"Prince, Her Royal Highness has perhaps told you, that, having
accompanied her to your gate, we pressed for the pleasure of an
introduction to her host."
"Your Majesty honours me by expressing such a desire. As it is, my
house and household are at your service; the longer your Majesty will
make use of it, the greater our delight."
"For an hour or two, Prince, if we may; so that we can become better
acquainted."
We did not carry a great deal of unnecessary clothing with us; so, after
making ourselves as presentable as we could, we were conducted to a
delightful room gay with flowers, and which gave evidence of feminine
occupation. One of those comfortable rooms in which you feel at home
immediately, with no stiff chairs to make you think of ceremony. From a
big divan, smothered in cushions, a girl uncoiled herself as we entered;
uncoiled is rather an unkind word to use, but it was gracefully done,
and swiftly. Her face looked familiar to me, and for a little while I
could not recollect where I had seen it; she was an extremely beautiful
girl--suddenly it flashed across my mind. I looked again and remembered.
"I would ask your Majesty's permission to present my daughter Sonia."
"We have already met, Prince; have we not, mademoiselle?"
"Oh!" she cried, after looking at me intently.
"How is the ankle?" I asked gravely.
"Oh!" and then to her father, who looked slightly puzzled, she said,
"You remember that I hurt myself when staying on the Garude, father? It
was His Majesty who helped me and was so kind."
"I lost a handkerchief, I remember," I said, laughing.
"I have it yet. I kept it as a souvenir."
"I only had the memory of a delightful afternoon to keep, mademoiselle."
"Then I had the best of it, as I had the handkerchief as well."
I was just going to make some laughing reply to this when I caught Mr.
Neville's eye. There was a distinctly quizzical look in it, and it
flashed across me that I had spoken to him about a girl on a mossy river
bank, in terms which I could not now recall without reflecting on the
folly of extreme youth. I remembered how, at that time, I seemed to be
absolutely wrapped up in Sonia, how I imagined that without her my whole
life must inevitably be wrecked: and now? Well, she was a charming,
beautiful girl, but I did not even fancy that I was in love with her.
At this moment the Princess returned. She had made a rapid change in
her toilette, and clad in some light-coloured gown she looked radiant,
even beside Sonia, whom many, or rather most people, would have called
the more beautiful.
The hour that I had intended to stay passed all too quickly, it ran into
two, three, four, without my being aware of the lapse of time. Tea had
been brought out to the terrace where we were sitting; and, after the
days we had spent in not over-clean inns, the delicate linen and china
and perfect service were very acceptable; but it was the charming
company which was the greatest delight.
The Princess and I had worked out to the satisfaction of both of us, or
nearly so, our exact degree of relationship. We differed, I remember,
on the point of whether it was tenth or eleventh cousinship, three times
removed; Mr. Neville finally solving it in his quiet, dry way, when we
appealed to him.
"It is simplicity itself; you are undoubtedly Uncle and Aunt."
Some little while after this, Sonia made a remark about the beauty of
the sky; and I realised, then, how long we had been sitting there--it
was past six o'clock. Upon rising to take my leave of them, I felt
genuinely sorry, so much so that when the Prince remarked that the roads
were very bad, that it was a good twelve miles to the next town, and
that they would consider it the highest honour if I would spend the
night there, I only hesitated for a moment before accepting their offer.
I did not hesitate longer, because I knew that, even if I wanted to, I
should find it very difficult to tear myself away from an atmosphere
that was so happy and delightful.
As I resumed the seat that I had vacated, I was ridiculously glad to see
the pleased smile with which Princess Irma greeted my decision.
After a dinner which was only ceremonious by the attendance, for our
costumes were not those of full evening dress, we strolled out to enjoy
the perfection of the moonlit garden.
I do not remember ever having felt so extraordinarily happy before, I am
almost sure that the moon must have had an effect upon me, for I went to
my room that night in a state of mind bordering upon the hilarious. I
had a few minutes' conversation with Mr. Neville before turning in; I
fancy he was as pleased to see me happy as nothing else could have made
him.
