The bestowal of an honor so vital, to their way of thinking, could but
arouse deep and widespread interest, especially now that the public
mind had reached a high state of nervous tension. Its effect upon every
man and woman in that assemblage was instantaneous and changed entirely
the situation, for weal or woe, however false or sincere his motive.
Martha Norton flushed with envy, and Bender grew fierce at
disappointment. Aokahameha alone welcomed the respite, though Ihoas
sat for the time being overwhelmed with sorrow. Young chafed under the
yoke, while Kaiuolani nestled in her father’s embrace, wondering at the
havoc her innocent attempt had wrought.
After a little, when the first shock of disappointment had passed, the
queen rose and entering her boudoir directed that the doors be drawn
and the entrance to the room closed. Truly she felt mortified at the
heir apparent’s conduct and grieved the necessity of resorting to other
means in the attainment of her plans; but Liliuokolani was a resolute
woman and met reverse with a calm and dignified determination that
brooked no reasonable defeat. She held Aokahameha free from blame,
as he had evidenced a willingness to gratify her majesty’s wish, at
least so far as that day’s decoration was concerned, for had he not
accompanied the princess to her post and shown no inclination to avoid
the _leis_?
Nor would she at that time call him to her, though it was he more
than any other that she desired forthwith to counsel. Upon her
withdrawal into the house the assemblage once more began to break into
fragments and scatter in groups about the lawns, leaving Aokahameha
alone to congratulate Young and offer the princess a first word of
encouragement. Drawing her away from her father and inviting Ihoas
along, the three walked out upon the green to the gratification of
Liliuokolani, who stood looking through the glass door, as they chatted
and whiled away the time.
Presently they separated, and Aokahameha walked rapidly toward the
house. He realized that Liliuokolani had suffered a painful defeat, and
feeling that the responsibility of sustaining her devolved upon him,
sought directly her majesty’s presence.
The queen had watched his movements safely from within, and clearing
the room of attendants, met him upon his arrival at the door.
“Come in, Aokahameha,” said she, warmly grasping his hand and kindly
leading him to a seat on the sofa. “I need your advice, though as you
may well know our ideas be somewhat cross-purposed. You understand my
motive: I hope I have not forfeited your respect.”
The prince seated himself at her pleasure, recognizing the gravity of
the queen’s situation as well as the sincerity of her purpose, and
turning to her said, softly but gravely:
“No, your majesty; you have done nothing to merit in the least the
displeasure of a loyal subject. The matter of my domestic felicity is
only an incident that I had hoped to recognize in the sphere of duty. I
am at your majesty’s service: command me.”
The encouraged champion’s familiar address had the effect intended, and
Liliuokolani freely laid aside the reserve that naturally attended even
less guarded communications. They held in common an abiding interest in
their country, its people, their homes, and themselves. They knew each
other to be true. They alone could resolve the virtue of their course.
The queen’s great, dark eyes softened as she looked tenderly into the
young man’s straightforward countenance,--there was no need of fear
there; he was a scion of royalty, untainted, grave but heroic,--and
with modulated voice frankly said:
“You speak well, Aokahameha; I too have loved, and would that your
portion be even less bitter. Let us pass that; the state demands our
attention. The heir apparent must be gotten out of the way of designing
politicians and the host of scheming adventurers who now surround her
and threaten the government.”
Without venturing an immediate answer, the proud prince sat momentarily
pondering the course of events that had led to their hard-tried
predicament and the momentous questions confronting them. For years
their beautiful land had been buffeted upon the surfeited seas of vain
endeavor and base cunning to fall at last to the grace of a sovereign
whose heart went out to her own and whose endeavor seemed founded upon
but a shattered hope. How could he in their plundered and helpless
condition resolve the means with which to restore security and gratify
the laudable ambitions of a deserving and hopeful ruler! A cheerless
mission confronted him, but Aokahameha, the iron-willed, a Kamehameha
of to-day, felt no test of patriotism too severe and knew not an
undertaking undeserving the sacrifice. The queen’s will resolved his
duty, and he believed her not only worthy the confidence, but capable
of directing safely the course of events.
“Your majesty’s intentions are certainly good; but I am doubtful about
controlling the princess,” said he, after a while, having resolved
fully the queen’s motive.
“I had hoped to encourage a different termination of the day’s
sports; it would, at least, have given the appearance of solidity on
our part; for to-morrow I shall present your name to the cabinet as
commander-in-chief of the army. We could have resolved, afterwards, and
in time, the suitableness of my plans for a permanent alliance with
the princess,” replied the queen, fully conscious of both his and her
feelings in the matter.
