The Colonel of the Red Huzzars

by John Reed Scott

  XIV

  THE WOMAN IN BLACK

  To those who have never been to Dornlitz I may say that the HangingGarden is the name for the great balcony of the Hotel Metzen. Itsuggests--very faintly--the Terrace at Westminster; though, of course,it is far more beautiful, with the dancing waters of Lake Lorg insteadof the dirty, sluggish Thames. It is the peculiarly fashionablerestaurant, and is always thronged in the evening with the aristocracyof the Kingdom. To-night, the extreme end of the balcony had beenreserved for me, and a very slight bank of plants was arranged toseparate us from the general crowd.

  Just before the final curtain, His Highness of Lotzen had strolled intothe Royal Box. To my surprise he congratulated me very heartily uponmy appointment as Governor of Dornlitz; and, perforce, I invited him tojoin us at supper.

  He hesitated a moment, and I urged him to come. In fact, I felt a bitsorry for him. He had just lost the Princess and, with her, likely,his chance at the Throne, as well. And I had won the one and, verypossibly, the other, also. I could afford to be generous. Afterto-night, however,--when he had learned of these facts--it would be forhim to indicate as to our future attitude. For my part, I was quitewilling to be friendly.

  The entrance of my party made something of a sensation. To reach ourtable, we were obliged to pass down the Garden almost half its lengthand the people arose instantly and bowed.

  To Lotzen, this deference was such an ordinary incident of his dailylife he, doubtless, scarcely noticed it. But I was still fresh in myRoyalty and it did attract me--though, I think I appreciated what hedid not; that their courtesy was, in truth, to the Princess only, andnot to us. Indeed, it would have been just the same if the Kinghimself had been with us. When Dehra was in presence the people hadeyes for her alone.

  The supper was deliciously cooked; the wine was excellent; the servicebeyond criticism. I had given the two Ambassadors to Dehra and had putLady Helen between Lotzen and myself, with Lord Radnor on the Duke'sleft.

  We were a merry party. Dehra was positively bewitching and Radnor wassimply fascinated. He could scarcely take his eyes from her, even whenaddressed by Lotzen; which was very little, for the Duke devotedhimself very assiduously to Lady Helen. So I was remitted to LadyRadnor, who was about the most tiresomely uninteresting mortal it hadbeen my misfortune to know--a funeral service was an extravaganza incomparison to her talk. In Washington, my rank had never entitled meto a seat at her side at dinner; and many was the time I had chaffedCourtney, or some other unfortunate, who had been so stranded besideHer Ponderousness. To-night, however, my turn was come, and Courtneywas getting his revenge.

  My only solace were the occasional smiles that Dehra gave me--smilesthat Courtney noted instantly and, I fancied, understood; and thatLotzen intercepted; but what he thought I did not know and did notcare. Who ever cares what his defeated rival thinks!

  We had been there for, possibly, half an hour when, happening to glanceoutward, I saw Madeline Spencer and an elderly woman, and the man whohad been in the box with her, coming slowly down the Garden. Itchanced that a table near us had just been vacated and they were shownto it by the head-waiter, whose excessive obsequiousness proved thesize of his tip.

  Mrs. Spencer gave our party a single quick glance, as she drew off hergloves, and then fell to conversing with her companions.

  All this I had noted out of the corner of my eye, as it were. I hadnot the least doubt she had recognized me at the Opera, and I did notintend to give her a chance to speak to me--which I knew she would tryto do, the Pittsburgh experience notwithstanding, if she thought itmight further her present plans or pleasures.

  Lotzen, however, had been drinking rather freely and was not so charywith his glances. Indeed, he stared so frankly that Lady Helen did nothesitate to prod him about it.

  "I would take her to be an American," I heard him say.

  "Without a doubt," Lady Helen answered.

  Inwardly, I consigned the Spencer woman to perdition. They would beinterrogating me about her, next; and I did not know just how toanswer. I would have to admit knowing her; that would only whet theircuriosity and bring further questions. To tell the whole story wasabsurd--and, yet, only a little of it would leave a rather unpleasantinference against me. At any rate, on Dehra's account, I did not wantthe matter discussed.

