"We must leave to-morrow early," I said.
"How shall we travel?"
"We will ride to Ruln, it will be the quickest way."
"Horses?"
"The Prince will lend us some."
"We can do it in a day if we start early and catch the night train. I
am sorry, my boy, that your holiday has been spoilt."
"Spoilt? Not a bit, I have enjoyed it tremendously."
"We have not been to Sonale."
"Damn Sonale!"
At which he smiled and left me.
I began my preparations. As a rule, I dress very quickly, but to-night
nothing went right; my studs slipped on to the floor in the maddening
way which studs have, and could only be discovered after a long and
temper-trying search, but the worst offender amongst my garments was my
tie; with that I wrestled for a quarter of an hour at least, then I
looked at myself in the glass and said out loud, "She may not care for
me," which explains my want of success--my mind was concentrated on
something else.
Did she care for me? could she care for me? would she care for me? was
it possible to make her care for me as I did for her? I knew by then
that I was in love. I also knew that I wanted to ask Irma to marry me,
and there I stuck and realised that I was afraid.
I tried to tie a neat bow, and failed; again, with the same result; then
I tore the offending strip of material off and threw it away from me. I
remember feeling grieved that it did not travel far through the air,
and, as soon as I realised I felt that about it, my sense of humour came
to my rescue, and I roared with laughter at my own stupidity. Picking
up the tie, I tried again with immediate success, so the strip of fabric
did grace my royal neck after all.
I asked the Prince whether he could let us have horses early next
morning, as I had been recalled, and after having promised them he
expressed his sorrow at our departure:
"Loyal Bornian as I am, your Majesty, I have grieved sometimes lately
that I was not born a Rudarlian."
"I wish well that it had been so, Prince; but, now that your daughter
will be living in Karena, you must look upon it as your second home."
Dinner was not as satisfactory a meal as tea had been; for the life of
me I could not frivol as I had done, and Sonia and Landsberg, I fancy,
were too happy; the other three did nobly, however. When the Prince
asked me how far we expected to get the next day, I said as far as Ruln,
and looked instinctively at the Princess. I don't know what I hoped,
perhaps that she would give some sign of her feelings, but she only
looked up swiftly and said:
"Are you leaving us then?"
"Yes," I answered cheerfully, although my heart had sunk to my boots.
"You see I am not allowed too long a holiday, for fear that I should get
lost."
"I am sorry, I was going to propose a ride to Shesaks Towers to-morrow."
"I'm afraid that must be a pleasure deferred, Princess."
"For how long, until you are too old to climb properly?"
She smiled her question, and my heart went right through the floor; but
I managed to answer her smile and say lightly:
"I hope before then, in fact I am thinking of asking Landsberg to take
my place and let me have his."
"God forbid, your Majesty," said that young man, looking at Sonia.
"Oh, I don't mean now, Landsberg."
A remark which caused laughter and enabled me to recover; it also
changed the subject.
I own to being small-minded and ridiculous, but I felt piqued at the
apparent indifference with which Irma greeted the news of our departure,
and so, to add to my folly, instead of going into the garden after
dinner, I proposed a game of billiards to the Prince, and he, thinking
no doubt that I meant it, fell in with the suggestion, so that instead
of spending my last evening in the company of Irma, a good deal of it
was spent knocking silly ivory or bonzoline balls about with a silly
piece of wood.
Mr. Neville came in after we had played for some time, and remarked that
it was a most lovely night, that it was as fine a moon as we had had
that year, or something like that. Every remark was a hint that we had
played long enough, but I refused to see, or pay any attention, until at
last he said:
"We shall have to say good-bye to-night, as we are starting so early."
Only then did I realise what an ill-tempered cub I was; and, when the
game ended, proposed we should join the others.
However, the Prince excused himself, as it was later than usual, so I
went out by myself. I saw no one on the terrace where we generally sat,
so concluded that they had gone down the garden, and was about to follow
and try to find them, when a voice said:
"Well, Victor, who won?"
I turned quickly, and there was the Princess seated in a big arm-chair,
in the shadow of a trailing mass of jasmine and roses which hung over
the terrace.
She was alone, so I drew up another chair beside hers.
"You see I have come to bore you again, Irma," I said lightly.
"I wonder?" she answered, and then continued, "Did you have some good
games?"
"Very." I added "Liar" under my breath.
"Isn't it a perfectly gorgeous night? Even I feel less prosaic under
such a moon."
"You are not prosaic, are you?"
"Good gracious me, yes, I have no chance of being anything else, and am
not sure that I could be if I tried ever so hard."