"My dear old tutor, isn't she splendid?"
He looked at me gravely, and without twitching a muscle answered:
"She is one of the most beautiful girls I have ever seen, I no longer
wonder that the idea of kingship was abhorrent to you."
"Eh?"
"It must have been a terrible wrench to give up all thought of her; and
to think that she retains your handkerchief, it is really romantic, but
rather pathetic."
"I don't mean Sonia."
"No?"
There was infinite surprise in his voice. I looked at him quickly--a
twinkle had crept into his eyes.
"You knew that I did not mean Sonia quite well, but don't you think the
Princess is simply ripping?"
"Yes, I do, my dear boy, Her Royal Highness seems to be a very noble
type of womanhood."
"I say, do you think it is worth while going to Sonale?"
"There are three other sisters."
"I don't care if there are forty. I don't want to see them now; but I
do want to stay on here for a few days, and I know the Prince would be
very pleased. Suppose we do."
"It would be most agreeable, Victor."
"Then we will," I said.
*CHAPTER XVI*
The next morning was so fine and sunny that I was out of bed before five
o'clock. I dressed quickly and walked over to the village of Stranz.
Early as my visit was, the inhabitants were astir, the wounded boy
better. His bandages were tied in so professional a manner that I asked
the mother where she had learnt.
"It was not I, Excellency, but the surgeon. He came last evening and is
to come again. The lady whose horse fell down had him sent for, may the
good God bless her!"
This was good news to me, for it proved that the Princess had not been
so unconcerned as I had imagined her to be, and I love to see women fond
of children. Her apparent coolness had been rather a disappointment.
Now, however, when I thought it over, I saw how much wiser she had been
to send for some one whose duty it was to attend to such cases rather
than attempt anything herself. Also, there had been so many women about
to offer their sympathy and advice that hers would have been little
appreciated.
Thinking over this, and other things, I walked back to the chateau.
It was eight o'clock when I came down for the second time that morning.
I went out on to the terrace, and found the Princess and her host deep
in conversation.
"Your Majesty is an early riser," he said, after we had shaken hands.
"Generally, and this morning was so lovely that I could not waste it,
and so went for a walk in the cool hours."
"Has your Majesty been out before, then?"
"Yes, I walked over to Stranz, where I found the wounded boy progressing
well with every hope of a speedy recovery, thanks to Her Royal
Highness's kindly thought."
The Princess blushed, then she gave a little laugh.
"I could do nothing myself, you know."
"Except think of the very best thing to be done," I said.
"You are kind, but then I think you must be always so."
"It is not always possible, Princess."
"But you are generally, and so I am going to ask a favour for my host:
it is that your Majesty will stay for a few days here if you can spare
the time."
"This is my holiday, Prince, and I am for once my own master, so I will
accept your invitation with great pleasure, but only on condition that
you do not alter your accustomed routine of life. Let me remain Mr.
Stevens as hitherto, for I think it would be unwise to publish the fact
that I am staying here. Of course I must let my Ministers know. Mr.
Neville will see to that, and also secure some more suitable apparel, if
you will lend him the means to reach Askoff."
"Your Majesty does me much honour," said the old gentleman, who was
evidently greatly pleased with the alacrity with which I had accepted
his invitation. I have often wondered since whether he had seen how
much I enjoyed the company of the Princess, and whether she had hinted
that we might stay if invited.
For two days we lived the ordinary life of the chateau, and I was as
happy as I have ever been. It was all so new to me, for, although there
had been my own home-life in England, this was far more intimate than
mine had ever been; or perhaps it was simply that now I thought about
it, and before I had not. Whatever it was, it made me wish to have a
home-life of my own.
I am afraid that I victimised the Princess, for I demanded a great deal
of her time. I was greedy for her company, I revelled in the presence
of so fair a companion; but all the time, happy though I was, there
lurked the question: am I to leave her behind and retain but a memory?