  I could feel Lotzen's glance, and I knew he was waiting only for abreak in Lady Radnor's discourse. I gave him as much of my back aspossible, and encouraged her to proceed. She was on the Tenement Houseproblem; but I had no idea what she was advocating, in particular. Idid not care. All I wanted was talk--talk--talk. And, whenever sheshowed signs of slowing up, I flung in a word and spurred her on again.

  And she responded nobly; and I marvelled at her staying powers--at LordRadnor's fortitude through so many years--at Lady Helen being the childof such a mother. But, all the time, I was conscious of Lotzenwaiting--waiting--waiting. I could hear his voice and Lady Helen'smerry laugh, yet I knew nothing but the ending of the supper and thebreaking of the party, with Lady Radnor still riding her hobby, wouldsave me from the question. I threw in another remark to keep hergoing. It was fatal.

  Lord Radnor heard it; and, catching his wife's reply, I saw him frown.

  "Lord bless us!" he exclaimed to the Princess and Courtney, "we mustrescue His Highness--Lady Radnor is on the Tenement problem."

  I tried to signal Courtney to keep Radnor occupied; but he did notunderstand, and only smiled and whispered something to the Princess.Then Lord Radnor caught his wife's eye and the old lady's discourseended abruptly.

  "I fear I weary Your Royal Highness," she said.

  "On the contrary, I am deeply interested," I assured her. "Praycontinue."

  Her glance wandered eagerly across the table, but she got noencouragement from the Ambassador.

  "Your Highness is very gracious," she said, "and, sometime, if you areso minded, I shall gladly show you the late reports from the LondonSociety."

  I dared not urge her further; Lord Radnor would have suspected me ofmaking sport of his wife. So I cudgelled my brain for some othersubject to talk up with her. Of course, I failed to find it instantly,and, in the momentary silence, Lotzen's opportunity came.

  "Armand," he said, leaning a bit forward, "Lady Helen and I have beendiscussing the woman in black, yonder--the pretty one. We take her tobe an American--what is your opinion?"

  The whole table heard the question, and every one looked at thelady--either immediately or when they could do it with properdiscretion.

  "You mean the woman with the elderly couple, just near us?" I asked,glancing thither, and so on around to the Princess, who met me with asmile.

  "The same," said Lotzen.

  "You're quite right," said I; "she is an American."

  "You know her?" he asked.

  "I used to know her."

  He hesitated a moment--and, of course, everyone waited. "Couldn't youstill know her enough to present me?" he asked.

  I shook my head. "You would be most unfortunate in your sponsor," Ianswered.

  He smiled indulgently. "I'll risk it," he said.

  "But, maybe, I won't," I answered.

  His smile broadened. "Come, come, cousin mine," he said; "don't beselfish with the lady."

  I smiled blandly back at him, though my hand itched to strike him inthe face.

  "My dear Duke," I said, "you forget I may not yet have had time toacquire certain of the--dilettante accomplishments of Royalty."

  His expression changed instantly. "I beg your pardon, Armand," hesaid, "I was only joking."

  I saw Courtney glance at Lady Helen and slowly shut one eye. He knew,as did I, that Lotzen lied.

  "There is naught to pardon, cousin," I said. "We both were joking."

  Then Lady Helen came to my relief.

  "But there is considerable for Her Royal Highness and me to pardon,"she said.

  "Yes," said I, "there is."

  "I take all the blame," Lotze
n interrupted. "I alone am guilty;proceed with the judgment."

  "What shall it be?" said Lady Helen to the Princess.

  Dehra shrugged her pretty shoulders and raised her hands expressively.

  "The only punishment that fits the crime is to deprive the Duke ofLotzen of all wine for the rest of the evening."

  It seemed to me the Duke winced.

  "Your Highness is severe," he said.

  She looked him straight in the eyes. "On the contrary, cousin, I amkind to put it so--and you know it."

  But Lotzen's equanimity was not to be disturbed. He smiled withengaging frankness.

