by Anthony Hope
VII
THE BARONESS GOES TO COURT
The troops of the garrison and their allies, the scum of the streets,thought that they had scored a great victory and inflicted deephumiliation on the unpopular martinet who ruled and harried them. Theycelebrated the event with noisy but harmless revels, and when CaptainHercules was seen about again (he submitted to a fortnight's confinementto barracks with feelings in which thankfulness, though not gratitude,predominated), he found his popularity with them greater than ever. Butin the higher circles--the inner ring--of the party he served, hisreception was not so cordial. Stenovics would not see him; Stafnitz sawhim only to express a most uncompromising judgment on his conduct.
Yielding in appearance, in point of substance the Prince of Slavna hadscored heavily. The big guns were ordered from Germany. The Prince hadthe money to pay for them, and they were to be consigned to him; thesewere the guarantees which he had asked from Stenovics. When the gunscame--and he had agreed to make an extra payment for early delivery--hissituation would be very different. With trusty men behind them, it wouldgo hard with him if he were not master of Slavna, and he had alreadyobtained the King's sanction to raise and train a force of artilleryfrom among his own men in Volseni and its neighborhood. The men ofVolseni were proof against Mistitch's bragging and the subtle indulgenceby which Stafnitz held his power over the rank and file of the army.They were true to the Prince.
The idle King's family pride was touched; it was the one thing whichcould rouse him. At his son's express request--and at that only--heacquiesced in the release of Mistitch and his satellite Sterkoff; but hewas determined to make his own attitude clear and to do what he could torestore the prestige of his family. The Prince said dryly that theprestige would profit best of all by the big guns; the King was mindedto supplement their effect by something more ornate. He created a newOrder, and made his son Grand Master of it. There was no harm in that,and Stenovics readily consented. He declared that something more must bedone for the lady to whom his son owed his life; to be made Keeper ofthe Tapestries might be a convenient recompense, but was not honorenough. Stenovics declared that any mark of favor which His Majestydesigned for Mademoiselle de Gruche might most properly be hers.Finally, the King instructed Stenovics to concentrate all his energieson the matrimonial negotiations. A splendid marriage would enhance andstrengthen the prestige more than anything else. Stenovics promisedzealous obedience, and withdrew full of thought. The Order was an easymatter, and honors for Sophy did no harm. The marriage was ground muchmore delicate. It touched the "big stake" which Colonel Stafnitz had soemphatically warned the General not to play on the bad hand dealt to himby Mistitch's blundering. But with the big guns in position, and thesturdy men of Volseni behind them--would a good hand ever come?
There were but three in the inner secret of the scheme, but they werethree of the longest heads in Kravonia. Countess Ellenburg was a piouswoman and of exemplary demeanor; but (as Markart told Sophy) women areambitious, and she had borne the King a son. Stenovics saw himself castaside like an old glove if Prince Sergius came to the throne. Stafnitzwas a born fisher in troubled waters, and threw a skilful net. Twicebefore in the country's history, intrigue had made revolution, andchanged the order of succession in the House of Stefanovitch. The threewaited on chance, but the chance was not yet. If the King were at enmitywith his son, or if there were a demise of the Crown while the Princewas not on the spot to look after his interests, there might lie theopportunity. But now the King was all cordiality for his Heir Apparent,the Prince was on the spot; the guns and their Volsenian gunnersthreatened to be on the spot, too, ere long. It was not now the momentfor the big stake.
King Alexis was delighted with his new Order, and the Grand Master'sinsignia were very handsome. In the centre of a five-pointed star St.Michael slew the Dragon--a symbol, perhaps, of Captain Mistitch! Thebroad ribbon was of virgin white; it would show up well against eitherthe black sheepskin of the Volsenian tunic or the bright blue of thePrince's hussar uniform. There were, some day, to be five other Knights;with the Grand Master and the Sovereign himself the mystic number Sevenwould be reached--but it would never be exceeded; the Order would bemost select. All this the King explained in a florid speech, gleefulwith his new toy, while the serious folks listened with a respectfuldeference and a secret smile. "If he would make order, instead ofOrders!" thought the Prince; and probably Colonel Stafnitz, inattendance as his Majesty's aide-de-camp, had thoughts not verydifferent. Yet, even toys take on a significance when grown-up peopleplay with them. Countess Ellenburg was not pleased that only oneappointment should be made to the Order of St. Michael. Was it not timethat the pretty boy Alexis wore a Star?