I debated this point with myself over and over again: how could I be
sure after so short an acquaintance that I really cared for her in the
way which to my mind was absolutely necessary? I, myself, was as
certain in my heart that I had met my match as I could be of anything,
but my brain bade me beware of jumping to a conclusion before deep
meditation. I knew that she attracted me physically, that there was a
quality in her personality which answered to a similar quality in mine,
but I did not know whether I was intoxicated with love or really in
love. Was I, with youthful inexperience, mistaking the abstract desire
for the reality?
I would try to argue with myself as to my own feelings, and failed
dismally more often than not, but I know that I invariably ended my
mental researches with the rather naive question: and what are her
feelings in the matter? That would send me down into the depths of
despair, and make me wish that I had gone to Sonale, but the next moment
I regretted such thoughts, and looked upon them with a feeling of
disgust, almost of disloyalty, for how could I surmise the worst before
putting the question to the person most concerned?
The third day of our visit dawned, and I do not think it will ever slip
from my memory. To begin with, the weather was brilliant, gorgeous warm
sunshine even early in the morning, but possessing, thanks to the
altitude, just sufficient snap in the air to make one feel that it was
good to be alive. I can recall the pleasant, friendly, good-tempered
feeling at breakfast that morning, how every one there was as if
affected by the sunshine outside, and sparkled naturally, I think most
especially this was the case with Sonia, who had evidently had news
which delighted her. The Prince gently chaffed her about a letter, and
then explained to me that his daughter's fiance was to be with them for
a little while.
I naturally turned to say something appropriate, and noticed that her
face wore rather a perturbed expression.
"What is troubling you, Mademoiselle Sonia?"
She blushed faintly, and it was the Princess who answered for her.
"The young officer in question is one of your Majesty's subjects;
perhaps, in respect of your incognito, it were as well that he should be
stopped."
"One of my officers, is he? That explains the kindness shown to me.
Love me, love my king! eh?" I looked at the Princess and noticed a
twinkle in her eye. "Perhaps," I continued, "if it will not disturb
your plans too much--er--this young officer had better not--had
better----" I waited again as though in perplexity.
The Princess smiled, there was a pitiful look on Sonia's face.
"I was only going to suggest that he should see you before he sees me,
it will make him less nervous."
Had I been other than a king I firmly believe that Sonia would have
called me "Pig," or something equally endearing, especially as her
father and the Princess laughed heartily.
I never knew where Mr. Neville vanished to that morning, but soon after
breakfast he disappeared, and we did not see him again until lunch. I
fancy he wished me to have the opportunity to spend the morning once
more alone with the Princess, he knew that I always insisted upon the
Prince attending to his affairs as though I was not there as a guest,
and he also knew that Sonia would not be likely to be in the way.
It seemed perfectly natural to me when I found myself alone with the
Princess, seated beneath a great tree in the garden with nothing to do
but enjoy myself; and yet up to these last few days I had had little
time in my life for idleness. As a matter of fact, I don't as a rule
like to be lazy, but this morning I felt that I should have slain anyone
who proposed doing anything. I wanted to be quite slack, with nothing
to do but delight in my companion, a frame of mind which I found
ridiculously easy to fall into. So there we sat, I am afraid without
thought, on my part, of any desire to move that my companion might have
had. I was for the time absolutely selfish, and, what is more, I felt
as though I exulted in it. I sat and watched the Princess's face; it
was well worth it, it was so fascinating with its constant change of
expression. Our conversation was for the most part trivial, light and
yet interesting, for to know people well, the lighter side of their
natures must be studied as well as the more serious, and I was desirous
to know all I could about the Princess. Presently I said:
"Tell me about Sonia's fiance, Princess, do you like him?"
"Very much indeed, he seems to be a splendid fellow and absolutely
devoted to Sonia."
"Which is quite understandable."
