,,temporal ,,power ,a ,,study ,,in ,,supremacy ,by ,marie ,corelli ,,contents ,i4 ,,the ,,king',s ,,pleasaunce ,,ii4 ,,majesty ,,considers ,,and ,,resolves ,,iii4 ,a ,,nation ,,or ,a ,,church8 ,,iv4 ,,sealed ,,orders ,v4 8,,if ,i ,,loved ,,you60 ,,vi4 ,,sergius ,,thord ,,vii4 ,,the ,,idealists ,,viii4 ,,the ,,king',s ,,double ,,ix4 ,,the ,,premier',s ,,signet ,x4 ,,the ,,islands ,,xi4 8,,gloria--,,in ,,excelsis60 ,,xii4 ,a ,,sea ,,princess ,,xiii4 ,,secret ,,service ,,xiv4 ,,the ,,king',s ,,veto ,,xv4 8,,morganatic0 ,,or--8 ,,xvi4 ,,the ,,professor ,,advises ,,xvii4 ,,an 8,,honourable0 ,,statesman ,,xviii4 ,,royal ,,lovers ,,xix4 ,,of ,,the ,,corruption ,,of ,,the ,,state ,,xx4 ,,the ,,scorn ,,of ,,kings ,,xxi4 ,,an ,,invitation ,,to ,,court ,,xxii4 ,a ,,fair ,,debutante ,,xxiii4 ,,the ,,king',s ,,defender ,,xxiv4 ,a ,,woman',s ,,reason ,,xxv4 8,i ,,say--#8,,rome'60 ,,xxvi4 8,,one ,,way--,,one ,,woman60 ,,xxvii4 ,,the ,,song ,,of ,,freedom ,,xxviii4 8,,fate ,,gives--,,the ,,king60 ,,xxix4 ,,the ,,comrade ,,of ,,his ,,foes ,,xxx4 ,,king ,,and ,,socialist ,,xxxi4 ,a ,,vote ,,for ,,love ,,xxxii4 ,,between ,,two ,,passions ,,xxxiii4 ,,sailing ,,to ,,the ,,infinite ,,xxxiv4 ,,abdication ,,chapter ,i ,,the ,,king',s ,,pleasaunce 8,in the beginning10 so we are told1 8,god made the heavens and the earth40 ,the statement is simple and terse2 it is evidently intended to be wholly comprehensive4 ,its decisive1 almost abrupt tone would seem to forbid either question or argument4 ,the old-world narrator of the sublime event thus briefly chronicled was a poet of no mean quality1 though moved by the natural conceit of man to give undue importance to the earth as his own particular habitation4 ,the perfect confidence with which he explains #8,god' as making #8two great lights1 the greater light to rule the day1 the lesser light to rule the night1' is touching to the verge of pathos2 and the additional remark which he throws in1 as it were casually1--#8,he made the stars also1' cannot but move us to admiration4 ,how childlike the simplicity of the soul which could so venture to deal with the inexplicable and tremendous problem of the ,universe6 ,how self-centred and sure the faith which could so arrange the work of ,infinite and ,eternal forces to suit its own limited intelligence6 ,it is easy and natural to believe that #8,god1' or an everlasting ,power of ,goodness and ,beauty called by that name1 #8created the heavens and the earth1' but one is often tempted to think that an altogether different and rival element must have been concerned in the making of ,man4 ,for the heavens and the earth are harmonious2 man is a discord4 ,and not only is he a discord in himself1 but he takes pleasure in producing and multiplying discords4 ,often1 with the least possible amount of education1 and on the slightest provocation1 he mentally sets ,himself1 and his trivial personal opinion on religion1 morals1 and government1 in direct opposition to the immutable laws of the ,universe1 and the attitude he assumes towards the mysterious ,cause and ,original ,source of ,life is nearly always one of three things2 contradiction1 negation1 or defiance4 ,from the first to the last he torments himself with inventions to outwit or subdue ,nature1 and in the end dies1 utterly defeated4 ,his civilizations1 his dynasties1 his laws1 his manners1 his customs1 are all doomed to destruction and oblivion as completely as an ant-hill which exists one night and is trodden down the next4 ,forever and forever he works and plans in vain2 forever and forever ,nature1 the visible and active ,spirit of ,god1 rises up and crushes her puny rebel4 ,there must be good reason for this ceaseless waste of human life1--this constant and steady obliteration of man's attempts1 since there can be no ,effect without ,cause4 ,it is1 as if like children at a school1 we were set a certain sum to do1 and because we blunder foolishly over it and add it up to a wrong total1 it is again and again wiped off the blackboard1 and again and again rewritten for our more careful consideration4 ,possibly the secret of our failure to conquer ,nature lies in ourselves1 and our own obstinate tendency to work in only one groove of what we term #8advancement1'--namely our material self-interest4 ,possibly we might be victors if we would1 even to the very vanquishment of ,death6 ,so many of us think1--and so thought one man of sovereign influence in this world's affairs as1 seated on the terrace of a ,royal palace fronting seaward1 he pondered his own life's problem for perhaps the thousandth time4 8,what is the use of thinking80 asked a wit at the court of ,louis ,,xvi4 8,it only intensifies the bad opinion you have of others1--or of yourself60 ,he found this saying true4 ,thinking is a pernicious habit in which very great personages are not supposed to indulge2 and in his younger days he had avoided it4 ,he had allowed the time to take him as it found him1 and had gone with it unresistingly wherever it had led4 ,it was the best way2 the wisest way2 the way ,solomon found most congenial1 despite its end in #8vanity and vexation of spirit4' ,but with the passing of the years a veil had been dropped over that path of roses1 hiding it altogether from his sight2 and another veil rose inch by inch before him1 disclosing a new and less joyous prospect on which he was not too-well-pleased to look4 ,the sea1 stretching out in a broad shining expanse opposite to him1 sparkled dancingly in the warm sunshine1 and the snowy sails of many yachts and pleasure-boats dipped now and again into the glittering waves like white birds skimming over the tiny flashing foam-crests4 ,dazzling and well-nigh blinding to his eyes were the burning glow and exquisite radiance of colour which seemed melted like gold and sapphire into that bright half-circle of water and sky1--beautiful1 and full of a dream-like evanescent quality1 such as marks all the loveliest scenes and impressions of our life on earth4 ,there was a subtle scent of violets in the air1--and a gardener1 cutting sheafs of narcissi from the edges of the velvety green banks which rolled away in smooth undulations upward from the terrace to the wider extent of the palace pleasaunce beyond1 scattered such perfume with his snipping shears as might have lured another ,proserpine from ,hell4 ,cluster after cluster of white blooms1 carefully selected for the adornment of the ,royal apartments1 he laid beside him on the grass1 not presuming to look in the direction where that other ,workman in the ways of life sat silent and absorbed in thought4 ,that other1 in his own long-practised manner1 feigned not to be aware of his dependant's proximity1--and in this fashion they twain--human beings made of the same clay and relegated1 to the same dust--gave sport to the ,fates by playing at ,sham with ,heaven and themselves4 ,custom1 law1 and all the paraphernalia of civilization1 had set the division and marked the boundary between them1--had forbidden the lesser in world's rank to speak to the greater1 unless the greater began conversation1--had equally forbidden the greater to speak to the lesser lest such condescension should inflate the lesser's vanity so much as to make him obnoxious to his fellows4 ,thus1--of two men1 who1 if left to nature would have been merely--men1 and sincere enough at that1--man himself had made two pretenders1--the one as gardener1 the other as--,king6 ,the white narcissi lying on the grass1 and preparing to die sweetly1 like sacrificed maiden-victims of the flower-world1 could turn true faces to the ,god who made them1--but the men at that particular moment of time had no real features ready for ,god's inspection1--only masks4 8,c'est mon metier d'tre ,roi60 ,so said one of the many dead and gone martyrs on the rack of sovereignty4 ,alas1 poor soul1 thou would'st have been happier in any other #8mtier' ,i warrant6 ,for kingship is a profession which cannot be abandoned for a change of humour1 or cast aside in light indifference and independence because a man is bored by it and would have something new4 ,it is a routine and drudgery to which some few are born1 for which they are prepared1 to which they must devote their span of life1 and in which they must die4 8,how shall we pass the day80 asked a weary ,roman emperor1 8,i am even tired of killing my enemies60 #8,even' that6 ,and the strangest part of it is1 that there are people who would give all their freedom and peace of mind to occupy for a few years an uneasy throne1 and who actually live under the delusion that a monarch is happy6 ,the gardener soon finished his task of cutting the narcissi1 and though he might not1 without audacity1 look at his ,sovereign-master1 his ,sovereign-master looked at him1 furtively1 from under half-closed eyelids1 watching him as he bound the blossoms together carefully1 with the view of giving as little trouble as possible to those whose duty it would be to arrange them for the ,royal pleasure4 ,his work done1 he walked quickly1 yet with a certain humble stealthiness1--thus admitting his consciousness of that greater presence than his own1--down a broad garden walk beyond the terrace towards a private entrance to the palace1 and there disappeared4 ,the ,king was left alone1--or apparently so1 for to speak truly1 he was never alone4 ,an equerry1 a page-in-waiting1--or what was still more commonplace as well as ominous1 a detective1--lurked about him1 ever near1 ever ready to spring on any unknown intruder1 or to answer his slightest call4 ,but to the limited extent of the solitude allowed to kings1 this man was alone1--alone for a brief space to consider1 as he had informed his secretary1 certain documents awaiting his particular and private perusal4 ,the marble pavilion in which he sat had been built by his father1 the late ,king1 for his own pleasure1 when pleasure was more possible than it is now4 ,its slender ,ionic columns1 its sculptured friezes1 its painted ceilings1 all expressed a gaiety1 grace and beauty gone from the world1 perchance for ever4 ,open on three sides to the living picture of the ocean1 crimson and white roses clambered about it1 and tall plume-like mimosa shook fragrance from its golden blossoms down every breath of wind4 ,the costly table on which this particular ,majesty of a nation occasionally wrote his letters1 would1 if sold1 have kept a little town in food for a year1--the rich furs at his feet would have bought bread for hundreds of starving families1--and every delicious rose that nodded its dainty head towards him with the breeze would have given an hour's joy to a sick child4 ,socialists say this kind of thing with wildly eloquent fervour1 and blame all kings in passionate rhodomontade for the tables1 the furs and the roses1--but they forget--it is not the sad and weary kings who care for these or any luxuries1--they would be far happier without them4 ,it is the ,people who insist on having kings that should be blamed1--not the monarchs themselves4 ,a king is merely the people's ,prisoner of ,state1--they chain him to a throne1--they make him clothe himself in sundry fantastic forms of attire and exhibit his person thus decked out1 for their pleasure1--they calculate1 often with greed and grudging1 how much it will cost to feed him and keep him in proper state on the national premises1 that they may use him at their will1--but they seldom or never seem to remember the fact that there is a ,man behind the ,king6 ,it is not easy to govern nowadays1 since there is no real autocracy1 and no strong soul likely to create one4 ,but the original idea of sovereignty was grand and wise2--the strongest man and bravest1 raised aloft on shields and bucklers with warrior cries of approval from the people who voluntarily chose him as their leader in battle1--their utmost ,head of affairs4 ,progress has demolished this ideal1 with many others equally fine and inspiring2 and now all kings are so1 by right of descent merely4 ,whether they be infirm or palsied1 weak or wise1 sane or crazed1 still are they as of old elected2 only no more as the ,strongest1 but simply as the ,sign-posts of a traditional bygone authority4 ,this ,king however1 here written of1 was not deficient in either mental or physical attributes4 ,his outward look and bearing betokened him as far more fit to be lifted in triumph on the shoulders of his battle-heroes1 a real and visible ,man1 than to play a more or less cautiously inactive part in the modern dumb-show of ,royalty4 ,well-built and muscular1 with a compact head regally poised on broad shoulders1 and finely formed features which indicated in their firm modelling strong characteristics of pride1 indomitable resolution and courage1 he had an air of rare and reposeful dignity which made him much more impressive as a personality than many of his fellow-sovereigns4 ,his expression was neither foolish nor sensual1--his clear dark grey eyes were sane and steady in their regard and had no tricks of shiftiness4 ,as an ordinary man of the people his appearance would have been distinctive1--as a ,king1 it was remarkable4 ,he had of course been called handsome in his childhood1--what heir to a ,throne ever lived that was not beautiful1 to his nurse at least8--and in his early youth he had been grossly flattered for his cleverness as well as his good looks4 ,every small attempt at witticism1--every poor joke he could invent1 adapt or repeat1 was laughed at approvingly in a chorus of admiration by smirking human creatures1 male and female1 who bowed and bobbed up and down before the lad like strange dolphins disporting themselves on dry land4 ,whereat he grew to despise the dolphins1 and no wonder4 ,when he was about seventeen or eighteen he began to ask odd questions of one of his preceptors1 a learned and ceremonious personage who1 considering the extent of his certificated wisdom1 was yet so singularly servile of habit and disposition that he might have won a success on the stage as ,chief ,toady in a burlesque of ,court life4 ,he was a pale1 thin old man1 with a wizened face set well back amid wisps of white hair1 and a scraggy throat which asserted its working muscles visibly whenever he spoke1 laughed or took food4 ,his way of shaking hands expressed his moral flabbiness in the general dampness1 looseness and limpness of the act1--not that he often shook hands with his pupil1 for though that pupil was only a boy made of ordinary flesh and blood like other boys1 he was nevertheless heir to a ,throne1 and in strict etiquette even friendly liberties were not to be too frequently taken with such an ,exalted little bit of humanity4 ,the lad himself1 however1 had a certain mischievous delight in making him perform this courtesy1 and being young and vigorous1 would often squeeze the old gentleman's hesitating fingers in his strong clasp so energetically as to cause him the severest pain4 ,student of many philosophies as he was1 the worthy pedagogue would have cried out1 or sworn profane oaths in his agony1 had it been any other than the #8,heir-,apparent' who thus made him wince with torture1--but as matters stood1 he merely smiled--and bore it4 ,the young rascal of a prince smiled too1--taking note of his obsequious hypocrisy1 which served an inquiring mind with quite as good a field for logical speculation as any problem in ,euclid4 ,and he went on with his questions1--questions1 which if not puzzling1 were at least irritating enough to have secured him a rap on the knuckles from his tutor's cane1 had he been a grocer's lad instead of the eldest son of a ,royal house4 8,professor10 he said on one occasion1 8,what is man80 8,man10 replied the professor sedately1 8is an intelligent and reasoning being1 evolved by natural processes of creation into his present condition of supremacy40 8,what is ,supremacy80 8,the state of being above1 or superior to1 the rest of the animal creation40 8,and is he so superior80 8,he is generally so admitted40 8,is my father a man80 8,assuredly6 ,the question is superfluous40 8,what makes him a ,king80 8,royal birth and the hereditary right to his great position40 8,then if man is in a condition of supremacy over the rest of creation1 a king is more than a man if he is allowed to rule men80 8,sir1 pardon me6--a king is not more than a man1 but men choose him as their ruler because he is worthy40 8,in what way is he worthy8 ,simply because he is born as ,i am1 heir to a throne80 8,precisely40 8,he might be an idiot or a cripple1 a fool or a coward1--he would still be ,king80 8,most indubitably40 8,so that if he were a madman1 he would continue to hold supremacy over a nation1 though his groom might be sane80 8,your ,royal ,highness pursues the question with an unwise flippancy20--remonstrated the professor with a pained1 forced smile4 8,if an idiot or a madman were unfortunately born to a throne1 a regency would be appointed to control state affairs1 but the heir would1 in spite of natural incapability1 remain the lawful king40 8,a strange sovereignty60 said the young prince carelessly4 8,and a still stranger patience in the people who would tolerate it6 ,yet over all men1--kings1 madmen1 and idiots alike1--there is another ruling force1 called ,god80 8,there is a force10 admitted the professor dubiously--8,but in the present forward state of things it would not be safe to attempt to explain the nature of that force1 and for the benefit of the illiterate masses we call it ,god4 ,a national worship of something superior to themselves has always been proved politic and necessary for the people4 ,i have not at any time resolved myself as to why it should be so2 but so it is40 8,then man1 despite his #8supremacy' must have something more supreme than himself to keep him in order1 if it be only a fetish wherewith to tickle his imagination80 suggested the prince with a touch of satire1--8,even kings must bow1 or pretend to bow1 to the ,king of kings80 8,sir1 you have expressed the fact with felicity20 replied the professor gravely--8,his ,majesty1 your august father1 attends public worship with punctilious regularity1 and you are accustomed to accompany him4 ,it is a rule which you will find necessary to keep in practice1 as an example to your subjects when you are called upon to reign40 ,the young man raised his eyebrows deprecatingly1 with a slight ironical smile1 and dropped the subject4 ,but the learned professor as in duty bound1 reported the conversation to his pupil's father2 with the additional observation that he feared1 he very humbly and respectfully feared1 that the developing mind of the prince appeared undesirably disposed towards discursive philosophies1 which were wholly unnecessary for the position he was destined to occupy4 ,whereupon the ,king took his son to task on the subject with a mingling of kindness and humour4 8,do not turn philosopher60 he said--8,for philosophy will not so much content you with life1 as with death6 ,philosophy will chill your best impulses and most generous enthusiasms1--it will make you over-cautious and doubtful of your friends1--it will cause you to be indifferent to women in the plural1 but it will hand you over1 a weak and helpless victim to the one woman1--when she comes1--as she is bound to come4 ,there is no one so hopelessly insane as a philosopher in love6 ,love women1 but not a woman60 8,in so doing ,i should follow the wisest of examples1--yours1 ,sir60 replied the prince with a familiarity more tender than audacious1 for his father was a man of fine presence and fascinating manner1 and knew well the extent of his power to charm and subjugate the fairer sex1--8,but ,i have a fancy that love1--if it exists anywhere outside the dreams of the poets1--is unknown to kings40 ,the monarch bent his brows frowningly1 and his eyes were full of a deep and bitter melancholy4 8,you mistake60 he said slowly--8,love1--and by that name ,i mean a wholly different thing from ,passion1--comes to kings as to commoners1--but whereas the commoner may win it if he can1 the king must reject it4 ,but it comes1--and leaves a blank in the proudest life when it goes60 ,he turned away abruptly1 and the conversation was not again resumed4 ,but when he died1 those who prepared his body for burial1 found a gold chain round his neck1 holding the small medallion portrait of a woman1 and a curl of soft fair hair4 ,needless to say the portrait was not that of the late ,queen-,consort1 who had died some years before her ,royal spouse1 nor was the hair hers1--but when they brought the relic to the new ,king1 he laid it back with his own hands on his father's lifeless breast1 and let it go into the grave with him4 ,for1 being no longer the crowned ,servant of the ,state1 he had the right as a mere dead man1 to the possession of his love-secret4 ,so at least thought his son and successor1 who at times was given to wondering whether if1 like his father1 he had such a secret he would be able to keep it as closely and as well4 ,he thought not4 ,it would be scarcely worth while4 ,it can only be the greatest love that is always silent1--and in the greatest1--that is1 the ideal and self-renouncing love1--he did not believe2 though in his own life's experience he had been given a proof that such love is possible to women1 if not to men4 ,when he was about twenty1 he had loved1 or had imagined he loved1 a girl1--a pretty creature1 who did not know him as a prince at all1 but simply as a college student4 ,he used to walk with her hand in hand through the fields by the river1 and gather wild flowers for her to wear in her little white bodice4 ,she had shy soft eyes1 and a timid1 yet trusting look1 full of tenderness and pathos4 ,moved by a romantic sense of honour and chivalry1 he promised to marry her1 and thereupon wrote an impulsive letter to his father informing him of his intention4 ,of course he was summoned home from college at once1--he was reminded of his high destiny--of the ,throne that would be his if he lived to occupy it1--of the great and serious responsibilities awaiting him1--and of how impossible it was that the ,heir-,apparent to the ,crown should marry a commoner4 8,why not80 he cried passionately--8,if she be good and true she is as fit to be a queen as any woman royally born6 ,she is a queen already in her own right60 ,but while he was being argued with and controlled by all the authorities concerned in king's business1 his little sweetheart herself put an end to the matter4 ,her parents told her all unpreparedly1 and with no doubt unnecessary harshness1 the real position of the college lad with whom she had wandered in the fields so confidingly2 and in the bewilderment of her poor little broken heart and puzzled brain1 she gave herself to the river by whose flowering banks she had sworn her maiden vows1--though she knew it not1--to her future ,king2 and so1 drowning her life and love together1 made a piteous exit from all difficulty4 ,before she went forth to die1 she wrote a farewell to her ,royal lover1 posting the letter herself on her way to the river1 and1 by the merest chance he received it without a spy's intervention4 ,it was but one line1 scrawled in a round youthful hand1 and blotted with many tears4 8,sir--my love6--forgive me60 ,it would be unwise to say what that little scrap of ill-formed writing cost the heir to a throne when he heard how she had died1--or how he raged and swore and wept4 ,it was the first ,wrong forced on him as ,right1 by the laws of the realm2 and he was young and generous and honest1 and not hardened to those laws then4 ,their iniquity and godlessness appeared to him in plain ugly colours undisguised4 ,since that time he had perforce fallen into the habit and routine of his predecessors1 though he was not altogether so #8constitutional' a sovereign as his father had been4 ,he had something of the spirit of one who had occupied his throne five hundred years before him2 when strength and valour and wit and boldness1 gave more kings to the world than came by heritage4 ,he did unconventional things now and then2 to the grief of flunkeys1 and the alarm of ,court parasites4 ,but his kingdom was of the ,south1 where hot blood is recognized and excused1 and fiery temper more admired than censured1 and where1--so far as social matters went1--his word1 whether kind1 cold1 or capricious1 was sufficient to lead in any direction that large flock of the silly sheep of fashion who only exist to eat1 and to be eaten4 ,sometimes he longed to throw himself back into bygone centuries and stand as his earliest ancestor stood1 sword in hand1 on a height overlooking the battle-field1 watching the swaying rush of combat1--the glitter of spears and axes--the sharp flight of arrows--the tossing banners1 the grinding chariots1 the flying dust and carnage of men6 ,there was something to fight for in those days1--there was no careful binding up of wounds1--no provision for the sick or the mutilated1--nothing1 nothing1 but #8,victory or ,death6' ,how much grander1 how much finer the old fierce ways of war than now1 when any soldier wounded1 may write the details of his bayonet-scratch or bullet-hole to the cheap press1 and the surgeon prys about with ,rontgen-ray paraphernalia and scalpel1 to discover how much or how little escape from dissolution a man's soul has had in the shock of contest with his foe6 ,of a truth these are paltry days6--and paltry days breed paltry men4 ,afraid of sickness1 afraid of death1 afraid of poverty1 afraid of offences1 afraid to think1 afraid to speak1 ,man in the present era of his boasted #8progress' resembles nothing so much as a whipped child1--cowering under the outstretched arm of ,heaven and waiting in whimpering terror for the next fall of the scourge4 ,and it is on this point especially1 that the monarch who takes part in this unhesitating chronicle of certain thoughts and movements hidden out of sight1--yet deeply felt in the under-silences of the time1--may claim to be unconventional2--he was afraid of nothing1--not even of himself as ,king6 ,,chapter ,,ii ,,majesty ,,considers ,,and ,,resolves ,the little episode of his first love1 combined with his ungovernable fury and despair at its tragic conclusion1 had of course the natural result common in such a case1 to the fate of all who are destined to occupy thrones4 ,a marriage was #8arranged' for him2 and pressing reasons of state were urged for the quick enforcement and carrying out of the #8arrangement4' ,the daughter of a neighbouring potentate was elected to the honour of his alliance1--a beautiful girl with a pale1 cold clear-cut face and brilliant eyes1 whose smile penetrated the soul with an icy chill1 and whose very movement1 noiseless and graceful as it was1 reminded one irresistibly of slowly drifting snow4 ,she was attended to the altar1 as he was1 by all the ministers and plenipotentiaries of state that could possibly be gathered together from the four quarters of the globe as witnesses to the immolation of two young human lives on the grim sacrificial stone of a ,dynasty2 and both prince and princess accepted their fate with mutually silent and civil resignation4 ,their portraits1 set facing each other with a silly smile1 or taken in a linked arm-in-arm attitude against a palatial canvas background1 appeared in every paper published throughout the world1 and every scribbler on the ,press took special pains to inform the easily deluded public that the ,royal union thus consummated was #8a romantic love-match4' ,for the ,people still have heart and conscience1--the ,people1 taken in the rough lump of humanity1 still believe in love1 in faith1 in the dear sweetness of home affections4 ,the politicians who make capital out of popular emotion1 know this well enough1--and are careful to play the tune of their own personal interest upon the gamut of ,national ,sentiment in every stump oration4 ,for how terrible it would be if the ,people of any land learned to judge their preachers and teachers by the lines of fact alone6 ,inasmuch as fact would convincingly prove to them that their leaders prospered and grew rich1 while they stayed poor2 and they might take to puzzling out reasons for this inadequacy which would inevitably cause trouble4 ,for this1 and divers other motives politic1 the rosy veil of sentiment is always delicately flung more or less over every new move on the national debating-ground1--and whether marriageable princes and princesses love or loathe each other1 still1 when they come to wed1 the words #8romantic love-match' must be thrown in by an obliging ,press in order to satisfy the tender scruples of a people who would certainly not abide the thought of a ,royal marriage contracted in mutual aversion4 ,thus much soundness and right principle there is at least1 in what some superfine persons call the #8common' folk1--the folk whose innermost sense of truth and straightforwardness1 not even the proudest statesman dare outrage4 ,but with what unuttered and unutterable scorn the youthful victims of the ,royal pairing accepted the newspaper-assurances of the devoted tenderness they entertained for each other6 ,with what wearied impatience both prince and princess received the #8,wedding ,odes' and #8,epithalamiums1' written by first-class and no-class versifiers for the occasion6 ,what shoals of these were cast aside unread1 to occupy the darkest dingiest corner of one of the ,royal #8refuse' libraries6 ,the writers of such things expected great honours1 no doubt1 each and every man-jack of them1--but apart from the fact that the greatest literature has always lived without any official recognition or endowment from kings1--being in itself the supremest sovereignty1--poets and rhymesters alike never seem to realize that no one is1 or can be1 so sickened by an #8,ode' as the man or woman to whom it is written6 ,the brilliant marriage ceremony concluded1 the august bride and bridegroom took their departure1 amid frantically cheering crowds1 for a stately castle standing high among the mountains1 a truly magnificent pile1 which had been placed at their disposal for the #8honeymoon' by one of the wealthiest of the ,king's subjects1--and there1 as soon as equerries1 grooms-in-waiting1 flunkeys1 and every other sort of indoor and outdoor retainer would consent to leave them alone together1 the ,royal wife came to her ,royal husband1 and asked to be allowed to speak a few words on the subject of their marriage1 #8for the first and last time1' said she1 with a straight glance from the cold moonlight mystery of her eyes4 ,beautiful at all times1 her beauty was doubly enhanced by the regal attitude and expression she unconsciously assumed as she made the request1 and the prince1 critically studying her form and features1 could not but regard himself as in some respects rather particularly favoured by the political and social machinery which had succeeded in persuading so fair a creature to resign herself to the doubtful destiny of a throne4 ,she had laid aside her magnificent bridal-robes of ivory satin and cloth-of-gold1--and appeared before him in loose draperies of floating white1 with her rich hair unbound and rippling to her knees4 8,may ,i speak80 she murmured1 and her voice trembled4 8,most assuredly60--he replied1 half smiling--8,you do me too much honour by requesting the permission60 ,as he spoke1 he bowed profoundly1 but she1 raising her eyes1 fixed them full upon him with a strange look of mingled pride and pain4 8,do not10 she said1 8let us play at formalities6 ,let us be honest with each other for to-night at least6 ,all our life together must from henceforth be more or less of a masquerade1 but let us for to-night be as true man and true woman1 and frankly face the position into which we have been thrust1 not by ourselves1 but by others40 ,profoundly astonished1 the prince was silent4 ,he had not thought this girl of nineteen possessed any force of character or any intellectual power of reasoning4 ,he had judged her as no doubt glad to become a great princess and a possible future queen1 and he had not given her credit for any finer or higher feeling4 8,you know10--she continued--8you must surely know--0 here1 despite the strong restraint she put upon herself1 her voice broke1 and her slight figure swayed in its white draperies as if about to fall4 ,she looked at him with a sense of rising tears in her throat1--tears of which she was ashamed1--for she was full of a passionate emotion too strong for weeping--a contempt of herself and of him1 too great for mere clamour4 ,was he so much of a man in the slow thick density of his brain she thought1 as to have no instinctive perception of her utter misery8 ,he hastened to her and tried to take her hands1 but she drew herself away from him and sank down in a chair as if exhausted4 8,you are tired60 he said kindly--8,the tedious ceremonial--the still more tedious congratulations1--and the fatiguing journey from the capital to this place have been too much for your strength4 ,you must rest60 8,it is not that60--she answered--8not that6 ,i am not tired1--but--but--,i cannot say my prayers tonight till you know my whole heart60 ,a curious reverence and pity moved him4 ,all day long he had been in a state of resentful irritation1--he had loathed himself for having consented to marry this girl without loving her1--he had branded himself inwardly as a liar and hypocrite when he had sworn his marriage vows #8before ,god1' whereas if he truly believed in ,god1 such vows taken untruthfully were mere blasphemy2--and now she herself1 a young thing tenderly brought up like a tropical flower in the enervating hot-house atmosphere of ,court life1 yet had such a pure1 deep consciousness of ,god in her1 that she actually could not pray with the slightest blur of a secret on her soul6 ,he waited wonderingly4 8,i have plighted my faith to you before ,god's altar to-day10 she said1 speaking more steadily1--8because after long and earnest thought1 ,i saw that there was no other way of satisfying the two nations to which we belong1 and cementing the friendly relations between them4 ,there is no woman of ,royal birth1--so it has been pointed out to me--who is so suitable1 from a political point of view1 to be your wife as ,i4 ,it is for the sake of your ,throne and country that you must marry--and ,i ask ,god to forgive me if ,i have done wrong in ,his sight by wedding you simply for duty's sake4 ,my father1 your father1 and all who are connected with our two families desire our union1 and have assured me that1 it is right and good for me to give up my life to yours4 ,all women's lives must be martyred to the laws made by men1--or so it seems to me1--,i cannot expect to escape from the general doom apportioned to my sex4 ,i therefore accept the destiny which transfers me to you as a piece of human property for possession and command1--,i accept it freely1 but ,i will not say gladly1 because that would not be true4 ,for ,i do not love you1--,i cannot love you6 ,i want you to know that1 and to feel it1 that you may not ask from me what ,i cannot give40 ,there were no tears in her eyes2 she looked at him straightly and steadfastly4 ,he1 in his turn1 met her gaze fully1--his face had paled a little1 and a shadow of pained regret and commiseration darkened his handsome features4 8,you love someone else80 he asked1 softly4 ,she rose from her chair and confronted him1 a glow of passionate pride flushing her cheeks and brow4 8,no60 she said--8,i would not be a traitor to you in so much as a thought6 ,had ,i loved anyone else ,i would never have married you1--no6--though you had been ten times a prince and king6 ,no6 ,you do not understand4 ,i come to you heartwhole and passionless1 without a single love-word chronicled in my girlhood's history1 or a single incident you may not know4 ,i have never loved any man1 because from my very childhood ,i have hated and feared all men6 ,i loathe their presence--their looks--their voices--their manners1--if one should touch my hand in ordinary courtesy1 my instincts are offended and revolted1 and the sense of outrage remains with me for days4 ,my mother knows of this1 and says ,i am #8unnatural1'--it may be so4 ,but unnatural or not1 it is the truth2 judge therefore the extent of the sacrifice ,i make to ,god and our two countries in giving myself to you60 ,the prince stood amazed and confounded4 ,did she rave8 ,was she mad8 ,he studied her with a curious1 half-doubting scrutiny1 and noted the composure of her attitude1 the cold serenity of her expression1--there was evidently no hysteria1 no sur-excitation of nerves about this calm statuesque beauty which in every line and curve of loveliness silently mutinied against him1 and despised him4 ,puzzled1 yet fascinated1 he sought in his mind for some clue to her meaning4 8,there are women0 she went on--8to whom love1 or what is called love1 is necessary1--for whom marriage is the utmost good of existence4 ,i am not one of these4 ,had ,i my own choice ,i would live my life away from all men1--,i would let nothing of myself be theirs to claim1--,i would give all ,i am and all ,i have to ,god1 who made me what ,i am4 ,for truly and honestly1 without any affectation at all1 ,i look upon marriage1 not as an honour1 but a degradation60 ,had she been less in earnest1 he might have smiled at this1 but her beauty1 intensified as it was by the fervour of her feeling1 seemed transfigured into something quite supernatural which for the moment dazzled him4 8,am ,i to understand--0 he began4 ,she interrupted him by a swift gesture1 while the rich colour swept over her face in a warm wave4 8,understand nothing0--she said1--8but this--that ,i do not love you1 because ,i can love no man6 ,for the rest ,i am your wife2 and as your wife ,i give myself to you and your nation wholly and in all things--save love60 ,he advanced and took her hands in his4 8,this is a strange bargain60 he said1 and gently kissed her4 ,she answered nothing1--only a faint shiver trembled through her as she endured the caress4 ,for a moment or two he surveyed her in silence1--it was a singular and novel experience for him1 as a future king1 to be the lawful possessor of a woman's beauty1 and yet with all his sovereignty to be unable to waken one thrill of tenderness in the frozen soul imprisoned in such exquisite flesh and blood4 ,he was inclined to disbelieve her assertions1--surely he thought1 there must be emotion1 feeling1 passion in this fair creature1 who1 though she seemed a goddess newly descended from inaccessible heights of heaven was still only a woman8 ,and upon the whole he was not ill-pleased with the curious revelation she had made of herself4 ,he preferred the coldness of women to their volcanic eruptions1 and would take more pains to melt the snow of reserve than to add fuel to the flame of ardour4 8,you have been very frank with me10 he said at last1 after a pause1 as he loosened her hands and moved a little apart from her--8,and whether your physical and mental hatred of my sex is a defect in your nature1 or an exceptional virtue1 ,i shall not quarrel with it4 ,i am myself not without faults2 and the chiefest of these is one most common to all men4 ,i desire what ,i may not have1 and covet what ,i do not possess4 ,so6 ,we understand each other60 ,she raised her eyes--those beautiful deep eyes with the moonlight glamour in them1--and for an instant the shining ,soul of her1 pure and fearless1 seemed to spring up and challenge to spiritual combat him who was now her body's master4 ,then1 bending her head with a graceful yet proud submission1 she retired4 ,from that time forth she never again spoke on this1 or any other subject of an intimate or personal nature1 with her ,royal spouse4 ,cold as an iceberg1 pure as a diamond1 she accepted both wifehood and motherhood as martyrdom1 with an evident contempt for its humiliation1 and without one touch of love for either husband or children4 ,she bore three sons1 of whom the eldest1 and heir to the throne was1 at the time this history begins1 just twenty4 ,the passing of the years had left scarcely a trace upon her beauty1 save to increase it from the sparkling luminance of a star to the glory of a full-orbed moon of loveliness1--and she had easily won a triumph over all the other women around her1 in the power she possessed to command and retain the admiration of men4 ,she was one of those brilliant creatures who1 like the ,egyptian ,cleopatra1 never grow old1--for she was utterly exempt from the wasting of the nerves through emotion4 ,her eyes were always bright and clear2 her skin dazzling in its whiteness1 save where the equably flowing blood flushed it with tenderest rose1--her figure remained svelte1 lithe and graceful in all its outlines4 ,finely strung1 yet strong as steel in her temperament1 all thoughts1 feelings and events seemed to sweep over her without affecting or disturbing her mind's calm equipoise4 ,she lived her life with extreme simplicity1 regularity1 and directness1 thus driving to despair all would-be scandal-mongers2 and though many gifted and famous men fell madly in love with their great princess1 and often1 in the extremity of a passion which amounted to disloyalty1 slew themselves for her sake1 she remained unmoved and pitiless4 ,her husband occasionally felt some compassion for the desperate fellows who thus immolated themselves on the ,high ,altar of her perfections1 though it must be admitted that he received the news of their deaths with tolerable equanimity1 knowing them to have been fools1 and as such1 better out of the world than in it4 ,during the first two or three years of his marriage he had himself been somewhat of their disposition1 and as mere man1 had tried by every means in his power to win the affection of his beautiful spouse1 and to melt the icy barrier which she1 despite their relations with each other1 had resolutely kept up between herself and him4 ,he had made the attempt1 not because he actually loved her1 but simply because he desired the satisfaction of conquest4 ,finding the task hopeless1 he resigned himself to his fate1 and accepted her at the costly valuation she set upon herself2 though for pastime he would often pay court to certain ladies of easy virtue1 with the vague idea that perhaps the spirit of jealousy might enter that cold shrine of womanhood where no other demon could force admission1 and wake up the passions slumbering within4 ,but she appeared not to be at all aware of his many and open gallantries2 and only at stray moments1 when her frosty flashing glance fell upon him engaged in some casual flirtation1 would a sudden smarting sense of injury make him conscious of her contempt4 ,but he could reasonably find no fault with her1 save the fault of being faultless4 ,she was a perfect hostess1 and fulfilled all the duties of her exalted position with admirable tact and foresight1--she was ever busy in the performance of good and charitable deeds1--she was an excellent mother1 and took the utmost personal care that her sons should be healthily nurtured and well brought up1--she never interfered in any matter of state or ceremony1--she simply seemed to move as a star moves1 shining over the earth but having no part in it4 ,irresponsive as she was1 she nevertheless compelled admiration1--her husband himself admired her1 but only as he would have admired a statue or a painting4 ,for his was an impulsive and generous nature1 and his marriage had kept his heart empty of the warmth of love1 and his home devoid of the light of sympathy4 ,even his children had been born more as the sons of the nation than his own1--he was not conscious of any very great affection for them1 or interest in their lives4 ,and he had sought to kindle at many strange fires the heavenly love-beacon which should have flamed its living glory into his days2 so it had naturally chanced that he had spent by far the larger portion of his time on the persuasion of mere ,whim1--and as vastly inferior women to his wife had made him spend it4 ,but at this particular juncture1 when the curtain is drawn up on certain scenes and incidents in his life-drama1 a change had been effected in his opinions and surroundings4 ,for eighteen years after his marriage1 he had lived on the first step of the ,throne as its next heir2 and when he passed that step and ascended the ,throne itself1 he seemed to have crossed a vast abyss of distance between the ,old and the ,new4 ,behind him the ,past rolled away like a cloud vanishing1 to be seen no more1--before him arose the dim vista of wavering and uncertain shadows1 which no matter how they shifted and changed1--no matter how many flashes of sunshine flickered through them1--were bound to close in the thick gloom of the inevitable end1--,death4 ,this is what he was chiefly thinking of1 seated alone in his garden-pavilion facing the sea on that brilliant southern summer morning1--this1--and with the thought came many others no less sad and dubious1--such as whether for example1 his eldest son might not already be eager for the crown8--whether even now1 though he had only reigned three years1 his people were not more or less dissatisfied under his rule8 ,his father1 the late ,king1 had died suddenly1--so suddenly that there was neither help nor hope for him among the hastily summoned physicians4 ,stricken numb and speechless1 he kept his anguished eyes fixed to the last upon his son1 as one who should say--8,alas1 and to thee also1 falls this curse of a ,crown60 ,once dead1 he was soon forgotten1--the pomp of the ,royal obsequies merely made a gala-day for the light-hearted ,southern populace1 who hailed the accession of their new ,king with as much gladness as a child1 who1 having broken one doll1 straightway secures another as good1 if not better4 ,as ,heir-,apparent the succeeding sovereign had won great popularity1 and was much more generally beloved than his father had been1--so that it was on an extra high wave of jubilation and acclamation that he and his beautiful consort were borne to the ,throne4 ,three years had passed since then2 and so far his reign had been untroubled by much difficulty4 ,difficulty there was1 but he was kept in ignorance of it1--troubles were brooding1 but he was not informed of them4 ,things likely to be disagreeable were not conveyed to his ears1--and matters which1 had he been allowed to examine into them1 might have aroused his indignation and interference1 were diplomatically hushed up4 ,he was known to possess much more than the limited intelligence usually apportioned to kings2 and certainly1 as his tutor had said of him in his youth1 he was dangerously 8disposed towards discursive philosophies40 ,he was likewise accredited with a conscience1 which many diplomats consider to be a wholly undesirable ingredient in the moral composition of a reigning monarch4 ,therefore1 those who move a king1 as in the game of chess1 one square at a time and no more1--were particularly cautious as to the #8way' in which they moved him4 ,he had shown himself difficult to manage once or twice2 and interested persons could not pursue their usual course of self-aggrandisement with him1 as he was not susceptible to flattery4 ,he had a way of asking straight questions1 and what was still worse1 expecting straight answers1 such as politicians never give4 ,nevertheless he had1 up to the present1 ruled his conduct very much on the lines laid down by his predecessors1 and during his brief reign had been more or less content to passively act in all things as his ministers advised4 ,he had bestowed honours on fools because his ministers considered it politic1--he had given his formal consent to the imposition of certain taxes on his people1 because his ministers had judged such taxes necessary1--in fact he had done everything he was expected to do1 and nothing that he was not expected to do4 ,he had not taken any close personal thought as to whether such and such a political movement was1 or was not1 welcome to the spirit of the nation1 nor had he weighed intimately in his own mind the various private interests of the members of his ,government1 in passing1 or moving the rejection of1 any important measure affecting the well-being of the community at large4 ,and he had lately1--perhaps through the objectionable #8discursive philosophies' before mentioned1--come to consider himself somewhat of a stuffed ,dummy or figure-head2 and to wonder what would be the result1 if with caution and prudence1 he were to act more on his own initiative1 and speak as he often thought it would be wise and well to speak8 ,he was but forty-five years old1--in the prime of life1 in the plenitude of health and mental vigour1--was he to pass the rest of his days guarded by detectives1 flunkeys and physicians1 with never an independent word or action throughout his whole career to mark him ,man as well as ,monarch8 ,nay1 surely that would be an insult to the ,god who made him6 ,but the question which arose in his mind and perplexed him was1 ,how to begin8 ,how1 after passive obedience1 to commence resistance8 ,how to break through the miserable conventionalism1 the sordid commonplace of a king's surroundings8 ,for it is only in medieval fairy-tales that kings are permitted to be kingly4 ,yet1 despite custom and usage1 he was determined to make a new departure in the annals of modern sovereignty4 ,three years of continuous slavery on the treadmill of the ,throne had been sufficient to make him thirst for freedom1--freedom of speech1--freedom of action4 ,he had tacitly submitted to a certain ministry because he had been assured that the said ministry was popular1--but latterly1 rumours of discontent and grievance had reached him1--albeit indistinctly and incoherently1--and he began to be doubtful as to whether it might not be the ,press which supported the existing state of policy1 rather than the ,people4 ,the ,press6 ,he began to consider of what material this great power in his country was composed4 ,originally1 the ,press in all countries1 was intended to be the most magnificent institution of the civilized world1--the voice of truth1 of liberty1 of justice--a voice which in its clamant utterances could neither be bribed nor biassed to cry out false news4 ,originally1 such was meant to be its mission2--but nowadays1 what1 in all honesty and frankness1 is the ,press8 ,what was it1 for example1 to this king1 who from personal knowledge1 was able to practically estimate and enumerate the forces which controlled it thus3--,six1 or at the most a dozen men1 the proprietors and editors of different newspapers sold in cheap millions to the people4 ,most of these newspapers were formed into #8companies'2 and the managers issued #8shares' in the fashion of tea merchants and grocers4 ,false news1 if of a duly sensational character1 would sometimes send up the shares in the market1--true information would equally1 on occasion1 send them down4 ,these premises granted1 might it not follow that for newspaper speculators1 the ,false would often prove more lucrative than the ,true8 ,and1 concerning the persons who wrote for these newspapers1--of what calling and election were they8 ,male and female1 young and old1 they were generally of a semi-educated class lacking all distinctive ability1--men and women who were1 on an average1 desperately poor1 and desperately dissatisfied4 ,to earn daily bread they naturally had to please the editors set in authority over them2 hence their expressed views and opinions on any subject could only be counted as nil1 being written1 not independently1 but under the absolute control of their employers4 ,thus meditating1 the ,king summed up the total of his own mental argument1 and found that the vast sounding #8power of the ,press' so far as his own dominion was concerned1 resolved itself into the mere trade monopoly of the aforesaid leading dozen men4 ,what he now proposed to himself to discover among other things1 was1--how far and how truly these dozen tradesmen voiced the mind of the ,people over whom he was elected to reign8 ,here was a problem1 and one not easy to solve4 ,but what was very plain and paramount to his mind was this1--that he was thoroughly sick and tired of being no more than a #8social' figure in the world's affairs4 ,it was an effeminate part to play4 ,it was time1 he considered1 that he should intelligently try his own strength1 and test the nation's quality4 8,if there is corruption in the state10 he said to himself1 8,i will find its centre6 ,if ,i am fooled by my advisers then ,i will be fooled no longer4 ,with whatsoever brain and heart and reason and understanding the ,fates have endowed me1 ,i will study the ways1 the movements1 the desires of my people1 and prove myself their friend1 as well as their king4 ,suppose they misunderstand me8--,what matter6--,let the nation rise against me an' it will1 so that ,i may1 before ,i die1 prove myself worthy of the mere gift of manhood6 ,to-day0--and1 rising from his chair1 he advanced a step or two and faced the sea and sky with an unconscious gesture of invocation2 8,to-day shall be the first day of my real monarchy6 ,to-day ,i begin to reign6 ,the past is past1--for eighteen long years as prince and heir to the throne ,i trifled away my time among the follies of the hour1 and laughed at the easy purchase ,i could make of the assumed #8honour' of men and women2 and ,i enjoyed the liberty and license of my position4 ,since then1 for three years ,i have been the prisoner of my ,parliament1--but now--now1 and for the rest of the time granted to me on earth1 ,i will live my life in the belief that its riddle must surely meet with ,god's own explanation4 ,to me it has become evident that the laws of ,nature make for ,truth and ,justice2 while the laws of man are framed on deception and injustice4 ,the two sets of laws contend one against the other1 and the finite1 after foolish and vain struggle1 succumbs to the infinite1--better therefore1 to begin with the infinite ,order than strive with the finite ,chaos6 ,i1 a mere earthly sovereign1 rank myself on the side of the ,infinite1--and will work for ,truth and ,justice with the revolving of ,its giant wheel6 ,my people have seen me crowned1--but my real ,coronation is to-day--when ,i crown myself with my own resolve60 ,his eyes flashed in the sunshine2--a rose shook its pink petals on the ground at his feet4 ,in one of the many pleasure-boats skimming across the sea1 a man was singing2 and the words he sang floated distinctly along on the landward wind4 8,let me be thine1 ,o love1 ,but for an hour6 ,i yield my heart and soul ,into thy power1--,let me be thine1 ,o ,love of mine1 ,but for an hour60 ,the ,king listened1 and a faint shadow darkened the proud light on his face4 8#8,but for an hour6'0 he said half aloud--8,yes1--it would be enough6 ,no woman's love lasts longer60 ,,chapter ,,iii ,a ,,nation ,,or ,a ,,church8 ,an approaching step echoing on the marble terrace warned him that he was no longer alone4 ,he reseated himself at his writing-table1 and feigned to be deeply engrossed in perusing various documents1 but a ready smile greeted the intruder as soon as he perceived who it was1--one ,sir ,roger de ,launay1 his favourite equerry and intimate personal friend4 8,time's up1 is it1 ,roger80 he queried lightly1--then as the equerry bowed in respectful silence--8,and yet ,i have scarcely glanced at these papers6 ,all the same1 ,i have not been idle--,i have been thinking40 ,sir ,roger de ,launay1 a tall handsome man1 with an indefinable air of mingled good-nature and lassitude about him which suggested the possibility of his politely urging even ,death itself not to be so much of a bore about its business1 smiled doubtfully4 8,is it a wise procedure1 ,sir80 he enquired--8,conducive to comfort ,i mean80 ,the ,king laughed4 8,no--,i cannot say that it is6 ,but thought is a tonic which sometimes restores a man's enfeebled self-respect4 ,i was beginning to lose that particular condition of health and sanity1 ,roger6--my self-respect was becoming a flaccid muscle--a withering nerve2--but a little thought-exercise has convinced me that my mental sinews are yet on the whole strong60 ,sir ,roger offered no reply4 ,his eyes expressed a certain languid wonderment2 but duty being paramount with him1 and his immediate errand being to remind his sovereign of an appointment then about due1 he began to collect the writing materials scattered about on the table and put them together for convenient removal4 ,the smile on the ,king's face deepened as he watched him4 8,you do not answer me1 ,de ,launay10--he resumed1 8,you think perhaps that ,i am talking in parables1 and that my mind has been persuaded into a metaphysical and rambling condition by an hour's contemplation of the sunlight on the sea6 ,but come now6--have you not yourself felt a longing to break loose from the trammels of conventional routine1--to be set free from the slavery of answering another's beck and call1--to be something more than my attendant and friend----0 8,sir1 more than your friend ,i have never desired to be60 said ,sir ,roger1 simply4 ,the ,king extended his hand with impulsive quickness1 and ,sir ,roger as he clasped it1 bent low and touched it with his lips4 ,there was no parasitical homage in the act1 for ,de ,launay loved his sovereign with a love little known at courts2 loyally1 faithfully1 and without a particle of self-seeking4 ,he had long recognized the nobility1 truth and courage which graced and tempered the disposition of the master he served1 and knew him to be one1 if not the only1 monarch in the world likely to confer some lasting benefit on his people by his reign4 8,i tell you10 pursued the ,king1 8that there is something in the mortal composition of every man which is beyond mortality1 something which clamours to be heard1 and seen1 and proved4 ,we may call it conscience1 intellect1 spirit or soul1 and attribute its existence1 to ,god1 as a spark of the ,divine ,essence1 but whatever it is1 it is in every one of us2 and there comes a moment in life when it must flame out1 or be quenched forever4 ,that moment has come to me1 ,roger1--that something in me must have its way60 8,your ,majesty no doubt desires the impossible60--said ,sir ,roger with a smile1 8,all men do1--even kings60 8#8,even kings6'0 echoed the monarch--8,you may well say #8even' kings6 ,what are kings8 ,simply the most wronged and miserable men on earth6 ,i do not myself put in a special claim for pity4 ,my realm is small1 and my people are1 for aught ,i can learn or am told of them1 contented4 ,but other sovereigns who are my friends and neighbours1 live1 as it were1 under the dagger's point1--with dynamite at their feet and pistols at their heads1--all for no fault of their own1 but for the faults of a system which they did not formulate4 ,conspirators on the threshold--poison in the air1--as in ,russia1 for example6--where is the joy or the pride of being a ,king nowadays80 8,talking of poison10 said ,sir ,roger blandly1 as he placed the last document of those he had collected1 neatly in a leather case and strapped it--8,your ,majesty may perhaps feel inclined to defer giving the promised audience to ,monsignor ,del ,fords of the ,society of ,jesus80 8,by ,heaven1 ,i had forgotten him60 and the ,king rose4 8,this is what you came to remind me of1 ,roger8 ,he is here80 ,de ,launay bowed an assent4 8,well6 ,we have kept a messenger of ,mother ,church waiting our pleasure1--and not for the first time in the annals of history6 ,but why do you associate his name with poison80 8,really1 ,sir1 the connection is inexplicable1--unless it be the memory of a religious lesson-book given to me in my childhood4 ,it was an illustrated treasure1 and one picture showed me the ,almighty in the character of an old gentleman seated placidly on a cloud1 smiling2--while on the earth below1 a priest1 exactly resembling this ,del ,fortis1 poured a spoonful of something1--poison--or it might have been boiling lead--down the throat of a heretic4 ,i remember it impressed me very much with the goodness of ,god40 ,he maintained a whimsical gravity as he spoke1 and the ,king laughed4 8,de ,launay1 you are incorrigible6 ,come6--we will go within and see this ,del ,fortis1 and you shall remain present during the audience4 ,that will give you a chance to improve your present impression of him4 ,i understand he is a very brilliant and leading member of his ,order1--likely to be the next ,vicar-,general4 ,i know his errand1--the papers concerning his business are there--10 and he waved his hand towards the leather case ,sir ,roger had just fastened--8,bring them with you60 ,sir ,roger obeyed1 and the ,king1 stepping forth from the pavilion1 walked slowly along the terrace1 watching the sparkling sea1 the flowering orange-trees lifting their slender tufts of exquisitely scented bloom against the clear blue of the sky1 the birds skimming lightly from point to point of foliage1 and the white-sailed yachts dipping gracefully as the ocean rose and fell with every wild sweet breath of the scented wind4 ,pausing a moment1 he presently took out a field-glass and looked through it at one of the finest and fairest of these pleasure-vessels1 which1 as he surveyed it1 suddenly swung round1 and began to scud away westward4 8,the ,prince is on board80 he asked4 8,yes1 ,sir10 replied ,de ,launay--8,his ,royal ,highness intends sailing as far as ,the ,islands1 and remaining there till sunset40 8,alone1 as usual80 8,as usual1 ,sir1 alone1 save for his captain and crew40 ,the ,king walked on in silence for a minute4 ,then he paused abruptly4 8,i do not like it1 ,de ,launay60--he said decisively--8,i do not like his abnormal love of solitude4 ,books are all very well--poetry is in its way excellent1--music1 as we are told #8hath charms'--but the boy broods too much1 and stays away too much from ,court4 ,what woman attracts him80 ,sir ,roger's eyes opened wide as the ,king turned suddenly round upon him with this question4 8,woman1 ,sir8 ,i know of none4 ,the ,prince is but twenty----0 8,at twenty10 said the ,king1--8boys love--the wrong girl4 ,at thirty they marry--the wrong woman4 ,at forty they meet the only true and fitting soul's companion1--and cry for the moon till the end6 ,my son is in the first stage1 or ,i am much mistaken1--he loves--the wrong girl60 ,he walked on1--and ,de ,launay followed1 with a vague sense of amusement and disquietude in his mind4 ,what had come to his ,royal master1 he wondered8 ,his ordinary manner had changed somewhat1--he spoke with less than the customary formality1 and there was an expression of freedom and authority1 combined with a touch of defiance in his face1 that was altogether new to the observation of the faithful equerry4 ,arrived at the palace1 and passing through one of the long and spacious painted corridors1 lit by richly coloured mullioned windows from end to end1 the ,king came face to face with a lady-in-waiting carrying a large cluster of ,madonna lilies4 ,she drew aside1 with a deep reverence1 to allow him to pass2 but he stopped a moment1 looking at the great gorgeous white flowers faint with fragrance1 and at the slight retiring figure of the woman who held them4 8,are these for the chapel1 ,madame80 he asked4 8,no1 ,sir6 ,for the ,queen40 #8,for the ,queen6' ,a quick sigh escaped him4 ,he still stood1 caught by a sudden abstraction1 looking at the dazzling whiteness of the snowy blooms1 and thinking how fittingly they would companion his beautiful1 cold1 pure ,queen ,consort1 who had never from her marriage day uttered a word of love to him1 or given him a glance of tenderness4 ,their rich odours crept into his warm blood1 and the bitter old sense of unfulfilled longing1 longing for affection1 for comprehension1 for all that he had not possessed in his otherwise brilliant life1 vexed and sickened him4 ,he turned away abruptly1 and the lady-in-waiting1 having curtsied once more profoundly1 passed on with her glistening sheaf of bloom and disappeared vision-like in a gleam of azure light falling through one of the further and higher casements4 ,the ,king watched her disappear1 the meditative line of sadness still puckering his brow1 then1 followed by his equerry1 he entered a small private audience chamber1 where ,sir ,roger de ,launay notified an attendant gentleman usher that his ,majesty was ready to receive ,monsignor ,del ,fortis4 ,during the brief interval occupied in waiting for his visitor's approach1 the ,king selected certain papers from those which ,sir ,roger had brought from the garden pavilion and placed them in order on the table4 8,for the past six months10 he said 8,i have had this ,jesuit's name before me1 and have been in twenty minds a month about granting or refusing what his ,society demands4 ,the matter has been discussed in the ,press1 too1 with the usual pros and cons of hesitation1 but it is the ,people ,i am thinking of1 the ,people6 and ,i am just now in the humour to satisfy a ,nation rather than a ,church60 ,de ,launay said nothing4 ,his opinion was not asked4 8,it is a case in which the temporal overbalances the spiritual10 continued the ,king--8,which plainly proves that the spiritual must be lacking in some essential point somewhere4 ,for if the spiritual were always truly of ,god1 then would it always be the strongest4 ,the question which brings ,monsignor ,del ,fortis here as special emissary of the ,vicar-,general of the ,society of ,jesus1 is simply this3 ,whether or no a certain site in a particularly fertile tract of land belonging chiefly to the ,crown1 shall be granted to the ,jesuits for the purpose of building thereon a church and monastery with schools attached4 ,it seems a reasonable request1 set forth with an apparently religious intention4 ,yet more than forty petitions have been sent in to me from the inhabitants of the towns and villages adjacent to the lands1 imploring me to refuse the concession4 ,by my faith1 they plead as eloquently as though asking deliverance from the plague6 ,it is a curious dilemma4 ,if ,i grant the people's request ,i anger the priests2 if ,i satisfy the priests ,i anger the people40 8,you mentioned a discussion in the ,press1 ,sir--0 hinted ,sir ,roger4 8,oh1 the ,press is like a weathercock--it turns whichever way the wind of speculation blows4 ,one day it is #8for1' another #8against4' ,in this particular case it is diplomatically indifferent1 except in one or two cases where papal money has found its way into the newspaper offices40 ,at that moment the door was flung open1 and ,monsignor ,del ,fortis was ceremoniously ushered into the presence of his ,majesty4 ,at the first glance it was evident that ,de ,launay had reasonable cause for associating the mediaeval priestly torturer pictured in his early lesson-book with the unprepossessing personage now introduced4 ,del ,fortis was a dark1 resentful-looking man of about sixty1 tall and thin1 with a long cadaverous face1 very strongly pronounced features and small sinister eyes1 over which the level brows almost met across the sharp bridge of nose4 ,his close black garb buttoned to the chin1 outlined his wiry angular limbs with an almost painful distinctness1 and the lean right hand which he placed across his breast as he bowed profoundly to the ,king1 looked more like the shrunken hand of a corpse than that of a living man4 ,the ,king observed him attentively1 but not with favour2 while thoughts1 strange1 and for him as a constitutional monarch audacious1 began to move in the undercurrents of his mind1 stirring him to unusual speech and action4 ,sir ,roger1 retiring to the furthest end of the room stood with his back against the door1 a fine upright soldierly figure1 as motionless as though cast in bronze1 though his eyes showed keen and sparkling life as they rested on his ,royal master1 watching his every gesture1 as well as every slightest movement on the part of his priestly visitor4 8,you are welcome1 ,monsignor ,del ,fortis10--said the ,king1 at last breaking silence4--8,to save time and trouble1 ,i may tell you that ,i need no explanation of the nature of your business40 ,the ,jesuit bowed with an excessive humility4 8,you wish me to grant to your ,society10 continued the monarch--8that portion of the ,crown lands named in your petition1 to be held in your undisputed possession for a long term of years1--and in order to facilitate my consent to this arrangement1 your ,vicar-,general has sent you here to furnish the full details of your building scheme4 ,am ,i so far correct80 ,the priest's dark secretive eyes glittered craftily a moment as he raised them to the open and tranquil countenance of the sovereign1--then once again he bowed profoundly4 8,your ,majesty has1 with your customary care and patience1 fully studied the object of my errand0--he replied in a clear thin1 somewhat rasping voice1 which he endeavoured to make smooth and conciliatory--8,but it is impossible that your ,majesty1 immersed every day in the affairs of state1 should have found time to personally go through the various papers formally submitted to your consideration4 ,therefore1 the ,vicar-,general of our ,order considered that if the present interview with your ,majesty could be obtained1 ,i1 as secretary and treasurer for the proposed new monastery1 might be able to explain the spiritual1 as well as the material advantages to be gained by the use of the lands for the purpose mentioned40 ,he spoke slowly1 enunciating each word with careful distinctness4 8,the spiritual part of the scheme is of course the most important to you60--said the ,king with a slight smile1--8,but material advantages are never entirely overlooked1 even by holy men6 ,now ,i am merely a #8temporal' sovereign2 and as such1 ,i wish to know how your plan will affect the people of the neighbouring town and district4 ,what are your intentions towards them8 ,their welfare is my chief concern2 and what ,i have to learn from you is1--,how do you propose to benefit them by maintaining a monastery1 church and schools in their vicinity80 ,again ,del ,fortis gave a furtive glance upward4 ,seeing that the ,king's eyes were steadily fixed upon him1 he quickly lowered his own1 and gave answer in an evidently prepared manner4 8,sir1 the people of the district in question are untaught barbarians4 ,it is more for their sakes1--more for the love of gathering the lost sheep into the fold1 than for our own satisfaction1 that we seek to pitch our tents in the desert of their ignorance4 ,they1 and their children1 are the prey of heathenish modern doctrines1 which alas6--are too prevalent throughout the whole world at this particular time1--and1 as they are at present situated1 no restraint is exercised upon them for the better controlling of their natural and inherited vices4 ,unless the gentle hand of ,mother ,church is allowed to rescue these1 her hapless and neglected ones2 unless she has an opportunity afforded her of leading them out of the darkness of error into the light of eternal day--0 ,he broke off1 his eloquence being interrupted by a gesture from the ,king4 8,there is a ,government school in the town10--said the monarch1 referring to one or two documents on the table before him4--8,there is also a ,free ,public ,library1 and a ,free ,school of ,art4 ,thus it does not seem that education is quite neglected40 8,alas1 ,sir1 such education is merely disastrous60 said ,del ,fortis1 with a deep sigh1--8,like the fruit on the tree of knowledge in the ,garden of ,eden1 it brings death to the soul60 8,you condemn the ,government methods80 asked the ,king coldly4 ,the ,jesuit moved uneasily1 and a dull flush reddened his pale skin4 8,far be it from me1 ,sir1 as a poor servant of the ,church1 to condemn lawful authorities1--yet we should not forget that the ,government is temporal and changeable1--the ,church is spiritual and changeless4 ,we cannot look for entire success in a scheme of popular education which is not formulated under the guidance or the blessing of ,god60 ,the ,king leaned forward a little in his chair1 and surveyed him fixedly4 8,how do you know that it is not formulated under the guidance and blessing of ,god80 he asked suddenly--8,has the ,almighty given you ,his special opinion and confidence on the matter80 ,monsignor ,del ,fortis started indignantly4 8,sir6 ,your ,majesty----0 ,de ,launay made a step forward1 but the ,king motioned him back4 ,accordingly he resumed his former position1 but his equable temperament was for once seriously disturbed4 ,he saw that his ,royal master was evidently bent on speaking his mind2 and he knew well what a dangerous indulgence that is for all men who desire peace and quietness in their lives4 8,i am aware of what you would say10 pursued the ,king--8,you would say that the ,church--your ,church--is the only establishment of the kind which receives direct inspiration from the ,creator of ,universes4 ,but ,i do not feel justified in limiting the control of the ,almighty to one special orbit of ,creed4 ,you tell me that a government system of education for the people is a purely temporal movement1 and that1 as such1 it is not blessed by the guidance of ,god4 ,yet the ,pope seeks #8temporal' power6 ,it is explained to us of course that he seeks it in order that he may unite it to the spiritual in his own person1--theoretically for the good of mankind1 if practically for the advancement of his own particular policy4 ,but have you never thought1 ,monsignor1 that the marked severance of what you call #8temporal' power1 from what you equally call #8spiritual' power1 is ,god's work8 ,inasmuch as nothing can be done without ,god's will2 for even if there is a devil 7which ,i am inclined to doubt7 he owes his unhappy existence to ,god as much as ,i do60 ,he smiled2 but ,del ,fortis stood rigidly silent1 his head bent1 and one hand folded tight across his breast1 an attitude ,sir ,roger de ,launay always viewed in every man with suspicion1 as it suggested the concealment of a weapon4 8,you will admit0 pursued the ,king1 8that the action of human thought is always progressive4 ,unfortunately your ,creed lags behind human thought in its onward march1 thus causing the intelligent world to infer that there must be something wrong with its teaching4 ,for if the ,church had always been in all respects faithful to the teaching of her ,divine ,master1 she would be at this present time the supreme ,conqueror of ,nations4 ,yet she is doing no more nowadays than she did in the middle ages1--she threatens1 she intimidates1 she persecutes all who dare to use for a reasonable purpose the brain ,god gave them1--but she does not help on or sympathize with the growing fraternity and civilization of the world4 ,it is impossible not to recognize this4 ,yet ,i have a profound respect for each and every minister of religion who honestly endeavours to follow the counsels of ,christ10--here he paused1--then added with slow and marked emphasis--8in whose ,holy ,name ,i devoutly believe for the redemption of whatever there is in me worth redeeming2--nevertheless my first duty1 even in ,christ1 is plainly to the people of the country over which ,i am elected to rule40 ,the flickering shadow of a smile passed over the ,jesuit's dark features1 but he still kept silence4 8,therefore10 went on the ,king--8it is my unpleasant task to be compelled to inform you1 ,monsignor1 that the inhabitants of the district your ,order seeks to take under its influence1 have the strongest objection to your presence among them4 ,so strong indeed is their aversion towards your ,society1 that they have petitioned me in numerous ways1 7and with considerable eloquence1 too1 for #8untaught barbarians'7 to defend them from your visitation4 ,now1 to speak truly1 ,i find they have all the advantages which modern advancement and social improvement can give them1--they attend their places of public worship in considerable numbers1 and are on the whole decent1 ,god-fearing1 order-loving subjects to the ,throne1--and more ,i do not desire for them or for myself4 ,criminal cases are very rare in the district1--and the poor are more inclined to help than to defraud each other4 ,all this is so far good1--and1 ,i should imagine1--not displeasing to ,god4 ,in any case1 as their merely temporal sovereign1 ,i must decline to give your ,order any control over them40 8,you refuse the concession of land1 ,sir80 said ,del ,fortis1 in a voice that trembled with restrained passion4 8,to satisfy those of my subjects who have appealed to me1 ,i am compelled to do so10 replied the ,king4 8,i pray your ,majesty's pardon1 but a portion of the land is held by private persons who are prepared to sell to us----0 ,a quick anger flashed in the ,king's eyes4 8,they shall sell to me if they sell at all10--he said1--8,i repeat1 ,monsignor1 the fact that the law-abiding people of the place have sought their ,king's protection from priestly interference2--and1--by ,heaven6--they shall have it60 ,there was a sudden silence4 ,sir ,roger de ,launay drew a sharp breath1--his habitual languor of mind was completely dissipated1 and he studied the inscrutable face of ,del ,fortis with deepening suspicion and disfavour4 ,not that there was the slightest sign of wrath or dismay on the priest's well-disciplined countenance2--on the contrary1 a chill smile illumined it as he spoke his next words with a serious1 if somewhat forced composure4 8,your ,majesty is1 without doubt1 all powerful in your own particular domain of society and politics10 he said--8,but there is another ,majesty higher than yours1--that of the ,church1 before which dread and infallible ,tribunal even kings are brought to naught----0 8,monsignor ,del ,fortis10 interrupted the ,king1 8,we have not met this morning1 ,i presume1 to indulge in a religious polemic6 ,my power is1 as you very truly suggest1 merely temporal--yours is spiritual4 ,yours should be the strongest6 ,go your way now to your ,vicar-,general with the straight answer ,i have given you1--but if by your #8spiritual' power you can persuade the people who now hate your ,society1 to love it1--to demand it1--to beg that you may be permitted to found a colony among them1--why1 in that case1 come to me again1 and ,i will grant you the land4 ,i am not prejudiced one way or the other1 but ,i will not hand over any of my subjects to the influence of priestcraft1 so long as they desire me to defend them from it40 ,del ,fortis still smiled4 8,pardon me1 ,sir1 but we of the ,society of ,jesus are your subjects also1 and we judge you to be a ,christian and ,catholic monarch----0 8,as ,i am1 most assuredly60 replied the ,king--8,christian and ,catholic are words which1 if ,i understand their meaning1 please me well6 #8,christian' expresses a believer in and follower of ,christ1--#8,catholic' means universal1 by which1 ,i take it1 is intended wide1 universal love and tolerance without sect1 party1 or prejudice4 ,in this sense the ,church is not ,catholic--it is merely the ,roman sect4 ,nor are you truly my subjects1 since you have only one ruler1 the ,supreme ,pontiff1--with whom ,i am somewhat at variance4 ,but1 as ,i have said1 we are not here to indulge in argument4 ,you came to proffer a request2 ,i have given you the only answer ,i conceive fitting with my duty2--the matter is concluded40 ,del ,fortis hesitated a moment1--then bowed low to the ground2--anon1 lifting himself1 raised one hand with an invocative gesture of profound solemnity4 8,i commend your ,majesty to the mercy of ,god1 that ,he may in ,his wisdom1 guard your life and soften your heart towards the ministers of ,his ,holy ,religion1 and bring you into the ways of righteousness and peace6 ,for the rest1 ,i will report your ,majesty's decision to the ,vicar-,general40 8,do so60--rejoined the ,king--8,and assure him that the decision is unalterable1--unless the inhabitants of the place concerned desire to have it revoked40 ,again ,del ,fortis bowed4 8,i humbly take my leave of your ,majesty60 ,the monarch looked at him steadfastly as he made another salutation1 and backed out of the presence-chamber4 ,sir ,roger de ,launay opened the door for him with alacrity1 handing him over into the charge of an usher with the whispered caution to see him well off the ,royal premises2 and then returning to his sovereign1 stood 8at attention40 ,the ,king noted his somewhat troubled aspect1 and laughed4 8,what ails you1 ,de ,launay80 he asked--8,you seem astonished that for once ,i have spoken my mind80 8,sir1 to speak one's mind is always dangerous60 8,dangerous--danger6--,what idle words to make cowards of men6 ,danger--of what8 ,there is only one danger--death2 and that is sure to come to every man1 whether he be a hero or a poltroon40 8,true1--but----0 8,but--what8 ,de ,launay1 if you love me1 do not look at me with so expostulatory an air6 ,it does not become your inches6 ,now listen6--when the next press reporter comes nosing round for palace news1 let him be told that the ,king has refused permission to the ,jesuits to build on any portion of the ,crown lands demanded for the purpose4 ,let this be made known to ,press and ,people--the sooner the better60 8,sir10 murmured ,de ,launay--8,we live in strange times----0 8,why1 there you speak most truly60 said the ,king1 with emphasis--8,we do live in strange times--the very strangest perhaps1 since ,aeneas ,sylvius wrote concerning ,christendom4 ,do you remember the words he set down so long ago8--#8,it is a body without a head1--a republic without laws or magistrates4 ,the pope or the emperor may shine as lofty titles1 as splendid images1--but they are unable to command1 and no one is willing to obey6' ,history thus repeats itself1 ,de ,launay2--and yet with all its past experience1 the ,roman ,church does not seem to realize that it is powerless against the attacks of intellectual common sense4 ,faith in ,god1--a high1 perfect1 pure faith in ,god1 and a simple following of the ,divine ,teacher of ,god's command1 ,christ2--these things are wise and necessary for all nations2 but1 to allow human beings to be coerced by superstition for political motives1 under the disguise of religion1 is an un-,christian business1 and ,i for one will have no part in it60 8,you will lay yourself open to much serious misconstruction1 ,sir10 said ,de ,launay4 8,let us hope so1 ,roger60 rejoined the ,king with a smile--8,for if ,i am never misunderstood1 ,i shall know myself to be a fool6 ,come1--do not look so glum6--,i want you to help me40 8,to help you1 ,sir80 exclaimed ,de ,launay eagerly1--8,with my life1 if you demand it60 ,the ,king rested one hand familiarly on his shoulder4 8,i would rather take my own life than yours1 ,de ,launay60 he said--8,no1--whatever difficulties ,i get myself into1 you shall not suffer6 ,but--as ,i told you a while ago1--there is something in me that must have its way4 ,i am sick to death of conventionalities1--you must help me to break through them6 ,you are right in saying that we live in strange times2--they are strange times6--and they may perchance be all the better for a strange ,king60 ,,chapter ,,iv ,,sealed ,,orders ,some hours later on1 ,sir ,roger de ,launay1 having left his ,sovereign's presence1 and being off duty for a time1 betook himself to certain apartments in the west wing of the palace1 where the next most trusted personage to himself in the confidence of the ,king1 had his domicile1--,professor von ,glauben1 resident physician to the ,royal ,household4 ,heinrich von ,glauben was a man of somewhat extraordinary character and individuality4 ,in his youth he had made a sudden meteoric fame for his marvellous skill and success in surgery1 as also for his equally surprising quickness and correctness in diagnosing obscure diseases and tracing them to their source4 ,but1 after creating a vast amount of discussion and opposition among his confrres1 and almost reaching that brilliant point of triumph when his originality and cleverness were proved great enough to win him a host of enemies1 he all at once threw up the game as it were1 and1 resigning the favourable opportunities of increasing distinction offered him in his native ,germany1 accepted the comparatively retired and private position he now occupied4 ,some said it was a disappointment in love which had caused his abrupt departure from the ,fatherland1--others declared it was irritation at the severe manner in which his surgical successes had been handled by the medical critics1--but whatever the cause1 it soon became evident that he had turned his back on the country of his birth for ever1 and that he was apparently entirely satisfied with the lot he had chosen4 ,his post was certainly an easy and pleasant one1--the members of the ,royal family to which his services were attached were exceptionally healthy1 as ,royal families go2 and he was seldom in more than merely formal attendance1 so that he had ample time and opportunity to pursue those deeper forms of physiological study which had excited the wrath and ridicule of his contemporaries1 as well as to continue the writing of a book which he intended should make a stir in the world1 and which he had entitled 8,the ,moral and ,political ,history of ,hunger40 8,for10 said he--8,hunger is the primal civilizer1--the very keystone and foundation of all progress4 ,from the plain1 prosy1 earthy fact that man is a hungry animal1 and must eat1 has sprung all the civilization of the world6 ,i shall demonstrate this in my book1 beginning with the scriptural legend of ,adam's greed for an apple4 ,adam was evidently hungry at the moment ,eve tempted him4 ,as soon as he had satisfied his inner man1 he thought of his outer1--and his next idea was1 naturally1 tailoring4 ,from this simple conjunction of suggestions1 combined with what #8,god' would have to say to him concerning his food-experiment and fig-leaf apron1 man has drawn all his religions1 manners1 customs and morals4 ,the proposition is self-evident1--but ,i intend to point it out with somewhat emphasised clearness for the benefit of those persons who are inclined to arrogate to themselves the possession of superior wisdom4 ,neither brain nor soul has placed man in a position of ,supremacy1--merely ,hunger and ,nakedness60 ,the ,professor was now about fifty-five1 but his exceptionally powerful build and robust constitution gave him the grace in appearance of many years younger1 though perhaps the extreme composure of his temperament1 and the philosophic manner in which he viewed all circumstances1 whether pleasing or disastrous1 may have exercised the greatest influence in keeping his eyes clear and clean1 and his countenance free of unhandsome wrinkles4 ,he was more like a soldier than a doctor1 and was proud of his resemblance to the earlier portraits of ,bismarck4 ,to see him in his own particular #8sanctum' surrounded by weird-looking diagrams of sundry parts of the human frame1 mysterious phials and stoppered flasks containing various liquids and crystals1 and all the modern appliances for closely examining the fearful yet beautiful secrets of the living organism1 was as if one should look upon a rough and burly giant engaged in some delicate manipulation of mosaics4 ,yet ,von ,glauben's large hand was gentler than a woman's in its touch and gift of healing1--no surgeon alive could probe a wound more tenderly1 or with less pain to the sufferer1--and the skill of that large hand was accompanied by the penetrative quality of the large benevolent brain which guided it1--a brain that could encompass the whole circle of the world in its observant and affectionate compassion4 8,ach6--who is there that can be angry with anyone8--impatient with anyone1--offended with anyone60 he was wont to say--8,everybody suffers so much and so undeservedly1 that as far as my short life goes ,i have only time for pity--not condemnation60 ,to this individual1 as a kind of human calmative and tonic combined1 ,sir ,roger de ,launay was in the habit of going whenever he felt his own customary tranquillity at all disturbed4 ,the two were great friends2--friends in their mutual love and service of the ,king1--friends in their equally mutual but discreetly silent worship of the ,queen1--and friends in their very differences of opinion on men and matters in general4 ,de ,launay1 being younger1 was more hasty of judgment and quick in action2 but ,von ,glauben too had been known to draw his sword with unexpected rapidity on occasion1 to the discomfiture of those who deemed him only at home with the scalpel4 ,just now1 however1 he was in a particularly non-combative and philosophic mood2 he was watching certain animalculae wriggling in a glass tube1 the while he sat in a large easy-chair with slippered feet resting on another chair opposite1 puffing clouds of smoke from a big meerschaum1--and he did not stir from his indolent attitude when ,de ,launay entered1 but merely looked up and smiled placidly4 8,sit down1 ,roger60 he said1--then1 as ,de ,launay obeyed the invitation1 he pushed over a box of cigars1 and added--8,you look exceedingly tired1 my friend6 ,something has bored you more than usual8 ,take a lesson from those interesting creatures60 and he pointed with the stem of his pipe to the bottled animalculae--8,they are never bored1--never weary of doing mischief6 ,they are just now living under the pleasing delusion that the glass tube they are in is a man1 and that they are eating him up alive4 ,little devils6 ,nothing will exhaust their vitality till they have gorged themselves to death6 ,just like a great many human beings60 8,i am not in the mood for studying animalculae10 said ,de ,launay irritably1 as he lit a cigar4 8,no8 ,but why not8 ,they are really quite as interesting as ourselves60 8,look here1 ,von ,glauben1 ,i want you to be serious--0 8,my friend1 ,i am always serious10 declared the ,professor--8,even when ,i laugh1 ,i laugh seriously4 ,my laughter is as real as myself40 8,what would you think10--pursued ,de ,launay--8of a king who freely expressed his own opinions80 8,i should say he was a brave man10 answered the ,professor2 8,he would certainly deserve my respect1 and he should have it4 ,even if the laws of etiquette were not existent1 ,i should feel justified in taking off my hat to him40 8,never from henceforth wear a hat at all then10 said ,de ,launay--8,it will save you the trouble of continually doffing it at every glimpse of his ,majesty60 ,von ,glauben drew his pipe from his mouth and gazed blankly at the ceiling for a few moments in silence4 8,his ,majesty80 he presently murmured--8,our ,majesty80 8,yes2 our ,majesty--our ,king0--replied ,de ,launay--8,for some inscrutable reason or other he has suddenly adopted the dangerous policy of speaking his mind4 ,what now80 8,what now8 ,why nothing particular just now1--unless you have something to tell me4 ,which1 judging from your entangled expression of eye1 ,i presume you have40 ,de ,launay hesitated a moment4 ,the ,professor saw his hesitation4 8,do not speak1 my friend1 if you think you are committing a breach of confidence10 he said composedly--8,in the brief affairs of this life1 it is better to keep trouble on your own mind than impart it to others40 8,oh1 there is no breach of confidence20 said ,de ,launay1 8,the thing is as public as the day1 or if it is not public already1 it soon will be made so4 ,that is where the mischief comes in1--or so ,i think4 ,judge for yourself60 ,and in a few words he gave the gist of the interview which had taken place between the ,king and the emissary of the ,jesuits that morning4 8,nothing surprises me as a rule10--said the ,professor1 when he had heard all--8,but if anything could prick the sense of astonishment anew in me1 it would be to think that anyone1 king or commoner1 should take the trouble to speak truth to a ,jesuit4 ,why1 the very essence of their carefully composed and diplomatic creed1 is to so disguise truth that it shall be no more recognisable4 ,myself1 ,i believe the ,jesuits to be the lineal descendants of those priests who served ,bel and the ,dragon4 ,the art of conjuring and deception is in their very blood4 ,it is for the ,jesuits that ,i have invented a beautiful new verb1--#8,to hypocrise4' ,it sounds well4 ,here is the present tense1--#8,i hypocrise1 ,thou hypocrisest1 ,he hypocrises3--,we hypocrise1 ,you hypocrise1 ,they hypocrise4' ,now hear the future4 #8,i shall hypocrise1 ,thou shalt hypocrise1 ,he shall hypocrise2 ,we shall hypocrise1 ,you shall hypocrise1 ,they shall hypocrise4' ,there is the whole art of ,jesuitry for you1 made grammatically perfect60 ,de ,launay gave a gesture of impatience1 and flung away the end of his half-smoked cigar4 8,ach6 ,that is a sign of temper1 ,roger60 said ,von ,glauben1 shaking his head--8,to lift one's shoulders to the lobes of one's ears1 and waste nearly the half of an exceedingly expensive and choice ,havana1 shows nervous irritation6 ,you are angry1 my friend--and with me60 8,no ,i am not10 replied ,de ,launay1 rising from his chair and beginning to pace the room--8,but ,i do not profess to have your phlegmatic disposition4 ,i feel what ,i thought you would feel also1--that the ,king is exposing himself to unnecessary danger4 ,and ,i know what you do not yet know1 but what this letter will no doubt inform you10--and he drew an envelope bearing the ,royal seal from his pocket and handed it to the ,professor--8,namely1--that his ,majesty is bent on rushing voluntarily into various other perils1 unless perhaps1 your warning or advice may hinder him4 ,mine has no effect1--moreover ,i am bound to serve him as he bids40 8,equally am ,i also bound to serve him20--said ,von ,glauben1 8,and gladly and faithfully do ,i intend to perform my service wherever it may lead me60 ,whereupon1 shaking himself out of his recumbent position1 like a great lion rolling out of his lair1 he stood upright1 and breaking the seal of the envelope he held1 read its contents through in silence4 ,sir ,roger stood opposite to him1 watching his face in vain for any sign of astonishment1 regret or dismay4 8,we must do as he commands10--he said simply as he finished reading the letter and folded it up for safe keeping--8,there is no other way2 not for me at least4 ,i shall most assuredly be at the appointed place1 at the appointed hour1 and in the appointed manner4 ,it will be a change2 certainly lively1 and possibly beneficial60 8,but the ,king's life--0 8,is in ,god's keeping60 said ,von ,glauben1--8,believe me1 ,roger1 no harm comes undeservedly to a brave man with a good conscience6 ,it is a bad conscience which invites mischief4 ,i am a great believer in the law of attraction4 ,the good attracts the good1--the bad1 the bad4 ,that is why truthful persons are generally lonely--because nearly all the world's inhabitants are liars60 8,but the ,king--0 again began ,sir ,roger4 8,the ,king is a man60 said ,von ,glauben1 with a flash of pride in his eyes--8,which is more than ,i will say for most kings6 ,who shall blame him for asserting his manhood8 ,not ,i6 ,not you6 ,who shall blame him for seeking to know the real position of things in the country he governs8 ,not ,i6 ,not you6 ,our business is to guard and defend him--with our own lives1 if necessary1--we shall do that with a will1 ,roger1 shall we not80 ,and with an impulsive quickness of action1 he took a sword from a stand of weapons near him1 drew it from its scabbard and kissing the hilt1 held it out to ,de ,launay who did the same--8,that is understood6 ,and for the rest1 ,roger my friend1 take it all lightly and easily--as a farce6--as a bit of human comedy1 with a great actor cast for the chief role4 ,we are only supers1 you and ,i1 but we shall do well to stand near the wings in case of fire60 ,he drew himself up to his great height and squared his shoulders1--then smiled benevolently4 8,i believe it will be all very amusing1 ,roger2 and that your fears for the safety of his ,majesty will be proved groundless4 ,remember1 ,court life is excessively dull1--truly the dullest form of existence on earth1--it is quite natural that he who is the most bored by it should desire some break in the terrible monotony60 8,the monotony will certainly be broken with a vengeance1 if the ,king continues in his present humour60--said ,de ,launay grimly4 8,possibly6 ,and let us hope the comfortable self-assurance and complacency of a certain successful ,minister may be somewhat seriously disturbed60 rejoined ,von ,glauben1--8,for myself1 ,i assure you ,i see sport60 8,and ,i scent danger10--said ,de ,launay--8,for if any mischance happen to the ,king1 the ,prince is not ripe enough to rule40 ,a slight shadow darkened the ,professor's open countenance4 ,he looked fixedly at ,sir ,roger1 who met his gaze with equal fixity4 8,the ,prince10--he said slowly--8is young--0 8,and rash--0 interposed ,de ,launay4 8,no4 ,pardon me1 my friend6 ,not rash4 ,merely honest4 ,that is all6 ,he is a very honest young man indeed4 ,it is unfortunate that he is so2 a ploughman may be honest if he likes1 but a prince--never60 ,de ,launay was silent4 8,i will now destroy a world0--continued ,von ,glauben1 8,kings1 emperors1 popes1 councillors and common folk1 can all perish incontinently1--as--being myself for the present the free agent of the ,deity concerned in the matter1--,i have something else to do than to look after them10--and he took up the glass vessel containing the animalculae he had been watching1 and cast it with its contents into a small stove burning dimly at one end of the apartment1--8,gone are their ambitions and confabulations for ever6 ,how easy for the ,creator to do the same thing with us1 ,roger6 ,let us not talk of any special danger for the ,king or for any man1 seeing that we are all on the edge of an eternal volcano60 ,de ,launay stood absorbed for a moment1 as if in deep thought4 ,then rousing himself abruptly he said3-- 8,you will not see the ,king1 and speak with him before to-morrow night80 8,why should ,i80 queried the ,professor4 8,his wish is a command which ,i must obey4 ,besides1 my good ,roger1 all the arguments in the world will not turn a man from having his own way if he has once made up his own mind4 ,advice from me on the present matter would be merely taken as an impertinence4 ,moreover ,i have no advice to give1--,i rather approve of the plan60 ,sir ,roger looked at him2 and noting the humorous twinkle in his eyes smiled1 though somewhat gravely4 8,i hope1 with you1 that the experiment may only prove an amusing one10 he said--8,but life is not always a farce60 8,not always1 but often6 ,when it is not a farce it is a tragedy4 ,and such a tragedy6 ,my ,god6 ,horrible--monstrous--cruel beyond conception1 and enough to make one believe in ,hell and doubt ,heaven60 ,he spoke passionately1 in a voice vibrating with strong emotion4 ,de ,launay glanced at him wonderingly1 but did not speak4 8,when you see tender young children tortured by disease10 he went on1--8,fair and gentle women made the victims of outrage and brutality--strong men killed in their thousands to gain a little additional gold1 an extra slice of empire1--then you see the tragic1 the inexplicable1 the crazy cruelty of putting into us this little pulse called ,life4 ,but ,i try not to think of this--it is no use thinking60 ,he paused1--then in his usual quiet tone said3 8,to-morrow night1 then1 my friend80 8,to-morrow night10 rejoined ,de ,launay1--8,unless you receive further instructions from the ,king40 ,at that moment the clear call of a trumpet echoing across the battlements of the palace denoted the hour for changing the sentry4 8,sunset already60 said ,von ,glauben1 walking to the window and throwing back the heavy curtain which partially shaded it1 8,and yonder is ,prince ,humphry's yacht on its homeward way40 ,de ,launay came and stood beside him1 looking out4 ,before them the sea glistened with a thousand tints of lustrous opal in the light of the sinking sun1 which1 surrounded by mountainous heights of orange and purple cloud1 began to touch the water-line with a thousand arrowy darts of flame4 ,the white-sailed vessel on which their eyes were fixed1 came curtseying over the waves through a perfect arch of splendid colour1 like a fairy or phantom ship evoked from a poet's dream4 8,absent all day1 as he has been10 said ,de ,launay1 8his ,royal ,highness is punctual to the promised hour of his return40 8,he is1 as ,i told you1 honest20 said ,von ,glauben1 8and it is possible his honesty will be his misfortune40 ,de ,launay muttered something inaudible in answer1 and turned to leave the apartment4 ,von ,glauben looked at him with an affectionate solicitude4 8,what a lucky thing it is you never married1 ,roger6 ,otherwise you would now be going to tell your wife all about the ,king's plans6 ,then she1 sweet creature1 would go to confession1--and her confessor would tell a bishop1--and a bishop would tell a cardinal1--and a cardinal would tell a confidential monsignor1--and the confidential monsignor would tell the ,supreme ,pontiff1--and so all the world would be ringing with the news started by one little pretty wagging tongue of a woman60 ,a faint flush coloured ,de ,launay's bronzed cheek1 but he laughed4 8,true6 ,i am glad ,i have never married4 ,i am still more glad--of circumstances0--he paused1--then went on1 8which have so chanced to me that ,i shall never marry40 ,he paused again--then added--8,i must be gone1 ,von ,glauben6 ,i have to meet ,prince ,humphry at the quay with a message from his ,majesty40 8,surely10 said the ,professor1 opening his eyes very wide1 8,the ,prince is not to be included in our adventure80 8,by no means60 replied ,de ,launay1--8,but the ,king is not pleased with his son's frequent absences from ,court1 and desires to speak with him on the matter40 ,von ,glauben looked grave4 8,there will be some little trouble there10 he said1 with a half sigh--8,ach6 ,who knows6 ,perhaps some great trouble60 8,heaven forbid60 ejaculated ,sir ,roger1--8,we live in times of peace4 ,we want no dissension with either the ,king or the people4 ,till to-morrow night then80 8,till to-morrow night60 responded ,von ,glauben1 whereupon ,sir ,roger with a brief word of farewell1 strode away4 ,left to himself1 the ,professor still stood at his window watching the approach of the ,prince's yacht1 which came towards the shore with such swift and stately motion through the portals of the sunset1 over the sparkling water4 8,unfortunate ,humphry60 he muttered1--8,what a secret he has entrusted me with6 ,and yet why do ,i call him unfortunate8 ,there should be nothing to regret--and yet--6 ,well6 ,the mischief was done before poor ,heinrich von ,glauben was consulted2 and if poor ,heinrich were ,god and the ,devil rolled into one strange ,eternal ,monster1 he could not have prevented it6 ,what is done1 can never be undone60 ,,chapter ,v 8,,if ,i ,,loved ,,you60 ,a singular pomp is sometimes associated with the announcement that my ,lord ,pedigree1 or ,mister ,nobody has #8had the honour of dining' with their ,majesties the ,king and ,queen4 ,outsiders read the thrilling line with awe and envy1--and many of them are foolish enough to wish that they also were ,lords ,pedigree or ,misters ,nobody4 ,as a matter of sad and sober fact1 however1 a dinner with royal personages is an extremely dull affair4 #8,do not speak unless you are spoken to1' is a rule which1 however excellent and necessary in ,court etiquette1 is apt to utterly quench conversation1 and render the brightest spirits dull and inert4 ,the silent and solemn movements of the ,court flunkeys1--the painful attitudes of those who are not #8spoken to'2 the eager yet laboured smiles of those who are #8spoken to #82--the melancholy efforts at gaiety--the dread of trespassing on tabooed subjects--these things tend to make all but the most independent and unfettered minds shrink from such an ordeal as the #8honour' of dining with kings4 ,it must1 however1 be conceded that the kings themselves are fully aware of the tediousness of their dinner parties1 and would lighten the boredom if they could2 but etiquette forbids4 ,the particular monarch whose humours are the subject of this #8plain unvarnished' history would have liked nothing better than to be allowed to dine in simplicity and peace without his conversation being noted1 and without having a flunkey at hand to watch every morsel of food go into his mouth4 ,he would have liked to eat freely1 talk freely1 and conduct himself generally with the ease of a private gentleman4 ,all this being denied to him1 he hated the dinner-hour as ardently as he hated receiving illuminated addresses1 and the freedom of cities4 ,yet all things costly and beautiful were combined to make his royal table a picture which would have pleased the eyes and taste of a ,marguerite de ,valois4 ,on the evening of the day on which he had determined1 as he had said to himself1 to #8begin to reign1' it looked more than usually attractive4 ,some trifling chance had made the floral decorations more tasteful--some amiable humour of the providence which rules daily events1 had ordained that two or three of the prettiest ,court ladies should be present2--,prince ,humphry and his two brothers1 ,rupert and ,cyprian1 were at table1--and though conversation was slow and scant1 the picturesqueness of the scene was not destroyed by silence4 ,the apartment which was used as a private dining-room when their ,majesties had no guests save the members of their own household1 was in itself a gem of art and architecture1--it had been designed and painted from floor to ceiling by one of the most famous of the dead and gone masters1 and its broad windows opened out on a white marble loggia fronting the ocean1 where festoons of flowers clambered and hung1 in natural tufts and trails of foliage and blossom1 mingling their sweet odours with the fresh scent of the sea4 ,amid all the glow and delicacy of colour1 the crowning perfection of the perfect environment was the ,queen-,consort1 lovelier in her middle-age than most women in their teens4 ,an exquisite figure of stateliness and dignity1 robed in such hues and adorned with such jewels as best suited her statuesque beauty1 and attended by ladies of whose more youthful charms she was never envious1 having indeed no cause for envy1 she was a living defiance to the ravages of time1 and graced her royal husband's dinner-table with the same indifferent ease as she graced his throne1 unchanging in the dazzling light of her physical faultlessness4 ,he1 looking at her with mingled impatience and sadness1 almost wished she would grow older in appearance with her years1 and lose that perfect skin1 white as alabaster1--that glittering but cold luminance of eye4 ,for experience had taught him the worthlessness of beauty unaccompanied by tenderness1 and fair faces had no longer the first attraction for him4 ,his eldest son1 ,prince ,humphry1 bore a strong resemblance to himself1--he was tall and slim1 with a fine face1 and a well-built muscular figure2 the other two younger princes1 ,rupert and ,cyprian1 aged respectively eighteen and sixteen1 were like their mother1--beautiful in form and feature1 but as indifferent to all tenderness of thought and sentiment as they were full of splendid health and vigour4 ,and1 despite the fact that the composition and surroundings of his household were1 to all outward appearances1 as satisfactory as a man in his position could expect them to be1 the ,king was intellectually and spiritually aware of the emptiness of the shell he called #8home4' ,love was lacking2 his beautiful wife was the ice-wall against which all waves of feeling froze as they fell into the stillness of death4 ,his sons had been born as the foals of a racing stud might be born1--merely to continue the line of blood and succession4 ,they were not the dear offspring of passion or of tenderness4 ,the coldness of their mother's nature was strongly engendered in them1 and so far they had never shown any particular affection for their parents4 ,the princes ,rupert and ,cyprian thought of nothing all day but sports and games of skill2 they studied serious tasks unwillingly1 and found their position as sons of the reigning monarch1 irksome1 and even ridiculous4 ,they had caught the infection of that diseased idea which in various exaggerated forms is tending to become more or less universal1 and to work great mischief to nations1--namely1 that #8sport' is more important than policy1 and that all matters relating to #8sport1' are more worth attention than wisdom in government4 ,of patriotism1 or love of country they had none2 and laughed to scorn the grand old traditions and sentiments of national glory and honour1 which had formerly inspired the poets of their land to many a wild and beautiful chant of battle or of victory4 ,how to pass the day--how best to amuse themselves--this was their first thought on waking every morning1--football1 cricket1 tennis and wrestling formed their chief subjects of conversation2 and though they had professors and tutors of the most qualified and certificated ability1 they made no secret of their utter contempt for all learning and literature4 ,they were fine young animals2 but did less with the brains bestowed upon them than the working bee who makes provision of honey for the winter1 or the swallow that builds its nest under warmly sheltered eaves4 ,prince ,humphry1 however1 was of a different nature4 ,from a shy1 somewhat unmanageable boy1 he had developed into a quiet1 dreamy youth1 fond of books1 music1 and romantic surroundings4 ,he avoided the company of his brothers whenever it was possible2 their loud voices1 boisterous spirits and perpetual chatter concerning the champions of this or that race or match1 bored him infinitely1 and he was at no pains to disguise his boredom4 ,during the last year he seemed to have grown up suddenly into full manhood1--he had begun to assert his privileges as ,heir-,apparent1 and to enjoy the freedom his position allowed him4 ,yet the manner of his enjoyment was somewhat singular for a young man who formed a central figure in the circle of the land's ,royalty1--he cared nothing at all for the amusements and dissipations of the time2 he merely showed an abnormal love of solitude1 which was highly unflattering to fashionable society4 ,it was on this subject that the ,king had decided to speak with him1--and he watched him with closer attention than usual on this particular evening when his habit of absenting himself all day in his yacht had again excited comment4 ,it was easy to see that the ,prince had been annoyed by the message ,sir ,roger de ,launay had conveyed to him on his arrival home1--a message to the effect that1 as soon as dinner was concluded1 he was required to attend his ,majesty in private2 and all through the stately and formal repast1 his evident irritation and impatience cast a shadow of vague embarrassment over the royal party1--with the exception of the princes ,rupert and ,cyprian1 who were never embarrassed by anything1 and who were more apt to be amused than disquieted by the vexation of others4 ,welcome relief was at last given by the serving of coffee1--and the ,queen and all her ladies adjourned to their own apartments4 ,with their departure the rest of the circle soon dispersed1 there being no special guests present2 and at a sign from ,de ,launay1 ,prince ,humphry reluctantly followed his father into a small private smoking-room adjacent to the open loggia1 where the equerry1 bowing low1 left the two together4 ,for a moment the ,king kept silence1 while he chose a cigar from the silver box on the table4 ,then1 lighting it1 he handed the box courteously to his son4 8,will you smoke1 ,humphry80 8,thanks1 ,sir1--no40 ,the ,king seated himself2 ,prince ,humphry remained standing4 8,you had a favourable wind for your expedition today20 said the monarch at last1 beginning to smoke placidly--8,i observe that ,the ,islands appear to have won special notice from you4 ,what is the attraction8 ,the climate or the scenery80 ,the ,prince was silent4 8,i like fine scenery myself1--0 continued the ,king--8,i also like a change of air4 ,but variation in both is always desirable1--and for this1 it is unwise to go to the same place every day60 ,still the ,prince said nothing4 ,his father looked up and studied his face attentively1 but could guess nothing from its enigmatical expression4 8,you seem tongue-tied1 ,humphry60 he said--8,come1 sit down6 ,let us talk this out4 ,can you not trust me1 your father1 as a friend80 8,i wish ,i could60 answered the young man1 half inaudibly4 8,and can you not80 8,no4 ,you have never loved me60 ,the ,king drew his cigar from his mouth1 and flicking off a morsel of ash1 looked at its end meditatively4 8,well--no6--,i cannot say honestly that ,i have4 ,love1--it is a ridiculous word1 ,humphry1 but it has a meaning on certain occasions6--love for the children of your mother is an impossibility60 8,sir1 ,i am not to blame for my mother's disposition40 8,true--very true4 ,you are not to blame4 ,but you exist4 ,and that you do exist is a fact of national importance4 ,will you not sit down80 8,at your command1 ,sir60 and the ,prince seated himself opposite his father1 who having studied his cigar sufficiently1 replaced it between his lips and went on smoking for a few minutes before he spoke again4 ,then he resumed3-- 8,your existence1 ,i repeat1 ,humphry1 is a fact of national importance4 ,to you falls the ,throne when ,i have done with it1 and life has done with me4 ,therefore1 your conduct1--your mode of life--your example in manners--concern1 not me1 so much as the nation4 ,you say that you cannot trust me as a friend1 because ,i have never loved you4 ,is not this a somewhat childish remark on your part8 ,we live in a very practical age--love is not a necessary tie between human beings as things go nowadays2--the closest bond of friendship rests on the basis of cash accounts40 8,i am perfectly aware of that60 said the ,prince1 fixing his fine dark eyes full on his father's face--8,and yet1 after all1 love is such a vital necessity1 that ,i have only to look at you1 in order to realize the failure and mistake of trying to do without it60 ,the ,king gave him a glance of whimsical surprise4 8,so6--you have begun to notice what ,i have known for years60 he said lightly--8,clever young man6 ,what fine fairy finger is pointing out to you my deficiencies1 while supplying your own8 ,do you learn to estimate the priceless value of love while contemplating the romantic groves and woodlands of ,the ,islands8 ,do you read poetry there8--or write it8 ,or talk it80 ,prince ,humphry coloured1--then grew very pale4 8,when ,i misuse my time1 ,sir10 he said--8,surely it will then be needful to catechise me on the manner in which ,i spend it1--but not till then60 8,fairly put60 answered the ,king--8,but ,i have an idea--it may be a mistaken idea1--still ,i have it--that you are misusing your time1 ,humphry6 ,and this is the cause of our present little discussion4 ,if ,i knew that you occupied yourself with the pleasures befitting your age and rank1 ,i should be more at ease40 8,what do you consider to be the pleasures befitting my age and rank80 asked the ,prince with a touch of satire2 8,making a fool of myself generally80 ,the ,king smiled4 8,well6--it would be better to make a fool of yourself generally than particularly6 ,folly is not so harmful when spread like jam over a whole slice of bread1--but it may cause a life-long sickness1 if swallowed in one secret gulp of sweetness60 ,the ,prince moved uneasily4 8,you think ,i am catechising you1--and you resent it--but1 my dear boy1 let me again remind you that you are in a manner answerable to the nation for your actions2 and especially to that particular section of the nation called ,society4 ,society is the least and worst part of the whole community--but it has to be considered by such servants of the public as ourselves4 ,you know what ,james the ,first of ,england wrote concerning the #8domestic regulations' on the conduct of a prince and future king8 #8,a king is set as one on a stage1 whose smallest1 actions and gestures all the people gazinglie do behold2 and1 however just in the discharge of his office1 yet if his behaviour be light or dissolute1 in indifferent actions1 the people1 who see but the outward part1 conceive preoccupied conceits of the king's inward intention1 which although with time1 the trier of all truth1 will evanish by the evidence of the contrarie effect1 yet1 interim patitur justus1 and prejudged conceits will1 in the meantime1 breed contempt1 the mother of rebellion and disorder4' ,poor ,james of the #8goggle eyes and large hysterical heart' as ,carlyle describes him6 ,do you not agree with his estimate of a royal position80 8,i am not aware1 ,sir1 that my behaviour can as yet be called light or dissolute20 replied the ,prince coldly1 with a touch of hauteur4 8,i do not call it so1 ,humphry0--said the ,king--8,to the best of my knowledge1 your conduct has always been most exemplary4 ,but with all your excessive decorum1 you are mysterious4 ,that is bad6 ,society will not endure being kept in the dark1 or outside the door of things1 like a bad child6 ,it wants to be in the room1 and know everything and everybody4 ,and this reminds me of another point on which the good ,english ,james offers sound advice4 #8,remember to be plaine and sensible in your language2 for besides1 it is the tongue's office to be the messenger of the mind1 it may be thought a point of imbecilitie of spirit1 in a king to speak obscurely1 much more untrewly1 as if he stood in awe of any in uttering his thoughts4' ,that is precisely your mood at the present moment1 ,humphry1--you stand #8in awe'--of me or of someone else1--in #8uttering your thoughts4'0 8,pardon me1 ,sir1--,i do not stand in awe of you or of anyone20 said the ,prince composedly--8,i simply do not choose to #8utter my thoughts' just now40 ,the ,king looked at him in surprise1 and with a touch of admiration4 ,the defiant air he had unconsciously assumed became him1--his handsome face was pale1 and his dark eyes coldly brilliant1 like those of his beautiful mother1 with the steel light of an inflexible resolve4 8,you do not choose80 said the ,king1 after a pause--8,you decline to give any explanation of your long hours of absence8--your constant visits to ,the ,islands1 and your neglect of those social duties which should keep you at ,court80 8,i decline to do so for the present10 replied the young man decisively2 8,i can see no harm in my preference for quietness rather than noise1--for scenes of nature rather than those of artificial folly4 ,the ,islands are but two hours sail from this port1--little tufts of land set in the sea1 where the coral-fishers dwell4 ,they are beautiful in their natural adornment of foliage and flower2--,i go there to read--to dream--to think of life as a better1 purer thing than what you call #8society' would make it for me2 you cannot blame me for this80 ,the ,king was silent4 8,if it is your wish10--went on the ,prince--8that ,i should stay in the palace more1 ,i will obey you4 ,if you desire me to be seen oftener in the capital1 ,i will endeavour to fulfil your command1 though the streets stifle me4 ,but1 for ,god's sake1 do not make me a puppet on show before my time1--or marry me to a woman ,i hate1 merely for the sake of heirs to a wretched ,throne60 ,the ,king rose from his chair1 and1 walking towards the garden1 threw the rest of his cigar out among the foliage1 where the burning morsel shone like a stray glowworm in the green4 ,then he turned towards his son2--his face was grave1 almost stern4 8,you can go1 ,humphry60 he said2--8,i have no more to say to you at present4 ,you talk wildly and at random1 as if you were1 by some means or other1 voluntarily bent upon unfitting yourself for the position you are destined to occupy4 ,you will do well1 ,i think1 to remain more in evidence at ,court4 ,you will also do well to be seen at some of the different great social functions of the day4 ,but ,i shall not coerce you4 ,only--consider well what ,i have said6--and if you have a secret0--he paused1 and then repeated with emphasis--8,i say1 if you have a secret of any kind1 be advised1 and confide in me before it is too late6 ,otherwise you may find yourself betrayed unawares6 ,good-night60 ,he walked away without throwing so much as a backward glance at the ,prince1 who stood amazed at the suddenness and decision with which he had brought the conversation to a close2 and it was not till his tall figure had disappeared that the young man began to realize the doubtful awkwardness of the attitude he had assumed towards one who1 both as parent and king1 had the most urgent claim in the world upon his respect and obedience4 ,impatient and angry with himself1 he crossed the loggia and went out into the garden beyond4 ,a young moon1 slender as a bent willow wand1 gleamed in the clear heavens among hosts of stars more brilliantly visible than itself1 and the soft air1 laden with the perfume of thousands of flowers1 cooled his brain and calmed his nerves4 ,the musical low murmur of the sea1 lapping against the shore below the palace walls1 suggested a whole train of pleasing and poetical fancies1 and he strolled along the dewy grass paths1 under tangles of scented shrubs and arching boughs of pine1 giving himself up to such idyllic dreams of life and life's fairest possibilities1 as only youthful and imaginative souls can indulge in4 ,he was troubled and vexed by his father's warning1 but not sufficiently to pay serious heed to it4 ,his #8secret' was safe so far2--and all he had to do1 so he considered1 was to exercise a little extra precaution4 8,there is only ,von ,glauben10--he thought1 8and he would never betray me4 ,besides it is a mere question of another year--and then ,i can make all the truth known40 ,the lovely long-drawn warble of a nightingale broke the stillness around him with a divine persistence of passion4 ,he listened1 standing motionless1 his eyes lifted towards the dark boughs above him1 from whence the golden notes dropped liquidly2 and his heart beat quickly as he thought of a voice sweeter than that of any heavenly-gifted bird1 a face fairer than that of the fabled goddess who on such a night as this descended from her silver moon-car to enchant ,endymion2--and he murmured half aloud-- 8,who would not risk a kingdom--ay6 a thousand kingdoms6--for such happiness as ,i possess6 ,it is a foolish1 blind world nowadays1 that forgets the glory of its youth1--the glow1 the breath1 the tenderness of love6--all for amassing gold and power6 ,i will not be of such a world1 nor with it2--,i will not be like my father1 the slave of pomp and circumstance2--,i will live an unfettered life--yes6--even if ,i have to resign the throne for the sake of freedom1 still ,i will be free60 ,he strolled on1 absorbed in romantic reverie1 and the nightingale's song followed him through the winding woods down to the shore1 where the waves made other music of their own1 which harmonised with the dreamy fancies of his mind4 ,meanwhile1 the ,king had sought his consort in her own apartments4 ,walking down the great corridor which led to these1 the most beautiful rooms in the palace1 he became aware of the silvery sound of stringed instruments mingling with harmonious voices1--though he scarcely heeded the soft rush of melody which came thus wafted to his ears4 ,he was full of thoughts and schemes1--his son's refusal to confide in him had not seriously troubled him1 because he knew he should1 with patience1 find out in good time all that the young ,prince had declined to explain1--and his immediate interest was centred in his own immediate plans4 ,on reaching the ante-room leading to the ,queen's presence-chamber1 he was informed that her ,majesty was listening to a concert in the rosery4 ,thither he went unattended1--and passing through a long suite of splendid rooms1 each one more sumptuously adorned than the last1 he presently stepped out on the velvet greensward of one of the most perfect rose gardens in the world--a garden walled entirely round with tall hedges of the clambering flowers which gave it its name1 and which were trailed up on all sides1 so as to form a ceiling or hanging canopy above4 ,in the centre of this floral hall1 now in full blossom1 a fountain tossed up one tall column of silver spray2 and at its upper end1 against a background of the dainty white roses called 8,felicit perptuelle0 sat the ,queen1 in a high chair of carved ivory1 surrounded by her ladies4 ,delicious music1 performed by players and singers who were hidden behind the trees1 floated in voluptuous strains upon the air1 and the ,king1 looking at the exquisite grouping of fair women and flowers1 lit by the coloured lamps which gleamed here and there among the thick foliage1 wondered to himself how it chanced1 that amid surroundings which were calculated to move the senses to the most refined and delicate rapture1 he himself could feel no quickening pulse1 no touch of admiration4 ,these open-air renderings of music and song were the ,queen's favourite form of recreation2--at such times alone would her proud face soften and her eyes grow languid with an unrevealed weight of dreams4 ,but should her husband1 or any one of his sex break in upon the charmed circle1 her pleasure was at once clouded1--and the cold hauteur of her beautiful features became again inflexibly frozen4 ,such was the case now1 when perceiving the ,king1 she waved her hand as a sign for the music to cease2 and with a glance of something like wonderment at his intrusion1 saluted him profoundly as he entered the precincts of her garden ,court4 ,but for once he did not pause as usual1 on his way to where she sat1--but lightly acknowledging the deep curtseys of the ladies in attendance1 he advanced towards her and raising her hand in courtly homage to his lips1 seated himself carelessly in a low chair at her feet4 8,let the music go on60 he said2 8,i am here to listen40 ,the ,queen looked at him1--he met her eyes with an expression that she had never seen on his face before4 8,suffer me to have my way60 he said to her in a low tone--8,let your singers finish their programme2 afterwards do me the favour to dismiss your women1 for ,i must speak with you alone40 ,she bent her head in acquiescence2 and re-seated herself on her ivory throne4 ,the sign was given for the continuance of the music1 and the ,king1 leaning back in his chair1 half closed his eyes as he listened dreamily to the harmonious throbbing of harps and violins around him1 in the stillness of the languid southern night4 ,his hand almost brushed against his wife's jewelled robes--the scent of the great lilies on her breast was wafted to him with every breath of air1 and he thought--8,all this would be ,paradise1--with any other woman60 ,and while he so thought1 the clear tenor voice of one of the unseen singers rang out in half gay1 half tender tones3 ,if ,i loved you1 and you loved me1 ,how happy this little world would be-- ,the light of the day1 the dancing hours1 ,the skies1 the trees1 the birds and flowers1 ,would all be part of our perfect gladness2-- ,and never a note of pain or sadness ,would jar life's beautiful melody ,if ,i loved you1 and you loved me6 #8,if ,i loved you6' ,why1 ,i scarcely know ,how if ,i did1 the time would go6-- ,i should forget my dreary cares1 ,my sordid toil1 my long despairs1 ,i should watch your smile1 and kneel at your feet1 ,and live my life in the love of you1 ,sweet6-- ,so mad1 so glad1 so proud ,i should be1 ,if ,i loved you1 and you loved me6 #8,if you loved me6' ,ah1 nothing so strange ,as that could chance in this world of change6-- ,as well expect a planet to fall1 ,or a ,queen to dwell in a beggar's hall-- ,but if you did1--romance and glory ,might spring from our lives' united story1 ,and angels might be less happy than we-- ,if ,i loved you and you loved me6 #8,if ,i loved you and you loved me6' ,alas1 #8t is a joy we shall never see6 ,you are too fair--,i am too cold2-- ,we shall drift along till we both grow old1 ,till we reach the grave1 and gasping1 die1 ,looking back on the days that have passed us by1 ,when #8what might have been1' can no longer be1-- ,when ,i lost you1 and you lost me6 ,the song concluded abruptly1 and with passion2--and the ,king1 turning on his elbow1 glanced with a touch of curiosity at the face of his ,queen4 ,there was not a flicker of emotion on its fair cold calmness1--not a quiver on the beautiful lips1 or a sigh to stir the quiet breast on which the lilies rested1 white and waxen1 and heavily odorous4 ,he withdrew his gaze with a half smile at his own folly for imagining that she could be moved by a mere song to any expression of feeling1--even for a moment1--and allowed his glance to wander unreservedly over the forms and features of the other ladies in attendance who1 conscious of his regard1 dropped their eyelids and blushed softly1 after the fashion approved by the heroines of the melodramatic stage4 ,whereat he began to think of the tiresome sameness of women generally2 and their irritating habit of living always at two extremes1--either all ardour1 or all coldness4 8,both are equally fatiguing to a man's mind10 he thought impatiently--8,the only woman that is truly fascinating is the one who is never in the same mind two days together4 ,fair on ,monday1 plain on ,tuesday1 sweet on ,wednesday1 sour on ,thursday1 tender on ,friday1 cold on ,saturday1 and in all moods at once on ,sunday1--that being a day of rest6 ,i should adore such a woman as that if ,i ever met her1 because ,i should never know her mind towards me60 ,a soft serenade rendered by violins1 with a harp accompaniment1 was followed by a gay mazurka1 played by all the instruments together1--and this finished the musical programme4 ,the ,queen rose1 accepting the hand which the ,king extended to her1 and moved with him slowly across the rose-garden1 her long snowy train glistering with jewels1 and held up from the greensward by a pretty page1 who1 in his picturesque costume of rose and gold1 demurely followed his ,royal lady's footsteps1--and so amid the curtseying ladies-in-waiting and other attendants1 they passed together into a private boudoir1 at the threshold of which the ,queen's train-bearer dropped his rich burden of perfumed velvet and gems1 and bowing low1 left their ,majesties together4 ,shutting the door upon him with his own hand1 the ,king drew a heavy portire across it1--and then walking round the room saw that every window was closed1--every nook secure4 ,the ,queen's boudoir was one of the most sacred corners in the whole palace1--no one1 not even the most intimate lady of the ,court in personal attendance on her ,majesty1 dared enter it without special permission2 and this being the case1 the ,queen herself was faintly moved to surprise at the extra precaution her husband appeared to be taking to ensure privacy4 ,she stood silently watching his movements till he came up to her1 and bowing courteously1 said3-- 8,i pray you1 be seated1 ,madam6 ,i will not detain you long40 ,she obeyed his gesture1 and sank down in a chair with that inimitable noiseless grace which made every attitude of hers a study for an artist1 and waited for his next words2 while he1 standing opposite to her1 bent his eyes upon her face with a certain wistfulness and appeal4 8,i have never asked you a favour10 he began--8and--since the day we married1--,i have never sought your sympathy4 ,the years have come and gone1 leaving no visible trace on either you or me1 so far as outward looks go1--and if they have scarred and wrinkled us inwardly1 only ,god can see those scars6 ,but as time moves on with a man1--,i know not how it is with a woman1--if he be not altogether a fool1 he begins to consider the way in which he has spent1 or is spending his life1--whether he has been1 or is yet likely to be of any use to the world he lives in1--or if he is of less account than the blown froth of the sea1 or the sand on the shore4 ,myriads and myriads of men and women are no more than this--no more than midges or ants or worms2--but every now and then in the course of centuries1 one man does stand forth from the million1--one heart does beat courageously enough to send the firm echo of its pulsations through a long vista of time1--one soul does so exalt and inspire the rest of the world by its great example that we are1 through its force reminded of something divine1--something high and true in a low wilderness of shams60 ,he paused2 the ,queen raised her beautiful eyes1 and smiled strangely4 8,have you only just now thought of this80 she said4 ,he flushed1 and bit his lip4 8,to be perfectly honest with you1 ,madam1 ,i have thought of nothing worth thinking about for many years6 ,most men in my position would probably make the same confession4 ,perhaps had you given me any great work to do for your sake ,i should have done it6 ,had you inspired me to achieve some great conquest1 either for myself or others1 ,i should no doubt have conquered6 ,but ,i have lived for twenty-one years in your admirable company without being commanded by you to do anything worthy of a king2--,i am now about to command ,myself6--in order to leave some notable trace of my name in history40 ,while he thus spoke1 a faint flush coloured the ,queen's cheeks1 but it quickly died away1 leaving her very pale4 ,her fingers strayed among the great jewels she wore1 and toyed unconsciously with a ruby talisman cut in the shape of a heart1 and encircled with diamonds4 ,the ,king noted the flash of the gems against the whiteness of her hand1 and said3 8,your heart1 ,madam1 is like the jewel you hold6--clear crimson1 and full of fire1--but it is not the fire of ,heaven1 though you may perchance judge it to be so4 ,rather is it of hell6--7,i pray you to pardon me for the roughness of this suggestion67--for one of the chief crimes of the devil is unconquerable hatred of the human race4 ,you share ,satan's aversion to man6--and strange indeed it is that even the most sympathetic companionship with your own sex cannot soften that aversion6 ,however1 we will not go into this2--the years have proved you true to your own temperament1 and there is nothing to be said on the matter1 either of blame or of praise4 ,as ,i said1 ,i have never asked a favour of you1 nor have ,i sought the sympathy which it is not in your nature to give4 ,i have not even claimed your obedience in any particular strictness of form2 but that is my errand to you to-night1--indeed it is the sole object of this private interview1--to claim your entire1 your unfaltering1 your implicit obedience60 ,she raised her head haughtily4 8,to what commands1 ,sir80 she asked4 8,to those ,i have here written1--0 and he handed her a paper folded in two1 which she took wonderingly1 as he extended it4 8,read this carefully6--and if you have any objections to urge1 ,i am willing to listen to you with patience1 though scarcely to alter the conditions laid down40 ,he turned away1 and walked slowly through the room1 pausing a moment to whistle to a tiny bird swinging in a gilded cage1 that perked up its pretty head at his call and twittered with pleasure4 8,so you respond to kindness1 little one60 he said softly1--8,you are more ,christ-like in that one grace than many a ,christian60 ,he started1 as a light touch fell on his shoulder1 and he saw the ,queen standing beside him4 ,she held the paper he had given her in one hand1 and as he looked at her enquiringly she touched it with her lips1 and placed it in her bosom4 8,i swear my obedience to your instructions1 ,sir60 she said1--8,do not fear to trust me60 ,gently he took her hands and kissed them4 8,i thank you60 he said simply4 ,for a moment they confronted each other4 ,the beautiful cold woman's eyes drooped under the somewhat sad and searching gaze of the man4 8,but--your life6--0 she murmured4 8,my life60 ,he laughed and dropped her hands4 8,would you care1 ,madam1 if ,i were dead8 ,would you shed any tears8 ,not you6 ,why should you8 ,at this late hour of time1 when after twenty-one years passed in each other's close company we are no nearer to each other in heart and soul than if the sea murmuring yonder at the foot of these walls were stretching its whole width between us6 ,besides--we are both past our youth6 ,and1 according to certain highly instructed scientists and philosophers1 the senses and affections grow numb with age4 ,i do not believe this theory myself--for the jejune love of youth is as a taper's flame to the great and passionate tenderness of maturity1 when the soul1 and not the body1 claims its due2 when love is not dragged down to the vulgar level of mere cohabitation1 after the fashion of the animals in a farmyard1 but rises to the best height of human sympathy and intelligent comprehension4 ,who knows6--,i may experience such a love as that yet1--and so may you60 ,she was silent4 8,talking of love10--he went on--8,may ,i ask whether our son1--or rather the nation's son1 ,humphry1--ever makes you his confidante80 8,never60 she replied4 8,i thought not6 ,we do not seem to be the kind of parents admired in moral story-books1 ,madam6 ,we are not the revered darlings of our children4 ,in fact1 our children have the happy disposition of animal cubs1--once out of the nursing stage1 they forget they ever had parents4 ,it is quite the natural and proper thing1 born as they were born1--it would never do for them to have any over-filial regard for us4 ,imagine ,humphry weeping for my death1 or yours6 ,what a grotesque idea6 ,and as for ,rupert and ,cyprian1--it is devoutly to be hoped that when we die1 our funerals may be well over before the great cricket matches of the year come on1 as otherwise they will curse us for having left the world at an inconvenient season60 ,he laughed4 8,how sentiment has gone out nowadays1 or how it seems to have gone out6 ,yet it slumbers in the heart of the nation1--and if it should ever awaken1--well6--it will be dangerous6 ,i asked you about ,humphry1 because ,i imagine he is entangled in some love-affair4 ,if it should be agreeable to your humour to go with me across to ,the ,islands one day this week1 we may perhaps by chance discover the reason of his passion for that particular kind of scenery60 ,the ,queen's eyes opened wonderingly4 8,the ,islands60 she repeated1--8,the ,islands8 ,why1 only the coral-fishers live there1--they have a community of their own1 and are jealous of all strangers4 ,what should ,humphry do there80 8,that is more than ,i can tell you10 answered the ,king1--8,and it is more than he will himself explain4 ,nevertheless1 he is there nearly every day1--some attraction draws him1 but what1 ,i cannot discover4 ,if ,humphry were of the soul of me1 as he is of the body of me1 ,i should not even try to fathom his secret1--but he is the nation's child--heir to its throne--and as such1 it is necessary that we1 for the nation's sake1 should guard him in the nation's interests4 ,if you chance to learn anything of the object of his constant sea-wanderings1 ,i trust you will find it coincident with your pleasure to inform me80 8,i shall most certainly obey you in this1 ,sir1 as in all other things60 she replied4 ,he moved a step or two towards her4 8,good-night60 he said very gently1 and detaching one of the lilies from her corsage1 took it in his own hand4 8,good-night6 ,this flower will remind me of you2--white and beautiful1 with all the central gold deep hidden60 ,he looked at her intently1 with a lingering look1 half of tenderness1 half of regret1 and bowing in the courtliest fashion of homage1 left her presence4 ,she remained alone1 the velvet folds of her train flowing about her feet1 and the jewels on her breast flashing like faint sparks of flame in the subdued glow of the shaded lamplight4 ,she was touched for the first time in her life by the consciousness of something infinitely noble1 and altogether above her in her husband's nature4 ,slowly she drew out the paper he had given her from her bosom and read it through again--and yet once again4 ,almost unconsciously to herself a mist gathered in her eyes and softened into two bright tears1 which dropped down her fair cheeks1 and lost themselves among her diamonds4 8,he is brave60 she murmured--8,braver than ,i thought he could ever be--0 ,she roused herself sharply from her abstraction4 ,emotions which were beyond her own control had strangely affected her1 and the humiliating idea that her moods had for a moment escaped beyond her guidance made her angry with herself for what she considered mere weakness4 ,and passing quickly out of the boudoir1 in the vague fear that solitude might deepen the sense of impotence and failure which insinuated itself slowly upon her1 like a dull blight creeping through her heart and soul1 she rejoined her ladies1 the same great ,queen as ever1 with the same look of indifference on her face1 the same chill smile1 the same perfection of loveliness1 unwithered by any visible trace of sorrow or of passion4 ,,chapter ,,vi ,,sergius ,,thord ,the next day the heavens were clouded2 and occasional volleys of heavy thunder were mingled with the gusts of wind and rain which swept over the city1 and which lashed the fair southern sea into a dark semblance of such angry waves as wear away northern coasts into bleak and rocky barrenness4 ,it was disappointing weather to multitudes1 for it was the feast-day of one of the numerous saints whose names fill the calendar of the ,roman ,church1--and a great religious procession had been organized to march from the market-place to the ,cathedral1 in which two or three hundred children and girls had been chosen to take part4 ,the fickle bursts of sunshine which every now and again broke through the lowering sky1 decided the priests to carry out their programme in spite of the threatening storm1 in the hope that it would clear off completely with the afternoon4 ,accordingly1 groups of little maidens1 in white robes and veils1 began to assemble with their flags and banners at the appointed hour round the old market cross1 which1--grey and crumbling at the summit1--bent over the streets like a withered finger1 crook'd as it were1 in feeble remonstrance at the passing of time1--while glimpses of young faces beneath the snowy veils1 and chatter of young voices1 made brightness and music around its frowning and iron-bound base4 ,shortly before three o'clock the ,cathedral bells began to chime1 and crowds of people made their way towards the sacred edifice in the laughing1 pushing1 gesticulating fashion of southerners1 to whom a special service at the ,church is like a new comedy at the theatre1--women with coloured kerchiefs knotted over their hair or across their bosoms--men1 more or less roughly clad1 yet all paying compliment to the ,saint's feast-day by some extra smart touch in their attire1 if it were only a pomegranate flower or orange-blossom stuck in their hats1 or behind their ears4 ,it was a mixed crowd1 all of the working classes1 who are proverbially called #8the common1' as if those who work1 are not a hundred times more noble than those who do nothing6 ,a few carriages1 containing some wealthy ladies of the nobility1 who1 to atone for their social sins1 were in the habit of contributing largely to the ,church1 passed every now and again through the crowd1 but taken as a spectacle it was simply a #8popular' show1 in which the children of the people took part1 and where the people themselves were evidently more amused than edified4 ,while the bells were ringing the procession gradually formed2--a dozen or more priests leading1--incense-bearers and acolytes walking next1--and then the long train of little children and girls carrying their symbolic banners1 following after4 ,the way they had to walk was a steep1 winding ascent1 through tortuous streets1 to the ,cathedral1 which stood in the centre of a great square on an eminence which overlooked the whole city1 and as soon as they started they began to sing1--softly at first1 then more clearly and sweetly1 till gradually the air grew full of melody1 rising and falling on the capricious gusts of wind which tore at the