XIII
IN THE ROYAL BOX
When the Princess and I entered the Royal Box that night the applausewas instant and enthusiastic. I kept a bit in the rear; the greetingwas for her. And she smiled that conquering smile of hers that wentstraight to every individual in the audience as a personalacknowledgment. I had seen it frequently in the past month; yet, everytime, to marvel only the more. Small wonder, indeed, that she was thetoast of the Nation and the pride of the King. A million pities theSalic Law barred her from the succession. What a Queen Regnant shewould make! Aye, what a Queen Consort she would be! What a wife!
Then the last high note of the National Air blared out and thePrincess, turning quickly, caught my look and straightway read mythoughts. A sudden flush swept over her face and neck and she droppedher eyes. Silently I placed a chair for her; as she took it, her barearm rested against my hand. The effect on me, in the stress of myfeelings at that moment, is indescribable. I know I gasped--and mythroat got hot and my heart pounded in sharp pain.
But I did not withdraw my hand--nor did the Princess remove her arm.Its soft, warm flesh pressed against my fingers--the perfume of herhair enveloped my face--the beat of her bosom was just below me.
A fierce impulse seized me to take her in my arms--there, before themall, the Court and the Capital. Reason told me to step back. Yet Icould not. Instead, I gripped the chair fiercely, and, by that veryact, pushed my fingers only more closely against her.
Was I dreaming--or did I feel an answering pressure, not once but twicerepeated. I was sure of it. I bent forward. Quickly she looked up atme with eyes half closed.
"How cold your hand is, Armand," she said.
"Does it chill you, dear?" I whispered.
She smiled. "It never could do that," she answered. "But won't yousit beside me, now?"
"Yes, I suppose so," I said reluctantly. "Only, I'm nearer you as Iam."
Then I took my chair, drawing it a trifle in the rear, so, beingobliged to lean forward, I would be closer to her and could speaksoftly in her ear.
"You're very bold, Armand; you are always doing things so publicly,"she said.
"It was an accident--at first."
"And afterward, sir?"
"Afterward, I was powerless."
"My arm would not believe you."
"Powerless to remove my hand, I mean."
"Powerlessness, with you, has queer manifestations," she said.
"Yes--sometimes it's passive and sometimes active."
"It was active, I suppose, that day in the King's cabinet, when yougave me that cousinly kiss."
"If we were not so public I would----"
She looked at me with the most daring invitation. "It is because weare so public that you are permitted to sit so near."
"Then, why blame me if I take the only opportunities you give me?" Iasked.
She half closed her eyes and looked at me, side-long, through herlashes.
"Have I ever blamed you?" she asked.
"Dehra," said I, "if you look at me like that I shall kiss you now."
She closed her eyes a trifle more. "Where, Armand?" she said. "Youhave been kissing my hair every time I let it touch your lips."
"Let it touch them again, then," I whispered.
She turned her head sharply from me and, then, slowly back again; andher perfumed tresses, dressed low on her neck, brushed full and hardacross my face, from cheek to cheek.
"There, cousin," said she; "am I not good?"
"Not entirely, when you call me 'cousin,'" I said, looking her in theeyes.
"Your Highness, then," she smiled.
"Worse still."
"Marshal."
"No better."
"Marshal would please most men," she said.
"There is only one name from you will please me, now," I answered.
She quite closed her eyes. "You are an autocrat to-night, Armand," shemurmured.
"I'm your lover, sweetheart; your lover to-night and always," I saidimpetuously.
She opened her eyes wide and looked into mine with that calm, deepsearch which only a good woman has power to use. I knew, and tremblingwaited. What she saw in my eyes then she would see there always--instorm, in sunshine--in youth and in old age.
Then, suddenly, her glance dropped and a blush stole slowly across hercheek.
"To me, dearest," she said softly, "you have been a lover since thatday in the forest when you were only Captain Smith."
I bowed my head. "You Princess of women," I said. "How near I was tolosing you."
She turned and deliberately let her hair rest on my face a moment.