  "The Queen can do no wrong," he said, and bowed over the table.

  Just then, Madeline Spencer arose and I breathed a sigh of relief--shewas going. The next instant I almost gasped. Instead of going, shecame swiftly toward us--passed the low bank of plants--and straight tome.

  I arose--all the men arose--and bowed stiffly. She hesitated andseemed a bit embarrassed--then, suddenly, held out her hand to me.

  "I am afraid, Armand," she said, "you are not glad to see me."

  Armand! Armand! Lord, what nerve! A rush of sharp anger almostchoked me, yet I tried to look at her only in calm interrogation.

  "I think, Mrs. Spencer," I said, just touching her hand, "almost everyman is glad to see a pretty woman."

  She gave me a look of surprise; then, threw up her head, disdainfully.

  "You called me 'Mrs. Spencer'?" she asked.

  I looked at her in surprise. "I was not aware you had changed yourname," I answered.

  She took a step backward. "You were not aware of what?" she exclaimed.

  "That you were no longer Mrs. Spencer," I said--a trifle curtly, maybe.I thought she was playing for a presentation to the Princess and I hadno intention of gratifying her, even if I had to be rude to herdeliberately.

  She passed her hand across her brow and stared at me incredulously. Iturned half aside and glanced around the table. Every face but threeshowed blank amazement. Of those three, the Princess's wore a tolerantsmile; Lotzen's a frown; but Courtney's was set in almost a sneer.And, at it, I marvelled. Later, I understood; he had, by some queerintuition, guessed what was to follow.

  When I came back to Mrs. Spencer her expression had changed. Theincredulous look was gone; bright anger flamed, instead.

  "Do you still persist, sir, that you do not know my rightful name?" shedemanded.

  From my previous acquaintance with the lady I knew she was workingherself into a passion; though, why, I could not imagine.

  "My dear Madame," I said, "why such pother over such a trifle? If yourname be, no longer, Madeline Spencer, tell me what it is. I shall beprofoundly glad to call you by it--or any name than Spencer," I added.

  She felt the thrust and her eyes answered it. Then, suddenly, sheturned and faced those at the table.

  "Your pardon," she said, speaking straight at Lord Radnor, "will youtell me if this man here"--waving her hand toward me--"is Major ArmandDalberg?"

  Lord Radnor bowed. "That gentleman is His Royal Highness the GrandDuke Armand of Valeria," he said.

  "Erstwhile, Major of Engineers in the American Army?" she asked.

  "I believe so, Madame," said his Lordship, stiffly.

  "Thank you," she said. "And now----"

  But I broke in. "Madame," I said sharply, "you have presumed beyondforbearance. Major Moore, will you escort the lady to her companions."

  Moore stepped forward and, bowing very low, offered his arm. Like aflash, her face changed and she met him with a smile.

  "Just a moment, if you please," she said, with softest accents. Then,with studied deliberation, she turned her back on me and swept thePrincess an elaborate courtesy.

  "Your Royal Highness may pardon my intrusion," she said, "when I tellyou that I am Armand Dalberg's wife---- Now, Major Moore, I am ready,"and she put her hand upon his arm.

  But Moore never moved. Instead, he looked at me for orders.

  Language is utterly inadequate to describe my feelings at that moment;so I shall not try. Imagination is better than words. I know I had analmost uncontrollable impulse for violence--and I fancy Courtney fearedit, for he stepped quickly over and put his hand on my shoulder.

  "Thank you, old man," I said. Then I looked at the Princess.

  She was leaning carelessly back in her chair, watching the Spencerwoman through half-closed eyes--a bright flush on each cheek and: afaint smile, half sneer, half amusement, on her lips. Suddenly shelooked at me, and the smile flashed out into such an one as she hadgiven me in the Royal Box.

  My heart gave a great bound--I knew she trusted me, still. I turned tothe woman in black.

  "Is it possible, Madame, that you claim to be my wife?" I asked.

  She dropped Moore's arm and took a step toward me--and, as I live,there were tears in her eyes.

  "What has changed you, Armand?" she asked. "Why do you flout me so?"

