"But, your Majesty, they will not bite twice at the same bait."
"I should be sorry if they did, General, for it would not be what I
wish. I believe that they will think that we intend to advance our
flanks. I am trusting to them weakening their centre, for I intend to
strike hard for Villet."
"Then you propose to hold the Kelbna road from Trun through Pinofska,
and then from Blanne to Farnov?"
"That is my idea; and, in order to confirm them in the opinion that we
intend flanking movements, we will move troops from Milova to Trun and
Farnov by day, and move them back again at night. We must do everything
we can to strengthen their belief that we wish to repeat the plan which
succeeded so well on our left. If necessary, our flanks must fall
back."
"It is a scheme full of danger, your Majesty."
"And also full of possibilities."
"Yes, your Majesty, of defeat as well as of success."
"That I refuse to consider, although we will take all precautions
against such a thing. However, I do not press my scheme if anyone can
suggest a better. You must remember that time is flying and the
Bornians can bring two recruits to our one, while their line of
communications from Ruln is not long, and so they have not very great
difficulties in regard to transport."
That was the stratagem adopted, and the movements of our troops for the
next two days puzzled even our own men. There is no doubt that the
enemy were puzzled too, but they took the situation in the way that we
wished.
We decided not to evacuate Atar, which--as I had foreseen--they did not
bite at.
When both our flanks were hotly engaged, our forward movement in the
centre began. It was a costly effort, but it succeeded.
We got them on the run and kept them so, driving a wedge right through
the centre of their line towards Villet. It was their left wing which
suffered this time from the Loina--that was a fateful river for them.
We drove them out of Villet itself, and then began the most terrible
struggle of the war, for that small town was life or death to them.
Three times they took it, and as many times we drove them out again,
each time with greater ease, for every hour saw our position improve, as
we concentrated our artillery. Then they found that Villet was lost to
them for ever; it was a fact that they realised with difficulty.
But, once they did so, the end came quickly. Cut off from Lorif, their
only way of escape back to Bornia, they surrendered in masses. The
remainder of their army withdrew sullenly towards their frontier. They
conducted their retreat in fairly good order.
Had we liked, we could have utterly crushed them, but we refrained from
pressing too closely upon their rearguard for two reasons: we did not
wish to sacrifice the lives of our troops needlessly, and the Bornians
were hopelessly beaten. I daresay it was wrong not to drive them with
all our might, I'm sure that the military text-books would say so, but I
was only a civilian after all.
I had sent, as soon as we could spare the troops, a column into Garace,
that province which had been lost to us for so long.
They met with little opposition, for the Bornian forces there were very
scanty and quite without enterprise, or enthusiasm.
Before we had finished there, almost before the beaten remnant had left
Lorif, Bornia sued for peace.
*CHAPTER XIV*
Bornia sued for peace; they could do nothing else, for they were
hopelessly beaten both by land and sea.
Prince Kleber had been busy with the Bornians on the water, and the
_Soctia_ had made a great name for herself; a large number of prizes
were now in the harbour of Soctia, and she had successfully carried on a
vigorous warfare with the Bornian Navy.
Prince Kleber had done much to facilitate our progress in Garace,
especially at Bustelov, where the Bornians were well fortified; it was
largely owing to the clever co-operation of the navy that our troops
occupied that place without a prolonged siege.
The only time that Rudarlian troops entered Bornia, was the day when
peace was declared; then a small number escorted the signatories, for a
mile, to their side of the frontier.
So completely were the Bornians beaten that, in spite of the moral
support of certain great powers, they accepted our terms at once; well
they might, for they were, considering, very moderate: the evacuation of
Garace, and a certain sum as war indemnity were the two chief items.
We had no wish to exasperate a badly beaten enemy; nor did we wish to
claim territorial aggrandisement beyond the recovery of our one-time
province of Garace.
It has always seemed to me to be bad policy to demand too much from a
beaten adversary, excepting when that enemy is dangerous to the peace of
the world, or, indeed, of your nation; for, unless the necessity is
great, a beaten opponent should be treated with consideration. But
there are cases, no doubt, when it is expedient to destroy completely a
nation's power to do harm in the future.