gilded and emblazoned banners1 and tossed the white veils of the maidens about like wreaths of drifting snow4 ,two men standing on the ,cathedral hill1 watched the procession gradually ascending--one tall and heavily-built1 with a dark leonine head made more massive-looking by its profusion of thick and unmanageable hair--the other lean and narrow-shouldered1 with a peaked reddish-auburn beard1 which he continually pulled and twitched at nervously as though its growth on his chin was more a matter of vexation than convenience4 ,he was apparently not so much interested in the ,church festival as he was in his companion's face1 for he was perpetually glancing up at that brooding countenance1 which1 half hidden as it was in wild hair and further concealed by thick moustache and beard1 showed no expression at all1 unless an occasional glimpse of full flashing eyes under the bushy brows1 gave a sudden magnetic hint of something dangerous and not to be trifled with4 8,you do not believe anything you hear or read1 ,sergius ,thord60 he said--8,will you twist your whole life into a crooked attitude of suspicion against all mankind80 ,he who was named ,sergius ,thord1 lifted himself slowly from the shoulders upwards1 the action making his great height and broad chest even more apparent than before4 ,a gleam of white teeth shone under his black moustache4 8,i do not twist my life into a crooked attitude1 ,johan ,zegota10 he replied4 8,if it is crooked1 others have twisted it for me6 ,why should ,i believe what ,i hear1 since it is the fashion to lie8 ,why should ,i accept what ,i read1 since it is the business of the press to deceive the public8 ,and why do you ask me foolish questions8 ,you should be better instructed1 seeing that your creed is the same as mine60 8,have ,i ever denied it80 exclaimed ,zegota warmly--8,but ,i have said1 and ,i say again that ,i believe the news is true1--and that these howling hypocrites1--0 this with an angry gesture of his hand towards the open square where the chanting priests who headed the procession were coming into view--8have truly received an unlooked-for check from the ,king60 ,sergius ,thord laid one hand heavily on his shoulder4 8,when the ,king--when any king--does anything useful in the world1 then you may hang me with your own hands1 ,zegota6 ,when did you ever hear1 except in myths of the past1 of a monarch who cared for his people more than his crown8 ,tell me that6 ,tell me of any king who so truly loved the people he was called upon to govern1 that he sacrificed his own money1 as well as his own time1 to remedy their wrongs8--to save them from unjust government1 to defend them from cruel taxation8--to see that their bread was not taken from their mouths by foreign competition8--and to make it possible for them to live in the country of their birth in peace and prosperity8 ,bah6 ,there never was such a king6 ,and that this man1--who has for three years left us to the mercy of the most accursed cheat and scoundrel minister that ever was in power1--has now declared his opposition to the ,jesuits'1 is more than ,i will or can believe40 8,if it were true80--suggested ,zegota1 with a more than usually vicious tug at his beard4 8,if it were true1 it would not alter my opinion1 or set aside my intention10 replied ,thord1--8,i would admit that the ,king had done one good deed before going to hell6 ,look6 ,here come the future traitresses of men--girls trained by priests to deceive their nearest and dearest6 ,poor children6 ,they know nothing as yet of the uses to which their lives are destined6 ,if they could but die now1 in their innocent faith and stupidity1 how much better for all the world60 ,as he spoke1 the wind1 swooping into the square1 and accompanied by a pattering gust of rain1 fell like a fury upon the leaders of the religious procession and tore one of the great banners out of the hands of the priest who held it1 beating it against his head and face with so much force that he fell backward to the ground under its weight1 while from a black cloud above1 a flash of lightning gleamed1 followed almost instantaneously by a loud clap of thunder1 which shook the square with a mighty reverberation like that of a bursting bomb4 ,the children screamed1--and ran towards the ,cathedral pellmell2 and for a few moments there ensued indescribable confusion1 the priests1 the people1 and the white-veiled girls getting mixed together in a wild hurly-burly4 ,sergius ,thord suddenly left his companion's side1 and springing on a small handcart that stood empty near the centre of the square1 his tall figure rose up all at once like a dark apparition above the heads of the assembled crowd1 and his voice1 strong1 clear1 and vibrating with passion1 rang out like a deep alarm bell1 through all the noise of the storm4 8,whither are you going1 ,o foolish people8 ,to pray to ,god8 ,pray to ,him here1 then1 under the flash of ,his lightning6--in the roll of ,his thunder6--beneath ,his cathedral-canopy of clouds6 ,pray to ,him with all your hearts1 your brains1 your reason1 your intelligence1 and leave mere lip-service and mockery to priests2 and to these poor children1 who1 as yet1 know no better than to obey tyrants6 ,would you find out ,god8 ,he is here--with me1--with you6--in the earth1 in the sky1 in the sun and storm6 ,whenever ,truth declares a living fact1 ,god speaks1--whenever we respond to that ,truth1 ,god hears6 ,no church1 no cathedral contains ,his presence more than we shall find it here--with us--where we stand60 ,the people heard1 and a great silence fell upon them4 ,all faces were turned toward the speaker1 and none appeared to heed the great drops of fast-falling rain4 ,one of the priests who was trying to marshal the scattered children into their former order1 so that they might enter the ,cathedral in the manner arranged for the religious service1 looked up to see the cause of the sudden stillness1 and muttered a curse under his breath4 ,but even while the oath escaped his lips1 he gave the signal for the sacred chanting to be resumed1 and in another moment the #8,litany of the ,virgin' was started in stentorian tones by the leaders of the procession4 ,intimidated by the looks1 as well as by the commands of the priests1 the girls and children joined in the chanting with tremulous voices1 as they began to file through the ,cathedral doors and enter the great nave4 ,but a magnetic spell1 stronger than any invocation of the ,church1 had fallen upon the crowd1 and they all stood as though caught in the invisible web of some enchanter1 their faces turned upwards to where ,thord's tall figure towered above them4 ,his eyes glittered as he noted the sudden hush of attention which prevailed1 and lifting his rough cap from his head1 he waved it towards the open door of the ,cathedral1 through which the grand strains of the organ rolling out from within gave forth solemn invitation3-- 8,sancta ,dei ,genitrix1 ,ora pro nobis60 sang the children1 as they passed in line under the ancient porch1 carved with the figures of forgotten saints and bishops1 whose stone countenances had stared at similar scenes through the course of long centuries4 8,sancta ,dei ,genitrix1 ora pro nobis60 echoed ,sergius ,thord--8,do you hear it1 ,o men8 ,do you hear it1 ,o women8 ,what does it teach you8 #8,holy ,mother of ,god6' ,who was she8 ,was she not merely a woman to whom ,god descended8 ,and what is the lesson she gives you8 ,plainly this--that men should be as gods1 and women as the mothers of gods6 ,for every true and brave man born into the world has ,god within him1--is made of ,god1 and must return to ,god6 ,and every woman who gives birth to one such1 true1 brave man1 has given a ,god-incarnated being to the world6 #8,sancta ,dei ,genitrix6' ,be all as mothers of gods1 ,o women6 ,be as gods1 ,o men6 ,be as gods in courage1 in truth1 in wisdom1 in freedom6 ,suffer not devils to have command of you6 ,for devils there are1 as there are gods2--evil there is1 as there is good4 ,fiends are born of women as gods are--and yet evil itself is of ,god1 inasmuch as without ,god there can be neither evil nor good4 ,let us help ,god1 we ,his children1 to conquer evil by conquering it in ourselves--and by refusing to give it power over us6 ,so shall ,god show us all goodness1--all pity6 ,so shall ,he cease to afflict ,his children2 so will ,he cease to torture us with undeserved sorrows and devilish agonies1 for which we are not to blame60 ,he paused4 ,the singing had ceased2 the children's procession had entered the ,cathedral1 and the doors still stood wide open4 ,but the people remained outside1 crowded in the square1 and gathering momentarily in greater numbers4 8,look you60 cried ,sergius ,thord--8,the building which is called the ,sanctuary of ,god1 stands open--why do you not all enter there8 ,within are precious marbles1 priceless pictures1 jewels and relics--and a great altar raised up by the gifts of wicked dead kings1 who by money sought to atone for their sins to the people4 ,there are priests who fast and pray in public1 and gratify all the lusts of appetite in private4 ,there are poor and ignorant women who believe whatsoever these priests tell them--all this you can see if you go inside yonder4 ,why do you not go8 ,why do you remain with me80 ,a faint murmur1 like the rising ripple of an angry sea1 rose from the crowd1 but quickly died away again into silence4 8,shall ,i tell you why you stay80 went on ,thord1--8,because you know ,i am your friend--and because you also know that the priests are your enemies6 ,because you know that ,i tell you the truth1 and that the priests tell you lies6 ,because you feel that all the promises made to you of happiness in ,heaven cannot explain away to your satisfaction the causes of your bitter suffering and poverty on earth6 ,because you are gradually learning that the chief business of priestcraft is to deceive the people and keep them down1--down1 always down in a state of wretched ignorance4 ,learn1 learn all you can1 my brothers--take the only good thing modern government gives you--,education6 ,education is thrown at us like a bone thrown to a dog1 half picked by others and barely nourishing--but take it1 take it1 friends1 for in it you shall find the marrow of vengeance on your tyrants and oppressors6 ,the education of the masses means the downfall of false creeds1--the ruin of all false priests6 ,for it is only through the ignorance of the many that tyrannical dominion is given into the hands of the few6 ,slavish submission to a corrupt government would be impossible if we all refused to be slaves4 ,o friends1 ,o brothers1 throw off your chains6 ,break down your prison doors6 ,some good you have done already--be brave and strong to do more6 ,press forward fearlessly and strive for liberty and justice6 ,to-day we are told that the ,king has refused crown-lands to the ,jesuits4 ,shall we be told to-morrow that the ,king has dismissed ,carl ,prousse from office80 ,a long wild shout told how this suggestion had gone straight home to the throng4 8,shall we be told this1 ,i ask8 ,no6 ,ten thousand times no6 ,the refusal of the ,king to grant the priests any wider dominion over us is merely an act of policy inspired by terror4 ,the ,king is afraid6 ,he fears the people will revolt against the ,church1 and so takes part with them lest there should be trouble in the land1 but he never seems to think there may be another kind of revolt against himself6 ,his refusal to concede more place for the accursed practice of ,jesuitry is so far good2 but his dismissal of ,prousse would be still better60 ,a perfect hurricane of applause from the people gave emphatic testimony to the truth of these words4 8,what is this man1 ,carl ,prousse80 he went on--8,a man of the people--whose oaths were sworn to the people1--whom the people themselves brought into power because he promised to remain faithful to them6 ,he is false1--a traitor and political coward6 ,a mere manufacturer of kitchen goods1 who through our folly was returned to this country's senate2--and through our still further credulity is now set in almost complete dominion over us4 ,well6 ,we have suffered and are suffering for our misplaced belief in him2--the question is1 how long shall we continue to suffer8 ,how long are we to be governed by the schemes of ,carl ,prousse1 the country's turncoat1--the trafficker in secret with ,jew speculators8 ,it is for you to decide6 ,it is for you to work out your own salvation6 ,it is for you to throw off tyranny1 and show yourselves free men of reason and capacity6 ,just as the priests chant long prayers to cover their own iniquity1 so do the men of government make long speeches to disguise their own corruption4 ,you know you cannot believe their promises4 ,neither can you believe the press1 for if this is not actually bought by ,prousse1 it is bribed4 ,and you cannot trust the ,king2 for he is as a house divided against itself which must fall6 ,slave of his own passions1 and duped by women1 what is he but a burden to the ,state8 ,justice and power should be on the side of kings1--but the days are come when self-interest and money can even buy a throne6 ,o men1 ,o women1 rouse up your hearts and minds to work for yourselves1 to redress wrongs1--to save your country6 ,rouse up in your thousands1 and with your toil-worn hands pull down the pillars of iniquity and vice that overshadow and darken the land6 ,fight against the insolent pride of wealth which strives to crush the poor2 rouse1 rouse your hearts6--open your eyes and see the evils which are gathering thick upon us6--and like the lightnings pent up in yonder clouds1 leap forth in flame and thunder1 and clear the air60 ,a burst of frantic acclamation from the crowd followed this wild harangue1 and while the loud roar of voices yet echoed aloft1 a band of armed police came into view1 marching steadily up from the lower streets of the city4 ,sergius ,thord smiled as he saw them approach4 8,yonder comes the ,law60 he said--8,a few poor constables1 badly paid1 who if they could find anything better to do than to interfere with their fellow-men would be glad of other occupation6 ,before they come any nearer1 disperse yourselves1 my friends1 and so save them trouble6 ,go all to your homes and think on my words2--or enter the ,cathedral and pray1 those who will--but let this place be as empty of you in five minutes as though you never had been here6 ,disperse1--and farewell6 ,we shall meet again60 ,he leaped down from his position and disappeared1 and in obedience to his command the crowd began to melt away with almost miraculous speed4 ,before the police could reach the centre of the square1 there were only some thirty or forty people left1 and these were quietly entering the ,cathedral where the service for the saint whose feast day was being celebrated was now in full and solemn progress4 ,for one instant1 on the first step of the great porch1 ,sergius ,thord and his companion1 ,johan ,zegota1 met1--but making a rapid sign to each other with the left hand1 they as quickly separated1--,zegota to enter the ,cathedral1 ,thord to walk rapidly down one of the narrowest and most unfrequented streets to the lower precincts of the city4 ,the afternoon grew darker1 and the weather more depressing1 and by the time evening closed in1 the rain was pouring persistently4 ,the wind had ceased1 and the thunder had long since died away1 its force drenched out by the weight of water in the clouds4 ,the saint's day had ended badly for all concerned2--many of the children who had taken part in the procession had been carried home by their parents wet through1 all the pretty white frocks and veils of the little girls having been completely soaked and spoilt by the unkind elements4 ,a drearier night had seldom gloomed over this fair city of the southern sea1 and down in the quarters of the poor1 where men and women dwelt all huddled miserably in overcrowded tenements1 and sin and starvation kept hideous company together1 the streets presented as dark and forbidding an aspect as the heavy skies blackly brooding above4 ,here and there a gas-lamp flared its light upon the drawn little face of some child crouching asleep in a doorway1 or on the pinched and painted features of some wretched outcast wending her way to the den she called #8home4' ,the loud brutal laughter of drunken men was mingled with the wailing of half-starved and fretful infants1 and the mean1 squalid houses swarmed with the living spawn of every vice and lust in the calendar of crime4 ,deep in the heart of the so-called civilized1 beautiful and luxurious city1 this #8quarter of the poor1' the cancer of the social body1 throbbed and ate its destructive way slowly but surely on1 and ,sergius ,thord1 who longed to lay a sharp knife against it and cut it out1 for the health of the whole community1 was as powerless as ,dante in hell to cure the evils he witnessed4 ,yet it was not too much to say that he would have given his life to ease another's pain1--as swiftly and as readily as he would have taken life without mercy1 in the pursuit of what he imagined to be a just vengeance4 8,how vain1 after all1 is my labour60 he thought--8,how helpless ,i am to move the self-centred powers of the ,government and the ,throne6 ,even were all these wretched multitudes to rise with me1 and make havoc of the whole city1 should we move so much as one step higher out of the ,gehenna of poverty and crime8 ,almost ,i doubt it60 ,he walked on past dark open doorways1 where some of the miserable inhabitants of the dens within1 stood to inhale the fresh wet air of the rainy night4 ,his tall form was familiar to most of them1--if they were considered as wolves of humanity in the sight of the law1 they were all faithful dogs to him2 doing as he bade1 running where he commanded1 ready at any moment to assemble at any given point and burn and pillage1 or rob and slay4 ,there were no leaders in the political government1--but this one leader of the massed poor could1 had he chosen1 have burned down the city4 ,but he did not choose4 ,he had a far-sighted1 clear brain1--and though he had sworn to destroy abuses wherever he could find them1 he moved always with caution2 and his plans were guided1 not by impulse alone1 but by earnest consideration for the future4 ,he was marked out by the police as a dangerous ,socialist2 and his movements were constantly tracked and dodged1 but so far1 he had done nothing which could empower his arrest4 ,he was a free subject in a free country2 and provided he created no open disturbance he had as much liberty as a mission preacher to speak in the streets to those who would stop to listen4 ,he paused now in his walk at the door of one house more than commonly dingy and tumble-down in appearance1 where a man lounged outside in his shirt-sleeves1 smoking4 8,is all well with you1 ,matsin80 he asked gently4 8,all is well60 answered the man called ,matsin1--8better than last night4 ,the child is dead40 8,dead60 echoed ,thord1--8,and the mother----0 8,asleep60 answered ,matsin4 8,i gave her opium to save her from madness4 ,she was hungry1 too--the opium fed her and made her forget60 ,thord pushed him gently aside1 and went into the house4 ,there on the floor lay the naked body of a dead child1 so emaciated as to be almost a skeleton2 and across it1 holding it close with one arm1 was stretched a woman1 half clothed1 her face hidden in her unbound dark hair1 breathing heavily in a drugged sleep4 ,great tears filled ,thord's eyes4 8,god exists60 he said1--8,and ,he can bear to look upon a sight like this6 ,if ,i were ,god1 ,i should hate myself for letting such things be60 8,perhaps ,he does hate ,himself60 said the man ,matsin1 who had also come in1 and now looked at the scene with sullen apathy--8,that may be the cause of all our troubles6 ,i don't understand the ways of ,god2 or the ways of man either4 ,i have done no harm4 ,i married the woman--and we had that one child4 ,i worked hard for both4 ,i could not get sufficient money to keep us going2 ,i did metal work--very well1 so ,i was told4 ,but they make it all abroad now by machinery--,i cannot compete4 ,they don't want new designs they say--the old will serve4 ,i do anything now that ,i can--but it is difficult4 ,you1 too1--you starve with us60 8,i am poor1 if that is what you mean10 said ,thord1--8but take all ,i have to-night1 ,matsin--0 and he emptied a small purse of silver coins into the man's hand4 8,bury the poor little innocent one2--and comfort the mother when she wakes4 ,comfort her6--love her6--she needs love6 ,i will be back again to-morrow40 ,he strode away quickly1 and ,matsin remained at his door turning over the money in his hand4 8,he will sacrifice something he needs himself1 for this10 he muttered4 8,yet that is the man they say the ,king would hang if ever he got hold of him6 ,by ,heaven6--the ,king himself should hang first60 ,meanwhile ,sergius ,thord went on1 slackening his pace a little as he came near his own destination1 a tall and narrow house at the end of the street1 with a single light shining in one of the upper windows4 ,there was a gas-lamp some few paces off1 and under this stood a man reading1 or trying to read1 a newspaper by its flickering glare4 ,thord glanced at him with some suspicion--the stranger was too near his own lodging for his pleasure1 for he was always on his guard against spies4 ,approaching more closely1 he saw that though the man was shabbily attired in a rough pilot suit1 much the worse for wear1 he nevertheless had the indefinable look and bearing of a gentleman4 ,acting on impulse1 as he often did1 ,thord spoke to him4 8,a rough night for reading by lamplight1 my friend60 he said4 ,the man looked up1 and smiled4 8,yes1 it is1 rather6 ,but ,i have only just got the evening paper40 8,any special news80 8,no--only this--0 and he pointed to a bold headline--8,the ,king versus ,the ,jesuits40 8,ah60 said ,thord1 and he studied the looks and bearing of the stranger with increasing curiosity4 8,what do you think of it80 8,what do ,i think8 ,may ,i ask1 without offence1 what you think80 8,i think10 said ,thord slowly1 8that the ,king has for once in his life done a wise thing40 8#8,for once in his life6'0 repeated the stranger dubiously--8,then ,i presume your ,king is1 generally speaking1 a fool80 8,if you are a subject of his--0 began ,thord slowly---- 8,thank ,heaven1 ,i am not6 ,i am a mere wanderer--a literary loafer--a student of men and manners4 ,i read books1 and ,i write them too1--this will perhaps explain the eccentricity of my behaviour in trying to read under the lamplight in the rain60 ,he smiled again1 and the smile was irresistibly pleasant4 ,something about him attracted ,thord1 and after a pause he asked3 8,if you are1 as you say1 a wanderer and a stranger in this town1 can ,i be of service to you80 8,you are very kind60 said the other1 turning a pair of deep1 dark1 grey meditative eyes upon him1--8,and ,i am infinitely obliged to you for the suggestion4 ,but ,i really want nothing4 ,as a matter of fact1 ,i am waiting for two friends of mine who have just gone into one of the foul and filthy habitations here1 to see what they can do for a suddenly bereaved family4 ,the husband and father fell dead in the street before our eyes1--and those who picked him up said he was drunk1 but it turned out that he was merely starved1--merely6--you understand8 ,merely starved6 ,we found his home1--and the poor widow is wailing and weeping1 and the children are crying for food4 ,i confess myself quite unable to bear the sight1 and so ,i have sent all the money ,i had about me to help them for to-night at least4 ,by my faith1 they are most hopelessly1 incurably miserable60 8,their lot is exceedingly common in these quarters10 said ,thord1 sorrowfully4 8,day after day1 night after night1 men1 women and children toil1 suffer and die here without ever knowing what it is to have one hour of free fresh air1 one day of rest and joy6 ,yet this is a great city1--and we live in a civilized country60 ,he smiled bitterly1 then added--8,you have done a good action2 and you need no thanks1 or ,i would thank you2 for my life's work lies among these wretched poor1 and ,i am familiar with their tragic histories4 ,good-night60 8,pray do not go60 said the stranger suddenly--8,i should like to talk to you a little longer1 if you have no objection4 ,is there not some place near1 where we can go out of this rain and have a glass of wine together80 ,sergius ,thord stood irresolute1--gazing at him1 half in liking1 half in distrust4 8,sir10 he said at last1 8,i do not know you--and you do not know me4 ,if ,i told you my name1 you would probably not seek my company60 8,will you tell it80 suggested the stranger cheerfully--8,mine is at your service--,pasquin ,leroy4 ,i fear my fame as an author has not reached your ears60 ,thord shook his head4 8,no4 ,i have never heard of you4 ,and probably you have never heard of me4 ,my name is ,sergius ,thord40 8,sergius ,thord60 echoed the stranger2 8,now that is truly remarkable6 ,it is a happy coincidence that we should have met to-night4 ,i have just seen your name in this very paper which you caught me reading--see6--the next heading under that concerning the ,king and the ,jesuits--#8,thord's ,rabble4' ,are not you that same ,thord80 8,i am60 said ,thord proudly1 his eyes shining as he took the paper and perused quickly the few flashy lines which described the crowd outside the ,cathedral that afternoon1 and set him down as a crazy ,socialist1 and disturber of the peace1 8,and the #8rabble' as this scribbling fool calls it1 is the greater part of this city's population4 ,the ,king may intimidate his ,court2 but ,i1 ,sergius ,thord1 with my #8rabble' can intimidate both ,court and ,king60 ,he drew himself up to his full majestic height--a noble figure of a man with his fine heroic head and eagle-like glance of eye1--and he who had called himself ,pasquin ,leroy1 suddenly held out his hand4 8,let me see more of you1 ,sergius ,thord60 he said1--8,you are the very man for me6 ,they say in this paper that you spoke to a great multitude outside the ,cathedral this afternoon1 and interfered with the religious procession2 they also say you are the head of a ,society called the ,revolutionary ,committee2--now let me work for you in some department of that business60 8,let you work for me80 echoed ,thord astonished--8,but how80 8,in this way--0 replied the other--8,i write ,socialistic works1--and for this cause have been expelled from my native home and surroundings4 ,i have a little money--and some influence1--and ,i will devote both to your ,cause4 ,will you take me1 and trust me80 ,thord caught his extended hand1 and looked at him with a kind of fierce intentness4 8,you mean it80 he said in thrilling tones--8,you mean it positively and truly80 8,positively and truly60 said ,leroy--8,if you are working to remedy the frightful evils abounding in this wretched quarter of the poor1 ,i will help you6 ,if you are striving to destroy rank abuses1 ,i ask nothing better than to employ my pen in your service4 ,i will get work on the press here--,i will do all ,i can to aid your purposes and carry out your intentions4 ,i have no master1 so am free to do as ,i like2 and ,i will devote myself to your service so long as you think ,i can be of any use to you40 8,wait60 said ,thord--8,you must not be carried away by a sudden generous impulse1 simply because you have witnessed one scene of the continual misery that is going on here daily4 ,to belong to our ,committee means much more than you at present realize1 and involves an oath which you may not be willing to take6 ,and what of the friends you spoke of80 8,they will do what ,i do10 replied ,leroy--8,they share my fortunes--likewise my opinions2--and here they come1--so they can speak for themselves10 this1 as two men emerged from a dark street on the left1 and came full into the lamplight's flare--8,axel ,regor1 ,max ,graub--come hither6 ,fortune has singularly favoured us to-night6 ,let me present to you my friend--0 and he emphasized the word1 8,sergius ,thord60 ,both men started ever so slightly as the introduction was performed1 and ,thord looked at them with fresh touches of suspicion here and there lurking in his mind4 ,but he was brave2 and having once proceeded in a given direction was not in the habit of turning back4 ,he therefore saluted both the new-comers with grave courtesy4 8,i trust you60 he then said curtly to ,leroy1 8and ,i think you will not betray my trust4 ,if you do1 it will be the worse for you60 ,his lips parted in a slight sinister smile1 and the two who were respectively called ,axel ,regor and ,max ,graub1 exchanged anxious glances4 ,but ,leroy showed no sign of hesitation or alarm4 8,your warning is quite unnecessary1 ,sergius ,thord10 he said1--8,i pledge you my word with my friendship--and my word is my bond6 ,i will also hold myself responsible for my companions40 ,thord bent his head in silent recognition of this assurance4 8,then follow me1 if such is your desire10 he said--8,remember1 there is yet time to go in another direction1 and to see me no more2 but if you once do cast in your lot with mine the tie between us is indissoluble60 ,he paused1 as though expecting some recoil or hesitation on the part of those to whom he made this statement1 but none came4 ,he therefore strode on1 and they followed1 till arriving at the door of the tall1 narrow house1 where the light in the highest window gleamed like a signal1 he opened it with a small key and entered1 holding it back courteously for his three new companions to enter with him4 ,they did so1 and he closed the door4 ,at the same moment the light was extinguished in the upper window1 and the outside of the house became a mere wall of dense blackness in the driving rain4 ,,chapter ,,vii ,,the ,,idealists ,up a long uncarpeted flight of stairs1 and into a large lofty room on the second storey1 ,thord led the way for his newly-found disciples to follow4 ,it was very dark1 and they had to feel the steps as they went1 their guide offering neither explanation nor apology for the ,cimmerian shades of gloom4 ,stumbling on hands and knees they spoke not a word2 though once ,max ,graub uttered something like an oath in rough ,german2 but a whisper from ,leroy rebuked and silenced him1 and they pursued their difficult ascent until1 arriving at the room mentioned1 they found themselves in the company of about fifteen to twenty men1 all sitting round a table under two flaring billiard lamps1 suspended crookedly from the ceiling4 ,as ,thord entered1 these men all rose1 and gave him an expressive sign of greeting with the left hand1 the same kind of gesture which had passed between him and ,zegota on the ,cathedral steps in the morning4 ,zegota himself was one of their number4 ,there was also another personage in the room who did not rise1 and who gave no sign whatever4 ,this was a woman1 who sat in the embrasure of a closed and shuttered window with her back to the whole company4 ,it was impossible to say whether she was young or old1 plain or handsome1 for she was enveloped in a long black cloak which draped her from shoulder to heel4 ,all that could be distinguished of her was the white nape of her neck1 and a great twist of dead gold hair4 ,her presence awakened the liveliest interest in ,pasquin ,leroy1 who found it impossible to avoid nudging his companions1 and whispering-- 8,a woman6 ,by ,heaven1 this drama becomes interesting60 ,but ,axel ,regor and ,max ,graub were seemingly not disposed to levity1 and they offered no response to their lighter minded comrade beyond vague hasty side-looks of alarm1 which appeared to amuse him to an extent that threatened to go beyond the limits of caution4 ,sergius ,thord1 however1 saw nothing of their interchange of glances for the moment1--he had other business to settle4 ,addressing himself at once to the men assembled1 he said4-- 8,friends and brothers6 ,i bring you three new associates6 ,i have not sought them2 they have sought me4 ,on their own heads be their destinies6 ,they offer their names to the ,revolutionary ,committee1 and their services to our ,cause60 ,a low murmur of approbation from the company greeted this announcement4 ,johan ,zegota advanced a little in front of all the rest4 8,every man is welcome to serve us who will serve us faithfully10 he said4 8,but who are these new comrades1 ,sergius ,thord8 ,what are they80 8,that they must declare for themselves10 said ,thord1 taking a chair at the head of the table which was evidently his accustomed place--8,put them through their examination60 ,he seated himself with the air of a king1 his whole aspect betokening an authority that would not be trifled with or gainsaid4 8,gott in ,himmel60 ,this exclamation burst suddenly from the lips of the man called ,max ,graub4 8,what ails you80 said ,thord1 turning full upon him his glittering eyes that flashed ferocity from under their shaggy brows--8,are you afraid80 8,afraid8 ,not ,i60 protested ,graub--8,but1 gentlemen1 think a moment6 ,you speak of putting us--myself and my friends--through an examination6 ,why should you examine us8 ,we are three poor adventurers--what can we have to tell80 8,much1 ,i should imagine60 retorted ,zegota--8,adventurers are not such without adventures6 ,your white hairs testify to some experience of life40 8,my white hairs--my white hairs60 exclaimed ,graub1 when a touch from ,axel ,regor apparently recalled something to his mind for he began to laugh--8,true1 gentlemen6 ,very true6 ,i had forgotten6 ,i have had some adventures and some experiences6 ,my good friend there1 ,pasquin ,leroy1 has also had adventures and experiences1--so have we all6 ,myself1 ,i am a poor ,german1 grown old in the service of a bad king6 ,i have been kicked out of that service--,ach6--just for telling the truth2 which is very much the end of all truth telling1 is it not8 ,tell lies1--and kings will reward you and make you rich and great6--but tell truth1 and see what the kings will give you for it6 ,kicks1 and no halfpence6 ,pardon6 ,i interrupt this so pleasant meeting60 ,all the men present looked at him curiously1 but said nothing in response to his outburst4 ,johan ,zegota1 seating himself next to ,sergius ,thord1 opened a large parchment volume that lay on the table1 and taking up a pen addressed himself to ,thord1 saying-- 8,will you ask the questions1 or shall ,i80 8,you1 by all means6 ,proceed in the usual manner40 ,whereupon ,zegota began4-- 8,stand forth1 comrades60 ,the three strangers advanced4 8,your names8 ,each one answer separately1 please60 8,pasquin ,leroy60 8,axel ,regor60 8,max ,graub60 8,of what nationality1 ,pasquin ,leroy80 ,leroy smiled4 8,truly ,i claim none60 he said2 8,i was born a slave40 8,a slave60 ,the words were repeated in tones of astonishment round the room4 8,why1 yes1 a slave60 repeated ,leroy quietly4 8,you have heard of black slaves1--have you not heard of white ones too8 ,there are countries still1 where men purchase other men of their own blood and colour2--tyrannous governments1 which force such men to work for them1 chained to one particular place till they die4 ,i am one of those1--though escaped for the present4 ,you can ask me more of my country if you will2 but a slave has no country save that of his master4 ,if you care at all for my services1 you will spare me further examination on this subject60 ,zegota looked enquiringly at ,thord4 8,we will pass that question10 said the latter1 in a low tone4 ,zegota resumed-- 8,you1 ,axel ,regor--are you a slave too80 ,axel ,regor smiled languidly4 8,no6 ,i am what is called a free-born subject of the realm4 ,i do what ,i like1 though not always how ,i like1 or when ,i like60 8,and you1 ,max ,graub80 8,german60 said that individual firmly2 8,german to the backbone--,socialist to the soul6--and an enemy of all ruling sovereigns1--particularly the one that rules me60 ,thord smiled darkly4 8,if you feel inclined to jest1 ,max ,graub1 ,i must warn you that jesting is not suited to the immediate moment40 8,jesting6 ,i never was more in earnest in my life60 declared ,graub1--8,why have ,i left my native country8 ,merely because it is governed by ,kaiser ,wilhelm60 ,thord smiled again4 8,the subject of nationality seems to excite all three of you10 he said1 8and though we ask you the question pro forma1 it is not absolutely necessary that we should know from whence you come4 ,we require your names1 and your oath of fealty2 but before binding yourselves1 ,i will read you our laws1 and the rules of membership for this society2 rules to which1 if you join us1 you are expected to conform40 8,suppose1 for the sake of argument10 said ,pasquin ,leroy1--8that after hearing the rules we found it wisest to draw back8 ,suppose my friends1--if not myself1--were disinclined to join your ,society2--what would happen80 ,as he asked the question a curious silence fell upon the company1 and all eyes were turned upon the speaker4 ,there was a dead pause for a moment1 and then ,thord replied slowly and with emphasis3-- 8,nothing would happen save this1--that you would be bound by a solemn oath never to reveal what you had heard or seen here to-night1 and that you would from henceforth be tracked every day and hour of your life by those who would take care that you kept your oath60 8,you see60 exclaimed ,axel ,regor excitedly1 8,there is danger----0 8,danger8 ,of what80 asked ,pasquin ,leroy coldly2--8,of death8 ,each one of us1 and all three of us would fully merit it1 if we broke our word6 ,gentlemen both60--and he addressed his two companions1 8,if you fear any harm may come to yourselves through joining this society1 pray withdraw while there is yet time6 ,my own mind is made up2 ,i intend to become familiar with the work of the ,revolutionary ,committee1 and to aid its cause by my personal service60 ,a loud murmur of applause came from the company4 ,axel ,regor and ,max ,graub glanced at ,leroy1 and saw in his face that his decision was unalterable4 8,then we will work for the ,cause1 also10 said ,max ,graub resignedly4 8,what you determine upon1 we shall do1 shall we not1 ,axel80 ,axel ,regor gave a brief assent4 ,sergius ,thord looked at them all straightly and keenly4 8,you have finally decided80 8,we have60 replied ,leroy4 8,we will enrol ourselves as your associates at once40 ,whereupon ,johan ,zegota rose from his place1 and unlocking an iron safe which stood in one corner of the room1 took out a roll of parchment and handed it to ,thord1 who1 unfolding it1 read in a clear though low voice the following3-- 8,we1 the ,revolutionary ,committee1 are organized as a ,brotherhood1 bound by all the ties of life1 death1 and our common humanity1 to destroy the abuses1 and redress the evils1 which self-seeking and tyrannous ,governments impose upon the suffering poor4 8,firstly3 ,we bind ourselves to resist all such laws as may in any degree interfere with the reasonable1 intellectual1 and spiritual freedom of man or woman4 8,secondly3 ,we swear to agitate against all forms of undue and excessive taxation1 which1 while scarcely affecting the rich1 make life more difficult and unendurable to the poor4 8,thirdly3 ,we protest against the domination of priestcraft1 and the secret methods which are employed by the ,church to obtain undue influence in ,governmental matters4 8,fourthly3 ,we are determined to stand firmly against the entrance of foreign competitors in the country's trade and business4 ,all heads and ruling companies of firms employing foreigners instead of native workmen1 are marked out by us as traitors1 and are reserved for traitors' punishment4 8,fifthly3 ,we are sworn to exterminate the existing worthless ,government1 and to replace it by a working body of capable and intelligent men1 elected by the universal vote of the entire country4 ,such elections must take place freely and openly1 and no secret influence shall be used to return any one person or party to power4 ,those attempting to sway opinion by bribery and corruption1 will be named to the public1 and exposed to disgrace and possible death4 8,sixthly3 ,we are resolved to unmask to the public the duplicity1 treachery1 and self-interested motives of the ,secretary of ,state1 ,carl ,prousse4 8,seventhly3 ,we are sworn to bring about such changes as shall elevate a ,republic to supreme power1 and for this purpose are solemnly pledged to destroy the present ,monarchy40 8,these10 said ,sergius ,thord1 8are the principal objects of our ,society's work4 ,there are other points to be considered1 but these are sufficient for the present4 ,i will now read the rules1 which each member of our ,brotherhood must follow if he would serve us faithfully40 ,he turned over another leaf of the parchment scroll he held1 and continued1 reading very slowly and distinctly3 8,rule #a4--;,each member of the ,revolutionary ,committee shall swear fidelity to the ,cause1 and pledge himself to maintain inviolable secrecy on all matters connected with his membership and his work for the ,society4 8,rule #b4--,no member shall track1 follow1 or enquire into the movements of any other member4 8,rule #c4--,once in every month all members are expected to meet together at a given place1 decided upon by the ,chief of the ,committee at the previous meeting1 when business will be discussed1 and lots drawn1 to determine the choice of such members as may be fitted to perform such business4 8,rule #d4--,no member shall be bound to give his address1 or to state where he travels1 or when or how he goes1 as in all respects save that of his membership he is a free man4 8,rule #e4--;,in this same respect of his membership1 he is bound to appear1 or to otherwise report himself once a month at the meeting of the ,committee4 ,should he fail to do so either by person1 or by letter satisfactorily explaining his absence1 he will be judged as a traitor1 and dealt with accordingly4 8,rule#f4--;,in the event of any member being selected to perform any deed involving personal danger or loss to himself1 the rest of the members are pledged to shelter him from the consequences of his act1 and to provide him with all the necessaries of life1 till his escape from harm is ensured and his safety guaranteed40 8,you have heard all now10 said ,thord1 as he laid aside the parchment scroll2 8,are you still willing to take the oath80 8,entirely so60 rejoined ,pasquin ,leroy cheerfully2 8,you have but to administer it40 ,here a man1 who had been sitting in a dark corner apart from the table1 with his head buried in his hands1 suddenly looked up1 showing a thin1 fine1 eager face1 a pair of wild eyes1 and a tumbled mass of dark curly hair1 plentifully sprinkled with grey4 8,ah60 he cried1--8,now comes the tragic moment1 when the spectators hold their breath1 and the blue flame is turned on1 and the man manages the lime-light so that its radiance shall fall on the face of the chief actor--or ,actress6 ,and the bassoons and #8cellos grumble inaudible nothings to the big drum6 ,administer the oath1 ,sergius ,thord60 ,a smile went the round of the company4 8,have you only just wakened up from sleep1 ,paul ,zouche80 asked ,zegota4 8,i never sleep10 answered ,zouche1 pushing his hair back from his forehead2--8,unless sleep compels me1 by force1 to yield to its coarse and commonplace persuasion4 ,to lie down in a shirt and snore the hours away6 ,faugh6 ,can anything be more gross or vulgar6 ,time flies so quickly1 and life is so short1 that ,i cannot afford to waste any moment in such stupid unconsciousness4 ,i can drink wine1 make love1 and kill rascals--all these occupations are much more interesting than sleeping4 ,come1 ,sergius6 ,play the great trick of the evening6 ,administer the oath60 ,a frowning line puckered ,thord's brows1 but the expression of vexation was but momentary4 ,turning to ,leroy again he said3 8,you are quite ready80 8,quite10 replied ,leroy4 8,and your friends----80 ,leroy smiled4 8,they are ready also60 ,there followed a pause4 ,then ,thord called in a clear low tone-- 8,lotys60 ,the woman sitting in the embrasure of the window rose1 and turning round fully confronted all the men4 ,her black cloak falling back on either side1 disclosed her figure robed in dead white1 with a scarlet sash binding her waist4 ,her face1 pale and serene1 was not beautiful2 yet beauty was suggested in every feature4 ,her eyes seemed to be half closed in a drooping indifference under the white lids1 which were fringed heavily with dark gold lashes4 ,a sculptor might have said1 that whatever claim to beauty she had was contained in the proud poise of her throat1 and the bounteous curve of her bosom1 but though in a manner startled by her appearance1 the three men who had chanced upon this night's adventure were singularly disappointed in it4 ,they had somehow expected that when that mysterious cloaked feminine figure turned round1 a vision of dazzling beauty would be disclosed2 and at the first glance there was nothing whatever about this woman that seemed particularly worthy of note4 ,she was not young or old--possibly between twenty-eight or thirty4 ,she was not tall or short2 she was merely of the usual medium height1--so that altogether she was one of those provoking individuals1 who not seldom deceive the eye at first sight by those ordinary looks which veil an extraordinary personality4 ,she stood like an automatic figure1 rigid and silent1--till ,sergius ,thord signed to his three new associates to advance4 ,then with a movement1 rapid as a flash of lightning1 she suddenly drew a dagger from her scarlet girdle1 and held it out to them4 ,nerved as he was to meet danger1 ,pasquin ,leroy recoiled slightly1 while his two companions started as if to defend him4 ,as she saw this1 the woman raised her drooping eyelids1 and a pair of wonderful eyes shone forth1 dark blue as iris-flowers1 while a faint scornful smile lifted the corners of her mouth4 ,but she said nothing4 8,there is no cause to fear60 said ,sergius ,thord1 glancing with a touch of derision in his looks from one to the other1 8,lotys is the witness of all our vows6 ,swear now after me upon this drawn dagger which she holds1--lay your right hands here upon the blade60 ,thus adjured1 ,pasquin ,leroy approached1 and placed his right hand upon the shining steel4 8,i swear in the name of ,god1 and in the presence of ,lotys1 that ,i will faithfully work for the ,cause of the ,revolutionary ,committee1--and that ,i will adhere to its rules and obey its commands1 till all shall be done that is destined to be done6 ,and may the death ,i deserve come suddenly upon me if ever ,i break my vow60 ,slowly and emphatically ,pasquin ,leroy repeated this formula after ,sergius ,thord1 and his two companions did the same1 though perhaps less audibly4 ,this ceremony performed1 the woman called ,lotys looked at them steadfastly1 and the smile that played on her lips changed from scorn to sweetness4 ,the dark blue iris-coloured eyes deepened in lustre1 and flashed brilliantly from under their drowsy lids1--a rosy flush tinted the clear paleness of her skin1 and like a statue warming to life she became suddenly beautiful4 8,you have sworn bravely60 she said1 in a low thrilling voice4 8,now sign and seal60 ,as she spoke she lifted her bare left arm1 and pricked it with the point of the dagger4 ,a round1 full drop of blood like a great ruby welled up on the white skin4 ,all the men had risen from their places1 and were gathered about her2--this #8taking of the oath' was evidently the dramatic event of their existence as a community4 8,the pen1 ,sergius60 she said4 ,thord approached with a white unused quill1 and a vellum scroll on which the names of all the members of the ,society were written in ominous red4 ,he handed these writing implements to ,leroy4 8,dip your pen here10 said ,lotys1 pointing to the crimson drop on her arm1 and eyeing him still with the same half-sweet1 half-doubting smile--8,but when the quill is full1 beware that you write no treachery60 ,for one second ,leroy appeared to hesitate4 ,he was singularly unnerved by the glances of those dark blue eyes1 which like searchlights seemed to penetrate into every nook and cranny of his soul4 ,but his recklessness and love of adventure having led him so far1 it was now too late to retract or to reconsider the risks he might possibly be running4 ,he therefore took the quill and dipped it into the crimson drop that welled from that soft white flesh4 8,this is the strangest ink ,i have ever used60 he said lightly1--8but--at your command1 ,madame----60 8,at my command10 rejoined ,lotys1 8your use of it shall make your oath indelible60 ,he smiled1 and wrote his name boldly #8,pasquin ,leroy' and held out the pen for his companions to follow his example4 8,ach ,gott60 exclaimed ,max ,graub1 as he dipped the pen anew into the vital fluid from a woman's veins--8,i write my name1 ,madame1 in words of life1 thanks to your condescension60 8,true60 she answered1--8,and only by your own falsehood can you change them into words of death60 ,signing his name #8,max ,graub1' he looked up and met her searching gaze4 ,something there was in the magnetic depth of her eyes that strangely embarrassed him1 for he stepped back hastily as though intimidated4 ,axel ,regor took the pen from his hand1 and wrote his name1 or rather scrawled it carelessly1 almost impatiently1--showing neither hesitation nor repugnance to this unusual method of subscribing a document4 8,you are acting on compulsion60 said ,lotys1 addressing him in a low tone2 8,your compliance is in obedience to some other command than ours6 ,and--you will do well to remain obedient60 ,axel ,regor gave her an amazed glance1--but she paid no heed to it1 and binding her arm with her kerchief1 let her long white sleeve fall over it4 8,so1 you are enrolled among the sons of my blood60 she said1 8,so are you bound to me and mine60 ,she moved to the further end of the table and stood there looking round upon them all4 ,again the slow1 sweet1 half-disdainful smile irradiated her features4 8,well1 children6--what else remains to do8 ,what next8 ,what next can there be but drink--smoke--talk6 ,man's three most cherished amusements60 ,she sat down1 throwing back her heavy cloak on either side of her4 ,her hair had come partly unbound1 and noticing a tress of it falling on her shoulder1 she drew out the comb and let it fall altogether in a mass of gold-brown1 like the tint of a dull autumn leaf1 flecked here and there with amber4 ,catching it dexterously in one hand1 she twisted it up again in a loose knot1 thrusting the comb carelessly through4 8,drink--smoke--talk1 ,sergius60 she repeated1 still smiling2 8,shall ,i ring80 ,sergius ,thord stood looking at her irresolutely1 with the half-angry1 half-pleading expression of a chidden child4 8,as you please1 ,lotys60 he answered4 ,whereupon she pressed an invisible spring under the table1 which set a bell ringing in some lower quarter of the house4 8,pasquin ,leroy1 ,axel ,regor1 ,max ,graub60 she said--8,take your places for to-night beside me--newcomers are always thus distinguished6 ,and all of you sit down6 ,you are grouped at present like hungry wolves waiting to spring4 ,but you are not really hungry1 except for something which is not food6 ,and you are not waiting for anything except for permission to talk6 ,i give it to you--talk1 children6 ,talk yourselves hoarse6 ,it will do you good6 ,and ,i will personate supreme wisdom by listening to you in silence60 ,a kind of shamed laugh went round the company1--then followed the scuffling of feet1 and grating of chairs against the floor1 and presently the table was completely surrounded1 the men sitting close up together1 and ,sergius ,thord occupying his place at their head4 ,when they were all seated1 they formed a striking assembly of distinctly marked personalities4 ,there were very few mean types among them1 and the stupid1 half-vague and languid expression of the modern loafer or #8do nothing' creature1 who just for lack of useful work plots mischief1 was not to be seen on any of their countenances4 ,a certain moroseness and melancholy seemed to brood like a delayed storm among them1 and to cloud the very atmosphere they breathed1 but apart from this1 intellectuality was the dominant spirit suggested by their outward looks and bearing4 ,plebeian faces and vulgar manners are1 unfortunately1 not rare in representative gatherings of men whose opinions are allowed to sway the destinies of nations1 and it was strange to see a group of individuals who were sworn to upset existing law and government so distinguished by refined and even noble appearance4 ,their clothes were shabby1--their aspect certainly betokened long suffering and contention with want and poverty1 but they were1 taken all together1 a set of men who1 if they had been members of a recognized parliament or senate1 would have presented a fine collection of capable heads to an observant painter4 ,as soon as they were gathered round the table under the presidency of ,sergius ,thord at one end1 and the tranquil tolerance of the mysterious ,lotys at the other1 they broke through the silence and reserve which they had carefully maintained till their three new comrades had been irrecoverably enrolled among them1 and conversation went on briskly4 ,the topic of #8,the ,king versus the ,jesuits' was one of the first they touched upon1 ,sergius ,thord relating for the benefit of all his associates1 how he had found ,pasquin ,leroy reading by lamplight the newspaper which reported his ,majesty's refusal to grant any portion of ,crown lands to the priests1 and which also spoke of #8,thord's ,rabble4' 8,here is the paper60 said ,leroy1 as he heard the narration2 8,whoever likes to keep it can do so1 as a memento of my introduction to this ,society60 ,and he tossed it lightly on the table4 8,good60 exclaimed ,paul ,zouche2 8,give it to me1 and ,i will cherish it as a kind of birthday card6 ,what a rag it is6 #8,thord's ,rabble' eh6 ,sergius1 what have you been doing that this little flea of an editor should jump out of his ink-pot and bite you8 ,does he hurt much80 8,hurt60 ,thord laughed aloud4 8,if ,i had money enough to pay the man ten golden coins a week where his present employer gives him five1 he would dance to any tune ,i whistled60 8,is that so80 asked ,leroy1 with interest4 8,do you not know that it is so80 rejoined ,thord4 8,you tell me you write ,socialistic works--you should know something concerning the press40 8,ah60 said ,max ,graub1 nodding his head sagely1 8,he does know much1 but not all6 ,it would need more penetration than even he possesses1 to know all6 ,alas6--my friend was never a popular writer60 8,like myself60 exclaimed ,zouche1 8,i am not popular1 and ,i never shall be4 ,but ,i know how to make myself reputed as a great genius1 and all the very respectable literary men are beginning to recognize me as such4 ,do you know why80 8,because you drink more than is good for you1 my poor ,zouche60 said ,lotys tranquilly2 8,that is one reason60 8,hear her60 cried ,zouche1--8,does she not always1 like the ,sphinx1 propound enigmas6 ,lotys1--little1 domineering ,lotys1 why in the name of ,heaven should ,i secure recognition as a poet1 through drunkenness80 8,because your vice kills your genius10 said ,lotys2 8,therefore you are quite safe6 ,if you were less of a scamp you would be a great man1--perhaps the greatest in the country6 ,that would never do6 ,your rivals would never forgive you6 ,but you are a hopeless rascal1 incapable of winning much honour2 and so you are compassionately recognized as somebody who might do something if he only would--that is all1 my ,zouche6 ,you are an excellent after-dinner topic with those who are more successful than yourself2 and that is the only fame you will ever win1 believe me60 8,now by all the gods and goddesses60 cried ,paul--8,i do protest----0 8,after supper1 ,zouche60 interrupted ,lotys1 as the door of the room opened1 and a man entered1 bearing a tray loaded with various eatables1 jugs of beer1 and bottles of spirituous liquors1--8,protest as much as you like then1--but not just now60 ,and with quick1 deft hands she helped to set the board4 ,none of the men offered to assist her1 and ,leroy watching her1 felt a sudden sense of annoyance that this woman should seem1 even for a moment1 to be in the position of a servant to them all4 8,can ,i do nothing for you80 he said1 in a low tone--8,why should you wait upon us80 8,why indeed60 she answered--8,except that you are all by nature awkward1 and do not know how to wait properly upon yourselves60 ,her eyes had a gleam of mischievous mockery in them2 and ,leroy was conscious of an irritation which he could scarcely explain to himself4 ,decidedly1 he thought1 this ,lotys was an unpleasant woman4 ,she was #8extremely plain1' so he mentally declared1 in a kind of inward huff1--though he was bound to concede that now and then she had a very beautiful1 almost inspired expression4 ,after all1 why should she not set out jugs and bottles1 and loaves of bread1 and hunks of ham and cheese before these men8 ,she was probably in their pay6 ,scarcely had this idea flashed across his mind than he was ashamed of it4 ,this ,lotys1 whoever she might actually be1 was no paid hireling2 there was something in her every look and action that set her high above any suspicion that she would accept the part of a salaried comdienne in the ,socialist farce4 ,annoyed with himself1 though he knew not why1 he turned his gaze from her to the man who had brought in the supper1--a hunchback1 who1 notwithstanding his deformity1 was powerfully built1 and of a countenance which1 marked as it was with the drawn pathetic look of long-continued physical suffering1 was undeniably handsome4 ,his large brown eyes1 like those of a faithful dog1 followed every movement of ,lotys with anxious and wistful affection1 and ,leroy1 noticing this1 began to wonder whether she was his wife or daughter8 ,or was she related in either of these ways to ,sergius ,thord8 ,his reflections were interrupted by a slight touch from ,max ,graub who was seated next to him4 8,will you drink with these fellows80 said ,graub1 in a cautious whisper--8,expect to be ill1 if you do60 8,you shall prescribe for me60 answered ,leroy in the same low tone--8,i faithfully promise to call in your assistance6 ,but drink with them ,i must1 and will60 ,graub gave a short sigh and a shrug1 and said no more4 ,the hunchback was going the round of the table1 filling tall glasses with light ,bavarian beer4 8,where is the little ,pequita80 asked ,zouche1 addressing him--8,have you sent her to bed already1 ,sholto80 ,sholto looked timorously round till he met the bright reassuring glance of ,lotys1 and then he replied hesitatingly-- 8,yes6--no--,i have not sent the little one to bed2--she returned from her work at the theatre1 tired out--quite tired out1 poor child6 ,she is asleep now40 8,ha ha6 ,a few years more1 and she will not sleep60 said ,zouche--8,once in her teens--0 8,once in her teens1 she leaves the theatre and comes to me10 said ,lotys1 8,and you will see very little of her1 ,zouche1 and you will know less6 ,that will do1 ,sholto6 ,good-night60 8,good-night60 returned the hunchback--8,i thank you1 ,madame6--,i thank you1 gentlemen60 ,and with a slight salutation1 not devoid of grace1 he left the room4 ,zouche was sulky1 and pushing aside his glass of beer1 poured out for himself some strong spirit from a bottle instead4 8,you do not favour me to-night1 ,lotys10 he said irritably--8,you interrupt and cross me in everything ,i say60 8,is it not a woman's business to interrupt and cross a man80 queried ,lotys1 with a laugh1--8,as ,i have told you before1 ,zouche1 ,i will not have ,sholto worried60 8,who worries him80 grumbled ,zouche--8,not ,i60 8,yes1 you6--you worry him on his most sensitive point--his daughter10 said ,lotys2--8,why can you not leave the child alone8 ,sholto is an ,englishman10 she explained1 turning to ,pasquin ,leroy and his companions--8,his history is a strange one enough4 ,he is the rightful heir to a large estate in ,england1 but he was born deformed4 ,his father hated him1 and preferred the second son1 who was straight and handsome4 ,so ,sholto disappeared40 8,disappeared60 echoed ,leroy--8,you mean----0 8,i mean that he left his father's house one morning1 and never returned4 ,the clothes he wore were found floating in the river near by1 and it was concluded that he had been drowned while bathing4 ,the second son1 therefore1 inherited the property2 and poor ,sholto was scarcely missed2 certainly not mourned4 ,meanwhile he went away1 and got on board a ,spanish trading boat bound for ,cadiz4 ,at ,cadiz he found work1 and also something that sweetened work--love6 ,he married a pretty ,spanish girl who adored him1 and--as often happens when lovers rejoice too much in their love--she died after a year's happiness4 ,sholto is all alone in the world with the little child his ,spanish wife left him1 ,pequita4 ,she is only eleven years old1 but her gift of dancing is marvellous1 and she gets employment at one of the cheap theatres here4 ,if an influential manager could see her performance1 she might coin money40 8,the influential manager would probably cheat her10 said ,zouche1--8,things are best left alone4 ,sholto is content60 8,are you content80 asked ,johan ,zegota1 helping himself from the bottle that stood near him4 8,i8 ,why1 no6 ,i should not be here if ,i were60 8,discontent1 then1 is your chief bond of union80 said ,axel ,regor1 beginning to take part in the conversation4 8,it is the very knot that ties us all together60 said ,zouche with enthusiasm4--8,discontent is the mother of progress6 ,adam was discontented with the garden of ,eden1--and found a whole world outside its gates60 8,he took ,eve with him to keep up the sickness of dissatisfaction10 said ,zegota2 8,there would certainly have been no progress without her60 8,pardon1--,cain was the true ,progressivist and ,reformer10 put in ,graub2 8,some fine sentiment of the garden of ,eden was in his blood1 which impelled him to offer up a vegetable sacrifice to the ,deity1 whereas ,abel had already committed murder by slaying lambs4 ,according to the legend1 ,god preferred the #8savour' of the lambs1 so perhaps1--who knows6--the idea that the savour of ,abel might be equally agreeable to ,divine senses induced ,cain to kill him as a special #8youngling4' ,this was a ,progressive act1--a step beyond mere lambs60 ,everyone laughed1 except ,sergius ,thord4 ,he had fallen into a heavy1 brooding silence1 his head sunk on his breast1 his wild hair falling forward like a mane1 and his right hand clenched and resting on the table4 8,sergius60 called ,lotys4 ,he did not answer4 8,he is in one of his far-away moods10--said one of the men next to ,axel ,regor1--8,it is best not to disturb him40 ,paul ,zouche1 however1 had no such scruples4 8,sergius60 he cried1--8,come out of your cloud of meditation6 ,drink to the health of our three new comrades60 ,all the members of the company filled their glasses1 and ,thord1 hearing the noise and clatter1 looked up with a wild stare4 8,what are you doing80 he asked slowly2--8,i thought some one spoke of ,cain killing ,abel60 8,it was ,i10 said ,graub--8,i spoke of it--irreverently1 ,i fear1--but the story itself is irreverent4 ,the notion that #8,god1' should like roast meat is the height of blasphemy60 ,zouche burst into a violent fit of laughter4 ,but ,thord went on talking in a low tone1 as though to himself4 8,cain killing ,abel60 he repeated--8,always the same horrible story is repeated through history--brother against brother1--blood crying out for blood--life torn from the weak and helpless body--all for what8 ,for a little gold1--a passing trifle of power6 ,cain killing ,abel6 ,my ,god1 art ,thou not yet weary of the old eternal crime60 ,he spoke in a semi-whisper which thrilled through the room4 ,a momentary hush prevailed1 and then ,lotys called again1 her voice softened to a caressing sweetness4 8,sergius60 ,he started1 and shook himself out of his reverie this time4 ,raising his hand1 he passed it in a vague mechanical way across his brow as though suddenly wakened from a dream4 8,yes1 yes6 ,let us drink to our three new comrades10 he said1 and rose to his feet4 8,to your health1 friends6 ,and may you all stand firm in the hour of trial60 ,all the company sprang up and drained their glasses1 and when the toast was drunk and they were again seated1 ,pasquin ,leroy asked if he might be allowed to return thanks4 8,i do not know10 he said with a courteous air1 8whether it is permissible for a newly-enrolled associate of this ,brotherhood to make a speech on the first night of his membership1--but after the cordial welcome ,i and my comrades1 strangers as we are1 have received at your hands1 ,i should like to say a few words--if1 without breaking any rules of the ,order1 ,i may do so40 8,hear1 hear60 shouted ,zouche1 who had been steadily drinking for the last few moments1--8,speak on1 man6 ,whoever heard of a dumb ,socialist6 ,rant--rant6 ,rant and rave6--as ,i do1 when the fit is on me6 ,do ,i not1 ,thord8 ,do ,i not move you even to tears80 8,and laughter60 put in ,zegota4 8,hold your tongue1 ,zouche6 ,no other man can talk at all1 if you once begin60 ,zouche laughed1 and drained his glass4 8,true6--my genius is of an absorbing quality6 ,silence1 gentlemen6 ,silence for our new comrade6 #8,pasquin' stands for the beginning of a jest--so we may hope he will be amusing1--#8,leroy' stands for the king1 and so we may expect him to be non-political60 ,,chapter ,,viii ,,the ,,king',s ,,double ,as ,leroy rose to speak1 there was a little commotion4 ,max ,graub upset his glass1 and seemed to be having a struggle under the table with ,axel ,regor4 8,what ails you80 said ,leroy1 glancing at his friends with an amazed air--8,are you quarrelling80 8,quarrelling60 echoed ,max ,graub1 8,why1 no--but what man will have his beer upset without complaint8 ,tell me that60 8,you upset it60 said ,regor angrily--8,i did not40 8,you did60 retorted ,graub1 8and because ,i pushed you for it1 you showed me a pistol in your pocket6 ,i object to be shown a pistol4 ,so ,i have taken it away4 ,here it is60 and he laid the weapon on the table in front of him4 ,a look of anger darkened ,leroy's brows4 8,i was not aware you carried arms10 he said coldly4 ,sergius ,thord noticed his annoyance4 8,there is nothing remarkable in that1 my friend60 he interposed--8,we all carry arms1--there is not one of us at this table who has not a loaded pistol1--even ,lotys is no exception to this rule40 8,now by my word60 said ,graub1 8,i have no loaded pistol1--and ,i will swear ,leroy is equally unarmed60 8,entirely so60 said ,leroy quietly--8,i never suspect any man of evil intentions towards me40 ,as he said this1 ,lotys leaned forward impulsively and stretched out her hand1--a beautiful hand1 well-shaped and white as a white rose petal4 8,i like you for that60--she said--8,it is the natural attitude of a brave man60 ,a slight colour warmed his bronzed skin as he took her hand1 pressed it gently1 and let it go again4 ,axel ,regor looked up defiantly4 8,well1 ,i do suspect every man of evil intentions60 he said1 8,so you may all just as well know the worst of me at once6 ,my experience of life has perhaps been exceptionally unpleasant2 but it has taught me that as a rule no man is your friend till you have made it worth his while60 8,by favours bestowed1 or favours to come80 queried ,thord1 smiling1--8,however1 without any argument1 ,axel ,regor1 ,i am inclined to think you are right60 8,then a weapon is permissible here80 asked ,graub4 8,not only permissible1 but necessary10 replied ,thord4 8,as members of this ,brotherhood we live always prepared for some disaster1--always on our guard against treachery4 ,comrades60 and raising his voice he addressed the whole party4 8,lay down your arms1 all at once and together60 ,in one instant1 as if in obedience to a military order1 the table was lined on either side with pistols4 ,beside these weapons1 there was a goodly number of daggers1 chiefly of the small kind such as are used in ,corsica1 encased in leather sheaths4 ,pasquin ,leroy smiled as he saw ,lotys lay down one of those tiny but deadly weapons1 together with a small silver-mounted pistol4 8,forewarned is forearmed60 he said gaily2--8,madame1 if ,i ever offend1 ,i shall look to you for a happy dispatch6 ,gentlemen1 ,i have still to make my speech1 and if you permit it1 ,i will speak now1--unarmed as ,i am1--with all these little metal mouths ready to deal death upon me if ,i happen to make any observation which may displease you60 8,by ,heaven6 ,a brave man60 cried ,zouche2 8,thord1 you have picked up a trump card6 ,speak1 ,pasquin ,leroy6 ,we will forgive you1 even if you praise the ,king60 ,leroy stood silent for a moment1 as if thinking4 ,his two companions looked up at him once or twice in unquestionable alarm and wonderment1 but he did not appear to be conscious of their observation4 ,on the contrary1 some very deeply seated feeling seemed to be absorbing his soul1--and it was perhaps this suppressed emotion which gave such a rich vibrating force to his accents when he at last spoke4 8,friends and ,brothers60 he said2--8,it is difficult for one who has never experienced the three-fold sense of ,liberty1 ,equality and ,fraternity until to-night1 to express in the right manner the sense of gratitude which ,i1 a complete stranger to you1 feel for the readiness and cordiality of the welcome you have extended to me and my companions1 accepting us without hesitation1 as members of your ,committee1 and as associates in the work of the ,cause you have determined to maintain4 ,it is an ,ideal ,cause1--,i need not tell you that6 ,to rescue and protect the poor from the tyranny of the rich and strong1 was the mission of ,christ when ,he visited this earth2 and it would perhaps be unwise on my part1 and discouraging to yourselves1 to remind you that even ,he has failed6 ,the strong1 the selfish1 and the cruel1 still delight in oppressing their more helpless fellows1 despite the theories of ,christianity4 ,and it is perfectly natural that it should be so1 seeing that the ,christian ,church itself has become a mere system of money-making and self-advancement40 ,a burst of applause interrupted him4 ,eyes lightened with eager enthusiasm1 and every face was turned towards him4 ,he went on3-- 8,to think of the great ,founder of a great ,creed1 and then to consider what his pretended followers have made of ,him and ,his teaching1 is sufficient to fill the soul with the sickness of despair and humiliation6 ,to remember that ,christ came to teach all men the ,gospel of love1--and to find them after eighteen hundred years still preferring the ,gospel of hate1--is enough to make one doubt the truth of religion altogether6 ,the ,divine ,socialist preached a creed too good and pure for this world2 and when we try to follow it1 we are beaten back on all sides by the false conventionalities and customs of a sacerdotal system grown old in self-seeking1 not in self-sacrifice4 ,were ,christ to come again1 the first thing ,he would probably do would be to destroy all the churches1 saying3 #8,i never knew you3 depart from me ye that work iniquity6' ,but till ,he does come again1 it rests with the thinkers of the time to protest against wrongs and abuses1 even if they cannot destroy them1--to expose falsehood1 even if they cannot utterly undo its vicious work4 ,seeing1 however1 that the greater majority of men are banded on the side of wealth and material self-interest1 it is unfortunately only a few who remain to work for the cause of the poor1 and for such equal rights of justice as you--as we--in our present ,association claim to be most worthy of man's best efforts4 ,it may be asked by those outside such a ,fraternity as ours1--#8,what do they want8 ,what would they have that they cannot obtain8' ,i would answer that we want to see the end of a political system full of bribery and corruption1--that we desire the disgrace and exposure of such men as those1 who1 under the pretence of serving the country1 merely line their own coffers out of the taxes they inflict upon the people2--and that if we see a king inclined to favour the overbearing dominance of a political party governed by financial considerations alone1--a party which has no consideration for the wider needs of the whole nation1 we from our very hearts and souls desire the downfall of that king60 ,a low1 deep murmur responded to his words1--a sound like the snarl of wolves1 deep1 fierce1 and passionate4 ,a close observer might perhaps have detected a sudden pallor on ,leroy's face as he heard this ominous growl1 and an involuntary clenching of the hand on the part of ,axel ,regor4 ,max ,graub looked up4 8,ah so1 my friends6 ,you hate the ,king80 ,no answer was vouchsafed to this query4 ,the interruption was evidently unwelcome1 all eyes being still fixed on ,leroy4 ,he went on tranquilly3 8,i repeat--that wherever and whenever a king--any king--voluntarily and knowingly1 supports iniquity and false dealing in his ministers1 he lays himself open to suspicion1 attack1 and dethronement6 ,i speak with particular feeling on this point1 because1 apart from whatever may be the thoughts and opinions of these who are assembled here to-night1 ,i have a special reason of my own for hating the ,king6 ,that reason is marked on my countenance6 ,i bear an extraordinary resemblance to him1--so great indeed1 that ,i might be taken for his twin brother if he had one6 ,and ,i beg of you1 my friends1 to look at me long and well1 that you make no error concerning me1 for1 being now your comrade1 ,i do not wish to be mistaken for your enemy60 ,he drew himself up1 lifting his head with an air of indomitable pride and grace which well became him4 ,an exclamation of surprise broke from all present1 and ,sergius ,thord bent forward to examine his features with close attention4 ,every man at the table did the same1 but none regarded him more earnestly or more searchingly than ,lotys4 ,her wonderful eyes seemed to glow and burn with strange interior fires1 as she kept them steadily fixed upon his face4 8,yes--you are strangely like the ,king60 she said--8,that is1--so far as ,i am able to judge by his portraits and coins4 ,i have never seen him40 8,i have seen him10--said ,sergius ,thord1 8though only at a distance4 ,and ,i wonder ,i did not notice the strange resemblance you bear to him before you called my attention to it4 ,are you in any way related to him80 8,related to him60 ,leroy laughed aloud4 8,no6 ,if the late ,king had any bastard sons1 ,i am not one of them6 ,but ,i pray you again all to carefully note this hateful resemblance1--a resemblance ,i would fain rid me of--for it makes me seem a living copy of the man ,i most despise60 ,there was a pause1--during which he stood quietly1 submitting himself to the fire of a hundred wondering1 questioning1 and inquisitorial eyes without flinching4 8,you are all satisfied80 he then asked2 8,you1 ,sergius ,thord1--my chief and commander1--you1 and all here present are satisfied80 8,satisfied8--,yes60 replied ,thord2 8,but sorry that your personality resembles that of a fool and a knave60 ,a strange grimace distorted the countenance of ,max ,graub1 but he quickly buried his nose and his expression together in a foaming glass of beer4 8,you cannot be so sorry for me as ,i am for myself60 said ,leroy1 8,and now to finish the few words ,i have been trying to say4 ,i thank you from my heart for your welcome1 and for the trust you have reposed in me and my companions4 ,i am proud to be one of you2 and ,i promise that you shall all have reason to be glad that ,i am associated with your ,cause6 ,and to prove my good faith1 ,i undertake to set about working for you without a day's delay2 and towards this object1 ,i give you my word that before our next meeting something shall be done to shake the political stronghold of ,carl ,prousse60 ,sergius ,thord sprang up excitedly4 8,do that10 he said1 8and were you a thousand times more like the ,king than you are1 you shall be the first to command our service and honour60 ,loud acclamation followed his words1 and all the men gathered close up about ,leroy4 ,he looked round upon them1 half-smiling1 half-serious4 8,but you must tell me what to do60 he said4 8,you must explain to me why you consider ,prousse a traitor1 and how you think it best his treachery should be proved4 ,for1 remember1 ,i am a stranger to this part of the country1 and my accidental resemblance to the ,king does not make me his subject60 8,true60 said ,paul ,zouche1--his eyes were feverishly bright and his cheeks flushed--8,to be personally like a liar does not oblige one to tell lies6 ,to call oneself a poet does not enable one to write poetry6 ,and to build a cathedral does not make one a saint6 ,to know all the highways and byways of the ,prousse policy1 you must penetrate into the depths and gutter-slushes of the great newspaper which is subsidised by the party to that policy6 ,and this is difficult--exceedingly difficult1 let me assure you1 my bold ,pasquin6 ,and if you can perform such a #8pasquinade' as shall take you into these ,holy of ,holy purlieus of mischief and money-making1 you will deserve to be chief of the ,committee1 instead of ,sergius6 ,sergius talks--he will talk your head off6--but he does nothing60 8,i do what ,i can10--said ,thord1 patiently4 8,it is true ,i have no access to the centres of diplomacy or journalism4 ,but ,i hold the ,people in the hollow of my hand60 ,he spoke with deep and concentrated feeling1 and the power of his soul looked out eloquently from the darkening flash of his eyes4 ,leroy studied his features with undisguised interest4 8,if you thus hold the ,people10 he said1--8,why not bid them rise against the evil and tyranny of which they have cause to complain80 ,thord shook his head4 8,to rouse the ,people10 he replied1 8would be worse than to rouse a herd of starving lions from their forest dens1 and give them freedom to slay and devour6 ,nay6--the time is not yet6 ,all gentle means must be tried2 and if these fail--why then--60 ,he broke off1 but his clenched hand and expressive glance said the rest4 8,why do you not use the most powerful of all the weapons ever invented for the destruction of one's enemies--the ,pen80 asked ,max ,graub4 8,start a newspaper1 for example1 and gibbet your particular favourite ,carl ,prousse therein60 8,bah6 ,he would get up a libel case1 and advertise himself a little more by that method60 said ,zegota contemptuously2 8,and besides1 a newspaper needs unlimited capital behind it4 ,we have no rich friends40 8,rich friends60 exclaimed ,lotys suddenly2 8,who speaks of them--who needs them8 ,rich friends expect you to toady to them2 to lick the ground under their feet2 to fawn and flatter and lie1 and be anything but honest men6 ,the rich are the vulgar of this world2--no one who has heart1 or soul1 or sense1 would condescend to seek friendships among those whose only claim to precedence is the possession of a little more yellow metal than their neighbours40 8,nevertheless1 they and their yellow metal are the raw material1 which ,genius may as well use to pave its way through life10 said ,zegota4 8,lotys1 you are too much of an idealist60 8,idealist6 ,and you call yourself a realist1 poor child60 said ,lotys with a laugh2 8,i tell you ,i would sooner starve than accept favour or assistance from the merely rich60 8,of course you would60 said ,zouche1 8,and is not that precisely the reason why you are set in dominion over us all8 ,we men are not sure of ourselves--but--,heaven knows why6--we are sure of ,you6 ,i suppose it is because you are sure of yourself6 ,for example1 we men are such wretched creatures that we cannot go long without our food1--but you1 woman1 can fast all day1 and scorn the very idea of hunger4 ,we men cannot bear much pain1--but you1--woman1--can endure suffering of your own without complaint1 while attending to our various lesser hurts and scratches4 ,wherefore1 just because we feel you are above us in this and many other things1 we have set you amongst us as a warning ,figurehead1 which cries shame upon us if we falter1 and reminds us that you1 a woman1 can do1 and probably will do1 what we men cannot4 ,imagine it6 ,you would bear all things for love's sake6--and1 frankly speaking1 we would bear nothing at all1 except for our own immediate and particular pleasure4 ,for that1 of course1 we would endure everything till we got it1 and then--pouf6--we would let it go again in sheer weariness and desire for something else6 ,is it not so1 ,sergius80 8,i am glad you know yourself so well60 said ,thord gloomily4 8,personally1 ,i am not prepared to accept your theory40 8,men are children60 said ,lotys1 still smiling2 8,and should be treated as children always1 by women6 ,come1 little ones6 ,to bed1 all of you6 ,it is growing late1 and the rain has ceased40 ,she went to the window1 and unbarring the shutters1 opened it4 ,the streets were wet and glistening below1 but the clouds had cleared1 and a pale watery moon shone out fitfully from the misty sky4 8,say good-night1 and part20 she continued4 8,it is time6 ,this day month we will meet here again1--and our new comrades will then report what progress they have made in the matter of ,carl ,prousse40 8,tell me10 said ,leroy1 approaching her1 8,what would you do1 ,madame1 if you had determined1 on proving the corruption and falsehood of this at present highly-honoured servant of the ,state80 8,i should gain access to his chief tool1 ,david ,jost1 by means of the ,prime ,minister's signet10 said ,lotys1--8,if ,i could get the signet6--which ,i cannot6 ,nor can you6 ,but if ,i could1 ,i should persuade ,jost to talk freely1 and so betray himself4 ,he and ,carl ,prousse move the ,premier and the ,king whichever way they please40 8,is that so--80 began ,leroy1 when he was answered by a dozen voices at once3-- 8,the ,king is a fool60 8,the ,king is a slave60 8,the ,king accepts everything that is set before him as being rightly and wisely ordained1--and never enquires into the justice of what is done60 8,the ,king assumes to be the friend of the ,people1 but if you ask him to do anything for the ,people1 you only get the secretary's usual answer--#8,his ,majesty regrets that it is impossible to take any action in the matter'60 8,wait6--wait6--0 said ,leroy1 with a gesture which called for a moment's silence2 8,the question is1--,could the ,king do anything if he would80 8,i will answer that60 said ,lotys1 her eyes flashing1 her bosom heaving1 and her whole figure instinct with pride and passion2 8,the ,king could do everything6 ,the ,king could be a man if he chose1 instead of a dummy6 ,the ,king could cease to waste his time on fools and light women6--and though he is1 and must be a constitutional ,monarch1 he could so rule all social matters as to make them the better1--not the worse for his influence6 ,there is nothing to prevent the ,king from doing his most kingly duty60 ,leroy looked at her for a moment in silence4 8,madame1 if the ,king heard your words he might perhaps regret his many follies60 he said courteously2--8,but where ,society is proved worse1 instead of better for a king's influence1 is it not somewhat too late to remedy the evil8 ,what of the ,queen80 8,the ,queen is queen from necessity1 not from choice60 said ,lotys2--8,she has never loved her husband4 ,if she had loved him1 perhaps he might1--through her1--have loved his people more60 ,there was a note of pathos in her voice that was singularly tender and touching4 ,anon1 as if impatient with herself1 she turned to ,sergius ,thord4 8,we must disperse60 she said abruptly2 8,daybreak will be upon us before we know it1 and we have done no business at all this evening4 ,to enrol three new associates is a matter of fifteen minutes2 the rest of our time has been wasted60 8,do not say so1 ,madame60 interposed ,max ,graub1 8,you have three new friends--three new #8sons of your blood1' as you so poetically call them1--though1 truly1 ,i for one am more fit to be your grandfather6 ,and do you consider the time wasted that has been spent in improving and instructing your newly-born children80 ,lotys turned upon him with a look of disdain4 8,you are a would-be jester20 she said coldly2 8,old men love a jest1 ,i know1 but they should take care to make it at the right time1 and in the right place4 ,they should not play with edge-tools such as ,i am1 though ,i suppose1 being a ,german1 you think little or nothing of women80 8,madame60 protested ,graub1 8,i think so much of women that ,i have never married6 ,behold me1 an unhappy bachelor6 ,i have spared any one of your beautiful sex from the cruel martyrdom of having to endure my life-long company60 ,she laughed--a pretty low laugh1 and extended her hand with an air of queenly condescension4 8,you are amusing60 she said1--8,and so ,i will not quarrel with you6 ,good-night60 8,auf wiedersehn60 and ,graub kissed the white hand he held4 8,i shall hope you will command me to be of service to you and yours1 ere long60 8,in what way1 ,i wonder10 she asked dubiously2 8,what can you do best8 ,write8 ,speak8 ,or organize meetings80 8,i think10 said ,graub1 speaking very deliberately1 8that of all my various accomplishments1 which are many--as ,i shall one day prove to you--,i can poison best60 8,poison60 ,the exclamation broke simultaneously from all the company4 ,graub looked about him with a triumphant air4 8,ah so1--,i know ,i shall be useful10 he said2 8,i can poison so very beautifully and well6 ,one little drop--one1 little microbe of mischief--and ,i can make all your enemies die of cholera1 typhoid1 bubonic plague1 or what you please6 ,i am what is called a ,christian scientific poisoner--that is a doctor6 ,you will find me a most invaluable member of this ,brotherhood60 ,he nodded his head wisely1 and smiled4 ,sergius ,thord laid one hand heavily on his shoulder4 8,we shall find you useful1 no doubt60 he said1 8,but mark me well1 friend6 ,our mission is not to kill1 but to save6--not to poison1 but to heal6 ,if we find that by the death of one traitor we can save the lives of thousands1 why then that traitor must die4 ,if we know that by killing a king we destroy a country's abuses1 that king is sent to his account4 ,but never without warning6--never without earnest pleading that he whom the laws of ,truth condemn1 may turn from the error of his ways and repent before it is too late4 ,we are not murderers2--we are merely the servants of justice40 8,exactly60 put in ,paul ,zouche2 8,you understand8 ,we try to be what ,god is not1--just60 8,blaspheme not1 ,zouche60 said ,thord2 8,justice is the very eye of ,god6--the very centre and foundation of the universe40 ,zouche laughed discordantly4 8,excellent ,sergius6 ,impulsive ,sergius6--with big heart1 big head and no logic6 ,prove to me this eternal justice6 ,where does it begin8 ,in the creation of worlds without end1 all doomed to destruction1 and therefore perfectly futile in their existence8 ,in the making of man1 who lives his little day with the utmost difficulty1 pain and struggle1 and is then extinguished1 to be heard of no more8 ,the use of it1 my ,sergius6--point out the use of it6 ,no1--there is no man can answer me that6 ,if ,i could see the ,creator1 ,i would ask ,him the question personally--but ,he hides ,himself behind the great big pendulum ,he has set swinging--tick--tock6--tick--tock6 ,life--,death6--,life--,death6--and never a reason why the clock is set going6 ,and so we shall never have justice1--simply because there is none6 ,it is not just or reasonable to propound a question to which there is no answer2 it is not just or reasonable to endow man with all the thinking powers of brain1 and all the imaginative movements of mind1 merely to turn him into a pinch of dust afterwards4 ,every generation1 every country strives to get justice done1 but cannot1--merely for the fact that ,god ,himself has no idea of it1 and therefore it is naturally lacking in ,his creature1 man4 ,our governing-forces are plainly the elements4 ,no ,divine finger stops the earthquake from engulfing a village full of harmless inhabitants1 simply because of the injustice of such utter destruction6 ,see now6--look at the eyes of ,lotys reproaching me6 ,you would think they were the eyes of an angel1 gazing at a devil in the sweet hope of plucking him out of hell60 8,such a hope would be vain in your case1 ,zouche10 said ,lotys tranquilly2 8,you make your own hell1 and you must live in it6 ,nevertheless1 in some of the wild things you say1 there is a grain of truth4 ,if ,i were ,god1 ,i should be the most miserable of all beings1 to look upon all the misery ,i had myself created6 ,i should be so sorry for the world1 that ,i should put an end to all hope of immortality by my own death40 ,she made this strange remark with a simplicity and wistfulness which were in striking contrast to the awful profundity of the suggestion1 and all her auditors1 including the half-tipsy ,zouche1 were silent4 8,i should be so sorry60 she repeated2 8,for even as a mortal woman my pity for the suffering world almost breaks my heart2--but if ,i were ,god1 ,i should have all the griefs of all the worlds ,i had made to answer for1--and such an agony would surely kill me4 ,oh1--the pain1 the tears1 the mistakes1 the sins1 the anguish of humanity6 ,all these are frightful to me6 ,i do not understand why such misery should exist6 ,i think it must be that we have not enough love in the world2 if we only loved each other faithfully1 ,god might love us more60 ,her eyes were wet2 she caught her breath hard1 and smiled a little difficult smile4 ,something in her soul transfigured her face1 and made it for the moment exquisitely lovely1 and the men around her gazed at her in evidently reverential silence4 ,suddenly she stretched out both her hands3 8,good-night1 children60 ,one by one the would-be-fierce associates of the ,revolutionary ,committee bent low over those fair hands2 and then quietly saluting ,sergius ,thord1 as quietly left the room1 like schoolboys retiring from a class where the lessons had been more or less badly done4 ,paul ,zouche was not very steady on his feet1 and two of his comrades assisted him to walk as he stumbled off1 singing somewhat of a ribald rhyme in mezza-voce4 ,pasquin ,leroy and his two friends were the last to go4 ,lotys looked at them all three meditatively4 8,you will be faithful80 she said4 8,unto death60 answered ,leroy4 ,she came close up to him1 placing one hand on his arm1 and glanced meaningly towards ,sergius ,thord1 who was standing at the threshold watching ,zouche stumbling down the dark stairs4 8,sergius is a good man60 she said2 8,one of the mistaken geniuses of this world1--savage as a lion1 yet simple as a child6 ,whoever1 and whatever you are1 be true to him60 8,he is dear to you80 said ,leroy on a sudden impulse1 catching her hand2 8,he is more to you than most men80 ,she snatched away her hand1 and her eyes lightened first with wrath1 then with laughter4 8,dear to me60 she echoed1--8to ,me8 ,no one man on earth is dearer to me than another6 ,all are alike in my estimation1--all the same barbaric1 foolish babes and children--all to be loved and pitied alike6 ,but ,sergius ,thord picked me out of the streets when ,i was no better than a stray and starving dog1--and like a dog ,i serve him--faithfully6 ,now go60 ,she stretched out her hand in an attitude of command1 and there was nothing for it but to obey4 ,they therefore repeated their farewells1 and in their turn1 went out1 one by one1 down the tortuous staircase4 ,sholto1 the hunchback1 was below1 and he let them out without a word1 closing and barring the door carefully behind them4 ,once in the street and under the misty moonlight1 ,pasquin ,leroy nodded a careless dismissal to his companions4 8,you will return alone80 enquired ,max ,graub4 8,quite alone60 was the reply4 8,may ,i not follow you at a distance80 asked ,axel ,regor4 ,leroy smiled4 8,you forget6 ,one of the rules we have just sworn to conform to1 is--#8,no member shall track1 follow or enquire into the movements of any other member4' ,go your ways6 ,i will thank you both for your services to-morrow40 ,he turned away rapidly and disappeared4 ,his two friends remained gazing somewhat disconsolately after him4 8,shall we go80 at last said ,max ,graub4 8,when you please10 replied ,axel ,regor irritably1--8,the sooner the better for me6 ,here we are probably watched1--we had best go down to the quay1 and from thence----0 ,he did not finish his sentence1 but ,graub evidently understood its conclusion--and they walked quickly away together in quite an opposite direction to that in which ,leroy had gone4 ,meanwhile1 up in the now closed and darkened house they had left behind them1 ,lotys stood looking at ,sergius ,thord1 who had thrown himself into a chair and sat with his elbows resting on the table1 and his head buried in his hands4 8,you make no way1 poor ,sergius60 she said gently4 8,you work1 you write1 you speak to the people1 but you make no way60 ,he looked up fiercely4 8,i do make way60 he said2 8,how can you doubt it8 ,a word from me1 and the massed millions would rise as one man60 8,and of what use would that be80 enquired ,lotys4 8,the soldiers would fire on the people1 and there would be riot and bloodshed1 but no actual redress for wrong4 ,you work vainly1 ,sergius60 8,if ,i could but kill the ,king60 he muttered4 8,another king would succeed him10 she said4 8,and after all1 if you only knew it1 the ,king may be a miserable man enough--far more miserable1 perhaps1 than any of us imagine ourselves to be4 ,no1 ,sergius6--,i repeat it1 you work vainly6 ,you have made me the soul of an ,ideal which you will never realise8 ,tell me1 what is it you yourself would have1 out of all your work and striving80 ,he looked at her with great1 earnest1 burning eyes4 8,power60 he said4 8,power to change the mode of government2 power to put down the tyranny of priestcraft--power to relieve the oppressed1 and reward the deserving--power to make of you1 ,lotys1 a queen among women60 ,she smiled4 8,i am a queen among men1 ,sergius1 and that suffices me6 ,how often must ,i tell you to do nothing for my sake1 if it is for my sake only8 ,i am a very simple1 plain woman1 past my youth1 and without beauty--,i deserve and demand nothing60 ,he raised himself1 and stretched out his arms towards her with a gesture of entreaty4 8,you deserve all that a man can give you60 he said passionately4 8,i love you1 ,lotys6 ,i have always loved you ever since ,i found you a little forsaken child1 shivering and weeping on the cold marble steps of the ,temesvar place in ,buda4 ,i love you6--you know ,i have always loved you6--,i have told you so a hundred times1--,i love you as few men love women60 ,she regarded him compassionately1 and with a touch of wistful sorrow in her eyes4 ,her black cloak fell away on either side of her in two shadowy folds1 disclosing her white-robed form and full bosom1 like a pearl in a dark shell4 8,good-night1 ,sergius60 she said simply1 and turned to go4 ,he gave an exclamation of anger and pain4 8,that is all you say--#8,good-night'60 he muttered4 8,a man gives you his heart1 and you set it aside with a cold word of farewell6 ,and yet--and yet--you hold all my life60 8,i am sorry1 ,sergius10 she said1 in a gentle voice2 8very sorry that it is so4 ,you have told me all this before2 and ,i have answered you often1 and always in the same way4 ,i have no love to give you1 save that which is the result of duty and gratitude4 ,i do not forget6--,i know that you rescued me from starvation and death--though sometimes ,i question whether it would not have been better to have let me die4 ,life is worth very little at its utmost best2 nevertheless1 ,i admit ,i have had a certain natural joy in living1 and for that ,i have to thank you4 ,i have tried to repay you by my service--0 8,do not speak of that10 he said hurriedly2 8,i have done nothing6 ,you are a genius in yourself1 and would have made your way anywhere1--perhaps better without me40 ,she smiled doubtfully4 8,i am not sure6 ,the trick of oratory does not carry one very far1--not when one is a woman6 ,good-night again1 ,sergius6 ,try to rest1--you look worn out4 ,and do not think of winning power for my sake2 what power ,i need ,i will win for myself60 ,he made no answer1 but watched her with jealous eyes1 as she moved towards the door4 ,on the threshold she turned4 8,those three new associates of yours--are they trustworthy1 think you80 ,he gave a gesture of indifference4 8,i do not know6 ,who is there we can absolutely trust save ourselves8 ,that man1 ,leroy1 is honest1--of that ,i am confident1--and he has promised to be responsible for his friends40 8,ah60 ,she paused a moment1 then with another low breathed #8good-night' she left the room4 ,he looked at the door as it closed behind her--at the chair she had left vacant4 8,lotys60 he whispered4 ,his whisper came hissing softly back to him in a fine echo on the empty space1 and with a great sigh he rose1 and began to turn out the flaring lamps above his head4 8,power6--,power60 he muttered--8,she could not resist it6 ,she would never be swayed by gold1--but power6 ,her genius would rise to it--her beauty would grow to it like a rose unfolding in the sun6 #8,past youth1 and without beauty' as she says of herself6 ,my ,god6 ,compare the tame pink-and-white prettiness of youth with the face of ,lotys1--and that prettiness becomes like a cheap advertisement on a hoarding or a match-box6 ,contrast the perfect features1 eyes and hair of the newest social #8beauty1'--with the magical expression1 the glamour in the eyes of ,lotys1--and perfection of feature becomes the rankest ugliness6 ,once in a hundred centuries a woman is born like ,lotys1 to drive men mad with desire for the unattainable--to fire them with such ambition as should make them emperors of the world1 if they had but sufficient courage to snatch their thrones--and yet1--to fill them with such sick despair at their own incompetency and failure1 as to turn them into mere children crying for love--for love6--only love6 ,no matter whether worlds are lost1 kings killed1 and dynasties concluded1 love6--only love6--and then death6--as all sufficient for the life of a man6 ,and only just so long as love is denied--just so long we can go on climbing towards the unreachable height of greatness1--then--once we touch love1 down we fall1 broken-hearted2 but--we have had our day60 ,the room was now in darkness1 save for the glimmer of the pale moon through the window panes1 and he opened the casement and looked out4 ,there was a faint scent of the sea on the air1 and he inhaled its salty odour with a sense of refreshment4 8,all for ,lotys60 he murmured4 8,working for ,lotys1 plotting1 planning1 scheming for ,lotys6 ,the government intimidated1--the ministry cast out1--the throne in peril1--the people in arms1--the city in a blaze1--,revolution and ,anarchy doing their wild work broad-cast together1--all for ,lotys6 ,always a woman in it6 ,search to the very depth of every political imbroglio1--dig out the secret reason of every war that ever was begun or ended in the world1--and there we shall find the love or the hate of a woman at the very core of the business6 ,some such secrets history knows1 and has chronicled1--and some will never be known1--but up to the present there is not even a religion in the world where a ,woman is not made the beginning of a ,god60 ,he smiled somewhat grimly at his own fanciful musings1 and then1 shutting the window1 retired4 ,the house was soon buried in profound silence and darkness1 and over the city tuneful bells rang the half-hour after midnight4 ,four miles distant from the #8quarter of the poor1' and high above the clustering houses of the whole magnificent metropolis1 the ,royal palace towered whitely on its proud eminence in the glimmer of the moon1 a stately pile of turrets and pinnacles2 and on the battlements the sentries walked1 pacing to and fro in regular march1 with regular changes1 all through the night hours4 ,half after midnight6 #8,all's well6' ,three-quarters1 and still #8,all's well' sounded with the clash of steel and a tinkle of silvery chimes4 ,one o'clock struck1--and the drifting clouds in heaven cleared fully1 showing many brilliant stars in the western horizon1--and a sentry passing1 as noiselessly as his armour and accoutrements would permit1 along the walled battlement which protected and overshadowed the windows of the ,queen's apartments1 paused in his walk to look with an approving eye at the clearing promise of the weather4 ,as he did so1 a tall figure1 wrapped in a thick rain-cloak1 suddenly made its unexpected appearance through a side door in the wall1 and moved rapidly towards a turret which contained a secret passage leading to the ,queen's boudoir1--a private stairway which was never used save by the ,royal family4 ,the sentry gave a sharp warning cry4 8,halt6 ,who goes there80 ,the figure paused and turned1 dropping its cloak4 ,the pale moonlight fell slantwise on the features1 disclosing them fully4 8,t is ,i6 ,the ,king60 ,the soldier recoiled amazed1--and quickly saluted4 ,before he could recover from his astonishment he was alone again4 ,the battlement was empty1 and the door to the turret-stairs1--of which only the ,king possessed the key1--was fast locked2 and for the next hour or more the startled sentry remained staring at the skies in a sort of meditative stupefaction1 with the words still ringing like the shock of an alarm-bell in his ears3 8#8,t is ,i6 ,the ,king60 ,,chapter ,,ix ,,the ,,premier',s ,,signet ,the next day the sun rose with joyous brightness in a sky clear as crystal4 ,storm1 wind1 and rain had vanished like the flying phantoms of an evil dream1 and all the beautiful land sparkled with light and life in its enlacing girdle of turquoise blue sea4 ,the gardens of the ,royal palace1 freshened by the downpour of the past night1 wore their most enchanting aspect1--roses1 with leaves still wet1 dropped their scented petals on the grass1--great lilies1 with their snowy cups brimming with rain1 hung heavily on their slim green stalks1 and the air was full of the deliciously penetrating odour of the mimosa and sweetbriar4 ,down one special alley1 where the white philadelphus1 or #8mock orange' grew in thick bushes on either side1 intermingled with ferns and spruce firs1 whose young green tips exhaled a pungent1 healthy scent that entered into the blood like wine and invigorated it1 ,sir ,roger de ,launay was pacing to and fro with a swinging step which1 notwithstanding its ease and soldierly regularity1 suggested something of impatience1 and on a rustic seat1 above which great clusters of the philadelphus-flowers hung like a canopy1 sat ,professor von ,glauben1 spectacles on nose1 sorting a few letters which he had just taken from his pocket for the purpose of reading them over again carefully one by one4 ,he was a very particular man as regarded his correspondence4 ,all letters that required answering he answered at once1--the others1 as he himself declared1 #8answered themselves' in silence4 8,there is no end to the crop of fools in this world10 he was fond of saying2--8,glorious1 precious fools6 ,i love them all6 ,they make life worth living--but sometimes ,i am disposed to draw the line at letter-writing fools4 ,these persons chance to read a book--my book for example1--that particularly clever one ,i wrote on the possibilities of eternal life in this world4 ,they at once snatch their pens and write to say that they are specially deserving of this boon1 and wish to live for ever--will ,i tell them how8 ,and these are the very creatures ,i will not tell how--because their perpetual existence would be a mistake and a nuisance6 ,the individuals whose lives are really valuable never ask anyone how to make them so40 ,he looked over his letters now with a leisurely indifference4 ,the morning's post had brought him nothing of special importance4 ,he glanced from his reading now and again at ,de ,launay marching up and down1 but said nothing till he had quite finished with his own immediate concerns4 ,then he removed his spectacles from his nose and put them by4 8,left--,right--,left--,right--,left--,r ight6 ,roger1 you remind me of my drilling days on a certain flat and dusty ground at ,coblentz6 ,the ,rhine6--the ,rhine6 ,ah1 the beautiful ,rhine6 ,so dirty--so dull--with its toy castles1 and its big1 ugly factory chimneys1 and its atrociously bad wine6 ,roger1 ,i beseech you to have mercy upon me1 and leave off that marching up and down1--it gets on my nerves60 8,i thought nothing ever got on your nerves10 answered ,sir ,roger1 stopping abruptly--8,you seem to take serious matters coolly enough60 8,serious matters demand coolness10 replied ,von ,glauben4 8,we should only let steam out over trifles4 ,have you seen his ,majesty this morning80 8,yes4 ,i am to see him again at noon40 8,when do you go off duty80 8,not for a month1 at least40 8,much may happen in that month10 said the ,professor sententiously2 8,your hair may grow white with the strangeness of your experiences60 ,sir ,roger met his eyes1 and they both laughed4 8,though it is no laughing matter10 resumed ,von ,glauben4 8,upon my soul as a ,german1--if ,i have any soul of that nationality1--,i think it may be a serious business60 8,you have come round to my opinion then10 said ,de ,launay4 8,i told you from the first that it was serious60 8,the ,king does not think it so10 rejoined ,von ,glauben4 8,i was summoned to his presence early this morning1 and found him in the fullest health and highest spirits40 8,why did he send for you then80 enquired ,de ,launay4 8,to feel his pulse and look at his tongue6 ,to make a little game of me before he stepped out of his dressing-gown6 ,and ,i enjoyed it1 of course1--one must always enjoy ,royal pleasantries6 ,i think1 ,roger1 his ,majesty wishes this entire affair treated as a pleasantry1--by us at any rate1 however seriously he may regard it himself40 ,de ,launay was silent for a minute or two1 then he said abruptly3 8,the ,premier is summoned to a private audience of the ,king at noon40 8,ah60 ,and ,von ,glauben drew a cluster of the overhanging philadelphus flowers down to his nose and smelt them approvingly4 8,and0--went on ,de ,launay1 speaking more deliberately1 8this afternoon their ,majesties sail to ,the ,islands----0 ,von ,glauben jumped excitedly to his feet4 8,not possible60 ,sir ,roger looked at him with a dawning amusement beginning to twinkle in his clear blue eyes4 8,quite possible6 ,so possible1 that the ,royal yacht is ordered to be in readiness at three o'clock4 ,their ,majesties and suite will dine on board1 in order to enjoy the return sail by moonlight40 ,the ,professor's countenance was a study4 ,anxiety and vexation struggled with the shrewd kindness and humour of his natural expression1 and his suppressed feelings found vent in a smothered exclamation1 which sounded very much like the worst of blasphemous oaths used in dire extremity by the soldiers of the ,fatherland4 8,what ails you80 demanded ,de ,launay2 8,you seem strangely upset for a man of cool nerve60 8,upset8 ,who--what can upset me8 ,nothing6 ,roger1 if ,i did not respect you so much1 ,i should call you an ass60 ,sir ,roger laughed4 8,call me an ass1 by all means10 he said1 8if it will relieve your feelings2--but in justice to me1 let me know why you do so6 ,what is my offence8 ,i give you a piece of commonplace information concerning the movements of the ,court this afternoon1 and you jump off your seat as if an adder had bitten you4 ,why80 8,i have the gout10 said ,von ,glauben curtly4 8,oh60 ,and again ,sir ,roger laughed4 8,that last must have been a sharp twinge60 8,it was--it was6 ,believe me1 my excellent ,roger1 it was exceedingly severe60 ,his brow smoothed1 and he smiled4 8,see here1 my dear friend6--you know1 do you not1 that boys will be boys1 and men will be men80 8,both are recognised platitudes10 replied ,sir ,roger1 his eyes still twinkling merrily2 8,and both are frequently quoted to cover our various follies60 8,true1 true6 ,but ,i wish to weigh more particularly on the fact that men will be men6 ,i am a man1 ,roger1--not a boy60 8,really6 ,well1 upon my word1 ,i should at this moment take you for a raw lad of about eighteen1--for you are blushing1 ,von ,glauben6--actually blushing60 ,the ,professor drew out a handkerchief1 and wiped his brow4 8,it is a warm morning1 ,roger10 he said1 with a mildly reproachful air2 8,i suppose ,i am permitted to feel the heat80 ,he paused--then with a sudden burst of impatience he exclaimed3 8,by the ,emperor's head6 ,it is of no use denying it--,i am very much put out1 ,roger6 ,i must get a boat1 and slip off to ,the ,islands at once60 ,sir ,roger stared at him in complete amazement4 8,you8 ,you want to slip off to ,the ,islands8 ,why1 ,von ,glauben----60 8,yes--yes1--,i know6 ,you cannot possibly imagine what ,i want to go there for6 ,you wouldn't suppose1 would you1 that ,i had any special secrets--an old man like me2--for instance1 you would not suspect me of any love secrets1 eh80 ,and he made a ludicrous attempt to appear sentimental4 8,the fact is1 ,roger1--,i have got into a little scrape over at ,the ,islands--0 here he looked warmer and redder than ever2--8and ,i want to take precautions6 ,you understand--,i want to take care that the ,king does not hear of it--,gott in ,himmel6 ,what a block of a man you are to stand there staring open-mouthed at me6 ,were you never in love yourself8 8,in love8 ,in love6--you1--,professor8 ,pray pardon me--but--in love8 ,am ,i to understand that there is a lady in your case80 8,yes6--that is it10 said ,von ,glauben1 with an air of profound relief2 8,there is a lady in my case2--or my case1 speaking professionally1 is that of a lady4 ,and ,i shall get any sort of a sea-tub that is available1 and go over to those accursed ,islands without any delay60 8,if the ,king should send for you while you are absent--0 began ,de ,launay doubtfully4 8,he will not send4 ,but if he should1 what of it8 ,i am known to be somewhat eccentric--particularly so in my love of hard work1 fresh air and exercise--besides1 he has not commanded my attendance4 ,he will not1 therefore1 be surprised at my absence4 ,i tell you1 ,roger1--,i must go6 ,who would have expected the ,king to take it into his head to visit ,the ,islands without a moment's warning6 ,what a freak60 8,and here comes the reason of the freak1 if ,i am not very much mistaken10 said ,de ,launay1 lowering his voice as an approaching figure flung its lengthy shadow on the path1--8,prince ,humphry60 ,von ,glauben hastily drew back1 ,de ,launay also1 to allow the ,prince to pass4 ,he was walking slowly1 and reading as he came4 ,looking up from his book he saw1 them1 and as they saluted him profoundly1 bade them good-day4 8,you are up betimes1 ,professor10 he said lightly2 8,i suppose your scientific wisdom teaches you the advantage of the morning air40 8,truly1 ,sir1 it is more healthful than that of the evening10 answered ,von ,glauben in somewhat doleful accents4--8,for example1 a sail across the sea with the morning breeze1 is better than the same sort of excursion in the glamour of the moon60 ,prince ,humphry looked steadfastly at him1 and evidently read something of a warning1 or a suggestion1 in his face1 for he coloured slightly and bit his lip4 8,do you agree with that theory1 ,sir ,roger10 he said1 turning to ,de ,launay4 8,i have not tested it1 ,sir10 replied the equerry1 8,but ,i imagine that whatever ,professor von ,glauben asserts must be true60 ,the young man glanced quickly from one to the other1 and then with a careless air turned over the pages of the book he held4 8,in the earlier ages of the world10 he said1--8men and women1 ,i think1 must have been happier than they are now1 if this book may be believed4 ,i find here written down--,what is it1 ,professor8 ,you have something to say80 8,pardon me1 ,sir10 said ,von ,glauben1--8,but you said--#8,if this book may be believed4' ,i humbly venture to declare that no book may be believed60 8,not even your own1 when it is written80 queried the ,prince with a smile2 8,you would not like the world to say so6 ,nay1 but listen1 ,professor1--here is a thought very beautifully expressed--and it was written in an ancient language of the ,east1 thousands of years before we1 in our quarter of the world1 ever dreamt of civilization4--#8,of all the sentiments1 passions or virtues which in their divers turns affect the life of a man1 the influence and emotion of ,love is surely the greatest and highest4 ,we do not here speak of the base and villainous craving of bodily appetite2 but of that pure desire of the unfettered soul which beholding perfection1 straightway and naturally flies to the same4 ,this love doth so elevate and instruct a man1 that he seeketh nothing better than to be worthy of it1 to attempt great deeds and valiantly perform them1 to confront foul abuses1 and most potently destroy them1--and to esteem the powers and riches of this world as dross1 weighed against this rare and fiery talisman4 ,for it is a jewel which doth light up the heart1 and make it strong to support all sorrow and ill fortune with cheerfulness1 knowing that it is in itself of so lasting a quality as to subjugate all things and events unto its compelling sway4' ,what think you of this8 ,sir ,roger1 there is a whole volume of comprehension in your face6 ,give some word of it utterance60 ,sir ,roger looked up4 8,there is nothing to say1 ,sir10 he replied2 8,your ancient writer merely expresses a truth we are all conscious of4 ,all poets1 worthy the name1 and all authors1 save and except the coldest logicians1 deem the world well lost for love40 8,more fools they60 said ,von ,glauben gruffly2 8,love is a mere illusion1 which is generally destroyed by one simple ceremony--,marriage60 ,prince ,humphry smiled4 8,you have never tried the cure1 ,professor10 he said1 8,but ,i daresay you have suffered from the disease6 ,will you walk with me80 ,von ,glauben bowed a respectful assent2 and the ,prince1 with a kindly nod of dismissal to ,de ,launay1 went on his way1 the ,professor by his side4 ,sir ,roger watched them as they disappeared1 and saw1 that at the furthest end of the alley1 when they were well out of ear-shot1 they appeared to engage in very close and confidential conversation4 8,i wonder10 he mused1 8,i wonder what it all means8 ,von ,glauben is evidently mixed up in some affair that he wishes to keep secret from the ,king4 ,can it concern ,prince ,humphry8 ,and ,the ,islands6 ,what can ,von ,glauben want over there80 ,his brief meditation was interrupted by a soft voice calling4 8,roger60 ,he started1 and at once advanced to meet the approaching intruder1 his sister1 ,teresa de ,launay1 a pretty brunette1 with dark sparkling eyes1 one of the favourite ladies of honour in attendance on the ,queen4 8,what were you dreaming about80 she asked1 as he came near1 8,and what is the ,prince doing with old ,von ,glauben80 8,two questions at once1 ,teresa60 he said1 stooping his tall head to kiss her2 8,i cannot possibly answer both in a breath6 ,but answer me just one--,what are you here for80 8,to summon you60 she answered4 8,the ,queen desires you to wait upon her immediately40 ,she fixed her bright eyes upon him as she spoke1 and an involuntary sigh escaped her1 as she noted the touch of pallor that came on his face at her words4 8,where is her ,majesty80 he asked4 8,here--close at hand--in the arbour4 ,she spied you at a distance through the trees1 and sent me to fetch you40 8,you had best return to her at once1 and say that ,i am coming40 ,his sister looked at him again1 and hesitated--he gave a slight1 vexed gesture of impatience1 whereupon she hurried away1 with flying footsteps as light as those of a fabled sylph of the woodlands4 ,he watched her go1 and for a moment an expression came into his eyes of intense suffering--the look of a noble dog who is suddenly struck undeservedly by an unkind master4 8,she sends for me60 he muttered2 8,what for8 ,to amuse herself by reading every thought of my life with her cold eyes8 ,why can she not leave me alone80 ,he walked on then1 with a quiet1 even pace1 and presently reaching the end of the alley1 came out on a soft stretch of greensward facing a small ornamental lake and fountain4 ,here grew tall rushes1 bamboos and flag-flowers--here1 too1 on the quiet lake floated water-lilies1 white and pink1 opening their starry hearts to the glory of the morning sun4 ,a quaintly shaped1 rustic arbour covered with jasmine1 faced the pool1 and here sat the ,queen alone and unattended1 save by ,teresa de ,launay1 who drew a little apart as her brother1 ,sir ,roger1 approached1 and respectfully bent his head in the ,royal presence4 ,for quite a minute he stood thus in dumb attention1 his eyes lowered1 while the ,queen glanced at him with a curious expression1 half of doubt1 half of commiseration4 ,suddenly1 as if moved by a quick impulse1 she rose--a stately1 exquisite figure1 looking even more beautiful in her simple morning robe of white cashmere and lace1 than in all the glory of her ,court attire1--and extended her hand4 ,humbly and reverentially he bent over it1 and kissed the great jewel sparkling like a star on the central finger4 ,as he then raised his eyes to her face she smiled2--that smile of hers1 so dazzling1 so sweet1 and yet so cold1 had sent many men to their deaths1 though she knew it not4 8,i see very little of you1 ,sir ,roger10 she said slowly1 8notwithstanding your close attendance on my lord the ,king4 ,yet ,i know ,i can command your service60 8,madam10 murmured ,de ,launay1 8my life----0 8,oh1 no10 she rejoined quickly1 8not your life6 ,your life1 like mine1 belongs to the ,king and the country4 ,you must give all1 or not at all60 8,madam1 ,i do give all60 he answered1 with a look in his eyes of mingled pain and passion2 8,no man can give more60 ,she surveyed him with a little meditative1 almost amused air4 8,you have strong feelings1 ,sir ,roger10 she said2 8,i wonder what it is like--to feel80 8,if ,i may dare to say so1 ,madam1 ,i should wish you to experience the sensation10 he returned somewhat bitterly2 8,sometimes we awaken to emotions too late--sometimes we never awaken4 ,but ,i think it is wisest to experience the nature of a storm1 in order to appreciate the value of a calm60 8,you think so80 ,she smiled indulgently4 8,storm and calm are to me alike6 ,i am affected by neither4 ,life is so exceedingly trivial an affair1 and is so soon over1 that ,i have never been able to understand why people should ever trouble themselves about anything in it40 8,you may not always be lacking in this comprehension1 ,madam10 said ,sir ,roger1 with a certain harshness in his tone1 yet with the deepest respect in his manner2 8,i take it that life and the world are but a preparation for something greater1 and that we shall be forced to learn our lessons in this preparatory school before we leave it1 whether we like it or no60 ,the slight smile still lingered on her beautiful mouth1--she pulled a spray of jasmine down from the trailing clusters around her1 and set it carelessly among the folds of her lace4 ,sir ,roger watched her with moody eyes4 ,could he have followed his own inclination1 he would have snatched the flower from her dress and kissed it1 in a kind of fierce defiance before her very eyes4 ,but what would be the result of such an act8 ,merely a little contemptuous lifting of the delicate brows--a slight frown on the fair forehead1 and a calm gesture of dismissal4 ,no more--no more than this2 for just as she could not be moved to love1 neither could she be moved to anger4 ,the words of an old song rang in his ears3-- ,she laughs at the thought of love-- ,pain she scorns1 and sorrow she sets aside-- ,my heart she values less than her broidered glove1 ,she would smile if ,i died6 8,you are a man1 ,sir ,roger de ,launay10 she said after a pause1 8,and man-like1 you propound any theory which at the moment happens to fit your own particular humour4 ,i am1 however1 entirely of your opinion that this life is only a term of preparation1 and with this conviction ,i desire to have as little to do with its vile and ugly side as ,i can4 ,it is possible to accept with gratitude the beautiful things of ,nature1 and reject the rest1 is it not80 8,as you ask me the question point-blank1 ,madam1 ,i say it is possible1--it can be done1--and you do it4 ,but it is wrong60 ,she raised her languid eyelids1 showing no offence4 8,wrong80 8,wrong1 ,madam60 repeated ,sir ,roger bluntly2 8,it is wrong to shut from your sight1 from your heart1 from your soul the ugly side of ,nature2--to shut your ears to the wants--the pains--the tortures--the screams--the tears1 and groans of humanity6 ,oh1 ,madam1 the ugly side has a strange beauty of its own that you dream not of6 ,god makes ugliness as he makes beauty2 ,god created the volcano belching forth fire and molten lava1 as ,he created the simple stream bordered with meadow flowers6 ,why should you reject the ugly1 the fierce1 the rebellious side of things8 ,rather take it into your gracious thoughts and prayers1 ,madam1 and help to make it beautiful60 ,he spoke with a force which surprised himself--he was carried away by a passion that seemed almost outside his own identity4 ,she looked at him curiously4 8,does the ,king teach you to speak thus to me80 she asked4 ,de ,launay started1--the hot colour mounting to his cheeks and brow4 8,madam60 8,nay1 no excuse6 ,i understand6 ,it is your own thought2 but a thought which is no doubt suddenly inspired by the ,king's actions10 she went on tranquilly2 8,you are in his confidence4 ,he is adopting new measures of domestic policy1 in which1 perchance1 ,i may or may not be included--as it suits my pleasure6 ,who knows60 ,again the little musing smile crossed her countenance4 8,it is of the ,king ,i wish to speak to you40 ,she glanced around her1 and saw that her lady-in-waiting1 ,teresa de ,launay1 had discreetly wandered by herself to the edge of the water-lily pool1 and was bending over it1 a graceful1 pensive figure in the near distance1 within call1 but certainly not within hearing4 8,you are in his confidence10 she repeated1 drawing a step nearer to him1 8and--so am ,i6 ,you will not disclose his movements--nor shall ,i6 ,but you are his close attendant and friend1--,i am merely--his wife6 ,i make you responsible for his safety60 8,madam1 ,i pray you pardon me60 exclaimed ,de ,launay2 8,his ,majesty has a will of his own1--and his sacred life is not in my hands4 ,i will defend him to the utmost limit of human possibility1--but if he voluntarily runs into danger1 and disregards all warning1 ,i1 as his poor servant1 am not to blame60 ,her eyes1 brilliant and full of a compelling magnetism1 dwelt upon him steadfastly4 8,i repeat my command10 she said deliberately1 8,i make you responsible6 ,you are a strong man and a brave one4 ,if the ,king is rash1 it is the duty of his servants to defend him from the consequences of his rashness2 particularly if that rashness leads him into danger for a noble purpose4 ,should any mischance befall him1 let me never see your face again6 ,die yourself1 rather than let your ,king die60 ,as she spoke these words she motioned him away with a grand gesture of dismissal1 and he retired back from her presence in a kind of stunned amazement4 ,never before in all the days of her social sway as ,crown-,princess1 had she ever condescended to speak to him on any matter of confidence1--never during her three years of sovereignty as ,queen-,consort had she apparently taken note1 or cared to know any of the affairs connected with the ,king1 her husband4 ,the mere fact that now her interest was roused1 moved ,de ,launay to speechless wonderment4 ,he hardly dared raise his eyes to look at her1 as she turned from him and went slowly1 with her usual noiseless1 floating grace of movement1 towards the water-lily pool1 there to rejoin her attendant1 ,teresa de ,launay1 who at the same time advanced to meet her ,royal mistress4 ,a moment more1 and ,queen and lady of honour had disappeared together1 and ,de ,launay was left alone4 ,a little bird1 swinging on a branch above his head1 piped a few tender notes to the green leaves and the sunlit sky1 but beyond this1 and the measured plash of the fountain1 no sound disturbed the stillness of the garden4 8,upon my word1 ,roger de ,launay10 he said bitterly to himself1 8you are an ass sufficiently weighted with burdens6 ,the love of a ,queen1 and the life of a ,king are enough for one man's mind to carry with any degree of safety6 ,if it were not for the ,king1 ,i think ,i should leave this country and seek some other service--but ,i owe him much1--if only by reason of my own heart's folly60 ,impatient with himself1 he strode away1 straight across the lawn and back to the palace4 ,here he noticed just the slightest atmosphere of uneasiness among some of the retainers of the ,royal household1--a vague impression of flurry and confusion4 ,through various passages and corridors1 attendants and pages were either running about with extra haste1 or else strolling to and fro with extra slowness4 ,as he turned into one of the ante-chambers1 he suddenly confronted a tall1 military-looking personage in plain civilian attire1 whom he at once recognized as the ,chief of the ,police4 8,ah1 ,bernhoff60 he said lightly1 8any storms brewing80 8,none that call for particular attention1 ,sir ,roger10 replied the individual addressed2 8,but ,i have been sent for by the ,king1 and am here awaiting his pleasure40 ,sir ,roger showed no sign of surprise1 and with a friendly nod passed on4 ,he began to find the situation rather interesting4 8,after all10 he argued inwardly1 8there is nothing to hinder the ,king from being a social autocrat1 even if he cannot by the rules of the ,constitution be a political one4 ,and we should do well to remember that politics are governed entirely by social influence4 ,it is the same thing all over the world--a deluded populace--a social movement which elects a parliament and ministry--and then the result1--which is1 that this or that party hold the reins of government1 on whichever side happens to be most advantageous to the immediate social and financial whim4 ,the people are the grapes crushed into wine for their rulers' drinking2 and the ,king is merely the wine-cup on the festal board4 ,if he once begins to be something more than that cup1 there will be an end of revelry60 ,his ideas were not without good foundation in fact4 ,throughout all history1 where a strong man has ruled a nation1 whether for good or ill1 he has left his mark2 and where there has been no strong man1 the annals of the time are vapid and uninteresting4 ,governments emanate from social influences4 ,the social rule of the ,roman ,emperors bred athletes1 heroes1 and poets1 merely because physical strength and courage1 combined with heroism and poetic perception were encouraged by ,roman society4 ,the social rule of ,england's ,elizabeth had its result in the brilliant attainments of the many great men who crowded her ,court--the social rule of ,victoria1 until the death of the ,prince ,consort1 bred gentle women and chivalrous men4 ,in all these cases1 the reigning monarchs governed society1 and society governed politics4 ,politics1 indeed1 can scarcely be considered apart from society1 because on the nature and character of society depend the nature and character of politics4 ,if society is made up of corrupt women and unprincipled men1 the spirit of political government will be as corrupt and unprincipled as they4 ,if any ,king1 beholding such a state of things1 were to suddenly cut himself clear of the corruption1 and to make a straight road for his own progress--clean and open--and elect to walk in it1 society would follow his lead1 and as a logical consequence politics would become honourable4 ,but no monarchs have the courage of their opinions nowadays1--if only one sovereign of them all possessed such courage1 he could move the world6 ,the long bright day unwound its sunny hours1 crowned with blue skies and fragrant winds1 and the life and movement of the fair city by the sea was gay1 incessant and ever-changing4 ,there was some popular interest and excitement going on down at the quay1 for the usual idle crowd had collected to see the ,royal yacht being prepared for her afternoon's cruise4 ,though she was always kept ready for sailing1 the ,king's orders this time had been sudden and peremptory1 and1 consequently1 all the men on board were exceptionally hard at work getting things in immediate readiness4 ,the fact that the ,queen was to accompany the ,king in the afternoon's trip to ,the ,islands1 where up to the present she had never been1 was a matter of lively comment1--her extraordinary beauty never failing to attract a large number of sight-seers4 ,in the general excitement1 no one saw ,professor von ,glauben quietly enter a small and common sailing skiff1 manned by two ordinary fishermen of the shore1 and scud away with the wind over the sea towards the west1 where1 in the distance on this clear day1 a gleaming line of light showed where ,the ,islands lay1 glistening like emerald and pearl in the midst of the dark blue waste of water4 ,his departure was unnoticed1 though as a rule the ,king's private physician commanded some attention1 not only by reason of his confidential post in the ,royal household1 but also on account of certain rumours which were circulated through the country concerning his wonderful skill in effecting complete cures where all hope of recovery had been abandoned4 ,it was whispered1 indeed1 that he had discovered the #8,elixir of ,life1' but that he would not allow its properties to be made known1 lest as the ,scripture saith1 man should #8take and eat and live for ever4' ,it was not advisable--so the ,professor was reported to have said--that all men should live for ever1--but only a chosen few2 and he1 at present1 was apparently the privileged person who alone was fitted to make the selection of those few4 ,for this and various other reasons1 he was generally looked at with considerable interest1 but this morning1 owing to the hurried preparations for the embarking of their ,majesties on board the ,royal yacht1 he managed to escape from even chance recognition1--and he was well over the sea1 and more than half-way to his destination before the bells of the city struck noon4 ,punctual to that hour1 a close carriage drove up to the palace4 ,it contained no less a personage than the ,prime ,minister1 the ,marquis de ,lutera1--a dark1 heavy man1 with small furtive eyes1 a ponderous jaw1 and a curious air of seeming for ever on an irritable watch for offences4 ,his aspect was intellectual1 yet always threatening2 and his frigid manner was profoundly discouraging to all who sought to win his attention or sympathy4 ,he entered the palace now with an easy1 not to say assertive deportment1 and as he ascended the broad staircase which led to the ,king's private apartments1 he met the ,chief of the ,police coming down4 ,this latter saluted him1 but he barely acknowledged the courtesy1 so taken by surprise was he at the sight of this administrative functionary in the palace at so early an hour4 ,however1 it was impossible to ask any questions of him on the grand staircase1 within hearing of the ,royal lackeys2 so he continued on his way upstairs1 with as much dignity as his heavily-moulded figure would permit him to display1 till he reached the upper landing known as the #8,king's ,corridor1' where ,sir ,roger de ,launay was in waiting to conduct him to his sovereign's presence4 ,to him the ,marquis addressed the question3 8,bernhoff has been with the ,king80 8,yes4 ,for more than an hour40 8,any robbery in the palace80 ,de ,launay smiled4 8,i think not6 ,so far as ,i am permitted to be cognisant of events1 there is nothing wrong60 ,the ,marquis looked slightly perplexed4 8,the ,king is well80 8,remarkably well--and in excellent humour6 ,he is awaiting you1 ,marquis1--permit me to escort you to him60 ,the carved and gilded doors of the ,royal audience-chamber were thereupon flung back1 and the ,marquis entered1 ushered in by ,de ,launay4 ,the doors closed again upon them both2 and for some time there was profound silence in the ,king's corridor1 no intruder venturing to approach save two gentlemen-at-arms1 who paced slowly up and down at either end on guard4 ,at the expiration of about an hour1 ,sir ,roger came out alone1 and1 glancing carelessly around him1 strolled to the head of the grand staircase1 and waited patiently there for quite another thirty minutes4 ,at last the doors were flung open widely again1 and the ,king himself appeared1 clad in easy yachting attire1 and walking with one hand resting on the arm of the ,marquis de ,lutera1 who1 from his expression1 seemed curiously perturbed4 8,then you will not come with us1 ,marquis80 said the ,king1 with an air of gaiety2 8,you are too much engrossed in the affairs of ,government to break loose for an afternoon from politics for the sake of pleasure8 ,ah1 well6 ,you are a matchless worker6 ,renowned as you are for your studious observation of all that may tend to the advancement of the nation's interests--admired as you are for the complete sacrifice of all your own advantages to the better welfare of the country1 ,i will not 7though ,i might as your sovereign71 command your attendance on this occasion6 ,i know the affairs you have in hand are pressing and serious60 8,they will be more than usually so1 ,sir10 said the ,marquis in a low voice2 8for if you persist in maintaining your present attitude1 the foreign controversy in which we are engaged can scarcely go on4 ,but your action will be questioned by the ,government60 ,the ,king laughed4 8,good6 ,by all means question it1 my dear ,marquis6 ,prove me an unconstitutional monarch1 if you like1 and put ,humphry on the throne in my place1--but ask the ,people first6 ,if they condemn me1 ,i am satisfied to be condemned6 ,but the present political difference between ourselves and a friendly nation must be arranged without offence4 ,there does not exist at the moment any reasonable cause for fanning the dispute into a flame of war40--,he paused1 then resumed--8,you will not come with us80 8,sir1 if you will permit me to refuse the honour on this occasion----0 8,the permission is granted60 replied the ,king1 still smiling2 8,farewell1 ,marquis6 ,we are not in the habit of absenting ourselves from our own country1 after the fashion of certain of our ,royal neighbours1 who shall be nameless2 and we conceive it our duty to make ourselves acquainted with the habits and customs of all our subjects in all quarters of our realm4 ,hence our resolve to visit ,the ,islands1 which1 to our shame be it said1 we have neglected until now4 ,we expect to derive both pleasure and instruction from the brief voyage60 8,are the islanders aware of your intention1 ,sir80 enquired the ,marquis4 8,nay--to prepare them would have spoilt our pleasure60 replied the ,king4 8,we will take them by surprise6 ,we have heard of certain countries1 whose villages and towns have never seen the reigning sovereign1--and though we have been but three years on the throne1 we have resolved that no corner of our kingdom shall lack the sunlight of our presence60 ,he gave a mirthful side-glance at ,de ,launay4 ,then1 extending his hand cordially1 he added3 8,may all success attend your efforts1 ,marquis1 to smooth over this looming quarrel between ourselves and our friendly trade-rivals6 ,i1 for one1 would not have it go further4 ,i shall see you again at the ,council during the week40 ,as the premier's hand met that of his ,sovereign1 the latter exclaimed suddenly3 8,ah6--,i thought ,i missed a customary friend from my finger2 ,i have forgotten my signet-ring6 ,will you lend me yours for to-day1 ,marquis80 8,sir1 if you will deign to wear it60 replied the ,marquis readily1 and at once slipping off the ring in question1 he handed it to the ,king1 who smilingly accepted it and put it on4 8,a fine sapphire60 he said approvingly2 8,better1 ,i think1 than my ruby60 8,sir1 your praise enhances its value10 said ,de ,lutera bowing profoundly2 8,i shall from henceforth esteem it priceless60 8,well said60 returned the ,king1 8,and rightly too6--for diplomacy is wise in flattering a king to the last1 even while meditating on his possible downfall6 ,adieu1 ,marquis6 ,when we next meet1 ,i shall expect good news60 ,he descended the staircase1 closely attended by ,de ,launay1 and passed at once into a larger room of audience1 where some notable persons of foreign distinction were waiting to be received4 ,on the way thither1 however1 he turned to ,sir ,roger for a moment1 and held up the hand on which the ,marquis de ,lutera's signet flashed like a blue point of flame4 8,behold the ,premier's signet60 he said with a smile2 8,methinks1 for once1 it suits the ,king60 ,,chapter ,x ,,the ,,islands ,surrounded by a boundless width of dark blue sea at all visible points of view1 ,the ,islands1 lovely tufts of wooded rock1 trees1 and full-flowering meadowlands1 were situated in such a happy position as to be well out of all possibility of modern innovation or improvement4 ,they were too small to contain much attraction for the curious tourist2 and though they were only a two-hours' sail from the mainland1 the distance was just sufficiently inconvenient to keep mere sight-seers away4 ,for more than a hundred years they had been almost exclusively left to the coral-fishers1 who had made their habitation there2 and the quaint1 small houses1 and flowering vineyards and gardens1 dotted about in the more fertile portions of the soil1 had all been built and planned by a former race of these hardy folk1 who had handed their properties down from father to son4 ,they were on the whole1 a peaceable community4 ,coral-fishing was one of the chief industries of the country1 and the islanders passed all their days in obtaining the precious product1 cleansing1 and preparing it for the market4 ,they were understood to be extremely jealous of strangers and intruders1 and to hold certain social traditions which had never been questioned or interfered with by any form of existing government1 because in themselves they gave no cause for interference1 being counted among the most orderly and law-abiding subjects of the realm4 ,very little interest was taken in their doings by the people of the mainland1--scarcely as much interest1 perhaps1 as is taken by ,londoners in the inhabitants of ,orkney or ,shetland4 ,one or two scholars1 a stray botanist here and there1 or a few students fond of adventure1 had visited the place now and again1 and some of these had brought back enthusiastic accounts of the loveliness of the natural scenery1 but where a whole country is beautiful1 little heed is given to one small corner of it1 particularly if that corner is difficult of access1 necessitating a two hours' sail across a not always calm sea4 ,vague reports were current that there was a strange house on ,the ,islands1 built very curiously out of the timbers and spars of wrecked vessels4 ,the owner of this abode was said to be a man of advanced age1 whose history was unknown1 but who many years ago had been cast ashore from a great shipwreck1 and had been rescued and revived by the coral-fishers1 since when1 he had lived among them1 and worked with them4 ,no one knew anything about him beyond that since his advent ,the ,islands had been more cultivated1 and their inhabitants more prosperous2 and that he was understood to be1 in the language or dialect of the country1 a #8life-philosopher4' ,whereat1 hearing these things by chance now and then1 or seeing a scrappy line or two in the daily press when active reporters had no murders or suicides to enlarge upon1 and wanted to #8fill up space1' the gay aristocrats or #8smart set' of the metropolis laughed at their dinner-parties and balls1 and asked one another inanely1 8,what is a #8life-philosopher'80 ,in the same way1 when a small volume of poetry1 burning as lava1 wild as a storm-wind1 came floating out on the top of the seething soup of current literature1 bearing the name of ,paul ,zouche1 and it was said that this person was a poet1 they questioned smilingly1 8,is he dead80 for1 naturally1 they could not imagine these modern days were capable of giving birth to a living specimen of the genus bard4 ,for they1 too1 had their motor-cars from ,france and ,england2--they1 too1 had their gambling-dens secreted in private houses of high repute1--they1 too1 had their country-seats specially indicated as free to such house-parties as wished to indulge in low intrigue and unbridled licentiousness2 they1 too1 weary of simple ,christianity1 had their own special #8religions' of palmistry1 crystal-gazing1 fortune-telling by cards1 and ,esoteric #8faith-healing4' ,the days were passing with them--as it passes with many of their #8set' in other countries1--in complete forgetfulness of all the nobler ambitions and emotions which lift ,man above the level of his companion ,beast4 ,for the time is now upon us when what has formerly been known as #8high' is of its own accord sinking to the low1 and what has been called the #8low' is rising to the high4 ,strange times6--strange days6--when the tradesman can scorn the duchess on account of her #8dirty mind'--when a certain nobleman can get no honest labourers to work on his estate1 because they suspect him of #8rooking' young college lads2--and when a church in a seaport town stands empty every ,sunday1 with its bells ringing in vain1 because the congregation which should fill it1 know that their so-called #8holy man' is a rascal6 ,all over the world this rebellion against ,falsehood1--this movement towards ,truth is felt1--all over the world the people are growing strong on their legs1 and clear in their brains2--no longer cramped and stunted starvelings1 they are gradually developing into full growth1 and awaking to intelligent action4 ,and wherever the dominion of priestcraft has been destroyed1 there they are found at their best and bravest1 with a glimmering dawn of the true ,christian spirit beginning to lighten their darkness1--a spirit which has no race or sect1 but is all-embracing1 all-loving1 and all-benevolent2--which #8thinketh no evil1' but is so nobly sufficing in its tenderness and patience1 as to persuade the obstinate1 govern the unruly1 and recover the lost1 by the patient influence of its own example4 ,on the reverse side of the medal1 wherever we see priestcraft dominant1 there we see ignorance and corruption1 vice and hypocrisy1 and such a low standard of morals and education as is calculated to keep the soul a slave in irons1 with no possibility of any intellectual escape into the #8glorious liberty of the free4' ,the afternoon was one of exceptional brilliance and freshness1 when1 punctually at three o'clock1 the ,royal yacht hoisted sail1 and dipped gracefully away from the quay with their ,majesties on board1 amid the cheers of an enthusiastic crowd4 ,a poet might have sung of the scene in fervid rhyme1 so pretty and gay were all the surroundings1--the bright skies1 the dancing sea1 the flying flags and streamers1 and the soft music of the ,court orchestra1 a band of eight players on stringed instruments1 which accompanied the ,royal party on their voyage of pleasure4 ,the ,queen stood on deck1 leaning against the mast1 her eyes fixed on the shore1 as the vessel swung round1 and bore away towards the west2--the people1 elbowing each other1 and climbing up on each other's shoulders and on the posts of the quay1 merely to get a passing glimpse of her beauty1 all loyally cheering and waving their hats and handkerchiefs1 were as indifferent to her