  I stared at her. "God help me, woman, you must be crazy!" I said.

  She put out her hand appealingly. "You don't mean that, dear, surely?"And, now, the tears were in her voice, too.

  "What I mean, Madame, is that you are either crazy or playing somegame," I answered curtly.

  She brushed aside the tears and gave me a look of almost heart-brokenappeal.

  "Why do you deny me, Armand?" she cried. "Have I grown ugly in thelast few months? Has the beauty you used to praise turned so soon toashes?"

  Unfortunately, for me, her beauty had not turned to ashes. She was, atthat very moment, the handsomest woman I had ever seen--save only thePrincess. The slender figure--the magnificent neck and shoulders--theroll upon roll of jet-black hair--the almost classic face--and all indistress and trouble.

  She was a picture, surely; and one that was making its impression;judging from the faces of Lord and Lady Radnor. I changed my manner.

  "My dear Mrs. Spencer," I said kindly, "no one may deny yourbeauty--and I, least of all. But I do deny that I am your husband.You are, evidently, ill, and laboring under some queer hallucination."

  She shook her head. "You know perfectly well, Armand, I am not ill norunder a delusion," she said, and looked me straight in the eyes.

  "Then, Madame, you are a wonderful--actress," I answered.

  Again the tears welled up, and one trickled slowly down her cheek. Sheturned quickly and made as though to go. But Courtney stayed her.

  "My dear Madame," he said, with that gracious courtesy of his, which Ihave never seen equalled by courtier of any Court, "may I ask you aquestion?"

  She inclined her head in answer and waited.

  "You have claimed a Royal Duke of Valeria as your husband, and he hasdenied the claim. It is a most serious matter. It was done in thepresence of many witnesses, and your words, or some of them, were,doubtless, overheard by those at nearby tables. The Capital will befull of the affair; and the results may be most unfortunate for you,and for His Highness. I am the American Ambassador; here is theAmbassador of His Majesty of England; and, yonder, is His RoyalHighness the Grand Duke Lotzen, Heir Presumptive to the ValerianThrone----"

  "Your speech is long, sir," she said; "please come to the question."

  Courtney bowed. "I was but trying to explain why I ventured to meddlein Madame's business," he said.

  She smiled wearily. "Your pardon, Monsieur; pray proceed."

  "The question I want to ask is this," said Courtney: "Will you not tellus when and where you became the wife of Armand Dalberg?"

  "Yes, Monsieur, and gladly--and I thank you for the thought. I wasmarried to Armand Dalberg--then a Major in the American Army--on thetwenty-first day of last December in the City of New York."

  (That was only two months before I had sailed for Valeria; and I hadbeen in New York that very day.)

  "And by whom, pray?" I exclaimed.

  "By the official you provided," was the curt reply. Then, to Courtney,she added: "I don't recall his name but
my certificate shows it, Isuppose."

  "And you have the certificate with you?" he asked.

  "It is somewhere among my luggage. If you care to see it I shall tryto find it to-morrow."

  "Thank you, Madame," Courtney answered.

  Then Lotzen took a hand.

  "Will Madame permit me, also, to ask her a question?" he said.

  "Certainly, Your Highness," she answered, and would have curtsied hadhe not waved her up.

  "Was the marriage secret?" he asked.

  The answer was instant: "It was private but not secret."

  "Then, why is it that Major Dalberg's record in the War office inWashington makes no mention of this marriage? I happen to know it doesnot."

  "I do not know," she answered, rather tartly. "It was not, I assume,my duty to report it."

  "And, further, Madame," Lotzen continued. "If Major Dalberg were luckyenough to marry you, why, in Heaven's name, should he deny you within afew short months?"

  "I might guess one of the reasons," she answered languidly--and let hereyes rest upon the Princess.

  And Dehra laughed in her face.

  Lotzen shrugged his shoulders and was silent.

  "Are there any more questions, Messieurs?" she asked.

  No one answered.

  "Then, with your permission, I will obey my husband's orders andwithdraw," she said mockingly. "Major Moore, your arm."

