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diff --git a/40945.txt b/40945.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 04def6b..0000000 --- a/40945.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,16373 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Shadow of the Czar, by John R. Carling - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: The Shadow of the Czar - -Author: John R. Carling - -Release Date: October 5, 2012 [EBook #40945] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SHADOW OF THE CZAR *** - - - - -Produced by Melissa McDaniel and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - - - -Transcriber's Note: - - Inconsistent hyphenation and spelling in the original document have - been preserved. Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. - - Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by =equal - signs=. - - - - -The Shadow of the Czar - - [Illustration: THE CORONATION DUEL. - _Frontispiece_] - - - - - The - Shadow of the Czar - - By - John R. Carling - - _Illustrated_ - - Boston - Little, Brown, and Company - 1903 - - - - - _Copyright, 1902_, - BY LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY. - - _All rights reserved._ - - - Published September, 1902 - - - UNIVERSITY PRESS . JOHN WILSON - AND SON . CAMBRIDGE, U.S.A. - - - - -Contents - - - PROLOGUE - - CHAPTER PAGE - - I. THE MEETING IN THE FOREST 1 - - II. THE CASTLE BY THE SEA 3 - - III. FEVER AND CONVALESCENCE 30 - - IV. THE SEALED CHAMBER 45 - - V. THE RETURN OF THE "MASTER" 60 - - - THE STORY - - I. TWO YEARS AFTERWARDS 78 - - II. CZERNOVESE POLITICS 92 - - III. A Menace from the Czar 110 - - IV. THE PRINCESS AND THE CARDINAL 122 - - V. ON THE RUSSIAN FRONTIER 136 - - VI. KATINA THE PATRIOT 149 - - VII. WHAT HAPPENED IN RUSSOGRAD 170 - - VIII. PAUL AND THE PRINCESS 186 - - IX. A DISPLAY OF SWORDSMANSHIP 200 - - X. THE DEED OF MICHAEL THE GUARDSMAN 215 - - XI. THE ENVOY OF THE CZAR 230 - - XII. THE POLISH CONSPIRACY 254 - - XIII. THE FATE OF THE APPROPRIATION - BILL 274 - - XIV. NEARING A CRISIS 300 - - XV. THE EVE OF THE CORONATION 326 - - XVI. THE CRIME THAT FAILED 343 - - XVII. THE BEGINNING OF THE CORONATION 361 - - XVIII. THE GREAT WHITE CZAR 377 - - XIX. THE CORONATION DUEL 395 - - XX. ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL 410 - - - - -THE SHADOW OF THE CZAR - -PROLOGUE - - - - -CHAPTER I - -THE MEETING IN THE FOREST - - -Paul Cressingham, captain in Her Britannic Majesty's army, had seen -some active service, and was therefore not unused to sleeping on the -ground at night wrapt in his military cloak. Nevertheless he had a -civilian weakness, if not for luxury, at least for comfort, and much -preferred a four-poster, whenever the same was procurable. - -At the time, however, when this story opens it seemed likely that if -he slept at all, his slumbers would have to be _a la belle etoile_, -for he found himself late at night wandering in a deep pine-forest of -Dalmatia. - -Paul's regiment--the Twenty-fourth Kentish--had its headquarters at -Corfu; for his were the days when the United States of the Ionian -Isles formed a dependency of the British Crown. His uncle, Colonel -Graysteel, was commander-in-chief of the forces stationed there,--a -fact which stood Paul in good, or possibly in bad, stead, for thereby -he was enabled to obtain more relaxation than is consonant with the -traditions of the War Office, his furloughs being extremely numerous, -and spent chiefly in exploring odd corners of the Adriatic. - -Colonel Graysteel growled occasionally at his nephew's negligences. -Having no children of his own, he had adopted Paul as his heir. On -parade there was no finer figure than Paul's,--tall, athletic, -soldierly. With hair of a golden shade and having a tendency to curl, -with soft hazel eyes that could look stern, however, at times, and -with graceful drooping moustache, he was first favorite with the -ladies of the English colony at Corfu, especially as his elegance in -waltzing was the despair of all his brother-officers. He was an -excellent shot, a deadly swordsman, a dashing rider, a youth of spirit -and bravery. To one of this character much must be forgiven, and the -old colonel forgave accordingly. - -Nevertheless when Paul one fine morning walked into his uncle's villa -at breakfast-time and requested furlough for no other reason than a -wish to explore the wilds of Dalmatia, there was a slight outbreak of -wrath on the part of the commander-in-chief. - -"Another leave of absence? I don't believe you've put in three months' -service this year." - -"Four months, five days," corrected the other amiably. - -"The Commissioner's beginning to notice your vagaries." - -"Hang the Commissioner," replied the young man, irreverently. "Let him -give me something worthy of doing, and I'll do it. Get up a war, say -against Austria or Turkey, the latter preferred; show me the enemy and -you'll find me to the fore. But this playing at soldiers; this -marching and counter-marching; this inspection of kit, and attendance -at parade,--I'm growing wearied of it. I'm rusting here,--I, whose -motto is 'Action.' Am I to remain for ever in these cursed malarial -isles, a mere drilling machine?" - -"The drillings pay when comes the day," retorted the colonel, so -surprised at this betrayal into rhyme that he repeated it. "And what's -this new craze of yours for Dalmatia? Wild outlandish place! Nobody -ever goes there." - -"Precisely my reason for visiting it," returned Paul, lunging with -his sabre-point at a mosquito that had just settled on a panel of the -wall. "Why go where everybody goes? My tastes run in the direction of -the odd, the romantic, the wild, the--anything that's opposed to the -common round of existence. I fancy I shall find it in Dalmatia." - -"You'll find yourself in the hands of banditti. That's where you'll -be. The mountains swarm with them. And I'm damned if I'll pay your -ransom," cried the colonel with returning wrath, as he recalled the -liberality and frequency with which Paul drew upon his purse. -"Remember the case of young Lennox, and the severed ear sent to his -father in an envelope. Ten thousand florins! That's what the old chap -had to pay to get his son out of the clutches of the infernal -scoundrels, and never a thaler has he been able to recover from the -Austrian Government. And now you would run yourself and me into a -similar noose!" - -"Banditti won't fix my ransom at so high a rate. Besides," added Paul, -critically contemplating the Damascene inlaying of his sabre, "they've -first got to take me." - -"Well, if they'll fix it at what you're worth," said his uncle, -grimly, "I shall not object to the payment." - -Ultimately Paul obtained the desired furlough by resorting to his -usual threat; he would sell his commission, buy a string of camels, -and spend the rest of his life in trying to discover the sources of -the Nile. - -Thus it came to pass that a few days after this interview young -Captain Cressingham embarked on board the Austrian Lloyd's steamer -_Metternich_, bound for Zara, the clean, well-built capital of -Dalmatia, directing his voyage to this city in order to renew old -memories with some former college-chums, who were about to pass their -summer holiday in its neighborhood. - -Finding that he had anticipated the arrival of his friends by a few -days, Paul resolved to spend the interval in taking a pedestrian tour -southward as far as Sebenico: and accordingly he set off, without -either companion or servant, and wearing his uniform, partly because -as a soldier he was proud of it, partly because experience had taught -him that in these eastern regions a uniform inspires respect in the -minds of innkeepers, if not in those of banditti. - -He passed the first night of this journey at a wayside hostelry. - -At sunrise he resumed his course, walking amid picturesque scenery--on -the right the sparkling sea, on the left glorious pine-clad mountains. - -Late in the afternoon Paul, who had followed the post-road, reached a -point where it entered a magnificent forest. As this wild-wood was -just the sort of place where banditti might be expected to lurk, -Paul's first impulse was to turn aside, and to take the more -circuitous way along the sea-beach. - -"You fear!" a secret voice seemed to whisper: and the reproach decided -his route. Not even in his own eyes would he be a coward. - -This choice of a road was but a small matter, one might think; yet it -was to form the turning-point of his life. - -He walked forward at a quick pace, and, with an eye to a challenge -from some outlaw of the forest, he kept his hand constantly upon the -butt of his revolver. - -He did not meet with a bandit, however, but with a bear--the first he -had ever seen in a wild, free state. - -The creature came shambling from the wood on one side of the road a -few yards in front of him, and there it stood, with its eyes fixed -upon the wayfarer, as if questioning the right of man to invade these -solitudes. - -"An adventure at last!" murmured Paul, tingling with excitement. -"_Ursus Styriacus_ from his size. Now to emulate Hereward the Wake." - -As previously stated Paul was an excellent shot, and inasmuch as his -revolver was six-chambered he had little fear as to the result of the -encounter. - -The killing of a bear is the easiest thing in the world, at least -according to the theory set forth by a hunter whom Paul had met the -previous evening at the hostelry. - -"If you fire at Bruin while he is on all-fours, you waste powder and -shot, for his tough shaggy sides are almost impervious to bullets. You -must face him at close quarters, and when he rises on his hind legs to -welcome you with that hug which is his characteristic, then is the -time to aim at the vital parts. If the shots fail to take effect, and -you find yourself in his embrace, you simply draw your knife, give the -necessary stab, and the thing is done." - -The plan seems beautifully simple. - -Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, Paul did not have the -opportunity of reducing the theory to practice; for, as he slowly -advanced, revolver in hand, and with his eye alert to every movement -of the bear, the latter ambled off again into the wood. - -Resolving to give chase, Paul turned aside from the road. He would -shoot that bear, bring back some fellows from the inn to flay the -animal, and present the skin to his uncle. - -But Colonel Graysteel was not destined to decorate his smoking-room -with a trophy of his nephew's valor, for though Paul followed hard -upon his quarry, its rate of progress surpassed his own. In a few -moments it had passed from view, and all the shouting and random -firing on the part of Paul failed to provoke the return of the animal. - -"Talk no more to me of the spirit of bears," he muttered, as he put up -his weapon. - -Paul turned to resume his journey in some vexation of spirit--a -feeling which did not diminish as he began to realize that he had lost -his bearings. All around him rose the lofty pines, obscuring his view -of the road from which he had been diverted by the chase of the bear. -There was nothing to indicate the way. He carried an ordnance-map of -the district, and the forest was marked large upon it, but he was -unable to tell what particular point of the map corresponded with his -own position at that moment. Moreover, he was without a compass; and, -to add to his difficulty, the sun had set. - -Seek as he would he could not find the road. Now and again he shouted -at the top of his voice, even at the risk of attracting the notice of -persons less friendly than charcoal-burners or wood-cutters, but his -cries met with no response. The silence and solitude of the leafy -vistas around were more suggestive of the primeval back-woods of the -New World than of an European forest. - -For several hours he walked, or rather stumbled along, in the -darkness, wandering this way or that, as blind fancy directed, and -haunted by the reflection that Bruin might return with one of his -_confreres_, eager to dine off a too venturesome tourist. - -He had given himself up as hopelessly lost, when he came to a spot -where the foliage above his head suddenly lifted, revealing a sky of -the darkest blue set with glittering stars. This sky extending in a -broad band far to the left and far to the right proclaimed the welcome -fact that he had hit upon the road again. - -He looked at his watch, and found that it was close upon midnight. -That infernal Bruin had delayed his journey by six hours. - -Even now he had no idea which way to turn for Sebenico, till his eyes, -roaming over as much of the sky as was contained within his circle of -vision, caught the sign of Ursa Major. - -"Poetic justice!" he smiled. "Misled by the earthly bear, guided by -the heavenly." Knowing that Sebenico lay to the south, he accordingly -set his face in that direction with intent, on reaching the first -milestone, to ascertain from his ordnance-map the position of the -nearest village or inn. - -He stepped forward briskly, and keeping a sharp lookout soon came upon -a milestone glimmering white upon one side of the road. Kneeling down -he struck a match--like the revolver, a recent invention in 1845--and -by the faint glow learned that he was thirty miles from Zara. - -Taking out his map, together with the "Tourist's Manual for Dalmatia," -he proceeded to make a study of both by the brief and unsatisfactory -illuminations afforded by a succession of lucifers. - -"After to-night," he muttered, "I shall always carry a small lantern -with me; likewise a compass." - -Now while Paul was kneeling there, intent upon book and map, he -received the greatest surprise of his life. - -"Which way does Zara lie?" - -The question was spoken in Italian--the common language of -Dalmatia--by a voice so soft and musical that the like had never been -heard by Paul. - -When he had risen to his feet he stood mute with astonishment, a -passage from "Christabel" floating through his mind,-- - - "I guess 't was frightful there to see - A lady so richly clad as she-- - Beautiful exceedingly!" - -For, in truth, it _was_ a lady that Paul saw standing before him at -midnight hour beneath the light of the stars in the depth of the -Dalmatian forest; and, like the lady of the poem, she was both richly -dressed and marvellously beautiful--lovely as the soft beauty of a -southern night; with raven hair, and dusky eyes that seemed the -mirrors of a sweet melancholy. She wore a long Dalmatian capote with -the hood drawn over her head. The capote being partly open revealed a -costume of the richest silk. Decorated with curious gold brocade, and -with a wealth of chain-work and gems, this dress, though it might have -been pronounced bizarre by the more sober taste of Western ladies, -harmonized in Paul's judgment with the wild oriental beauty of the -wearer. - -"Pardon me if I have startled you. Which way does Zara lie?" - -And the astounded Paul, usually full of assurance in the presence of -women, could do nothing on the present occasion but simply stammer -forth, while pointing to the north,-- - -"That is the road to Zara." - -"I thank you, signor." - -With a stately inclination of her head she drew her capote more -closely around her, and walked away in the direction indicated by Paul -as quietly and confidently as if the lonely forest-road were the -Boulevard des Italiens, and the distant Zara a pretty toy-shop a few -yards ahead! - -Different people, different customs. Was it the habit of young -Dalmatian women to take solitary midnight walks through bear-haunted -forests? - -Recovering from his surprise Paul hastened after her. - -"Signorina, you cannot walk alone to Zara." - -"And why cannot I walk alone to Zara?" said the young lady, facing -Paul and assuming a hauteur that had a somewhat chilling effect upon -his gallantry. - -"Perils beset you--banditti, for example." - -"With native Dalmatians the person of a woman is held sacred. No one, -not even a robber, will do me hurt." - -Subsequent inquiry on the part of Paul proved that the lady had spoken -correctly. Indeed he learned that if a stranger travelling in this -region were to place himself under the escort of a woman, he would be -free from molestation. - -This high standard of chivalry, curious among a people otherwise -barbarous, explained the lady's confidence and fearlessness in -approaching him. - -"But, signorina," remonstrated Paul, "the way is so long. Zara is -thirty miles off. And you would walk that distance on foot! Consider -the fatigue." - -"I can sit and rest, and when tired can sleep for a time on the ground -as I did last night. I _must_ reach Zara," she added, with a shiver as -of fear. - -Her dress of jewels gave proof of her wealth, her voice and manner of -refinement. It was amazing, then, to hear her talk of sleeping _al -fresco_ on the turf like a gipsy or a soldier. - -"I thank you, signor, but I do not require an escort." So saying she -walked away again with the dignity of a princess, while Paul in his -bewilderment gazed after her retreating figure. - -"Here's a mystery, forsooth! Who is she? What is she? What lovely -eyes! And what a witching face! Now how should a fellow act in a case -like this? Ought I not to follow her?" - -Paul had no wish to force his protection upon a young woman averse to -it, but the circumstances seemed to justify him in exercising some -sort of surveillance over her, for though the Dalmatians might be such -paladins as she had represented, there were dangers other than those -arising from the malevolence of human beings--bears, for example. If -harm should befall her, then his would be the blame for permitting her -to go on her way alone. But as she was opposed to his presence he -shrank from walking by her side. She might insist upon his retiring, -and refusal or obedience would be equally distasteful to him. His -course was clear; the protection must be exercised from a distance, -and without her knowledge. - -Accordingly he followed in the wake of the young woman, screening -himself from a possible backward glance on her part by keeping within -the covert of the trees that skirted the roadside, and stepping out -from time to time to note her progress. - -Her slow and halting pace gave clear indication that she was worn with -travelling, and half-an-hour had not passed when Paul observed her -swaying to one side as if about to fall. Too tired to proceed farther, -she turned to a grassy mound beside the road and sat down, resting her -brow upon her hand, the very picture of languor and despondency. - -The sight of her helplessness moved Paul strangely. No longer -concealing himself, he walked boldly forward in the centre of the road -that she might observe his coming. - -"Signor, you are following me," she said, with a touch of reproach in -her voice. - -"I plead guilty." - -"Wishing to protect me from imaginary perils?" - -"Imaginary! You may be safe from men, but have you made a truce with -the beasts? A huge bear crossed this road a few hours ago." - -The lady gave a start of fear. Paul saw his advantage and pursued it. - -"Signorina, I am an Englishman--a military officer, as you see," he -remarked, putting aside his cloak and revealing his handsome uniform -of dark blue adorned with silver facings. "I do not ask who or whence -you are; but whether you be princess or peasant, I cannot let you go -on your way alone and unprotected." - -She did not reply, and Paul continued in a somewhat firmer tone,-- - -"You do wrong to repel me. You are too exhausted to walk farther -without aid." - -"You speak the truth," she murmured. "I am faint. I have eaten nothing -for twelve hours." - -Her tone went to Paul's heart, the more so as he had nothing to offer -her in the shape of food, for he had long ago consumed his last -morsel. - -"You must think it strange," said the lady, after a brief pause, "for -a woman to be wandering in this hour in such a spot." - -"I do not press for confidences--only for permission to conduct you to -a place of safety." - -"But learn the risk you run by so doing. It was not from churlishness -that I refused your escort just now. Signor, I will be frank with you, -believing that you will not betray me. I have escaped from a convent, -where I was forcibly detained, and I fear pursuit by the Austrian -gendarmerie. Hence, by aiding me, you may come into collision with the -authorities. Why should I bring trouble upon you? Now you understand -my desire for Zara. I hope to find there some English vessel. Once -beneath its flag I shall be safe." - -"You fear pursuit? Then you require an arm for your defence. So long -as I can handle sword and pistol no one shall carry you off against -your will. Signorina, you must come with me." - -"And where would you take me?" she asked in a tone that showed she was -yielding. - -"Not far from here, according to my guide-book, is a path leading down -to the sea. On the shore, which is distant about a mile, stands a -building, old but tenanted, and called Castel Nuovo. This is the -nearest human habitation," continued Paul. "Before meeting you I had -intended to try my fortune there. Now, suppose we go together? As the -Dalmatians are such respecters of women they will not refuse you -hospitality. Rest at this castle for the night, and to-morrow you -shall find an easier way of reaching Zara than journeying thither on -foot." - -The young lady was not long in coming to a decision. A roof, food, and -a bed, and these distant but a mile, offered a more attractive -prospect than supperless repose on the dank turf of the dark -bear-haunted wild-wood. She rose to her feet, looked intently at Paul, -and read in his clear eyes the glance of a good conscience. - -"Take me with you," she said, with the simplicity of a child. - -Paul bowed, and offered his arm, which she accepted. The touch of her -little hand thrilled him with a strange pleasure. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -THE CASTLE BY THE SEA - - -Walking onward a few paces they came to the path mentioned in the -guide-book. - -Few words were spoken, for Paul, knowing that his fair companion was -tired, famished, and sleepy, purposely refrained from conversation. - -Once, however, the silence was broken, when the lady timidly ventured -to ask his name, which being given, he in turn requested the like -favor from her. - -"I have been taught to call myself Barbara," was her answer, which -Paul could not but think was a somewhat odd way of expressing herself. - -Barbara! If he had not thought it a pretty name before, he certainly -thought it such now. - -"And Barbara," he murmured, more to himself than to his companion, -"means 'strange.'" - -"I fear you will find my character correspondent." - -"But you have a second name?" smiled Paul. - -"Presumably, but I am in ignorance respecting it, for my parentage is -unknown to me. Indeed, signor, it is true," she added sadly. "I am a -mystery to myself." - -Her statement filled Paul with wonder, but though desirous of learning -her history he recognized that the time was scarcely yet ripe to press -for confidences. - -The path traversed by them formed a gradual descent, in parts so steep -that Barbara would often have slipped but for Paul's strong arm. The -murmur of the sea was now heard; a faint breeze blew coldly; finally -emerging from the wood, they found themselves on an open grassy space -shelving down to the beach. - -There, distant about a hundred yards, stood the building that they -sought--Castel Nuovo. - -The retention of the epithet "Nuovo" was perhaps intended as a joke on -the part of the Dalmatians. Like the rest of earthly things the castle -must once have been new, but that once, judging by appearances, was a -long time ago. The greater part of the edifice was in ruins, the stars -glimmering through the vacant window spaces and through the gaps that -yawned in the ivy-mantled walls. - -A massive, square built tower perched on a rock that overhung the sea, -seemed the portion likeliest to be tenanted, if tenanted at all, for -signs of human presence were wanting. Neither light nor sound came -from it. - -Silent and ghostly in the cold starlight rose the gray tower, the sea -splashing with melancholy murmur at the foot of the crag. - -The brief notice contained in the guide-book--"Castel Nuovo, an old -mansion, residence of the Marquis Orsino"--did not suggest a place -like this, a place seeming to be desolated by the curse of some past -tragedy; and as Paul contemplated the scene, a feeling of misgiving -stole over him,--a misgiving which found reflection in Barbara's face. - -Seating his companion upon a fallen column, Paul went forward to -reconnoitre. Crossing the grass-grown pavement of what had once been a -stately loggia, he mounted the mossy fractured steps leading to the -door of the tower. On the lintel was sculptured, "Marino Faliero, -1348"--proof that the castle dated from the days when the Venetians -held sway in Dalmatia. - -No sooner had Paul rapped upon the massive oaken door than a terrible -din arose from within. His summons had startled into wakefulness a -menagerie of dogs, and these, judging by their deep bass, brutes of -the largest size. - -A casement high above the portal opened immediately, and an old man's -voice cried,-- - -"Is that you, Master?" - -The question was spoken in Romaic, a language with which Paul had -become familiar by reason of his residence in Corfu. - -He directed his eyes upward, but the speaker was invisible. Familiar -perhaps with the attacks of banditti, he was too cautious to expose -his person as a target for a pistol-shot. - -Stepping back, the better to be heard, and speaking in Romaic, the -better to be understood, Paul explained his object in knocking, -withholding the fact, however, that the lady with him had escaped from -a convent, lest it should dispose the old man to decline so dangerous -a fugitive. - -"You cannot stay here," was the answer, when Paul had finished -speaking. - -"I will pay you, and that handsomely, for the trouble we give." - -"It's not a question of money. This house is not mine, and I cannot -open it to whom I will. I have received strict orders from the Master -to admit no one during his absence. If he should return and find me -entertaining strangers, I should suffer." - -"Your master, whoever he may be, never meant that you should turn away -at midnight a young lady exhausted by a twelve hours' wandering in the -forest without food. I ask not for myself, but for her. It is but for -a single night." - -"A single hour would be too long." - -Paul stood dismayed by the old man's churlishness. He pictured -Barbara's look of distress on announcing that he had brought her on a -bootless errand. - -"You a Greek," he cried, "to refuse hospitality to an Englishman, -whose uncle fought for Greece--" - -This appeal wrought a remarkable change in the old man. - -"What do you say you are?" - -"An Englishman, nephew of Colonel Graysteel, commandant of the British -forces at Corfu, and--" - -"An Englishman! Why the devil didn't you say so before? I took you for -a damned Austrian. And you are the nephew of old 'Fighting Graysteel'? -I was with him at Missolonghi. Wait. I'll be down in a moment. Hi, -Jacintha, Jacintha," he added, addressing some one within. "Get up, or -I'll throw something at your head." - -The old man withdrew from the casement, and Paul concluded that he was -coming downstairs, for the baying of the dogs gradually ceased; there -were sounds suggestive of the idea that he was kicking them into some -place of safety. - -"Jacintha?" thought Paul. "The old fellow's wife, daughter, or -servant? Whoever she may be, I am glad for the young lady's sake that -a woman lives here." - -Footsteps were now audible in the passage. A little panel in the upper -part of the door slid aside revealing an iron grating, behind which -appeared a man's face set in a square of light. - -"No tricks with me. Now, mylordos, if you are what you say you are, -speak to me in English, for though I don't talk the language myself I -understand it when spoken by others." - -"Open the door, and give me some supper--" began Paul. - -"Ah! you're an Englishman, all over," interrupted the other with a dry -chuckle. "The first thing he thinks of is his belly." - -And the inmate, apparently satisfied with this credential of -nationality, swung open the great iron-studded door and revealed -himself. - -He was a little man, and though past seventy years of age, his form -had lost little of the elasticity and strength of youth. His thin -curved nose was extremely suggestive of the beak of an eagle, a -resemblance increased by his bright piercing eyes. His hair was white -and flowing, and his moustaches were of such a length that he had tied -them together at the back of his head. - -His attire was gorgeous in the extreme, and he was evidently very -proud of the fact. He wore an open jacket that was a perfect marvel of -silk, velvet, and rows of silver buttons; a white fustanella or kilt -glittering with embroidery of gold; and gaiters and slippers rich with -the same decoration. Altogether he was one of the strangest creatures -that Paul had ever beheld. - -In one hand he carried a yataghan, and in the other a lighted lamp, -and he bowed low with theatrical grace. - -"Since you are an Englishman, enter. Welcome, ten thousand welcomes," -he cried, waving his sparkling yataghan around, as if inviting Paul to -take entire possession of the castle. "Every Englishman is my brother, -for did not your countrymen fight for the liberation of Greece? Can we -ever forget Navarino? You see before you the friend, the -companion-in-arms of General Church and Lord Cochrane. You must have -heard your uncle talk of me,--Lambro the Turcophage, with whose name -Ottoman mothers still frighten their children, by telling them how -Lambro, whenever food ran short in the camp, never hesitated to roast -and eat his Turkish prisoners. Ah!" Like a ghoul he smacked his lips -at the memory of those repasts. "Yes, to me, and to men like me, -Greece owes the freedom that she now enjoys. I should be great to-day, -and hold high office under King Otho: but what am I? What you see. The -custodian of an old ruin. This is national gratitude, mylordos. It is -thus that Hellas rewards those who have shed their blood for her." - -Paul immediately recognized in the speaker one of the class called -Palicars, men who had fought for the independence of Greece in the -twenties; in their youth half soldiers and half brigands, but always -full of patriotism and bold as lions against the Turk; in old age too -often apt to be garrulous, boastful, vain. - -Muttering some words of gratitude for the proffered hospitality, Paul -immediately flew off for Barbara, whom he found asleep. In a state of -weariness she had rested her arm on a stone balustrade, pillowed her -cheek on her sleeve, and without intending it had fallen asleep in -that attitude. - -"Fie, signorina," said Paul with chiding smile, as he gently roused -her. "Sleeping in the open air! Do you court malaria? Come, there is -better rest for you in yon tower, where you will not be the only lady. -Our host is a somewhat queer character, but--'any port in a storm,' as -our English proverb has it." - -He assisted her to rise, and helped her across the dilapidated loggia, -and up the steps to the entrance of the hall where Lambro stood -waiting to receive them. - -But no sooner had the old Palicar obtained a clear view of Barbara -than his eyes almost started from their sockets. His shaking hand -dropped the lamp, and the hall was plunged into sudden darkness. With -the ejaculation of "Kyrie eleison" the warrior, who was wont to boast -that he had fought in a hundred battles, fled at the sight of a young -maiden's face. - -At the end of the corridor he recovered himself, and shouted, -"Jacintha, Jacintha, come down." - -"What is the matter?" said a voice at his elbow. - -"Matter enough," replied Lambro, grasping the woman's shoulders and -whispering in her ear. "The dead have returned to life. Walk to the -door, pick up the lamp, re-light it, and look at the lady that the -Englishman has brought with him." - -Jacintha did as bidden. The lamp, re-kindled, showed her as a little -fair-haired woman of subdued demeanor, her face retaining traces of -former good looks. - -She cast one glance at Barbara, and immediately gave a strange gasp. - -"In God's name," she murmured, "who are you?" - -"A hard question," returned Barbara, with a touch of bitterness in her -voice, "seeing that I myself cannot answer it." - -This reply seemed to enhance Jacintha's fear. She stood mutely staring -at Barbara, who began to feel something of resentment at the woman's -strange manner. - -"I will depart if you wish it," she said, turning away with quiet -dignity, though her heart sank within her at the thought of passing -the night out of doors. - -"Oh! no, no. Pardon me, my lady, if I seem rude," replied Jacintha, -assuming an humble manner, and stepping forward as if to intercept -Barbara's departure. "Do not go. We shall be glad if you will stay. -Stay here as long as you will--at least--that is--till--till--" - -"Till the Master returns," chimed in Lambro, "and then--well, it's his -rule to have no strangers here." - -He had apparently plucked up his courage, for he had come forward to -the entrance again, where he and Jacintha stood staring curiously, -first at Barbara, then at each other. - -"You seem to know me," said Barbara, "though I do not think that you -can ever have seen me before to-night." - -Receiving no reply, she glanced at Paul as if seeking an explanation -from him, who had none to give, for he was as much perplexed as -Barbara herself to account for the singular behavior of this couple. - -"At first sight of you," began Lambro, "we thought--But no matter what -we thought; we see now we were wrong."