the yellow crayon-第30章

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concerning　the　Countess。〃

Saxe　Leinitzer　nodded。

〃All　right；〃　he　said。　　〃I　am　listening！〃

〃I　understand；〃　Brott　continued；　〃that　you　are　one　of　her　oldest
friends；　and　also　one　of　the　trustees　of　her　estates。　　I　presume
that　you　stand　to　her　therefore　to　some　extent　in　the　position　of
an　adviser？〃

〃It　is　perfectly　true；〃　the　Prince　admitted。

〃I；　too；　am　an　old　friend；　as　she　has　doubtless　told　you；〃　Brott
said。　　〃All　my　life　she　has　been　the　one　woman　whom　I　have　desired
to　call　my　wife。　　That　desire　has　never　been　so　strong　as　at　the
present　moment。〃

The　Prince　removed　his　cigar　from　his　mouth　and　looked　grave。

〃But；　my　dear　Brott；〃　he　said；　〃have　you　considered　the　enormous
gulf　between　your　…　views？　　The　Countess　owns　great　hereditary
estates；　she　comes　from　a　family　which　is　almost　Royal；　she　herself
is　an　aristocrat　to　the　backbone。　　It　is　a　class　against　which　you
have　declared　war。　　How　can　you　possibly　come　together　on　common
ground？〃

Brott　was　silent　for　a　moment。　　Looking　at　him　steadily　the　Prince
was　surprised　at　the　change　in　the　man's　appearance。　　His　cheeks
seemed　blanched　and　his　skin　drawn。　　He　had　lost　flesh；　his　eyes
were　hollow；　and　he　frequently　betrayed　in　small　mannerisms　a
nervousness　wholly　new　and　unfamiliar　to　him。

〃You　speak　as　a　man　of　sense；　Prince；〃　he　said　after　a　while。　　〃You
are　absolutely　correct。　　This　matter　has　caused　me　a　great　deal　of
anxious　thought。　　To　falter　at　this　moment　is　to　lose；　politically；
all　that　I　have　worked　for　all　my　life。　　It　is　to　lose　the　confidence
of　the　people　who　have　trusted　me。　　It　is　a　betrayal；　the　thought　of
which　is　a　constant　shame　to　me。　　But；　on　the　other　hand；　Lucille
is　the　dearest　thing　to　me　in　life。〃

The　Prince's　expression　was　wholly　sympathetic。　　The　derision　which
lurked　behind　he　kept　wholly　concealed。　　A　strong　man　so　abjectly
in　the　toils；　and　he　to　be　chosen　for　his　confidant！　　It　was
melodrama　with　a　dash　of　humour。

〃If　I　am　to　help　you；〃　the　Prince　said；　〃I　must　know　everything。
Have　you　made　any　proposals　to　Lucille？　　In　plain　words；　how　much
of　your　political　future　are　you　disposed　to　sacrifice？〃

〃All！〃　Brott　said　hoarsely。　　〃All　for　a　certainty　of　her。　　Not
one　jot　without。〃

〃And　she？〃

Brott　sprang　to　his　feet；　white　and　nervous。

〃It　is　where　I　am　at　fault；〃　he　exclaimed。　　〃It　is　why　I　have　asked
for　your　advice；　your　help　perhaps。　　I　do　not　find　it　easy　to
understand　Lucille。　　Perhaps　it　is　because　I　am　not　well　versed　in
the　ways　of　her　sex。　　I　find　her　elusive。　　She　will　give　me　no
promise。　　Before　I　went　to　Glasgow　I　talked　with　her。　　If　she
would　have　married　me　then　my　political　career　was　over　…　thrown　on
one　side　like　an　old　garment。　　But　she　would　give　me　no　promise。
In　everything　save　the　spoken　words　I　crave　she　has　promised　me　her
love。　　Again　there　comes　a　climax。　　In　a　few　hours　I　must　make　my
final　choice。　　I　must　decline　to　join　Letheringham；　in　which　case
the　King　must　send　for　me；　or　accept　office　with　him；　and　throw　away
the　one　great　chance　of　this　generation。　　Letheringham's　Cabinet；
of　course；　would　be　a　moderate　Liberal　one；　a　paragon　of　milk　and
water　in　effectiveness。　　If　I　go　in　alone　we　make　history。　　The
moment　of　issue　has　come。　　And；　Prince；　although　I　have　pleaded
with　all　the　force　and　all　the　earnestness　I　know；　Lucille　remains
elusive。　　If　I　choose　for　her　side　…　she　promises　me　…　reward。　　But
it　is　vague　to　me。　　I　don't；　I　can't　understand！　　I　want　her　for　my
wife；　I　want　her　for　the　rest　of　my　life　…　nothing　else。　　Tell　me；
is　there　any　barrier　to　this？　　There　are　no　complications　in　her
life　which　I　do　not　know　of？　　I　want　your　assurance。　　I　want　her
promise。　　You　understand　me？〃