sight and soul as an ant-heap in a garden walk4 ,she had accustomed her mind to dwell on things beyond life1 and life itself had little interest for her4 ,this was because she had been set among the shams of worldly state and ceremonial from her earliest years1 and being of a profound and thoughtful nature1 had grown up to utterly despise the hollowness and hypocrisy of her surroundings4 ,in extenuation of the coldness of her temperament1 it may be said that her rooted aversion to men arose from having studied them too closely and accurately4 ,in her marriage she had fulfilled1 or thought she had fulfilled1 a mere duty to the ,state--no more2 and the easy conduct of her husband during his apprenticeship to the throne as ,heir-,apparent1 had not tended in any way to show her anything particularly worthy of admiration or respect in his character4 ,and so she had gone on her chosen way1 removed and apart from his1--and the years had flown by1 and now she was1--as she said to herself with a little touch of contempt1--#8old--for a woman6'--while the ,king remained #8young1--for a man6 #8,this was a mortifying reflection4 ,true1 her beauty was more perfect than in her youth1 and there were no signs as yet of its decay4 ,she knew well enough the extent of her charm1--she knew how easily she could command homage wherever she went1--and knowing1 she did not care4 ,or rather--she had not cared4 ,was it possible she would ever care1 and perhaps at a time when it was no use caring8 ,a certain irritability1 quite foreign to her usual composure1 fevered her blood1 and it arose from one simple admission which she had been forced to make to herself within the last few days1 and this was1 that her husband was as much her kingly superior in heart and mind as he was in rank and power4 ,she had never till now imagined him capable of performing a brave deed1 or pursuing an independently noble course of action4 ,throughout all the days of his married life he had followed the ordinary routine of his business or pleasure with scarce a break1--in winter to his country seat on the most southern coast of his southern land1--in spring to the capital1--in full summer to some fashionable #8bath' or #8cure1'--in autumn to different great houses for the purpose of shooting other people's game by their obsequious invitation1--and in the entire round he had never shown himself capable of much more than a flirtation with the prettiest or the most pushing new beauty1 or a daring ride on the latest invention for travelling at lightning speed4 ,she had noticed a certain change in him since he had ascended the throne1 but she had attributed this to the excessive boredom of having to attend to ,state affairs4 ,now1 however1 all at once and without warning1 this change had developed into what was evidently likely to prove a complete transformation--and he had surprised her into an involuntary1 and more or less reluctant admiration of qualities which she had never hitherto suspected in him4 ,she had consented to join him on this occasion in his trip to ,the ,islands1 in order to try and fathom the actual drift of his intentions1--for his idea that their son1 ,prince ,humphry1 had yielded to some particular feminine attraction there1 piqued her curiosity even more than her interest4 ,she turned away now from her observation of the shore1 as it receded on the horizon and became a mere thin line of light which vanished in its turn as the vessel curtsied onward2 and she moved to the place prepared for her accommodation--a sheltered corner of the deck1 covered by silken awnings1 and supplied with luxurious deck chairs and footstools4 ,here two of her ladies were waiting to attend upon her1 but none of the rougher sex she so heartily abhorred4 ,as she seated herself among her cushions with her usual indolent grace1 she raised her eyes and saw1 standing at a respectful distance from her1 a distinguished personage who had but lately arrived at the ,court1 from ,england1--,sir ,walter ,langton1 a daring traveller and explorer in far countries1--one who had earned high distinction at the point of the sword4 ,he had been presented to her some evenings since1 among a crowd of other notabilities1 and she had1 as was her usual custom with all men1 scarcely given him a passing glance4 ,now as she regarded him1 she suddenly decided1 out of the merest whim1 to call him to her side4 ,she sent one of her ladies to him1 charged with her invitation to approach and take his seat near her4 ,he hastened to obey1 with some surprise1 and no little pleasure4 ,he was a handsome man of about forty1 sun-browned and keen of eye1 with a grave intellectual face after the style of a ,vandyk portrait1 and a kindly smile2 and he was happily devoid of all that unbecoming officiousness and obsequiousness which some persons affect when in the presence of ,royalty4 ,he bowed profoundly as the ,queen received him1 saying to him with a smile3-- 8,you are a stranger here1 ,sir ,walter ,langton6--,i cannot allow you to feel solitary in our company60 8,is it possible for anyone to feel solitary when you are near1 ,madam80 returned ,sir ,walter gallantly1 as he obeyed the gesture with which she motioned him to be seated2--8,you must be weary of hearing that even your silent presence is sufficient to fill space with melody and charm6 ,and ,i am not altogether a stranger2 ,i know this country well1 though ,i have never till now had the honour of visiting its ruling sovereign40 8,it is very unlike ,england10 said the ,queen1 slowly unfurling her fan of soft white plumage and waving it to and fro4 8,very unlike1 indeed60 he agreed1 and a musing tenderness darkened his fine hazel eyes as he gazed out on the sparkling sea4 8,you like ,england best80 resumed the ,queen4 8,madam1 ,i am an ,englishman6 ,to me there is no land so fair1 or so much worth living and dying for1 as ,england60 8,yet--,i suppose1 like all your countrymen1 you are fond of change80 8,yes--and no1 ,madam60 replied ,langton4--8,in truth1 if ,i am to speak frankly1 it is only during the last thirty or forty years that my countrymen have blotted their historical scutcheons by this fondness for change4 ,where travelling is necessary for the attainment of some worthy object1 then it is wise and excellent1--but where it is only for the purpose of distracting a self-satiated mind1 it is of no avail1 and indeed frequently does more harm than good40 8,self-satiated60 repeated the ,queen1--8,is not that a strange word80 8,it is the only compound expression ,i can use to describe the discontented humour in which the upper classes of ,english society exist to-day10 replied ,sir ,walter4 8,for many years the soul of ,england has been held in chains by men whose thoughts are all of ,self1--the honour of ,england has been attainted by women whose lives are moulded from first to last on ,self4 ,to me1 personally1 ,england is everything1--,i have no thought outside it--no wish beyond it4 ,yet ,i am as ashamed of some of its leaders of opinion to-day1 as if ,i saw my own mother dragged in the dust and branded with infamy60 8,you speak of your ,government80 began the ,queen4 8,no1 ,madam1--,i have no more quarrel with my country's present ,government than ,i could have with a child who is led into a ditch by its nurse4 ,it is a weak and corrupted ,government2 and its actual rulers are vile and abandoned women40 ,the ,queen's eyes opened in a beautiful1 startled wonderment2--this man's clear1 incisive manner of speech interested her4 8,women60 she echoed1 then smiled2 8,you speak strongly1 ,sir ,walter6 ,i have certainly heard of the #8advanced' women who push themselves so much forward in your country1 but ,i had no idea they were so mischievous6 ,are they to be admired8 ,or pitied80 8,pitied1 ,madam1--most sincerely pitied60 returned ,sir ,walter2--8,but such misguided simpletons as these are not the creatures who rule1 or play with1 or poison the minds of the various members who compose our ,government4 ,the #8advanced' women1 poor souls1 do nothing but talk platitudes4 ,they are perfectly harmless4 ,they have no power to persuade men1 because in nine cases out of ten1 they have neither wit nor beauty4 ,and without either of these two charms1 ,madam1 it is difficult to put even a clever cobbler1 much less a ,prime ,minister1 into leading strings6 ,no1--it is the spendthrift women of a corrupt society that ,i mean1--the women who possess beauty1 and are conscious of it1--the women who have a mordant wit and use it for dangerous purposes--the women who give up their homes1 their husbands1 their children and their reputations for the sake of villainous intrigue1 and the feverish excitement of speculative money-making2--with these--and with the stealthy spread of ,romanism1--will come the ruin of my country60 8,so grave as all that60 said the ,queen lightly2--8,but1 surely1 ,sir ,walter1 if you see ruin and disaster threatening so great an ,empire in the far distance1 you and other wise men of your land are able to stave it off80 8,madam1 ,i have no power60 he returned bitterly4 8,those who have thought and worked1--those who are able to see what is coming by the light of past experience1 are seldom listened to1 or if they get a hearing1 they are not seldom ridiculed and #8laughed down4' ,till a strong man speaks1 we must all remain dumb4 ,there is no real ,government in ,england at present1 just as there is no real ,church4 ,the ,government is made up of directly self-interested speculators and financiers rather than diplomatists1--the ,church1 for which our forefathers fought1 is yielding to the bribery of ,rome4 ,it is a time of ,sham1--sham politics1 and sham religion6 ,we have fallen upon evil days1--and unless the people rise1 as it is to be hoped to ,god they will1 serious danger threatens the glory and the honour of ,england60 8,would you desire revolution and bloodshed1 then80 enquired the ,queen1 becoming more and more interested as she saw that this ,englishman did not1 like most of his sex1 pass the moments in gazing at her in speechless admiration1--8,surely not60 8,i would have revolution1 ,madam1 but not bloodshed10 he replied2--8,i think my countrymen are too well grounded in common-sense to care for any movement which could bring about internal dissension or riot1--but1 at the same time1 ,i believe their native sense of justice is great enough to resist tyranny and wrong and falsehood1 even to the death4 ,i would have a revolution--yes--but a silent and bloodless one60 8,and how would you begin80 asked the ,queen4 8,the ,people must begin1 ,madam60 he answered2--8,all reforms must begin and end with the ,people only6 ,for example1 if the ,people would decline to attend any church where the incumbent is known to encourage practices which are disloyal to the faith of the land1 such disloyalty would soon cease4 ,if the majority of women would refuse to know1 or to receive1 any woman of high position who had voluntarily disgraced herself1 they would soon put a stop to the lax morality of the upper classes4 ,if our builders1 artisans and mechanics would club together1 and refuse to make guns or ships for our enemies in foreign countries1 we should not run the risk of being one day hoisted with our own petard4 ,in any case1 the work of ,revolution rests with the people1 though it is quite true they need teachers to show them how to begin40 8,and are these teachers forthcoming80 8,i think so60 said ,sir ,walter meditatively4 8,throughout all history1 as far back as we can trace it1 whenever a serious reform has been needed in either society or government1 there has always been found a leader to head the movement40 ,the ,queen's beautiful eyes rested upon him with a certain curiosity4 8,what of your ,king80 she said4 8,madam1 he is my ,king60 he replied1--8,and ,i serve him faithfully60 ,she was silent4 ,she began to wonder whether he had any private motive to gain1 any place he sought to fill1 that he should assume such a touch-me-not air at this stray allusion to his ,sovereign4 8,lse-majest is so common nowadays60 she mused2--8,it is such an ordinary thing to hear vulgar parvenus talk of their king as if he were a public-house companion of theirs1 that it is somewhat remarkable to find one who speaks of his monarch with loyalty and respect4 ,i suppose1 however1 like everyone else1 he has his own ends to serve6--,kings are the last persons in the world who can command absolute fidelity60 ,she glanced dreamily over the sea1 and perceiving a slight shade of weariness on her face1 ,sir ,walter discreetly rose1 craving her permission to retire to the saloon1 where he had promised to join the ,king4 ,when he had left her1 she turned to one of her ladies1 the ,countess ,amabil1 and remarked3 8,a very personable gentleman1 is he not80 8,madam10 rejoined the ,countess1 who was very lovely in herself1 and of a bright and sociable disposition2--8,i have often thought it would be more pleasant and profitable for all of us if we had many such personable gentlemen with us oftener60 ,a slight frown of annoyance crossed the ,queen's face4 ,the ,countess was a very charming lady2 very fascinating in her own way1 but her decided predilection for the sterner sex often led her to touch on dangerous ground with her ,royal mistress4 ,this time1 however1 she escaped the chilling retort her remark might possibly1 on another occasion1 have called down upon her4 ,the ,queen said nothing4 ,she sat watching the sea1--and now and again took up her field-glass to study the picturesque coast of ,the ,islands1 which was rapidly coming into view4 ,teresa de ,launay1 the second lady in attendance on her1 was reading1 and1 seeing her quite absorbed in her book1 the ,queen presently asked her what it contained4 8,you have smiled twice over that book1 ,teresa10 she said kindly2--8,what is it about80 8,madam1 it speaks of love60 replied ,teresa1 still smiling4 8,and love makes you smile80 8,i would rather smile than weep over it1 ,madam60 replied ,teresa1 with a slight colour warming her fair face2--8,but as concerns this book1 ,i smile1 because it is full of such foolish verses1--as light and sweet--and almost as cloying1--as ,french fondants60 8,let me hear60 said the ,queen2 8,read me a few lines40 8,this one1 called #8,a ,canzonet' is brief enough for your ,majesty's immediate consideration10 replied ,teresa2--8,it is just such a thing as a man might scribble in his note-book after a bout of champagne1 when he is in love for ten minutes6 ,he would not mean a word of it1--but it might sound pretty by moonlight60 ,whereupon she read aloud3-- ,my ,lady is pleased to smile1 ,and the world is glad and gay2 ,my ,lady is pleased to weep2-- ,and it rains the livelong day6 ,my ,lady is pleased to hate1 ,and ,i lose my life and my breath2 ,my ,lady is pleased to love1-- ,and ,i am the master of ,death6 ,i know that my ,lady is ,love1 ,by the magical light about her2 ,i know that my ,lady is ,life1 ,for ,i cannot live without her6 8,and you do not think any man would truly mean as much love as this80 queried the ,queen4 8,oh1 ,madam1 you know he would not6 ,if he had written such lines about the joys of dining1 or the flavour of an excellent cigar1 they might then indeed be taken as an expression of his truest and deepest feeling6 ,but his #8,lady'6 ,bah6 ,she is a mere myth1--a temporary peg to hang a stray emotion on60 ,she laughed1 and her laughter rippled merrily on the air4 8,i do not think the men who write so easily about love can ever truly feel it10 she went on2--8,those who really love must surely be quite unable to express themselves4 ,this man who sings about his #8,lady' being pleased to do this or do that1 was probably trying to obtain the good graces of some pretty housemaid or chorus girl60 ,a slight contemptuous smile crossed the ,queen's face2 from her expression it was evident that she agreed in the main with the opinion of her vivacious lady-in-waiting4 ,just at that moment the ,king and his suite1 with ,sir ,walter ,langton and one or two other gentlemen1 who had been invited to join the party1 came up from the saloon1 and the conversation became general4 8,have you seen ,humphry at all to-day80 enquired the ,king aside of ,de ,launay4 8,i sent him an early message asking him to join us1 and was told he had gone out riding4 ,is that true80 8,i have not seen his ,royal ,highness since the morning1 ,sir10 replied the equerry2 8,he then met me1--and ,professor von ,glauben also--in the gardens4 ,he gave me no hint as to whether he knew of your intention to sail to ,the ,islands this afternoon or not2 he was reading1 and with some slight discussion on the subject of the book he was interested in1 he and the ,professor strolled away together40 8,but where is ,von ,glauben80 pursued the ,king2 8,i sent for him likewise1 but he was absent40 8,i understood him to say that you had not commanded his attendance again to-day1 ,sir10 replied ,sir ,roger2--8,he told me he had already waited upon you40 8,certainly ,i did not command his attendance when ,i saw him the first thing this morning10 replied the ,king2 8,i summoned him then merely to satisfy his scruples concerning my health and safety1 as he seemed last night to have doubts of both60 ,he smiled1 and his eyes twinkled humourously4 8,later on1 ,i requested him to join us in this excursion1 but his servant said he had gone out1 leaving no word as to when he would return4 ,an eccentricity6 ,i suppose he must be humoured60 ,sir ,roger was silent4 ,the ,king looked at him narrowly1 and saw that there was something in his thoughts which he was not inclined to utter1 and with wise tact and discretion forbore to press any more questions upon him4 ,it was not a suitable time for cross-examination1 even of the most friendly kind2 there were too many persons near at hand who might be disposed to listen and to form conjectures2 moreover the favouring wind had so aided the ,royal yacht in her swift course that ,the ,islands were now close at hand1 and the harbour visible1 the run across from the mainland having been accomplished under the usual two hours4 ,the ,king scanned the coast through his glass with some interest4 8,we shall obtain amusement from this unprepared trip10 he said1 addressing the friends who were gathered round him2 8,we have forbidden any announcement of our visit here1 and1 therefore1 we shall receive no recognition1 or welcome4 ,we shall have to take the people as we find them60 8,let us hope they will prove themselves agreeable1 ,sir10 said one of the suite1 the ,marquis ,montala1 a somewhat effeminate elegant-looking man1 with small delicate features and lazily amorous eyes1--8,and that the women of the place will not be too alarmingly hideous40 8,women are always women40 said the ,king gaily2 8,and you1 ,montala1 if you cannot find a pretty one1 will put up with an ugly one for the moment rather than have none at all6 ,but beauty exists everywhere1 and ,i daresay we shall find it in as good evidence here as in other parts of the kingdom4 ,our land is famous for its lovely women10--and turning to ,sir ,walter ,langton he added--8,i think1 ,sir ,walter1 we can almost beat your ,england in that one particular60 8,some years ago1 ,sir1 ,i should have accepted that challenge10 returned ,sir ,walter1 8,and with the deepest respect for your ,majesty1 ,i should have ventured to deny the assertion that any country in the world could surpass ,england for the beauty of its women4 ,but since the rage for masculine sports and masculine manners has taken hold of ,english girls1 ,i am not at all disposed to defend them4 ,they have1 unhappily1 lost all the soft grace and modesty for which their grandmothers were renowned1 and one begins to remark that their very shapes are no longer feminine4 ,the beautiful full bosoms1 admired by ,gainsborough and ,romney1 are replaced by an unbecoming flatness--the feet and hands are growing large and awkward1 instead of being well-shaped1 white and delicate--the skin is becoming coarse and rough of texture1 and there is very little complexion to boast of1 if we except the artificial make-up of the women of the town4 ,some few pretty and natural women remain in the heart of the forest and the country1 but the contamination is spreading1 and ,english women are no longer the models of womanhood for all the world40 8,are you married1 ,sir ,walter80 asked the ,king with a smile4 8,to no woman1 ,sir6 ,i have married ,england--,i love her and work for her only60 8,you find that love sufficient to fill your heart80 8,perhaps10 returned ,sir ,walter musingly--8perhaps if ,i speak personally and selfishly--no6 ,but when ,i argue the point logically1 ,i find this--that if ,i had a wife she might probably occupy too much of my time1--certes1 if ,i had children1 ,i should be working for them and their future welfare2--as it is1 ,i give all my life and all my work to my country1 and my ,king60 8,i hope you will meet with the reward you merit10 said the ,queen gently2 8,kings are not always well served60 8,i seek no reward10 said ,sir ,walter simply2 8,the joy of work is always its own guerdon40 ,as he spoke the yacht ran into harbour1 and with a loud warning cry the sailors flung out the first rope to a man on the pier1 who stood gazing in open-mouthed wonder at their arrival4 ,he seemed too stricken with amazement to move1 for he failed to seize the rope1 whereat1 with an angry exclamation as the rope slipped back into the water1 and the yacht bumped against the pier1 a sailor sprang to land1 and as it was thrown a second time1 seized it and made it fast to the capstan4 ,a few more moments and the yacht was safely alongside1 the native islander remaining still motionless and staring4 ,the captain of the ,royal vessel stepped on shore and spoke to him4 8,are there any men about here80 ,the individual thus addressed shook his head in the negative4 8,are you alone to keep the pier80 ,the head nodded in the affirmative4 ,a voice1 emanating from a thickly bearded mouth was understood to growl forth something about #8no strange boats being permitted to harbour there4' ,whereupon the ,captain walked up to the uncouth-looking figure1 and said briefly4 8,we are here by the ,king's order6 ,that vessel is the ,royal yacht1 and their ,majesties are on board40 ,for one instant the islander stared more wildly than ever1 then with a cry of amazement and evident alarm1 ran away as fast as his legs could carry him and disappeared4 ,the captain returned to the yacht and related his experience to ,sir ,roger de ,launay4 ,the ,king heard and was amused4 8,it seems1 ,madam10 he said1 turning to the ,queen1 8,that we shall have ,the ,islands to ourselves2 but as our visit will be but brief1 we shall no doubt find enough to interest us in the mere contemplation of the scenery without other human company than our own4 ,will you come80 ,he extended his hand courteously to assist her across the gangway of the vessel1 and in a few minutes the ,royal party were landed1 and the yacht was left to the stewards and servants1 who soon had all hands at work preparing the dinner which was to be served during the return sail4 ,,chapter ,,xi 8,,gloria--,,in ,,excelsis60 ,the ,king and ,queen1 followed by their suite and their guests1 walked leisurely off the pier1 and down a well-made road1 sparkling with crushed sea-shells and powdered coral1 towards a group of tall trees and green grass which they perceived a little way ahead of them4 ,there was a soothing quietness everywhere1--save for the singing of birds and the soft ripple of the waves on the sandy shore1 it was a silent land3 8,in which it seemed always afternoon-- ,all round the coast the languid air did swoon-- ,breathing like one that hath a weary dream40 ,the ,queen paused once or twice to look around her2 she was vaguely touched and charmed by the still beauty of the scene4 8,it is very lovely60 she said1 more to herself than to any of her companions2 8,the world must have looked something like this in the first days of creation1--so unspoilt and fresh and simple60 ,the ,countess ,amabil1 walking with ,sir ,walter ,langton1 glanced coquettishly at her cavalier and smiled4 8,it is idyllic60 she said2--8,a sort of ,arcadia without ,corydon or ,phyllis6 ,do all the inhabitants go to sleep or disappear in the daytime1 ,i wonder80 8,not all1 ,i imagine10 replied ,sir ,walter2 8,for here comes one1 though1 judging from the slowness of his walk1 he is in no haste to welcome his ,king60 ,the personage he spoke of was indeed approaching1 and all the members of the ,royal party watched his advance with considerable curiosity4 ,he was tall and upright in bearing1 but as he came nearer he was seen to be a man of great age1 with a countenance on which sorrow and suffering had left their indelible traces4 ,there were furrows on that face which tears had hollowed out for their swifter flowing1 and the high intellectual brow bore lines and wrinkles of anxiety and pain1 which were the soul's pen-marks of a tragic history4 ,he was attired in simple fisherman's garb of rough blue homespun1 and when he was within a few paces of the ,king1 he raised his cap from his curly silver hair with an old-world grace and deferential courtesy4 ,sir ,roger de ,launay went forward to meet him and to explain the situation4 8,his ,majesty the ,king10 he said1 8has wished to make a surprise visit to his people of ,the ,islands1--and he is here in person with the ,queen4 ,can you oblige him with an escort to the principal places of interest80 ,the old man looked at him with a touch of amusement and derision4 8,there are no places here of interest to a ,king10 he said2 8,unless a poor man's house may serve for his curious comment6 ,i am not his ,majesty's subject--but ,i live under his protection and his laws1--and ,i am willing to offer him a welcome1 since there is no one else to do so60 ,he spoke with a refined and cultured accent1 and in his look and bearing evinced the breeding of a gentleman4 8,and your name80 asked ,sir ,roger courteously4 8,my name is ,rn ,ronsard10 he replied4 8,i was shipwrecked on this coast years ago4 ,finding myself cast here by the will of ,god1 here ,i have remained60 ,as he said this1 ,sir ,roger remembered what he had casually heard at times about the #8life-philosopher' who had built for himself a dwelling on ,the ,islands out of the timbers of wrecked vessels4 ,this must surely be the man6 ,delighted at having thus come upon the very person most likely to provide some sort of diversion for their ,majesties1 and requesting ,ronsard to wait at a distance for a moment1 he hastened back to the ,king and explained the position4 ,whereupon the monarch at once advanced with alacrity1 and as he approached the venerable personage who had offered him the only hospitality he was likely to receive in this part of his realm1 he extended his hand with a frank and kindly cordiality4 ,rn ,ronsard accepted it with a slight but not over-obsequious salutation4 8,we owe you our thanks10 said the ,king1 8for receiving us thus readily1 and without notice2 which is surely the truest form of hospitable kindness6 ,that we are strangers here is entirely our own fault1 due to our own neglect of our ,island subjects2 and it is for this that we have sought to know something of the place privately1 before visiting it with such public ceremonial and state as it deserves4 ,we shall be indebted to you greatly if you will lend us your aid in this intention40 8,your ,majesty is welcome to my service in whatever way it can be of use to you10 replied ,ronsard slowly2 8,as you see1 ,i am an old man and poor--,i have lived here for well-nigh thirty years1 making as little demand as possible upon the resources of either rough ,nature or smooth civilization to provide me with sustenance4 ,there is poor attraction for a king in such a simple home as mine60 8,more than all men living1 a king has cause to love simplicity10 returned the monarch1 as with his swift and keen glance he noted the old man's proud figure1 fine worn features1 and clear1 though deeply-sunken eyes2--8for the glittering shows of ceremony are chiefly irksome to those who have to suffer their daily monotony4 ,let me present you to the ,queen--she will thank you as ,i do1 for your kindly consent to play the part of host to us to-day40 8,nay10--murmured ,ronsard--8,no thanks--no thanks60 ,then1 as the ,king said a few words to his fair ,consort1 and she received the old man's respectful salutation in the cold1 grave way which was her custom1 he raised his eyes to her face1 and started back with an involuntary exclamation4 8,by ,heaven60 he said suddenly and bluntly1 8,i never thought to see any woman's beauty that could compare with that of my ,gloria60 ,he spoke more to himself than to any listener1 but the ,king hearing his words1 was immediately on the alert1 and when the whole ,royal party moved on again1 he1 walking in a gracious and kindly way by the old man's side1 and skilfully keeping up the conversation at first on mere generalities1 said presently3-- 8,and that name of ,gloria2--may ,i ask you who it is that bears so strange an appellation80 ,ronsard looked at him somewhat doubtingly4 8,your ,majesty considers it strange8 ,had you ever seen her1 you would think it the only fitting name for her10 he answered1--8,for she is surely the most glorious thing ,god ever made60 8,your wife--or daughter80 gently hinted the ,king4 ,the old man smiled bitterly4 8,sir1 ,i have never owned wife or child6 ,for aught ,i know ,gloria may have been born like the goddess ,aphrodite1 of the sunlight and the sea6 ,no other parents have ever claimed her40 ,he checked himself1 and appeared disposed to change the subject4 ,the ,king looked at him encouragingly4 8,may ,i not hear more of her80 he asked4 ,ronsard hesitated--then with a certain abruptness replied-- 8,nay--,i am sorry ,i spoke of her6 ,there is nothing to tell4 ,i have said she is beautiful--and beauty is always stimulating--even to ,kings6 ,but your ,majesty will have no chance of seeing her1 as she is absent from home to-day40 ,the ,king smiled2--had the rumours of his many gallantries reached ,the ,islands then8--and was this #8life-philosopher' afraid that #8,gloria #8--whoever she was--might succumb to his royal fascinations8 ,the thought was subtly flattering1 but he disguised the touch of amusement he felt1 and spoke his next words with a kindly and indulgent air4 8,then1 as ,i shall not see her1 you may surely tell me of her8 ,i am no betrayer of confidence60 ,a pale red tinged ,ronsard's worn features--anon he said3-- 8,it is no question of confidence1 ,sir1--and there is no secret or mystery associated with the matter4 ,gloria was1 like myself1 cast up from the sea4 ,i found her half-drowned1 a helpless infant tied to a floating spar4 ,it was on the other side of these ,islands--among the rocks where there is no landing-place4 ,there is a little church on the heights up there1 and every evening the men and boys practise their sacred singing4 ,it was sunset1 and ,i was wandering by myself upon the shore1 and in the church above me ,i heard them chant #8,gloria6 ,gloria6 ,gloria in excelsis ,deo6' ,and while they were yet practising this line ,i came upon the child1--lying like a strange lily1 in a salt pool1--between two shafts of rock like fangs on either side of her1 bound fast with rope to a bit of ship's timber4 ,i untied her little limbs1 and restored her to life2 and all the time ,i was busy bringing her back to breath and motion1 the singing in the church above me was #8,gloria6' and ever again #8,gloria6' ,so ,i gave her that name4 ,that was nineteen years ago4 ,she is married now40 8,married60 exclaimed the ,king1 with a curious sense of mingled relief and disappointment4 8,then she has left you80 8,oh1 no1 she has not left me60 replied ,ronsard2 8,she stays with me till her husband is ready to give her a home4 ,he is very poor1 and lives in hope of better days4 ,meanwhile poverty so far smiles upon them that they are happy2--and happiness1 youth and beauty rarely go together4 ,for once they have all met in the joyous life of my ,gloria60 8,i should like to see her60 said the ,king1 musingly2 8,you have interested me greatly in her history60 ,the old man did not reply1 but quickening his pace1 moved on a little in advance of the ,king and his suite1 to open a gate in front of them1 which guarded the approach to a long low house with carved gables and lattice windows1 over which a wealth of roses and jasmine clambered in long tresses of pink and white bloom4 ,smooth grass surrounded the place1 and tall pine trees towered in the background2 and round the pillars of the broad verandah1 which extended to the full length of the house front1 clematis and honeysuckle twined in thick clusters1 filling the air with delicate perfume4 ,the ,royal party murmured their admiration of this picturesque abode1 while ,ronsard1 with a nimbleness remarkable for a man of his age1 set chairs on the verandah and lawn for his distinguished guests4 ,sir ,walter ,langton and the ,marquis ,montala strolled about the garden with some of the ladies1 commenting on the simple yet exquisite taste displayed in its planting and arrangement2 while the ,king and ,queen listened with considerable interest to the conversation of their venerable host4 ,he was a man of evident culture1 and his description of the coral-fishing community1 their habits and traditions1 was both graphic and picturesque4 8,are they all away to-day80 asked the ,king4 8,all the men on this side of ,the ,islands--yes1 ,sir10 replied ,ronsard2 8,and the women have enough to do inside their houses till their husbands return4 ,with the evening and the moonlight1 they will all be out in their fields and gardens1 making merry with innocent dance and song1 for they are very happy folk--much happier than their neighbours on the mainland40 8,are you acquainted with the people of the mainland1 then80 enquired the ,king4 8,sufficiently to know that they are dissatisfied20 returned ,ronsard quietly1--8,and that1 deep down among the tangled grass and flowers of that brilliant pleasure-ground called ,society1 there is a fierce and starving lion called the ,people1 waiting for prey60 ,his voice sank to a low and impressive tone1 and for a moment his hearers looked astonished and disconcerted4 ,he went on as though he had not seen the expression of their faces4 8,here in ,the ,islands there was the same discontent when ,i first came4 ,every man was in heart a ,socialist1--every young boy was a budding ,anarchist4 ,wild ideas fired their brains4 ,they sought ,equality4 ,no man should be richer than another1 they said4 ,equal lots1--equal lives4 ,they had their own secret ,society1 connected with another similar one across the sea yonder4 ,they were brave1 clever and desperate1--moved by a burning sense of wrong1--wrong which they had not the skill to explain1 but which they felt4 ,it was difficult to persuade or soothe such men1 for they were men of ,nature1--not of ,shams4 ,but fierce and obstinate as they were1 they were good to me when ,i was cast up for dead on their seashore4 ,and ,i1 in turn1 have tried to be good to them4 ,that is1 ,i have tried to make them happy4 ,for happiness is what we all work for and seek for1--from the beginning to the end of life4 ,we go far afield for it1 when it oftener lies at our very doors4 ,well6--they are a peaceful community now1 and have no evil intentions towards anyone4 ,they grudge no one his wealth--,i think if the truth were known1 they rather pity the rich man than envy him4 ,so1 at any rate1 ,i have taught them to do4 ,but1 formerly1 they were1 to say the least of it1 dangerous60 ,the ,king heard in silence1 although the slightest quizzical lifting of his eyebrows appeared to imply that #8dangerous' was perhaps too strong a term by which to designate a handful of ,socialistic coral-fishers4 8,it is curious10 went on ,ronsard slowly1 8how soon the sense of wrong and injustice infects a whole community4 ,one malcontent makes a host of malcontents4 ,this is a fact which many governments lose sight of4 ,if ,i were the ruler of a country--0 ,here he suddenly paused--then added with a touch of brusqueness-- 8,pardon me1 ,sir2 ,i have never known the formalities which apply to conversation with a king1 and ,i am too old to learn now4 ,no doubt ,i speak too boldly6 ,to me you are no more than man2 you should be more by etiquette--but by simple humanity you are not60 ,the ,king smiled1 well pleased4 ,this independent commoner1 with his rough garb and rougher simplicity of speech1 was a refreshing contrast to the obsequious personages by whom he was generally surrounded2 and he felt an irresistible desire to know more of the life and surroundings of one who had gained a position of evident authority among the people of his own class4 8,go on1 my friend60 he said4 8,honest expression of thought can offend none but knaves and fools2 and though there are some who say ,i have a smack of both1 yet ,i flatter myself ,i am wholly neither of the twain6 ,continue what you were saying--if you were ruler of a country1 what would you do80 ,rn ,ronsard considered for a moment1 and his furrowed brows set in a puzzled line4 8,i think10 he said slowly1 at last1 8,i should choose my friends and confidants among the leaders of the people40 8,and is not that precisely what we all do80 queried the ,king lightly2 8,surely every monarch must count his friends among the members of the ,government80 8,but the ,government does not represent the actual people1 ,sir60 said ,ronsard quietly4 8,no8 ,then what does it represent80 enquired the ,king1 becoming amused and interested in the discussion1 and holding up his hand to warn back ,de ,launay1 and the other members of his suite who were just coming towards him from their tour of inspection through the garden--8,every member of the ,government is elected by the people1 and returned by the popular vote4 ,what else would you have80 8,ministers have not always the popular vote10 said ,ronsard2 8,they are selected by the ,premier4 ,and if the ,premier should happen to be shifty1 treacherous or self-interested1 he chooses such men as are most likely to serve his own ends4 ,and it can hardly be said1 ,sir1 that the ,people truly return the members of ,government4 ,for when the time comes for one such man to be elected1 each candidate secures his own agent to bribe the people1 and to work upon them as though they were so much soft dough1 to be kneaded into a political loaf for his private and particular eating4 ,poor ,people6 ,poor hard-working millions6 ,in the main they are all too busy earning the wherewithal to ,live1 to have any time left to ,think--they are the easy prey of the party agent1 except--except when they gather to the voice of a real leader1 one who though not in ,government1 governs60 8,and is there such an one80 enquired the ,king1 while as he spoke his glance fell suddenly1 and with an unpleasant memory1 on the flashing blue of the sapphire in the ,premier's signet he wore2 8,here1 or anywhere80 8,over there60 said ,ronsard impressively1 pointing across the landscape seawards2 8,on the mainland there is not only one1 but many6 ,women1--as well as men4 ,writers1--as well as speakers4 ,these are they whom ,courts neglect or ignore1--these are the consuming fire of thrones60 ,his old eyes flashed1 and as he turned them on the statuesque beauty of the ,queen1 she started1 for they seemed to pierce into the very recesses of her soul4 8,when ,court and ,fashion played their pranks once upon a time in ,france1 there was a pen at work on the #8,contrat ,social'--the pen of one ,rousseau6 ,who among the idle pleasure-loving aristocrats ever thought that a mere ,book would have helped to send them to the scaffold60 ,he clenched his hand almost unconsciously--then he spoke more quietly4 8,that is what ,i mean1 when ,i say that if ,i were ruler of a country1 ,i should take special care to make friends with the people's chosen thinkers4 ,someone in authority0--and here he smiled quizzically--8should have given ,rousseau an estate1 and made him a marquis--in time6 ,the leaders of an advancing ,thought1--and not the leaders of a fixed ,government are the real representatives of the ,people60 ,something in this last sentence appeared to strike the ,king very forcibly4 8,you are a philosopher1 ,rn ,ronsard10 he said rising from his chair1 and laying a hand kindly on his shoulder4 8,and so1 in another way am ,i6 ,if ,i understand you rightly1 you would maintain that in many cases discontent and disorder are the fermentation in the mind of one man1 who for some hidden personal motive works his thought through a whole kingdom2 and you suggest that if that man once obtained what he wanted there would be an end of trouble--at any rate for a time till the next malcontent turned up6 ,is not that so80 8,it is so1 ,sir10 replied ,ronsard2 8and ,i think it has always been so4 ,in every era of strife and revolution1 we shall find one dissatisfied ,soul--often a soul of genius and ambition--at the centre of the trouble40 8,probably you are right10 said the monarch indulgently2 8,but evidently the dissatisfied soul is not in your body6 ,you are no ,don ,quixote fighting a windmill of imaginary wrongs1 are you80 ,a dark red flush mounted to the old man's brow1 and as it passed away1 left him pale as death4 8,sir1 ,i have fought against wrongs in my time2 but they were not imaginary4 ,i might have still continued the combat but for ,gloria60 8,ah6 ,she is your peace-offering to an unjust world80 8,no ,sir2 she is ,god's gift to a broken heart10 replied ,ronsard gently4 8,the sea cast her up like a pearl into my life2 and so for her sake ,i resolved to live4 ,for her only ,i made this little home--for her ,i managed to gain some control over the rough inhabitants of these ,islands1 and encouraged in them the spirit of peace1 mirth and gladness4 ,i soothed their discontent1 and tried to instil into them something of the ,greek love of beauty and pleasure4 ,but after all1 my work sprang from a personal1 ,i may as well say a selfish motive--merely to make the child ,i loved1 happy60 8,then do you not regret that she is married1 and no longer yours to cherish entirely80 8,no1 ,i regret nothing60 answered ,ronsard2 8,for ,i am old and must soon die4 ,i shall leave her in good and safe hands40 ,the ,king looked at him thoughtfully1 and seemed about to ask another question1 then suddenly changing his mind1 he turned to his ,consort and said a few words to her in a low tone1 whereupon as if in obedience to a command1 she rose1 and with all the gracious charm which she could always exert if she so pleased1 she enquired of ,ronsard if he would permit them to see something of the interior of his house4 8,madam10 replied ,ronsard1 with some embarrassment2 8,all ,i have is at your service1 but it is only a poor place40 8,no place is poor that has peace in it10 returned the ,queen1 with one of those rare smiles of hers1 which so swiftly subjugated the hearts of men4 8,will you lead the way80 ,thus persuaded1 ,rn ,ronsard could only bow a respectful assent1 and obey the request1 which from ,royalty was tantamount to a command4 ,signing to the other members of the party1 who had stood till now at a little distance1 the ,queen bade them all accompany her4 8,the ,king will stay here till we return10 she said1 8,and ,sir ,roger will stay with him60 ,with these words1 and a flashing glance at ,de ,launay1 she stepped across the lawn1 followed by her ladies-in-waiting1 with ,sir ,walter ,langton and the other gentlemen2 and in another moment the brilliant little group had disappeared behind the trailing roses and clematis1 which hung in profusion from the oaken projections of the wide verandah round ,ronsard's picturesque dwelling4 ,standing still for a moment1 with ,sir ,roger a pace behind him1 the ,king watched them enter the house--then quickly turning round on his heel1 faced his equerry with a broad smile4 8,now1 ,de ,launay10 he said1 8let us find ,von ,glauben60 ,sir ,roger started with surprise1 and not a little apprehension4 8,von ,glauben1 ,sir80 8,yes--,von ,glauben6 ,he is here6 ,i saw his face two minutes ago1 peering through those trees60 ,and he pointed down a shadowy path1 dark with the intertwisted gloom of untrained pine-boughs4 8,i am not dreaming1 nor am ,i accustomed to imagine spectres6 ,i am on the track of a mystery1 ,roger6 ,there is a beautiful girl here named ,gloria4 ,the beautiful girl is married--possibly to a jealous husband1 for she is apparently hidden away from all likely admirers1 including myself6 ,now suppose ,von ,glauben is that husband60 ,he broke off and laughed4 ,sir ,roger de ,launay laughed with him2 the idea was too irresistibly droll4 ,but the ,king was bent on mischief1 and determined to lose no time in compassing it4 8,come along60 he said4 8,if this tangled path holds a secret1 it shall be discovered before we are many minutes older6 ,i am confident ,i saw ,von ,glauben2 and what he can be doing here passes my comprehension6 ,follow me1 ,roger6 ,if our worthy ,professor has a wife1 and his wife is beautiful1 we will pardon him for keeping her existence a secret from us so long60 ,he laughed again2 and turning into the path he had previously indicated1 began walking down it rapidly1 ,sir ,roger following closely1 and revolving in his own perplexed mind the scene of the morning1 when ,von ,glauben had expressed such a strong desire to get away to ,the ,islands1 and had admitted that there was 8a lady in the case40 8,really1 it is most extraordinary60 he thought4 8,the ,king no sooner decides to break through conventional forms1 than all things seem loosened from their moorings6 ,a week ago1 we were all apparently fixed in our orbits of exact routine and work--the ,king most fixed of all--but now1 who can say what may happen next60 ,at that moment the monarch turned round4 8,this path seems interminable1 ,roger10 he said2 8,it gets darker1 closer and narrower4 ,it thickens1 in fact1 like1 the mystery we are probing60 ,sir ,roger glanced about him4 ,a straight band of trees hemmed them in on either side1 and the daylight filtered through their stems pallidly1 while1 as the ,king had said1 there seemed to be no end to the path they were following4 ,they walked on swiftly1 however1 exchanging no further word1 when suddenly an unexpected sound came sweeping up through the heavy branches4 ,it was the rush and roar of the sea1--a surging1 natural psalmody that filled the air1 and quivered through the trees with the measured beat of an almost human chorus4 8,this must be another way to the shore10 said the ,king1 coming to a standstill2 8,and there must be rocks or caverns near4 ,hark how the waves thunder and reverberate through some deep hollow60 ,sir ,roger listened1 and heard the boom of water rolling in and rolling out again1 with the regularity and rhythm of an organ swell1 but he caught an echo of something else besides1 which piqued his curiosity and provoked him to a touch of unusual excitement1--it was the sweet and apparently quickly suppressed sound of a woman's laughter4 ,he glanced at his ,royal master1 and saw at once that he1 too1 had sharp ears for that silvery cadence of mirth1 for his eyes flashed into a smile4 8,on1 ,roger10 he said softly2 8,we are close on the heels of the problem60 ,but they had only pressed forward a few steps when they were again brought to a sudden pause4 ,a voice1 whose gruffly mellow accents were familiar to both of them1 was speaking within evidently close range1 and the ,king1 with a warning look1 motioned ,de ,launay back a pace or two1 himself withdrawing a little into the shadow of the trees4 8,ach6 ,do not sing1 my princess60 said the voice2 8,for if you open your rosy mouth of music1 all the birds of the air1 and all the little fishes of the sea will come to listen6 ,and1 who knows6 ,someone more dangerous than either a bird or a fish may listen also60 ,the ,king grasped ,de ,launay by the arm4 8,was ,i not right80 he whispered4 8,there is no mistaking ,von ,glauben's accent60 ,sir ,roger looked1 as he felt1 utterly bewildered4 ,in his own mind he felt it very difficult to associate the ,professor with a love affair4 ,yet things certainly seemed pointing to some entanglement of the sort4 ,suddenly the ,king held up an admonitory finger4 8,listen60 he said4 ,another voice spoke1 rich and clear1 and sweet as honey4 8,why should ,i not sing80 and there was a thrill of merriment in the delicious accents4 8,you are so afraid of everything to-day6 ,why8 ,why should ,i stay here with nothing to do8 ,because you tell me the ,king is visiting ,the ,islands4 ,what does that matter8 ,what do ,i care for the ,king8 ,he is nothing to me60 8,you would be something1 perhaps1 to him if he saw you10 replied the guttural voice of ,von ,glauben4 8,it is safer to be out of his way4 ,you are a very wilful princess this afternoon6 ,you must remember your husband is jealous60 ,the ,king started4 8,her husband6 ,what the devil does ,von ,glauben know about her husband60 ,de ,launay was dumb4 ,a nameless fear and dismay began to possess him4 8,my husband60 ,and the sweet voice laughed out again4 8,it would be strange indeed for a poor sailor to be jealous of a king60 8,if the poor sailor had a beautiful wife he worshipped1 and the ,king should admire the wife1 he might have cause to be jealous60 replied ,von ,glauben2 8,and with some ladies1 a poor sailor would stand no chance against a king6 ,why are you so rebellious1 my princess1 to-day8 ,have ,i not brought a letter from your beloved which plainly asks you to keep out of the sight of the ,king8 ,have ,i not been an hour with you here1 reading the most beautiful poetry of ,heine80 8,that is why ,i want to sing10 said the sweet voice1 with a touch of wilfulness in its tone4 8,listen6 ,i will give you a reading of ,heine in music60 ,and suddenly1 rich and clear as a bell1 a golden cadence of notes rang out with the words3 8,ah1 ,hast thou forgotten1 ,that ,i possessed thy heart80 ,the ,king sprang lightly out of his hiding-place1 and with ,de ,launay moved on slowly and cautiously through the trees4 8,ach1 mein ,gott60 they heard ,von ,glauben exclaim--8,that is a bird-call which will float on wings to the ears of the ,king60 ,a soft laugh rippled on the air4 8,dear friend and master1 why are you so afraid80 asked the caressing woman's voice again2--8,we are quite hidden away from the ,royal visitors1--and though you have been peeping at the ,king through the trees1 and though you know he is actually in our garden1 he will never find his way here6 ,this is quite a secret little study and schoolroom1 where you have taught me so much6--yes--so much6--and ,i am very grateful6 ,and whenever you come to see me you teach me something more--you are always good and kind6--and ,i would not anger you for the world6 ,but what is the good of knowing and feeling beautiful things1 if ,i may not express them80 8,you do express them1--in yourself1--in your own existence and appearance60 said the ,professor gruffly2 8but that is a physiological accident which ,i do not expect you to understand60 ,there was a moment's silence4 ,then came a slight movement1 as of quick feet clambering among loose pebbles1 and the voice rang out again4 8,there6 ,now ,i am in my rocky throne6 ,do you remember--,ah1 no6--you know nothing about it1--but ,i will tell you the story6 ,it was here1 in this very place1 that my husband first saw me60 8,ach so60 murmured ,von ,glauben4 8,it is an excellent place to make a first appearance6 ,eve herself could not have chosen more picturesque surroundings to make a conquest of ,adam60 ,apparently his mild sarcasm fell on unheeding ears4 8,he was walking slowly all alone on the shore10 went on the voice1 dropping into a more plaintive and tender tone2 8,the sun had sunk1 and one little star was sparkling in the sky4 ,he looked up at the star--and--0 8,then he saw a woman's eye10 interpolated ,von ,glauben2 8,which is always more attractive to weak man than an impossible-to-visit planet6 ,what does ,shakespeare say of women's eyes8 #8,two of the fairest stars in all the heaven1 ,having some business1 do entreat her eyes ,to twinkle in their spheres till they return4 ,what if her eyes were there1 they in her head8 ,the brightness of her cheek would shame those stars1 ,as daylight doth a lamp2 her eye in heaven ,would through the airy regions stream so bright1 ,that birds would sing and think it were not night6'0 8,ach6 ,that is so60 ,as the final words left his lips1 a rich note of melody stirred the air1 and a song in which words and music seemed thoroughly welded together1 rose vibratingly up to the quiet sky3 8,here by the sea1 ,my ,love found me6 ,seagulls over the waves were swinging2 ,mermaids down in their caves were singing1 ,and one little star in the rosy sky ,sparkled above like an angel's eye6 ,my ,love found me1 ,and ,i and he ,plighted our troth eternally6 ,oh day of splendour1 ,and self-surrender6 ,the day when my ,love found me6 ,here1 by the sea1 ,my ,king crown'd me6 ,wild ocean sang for my ,coronation1 ,with the jubilant voice of a mighty nation6-- #8,mid the towering rocks he set my throne1 ,and made me forever and ever his own6 ,my ,king crown'd me1 ,and ,i and he ,are one till the world shall cease to be6 ,oh sweet love story6 ,oh night of glory6 ,the night when my ,king crown'd me60 ,no language could ever describe the marvellous sweetness of the voice that sung these lines2 it was so full of exquisite triumph1 tenderness and passion1 that it seemed more supernatural than human4 ,when the song ceased1 a great wave dashed on the shore1 like a closing organ chord1 and ,von ,glauben spoke4 8,there6 ,you wanted your own way1 my princess1 and you have had it6 ,you have sung like one of the seraphim2--do not be surprised if mortals are drawn to listen4 ,sst6 ,what is that80 ,there was a pause4 ,the ,king had inadvertently cracked a twig on one of the pine-boughs he was holding back in an endeavour to see the speakers4 ,but he now boldly pushed on1 beckoning ,de ,launay to follow close1 and in another minute had emerged on a small sandy plateau1 which led1 by means of an ascending path1 to a rocky eminence1 encircled by huge boulders and rocky pinnacles1 which somewhat resembled peaks of white coral1--and here1 on a height above him1--with the afternoon sun-glow bathing her in its full mellow radiance1 sat a visibly enthroned goddess of the landscape1--a girl1 or rather a perfect woman1 more beautiful than any he had ever seen1 or even imagined4 ,he stared up at her in dazzled wonder1 half blinded by the brightness of the sun and her almost equally blinding loveliness4 8,gloria60 he exclaimed breathlessly1 hardly conscious of his own utterance2 8,you are ,gloria60 ,the fair vision rose1 and came swiftly forward with an astonished look in her bright deep eyes4 8,yes60 she said1 8,i am ,gloria60 ,,chapter ,,xii ,a ,,sea ,,princess ,scarcely had she thus declared herself1 when the ,bismarckian head and shoulders of ,von ,glauben appeared above the protecting boulders2 and moving with deliberate caution1 the rest of his body came slowly after1 till he stood fully declared in an attitude of military #8attention4' ,he showed neither alarm nor confusion at seeing the ,king2 on the contrary1 the fixed1 wooden expression of his countenance betokened some deeply-seated mental obstinacy1 and he faced his ,royal master with the utmost composure1 lifting the slouched hat he wore with his usual stiff and soldierly dignity1 though carefully avoiding the amazed stare of his friend1 ,sir ,roger de ,launay4 ,the ,king glanced him up and down with a smiling air of amused curiosity4 8,so this is how you pursue your scientific studies1 ,professor60 he said lightly2 8,well60--and he turned his eyes1 full of admiration1 on the beautiful creature who stood silently confronting him with all that perfect ease which expresses a well-balanced mind1--8,wisdom is often symbolised to us as a marble goddess1--but when ,pallas ,athene takes so fair a shape of flesh and blood as this1 who shall blame even a veteran philosopher for sitting at her feet in worship60 8,pardon me1 ,sir10 returned ,von ,glauben calmly2 8,there is no goddess of ,wisdom here1 so please you1 but only a very simple and unworldly young woman4 ,she is--0 ,here he hesitated a moment1 then went on--8,she is merely the adopted child of a fisherman living on these ,islands40 8,i am aware of that60 said the ,king still smiling4 8,rn ,ronsard is his name4 ,he is my host to-day2 and he has told me something of her4 ,but1 certes1 he did not mention that you had adopted her also60 ,von ,glauben flushed vexedly4 8,sir10 he stammered1 8,i could explain--0 8,another time60 interrupted the ,king1 with a touch of asperity4 8,meanwhile1 present your--your pupil in the poesy of ,heine1--to me60 ,thus commanded1 the ,professor1 casting a vexed glance at ,de ,launay1 who did not in the least comprehend his distress1 went to the girl1 who during their brief conversation had stood quietly looking from one to the other with an expression of half-amused disdain on her lovely features4 8,gloria10 he began reluctantly--then whispering in her ear1 he muttered--8,i told you your voice would do mischief1 and it has done it60 ,then aloud--8,gloria1--this--this is the ,king60 ,she smiled1 but did not change her erect and easy attitude4 8,the ,king is welcome60 she said simply4 ,she had evidently no intention of saluting the monarch2 and ,sir ,roger de ,launay gazed at her in mingled surprise and admiration4 ,she was certainly wonderfully beautiful4 ,her complexion had the soft clear transparency of a pink sea-shell--her eyes1 large and lustrous1 were as densely blue as the dark azure in the depths of a wave1--and her hair1 of a warm bronze chestnut1 caught back with a single band of red coral1 seemed to have gathered in its rich curling clusters all the deepest tints of autumn leaves flecked with a golden touch of the sun4 ,her figure1 clad in a straight garment of rough white homespun1 was the model of perfect womanhood4 ,she stood a little above the medium height1 her fair head poised proudly on regal shoulders1 while the curve of the full bosom would have baffled the sculptural genius of a ,phidias4 ,the whole exquisite outline of her person was the expressed essence of beauty1 from the lightest wave of her hair1 down to her slender ankles and small feet2 and the look that irradiated her noble features was that of child-like happiness and repose1--the untired expression of one who had never known any other life than the innocent enjoyment bestowed upon her by ,god and divine ,nature4 ,beautiful as his ,queen-,consort was and always had been1 the ,king was forced to admit to himself that here was a woman far more beautiful1--and as he looked upon her critically1 he saw that there was a light and splendour about her which only the happiness of ,love can give4 ,her whole aspect was as of one uplifted into a finer atmosphere than that of earth1--she seemed to exhale purity from herself1 as a rose exhales perfume1 and her undisturbed serenity and dignity1 when made aware of the ,royal presence1 were evidently not the outcome of ill-breeding or discourtesy1 but of mere self-respect and independence4 ,he approached her with a strange hesitation1 which for him was quite a new experience4 8,i am glad ,i have been fortunate enough to meet you60 he said gently2--8,some kindly fate guided my steps down the path which brought me to this part of the shore1 else ,i might have gone away without seeing you60 8,that would have been no loss to your ,majesty10 answered ,gloria calmly2--8,for to see me1 is of no use to anyone60 8,would your husband say so80 hazarded the ,king with a smile4 ,her eyes flashed4 8,my husband would say what is right10 she replied4 8,he would know better how to talk to you than ,i do60 ,he had insensibly drawn nearer to her as he spoke2 meanwhile ,von ,glauben1 with a disconsolate air1 had joined ,sir ,roger de ,launay1 who1 by an enquiring look and anxious uplifting of his eyebrows1 dumbly asked what was to be the upshot of this affair1--only to receive a dismal shake of the head in reply4 8,possibly ,i know your husband10 went on the ,king1 anxious to continue conversation with so beautiful a creature4 8,if ,i do1 and he is in my personal service1 he shall not lack promotion6 ,will you tell me his name80 ,a startled look came into the girl's eyes1 and a deep blush swept over her fair cheeks4 8,i dare not60 she said2--8,he has forbidden me60 8,forbidden you60 ,the ,king recoiled a step--a vague suspicion rankled in his mind4 8,then1 though your ,king asks you a friendly question1 you refuse to answer it80 ,von ,glauben here gripped ,sir ,roger so fiercely by the arm1 that the latter nearly cried out with pain4 8,she must not tell10 he muttered--8,she must not--she will not60 ,but ,gloria was looking straight at her ,royal questioner4 8,i have no ,king but my husband60 she said firmly4 8,i have sworn before ,god to obey him in all things1 and ,i will not break my vow60 8,good girl6 ,wise girl60 exclaimed ,von ,glauben4 8,ach1 if all the beautiful women so guarded their tongues and obeyed their husbands1 what a happy world it would be60 ,the ,king turned upon him4 8,true6 ,but you are not bound by the confidences of marriage1 ,professor1--so that while in our service our will must be your law6 ,you1 therefore1 can perhaps tell me the name of the fortunate man who has wedded this fair lady80 ,the ,professor's countenance visibly reddened4 8,sir10 he stammered--8,with every respect for your ,majesty1 ,i would rather lose my much-to-be-appreciated post with you than betray my friends60 ,the ,king suddenly lost patience4 8,by ,heaven60 he exclaimed1 8,is my command to be slighted and set aside as if it were naught8 ,not while ,i am king of this country6 ,what mystery is here that ,i am not to know80 ,gloria laughed outright1 and the pretty ripple of mirth1 so unforced and natural1 diverted the monarch's irritation4 8,oh1 you are angry60 she said1 her lovely eyes twinkling and sparkling like diamonds3--8,so6 ,then your ,majesty is no more than a very common man who loses temper when he cannot have his own way60 ,she laughed again1 and the ,king stared at her unoffended1--being spellbound1 both by her regal beauty1 and her complete indifference to himself4 8,i will speak like the prophets do in the ,bible and say1 #8,lo6 there is no mystery1 ,o ,king6' ,i am only poor ,gloria1 a sailor's wife1--and the sailor has a place on board your son the ,crown ,prince's yacht1 and he does not want his master to know that he is married lest he lose that place6 ,is not that plain and clear1 ,o ,king8 ,and why should ,i disobey my beloved in such a simple matter80 ,the ,king was still in something of a fume4 8,there is no reason why you should disobey10 he said more quietly1 but still with vexation2--8,but1 equally1 there is no reason why your husband should be dismissed from the ,crown ,prince's service1 because he has chosen to marry4 ,if you tell me his name1 ,i will make all things easy for him1 for you1 and your future4 ,can you not trust me80 ,with wonderful grace and quickness ,gloria suddenly sprang forward1 caught the ,king's hand1 kissed it1 and then threw it lightly away from her4 8,no60 she said1 with a pretty defiance2 8,i kiss the hand of the country's ,king--but ,i have my own ,king to serve60 ,and pausing for no more words1 she turned away1 sprang lightly up the rocks as swiftly as a roe-deer1 and disappeared4 ,and from some hidden corner1 clear and full and sweet1 her voice rang out above the peaceful plashing of the waves3 8,my ,king crown'd me6 ,and ,i and he ,are one till the world shall cease to be60 ,stricken dumb and confused by the suddenness of her action1 and the swiftness of her departure1 the ,king stood for a moment inert1 gazing up the rocky height with the air of one who has seen a vision of heaven withdrawn again into its native element4 ,some darkening doubt troubled his mind1 and it was with an altogether changed and stern countenance that he confronted ,von ,glauben4 8,last night1 ,professor1 you were somewhat anxious for our health and safety10 he said severely2 8,it is our turn now to be equally anxious for yours6 ,we are of opinion that you1 like ourselves1 run some risk of danger by meddling in affairs which do not concern you6 ,silence60 ,this1 as the ,professor1 deeply moved by his ,royal master's evident displeasure1 made an attempt to speak4 8,we will hear all you have to say to-morrow4 ,meanwhile--follow your fair charge60 ,and he pointed up in the direction whither ,gloria had vanished4 8,her husband0--and he emphasized the word1--8whoever he is1 appears to have entrusted her safety to you2--see that you do not betray his trust1 even though you have betrayed mine60 ,at this remark ,von ,glauben was visibly overcome4 8,sir1 you have never had reason to complain of any lack of loyalty in me to you and to your service10 he said with an earnest dignity which became him well2--8,in the matter of the poor child yonder1 whose beauty would surely be a fatal snare to any man1 there is much to be told1--which if told truly1 will prove that ,i am merely the slave of circumstances which were not created by me1--and which it is possible for a faithful servant of your ,majesty to regret6 ,but a betrayer of trust ,i have never been1 and ,i beseech your ,majesty to believe me when ,i say that the acuteness of that undeserved reproach cuts me to the heart6 ,i yield to no man in the respect and affection ,i entertain for your ,royal person1 not even to ,de ,launay here--who knows--who knows--0 ,he broke off1 unable through strong emotion to proceed4 8#8,who knows'--,what80 enquired the ,king1 turning his steadfast eyes on ,sir ,roger4 8,nothing1 ,sir6 ,absolutely nothing60 replied the equerry1 opening his eyes as widely as their habitual langour would permit2 8,i am absolutely ignorant of everything concerning ,von ,glauben except that he is an honest man6 ,that ,i certainly do know60 ,a slight smile cleared away something of the doubt and displeasure on the ,king's face4 ,approaching the disconsolate ,professor1 he laid one hand on his shoulder and looked him steadily in the eyes4 8,by my faith1 ,von ,glauben1 if ,i thought positively that you could play me false in any matter1 ,i would never believe a man again6 ,come6 ,forgive my hasty speech1 and do not look so downcast6 ,honest ,i have always known you to be1--and that you will prove your honesty1 ,i do not doubt6 ,but--there is something in this affair which awakens grave suspicion in my mind4 ,for to-day ,i press no questions--but to-morrow ,i must know all6 ,you understand8 ,all6 ,say this to the girl1 ,gloria1--say it to her husband also--as1 of course1 you know who her husband is4 ,if he serves on ,prince ,humphry's yacht1 that is enough to say that ,humphry himself has probably seen her4 ,under all the circumstances1 ,i confess1 my dear ,von ,glauben1 that your presence here is a riddle which needs explanation60 8,it shall be explained1 ,sir--0 murmured the ,professor4 8,naturally6 ,it must1 of course be explained4 ,but ,i hope you give me credit for not being altogether a fool2 and ,i have an idea that my son's frequent mysterious visits to ,the ,islands have something to do with this fair ,gloria of ,glorias60 ,von ,glauben started involuntarily4 8,you perhaps think it too8 ,or know it8 ,well1 if it is so1 ,i can hardly blame him overmuch1--though ,i am sorry he should have selected a poor sailor's wife as a subject for his secret amours6 ,i should have thought him possessed of more honour4 ,however--to-morrow ,i shall look to you for a full account of the matter4 ,for the present1 ,i excuse your attendance1 and permit you to remain with her whom you call #8princess'60 ,he stepped back1 and1 taking ,de ,launay's arm1 turned round at once1 and walked away back to ,ronsard's house by the path he had followed with such eagerness and care4 ,von ,glauben watched the two tall figures disappear1 and then with a troubled look1 began to climb slowly up the rocks in the direction where ,gloria had gone4 ,his reflections were not altogether as philosophical as usual1 because as he said to himself--8,one can never tell how a woman is going to meet misfortune6 ,sometimes she takes it well2 and then the men who have ruthlessly destroyed her happiness go on their way rejoicing2 but more often she takes it ill1 and there is the devil to pay6 ,yet--,gloria is not like any ordinary woman--she is a carefully selected specimen of her sex1 which a kindly ,nature has produced as an example of what women were intended to be when they were first created4 ,i wonder where she has hidden herself80 ,arriving at the summit of the ascent1 he peered down towards the sea4 ,slopes of rank grass and sea-daisies tufted the rocks on this side1 divided by certain deep hollows which the action of the waves had honeycombed here and there2 and below the grass was the shore1 powdered thickly with sand1 of a fine1 light1 and sparkling colour1 like gold dust4 ,here in the full light of the sinking sun lay ,gloria1 her head pillowed against a rough stone1 on the top of which a tall cluster of daisies1 sometimes called moon-flowers1 waved like white plumes4 8,gloria60 called ,von ,glauben4 ,she looked up1 smiling4 8,has ,majesty gone80 she asked4 8,gone for the present10 replied the ,professor1 beginning to put one foot cautiously before the other down a roughly hewn stairway in the otherwise almost inaccessible cliff4 8,but1 like the sun which is setting to-night1 he will rise again to-morrow60 8,shall ,i come and help you down80 enquired the girl1 turning on her elbow as she lay1 and lifting her lovely face1 radiant as a flower1 towards him4 8,whether down or up1 you shall never help me1 my princess60 he replied4 8,when ,i can neither climb nor fall without the assistance of a woman's hand1 ,i shall take a pistol and tell it to whisper in my ear--#8,good-bye1 ,heinrich ,von ,glauben6 ,you are all up--finish--gone6'0 ,here1 with a somewhat elephantine jump1 he alighted beside her and threw himself on the warm sand with a deep sigh of mingled exhaustion and relief4 8,you would be very wicked to put a pistol to your ear10 said ,gloria severely2--8,it is only a coward who shoots himself60 8,ach so6 ,and it is a brave man who shoots others6 ,that is curious1 is it not1 princess8 ,it is a little bit of man's morality2 but we have no time to discuss it now4 ,we have something more serious to consider1--your husband60 ,she looked at him wonderingly4 8,my husband8 ,do you really think he will be very angry that the ,king saw me80 ,the ,professor appeared to be considering the question2 but in reality he was studying the exquisite delicacy of the face turned so wistfully upon him1 and the lovely lines of the slim throat and rounded chin--8,so beautiful a creature0--he was saying within himself--8,and must she also suffer pain and disillusion like all the rest of her unfortunate sex60 ,aloud he replied4 8,my princess1 it is not for me to say he will be #8angry1'--for how could he be angry with the one he loves to such adoration6 ,he will be sorry and troubled--it will put him into a great difficulty6 ,ach6--a whole nest of difficulties60 8,why80 ,and ,gloria's eyes filled with sudden tears4 8,i would not grieve him for the world6 ,i cannot understand why it should matter at all1 even if the ,king does find out that he is married4 ,are the rules so strict for all the men who serve on board the ,royal vessels80 ,von ,glauben bit his lips to hide an involuntary smile4 ,but he answered her with quite a martinet air4 8,yes1 they are strict--very strict6 ,particularly so in the case of your husband4 ,you see1 my child--you do not perhaps quite understand--but he is a sort of superior officer on board2 and in close personal attendance on the ,crown ,prince40 8,he did not tell me that60 said the girl a little anxiously2 8,yet surely it would not matter if he loses one place2 can he not easily get another80 ,von ,glauben was looking at her with a grave1 almost melancholy intentness4 8,listen1 my princess1--listen to your poor old friend1 who means you so much good1 and no harm at all6 ,your husband--and ,i too1 for that matter1--wished much to prevent the ,king from seeing you--for--for many reasons4 ,when ,i heard he was coming to ,the ,islands1 ,i resolved to arrive here before him1 and so ,i did4 ,i said nothing to ,ronsard1 not even to warn him of the ,king's impending visit4 ,i took you just quietly1 as ,i have often done1 for a walk1 with a book to read and to explain to you1 because you tell me you want to study2 though in my opinion you know quite enough--for a woman4 ,i gave you a letter from your husband1 and you know he asked you in that letter to avoid all possibility of meeting with the ,king4 ,good6 ,well1 now1 what happens8 ,you sing--and lo6 his ,majesty1 like a fish on a hook1 is drawn up open-mouthed to your feet6 ,now1 who is to blame8 ,you or ,i80 ,a little perplexed line appeared on the girl's fair brows4 8,i am1 ,i suppose60 she said somewhat plaintively1--8,but yet1 even now1 ,i do not understand4 ,what is the ,king8 ,he is nothing6 ,he does nothing for anybody6 ,people make petitions to him1 and he never answers them--they try to point out errors and abuses1 and he takes no trouble to remedy them--he is no better than a wooden idol6 ,he is not a real man1 though he looks like one40 8,oh1 you think he looks like one80 murmured ,von ,glauben2 8,that is to say you are not altogether displeased with his appearance80 ,gloria's eyes darkened a moment with thought1--then flashed with laughter4 8,no10 she said frankly--8,he is more kingly than ,i thought a king could be4 ,but he should not lose temper4 ,that spoils all dignity60 ,von ,glauben smiled4 8,kings are but mortal10 he said1 8and never to lose temper would be impossible to any man40 8,it is such a waste of time60 declared ,gloria--8,why should anyone lose self-control8 ,it is like giving up a sword to an enemy40 8,that is one of ,rn ,ronsard's teachings10--said the ,professor--8,it is excellent in theory6 ,but in practice ,i have seen ,rn give way to temper himself1 with considerable enjoyment of his own mental thunderstorm4 ,as for the ,king1 he is generally a very equable personage2 and he has one great virtue--that is courage4 ,he is brave as a lion--perhaps braver than many lions60 ,she raised her eyes enquiringly4 8,has he proved it80 ,rather taken aback by the question1 he stared at her solemnly4 8,proved it8 ,well6 ,he has had no chance4 ,the country has been at peace for many years--but if there should ever be a war----0 8,would he go and fight for the country80 enquired ,gloria4 8,in person8 ,no4 ,he would not be allowed to do that4 ,his life would be endangered----0 8,of course60 interrupted the girl with a touch of contempt2 8,but if he would allow himself to be ruled by others in such a matter1 ,i do not call him brave60 ,the ,professor drew out his spectacles1 and fixing them on his nose with much care1 regarded her through them with bland and kindly interest4 8,very simple and primitive reasoning1 my princess60 he said2 8,and from an early historic point of view1 your idea is correct4 ,in the olden times kings went themselves to battle1 and led their soldiers on to victory in person4 ,it was very fine2 much finer than our modern ways of warfare4 ,but it has perhaps never occurred to you that a king's life nowadays is always in danger8 ,he can do nothing more completely courageous than to show himself in public60 8,are kings then so hated80 she asked4 8,they are not loved1 it must be confessed10 returned ,von ,glauben1 taking off his spectacles again2 8,but that is quite their own fault4 ,they seldom do anything to deserve the respect1--much less the affection of their subjects4 ,but this king--this man you have just seen--certainly deserves both40 8,why1 what has he done80 asked ,gloria wonderingly4 8,i have heard people say he is very wicked--that he takes other men's wives away from them--0 ,the ,professor coughed discreetly4 8,my princess1 let me suggest to you that he could scarcely take other men's wives away from them1 unless those wives were perfectly willing to go60 ,she gave an impatient gesture4 8,oh1 there are weak women1 no doubt2 but then a king should know better than to put temptation in their way4 ,if a man undertakes to be strong1 he should also be honourable4 ,then1--what of the taxes the ,king imposes on the people8 ,the sufferings of the poor over there on the mainland are terrible6--,i know all about them6 ,i have heard ,sergius ,thord60 ,the ,professor gave an uncomfortable start4 8,you have heard ,sergius ,thord8 ,where80 8,here60 ,and ,gloria smiled at his expression of wonderment4 8,he has spoken often to our people1 and he is father ,rn's friend40 8,and what does he talk about when he speaks here80 enquired ,von ,glauben4 8,when does he come1 and how does he go80 8,always at night10 answered ,gloria2 8,he has a sailing skiff of his own1 and on many an evening when the wind sets in our quarter1 he arrives quite suddenly1 all alone1 and in a moment1 as if by magic1 the ,islanders all seem to know he is here4 ,on the shore1 or in the fields he assembles them round him1 and tells them many things that are plain and true4 ,i have heard him speak often of the shortness of life and its many sorrows1 and he says we could all make each other happy for the little time we have to live1 if we would4 ,and ,i think he is right2 it is only wicked and selfish people who make others unhappy60 ,the ,professor was silent4 ,gloria1 watching him1 wondered at his somewhat perturbed expression4 8,do you know the ,king very well80 she asked suddenly4 8,he seemed very cross with you60 ,von ,glauben roused himself from a fit of momentary abstraction4 8,yes1--he was cross60 he rejoined4 8,i1 like your husband1 am in his service--and ,i ought to have been on duty to-day4 ,it will be all right1 however--all right6 ,but--0 ,he paused for a moment1 then went on--8,you say that only wicked and selfish people make others unhappy4 ,now suppose your husband were wicked and selfish enough to make you unhappy2 what would you say80 ,a sweet smile shone in her eyes4 8,he could not make me unhappy60 she said4 8,he would not try6 ,he loves me1 and he will always love me60 8,but1 suppose10 persisted the ,professor--8,just for the sake of argument--suppose he had deceived you80 ,with a low cry she sprang up4 8,impossible60 she exclaimed2 8,he is truth itself6 ,he could not deceive anyone60 8,come and sit down again10 said ,von ,glauben tranquilly2 8,it is disturbing to my mind to see you standing there pronouncing your faith in the integrity of man6 ,no male creature deserves such implicit trust1 and whenever a woman gives it1 she invariably finds out her mistake60 ,but ,gloria stood still1 ,the rich colour had faded from her cheeks--her eyes were dilated with alarm1 and her breath came and went quickly4 8,you must explain10 she said hurriedly2 8,you must tell me what you mean by suggesting such a wicked thought to me as that my husband could deceive me6 ,it is not right or kind of you1--it is cruel60 ,the ,professor scrambled up hastily out of his sandy nook1 and approaching her1 took her hand very gently and respectfully in his own and kissed it4 8,my dear--my princess--,i was wrong6 ,forgive me60 he murmured1 and there was a little tremor in his voice2 8,but can you not understand the possibility of a man loving a woman very much1 and yet deceiving her for her good80 8,it could never be for her good10 said ,gloria firmly2 8,it would not be for mine6 ,no lie ever lasts60 ,von ,glauben looked at her with a sense of reverence and something like awe4 ,the after-glow of the sinking sun was burning low down upon the sea1 and turning it to fiery crimson1 and as she stood bathed in its splendour1 the white rocks towering above her1 and the golden sands sparkling at her feet1 she appeared like some newly descended angel expressing the very truth of ,heaven itself in her own presence on earth4 ,as they stood thus1 the sudden boom of a single cannon echoed clear across the waves4 8,there goes the ,king60 said ,von ,glauben2 8,majesty departs for the present1 having so far satisfied his curiosity6 ,that gun is the signal4 ,child60--and turning towards her again1 he took both her hands in his1 and spoke with emphatic gravity and kindness--8,remember that ,i am your friend always6 ,whatever chances to you1 do not forget that you may command my service and devotion till death6 ,in this strange life1 we never know from day to day what may happen to us1 for constant change is the law of ,nature and the universe1--but after all1 there is something in the soul of a true man which does not change with the elements1--and that is--loyalty to a sworn faith6 ,in my heart1 ,i have sworn an oath of fealty to you1 my beautiful little princess of the sea6--and it is a vow that shall never be broken6 ,do you understand8 ,and will you remember80 ,her large dark blue eyes looked trustingly into his4 8,indeed1 ,i will never forget60 she said1 with a touch of wistfulness in her accents2 8,but ,i do not know why you should be anxious for me--there is nothing to fear for my happiness4 ,i have all the love ,i care for in the world60 8,and long may you keep it60 said the ,professor earnestly2 8,come6 ,it will soon be time for me to leave you1 and ,i must see ,rn before ,i go4 ,if you follow my advice1 you will say nothing to him of having met the ,king--not for the present1 at any rate40 ,she agreed to this1 though with some little hesitation1--then they ascended the cliff1 and walking by way of the pine-wood through which the ,king had come1 arrived at ,ronsard's house1 to find the old man quite alone1 and peacefully engaged in tying up the roses and jessamine on the pillars of his verandah4 ,his worn face lighted up with animation and tenderness as ,gloria approached him and threw her arms around his neck1 and to her he related the incident of the ,king and ,queen's unexpected visit1 as a sort of accidental1 uninteresting1 and wholly unimportant occurrence4 ,the ,queen1 he said1 was very beautiful2 but too cold in her manner1 though she had certainly taken much interest in seeing the house and garden4 8,it was just as well you were absent1 child10 he added--8,royalty brings an atmosphere with it which is not wholesome4 ,a king never knows what it is to be an honest man60 8,those are your old1 discarded theories1 ,ronsard60 said ,von ,glauben1 shaking his head2--8,you said you would never return to them60 8,aye60 rejoined ,ronsard2--8,i have tried to put away all my old thoughts and dreams for her sake0--and his gaze rested lovingly on ,gloria as1 standing on tiptoe to reach a down-drooping rose1 she gathered it and fastened it in her bosom4 8,there should only be peace and contentment where she dwells6 ,but sometimes my life's long rebellion against sham and injustice stirs in my blood1 and ,i long to pull down the ignorant people's idols of wood and straw1 and set up men in place of dummies60 8,a ,mumbo-,jumbo of some kind has always been necessary in the world1 my friend10 said the ,professor calmly2 8,either in the shape of a deity or a king4 ,a wood and straw ,nonentity is better than an incarnated fleshly ,selfishness4 ,will you give me supper before ,i leave80 ,ronsard smiled a cheery assent1 and ,gloria preceding them1 and singing in a low tone to herself as she went1 they all entered the house together4 ,meanwhile1 the ,royal yacht was scudding back to the mainland over crisp waters on the wings of a soft breeze1 with a bright moon flying through fleecy clouds above1 and silvering the foam-crests of the waves below4 ,there was music on board1--the ,king and ,queen dined with their guests1--and laughter and gay converse intermingled with the sound of song4 ,they talked of their day's experience--of the beauty of ,the ,islands--of ,ronsard1--his quaint house and quainter self1--so different to the persons with whom they associated in their own exclusive and brilliant ,court #8set1' and the pretty ,countess ,amabil flirting harmlessly with ,sir ,walter ,langton1 suggested that a #8,flower ,feast' or ,carnival should be held during the summer1 for the surprise and benefit of the ,islanders1 who had never yet seen a ,royal pageant of pleasure on their shores4 ,but ,sir ,roger de ,launay1 ever watching the ,queen1 saw that she was very pale1 and more silent even than was her usual habit1 and that her eyes every now and again rested on the ,king1 with something of wonder1 as well as fear4 ,,chapter ,,xiii ,,secret ,,service ,in one of the ultra-fashionable quarters of the brilliant and overcrowded metropolis which formed the nucleus and centre of everything notable or progressive in the ,king's dominions1 there stood a large and aggressively-handsome house1 over-decorated both outside and in1 and implying in its general appearance vulgarity1 no less than wealth4 ,these two things go together very much nowadays2 in fact one scarcely ever sees them apart4 ,the fair1 southern city of the sea was not behind other modern cities in luxury and self-aggrandisement1 and there were certain members of the population who made it their business to show all they were worth in their domestic and home surroundings4 ,one of the most flagrant money-exhibitors of this kind was a certain ,jew named ,david ,jost4 ,jost was the sole proprietor of the most influential newspaper in the kingdom1 and the largest shareholder in three other newspaper companies1 all apparently differing in party views1 but all in reality working into the same hands1 and for the same ends4 ,jost and his companies virtually governed the ,press2 and what was euphoniously termed #8public opinion' was the opinion of ,jost4 ,should anything by chance happen to get into his own special journal1 or into any of the other journals connected with ,jost1 which ,jost did not approve of1 or which might be damaging to ,jost's social or financial interests1 the editor in charge was severely censured2 if the fault occurred again he was promptly dismissed4 #8,public opinion' had to be formed on ,jost's humour2 otherwise it was no opinion at all4 ,a few other newspapers led a precarious existence in offering a daily feeble opposition to ,jost2 but they had not cash enough to carry on the quarrel4 ,jost secured all the advertisers1 and as a natural consequence of this1 could well afford to be the #8voice of the people' ad libitum4 ,he was immensely wealthy1 openly vicious1 and utterly unscrupulous2 and made brilliant speculative #8deals' in the unsuspecting natures of those who were led1 by that bland and cheery demeanour which is generally associated with a large paunch1 to consider him a #8good fellow' with his #8heart in the right place4' ,with regard to this last assertion1 it may be doubted whether he had a heart at all1 in any place1 right or wrong4 ,he was certainly not given to sentiment4 ,he had married for money1 and his wife had died in a mad-house4 ,he was now anxious to marry again for position2 and while looking round the market for a sufficiently perfect person of high-breeding1 he patronized the theatre largely1 and #8protected' several ballet-girls and actresses4 ,everyone knew that his life was black with villainy and intrigue of the most shameless kind1 yet everyone swore that he was a good man4 ,such is the value of a limitless money-bag6 ,it was very late in the evening of the day following that on which the ,king had paid his unexpected visit to ,the ,islands1--and ,david ,jost had just returned from a comic opera-house1 where he had supped in private with two or three painted heroines of the footlights4 ,he was in an excellent humour with himself4 ,he had sprung a mine on the public2 and a carefully-concocted rumour of war with a foreign power had sent up certain stocks and shares in which he had considerable interest4 ,he smiled1 as he thought of the general uneasiness he was creating by a few headlines in his newspaper2 and he enjoyed to the full the tranquil sense of having flung a bone of discord between two nations1 in order to watch them from his arm-chair fighting like dogs for it tooth and claw1 till one or the other gave in4 8,lutera will have to thank me for this10 he said to himself2 8,and he will owe me both a place and a title60 ,he sat down at his desk in his warm and luxuriously-furnished study1--turned over a few letters1 and then glanced up at the clock4 ,its hands pointed to within a few minutes of midnight4 ,taking up a copy of his own newspaper1 he frowned slightly1 as he saw that a certain leading article in favour of the ,jesuit settlement in the country had not appeared4 8,crowded out1 ,i suppose1 for want of space10 he said2 8,i must see that it goes in to-morrow4 ,these ,jesuits know a thing or two2 and they are not going to plank down a thousand pounds for nothing4 ,they have paid for their advertisement1 and they must have it4 ,they ought to have had it to-day4 ,lutera must warn the ,king that it will not do to offend the ,church4 ,there's a lot of loose cash lying idle in the ,vatican1--we may as well have some of it6 ,his ,majesty has acted most unwisely in refusing to grant the religious ,orders the land they want4 ,he must be persuaded to yield it to them by degrees1--in exchange of course for plenty of cash down1 without loss of dignity60 ,at that moment the door-bell rang softly1 as if it were pulled with extreme caution4 ,a servant answered it1 and at once came to his master's room4 8,a gentleman to see you1 sir1 on business10 he said4 ,jost looked up4 8,on business8 ,at this time of night8 ,say ,i cannot see him--tell him to come again to-morrow60 ,the servant withdrew1 only to return again with a more urgent statement4 8,the gentleman says he must see you1 sir2 he comes from the ,premier40 8,from the ,premier80 8,yes1 sir2 his business is urgent1 he says1 and private4 ,he sent in his card1 sir40 ,here he handed over the card in question1 a small1 unobtrusive bit of pasteboard1 laid in solitary grandeur on a very large silver salver4 ,david ,jost took it up1 and scanned it with some curiosity4 8#8,pasquin ,leroy'6 ,h'm6 ,don't know the name at all4 #8,urgent business2 bear private credentials from the ,marquis de ,lutera'60 ,he paused again1 considering1--then turned to the waiting attendant4 8,show him in404 8,yes1 sir60 ,another moment and ,pasquin ,leroy entered1--but it was an altogether different ,pasquin ,leroy to the one that had recently enrolled himself as an associate of ,sergius ,thord's ,revolutionary ,committee4 ,that particular ,pasquin had seemed somewhat of a dreamer and a visionary1 with a peculiar and striking resemblance to the ,king2 this ,pasquin ,leroy had all the alertness and sharpness common to a practised journalist1 press-reporter or commercial traveller4 ,moreover1 his countenance1 adorned with a black mustache1 and small pointed beard1 wore a cold and concentrated air of business--and he confronted the ,jew millionaire without the slightest embarrassment or apology for having broken in upon his seclusion at so unseasonable an hour4 ,he used a pince-nez1 and was constantly putting it to his eyes1 as though troubled with short-sightedness4 8,i presume your matter cannot wait1 sir10 said ,jost1 surveying him coolly1 without rising from his seat1--8but if it can--0 8,it cannot60 returned ,leroy1 bluntly4 ,jost stared4 8,so6 ,you come from the ,marquis de ,lutera80 8,i do40 8,your credentials80 ,leroy stepped close up to him1 and with a sudden movement1 which was somewhat startling1 held up his right hand4 8,this signet is1 ,i believe1 familiar to you1--and it will be enough to prove that ,i come on confidential business which cannot be trusted to writing60 ,jost gazed at the flashing sapphire on the stranger's hand with a sense of deadly apprehension4 ,he recognised the ,premier's ring well enough2 and he also knew that it would never have been sent to him in this mysterious way unless the matter in question was almost too desperate for whispering within four walls4 ,an uneasy sensation affected him2 he pulled at his collar1 looked round the room as though in search of inspiration1 and then finally bringing his small1 swine-like eyes to bear on the neat soldierly figure before him1 he said with a careless air3 8,you probably bring news for the ,press affecting the present policy80 8,that remains to be seen60 replied ,leroy imperturbably2 8,from a perfectly impartial standpoint1 ,i should imagine that the present policy may have to alter considerably60 ,jost recoiled4 8,impossible6 ,it cannot be altered60 he said roughly1--then suddenly recollecting himself1 he assumed his usual indolent equanimity1 and rising slowly1 went to a side door in the room and threw it open4 8,step in here10 he said2 8,we can talk without fear of interruption4 ,will you smoke80 8,with pleasure60 replied ,leroy1 accepting a cigar from the case ,jost extended--then glancing with a slight smile at the broad1 squat ,jewish countenance which had1 in the last couple of minutes1 lost something of its habitual redness1 he added--8,i am glad you are disposed to discuss matters with me in a friendly1 as well as in a confidential way4 ,it is possible my news may not be altogether agreeable to you2--but of course you would be more willing to suffer personally1 than to jeopardise the honour of ,ministers40 ,he uttered the last sentence more as a question than a statement4 ,jost shifted one foot against the other uneasily4 8,i am not so sure of that10 he said after a pause1 during which he had drawn himself up1 and had endeavoured to look conscientious2 8,you see ,i have the public to consider6 ,ministers may fall2 statesmen may be thrown out of office2 but the ,press is the same yesterday1 to-day1 and for ever60 8,except when a great ,editor changes his opinions10 said ,leroy tranquilly1--8,which is1 of course1 always a point of reason and conscience1 as well as of--advantage6 ,in the present case ,i think--but--shall we not enter the sanctum of which you have so obligingly opened the door8 ,we can scarcely be too private when the ,king's name is in question60 ,jost opened his furtive eyes in amazement4 8,the ,king8 ,what the devil has he to do with anything but his women and his amusements80 ,a very close observer might have seen a curious expression flicker over ,pasquin ,leroy's face at these words1--an expression half of laughter1 half of scorn1--but it was slight and evanescent1 and his reply was frigidly courteous4 8,i really cannot inform you2 but ,i am afraid his ,majesty is departing somewhat from his customary routine6 ,he is1 in fact1 taking an active1 instead of a passive part in national affairs40 8,then he must be warned off the ground60 said ,jost irritably2 8,he is a ,constitutional monarch1 and must obey the laws of the ,constitution40 8,precisely60 ,and ,leroy looked carefully at the end of his cigar2 8,but at present he appears to have an idea that the laws of the ,constitution are being tampered with by certain other kings2--for example1--the kings of finance60 ,jost muttered a half-inaudible oath4 8,come this way10 he said impatiently2--8,bad news is best soon over60 ,leroy gave a careless nod of acquiescence1--then glancing round the room1 up at the clock1 and down again to ,jost's desk1 strewn with letters and documents of every description1 he smiled a little to himself1 and followed the all-powerful editor into the smaller adjoining apartment4 ,the door closed behind them both1 and ,jost turned the key in the lock from within4 ,for a long time all was very silent4 ,jost's valet and confidential servant1 sleepy and tired1 waited in the hall to let his master's visitor out1--and hearing no sound1 ventured to look into the study now and then1--but to no purpose4 ,he knew the sanctity of that inner chamber beyond2 he knew that when the ,premier came to see the great ,jost1--as he often did1--it was in that mysterious further room that business was transacted1 and that it was as much as his place was worth to venture even to knock at the door4 ,so1 yawning heavily1 he dozed on his bench in the hall1--woke with a start and dozed again1--while the clock slowly ticked away the minutes till with a dull clang the hour struck ,one4 ,then on again went the steady and wearisome tick-tick of the pendulum1 for a quarter of an hour1 half an hour1--and three-quarters1--till the utterly fatigued valet was about to knock down a few walking-sticks and umbrellas1 and make a general noise of reminder to his master as to how the time was going1 when1 to his great relief1 he heard the inner door open at last1 and the voice of the mysterious visitor ring out in clear1 precise accents4 8,nothing will be done publicly1 of course1--unless ,parliament insists on an enquiry60 ,the speaker came towards the hall1 and the valet sprang up from his bench1 and stood ready to show the stranger out4 ,jost replied1 and his accents were thick and unsteady4 8,enquiry cannot be forced6 ,the ,marquis himself can burk any such attempt40 8,but--if the ,king should insist80 8,he would be breaking all the rules of custom and precedent10 said ,jost1--8,and he would deserve to be dethroned60 ,pasquin ,leroy laughed4 8,true6 ,good-night1 ,mr4 ,jost6 ,can ,i do anything for you in ,moscow80 ,the two men now came into the full light shed by the great lamp in the hall4 ,jost looked darkly red in the face--almost apoplectic2 ,leroy was as cool1 imperturbable and easy of manner as a practised detective or professional spy4 8,in ,moscow10 ,jost repeated--8,you are going straight to ,russia80 8,i think so40 8,i suppose you are in the secret service80 8,exactly6 ,a curious line of business1 too1 which the outside world knows very little of4 ,ah6--if the excellent people--the masses as we call them--knew what rogues had the ruling of their affairs in some countries--not in this country1 of course60 he added with a quizzical smile1--8but in some others1 not very far away1 ,i wonder how many revolutions would break out within six months6 ,good-night1 ,mr4 ,jost60 8,good-night60 responded ,jost briefly4 8,you will let me know any further developments80 8,most assuredly60 ,the servant opened the door1 and ,pasquin ,leroy slipped a gold coin worth a sovereign into his hand1 whereupon1 of course1 the worthy domestic considered him to be a #8real gentleman4' ,as soon as he had passed into the street1 and the door was shut and barred for the night1 ,jost bade his man go to bed1 a command which was gladly obeyed2 and re-entering his study1 passed all the time till the breaking of dawn in rummaging out letters and documents from various desks1 drawers and despatch-boxes1 and burning them carefully one by one in the open grate4 ,while thus employed1 he had a truly villainous aspect1--each flame he kindled with each paper seemed to show up a more unpleasing expression on his countenance1 till at last1--when such matter was destroyed as he had at present determined on1--he drew himself up and stood for a moment surveying the pile of light black ashes1 which was all that was left of about a hundred or more incriminating paper witnesses to certain matters in which he had more than a lawful interest4 8,it will be difficult now to trace my hand in the scheme60 he said to himself1 frowning heavily1 as he considered various uncomfortable contingencies arising out of his conversation with his late visitor4 8,if the thunderbolt falls1 it will crush ,carl ,prousse--not me4 ,yes6 ,it means ruin for him--ruin and disgrace--but for me--well6 ,i shall find it as easy to damn ,prousse as it has been to support him1 for he cannot involve me without adding tenfold to his own disaster6 ,i think it will be safe enough for me--possibly not so safe for the ,premier4 ,however1 ,i will write to him to-morrow1 just to let him know ,i received his messenger40 ,in the meantime1 while ,david ,jost was thus cogitating unpleasant and even dangerous possibilities1 which were perhaps on the eve of occurring to himself and certain of his associates in politics and journalism1 ,pasquin ,leroy was hurrying along the city streets under the light of a clear1 though pallid and waning moon4 ,few wanderers were abroad2 the police walked their various rounds1 and one or two miserable women passed him1 like flying ghosts in the thin air of night4 ,his mind was in a turmoil of agitation2 and the thoughts that were tossing rapidly through his brain one upon the other1 were such as he had never known before4 ,he had fathomed a depth of rascality and deception1 which but a short month ago1 he could scarcely have believed capable of existence4 ,the cruel injury and loss preparing for thousands of innocent persons through the self-interested plotting of a few men1 was almost incalculable1--and his blood burned with passionate indignation as he realized on what a verge of misery1 bloodshed1 disaster and crime the unthinking people of the country stood1 pushed to the very edge of a fall by the shameless and unscrupulous designs of a few financiers1 playing their gambling game with the public confidence1--and cheating nations as callously as they would have cheated their partners at cards4 8,thank ,god1 it is not too late60 he murmured2 8,not quite too late to save the situation6--to rescue the people from long years of undeserved taxation1 loss of trade and general distress6 ,it is a supreme task that has been given me to accomplish6--but if there is any truth and right in the laws of the ,universe1 ,i shall surely not be misjudged while accomplishing it60 ,he quickened his pace2--and to avoid going up one of the longer thoroughfares which led to the citadel and palace1 he decided to cross one of the many picturesque bridges1 arched over certain inlets from the sea1 and forming canals1 where barges and other vessels might be towed up to the very doors of the warehouses which received their cargoes4 ,but just as he was about to turn in the necessary direction1 he halted abruptly at sight of two men1 standing at the first corner in the way of his advance1 talking earnestly4 ,he recognized them at once as ,sergius ,thord and the half-inebriated poet1 ,paul ,zouche4 ,with noiseless step he moved cautiously into the broad stretch of black shadow cast by the great faade of a block of buildings which occupied half the length of the street in which he stood1 and so managing to slip into the denser darkness of a doorway1 was able to hear what they were saying4 ,the full1 mellow1 and persuasive tone of ,thord's voice had something in it of reproach4 8,you shame yourself1 ,zouche60 he said2 8,you shame me2 you shame us all6 ,man1 did ,god put a light of ,genius in your soul merely to be quenched by the cravings of a bestial body8 ,what associate are you for us8 ,how can you help us in the fulfilment of our ideal dream8 ,by day you mingle with litterateurs1 scientists1 and philosophers1--report has it that you have even managed to stumble your way into my lady's boudoir2--but by night you wander like this1--insensate1 furious1 warped in soul1 muddled in brain1 and only the heart of you alive1--the poor unsatisfied heart--hungering and crying for what itself makes impossible60 ,zouche broke into a harsh laugh4 ,turning up his head to the sky1 he thrust back his wild hair1 and showed his thin eager face and glittering eyes1 outlined cameo-like by the paling radiance of the moon4 8,well spoken1 my ,sergius60 he exclaimed4 8,you always speak well6 ,your thoughts are of flame--your speech is of gold2 the fire melts the ore6 ,and then again you have a conscience6 ,that is a strange possession6--quite useless in these days1 like the remains of the tail we had when we were all happy apes in the primeval forest1 pelting the ,megatherium or other such remarkable beasts with cocoanuts6 ,it was a much better life1 ,sergius1 believe me6 ,a ,conscience is merely a mental ,appendicitis6 ,there should be a psychical surgeon with an airy lancet to cut it out4 ,not for me6--,i was born perfect--without it60 ,he laughed again1 then with an abrupt change of manner he caught ,thord violently by the arm4 8,how can you speak of shame80 he said--8,what shame is left in either man or woman nowadays8 ,naked to the very skin of foulness1 they flaunt a nudity of vice in every public thoroughfare6 ,your sentiments1 my grand ,sergius1 are those of an old world long passed away6 ,you are a reformer1 a lover of truth--a hater of shams--and in the days when the people loved truth1--and wanted justice1--and fought for both1 you would have been great6 ,but greatness is nowadays judged as #8madness'--truth as #8want of tact'--desire for justice is #8clamour for notoriety4' ,shame8 ,there is no shame in anything1 ,sergius1 but honesty6 ,that is a disgrace to the century2 for an honest man is always poor1 and poverty is the worst of crimes40 ,he threw up his arms with a wild gesture1--8,the worst of crimes6 ,do ,i not know it60 ,thord took him gently by the shoulder4 8,you talk1 ,zouche1 as you always talk1 at random1 scarcely knowing1 and certainly not half meaning what you say4 ,there is no real reason in your rages against fate and fortune4 ,leave the accursed drink1 and you may still win the prize you covet--,fame40 8,not ,i60 said ,zouche scornfully1--8,fame in its original sense belonged also to the growing-time of the world--when1 proud of youth and the glow of life1 the full-fledged man judged himself immortal4 ,fame now is adjudged to the biped-machine who drives a motor-car best1--or to the fortunate soap-boiler who dines with a king6 ,poetry is understood to be the useful rhyme which announces the virtues of pills and boot-blacking6 ,mark you1 ,sergius6--my latest volume was #8graciously accepted by the ,king'6 ,do you know what that means80 8,no10 replied ,thord1 a trifle coldly2 8,and if it were not that ,i know your strange vagaries1 ,i should say you wronged your election as one of us1 to send any of your work to a crowned fool60 ,zouche laughed discordantly4 8,you would8 ,no1 you would not1 my ,sergius1 if you knew the spirit in which ,i sent it6 ,a spirit as wild1 as reckless1 as ranting1 as defiant as ever devil indulged in6 ,the humility of my presentation letter to his ,majesty was beautiful6 ,the reply of the flunkey-secretary was equally beautiful in smug courtesy3 #8,sir1 ,i am commanded by the ,king to thank you for the book of poems you have kindly sent for his acceptance6' ,i say again1 ,thord1 do you know what it means80 8,no2 ,i only wish that instead of talking here1 you would let me see you safely home40 8,home6 ,i have no home6 ,since she died--0 ,he paused1 and a grey shadow crossed his face like the hue of approaching sickness or death4 8,i killed her1 poor child6 ,of course you know that6 ,i neglected her1--deserted her--left her to die6 ,well6 ,she is only one more added to the list of countless women martyrs who have been tortured out of an unjust world--and now--now ,i write verses to her memory60 ,he shivered as with cold1 still clinging to ,thord's arm4 8,but ,i did not tell you what great good comes of sending a book to the ,king6 ,it means less to a writer than to a boot-maker4 ,for the boot-maker can put up a sign3 #8,special ,fitter for the ease of ,his ,majesty's ,corns'--but if a poet should say his verse is #8accepted' by a monarch1 the shrewd public take it at once to be bad verse1 and will have none of it6 ,that is the case with my book to-day60 8,why did you send it80 asked ,thord1 with grave patience4 8,your business with kings is to warn1 not to flatter60 8,just so60 cried ,zouche2 8,and if ,his ,most ,gracious and ,glorious had been pleased to look inside the volume1 he would have seen enough to startle him6 ,it was sent in hate1 my ,sergius1--not in humility1--just as the flunkey-secretary's answer was penned in derision1 aping courtesy6 ,how you look1 under this wan sky of night6 ,reproachful1 yet pitying1 as the eyes of ,buddha are your eyes1 my ,sergius6 ,you are a fine fellow--your brain is a dome decorated with glorious ideals6--and yet you are like all of us1 weak in one point1 as ,achilles in the heel4 ,one thing could turn you from man into beast--and that would be if ,lotys loved--not you--she never will love you--but another60--,thord started back as though suddenly stabbed1 and angrily shook off his companion1 who only laughed again1--a shrill1 echoing laugh in which there was a note of madness and desolation4 8,bah60 he exclaimed2 8,you are a fool after all6 ,you work for a woman as ,i did--once6 ,but mark you6--do not kill her--as ,i did--once6 ,be patient6 ,watch the light shine1 even though it does not illumine your path2 be glad that the rose blooms for itself1 if not for you6 ,it will be difficult6--meanwhile you can live on hope--a bitter fruit to eat2 but gnaw it to the last rind1 my ,sergius6 ,hope that ,lotys may melt in your fire1 as a snowflake in the sun6 ,come6 ,now take the poor poet home1--the drunken child of inspiration--take him home to his garret in the slums--the poet whose book has been accepted by the ,king60 ,pulling himself up from his semi-crouching position1 he seized ,thord's arm again more tightly1 and began to walk along unsteadily4 ,presently he paused1 smiling vacantly up at the gradually vanishing stars4 8,lotys speaks to our followers on ,saturday10 he said2 8,you know that80 ,thord bent his head in acquiescence4 8,you will be there1 of course4 ,i shall be there6 ,what a voice she has6 ,whether we believe what she says or not1 we must hear1--and hearing1 we must follow4 ,where shall we drink in the sweet ,oracle this time80 8,at the ,people's ,assembly ,rooms10 responded ,thord2 8,but remember1 ,zouche1 she does not speak till nine o'clock4 ,that means that you will be unfit to listen60 8,you think so80 responded ,zouche airily1 and leaning on ,thord he stumbled onward1 the two passing close in front of the doorway where ,pasquin ,leroy stood concealed4 8,but ,i am more ready to understand wisdom when drunk1 than when sober1 my ,sergius6 ,you do not understand4 ,i am a human eccentricity--the result of an amour between a fiend and an angel6 ,believe me6 ,i will listen to ,lotys with all my devil-saintly soul1--you will listen to her with all your loving1 longing heart--and with us two thus attentive1 the opinions of the rest of the audience will scarcely matter6 ,how the street reels6 ,how the old moon dances6 ,so did she whirl pallidly when ,antony clasped his ,egyptian ,queen1 and lost ,actium6 ,remember the fate of ,antony1 ,sergius6 ,kingdoms would have been seized and controlled by men such as you are1 long before now--if there had not always been a woman in the case--a ,cleopatra--or a ,lotys60 ,still laughing foolishly1 he reeled onwards1 ,sergius ,thord half-supporting1 half-leading him1 with grave carefulness and brotherly compassion4 ,they were soon out of sight2 and ,pasquin ,leroy1 leaving his dark hiding-place1 crossed the bridge with an alert step1 and mounted a steep street leading to the citadel4 ,from gaps between the tall leaning houses a glimpse of the sea1 silvered by the dying moonlight1 flashed now and again2 and in the silence of the night the low ripple of small waves against the breakwater could be distinctly heard4 ,a sense of holy calm impressed him as he paused a moment2 and the words of an old monkish verse came back to him from some far-off depth of memory3 ,lord ,christ1 ,i would my soul were clear as air1 ,with only ,thy pure radiance falling through6 ,he caught his breath hard--there was a smarting sense as of tears in his eyes4 8,so proudly throned1 and so unloved60 he muttered4 8,yet1--has not the misprisal and miscomprehension been merited8 ,whose is the blame8 ,not with the ,people1 who1 despite the prophet's warning1 #8still put their trust in princes'--but with the falsity and hollowness of the system6 ,sovereignty is like an old ship stuck fast in the docks1 and unfit for sailing the wide seas--crusted with barnacles of custom and prejudice1--and in every gale of wind pulling and straining at a rusty chain anchor4 ,but the spirit of ,change is in the world2 a hurrying movement that has wings of fire1 and might possibly be called ,revolution6 ,it is better that the torch should be lighted from the ,throne than from the slums60 ,he went on his way quickly1--till reaching the outer wall of the citadel1 he was challenged by a sentinel1 to whom he gave the password in a low tone4 ,the man drew back1 satisfied1 and ,leroy went on1 mounting from point to point of the cliff1 till he reached a private gate leading into the wide park-lands which skirted the ,king's palace4 ,here stood a muffled and cloaked figure evidently watching for him2 for as soon as he appeared the gate was noiselessly opened for his admittance1 and he passed in at once4 ,then he and the person who had awaited his coming1 walked together through the scented woods of pine and rhododendrons1 and talking in low and confidential voices1 slowly disappeared4 ,,chapter ,,xiv ,,the ,,king',s ,,veto ,the ,marquis de ,lutera was a heavy sleeper1 and for some time had been growing stouter than was advisable for the dignity of a ,prime ,minister4 ,he had been defeated of late years in one or two important measures2 and his colleague1 ,carl ,prousse1 had by gradual degrees succeeded in worming himself into such close connection with the rest of the members of the ,cabinet1 that he1 ,lutera1 felt himself being edged out1 not only from political #8deals1' but from the profits appertaining thereto4 ,so1 growing somewhat indifferent1 as well as disgusted at the course affairs were taking1 he had made up his mind to retire from office1 as soon as he had carried through a certain ,bill which1 in its results1 would have the effect of crippling the people of the country1 while helping on his own interests to a considerable degree4 ,at the immediate moment he had a chance of looming large on the political horizon4 ,carl ,prousse could not do anything of very great importance without him2 they were both too deeply involved together in the same schemes4 ,in point of fact1 if ,prousse could bring the ,premier to a fall1 the ,premier could do the same by ,prousse4 ,the two depended on each other2 and ,lutera1 conscious that if ,prousse gained any fresh accession of power1 it would be to his1 ,lutera's1 advantage1 was gradually preparing to gracefully resign his position in the younger and more ambitious man's favour4 ,but he was not altogether comfortable in his mind since his last interview with the ,king4 ,the ,king had shown unusual signs of self-will and obstinacy4 ,he had presumed to give a command affecting the national policy2 and1 moreover1 he had threatened1 if his command were not obeyed1 to address ,parliament himself on the subject in hand1 from the ,throne4 ,such an unaccustomed1 unconstitutional idea was very upsetting to the ,premier's mind4 ,it had cost him a sleepless night2 and when he woke to a new day's work1 he was in an extremely irritable humour4 ,he was doubtful how to act2--for to complain of the ,king would not do2 and to enlighten the members of the ,cabinet as to his ,majesty's declared determination to dispose amicably of certain difficulties with a foreign power1 which the ,ministry had fully purposed fanning up into a flame of war1 might possibly awaken a storm of dissension and discussion4 8,we all want money60 said the ,marquis gloomily1 as he rose from his tumbled bed to take his first breakfast1 and read his early morning letters--8,and to crush a small and insolent race1 whose country is rich in mineral product1 is simply the act of squeezing an orange for the necessary juice4 ,life would be lost1 of course1 but we are over-populated2 and a good war would rid the country of many scamps and vagabonds4 ,widows and orphans could be provided for by national subscriptions1 invested as the ,ministry think fit1 and paid to applicants after about twenty years' waiting60 ,he smiled sardonically4 8,the gain to ourselves would be incalculable2 new wealth1 new schemes1 new openings for commerce and speculation in every way6 ,and now the ,king sets himself up as an obstacle to progress6 ,if he were fond of money1 we could explain the whole big combine1 and offer him a share2--but with a character such as he possesses1 ,i doubt if it would work6 ,with some monarchs whom ,i could name1 it would be perfectly easy4 ,and yet1--for the three years he has been on the throne1 he has been passive enough1--asking no questions1--signing such documents as he has been told to sign1--uttering such speeches as have been written for him1--and ,i was never more shocked and taken aback in my life than yesterday morning1 when he declared he had decided to think and act for himself6 ,simply preposterous6 ,an ordinary man who presumes to think and act for himself is always a danger to the community--but a king6 ,good ,heavens6 ,we should have the old feudal system back again40 ,he sipped his coffee leisurely1 and opened a few letters2 there were none of very pressing importance4 ,he was just about to glance through the morning's newspaper1 when his man-servant entered bearing a note marked #8,private and ,immediate4' ,he recognized the handwriting of ,david ,jost4 8,anyone waiting for an answer80 he enquired4 8,no1 ,excellency40 ,the man retired4 ,the ,marquis broke the large splotchy seal bearing the coat-of-arms which ,jost affected1 but to which he had no more right than the man in the moon1 and read what seemed to him more inexplicable than the most confusing conundrum ever invented4 8,,my ,,dear ,,marquis1--,i received your confidential messenger last night1 and explained the entire situation4 ,he left for ,moscow this morning1 but will warn us of any further developments4 ,sorry matters look so grave for you4 ,should like a few minutes private chat when you can spare the time4-- 8,yours truly1 ,,david ,,jost40 ,over and over again the ,marquis read this brief note1 staring at its every word and utterly unable to understand its meaning4 8,what in the world is the fellow driving at60 he exclaimed angrily--8#8,my messenger'6 #8,explained the entire situation'6 ,the devil6 #8,left for ,moscow'6 ,upon my soul1 this is maddening60 ,and he rang the bell sharply4 8,who brought this note80 he asked1 as his servant entered4 8,mr4 ,jost's own man1 ,excellency40 8,has he gone80 8,yes1 ,excellency40 8,wait60 ,and sitting down he wrote hastily the following lines3 8,,dear ,,sir1--,your letter is inexplicable4 ,i sent no messenger to you last night4 ,if you have any explanation to offer1 ,i shall be disengaged and alone till #aa4cj this morning4 8,yours truly1--,,de ,,lutera40 ,folding1 sealing1 and addressing this1 he marked it #8,private' and gave it to his man4 8,take this yourself10 he said1 8and put it into ,mr4 ,jost's own hands4 ,trust no one to deliver it4 ,ask to see him personally1 and then give it to him4 ,you understand80 8,yes1 ,excellency40 ,his note thus despatched1 the ,marquis threw himself down in his arm-chair1 and again read ,jost's mysterious communication4 8,whatever messenger has passed himself off as coming from me1 ,jost must have been crazy to receive him without credentials10 he said4 8,there must be a mistake somewhere60 ,a vague alarm troubled him2 he was not moved by conscientious scruples1 but the idea that any of his secret moves should be #8explained' to a stranger was1 to say the least of it1 annoying1 and not conducive to the tranquillity of his mind4 ,a thousand awkward possibilities suggested themselves at once to his brain1 and as he carried a somewhat excitable disposition under his heavy and phlegmatic exterior1 he fumed and fretted himself for the next half hour into an impatience which only found vent in the prosaic and everyday performance of dressing himself4 ,ah6--if those who consider a ,prime ,minister great and exalted1 could only see him as he pulls on his trousers1 and fastens his shirt collar1 what a disillusion would be promptly effected6 ,especially if1 like the ,marquis de ,lutera1 he happened to be over-stout1 and difficult to clothe6 ,this particular example of ,premiership was an ungainly man2 his proud position could not make him handsome1 nor lend true dignity to his deportment4 ,old ,mother ,nature has a way of marking her specimens1 if we will learn to recognize the signs she sets on certain particular #8makes' of man4 ,the ,marquis de ,lutera was #8made' to be a stock-jobber1 not a statesman4 ,his bent was towards the material gain and good of himself1 more than the advantage of his country4 ,his reasoning was a slight variation of ,falstaff's logical misprisal of honour4 ,he argued2 8,if ,i am poor1 then what is it to me that others are rich8 ,if ,i am neglected1 what do ,i care that the people are prosperous8 ,let me but secure and keep those certain millions of money which shall ensure to me and my heritage a handsome endowment1 not only for my life1 but for all lives connected with mine which come after me1--and my #8patriotism' is satisfied60 ,he had just finished insinuating himself by degrees into his morning coat1 when his servant entered4 8,well60 he asked impatiently4 8,mr4 ,jost is coming round at once1 ,excellency4 ,he ordered his carriage directly he read your note40 8,he sent no answer80 8,none1 ,excellency40 8,when he arrives1 show him into the library40 8,yes1 ,excellency40 ,the ,marquis thereupon left his sleeping apartment1 and descended to the library himself4 ,the sun was streaming brilliantly into the room1 and the windows1 thrown wide open1 showed a cheerful display of lawn and flower-garden1 filled with palms and other semi-tropical shrubs1 for though the ,premier's house was in the centre of the fashionable quarter of the city1 it had the advantage of extensive and well-shaded grounds4 ,a law had been passed in the late ,king's time against the felling of trees1 it having been scientifically proved that trees in a certain quantity1 not only purify the air from disease germs affecting the human organization1 but also save the crops from many noxious insect-pests and poisonous fungi4 ,having learned the lesson at last1 that the ,almighty may be trusted to know ,his own business1 and that trees are intended for wider purposes than mere timber1 the regulations were strict concerning them4 ,no one could fell a tree on his own ground without1 first of all1 making a statement at the ,national ,office of ,aboriculture as to the causes for its removal2 and only if these causes were found satisfactory1 could a stamped permission be obtained for cutting it down or #8lifting' it to other ground4 ,the result of this sensible regulation was that in the hottest days of summer the city was kept cool and shady by the rich foliage branching out everywhere1 and in some parts running into broad avenues and groves of great thickness and beauty4 ,the ,marquis de ,lutera's garden had an additional charm in a beautiful alley of orange trees1 and the fragrance wafted into his room from the delicious blossoms would have refreshed and charmed anyone less troubled1 worried and feverish1 than he was at the time4 ,but this morning the very sunshine annoyed him2--never a great lover of ,nature1 the trees and flowers forming the outlook on which his heavy eyes rested were almost an affront4 ,the tranquil beauty of an ever renewed and renewing ,nature is always particularly offensive to an uneasy conscience and an exhausted mind4 ,the sound of wheels grinding along the outer drive brought a faint gleam of satisfaction on his brooding features1 and he turned sharply round1 as the door of the library was thrown open to admit ,jost1 whose appearance1 despite his jaunty manner1 betokened evident confusion and alarm4 8,good-morning1 ,mr4 ,jost60 said the ,marquis stiffly1 as his confidential man ushered in the visitor1--then when the servant had retired and closed the door1 he added quickly--8,now what does this mean80 ,jost dropped into a chair1 and pulling out a handkerchief wiped the perspiration from his brow4 8,i don't know60 he said helplessly2 8,i don't know what it means6 ,i have told you the truth6 ,a man came to see me late last night1 saying he was sent by you on urgent business4 ,he said you wished me to explain the position we held1 and the amount of the interests we had at stake1 as there were grave discoveries pending1 and complexities likely to ensue4 ,he gave his name--there is his card60 ,and with a semi-groan1 he threw down the bit of pasteboard in question4 ,the ,marquis snatched it up4 8#8,pasquin ,leroy'6 ,i never heard the name in my life10 he said fiercely4 8,jost1 you have been done6 ,you mean to tell me you were such a fool as to trust an entire stranger with the whole financial plan of campaign1 and that you were credulous enough to believe that he came from me--me--,de ,lutera1--without any credentials80 8,credentials60 exclaimed ,jost2 8,do you suppose ,i would have received him at all had credentials been lacking8 ,not ,i6 ,he brought me the most sure and confidential sign of your trust that could be produced--your own signet-ring60 ,the ,marquis staggered back1 as though ,jost's words had been so many direct blows on the chest1--his countenance turned a livid white4 8,my signet-ring60 he repeated1--and almost unconsciously he looked at the hand from which the great jewel was missing2 8,my signet60--,then he forced a smile--8,jost1 ,i repeat1 you have been done6--doubly fooled6--no one could possibly have obtained my signet1--for at this very moment it is on the hand of the ,king60 ,jost rose slowly out of his chair1 his eyes protruding out of his head1 his jaw almost dropping in the extremity of his amazement4 8,the ,king60--he gasped--8,the ,king60 8,yes1 man1 the ,king60 repeated ,de ,lutera impatiently1--8,only yesterday morning his ,majesty1 having mislaid his own ring for the moment1 borrowed mine just before starting on his yachting cruise4 ,how you stare6 ,you have been fooled6--that is perfectly plain and evident60 8,the ,king60 repeated ,jost stupidly--8,then the man who came to me last night--0 ,he broke off1 unable to find any words for the expression of the thoughts which began to terrify him4 8,well6--the man who came to you last night10 echoed the ,marquis1--8,he was not the ,king1 ,i suppose1 was he80 ,and he laughed derisively4 8,no--he was not the ,king10 said ,jost slowly2 8,i know him well enough6 ,but it might have been someone in the ,king's service6 ,for he knew1 or said he knew1 the ,king's intentions in a certain matter affecting both you and ,carl ,prousse1--and in a more distant way1 myself--and warned me of a coming change in the policy4 ,ah6--it is now your turn to stare1 ,marquis6 ,you had best be on your guard1 for if the person who came to me last night was not your messenger1 he was the ,king's spy6 ,and1 in that case1 we are lost60 ,the ,marquis paced the room with long uneven strides1--his mind was greatly agitated1 but he had no wish to show his perturbation too openly to one whom he considered as a mere tool in his service4 8,i know10 went on ,jost emphatically1 8that the ring he wore was yours6 ,i noticed it particularly while ,i was talking to him4 ,it would take a long time and exceptional skill to make any imitation of that sapphire4 ,there is no doubt that it was your signet60 ,the ,premier halted suddenly in his nervous walk4 8,you told him the whole scheme1 you say80 8,i did40 8,and his reply80 8,was1 that the ,king had discovered it1 and proposed insisting on an enquiry40 8,and then80 8,well6 ,then he warned me to look out for myself1--as anyone connected with ,carl ,prousse's financial deal would inevitably be ruined during the next few weeks40 8,who is going to work the ruin80 asked the ,marquis with a sneer2 8,do you not know that if the ,king dared to give an opinion on a national crisis1 he would be dethroned80 8,there are the ,people--0 began ,jost4 8,the ,people6 ,human emmets--born for crushing under the heel of power6 ,a couple of #8leaders' in your paper1 ,jost1 can guide the fool-mob any way60 8,that depends60 said ,jost hesitatingly2 8,if what the fellow said last night be true--0 8,it is not true60 said the ,premier authoritatively4 8,we are going on in precisely the same course as originally arranged4 ,neither ,king nor ,people can interfere6 ,go home1 and write an article about love of country1 ,jost6 ,you look in the humour for it60 ,the ,jew's expression was anything but amiable4 8,what is to be done about last night80 he asked sullenly4 8,nothing at present4 ,i am going to the palace at two o'clock--,i shall see the ,king1 and find out whether my signet is lost1 stolen or strayed4 ,meanwhile1 keep your own counsel6 ,if you have been betrayed into giving your confidence to a spy in the foreign service1 as ,i imagine--7for the ,king has never employed a spy1 and is not likely to do so71 and he makes known his information1 it can be officially denied4 ,the official denial of a ,government1 ,jost1 like charity1 has before now covered a multitude of sins60 ,an instinctive disinclination for further conversation brought the interview between them abruptly to a close1 and ,jost1 full of a suspicious alarm1 which he was ashamed to confess1 drove off to his newspaper offices4 ,the ,premier1 meantime1 though harassed by secret anxiety1 managed to display his usual frigid equanimity1 when1 after ,jost's departure1 his private secretary arrived at the customary time1 to transact under his orders the correspondence and business of the day4 ,this secretary1 ,eugne ,silvano by name1 was a quiet self-contained young man1 highly ambitious1 and keenly interested in the political situation1 and1 though in the ,premier's service1 not altogether of his way of thinking4 ,he called the ,marquis's attention now to a letter that had missed careful reading on the previous day4 ,it was from the ,vicar-,general of the ,society of ,jesus1 expressing surprise and indignation that the ,king should have refused the ,society's request for such land as was required to be devoted to religious and educational purposes1 and begging that the ,premier would exert his influence with the monarch to persuade him to withdraw or mitigate his refusal4 8,i can do nothing20 said the ,marquis irritably1--8the lands they want belong to the ,crown4 ,the ,king can dispose of them as he thinks best40 ,the secretary set the letter aside4 8,shall ,i reply to that effect80 he enquired4 ,the ,marquis nodded4 8,i know10 said ,silvano presently with a slight hesitation1 8that you never pay any attention to anonymous communications4 ,otherwise1 there is one here which might merit consideration40 8,what does it concern80 8,a revolutionary meeting10 replied ,silvano1 8where it appears the woman1 ,lotys1 is to speak40 ,the ,premier shrugged his shoulders and smiled4 8,you must enlighten me6 ,who is the woman ,lotys80 8,ah1 that no one exactly knows60 replied the secretary4 8,a strange character1 without doubt1 but--0 ,he paused and spoke more emphatically--8,she has power60 ,lutera gave a gesture of irritation4 8,bah6 ,over whom does she exercise it4 ,over one man or many80 8,over one half the population at least10 responded ,silvano1 quietly1 turning over a few papers without looking up4 ,the ,marquis stared at him1 slightly amused4 8,have you taken statistics of the lady's followers10 he asked2 8,are you one of them yourself80 ,silvano raised his eyes1--clear dark eyes1 deep-set and steady in their glance4 8,were ,i so1 ,i should not be here20 he replied--8,but ,i know how she speaks2 ,i know what she does6 and from a purely political point of view ,i think it unwise to ignore her40 8,what is this anonymous communication you speak of80 asked the ,premier1 after a pause4 8,oh1 it is brief enough10 answered ,silvano unfolding a paper1 and he read aloud3 8,to the ,marquis de ,lutera1 ,premier4 8,satisfy yourself that those who meet on ,saturday night where ,lotys speaks1 have already decided on your downfall60 8,oracular60 said the ,marquis carelessly2--8,to decide is one thing--to fulfil the decision is another6 ,lotys1 whoever she may be1 can preach to her heart's content1 for all ,i care6 ,i am rather surprised1 ,silvano1 that a man of your penetration and intelligence should attach any importance to revolutionary meetings1 which are always going on more or less in every city under the sun4 ,why1 it was but the other day1 the police were sent to disperse a crowd which had gathered round the fanatic1 ,sergius ,thord2 only the people had sufficient sense to disperse themselves4 ,a street-preacher or woman ranter is like a cheap-jack or a dispenser of quack medicines2--the mob gathers to such persons out of curiosity1 not conviction40 ,the secretary made no reply1 and went on with other matters awaiting his attention4 ,at a few minutes before two o'clock the ,marquis entered his carriage1 and was driven to the palace4 ,there he learned that the ,king was receiving1 more or less unofficially1 certain foreign ambassadors and noblemen of repute in the ,throne-room4 ,a fine band was playing military music in the great open quadrangle in front of the palace1 where pillars of rose-marble1 straight as the stems of pine-trees1 held up fabulous heraldic griffins1 clasping between their paws the country's shield4 ,flags were flying1--fountains flashing1--gay costumes gleamed here and there1--and the atmosphere was full of brilliancy and gaiety1--yet the ,marquis1 on his way to the audience-chamber1 was rendered uncomfortably aware of one of those mysterious impressions which are sometimes conveyed to us1 we know not how1 but which tend to prepare us for surprise and disappointment4 ,some extra fibre of sensitiveness in his nervous organization was acutely touched1 for he actually fancied he saw slighting and indifferent looks on the faces of the various flunkeys and retainers who bowed him along the different passages1 or ushered him up the state stairway1 when--as a matter of fact1--all was precisely the same as usual1 and it was only his own conscience that gave imaginary hints of change4 ,arrived at the ante-chamber to the ,throne-room1 he was surprised to find ,prince ,humphry there1 talking animatedly to the ,king's physician1 ,professor ,von ,glauben4 ,the ,prince seemed unusually excited2 his face was flushed1 and his eyes extraordinarily brilliant1 and as he saw the ,premier1 he came forward1 extending his hand1 and almost preventing ,lutera's profound bow and deferential salutation4 8,have you business with the ,king1 ,marquis80 enquired the young man with a light laugh4 8,if you have1 you must do as ,i am doing1--wait his ,majesty's pleasure60 ,the ,premier lifted his eyebrows1 smiled deprecatingly1 and murmuring something about pressure of ,state affairs1 shook hands with ,von ,glauben1 whose countenance1 as usual1 presented an impenetrable mask to his thoughts4 8,it is rather a new experience for me10 continued the ,prince1 8to be treated as a kind of petitioner on the ,king's favour1 and kept in attendance1--but no matter6--novelty is always pleasing6 ,i have been cooling my heels here for more than an hour4 ,von ,glauben1 too1 has been waiting2--contrary to custom1 he has not even been permitted to enquire after his ,majesty's health this morning60 ,lutera maintained his former expression of polite surprise1 but said nothing4 ,instinct warned him to be sparing of words lest he should betray his own private anxiety4 ,the ,prince went on carelessly4 8,majesty takes humours like other men1 and must1 more than other men1 ,i suppose1 be humoured6 ,yet there is to my mind something unnatural in a system which causes several human beings to be dependent on another's caprice60 8,you will not say so1 ,sir1 when you yourself are ,king10 observed the ,marquis4 8,long distant be the day60 returned the ,prince4 8,indeed1 ,i hope it may never be6 ,i would rather be the simplest peasant ploughing the fields1 and happy in my own way1 than suffer the penalties and pains surrounding the possession of a ,throne60 8,only10 put in ,von ,glauben sententiously1 8you would have to take into consideration1 ,sir1 whether the peasant ploughing the fields is happy in his own way4 ,i have made #8the peasant ploughing the fields' a special form of study1--and ,i have always found him a remarkably discontented1 often ill-fed--and therefore unhealthy individual40 8,we are all discontented1 if it comes to that60 said ,prince ,humphry with a light laugh1--8,except myself6 ,i am perfectly contented60 8,you have reason to be1 ,sir10 said ,lutera1 bowing low4 8,you are quite right1 ,marquis6--,i have6 ,more reason than perhaps you are aware of60 ,his eyes lightened and flashed2 he looked unusually handsome1 and the ,premier's shifty glance rested on him for a moment with a certain curiosity4 ,but he had not been accustomed to pay very much attention to the words or actions of the ,heir-,apparent1 considering him to be a very #8ordinary' young man1 without either the brilliancy or the ambition which should mark him out as worthy of his exalted station4 ,and before any further conversation could take place1 ,sir ,roger de ,launay entered the room and announced to the ,marquis that the ,king was ready to receive him4 ,prince ,humphry turning sharply round1 faced the equerry4 8,i am still to wait80 he enquired1 with a slight touch of hauteur4 ,sir ,roger bowed respectfully4 8,your instant desire to see the ,king1 your father1 ,sir1 was communicated to his ,majesty at once10 he replied4 8,the present delay is by his ,majesty's own orders4 ,i much regret----0 8,regret nothing1 my dear ,sir ,roger10 he said4 8,my patience does not easily tire6 ,marquis1 ,i trust your business will not take long80 8,i shall endeavour to make it as brief as possible1 ,sir10 replied the ,premier deferentially as he withdrew4 ,it was with a certain uneasiness1 however1 in his mind that he followed ,sir ,roger to the ,throne-room4 ,there was no possibility of exchanging so much as a word with the equerry2 besides1 ,de ,launay was not a talking man4 ,passing between the lines of attendants1 pages1 lords-in-waiting and others1 he was conscious of a certain loss of his usual self-possession as he found himself at last in the presence of the ,king1--who1 attired in brilliant uniform1 was conversing graciously and familiarly with a select group of distinguished individuals whose costume betokened them as envoys or visitors from foreign courts in the diplomatic service4 ,perceiving the ,premier1 however1 he paused in his conversation1 and standing quite still awaited his approach4 ,then he extended his hand1 with his usual kindly condescension4 ,instinctively ,lutera's eyes searched that hand1 with the expression of a guilty soul searching for a witness to its innocence4 ,there shone the great sapphire--his own signet--and to his excited fancy its blue glimmer emitted a witch-like glow of menace4 ,meanwhile the ,king was speaking4 8,you are just a few minutes late1 ,marquis60 he said2 8,had you come a little earlier1 you would have met ,m4 ,prousse1 who has matters of import to discuss with you40 ,here he moved aside from those immediately in hearing4 8,it is perhaps as well you should know ,i have #8vetoed' his war propositions4 ,it will rest now with you1 to call a ,council to-morrow1--the next day1--or1--when you please60 ,completely taken aback1 the ,premier was silent for a moment1 biting his lips to keep down the torrent of rage and disappointment that threatened to break out in violent and unguarded speech4 8,sir6--,your ,majesty6 ,pardon me1 but surely you cannot fail to understand that in a ,constitution like ours1 the course decided upon by ,ministers cannot be vetoed by the ,king80 ,the monarch smiled gravely4 8#8,cannot' is a weak word1 ,marquis6 ,i do not include it in my vocabulary6 ,i fully grant you that a plan of campaign decided upon by ,ministers as you say1 has not been #8vetoed' by a reigning sovereign for at least a couple of centuries1--and the custom has naturally fallen into desuetude1--but if it should be found at any time1--7,i do not say it has been found7 that ,ministers are engaged in a seriously mistaken policy1 and are being misled by the doubtful propositions of private financial speculators1 so much as to consider their own advantage more important and valuable than the prosperity of a country or the good of a people1--then a king who does not veto the same is a worse criminal than those he tacitly supports and encourages60 ,lutera turned a deadly white1--his eyes fell before the clear1 straight gaze of his ,sovereign1--but he said not a word4 8,a king's #8veto' has before now brought about a king's dethronement10 went on the monarch2 8,should it do so in my case1 ,i shall not greatly care1--but if things trend that way1 ,i shall lay my thoughts openly before the ,people for their judgment4 ,they seldom or never hear the ,sovereign whom they pay to keep1 speak to them on a matter gravely affecting their national destinies1--but they shall hear me1--if necessary60 ,the ,marquis moistened his dry lips1 and essayed to pronounce a few words4 8,your ,majesty will run considerable risk----0 8,of being judged as something more than a mere dummy10 said the ,king--8,or a fool set on a throne to be fooled6 ,true6 ,but the risk can only involve life1--and life is immaterial when weighed in the balance against ,honour4 ,by the way1 ,marquis1 permit me to return to you this valuable gem02--,here drawing off the ,premier's sapphire signet1 he handed it to him--8,almost ,i envy it6 ,it is a fine stone6--and worthy of its high service60 8,your ,majesty has increased its value by wearing it10 said ,lutera1 recovering a little of his strayed equanimity in his determination to probe to the bottom of the mystery which perplexed his mind4 8,may ,i ask----0 8,anything in reason1 my dear ,marquis10 returned the ,king lightly1 and smiling as he spoke4 8,a thousand questions if you like60 8,one will suffice10 answered the ,premier4 8,i had an unpleasant dream last night about this very ring----0 8,ah60 ejaculated the ,king2 8,did you dream that ,i had dropped it in the sea on my way to ,the ,islands yesterday80 ,he spoke jestingly1 yet with a kindly air1 and ,lutera gained courage to look boldly up and straight into his eyes4 8,i did not dream that you had lost it1 ,sir10 he answered--8but that it had been stolen from your hand1 and used by a spy for unlawful purposes60 ,a strange expression crossed the ,king's face1--a look of inward illumination2 he smiled1 but there was a quiver of strong feeling under the smile4 ,advancing a step1 he laid his hand with a light1 half-warning pressure on the ,premier's shoulder4 8,dreams always go by contraries1 ,marquis60 he said2--8,i assure you1 on my honour as a king and a gentleman1 that from the moment you lent it to me1 till now1--when ,i return it to you1--that ring has never left my finger60 ,,chapter ,,xv 8,,morganatic0 ,,or--8 ,the ,royal #8at home' was soon over4 ,many of those who had the felicity of breathing in the ,king's presence that afternoon remarked upon his ,majesty's evident good health and high spirits1 while others as freely commented on the unapproachableness and irritability of the ,marquis de ,lutera4 ,sir ,walter ,langton1 the great ,english traveller1 who was taking his leave of the ,sovereign that day1 being bound on an expedition to the innermost recesses of ,africa1 was not altogether agreeably impressed by the ,premier1 whom he met on this occasion for the first and only time4 ,they had begun their acquaintance by talking generalities1--but drifted by degrees into the dangerous circle of politics1 and were skirting round the edge of various critical questions of the day1 when the ,marquis said abruptly3 8,an autocracy would not flourish in your country1 ,i presume1 ,sir ,walter8 ,the ,british people have been too long accustomed to sing that they #8never1 never will be slaves4' ,your ,government is really more or less of a ,republic40 8,all ,governments are so in these days1 ,i imagine10 replied ,langton4 8,autocracy on the part of a monarch is nowhere endured1 save in ,russia1--and what is ,russia8 ,a huge volcano1 smouldering with fire1 and ever threatening to break out in flame and engulf the ,throne6 ,monarchs were not always wisdom personified in olden times1--and ,i venture to consider them nowadays less wise and more careless than ever4 ,only a return to almost barbaric ignorance and superstition would tolerate any complete monarchical authority in these present times of progress4 ,it is only the long serfdom of ,russia that hinders the triumph of ,liberty there1 as elsewhere40 ,the ,marquis listened eagerly1 and with evident satisfaction4 8,i agree with you60 he said4 8,you consider1 then1 that in no country1 under any circumstances1 could the people be expected to obey their monarch blindly80 8,certainly not6 ,even ,rome1 with its visible spiritual ,head and ,sovereign1 has no real power4 ,it imagines it has2 but let it make any decided step to ensnare the liberties of the people at large1 and the result would be somewhat astonishing6 ,personally--0 and he smiled gravely--8,i have often thought that my own country would be very much benefited by a couple of years existence under an autocrat--an autocrat like ,cromwell1 for example4 ,a man strong and fierce1 intelligent and candid1--who would expose shams and destroy abuses1--who would have no mercy on either religious1 social1 or political fraud1 and who would perform the part of the necessary hard broom for sweeping the ,national house4 ,but1 unfortunately1 we have no such man4 ,you have1--in your ,sergius ,thord60 ,the ,premier heard this name with unconcealed amazement4 8,sergius ,thord6 ,why he is a mere fanatic----0 8,pardon me60 interrupted ,sir ,walter1--8so was ,cromwell60 8,but1 my dear sir60 remonstrated the ,marquis smilingly1--8,is it possible that you really consider ,sergius ,thord any sort of an influence in this country8 ,if you do1 ,i assure you you are greatly mistaken60 8,i think not10 responded ,sir ,walter quietly2 8,with every respect for you1 ,marquis1 ,i believe ,i am not mistaken6 ,books written by ,sergius ,thord are circulating in their thousands all over the world--his speeches are reported not only here1 but in journals which probably you never hear of1 in far-off countries1--in short1 his propaganda is simply enormous4 ,he is a kind of new ,rousseau1 without1--so far as ,i can learn1--,rousseau's private vices4 ,he is a man ,i much wished to see during my stay here1 but ,i have not had the opportunity of finding him out4 ,he is an undoubted genius1--but ,i need not remind you1 ,marquis1 that a man is never a prophet in his own country6 ,the world's #8celebrity' is always eyed with more or less suspicion as a strange sort of rogue or vagabond in his own native town or village60 ,at that moment1 the ,king1 having concluded a conversation with certain of his guests1 who were thereupon leaving the ,throne-room1 approached them4 ,he had not spoken a word to the ,premier since returning him his signet-ring1 but now he said3 8,marquis1 ,i was almost forgetting a special request ,i have to make of you60 8,a request from you is a command1 ,sir60 replied ,lutera with hypocritical deference and something of a covert sneer1 which did not escape the quick observation of ,sir ,walter ,langton4 8,in certain cases it should be so10 returned the ,king tranquilly2 8,and in this you will probably make it so6 ,i have received a volume of poems by one ,paul ,zouche4 ,his genius appears to me deserving of encouragement4 ,a grant of a hundred golden pieces a year will not be too much for his hundred best poems4 ,will you see to this80 ,the ,marquis bowed4 8,i have never heard of the man in question10 he replied hesitatingly4 8,probably not10 returned the ,king smiling2--8,how often do ,premiers read poetry1 or notice poets8 ,scarcely ever1 if we may credit history6 ,but in this case----0 8,i will make myself immediately acquainted with ,paul ,zouche1 and inform him of your ,majesty's gracious intention10 the ,marquis hastened to say4 8,it is quite possible he may refuse the grant10 continued the ,king2 8,sometimes--though seldom--poets are prouder than ,prime ,ministers60 ,with a brief nod of dismissal he turned away1 inviting ,sir ,walter ,langton to accompany him1 and there was nothing more for the ,marquis to do1 save to return even as he had come1 with two pieces of information puzzling his brain1--one1 that the ,king's #8veto' had stopped a declaration of war1--unless1--which was a very remote contingency1--he and his party could persuade the people to go against the ,king1--the other1 that some clever spy1 with the assistance of a fraudulent imitation of his signet-ring1 had become aware of the financial interests involved in a private speculation depending on the intended war1 which included himself1 ,carl ,prousse1 and two or three other members of the ,ministry4 ,and1 out of these two facts might possibly arise a whole train of misfortune1 ruin and disgrace to those concerned4 ,it was considerably past three o'clock in the afternoon when the ,king1 retiring to his own private cabinet1 desired ,sir ,roger de ,launay to inform ,prince ,humphry that he was now prepared to receive him4 ,sir ,roger hesitated a moment before going to fulfil the command4 ,the ,king looked at him with an indulgent smile4 8,things are moving too quickly1 you think1 ,roger80 he queried4 8,upon my soul1 ,i am beginning to find a new zest in life6 ,i feel some twenty years younger since ,i saw the face of the beautiful ,gloria yesterday6 ,we must promote her sailor husband1 and bring his pearl of the sea to our ,court60 8,it was on this very subject1 ,sir1 that ,von ,glauben wished to see your ,majesty the first thing this morning10 said ,sir ,roger2--8,but you refused him so early an audience4 ,yet you will remember that yesterday you told him you wished for an explanation of his acquaintance with this girl4 ,he was ready and prepared to give it1 but was prevented1--not only by your refusal to see him1--but also by the ,prince40 ,drawing up a chair to the open window1 the ,king seated himself deliberately1 and lit a cigar4 8,presumably the ,prince knows more than the ,professor60 he said calmly2 8,we will hear both1 and give ,royalty the precedence6 ,tell ,prince ,humphry ,i am waiting for him40 ,sir ,roger withdrew1 and in another two or three minutes returned1 throwing open the door and ushering in the ,prince1 who entered with a quick step1 and brief1 somewhat haughty salutation4 ,puffing leisurely at his cigar1 the ,king glanced his son up and down smilingly1 but said not a word4 ,the ,prince stood waiting for his father to speak1 till at last1 growing impatient and waiving ceremony1 he began4 8,i came1 ,sir1 to spare ,von ,glauben your reproaches1--which he does not merit4 ,you accused him yesterday1 he tells me1 of betraying your trust2 he has neither betrayed your trust nor mine6 ,i alone am to blame in this matter60 8,in what matter80 enquired the ,king quietly4 ,prince ,humphry coloured deeply1 and then grew pale4 ,there was a ray of defiance in the light of his fine eyes1 but the tumult within his soul showed itself only in an added composure of his features4 8,you wish me to speak plainly1 ,i suppose10 he said2--8though you know already what ,i mean4 ,i repeat1--,i1 and ,i alone1 am to blame1--for--for anything that seemed strange to you yesterday1 when you met ,von ,glauben at ,the ,islands40 ,the ,king's serious face lightened with a gleam of laughter4 8,nothing seemed very strange to me1 ,humphry10 he said1 8except the one fact that ,i found ,von ,glauben1--whom ,i supposed to be studying scientific problems1--engaged in studying a woman instead6 ,a very beautiful woman1 too1 who ought to be something better than a sailor's wife4 ,and ,i do not understand1 as yet1 what he has to do with her1 unless--0 ,here he paused and went on more slowly--8,unless he is1 as ,i suspect1 acting for you in some way1 and trying to tempt the fair creature with the prospect of a prince's admiration while the sailor husband is out of the way6 ,remember1 ,i know nothing--,i merely hazard a guess4 ,you are an habitu of ,the ,islands2--though ,i learned1 on enquiry of the interesting old gentleman who was good enough to be my host1 ,rn ,ronsard1 that nobody had ever seen you there4 ,they had only seen your yacht constantly cruising about the bay4 ,this struck me as curious1 ,i must confess4 ,some of your men were well known1--particularly one1--the husband of the pretty girl ,i saw4 ,her name1 it seems1 is ,gloria1--and ,i must admit that it entirely suits her4 ,i can hardly imagine that if you have visited ,the ,islands as often as you seem to have done1 you can have escaped seeing her4 ,she is too beautiful to remain unknown to you--particularly if her husband is1 as they tell me1 in your service4 ,i asked her to give me his name1 but she refused it point-blank4 ,i do not wish to accuse you of an amour1 which you are perhaps quite innocent of--but certain things taken in their conjunction look suspicious1--and ,i would remind you that honour in princes1--as in all men1--should come before self-indulgence40 8,i entirely agree with you1 ,sir60 said the ,prince1 composedly2 8,and in the present case honour has been my first thought1 as it will be my last4 ,gloria is my wife60 8,your wife60 ,the ,king rose1 his tall figure looking taller1 his eyes sparkling with anger from under their deep-set brows4 8,your wife6 ,are you mad1 ,humphry6 ,you6----the ,heir-,apparent to the ,throne6 ,you have married her60 8,i have60 replied the ,prince1 and the words now came coursing rapidly from his lips in his excitement--8,i love her6 ,i love her with all my heart and soul6--and ,i have given her the only shield and safeguard love in this world can give6 ,i have married her in my own name--the name of our family1--which neither she nor any of the humble folk out yonder have ever heard--but she is wedded to me as fast as ,church and ,law can make it1--and there is only one wrong connected with my vows to her--she does not know who ,i am4 ,i have deceived her there1--but in nothing else4 ,had ,i told her of my rank1 she would never have married me4 ,but now she is mine1--and for her sake ,i am willing to resign all pretension to the ,throne in favour of my brother ,rupert4 ,let it be so1 ,i implore you6 ,let me live my own life of love and liberty in my own way60 ,rigid as a statue the ,king stood1--his lips were set hard and his eyes lowered4 ,long buried thoughts rose up from the innermost recesses of his being1 and rushed upon his brain in a deluge of remembrance and regret4 ,what6--after all these years1 had the ghost of his first love1 the little self-slain maiden of his boyhood's dream1 risen to avenge herself in the life of his son8 ,the strangeness of the comparison between himself as he was now1 and the eager passionate youth he was then1 smote him with a sense of sharp pain4 ,away in those far-off days he had believed in love as the chief glory of existence2 he had considered it as the poets would have us consider it1--a saving1 binding1 holding and immortal influence1 which leads to all pure and holy things1 even unto ,god ,himself1 the ,highest and ,holiest of all4 ,when he lost that belief1 how great was his loss6--when he ceased to experience that pure idealistic emotion1 how bitter became the monotony of living6 ,rapidly the stream of memory swept over his innermost soul and shook his nerves1 and it was only through a strong effort of self-repression that at last1 lifting up his eyes he fixed them on the flushed face of his son1 and said in measured tones4 8,this is a very unexpected and very unhappy confession of yours1 ,humphry6 ,you have acted most unwisely6--you have been disloyal to me1 who am not only your father1 but your ,king6 ,you have proved yourself unworthy of the nation's trust1--and you have deceived1 more cruelly than you think1 an innocent and too-confiding girl4 ,i shall not dispute the legality of your marriage2--that would not be worth my while4 ,you have no doubt taken every step to make it as binding as possible2--however1 that is but a trifling matter in your case4 ,you know that such a marriage is1 and can only be morganatic2--and as the immediate consequence of your amazing folly1 a suitable ,royal alliance must be arranged for you at once4 ,the nuptials can be celebrated with the attainment of your majority next year40 ,he spoke coldly and calmly1 but his heart was beating with mingled wrath and pain1 and even while he thus pronounced her doom1 the exquisite face of ,gloria floated before him like the vision of a perfect innocence ruined and betrayed4 ,he realised that he possibly had an unusual character to reckon with in her1--and he had lately become fully aware that there was as much determination and latent force in the disposition of his son1 as in the mother who had given him birth4 ,pale and composed1 the young ,prince heard him in absolute silence1 and when he had finished1 still waited a moment1 lest any further word should fall from the lips of his parent and ,sovereign4 ,then he spoke in quite as measured1 cold and tranquil a manner as the ,king had done4 8,i need not remind you1 ,sir1 that the days of tyranny are over4 ,you cannot force me into bigamy against my will60 ,his father uttered a quick oath4 8,bigamy6 ,who talks of bigamy80 8,you do1 ,sir6 ,i have married a beautiful and innocent woman1--she is my lawful wife in the sight of ,god and man2 yet you coolly propose to give me a second wife under the #8morganatic' law1 which1 as ,i view it1 is merely a ,royal excuse for bigamy6 ,now ,i have no wish to excuse myself for marrying ,gloria1--,i consider she has honoured me far more than ,i have honoured her4 ,she has given me all her youth1 her life1 her love1 her beauty and her trust1 and whatever ,i am worth in this world shall be hers and hers only4 ,i am quite prepared0--and he smiled somewhat sarcastically1--8to make it a test case1 and appeal to the law of the realm4 ,if that law tolerates a crime in princes1 which it would punish in commoners1 then ,i shall ask the ,people to judge me60 8,indeed60 ,and the ,king surveyed him with a touch of ironical amusement and vague admiration for his audacity4 8,and suppose the people fail to appreciate the romance of the situation80 8,then ,i shall resign my nationality20 said the young man coolly2 8,because a country that legalises a wrong done to the innocent1 is not worth belonging to6 ,concerning the ,throne1--as ,i told you before--,i am ready to abandon it at once4 ,i would rather lose all the kingdoms of the world than lose ,gloria60 ,there was a pause1 during which the ,king took two or three slow paces up and down the room4 ,at last he turned and faced his son2 his eyes were softer--his look more kindly4 8,you are very much in love just now1 ,humphry60 he said2 8,and ,i do not wish to be too hard on you in this matter1 for there can be no question as to the extraordinary beauty of the girl you call your wife----0 8,the girl who is my wife10 interrupted the ,prince decisively4 8,very well2 so let it be60 said his father calmly2 8,the girl who is your wife--for the present6 ,i will give you time--plenty of time--to consider the position reasonably60 8,i have already considered it10 he declared4 8,no doubt6 ,you think you have considered it4 ,but if you do not want to meditate any further upon your marriage problem1 you must allow me the leisure to do so1 as one who has seen more of life than you1--as one who takes things philosophically--and also--as one who was young--once2--who loved--once2--and who had his own private dreams of happiness--once60 ,he rested a hand on his son's shoulder1 and looked him full and fairly in the eyes4 8,let me advise you1 ,humphry1 to go abroad6 ,travel round the world for a year60 ,the ,prince was silent1--but his eyes did not flinch from his father's steady gaze4 ,he seemed to be thinking rapidly2 but his thoughts were not betrayed by any movement or expression that could denote anxiety4 ,he was alert1 calm1 and perfectly self-possessed4 8,i have no objection10 he said at last2 8,a year is soon past60 8,it is10 agreed the ,king1 with a sense of relief at his ready assent2 8,but by the end of that time----0 8,things will be precisely as they are now10 said the ,prince tranquilly2 8,gloria will still be my wife1 and ,i shall still be her husband60 ,the ,king gave a gesture of annoyance4 8,whatever the result10 he said1 8she cannot1 and will not be ,crown ,princess60 8,she will not envy that destiny in my brother ,rupert's wife10 said ,prince ,humphry quietly2 8,nor shall ,i envy my brother ,rupert60 8,you talk like a fool1 ,humphry60 said the ,king impatiently2 8,you cannot resign your ,heir-,apparency to the ,throne1 without giving a reason2--and so making known your marriage40 8,that is precisely what ,i wish to do10 returned the young man4 8,i have no intention of keeping my marriage secret4 ,i am proud of it6 ,gloria is mine--the joy of my soul--the very pulse of my life6 ,why should ,i hide my heart's light under a cloud80 ,his voice vibrated with tender feeling1--his handsome features were softened into finer beauty by the passion which invigorated him1 and his father looking at him1 thought for a moment that so might the young gods of the fabled ,parnassus have appeared in the height of their symbolic power and charm4 ,his own eyes grew melancholy1 as he studied this vigorous incarnation of ardent love and passionate resolve2 and a slight sigh escaped him unconsciously4 8,you forget60 he said slowly1 8you have1 up to the present deceived the girl4 ,she does not know who you are4 ,when she hears that you have played a part1--that you are no sailor in the service of the ,crown ,prince1 as you have apparently represented yourself to be1 but the ,crown ,prince himself1 what will she say to you8 ,perhaps she will hate you for the deception1 as much as she now loves you60 ,a shadow darkened the young ,prince's open countenance1 but it soon passed away4 8,she will never hate me60 he said1--8,for when ,i do tell her the truth1 it will be when ,i have resigned all the ridiculous pomp and circumstance of my position for her sake----0 8,perhaps she will not let you resign it60 said the ,king2 8,she may be as unselfish as she is beautiful60 ,there was a slight1 very slight note of derision in his voice1 and the ,prince caught it up at once4 8,you wrong yourself1 ,sir1 more than you wrong my wife by any lurking misjudgment of her10 he said1 with singularly masterful and expressive dignity4 8,as her husband1 and the guardian of her honour1 ,i also claim her obedience4 ,what ,i desire is her law60 ,the ,king laughed a little forcedly4 8,evidently you have found the miracle of the ages1 ,humphry60 he said2 8,a woman who obeys her master6 ,well6 ,let us talk no more of it4 ,you have been guilty of an egregious folly1--but nothing can make your marriage otherwise than morganatic4 ,and when the ,state considers a ,royal alliance for you advisable1 you will be compelled to obey the country's wish1--or else resign the ,throne40 8,i shall obey the country's wish most decidedly10 said the ,prince1 8unless it asks me to commit bigamy1--as you suggest1--in which case ,i shall decline6 ,three or four ,royal sinners of this class ,i know of1 who for all their pains have not succeeded in winning the attachment of their people1 either for themselves or their heirs4 ,their people know what they are1 well enough1 and despise their fraudulent position as heartily as ,i do6 ,i am perfectly convinced that if it were put to the vote of the country1 no people in the world would wish their future monarch to be a bigamist60 8,how you stick to a word and a phrase60 exclaimed the ,king irritably2 8,the morganatic rule does away with the very idea of bigamy60 8,how do you prove it1 ,sir80 queried the ,prince4 8,bigamy is the act of contracting a second marriage while the first partner is alive4 ,it is punished severely in commoners2--why should ,royalty escape80 ,the ,king began to laugh4 ,this boy was developing #8discursive philosophies' such as his own old tutor had abhorred4 8,upon my life1 ,i do not know1 ,humphry60 he declared2 8,you must ask the departed shades of those who made themselves responsible for kingship in the first place4 ,personally1 ,i do not come under the law4 ,i have only married once myself60 ,his son looked full at him2--and the intensity of that look affected and unsteadied his usual calm nerves4 ,but he was not one to shirk an unpleasant suggestion4 8,you would say1 ,humphry1 if your filial respect permitted you1 that my one marriage has been amplified in various other ways4 ,perfectly true6 ,when women lie down and ask you to walk over them1 you do it if you are a man and a king6 ,when1 on the contrary1 women show you that they do not care whether you are royal or the reverse1 and despise you more than admire you1 you run after them for all you are worth6 ,at least ,i do6 ,i always have done so4 ,and1 to a certain extent1 it has been amusing4 ,but the limit is reached4 ,i am growing old60 ,here he took up the cigar he had thrown aside when his son had first startled him by the announcement of his marriage1 and relighting it1 began to smoke peaceably4 8,i am1 as ,i say1 growing old4 ,i have never found what is called love4 ,you have--or think you have6 ,enjoy your dream1 ,humphry--but--take my advice and go abroad6 ,see whether travel does not work a change in you or1--in her60 ,he paused a moment1 and while the ,prince still regarded him fixedly1 added2 8,will you tell the ,queen80 8,i will leave you to tell her1 ,sir1 with your permission20 replied the ,prince2 8,i cannot expect her sympathy40 8,von ,glauben1 then1 is the only person you have trusted with your confidence80 8,von ,glauben was no party to my marriage1 ,sir4 ,i was married fully three months before ,i told him4 ,he was greatly vexed and troubled1--but when he saw ,gloria1 he was glad40 8,glad60 echoed the ,king2 8,for what reason1 pray80 8,i am afraid1 ,sir10 said the young man with a smile1 8his gladness was but a part of his science6 ,he said it was better for a prince to wed a healthy and beautiful commoner1 than the daughter of a hundred scrofulous kings60 ,with a movement of intense indignation1 the monarch sprang up from the chair in which he had just seated himself4 8,now1 by ,heaven60 he exclaimed2 8,von ,glauben goes too far6 ,he shall suffer for this60 8,why80 queried the ,prince calmly2 8,you know that what he says is perfectly true4 ,true8 ,why1 there is scarcely a ,royal house in the world save our own1 without its hereditary curse of disease or insanity4 ,we pay more attention to the breeding of horses than the breeding of kings60 ,the plain candour and veracity of the statement1 left no room for denial4 8,you have seen ,gloria10 went on the ,prince2 8,you know she is the most beautiful creature your eyes ever rested upon6 ,von ,glauben told me you were stricken dumb1 and almost stupefied at sight of her----0 8,damn ,von ,glauben60 said the ,king4 ,his son smiled ever so slightly1 but continued4 8,you have made yourself acquainted with her history--0 8,yes60 said the ,king2 8,that she is a foundling picked up from the sea--a castaway from a wreck6--no one knows who her father and mother were1 and yet you1 in your raving madness and folly of love1 would make her ,crown ,princess and future ,queen60 ,the ,prince went on unheedingly4 8,she is beautiful--and the simple method of her bringing up has left her unspoilt and innocent4 ,she is ignorant of the world's ways--because--0 and his voice sank to a reverential tenderness--8,god's ways are more familiar to her60 ,he paused1 but his father was silent2 he therefore went on4 8,she is healthy1 strong1 simple and true1--more fit for a throne1 if such were her destiny1 than any daughter of any ,royal house ,i know of4 ,happy the nation that could call such a woman their ,queen60 8,as ,i have already told you1 ,humphry10 returned the ,king1 8you are in love6--with the love of a headstrong1 passionate boy for a beautiful and credulous girl4 ,i do not propose to discuss the subject further4 ,you are willing to go abroad1 you tell me1--then make your preparations at once4 ,i will select one or two necessary companions for you1 and you can start when you please4 ,i would let ,von ,glauben accompany you1 but--for the present--,i cannot well spare him4 ,your intended voyage must be made public1 and in this way nothing will be known of the manner in which you have privately chosen to make a fool of yourself4 ,i will explain the situation to the ,queen2--but beyond that ,i shall say nothing4 ,let me know by to-morrow how soon you can arrange your departure40 ,the ,prince bowed composedly1 and was about to retire1 when the ,king called him back4 8,you do not ask my pardon1 ,humphry1 for the offence you have committed80 ,the young man flushed1 and bit his lip4 8,sir1 ,i cannot ask pardon for what ,i do not consider is wrong6 ,i have married the woman ,i love2 and ,i intend to be faithful to her4 ,you married a woman you did not love--and the result1 according to my views1 and also according to my experience of my mother and yourself1 is more or less regrettable4 ,if ,i have offended you1 ,i sincerely beg your forgiveness1 but you must first point out the nature of the offence4 ,surely1 it must be more gratifying to you to know that ,i prefer to be a man of honour than a common seducer80 ,the ,king looked at him1 and his own eyes fell under his son's clear candid gaze4 8,enough6 ,you may go60 he said briefly4 ,the door opened and closed again2--he was gone4 ,the ,king1 left alone1 fixed his eyes on the sparkling line of the sea1 brightly blue1 and the flower-bordered terrace in front of him4 ,life was becoming interesting2--the long burdensome monotony of years had changed into a variety of contrasting scenes and colours1--and in taking up the problem of human life as lived by others1 more than as lived by himself1 he had entered on a new path1 untrodden by conventionalities1 and leading1 he knew not whither4 ,but1 having begun to walk in it1 he was determined to go on--and to use each new experience as a guide for the rest of his actions4 ,his son's marriage with a commoner--one who indeed was not only a commoner but a foundling--might after all lead to good1 if properly taken in hand1--and he resolved not to make the worst of it1 but rather to let things take their own natural course4 8,for love10 he said to himself somewhat bitterly1 8in nine cases out of ten ends in satiety1--marriage1 in separation by mutual consent6 ,let the boy travel for a year1 and forget1 if he can1 the fair face which captivates him1--for it is a fair face1--and more than that1--,i honestly believe it is the reflex of a fair soul60 ,his eyes grew dreamy and absorbed2 away on the horizon a little white cloud1 shaped like the outspread wings of a dove1 hovered over the sea just where ,the ,islands lay4 8,yes6 ,let him see new scenes--strange lands1 and varying customs2 let him hear modern opinions of life1 instead of reading the philosophies of ,aurelius and ,epictetus1 and the poetry written ages ago by the dead wild souls of the past2--and so he will forget--and all will be well6 ,while for ,gloria herself1--and the old revolutionist ,ronsard--we shall doubtless find ways and means of consolation for them both60 ,thus he mused1--yet in the very midst of his thoughts the echoing memory of a golden voice1 round and rich with delight and triumph rang in his ears3 8,my ,king crown'd me6 ,and ,i and he ,are one till the world shall cease to be60 ,,chapter ,,xvi ,,the ,,professor ,,advises 8,i have discovered the secret of successful living1 ,professor10 said the ,king1 a couple of hours later as1 walking in one of the many thickly wooded alleys of the palace grounds1 he greeted ,von ,glauben1 who had been told to meet him there1 and who had been waiting the ,royal approach with some little trepidation1--8,it is this1--to draw a straight line of conduct1 and walk in it1 regardless of other people's crooked curves60 ,the ,professor looked at him1 and saw nothing but kindliness expressed in his eyes and smile1--therefore1 taking courage he replied without embarrassment1-- 8,truly1 ,sir1 if a man is brave enough to do this1 he may conquer everything but death1 and even face this last enemy without much alarm40 8,i agree with you60 replied the monarch2 8,and ,humphry's line has certainly been straight enough1 taken from the point of his own perspective6 ,do you not think so80 ,von ,glauben hesitated a moment--then spoke out boldly4 8,sir1 as you now know all1 ,i will frankly assure you that ,i think his ,royal ,highness has behaved honourably1 and as a true man6 ,society pardons a prince for seducing innocence--but whether it will pardon him for marrying it1 is quite another question6 ,and that is why ,i repeat1 he has behaved well4 ,though when he first told me he was married1 ,i suffered a not-to-be-explained misery and horror2 #8,for1' said he--#8,i have married an angel6' ,which naturally ,i thought 7deducting a certain quantity of the enthusiasm of youth for the statement7 meant that he had married a bouncing housemaid with large hands and feet4 #8,that is well1' ,i told him--#8,for divorce is now made easy in this country1 and you can easily return the celestial creature to her native element6' ,at which ,i resigned myself to hear some oaths1 for violent expletives are always refreshing to the masculine brain-matter4 ,but his ,royal ,highness maintained the good breeding which always distinguishes him1 and merely proceeded with his strange confession of romance1--which1 as you1 ,sir1 are now happily aware of it1 ,i need not recapitulate4 ,your knowledge of the matter has lifted an enormous burden from my mind2 ,ach6 ,enormous60 ,he gave a deep breath1 and drew himself up to his full height--squared his shoulders1 and then1 as it were stood firm1 as though waiting attack4 ,the ,king laughed good-naturedly1 and took him by the arm4 8,tell me all you know1 ,von ,glauben60 he said2 8,i am acquainted with the gist and upshot of the matter1--namely1 ,humphry's marriage2 but ,i am wholly ignorant of the details40 8,there is little to tell1 ,sir10 said ,von ,glauben2--8,of the ,prince's constant journeyings to ,the ,islands we were all aware long ago2 but the cause of those little voyages was not so apparent4 ,to avoid the suspicion with which a ,royal visitor would be viewed1 the ,prince1 it appears1 assumed to be merely one of the junior officers on his own yacht1--and under this disguise became known and much liked by the ,islanders generally4 ,he fell in love at first sight with the beautiful girl your ,majesty saw yesterday--,gloria2 #8,glory-of-the-,sea'--as ,i sometimes call her1 and they were married by the old parish priest in the little church among the rocks--the very church where1 as her adopted father1 ,ronsard1 tells me1 he heard the choristers singing a #8,gloria in ,excelsis' on the day he found her cast up on the shore40 8,well60 said the ,king1 seeing that he paused2 8,and is the marriage legal1 think you80 8,perfectly so1 ,sir60 replied ,von ,glauben2 8,registered by law1 as well as sanctified by church4 ,the ,prince tells me he married her in his own name1--but no one1--not even the poor little priest who married them1--knew the surname of your ,majesty's distinguished house1 and ,i believe1--nay ,i am sure--0 here he heaved an unconscious sigh1 8it will bring a tragedy to the girl when she knows the true rank and title of her husband60 8,how came you to make her acquaintance8 ,tell me everything6--you know ,i will not misjudge you60 8,indeed1 ,sir1 ,i hope you will not60 returned the ,professor earnestly2--8,for there was never a man more hopelessly involved than myself in the net prepared for me by this romantic lover1 who has the honour to be your son4 ,in the first place1 directly ,i heard this confession of marriage1 ,i was for telling you at once2 but as he had bound me by my word of honour before he began the story1 to keep his confidence sacred1 ,i was unable to disburden myself of it4 ,he said he wanted to secure me as a friend for his wife4 #8,that1' said ,i firmly1 #8,i will never be6 ,for there will be difficulty when all is known2 and if it comes to a struggle between a pretty fishwife and the good of a king--ach6--mein ,gott6--,i am not for the fishwife6'0 ,the ,king smiled2 and ,von ,glauben went on4 8,well1 he assured me she was not a fishwife4 ,i said #8,what is she then8' #8,i tell you1' he replied1 #8she is an angel6 ,you will come and see her2 you will pass as an old friend of her sailor husband2 and when you have seen her you will understand6' ,i was angry1 and said ,i would not go with him2 but afterwards ,i thought perhaps it would be best if ,i did1 as ,i might be able to advise him to some wise course4 ,so ,i accompanied him one afternoon in the past autumn to ,the ,islands 7he was married last summer7 and saw the girl1--the #8,glory-of-the-,sea4' ,and ,i must confess to your ,majesty1 my heart went down before her beauty and innocence in absolute worship6 ,and if you were to kill me for it1 ,i cannot help it--,i am now as devoted to her service as ,i am to yours60 8,good60 said the ,king gently2--8,then you must help me to console her in ,humphry's absence60 ,professor ,von ,glauben's eyes opened widely1 with a vague look of alarm4 8,in his absence1 ,sir80 8,yes6 ,i am sending him abroad4 ,he is quite willing to go1 he tells me4 ,his departure will make all things perfectly easy for us4 ,the girl must remain in her present ignorance as to the position of the man she has really married4 ,the sailor she supposes him to be will accompany the ,prince on his yacht1--and it must be arranged that he never returns6 ,she is young1 and will easily be consoled60 ,von ,glauben was silent4 8,you will not betray the ,prince's identity with her lover10 went on the ,king1 8and no one else knows it4 ,in fact1 you will be the very person best qualified to tell her of his departure1 and--in due time1 of his fictitious death60 ,they were walking slowly under the heavy shadow of crossed ilex boughs1--and ,von ,glauben came to a dead halt4 8,sir10 he said1 in rather unsteady accents2 8,with every respect for your ,majesty1 ,i must altogether decline the task of breaking a pure heart1 and ruining a young life6 ,moreover1 if your ,majesty1 after all your recent experiences10--and he laid great emphasis on these last words1 8thinks there is any ultimate good to be obtained by keeping up a lie1 and practising a fraud1 the lessons we have learned in these latter days are wholly unavailing6 ,you began this conversation with me by speaking of a straight line of conduct1 which should avoid other people's crooked curves4 ,is this your ,majesty's idea of a straight line80 ,he spoke with unguarded vehemence1 but the ,king was not offended4 ,on the contrary1 he looked whimsically interested and amused4 8,my dear ,von ,glauben1 you are not usually so inconsistent6 ,humphry himself has kept up a lie1 and practised a fraud on the girl----0 8,only for a time60 interrupted the ,professor hastily4 8,oh1 we all do it #8only for a time4' ,everything--life itself--is #8only for a time6' ,you know as well as ,i do that this absurd marriage can never be acknowledged4 ,i explained as much to ,humphry2 ,i told him he could guard himself by the morganatic law1 provided he would consent to a ,royal alliance immediately--but the young fool swore it would be bigamy1 and took himself off in a huff40 8,he was right6 ,it would be bigamy2--it is bigamy601 said the ,professor2 8,call it by what name you like in ,court parlance1 the act of having two wives is forbidden in this country4 ,the wisest men have come to the conclusion that one wife is enough60 8,humphry's ideas being so absolutely childish10 went on the ,king1 8it is necessary for him to expand them somewhat4 ,that is why ,i shall send him abroad4 ,you have a strong flavour of romance in your ,teutonic composition1 ,von ,glauben1--and ,i can quite sympathise with your admiration for the #8,glory-of-the-,sea' as you call her4 ,from a man's point of view1 ,i admire her myself4 ,but ,i know nothing of her moral or mental qualities2 though from her flat refusal to give me her husband's name yesterday1 ,i judge her as wilful1--but most pretty women are that4 ,and as for my line of conduct1 it will1 ,i assure you1 be perfectly #8straight1'--in the direction of my duty as a ,king1--apart altogether from sentimental considerations6 ,and in this1 as in other things1--0 he paused and emphasised his words--8,i rely on your honour and faithful service60 ,the ,professor made no reply4 ,he was1 thinking deeply4 ,with a kind of grim scorn1 he pointed out to himself that his imagination was held captive by the mental image of a woman1 whose eyes had expressed trust in him2 and almost as tenderly as the lover in ,tennyson's #8,maud' he could have said that he #8would die1 ,to save from some slight shame one simple girl4' ,presently he braced himself up1 and confronted his ,royal master4 8,sir10 he said very quietly1 yet with perfect frankness2 8,your ,majesty must have the goodness to pardon me if ,i say you must not rely upon me at all in this matter6 ,i will promise nothing1 except to be true to myself and my own sense of justice4 ,i have given up my own country for conscience' sake--,i can easily give up another which is not my own1 for the same reason4 ,in the matter of this marriage or #8msalliance' as the worldly would call it1--,i have nothing whatever to do4 ,while the ,prince asked me to keep his secret1 ,i kept it4 ,now that he has confided it to your ,majesty1 ,i am relieved and satisfied2 and shall not in any way1 by word or suggestion1 interfere with your ,majesty's intentions4 ,but1 at the same time1 ,i shall not assist them6 ,for as regards the trusting girl who has been persuaded that she has won a great love and complete happiness for all her life1--,i have sworn to be her friend2--and ,i must respectfully decline to be a party to any further deception in her case4 ,knowing what ,i know of her character1 which is a pure and grand one1 ,i think it would be far better to tell her the whole truth1 and let her be the arbiter of her own destiny4 ,she will decide well and truly1 ,i am sure60 ,he ceased2 the ,king was silent4 ,von ,glauben studied his face attentively4 8,you are a thinker1 ,sir1--a student and a philosopher4 ,you are not one of those kings who treat their kingship as a license for the free exercise of intolerant humours and vicious practices4 ,were you no monarch at all1 you would still be a sane and thoughtful man4 ,take my humble advice1 ,sir--for once put the unspoilt nature of a pure woman to the test1 and find out what a grand creature ,god intended woman to be1 in her pristine simplicity and virtue6 ,send for ,gloria to this ,court2--tell her the truth6--and await the result with confidence60 ,there was a pause4 ,the ,king walked slowly up and down2 at last he spoke4 8,you may be right6 ,i do not say you are wrong4 ,i will consider your suggestion4 ,certainly it would be the straightest course4 ,but first a complete explanation is due to the ,queen4 ,she must know all1--and if her interest can be awakened by such a triviality as her son's love-affair--0 and he smiled somewhat bitterly1--8perhaps she may agree to your plan as the best way out of the difficulty4 ,in any case0--here he extended his hand which the ,professor deferentially bowed over--8,i respect your honesty and plain speaking1 ,professor6 ,i have reason to approve highly of sincerity1--wherever and however ,i find it1--at the present crisis of affairs4 ,for the moment1 ,i will only ask you to be on your guard with ,humphry2--and say as little as possible to him on the subject of his marriage or intended departure from this country4 ,keep everything as quiet as may be2--till--till we find a clear and satisfactory course to follow1 which shall inflict as little pain as possible on all concerned4 ,and now1 a word with you on other matters40 ,they walked on side by side1 through the garden walks and ways1 conversing earnestly1--and by and by penetrating into the deeper recesses of the outlying woodlands1 were soon hidden among the crossing and recrossing of the trees4 ,had they kept to the open ground1 from whence the wide expanse of the sea could be viewed from end to end1 their discussions might perhaps have been interrupted1 and themselves somewhat startled1--for they would have seen ,prince ,humphry's yacht1 with every inch of canvas stretched to the utmost1 flying rapidly before the wind like a wild white bird1 winging its swift1 straight way to the west where the sun shot down ,apollo-like shafts of gold on the gleaming purple coast-line of ,the ,islands4 ,,chapter ,,xvii ,,an 8,,honourable0 ,,statesman ,it is not easy to trace the causes why it so often happens that semi-educated1 and more or less shallow men rise suddenly to a height of brilliant power and influence in the working of a country's policy4 ,sometimes it is wealth that brings them to the front2 sometimes the strong support secretly given to them by others in the background1 who have their own motives to serve1 and who require a public representative2 but more often still it is sheer unscrupulousness1--or what may be described as #8walking over' all humane and honest considerations1--that places them in triumph at the helm of affairs4 ,to rise from a statesman to be a ,secretary of ,state augurs a certain amount of brain1 though not necessarily of the highest quality2 while it certainly betokens a good deal of dash and impudence4 ,carl ,prousse1 one of the most prominent among the political notabilities of ,europe1 had begun his career by small peddling transactions in iron and timber manufactures2 he came of a very plebeian stock1 and had received only a desultory sort of education1 picked up here and there in cheap provincial schools4 ,but he had a restless1 domineering spirit of ambition4 ,ashamed of his plebeian origin1 and embittered from his earliest years by a sense of grudge against those who moved in the highest and most influential circles of the time1 the idea was always in his mind that he would one day make himself an authority over the very persons1 who1 in the rough and tumble working-days of his younger manhood1 would not so much as cast him a word or a look4 ,he knew that the first thing necessary to attain for this purpose was money2 and he had1 by steady and constant plod1 managed to enlarge and expand all his business concerns into various1 important companies1 which he set afloat in all quarters of the world1--with the satisfactory result that by the time his years had run well into the forties1 he was one of the wealthiest men in the country4 ,he had from the first taken every opportunity to insinuate himself into politics2 and in exact proportion to the money he made1 so was his success in acquiring such coveted positions in life as brought with them the masterful control of various conflicting aims and interests4 ,his individual influence had extended by leaps and bounds till he had become only secondary in importance to the ,prime ,minister himself2 and he possessed a conveniently elastic conscience1 which could be stretched at will to suit any party or any set of principles4 ,in personal appearance he was not prepossessing4 ,nature had branded him in her own special way #8,trickster1' for those who cared to search for her trademark4 ,he was tall and thin1 with a narrow head and a deeply-lined1 clean-shaven countenance1 the cold immovability of which was sometimes broken up by an unpleasant smile1 that merely widened the pale set lips without softening them1 and disclosed a crooked row of smoke-coloured teeth1 much decayed4 ,he had small eyes1 furtively hidden under a somewhat restricted frontal development1--his brows were narrow1--his forehead ignoble and retreating4 ,but despite a general badness1 or what may be called a #8smirchiness' of feature1 he had learned to assume an air of superiority1 which by its sheer audacity prevented a casual observer from setting him down as the vulgarian he undoubtedly was2 and his amazing pluck1 boldness and originality in devising ways and means of smothering popular discontent under various #8shows' of apparent public prosperity1 was immensely useful to all such #8statesmen1' whose statesmanship consisted in making as much money as possible for themselves out of the pockets of their credulous countrymen4 ,he was seldom disturbed by opposing influences2 and even now when he had just returned from the palace with the full knowledge that the ,king was absolutely resolved on vetoing certain propositions he had set down in council for the somewhat arbitrary treatment of a certain half-tributary power which had latterly turned rebellious1 he was more amused than irritated4 8,i suppose his ,majesty wants to distinguish himself by a melodramatic coup d'tat0 he said1 leaning easily back in his chair1 and studying the tips of his carefully pared and polished finger-nails2--8,poor fool6 ,i don't blame him for trying to do something more than walk about his palace in different costumes at stated intervals1--but he will find his #8veto' out of date4 ,we shall put it to the country2--and ,i think ,i can answer for that60 ,he smiled1 as one who knows where and how to secure a triumph1 and his equanimity was not disturbed in the least by the unexpected arrival of the ,premier1 who was just then announced1 and who1 coming in his turn from the ,king's diplomatic reception1 had taken the opportunity to call and see his colleague on his way home4 8,you seem fatigued1 ,marquis60 he said1 as1 rising to receive his distinguished guest1 he placed a chair for him opposite his own4 8,was his ,majesty's conversazione more tedious than usual80 ,lutera looked at him with a dubious air4 8,no6--it was brief enough so far as ,i was immediately concerned10 he replied2--8,i do not suppose ,i stayed more than twenty minutes in the ,throne-room altogether4 ,i understand you have been told that our proposed negotiations are to be vetoed80 ,prousse smiled4 8,i have been told--yes6--but ,i have been told many things which ,i do not believe6 ,the ,king certainly has the right of veto2 but he dare not exercise it40 8,dare not80 echoed the ,marquis--8,from his present unconstitutional attitude it seems to me he dare do anything60 8,i tell you he dare not60 repeated ,prousse quietly2--8,unless he wishes to lose the ,throne4 ,i daresay if it came to that1 we should get on quite as well--if not better--with a ,republic60 ,lutera looked at him with an amazed and reluctant admiration4 8,you talk of a ,republic8 ,you1--who are for ever making the most loyal speeches in favour of the monarchy80 8,why not80 queried ,prousse lightly2--8,if the monarchy does not do as it is told1 whip it like a naughty child and send it to bed4 ,that has been easily arranged before now in history60 ,the ,marquis sat silent1--thinking1 or rather brooding heavily4 ,should he1 or should he not unburden himself of certain fears that oppressed his mind8 ,he cleared his throat of a troublesome huskiness and began1-- 8,if the purely business transactions in which you are engaged----0 8,and you also10 put in ,prousse placidly4 ,the ,premier shifted his position uneasily and went on4 8,i say1 if the purely business transactions of this affair were publicly known----0 8,as well expect ,cabinet secrets to be posted on a hoarding in the open thoroughfare60 said ,prousse4 8,what afflicts you with these sudden pangs of distrust at your position8 ,you have taken care to provide for all your own people6 ,what more can you desire80 ,lutera hesitated2 then he said slowly3-- 8,i think there is only one thing for me to do1--and that is to send in my resignation at once60 ,carl ,prousse raised himself a little out of his chair1 and opened his narrow eyes4 8,send in your resignation60 he echoed2 8,on what grounds8 ,do me the kindness to remember1 ,marquis1 that ,i am not yet quite ready to take your place60 ,he smiled his disagreeable smile1--and the ,marquis began to feel irritated4 8,do not be too sure that you will ever have it to take10 he said with some acerbity2 8,if the ,king should by any means come to know of your financial deal----0 8,you seem to be very suddenly afraid of the ,king60 interrupted ,prousse2 8,or else strange touches of those catch-word ideals #8,loyalty' and #8,patriotism' are troubling your mind6 ,you speak of my financial deal1--is not yours as important8 ,review the position2--it is simply this2--for years and years the ,ministry have been speculating in office matters1--it is no new thing4 ,sometimes they have lost1 and sometimes they have won2 their losses have been replaced by the imposition of taxes on the people1--their gains they have very wisely said nothing about4 ,in these latter days1 however1 the loss has been considerably more than the gain4 #8,patriotism1' as stocks1 has gone down4 #8,honour' will not pay the piper4 ,we cannot increase taxation just at present2 but by a war1 we can clear out some of the useless population1 and invest in contracts for supplies4 ,the mob love fighting1--and every small victory won1 can be celebrated in beer and illuminations1 to expand what is called #8the heart of the ,people4' ,it is a great #8heart1' and always leaps to strong drink1--which is cheap enough1 being so largely adulterated4 ,the country we propose to subdue is rich1--and both you and ,i have large investments of land there4 ,with the success which our arms are sure to obtain1 we shall fill not only the ,state coffers 7which have been somewhat emptied by our predecessors' peculations71 but our own coffers as well4 ,the ,king #8vetoes' the war2 then let us hear what the ,people say6 ,of course we must work them up first2 and then get their verdict while they are red-hot with patriotic excitement4 ,the ,press1 ordered by ,jost1 can manage that6 ,put it to the country2 7through ,jost72--but do not talk of resigning when we are on the brink of success6 ,i will carry this thing through1 despite the ,king's #8veto'60 8,wait60 said the ,marquis1 drawing his chair closer to ,prousse1 and speaking in a low uneasy tone2 8,you do not know all6 ,there is some secret agency at work against us2 and1 among other things1 ,i fear that a foreign spy has been inadvertently allowed to learn the mainspring of our principal moves4 ,listen1 and judge for yourself60 ,and he related the story of ,david ,jost's midnight experience1 carefully emphasising every point connected with his own signet-ring4 ,as he proceeded with the narration1 ,prousse's face grew livid1--once or twice he clenched his hand nervously1 but he said nothing till he had heard all4 8,your ring1 you say1 had never left the ,king's possession80 8,so the ,king himself assured me1 this very afternoon40 8,then someone must have passed off an imitation signet on ,david ,jost10 continued ,prousse meditatively4 8,what name did the spy give80 8,pasquin ,leroy40 ,carl ,prousse opened a small memorandum book1 and carefully wrote the name down within it4 8,whatever ,david ,jost has said1 ,david ,jost alone is answerable for60 he then said calmly--8,a ,jew may be called a liar with impunity1 and whatever a ,jew has asserted can be flatly denied4 ,remember1 he is in our pay60 8,i doubt if he will consent to be made the scapegoat in this affair10 said ,lutera2 8,unless we can make it exceptionally to his advantage2--he has the press at his command40 8,give him a title60 returned ,prousse contemptuously2 8,these ,jew press-men love nothing better60 ,the ,marquis smiled somewhat sardonically4 8,jost1 with a patent of nobility would cut rather an extraordinary figure60 he said2 8,still he would probably make good use of it1--especially if he were to start a newspaper in ,london6 ,they would accept him as a great man there60 ,prousse gave a careless nod2 his thoughts were otherwise occupied4 8,this ,pasquin ,leroy has gone to ,moscow80 8,according to his own words1 he was leaving this morning40 8,i daresay that statement is a blind4 ,i should not at all wonder if he is still in the city4 ,i will get an exact description of him from ,jost1 and set ,bernhoff on his track40 8,do not forget10 said the ,marquis impressively1 8that he told ,jost in apparently the most friendly and well-meaning manner possible1 that the ,king had discovered the whole plan of our financial campaign4 ,he even reported me as being ready to resign in consequence----0 8,which apparently you are60 interpolated ,prousse with some sarcasm4 8,i certainly have my resignation in prospect10 returned ,lutera coldly--8,and1 so far1 this mysterious spy has seemingly probed my thoughts4 ,if he is as correct in his report concerning the ,king1 it is impossible to say what may be the consequence40 8,why1 what can the ,king do80 demanded ,prousse impatiently1 and with scorn for the vacillating humour of his companion2 8,granted that he knew everything from the beginning----0 8,including your large land purchases and contract concessions in the very country you propose war with10 put in the ,marquis1--8,say that he knew you had resolved on war1 and had already started a company for the fabrication of the guns and other armaments1 out of which you get the principal pickings--what then80 8,what then80 echoed ,prousse defiantly--8,why nothing6 ,the ,king is as powerless as a target in a field1 set up for arrows to be aimed at6 ,he dare not divulge a ,state secret2 he has no privilege of interference with politics2 all he can do is to #8lead' fashionable society--a poor business at best--and at present his lead is not particularly apparent4 ,the ,king must do as ,we command60 ,he rose and paced up and down with agitated steps4 8,to-day1 when he told me he had resolved to #8veto' my propositions1 ,i accepted his information without any manifestation of surprise4 ,i merely said it would have to be stated in the ,senate1 and that reasons would have to be given4 ,he agreed1 and said that he himself would proclaim those reasons4 ,i told him it was impossible60 8,and what was his reply80 asked the ,marquis4 8,his reply was as absurd as his avowed intention4 #8,hitherto it has been impossible1' he said2 #8,but in ,our reign we shall make it possible6' ,he declined any further conversation with me1 referring me to you and our chief colleagues in the ,cabinet40 8,well80 8,well6 ,i pay no more attention to a ,king's sudden caprice than ,i do to the veering of the wind6 ,he will alter his mind in a few days1 when the exigency of the matters in hand becomes apparent to him4 ,in the same way1 he will revoke his decision about that grant of land to the ,jesuits4 ,he must let them have their way40 8,what benefit do we get by favouring the ,jesuits80 asked ,lutera4 8,jost gets a thousand a year for putting flattering notices of the schools1 processions1 festivals and such nonsense in his various newspapers2 and our party secures the political support of the ,vatican in ,europe1--which just now is very necessary4 ,the ,pope must give his ,christian benediction not only to our ,educational system1 but also to the war60 8,then the ,king has set himself in our way already1 even in this matter80 8,he has6 ,quite unaccountably and very foolishly4 ,but we shall persuade him still to be of our opinion4 ,the ass that will not walk must be beaten till he gallops6 ,i have no anxiety whatever on any point2 even the advent of ,jost's spy1 with an imitation of your signet on his finger appears to me quite melodramatic1 and only helps to make the general situation more interesting1--to me at least2--,i am only sorry to see that you allow yourself to be so much concerned over these trifles60 8,i have my family to think of10 said the ,marquis slowly2 8,my reputation as a statesman1 and my honour as a minister are both at stake40 ,prousse smiled oddly1 but said nothing4 8,if in any way my name became a subject of popular animadversion1 it would entirely ruin the position ,i believe ,i have attained in history4 ,i have always wished1--0 and there was a tinge of pathos in his voice--8my descendants to hold a certain pride in my career60 ,prousse looked at him with grim amusement4 8,it is a curious and unpleasant fact that the #8descendants' of these days do not care a button for their ancestors10 he said2 8,they generally try to forget them as fast as possible4 ,what do the descendants of ,robespierre1 7if there are any71 care about him8 ,the descendants of ,wellington8 ,the descendants of ,beethoven or ,lord ,byron8 ,among the many numerous advantages attending the world-wide fame of ,shakespeare is that he has left no descendants4 ,if he had1 his memory would have been more vulgarised by them1 than by any ,yankee kicker at his grave6 ,one of the most remarkable features of this progressive age is the cheerful ease with which sons forget they ever had fathers6 ,i am afraid1 ,marquis1 you are not likely to escape the common doom60 ,lutera rose slowly1 and prepared to take his departure4 8,i shall call a ,cabinet ,council for ,monday10 he said2 8,this is ,friday4 ,you will find it convenient to attend80 ,prousse1 rising at the same time1 assented smilingly4 8,you will see things in a better and clearer light by then10 he said4 8,rely on me6 ,i have not involved you thus far with any intention of bringing you to loss or disaster4 ,whatever befalls you in this affair must equally befall me2 we are both in the same boat4 ,we must carry things through with a firm hand1 and show no hesitation4 ,as for the ,king1 his business is to be a ,dummy2 and as ,dummy he must remain40 ,lutera made no reply4 ,they shook hands1--not over cordially1--and parted2 and as soon as ,prousse heard the wheels of the ,premier's carriage grinding away from his outer gate1 he applied himself vigorously to the handle of one of the numerous telephone wires fitted up near his desk1 and after getting into communication with the quarter he desired1 requested ,general ,bernhoff1 ,chief of the ,police1 to attend upon him instantly4 ,bernhoff's headquarters were close by1 so that he had but to wait barely a quarter of an hour before that personage1--the same who had before been summoned to the presence of the ,king1--appeared4 ,to him ,prousse handed a slip of paper1 on which he had written the words #8,pasquin ,leroy4' 8,do you know that name80 he asked4 ,general ,bernhoff looked at it attentively4 ,only the keenest and closest observer could have possibly detected the slight flicker of a smile under the stiff waxed points of his military moustache1 as he read it4 ,he returned it carefully folded4 8,i fancy ,i have heard it60 he said cautiously2 8,in any case1 ,i shall remember it40 8,good6 ,there is a man of that name in this city2 trace him if you can6 ,take this note to ,mr4 ,david ,jost0--and while he spoke he hastily scrawled a few lines and addressed them--8and he will give you an exact personal description of him4 ,he is reported to have left for ,moscow1--but ,i discredit that statement4 ,he is a foreign spy1 engaged1 we believe1 in the work of taking plans of our military defences1--he must be arrested1 and dealt with rigorously at once4 ,you understand80 8,perfectly10 replied ,bernhoff1 accepting the note handed to him2 8,if he is to be discovered1 ,i shall not fail to discover him60 8,and when you think you are on the track1 let me have information at once10 went on ,prousse2 8,but be well on your guard1 and let no one learn the object of your pursuit4 ,keep your own counsel60 8,i always do60 returned ,bernhoff bluntly4 8,if ,i did not there might be trouble60 ,prousse looked at him sharply1 but seeing the wooden-like impassiveness of his countenance1 forced a smile4 8,there might indeed60 he said2 8,your tact and discretion1 ,general1 do much to keep the city quiet4 ,but this affair of ,pasquin ,leroy is a private matter40 8,distinctly so60 agreed ,bernhoff quietly2 8,i hold the position entirely60 ,he shortly afterwards withdrew1 and ,carl ,prousse1 satisfied that he had at any rate taken precautions to make known the existence of a spy in the city1 if not to secure his arrest1 turned to the crowding business on his hands with a sense of ease and refreshment4 ,he might not have felt quite so self-assured and complacent1 had he seen the worthy ,bernhoff smiling broadly to himself as he strolled along the street1 with the air of one enjoying a joke1 the while he murmured1-- 8,pasquin ,leroy1--engaged in taking plans of the military defences--is he8 ,ah6--a very dangerous amusement to indulge in6 ,engaged in taking plans6--,ah6--,yes6--,very good1--very good2 excellent6 ,do ,i know the name8 ,yes6 ,i fancy ,i might have heard it6 ,oh1 yes1 very good indeed--excellent6 ,and this spy is probably still in the city8 ,yes6--,probably6 ,yes--,i should imagine it quite likely60 ,still smiling1 and apparently in the best of humours with himself and the world at large1 the ,general continued his easy stroll by the sea-fronted ways of the city1 along the many picturesque terraces1 and up flights of marble steps built somewhat in the fashion of the prettiest corners of ,monaco1 till he reached the chief promenade and resort of fashion1 which being a broad avenue running immediately under and in front of the ,king's palace facing the sea1 was in the late sunshine of the afternoon crowded with carriages and pedestrians4 ,here he took his place with the rest1 saluting a fellow officer here1 or a friend there1--and stood bareheaded with the rest of the crowd1 when a light gracefully-shaped landau1 drawn by four greys1 and escorted by postillions in the ,royal liveries1 passed like a triumphal car1 enshrining the cold1 changeless and statuesque beauty of the ,queen1 upon whom the public were never weary of gazing4 ,she was a curiosity to them--a living miracle in her unwithering loveliness2 for1 apparently unmoved by emotion herself1 she roused all sorts of emotions in others4 ,bernhoff had seen her a thousand times1 but never without a sense of new dazzlement4 8,always the same ,sphinx60 he thought now1 with a slight frown shading the bluff good-nature of his usual expression2 8,she is a woman who will face ,death as she faces ,time1--with that cold smile of hers which expresses nothing but scorn of all life's little business60 ,he proceeded meditatively on his way to the palace itself1 where1 on demand1 he was at once admitted to the private apartments of the ,king4 ,,chapter ,,xviii ,,royal ,,lovers ,silver-white glamour of the moon1 and velvet darkness of deep branching foliage held the quiet breadth of ,the ,islands between them4 ,low on the shore the fantastic shapes of one or two tall cliffs were outlined black on the fine sparkling sand1--tiny waves rose from the bosom of the calm sea1 and cuddling together in baby ripples made bubbles of their crests1 and broke here and there among the pebbles with low gurgles of laughter1 and in the warm silence of the southern night the nightingales began to tune up their delicate fluty voices with delicious tremors and pauses in the trying of their song4 ,the under-scent of hidden violets among moss flowed potently upon the quiet air1 mingled with strong pine-odours and the salt breath of the gently heaving sea1--and all the land seemed as lonely and as fair as the fabled ,eden might have been1 when the first two human mated creatures knew it as their own4 ,to every soul that loves for the first time1 the vision of that ,lost ,paradise is granted2 to every man and woman who know and feel the truth of the divine passion is vouchsafed a flashing gleam of glory from that ,heaven which gives them to each other4 ,for the voluptuary--for the animal man1--who like his four-footed kindred is only conscious of instinctive desire1 this pure expansion of the heart and ennobling of the thought is as a sealed book1--a never-to-be-divulged mystery of joy1 which1 because he cannot experience it1 he is unable to believe in4 ,it is a glory-cloud in which the privileged ones are #8caught up and received out of sight4' ,it transfuses the roughest elements into immortal influences1--it colours the earth with fairer hues1 and fills the days with beauty2 every hour is a gem of sweet thought set in the dreaming soul1 and the lover1 at certain times of rapt ecstasy1 would smile incredulously were he told that anyone living could be unhappy4 ,for love goes back to the beginning of things1--to the time when the world was new4 ,it has its birth in that primeval light when #8the morning stars sang together1 and all the sons of ,god shouted for joy4' ,if it is real1 deep1 passionate and disinterested love1 it sees no difficulties and knows no disillusions4 ,it is a sufficient assurance of ,god to make life beautiful4 ,but in these days of the eld-time of nations1 when all things are being mixed and prepared for casting into a new mould of world-formation1 where we and our civilizations are not1 and shall not be1--any more than the ,egyptian ,rameses is part of us now1--love in its pristine purity1 faith and simplicity1 is rare4 ,very little romance is left to hallow it2 and it is doubtful whether the white moon1 swinging like a silver lamp in heaven above the peaceful ,islands1 shed her glory anywhere on any such lovers in the world1 as the two who on this fair night of the southern springtime1 with arms entwined round each other1 moved slowly up and down on the velvet greensward outside ,ronsard's cottage1--,gloria and her #8sailor' husband4 ,gloria was happy1--and her happiness made her doubly beautiful4 ,clad in her usual attire of white homespun1 with her rich hair falling unbound over her shoulders in girl-fashion1 and just kept back by a band of white coral1 she looked like a young goddess of the sea2 her lustrous1 starlike eyes gazed up into the tender responsive ones of the handsome stripling she had so trustfully wedded1 and not a shadow of doubt or fear darkened the heaven of her confidence4 ,she did not know how beautiful she was1--she did not realise that her body was like one of the unfettered1 graceful and perfectly-proportioned figures of women left to our wondering reverence by the ,greek sculptors1--she had never thought about herself at all1 not even to compare her fair brilliancy of skin with the bronzed1 weather-beaten faces of the fisher-folk among whom she dwelt4 ,resting her delicate classic head against the encircling arm of her lover and lord1 her beauty seemed almost unearthly in its pure transparency of feature1 outlined by the silver glimmer of the moonbeams2 and the young man by her side1 with his handsome dark head1 tall figure and distinguished bearing1 looked the fitting mate for her fair1 blossoming womanhood4 ,no two lovers were ever more ideally matched in physical perfection2 and as they moved slowly to and fro on the soft dark grass1 brushing the dewy scent from hanging rose-boughs that pushed out inviting tufts of white and pink bloom here and there from the surrounding foliage1 they would have served many a poet for some sweet idyll1 or romance in rhyme1 which should hold in its stanzas the magic of immortality4 ,yet there was a shade of uneasiness in the minds of both1--,prince ,humphry was more silent than usual1 and seemed absorbed in thought2 and ,gloria1 looking timidly up from time to time at the dark poetic face of her #8sailor' lover1 felt with a woman's quick instinct that something was troubling him1 and remorsefully concluded that she was to blame1--that he had heard of her having been seen by the ,king1 and that he was evidently vexed by it4 ,he had arrived that evening suddenly and unexpectedly2 for she and her #8little father1' as she called ,rn ,ronsard1 had just begun their frugal supper1 when the ,crown ,prince's yacht swept into the bay and dropped anchor4 ,half an hour later he1 the much-beloved #8junior officer' in the ,crown ,prince's service had appeared at the cottage door1 greatly to their delight1 for they did not expect to see him so soon4 ,they had supped together1 and then ,ronsard himself had gone to superintend a meeting at a small social club he had started for the amusement of the fisher-folk1 wisely leaving the young wedded lovers to themselves4 ,and they had for a long time been very quiet1 save for such little words of love as came into tune with the interchange of caresses1--and after a pause of anxious inward thought1 ,gloria ventured on a timid query4 8,dearest1--are you very angry with me80 ,he started1--and stopping in his walk1 turned the fair face up between his two hands1 as one might lift a rose on its stem1 and kissed it tenderly4 8,angry8 ,how can ,i ever be angry with you1 ,sweet8 ,besides what cause have ,i for anger80 8,i thought1 perhaps--0 murmured ,gloria1 8that if the ,professor told you what ,i did yesterday1--when the ,king came--0 8,he did tell me20 and the ,prince still gazed down on that heavenly beauty which was the light of the world to him4 8,he told me that you sang2--and that your golden voice was a musical magnet which drew his ,majesty to your feet6 ,i am not surprised1--it was only natural6 ,but ,i could have wished it had not happened just yet2 however1 it has happened1 and we must make the best of it60 8,it was my fault10 said the girl penitently2--8,i had the fancy to sing2 and ,i would sing1 though the good ,professor told me not to do so60 ,the ,prince was silent4 ,he was bracing his mind to the inevitable4 ,he had determined that on this very night ,gloria should know the truth4 ,for he was instinctively certain that if he went abroad1 as his father wished him to do1 some means would be taken to remove her altogether from the country before his return2 and his idea was to tell her all1 and make her accompany him on his travels4 ,as his wife1 she was bound to obey him1 he argued within himself2 she should1 she must go with him6 ,unconsciously ,gloria's next words supplied him with an opening to the subject4 8,why did you never tell me that the ,professor was in the ,king's service80 she asked4 8,he seemed to know him quite well1--indeed1 almost as a friend60 8,he is the ,king's physician10 answered the ,prince abruptly2 8,and1 therefore1 he is very greatly in the ,king's confidence40 ,he walked on1 still keeping his arm round her1 and seemed not to see the half-frightened glance she gave him4 8,the ,king's physician60 she echoed2--8,he does not seem a great person at all1--he is quite a simple old ,german man60 ,her lover smiled4 8,to be physician to the ,king1 my ,gloria1 is not a very wonderful honour6 ,it merely implies that the man so chosen is perhaps the ablest fencer with sickness and death2 the greatness is in the simple old ,german himself1 not in the ,king's preference4 ,von ,glauben is a good man40 8,i know it20 said ,gloria gently2 8,he is good1--and very kind4 ,he said he would always be my friend1--but he was very strange in his manner yesterday1 and almost ,i was vexed with him4 ,do you know what he said8 ,he asked me what ,i should do if you--my husband1 had deceived me8 ,can you imagine such a thing80 ,now was the supreme moment4 ,with a violently beating heart the ,prince halted1 and putting both arms round her waist1 drew her up to him in such a way that their eyes looked close into each other's1 and their lips were within kissing touch4 8,yes1 my sweetest one6 ,i can imagine such a thing6 ,such a thing is possible6 ,consider it to be true6 ,consider that ,i have deceived you60 ,she did not move from his clasp1 but into her large1 lovely trusting eyes came a look of grief and terror1 and her face grew ashy pale4 8,in what way80 she whispered faintly2 8,tell me6 ,i--,i--cannot believe it60 8,gloria1--,gloria6 ,my love1 my darling6 ,do not tremble so6 ,do not fear6 ,i have not deceived you in any evil way1--what ,i have done was for your good and mine2 but now--now there is no longer any need of deception1--you may1 and shall know all the truth1 my wife1 my dearest in the world6 ,you shall know me as ,i truly am at last60 ,she moved restlessly in his strong clasp1--she was trembling from head to foot1 as if her blood was suddenly chilled4 8,as you truly are60 she echoed1 with pale lips--8,are you not then what ,i have believed you to be80 ,and she made an effort to withdraw herself entirely from his embrace4 ,but he held her fast4 8,i am your husband1 ,gloria60 he said1 8and you are my wife6 ,nothing can alter that2 nothing can change our love or disunite our lives4 ,but ,i am not the poor naval officer ,i have represented myself to be6--though ,i am glad ,i adopted such a disguise1 because by its aid ,i wooed and won your love6 ,i am not in the service of the ,crown ,prince1--except in so far as ,i serve my own needs6 ,why1 how you tremble60--and he held her closer--8,do not be afraid1 my darling6 ,lift up your eyes and look at me with your own sweet trusting look1--do not turn away from me1 because instead of being the ,prince's servant1 ,i am the ,prince himself60 8,the ,prince60 ,and with a cry of utter desolation1 ,gloria wrenched herself out of his arms1 and stood apart1 looking at him in wild alarm and bewilderment4 8,the ,prince6 ,you--you6--my husband6 ,you1--the ,king's son6 ,and you have married me6--oh1 how cruel of you6--how cruel6--how cruel60 ,covering her face with her hands1 she broke into a low sobbing1--and the ,prince1 cut to the heart by her distress1 caught her again in his arms4 8,hush1 ,gloria60 he said1 with an accent of authority1 though his own voice was tremulous2 8,you must not grieve like this6 ,you will break my heart6 ,do you not understand8 ,do you not see that all my life is bound up in you8--that ,i give it to you to do what you will with8--that ,i care nothing for rank1 state or throne without you8--that ,i will let all the world go rather than lose you8 ,gloria1 do not weep so6--do not weep6 ,every tear of yours is a pang to me6 ,what does it matter whether ,i am prince or commoner8 ,i love you6--we love each other6--we are one in the sight of ,heaven60 ,he held her passionately in his arms1 kissing the soft clusters of hair that fell against his breast1 and whispering all the tenderest words of endearment he could think of to console and soothe her anguish4 ,by degrees she grew calmer1 and her sobs gradually ceased4 ,dashing the tears from her eyes1 she looked up1--her face white as marble4 8,you must not tell ,ronsard60 she said in faint tones that shook with fear2 8,he would kill you60 ,the ,prince smiled indulgently2 his only thought was for her1 and so long as he could dry her tears1 ,ronsard's rage or pleasure was nothing to him4 8,he would kill you60 repeated ,gloria1 with wide open tear-wet eyes2 8,he hates all kings1 in his heart6--and if he knew that you--you--my husband1--were what you say you are2--if he thought you had married me under a disguise1 only to leave me and never to want me any more----0 8,gloria1 ,gloria60 cried the ,prince1 in despair2 8,why will you say such things6 ,never to want you any more6 ,i want you all my life1 and every moment of that life6 ,gloria1 you must listen to me--you must not turn from me at the very time ,i need you most6 ,are you not brave8 ,are you not true8 ,do you not love me80 ,with a pathetic gesture she stretched out her hands to him4 8,oh1 yes1 ,i love you60 she said2 8,i love you with all my heart6 ,but you have deceived me6--my dearest1 you have deceived me6 ,and if you had only told me the truth1 ,i would never1--for your own sake1--have married you60 8,i know that60 said the ,prince2 8,and that is why ,i determined to win you under the mask of poverty6 ,now listen1 my ,princess and my ,queen6--for you are both6 ,i want all your help--all your love--all your trust6 ,do not be afraid of ,ronsard2 he will1 he can do nothing to harm me6 ,you are my wife1 ,gloria1--you have promised before ,god to obey me6 ,i claim your obedience60 ,she stood silent1 looking at him1--pale and fair as an ivory statue of ,psyche1 seen against the dark background of the heavily-branched trees4 ,her mind was stunned and confused2 she had not yet grasped the full consciousness of her position1--but as he spoke1 the old primitive lessons of faith1 steadfastness of purpose1 and unwavering love and trust in ,god1 which her adopted father had instilled into her from childhood1 rose and asserted their sway over her startled1 but unspoilt soul4 8,you need not claim it60 she said1 slowly2 8,it is yours always6 ,i shall do whatever you tell me1 even if you command me to die for your sake60 ,with a swift impulsive action1 full of grace and spirit1 he dropped on one knee and kissed her hand4 8,and so ,i pledge my faith to my ,queen60 he said joyously4 8,gloria6 my #8,glory-of-the-,sea'6--you will forgive me for having in this one thing misled you8 ,think of me as your sailor lover still6--it is a much harder thing to be a king's son than a simple1 independent seafarer6 ,pity me for my position1 and help me to make it endurable6 ,come now with me down to that rocky nook on the shore where ,i first saw you1--and ,i will tell you exactly how everything stands1--and how ,i trust to your love for me and your courage1 to clear away all the difficulties before us4 ,you do not love me less80 8,i could not love you less60 she replied slowly2 8but ,i cannot think of you as quite the same60 ,a shadow of pain darkened his face4 8,gloria10 he said sadly2 8,if your love was as great as mine you would forgive60 ,she stood a moment wavering and uncertain2 their eyes were riveted on each other in a strange spiritual attraction--her soft lips were a little relaxed from their gravity as she steadfastly regarded him4 ,she was embarrassed1 conscious1 and very pale2 but he drank in gratefully the wonder and shy worship of those pure eyes1--and waited4 ,suddenly she sprang to him and closed her arms about his neck1 kissing him with simple and loving tenderness4 8,i do forgive6 ,oh1 ,i do forgive60 she murmured2 8,because ,i love you1 my darling--because ,i love you6 ,whatever you wish ,i will do for your love's sake--believe me6--but ,i am frightened just now6--it is as if ,i did not know you--as if someone had taken you suddenly a long way off6 ,give me a little time to recover my courage6--and to know0--here a faint smile trembled on her beautiful curved mouth--8to know1--and to feel1--that you are still my own6--even though the world may try to part you from me6--still my very own60 ,the warmth of passionate feeling in her face flushed it into a rose-glow that spread from chin to brow1--and clasping her to his breast1 he gave her the speechless answer that love inscribes on eyes and lips1--then1 keeping his arm tenderly about her1 he led her gently into the path through the pinewood1 which wound down to their favourite haunt by the sea4 ,the moonlight had now increased in brilliancy1 and illumined the landscape with all the opulence1 splendour and superabundance of radiance common to the south1--the air was soft and balmy1 and one great white cloud floating lazily under the silver orb1 moved slowly to the centre of the heavens1--the violet-blue of night falling around it like an imperial robe of state4 ,the two youthful figures passed under the pine-boughs1 which closed over them odorously in dark arches of shadow1 and wended their slow way down to the seashore1 from whence they could see the ,royal yacht lying at anchor1 every tapering line of her fair proportions distinctly outlined against the sky1 and all her masts shining as if they had been washed with silver dew2 and the ,heir-,apparent to a throne was1--for once in the history of ,heir-,apparents1--happy--happy in knowing that he was loved as princes seldom or never are loved1--not for his power1 not for his rank1 but simply for himself alone1 by one of the most beautiful women in the world1 who1--if she knew neither the ways of a ,court1 nor the wiles of fashion1--had something better than either of these1--the sanctity of truth and the strength of innocence4 ,rn ,ronsard1 coming back from his pleasurable duties as host and chairman to his fishermen-friends1 found the cottage deserted1 and smiled1 as he sat himself down in the porch to smoke1 and to wait for the lover's return4 8,what a thing it is to be young60 he sighed1 as he gazed meditatively at the still beauty of the night around him2--8,to be young1--and in love with the right person6 ,hours go like moments--the grass is never damp--the air is never cold--there is never time enough to give all the kisses that are waiting to be given2 and life is so beautiful1 that we are almost able to understand why ,god created the universe6 ,the rapture passes very quickly1 unfortunately--with some people2--but if ,i ever prayed for anything--which ,i do not--,i should pray that it might remain with ,gloria6 ,it surely cannot offend the ,supreme ,being who is responsible for our existence1 to see one woman happy out of all the tortured millions of them6 ,one exception to the universal rule would not make much difference6 ,the law that the strong should prey on the weak1 nearly always prevails1--but it is possible to hope and believe that on rare occasions the strong may be magnanimous60 ,he smoked on placidly1 considering various points of philosophic meditation1 and by and by fell into a gentle doze4 ,the doze deepened into a dream which grew sombre and terrible1--and in it he thought he saw himself standing bareheaded on a raised platform above surging millions of people who all shouted with one terrific uproar of unison--8,regicide6 ,regicide60 ,he looked down upon his hands1 and saw them red with blood6--he looked up to the heavens1 and they were flushed with the same ominous hue4 ,blood6--blood6--the blood of kings1--the dust of thrones6--and he1 the cause6 ,choked and tormented with a parching thirst1 it seemed in the dream that he tried to speak1--and with all his force he cried out--8,for her sake ,i did it6 ,for her sake60 ,but the clamour of the crowd drowned his voice1--and then it was as if the coldness of death crept slowly over him1--slowly and cruelly1 as though his whole body were being enclosed within an iceberg1--and he saw ,gloria1 the child of his love and care1 laid out before him dead1--but robed and crowned like a queen1 and placed on a great golden bier of state1 with purple velvet falling about her1 and tall candles blazing at her head and feet4 ,and voices sang in his ears--8,gloria6 ,gloria in excelsis ,deo60--mingling with the muffled chanting of priests at some distant altar2 and he thought he made an attempt to touch the royal velvet pall that draped her beautiful lifeless body1 when he was roughly thrust back by armed men with swords and bayonets who asked him 8,what do you here8 ,are you not her murderer80--and he cried out wildly 8,no1 no6 ,never could ,i have harmed the child of my love6 ,never could ,i hurt a hair of her head1 or cause her an hour's sorrow6 ,she is all ,i had in the world6--,i loved her6--,i loved her6 ,let me see her6--let me touch her6--let me kiss her once again60 ,and then the scene suddenly changed1--and it was found that ,gloria was not dead at all1 but walking peacefully alone in a garden of flowers1 with lilies crowning her1 and all the sunshine about her2 and that the golden bier of state had changed into a ship at sea which was floating1 floating westward bearing some great message to a far country1 and that all was well for him and his darling4 ,the troubled vision cleared from his brain1 and his sleep grew calmer2 he breathed more easily1 and flitting glimpses of fair scenes passed before his dreaming eyes1--scenes in some peaceful and beautiful world1 where never a shadow of sorrow or trouble darkened the quiet contentment of happy and innocent lives4 ,he smiled in his sleep1 and heaved a deep sigh of pleasure1--and so1 gently awoke1 to feel a light touch on his shoulder1 and to see ,gloria standing before him4 ,a smile was on her face1--the fragrance of the woodlands and the sea clung about her garments1--she held a few roses in her hand1 and there was something in her whole appearance that struck him as new1 commanding1 and more than ever beautiful4 8,you have returned alone80 he said wonderingly4 8,yes4 ,i have returned alone6 ,i have much to tell you1 dear6 ,let us go in60 ,,chapter ,,xix ,,of ,,the ,,corruption ,,of ,,the ,,state ,the large gaunt building1 which was dignified by the name of the #8,people's ,assembly ,rooms1' stood in a dim unfashionable square of the city which had once been entirely devoted to warehouses and storage cellars4 ,it had originally served a useful purpose in providing temporary shelter for foreign-made furniture1 which was badly constructed and intrinsically worthless1--but which1 being cheaply imported and showy in appearance1 was patronized by some of the upper middle-classes in preference to goods of their own home workmanship4 ,lately1 however1 the foreign import had fallen to almost less than nothing2 and whether or no this was due to the secret machinations of ,sergius ,thord and his ,revolutionary ,committee1 no one would have had the hardihood to assert4 ,foreign tradesmen1 however1 and foreign workmen generally had certainly experienced a check in their inroads upon home manufactures1 and some of the larger business firms had been so successfully intimidated as to set up prominent announcements outside their warehouses to the effect that 8,only native workmen need apply40 ,partly in consequence of the 8slump0 in foreign goods1 the 8,assembly ,rooms10 as a mere building had for some time been shut up1 and given over to dust and decay1 till the owners of the property decided to let it out for popular concerts1 meetings and dances1 and so make some little money out of its bare whitewashed walls and comfortless ugliness4 ,the plan had succeeded fairly well1 and the place was beginning to be known as a convenient centre where thousands were wont to congregate1 to enjoy cheap music and cheap entertainment generally4 ,it was a favourite vantage ground for the disaffected and radical classes of the metropolis to hold forth on their wrongs1 real or imaginary1--and the capacities of the largest room or hall in the building were put to their utmost extent to hold the enormous audiences that always assembled to hear the picturesque1 passionate and striking oratory of ,sergius ,thord4 ,but there were one or two rare occasions when even ,sergius ,thord's attractions as a speaker were thrown into the background1 by the appearance of that mysterious personality known as ,lotys1--concerning whom a thousand extravagant stories were rife1 none of which were true4 ,it was rumoured among other things as wild and strange1 that she was the illegitimate child of a certain great prince1 whose amours were legion--that she had been thrown out into the street to perish1 deserted as an infant1 and that ,sergius ,thord had rescued her from that impending fate of starvation and death1--and that it was by way of vengeance for the treatment of her mother by the ,exalted ,personage involved1 that she had thrown in her lot with the ,revolutionary party1 to aid their propaganda by her intellectual gifts1 which were many4 ,she was known to be very poor1--she lived in cheap rooms in a low quarter of the city2 she was seldom or never seen in the public thoroughfares1--she appeared to have no women friends1 and she certainly mixed in no form of social intercourse or entertainment4 ,yet her name was on the lips of the million1 and her influence was felt far beyond the city's radius4 ,even among some of the highest and wealthiest classes of society this peculiar appellation of 8,lotys10 carrying no surname with it1 and spoken at haphazard had the effect of causing a sudden silence1 and the interchange of questioning looks among those who heard it1 and who1 without knowing who she was1 or what her aims in life really were1 voted her 8dangerous40 ,those among the superior classes who had by rare chance seen her1 were unanimous in their verdict that she was not beautiful1--8but60--and the 8but0 spoke volumes4 ,she was known to possess something much less common1 and far more potent than beauty1--and that was a fascinating1 compelling spiritual force1 which magnetised into strange submission all who came within its influence1--and many there were who admitted1 though with bated breath that #8,an' if she chose' she could easily become a very great personage indeed4 ,she herself was1 or seemed to be1 perfectly unconscious of the many discussions concerning her and her origin4 ,she had her own secret sorrows1--her sad private history1 which she shut close within her own breast1--but out of many griefs and poverty-stricken days of struggle and cruel environment1 she had educated herself to a wonderful height of moral self-control and almost stoical rectitude4 ,her nature was a broad and grand one1 absolutely devoid of pettiness1 and full of a strong1 almost passionate sympathy with the wrongs of others1--and she had formed herself on such firm1 heroic lines of courage and truth and self-respect1 that the meaner vices of her sex were absolutely unknown to her4 ,neither vanity1 nor envy1 nor malice1 nor spleen disturbed the calmly-flowing current of her blood1--her soul was absorbed in pity for human kind1 and contemplation of its many woes1--and so living alone1 and studiously apart from the more frivolous world1 she had attained a finely tempered and deeply thoughtful disposition which gave her equally the courage of the hero and the resignation of the martyr4 ,she had long put away out of her life all possibility of happiness for herself4 ,she had1 by her unwearying study of the masses of working1 suffering men and women1 come to the sorrowful conclusion that real happiness could only be enjoyed by the extremely young1 and the extremely thoughtless1--and that love was only another name for the selfish and often cruel and destructive instincts of animal desire4 ,she did not resent these ugly facts1 or passionately proclaim against the gloomy results of life such as were daily displayed to her1--she was only filled with a profound and ceaseless compassion for the evils which were impossible to cure4 ,her tireless love for the sick1 the feeble1 the despairing1 the broken-hearted and the dying1 had raised her to the height of an angel's quality among the very desperately poor and criminal classes2--the fiercest ruffians of the slums were docile in her presence and obedient to her command2--and many a bold plan of robbery1--many a wicked scheme of murder had been altogether foregone and abandoned through the intervention of ,lotys1 whose intellectual acumen1 swift to perceive the savage instinct1 or motive for crime1 was equally swift to point out its uselessness as a means of satisfying vengeance4 ,no preacher could persuade a thief of the practical ingloriousness of thieving1 as ,lotys could1--and a prison chaplain1 remonstrating with an assassin after his crime1 was not half as much use to the ,state as ,lotys1 who could induce such an one to resign his murderous intent altogether1 before he had so much as possessed himself of the necessary weapon4 ,thousands of people were absolutely under her moral dominion1--and the power she exercised over them was so great1 and yet so unobtrusive1 that had she bidden the whole city rise in revolt1 she would most surely have been obeyed by the larger and fiercer half of its population4 ,with the moneyed classes she had nothing in common1 though she viewed them with perhaps more pity than she did the very poor4 ,an overplus of cash in any one person's possession that had not been rightfully earned by the work of brain or body1 was to her an incongruity1 and a defection from the laws of the universe2--show and ostentation she despised1--and though she loved beautiful things1 she found them1--as she herself said1--much more in the everyday provisions of nature1 than in the elaborate designs of art4 ,when she passed the gay shops in the principal thoroughfares she never paused to look in at the jewellers' windows1--but she would linger for many minutes studying the beauty of the sprays of orchids and other delicate blossoms1 arranged in baskets and vases by the leading florists2 while1--best delight of all to her1 was a solitary walk inland among the woods1 where she could gather violets and narcissi1 and1 as she expressed it #8feel them growing about her feet4' ,she would have been an extraordinary personality as a man1--as a woman she was doubly remarkable1 for to a woman's gentleness she added a force of will and brain which are not often found even in the stronger sex4 ,mysterious as she was in her life and surroundings1 enough was known of her by the people at large1 to bring a goodly concourse of them to the ,assembly ,rooms on the night when she was announced to speak on a subject of which the very title seemed questionable1 namely1 8,on the ,corruption of the ,state40 ,the police had been notified of the impending meeting1 and a few stalwart emissaries of the law in plain clothes mixed with the in-pouring throng4 ,the crowd1 however1 was very orderly2--there was no pushing1 no roughness1 and no coarse language4 ,all the members of ,sergius ,thord's ,revolutionary ,committee were present1 but they came as stragglers1 several and apart1--and among them ,paul ,zouche the poet1 was perhaps the most noticeable4 ,he had affected the picturesque in his appearance2--his hat was of the ,rembrandt character1 and he had donned a very much worn1 short velveteen jacket1 whose dusty brown was relieved by the vivid touch of a bright red tie4 ,his hair was wild and bushy1 and his eyes sparkled with unwonted brilliancy1 as he nodded to one or two of his associates1 and gave a careless wave of the hand to ,sergius ,thord1 who1 entering slowly1 and as if with reluctance1 took a seat at the very furthest end of the hall1 where his massive figure showed least conspicuous among the surging throng4 ,keeping his head down in a pensive attitude of thought1 his eyes were1 nevertheless1 sharp to see every person entering who belonged to his own particular following1--and a ray of satisfaction lighted up his face1 as he perceived his latest new associate1 ,pasquin ,leroy1 quietly edge his way through the crowd1 and secure a seat in one of the obscurest and darkest corners of the badly lighted hall4 ,he was followed by his comrades1 ,max ,graub and ,axel ,regor1--and ,thord felt a warm glow of contentment in the consciousness that these lately enrolled members of the ,revolutionary ,committee were so far faithful to their bond4 ,signed and sealed in the blood of ,lotys1 they had responded to the magnetism of her name with the prompt obedience of waves rising to the influence of the moon1--and ,sergius1 full of a thousand wild schemes for the regeneration of the ,people1 was more happy to know them as subjects to her power1 than as adherents to his own cause4 ,he was calmly cognisant of the presence of ,general ,bernhoff1 the well-known ,chief of ,police2--though he was rendered a trifle uneasy by observing that personage had seated himself as closely as possible to the bench occupied by ,leroy and his companions4 ,a faint wonder crossed his mind as to whether the three1 in their zeal for the new ,cause they had taken up1 had by any means laid themselves open to suspicion2 but he was not a man given to fears2 and he felt convinced in his own mind1 from the close personal observation he had taken of ,leroy1 and from the boldness of his speech on his enrolment as a member of the ,revolutionary ,committee1 that1 whatever else he might prove to be1 he was certainly no coward4 ,the hall filled quickly1 till by and by it would have been impossible to find standing room for a child4 ,a student of human nature is never long in finding out the dominant characteristic of an audience1--whether its attitude be profane or reverent1 rowdy or attentive1 and the bearing of the four or five thousand here assembled was remarkable chiefly for its seriousness and evident intensity of purpose4 ,the extreme orderliness of the manner in which the people found and took their seats1--the entire absence of all fussy movement1 fidgeting1 staring1 querulous changing of places1 whispering or laughter1 showed that the crowd were there for a deeper purpose than mere curiosity4 ,the bulk of the assemblage was composed of men2 very few women were present1 and these few were all of the poor and hard-working classes4 ,no female of even the lower middle ranks of life1 with any faint pretence to #8fashion1' would have been seen listening to 8that dreadful woman10--as ,lotys was very often called by her own sex1--simply because of the extraordinary fascination she secretly exercised over men4 ,pasquin ,leroy and his companions spoke now and then1 guardedly1 and in low whispers1 concerning the appearance and demeanour of the crowd1 ,max ,graub being particularly struck by the general physiognomy and type of the people present4 8,plenty of good heads60 he said cautiously4 8,there are thinkers here--and thinkers are a very dangerous class60 8,there are many people who #8think' all their lives and #8do' nothing60 said ,axel ,regor languidly4 8,true1 my friend6 ,but their thought may lead1 while1 they themselves remain passive10 joined in ,pasquin ,leroy sotto-voce2--8,it is not at all impossible that if ,lotys bade these five thousand here assembled burn down the citadel1 it would be done before daybreak60 8,i have no doubt at all of that10 said ,graub4 8,one cannot forget that the ,bastille was taken while the poor ,king ,louis ,,xvi4 was enjoying a supper-party and #8a little orange-flower-water refreshment' at ,versailles60 ,leroy made an imperative sign of silence1 for there was a faint stir and subdued hum of expectation in the crowd4 ,another moment1--and ,lotys stepped quietly and alone on the bare platform4 ,as she confronted her audience1 a low passionate sound1 like the murmur of a rising storm1 greeted her1--a sound that was not anything like the customary applause or encouragement offered to a public speaker1 but that suggested extraordinary satisfaction and expectancy1 which almost bordered on exultation4 ,pasquin ,leroy1 raising his eyes as she entered1 was startled by an altogether new impression of her to that which he had received on the night he first saw her4 ,her personality was somehow different--her appearance more striking1 brilliant and commanding4 ,attired in the same plain garment of dead white serge in which he had previously seen her1 with the same deep blood-red scarf crossing her left shoulder and breast1--there was something to-night in this mere costume that seemed emblematic of a far deeper power than he had been at first inclined to give her4 ,a curious sensation began to affect his nerves1--a sudden and overwhelming attraction1 as though his very soul were being drawn out of him by the calm irresistible dominance of those slumbrous dark-blue iris-coloured eyes1 which had the merit of appearing neither brilliant nor remarkable as eyes merely1 but which held in their luminous depths that intellectual command which represents the active and passionate life of the brain1 beside which all other life is poor and colourless4 ,these eyes appeared to rest upon him now from under their drooping sleepy white eyelids with an inexpressible tenderness and fascination1 and he was suddenly reminded of ,heinrich ,heine's quaint love-fancy2 8,behind her dreaming eyelids the sun has gone to rest2 when she opens her eyes it will be day1 and the birds will be heard singing60 ,he began to realise depths in his own nature which he had till now been almost unconscious of2 he knew himself to a certain extent1 but by no means thoroughly2 and awakening as he was to the fact that other lives around him presented strange riddles for consideration1 he wondered whether after all1 his own life might not perhaps prove one of the most complex among human conundrums8 ,he had often meditated on the inaccessibility of ideal virtues1 the uselessness of persuasion1 the commonplace absurdity1 as he had thought1 of trying to embody any lofty spiritual dream1--yet he was himself a man in whom spiritual forces were so strong that he was personally unaware of their overflow1 because they were as much a part of him as his breathing capacity4 ,true1 he had never consciously tested them1 but they were existent in him nevertheless4 ,he watched ,lotys now1 with an irritable1 restless attention1--there was a thrill of vague expectation in his soul as of new things to be done1--changes to be made in the complex machinery of human nature1--and a great wonder1 as well as a great calm1 fell upon him as the first clear steady tones of her voice chimed through the deep hush which had prepared the way for her first words4 ,her voice was a remarkable one1 vibrant1 yet gentle1--ringing out forcefully1 yet perfectly sweet4 ,she began very simply1--without any attempt at a majestic choice of words1 or an impressive flow of oratory4 ,she faced her audience quietly1--one bare rounded arm resting easily on a small uncovered deal table in front of her2--she had no #8notes' but her words were plainly the result of deliberate and careful thinking-out of certain problems needful to be brought before the notice of the people4 ,her face was colourless1--the dead gold hair rippling thickly away in loose clusters from the white brows1 fell into their accustomed serpentine twisted knot at the nape of her neck2 and the scarlet sash she wore1 alone relieved the statuesque white folds of her draperies2 but as she spoke1 something altogether superphysical seemed to exhale from her as heat exhales from fire--a strange essence of overpowering and compelling sweetness stole into the heavy heated air1 and gave to the commonplace surroundings and the poorly clothed crowd of people an atmosphere of sacredness and beauty4 ,this influence deepened steadily under the rhythmic cadence of her voice1 till every agitated soul1 every resentful and troubled heart in the throng was conscious of a sudden ingathering of force and calm1 of self-respect and self-reliance4 ,the gist of her intention was plainly to set people thinking for themselves1 and in this there could be no manner of doubt but that she succeeded4 ,of the #8,corruption of the ,state' she spoke as a thing thoroughly recognised by the masses4 8,we know1--all of us10--she said1 in the concluding portion of her address1 8that we have ,ministers who personally care nothing for the prosperity or welfare of the country4 ,we know--all of us1--that we have a bribed ,press2 whose business it is to say nothing that shall run counter to ,ministerial views4 ,we know1--all of us1--that it is this bribed ,ministerial press which leads the ignorant1 7who are not behind the scenes17 to wrong and false conclusions2--and that it is solely upon these wrong and false conclusions of the wilfully misled million1 that the ,ministry itself rests for support4 ,on one side the ,press is manipulated by the ,jews2 on the other by the ,jesuits4 ,there is no journal in this country that will1 or dare1 publish the true reflex of popular opinion4 ,therefore the word #8free' cannot be applied to that recording-force of nations which we call ,journalism2 inasmuch as it is now a merely purchased ,chattle4 ,we should remember1 when we read #8opinions of the ,press1'--on any great movement or important change in policy1 that we are merely accepting the opinions of the bound and paid ,slave of ,capitalists2--and we should take care to form our judgment for ourselves1 rather than from the ,capitalist point of view4 ,were there a strong man to lead1--the shiftiness1 treachery1 and deliberate neglect practised on the million by those who are now in office1 could not possibly last2--but where there is no strength1 there must be weakness1--and where a long career of deceit has been followed1 instead of a course of plain dealing1 failure in the end is inevitable4 ,with failure comes disaster2 and often something which augments disaster--,revolt4 ,the people1 weary of constant imposition1--of incessant delays of the justice due to them1--as well as the unscrupulous breaking of promises solemnly pledged1--will--in the long run1 take their own way1 as they have done before in history1 of securing instant amelioration of those wrongs which their paid rulers fail to redress4 ,who will dare to say that1 under such circumstances1 it is ill for the people to act8 ,sometimes it is a greater ,consciousness than their own that moves them2 and the wronged and half-forgotten ,cause of all worlds makes ,his command known through ,his creatures1 who obey ,his impulse1--even as the atoms gathering in space cluster at ,his will into solar systems1 and bring forth their burden of life60 ,she paused1 and leaning forward a little1 her eyes poured out their flashing searchlight as it seemed into the very souls of her hearers4 8,dear friends6--dear children60 she said1 and in her tone there was the tenderness of a great compassion1 almost bordering on tears1--8,what is it1 think you all1 that makes the age in which we live so sad1 so colourless1 so restless and devoid of hope and peace8 ,it is not that we are the inhabitants of a less wonderful or less beautiful world1--it is not as if the sun had ceased to shine1 or the birds had forgotten how to sing6 ,triumphs of science1--triumphs of learning and discovery1 these are all on the increase for our help and furtherance4 ,with so much gain in evident advancement1 what is it we have lost8--what is it we miss8--whence come the dreariness and emptiness and satiety1--the intolerable sense of the futility of life1 even when life has most to offer8 ,dear children1 you are all so sad6--many of you so broken-hearted6--why is it8--how is it8 ,poverty alone is not the cause1--for it is quite possible to be poor1 yet happy6 ,true enough it is that in these days you are ground down by the imposition of taxes1 which try all the strength of your earnings to pay2 but even this is an evil you could mitigate for yourselves1 by strong and united public protest4 ,how is it that you do not realise your own strength8 ,you are not like the poor brutes of the field and forest1 who lack the reason which would show them how superior in physical force alone they are to the insignificant biped who commands them4 ,could the ox understand his own strength1 he would never be led to the slaughter-house2--he and his kind would become a terror instead of a provision4 ,you are not oxen1--yet often you are as patient1 as dull1 as blind and reasonless as they6 ,you form clubs1 societies1 and trades-unions2--but in how many cases do you not enter upon small and querulous differences which so weaken your unity that presently it falls to pieces and has no more power in it8 ,this is what your tyrants in trade rely on and hope for2 the constant recurrence of quarrels and dissensions among yourselves4 ,no ,society lasts which tolerates conflicting argument or differing sentiments in itself4 ,why is it that the ,jesuits1--whom you are all unanimous in hating1--are still the strongest political ,brotherhood on the face of the earth8 ,because they are bound to maintain in every particular the tenets of their ,order4 ,no matter how vile1 or how reprehensibly false their theories1 they are compelled to carry on the work and propaganda of their ,union1 despite all loss and sacrifice to themselves4 ,this is the secret of their force4 ,expelled from one land1 they take root in another4 ,suppressed entirely by ,pope ,clement ,,xiv41 in #aggc1 they virtually ignored suppression1 and took up their headquarters in ,russia4 ,the influence they exerted there still lies on the serf population1 like one of the many chains fastened to a ,siberian exile's body4 ,yet they were driven from ,russia in #ahbj1--;from ,holland in #ahaf1--;from ,switzerland in #ahdg1 and from ,germany in #ahgb4 ,latterly they have been expelled from ,france4 ,nevertheless1 in spite of these numerous expulsions1 and the universal odium in which they are held1--they still flourish2 still are they able to maintain their twenty-two generals and their four ,vicars2--and still all countries have1 in their turn1 to deal with their impending or fulfilled invasion4 ,why is it that a ,society so criminal in historic annals1 should yet remain as a force in our advanced era of civilization8 ,simply1 because it is of ,one ,mind6 ,bent on evil1 or good1--self-renunciation or self-aggrandisement1--it is still of ,one ,mind6 ,friends1--were you like them1 also of ,one ,mind1 your injuries1 your oppressions1 your taxations would not last long6 ,the remedy for all is easy1 and rests with yourselves1--only yourselves6 ,but some of you have lost heart--and other some have lost patience4 ,you look round upon the squalid corners of this great city--you shudder at the cruelty of the daily life with which you have to contend1--you enter poor rooms1 which you are compelled to call #8home1' where the sick and dying1 the newly-born and the dead are huddled all together1--ten1 and sometimes fifteen in one small den of four whitewashed walls2--and sickened and tired1 you cry out #8,is life worth no more than this8 ,is ,god's scheme for the human race no more than this8 ,then why were we born at all8 ,or1 being born1 why may we not die at once1 self-slain8' ,ah1 yes1 dear friends6--you often feel like this2 we all of us often feel like this6 ,but--it is not ,god who has made life thus hard for you1--it is yourselves6 ,it is you who consent to be down-trodden1--it is you who resign your freewill1 your thought1 your originality of character1 into the dominating power of others4 ,true1--wealth controls affairs to a vast extent nowadays1--but there is a stronger power than wealth1 and that is ,soul6 ,it is not the possession of gold that has given the greatest men their position4 ,this is a commercial age1 we own1--and certainly1--because of the base and degrading love of accumulation1--,intellectuality is for the moment often set aside as something valueless--but whenever ,intellectuality truly asserts itself1 there is at once made visible an acting force of the ,divine1 which is practically limitless and irresistible4 ,think for yourselves1 friends6--do not let a hired ,press think for you6 ,think for yourselves--judge for yourselves1 and act for yourselves6 ,by your observation of a statesman's life1 you shall know his capabilities4 ,if he has once been a turncoat1 he will be a turncoat again4 ,if he has been known to speculate privately in a forthcoming political crisis1 which he alone knows of in advance----0 ,here the speaker was interrupted by what sounded more like a snarl than a shout4 8,prousse6 ,prousse60 ,the name was hissed out1 and tossed from one rank to another of the audience1 and one or two of the police present glanced enquiringly towards ,bernhoff their chief1--but he sat with folded arms and inscrutable demeanour1 making no sign4 ,lotys raised her small1 beautifully-shaped white hand to enjoin silence4 ,she was obeyed instantly4 8,i speak of no one man10 she said with deliberate emphasis2 8,i accuse no one man1--or any man6 ,i say #8if' any man gambles with ,state policy1 he is a traitor to the country6 ,but such gambling is not a novelty in the history of nations4 ,it has been practised over and over again4 ,only mark you all this one ,god's truth6--that whenever it has occurred--whenever the rulers of a ,state are corrupt1--whenever society sinks into such moral defilement that it sees nothing better1 nothing higher than the love of money1--then comes the downfall6--then ,ruin and ,anarchy set up their dominion1--and ,heaven's rage rolls out upon the offenders1 till their offence be cleansed away in rivers of blood and tears60 ,she waited a moment1--and changing her attitude1 seemed as it were1 to project her thought into her audience1 by the sudden passion of her commanding gesture1 and the flash of her deep luminous eyes4 8,we have heard of the ,great ,renunciation60 she said2 8,how ,god ,himself took human form1 and came to this low little earth to prove how nobly we should live and die6 ,but in our day1--we with our preachers and teachers1 our press and our parliamentary orators1--our atheistical statesmen on all hands1 have come upon the ,great ,obliteration6--the ,obliteration of ,god altogether in our ways of life6 ,we push ,him out1 as if ,he were not4 ,he is not in our ,churches--,he is not in our ,laws--,he is not in our ,commerce4 ,only when we are brought low by pain and sickness--when we are confronted by death itself--then we call out #8,god6 ,god6' like cowards1 praying for help from the ,power we have negatived all our lives6 ,here is the evil1 ,o children all6--we have forgotten ,our ,father6 ,we arrange all our affairs in life without giving ,him a thought6 ,our pleasures1 our gains1 our advantages1--are calculated without consulting ,his good pleasure4 ,he is last1 or not at all1--when ,he should be first1 and in everything6 ,the end of this is misery2--it must be so2 it cannot by law be anything else4 ,for what is ,god8 ,who is ,god8 ,god is a name merely1--but we give it to that ,unseen1 but ever working ,force which rules the ,universe6 ,the coldest atheist that ever breathed must own that somehow1--by some means or other1--the ,universe is ruled1--for if it were not1 we should know nothing of it4 ,therefore1 when we set aside1 or leave out the consciousness and acknowledgment of the ,ruler1 the ruling of our affairs must1 of necessity1 go wrong6 8,i cannot preach to you--,i cannot out of my own conscience recommend to you one or the other form of faith as the way to peace and wisdom2--but ,i can and do ,beseech you to remember the ,note ,dominant of this great ,universe--the ,note that sounds through high and low1--through small and great alike6--and that must and will in due course absorb all our discords into ,everlasting ,harmony6 ,try not to put this fact out of your lives1--that ,justice and ,order are the rule of the spheres2 and that whenever we depart from these1 even in the smallest contingency1 confusion reigns4 ,how hard it is to believe in ,justice and ,order1 you will tell me1--when the poor are not treated with the same consideration as the rich1--and when money will buy place and position6 ,true6 ,it is hard to believe1--but it is believable nevertheless4 ,as the lungs and the heart are the life of the human body1 so are ,justice and ,order the life of the ,universe1--and when these are pushed out of place1 or become diseased in the composition of a human state or community1 then the life of that state or community is threatened2--and unless remedies are quickly to hand1 it must end4 ,you all know the position of things among yourselves to-day2--you all know that there is no trust to be placed in ,churches1 ,kings or ,parliaments2--that the world is in a state of ferment and unrest1--moving towards ,change2--change imminent--change1 possibly1 disastrous6 ,and if it is ,you who know1 it is likewise ,you who must seize the hour as it approaches6--seize it as you would seize a robber by the throat1 and demand its business2--search its heart2--deprive it of its weapons2--and learn from it its message6 ,a message it may be of wild alarm--of tearing up old conventions2--of thrusting forth old abuses2 a message full of clamour and outcry--but whatever the uproar1 doubt not that we shall hear the voice of the ,forgotten ,god thundering in our ears at the close6 ,we shall have found our way closer to ,him--and with penitence and prayer1 we shall ask to be forgiven for having wandered away from ,him so long6 8,and will ,he not pardon8 ,yes1--,he will1 because ,he must6 ,to ,him we owe our existence2--,he alone is responsible for our life1 our probation1 our progress1 our striving through many errors towards ,perfection6 ,he1 who sees all1 must needs have pity for ,his creature ,man6 ,out of the evolutions of a blind ,time1 ,he has made the poor weak human being1 who in the first days of his sojourn on earth had neither covering nor home4 ,less protected than the beasts of the forest1 he found himself compelled to ,think6--to think out his own means of shelter1--to contrive his own weapons of defence4 ,slowly1 and by painful degrees1 from ,savagery he has emerged to ,civilization2--wherefore it is evident that his ,maker meant ,thought to be his first principle1 and ,action his second4 ,he who does not work1 shall not eat2--he who does not use all his faculties for improvement1 shall by and by have none to use4 ,injustice and corruption are amongst us1 merely because we ourselves have failed to resist their first inroads4 ,who is it that complains of wrong8 ,let him hasten to his own amending1--and he will find a thousand hands1 a thousand hearts ready to work with him6 ,all ,nature is on the side of health in the body1 as of health in the ,state4 ,all ,nature fights against disease1--physical and moral4 ,therefore do not1--dear friends and children6--sit idle and passive1 submitting yourselves to be deceived1 as if you had no force to withstand deception6 ,show that you hate lies1 and will have none of them1--show that you will not be imposed upon--and decline to be led or governed by party agents1 who persuade you to your own and your country's destruction6 ,the voice of the ,people can no longer be heard in a purchased ,press2--let it echo forth then1 in stronger form than ephemeral print1 which to-day is glanced at1 and to-morrow is forgotten2--wherever and whenever you are given the chance to meet1 and to speak1 let your authority as the workers1 the ratepayers1 and supporters of the ,state be heard2 and do not ,you1 without whom even the ,king could not keep his throne1 consent to be set aside as the ,unvalued ,majority6 ,prove1 by your own firm attitude that without ,you1 nothing can be done6 ,it is time1 oh people of my heart6--it is time you spoke clearly6 ,god is moving ,his thought through your souls--,god stirs in you the fear1 the discontent1 the suspicion that all is not well with your country2--and it is the ,spirit of ,god which breathes in the warning note of the time-- 8#8,hark to the voice of the time6 ,the multitude think forthemselves1 ,and weigh their condition each one2 ,the drudge has a spirit sublime1 ,and whether he hammers or delves1 ,he reads when his labour is done2 ,and learns1 though he groan under poverty's ban1 ,that freedom to ,think1 is the birthright of man6' 8,learn10 she continued1--as a low deep murmur of agreement ran through the room2 8,learn to what strange uses ,god puts even such men of this world1 whose sole existence has been for the cause of amassing money6 ,they have acted as the merest machines1 gathering in the millions2--gathering1 gathering them in6 ,for what purpose8 ,lo1 they are smitten down in the prime of their lives1 and the gold they have piled up is at once scattered6 ,much of it becomes used for educational purposes2--and some of these dead millionaires have1 as it were thrown ,education at the heads of the people1 and almost pauperised it4 ,far away in ,great ,britain1 a millionaire has recently made the ,scottish ,university education #8free' to all students1--instead of1 as it used to be1 hard to get1 and well worth working to win4 ,now1--through the wealth of one man1 it is turned into a pauper's allowance2--like offering the smallest silver coin to a reduced gentleman4 ,the pride1--the skill1--the self-renunciation1--the strong determination to succeed1 which form fine character1 and which taught the struggling student to win his own ,university education1 are all wiped out2--there is no longer any necessity for the practice of these manly and self-sustaining virtues4 ,the harm that will be done is probably not yet perceivable2 but it will be incalculable4 ,education1 turned into a kind of pauper's monopoly1 will have widely different results to those just now imagined6 ,but with all the contemptuous throwing out of the unneeded kitchen-waste of millionaires1--still ,education is the thing to take at any price1 and under any circumstances2--because it alone is capable of giving power6 ,it alone will #8put down the mighty from their seats1 and exalt the humble and the meek4' ,it alone will give us the force to fight our taskmasters with their own weapons1 and to place them where they should be1 coequal with us1 but not superior1--considerate of us1 but not commanding us1--and above all things1 bound to make their records of such work as they do for the ,state--clean60 ,a hurricane of applause interrupted her1--she waited till it subsided1 then went on quietly4 8,there should be no scheming in the dark2 no secret contracts for which we have to pay blindly2--no refusal to explain the way in which the people's hard-earned money is spent2 and before foreign urbanities and diplomacies and concessions are allowed to take up time in the ,senate1 it is necessary that the frightful and abounding evils of our own land1--our own homes1--be considered4 ,for this we purpose to demand redress1--and not only to demand it1 but to obtain it6 ,ministers may refuse to hear us2 but the ,country's claims are greater than any ,ministry6 ,a ,king's displeasure may cause court-parasites to tremble--but a ,people's ,honour is more to be guarded than a thousand thrones60 ,as she concluded with these words1 she seemed to grow taller1 nobler1 more inspired and commanding1--and while the applause was yet shaking the rafters of the hall1 she left the platform4 ,shouts of 8,lotys6 ,lotys60 rang out again and again with passionate bursts of cheering1--and in response to it she came back1 and by a slight gesture commanded silence4 8,dear friends1 ,i thank you all for listening to me60 she said simply1 her rich voice trembling a little2 8,i speak only with a woman's impulse and unwisdom--just as ,i think and feel--and always out of my great love for you6 ,as you all know1 ,i have no interests to serve2--,i am only ,lotys1 your own poor friend1--one who works with you1 and dwells among you1 seeing and sharing your hard lives1 and wishing with all my heart that ,i could help you to be happier and freer6 ,my life is at your service1--my love for you is all too great for any words to express1--and my gratitude for your faith and trust in me forms my daily thanksgiving6 ,now1 dear children all1--for you are truly as children in your patience1 submission and obedience to bitter destiny6--,i will ask you to disperse quietly without noise or confusion1 or any trouble that may give to the paid men of law ungrateful work to do2--and in your homes1 think of me6--remember my words6--and while you maintain order by the steadiness and reasonableness of your difficult lives1 still avoid and resent that slavish obedience to the yoke fastened upon you by capitalists1--who have no other comfort to offer you in poverty than the workhouse2 and no other remedy for the sins into which you are thrust by their neglect1 than the prison6 ,take1 and keep the rights of your humanity6--the right to think1--the right to speak1--the right to know what is being done with the money you patiently earn for others2--and work1 all together in unity4 ,put aside all petty differences1--all small rancours and jealousies2 and even as a ,ministry may unite to defraud and deceive you1 so do you1 the ,people1 unite to expose the fraud1 and reject the deception6 ,there is no voice so resonant and convincing as the voice of the public2 there is no power on earth more strong or more irresistible than the power of the ,people60 ,she stood for one moment more1--silent2 her eyes brilliant1 her face beautiful with inspired thought1--then with a quiet1 half-deprecatory gesture1 in response to the fresh outbreak of passionate cheering1 she retired from the platform4 ,pasquin ,leroy1 whose eyes had been riveted on her from the first to the last word of her oration1 now started as from a dream1 and rose up half-unconsciously1 passing his hand across his brow1 as though to exorcise some magnetic spell that had crept over his brain4 ,his face was flushed1 his pulses were throbbing quickly4 ,his companions1 ,max ,graub and ,axel ,regor1 looked at him inquisitively4 ,the audience was beginning to file out of the hall in orderly groups4 8,what next80 said ,graub2 8,shall ye go80 8,i suppose so10 said ,leroy1 with a quick sigh1 and forcing a smile2 8,but--,i should have liked to speak with her----0 ,at that moment his shoulder was touched by a man he recognised as ,johan ,zegota4 ,he gave the sign of the ,revolutionary ,committee bond1 to which ,leroy and his comrades responded4 8,will you all three come over the way80 whispered ,zegota cautiously2 8,we are entertaining ,lotys to supper at the inn opposite1--the landlord is one of us4 ,thord saw you sitting here1 and sent me to ask you to join us40 8,with pleasure10 assented ,leroy2 8,we will come at once60 ,zegota nodded and disappeared4 8,so you will see the end of this escapade60 said ,max ,graub1 a trifle crossly4 8,it would have been much better to go home60 8,you have enjoyed escapades in your time1 have you not1 my friend8 ,some even quite recently80 returned ,leroy gaily4 8,one or two more will not hurt you60 ,they edged their way out among the quietly moving crowd1 and happening to push past ,general ,bernhoff1 that personage gave an almost imperceptible salute1 which ,leroy as imperceptibly returned4 ,it was clear that the ,chief of ,police was acquainted with ,pasquin ,leroy1 the #8spy' on whose track he had been sent by ,carl ,prousse1 and moreover1 that he was evidently in no hurry to arrest him4 ,at any rate he allowed him to pass with his friends unmolested1 out of the ,people's ,assembly ,rooms1 and though he followed him across the road1 #8shadowing him1' as it were1 into a large tavern1 whose lighted windows betokened some entertainment within1 he did not enter the hostelry himself1 but contented his immediate humour by walking past it to a considerable distance off1 and then slowly back again4 ,by and by ,max ,graub came out and beckoned to him1 and after a little earnest conversation ,bernhoff walked off altogether1 the ring of his martial heels echoing for some time along the pavement1 even after he had disappeared4 ,and from within the lighted tavern came the sound of a deep1 harmonious1 swinging chorus-- 8,way1 make way6--for our banner is unfurled1 ,let each man stand by his neighbour6 ,the thunder of our footsteps shall roll through the world1 ,in the ,march of the ,men of ,labour60 8,yes60 said ,max ,graub1 pausing to listen ere re-entering the tavern--8,if--and it is a great #8if'--if every man will stand by his neighbour1 the thunder will be very loud1--and by all the deities that ever lived in the ,heaven blue1 it is a thunder that is likely to last some time6 ,the possibility of standing by one's neighbour is the only doubtful point60 ,,chapter ,,xx ,,the ,,scorn ,,of ,,kings ,inside the tavern1 from whence the singing proceeded1 there was a strange scene1--somewhat disorderly yet picturesque4 ,lotys1 seated at the head of a long supper-table1 had been crowned by her admirers with a wreath of laurels1--and as she sat more or less silent1 with a rather weary expression on her face1 she looked like the impersonation of a ,daphne1 exhausted by the speed of her flight from pursuing ,apollo4 ,beside her1 nestling close against her caressingly1 was a little girl with great black ,spanish eyes1--eyes full of an appealing1 half-frightened wistfulness1 like those of a hunted animal4 ,lotys kept one arm round the child1 and every now and again spoke to her some little caressing word4 ,all the rest of the guests at the supper-board were men1--and all of them members of the ,revolutionary ,committee4 ,when ,pasquin ,leroy and his friends entered1 there was a general clapping of hands1 and the pale countenance of ,lotys flushed a delicate rose-red1 as she extended her hand to each4 8,you begin your career with us very well60 she said gently1 her eyes resting musingly on ,leroy2 8,i had not expected to see you to-night60 8,madame1 ,i had never heard you speak10 he answered2 and as he addressed her1 he pressed her hand with unconscious fervour1 while his eloquent eyes dilated and darkened1 as1 moved by some complex emotion1 she quickly withdrew her slender fingers from his clasp4 8,and ,i felt ,i should never know you truly as you are1 till ,i saw you face the people4 ,now----0 ,he paused4 ,she looked at him wonderingly1 and her heart began to beat with a strange quick thrill4 ,it is not always easy to see the outlines of a soul's development1 or the inchoate formation of a great love1--and though everything in a certain sense moved her and appealed to her that was outside herself1 it was difficult to her to believe or to admit that she1 in her own person1 might be the cause of an entirely new set of thoughts and emotions in the mind of one man4 ,seeing he was silent1 she repeated softly and with a half smile4 8#8,now'80 8,now10 continued ,leroy quickly1 and in a half-whisper2 8,i do know you partly1--but ,i must know you more6 ,you will give me the chance to do that80 ,his look said more than his words1 and her face grew paler than before4 ,she turned from him to the child at her side-- 8,pequita1 are you very tired80 8,no60 was the reply1 given brightly1 and with an upward glance of the dark eyes4 8,that is right6 ,pasquin ,leroy my friend6 this is ,pequita1--the child we told you of the other night1 the only daughter of ,sholto4 ,she will dance for us presently1 will you not1 my little one80 8,yes1 indeed60 and the young face lighted up swiftly at the suggestion2 while ,leroy1 taking the seat indicated to him at the supper-table1 experienced a tumult of extraordinary sensations1--the chief one of which was1 that he felt himself to have been #8snubbed1' very quietly but effectually1 by a woman who had succeeded1 though he knew not how1 in suddenly awakening in him a violent fever of excitement1 to which he was at present unable to give a name4 ,rallying himself1 however1 he glanced up and down the board smilingly1 lifting his glass to salute ,sergius ,thord1 who responded from his place at the bottom of the table1--and very soon he regained his usual placidity1 for he had enormous strength of will1 and kept an almost despotic tyranny over his feelings4 ,his companions1 ,max ,graub and ,axel ,regor1 were separated from him1 and from each other1 at different sides of the table1 and ,paul ,zouche the poet1 was almost immediately opposite to him4 ,he was glad to see that he was next but one to ,lotys--the man between them being a desperado-looking fellow with a fierce moustache1 and exceedingly gentle eyes1--who1 as he afterwards discovered1 was one of the greatest violinists in the world1--the favourite of kings and ,courts1--and yet for all that1 a prominent member of the ,revolutionary ,committee4 ,the supper1 which was of a simple1 almost frugal character1 was soon served1 and the landlord1 in setting the first plate before ,lotys1 laid beside it a knot of deep crimson roses1 as an offering of homage and obedience from himself4 ,she thanked him with a smile and glance1 and taking up the flowers1 fastened them at her breast4 ,conversation now became animated and general2 and one of the men present1 a delicate-looking young fellow1 with a head resembling somewhat that of ,keats1 started a discussion by saying suddenly-- 8,jost has sold out all his shares in that new mine that was started the other day4 ,it looks as if he did not think1 after all his newspaper puffs1 that the thing was going to work40 8,if ,jost has sold1 ,prousse will10 said his neighbour2 8,the two are concerned together in the floating of the whole business40 8,and yet another piece of news60 put in ,paul ,zouche suddenly2 8,for if we talk of stocks and shares1 we talk of money6 ,what think you1 my friends6 ,i1 ,paul ,zouche1 have been offered payment for my poems6 ,this very afternoon6 ,imagine6 ,will not the spheres fall8 ,a poet to be paid for his poems is as though one should offer the ,creator a pecuniary consideration for creating the flowers60 ,his face was flushed1 and his eyes deliriously bright4 8,listen1 my ,sergius60 he said2 8,wonders never cease in this world2 but this is the most wonderful of all wonders6 ,out of the merest mischief and monkeyish malice1 the other day ,i sent my latest book of poems to the ,king--0 8,shame6 shame60 interrupted a dozen voices4 8,against the rules1 ,paul6 ,you have broken the bond60 ,paul ,zouche laughed loudly4 8,how you yell1 my baboons60 he cried2 8,how you screech about the rules of your lair6 ,wait till you hear6 ,you surely do not suppose ,i sent the book out of any humility or loyalty1 or desire for notice1 do you8 ,i sent it out of pure hate and scorn1 to show him as a fool-,majesty1 that there was something he could not do--something that should last when he was forgotten6--a few burning lines that should1 like vitriol1 eat into his ,throne and outlast it6 ,i sent it some days ago1 and got an acknowledgment from the flunkey who writes ,majesty's letters4 ,but this afternoon ,i received a much more important document1--a letter from ,eugne ,silvano1 secretary to our very honourable and trustworthy ,premier6 ,he informs me in set terms1 that his ,majesty the ,king has been pleased to appreciate my work as a poet1 to the extent of offering me a hundred golden pieces a year for the term of my natural life6 ,ha-ha6 ,a hundred golden pieces a year6 ,and thus they would fasten this wild bird of ,revolutionary song to a ,royal cage1 for a bit of sugar6 ,a hundred golden pieces a year6 ,it means food and lodging--warm blankets to sleep in--but it means something else1--loss of independence60 8,then you will not accept it80 said ,pasquin ,leroy1 looking at him with interest over the rim of the glass from which he was just sipping his wine4 8,accept it6 ,i have already refused it6 ,by swift return of post60 ,shouts of 8,bravo6 bravo60 echoed around him on all sides2 men sprang up and shook hands with him and patted him on the back1 and even over the dark face of ,sergius ,thord there passed a bright illumining smile4 8,zouche1 with all thy faults1 thou art a brave man60 said the young man with the ,keats-like head1 who was in reality confidential clerk to one of the largest stockbrokers in the metropolis2 8,a thousand times better to starve1 than to accept ,royal alms60 8,to your health1 ,zouche60 said ,lotys1 leaning forward1 glass in hand4 8,your refusal of the ,king's offered bounty is a greater tragedy than any you have ever tried to write60 8,hear her60 cried ,zouche1 exultant2 8,she knows exactly how to put it6 ,for look you1 there are the true elements of tragedy in a worn coat and scant food1 while the thoughts that help nations to live or die are burning in one's brain6 ,then comes a ,king with a handful of gold--and gold would be useful--it always is6 ,but--by ,heaven6 to pay a poet for his poems is1 as ,i said before1 as if one were to meet the ,deity on ,his way through space1 scattering planets and solar systems at a touch1 and then to say--#8,well done1 ,god6 ,we shall remunerate ,you for your creative power as long as ,you shall last--so much per aeon6'0 ,leroy laughed4 8,you wild soul60 he said2 8,would you starve then1 rather than accept a king's bounty80 8,i would60 answered ,paul4 8,look you1 my brave ,pasquin6 ,read back over all the centuries1 and see the way in which these puppets we call kings have rewarded the greatest thinkers of their times6 ,is it anywhere recorded that the antique virgin1 ,elizabeth of ,england1 ever did anything for ,shakespeare8 ,true--he might have been #8graciously permitted' to act one of his sublime tragedies before her--by ,heaven6--she was only fit to be his scrubbing woman1 by intellectual comparison6 ,kings and ,queens have always trembled in their shoes1 and on their thrones1 before the might of the pen6--and it is natural therefore that they should ignore it as much as conveniently possible4 ,a general1 whose military tactics succeed in killing a hundred thousand innocent men receives a peerage and a hundred thousand a year1--a speculator who snatches territory and turns it into stock-jobbing material1 is called an #8,empire ,builder'2 but the man whose ,thought destroys or moulds a new ,world1 and raises up a new ,civilization1 is considered beneath a crowned ,majesty's consideration6 #8,beneath1' by ,heaven6--,i1 ,paul ,zouche1 may yet mount behind ,majesty's chair1 and with a single rhyme send his crown spinning into space6 ,meanwhile1 ,i have flung back his hundred golden pieces1 with as much force in the edge of my pen as there would be in my hand if you were his ,majesty sitting there1 and ,i flung them across the table now60 ,again ,leroy laughed4 ,his eyes flashed1 but there was a certain regret and wistfulness in them4 8,you approve1 of course80 he said1 turning to ,sergius ,thord4 ,sergius looked for a moment at ,zouche with an infinitely grave and kindly compassion4 8,i think ,paul has acted bravely20 he then said slowly2 8,he has been true to the principles of our ,order4 ,and under the circumstances1 it must have been difficult for him to refuse what would have been a certain competence1--0 8,not difficult1 ,sergius60 exclaimed ,zouche1 8,but purely triumphant60 ,thord smiled1--then went on--8,you see1 my friend10 and he addressed himself now to ,leroy2 8,kings have scorned the power of the pen too long6 ,those who possess that power are now taking vengeance for neglect4 ,thousands of pens all over the world to-day are digging the grave of ,royalty1 and building up the throne of ,democracy4 ,who is to blame8 ,royalty itself is to blame1 for deliberately passing over the claims of art and intellect1 and giving preference to the claims of money4 ,the moneyed man is ever the friend of ,majesty1--but the brilliant man of letters is left out in the cold4 ,yet it is the man of letters who chronicles the age1 and who will do so1 we may be sure1 according to his own experience4 ,as the ,king treats the essayist1 the romancist or the historian1 so will these recording scribes treat the ,king60 8,it is possible1 though10 suggested ,leroy1 8that the ,king meant well in his offer to our friend ,zouche80 8,quite possible60 agreed ,thord2 8,only his offer of one hundred gold pieces a year to a man of intellect1 is out of all proportion to the salary he pays his cook60 ,a slight flush reddened ,leroy's bronzed cheek4 ,thord observed him attentively1 and saw that his soul was absorbed by some deep-seated intellectual irritation4 ,he began to feel strangely drawn towards him2 his eyes questioned the secret which he appeared to hold in his mind1 but the quiet composure of the man's handsome face baffled enquiry4 ,meanwhile around the table the conversation grew louder and less restrained4 ,the young stockbroker's clerk was holding forth eloquently concerning the many occasions on which he had seen ,carl ,prousse at his employer's office1 carefully going into the closest questions of financial losses or gains likely to result from certain political moves1--and he remembered one day in particular1 when1 after purchasing a hundred thousand shares in a certain company1 ,prousse had turned suddenly round on his broker with the cool remark--8,if ever you breathe a whisper about this transaction1 ,i will shoot you dead60 ,whereat the broker had replied that it was not his custom to give away his clients' business1 and that threats were unworthy of a statesman4 ,then ,prousse had become as friendly as he had been before menacing2 and the two had gone out of the office and lunched together4 ,and the confidential clerk thus chattering his news1 declared that his employer was now evidently uneasy2 and that from that uneasiness he augured a sudden fluctuation or fall in what had lately seemed the most valuable stock in the market4 8,and you8 ,your news1 ,valdor10 cried one or two eager voices1 while several heads leaned forward in the direction of the fiercely-moustached man who sat next to ,lotys4 8,where have you been with your fiddle8 ,do you arrive among us to-night infected by the pay1 or the purple of ,royalty80 ,louis ,valdor1 by birth a ,norseman1 and by sympathies a cosmopolitan1 looked up with a satiric smile in his dark eyes4 8,there is no purple left to infect a man with1 in the modern slum of ,royalty60 he said2 8,tobacco-smoke1 not incense1 perfumes the palaces of the great nowadays--and card-playing is more appreciated than music6 ,yet ,i and my fiddle have made many long journeys lately1--and we have sent our messages of ,heaven thrilling through the callous horrors of ,hell6 ,a few nights since1 ,i played at the ,russian ,court--before the beautiful ,empress--cold as a stone--with her great diamonds flashing on her unhappy breast1--before the ,emperor1 whose furtive eyes gazed unseeingly before him1 as though black ,fate hovered in the air--before women1 whose lives are steeped in the lowest intrigue--before men1 whose faces are as bearded masks1 covering the wolf's snarl1--yes6--,i played before these1--played with all the chords of my heart vibrating to the violin1 till at last a human sigh quivered from the lips of the statuesque ,empress1--till a frown crossed the brooding brow of her spouse--till the intriguing women shook off the spell with a laugh1 and the men did the same with an oath--and ,i was satisfied6 ,i received neither #8pay1' nor jewel of recognition1--,i had played #8for the honour' of appearing before their ,majesties6--but my bow was a wand to wake the little poisoned asp of despair that stings its way into the heart under every ,royal mantle of ermine1 and that sufficed me60 8,sometimes10 said ,leroy1 turning towards him2 8,i pity kings60 8,i' faith1 so do ,i60 returned ,valdor4 8,but only sometimes6 ,and if you had seen as much of them as ,i have1 the #8sometimes' would be rare60 8,yet you play before them80 put in ,max ,graub4 8,because ,i must do so to satisfy the impresarios who advertise me to the public10 said ,valdor4 8,alas6--why will the public be so foolish as to wish their favourite artist to play before kings and queens8 ,seldom1 if ever1 do these ,royal people understand music1--still less do they understand the musician6 ,believe me1 ,i have been treated as the veriest scullion by these jacks-in-office2 and that ,i still permit myself to play before them is a duty ,i owe to this ,brotherhood1--because it deepens and sustains my bond with you all4 ,there is no king on the face of the earth who has dignity and nobleness of character enough to command my respect1--much less my reverence6 ,i take nothing from kings1 remember6--they dare not offer me money--they dare not insult me with a jewelled pin1 such as they would give to a station-master who sees a ,royal train off4 ,only the other day1 when ,i was summoned to play before a certain ,majesty1 a lord-in-waiting addressed me when ,i arrived with the insolent words--#8,you are late1 ,monsieur ,valdor6--,you have kept the ,king waiting6' ,i replied--#8,is that so8 ,i regret it6 ,but having kept his ,majesty waiting1 ,i will no longer detain him2 au revoir6' ,and ,i returned straightway to the carriage in which ,i had come4 ,majesty did without his music that evening1 owing to the insolence of his flunkey-man6 ,whether ,i ever play before him again or not1 is absolutely immaterial to me60 8,tell me10 said ,pasquin ,leroy1 pushing the flask of wine over to him as he spoke2 8,what is it that makes kings so unloved8 ,i hate them myself6--but let us analyse the reasons why40 8,discuss--discuss60 cried ,paul ,zouche2 8,why are kings hated8 ,let ,thord answer first60 8,yes--yes6 ,let ,thord answer first60 was echoed a dozen times4 ,thord1 thus appealed to1 looked up4 ,his melancholy deep eyes were sombre1 yet full of fire1--lonely eyes they were1 yearning for love4 8,why are kings hated80 he repeated2 8,because today they are the effete representatives of an effete system4 ,i can quite imagine