--He cast at the woman a glance -which Paul interpreted as a warning for her to be reticent, and -continued: "Now, Jacintha, show our guests the way upstairs. The -nephew of the man who fought for Greece shall have no cause to -complain of our hospitality." - -"A queer couple," whispered Paul to Barbara, "but trustworthy, I -believe. I think you will be safe here." - -Barbara, almost ready to sink to the ground with fatigue, had no other -course than to accept the shelter of Castel Nuovo, however strange her -entertainers; and accordingly still resting upon Paul's arm, she -followed Jacintha up the staircase, while Lambro, having locked the -door, brought up the rear. - -"Your wife?" Paul asked of him and referring to Jacintha. - -"She answers the purpose," replied Lambro. "We've done without a -priest so far. She's mine because I bought her. Five hundred beshliks -she cost me in the slave-mart of Janina. A deal of money, a great deal -of money," continued the old fellow, wincing as if he had had a tooth -drawn. "I'm doubtful whether I've had the value of it. I could have -bought a lovely young Circassian at the price. But since she was -warranted to be a splendid nurse and an excellent cook, I took her as -a helpmeet for my old age." - -Paul trusted that Barbara did not understand Romaic, for the old -Palicar's society was not exactly of the sort that a matronly duenna -would have chosen as suitable for a young maiden. - -The interior of Castel Nuovo formed a pleasant and striking contrast -with its dilapidated exterior. The apartment to which the visitors -were conducted was stamped with an air of wealth and dignity,--lofty, -composed of dark oak, and furnished with stained-glass casements, -blazoned in their centre with the Winged Lion of St. Mark. The roof -was richly fretted; the pictures painted on the panelling of the walls -were in a fine state of preservation. On the wide tesselated hearth -beneath a beautifully carved mantelpiece were pine logs disposed as -for a fire. To these Jacintha applied a match, and soon a blaze sprang -up, so bright as to render any other light superfluous. - -"The Master's dining-hall," remarked Lambro. - -"Let me help you, my lady," said Jacintha, observing Barbara -embarrassed with the fastenings of her capote. - -She assisted in untying the hood, and having removed the cloak, seated -Barbara in a comfortable arm-chair by the fire. - -Despite the Romaic costume worn by Jacintha, and the golden coins -twisted in her hair, Paul had no difficulty in fixing her nationality. - -"You are an Englishwoman?" he said, with a smile. - -"Yes, sir, I am," was her reply, accompanied by a submissive little -curtsey. - -A few words on her part sufficed to give her history. Nurse in the -service of an English doctor at Constantinople, she had, when -returning home, been captured by Turkish pirates, and carried to -Janina for sale, where she was purchased by Lambro, and brought to -Castel Nuovo. Paul's ears tingled at the thought of an Englishwoman -being sold in an Albanian slave-mart. He wondered whether she knew -that she was now living in a free country. Her real name was Winifred -Power, but Lambro would persist in calling her Jacintha. - -It so happened that Paul was well acquainted with her native town, -inasmuch as his school-days had been passed in its neighborhood. His -allusions to places with which both were familiar drew tears to the -woman's eyes. - -"Ah! do not talk of home," she said. "Every week I can see from the -windows here the steamer from Trieste on its way to England; a few -days' sail only, and yet as impossible for me to reach as the stars." - -"You're better off here," growled the old Greek. "I bought you, and by -God I'll keep you. You are not to leave me till I--I--die--" He -winced as if not liking the prospect presented by the last word.--"You -have promised as much. I have treated you better than any Turk would. -You live in a castle with fine dresses and plenty to eat and drink; -and when I'm a--gone you'll have my savings, and can then go back to -England. What more do you want?" - -"Shall I be permitted to leave here after your death?" asked Jacintha, -darting a strange look upon Lambro, who frowned, and said,-- - -"Who is to prevent you? What nonsense you talk! Why don't you ask our -guests what they'll have for supper?" - -"What would my lady like?" inquired Jacintha turning to Barbara, and -enumerating the contents of her larder. - -"You are very good," smiled Barbara. "Anything will do for me." - -"Except, of course, roast Turk," said Paul, turning to Lambro. "We -must draw the line at that." - -The Turcophage grinned and withdrew in company with Jacintha; and as -they called no servant to their aid, Paul concluded, and rightly, that -these two were the sole tenants of the castle. - -Paul had now a better opportunity than heretofore for observing his -fair companion as she sat by the hearth, the bright firelight playing -over her silken attire with its shimmer of chain-work and jewels. Her -figure was beautifully shaped; her features were of pure, classic -type, as clear and delicate as if sculptured from alabaster. There was -something peculiarly noble in the pose of her head, which disposed -Paul to the belief that when the mystery of her origin became solved, -it would be found that she was of high birth. - -She had spread out her hands to the fire, and with her face upturned -to Paul, she said with charming _naivete_,-- - -"I am so glad that you insisted upon me accompanying you, for this is -certainly more cheerful than the dark forest." - -The light of gratitude sparkling in her soft dusky eyes completely -captivated Paul. He began to think that it would be a pleasant thing -if she would always smile so upon him, and upon none other. - -"Our new friends," he remarked, "are evidently expecting visitors, and -those--two in number--to judge from the cutlery." He pointed to the -dining-table and its snowy cloth set with Majolica-ware, cut-glass, -and silver. "The Master and his wife I presume. Unpleasant for us if -they should arrive to-night, and should object to the proceedings of -their hospitable seneschal." - -Lambro and his partner now entered, bringing in a repast. - -Barbara and Paul drew to the table. The humble Jacintha acted as -waitress and seemed to take pleasure in the office. - -Though Barbara ate but sparingly, her companion amply atoned for any -deficiencies on her part; and when Lambro, going down to the castle -cellar, returned with a bottle of delicious maraschino, and a box -containing cigars of ambrosial flavor, Paul's satisfaction was -complete. - -Lambro having called for his chibouque, perched himself upon a chair -and sat cross-legged upon it in oriental fashion, while Jacintha at -his command took a live coal from the fire by aid of the tongs, and -applied it to the bowl of his pipe. Then the old Palicar puffed away -in placid contentment while Jacintha went off to prepare a room for -Barbara. - -"Those cigars," Lambro presently remarked, addressing Paul, "have -never paid Austrian duty. Whence do I procure them? From the sea,--my -constant friend. A toast, a toast," he cried, raising his glass of -maraschino. "Here's to the storm-fiend, and may he never cease to -send us rich flotsam and jetsam. The dress I wear," he added, patting -his gay costume with pride, "comes from the body of a drowned -compatriot. If the signorina requires a new dress we can supply her -with one as rich as that she now has. No, I am not a wrecker," he -continued, as if in answer to Paul's suspicions. "I simply take the -gifts the waves send me, and they send them pretty frequently on this -wild rocky coast. Sometimes it is a Turkish vessel that goes to pieces -on the reef out yonder," he went on, nodding in the direction of the -sea. "Jacintha and I can hear their cries, but we are unable to help -them. I would not help them if I could," he exclaimed with a fierce -flash of energy, and taking the pipe from his mouth. "Are not the -Turks the enemies of Greece? When I hear their shrieks rising above -the sound of the storm--A-a-h!" He finished the sentence with a smack -of his lips. - -It would be impossible to imagine any being more weird than this -little Greek, as he sat there cross-legged, tricked out in the finery -of the dead, his eye glittering wildly, and his moustaches tied at the -back of his head. - -Paul deemed it advisable on Barbara's account to give a different turn -to the conversation. - -"This must have been a grand old castle when entire," he said. "The -property, is it not, of the Italian Marquis Orsino?" - -"Not so," replied Lambro, with a shake of his head. "The marquis sold -it seven years ago to my present Master--" - -"My guide-book is evidently not up to date." - -"Though," added Lambro, "the sale was kept a secret." - -"Why so?" - -"All the Master's ways are secret." - -"May one ask his name?" - -"He has forbidden me to reveal it." - -Paul, though conscious that he was treading on delicate ground, could -not repress his further curiosity. - -"Where does he live when not here?" - -"He has never told me." - -"What is his nationality?" - -"That is equally a mystery to me." - -Paul's interest in the Master increased, and as Lambro did not seem to -resent his questioning, he continued,-- - -"How often does he visit this place?" - -"It may be once only in the year, it may be twice or thrice." - -"I gather from your first words when I knocked at the door, and also -from the previous state of this table, that you are expecting him at -the present time?" - -"Expecting him!" echoed Lambro. "I am always expecting him. He never -gives warning of his coming, either by letter or messenger. A loud -knock of the door, and there he is! He may arrive to-night, he may not -arrive for six months. But present or absent the larder must always be -full, and the dining-room and the bedroom ready for his immediate -reception. A hard man is the Master." - -"And how long do his visits last?" - -"That depends upon the mood of his companion." - -"His companion? Do you mean his wife?" - -"His wife?" repeated Lambro, with a peculiar laugh. "The Master is a -bachelor and will always remain such. He is a member of a peculiar -brotherhood pledged to the repudiation of women." - -"What is the object of his visits?" - -But Lambro was not disposed to be more communicative. - -"Captain Cressingham," he said with a deprecatory shake of his head, -"you must not ask me to betray my Master's secrets." - -Paul accepted the rebuke with a good grace. - -"You speak truth. I have no right to pry into his affairs. I -apologize." - -Secrecy is always suspicious. Lambro's reticence served but to whet -Paul's curiosity. A weird interest began to gather around the unknown -owner of Castel Nuovo, who was so studious of concealing his identity, -who without previous warning came and vanished at irregular intervals -on errands that necessitated a reserve in speaking of them. - -At this point Jacintha reappeared carrying a lighted lamp. - -"Would my lady like to retire now?" - -Yes, my lady would, and arose for that purpose. Paul held the door as -she passed forth. - -"Good night, signorina." - -She returned the valediction, accompanying it with a graceful -inclination of her head, and a grateful smile that said as plainly as -words could say, "But for you I should now be without bed." - -The room to which Jacintha conducted Barbara was intended as a lady's -bedchamber, as the toilet accessories sufficiently proved. A princess -could not have found fault with its dainty tasteful appointments. And, -surprising to relate, not a particle of dust was visible anywhere; the -place was clean, swept, and garnished as if prepared that very day for -the reception of a visitor. - -"You are not giving up your own room to me, I hope?" said Barbara. - -"Oh, no, my lady. I do not sleep here." - -Barbara stared hard at the speaker. Seeing that the "Master," -according to Lambro's statement, was a foe to womankind, it was -singular, to say the least of it, that Castel Nuovo should contain a -chamber of this description. - -Tired as Barbara was, her curiosity would not let her rest, and she -wandered about the room asking a variety of questions. Had this been a -bridal-chamber, or a death-chamber, or both? Had the mysterious -"Master," mourning the loss of a wife or a daughter, given command -that this apartment should be attended to every day, preserved in the -same order as that in which it was when last occupied? Barbara could -extract nothing from the reticent Jacintha, who seemed troubled by her -visitor's catechism. - -In her course round the apartment Barbara's quick eyes detected a -circular piece of violet-colored sealing-wax adhering to one of the -walls. She inquired how it came there, but Jacintha professed -ignorance. Attracted by an indefinable feeling, Barbara asked that the -lamp might be brought near. The wax was situated at a point just where -a horizontal band of carving that formed the upper border of a panel -touched upon the smooth plain oak above. A closer inspection showed -that the wax bore the image of a paschal lamb,--an image, tiny indeed, -yet perfectly clear. The wax had been stamped with a seal. Why? -Children might perhaps find pleasure in fixing a piece of wax upon a -wall and in stamping it with a seal, but as there were no children at -Castel Nuovo this explanation would not suffice. If it were the work -of adults what was its purport? Jacintha averred that it was not her -doing; she could not say whose it was or assign any reason for its -origin. - -"Can you not put me in another room?" - -"The other rooms are somewhat damp. Why, my lady, what do you fear?" -she asked in reproachful surprise. - -A hard question. It was impossible to link this piece of wax with any -harm to herself, so Barbara turned away. The dainty little bed invited -her to repose. Why trouble further? - -When at last Barbara with a delicious sense of relief had slipped her -tired and aching limbs beneath the sheets, Jacintha brought to the -bedside a glass containing a dark-colored liquid. - -"Only quinine, my lady." - -In a moment Barbara was sitting up in manifest fear, her eyes large -and ghost-like. - -"You don't think I have caught malaria?" - -"It is best to take precautions," replied Jacintha, evasively. - -"Fever? I have been dreading that," exclaimed Barbara, clasping her -hands. "And I must be at Zara to-morrow. If I linger here I shall be -caught by--Give me the quinine; give me double, treble the ordinary -draught, if it will act as an antidote." - -Barbara, after taking the potion, fell asleep almost immediately, and -Jacintha returned to the dining-hall, where in answer to her eager -questioning Paul gave an account of the meeting in the forest and -related all he knew concerning Barbara, which, in truth, was not very -much. - -"And now tell me, Jacintha," he said, when he had finished, "why did -you start so on first seeing the signorina?" - -Jacintha seemed absolutely terror-stricken at this question. The old -Palicar who had been drinking somewhat freely of the maraschino turned -upon his consort with a fierce frown, drew his yataghan and shook it -furiously at her. - -"If ever you let that matter out--you know what I mean--by God, I'll -cut your throat. Be off, woman! Go to bed; and remember what I say." - -And Jacintha, who evidently stood thoroughly in awe of the fiery -little Greek, withdrew without a word. - -"Captain Cressingham," continued Lambro in a quieter tone, "you may -believe me or not, as you will, but it is a fact that Jacintha and -myself have never seen the signorina till to-night." - -"Nor her portrait?" - -"Nor her portrait." - -Something in his manner convinced Paul that the old Palicar was -speaking the truth, which only made the matter more perplexing. -Despite the repudiation there was evidently some mystery connected -with Barbara, a mystery known to Lambro and his consort. Paul -intuitively felt that the Palicar's reticence could never be overcome, -but he was not without hope of extracting the secret from Jacintha if -he should have an opportunity of speaking with her alone. - -"Paul Cressingham," he murmured, when he found himself left in the -dining-hall for the night, "you came to Dalmatia in quest of the -strange, the romantic, the wild. I am beginning to think you have -found them." He drew his chair to the fire, composed himself for -sleep, and dreamed of Barbara till morning gleamed through the -casement. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -FEVER AND CONVALESCENCE - - -Of the four occupants of Castel Nuovo the first to awaken in the -morning was Jacintha, who, after dressing, proceeded immediately to -Barbara's room. Having tapped at the door, first softly, then loudly, -and receiving no answer, she ventured to enter. - -Barbara was awake, and talking to herself in a very odd manner. - -She took no notice of the approach of Jacintha, and the latter -perceived at once that her forebodings were realized. - -Barbara, her dark hair lying in disorder on her pillow, a bright color -burning in her cheek, the light of reason quenched in her eye, was in -a high state of fever. She was not speaking in Italian, the language -used by her the previous evening, but in another tongue altogether -strange to Jacintha. - -The latter returned quickly to her own room to make it known to -Lambro, who had just struggled into his finery. - -"What else could be expected after sleeping at night in a damp -forest?" was his comment. "Fever! and she in that very chamber, too! -By God, if the Master should return and find her there!" - -"Come and listen to her. She is talking in a strange language: she -looks at me with piteous eyes as if making some request. Perhaps you -can understand her." - -The old Palicar followed her to Barbara's chamber. His roving life in -the Balkan Peninsula had given him a knowledge, more or less -imperfect, of all the languages spoken from the Danube to Maina, but -he failed to identify the speech of Barbara with any one of these. - -"It's not Romaic, nor Turkish, nor Albanian, nor--" - -"Listen!" said Jacintha, in a startled voice. - -Amid the plaintive flow of unintelligible sound there came at -irregular intervals a recurrence of the same three syllables. - -"_Rav-en-na!_" murmured Jacintha with white lips. - -"She's thinking of Ravenna on the other side of the sea," said Lambro, -indicating the direction with his hand. "Wishes to go there perhaps." - -"No, no. Have you forgotten? Ravenna! That's what the last one said -when she raved. 'O Ravenna, what have you done?' were her words." - -Lambro stared dubiously at Jacintha. Then the eyes of both turned -simultaneously to the violet sealing-wax on the wall, as if that had -some connection with the name. - -"I don't like this," muttered the old Palicar, turning away uneasily. -"There's something eerie about it. How has the signorina got hold of -that name?" - -Leaving Jacintha there he proceeded with subdued mien to the -dining-hall, and aroused Paul from slumber with the question,-- - -"Have you ever had the malaria?" - -"Can any one live in your cursed Greek climate, and not take it?" said -Paul, somewhat resenting the rough shaking he had received. - -"Then you run no risk of taking it again by staying here." - -Paul was wide awake now, and sprang instantly to his feet. - -"You mean that the signorina has caught the fever?" - -"That is so. She'll not see Zara for some weeks--if indeed at all. You -have done a nice thing for me, Captain Cressingham, for she cannot be -removed now. And what will the Master say if he should return and find -a fever-stricken person in his house? His was wise advice, after all. -'Admit no strangers in my absence, Lambro.' I have broken his orders, -and this is the result." - -It may have been selfish on the part of Paul, but his thoughts were -too much set on Barbara to permit of commiseration for Lambro's -position. Never had he been attracted by any maiden as he had been by -Barbara, and now to learn that she was in a dangerous fever filled him -with a feeling akin to horror. - -"Where does the nearest doctor live? I must fetch him at once." - -"She's a dead woman if you do. Leave her to Jacintha, and she may -recover; trust her to a Dalmatian doctor, and she'll certainly die." - -With which assurance Lambro retired grumbling terribly, for inasmuch -as all Jacintha's attention would be required by the patient, he -foresaw that for the next month he would have to prepare his own -meals, and likewise those of Paul, should the latter choose to remain -at Castel Nuovo; and if there was aught that the old Palicar disliked -it was work, even of the lightest sort. - -In descending the stairs Paul was met by Jacintha. - -"There is no use in disguising the truth," she said in answer to his -eager questioning. "The signorina is in a very dangerous state. But -leave her to me, and she shall recover. I was a nurse at -Constantinople, remember; and in the matter of fever I know what to do -as well as a doctor, perhaps better than any you will find in this -uncivilized region." - -Impressed somehow by Jacintha's faith in her own powers Paul felt that -Barbara could not be in better hands. - -"And you will remain at Castel Nuovo till she recovers?" - -Paul gladly assented to this proposal. - -"I know that she is a stranger to you," continued Jacintha, "but -still she came here under your guidance and protection, and therefore -in some measure you are responsible for her safety. Yes, I say, -safety. Captain Cressingham," she added, with a strange earnestness, -"your presence here is necessary. The signorina is in peril. If the -Master should return and find--" - -She broke off abruptly, perceiving Lambro at the foot of the -staircase. - -"Now, Jacintha, attend to your patient. I'll see to the captain's -breakfast." - -And awed by the cold glittering eye of her partner, Jacintha became -mute and glided away. - -That day, and the few days that followed, formed the most unhappy time -that Paul had ever known, for the fair maiden whom he loved lay in the -mystic borderland betwixt life and death. - -He haunted the corridor leading to her bedroom, either sitting silent -in the recess of an embrasured window, or walking to and fro with -noiseless tread, eagerly questioning Jacintha whenever she appeared. -She began to pity this young Englishman with his haggard looks, so -much so that she always returned favorable answers, even when the -waters of the dark river had almost closed over the head of her -patient. - -Mindful of Barbara's escape from a convent, Paul would not wander more -than a few yards from the castle, fearful lest the ecclesiastical -authorities or the Austrian gendarmes should make their appearance -during his absence, to say nothing of the return of the mysterious -Master, whose presence was equally to be guarded against, if Jacintha -had spoken truly. - -Paul's refusal to accompany Lambro for a sail on the sea or on a tramp -through the woods with his dogs provoked that worthy's contempt. A -fine soldierly fellow like Paul to be fretting over a thing of a girl, -when a Circassian equally lovely could be bought in the neighboring -province of Albania for five hundred beshliks, with the additional -advantage of selling the damsel again when she had ceased to please. -It was absurd! - -At last one day Jacintha was able to announce that Barbara had passed -the crisis. The relief to Paul's overwrought mind was so great that he -almost felt as if he himself, and not Barbara, had been the sufferer. - -"And you will be glad to learn, Captain Cressingham," said the nurse, -with a smile that had a hidden meaning in it, "that the illness has -left no disfiguring traces on her beauty." - -She was still too weak for conversation, and Jacintha averred that -some days must elapse before she could let him see the patient. - -In the meantime, however, Paul did not fail to remind her daily of his -existence. - -Near by lived a charcoal-burner accustomed to call at the castle for -the purpose of bringing Jacintha her stock of provisions from the -market-town. - -Making use of this man Paul every day procured the loveliest of -flowers, in addition to fruits and other delicacies, and these, -accompanied by wishes for her welfare, he would send up to the patient -through the medium of the faithful Jacintha, who in turn brought back -Barbara's expressions of gratitude. - -The period of Barbara's convalescence was a somewhat dull time for -Paul, self-debarred as he was from quitting the vicinity of the -castle. - -He tried to take an interest in Lambro's companionship, despite his -indefinable suspicion of the old Palicar, but he soon grew tired of -hearing the same stories, for there was but one theme upon which the -Greek would converse, namely, the Hellenic War of Independence,--a war -in which, though history be strangely silent on the matter, Lambro had -taken the leading part, at least, according to his own account. - -Occasionally the vain old man, forgetful that his strength and skill -were departing, would invite Paul to a fencing-bout; if defeated, he -grew angry; but when Paul, in the exercise of a little _finesse_, -permitted himself to be worsted, then Lambro, suspecting the trick -played upon him, grew more angry still; so that there was no pleasing -him. In short, he was a somewhat trying individual to live with, and -Paul was never sorry when he saw him setting off for a long tramp by -the shore or through the woods, attended by his twelve mastiffs, -brutes big and ferocious, but esteemed by Paul because they were such, -since they would prove excellent auxiliaries against any foe who -should approach the castle with intent to carry off Barbara, and that -such abduction might be attempted was a fear ever present to his mind. - -Indeed, it was quite within the range of probability that any day a -serious fray might occur, for heedless as to what the Austrian law -might be in the matter of maidens who escaped from convents, Paul was -determined that Barbara should not be surrendered to the authorities -without opposition on his part; while Lambro, though disposed to look -upon the fair fugitive somewhat in the light of an encumbrance, was -nevertheless fierce in declaring, with a fine scorn of consequences, -that he would shoot the first gendarme who should attempt to cross -_his_ threshold; and Paul had little doubt that the fiery old Klepht -would keep his word. - -Still, this was not quite the sort of recreation that Paul wanted. - -"Have you no books here?" he asked of Lambro one day. - -"Would you turn caloyer or papa? No? Then, what can you want with -books?" - -"Your classic ancestors would not have asked that question. To read, -of course." - -"Bah! the best use you can put books to is to twist them into -cartridges. That's what we did with them in the war." In Lambro's -opinion there had only been one war worthy of the name. "Did you ever -hear of the siege of ----?" - -"But as to the books now?" gently murmured Paul, who did not wish to -hear anything about the siege of ----. - -"Books? Yes, there are some here in the topmost room of the castle; -but you cannot get at them, for that room is the Master's study; and -on his departure he always locks the door, and takes the key with -him." - -Paul, with his head full of suspicion against the Master, could -discern nothing but a sinister caution in his practice of keeping the -study-door locked during his absence. Accordingly on the following day -when Lambro was out of the way, and Jacintha occupied with her -patient, Paul ascended the staircase leading to the upper portion of -the tower. On the topmost landing of all he came upon a stout door of -oak securely locked. This without doubt was the entrance of the study -spoken of by Lambro. A pendant on the other side of the key-hole -prevented Paul from obtaining the slightest glimpse of the interior. - -Not only had the Master left this door locked, but he had likewise -taken precautions to prevent any one during his absence from entering -without his knowledge, for the hinges of the door were sealed with -violet-colored wax bearing the impress of a paschal lamb. - -The care thus taken to screen the room from espionage increased Paul's -suspicions. Then he turned away, becoming suddenly conscious that to -pry thus upon the affairs of a stranger was conduct unworthy of a -soldier and a gentleman; and yet a secret voice seemed to whisper that -he was justified in his proceeding, when he recalled Jacintha's -strange remark that the return of the Master threatened Barbara's -safety. - -"Jacintha," said he, when next he saw that person, "what secret is -contained in that locked room at the top of the tower, for," he -added, proceeding beyond his knowledge, "I am convinced that there is -some mystery connected with it." - -That he was correct in his surmise was sufficiently evinced by the -look of fear that came over Jacintha's face. - -"You must ask Lambro." - -"He will not tell me." - -"And I dare not." - -"Why?" - -"Lambro would kill me if I should reveal the secret. You yourself -heard his threat. I have taken a solemn oath upon the Holy Sacrament -itself to preserve silence. Do not speak of this matter again, I pray -you," she continued, with pain in her voice, "for, indeed, Captain -Cressingham, it is no concern of yours." - -And then, as if desirous of reverting to a more pleasing topic, she -added,-- - -"I have good news for you. The signorina is now strong enough to rise -and be dressed. To-morrow you shall see her." - -This intelligence was more acceptable to Paul than the baton of a -general. He had very little sleep that night for thinking of Barbara. - -Next day at noon, Barbara having been dressed by Jacintha, was -assisted by the same faithful attendant to an adjoining sitting-room, -and comfortably installed in a big arm-chair placed beside an open -casement which commanded a view of the sea. - -How quick was the turn of her head towards the door when Paul's step -sounded there! How bright her smile as she offered him her slender -hand. How sweet the color that played over her cheek while she thanked -him for the presents that he had sent up to her! A white rose graced -her dusky hair, the flower being, as Paul noticed with secret -pleasure, his gift of the previous day. - -Jacintha had withdrawn on Paul's entrance. Wise creature, Jacintha! -It is not every woman who will recognize herself as _de trop_ when -youth and maiden meet. - -"I am glad to see you recovering, signorina." - -"I am still very weak. I tremble to think what would have become of me -had I lain down in that wood. The fever would certainly have carried -me off. I owe my life to you." - -"No--to Jacintha." - -"And to Jacintha, who will not take any reward from me." - -After this there was a silence. Paul found his usual flow of language -gone. He longed to be brilliant; he was conscious of seeming stupid. - -"It is six weeks since our meeting in the woods," he observed, for -want of a better remark. - -"And you were going to Sebenico, then. Have you remained at Castel -Nuovo all this time on my account?" - -"I desire to keep my promise of seeing you safely to Zara." - -Barbara murmured her gratitude, adding,-- - -"But am I not putting you to great inconvenience?" - -"No, signorina, no. These are my holidays. I am on a long furlough. My -time is my own, or rather it is at your disposal." - -Barbara's eyes drooped beneath Paul's gaze. Why should this handsome -young captain interest himself so on her behalf? - -"Jacintha tells me that you have never quitted the vicinity of the -castle." - -"True. It has been my desire to guard against a surprise on the part -of your pursuers." - -Barbara's face lost its bright expression for a moment. - -"My pursuers!" she murmured. "My pursuers! The thought of them haunted -me while I lay ill. I dreaded lest I should be carried off in my -helpless state. But as six weeks have elapsed I think I may regard the -pursuit--if pursuit there were--as over. But tell me, Captain -Cressingham,"--how prettily the name fell from her lips!