"There, dear," said she, "is my first kiss to you. I shall have towait a bit for yours to me."
"And you really want my kiss, Dehra?" I asked doubtingly. Smallwonder, indeed, I was slow to realize my fortune.
"You great stupid," she laughed. "Can't you understand I have wantedit for six long years?"
"I think," said I, "I'm dreaming."
"For a dreamer, you're wonderfully brave," she said. "Do youappreciate that you had the audacity to propose to the Princess Royalof Valeria while she sat in the Royal Box before all the fashion ofDornlitz?"
"My dear," said I, "I would propose to her a dozen times under likeconditions if I thought, at the end, she would do as she has doneto-night."
"If she had known that, she might have put you to the test."
"It would have made her wait only the longer for that kiss she wants,"I said.
"Oh, I fancy, sir, she could have had your kiss without accepting you.She needed only to give you half a chance."
"I think," said I, "even less than half a chance from you, dear, wouldhave been successful."
She studied her fan a moment. "From me, _only_?" she asked.
"From you, only," I said. "It would require a trifle more than half achance from anyone else."
"Even from the Lady Helen Radnor?" she asked.
I watched her face a moment. There was, I felt, only one way to playthis out.
"Well," I answered, "it might be that an even half chance would sufficefrom her."
"It took rather less than that at the Birthday Ball, didn't it?"
I had the grace to keep silent--or, maybe, I was too surprised to knowan answer. I did not have the courage to meet her eyes. I stared intothe audience, seeing no one, thinking much--hoping she would speak; butshe did not.
Presently I turned, looking like a whipped child, I know, and metDehra's smiling face.
"Tie my slipper, dear," she said, "the ribbon has come undone."
"You sweetheart!" I said. "You sweetheart!"
She drew her gown back from the footstool, and I slowly tightened thesilken bands over the high-arched instep--very slowly, I confess.
"You're very naughty, Armand," she said, shaking her head in mockreproof.
"Doesn't the other shoe need fastening?" I asked.
"No, sir--and, if it did, I would have the Countess tie it."
"Bother the Countess," I said. (The Countess Giska was the Princess'schief Lady in Waiting--and she and my aide-de-camp, Moore, were in therear of the Box, which, fortunately, was sufficiently deep to put themout of ear-shot.)
"Or, I might ask Major Moore. I think he would be glad to do it," shesaid.
"He would be a most extraordinary Irishman if he were not more thanglad," I said. "But, when I'm around, Dehra, the pleasure is minealone."
"Goodness, Armand, you would not be jealous?" she mocked.
"I don't know what it's called," said I, "but that's it."
"Haven't you ever been jealous, dear?" she asked.
"I never cared enough for a girl to be jealous," I said.
"I fancy you've cared for so many you had no time to entertain theGreen-eyed Monster," she said.
I evaded the thrust. "Has he ever visited you?" I asked.
She ignored the question.
"Isn't Lady Helen beautiful to-night?" she said--an
d smiled a greetingtoward the British Ambassador's Box.
Instantly, Lord Radnor and Courtney arose and bowed low. I returnedthe salute in kind.
"Tell me," I said. "Were you ever jealous?"
She kept her eyes on the stage. Carmen was the opera, but, thus far, Ihad not heard a single note.
"I am waiting for you to answer my question," she said, presently.
"I fear I missed it," I replied.
"Queer, surely--it was about Lady Helen. I asked if she were notbeautiful to-night."
"She is always very handsome," I said. "And she looks particularlywell in blue."
Dehra smiled slyly. "It's the same gown she wore at the Birthday Ball."
I bit my lip--then, suddenly, I got very brave.
"Tell me," I said. "How did you know I kissed her, that night?"
"I saw it."
"The Dev--! Oh!" I exclaimed. I was brave no longer. I gotinterested in the opera. Presently, I ventured to glance at Dehra--shewas laughing behind her fan. Then I ventured again.
"I hope," said I, "I did it nicely."
"Most artistically, my dear Armand. Escamillo, yonder, could not do itmore cleverly."