It seemed that, with the end of the war, a better understanding at once
began between the two countries; perhaps the fighting was like the
old-fashioned remedy of blood-letting.
It is impossible to describe the feelings of joy and pride with which I
thought of Rudarlia and the Rudarlians; they had proved themselves so
splendid, and now that the war had been carried to a successful
conclusion I hoped that economic conditions would begin to improve and
the prosperity of the country be assured.
I will confess to certain day-dreams in that respect, and obtained quite
a lot of pleasure from them.
As soon as peace was declared, the inhabitants of Rudarlia began to show
their joy; and it was overwhelming, even in the most out-of-the-way
villages the poorest of the people held marvellous celebrations.
I think the most trying time of my whole life was during my visits to
all parts of Rudarlia. I thought that I should never have any pleasure
in speaking again, for in every corner of my country it was thought
necessary to hand me addresses.
In Garace, the people were almost crazy with joy at having thrown off
the Bornian bonds, and being under the Rudarlian flag again.
Although this time was, as I have said, most trying, yet it was
inspiring and certainly satisfactory; I defy even the most cold-blooded
person to listen to a nation's cheers, without feeling a deep glow of
pleasure. I, personally, do not attempt to deny that it pleased me, for
it meant that I had made good.
A great number of months passed before the nation settled down to their
normal lives; and the time of the officials, from King to Mayor, was
taken up in the many duties that fell upon them.
Perhaps the most hard-worked people of all were the doctors and nurses,
for the hospitals were full, and I would not have any man turned away
without being absolutely cured of his wounds, if such a thing were
possible. Those whose wounds rendered them unfit for further military
service received a plot of land, or, if they chose, a sum of money.
Then there were the honours and rewards to be settled, the various
recompenses for farms and homesteads destroyed in the war, and a
thousand and one things beside.
Upon Carruthers, who had been of incalculable value to us through his
airwork, I bestowed the Cross of Rudarlia, an honour of which he was
intensely proud, in spite of his assurances to the contrary. Much as I
should have liked him to stop in Rudarlia, I did not press him when he
came to bid me good-bye, for I knew that he would have his work cut out
to explain matters to the authorities in England. I was convinced,
however, that he would do it quite successfully, for he had a most
engaging way of getting himself out of scrapes.
General von Quarovitch had received a substantial grant from the
Government to enable him to uphold his new rank, for I had made him
Count. He was also given a command of more importance than the frontier,
and so he was often in Karena. In fact, he was now as much sought after
as before he had been neglected; but he took his sudden popularity very
grimly, which caused me huge enjoyment. His treatment of the fair sex
was a never failing source of delight; they called him bearish, but
devoted themselves to him.
I had also made Woolgast a Count, and I do not think that there were
many to sneer at his new rank. He had quite recovered from the wound
given him by Alexis; and was now, as usual, always at my side.
He was a man who never asked for any favour, either for himself or his
family; he was as devoted to me as anyone could be, and it was his
delight to accompany me in command of the escort wherever I went. I
always made a point of taking an escort of my regiment of guards, for I
believed the people loved to see the white and gold of their uniforms,
and to know that their King rode or drove among them with regal pomp and
glory. The Rudarlians, in that respect, were rather barbaric in their
tastes; and yet, I am not sure that it is not a good thing to keep alive
the love of show, I believe it really brightens the lives of the people,
who so often live in dull monotony. I myself confess to a certain
quickening of the pulses at sight of martial pomp, and also when I hear
the jingling music of a cavalry regiment. There is something fine and
inspiring in the sight of a number of men splendidly upright and strong,
moving together as though one man, and to realise that they are prepared
to give their lives for an ideal--for the love of country is nothing
else. I have heard it said that an ideal will move men to acts of
greater heroism than any fact; it may be so, but I always look upon an
ideal as a mental fact in itself, so I can hardly argue the point.
I shall never forget the first time I dined privately after the war.
There were just four of us, my mother, Prince Zeula, Mr. Neville, and
myself, and we had old Bauen up to wait upon us. I wanted to feel
absolutely free to say what I would without feeling that there might be
one of the servants listening.
