I
TheprivateterraceoftheHotelGrandBretagne,atTangier,wasshadedbyagreatawningofredandgreenandyellow,andstrewnwithcoloredmats,andplantsinpots,andwickerchairs。ItreachedoutfromtheKingsapartmentsintotheGardenofPalms,andwashiddenbythemontwosides,andshowedfromthethirdthebluewatersoftheMediterraneanandthegreatshadowofGibraltarinthedistance。
TheSultanofMoroccohadgivenordersfromFezthattheKingofMessina,inspiteofhisincognito,shouldbetreatedduringhisstayinTangierwiththeconsiderationduetohisrank,soone—halfoftheHotelGrandBretagnehadbeensetasideforhimandhissuite,andtwosoldiersoftheBashaw’sGuardsatoutsideofhisdoorwithdrawnswords。TheywereanswerablewiththeirheadsforthelifeandsafetyoftheSultan’sguest,andastheycouldspeaknolanguagebuttheirown,theymadeavisittohisMajestymoreamatterofadventurethanofetiquette。
Niccolas,theKing’smajordomo,steppedoutupontheterraceandswepttheMediterraneanwithafield—glassforthethirdtimesincesunrise。Heloweredit,andturneddoubtfullytowardthetwosoldiers。
\"TheboatfromGibraltar——hasshearrivedyet?\"heasked。
Thetwoebonyfiguresshooktheirheadsstiffly,asthoughtheyresentedthisintroductionofaforeignlanguage,andcontinuedtoshaketheirheadsastheservantaddressedthesamequestiontotheminasuccessionofstrangetongues。
\"Well,\"saidColonelErhaupt,briskly,ashefollowedNiccolasoutupontheterrace,\"hastheboatarrived?Andthelaunchfromtheyacht,\"hecontinued,\"hasitstartedforshoreyet?\"
Themanpointedtowheretheyachtlay,amileoutsidetheharbor,andhandedhimtheglass。
\"Itisbutjustnowleavingtheship’sside,\"hesaid。\"ButI
cannotmakeoutwhocomesinher。Ah,pardon,\"headdedquickly,ashepointedtoastoutelderlygentlemanwhowalkedrapidlytowardthemthroughthegarden。\"TheGibraltarboatmustbein,sir。HereisBaronBarratcomingupthepath。\"
ColonelErhauptgaveanexclamationofsatisfaction,andwavedhishandtothenewcomerinwelcome。
\"GotellhisMajesty,\"hesaidtotheservant。
Themanhesitatedandbowed。\"HisMajestystillsleeps。\"
\"Wakehim,\"commandedErhaupt。\"TellhimIsaidtodoso。
Well,Baron,\"hecried,gayly,ashesteppedforward,\"welcome——orareyouwelcome?\"headded,withanuneasylaugh。
\"Ishouldbe。Ihavesucceeded,\"theotherrepliedgruffly,ashebrushedpasthim。\"WhereistheKing?\"
\"Hewillbehereinamoment。Ihavesenttowakehim。Andyouhavebeensuccessful?Good。Icongratulateyou。Howfarsuccessful?\"
TheBaronthrewhimselfintooneofthewickerchairs,andclappedhishandsimpatientlyforaservant。\"Twelvethousandpoundsinall,\"hereplied。\"That’smorethanheexpected。
Itwaslikepullingteethatfirst。Iwantsomecoffeeatonce,\"hesaidtotheattendant,\"andabath。ThatboatreekedwithMoorsandcattle,andtherewasnowagon—litonthetrainfromMadrid。Isatupallnight,andplayedcardswiththatyoungCellini。HaveMadameZaraandKalonayreturned?Iseetheyachtintheharbor。Didshesucceed?\"
\"Wedonotknow;theboatonlyarrivedatdaybreak。Theyareprobablyonthelaunchthatiscominginnow。\"
AsBarratsippedhiscoffeeandmunchedhisrollswiththesilentenergyofahungryman,theColonelturnedandstrodeupanddowntheterrace,pullingathismustacheandglancingsideways。WhentheBaronhadlightedacigaretteandthrownhimselfbackinhischair,Erhaupthaltedandsurveyedhiminsomeanxiety。
\"Youhavebeengoneovertwoweeks,\"hesaid。\"Ishouldliketoseeyouaccomplishasmuchinasshortatime,\"growledtheother。\"YouknowParis。Youknowhowharditistogetpeopletobeseriousthere。Ihadthedevil’sowntimeatfirst。Yougotmycablegram?\"
\"Yes;itwasn’tencouraging。\"
\"Well,Iwasn’thopefulmyself。Theywouldn’tbelieveawordofitatfirst。TheysaidLouishadn’tshownsuchgreatloveforhiscountryorhispeoplesincehisexilethattheycouldfeelanyconfidenceinhim,andthathisconductinthelastsixyearsdidnotwarranttheirjoininganyundertakinginwhichhewasconcerned。Youcan’tblamethem。They’vebackedhimsomanytimesalready,andthey’vebeenbitten,andthey’reshy,naturally。ButIsworehewasrepentant,thathesawtheerrorofhisways,thathewantedtositoncemorebeforehediedonthethroneofhisancestors,andthathefeltitwasduetohissonthatheshouldmakeanefforttogethimbackhisbirthright。Itwasthesonwonthem。
`ExhibitA’Icallhim。NoneofthemwouldhearofituntilI
spokeofthePrince。SowhenIsawthat,Itoldthemhewasafinelittlechap,healthyandmanlyandbrave,anddevotedtohispriest,andallthatrot,andtheybegantolisten。AtfirsttheywantedhisMajestytoabdicate,andgivetheboyaclearroadtothecrown,butofcourseIhushedthatup。I
toldthemwewereactingadvisedly,thatwehadreasontoknowthatthecommonpeopleofMessinaweresickoftheRepublic,andwantedtheirKing;thatLouislovedthecommonpeoplelikeafather;thathewouldre—establishtheChurchinallherpower,andthatFatherPaulwasworkingdayandnightforus,andthattheVaticanwasbehindus。ThenIdealtoutdecorationsandafewtitles,whichLouishasmadesmellsoconfoundedlyranktoHeaventhatnobodywouldtakethem。Itwaslikeagame。Iplayedonenoblegentlemanagainstanother,andgavethisoneaportraitoftheKingoneday,andtheotheraminiatureof`ExhibitA’thenextandtheygrewjealous,andmettogether,andtalkeditover,andfinallyunlockedtheirpockets。TheycontributedaboutL9,000
betweenthem。Thentheenthusiasmspreadtothewomen,andtheygavemetheirjewels,andalotofyoungstersvolunteeredfortheexpedition,andsixofthemcameonwithmeinthetrainlastnight。IwontwothousandfrancsfromthatboyCellinionthewaydown。They’reallstayingattheContinental。Ipromisedthemanaudiencethismorning。\"
\"Good,\"commentedtheColonel,\"good——L9,000。Isupposeyoutookoutyourcommissioninadvance?\"
\"Itookoutnothing,\"returnedtheother,angrily。\"Ibroughtitallwithme,andIhavealetterfromeachofthemstatingjustwhatheorshesubscribedtowardtheexpedition,——theDukeDantiz,somuch;theDukeD’Orvay,50,000francs;theCountessMattini,adiamondnecklace。Itisallquiteregular。Iplayedfair。\"TheColonelhadstoppedinhiswalk,andhadbeenpeeringeagerlydowntheleafypaththroughthegarden。\"IsthatnotZaracomingnow?\"heasked。\"Look,youreyesarebetterthanmine。\"