〃Yes；　I　understand　you；〃　the　Prince　said　gravely。　　〃I　understand
more　than　you　do。　　I　understand　Lucille's　position。〃

Brott　leaned　forward　with　bright　eyes。

〃Ah！〃


〃Lucille；　the　Countess　of　Radantz；　is　at　the　present　moment　a
married　woman。〃

Brott　was　speechless。　　His　face　was　like　a　carved　stone　image；
from　which　the　life　had　wholly　gone。

〃Her　husband　…　in　name　only；　let　me　tell　you；　is　the　Mr。　Sabin
with　whom　we　had　supper　this　evening。〃

〃Great　God！〃

〃Their　marriage　had　strange　features　in　it　which　are　not　my　concern；
or　even　yours；〃　the　Prince　said　deliberately。　　〃The　truth　is；　that
they　have　not　lived　together　for　years；　they　never　will　again；　for
their　divorce　proceedings　would　long　ago　have　been　concluded　but
for　the　complications　arising　from　the　difference　between　the
Hungarian　and　the　American　laws。　　Here；　without　doubt；　is　the　reason
why　the　Countess　has　hesitated　to　pledge　her　word　directly。〃

〃It　is　wonderful；〃　Brott　said　slowly。　　〃But　it　explains　everything。〃

There　was　a　loud　knock　at　the　door。　　The　secretary　appeared　upon
the　threshold。　　Behind　him　was　a　tall；　slim　young　man　in　traveling
costume。

〃The　King's　messenger！〃　Brott　exclaimed；　rising　to　his　feet。


CHAPTER　XXXIV

The　Prince　presented　himself　with　a　low　bow。　　Lucille　had　a　copy
of　the　morning　paper　in　her　hand。

〃I　congratulate　you；　Countess；〃　he　said。　　〃You　progress　admirably。
It　is　a　great　step　gained。〃

Lucille；　who　was　looking　pale　and　nervous；　regarded　him　with　anxiety。

〃A　step！　　But　it　is　everything。　　If　these　rumours　are　true；　he
refuses　the　attempt　to　form　a　Cabinet。　　He　takes　a　subordinate
position　under　Letheringham。　　Every　paper　this　morning　says　that　if
this　is　so　his　political　career　is　over。　　It　is　true；　is　it　not？〃

〃It　is　a　great　gain；〃　the　Prince　said　slowly。

〃But　it　is　everything；〃　Lucille　declared；　with　a　rising　note　of
passion　in　her　tone。　　〃It　was　my　task。　　It　is　accomplished。　　I
demand　my　release。〃

The　Prince　was　silent　for　a　moment。

〃You　are　in　a　great　hurry；　Lucille；〃　he　said。

〃What　if　I　am！〃　she　replied　fiercely。　　〃Do　you　suppose　that　this
life　of　lies　and　deceit　is　pleasant　to　me？　　Do　you　suppose　that　it
is　a　pleasant　task　to　lure　a　brave　man　on　to　his　ruin？〃

The　Prince　raised　his　eyebrows。

〃Come；〃　he　said；　〃you　can　have　no　sympathy　with　Reginald　Brott；　the
sworn　enemy　of　our　class；　a　Socialist；　a　demagogue　who　would　parcel
out　our　lands　in　allotments；　a　man　who　has　pledged　himself　to　nothing
more　nor　less　than　a　revolution。〃

〃The　man's　views　are　hateful　enough；〃　she　answered；　〃but　he　is　in
earnest；　and　however　misguided　he　may　be　there　is　something　noble　in
his　unselfishness；　in　his；　steady　fixedness　of　purpose。〃

The　Prince's　face　indicated　his　contempt。

〃Such　men；〃　he　declared；　〃are　only　fit　to　be　crushed　like　vermin
under　foot。　　In　any　other　country　save　England　we　should　have　dealt
with　him　differently。〃

〃This　is　all　beside　the　question；〃　she　declared；　〃My　task　was　to
prevent　his　becoming　Prime　Minister；　and　I　have　succeeded。〃

The　Prince　gave　vent　to　a　little　gesture　of　dissent。　　〃Your　task；〃
he　said；　〃went　a　little　farther　than　that。　　We　require　his　political
ruin。〃

She　pointed　to　the　pile　of　newspapers　upon　the　table。

〃Read　what　they　say！〃　she　exclaimed。　　〃There　is　not　one　who　does
not　use　that　precise　term。　　He　has　missed　his　opportunity。　　The
people　will　never　trust　him　again。〃

〃That；　at　any　rate；　is　not　certain；〃　the　Prince　said。　　〃You　must
remember　that　before　long　he　will　realise　that　he　has　been　your
tool。　　What　then？　　He　will　become　more　rabid　than　ever；　more　also
to　be　feared。　　No；　Lucille；　your　task　is　not　yet　over。　　He　must　be
involved　in　an　open　and　public　scandal；　and　with　you。〃