It was quite like old times, yet not so very old, only a few years, but
years so full of incident that each seemed to have multiplied itself by
ten. In those few years I had changed from a boy into a man, from a
commoner into a king; and it may safely be surmised that such changes
must have a considerable effect on anyone.
They were rich years for me to look back upon and so full of mental, and
perhaps moral wealth, that I was almost fearful of their effect upon me.
I was afraid that I should lose my youth before the time, that manhood's
cares would sap the joy of life within me, and, by so doing, injure the
power I had to feel and sympathise with the many defects in human
nature.
My mother, to whom I had spoken of this, agreed that it might be so with
some people, but not in my case. A remark which was so intensely human
in its mother feeling, that I laughed and said no more.
This dinner _a quatre_ was very enjoyable. We seemed to forget for a
while that we were really people of importance in our world, and we
laughed and joked with all the old-time zest, and perhaps more; never
since my accession had we been so gay and cheerful. Zeula, who seemed
to grow younger each month, had a wonderful collection of anecdotes, and
his wit was great.
We might have been a party on the stage playing some clever farce, for
the conversation never flagged, and even I was witty, which was unusual,
since I have never possessed real gifts in that line, although I have,
thank God, a sense of humour.
It did me good to look at the three faces I loved so well, and listen to
the conversation, noting the difference in their trends of thought.
Zeula, brilliant, polished.
Mr. Neville, dry, rather caustic.
My mother, intensely feminine.
They made, however, a very good combination, and a subject was dissected
very thoroughly by the three.
Towards the end of the meal, the topics of conversation became more
personal, bearing more directly on the future of Rudarlia.
It was at this point that I began to feel a rather comic uneasiness, for
my instinct told me that before long some remark would lead up to the
subject of my marriage, and I knew that Zeula would be responsible for
it, as he was wrapped up in the subject.
I was not mistaken, for he made a remark about a King without heirs. My
mother glanced at me quickly. I deliberately winked at Mr. Neville, who
laughed outright.
"So, Prince," said I, "you have thrown your bomb."
"I awaited a fitting opportunity, your Majesty."
"Pray forget ceremony," murmured my mother.
"Then, Mr. Smith," said I, with a grimace, "you have given me
indigestion."
"I did not ask you to bolt your food, Victor."
"Meaning?"
"That there is no particular hurry."
"For a week or two," chimed in Mr. Neville, and set us all laughing.
Although we laughed at first, it was only at first, for the question was
an extremely important one, both for myself and Rudarlia. I knew that
it was imperative that I should marry, and I also realised that the time
had come to think seriously about it, and incidentally to find the wife.
"I understand that my position is one of some uncertainty, that you wish
me to marry and have heirs, but the question which puzzles me is, who am
I to marry?"
"There will not be any difficulty in that, Victor."
"And yet I do not see in which direction to look, for I can hardly hope,
as King of a small kingdom like Rudarlia, to ally myself with any of the
great powers."
"Perhaps you have already thought of some one; I confess that I find it
difficult myself."
"Yes, I have thought of one. It will most probably come as a great
surprise when you hear where I propose to look for a wife, but I have
looked at the question from every point of view, and it seems to me that
I had better marry a Princess of--Bornia."
As I had surmised, the suggestion surprised them; I do not think the
possibility of it had once struck them. They were silent for some
little time as though pondering on what I had said, only Mr. Neville
looked at me quizzically, my mother and Zeula keeping their eyes turned
from mine. The latter was the first to speak:
"I had not thought of that, Victor; will you tell us your reasons?"
"Oh yes, I have thought a great deal about our relations with our late
foe, and it seems to me that such a marriage as I suggest would do much
to remove the bitterness that there undoubtedly is between the two
nations. That is my first reason. The second is, that if all the
Bornian Princesses married Germans or Austrians, as the odds are they
would, there would be endless friction between our nations, whereas, if
I marry one of them, the influence will not be so one-sided. My third
reason is not so realisable, but it may come true. It is an imaginary
condition which circumstances may bring about, therefore it can hardly
be looked upon as a real reason, and I was wrong to so describe it; I
will, however, tell you that it was a dream which united the two
kingdoms under one monarch. There is little real difference between the
two races, and who knows what the future may bring forth?"