that if1 as in olden times1 kings had maintained a position of personal bravery1 and personal influence on their subjects1 they would have been as much beloved as they are now despised4 ,but what we have to see and to recognise is this3 in one land we hear of a sovereign who speculates hand-and-glove with low-born ,jew contractors and tradesmen1--another monarch makes no secret of his desire to profit financially out of a gambling hell started in his dominions1--another makes his domestic affairs the subject of newspaper comment1--another is always apostrophising the ,almighty in public2--another is insane or stupid1--and so on through the whole gamut4 ,is it not natural that an intelligent ,people should resent the fact that their visibly governing head is a gambler1 or a voluptuary8 ,myself1 ,i think the growing unpopularity of kings is the result of their incapability for kingship40 8,now let me speak60 cried ,paul ,zouche excitedly2 8,there is another root to the matter1--a root like that of a certain tropical orchid1 which according to superstition1 is shaped like a man1 and utters a shriek when it is pulled out of the earth6 ,pull out this screaming mystery1--hatred of kings6 ,in the first place it is because they are hateful in themselves1--because they have been brought up and educated to take an immeasurable and all-absorbing interest in their own identity1 rather than in the lives1 hopes and aims of their subjects4 ,in the second--as soon as they occupy thrones1 they become overbearing to their best friends4 ,it is a well-known fact that the more loyal and faithful you are to a king1 the more completely is he neglectful of you6 #8,put not your trust in princes1' sang old ,david4 ,he knew how untrustworthy they were1 being a king himself1 and a pious one to boot6 ,thirdly and lastly1--they only give their own personal attention to their concubines1 and leave all their honest and respectable subjects to be dealt with by servants and secretaries4 ,our ,king1 for example1 never smiles so graciously as on ,madame ,vantine1 the wife of ,vantine the wine-grower2--and he buys ,vantine's wines as well as his wife1 which brings in a double profit to the firm60 ,leroy looked up4 8,are you sure of that80 ,zouche met his eyes with a stare and a laugh4 8,sure8 ,of course ,i am sure6 ,by my faith1 your resemblance to his ,majesty is somewhat striking to-night1 my bold ,leroy6 ,the same straight brows--the same inscrutable1 woman-conquering smile6 ,i studied his portrait after the offer of the hundred golden pieces--and ,i swear you might be his twin brother60 8,i told you so60 replied ,leroy imperturbably2--8,it is a hateful resemblance6 ,i wish ,i could rid myself of it4 ,still after all1 there is something unique in being countenanced like a ,king1 and minded as a ,socialist60 8,true60 put in ,thord gently2--8,i am satisfied1 ,pasquin ,leroy1 that you are an honest comrade60 ,leroy met his eyes with a grave smile1 and touched his glass by way of acknowledgement4 8,you do not ask me10 he said then1 8whether ,i have been able to serve your ,cause in any way since last we met80 8,this is not our regular meeting10 said ,johan ,zegota2 8,we ask no questions till the general monthly assembly40 8,i see60 ,and ,leroy looked whimsically meditative--8,still1 as we are all friends and brothers here1 there is no harm in conveying to you the fact that ,i have so far moved1 in the appointed way1 that ,carl ,prousse has ordered the discovery and arrest of one ,pasquin ,leroy1 supposed to be a spy on the military defences of the city60 ,lotys gave a little cry4 8,not possible6 ,so soon60 8,quite possible1 ,madame10 said ,leroy inclining his head towards her deferentially4 8,i have lost no time in doing my duty60 ,and his eyes flashed upon her with a passionate1 half-eager questioning4 8,i must carry out my ,chief's commands60 8,but you are in danger1 then80 said ,sergius ,thord1 bending an anxious look of enquiry upon him4 8,not more so than you1 or any of my comrades are10 replied ,leroy2 8,i have commenced my campaign--and ,i have no doubt you will hear some results of it ere long60 ,he spoke so quietly and firmly1 yet with such an air of assurance and authority1 that something of an electric thrill passed through the entire company1 and all eyes were fixed on him in mingled admiration and wonderment4 8,of the #8,corruption of the ,state1' concerning which our fair teacher has spoken to-night10 he continued1 with another quick glance at ,lotys--8there can be no manner of doubt4 ,but we should1 ,i think1 say the #8,corruption of the ,ministry' rather than of the ,state4 ,it is not because a few stock-jobbers rule the ,press and the ,cabinet1 that the ,state is necessarily corrupt4 ,remove the corruptors1--sweep the dirt from the house--and the ,state will be clean40 8,it will require a very long broom60 said ,paul ,zouche4 8,take ,david ,jost1 for example1--he is the fat ,jew-spider of several newspaper webs1--and to sweep him out is not so easy4 ,his printed sheets are read by the million2 and the million are deluded into believing him a reliable authority60 8,nothing so easy as to prove him unreliable10 said ,leroy composedly2 8,and then----0 8,then the million will continue to read his journals out of sheer curiosity1 to see how long a liar can go on lying60 said ,zouche2--8,besides a ,jew can turn his coat a dozen times a day2 he has inherited ,joseph's #8coat of many colours' to suit many opinions4 ,at present ,jost supports ,prousse1 and calls him the greatest statesman living2 but if ,prousse were once proved a fraud1 ,jost would pen a sublimely-conscientious leading article1 beginning in this strain2--' ,we are now at liberty to confess that we always had our doubts of ,m4 ,prousse6'0 ,a murmur of angry laughter went round the board4 8,there was an article this evening in one of ,jost's off-shoot journals10 went on ,zouche1 8which must have been paid for at a considerable cost4 ,it chanted the praises of one ,monsignor ,del ,fortis1--who1 it appears1 preached a sermon on #8,national ,education' the other day1 and told all the sleepy1 yawning people how necessary it was to have ,roman ,catholic schools in every town and village1 in order that souls might be saved4 ,the article ended by saying--#8,we hear on good authority that his ,majesty the ,king has been pleased to grant a considerable portion of certain ,crown lands to the ,jesuit ,order1 for the necessary building of a monastery and schools'----0 8,that is a lie60 broke in ,pasquin ,leroy1 with sudden vehemence4 8,the ,king is in many respects a scoundrel1 but he does not go back on his word60 ,axel ,regor looked fixedly across at him1 with a warning flash in the light of his cold languid eyes4 8,but how do you know that the ,king has given his word80 8,it was in the paper10 said ,leroy1 more guardedly2 8,i was reading about it1 as you know1 on the very night ,i encountered ,thord40 8,ah6 ,but you must recollect1 my friend1 that a statement in the papers is never true nowadays60 said ,max ,graub1 with a laugh2 8,whenever ,i read anything in the newspaper1 unless it is an official telegram1 ,i know it is a lie2 and even official telegrams have been known to emanate from unofficial sources60 ,by this time supper was nearly over1 and the landlord1 clearing the remains of the heavier fare1 set fruit and wine on the board4 ,sergius ,thord filled his glass1 and made a sign to his companions to do the same4 ,then he stood up4 8,to ,lotys60 he said1 his fine eyes darkening with the passion of his thought4 8,to ,lotys1 who inspires our best work1 and helps us to retain our noblest ideals60 ,all present sprang to their feet4 8,to ,lotys60 ,pasquin ,leroy fixed a straight glance on the subject of the toast1 sitting quietly at the head of the table4 8,to ,lotys60 he repeated2 8,and may she always be as merciful as she is strong60 ,she lifted her dark-blue slumbrous eyes1 and met his keen scrutinizing look4 ,a very slight tremulous smile flickered across her lips4 ,she inclined her head gently1 and in the same mute fashion thanked them all4 8,play to us1 ,valdor60 she then said2 8,and so make answer for me to our friends' good wishes60 ,valdor dived under the table1 and brought up his violin case1 which he unlocked with jealous tenderness1 lifting his instrument as carefully as though it were a sleeping child whom he feared to wake4 ,drawing the bow across the strings1 he invoked a sweet plaintive sound1 like the first sigh of the wind among the trees2 then1 without further preliminary wandered off into a strange labyrinth of melody1 wherein it seemed that the voices of women and angels clamoured one against the other1--the appeals of earth with the refusals of ,heaven1--the loneliness of life with the fulness of immortality1--so1 rising1 falling1 sobbing1 praying1 alternately1 the music expostulated with humanity in its throbbing chords1 till it seemed as if some ,divine interposition could alone end the heart-searching argument4 ,every man sat motionless and mute1 listening2 ,paul ,zouche1 with his head thrown back and eyes closed as in a dream1--,johan ,zegota's hard1 plain and careworn face growing softer and quieter in its expression1--while ,sergius ,thord1 leaning on one elbow1 covered his brow with one hand to shade the lines of sorrow there4 ,when ,valdor ceased playing1 there was a burst of applause4 8,you play before kings1--kings should be proud to hear you60 said ,leroy4 8,ah6 ,so they should10 responded ,valdor promptly2 8,only it happens that they are not6 ,they treat me merely as a laquais de place1--just as they would treat ,zouche1 had he accepted his ,sovereign's offer4 ,but this ,i will admit1--that mediocre musicians always get on very well with ,royal persons6 ,i have heard a very great ,majesty indeed praise a common little ,american woman's abominable singing1 as though she were a prima-donna1 and saw him give a jewelled cigar-case to an amateur pianist1 whose fingers rattled on the keyboard like bones on a tom-tom4 ,but then the common little ,american woman invited his ,majesty's #8chres amies' to her house2 and the amateur pianist was content to lose money to him at cards6 ,wheels within wheels1 my friend6 ,in a lesser degree the stock-jobber who sets a little extra cash rolling on the ,exchange is called an #8,empire ,builder4' ,it is a curious world6 ,but kings were never known to be #8proud' of any really #8great' men in either art or literature2 on the contrary1 they were always afraid of them1 and always will be6 ,among musicians1 the only one who ever got decently honoured by a monarch was ,richard ,wagner1--and the world swears that his ,royal patron was mad60 ,paul ,zouche opened his eyes1 filled his glass afresh1 and tossed down the liquor it contained at a gulp4 8,before we have any more music10 he said1 8and before the little ,pequita gives us the dance which she has promised1--not to us1 but to ,lotys--we ought to have prayers60 ,a loud laugh answered this strange proposition4 8,i say we ought to have prayers60 repeated ,zouche with semi-solemn earnestness1--8,you talk of news1--news in telegram1--news in brief1--official scratchings for the day and hour1--and do you take no thought for the fact that his ,holiness the ,pope is ill--perhaps dying80 ,he stared wildly round upon them all2 and a tolerant smile passed over the face of the company4 8,well1 if that be so1 ,paul10 said a man next to him1 8it is not to be wondered at4 ,the ,pope has arrived at a great age60 8,no age at all6--no age at all60 declared ,zouche4 8,a saint of ,god should live longer than a pauper6 ,what of the good old lady admitted to hospital the other day whose birth certificate proved her beyond doubt to be one hundred and twenty-one years old8 ,the dear creature had not married2--nor has his ,holiness the ,pope1--the real cause of death is in neither of them6 ,why should he not live as long as his aged sister1 possessing1 as he does the keys of ,heaven8 ,he need not unlock the little golden door1 even for himself1 unless he likes4 ,that is true orthodoxy6 ,pasquin ,leroy1 you bold imitation of a king1 more wine60 ,leroy filled the glass he held out to him4 ,the glances of the company told him ,zouche was #8on1' and that it was no good trying to stem the flow of his ideas1 or check the inconsequential nature of his speech4 ,lotys had moved her chair a little back from the table1 and with both arms encircling the child1 ,pequita1 was talking to her in low and tender tones4 8,brethren1 let us pray60 cried ,zouche2 8,for all we know1 while we sit here carousing and drinking to the health of our incomparable ,lotys1 the soul of ,st4 ,peter's successor may be careering through ,sphere-,forests1 and over ,planet-,oceans1 up to its own specially built and particularly furnished ,heaven6 ,there is only one ,heaven1 as we all know1--and the space is limited1 as it only holds the followers of ,st4 ,peter1 the good disciple who denied ,christ60 8,that is an exploded creed1 ,zouche10 said ,thord quietly2 8,no man of any sense or reason believes such childish nonsense nowadays6 ,the most casual student of astronomy knows better40 8,astronomy6 ,fie1 for shame60 ,and ,zouche gave a mock-solemn shake of the head2 8,a wicked science6 ,a great heresy6 ,what are ,god's ,facts to the ,church ,fallacies8 ,science proves that there are millions and millions of solar systems1--millions and millions of worlds1 no doubt inhabited2--yet the ,church teaches that there is only one ,heaven1 specially reserved for good ,roman ,catholics2 and that ,st4 ,peter and his successors keep the keys of it4 ,god1--the ,deity--the ,creator1--the ,supreme ,being1 has evidently nothing at all to do with it4 ,in fact1 ,he is probably outside it6 ,and of a surety ,christ1 with ,his ideas of honesty and equality1 could never possibly get into it60 8,there you are right60 said ,valdor2 8,your words remind me of a conversation ,i overheard once between a great writer of books and a certain ,prince of the blood ,royal4 #8,life is a difficult problem6' said the ,prince1 smoking a fat cigar4 #8,to the student1 it is1 ,sir1' replied the author2 #8,but to the sensualist1 it is no more than the mud-stye of the swine1--he noses the refuse and is happy6 ,he has no need of the ,higher life1 and plainly the ,higher life has no need of him4 ,of course1' he added with covert satire1 #8your ,highness believes in a ,higher life8' #8,of course1 of course6' responded the ,royal creature1 unconscious of any veiled sarcasm2 #8,we must be ,christians before anything6' ,and that same evening this hypocritical ,highness #8rooked' a foolish young fellow of over one thousand ,english pounds60 8,perfectly natural60 said ,zouche4 8,the fashionable estimate of ,christianity is to go to church o' ,sundays1 and say #8,i believe in ,god1' and to cheat at cards on all the other days of the week1 as active testimony to a stronger faith in the devil60 8,and with it all1 ,zouche10 said ,lotys suddenly2 8,there is more good in humanity than is apparent40 8,and more bad1 beloved ,lotys10 returned ,paul4 8,tout le deux se disent6 ,but let us think of the ,holy ,father6--he who1 after long years of patient and sublime credulity1 is now1 for all we know1 bracing himself to take the inevitable plunge into the dark waters of ,eternity6 ,poor frail old man6 ,who would not pity him6 ,his earthly home has been so small and cosy and restricted1--he has been taken such tender care of--the faithful have fallen at his feet in such adoring thousands1--and now--away from all this warmth and light and incense1 and colour of pictures and stained-glass windows1 and white statuary and purple velvets1 and golden-fringed palanquins1--now--out into the cold he must go6--out into the darkness and mystery and silence6--where all the former generations of the world1 immense and endless1 and all the old religions1 are huddled away in the mist of the mouldered past6--out into the thick blackness1 where maybe the fiery heads of ,bel and the ,dragon may lift themselves upward and leer at him6--or he may meet the frightful menace of some monstrous ,mexican deity1 once worshipped with the rites of blood6--out--out into the unknown1 unimaginable ,amazement must the poor naked ,soul go shuddering on the blast of death1 to face he truly knows not what6--but possibly he has such a pitiful blind trust in good1 that he may be re-transformed into some pleasant living consciousness that shall be more agreeable even than that of ,pope of ,rome6 #8,mourir c'est rien1--mais souffrir6' ,that is the hard part of it6 ,let us all pray for the ,pope1 my friends6--he is an old man60 8,when you are silent1 ,zouche10 said ,thord with a half smile2 8,we may perhaps meditate upon him in our thoughts1--but not while you talk thus volubly6 ,you take up time--and ,pequita is getting tired40 8,yes10 said ,lotys2 8,pequita and ,i will go home1 and there will be no dancing to-night40 8,no1 ,lotys6 ,you will not be so cruel60 said ,zouche1 pushing his grey hair back from his brows1 while his wild eyes glittered under the tangle1 like the eyes of a beast in its lair2 8,think for a moment6 ,i do not come here and bore you with my poems1 though ,i might very well do so6 ,some of them are worth hearing1 ,i assure you2--even the ,king--curse him6--has condescended to think so1 or else why should he offer me pay for them8 ,kings are not so ready to part with money1 even when it is ,government money6 ,in ,england once a ,premier named ,gladstone1 gave two hundred and fifty pounds a year pension to the ,french ,prince1 ,lucien ,buonaparte1 #8for his researches into ,celtic literature'6 ,bah6 ,there were many worthier native-born men who had worked harder on the same subject1 to choose from1--without giving good ,english money to a ,frenchman6 ,there is a case of your ,order and ,justice1 ,lotys6 ,you spoke to-night of these two impossible things4 ,why will you touch on such subjects8 ,you know there is no ,order and no ,justice anywhere6 ,the ,universe is a chance whirl of gas and atoms2 though where the two mischiefs come from nobody knows6 ,and why the devil we should be made the prey of gas and atoms is a mystery which no ,church can solve60 ,as he said this1 there was a slight movement of every head towards ,lotys1 and enquiring eyes looked suggestively at her4 ,she saw the look1 and responded to it4 8,you are wrong1 ,zouche6--,i have always told you you are wrong10 she said emphatically1 8,it is in your own disordered thoughts that you see no justice and no order1--but ,order there is1 and ,justice there is1--and ,compensation for all that seems to go wrong4 ,there is an ,intelligence at the core of ,creation6 ,it is not for us to measure that ,intelligence1 or to set any limits to it4 ,our duty is to recognize it1 and to set ourselves as much as possible in harmony with it4 ,do you never1 in sane moments1 study the progress of humanity8 ,do you not see that while the brute creation remains stationary1 7some specimens of it even becoming extinct71 man goes step by step to higher results8 ,this is1 or should be1 sufficient proof that death is not the end for us4 ,this world is only one link in our chain of intended experience4 ,i think it depends on ourselves as to what we make of it4 ,thought is a great power by which we mould ourselves and others2 and we have no right to subvert that power to base uses1 or to poison it by distrust of good1 or disbelief in the ,supreme ,guidance4 ,you would be a thousand times better as a man1 ,zouche1 and far greater as a poet1 if you could believe in ,god60 ,she spoke with eloquence and affectionate earnestness1 and among all the men there was a moment's silence4 8,well1 you believe in ,him20 said ,zouche at last1 8and ,i will catch hold of your angel's robe as you pass into ,his ,presence and say to ,him2--' ,here comes poor ,zouche1 who wrote of beautiful things among ugly surroundings1 and who1 in order to be true to his friends1 chose poverty rather than the gold of a king6'0 ,lotys smiled1 very sweetly and indulgently4 8,such a plea would stand you in good stead1 ,zouche6 ,to be always true to one's friends1 and to persistently believe in beauty1 is a very long step towards ,heaven60 8,i did not say ,i believed in beauty10 said ,zouche suddenly and obstinately2--8,i dream it--,i think it--but ,i do not see it6 ,to me the world is one ,horror--nothing but a ,grave into which we all must fall6 ,the fairest face has a hideous skull behind it1--the dazzling blue of the sea covers devouring monsters in its depths--the green fields1 the lovely woodlands1 are full of vile worms and noxious beetles1--and space itself swarms with thick-strewn worlds1--flaming comets1--blazing nebulae1--among which our earth is but a gnat's wing in a huge flame6 ,horrible6--horrible60 ,and he spoke with a kind of vehement fury4 8,let us not think of it6 ,why should we insist on ,truth8 ,let us have lies6--dear1 sweet lies and fond delusions6 ,let us believe that men are all honest1 and women all loving6--that there are virgins and saints and angels1 as well as bishops and curates1 looking after us in this wild world of terror1--oh1 yes6--let us believe6--better the ,pope's little private snuggery of a ,heaven1 than the crushing truth which says #8,our ,god is a consuming fire'6 ,knowledge deepens sorrow1--truth kills6--we must--we must have a little love1 and a few lies to lean upon60 ,his voice faltered1--and a sudden ashy paleness overspread his features1--his head fell back helplessly1 and he seemed transfixed and insensible4 ,leroy and one or two of the others rose in alarm1 thinking he had swooned1 but ,sergius ,thord warned them back by a sign4 ,the little ,pequita1 slipping from the arms of ,lotys1 went softly up to him4 8,paul6 ,dear ,paul60 she said in her soft childish tones4 ,zouche stirred1 and stretching out one hand1 groped with it blindly in the air4 ,pequita took it1 warming it between her own little palms4 8,paul60 she said2 8,do wake up6 ,you have been asleep such a long time60 ,he opened his eyes4 ,the grey pallor passed from his face2 he lifted his head and smiled4 8,so6 ,there you are1 ,pequita60 he said gently2 8,dear little one6 ,so brave and cheerful in your hard life60 ,he lifted her small brown hand1 and kissed it4 ,the feverish tension of his brain relaxed1--and two large tears welled up in his eyes1 and rolled down his cheeks4 8,poor little girl60 he murmured weakly2 8,poor little hard-working girl60 ,all the men sat silent1 watching the gradual softening of ,zouche's drunken delirium by the mere gentle caress of the child2 and ,pasquin ,leroy was conscious of a curious tightening of the muscles of his throat1 and a straining compassion at his heart1 which was more like acute sympathy with the griefs and sins of humanity than any emotion he had ever known4 ,he saw that the thoughtful1 pitiful eyes of ,lotys were full of tears1 and he longed1 in quite a foolish1 almost boyish fashion1 to take her in his arms and by a whispered word of tenderness1 persuade those tears away4 ,yet he was a man of the world1 and had seen and known enough4 ,but had he known them humanly8 ,or only from the usual standpoint of masculine egotism8 ,as he thought this1 a strain of sweet and solemn music stole through the room1--,louis ,valdor had risen to his feet1 and holding the violin tenderly against his heart1 was coaxing out of its wooden cavity a plaintive request for sympathy and attention4 ,such delicious music thrilled upon the dead silence as might have fitted ,shelley's exquisite lines4 8,there the voluptuous nightingales1 ,are awake through all the broad noon-day1 ,when one with bliss or sadness fails1 ,and through the windless ivy-boughs ,sick with sweet love1 droops dying away ,on its mate's music-panting bosom2 ,another from the swinging blossom1 ,watching to catch the languid close ,of the last strain2 then lifts on high ,the wings of the weak melody1 ,till some new strain of feeling bear ,the song1 and all the woods are mute2 ,when there is heard through the dim air ,the rush of wings1 and rising there ,like many a lake-surrounded flute ,sounds overflow the listener's brain1 ,so sweet that joy is almost pain40 8,thank ,god for music60 said ,sergius ,thord1 as ,valdor laid aside his bow2 8,it exorcises the evil spirit from every modern ,saul60 8,sometimes60 responded ,valdor2 8,but ,i have known cases where the evil spirit has been roused by music instead of suppressed4 ,art1 like virtue1 has two sides60 ,zouche was still holding ,pequita's hand4 ,he looked ill and exhausted1 like a man who had passed through a violent paroxysm of fever4 8,you are a good child1 ,pequita60 he was saying softly2 8,try to be always so6--it is difficult--but it is easier to a woman than to a man6 ,women have more of good in them than men60 8,how about the dance80 suggested ,thord2 8,the hour is late1--close on midnight--and ,lotys must be tired40 8,shall ,i dance now80 enquired ,pequita4 ,lotys smiled and nodded4 ,four or five of the company at once got up1 and helped to push aside the table4 8,will you play for me1 ,monsieur ,valdor80 asked the little girl1 still standing by the side of ,zouche4 8,of course1 my child6 ,what shall it be8 ,something to suggest a fairy hopping over mushrooms in the moonlight8--or ,shakespeare's ,ariel swinging on a cobweb from a bunch of may80 ,pequita considered1 and for a moment did not reply1 while ,zouche1 still holding her little brown hand1 kissed it again4 8,you are very fond of dancing80 asked ,pasquin ,leroy1 looking at her dark face and big black eyes with increasing interest4 ,she smiled frankly at him4 8,yes6 ,i would like to dance before the ,king60 8,fie1 fie1 ,pequita60 cried ,johan ,zegota1 while murmurs of laughter and playful cries of #8,shame1 ,shame' echoed through the room4 8,why not80 said ,pequita2 8,it would do me good1 and my father too6 ,such poor1 sad people come to the theatre where ,i dance1--they love to see me1 and ,i love to dance for them--but then--they too would be pleased if ,i could dance at the ,royal ,opera1 because they would know ,i could then earn enough money to make my father comfortable40 8,what a very matter-of-fact statement in favour of kings60 exclaimed ,max ,graub2--8,here is a child who does not care a button for a king as king2 but she thinks he would be useful as a figure-head to dance to1--for idiotic ,fashion1 grouping itself idiotically around the figure-head1 would want to see her dance also--and then--oh simple conclusion6--she would be able to support her father6 ,truly1 a king has often been put to worse uses60 8,i think10 said ,pasquin ,leroy1 8,i could manage to get you a trial at the ,royal ,opera1 ,pequita6 ,i know the manager40 ,she looked up with a sudden blaze of light in her eyes1 sprang towards him1 dropped on one knee with an exquisite grace1 and kissed his hand4 8,oh6--you will be goodness itself60 she cried2--8,and ,i will be grateful--indeed ,i will6--so grateful60 ,he was startled and amazed at her impulsive action1 and taking her little hand1 gently pressed it4 8,poor child60 he said2--8,you must not thank me till ,i succeed4 ,it is very little to do--but ,i will do all ,i can40 8,someone else will be grateful too60 said ,lotys in her rich thrilling voice2 and her eyes rested on him with that wonderful magnetic sweetness which drew his soul out of him as by a spell2 while ,zouche1 only partially understanding the conversation said slowly3-- 8,pequita deserves all the good she can get2 more than any of us4 ,we do nothing but try to support ourselves2 and we talk a vast amount about supporting others1--but ,pequita works all the time and says nothing4 ,and she is a genius--she does not know it1 but she is4 ,give us the ,dagger ,dance1 ,pequita6 ,then our friend ,leroy can judge of you at your best1 and make good report of you40 ,pequita looked at ,lotys and received a sign of assent4 ,she then nodded to ,valdor4 8,you know what to play80 ,valdor nodded in return1 and took up his violin4 ,the company drew back their seats1 and sat1 or stood aside1 from the centre of the room4 ,pequita disappeared for a moment1 and returned divested of the plain rusty black frock she had worn1 and merely clad in a short scarlet petticoat1 with a low white calico bodice--her dark curls tumbling in disorder1 and grasping in her right hand a brightly polished1 unsheathed dagger4 ,valdor began to play1 and with the first wild chords the childish figure swayed1 circled1 and leaped forward like a young ,amazon1 the dagger brandished aloft1 and gleaming here and there as though it were a snaky twist of lightning4 ,very soon ,pasquin ,leroy found himself watching the evolutions of the girl dancer with fascinated interest4 ,nothing so light1 so delicate or so graceful had he ever seen as this little slight form bending to and fro1 now gliding with the grace of a swan on water--now leaping swiftly as a fawn1--while the attitudes she threw herself into1 sometimes threatening1 sometimes defiant1 and often commanding1 with the glittering steel weapon held firmly in her tiny hand1 were each and all pictures of youthful pliancy and animation4 ,as she swung and whirled1--sometimes pirouetting so swiftly that her scarlet skirt looked like a mere red flower in the wind1--her bright eyes flashed1 her dark hair tangled itself in still richer masses1 and her lips1 crimson as the pomegranate1 were half parted with her panting breath4 8,brava6 ,brava60 shouted the men1 becoming more and more excited as their eyes followed the flash of the dagger she held1 now directed towards them1 now shaken aloft1 and again waved threateningly from side to side1 or pointed at her own bosom1 while her little feet twinkled over the floor in a maze of intricate and perfectly performed steps2--and 8,brava60 cried ,pasquin ,leroy1 as breathless1 but still glowing and bright with her exertions1 she suddenly out of her own impulse1 dropped on one knee before him with the glittering dagger pointed straight at his heart6 8,would that please the ,king80 she asked1 her pearly teeth gleaming into a mischievous smile between the red lips4 8,if it did not1 he would be a worse fool than even ,i take him for60 replied ,leroy1 as she sprang up again1 and confronted him4 8,here is a little souvenir from me1 child6--and if ever you do dance before his ,majesty1 wear it for my sake60 ,he took from his pocket a ring1 in which was set a fine brilliant of unusual size and lustre4 ,she looked at it a moment as he held it out to her4 8,oh1 no10 she faltered1 8,i cannot take it--,i cannot6 ,lotys dear1 you know ,i cannot60 ,lotys1 thus appealed to1 left her seat and came forward4 ,taking the ring from ,leroy's hand1 she examined it a moment1 then gently returned it4 8,this is too great a temptation for ,pequita1 my friend10 she said quietly1 but firmly4 8,in duty bound1 she would have to sell it in order to help her poor father4 ,she could not justly keep it4 ,let me be the arbiter in this matter4 ,if you can carry out your suggestion1 and obtain for her an engagement at the ,royal ,opera1 then give it to her1 but not till then6 ,do you not think ,i am right80 ,she spoke so sweetly and persuasively1 that ,leroy was profoundly touched4 ,what he would have liked would have been to give the child a roll of gold pieces1--but he was playing a strange part1 and the time to act openly was not yet4 8,it shall be as you wish1 ,madame60 he said with courteous deference4 8,pequita1 the first time you dance before the ,king1 this shall be yours60 ,he put aside the jewel1 and ,pequita kissed his hand impulsively1--as impulsively she kissed the lips of her friend ,lotys--and then came the general dispersal and break-up of the assembly4 8,tell me20 said ,sergius ,thord1 catching ,leroy's hand in a close and friendly grasp ere bidding him farewell2 8,are you in very truth in personal danger on account of serving our ,cause80 8,no60 replied ,leroy frankly1 returning the warm pressure2 8,and rest assured that if ,i were1 ,i would find means to elude it6 ,i have managed to frighten ,carl ,prousse1 that is all--and ,jost60 8,jost60 echoed ,sergius2 8,the ,colossus of the ,press8 ,surely it would take more than one man to frighten him60 ,leroy laughed4 8,i grant you the ,jewish centres of journalism are difficult to shake6 ,but they all depend on stocks and shares60 ,a touch on his arm caused him to turn round1--,paul ,zouche confronted both him and ,thord1 with a solemn worn face1 and lack-lustre eyes4 8,good-night1 friends60 he said2 8,i have not kicked at a king with my boot1 but ,i have with my brain6--and the effort is exhausting6 ,i am going home to bed40 8,where is your home80 asked ,leroy suddenly4 ,zouche looked mysterious4 8,in a palace1 dear sir6 ,a palace of golden air1 peopled with winged dreams6 ,no money could purchase it2--no #8,empire ,builder' could build it6--it is mine and mine alone6 ,and ,i pay no taxes60 8,will you put this to some use for me80 said ,leroy1 holding out a gold piece2 8,simply as comrade and friend80 ,zouche stared at him4 8,you mean it80 8,of course ,i mean it6 ,zouche1 believe me1 you are going to be the fashion6 ,you will be able to do me a good turn before long60 ,zouche took the gold piece1 and as he took it1 pressed the giver's hand4 8,you mean well60 he said tremulously2 8,you know--as ,sergius does1 that ,i am poor1--often starving--often drunk--but you know also that there is something here60--and he touched his forehead meaningly4 8,but to be the #8fashion'6 ,bah6 ,i do not belong to the ,trade-ocracy6 ,nobody becomes the #8fashion' nowadays unless they have cheated their neighbours by short weight and falsified accounts6 ,good-night6 ,you might be the ,king from your looks2--but you have something better than kingship--,heart6 ,good-night1 ,pequita6 ,you danced well6 ,good-night1 ,lotys6 ,you spoke well6 ,everyone does everything well1 except poor ,zouche60 ,pequita ran up to him4 8,good-night1 dear ,paul60 ,he stooped and kissed her gently4 8,good-night1 little one6 ,if ever you show your twinkling feet at the ,opera1 you will be the #8fashion'--and will you remember ,paul then80 8,always--always60 said ,pequita tenderly2 8,father and ,lotys and ,i will always love you60 ,zouche gave a short laugh4 8,always love me6 ,me6 ,well6--what strange things children will say1 not knowing in the least what they mean60 ,he gave a vague salute to the entire company1 and walked out of the tavern with drooping head4 ,others followed him1--every man in going1 shook hands with ,lotys and ,sergius ,thord1--the lamps were extinguished1 and the landlord standing in the porch of his tavern watched them all file out1 and bade them all a cordial farewell4 ,pequita's home was with her father in the house where ,sergius ,thord dwelt1 and ,lotys kissing her tenderly good-night1 left her to ,thord's care4 8,and who will see you home1 ,lotys80 enquired ,thord4 8,may ,i for once have that honour80 asked ,pasquin ,leroy4 ,his two companions stared in undisguised amazement1 and there was a moment's silence4 ,then ,lotys spoke4 8,you may60 she said simply4 ,there was another silence while she put on her hat1 and wrapped herself in her long dark cloak4 ,then ,thord took ,pequita by the hand4 8,good-night1 ,lotys60 8,good-night1 ,sergius60 ,leroy turned to his two friends and spoke to them in a low tone4 8,go your ways60 he said peremptorily2 8,i will join you later60 ,vain were their alarmed looks of remonstrance2 and in another moment all the party had separated1 and only ,max ,graub and ,axel ,regor remained on the pavement outside the tavern1 disconsolately watching two figures disappearing in the semi-shadowed moonlight--,pasquin ,leroy and ,lotys--walking closely side by side4 8,was there ever such a drama as this80 muttered ,graub1 8,he may lose his life at any moment60 8,if he does10 responded ,regor1 8,it will not be our fault4 ,we do our best to guard him from the consequence of one folly1--and he straightway runs into another6 ,there is no help for it2 we have sworn to obey him1 and we must keep our oath60 ,they passed slowly along the street1 too absorbed in their own uncomfortable reflections for the interchange of many words4 ,by the rules of the ,revolutionary ,committee1 they were not allowed #8to follow or track any other member' so they were careful to walk in a reverse direction to that taken by their late comrades4 ,the great bell of the ,cathedral boomed midnight as they climbed towards the citadel1 and the pale moon peeping whitely through piled-up fleecy clouds1 shed a silver glare upon the quiet sea4 ,and down into the #8slums1' down1 and ever deeper1 into the sad and cheerless #8,quarter of the ,poor' ,pasquin ,leroy walked as though he trod lightly on a path of flowers1--his heart beating high1 and his soul fully awakened within him1 thrilled1 he knew not why1 to the heart's core by the soft low voice of ,lotys1--and glad that in the glimpses of the moonlight her eyes were occasionally lifted to his face1 with something of a child's trust1 if not of a woman's tenderness4 ,,chapter ,,xxi ,,an ,,invitation ,,to ,,court ,the spring was now advancing into full summer1 and some time had passed since the ,socialist party had gathered under their leaders to the voice of ,lotys4 ,troublous days appeared to be impending for the ,senate1 and rumours of ,war1--war sometimes apparently imminent1 and again suddenly averted1--had from time to time worried the public through the ,press4 ,but what was even more disturbing to the country1 was the proposed infliction of new1 heavy and irritating taxes1 which had begun to affect the popular mind to the verge of revolt4 ,twice since ,lotys had spoken at the ,people's ,assembly ,rooms had ,sergius ,thord addressed huge mass meetings1 which apparently the police had no orders to disperse1 and his power over the multitude was increasing by leaps and bounds4 ,whenever he spoke1 wherever he worked1 the indefatigable ,pasquin ,leroy was constantly at his side1 and he1 in his turn began to be recognized by the ,revolutionary ,committee as one of their most energetic members1--able1 resolute1 and above all1 of an invaluably inscrutable and self-contained demeanour4 ,his two comrades were not so effectual in their assistance1 and appeared to act merely in obedience to his instructions4 ,their attitude1 however1 suited everyone concerned as well as1 if not better than1 if they had been overzealous4 ,owing to what ,leroy had stated concerning the possibility of his arrest as a spy1 his name was never mentioned in public by one single member of the ,brotherhood2 and to the outside ,socialist following1 he therefore appeared simply as one of the many who worked under ,sergius ,thord's command4 ,meanwhile1 there were not lacking many other subjects for popular concern and comment2 all of which in their turn gave rise to anxious discussion and vague conjecture4 ,a ,cabinet ,council had been held by the ,premier1 at which1 without warning1 the ,king had attended personally1 but the results were not made known to the public4 ,yet the general impression was that his ,majesty seemed to be perfectly indifferent to the feelings or the well-being of his subjects2 in fact1 as some of them said with dismal shakings of the head1 8,it was all a part of the system2 kings were not allowed to do anything even for the benefit of their people40 ,and rising ,socialism1 ever growing stronger1 and amassing in its ranks all the youthful and ambitious intellects of the time1 agreed and swore that it was time for a ,republic4 ,only by a complete change of ,government could the cruelly-increasing taxation be put down2 and if ,government was to be changed1 why not the dummy figure-head of ,government as well8 ,thus ,rumour talked1 sometimes in whispers--sometimes in shouts2--but through it all the life of the ,court and fashion went on in the same way1--the ,king continued to receive with apparent favour the most successful and most moneyed men from all parts of the world2 the ,queen drove or walked1 or rode2--and the only prospective change in the social routine was the report that the ,crown ,prince was about to leave the country for a tour round the world1 and that he would start on his journey in his own yacht about the end of the month4 ,the newspapers made a great fuss in print over this projected tour2 but the actual people were wholly indifferent to it4 ,they had seen very little of the ,crown ,prince1--certainly not enough to give him their affection2 and whether he left the kingdom or stayed in it concerned them not at all4 ,he had done nothing marked or decisive in his life to show either talent1 originality of character1 or resolution2 and the many #8puffs' in the press concerning him1 were scarcely read at all by the public1 or if they were1 they were not credited4 ,the expression of an ordinary working-man with regard to his position was entirely typical of the general popular sentiment2--8,if he would only do something to prove he had a will of his own1 and a mind1 he would perhaps be able to set the ,throne more firmly on its legs than it is at present40 ,how thoroughly the young man had proved that he indeed possessed #8a will of his own1' was not yet disclosed to the outside critics of his life and conduct4 ,only the ,king and ,queen1 and ,professor von ,glauben knew it2--for even ,sir ,roger de ,launay had not been entrusted with the story of his secret marriage4 ,the ,queen had received the news with her usual characteristic immobility4 ,a faint cold smile had parted her lips as she listened to the story of her son's romance1--and her reply to the ,king's brief explanation was almost as brief3-- 8,nearly all the aristocracy marry music-hall women60 she said2 8,one should therefore be grateful that a ,crown ,prince does not go lower in his matrimonial choice than an innocent little peasant60 8,the marriage is useless1 of course10 said the ,king2 8,it has satisfied ,humphry's exalted notions of honour2 but it can never be acknowledged or admitted40 8,of course not60 she agreed languidly2 8,it certainly clears up the mystery of ,the ,islands1 which you were so anxious to visit2--and ,i suppose the next thing you will do is to marry him again to some daughter of a ,royal house80 8,most assuredly60 8,as you were married to me80 she said1 raising her eyes to his face with that strange deep look which spoke eloquently of some mystery hidden in her soul4 ,his cheeks burned with an involuntary flush4 ,he bowed4 8,precisely6 ,as ,i married you60 he replied4 8,the experiment was hardly successful60 she said with her little cold smile4 8,i fear you have often regretted it60 ,he looked at her1 studying her beauty intently1--and the remembrance of another face1 far less fair of feature1 but warm and impassioned by the lovely light of sympathy and tenderness1 came between his eyes and hers1 like a heavenly vision4 8,had you loved me10 he said slowly1 8,i might never have known what it was to need love60 ,a slight tremor ran through her veins4 ,there was a strange tone in his voice1--a soft cadence to which she was unaccustomed1--something that suggested a new emotion in his life1 and a deeper experience4 8,i never loved anyone in my life60 she answered calmly--8,and now the days are past for loving4 ,humphry1 however1 has made up for my lack of the tender passion60 ,she turned away indifferently1 and appeared to dismiss the matter altogether from her mind4 ,the first time she saw her son1 however1 after hearing of his marriage1 she looked at him curiously4 8,and so your wife is very lovely1 ,humphry60 she said with a slightly derisive smile4 ,he was not startled by the suddenness of her observation nor put out by it4 8,she is the loveliest woman ,i have ever seen1--not excepting yourself10 he replied4 8,it is a very foolish affair60 she continued composedly2 8,but fortunately in our line of life such things are easily arranged2--and your future will not be spoiled by it4 ,i am glad you are going abroad1 as you will very soon forget60 ,the ,prince regarded her steadfastly with something of grave wonderment as well as compassion1--but he made no reply1 and with the briefest excuse left her presence as soon as possible1 in order to avoid further conversation on the subject4 ,she1 herself1 however1 found her mind curiously perturbed and full of conjectures concerning her son's idyllic love-story1 in which all considerations for her as ,queen and mother seemed omitted1--and where she1 as it were1 appeared to be shut outside a lover's paradise1 the delights of which she had never experienced4 ,the ,king held many private conferences with her on the matter1 in which sometimes ,professor von ,glauben was permitted to share2--and the upshot of these numerous discussions resulted in a scheme which was as astonishing in its climax as it was unexpected4 ,over and over again it has been proved to nations as well as to individuals1 that the whole course of events may be changed by the fixed determination of one resolute mind2 but it is not often that the moral force of a mere girl succeeds in competing with the authority of kings and parliaments4 ,but so it chanced on this occasion1 and in the following manner4 ,one glorious early morning1 the sun having risen without a cloud in the deep blue of the sky1 and the sea being as calm as an inland lake1 the ,king's yacht was seen to weigh anchor and steam away at her fullest speed towards ,the ,islands4 ,little or no preparation had been made for her short voyage2 there was no ,royal party on board1 and the only passenger was ,professor von ,glauben4 ,he sat solitary on deck in a luxurious chair1 smoking his meerschaum pipe1 and dubiously considering the difficult and peculiar situation in which he was placed4 ,he made no attempt to calculate the possible success or failure of his mission--#8for1' said he very sagely1 #8it all depends on a woman1 and ,god alone knows what a woman will do6 ,her ways are dark and wonderful1 and altogether beyond the limit of the comprehension of man6' ,his journey was undertaken at the ,king's command2 and equally by the ,king's command he had been compelled to keep it a secret from ,prince ,humphry4 ,he had never been to ,the ,islands since the ,king's #8surprise visit' there1 and he was of course not aware that ,gloria now knew the real rank and position of her supposed #8sailor' husband4 ,he was at present charged to break the news to her1 and bring her straightway to the palace1 there to confront both the ,king and ,queen1 and learn from them the true state of affairs4 8,it is a cruel ordeal10 he said1 shaking his head sorrowfully2 8,yet ,i myself am a party to its being tried4 ,for once in my life ,i have pinned my faith on the unspoilt soul of an unworldly woman4 ,i wonder what will come of it8 ,it rests entirely with ,gloria herself1 and with no one else in the world60 ,as the yacht arrived at its destination and dropped anchor at some distance from the pier1 owing to the shallowness of the tide at that hour of the day1 ,the ,islands presented a fair aspect in the dancing beams of the summer sunlight4 ,numbers of fruit trees were bursting into blossom1--the apple1 the cherry1 the pink almond and the orange blossom all waved together and whispered sweetness to one another in the pure air1 and the full-flowering mimosa perfumed every breath of wind4 ,fishermen were grouped here and there on the shore1 mending or drying their nets2 and in the fields beyond could be perceived many workers pruning the hedges or guiding the plough4 ,the vision of a perfect ,arcadia was presented to the eye2 and so the ,professor thought1 as getting into the boat lowered for him1 he was rowed from the yacht to the landing-place1 and there dismissed the sailors1 warning them that at the first sound of his whistle they should swiftly come for him again4 8,what a pity to spoil her peace of mind--her simplicity of life60 he thought1 as he walked at a slow and reluctant pace towards ,ronsard's cottage2 8,and ,i fear we shall have trouble with the old man6 ,i wonder if his philosophy will stand hard wear and tear60 ,the pretty1 low timber-raftered house confronted him at the next bend in the road1 and presented a charming aspect of tranquillity4 ,the grass in front of it was smooth as velvet and emerald-green1 and in one of the flower borders ,ronsard himself was digging and planting4 ,he looked up as he heard the gate open1 but did not attempt to interrupt his work2--and ,von ,glauben advanced towards him with a considerable sense of anxiety and insecurity in his mind4 ,anon he paused in the very act of greeting1 as the old man turned his strong1 deeply-furrowed countenance upon him with a look of fierce indignation and scorn4 8,so6 ,you are here60 he said2 8,have you come to look upon the evil your ,royal master has worked8 ,or to make dutiful obeisance to ,gloria as ,crown-,princess80 ,von ,glauben was altogether taken aback4 8,then--you know--80 he stammered4 8,oh yes1 ,i know60 responded ,ronsard sternly and bitterly2 8,i know everything6 ,there has been full confession6 ,if the husband of my ,gloria were more prince than man1 my knife would have slit his throat6 ,but he is more man than prince6--and ,i have let him live--for her sake60 8,well--that is so far good60 said ,von ,glauben1 wiping the perspiration from his brow1 and heaving a deep sigh of relief2 8,and as you fully comprehend the situation1 it saves me the trouble of explaining it6 ,you are a philosopher1 ,ronsard6 ,permit me to remind you of that fact6 ,you know1 like myself1 that what is done1 even if it is done foolishly1 cannot be undone60 8,i know it6 ,who should know it so well as ,i60 and ,ronsard set a delicate rose-tree roughly in the hole he had dug for it1 and began to fiercely pile in the earth around it2--8,fate is fate1 and there is no gainsaying it6 ,the law of ,compensation will always have its way6 ,look you1 man6--and listen6 ,i1 ,rn ,ronsard1 once killed a king6--and now in my old age1 the only creature ,i ever loved is tricked by the son of a king6 ,it is just6 ,so be it60 ,he bent his white head over his digging again1 and ,von ,glauben was for a moment silent1 vaguely amazed and stupefied by this sudden declaration of a past crime4 8,you should not say #8tricked1' my friend60 he at last ventured to remark2 8,prince ,humphry is an honest lad2--he means to keep his word60 ,ronsard looked up1 his eyes gleaming with fury4 8,keep his word8 ,bah6 ,how can he8 ,who in this wide realm will give him the honourable liberty to keep his word8 ,will he acknowledge ,gloria as his wife before the nation8--she a foundling and a castaway8 ,will he make her his future queen8 ,not he6 ,he will forsake her1 and live with another woman1 in sin which the law will sanctify60 ,he went on planting the rose-tree1 then1--dropping his spade1--tossed up his head and hands with a wild gesture4 8,what1 and who is this ,god who so ordains our destiny60 he exclaimed2 8,for surely this is ,his work1--not mine6 ,hidden away from all the world with my life's secret buried in my soul1 ,i1 without wife1 or children or friends1 or any soul on earth to care whether ,i lived or died1 was sent an angel comforter2--the child ,i rescued from the sea6 #8,gloria1 ,gloria in excelsis ,deo6' the choristers sang in the church when ,i found her6 ,i thought it true6 ,with her1--in every action1 in every thought and word1 ,i strove1--and have faithfully striven1--to atone for my past crime2--for ,i was forced through others to kill that king6 ,when proved guilty of the deed1 ,i was told by my associates to assume madness1--a mere matter of acting1--and1 being adjudged as insane1 ,i was sent with other criminals on a convict ship1 bound for a certain coast-prison1 where we were all to be kept for life4 ,the ship was wrecked off the rocks yonder1 and it was reported that every soul on board went down1 but ,i escaped--only ,i1--for what inscrutable reason ,god alone knows6 ,finding myself saved and free1 ,i devoted my life to hard work1 and to doing all the good ,i could think of to atone--to atone--always to atone6 ,then the child was sent to me2 and ,i thought it was a sign that my penance was accepted2 but no6--no6--the compensating curse falls1--not on me1--not on me1 for if only so1 ,i would welcome it--but on ,her6--the child of my love--the heart of my heart6--on ,her60 ,he turned away his face1 and a hard sob broke from his labouring chest4 ,von ,glauben laid a gentle1 protective hand on his shoulder4 8,ronsard1 be a man60 he said in a kind1 firm voice2 8,this is the first time you have told me your true history--and--,i shall respect your confidence6 ,you have suffered much--equally you have loved much6 ,doubt not that you are forgiven much4 ,but why should you assume1 or foresee unhappiness for ,gloria8 ,why talk of a curse where perhaps there is only an intended blessing8 ,is she unhappy1 that you are thus moved80 ,ronsard furtively dashed away the tears from his eyes4 8,she8 ,gloria unhappy8 ,no1--not yet6 ,the delights of spring and summer have met in her smile1--her eyes1 her movements6 ,it was she herself who told me all6 ,if he had told me1 ,i would have killed him60 8,eminently sensible60 said ,von ,glauben1 recovering his usual phlegmatic calm2 8,you would have killed the man she loves best in the world4 ,and so with perfect certainty you would have killed her as well1--and probably yourself afterwards4 ,a perfect slaughterhouse1 like the last scene in ,hamlet1 by the so admirable ,shakespeare6 ,it is better as it is4 ,life is really very pleasant60 ,he sniffed the perfumed air1--listened with appreciation to the trilling of a bird swinging on a bough of apple-blossom above him1 and began to feel quite easy in his mind4 ,half his mission was done for him1 ,prince ,humphry having declared himself in his true colours4 8,i always said10 mused the ,professor1 8that he was a very honest young man6 ,and ,i think he will be honest to the end40 ,aloud he asked3 8,when did you know the truth80 8,some days since10 replied ,ronsard4 8,he--,gloria's husband--,i can as yet call him by no other name--came suddenly one evening2--the two went out together as usual1 and then--then my child returned alone4 ,she told me all1--of the disguise he had assumed--and of his real identity--and ,i--well6 ,i think ,i was mad6 ,i know ,i spoke and acted like a madman60 8,nay1 rather say like a philosopher60 murmured ,von ,glauben with a humorous smile2 8,remember1 my good fellow1 that there is no human being who loses self-control more easily and rapidly than he who proclaims the advantage of keeping it6 ,and what did ,gloria say to you80 ,ronsard looked up at the tranquil skies1 and was for a moment silent4 ,then he answered4 8,gloria is--just ,gloria6 ,there is no woman like her1--there never will be any woman like her6 ,she said nothing at all while ,i raged and swore2--she stood before me white and silent1--grand and calm1 like some great angel4 ,then when ,i cursed him1--she raised her hand1 and like a queen she said3 #8,i forbid you to utter one word against him6' ,i stood before her mute and foolish4 #8,i forbid you6' ,she1--the child ,i reared and nurtured--menaced me with her #8command' as though ,i were her slave and servant6 ,you see ,i have lost her6--she is not mine any more--she is his--to be treated as he wills1 and made the toy of his pleasure6 ,she does not know the world1 but ,i know it6 ,i know the misery that is in store for her6 ,but there is yet time--and ,i will live to avenge her wrong60 8,possibly there will be no wrong to avenge10 said ,von ,glauben composedly2 8,but if there is1 ,i have no doubt you would kill another king60 ,ronsard turned pale and shuddered4 8,it is stupid work1 killing kings10 went on the ,professor2 8,it never does any good2 and often increases the evil it was intended to cure4 ,your studies in philosophy must have taught you that much at least6 ,as for your losing ,gloria1--you lost her in a sense when you gave her to her husband4 ,it is no use complaining now1 because you find he is not the man you took him for4 ,the mischief is done4 ,at any rate you are bound to admit that ,gloria has1 so far1 been perfectly happy2 she will be happy still1 ,i truly believe1 for she has the secret of happiness in her own beautiful nature4 ,and you1 ,ronsard1 must make the best of things1 and meet fate with calmness4 ,to-day1 for instance1 ,i am here by the ,king's command1--,i bear his orders1--and ,i have come for ,gloria4 ,they want her at the ,palace40 ,ronsard stepped out of his flower-border1 and stood on the greensward amazed1 and indignantly suspicious4 8,they want her at the ,palace60 he repeated2 8,why8 ,what for8 ,to do her harm8 ,to make her miserable8 ,to insult and threaten her8 ,no1 she shall not go60 8,look here1 my friend10 said the ,professor with mild patience2 8,you have--for a philosopher--a most unpleasant habit of jumping to wrong conclusions6 ,please endeavour to compose the tumult in your soul1 and listen to me6 ,the ,king has sent for ,gloria1 and ,i am instructed to take charge of her1 and escort her to the presence of their ,majesties4 ,no insult1 no threat1 no wrong is intended4 ,i will bring her back again safe to you immediately the audience is concluded4 ,be satisfied1 ,ronsard6 ,for once #8put your trust in princes1' for her husband will be there1--and do you think he would suffer her to be insulted or wronged80 ,ronsard's sunken eyes looked wild1--his aged frame trembled violently1 and he gave a hopeless gesture4 8,i do not know--,i do not know60 he said incoherently2 8,i am an old man1 and ,i have always found it a wicked world6 ,but--if you give me your word that she shall come to no harm1 ,i will trust you60 ,silently ,von ,glauben took his hand and pressed it4 ,two or three minutes passed1 weighted with unuttered and unutterable thoughts in the minds of both men2 and then1 in a somewhat hushed voice1 the ,professor said3 8,ronsard1 ,i am just now reminded of the tragic story of ,rudolf of ,austria1 who killed himself through the maddening sorrow of an ill-fated love6 ,we1 in our different lines of life should remember that1--and let no young innocent heart suffer through our follies--our rages against fate--our conventions--our more or less idiotic laws of restraint and hypocrisy4 ,the tragedy of ,prince ,rudolf and the unhappy ,marie ,vetsera whom he worshipped1 was caused by the sin and the falsehood of others1--not by the victims of the cruel catastrophe4 ,therefore1 ,i say to you1 my friend1 be wise in time6--and control the natural stormy tendency of your passions in this present affair4 ,i assure you1 on my faith and honour as a man1 that the ,king has a kindly heart and a brave one1--together with a strong sense of justice4 ,he is not truly known to his people2--they only see him through the pens of press reporters1 or the slavish descriptions of toadies and parasites4 ,then again1 the ,crown ,prince is an honourable lad2 and from what ,i know of him1 he is not likely to submit to conventional usages in matters which are close to his life and heart4 ,gloria herself is of such an exceptional character and disposition1 that ,i think she may be safely left to arbitrate her own destiny----0 8,and the ,queen80 interrupted ,ronsard suddenly2--8,she1 at any rate1 as a woman1 wife and mother1 will be gentle80 8,gentle1 she certainly is10 said ,von ,glauben1 with a slight sigh2 8,but only because she does not consider it worth while to be otherwise6 ,god has put a stone in the place where her heart should be6 ,however1--she will have little to say1 and still less to do with to-day's business4 ,you tell me you will trust me2 ,i promise you1 you shall not repent your trust6 ,but ,i must see ,gloria herself4 ,where is she80 ,ronsard pointed towards the cottage4 8,she is in there1 studying10 he said2 8,books of the old time2--books that few read4 ,she gets them all from ,sergius ,thord4 ,how would it be1 think you1 if he knew80 ,the pleasantly rubicund countenance of the ,professor grew a shade paler4 8,sergius ,thord--,sergius ,thord8--,h'm--h'm--let me see6--who is he8 ,ah6 ,i remember1--he is the ,socialist lion1 for ever roaring through the streets and seeking whom he may devour6 ,i daresay he is not without cleverness60 8,cleverness60 echoed ,ronsard2 8,that is a tame word6 ,he has genius1 and the people swear by him4 ,since the proposed new taxation1 and other injustices of the ,government1 he has gained adherents by many thousands4 ,you1--whom ,i once took to be a mere ,german schoolmaster1 a friend of the young #8sailor' whom my child so innocently wedded1--you whom ,i now know to be the ,king's physician--surely you cannot live on the mainland1 and in the metropolis1 without knowing of the power of ,sergius ,thord80 8,i know something--not much20 replied the ,professor guardedly2 8,but come1 my friend1 ,i have not deceived you6 ,i was in very truth a poor #8,german schoolmaster1' once1--before ,i became a student of medicine and surgery4 ,and that ,i am the ,king's physician1 is merely one of those accidental circumstances which occur in a world of chance4 ,but schoolmaster as ,i have been1 ,i doubt if ,i would set our #8,glory-of-the-,sea' to study books recommended to her by ,sergius ,thord4 ,the poetry of ,heine is more suitable to her age and sex4 ,let us break in upon her meditations40 ,and he walked across the grass with one arm thrust through that of ,ronsard2 8,for she must prepare herself4 ,we ought to be gone within an hour40 ,they passed under the low1 rose-covered porch into a wide square room1 with raftered ceiling and deep carved oak ingle nook1--and here at the table1 with a quarto volume opened out before her1 sat ,gloria1 resting her head on one fair hand1 her rich hair falling about her in loose shining tresses1 and her whole attitude expressive of the deepest absorption in study4 ,as they entered1 she looked up and smiled1--then rose1 her hand still resting on the open book4 8,at last you have come again1 dear ,professor60 she said2 8,i began to think you had grown weary in well-doing60 ,von ,glauben stared at her1 stricken speechless for a moment4 ,what mysterious change had passed over the girl1 investing her with such an air of regal authority8 ,it was impossible to say4 ,to all appearance she was the same beautiful creature1 clad in the same simple white homespun gown1--yet were she ,empress of half the habitable globe1 she could not have looked more environed with dignity1 sweetness and delicately gracious manner4 ,he understood the desolating expression of ,ronsard1--#8,you see ,i have lost her6--she is not mine any more--she is his6' ,he recognised and was suddenly impressed by that fact2--she was #8his'--the wife of the ,crown ,prince and ,heir-,apparent to the ,throne2--and evidently with the knowledge of her position had arisen the pride of love and the spirit of grace to support her honours worthily4 ,and so1 as ,von ,glauben met her eyes1 which expressed their gentle wonder at his silence1 and as she extended her hand to him1 he came slowly forward and bowing low1 respectfully kissed that hand4 8,princess10 he said1 in a voice that trembled ever so slightly2 8,i shall never be weary in well-doing1--if you are good enough to call my service and friendship for you by that name6 ,i hesitated to come before1--because ,i thought--,i feared--,i did not know6--0 8,i understand60 said ,gloria tranquilly2 8,you did not think the ,prince1 my husband1 would tell me the truth so soon6 ,but ,i know all1 and now--,i am glad to know it6 ,dearest10 and she moved swiftly to ,ronsard who was standing silent in the doorway--8come in and sit down6 ,you make yourself so tired sometimes in the garden20 and she threw a loving arm about him4 8,you must rest2 you look so pale60 ,for all answer1 he lifted the hand that hung about his neck1 to his lips and kissed it tenderly4 8,they want you1 ,gloria60 he said tremulously2 8,they want you at the ,palace4 ,you must go to-day60 ,she lifted her brilliant eyes enquiringly to ,von ,glauben1 who responded to the look by at once explaining his mission4 ,he was there1 he said1 by the ,king's special command2--their ,majesties had been informed of their son's marriage by their son himself2 and they desired at once to see and speak with their unknown daughter-in-law4 ,the interview would be private2 his ,royal ,highness the ,crown ,prince would be present2--it might last an hour1 perhaps longer1--and he1 ,von ,glauben1 was entrusted to bring ,gloria to the ,palace1 and escort her back to ,the ,islands again when all was over4 ,thus1 with elaborate and detailed courtesy1 the ,professor unfolded the nature of his enterprise1 while ,gloria1 still keeping one arm round ,ronsard1 heard and smiled4 8,i shall obey the ,king's command60 she said composedly2 8,though1--having no word from the ,prince1 my husband1 concerning this mandate1--,i might very well refuse to do so6 ,but it may be as well that their ,majesties and their son's wife should plainly1 and once for all1 understand each other4 ,dear ,professor1 you look sadly troubled4 ,is there some little convention1 some special ceremonial of so-called #8good manners1' which you are commissioned to teach me1 before ,i make my appearance at ,court under your escort80 ,her lovely lips smiled1--her eyes laughed1--she looked the very incarnation of ,beauty triumphant4 ,von ,glauben's brain whirled1--he felt bewitched and dazzled4 8,i8--to teach you anything8 ,no1 my princess6--and please think how loyally ,i have called you #8,princess' from the beginning6--,i have always told you that you have a spiritual knowledge far surpassing all material wisdom4 ,conventions and ceremonials are not for you1--you will make fashion1 not follow it6 ,i am not troubled1 save for your sake1 dear child6--for you know nothing of the world1 and the ways of the ,court may at first offend you--0 8,the ways of ,hell must have seemed dark to ,proserpine10 said ,ronsard in his harsh1 strong voice2 8,but ,love gave her light60 8,a very just reminder60 said ,von ,glauben1 well pleased2--8,consider ,gloria to be the new ,proserpine to-day6 ,and now she must forgive me for playing the part of a tyrannical friend1 and urging her to hasten her preparations40 ,gloria bent down and kissed ,ronsard gently4 8,trust me1 little father60 she whispered2 8,you have not taught me great lessons of truth in vain60 ,aloud she said4 8,the ,king and ,queen wish to see me and speak with me1--and ,i know the reason why6 ,they desire to fully explain to me all that my husband has already told me1--which is that according to the rules made for monarchs1 our marriage is inadmissible4 ,well6--,i have my answer ready2 and you1 ,professor1 shall hear me give it6 ,wait but a few moments and ,i will come with you40 ,she left the room4 ,the two men looked at each other in silence4 ,at last ,von ,glauben said3-- 8,ronsard1 ,i think you will soon reap the reward of your #8life-philosophy' system6 ,you have fed that girl from her childhood on strong intellectual food1 and trained the mental muscles rather than the physical ones4 ,upon my word1 ,i believe you will see a good result60 ,ronsard1 who had grown much calmer and quieter during the last few minutes1 raised himself a little from the chair into which he had sunk with an air of fatigue1 and looked dreamily towards the open lattice window1 where the roses hung in a curtain of crimson blossom4 8,if it be so1 ,i shall praise ,god60 he said2 8,but the years have come and gone with me so peacefully since ,i made my home on these quiet shores1 that the exercise of what ,i have presumed to call #8philosophy' has had no chance4 ,philosophy6 ,it is well to preach it1--but when the blow of misfortune falls1 who can practise it80 8,you can10 replied the ,professor2--8,i can6 ,gloria can6 ,i think we all three have clear brains4 ,there is a tendency in the present age to overlook and neglect the greatest power in the whole human composition1--the mental and psychical part of it4 ,now1 in the present curious drama of events1 we have a chance given to exercise it2 and it will be our own faults if we do not make our wills rule our destinies60 8,but the position is intolerable--impossible60 said ,ronsard1 rising and pacing the room with a fresh touch of agitation4 8,nothing can do away with the fact that we--my child and ,i--have been cruelly deceived6 ,and now there can be only one of two contingencies2 ,gloria must be acknowledged as the ,prince's wife1--in which case he will be forced to resign all claim to the ,throne2--or he must marry again1 which makes her no wife at all4 ,that is a disgrace which her pride would never submit to1 nor mine2--for did ,i not kill a king80 8,let me advise you for the future not to allude to that disagreeable incident60 said ,von ,glauben persuasively3 8,exercise discretion1--as ,i do6 ,observe that ,i do not ask you what king you killed2--,i am as careful on that matter as ,i am concerning the reasons for which ,i myself left my native ,fatherland6 ,i make it a rule never to converse on painful subjects4 ,you tell me you have tried to atone2 then believe that the atonement is made1 and that ,gloria is the sign of its acceptance1 and--happy augury6--here she comes40 ,they both instinctively turned to confront the girl as she entered4 ,she had changed her ordinary white homespun gown for another of the same kind1 equally simple1 but fresh and unworn2 her glorious bronze-chestnut hair was unbound to its full rippling length1 and was held back by a band or fillet of curiously carved white coral1 which surmounted the rich tresses somewhat in the fashion of a small crown1 and she carried1 thrown over one arm1 the only kind of cloak she ever wore1--a burnous-like wrap of the same white homespun as her dress1 with a hood1 which1 as the ,professor slowly took out his glasses and fixed them on his nose out of mere mechanical habit1 to look at her more closely1 she drew over her head and shoulders1 the soft folds about her exquisite face completing a classic picture of such radiant beauty as is seldom seen nowadays among the increasingly imperfect and repulsive specimens of female humanity which #8progress' combined with sensuality1 produce for the #8advancement' of the race4 8,i have no ,court dress10 she said smiling2 8,and if ,i had ,i should not wear it6 ,the ,king and ,queen shall see me as my husband sees me1--what pleases him1 must suffice to please them6 ,i am quite ready60 ,von ,glauben removed the spectacles he had needlessly put on4 ,they were dim with a moisture which he furtively polished off1 blinking his eyes meanwhile as if the light hurt him4 ,he was profoundly moved--thrilled to the very core of his soul by the simplicity1 frankness and courage of this girl whose education was chiefly out of wild ,nature's lesson-book1 and who knew nothing of the artificial world of fashion4 8,and ,i1 my princess1 am at your service60 he said2 8,ronsard1 it is but a few hours that we shall be absent4 ,to-night with the rising of the moon we shall return1 and ,i doubt not with the ,prince himself as chief escort6 ,keep a good heart and have faith6 ,all will be well60 8,all shall be well if ,love can make it so60 said ,ronsard2--8,gloria--my child--60 ,he held out his wrinkled hands pathetically1 unable to say more4 ,she sank on her knees before him1 and tenderly drawing down those hands upon her head1 pressed them closely there4 8,your blessing1 dearest60 she said2 8,not in speech--but in thought60 ,there was a moment's sacred silence2--then ,gloria rose1 and throwing her arms round the old man1 the faithful protector of her infancy and girlhood1 kissed him tenderly4 ,after that1 she seemed to throw all seriousness to the winds1 and running out under the roses of the porch made two or three light dancing steps across the lawn4 8,come60 she cried1 her eyes sparkling1 her face radiant with the gaiety of her inward spirit2 8,come1 ,professor6 ,this is not what we call a poet's day of dreams1--it is a ,royal day of nonsense6 ,come60 and here she drew herself up with a stately air--8,,we are prepared to confront the ,king60 ,the ,professor caught the infection of her mirth1 and quickly followed her2 and within the next half-hour ,rn ,ronsard1 climbing slowly to the summit of one of the nearest rocks on the shore adjacent to his dwelling1 shaded his eyes from the dazzling sunlight on the sea1 and strained them to watch the magnificent ,royal yacht steaming swiftly over the tranquil blue water1 with one slight figure clad in white leaning against the mast1 a figure that waved its hand fondly towards ,the ,islands1 and of whom it might have been said3 8,her gaze was glad past love's own singing of1 ,and her face lovely past desire of love60 ,,chapter ,,xxii ,a ,,fair ,d,,butante ,that same afternoon there was a mysterious commotion at the ,palace1--whispers ran from lip to lip among the few who had seen her1 that a beautiful woman1--lovelier than the ,queen herself1--had1 under the escort of the uncommunicative ,professor von ,glauben1 passed into the presence of the ,king and ,queen1 to receive the honour of a private audience4 ,who was she8 ,what was she8 ,where did she come from8 ,how was she dressed8 ,this last question was answered first1 being easiest to deal with4 ,she was attired all in white1--#8like a picture' said some--#8like a statue' said others4 ,no one1 however1 dared ask any direct question concerning her1--her reception1 whoever she was1 being of a strictly guarded nature1 and peremptory orders having been given to admit no one to the ,queen's presence-chamber1 to which apartment she had been taken by the ,king's physician4 ,but such dazzling beauty as hers could not go altogether unnoticed by the most casual attendant1 sentinel1 or lord-in-waiting1 and the very fact that special commands had been issued to guard all the doors of entrance to the ,royal apartments on either hand1 during her visit1 only served to pique and inflame the general curiosity4 ,meantime1--while lesser and inferior personages were commenting on the possibility of the unknown fair one being concerned with some dramatic incident that might have to be included among the ,king's numerous gallantries1--the unconscious subject of their discussion was quietly seated alone in an ante-room adjoining the ,queen's apartments1 waiting till ,professor von ,glauben should announce that their ,majesties were ready to receive her4 ,she was not troubled or anxious1 or in any way ill at ease4 ,she looked curiously upon the splendid evidences of ,royal state1 wealth and luxury which surrounded her1 with artistic appreciation but no envy4 ,she caught sight of her own face and figure in a tall mirror opposite to her1 set in a silver frame2 and she studied herself quietly and critically with the calm knowledge that there was nothing to deplore or to regret in the way ,god and ,nature had been pleased to make her4 ,she was not in the slightest degree vain1--but she knew that a healthy and quiet mind in a healthy and unspoilt body1 together form what is understood as the highest beauty1--and that these two elements were not lacking in her4 ,moreover1 she was conscious of a great love warming her heart and strengthening her soul1--and with this great motive-force to brace her nerves and add extra charm to her natural loveliness1 she had no fear4 ,she had enjoyed the swift voyage across the sparkling sea1 and the fresh air had made her eyes doubly lustrous1 her complexion even more than usually fair and brilliant4 ,she did not permit herself to be rendered unhappy or anxious as to the possible attitude of the ,king and ,queen towards her1--she was prepared for all contingencies1 and had fully made up her mind what to say4 ,therefore1 there was no need to fret over the position1 or to be timorously concerned because she was called upon to confront those who by human law alone were made superior in rank to the rest of mankind4 8,in ,god's sight all men are equal60 she said to herself3 8,the ,king is a mere helpless babe at birth1 dependant on others1--as he is a mere helpless corpse at death4 ,it is only men's own foolish ideas and conventions of usage in life that make any difference60 ,at that moment the ,professor entered hurriedly1 and impulsively seizing her hands in his own1 kissed them and pressed them tenderly4 ,his face was flushed--he was evidently strongly excited4 8,go in there now1 ,princess60 he whispered1 pointing to the adjacent room1 of which the door stood ajar2 8,and may ,god be on your side60 ,she rose up1 and releasing her hands gently from his nervous grasp1 smiled4 8,do not be afraid60 she said2 8,you1 too1 are coming80 8,i follow you60 he replied4 ,and to himself he said3 8,ach1 ,gott in ,himmel6 ,will she keep her so beautiful calm8 ,if she will--if she can--a throne would be well lost for such a woman60 ,and he watched her with an admiration amounting almost to fear1 as she passed before him and entered the ,royal presence-chamber with a proud light step1 a grace of bearing and a supreme distinction1 which1 had she been there on a day of diplomatic receptions1 would have made half the women accustomed to attend ,court1 look like the merest vulgar plebeians4 ,the room she entered was very large and lofty4 ,a dazzle of gold ceiling1 painted walls and mirrors flashed upon her eyes1 with the hue of silken curtains and embroidered hangings1--the heavy perfume of hundreds of flowers in tall crystal vases and wide gilded stands made the air drowsy and odorous1 and for a moment1 ,gloria1 just fresh from the sweet breath of the sea1 felt sickened and giddy1--but she recovered quickly1 and raised her eyes fearlessly to the two motionless figures1 which1 like idols set in a temple for worship1 waited her approach4 ,the ,king1 stiffly upright1 and arrayed in military uniform1 stood near the ,queen1 who was seated in a throne-like chair over-canopied with gold1--her trailing robes were of a pale azure hue bordered with ermine1 and touched here and there with silver1 giving out reflexes of light1 stolen as it seemed from the sea and sky1--and her beautiful face1 with its clear-cut features and cold pallor1 might have been carved out of ivory1 for all the interest or emotion expressed upon it4 ,gloria came straight towards her1 then stopped4 ,with her erect supple form1 proud head and fair features1 she looked the living embodiment of sovereign womanhood1--and the ,queen1 meeting the full starry glance of her eyes1 stirred among her ,royal draperies1 and raised herself with a slow graceful air of critical observation1 in which there was a touch of languid wonder mingled with contempt4 ,still ,gloria stood motionless1--neither abashed nor intimidated1--she made no curtsey or reverential salutation of any kind1 and presently removing her gaze from the ,queen1 she turned to the ,king4 8,you sent for me10 she said2 8,and ,i have come4 ,what do you want with me80 ,the ,king smiled4 ,what a dazzling ,perfection was here1 he thought6 ,a second ,una unarmed1 and strong in the courage of innocence6 ,but he was acting a special part1 and he determined to play it well and thoroughly4 ,so he gave her no reply1 but turned with a stiff air to ,von ,glauben4 8,tell the girl to make her obeisance to the ,queen60 he said4 ,the ,professor very reluctantly approached the #8,glory-of-the-,sea' with this suggestion1 cautiously whispered4 ,gloria obeyed at once4 ,moving swiftly to the ,queen's chair1 she bent low before her4 8,madam60 she said1 8,i am told to kneel to you1 because you are the ,queen1--but it is not for that ,i do so4 ,i kneel1 because you are my husband's mother60 ,and raising the cold impassive hand covered with great gems1 that rested idly on the rich velvets so near to her touch1 she gently kissed it1--then rose up to her full height again4 8,is it always like this here80 she asked1 gazing around her4 8,do you always sit thus in a chair1 dressed grandly and quite silent80 ,the smile deepened on the ,king's face2 the ,queen1 perforce moved at last from her inertia1 half rose with an air of amazement and indignation1 and ,von ,glauben barely saved himself from laughing outright4 8,you10 continued ,gloria1 fixing her bright glance on the ,king2 8,you have seen me before6 ,you have spoken to me4 ,then why do you pretend not to know me now8 ,is that ,court manners8 ,if so1 they are not good or kind60 ,the ,king relaxed his formal attitude1 and addressed his ,consort in a low tone4 8,it is no use dealing with this girl in the conventional way10 he said2 8,she is a mere child at heart1 simple and uneducated2--we must treat her as such4 ,perhaps you will speak to her first80 8,no1 ,sir1 ,i much prefer that you should do so10 she replied4 8,when ,i have heard her answers to you1 it will be perhaps my turn60 ,thereupon the ,king advanced a step or two1 and ,gloria regarded him steadfastly4 ,meeting the pure light of those lovely eyes1 he lost something of his ordinary self-possession1--he was conscious of a certain sense of embarrassment and foolishness2--his very uniform1 ablaze with gold and jewelled orders1 seemed a clown's costume compared with the classic simplicity of ,gloria's homespun garb1 which might have fitly clothed a ,greek goddess4 ,sensible of his nervous irritation1 he however overcame it by an effort1 and summoning all his dignity1 he #8graciously1' as the newspaper parasites put it1 extended his hand4 ,gloria smiled archly4 8,i kissed your hand the other day when you were cross60 she said2 8,you would like it kissed again8 ,there60 ,and with easy grace of gesture she pressed her lips lightly upon it4 ,it would have needed something stronger than mere flesh and blood to resist the natural playfulness and charm of her action1 combined with her unparalleled beauty1 and the ,king1 who was daily and hourly proving for himself the power and intensity of that ,spirit of ,man which makes clamour for higher things than ,man's conventionalities1 became for the moment as helplessly overwhelmed and defeated by a woman's smile1 a woman's eyes1 as any hero of old times1 whose conquests have been reported to us in history as achieved for the sake of love and beauty4 ,but he was compelled to disguise his thoughts1 and to maintain an outward expression of formality1 particularly in the presence of his ,queen-,consort1--and he withdrew the hand that bore her soft kiss upon it with a well-simulated air of chill tolerance4 ,then he spoke gravely1 in measured precise accents4 8,gloria ,ronsard1 we have sent for you in all kindness10 he said2 8out of a sincere wish to remedy any wrong which our son1 the ,crown ,prince has1 in the light folly and hot impulse of his youth1 done to you in your life4 ,we are given to understand that there is a boy-and-girl attachment between you2 that he won your attachment under a disguised identity1 and that you were thus innocently deceived1--and that1 in order to satisfy his own honourable scruples1 as well as your sense of maidenly virtue1 he has1 still under a disguise1 gone through the ceremony of marriage with you4 ,therefore1 it seems that you now imagine yourself to be his lawful wife4 ,this is a very natural mistake for a girl to make who is as young and inexperienced as you are1 and ,i am sorry1--very sorry for the false position in which my son the ,crown ,prince has so thoughtlessly placed you4 ,but1 after very earnest consideration1 ,i1--and the ,queen also1--think it much better for you to know the truth at once1 so that you may fully realize the situation1 and then1 by the exercise of a little common sense1 spare yourself any further delusion and pain4 ,all we can do to repair the evil1 you may rest assured shall be done4 ,but you must thoroughly understand that the ,crown ,prince1 as heir to the ,throne1 cannot marry out of his own station4 ,if he should presume to do so1 through some mad and hot-headed impulse1 such a marriage is not admitted or agreed to by the nation4 ,thus you will see plainly that1 though you have gone through the marriage ceremony with him1 that counts as nothing in your case1--for1 according to the law of the realm1 and in the sight of the world1 you are not1 and cannot be his wife60 ,gloria raised her deep bright eyes and smiled4 8,no80 she said1 and then was silent4 ,the ,king regarded her with surprise1 and a touch of anger4 ,he had expected tears1 passionate declamations1 and reiterated assurances of the unalterable and indissoluble tie between herself and her lover1 but this little indifferently-queried 8,no80 upset all his calculations4 8,have you nothing to say80 he asked1 somewhat sternly4 8,what should ,i say80 she responded1 still smiling2 8,you are the ,king2 it is for you to speak60 8,she does not understand you1 ,sir10 interrupted the ,queen coldly2 8,your words are possibly too elaborate for her simple comprehension60 ,gloria turned a fearless beautiful glance upon her4 8,pardon me1 ,madam1 but ,i do understand60 she said2 8,i understand that by the law of ,god ,i am your son's wife1 and that by the law of the world ,i am no wife6 ,i abide by the law of ,god60 ,there was a moment's dead silence4 ,professor von ,glauben gave a discreet cough to break it1 and the ,king1 reminded of his presence turned towards him4 8,has she no sense of the position80 he demanded4 8,sir1 ,i have every reason to believe that she grasps it thoroughly60 replied ,von ,glauben with a deferential bow4 8,then why----0 ,but here he was again interrupted by the ,queen4 ,she1 raising herself in her chair1 her beautiful head and shoulders lifted statue-like from her enshrining draperies of azure and white1 stretched forth a hand and beckoned ,gloria towards her4 8,come here1 child60 she said2 then as ,gloria advanced with evident reluctance1 she added2 8,come closer--you must not be afraid of me60 ,gloria smiled4 8,nay1 ,madam1 trouble not yourself at all in that regard6 ,i never was afraid of anyone60 ,a shadow of annoyance darkened the ,queen's fair brows4 8,since you have no fear1 you may equally have no shame60 she said in icy-cold accents2 8,therefore it is easy to understand why you deliberately refuse to see the harm and cruelty done to our son1 the ,crown ,prince1 by his marriage with you1 if such marriage were in the least admissible1 which fortunately for all concerned1 it is not4 ,he is destined to occupy the ,throne1 and he must wed someone who is fit to share it4 ,kings and princes may love where they choose1--but they can only marry where they must6 ,you are my son's first love2--the thought and memory of that may perhaps be a consolation to you1--but do not assume that you will be his last60 ,gloria drew back from her2 her face had paled a little4 8,you can speak so60 she said sorrowfully2 8,you1--his mother6 ,poor ,queen--poor woman6 ,i am sorry for you60 ,without pausing to notice the crimson flush of vexation that flew over the ,queen's delicate face at her words1 she turned1 now with some haughtiness1 to the ,king4 8,speak plainly60 she said2 8,what is it you want of me80 ,her flashing eyes1 her proud look startled him--he moved back a step or two4 ,then he replied with as much firmness and dignity as he could assume4 8,nothing is wanted of you1 my child1 but obedience and loyalty6 ,resign all claim upon the ,crown ,prince as his wife2 promise never to see him again1 or correspond with him1--and--you shall lose nothing by the sacrifice you make of your little love affair to the good of the country40 8,the good of the country60 echoed ,gloria in thrilling tones4 8,do you know anything about it8 ,you--who never go among your people except to hunt and shoot and amuse yourself generally8 ,you1 who permit wicked liars and spendthrifts to gamble with the people's money6 ,the good of the country6 ,if my life could only lift the burden of taxation from the country1 ,i would lay it down gladly and freely6 ,if ,i were ,queen1 do you think ,i could be like her80 and she stretched forth her white arm to where the ,queen1 amazed1 had risen from her seat1 and now stood erect1 her rich robes trailing yards on the ground1 and flashing at every point with jewels4 8,do you think ,i could sit unmoved1 clad in rich velvet and gems1 while one single starving creature sought bread within my kingdom8 ,nay1 ,i would sell everything ,i possessed and go barefoot rather6 ,i would be a sister1 not a mere #8patroness' to the poor2--,i would never wear a single garment that had not been made for me by the workers of my own land2--and the #8good of the country' should be #8good' indeed1 not #8bad1' as it is now60 ,breathless with the sudden rush of her thoughts into words1 she stood with heaving bosom and sparkling eyes1 the incarnation of eloquence and inspiration1 and before the astonished monarch could speak1 she went on4 8,i am your son's wife6 ,he loves me--he has wedded me honourably and lawfully4 ,you wish me to disclaim that4 ,i will not6 ,from him and him alone1 must come my dismissal from his heart1 his life and his soul4 ,if he desires his marriage with me dissolved1 let him tell me so himself face to face1 and before you and his mother6 ,then ,i shall be content to be no more his wife4 ,but not till then6 ,i will promise nothing without his consent4 ,he is my husband1--and to him ,i owe my first obedience4 ,i seek no honour1 no rank1 no wealth1--but ,i have won the greatest treasure in this world1 his love6--and that ,i will keep60 ,a door opened at the further end of the room--a curtain was quietly pushed aside1 and the ,crown ,prince entered4 ,with a composed1 almost formal demeanour1 he saluted the ,king and ,queen1 and then going up to ,gloria1 passed his arm around her waist1 and held her fast4 8,when you have concluded your interview with my wife1 ,sir1--an interview of which ,i had no previous knowledge10 he said quietly1 addressing the ,king2 8,i shall be glad to have one of my own with her60 ,the ,king answered him calmly enough4 8,your wife1--as you call her1--is a very incorrigible young person10 he said4 8,the sooner she returns to her companions1 the fisher-folk on ,the ,islands1 the better6 ,from her looks ,i imagined she might have sense2 but ,i fear that is lacking to her composition6 ,however1 she is perfectly willing to consider her marriage with you dissolved1 if you desire it4 ,i trust you will desire it2--here1 now1 and at once1 in my presence and that of the ,queen1 your mother2--and thus a very unpleasant and unfortunate incident in your career will be satisfactorily closed60 ,prince ,humphry smiled4 8,dissolve the heavens and its stars into a cup of wine1 and drink them all down at one gulp60 he said2 8,and then1 perhaps1 you may dissolve my marriage with this lady6 ,if you consider it illegal1 put the question to the ,courts of ,law2--to the ,pope1 who most strenuously supports the sanctity of the marriage-tie2--ask all who know anything of the sacrament1 whether1 when two people love each other1 and are bound by holy matrimony to be as one1 and are mutually resolved to so remain1 any earthly power can part them6 #8,those whom ,god hath joined together1 let no man put asunder4' ,is that mere lip mockery1 or is it a holy bond80 ,the ,king gave an impatient gesture4 8,there is no use in argument10 he said1 8when argument has to be carried on with such children as yourselves4 ,what cannot be done by persuasion1 must be done by force4 ,i wished to act kindly and reasonably by both of you--and ,i had hoped better things from this interview1--but as matters have turned out1 it may as well be concluded40 8,wait60 said ,gloria1 disengaging herself gently from her husband's embrace2 8,i have something to say which ought to meet your wishes1 even though it may not be all you desire4 ,i will not promise to give up my husband2--,i will not promise never to see him1 and never to write to him--but ,i will swear to you one thing that should completely put your fears and doubts of me at rest60 ,both the ,king and ,queen looked at her wonderingly2--a brighter1 more delicate beauty seemed to invest her1--she stood very proudly upright1 her small head lifted1--her rich hair glistening in the soft sunshine that streamed in subdued tints through the high stained-glass windows of the room1--her figure1 slight and tall1 was like that of the goddess dreamt of by ,endymion4 8,you are so unhappy already10 she continued1 turning to the ,queen2 8,you have lost so much1 and you need so much1 that ,i should be sorry to add to your burden of grief6 ,if ,i thought ,i could make you glad1--if ,i thought ,i could make you see the world through my eyes1 with all the patient1 loving human hearts about you1 waiting for the sympathy you never give2 ,i would come to you often1 and try to find the warm pulse of you somewhere under all that splendour which you clothe yourself in1 and which is as valueless to me as the dust on the common road6 ,and if ,i could show you0 and here she fixed her steadfast glance upon the ,king1--8where you might win friends instead of losing them1--if ,i could persuade you to look and see where the fires of ,revolution are beginning to smoulder and kindle under your very ,throne1--if ,i could bear messages from you of compassion and tenderness to all the disaffected and disloyal1 ,i would ask you on my knees to let me be your daughter in affection1 as ,i am by marriage2 and ,i would unveil to you the secrets of your own kingdom1 which is slowly but steadily rising against you6 ,but you judge me wrongly--you estimate me falsely1--and where ,i might have given aid1 your own misconception of me makes me useless6 ,you consider me low-born and a mere peasant6 ,how can you be sure of that8--for truly ,i do not know who ,i am1 or where ,i came from4 ,for aught ,i can tell1 the storm was my father1 and the sea my mother1--but my parents may as easily have been ,royal6 ,you judge me half-educated1--and wholly unworthy to be your son's wife4 ,will the ladies of your ,court compete with me in learning8 ,i am ready6 ,what ,i hear of their attainments has not as yet commanded my respect or admiration1--and you yourself as ,king1 do nothing to show that you care for either art or learning6 ,i wonder1 indeed1 that you should even pause to consider whether your son's wife is educated or not60 ,absolutely silent1 the ,king kept his eyes upon her4 ,he was experiencing a novel sensation which was altogether delightful to him1 and more instructive than any essay or sermon4 ,he1 the ostensible ruler of the country1 was face to face with a woman who had no fear of him1--no awe for his position1--no respect for his rank1 but who simply spoke to him as though he had been any ordinary person4 ,he saw a scarcely perceptible smile on his son's handsome features1--he saw that ,von ,glauben's eyes twinkled1 despite his carefully preserved seriousness of demeanour1 and he realized the almost absurd powerlessness of his authority in such an embarrassing position4 ,the assumption of a mute contempt1 such as was vaguely expressed by the ,queen1 appeared to him to be the best policy2--he therefore adopted that attitude1 without however producing the least visible effect4 ,gloria's face1 softly flushed with suppressed emotion1 looked earnest and impassioned1 but neither abashed nor afraid4 8,i have read many histories of kings10 she continued slowly2 8,of their treacheries and cruelties2 of their neglect of their people6 ,seldom have they been truly great6 ,the few who are reported as wise1 lived and reigned so many ages ago1 that we cannot tell whether their virtues were indeed as admirable as described1--or whether their vices were not condoned by a too-partial historian4 ,a ,throne has no attraction for me6 ,the only sorrow ,i have ever known in my life1 is the discovery that the man ,i love best in the world is a king's son6 ,would to ,god he were poor and unrenowned as ,i thought him to be1 when ,i married him6--for so we should always have been happy4 ,but now ,i have to think for him as well as for myself2--his position is as hard as mine1--and we accept our fate as a trial of our love4 ,love cannot be forced1--it must root itself1 and grow where it will4 ,it has made us two as one2--one in thought1--one in hope1--one in faith6 ,no earthly power can part us4 ,you would marry him to another woman1 and force him to commit a great sin #8for the good of the country'8 ,i tell you1 if you do that1--if any king or prince does that1--,god's curse will surely fall upon the ,throne1 and all that do inherit it60 ,she did not raise her voice1--she spoke in low thrilling accents1 without excitement1 but with measured force and calm4 ,then she beckoned the ,crown ,prince to her side4 ,he instantly obeyed her gesture4 ,taking him by the hand1 she advanced a little1 and with him confronted both the ,king and ,queen4 8,hear me1 your ,majesties both60 she said in clear1 firm accents2 8,and when you have heard1 be satisfied as to #8the good of the country1' and let me depart to my own home in peace1 away from all your crushing and miserable conventions4 ,i take your son by the hand1 and even as ,i swore my faith to him at the marriage altar1 so ,i swear to you that he is free to follow his own inclination2--his law is mine1--his will my pleasure1--and in everything ,i shall obey him1 save in this one decree1 which ,i make for myself in your ,majesties' sovereign presence--that never1 so help me ,god1 will ,i claim or share my husband's rank as ,crown ,prince1 or set foot within this palace1 which is his home1 again1 till a greater voice than that of any king1--the voice of the ,nation itself1 calls upon me to do so60 ,this proud declaration was entirely unexpected2 and both the ,king and ,queen regarded the beautiful speaker in undisguised amazement4 ,she1 gently dropping the ,prince's hand1 met their eyes with a wistful pathos in her own4 8,will that satisfy you80 she asked1 a slight tremor shaking her voice as she put the question4 ,the ,king at once advanced1 and now spoke frankly1 and without any ceremony4 8,assuredly6 ,you are a brave girl6 ,true to your love1 and true to the country at one and the same time6 ,but while ,i accept your vow1 let me warn you not to indulge in any lurking hope or feeling that the ,nation will ever recognize your marriage4 ,your own willingly-taken oath at this moment practically makes it null and void1 so far as the ,state is concerned2--but perhaps it strengthens it as a bond of--youthful passion60 ,an open admiration flashed in his bold fine eyes as he spoke1--and ,gloria grew pale4 ,with an involuntary movement she turned towards the ,queen4 8,you--,madam--you--,ah6 ,no1--not you6--you are cruel6--you have not a woman's heart6 ,my love--my husband60 ,the ,prince was at once beside her1 and she clung to him trembling4 8,take me away60 she whispered2 8,take me away altogether--this place stifles me60 ,he caught her in his strong young arms1 and was about to lead her to the door1 when she suddenly appeared to remember something1 and releasing herself from his clasp1 put him away from her with a faint smile4 8,no1 dearest6 ,you must stay here2--stay here and make your father and mother understand all that ,i have said4 ,tell them ,i mean to keep my vow4 ,you know how thoroughly ,i mean it6 ,the ,professor will take me home60 ,then the ,queen moved1 and came towards her with her usual slow noiseless grace4 8,let me thank you60 she said1 with an air of gracious condescension2 8,you are a very good girl1 and ,i am sure you will keep your word6 ,you are so beautiful that you are bound to do well2 and ,i hope your future life will be a happy one60 8,i hope so1 ,madam60 replied ,gloria slowly2 8,i think it will6 ,if it is not happier than yours1 ,i shall indeed be unfortunate60 ,the ,queen drew back1 offended2 but the ,king1 who had been whispering aside to ,von ,glauben1 now approached and said kindly4 8,you must not go away1 my child1 without some token of our regard4 ,wear this for ,our sake60 ,he offered her a chain of gold bearing a simple yet exquisitely designed pendant of choice pearls4 ,her face crimsoned1 and she pushed it disdainfully aside4 8,keep it1 ,sir1 for those whose love and faith can be purchased with jewelled toys6 ,mine cannot6 ,you mean kindly no doubt1--but a gift from you is an offence1 not an honour6 ,fare-you-well60 ,another moment and she was gone4 ,von ,glauben1 at a sign from the ,king1 hastily followed her4 ,prince ,humphry1 who had remained almost entirely mute during the scene1 now stood with folded arms opposite his ,royal parents1 still silent and rigid4 ,the ,king watched him for a minute or two--then laid a hand gently on his arm4 8,we do not blame you over-much1 ,humphry60 he said2 8,she is a beautiful creature1 and more intelligent than ,i had imagined4 ,moreover she has great calmness1 as well as courage40 ,still the ,prince said nothing4 8,you are satisfied1 ,madam1 ,i presume80 went on the ,king addressing his ,consort2--8,the girl could hardly make a more earnest vow of abnegation than she has done4 ,and when ,humphry has travelled for a year and seen other lands1 other manners1 and other faces1 we may look upon this boyish incident in his career as finally closed4 ,i think both you and ,i can rest assured that there will be no further cause for anxiety80 ,he put the question carelessly4 ,the ,queen bent her head in acquiescence1 but her eyes were fixed upon her son1 who still said nothing4 8,we have not received any promise from ,humphry himself10 she said2 8,apparently he is not disposed to take a similar oath of loyalty60 8,truly1 ,madam1 you judge me rightly for once60 said the ,prince1 quietly2 8,i am certainly not disposed to do anything but to be master of my own thoughts and actions40 8,remain so1 ,humphry1 by all means60 said the ,king indulgently4 8,the present circumstances being so far favourable1 we exact nothing more from you4 ,love will be love1 and passion must have its way with boys of your age4 ,i impose no further restriction upon you4 ,the girl's own word is to me sufficient bond for the preservation of your high position4 ,all young men have their little secret love-affairs2 we shall not blame you for yours now1 seeing1 as we do1 the satisfactory end of it in sight6 ,but ,i fear we are detaining you60 ,this with elaborate politeness4 8,if you wish to follow your fair inamorata1 the way is clear6 ,you may retire60 ,without any haste1 but with formal military stiffness the ,prince saluted1--and turning slowly on his heel1 left the presence-chamber4 ,alone1 the ,king and his beautiful ,queen-,consort looked questioningly at one another4 8,what think you1 ,madam1 of the heroine of this strange love-story80 he asked with a touch of bitterness in his voice4 8,does it not strike you that even in this arid world of much deception1 there may be after all such a thing as innocence8--such a treasure as true and trusting love8 ,were not the eyes of this girl ,gloria1 when lifted to your face1 something like the eyes of a child who has just said its prayers to ,god1--who fears nothing and loves all8 ,yet ,i doubt whether you were moved60 8,were you80 she asked indifferently1 yet with a strange fluttering at her heart1 which she could not herself comprehend4 8,i was60 he answered4 8,i confess it6 ,i was profoundly touched to see a girl of such beauty and innocence confront us here1 with no other shield against our formal and ridiculous conventionalities1 save the pure strength of her own love for ,humphry1 and her complete trust in him4 ,it is easy to see that her life hangs on his will2 it is not so much her with whom we have to deal1 as with him4 ,what he says1 she will evidently obey4 ,if he tells her he has ceased to love her1 she will die quite uncomplainingly2 but so long as he does love her1 she will live1 and expand in beauty and intelligence on that love alone2 and you may be assured1 ,madam1 that in that case1 he will never wed another woman6 ,nor could ,i possibly blame him1 for he is bound to find all--or most women inferior to her60 ,she regarded him wonderingly4 8,your admiration of her is keen1 ,sir60 she said1 amazed to find herself somewhat irritated4 8,perhaps if she were not morganatically your daughter-in-law1 you might be your son's rival80 ,he turned upon her indignantly4 8,madam1 the days were1 when you1 as my wife1 had it in your power to admit no rivals to the kingdom of your own beauty6 ,since then1 ,i confess1 you have had many6 ,but they have been worthless rivals all1--crazed with their own vanity and greed1 and empty of truth and honour4 ,a month or two before ,i came to the ,throne1 ,i was beginning to think that women were viler than vermin1--,i had grown utterly weary of their beauty1--weary--ay1 sick to death of their alluring eyes1 sensual lips1 and too freely-offered caresses2 the uncomely1 hard-worked woman1 earning bread for her half-starved children1 seemed the only kind of feminine creature for which ,i could have any respect--but now--,i am learning that there are good women who are fair to see1--women who have hearts to love and suffer1 and who are true--ay--true as the sun in heaven to the one man they worship60 8,a man who is generally quite unworthy of them60 said the ,queen with a chill laugh2 8,your eloquence1 ,sir1 is very touching1 and no doubt leads further than ,i care to penetrate6 ,the girl ,gloria is certainly beautiful1 and no doubt very innocent and true at present1--but when ,humphry tires of her1 as he surely will1 for all men quickly tire of those that love them best1--she will no doubt sink into the ordinary ways of obtaining consolation4 ,i know little concerning these amazingly good women you speak of2 and nothing concerning good men6 ,but ,i quite agree with you that many women are to be admired for their hard work4 ,you see when once they do begin to work1 men generally keep them at it60 ,she gathered up her rich train on one arm1 and prepared to leave the apartment4 8,if you think10 she continued1 8as you now say1 that ,humphry will never change his present sentiments1 and never marry any other woman1 the girl's oath is a mere farce and of no avail60 8,on the contrary1 it is of much avail10 said the ,king1 8for she has sworn before us both never to claim any right to share in ,humphry's position1 till the nation itself asks her to do so4 ,now as the nation will never know of the marriage at all1 the #8call' will not be forthcoming40 ,the ,queen paused in the act of turning away4 8,if you were to die10 she said2 8,humphry would be ,king4 ,and as ,king1 he is quite capable of making ,gloria ,queen60 ,he looked at her very strangely4 8,madam1 in the event of my death1 all things are possible60 he said2 8,a dying ,sovereignty may give birth to a ,republic60 ,the ,queen smiled4 8,well1 it is the most popular form of government nowadays10 she responded1 carelessly moving slowly towards the door2 8,and perhaps the most satisfactory4 ,i think if ,i were not a ,queen1 ,i should be a republican60 8,and ,i1 if ,i were not a ,king10 he responded1 8should be a ,socialist6 ,such are the strange contradictions of human nature6 ,permit me60 ,he opened the door of the room for her to pass out1--and as she did so1 she looked up full in his face4 8,are you still interested in your new form of amusement80 she said2 8,and do you still expose yourself to danger and death80 ,he bowed assent4 8,still am ,i a fool in a new course of folly1 ,madam60 he answered with a smile1 and a half sigh4 8,so many of my brother monarchs are wadded round like peaches in wool1 with precautions for their safety1 lest they bruise at a touch1 that ,i assure you ,i take the chances of danger and death as exhilarating sport1 compared to their guarded condition4 ,but it is very good of you to assume such a gracious solicitude for my safety60 8,assume80 she said4 ,her voice had a slight tremor in it1--her eyes looked soft and suffused with something like tears4 ,then1 with her usual stately grace1 she saluted him1 and passed out4 ,struck at the unwonted expression in her face1 he stood for a moment amazed4 ,then he gave vent to a low bitter laugh4 8,how strange it would be if she should love me now60 he murmured4 8,but--after all these years--too late6 ,too late60 ,that night before the ,king retired to rest1 ,professor von ,glauben reported himself and his duty to his ,majesty in the privacy of his own apartments4 ,he had1 he stated1 accompanied ,gloria back to her home in ,the ,islands2 and1 he added somewhat hesitatingly1 the ,crown ,prince had returned with her1 and had there remained4 ,he1 the ,professor1 had left them together1 being commanded by the ,prince so to do4 ,the ,king received this information with perfect equanimity4 8,the boy must have his way for the present10 he said4 8,his passion will soon exhaust itself4 ,all passion exhausts itself sooner or--later60 8,that depends very much on the depth or shallowness of its source1 ,sir10 replied the ,professor4 8,true6 ,but a boy6--a mere infant in experience6 ,what can he know of the depths in the heart and soul6 ,now a man of my age----0 ,he broke off abruptly1 seeing ,von ,glauben's eyes fixed steadfastly upon him1 and the colour deepened in his cheek4 ,then he gave a slight laugh4 8,i tell you1 ,von ,glauben1 this little love-affair--this absurd toy-marriage is not worth thinking about4 ,humphry leaves the country at the end of this month1--he will remain absent a year1--and at the expiration of that time we shall marry him in good earnest to a royally-born bride4 ,meanwhile1 let us not trouble ourselves about this sentimental episode1 which is so rapidly drawing to its close40 ,the ,professor bowed respectfully and retired4 ,but not to sleep4 ,he had a glowing picture before his eyes1--a picture he could not forget1 of the ,crown ,prince and ,gloria standing with arms entwined about each other under the rose-covered porch of ,ronsard's cottage saying 8,good-night0 to him1 while ,ronsard himself1 his tranquillity completely restored1 and his former fears at rest1 warmly shook his hand1 and with a curious mingling of pride and deference thanked him for all his friendship--#8all his goodness6' 8,and no goodness at all is mine10 said the meditative ,professor1 8save that of being as honest as ,i can to both sides6 ,but there is some change in the situation which ,i do not quite understand4 ,there is some new plan on foot ,i would swear6 ,the ,prince was too triumphant--,gloria too happy--,ronsard too satisfied6 ,there is something in the wind6--but ,i cannot make out what it is60 ,he pondered uneasily for a part of the night1 reflecting that when he had returned from ,the ,islands in the ,king's yacht1 he had met the ,prince's own private vessel on her way thither1 gliding over the waves1 a mere ghostly bunch of white sails in the glimmering moon4 ,he had concluded that it was under orders to embark the ,prince for home again in the morning2 and yet1 though this was a perfectly natural and probable surmise1 he had been unable to rid himself altogether of a doubtful presentiment1 to which he could give no name4 ,by degrees1 he fell into an uneasy slumber1 in which he had many incompleted dreams1--one of which was that he found himself all alone on the wide ocean which stretched for thousands of miles beyond ,the ,islands1--alone in a small boat1 endeavouring to row it towards the great ,southern ,continent that lay afar off in the invisible distance1--where few but the most adventurous travellers ever cared to wander4 ,and as he pulled with weak1 ineffectual oars against the mighty weight of the rolling billows1 he thought he heard the words of an old ,irish song which he remembered having listened to1 when as quite a young man he had paid his first and last visit to the misty and romantic shores of ,britain4 8,come o'er the sea ,cushla ma chree6-- ,mine through sunshine1 storm and snows6-- ,seasons may roll1 ,but the true soul1 ,burns the same wherever it goes2 ,let fate frown on1 so we love and part not1 #8,t is life where thou art1 #8t is death where thou art not6 ,then come o'er the sea1 ,cushla ma chree6 ,mine wherever the wild wind blows60 ,then waking with a violent start1 he wondered what set of brain-cells had been stirred to reproduce rhymes that he had1 or so he deemed1 long ago forgotten4 ,and still musing1 he almost mechanically went on with the wild ditty4 8,was not the sea ,made for the free1 ,land for ,courts and chains alone6-- ,here we are slaves1 ,but on the waves1 ,love and liberty are our own60 8,this will never do60 he exclaimed1 leaping from his bed2 8,i am becoming a mere driveller with advancing age60 ,he went to the window and looked out4 ,it was about six o'clock in the morning1--the sun was shining brightly into his room4 ,before him lay the sea1 calm as a lake1 and clear-sparkling as a diamond2--not a boat was in sight2--not a single white sail on the distant horizon4 ,and in the freshness and stillness of the breaking day1 the world looked but just newly created4 8,how we fret and fume in our little span of life60 he murmured4 8,a few years hence1 and for us all the troubles which we make for ourselves will be ended6 ,but the sun and the sea will shine on just the same--and ,love1 the supremest power on earth1 will still govern mankind1 when thrones and kings and empires are no more60 ,his thoughts were destined to bear quick fruition4 ,the morning deepened into noon--and at that hour a sealed dispatch brought by a sailor1 who gave no name and who departed as soon as he had delivered his packet1 was handed to the ,king4 ,it was from the ,crown ,prince1 and ran briefly thus3-- 8,at your command1 ,sir1 and by my own desire1 ,i have left the country over which you hold your sovereign dominion4 ,whither ,i travel1 and how1 is my own affair4 ,i shall return no more till the ,nation demands my service1--whereof ,i shall doubtless hear should such a contingency ever arise4 ,i leave you to deal with the situation as seems best to your good pleasure and that of the ,government1--but the life ,god has given me can only be lived once1 and to ,him alone am ,i responsible for it4 ,i am resolved therefore to live it to my own liking1--in honesty1 faith and freedom4 ,in accordance with this determination1 ,gloria1 my wife1 as in her sworn marriage-duty bound1 goes with me40 ,for one moment the ,king stood transfixed and astounded2 a cloud of anger darkened his brows4 ,crumpling up the document in his hand1 he was about to fling it from him in a fury4 ,what6 ,this mere boy and girl had baffled the authority of a king6 ,anon1 his anger cooled--his countenance cleared4 ,smoothing the paper out he read its contents again1--then smiled4 8,well6 ,humphry has something of me in him after all60 he said4 8,he is not entirely his mother6 ,he has a heart1--a will1 and a conscience1--all three generally lacking to sons of kings6 ,let me be honest with myself6 ,if he had given way to me1 ,i should have despised him6--#8but for ,love's sake he has opposed me2 and by my soul6--,i respect him60 ,,chapter ,,xxiii ,,the ,,king',s ,,defender ,rumour1 we are told1 has a million tongues1 and they were soon all at work1 wagging out the news of the ,crown ,prince's mysterious departure4 ,each tongue told a different story1 and none of the stories tallied4 ,no information was to be obtained at ,court4 ,there nothing was said1 but that the ,prince1 disliking the formal ceremony of a public departure1 had privately set sail in his own yacht for his projected tour round the world4 ,nobody believed this2 and the general impression soon gained ground that the young man had fallen into disgrace with his ,royal parents1 and had been sent away for a time till he should recognize the enormity of his youthful indiscretions4 8,sent away--you understand60 said the society gossips2 8,to avoid further scandal60 ,the ,prince's younger brothers1 ,rupert and ,cyprian1 were often plied with questions by their intimates1 but knowing nothing1 and truly caring less1 they could give no explanation4 ,neither ,king nor ,queen spoke a word on the subject2 and ,sir ,roger de ,launay1 astonished and perplexed beyond measure as he was at this turn in affairs1 dared not put any questions even to his friend ,professor von ,glauben who1 as soon as the news of the ,prince's departure was known1 resolutely declined to speak1 so he said1 8on what did not concern him40 ,gradually1 however1 this excitement partially subsided to give place to other forms of social commotion1 which beginning in trifles1 swiftly expanded to larger and more serious development4 ,the first of these was the sudden rise of a newspaper which had for many years subsisted with the greatest difficulty in opposition to the many journals governed by ,david ,jost4 ,it happened in this manner4 ,several leading articles written in favour of a ,jesuit settlement in the country1 had appeared constantly in ,jost's largest and most widely circulated newspaper1 and the last of these #8leaders1' had concluded with the assertion that though his ,majesty1 the ,king1 had at first refused the portion of ,crown-lands needed by the ,society for building1 he had now #8graciously' re-considered the situation1 and had been pleased to revoke his previous decision4 ,whereat1 the very next morning the rival #8daily' had leaped into prominence by merely two headlines3 ,,the ,,jesuit ,,settlement ,,statement ,,by ,,his ,,majesty ,,the ,,king4 ,and there1 plainly set forth1 was the ,royal and authoritative refusal to grant the lands required1 #8,because of the earnest petition of our loving subjects against the said grant1'--and till #8our loving subjects'' objections were removed1 the lands would be withheld4 ,this public announcement signed by the ,king in person1 created the most extraordinary sensation throughout the whole country4 ,it was the one topic at every social meeting2 it was the one subject of every sermon4 ,preachers stormed and harangued in every pulpit1 and ,monsignor ,del ,fortis1 lifting up his harsh raucous voice in the ,cathedral itself1 addressed an enormous congregation one ,sunday morning on the matter1 and denounced the ,king1 the ,queen1 and the mysteriously-departed ,crown ,prince in the most orthodox ,christian manner1 commending them to the flames of hell1 and the mercy of a loving ,god at one and the same moment4 ,meanwhile1 the newspaper that had been permitted to publish the ,king's statement got its circulation up by tens of thousands1 the more so as certain brilliant and fiery articles on the political situation began to appear therein signed by one ,pasquin ,leroy1 a stranger to the reading public1 but in whom the spirit of a modern #8,junius' appeared to have entered for the purpose of warning1 threatening and commanding4 ,a scathing and audacious attack upon ,carl ,prousse1 ,secretary of ,state1 in which the small darts of satire flew further than the sharpest arrows of assertion1 was among the first of these1 and ,prousse himself1 maddened like a bull at the first prick of the toreador1 by the stinging truths the writer uttered1 or rather suggested1 lost no time in summoning ,general ,bernhoff to a second interview4 8,did ,i not tell you10 he said1 pointing to the signature at the end of the offending article1 8to #8shadow' that man1 and arrest him as a common spy80 ,bernhoff bowed stiffly4 8,you did6 ,but it is difficult to arrest one who is not capable of being arrested4 ,i must be provided first with proofs of his guilt2 and ,i must also obtain the ,king's order40 8,proofs should be easy enough for you to obtain10 said ,prousse fiercely2 8,and the ,king will sign any warrant he is told4 ,at least1 you can surely find this rascal out8--where he lives1 and what are his means of subsistence80 8,if he were here1 ,i could10 responded ,bernhoff calmly2 8,i have made all the necessary preliminary enquiries4 ,the man is a gentleman of considerable wealth4 ,he writes for his own amusement1 and--from a distance4 ,i advise you--0 and here the ,general held up an obstinate-looking finger of warning2 8,i advise you1 ,i say1 to let him alone6 ,i can find no proof whatever that he is a spy40 8,proof6 ,i can give you enough--0 began ,prousse hotly1 then paused in confusion4 ,for what could he truly say8 ,if he told the ,chief of ,police that this ,pasquin ,leroy was believed to have counterfeited the ,prime ,minister's signet1 in order to obtain an interview with ,david ,jost1 why then the ,chief of ,police would be informed once and for all that the ,prime ,minister was in confidential communication with the ,jew-proprietor of a stock-jobbing newspaper6 ,and that would never do6 ,it would1 at the least1 be impolitic4 ,inwardly chafing with annoyance1 he assumed an outward air of conscientious gravity4 8,you will regret it1 ,general1 ,i think1 if you do not follow out my suggestions respecting this man10 he said coldly2 8,he is writing for the press in a strain which is plainly directed against the ,government4 ,of course we statesmen pay little or no heed to modern journalism1 but the ,king1 having taken the unusual1 and as ,i consider it1 unwise step of proclaiming certain of his intentions in a newspaper which was1 until his patronage1 obscure and unsuccessful1 the public attention has been suddenly turned towards this particular journal2 and what is written therein may possibly influence the masses as it would not have done a few weeks ago40 8,i quite believe that60 said ,bernhoff tersely2 8,but ,i cannot arrest a man for writing clever things4 ,literary talent is no proof of dishonesty40 ,prousse looked at him sharply4 ,but there was no satire in ,bernhoff's fixed and glassy eye1 and no expression whatever in his woodenly-composed countenance4 8,we entertain different opinions on the matter1 it is evident60 he said2 8,you will at least grant that if he cannot be arrested1 he can be carefully watched80 8,he is carefully watched60 replied ,bernhoff2 8,that is to say1 as far as ,i can watch him60 8,good60 and ,prousse smiled1 somewhat relieved4 8,then on the first suspicion of a treasonable act----0 8,i shall arrest him--in the ,king's name1 when the ,king signs the warrant10 said ,bernhoff2 8,but he is one of ,sergius ,thord's followers1 and at the present juncture it might be unwise to touch any member of that particularly inflammable body40 ,prousse frowned4 8,sergius ,thord ought to have been hanged or shot years ago----0 8,then why did not you hang or shoot him80 enquired ,bernhoff4 8,i was not in office40 8,why do you not hang or shoot him now80 8,why8 ,because----0 8,because10 interrupted ,bernhoff1 again lifting his grim warning finger2 8,if you did1 the city would be in a tumult and more than half the soldiery would be on the side of the mob6 ,by way of warning1 ,m4 ,prousse1 ,i may as well tell you frankly1 on the authority of my position as ,head of the ,police1 that the ,government are on the edge of a dangerous situation60 ,prousse looked contemptuous4 8,every ,government in the world is on the edge of a dangerous situation nowadays60 he retorted2--8,but any ,government that yields to the mob proves itself a mere ministry of cowardice40 8,yet the mob often wins1--not only by excess of numbers1 but by sheer force of--honesty60--said ,bernhoff sententiously2 8,it has been known to sweep away1 and re-make political constitutions before now40 8,it has10--agreed ,prousse1 drawing pens and paper towards him1 and feigning to be busily occupied in the commencement of a letter--8,but it will not indulge itself in such amusements during my time60 8,ah6 ,i wonder how long your time will last60 muttered ,bernhoff to himself as he withdrew--8,six months or six days8 ,i would not bet on the longer period60 ,in good truth there was considerable reason for the ,general's dubious outlook on affairs4 ,a political storm was brewing4 ,a heavy tidal wave of discontent was sweeping the masses of the people stormily against the rocks of existing authority1 and loud and bitter and incessant were the complaints on all sides against the increased taxation levied upon every rate-payer4 ,fiercest of all was the clamour made by the poor at the increasing price of bread1 the chief necessity of life2 for the imposition of a heavy duty upon wheat and other cereals had made the common loaf of the peasant's daily fare almost an article of luxury4 ,stormy meetings were held in every quarter of the city1--protests were drawn up and signed by thousands1--endless petitions were handed to the ,king1--but no practical result came from these4 ,his ,majesty was #8graciously pleased' to seem blind1 deaf and wholly indifferent to the agitated condition of his subjects4 ,now and then a ,government orator would mount the political rostrum and talk #8patriotism' for an hour or so1 to a more or less sullen audience1 informing them with much high-flown eloquence that1 by responding to the ,governmental demands and supporting the ,governmental measures1 they were strengthening the resources of the country and completing the efficiency of both ,army and ,navy2 but somehow1 his hydraulic efforts at rousing the popular enthusiasm failed of effect4 ,whereas1 whenever ,sergius ,thord spoke1 thousands of throats roared acclamation1--and the very sight of ,lotys passing quietly down the poorer thoroughfares of the city was sufficient to bring out groups of men and women to their doors1 waving their hands to her1 sending her wild kisses1--and almost kneeling before her in an ecstasy of trust and adoration4 ,thord himself perceived that the situation was rapidly reaching a climax1 and quietly prepared himself to meet and cope with it4 ,two of the monthly business meetings of the ,revolutionary ,committee had been held since that on which ,pasquin ,leroy and his two friends had been enrolled as members of the ,brotherhood1 and at the last of these1 ,thord took ,leroy into his full confidence1 and gave him all the secret clues of the ,revolutionary organization which honeycombed the metropolis from end to end4 ,he had trusted the man in many ways and found him honest4 ,one trifling proof of this was perhaps the main reason of ,thord's further reliance upon him2 he had fulfilled his half-suggested promise to bring the sunshine of prosperity into the hard-working1 and more or less sordid life of the little dancing-girl1 ,pequita4 ,she had been sent for one morning by the manager of the ,royal ,opera1 who having seen the ease1 grace1 and dexterity of her performance1 forthwith engaged her for the entire season at a salary which when named to the amazed child1 seemed like a veritable shower of gold tumbling by rare chance out of the lap of ,dame ,fortune4 ,the manager was a curt1 cold business man1 and she was afraid to ask him any questions1 for when the words--8,i am sure a kind friend has spoken to you of me--0 came timidly from her lips1 he had shut up her confidence at once by the brief answer-- 8,no4 ,you are mistaken4 ,we accept no personal recommendations4 ,we only employ proved talent60 ,all the same ,pequita felt sure that she owed the sudden lifting of her own and her father's daily burden of life1 to the unforgetting care and intercession of ,leroy4 ,lotys was equally convinced of the same1 and both she and ,sergius ,thord highly appreciated their new associate's unobtrusive way of doing good1 as it were1 by stealth4 ,pequita's exquisite grace and agility had made her at once the fashion2 the ,opera was crowded nightly to see the #8wonderful child-dancer'2 and valuable gifts and costly jewels were showered upon her1 all of which she brought to ,lotys1 who advised her how to dispose of them best1 and put by the money for the comfort and care of her father in the event of sickness1 or the advance of age4 ,flattered and petted by the great world as she now was1 ,pequita never lost her head in the whirl of gay splendour1 but remained the same child-like1 loving little creature1--her one idol her father1--her only confidante1 ,lotys1 whose gentle admonitions and constant watchfulness saved her from many a dangerous pitfall4 ,as yet1 she had not attained the wish she had expressed1 to dance before the ,king1--but she was told that at any time his ,majesty might visit the ,opera1 and that steps would be taken to induce him to do so for the special purpose of witnessing her performance4 ,so with this half promise she was fain to be content1 and to bear with the laughing taunts of her #8,revolutionary' friends1 who constantly teased her and called her #8little traitor' because she sought the ,royal favour4 ,another event1 which was correctly or incorrectly traced to ,leroy's silently working influence1 was the sudden meteoric blaze of ,paul ,zouche into fame4 ,how it happened1 no one knew2--and why it happened was still more of a mystery1 because by all its own tenets and traditions the social world ought to have set itself dead against the #8,psalm of ,revolution1'--the title of the book of poems which created such an amazing stir4 ,but somehow1 it got whispered about that the ,king had attempted to #8patronise' the poet1 and that the poet had very indignantly resented the offered ,royal condescension4 ,whereat1 by degrees1 there arose in society circles a murmur of wonder at the poet's #8pluck1' wonder that deepened into admiration1 with incessant demand for his book1--and admiration soon expanded1 with the aid of the book1 into a complete 8craze40 ,zouche's name was on every lip2 invitations to great houses reached him every week2--his poems began to sell by thousands2 yet with all this1 the obstinacy of his erratic nature asserted itself as usual1 undiminished1 and ,zouche withdrew from the shower of praise like a snail into its shell1--answered none of the flattering requests for #8the pleasure of his company1' and handed whatever money he made by his poems over to the funds of the ,revolutionary ,committee1 only accepting as much out of it as would pay for his clothes1 food1 lodging1 and--drink6 ,but the more he turned his back on ,fame1 the more hotly it pursued him2--his very churlishness was talked about as something remarkable and admirable1--and when it was suggested that he was fonder of strong liquor than was altogether seemly1 people smiled and nodded at each other pleasantly1 tapped their foreheads meaningly and murmured3 #8,genius6 ,genius6' as though that were a quality allied of divine necessity to alcoholism4 ,these two things1--the advent of a new dancer at the ,opera1 and the fame of ,paul ,zouche1 were the chief topics of #8,society' outside its own tawdry personal concern2 but under all the light froth and spume of the pleasure-seeking1 pleasure-loving whirl of fashion1 a fierce tempest was rising1 and the first whistlings of the wind of revolt were already beginning to pierce through the keyholes and crannies of the stately building allotted to the business of ,government2--so much so indeed that one terrible night1 all unexpectedly1 a huge mob1 some twenty thousand strong1 surrounded it1 armed with every conceivable weapon from muskets to pickaxes1 and shouted with horrid din for #8,bread and ,justice6'--these being considered co-equal in the bewildered mind of the excited multitude4 ,likewise did they scream with protrusive energy3 #8,give us back our lost ,trades6' being fully aware1 despite their delirium1 that these said #8lost ,trades' were being sold off into #8,trusts1' wherein ,ministers themselves held considerable shares1 ,a two-sided clamour was also made for #8,the ,king6 ,the ,king6' one side appealing1 the other menacing1--the latter under the belief that his ,majesty equally had #8shares' in the bartered ,trades1--the former in the hope that the country's ,honour might still be saved with the help of their visible ,head4 ,much difficulty was experienced in clearing this surging throng of indignant humanity1 for though the soldiery were called out to effect the work1 they were more than half-hearted in their business1 having considerable grievances of their own to avenge1--and when ordered to fire on the people1 flatly refused to do so4 ,two persons however succeeded at last in calming and quelling the tumult4 ,one was ,sergius ,thord1--the other ,lotys4 ,carl ,prousse1 seized with an access of #8nerves' within the cushioned luxury of his own private room in the recesses of the ,government buildings1 from whence he had watched the demonstration1 peered from one of the windows1 and saw one half of the huge mob melt swiftly away under the command of a tall1 majestic-looking creature1 whose massive form and leonine head appeared ,ajax-like above the throng2 and he watched the other half turn round in brisk order1 like a well-drilled army1 and march off1 singing loudly and lustily1 headed by a woman carried shoulder-high before them1 whose white robes gleamed like a flag of truce in the glare of the torches blazing around her2--and to his utter amazement1 fear and disgust1 he heard the very soldiers shouting her name3 8,lotys6 ,lotys60 with ever-increasing and thunderous plaudits of admiration and homage4 ,often and often had he heard that name1--often and often had he dismissed it from his thoughts with light masculine contempt4 ,often1 too1 had it come to the ears of his colleague the ,premier1 who as has been shown1 even in intimate converse with his own private secretary1 feigned complete ignorance of it4 ,but it is well understood that politicians generally1 and diplomatists always1 assume to have no knowledge whatever concerning those persons of whom they are most afraid4 ,yet just now it was unpleasantly possible that 8the stone which the builders rejected0 might indirectly be the means of crushing the ,ministry1 and reorganizing the affairs of the country4 ,his meditations on this occasion were interrupted by a touch on the shoulder from behind1 and1 looking up1 he saw the ,marquis de ,lutera4 8,almost a riot60 he said1 forcing a pale smile1--8,but not quite60 8,say1 rather1 almost a revolution60 retorted the ,marquis brusquely2--8,jesting is out of place4 ,we are on the brink of a very serious disaster6 ,the people are roused4 ,to-night they threatened to burn down these buildings over our heads1--to sack and destroy the ,king's ,palace4 ,the ,socialist leader1 ,thord1 alone saved the situation40 8,with the aid of his mistress80 suggested ,prousse with a sneer4 8,you mean the woman they call ,lotys8 ,i am not aware that she is his mistress4 ,i should rather doubt it4 ,the people would not make such a saint of her if she were4 ,at any rate1 whatever else she may be1 she is certainly dangerous2--and in a country less free than ours would be placed under arrest4 ,i must confess ,i never believed in her #8vogue' with the masses1 until to-night40 ,prousse was silent4 ,the great square in front of the ,government buildings was now deserted1--save for the police and soldiery on guard2 but away in the distance could still be heard faint echoes of singing and cheering from the broken-up sections of the crowd that had lately disturbed the peace4 8,have you seen the ,king lately80 enquired ,lutera presently4 8,no40 8,by his absolute #8veto' against our propositions at the last ,cabinet ,council1 the impending war which would have been so useful to us1 has been quashed in embryo10 went on the ,premier with a frown2--8,this of course you know6 ,and he has the right to exercise his veto if he likes4 ,but ,i scarcely expected you after all you said1 to take the matter so easily60 ,prousse smiled1 and shrugged his shoulders deprecatingly4 8,however10 continued the ,marquis with latent contempt in his tone2--8,i now quite understand your complacent attitude6 ,you have simply turned your #8,army ,supplies ,contract' into a #8,trust' ,combine with other nations1--so you will not lose1 but rather gain by the transaction60 8,i never intended to lose60 said ,prousse calmly2 8,i am not troubled with scruples4 ,one form of trade is as good as another4 ,the prime object of life nowadays is to make money60 ,lutera looked at him1 but said nothing4 8,to amalgamate all the steel industries into one international ,union1 and get as many shares myself in the combine is not at all an unwise project10 went on ,prousse1--8,for if our country is not to fight1 other countries will2--and they will require guns and swords and all such accoutrements of war4 ,why should we not satisfy the demand and pocket the cash80 ,still the ,marquis looked at him steadily4 8,are you aware10--he asked at last1 8that ,jost1 to save his #8press' prestige1 has turned informer against you80 ,prousse sprang up1 white with fury4 8,by ,heaven1 if he has dared6--0 8,there is no #8if' in the case0--said ,lutera very coldly--8,he has1 as he himself says1 #8done his duty4' ,you must be pretty well cognisant of what a ,jew's notions of #8duty' are6 ,they can be summed up in one sentence2--#8to save his own pocket4' ,jost is driven to fury and desperation by the sudden success of the rival newspaper1 which has been so prominently favoured by the ,king4 ,the shares in his own journalistic concerns are going down rapidly1 and he is determined--naturally enough--to take care of himself before anyone else4 ,he has sold out of every company with which you have been1 or are associated--and has--so ,i understand1--sent a complete list of your proposed financial #8deals1' investments and other #8stock' to--0 ,he paused4 8,well60 exclaimed ,prousse irascibly--8,to whom80 8,to those whom it may concern10--replied ,lutera evasively--8,i really can give you no exact information4 ,i have said enough by way of warning60 ,prousse looked at him heedfully1 and what he saw in that dark brooding face was not of a quieting or satisfactory nature4 8,you are as deeply involved as ,i am--0 he began4 8,pardon60 and the ,marquis drew himself up with some dignity--8,i was involved2--,i am not now4 ,i have also taken care of myself6 ,i may have been misled1 but ,i shall let no one suffer for my errors4 ,i have sent in my resignation40 8,fool60 ejaculated ,prousse1 forgetting all courtesy in the sudden access of rage that took possession of him at these words2--8,fool1 ,i say6 ,at the very moment when you ought to stick to the ship1 you desert it60 8,are you not ready to run to the helm80 enquired ,lutera with a satiric smile2 8,surely you can have no doubt but that his ,majesty will command you to take office60 ,with this1 he turned on his heel1 and left his colleague to a space of very disagreeable meditation4 ,for the first time in his bold and unscrupulous career1 ,prousse found himself in an awkward position4 ,if it were indeed true that ,jost and ,lutera had thrown up the game1 especially ,jost1 then he1 ,prousse1 was lost4 ,he had made of ,jost1 not only a tool1 but a confidant4 ,he had used him1 and his great leading newspaper for his own political and financial purposes4 ,he had entrusted him with ,state secrets1 in order to speculate thereon in all the money-markets of the world4 ,he had induced him to approach the ,premier with crafty promises of support1 and to inveigle him by insidious degrees into the same dishonourable financial #8deal4' ,so that if this one man1--this fat1 unscrupulous turncoat of a ,jew1--chose to speak out1 he1 ,carl ,prousse1 ,secretary of ,state1 would be the most disgraced and ruined ,minister that ever attempted to defraud a nation6 ,his brows grew moist with fever-heat1 and his tongue parched1 with the dry thirst of fear1 as the gravity of the situation was gradually borne in upon him4 ,he began to calculate contingencies and possibilities of escape from the toils that seemed closing around him1--and much to his irritation and embarrassment1 he found that most of the ways leading out of difficulty pointed first of all to1--the ,king4 ,the ,king6 ,the very personage whom he had called a ,dummy1 only bound to do as he was told6 ,and now1 if he could only persuade the ,king that he1--the poor ,secretary of ,state1--was a deeply-injured man1 whose life's effort had been solely directed towards #8the good of the country1' yet who nevertheless was cruelly wronged and calumniated by his enemies1 all might yet be well4 8,were he only like other monarchs whom ,i know10 he reflected4 8,i could have easily involved him in the ,trades deal6 ,then the press could have been silenced1 and the public fooled4 ,with five or six hundred thousand shares in the biggest concerns1 he would have been compelled to work under me for the amalgamation of our ,trades with the financial forces of other countries1 regardless of the rubbish talked by #8patriots' on the loss of our position and prestige4 ,but he is not fond of money1--he is not fond of money6 ,would that he were6--for so ,i should be virtually king of the ,king60 ,cogitating various problems on his return to his own house that evening1 he remembered that despite numerous protests and petitions1 the ,king had1 up to the present1 paid no attention to the appeals of his people against the increasing inroads of taxation4 ,the only two measures he had carried with a high and imperative hand1 were first1--the #8vetoing' of an intended declaration of war1--and the refusal of extensive lands to the ,jesuits4 ,the first was the more important action1 as1 while it had won the gratitude and friendship of a previously hostile ,state1 it had lost several #8noble' gamblers in the griefs of nations1 some millions of money4 ,the check to the ,jesuits was comparatively trivial1 yet it had already produced far-reaching effects1 and had offended the powers at the ,vatican4 ,but1 beyond this1 things remained apparently as they were2 true1 the ,socialists were growing stronger2--but there was no evidence that the ,government was growing weaker4 8,after all10 thought ,prousse1 as a result of his meditations2 8there is no immediate cause for anxiety4 ,if ,lutera has sent in his resignation1 it may not be accepted4 ,that rests--like other things--with the ,king40 ,and a vague surprise affected him at this fact4 8,curious60 he muttered1--8,very curious that he1 who was a ,nothing1 should now be a ,something6 ,the change has taken place very rapidly1--and very strangely6 ,i wonder what--or who--is moving him80 ,but to this inward query he received no satisfactory reply4 ,the mysterious upshot of the whole position was the same1--namely1 that somehow1 in the most unaccountable1 inexplicable manner1 the wind and weather of affairs had so veered round1 that the security of ,ministers and the stability of ,government rested1 not with themselves or the nature of their quarrels and discussions1 but solely on one whom they were accustomed to consider as a mere ornamental figure-head1--the ,king4 ,some few days after the unexpected turbulent rising of the mob1 it was judged advisable to give the people something in the way of a #8gala1' or spectacle1 in order to distract their attention from their own grievances1 and to draw them away from their ,socialistic clubs and conventions1 to the contemplation of a parade of ,royal state and splendour4 ,the careful student of ,history cannot fail to note that whenever the rottenness and inadequacy of a ,government are most apparent1 great #8shows' and ,royal ceremonials are always resorted to1 in order to divert the minds of the people from the bitter consideration of a deficient ,exchequer and a diminishing ,national ,honour4 ,the authorities who organize these ,state masquerades are wise in their generation4 ,they know that the working-classes very seldom have the leisure to think for themselves1 and that they often lack the intelligent ability to foresee the difficulties and dangers menacing their country's welfare2--but that they are always ready1 with the strangest fatuity1 patience1 and good-nature1 to take their wives and families to see any new variation of a world's #8,punch and ,judy' play1 particularly if there is a savour of ,royalty about it1 accompanied by a brass band1 well-equipped soldiers1 and gilded coaches4 ,though they take no part in the pageant1 beyond consenting to be hustled and rudely driven back by the police like intrusive sheep1 out of the sacred way of a ,royal progress1 they nevertheless have an instinctive 7and very correct7 idea that somehow or other it is all part of the #8fun' for which they have paid their money4 ,there is no more actual reverence