Barratrosequickly,andthetwomenwalkedforward,andbowedwiththeeasycourtesyofoldcomradestoatall,fairgirlwhocamehurriedlyupthesteps。TheCountessZarawasayoungwoman,butonewhohadstoodsolongonguardagainsttheworld,thatthestrainhadtold,andhereyeswerehardanduntrustful,sothatshelookedmucholderthanshereallywas。Herlifewasoftwoparts。Therewaslittletobetoldofthefirstpart;shewasanEnglishgirlwhohadcomefromamanufacturingtowntostudyartandlivealoneinParis,whereshehadbeentooindolenttowork,andtoobrillianttoremainlongwithoutcompanionseagerforhersociety。Throughthemandthestoriesofherwitandherbeauty,shehadcometoknowtheKingofMessina,andwiththatmeetingthesecondpartofherlifebegan;forshehadfoundsomethingsoattractive,eitherinhistitleorinthecynicalhumorofthemanhimself,thatforthelasttwoyearsshehadfollowedhisfortunes,andMissMurielWinter,artstudent,hadbecometheCountessZara,andanuncrownedqueen。Shewasbeautiful,withgreatmassesofyellowhairandwonderfulbrowneyes。
Hermannerwhenshespokeseemedtoshowthatshedespisedtheworldandthoseinitalmostasthoroughlyasshedespisedherself。
OnthemorningofherreturnfromMessina,sheworeabluesergeyachtingsuitwithagolfcloakhangingfromhershoulders,andasshecrossedtheterraceshepullednervouslyatherglovesandheldoutherhandcoveredwithjewelstoeachofthetwomen。
\"Ibringgoodnews,\"shesaid,withanexcitedlaugh。\"WhereisLouis?\"
\"IwilltellhisMajestythatyouhavecome。Youaremostwelcome,\"theBaronanswered。
Butasheturnedtothedooritopenedfromtheinsideandthekingcametowardthem,shiveringandblinkinghiseyesinthebrightsunlight。Itshowedthewrinklesandcreasesaroundhismouthandtheblueveinsunderthemottledskin,andthetinylinesatthecornersofhislittlebloodshoteyesthatmarkedthepaceatwhichhehadlivedastruthfullyastheringsonatree—trunktellofitsquietgrowth。
Hecaughtuphislongdressing—gownacrosshischestasthoughitwereamantle,andwithaquickglancetoseethattherewerenootherwitnessestohisdeshabille,bentandkissedthewoman’shand,andtakingitinhisownstrokeditgently。
\"MydearMarie,\"helisped,\"itislikeheaventohaveyoubackwithusagain。Wehavefeltyourabsenceeveryhour。
Praybeseated,andpardonmyrobe。Isawyouthroughtheblindsandcouldnotwait。Tellusthegloriousnews。TheBaron’sgoodwordsIhavealreadyoverheard;IlistenedtothemwithgreatentertainmentwhileIwasdressing。Ihopedhewouldsaysomethingdiscourteousorfoolish,buthewasquitediscreetuntilhetoldErhauptthathehadkeptbacknoneofthemoney。ThenIlostinterest。Fictionisneversoentertainingtomeasthetruthandrealpeople。Buttellusnowofyourmissionandofallyoudid;andwhethersuccessfulornot,beassuredyouaremostwelcome。\"
TheCountessZarasmiledathimdoubtfullyandcrossedherhandsinherlap,glancinganxiouslyoverhershoulder。
\"Imustbeverybrief,forKalonayandFatherPaulareclosebehindme,\"shesaid。\"Theyonlystoppedforamomentatthecustom—house。Keepwatch,Baron,andtellmewhenyouseethemcoming。\"
Barratmovedhischairsothatitfacedthegarden—path,theKingcrossedhislegscomfortablyandwrappedhispaddeddressing—robecloseraroundhisslightfigure,andErhauptstoodleaningonthebackofhischairwithhiseyesfixedonthefineinsolentbeautyofthewomanbeforethem。
Shenoddedherheadtowardthesoldierswhosatattheentrancetotheterrace,assilentandimmovableasblindbeggarsbeforeamosque。\"Dotheyunderstand?\"sheasked。
\"No,\"theKingassuredher。\"Theyunderstandnothing,butthattheyaretokeeppeopleawayfromme——andtheydoitverywell。IwishIcouldimportthemtoParistohelpNiccolasfightoffcreditors。Continue,wearemostimpatient。\"
\"WeleftherelastSundaynight,asyouknow,\"shesaid。\"WepassedAlgiersthenextmorningandarrivedofftheislandatmid—day,anchoringoutsideintheharbor。WeflewtheRoyalYachtSquadron’spennant,andanowner’sprivatesignalthatweinventedonthewaydown。Theysentmeashoreinaboat,andKalonayandFatherPaulcontinuedonalongthesouthernshore,wheretheyhavebeenmakingspeechesinallthecoast—townsandexcitingthepeopleinfavoroftherevolution。IheardofthemoftenwhileIwasatthecapital,butnotfromthem。ThePresidentsentacompanyofcarbineerstoarrestthemtheverynighttheyreturnedandsmuggledmeonboardtheyachtagain。WeputoffassoonasIcameoverthesideandsaileddirectlyhere。
\"AssoonasIlandedonTuesdayIwenttotheHoteldeMessina,andsentmycardtothePresident。HeisthatmanPalaccio,thehotel—keeper’sson,themanyousentoutofthecountryforwritingpamphletsagainstthemonarchy,andwholivedinSicilyduringhisexile。Hegavemeanaudienceatonce,andItoldmystory。AsheknewwhoIwas,IexplainedthatIhadquarrelledwithyou,andthatIwasnowpreparedtosellhimthesecretsofanexpeditionwhichyouwerefittingoutwiththeobjectofre—establishingyourselfonthethrone。
Hewouldn’tbelievethattherewasanysuchexpedition,andsaiditwasblackmail,andthreatenedtogivemetothepoliceifIdidnotleavetheislandintwenty—fourhours——hewasexceedinglyrude。SoIshowedhimreceiptsforammunitionandriflesandMaximguns,andcopiesoftheoathofallegiancetotheexpedition,andpapersoftheyacht,inwhichshewasdescribedasanarmoredcruiser,andherapidlygrewpolite,evenhumble,andImadehimapologizefirst,andthentakemeouttoluncheon。Thatwasthefirstday。Theseconddaytelegramsbegantocomeinfromthecoast—towns,sayingthatthePrinceKalonayandFatherPaulwerepreachingandexcitingthepeopletorebellion,andtravellingfromtowntotowninaman—of—war。Thenhewasfrightened。ThePrincewithhispopularityinthesouthwasalarmingenough,butthePrinceandFatherSuperiortohelphimseemedtomeantheendoftheRepublic。
\"IlearnedwhileIwasdowntherethatthepeoplethinkthefatherputsomesortofabanoneveryonewhohadanythingtodowithdrivingtheDominicanmonksoutoftheislandandwiththedestructionofthemonasteries。Idon’tknowwhetherhedidornot,buttheybelievehedid,whichisthesamething,andthatsuperstitiouslittlebeast,thePresident,certainlybelievedit;heattributedeverythingthathadgonewrongontheislandtothatcause。Why,ifasecondcousinofthewifeofabrotherofoneofthemenwhohelpedtofireachurchfallsoffhishorseandbreakshislegtheysaythatheisunderthecurseoftheFatherSuperior,andtherearemanywhobelievetheRepublicwillneversucceeduntilPaulreturnsandtheChurchisre—established。TheGovernmentseemstohavekeptitselfwellinformedaboutyourMajesty’smovements,andithasneverfeltanyanxietythatyouwouldattempttoreturn,anditdidnotfeartheChurchpartybecauseitknewthatwithoutyouthepriestscoulddonothing。ButwhenPaul,whomthecommonpeoplelookuponasalivingsaintandmartyr,returnedhandinhandwithyourmanFriday,theywereinapanicandfeltsuretheendhadcome。SothePresidentcalledahastymeetingofhisCabinet。AndsuchaCabinet!Iwishyoucouldhaveseenthem,Louis,withmeinthecentreplayingonthemlikeanadvocatebeforeajury。TheywerethemostdreadfulmenIevermet,bourgeoisandstupidanduglytoadegree。Twoofthemwerecommission—merchants,andoneofthemisoldDr。Gustavanni,whokeptthechemist’sshopinthePiazzaRoyale。Theywerequitesillywithfear,andtheybeggedmetotellthemhowtheycouldavertthefalloftheRepublicandpreventyourlanding。AndIsaidthatitwasentirelyaquestionofmoney;thatifwewerepaidsufficientlytheexpeditionwouldnotlandandwewouldleavetheminpeace,butthat————\"