"Nonsense."
"I assure you it isn't. I wish it were, for then I could dream all
kinds of lovely things, instead of thinking about my meals and clothes."
I felt suddenly chilled, without any reason that I knew of, save the
fact that I could not seem to get into touch with this mood of hers. It
was a few minutes before I essayed another remark.
"I wonder when we shall meet again."
"Oh, we are sure to meet somewhere some day, people always do, it is
such a small world really. I wish you could come to Sonale, I'm sure
you would find a great deal to interest you, and I know you would like
my sisters."
"I'm sure I should."
I did not put much fervour into my voice; and Irma evidently noticed it,
for she turned the subject.
"What time do you leave to-morrow, Victor?"
"We are starting about four, it will be light by then, and I hate riding
a horse hard."
Another pause, and then:
"You are very brave, aren't you, Victor?"
"Good Lord, no! Why?"
"Landsberg told us how you saved his life."
"The deuce he did! well, I must warn him not to tell anyone else, and I
hope you will keep it dark."
"Of course if you wish it, but why so modest?"
"I'm not particularly so, but what I did was nothing much really, and it
was in the heat of action."
"According to Boris, it was something very brave."
"Dangerous perhaps; but, as I did not realise the danger at the time,
there is so much the less credit."
"Well, I think it was very brave."
"That is kind of you, Irma."
"I want to thank you for what you are doing for Sonia and Boris von
Landsberg; she has confided to me that she will have to live in Karena."
"I hope she will be happy there, when I am married the Court will be
gayer."
"Oh, I do congratulate you, I had heard nothing of your engagement."
She held out her hand, and laughed merrily.
"Oh, it isn't settled yet," said I lamely, and subsided into silence.
I felt terribly unhappy and cold, all my joy of the day had vanished and
I sat among the ruins of the edifice of love which I had built up; it
was as if something had blotted out the moon and plunged me into
darkness. Her delight at the thought of my being engaged had done it;
now I knew that she did not care, and I was miserable.
The laughter of Sonia and Landsberg, as they walked up the path towards
the house, drew our attention and put a stop to any chance there might
have been for me to get back to a normal condition. As it was, we soon
parted for the night, nay more, for we should not see them on the
morrow.
As I shook hands with the Princess, I reddened underneath my skin with
the effort that I had to make to prevent myself taking her in my arms
before them all, and proclaiming aloud that I loved her better than all
the world. Poor little King, with all your power, with all your pride,
you were a pitiable coward before the bright eyes of the girl you loved;
and deserved to be miserable.
What a terrible night I spent; hours of restless tossing in a
comfortable bed, hours of self-reproach, and despair, until at last I
fell asleep.
Mr. Neville and I, after a hasty breakfast and an almost affectionate
good-bye to our host, who had turned out to bid us farewell, rode away
from the chateau. As we passed the wing in which the Princess had her
apartments, I looked up at the windows, and hugged myself with joy to
see a hand wave us a last greeting, and hear a sweet voice call out:
"_Bon voyage!_"
*CHAPTER XVII*
My joy, however, was transitory. That Irma should have taken the
trouble to wave to us at that hour in the morning, was little more than
a friendly act, although at first I had thought differently. My
companion and I rode in silence; he never asked questions of a personal
nature, although he was as curious as the best of us. At any rate we
rode along without exchanging a word.
I left the route to him as I knew he would have worked it out before
starting. Ideal companion, he let me ride along quietly, never
disturbing my train of thoughts, except to say "right," or "left," as
the case might be. At first, after the faint flush of joy at Irma's
friendly adieu, I grew more and more despondent, and held to my
villainous bad temper for a long time, but presently I began to look at
things with a clearer vision, perhaps on account of the beauty of the
day and the exercise. I began to see what an ass I had been and was, to
have come away without giving the Princess an inkling of my feelings
towards her.
I went over the conversations we had had together, and realised that
nothing I had said could have conveyed in the slightest degree the fact
that I was head over ears in love with her. What had I expected?
Evidently that she would read my unspoken thoughts, and immediately
throw herself at me, and say, "Victor, I love you." The absurdity of
the idea caused me suddenly to roar with laughter, much to Mr. Neville's
relief, for he turned to me with his quizzical smile and said:
"You are a nice, cheerful companion, Victor."
"I am a particular kind of damned fool."
"In this instance, yes, but we are more to blame than you are, for it
ought to have been part of your education to have had numerous
experiences of a similar nature. But still, I don't think there is
anything to worry about, you will do better with the next one."
"There isn't going to be a next one," I said, almost fiercely.