--"what would -you have done if my pursuers had appeared?" - -"Fought," replied Paul laconically. - -"But supposing they had been a dozen in number?" - -"No matter. Lambro loves a fight, so do I. Castel Nuovo was built to -stand a siege. The door is of massive oak; the lower windows are -barred; there are abundant loopholes convenient for taking shots at -the enemy. And besides there are the twelve mastiffs, each of which is -capable of tackling a man. Trust us, signorina, we should have made a -good defence." - -It was pleasant to be near such towers of strength as Paul and Lambro, -who appeared to regard Austrian gendarmerie with contempt. Then her -pleasure became lost in surprise. Was this Englishman really willing -to undergo such perils on her behalf? Ay, those, and much more, -Barbara, to gain your smiles. - -"I am fortunate in my friends," she said, "but rather than expose them -to such hazard I think I should prefer to give myself up." - -She was a sweet and interesting patient, and the charm of her face and -figure was enhanced by the toilette in which Jacintha had arrayed -her,--a dress all soft and white and foamy with silk muslin. A silver -rope girdle was tied at one side and fell in two long, graceful -tassels. Delicate antique lace fringed the slender wrists. Paul's -quick eye observed that a small portion of the lace was torn off from -the right sleeve. He wondered why the defect had not been repaired. A -trifling circumstance, but one destined to recur with peculiar force -at a later date. - -This was not the costume she had worn on the night of her first -meeting with him. Whence, then, did it come? Barbara seemed to divine -his thoughts. - -"I see you are observing my dress," she remarked. "It is a gift from -Jacintha, drawn from an old chest in her wardrobe. It might have been -expressly made for me, for it fits to a nicety without requiring the -least alteration. Made for another, and yet suiting me to perfection. -Is not that a singular coincidence?" - -The fit of the dress did not strike Paul so much as the costliness of -the material. He could not account for Jacintha's possession of such -attire except on the supposition that it formed part of the flotsam -and jetsam which supplied Lambro with his finery. - -Again Barbara seemed to read his thoughts. - -"No, it is not a gift of the sea; Jacintha assured me of that; -otherwise I would not wear it. I have no liking for the clothing of -the drowned." And then displaying a pair of pretty satin shoes, she -added: "And these, too, are Jacintha's gift, and they fit as if my -feet had been measured for them." - -She turned to the open casement and surveyed the scene without. - -"Ah! if I could but get into the air outside I should recover the -sooner." - -"Then come down to-morrow, and sit outside on the terrace." - -"I am too weak to walk." - -"No matter. I will carry you," replied Paul, boldly. - -"I shall have to get Jacintha's leave first," said Barbara, -half-pleased, half-reluctant. "Jacintha is an ideal nurse. She will -have her commands obeyed, and will not yield to the whims of her -patient." - -When Jacintha appeared, her consent was readily obtained, and as she -averred that Barbara had talked enough for one day, Paul was compelled -to take his leave. - -He spent the rest of the day in recalling Barbara's words. The -interview, though delightful, contained one element of disappointment: -Barbara had said nothing as to her previous history. Paul had -hesitated to question her on the matter, leaving her to take the -initiative. Time would doubtless bring increasing confidence on her -part. - -On the following day he redeemed his promise of carrying her into the -open air. An exquisite sense of pleasure filled him as he felt the -clasp of Barbara's arm around his neck and noted the sweet color that -mantled her cheek. From her chamber he bore her down the staircase and -out to a dismantled marble terrace, where he seated her in a lounge, -which had been placed there by Jacintha. Above her rose a stately -terebinth, whose light-green foliage, crimsoned with clusters of -delicate flowers, cast a circle of shade around. - -It was the height of summer, and the day, though hot, was not -oppressive; the atmosphere being tempered by the air flowing from the -Dalmatian highlands that rose behind them, peak above peak, in dark -wooded glory. - -Facing them was the smooth Adriatic almost as blue as the heaven it -reflected. Far off in the summer haze picturesque feluccas, with their -white lateen sails, glided to and fro with slow dream-like motion. - -Sea, sky, and mountains combined to form a scene of enchanting beauty, -rendered still more enchanting to Paul by the presence of Barbara, to -whom Jacintha had imparted an additional charm by adorning her with -the graceful _pezzotto_, or muslin scarf, which, pinned on the head -and falling over the arms and shoulders, permitted the beautiful face -and hair of the wearer to be seen through it. - -"Have you ever noticed, Captain Cressingham, how trifles annoy when -one is in a state of illness? And I am annoyed by a trifle, one so -absurd that I feel ashamed to mention it." - -Paul urged her, nevertheless, to describe the annoyance. - -"What torments me is a piece of sealing-wax on a panel in my bedroom. -Reposing the other night, with my eyes turned towards it, I was -seized by a singular fancy. The wax seemed to be receding through the -wall, drawing me after it. Reason told me that this could not be so, -that the wax was immovably fixed to the panel, and that I was in bed; -yet all the same, there was the circle of wax gliding onward with -never-ending motion through the realm of air, and myself floating -along in its wake like a disembodied spirit. This sensation occurs -every night. My mind is kept perpetually on the rack following that -piece of wax through the infinity of space, ever lured onward by the -hope of arriving at some goal. But that goal perpetually evades me, -and therein is the torment." - -"Having had the malaria myself," observed Paul, "I can testify that -such queer notions do occur. What is the color of this wax?" he added, -having little doubt as to what the answer would be. - -"It is of a violet hue, and bears the impress of a lamb carrying a -banner. I cannot go back to that chamber again," continued Barbara, -"or I shall be driven mad, for the annoyance is depriving me of all -sleep. I must change my room, even though my good nurse is opposed to -it." - -But Jacintha did not offer any opposition when Paul made known her -patient's desire for a different sleeping-room; without any demur she -immediately set about preparing another chamber. - -That same night, when all was still in the castle, Paul, taking a -revolver and a lamp, sought the room vacated by Barbara. He quickly -discovered the piece of stamped wax, and saw that it corresponded -precisely with the seal upon the door of the mysterious study. - -Extinguishing his lamp, he sat down on a chair beside the panel, -determined to watch there during the night to ascertain, if possible, -whether there was any ground for Barbara's strange fancy. - -It was a long and dreary vigil, and when the gray light of dawn stole -in through the casement, and nothing had occurred to excite suspicion, -he was fain to question the wisdom of his action. - -That day Paul again carried Barbara downstairs to breathe the pure air -of the sunlit terrace. - -"My sleep last night was sweet and sound," she remarked. "With my new -bedroom, and with this glorious air, I shall soon be well again." - -She looked so radiant that Paul refrained from mentioning his -nocturnal vigil. Though full of indefinable suspicion himself, he had -no wish to alarm her mind; and he had laid both on Lambro and Jacintha -an injunction to maintain silence respecting the locked room. - -Barbara's strength gradually returned. In a day or two she was able to -stand, and, leaning upon Paul's arm, she walked to and fro in the -immediate vicinity of the castle. These promenades were soon -lengthened into rambles along the seashore or through the fragrant -pine woods, Paul being her constant companion. She had taken his arm -at first from weakness; she now continued to do so from habit. - -As his knowledge of Barbara increased Paul discovered that she had -received an extraordinary education, her course of study having been -as remarkable for what it omitted as for what it contained. While -knowing very little of poetry, painting, music, needle-work, and other -accomplishments usually included in the feminine curriculum, she was -nevertheless well versed in mathematics, logic, and "the dismal -science," to wit, political economy. Classic antiquity was almost a -sealed book to her, but modern history and current continental -politics she had at her finger-tips, and her knowledge of royal and -noble genealogies with all their ramifications might have put a herald -to the blush. She could give the biographies, and the characteristic -foibles, of all the leading statesmen of Europe; was mistress of -several modern languages, notably Polish or Russian, and--most -puzzling circumstance of all--she was quite _au fait_ with the -mysteries and subtleties of Catholic theology. - -As she could scarcely have passed her twentieth year, it seemed to -Paul that Barbara, in view of her extensive acquirements, must have -commenced her studies so soon as she had quitted her cradle. - -Her intellectual training appeared more adapted to the acquirements of -a ruler, a statesman, or an ambassador than to those of an ordinary -young lady; and Paul puzzled himself to account for the aims of those -who had directed her education, for Barbara herself volunteered no -information on the matter, and still maintained an attitude of -reticence as to her past life. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -THE SEALED CHAMBER - - -When, amid the most enchanting scenery to be found in Europe, and at a -time when all the charms of summer are poured upon the earth, a -handsome young captain is brought into companionship with a youthful -woman, whose intellect charms even more than her beauty; and when the -pair dwell isolated from the rest of the world with nothing to divert -attention from each other, it requires no prophet to predict the -result. - -Barbara was now out of her convalescent stage; and, therefore, neither -she nor Paul had any valid excuse for remaining longer at Castel -Nuovo; nevertheless they continued to postpone indefinitely the day of -departure. - -Paul completely ignored the regiment at Corfu, and the good uncle, who -was doubtless fuming at his nephew's protracted absence; and Barbara -on her part seemed to have forgotten her pursuers from the convent, -and her desire for the protection of the British flag. - -Enwrapped in each other, yielding to the delicious spirit of _dolce -far niente_, the pair were leading an idyllian life. - -To Lambro and Jacintha the scenery around was as it had always been, -but to Paul and Barbara, mountains, sea, air, sky, had become steeped -in hues of divine beauty; each succeeding day seemed happier than the -preceding. - -They entertained a dreamy notion that their life at Castel Nuovo would -not last forever, but its end they put far from their thoughts. The -golden present was all in all. Why anticipate pain? _Vogue la -galere._ - -Lambro offered no opposition to their stay, though the thought of the -Master's return gave him some uneasiness at times, and he said as much -to Jacintha. - -"I wish he would come," was her reply. "I should like to see his face -when he sets eyes upon the signorina." - -"He'll think as we did, that she has risen from the dead," returned -Lambro. - -"Well, she has a protector in Captain Cressingham, who will know how -to deal with the Master, should he appear." - -"Humph! there'll be the devil to pay ere long," growled Lambro. That -Jacintha was not married to the old Greek troubled Barbara very -little, if at all. Jacintha had brought her back to life; Jacintha was -as good as gold; Barbara, figuratively speaking, would have turned and -rent any one who should have ventured to assail the reputation of -Jacintha. - -For, thanks to new influences, Barbara's character was undergoing -development. The stateliness and gravity that had marked her bearing -on the first night of her coming to Castel Nuovo were yielding to a -more buoyant and girlish spirit. - -Close to the castle a semicircle of dark rocks, with a sandy base, -over which the tide flowed, formed an ideal bathing place. Every -morning Barbara would seek this spot attended by Jacintha. - -"Wouldn't Abbess Teresa and the nuns be scandalized if they saw me -now?" she would remark as she returned to breakfast, laughing and -wringing out her dark wet locks like some lovely Nereid. - -She was a maiden formed for gayety. In previous days her natural -disposition had evidently been kept under restraint. She was now -revelling in the sunshine of a new and sweet liberty, and Jacintha -could scarcely believe her own eyes, when one day, attracted by the -sounds of sweet laughter and of ringing steel proceeding from an -adjoining apartment, she peeped in and discovered the cause of it all -to be Barbara, who was receiving her first lesson in fencing from -Paul, while Lambro looked on with sombre approval. - -"What next, I wonder?" thought Jacintha. - -Barbara illumined the dark and melancholy castle like a sunbeam. Even -Lambro relaxed something of his moroseness in her presence, and had -begun to doubt whether five hundred beshliks could procure in the mart -of Janina a maiden in all respects like Barbara. She had taken to -Lambro much more than Paul had, who could not overcome his secret -distrust of the old Palicar. - -But then Lambro was a hero in Barbara's eyes, because he had fought -for the freedom of a conquered race, and she herself, as it -subsequently transpired, was the daughter of a conquered race. - -When the day's strolling with Paul was over, and the evening meal -finished, she would invite the old Greek to fight his battles over -again. Sitting on a low stool at his feet, and resting her elbows on -her lap and her chin on her hands, her hair sometimes falling in dusky -waves around her fair throat, she would betray such interest in -Lambro's reminiscences that the foolish Paul was often moved to -jealousy. - -"And by deeds such as these," she murmured on one occasion, "was the -freedom of Hellas won. Why should not Poland achieve what Greece has -achieved?" - -"So, signorina, you are of Polish blood?" smiled Paul. - -"And am proud of my nationality." - -"I would for your sake that your people were free." - -"They _will_ be free again," she answered, a beautiful heroic look -transfiguring her face with a new light. "Oh! Kosciusko," she cried, -with an outburst of patriotism that quite surprised Paul, "why did you -say '_Finis Poloniae_'? Because _you_ said it, men have come to believe -it. No, no, it is not true. The greenstone sceptre of Poland may lie -in the treasury of the Kremlin broken in halves, but the spirit of the -Polish people is not broken. Would that I had been born a man that I -might shoulder musket and fight for fatherland! The Princess Radzivil -fought on horseback against the Russians, and why may not I?" And then -raising her wine-glass aloft, she added, "Confusion to the Czar!" - -"Amen," said Lambro, responsive to the toast. "We had to assassinate -old Capo d'Istria because he was too much under Russian influence. Ah! -how we danced the Romaika the night he died!" - -This remark of Lambro created a diversion, for Barbara, who had never -seen the Greek national dance, asked him to describe it. - -The old Palicar did more than describe,--he acted it. Kicking his -embroidered slippers into the air he went through all the flings and -evolutions of the Romaika with an agility surprising for one so aged, -at the same time chanting an appropriate ballad. - -"Ah! who could leap higher than Lambro in his youth?" he cried, when -he had finished his performance. - -Barbara thanked him, and observed, with a pretty air of command, that -as Lambro had done something to entertain them it was now Paul's turn -to do the like. - -And Paul began by singing the first song that entered his head and -that happened to be "The Mistletoe Bough," at that time not so -hackneyed a ballad as now, and probably never before heard in the hall -of a Dalmatian castle. At any rate it was new to his hearers, and -Barbara in particular seemed much interested by it. - -"Is there any truth in it?" she asked at its conclusion. - -"Supposed to be founded on fact," returned Paul, proceeding to relate -the story of the fair lady of Modena. - -"Ginevra, if she had lived at Castel Nuovo," observed Barbara, "might -have found a better place of concealment than an oaken chest. Now," -she added, prompted by a playful impulse, "give me a clear start of -one minute, and without going outside the castle I will undertake to -hide where no one shall find me." - -She sprang up, and with laughing eyes and graceful step danced from -the apartment. - -"She is still a girl, you see," smiled Paul. - -Entering into the fun of the thing they allowed a full minute to -elapse, and then set off to find her. - -They went through the castle from roof to basement, exploring every -place capable of affording concealment. But Barbara was invisible; she -had vanished as if completely melted to air. - -Half-an-hour had passed in this search. Then they went again through -the building loudly calling her by name, and, proclaiming themselves -beaten, they invited her to come forth from her hiding place. - -Their appeal met with no response. They stared dubiously at one -another. The affair had begun to lose its humorous side. The -death-like silence, Barbara's invisibility, the gray twilight now -stealing through the castle, caused it to assume a somewhat ghostly -aspect. - -"She must have gone outside," said Lambro. - -"She promised to keep within the building," observed Paul. - -For the third time they explored the castle, ending their search on -the highest landing of the staircase. Here they paused before the -locked door of the mysterious study. - -"She is perhaps concealed here," suggested Paul. - -"Impossible," returned Lambro, pointing to the wax. "The Master's seal -is unbroken." - -"There is an entrance to this room leading from the chamber in which -the signorina first slept," remarked Paul quietly. - -This statement was pure conjecture on his part, but its truth was -instantly made evident by Lambro's manner. He turned so savagely upon -Jacintha that Paul thought he was going to strike her. - -"So you couldn't keep your tongue quiet?" - -"You err," said Paul, hastening to vindicate the woman. "Jacintha has -told me nothing. It is simply a guess of mine, and--" - -He broke off abruptly and placed his ear to the door. - -"By heaven, there is some one in this room. I can detect a sound -within. Signorina, are you here?" he cried, rapping upon the panels. - -The dusk of the landing was suddenly illumined by a light that came -and went in a moment. Merely a flash of summer lightning. - -It was accompanied by something startling within. A faint cry of -"Oh!"--plainly the voice of Barbara; a dull thud as of the fall of a -human body, and then a significant stillness. - -With a soldier's promptitude Paul flung himself against the door, -bruising his shoulders by the violence of the impact. - -"You'll never force that door," said Lambro. "It's too strong. We must -go downstairs. The signorina must have got in here through the secret -panel in the bedroom." - -Paul darted down the staircase, and in a moment more was within the -bedchamber. He saw what had escaped his eye in the three previous -explorations, namely, that the circular piece of violet-colored wax -was traversed by a horizontal fracture, clearly caused by the moving -of the panel. Lambro, who had followed close upon Paul, touched a -certain spring hidden within some ornamental carving of the wall, and -the panel glided off laterally, revealing a narrow corridor behind. - -"To the left," said Lambro. "There's a staircase a few feet off. At -the top of that another to the right. Mount that and you'll see the -Master's room before you." - -It was strange that the old Palicar did not follow Paul up the -staircase, but so it was. He remained in the bedroom by the open panel -with his hand to his ear in the attitude of listening. - -"Oh, if she has discovered--it!" said Jacintha, with clasped hands. - -"Well, what if she has? It was not our doing, nor the Master's for the -matter of that." - -"When I heard the signorina fall just now it brought the heart to my -mouth. It reminded me of that other fall--you know whose. And in the -same room, too! If--" - -"Hold your tongue! How can I listen while you keep chattering?" - -Paul, following the directions given by Lambro, had ascended the two -staircases, and passing through a square opening in a panelled wall -similar to that which he had just quitted, found himself in the -mysterious study. - -Barbara lay upon the floor in a seeming swoon. - -Paul cast one swift glance around the apartment, but failed to discern -anything in its present state calculated to inspire fear. - -Kneeling by Barbara's side he raised her to a sitting posture, and -passing his left arm around her rested her head upon his shoulder. - -"Dearest Barbara, what has frightened you?" he asked, observing that -her eyes were opening. It was the first time he had addressed her by -her Christian name; the word had escaped him quite involuntarily. -"What has frightened you?" he repeated. - -"That!" she said. - -Like a timid child she clung to him, and indicating as the cause of -her fear the life-size portrait of a man hanging upon the wall,--a -portrait scarcely discernible in the dim light. - -"Take me away," she murmured faintly. "There is something strange in -the atmosphere of this room, something that I can't understand, -something that makes me fear. Take me away." - -As she seemed unable of herself to rise, Paul raised her light form in -his arms and carried her down the secret stairway, through the -bedchamber, past the wondering Lambro and his consort, back again into -the dining-hall whence she had first set out. - -She neither blushed nor resisted at finding herself in his arms, -apparently not giving the matter a thought. Her fear overpowered every -other emotion. - -"Lambro," she asked, when somewhat revived by a stimulant administered -by Jacintha. "There is a man's portrait on the wall of that room. -Whose?" - -"The Master's." - -"The Master's?" she echoed in a tone of dismay. "Have I been living -all this time in the house of my enemy?" - -"You know the Master, then?" inquired Paul of Barbara. "What is his -name?" - -"Cardinal Ravenna." - -"The Master _is_ a cardinal, I believe," said Lambro. "Ravenna? Humph! -I have heard him called that by--by some; but it's not the name he -usually bears when here." - -"You serve a very bad master, Lambro," said Barbara reproachfully. - -The old Palicar shrugged his shoulders in lieu of a reply. - -Paul here recalled Lambro's remark to the effect that the Master -belonged to a peculiar brotherhood pledged to the repudiation of -women. This misogyny was now explained. But why should the abode of a -Roman ecclesiastic contain a lady's bedchamber kept in a state of -preparation for an occupant? Paul glanced at Jacintha as if seeking an -explanation from her, but the old Greek had set a warning eye upon -his partner, and under that glittering terror Jacintha became mute. - -"You have broken the Master's seal," grumbled Lambro, turning to -Barbara. "He will learn that some one has been in that room. What -excuse am I to make to him?" - -"How did you discover the secret panel?" asked Paul of Barbara, and -paying but scant respect to the Palicar's complaint. - -"By accident," she replied. "Sleeping or waking that violet wax has -exercised a fascination over me. Yesterday, attracted by an -indefinable impulse, I stole into the bedchamber. Conjecturing that -the panel might be a movable one, I began to search for the spring. -Fortune favored my endeavors; I discovered the hidden corridor, but -did not venture within. To-day when I heard you relate the story of -Ginevra, I thought it would be a piece of fun to hide behind the panel -and get you to search for me. While standing there in concealment the -impulse came upon me to go forward and explore. I ascended the two -staircases, and entered the upper room by a panel which I found open. -Till that moment curiosity had been my only feeling, but as soon as I -entered the gray twilight of that room I found myself trembling; the -place seemed like a haunted chamber. And yet frightened though I was I -could not retreat. Some strange power drew me on to the centre of the -apartment, and there I stood looking around for--I know not what. I -could hear your far-off cries, but I hesitated to answer lest the -sound of my voice should call forth something terrible from this -silent chamber. - -"Then suddenly the sight of a lady's portrait hanging on the wall -impelled me forward and almost made me forget my fears. The portrait -was so like me that at first I thought it must be mine, but I know it -cannot be." - -"Why not?" asked Paul. - -"Because I have never sat to an artist, and, moreover, the lady is -wearing a dress such as I have never worn. She carries a sceptre in -her hand and on her head is a diadem. Who ever saw me with sceptre and -diadem? No; the portrait is not mine. Whose can it be? Do you know, -Lambro?" - -The old Palicar shook his head, but Paul felt that little reliance -could be placed on his denial. - -"In a distant corner," continued Barbara, "was another portrait, less -easy to examine since it hung in the shadows. As I was moving forward -a sudden gleam illumined the dusky chamber, bringing every line of the -portrait into clear relief. I recognized the face of my enemy, -Cardinal Ravenna; he seemed to be smiling at me with wicked -satisfaction. Such fear and trembling took hold of me that I fainted." - -"And that is all you have seen?" said Lambro, with evident relief, a -feeling in which Jacintha seemed to share. - -"What else was there to see, then?" asked Paul, fixing a significant -look on the Palicar, who remained mute to the question. - -"And this place, you say, belongs to Cardinal Ravenna?" said Barbara. -"I must leave to-morrow." - -"Oh! my lady, so soon?" cried Jacintha sorrowfully, for she had become -very fond of Barbara. - -"If the cardinal should appear he will take me back to the convent." - -"By whose authority?" asked Paul, hotly. - -"He is my guardian." - -"That may be, but he shall not restore you to the convent against your -will. You have not taken the vows of a nun?" - -"No. I was placed in the convent to be educated merely." - -"And you do not wish to return?" - -"After enjoying freedom? Oh! no, no." - -"Then you shall not return," said Paul, decisively. - -"Still I must leave here. I cannot stay longer under this roof." - -"True, but do not act hastily. Where are you going? What are your -plans? Take a day for reflection. That brief delay will not make much -difference. It is not likely that the cardinal will appear to-morrow, -and if he should, what matters? For my own part I should very much -like to come face to face with the man who proposes to immure you -within the walls of a nunnery. He would not find me honey-tongued, -though such a course may seem ungrateful after having so long enjoyed -the shelter of his roof. Fear him not, signorina. Remain at least -another day. Remember that to-morrow was fixed for our sail to Isola -Sacra." - -Barbara was persuaded by these words. One day, as Paul had said, would -not make much difference. - -"And I fainted at sight of a picture!" she said, with self-reproachful -smile. "I, who have talked of shouldering a musket, and of fighting -for Poland." - -"We all have our fears at times. I ran away from my first battle," -observed Lambro, without stating from how many others he had run. - -Now that her fears were vanishing, Barbara began to review the sequel -of her recent adventure. She had waked from a swoon to find herself in -the arms of Paul, and with the words "dearest Barbara" falling upon -her ear. The significance of the expression did not appeal to her at -the time, but now the recalling of it caused her heart to palpitate. -Her color came and went. She scarcely dared raise her eyes to meet his -gaze. Silence and shyness marked her as their own for the remainder of -the evening. - -That night, when the other inmates of the castle were sleeping, Paul, -with lighted lamp, stole off to the bedchamber containing the secret -panel, and began to explore the hidden passage and staircase leading -to the mysterious study. Roof, walls, and flooring were of black oak -thick with dust. Every angle had a festoon of cobwebs. On turning the -corner of the staircase Paul made his first discovery. For some -purpose or other a very long nail had been fixed in the baluster, and -not having been driven far into the wood, it projected in such a -manner that unobservant persons brushing hastily by would run the risk -of tearing their clothing. - -Some such accident had happened, for from the head of this nail there -hung a tiny shred of flimsy fabric, which, upon examination by the -light of the lamp, Paul found to be a fragment of delicate lace,--lace -of a color, texture, and pattern that he had seen in the charming -white costume with the silver rope-girdle which Jacintha had bestowed -upon Barbara. - -This fragment of lace had not become detached while Barbara herself -was turning the staircase, inasmuch as during her recent adventure she -had been wearing a different dress. - -Scrutinizing everywhere, Paul was attracted by a faint sparkle coming -from the dust in a corner of the staircase, the cause of which proved -to be a little article of gold, obviously a seal. It was circular in -shape, and the band encircling the stone was inscribed with the motto, -"_Esse quam videri_." The stone itself forming the seal was a lovely -sapphire bearing the image of a double-headed eagle, beautifully and -delicately engraved. - -"The royal arms of Poland, as I live!" muttered Paul. His surprise was -naturally very great, but since speculation as to how the thing came -to be there would have been mere waste of time, he pocketed the -treasure-trove and passed on to the mysterious apartment. This he -found differed in no way from an ordinary study. It was well lighted -and well carpeted. There were numerous shelves with books thereon. -There were chairs, a table, and an escritoire. There were -oil-paintings on the walls. There was really nothing to alarm one in -the aspect of the apartment. Paul did not feel anything of the strange -sensation spoken of by Barbara, and therefore he felt compelled to -ascribe that part of her experience to the imagination of a timid -maiden. The room was locked and sealed from intrusion: _ergo_, her -argument was there must be something fearful in it. - -Paul turned his attention to the portraits on the wall, and began with -that of the Master who was represented in the scarlet robes of a -cardinal. It was a handsome face upon which Paul gazed,--a face full -of intellectual power, with nothing of the mystic visionary about it; -the face of a man of action, a man of ambition, an ecclesiastical -statesman of the type of Richelieu or Mazarin. Paul waved the lamp to -and fro, trying to educe the wicked expression that had frightened -Barbara. True, the countenance was a cold and haughty character, but -he could not honestly affirm that there was anything sinister in it. -Barbara's fancy was probably due to her hostile feelings. - -He next surveyed the picture of the young lady,--a maiden robed in -jewelled attire with pearl necklace, diadem, and sceptre. The -resemblance to Barbara was indeed so marvellous that Paul at first was -disposed to believe that she was the person here represented, and that -the symbols of high rank were decorative fancies of the artist. - -A closer study of the portrait, however, made him think otherwise. -True, every feature corresponded with Barbara's; hair and eyes were of -the same color. The difference was in the expression. This girl had -mischievous eyes, an arch smile, a radiant look. It was clearly the -face of one leading a happy, unclouded life, whereas even in Barbara's -smile there was always a tinge of melancholy, as if her mind were -shadowed by the memory of some secret sorrow. - -Who was this youthful lady with the smiling eyes? If she resembled -Barbara in face, why not in the height and shape of her figure? Ah! -here without doubt was the original wearer of that soft, silky dress -which had required no alteration to suit Barbara. The young lady had -perhaps left it as a parting gift to Jacintha for services rendered by -the latter. - -She had doubtless come to Castel Nuovo under the charge of Cardinal -Ravenna. Singular that the bedchamber in which Barbara had slept -should have been previously occupied by a lady her exact counterpart -in face and figure! Was the bedroom that was kept in a constant state -of readiness intended for her use? - -He understood now the cause of the amazement on the part of Lambro and -Jacintha when they first beheld Barbara; they were doubtless startled -by her extraordinary resemblance to their previous guest. - -That this lady had traversed the corridor leading to the cardinal's -study was proved by the lace fragment of her dress adhering to the -nail of the staircase, though it was difficult to assign a reason for -this proceeding. A secret amour was the first idea that suggested -itself. But then, a girl with so lovely a face would never lack -youthful and handsome lovers; it was not likely, therefore, that she -would be guilty of an intrigue with an ecclesiastic old enough to be -her father. - -The mystery was bewildering, especially when the diadem and sceptre -were taken into consideration. Lambro and his consort could explain -it, but only by breaking the oath imposed upon them by the -cardinal,--an oath taken, if Jacintha's words were true, upon the Holy -Sacrament itself. It must be a weighty secret to require such -safeguarding; nay, more, it was a secret that threatened Jacintha's -own life, as shown by her remark to Lambro: "Shall I be permitted to -leave here after your death?" - -Musing on all this, Paul turned from the portraits to examine the rest -of the apartment, without discovering anything of consequence, till, -being near the hearth, he happened to glance downwards. For a moment -he stood as still as a statue; then he stooped and held the lamp low. - -On the polished oak flooring was a dark stain. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -THE RETURN OF THE "MASTER" - - -The "Isola Sacra" mentioned by Paul as an inducement for Barbara to -prolong her stay, was a small, uninhabited island facing Castel Nuovo -at the distance of about three miles. - -The island had often attracted the curiosity of Barbara, and Paul had -promised that he would row her over to it whenever she felt disposed. - -The day named by her for the excursion had come, and accordingly after -breakfast Paul and Barbara descended to the beach, where they found -Lambro getting his sailing-boat ready for their use. Jacintha followed -with a luncheon-basket on her arm. - -"It's no use putting up the sail," remarked the old Greek. "There's -not a breath of wind stirring. You'll have to row." - -Barbara sat by the tiller, where a silken cushion had been placed for -her accommodation. Paul taking the oars pushed off, giving a smile to -Jacintha and a nod to Lambro. - -"At what hour must we expect you back?" asked Jacintha. - -"Not till evening," replied Paul, who set out with the intention of -spending the day upon the island, and of returning in romantic style -beneath the light of the stars. - -It was a morning of soft sunlight, lovely and still,--"the very bridal -of the earth and sky." The heaven was one deep, living blue, and the -sea so smooth that the mountain peaks, the cliffs, and the towers of -the castle were reflected on the azure surface of the water as in a -mirror. - -"It seems," sighed Barbara to herself, "that my last day here is to be -the fairest." - -In happy, dreamy silence she leaned back in her seat, holding the -cords of the tiller, and watching Paul as he manipulated the oars. -Each sweep of his arm lifted the boat half out of the water, for he -was no novice at rowing, being the captain of the Britannic Aquatic -Club at Corfu. - -Barbara had never known any pleasure equal to that of Paul's -companionship; and now this pleasure was about to end--unless--unless. -And then the questions that had robbed her of sleep during the night -began again their work of torture. Why had he called her "dearest -Barbara"? Was it a mere transitory outburst of affection on his part, -evoked by her helpless state? Would he place her on shipboard at Zara, -and, leaving her to go on her way alone, return to Corfu? The thought -alarmed her; she grew faint at the idea of a future without Paul. - -She contrived to mask her emotion beneath a calm exterior, and as Paul -caught her smiles, he little thought how her heart was pulsating to -the very tune of love. She even volunteered to take one of the oars. - -"What? and but just recovered from a fever! Besides, you will blister -your fingers." - -But Barbara was not to be dissuaded. She took the oar, and, never -having held one before, behaved like a true novice. She failed to keep -time with her partner, and her oar either did not strike the water, or -striking, deluged the boat with spray, till Paul began to consider -whether it would not be wise to suspend the luncheon-basket from the -masthead. Strange how man will tolerate in woman blundering such as he -would not tolerate for a moment in his fellowman! Barbara's -incompetence at the oar was delightful in Paul's eyes. - -"I'd better give it up," she cried laughingly. "Our boat is -performing such extraordinary gyrations that the steamer from Zara, -which I can see in the distance, will be coming up to ascertain the -cause." - -So Paul resumed possession of the oar, and rowing onward in gallant -style, reached the island, and ran the boat in upon the sands of a -little bay. - -Isola Sacra was not more than two miles in length, and about one in -breadth; nevertheless, within its limited space there was considerable -diversity. There were cliffs rising vertically from the water; there -were strips of yellow sand by the sea; there were woods, and a -silver-flashing stream. And most attractive sight of all, the remains -of a Grecian temple crowning the summit of a small eminence, the -marble columns glowing brilliantly white against a background of dark -cypresses. - -Towards this edifice they slowly made their way. - -"To whom was this temple raised?" asked Barbara, as they stood within -the ruin. - -"It was the shrine of Eros." - -The Temple of Love! What more appropriate place could there be for an -avowal? - -"The god of love," she murmured softly. "And his altar and shrine are -fallen!" - -"But not his worship," replied Paul. "That is eternal." - -Barbara averted her eyes, and trembled with a sweet feeling. - -They sat down on a fallen column beneath the shadow cast by a graceful -palm. Before them lay the bay they had just crossed,--a blue -semicircular mirror, the Illyrian mountains forming a picturesque -background. - -Paul and Barbara sat drinking in the deep beauty of the scene. In the -boat their conversation had been lively and unrestrained, but now a -silence lay on both. - -Barbara was the first to speak. - -"I think," she murmured dreamily, gazing at the sky, "that the -loveliest part of heaven must be above this isle." - -Paul glanced at her inquiringly, not quite comprehending her remark. - -"The Arabian poets," she continued, "assert that the fairest spot on -earth is situated beneath the fairest spot in heaven, the earthly, as -it were, being a reflex of the heavenly." - -"A pretty idea!" said Paul. "With me, however, the fairest place on -earth is not a fixed, but a moveable point." - -"Yes?" said Barbara inquiringly. - -"To me the fairest place is wherever you happen to be. Do I make -myself clear, dearest Barbara, or shall I say more?" - -Barbara tried to speak, but the words would not come. There was no -need for speech, however. A light that would have made the plainest -features beautiful stole over her face. She placed her little hand -within his, and by that act Paul knew that she was his for ever. - -He drew her to his embrace, where she reclined supremely happy and yet -afraid to raise her eyes to his. - -"Barbara," he whispered, "you have never yet told me the story of your -life. Will you not do so now?" - -There was nothing Barbara would not have done to please Paul. She was -silent for a few moments, as if collecting her thoughts, and then, -still within the circle of his arms, she began in a voice as low and -silvery as if coming from dreamland. - -"If I have been truly told, I was born at Warsaw in 1826, and shall -therefore be nineteen years of age next month. - -"My parents I never knew; indeed I am even ignorant of their names and -station in life. I had been adopted in infancy by a noble Polish lady, -the Countess Lorenska,--a youthful widow, who, although kindness -itself, was always mute to any remark relative to my parentage, -though, as you may guess, the question as to my origin troubled me but -little in those early days. - -"The Countess Lorenska was very rich, her mansion at Warsaw a palace, -and the ladies and gentlemen who attended her salons vied with each -other in caressing and spoiling me. I had all that wealth could -supply, including learned masters, under whose tuition I began that -course of instruction which you have characterized as peculiar for a -woman. - -"My adoptive mother, herself well educated, superintended my studies, -but the lesson she seemed chiefly desirous of inculcating is contained -in almost the first sentence I was taught to utter,--'I will always -love Poland and the Catholic Church. I will never cease to oppose -Russia and the Greek Faith.' This vow was part of my prayers morning -and evening, and such is the force of habit that I still continue to -say it. - -"As you may suppose, Polish history formed part, and a very important -part, of my curriculum. My blood glowed as I listened to the story of -my country's wrongs. But indeed I did not require the voice of past -history to teach me patriotism. What was happening all round was -sufficient. I was between five and six years of age when the uprising -at Warsaw took place, and the unjust and terrible reprisals exacted by -the conquering Russians have left an impression upon my mind which no -length of time can ever efface. - -"The war passed, and an era of tranquillity, or rather of torpor, -followed. - -"Among those who frequented the assemblies held by the Countess -Lorenska--assemblies that partook more of a political than of a social -character--was a young priest of Italian origin, named Pasqual -Ravenna, who exercised considerable influence over the mind of my -adoptive mother, inasmuch as he was her father-confessor. - -"One night during a brilliant entertainment I stole out of the _salle -de danse_ into the moonlit gardens without, in order to avoid waltzing -with a silly fellow who was my special aversion. I secreted myself in -a quiet arbor. On the other side of the shrubbery two persons were -slowly pacing to and fro, and earnestly conversing. I recognized the -voices of Countess Lorenska and Father Ravenna. I had no wish to hear -what they were saying; indeed, I was too much pre-occupied with my -would-be partner, whom I could see through the leaves vainly trying to -find me, to pay much attention to them, but still fragments of their -dialogue reached my ears. - -"'She must be removed,' Ravenna was saying; 'she is too near'--I did -not catch the word--'to be safe. He often visits Warsaw. If she should -be seen and recognized by him, our plan would be frustrated. Besides, -she is growing. We must take care that she forms no love-attachment.' - -"The countess laughed. - -"'How absurd! She is too young for such notions.' - -"'She is only twelve, 'tis true, but she is more advanced physically -and mentally than most girls of fifteen. She will be safer in a -convent till--till--her restoration,' he added, as if hesitating for -the choice of a word. - -"'If you say so, it must be so,' said the countess with a sigh, -'though it will almost break my heart to part with her. Your -instructions have been carried out to the very letter. She will always -be a devout Catholic, and patriotically Polish.' - -"'So far--good,' replied Ravenna. - -"They both moved off at this point, and not till then did it dawn upon -me that they were speaking of myself. - -"Next morning I was summoned by the countess, whom I found seated with -Father Ravenna. - -"'Barbara,' she said, 'you are going to live in a convent for the next -six years, where you will continue the studies you have begun here. -Father Ravenna will conduct you to the convent. And do not forget -that if I should die he will be your guardian, and you must obey his -commandments, however strange they may appear.' - -"I cried very much on parting from my adoptive mother. - -"'Courage! It is for the good of Poland,' said the countess, as she -folded me in a last embrace. - -"I failed to understand how Poland could be benefited by poor simple -me, still less how my six years' residence in a convent was to -accomplish that end. - -"Under the conduct of Ravenna I travelled southward by easy stages. I -began to forget my grief in the novelty of the scenes that succeeded -each other. We entered Dalmatia, the country growing in grandeur and -wildness with every mile of our journey. - -"At last we reached our destination,--the Convent of the Holy -Sacrament, situated in an isolated valley amid the loftiest peaks of -the Dinaric Alps,--and here Ravenna left me after a long conference -with the abbess. - -"My life in the convent was a very pleasant one. Being the youngest -person in the establishment, I became a sort of pet with the nuns. -Though I took part in the devotional services of the convent, I did -not wear the religious habit, nor did I partake of the food of the -other inmates. My fare was more delicate than theirs; I wore costly -dresses; I had my own dining-chamber with a nun to wait upon me. In -short, if I had been a princess they could not have paid me more -deference and attention. - -"My studies were mainly directed by three monks from a neighboring -establishment, one of whom, so the nuns asserted, had been a leading -statesman of Austria, who, for some offence, had been ordered by the -Kaiser to retire to a monastery; be that as it may, his was a mind -well stored with political knowledge, and Metternich himself could not -have taught me more of the secrets of contemporary history. - -"My second year's residence in the convent was saddened by the tidings -of the Countess Lorenska's death,--to me a calamity in more ways than -one, for it made Father Ravenna my guardian, and him I had always -viewed with secret dislike, if not with fear. - -"Now that I was growing older and more thoughtful, the question as to -my parentage began to trouble me. Who was I? why kept ignorant of my -origin? why put to this course of study? The abbess Teresa averred -that all would ultimately be made clear by my guardian Ravenna, who -would remove me from the convent as soon as I was eighteen. - -"On the eve of my eighteenth birthday Ravenna appeared, no longer a -simple priest. His scarlet robes and the title 'Your Eminence,' -addressed to him by the abbess, showed that he had risen to the -dignity of a cardinal. - -"He held an interview with me in the quietude of my own apartment. He -had not seen me for six years, remember, and of course during that -time I had grown from girlhood into womanhood. - -"I noticed that as soon as he had set eyes on me he gave a start. I am -certain that he murmured 'How like'! During the whole of the interview -he walked to and fro, seemingly intent on studying my face and figure, -now in one light, now in another, conduct which very much embarrassed -me. - -"'Know, my daughter,' he began, 'that your father, supposed by you to -be dead, is really living.' - -"You can imagine my surprise at this statement. - -"'Then why does he not acknowledge me?' - -"'He has lived under the belief that you died as soon as born.' - -"'He knows differently now?' - -"'I have informed him of his error.' - -"'And he has sent you to bring me to him?' I cried joyfully. - -"'Alas! there's a difficulty at present in the way of your meeting -each other. Accustomed for eighteen years to regard you as dead, he -listens with scepticism to the story that you are living. Nay, more, -he avers the statement to be a conspiracy on my part." - -"'A conspiracy!' I repeated wonderingly. - -"'He has another daughter by a second wife, your half-sister, of whom -he has grown passionately fond. You, as the elder, stand in the light -of her interests; whatever she thought herself entitled to now -devolves upon you. For this reason he seeks to deny your relationship -to him.' - -"'They wrong me by such thoughts,' I cried. 'I ask not for wealth, but -for affection.' - -"'Tut, tut,' returned the cardinal. 'We have clear proofs of your -filiation and legitimacy. We shall compel him to acknowledge you. You -shall not be deprived of your rights.' - -"'How came my father to think me dead?' - -"'I believe I am responsible for that error,' he said, with a smile -that told me some interested motive lay at the root of his deception. - -"I was unable to control my indignation. - -"'You!' I cried. 'A holy cardinal the author of a falsehood that has -separated a father from his daughter for eighteen years, and that will -perhaps keep them apart forever! I honor my father for his present -distrust of you. If you lied to him in my infancy, what wonder that he -should deem you to be lying now?' - -"The cardinal waved his hand deprecatingly. 'The end sanctifies the -means, and my end is a noble one.' - -"Curiosity overcame my anger. Despite my aversion to the cardinal, I -could not refrain from plying him with questions; the names of my -father and my sister; their station in life; their abode, and the -like. - -"But Cardinal Ravenna remained inflexibly uncommunicative. It was in -vain that I knelt before him, and with tears entreated that he would -let me see my father and sister face to face. - -"'My presence may move them,' I said. - -"'Your presence, my daughter, would create confusion,' he said coldly. -'Leave to me the task of winning for you a splendid heritage. Till -then you must remain in this convent.' - -"And with that Ravenna took his departure. - -"The new knowledge imparted by the cardinal contributed rather to -embitter than to cheer my life. It was not a pleasant reflection that -somewhere in the world I had both father and sister who had never seen -me, and who, apparently, had no desire to see me. - -"For this state of affairs the cardinal, according to his own -statement, was responsible, and I hated him for it. He cared nothing -for the feelings of parent and child; his only object in bringing the -two together was to advance his own interests; he would exact a price -both from the father and from the new daughter. - -"I resolved to cast off the self-constituted guardianship of Cardinal -Ravenna. I would quit the convent, and, making my way to Warsaw, -endeavor to discover the friends of my girlhood. - -"But when I conferred with Abbess Teresa she told me kindly, yet -firmly, that this could not be; the cardinal had left strict orders -that I must be detained till his return. - -"From that time my freedom ceased. The walks which I had been -accustomed to take outside the convent in the company of two attendant -nuns were stopped. The cloister gardens were open to me; once I had -deemed them spacious, now they seemed very narrow. Though treated -kindly in other ways I knew myself to be a prisoner watched by -innumerable eyes. - -"The cardinal came not to release me. And thus eight months -passed,--the most melancholy time I had ever known. - -"At last the porter, Bulgar, with whom I had always been a favorite, -listened to my pleading, and one dark night, by preconcerted -arrangement with me, he left the convent-gate unlocked, and I stole -forth. - -"But my flight might soon be intercepted. A few miles to the north of -the convent, on the Bosnian frontier, is a fortress garrisoned by -Austrian troops. I remembered that once when a poor nun longing for -her freedom again, had run away, the Abbess had obtained aid from this -fortress. The commandant sent out a troop, which, scouring the country -around, returned with the fugitive after a three days' search. Devoted -to the cardinal's interests, Abbess Teresa would certainly make a -similar requisition in my case. - -"Still I had the advantage of several hours' start, and, trusting to -heaven for aid, I fled onward through the darkness. Zara, sixty miles -to the northwest, was the haven of my desires. For two days I -journeyed on foot, sleeping the first night in the woods. - -"At the end of the second day--but you know the rest. - -"O Paul," she murmured, with a soft pressure of her arms, "whom have I -in the world but you? And to think that I at first repulsed you when -you met me that night in the wood!" - -And here Barbara, having finished her story, looked up at Paul. - -"Why so grave?" she asked, with a smile that masked a certain -misgiving on her part. - -"In the very act of asking you to be my wife, Barbara, I feel -compelled to pause. Your story is so suggestive. Supposing you should -prove to be a rich heiress, or a peeress, or," he continued, his mind -reverting to the portrait of the lady with the diadem, "shall we -ascend higher, and say a princess?--you will make a mesalliance by -marrying one who has nothing but a cloak and a sword." - -"Dreams, Paul, dreams." - -"Nay, the interest taken in you by the cardinal proves that you are a -person either of rank or wealth, or possibly both." - -"I place no faith in the cardinal's story. Doubtless, there does exist -somewhere a rich Polish noble, whose infant daughter was lost or -stolen away eighteen or nineteen years ago, but I do not believe that -I am she, though Ravenna would have me play the role of the missing -heiress. But even if I were an empress--" - -Here Barbara paused in her utterance. - -"Yes; if you were an empress--?" - -"Cannot you guess the rest?" - -"You would be my wife. Is that so, Barbara?" - -"Yes, Paul," she replied, simply. "None but you." - -Paul raised her beautiful face upward to his own, and looked down into -the light of her dark eyes. - -"Barbara, I have loved you from the first moment of seeing you." - -Barbara could not truthfully say that her love had begun so early. The -knowledge of it had come upon her perhaps a month ago. - -"I wish I had known it. A month ago!" he added ruefully. "Just think -of the kisses I have missed!" - -"Nothing prevents you, Paul, from repairing lost opportunities." - -Who could have resisted the witchery of those lips raised so -temptingly at that moment? Not Paul, certainly. - - * * * * * - -The dusk of twilight was stealing over the island. The stars were -beginning to glimmer through the violet air above. - -"It is time to return," said Paul, leading Barbara towards the boat. - -"The mantilla!" she exclaimed, suddenly stopping short in her walk. "I -left it in the ruins. I must go back for it, since it is Jacintha's. -And my diamond brooch is fastened to it." - -"You are tired, Barbara. Remain here. I will fetch it." - -"Do not be long." - -"Can you not bear a parting of five minutes?" he asked with a smile. - -"One minute is too long, Paul." - -Seating Barbara upon a fragment of rock, Paul hastened over the grassy -upland in the direction of the classic ruin, which was distant about a -quarter of a mile from the shore. - -At the edge of a small wood that intervened between himself and the -temple, he paused for a moment to listen to Barbara, who was singing -in a sweet plaintive voice the hymn to the Virgin accustomed to be -sung in her convent at vesper hour. - - "Fading, still fading, the last beam is shining. - Ave Maria! day is declining: - Safety and innocence fly with the light: - Temptation and danger walk forth with the night: - From the fall of the shade till the matin shall chime - Shield us from peril, and save us from crime. - _Ave Maria, audi nos!_" - -She formed a pretty picture as she sat there alone by the dusky-blue -sea in the faint starlight, her dainty white-robed figure clearly -outlined against the black rock. - -"I'm the luckiest mortal living," muttered Paul. "By heaven! won't the -fellows be dumb with surprise and envy when I mount the jetty-stairs -at Corfu with Barbara upon my arm! And as for uncle, always an admirer -of the ladies, he'll fairly worship her." - -He pictured Colonel Graysteel's look of admiration, and caught his -whispered aside: "By Jove, Paul, where did you find this lovely -vestal? Lucky dog! no wonder you have stayed away so long!" - -Barbara had followed Paul with her eyes, and now, on seeing him pause, -she waved her hand prettily, while he, like a gallant lover, waved his -in turn. Then, eager to despatch his quest and to return to her, he -plunged into the wood, and Barbara was lost to view. - -On reaching the temple, Paul quickly found the mantilla, but the -brooch which should have been attached to it was missing. As the -ornament was a valuable one he did not like to return without it, and -he therefore began a search in the fading light. - -Having spent ten minutes without success, he resolved to quit the task -lest Barbara, sitting by the lonely shore, should become nervous at -his long delay. - -As he rose to his feet he looked upward, and found that the stars were -invisible. A white mist like a ghost was floating over the isle. - -Snatching up the mantilla, he dashed down through the woodland, and, -but for the murmur of the sea, which served to direct his course, he -would most certainly have missed his way. - -As he drew near to the beach he called upon Barbara by name, but -received no answer. This was puzzling, inasmuch as he was near the -place where he had left her. Near? He was at the exact spot. There was -the crag upon which she had been seated a few minutes previously, but -of Barbara herself not a trace was visible. - -Vainly did his eyes seek to pierce the veil of mist that hung around; -every object more than a few feet distant was hidden from view. - -The melancholy lapping of the waves over the sand was the only sound -that broke the stillness. - -Where was Barbara? Ah! alarmed perhaps by the mist and by his long -absence, she had left the shore to seek him, and had missed her way to -the ruin. He would go back at once and find her. - -He had just turned to retrace his steps, when suddenly from out the -mist that overhung the sea there came a strange voice,-- - -"_All ready? Give way, then. To Castel Nuovo!_" - -The words were immediately followed by the dip and roll of -oars,--sounds that sent a thrill of horror through Paul's heart. In -one swift moment he realized what was happening. - -The Austrian gendarmerie sent by the convent authorities had come at -last! Come? ay, and were going with their purpose accomplished! - -Barbara, silent, perhaps because in a swoon, was in the hands of -enemies who were carrying her off, and though her captors were but a -few yards distant, he was unable to render her any aid. The -suddenness, the stillness, the mysteriousness of it all was more -appalling than the act of abduction itself. - -Half-an-hour had not yet elapsed since Barbara had pressed her glowing -lips to his. And now--and now--was ever lover's dream cut short so -awfully and abruptly as this? - -"Barbara! Barbara!" he cried in agony. "If you are there, speak." - -Was he mistaken, or did he really hear his own name pronounced by a -voice faintly sounding, as if the speaker's head were muffled within -the folds of a cloak? - -Following his first impulse, he dashed into the sea towards the point -whence came the sound of the oars. Like a madman he leaped and plunged -forward through mist and water with the desire of arresting the -progress of the receding boat. Vain hope! He did not even obtain a -glimpse of the boat, much less come up with it. - -Not till the water surged breast-high around him did he pause, and -then he stood mechanically listening to the sound of the oar-sweep as -it died away in the distance. - -Recovering from his stupor he waded back to land, and sought the place -where he had left his own boat. - -It was gone! - -It had either been taken in tow by Barbara's captors, or cast adrift -in order to prevent him from giving trouble by following them. - -The island had become his prison, inasmuch as he had no way of -crossing to the mainland except by swimming, and though he might not -have shrunk from a three-mile course in smooth water, the same -distance across a sea-channel traversed by currents and covered by a -thick fog was a very different matter. - -Though every moment of detention diminished his hope of effecting -Barbara's rescue, yet here he was, absolutely helpless, dependent for -his release upon the chance passing of some fishing-boat. - -He did not doubt--he could not doubt--that the abduction of Barbara -was the work of Cardinal Ravenna, who had probably been apprised by -Abbess Teresa of the flight of his youthful _protege_. It was not -likely that he would restore her to the Convent of the Holy Sacrament; -some more secure establishment would be chosen, and, when Barbara was -once immured by the authority of a powerful ecclesiastic, it would be -difficult, if not impossible, to reach her. The only consoling feature -in this dark affair was that the success of the cardinal's scheme, -whatever its character, hung upon Barbara's life; so far she was safe, -but the thought of the sufferings to which she might be subjected, in -order to extort submission, drove Paul's mind to the verge of frenzy. - -At midnight the mist began to lift almost as suddenly as it had come -on. The whole blue arch of heaven became revealed. The moon was now at -its full, and the cold, pallid light shone over the island with its -dark woods, and its ivory-white temple on the hill-top, the fallen -shrine of love. - -Paul mounted this hill and glanced over the sea in all directions; but -his hope of seeing some barque in the vicinity of the isle was -immediately extinguished. Not a sail was visible. - -He had brought to the island a pair of field-glasses, and these he now -directed over the channel that separated him from the Dalmatian -mainland. The light was insufficient for the taking of distant -observations; nevertheless, he came to the conclusion that a tiny -light visible at a certain point on the coast marked the position of -Castel Nuovo; and, aware that Barbara's captors must long ere this -have reached their destination, this light became an object of deep -interest. Without any reason whatever to guide him, he took up the -belief that it marked the room in which she was detained for the -night, and impressed by this fancy, he kept his eyes fixed upon it as -wistfully as if it were the face of Barbara herself. - -Suddenly the light vanished. - -A very simple occurrence, and yet Paul had no sooner noted it than -there came over him a trembling and a horror as great as if the -extinction of that light had likewise involved the extinction of -Barbara. - -His mind was either playing him strange tricks, or else his hearing -had become more than ordinarily acute. Sounds on the opposite coast -seemed close at hand,--sounds of an eerie character. - -The deep silence of the night was first broken by the fitful ringing -of church bells; immediately afterwards came a series of -reverberations which Paul could compare only with the rattling echoes -produced by the discharge of artillery among lofty hills; and next -there floated over the sea a prolonged cry like the wild shriek of -some captured town. - -Then all was still again. - -What had happened along that moonlit coast? - - * * * * * - -Night waned. Morning dawned with all the fair golden glory of that -southern clime. - -On the shore of Isola Sacra stood a man, his gaze fixed eastward as it -had been fixed ever since the growing light had enabled him to -perceive distant objects with any degree of distinctness. - -The British regiment at Corfu would have failed to recognize their -captain in this man with his wild air, blood-shot eyes, and haggard -face staring continually over the sea. - -For the twentieth time his shaking hands raised the field-glasses. - -Whenever he turned the binoculars to that point of coast where Castel -Nuovo should have been, he found that Castel Nuovo was not there. -Focus the glasses as he would, he could not detect a trace of the -edifice. The blue sea seemed to be rolling over the site! - -In like manner other landmarks along the coast had disappeared, -notably a white lighthouse a few miles to the north of Castel Nuovo. -The