or respect for the positive ,person of ,royalty in such a parade1 than there is for the ,wonderful ,performing ,pig who takes part in a circus-procession through a country town4 ,the public impression is simple1--,that having to pay for the up-keep of a ,throne1 its splendours should be occasionally #8trotted out' to see whether they are worth the nation's annual expenditure4 ,moved entirely by this plain and practical sentiment1 the popular breast was thrilled with some amount of interest and animation when it was announced that his ,majesty the ,king would1 on a certain afternoon1 go in state to lay the foundation-stone of the ,grand ,national ,theatre1 which was the very latest pet project of various cogitating ,jews and cautious millionaires4 ,the ,grand ,national ,theatre was intended to #8supply1' according to a stock newspaper phrase1 #8a long-felt want4' ,it was to be a #8philanthropic' scheme1 by which the #8,philanthropists' would receive excellent interest for their money4 ,ostensibly1 it was to provide the #8masses' with the highest form of dramatic entertainment at the lowest cost2--but there were many intricate wheels within wheels in the elaborate piece of stock-jobbing mechanism1 by which the public would be caught and fooled--as usual--and the speculators therein rendered triumphant4 ,sufficient funds were at hand to start the building of the necessary edifice1 and the ,king's #8gracious' consent to lay the first stone1 with full state and ceremony1 was hailed by the promoters of the plan as of the happiest augury4 ,for with such approval and support openly given1 all the ,snob-world would follow the ,royal #8lead'--quite as infallibly as it did in the case of another monarch who1 persuaded to drink of a certain mineral spring1 and likewise to #8take shares' in its bottled waters1 turned the said spring into a #8paying concern' at once1 thereby causing much rejoicing among the ,semites4 ,the #8mob' might certainly decline to imitate the ,snob-world1--but1 considering the recent riotous outbreak1 it might be as well that the overbold and unwashen populace should be awed by the panoply and glory of earthly ,majesty passing by in earthly splendour4 ,alas1 poor ,snob-world6 ,how often has it thought the same thing6 ,how often has it fancied that with show and glitter and brazen ostentation of mere purse-power1 it can quell the rage for ,justice1 which1 like a spark of ,god's own eternal ,being1 burns for ever in the soul of a ,people6 ,ah1 that rage for ,justice6--that divine fury and fever which with strong sweating and delirium shakes the body politic and cleanses it from accumulated sickly humours and pestilence6 ,what would the nations be without its periodical and merciful visitations6 ,tearing down old hypocrisies1--rooting up weedy abuses1--rending asunder rotten conventions1--what wonder if thrones and sceptres1 and even the heads of kings get sometimes mixed into the general swift clearance of long-accumulated dirt and disorder6 ,and vainly at such times does the ,snob-world anxiously proffer golden pieces for the price of its life6 ,there shall not then be millions enough in all the earth1 to purchase the safety of one proved ,liar who has wilfully robbed his neighbour6 ,no hint of the underworkings of the people's thought1 or the movement of the times was1 however1 apparent in the aspect of the gay multitudes that poured along the principal thoroughfares of the metropolis on the day appointed for the ceremony in which the ,king had consented to take the leading part4 ,poor and rich together1 vied with one another to secure the various best points of view from whence the ,royal pageant could be seen1 winding down in glittering length from the ,palace and ,citadel1 past the ,cathedral1 and so on to the great open square1 where1 surrounded by fluttering flags and streamers1 a huge block of stone hung suspended by ropes from a crane1 ready to be lowered at the ,royal touch1 and fixed in its place by the ,royal trowel1 as the visible and solid beginning of the stately fabric1 which1 according to pictorial models was to rise from this1 its first foundation1 into a temple of art and architecture1 devoted to ,melpomene and ,thalia4 ,it was a glorious day1--the sun shone with vigorous heat and lustre from a cloudless sky1--the sea was calm as an inland pool--and people wore their lightest1 brightest and most festive attire4 ,fair 8society0 dames1 clad in the last capricious mode of ever-changing ,fashion1 and shading their delicate1 and not always natural1 complexions with airy parasols1 filmy and finely-coloured as the petals of flowers1 queened it over the flocking crowds of pedestrians1 as they were driven past in their softly-cushioned carriages drawn by high-stepping horses2--all the boudoirs and drawing-rooms of the most exclusive houses seemed to have emptied their luxury-loving occupants into the streets1--and the whole town was1 for a few hours at any rate1 apparently given over to holiday4 ,as the long line of soldiery preceding the ,king's carriage1 wound down from the ,citadel1 groups of people cheered1 and waved hats and handkerchiefs1--then1 when his ,majesty's own escort came into view1 the cheering was redoubled1--and at last when the cumbrous1 over-gilded1 over-painted 8,cinderella0 ,state-coach appeared1 and the familiar1 but somewhat sternly-composed features of the ,king himself were perceived through the glass windows1 a roar of acclamation1 like the thundering of a long wave on an extensive stretch of rock-bound coast1 echoed far and near1 and again and again was repeated with increased and ever-increasing clamour4 ,who1--hearing such an enthusiastic greeting--would or could have imagined for one moment that the ,king1 who was the object and centre of these tremendous plaudits1 was at the same time judged as an enemy and an obstruction to justice by more than one half of the population6 ,yet it was so1--and so has often been4 ,the populace will shout itself hoarse for any cause2 whether it be a king going to be crowned1 or a king going to be executed1 the stimulus is the same1 and the enthusiasm as passionate4 ,it is merely the contagious hysteria of a moment that tickles their lungs to expansion in noise2--but the real sentiment of admiration for a fine character which might perhaps have moved the subjects of ,richard ,coeur de ,lion to cries of exultation1 is generally non-existent4 ,and why8 ,for no cause truly6--save that ,lion-,hearts in kings no more pulsate through nations4 ,by the time the ,royal procession reached its destination the crowd had largely increased1 and the press of people round the scene of the forthcoming function was great enough to be seriously embarrassing to both the soldiery and the police4 ,slowly the gorgeous ,state-coach lumbered up to the entrance of the ground railed off for the ceremony1--and between a line of armed guards1 the ,king alighted4 ,vociferous cheering again broke out on all sides1 which his ,majesty acknowledged in the usual formal manner by a monotonous military salute performed at regular intervals4 ,received with obsequious deference by all the persons concerned in the ,grand ,national ,theatre project1 he conversed with one or two1 shook hands with others1 and was just on the point of addressing a few of his usual suave compliments to some pretty women who had been invited to adorn the scene1 when ,david ,jost advanced smilingly1 evidently sure of a friendly recognition4 ,for had not the ,king1 when ,crown ,prince and ,heir-,apparent1 hunted game in his preserves8--yea1 had he not even dined with him8--and had not he1 ,jost1 written whole columns of vapid twaddle about the #8,royal smile' and the #8,royal favour' till the outside public had sickened at every stroke of his flunkey pen8 ,how came it1 then1 that his ,majesty seemed on this occasion to have no recollection of him1 and looked over and beyond him in the airiest way1 as though he were a far-off ,jew in ,jerusalem1 instead of being the assumptive-,orthodox proprietor of several ,european newspapers published for the general misinformation and plunder of gullible ,christians8 ,dismayed at the ,royal coldness of eye1 ,jost stepped back with an uncomfortably crimson face2 and one of the ladies present1 personally knowing him1 and seeing his discomfiture1 ventured to call the ,king's attention to his presence and to make way for his approach1 by murmuring gently1 8,mr4 ,jost1 ,sir60 8,ah1 indeed60 said the monarch1 with calm grey eyes still fixed on vacancy1--8,i do not know anyone of that name6 ,permit me to admire that exquisite arrangement of flowers60 and1 smiling affably on the astonished and embarrassed lady1 he led her aside1 altogether away from ,jost's vicinity4 ,stricken to the very dust of abasement by this direct 8cut0 so publicly administered1 the crestfallen editor and proprietor of many journals stood aghast for a moment1--then as various unbidden thoughts began to chase one another through his bewildered head1 he was seized with a violent trembling4 ,he remembered every foolish1 imprudent and disloyal remark he had made to the stranger named ,pasquin ,leroy who had called upon him bearing the ,premier's signet1--and reflecting that this very ,pasquin ,leroy was now1 by some odd chance1 a contributor of political leaders and other articles to the rival daily newspaper which had published the ,king's official refusal of a grant of land to the ,jesuits1 he writhed inwardly with impotent fury4 ,for might not this unknown man1 ,leroy1--if he were1--as he possibly was1--a friend of the ,king's--go to the full length of declaring all he knew and all he had learned from ,jost's own lips1 concerning certain #8financial secrets1' which if fully disclosed1 would utterly dismember the ,government and put the nation itself in peril8 ,might he not already even have informed the ,king8 ,with his little1 swine-like eyes retreating under the crinkling fat of his lowering brows1 ,jost1 hot and cold by turns1 wandered confusedly out of the #8exclusive' set of persons connected with the #8,grand ,national ,theatre' scheme1 who were now gathered round the suspended foundation-stone to which the ,king was approaching4 ,he pretended not to see the curious eyes that stared at him1 or the sneering mouths that smiled at the open slight he had received4 ,pushing his way through the crowd1 he jostled against the thin black-garmented figure of a priest1--no other than ,monsignor ,del ,fortis1 who1 with an affable word of recognition1 drew aside to allow him passage4 ,affecting his usual #8company-manner' of tolerant good-nature1 he forced himself to speak to this #8holy' man1 who1 at any rate1 had paid him good money in round sums for so-called #8articles' or rather puff-advertisements in his paper concerning ,church matters4 8,good-day1 ,monsignor60 he said--8,you are not often seen at a ,royal pageant6 ,how comes it that you1 of all persons in the world have brought yourself to witness the laying of the foundation-stone of a ,theatre8 ,does not your calling forbid any patronage of the mimic ,art80 ,the priest's thin lips parted1 showing a glimmer of wolfish teeth behind the pale stretched line of flesh4 8,not by any means60 he replied suavely--8,in the present levelling and amalgamation of social interests1 the ,church and ,stage are drawing very closely together40 8,true60 said ,jost1 with a grin--8,one might very well be taken for the other60 ,del ,fortis looked at him meditatively4 8,this10 he said1 waving his lean hand towards the centre of the brilliant crowd where now the ,king stood1 8is a kind of drama in its way4 ,and you1 ,mr4 ,jost1 have just played one little scene in it60 ,jost reddened1 and bit his lip4 8,i am also another actor on the boards10 continued ,del ,fortis smiling darkly2--8if only as a spectator in the #8super' crowd4 ,and other comedians and tragedians are doubtless present1 of whom we may hear anon60 8,the ,king has nasty humours sometimes10 said ,jost shortly1 looking down at the flower in his buttonhole1 and absently flicking off one of its petals with his fat forefinger--8,he ought to be made to pay for them60 8,ha1 ha6 ,very good6 ,certainly60 and ,del ,fortis gave a piously-deprecating nod--8,he ought to be made to pay6 ,especially when he hurts the feelings of his old friends6 ,are you going1 ,mr4 ,jost8 ,yes8 ,what a pity6 ,but you no doubt have your reporters present80 8,oh1 there are plenty of them about10--said ,jost carelessly1 8,but ,i shall condense all the account of these proceedings into a few lines40 8,ha1--ha60 laughed ,del ,fortis1--8,i understand6 ,revenge--revenge6 ,but--in certain cases--the briefest description is sometimes the most graphic--and startling6 ,good-day60 ,jost returned the salute curtly1 and went1--not to leave the scene altogether1 but merely to take up a position of vantage immediately above and behind the surging crowd1 where from a distance he could watch all that was going on4 ,he saw the ,king lift his hand towards the ropes and pulleys of the crane above him1--and as it was touched by the ,royal finger1 the foundation stone was slowly lowered into the deep socket prepared for it1 where gold and silver coins of the year's currency had already been strewn4 ,then1 with the aid of a silver trowel set in a handle of gold1 and obsequiously presented by the managing director of the scheme1 his ,majesty dabbed in a little mortar1 and declared in a loud voice that the stone was #8well and truly laid4' ,a burst of cheering greeted the announcement1 and the band struck up the country's ,national ,hymn1 this being the usual sign that the ceremony was at an end4 ,whereupon the ,king1 shaking hands again cordially with the various parties concerned1 and again shedding the lustre of his smile upon the various ladies with whom he had been conversing1 made his way very leisurely to his ,state equipage1 which1 with its six magnificently caparisoned horses1 stood prepared for his departure1 the door being already held open for him by one of the attendant powdered and gold-laced flunkeys4 ,sir ,roger de ,launay walked immediately behind his ,sovereign1 and ,professor von ,glauben was close at hand1 companioned by two of the gentlemen of the ,royal ,household4 ,all at once a young man pushed himself out of the crowd nearest to the enclosure1--paused a moment irresolute1 and then1 with a single determined bound reached the ,king's side4 8,thief of the ,people's money6 ,take that60 he shouted1 wildly1--and1 brandishing aloft a glittering stiletto1 he aimed it straight at the monarch's heart6 ,but the blow never reached its destination1 for a woman1 closely veiled in black1 suddenly threw herself swiftly and adroitly between the ,king's body and the descending blade1 shielding his breast with both her outstretched arms4 ,the dagger struck her violently1 piercing her flesh through the upper part of her right shoulder1 and under the sheer force of the blow1 she fell senseless4 ,the whole incident took place in less time than it could be breathlessly told1--and even as she who had risked her life to save the ,king's1 sank bleeding to the ground1 the police seized the assassin red-handed in his mad and criminal act1 and wrenched the murderous weapon from his hand4 ,he was a mere lad of eighteen or twenty1 and seemed dazed1 submitting to be bound and handcuffed without a word4 ,the ,king1 perfectly tranquil and unhurt1 bared his head to the wild cries and hysterical cheering of the excited spectators to whom his narrow escape from death appeared a kind of miracle1 moving them to frantic paroxysms of passionate enthusiasm1 and then bent anxiously down over the prostrate form of his rescuer1 endeavouring himself to raise her from the ground4 ,a hundred hands at once proffered assistance2--,sir ,roger de ,launay1 pale to the lips with the shock of sick horror he had experienced at what might so easily have been a national catastrophe1 assisted the police in forming a strong cordon round the person of his beloved ,royal master1 in order to guard him against any further possible attack1--and ,professor von ,glauben1 obeying the ,king's signal1 knelt down by the unconscious woman's side to examine the extent of her injury4 ,gently he turned back the close folds of her enveloping veil1--then gave a little start and cry3 8,gott in ,himmel60 ,and he hastily drew down the veil again as the ,king approached with the question-- 8,is she dangerously hurt80 8,no1 ,sir6--,i think not--,i hope not--but--60 ,and the ,professor's eyes looked volumes of suggestion4 ,catching his expression1 the ,king drew still nearer4 8,uncover her face1--give her air60 he commanded4 ,with a perplexed side-glance at ,sir ,roger de ,launay1 the ,professor obeyed1--and the sunshine fell full on the white calm features and closed eyelids of 8the woman known as ,lotys40 ,her black dress was darkly stained and soaked with oozing blood--and the deep dull gold of her hair was touched here and there with the same crimson hue2--but there was a smile on her lips1 and her face was as fair and placid as though it had been smoothed out of all pain and trouble by the restful touch of ,death4 ,silently1 and with a perfectly inscrutable demeanour1 the ,king surveyed her for a moment4 ,then1 raising his plumed hat with grave grace and courtesy1 he looked on all those who stood about him1 soldiery1 police and spectators4 8,does anyone here present know this lady80 he demanded4 ,a crowd of eager heads were pushed forward1 and then a low murmur began1 which deepened into a steady roar of delighted acclamation4 8,lotys6 ,lotys60 ,the name was caught up quickly and repeated from mouth to mouth--till away on the extreme outskirts of the crowd it was tossed back again with shouts--8,lotys6 ,lotys60 ,swiftly the news ran like an electric current through the whole body of the populace1 that it was ,lotys1 their own ,lotys1 their friend1 their fellow-worker1 the idol of the poorer classes1 that had saved the life of the ,king6 ,half-incredulous1 half-admiring1 the mob listened to the growing rumour1 and the general excitement increased in intensity among them4 ,david ,jost1 from his point of observation1 caught the infection1 and realizing at once the value of the dramatic 8copy0 for his paper1 to be obtained out of such a situation1 jumped into the nearest vehicle and was driven straight to his offices1 there to send electric messages of the news to every quarter of the world1 and to endeavour by printed loyal outbursts of 8gush0 to turn the current of the ,king's displeasure against him into a more favourable direction4 ,meanwhile the ,king himself gave orders that his wounded rescuer should be conveyed in one of the ,royal carriages straight to the ,palace1 and there attended by his own physician4 ,professor von ,glauben was entrusted with the carrying-out of this command1--and the monarch1 then entering his own ,state-equipage1 started on his homeward progress4 ,thundering cheers now greeted him at every step2--for an hour at least the populace went mad with rapture1 shouting1 singing and calling alternately for 8,the ,king60 and 8,lotys60 with no respect of persons1 or consideration as to their differing motives and opposite stations in life4 ,two facts only were clear to them1--first an attempt had been made to assassinate the ,king1--secondly1 that ,lotys had frustrated the attempt1 and risked her own life to save that of the monarch4 ,these were enough to set fire to the passionate sentiments of a warm-blooded1 restless ,southern people1 and they gave full sway to their feelings accordingly4 ,so1 amid deafening plaudits1 the ,royal procession wended its way back to the ,citadel1 the ,state-coach moving at a snail's pace in order to allow the people to see the ,king for themselves1 and make sure he was uninjured1 as they cheered1 and followed it in surging throngs to the very gates of the ,palace1--while in another and reverse direction the wretched youth whose miserable effort to commit a dastard crime had so fortunately failed1 was marched off1 under the guard of a strong body of police to the ,state-,prison1 there to await his trial and condemnation4 ,a small crowd1 hooting and cursing the criminal1 pursued him as he went1 and one personage1 austere and dignified1 also followed1 at a distance1 as though curious to see the last of the would-be murderer ere he was shut out from liberty1--and this was ,monsignor ,del ,fortis4 ,,chapter ,,xxiv ,a ,,woman',s ,,reason ,when ,lotys recovered from her death-like swoon1 she found herself on a sofa among heaped-up soft cushions1 in a small semi-darkened room hung with draperies of rose satin1 which were here and there drawn aside to show exquisite groupings of ,saxe china and rare miniatures on ivory2--the ceiling above her was a painted mirror1 where ,venus in her car of flowers1 drawn by doves1 was pictured floating across a crystal sea1--the floor was strewn with white bearskins1--the corners were filled with palms and flowers4 ,as she regarded these unaccustomed surroundings wonderingly1 a firm hand was laid on her wrist1 and a brusque voice said in her ear3-- 8,lie still1 if you please6 ,you have been seriously hurt6 ,you must rest40 ,she turned feebly towards the speaker1 and saw a big burly man with a bald head1 seated at her side1 who held a watch in one hand1 and felt her pulse with the other4 ,she could not discern his features plainly1 for his back was set to the already shaded light1 and her own eyes were weak and dim4 8,you are very kind60 she murmured--8,i do not quite remember--,ah1 yes60 and a quick flash of animation passed over her face--8,i know now6 ,the ,king6 ,is--is all well80 8,all is well1 thanks to you60 replied the gruff voice--8,you have saved his life40 8,thank ,god60--and she closed her eyes again wearily1 while two slow tears trickled from under the shut white lids--8,thank ,god60 ,professor von ,glauben1 placed in charge of her by the ,king's command1 gently relinquished the small white hand he held1 and stepping noiselessly to a table near at hand1 poured out from one of the various little flasks set thereon1 a cordial the properties of which were alone known to himself1 and held the glass to her lips4 8,drink this off at once60--he said authoritatively1 yet kindly4 ,she obeyed4 ,he then1 turning aside with the empty glass1 sat down and watched her from a little distance4 ,soon a faint flush tinged her dead-white skin1 and presently1 with a deep sigh1 she opened her eyes again4 ,then she became aware of a stiffness and smart in her right shoulder1 and saw that it was tightly bandaged1 and that the bodice of her dress was cut away from it4 ,lying perfectly still1 she gradually brought her strong spirit of self-control to bear on the situation1 and tried to collect her scattered thoughts4 ,very few minutes sufficed her to recollect all that had happened1 and as she realised more and more vividly that she was in some strange and luxurious abode where she had no business or desire to be1 she gathered all the forces of her mind to her aid1 and with but a slight effort1 sat upright4 ,professor von ,glauben came towards her with an exclamation of warning--but she motioned him back with a very decided gesture4 8,please do not trouble60 she said--8,i am quite able to move--to stand--see60 ,and she rose to her feet1 trembling a little1 and steadying herself by resting one hand on the edge of the sofa4 8,i do not know who you are1 but ,i am sure you have been most kind to me6 ,and if you would do me a still greater kindness1 you will let me go away from here at once60 8,impossible1 ,madame60 declared the ,professor1 firmly--8,his ,majesty1 the ,king----0 8,what of his ,majesty1 the ,king80 demanded ,lotys with sudden hauteur--8,am ,i not mistress of my own actions80 ,the ,professor made an elaborate bow4 8,most unquestionably you are1 ,madame60 he replied--8,but you are also for the moment1 a guest in the ,king's ,palace2 and having saved his life1 you will surely not withhold from him the courteous acceptance of his hospitality80 8,the ,king's ,palace60 she echoed1 and a little disdainful smile crossed her lips--8,i1--,lotys1--in the ,king's ,palace60 ,she moved a few steps1 and drew herself proudly erect4 8,you1 sir1 are a servant of the ,king's80 8,i am his ,majesty's resident physician1 at your service60 he said1 with another bow--8,i have had the honour of attending to the wound you so heroically received in his defence1--and though it is not a dangerous wound1 it is an exceedingly unpleasant one ,i assure you1--and will give you a good deal of pain and trouble4 ,let me advise you very earnestly to stay where you are1 and rest--do not think of leaving the ,palace to-night40 ,she sighed restlessly4 8,i must not think of staying in it60 she replied4 8,but ,i do not wish to seem churlish--or ungrateful for your care and kindness2--will you tell the ,king--0 ,here she broke off abruptly1 and fixed her eyes searchingly on his face4 8,strange60 she murmured--8,i seem to have seen you before1--or someone very like you60 ,the ,professor was troubled with a sudden fit of coughing which made him very red in the face1 and obliged him to turn away for a moment in order to recover himself4 ,still struggling with that obstinate catch in his throat he said3 8,you were saying1 ,madame1 that you wished me to tell the ,king something80 8,yes60 said ,lotys eagerly--8if you will be so good6 ,tell him that ,i thank him for his courtesy2--but that ,i must go away from this ,palace1--that ,i cannot--may not--stop in it an hour longer6 ,he does not know who it is that saved his life1--if he did1 he would not wish me to remain a moment under his roof6 ,he would be as anxious and willing for me to leave as ,i am to go6 ,will you tell him this80 8,madame1 ,i will tell him10 replied the ,professor deferentially1 yet with a slight smile--8,but--if it will satisfy your scruples1 or ease your mind at all1--,i may as well inform you that his ,majesty does know who you are6 ,the populace itself declared your name to him1 with shouts of acclamation40 ,she flushed a vivid red1 then grew very pale4 8,if that be so1 then he must also be aware that ,i am his sworn enemy60 she said1--8,and1 that in accordance with the principles ,i hold1 ,i cannot possibly remain under his roof6 ,therefore ,i trust1 sir1 you will have the kindness to provide me with a way of quick exit before my presence here becomes too publicly reported40 ,the ,professor was slightly nonplussed4 ,he considered for a moment2 then rapidly made up his mind4 8,madame1 ,i will do so60 he said--8,that is1 if you will permit me first of all to announce your intention of leaving the ,palace1 to the ,king4 ,pardon me for suggesting that his ,majesty can hardly regard as an enemy a lady who has saved his life at the risk of her own40 8,i did not save it because he is the ,king10 she said curtly1 8,and you are at liberty to tell him so4 ,please make haste to inform him at once of my desire to leave the ,palace1--and say also1 that if he considers he owes me any gratitude1 he will show it by not detaining me40 ,the ,professor bowed and retired4 ,lotys1 left alone1 sat down for a moment in one of the luxuriously cushioned chairs1 and pressed her left hand hard over her eyes to try and still their throbbing ache4 ,her right arm was bound up and useless1--and the pain from the wound in her shoulder caused her acute agony1--but she had a will of iron1 and she had trained her mental forces to control1 if not entirely to master1 her physical weaknesses4 ,she thought1 not of her own suffering1 but of the exciting incident in which mere impulse had led her to take so marked a share4 ,it was by pure accident that she had joined the crowd assembled to see the ,king lay the foundation-stone of the proposed new ,theatre4 ,she had been as it were1 entangled in the press of the people1 and had got pushed towards the centre of the scene almost against her own volition4 ,and while she had stood1--a passive and unwilling spectator of the pageant1--her attention had been singularly attracted towards the uneasy and restless movements of the youth who had afterwards attempted the assassination of the monarch4 ,she had watched him narrowly2 though she could not have explained why she did so1 even to herself4 ,he was a complete stranger to her1 and yet1 with her quick intuition1 she had discerned a curious expression of anxiety and fear in his face1 as though of the impending horror of a crime1--a look which1 because it was so strained and unnatural1 had aroused her suspicion4 ,when she had sprung forward to shield the ,king1 only one idea had inspired her1--and that idea she would not now fully own even to herself1 because it was so entirely1 weakly feminine4 ,nevertheless1 from woman's weakness has often sprung a hero's strength--and so it had proved in this case4 ,she did not1 however1 allow herself to dwell on the instinctive impulse which had thrown her on the ,king's breast1 ready to receive her own death-blow rather than that he should die2 she preferred to elude that question1 and to consider her action solely from the standpoint of those ,socialistic theories with which she was indissolubly associated4 8,had ,i not frustrated the attempt1 the crime would have been set down to us and our ,brotherhood10 she said to herself1 8,sergius--or ,paul ,zouche--or ,i myself--or even ,pasquin--yes1 even he6--might1 and doubtless would1 have been accused of instigating it4 ,as it is1 ,i think ,i have saved the situation40 ,she rose and walked slowly up and down the room4 8,i wonder who is behind the wretched boy concerned in this business8 ,he is too young to have determined on such a deed himself1--unless he is mad2--he must be a tool in the hands of others40 ,here spying her long black cloak hanging across a chair1 she took it up and threw it round her1--her face was reflected back upon her from a mirror set in the wall1 round which a cluster of ivory cupids clambered1--and she looked critically at her white drawn features1 and the disordered masses of her hair4 ,loosening these abundant locks1 she shook them down and gathered them into her one uncrippled hand1 preparatory to twisting them into the usual knot at the back of her head1 the while she looked at the little sculptured amorini set round the mirror1 with a compassionate smile4 8,such a number of mimic ,loves where there is no real love60 she said half aloud1--when the opening of a door1 and the swaying movement of a curtain pushed aside1 startled her2 and still holding her rich hair up in her hand she turned quickly1--to find herself face to face with1--the ,king4 ,there was an instant's dead silence4 ,dropping the silken gold weight of her tresses to fall as they would1 regardless of conventional appearances1 she stood erect1 making all unconsciously to herself1 a picture of statuesque and beauteous tragedy4 ,her plain black garments1--the long cloak enveloping her slight form1 and the glorious tangle of her unbound hair rippling loosely about her pale face1 in which her eyes shone like blue flowers1 made luminous by the sunlight of the inspired soul behind them1 all gave her an almost supernatural air1--and made her seem as wholly unlike any other woman as a strange leaf from an unexplored country is unlike the foliage common to one's native land4 ,the ,king looked steadfastly upon her2 she1 meeting his gaze with equal steadfastness1 felt her heart beating violently1 though1 as she well knew1 it was not with fear4 ,she had no thought of ,court etiquette1--nor had she any reason to consider it1 his ,majesty having himself deliberately trespassed upon its rules by visiting her thus alone and unattended4 ,she offered no reverence1--no salutation2--she simply stood before him1 quite silent1 awaiting his pleasure1--though in her eyes there shone a dangerous brilliancy that was almost feverish1 and nervous tremors shook her from head to foot4 ,the strange dumb spell between them relaxed at last4 ,with a kind of effort which expressed itself in the extra rigidity and pallor of his fine features1 the ,king spoke3 8,madame1 ,i have come to thank you6 ,your noble act of heroism this afternoon has saved my life4 ,i do not say it is worth saving6--but the ,nation appears to think it is1--and in the name of the ,nation1 whose servant ,i am1 ,i offer you my personal gratitude--and service60 ,he bowed low as he said these words gravely and courteously4 ,her eyes still searched his face wistfully1 with the eager plaintive expression of a child looking for some precious treasure it has lost4 ,she strove to calm her throbbing pulses1--to quiet the hurrying blood in her veins1--to brace herself up to her usual impervious height of composure and self-control4 8,i need no thanks60 she answered briefly--8,i have only done my duty60 8,nay1 ,madame1 is it quite consistent with your duty to shield from death one so hated by your disciples and followers80 he asked1 with a tinge of melancholy in his accents--8,you--as the famous ,lotys--should have helped to kill1 not to save60 ,she regarded him fearlessly4 8,you mistake60 she said--8,as ,king1 you should learn to know your subjects better6 ,we are not murderers4 ,we do not seek your life1--we seek to make you understand the need there is of honesty and justice4 ,we live our lives among the poor2 and we see those poor crushed down into the dust by the rich1 without hope and without help1--and we endeavour to rouse them to a sense of this ,wrong1 so that they may1 by persistence1 obtain ,right4 ,we do not want the death of any man6 ,even to a traitor we give warning and time1 ere we punish his treachery4 ,the unhappy wretch who attempted your life to-day was not of our party1 or our teaching1 thank ,god60 8,i am sure of that60 he said very gently1 his face brightening with a kind smile1--then1 seeing her swerve1 as though about to fall1 he caught her on one arm--8,you are faint6 ,you must not stand too long4 ,i fear you are suffering from the pain of that cruel wound inflicted on you for my sake60 8,a little--0 she managed to say1 with white lips--8,but it is nothing--it will soon pass----0 ,she sank helplessly into the chair he placed for her1 and mutely watched him as he walked to the window and threw it open1 admitting the sweet1 fresh1 sea-scented air1 and a flood of crimson radiance from the setting sun4 8,i am informed that you wish to quit the ,palace at once10 he said1 averting his gaze from hers for a moment2--8,need ,i say how much ,i regret this decision of yours8 ,both ,i and the ,queen had hoped you would have remained with us1 under the care of our own physician1 till you were quite recovered4 ,but ,i owe you too great a debt already to make any further claim upon you--and ,i will not command you to stay1 if you desire to go40 ,she lifted her head2--the faint colour was returning to her cheeks4 8,i thank you60 she said simply2--8,i do indeed desire to go4 ,every moment spent here is a moment wasted60 8,you think so80--and1 turning from the window where he stood1 he confronted her again2--8,may ,i venture to suggest that you hardly do justice to me1 or to the situation8 ,you have placed me under very great obligations--surely you should endure my company long enough to tell me at least how ,i can in some measure show my personal recognition of your brave and self-sacrificing action60 ,she looked at him in musing silence4 ,a strange glow came into her eyes1--a deeper crimson flushed her cheek4 8,you can do nothing for me60 she said1 after a long pause1 8,you are a ,king--,i1 a poor commoner4 ,i would not be indebted to you for all the world6 ,i am prouder of my #8common' estate than you are of your royalty6 ,what are #8royal' rewards8 ,jewels1 money1 place1 title6 ,all valueless to me6 ,if you would serve anyone1 serve the ,people2--do something to deserve their trust6 ,if you would show me any personal recognition1 as you say1 for saving your life1 make that life more noble60 ,he heard her without offence1 holding himself mute and motionless4 ,she rose from her seat1 and approached him more closely4 8,perhaps1 after all1 it is well that ,i was1--unconsciously and against my own volition1--brought here10 she said2 8,perhaps it is ,god's will that ,i should speak with you6 ,for1 as a rule none of your unknown subjects can1 or may speak with you6--you are so much hemmed in and ringed round with slaves and parasites6 ,in so far as this goes1 you are to be pitied2 though it rests with you to shake yourself free from the toils of vulgar adulation4 ,your flatterers tell you nothing4 ,they are careful to keep you shut out of your own kingdom--to hide from you things that are true1--things that you ought to know2 they fool you with false assurances of national tranquillity and content1--they persuade you to play1 like an over-grown child1 with the toys of luxury1--they lead you1 a mere puppet1 round and round in the clockwork routine of a foolish and licentious society1--when you might be a ,man6--up and doing man's work that should help you to regenerate and revivify the whole country6 ,i speak boldly--yes6--because ,i do not fear you6--because ,i have no favours to gain from you1--because to me1--,lotys1--you1--the ,king--are nothing60 ,her voice1 perfectly tranquil1 even1 and coldly sweet1 had not a single vibration of uncertainty or hesitation in it--and her words seemed to cut through the stillness of the room with clean incisiveness like the sweep of a sword-blade4 ,outside1 the sea murmured and the leaves rustled1--the sun had sunk1 leaving behind it a bright1 pearly twilight sky1 flecked with pink clouds like scattered rose-petals4 ,he looked straight at her1--his clear dark grey eyes were filled with the glowing fire of strongly suppressed feeling4 ,some hasty ejaculation sprang to his lips1 but he checked it1 and pacing once or twice up and down1 suddenly wheeled round1 and again confronted her4 8,if1 as a king1 ,i fall so far short of kingliness1 and am nothing to you10--he said deliberately2 8,why did you shield me from the assassin's dagger a while ago8 ,why not have let me perish80 ,she shook back her gold hair1 and regarded him almost defiantly4 8,i did not save you because you are the ,king60 she replied--8,be assured of that60 ,he was vaguely astonished4 8,merely a humane sentiment then80 he said--8,just as you would have saved a dog from drowning60 ,a little smile crept reluctantly round the corners of her mouth4 8,there was another reason10 she began in a low tone1--then paused--8,but--only a woman's reason60 ,something in her changing colour1--some delicate indefinable touch of tenderness and pathos1 which softened her features and made them almost ethereal1 sent a curious thrill through his blood4 8,a woman's reason60 he echoed2 8,may ,i not hear it80 ,again she hesitated1--then1 as if despising herself for her own irresolution she spoke out bravely4 8,you may60--she said--8,there is nothing to conceal--nothing of which ,i am ashamed6 ,besides1 it is the true motive of the action which you are pleased to call #8heroic4' ,i saved your life simply because--because you resemble in form and feature1 in look and manner1 the only man ,i love60 ,a curious silence followed her words4 ,the faint far whispering of the leaves on the trees outside seemed almost intrusively loud in such a stillness1--the placid murmur of the sea against the cliff below the ,palace became well-nigh suggestive of storm4 ,lotys was suddenly conscious of an odd strained sense of terror1--she had spoken as freely and frankly as she would have spoken to any one of her own associates1--and yet she felt that somehow she had been over-impulsive1 and that in a thoughtless moment she had let slip some secret which placed her1 weak and helpless1 in the ,king's power4 ,the ,king himself stood immovable as a figure of bronze1--his eyes resting upon her with a deep insistence of purpose1 as though he sought to wrest some further confession from her soul4 ,the tension between them was painful1--almost intolerable1--and though it lasted but a minute1 that minute seemed weighted with the potentialities of years4 ,forcing herself to break the dumb spell1 ,lotys went on hurriedly and half desperately3-- 8,you may smile at this10 she said--8,men always jest with a woman's heart1--a woman's folly6 ,but folly or no1 ,i will not have you draw any false conclusions concerning me1--or flatter yourself that it was loyalty to you1 or honour for your position that made me your living shield to-day4 ,no6--for if you were not the exact counterpart of him who is dearer to me than all the world beside1 ,i think ,i should have let you die6 ,i think so--,i do not know6 ,because1 after all1 you are not like him in mind or heart2 it is only your outward bearing1 your physical features that resemble his6 ,but1 even so1 ,i could not have looked idly on1 and seen his merest ,resemblance slain6 ,now you understand6 ,it is not for you1 as ,king1 that ,i have turned aside a murderer's weapon1--but solely because you have the face1 the eyes1 the smile of one who is a thousand times greater and nobler than you1--who1 though poor and uncrowned1 is a true king in the grace and thought and goodness of his actions1--who1 all unlike you1 personally attends to the wants of the poor1 instead of neglecting them1--and who recognises1 and does his best to remedy1 the many wrongs which afflict the people of this land60 ,her sweet voice thrilled with passion1--her cheeks glowed1--unconsciously she stretched out her uninjured hand with an eloquent gesture of pride and conviction4 ,the ,king's figure1 till now rigid and motionless1 stirred2--advancing a step1 he took that hand before she could withhold it1 and raised it to his lips4 8,madame1 ,i am twice honoured60 he said1 in accents that shook ever so slightly--8,to resemble a good man even outwardly is something1--to wear in any degree the lineaments of one whom a brave and true woman honours by her love is still more6 ,you have made me very much your debtor0--here he gently relinquished the hand he had kissed--8but believe me1 ,i shall endeavour most faithfully to meet the claim you have upon my gratitude60 ,here he paused1 and drawing back1 bowed courteously4 8,the way for your departure is clear10 he continued2--8,i have ordered a carriage to be in waiting at one of the private entrances to the ,palace4 ,professor von ,glauben1 my physician1 who has just attended you1 will escort you to it4 ,you will pass out quite unnoticed1--and be1--as you desire it--again at full liberty4 ,let the memory of the ,king whose life you saved trouble you no more1--except when you look upon his better counterpart6--as then1 perchance1 you may think more kindly of him6 ,for he has to suffer6--not so much for his own faults1 as for the faults of a system formulated by his ancestors40 ,her intense eyes glowed with a fire of enthusiasm as she lifted them to his face4 8,kingship would be a grand system10 she said1 8if kings were true6 ,and ,autocracy would be the best and noblest form of government in the world1 if autocrats could be found who were intellectual and honest at one and the same time60 ,he looked at her observantly4 8,you think they are neither80 8,i think8 #8,i' am nothing1--my opinions count for nothing6 ,but ,history gives evidence1 and supplies proof of their incompetency4 ,a great king1--good as well as great1--would be the salvation of this present time of the world60 ,still he kept his eyes upon her4 8,go on60--he said--8,there is something in your mind which you would fain express to me more openly4 ,you have eloquent features1 ,madame6--and your looks are the candid mirror of your thoughts4 ,speak1 ,i beg of you60 ,the light of a daring inward hope flashed in her face and inspired her very attitude1 as she stood before him1 entirely regardless of herself4 8,then1--since you give me leave1--,i will speak60 she said2 8,for perhaps ,i shall never see you again--never have the chance to ask you1 as a ,man whom the mere accident of birth has made a king1 to have more thought1 more pity1 more love for your subjects6 ,surely you should be their guardian--their father--their protector8 ,surely you should not leave them to become the prey of unscrupulous financiers or intriguing ,churchmen8 ,some say you are yourself involved in the cruel schemes which are slowly but steadily robbing this country's people of their ,trades1 the lawful means of their subsistence2 and that you approve1 in the main1 of the private contracts which place our chief manufactures and lines of traffic in the hands of foreign rivals4 ,but ,i do not believe this4 ,we--and by we1 ,i mean the ,revolutionary party--try hard not to believe this6 ,i admit to you1 as faithfully as if ,i stood on my trial before you1 that much of the work to which we1 as a party have pledged ourselves1 consists in moving the destruction of the ,monarchy1 and the formation of a ,republic4 ,but why8 ,only because the ,monarchy has proved itself indifferent to the needs of the people1 and deaf to their protestations against injustice6 ,thus we have conceived it likely that a ,republic might help to mend matters1--if it were in power for at least some twenty or thirty years1--but at the same time we know well enough that if a ,king ruled over us who was indeed a ,king1--who would refuse to be the tool of party speculators1 and who could not be moved this way or that by the tyrants of finance1 the people would have far more chance of equality and right under a ,republic even6 ,only we cannot find that king6--no country can6 ,you1 for instance1 are no hero6 ,you will not think for yourself1 though you might2 you only interest yourself in affairs that may redound to your personal and private credit2 or in those which affect #8society1' the most dissolute portion of the community1--and you have shown so little individuality in yourself or your actions1 that your unexpected refusal to grant ,crown lands to the ,jesuits was scarcely believed in or accepted1 otherwise than as a caprice1 till your own #8official' announcement4 ,even now we can scarcely be brought to look upon it except as an impulse inspired by fear6 ,herein1 we do you1 no doubt1 a grave injustice2 ,i1 for one1 honestly believe that you have refused these lands to the ,priest-,politicians1 out of earnest consideration for the future peace and welfare of your subjects40 8,nay1 why believe even thus much of me80 he interrupted with a grave smile2 8,may you not be misled by that ,resemblance ,i bear1 to one who is1 in your eyes1 so much my superior80 ,a faint expression of offence darkened her face1 and her brows contracted4 8,you are pleased to jest60 she said coldly2 8,as ,i said before1 it is man's only way of turning aside1 or concluding all argument with a woman6 ,i am mistaken perhaps in the instinct which has led me to speak to you as openly as ,i have done1--and yet1--,i know in my heart ,i can do you no harm by telling you the truth1 as others would never tell it to you6 ,many times within this last two months the people have sent in petitions to you against the heavy taxes with which your ,government is afflicting them1 and they can get no answer to their desperate appeals4 ,is it kingly--is it worthy of your post as ,head of this realm1 to turn a deaf ear to the cries of those whose hard-earned money keeps you on the ,throne1 housed in luxury1 guarded from every possible evil1 and happily ignorant of the pangs of want and hunger8 ,how can you1 if you have a heart1 permit such an iniquitous act on the part of your ,government as the setting of a tax on bread8--the all in all of life to the very poor6 ,have you ever seen young children crying for bread8 ,i have6 ,have you ever seen strong men reduced to the shame of stealing bread1 to feed their wives and infants8 ,i have6 ,i think of it as ,i stand here1 surrounded by the luxury which is your daily lot1--and knowing what ,i know1 ,i would strip these satin-draped walls1 and sell everything of value around me if ,i possessed it1 rather than know that one woman or child starved within the city's precincts6 ,your ,ministers tell you there is a deficiency in the ,exchequer1--but you do not ask why1 or how the deficiency arose6 ,you do not ask whether ,ministers themselves have not been trafficking and speculating with the country's money6 ,for if deficiency there be1 it has arisen out of the ,government's mismanagement6 ,the ,government have had the people's money1--and have thrown it recklessly away4 ,therefore1 they have no right to ask for more1 to supply what they themselves have wilfully wasted4 ,no right1 ,i say6--no right to rob them of another coin6 ,if ,i were a man1 and a king like you1 ,i would voluntarily resign more than half my annual kingly income to help that deficit in the ,national ,exchequer till it had been replaced2--,i would live poor1--and be content to know that by my act ,i had won far more than many millions--a deathless1 and beloved name of honour with my people60 ,she paused4 ,he said not a word4 ,suddenly she became conscious that her hair was unbound and falling loosely about her2 she had almost forgotten this till now4 ,a wave of colour swept over her face1--but she mastered her embarrassment1 and gathering the long tresses together in her left hand1 twisted them up slowly1 and with an evident painful effort4 ,the ,king watched her1 a little smile hovering about his mouth4 8,if ,i might help you60 he said softly--8but--that is a task for my ,resemblance60 ,she appeared not to hear him4 ,a sudden determination moved her1 and she uttered her thought boldly and at all hazards4 8,if you do not1 as the public report1 approve of the financial schemes out of which your ,ministers make their fortunes1 to the utter ruin of the people in general10 she said slowly2 8,dismiss ,carl ,prousse from office6 ,so may you perchance avert a great national disaster60 ,he permitted himself to smile indulgently4 8,madame1 you may ask much6--and however great your demands1 ,i will do my utmost to meet and comply with them2--but like all your charming sex1 you forget that a king can seldom or never interfere with a political situation6 ,it would be very unwise policy on my part to dismiss ,m4 ,prousse1 seeing that he is already nominated as the next ,premier40 8,the next ,premier60 ,lotys echoed the words with a passionate scorn2 8,if that is so1 ,i give you an honest warning6 ,the people will revolt1--no force can hold them back or keep them in check6 ,and if you should command your soldiery to fire on the populace1 there must be bloodshed and crime6--on your head be the result6 ,oh1 are you not1 can you not be something higher than even a king8--an honest man8 ,will you not open the eyes of your mind to see the wickedness1 falsehood and treachery of this vile ,minister1 who ministers only to his own ends8--who feigns incorruptibility in order to more easily corrupt others8--who assumes the defence of outlying states1 merely to hide the depredations he is making on home power8 ,nay1 if you will not1 you are not worth a beggar's blessing6--and ,i shall wonder to myself why ,god made of you so exact a copy of one whom ,i know to be a good man60 ,her breath came and went quickly1--her cheeks were flushed1 and great tears stood in her eyes4 ,but he seemed altogether unmoved4 8,i' faith1 ,i shall wonder too60 he said very tranquilly2 8,good men are scarce6--and to be the copy of one is excellent1 though it may in some cases be misleading6 ,madame1 ,i have heard you with patience1 and--if you will permit me to say so--admiration6 ,i honour your courage--your frankness--and--still more--your absolute independence4 ,you speak of wrongs to the ,people4 ,if such wrongs indeed exist----0 8,if60 interrupted ,lotys with a whole world of meaning in the expression4 8,i say1 if they indeed exist1 ,i will1 as far as ,i may1--endeavour to remedy them4 ,i1 personally1 have no hesitation in declaring to you that ,i am not involved in the financial schemes to which you allude--though ,i know two or three of my fellow-sovereigns who are6 ,but ,i do not care sufficiently for money to indulge in speculation4 ,nevertheless1 let me tell you1 speculation is good1 and even necessary in matters affecting national finance1 and ,i am confident--0 here he smiled enigmatically1 8that the country's honour is safe in the hands of ,m4 ,prousse60 ,at this she lifted her head proudly and looked at him1 with eyes that expressed so magnificent a disdain1 that had he been any other than the man he was1 he might have quailed beneath the lightning flash of such utter contempt4 8,you are confident that the country's honour is safe60 she repeated bitterly2 8,i am confident that it is betrayed and shamed6 ,and ,history will set a curse against the ,king who helped in its downfall60 ,he regarded her with a vague1 lingering gentleness4 8,you are harsh1 ,madame60 he said softly2 8,but you could not offend me if you tried6 ,i quarrel with none of your sex6 ,and you will1 ,i hope1 think better of me some day1--and not be sorry--as perhaps you are now--for having saved a life so worthless6 ,farewell60 ,she offered no response4 ,the silken portire rustled and swayed1--the door opened and shut again quietly--he was gone4 ,left alone1 ,lotys dropped wearily on the sofa1 and burying her head in the soft cushions1 gave way to an outburst of tears and sobbed like a tired and exhausted child4 ,in this condition ,professor von ,glauben1 entering presently1 found her4 ,but his sympathy1 if he felt any1 was outwardly very chill and formal4 ,another dose of his #8cordial1'--a careful examination and re-strapping of the wounded shoulder1--these summed up the whole of his consolation2 and his precise cold manner did much to restore her to her self-possession4 ,she thanked him in a few words for his professional attention1 without raising her eyes to his face1 and quietly followed him down a long narrow passage which terminated in a small private door giving egress to the ,royal pleasure-grounds1--and here a hired close carriage was waiting4 ,putting her carefully into this vehicle1 the ,professor then delivered himself of his last instructions4 8,the driver has no orders beyond the citadel1 ,madame10 he explained4 8,his ,majesty begged me to say that he has no desire to seem inquisitive as to your place of residence4 ,you will therefore please inform the coachman yourself as to where you wish to be driven4 ,and take care of that so-much-wounded shoulder60 he added1 relapsing into a kinder and less formal tone2--8,it will pain you1--but there will be no inflammation1 not now ,i have treated it6--and it will heal quickly1 that ,i will guarantee--,i1 who have had first care of it60 ,she thanked him again in a low voice1--there was an uncomfortable lump in her throat1 and tears still trembled on her lashes4 8,remember well10 said the ,professor cheerily2 8how very grateful we are to you6 ,what we shall do for you some day1 we do not yet know6 ,a monument in the public square1 or a bust in the ,cathedral8 ,ha1 ha6 ,goodbye6 ,you have the blessing of the nation with you60 ,she shook her head deprecatingly1--she tried to smile1 but she could not trust herself to speak4 ,the carriage rolled swiftly down the broad avenue and soon disappeared1 and the ,professor1 having watched the last flash of its wheels vanish between the arching trees1 executed a slow and somewhat solemn pas-seul on the doorstep where it had left him4 8,ach so60 he exclaimed1 almost audibly2 8,the ,king's ,comedy progresses6 ,but it had nearly taken the form of ,tragedy to-day--and now ,tragedy itself has melted into sentiment1 and tears1 and passion6 ,and with this very difficult kind of human mixture1 the worst may happen60 ,he re-entered the ,palace and returned with some haste to the apartments of the ,king1 whither he had been bidden4 ,but on arriving there he was met by an attendant in the ante-room who informed him that his ,majesty had retired to his private library and desired to be left alone4 ,,chapter ,,xxv 8,i ,,say--#8,,rome'60 ,the ,state prison was a gloomy fortress built on a wedge of rock that jutted far out into the ocean4 ,it stood full-fronted to the north1 and had opposed its massive walls and huge battlements to every sort of storm for many centuries4 ,it was a relic of mediaeval days1 when torture no less than death1 was the daily practice of the law1 and when persons were punished as cruelly for light offences as for the greatest crimes4 ,it was completely honeycombed with dungeons and subterranean passages1 which led to the sea1--and in one of the darkest and deepest of these underground cells1 the wretched youth who had attempted the life of the ,king1 was placed under the charge of two armed warders1 who marched up and down outside the heavily-barred door1 keeping close watch and guard4 ,neither they nor anyone else had exchanged a word with the prisoner since his arrest4 ,he had given them no trouble4 ,he had been carefully searched1 but nothing of an incriminating nature had been found upon him1--nothing to point to any possible instigator of his dastard crime4 ,he had entered the dungeon allotted to him with almost a cheerful air1--he had muttered half-inaudible thanks for the bread and water which had been passed to him through the grating2 and he had seated himself upon the cold bench1 hewn out of the stone wall1 with a resignation that might have easily passed for pleasure4 ,as the time wore on1 however1 and the reality of his position began to press more consciously upon his senses1 the warders heard him sigh deeply1 and move restlessly1 and once he gave a cry like that of a wounded animal1 exclaiming3-- 8,for ,thy sake1 ,lord ,christ6 ,for ,thy sake ,i strove--for ,thy sake1 and in ,thy service6 ,thou wilt not leave me here to perish60 ,he had been brought to the prison immediately after his murderous attack1 and the time had then been about four in the afternoon4 ,it was now night2 and all over the city the joy-bells were clashing out music from the ,cathedral towers1 to express the popular thanksgiving for the miraculous escape and safety of the ,king4 ,the echo of the chimes which had been ringing ever since sunset1 was caught by the sea and thrown back again upon the air1 so that it partially drowned the melancholy clang of the prison bell1 which in its turn1 tolled forth the dreary passing of the time for those to whom liberty had become the merest shadow of a dream4 ,as it struck nine1 a priest presented himself to the ,superintendent of the prison1 bearing a #8permit' from ,general ,bernhoff1 ,head of the ,police1 to visit and #8confess' the prisoner4 ,he was led to the cell and admitted at once4 ,at the noise of a stranger's entrance1 the criminal raised himself from the sunken attitude into which he had fallen on his stone bench1 and watched1 by the light of the dim lamp set in the wall1 the approach of his tall1 gaunt1 black-garmented visitor with evident horror and fear4 ,when1--with the removal of the shovel hat and thick muffler which had helped to disguise that visitor's personality1--the features of ,monsignor ,del ,fortis were disclosed1 he sprang forward and threw himself on his knees4 8,mercy6--,mercy60 he moaned--8,have pity on me1 in the name of ,god60 ,del ,fortis looked down upon him with contempt1 as though he were some loathsome reptile writhing at his feet4 8,silence60 he said1 in a harsh whisper--8,remember1 we are watched here6 ,get up6--why do you kneel to me8 ,i have nothing to do with you1 beyond such office as the ,church enjoins60 ,and a cold smile darkened1 rather than lightened his features4 8,i am sent to administer #8spiritual consolation' to you60 ,slowly the prisoner struggled up to a standing posture1 and pressing both hands to his head1 he stared wildly before him4 8#8,spiritual consolation'60 he muttered--8#8,spiritual'80 ,a faint dull vacuous smile flickered over his face1 and he shuddered4 8,i understand6 ,you come to prepare my soul for ,heaven60 ,del ,fortis gave him a sinister look4 8,that depends on yourself60 he replied curtly--8,the ,church can speed you either way1--to ,heaven1 or--,hell60 ,the prisoner's hands clenched involuntarily with a gesture of despair4 8,i know that60 he said sullenly--8,the ,church can save or kill6 ,what of it8 ,i am now beyond even the power of the ,church60 ,del ,fortis seated himself on the stone bench4 8,come here60 he said--8,sit down beside me60 ,the prisoner obeyed4 8,look at this60--and he drew an ebony and silver crucifix from his breast--8,fix your eyes upon it1 and try1 my son10--here he raised his voice a little--8try to conquer your thoughts of things temporal1 and lift them to the things which are eternal6 ,for things temporal do quickly vanish and disperse1 but things eternal shall endure for ever6 ,humble your soul before ,god1 and beseech ,him with me1 to mercifully cleanse the dark stain of sin upon your soul60 ,here he began mumbling a ,latin prayer1 and while engaged in this1 he caught the prisoner's hand in a close grip4 8,act--act with me60 he said firmly4 8,fool6--,play a part1 as ,i do6 ,bend your head close to mine--assume shame and sorrow even if you cannot feel it6 ,and listen to me well6 ,you have failed60 8,i know it60 ,the reply came thick and low4 8,why did you make the attempt at all8 ,who persuaded you80 ,the wretched youth lifted his head1 and showed a wild white face1 in which the piteous eyes1 starting from their sockets1 looked blind with terror4 8,who persuaded me80 he replied mechanically--8,no one6 ,no single one1--but many60 ,del ,fortis gripped him firmly by the wrist4 8,you lie60 he snarled--8,how dare you utter such a calumny6 ,who were you8 ,what were you8 ,a miserable starveling--picked up from the streets and saved from penury1--housed and sheltered in our ,college1--taught and trained and given paid employment by us1--what have you to say of #8persuasion'8--you1 who owe your very life to us1 and to our charity60 ,roused by this attack1 the prisoner1 wrenching his hand away from the priest's cruel grasp1 sprang upright4 8,wait--wait60 he said breathlessly--8,you do not understand6 ,you forget6 ,all my life ,i have been under ,one great influence--all my life ,i have been taught to dream ,one great ,dream6 ,when ,i talk of #8persuasion1' ,i only mean the persuasion of that force which has surrounded me as closely as the air ,i breathe6--that spirit which is bound to enter into all who work for you1 or with you6 ,oh no6--neither you nor any member of your ,order ever seek openly to #8persuade' any man to any act1 whether good or evil--your ,rule is much wiser than that6--much more subtle6 ,you issue no actual commands--your power comes chiefly by suggestion6 ,and with you1--working for you--,i have thought day and night1 night and day1 of the glory of ,rome6--the dominion of ,rome6--the triumph of ,rome6 ,i have learned1 under you1 to wish for it1 to pray for it1 to desire it more than my own life6--do you1 can you blame me for that8 ,you dare not call it a sin2--for your ,order represents it as a virtue that condones all sin60 ,del ,fortis was silent1 watching him with a kind of curious contempt4 8,it grew to be part of me1 this ,dream60 went on the lad1 his eyes now shining with a feverish brilliancy--8,and ,i began to see wonderful visions1 and to hear voices calling me in the daytime1--voices that no one else heard6 ,once in the ,college chapel ,i saw the ,blessed ,virgin's picture smile6 ,i was copying documents for the ,vatican then1--and ,i thought of the ,holy ,father1--how he was imprisoned in ,rome1 when he should be ,emperor of all the ,emperors1--,king of all the ,kings6 ,i remembered how it was that he had no temporal power1--though all the powers of the earth should be subservient to him6--and my heart beat almost to bursting1 and my brain seemed on fire6--but the ,blessed ,virgin's picture still smiled2--and ,i knelt down before it and swore that ,i1--even ,i1 would help to give the whole world back to ,rome1 even if ,i died for it60 ,he caught his breath with a kind of sob1 and looked appealingly at ,del ,fortis1 who1 fingering the crucifix he held1 sat immovable4 8,and then--and then0 he went on1 8,i heard enough1--while at work in the monastery with you and the brethren1--to strengthen and fire my resolution4 ,i learned that all kings are1 in these days1 the enemies of the ,church4 ,i learned that they were all united in one resolve2 and that1--to deprive the ,holy ,father of temporal power6 ,then ,i set myself to study kings4 ,each1 and all of those who sit on thrones to-day passed before my view2--all selfish1 money-seeking1 sensual men6--not one good1 true soul among them6 ,demons they seemed to me1--bent on depriving ,god's ,evangelist in ,rome of his ,sacred and ,supreme ,sovereignty6 ,it made me mad6--and ,i would have killed all kings1 could ,i have done so with a single thought6 ,then came a day when you preached openly in the ,cathedral against this one ,king1 who should by right have gone to his account this very afternoon6--you told the people how he had refused lands to the ,church1--and how by this wicked act he had stopped the progress of religious education1 and had put himself1 as it were1 in the way of ,christ who said3 #8,suffer little children to come unto ,me6' ,and my dreams of the glory of ,rome again took shape--,i saw in my mind all the children1--the poor little children of the world1 gathered to the knee of the ,holy ,father1 and brought up to obey him and him only6--,i remembered my oath before the ,blessed ,virgin's picture1 and all my soul cried out3 #8,death to the crowned ,tyrant6 ,death6' ,for you said--and ,i believed it--that all who opposed the ,holy ,father's will1 were opposed to the will of ,god6--and over and over again ,i said in my heart3 #8,death to the tyrant6 ,death6' ,and the words went with me like the response of a litany1--till--till--,i saw him before me to-day--a pampered fool1 surrounded by women6--a blazoned liar6--and then--0 ,he paused1 smiling foolishly2 and shaking his head with a slow movement to and fro1 he added--8,the dagger should have struck home6--it was aimed surely--aimed strongly6--but that woman came between--why did she come8 ,they said she was ,lotys6--ha ha6--,lotys1 the ,revolutionary sybil6--,lotys1 the ,socialist6--but that could not be1--,lotys is as great an enemy of kings as ,i am60 8,and an enemy of the ,church as well60 said ,del ,fortis harshly--8,between the ,church and ,socialism1 all ,thrones stand on a cracking earth1 devoured by fire6 ,but make no mistake about it6--the woman was ,lotys6 ,socialist and ,revolutionary as she may be1 she has saved the life of the ,king4 ,this is so far fortunate--for you6 ,and it is much to be hoped that she herself is not slain by your dagger thrust2--death is far too easy and light a punishment for her and her associates6 ,we trust it may please a merciful ,god to visit her with more lingering calamity60 ,as he said this1 he piously kissed the crucifix he held1 keeping his shallow dark eyes fixed on the prisoner with the expression of a cat watching a mouse4 ,the half-crazed youth1 absorbed in the ideas of his own dementia1 still smiled to himself vaguely1 and nervously plucked at his fingers1 till ,del ,fortis1 growing impatient and forgetting for the moment that they stood in a prison cell1 the interior of which might possibly be seen and watched from many points of observation unknown to them1 went up to him and shook him roughly by the arm4 8,attention60 he said angrily--8,rouse yourself and hear me6 ,you talk like a fool or a madman1--yet you are neither--neither1 you understand8--neither idiot-born nor suddenly crazed2--so1 when on your trial do not feign to be what you are not6 ,such ideas as you have expressed1 though they may have their foundation in a desire for good1 are evil in their results--yet even out of evil good may come6 ,the power of ,rome--the glory of ,rome--the dominion of ,rome6 ,rome1 supreme ,mistress of the world6 ,would you help the ,church to win this great victory8 ,then now is your chance6 ,god has given you--you1 ,his poor instrument1--the means to effectually aid ,his conquest1--to ,him be all the praise and thanksgiving6 ,it rests with you to accept ,his message and perform ,his work60 ,the high-flown1 melodramatic intensity with which he pronounced these words1 had the desired effect on the stunned and bewildered1 weak mind of the unfortunate lad so addressed4 ,his eyes sparkled--his cheeks flushed1--and he looked eagerly up into the face of his priestly hypnotizer4 8,yes--yes60 he said quickly in a breathless whisper--8,but how8--tell me how6 ,i will work--oh1 ,i will work--for ,rome1 for ,god1 for the ,blessed ,virgin6--,i will do all that ,i can6--but how--how8 ,will the ,holy ,father send an angel to take me out of this prison1 so that ,i may be free to help ,god80 ,del ,fortis surveyed him with a kind of grim derision1 ,a slight noise like the slipping-back or slipping-to of a grating1 startled him1 and he looked about him on all sides1 moved by a sudden nervous apprehension4 ,but the massive walls of the cell1 oozing with damp and slime1 had apparently no aperture or outlet anywhere1 not even a slit in the masonry for the admission of daylight4 ,satisfied with his hasty examination1 he took his credulous victim by the arm1 and led him back to the rough stone bench where they had first begun to converse4 8,kneel down here before me60--he said--8,kneel1 as if you were repeating all the sins of your life to me in your last confession6 ,kneel1 ,i say60 ,feebly1 and with trembling limbs1 the lad obeyed4 8,now10 continued ,del ,fortis1 holding up the crucifix before him--8,try to follow my words and understand them6 ,to-morrow1 or the next day1 you will be taken before a judge and tried for your attempted crime4 ,do you realise that80 8,i do60 ,the answer came hesitatingly1 and with a faint moan4 8,have you thought what you intend to say when you are asked your reasons for attacking the ,king8 ,do you mean to tell judge and jury the story of what you call your #8persuasion' to dream of the dominion of ,rome80 8,yes--yes60 replied the lad1 looking up with an eager light on his face--8,yes1 ,i will tell them all1--just as ,i have told you6 ,then they will know1--they will see that it was a good thought of mine--it would have been a good sin6 ,i will speak to them of the wicked wrongs done to you and your ,holy ,order1--of the cruelty which the ,christian ,apostle in ,rome has to suffer at the hands of kings--and they will acknowledge me to be right and just2--they will know ,i am as a man inspired by ,god to work for the ,church1 the bride of ,christ1 and to make her ,queen of all the world60 ,he stopped suddenly1 intimidated by the cruel glare of the wolfish eyes above him4 8,you will say nothing of all this60 and ,del ,fortis shook the crucifix in his face as though it were a threatening weapon2 8,you will say only what ,i choose1--only what ,i command6 ,and if you do not swear to speak as ,i tell you1 ,i will kill you6--here and now--with my own hands60 ,uttering a half-smothered cry1 the wretched youth recoiled in terror4 8,you will kill me8 ,you--you80 he gasped--8,no--no6--you could not do that6 you could not1--you are a holy man6 ,i--,i am not afraid that you will hurt me6 ,i have done nothing to offend you1--,i have always been obedient to you1--,i have been your slave--your dog to fetch and carry6--and you should remember1--yes6--you should remember that my mother was rich1--and that because she too felt the call of ,god1 she gave all her money to the ,church1 and left me thrown upon the streets to starve6 ,but the ,church rescued me--the ,church did not forget6 ,and ,i am ready to serve the ,church in all and every possible way1--,i have done my best1 even now60 ,he spoke with all the passionate self-persuasion of a fanatic1 and ,del ,fortis judged it wisest to control his own fierce inward impatience and deal with him more restrainedly4 8,that is true enough60 he said in milder accents2--8,you are ready to serve the ,church1--,i do not doubt it2--but you do not serve it in the right way4 ,no earthly good is gained to us by the killing of kings6 ,their conversion and obedience is what we seek4 ,this king you would have slain is a baptised son of the ,church2 but beyond attending mass regularly in his private chapel1 which he does for the mere sake of appearances1 he is an atheist1 condemned to the fires of ,hell4 ,nevertheless1 no advantage to us could possibly be obtained by his death4 ,much can be done for us by you--yes1 you6--and much will depend on the answers to the questions asked you at your trial4 ,give those answers as ,i shall bid you1 and you will win a triumph for the cause of ,rome60 ,the prisoner's eyes glittered feverishly1--full of the delirium of bigotry1 he caught the lean1 cold hand that held the crucifix1 and kissed it fervently4 8,command me60 he muttered--8,command6--and in the name of the ,blessed ,virgin1 ,i will obey60 8,hear then1 and attend closely to my words10 went on ,del ,fortis1 enunciating his sentences in a low distinct voice--8,when you are brought before the judge1 you will be accused of an attempt to assassinate the ,king4 ,make no denial of it1--admit it at once1 and express contrition4 ,you will then be asked if any person or persons instigated you to commit the crime4 ,to this say #8yes'60 8,say #8yes'60 repeated the lad--8,but that will not be true60 8,fool1 does it matter60 ejaculated ,del ,fortis1 almost savagely--8,have you not sworn to speak as ,i command you8 ,what is it to you whether it is true or false80 ,a slight shiver passed through the prisoner's limbs--but he was silent4 8,say0--went on his pitiless instructor--8that you were enticed and persuaded to commit the wicked deed by the teachings of the ,socialist1 ,sergius ,thord1 and his followers4 ,say that the woman ,lotys knew of your intention1--and saved the life of the ,king at the last moment1 through fear1 lest her own seditious schemes should be discovered and herself punished4 ,say1--that because you were young and weak and impressionable1 she chose you out to attempt the assassination4 ,do you hear80 8,i hear60 ,the reply came thickly and almost inaudibly4 8,but must ,i tell these lies8 ,i have never spoken to ,sergius ,thord in my life6--nor to the woman ,lotys2--,i know nothing of them or their followers1 except by the public talk2--why should ,i harm the innocent8 ,let me tell the truth1 ,i pray of you6--let me speak as my heart dictates6--let me plead for the ,holy ,father--for you--for your ,order--for the ,church6--0 ,he broke off as ,del ,fortis caught him by both hands in an angry grip4 8,do not dare to speak one word of the ,church60 he said1 8,or of us1--or of our ,order6 ,let not a single syllable escape your lips concerning your connection with us and our ,society6--or we shall find means to make you regret it6 ,beware of betraying yourself6 ,when you are once before the ,court of ,law1 remember you know nothing of ,us1 our ,work1 or our ,creed60 ,utterly bewildered and mystified1 the unhappy youth rocked himself to and fro1 clasping and unclasping his hands in a kind of nervous paroxysm4 8,oh why1 why will you bid me to do this80 he moaned--8,you know there are times when ,i cannot be answerable for myself6 ,how can ,i tell what ,i shall do when ,i am brought face to face with my accusers8--when ,i see all the dreadful eyes of the people turned upon me8 ,how can ,i deny all knowledge of those who brought me up1 and nurtured and educated me8 ,if they ask me of my home1 is it not with you8--under your sufferance and charity8 ,if they seek to know my means of subsistence1 is it not through you that ,i receive the copying-work for which ,i am paid8 ,you would not have me repudiate all this1 would you8 ,i should be worse than a dog in sheer ingratitude if ,i did not bear open testimony to all the ,church has done for me60 8,be1 not worse than a dog1 but faithful as a dog in obedience60 responded ,del ,fortis impressively--8,and1 for once1 speak of the ,church with the indifference of an atheist1--or with such marked coldness as a wise man speaks of the woman he secretly adores6 ,hold the ,church and ,us too sacred for any mention in a ,court of criminal law6 ,but serve the ,church by involving the ,socialist and ,revolutionary party6 ,think of the magnificent results which will spring from this act1--and nerve yourself to tell a lie in order to support a truth60 ,rising unsteadily from his knees1 the prisoner stood upright4 ,by the flicker of the dim lamp1 he looked deadly pale1 and his limbs tottered as though shaken by an ague fit4 8,what good will come of it80 he queried dully--8,what good can come of it80 8,great and lasting good will come of it60--replied ,del ,fortis--8,and it will come quickly too2--in this way1 for by fastening the accusation of undue influence on ,sergius ,thord and his companions1 you will obtain ,government restriction1 if not total suppression of the ,socialist party4 ,this is what we need6 ,the ,socialists are growing too strong--too powerful in every country1--and we are on the brink of trouble through their accursed and atheistical demonstrations4 ,there will soon be serious disturbances in the political arena--possibly an overthrow of the ,government1 and a general election--and if ,sergius ,thord has the chance of advancing himself as a deputy1 he will be elected above all others by an overpowering majority of the lower classes4 ,you can prevent this6--you can prevent it by a single falsehood1 which in this case will be more pleasing to ,god than a thousand mischievous veracities6 ,will you do it8 ,yes or ,no80 ,the miserable lad looked helplessly around him1 his weak frame trembling as with palsy1 and his uncertain fingers plucking at each other with that involuntary movement of the muscles which indicates a disordered brain4 8,will you1 or will you not80 reiterated ,del ,fortis in a whisper that hissed through the close precincts of the cell like the warning of a snake about to sting--8,answer me60 8,suppose ,i say ,i will not60--stammered the poor wretch1 with trembling lips and appealing eyes--8,suppose ,i say ,i will not falsely accuse the innocent1 even for the sake of the ,church----80 8,then10 said ,del ,fortis slowly1 rising and moving towards him2--8,you had best accept the only alternative--this60 ,and he took from his breast pocket a small phial1 full of clear1 colourless fluid1 and showed it to him--8,take it6--and so make a quick and quiet end6 ,for1 if you betray you connection with ,us by so much as a look1--a sign1 or a syllable1--your mode of exit from this world may be slower1 less decent1 and more painful60 ,the miserable boy wrung his hands in agony1 and such a cry of despair broke from his lips as might have moved anyone less cruelly made of spiritual adamant than the determined servant of the cruellest #8religious' ,order known4 ,the dull harsh clang of the prison bell struck ten4 ,the #8priest' had been an hour at the work of #8confessing' his penitent1--and his patience was well-nigh exhausted4 8,swear you will attribute your intended assassination of the ,king1 to the influence of the ,socialists60 he said with fierce imperativeness--8,or with this--end all your difficulties to-night6 ,it is a gentle quietus6--and you ought to thank me for it6 ,it is better than solitary imprisonment for life6 ,i will give you absolution for taking it--provided ,i see you swallow it before ,i go6--and ,i will declare to the ,church that ,i left you shrived of your sins1 and clean6 ,half an hour after ,i leave you1 you will sleep6--and wake--in ,heaven6 ,make your choice60 ,the last words had scarcely left his lips when the cell door was suddenly thrown open1 and a blaze of light poured in4 ,dazzled by the strong and sudden glare1 ,del ,fortis recoiled1 and still holding the phial of poison in his hand1 stumbled back against the half-fainting form of the poor crazed creature he had been terrorising1 as a dozen armed men silently entered the dungeon and ranged themselves in order1 six on one side and six on the other1 while1 in their midst one man advanced1 throwing back his dark military cloak as he came1 and displaying a mass of jewelled orders and insignia on his brilliant uniform4 ,del ,fortis uttered a fierce oath4 8,the ,king60 he muttered1 under his breath--8,the ,king60 8,ay1 the ,king60 and a glance of supreme scorn swept over him from head to foot1 as the monarch's clear dark grey eyes flashed with the glitter of cold steel in the luminance of the torches which were carried by attendants behind him2 8,monsignor ,del ,fortis6 ,you stand convicted of the offence of unlawfully tampering with the conscience of a prisoner of ,state6 ,we have heard your every word--and have obtained a bird's-eye view of your policy6--so that1--if necessary1--we will ,ourselves bear witness against you6 ,for the present1--you will be detained in this fortress until our further pleasure60 ,for one moment ,del ,fortis appeared to be literally contorted in every muscle by his excess of rage4 ,his features grew livid1--his eyes became almost blood-red1 and his teeth met on his drawn-in under-lip in a smile of intense malignity4 ,baffled again6--and by this #8king1'--the crowned ,dummy1--who had cast aside all former precedent1 and instead of amusing himself with card-playing and sensual intrigue1 after the accepted fashion of most modern sovereigns1 had presumed to interfere1 not only with the ,church1 but with the ,government1 and now1 as it seemed1 had acted as a spy on the very secrets of a so-called prison #8confession'6 ,the utter impossibility of escaping from the net into which his own words had betrayed him1 stood plainly before his mind and half-choked him with impotent fury1--till--all suddenly a thought crossed his brain like a flash of fire1 and with a strong effort1 he recovered his self-possession4 ,crossing his arms meekly on his breast1 he bowed with a silent and profound affectation of humility1 as one who is bent under the ,royal displeasure1 yet resigned to the ,royal command1--then with a rapid movement he lifted the poison-phial he had held concealed1 to his lips4 ,his action was at once perceived4 ,two or three of the armed guards threw themselves upon him and1 after a brief struggle1 wrenched the flask from his hand1 but not till he had succeeded in swallowing its contents4 ,breathing quickly1 yet smiling imperturbably1 he stood upright and calm4 8,god's will and mine--not your ,majesty's--be done60 he said4 8,in half an hour--or less--,mother ,church may add to her list of martyrs the name of ,andrea ,del ,fortis6--who died rather than sacrifice the dignity of his calling to the tyranny of a king60 ,a slight convulsion passed over his features1--he staggered backward4 ,the ,king1 horror-stricken1 signed to the prison warders standing by1 to support him4 ,he muttered a word of thanks1 as they caught him by both arms4 8,take me where ,i can die quietly60 he said to them1 8,it will soon be over6 ,i shall give you little trouble60 ,a cold1 weak1 trembling hand clasped his4 ,it was the hand of the ,king's wretched assassin4 8,let me go with you60 he cried--8,let me die with you6 ,you have been cruel to me6--but you could not have meant it6--you were once kind60 ,del ,fortis thrust him aside4 8,curse you60 he said thickly--8,you are the cause--you--you are the cause of this damned mischief6 ,you6--,god6--to think of it6--you devil's spawn6--you cur60 ,his voice failed him1 and he reeled heavily against the sturdy form of one of the warders who held him--his lips were flecked with blood and foam4 ,shocked and appalled1 no less at his words1 than at the fiendish contortion of his features1 the ,king drew near4 8,curse not a fellow-mortal1 unhappy priest1 in thine own passage towards the final judgment60 he said in grave accents--8,the blessing of this poor misguided creature may help thee more than even a king's free pardon60 ,and he extended his hand2--but with all the force of his now struggling and convulsed body1 ,del ,fortis beat it back1 and raised himself by an almost superhuman effort4 8,pardon6 ,who talks of pardon60 he cried1 with a strong voice--8,i do not need it--,i do not seek it6 ,i have worked for the ,church--,i die for the ,church6 ,for every one that says #8,the ,king6'--,i say1 #8,rome'60 ,he drew himself stiffly upright2 his dark eyes glittered2 his face1 though deadly pale1 scarcely looked like the face of a dying man4 8,i say1 #8,rome'60 he repeated1 in a harsh whisper2--8,over all the world6--over all the kingdoms of the world1 and in defiance of all kings--#8,rome'60 ,he fell back1--not dead1--but insensible1 in the stupor which precedes death2--and was quickly borne out of the cell and carried to the prison infirmary1 there to receive medical aid1 though that could only now avail to soothe the approaching agonies of dissolution4 ,the ,king stood mute and motionless1 lost in thought1 a heavy darkness brooding on his features4 ,how strange the impulse that had led him to be the mover and witness of this scene6 ,by merest chance he had learned that ,del ,fortis had applied for permission to #8confess' the would-be destroyer of his life1--the life which ,lotys had saved1--and acting--as he had lately accustomed himself to do--on a sudden first idea or instinct1 he had summoned ,general ,bernhoff to escort him to the prison1 and make the way easy for him to watch and overhear the interview between priest and penitent1--himself unobserved4 ,and from so slight an incident had sprung a tragedy1--which might have results as yet undreamed-of6 ,and while he yet mused upon this1 ,general ,bernhoff ventured respectfully to approach him1 and ask if it was now his pleasure to return to the ,palace8 ,he roused himself1--and with a heavy sigh looked round on the damp and dismal cell in which he stood1 and at the crouching1 fear-stricken form of the semi-crazed and now violently weeping lad who had attempted his life4 8,take that poor wretch away from here60 he said in hushed tones--8,give him light1 and warmth1 and food6 ,his evil desires spring from an unsound brain2--,i would have him dealt with mercifully6 ,guard him with all necessary and firm restraint1--but do not brutalise his body more than ,rome has brutalised his soul60 ,with that he turned away1--and his armed guard and attendants followed him4 ,that self-same midnight a requiem mass was sung in a certain chapel before a silent gathering of black-robed stern-featured men1 who prayed 8,for the repose of the soul of our dear brother1 ,andrea ,del ,fortis1 servant of ,god1 and martyr to the cause of truth and justice1--who departed this life suddenly1 in the performance of his sacred duties40 ,in the newspapers next day1 the death of this same martyr and shining light of the ,church was recorded with much paid-for regret and press-eulogy as #8due to heart-failure' and his body being claimed by the ,jesuit brotherhood1 it was buried with great pomp and solemn circumstance1 several of the ,catholic societies and congregations following it to the grave4 ,one week after the funeral1--for no other ostensible cause whatever1 save the offence of openly publishing his official refusal of a grant of ,crown lands to the ,jesuits1--the ,holy ,father1 the ,evangelist and ,infallible ,apostle enthroned in ,st4 ,peter's ,chair1 launched against the ,king who had dared to deny his wish and oppose his will1 the once terrible1 but now futile ban of excommunication2 and the ,royal son of the ,church who had honestly considered the good of his people more than the advancement of priestcraft1 stood outside the sacred pale1--barred by a so-called #8,christian' creed1 from the mercy of ,god and the hope of ,heaven4 ,,chapter ,,xxvi 8,,one ,,way1--,,one ,,woman60 ,for several days after the foregoing events1 the editors and proprietors of newspapers had more than enough #8copy' to keep them busy4 ,the narrow escape of the ,king from assassination1 followed by his excommunication from the ,church1 worked a curious effect on the minds of the populace1 who were somewhat bewildered and uncertain as to the possible undercurrent of political meaning flowing beneath the conjunction of these two events2 and their feelings were intensified by the announcement that the youth who had attempted the monarch's life1--being proved as suffering from hereditary brain disease1--had received a free pardon1 and was placed in a suitable home for the treatment of such cases1 under careful restraint and medical supervision4 ,the tide of popular opinion was now divided into two ways1--for1 and against their ,sovereign-ruler4 ,by far the larger half were against2--but the ban pronounced upon him by the ,pope had the effect of making even this disaffected portion inclined to consider him more favourably1--seeing that the ,church's punishment had fallen upon him1 apparently because he had done his duty1 as a king1 by granting the earnest petitions of thousands of his subjects4 ,david ,jost1 who had always made a point of flattering ,royalty in all its forms1 now let his pen go with a complete passion of toadyism1 such as disgraced certain writers in ,great ,britain during the reigns of the pernicious and vicious ,georges1--and1 seeing the continued success of the rival journal which the ,king had personally favoured1 he trimmed his sails to the ,court breeze1 and dropped the ,church party as though it had burned his fingers4 ,but he found various channels on which he had previously relied for information1 rigorously closed to him4 ,he had written many times to the ,marquis de ,lutera to ask if the report of his having sent in his resignation was correct1--but he had received no answer4 ,he had called over and over again on ,carl ,prousse1 hoping to obtain a few minutes' conversation with him1 but had been denied an interview4 ,cogitating upon these changes1--which imported much1--and wishing over and over again that he had been born an ,englishman1 so that by the insidious flattery of ,royalty he might obtain a peerage1--as a certain ,jew associate of his concerned in the same business in ,london1 had recently succeeded in doing1--he decided that the wisest course to follow was to continue to #8butter' the ,king2--hence he laid it on with a thick brush1 wherever the grease of hypocrisy could show off best4 ,but work as he would1 the #8shares' in his journalistic concerns were steadily going down1--none of his numerous magazines or #8half-penny rags1' paid so well as they had hitherto done2 while the one paper which had lately been so prominently used by the ,king1 continued to prosper1 the public having now learned to accept with avidity and eagerness the brilliant articles which bore the signature of ,pasquin ,leroy1 as though they were somewhat of a new political gospel4 ,the charm of mystery intensified this new writer's reputation4 ,he was never seen in #8fashionable' society1--no #8fashionable' person appeared to know him1--and the general impression was that he resided altogether out of the country4 ,only the members of the ,revolutionary ,committee were aware that he was one of them1 and recognised his work as part of the carrying out of his sworn bond4 ,he had grown to be almost the right hand of ,sergius ,thord2 wherever ,thord sought supporters1 he helped to obtain them1--wherever the sick and needy1 the desolate and distressed1 required aid1 he somehow managed to secure it1--and next to ,thord1--and of course ,lotys1--he was the idol of the ,socialist centre4 ,he never spoke in public1--he seldom appeared at mass meetings2 but his influence was always felt2 and he made himself and his work almost a necessity to the ,cause4 ,the action of ,lotys in saving the life of the ,king1 had created considerable discussion among the ,revolutionists1 not unmixed with anger4 ,when she first appeared among them after the incident1 with her arm in a sling1 she was greeted with mingled cheers and groans1 to neither of which she paid the slightest attention4 ,she took her seat at the head of the ,committee table as usual1 with her customary indifference and grace1 and appeared deaf to the conflicting murmurs around her1--till1 as they grew louder and more complaining and insistent1 she raised her head and sent the lightning flash of her blue eyes down the double line of men with a sweeping scorn that instantly silenced them4 8,what do you seek from me80 she demanded2--8,why do you clamour like babes for something you cannot get1--my obedience80 ,they looked shamefacedly at one another1--then at ,sergius ,thord and ,pasquin ,leroy1 who sat side by side at the lower end of the table4 ,max ,graub and ,axel ,regor1 ,leroy's two comrades1 were for once absent2 but they had sent suitable and satisfactory excuses4 ,thord's brows were heavy and lowering1--his eyes were wild and unrestful1 and his attitude and expression were such as caused ,leroy to watch him with a little more than his usual close attention4 ,seeing that his companions expected him to answer ,lotys before them all1 he spoke with evident effort4 8,you make a difficult demand upon us1 ,lotys10 he said slowly1 8if you wish us to explain the stormy nature of our greeting to you this evening4 ,you might surely have understood it without a question6 ,for we are compelled to blame you2--you who have never till now deserved blame1--for the folly of your action in exposing your own life to save that of the ,king6 ,the one is valuable to us--the other is nothing to us6 ,besides1 you have trespassed against the ,seventh ,rule of our ,order--which solemnly pledges us to #8destroy the present monarchy'60 8,ah60 said ,lotys1 8,and is it part of the oath that the monarchy should be destroyed by murder without warning8 ,you know it is not6 ,you know that there is nothing more dastardly1 more cowardly1 more utterly loathsome and contemptible than to kill a man defenceless and unarmed6 ,we speak of a ,monarchy1 not a ,king2--not one single individual1--for if he were killed1 he has three sons to come after him4 ,you have called me the ,soul of an ,ideal--good6 ,but ,i am not1 and will not be the ,soul of a ,murder-,committee60 8,well spoken60 said ,johan ,zegota1 looking up from some papers which he1 as secretary to the ,society1 had been docketing for the convenience of ,thord's perusal2 8,but do not forget1 brave ,lotys1 that the very next meeting we hold is the annual one1 in which we draw lots for the #8happy dispatch' of traitors and false rulers2 and that this year the name of the ,king is among them60 ,lotys grew a shade paler1 but she replied at once and dauntlessly4 8,i do not forget it6 ,but if lots are cast and traitors doomed1--it is part of our procedure to give any such doomed man six months' steady and repeated warning1 that he may have time to repent of his mistakes and remedy them1 so that haply he may still be spared2--and also that he may take heed to arm himself1 that he do not die defenceless4 ,had ,i not saved the ,king1 his death would have been set down to us1 and our work6 ,any one of you might have been accused of influencing the crazy boy who attempted the deed1--and it is quite possible our meetings would have been suppressed1 and all our work fatally hindered1--if not entirely stopped4 ,foolish children6 ,you should thank me1 not blame me6--but you are blind children all1 and cannot even see where you have been faithfully served by your faithfullest friend60 ,at these words a new light appeared to break on the minds of all present--a light that was reflected in their eager and animated faces4 ,the knotted line of ,thord's brooding brows smoothed itself gradually away4 8,was that indeed your thought1 ,lotys10 he asked gently1 almost tenderly--8,was it for our sakes and for us alone1 that you saved the ,king80 ,at that instant ,pasquin ,leroy turned his eyes1 which till now had been intent on watching ,thord1 to the other end of the table where the fine1 compact woman's head1 framed in its autumn-gold hair1 was silhouetted against the dark background of the wall behind her like a cameo4 ,his gaze met hers1--and a vague look of fear and pain flashed over her face1 as a faint touch of colour reddened her cheeks4 8,i am not accustomed to repeat my words1 ,sergius ,thord60 she answered coldly2 8,i have said my say60 ,looks were exchanged1 and there was a silence4 8,if we doubt ,lotys1 we doubt the very spirit of ourselves60 said ,pasquin ,leroy1 his rich voice thrilling with unwonted emotion2 8,sergius--and comrades all6 ,if you will hear me1 and believe me1--you may take my word for it1 she has run the risk of death for ,us6--and has saved ,us from false accusation1 and ,government interference6 ,to wrong ,lotys by so much as a thought1 is to wrong the truest woman ,god ever made60 ,a wild shout answered him1--and moved by one impulse1 the whole body of men rose to their feet and drank 8to the health and honour of ,lotys60 with acclamation1 many of them afterwards coming round to where she sat1 and kneeling to kiss her hand and ask her pardon for their momentary doubt of her1 in the excitement and enthusiasm of their souls4 ,but ,lotys herself sat very silent1--almost as silent as ,sergius ,thord1 who1 though he drank the toast1 remained moody and abstracted4 ,when the company dispersed that night1 each man present was carefully reminded by the secretary1 ,johan ,zegota1 that unless the most serious illness or misfortune intervened1 every one must attend the next meeting1 as it was the yearly 8,day of ,fate40 ,pasquin ,leroy was told that his two friends1 ,max ,graub and ,axel ,regor must be with him1 and he willingly made himself surety for their attendance4 8,but10 said he1 as he gave the promise1 8what is the ,day of ,fate80 ,johan ,zegota pointed a thin finger delicately at his heart4 8,the ,day of ,fate10 he said1 8is the day of punishment1--or ,decision of ,deaths4 ,the names of several persons who have been found guilty of treachery1--or who otherwise do injury to the people by the manner of their life and conduct1 are written down on slips of paper1 which are folded up and put in one receptacle1 together with two or three hundred blanks4 ,they must be all men's names1--we never make war on women4 ,against some of these names1--a ,red ,cross is placed4 ,whosoever draws a name1 and finds the red cross against it1 is bound to kill1 within six months after due warning1 the man therein mentioned4 ,if he fortunately draws a blank then he is free for a year at least1--in spite of the fatal sign1--from the unpleasant duty of despatching a fellow mortal to the next world0--and here ,zegota smiled quite cheerfully2 8,but if he draws a ,name1--and at the same time sees the red cross against it1 then he is bound by his oath to us to--do his duty60 ,leroy nodded1 and appeared in no wise dismayed at the ominous suggestion implied4 8,how if our friend ,zouche were to draw the fatal sign10 he said2 8,would he perform his allotted task1 think you80 8,most thoroughly60 replied ,zegota1 still smiling4 ,and with that1 they separated4 ,meanwhile1 during the constant change and interchange of conflicting rumours1 some of which appeared to have foundation in fact1 and others which rapidly dispersed themselves as fiction1 there could be no doubt whatever of the growing unpopularity of the ,government in power4 ,little by little1 drop by drop1 there oozed out the secrets of the 8,prousse ,policy10 which was merely another name for ,prousse ,self-aggrandisement4 ,little by little1 certain facts were at first whispered1 and then more loudly talked about1 as to the nature of his financial speculations2 and it was soon openly stated that in the formation of some of the larger companies1 which were beginning to be run on the ,gargantuan lines of the 8,american ,trust0 idea1 he had enormous shares1--though these 8,trusts0 had been frequently denounced as a means of enslaving the country1 and ruining certain trade-interests which he was in office to protect4 ,accusations began to be guardedly thrown out against him in the ,senate1 which he parried off with the cool and audacious skill of an expert fencer1 knowing that for the immediate moment at least1 he had a 8majority0 under his thumb4 ,this majority was composed of persons who had unfortunately become involved in his toils1 and were1 therefore1 naturally afraid of him2--yet it was evident1 even to a superficial student of events1 that if once the innuendoes against his probity as a statesman could be veraciously proved1 this sense of intimidation among his supporters would be removed1 and like the props set against a decaying house1 their withdrawal would result in the ruin of the building4 ,it was pretty well known that the ,marquis de ,lutera had sent in his resignation1 but it was not at all certain whether the ,king was of a mind to accept it4 ,things were in abeyance1--political and social matters whirled giddily towards chaos and confusion2 and the numerous hurried ,cabinet ,councils that were convened1 boded some perturbation among the governing heads of the ,state4 ,from each and all of these meetings ,ministers came away more gloomy and despondent in manner1--some shook their heads sorrowfully and spoke of 8the ,king's folly10--others with considerable indignation flung out sudden invectives against 8the ,king's insolence60--and between the two appellations1 it was not easy to measure exactly the nature of the conduct which had deserved them4 ,for the ,king himself made no alteration whatever in the outward character of his daily routine2 he transacted business in the morning1 lunched1 sometimes with his family1 sometimes with friends2 drove in the afternoon1 and showed himself punctiliously at different theatres once or twice in the evenings of the week4 ,the only change more observant persons began to notice in his conduct was1 that he had drawn the line of demarcation very strongly between those persons who by rank and worth1 and nobility of life1 merited his attention1 and those who by mere ,push and ,pocket1 sought to win his favour by that servile flattery and obsequiousness which are the trademarks of the plebeian and vulgarian4 ,quietly but firmly1 he dropped the acquaintance of ,jew sharks1 lying in wait among the dirty pools of speculation2--with ease and absoluteness he #8let go' one by one1 certain ladies of particularly elastic virtue1 who fondly dreamed that they #8managed' him2 and among these1 to her infinite rage and despair1 went ,madame ,vantine1 wife of ,vantine the winegrower1 a yellow-haired1 sensual 8femelle d'homme10 whose extravagance in clothes1 and reckless indecency in conversation1 combined with the ,king's amused notice1 and the super-excellence of her husband's wines1 had for a brief period made her #8the rage' among a certain set of exceedingly dissolute individuals4 ,in place of this kind of riff-raff of 8nouveaux riches10 and plutocrats1 he began by degrees to form around himself a totally different entourage1--though he was careful to make his various changes slowly1 so that they should not be too freely noticed and commented upon4 ,great nobles1 whether possessed of vast wealth and estates1 or altogether landless1 were summoned to take their rightful positions at the ,court1 where ,vantine the wine-grower1 and ,jost the ,jew1 no more obtained admittance2--men of science1 letters and learning1 were sought out and honoured in various ways1 their wives and daughters receiving special marks of the ,royal attention and favour2 and round the icy and statuesque beauty of the ,queen soon gathered a brilliant bevy of the real world of women1 not the half-world of the #8femme galante' which having long held sway over the ,crown ,prince while ,heir-,apparent to the ,throne1 judged itself almost as a necessary1 and even becoming1 appendage to his larger responsibility and state as ,king4 ,these excellent changes1 beneficial and elevating to the social atmosphere generally1 could not of course be effected without considerable trouble and heart-burning1 in the directions where certain persons had received their dismissal from such favour as they had previously held at ,court4 ,the dismissed ones thirsted with a desire for vengeance1 and took every opportunity to inflame the passions of their own particular set against the ,king1 some of them openly declaring their readiness to side with the ,revolutionary party1 and help it to power4 ,but over the seething volcano of discontent1 the tide of fashion moved as usual1 to all outward appearances tranquil1 and absorbed in trivialities of the latest description2 and though many talked1 few dreamed that the mind of the country1 growing more compressed in thought1 and inflammable in nature every day1 was rapidly becoming like a huge magazine of gunpowder or dynamite1 which at a spark would explode into that periodically recurring fire-of-cleansing called ,revolution4 ,weighted with many thoughts1 ,sir ,roger de ,launay1 whose taciturn and easy temperament disinclined him for argument and kept him aloof from discussion whenever he could avoid it1 sat alone one evening in his own room which adjoined the ,king's library1 writing a few special letters for his ,majesty which were of too friendly a nature to be dealt with in the curt official manner of the private secretary4 ,once or twice he had risen and drawn aside the dividing curtain between himself and the ,king's apartment to see if his ,royal master had entered2 but the room remained empty1 though it was long past eleven at night4 ,he looked every now and again at a small clock which ticked with a quick intrusive cheerfulness on his desk1--then with a slight sigh resumed his work4 ,letter after letter was written and sealed1 and he was getting to the end of his correspondence1 when a tap at the door disturbed him1 and his sister ,teresa1 the ,queen's lady-in-waiting1 entered4 8,is the ,king within80 she asked softly1 moving almost on tiptoe as she came4 ,sir ,roger shook his head4 8,he has been absent for some time10 he replied1--then after a pause--8,but what are you here for1 ,teresa8 ,this is not your department60 and he took her hand kindly1 noticing with some concern that there were tears in her large dark eyes2--8,is anything wrong80 8,nothing6 ,that is1--nothing that ,i have any right to imagine--or to guess4 ,but--0 and here she seemed a little confused--8,i am commanded by the ,queen to summon you to her presence if1--if the ,king has not returned60 ,he rose at once1 looking perplexed4 ,teresa watched him anxiously1 and the expression of his face did not tend to reassure her4 8,roger10 she began timidly--8,would you not tell me1--might ,i not know something of this mystery8 ,might ,i not be trusted80 ,his languid eyes flashed with a sudden tenderness1 as from his great and stately height he looked down upon her pretty shrinking figure4 8,poor little ,teresa60 he murmured playfully2 8,what is the matter8 ,what mystery are you talking about80 8,you know--you must know60 answered ,teresa1 clasping her hands with a gesture of entreaty2 8,there is something wrong1 ,i am sure6 ,why is the ,king so often absent--when all the household suppose him to be with the ,queen8--or in his private library there80 and she pointed to the curtained-off ,royal sanctum beyond4 8,why does the ,queen herself give it out that he is with her1 when he is not8 ,why does he enter the ,queen's corridor sometimes quite late at night by the private battlement-stair8 ,does it not seem very strange8 ,and since he was so nearly assassinated1 his absences have been more frequent than ever60 ,sir ,roger pulled his long fair moustache meditatively between his fingers4 8,when you were a little girl1 ,teresa1 you must have been told the story of ,blue-beard20 he said2 8,now take my advice6--and do not try to open forbidden doors with your tiny golden key of curiosity60 ,teresa's cheeks flushed a pretty rose pink4 8,i am not curious20 she said1 with an air of hauteur2 8,and indeed ,i am far too loyal to say anything to anyone but to you1 of what seems so new and strange4 ,besides--the ,queen has forbidden me--only it is just because of the ,queen--0 here she stopped hesitatingly4 8,because of the ,queen80 echoed ,sir ,roger2 8,why80 8,she is unhappy60 said ,teresa4 ,a smile1--somewhat bitter1--crossed ,de ,launay's face4 8,unhappy60 he repeated2 8,she6 ,you mistake her1 little girl6 ,she does not know what it is to be unhappy2 nothing so weak and slight as poor humanity affects the shining iceberg of her soul6 ,for it is an iceberg1 ,teresa6 ,the sun shines on it all day1 fierce and hot1 and never moves or melts one glittering particle60 ,he spoke with a concentrated passion of melancholy1 and ,teresa trembled a little4 ,she knew1 as no one else did1 the intense and despairing love that had corroded her brother's life ever since the ,queen had been brought home to the kingdom in all her exquisite maiden beauty1 as bride of the ,heir-,apparent4 ,such love terrified her2 she did not understand it4 ,she knew it was hopeless1--she felt it was disloyal1--and yet--it was love6--and her brother was one of the truest and noblest of gentlemen1 devoted to the ,king's service1 and incapable of a mean or a treacherous act4 ,the position was quite incomprehensible to her1 for she was not thoughtful enough to analyse it1--and she had no experience of the tender passion herself1 to aid her in sympathetically considering its many moods1 sorrows1 and inexplicable martyrdoms of mind-torture4 ,she contented herself now with repeating her former assertion4 8,she is unhappy1--,i am sure she is6 ,you may call her an iceberg1 if you like1 ,roger6--men have such odd names for the women they are unable to understand6 ,but ,i have seen the iceberg shed tears very often lately60 ,he looked at her1 surprised4 8,you have8 ,then we may expect the ,pallas ,athene to weep in marble8 ,well6 ,what did you say1 ,teresa8 ,that her ,majesty commanded my presence1 if the ,king had not returned80 ,teresa nodded assent4 ,she was a little worried--her brother's face looked worn and pale1 and he seemed moved beyond himself4 ,she watched him nervously as he pushed aside the dividing curtain1 and looked into the adjoining room4 ,it was still vacant4 ,the window stood open1 and the line of the sea1 glittering in the moon1 shone far off like a string of jewels1--while the perfume of heliotrope and lilies came floating in deliciously on the cool night-breeze4 ,satisfied that there was as yet no sign of his ,royal master1 he turned back again1--and stooping his tall head1 kissed the charming girl1 whose anxious and timid looks betrayed her inward anxiety4 8,i am ready1 ,teresa60 he said cheerfully2 8,lead the way60 ,she glided quickly on before him1 along an inner passage leading to the ,queen's apartments4 ,arriving at one particular door1 she opened it noiselessly1 and with a warning finger laid on her lips1 went in softly1--,sir ,roger following4 ,the light of rose-shaded waxen tapers which were reflected a dozen times in the silver-framed mirrors that rose up to the ceiling from banks of flowers below1 shed a fairy-like radiance on the figure of the ,queen1 who1 seated at a reading-table1 with one hand buried in the loosened waves of her hair1 seemed absorbed in the close study of a book4 ,a straight white robe of thick creamy satin flowed round her perfect form1--it was slightly open at the throat1 and softened with a drifting snow of lace1 in which one or two great jewels sparkled4 ,as ,sir ,roger approached her with his usual formal salute1--she turned swiftly round with an air of scarcely-concealed impatience4 8,where is the ,king80 she demanded4 ,startled at the sudden peremptory manner of her question1 ,sir ,roger hesitated1--for the moment taken quite aback4 8,did ,i not tell you10 she went on1 in the same imperious tone2 8that ,i made you responsible for his safety8 ,yet--though you were by his side at the time--you could not shield him from attempted assassination6 ,that was left1--to a woman60 ,her breast heaved--her eyes flashed glorious lightning1--she looked altogether transformed4 ,had a thunder-bolt fallen through the painted ceiling at ,sir ,roger's feet1 he could scarcely have been more astounded4 8,madam60 he stammered1--and then as the light of her eyes swept over him1 with a concentration of scorn and passion such as he had never seen in them1 he grew deadly pale4 8,who1 and what is this woman80 she went on2 8,why was it given to her to save the ,king's life1 while you stood by8 ,why was she brought to the ,palace to be attended like some princess1--and then taken away secretly before ,i could see her8 ,lotys is her name--,i know it by heart60 ,like twinkling stars1 the jewels in her lace scintillated with the quick panting of her breath4 8,the ,king is absent10--she continued--8as usual2--but why are you not with him1 also as usual8 ,answer me60 8,madam10 said ,de ,launay1 slowly2 8,for some few days past his ,majesty has absolutely forbidden me to attend him4 ,to carry out your commands ,i should be forced to disobey his60 ,she looked at him in a suppressed passion of enquiry4 8,then--is he alone80 she asked4 8,madam1 ,i regret to say--he is quite alone60 ,she rose1 and paced once up and down the room1 a superb figure of mingled rage and pride1 and humiliation1 all comingled4 ,her eyes lighted on ,teresa1 who had timorously withdrawn to a corner of the apartment where she stood apparently busied in arranging some blossoms that had fallen too far out of the crystal vase in which they were set4 8,teresa1 you can leave us60 she said suddenly2 8,i will speak to ,sir ,roger alone40 ,with a nervous glance at her brother1 who stood mute1 his head slightly bent1 himself immovable as a figure of stone1 ,teresa curtseyed and withdrew4 ,the ,queen stood haughtily erect1--her white robes trailing around her1--her exquisite face transfigured into a far grander beauty than had ever been seen upon it1 by some pent-up emotion which to ,sir ,roger was well-nigh inexplicable4 ,his heart beat thickly2 he could almost hear its heavy pulsations1 and he kept his eyes lowered1 lest she should read too clearly in them the adoration of a lifetime4 8,sir ,roger1 speak plainly10 she said1 8and speak the truth6 ,some little time ago you said it was wrong for me to shut out from my sight1 my heart1 my soul1 the ugly side of ,nature4 ,i have remedied that fault6 ,i am looking at the ugly side of ,nature now1--in myself6 ,the rebellious side--the passionate1 fierce1 betrayed side6 ,i trusted you with the safety of the ,king60 8,madam1 he is safe60 said ,sir ,roger quietly2--8,i can guarantee upon my life that he is with those who will defend him far more thoroughly than ,i could ever do6 ,it is better to have a hundred protectors than one60 8,oh1 ,i know what you would imply60 she answered1 impatiently2 8,i understand1 thus far1 from what he himself has told me4 ,but--there is something else1 something else6 ,something that portends far closer and more intimate danger to him--0 ,she paused1 apparently uncertain how to go on1 and moving back to her chair1 sat down4 8,if you are the man ,i have imagined you to be10 she continued1 in deliberate accents2 8,you perfectly know--you perfectly understand what ,i mean60 ,sir ,roger raised his head and looked her bravely in the eyes4 8,you would imply1 ,madam1 that one1 who like myself has been conscious of a great passion for many years1 should be able to recognise the signs of it in others6 ,your ,majesty is right6 ,once you expressed to me a wonder as to what it was like #8to feel4' ,if that experience has come to you now1 ,i cannot but rejoice1--even while ,i grieve to think that you must endure pain at the discovery4 ,yet it is only from the pierced earth that the flowers can bloom1--and it may be you will have more mercy for others1 when you yourself are wounded60 ,she was silent4 ,he drew a step nearer4 8,you wish me to speak plainly80 he continued in a lower tone4 8,you give me leave to express the lurking thought which is in your own heart80 ,she gave a slight inclination of her head1 and he went on4 8,you assume danger for the ,king1--but not danger from the knife of the assassin--or from the schemes of revolutionists6 ,you judge him--as ,i do--to be in the grasp of the greatest ,force which exists in the universe6 ,the force against which there is1 and can be no opposition6--a force1 which if it once binds even a king--makes of him a life-prisoner1 and turns mere #8temporal power' to nothingness2 upsetting thrones1 destroying kingdoms1 and beating down the very ,church itself in the way of its desires--and that force is--,love60 ,she started violently1--then controlled herself4 8,you waste your eloquence60 she said coldly2 8,what you speak of1 ,i do not understand4 ,i do not believe in ,love60 8,or jealousy80 ,the words sprang from his lips almost unconsciously1 and like a magnificent animal who has been suddenly stung1 she sprang upright4 8,how dare you60 she said in low1 vibrating accents--8,how dare you60 ,sir ,roger's breath came quick and fast1--but he was a strong man with a strong will1 and he maintained his attitude of quiet resolution4 8,madam6--,my ,queen6--forgive me60 he said2 8,but as your humblest friend--your faithful servant6--let me have my say with you now--and then--if you will--condemn me to perpetual silence6 ,you despise ,love1 you say6 ,yes--because you have only seen its poor imitations6 ,the ,king's light gallantries1--his sins of body1 which in many cases are not sins of mind1 have disgusted you with its very name6 ,the ,king has loved--or can love--so you think1--many1 or any1 women6 ,ah6 ,no--no6 ,pardon me1 dearest ,majesty6 ,a man's desire may lead him through devious ways both vile and vicious1--but a man's love leads only one way to one woman6 ,believe it6 ,for even so1 ,i have loved one woman these many years6--and even so--,i greatly fear--the ,king loves one woman now60 ,rigid as a figure of marble1 she looked at him4 ,he met her eyes calmly4 8,your ,majesty asked me for the truth20 he said2 8,i have spoken it60 ,her lips parted in a cold1 strained little smile4 8,and--you--think10 she said slowly2 8that ,i--,i am what you call #8jealous' of this #8one woman'8 ,had jealousy been in my nature1 it would have been provoked sufficiently often since my marriage60 8,madam10 responded ,sir ,roger humbly2 8,if ,i may dare to say so to your ,majesty1 it is not possible to a noble woman to be jealous of a man's mere humours of desire6 ,but of ,love--,love1 the crown1 the glory and supremacy of life1--who1 with a human heart and human blood1 would not be jealous8 ,who would not give kingdoms1 thrones1 ay1 ,heaven itself1 if it were not in itself ,heaven1 for its rapturous oblivion of sorrow1 and its full measure of joy60 ,a dead silence fell between them1 only disturbed by a small silver chime in the distance1 striking midnight4 ,the ,queen again seated herself1 and drew her book towards her4 ,then raising her lovely unfathomable eyes1 she looked at the tall stately figure of the man before her with a slight touch of pity and pathos4 8,possibly you may be right10 she said slowly1 8,possibly wrong6 ,but ,i do not doubt that you yourself personally #8feel' all that you express1--and--that you are faithful60 ,here she extended her hand4 ,sir ,roger bowed low over it1 and kissed its delicate smoothness with careful coldness4 ,as she withdrew it again1 she said in a low dreamy1 half questioning tone3 8,the woman's name is ,lotys80 ,silently ,sir ,roger bent his head in assent4 8,a man's love leads only one way--to one woman6 ,and in this particular case that woman is--,lotys60 she said1 with a little musing scorn1 as of herself1--8,strange60 ,she laid her hand on the bell which at a touch would summon back her lady-in-waiting4 8,you have served me well1 ,sir ,roger1 albeit somewhat roughly----0 ,he gave a low exclamation of regret4 8,roughly1 ,madam80 ,a smile1 sudden and sweet1 which transfigured her usually passionless features into an almost angelic loveliness1 lit up her mouth and eyes4 8,yes--roughly6 ,but no matter6 ,i pardon you freely6 ,good-night60 8,good-night to your ,majesty60 ,and as he stepped backward from her presence1 she rang for ,teresa1 who at once entered4 8,our excommunication from the ,church sits lightly upon us1 ,sir ,roger1 does it not80 said the ,queen then1 almost playfully2 8,you must know that we say our prayers as of old1 and we still believe ,god hears us60 8,surely1 ,madam10 he replied1 8,god must hear all prayers when they are pure and honest60 8,truly1 ,i think so10 she responded1 laying one hand tenderly on ,teresa's hair1 as the girl caressingly knelt beside her4 8,and--so1 despite lack of priestcraft1--we shall continue to pray1--in these uncertain and dangerous times1--that all may be well for the country1--the people1 and--the ,king6 ,good-night60 ,again ,sir ,roger bowed1 and this time altogether withdrew4 ,he was strung up to a pitch of intense excitement2 the brief interview had been a most trying one for him1--though there was a warm glow at his heart1 assuring him that he had done well4 ,his suspicion that the ,king had admired1 and had sought out ,lotys since the day she saved him from assassination1 had a very strong foundation in fact2--much stronger indeed than was at present requisite to admit or to declare4 ,but the whole matter was a source of the greatest anxiety to ,de ,launay1 who1 in his strong love for his ,royal master1 found it often difficult to conceal his apprehension1--and who was in a large measure relieved to feel that the ,queen had guessed something of it1 and shared in his sentiments4 ,he now re-entered his room1 and on doing so at once perceived that the ,king had returned4 ,but his ,majesty was busy writing1 and did not raise his head from his papers1 even when ,sir ,roger noiselessly entered and laid some letters on the table4 ,his complete abstraction in his work was a sign that he did not wish to be disturbed or spoken to2--and ,sir ,roger1 taking the hint1 retired again in silence4 ,,chapter ,,xxvii ,,the ,,song ,,of ,,freedom ,revolution6 ,the flame-winged ,fury that swoops down on a people like a sudden visitation of ,god1 with the movement of a storm1 and the devastation of a plague in one6 ,who shall say how1 or where1 the seed is sown that springs so swiftly to such thick harvest6 ,who can trace its beginnings--and who can predict its end6 ,tragic and terrible as its work has always seemed to the miserable and muddle-headed human units1 whose faults and follies1 whose dissoluteness and neglect of the highest interests of the people1 are chiefly to blame for the birth of this ,monster1 it is nevertheless ,divine ,law1 that1 when any part of ,god's ,universe-,house is deliberately made foul by the dwellers in it1 then must it be cleansed1--and ,revolution is the burning of the rubbish1--the huge bonfire in which old abuses blazon their destruction to an amazed and terror-stricken world4 ,yet there have been moments1 or periods1 in history1 when the threatening conflagration could have been stayed and turned back from its course1--when the useless shedding of blood might have been foregone--when the fierce passions of the people might have been soothed and pacified1 and when ,justice might have been nobly done and catastrophe averted1 if there had been but one brave man1--one only6--and that man a ,king6 ,but in nearly all the convulsive throes of nations1 kings have proved themselves the weakest1 tamest1 most cowardly and ineffectual of all the heads of the time--ready and willing enough to sacrifice the lives of thousands of brave and devoted men to their own cause1 but never prepared to sacrifice themselves4 ,hence the cause of the triumph of ,democracy over effete ,autocracy4 ,kings may not be more than men1--but1 certes1 they should never be less4 ,they should not practise vices of which the very day-labourer whom they employ1 would be ashamed2 nor should they flaunt their love of sensuality and intrigue in the faces of their subjects as a #8,royal example' and distinctive #8lead' to vulgar licentiousness4 ,the loftier the position1 the greater the responsibility2--and a monarch who voluntarily lowers the social standard in his realm has lost more adherents than could possibly be slain in his defence on the field of honour4 ,the ,king who plays his part as the hero of this narrative1 was now fully aware in his own mind and conscience of the thousands of opportunities he had missed and wasted on his way to the ,throne when ,heir-,apparent4 ,since the day of his #8real coronation1' when as he had expressed it to his thoughts1 he had #8crowned himself with his own resolve1' he had studied men1 manners1 persons and events1 to deep and serious purpose4 ,he had learned much1 and discovered more4 ,he had been1 in a moral sense1 conquered by his son1 ,prince ,humphry1 who had proved a match for him in his determined and honourable marriage for love1 and love only1--though born heir to all the conventions and hypocrisies of a ,throne4 ,he1--in his day1--had lacked the courage and truth that this boy had shown4 ,and now1 by certain means known best to himself1 he had fathomed an intricate network of deception and infamy among the governing heads of the ,state4 ,he had convinced himself in many ways of the unblushing dishonesty and fraudulent self-service of ,carl ,prousse4 ,and--yet--with all this information stored carefully up in his brain he1 to all appearances1 took no advantage of it1 and did nothing remarkable1--save the one act which had been so much talked about--the refusal of land in his possession to the ,jesuits for a #8religious' 7and political7 settlement4 ,this independent course of procedure had resulted in his excommunication from the ,church4 ,of his #8veto' against an intended war1 scarcely anything was known4 ,only the ,government were aware of the part he had taken in that matter1--the ,government and--the ,money-market6 ,but the time was now ripe for further movement2 and in the deep and almost passionate interest he had recently learned to take in the affairs of the actual ,people1 he was in no humour for hesitation4 ,he had mapped out in his brain a certain plan of action1 and he was determined to go through with it4 ,the more so1 as now a new and close interest had incorporated itself with his life1--an emotion so deep and tender and overwhelming1 that he scarcely dared to own it to himself1--scarcely ventured to believe that he1 deprived of true love so long1 should now be truly loved for himself1 at last6 ,but on this he seldom allowed his mind to dwell1--except when quite alone1--in the deep silences of night2--when he gave his soul up to the secret sweetness which had begun to purify and ennoble his innermost nature1--when he saw visioned before him a face1--warm with the passion of a love so grand and unselfish that it drew near to a likeness of the ,divine2--a love that asked nothing1 and gave everything1 with the beneficent glory of the sunlight bestowing splendour on the earth4 ,his lonely moments1 which were few1 were all the time he devoted to this brooding luxury of meditation1 and though his heart beat like a boy's1 and his eyes grew dim with tenderness1 as in fancy he dreamed of joy that might be1 and that yet still more surely might never be his1--his determined mind1 braced and bent to action1 never faltered for a second in the new conceptions he had formed of his duty to his people1 who1 as he now considered1 had been too long and too cruelly deceived4 ,hence1 something like an earthquake shock sent its tremor through the country1 when two things were suddenly announced without warning1 as the apparent results of the various ,cabinet ,councils held latterly so often1 and in such haste4 ,the first was1 that not only had his ,majesty accepted the resignation of the ,marquis de ,lutera as ,premier1 but that he had decided--provided the selection was entirely agreeable to the ,government--to ask ,m4 ,carl ,prousse to form a ,ministry in his place4 ,the second piece of intelligence1 and one that was received with much more favour than the first1 by all classes and conditions of persons1 was that the ,government had issued a decree for the complete expulsion of the ,jesuits from the country4 ,by a certain named date1 and within a month1 every ,jesuit must have left the ,king's dominions1 or else must take the risk of a year's imprisonment followed by compulsory banishment4 ,much uproar and discussion did this mandate excite among the clerical parties of ,europe1--much indignation did it breed within that ,holy of ,holies situate at the ,vatican1--which1 having launched forth the ban of excommunication1 had no further thunderbolts left to throw at the head of the recreant and abandoned ,royalty whose #8temporal power' so insolently superseded the spiritual4 ,but the country breathed freely2 relieved from a dangerous and mischievous incubus4 ,the educational authorities gave fervent thanks to ,heaven for sparing them from long dreaded interference2--and when it was known that the excommunicated ,king was the chief mover in this firm and liberating act1 a silent wave of passionate gratitude and approval ran through the multitudes of the people1 who would almost have assembled under the ,palace walls and offered a grand demonstration to their monarch1 who had so boldly carried the war into the enemy's country and won the victory1 had they not been held back and checked from their purpose by the counter-feeling of their disgust at his ,majesty's apparently forthcoming choice of ,carl ,prousse as ,prime ,minister4 ,swayed this way and that1 the people were divided more absolutely than before into those two sections which always become very dangerous when strongly marked out as distinctly separated1--the ,classes and the ,masses4 ,the comfortable wedge of ,trade1 which1--calling itself the ,middle-class1--had up to the present kept things firm1 now split asunder likewise1--the wealthy plutocrats clinging willy-nilly to the ,classes1 to whom they did not legitimately belong2 and the men of moderate income throwing in their lot with the ,masses1 whose wrongs they sympathetically felt somewhat resembled their own4 ,for taxation had ground them down to that particularly fine powder1 which when applied to the rocks of convention and usage1 proves to be of a somewhat blasting quality4 ,they had paid as much on their earnings and their goods as they could or would pay2--more indeed than they had any reasonable right to pay1--and being sick of ,government mismanagement1 and also of what they still regarded as the ,king's indifference to their needs1 they were prepared to make a dash for liberty4 ,the expulsion of the ,jesuits they naturally looked upon as a suitable retaliation on ,rome for the excommunication of the ,royal ,family2 but beyond the intense relief it gave to all1 it could not be considered as affecting or materially altering the political situation4 ,so1 like the dividing waves of the ,red ,sea1 which rolled up on either side to permit the passage of ,moses and his followers--the ,classes and the ,masses piled themselves up in opposite billowy sections to allow ,sergius ,thord and the ,revolutionary party to pass triumphantly through their midst1 adding thousands of adherents to their forces from both sides2--while they were prepared to let the full weight of the billows engulf the ,king1 if1 like ,pharaoh and his chariots1 he assumed too much1 or proceeded too far4 ,professor von ,glauben1 seated in his own sanctum1 and engaged in the continuance of his 8,political ,history of ,hunger10 found many points in the immediate situation which considerably interested him and moved him to philosophical meditation4 8,for1--take the feeling of the ,people as it now is10 he said to himself2 8,it starts in ,hunger6 ,the taxes1--the uncomfortable visit of the tax-gatherer6 ,the price of the loaf1--concerning which the baker1 or the baker-ess1 politely tells the customer that it is costly1 because of the ,government tax on corn2 then from the bread1 it is marvellous how the little clue winds upward through the spider-webs of ,trade4 ,the butcher's meat is dearer1--for says he--#8,the tax on corn makes it necessary for me to increase the price of meat4' ,there is no logical reason given1--the fact simply is6 ,so that ,hunger commences the warfare1--,hunger of ,soul1 as well as ,hunger of body4 #8,why starve my thought8' says ,soul4 #8,why tax my bread8' says ,body4 ,these tiresome questions continue to be asked1 and never answered1--but answers are clamoured for1 and the people complain--and then one fierce day the gods hear them grumble1 and begin to grumble back6 ,ach6 ,then it is thunder with a vengeance6 ,now in my own so-beloved ,fatherland1 there has been this double grumbling for a long time4 ,and that the storm will burst1 in spite of the so-excellently-advertising ,kaiser is evident6 ,hoch6--or ,ach8 ,which should it be to salute the ,kaiser6 ,i know not at all1--but ,i admit it is clever of him to put up a special ,hoarding-announcement for the private view of the ,almighty ,god1 each time he addresses his troops6 ,and he will come in for a chapter of my history--for he also is ,hungry6--he would fain eat a little of the loaf of ,britain6--yes6--he will fit into my work very well for the instruction of the helpless unborn generations60 ,he wrote on for a while1 and then laid down his pen4 ,his eyes grew dreamy1 and his rough features softened4 8,what has become of the child1 ,i wonder60 he mused2 8,where has she gone1 the #8,glory-of-the-,sea'6 ,i would give all ,i have to look upon her beautiful face again2--and ,ronsard--he1 poor soul--silent as a stone1 weakening day after day in the grasp of relentless age1--would die happy1--if ,i would let him6 ,but ,i do not intend to give him that satisfaction4 ,he shall live6 ,as ,i often tell him1 my science is of no avail if ,i cannot keep a man going1 till at least a hundred and odd years are past4 ,barring accidents1 or self-slaughter1 of course60 ,here he became somewhat abstracted in his meditations4 8,the old fellow is brave enough1--brave as a lion1 and strong too for his years2--,i have seen him handle a pair of oars and take down a sail as ,i could never do it1--and--he has accepted a strange and difficult situation heroically4 #8,you must not be involved in any trouble by a knowledge of our movements4' ,so ,prince ,humphry said1 when ,i saw him last1--though ,i did not then understand the real drift of his meaning4 ,and time goes on--and time seems wearisome without any tidings of those we love60 ,a tap at the door disturbed his mental soliloquy1 and in answer to his #8,come in1' ,sir ,roger de ,launay entered4 8,sorry to interrupt work1 ,professor60 he said briefly2 8,the ,king goes to the ,opera this evening1 and desires you to be of the party40 8,good6 ,i shall obey with more pleasure than ,i have obeyed some of his ,majesty's recent instructions60 ,and the ,professor pushed aside his manuscript to look through his spectacled eyes at the tall equerry's handsome face and figure4 8,you have a healthy appearance1 ,roger6 ,your complexion speaks of an admirable digestion60 ,de ,launay smiled4 8,you think so8 ,well6 ,your professional approval is worth having60 ,he paused1 then went on2 8,the party will be a pleasant one to-night4 ,the ,king is in high spirits40 8,ah60 ,and ,von ,glauben's monosyllable spoke volumes4 8,perhaps he ought not to be80 suggested ,sir ,roger with a slight touch of anxiety4 8,i do not know--,i cannot tell6 ,this is the way of it1 ,roger--see60 ,and taking off his spectacles1 he polished them with due solemnity4 8,if ,i were a ,king1 and ruled over a country swarming with dissatisfied subjects1--if ,i had a fox for a ,premier1--and was in love with a woman who could not possibly be my wife1--,i should not be in high spirits60 8,nor ,i60 said ,de ,launay curtly4 8,but the fox is not ,premier yet4 ,do you think he ever will be80 ,von ,glauben shrugged his shoulders4 8,he is bound to be1 ,i presume4 ,what else remains to do8 ,upset everything8 ,government1 deputies and all80 8,just that60 responded ,sir ,roger4 8,the ,people will do it1 if the ,king does not40 8,the ,king will do anything he is asked to do--now--0 said the ,professor significantly2 8,if the right person asks him60 8,you forget--she does not know--0 ,here checking himself abruptly1 ,sir ,roger walked to the window and looked out4 ,it was a fair and peaceful afternoon1--the ocean heaved placidly1 covered with innumerable wavelets1 over which the seabirds flew and darted1 their wings shining like silver and diamonds as they dipped and circled up and down and round the edges of the rocky coast4 ,far off1 a faint rim of amethyst under a slowly sailing white cloud could be recognized as the first line of the shore of ,the ,islands4 8,do you ever go and see the beautiful #8,gloria' girl now80 asked ,sir ,roger suddenly4 8,the ,king has never mentioned her since the day we saw her4 ,and you have never explained the mystery of your acquaintance with her1--nor whether it is true that ,prince ,humphry was specially attracted by her4 ,i shrewdly suspect----0 8,what80 8,that he has been sent off1 out of harm's way60 8,you are right10 said the ,professor gravely2 8,that is exactly the position6 ,he has been sent off out of harm's way60 8,i heard10 went on ,de ,launay1 8that the girl--or some girl of remarkable beauty had been seen here--actually here in the ,palace--before the ,prince left6 ,and such an odd way he left1 too--scuttling off in his own yacht without--so far as ,i have ever heard--any farewells1 or preparation1 or suitable companions to go with him4 ,still one hears such extraordinary stories----0 8,true6--one does60 agreed the ,professor2 8,and after proper experience1 one hears without listening60 ,de ,launay looked at him curiously4 8,the girl was certainly beautiful10 he proceeded meditatively2 8,and her adopted father1--,rn ,ronsard1--was not that his name8--was a quaint old fellow4 ,a republican1 too6--fiery as a new ,danton6 ,well6 ,the ,king's curiosity is apparently satisfied on that score1--but0--here he began to laugh--8,i shall never forget your face1 ,von ,glauben1 when he caught you on ,the ,islands that day6--never6 ,like an overgrown boy1 discovered with his fingers in a jam-pot60 8,thank you60 said the ,professor imperturbably2 8,i can assure you that the jam was excellent--and that ,i still remember its flavour60 ,sir ,roger laughed again1 but with great good-humour1--then he became suddenly serious4 8,the ,king goes out alone very often now80 he said4 8,very often10 assented the ,professor4 8,are we right in allowing him to do so80 8,allowing him6 ,who is to forbid him80 8,is he safe1 do you think80 8,safer1 it would seem1 my friend1 than when laying a foundation-stone1 with ourselves and all his suite around him60 responded the ,professor4 8,besides1 it is too late now to count the possible risks of the adventure he has entered upon4 ,he knows the position1 and estimates the cost at its correct value4 ,he has made himself the ruler of his own destiny2 we are only his servants4 ,personally1 ,i have no fear1--save of one fatality40 8,and that80 8,is what kills many strong men off in their middle-age10 said ,von ,glauben2 8,a disease for which there is no possible cure at that special time of life1--,love6 ,the love of boys is like a taste for green gooseberries1--it soon passes1 leaving a disordered stomach and a general disrelish for acid fruit ever afterwards2--the love of the man-about-town between the twenties and thirties is the love of self2--but the love of a ,man1 after the ,self-and-,clothes ,period has passed1 is the love of the full-grown human creature clamouring for its mate1--its mate in ,soul even more than in ,body4 ,there is no gainsaying it--no checking it--no pacifying it2 it is a most disastrous business1 provocative of all manner of evils1--and to a king who has always been accustomed to have his own way1 it means ,victory or ,death60 ,sir ,roger gazed at him perplexedly1--his tone was so solemn and full of earnest meaning4 8,you1 for example10 continued the ,professor dictatorially1 fixing his keen piercing eyes full upon him2 8,you are a curious subject1--a very curious subject6 ,you live on a ,dream2 it is a good life--an excellent life6 ,it has the advantage1 your ,dream1 of never becoming a reality1--therefore you will always love1--and while you always love1 you will always keep young4 ,your lot is an exceedingly enviable one1 my friend6 ,you need not frown1--,i am old enough--and let us hope wise enough--to guess your secret--to admire it from a purely philosophic point of view--and to respect it60 ,sir ,roger held his peace4 8,but10 continued the ,professor1 8,his ,majesty is not the manner of man who would consent to subsist1 like you1 on an idle phantasy4 ,if he loves--he must possess2 it is the regal way60 8,he will never succeed in the direction you mean60 said ,sir ,roger emphatically4 8,never60 agreed ,von ,glauben with a profound shake of his head2 8,strange as it may seem1 his case is quite as hopeless as yours60 ,the door opened and closed abruptly1--and there followed silence4 ,von ,glauben looked up to find himself alone4 ,he smiled tolerantly4 8,poor ,roger60 he murmured2 8,he lives the life of a martyr by choice6 ,some men do--and like it6 ,they need not do it2--there is not the least necessity in the world for their deliberately sticking a knife into their hearts and walking about with it in a kind of idiot rapture4 ,it must hurt2--but they seem to enjoy it6 ,just as some women become nuns1 and flagellate themselves1--and then when they are writhing from their own self-inflicted stripes1 they dream they are the #8brides of ,christ1' entirely forgetting the extremely irreligious fact that to have so many #8brides' the good ,christ ,himself might possibly be troubled1 and would surely occupy an inconvenient position1 even in ,heaven6 ,each man1--each woman1--makes for himself or herself a little groove or pet sorrow1 in which to trot round and round and bemoan life2 the secret of the whole bemoaning being that he or she cannot have precisely the thing he or she wants4 ,that is all6 ,such a trifle6 ,church1 ,state1 ,prayer and ,power--it can all be summed up in one line--#8,i have not the thing ,i want--give it to me6'0 ,he resumed his writing1 and did not interrupt it again till it was time to join the ,royal party at the ,opera4 ,that evening was one destined to be long remembered in the annals of the kingdom4 ,the beautiful ,opera-house1 a marvel of art and architecture1 was brilliantly full2 all the fairest women and most distinguished men occupying the boxes and stalls1 while round and round1 in a seemingly never-ending galaxy of faces1 and crowded in the tiers of balconies above1 a mixed audience had gathered1 made up of various sections of the populace which filled the space well up to the furthest galleries4 ,the attraction that had drawn so large an audience together was not contained in the magnetic personality of either the ,king or ,queen1 for those exalted individuals had only announced their intention of being present just two hours before the curtain rose4 ,moreover1 when their ,majesties entered the ,royal box1 accompanied by their two younger sons1 ,rupert and ,cyprian1 and attended by their personal suite1 their appearance created very little sensation4 ,the fact that it was the first time the ,king had showed himself openly in public since his excommunication from the ,church1 caused perhaps a couple of hundred persons to raise their eyes inquisitively towards him in a kind of half-morbid1 half-languid curiosity1 but in these days the sentiment of ,self is so strong1 that it is only a minority of more thoughtful individuals that ever trouble themselves seriously to consider the annoyances or griefs which their fellow-mortals have to endure1 often alone and undefended4 ,the interest of the public on this particular occasion was centred in the new ,opera1 which had only been