"What do you wish to know about him?"
"Well, I should like to know his name, and what regiment he belongs to,
and anything else which you think might interest me."
"His name is Boris von Landsberg, and he is a lieutenant in a dragoon
regiment now quartered in Garace; he is very good-looking."
"So is Sonia, they will make a handsome couple. Is it to be soon?"
"I am afraid not very soon."
"That's a pity; may I ask why?"
"Simply lack of fortune, I believe."
"That's a pity."
"Yes, but you see, although Landsberg is of a very old and distinguished
family, it has never been a wealthy one; and Sonia's father has told me
quite frankly that his means will not permit of his doing more than help
at present."
"I can understand that, as he seems to have a great number of people
dependent upon his bounty."
"So they will have to wait, I am afraid."
"It's a pity," I said again.
"I think so, but there are so many cases which seem pitiable to me.
However, I have a very finite mind, and so perhaps look at them in the
wrong way."
"I fancy we are all inclined to limit our vision, and not seek to
discover the lessons to be learnt by adversity."
"That is quite true, but I am afraid it is not the philosophy likely to
appeal to lovers, and the two we are speaking of are very fond of each
other."
"Something might be done in their case, I hope; at least I will see if
it is possible."
"Oh, will you help them?"
"Would you be pleased, Princess?"
"Indeed, yes; for, next to my sisters, I love Sonia."
"Then I must do what I can."
"You _are_ good. I don't wonder that you are beloved."
"Blatant flattery, Princess, which makes me blush, a thing which I
assure you is extremely bad for me."
"Do you often suffer in that way?"
"Not very; Mr. Neville sees to that."
"What a nice man he is."
"One of the finest characters I have ever met; one of the staunchest
friends a man ever had."
"He is devoted to you."
"He must be to have put up with my whims for so many years."
"Have you many?"
"Quite a number."
"Then, be really interesting and tell me some."
"You must be prepared for terrible shocks, now listen: I am romantic, a
fatal mishap in a king, one liable to lead him into all sorts of
trouble."
"In what way?"
"Well, you know how a king is bound by rules and regulations, some
dating from the stone age. I want to break them all, I want to
establish precedents for royalty, such as the right to sneeze without a
chamberlain to assist. And then, think of how much might be done to
lighten the lives of those royalties who are not in the highest
positions; the really worthy members who devote their lives to opening
things, I don't mean boxes of sardines or anything like that, but
hospitals, exhibitions, etc."
"There is, I am afraid, a certain flippancy in the air this morning; I
shall catch it soon, if you continue."
"That would be terrible, Princess. Just imagine, if you can, the
feelings of the staid members among my people, how shocked they would be
to think that their monarch was ever natural. You see what cause there
is for my whims."
"They would write long letters to the papers entitled 'Should Kings be
Flippant?' or 'Should Kings Smile?'" chimed in my companion.
"And the editor would invite his readers to discuss the matter in his
columns, thus supplying himself with copy free of charge; one can see in
that the work of an immutable providence, decreeing that nothing in the
way of effort shall be wasted."
"And what else would you do to lighten the lot of royalty, besides
allowing them to sneeze unaided?"
"There are three heads to my next thought, which I will place in the
following order--Life, Death, and Love." I am afraid that I paused a
little longer than was absolutely necessary after the last word, then I
continued, "To be a really good royal person, it is required that Life
should be lived according to the rules and regulations appertaining to
that station in life. Now, supposing that three great nobles have the
right to pull off your stocking when you retire; that is quite excellent
in its way, but there are drawbacks, for instance: for three men to pull
at one stocking necessitates the possession of big feet by the king,
then----"
"Oh, stop, stop, please! These terrible pictures which you conjure up
are most upsetting."
"Very well, let us discuss the next head--Death. Again, there, we see
the power of the Press; a royal person must always say something
suitable as 'Last Words.' That is the only way in which Grand Opera
resembles real life, for, in operatic death scenes, the dying person
always sings the most difficult note just as the breath leaves the
body."