TheKingshiftedhislegsuneasily,andcoughedbehindhisthin,pinkfingers。
\"Thatwasratherindiscreet,wasitnot,Marie?\"hemurmured。
\"TheideawastomakethemthinkthatI,atleast,wassincere;wasnotthatit?Tomakeitappearthatthoughthereweretraitorsinhiscamp,theKingwasinmostdesperateearnest?Iftheybelievethat,yousee,itwillallowmetoraiseanotherexpeditionassoonasthemoneywegetforthisoneisgone;butifyouhaveletthemknowthatIamtheonewhoissellingout,youhavekilledthegoosethatlaysthegoldeneggs。Theywillneverbelieveuswhenwecrywolfagain————\"
\"Youmustletmefinish,\"Zarainterrupted。\"Ididnotinvolveyouintheleast。IsaidthatthereweretraitorsinthecampofwhomIwastheenvoy,andthatiftheywouldpayus300,000francswewouldpromisetoallowtheexpeditiononlytoleavetheyacht。Theirtroopscouldthenmakeashowofattackingourlanding—partyandwewouldraisethecryof`treachery’andretreattotheboats。Bythiswewouldaccomplishtwothings,——wewouldsatisfythosewho,hadcontributedfundstowardtheexpeditionthatwehadatleastmadeanhonesteffort,andyourMajestywouldbediscouragedbysuchtreacheryfromeverattemptinganotherattack。ThemoneywastobepaidtwoweekslaterinParis,tomeortowhoeverbringsthisringthatIwear。Theplanwefinallyagreeduponisthis:TheyachtistoanchoroffBasnainextThursdaynight。Athightide,whichisjustaboutdaybreak,wearetolowerourboatsandlandourmenonthatlongbeachtothesouthofthebreak—water。ThetroopsoftheRepublicaretoliehiddenintherocksuntilourmenhaveformed。
Thentheyaretofireovertheirheads,andwearetoretreatingreatconfusion,returntotheyacht,andsailaway。Twoweekslatertheyaretopaythemoneyintomyhands,or,\"sheadded,withasmile,assheheldupherfourthfinger,\"towhoeverbringsthisring。AndIneednotsaythattheringwillnotleavemyfinger。\"
Therewasamoment’spause,asthoughthemenwerewaitingtolearnifshehadmoretotell,andthentheKingthrewbackhisheadandlaughedsoftly。HesawErhaupt’sfaceabovehisshoulder,filledwiththeamazementandindignationofamanwhoasaduellistandasasoldierhadshownacertainbrutecourage,andtheKinglaughedagain。
\"Whatdoyouthinkofthat,Colonel?\"hecried,gayly。\"Theyareanoblerace,mylatesubjects。\"
\"Bah!\"exclaimedtheGerman。\"Ididn’tknowweweredealingwithahomeforoldwomen。\"
TheBaronlaughedcomfortably。\"Itisliketakingmoneyfromablindbeggar’shat,\"hesaid。
\"Why,withtwohundredmenthatIcouldpickupinLondon,\"
Erhauptdeclared,contemptuously,\"Iwouldguaranteetoputyouonthethroneinafortnight。\"
\"Heavenforbid!\"exclaimedhisMajesty。\"Sotheysurrenderedasquicklyasthat,didthey?\"heasked,noddingtowardMadameZaratocontinue。
TheCountessglancedagainoverhershoulderandbitherlipsinsomechagrin。Hereyesshowedherdisappointment。\"Itmayseemaneasyvictorytoyou,\"shesaid,consciously,\"butI
doubt,knowingallthecircumstances,ifanyofyourMajesty’sgentlemencouldhaveservedyouaswell。Itneededawomanand————\"
\"Itneededabeautifulwoman,\"interruptedtheKing,quickly,inatonethathewouldhaveusedtoaspoiledchild。\"Itneededawomanoftact,awomanofcourage,awomanamongwomen——theCountessZara。Donotimagine,Marie,thatweundervalueyourpart。ItistheirlackofcouragethatdistressesColonelErhaupt。\"
\"Oneofthem,itistrue,didwishtofight,\"theCountesscontinued,withasmile;\"aFrenchmannamedRenauld,whomtheyhaveputinchargeofthearmy。Hescoffedatthewholeexpedition,buttheytoldhimthataforeignercouldnotunderstandastheydidthedangerofthepopularityofthePrinceKolonay,who,byaspeechortwoamongtheshepherdsandfishermen,couldraiseanarmy。\"
TheKingsnappedhisfingersimpatiently。
\"Anarmyofbrigandsandsmugglers!\"heexclaimed。\"Thatforhispopularity!\"Butheinstantlyraisedhishandsasthoughinprotestathisownwarmthofspeechandinapologyforhisoutbreak。
\"Hiszealwillruinusintime。Heisdeucedlyintheway,\"
hecontinued,inhisusualtoneofeasycynicism。\"Weshouldhavelethimintoourplansfromthefirst,andthenifhechosetotakenopartinthemwewouldatleasthavehadafreehand。Asitisnow,wehavethreedifferentpeopletodeceive:thisCabinetofshopkeepers,whichseemseasyenough;
FatherPaulandhisfanaticsoftheChurchparty;andthisapostleofthedivinerightofkings,Kalonay。Andheandthegoodfatherarenotfools————\"
AtthesewordsMadameZaraglancedagaintowardthegarden,andthistimewithsuchevidentuneasinessinherfacethatBarrateyedherwithquicksuspicion。
\"Whatisit?\"heasked,sharply。\"Thereissomethingyouhavenottoldus。\"
ThewomanlookedattheKing,andhenoddedhisheadasthoughinassent。\"Ihadtotellthemwhoelsewasintheplotbesidesmyself,\"shesaid,speakingrapidly。\"IhadtogivethemthenameofsomemanwhotheyknewwouldbeabletodowhatIhavepromisedwecoulddo——whocouldputastoptotherevolution。ThenameIgavewashis——Kalonay’s。\"
Barratthrewhimselfforwardinhischair。
\"Kalonay’s?\"hecried,incredulously。
\"Kalonay’s?\"echoedErhaupt。\"Whatmadness,Madame!Whynametheonlyonewhoissincere?\"
\"Shewillexplain,\"saidtheKing,inanuneasyvoice;\"letherexplain。Shehasactedaccordingtomyordersandforthebest,butIconfessI————\"
\"Someonehadtobesacrificed,\"returnedthewoman,boldly,\"andwhynothe?Indeed,ifwewishtosaveourselves,thereiseveryreasonthatitshouldbehe。YouknowhowmadheisfortheKing’sreturn,howhehimselfwishestogetbacktotheislandandtohisoldpositionthere。Why,Godonlyknows,butitisso。Whatpleasurehefindsinalandofmistsandfogs,inaruinedcastlewithpoachersandsmugglingfishermenforcompanions,Icannotcomprehend。Butthefactremains,healwaysspeaksofitashomeandhewishestoreturn。Andnow,supposehelearnsthetruth,ashemayatanymoment,anddiscoversthatthewholeexpeditionforwhichheisstakinghissoulandlifeisatrick,afarce;thatweuseitonlyasabaittodrawmoneyfromtheoldnobility,andtofrightentheRepublicintopayingustoleavetheminpeace?Howdoweknowwhathemightnotdo?HemaytellthewholeofEurope。Hemayturnonyouandexposeyou,andthenwhathaveweleft?Itisyourlastchance。Itisourlastchance。Wehavetriedeverythingelse,andwecannotshowourselvesinEurope,atleastnotwithoutmoneyinourhands。