"Two of your reasons are excellent, Victor, and the third is within the
range of possibilities."
"Have you seen photographs of the Bornian Princesses?" asked Mr.
Neville.
"Very indifferent ones, and without knowing one from the other."
"And which do you propose offering your hand to?"
"I do not know yet, I therefore suggest that a trip to Bornia would be
an admirable thing, so that I may see them first."
"Eh?"
"Yes, the week after next I propose going for a walking tour through
Garace, and will visit Sonale. I shall not be known in Bornia's
capital--I will shave off my moustache. I shall have a good time,
ascertain the public feeling towards the said Princesses, also I shall
see them."
"That sounds quite an attractive programme," said Mr. Neville, smiling.
"May I ask whether it is your intention to go alone?"
"Not if I can induce you to accompany me. If you will, my mother's mind
will be made easy, Prince Zeula will not insist upon a regiment in mufti
accompanying me, and I--well, you know that I shall be pleased."
"I will go with the greatest pleasure."
"Then we will call it settled."
"Do you think it wise, Victor?" asked my mother.
"It may not be the essence of wisdom, yet it will give me a little
feeling of romance."
Zeula laughed.
"Will you carry a lute with you to serenade the Princesses, and a shield
with a flaming heart as device?"
"Make the musical instrument a lyre, it would most probably serve a
fuller purpose," said I, "but I daresay you all realise and understand
what I mean, and if you don't I am ashamed of you."
"Of course we do; but never forget to go out without your revolver,
there is more than one Goltz in the world."
"That was a lesson I have not forgotten, nor do I wish it repeated; and,
to get away from unpleasant topics, would you all like a game of
bridge?"
We played two rubbers; my partner and I did not score a game.
"Remembering the old saying, you ought to be very lucky in love," said
Mr. Neville.
*CHAPTER XV*
Mr. Neville and I were enjoying ourselves immensely. We were both glad
to be relieved from the cares and worries of Court ceremonies; both glad
of a holiday; pleased to be able to tramp through the dusty lanes, free
to sleep where we would, eat and drink what and when we felt inclined.
We talked of everything while tramping, or resting, as the case might
be, with the sky blue above us, or heavy with great masses of cloud; and
breathed in the fresh buoyant air of the Garacian mountains, or the
warmer, milder air of the valleys; and forgot, or pretended to, for a
little while, that we were people who mattered.
I daresay we both talked too much; perhaps all we said was not of the
wisest; but, unfettered, we chatted like schoolboys. I doubt if there
was ever so perfect a companion as Mr. Neville: he seemed to know
exactly the mood you were in, and to be able to broach a subject of
conversation suited to it.
Of my marriage, or rather the idea of it, we spoke but little. From
what I told him, he gathered that my mind was made up on the point that
I must marry, and the sooner the better.
Garace was a magnificent province; and visiting it as we did gave us a
very clear idea of why the Rudarlians had been so pleased at its
recovery.
Wherever we went, the fields and pastures gave evidence of great
fertility; they were well watered, too; but the roads were terribly bad,
and one could well understand that the farmers found great difficulty in
handling their produce. It struck us that the Bornians had no
particular reason to boast of the way they had governed the province.
It had not been my intention to waste all the time we were on our
holiday, and so Mr. Neville and I made many notes, and discussed many
plans dealing with the country through which we passed. Then at night we
went carefully over these, and gave them fuller discussion before
finally sending them to Karena.
The Minister to whom they were sent was thankful enough for any
assistance in what was rather an arduous task.
We had been ten days on our wanderings before we reached Bornia, and
then by a terribly bad road over the mountains. We slept out that
night, and the next day dined at Stranz, a little town two or three
miles from the frontier. I should say we ate there, since the only food
available was castradina--the smoked mutton which the peasants love--a
coarse white cheese, and cakes or loaves of maize. Plain, very plain;
food, but not a dinner.
