations of approval. - -She was attired in a rich crimson velvet gown that fell in graceful -folds from her shapely shoulders; the hue of which lent a deeper -rose-tint to her cheeks, whose colour had somewhat paled during her -incarceration. - -But what appeared most inexplicable to the multitude was the expression -of serene sweetness that overspread her countenance. It was indeed an -indefinable expression, indicating a variety of emotions. Joy, content, -intense happiness, and possession, all united in imparting to her face a -look of subdued and silent triumph; but he who could gaze beneath the -surface might have read that LOVE, all conquering LOVE had made his home -in her bosom, and through her brilliant eyes, illumined with a divine -radiance those windows of her soul. - -All bent their gaze upon her. The noble stature; the perfectly moulded -form; the well-shaped head; the exquisite beauty of every feature, -lighted by that divine expression which shone from out her star-like -eyes, brought a murmur of admiration, and suppressed enthusiasm from -every side. - -All through the Hall it spread itself; and Swami perceived that in those -millions of brain-waves floating round him, admiration for the woman who -held his soul was the one prevailing emotion. - -After the first burst of enthusiasm had subsided Swami himself came in -for notice. - -‘Dayanand Swami! The great thought-reader!’ exclaimed different persons -_sotto voce_, as each one recognised him. - -‘Whoever saw the Eastern Hermit in a public place before? What means -this strange innovation?’ - -‘Now this is getting mysterious,’ observed Prince Osbert gaily to his -neighbour, Louis, of France, ‘our great Magician escorting our fair -Astronomer—what in the name of goodness is going to happen?’ - -‘Beauty holds Magic, all the world over, and star-gazing and -thought-reading complete the full magician,’ answered the French monarch -gallantly. - -‘I bet she’s been to get her fortune told, and Swami, like the rest of -us, has succumbed. But no fellow has the shadow of a chance with her; -she’s gone on Geometrus, that melancholy being sitting yonder. He’s the -cause of all the row,’ whispered Osbert oracularly, ‘but for him our -cousin Felicitas might not have fared so badly. However, ’tis better so; -’tis time his wings were clipped.’ - -‘All the world avers,’ returned Louis earnestly, ‘that this beauteous -being is a slave to Duty. Day and night, year in, year out, she’s ever -at her post, and gives no thought to love, the essence of existence.’ - -While these observations were going on, the three Judges, attired as in -days of old, took their seats with suitable solemnity, when the Court -opened with the same formularies as had been in use for hundreds of -years: for the Courts of Law more than any other institution cling to -the ancient order of things with tenacity. - -Even the old-fashioned blunder of saying ‘you’ for ‘thee’ was still -adhered to in the Law Courts, verbal innovations being equally -discountenanced. - -After a short delay the auditory was startled by hearing the charge -delivered, of which the following is the substance. - -‘Mercia Montgomery, you are charged with feloniously attempting the life -of His Imperial Majesty, Albert Felicitas, Supreme Ruler and Governor of -Great Britain and Ireland, Emperor of the Teutonic, Indian, and African -Empires, which murderous attempt is accounted HIGH TREASON by the law of -these Realms. Do you plead Guilty or not Guilty?’ - -Before the accused could possibly have time to give her answer, the -Public Prosecutor interfered. - -‘I am empowered to convey to the prisoner the favour of his Imperial -Majesty’s clemency. Taking into consideration the prisoner’s long and -valuable service rendered to her country, also the great loyalty she has -ever evinced towards her Sovereign during that period of faithful -service, the Emperor has decided to overlook the sudden outburst of -passion made by his otherwise faithful subject, and illustrious -Astronomer, and has therefore conveyed to her his Royal Pardon, in -proper form, forthwith. - -‘The prisoner has been already made acquainted with this fact and was in -the enjoyment of her freedom last evening,’ he added, regarding Mercia -with a glance full of meaning. - -Then Mercia, motioning her counsel to keep his seat a moment longer, and -rising to her full height, replied in low but emphatic tones—‘Being -altogether innocent of the crime of which I am charged, I am unable to -accept the clemency offered by his Most Gracious Majesty. - -‘It will be soon enough to pray for pardon when I am proved guilty. If -the Court will permit, I beg that the trial proceed, and my character -for ever cleared from all unworthy imputations. - -‘I, Mercia, the Astronomer, must leave this Court with my name pure, -unsullied, and honourable; or hide my head in shame for ever.’ - -‘Long live Mercia! Long live Mercia!’ resounded in mighty force -throughout that great Hall. The whole multitude was with her in one -intense wave of sympathy; for she had given utterance to their own -feeling. They desired to bottom the whole business, and place their -beloved Astronomer on the proud pedestal she had formerly occupied. - -Besides, the Englishman’s love of justice was another factor in the -case, and no matter what the issue, they desired to see fair play -throughout. - -Swami looked radiant with happiness as he pressed towards her side eager -to render her whatever trifling service possible at such a moment. - -Geometrus wore a serious and downcast aspect, as if he believed that -nothing would go right. Sadbag sitting near him, with a mysterious -parcel by his side, seemed the picture of suppressed satisfaction. - -When everybody had quieted down Mercia’s counsel got upon his legs, and -requested that the Public Prosecutor should state his case, to which -demand the Judges agreed. Thereupon, the Emperor’s counsel made his -charge according to the manner in which he had been instructed, but -having no witnesses to produce, save Prince Osbert, who averred he saw -nothing, from which testimony no amount of questioning could make him -depart, the Defence was commenced without delay. - -Rising to his feet Mercia’s counsel proceeded with his speech. - -‘To-day I am placed in a position as painful to me as a subject, as it -is unique in the annals of a Law Court. Painful, insomuch as it is -necessary for the ends of justice that I shall have to accuse my -Sovereign of conduct so base that the meanest subject of his Realms -would blush to be found guilty of the like. - -‘I am in a position to show that the Emperor’s visits to his Astronomer -were not made either in the interests of science, or those of his -subjects: no such justifiable, or worthy motives prompted his course of -action. On the contrary, these interviews were made with the intention -of corrupting her pure mind, and of guiling her away from her duty. - -‘By his artful insinuations he endeavoured to gradually lead her on to -disregard her vows of abstention from Love, or Marriage, with a view of -paving the way for his own purposes. He dwelt upon the folly of -continuing a course of asceticism, whose only effect would be -ultimately, a serious injury to her health and happiness; and she in the -perfect innocence of her pure mind, accepted it at the moment, as a -piece of fatherly advice that should