ButbynamingKalonayIhavemanageditsothatwehaveonlytoshowthewrittenagreementIhavemadewiththeRepublicandheissilenced。InittheyhavepromisedtopaythePrinceKalonay,naminghiminfull,300,000francsiftheexpeditioniswithdrawn。Thatagreementisinmyhands,andthatisouranswertowhateverhemaythinkorsay。Ourwordisasgoodashis,orasbad;weareallofthesamepartyasfarasEuropecares,anditbecomesafallingoutamongthieves,andweareequal。\"
BaronBarratleanedforwardandmarkedeachwordwithamovementofhishand。
\"DoIunderstandyoutosay,\"heasked,\"thatyouhaveapapersignedbytheRepublicagreeingtopay300,000francstoKalonay?Thenhowarewetogetit?\"hedemanded,incredulously。\"Fromhim?\"
\"Itismadepayabletohim,\"continuedthewoman,\"ortowhoeverbringsthisringIweartothebanking—houseoftheSchlevingenstwoweeksaftertheexpeditionhaslefttheisland。IexplainedthatclausetothembysayingthatKalonayandIwereworkingtogetheragainsttheKing,andashemightbesuspiciousifwewerebothtoleavehimsosoonafterthefailureoftheexpeditionwewouldbesatisfiediftheygavethemoneytowhicheveronefirstpresentedthering。
SupposeIhadsaid,\"shewenton,turningtotheKing,\"thatitwaseitherBarratortheColonelherewhohadturnedtraitor。TheyknowtheBaronofold,whenhewasChamberlainandranyourroulettewheelatthepalace。Theyknowheisnotthemantoturnbackanexpedition。AndtheColonel,ifhewillpardonme,hassoldhisservicessooftentoonesideoranotherthatitwouldhavebeendifficulttomakethembelievethatthistimeheissincere。ButKalonay,themantheyfearmostnexttoyourMajesty——tohavehimturntraitor,why,thatwasamasterstroke。Eventhoseboors,stupidastheyare,sawthat。Whentheymadeouttheagreementtheyputdownallhistitles,andlaughedastheywrotethemin。
`PrinceJudas’theycalledhim,andtheywereinecstasiesattheideaofthearistocratsuingforblood—moneyagainsthissovereign,ofthemantheyfearedshowinghimselftobeonlyacommonblackmailer。Itdelightedthemtofindaprinceroyalsunklowerthanthemselves,thismanwhohastreatedthemlikecurs——likethecurstheyare,\"shebrokeoutsuddenly——\"likethecurstheyare!\"
Sheroseandlaugheduneasilyasthoughatherownvehemence。
\"Iamtired,\"shesaid,avoidingtheKing’seyes;\"thetriphastiredme。Ifyouwillexcuseme,Iwillgotomyrooms——throughyourhall—way,ifImay。\"
\"Mostcertainly,\"saidtheKing。\"Itrustyouwillberestedbydinner—time。Aurevoir,myfairambassadrice。\"
Thewomannoddedandsmiledbackathimbrightly,andLouiscontinuedtolookafterherasshedisappeareddownthecorridor。Herubbedthebackofhisfingersacrosshislips,andthoughtfullyexaminedhisfinger—nails。
\"Iwonder,\"hesaid,afterapause,lookingupatBarrat。TheBaronraisedhiseyebrowswithaglanceofpoliteinterrogation。
\"IwonderifKalonaydaredtomakelovetoheronthewaydown。\"
TheBaron’sfacebecameasexpressionlessasadeath—mask,andheshruggedhisshouldersinprotest。
\"——OrdidshemakelovetoKalonay?\"theKinginsisted,laughinggently。\"Iwondernow。Idonotcaretoknow,butI
wonder。\"
AccordingtotraditiontheKalonayfamilywasanolderonethanthatoftheHouseofArtois,anditsnamehadalwaysbeentheonenextinimportancetothatofthereigninghouse。ThehistoryofMessinashowedthatdifferentmembersoftheKalonayfamilyhadfoughtanddiedfordifferentkingsofArtois,andhadenjoyedtheirfavorandsharedtheirreverseswithequaldignity,andthattheyhadstoodlikearampartwhenthekingdomwasinvadedbythelevellingdoctrinesofRepublicanismandequality。AndthoughtheKalonaysweremenofstouterstuffthantheircousinsofArtois,theyhadnevertriedtousurptheirplace,buthadsetanexampletothehumblestshepherdofunfailingloyaltyandgood—willtotheKingandhislady。ThePrinceKalonay,whohadaccompaniedtheDominicanmonktoMessina,wasthelastofhisrace,andwhenLouisIV。hadbeendrivenofftheisland,hehadfollowedhissovereignintoexileasamatterofcourse,andwithhiscustomarygood—humor。Hisestates,inconsequenceofthisstep,hadbeentakenupbytheRepublic,andKalonayhadacceptedthelossphilosophicallyasthepriceonepaysforlovingaking。HefoundexileeasytobearinParis,andespeciallysoashehadneverrelinquishedtheideathatsomedaytheKingwouldreturntohisownagain。Sofirmlydidhebelieveinthis,andsokeenlywashisheartsetuponit,thatLouishadneverdaredtolethimknowthatforhimselfexileinParisandtheRivierawasvastlytobepreferredtoauthorityoverarockyislandhungwithfogs,andinhabitedbydullmerchantsandfiercebanditti。
TheconductoftheKingduringtheirresidenceinPariswouldhavetriedtheloyaltyofonelessgayandcarelessthanKalonay,forhewasasorrymonarch,andiftheprinciplethat\"theKingcandonowrong\"hadnotbeenbredintheyoungPrince’smind,hewouldhavedesertedhissovereignintheearlydaysoftheirexile。Butasitwas,hemadeexcusesforhimtoothersandtohimself,andservedtheKing’sidlepurposessowellthathegainedforhimselfthenameoftheKing’sjackal,andthereweresomewhoregardedhimaslittlebetterthantheKing’sconfidentialblackguard,andmanFriday,theweakestifthemostcharmingofhiscourtofadventurers。
AtthefirsthintwhichtheKinggaveofhisdesiretoplacehimselfagaininpower,KalonayhadceasedtobehisJackalandwouldhaveissuedforthasacommander—in—chief,hadtheKingpermittedhim;butitwasnottoLouis’spurposethatthePrinceshouldknowtherealobjectoftheexpedition,soheassigneditspreparationtoErhaupt,anddespatchedKalonaytothesouthoftheisland。AtthesametimeMadameZarahadbeensenttothenorthoftheisland,ostensiblytosoundthesentimentoftheoldnobility,butinrealitytomakecapitaloutofthepresencethereofKalonayandFatherPaul。
TheKingrosehurriedlywhentheslimfigureofthePrinceandthebroadshouldersandtonsuredheadofthemonkappearedatthefarthestendofthegarden—walk。
\"Theyarecoming!\"hecried,withaguiltychuckle;\"soI
shallrunawayandfinishdressing。IleaveyoutoreceivethefirstshockofKalonay’senthusiasmalone。Iconfessheboresme。Remember,thestoryMadameZaratoldthemintheyachtistheoneshetoldusthismorning,thatnoneoftheoldroyalistsatthecapitalwouldpromiseusanyassistance。
Becarefulnow,andplayyourpartsprettily。Weareallterriblyinearnest。\"