Had we walked any distance that morning, we should no doubt have been
ready to declare the eatables fit for a king; but, as it was, we had
only progressed two or three miles. A delightfully mossy bank by the
side of a little mountain stream had enticed us to sit and sit, and keep
on sitting, or rather sprawling; hour after hour we had sat there
talking and smoking, until we decided that we had lazed long enough, and
sauntered down to the so-called inn. I remember we chaffed each other
about want of appetite.
Having paid an exorbitant sum for a practically uneaten meal, we
refilled our pipes, and went out again into the sunshine.
Stranz boasted of one street, with some two hundred houses in all; the
sun, blazing down on the white walls of these, tired the eyes,
especially as every movement of one's feet caused a cloud of dust to
ascend. At the end of the street farthest from the inn stood the
church, and I went in to say a few words to the priest and leave a small
sum with him to be spent in charity.
The worthy man would, I know, have liked me to stay a while with him, to
discuss everyday affairs; but it was time for us to be moving on, so I
said good-bye and stepped out to Mr. Neville.
I found him staring down the road at two figures on horseback who were
approaching at a good pace.
"Shall we stay and see them go past, Victor?"
"Yes, they may be interesting."
In a few minutes they passed, a lady and her groom; that was all I had
time to notice, for I was more interested in the horses than their
riders. They could not have been more than two lengths away from where
we were standing, when from the other end of the street came a crowd of
people yelling terribly. The hurricane of cries frightened the lady's
horse, which reared, slipped, and came down; the groom's horse became
unmanageable, got the bit between its teeth and bolted.
Through the dust we could see the crowd of men, women, and children
flying towards us, and after them a single man foaming at the mouth.
"My God, he's mad!" said Mr. Neville.
The crowd scattered in every direction, some through open doorways, some
even through windows, all scrambling and pushing to get out of the way
of this terrible being. As he came nearer, I could see that he was
dressed as a gentleman, and that he carried a rapier in his hand. A
moment later he used it, for a child, terrified, ran across the road,
the madman lunged in passing, and the poor little thing fell into the
gutter.
We had been so amazed at the suddenness of this scene that we had
remained standing where we were. The street was empty now, save for the
lady who was standing horrified in the middle of the road, the fallen
horse, the still, small body in the gutter, the madman, and ourselves.
Perhaps the wounding of the child had caused the madman to pause in his
mad rush, for now, bent almost double, he was creeping towards the still
motionless figure of the lady, who suddenly turned, and with a little
scream of fear ran towards us.
Her face was white, and her two dark eyes were turned imploringly to us,
as though she knew that we could save her from this awful man.
At the same moment both Mr. Neville and I jumped forward to bar his way.
I carried a stout stick, Mr. Neville had none; luckily the man lunged at
me, for I was enabled to turn his point with my stick. Over the
madman's face there stole a look of really malevolent cunning. I
believe, then, he fancied in his poor, disordered mind that he was
fighting a duel.
"Careful, Victor!" I heard Mr. Neville say.
"All right, I am going to try to disarm him; be ready to seize him if I
succeed."
I spoke in English, so that the man, even if he had any glimmering of
reason, would in all probability not understand.
It was quite extraordinary to me that any man as mad as he could fight
with so much skill; perhaps the madness lent him additional craftiness,
but he must have been a fine swordsman when sane. As it was, he gave me
more to do than any man I have ever fought with, and more than once came
near wounding me; but I got him into the position I wanted and disarmed
him, his sword flying through the window of a house near by.
As the weapon left his hand, Mr. Neville's arms were round him, and in a
few seconds he was bound and helpless.
My first thought was for the child; he was not dead, but the rapier had
inflicted a nasty wound in his shoulder. However, as he was in the
capable hands of his mother, who evidently possessed the knowledge of
how to treat wounds of the less serious nature, I turned away relieved.
I found the lady by my side, and one of the most musical voices that I
have ever heard gave me thanks.
"Ah, monsieur, how can I ever thank you and your friend enough?"
I felt that I was blushing furiously--quite ridiculously--why, I have no
idea, as it was not common to me. My companion told me afterwards that
I stammered like a schoolboy and looked as awkward.