"You are becoming morbid."
"Then I had better close the discourse, for if I become morbid over
death, I--but there, I will not bore you."
"Oh, please, do, I am really interested in your views on life."
"You are not a society reporter by any chance, in disguise, are you?"
"No, but it must be rather a fascinating life, they see so much more
beauty in the world than ever exists."
"How unkind to the ladies."
"Very, but I am waiting for your last--what shall I call it?"
"Well, I described it as 'Head,' but perhaps we might call it 'Heart.'"
"And what have you to say about that?"
"Only that it always seems such a pity that royalty must love to order."
"It would be better, I think, if you said marry to order, for surely
love is one of those things which we cannot really control."
"Mr. Neville might know, Princess, he is a walking encyclopaedia, but I
cannot say, having had no experience."
"How sad, poor King! Has there been no one to touch your heart?"
"Well, once I thought I was really in love, but I was not."
"Dear me, you said that very emphatically."
"Did I? It must be because I am so certain about it."
"Do tell me about it, or would it awaken fond memories best forgotten?"
"I fear that I should become morbid--but there, I might as well tell
you, in spite of the fact that I no longer love her; yet the
recollection of our last parting makes me always sad. Perhaps you have
noticed the streak of melancholy in my nature."
"Of course I have, especially to-day."
"We were torn asunder, a woman came between us----"
"Poor King!" said the Princess, shaking her head sadly. "And what did
you do?"
"I rebelled, I fought, I lost my temper, refused to take my food, sobbed
in my agony, cried imploringly to those who parted us. Alas, it was of
no avail, I was torn by force from her loving arms and deposited in my
cot; for I was only three, and my love was the nurse, who had in some
way offended my mother."
"I really did not know you could be so facetious, and I think it a shame
to work my feelings up to such a pitch, make me ready to weep tears of
pity, and then let me down with such a jar; you really might be a modern
novelist."
"Well, well, well! what a lot of nonsense we are talking; you will
observe that my innate modesty prevents me from taking all the credit."
We interlarded our frivolity with spasms of sensible conversation, and I
learnt many things which I had wanted to know, some of which surprised
me; one of them was that the Princess had been about to become engaged
to that hound Alexis. I thanked God that he was dead, for the mere
contemplation of such a thing was insulting to her. She told me that
she had not been asked about the matter, that she had been brought up
with the idea of marrying him, and that really she had never given the
matter serious consideration, as from earliest girlhood she had been
told that all marriages were for the good of the State, that is, all
royal marriages. I asked her whether she had any idea whom her father
now wished her to marry, and she told me that she did not know, but
supposed it would be some grand duke or German princeling. I vowed in
my heart that such an appalling fate should not be hers if I could help
it, for I knew something of the terrible and stupid etiquette of such
Courts: soul-grinding rules and regulations which stamp out
individuality and forbid happiness.
I have never been able to discover the use of out-of-date etiquette, and
I have always striven to abolish it in my own Court, whenever the reason
for its existence was lost in the mist of ages.
To return, however, to my companion and myself. We were enjoying the
morning immensely; I make it a plural statement for the simple reason
that the Princess told me she was. We were like two children on a
holiday, and when I suggested that titles were formal, and that we each
knew the other's Christian name, and that cousinship, however remote,
allowed the use of them, she agreed, and from then we were "Irma" and
"Victor" to each other.
"Irma is a pretty name," I said.
"Victor is a pretty name," mimicking me.
At which we both laughed, for my disgust at having anything pretty about
me was apparent.
Presently our host and Sonia joined us, and the conversation grew more
serious, and widened considerably. The Prince was interested in a
series of experiments he was making with regard to agriculture, and I
found his theories more than worthy of being listened to. Mr. Neville
joined us, and as usual added his sound views to our discussion; his
remarks were always apt, reaching to the core of the question, and his
vast store of knowledge almost invariably threw light on some knotty
point.