given three times before1 and in which the little dancer1 ,pequita1 played the part of a child-heroine4 ,the libretto was the work of ,paul ,zouche1 and the music by one of the greatest violinists in the world1 ,louis ,valdor4 ,the plot was slight enough2--yet1 described in exquisite verse1 and scattered throughout with the daintiest songs and dances1 it merited a considerably higher place in musical records than such works as ,meyerbeer's 8,dinorah10 or ,verdi's 8,rigoletto40 ,the thread on which the pearls of poesy and harmony were strung1 was the story of a wandering fiddler1 who1 accompanied by his only child 7the part played by ,pequita71 travels from city to city earning a scant livelihood by his own playing and his daughter's dancing4 ,chance or fate leads them to throw in their fortunes with a band of enthusiastic adventurers1 who1 headed by a young hare-brained patriot1 elected as their leader1 have determined to storm the ,vatican1 and demand the person of the ,pope1 that they may convey him to ,america1 there to convene an assemblage of all true ,christians 7or #8,new ,christians'71 and found a new and more ,christ-like ,church4 ,their expedition fails1--as naturally so wild a scheme would be bound to do1--but though they cannot succeed in capturing the ,pope1 they secure a large following of the ,italian populace1 who join with them in singing 8,the ,song of ,freedom10 which1 with ,paul ,zouche's words1 and ,valdor's music was the great chef d'oevre of the ,opera1 rousing the listeners to a pitch of something like frenzy4 ,in this1--the last great scene1--,pequita1 dancing the #8,dagger ,dance1' is supposed to infect the people with that fervour which moves them to sing 8,the ,freedom ,chorus10 and the curtain comes down upon a brilliant stage1 crowded with enthusiasts and patriots1 ready to fight and die for the glory of their country4 ,a love-interest is given to the piece by the passion of the wandering fiddler-hero for a girl whose wealth places her above his reach2 and who in the end sacrifices all worldly advantage that she may share his uncertain fortunes for love's sake only4 ,such was the story1--which1 wedded to wild and passionate music1 had taken the public by storm on its first representation1 not only on account of its own merit1 but because it gave their new favourite1 ,pequita1 many opportunities for showing off her exquisite grace as a dancer4 ,she1 while preparing for the stage on this special night1 had been told that her wish was about to be granted--that she would now1 at last1 really dance before the ,king2--and her heart beat high1 and the rich colour reddened in her soft childish face1 as she donned her scarlet skirts with more than her usual care1 and knotted back her raven curls with a great glowing damask rose1 such as ,spanish beauties fasten behind tiny shell-like ears to emphasise the perfection of their contour4 ,her thoughts flew to her kindest friend1 ,pasquin ,leroy2--she remembered the starry diamond in the ring he had wished to give her1 and how he had said1 #8,pequita1 the first time you dance before the ,king1 this shall be yours6' ,where was he now1 she wondered8 ,she would have given anything to know his place of abode1 just to send him word that the ,king was to be at the ,opera that night1 and ask him too1 to come and see her in her triumph6 ,but she had no time to study ways and means for sending a message to him1 either through ,sholto1 her father1 who always waited patiently for her behind the scenes1--or through ,paul ,zouche1 who1 though as librettist of the opera1 and as a poet of new and rising fame1 was treated by everyone with the greatest deference1 still made a special point of appearing in the shabbiest clothes1 and lounging near the side-wings like a sort of disgraced tramp all the time the performance was in progress4 ,neither of them knew ,leroy's address2--they only met him or saw him1 when he himself chose to come among them4 ,besides1--the sound of the ,national ,hymn played by the orchestra1 warned her that the ,king had arrived2 and that she must hold herself in readiness for her part and think of nothing else4 ,the blaze of light in the ,opera-house seemed more dazzling than usual to the child1 when her cue was called1--and as she sprang from the wings and bounded towards the footlights1 amid the loud roar of applause which she was now accustomed to receive nightly1 she raised her eyes towards the ,royal box1 half-frightened1 half-expectant4 ,her heart sank as she saw that the ,king had partially turned away from the stage1 and was chatting carelessly with some person or persons behind him1 and that only a statuesque woman with a pale face1 great eyes1 and a crown of diamonds1 regarded her steadily with a high-bred air of chill indifference1 which was sufficient to turn the little warm beating heart of her into stone4 ,a handsome youth stared down upon her smiling1--his eyes sleepily amorous1--it was the elder of the ,king's two younger sons1 ,prince ,rupert4 ,she hated his expression1 beautiful though his features were1--and hated herself for having to dance before him4 ,poor little ,pequita6 ,it was her first experience of the insult a girl-child can be made to feel through the look of a budding young profligate4 ,on and on she danced1 giddily whirling2--the thoughts in her brain circling as rapidly as her movements4 ,why would not the ,king look at her1--she thought8 ,why was he so indifferent1 even when his subjects sought most to please him8 ,at the end of the second act of the ,opera a great fatigue and lassitude overcame her1 and a look of black resentment clouded her pretty face4 8,what ails you80 said ,zouche1 sauntering up to her as she stood behind the wings2 8,you look like a small thunder-cloud60 ,she gave an unmistakable gesture in the direction of that quarter of the theatre where the ,royal box was situated4 8,i hate him60 she said1 with a stamp of her little foot4 8,the ,king8 ,so do ,i60 ,and ,zouche lit a cigarette and stuck it between his lips by way of a stop-gap to a threatening violent expletive2 8,an insolent1 pampered1 flattered fool6 ,yet you wanted to dance before him2 and now you've done it6 ,the fact will serve you as a kind of advertisement6 ,that is all60 8,i do not want to be advertised through his favour60 ,and ,pequita closed her tiny teeth on her scarlet under-lip in suppressed anger2 8,but ,i have not danced before him yet6 ,i will60 ,zouche looked at her sleepily4 ,he was not drunk--though he had1--of course1--been drinking4 8,you have not danced before him8 ,then what have you been doing80 8,walking60 answered ,pequita1 with a fierce little laugh1 her colour coming and going with all the quick wavering hue of irritated and irritable ,spanish blood1 8,i have1 as they say #8walked across the stage4' ,i shall dance presently60 ,he smiled1 flicking a little ash off his cigarette4 8,you are a curious child60 he said2 8,by and by you will want severely keeping in order60 ,pequita laughed again1 and shook back her long curls defiantly4 8,who is that cold woman with a face like a mask and the crown of diamonds1 that sits beside the ,king80 ,it was ,zouche's turn to laugh now1 and he did so with a keen sense of enjoyment4 8,upon my word60 he exclaimed2 8,a little experience of the world has given you what newspaper men call #8local colour4' ,the #8cold woman with the face like a mask1' is the ,queen60 ,pequita made a little grimace of scorn4 8,and who is the leering boy80 8,prince ,rupert40 8,the ,crown ,prince80 8,no4 ,the ,crown ,prince is travelling abroad4 ,he went away very mysteriously1--no one knows where he has gone1 or when he will come back40 8,i am not surprised60 said ,pequita2 8,with such a father and mother1 and such impudent-looking brothers1 no wonder he wanted to get away60 ,zouche had another fit of laughter4 ,he had never seen the little girl in such a temper4 ,he tried to assume gravity4 8,pequita1 you are naughty6 ,the flatteries of the great world are spoiling you60 8,bah60 said ,pequita1 with a contemptuous wave of her small brown hands4 8,the flatteries of the great world6 ,to what do they lead8 ,to that60 and she made another eloquent sign towards the ,royal box2--8,i would rather dance for you and ,lotys1 and ,sergius ,thord1 and ,pasquin ,leroy1 than all the ,kings of the world together6 ,what ,i do here is for my father's sake--you know that60 8,i know60 and ,zouche smoked on1 and shook his wild head sentimentally1--murmuring in a sotto-voce3 8,what ,i do here1 is for the need of gold1-- ,what ,i do there1 is for sweet love's sake only2 ,love1 ever timid there1 doth here grow bold1-- ,and wins such triumph as but leaves me lonely60 8,is that yours80 said ,pequita with a sudden smile4 8,mine1 or ,shakespeare's10 answered ,zouche indolently2 8,does it matter which80 ,pequita laughed1 and her cue being just then called1 again she bounded on to the stage2 but this time she played her part1 as the stock phrase goes1 #8to the gallery1' and did not once turn her eyes towards the place where the ,king sat withdrawn into the shadow of his box1 giving no sign of applause4 ,she1 however1 had caught sight of ,sergius ,thord and some of her ,revolutionary friends seated #8among the gods1' and that was enough inspiration for her4 ,something1--a quite indefinable something1--a touch of personal or spiritual magnetism1 had been fired in her young soul2 and gradually as the ,opera went on1 her fellow-players became infected by it4 ,some of them gave her odd1 half-laughing glances now and then1--being more or less amazed at the unusual vigour with which she sang1 in her pure childish soprano1 the few strophes of recitative and light song attached to her part2--the very prima-donna herself caught fire1--and the distinguished tenor1 who had travelled all the way from ,buda ,pesth in haste1 so that he might #8create' the chief rle in the work of his friend ,valdor1 began to feel that there was something more in operatic singing than the mere inflation of the chest1 and the careful production of perfectly-rounded notes4 ,valdor himself played the various violin solos which occurred frequently throughout the piece1 and never failed to evoke a storm of rapturous plaudits1--and many were the half-indignant glances of the audience towards the ,royal shrine of draped satin1 gilding1 and electric light1 wherein the ,king1 like an idol1 sat1--undemonstrative1 and apparently more bored than satisfied4 ,there was a general feeling that he ought to have shown1--by his personal applause in public1--a proper appreciation of the many gifted artists playing that evening1 especially in the case of ,louis ,valdor1 the composer of the ,opera itself4 ,but he sat inert1 only occasionally glancing at the stage1 and anon carelessly turning away from it to converse with the members of his suite4 ,the piece went on2--and more and more the passion of ,pequita's pent-up little soul communicated itself to the other performers1--till they found themselves almost unconsciously obeying her #8lead4' ,at last came the grand final act1--where1 in accordance with the progress of the story1 the bold band of #8,new ,christians' are fought back from the gates of the ,vatican by the ,papal ,guard2 and the ,roman populace1 roused to enthusiasm1 gather round their defeated ranks to defend and to aid them with sympathy and support in their combat1--breaking forth all together at last in the triumphant #8,song of ,freedom4' ,truly grand and majestic was this same song1--pulsating with truth and passion1--breathing with the very essence of liberty1--an echo of the heart and soul of strong nations who struggle1 even unto death1 for the lawful rights of humanity denied to them by the tyrants in place and power4 ,as the superb roll and swell of the glorious music poured through the crowded house1 there was an almost unconscious movement among the audience1--the people in the gallery rose en masse1 and at the close of the first verse1 responded to it by a mighty cheer1 which reverberated through and through the immense building like thunder4 ,the occupants of the stalls and boxes exchanged wondering and half-frightened looks1--then as the cheer subsided1 settled themselves again to listen1 more or less spell-bound1 as the second verse began4 ,just before this had merged into its accompanying splendid and soul-awakening chorus1--,pequita1--having obtained the consent of the manager to execute her #8,dagger ,dance' in the middle of the song1 instead of at the end1--suddenly sprang towards the footlights in a pirouette of extravagant and exquisite velocity--while1--checked by a sign from the conductor1 the singers ceased4 ,without music1 in an absolute stillness as of death1 the girl swung herself to and fro1 like a bell-flower in the breeze1--anon she sprang and leaped like a scarlet flame--and again sank into a slow and voluptuous motion1 as of a fairy who dreamingly glides on tiptoe over a field of flowers4 ,then1 on a sudden1 while the fascinated spectators watched her breathlessly1--she seemed to wake from sleep1--and running forward wildly1 began to toss and whirl her scarlet skirts1 her black curls streaming1 her dark eyes flashing with mingled defiance and scorn1 while drawing from her breast an unsheathed dagger1 she flung it in the air1 caught it dexterously by the hilt again1 twisted and turned it in every possible way1--now beckoning1 now repelling1 now defending1--and lastly threatening1 with a passionate intensity of action that was well-nigh irresistible4 ,caught by the marvellous subtlety of her performance1 quite one half the audience now rose instinctively1 all eyes being fixed on the strange evolutions of this whirling1 flying thing that seemed possessed by the very devil of dancing6 ,the ,king at last attracted1 leaned slightly forward from his box with a tolerant smile1--the ,queen's face was as usual1 immovable1--the ,princes ,rupert and ,cyprian stared1 open-mouthed--while over the whole brilliant scene that remarkable silence brooded1 like the sultry pause before the breaking of a storm4 ,triumphant1 reckless1 panting1--scarcely knowing what she did in her excitement1--,pequita1 suddenly running backward1 with the lightness of thistle-down flying before the wind1 snatched the flag of the country from a super standing by1 and dancing forward again1 waved it aloft1 till with a final abandonment of herself to the humour of the moment1 she sprang with a single bound towards the ,royal box1 and there--the youthful incarnation of living1 breathing passion1 fury1 patriotism1 and exultation in one1--dropped on one knee1 the flag waving behind her1 the dagger pointed straight upward1 full at the ,king6 ,a great roar1--like that of hundreds of famished wild beasts1--answered this gesture2 mingled with acclamations1--and when #8,the ,song of ,freedom' again burst out from the singers on the stage1 the whole mass of people joined in the chorus with a kind of melodious madness4 ,shouts of #8,pequita6 ,pequita6' rang out on all sides1--then #8,valdor6 ,valdor6'--and then1--all suddenly1--a stentorian voice cried #8,sergius ,thord6' ,at that word the house became a chaos4 ,men in the gallery1 seized by some extraordinary impulse of doing they knew not what1 and going they knew not whither1 leaped over each other's shoulders1 and began to climb down by the pillars of the balconies to the stalls1--and a universal panic and rush ensued4 ,terrified women hurried from the stalls and boxes in spite of warning1 and got mixed with the maddened crowd1 a section of which1 pouring out of the ,opera-house came incontinently upon the ,king's carriage in waiting1--and forthwith1 without any reflection as to the why or the wherefore1 smashed it to atoms6 ,then1 singing again #8,the ,song of ,freedom1'--the people1 pouring out from all the doors1 formed into a huge battalion1 and started on a march of devastation and plunder4 ,sergius ,thord1 grasping the situation from the first1 rushed out of the ,opera-house in all haste1 anxious to avert a catastrophe1 but he was too late to stop the frenzied crowd1--nothing could1 or would have stopped them at that particular moment4 ,the fire had been too long smouldering in their souls2 and ,pequita1 like a little spark of fury1 had set it in a blaze4 ,through private ways and back streets1 the ,king and ,queen and their sons1 escorted by the alarmed manager1 escaped from the ,opera unhurt1--and drove back unobserved to the ,palace in a common fiacre--and a vast multitude1 waiting to see them come out by the usual doors1 and finding they did not come1 vented their rage and disgust by tearing up and smashing everything within their reach4 ,then1 remembering in good time1 despite their excitement1 that the manager of the ,opera had done nothing to deserve injury to himself or his property1 they paused in this work of destruction1 and with the sudden caprice of children1 gave out ringing cheers for him and for ,pequita2--while their uncertainty as to what to do next was settled for them by ,paul ,zouche1 who1 mounting on one of the pedestals which supported the columns of the entrance to the ,opera1 where his wild head1 glittering eyes and eager face looked scarcely human1 cried out3 8,damnation to ,carl ,prousse6 ,why do you idle here1 my friends1 when you might be busy6 ,if you want ,freedom1 seek it from him who is to be your new ,prime ,minister60 ,a prolonged yell of savage approval answered him1--and like an angry tide1 the crowd swept on and on1 gathering strength and force as it went1 and pouring through the streets with fierce clamour of shouting1 and clash of hastily collected weapons1--on and on to the great square1 in the centre of which stood the statue of the late ,king1 and where the house of ,carl ,prousse occupied the most prominent position4 ,and the moon1 coming suddenly out of a cloud1 stared whitely down upon the turbulent scene1--one too often witnessed in history1 when1 as ,carlyle says1 #8a ,nation of men is suddenly hurled beyond the limits4 ,for ,nature1 as green as she looks1 rests everywhere on dread foundations1 and ,pan1 to whose music the ,nymphs dance1 has a cry in him that can drive all men distracted6' ,in such distraction1 and with such wild cry1 the night of ,pequita's long-looked-for dance before the ,king swept stormily on towards day4 ,,chapter ,,xxviii 8,,fate ,,gives--,,the ,,king60 ,news of this fresh and more violent disturbance among the people brought the soldiery out in hot haste1 who galloped down to the scene of excitement1 only to find the mounted police before them1 headed by ,general ,bernhoff1 who careering to and fro1 cool and composed1 forbade1 #8in the name of the ,king6' any attempt to drive the mob out of the square4 ,swaying uneasily round and round1 the populace yelled and groaned1 and cheered and hissed2 not knowing exactly whereunto they were so wildly moved1 but evidently waiting for a fresh #8lead4' ,the house of ,carl ,prousse1 with its handsome exterior and stately marble portico1 offered itself as a tempting target to the more excitable roughs1 and a stone sent crashing through one of the windows would have certainly been the signal for a general onslaught had not a man's figure suddenly climbed the pedestal which supported the statue of the late ,king in the centre of the square1 and lifted its living visible identity against the frowning cold stone image of the dead4 ,a cry went up from thousands of throats--#8,sergius ,thord6'--followed by an extraordinary clamour of passionate plaudits1 as the excited people recognised the grand head and commanding aspect of their own particular ,apostle of ,liberty4 ,he1--stretching out his hands with a gesture of mingled authority and entreaty1--pacified the raging sea of contradictory and conflicting voices as if by magic1--and the horrid clamour died down into a dull roar1 which in its turn subsided into silence4 8,friends and brothers60 he cried2 8,be calm6 ,be patient6 ,what spirit possesses you to thus destroy the chances of your own peace6 ,what is your aim8 ,justice8 ,ay--justice6--but how can you gain this by being yourselves unjust8 ,will you remedy ,wrong by injuring ,right8 ,nay--this must not be6--this cannot be1 with you1 whose passion for liberty is noble1--whose love for truth is fixed and resolute1--and who seek no more than is by human right your own6 ,this sudden tempest1 by which your souls are tossed1 is like an angry gust upon the sea1 which wrecks great vessels and drowns brave men2--be something more than the semblance of the capricious wind which destroys without having reason to know why it is bent on destruction6 ,what are you here for8 ,what would you do80 ,a confused shouting answered him1 in which cries of #8,prousse6' and #8,the ,king6' were most prominent4 ,sergius ,thord looked round upon the seething mass below him1 with a strange sense of power and of triumph4 ,he--even he--who could claim to be no more than a poor ,thinker1 speaker and writer1--had won these thousands to his command6--he had them here1 willing to obey his lightest word1--ready to follow his signal wheresoever it might take them6 ,his eyes glowed1--and the light of a great and earnest inspiration illumined his strong features4 8,you call for ,carl ,prousse60 he said2 8,yonder he dwells6--in the regal house he has built for himself out of the sweating work of the poor60 ,a fierce yell from the populace and an attempt at a rush1 was again stopped by the speaker's uplifted hand2 8,wait1 friends--wait6 ,think for a moment of the result of action1 before you act6 ,suppose you pulled down that palace of fraud2 suppose your strong hands righteously rent it asunder2--suppose you set fire to its walls1--suppose you dragged out the robber from his cave and slew him here1 before sunrise--what then8 ,you would make of him a martyr6--and the hypocritical liars of the present policy1 who are involved with him in his financial schemes1--would chant his praises in every newspaper1 and laud his virtues in every sermon6 ,nay1 we should probably hear of a special #8,memorial ,service' being held in our great ,cathedral to sanctify the corpse of the vilest stock-jobbing rascal that ever cheated the gallows6 ,be wiser than that1 my friends6 ,do not soil your hands either with the body of ,carl ,prousse or his ill-gotten dwelling4 ,what we want for him is ,disgrace1 not ,death6 ,death is far too easy6 ,an innocent child may die2 do not give to a false-hearted knave the simple exit common to the brave and true6 ,disgrace6--disgrace6 ,shame1 confusion1 and the curse of the country1--let these be your vengeance on the man who seeks to clutch the reins of government6--the man who would drive the people like whipped horses to their ruin60 ,another roar answered him1 but this time it was mingled with murmurs of dissatisfaction4 ,thord caught these up1 and at once responded to them4 8,i hear you1 ,o ,people6 ,i hear the clamour of your hearts and souls1 which is almost too strong to find expression in speech6 ,you cannot wait1 you would tell me6 ,you would have ,prousse dragged out here1--you would tear him to pieces among you1 if you could1 and carry the fragments of him to the ,king1 to prove what a people can do with a villain proposed to them as their ,prime ,minister60 ,loud and ferocious shouts answered these words1 and he went on2 8,i know--,i understand6--and ,i sympathise6 ,but even as ,i know you1 you know me6 ,believe me now1 therefore1 and hear my promise6 ,i swear to you before you all0--and here he extended both arms with a solemn and impressive gesture--8that this month shall not be ended before the dishonesty of ,carl ,prousse is publicly and flagrantly known at every street corner1--in every town and province of the land6--and before the most high ,god1 ,i take my oath to you1 the ,people1--that he shall never be the governing head of the country60 ,a hurricane of applause answered him--a tempest of shouting that seemed to surge and sway through the air and down to the earth again like the beating of a powerful wind4 8,give me your trust1 ,o ,people60 he cried1 carried beyond himself with the excitement and fervour of the scene--8,give me yourselves60 ,another roar replied to this adjuration4 ,he stood triumphant2--the people pressing up around him1--some weeping--some kneeling at his feet--some climbing to kiss his hand4 ,a few angry voices in the distance cried out--#8,the ,king6'--and he turned at once on the word4 8,who needs the ,king80 he demanded2 8,who calls for him8 ,what is he to us8 ,what has he ever been8 ,look back on his career6--see him as ,heir-,apparent to the ,throne1 wasting his time with dishonest associates1--dealing with speculators and turf gamblers--involving himself in debt--and pandering to vile women1 who still hold him in their grasp1 and who in their turn rule the country by their caprice1 and drain the ,royal coffers by their licentious extravagance6 ,now look on him as the ,king1--a tool in the hands of financiers--a speculator among speculators--steeped to the very eyes in the love of money1 and despising all men who do not bear the open blazon of wealth upon them1--what has he done for the people8 ,nothing6 ,what will he ever do for the ,people8 ,nothing6 ,flattered by self-seekers--stuffed with eulogy by a paid ,press--his name made a byword and a mockery by the very women with whom he consorts1 what should we do with him in ,our work6 ,let him alone6--let him be6 ,let him eat and drink as suits his nature--and die of the poison his own vices breed in his blood6--we want naught of him1 or his heirs6 ,when the time ripens to its full fruition1 we1 the ,people1 can do without a ,throne60 ,at this1 thousands of hats and handkerchiefs were tossed in the air1--thousands of voices cheered to the very echo1 and to relieve their feelings still more completely the vast crowd once more took up #8,the ,song of ,freedom' and began singing it in unison steadily and grandly1 with all that resistless force and passion which springs from deep-seated emotion in the soul4 ,and while they were singing1 ,thord1 glancing rapidly about him1 saw ,johan ,zegota close at hand1 and to his still greater satisfaction1 ,pasquin ,leroy2 and beckoning them both to his side whispered his brief orders1 which were at once comprehended4 ,the day was breaking2 and in the purple east a line of crimson showed where the sun would presently rise4 ,a few minutes' quick organisation worked by ,leroy and ,zegota1 and some few other of their comrades sufficed to break up the mob into three sections1 and in perfect order they stood blocked for a moment1 like the three wings of a great army4 ,then once more ,thord addressed them3 8,people1 you have heard my vow6 ,if before the end of the month ,carl ,prousse is not ejected with contempt from office1 ,i will ask my death at your hands6 ,a meeting will be convened next week at the ,people's ,assembly ,rooms where we shall make arrangements to approach the ,king4 ,if the ,king refuses to receive us1 we shall find means to make him do so6 ,he shall hear us6 ,he is our paid servant1 and he is bound to serve us faithfully1--or the ,throne shall be a thing of the past1 to be looked back upon with regret that we1 a great and free people1 ever tolerated its vice and tyranny60 ,here he waited to let the storm of plaudits subside1--and then continued3 8,now part1 all of you friends6--go your ways1--and keep order for yourselves with vigilance6 ,the soldiery are here1 but they dare not fire6--the police are here1 but they dare not arrest6 ,give them no cause even to say that it would have been well to do either6 ,let the spiritual force of your determined minds1--fixed on a noble and just purpose1 over-rule mere temporal authority2 let none have to blame you for murder or violence1--take no life1--shed no blood2 but let your conquest of the ,government1--your capture of the ,throne1--be a glorious moral victory1 outweighing any battle gained only by brute force and rapine60 ,he was answered by a strenuous cheer2 and then the three great sections of the multitude began to move4 ,out of the square in perfect order they marched1--still singing2 one huge mass of people being headed by ,pasquin ,leroy1 the other by ,johan ,zegota1--the third by ,sergius ,thord himself4 ,the soldiery1 seeing there was no cause for interference1 withdrew1--the police dispersed1 and once again an outbreak of popular disorder was checked and for a time withheld4 ,but this second riot had startled the metropolis in good earnest4 ,everyone became fully alive to the danger and increasing force of the disaffected community1--and the ,government1--lately grown inert and dilatory in the transaction of business1--began seriously to consider ways and means of pacifying general clamour and public dissatisfaction4 ,none of the members of the ,cabinet were much surprised1 therefore1 when they each received a summons from the ,king to wait upon him at the ,palace that day week1--#8to discuss affairs of national urgency1' and the general impression appeared to be1 that though ,carl ,prousse dismissed the #8street rowdyism1' as he called it1 with contempt1 and spoke of #8disloyal traitors opposed to the ,government1' he was nevertheless riding for a fall2 and that his chances of obtaining the ,premiership were scarcely so sure as they had hitherto seemed4 ,meanwhile1 ,pequita1 whose childish rage against the ,king for not noticing her dancing or applauding it1 had been the trifling cause of the sudden volcanic eruption of the public mind1 became more than ever the idol of the hour4 ,the night after the riot1 the ,opera-house was crowded to suffocation1--and the stage was covered with flowers4 ,among the countless bouquets offered to the triumphant little dancer1 came one which was not thrown from the audience1 but was brought to her by a messenger2 it was a great cluster of scarlet carnations1 and attached to it was a tiny velvet case1 containing the ring promised to her by ,pasquin ,leroy1 when1 as he had said1 she #8should dance before the ,king4' ,a small card accompanied it on which was written #8,pequita1 from ,pasquin6' ,turning to ,lotys1 who1 in the event of further turbulence1 had accompanied her to the ,opera that night to take care of her1 and who sat grave1 pale1 and thoughtful1 in one of the dressing-rooms near the stage1 the child eagerly showed her the jewel1 exclaiming3 8,see6 ,he has kept his promise60 ,and ,lotys1--sighing even while she smiled1--answered3 8,yes1 dear6 ,he would not be the brave man he is1 if he ever broke his word60 ,whereat ,pequita slipped the ring on her friend's finger1 kissing her and whispering3 8,take care of it for me6 ,wear it for me6 ,for tonight1 at least60 ,lotys assented1--though with a little reluctance1--and it was only while ,pequita was away from her1 performing her part on the stage1 that this strange lonely woman bent her face down on the hand adorned with the star-like gem and kissed it1--tears standing in her eyes as she murmured3 8,my love--my love6 ,if you only knew60 ,and then the hot colour surged into her cheeks for sheer shame of herself that she should love6--she--no longer in her youth1--and utterly unconscious that there was1 or could be any beauty in her deep lustrous eyes1 white skin1 and dull gold hair4 ,what had she to do with the thoughts of passion8--she whose life was devoted to the sick and needy1--and who had no right to think of anything else but how she should aid them best1 so long as that life should last6 ,she knew well enough that love of a great1 jealous1 and almost savage kind1 was hers if she chose to claim it--the love of ,sergius ,thord1 who worshipped her both as a woman and an ,intellect2 but she could not contemplate him as her lover1 having grown up to consider him more as a sort of paternal guardian and friend4 ,in fact1 she had thoroughly resigned herself to think of nothing but work for the remainder of her days1 and to entirely forego the love and tenderness which most women1 even the poorest1 have the natural right to win2 and now slowly1--almost unconsciously to herself1--,love had stolen into her soul and taken possession of it2--secret love for the man1 who brave almost to recklessness1 had joined his fortunes in with ,sergius ,thord and his companions1 and had assisted the work of pushing matters so far forward1 that the wrongs done to the poor1 and the numerous injustices of the law1 which for years had been accumulating1 and had become part and parcel of the governing system of the country1 now stood a fair chance of being remedied4 ,she1 with her quick woman's instinct1 had perceived that where ,sergius ,thord1 in his dreamy idealism1 halted and was uncertain of results1 ,pasquin ,leroy stepped into the breach and won the victory4 ,and1 like all courageous women1 she admired a courageous man4 ,not that ,thord lacked courage1--he had plenty of the physical brute force known as such1--but he had also a peculiar and uncomfortable quality of rousing desires1 both in himself and others which he had not the means of gratifying4 ,thus ,lotys foresaw that1 unless by some miraculous chance he obtained both place and power1 and a share in the ruling of things1 there was every possibility of a split in the ,revolutionary ,committee1--one half being inclined to indulge in the criminal and wholly wasteful spirit of ,anarchy1--the other disposed to throw in its lot with the ,liberal or ,radical side of politics4 ,and she began to regard ,pasquin ,leroy1 with his even temperament1 cool imperturbability1 intellectual daring1 and literary ability1 as the link which kept them all together1 and gave practical force to the often brooding and fantastic day-dreams of ,thord1 who1 though he made plans night and day for the greater freedom and relief of the ,people from unjust coercion1 had not succeeded in obtaining as yet sufficient power to carry them into execution4 ,it was evident1 however1 to the whole country that the times were in a ferment1--that the ,government was growing more unpopular1 and that ,carl ,prousse1 the chief hinge on which ,governmental force turned1 was under a cloud of the gravest suspicion4 ,meetings1 more or less stormy in character1 were held everywhere by every shade of party in politics1--and strong protests against his being nominated as ,premier were daily sent to the ,king4 ,but to the surprise of many1 and the annoyance of most1 his ,majesty gave no sign4 ,the newspapers burst into rampant argument1--every little editor issued his ,jovian #8opinion' on the grave issues at stake2--,david ,jost kept his ,hebraic colours flying for the ,king1--judging that to flatter ,royalty was always a safe course for most ,jews2--while in the rival journal1 brilliant essays1 leaders and satires on the political situation1 combined with point-blank accusations against the ,secretary of ,state1 7which that distinguished personage always failed to notice17 flew from the pen of the mysterious writer1 ,pasquin ,leroy1 and occupied constant public attention4 ,unlike the realm of ,britain1--where the #8golden youth' enfeeble their intellects by the perusal of such poor and slangy journalism that they have lost both the art and wit to comprehend brilliant political writing1--the inhabitants of this particular corner of the sunny south were always ready to worship genius wherever even the smallest glimmer of it appeared1--and the admiration ,leroy's writings excited was fast becoming universal1 though for the most part these writings were extremely inflammable in nature1 and rated both ,king and ,court soundly4 ,but with the usual indifference of ,royalty to #8genius' generally1 the ,king1 when asked if he had taken note of certain articles dealing very freely with both him and his social conduct1 declared he had never heard of them1 or of their writer6 8,i never10 he said with an odd smile1 8pay any attention to clever literature6 ,i should be establishing a precedent which would be inconvenient and disagreeable to my fellow sovereigns60 ,the time went on2 the ,king met his ,ministers on the day he had summoned them in private council1--and on the other hand ,sergius ,thord convened a mighty mass-meeting for the purpose of carrying a resolution formed to address his ,majesty on the impending question of the ,premiership4 ,from the ,king's council1 the heads of ,government came away in haste1 despair and confusion2 from the mass-meeting whole regiments marched through the streets in triumphant and satisfied order4 ,after these events there came a night1 when the sweet progress of calm weather was broken up by cloud and storm1--and when heavy thunder boomed over the city at long dull intervals1 like the grinding and pounding of artillery1 without any rain to cool the heated ether1 which was now and again torn asunder by flashes of lightning4 ,there was evidently a raging tempest far out at sea1 though the land only received suggestions of this by the occasional rearing up of huge dark green billows which broke against the tall cliffs1 plumed with mimosa and myrtle1 that guarded the coast4 ,heavy scents of flowers were in the air--heavy heat weighed down the atmosphere1--and there was a languor in the slow footsteps of the men1 who1 singly1 or in groups1 arrived at the door of ,sergius ,thord's house to fulfil the dread compact binding upon them all in regard to the #8,day of ,fate4' ,pasquin ,leroy and his two companions were among the first to arrive1 and to make their way up the dark steep stairs to the ,committee room1 where1 when they entered1 they found the usual aspect of things strangely altered4 ,the table no longer occupied its position in the middle of the floor2 it was set on a raised platform entirely draped with black4 ,large candelabra1 holding six lights each1 occupied either end1--and in the centre one solitary red lamp was placed1 shedding its flare over a large bronze vessel shaped like a funeral urn4 ,the rest of the room was in darkness1--and with the gathering groups of men1 who moved silently and spoke in whispers1 it presented a solemn and eerie spectacle4 8,ah6 ,you have now arrived10 said ,max ,graub1 in a cautious sotto voce to ,leroy1 8at the end of your adventures6 ,behold the number ,thirteen6 ,six lights at one end1 six lights at the other1--that is twelve2 and in the centre the ,thirteenth--the red ,eye looking into the sepulchral urn6 ,it is all up with us60 ,leroy said nothing1--but the face of the man called ,axel ,regor grew suddenly very pale4 ,he drew ,leroy a little aside4 8,this is no laughing matter60 he said very earnestly2 8,let me stand near you--let me keep close at your side all the evening60 ,leroy smiled and pressed his hand4 8,my dear fellow60 he said2 8,have no fear6 ,or if you have fear1 do not show it6 ,you stand in precisely the same danger as myself1 or as any of us2 you may draw the fatal ,signal6--but if you do1 ,i promise you ,i will volunteer myself in your place40 8,you60 said ,regor with a volume of meaning in the utterance2 8,you would stand in my place80 8,why1 of course60 replied ,leroy cheerily2 8,life is not such a wonderful business1 that death for a friend's sake is not better60 ,regor looked at him1 and a speechless devotion filled and softened his eyes4 ,certain words spoken to him by a woman he loved echoed through his brain1 and he murmured3 8,nay1 by the ,god above us1 if death is in question1 ,i will die rather than let you die60 8,that will depend on my humour60 said ,leroy1 still smiling2 8,you will require my permission to enter into combat with the last enemy before he offers challenge60 ,max ,graub here approached them with a warning finger laid on his lips4 8,hush--sh--sh60 he said2 8,think as much as you like1--but talk as little as you can6 ,i assure you this is a most uncomfortable business6--and here comes the axis of the revolving wheel60 ,they made way1--as did all the men grouped together in the room1--for the entrance of ,sergius ,thord and ,lotys4 ,these two came in together2 and with a silent salute which included the whole ,committee1 ascended the raised platform4 ,lotys was deadly pale2 and the white dress she wore1 with its scarlet sash1 accentuated that paleness4 ,she appeared for once to move under the dominance of some greater will than her own1--she moved slowly1 and her head was bent1--and even to ,pasquin ,leroy as she passed him1 her faint smile of recognition was both sad and cold4 ,once on the platform1 she seated herself at the lower end of the funereally-draped table2 and leaning her head on one hand1 seemed lost in thought4 ,thord took his place at the opposite end1--whereupon ,johan ,zegota moving stealthily to the door1 closed it1 locked it1 and put the key in his pocket4 ,then he in turn mounted the platform1 and began in a clear but low voice to call the roll of the members of the ,committee4 ,each man answered to his name in the same guarded tone2 all without a single exception were present2--and ,zegota1 having completed the catalogue1 turned to ,thord for further instructions4 ,the rest of the company then seated themselves1--finding their chairs with some little difficulty in the semi-darkness4 ,when the noise of their shuffling feet had ceased1 ,thord rose and advanced to the front of the platform4 8,friends10 he said slowly2 8,you are here to-night to determine by the hand of ,chance1 or ,destiny1 which of certain traitors among many thousands1 shall meet with the punishment his treachery deserves4 ,in the list of those who are to-night marked down for death is ,carl ,prousse2--happy the man that draws that name and is able to serve as the liberator to his country6 ,another1 is the ,jew1 ,david ,jost1--because it has been chiefly at his persuasion that the heads of the ,government have been tempted to gamble for their own personal motives with the secrets of ,state policy4 ,another1 is the ,marquis de ,lutera2--who though he has1 possibly through fear1 resigned office1 is to blame for having made his own private fortune1--as well as the fortunes of all the members of his family1--out of the injuries and taxations inflicted on the ,people4 ,to his suggestion we owe the cruel price of bread1--the tax on corn1 a necessity of life2--on his policy rests the responsibility of opening our ,trades to such an over-excess of ,foreign ,competition and ,supply that our native work and our native interests are paralysed by the strain4 ,to him1--as well as to ,carl ,prousse1 we owe the ridiculous urbanities of such extreme foreign diplomacies as expose our secret forces of war to our rivals2--from him emanates the courteous and almost servile attention with which we foolishly exhibit our naval and military defences to our enemies4 ,we assume that a ,minister who graciously permits a foreign arsenal to copy our guns--a foreign dockyard to copy and to emulate our ships1--is a traitor to the prosperity and continued power of the country4 ,two of the great leaders in ,trade are named on the ,death-list2--one because1 in spite of many warnings1 he employs foreign workmen only2 the other1 because he #8sweats' native labour4 ,the removal of all these persons will be a boon to the country--the clearing of a plague of rats from the national ,house and ,exchequer6 ,lastly1 the ,king is named2--because1--though he has rescued the system of ,national ,education from ,jesuit interference and threatening priestly dominance1 he has turned a deaf ear to other equally pressing petitions of his ,people1--and also because he does nothing to either influence or guide society to its best and highest ends4 ,under his rule1 learning is set at naught--,art1 ,science and ,literature1 the three saving graces which make for the peace1 prosperity and fraternity of nations1--are rendered valueless1 because no example is set which would give them their rightful prominence1--and wine1 cards and women are substituted1--the three evil fates between which the honour of the ,throne is brought into contempt4 ,we should know and remember that ,lotys1 when she lately saved the life of the ,king1 did1--as she herself can tell you1--plead personally with him to save the people from the despotic government of ,carl ,prousse and his pernicious #8majority'2--but though she rescued the monarch at the risk of her own much more valuable existence--and equally at the risk of being misunderstood and condemned by this very ,society to which her heart and soul are pledged1--he refused to even consider her entreaty4 ,therefore1 we may be satisfied that he has been warned2--but it would seem that the warning is of no avail2--and whosoever to-night draws the name of the ,king must be swift and sure in his business60 ,there was a deep pause4 ,suddenly ,max ,graub rose1 his bulky form and great height giving him an almost ,titanesque appearance in the gloom of the chamber4 ,raising one hand as a signal1 he asked permission to speak1 which was instantly accorded4 8,to my chief1 ,sergius ,thord1 and my comrades10 he said with a slight military salutation2 8,i wish to explain what perhaps they have already discovered1--that ,i am a poor and uncouth ,german1--not altogether conversant with your language1--and considerably bewildered by your social ethics2--so that if ,i do not entirely understand things as ,i should1 you will perhaps pardon my ignorance1 which includes other drawbacks of my disposition4 ,but when death is in question1 ,i am always much interested1--having spent all my days in trying to find out ways and means of combating man's chief enemy on his own ground4 ,because1--though ,i fully admit the usefulness of death as a cleanser and solvent2 and as a means of clearing off hopelessly-useless persons1 ,i am not at all sure that it is an advisable way to get rid of the healthy and the promising4 ,i speak as a physician merely1--with an eye to what is called the #8stock' of the human race2 and what ,i now want to know is this3 ,on what scientific1 ethical1 or religious grounds1 do you wish to get rid of the ,king8 ,science1 ethics1 and religion being only in the present day so many forms of carefully ministering to one's ,self1 and one's own particular humour1 you will understand that ,i mean1--as concerns the #8happy dispatch' of this same ,king1--what good will it do to you80 ,there was a silence4 ,no one vouchsafed any explanation4 ,after a considerable pause1 ,thord replied4 8,it will do us no good4 ,but it will show the country that we exist to revenge injustice60 8,but--is the ,king unjust80 8,can you ask it80 replied ,thord with a certain grave patience4 8,during your association with us1 have you not learned8--and do you not know80 8,sit down1 ,graub60 interrupted ,pasquin ,leroy suddenly2 8,i know the ,king's ways well enough1--and ,i can swear upon my honour that he deserves the worst that can be done to him60 ,a murmur of sullen approval ran through the room1 and somewhat lowering glances were cast at the audacious ,graub1 who had1 by his few words1 created the very undesirable impression that he wished1 in some remote way1 to interfere with the ,committee solemnities in progress1 and to defend the ,king from attack4 ,he sat down again looking more or less crushed and baffled1--and ,thord went on4 8,we have little time to spend together to-night1 and none to waste4 ,let each man come forward now1 and take his chance1--remembering1--lest his courage fail him1--that whatever work is given him to do1 this ,committee are sworn to stand by him as their associate and comrade6--to defend him1--even at the risk of their own lives6--and to share completely in the consequences of whatever act he may be called upon to perform in the faithful following of his duty6 ,friends1 repeat with me all together1 the ,vow of ,fealty60 ,at once every man rose1--and all lifting their right hands on high repeated in steady tones the following formula after their ,chief1-- 8,we swear in the name of ,god1 and by the eternal glory of ,freedom6 ,that whosoever among us this night shall draw the ,red ,cross ,signal which destines him to take from life1 a life proved unworthy1--shall be to us a sacred person1 and an object of defence and continued protection6 ,we guarantee to shield him at all times and under all circumstances2--we promise to fight for him against the utmost combined power of the law2--we are prepared to maintain an inviolate silence concerning his movements1 his actions and their ultimate result1--even to the sufferance of imprisonment1 punishment and death for his sake6 ,and may the curse of the ,almighty ,creator of ,heaven and ,earth be upon us and our children1 and our children's children1 if we break this vow4 ,amen60 ,the stern and impressive intensity with which these words were spoken sent a slight tremor along even such steel-like nerves as those of ,pasquin ,leroy1 though he repeated the formula after ,sergius ,thord with the attentive care of a child saying a lesson4 ,at its conclusion1 however1 a sudden thought flashed through his brain which brought a wonderful smile to his lips1 and a rare light in his eyes1 and touching the arm of ,axel ,regor1 he whispered4 8,could anything be more protective to me1--as you know me1--than this ,vow of ,fealty8 ,by my faith1 a right loyal vow60 ,the man he so questioned looked at him doubtfully4 ,he did not understand4 ,he himself had repeated the vow mechanically and without thought1 being occupied in serious and uncomfortable meditation as to what possible dangerous lengths the evening's business might be carried4 ,and1 accustomed as he now was to the varying and brilliant moods of one whom he had proved to be of most varying and brilliant intelligence1 his brain was not quick enough to follow the lightning-like speed of the chain of ideas1--all moving in a perfectly organised plan1--conceived by this daring1 scheming and original brain1 which had been so lately roused to its own powers and set in thinking1 working order4 ,he therefore merely expressed his mind's bewilderment by a warning glance mingled with alarm1 which caused ,leroy to smile again1--but the scene which was being enacted1 now demanded their closest attention1 and they had no further opportunity of exchanging so much as a word4 ,the ,vow of ,fealty being duly sworn1 ,sergius ,thord stood aside1 and made way for ,lotys1 who1 rising from her seat1 lifted the funeral urn from the table and held it out towards the men4 ,she made a strange and weird picture standing thus1--her white arms gleaming like sculptured ivory against the dark bronze of the metal vase1--her gold hair touched with a blood-like hue from the reflection of the red lamp behind her1--and her face1--infinitely mournful and resigned1--wearing the expression of one who1 forced to behold evil1 has no active part in it4 ,as she took up her position in the front of the platform1 ,thord again spoke4 8,let each man now advance and draw his fate6 ,whosoever receives a blank is exempt for another year2--whosoever draws the name of a victim must be prepared to do his duty60 ,this order was at once obeyed4 ,each man rose separately and approaching ,lotys1 saluted her first1 and then drew a folded paper from the vessel she held4 ,but they moved forward reluctantly1--and most of their faces were very pale4 ,when ,pasquin ,leroy's turn came to draw1 he raised his eyes to the woman's countenance above him and marvelled at its cold fixity4 ,she seemed scarcely to be herself1--and it was plainly evident that the part she was forced to play in the evening's drama was a most reluctant one4 ,at last all the lots were taken1 and ,johan ,zegota lit up the gas-burners in the centre of the room4 ,a sigh of relief came from the lips of many of the men who1 on opening their papers found a blank instead of a name4 ,but ,leroy1 unfolding his1 sat in dumb amazement1--feeling1 and not for the first time either1 that surely ,god1 or some special ,providence1 is always on the side of a strong man's just aim1 fulfilling it to entire accomplishment4 ,for to him was assigned the ,red ,cross1 marked with the name of #8,the ,king6' ,the words of ,sergius ,thord1 uttered that very night1 rushed back on his mind2--8,whosoever draws the name of the ,king must be swift and sure in his business60 ,his heart beat high2 he occupied at that moment a position no man in all the world had ever occupied before2--he was the centre of a drama such as had never before been enacted1--he had the greatest move to play on the chess-board of life that could possibly be desired2--and the greatest chance to prove himself the ,man he was1 that had ever been given to one of his quality4 ,his brain whirled1--his pulses throbbed1--his eyes rested on ,lotys with a passionate longing2 something of the god-like as well as the heroic warmed his soul1--for ,danger and ,death stood as intimately close to him as ,safety and ,victory6 ,what a strange1 what a marvellous card he held in the game of life6--and yet one false move might mean ruin and annihilation6 ,as in a dream he saw the members of the ,committee go up1 one by one1 to ,sergius ,thord1 who1 as each laid their open papers before him1 declared their contents4 ,when ,paul ,zouche's paper was declared he was found to have drawn ,carl ,prousse1 whereat he smiled grimly2 and retired to his seat1 walking rather unsteadily4 ,max ,graub had drawn a blank1--so had ,axel ,regor1--so had ,louis ,valdor and many others4 ,at last it came to ,leroy's turn1 and as he walked up to the platform and ascended it1 there was a look on his face which attracted the instant attention of all present4 ,his eyes were singularly bright1--his lithe handsome figure seemed taller and more erect1--he bore himself with a proud1 even grand air1--and ,lotys1 moved at last from her chill and melancholy apathy1 gazed at him as he approached1 with eyes in which a profound sadness was mingled with the dark tenderness of many passionate thoughts and dreams4 ,he laid down his paper before ,thord1 who1 taking it up read aloud3 8,our friend and comrade1 ,pasquin ,leroy1 has received the ,red ,cross ,signal40 ,then pausing before uttering his next words he raised his voice a little1 so that he might be heard by everyone in the room1 and added slowly3 8,to ,pasquin ,leroy1 ,fate gives--the ,king60 ,a low murmur of deep applause ran through the room4 ,max ,graub and ,axel ,regor sprang up with a kind of smothered cry1 but ,leroy stood immovable4 ,instead of returning to his seat as the others had done1 he remained standing on the platform in front of the ,committee table1 between ,lotys and ,sergius ,thord4 ,a strange smile rested on his lips1--his attitude was inexplicable4 ,surveying all the men's faces which were grouped before him in a kind of chiaro-oscuro1 he studied them for a moment1 and then turned his head towards ,thord4 8,sergius1--so far1 ,i have served you well6 ,destiny has now chosen me out for even a greater service6 ,may ,i speak a few words80 ,thord assented1--but a sudden sense of inquietude stirred in him as he saw that ,lotys had half risen1 that her lips quivered1 and that great tears stood in her eyes4 8,she grieves60 he thought1 sullenly1 in his strange and confused way of balancing justice and injustice--8,she grieves that the worthless life of the ,king she saved1 is now to be taken by a righteous hand60 ,meanwhile ,leroy faced the assembly4 8,comrades60 he said2 8,this is the first time ,i have assisted in the work of your ,day of ,fate1--the first time ,i have recognised how entirely ,providence moves with you and for you in the ruling of your destinies6 ,and because it is the first time1 our ,chief permits me to address you with the same fraternal liberty which was allowed to me on the night ,i became enrolled among you1 as one of you6 ,since then1 ,i have done my best to serve you--0 here he was interrupted by applause--8and so far as it has been humanly possible1 ,i have endeavoured to carry out your views and desires because1--though many of them spring from pure idealism1 and are1 ,i fear1 impossible of realisation in this world1--they contain the seed of much useful and necessary reform in many institutions of this country4 ,i have--as ,i promised you--shaken the stronghold of ,carl ,prousse20--again the applause broke out1 none the less earnest because it was restrained4 8,i have destroyed the press-power and prestige of that knavish ,jew-speculator in false news1 ,david ,jost2 and wherever the wishes of this ,society could be fulfilled1 ,i have honestly sought to fulfil them4 ,on this night1 of all nights in the year1 ,i should like to feel1 and to know1 that you acknowledge me as your true comrade and faithful friend60 ,at this1 the whole of the company gave vent to an outburst of cheering4 8,do you doubt our love1 that you ask of it8--or our gratitude that you seek to have it expressed80 said ,thord1 leaning forward to clasp his hand2--8,surely you know you have given new life and impetus to our work6--and that you have gained fresh triumph for our ,cause60 ,leroy smiled1--but though returning his grasp cordially1 he said nothing to him in person by way of reply1 evidently preferring rather to address the whole community than one1 even though that one was his acknowledged ,chief4 8,i thank you all60 he said in response to the acclamations around him4 8,i thank you for so heartily acknowledging me as your fellow-worker6 ,i thank you for giving me your confidence and employing my services6 ,tonight--the most important night of my destiny--,fate has determined that ,i shall perform the greatest task of all you have ever allotted to me2 and that with swiftness and sureness in the business ,i shall kill the ,king6 ,he is my marked victim6 ,i am his chosen assassin60 ,here interrupting himself with a bright smile1 he said3 8,will someone restrain my two friends1 ,max ,graub and ,axel ,regor from springing out of their seats8 ,they are both extremely envious of the task which has been allotted to me6--both are disappointed that it did not fall to them to perform1--but ,i am not in the humour for arguing so nice a point of honour with them just now60 ,a laugh went round the company1 and the two delinquents thus called to order1 and who had really been seeking in quite a wild and aimless way1 to scramble out of their seats and make for the platform1 resumed their places with heads bent low1 lest those around them should see the deadly pallor of their countenances4 ,leroy resumed4 8,i rejoice1 friends and comrades1 that ,i have been elected to the high task of removing from the ,throne one who has long been unworthy of it6--one who has wasted his opportunities both in youth and middle-age1--and who1 by his own fault in a great measure1 has lost much of the love and confidence of his people6 ,i am glad and proud to be the one chosen to put an end to the career of a monarch whose vices and follies--which might have suited a gambler and profligate--are entirely unbecoming to the ,sovereign ,ruler of a great ,realm6 ,i shall have no fear in carrying out my appointed duty to the letter6 ,i here declare my acceptance of whatever punishment may be visited on one who removes from life a ,king who brings kingliness into contempt6 ,and1--as our ,chief1 ,sergius ,thord1 suggested to-night1--,i shall be swift and sure in the business6--there shall be no delay60 ,here1 as he spoke he drew a pistol from his pocket and turned the muzzle towards himself1--at which unexpected action there was a hasty movement of surprise1 terror and confusion among the company4 8,gentlemen all6 ,friends6 ,brothers6--as you have been1--and are to me1--by the binding of our compact in the name of ,lotys6 ,it is the determination of destiny1--as it is your desire1--that ,i should kill the ,king6 ,you have resolved upon it4 ,you are sure that his death will benefit the country4 ,you have decided not to take into consideration any of his possible good qualities1 or to pity any of the probable sorrows and difficulties besetting him in the uneasy position he is compelled to occupy4 ,you are quite certain among yourselves1 that somehow or other his removal will bring about that ideal condition of society which many philosophers have written of1 and which many reformers have desired1 but which has till now1 proved itself incapable of being realised4 ,the ,king's death1 you think1 will better all existing conditions1 and you wish me to fulfil not only the call of destiny1 but your own desire4 ,be it so6 ,i am ready to obey6 ,i will kill the ,king at once6--here and now6 ,i am the ,king60 ,,chapter ,,xxix ,,the ,,comrade ,,of ,,his ,,foes ,this bold declaration1 boldly spoken1 had the startling effect of a sudden and sharp flash of lightning in dense darkness4 ,amazement and utter stupefaction held every man for the moment paralysed4 ,had a volcano suddenly opened beneath their feet and belched forth its floods of fire and lava1 it could not have rendered them more helplessly stricken and speechless4 8,i am the ,king60 ,the words appeared to blaze on the air before them1--like the handwriting on the wall at ,belshazzar's feast4 ,the ,king6 ,he1--their friend1 their advocate1 he--,pasquin ,leroy1--the most obedient1 the most daring and energetic of all the workers in their ,cause--he--even he--was the ,king6 ,was it1--could it be possible6 ,their eyes--all riveted in fearful fascination upon him as he stood before them wholly at their mercy1 but cool1 dauntless1 and smilingly ready to die1--had the wild uncomprehending stare of delirium2--the silence in the room was intense1 breathless and terrible4 ,suddenly1 like a lion roused1 ,sergius ,thord1 with a half-savage movement1 sprang forward and seized him roughly by the arm4 8,you1--you are the ,king80 he said2 8,you1--,pasquin ,leroy80 and struggling for breath1 his words almost choked him4 8,you6 ,enemy in the guise of friend6 ,you have fooled us6 ,you have deceived us--you--60 8,take care1 ,sergius60 said the monarch smiling1 as he gently disengaged himself from the fierce hand that clutched him2 8,this pistol is loaded1--not to shoot you with6--but myself6--at your command6 ,it would be unfortunate if it went off and killed the wrong man by accident60 ,his indomitable courage was irresistible2 and ,thord1 relaxing his grasp1 fell back in something like awe4 ,and then the spell of horror and amazement that had struck the rest of the assemblage dumb1 broke all at once into a sort of wild-beast clamour4 ,every man #8rushed' for the platform--and ,max ,graub and ,axel ,regor1 taking swift and conscious possession of their true personalities as ,professor von ,glauben and ,sir ,roger de ,launay1 fought silently and determinedly to keep back the crowding hands that threatened instant violence to the person of their ,royal master4 ,a complete hubbub and confusion reigned2--cries of 8,traitor60 and 8,spy60 were hurled from one voice to another2 but before a single member of the ,committee could reach the spot where stood the undaunted ,sovereign whom they had so lately idolised as their friend and helper1 and whom they were now ready to tear to pieces1 ,lotys flung herself in front of him1 while at the same moment she snatched the pistol he held from his hand1 and fired it harmlessly into the air4 ,the loud report--the flash of fire1--startled all the men1 who gaped upon her1 thunderstruck4 8,through me60 she cried1 her blue eyes flashing glorious menace2 8,through me your shots6 ,through me your daggers6 ,on me your destroying hands6 ,through my body alone shall you reach this ,king6 ,stand back all of you6 ,what would you do8 ,king or commoner1 he is your comrade and associate6 ,sovereign or servant1 he is the bravest man among you6 ,touch him who dare6 ,remember your ,vow of ,fealty60 ,transfigured into an almost sublime beauty by the fervour of her emotion1 she looked the supreme incarnation of inspired womanhood1 and the infuriated men fell back1 dismayed and completely overwhelmed by the strong conviction of her words1 and the amazing situation in which they found themselves4 ,it was true6--he1 the ,king1--whom they had accepted and known as ,pasquin ,leroy1--was verily their own comrade6 ,he had proved himself a thousand times their friend and helper6--they had sworn to defend him at the cost of their own lives1 if need be1--to shelter and protect him in all circumstances1 and to accept all the consequences of whatever danger he might run in the performance of his duty4 ,his duty now1--according to the fatal drawing of lots1--was that he should kill the ,king2 and he had declared himself ready to fulfil the task by killing himself6 ,but--as he was their comrade--they were bound in honour to guard his life6 ,these bewildering and maddening thoughts coursed like fire through the brain of ,sergius ,thord1--the while his eyes1 grown suddenly dark and bloodshot1 rested wonderingly on the tall upright figure of the monarch1 standing quietly face to face with the blood-thirsty ,revolutionary ,committee1 entirely unmoved by their fierce and lowering looks1 and on ,lotys1 white1 beautiful and breathless1 kneeling at his feet6 ,a crushing sense of impotence and failure rushed over his soul like a storm wave1--his brain grew thick with the hurrying confusion1 and a great cry1 like that of a wounded animal1 broke from his lips4 8,my ,god6 ,my ,god6 ,all my life's work lost--in a single moment60 ,the ,king heard4 ,gently1 and with careful courtesy1 raising ,lotys from the position in which she had thrown herself to guard him from attack for the second time1 he pressed her hands tenderly in his own4 8,trust me60 he whispered2 8,have no fear6 ,not a man among them will touch me now60 ,with a slight gesture he signed her back to the chair she had previously occupied4 ,she sank into it1 trembling from head to foot1 but her eyes feverishly brilliant and watchful1 were widely open and alert1 ready to note the least movement or look that indicated further danger4 ,then the ,king addressed himself to ,thord4 8,sergius1 ,i am entirely in your hands6 ,i wait your word of command6 ,you are armed1--all my companions here are armed also6 ,but ,lotys has deprived me of the only weapon ,i possessed1--though there are plenty more in the room to be had on loan4 ,what say you8 ,shall ,i kill the ,king8 ,or will you80 ,thord was silent4 ,a strong shudder shook his frame4 ,the ,king laid a firm hand on his shoulder4 8,friend60 he said in a low voice2 8,believe me1 ,i am your friend more than ever6--you never had1 and never will have a truer one than ,i6 ,all your life's work lost1 you say8 ,nay1 not so6 ,it is gained6 ,you conquered the ,people before ,i knew you1--and now you have conquered the ,people's ,king60 ,slowly ,thord raised his great1 dark1 passionate eyes1 clouded black with thoughts which could find no adequate expression4 ,the look in them went straight to the monarch's heart4 ,baffled ambition1--the hunger of greatness1--the desire to do something that should raise his soul above such common ruck of human emmets as make of the earth the merest ant-hill whereon to eat and breed and die2--all this pent-up emotion swam luminously in the fierce bright orbs1 which like mirrors1 reflected the picture of the troubled mind within4 ,the suppressed power of the man1 who1 apart from his confused notions of #8liberty1 equality1 and fraternity' could resort to the sternest and most self-endangering measures for destroying what he considered the abuses of the law1 had moved the ,king1 while disguised as ,pasquin ,leroy1 to the profoundest admiration for his bold character2--but perhaps he was never more moved than at this supreme moment1 when1 hopelessly entangled in a net of most unexpected weaving1 the redoubtable ,socialist had to confess himself vanquished by the simple friendship and service of the very monarchy he sought to destroy4 8,sergius10 said the ,king again1--8,trust me6 ,trust me as your ,sovereign1 with the same trust that you gave to me as your comrade1 ,pasquin6 ,for ,i am still your comrade1 remember6 ,nothing can undo the oath that binds me to you and to the ,people6 ,i have not become one of you to betray you2 but to serve you6 ,our present position is certainly a strange one6--for by the tenets you hold1 we should be sworn opponents1 instead of1 as we are1 sworn friends6 ,political agitators would have set us one against the other for their own selfish ends2 as matters stand1 we are united in the ,people's ,cause2 and ,i may perhaps do you more good living than dead6 ,give me a chance to serve you even better than ,i have done as yet6 ,still1--if you judge my death would be an advantage to the country1--you have but to say the word6 ,i have sworn1--and ,i am ready to carry out the full accomplishment of my vow6 ,do you understand8 ,you are1 by the rules of this ,committee my ,chief6--there are no kings here2 and ,i am good soldier enough to obey orders6 ,it is for you to speak6--straightly1 plainly1 and at once1--to the ,committee1--and to me60 8,before ,god1 you are brave60 muttered ,thord1 gazing at him in reluctant admiration4 8,so brave1 that it is almost impossible to believe that you can be a ,king60 ,he smiled4 8,speak6 ,speak1 my friend60 he urged2 8,our comrades are watching our conference like famished tigers6 ,give them food60 ,thus adjured1 ,thord advanced1 and confronted the murmuring1 gesticulating crowd of men1 some of whom were wrathfully expostulating with ,johan ,zegota1 because he declined to unlock the door of the room and let them out1 till he had received his ,chief's commands to do so4 ,others were grouped round ,paul ,zouche1 who had sat apparently stricken immovable in his chair ever since the ,king had declared his identity2 and others showed themselves somewhat inclined to #8hustle' ,sir ,roger de ,launay and ,professor von ,glauben1 who guarded the approach to the platform like sentinels1--though they were discreet enough to show no weapons of defence4 8,comrades60 ,the rich1 deep voice of their leader thrilled through the room1 and brought them all to silence and attention4 8,comrades60 said ,thord slowly1--his accents vibrating with the deepest emotion4 8,i desire and command you all to be satisfied that no wrong has been done to you6 ,i ask you all to understand1 fully and surely1 that no wrong is intended to you6 ,the man whom we have loved1--the man who has served us faithfully as ,pasquin ,leroy1--is still the same man1 though the ,king6 ,rank cannot alter his proved friendship and service1--nor kingship break his bond6 ,he is one of us1--signed and sealed in the blood of ,lotys2--and as one of us he must1 and will remain6 ,have ,i spoken truly80 he added1 turning to the ,king1 8or is there more that ,i should say80 ,before any reply could be given a hubbub of voices cried3-- 8,explain6 ,confess6 ,bind him to his oath60 ,whereat the ,king1 stepping forward a pace or two1 confronted his would-be doubters and detractors with a dauntless composure4 8,explain8 ,confess8 ,friends1 ,i will do both6 but for binding me to my oath1 there is no need1--for it is too strong a compact of faith and friendship ever to be broken6 ,would you have me remind you of your ,vow of ,fealty pronounced so solemnly this evening8 ,did you not swear that #8,whosoever among us this night shall draw the ,red ,cross ,signal which destines him to take from life a life proved unworthy1 shall be to us a sacred person1 and an object of defence and continued protection'8 ,as ,pasquin ,leroy1 this vow applied to me1--as ,king1 ,i ask no better or stronger pledge of loyalty60 ,all eyes were fixed upon him as he spoke4 ,for some moments there was a dead silence4 ,this silence was presently broken by a murmur of conflicting wonder1 impatience and uncertainty1--deepening as it ran1--and then1--as the full situation became more and more apparent1 coupled with the smiling and heroic calm of the monarch who had thus placed himself voluntarily in the hands of his sworn enemies1 all their struggling passions were suddenly merged in one great wave of natural and human admiration for a brave man and a burst of impetuous cheering broke impulsively from every lip4 ,once started1 the infection caught on like a fever1--and again and yet again the excited ,revolutionists cheered #8for the ,king6'--till they made the room echo4 ,the tumult was extraordinary4 ,lotys sat silent1 with clasped hands1 her eyes dilated with feverish watchfulness and excitement1--the tempest of emotion in her own poor tortured soul1 being of such a character which no words1 no tears1 no exclamations could possibly relieve4 ,the memory of her interview with the ,king in his own ,palace flashed across her like a scene limned in fire4 ,she had no power to think--she was simply stunned and overwhelmed1--and held only one idea in her mind1 and that was to save him at all costs1 even at the sacrifice of her own life4 ,thord1 carried away from his very self by the force of such a #8,revolution' as he had never planned or anticipated1 stood more in the attitude of one who was trying to think1 rather than of one who was thinking4 8,for the ,king60 cried ,johan ,zegota1 suddenly giving vent to the feelings he had long kept in check1--feelings which had made him a greater admirer of the so-called 8,pasquin ,leroy0 than of ,thord himself2--8,for our sworn comrade1 the ,king60 ,again the cheers broke out1 to be redoubled in intensity when ,louis ,valdor added his voice to the rest and exclaimed3 8,for the first real ,king ,i have ever known60 ,then the excitement rose to its zenith1--and amidst the tempest of applause1 the ,king himself stood quiet1 watching the turbulence with the thoughtful eyes of a student who seeks to unravel some difficult problem4 ,raising his hand gently1 he1 by this gesture created immediate silence1--and so1 in this hush remained for an instant1 leaning slightly against the ,committee ,table1 draped as it was in its funereal black1--the lights at either end of it1 and the red lamp in its centre flinging an unearthly radiance on his fine composed features4 ,long1 long afterwards1 his faithful servants1 ,sir ,roger de ,launay and ,heinrich von ,glauben retained a mental picture of him in that attitude1--the dauntless smile upon his lips1--the dreamful look in his eyes1--resting1 as it seemed against a prepared funeral-bier1 with the watch-lights burning for burial1--and the face of ,lotys1 pale as a marble mask1 yet wearing an expression of mingled triumph and agony1 shining near him like a star amid the gloom1 while the tall form of ,sergius ,thord in the background loomed large1--a shadow of impending evil4 ,after a pause1 he spoke4 8,comrades6 ,i thank you for the expressed renewal of your trust in me4 ,in my heart and soul1 as a man1 ,i am one of you and with you2--even though fate has made me a king6 ,you demand an explanation--a confession4 ,you shall have both6 ,when ,i enrolled myself as a member of your ,committee1 ,i did so in all honesty and honour1--wishing to discover the object of your ,cause1 and prepared to aid it if ,i found it worthy4 ,when ,i sealed my compact with you in the blood of ,lotys1 the ,angel of our ,covenant10--here the cheering again broke out1--and ,lotys1 turning aside1 endeavoured to restrain the tears that threatened to fall2--then1 as silence was restored1 he resumed2--8,when as ,i say1 ,i did this1--you will remember that on being asked of my origin and country1 ,i answered that ,i was a slave4 ,i spoke truly6 ,there is no greater slave in all the length and breadth of the world than a king6 ,bound by the chains of convention and custom1 he is coerced more violently than any prisoner1--his lightest word is misunderstood--his smallest action is misconstrued1--his very looks are made the subject of comment--and whether he walks or stands1--sits to give wearisome audience1 or lies down to forget his sorrows in sleep1 he should assuredly be an object of the deepest pity and consideration1 instead of being as he often is1 a target for the arrows of slander1--a pivot round which to move the wheel of social evil and misrule6 ,the name of ,freedom sounds sweet in your ears1 my friends6--how sweet it is--how dear it is1 we all know6 ,you are ready to fight for it--to die for it6 ,then remember1 all of you1 that it is a glory utterly unknown to a king6 ,were he to take sword in hand and do battle for it unto the death1 he could never obtain it2--he might win it for his country1 but never for himself6 ,nothing so glorious as ,liberty6--you cry6 ,true6--but kings are prisoners from the moment they ascend thrones6 ,and you never set them free1 save in the way you suggested this evening20 and he smiled1 8which way is still open to you--and--to me6 ,but while you take time to consider whether ,i shall or shall not fulfil the duty which the drawing of lots on this ,day of ,fate has assigned to me1--whether you1 on your parts1 will or will not maintain the ,vow of ,fealty which we all have sworn together1--,i will freely declare to you the motives which led me to depart from the conventional rule and formality of a merely #8,royal' existence1 and to become as a ,man among men1--for once at least in the history of modern sovereigns60 ,he paused1--every eye was fixed upon him2 and the stillness was so intense that the lightest breath might be heard4 8,i came to the ,throne three years ago10 he resumed1 8and ,i accepted its responsibilities with reluctance4 ,as ,heir-,apparent1 you all know1 or think you know1 my career2 for some of you have very freely expressed your convictions concerning it6 ,it was discreditable1--according to the opinions formed and expressed by this ,committee4 ,no doubt it was6 ,let any man among you occupy my place2--and be surrounded by the same temptations1--and then comport himself wisely--if he can6 ,such an one would need to be either god or hero2 and ,i profess to be neither4 ,but ,i do not wish to palliate or deny the errors of the past4 ,the present is my concern1--the present time1 and the present ,people4 ,great changes are fermenting in the world2 and of these changes1 especially of those directly affecting our own country1 ,i became actively conscious1 shortly after ,i ascended the ,throne4 ,i heard of disaffections1--disloyalties2 ,i gathered that the ,ministry were suspected of personal self-aggrandisement4 ,i learned that a disastrous policy was on foot respecting ,national ,education--in which priestcraft would be given every advantage1 and ,jesuitry obtain undue influence over the minds of the rising generation4 ,i heard1--,i studied1--and finding that ,i could get no true answer on any point at issue from anyone of my supposed #8reliable' ministers1 ,i resolved to discover things for myself4 ,i found out that the disaffected portion of the metropolis was chiefly under the influence of ,sergius ,thord--and accordingly ,i placed myself in his way1 and became enrolled among you as #8,pasquin ,leroy'2 his sworn associate4 ,i am his sworn associate still6 ,i am proud that he should call me friend2--and even as we have worked already for the ,people1 so we will work still--together60 ,no restraint could have availed to check the wild plaudits that broke out afresh at these words4 ,still thoughtfully and with grave kindness contemplating all the eager and excited faces upturned to him1 the ,king went on4 8,you know nearly all the rest4 ,as ,pasquin ,leroy1 ,i discovered all the shameful speculations with the public money1 carried on by ,carl ,prousse1--and found that so far1 at any rate1 your accusations against him were founded in fact4 ,at the first threatening suspicion of possible condemnation the ,marquis de ,lutera resigned1--thus evidencing his guilty participation in the intended plunder4 ,a false statement printed by ,david ,jost1 stating that ,i1--the ,king1--had revoked my decision concerning the refusal of land to the ,jesuits1 caused me to announce the truth of my own action myself1 in the rival newspaper4 ,of my excommunication from the ,church it is unnecessary to speak2 a man is not injured in ,god's sight by that merely earthly ban4 ,among other things0--and he smiled1--8,i found myself curiously possessed of a taste for literature6--and proved1 that whereas some few monarchs of my acquaintance cannot be quite sure of their spelling1 ,i could1 at a pinch1 make myself fairly well understood by the general public1 as a skilled writer of polemics against myself6--as well as against the ,secretary of ,state4 ,this1 so far as ,i personally am concerned1 has been the humorous side of my little drama of disguise6--for sometimes ,i have had serious thoughts of appearing as a rival to our friend1 ,paul ,zouche1 in the lists of literary ,fame60 ,a murmur of wondering laughter ran round the room1--and all heads were turned to one corner1 as the ,king1 with the kindly smile still lighting up his eyes and lips1 called3 8,zouche1 are you there8 ,do you hear me80 ,zouche did hear4 ,he had been sitting in a state of semi-stupor all the evening1--his chaotic mind utterly confused and bewildered by the events which had taken place2--but now1 on being called1 his usual audacious and irrepressible spirit came to his aid1 and he answered3 8,o ,king1 ,i hear6 ,o ,king1 your ,majesty would make the deaf to hear1 and the dumb to speak6 ,and if there is anything to be done to me for abominating you1 ,o ,king1 who had the impudence to offer me a hundred gold pieces a year for my poems1 ,i1 ,o ,king1 will submit to the utmost terrors of the law60 ,a burst of laughter long and loud1 relieved the pent-up feelings of the company4 ,the ,king laughed as heartily as the rest1 and over the brooding features of ,thord himself came the shadow of a smile4 8,we will settle our accounts together later on1 ,zouche60 said the monarch gaily2 8,meanwhile1 ,i beg you to continue your harmless abomination of me at your leisure60 ,another laugh went round1 and then the ,king resuming his speech continued3 8,i have played two parts at once1--,revolutionist and ,king6 ,but both parts are after all but two sides of the same nature4 ,when ,i first came among you1 ,i bade you all look at me well1--,i asked you to note the resemblance ,i bore to the ruling ,sovereign4 ,i called myself #8the living copy of the man ,i most despise4' ,that was quite true6 ,for there is no one ,i despise more utterly than myself1--when ,i think what ,i might have done with my million opportunities1 and how much time ,i have wasted6 ,you all scrutinised me closely2--and ,i did not flinch6 ,you all accepted my service1--and ,i have served you well6 ,i have noted every one of your desires4 ,where possible1 ,i have sought to fulfil them4 ,every accusation you have brought against the ,ministry has been sifted to the bottom1 and proved down to the hilt4 ,my publicly-proclaimed decision to nominate ,carl ,prousse as ,premier was merely thrown out as a test to try the temper and quality of the nation4 ,that test has answered its purpose well6 ,but there is no need for fear1--,carl ,prousse will never be nominated to anything but disgrace6 ,all his schemes are in my hand1--,i hold complete documentary proofs of his dishonesty and guilt2 and the very day which you have chosen as that on which to appeal to the ,king against the choice of him as ,prime ,minister1 will see him denounced by myself in person to the ,government40 ,a storm of applause greeted this welcome announcement4 ,for a moment all the men went mad with excitement1 shouting1 stamping and singing1--while again and yet again the cry3 #8,for the ,king6' echoed round and round in tempestuous cheering4 ,sergius ,thord gazed blankly at the ,scene with a strange sense of being the dreaming witness of some marvellous drama enacted altogether away from the earth4 ,he could hot yet bring himself to realise that by such a simple method as the independent working of one individual intelligence1 all his own followers had been swept round to loyalty and love for a monarch1 whom previously1 though without knowing him1 they had hated--and sworn to destroy6 ,yet1 in very truth1 all the hatreds and envys1--all the slanders and cruelties of the members of the human race towards each other1 spring from ignorance2 and when disaffected persons hate a king1 they do so mostly because they do not know him1 and because they can form no true opinion of his qualities or the various difficulties of his position4 ,if the ,anarchist1 bent on the destruction of some person in authority1 only had the culture and knowledge to recognise how much that person already suffers1 by being in all probability forced to fulfil duties for which he has no heart or mind1 he would stay his murderous hand1 and pity rather than condemn4 ,for the removal of one ruler only means the installation of another1--and the wild and often gifted souls of reformers1 stumbling through darkness after some great ,ideal which resolves itself into a shadow and delusion the nearer one approaches to it1 need to be tenderly dealt with from the standpoint of plainest simplicity and truth1--so that they may feel the sympathetic touch of human love and care emanating from those very quarters which they seek to assail4 ,this had been the self-imposed mission of the ,king who had played the part of #8,pasquin ,leroy'2--and thus1 fearing nothing1 doubting nothing1 and relying simply on his own strength1 discretion1 and determination1 he had gained a moral victory over the passions of his secret foes such as he had never himself anticipated4 ,when silence was again restored1 he proceeded3 8,the various suggestions made in my presence during the time ,i have been a member of this ,committee1 will all be carried out4 ,the present ,government will naturally oppose every measure1--but ,i1--backed by such supporters as ,i have now won1--will elect a new ,government--a new ,ministry4 ,when ,i began this bloodless campaign of my own1 the present ,ministry were on the edge of war4 ,determined to provoke hostilities with a peaceful ,power1 they were ready even with arms and ammunition1 manufactured by a #8,company1' of which ,prousse was the director and chief shareholder6 ,contracts for army supplies were being secretly tendered2 and one was already secretly accepted and arranged for1--in which ,carl ,prousse and the ,marquis de ,lutera were to derive enormous interest2--the head of the concern being ,david ,jost4 ,this plan was concocted with devilish ingenuity1--for1 if the war had actually broken out1 the supplies of our army would have been of the worst possible kind1 in order to give the best possible profit to the contractors2 and ,jost1 with his newspaper influence1 would have satisfied the public mind by printing constant reiterations of the completeness and excellence of the supplies1 and the entire contentment and jubilation of the men6 ,but ,i awoke to my responsibilities in time to checkmate this move4 ,i forbade the provocation intended2--,i stopped the war4 ,in this matter at least--much loss of life1 much heavy expenditure1 and much ill-will among other nations has been happily spared to us4 ,for the rest1--everything you have been working for shall be granted1--if you yourselves will help me to realise your own plans6 ,i want you in your thousands6--ay1 in your tens of thousands6 ,i want you all on my side6 ,with you1--the representatives of the otherwise unvoiced ,people1--,i will enforce all the measures which you have discussed before me1 showing good and adequate reason why they should be carried4 ,the taxes you complain of shall be instantly removed2--and for the more speedy replenishment of the ,national ,exchequer1 ,i gladly resign one half my revenues from all sources whatsoever for the space of five years2 or longer1 if considered desirable4 ,but ,i want your aid6 ,will you all stand by me80 ,a mighty shout answered him4 8,to the death60 ,he turned to ,thord4 8,sergius10 he said1 8my task is finished--my confession made6 ,the next ,order of this meeting must come from you60 ,thord looked at him amazedly4 8,from me8 ,are you not the ,king80 8,only so long as the ,people desire it60 replied the monarch gently2 8,and are you not the representative of the ,people80 ,thord's chest heaved4 ,burning tears stood in his eyes4 ,the strangeness of the situation--the deliberate coolness and resolve with which this sovereign ruler of a powerful kingdom laid his life trustingly in his hands1 was too much for his nerve4 8,lotys60 he said huskily2 8,lotys60 ,she rose at once and came to him1 moving ghostlike in her white draperies1 her eyes shining--her lips tremulous4 8,lotys10 he said1 8,the ,king is in our hands6 ,you saved his life once--will you save it again80 ,she raised her bent head1 and the old courageous light flashed in her face1 transfiguring its every feature4 8,it is not for me to save60 she replied in clear firm tones2 8,it is for you--and for all of us1--to defend60 ,a ringing cheer answered her4 ,sergius ,thord slowly advanced1 and as he did so1 the ,king1 seeing his movement frankly held out his hand4 ,for a moment the ,socialist ,chief hesitated--then suddenly yielding to his overpowering impulse1 caught that hand and raised his dark eyes full to the monarch's face4 8,you have conquered me60 he said1 8,but only by your qualities as a man--not by your authority as a king6 ,you have won my honour--my respect--my gratitude--my friendship--and with these1 so long as you are faithful to our ,cause1 take my allegiance6 ,more ,i cannot say--more ,i will not promise60 8,i need no more60 responded the ,king cheerily1 enclosing his hand in a warm clasp4 8,we are friends and fellow-workers1 ,sergius6--we can never be rivals60 ,as he spoke1 his glance fell on ,lotys4 ,she shrank from the swift passion of his gaze1--and her eyelids drooped half-swooningly over the bright star-windows of her own too ardent soul4 ,abruptly turning from both her and ,thord1 the ,king again addressed the company3 8,one word more1 my friends6 ,it is arranged that you1 with all your thousands of the ,people are to convene together in one great multitude1 and march to the ,palace to demand justice from the ,king4 ,there is now no need to do this1--for the ,king himself is one of you6--the ,king only lives and reigns that justice in all respects may be done6 ,i will therefore ask you to change your plan2--and instead of marching to the ,palace1 march with me to the ,house of ,government4 ,you would have demanded justice from the ,king2 the ,king himself will go with you to demand justice for the ,people60 ,a wild shout answered him2 and he knew as he looked on the faces of his hearers that he had them all in his power as the servants of his will4 8,and now1 gentlemen10 he proceeded2 8,i should perhaps make some excuses for my two friends1 known to you as ,max ,graub and ,axel ,regor4 ,i told you ,i would be responsible for their conduct1 and1 so far as they have been permitted to go1 they have behaved well6 ,i must1 however1 in justice to them1 assure you that whereas ,i became a member of your ,committee gladly1 they followed my example reluctantly1 and only out of fidelity and obedience to me4 ,they have lived in the shadow of the ,throne1--and have learned to pity1--and ,i think1--to love its occupant6 ,because they know1--as you have never known1--the heavy burden which a king puts on with his crown6 ,they have1 however1 in their way1 served you under my orders1 and under my orders will continue to serve you still4 ,max ,graub1 or1 to give him his right name1 ,heinrich von ,glauben1 has a high reputation in this country for his learning1 apart from his position as ,household ,physician to our ,court2--,axel ,regor is my very good friend ,sir ,roger de ,launay1 who is amiable enough to support the monotony of his duty as one of my equerries in waiting4 ,now you know us as we are6 ,but after all1 nothing is changed1 save our names and the titles we bear2 we are the same men1 the same friends1 the same comrades6--and so ,i trust we shall remain60 ,the cheering broke out again1 and ,sir ,roger de ,launay1 who was quite as overwhelmed with astonishment at the courage and coolness of his ,royal master as any ,revolutionist present1 joined in it with a will1 as did ,von ,glauben4 8,one favour ,i have to ask of you10 proceeded the ,king1 8and it is this3 ,if you exempt me to-night from killing the ,king20 and he smiled1--8you must also exempt all the members of the ,revolutionary ,committee from any similar task allotted to them by having drawn the fatal ,signal6 ,our friend1 ,zouche1 for instance1 has drawn the name of ,carl ,prousse4 ,now ,i want ,zouche for better work than that of killing a rascal60 ,loud cheers answered him1 and ,zouche rising from his place advanced a little4 8,majesty60 he cried1 8,you are right6 ,i hand your ,majesty's intended ,premier over to you with the greatest1 pleasure in the world6 ,apart from the fact of your being the ,king1 ,i am compelled to admit that you have common sense60 ,laughter and cheers resounded through the room again1 and the ,king quietly turning round1 extinguished the red lamp on the table4 ,the thirteenth light was quenched2 the ,day of ,fate was ended4 ,as the ominous crimson flare sank out1 a sudden silence prevailed1 and the ,king fixed his eyes on ,lotys4 8,from you1 ,madame1 must come my final exoneration6 ,if you still condemn me as a ,king1 ,i shall be indeed unfortunate6 ,if you still think well of me as a man1 ,i shall be proud6 ,i have to thank you1 not only for my life1 but for having helped me to make that life valuable6 ,as ,pasquin ,leroy1 ,i have sought to serve you1--as ,king1 ,i seek to serve you still60 ,the silence continued4 ,every man present watched the visible emotion which swept every vestige of colour from the face of ,lotys1 and made her eyes so feverishly bright4 ,every man gazed at her as she rose from her chair and came forward a little to the front of the platform4 ,it was with a strong effort that she raised her eyes to those of the ,king1 and in that one glance between them1 the lightning flash of a resistless love tore the veil of secrecy from their souls4 ,but she spoke out bravely4 8,i thank your ,majesty60 she said2 8,i thank you for all you have done for us as our comrade and associate1--for all you will yet do for us as our comrade and associate still6 ,it is better to be a brave man than a weak ,king--but it is best to be a strong man and a strong king both together6 ,you have disproved the thoughts ,i had of you as ,king6 ,you have ratified--0 here she paused1 while the colour suddenly sprang to her cheeks1 and her breath came pantingly and quick1--8and strengthened the thoughts ,i had of you as our ,pasquin60 ,her eyes softened with tears1 though she smiled4 8,we have believed in you2 we believe in you still6 ,all is as it was1--save in the one thing new1--that where we were banded together against the ,king1 we are now united for1 and with the ,king60 ,these words were all that were needed to reawaken and confirm the enthusiasm of the ,revolutionists1 whose #8revolutionary' measures were now accepted and sworn to by the ,crowned ,head of the ,realm4 ,thereupon1 they gave themselves up to the wildest cheering4 8,comrades60 cried ,paul ,zouche1 in the midst of the uproar2 8,there is one point you seem to have missed6 ,the ,king1--,god bless him6--doesn't see it1--,thord1 glowering like an owl in his ivy-bush of hair1 doesn't see it6 ,it is only left to me to perceive the chief result of this evening's disclosures60 ,all the men laughed4 8,what is it1 ,zouche80 demanded ,louis ,valdor4 8,ay6 ,what is it80 echoed ,zegota4 8,speak1 ,zouche60 said the ,king2 8,whatever strange conclusion your poetic brain discovers1 doubt not but that we shall accept it1--from60 8,accept it8 ,i should think so60 cried ,zouche2 8,you are bound to accept it whether you like it or not2 there is no other way out of it60 8,well1 what is it80 repeated ,zegota impatiently2 8,declare it60 8,it is this20 said ,zouche1 8,simply this1--that1 with the ,king as our comrade and associate1 the ,revolutionary ,committee is no use6 ,it is finished6 ,there can be no longer a ,revolutionary ,committee60 8,that is true60 said the ,king2 8,it may henceforth be known as a new ,parliament60 ,cheer after cheer echoed through the crowded room1 and while the noise was at its height a knocking was heard outside and ,sholto1 the hunchback father of ,pequita1 demanded admittance4 ,zegota unlocked the door1 and in a few minutes the situation was explained to the astonished landlord of the ,revolutionary ,committee quarters4 ,overwhelmed at the news1 and full of gratitude for the kindness shown to his child1 which he now knew had emanated from the ,king in person1 he would have knelt to kiss the ,royal hand1 had not the monarch prevented him4 8,no1 my good ,sholto60 he said gently2 8,enough of such humility wearies me in the monotonous routine of ,court life2 and were it not for custom and prejudice1 ,i would suffer no self-respecting man to abase himself before me1 simply because my profession is that of ,king6 ,tell ,pequita that ,i would not look at her1 or applaud her dancing the other night1 because ,i wished her to hate the ,king and to love ,pasquin6--but now you must ask her for me1 to love them both60 ,sholto bowed low1 profoundly overcome4 ,was this the ,king against whom they had all been in league8--this simple1 unaffected man1 who seemed so much at home and at one with them all8 ,amazed and bewildered1 he1 by general invitation1 mixed with the rest of the men1 for each of whom the ,king had a kind and appreciative word1 or a fresh pledge of his good faith and intention towards them and the reforms they sought to effect4 ,von ,glauben was surrounded by a group of those among whom he had made himself popular2 and a hundred eager questions were asked of both him and ,de ,launay1 who were ready enough to eulogise the daring of their ,royal master1 and the determination with which he had resolved on making his secret foes his open friends4 8,after all10 said ,zegota deprecatingly1 8it is not so much the ,king whom we were against1 as the ,government40 8,ah6 ,you forget1 no doubt10 said ,von ,glauben1 8that the ,king--any ,king--is usually a ,dummy in the hands of ,government1 unless1 as in the present instance1 he chooses to become a living ,personality for himself60 8,the ,king has created an autocracy60 said ,louis ,valdor2 8and it will last for his lifetime4 ,but after----60 8,after him1--if his eldest son1 ,prince ,humphry1 comes to the ,throne1--the autocracy will be continued20 said ,von ,glauben decisively2 8,for he is a young man who is singularly fond of having his own way60 ,the conversation now became general2 and the big1 bare1 common room assumed in a few minutes almost the aspect of a ,royal leve4 ,this was curious enough1--and furnished food for meditation to ,professor von ,glauben1 who was considerably excited by the dramatic dnouement of the ,day of ,fate1--a climax for which neither he nor ,sir ,roger had been in the least prepared4 ,he said something of it to ,sir ,roger who was watching ,lotys4 8,you look at the woman10 he said2 8,i look at the man6 ,do you think this drama is finished80 8,not yet60 answered ,de ,launay curtly2 8,nor is the danger over60 ,the hum of talk continued2 and the good feeling of friendship and unity of the assemblage was intensified with every cordial handshake4 ,when the time came to break up1 someone suggested that a carriage should be sent for to convey the ,king and his two companions to the ,palace4 ,whereat the monarch laughed aloud and right joyously4 8,by my faith60 he exclaimed2 8,you1 my friends1 would actually pamper me already1 by offering me a luxury which you yourselves do not propose to enjoy6 ,ah1 my friends1 here comes in the mischief of the monarchical system6 ,what of your #8,liberty1 ,equality1 and ,fraternity'8 ,do ,i ask to have anything different to yourselves8 ,can ,i not walk1 even as you do8 ,have ,i not walked to1 and from these meetings often8 ,and even so1 ,i purpose to walk now6 ,if you are true ,revolutionists--as ,i am--do not reverse your own theories6 ,you complain1--and justly1--that a king is over-flattered2 do not then flatter him yourselves by insisting on such convenience for him as he does not even demand at your hands60 8,you take us too literally1 ,sir10 said ,louis ,valdor2 8,even ,revolutionists owe respect to their chief60 8,sergius ,thord is your ,chief1 my friend60 replied the monarch2 8,and1 from a ,revolutionary point of view1 mine6 ,but you have never thought of sending him anywhere in a carriage6 ,ah6--what children we are6 ,what slaves of convention6 #8,liberty1 ,equality and ,fraternity' have been the ideals of ages2--yet despite them1 we are always ready to follow a ,leader1--and form ourselves into one body under a ,head60 8,provided the ,head has brains in it60 said ,zouche4 8,but otherwise--0 8,you cut it off60 laughed the monarch--8and quite right too60 ,they now began to separate4 ,the hunchback ,sholto explained that it was long after midnight1 and that he had already put out all the lights in the basement4 ,whereupon the ,king1 turning to ,sergius ,thord said3 8,farewell for the moment1 ,sergius6 ,come to me at the ,palace with the whole plan of the meeting you are now organising2 ,i shall hold myself ready to fall in with your plans6 ,gather your thousands1 and--leave the rest to me60 ,thord clasped his extended hand1--and was moved by a curious instinct to bend down low over it after the fashion of a courtier1 but restrained himself almost by force4 ,the men began to move2 one after the other bade good-night to the ,king--then to ,thord1 and last to ,lotys1 who1 drawing on her cloak1 prepared to leave also4 8,i will see you safely down the stairs10 said the ,king smilingly1 to her4 8,it is not the first time ,i have done so6 ,how now1 ,zouche80 ,paul ,zouche stood before him1 his eyes full of a strange mingled pathos and scorn4 8,i have to thank your ,majesty10 he said slowly1 8for something ,i do not in the least value1--,fame6 ,it has come too late6 ,had it been my portion three years ago1 the woman ,i loved would have been proud of me1 and ,i should have been happy6 ,she is dead now--and nothing matters60 ,the ,king was silent4 ,there was something both solemn and pitiful about this wreck of manhood which was still kept alive by the fire of genius4 8,with one word you might have saved me--and her60 he went on4 8,when you came to the ,throne1--and all the wretched versifiers in the kingdom were scribbling twaddle in the way of #8,coronation odes' and medleys1 ,i wrote #8,the ,song of ,freedom' for your glory6 ,all the people of the land know that song now6--but you might have known it then6 ,for now it is too late6--too late to call her back2--too late to give me peace60 ,he paused2--then--without another word--turned1 and went out4 8,poor ,zouche60 said the ,king gently2 8,i accept his reproach and understand it6 ,he is right6 ,the recognition of his genius is one of the thousand chances ,i have missed6 ,but1 as ,god lives1 ,i will miss no more60 ,a great quietude fell on the house as the ,revolutionary ,committee dispersed4 ,the last to leave was the ,king1 his two friends1 and ,lotys4 ,lotys declined all escort somewhat imperatively1 refusing to allow ,sergius ,thord to see her to her own home4 8,i must be alone60 she said2 8,do you not understand6 ,i want to think--,i want to realise our change of position4 ,i cannot talk to you1 ,sergius1--no--not till to-morrow--you must let me be60 ,he drew back1 chilled and hurt by her tone1 but forbore to press his company on her4 ,with another farewell to the ,king1 he stood at the top of the long dark winding stair watching the group descend1--first ,von ,glauben1 next ,de ,launay1--thirdly1 the ,king1--and lastly1 ,lotys4 8,good-night60 he called1 as her white robes vanished in the gloom4 8,good-night60 she answered tremulously1 as she disappeared4 ,and he1 returning to the empty room1 stared vacantly at the table draped with black1 and the funeral urn set upon it1--stared at the empty chairs and bare walls1 and listened as it were1 to the midnight silence1--realising that he as ,chief of the ,revolutionary ,committee1 was no longer a chief but a servant6--and that the power he sought--that power which he had endeavoured to attain in order that he might make of ,lotys1 as he had said1 #8a queen among women6' was only to be won through1--the ,king6 ,the ,king knew all his secret plans and his aims1--he held the clue to the whole network of his ,revolutionary organisation1--and the only chance he now had of ever arriving at the highest goal of his ambition was in the ,king's hands6 ,thus was he1--,socialist and ,revolutionist1--made subject to the ,throne2 the very rules he had drawn up for himself and his ,committee making it impossible that he could be otherwise than loyal1 to a monarch who was at the same time his comrade6 ,meanwhile1 in the thick darkness of the hall below1 while ,von ,glauben and ,de ,launay were groping their way to the door which was cautiously held open by ,sholto1 ,lotys1 moving with hesitating steps down the stairs1 felt rather than saw a head turned back upon her1--a flash of eyes in the darkness1 and heard her name breathed softly3 8,lotys60 ,she grew dizzy and uncertain of her footing2 she could not answer4 ,suddenly a strong arm caught her1--she was drawn into a close1 fierce1 jealous clasp2 warm lips caressed her hair1 her brow1 her eyes2 and a voice whispered in her ear3 8,you love me1 ,lotys6 ,you love me6 ,hush6--do not deny it--you cannot deny it6--you know it1 as ,i know it6--you have told me you love me6 ,you love me1 my ,love6 ,you love me60 ,another moment--and the ,king passed quietly out of the door with a bland #8,good-night' to ,sholto1 and joining his two companions1 raised his hat to ,lotys with a courteous salutation4 8,good-night1 ,madame60 ,she stood in the doorway1 shuddering violently from head to foot1--watching his tall figure disappear in the shadows of the street4 ,then stretching out her hands blindly1 she gave a faint cry1 and murmuring something inarticulate to the alarmed ,sholto1 fell senseless at his feet4 ,,chapter ,,xxx ,,king ,,and ,,socialist ,to many persons of the servile or flunkey habit1 the idea that a king should ever comport himself as an ordinary1--or extraordinary1--man1 seems more or less preposterous2 while to conceive him as endowed with dash1 spirit1 and a love of adventure is judged almost as absurd and impossible4 ,the only potentate that ever appears1 in legendary lore1 to have indulged himself to his heart's content in the sport of adopting a disguise and going about unrecognised among his subjects1 is the witty and delightful hero of the #8,arabian ,nights' ,entertainment1' ,caliph ,haroun ,alraschid1 who1 as ,tennyson describes him1 had 8,deep eyes1 laughter-stirred ,with merriment of kingly pride2 ,sole star of all that place and time1 ,i saw him in his golden prime4 ,the good ,haroun ,alraschid60 ,we accept ,haroun2 and acknowledge him to have been wise in the purport of his wanderings through the streets of the city1--gaining new experience with every hour1 and studying the needs and complaints of his people for himself2--but if we should be told of a modern monarch doing likewise in our own day1 we should mount on the stiff hobby-horse of our ridiculous conventionality1 and accuse him of having brought the dignity of the ,throne into contempt4 ,yet nothing perhaps can be more contemptible than a monarch who is too surrounded by flunkeyism to be a ,man1--and1 on the other hand1 nothing could be more beneficial than the feeling that perhaps a monarch may be so much of a man after all that no one can be quite certain as to his whereabouts4 ,it would be well if some rowdy #8clubs' could be restrained by the idea that the ,sovereign of the ,realm might step in unexpectedly1--or if the #8slums' could scarcely be able to tell when he might not be among their inmates1 disguised as one of them1 studying and knowing more in a day than his ministers would tell him in several years4 ,it is generally admitted that no man is fit for a profession till he has thoroughly mastered its possibilities1--yet it is not too much to declare that in the profession of ,sovereignty the few who practise it1 have mastered it to so little purpose1 that they are almost entirely blind to the singular advantages which they might obtain1 not only for themselves1 but for the entire world1 if they chose to put forth their own individuality1 and1 instead of wasting their time on the scheming and self-seeking sections of ,society1 elected to try their powers on the working and trade communities of the nation4 ,but throughout all history1 the various careers of kings and emperors contain instructive lessons of ,lost ,opportunity4 ,allowing for the differences of climate and temperament1 it may be taken for granted that no people of any country are constitutionally able to rise above a certain height of enthusiasm2 and that when the high-water mark is reached1 their enthusiasm cools1 and a reaction invariably sets in4 ,for this cause a monarch should never rely too much on the plaudits of the mob in a time of conquest1 or public festival of jubilation4 ,he should look upon such acclamation as the mere rising of a wave1 which must in due time sink again1--and if he would know his people thoroughly1 he should study that same shouting mob1 not when it is affected by hysteria1 but during its everyday level condition of stubborn and patient toil4 ,so will he perhaps be able to lay his finger on the sore places of life1 and to find out where the seed of mischief is planted1 before it begins to grow4 ,but he must give an individual interest to such work2 no information must be obtained or given through this person or that person1--for the old maxim that #8if you want anything done1 do it yourself' applies to kings as well as to all other classes of men4 ,that the old adage had been amply practised by one king at least1 was soon known throughout the capital of the country over which the monarch here written of held dominion4 ,somehow1 and by some means or other1 the story oozed out bit by bit and in guarded whispers1 that the ,king had #8trapped' ,carl ,prousse1 as well as several other defaulting ministers1--and that1 strange and incredible as it appeared1 he himself was the very #8,pasquin ,leroy' whose political polemics had created such a stir4 ,once started1 the rumour flew2--some disbelieved it2--others listened1 with ears stretched wide1 greedy for more detail1--but presently the scattered threads of gossip became woven into a consecutive web of certainty so far as one point1 at least1 was concerned1--and this was1 that the ,king would personally address his ,parliament during the ensuing week on matters of national safety and importance4 ,such an announcement was altogether unprecedented1 and excited the whole country's attention4 ,plenty of discussion there was1 as to whether the ,king had any right to so address the members of the ,government1--and some oracular journals were of the opinion that he was acting in an #8unconstitutional manner4' ,on the other hand1 it was discovered and proved that there was no actual law forbidding the ,sovereign to speak when any question of urgency appeared to call for his expressed opinion4 ,while this affair was being contested and argued1 a considerable sensation was created by the news that the ,marquis de ,lutera had suddenly left the country1--ostensibly for his health1 which1 everyone was assured1 had completely broken down4 ,people shook their heads ominously1 and wondered when the ,king would give ,m4 ,prousse the task of forming a new ,ministry1--while they watched with deepening interest the progress of the various ,government debates1 which were carried on in the usual way1 following the lines laid down by the absent ,premier1 ,marquis de ,lutera4 ,carl ,prousse1 confronted by a thousand difficulties1 maintained his usual equable and audacious attitude1 scouting with scorn the rumour that the ,socialist writer1 #8,pasquin ,leroy' was merely a disguise adopted by the ,king himself1--and he was as cool and imperturbable as ever when one morning ,david ,jost succeeded in finding him at home1 and obtaining an audience4 8,it was the ,king60 burst out ,jost1 as soon as he found himself alone with his ally2 8,it was the ,king himself who wore ,lutera's signet1 and came to me disguised so well that his own father would not have known him6 ,the ,king himself1 ,i say6 ,and ,i told him everything60 8,more fool you60 returned ,prousse quietly2 8,however1 fools generally have to pay the price of their folly60 8,and knaves60 said ,jost furiously2 8,but there is a power which cannot be controlled1 even by kings or statesmen--and that is--the pen60 8,and do you think you can use the pen80 queried ,prousse indolently2 8,excellent ,shylock1 you know you cannot6 ,you can pay others to use it for you6 ,that is all60 8,i can make short work of you at any rate60 said ,jost1 his little eyes sparkling with rage2 8,for ,i see plainly enough now that even if our plans had succeeded1 you would have left me in the lurch60 8,of course60 smiled ,prousse2 8,are you so simple in the world's ways as not to be able to realise that such ,jew pressmen as you are only made for the use of politicians8 ,we drop you1 when we have done with you6 ,go to ,london1 ,jost6 ,start a paper there6 ,it is the very place for you6 ,get a ,cardinal to back you up1 with funds to be used for the #8conversion' of ,england6 ,or give a hundred thousand pounds to a hospital6 ,you can become naturalised as an ,englishman if you like2 any country does for a ,jew6 ,and you will be a power of the realm in no time6 ,they manage these sort of things capitally there60 8,by ,god60 said ,jost2 8,i could kill you60 8,what for80 demanded ,prousse2 8,because you think ,i am going to be proved a political fraud8 ,wait and see6 ,if the ,king denounces me1 ,i am prepared to denounce the ,king60 ,jost stared1 then laughed aloud4 8,denounce the ,king6 ,you are bold6 ,but you make up your sum with the wrong numerals this time6 ,the ,king holds the complete list of your speculations in his hand1--he has got them through the agency of the ,revolutionary ,committee1 to which your stockbroker's confidential clerk belongs6 ,you fool6 ,all your schemes--all your #8companies' are known to him root and branch--and you say you will #8denounce' him6 ,if you do1 it will be a real comedy6--the case of a thief denouncing the officer who has caught him red-handed in the act of thieving60 ,with this parting shot1 he made a violent exit4 ,prousse left alone1 dismissed him1 with all other harassments from his mind2 for being entirely without a conscience1 he had very little care as to the results of the ,king's reported intentions4 ,he was preparing a brilliant speech1 which he intended to deliver if occasion demanded2 and on his own coolness1 mendacity and pluck1 he staked his future4 8,if ,i fail10 he said to himself2 8,i will go to the ,united ,states1 and end by becoming ,president6 ,there are many such plans open to a man of resources60 ,during the ensuing few days there were some extra gaieties at the ,palace1--and the ,king and ,queen were seen daily in public4 ,everywhere1 they were greeted with frantic outbursts of cheering1 and the recent riotous outbreaks seemed altogether forgotten4 ,the ,opera was crowded nightly1 and undeterred by the fear of any fresh manifestations of popular discontent1 their ,majesties were again present4 ,this time the ,king was the first to lead off the applause that hailed ,pequita's dancing4 ,and how her little feet flew6--how her eyes sparkled with rapture--how the dark curls tossed1 and the cherry lips smiled6 ,to her the ,king remained ,pasquin6--a kind of monarch in a fairy tale1 who scattered benefits at a touch1 and sunshine with a glance1 and who deserved all the love and loyalty of every subject in the kingdom6 ,but she had never had any idea of #8,revolution1' poor child6--save such a revolving of chance and circumstance as should enable her father to live in comfort1 without anxiety for his latter days4 ,and perhaps at the bottom of all political or religious fanaticism we should find an equally simple root of cause for the effect4 ,the day at last came when ,sergius ,thord held his mighty #8mass meeting1' convened in the ,cathedral square1--all ready for marching orders4 ,no interference was offered either from soldiery or police2 and the people came pouring up from every quarter of the city in their thousands and tens of thousands4 ,by noon1 the tall lace-like spire of the ,cathedral towered above a vast sea of human heads1 which from a distance looked like swarming bees2 and as the bells struck the hour1 ,thord1 mounting the steps of a monument erected to certain heroes who had long ago fallen in battle1 was greeted with a roar of acclamation like the thunder of heaven's own artillery4 ,but even while the multitude still shouted and cheered1 the sight of another figure1 which quietly ascended to the same position1 caused a sudden hush1--a gradually deepening silence of amazement and awe1--and then finally swift recognition4 8,the ,king60 cried a voice4 8,pasquin ,leroy60 shouted another1 who was answered by yells and shrieks of derision4 8,the ,king60 was again the cry4 ,and as the vast crowd circled round and round1 its million eyes wonderingly upturned1 ,sergius ,thord suddenly lifted his cap and waved it3 8,ay6 ,the ,king60 ,his voice rang over the heads of the people with a rich thrill of command4 8,the ,king1 who here declares himself the friend of our ,cause6 ,the ,king1 who is with us to-day of his own will1 at his own request1 by his own choice6--without escort1--unarmed--defenceless6 ,the ,king6 ,the ,king who has resolved to go with us1 and demand justice for his overtaxed and suffering subjects6 ,the ,king1 who is one with us6--who seeks no greater kingliness than that of being loved and trusted by his ,people60 ,the surprise of this announcement was so truly overpowering1 that for the moment the mighty mass of men stood inert2 then1--as the situation flashed upon them1 such a thunder of cheering broke out as seemed to make the very earth rock and the houses in the square tremble4 ,the ,king himself1 standing by ,thord1 grew pale as he heard it1 and his eyes were suffused with something like tears4 8,by ,heaven60 he murmured2 8,the love of this people is worth having60 8,did you ever doubt it80 queried ,thord slowly1 eyeing him with a touch of wonder not unmixed with jealousy2 8,there is only one power which keeps a king on his throne--the confidence of the nation6 ,you had nearly lost that6 ,for though there is nothing so easy to win1 there is nothing so easy to lose60 8,true60 said the monarch1 his eyes still resting tenderly on the excited multitude below him4 8,i have deserved little at the people's hands--but perhaps--when ,i am gone--0 he paused abruptly1 then with a smile added--8,give us our marching orders1 ,sergius60 ,thord obeyed1--and very soon1 under his command1 the huge multitude arranged itself in blocks1 or regiments1 perfectly organised in different companies1 and entirely prepared to keep order4 ,dividing into equal lines they made way quickly and with enthusiasm as they perceived the ,king's charger1 which1 richly caparisoned1 had been brought for his ,majesty at ,thord's own earnest request4 ,when all was ready1 the ,king sprang into the saddle1 and gathering the reins in one hand1 sat for a moment bare-headed1 the people surging round him with repeated outbursts of applause4 ,without a weapon1--without a single man of his own household to bear him company1--without any armed escort1--he remained there enthroned2--the centre1--not of #8society1'--but of the ,people1 who gathered round him as their visible ,head1 with as much shouting and enthusiasm and worship1 as if he had1 in his own person1 made the conquest1 single-handed1 of a hundred nations6 ,never1 in his most gorgeous apparel1--never1 even when robed and crowned in state1 had he looked so noble2 never had he seemed so worthy of the highest honour1 reverence and admiration1 as now6 ,at a signal from ,thord1 who led the way on foot1 the thousands of the city began to march to the ,house of ,government1 all gathering round one principal figure1 that of their ,king4 ,a group of workmen constituted themselves his body-guard1 protecting his proudly-stepping charger from so much as a stone that might startle it or check its progress1 and thus--liberated from the protection of flunkeys and flatterers1--the monarch1 surrounded by his true subjects advanced together as one ,body1 to challenge and overthrow a fraudulent ,ministry1 whose measures had been drawn up and passed1 not for the good of the country1 but for the financial advantage and protection of themselves4 ,never was such a wondrous sight seen1 as that almost interminable procession through the broad thoroughfares of the city1 headed by a ,socialist1 and centred by a ,king6 ,no ,royal ceremonial1 overburdened with snobbish conventionalities and hypocritical parade1 ever presented so splendid and imposing a sight as that concentrated mass of the actual people1--the working muscle and sinew of the land's common weal1 marching in steady and triumphant order1--surging like the billows of the sea around that brave ship1 their ,sovereign1 cheering him to the echo1 and waving around him the flags of the country1 while he1 still bare-headed1 rode dauntless in their midst looking every inch a king6--more kingly indeed than he had ever seemed1 and more established in the affections of his subjects than any living monarch of the time4 ,so was he brought with ceaseless acclamation to the ,government ,house1 where1 as all knew1 he purposed denouncing ,carl ,prousse2--and thus did he assert in his own person that a king1 supported by a nation1 is more powerful than any government built up by mere party agency6 ,and even so1 at his best and bravest1 two women looked upon him and loved him6 ,one1 from the outskirts of the great crowd where1 shrouded close in her veil1 she waited tremblingly near the ,government buildings1 and saw him alight from his charger1 and enter there1 amid the wild shoutings of the populace1--the other1 from a high window in the ,royal ,palace1 where she leaned watching the crowd1--the sunlight catching the diamonds at her breast and sparkling in her proud cold eyes4 ,and over the whole city rang the continuous and exultant cry3 8,the ,king6 ,the ,king60 ,and perhaps only one soul1 prophetic in instinct1 foresaw any terror in the triumph6--only one voice1 low and tremulous and weighted with tears and prayers1 murmured3 8,ah1 dear ,god6 ,would he were not a ,king60 ,,chapter ,,xxxi ,a ,,vote ,,for ,,love ,next day it was known through the length and breadth of the city that the ,king1 so long judged as a political ,dummy1 had proved himself a living1 acting authority4 ,every journal in city and province led off its news under the one chief heading1--#8,the ,king's ,speech4' ,the ,king had spoken2--and with no uncertain voice4 ,cool1 brilliant in wording1 concise in statement1--cuttingly correct in facts1 convincing in argument1 his unexpected denouncement of ,carl ,prousse1 and the ,prousse #8majority1' swept the ,government off their feet by its daring courage1 and still more daring veracity4 ,documentary evidence of the dishonourable speculations with the public money which had been so freely indulged in by the ,secretary of ,state1 aided and abetted by the ,premier1 was handed by the ,king in person to the authorities whose business it was to examine such proofs1--the dishonourable measures used to retain the #8majority' were fully exposed1 and the whole ,house stood thunderstruck and mentally paralysed1 under the straight accusation and merciless condemnation launched at their own lax tolerance of such iniquitous practices1 by their reigning monarch4 ,with perfect dignity and impressive calm1 the ,king quietly demanded whether ,m4 ,carl ,prousse would be pleased to explain his actions8 ,whether he had anything to say in response to the charges brought against him8 ,to this last query1 after a dead silence1 during which every eye was fixed on the defaulting ,minister1 who1 in the course of the ,royal speech had seen every bulwark of his own intended defence torn away from him1 ,prousse1 with an ashy white countenance answered3 8,nothing60 ,and the silence around him continued2 a silence more expressive than any outspoken word of scorn4 ,but more surprises were in store for the ,ministry1 which found itself thus suddenly overthrown4 ,the ,king announced the marriage of his son1 the ,crown ,prince1 to #8a daughter of the ,people'6 ,boldly1 and with an ardent passion of truth lighting up every feature of his handsome countenance1 he stated this overwhelming piece of news in a perfectly matter-of-fact way1 adding1 that in consequence of the step taken1--a step which he did not himself in any way regret1--the ,crown ,prince asked to be allowed to resign the ,throne in favour of his brother ,rupert4 8,unless10 continued his ,majesty1 8the ,nation should be proved ready to accept the wife he has chosen4 ,it is needless to add that my son has married without my consent1 and this is the reason of his present absence from the country4 ,if the ,nation accepts his wife1 he will return to the ,nation2 if not1 ,i am bound to say1 knowing his mind1 that there is nothing to be done1 but to declare ,prince ,rupert ,heir to the ,throne4 ,this1 however1 ,i personally desire may be left to the consideration and vote of the people60 ,and when the ,house rose on that astonishing afternoon1 they knew they were no longer a ,house1--they knew the ,government was entirely overthrown1 and that there would be a new ,ministry and a ,general ,election4 ,they had to realise also1 that their #8,bills' for imposing fresh taxes on the people were mere waste paper1--and they heard likewise with redoubled amazement that the ,king had decided to resign half his revenues for the space of five years1 to assist the deficit in the ,national ,exchequer4 ,at the conclusion of the whole unprecedented scene1 they saw the ,king received1 as it were1 into the arms of a frenzied crowd1 numbering many tens of thousands1 which spread round all the ,government buildings1 and poured itself in thick streams through every street and thoroughfare1 and they had to accept the fact that their #8majority' was reduced to a minority so infinitesimal1 amid the greater wave of popular resolve1 that it was not worth counting4 ,carl ,prousse1 leaving the ,house by a private door of egress1 shamed1 disgraced and crestfallen as he was1 dared not trust the very sight of himself to such an overwhelming multitude1 and managed by lucky chance to escape unobserved4 ,he was assisted in this manoeuvre by ,general ,bernhoff4 ,the ,chief of the ,police perceived him slinking cautiously along the side-wall of an alley where the crowd had not penetrated1 and helped him into a passing cab that he might be driven rapidly and safely to his home4 8,you will no doubt excuse me0--said the ,general with a slight smile--8for not having acted more rigorously in the matter of the suspected #8,pasquin ,leroy'6 ,i am afraid ,i should never have summed up sufficient impudence to ask the ,king to sign a warrant against himself60 ,prousse muttered an inarticulate oath by way of reply4 ,he realised fully that the game for him was lost4 ,his speech of defence1 so carefully prepared had been useless1 for he could not have uttered it in the face of the damnatory evidence against him pronounced by the ,king1 and verified by his own public actions4 ,yet his audacity had not1 in the main1 deserted him4 ,he knew that1 owing to his proved defalcations and fraudulent use of the public money1 his own property would be confiscated to the ,crown1--but he had always kept himself well prepared for emergencies1 and had invested in foreign securities under various assumed names4 ,turning his attention to ,america1 he felt pretty sure he could do something there1--but so far as his own country was concerned1 he submitted to the inevitable1 feeling that his day was done4 8,the ,jew is always triumphant60 he said1 as he opened ,jost's newspaper next morning1 and read a full account of the proceedings in the ,house1 described with all the #8colour' and gush of ,jost's most melodramatic reporter4 8,there is no doubt a #8leader' on my #8unhappy position' as a fallen1 but once trusted ,minister60 ,he was right2 there was6 ,a gravely-reproachful1 sternly-commiserating #8leader1' wherein the apparently impeccable and highly conscientious writer #8deplored' the laxity of those who supported ,m4 ,carl ,prousse in his #8regrettable' scheme of self-aggrandisement4 8,the rascal60 ejaculated ,prousse1 as he read4 8,if ,i ever get a fresh start in the ,united ,states or ,south ,africa1 ,i'll put him on a gridiron1 and roast him to slow music60 ,meanwhile the whole country went mad over the ,king4 ,no man was ever so idolised2 no man was ever made the centre of more hero-worship4 ,in all the excitement of a ,general ,election1 the wave of loyalty rose to its extremest height1 and no candidate that was not ready to follow the lines of reform laid down by the monarch1 had a ghost of a chance of being returned as a deputy4 ,with the abolition of the tax on bread1 the popular jubilation increased2 bonfires were lit on every hill1--rockets flared up star-like from every rocky point upon the coast1 and the ,nation gave itself entirely up to joy4 ,all the long dormant sentiment of the multitude was roused to a fever-heat by the story of ,prince ,humphry's marriage1 and he too1 next to his father1 became a veritable hero of romance in the eyes of the people1 for whom ,love1 and all pertaining to love-matters form the most interesting part of life4 ,following his announcement in the ,house1 the ,king issued a #8manifesto1' setting forth the facts of his son's union with #8,one ,gloria ,ronsard1 of ,the ,islands1' and requesting the vote of the people for1 or against1 the ,prince as ,heir-,apparent to the ,throne4 ,the result of this bold and candid reliance on the ,nation was one which could never have been foreseen by so-called #8diplomatic' statesmen1 who are accustomed to juggle with simple facts1 and who strive to cover up and conceal the too distinct plainness of truth4 ,an electric thrill of chivalrous enthusiasm pulsated through the entire country2 and the unanimous vote of the people was returned to the ,king in entire favour of the ,crown ,prince and his chosen bride4 ,perhaps no one was more astonished at this than the ,king himself4 ,he had been prepared for considerable friction2 he had been quite sure of opposition on the part of #8,society1' but1 ,society1 moved for once from its usual selfishness by the boldness and daring of a heroic king1 had ranked itself entirely on his side1 and was ready and even anxious to accept in ,prince ,humphry a new kind of #8,cophetua1' even if he had chosen to wed a beggar-maid6 ,and it so chanced that there were many persons who had seen ,gloria1--and among these was ,sergius ,thord1 ,he had not only seen her1 but known her2--he had studied her character and qualities1--and was aware that she possessed one of the most pure and beautiful of womanly souls2--and though taken by surprise at the discovery that the young #8sailor' she had wedded was no other than the ,crown ,prince1 yet1 after the experience he had personally gone through with one #8,pasquin ,leroy1' he could scarcely feel that any news1 even of the most wonderful kind1 was so wonderful after all6 ,so that1 as soon as he learned the truth1 he brought all his enormous #8following' into unanimity as regarded the ,prince's romantic love-story2 and ere long there was not one in the metropolis at least1 who did not consider the marriage a good thing1 and likely to weld even more closely together the harmonious relationship between people and ,throne4 ,and so it chanced1 that even while the ,general ,election was still going on all over the country1 an incessant popular clamour was made for the instant return of the ,prince to his native land4 ,the papers teemed with suggestions as to the #8welcoming home' of the young hero of romance and his bride1 and ,professor von ,glauben1 mentally giddy with the whirl of events1 was nevertheless triumphantly elated4 8,now that you know everything10 he said to ,sir ,roger de ,launay1 8,i hope you are satisfied6 ,my #8jam-pot' that you spoke of1 has turned out to be a special ,sweetmeat for the whole nation60 8,i am very much surprised1 ,i confess60 said ,sir ,roger slowly2 8,i should hardly have thought such a love-story possible in these modern days4 ,and ,i should certainly never have given the nation credit for so much sentiment60 8,a nation is always sentimental60 declared the ,professor2 8,what does a ,government exist for8 ,merely to keep national sentiment in order4 ,ministers know well enough1 that despite the various #8,bills' brought in for material advantage and improvement1 they have always to deal with the imaginative aspiration of the populace1 rather than their conception of logic4 ,for truly1 the masses have no logic at all2 they will not stop to count the cost of an ,army1 but they will shout themselves hoarse at the sight of the ,flag6 ,the ,flag is the ,sentiment2 the ,army is the ,fact4 ,the ,king has secured all the votes of the nation on a question of ,sentiment only1--but there is this pleasant scientific #8fact underlying the sentiment1--,gloria is fit to be the mother of kings6 ,and that is what ,i will not say of any royally-born woman ,i know60 ,sir ,roger was silent4 8,consider our present ,queen as a mother only60 he went on2 8,beautiful and impassive as a snow-peak with the snow shining upon it6 ,what of her sons8 ,the ,crown ,prince is the best of them1--but he has only been saved from inherited mischief by his love for ,gloria4 ,the other two boys1 ,rupert and ,cyprian1 will probably be selfish libertines60 ,sir ,roger opened his eyes in astonishment4 8,why do you say that80 he asked2 8,they are harmless lads enough6 ,cricket and football are enough to make them happy40 8,for the present1 no doubt60 agreed ,von ,glauben2 8,but it sometimes happens that the young human animal who expends all his brains on kicking a football1 is quite likely to expend another sort of force when he grows up1 in morally kicking other things6 ,at least1 that is how ,i regard it4 ,the over-cultivation of physical strength leads to mental callousness and brutality4 ,these are scientific points which require discussion1--not with you1--but with a scientist4 ,nothing should be overdone4 ,too much enervation and lack of athleticism leads to moral deterioration certainly1--but so does too much #8sport' as they call it4 ,there is a happy medium to be obtained on both sides1 but human beings generally miss it4 ,prince ,humphry1 born of a beautiful1 introspective1 selfish--yes1 ,i repeat it6--selfish mother1 would1 if he had married a hard-natured1 cold and conventional wife1 probably have been the most indifferent1 casual1 and careless sovereign that ever reigned2 but1 united as he is to a trusting1 warm-hearted1 loving1 womanly woman like ,gloria1 he will probably make himself the idol of the ,nation40 8,not more so than his father is60 said ,sir ,roger1 with a smile4 8,ach so6 ,that would be difficult1 ,i grant you60 agreed the ,professor2 8,as ,i told you1 ,roger1 at the beginning of this drama in which we have both played our little parts2 no harm ever came undeservedly to a brave man with a good conscience60 8,true6 ,and no harm has come to the ,king--as yet60 said ,sir ,roger thoughtfully4 8,but ,i sometimes fear one man----60 8,sergius ,thord80 suggested ,von ,glauben2 8,to speak honestly1 so do ,i6 ,but ,i watch him--,i watch him closely6 ,he loves ,lotys1 as a tiger loves its mate1--and if he should ever suspect----60 8,hush60 said ,roger quickly2 8,do not speak of it6 ,i assure you ,i am always on guard60 8,good6 ,so am ,i6 ,but ,thord is too busy just now climbing the hill to look either backward or aside4 ,when he reaches the summit1 it is possible he may see the whole landscape at a glance60 8,he will reach the summit very soon60 said ,de ,launay2 8,his election as deputy for the city1 is certain4 ,from the moment he announced himself as candidate1 there has been no opposition40 8,he will be returned by an overwhelming majority10 said the ,professor2 8,and he will gain all the power he has been working for4 ,also1 with the power1 he will obtain all the difficulty1 responsibility1 disappointment and bitterness4 ,power is a dangerous possession1 unless it is accompanied by a cool head2 and in that our friend ,sergius ,thord is lacking4 ,he is a creature of impulse--and a savage creature too6--a half-educated genius1--than which nothing in the shape of humanity is more desperately difficult to manage60 8,lotys can manage him60 said ,sir ,roger4 8,that depends60 ,and the ,professor rubbed his nose irritably4 8,women are excellent diplomatists up to a certain point1 but their limit is reached when they fall in love6 ,passion and enthusiasm transform them into quite as absurd fools as--men60 ,sir ,roger smiled1 and changed the subject4 ,but in a few days1 what had been foreshadowed in their conversation came true4 ,one of the chief results of the ,general ,election was the triumphal return of ,sergius ,thord as ,deputy for the ,metropolis by an enormous majority2 and in the evening of the day on which the polling was declared1 great crowds assembled beneath the windows of his house1--that house so long known as the quarters of the ,revolutionary ,committee1--roaring themselves hoarse with acclamation4 ,he was1 of course1 called out before them to speak1--and he yielded to the clamorous demand1 as perforce he was bound to do1 but strangely enough1 with extreme reluctance4 ,a certain vague weariness depressed his spirits2 his undisputed election as one of the most important ,government-representatives of the people1 lacked the savour of the triumph he had expected2--and like all those who have worked for years to win a coveted post and succeed at last in winning it1 he was filled with the fatal satiety of accomplishment4 ,power1--temporal power1--was after all not so great as it had seemed6 ,he had climbed--he had striven2 but all the joy was contained in the climbing and the striving4 ,now that he had gained his point there seemed nothing left to prick afresh his flagging ambition4 ,nevertheless1 he succeeded in addressing his enthusiastic followers and worshippers with something of his old fervour and fire1--sufficiently well1 at any rate1 to satisfy them1 and send them off with renewed shouts of exultation1 expressive of their continued reliance on his courage and ability4 ,but1 when left alone at last1 his heart suddenly failed him4 8,what is the use of it60 he thought wearily2 8,true1 ,i now represent the city1--,i lead its opinions--,i am its mouth-piece for the ,state1--and the wrongs and injuries done to the million are mine to bring before the ,government2 and my business it will be to force remedial measures for the same4 ,but what then8 ,there will be1 there must be1 constant discussion1 argument1 contradiction1--for there are always conflicting opinions in every aspect of human affairs1--and it will be my work to put down all contradiction1--all opposition1--and to carry the ,people's ,cause with a firm hand4 ,yet--after all1 if ,i succeed1 it will be the ,king's doing1--not mine6 ,to him ,i partly owe my present power2 the power ,i had before1 was all my own60 ,sullen and silent he brooded on the changes in his fortunes with no very satisfied mind4 ,while he could not1 as a brave man1 refuse his respect and homage to the monarch who had quietly made himself complete master of the #8,revolutionary' organisation1 and who had succeeded in turning thousands of disaffected persons into ardent ,loyalists1 he was nevertheless troubled by a lurking suspicion that ,lotys had secretly known and favoured the ,king's scheme4 ,vaguely ashamed in his own mind of the idea1 he yet found himself giving way to it now and again1 as he remembered how she had defended his life1--not once but twice1--and how she had often frankly declared her admiration for the unselfishness1 heroism1 and tireless energy of the so-called #8,pasquin ,leroy4' ,after much perplexed meditation1 he came at last to one resolve4 8,she must be my wife60 he said1 his eyes gleaming with a sudden fire of passion and determination combined2 8,if1--as she says1--she does not love me1 she must learn to love me6 ,then1 all will be well6 ,with her1 it is possible ,i may reach still greater heights2 without her1 ,i can do nothing60 ,meantime1 while the results of the ,election to what was now called #8,the ,royal ,government1' were being daily recorded in all parts of the world1 and the ,king himself1 from a selection of the ablest and most honourably-proved men of the time1 was forming a new ,ministry1 the news of these radical changes in the kingdom's affairs1 spreading rapidly everywhere by cable1 as news always spreads nowadays1 reached a certain far corner in one of the most beautiful provinces of ,india1--a corner scarcely known to the conventional traveller1--where1 in a wondrous palace1 lent to them by one of the most civilised and kindly of ,oriental potentates1--a palace surrounded by gardens that might have been a true copy of the fabled ,eden1 ,prince ,humphry and the fair #8,gloria' of his life1 were passing a happy1 #8hidden-away' time of perfect repose4 ,the evening on which they learned that their own nation demanded their return was #8like the night of ,al-,kadir1 better than a thousand months4' ,all day long the heat had been intense1--and they had remained indoors enjoying the coolness of marble courts and corridors1 and plashing fountains1--but with the sunset a soft breeze had sprung up1 and ,gloria1 passing into the shadiest corner of the gardens1 had laid herself down in a silken hammock swung between two broad sycamore trees1 and there1 gently swaying to and fro1 she watched her husband reading the various ,european journals that had arrived for his host by that day's mail4 ,beautiful always1 she had grown lovelier than ever in these halcyon days of rest1 when #8,love took up the harp of ,life and smote on all the chords with might2 ,smote the chord of ,self1 that1 trembling1 pass'd in music out of sight4' ,to her native grace she now united a distinctive dignity which added to her always gracious and queenly charm1 and never had she looked more exquisite than now1 when rocking gently in the suspended network of woven turquoise silk fringed with silver1 she rested her head against cushions of the same delicate hue1 and turned her expressive eyes enquiringly towards her husband1--wondering what kept him so silent1 and what was the cause of the little line of anxiety which furrowed his brow4 ,clad in a loose diaphanous robe of white1 with a simple band of silver clasping it round her supple form1 her rich hair caught carelessly back with a knot of scarlet passion-flowers1 she looked a creature too fair for earth1 a being all divine2 and the ,prince presently turning his glances towards her1 evidently thought so1 from the adoring tenderness with which he bent over her and kissed the ripe1 red1 smiling lips which pouted so deliciously to take the offered caress4 8,they want us back1 my ,gloria60 he said2 8,the ,nation asks for me--and for you60 ,she raised herself a little on one arm4 8,do they know all80 8,yes6 ,the ,king1 my father1 has announced everything concerning our marriage1 not only to the ,government1 but by special #8manifesto' to the ,people4 ,i did not think he would be so brave60 8,or so true60 said ,gloria1 her eyes darkening and deepening with the intensity of her thought4 8,let me read this strange news1 ,humphry60 ,he gave her the papers1--and a few tears sparkled on her lashes like diamonds and fell1 as with a beating heart she read of the complete triumph of the ,king over the ,socialist and ,revolutionary