"Madame--mademoiselle----"
"Not both, monsieur, only the latter."
"Mademoiselle, it was nothing, there was little danger to me."
"It was the bravest deed I have ever seen, in spite of your desire to
belittle it, and I thank you again."
Until now I had not really looked at her, but my mind seemed to clear
suddenly, and I knew her rather than saw her. I find it hard to recall
my first impressions, I realised that strictly speaking she was not
beautiful, yet she was beautiful. Whether it was the expression, or
subtle emanations from a beautiful soul, I cannot say, but that is what
I think. I was absorbed, confused by the strength of her personality. I
do not suppose it would affect all people in the same way, perhaps it
answered to similar strata in my own.
It was with an effort that I returned to what had occurred, and to what
she had said.
"Mademoiselle, I belittled it, as I have the advantage of being a good
swordsman. My companion, who stood by unarmed, was far more worthy of
commendation."
"I have already tried to thank him." She smiled, and I noticed that her
teeth were adorable. "He is English, I think, and it is so difficult to
thank Englishmen properly--they always seem ashamed of doing anything
brave."
"That is so; but your horse, mademoiselle, is, I am afraid, in rather a
bad way."
We walked over to where the animal now stood. I bent to examine the
strained fetlock, while his mistress stroked his nose and talked to him
encouragingly.
"It is quite impossible to ride him," I said, looking up.
"Oh dear! and it is most unlikely that there will be another horse in
this place."
"But your groom, surely he will return soon?"
"I doubt it, and even if he were to, I could not ride his horse, as it
is practically unbroken."
"Then," said Mr. Neville, who had rejoined us, "we must get you some
kind of conveyance, unless you live within walking distance."
"The walking would be less painful, monsieur, from what I know of the
carriages in this part of the country."
"You could rest here at the inn," I said.
"Could they give me something to eat, do you think?" She looked at our
faces and laughed gaily. "No, that were too much to expect; then I must
walk, if only for the sake of the work these good people neglect while
we remain here."
There were certainly more people interested in us than the occasion
merited, and there was a curious open-mouthed look about most of them.
"Mademoiselle will accept our escort?"
"Gladly, monsieur, if I do not take you out of your way."
"All ways are the same to us, save the one we shall travel in your
company."
"And that will be atrocious."
"Impossible," said Mr. Neville.
"Then come; but first let me give orders about my horse, and for my
groom when he returns."
It only took a few minutes to arrange these things and to gather up our
belongings; and we started. I stopped for a few minutes at the house
where the wounded child lay and gave his mother a coin or two to pay for
necessities, as I had seen the poverty of the place. I also stopped for
a moment to say a word to the priest, and ask him to look after the
child. Then I rejoined the others, who had walked slowly on.
"Monsieur loves children?"
"Indeed, yes."
"Perhaps you have some of your own?"
"I am unmarried, mademoiselle."
We walked a little way in silence, I could feel my companion taking
stock of me.
"Might I know the names of those to whom I am so indebted?"
"Why, of course, how stupid of me to forget--Mr. Neville, and I am
Victor Stevens."
"But not English, too, surely?"
"No, I am a Rudarlian."
"Then I ought to hate you."
"Not so, since we are no longer enemies."
"Nor are we friends. Ah, I wonder whether you know to what extent this
country suffers."
"In what way, mademoiselle? I thought the terms of peace were not
ungenerous."
"No, indeed, they were far from that, but even so the people suffer, by
the extra taxation entailed. Oh, I know that Bornia declared war, but it
was the fault of a corrupt Court, not the wish of the people."
"That may be so, but still I do not see why there should be enmity
between the two nations; rather should the leniency of the terms of
peace augment the friendship that brave foes should have for one
another. It is not as though we had demanded part of Bornia's
territory, we merely regained our own province."
"I know, I know! Please don't think that we are ungrateful, but it
hurts me so to think of many precious lives being lost, and so much
treasure wasted to satisfy the venom of one man."
"You mean?"