The King had not done yet; there was honor for the Prince's friends,too; men should know that service to the Royal House was meritorious inproportion to the illustrious position of that House. Zerkovitch stoodforward and was made Chevalier of the Cross of Kravonia. The occasioncost Zerkovitch the price of a Court suit, but for Marie's sake he borethe outlay patiently. Then the King, having refreshed himself with adraught which his valet Lepage brought him, turned to his most pleasingtask. The Keeper of the Tapestries was called from her place in thecircle beside Marie Zerkovitch. Colonel Stafnitz had not noticed herstanding there, but now he gave a little start; the figure seemedfamiliar. He turned his head round to Markart, who was just behind him."Yes, that's her," Markart whispered in answer to the question in theColonel's eyes. The eyes flew back to Sophy instantly. There, too, wasset the gaze of Countess Ellenburg. For Sophy was in full beauty thatday. She, too, loved toys; and her ancient hatred of the name to whichshe had been born must be remembered. Her eyes glowed, and the Red Starglowed on her cheek. All her air was triumphant as she courtesied to theKing, and then stood, erect and proud, to hear his gracious words.
Gracious his words were for her deed, and gracious his smile for hercomely beauty. He could at least look a king--no man denied himthat--and speak in kingly phrases. "A service unmatched in courage, andimmeasurable in importance to us and our Royal House, the preservationof our dearly loved son and only Heir." (Countess Ellenburg looked downher nose at that!) For such an act did he confer a patent of nobility onSophy, and for greater honor gave her, as title the name of one of hisown estates, together with a charge on its revenues equal to her newdignity.
He ended and sank back in his chair. Her Prince came forward and kissedher hand before them all. Countess Ellenburg bowed condescendingly. Adecorous murmur of applause filled the hall as, with shining eyes,Sophia, Baroness Dobrava, courtesied again very low.
So, as Sophy Grouch had gone, went Sophie de Gruche!
"She's delighted--poor child!" whispered Marie Zerkovitch; but onlyJulia Robins, in England far away, heard the full torrent of Sophy'ssimple, child-like exultation. Such a letter went to her thatnight!--but there was stuff in it besides the Baroness's paean.
Suddenly a childish voice rang out clear through the hall--a fearless,eager little voice.
"What's that you've got on your cheek?" asked young Alexis, withengaging candor; his finger pointed at Sophy's face.
So quaint an interruption to the stately formality of the scene struckpeople's sense of humor. Everybody laughed--even Countess Ellenburg.Sophy's own laugh rose rich and merry. Her ignorance or carelessness ofetiquette betrayed itself; she darted at the pretty boy, caught him inher arms, and kissed him, answering: "That's my luck--my Red Star."
The boy touched the mark with his finger; a look of childish awe cameinto his blue eyes.
"Your luck!" he said, softly, and continued to look at the mysterioussign after Sophy had set him down again. The little scene was told allover Slavna before night--and men and women talked, according to theirtemper, of the nature and the meaning of the Red Star. If only thefoolish think about such things, even the wise talk.
The King left his chair and mingled with his guests. His movement wasthe signal for a general relaxation of ceremony. The Prince came acrossthe room and joined Sophy,
who had returned to Marie Zerkovitch's side.He offered the Baroness his congratulations, but in somewhat constrainedtones. His mind seemed to be on something else; once or twice he lookedinquiringly at Marie, who in her turn showed signs of restlessness ordistress. A silence followed on Sophy's expression of heracknowledgments. The Prince glanced again at Marie and made up his mindto speak.
"You've done me the kindness I asked?" he inquired of Marie.
Marie picked at the feathers of her fan in unhappy embarrassment. "No,sir, I haven't. I--I couldn't."
"But why not?" he asked in surprise.
"I--I couldn't," repeated Marie, flushing.
He looked at her gravely for a moment, then smiled. "Then I must pleadmy own cause," he said, and turned to Sophy. "Next week I'm leavingSlavna and going to my Castle of Praslok. It's near Volseni, you know,and I want to raise and train my gunners at Volseni. We must be readyfor our guns when they come, mustn't we?"
His eyes met hers--eager glance exchanged for glance as eager. "Ourguns!" whispered Sophy under her breath.
"Marie here and Zerkovitch have promised to come with me. He'll writewhat ought to be written, and she'll cook the dinners." He laughed. "Oh,well, we do live very simply at Praslok. We shall be there three monthsat least. I asked Marie to persuade you to come with her and to stay aslong as you could. But she's disappointed me. I must plead for myself."