party1--of his march with the multitude to the ,government ,house1--of his bold denunciation of ,carl ,prousse1 ending in the utter overthrow of a fraudulent ,ministry1--and of his determination to renounce for five years1 one half his royal revenues in order to personally assist the deficit in the ,national ,exchequer4 8,he is1 in very truth a ,king60 she said1 looking up with flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes1--8,surely the noblest in the world60 ,prince ,humphry's face expressed wonderment as well as admiration4 8,i have been utterly mistaken in him10--he confessed1--8,or else1 something has greatly changed his ideas4 ,i should never have deemed him capable of running so much risk of his position1 or of showing so much heroism1 candour and self-sacrifice4 ,all my life ,i have been accustomed to see him more or less indifferent to everything but his own pleasure1 and more or less careless of the griefs of others2 but now it seems as if he had kept himself back on purpose1 only to declare his true character more openly and boldly in the end60 ,gloria read on1 with eagerness and interest1 till she came to the ,king's #8manifesto' regarding his son's marriage with #8a daughter of the ,people4' ,she pointed to this expression with the tapering1 rosy point of her delicate little finger4 8,that is me60 she said2 8,i am a daughter of the ,people6 ,i am proud of the name60 8,you are my wife60 said the ,prince2 8,and you are ,crown ,princess of the realm60 ,she looked meditative4 8,i am not sure ,i like that title so well60 she said surveying him archly under the shadow of her long lashes2 8,indeed--if you were not ,crown ,prince1--,i should not like it at all60 ,prince ,humphry smiled1 and tenderly touched the scarlet passion-flowers in her hair4 8,but as ,i am ,crown ,prince1 you will try to put up with it1 my ,gloria60 and he kissed her again4 8,we must return home1 ,sweetheart6--and as speedily as possible1--though ,i am sorry our restful honey-time is over60 ,gloria looked wistfully around her1--over the long smooth undulating lawns1 the thickets of myrtle and orange1 the lovely deep groves of trees1 and away to the peaks of the distant dark blue hills1 over which a great golden moon was slowly rising4 8,i am sorry too60 she said2 8,i could live always like this1 in peace with you1 far1 far away from all the world6 ,hark60 ,she held up her hand to invite attention1 as the delicious warble of a nightingale1 or #8bul-bul' broke the heated silence into liquid melody4 ,her lover-husband took that little uplifted hand1 and drawing it in his own1 kissed it fondly1--and so for a moment they were very quiet1 while the little brown bird of music poured from its palpitating throat a cadence of heart-moving song4 ,gradually1 the golden splendour of the ,indian moonlight widened through the trees1 enveloping them in its clear luminous radiance2 and the two beautiful human creatures1 gazing into each other's eyes with all the unspeakable rapture of a perfect love1 touched that wondrous height of pure mutual passion which makes things temporal seem very far off1 and things eternal very near4 8,if life could always be like this10 murmured ,gloria2 8,we should surely understand ,god better6 ,we should feel that ,he truly loved us1 and wished us to love each other6 ,ah1 if only all the world were as happy as ,i am60 8,you will help to make a great part of it so1 my beloved60 said the ,prince2 8,you will bring with you into our kingdom1 comfort for the sorrowful1 aid to the poor1 sympathy for the lonely1 thought for all6 ,you will forget nothing that calls for your remembrance1 my ,sweet6 ,and one nation at least1 will know what it is to have a true woman's love to light up the darkness of a ,throne60 ,that night a cable message was sent by the ,prince to his father1 stating his intention to return home immediately4 ,the ,oriental potentate who had generously placed his palace at the ,royal lovers' disposal1 and had religiously preserved the secret of their identity and whereabouts1 being himself much fascinated and interested by the romance of their story1 now commanded festivals and illuminations for their entertainment before their departure1 and within a fortnight of the despatch of his message1 the ,prince's yacht had left the mystic shores of the ,east1 and started on its homeward journey4 ,the news that the ,crown ,prince was returning with his bride1 set all the country in a flutter of excitement1 and the ,general ,election being concluded1 and the meeting of the new ,government being deferred until after the ,heir-,apparent's return1 the people of every city and town and province set themselves busily to work to prepare suitable festivities for the homecoming of the ,royal pair4 ,at ,the ,islands especially the spirit of enthusiasm was complete--all sorts of ideas for ftes and sports1 and bonfires and illuminations1 exercised the minds of the simple fisher-folk1 who were wild with joy at the singular destiny that had befallen their #8waif of the sea' as they were wont to call the beautiful girl who had grown up among them1--and the aged ,rn ,ronsard was made the centre of their interest and attention1--even of their adulation4 ,but ,ronsard had grown very listless of late4 ,his age began to tell heavily upon him1 and the news that ,gloria was returning in all triumph as ,crown ,princess1 moved him but little4 8,she would have been happier as a simple sailor's wife60 he averred1 when ,professor von ,glauben1 who visited him constantly1 sought to rouse him from the apathy into which he appeared to have sunk4 8,the greater the position1 the heavier the burden6--the more outwardly brilliant the appearance of life1 the deeper its secret bitterness60 8,but ,gloria has ,love with her1 my friend60 urged the ,professor2 8,and ,love makes the bitterest things sweet60 ,ronsard's aged eyes sparkled faintly4 8,ay1 ,love60 he echoed2 8,a dream--a delusion--and a snare6 ,unless it be a love strong enough to drag one down to death6--and then it is the strongest power in the world6 ,it is a terror and a martyrdom1--and in nothing shall its desire be thwarted6 ,if ,it calls--even kings obey60 ,,chapter ,,xxxii ,,between ,,two ,,passions ,slowly1 and with hesitating steps1 ,sergius ,thord mounted the long flight of stairs leading to the quiet attic which ,lotys called #8home4' ,here she lived2 here she had chosen to live ever since ,thord had made her1 as he said1 the #8,soul of the ,revolutionary ,ideal4' ,here1 since the ,king had conquered the ,revolutionary ,ideal altogether1 and had made it a ,loyalist centre1 did she dwell still1 though she had now some thoughts of yielding to the child ,pequita's earnest pleading1 and taking up her abode with her and her father1 in a pretty little house in the suburbs which1 since ,pequita's success as premire danseuse at the ,opera1 ,sholto had been able to afford1 and to look upon as something like a comfortable dwelling-place4 ,for with the election of ,thord to the dignity of a ,deputy1 had1 of course1 come the necessity of resigning his old quarters where his #8,revolutionary' meetings had been held1--and he now resided in a more #8respectable' quarter of the city1 in such sober1 yet distinctive fashion as became one who was a friend of the ,king's1 and who was likely to be a ,minister some day1 when he had further proved his political mettle4 ,so that ,sholto had no longer any need to try and eke out a scanty subsistence by letting rooms to revolutionists and #8suspects' generally1--and ,thord himself had helped him to make a change for the better1 as had also the ,king4 ,but ,lotys had not as yet moved4 ,she had lived so long among the desperately poor1 who were accustomed to go to her for sympathy and aid1 that she could not contemplate leaving so many sick and suffering and sorrowful ones alone to fight their bitter battle4 ,so had she said1 at least1 to ,thord1 when he had endeavoured to persuade her to establish herself in greater comfort1 and in a part of the city which had a #8better-class' reputation4 ,she had listened to his suggestions with a somewhat melancholy smile4 8,once1--and not so very long ago1--for you there was no such thing as the #8better-class1' ,sergius60 she said2 8,you were wont to declare that rich and poor alike were all one family in the sight of ,god60 8,i have not altered my opinion10 said ,thord1 a slight flush colouring his cheek2 8,but--you are a woman--and as a woman should have every care and tenderness40 8,so should my still poorer sisters10 she replied2 8,and it is for those who have least comfort1 that comfort should be provided4 ,i am perfectly well and happy where ,i am60 ,remembering her fixed ideas on this point1 there was an uneasy sense of trouble in ,thord's mind as he ventured again on what he feared would be a fruitless errand4 8,if ,i could command her60 he thought1 chafing inwardly at his own impotence to persuade or lead this woman1 whose character and will were so much more self-contained and strong than his own4 8,if ,i could only exercise some authority over her6 ,but ,i cannot4 ,what small debt of gratitude she owed me as a child1 has long been cleared by her constant work and the assistance she has given to me1--and unless she will consent to be my wife1 ,i know ,i shall lose her altogether4 ,for she will never submit to live on money that she has not earned40 ,arrived at the summit of the staircase he had been climbing1 he knocked at the first door which faced him on the uppermost landing4 8,come in60 said the low1 sweet voice that had thrilled and comforted so many human souls2 and entering as he was bidden1 he saw ,lotys seated in a low chair near the window1 rocking a tiny infant1 so waxen-like and meagre1 that it looked more like a corpse than a living child4 8,the mother died last night10 she said gently1 in response to his look of interrogation2 8,she had been struggling against want and sickness for a long time4 ,god was merciful in taking her at last6 ,the father has to go out all day in search of work1--often a vain search2 so ,i do what ,i can for this poor little one60 ,and she bent over the forlorn waif of humanity1 kissing its pale small face1 and pressing it soothingly to her warm1 full breast4 ,she looked quite beautiful in that ,madonna-like attitude of protection and love1--her gold hair drooping against the slim whiteness of her throat1--her deep blue eyes full of that tenderness for the defenceless and weak1 which is the loveliest of all womanly expressions4 ,sergius ,thord drew a chair opposite to her1 and sat down4 8,you are always doing good1 ,lotys60 he said1 with a slight tremor in his voice2 8,there is no day in your life without its record of help to the helpless60 ,she shook her head deprecatingly1 and went on caressing and soothing the tiny babe in silence4 ,after a pause1 he spoke again4 8,i have come to you1 ,lotys1 to ask you many things60 ,she looked up with a little smile4 8,do you need advice1 ,sergius8 ,nay1 surely not6--you have passed beyond it--you are a great man60 ,he moved impatiently4 8,great8 ,what do you mean8 ,i am ,deputy for the city1 it is true--but that is not the height of my ambition2 it is only a step towards it40 8,to what do you aspire80 she queried4 8,a place in the ,ministry8 ,you will get that if you wait long enough6 ,and then--will you be satisfied80 8,no--,i shall never be satisfied--never till--0 ,he broke off and shifted his position4 ,his fierce eyes rested tenderly upon her as she sat holding the motherless infant caressingly in her arms4 8,you have heard the latest news80 he asked presently1 8,that ,carl ,prousse has left the country80 8,no1 ,i have not heard that10 said ,lotys2 8,but why was he allowed to go without being punished for his dishonesty80 8,to punish him1 would have involved the punishment of many more associated with him10 replied ,thord2 8,his estates are confiscated2--the opportunity was given him to escape1 in order to avoid further ,ministerial scandals1--and he has taken the chance afforded him60 ,she was silent4 8,jost too has gone10 pursued ,thord2 8,he has sold his paper to his chief rival4 ,so that now both journals are amalgamated under one head1 and work for the same cause--our cause1 and the ,king's40 ,lotys looked up with a slight smile4 8,it is the same old system then80 she said4 8,for whereas before there was one newspaper subsidised by a fraudulent ,ministry1 there are now two1 subsidised by the ,royal ,government2--with which the ,socialist party is united60 ,he frowned4 8,you mistake6 ,we shall subsidise no newspaper whatever4 ,we shall not pursue any such mistaken policy40 8,believe me1 you will be compelled to do so1 ,sergius60 she declared1 still smiling2 8,or some other force will step in6 ,do you not see that politics always revolve in the same monotonous round8 ,you have called me the ,soul of an ,ideal1--but even when ,i worked my hardest with you1 ,i knew it was an ,ideal that could never be realised6 ,but the practice of your theories led me among the poor1 where ,i felt ,i could be useful1--and for this reason ,i conjoined what brains ,i had1 what strength ,i had1 with yours4 ,yet1 no matter how men talk of #8,revolution1' any and every form of government is bound to run on the old eternal lines1 whether it be ,imperial1 ,socialistic or ,republican4 ,men are always the same children--never satisfied1--ever clamouring for change1--tired of one toy and crying for another1--so on and on1--till the end6 ,i would rather save a life0--and she glanced pityingly down upon the sleeping infant she held-8than upset a throne60 8,i quite believe that20 said ,sergius slowly2 8,you are a woman1 most womanly6 ,if you could only learn to love----0 ,he paused1 startled at the sudden rush of colour that spread over her cheeks and brow2 but it was a wave of crimson that soon died away1 leaving her very pale4 8,love is not for me1 ,sergius60 she said2 8,i am no longer young4 ,besides1 the days of romance never existed for me at all1 and now it is too late4 ,i have grown too much into the habit of looking upon men as poor little emmets1 clambering up and down the same tiny hill of earth1--their passions1 their ambitions1 their emotions1 their fightings and conquests1 their panoply and pride1 do not interest me1 though they move me to pity2 ,i seem to stand alone1 looking beyond1 straight through the glorious world of ,nature1 up to the infinite spaces above1 searching for ,god60 8,yet you care for that waif80 said ,thord with a gesture towards the child she held4 8,because it is helpless10 she answered2 8only that6 ,if it ever lives to grow up and be a man1 it will forget that a woman ever held it1 or cherished it so6 ,no wild beast of the forest--no treacherous serpent of the jungle1 is more cruel in its inherited nature1 than man when he deals with woman2--as lover1 he betrays her1--as wife1 he neglects her1--as mother1 he forgets her60 8,you have a bad opinion of my sex60 said ,thord1 half angrily2 8,would you say thus much of the ,king80 ,she started1 then controlled herself4 8,the ,king is brave1--but beyond exceptional courage1 ,i do not think he differs from other men40 8,have you seen him lately80 8,no40 ,the answer came coldly1 and with evident resentment at the query4 ,thord hesitated a minute or two1 looking at her yearningly2 then he suddenly laid his hand on her arm4 8,lotys60 he said in a half-whisper2 8,if you would only love me6 ,if you would be my wife60 ,she raised her dark-blue pensive eyes4 8,my poor ,sergius6 ,with all your triumphs1 do you still hanker for a wayside weed8 ,alas6--the weed has tough roots that cannot be pulled up to please you6 ,i would make you happy if ,i could1 dear friend6--but in the way you ask1 ,i cannot60 ,his heart beat thickly4 8,why80 8,why8 ,ask why the rain will not melt marble into snow6 ,i love you1 ,sergius--but not with such love as you demand4 ,and ,i would not be your wife for all the world60 ,he restrained himself with difficulty4 8,again--why80 ,she gave a slight movement of impatience4 8,in the first place1 because we should not agree4 ,in the second place1 because ,i abhor the very idea of marriage4 ,i see1 day by day1 what marriage means1 even among the poor--the wreck of illusions--the death of ideals--the despairing monotony of a mere struggle to live--0 8,i shall not be poor now20 said ,thord2 8,all my work would be to make you happy1 ,lotys6 ,i would surround you with every grace and luxury--with love1 with worship1 with tenderness6 ,with your intelligence and fascination you would be honoured1--famous60 ,he broke off1 interrupted by her gesture of annoyance4 8,let me hear no more of this1 ,sergius60 she said4 8,you were very good to me when ,i was a castaway child1 and ,i do not forget it4 ,but you must not urge a claim upon me to which ,i cannot respond4 ,i have given some of the best years of my life to assist your work1 to win you your followers1--and to advance what ,i have always recognised as an exalted1 though impossible creed--but now1 for the rest of the time left to me1 ,i must have my own way60 ,he sprang up suddenly and confronted her4 8,my ,god60 he cried4 8,is it possible you do not understand6 ,all my work--all my plans--all my scheming and plotting has been for you--to make you happy6 ,to give you high place and power6 ,without you1 what do ,i care for the world8 ,what do ,i care whether men are rich or poor--whether they starve or die6 ,it is you ,i want to serve--you6 ,it is for your sake ,i have desired to win honour and position4 ,have pity on me1 ,lotys6 ,have pity6 ,i have seen you grow up to womanhood--,i have loved every inch of your stature--every hair of the gold on your head--every glance of your eyes--every bright flash of your intelligent spirit6 ,oh1 ,i have loved you1 and love you1 ,lotys1 as no man ever loved woman6 ,everything ,i have attempted--everything ,i have done1 has been that you might think me worthier of love4 ,for the ,country and the ,people ,i care nothing--nothing6 ,i only care for you60 ,she rose1 holding the sleeping child to her like a shield4 ,her features seemed to have grown rigid with an inflexible coldness4 8,so then10 she said1 8,you are no better than the men you have blamed6 ,you confess yourself as false to the ,people as the ,minister you have displaced6 ,you have served their ,cause1--not because you love them1 but simply because you love ,me6--and you would force me to become your wife1 not because you love ,me1 so much as you love ,yourself6 ,self alone is at the core of your social creed6 ,why1 you are not a whit higher than the vulgarest millionaire that ever stole a people's ,trade to further his own ends60 8,lotys6 ,lotys60 he cried1 stung to the quick2 8,you judge me wrongly--by ,heaven1 you do60 8,i judge you only by your own words20 she answered steadily2 8,they condemn you more than ,i do4 ,i thought you were sincere in your love for the ,people6 ,i thought your work was all for them1--not for me6 ,i judged that you sought to gain authority in order to remedy their many wrongs2--but if1 after all1 you have been fighting your way to power merely to make yourself1 as you thought1 more acceptable to me as a husband1 you have deceived me in the honesty of your intentions as grossly as you have deceived the ,king60 8,the ,king60 he cried2 8,the ,king60 ,she flashed a proud and passionate glance upon him--and then--he suddenly found himself alone4 ,she had left the room2 and though he knew there was only one wall1 one door between them1 he dared not follow4 ,glancing around him at the simple furniture of the chamber he stood in1 which1 though only an attic1 was bright and fresh and sweet1 with bunches of wildflowers set here and there in simple and cheap crystal vases1 he sighed heavily4 ,the poor and #8obscure' life was perhaps1 after all1 the highest1 holiest and best6 ,all at once his eyes lighted on one large cluster of flowers that were neither wild nor common1 a knot of rare roses and magnificent orchids1 tied together with a golden ribbon4 ,he looked at them jealously1 and his soul was assailed by sudden resentment and suspicion4 ,his face changed1 his teeth closed hard on his under lip1 and he clenched his hand unconsciously4 8,if it is so--if it should be so60 he muttered2 8,there may be yet another and more complete ,day of ,fate60 ,he left the room then1 descending the stairs more rapidly than he had climbed them1 and as he went out of the house and up the street1 he stumbled against ,paul ,zouche4 8,whither away1 brave ,deputy80 cried this irresponsible being2 8,whither away8 ,to rescue the poor and the afflicted8--or to stop the ,king from poaching on your own preserves80 ,with a force of which he was himself unconscious1 he gripped ,zouche by the arm4 8,what do you mean80 he whispered thickly2--8,speak6 ,what do you know80 ,zouche laughed stupidly4 8,what do ,i know80 he echoed2 8,why1 what should ,i know1 blockhead1 save what all who have eyes to see1 know as well as ,i do6 ,sergius1 your grasp is none of the lightest2 let me go60 ,then as the other's hand fell from his arm1 he continued4 8,it is you who are the blind man leading the blind6 ,you--who like all thick-skulled reformers1 can never perceive what goes on under your own nose6 ,but what does it matter8 ,what does anything matter8 ,i told you long ago she would never love you2 ,i knew long ago that she loved his ,majesty1 #8,pasquin ,leroy6'0 8,curse you60 said ,thord suddenly1 in such low infuriated accents that the oath sounded more like a wild beast's snarl4 8,why did you not tell me8 ,why did you not warn me80 ,zouche shrugged his shoulders1 and began to sidle aimlessly along the roadway4 8,you would not have believed me60 he said2 8,nobody believes anything that is unpleasant to themselves6 ,if you had not some suspicion in your own mind1 you would not believe me now6 ,i am foolish--you are wise6 ,i am a poet--you are a reformer6 ,i am drunk--you are sober6 ,and with it all1 ,lotys is the only one who keeps her head clear4 ,lotys was always the creature of common-sense among us2 she understood you--she understood me--and better than either of us--she understood the ,king60 8,no1 no60 whispered ,thord1 more to himself than his companion2 8,she could not--she could not have known60 8,now you look as ,nature meant you to look60 exclaimed ,zouche1 staring wildly at him2 8,savage as a bear2--pitiless as a snake6 ,god6 ,what men can become when they are baulked of their desires6 ,but it is no use1 my ,sergius6--you have gained power in one direction1 but you have lost it in another6 ,you cannot have your cake1 and eat it60 ,here he reeled against the wall1--then straightening himself with a curious effort at dignity1 he continued3 8,leave her alone1 ,sergius6 ,leave ,lotys in peace6 ,she is a good soul6 ,let her love where she will and how she will1--she has the right to choose her lover1--the right6--by ,heaven6--it is a right denied to no woman6 ,and if she has chosen the ,king1 she is only one of many who have done the same60 ,with a smothered sound between a curse and a groan1 ,thord suddenly wheeled round away from him and left him4 ,vaguely surprised1 yet too stupefied to realise that his rambling words might have worked serious mischief1 ,zouche gazed blinkingly on his retreating figure4 8,the same old story60 he muttered1 with a foolish laugh2 8,always a woman in it6 ,he has won leadership and power1--he has secured the friendship of a ,king1--but if the ,king is his rival in matters of love--ah6--that is a worse danger for the ,throne than the spread of ,socialism60 ,he rambled off unthinkingly1 and gave the only part of him which remained still active1 his poetic instinct1 up to the composition of a delicate love-song1 which he wrote between two taverns and several drinks4 ,late in the afternoon--just after sundown--a small close brougham drove up to the corner of the street where stood the tenement house1--divided into several separate flats1--in which the attic where ,lotys dwelt was one of the most solitary and removed portions4 ,the ,king alighted from the carriage unobserved1 and ascended the stairs on which ,sergius ,thord's steps had echoed but a few hours gone by4 ,knocking at the door as ,sergius had done1 he was in the same way bidden to enter1 but as he did so1 ,lotys1 who was seated within1 quite alone1 started up with a faint cry of terror4 8,you here60 she exclaimed in trembling accents2 8,oh1 why1 why have you come6 ,sir1 ,i beg of you to leave this place6--at once1 before there is any chance of your being seen2 your ,majesty should surely know----60 8,majesty me no majesties1 ,lotys60 said the ,king1 lightly2 8,i have been forbidden this little shrine too long6 ,why should ,i not come to see you8 ,are you not known as an angel of comfort to the sorrowful and the lonely8--and will you not impart such consolation to me1 as ,i may1 in my many griefs deserve8 ,nay1 ,lotys1 ,lotys6 ,no tears6--no tears1 dearest of women6 ,to see you weep is the only thing that could possibly unman me1 and make even #8,pasquin ,leroy' lose his nerve60 ,he approached her1 and sought to take her hand1 but she turned away from him1 and he saw her bosom heave with a passion of repressed weeping4 8,lotys60 he then said1 with exceeding gentleness2 8,what is this8 ,why are you unhappy8 ,i have written to you every day since that night when your lips clung to mine for one glad moment1--,i have poured out my soul to you with more or less eloquence1 and surely with passion6--every day ,i have prayed you to receive me1 and yet you have vouchsafed no reply to one who is by your own confession #8the only man you love'6 ,ah1 ,lotys6--you will not now deny that sweet betrayal of your heart6 ,do you know that was the happiest day of my life8--the day on which ,i was threatened by ,death1 and saved by ,love60 ,his mellow voice thrilled with its underlying tenderness2--he caught her hand and kissed it2 but she was silent4 ,with all the yearning passion which had been pent up in him for many months1 he studied the pure outlines of her brow and throat--the falling sunlight glow of her hair--the deep azure glory of the pitying eyes1 half veiled beneath their golden lashes1 and just now sparkling with tears4 8,all my life10 he said softly1 still holding her hand2 8,i have longed for love6 ,all my life ,i have lacked it6 ,can you imagine1 then1 what it was to me1 ,lotys1 when ,i heard you say you loved my ,resemblance1--the poor ,pasquin ,leroy6--and even so ,i knew you loved me8 ,when you praised me as ,pasquin1 and cursed me as ,king1 how my heart burned with desire to clasp you in my arms1 and tell you all the truth of my disguise6 ,but to hear you speak as you did of me1 so unconsciously1 so tenderly1 so bravely1 was the sweetest gladness ,i have ever known6 ,i felt myself a king at last1 in very deed and truth6--and it was for the love of you1 and because of your love for me1 that ,i determined to do all ,i could for my son ,humphry1 and the woman of his choice6 ,for1 finding myself loved1 ,i swore that he should not be deprived of love4 ,i have done what ,i could to ensure his happiness2 but after all1 it is your doing1 and the result of your influence6 ,you are the sole centre of my good deeds1 ,lotys6--you have been my star of destiny from the very first day ,i saw you6--from the moment when ,i signed my bond with you in your own pure blood1 ,i loved you6 ,and ,i know that you loved me60 ,she turned her eyes slowly upon him1--what eyes6--tearless now1 and glittering with the burning fever of the sad and suffering soul behind them4 8,you forget60 she said in hushed1 trembling accents2 8,you are the ,king60 ,he lifted her hand to his lips again1 and pressed its cool small palm against his brows4 8,what then1 my dearest8 ,must the ,king1 because he is ,king1 go through life unloved80 8,unless the ,king is loved with honour10 said ,lotys in the same hushed voice2 8,he must go unloved60 ,he dropped her hand and looked at her4 ,she was very pale--her breath came and went quickly1 but her eyes were fixed upon him steadily1--and though her whole heart cried out for his sympathy and tenderness1 she did not flinch4 8,lotys60 he said2 8,are you so cold1 so frozen in an ice-wall of conventionality that you cannot warm to passion--not even to that passion which every pulse of you is ready to return8 ,what do you want of me8 ,lover's oaths8 ,vows of constancy8 ,oh1 beloved woman as you are1 do you not understand that you have entered into my very heart of hearts--that you hold my whole life in your possession8 ,you--not ,i--are the ruling power of this country6 ,what you say1 that ,i will do6 ,what you command1 that will ,i obey6 ,while you live1 ,i will live--when you die1 ,i will die6 ,through you ,i have learned the value of sovereignty1--the good that can be done to a country by honest work in kingship1--through you ,i have won back my disaffected subjects to loyalty2--it is all you--only you6 ,and if you blamed me once as a worthless king1 you shall never have cause to so blame me again6 ,but you must help me1--you must help me with your love60 ,she strove to control the beating of her heart1 as she looked upon him and listened to his pleading4 ,she resolutely shut her soul to the persuasive music of his voice1 the light of his eyes1 the tenderness of his smile4 8,what of the ,queen80 she said4 ,he started back1 as though he had been stung4 8,the ,queen60 he repeated1 mechanically--8,the ,queen60 8,ay1 the ,queen60 said ,lotys4 8,she is your wife--the mother of your sons6 ,she has never loved you1 you would say1--you have never loved her4 ,but you are her husband6 ,would you make me your mistress80 ,her voice was calm4 ,she put the plain question point-blank1 without a note of hesitation4 ,his face paled suddenly4 8,lotys60 he said1 and stretched out his hands towards her2 8,lotys1 ,i love you60 ,a change passed over her1--rapid and transfiguring as a sudden radiance from heaven4 ,with an impulsive gesture1 beautiful in its wild abandonment1 she cast herself at his feet4 8,and ,i love you60 she said4 8,i love you with every breath of my body1 every pulse of my heart6 ,i love you with the entire passion of my life6 ,i love you with all the love pent up in my poor starved soul since childhood until now6--,i love you more than woman ever loved either lover or husband6 ,i love you1 my lord and ,king6--but even as ,i love you1 ,i honour you6 ,no selfish thought of mine shall ever tarnish the smallest jewel in your ,crown6 ,oh1 my beloved6 ,my ,royal soul of courage6 ,what do you take me for8 ,should ,i be worthy of your thought if ,i dragged you down8 ,should ,i be ,lotys1--if1 like some light woman who can be bought for a few jewels1--,i gave myself to you in that fever of desire which men mistake for love8 ,ah1 no6--ten thousand times no6 ,i love you6 ,look at me1--can you not see how my soul cries out for you8 ,how my lips hunger for your kisses--how ,i long1 ah1 ,god6 for all the tenderness which ,i know is in your heart for me1--,i1 so lonely1 weary1 and robbed of all the dearest joys of life6--but ,i will not shame you by my love1 my best and dearest6 ,i will not set you one degree lower in the thoughts of the ,people1 who now idolise you and know you as the brave1 true man you are6 ,my love for you would be poor indeed1 if ,i could not sacrifice myself altogether for your sake1--you1 who are my ,king60 ,he heard her1--his whole soul was shaken by the passion of her words4 8,lotys60 he said1--and again--8,lotys60 ,he drew her up from her kneeling attitude1 and gathering her close in his arms1 kissed her tenderly1 reverently--as a man might kiss the lips of the dead4 8,must it be so1 ,lotys80 he whispered2 8,must we dwell always apart80 ,her eyes1 beautiful with a passion of the highest and holiest love1 looked full into his4 8,always apart1 yet always together1 my beloved60 she answered2 8,together in thought1 in soul1 in aspiration6--in the hope and confidence that ,god sees us1 and knows that we seek to live purely in ,his sight6 ,oh1 my ,king1 you would not have it otherwise6 ,you would not have our love defiled6 ,how common and easy it would be for me to give myself to you6--as other women are only too ready to give themselves1--to take your tenderness1 your care1 your admiration1--to demand your constant attendance on my lightest humour6--to bring you shame by my persistent companionship6--to cause an open slander1 and allow the finger of scorn to be pointed at you6--to see your honour made a mockery of1 by base1 persons who would judge you as one1 who1 notwithstanding his brave espousal of the ,people's ,cause1 was yet a slave to the caprice of a woman6 ,think something more of me than this6 ,do not put me on the level of such women as once brought your name into contempt6 ,they did not love you6--they loved themselves6 ,but ,i--,i love you6 ,oh1 my dearest lord1 if self were concerned at all in this great love of my heart1 ,i would not suffer your arms to rest about me now6--,i would not let your lips touch mine6--but it is for the last time1 beloved6--the last time6 ,and so ,i put my hands here on your heart--,i kiss your lips--,i say with all my soul in the prayer--,god bless you6--,god keep you6--,god save you1 my ,king6 ,though ,i shall live apart from you all my days1 my spirit is one with yours6 ,god will know that truth when we meet--on the other side of ,death60 ,her tears fell fast1 and he bent over her1 torn by a tempest of conflicting emotions1 and kissing the soft hair that lay loosely ruffled against his breast4 8,then it shall be so1 ,lotys60 he murmured1 at last4 8,your wish is my law6--it shall be as you command6 ,i will fulfil such duties as ,i must in this world1--and the knowledge of your love for me1--your trust in me1--shall keep me high in the ,people's honour6 ,old follies shall be swept away--old sins atoned for2--and when we meet1 as you say1 on the other side of ,death1 ,god will perchance give us all that we have longed for in this world--all that we have lost60 ,his voice shook1--he could not further rely on his self-control4 8,i will not tempt you1 ,lotys60 he whispered--8,i dare not tempt myself6 ,god bless you60 ,he put her gently from him1 and stood for a moment irresolute4 ,all the hope he had indulged in of a sweeter joy than any he had ever known1 was lost1--and yet--he knew he had no right to press upon her a love which1 to her1 could only mean dishonour4 8,good-bye1 ,lotys60 he said1 huskily2 8,my one love in this world and the next6 ,good-bye60 ,she gazed at him with her whole soul in her eyes1--then suddenly1 and with the tenderest grace in the world1 dropped on her knees and kissed his hand4 8,god save your ,majesty60 she said1 with a poor little effort at smiling through her tears2 8,for many and many a long and happy year1 when ,lotys is no more60 ,with a half cry he snatched her up in his arms and pressed her to his heart1 showering kisses on her lips1 her eyes1 her hair1 her little hands6--then1 with a movement as abrupt as it was passion-stricken1 put her quickly from him and left her4 ,she listened with straining ears to the quick firm echo of his footsteps departing from her1 and echoing down the stairs4 ,she caught the ring of his tread on the pavement outside4 ,she heard the grinding roll of the wheels of his carriage as he was rapidly driven away4 ,he had gone6 ,as she realised this1 her courage suddenly failed her1 and sinking down beside the chair in which he had for a moment sat1 she laid her head upon it1 and wept long and bitterly4 ,her conscience told her that she had done well1 but her heart--the starving woman's heart1--was all unsatisfied1 and clamoured for its dearest right--love6 ,and she had of her own will1 her own choice1 put love aside1--the most precious1 the most desired love in the world6--she had sent it away out of her life for ever6 ,true1 she could call it back1 if she chose with a word--but she knew that for the sake of a king1 and a country's honour1 she would not so call it back6 ,she might have said with one of the most human of poets3 8,will someone say1 then why not ill for good8 ,why took ye not your pastime8 ,to that man ,my word shall answer1 since ,i knew the ,right ,and did it40 ,footnote3 ,tennyson ,a shadowy form moving uncertainly to and fro near the corner of the street1 appeared to spring forward and to falter back again1 as the ,king1 hurriedly departing1 glanced up and down the street once or twice as though in doubt or questioning1 and then walked to his brougham4 ,the soft hues of a twilight sky1 in which the stars were beginning to appear1 fell on his face and showed it ashy pale2 but he was absorbed in his own sad and bitter thoughts1--lost in his own inward contemplation of the love which consumed him1--and he saw nothing of that hidden watcher in the semi-gloom1 gazing at him with such fierce eyes of hate as might have intimidated even the bravest man4 ,he entered his carriage and was rapidly driven away1 and the shadow1--no other than ,sergius ,thord1--stumbling forward1--his brain on fire1 and a loaded pistol in his hand1--had hardly realised his presence before he was gone4 8,why did ,i not kill him80 he muttered1 amazed at his own hesitation2 8,he stood here1 close to me6 ,it would have been so easy60 ,he remained another moment or two gazing around him at the streets1 at the roofs1 at the sky1 as though in a wondering dream1--then all at once1 it seemed as if every cell in his brain had suddenly become superhumanly active4 ,his eyes flashed fury1--and turning swiftly into the house which the ,king had just left1 he ran madly up the stairs as though impelled by a whirlwind1 and burst without bidding1 straight into the room where ,lotys still knelt1 weeping4 ,at the noise of his entrance she started up1 the tears wet on her face4 8,sergius60 she cried4 ,he looked at her1 breathing heavily4 8,yes1--,sergius60 he said1 his voice sounding thick and husky1 and unlike itself4 8,i am ,sergius6 ,or ,i was ,sergius1 before you made of me a nameless devil6 ,and you--you are ,lotys6--you are weeping for the lover who has just parted from you6 ,you are ,lotys--the mistress of the ,king60 ,she made him no answer4 ,drawing herself up to her full height1 she flashed upon him a look of utter scorn1 and maintained a contemptuous silence4 8,mistress of the ,king60 he repeated1 speaking in hard gasps2 8,you1--,lotys1--have come to this6 ,you1--the spotless ,angel of our ,cause6 ,you6--why1--,i sicken at the sight of you6 ,oh1 you fulfil thoroughly the mission of your sex6--which is to dupe and betray men6 ,you were the traitor all along6 ,you knew the real identity of #8,pasquin ,leroy'6 ,he was your lover from the first1--and to him you handed the secrets of the ,committee1 and played ,us into his hands6 ,it was well done--cleverly done6--woman's work in all its best cunning6--but treachery does not always pay60 ,amazed and indignant1 she boldly confronted him4 8,you must be mad1 ,sergius6 ,what do you mean8 ,what sudden accusations are these8 ,you know they are false--why do you utter them80 ,he sprang towards her1 and seized her roughly by the arm4 8,how do ,i know they are false80 he said4 8,prove to me they are false6 ,who saved the ,king's life8 ,you6 ,and why8 ,because you knew he was #8,pasquin ,leroy'6 ,how was it he gained such swift ascendancy over all our ,committee1 and led the work and swayed the men1--and made of me his tool and servant8 ,through you again6 ,and why8 ,because you knew he was the ,king6 ,why have you scorned me--turned from me--thrust me from your side--denied my love1--though ,i have loved and cared for you from childhood6 ,why1 ,i say8 ,because you love the ,king60 ,she stood perfectly still1--unmoved by his frantic manner--by the glare of his bloodshot eyes1 and his irrepressible agony of rage and jealousy4 ,quietly she glanced him up and down4 8,you are right60 she said tranquilly2 8,i do love the ,king60 ,a horrible oath broke from his lips1 and for a moment his face grew crimson with the rising blood that threatened to choke the channels of his brain4 ,an anxious pity softened her face4 8,sergius60 she said gently1 8,you are not yourself--you rave--you do not know what you say6 ,what has maddened you8 ,what have ,i done8 ,you know my life is free--,i have a right to do with it as ,i will1 and even as my life is free1 so is my love6 ,i cannot love where ,i am bidden--,i must love where ,love itself calls60 ,he stood still1 staring at her4 ,he seemed to have lost the power of speech4 8,you have insulted me almost beyond pardon60 she went on4 8,your accusations are all lies6 ,i love the ,king1--but ,i am not the ,king's mistress6 ,i would no more be his mistress than ,i would be your wife60 ,slowly1 slowly1 his hand got at something in his pocket and clutched it almost unconsciously4 ,slowly1 slowly1 he raised that hand1 still clutching that something1--and his lips parted in a breathless way1 showing the wolfish glimmer of white teeth within4 8,you--love--the ,king60 he said in deliberate accents4 8,and you dare--you dare to tell me so80 ,she raised her golden head with a beautiful defiance and courage4 8,i love the ,king60 she said--8,and ,i dare to tell you so60 ,with a lightning quickness of movement the hand that had been groping after an unseen evil now came out into the light1 with a sudden sharp crash1 and flame of fire6 ,a faint cry tore the air4 8,ah--,sergius6--,sergius6 ,oh--,god60 ,and ,lotys staggered back--stunned1 deafened--sick1 dizzy---- 8,death1 death60 she thought1 wildly2 8,this is death60 ,and1 with a last desperate rallying of her sinking force1 as every memory of her life swept over her brain in that supreme moment1 she sprang at her murderer and wrenched the weapon from his hand1 clutching it hard and fast in her own4 8,say--say ,i did it--myself--60 she gasped1 in short quick sobs of pain2 8,tell the ,king--,i did it myself--myself6 ,sergius--save your own life6--,i--forgive60 ,she reeled1 and with a choking cry fell back heavily--dead6 ,her hair came unbound with her fall1 and shook itself round her in a gold wave1 as though to hide the horror of the oozing blood that trickled from her lips and breast4 ,with a horrid sense of unreality ,thord stared upon the evil he had done4 ,he gazed stupidly around him4 ,he listened for someone to come and explain to him what had happened4 ,but up in that remote attic1 there was no one to hear either a pistol-shot or a cry4 ,there was only one thing to be understood and learnt by heart1--that ,lotys1 once living1 was now dead6 ,dead6 ,how came she dead8 ,that was what he could not determine4 ,the heat of his wild fury had passed1--leaving him cold and passive as a stone4 8,lotys60 ,he whispered the name4 ,horrible6 ,how she looked1--with all that blood6--all that golden hair6 #8,tell the ,king ,i did it myself6' ,yes--the ,king would have to be told--something6 ,stooping1 he tried to detach the pistol from the lifeless hand1 but the fingers1 though still warm were tightened on the weapon1 and he dared not unclasp them4 ,he was afraid6 ,he stood up again1 and looked around him4 ,his glance fell on the knot of regal flowers he had noticed in the morning1--the great roses1--the voluptuous orchids--tied with their golden ribbon4 ,he took them hastily and flung them down beside her1--then watched a little trickling stream of blood running1 running towards one of the whitest and purest of the roses4 ,it reached it1 stained it1--and presently drowned it in a little pool4 ,horrified1 he covered his eyes1 and staggered backward against the door4 ,the evening was growing dark1--through the small high window he could see the stars beginning to shine as usual4 ,as usual1--though ,lotys was dead6 ,that seemed strange6 ,putting one hand behind him1 he cautiously opened the door1 still keeping his guarded gaze on that huddled heap of clothes1 and blood1 and glittering hair which had been ,lotys4 8,i must get home10 he muttered4 8,i have business to attend to--as ,deputy to the city1 there is much to do--much to do for the ,people6 ,the ,people6 ,my ,god6 ,and ,lotys dead60 ,a kind of hysteric laughter threatened him4 ,he pressed his mouth hard with his hand to choke back this strange1 struggling passion4 8,lotys6 ,lotys is dead6 ,there she lies6 ,someone1 ,i know not who1 killed her6 ,no1--no6 ,she has killed herself1--she said so6 ,there she lies1 poor ,lotys6 ,she will never speak to the ,people--never comfort them1--never teach them any more--never hold little motherless infants in her arms and console them1--never smile on the sorrowful1 or cheer the sick--never6 #8,i love the ,king6' she said1--and she died for saying it6 ,one should not love kings6 #8,tell the ,king ,i did it myself6' ,yes1 ,lotys6--lie still--be at peace--the ,king shall know--soon enough60 ,still muttering uneasily to himself1 he went out1 always moving backwards--and with a last look at that fallen breathless form of murdered woman1 shut the door stealthily behind him4 ,then1 stumbling giddily down the stairs1 he wandered1 blind and half crazed1 into the darkening night4 ,,chapter ,,xxxiii ,,sailing ,,to ,,the ,,infinite ,great calamities always come suddenly4 ,with the swiftness of lightning they descend upon the world1 often in the very midst of fancied peace and security1--and the farcical1 grinning1 sneering apes of humanity1 for whom even the idea of a ,god has but furnished food for lewd jesting1 are scattered into terror-stricken hordes1 who are forced to realise for the first time in their lives1 that whether they believe in ,omnipotence or no1 an evident ,law of ,justice exists1 which may not be outraged with impunity4 ,sometimes this ,law works strangely1--one might almost say obliquely4 ,it sweeps away persons whom we have judged as useful to the community1 and allows those to remain whom we consider unnecessary4 ,but #8we1'--all important #8we1'--are not allowed to long assert or maintain our petty opinions against this unknown undetermined ,force which makes havoc of all our best and most carefully conceived arrangements4 ,for example1 we are not given any practical reason why ,christ1--the ,divine ,man1--was taken from the world in ,his youthful manhood1 instead of being permitted to live to a great age for the further benefit1 teaching1 and sanctification of ,his disciples and followers4 ,pure1 sinless1 noble1 and truly of ,god1 ,he was tortured and crucified as though ,he were the worst of criminals4 ,and apart from the ,church's explanation of this great ,mystery1 we may take it as a lesson that misfortune is like everything else1 two-sided2--it falls equally upon the ungodly and the godly1--with merely this difference--that when it falls on the ungodly it is1 as we are reluctantly forced to admit1 #8the act of ,god'--but when it falls on the godly1 it is generally the proved and evident work of ,man4 ,in this last way1 and for no fault at all of her own1 had cruel death befallen ,lotys4 ,such as her career had been1 it was unmarked by so much as a shadow of selfishness or wickedness4 ,from the first day of her life1 sorrow had elected her for its own4 ,she had never known father or mother2--cast out as an infant in the street1 and picked up by ,sergius ,thord1 she had secured no other protector for her infancy and youth1 than the brooding1 introspective man1 who was destined in the end to be her murderer4 ,as a child1 she had been passionately grateful to him2 she had learned all she could from the books he gave her to study1 and with a quick brain1 and a keen sense of observation1 she had become a proficient in literature1 so much so indeed1 that more than one half the ,revolutionary treatises and other propaganda which he had sent out to different quarters of the globe1 were from her pen4 ,her one idea had been to please and to serve him1--to show her gratitude for his care of her1 and to prove herself useful to him in all his aims4 ,as she grew up1 however1 she quickly discerned that his affection for her was deepening into the passion of a lover2 whereupon she had at once withdrawn from his personal charge1 and had made up her mind to live alone and independently4 ,she desired1 so she told him1 to subsist on her own earnings1--and he who could do nothing successfully without her1 was only too glad to give her the rightful share of such financial results as accrued from the various workings of the ,revolutionary ,committee1--results which were sometimes considerable1 though never opulent4 ,and so she had worked on1 finding her best happiness in succouring the poor1 and nursing the sick4 ,her girlhood had passed without either joy or love1--her womanhood had been bare of all the happiness that should have graced it4 ,the people had learned to love her1 it is true1--but this more or less distantly felt affection was far from being the intimate and near love for which she had so often longed4 ,when at last this love had come to her1--when in #8,pasquin ,leroy' she thought she had found the true companion of her life and heart1--when he had constantly accompanied her by his own choice1 on her errands of mercy among the poor2 and had aided the sick and the distressed by his own sympathy and tenderness1 she had almost allowed herself to dream of possible happiness4 ,this dream had been encouraged more than ever1 after she had saved the ,king from assassination4 #8,pasquin ,leroy' had then become her closest comrade1--always at hand1 and ever ready to fulfil her slightest behest2--while from his ardent and eloquent glances1--the occasional lingering pressure of his hand1 and the hastily murmured words of tenderness which she could not misunderstand1 she knew that he loved her4 ,but when he had disclosed his real identity to be that of the ,king himself1 all her fair hopes had vanished6--and her spirit had shrunk and fallen under the blow4 ,worse than all1--when she learned that this great and exalted ,personage1 despite his throned dignity1 did still continue to entertain a passion for herself1 the knowledge was almost crushing in its effect upon her mind4 ,pure in soul and body1 she would have chosen death any time rather than dishonour2 and in the recent developments of events she had sometimes grown to consider death as good1 and even desirable4 ,now death had come to her through the very hand that had first aided her to live6 ,and so had she fulfilled the common lot of women1 which is1 taken in the aggregate1 to be wronged and slain 7morally1 when not physically7 by the very men they have most unselfishly sought to serve6 ,the heavy night passed away1 and all through its slow hours the murdered creature lay weltering in her blood1 and shrouded in her hair1--looked at by the pitiless stars and the cold moon1 as they shed their beams in turn through the high attic window4 ,morning broke2 and the sun shot its first rays down upon the dead1--upon the fixed white countenance1 and on the little hand grown icy cold1 but clenched with iron grip upon the pistol which had been so bravely snatched in that last moment of life with the unselfish thought of averting suspicion from the true murderer4 ,with the full break of day1 the mistress of the house going to arouse her lodgers1 came up the stairs with a bright face1 cheerfully singing1 for her usual morning chat with ,lotys was one of her principal pleasures4 ,knocking at the door1 and receiving no answer1 she turned the handle and pushed it open1--then1 with a piercing scream of horror1 she rushed away1 calling wildly for help1 and sending frantic cries down the street4 8,lotys6 ,lotys6 ,lotys is dead60 ,the news flew4 ,the houses poured out their poverty-stricken occupants from garret to basement2 and presently the street was blocked with a stupefied1 grief-stricken crowd4 ,a doctor who had been hastily summoned1 lifted the poor corpse of her whose life had been all love and pity1 and laid it upon the simple truckle-bed1 where the living ,lotys had slept1 contented with poverty for many years2 and after close and careful examination pronounced it to be a case of suicide4 ,the word created consternation among all the people4 8,suicide60 they murmured uneasily2 8,why should she kill herself8 ,we all loved her60 ,ay6 ,they all loved her6--and only now when she was gone did they realise how great that love had been1 or how much her thought and tenderness for them all1 had been interwoven with their lives6 ,they had never stopped to think of the weariness and emptiness of her own life1 or of the longing she herself might have had for the love and care she so freely gave to others4 ,by and by1 as the terrible news was borne in upon them more convincingly1 some began to weep and wail1 others to kneel and pray1 others to recall little kindnesses1 thoughtful deeds1 unselfish tendernesses1 and patient endurances of the dead woman who1 friendless herself1 had been their truest friend4 8,who will tell ,sergius ,thord80 asked a man in the crowd2 8,who will break the news to him80 ,there was an awe-stricken silence4 ,no one volunteered such heart-rending service4 8,who will tell the ,king80 suddenly exclaimed a harsh voice1 that of ,paul ,zouche1 who in his habit of hardly ever going to bed1 had seen the crowd gather1 and had quickly joined it4 8,lotys saved his life6 ,he should be told60 ,his face1 always remarkable in its thin1 eager1 intellectual aspect1 looked ghastly1 and his eyes no longer feverish in their brilliancy1 were humanised by the dew of tears4 8,the ,king60 ,the weeping people looked at one another4 ,the ,king had now become a part of their life and interest1--he was one with them1 not apart from them as once he had been2 therefore he must have known how ,lotys had loved them4 ,yes1--someone should surely tell the ,king6 8,the ,king must be informed of this10 went on ,zouche2 8,if there is no one else to take the news to him1--,i will60 ,and before any answer could be given1 or any suggestion made1 he was gone4 ,meanwhile1 no person volunteered to fetch ,sergius ,thord4 ,every man who knew him1 dreaded the task of telling him that ,lotys was dead1 self-slain4 ,some poor1 but tender-hearted women sorrowfully prepared the corpse for burial1 removing the bloodstained clothes with gentle hands1 smoothing out and parting on either side the glorious waves of hair1 while with the greatest care and difficulty they succeeded by slow degrees in removing the pistol so tightly clenched in the dead hand4 ,while engaged in this sad duty1 they found a sealed paper marked #8,my ,last ,wish1' and this they put aside till ,thord should come4 ,then they robed her in white1 and laid white flowers upon her breast2 and so came in turns by groups of tens and twenties to kneel beside her and kiss her hands and say prayers1 and weep for the loss of one who had never uttered a harsh word to any poor or sorrowful person1 but whose mission had been peace and healing1 love and resignation1 and submission to her own hard fate until the end6 ,meantime ,zouche1 who had never been near any ,royal precincts before1 walked boldly to the ,palace4 ,all irresolution had left him2--his step was firm1 his manner self-contained1 and only his eyes betrayed the deep and bitter sorrow of his soul4 ,he was allowed to pass the sentinel at the outer gates1 but at the inner portico of the ,palace he was denied admittance4 ,he maintained his composure1 however1 and handed in his written name4 8,if ,i cannot see the ,king1 ,i must see ,sir ,roger de ,launay60 he said4 ,at this the men in authority glanced at one another1 and began to unbend2--if this shabby1 untidy being knew ,sir ,roger de ,launay1 he was perhaps someone of importance4 ,after a brief consultation together1 they asked him to wait while a messenger was despatched to ,sir ,roger4 ,zouche1 with a curious air of passive toleration sat quietly on the chair they offered1 and waited several minutes glancing meanwhile at the display of splendour and luxury about him with an indifference bordering on contempt4 8,all this magnificence10 he mused2 8all this wealth cannot purchase back a life1 or bring comfort to a stricken heart6 ,nor can it vie with a poet's rhyme1 which1 often unvalued1 and always unpaid for1 sometimes outlasts a thousand thrones60 ,here1 seeing the tall figure of ,sir ,roger de ,launay coming between him and the light1 he rose and advanced a step or two4 8,why1 ,zouche10 said ,sir ,roger kindly1 greeting him with a smile2 8,you are up betimes6 ,they tell me you want to see the ,king4 ,is it not a somewhat early call8 ,his ,majesty has only just left his sleeping-apartment1 and is busy writing urgent letters4 ,will you entrust me with your message80 ,paul ,zouche looked at him fixedly4 8,my message is from ,lotys60 he said deliberately2 8,and it must be delivered to the ,king in person60 ,vaguely alarmed1 ,sir ,roger recoiled a step4 8,you bring ill news80 he whispered4 8,i do not know whether it will prove ill or well20 answered ,zouche wearily2 8,but such news as ,i have1 must be told to his ,majesty alone40 ,sir ,roger paused a moment1 hesitating2 then he said3 8,if that is so--if that must be so1--then come with me60 ,he led the way1 and ,zouche followed4 ,entering the ,king's private library where the ,king himself sat at his writing-desk1 ,sir ,roger announced the unexpected visitor1 adding in a low tone that he came #8from ,lotys6' ,the ,king started up1 and threw down his pen4 8,from ,lotys60 he echoed1 while through his mind there flew a sudden sweet hope that after all the star was willing to fall6--the flower was ready to be gathered6--and that the woman who had sent him away from her the day before1 had a heart too full of love to remain obdurate to the pleadings of her kingly lover6--8,paul ,zouche1 with a message from ,lotys8 ,let him come in60 ,whereupon ,zouche1 bidden to enter1 did so1 and stood in the ,royal presence unabashed1 but quite silent4 ,an ominous presentiment crept coldly through the monarch's warm veins1 as he saw the dreary pain expressed on the features of the man1 who had so persistently scorned him and his offered bounty1--and with a slight1 but imperative sign1 he dismissed ,sir ,roger de ,launay1 who retired reluctantly1 full of forebodings4 8,now ,zouche10 he said gently2 8,what do you seek of me8 ,what is your message80 ,zouche looked full at him4 8,as ,king10 he answered1 8,i seek nothing from you6 ,as comrade0--and his accents faltered--8,i would fain break bad news to you gently--,i would spare you as much as possible--and give you time to face the blow1--for ,i know you loved her6 ,lotys----0 ,the monarch's heart almost stood still4 ,what was this hesitating tone--these great tears in ,zouche's eyes8 8,lotys60 he repeated slowly1 and in a faint whisper2 8,yes1 yes--go on6 ,go on1 comrade6 ,lotys80 8,lotys is dead60 ,an awful stillness followed the words4 ,stiff and rigid the ,king sat1 as though stricken by sudden paralysis1 giving no sign4 ,minute after minute slipped away1--and he uttered not a word1 nor did he raise his eyes from the fixed study of the carpet at his feet4 8,lotys is dead60 went on ,zouche1 speaking in a slow monotonous way4 8,this morning1 the first thing--they found her4 ,she had killed herself4 ,the pistol was in her hand4 ,and they are laying her out with flowers1--like a bride1 or a queen1--and you can go and see her at rest so1--for the last time1--if you will6 ,this is my message6 ,it is a message from the dead60 ,still the ,king spoke not a word2 nor did he lift his eyes from his brooding observation of the ground4 8,to be a great ,king1 as you are10 said ,zouche2 8,and yet to be unable to keep alive a love when you have won it1 is a hard thing6 ,she must have killed herself for your sake60 ,no answer was vouchsafed to him4 ,he began to feel a strange pity for that solemn1 upright figure1 sitting there inflexibly silent1--and he approached it a little nearer4 8,comrade60 he said softly2 8,i have hated you as a ,king6 ,yes1 ,i have always hated you6--even when ,i found you had played the part of #8,pasquin ,leroy1' and had worked for our ,cause1 and had helped to make what is now called my #8fame'6 ,i hated you1--because through it all1 and whatever you did for me1 or for others1 it seemed to me you had never known hunger and cold and want6--never known what it was to have love snatched away from you6 ,i watched the growth of your passion for ,lotys--,i knew she loved you6--and had you indeed been the poor writer and thinker you assumed to be1 all might have been well for you both6 ,but when you declared yourself to be ,king1 what could there be for such a woman but death8 ,she would never have chosen dishonour6 ,she has taken the straight way out of trouble1 but--but she has left you alone6 ,and ,i am sorry for you6 ,i know what it is--to be left alone6 ,you have a palace here1 adorned with all the luxuries that wealth can buy1 and yet you are alone in it6 ,i too have a palace1--a palace of thought1 furnished with ideals and dreams which no wealth can buy2 and ,i am alone in it too6 ,i killed the woman who loved me best2 and you have done the same1 in your way6 ,it is the usual trick of men1--to kill the women who love them best1 and then to be sorry for ever afterwards60 ,he drew still nearer--then very slowly1 very hesitatingly1 dropped on one knee1 and ventured to kiss the monarch's passive hand4 8,my comrade6 ,my ,king6 ,i am sorry for you now60 ,for answer1 his own hand was suddenly caught in a fierce convulsive grip1 and the ,king rose stiffly erect4 ,his features were grey and drawn1 his lips were bloodless1 his eyes glittering1 as with fever4 ,stricken to the heart as he was1 he yet forced himself to find voice and utterance4 8,speak again1 ,zouche6 ,speak those horrible1 horrible words again6 ,make me feel them to be true6 ,lotys is dead60 ,zouche1 with something like fear for the visible1 yet strongly suppressed anguish of the man before him1 sighed drearily as he repeated---- 8,lotys is dead6 ,it is ,god's way--to kill all beautiful things1 just as we have learned to love them6 ,she1--,lotys1--used to talk of ,justice and ,order1--poor soul6--she never found either6 ,yet she believed in ,god60 ,the ,king's stern face never relaxed in its frozen rigidity of woe4 ,only his lips moved mutteringly4 8,dead6 ,lotys6 ,my ,god6--my ,god6 ,to rise to such a height of hope and good--and then--to fall so low6 ,lotys gone from me6--and with her goes all60 ,then a sudden delirious hurry seemed to take possession of him4 8,go now1 ,zouche60 he said impatiently--8,go back to the place where she lies--and tell her ,i am coming6 ,i must--,i will see her again6 ,and ,i will see you again1 ,zouche6--you too60 ,he forced a pale smile--8,yes1 poor poet6 ,i will see you and speak with you of this--you shall write for her a dirge6--a threnody of passion and regret that shall make the whole world weep6 ,poor ,zouche6--you have had a hard life--well may you wonder why ,god made us men6 ,and ,lotys is dead60 ,he rang the bell on his desk violently4 ,sir ,roger de ,launay at once returned1--but started back at the sight of his ,royal master's altered countenance4 8,have the kindness1 ,de ,launay0--said the ,king hurriedly1 not heeding his dismayed looks--8to place a carriage at the disposal of our friend ,zouche6 ,he has much business to do2--sad news to bear to all the quarters of the city--he will tell you of it1--as he has just told me6 ,lotys1--you know her6--,lotys1 who saved my life at the risk of her own1--,lotys is dead60 ,sir ,roger recoiled with an ejaculation of horror and pity4 8,it is sudden--and--and strange60 continued the ,king1 still speaking in the same rapid manner1 and beginning to push aside the various letters and documents on his table--8,it is a kind of darkness fallen without warning6--but--such tragedies always do happen thus--unpreparedly6 ,lotys was a grand creature1--a noble and self-sacrificing woman--the poor will miss her--yes--the poor will miss her greatly6----0 ,he broke off1 and with a speechless gesture of agonised entreaty1 intimated that he must be left alone4 ,de ,launay hustled ,zouche out of the apartment in a kind of impotent fury4 8,why have you brought the ,king such news80 he demanded--8,it will kill him60 8,he has killed her60 returned ,zouche1 grimly--8,if he had never crossed her path1 she would have been alive now6 ,why should not a ,king suffer like other men8 ,he does the same foolish things1--he has his private loves and hatreds in the same foolish manner1--why should he escape punishment for his follies8 ,it is only in suffering that he grows human1--stripped by grief and pain of his outward pomp and temporal power1 he even becomes lovable6 ,god save us from this bauble of #8power'6 ,it is what ,sergius ,thord has worked for all his life6--it is what this ,king claims over his subjects--and yet--both monarch and reformer would give it all for the life of one woman back again6 ,look you1 the ,king has had a dozen or more mistresses1 and ,heaven knows how many bastards--but he has only loved once6 ,and it is well that he should learn what real love means1--,sorrow always1 and ,death often60 ,that afternoon the whole city knew of the tragic end of ,lotys4 ,nothing else was thought of1 nothing else talked of4 ,thousands gathered to look up at the house where her body lay1 stiffening in the cold grasp of death1 and a strong body of police were summoned to guard all the approaches to the premises1 in order to prevent a threatening #8crush' and disaster among the increasing crowd1 every member of which sought to look for the last time on the face of her who had unselfishly served them and loved them in their hours of bitterest need4 ,the sight of ,sergius ,thord passing through their midst1 with bent head1 and ashy1 distraught countenance1 had not pacified the clamorous grief of the people1 nor had it elicited such an outburst of sympathy for him as one might have thought would have been forthcoming4 ,an idea had gotten abroad that since his election as ,deputy for the city1 he had either neglected or set aside the woman who had assisted him to gain his position4 ,it was a wrong idea1 of course1--but the trifling fact of his having taken up his abode in a more #8aristocratic' part of the metropolis1 while ,lotys had still remained in the #8quarter of the poor1' was sufficient to give it ground in the minds of the ignorant1 who are always more or less suspicious of even their best friends4 ,had they made a more ominous guess1--had they imagined that ,sergius ,thord was the actual murderer of the woman they had idolised1 there would have been no remembrance whatever of the work he had done to aid them in the various reforms now being made for their benefit2--they would have torn him to pieces without a moment's mercy4 ,the rough justice of the mob is a terrible thing6 ,it knows nothing of legal phraseology or courtesy--it merely sees an evil deed done1 and straightway proceeds to punish the evil-doer1 regardless of consequences4 ,happily for the sake of peace and order1 however1 no thought of the truth1 no suspicion of the real cause of the tragedy occurred to any one person among the sorrow-stricken multitude4 ,a faint1 half-sobbing cheer went up for the ,king1 as his private brougham was recognised1 making its way slowly through the press of people1--and it was with a kind of silent awe1 that they watched his tall figure alight and pass into the house where lay the dead4 ,sergius ,thord had already entered there1--the ,king and his new ,deputy would meet6 ,and with uneasy movements1 rambling up and down1 talking of ,lotys1 of her gentleness1 patience and never-wearying sympathy for all the suffering and the lonely1 the crowds collected1 dispersed1 and collected again1--every soul among them heavily weighted and depressed by the grief and the mystery of death1 which though occurring every day1 still seems the strangest of fates to every mortal born into the world4 ,meantime1 the ,king with slow reluctant tread1 ascended into the room of death4 ,sergius ,thord stood there1--but his brooding face and bulky form might have been but a mote of dust in a sunbeam for the little heed the stricken monarch took of him4 ,his whole sight1 his whole soul were concentrated on the white recumbent statue with the autumn-gold hair1 which was couched in front of him1 strewn with flowers4 ,that was ,lotys--or rather1 that had been ,lotys6 ,it was now a very beautiful1 still1 smiling ,thing1--its eyes were shut1 but the eyelashes lay delicately on the pallid cheeks like little fringes of dark gold1 tenderly slumbrous4 ,those eyelashes matched the hair--the soft1 silken hair--so fine--so lustrous1 so warm and bright6--the hair was surely yet living6 ,with a shuddering sigh1 the ,king bent over the piteous sight1--and stooping lower and lower still1 touched with trembling lips the small1 crossed hands4 ,as he did this1 his arm was caught roughly1 and ,thord thrust him aside4 8,do not touch her60 he muttered hoarsely--8,let her rest in peace60 ,slowly the ,king raised his face4 ,it was ashen grey and stricken old4 ,the dark1 clear1 grey eyes were sunken and dim1--the light of hope1 ambition1 love and endeavour1 was quenched in them for ever4 8,was she unhappy1 that she killed herself80 he asked1 in a hushed voice4 ,thord drew back1 shuddering4 ,those sad1 lustreless eyes of his ,sovereign seemed to pierce his soul6 ,he--the murderer of ,lotys--could not face them6 ,a vague whirl of thoughts tormented his brain1--he had heard it said that a murdered person's corpse would bleed in the presence of the murderer1--would the dead body of ,lotys bleed now1 he wondered dully1 if he waited long enough8 ,if so--the ,king would know6 ,he started guiltily1 as once more the sad1 questioning voice broke on his ears4 8,was she unhappy1 think you8 ,you knew her better than ,i60 ,huskily1 and with dry lips1 ,thord forced an answer4 8,nay1 it is possible your ,majesty knew her best60 ,again the sunken melancholy eyes searched his face4 8,she was endowed with genius1--rich in every good gift of womanhood6 ,i would have given my life for hers--my kingdom to spare her a moment's sorrow60 went on the ,king2 8,but she would have nothing from me--nothing60 8,nothing1--not even love60 said ,thord recklessly4 8,that she had1 whether she would or no60--replied the ,king1 slowly1--8,that she will have1 till time itself shall end60 ,thord was silent4 ,a passion of mingled fury and remorse consumed him1--his heart was beating rapidly1--there were great pulsations in his brain like heavy hammer-strokes1--he was afraid of himself1 lest on a savage impulse he should leap like a beast of prey on this grave composed figure1--this ,king1--who was his acknowledged ruler1--and kill him1 even as he had killed ,lotys6 ,and then1--he thought of the ,people6--the ,people by whose great force and strong justice he had sworn to abide6--the ,people who had worshipped and applauded him1--the ,people who1 if they ever knew the truth of him and his crime1 would snatch him up and tear his body to atoms1 as surely as he stood branded with ,murder in ,god's sight this day6 ,with a powerful effort he rallied his forces1 and drawing from his breast the small folded paper which had been found on the body of ,lotys1 and which was inscribed with the words #8,my ,last ,wish1' he held it out to the ,king4 8,then your ,majesty will perhaps grant her the burial she here demands80 he said--8,it is a strange request6--but not difficult to gratify60 ,taking the paper1 the monarch touched it tenderly with his lips before opening it4 ,in all the blind stupefaction of his own grief1 he was struck by the fact that there was something strained and unnatural about ,thord's appearance1--something wild and forced even in his expression of sorrow4 ,he studied his face closely1 but to no purpose2--there was no clue to the mystery packed within the harsh lines of those dark1 fierce features1--he seemed no more and no less than the same brooding1 leonine creature that had mercilessly planned the deaths of men in his own ,revolutionary ,committee4 ,there was no touch of softness in his eyes1--no tears1 even at the sight of ,lotys smiling coldly in her flower-strewn shroud4 ,and now1 unfolding her last message1 the ,king beheld it thus expressed3 8,to ,,those ,,who ,,shall ,,find ,,me ,,dead 8,i pray you of your gentle love and charity1 not to bury my body in the earth1 but in the sea4 ,for ,i most earnestly desire no mark1 or remembrance of the place where my sorrows1 with my mortal remains1 shall be rendered back to nature2 and kinder than the worms in the mould are the wild waves of the ocean which ,i have ever loved6 ,and there1--at least to my own thoughts1--if any spiritual part of me remains to watch my will performed1--shall ,i be best pleased and most grateful to be given my last rest4 ,,lotys40 ,this document had been written and signed some years back1 and had1 therefore1 nothing to do with any idea of immediate departure from the world1 or premeditated suicide4 ,and once again the ,king looked searchingly at ,thord1 as he returned him the paper4 8,her will shall be performed60 he said--8,and in a manner befitting her memory1--befitting the love borne to her by a ,people--and--a ,king60 ,he paused1--then went on softly4 8,to you ,sergius1 my friend and comrade6--to you will be entrusted the task of committing this sweet casket of a sweeter soul to the mercy of the waves6--you1 the guardian of her childhood1 the defender of her womanhood1 the protector of her life----0 8,o ,god6 ,no more--no more60 cried ,thord1 suddenly falling on his knees by the couch of the dead--8,no more--in mercy6 ,i will do all--all6 ,but leave me with her now6--leave me alone with her1 this last little while60 ,and breaking into great sobs1 he buried his head among the death-flowers in an utter abandonment of despair4 ,silently the ,king watched him for a little space4 ,then he turned his eyes towards the pale form of the woman he had loved1 and who had taught him the noblest and most selfless part of love1 sleeping her last sleep1 with a fixed sweet smile upon her face4 8,we shall meet again1 my ,lotys60 he whispered--8,on the other side of ,death60 ,and so1--with the quiet air of one who knows a quick way out of difficulty1 he departed4 ,some five days later1 a strange and solemn spectacle was witnessed by thousands of spectators from all the shores and quays of the sea-girt city4 ,a ship set sail for the ,land of the ,infinite6--a silent passenger went forth on a voyage to the borders of the ,unknown6 ,coffined in state1--with a purple velvet pall trailing its rich folds over the casket which enshrined her perished mortality1--and with flowers of every imaginable rareness1 or wildness1 scattered about it1--the body of ,lotys was1 with no religious or formal ceremony1 placed on the deck of a sailing-brig1 and sent out to the waves for burial4 ,so ,sergius ,thord had willed it2 so ,sergius ,thord had planned it4 ,he had purchased the vessel for this one purpose1 and with his own hands he had strewn the deck with blossoms1 till it looked like a floating garden of fairyland4 ,garlands of roses trailed from the mast1--wreaths from every former member of the now extinct #8,revolutionary ,committee' were heaped in profusion about the coffin which lay in the centre of the deck1--the sails were white as snow1 and one of them bore1 the name #8,lotys' upon it1 in letters of gold4 ,it was arranged that the brig should be towed from the harbour1 and out to sea for about a couple of miles1--and when there1 should be cut free and set loose to the wind and tide to meet its fate of certain wreckage in the tossing billows beyond4 ,in strange contrast to this floating funeral were the brilliant flags and gay streamers which were already being put up along the streets and quays1 as the first signs of the city's welcome to the ,crown ,prince and his bride1 who were expected to arrive home somewhere within the next ten days4 ,eager crowds watched the unique ceremony1 unknown save in old ,viking days1 of sending forth a dead voyager to sail the pitiless seas2 and countless numbers of small boats attended the funeral vessel in a long flotilla1--escorting it out to that verge where the ocean opened widely to the wider horizon1 and spread its high road of silver waves invitingly out to the approaching silent adventurer4 ,comments ran freely from lip to lip1--,sergius ,thord had been seen1 pale as death1 laying flowers on the deck to the last1--the ,king1--yes6--the ,king himself had sent a wreath1 as a token of remembrance1 to the obsequies of the woman who had saved his life1--the purple velvet pall1 with its glittering fringes of gold1 had been the gift of the city of which ,thord was the lately-elected ,deputy1--,louis ,valdor had sent that garland of violets1--the great wreath of roses which lay at the head of the coffin1 was the offering of the famous little dancer1 ,pequita1 who1 it was said1 now lay sick of a fever brought on by grief and fretting for the loss of her best friend1--and rich and poor alike had vied with one another in assisting the weird beauty of this exceptional and strange burial1 in which no sexton was employed but the wild wind1 which would in due time scoop a hollow in the sea1 and whirl down into fathomless deeps all that remained of a loving woman1 with the offerings of a ,people's love around her6 ,from the ,palace windows the ,queen watched the weird pageant1 with straining eyes1 and a sense of relief at her heart4 ,this unknown rival of hers1--this ,lotys--was dead6 ,her body would soon be drifting out on the wild waste of waters1 to be caught by the first storm and sunk in the depths of eternal silence4 ,she was glad6--almost she could have sung for joy6 ,the colour mantled on her fair cheeks1--she looked younger and more beautiful than ever4 ,she had learned her long-neglected lesson1--the lesson of1 #8how to love4' ,and to herself she humbly confessed the truth--that she loved no other than her husband6 ,the ,king had now become the centre of her heart1 as he had become the centre of his ,people's trust4 ,and she watched the vessel bearing the corpse of ,lotys1 gliding1 gliding over the waves--she tracked the circling concourse of boats that went with it--and waited1 with quickened breath and eager eyes1 till she saw a sudden pause in the procession--when1 riding lightly on a shining wave1 the funeral-ship seemed to stop for an instant--and then1 with a bird-like dip forward1 scurried out with full1 bulging sails to the open sea6 ,the crowding spectators began to break up and disperse--the flotilla of attendant boats turned back to shore--the dead woman who had held such magnetic influence over the ,king1 was gone6--gone for ever into the watery caverns of endless death6 ,it was with a light heart that the ,queen at last rose from her watch at the window1 and prepared to array herself for the return of her sovereign lord4 ,her eyes sparkled1 her lips smiled2 she looked the very incarnation of love and tenderness4 ,the snow-peak had melted at last1 and underneath the ice1 love's late violets had begun to bloom6 ,she glanced once more out at the sea1 where the vanishing death-ship now seemed but a speck on the far horizon1 and saw a bank of solemn purple clouds darkening the golden sunset line1--clouds that rose up thickly and swiftly1 like magic mountains conjured into sudden existence by some witch in a fairy tale4 ,a gust of wind shook the lattice--and moaned faintly through the chinks of the door4 8,there will be a storm to-night60 she said musingly1 her eyes following the dispersing crowds1 as they poured along the terrace from the shore1 or climbed up from the quays to the higher streets of the town3--8,there will be a storm6--and the woman who was called ,lotys1 will know nothing of it6 ,the vessel she sails in will be crushed like a shell in the teeth of the blast1 and her body will sink like a stone in the angry sea6 ,so will she sleep--so does her brief power over the ,king come to an end60 ,turning1 she smiled at her lady-in-waiting1 ,teresa de ,launay1 who had also watched the sea funeral of ,lotys with wondering and often tear-filled eyes4 8,how the people must have loved her60 the girl murmured softly2 8,no poor person or child came to these strange obsequies without flowers6--many wept--and some swear there is no happiness at all for them now1 without ,lotys6 ,she must have been a sweet1 unselfish woman60 ,the ,queen was silent4 8,since she saved the life of our lord the ,king1 ,i have often thought of her60 went on ,teresa--8,i have even hoped to see her6 ,dearest ,madam1 would you not have been glad to thank her once before she died80 ,the ,queen's face hardened4 8,she only did her duty60 was the cold answer--8,every subject in the realm would be proud to have the chance of being the ,king's defender60 ,at that moment the door opened1 and ,sir ,roger de ,launay entered1--then drew back in some surprise and hesitation4 8,i crave your pardon1 ,madam60 he said1 bowing low--8,i thought the ,king was here60 8,truly the ,king should be here by now10--replied the ,queen gently--8,but he is doubtless detained among the people1 who wait upon his footsteps1 as though he were a demi-god60 ,she smiled happily4 8,he went out to see yonder strange funeral pageant--and left no word of the hour of his return40 ,sir ,roger looked perplexed4 ,the ,queen noticed his expression of anxiety4 8,stay but a moment1 ,sir ,roger10 she added--8,now ,i remember1 he bade me at sunset1 go to my own room and fetch a packet ,i would find from him there1--he may be waiting for me now60 ,she retired1 the radiant smile still upon her face1 and ,sir ,roger looked at his sister with concern for her tearful eyes4 8,weeping1 ,teresa80 he said--8,what is the trouble80 8,nothing60 she answered quickly--8,only a presentiment of evil6 ,that funeral-ship has made me sad60 ,sir ,roger said nothing for the moment4 ,he was too preoccupied with his own forebodings to give much heed to hers4 ,he walked to the window4 8,there will be a storm to-night60 he said4 8,look at those great clouds6 ,they are big with thunder and with rain60 8,yes60 murmured ,teresa--8,there will be a storm--,madam60 ,she turned with a cry to feel the ,queen's grip on her shoulder--to see the ,queen1 white as marble1 with blazing eyes1 possessed by a very frenzy of grief and terror4 ,a tragic picture of despairing ,majesty1 she confronted the startled ,de ,launay with an open paper in her hand4 8,where is the ,king80 she demanded1 in accents that quivered with fear and passion4 8,from you1 ,sir ,roger de ,launay1 must come the answer6 ,to you1 his friend and servant1 ,i trusted his safety6 ,and of you ,i ask again--,where is the ,king80 ,stupefied and stunned1 ,sir ,roger stared helplessly at this enraged splendour of womanhood1 this embodied wrath of royalty4 8,madam60 he stammered1--8,i know nothing--save that the ,king has been sorely stricken by a great sorrow--0 ,she looked at him with flashing eyes4 8,sorrow for what8--for whom80 ,de ,launay gazed at her amazedly2--why did she ask of what she knew so well8 8,madam1 to answer that is not within my province60 ,she was silent1 breathing quickly4 ,great tears gathered on her lashes1 but did not fall4 8,when saw you his ,majesty last80 8,but three hours since1 ,madam6 ,he bade me leave him alone1 saying he would walk a while in the further grounds away from the sight of the sea4 ,he had no mind1 he said1 to look upon the passing away of ,lotys60 ,a strange grey pallor crept over the ,queen's face4 ,she stood proudly erect1 yet tottered as though about to fall4 ,teresa de ,launay ran to her in terror4 8,dearest ,madam60 cried the trembling girl--8,be comforted6 ,be patient6 ,the ,king will come60 8,he will never come60 said the ,queen in a low choked voice2--8,never again--never1 never again6 ,i feel--,i know--that ,i have lost him for ever6 ,he has gone--but where8--,o ,god6--where60 8,madam60 said ,sir ,roger1 shaken to the soul by the sight of her suppressed agony--8,that paper in your hand--0 8,this paper10 she said1 with a convulsive effort at calmness1 8makes me ,regent till the return of my son1 the ,crown ,prince--and--at the same time--bids me farewell6 ,farewell6--and why farewell8 ,oh1 faithless servant60 and she advanced a step1 fixing her burning eyes on the stricken ,de ,launay--8,i thought you loved me60 ,his face flushed--his lips quivered4 8,as ,god lives1 ,madam1 ,i yield to no one in my love and service of you60 8,then find the ,king60 and she stretched out her arm with a gesture of authority--8,bring back to me my husband6--the one man of the world6--the one man ,i have learned to love6 ,follow the ,king6--whether on land or sea1 whether alive or dead1--in heaven or hell1 follow him6 ,your place is not with me--but by your master's side6 ,if you know not whither he has fled1 make it your business to learn6--and never let me see your face again till his face shines beside yours1 like sunshine against darkness6--till his eyes1 his smile make gladness where your presence without him is a mocking misery6 ,out of my sight6 ,and nevermore return again1 save in your duty and attendance on the ,king60 8,madam1--,madam60 exclaimed ,teresa--8,would you condemn my brother to a lasting banishment8 ,what if the ,king were dead80 8,dead60 ,the word left the ,queen's lips in a sharp sob of pain--8,the ,king cannot die6--he is too strong--too bold and brave6 ,he has met death ere now and conquered it6 ,dead8 ,no--that is not possible--that could not be60 ,she turned again upon ,sir ,roger1 standing mute and pale1 a very statue of despair4 8,i give you a high mission60 she said--8,fulfil it60 ,he started from his unhappy reverie4 8,be sure that ,i will do so60 he said--8,i will--as your ,majesty bids me--follow the ,king6 ,and--till the ,king returns with me--,i also say farewell60 ,catching his sister in his arms1 he kissed her with a murmured blessing--and profoundly saluting the woman for whose love's sake his very life was now demanded1 he left the room4 8,roger1 ,roger60 cried ,teresa in an anguish1 as the sound of his footsteps died away--8,come back6 ,come back60 ,and falling on her knees by the ,queen's side1 she burst into wild weeping4 8,if the ,king has gone for ever1 my brother is gone too10 she sobbed--8,oh1 dearest ,majesty1 have you no heart80 8,none60 said the ,queen with a strained smile1 while the slow1 hot tears began to fall from her aching eyes--8,none6 ,what heart ,i had is gone6 ,it follows the ,king60 ,,chapter ,,xxxiv ,,abdication ,a great storm was gathering4 ,the heavy purple clouds which had arisen in the west at sunset1 when all that was mortal of ,lotys had been sent forth to a lonely burial in the sea1 had gradually spread over the whole sky1 darkening in hue as they moved1 and rolling together in huge opaque masses1 which presently began to close in and become denser as the night advanced4 ,by and by a wild wind awoke1 as it were1 from the very cavities of ocean1 and the waves began to hiss warnings all along the coast1 and to rise higher and higher over each other's shoulders as the gale steadily increased4 ,rn ,ronsard1 sitting in his cottage1 feeble and somewhat ailing1 heard the beginnings of the tempest with long-accustomed ears4 ,he was depressed in spirit1 yet not altogether solitary1 for he had with him a kindly companion in ,professor von ,glauben4 ,the ,professor had been one of the many who had attended the strange funeral-pageant of the afternoon1 not only out of interest in1 and regret for1 the fate of the woman whose unique character he had admired1 and whose difficult position he had pitied2 but also because he had suffered from an unpleasant presentiment to which he could give no name4 ,if he could have described his forebodings at all1 he would have said they were more or less connected with the ,king1--but how or why1 he would not have been able to explain1 save that since the death of ,lotys1 his ,sovereign master had no longer looked the same man4 ,stricken as with a blight1 and grown suddenly old1 his manner and appearance were as of one devoured by a secret despair1--a corroding disease1--of which the end could only be disastrous4 ,overcome by the pain and distress of being the constant witness of a sorrow which he felt to the heart1 yet could not relieve1 the ,professor1 on returning from the scene of ,lotys's impressive funeral1 had put ashore on ,the ,islands1 instead of going back to the mainland4 ,he had sought permission from the ,king to remain with ,ronsard for the night1--and the permission had been readily1 almost eagerly granted4 ,the ,king1 indeed1 had seemed glad to be relieved of the too anxious solicitude of his physician1 who1 he knew1 was well aware of the concealed agony of mind which tortured and well-nigh maddened him1--and the ,professor1 keenly observant1 was equally conscious that1 under the immediate circumstances1 his attendance might seem more of an intrusion than a duty4 8,de ,launay was not far wrong when he prophesied danger for the ,king as the result of his beginning to think for himself20 he mused--8,yet it has come--this danger--in a different way to that in which we expected it6 ,it is a bold move for the ruler of a country to make personal examination into the needs of his people1--but it is seldom that1 while engaged in such a task1 the ruler himself becomes ruled1 by a stronger force than even his own temporal power60 ,and now1 sitting with old ,rn ,ronsard1 by a fire which had been kindled on this somewhat chilly night for his better comfort1 he was1 despite the impression of sadness and disaster which hung upon his mind as darkly as the clouds were hanging in heaven1 doing his best to rouse both himself and his companion to greater cheerfulness4 ,the wind1 shaking the lattice1 and now and then screaming dismally under the door1 did not inspire him to gaiety1 but his thoughts were principally for ,ronsard1 who was inclined to yield to an overpowering despondency4 8,this will never do1 ,ronsard60 he said after a pause1 during which he had noticed a tear or two steal slowly down the old man's furrowed cheek2 8,what sort of a welcome will such a face as yours be to our ,crown ,princess ,gloria8 ,she will soon be here2 think of it6 ,and what a triumphant entry she will make1 acclaimed by the whole nation60 8,i shall not be wanted in her life60 said ,ronsard1 slowly4 8,after all1 ,i am nothing to her1 and have no claim upon her4 ,i found her1 as a poor man may by chance find a rare jewel1--that the jewel is afterwards found worthy to be set in a king's crown1 is not the business of that same poor man4 ,he who merely hews a diamond out of the mine1 is not the maker of the diamond60 8,gloria loves you60 said the ,professor2 8,and she will love you always60 ,ronsard smiled faintly4 8,my friend1 ,i understand1 and ,i accept the law of change60 he said4 8,to me1 as to all1 it must come6 ,the old must die1 and the young succeed them4 ,as for me1 ,i shall be glad to go--the sooner the better1 ,i truly think1 for then none will taunt my ,gloria with the simple manner of her bringing up2--none will remember aught1 save her exceeding beauty1 or blame her that the sun and sea were her only known parents4 ,and if we credit legend1 hers is not the first birth of loveliness from the bosom of the waves60 ,here the wind1 tearing round the rafters1 rattled and roared for a space like a demon threatening the whole construction of the house1 and then went galloping away with a shriek among the pines down to the shore4 8,a wild night60 said the ,professor1 with a slight shiver4 8,alas6 poor ,lotys6--poor #8,soul of an ,ideal' as ,sergius ,thord called her1--her frail mortal tenement will soon be drawn down to the depths in such a storm as this60 8,i never saw her60 said ,ronsard musingly2 8,thord ,i have seen often4 ,lotys was to me a name merely1--but ,i knew it was a name to conjure with--a name beloved of the ,people4 ,gloria longed to see her1--she had heard of her often40 8,she was a psychological phenomenon10 said the ,professor slowly2 8,and ,i admit that her composition baffled me4 ,no one have ,i ever seen at all like her4 ,she was beautiful without any of the accepted essentials of beauty--and it is precisely such a woman as that who possesses the most dangerous fascination over men--not over boys--but over men4 ,she had a loving1 passionate1 feminine heart1 with a masculine brain1--the two together are bound to constitute what is called ,genius4 ,the only thing ,i cannot understand is the unexpected weakness she displayed in committing suicide4 ,that ,i should never have thought of her4 ,on the contrary1 ,i should have imagined1 knowing as much of her as ,i did1 that the greater the sorrow1 the greater the fight she would have made against it40 ,a silence fell between them1 filled by the thundering noise of the wind4 8,where is ,thord80 asked ,ronsard presently4 8,i do not know4 ,the last ,i saw of him was on board the vessel that bore her coffin2--he was laying flowers on the deck4 ,he was not1 ,i think1 in any of the smaller boats that accompanied it2 he must have returned with the crowd on shore4 ,he has his duties as ,deputy for the city now1 we must remember60 ,ronsard's eyes flashed with a glimmer of satire in the firelight4 8,if it had not been for ,lotys1 he would not be a ,deputy1 or anything else1--save perchance a ,communist or an ,anarchist60 he said2 8he used to be one of the fiercest malcontents in all the country when ,i first came here4 ,many and many is the time ,i have heard him threaten to kill the ,king60 8,ah60 said the ,professor meaningly1 the while he bent his eyes on the flickering fire4 ,again a silence fell4 ,the wind roared and screamed around the building1 and in the pauses of the gale1 the minutes seemed weighted with a strange dread4 ,every tick of the clock sounded heavy and long1 even to the equable-minded ,professor4 ,the storm outside was growing louder and even louder1 and his thoughts1 despite himself1 turned to the ocean-wildernesses over which ,prince ,humphry's home-returning vessel must be now on its way--while that other solitary barque1 unhelmed and unmanned1 whose sail bore the name of #8,lotys' was also voyaging1 but in a darker direction1 down to death and oblivion1 carrying with it1 as he feared1 all the love and heart of a ,king6 ,suddenly a loud knocking at the door startled them2 and as ,ronsard rose from his chair1 amazed at the noise and ,von ,glauben did the same with more alacrity1 a man with wind blown hair and excited gestures burst into the little room4 8,ronsard60 he cried2 8,the ,king--the ,king60 ,he paused1 gasping for breath4 ,ronsard looked at him wonderingly4 ,his clothes were saturated with sea-water1--his face was pale--and his eyes expressed some fear that his tongue seemed incapable of uttering4 ,he was one of the coral-fishers of the coast1 and ,ronsard knew him well4 8,what ails you1 man80 he asked2 8,what say you of the ,king80 ,holding the door of the cottage open with some difficulty1 the coral-fisher pointed to the sky overhead4 ,it was flecked with great masses of white cloud1 through which the moon appeared to roll rapidly like a ball of yellow fire4 ,the wind howled furiously1 and the pines in the near distance could be seen bending to and fro like reeds in its breath1 while the roar of the sea beyond the rocks was fierce and deafening4 8,it is all storm60 cried the man1 excitedly2 8,the billows are running mountains high6--there is no chance for him60 8,no chance for whom80 demanded ,von ,glauben1 impatiently2 8,what would you tell us8 ,speak plainly60 8,it was the ,king60 said the coral-fisher again1 trying to express himself more collectedly--8,i saw his face lit up by the after-glow of the sky--white--white as the foam on the wave6 ,listen6 ,when the body of the woman ,lotys was borne away on that vessel1 a man came to me out of the thickest of the crowd 7,i was on one of the furthest quays7--and offered me a purse of gold to take him out to sea--and to steer him in such a way that we should meet the funeral barque just as she was cut adrift and sent forth to be wrecked in the ocean4 ,i did not know him then4 ,he kept his face hidden1--he spoke low1 and he was evidently in trouble4 ,i thought he was a lover of the dead woman1 and sought perhaps to comfort himself by looking at her coffin for the last time4 ,so ,i consented to do what he asked4 ,i had my sailing skiff1 and we went at once4 ,the wind was strong2 we sailed swiftly--and at the appointed place--0 ,he paused to take breath4 ,ronsard seized him by the arm4 8,quick6 ,go on--what next80 8,at the appointed place when the vessel stopped1--when her ropes were cut and she afterwards sprang out to sea1 ,i1 by his orders1 ran my skiff close beside her as she came1--and before ,i knew how it happened1 my passenger sprang aboard her--,ay6--with a spring as light and sure as the flight of a bird6 #8,farewell6' he said1 and flung me the promised gold2 #8,may all be prosperous with you and yours6' ,and then the wind swooped down and bore the ship a mile or more ere ,i could follow it2 but the strong light in the west fell full upon the man's face--and ,i saw--,i knew it was the ,king60 8,gott in ,himmel6 ,may you for ever be confounded and mistaken60 exclaimed ,von ,glauben1--8,i left the ,king in his own grounds but an hour before ,i myself started to witness this accursed sea-funeral60 8,i say it was the ,king60 repeated the man emphatically4 8,i would swear it was the ,king6 ,and the vessel going out to meet the storm tonight1 holds the living1 as well as the dead60 ,with a sudden movement1 as active as it was decided1 old ,ronsard went to a corner in the room and drew out a thick coil of rope with an iron hook at the end1 and slinging it round his waist with the alert quickness of youth1 made for the open door4 8,where is your skiff80 he demanded4 8,ashore down yonder20 answered the coral-fisher2 8,but you--what are you going to do8 ,you cannot sail her in such a night as this60 8,i will adventure60 said ,ronsard4 8,if1 as you say1 it was the ,king1 ,i will save him if he can be saved6 ,once a ,king's life was nothing to me2 now it is something6 ,the tide veers round these ,islands1 and the vessel on which they have placed the body of ,lotys1 can scarcely drift away from the circle till morning1 unless the waves are too strong for it--0 8,they are too strong60 cried the coral-fisher2 8,ronsard1 believe me6 ,there is no rain to soften or abate the wind--and the sea grows greater with every breath of the rising gale60 8,i care nothing60 replied ,ronsard2 8,let be6 ,if you are afraid1 ,i will go alone60 ,at these words1 the ,professor suddenly awoke to the situation4 8,what would you attempt1 ,ronsard80 he exclaimed2 8,you can do nothing6 ,you are weak and ailing6--there is no force in you to combat with the elements on such a night as this--0 8,there is force60 said ,ronsard2 8,the force of my thirst for atonement6 ,let me be1 for ,god's sake6 ,let me do something useful in my life6--let me try to save the ,king6 ,if ,i die1 so much the better40 8,then ,i will go with you60 said ,von ,glauben1 desperately4 ,ronsard shook his head4 8,you8 ,no1 my friend6 ,you will not6 ,you will remain to welcome ,gloria--to tell her that ,i loved her to the last6--that ,i did my best60 ,he seemed to have grown young in an instant1--his eyes flashed with alertness and vigour1 and instead of an old decaying man1 full of cares and despondencies1 he seemed like a bold adventurer1 before whom a new land of promise opens4 ,von ,glauben looked at him1 and in a moment made up his mind4 ,he turned to the coral-fisher4 8,what think you truly of the night1 my friend8 ,is it for life or death we go80 8,death6 ,certain death60 answered the man2 8,it is madness to set sail in such a storm as this60 8,you are married1 no doubt8 ,and little ones eat your earnings8 ,ach so6 ,then you shall not be asked to go with us4 ,ronsard1 ,i am ready6 ,i can pull an oar and manage a sail1 and ,i am not afraid of death by drowning6 ,for ,gloria's sake1 let me go with you60 8,for ,gloria's sake1 stay here60 cried ,ronsard2 and with an abrupt movement he escaped ,von ,glauben's hold1 and ran with all the speed of a boy out of the cottage into the garden beyond4 ,von ,glauben rushed after him1 but found himself in the thicket of pines1 trapped and hemmed in by the darkness of their stems and branches4 ,the wind was so fierce and strong1 that he could scarcely keep his feet1--every now and again the moon flew out of a great cloud-pinnacle and glared on the scene1 but not with sufficient clearness to show him his way4 ,yet he knew the place well--often had he and ,gloria trodden that path down to the sea1 and yet to-night it seemed all unfamiliar4 ,how the sea roared6 ,like a thousand lions clamouring for prey6 ,against the rocks the rising billows hissed and screamed1 rattling backward among stones and shells with the grinding noise of artillery wagons being hastily dragged off a lost field of battle4 8,ronsard60 he called as loudly as he could1 and again 8,ronsard60 but his voice1 big and stentorian though it was1 made but the feeblest wail in the loud shriek of the wind4 ,yet he stumbled on and on1 and by slow and difficult degrees found his way down to the foot of the high rocks which formed a pinnacled wall between him and the sea1--the rocks he had so often climbed with ,gloria1 and of which she had sung in such matchless tones of triumph and tenderness4 ,here1 by the sea4 ,my ,king crown'd me6 ,wild ocean sang for my ,coronation1 ,with the jubilant voice of a mighty nation6 ,the memory of this song came back to his ears in a ringing echo1 amid the howling of the boisterous wind1 which now blew harder and harder1 scattering masses of blown froth from the waves in his face1 with flying sand and light shells1 and torn-up weed4 ,scarcely able to stand against it1 he paused to get his breath1 realising that it would be worse than useless to climb the rocks in the teeth of such a gale1 or try to reach the old accustomed winding way down to the shore4 ,he endeavoured to collect his scattered wits2--if the ceaseless onslaught of the storm would only have allowed him to think coherently1 he fancied he might have found another and easier path to lead him in the direction whither ,ronsard1 in his mad1 but heroic impulse1 had gone4 ,but the gale was so terrific1 and the booming of the great waves on the other side of the rocky barrier so awful1 that it seemed as if the water must be rolling in like a solid wall1 bent on breaking down the coast1 and grinding it to powder4 ,his heart ached heavily2--tears rose to his eyes4 8,what a grain of dust ,i am in this world of storm60 he ejaculated2 8,here ,i stand1--a strong man1 utterly useless6 ,powerless to save the life ,i would die to serve6 ,but maybe the story is not true6--the man can easily have been mistaken6 ,surely the ,king would not give up all for the sake of one woman's love60 ,but though he said this to himself1 he knew that such things have been2 indeed1 that they are common enough throughout all history4 ,he had not studied humanity to so little purpose as not to be aware that there are certain phases of the passion of love which make havoc of a man's wisest and best intentions2 and that even as ,marc ,antony lost all for ,cleopatra's smile1 and ,harry the ,eighth upset a ,church for a woman's whim1 so in modern days the same old story repeats itself2 and no matter how great and famous the position of a king or an emperor1 he may yet court and obtain his own ruin and disaster1 ay1 lose his very ,throne for love2--deeming it well lost6 ,restless1 miserable and troubled by the confusion of his thoughts1 which seemed to run wild with the wild wind and the thundering sea1 the unhappy ,professor retraced his steps to the cottage1 hoping against hope that ,ronsard1 physically unable to cope with the storm1 would have returned1 baffled in his reckless attempt to put forth a boat to sea4 ,but the little home was silent and deserted4 ,there was the old man's empty chair2--the clock against the wall ticked the minutes away with a comfortable persistence which was aggravating to the nerves2 the fire was still bright4 ,before entering1 ,von ,glauben looked up and down everywhere outside1 but there was no sign of any living creature4 ,nothing remained for him to do but to resign himself passively to whatsoever calamity the ,omnipotent ,forces above him chose to inflict1--and utterly weary1 baffled and helpless1 he sank into ,ronsard's vacant chair1 unconscious that tears were rolling down his face from the excess of his anxiety and exhaustion4 ,the shrieking of the wind1 the occasional glare of the moonlight through the rattling lattice windows1 and the apparent rocking of the very rafters above him thrilled him into new and ever recurring sensations of fear--yet he was no coward1 and had often prided himself on having #8nerves of steel and sinews of iron4' ,presently1 he began to see quaint faces and figures in the glowing embers of the fire2 old scraps of song and legend haunted him2 fragments of ,heine1 mixed up with long-winded philosophical phrases of ,schopenhauer1 began to make absurd contradictions and glaring contrasts in his mind1 while he listened to the awful noises of the storm2 and the steady ticking of the clock on the wall worried him to such an almost childish degree1 that had he not thought how often he had seen ,gloria winding up that clock and setting it to the right hour1 he could almost have torn it down and broken it to pieces4 ,by and by1 however1 tired ,nature had her way1 and utterly heavy and worn out in mind and body1 and weary of the disturbed and incoherent thoughts in his brain1 he lay back and closed his eyes4 ,he would rest a little while1 he said to himself1 and #8wait4' ,and so he gradually fell asleep1 and in his sleep wrote1 so he imagined1 a whole eloquent chapter of his #8,political ,history of ,hunger' in which he described ,sergius ,thord as a despot1 who1 after proving false to the cause of the ,people1 and grinding them down by unlimited taxation such as no ,government had ever before inflicted1 seized the rightful king of the country1 and sent him away to be drowned in company with a woman of the ,people1 whose body was fastened to his by ropes and iron chains1 in the fashion of #8,les ,noyades' of ,nantes4 ,and he thought that the ,king rejoiced in his doom1 and said strange words like those of the poet who sang of a similar story3 8,for never a man like me ,shall die like me till the whole world dies1 ,i shall drown with her1 laughing for love1 and she ,mix with me1 touching me1 lips and eyes60 ,meanwhile1 ,ronsard1 true to the instinct within him1 had fulfilled his intention and had put out to sea4 ,the fisherman who had brought the tidings which had moved him to this desperate act1 was too much of a hero in himself to let the old man venture forth alone1--and so1 following him down to the shore1 had1 despite all commands and entreaties to the contrary1 insisted on going with him4 ,the sailing skiff he owned was a strong boat1 stoutly built1--and at first it seemed as if their efforts to ride the mountainous billows would be crowned with success4 ,old ,rene had a true genius for the management of a sail2 his watchfulness never flagged3--his strenuous exertions would have done credit to a man less than half his age4 ,with delicate precision he guided the ropes1 as a jockey might have guided the reins of a racehorse1 and the vessel rose and fell lightly over the great waves1 with such ease and rapidity1 that the man who accompanied him and took the helm1 an experienced sailor himself1 began to feel confident that after all the voyage might not be altogether futile4 8,the sea may be calmer further out from land60 he shouted to ,rene1 who nodded a quiet aquiescence1 while he kept his eyes earnestly fixed on the horizon1 which the occasional brightness of the moon showed up like a line of fretted silver4 ,everywhere he scanned the waves for a glimpse of the fatal vessel bearing ,death--and perhaps ,life--on board2 but over the whole expanse of the undulating hills and valleys of wild water1 there was no speck of a boat to be seen save their own4 ,they swept on and on1 the wind aiding them with savage violence--when suddenly the man at the helm shouted excitedly3 8,ronsard6 ,see yonder6 ,there she sails60 ,with an exclamation of joy1 ,ronsard sprang up1 and looking1 saw within what seemed an apparently short distance1 the drifting funeral-barque he sought4 ,so far she seemed intact2 her sails were bellying out full to the wind1 and she was rising and plunging bravely over the great breakers1 which rolled on in interminable array1 one over the other1--with rugged foam-crests that sprang like fountains to the sky4 ,a five or ten minutes' run with the wind would surely bring them alongside1--and ,ronsard turned with an eager will to his work once more4 ,over the heads of the monstrous waves1 rising with their hills1 sinking in their valleys1 he guided the few yielding planks that were between him and destruction1 trimming the straining sail to the ferocious wind1 and ever keeping his eyes fixed on the vessel which was the object of his search1--the sole aim and end of his reckless voyage1 and which seemed now to recede1 and then to almost disappear1 the more earnestly he strove to reach it4 8,to save the ,king60 he muttered--8,to save--not to kill6 ,for ,gloria's sake6--to save the ,king60 ,a capricious gust from the beating wings of the storm swooped down upon him sideways1 as he twisted the ropes and tugged at them in a herculean effort to balance the plunging boat and keep her upright1--and in the loud serpent-like hiss of the waves around him1 he did not hear his companion's wild warning cry--a cry of despair and farewell in one6 ,a toppling dark-green mass of water1 moving on shoreward1 lifted itself quite suddenly1 as it were1 to its full height1 as though to stare at the puny human creatures who thus had dared to oppose the fury of the elements1 and then1 leaping forward like a devouring monster1 broke over their frail skiff1 sweeping the sail off like a strip of ribbon1 snapping the mast and rolling over and over them with a thousand heads of foam that1 spouting upwards1 again fell into dark cavernous deeps1 covering and dragging down everything on the surface with a tumult and roar6 ,it passed on thundering1--but left a blank behind it4 ,skiff and men had vanished1--and not a trace of the wreck floated on the angry waves6 ,for one blinding second1 ,ronsard1 buffeting the wild waves1 saw the face of ,gloria1--that best-beloved fair face1--angelic1 pitying1 loving to the last1--shine on him like a star in the darkness6--the next he was whelmed into the silence of the million dead worlds beneath the sea6 ,so at last he paid his life's full debt4 ,so1 at last his atonement was fulfilled4 ,if it was true1--as he had in an unguarded moment confessed1--that he had once killed a ,king1 then the resistless ,law of ,compensation had worked its way with him1--inasmuch as he had been forced to render up what he cherished most1--the love of ,gloria1--to the son of a ,king1 and had ended his days in an effort to save the life of a ,king6 ,for the rest1 whatever the real nature of his long-hidden secret1--whatever the extent of the torture he had suffered in his conscience1 his earthly punishment was over2 and the story of his past crime would never be known to the living world of men4 ,one sinner1--one sufferer among many millions1 he was but a floating straw on the vast whirlpools of ,time1--and whether he prayed for pardon and obtained it1 whether he had worked out his own salvation or had lost it1 may not be known of him1 or of any of us1 till ,god makes up the sum of life1 in which perchance none of even the smallest numerals shall be found missing6 ,wilder grew the night1 and more tempestuous the sea1 while the sky became a mountainous landscape of black and white clouds fitfully illumined by the moon1 which appeared to run over their fleecy pinnacles and sable plains like some scared white creature pursued by invisible foes3 ,the vessel on which the corpse of ,lotys lay1 palled in purple1 and decked with flowers1 flew over the waves1 to all seeming with the same hunted rapidity as the moon rushed through the heavens1--and so far1 though her masts bent reed-like in the wind1 and her sails strained at their cordage1 she had come to no harm4 ,tossed about as she was1 rudderless and solitary1 there was something almost miraculous in the way she had weathered a storm in which many a well-guided ship must inevitably have gone down4 ,the purple pall with its heavy fringe of gold1 that shrouded the coffin she carried1 was drenched through and through by the sea1 and the flowers on the deck were beaten and drowned in the salt spray that dashed over them4 ,but amid all the ruined blossoms of earth1 by the side of the dead1 and full-fronted to the tempest1 stood one living man1 for whom life had no charm1 and death no terror--the ,king6 ,what had been reported of him was true--he had resigned his ,throne and left his kingdom for the sake of adventuring forth on this great voyage of ,discovery1--this swift and stormy sail with ,lotys to the ,land of the ,unknown6 ,whether it was a madness1 or a sick dream that fevered his blood1 he knew not--but once the woman he loved was dead1 every hope1 every ambition in him died too--and he felt himself to be a mere corpse of clay1 unwillingly dragged about by a passionate soul that longed1 and strove1 and fought in its shell for larger freedom4 ,all his life1 so to speak1 save for the last few months1 he had been a prisoner2--he had never1 as he had himself declared1 known the sweetness of liberty2--but for the sake of ,lotys1--had she lived1--he would have been content to still wear the chains of monarchy1 and would have endeavoured to accomplish such good as he might1 and make such reforms as could possibly benefit his country4 ,but1 after all1 it is only a #8possibility #8that any reforms will avail to satisfy any people long2 and he was philosopher and student enough to know that whatsoever good one may endeavour to do for the wider happiness and satisfaction of the multitude1 they are as likely as not to turn and cry out--8,thy good is our evil6 ,thy love to us is but thine own serving60--and so turn and rend their best benefactors4 ,with the loss of ,lotys1 he lost the one mainspring of faith and enthusiasm which would have helped him to match himself against his destiny and do battle with it4 ,a great weariness seized upon him1--a longing for some wider scope of action than such futile work as that of governing1 or attempting to govern1 a handful of units whose momentary ,order was bound1 in a certain period of time to lapse into ,disorder--then into ,order again1 and so on till the end of all4 ,hence his resolve to sail the seas with ,lotys to that #8other side of ,death' of which she had spoken1--that #8other side' which an inward instinct told him was not ,death1 but ,life6 ,he could not of himself analyse the emotions which moved him4 ,he could not take the measure of his grief2 it was too wide and too painful4 ,he might have said with ,heine3 8,go1 prepare me a bier of strong wood1 longer than the bridge at ,mayence1 and bring twelve giants stronger than the vigorous ,st4 ,christopher of ,cologne ,cathedral on the ,rhine2--they will carry the coffin and fling it in the sea1--so large a coffin needs a large grave6 ,would you know why the bier must be so long and large8 ,with myself1 ,i lay there at the same time all my love and my sorrow60 ,sovereignty1--a throne1--a kingdom1--even an ,empire--seemed poor without love to grace them4 ,had he never known the pure ideal passion1 he would still have missed it2--but having known it--having felt its power environing him day and night with a holy and spiritual tenderness1 he could not but follow it when it was withdrawn--follow it1 ay1 even into the realms of blackest night6 ,like the #8,pilgrim of ,love1' delineated by one of the greatest painters in the world1 he recked nothing of the darkness closing in1--of the pain and bewilderment of the road1 which could only lead to interminable1 inexplicable mystery2--he felt the hand of the great ,angel upon him--the ,angel of ,love whom alone he cared to serve1--and if ,love's way led to ,death1 why then ,death would be surely as sweet as ,love6 ,a great and almost divine calm had taken possession of him from the moment he had fulfilled his intention of boarding the ship which carried away from him all that was mortal of the woman he had secretly idolised4 ,the wild turbulence of ,nature around him had only intensified his perfect content4 ,he had pleased himself by taking care of the sleeping ,lotys--such tender care6 ,he had tried to shield her coffin from the onslaughts of the fierce waves2 he had protected many of the funeral flowers from destruction1 and had lifted the gold fringe of the purple pall many and many a time out of the drenching spray cast over it4 ,there was a strange delight in doing this4 ,lotys knew6 ,that was his chief reflection4 ,and #8on the other side of ,death1' as she had said1 they would meet--and to that #8other side' they were sailing together with all the speed ,heaven's own forces could give to their journey4 ,oh1 that #8other side'6 ,what brightness1 what peace1 what glory1 what mutual comprehension1 what deep and perfect and undisturbed love would be found there6 ,he smiled as he watched the swollen and angry sea1--the rising billows shouldering each other and bearing each other down2--how much grander1 how much more spiritual and near to ,god1 he thought1 was this conflict of the elements1 than the petty wars of men6--their desires of conquest1 their greed of gold1 their thirst for temporal power6 8,my ,lotys60 he said aloud2 8,you knew the world6 ,you knew the littleness of worldly ambition6 ,you knew that there is only one thing worth living and dying for1 and that is ,love6 ,your heart was all love1 my ,lotys6 ,deprived of love for yourself1 you gave all you had to those who needed it1 and when you found my love for you might do me harm in the ,people's honour1 you sacrificed your life6 ,alas1 my ,lotys6 ,if you could but have realised that through you1 and the love of you1 ,i a ,king1 who had long missed my vocation1 could alone be truly worthy of sovereignty60 ,he laid his hand on her coffin with a tender touch1 as though to soothe its quiet occupant4 8,my beloved60 he said1 8,we shall meet very soon6--very soon now6 #8on the other side of death'--and ,god will understand1--and be pitiful60 ,the storm now seemed to be at its height4 ,the monstrous waves1 as they arose to combat the frail vessel in her swift career1 made a bellowing clamour1 and once or twice the ship reeled and staggered1 as though about to lurch forward and go under4 ,but the ,king felt no fear1--no horror of his approaching fate4 ,he watched the wild scene with interest1 even with appreciation1--as an artist or painter might watch the changes in a landscape which he purposes immortalising4 ,his past life appeared to him like a picture in a magic crystal1--blurred and uncertain1--a mist of shapes without decided meaning or colour4 ,he thought of the beautiful cold ,queen1 his wife1--and wondered whether she would weep for his loss4 8,not she60--and he almost smiled at the idea--8,perhaps there will be a ballad written about it--and she will listen1 unchanged1 unmoved--as she listened that night when her minstrels sang3 #8,we shall drift along till we both grow old ,looking back on the days that have passed us by1 ,when 8what might have been10 can no longer be1 ,when ,i lost you and you lost me6' ,that was a quaint song--and a true one6 ,she will not weep60 ,then he went over in memory the various scenes of his life--brilliant1 useless1 and without results--when he was ,heir-,apparent2--he thought of his two young sons1 ,rupert and ,cyprian1 who were as indifferent to him as young foals to their sire1--and anon1 his mind turned more tenderly to his eldest-born1 ,prince ,humphry1 and the fair girl he had so boldly wedded1--the happy twain1 who1 returning homeward1 would find the ,throne ready for their occupancy1 and a whole nation waiting to welcome them4 8,god bless them both60 he said aloud1 lifting his calm eyes to the wild heavens--8,they have the one shield and buckler against all misfortune--,love6 ,and ,i thank ,god that ,i have not the sin upon my conscience of having broken that shield away from them2 or of having forced their young lives asunder6 ,wiser than ,i1 they took their own way and kept it6--may they so keep it always60 ,then a thought of #8the ,people' came to him--the ,people who had latterly taken to idolising him1 and making of him a hero greater than any monarch whose deeds have ever been glorified since history began4 8,they will forget60 he said--8,nowadays ,nations have short memories6 ,battles and conquests1 defeats and victories pass over the national mind as rapidly and changefully as the clouds are flying over the sky to-night6--the ,people remember neither their disgraces nor their triumphs in the life of individual ,self which absorbs each little unit4 ,their idolatry of one monarch quickly changes to their idolatry of another6 ,i shall perhaps be regretted for six months as my father was--and then--consigned with my ancestors to oblivion6 ,nothing so beautiful or so gladdening to the heart of a ,monarch as the love of his ,people6--but--at the same time--nothing so changeable or uncertain as such love6--nothing so purely temporal6 ,and nothing so desperately sad1 so irremediably tragic as the death of kings60 ,rapidly he reviewed the situation--the new ,ministry1 the new ,government members were elected--and business would begin again immediately after the ,crown ,prince's return4 ,all the reforms he had been prepared to carry out1 would be effected1--and then would come the new ,king's ,coronation4 ,what a dazzling picture of resplendent beauty would be seen in ,gloria1 robed and crowned6 ,his heart beat rapidly at the mere contemplation of it4 ,for himself he had no thought--save to realise that the strange manner of his disappearance from his kingdom would probably only awaken a sense of resentment in #8society1' and a vague superstition among the masses1 who would for a long time cling to the belief that he was not dead1 but that like ,king ,arthur he had only gone to the #8island valley of ,avillion' to 8heal him of his grievous wound10--from which deep vale of rest he would return1 rejoicing in his strength again4 ,sergius ,thord would know the truth--for to ,sergius ,thord he had written the truth4 ,and the letter would reach him this very night--this night of his last earthly voyage4 8,when his great sorrow has abated10 he said1 8he too will forget6 ,he has all his work to do--all his career to make--and he will make it well and nobly6 ,even for his sake1 and for his future1 it is well that ,i am gone--for if he ever came to know1--if he were to guess even remotely1 through ,zouche's ravings1 or some other means1 the reason why ,lotys killed herself1 he would hate me1--and with justice6 ,he loves the ,people--he will serve their ,cause better than ,i60 ,the moon stared whitely out of a cloud just then1--and to his amazement and awe1 he suddenly perceived the black shadow of a man lifting itself slowly1 slowly from the hold of the ship1 like a massive bulk1 or ghost in the gloom4 ,unable to imagine what this might be1 or how any other human creature save himself would venture to sail with the dead on a voyage whose end could be but destruction1 he advanced a step towards that looming shape1 and started back with a cry1 as he recognised the very man he had been thinking of--,sergius ,thord6 8,sergius60 he cried aghast4 8,king60 and ,thord looked scarcely human in the pale fleeting moonbeams1 as he too stared in half-maddened wonder at the face and form of a companion on this dread journey such as he had never expected to see4 8,what do you here in the midst of the sea and the storm8 ,you should be at home6--playing the fool in your ,palace6--giving audiences on your throne6--you--you have no right to die with ,lotys1 whom ,i loved60 8,with ,lotys whom you loved60 echoed the ,king2 8,you loved her--true6 ,but ,i loved her more60 8,you lie60 said ,thord1 furiously2 8,no man--no ,king1--no ,emperor of all the world1 could ever have loved ,lotys as ,i loved her6 ,these great waves waiting to devour us--dead and living together--are not more insatiate in their passion for us than ,i in my passion for ,lotys6 ,i loved her6--and when she scorned me--when she rejected me1--when she openly confessed that she loved you--the ,king--what remained for her but death6 ,death1 rather than dishonour at your ,royal hands1 ,sir60 ,and he laughed fiercely--a laugh with the ring of madness in it4 8,i rescued her as a child from starvation and misery--and so ,i may say ,i gave her her life4 ,what ,i gave1 ,i took again--,i had the right to take it6 ,i would not see her shamed by you--dishonoured by you--branded by you6--,i did the only thing left to me to save her from you--,i killed her60 ,with a loud cry the ,king1 no longer so much king as man1 with every passion roused1 sprang at him4 8,you killed her8 ,oh1 treacherous devil6 ,they said she killed herself60 8,hands off60 cried ,thord1 suddenly pointing a pistol at him2 8,i will shoot you as readily as ,i shot her if you touch me6 ,she killed herself you think8 ,oh1 yes--in a strange way6 ,her last words were3 #8,say ,i did it myself6 ,tell the ,king ,i did it myself6' ,a lie6 ,all women are fond of lying4 ,but her lie was to protect ,me6 ,her last thought was for my defence1--not yours6 ,her last wish was to save ,me1 not you6--,king though you are--lover though you craved to be6 ,i say ,i murdered her6 ,this is my ,day of ,fate1--the day on which it seems that ,heaven itself has drawn lots with me to kill a ,king6 ,why did ,i ever relax my hate of you8 ,it was inborn in me--a part of me1--my very life1 the utmost portion of my work6 ,i called you friend2--,i curse myself that ,i ever did so6--for from the first you were my enemy--my rival in the love of ,lotys6 ,what did ,i care for the ,people8 ,what did you8 ,we were both at one in the love of the same woman6 ,and now ,i am here to die with her alone6 ,alone1 ,i say--do you hear me8 ,i will be alone with her to the last--you shall not share with us in our sea burial6 ,i will die beside her1--all1 all alone6--and drift out with her to the darkness of the grave1 to meet my fate with her--always with her1--whether her spirit lead me to ,hell or to ,heaven60 ,his insensate frenzy was so desperate1 so terrible1 that by its very force the strange mental composure of the ,king became intensified4 ,quietly folding his arms1 he took his stand by the coffin of the dead in silence4 ,the dashing spray that leaped at the masts of the vessel1--the wind that scooped up the billows into higher and higher pinnacles of emerald green1 might have been soundless and powerless1 for all he seemed to hear or to heed4 8,why are you with us80 cried ,thord again--8,how came you on this ship1 where ,i thought ,i had hidden myself alone with her1 voyaging to ,death8 ,could you not have left her to me8--you who have a throne and kingdom--,i1 to whom she was all my life60 8,i came--as you have come0--answered the ,king--8to die with her--or rather not to die1 but to find ,life with her6 ,she loved me60 ,with a savage curse1 ,thord raised the pistol he held4 ,the ,king looked him full in the eyes4 8,take good aim1 ,sergius60 he said tranquilly--8,for here between us lies ,lotys--the silent witness of your deed6 ,go hence1 if you must1 with two murders on your soul6 ,there is no escape from death for either you or me1 take it how we may2--and ,i care not at all how ,i meet it1 whether at your hands or in the waves of the sea6 ,give me the same death you gave to ,lotys6 ,i ask no better end6 ,for so at least shall we meet more quickly60 ,half choked with his fury1 ,thord looked at him with fixed and glassy eyes4 ,he was jealous of death6--jealous that death should of itself seem to reunite ,lotys and the man she had loved more closely together6 ,standing erect by the purple pall that covered the one woman of the world to them both1 the ,king looked #8every inch a king1'--the incarnation of pride1 love1 resolve and courage4 ,with a sudden wild-beast cry1 ,thord sprang at him and caught his arm with one hand1 the pistol grasped in the other4 8,too near60 he gasped2 8,you shall not stand too near her6--you shall not die so close to her6--you shall not have the barest chance of resting where she sleeps60 ,he fell back1 as the ,king's calm eyes regarded him steadfastly1 imperiously1 almost commandingly1 without a trace of fear4 ,he trembled4 8,do not look so60 he muttered2 8,i cannot kill you6--not if you look so6--0 ,raising the pistol1 he took apparent aim4 ,the ,king stood unmoved1 only murmuring softly to himself3 #8,on the other side of ,death1 my ,lotys6--,on the other side6' ,there was a loud report1 a crash in his ears--then--as he staggered back1 stunned by the shock1 he saw that he was untouched1 unhurt4 ,thord had turned the pistol against his own breast1 and reeling backward1 with a last supreme effort1 dragged his sinking body to the vessel's edge4 8,god save your ,majesty60 he cried wildly2 8,tell ,lotys ,i did it myself6 ,god knows that is true60 ,the wild waves1 clambering up over the deck rushed at him1 and an enormous foam-crested billow1 higher and stronger than all the rest1 beat at the mast of the vessel and snapped it in twain4 ,it came down1 dragging the sail with it in a tangle of cordage1 and with that sail the name of #8,lotys' inscribed upon it was whirled furiously out to sea4 ,the body of the vessel1 now netted in a mass of ropes and rigging1 began to roll helplessly in the trough of the waves1 and the corpse of ,thord1 sinking under it as it plunged1 was swept away like a leaf in the storm6 ,gone1 his wild heart and wilder brain6--gone his restless ambition1--gone his unsatisfied love--his fierce passions1 his glimmerings of a noble nature which if trained and guided1 might have worked to noblest ends4 ,like many would-be leaders of men1 he could not lead himself--like many who seek to control law1 and revolutionise the world1 he had been unable to master his own desperate soul4 ,he was not the first1--he will not be the last1--who for purely personal ends has sought to #8serve the ,people'6 ,the disinterested1 the impersonal and unselfish ,leader has yet to come1--and if he ever does come1 it is more than probable that those for whom he gives his life1 will be the first to crucify his soul1 and cry #8,thou hast a devil6' ,death was now sole commander of the ocean that night6 ,and the ,king of a mere little earth-country1 realised to the full that he stood irrevocably face to face with the last great ,enemy of ,empires4 ,yet never had he looked more truly imperial1--never more superbly the incarnation of life6 ,a mighty exultation began to stir within him--a consciousness that he1 despite all the terrors of the grave1 would still come forth the conqueror6 ,the waves1 leaping at him1 were friends1 not foes1--the moon shedding ghostly glamours on the watery wilderness1 smiled as though she knew that he would soon be a partaker in the secrets of all ,nature1 and solve the mystery of existence1--there was a singing in his ears as of voices triumphant1 which swelled with the passion of a mighty anthem1--and with the quietest mind and calmest brain he found himself musing on life and death as if he were already a witness apart1 of their strange phenomena4 ,thord's appearance on the same ship in which he and ,lotys were passengers1 seemed to him quite simple and natural1--,thord's death moved him to a certain grave compassion1--but the whole swift circumstance had been so dreamlike1 that he had no time to think of it1 or regret it1--and the only active consciousness his mind held was that he and ,lotys were journeying to #8the other side'2--that #8other side' which he now felt so near and sure1 that he could almost declare he saw the living presence of the woman he loved arisen from the dead and standing near him6 ,the ocean widened out interminably1 and he saw1 looking ahead1 a great heap of gigantic billows1 leaping1 sparkling1 tossing1 climbing over each other in the fitful light of the moon1 like huge sea-monsters waiting to devour and engulf him4 ,he smiled as he felt the yielding craft on which he stood swirl towards those breakers1 and begin to part asunder1--so would he have smiled on a battlefield facing his foes1 and fronted with fiery cannon6 ,the glory of ,empire1--the splendour of ,sovereignty1--the pride and panoply of ,temporal ,power6 ,how infinitely trivial seemed all these compared with the mighty force of a resistless love6 ,how slight the boasted #8supremacy' of man with his laws and creeds1 matched against the wrath of the conflicting sea1--the sure and swift approach of inexorable ,death6 ,under the depths of the ocean which this ruler of a kingdom traversed for the last time1 lay a lost ,continent1--fallen dynasties--forgotten civilisations1 wonderful and endless--kings and queens and heroes once famous--and now as blotted out of memory as though they had never been6 8,if thou could'st see a thousand fathoms down1 ,thou would'st behold #8mid rock and shingle brown-- ,the shapeless wreck of temple1 tower and town1-- ,the bones of ,empires sleeping their last sleep1 ,their names as dead as if they never bore ,crown or dominion60 ,with keen and watchful eyes he measured the swiftly lessening distance between him and the glittering1 tumbling whirlpool of waves--he felt the weight of the wind bearing against the drifting vessel--the end was very near6 ,standing by the dead ,lotys1 he prayed silently--prayed strangely1--in words borrowed from no ,church formula1 but as they came1 straight from his heart--prayed that ,god might not be a ,dream--that ,love might not be a ,snare--and ,death might not be an ,end6 ,so do we all pray when the last dread moment of dissolution comes--when no priest's can comfort us--and when the greatest ,king in the world is but a poor ordinary human soul1 ignorant and forlorn1 shuddering on the verge of eternal ,judgment6 ,a mountainous billow broke over the deck1 half stunning him with the shock of its cold onslaught1 and sweeping the coffin of ,lotys almost over the edge of the vessel4 ,he threw himself beside that dreary casket1 fastening his own body with strong rope knotted many times1 to its heavy leaden mass1 resolved to sink with it painlessly1 and without a struggle4 ,so1--in perfect passiveness1--he awaited his end4 ,suddenly1--as if a bell had chimed in the distance1 or a voice had sung some old familiar song in his ears1--he saw1 clearly visioned in all the flying spray of the tempest a face6--not the face of ,lotys--but a soft1 childish1 piteous little countenance1 framed in curling tendrils of hair1 with trusting sweet eyes1 raised to his own in holiest1 simplest confidence6 ,so pure1 so fair a face6--so pathetically loving6--where had he seen it before8 ,all at once he remembered1--and sprang up with a sharp cry of pain4 ,why1 why had this frail ghost of the past flown out of the darkness of sea and storm to confront him now8 ,the ghost of his first young love6--the clinging1 fond1 credulous creature who had gone to her death uncomplainingly for his sake--with only the one little cry of farewell--#8,my love6 ,forgive me6' ,why should he think of her8--why should he see her before him at this supreme moment when ,death stared him in the face1 and his spirit hovered on the edge of ,infinity8 8,vengeance is mine6--,i will repay1 saith the ,lord60 ,his first love6--so lightly won--so cruelly betrayed6 ,tears rushed to his eyes1--he thought of the wrong done to a perfectly pure and blameless life--a wrong he had forgotten in all these years--till now6 8,oh ,god60 he cried aloud--8,forgive me6 ,forgive my weakness1 my selfishness1 my many wasted years6 ,let not her face forever come between thy redeeming ,angel1 ,lotys1 and my soul60 ,the tumultuous breakers rushing now with a great swoop at the vessel1 snatched and tore at him4 ,he nerved himself to look again1--once again1 and for the last time1 across the great wilderness of warring waters6 ,the moon now shone brightly1--the clouds were parting on either side of her1 rolling up in huge masses1 white and glistening as ,alpine peaks of snow--the wind had not lessened1 and the fury of the sea was still unabated4 ,but the fair childish face had vanished1--and only the clear salt spray dashed in his eyes and blinded them1--only the salt waves clambered round him1 drawing him towards them in a cold embrace6 8#8,on the other side1' my ,lotys60 he said--8,god be merciful to us both6--#8on the other side'60 ,for one moment the breaking vessel paused shudderingly on the edge of the seething whirlpool of waves1 which1 meeting in a centre of tidal commotion1 leaped at her1 and began steadily to suck her down4 ,for one moment the moonbeams fell purely on the calm upturned face of the ,king1 who like others allied to him in kingship throughout history1 had esteemed mere sovereignty valueless at the cost of ,love6 ,for kings1--though surrounded with flatterers and sycophants who seek to make them imagine themselves somewhat more than human1--are but men1 with all men's vain sins and passions1 mad weaknesses and wild dreams2 and when they love1 they love as foolishly as commoners1--and when they die1 as die they must1 there is no difference in the actual way of death than is known to a pauper4 ,more gold and purple on the one side1--more straw and sackcloth on the other1--but the solemnity and equality of ,death itself1 is the same in both4 ,and as this dying ,king well knew1 the ,people care little who governs them1 provided bread is cheap1 and labour well paid4 ,he is greatest who gives them most1--and he is the most applauded who allows them the most liberty of action6 ,the personality1 the complex nature1 the character1 the temptations1 the mind-sufferings of a ,king1 as man merely1 are less than nothing to the multitude who run to follow and to cheer him4 ,if he were once to complain1 he would be condemned2--and if he asked from his crowding flatterers the bread of sympathy1 they would give him but a stone6 ,the moon smiled--the stars flashed fitfully through the clouds1--and all through the length and breadth of ocean there seemed to come the sound of a great psalmody1 rising and filling the air4 ,it surged on the ,king's ears1 as with hands clasped on the drenched lilies strewn over the sleeping ,lotys1 he welcomed the coming ,unveiling of the ,beyond6 ,and then--the waters rose up1 and caught living and dead together1 and dragged them down with a triumphal rush and roar1--down1 down to that grand ,unconsciousness1--that sublime ,pause in the chain of existence1--that longer ,sleep1 from which we shall wake refreshed and strong again1--ready to learn ,where we have failed1 ,why we have loved1 and ,how we have lost4 ,but of things temporal there shall be no duration1--neither ,sovereignty nor ,supremacy1 nor ,power2 only ,love1 which makes weak the strongest1 and governs the proudest2--and of things eternal we know naught save that ,love1 always ,love1 is still the centre of the ,universe1 and that even to redeem the sins of the world1 ,god ,himself could find no surer way than through ,love1 born of ,woman into ,life4 99 99 99 99 99 ,days passed1--and angry ,ocean gradually smoothed out its frowning furrows1 spreading a surface darkly-blue and peaceful1 under a cloudless arch of sky4 ,and one night1--when the moon1 like a golden cup in heaven1 emptied her sparkling wine of radiance over the gently heaving waves1 a fair ship speeding swiftly with all the force of steam and sail1 with flags fluttering from every mast1 and sounds of music echoing from her lighted saloons1 came flying over the billows like a glorious white-winged bird soaring to its home on an errand of joy4 ,on her deck stood ,gloria1--happily ignorant of all calamity1--watching with dreamy1 thoughtful eyes the lessening lengths of sea between her and the land she loved4 ,the ,crown ,prince1 her husband1--now ,king1 though he knew it not1--stood beside her2--his handsome face brightened by a smile which expressed his heart's elation1 his soul's deep peace and inward content4 ,naught knew these wedded lovers of the strange reception awaiting them2 of the half-mourning1 half-rejoicing people1--of national flags suddenly veiled in crape1--of black funeral-streamers set distractedly amidst gay bridal garlands2--of a widowed ,queen1 broken-hearted and despairing1 weeping vainly for the love she had so long misprized1 and had learned too late to value1--of a ,crown resigned1--of the lost ,majesty and hero of a nation's idolatry2--of the death of ,ronsard1 and the inexplicable disappearance of the famous ,socialist leader1 ,sergius ,thord1--and of all the strange and tragic history of vanished lives1 even to that of ,sir ,roger de ,launay whom no man ever saw again1--which it fell to their faithful friend1 ,heinrich von ,glauben to relate1 with passionate grief and many tears4 ,they knew nothing4 ,they only saw home and the future before them1 shining in bright hues of hope and promise2 for ,love was with them1--and through ,love alone--love for the nation1 love for the people1 love for each other1--they purposed1 ,god willing1 to faithfully fulfil whatever destiny might be theirs1 whether fortunate or disastrous6 ,thus minded1 they could see no evil in the world1--no mischief1--no ominous crossings of ,fate1--they had all earth and all heaven in each other6 ,and the gay ship bearing them onward1 danced over the smiling1 singing1 siren waves1 as if she too had a human heart to feel and rejoice6--and in her swift course swept lightly over the very spot1 now tranquil and radiant1 where but a short while since1 the body of ,lotys had gone down1 companioned by the ,king4 ,gloria leaning over the deck-rail looked dreamily into the sparkling water4 8,the storm we met has left no trace60 she said2 8,it was but a passing hurricane60 ,her husband came to her side1 and they stood together in silence4 ,sweet harmonies floating upwards from the saloon below1 where a company of musicians and singers were stationed to charm the evenings of the ,royal pair with #8sounds more dulcet than ,heaven's own dulcimers' held them attentive4 ,the tender tones of an undetermined melody rose and fell on the quiet air1--they listened1 drawing closer and closer to each other1 till it seemed as if but one heart beat between them1--as if but one ,soul aspired1--,archangel-like1--from their two lives to ,heaven6 ,and ,gloria1 with a sigh of perfect happiness1 murmured softly1-- 8,how beautiful the night6 ,how calm the sea60 ,so sped they onward1--with ,love to steer them2 with ,love to bring them safely through the brief cloud of sorrow and wonder hanging over the kingdom to which they wended1--with ,love to guide their lives through all difficulty and danger1 and to give them all the good that ,love alone can give6 ,for whether the days be dark or bright1--whether tempest fills the air1 or sunshine illumines the sky1--whether we are followed with fair blessing from friends1 or pursued with the hate1 envy and slander of injurious foes1--whether we drown by choice in tempestuous waters of passion1 or float securely to the shores of peace1--whether our ships are bound for ,death or for ,life1 we are safe in the hands of ,love6 ,and in the midst of what the world deems storm and wreckage1 we can gaze into the deeper depths of ,god's meaning with trustful eyes1 and sail on our voyage fearlessly1--on1 even to the ,grave and beyond it6--for with ,love at the helm1 how beautiful is the ,night6--how calm the ,sea6 ,,the ,,end