Kalonay’senthusiasmhadnotspentitselfentirelybeforetheKingreturned。Hehadstillanumberofamusingstoriestotell,andhereviewedtheadventuresofthemonkandhimselfwithsuchvivacityandhumorthattheKingnoddedhisheadindelight,andeventhepriestsmiledindulgentlyattherecollection。
Kalonayhadseatedhimselfononeofthetables,withhisfeetonachairandwithacigaretteburningbetweenhisfingers。
Hewasahandsome,darkyoungmanofthirty,withtheimpulsivemannerofaboy。Dissipationhadleftnotraceonhisface,andhiseyeswereasinnocentofevilandasbeautifulasagirl’s,andaseloquentashistongue。\"MaytheMariaSantissimapitythegirlstheylookupon,\"hisoldSpanishnurseusedtosayofthem。ButKalonayhadshownpityforeveryonesavehimself。HistrainingatanEnglishpublicschool,andlaterasasoldierintheEcolePolytechniqueatParis,hadsavedhimfromatooearlyfall,andmenlikedhiminstinctively,andthewomenmuchtoowell。
\"Itwasgoodtobebackthereagain,\"hecried,withahappysigh。\"Itwasgoodtoseethecloudsfollowingeachotheracrosstheoldmountainsandthrowingblackshadowsonthecampagna,andtohearthepeople’spatoisandtotasteMessinianwineagainandtoknowitwasfromyourownhillside。Allouroldkeeperscamedowntothecoasttomeetus,andtoldmeaboutthestag—hunttheweekbefore,andwhowasmarried,andwhowasinjail,andwhohadbeenhangedforshootingacustomsofficer,andtheypromisedfinedeerstalkingifIgetbackbeforethesnowleavestheridges,fortheysaythedeerhavenotbeenhuntedandarerunningwild。\"
Hestoppedandlaughed。\"Iforgot,\"hesaid,\"yourMajestydoesnotcarefortherudepleasuresofmyhalfoftheisland。\"Kalonaythrewawayhiscigarette,claspinghishandsbeforehimwithasuddenchangeofmanner。
\"Butseriously,\"hecried,\"asIhavebeentellingthem——I
wishyourMajestycouldhaveheardtheofferstheymadeus,andcouldhaveseenthetearsrunningdowntheirfaceswhenweassuredthemthatyouwouldreturn。Iwishedathousandtimesthatwehadbroughtyouwithus。Withyouatourheadwecansweeptheislandfromoneendtotheother。Wewillgatherstrengthandforceaswego,asalandslidegrows,andwhenwereachthecapitalwewillstrikeitlikeahumanavalanche。
\"AndIwishyoucouldhaveheardhimspeak,\"Kalonaycried,hisenthusiasmrisingasheturnedandpointedwithhishandatthepriest。\"Thereistheleader!Hemademybloodturnhotwithhisspeeches,andwhenhehadfinishedIusedtofindmyselfstandingonmytiptoesandshoutingwiththerest。
WithouthimIcouldhavedonenothing。Theyknewmetoowell;
butthelaziestrascalsinthevillagecametowelcomehimagain,andthewomenandmenweptbeforehimandbroughttheirchildrentobeblessed,andfellontheirkneesandkissedhissandals。Itwaslikethestoriestheytellyouwhenyouareachild。Hemadeussobwithregretandhefilleduswithfreshresolves。Oh,itisverywellforyoutosmile,youoldcynics,\"hecried,smilingathisownfervor,\"butItellyou,IhavelivedsinceIsawyoulast!\"
Theprieststoodsilentwithhishandshiddeninsidehisgreatsleeves,andhisheadrisingerectandrigidfromhiscowl。
Theeyesofthemenwereturneduponhimcuriously,andheglancedfromonetotheother,asthoughmistrustingtheirsympathy。
\"Itwasnotme——itwastheChurchtheycametowelcome。Thefools,\"hecriedbitterly,\"theythoughttheycoulddestroythefaithofthepeoplebybanishingtheservantsoftheChurch。Assoonendamother’sloveforherchildrenbyputtinganoceanbetweenthem。Forsixyearsthosepeasantshavebeentrue。Ileftthemfaithful,Ireturnedtofindthemfaithful。Andnow——\"heconcluded,lookingsteadilyattheKingasthoughtoholdhimtoaccount,\"andnowtheyaretohavetheirreward。\"
TheKingbowedhisheadgravelyinassent。\"Theyaretohavetheirreward,\"herepeated。Heroseandwithawaveofhishandinvitedthepriesttofollowhim,andtheywalkedtogethertotheotherendoftheterrace。WhentheywereoutofhearingoftheotherstheKingseatedhimself,andthepriesthaltedbesidehischair。
\"Iwishtospeakwithyou,father,\"Louissaid,\"concerningthisyoungAmericangirl,MissCarson,whohaspromisedtohelpus——tohelpyou——withhermoney。Hasshesaidyethowmuchshemeanstogiveus,\"askedtheKing,\"andwhenshemeanstoletushaveit?Itisadelicatematter,andIdonotwishtourgethelady,butwearereallygreatlyinneedofmoney。BaronBarrat,whoarrivedfromParisthismorning,bringsbacknosubstantialaid,althoughthesympathyoftheoldnobility,heassuresme,iswithus。Sympathy,however,doesnotpurchaseMaximguns,norpayforrations,andMadameZara’svisittothecapitalwas,asyouknow,evenlesssuccessful。\"
\"YourMajestyhasseenMissCarson,then?\"thepriestasked。
\"Yes,hermotherandshehavebeenstayingattheContinentaleversincetheyfollowedyouherefromParis,andIhaveseenheronceortwiceduringyourabsence。Theyoungladyseemsanearnestdaughterofourfaith,andsheisdeeplyinsympathywithourefforttore—establishyourorderandtheinfluenceoftheChurchupontheisland。IhaveexplainedtoherthattheonlywayinwhichtheChurchcanregainherfootingthereisthroughmyreturntothethrone,andMissCarsonhashintedthatsheiswillingtomakeevenalargercontributionthantheoneshefirstmentioned。Ifshemeanstodothis,itwouldbewellifshediditatonce。\"
\"PerhapsIhavemisunderstoodher,\"saidthepriest,afteramoment’sconsideration;\"butIthoughtthesumshemeanttocontributewastobegivenonlyafterthemonarchyhasbeenformallyestablished,andthatshewishedwhatevershegavetobeusedexclusivelyinrebuildingthechurchesandthemonastery。IdonotgrudgeittoyourMajesty’spurpose,butsoIunderstoodher。\"
\"Ah,thatisquitepossible,\"returnedLouis,easily;\"itmaybethatshedidsointendatfirst,butsinceIhavetalkedwithhershehasshownawillingdispositiontoaidusnotonlylater,butnow。Mysuccessmeansyoursuccess,\"hecontinued,smilingpleasantlyasherosetohisfeet,\"soI
trustyouwillurgehertobeprompt。Sheseemstohaveunlimitedresourcesinherownright。Doyouhappentoknowfromwhencehermoneycomes?\"
\"Hermothertoldme,\"saidthepriest,\"thatMr。Carsonbeforehisdeathownedminesandrailroads。TheyliveinCalifornia,neartheMissionofSaintFrancis。IhavewrittenconcerningthemtotheFatherSuperiorthere,andhetellsmethatMr。
Carsondiedaveryrichman,andthathewasagenerousservantoftheChurch。Hisdaughterhasbutjustinheritedherfather’sfortune,andheroneideaofusingitistogiveittotheChurch,ashewouldhavedone。\"
ThepriestpausedandseemedtoconsiderwhattheKinghadjusttoldhim。\"Iwillspeakwithher,\"hesaid,\"andaskheraidasfullyasshecangiveit。MayIinquirehowfaryourMajestyhastakenherintoourplans?\"
\"MissCarsonisfullyinformed,\"theKingrepliedbriefly。