"I did not suppose there was," he replied, smiling to himself.
Once more I was cheerful, and we talked of many things, laughing and
jesting as we had all through our tour. In my heart, however, there ran
a refrain which filled me with contentment: "I shall see her again, I
shall see her again," it even seemed to adapt itself to the sound of our
horses' feet.
I shall see her again, ran the refrain; but I did not know then how soon
it would be.
It was good to be back in Karena again, there was such a friendly
feeling there; even the early hour of our arrival did not prevent a
small crowd assembling to do me honour. I think to be loved is the
nearest approach to divine happiness that a man can experience in this
funny old world of ours, especially when he is capable of returning the
affection. This was so in my case; I really loved all my people, down
to the dirtiest ragged urchin.
It made me feel very proud to think of these good citizens being so
ready to wait and wait, just for the sake of seeing me flash by in my
car, and I hope that I shall never lose the feeling, for it seems to me
that such pride can do no man any harm, unless he is untrue to himself,
in order to retain the outward show of his peoples' affection.
Apart, too, from the consideration that I have mentioned, Karena itself
was such a pleasant city; it was unexpected, full of surprising bits of
architecture, quaint mediaeval roofs full of colour, the slabs of stone
seemed to retain the sunshine, and glowed merrily as one went by. I do
not believe that I ever felt this more vividly than I did that day, but
then perhaps there was sunshine in my heart, for had I not come to the
conclusion that I was an unmitigated ass? I can imagine circumstances
when to arrive at such a conclusion might not give satisfaction, but, as
it was, I was happy about it.
My behaviour that day, I was told, was distinctly unkinglike. It was
Prince Zeula who imparted this information, and the reason for it was
that I persisted in calling him "Mr. Smith," and playing little jokes
upon him, childish fun, such as hiding his pen, and purloining his
glasses. My mother, too, declared that I was absolutely boisterous, on
account of the heartiness of my kisses, but, as all her dear face was
beaming with delight at my return, I did not worry about it.
That evening Prince Zeula took Mr. Neville off to dine with him; I knew
what that meant. I remained with my mother at her request; I knew what
that meant, too.
We sat out on a balcony overlooking the gardens, beautifully peaceful
and quiet save for the faint hum of the traffic passing the Palace. My
mother sat without saying a word, and I wondered how long her patience
would last, as I knew that she was terribly anxious to know about our
trip, that is, the really interesting part. It was in keeping with the
mischievous mood I had been in all day that I religiously refrained from
mentioning Irma, until at last she said:
"And how did you like the Princess?"
"Oh, she is a charming girl," I said lightly.
"So I have heard; it is a pity that your proposed visit to Sonale was
interfered with."
"It was; but Zeula had good reasons for recalling us."
"He generally has good reasons for everything, hasn't he?"
This astonishing mother of mine then began to talk of other things, a
proceeding which upset my calculations, for I had intended to make her
more and more curious. It was disturbing to find that she did not
appear to take any more interest in the Princess, especially as I was
dying to tell her all about my feelings in the matter. In vain I tried
to reopen the subject, but no, it was unavailing, and at length I was
obliged to capitulate, and say:
"The Princess is an awfully nice girl." Which afterwards I thought
particularly tame.
"Yes?"
Oh, the dampening effect of that monosyllable. I seemed to shrivel up
inside, and then I chanced to glance at my mother's face. There was a
faint, quizzical smile upon her lips, as she bent forward to look into
the lighted room at her side.
"Well, of all the artful women!" I shook my finger at her severely.
"What is the matter, Victor?"
"I do believe that you have been fooling me."
"Did you take me for a stupid woman?"
I went across and knelt at her side; she ran her fingers through my
hair.
"Mother dear, she is the sweetest girl in all the world."
"And?"
"I love her so much."
"And she?"
"I don't know."
"What?"
"I don't know, I did not ask her."
"Why not?"
"I don't know, I think I was too scared."
"Of what?"
"That she might say 'no.'"
My mother gave a little laugh.
"I don't think you need have been afraid, my boy."
"But mother dear, she seemed so pleased to hear that I was engaged; of
course she misunderstood me."
"Tell me about it."
I related what had happened, for every word was engraved upon my memory,
and when I had finished I said:
"So you see, mother, that I couldn't say anything then, could I?"
"Of course not, my boy; but I am quite sure now that you need not have
been afraid."
"Do you really think so, mother, or are you saying that to soothe me?"
"I really mean it, dear."
"I was an ass, wasn't I?"
"No, my boy, for how should you have known the workings of a woman's
mind?"
And, when I thought of it, how could I?