I winced. It is not especially flattering to an Archduke to be classedwith a toreador--and Carmen's toreador, least of all. Yet, Irecognized the justice of the punishment. Bravery had failed twice; itwas time to be humble.
"I am sorry, Dehra," I said.
"Of course you are, sir, very sorry--that I saw you.--And so was I,"she added.
"Was?" I echoed.
"It gave me _un mauvais quart d'heure_."
"No longer than that?" tasked.
"No; it lasted only until I had you to myself on the terrace, a littlelater."
"And then?" I queried.
"Then? Then I was no longer jealous of the Lady Helen. Your eyes toldme there was no need."
"There never has been anyone but you, my darling," I whispered.
"And never will be, Armand?" she asked.
"Please God, never," I said; and, forgetting where we were, I made asthough to take her hand.
"Not now," she smiled. "Wait until after the Opera."
"It will be a longer wait than that," I said regretfully. "I have toldCourtney I would invite the Radnors and him to take supper with me onthe Hanging Garden, to-night."
"Why don't you say 'take supper with _us_'?"
"You mean it, Dehra?" I asked in surprise. "You have always refused,hitherto; and I have asked so often."
She smiled. "Hitherto was different from now," she said.
"Thank God for the now," I added.
"We might bid them here for the last act," she suggested.
"I have presumed to hint as much to Courtney," I said; and told her howit had all come about in my talk with him that morning.
"Delightful!" she exclaimed. "And we will have a jolly party on theGarden--and let us be just like ordinary folk and have a publictable--only, a little apart, of course."
"It shall be as you want," I said, and dispatched Major Moore to theRadnor Box with the invitation.
When he returned, I stepped into the corridor and gave him explicitinstructions as to the supper. I had encouraged both him and Bernheimto intimate when I was about to make an Archducal _faux pas_, and I sawhe did not approve of the public table. But I gave no heed. I knewperfectly well it was violating official etiquette for the Princess toappear there at such an hour; but it was her first request since--well,since what had occurred a few minutes before--and I was determined togratify her. And Moore, being a good courtier, and knowing I hadobserved his warning, made no further protest, but saluted and departedon his mission.
When I rejoined Dehra she had moved forward and was looking over theaudience.
"I have found an ex-compatriot of yours," she remarked.
"Yes?" I said, rather indifferently.
"She has just come into the third box on the right. She is wonderfullybeautiful--or, at least, she looks it from here."
"I've got someone wonderfully beautiful beside me," I answered.
"But have you no interest in the American?" she asked.
"None--except that she interests you. In the third box, did you say?"I asked, turning slowly toward it.
"Why, Armand, you know her!" said Dehra, suddenly.
Trust a woman to read a man's face.
"Yes," said I, "I have seen her before to-night."
She gave me a sharp look. "And have known her, too--_n'est ce pas_?"
"Yes--after a fashion," I answered.
She studied the woman for a space.
"Is that her husband behind her?" she asked, presently.
I smiled. "Very possibly," I said.
"Had she a husband when you knew her?" she persisted.
"Part of the time." I was a bit uncomfortable.
"And the man, yonder, is not he?"
"No," said I.
She gave me a sidelong glance. "And her name?" she asked.
"It used to be Madeline Spencer."
"You showed excellent taste, Armand--both in her looks and name."There was something of sarcasm in the tone.
"Don't be unjust, sweetheart," I said. "She never was anything to me."
"Are you quite sure?".
"On my honor."
She gave a little sigh of relief. "I am glad, dear; I would not wanther for a rival. She is much too beautiful to be forgotten easily."
"The beauty is only external. She is ugly in heart," I said. "Iwonder what brings her to Dornlitz?"
"The man beside her, doubtless," said Dehra.
"Then he's spending money on her like water--or she has some gameafoot," I exclaimed.
"You paint her very dark, dear."