\"Andifyouwishtospeakwithheryoucanseehernow;sheandhermotherarecomingtobreakfastwithmetoheartheaccountofyourvisittotheisland。Youcanspeakwithherthen——and,father,\"theKingadded,loweringhiseyesandfingeringtheloosesleeveofthepriest’srobe,\"itwouldbewell,Ithink,tohavethispresentationoftheyoungnoblesimmediatelyaftertheluncheon,whileMissCarsonisstillpresent。Wemightevenmakealittleceremonyofit,andsoshowherthatsheisfullyinourconfidence——thatsheisoneofourmostvaluedsupporters。Itmightperhapsquickenherinterestinthecause。\"
\"Iseenoreasonwhythatshouldnotbe,\"saidthepriest,thoughtfully,turninghiseyestotheseabelowthem。\"MadameZara,\"headded,withoutmovinghiseyes,\"willnotbepresent。\"
TheKingstraightenedhimselfslightly,andforabriefmomentoftimelookedatthepriestinsilence,butthemonkcontinuedtogazesteadilyatthebluewaters。
\"MadameZarawillnotbepresent,\"theKingrepeated,coldly。
\"Thereareafewfishermenandmountaineers,yourMajesty,\"
thepriestcontinued,turninganunconsciouscountenancetotheKing,\"whocamebackwithusfromtheisland。TheycomeasadeputationtoinformyourMajestyofthewelcomethatwaitsyou,andIhavepromisedthemanaudience。IfyouwillpardonmeIwouldsuggestthatyoureceivethesehonestpeopleatthesametimewiththeothers,andthathisHighnesstheCrownPrincebealsopresent,andthathereceivethemwithyou。TheiranxietytoseehimisonlysecondtotheirdesiretospeaktoyourMajesty。Youwillfindsomeofyourmostloyalsubjectsamongthesemen。TheirforefathershavebeenfaithfultoyourhouseandtotheChurchformanygenerations。\"
\"Excellent,\"saidtheKing;\"IshallreceivethemimmediatelyafterthedeputationfromParis。ConsultwithBaronBarratandKalonay,please,aboutthedetails。IwisheitherKalonayoryourselftomakethepresentation。IseeMissCarsonandhermothercoming。Afterluncheon,then,at,say,threeo’clock——willthatbesatisfactory?\"
\"AsyourMajestypleases,\"thepriestanswered,andwithabowhestrodeacrosstheterracetowhereKalonaystoodwatchingthem。
II
Mrs。CarsonandherdaughtercamefromthehoteltotheterracethroughthehallwaywhichdividedtheKing’sapartments。BaronBarratprecededthemandtheyfollowedinsinglefile,MissCarsonwalkingfirst。Itwasapositionhermotheralwaysforceduponher,andafterpeoplegrewtoknowthemtheyaccepteditasillustratingMrs。Carson’sconfidenceinherdaughter’sabilitytocareforherself,aswellasherownwishtoremaininthebackground。
PatriciaCarson,asshewasnamedafterherpatronsaint,or\"Patty\"Carson,asshewascalledmorefrequently,wasanexceedinglyprettygirl。Shewastallandfair,withasmilethatshowedsuchconfidenceineveryoneshemetthatfewcouldfindthecouragetoundeceiveherbybeingthemselves,anditwaseasier,inthefaceofsuchanappealashereyesmadetothebestineveryone,foreachtoactapartwhilehewaswithher。Shewasyoung,impressionable,andabsolutelyinexperienced。Asalittlegirlshehadlivedonagreatranch,whereshecouldgallopfromsunrisetosunsetoverherownprairieland,andlaterherlifehadbeenspentinaconventoutsideofParis。Shehadbuttwogreatemotions,herloveforherfatherandfortheChurchwhichhadnursedher。
Herfather’sdeathhadsanctifiedhimandgivenhimaplaceinherheartthathermothercouldnothold,andwhenshefoundherselfattwenty—onethemistressofagreatfortune,heroneideaastothedisposalofitwastodowithitwhatwouldbestpleasehimandtheChurchwhichhadbeentherulingpowerinthelifeofbothofthem。Shewasquiteunconsciousofherbeauty,andhermodeofspeakingwassimpleandeager。
ShehaltedasshecameneartheKing,andrestinghertwohandsonthetopofherlaceparasol,noddedpleasantlytohimandtotheothers。Sheneithercourtesiednorofferedhimherhand,butseemedtopreferthismiddlecourse,leavingthemtodecidewhethersheactedasshedidfromignoranceorfromchoice。
AstheKingsteppedforwardtogreethermother,MissCarsonpassedhimandmovedontowheretheFatherSuperiorstoodapartfromtheothers,talkingearnestlywiththePrince。
Whathewassayingwasofanunwelcomenature,forKalonay’sfaceworeanexpressionofboredomandpoliteprotestwhichchangedinstantlytooneofdelightwhenhesawMissCarson。
Thegirlhesitatedandmadeadeepobeisancetothepriest。
\"IamafraidIinterruptyou,\"shesaid。
\"Notatall,\"Kalonayassuredher,laughing。\"Itisamostwelcomeinterruption。Thegoodfatherhasbeenfindingfaultwithme,asusual,andIamquitewillingtochangethesubject。\"
Thepriestsmiledkindlyonthegirl,andwhileheexchangedsomewordsofwelcomewithher,Kalonaybroughtuponeofthehugewickerchairs,andsheseatedherselfwithherbacktotheothers,facingthetwomen,whostoodleaningagainstthebroadbalustrade。Theyhadbeenfellow—conspiratorssufficientlylongforthemtohavegrowntoknoweachotherwell,andthepriest,sofarfromregardingherasanintruder,hailedheratonceasaprobableally,andendeavoredtobeginagainwherehehadceasedspeaking。
\"Doyounotagreewithme,MissCarson?\"heasked。\"IamtellingthePrincethatzealisnotenough,andthathighideals,unlesstheyareaccompaniedbygoodconduct,arefutile。Iwanthimtochange,tobemoresober,morestrict————\"
\"Oh,youmustnotaskme,\"MissCarsonsaid,hurriedly,smilingandshakingherhead。\"Weareworkingforonlyonething,arewenot?Beyondthatyouknownothingofme,andI
knownothingofyou。Icametohearofyourvisit,\"shecontinued;\"amItobetoldanything?\"sheasked,eagerly,lookingfromonetotheother。\"Ithasbeensuchananxioustwoweeks。Weimaginedallmannerofthingshadhappenedtoyou。\"
Kalonaylaughedhappily。\"TheFatherwasprobablyneversaferinhislife,\"hesaid。\"Theytookustotheirheartslikebrothers。Theymighthavesuffocateduswithkindness,butwewereinnootherdanger。\"
\"Thenyouareencouraged,Father?\"sheasked,turningtothepriest。\"Youfoundthemloyal?Yourvisitwasallyouhoped,youcandependuponthem?\"
\"Wecancountuponthemabsolutely,\"themonkassuredher。
\"Weshallstartonourreturnvoyageatonce,inaday,assoonashisMajestygivestheword。\"
\"TherearesomanythingsIwanttoknow,\"thegirlsaid;\"butIhavenorighttoask,\"sheadded,lookingupathimdoubtfully。
\"Youhaveeveryright,\"themonkanswered。\"Youhavecertainlyearnedit。Withoutthehelpyougaveuswecouldnothavemoved。Youhavebeenmorethangenerous————\"
MissCarsoninterruptedhimwithanimpatientliftingofherhead。\"Thatsortofgenerosityisnothing,\"shesaid。\"Withyoumenitisdifferent。Youareallriskingsomething。Youareactuallyhelping,whileImustsitstillandwait。I
hope,Father,\"shesaid,smiling,\"itisnotwrongformetowishIwereaman。\"