mountains, too, seemed to present an outline differing from that -of the previous day. - -Then the truth in all its ghastliness broke upon Paul, and, strong man -though he was, he dropped upon the sands as one dead. - -The explanation was simple and terrible. - -During the night an earthquake had devastated the coast of Dalmatia; -towns had been laid in ruins; scores of people had perished; and, -among a crowd of minor catastrophes enumerated by the "Zara Times" of -that week, was the complete submergence of a picturesque edifice, -erected in the fourteenth century by the Doge Marino Faliero, and -known by the name of Castel Nuovo! - - - - -THE STORY - - - - -CHAPTER I - -TWO YEARS AFTERWARDS - - -"Here's to the Princess of Czernova!" cried Noel Trevisa,--a -dark-eyed, handsome young fellow,--raising his glass as he spoke. -"Have you seen her yet, Paul?" - -Captain Cressingham, or to use the new name assumed by him on the -death of a relative, Captain Woodville, smiled at the enthusiasm with -which his friend proposed the toast. - -"I entered Slavowitz only last evening," he replied, "and have already -been asked that question six times. It seems to be the first one put -to a visitor." - -"And when you have seen her you will cease to wonder at the pride of -the Czernovese in their princess. Natalie Lilieska is more than -beautiful,--she is Beauty's self." - -This interchange took place on an elevated balcony of the Hotel de -Varsovie, the principal establishment of its kind in Slavowitz, the -picturesque capital of the old Polish principality of Czernova. - -Between Paul and his companion stood a marble-topped table decorated -with a bottle of Chartreuse and a box of cigars, and in the quiet -enjoyment of these luxuries the two Englishmen yielded themselves to -lazy abandon in the soft sunshine of a spring morning, watching the -gay current of Czernovese life as it flowed along the boulevard -beneath their feet. - -Two years had elapsed since the night when Barbara had been carried -off to perish, as Paul believed, in the engulfing of Castel Nuovo. - -A fishing-barque passing by next morning had taken Paul from the -island; its arrival was timely, for the vessel had scarcely gone -half-a-mile when the sea became violently agitated, and Isola Sacra -itself disappeared beneath the waves. The frightened fishermen, -perceiving that the force of the earthquake was not yet spent, refused -to put in on the Dalmatian coast, believing it to be safer on water -than on land. For four-and-twenty hours they kept out on the deep, -disembarking only when they deemed the peril past. - -The moment Paul touched land he made his way to the vicinity of Castel -Nuovo, and found its site covered by the sea. Must he believe that the -last resting-place of Barbara was fathoms deep below these waves? He -rowed to and fro over the spot, peering through the singularly -transparent water, and sometimes fancying that he could discern the -ghostly outline of towers and battlements. - -Had Barbara really been lodged at Castel Nuovo during the night of the -earthquake, or at some other place? - -Inquiries carried on by him within a wide area around Castel Nuovo -yielded no tidings as to the missing maiden. Barbara, Jacintha, -Lambro, were like the shadows of a past dream. - -Blank despair settled upon Paul. Life seemed scarcely worth living. - -Then came news that the British troops stationed at Corfu had been -ordered to India to suppress a rising among the hill-tribes of the -frontier. - -Paul, whose first impulse had been to resign his commission, now -decided to accompany his regiment lest his retirement on the eve of -war should be attributed to a spirit of cowardice. The fierce thrill -of fighting might help to drown the memory of Barbara--for a time. -And since life without her was hard to bear, he cherished the hope -that an Afghan spear might give him the death he desired. - -On his arrival at Corfu, Paul learned that, owing to the death of a -wealthy aunt, he was now master of considerable landed property in -Kent, subject to the condition that he should assume his relative's -name of Woodville. Paul mechanically acquiesced, and was henceforth -gazetted as "Captain Woodville." - -"Cressingham or Woodville, what matters?" he said. "Soon to be a -little dust, I hope." - -This legal formality over, he hurried off to India. - -In the campaign that followed he did not die; on the contrary, he -lived to gain a brilliant reputation,--a reputation destined, though -he foresaw it not, to stand him in good stead during a political -crisis of the future. - -In a small border-fortress he found himself one of a garrison of four -hundred men besieged by an Afghan force twenty times its own number. - -It was winter, and the mountain-passes were filled with snow. - -Weeks must elapse ere relief could come. Scantily provided with -artillery, their provisions running out, sleepless from incessant -attacks, the heroic little band kept grimly to the work. - -Early in the siege the major in command, with two or three officers, -yielding to a spirit of fear strange in English soldiers, proposed in -council an unconditional surrender. - -"We were sent here," said Paul, darkly and haughtily, "to hold the -fortress, not to cede it. If you do not know your duty, Major, there -are those who will teach it you. I will shoot the first man that talks -again of surrender, be he commandant or be he private." - -And without delay Paul took strong measures. He put his own superior, -together with the recreant officers, under arrest, and he himself took -the command. Upon this there arose from the garrison, when informed of -what had taken place, a ringing British cheer that startled the enemy -in their distant entrenchments. - -Paul henceforth was the soul of the fight,--at the head of every -sortie, charging the enemy regardless of their number. The garrison -attributed his conduct to sheer devilry; it was, in truth, the -despairing mood of a man bent on finding death. - -Ever amid the clash of arms he seemed to see before him the beautiful -face of her whom he had lost, and scarcely conscious of the fact, he -would cry "Barbara! Barbara!" to the bewilderment of his men. The wild -Afghans shrank back in dismay whenever the "Feringhee devil" turned -his dripping sabre in their direction, deeming the "bar-bar-a" uttered -by him to be a magic spell capable of dealing death around. - -When at last the long-desired relief came, and the story of the heroic -defence of Tajapore became known to the world, Paul found that he had -unintentionally become a famous person. - -At the end of his second year in India Paul made a remarkable -discovery. - -Up till that time he had entertained the belief that Cardinal Ravenna -had perished in the Dalmatian earthquake, though strange as it may -appear, he had not thought of putting his opinion to the proof by -ascertaining whether the Sacred College had actually lost a member in -the year '45. However, being in the club-room at Poonah one day, he -happened to be glancing over a continental newspaper, when his eye was -caught by the following paragraph,-- - -"The Pope has been pleased to appoint Cardinal Ravenna to the -archiepiscopal see of Slavowitz." - -Paul laid down the paper trembling with new hope. If the cardinal had -survived the earthquake, why should not Barbara likewise? Could it be -that she was really alive? - -Till that moment Paul had been ignorant of the name of Slavowitz, but -a reference to a dictionary of geography informed him that it was the -capital of Czernova, the latter being a small independent state on the -borders of Austria and Russia. - -He resolved to set off immediately for this principality, for the -purpose of interviewing the dark-dealing cardinal in whose breast was -contained the secret of Barbara's history. - -Two years' assiduous attention to duty easily earned for Paul a long -furlough. He quitted India, arrived at Alexandria, and took ship for -Constantinople; thence travelling post-haste day and night he threaded -the passes of the Balkans, crossed the Danube, traversed the forests -of the Carpathians, and finally arrived at Slavowitz late at night, -where he was much disappointed to learn that the new archbishop was -absent from his see, having gone on a journey to Rome, his return, -however, being daily expected. - -Paul determined to await his coming. - -On this, his first morning at Slavowitz, while gazing from the balcony -of his hotel, he caught sight of an old college chum in the person of -Noel Trevisa. - -Paul immediately cried to him by name, and in a moment more the two -friends were sitting together renewing old memories; and great were -Trevisa's surprise and admiration on learning that the Captain -Woodville whose name had become familiar to all Europe, was the same -as his old friend, Paul Cressingham. - -"And what has brought you to this city?" inquired Paul, when the other -had drunk his toast to the fair ruler of Czernova. - -"This city is my adopted home. Formerly professor of English at the -university of Slavowitz, I am now private secretary to the loveliest -princess in Europe, and occupy a suite of apartments in the palace." - -"Accept my congratulations. How did you, a foreigner here, obtain the -post?" - -"Thaddeus the Good--" - -"Who is he?" - -"Was, my dear fellow--'was' is the word, inasmuch as he is no -more--the late Prince of Czernova, her Highness's father. He died six -months ago." - -"I understand. Proceed." - -"Prince Thaddeus, about two years ago, offered me the post of tutor to -his daughter Natalie. I was to instruct her in English Literature and -English Constitutional History. Naturally I did not refuse so charming -a student. When a few months later her secretary resigned through -ill-health, the princess installed me in his place, where I am proud -to be. I wish I could persuade you too, Paul, to take service under -her Highness." - -"What! Accept command in a toy army destined never to smell powder! -All thanks to you, Noel, but I prefer to remain with the old -Twenty-fourth." - -"That's a pity, for the princess is very desirous of officering her -army with men experienced in warfare. And of all nationalities she -seems to prefer the English. On her return from Dalmatia--" - -"From where?" interrupted Paul, sharply. - -"From Dalmatia. Why shouldn't she go there?" retorted Trevisa, -aggressively. - -"Why not, indeed? And how long is it since she returned from -Dalmatia?" - -"About two years." - -"Ha! proceed." - -Paul's strange manner led Trevisa to wonder whether his head had not -become affected by his two years' residence in the tropics. - -"Well, as I was about to say, after her return from Dalmatia, one of -the first acts of the princess was to appoint a new uniform for her -body-guard. Accordingly sketches of the various costumes worn in the -different European armies were laid before her. You, my dear Paul, -ought to feel honored by her selection." - -"Why so?" - -"Because the uniform she chose is one so like your own that for my -part I fail to detect the difference. As you walk through the streets -of Slavowitz you will certainly be taken for one of her _corps du -garde_, known as the Blue Legion." - -A strange suspicion entered Paul's mind. - -"How old is the Princess Natalie?" - -"She celebrated her nineteenth birthday last week." - -"Barbara, if she were living, would be twenty-one by this time," -murmured Paul to himself; and then aloud he added: "And you say that -the princess is very beautiful?" - -"Be thyself the judge," smiled Trevisa. "Within a quarter of an hour -from now she will pass along this boulevard on her way to the Mazeppa -Gardens. From the balcony here you will have a good view of her." - -"Haven't you her portrait upon you?" - -"At present I have with me no other likeness than this." - -And here Trevisa drew forth a gold-piece, bright as if fresh from the -mint. - -"The new coinage, issued this week. Reverse--the double-headed eagle, -the ancient arms of Poland. Obverse--the profile of the princess with -the legend '_Natalia, Princeps Czern. Amat. Patr._' 'Natalie, Princess -of Czernova, Lover of her Country.' Did the goddess Athene carry a -more dainty head than this?" - -Paul took the coin, glanced at the obverse, and then sat in a state -wavering between belief and unbelief. - -Was this golden disc really stamped with the head of Barbara? So it -seemed to Paul. At any rate, if her profile had been engraved on metal -with due regard to fidelity, it would have differed little or nothing -from that on the coin. - -Then a new idea seized him, and one more consonant with probability. -Was this the profile of the maiden whose portrait he had seen in the -cardinal's secret study at Castel Nuovo--the maiden with the laughing -eyes, the sceptre and the diadem? - -"A graceful head, a very graceful head," he remarked, returning the -coin. "I should like to hear more of the fair lady." - -"As many questions as you please." - -"First, where did the Princess Natalie pass her childhood and youth?" - -"Here in the city of Slavowitz and its vicinity. Of course she has had -her travels like the rest of us, and has visited different European -countries, but, speaking generally, she was reared and educated in the -Vistula Palace, whose towers you can see rising behind yon cathedral -spire." - -Clearly not Barbara, for Barbara had spent her earlier years at -Warsaw, her later in the Illyrian Convent of the Holy Sacrament. - -"And what of her visit to Dalmatia?" - -"That was undertaken two and a half years ago; at that time she was in -a delicate state of health, and the physicians recommended a tour -around the Adriatic. She travelled incognito with a slender suite -under the care of Cardinal Ravenna." - -"Who took her, among other places," thought Paul, "to Castel Nuovo, as -is proved by the fragment of lace in the secret corridor." - -"This tour was productive of singular results," continued Trevisa, -musingly. - -"In what way?" - -"Well, it was to have lasted three months, but it was extended to six; -and when the princess returned she was an altered being; I do not mean -in appearance, I refer to her character." - -Light began to dawn upon Paul. The Princess Natalie had not returned -to Czernova; instead there had come her living image--Barbara! - -"What remarkable development had the princess's character undergone?" - -"Beforetime she was a gay and vivacious maiden. She returned grave and -sedate. This change was attributed to the earthquake." - -"The earthquake?" - -"Yes. Don't you remember the great upheaval on the Dalmatian littoral -two years ago?" - -"Ah! I remember something of the sort, now I come to think of it." - -"Well, the terrible scenes witnessed by Princess Natalie, together -with her own nearness to death, seem to have sobered her from girlhood -into womanhood. From that time she began to take a keen interest in -state affairs, which she had previously regarded as boredom." - -"Barbara was keenly interested in politics," thought Paul. - -"Beforetime her predilections, if she had any, were in favor of -Russia. She returned divested of her Muscovite sympathies." - -"Barbara was decidedly an anti-Muscovite," thought Paul. - -"But the greatest change--" - -"Yes, the greatest change--?" repeated Paul, observing that the other -had stopped short in his utterance with the air of one about to be -betrayed into an imprudent statement. - -As Trevisa did not reply, Paul drew a bow at a venture. - -"The princess was reared in the Greek faith, I am given to -understand? Humph! what was Prince Thaddeus thinking of when he placed -his daughter under the tutelage of Cardinal Ravenna? One can guess the -result. The princess went away a Greek, and came back a Catholic. Is -it not so?" - -"Hush!" muttered Trevisa, glancing around in some trepidation. "Yes, -that is so. You have hit on a state secret, communicated only to her -cabinet, and to me--her secretary. But, Paul, breathe not a word of -this to any one, for the knowledge of it would shake her throne, -and--" - -He paused. There was a sudden commotion in the street below. -Pedestrians had stopped in their walk, and were crowding to the edge -of the pavement with their faces all set in one direction, whence came -the distant sound of cheering and of clapping hands. The applause -rolled in _crescendo_ along the boulevards, advancing nearer each -moment to the two friends. - -"Here comes the princess!" cried Trevisa, springing to his feet. Paul -felt his heart beating as it had never beat before when he turned his -eyes towards the approaching cavalcade. - -First came a detachment of Polish uhlans, their burnished lances -glittering in the morning sunshine, and the points decorated with -black pennons that fluttered in the breeze. - -The handsome regimentals of this _corps du garde_, the Blue Legion, -promptly drew from Paul the remark,-- - -"Why, their uniform is the same as the Twenty-fourth Kentish!" - -"A remark previously made by me," observed Trevisa, drily. "You are -singularly forgetful, Paul." - -On came the lancers at a swinging trot, followed by an open landau -containing the princess. - -A moment more and this carriage was abreast of the hotel, and as if -fortune were favoring Paul, the vehicle was brought to a sudden -stand-still opposite the balcony on which he stood. - -The equipage was a dainty one, lined with pale blue silk, the arms of -Poland gleaming in gold from the polished sable panel. The fine black -horses, with coats like shining satin, were decked in silver harness. - -But Paul saw nothing of this equipage; his eyes were set upon its -occupant. - -There, seated in graceful state, with silken sunshade poised above her -head, and responsive to the plaudits of the people by sweet smiles and -a courteous bending of her head, was--the youthful and beautiful -Barbara! - -The supreme joy of realizing that she was actually living so affected -Paul that for a moment the whole street--Barbara, soldiers, people, -buildings--became a confused swimming vision. A sound like the murmur -of many waters filled his ears. - -With difficulty he controlled his first impulse to descend the hotel -steps, crying "Barbara! Barbara!" It set his teeth on edge afterwards -when he recalled how near he had come to making a fool of himself. No, -his first interview with her must not take place in the open street -before a wondering, gaping throng. - -Fearing lest she should glance upwards and recognize him, Paul drew -aside behind a screen of aloes that decorated the balcony, and -continued to watch. - -Yes, it was truly Barbara. The convent-fugitive who had strolled with -him through the pine-woods of Dalmatia, the Polish maiden whom he had -held in his arms had become a real princess with a court, ministers, -and an army at her command. The wonderment of it all! And though she -had spent nearly a third of her life in a convent, yet there she sat -with the air of one born in the purple. It was amazing, nay, charming, -to mark the dignity and the ease with which she carried herself in her -new state. - -The landau of the princess had been stopped before the Hotel de -Varsovie in order to enable her to address two pedestrians, who, -judging from the respect paid to them by the crowd, were persons of -distinction in the little world of Czernova. - -The first was an elderly, silver-haired man of fine presence, and -distinguished by a stately, old-fashioned courtesy. - -"Count Radzivil," replied Trevisa, in answer to Paul's question. "The -prime minister of Czernova, brother of the celebrated Michael, who -commanded the Polish insurgents of '30." - -As the premier was old enough to be Barbara's grandfather, Paul could -afford to view him with composure; but the case was very different -with the other individual. - -He was a man of lofty stature, and of broad, massive build, with a -dark, handsome face set off with black eyes and a black beard. The -sunbeams toyed with the silver eagle upon his helmet. His splendid -uniform glittered with gold lace, stars, and orders. He carried -himself erect, his left hand resting upon the hilt of his sabre; and -it was clear that both in his own opinion, and also in the opinion of -the crowd, he was a very grand personage indeed. - -"Who's His Serene Tallness?" - -"John the Strong, Duke of Bora, commander of the Czernovese army, a -member of the cabinet, and the heir-apparent to the crown. He is first -cousin to the princess, and likewise a near kinsman of the Czar." - -Envy and misgiving stole over Paul as he contrasted his own inferior -rank with that of the imperially-connected Bora. Barbara was bending -forward in her carriage, laughing pleasantly, and apparently holding -an animated conversation with the duke. One might almost have thought -that she was exerting all her arts to please him. - -Paul surveyed him more attentively, and quickly gauged his -character,--an individual naturally sullen, of a somewhat slow -intellect, yet not without ambition; a man upon whom the graces and -restraints of polite life lay but lightly; a little provocation, and -the savage would soon be in evidence. What could Barbara find in this -man to interest her? - -"Bora seems on excellent terms with the princess," said Paul. - -"Naturally, seeing that he is to marry her." - -"What?" - -Paul's intonation was so sharp that Trevisa turned to survey him. - -"Why, Paul, how white you're grown!" - -"Merely a pang from an old wound. But your princess; she can't -entertain any real love for _that_ fellow." - -"Love was never fashionable at courts," smiled Trevisa. His words -jarred upon Paul. If Barbara had become such that she could marry -without any love on her side, then her nature must have sadly changed -from what it was in the old sweet days at Castel Nuovo. - -"It is a _mariage de convenance_," continued Trevisa, "tending to -secure her position on the throne, and--but see, she is about to set -off again." - -The princess, having finished her conversation, drew off her right -glove and extended her fair jewelled hand to the duke with a smile and -graciousness of manner that roused all the jealousy in Paul's nature. - -"She has forgotten me," he murmured bitterly. "Well, of course, she -thinks me dead; but even if she knew otherwise, it is not likely that -she will pay much regard to me now. And yet what were her words to me -on the day that we were parted? 'If I were an empress, Paul, I would -be your wife.' Humph! we shall see." - -Bora raised the delicate hand to his lips amid the applause of the -crowd, who seemed to regard the incident as a very pretty tableau. - -Count Radzivil lifted his hat with courtly grace, and the next moment -the landau was gliding smoothly along the Boulevard de Cracovie, -followed by a detachment of cavalry similar in equipments to that -which had preceded it. - -Paul was left a victim to perplexing thoughts. - -What had become of the real Princess Natalie, and why had Barbara -assumed the name, title, and sceptre of the daughter of Thaddeus, -personating the character with such art and tact as apparently to defy -detection, since Trevisa, though long resident in Czernova, had no -suspicion of the substitution that had taken place? - -Had Barbara a just title to the throne? Recalling her air as she sat -in the landau, Paul felt that he could not associate the appropriation -of another's heritage with that winsome and dignified presence. No, -difficult though it was to explain her conduct, he would believe -anything rather than that she was a conscious and willing usurper. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -CZERNOVESE POLITICS - - -"Well," said Trevisa, puzzled by Paul's long silence, "what think you -of this fair vestal throned in the east?" - -"My wonder is how you, her private secretary, compelled by your office -to attend her daily, have avoided falling in love with her." - -"By steeling my heart and playing the philosopher. Princesses are not -for common mortals like myself. Give me blue blood and a title, and I -might aspire. The sovereign of Czernova must not marry a commoner, on -pain of forfeiture of the crown. Her consort must be one of royal or -noble birth." - -"Ah! is that the law?" asked Paul, with affected carelessness. - -"So runneth the statute of Czernova," replied the secretary. - -"_The sovereign must not marry a commoner!_" Why had he come to -Czernova? Better to have remained in ignorance of her fate, than, on -finding her, to learn that she could never be his. - -"You said," he remarked, after an interval of silence, "that the -marriage of the princess with the duke will secure the stability of -her throne. In what way?" - -"The explanation will require a long lecture on Czernovese politics. -You will esteem me a bore." - -"Not at all. Go on." - -"To begin then. This principality of Czernova represents the last -fragment of the ancient kingdom of Poland; it is one of the old -palatinates, and the Lilieskis were its palatines. - -"On the fall of Poland, in 1795, Czernova formed part of the share -allotted to Russia, and received exceptional treatment from that -power, the reason being that the Lilieski of that day, a handsome -young fellow, was one of the favorites of the Empress Catherine. She -not only permitted him to retain his palatinate, but even created him -Prince, and set her hand and seal to a new constitution framed by -Lilieski himself, which conferred upon Czernova all the rights of a -free and independent state. The Russians of to-day aver that the -Empress must have signed the document without reading it, or at least -without understanding what she was granting. Be that as it may, the -Poles of Czernova, having obtained a Charter of Liberty, have -resolutely refused to assent to any modification of its provisions." - -"But seeing that Russia is a hundred times the stronger, what has -prevented her from annexing Czernova?" - -"The rescript of the Congress of Vienna to the effect that 'Czernova -shall be governed according to the Charter granted by Catherine II.' -The Powers are therefore pledged to maintain the _status quo_. - -"So much for the political frame-work. Now for the people. - -"The Czernovese consist of diverse elements, but the two chief -nationalities are Poles and Muscovites. - -"The Poles are the original inhabitants of the country, passionately -attached to their liberty, and Catholics to a man. They form a -majority in the principality; but for the two past decades there has -been a steady influx of immigrants from Russia, which, if continued in -the same ratio, will inevitably result in the Russification of -Czernova. - -"These Muscovites, it need scarcely be said, belong to the Greek -Church, the head of which is the Czar; their sympathies are of course -pro-Russian, and if the Emperor Nicholas were to prepare to-morrow for -annexation very few of them would lift a finger to prevent it. - -"Here, then, is the crux of the political situation. - -"Czernova is occupied by two races alien in blood, language, religion -and ideals. They can no more unite than fire with water. In the Diet, -Poles and Muscovites form two hostile factions; the debates are -acrimonious; swords are sometimes drawn, and the scenes occurring lack -none of the fiery picturesqueness that was wont to characterize the -old Polish Diet of Warsaw." - -"A difficult matter," interjected Paul, "to find a ruler who shall be -acceptable to both factions." - -"Well, as things are at present," replied Trevisa, emphasizing the -last two words, "the Princess Natalie satisfies the requirement. The -Poles love her for her nationality; and the Muscovites, if they do not -love, are at least disposed to tolerate a ruler whom they believe to -be a member of their own Church. It is a guarantee that their own -creed will not be persecuted, for you know how intolerantly the Roman -Church behaved in old Poland. - -"Now it is the princess's secret faith which constitutes the coming -peril. - -"When the Muscovites learn that she is a Catholic--and the truth -cannot remain much longer hidden--it is doubtful whether their loyalty -will be able to stand the shock. They may rise in arms and endeavor to -seat the Duke of Bora on the throne, who has three recommendations in -their eyes; he is of the Greek Church, a Muscovite on the mother's -side, and connected, as I have said, with the blood-imperial of -Russia. - -"Hence, in the opinion of the cabinet, the necessity for the marriage -of the princess with the duke; their joint occupation of the throne is -the only thing that can keep Pole and Muscovite from cutting each -other's throats. A son born of this marriage will tend to unite the -interests of both parties." - -Barbara with a son! And by the duke! The thought set Paul's blood on -fire. - -"The cabinet of course are united on the question of this marriage?" -he asked. - -"They mayn't like it, but, as I have said, they feel its necessity. I -can name two ministers, however, who, outwardly assenting, are -secretly opposing the match." - -"And they are--?" - -"Cardinal Ravenna and Marshal Zabern." - -Ravenna! It was rather surprising to find Barbara including among her -ministry the ecclesiastic who had formerly inspired her with aversion. -Then Paul's surprise ceased when he reflected that the cardinal was -master of her secret history, and would therefore require to be -conciliated. An uneasy suspicion began to form in his mind that -Barbara was the innocent victim of a Jesuitical conspiracy--that she -had been duped into believing herself a princess by ecclesiastics who -intended to make use of her as a tool. - -"A Latin cardinal," he said. "I can understand that he would oppose -the marrying of the princess to a Greek heretic. But Zabern--who is -he?" - -Trevisa smiled. - -"You will not be long in Czernova without learning who Zabern is. He -is the Warden of the Charter, the most subtle character in the -cabinet, the idol of the Czernovese Poles, whose motto is 'Trust in -God and Zabern--especially Zabern.' Ask the Muscovites who Zabern is, -and they will blaspheme and tell you that he is the incarnation of the -devil. And as the slaying of the devil would be a holy act, their -pious attentions in this respect have compelled the marshal to go -about with chain-mail beneath his clothing." - -"And Zabern, you say, is opposed to the match? But if the princess -has set her mind upon it, how does Zabern propose to play his game?" - -"His first card is the Pope." - -"The Pope?" - -"Yes. The princess, being a Catholic, is debarred by the canons of her -Church from marrying the duke, inasmuch as he is her first cousin. The -papal dispensation is necessary before the union can be celebrated." - -"And should the Holy Father refuse to grant it?" - -Trevisa's face assumed a very grave expression. - -"Then the princess will indeed be in a dilemma. If she marries without -papal sanction the union will be deemed null and void by her Catholic -subjects. All the Polish clergy will be set against her, and you know -what that means. On the other hand, if she submits to the will of the -Pope, and dismisses her ducal suitor, she will put herself in grave -peril. The coronation takes place within four months from now, and the -Muscovites are fully expecting to see the duke seated side by side -with her in that ceremony. Disappointment will cause an armed rising -on their part, and then--and then--I greatly fear there will be an end -to the princess's rule." - -"How so? Why should not her adherents prevail?" - -"They would, if left to themselves, for they are the more numerous -party. But, behind the Muscovite faction, and filling the minds of the -ministers with secret fear, looms the colossal shadow of the Czar. If -there should be riots, and the Poles should take to burning and -killing, the Muscovites will cry to Nicholas to protect his own kith -and kin, and then, good-bye to Czernovese liberty. The Czar will have -what he has so long sought--a pretext for annexation. Heaven avert -such a calamity, but one cannot prophesy a bright future for Czernova -unless this marriage takes place." - -Trevisa had scarcely finished this exposition of Czernovese politics -when he happened to see a lady well known to him entering the hotel. -Asking Paul to excuse his absence for a few minutes, he went off to -pay his devoirs. - -Paul, not unwilling to be left alone, sat thinking of Barbara. What -would be the state of her feelings when she learned that he was alive? -She had accepted his love prior to the knowledge of her high rank. It -was not likely that under her changed circumstances she would consider -herself bound by her past promises. Granting, however, that she still -loved him; granting that the Duke of Bora would be so heroic as to -efface himself, marriage was impossible without the forfeiture of that -sceptre, which rightfully or wrongfully she now held, and to this -sacrifice Paul felt that he could never consent, even if Barbara -herself were willing. - -His duty was clear. He must live his life apart from her. But before -he left Czernova he must have an interview with her. He must see her -once more face to face and alone, and he thought of this meeting with -feelings of pleasure and pain. - -Looking up from this reverie, whom should he see at a little distance -but the Duke of Bora, attended by Count Radzivil. The pair were making -their way along the balcony of the hotel, apparently with the -intention of taking a seat or calling for wine at one of the many -little tables spread about. - -As the duke drew near, a spirit of latent defiance took possession of -Paul. This was the man destined to rob him of Barbara--Barbara who -belonged of prior right to himself. It was clearly state-policy that -dictated her attitude towards the duke. Paul found it impossible to -believe that the delicately-minded and intellectual Barbara could feel -any genuine love for this great, clumsy barbarian. - -"Let him keep to Natalie, and leave me Barbara. What sort of a lover -must he be? Where were his eyes two years ago, that he did not -perceive that the returning princess was not his first love? Barbara -must have played her part well so to impose upon him. But was he -deceived? Does he know the truth, and knowing, make use of it to -intimidate Barbara into marrying him?" - -A thought which did not tend to increase Paul's amiability. - -As the duke passed he eyed Paul askance, and then wheeling round with -a suddenness that formed a marked contrast with his previous slowness, -he exclaimed in a voice of thunder,-- - -"You have neither stood nor saluted, sir!" - -Paul regarded the fierce Bora with a look of calm surprise. What right -had this Czernovese grandee to demand a salute from him--an English -officer? - -"You have neither stood nor saluted, sir!" - -"Why should I?" - -The duke's black eyes flashed savagely; his face grew as dark as -night. - -"Are you mad or drunk? Report yourself a prisoner at the Citadel." - -"Again I ask, why should I?" - -Bora gripped his sword-handle with an air compounded of amazement and -fury. A whispered word from Radzivil seemed to exercise a moderating -effect upon him. - -"Permit me to give my name," said the minister, stepping forward with -a courteous bearing. "I am Count Radzivil, premier of Czernova. May I -ask a like favor?" - -"I am an Englishman, Captain Woodville of the 24th Kentish. May I ask -who is this--ah!