"Listen," I said. "She was the wife of Colonel Spencer of the AmericanArmy. He married her, one summer, in Paris, where he had gone to meether upon her graduation from a convent school. She was his ward--thechild of the officer who had been his room-mate at the Point. Withintwo years Colonel Spencer was dead--broken-hearted; a wealthyLieutenant of his regiment had been cashiered and had shot himselfafter she had plucked him clean. Since then, she has lived in the odorof eminent respectability; yet, as I know, always waiting for avictim--and always having one. Money is her God."
"And, yet, there seems to be nothing in her appearance to suggest suchviciousness," said Dehra.
"Nothing," I said; "and, hence, her danger and her power."
"You knew her when she was Colonel Spencer's wife?"
"I met her at the Post where he commanded--and, later, I saw her inWashington and New York. She had been in Pittsburgh for several monthsbefore I left--angling for some of the _nouveaux riches_, I fancy.There was plenty of gossip of her in the Clubs; though I, alone, Ithink, know her true history."
"And you did not warn anyone of her?"
"So long as she let my friends alone I cared not what pigeon sheplucked. And the very fact that she knew I was in Pittsburgh, wasenough to make her shy of anyone I would likely care for."
Dehra laughed lightly. "Maybe you were a little bit afraid of her,yourself," she said.
"Maybe I was," I admitted; "for she has a fascination almostirresistible--when she choose to exert it."
Dehra looked at me steadily.
I understood.
"Yes," said I, "she has made a try at me; once in New York; again, andonly recently, in Pittsburgh. I escaped both times, thank God."
"She may make another try at you here."
I laughed. "She failed twice in America; she can scarcely win inDornlitz when you are beside me."
"But I'm not always beside you," she objected.
"Not physically," I said.
"What chance would a mentality have against that woman's actualpresence?" she asked.
"It would depend entirely on the man, and I am immune--thanks toSpencer's dead face and your sweet one."
Dehra smiled brightly. "Spencer's dead face is a mentality infinitelymo
re potent than my living one; but I think the two should hold you.Yet, I hate that woman yonder. I believe she has dared to follow youhere."
I shook my head. "Never in my life have I used words to woman such asI used to her in Pittsburgh. Oh, no, she has not followed me."
"Then, why is she here--so soon after your coming?" Dehra persisted.
"Why do thousands visit Dornlitz every month?" I asked.
"She is no casual visitor."
"Very likely," I agreed. "Madeline Spencer is not the sort to docasual travelling. She has an object--but it is not I."
"I wish I could feel secure of it."
"Do you mean it's I you doubt, dear?" I asked.
She gave me her sweetest smile. "I shall doubt you, Armand, only whenyou yourself order me to--and, even then, I may disregard the order."
Before such love a man falls abject in his absolute unworthiness.
"I don't deserve such trust, sweetheart," I answered humbly--and Ithink my voice broke in the saying.
"I'll risk it," she replied. "If I were as sure that woman's presencemeant no harm to you I would be altogether easy."
"What harm could she possibly do to an Archduke of Valeria?" I laughed.
"None that I can imagine, I admit--unless she seek to discredit youwith the King."
"But from what possible motive?"
"Revenge for your double scorning of her."
I laughed. "Madame Spencer has no time for such foolishness asrevenge."
"I hope you may be right, dear; but a woman's intuition bids you tobeware."
"Would you like to have the authorities look into her business here?" Iasked.
"Yes, I surely would."
Just then Major Moore entered. I motioned him forward.
"Everything is arranged for on the Garden as Your Highness ordered," hereported.
I thanked him. "One thing more, Major," I said. "My compliments tothe senior officer of the Secret Police on duty here to-night, and askhim to send me, in the morning, a full report on the parties occupyingthe third box on the right in this row. And do you take a good look atthem yourself; it may be well for you to know their faces."
"What a satisfactory Aide," said Dehra. "His eyes didn't even wavertoward that other box."
"Not only that," I answered; "but, when Moore does do his looking,those in that box won't know it, you may be sure."
Then the bells rang for the last act--and the Radnors and Courtney wereannounced.
The Colonel of the Red Huzzars Page 13