\"Wrong!\"exclaimedKalonay,inatoneofmockdismay;\"ofcourseit’swrong。It’swicked。\"
ThemonkturnedandlookedcoldlyoverhisshoulderatKalonay,andthePrincelaughed。
\"Ibegyourpardon,\"hesaid,\"butwearetoldtobecontentedwithourlot,\"heargued,impenitently。\"`Heonlyisaslavewhocomplains,’andthatistrueevenifahereticdidsayit。\"
ThemonkshookhisheadandturnedagaintoMissCarsonwithatolerantsmile。
\"Heisveryyoung,\"hesaid,asthoughKalonaydidnothearhim,\"andwildandfoolish——andyet,\"headded,doubtfully,\"I
findIlovetheboy。\"Heregardedtheyoungmanwithakindbutimpersonalscrutiny,asthoughhewereapictureorastatue。\"SometimesIimagineheisallImighthavebeen,\"hesaid,\"hadnotGodgivenmethestrengthtoovercomemyself。
Hehasneverdeniedhimselfinanything;heisaswilfulandcapriciousasagirl。Hemakesanoblefriend,MissCarson,andagenerousenemy;butheisspoiledirretrievablybygoodfortuneandgoodlivingandgoodhealth。\"Thepriestlookedattheyoungmanwithacertainsadseverity。\"`Unstableaswater,thoushaltnotexcel,’\"hesaid。
Thegirl,ingreatembarrassment,turnedherheadaway,glancingfromtheoceantothesky;butKalonayseatedhimselfcoollyonthebroadbalustradeoftheterracewithhishandsonhiships,andhisheelsrestingonthemarbletiling,andclickedthesolesofhisbootstogether。
\"Oh,Ihavehadmybaddays,too,Father,\"hesaid。Heturnedhisheadononeside,andpressedhislipstogether,lookingdown。
\"Unstableaswater——thatisquitepossible,\"hesaid,withanairofconsideration;\"butspoiledbygoodfortune——oh,no,thatisnotfair。Doyoucallitgoodfortune,sir,\"helaughed,\"tobeanexileattwenty—eight?Isitgoodfortunetobetoopoortopayyourdebts,andtoolazytowork;tobethelastofagreatname,andtohavenochancetoaddtothegloryofit,andnomeanstokeepitsdignityfreshandsecure?DoyoufancyIliketoseemyselfdriftingfartherandfartherawayfromtheoldstandardsandtheoldtraditions;tohaveEnglishbrewersandGermanJewbankerstakingtheplaceIshouldhave,buyingtitleswiththeirearningsandsnubbingmebecauseIcanonlyhuntwhensomeonegivesmeamount,andbecauseIchoosetotakeapurseinsteadofacupwhenweshootatMonteCarlo?\"
\"Whatchild’stalkisthis?\"interruptedthepriest,angrily。
\"Athousandhorsescannotmakeamannoble,norwaspovertyeverignoble。Youtalklikeaweakboy。Everywordyousayisyourowncondemnation。Whyshouldyoucomplain?Yourbedisofyourownmaking。Theotherprodigalwasforcedtoherdwiththeswine——youhavechosentoherdwiththem。\"
Thegirlstraightenedherselfandhalfrosefromherchair。
\"YouareboringMissCarsonwithmydelinquencies,\"saidthePrince,sternly。Hisfacewasflushed,andhedidnotlookeitheratthegirloratthepriest。
\"Buttheprodigal’sfather?\"saidMissCarson,smilingattheolderman。\"Didhestandoverhimandupbraidhim?Youremember,hewenttomeethimwhenhewasyetagreatwayoff。
Thatwasit,wasitnot,Father?\"
\"Ofcoursehedid,\"criedKalonay,laughinglikeaboy,andslippinglightlytotheterrace。\"Hemethimhalfwayandgavehimthebesthehad。\"HesteppedtoMissCarson’ssideandthetwoyoungpeoplemovedawaysmiling,andthepriest,seeingthattheywereabouttoescapehim,criedeagerly,\"Butthatprodigalhadrepented。Thisone————\"
\"Let’srun,\"criedthePrince。\"Hewillgetthebestofusifwestay。Healwaysgetsthebestofme。Hehasbeenabusingmethatwayfortwoweeksnow,andheisalwayssorryafterward。Letusleavehimalonetohissorrowandremorse。\"
KalonaywalkedacrosstheterracewithMissCarson,bendingaboveherwithwhatwouldhaveseemedtoanoutsideralmostaproprietaryright。Shedidnotappeartonoticeit,butlookedathimfranklyandlistenedtowhathehadtosaywithinterest。Hewasspeakingrapidly,andashespokeheglancedshylyatherasthoughseekingherapprobation,andnotboldly,ashewasaccustomedtodowhenhetalkedwitheithermenorwomen。Tolookatherwithadmirationwassuchacheapformofappreciation,andonesodistastefultoher,thathadheknownit,Kalonay’savertedeyesweremoreofacomplimentthananywordshecouldhavespoken。Hiscompanionswhohadseenhimwithotherwomenknewthathismannertoherwasnothisusualmanner,andthathegavehersomethinghedidnotgivetotheothers;thathewasmorediscreetandlessready,andlessatease。
ThePrinceKalonayhadfirstmetMissCarsonandhermotherbychanceinParis,attheroomsofFatherPaul,wheretheyhadeachgoneonthesameerrand,andsincethatmeetinghiswholemannertowardthetwoworldsinwhichhelivedhadalteredsostrangelythatmereacquaintancesnoticedthechange。
Beforehehadmether,thelittlethepriesthadsaidconcerningherandherzealfortheircommondesirehadpiquedhiscuriosity,andhisimaginationhadbeenarousedbythepictureofaromanticyoungwomangivingherfortunetosavethesoulsofthepeopleofMessina;hispeoplewhomheregardedandwhoregardedhimlessasafeudallordthanasafatherandacomrade。Hehadpicturedherasanervous,angularwomanwithapale,asceticface,andwiththerestlesseyesofanenthusiast,dressedinblackandbadlydressed,andwithasevereandnarrowintelligence。Buthehadpreparedhimselftoforgiveherpersonality,forthesakeofthehighandgenerousimpulsethatinspiredher。Andwhenhewaspresentedtoherasshereallywas,andfoundheryoung,lovable,andnoblyfair,theshockofwonderanddelighthadheldhimsilentduringthewholecourseofherinterviewwiththepriest,andwhenshehadleftthemhisbrainwasinatumultandwasfilledwithmemoriesofherwordsandgestures,andofthesweetfearlessnessofhermanner。Beautifulwomenhehadknownbeforeasbeautifulwomen,butthesavinggraceinhisnaturehadneverbeforebeensodeeplyrousedbywhatwasfineaswellasbeautiful。Itseemedasthoughitweretoocompleteandperfect。Forheassuredhimselfthatshepossessedeverything——thosequalitieswhichhehadnevervaluedbeforebecausehebelievedthemtobeunattainable,andthoseotherswhichhehadmadehisidols。Shewaswithhim,mindandheartandsoul,intheonedesireofhislifethathetookseriously;shewasofhisreligion,shewasmorenoblethanhisnoblesisters,andshewasmorebeautifulthantheday。Inthefirstglowofthemeetingitseemedtohimasthoughfatehadcalledthemtodothisworktogether,——shefromthefarshoreofthePacific,andhefromhisrockyislandintheMiddleSea。Andhesawwithcrueldistinctness,thatiftherewereonethingwanting,itwashimself。Heworshippedherbeforehehadbowedhisfirstgood—bytoher,andthatnighthewalkedformilesupanddownthelonglengthsoftheavenueoftheChamps—Elysees,facingthegreatchangethatshehadbroughtintohislife,butknowinghimselftobeutterlyunfitforhercoming。