“It could have done no harm: we all seem to understand the situation,
except it be the princess herself,” continued he, somewhat regretfully
and with reference to those individually concerned.
“I need not ask what the general effect was,--I could see that from
where I sat,--but did you notice particularly how Kaiuolani’s actions
impressed Hans Gutenborj?” asked Liliuokolani, her mind reverting to
the political situation.
“Only that he showed extreme reserve, as usual; yet I am not quite sure
but he was deeply moved,” said Aokahameha, guardedly, as he arose and
crossing the room looked out at the window, continuing directly:
“Young and he appear to be engaged in conversation now, and are
walking toward the street--I wonder if they can be so soon taking their
leave?”
The queen did not answer at once, but coming up leaned gently on the
prince’s arm, the while watching Colonel Young and Mr. Gutenborj, the
largest planter and wealthiest merchant in the Islands, disappear
through the gate, far in the distance.
Kaiuolani, Ihoas, and Elmsford leisurely strolled in the garden, the
former’s lively interest betraying an entire forgetfulness, as she
courted the willing Elmsford’s attention, to the utter disgust of
staid and resolute Ihoas; while Bender, Wayntro, Q. N. Varnum, a local
banker, and Webster Faneuil, the queen’s attorney, grouped themselves
around Sir Charles, with whom Young and Gutenborj had just parted.
Only Martha Norton appeared to be absent, and scanning carefully the
numerous parties within his range, Aokahameha’s memory reverted to his
discovery of her, earlier in the day, in rather an unbecoming attitude.
The very thought of her present whereabouts made him nervous, and
despite the queen’s urgent business he grew anxious and presently to
her surprise and utter astonishment excused himself and departed the
house. Upon taking his leave he had, it is true, taken the pains to
reassure Liliuokolani of his unshaken trust and hearty support, yet the
apparent change in his bearing suggested the possibility of a breakdown
and disturbed her majesty not a little.
With Aokahameha’s coming into the open, Bender disappeared--Martha
Norton had given him the signal, forthwith apprising the queen of his
request for an audience. Liliuokolani sighed, saying heavily:
“I will receive him here; call Ihoas and Mr. Faneuil.”
Her majesty’s duly appointed lady in waiting loitered a little,--just
enough to insure the arrival of Bender, whom she announced,--then went
out of the room.
Liliuokolani did not bid her caller come nearer. She sat at the farther
side of the room, facing the entrance and awaiting his pleasure. Bender
approached, and bowing profusely complimented her majesty on the
felicities of the day. A frown darkened Liliuokolani’s face, afterwards
giving way to an expression of anxiety. Her would-be cabinet minister
pretended not to see the very potent change in her countenance; his
eyes glanced furtively elsewhere.
Recognizing the necessity of promptness,--the queen unattended had
never encouraged his presence,--Bender spoke fawningly, but with
emphasis:
“I thought you might desire a final word with me; the legislature meets
in the morning.”
The queen looked down at the cringing man’s posture. She knew better
than he--a disturbing element with a boughten membership--of the
proposed session, and felt more keenly the consequence. Without undue
haste or prolonged delay Liliuokolani replied, nervously:
“You know well my position: what more would you have at this late hour?”
“Your consent to the bills.”
“You still insist upon disgracing my people with a cruel opium measure
and a vicious lottery bill?”
“The terms are reasonable, considering that I am willing to concede
the appointment of Aokahameha and----”
“You will guarantee that?”
“Yes; and, also, the new constitution--as you propose. I have the
power.”
“I will give you my answer in the morning.”
“At twelve o’clock?”
“Yes.”
Liliuokolani dismissed the caller and retired to the quiet of her
chamber; she knew only too well that Norton had prolonged her quest for
the attorney and Ihoas, and desiring to resolve in her own mind, alone
and undisturbed, the virtue of an only alternative, withdrew from the
danger of any further or other disturbance.
Until a late hour straggling guests loitered in the gardens and upon
the verandas, amid the golden shadows that changed and lengthened from
the tall and slender leaf-capped palms that swayed and rustled in the
soft, intoxicating air of a tropical evening’s dawn. They were content
with joy or burdened with concern, lingering till the close of day when
still the last had not gone.
Liliuokolani looked out through the stately tree tops and over
the quaint house roofs to the silent waters beyond. From the deep
mysterious blue no voice of old arose to counsel her, to encourage the
deeds of heroism that once made those shores resound with noble thought
and vital conquest. Life still seemed consequential, yet the heavens
darkened with the dark of southland: Liliuokolani breathed heavily, and
the world closed its portals upon her.