--gentleman?" - -An Englishman! Bora immediately recognized his error. Misled by Paul's -uniform he had taken him for one of his own officers. The duke could -ill bear ridicule, and if this story got abroad he would be the -laughingstock of Czernova. - -"Permit me to reveal my dignity," he began stiffly. - -"Your--? But proceed, sir." - -"I am the Duke of Bora, commander-in-chief of the Czernovese army. -Your English uniform being so similar to the Czernovese--" - -"Pardon me. You mean that the Czernovese is so similar to the -English." - -"That I not unreasonably took you for a Czernovese officer." - -And with a scowl the duke drew aside, deeming that he made a -sufficient apology, and Paul, had he chosen, might have boasted that -he was the only man who had ever drawn an apology from the duke. - -"Woodville? Woodville?" murmured the premier with a musing air. -"Surely not the Captain Woodville who conducted the defence of the -Afghan fortress of Tajapore?" - -"The same," replied Paul modestly. - -The duke glanced askance at Paul with a feeling of jealousy, the mean -jealousy of the man who had done Nothing, against the man who had done -Something. - -Paul's breast was without a single decoration. The duke's breast was a -glitter of stars and crosses, none of which had been gained by actual -service in war. Bora felt the irony of the contrast, and grew more -bitter. Radzivil, however, was full of genuine affability. - -"Captain Woodville, it gives me great pleasure to meet you," he said, -extending his hand. "Had we known of your intention to visit Czernova -you should have been met with a guard of honor, and received in a -manner worthy of your fame. It was wrong of you to slip privately into -Slavowitz. Englishmen are always welcome at the court of the princess. -The princess, sir, takes a great interest in English affairs, so much -so that some of our free-speaking newspapers (for as you are perhaps -aware, we have no censorship of the press in Czernova) have ventured -to term her an Anglomaniac; Anglophile would be a more suitable term. -At her initiative we have modelled the forms of our Diet upon the -lines of your House of Commons. For example, we give three readings to -a Bill. The princess has a great admiration for the English. You may -not know that she has an Englishman for her private secretary." - -"You allude to Trevisa. My friend, count. We studied together at the -same university." - -"Really now, this is a very interesting coincidence," said Radzivil, -tapping his snuff-box pleasantly. "Your grace," he added, turning to -the duke, "Captain Woodville is an old friend of Trevisa's." - -But Bora affected not to hear. He hated the secretary, and as a -corollary, all who were the friends of the secretary. - -"Trevisa is an admirable acquisition," continued the premier, "and has -done us good service in many ways. Your grace remembers that important -cipher despatch which fell into our hands some time ago. It baffled -the experts. But Trevisa succeeded in unravelling it. He is the author -of a work on cryptography, I believe, though I am ashamed to say I -haven't yet read it. The princess has no more loyal servant than -Trevisa. He is more Czernovese than the Czernovese themselves, and -will take a pride in describing to you the resources of our little -state. We may not count for much among the Great Powers, but we are a -good deal stronger than most people suppose." - -"'_Esse quam videri_,'" smiled Paul. - -"Your grace, Captain Woodville honors you. He is quoting the motto of -the ducal House of Bora." - -Now this little Latin sentence was the same as that inscribed on the -golden band of the seal which Paul had found in the secret corridor of -Castel Nuovo. - -He happened at that moment to be wearing the signet affixed to his -watch-chain, and scarcely knowing that he did so, he drew it forth and -looked at it. - -The duke, attentive to Paul's action, caught sight of the sparkling -sapphire. He started, took a step forward--another--a third--his eyes -all the time resting upon the gem. - -"How came you possessed of that seal?" - -There was something so peculiarly aggressive in the duke's manner that -an angry retort trembled on Paul's lips. - -"Did you not receive it from a lady?" - -Then the truth flashed upon Paul. This signet must have belonged to -the duke, inasmuch as it bore his motto. An historic heirloom, it had -been given by him to the Princess Natalie, and had been lost by her in -the secret passage where Paul had found it. No wonder that Bora was -incensed at its re-appearance in this fashion! Jealousy caused him to -draw an altogether erroneous conclusion, and unfortunately it was -impossible for Paul to set him right without entering into the -particulars of his sojourn at Castel Nuovo. - -"A lady gave you that ring." - -"There your grace errs." - -"That's a lie," cried Bora savagely. - -"Softly, your grace," remonstrated Radzivil, glancing nervously -around. "Let us have no scandal in public." With difficulty Paul -restrained his anger. - -"Your grace's language is extremely offensive, but I am willing to -make all allowances. I do not wish to quarrel with you. This seal was -not given to me by a lady. I found it, and you claim it as yours. I am -quite willing to restore it." - -Bora took Paul's self-restraint for cowardice. - -"You found it? Where? When? Under what circumstances?" - -"Those are questions that I must decline to answer." - -"You refuse?" - -"Most certainly." - -"Then you shall fight me." - -Paul, thoroughly roused by the duke's arrogant manner, was not at all -averse to accepting this challenge. - -Then he thought of Barbara. The affair could not be hidden. She would -learn that his first act on coming into Czernova was to fight a duel -with her future consort. He would thus appear in her eyes as a -brawling swashbuckler presuming on her affection to protect him from -the consequences of his acts. - -"No, your grace, I shall not fight," he replied quietly. - -"Finding it easier to meet Afghans than a Czernovese," sneered Bora. -"Have you ever noticed, Radzivil, how brave these English are against -all the savage races of the world,--how reluctant to face the -European? If you will not fight I cannot, of course, compel you. But I -can at least brand you as a coward." - -And lifting the cane that he carried he brought it down heavily across -Paul's cheek. - -"Your grace!" exclaimed Radzivil, and filled with disgust and anger he -walked away to the far end of the balcony. - -The bronze had faded from Paul's face leaving it deadly white save for -a livid stripe on the left cheek. - -"Will you fight me now?" said the duke with a sneering smile and -raising his cane again, "or does your cowardice require a further -stimulus?" - -"Fight you? Yes, by heaven!" said Paul, with a deep inspiration. "Send -your second here without delay to meet mine. I hold no further parley -with you. My sword shall speak for me." - -A gleam of ferocious joy passed over the duke's face. - -"My second shall attend yours within an hour. But first a caution to -Radzivil. He hath too talkative a tongue, and this matter must be kept -secret." - -He turned from Paul, who sat down, the cynosure of many eyes. The -loungers on the balcony, the hotel-attendants, the passers-by on the -boulevard, had seen the duke's action, and concluded that in his usual -sweet fashion he was simply chastising the impertinence of one of his -own subordinates. - -And as Paul sat there thinking, first of the insult he had received, -and then of the fair, graceful head of Barbara pillowed on the breast -of this savage, he felt the devil of hatred rising within him. - -"By God, I'll kill him!" he muttered between his set teeth. "I shall -be doing Barbara a service. He to marry her, forsooth!" - -The Duke of Bora, not at all ashamed of his display of passion, vexed -only that Radzivil should have shown such marked disapproval, moved -forward to the table where the premier sat with wine before him. - -The latter durst offer no more than mild remonstrances, for he -occupied a delicate position. It was not polite to make an enemy of -one destined to be the Prince Consort of Czernova. - -"Your grace, you forget that duelling is forbidden by the law." - -"I am the heir-apparent, and above the law," returned Bora haughtily. - -"You will not find the princess taking that view of the matter. -Remember how earnest she was in advocating the Anti-duelling Act. For -one of her own ministers to fly in the face of it is to treat her with -contempt. Your grace is acting very unwisely--acting in a manner, -pardon me for saying it, that may lead to the forfeiture of her hand." - -"Bah! my good Radzivil, be but discreet and she will never hear of it. -Remember," he added with a menacing air, "if her Highness becomes -cognizant of this affair I shall know who was her informant." - -He tossed off a glass of wine, and shot a ferocious glance in Paul's -direction. - -"Who could avoid blazing forth?" he presently remarked. "Do you know, -Radzivil, that that sapphire seal was a gift of mine to Natalie? -Whenever I have had occasion to refer to it she has looked -embarrassed--why?" - -"Probably because she lost it, and has not liked to say so; and -inasmuch as it is now in the Englishman's hands it is evident that he -must have found it." - -"The finding of the seal would be a very innocent matter; why, then, -does he refuse to state the circumstances?" - -Radzivil did not reply, as he might very well have replied, that the -mildest-natured individual would have taken umbrage at the duke's -insolent manner. He merely remarked,-- - -"What would your grace infer?" - -"That the seal was given to yon fellow by Natalie herself." - -"Your grace must be mistaken. This is Captain Woodville's first visit -to Czernova. When and where could the princess have seen him?" - -"Where? Why not in Dalmatia? Ah! light at last," muttered Bora, -grinding his teeth and gripping his sabre-hilt with a murderous look -towards the distant Paul. - -"Your grace, explain." - -"Why did Natalie extend her stay in Dalmatia from three to six months? -There is the cause," he added, indicating Paul. - -"A secret amour with him at a time when she was affianced to you! You -wrong the princess," said Radzivil coldly. - -"Wait!" exclaimed the duke, excitement gleaming from his eyes. "Why -did she return so melancholy in mood that I almost doubted whether she -were the lively Natalie of former days? There is the cause!" he added, -again indicating Paul. - -"Your grace, this is midsummer madness." - -"Before that ill-starred tour she was ever ready to marry me; now, she -continually defers our nuptials. Why? There is the cause!" with the -same gesture as before. "She clothes her _corps du garde_ in a new -uniform. Why? To do honor to her hero--her lover." - -"Her lover?" dissented Radzivil. "And yet she has kept him at a -distance for two years?" - -"She knows that my sword is sharp, and that I brook no rivals. Who -aspires to the princess answers to me. Ha! her desire for an -Anti-duelling Act is now explained. The measure is to enable her lover -to walk securely in Czernova. She would protect him from my sword. She -thinks he may safely venture here now. She has doubtless been -corresponding with him since her return from Dalmatia, their common -friend, Trevisa, acting as intermediary, being well qualified for such -office. To an affianced princess engaged in a clandestine _affaire du -coeur_, an adept at cipher-writing is a very useful auxiliary." - -He again glared in Paul's direction with such ferocity of countenance -that the premier, thinking that he was about to jump up for the -purpose of making an onslaught upon Paul, tried to divert the duke's -thoughts by turning to another topic, and accordingly snatched at the -word "cipher." - -"Trevisa, as you say, is an adept at cipher-writing, but at present -his knowledge is somewhat at fault." - -"To what do you allude?" - -"To a cryptographic problem recently set him by Zabern. Four weeks ago -a tavern-brawl between some Poles and Muscovites rose so high as to -call for the intervention of the night watch, who marched the -offenders to the guard-house. The customary search taking place, there -was found upon one of the men a Russian passport made out to one Ivan -Russakoff, which name the man declared to be his." - -Radzivil had succeeded admirably in diverting the duke's attention. -Anger faded from his face. Paul and the duel seemed to be forgotten in -a new interest. - -"This Russakoff wore a caftan, in the lining of which was concealed a -large sheet of paper folded twice, and covered on both sides, not with -words but with rows of numerals. - -"In the morning the offenders were released with the exception of -Russakoff, who was asked to explain the meaning of the paper. But this -he refused to do. He averred that he was an agent travelling for a -cloth merchant of Warsaw named Pascovitch; and, as a matter of fact, -he carried a portfolio containing specimens of cloth. Inquiries show -that there is a cloth merchant of that name at Warsaw, that Russakoff -is his agent, and that the tailoring establishments of Slavowitz have -considerable dealings with this Pascovitch." - -"They let the fellow go after that, I presume?" - -"Not so. The matter came to Zabern's ears, and he had the man brought -before him. - -"'What do these numerals mean?' Zabern asked. - -"'They are the secrets of my business,' answered Russakoff. - -"'Without doubt,' said the marshal. 'Your business is that of a spy. -Your cloth-selling is a mere cloak to conceal your real calling.' -Zabern kept him under examination for a long time. Russakoff refused -to give the meaning of the mysterious paper; he failed to account for -certain portions of his time spent at Slavowitz; and the marshal, -convinced that the fellow is a spy in the service of Russia, has -removed him for greater security to the Citadel where he now is. The -paper has been entrusted to Trevisa for decipherment, and there the -matter rests for the present." - -"And you say the cipher puzzles Trevisa?" - -"He can make no headway with it at all." - -The duke seemed rather pleased than otherwise at Trevisa's failure. - -"Zabern sees a spy in every man who comes from Russia," he sneered. - -"Well, we shall soon know the truth. Zabern talks of employing the -rack and the thumbscrew to-day." - -"That's illegal," said the duke with a frown. - -"So's duelling," retorted the premier. - -Bora seemed on the point of making an angry reply, but checked himself -and said,-- - -"And this supposed spy was arrested a month ago, you say? If Zabern -deems this a matter of such importance, why was not I, a minister, -informed of it?" - -"The affair falls within Zabern's department, as he is the Minister -for Justice. I myself did not hear of it till yesterday, and then it -was by accident. And," added the premier, weakly smiling at the -acknowledgment that he was not master in his own cabinet, "you know -Zabern's way of acting without the knowledge of his colleagues, and -the princess's reply to our plaint 'Zabern is privileged.'" - -None knew this better than the duke himself, and there passed over his -face a dark look, which implied that when he should come to occupy a -moiety of the throne there would be a considerable curtailment of -Zabern's privileges. - -Tossing off the remainder of his wine at one gulp, the duke rose to -go, accompanied by Radzivil. - -After their departure Paul observed a little book lying on the floor -of the balcony near the table where the two men had been sitting, and -concluded that it had been unknowingly dropped by one of them. While -he was wondering whether to let it lie, or to send it after them by a -waiter, Noel Trevisa made his appearance, his long absence suggesting -that he had had a very interesting time with his fair lady friend. - -He noticed the book and, moved by curiosity, picked it up and found it -to be a pocket-edition of the poet AEschylus containing the Greek text -of the seven plays without translation, note or comment. - -While casually turning over the leaves Trevisa suddenly stopped and -knitted his brows in perplexity. - -"Now who has put himself to all this trouble, and what is the object -of it?" he muttered. - -"My book, Sir Secretary." - -Looking up Trevisa caught the keen black eyes of the duke fixed -suspiciously upon him. - -"I still keep up my knowledge of the classics, you perceive," remarked -Bora, as the book was returned to him. - -"You study them very attentively, too, I observe," said the secretary; -"it isn't every student that takes to counting the exact number of -words in a Greek play." - -Bora stared hard at Trevisa as if detecting a hidden meaning in his -reply, and then turned away, obviously ill at ease. - -Trevisa rejoined Paul, and catching sight of the red line on his -friend's cheek he instantly inquired the cause. - -"The signature of John the Strong," replied Paul, grimly, proceeding -to explain. - -In describing the recent fracas Paul, not wishing to refer to Castel -Nuovo, suppressed the incident of the seal, making it appear that his -non-salute of the duke was the cause of the quarrel. - -Trevisa listened with a look of the utmost consternation. - -"The damned savage!" he muttered. "Paul, you are rushing to certain -death. The duke is mighty with the sabre. There is not his equal in -all Czernova." - -"Small praise, seeing that Czernova is but small." - -"He has already fought thirty duels, seven of which ended fatally for -his opponent." - -"He won't fight more than his thirty-first. And, Noel, you must be my -second." - -"Dare I? The princess is sternly opposed to duelling. Under the late -Prince Thaddeus it was frightfully prevalent; Poles and Muscovites -were for ever challenging and fighting each other. After her accession -Zabern carried a bill making the duels a penal offence." - -"And yet the duke, though aware of this, gives a challenge! Humph! -law-maker, law-breaker! And what are the penalties for infringing the -law?" - -"Imprisonment for principals and seconds alike. If one should fall the -survivor is to be put on his trial for murder. You are between the -devil and the deep sea, Paul. If the duke should win, you die; if you -should win, you die all the same at the hands of the Czernovese law, -unless you take to immediate flight." - -What a picture was suggested by these last words! The duke lying dead, -Barbara in mourning, and himself red-handed, flying from justice! And -yet there seemed no way out of the affair consistent with a soldier's -honor. - -"Listen, Paul, I have the ear of the princess. A word from me as to -what is about to happen, and--" - -"Would you have the duke point at me as the craven who shirked a fight -by creeping behind the skirts of the princess, and begging for -protection? Anything but that! But Noel, you must not lose the favor -of the princess on my account. Let me find some other second." - -"No, Paul, I were no true friend, if I did not stand by you in this -affair. Here comes Baron Ostrova, the duke's secretary, and presumably -his second, since he has usually acted as such in Bora's _affaires -d'honneur_. What instructions, Paul?" - -"This evening. At six. Sabres. To the death." - -And Paul went on smoking as quietly as if a duel were an everyday -event with him. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -A MENACE FROM THE CZAR - - -In an ante-chamber of the Vistula Palace sat Count Radzivil, premier -of Czernova, in company with Marshal Zabern, the Warden of the -Charter; and the Charter being the palladium of Czernovese liberty, -the custody of that sacred document carried with it a high -distinction, second only to that of the premiership. - -The two ministers were waiting to communicate to the princess the -contents of an important despatch, which had just arrived from the -Czernovese ambassador at St. Petersburg; for Czernova, be it known, -though but a small state, was nevertheless sufficiently wealthy to -maintain an embassy at the three courts with which its interests came -most in contact, namely, St. Petersburg, Vienna, and Berlin. - -The only other occupants of the apartment were two silent -chamberlains, standing like statues before the folding doors of the -audience-chamber, each dressed in white pantaloons and silk stockings, -and each decorated with the silk wand of office. - -Ladislas Zabern was a man of fine soldierly presence, with limbs that -seemed carved from oak and soldered with iron. Courage was indelibly -stamped upon his face. He was fifty-three years of age, and though his -dark hair and moustaches were streaked with gray, he had lost none of -the energy of youth. - -A sabre-cut marked his left cheek, for he had known fighting from -early days. There was a legend current among his admirers--and they -numbered every man with Polish blood in his veins--that in childhood -he had been taken by his father, a patriotic noble, to the sacramental -altar, and made to swear that he would be the life-long enemy of -Russia. - -Be that as it may, his fiery youth had been spent in vain attempts to -procure the emancipation of Poland from the Russian yoke, and, as a -result, he had made acquaintance with that indispensable adjunct to -Muscovite civilization, Siberia. Chains and hardships, however, had -not soured his nature, as the good-humored twinkle in his eye -sufficiently proved. - -He was the sword and buckler of Czernova, unceasingly vigilant in -guarding this last fragment of Poland both against open aggression -from without, and also against secret disaffection from within. - -The Muscovites of the principality who regarded him as an incarnation -of the devil had some shadow of reason on their side; for though -Zabern was naturally of a frank and open disposition, the web of -political circumstances had forced him to be crafty and subtle. - -Czernova, being but a small state, was dependent for its freedom, not -upon strength of arms but upon the arts of diplomacy, and in those -arts Zabern was without a rival. Prince Metternich and Count -Nesselrode came off second-best when they played their game with the -Polish patriot. - -No man ever wore the mantle of Ananias with more ease and grace, and -when rebuked half-playfully, half-seriously by the princess for some -brilliant piece of deception, calculated to make the most daring -diplomatist stand aghast, he would merely reply: "The truth is, your -Highness, each of us was trying to deceive the other; I happened to be -the greater liar of the two, and so I succeeded. With two empires like -Austria and Russia pressing upon our borders and endeavoring to annex -us, it would be folly to act on the lines of the Sermon on the Mount. -We'll wait till they set us the example." - -It was only natural that, as a refugee from Siberia, he should be an -object of hatred to the bureaucracy of St. Petersburg, and extradition -having failed to secure his person, recourse was had to darker -methods, and Zabern had come to regard attempts upon his life as all -in the day's work. - -Such was Marshal Zabern, the leading member of the Czernovese -ministry, for Radzivil's premiership was purely nominal. None knew -better than the count himself that he had been selected by the -princess mainly to gild the cabinet with a famous historic name. - -Radzivil had been narrating to the marshal the incident of the fracas -between Paul and the Duke of Bora. - -To the premier's surprise Zabern received the news with an air of grim -satisfaction. - -"Why, count, this is manna from heaven. Have you told the others?" he -added, meaning by that expression the rest of the ministry. - -"Yes, and the opinion of one and all is that the princess must be -called upon to intervene." - -Zabern smiled with the air of one who should say, "A parcel of old -women!" - -"Count," he said, assuming an authoritative manner, "this duel must -take place. The good of the state requires it." - -"The cabinet connive at the breaking of the law! Impossible! It is our -duty to inform her Highness without delay, unless," added the premier, -"unless you can give good reason for acting otherwise." - -"Well, I, Zabern, forbid you," laughed the marshal good-humoredly. -"Won't that reason suffice you, count?" - -Ere the premier could reply, the chiming of a silver bell in the -audience-chamber announced that the princess was ready to receive her -visitors. - -The chamberlains flung wide the open doors. - -"Remember," said Zabern, in a somewhat stern whisper, "not a word of -this duel to the princess." - -And the perplexed Radzivil, always guided by the advice of his -colleague, gave a reluctant assent. - -The two ministers entered the White Saloon,--a hall so called from its -pure white decorations relieved with gold. - -At a table sat the fair princess who now bore the name of Natalie, but -in earlier days that of Barbara. - -She looked up with a bright smile, and motioned the two councillors to -a seat at her table. - -Zabern was her favorite minister, and he on his part was ready to -sacrifice his life to advance her interests and happiness. It was this -sentiment which made him look askance at her intended marriage with -the duke. With doubts of its wisdom even as a political expedient, he -had no doubts at all as to the private unhappiness that would result -from the union of such an ill-assorted pair. - -Therefore, he, Zabern, would prevent it; and matters that day seemed -to be favoring his design. - -"You come at an unusual hour, my lords, presumably, therefore, with -important tidings?" - -"From the grand liberticide," remarked Zabern. - -"Our representative at St. Petersburg," remarked the premier, taking -some papers from his despatch-box, "reports that at an ambassadorial -ball given at the Winter Palace a few nights ago the Emperor Nicholas -walked up to him, and in a severe voice, obviously intended to be -heard by the whole assembly, exclaimed: 'Is it true, sir, that the -Princess of Czernova has become a convert to the Catholic Faith?'" - -"So my secret has transpired at last!" smiled Barbara. "Well, it -matters little. It would have become public knowledge soon, inasmuch -as my coronation must take place in a Latin cathedral." - -"Of course the reply of our representative was that he could give no -answer till he had received instructions from the princess." - -"What said the Czar to this?" - -"'We,'" replied Radzivil, reading from the despatch, "'we shall send -an envoy to remind the princess that her coronation-oath requires -assent to the Greek Faith.' Your Highness, the Czar speaks truly. -Czernova must be governed according to its Charter, and as the Charter -fixes the words of the coronation-oath, we cannot deviate from them -without violating the conditions upon which autonomy was ceded to us. -I would that we could send word to deny the truth of your conversion. -Cannot," continued the premier, fixing a wistful look upon the face of -the young princess, "cannot your Highness be persuaded to return to -your early faith?" - -"My early faith," murmured Barbara to herself, "has never changed." -And then aloud she added, "Why, count, would you have me change my -faith as lightly as I change my mantle?" - -Zabern, though a Catholic himself, and that mainly because the Czar -was a Greek, was nevertheless a politician before all things, and he -here intervened with a characteristic suggestion. - -"Since your Highness has not yet publicly avowed yourself a Catholic, -you are free to deny that you are one. Act diplomatically. Publicly -attend the services of the Greek basilica; privately have your own -oratory in the palace here. The Pope will doubtless grant you a -dispensation to this effect." - -"No more such counsel, I pray you," said Barbara, coldly. "I am a -Catholic, not a Jesuit." - -"Your Highness corrects me with admirable judgment," returned Zabern, -who made a point of always agreeing with his sovereign, for by such -course he usually contrived to secure his own way in the end. - -"Our representative proceeds to say," remarked the premier, referring -again to his despatch, "that the Czar's words and manner were regarded -by all the ambassadors present as a distinct menace to your Highness. -'The annexation of the principality,' and '_Finis Czernovae_' passed -from lip to lip." - -"Czernova has survived many similar threats," said Barbara -disdainfully. - -"It is the contention of the Czar and his ministers," pursued the -premier, "that as a Catholic your Highness is precluded from reigning. -We would not alarm your Highness unnecessarily, but we cannot disguise -the fact that we are approaching a very grave crisis." - -"Be it so," replied Barbara, firmly. "My faith is dearer to me than -crown or life. I shall not change it to please the Czar." - -Radzivil looked the picture of melancholy at this avowal. - -"As the Czar has promised to send an envoy," remarked Zabern, "your -Highness will, of course, delay your answer till his arrival?" - -To this Barbara assented. - -"And in the interval," smiled Zabern cynically,--he was never happier -than when opposing Russian designs,--"we will set the jurists to work -to discover whether they cannot put upon the coronation-oath an -interpretation different from that taken by the Czar. We will appeal -to the decision of the other Powers; they being interested in opposing -Russian aggrandizement will readily lay hold of any ambiguity in the -wording of the oath." - -After a brief interval of silence the princess, knitting her brows -into a frown, said,-- - -"How comes the Czar to be aware of that which I revealed to my cabinet -under pledge of secrecy?" - -The two ministers interchanged significant looks. - -"The statement we are about to make," began Radzivil, "is of so -distasteful, so startling a character that we have hitherto withheld -it from your Highness, hoping that it might prove false. In vain, -however. We can no longer blind ourselves to the fact that there is a -traitor in the cabinet." - -"A traitor!" ejaculated Barbara. - -"Reluctantly we are forced to this conclusion. Secrets discussed in -the privacy of our council-chamber have been reported to the ministers -of the Czar. The previous letters of our ambassador leave no doubt on -this melancholy question." - -Here the premier began to read various extracts, all tending to prove -his