The sound of a galloping horse drew our attention, and I saw that Sonia
showed signs of agitation, so surmised correctly that Boris von
Landsberg had arrived. Presently the Prince brought him up and
presented him to me, and I found that the report I had received did not
belie him, for he was a strikingly handsome man, about my own age. He
was a trifle confused when presented, and his face seemed vaguely
familiar, but it was only later in the day that I recalled where I had
met him.
For an hour or two after lunch, we amused ourselves with some rare old
books and manuscripts which the Prince had collected. I need hardly say
that we had excused Landsberg from such arduous duty.
I took the opportunity, when Mr. Neville had left the room for some
reason, to speak to the Prince about Landsberg.
"Prince," I said, "Her Royal Highness has told me something of the facts
regarding your daughter's engagement to Landsberg, and I should like, if
I knew that it was your wish, to do what I could to make the union
possible."
"It has always been my dearest wish that they should marry, your
Majesty, but unfortunately I am so placed, that it is impossible for me
to give financial assistance, that is, of course, enough. When matters
are settled down, I hope, however, to be able to do so. Landsberg is
himself practically dependent upon his pay, with, perhaps, a couple of
hundred pounds private income; now, although I am not a snob, I do not
wish my only daughter to live in a state of genteel poverty. It may be
simply false pride upon my part, but we are an old family, and----"
"Say no more, Prince, I understand perfectly and have only deep respect
for such pride; now will you let me confide in you? What I wish to say
is this: I myself am bound for state reasons to marry soon; and, with
that thought in my head, I would like above all things to have your
daughter in my wife's entourage."
"Your Majesty honours me too greatly; my daughter could not be at any
Court more noble than yours will be, and I thank your Majesty most
sincerely."
"Then you will allow me to make it possible for them to marry?"
"I shall take pride in the fact that my daughter is your Majesty's
subject."
"Thank you, Prince, then I must see what I can do."
When we joined the others in the garden, I took Landsberg aside to a
quiet corner, where we could talk without interruption, and said:
"I congratulate you, your betrothed is a most charming girl."
"I have the honour to share your Majesty's opinion," he answered.
"It seems to me, though, that as you are only at present a lieutenant
your marriage must be postponed for some time."
"Unfortunately that is the case, your Majesty."
"You know I don't approve of officers marrying until they have reached
the rank of captain, the majority of them have no time to do anything
but learn."
"Yes, your Majesty."
"Now from what I have learned of you, I gather that you love your
profession. Am I right?"
"With all my heart."
"H'm! what would Mademoiselle say to that?"
"She is already jealous of my profession, your Majesty."
"Well, well! Now listen to me, Landsberg. You know I am against
favouritism in my army, but in my Guards I appoint my own officers; that
being so, I intend to offer you a captaincy in that regiment as soon as
you have passed the examination for that rank."
He gave a cry of joy, but before he could say anything I continued:
"One minute more before you thank me. A captaincy in the Guards carries
with it a certain increase in pay; there are also posts which are
generally filled from the Guards, I mean those of military secretaries,
they also have the good side of extra pay to them. I shall appoint you
to one which is now vacant, and I think with a little economy you can
then marry; I think, too, that you will still have time to do your duty
to your wife."
A sob broke from him, and for a moment I feared he would break down, but
he recovered himself.
"How can I thank your Majesty? You save my life first, and then add to
that by giving me so much."
"Save your life?" I was frankly puzzled.
"I was the officer whom your Majesty carried out of fire near the bridge
of Atar."
"I thought your face was familiar, Landsberg, and I am pleased that my
efforts were so successful. No, no, don't try to say any more, say all
that to Mademoiselle."
He stayed where he was, for I promised to send Sonia to him; so when I
regained the others I said to her:
"There is some one at the end of the shrubbery who has something
terribly important to say to you, mademoiselle; I think he has found a
four-leaved clover or something."