She　was　white　almost　to　the　lips　with　passion。

〃You　expect　a　great　deal！〃　she　exclaimed。　　〃You　expect　me　to　ruin
my　life；　then；　to　give　my　honour　as　well　as　these　weary　months；
this　constant　humiliation。〃

〃You　are　pleased　to　be　melodramatic；〃　he　said　coldly。　　〃It　is　quite
possible　to　involve　him　without　actually　going　to　extremes。〃

〃And　what　of　my　husband？〃　she　asked。

'The　Prince　laughed　unpleasantly。

〃If　you　have　not　taught　him　complaisance；〃　he　said；　〃it　is　possible；
of　course；　that　Mr。　Sabin　might　be　unkind。　　But　what　of　it？　　You
are　your　own　mistress。　　You　are　a　woman　of　the　world。　　Without　him
there　is　an　infinitely　greater　future　before　you　than　as　his　wife
you　could　ever　enjoy。〃

〃You　are　pleased；〃　she　said；　〃to　be　enigmatic。〃

The　Prince　looked　hard　at　her。　　Her　face　was　white　and　set。　　He
sighed。

〃Lucille；〃　he　said；　〃I　have　been　very　patient　for　many　years。　　Yet
you　know　very　well　my　secret；　and　in　your　heart　you　know　very　well
that　I　am　one　of　those　who　generally　win　the　thing　upon　which　they
have　set　their　hearts。　　I　have　always　loved　you；　Lucille；　but
nevermore　than　now。　　Fidelity　is　admirable；　but　surely　you　have　done
your　duty。　　He　is　an　old　man；　and　a　man　who　has　failed　in　the　great
things　of　life。　　I；　on　the　other　hand；　can　offer　you　a　great　future。
Saxe　Leinitzer；　as　you　know；　is　a　kingdom　of　its　own；　and；　Lucille；
I　stand　well　with　the　Emperor。　　The　Socialist　party　in　Berlin　are
strong　and　increasing。　　He　needs　us。　　Who　can　say　what　honours　may
not　be　in　store　for　us？　　For　I；　too；　am　of　the　Royal　House；　Lucille。
I　am　his　kinsman。　　He　never　forgets　that。　　Come；　throw　aside　this
restlessness。　　I　will　tell　you　how　to　deal　with　Brott；　and　the
publicity；　after　all；　will　be　nothing。　　We　will　go　abroad　directly
afterwards。〃

〃Have　you　finished？〃　she　asked。

〃You　will　be　reasonable！〃　he　begged。

〃Reasonable！〃　She　turned　upon　him　with　flashing　eyes。　　〃I　wonder
how　you　ever　dared　to　imagine　that　I　could　tolerate　you　for　one
moment　as　a　lover　or　a　husband。　　Wipe　it　out　of　your　mind　once　and
for　all。　　You　are　repellent　to　me。　　Positively　the　only　wish　I　have
in　connection　with　you　is　never　to　see　your　face　again。　　As　for　my
duty；　I　have　done　it。　　My　conscience　is　clear。　　I　shall　leave　this
house　to…day。〃

〃I　hope；〃　the　Prince　said　softly；　〃that　you　will　do　nothing　rash！〃

〃In　an　hour；〃　she　said；　〃I　shall　be　at　the　Carlton　with　my　husband。
I　will　trust　to　him　to　protect　me　from　you。〃

The　Prince　shook　his　head。

〃You　talk　rashly；〃　he　said。　　〃You　do　not　think。　　You　are　forbidden
to　leave　this　house。　　You　are　forbidden　to　join　your　husband。〃

She　laughed　scornfully；　but　underneath　was　a　tremor　of　uneasiness。

〃You　summoned　me　from　America；〃　she　said；　〃and　I　came　。。。　I　was
forced　to　leave　my　husband　without　even　a　word　of　farewell。　　I　did
it！　　You　set　me　a　task　…　I　have　accomplished　it。　　I　claim　that　I
have　kept　my　bond；　that　I　have　worked　out　my　own　freedom。　　If　you
require　more　of　me；　I　say　that　you　are　overstepping　your　authority；
and　I　refuse。　　Set　the　black　cross　against　my　name　if　you　will。　　I
will　take　the　risk。〃

The　Prince　came　a　little　nearer　to　her。　　She　held　her　own　bravely
enough；　but　there　was　a　look　in　his　face　which　terrified　her。

〃Lucille；〃　he　said；　〃you　force　me　to　disclose　something　which　I
have　kept　so　far　to　myself。　　I　wished　to　spare　you　anxiety；　but
you　must　understand　that　your　safety　depends　upon　your　remaining
in　this　house；　and　in　keeping　apart　from　all　association　with
　…　your　husband。〃

〃You　will　find　it　difficult；〃　she　said；　〃to　convince　me　of　that。〃

〃On　the　contrary；〃　he　said；　〃I　shall　find　it　easy　…　too　easy；
believe　me。　　You　will　remember　my　finding　you　at　the　wine…shop　of
Emil　Sachs？〃

〃Yes！〃

〃You　refused