THE EMPEROR AND HILDA FITZHERBERT.
The Emperor received Miss Fitzherbert with a cordial grace, infinitely
pleasing and flattering to that young lady. She of course had often seen
his Majesty at Court functions, but never before had he summoned her to
a separate audience. And indeed, high though her official position and
reputation were, she did not hold Cabinet rank; and a special audience
was a rare compliment, such as perhaps no one in her position had ever
previously enjoyed.
The Emperor was a tall man of spare and muscular frame, with the dignity
and bearing of a practised soldier. It was impossible not to recognise
that he was possessed of immense strength and power of endurance. He had
just celebrated his twenty-seventh birthday, and looked no more than
his age. His face was of the fair Saxon type. His eyes were blue,
varying with his moods from almost dark violet to a cold steel tint. Few
persons were able to disguise from him their thoughts when he fixed on
them his eyes, with the piercing enquiry of which they were capable. His
eyes were indeed singularly capable of a great variety of expression. He
could at will make them denote the thoughts and feelings which he wished
to make apparent to those with whom he conversed. Apart from his
position, no one could look at him without feeling that he was a
distinguished man. He was of a kindly disposition, but capable of great
severity, especially towards any one guilty of a mean or cowardly
action. He was of a highly honourable disposition, and possessed an
exalted sense of duty. He rarely allowed personal inclination to
interfere with public engagements; indeed, he was tenaciously sensitive
on the point, and sometimes fancied that he permitted his judgment to be
obscured by his prepossessions when he had really good grounds for his
conclusions. On the very subject of his marriage he was constantly
filled with doubt as to whether his objection to the proposed alteration
in the law of succession was well founded on public grounds or whether
he was unconsciously influenced by his personal disinclination to the
contemplated union. He realised the truth of the saying of a very old
author--
"Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown."
After indicating to Miss Fitzherbert his wish that she should be seated,
he said to her, "I have been induced to ask your attendance by a long
conversation I have had with Mrs. Hardinge. I have heard the opinions
she has formed, and they seem to me the result of matured experience. It
occurred to me that I would like to hear the opinions of one who,
possessed of no less ability, has been less subject to official and
diplomatic exigencies. I may gather from you how much of personal
feeling should be allowed to influence State affairs."
"Your Majesty is very gracious," faltered Hilda, "but Mrs. Hardinge has
already told you the opinion of the Cabinet. Even if I differed from it,
which I do not, I could not venture to obtrude my view on your Majesty."
"Yes, you could," said the Emperor, "if I asked you, or let me say
commanded you."
"Sir, your wishes are commands. I do not pretend to have deeply studied
the matter. I think the time has come to finally settle a long-mooted
question and to withdraw from woman the last disability under which she
labours."
"My objection," interposed the Emperor, "or hesitation is in no manner
caused by any doubt as to woman's deserving to be on a par with man in
every intellectual position."
"Then, Sir, may I ask, why do you hesitate? The greatest Sovereign that
ever reigned over Great Britain, as it was formerly called, was a
woman."
"I cordially agree with you. No Sovereign ever deserved better of the
subjects of the realm than my venerated ancestress Queen Victoria. But
again I say, I do not question woman's ability to occupy the throne to
the greatest advantage."
"Why, may I ask, then does your Majesty hesitate?"
"I can scarcely reply to my own satisfaction. I give great heed to the
objections commonly stated against altering the Constitution, but I do
not feel certain that these alone guide me. There is another, and to me
very important, reason. It appeals to me not as Sovereign only, but as
soldier. My father and my grandfather led the troops of the Empire when
they went forth to battle. Happily in our day war is a remote
contingency, but it is not impossible. We preserve peace by being
prepared for war. It seems to me a terrible responsibility to submit to
a change which might result in the event of war in the army not being
led by its emperor."
"Your Majesty," said Miss Fitzherbert, "what am I to say? To deny the
cogency of your reasons is like seeking to retain power, for you know
the fate of the Cabinet depends upon this measure, to which it has
pledged itself."
"Miss Fitzherbert," said the Emperor gravely, "no one will suspect you
of seeking to retain office for selfish purposes, and least of all would
I suppose it, or I would not ask your counsel. Tell me now," he said,
with a winning look, "as woman to man, not as subject to Sovereign, what
does your heart dictate?"
"Sir," said Miss Fitzherbert with great dignity, rising from her seat,
"I am deeply sensible of the honour you do me; and I cannot excuse
myself from responding to it. In the affairs of life, and more
especially State affairs, I have noticed that both sides to a
controversy have frequently good grounds for their advocacy; and,
moreover, it often happens that previous association fastens on each
side the views it holds. I am strong in the belief, we are right in
wishing this measure to pass; but since you insist on my opinion, I
cannot avoid declaring as far as I, a non-militant woman, can judge,
that, were I in your place, I would hold the sentiment you express and
refuse my sanction."
Hilda spoke with great fervour, as one inspired. The Emperor scarcely
concealed his admiration; but he merely bowed courteously, and ended the
interview with the words, "I am greatly indebted to you for your
frankness and candour."