"Why, Prince Alexis; it is common property that he and his clique
engineered the war. He is dead, so we must speak no ill of him, but he
was at the bottom of everything. I believe it was his personal hatred
to King Victor which made him go to the lengths he did. But there, do
not let us spoil our walk, tell me of your King; you know him, perhaps?"
"Mr. Neville has spoken to him many times," I said.
"Oh, please tell me of him; I am afraid that he is too perfect from all
accounts."
"You have set me a hard task, to describe him would take too much
thought for an old man, mademoiselle; but I may tell you that he is not
ugly, and possesses certain good qualities."
"He is a good King, and--messieurs, you have told me your names, and
courteously refrained from asking me for mine. I am Princess Irma,
eldest daughter of the King of Bornia."
"Your Royal Highness has our homage and thanks," said Mr. Neville,
bowing.
"Ah, please no ceremony, forget my rank, and just think of me as the
girl you so bravely saved. But I had to tell you."
As for myself, I was too astonished to say a word, my longing for
romance had indeed been answered with a vengeance; but it had placed me
in rather a queer position, for I could not now retain my incognito with
any feelings of satisfaction: it would hardly be honourable. I must
tell her, of course, but it was not the thought of that which made my
blood course so strongly through my veins, it was a gust of sheer
delight that I had at last met one whom I could treat as an equal, who
could be my companion and whom, if it was so willed, I could learn to
love. My eyes swept over her perfect figure as she turned from Mr.
Neville to me. Her carriage was magnificent, with the grace and dignity
which became a Princess, and the womanly charm and sweetness which
became her sex; her whole expression was radiant with youth and the joy
of living.
"Princess, I must crave forgiveness for having deceived you. I told you
my name was Victor Stevens, I am----"
"King Victor II. of Rudarlia. Your Majesty must think me strangely
obtuse, to have imagined that a shaven moustache could hide his
identity."
And this delightful girl went off into a peal of laughter, in which
after a moment Mr. Neville and myself joined.
"Your eyes are too keen, Princess," I said.
"I knew your Majesty's face so well that I recognised you almost
immediately."
"But surely we have never met before?"
"No, but I have seen your photograph many times."
"And I yours, but I did not know you."
"That is hardly to be wondered at, as the Court photographers are
notorious flatterers."
"And yet you knew me?"
"Your Majesty is a much more important person than I, and therefore more
easily to be remembered."
"May I ask where you are staying, Princess? There is no Royal residence
near here, is there?"
"No, I am visiting the family of one of the ladies-in-waiting."
"I was wondering how far we might accompany you; for, although you have
been so kind with regard to my nationality, others might be less so."
"Prince de Sagresse is one of your Majesty's admirers; he does not
belong to the Court."
"Then, Princess, you have no objection to our walking as far as his
gates with you?"
"It will be a pleasure to me," she said shyly. "But will not your
Majesty come farther than the gates? The Prince would be highly
honoured."
"I shall be delighted."
"And Mr. Neville?"
"Mr. Neville has given a great deal of his life to me, Princess, he
would not now interfere with my happiness."
This sounded so like a compliment that our companion blushed slightly.
I, however, did not mean it to be such, for to me it was a great delight
to have some one of my own age, to whom I could talk naturally without
the necessary thought that I was the King. It was an experience that
was absolutely novel, and I knew that I should enjoy myself immensely.
Besides which, there was the reason for my tour to be considered, and I
confess to feeling very much interested in Princess Irma.
I fancy we all felt rather sorry when the turreted wall of the old
chateau came in sight; the two miles had proved very short ones, and
almost before we knew it we were standing near the gate.
The situation, from my point of view, was not uninteresting, for I had
not the least idea as to how the old Bornian noble would receive the
King of a country which such a short while before had been hostile. We
had not long to wait, however; for, as we came in sight of the terraces
in front of the house, an old white-haired gentleman came down them to
greet the Princess, his face betraying a slight, well-bred surprise upon
seeing her on foot, and accompanied by two gentlemen, both of whom were
strangers to him.
We fell a little behind, as the Princess explained to her host the
incident which had brought about our acquaintance. She then evidently
explained who we were, for he came towards us with every mark of
pleasure and diffidence.