  When she was gone, Lotzen turned to me and held out his hand.

  "I'm with you, Armand," he said heartily. "She's no wife of yours,certificate to the contrary notwithstanding."

  I thanked him gratefully--the more so since it was so totallyunexpected. Then, without giving the others an opportunity to expresstheir opinion (they would, of course, have been constrained to agreewith the Heir Presumptive; all except the Princess, and, of her, I hadno doubt) and addressing, particularly, the Radnors, I said:

  "The supper is spoiled beyond repair, I fear, but I shall ask you to goon with it, for I wish to acquaint you with some facts in the life ofthe woman who claims me as her husband."

  "We are quite ready to accept Your Highness's simple denial," said LordRadnor.

  "I prefer you hear my story first," I answered.

  Then I told them, in detail, what I had only outlined to the Princess,concerning Madeline Spencer. When I had finished, Lord Radnor shookhis grey head gravely.

  "His Highness of Lotzen is quite right," he said. "You never marriedthat woman. Either she is a blackmailer or she is doing this in purerevenge. What's your notion, Courtney?"

  "The marriage story is, of course, a pure lie," said Courtney, "but,there, I quit. I never try to guess a woman's purpose--and a prettywoman's least of all."

  "God bless me, man!" Radnor exclaimed; "for a bachelor you are wondrouswise."

  "Maybe that's why he is a bachelor," said Lady Helen.

  "But even the wise get foolish at times," I said--and smiled at her.And she made a face at me behind her fan.

  Then the Princess arose and, taking Lord Radnor's arm, she led the waydown the garden. I came last with Lady Radnor. When we reached theexit Dehra insisted upon waiting until the Radnors and Courtney hadgone. She was, she said, helping me do the honors. Then, when her owncarriage was at the door, she turned to the Countess Giska.

  "His Highness will drive with me," she said. "Major Moore, will youescort the Countess?"

  "But, Dehra----" I protested.

  She was in the brougham, now.

  "You will not permit me to drive alone to the Palace," she said.

  "But, Dehra----" I began again.

  She reached over and took my hand.

  Still I hesitated.

  "Come, sweetheart," she said softly.

  I could resist no longer. I sprang in; the door slammed, and we werealone together.

  No, not alone, either. The Spencer woman was there with us--beforeus--all around us. "I am Armand Dalberg's wife" was pounding in mybrain.

  Then I felt a soft little hand slip into mine; a perfumed hair tresstouched my cheek; and the sweetest voice, to me, on earth whispered inmy ear.

  "Don't I get my kiss now?"

  I flung my arm about her and caught her close--then loosed her sharplyand drew back.

  "God help me, Dehra, I may not," I said.

  She laughed softly, and again she found my hand--and I felt her hairbrush my face--and her body rest against my shoulder.

  "Why, Armand?" she asked. "Why may you not kiss your betrothed?"

  "Because," said I, "because----"

  "Yes, dear, go on," she whispered.

  I drew my hand away from hers. "Did you not hear that woman claim meas her husband?" I said.

  But she only pressed the closer. I was in the very corner of thecarriage now; I could retreat no farther. And, maybe, I was glad. Ithink I was.

  "But that's no reason," she insisted. "You are not her husband."

  "You believe that, dear?" I cried.

  She put her arms about my neck and kissed me, almost fiercely, on thelips--then, suddenly, drew back and, with both hands pressed against mybreast, she viewed me at arm's length.

  "Believe it?" she said; "believe it? I never believed anything else."

  I took her hands and reverently touched them to my forehead--then, heldthem tight.

  "After all these years, God would not send you to me just to mock myprayers," she added.

  "But the certificate!" I objected.

  "A lie or a forgery," she said scornfully.

  I drew her head upon my shoulder. "Sweetheart," I whispered; "may Ikiss you, now?"

  She lifted her dear face and looked up into mine with glistening eyes,her lips half parted. My own eyes, too, were wet, I think.

  "Yes, Armand--now and always," she answered.

  And, so I held her, for a moment; then, bent and kissed her. And thatkiss is on my lips this instant, and will be until they numb in death.