Hefeltlikeanunworthystewardcaughtathismaster’sreturnunprepared,withungirtloins,andunlightedlamp。Nothinghehaddonesincehewasachildgavehimtherighttoconsiderhimselfherequal。Hewasnotblindedbytheapproacheswhichotherdaughtersandthemothersofdaughtershadmadehim。Heknewthatwhatwasenoughtoexcusemanythingsintheireyesmightfindnoapologyinhers。Helookedbackwiththeawakeningofachildattheirrevocableactsinhislifethatcouldnotbealterednordugupnorhiddenaway。Theymarkedtheroadhehadtroddenlikeheavymilestones,tellinghisstorytoeverypasser—by。Shecouldreadthem,aseveryoneelsecouldreadthem。Hehadwastedhissubstance,hehadbarteredhisbirthrightforamoment’spleasure;therewasnoonesolowanddespicablewhocouldnotcallhimcomrade,towhomhehadnotgivenhimselfwithoutreserve。Therewasnothingleft,andnowtheonethinghehadeverwantedhadcome,andhadfoundhimlikeabankrupt,hiscreditwastedandhiscoffersempty。HehadplacedhimselfatthebeckandcallofeveryidlemanandwomaninParis,andhewasascommonasthegreatclock—facethathangsabovetheboulevards。
MissCarson’sfeelingstowardKalonaywerenotofherownchoosing,andhadpassedthroughseveralstages。Whentheyhadfirstmetshehadthoughtitmostsadthatsocarelessandunprincipledapersonshouldchancetoholdsoimportantapartinthetaskshehadsetherselftodo。Sheknewhisclassonlybyhearsay,butsheplacedhiminit,and,accordingly,atoncedismissedhimasapersonfromhermind。
Kalonayhadnevershownherthathelovedher,exceptbythosesignswhichanywomancanreadandwhichnomancanconceal;
buthedidnotmakelovetoher,anditwasthatwhichfirstprepossessedherinhisfavor。Oneortwoothermenwhoknewofherfortune,andtowhomshehadgivenaslittleencouragementasshehadtoKalonay,hadbeenlessconsiderate。Buthisattitudetowardherwasalwaysthatofafellow—workerinthecommoncause。Hetreatedherwithagratitudeforthehelpshemeanttogivehispeoplewhichmuchembarrassedher。Hisseriousnesspleasedherwithhim,seeing,asshedid,thatitwasnothisnaturetobeserious,andhisenthusiasmandloveforhishalf—civilizedcountrymenincreasedherinterestinthem,andherlikingforhim。Shecouldnothelpbutadmirethewayinwhichheaccepted,withoutforcinghertomakeitanyplainer,thefactthatheheldnoplaceinherthoughts。Andthenshefoundthathebegantoholdmoreofaplaceinherthoughtsthanshehadsupposedanymancouldholdofwhomsheknewsolittle,andofwhomthelittlesheknewwassoill。Shemissedhimwhenshewenttothepriest’sandfoundthathehadnotsentforKalonaytobearhispartintheircouncils;andattimesshefeltanunworthywishtohearKalonayspeaktheverywordsshehadadmiredhimforkeepingfromher。Andatlastshelearnedthetruththatshedidlovehim,anditfrightenedher,andmadehermiserableandhappy。TheyhadnotseeneachothersincehehadleftParisforMessina,andthoughtheyspokenowonlyofhismissiontotheisland,therewasbackofwhattheysaidthejoyforeachofthemofbeingtogetheragainandoffindingthatitmeantsomuch。Whatitmightmeantotheother,neitherknew。
ForsomelittletimetheKingfollowedthetwoyoungpeoplewithhiseyes,andthenjoinedthem,makingsignstoKalonaythathewishedhimtoleavethemtogether;butKalonayremainedblindtohissignals,andBarrat,seeingthatitwasnotatete—a—tete,joinedthemalso。WhenhedidsoKalonayaskedtheKingforaword,andlayinghishanduponhisarmwalkedwithhimdowntheterrace,pointingostensiblytowheretheyachtlayintheharbor。Louisansweredhispantomimewithanappropriategesture,andthenasked,sharply,\"Well,whatisit?Whydidyoubringmehere?Andwhatdoyoumeanbystayingonwhenyouseeyouarenotwanted?\"
Theyweresomedistancefromtheothers。Kalonaysmiledandmadeaslightbow。\"YourMajesty,\"hebegan,withpoliteemphasis。TheKinglookedathimcuriously。
\"Intheolddaysundersimilarcircumstances,\"thePrincecontinued,withtheairofacourtierratherthanthatofanequal,\"hadIthoughtofforminganalliancebymarriage,I
shouldhavecometoyourMajestyfirstandaskedyourgraciousapproval。Butthosedaysarepast,andwearelivingattheendofthecentury;andwedosuchthingsdifferently。\"HestraightenedhimselfandreturnedtheKing’slookofamusedinterestwithoneascynicalashisown。\"WhatIwantedtotellyou,Louis,\"hesaid,quietly,\"isthatImeantoaskMissCarsontobecomethePrincessKalonay。\"
TheKingraisedhisheadquicklyandstaredattheyoungermanwithalookofdistasteandsurprise。Hegaveanincredulouslaugh。
\"Indeed?\"hesaidatlast。\"Therewasalwayssomethingaboutrichwomenyoucouldneverresist。\"
ThePrincemadehisacknowledgmentwithashrugofhisshouldersandsmiledindifferently。
\"Ididn’texpectyoutounderstand,\"hesaid。\"Itdoesseemodd;it’squiteasdifficultformetounderstandasforyou。
Ihavebeenthroughitagreatmanytimes,andIthoughtI
knewalltherewasofit。Butnowitseemsdifferent。No,itdoesnotseemdifferent,\"hecorrectedhimself;\"itisdifferent,andIlovetheladyandImeantoaskhertodomethehonortomarryme。Ididn’texpectyoutounderstand,I
don’tcareifyoudo。Ionlywantedtowarnyou。\"
\"Warnme?\"interruptedtheKing,withanunpleasantsmile。
\"Indeed!againstwhat?Yourtoneisatrifleperemptory——butyouareinteresting,mostinteresting!Kalonayinanewrole,Kalonayinlove!Mostinteresting!Warnmeagainstwhat?\"herepeatedsharply。
\"YourMajestyhasacertainmanner,\"thePrincebegan,withapretenceofhesitation,\"acharmofmanner,Imightsay,whichisproverbial。Itis,weknow,attractivetowomen。Everywomanacknowledgesit。ButyourMajestyissometimestoogracious。Hepermitshimselftocondescendtomanywomen,toanywoman,towomenofallclasses————\"
\"Thatwilldo,\"saidtheKing;\"whatdoyoumean?\"
\"WhatImeanisthis,\"saidKalonay,loweringhisvoiceandlookingintotheKing’shalf—closedeyes。\"YoucanhaveallofMissCarson’smoneyyouwant——allyoucanget。Idon’twantit。IfIamto——marryheratall,Iamnotmarryingherforhermoney。Youcan’tbelievethat。Itisn’tessentialthatyoushould。ButIwantyoutoleavethewomanIhopetomakemywifealone。Iwillallownoprettyspeeches,norroyalattentions。Shecangivehermoneywhereshepleases,nowandalways;butI’llnothavehereyesopenedto——asyoucanopenthem。Iwillnothaveherannoyed。Andifsheis————\"
\"Ah,andifsheis?\"challengedtheKing。Hiseyeswerewideapartnowandhislipswerepartedanddrawnbackfromhisteeth,likeasnarlingcat————
\"Ishallholdwhoeverannoysherresponsible,\"Kalonayconcluded,impersonally。
Therewasamoment’spause,duringwhichthetwomenstoodregardingeachotherwarily。