not be disregarded. - -‘Like the Eastern fable of Eve and the Serpent, she listened to the -voice of the Tempter not knowing he was planning her downfall. But -luckier than our First Mother, Mercia discovered her mistake before -touching the forbidden fruit. - -‘From the evidence you will learn that the Tempter used every argument -he could think of, offering the possible and the impossible to induce -her to comply. At length, with a heart bursting with mortification and -indignation she essayed to leave him, when he endeavoured to forcibly -detain her; upon which she raised her ebony life-preserver to warn him -from trespassing on her person. At this juncture he was surprised by the -entrance of the Prince and Geometrus, who were amazed at a scene so -unexpected. Mortified at being caught at such a moment he tried to -explain away the difficulty, and coolly turned the tables upon the lady, -by accusing her of some failure in duty; at this moment who should -emerge from a corner of the apartment, which was partially concealed by -a large screen, but Mr. Sadbag, whose presence it will be my duty to -explain. - -‘It appears that this gentleman having just purchased a phonograph, -constructed on a new principle, and being wishful to present it to one -of his grand-children, as a scientific plaything, he carried it to -Mistress Mercia with a view of obtaining a record of her conversation, -which he expected would prove equally instructive, as interesting to his -grand-children. - -‘It was his intention to ask this favour, as soon as she made her -appearance, and in order that her time, usually so valuable, should not -be unduly taken up, he opened out his instrument, making it ready for -the reception of the sound-waves. Finding, at length, that he would have -to wait some little time before seeing her, he took up a book and -commenced reading, and finished by dozing off into a light slumber, -according to the manner of elderly folk with nothing to occupy their -attention. - -‘He was awakened from his sleep by the sound of voices,—that of the -Emperor, and the fair Astronomer; both evidently in a state of unusual -excitement. - -‘To his utter annoyance he discovered that the nature of the -conversation to which he was being made an unwilling listener, was of a -character wholly unsuitable for the presence of a third person. The -situation became more and more distressing to him; he knew not what to -do. It was impossible to leave the apartment without discovery; it was -equally objectionable to reveal his presence at such a moment. With many -conflicting thoughts, he finally decided to stay where he was until the -termination of the interview, when he would leave the room comfortably; -at the same time forming a resolution to keep the affair a dead secret -within his own bosom, and let it rest there for ever. - -‘This merciful intention on his part towards the Emperor, he was -compelled to abandon, on account of the false charge that monarch had so -quickly and ingeniously invented against Mercia, whereby he hoped to -cover his guilt. - -‘I will now call upon Mr. Sadbag to open his instrument, and give us the -dialogue that was so unintentionally recorded therein; but which I am -afraid will prove more interesting to the company present, than edifying -or instructive to that gentleman’s progeny.’ - -Mr. Sadbag immediately sprang to his feet, and taking up the mysterious -parcel proceeded to the witness box, when he requested a few moments’ -grace to adjust the mechanism of his unique witness; after which was -heard in the most natural tones the voice of the Emperor in lively mood -saying—‘Ah, Mistress Mercia, what cheerful looks thou dost carry to-day! -Methinks thy face betokens much content: hast thou taken my words to -heart, fair lady, ’twas truly excellent advice?’ - -Then followed Mercia’s musical voice, in this wise—‘Sire, thou saidst -something concerning the sun. Thou didst talk of coming to learn more of -his condition, I believe.’ - -Then followed a little laugh, half satirical, half good-humoured from -Felicitas, after which the machine said—‘I fain would know more of the -sun’s late vagaries: but it would please me infinitely better to learn -something of thyself. Dost thou never feel lonely?’ - -Here a suppressed titter went round the Court, but the machine heeded it -not. - -‘Often enough, Sire,’ it said in Mercia’s sweet tones, ‘the hours speed -away at times very quickly when I am hard at work; but when it is time -to rest then the feeling of solitude overwhelms me. I get appalled at -the silence that surrounds me, and a melancholy seizes me so severely, -that I rise unable to cope with my duties.’ - -‘Art thou then tired of this occupation? It is indeed too much for thee. -Rest a while, sweet Mercia, and let the stars take care of themselves -for a season.’ - -The voice of the machine grew quite pathetic here: evidently Felicitas -was growing sympathetic. - -‘Oh, that would spoil all my calculations,’ said the machine, very -sweetly, ‘the work of years would be as nought were I to stay my hand -now. No, I will wait until my treatise on the stars is complete; then I -will take some little change for my health’s sake.’ - -‘Health and love, sweet Mercia, go hand in hand together,’ the machine -sang out in melting tones, ‘let thine heart soften to its influence, and -all will go well with thee. Thy melancholies will disappear; thy -solitude lightened, for thou wilt have a new theory to analyse—a new and -a better one. Yes, thou canst love, Mercia, I know it; for thine eyes -were made for the conquest of man’s heart, rather than star-gazing. -Cease to disregard the designs of Nature when she formed thee, and give -thyself unto the pleasure of love.’ - -‘Sire,’ answered Mercia’s sweet voice, which now had a strange, startled -tone—‘I know not what answer to give in this matter—I am yet -unprepared—perplexed with this reasoning of thine.’ - -‘Hast thou not felt the want of companionship, dear Mercia? Here penned -in this solitude only fit for a greybeard thou dost pine, yet knoweth -not what it is ails thee. It is good to be loved, fair one, to realise -how much thy womanhood means. Hast thou never felt its joys—its pains?’ -asked the voice in a coaxing sort of tone. - -‘But my bond, Sire, I cannot break my bond, signed by my own hand, to -forswear love and marriage: no one but thyself can relieve me of this -obligation,’ replied Mercia’s voice excitedly. - -‘I heartily relieve thee, then, my good Mercia: I care not for the bond -one iota, if that be all that’s in thy way. Keep thy post, as thou -likest thy work so well, and enjoy the delights of love at the same -time,’ reeled out the machine in the Emperor’s most insinuating tones. - -Then followed a low cry of joy, in Mercia’s voice, and the sound of a -kiss; listening ladies blushed, smart young men sniggered, and elderly -men looked as if things were getting serious. - -‘Isn’t that machine playing it low on the lady?’ whispered Prince Osbert -to Louis, his neighbour. - -‘Hush,’ returned the French Emperor—‘listen, there’s a volley of kisses -going off—be quiet, pray!’ - -‘It’s getting beyond a joke—it really is! Just look at the Empress, -she’s gone green in the face! Mercia’s looking pretty pink, and -altogether the matter is too blue for my modesty!’ exclaimed the Prince, -while bursting with suppressed mirth. - -All eyes regarded the beautiful culprit seated in the witness box with -increased interest. ‘Oh, thou guilty creature—think shame to thyself!’ -the ladies’ looks said as plainly as possible. - -‘He’s having a good time of it!’ whispered one to his neighbour. - -‘She’s no better than she should be, after all!’ muttered another. - -‘Such pretty lips were made for kissing!’ remarked another jocularly. - -‘So it seems!’ answered his neighbour dryly. - -‘Felicitas hasn’t bad taste!’ cried another. - -‘He knows how to do it!’ was the rejoinder. - -‘Most entertaining, truly,’ remarked a lady sarcastically. - -‘Entertaining isn’t the word for it—’tis scrumptious!’ returned her -husband. ‘One hears the kisses, and sees the lady; ’tis a treat for the -gods!’ - -‘Oh, the hussy! Don’t look at her. What a cheek, to face it out like -this!’ - -These various remarks, and many more besides, occupied but a few seconds -for delivery, for the Usher calling out silence, on hearing the low -murmur of voices, the machine began talking again. - -‘What means the Emperor by this unheard-of liberty? What have I done -that I should be treated as a courtesan by my Sovereign?’ cried the -machine, in a voice choked with pain and indignation. - -‘A courtesan!’ repeated the Emperor’s voice, ‘I would give thee a crown -if I could! Thy queenly brow was truly made for one. And by the stars, -thou shalt have it yet! Yes, dear Mercia, thou shalt share my throne, -and rule me, my sweet, together with mine Empire.’ - -‘Share thy throne and rule thine Empire! Surely, Sire, thou hast gone -mad!’ - -‘Yes, truly, I am mad—mad with love for thee, and thou knowest it, -Mercia, else wouldst thou have kissed my hand in acknowledgment of it?’ - -‘In acknowledgment of _thy_ love!’ cried the machine scornfully. ‘It was -not so—_thy_ love never entered my thought.’ - -‘Whose then?’ - -‘Geometrus,’ said the instrument, in Mercia’s soft voice. - -‘Geometrus!’ scoffed the machine in the Emperor’s tones. ‘And dost thou -place that poltroon before _me_? Am I to be flouted for _him_?’ - -‘His love is honourable, and thine is not; therein lies the difference, -my Sire,’ the voice of Mercia replied in a propitiating tone; as if to -win the monarch over to give consent to her marriage with Geometrus. - -‘But my love _shall be made honourable_, Mercia, I will get a divorce, -and thou shalt fill the Empress’ place. Aye, and fill it far away better -than she has ever done! I hate her—curse her!’ Then followed a grating -noise as if the Emperor were grinding his teeth in fury at the thought -of his marriage fetters. A painful feeling spread itself through the -Court; the Empress became the cynosure of all eyes: her face turned -deathly white; a minute later she had fainted, and was carried away from -the scene that jealousy had prompted her to witness. - -‘But I cannot rob another woman of her husband: I would not defraud the -meanest in thy realms, still less thine Empire’s highest lady!’ uttered -the machine in pure clear tones. - -A suppressed murmur of applause greeted this avowal, but the machine -went on heedless of interruption. - -‘It is not robbery, Mercia, she doth not own my heart, and never did! I -was cozened into the marriage by my cousin Osbert—curse him, for a -meddling fool!’ - -‘He did it, doubtless, for the best. The whole of thy Cabinet approved, -so did the nation. It is a new thing for me to learn that our Emperor -lives unhappily with his spouse—I cannot understand it.’ - -‘She’s trying to reason him out of his folly,’ remarked Louis, of -France, ‘good little girl!’ - -‘I never felt the chains gall till now, Mercia,’ the machine confessed -with relentless veracity. ‘A quiet indifference kept me content until -thy beauty set my heart a-beating with a new joy. I knew not love till -mine eyes dwelt upon thy loveliness, and mine ears listened to the words -that flowed from thy lips like a sweet rippling fountain; whose waters -gave forth a pure, clear, life-giving stream. - -‘Yes, I have drunk therein, and am filled with new emotions—new joys—new -hopes—new life!’ The phonograph here made a pause, when it recommenced -with a sobbing sound. - -‘Now is my beauty an evil thing, and a curse to me!’ cried Mercia’s -voice, in soft, pathetic sweetness. ‘Would I had never been born, or -that Nature had shaped me uncomely, for then this misfortune could not -have overtaken me! Two men desire me, and I may not have either. I must -live in a world filled like a garden with flowers—flowers and blossoms -of love. Yet, I may not touch them; their fragrance is not for me; not -one may I wear on my breast! - -‘Yet, they nod and beckon me to pluck them. They offer me the incense of -their being, and would fain spend their full fragrance upon me; for -their desire is to nestle on my bosom, and give me the joy of their -beauty and love.’ - -As the instrument gave utterance to this sweet rhapsody, delivered in a -low, clear, plaintive voice, that fell like music on the ear of the -enraptured auditory, who listened breathlessly to every word that fell -from her lips, as it were; for in imagination they saw her with bowed -head, and clasped hands breathing the poetry of that moment of divine -exaltation. - -The human desire for human love was finding expression: the longing of -the soul for companionship was shaping itself into language so intensely -irresistible, that it went to every heart with the fleetness of the -lightning’s flash. - -Only one feeling prevailed throughout that great assembly—admiration for -the noble character of the beautiful woman sitting there before them, -whose flushed cheek and lowered eyelids evidenced the modesty of her -womanhood. - -As soon as a pause was reached by the instrument, the enthusiasm of the -people could be restrained no longer. Men testified their approval in -true English fashion by the heartiest round of applause as was never -before heard in that soberly-conducted Justice Hall. When the excitement -had somewhat subsided, Mercia rose to her feet, and turning her gaze -with an air of modest dignity upon the people, she addressed them.— - -‘Dear friends—until this moment, I knew not I possessed so many——’ - -Another round of applause. - -‘Dear friends,’ she continued sweetly, ‘accept my warmest thanks for -your generosity in believing in me while yet I remained unheard. My -lords,’ and she turned to the presiding Judges, ‘it is true that this -instrument,’ she pointed then to the phonograph—‘has been signally -instrumental in rendering undeniable testimony of the value of the -evidence placed before you. Nevertheless, I knew not when I came hither -that I was to encounter my own words uttered without thought, or -preparation, in a moment of excitement; for probably, had I been aware -that such was my friend, Mr. Sadbag’s intention, my place at this -justice bar would never have been filled. - -‘Holding his Majesty’s “pardon” as I do, I was under no necessity to -appear before you, and plead the justice of my cause. Nevertheless, I do -not regret the exposure, for after all, it has given the opportunity, to -you, dear people, of showing the good feeling you entertain for me. - -‘I felt in my heart when I elected to go forward with my defence that -the people of this great Empire would render me justice and see me -safely through this trying ordeal.’ - -‘Good people,’ exclaimed Mr. Sadbag, smiling good-humouredly, ‘pray -don’t applaud any more; I can’t get along with my talking-machine; and -until I finish the Court is unable to arrive at a decision. ’Tis a pity -to hinder the Emperor’s pretty speeches, just listen to this, and see -how poetical he is: the tender passion makes even kings grow quite -tragical.’ - -‘Mercia, Mercia, give me thy love! Take me, my beloved, spurn me no -longer, for without thee I am as one dead. As a world without sun, -without life, without warmth I shall go on my way darkened for ever. - -‘Take me into the sunshine of thy love; give me new life, dearest; -resuscitate and refresh me with the joy of thy beauty, and let us drink -of the wine of Love’s pleasures for ever. - -‘Then shall we two learn how good it is to love; how sweet it is to be -together! How delightful the blending of two souls made satisfied with -their own companionship!’ - -‘It is Geometrus who speaks,’ came the soft dreamy tones of Mercia, -‘Geometrus has opened his heart to me at last!’ - -‘Geometrus!’ shouted the machine in the angry tones of the Emperor, ‘it -is _not_ Geometrus; it is I—Felicitas—Felicitas thine Emperor, who -abjectly offers thee his love; his crown, and sues thee, Mercia, his -servant—his astronomer.’ - -Then Mercia awakening, evidently, from her love-dream, and realising her -true position exclaimed with great dignity, ‘Felicitas, the Emperor, -hath no crown to offer his subject, Mercia, for it sits already on the -brow of his Royal Spouse. Neither has he love to offer his astronomer, -for it is sworn to his Empress for ever. It is an insult to me, Mercia, -thine offer of illicit love and I refuse to longer remain in thy -service.’ - -‘That will do, Mr. Sadbag,’ interrupted the senior Judge, ‘we have heard -quite sufficient to enable us to arrive at a decision. The prisoner—I -mean the accused, is found NOT GUILTY of the charge against her. The -lady and her friends may now leave the Court without a stain on their -character. It is unnecessary to go into the charges brought against -these gentlemen, as the clearing of the principal defender establishes -the innocence of the whole three. This case ought never to have come -before the Court at all.’ - -‘Good!’ exclaimed Sadbag to his trusty phonograph, ‘thy testimony is -worth more than a score of witnesses, or a Court full of lawyers; thou -hast served us well, little one; thanks to Edison, or whoever it was -invented thee!’ - -‘Three cheers, three times over for Mercia, the Astronomer Royal!’ -shouted a stentorian voice, and the tremendous volume of sound was -caught up by the thousands who were awaiting the verdict in the streets, -and all the city shouted—‘Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!’ nine times in -succession, and women wept for joy, and wreaths were showered upon her, -and all the homage due to a great hero was rendered her, just as -Felicitas had seen pictured in the psycho-development the day before. - -Swami had prepared the carriage and horses for her use, which now stood -in readiness. But the climax of the ovation was reached when the people, -not knowing what to do to show her honour, removed the prancing steeds, -which were startled by the clamour, and drew the chariot themselves. - -Publicly, in presence of the crowd, and of her intimate friends, Swami -stepped up to the carriage, already piled with laurel wreaths intermixed -with flowers of rare beauty, and presented her with his wonderful crown -of precious jewels. It represented a wreath of glittering blossoms -intertwined with bay leaves; which sparkled with a thousand rays in the -bright sunshine; placing this brilliant trophy of that day’s triumph on -her head he took his seat beside her. - -A deeper flush of pleasure came into Mercia’s radiant face, for her -happiness was now complete in having him near. - -‘Three cheers for Swami our great thought-reader and Mercia’s friend!’ -cried one of the crowd, who had seen Swami escort her into the Court, -and thereby deduced that he was her most trusty friend. - -The people willingly accorded him the acclamation, giving a share also -to Geometrus, and the intrepid Sadbag. - -But before all this took place, when she was about to leave the Court, -crowds of those present gathered round, and gave her their sincere -congratulations. - -Among these were the Emperor Nicholas of Russia, and the newly-crowned -Emperor of France, for that country having grown tired of a republic, -imitated America in this respect. - -Even Prince Osbert, the cousin of Felicitas, offered Mercia his -congratulations; but not an atom of sympathy was expressed for the -absent Emperor, though many sincerely pitied his wife. - -The Empress of Russia, not satisfied with mere hand-shaking, kissed -Mercia warmly, as she exclaimed—‘Noble Mercia, then thou wouldst not -accept the offer of Felicitas, and discrown my dear daughter—thou -wearest already the brightest crown, that of pure virtue. May God ever -bless, and reward thee.’ - -‘I’ll make Felicitas pay for this!’ muttered the Emperor Nicholas to -himself, ‘his conduct both as an Emperor and husband is disgraceful.’ - -‘There is no occasion for thy Majesty to trouble further in the matter,’ -observed Swami, ‘thy son-in-law hath received his lesson, and will -prove, in time, a model husband. Parental responsibilities will make him -the most virtuous of monarchs living.’ - -‘Then my daughter will have children?’ inquired the Empress eagerly. - -‘Even so,’ answered Swami, smiling, as he turned to lead Mercia away to -her carriage. - -All along the drive to Greenwich the people took up the glad shout of -triumph; but upon Mercia’s arrival there, who was accompanied by Swami -and Geometrus only, for Sadbag had been carried off by his own political -and personal friends, she found that handsome triumphal arches had been -erected to do her honour, in loyal anticipation of her victory. - -Mercia’s eyes filled at this warm tribute of the people’s affection; -while Swami pressed her hand and whispered that this was as nothing -compared with what awaited her in the very near future. Geometrus, in -the meantime, overhearing what was said, looked perfectly petrified with -astonishment, as each feature of the situation was developed. - -As the events of the day unfolded themselves his mind became almost a -whirligig of wonder and excitement. He could not understand the presence -of Swami at all, at the trial; for he knew that up to then Mercia was -entirely unacquainted with him. But what appeared to him as misplaced as -it was unwelcome, was the part Swami was taking in the ovation, by whose -personality he felt himself completely overshadowed. - -‘Who is this Anglo-Indian that I should have to play second fiddle to -him?’ thought Geometrus to himself, ‘why does Mercia occupy herself with -_him_?’ - -From the talking-machine he had learnt to his infinite joy, of Mercia’s -love for him; it was the first intimation he had received of her -affection, but before he could drink in the delight of his unexpected -bliss, it was melting away like a dream. - -All her attention was engrossed by this Swami. When she was not engaged -giving her graceful acknowledgments to the enthusiastic crowd, her eyes -were looking into his with that soul-worship, which women accord, when -they have met their ideal. - -‘She never gazed into my face with that fervour,’ he thought, ‘she loves -him, else how could she be so devoted? I have loved her for years, and -this is the reward of my constancy; in one day a stranger has ousted me. -This comes of over-cautiousness; had I been reckless of consequences, -Mercia would have been mine by this time, made safe by bonds of wedlock. -But I hesitated, believing her position had greater charms for her than -matrimony. And now—well, no one can bottom a woman’s heart, or gather -its meaning. I imagined I was consulting her best interests when I -refrained from declaring my love, leaving over the matter for time to -put things right. And this is the result; a stranger has accomplished -more in one day than I with all my years of opportunity. It is -inexplicable. - -‘However, I’ll wait no longer, this night shall conclude the matter. Ere -another day elapses I will have asked her to share my poor fortunes; -surely we two can meet with appointments as teachers of astronomy and -make a respectable livelihood between us. It isn’t a very brilliant -position to offer, but she will then be mine legally, and no man can -take her from me. My prudence has made me play the fool, so far, but -this night shall I learn my fate. I will delay no longer. Mercia has -told the whole world of her preference for me, how then can she have the -face to refuse me?’ - -As these thoughts passed through Geometrus’ mind whilst seated near -Swami, the latter looked into his face and remarked impressively— - -‘The chances and changes of this mortal life are never ending. They -bring sorrow to one, and joy to another. Strange arrangement this of -Fortune; one moment bestowing good, the next evil. If thou shouldst -regard thyself ill used to-day, learn that a morrow will come when thou -shalt be made content; but not in the manner that is in thine heart at -this moment.’ - -‘There is _nothing_ that can bring me content, Swami,’ replied Geometrus -bitterly, ‘but that which thou seekest to deprive me of.’ - -Mercia at this moment was oblivious of the nature of their conversation, -her attention having been engaged by the arrival of friends to -congratulate her. - -When the party reached the Observatory Swami expressed his intention of -returning; and as soon as he had assisted Mercia to alight, he conducted -her to her sitting-room. - -‘Take a rest, my beloved,’ he whispered softly, ‘it will refresh thee; -to-morrow I will come and stay awhile beside thee; when I trust thy -friend Geometrus will not favour us with his presence. Evidently, by his -dark looks he would fain annihilate me, if that were possible.’ - -‘Ah, yes,’ returned Mercia, with a sigh and a smile intermixed; ‘we two -must have explanations. That talking-machine has made things awkward for -me. But for that tell-tale instrument I owed him no apologies, seeing -that the nature of our friendship had never been discussed between us. -Since then I have learnt that which the concentrated wisdom of all the -schools could not impart by theory; for it is the realisation and -knowledge of what the poets of all ages have made their universal theme; -but experience only can reveal the reality.’ - -‘And it is as fresh to us as if utterly unknown hitherto! It is our new -discovery!’ cried Swami in a rapture as he caught her in his arms. - -‘But we can’t take out a patent for it!’ Mercia was in the act of -replying, when her words were smothered by the warm kisses pressed upon -her lips. - -‘And must we really part?’ exclaimed she, while playfully holding his -hands prisoners. - -‘It will seem an eternity till the morrow,’ he murmured, making no -effort to escape. - -‘When I sleep I shall dream of thee, Swami,’ and her liquid eyes looked -softly into his. - -‘My day dream shuts out the visions of the night; for my happiness is -too great for the waters of Lethe to cover. With thee to concentre my -thought upon, I ask no other refreshment,’ uttered Swami softly. - -When fame is won, leisure is lost, Mercia quickly discovered; for no -sooner had Swami left than she found herself surrounded by crowds of -persons who had come to offer their congratulations. Of course the -sincerity of those demonstrative ones was not to be doubted, -nevertheless the visits of a goodly percentage were prompted more by -curiosity to see the woman who might have displaced their Empress, had -she been so minded, and the Divorce Courts sufficiently obliging, than -anything else. Consequently, Mercia had a livelier time of it for -several hours than she was prepared for. People to whom she was a -perfect stranger poured in upon her, until at length fairly wearied out -with the strain she gave orders to admit no more. - -As soon as the apartments were fairly cleared of their visitors she sank -down on a sofa exhausted; and was in the act of uttering an exclamation -of thankfulness when Geometrus put in an appearance. - -‘May I have a word with thee?’ he asked hesitatingly. - -‘To-morrow, Geometrus, won’t it keep till then?’ she said sweetly. - -‘No, Mercia, I must know my fate to-night, I cannot wait another day. My -mind is in such a state of perplexity, that to dream of getting sleep is -a folly: I come therefore to sue thee for a good night’s rest, and to be -made happy for all time;’ saying which he took a seat in front of her. - -‘And how can I make thee comfortable, Geometrus?’ laughed Mercia gaily. -‘Better take a nerve-soothing tabloid instead of supper, I’ll warrant -that will give thy mind more rest than anything that I can tell thee.’ - -‘Perhaps it might,’ answered he gloomily. - -‘All the same, I would prefer a hearing if thou wilt grant the favour.’ - -‘Certainly,’ she answered with an assumed airiness of manner, for she -guessed she was about to go through a bad quarter of an hour, ‘now be -reasonable, and I will give this matter my best attention,’ she added. - -‘I know I am trespassing upon thy time at an awkward moment,’ he went on -to say with a certain bitterness in his voice, ‘but for all that we will -have it out now. What is the meaning of this fortune-telling fellow -hanging round thee? What does he want dangling after thee?’ - -‘That is my business,’ answered Mercia, suddenly freezing in her manner -and turning quite haughty, ‘I was not aware that I was answerable to -thee in the choice of my friends.’ - -At this reproof he reddened, and stammered out— - -‘I did not mean to put it that way,—but I want to know what is this -Swami to thee that he should interest himself so greatly in thy -affairs?’ - -‘He is my intended husband, Geometrus,’ replied Mercia in a low but firm -voice. ‘I mean to give up my post and marry. He is the only man for whom -I could make this sacrifice, as I love my profession greatly. But I love -Swami better, and intend to share my fortunes with him whatever they -be.’ - -‘And what is to become of me?’ inquired Geometrus while his face turned -deathly white; ‘I thought the phonograph said thou didst love me. What -am I to think? Was it Swami that filled thy thought when Felicitas asked -the same question?’ - -‘Of course not,’ rejoined Mercia candidly, ‘I was unacquainted with him -when the Emperor sought me. But I will endeavour to explain it; -otherwise thou mightest arrive at false conclusions. - -‘I formed a sincere regard for thee, Geometrus, in the course of these -five years that we have worked together; and this regard, owing partly -to thy devotion to me, and partly from a sense of loneliness, the result -of my necessarily solitary mode of life, grew into such a tender -affection that I imagined it was what people call love. Consequently, -the notion came into my head that at some time or other—some day in the -distant future, I would marry thee if such continued to be thy desire. -But now all those ideas have been dissipated; my heart has gone through -a complete revolution, for I have met with the man for whom I would -willingly give up everything. - -‘I love him better than all the stars in the wide universe! Much as I -delighted to gaze into the Heavens and study with intense interest the -wonders of the Celestial depths, yet he is above them all! He is more to -me than thousands of worlds! He is nearer and dearer than millions of -suns!’ cried Mercia with clasped hands, and eyes alight with warm -enthusiasm. - -‘He is certainly _nearer_ if propinquity counts for anything;’ rejoined -Geometrus dryly; ‘of course, then, I am to understand that the man who -has bowled out the whole Universe, has played it low on me: in other -words, I am nowhere _now_?’ - -‘That is so,’ said Mercia, ‘I now know what love is, for he has taught -me, where thou didst fail. Thou hadst no power to impart this knowledge -to my understanding. When I look back, I see that Friendship only -inspired my thought for thee. I should have continued all my life -searching the Heavens, and worrying out the secrets of Nature had I not -met my Marrow, my Ideal, my Fate!’ - -‘All three represented in the person of Swami?’ added Geometrus -cynically. - -‘Even so,’ answered Mercia, taking no notice of his derisive tone. ‘In a -few days I leave this place, and thou Geometrus canst worthily fill it, -and make thy name illustrious for ever.’ - -‘And this is to be the end of my dream!’ he burst out in a voice choking -with feeling. - -‘The end of one, and the beginning of another,’ returned Mercia, ‘thou -wilt yet be a great man, whom all men will honour. I leave thee a fair -field and a free hand to accomplish this noble ambition.’ - - - - - CHAPTER XIII - - ‘The providence that’s in a watchful state - Knows almost every grain of Pluto’s gold; - Finds bottom in the uncomprehensive deeps; - Keeps pace with thought, and almost like the Gods, - Does thoughts unveil in their dumb cradles.’ - _Troilus and Cressida._ - - -As soon as the trial was concluded,—if the series of extraordinary -scenes that took place in the court, could be so designated—the -reporters rushed out _en masse_ to send their respective phonographs to -the editors of the various journals they represented. - -Never before had they such a titbit to offer their employers as was now -their good luck to possess. A love scene between their Emperor and his -astronomer, delivered in a dialogue wherein the actual voices were -reproduced was a treat not to be met with every day. - -At least a hundred delicate voice-recorders had caught the sound-waves -from Sadbag’s phonograph, and borrowing the tones of Felicitas and -Mercia in their never-to-be-forgotten colloquy, gave them a value -unprecedented in all time. As soon as it got abroad that their -proprietors were in possession of these treasures, hundreds of -speculators offered enormous prices for their purchase, with a view of -reeling out their contents to admiring and appreciative audiences -throughout the globe. - -These offers proved, indeed, too tempting to be resisted, so that in the -course of a week or two, India, together with many distant parts, was in -the enjoyment of the actual love scene that took place at Greenwich -Observatory, the most unlikely of all places for such an incident to -happen in. - -The Great Test Tournament had been fought and won by the Easterners. -Their freedom now achieved, there remained only the nomination and -coronation of a Supreme Ruler to go through, the responsibility of which -weighed heavily upon the mind of the Indian Parliamentarians. - -It was ultimately decided however, that their first Monarch should be -elected by the vote of the whole nation, independently of all claims of -royal descent made by members of the native aristocracy. - -The interesting news of Felicitas’ unsuccessful love suit having been -brought to the ears of the people so graphically through the medium of -the voice-recorders, created an intense excitement in their mind, at all -times so sensitive to every emotion. - -It brought out Mercia’s character in such vivid colours that she -appeared to them mentally projected on a living reflector. In their -intense imagination, they saw her before them uttering in her melodious -dream-like voice her now famous rhapsody; the tenderness of which -appealing to their hearts, stirred up their deepest emotions. - -But when they arrived at her indignant refusal of the Emperor’s offer to -put away his wife, and give her the crown of his Consort, the climax was -reached, and the enthusiasm of the people found vent in loud cries -of—‘MERCIA FOR EVER! LONG LIVE MERCIA, OUR EMPRESS!’ - -And so the cry spreading itself through every quarter of that vast -Empire was caught up in wild delight—LONG LIVE MERCIA, OUR EMPRESS, -being echoed from every part, by people of every caste and every creed. -But when the intelligence reached this impressionable people that -Mercia, the greatest Astronomer, and noblest woman the world had ever -seen, was about to enter into a matrimonial alliance with Dayanand -Swami, the actual lineal descendant of The Great Mogul Dynasty, which -governed India from the early centuries downwards, that settled the -question. - -In the course of the discussion upon the subject, which took place in -the House of Parliament at Calcutta, Sir John Punjaub their well-beloved -minister said—‘Now is this matter settled to our utmost satisfaction and -content. In Dayanand Swami we have the direct descendant of India’s -greatest, wisest, and most beneficent Ruler, the renowned Abkar, who was -the son of Humayun, who was the son of Baber, the founder of the Great -Royal Dynasty in the fifteenth century. - -‘In Dayanand we shall have a second Abkar, for the mantle of his great -Ancestor hath fallen on him. In him the people of this great Empire will -have a kind Father, a wise Teacher, a just Ruler, and a lover and -promoter of learning. - -‘By the union of Mercia and Dayanand we shall have restored to us the -lost Royal Line: in beauteous Mercia, perfect in face, and form, in soul -and mind, we have found the true representative of what a monarch ought -to be. - -‘Herein is crystallised the talent, wisdom, and virtue of all -generations. In her person we shall have the embodiment of our country’s -dignity and honour. She shall become the Great Mother of India. The -Founder of our Royal Line, and her name shall shine as the stars for -ever and ever.’ - -In the presence of the greatest and most brilliant assemblage India had -ever seen since the days of her ancient splendour; consisting of Princes -and Potentates richly attired in court dress and coronet, representative -of their respective positions of Peishwar, Raja and Maharajah the -coronation took place a month later. - -By dint of working day and night the preparations for the grand Imperial -Procession to be followed by the Crowning Function, were completed in -that period. - -One thousand elephants, richly caparisoned in cloth of gold and various -embroideries; their heads ornamented with fine filagree work in gold or -silver, interspersed with gems, according to the wealth of their -respective owners, carried the howdahs containing the wives and -daughters of the dignitaries of the Realm. For Mercia had issued a -mandate beforehand that the ladies of the Chiefs of the Empire would be -expected to take part in the Function, veiled, or unveiled, according to -their respective ideas of propriety. In obedience to which every Ameer, -Maharajah, Rajah, Nawab, Sirdar, Dewan, and Nazim had the ladies of his -family carried in howdahs, where they enjoyed a splendid view of the -situation, owing to their elevated position, and at the same time added -an Eastern air of gorgeousness to the procession, most impressive to the -eye of the beholder. - -The Princes, and native dignitaries themselves followed in carriages -drawn by horses, in the order of their rank the splendidly-appointed -Imperial Chariot, containing ‘Mercia, The Peerless,’ as she was now -named, and by her side was seated her Imperial Consort, ‘Dayanand, The -Wise.’ - -Long lines of body-guards composed of the finest physiqued men in the -realms, attired in a rich uniform of pale blue and gold bearing silver -lances, and mounted on high-mettled steeds, preceded and followed the -royal chariot, the sight of which drew forth the wildest acclamations of -joy from the people. - -The ceremony took place neither in Christian nor Hindu temple, but in -the great hall of their Parliament House, the most stately building in -Calcutta. - -As soon as the Coronation Oath was taken by Mercia, in accordance with -the custom of their most remote ancestry, she was sprinkled with water -from the Ganges, which was contained in a golden bowl glittering with -precious jewels. After which, the grand Imperial Crown was placed upon -her head by the venerable Prime Minister, who officiated as high priest -of the ceremony. - -‘Now,’ said the old man, ‘I will finish by quoting a counsel from a part -of the most ancient of India’s literature,—the Dasakumaracharita, or -‘Stories of Ten Princes.’ - -‘Government is an arduous matter; it has three principles; Council, -Authority, and Activity. These mutually assisting each other dispatch -all affairs. Council determines objects, Authority commences, and -Activity effects their attainment. Policy is a tree of which Council is -the root, Authority the stem, and Activity the main branch. The -seventy-two Prakritis are the leaves; the six qualities of Royalty the -blossoms; power and success the flowers and the fruit. Let this shade -protect our Gracious Empress for ever. - -‘And as at the birth of the Great Abkar, which happened at a time when -his father’s fortunes were fallen so low that he possessed neither -crown, nor kingdom, nor even the wherewithal to make the necessary gifts -to his friends and followers when a son was born unto him, he took a -musk-pod, and breaking it divided it amongst them, uttering the wish -that proved a prophecy; so may thy name, most noble Mercia, and thy -virtues spread in waves of perfume throughout thy wide domains, making -glad the hearts of thy faithful subjects, and filling them with joy, and -peace and love. - -‘May the blessing of the Eternal Father rest upon thee and thine for -ever and for ever.’ - - - THE END - - - PRINTED BY - SPOTTISWOODE AND CO., NEW-STREET SQUARE - LONDON - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - IDYLLS, LEGENDS, AND LYRICS. - - By A. GARLAND MEARS. - - Portrait. Superfine paper. Cloth, gold lettered. Price 6_s._ - - -_NEWCASTLE CHRONICLE._—‘As an Alpine traveller might pluck the -eidelweiss in some unexpected cranny, so we open the pages of a volume -of IDYLLS, LEGENDS, AND LYRICS. It is the work of a poet of Nature.... -Mrs. Mears strikes her harp with power and grace, and breathes life and -poetry into the dry bones of history. Interest will be aroused in them, -not only by their poetic treatment, but also by the erudition displayed -by the author. - -‘The legends of her volume are enhanced by notes betraying considerable -research.... Mrs. Mears may be indeed described as the poet of love.... -She is a close observer of human passion. Never before have we seen such -a complete analysis of the tender passion as that given in the series of -eighteen sonnets under the title of HONORIA’S LOVE.... IDYLLS, LEGENDS, -AND LYRICS go into the world with the stamp of approval, and, in winning -credit for their author, they reflect honour upon the town that saw -their birth.’ - - -_MANCHESTER COURIER._—‘Considerable variety of style and sentiment are -illustrated in these interesting verses. The dramatic Idyll ILAMEA; -HONORIA’S LOVE, and other Sonnets; EDAIN, AN ANCIENT LEGEND OF IRELAND; -POEMS IN BLANK VERSE; CÆDMON, AN EARLY ENGLISH IDYLL, together with -SONGS and LYRICAL POEMS, are all samples of composition which indicate -that the author is no novice in such work. In HONORIA’S LOVE are -depicted the several emotions of the mind when under the influence of -love, each sonnet expressing a separate phase of that passion which is -admitted to be the strongest of all human passions. Owing to the form of -the verse these eighteen sonnets are less a love story, perhaps, than an -exposition of the emotions. The following is a specimen of them.... With -one other quotation we will close this admirable book. - - - ‘LOVE, THE UNIVERSAL LAW. - - ‘As atom unto atom firmly lies - Obeying blindly that great law which makes - Subservient even lifeless matter; wakes - An energy, a force whose hidden ties - Bind animate, or inanimate in wise - True order. See, the silver cloudlet breaks, - With others interweaves; thus changed forsakes - An individual existence, dies. - - ‘Wave follows wave in rhythmic lines, and one - By one they lose themselves in close embrace; - Thus are we twain commingled: our lives run - In closest sympathy; we interlace - Our mind’s emotions: now, there hath begun - Creation new, to which past life gives place.’ - - -_OXFORD CHRONICLE._—‘This is an 8vo. volume, printed in clear type, on -thick paper; cloth, gilt lettered. Its pages are laden with the music of -the love song and old-time love story. The aim of the author, not only -to reach the reasoning faculties, but to appeal to the imagination and -emotions; and to yield that pleasure to the mind which is the design of -poetry as of music, has been gained. True poetry, it has been said, -portrays, with terrible energy, the excesses of the passions; but they -are passions which show a mighty nature; which are full of power; which -command awe, and excite a deep though shuddering sympathy. Its great -tendency and power is to carry the mind above and beyond the beaten, -dusty, and weary walks of ordinary life: to lift it into a purer -element, and to breathe into it a more profound and generous emotion. -This consummation has been obtained by the dramatic Idyll ILAMEA, with -which Part I. opens. Its sublimity and elegance of style entitle it to -rank as one of the finest classics ever written on love.’ - - -_NORTHERN ECHO._—‘IDYLLS, LEGENDS, AND LYRICS bespeak the true poetic -vein; the light phantasy of romantic thought; and the faculty of -expressing all in rhythmic verse. A Dramatic Idyll, ILAMEA, is, perhaps, -the happiest in the volume. It dwells, as really does the whole book, on -the immortal theme of love; and an argumentative colloquy between two -persons, the Count and Ilamea, reveals a flow of language and -beautifully balanced metre that make it a pleasure to read or recite.’ - - -_DAILY TELEGRAPH._—‘This work is principally composed of old-time love -stories in verse, which the author claims have never before formed -subject of treatment by the poet. They present a picture, though only a -legendary one, of the days of our ancestors, and are interesting on that -account. A bouquet of love sonnets are treated with no little skill and -originality. An ancient legend of Ireland is very cleverly and -sympathetically rendered in EDAIN; CÆDMON, an Early English Idyll, is -also noteworthy. It is something to be reminded of the “peasant poet -who, a thousand years before Milton, sang the epic of the Creation; -vividly depicting the War in Heaven, the Fall of Satan, and his -Counsellings in Hell.” The author has produced a collection of poems -which exhibit true poetic instinct; and the work makes a goodly and -acceptable volume.’ - - -_THE GRAPHIC._—‘The love song and love story form the staple of Mrs. -Garland Mears’ IDYLLS, LEGENDS, AND LYRICS. She possesses much fluency -of expression, and is not troubled in her theme by any melancholy -transcendentalism. In her view the object of poetry is to yield pleasure -to the mind, and it should appeal either to the imagination or to the -emotions. “Its true object,” she observes, “is not obtained when it -becomes chiefly the vehicle for philosophical or metaphysical -instruction reaching only the reasoning faculties.” Some of the poems -have a simple love tale for their basis, as in ILAMEA, CÆDMON, and THE -LOVE OF UTHER, the British King, for Igerna, with the resultant birth of -Arthur. In HONORIA’S LOVE we have a series of eighteen sonnets; from the -first of these we quote the eight opening lines dealing with “Love’s -Entrance.” - - ‘“Oh, kingly Love, when first thou didst enthral - My soul in thy sweet bonds I hardly knew - Thy presence: filled with joy, what could I do - But gaze upon thy face, and at thy call - Give willing ear? Then straight before thee fall, - In meekness yielding loving homage, true. - What sum of bliss wrapped up in moments few; - Life’s sweetest mystery is made my all!”’ - - - _Extracts from Letters containing Criticisms by the Chairmen and - Secretaries of Public Libraries_:— - - ‘The librarian has handed to me the volume of IDYLLS, LEGENDS, AND - LYRICS. I have had time to read the dramatic Idyll ILAMEA, and am - greatly pleased with its sweetness and high-souled tone. - - ‘It makes one feel better and stronger for its impressive lesson, so - vividly, and pathetically, and sympathetically told. ILAMEA is worth - the price of the whole volume. - - ‘I will devote the earliest opportunity to go through its pages, - feeling sure that they will add much pleasure to my life, as well as - intensify my attachment to poetry. The work is placed in the library - of this borough. - - ‘B. P. WRIGHT, J.P., - _Chairman of Committee, Free Public - Library, Stafford_.’ - - * * * * * - - ‘The MAYOR OF SLIGO has requested that a second copy of IDYLLS, - LEGENDS, AND LYRICS be purchased. The verses are very sweet. They do - not stir the spirit like the strong lines of Byron: but they come over - us with a bewitching softness that in certain moods is still more - delightful, and soothe the troubled spirits with a refreshing sense of - truth, purity, and elegance. - - ‘They are pensive rather than passionate, and more full of wisdom and - tenderness than flights of fancy, or overwhelming bursts of emotion; - while they are moulded into grace, at least as much by the effect of - the moral beauties they disclose as by the taste and judgment with - which they are constructed. - - ‘DAVID SAULTRY, - _Chief Librarian, Free Public Library, - Sligo, Ireland_.’ - - ‘I have read the first poem, ILAMEA, in this interesting volume of - verse, and can bear my testimony as to its beauty of conception and - true poetic merit. I like the poetry exceedingly, and feel quite - confident that the work only requires to be better known to secure it - a very wide circulation. - - ‘ALFRED LANCASTER, - _Chief Librarian, Free Public Library, - St. Helens_.’ - - * * * * * - - ‘I am very glad to see in IDYLLS, LEGENDS, AND LYRICS a poem on - Cædmon. I am particularly interested in old-time literature myself, - and am giving special attention to such subjects as “Cædmon” and - “Beowulf.” - - ‘I shall be very glad to have another copy, as it is the first work I - have seen for a long time which is so exactly suited to my taste. - - ‘FRED TURNER, - _Free Public Library, Brentford_.’ - - * * * * * - - ‘This work is an exceptionally good one, and I thank you for calling - my attention to a volume of poems of such merit as these possess. - - ‘I have told my committee that, as far as I am a judge of poetry, I - considered that this work was entitled to a place on our shelves. - - ‘Our public here are quick to form fairly accurate opinions as to the - value of works of this class. I shall be only too glad to find my own - judgment endorsed by that large body I have the pleasure to serve. - - ‘WILLIAM MAY, - _Chief Librarian, Free Public Library, - Birkenhead_.’ - - - - - THE STORY OF A TRUST. - - By the same Author. - - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE. - - Crown 8vo. 300 pp. cloth, gilt lettered, price 2_s._ 6_d._ - - -_OXFORD CHRONICLE._—‘The authoress has been designated “the Poet of -Love, and Nature,” one who deserves the thanks of every student of early -English literature for reviving one’s interest in old-time literature. -Her claim to the eulogy is fully justified ... this latest production of -her pen is thoroughly realistic, and contains word-pictures graphically -descriptive of English country life.... Margaret is a gem, a perfect -type of womanhood, calling forth love and admiration. The chapter -containing the tragedy is ably written, and will commend itself to the -approval of lovers of the dramatic; while the chapter on “Sorrow” -appeals powerfully to the emotions.’ - -_NEWCASTLE CHRONICLE._—‘Deserves a hearty welcome at the hands of the -general public, and especially of North-country people.... Mrs. Garland -Mears’ style is fluent and forcible; she avoids all prevalent errors of -latter-day writers, and depending entirely on her own thoughts, which -she expresses in good English.’ - -_SHEFFIELD DAILY TELEGRAPH._—‘The tale is most interesting and -graphically written.... Mrs. Garland Mears has creditably added both in -prose and poetry to the literature of the period.’ - -_BRADFORD MERCURY._—‘The narrative is vividly told, and is interspersed -with many historical references to Bradford. Mrs. Mears is a charming -writer, and all her tales are graphically written.’ - -_BRADFORD OBSERVER._—‘Considerable dramatic interest in the stories, and -their relation to the West Riding of Yorkshire, will give them special -interest in this neighbourhood.’ - -_MANCHESTER EXAMINER._—‘The book is interesting throughout. The -historical chapters dealing with York City and Hartlepool are -admirable.’ - -_YORKSHIRE POST._—‘The tone of the book is always admirable.’ - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES - - - 1. Silently corrected obvious typographical errors and variations in - spelling. - 2. Retained archaic, non-standard, and uncertain spellings as printed. - 3. 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