* * * * *
Some two weeks after our return, when the business I had been recalled
for was completed, I spoke to Woolgast concerning Landsberg's
appointment to the Guards.
"I am thinking--no, in fact I have promised a young officer of my
acquaintance the vacant captaincy in the Guards. His name is Landsberg,
do you know him?"
"Is his Christian name Boris, your Majesty?"
"Yes."
"I have known him since childhood; my sister married his cousin."
"Did you know of his engagement?"
"Yes, your Majesty."
"And the obstacles in their way?"
"Yes, your Majesty."
"Do you like the young man?"
"He is a great favourite of mine, your Majesty."
"Then why did you not mention his name to me when I asked your opinion
the other day about the appointment?"
"Your Majesty has done so much for me that I could not ask favours."
I looked at him for a minute; he had astonished me, that a man could and
yet did not. I fear there are few in the world like him.
"Very well, General, I shall not forget. Landsberg has the appointment,
also the secretaryship which is vacant."
He thanked me gravely and was about to depart, when I called him back.
"I was going to tell you something, General, but I think I had better
wait a little while yet. I hope you will be properly curious."
"If your Majesty finds that I fail in my duty, it will be through
curiosity."
It was some two or three weeks after Captain von Landsberg first took
duty at the Palace that, when returning to my study one afternoon, I met
him hurrying towards me. His face showed plainly that he was extremely
upset, and angry. I stopped him, and asked whether there was anything
the matter.
"I have just been seeking an audience with your Majesty."
"Then come with me now."
He followed me in silence, and I could almost feel his wrath as a
physical body. I felt that something really serious must have occurred
to upset him so completely, so once we were in my room I bade him sit
down in order to recover himself better, whilst I turned away to sort
some papers.
"Well, Landsberg, what has upset you, and in what way can I assist you?"
"I came to ask your Majesty for leave of absence."
I raised my eyebrows. This was quick work, considering that he had only
joined such a short while.
"I feel sure you have good reasons for your demand; are they of such a
nature that you can confide in me?"
"Yes, your Majesty, I wish for leave of absence to punish a man who has
grossly insulted a lady who cannot retaliate."
"I can have no duels in Rudarlia."
"Your Majesty, the man I would punish is a Bornian, or rather he lives
in that country."
"No officer in my Guards must be mixed up in any scandal, Landsberg."
"I assure your Majesty there shall be no scandal, no one will know my
name or anything about me, and----"
"There is only one lady whose wrongs you have a right to redress. Is
Mademoiselle Sonia the lady in question?"
"No, your Majesty."
"No member of your family?"
"No, your Majesty, but it is a lady whom I revere, and too highly placed
to take notice of the insult."
I frowned, what he had said puzzled me. Too highly placed? Of no one
less than Royalty could that be said. I began to get cold, how many
Royal persons in Bornia did Landsberg know?
"You must tell me the name of the lady, for she is evidently Royal, and
surely you do not know many of the Royalty of Bornia."
"No, your Majesty."
"How many do you know?"
"One, your Majesty."
I grew colder, and then hot in a quick flush of burning rage: some one
had insulted my Princess.
"You may tell me about it, Landsberg."
Something in my voice must have startled him, for he looked up sharply,
and hesitated.
"Tell me," I said again.
"It is Princess Irma, your Majesty."
"How was she insulted and by whom?"
"In an article in a paper, may I give it to your Majesty to read?"
"Have you it with you?"
"It is here, your Majesty."
He pulled a paper from the front of his tunic and handed it to me.
I turned aside to one of the windows and read. It was just one of those
filthy articles which hint at scandalous behaviour; articles that are
far more injurious than outspoken libel. There was nothing which could
be shown up as untrue, but a number of vague hints at scandal which so
many people gloat over, and remember to regale their friends with. The
kind of article that causes the sales manager of a paper to rub his
hands gleefully.
I read the thing twice; and, by that time, I was in such a rage that had
the writer been in the room I should have tried to kill him.
I thought rapidly of the best course to pursue, but I cannot say whether
I decided upon it or not; however, I was determined that the swine who
wrote it should not escape scot free. I turned to Landsberg, and I
think my face must have scared him, for he stammered out something about
being sorry to have distressed me.
"Distressed me? Why, Landsberg, if you had not taken notice of this, I
think I should have cancelled your commission. Now listen to me: the
writer of this is going to be punished, you understand."
"Your Majesty then gives me leave."
"No, not for the purpose you think, but to accompany me."
"Your Majesty?"
"You will come to Sonale with me."
"Yes, your Majesty."