The changing expressions of Sophy's eyes had marked every sentence ofhis speech, and Marie marked every expression of the eyes. They hadgrown forlorn and apprehensive when he spoke of leaving Slavna; a suddenjoy leaped into them at his invitation to Praslok.
"You'll come for a little? The scenery is very fine, and the peopleinteresting."
Sophy gave a low laugh. "Since the scenery is fine and the peopleinteresting--yes, Monseigneur."
Their eyes met again, and he echoed back her laugh. Marie Zerkovitchdrew in her breath sharply. With swift insight she saw--and foresaw. Sheremembered the presentiment, under whose influence she had begged Sophynot to come to Kravonia. But fate had weighted the scales heavilyagainst her. The Baroness Dobrava was here.
The Prince turned to Marie with a puzzled look. Sophy was lost in gladanticipations. Marie met the Prince's look with a deprecating imploringglance. He frowned a little--not in anger, but in puzzle; what sheforesaw he himself had not yet divined; he was feeling the joy withoutunderstanding it.
"At any rate you're not responsible now if we do freeze her to deathwith our mountain snows," he said in a jest which veiled friendlyreproach.
"No, at least I'm not responsible," Marie answered.
There was a note in her voice now which commanded even Sophy'spre-engaged attention. She looked sharply at her friend--and perhaps sheunderstood. But she did not yield to the suggestion. She drew herself upproudly. "I'm not afraid of what may happen to me at Praslok,Monseigneur," she said.
A simultaneous exclamation of many voices broke across their talk. Atthe other end of the room, men and women pressed into a circle roundsome point of interest which could not be seen by Sophy and hercompanions. A loud voice rang out in authoritative tones: "Stand back!Stand back--and open all the windows!"
"That's Natcheff's voice," said the Prince. Natcheff was the leadingphysician of Slavna. "Somebody's fainted, I suppose. Well, the place isstuffy enough!"
Markart emerged from the circle, which had widened out in obedience tothe physician's orders. As he hurried past the Prince, he said: "TheKing has fainted, sir. I'm going to fetch Lepage." Two or three othermen ran and opened the windows.
"The King fainted! I never knew him do that before."
He hastened to where his father lay, the subject of Natcheff'sministrations. Sophy and Marie followed in his wake through the openingwhich the onlookers made for him. The King showed signs of recovering,but Natcheff's face was grave beyond even the requirements of hisprofession or of his patient's rank. The next moment Lepage came up.This man, the King's body-servant, was a small, plump person, who hadgenerally a weary, impassive, uninterested manner. He looked ratheruninterested even now, but his walk was very quick, and he was soonaiding Natcheff with deft and nimble fingers.
"This is strange, Lepage," said Natcheff.
Lepage did not look up from his task.
"Has it ever happened before?"
Then Lepage did look up. He appeared to consider and to hesitate. Heglanced once at the King before he answered.
"It's the third attack in two months," he said, at last.
"You never told me!" The words shot sharp from Natcheff's lips.
"That was by His Majesty's peremptory orders. He'll be angry that I'vetold you now."
"Clear the room!" ordered Natcheff, shortly.
Slavna had plenty to talk about that night. Besides the BaronessDobrava's Red Star, there was the fainting fit of King Alexis! Theevening bulletin was entirely favorable; the King had quite recovered.But many had heard Lepage's confession and seen the look that it broughtto Natcheff's face.
Stenovics and Stafnitz rode back from the Palace to the city side byside. The General was silent, immersed in deep thought. Stafnitz smokedhis cigarette with a light, rather mocking smile. At last, when theywere almost opposite the terrace of the Hotel de Paris, Stenovics spoke.
"It looks like the handwriting on the wall," he said.
"Quite so, General," Stafnitz agreed, cheerfully. "But at presentthere's no evidence to show to whom, besides the King himself, themessage is addressed."
"Or what it says?"
"I think that's plain enough, General. I think it says that the time isshort."
He watched his companion's face closely now. But Stenovics's mask wasstolid and unmoved; he said nothing; he contented himself with a sullengrunt.
"Short for the King!" pursued Stafnitz, with a shake of his head. "Shortfor the Prince, perhaps! And certainly, General, uncomfortably short forus!"
Stenovics grunted again, and then rode on some while in silence. Atlast, just as he was about to part from his companion, he made oneobservation:
"Fortunately Natcheff is a friend of mine; we shall get the bestpossible information."
"That might become of importance, no doubt, General," said Stafnitz,smiling still.