statement. - -"One of my own ministers secretly corresponding with the Czar!" -murmured Barbara in dismay. "Who is the traitor! Whom do you suspect, -my lords?" turning sharply upon her ministers. - -"I know not in the least at whom to point the finger," replied the -premier. - -A smile flickered over Zabern's face, and he murmured to himself, -"Blind Radzivil!" - -"You suspect some one, marshal?" said Barbara, reading his looks. - -"Your Highness, I do, but prefer to verify my suspicions ere stating -them. I will say this much, however," continued Zabern, bending -forward over the table and speaking in a whisper, "he whom I suspect -is not one of the 'Transfigured.'" - -The princess seemed somewhat relieved by this last statement. - -"My spies are attentive to the traitor's movements," continued Zabern. -"Nay, more; I have his emissary under lock and key in the Citadel." - -"You refer to the man Russakoff?" asked Radzivil. - -"Yes. I am convinced that he is the intermediary of this treasonable -correspondence, and nothing but her Highness's clemency prevents me -from learning the name of his principal." - -"My clemency? How?" asked Barbara in surprise. - -"The rack would soon make him confess." - -"Oh! no, marshal," returned the princess, quickly. "No prisoner shall -be put to the torture during my _regime_. I am trying to civilize -Czernova. The rack would indeed be a return to barbarism." - -"Then we must fall back upon our secretary, Trevisa, and pray the -saints that he will unravel that cipher despatch. It may give us the -clue we want." - -"A traitor in the cabinet!" murmured Barbara. "Russia's arm is long -and crafty; when will it be stayed? That desire of our hearts, a war -betwixt England and Russia, seems as far off as ever." - -"Nearer than men think," returned Zabern. "And strange to say, our -capital contains at the present moment an Englishman whose words may -have the effect of bringing it about." - -"Who is this potent personage?" asked Barbara in surprise. - -"A certain Captain Woodville, lately returned from India." - -Zabern had been apprised by Radzivil of the duke's suspicion as to a -former love-affair between the princess and this English captain, and -therefore while speaking he watched Barbara with an eye ready to -detect the slightest change in her manner. But the princess showed no -confusion of face at the mention of the name "Woodville," and the -marshal was forced to the conclusion that the duke was laboring under -an error. Or, he murmured to himself, "the princess knows well how to -hide her feelings." - -"Woodville? Woodville?" repeated Barbara pensively; and then her face -brightening, she added, "Surely not the Woodville of Tajapore renown?" - -"The very same," replied Radzivil. "He is staying at the Hotel de -Varsovie. I had a--a brief conversation with him this morning." - -At this moment the premier received from Zabern a look which warned -him to say as little as possible concerning that interview. - -"The siege of Tajapore!" said the princess. "Ah! that was a noble -defence. Would four hundred of our men have done the like, think you, -Zabern?" and without waiting for reply she turned to Radzivil and -asked: "Did you inquire of Captain Woodville how long he intends to -remain in Czernova?" - -"His stay will be very brief, I fear," replied Radzivil, thinking of -the duel and its probable issue. - -"Very long, you mean," said Zabern in a grim whisper to the premier, -"for you believe he'll never quit Czernova." - -"I should like to see this illustrious Englishman ere he departs. -Count, you must arrange for an audience." - -And the count, knowing that he was conniving at a breaking of the law -which would probably end in the death of this same Englishman, felt -extremely uncomfortable, and but for the presence of his colleague, -would certainly have revealed the whole truth. - -"But how," inquired Barbara, "can Captain Woodville's words bring -about an Anglo-Russian War?" - -"Why, thus," returned Zabern. "He was interviewed at Alexandria by the -correspondent of the English 'Times,' to whom he stated his belief -that the artillery officers commanding the Afghans in their attack -upon Tajapore were really Europeans in disguise, his opinion being -based upon the superior way in which they handled their guns. And of -what nationality they were is shown by the fact that Russian words -were frequently heard in the heat of the _melee_. Captain Woodville -has already embodied his views in despatches which are now under the -consideration of the British cabinet. We shall soon have a troubling -of the diplomatic waters. Lord Palmerston, alarmed at the recent -advances made by Russia in Central Asia, is in no mood to be trifled -with. He may seize upon the siege of Tajapore as a _casus belli_. If -an Anglo-Russian war should come--" - -Zabern checked his utterance and tapped the hilt of his sabre -significantly. - -"Then will come the day of Poland's uprising," said the princess with -a heightened color. "My lords, you may withdraw." - -The premier of Czernova and the Warden of the Charter rose, bowed, and -retired, wending their way in leisurely fashion to the entrance of the -palace. - -"Marshal," said Radzivil, with a troubled look, "the princess seems to -take great interest in this Woodville?" - -"So much the more angry will she be with the man who slays him," -returned the other, coolly. - -"Which is your reason for wishing this duel to take place?" said -Radzivil angrily. "You seek to destroy my favorite scheme of uniting -the princess and the duke?" - -"Precisely; that is my object. Her Highness will certainly be offended -at seeing her future consort presuming to set himself above the law. -It may cause her affections to become alienated. The duke has walked -nicely into my net, as I foresaw he would." - -"What net?" - -"The Anti-duelling Act," replied Zabern with a cynical smile. "Why was -I so earnest in getting the Diet to pass that measure?" - -"To please the princess." - -"Partly that, but much more because I saw in the measure an -opportunity of entangling the duke. Aware of his arrogant -disposition, I knew that he, deeming himself above the law, would soon -be engaging in another duel. And my plan has succeeded," continued the -marshall with a triumphant chuckle. "This day the duke is pledged to a -duel with sabres. They fight _a la mort_,--that's the best of it. It's -possible they may kill each other; if not, the alternatives are that -the Englishman will slay the duke--and may the saints confer that boon -upon Czernova!--or--" - -"Or, which is far more likely, the duke will slay the Englishman." - -"Regrettable that, since the Englishman is a fine fellow, who deserves -a better fate. In that case the duke, in accordance with the new -enactment, will have to stand his trial for murder." - -Radzivil stood aghast. Strange that he had not carried the matter in -thought so far as this! - -"And if the princess adheres to the spirit and the letter of the law," -continued Zabern with imperturbable coolness; "and, as you know, she -is an enthusiast for law, she will have to sign the warrant for the -execution of her intended consort." - -"Good God!" gasped the premier. - -"Works out beautifully, doesn't it? I intended it should." - -"Oh, this shall not be! The princess must intervene to stop this duel. -I will return at once and inform her." - -"Hold!" said Zabern, sternly. "Let the duke abide by his folly and -lose his bride. If Polish ascendancy is to be maintained in Czernova -the duke must go. Fool!" he continued with a savage flash of his eyes, -and forcibly detaining the premier by the sleeve. "How long, think -you, shall we retain office if Bora once sits upon the throne of the -Lilieskis?" - -They had now reached the grand entrance of the palace. A trooper -moved forward to meet them and stood at the salute, apparently wishful -to deliver a message. - -"What is it, Nikita?" - -"Sire, the spy Russakoff has escaped from the Citadel." - -"Damnation! the guards shall swing for this." - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -THE PRINCESS AND THE CARDINAL - - -After the departure of her two ministers the Princess Barbara, rising -from her seat, passed through an open casement into the sunlit gardens -without; the sentinels on the terrace presenting arms as she went by. - -A broad and noble avenue of linden trees faced her, and here silent -and without attendants the fair princess walked, darkly meditating on -the treachery latent within her cabinet. - -A shadow fell across her path, and, raising her eyes, she saw before -her a stately and dignified figure robed in splendid scarlet and -dainty lace. - -It was Pasqual Ravenna, Cardinal Archbishop of Czernova, an -ecclesiastic who vainly sought to hide his Italian origin by -Polanizing his name into Ravenski. - -He was a man who had passed his fortieth year, but he looked far more -youthful; and his clean-shaven, handsome face was as clearly -sculptured as a head on an antique medallion. - -He was a member of the princess's ministry, a permanent member, in -fact, for, by virtue of an antiquated statute both the Roman -archbishop and the Greek archpastor were entitled to hold office in -the cabinet--an arrangement that did not tend to its harmony. A favor -to one was an affront to the other; and the mild and amiable Radzivil -was perpetually employed in smoothing the differences between them. - -Barbara's avowal to the cabinet of her real faith had been a great -triumph for Ravenna over his Greek rival Mosco, and he looked forward -to additional triumphs. His desire of bringing all Czernova within the -papal fold was known to all men; not so well known, however, was his -taste for amorous intrigue, though a physiognomist on studying his -countenance would have said that Ravenna, like Caesar, never permitted -pleasure to interfere with ambition. - -Doffing his red beretta the cardinal bent his knee and raised the -princess's hand to his lips. It was clear at a glance that Ravenna was -not a _persona grata_ with Barbara, for though she did not withdraw -her hand her face assumed a cold expression. - -With an air of authority he took his place on the left side of the -princess, and began to pace to and fro with her beneath the shade of -the linden trees. - -"Princess, I have returned, as you see, from the Vatican, the bearer -of a missive from his Holiness, Pope Pius." - -He presented a massive envelope, its seal stamped with the papal keys. -But Barbara waved it aside. She had received many such epistles of -late, and the novelty was wearing off. - -"You know its contents, I presume. Read it for me. What says his -Holiness?" - -Ravenna broke the seal and unfolded the letter which was a somewhat -lengthy one, and written in the choicest Latinity. - -"The Holy Father greets you as his dear daughter _in Christo_, and, as -you are now firmly established upon the throne"--Barbara could not -repress a smile in view of the recent menace of the Czar--"he deems -that the time is ripe for the public avowal of your faith." - -"At last the Pope and I are at one. This night shall Radzivil make -known my faith to the Diet. I ever loathed this garb of secrecy and -hypocrisy." - -"Its assumption was necessary. The saints themselves must bow in the -house of Rimmon at times." - -"Would that I could drop the other deception and reign in my own -name!" murmured Barbara to herself. - -"His Holiness," proceeded the cardinal, glancing at the papal missive, -"anticipates the happy day when Czernova shall be purified from the -malaria of heresy that now taints it." - -"And in what way does he suggest that the purificatory process shall -begin?" said the princess with a slight frown. - -"His Holiness hath ventured in this epistle to briefly indicate the -lines of the ecclesiastical policy to be observed within the -principality. We must begin by penalizing the schismatic Greeks. The -Diet must pass a law to exclude them from holding civil offices." - -"And create a rebellion!" murmured Barbara. "These priests! will they -never learn wisdom?" And aloud she asked, "And would your Eminence -have me exclude the Duke of Bora, my future consort, both from the -cabinet and the Diet?" - -"Your future consort? Alas, princess, I regret to say that the Pope -has again refused to grant you dispensation to marry the duke." - -"We shall not ask a third time." - -"Your Highness cheerfully accepts his decision?" - -"On the contrary, it is my intention to marry without the papal -sanction. I must," she added, her expression showing how hateful to -her was the thought of such marriage--"I must conciliate my Muscovite -subjects." - -"Princess, you, as a vassal of the holy Roman suzerain--" - -"By your leave, Sir Cardinal," exclaimed Barbara, haughtily, "will you -cite the Act by which the Diet consented that Czernova should become a -fief of the Papal See?" - -It was the first time that Barbara had adopted such a tone with -Ravenna, who listened, however, without betraying surprise; for he was -one of those men whose outward serenity nothing seems to disturb, and -therein lay one of the secrets of his power. He clearly recognized -that a struggle was impending. The princess, hitherto compliant with -his will, was about to make an attempt to shake off his authority. - -"Princess, you, as a loyal daughter of the True Church--" - -"Daughter! that is a good word. A daughter is not a slave." - -"But she owes obedience. You cannot marry the duke, for the Holy -Father forbids the union, and no Catholic priest dare perform the -ceremony in opposition to the will of Pio Nono." - -"There is one brave priest in Czernova upon whose loyalty I can rely." - -"You allude to the Abbot Faustus, a lawless ecclesiastic who must -learn to discipline his proud soul. If your Highness will glance at -this missive, you will note that the Pope has conferred upon me full -jurisdiction over the Convent of the Transfiguration." - -"A convent whose abbot from old time hath been independent of the see -of Slavowitz! You will put Faustus in a dilemma," continued Barbara -with a touch of sarcasm in her voice; "he will not know which of the -two Infallibilities to follow: Pius II., who granted the convent its -privileges, or Pius IX., who abolishes them. I greatly fear that he -will follow the old Pope in preference to the new." - -Barbara would have repudiated the statement that she was not a true -Catholic. Nevertheless it is to be seen that her Catholicism like many -other things in Czernova was peculiarly _sui generis_. - -"And your Highness supports Faustus in his defiance of the -archbishop?" - -The princess shrugged her graceful shoulders. - -"I am aware that your Eminence is extremely anxious to regulate the -affairs of that convent, and that Faustus in the exercise of his -ancient rights declines to admit you within his walls. It is no -concern of mine if an abbot refuse to obey his archbishop." - -"Still, a word from the princess would procure his instant -submission." - -"And that word shall never be spoken." - -"The Convent of the Transfiguration must hide strange mysteries behind -its walls when the Pope's own nuncio is denied admission." - -There was on the part of the princess a sudden start, which the -cardinal accepted as confirmatory of his suspicion. - -"Princess," he said with a smile, "you are not yet perfect in -statecraft, for you have not learned the art of veiling your thoughts. -It is as I have long suspected; you have some secret connected with -that monastery. Your championing of Abbot Faustus is not altogether -disinterested." - -"Quit me this theme," said Barbara, with dignity. "I shall not misuse -my authority to gratify your ambition by depriving a brave abbot of -his ancient privileges. Indeed from this day forth it will be well for -each of us to understand the other, inasmuch as you seem strangely -disposed to reverse our respective positions, deeming yourself the -ruler of Czernova, and myself your minister." She paused for a moment -as if to collect her thoughts, and then resumed: "My lord cardinal, -under strange circumstances you stole me away in infancy, deluding my -father into the belief that I had died. You took charge of my training -and education--" - -"With a view to your ultimate restoration," said the cardinal, bowing. - -"True. You desire to present the Czernovese with a princess who -should be a Catholic, and not, as her forefathers had been, a member -of the Greek faith--" - -"A noble aim!" - -"A princess who should be a willing tool in the hands of the Latin -Church. The first part of your scheme has succeeded. I am a Catholic, -and shall never break with the faith of my childhood, for it has grown -dear to me, though the thought that you, my lord, belong to the same -faith might very well induce me to renounce it. But as to the second -part of your scheme--your expectation of finding in me a servile -instrument ready to execute every decree of the Papal See is destined -to failure. No priest shall dictate to the daughter of Thaddeus. Let -the crosier submit to the sceptre. Jesuits by their intolerance -contributed to the fall of old Poland. They shall not play their game -in Czernova." - -The cardinal listened with chiding smile, as if at the waywardness of -a pretty child. - -"Princess! princess! you forget the tenure by which you hold your -crown." - -"I hold my crown," said Barbara, with proud flashing eyes, "by right -of birth." - -"A right that you cannot prove without my witness." - -"And therefore you would use your knowledge?" - -"To advance in Czernova the interests of the True Church." - -"For that I could forgive you. But have you no ulterior aim? Shall I -unmask the secret purpose of your heart? Radzivil made an unwise -choice in sending you to the Vatican to plead for the dispensation. -Were you really urgent on my behalf?" - -"As urgent as one may be with a pope." - -"Hypocrite!" said the princess, turning upon the cardinal with a blaze -of scorn. "Can I not see you now in my mind's eye whispering in the -ear of the Pope to withhold the dispensation? And why? The heretical -duke must not marry the princess, because the cardinal would have her -for his secret mistress. Will you say that I wrong you by this -thought?" - -"Princess, you have rightly divined my secret. It is true that I love -you--" - -"I would that Zabern could hear you!" said Barbara indignantly. "You, -a priest, to talk to your princess of love!" - -It was significant that the marshal's name, and not that of Bora, -should be the first to rise to her lips. - -"A priest? True. Such is my misfortune, since once a priest always a -priest. My love for you--" - -"Let there be an end of this language," said Barbara with dignity. "It -is treason." - -"Nay, princess, listen. I have loved you in secret from the day when I -set eyes on you in the Dalmatian convent. I have elevated you to a -throne partly for the purpose of making you mine, that you might taste -the luxury of power, and, tasting, be ready to sacrifice anything, -even your own person, rather than lose that power. Aware of my love, -you are forming a plan to escape me. If you should be deposed, who -succeeds? The Duke of Bora as next of kin. Therefore you think by -becoming his wife to retain your rank as princess, and thus to foil my -hopes. That motive, rather than a desire to conciliate the Muscovite -faction, urges you to this match." - -His statement was perhaps correct, for Barbara did not offer any -denial to it. - -"But be mindful of this: the duke cares less for you than for your -crown. At heart he dislikes you, for he finds his solemn dulness an -ill match for your bright wit. I have but to whisper to him that your -title is invalid, and he will be the first to demand your deposition. -It will not be difficult to prove that you are an impostor. The -physicians and nurses who attended the infant days of Princess Natalie -are still living. The simple baring of your right shoulder would -prove that, whoever you may be, you are not that princess. Your -assertion that nevertheless you are her elder and half-sister would be -laughed to scorn. Who will believe your word, unsupported by evidence, -that the late Prince Thaddeus had contracted an early and secret -marriage? The whole affair would be regarded as a plot on the part of -Cardinal Ravenna formed to advance the interests of his Church. -Barbara Lilieska, I acknowledge you to be the lawful Princess of -Czernova, but whenever it shall please me I can compel you to step -down from your throne." - -Barbara quivered with indignation. She, a princess with the blood of -Polish kings in her veins, and at whose word twenty thousand swords -would flash from their scabbards, to be threatened by an Italian -ecclesiastic! She turned her head towards the armed sentinels slowly -pacing the stately terrace of the palace. - -"One moment, princess, ere ordering my arrest. I do not venture upon -this avowal without safeguarding myself. Listen! There lives at the -present moment upon the other side of the frontier--in what town no -matter--an individual devoted to my interests. To him I have entrusted -the keeping of three sealed packets. So soon as he shall learn of my -arrest he will thus act. One packet he will despatch to the Russian -Foreign Minister; the second to the Duke of Bora; and with the third -he will hasten to the office of the 'Kolokol' newspaper, whose -pro-Russian editor, Lipski, will be but too delighted to print the -contents of that packet; its publication will cause a stir in -Czernova. There are your guards. Call them. Arrest me. Behead me on -the spot if you will. But be sure of this: your own downfall will -follow within seven days." - -Barbara did not call her guards. She said nothing, did nothing. - -"Princess, forgive me for using the language of threats; it is with -reluctance that I adopt such a course. But--you recognize my power, -and you know my love. Your answer?" - -"Better the cloister's quiet shade than a throne on such terms." - -"It is not the cloister's quiet shade that you will see, but the -interior of a Russian fortress. In occupying the throne of Czernova -you will be accused of assuming rights the reversion of which belongs -to the Czar, inasmuch as he is next heir after the duke. The Czar will -see in your usurpation an affront to his dignity. He will demand that -you be sent to Russia, there to take your trial. And the cowardly duke -will comply. You know how much 'the politician in petticoats' is hated -by the Russian ministry, and what justice you are likely to receive at -their hands. When the black wall of a Muscovite fortress girdles you -round forever," he added in a significant whisper, "when rough -soldiers are your jailers, when no cry of yours can penetrate to the -outer world, then--then the love of a cardinal even would be a -desirable thing." - -Barbara could not repress a feeling of horror at the picture suggested -by these words. - -"If the duke should rule he will rule merely as the vassal of the -Czar, and Czernova will become a province of Russia. Therefore, -consider well your decision. You ruin not yourself only, but the -faithful friends dependent upon you. Zabern, Radzivil, Dorislas, all -the ministers whose policy has offended the Czar, will be delivered up -to him by the duke. Czernova will be overrun by Cossack soldiery, and -placed under martial law. Her young men will be drafted off to serve -in the Russian army. The university will be closed, the Catholic -Church persecuted. The wailings of Czernova will mount upward to -Heaven, but when did Heaven ever listen to the cry of the oppressed? -Princess, it is true I require of you a sacrifice, but it is a -sacrifice meriting the name of virtue. The fate of a nation hangs -upon your answer. How easy for you to save them by conferring -happiness upon me!" - -He could not have employed an argument more adapted to gain his end -than an appeal to the welfare of the people whom she loved; -nevertheless, it had altogether failed, as he saw by the sovereign -scorn that curved her lips. - -"You are master of my secret, but not of me. Though I err in bearing -the name of Natalie, I am nevertheless the lawful princess of -Czernova; and Heaven, being just, will maintain me in my rights. He -sets himself a hard task, cardinal, who proposes to fight against the -truth. Reveal my story to the duke--to the Diet, to the whole -principality--this very day, if you will. I fear you not. I will do -nothing to stop you. I will wait to see whether you will be bold -enough to play this traitor's game. And when you have done your worst -to destroy the princess, and failed, then beware the vengeance of -Zabern; for though you fly to the secret recesses of the Vatican, and -cling to the holy robe of Pio Nono himself, Zabern will find and slay -you. There is my answer both to your threats and to your lust, for -call not your desires by the sacred name of love." - -The cardinal gave a mock bow. - -"Princess, I will not yet draw the sword against you, confident that -time and reflection will bring you wisdom. Reign till your -coronation-eve, when I will return to this theme." - -His cold smile gave little indication of the volcano of passion that -was burning within him. The sight of the distant sentinels alone kept -him from seizing and holding Barbara within his arms. Brilliant in -youth and loveliness she tortured him; and he resolved to torture in -turn, since the means of doing so were at his disposal. - -"Ere I take my leave," he said, "let me tell you of an event that took -place this morning. Nay, princess, do not turn away. The story will -interest you as no other story can." - -Something in Ravenna's manner compelled Barbara to pause and face him -again. - -"Princess, prepare yourself for a surprise. One whom we both thought -dead now proves to be living." - -Despite her loathing of the cardinal, Barbara found herself forced to -utter one word,-- - -"Who?" - -"One whose supposed demise caused you to say that you would forever -carry a dead heart within your breast." - -The princess gave a great start, and placed her hand upon her side. -With a foreboding of what was to come she stood immovable, mute, -scarcely breathing. - -"Isola Sacra was certainly submerged. We both saw that. But ere it -sank the captive must have escaped, for a young Englishman calling -himself Paul Cressingham Woodville put up last evening at the Hotel de -Varsovie." - -Barbara was powerless to speak, but the look in her eyes was a -language that plainly said, "Is it the same?" - -The cardinal understood her silent question. - -"The same. For verification I sent to the Police Bureau where -strangers register themselves. These little particulars on his _carte -de sejour_ leave no doubt on the matter." - -Here Ravenna drew forth a paper and began reading from it. "'Name: -Paul Woodville, formerly Paul Cressingham. Age: twenty-seven. -Nationality: English. Residence: Oriel Hall, Kent, England. Religion: -Anglican Church. Calling: Captain in the Twenty-fourth Kentish, a -cavalry regiment. Object in visiting Czernova: The pleasure of -travelling,' Humph! was that the motive that drew him here? Princess, -do you mark the name Woodville? Your Dalmatian hero has been -distinguishing himself, for he is none other than the Englishman who -conducted the defence of Tajapore." - -Emotion caused Barbara to sink upon a marble seat. She knew that -Ravenna was speaking, but she heard not his words. She was oblivious -of everything, but the one overwhelming thought that Paul was alive, -and at that very moment within her own city of Slavowitz! - -Her feelings were eloquently testified by the new and radiant light -that came over her face, by her lips parted in an unconscious smile, -by her bosom heaving beneath its foam of white lace. Never had the -princess looked so lovely in the cardinal's eyes as now. Lost in a -delicious daze she was quite forgetful of his presence, as he himself -perceived, for two or three questions addressed to her evoked no -recognition. - -Her pleasure struck a pang to his jealous heart. What would he not -have given to be the cause of such transfiguration? But though he -could not create such joy, he could extinguish it, and would; and -observing that Barbara was awaking from her day-dream, and endeavoring -to fix her attention upon him, he proceeded,-- - -"Captain Woodville--to call him by his new name--saw you this morning -from the balcony of the Hotel de Varsovie. Knowing that you cannot -really be Natalie Lilieska he will, of course, conclude that you are -an impostor." - -How could Paul, ignorant of her true history, come to any other -conclusion? The thought sent a sudden chill to her warm feelings. - -"These Englishmen pride themselves on their blunt honesty and plain -dealing. What will he think when he sees that in the sacred matter of -religion you are acting the hypocrite, in secret a Catholic, yet for -the sake of self-interest publicly posing as a Greek!" - -Yes; it was true. In name and religion she was a living lie. How she -must have fallen in Paul's esteem! Her quickly changing expression -gave pleasure to the cardinal. - -"He saw the duke publicly kiss your hand, and must thus have learned -of your betrothal. Inquiries as to Bora's character must cause him to -marvel at the taste which selects this Scythian barbarian for your -consort." - -Every word went, as intended, to Barbara's heart. Paul, not knowing -that she had believed him dead, must have thought himself forgotten by -her. How she longed to see him, to explain the difficulties of her -position, to set matters right between them! - -Regardless of what court officials might think, she would send an -equerry this same day to the Hotel de Varsovie with a message to the -effect that the Princess of Czernova was desirous of an interview with -Captain Paul Woodville. - -"If it be sweet to learn that the dear friends whom we have long -thought dead are alive, how bitter it must be to lose them again, ere -we can have the opportunity of seeing them!" - -"What do you mean?" - -Barbara did not speak these words. The question was put by the eager, -fearful look of her eyes. - -"It seems that the duke and Captain Woodville--I crave your Highness's -pardon, Captain Woodville and the duke--met by chance on the balcony -of the Hotel de Varsovie. A sapphire seal worn by the Englishman -attracted the notice of the duke, inasmuch as he recognized it as a -former gift of his to the Princess Natalie. The Englishman refused to -state how he came by its possession, with the result that there is to -be a duel over the matter." - -"Mother of God!" - -But for her dark arched eyebrows and dusky glowing eyes, the -princess's face might have been taken for a piece of white sculpture. - -"It is to be no mock contest. They fight with sabres and to the -death." - -"They shall not fight," gasped Barbara, finding her voice at last. "I -shall send a troop to the Ducal Palace to arrest Bora--now--at once." - -"Too late! princess," answered Ravenna in a mocking voice. "They fight -this very day, within an hour from now. The combatants are already on -their way to the rendezvous in the Red Forest. The swiftest horse of -the Ukraine could not reach the spot in time for you to stay the duel. -And granting that you should arrive in time you would be powerless; -for, in order to avoid breaking the Czernovese law, Ostrova, the -duke's second, has fixed the place of combat on the Russian side of -the frontier, where your authority does not extend." - -White as the princess's face was it grew whiter still as Ravenna -proceeded in a fierce exultant tone,-- - -"You know the duke's reputation as a _beau sabreur_. Thirty duels, and -never a wound has he received in any one of them; that is his record. -In the Czernovese army are twenty thousand men, not one of whom, -unless he wish for death, dares face the duke's deadly blade. You -yourself have witnessed his feats in the _salle d'armes_; you have -seen him disarm in swift succession the best fencers among your -officers.--Zabern, Dorislas, Miroslav! Who can stand before the duke?" - -He paused for a moment, and then, pointing to the sun shimmering -through the leaves of the linden-trees, he added,-- - -"Princess, ere that golden orb has set, your English hero will be -lying dead upon the turf, slain by the hand of the man whom you would -make your husband." - -Barbara heard no more. With a cry of "O Paul, Paul,"--a cry in which -love and grief were intermingled,--she slid from her seat, and lay as -one dead at the feet of the cardinal. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -ON THE RUSSIAN FRONTIER - - -The afternoon was drawing to a close as Paul Woodville and Noel -Trevisa made their way to the frontiers of Czernova. - -From Slavowitz they had driven in a troika or three-horse car, -adopting by preconcerted arrangement a route different from that taken -by Bora and his second. - -Having put up their vehicle at a roadside hostelry, Trevisa conducted -his friend to the place of assignation, the path lying through a -series of charming woodland glades, collectively known as the Red -Forest. - -"Grand pines!" remarked Paul, admiring the erect and stately columns -presented by these trees. - -"The haunt of wolves in winter," observed Trevisa. "They sometimes -devour the Russian sentinels. Who henceforth shall say that a wolf has -not its uses?" - -Following the beaten track, they came to an extensive clearing. - -"The frontier line runs somewhere through this glade. Yes; there is -the boundary mark." - -Trevisa directed Paul's attention to an upright rectangular block of -stone, the sides of which fronted the four cardinal points. On the -northern face, deeply cut, were the letters R-U-S-S-I-A, and on the -southern face C-Z-E-R-N-O-V-A. - -"We are now breathing the air of despotism," remarked Trevisa, as they -left the stone in their rear, "and unless we keep a lookout we may -experience the effects of it in a shot fired at us by some hidden -sentinel." - -"What? Is it the fashion of Russian sentries to take pot-shots at -passing strangers?" - -"Occasionally; at least, on this frontier. It is purposely done to -provoke hostilities from Czernova. Ah! there's a sentry. I thought we -shouldn't advance far without meeting one." - -There under the shadow of the trees, about a hundred yards distant, -sitting on horseback with lance erect, was a wild-looking Cossack, -with Hessian boots, red breeches, and a small red turban-shaped cap. -He was chanting the Russian anthem, and his voice, mellowed by the -distance, had a strange plaintive effect. - -The sight of this equestrian was well calculated to stir reflection in -Paul's mind. - -Far, far away on the icy shores of Kamchatka other Russian sentinels -were keeping watch. The distance between the two frontiers was over -six thousand miles as the crow flies. - -And this empire, so colossal in extent, the very incarnation of -military force, was threatening little Czernova, Barbara's own -principality! There was no hope of her emerging victorious from the -contest. The very idea was insanity. She would be but as an infant -struggling in the hands of a giant. And the nations of Europe would -look on unmoved, as they have often looked on and condoned the -conquest of the Weak by the Strong. There was none to pity or help -her. And as Paul thought of all this his heart grew hot within him. He -began to feel something of the spirit that animated the Polish -patriots of Czernova. - -Suddenly the Cossack sentinel, catching sight of strangers, turned his -horse's head in their direction, and lowering his lance, he came on at -full speed. - -On nearing the two friends he reined in his shaggy steed with such -quickness as to throw the animal almost on its haunches. - -"Your passport, little fathers?" - -"Here is the universal passport, in Russia as elsewhere--cash," -replied Trevisa, displaying some rouble-notes. "We come no farther, -and are here simply to fight a duel." - -"A duel! That's against the law of Russia. The guard-house is but -half-a-mile distant among those trees yonder," said the Cossack, -indicating the direction with his lance. "The captain is a terrible -fellow. If he should come this way he'll order your arrest and mine -too." - -"Not he. He'll be only too pleased to witness a good fight. Besides, -we have rouble-notes for him also. He has his price, I dare be sworn, -otherwise he would be a novelty among Muscovites." - -The Cossack reflected. A duel was a pleasant thing; a _douceur_ still -more pleasant. Why, then, seek to prevent the fight? He would take his -chance of discovery at the hands of his captain. So having first -looked cautiously round, he stuffed the rouble-notes into his left -boot and made no more opposition. - -"Let the Czernovese slay each other," he muttered. "The fewer for our -Czar to fight when the talked-of war takes place." - -"We are first on the field, it seems," remarked Trevisa, referring to -his watch. "Hum! five minutes yet to the appointed time." - -Paul having presented the Cossack with a cigar, lighted one himself, -and paced leisurely to and fro, seemingly far more at ease than his -second. - -"This duel is a very serious matter," muttered Trevisa. - -"One can die but once." - -"Just so. If one could die half-a-dozen times the first death would -not matter much. I, however, am not anticipating your death, Paul, but -the duke's. You may be doing grave hurt to the princess by killing -him." - -"How so? Have you not said that it would be a good thing if the -princess could be released from him?" - -"True; but your way of releasing her has its disadvantages. Forget not -that the duke is a near kinsman of the Czar, and that at the present -time the Czar hath no great love for Czernova. If Bora should fall -Nicholas may accuse the Czernovese cabinet of being privy to the death -of his kinsman, and with some show of justice, inasmuch as Radzivil, -the premier, though cognizant of the coming duel, has taken no steps -to prevent it. You perceive my meaning. The Czar might demand an -indemnity such as he foreknows that Czernova could not, and would not -pay. The result--annexation of the principality." - -Paul reflected a moment. - -"The duel was to have been _a la mort_, and I came intending to kill -or be killed, but your remark has set the matter in a different light. -I cannot retire nor apologize without loss of honor, yet it is equally -clear that I must do nothing to the hurt of the princess. There's but -one way out of the difficulty: I'll so wound him that he shall not be -able to use sword-arm for a month." - -"If you can do that--well," replied Trevisa, very much doubting, -however, Paul's ability to make good his word, for was not John the -Strong the most expert swordsman in Czernova? - -It was quite thirty minutes after the appointed time when the Duke of -Bora made his appearance attended by his second, Baron Ostrova. They -brought no surgeon with them, for Ostrova, in arrogant vein, had -declared that his principal had never yet required one; and Trevisa, -not to be outdone in bravado, had made the same avowal respecting -Paul. - -While the duke remained at a little distance his second advanced, -gracefully raising his hat to Trevisa. - -"You are late, baron." - -"Accept our sincere regret. Our vehicle broke down on the way." Then, -adopting a somewhat submissive air, and addressing Paul and Trevisa in -common, he said,-- - -"Can we not terminate this little matter amicably? His grace is -willing to apologize for his hasty action of this morning." - -To do the duke justice, it was not Paul's sword that he feared, but -loss of the princess. During the course of the day he had begun to -realize the force of Radzivil's words,--that if the affair should come -to the knowledge of the princess it might seriously affect the -projected marriage. - -He would, therefore, swallow his pride, and for the first time in his -career as duellist cry off from the combat by making an apology. - -"All's well that ends well!" murmured the delighted Trevisa. "You'll -accept the _amende honorable_, Paul?" - -But Paul seemed bent on chastising the duke. - -"It is pleasant to learn," he said, speaking sufficiently loud for -Bora to hear, "that his grace realizes that he has acted like a -ruffian. 'Liar' and 'coward' were the epithets he applied to me; his -action, a cane-stroke across my cheek. And now does he deem that -simply to express regret will be a sufficient satisfaction for an -affront offered to the uniform of the Twenty-fourth? Well, I will -accept the apology on this condition," continued Paul, breaking a -slender sapling from a tree overhead and leisurely stripping off the -foliage, "that the duke's cheek shall receive from this wand a stroke -similar to that bestowed upon mine. It will be a convincing token of -his repentance." - -Ostrova, to whom had been committed the charge of bringing the -weapons, smiled satirically, and presented two sheathed sabres to -Trevisa. - -"Take your choice." - -Trevisa first measured the blades, and finding them of equal length -next proceeded to test their temper; and then, having made his -selection, handed the same to Paul, who in the meantime had doffed his -coat and vest and now stood ready for the fray. - -The victor in thirty duels, humiliated beyond measure at the rejection -of his conciliatory address, did not wait for further preliminaries -but snatched the remaining sabre from the hand of Ostrova, and with -the fury of a lion darting upon his victim, he flew upon Paul as if -purposing to lay him _hors de combat_ at the first brunt. - -But scarcely had the heavy sabres clashed together, sparkling in the -rays of the setting sun, when there came the command,-- - -"Let fall your swords in the name of the law." - -The words were spoken in a woman's voice,--a voice that sent a thrill -to Paul's heart. - -Parrying a thrust from the duke, Paul took a swift backward step, and -while maintaining his defensive attitude, contrived to glance -sideways. - -And there, beautiful and pale, and so close to him that he could see -into her eyes, was Barbara, breathless as if from hurrying. From what -quarter she had so suddenly sprung none present could tell. Complete -absorption in the duel had prevented them from hearing her light -footfall upon the turf of the woodland. - -Paul forgot his guard. He forgot everything. From sheer surprise his -sword dropped to the ground. - -He looked at her in silence, striving to learn what were her feelings -towards him. She gave no token of recognition. Love on her part, if it -existed, was veiled at present in sorrowful reproach. In the light of -that look how ignoble seemed his desire for vengeance. His glance fell -even as his sword had fallen. He had acted, and knowingly acted, in a -way calculated to forfeit her esteem. - -A death-like stillness fell upon the circle as they perceived that -the fair princess of Czernova, sternly hostile to duelling, was -present, a spectator of their misdeed. True, she was but one maiden, -but that maiden symbolized in her own person all the power of a state. - -"Who first proposed this duel? Who issued the challenge?" - -"I did, and with reason." - -And stalking up to the princess, the Duke of Bora bent his head, and -said in a fierce, jealous whisper,-- - -"Cousin Natalie, how comes yon fellow to be in possession of the seal -I gave you?" - -The princess stepped backward, and drawing her robe around her with a -stately grace, she exclaimed,-- - -"It ill becomes one of my ministers to be found setting himself above -the law. Marshal, conduct your prisoner to the Citadel." - -Paul, following the wave of her arm, perceived that she had not come -without an escort. - -On the Czernovese side of the frontier-stone stood Marshal Zabern with -folded arms, outwardly as inscrutable as the sphinx, inwardly -delighted at the course taken by events. - -Some distance in his rear, drawn up across the woodland path, the -narrowness of which did not admit of more than two abreast, was a -posse of mounted lancers belonging to the Blue Legion. Fronting these -troopers was the vehicle evidently used by the princess in her journey -to this spot,--a light, elegant droshky, expressly adapted for swift -travelling. - -And the Cossack sentinel, likewise noting all this, felt ill at ease. -The sound of his bugle would instantly have summoned a party from the -Russian guard-house, but as this might have led to the exposure of his -own participation in the affair, he refrained from the act, and looked -on in silence. - -"Marshal, conduct your prisoner to the Citadel." - -"You would arrest _me_?" - -There was an emphasis on the last word which was intended to remind -the princess that it behoved her to consider who he was. It was clear -to her that relying on his kinship to the Czar, he set little store by -the law of Czernova. His pitying smile cut the constitutionalist -princess to the quick. - -"You talk bravely, fair cousin, forgetful in whose territory you now -stand. I put myself under the protection of this sentry, the -representative of the Czar." - -The duke was not mending matters in appealing to the Czar for -protection against the law of Czernova. - -"O silly duke!" murmured Zabern. "How nicely you are playing into my -hands! You have lost the princess by that speech." - -The Cossack sentinel, now heartily regretting that he had become -compromised by an affair in which the great ones of Czernova were -involved, nevertheless at the duke's abjuration rode off to the -princess. - -"What is this?" he cried, with an air of authority. "Prisoner? No -arrest can take place here. Little mother, you are standing on Russian -ground; therefore--your passport, signed by the Russian consul at -Slavowitz." - -"Princesses do not carry passports," replied Barbara disdainfully. - -"Then the little mother must retire to her own side of the frontier." - -Barbara seemed disposed at first to maintain her ground, but wiser -thoughts prevailed. - -"You do but your duty," she replied. - -And with this she retired, and took her station by the side of Zabern. - -"Princess, I commend your celerity," smiled the marshal. "I was five -years in getting out of Russia,--you have accomplished it in as many -seconds." - -Then lowering his voice to a whisper, he continued,-- - -"We cannot arrest the duke while he is on Russian ground. Were we to -do so, this Cossack would report the matter. In their present mood -Russian ministers would gladly seize upon the violation of their -territory as a _casus belli_, and we don't want war at present." - -"John Lilieski," said the princess, addressing the duke from her own -side of the frontier, "you will either return under guard to -Slavowitz, or you will not return at all. Take your choice betwixt -imprisonment during my pleasure, or perpetual banishment from -Czernova." - -This decision from one whom he had been accustomed to regard as his -affianced bride completely confounded his grace of Bora. His first -surprise over, he proceeded to take counsel with his second. Though -they spoke in low tones, Paul nevertheless caught a few words. - -"They dare not harm you," said Ostrova, "and you will command more -interest, more sympathy, more power as a prisoner in the Citadel than -as a hanger-on at the Czar's court." - -This argument seemed to decide the duke, for he immediately crossed to -the Czernovese side. - -"Since you make a voluntary surrender of yourself," said the princess, -"declare it aloud that the Russian sentry may hear you." - -"Of my own free will I enter the Czernovese territory," said Bora, -addressing the Cossack. - -"Your sword," said Zabern. - -Though not as yet deposed from his command of the army, Bora did not -doubt that this would follow, and that Zabern would be his successor. -Very bitter, indeed, then, was his smile as he handed the sabre over -to the marshal. - -"I am curious to learn, fair cousin," he sneered, "the punishment you -reserve for my opponent, equally guilty with myself of breaking the -law." - -"There is your escort to Slavowitz," said Barbara haughtily, pointing -to the posse of uhlans. - -And Bora, with a dark glance at Paul, walked in the direction -indicated. - -"For my part," observed Baron Ostrova airily, "I prefer liberty. I -shake the dust of Czernova from my feet." - -"Forever," decreed the princess. - -"Oh, your Highness, your reign will not last so long as that," replied -the other, with a peculiar smile, adding to himself, "Your reign, my -lady, is but a question of a few weeks." - -Taking off his hat, he dropped it to the ground, and bowed so low over -it as almost to touch the turf with his fingers, herein imitating an -old custom of the Polish serf when addressing his lord. - -"I kiss the feet of the dainty Lady Natalie," he said. - -Then, picking up his hat, the Baron walked off to a little distance, -where he stood watching the sequel. - -Paul longed to thrash the fellow for his insolence, but prudently -refrained from creating a disturbance in Russian territory. - -"Trevisa," said the princess, "in remembrance of your many services I -remit the penalty due by law, but," and there was genuine sorrow in -her tone, "you lose your secretaryship." - -"Your Highness," stammered Trevisa, his whole manner showing how -deeply he felt the loss of his office. "Fine. Imprisonment. Any -punishment but that." - -"The cipher, your Highness," murmured Zabern. "The cipher letter! We -cannot do without Trevisa." - -"Let me intercede for him," said Paul, bending his knee. - -The princess had last heard that voice in the twilight hour by the -dark blue sea on the shore of Isola Sacra. The memory of that event -came back with a rush that almost stifled her breath. - -"His only fault is," pleaded Paul, "that he has been too great a -friend." - -"To you, but not to our law," she murmured faintly. "My servants must -not be law-breakers." - -There was a brief interval of silence. - -"Your Highness," said Paul, rising to his feet, "I await my sentence." - -"You are safe where you stand," she faltered. - -Her manner plainly besought him to remain where he was, and thus -relieve her from a painful situation. - -"I will not take advantage of _that_." - -And by a few steps Paul passed from the jurisdiction of the Czar to -that of Barbara. - -The look in her eyes was like that of a fawn at bay. Love forbade her -to punish Paul, and yet, while meting punishment to others, how, -without bringing reproach to herself, could she let him go free? - -"Your Highness," intervened Trevisa, "my friend Captain Woodville has -received extreme provocation from the duke, and when he accepted the -challenge, was ignorant of the Czernovese law relating to duelling." - -Barbara had heard the whole story from Zabern as she was whirled along -in the droshky from Slavowitz to the frontier. She glanced at the weal -that disfigured Paul's cheek, and her anger grew hot against the duke. -No! come what might, she would not punish Paul. - -"I appeal to the marshal," said Trevisa boldly, "whether he would not -have taken to the sword under the like provocation." - -"Princess," replied Zabern, "Captain Woodville, as a soldier, had no -other course than to maintain the honor of his queen's uniform." The -foolish Barbara became jealous at the thought that Paul should owe -allegiance to a lady other than herself. Lowering his voice to a -whisper, Zabern continued, "Your Highness has authority to imprison -the duke, inasmuch as he is your own subject; but you will be -exceeding that authority if you venture to arrest an English citizen -for an offence committed on Russian ground. Let the Russians -themselves see to it." - -The princess flashed a quick glance of interrogation at him. - -"What would you imply? That the Russians will demand Captain -Woodville's extradition?" - -"I clearly foresee that they will try to make political capital out of -this affair. Be sure that Baron Ostrova will give them his version of -it. Always excepting your Highness and myself," continued Zabern with -a grim smile, "there is no one upon whom the Russian Government would -more willingly lay hands than the Englishman who prevented them from -taking the Afghan fortress of Tajapore." - -This reference to Paul's bravery brought a glow of pride to Barbara's -cheek. A new tie seemed to unite them. While she was contending with -Russian intrigue in one part of the world, he had been contending with -it in another. - -"Captain Woodville," she said aloud, "the marshal informs me that I -have no legal ground for arresting you. And as I have not the -authority, so neither have I the wish to punish a soldier whose name -has become known throughout Europe." - -While speaking, she had drawn nearer to him, and now with a face made -more beautiful by the love shining from her eyes, she whispered, -"Paul, keep my secret. Come and see me at the palace. Immediately." - -Paul's eyes assured her of his ready acquiescence. The princess turned -to depart. - -"One moment, your Highness," said Paul, humbly kneeling. "If I, the -principal in this duel, am innocent, how can Trevisa, my second, be -guilty?" - -"The cases are not the same," replied the princess. "Still," she added -with a smile that brought back hope to the heart of the ex-secretary, -"still my decision may not be irrevocable." - -Taking the proffered arm of Marshal Zabern, the princess returned to -her droshky. The cavalcade then set in motion and vanished almost as -mysteriously as it had appeared; and Paul was left standing there, -with the overwhelming revelation that Barbara's love towards him was -unchanged. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -KATINA THE PATRIOT - - -AS Paul and Trevisa emerged from the woodland and turned upon the -highroad, there drew near a cloaked figure with steel scabbard -clinking against spurs. - -"Marshal Zabern!" exclaimed the ex-secretary. "How? Are you not -escorting the princess to Slavowitz?" - -"I have a little matter to despatch at the hostelry called 'Sobieski's -Rest.' Her Highness has therefore condescended to relieve me from -escort-duty." - -"Your way is our way, for at that inn we left our troika. Marshal -Zabern," continued Trevisa, presenting Paul, "my friend--need I -mention his name?--Captain Paul Woodville." - -"No man whose friendship I desire more," said Zabern, raising his -plumed helmet. - -He had taken a liking for Paul,--the liking of a brave soldier for a -compeer. - -"I have always esteemed Englishmen," continued Zabern, "since the day -I ran from them at Waterloo." - -"You have fought under the great Napoleon, then?" said Paul. - -"For a brief space. As a lad of eighteen I took part in the Moscow -campaign. When Napoleon sounded the tocsin of war against Russia, who -joined him with more enthusiasm than the Poles, eager to avenge their -country's wrongs? Did not his emissary, the Abbe de Pradt, promise at -Warsaw that his imperial master had determined to expel the Muscovites -from Europe, and to replace them with Poles? Trusting to these words, -sixty thousand of us marched with the Grand Army upon Moscow. Heavens! -shall I ever forget the fierce thrill of joy that pervaded our ranks -as we drew rein and gazed upon the golden spires and domes of the city -of the Great Enemy, flashing on the far-off horizon. Yes," continued -Zabern, his eye kindling at the recollection, "yes, we took their holy -city, so-called, and planted the Polish eagles upon the ramparts of -the Kremlin, as our fathers had done before us in the glorious days of -old." - -"And it has been the dream of the marshal's life," smiled Trevisa, "to -renew that experience." - -"That experience, but not _this_!" - -And here the speaker pushed back the sleeve of his right arm, and Paul -perceived what he had not noticed before, namely, that Zabern was -minus a hand. - -"You know the sequel," continued the marshal. "We were compelled to -retire, defeated not by superiority in valor, but by famine and the -rigor of a Russian winter. And, my God! what a winter that was!" -continued Zabern, shivering as if he still felt the effects of the -cold. "The frost was so intense that it penetrated flesh, sinew, and -bone, rendering the limbs as white and brittle as alabaster. In -repelling an attack of Cossacks I aimed a sabre-stroke at a fellow's -head, feeling in the next moment a curious sensation at the wrist; and -there, lying before me upon the snow, and still grasping the -sabre-hilt, was my own hand. It had dropped off at the joint, as you -see." - -"Good God!" cried Trevisa. - -"Eh? well, yes, it was rather awkward, for it was the right hand, you -see, and never having accustomed myself to employ the left I was -rendered completely useless for the rest of the campaign. However, I -have repaired the deficiency, and here is a hand as good as the lost -one," continued Zabern, holding up his left hand. "So ended my first -experience with the Russians." - -"You fought them again?" inquired Paul. - -"At many times and in many places. I have aided Georgians in the -Caucasus, and Turks on the Danube. And when secret tidings came to me -that Poland was preparing to vindicate its freedom against the tyranny -of the viceroy Constantine, brother of the present Czar, I hastened to -take part in the enterprise. Her Highness's father, Prince Thaddeus, -would not permit Czernova to be drawn into the movement; selfishly, as -we then thought; wisely, as we now perceive. - -"The rising began at Warsaw in a conspiracy to seize the person of the -Grand Duke Constantine. I was one of the eighteen appointed for the -purpose. At nightfall we set off for the palace, slew the guards, and -penetrated to the vice-regal bedchamber. But we were just a few -seconds too late. Roused from sleep by the clash of arms, and the -shouting, Constantine had sprung from the bed, thrown a cloak over -himself, and fled by a secret staircase communicating with the palace -gardens." - -"The insurrection failed?" - -"For a year we offered a gallant resistance to all the might of -Russia. But what can valor effect against numbers? We gained -victories, and those great ones; but if we slew ten thousand of the -enemy on one day, there was a second ten thousand to replace them on -the morrow. We had no such reserves to fall back upon. And then, too, -the damned Russians brought the cholera with them, an ally that proved -far more fatal than their arms; though, the saints be praised! it -carried off the tyrant Constantine. On the taking of Warsaw I became -one of a band of prisoners condemned to march in chains four thousand -miles over the winter snow to Siberia." - -"And you escaped?" - -"After five years, and have found asylum in Czernova. And here I am -to-day, fifty-three years of age, and good for a deal more mischief -yet," continued Zabern with a grim twinkle in his eye. "To see me -holding the post of minister is gall and wormwood to the Russians; -they have required my extradition, but the princess has resolutely -refused to grant it." - -Such in brief was the history of Zabern, and though his attempts to -win freedom for his country were deserving of sympathy, Paul could not -avoid a feeling of regret that Barbara should have admitted to her -ministry such a firebrand as this patriot, whose undoubted aim was to -utilize the resources of Czernova against Russia, should a favorable -opportunity occur. - -"By the way, Trevisa," said the marshal, turning to the ex-secretary, -"you must not let the princess's frown diminish your interest in the -cipher letter found upon the spy Russakoff. Read me that riddle, and I -will undertake to restore you to favor." - -"I fear my restoration will not come upon those terms," said Trevisa, -lugubriously. "The cipher is a most baffling one. I should have a clue -if you could name the writer." - -"How so?" - -"The first step in a problem of this sort is to know in what language -the document is written; and of this I am ignorant. How, then, can I -proceed? The principles of decipherment which an expert applies to one -language fail when applied to another. But if I learn who the author -is, and I discover that he knows, say, Russian only, the inference is -that the document is written in that language; I apply certain -principles deduced from a study of Russian, and the result is -decipherment. The knowledge that the writer is versed in several -languages would, of course, enhance the difficulty; but still, with -time and patience success is certain. Have you no clue as to the -writer?" - -Zabern was silent. He glanced at Paul as if wishing him away. - -"I will step aside for a moment," said Paul. - -"Not so," replied Trevisa. "Marshal, you can trust my friend Captain -Woodville as surely as myself." - -"Then on my honor as a soldier I believe that the Duke of Bora was -either the author or the recipient of that letter." - -"The duke!" cried Trevisa in amazement. "You accuse the duke of -holding a treasonable correspondence with Russia? Impossible!" - -"Why impossible?" - -"Is it reasonable that he should seek to subvert the throne of a -princess to whom he is affianced?" - -Zabern smiled cynically. - -"The duke has come to count it no great prize to have but a moiety of -the throne, and to be mated withal to a little lady who will take no -bidding from him, and therein small blame to her. The princess hath -ever been cold to the match, and therefore the duke, doubtful of her -affection, has begun to play a double part, or in other words, to -intrigue with Russia. 'Dispense with the princess, and reign alone -under the suzerainty of the Czar'--that is his secret ambition. What -other conclusion can I come to, when I see him tampering with the -Czernovese army? On frivolous pretexts he has removed Polish officers -from their command, replacing them by such Muscovites as have at heart -the interests of the Czar rather than those of the princess. Moreover, -we have certain proof that our cabinet contains a member who reveals -to Russia our secret counsels. You know the cabinet well, Trevisa; -tell me whom to suspect. Radzivil?--absurd! Ravenna? What hath a Roman -cardinal to gain by inviting the head of the Greek Church to take -possession of Czernova? Dorislas? Then let me fall on my sword's -point, so certain am I of never again finding faith among men, if he -be traitor. Mosco, the Greek Arch-pastor? Hum! his zeal on behalf of -the princess has perhaps diminished somewhat since her conversion to -Catholicism, but he is more dullard than villain. Polonaski the -Justiciary? I'll mention no more. When we would discover the author of -a crime, we naturally fix our suspicions upon the man who has most to -gain by the deed. Judged by this test the duke, and the duke alone, is -the traitor. _Delendus est Bora!_ Czernova will never be sound till he -be gone." - -There was no reply from Trevisa, who seemed to be lost in deep -thought. Then suddenly his eyes lightened as with some new and -surprising idea. - -"Marshal," said he emphatically, "you shall have a translation of that -letter in the morning." - -It took a good deal to surprise the marshal; nevertheless on the -present occasion he was quite confounded. - -"How? What?" he cried. "You claim to have discovered the key to the -cipher, when but a minute ago you professed ignorance of the very -language in which the letter is written?" - -"The language is Greek," murmured Trevisa, almost breathless at his -discovery, and talking more to himself than to his companions. "Yes, -yes; I comprehend it all now. The most ingenious cipher ever devised. -Nothing but an accident could have revealed the key. You are quite -correct, marshal, in your estimate of the duke's character. He is a -traitor, and that letter will prove it. I will work at it to-night, -and to-morrow morning you shall have the result." - -"Good!" replied Zabern, mystified, as was Paul likewise, by the -suddenness with which Trevisa had arrived at the solution of a problem -that during the past month had baffled his wit. - -The shades of twilight were falling as the trio drew near to -"Sobieski's Rest," an inn so called because the greatest of the -Polish kings had once passed a night there. It was a spacious and -picturesque hostelry, composed of a mixture of stone and timber, and -shaded by overhanging birch-trees. - -Outside the building, and holding two horses by the bridle, stood the -trooper Nikita, Zabern's orderly, who had been sent on ahead to await -the arrival of the marshal. - -Bidding him remain at the entrance, Zabern passed within, and led the -two Englishmen to a private apartment wainscotted with oak and -decorated with elk-antlers. - -"Poland has never been lacking in female beauty," remarked the marshal -to Paul, "and I am about to present you to her fairest daughter after -the princess. This inn is kept by a friend of mine,--an old -companion-in-arms,--Boris Ludovski by name, once a wealthy noble of -Warsaw. His zeal in the cause of Polish liberty has reduced him to the -position of inn-keeper. Freedom often treats her children hardly. As -this is a frontier-inn, and on the main road to Warsaw, it often -happens that suspicious characters call here for a drink, and Boris's -pretty daughter, Katina, being a maiden who keeps her eyes open, is -sometimes enabled to supply the police of Slavowitz with valuable -information. Hence my reason for coming here at this present moment, -for it is just possible that she can tell me something of the spy -Russakoff who escaped from the Citadel to-day. Ah! here is Katina -herself." - -The person who had entered was a typical Polish belle with fine dark -hair and flashing eyes. Trevisa whispered to Paul that she was a -descendant of Mazeppa, the famous hetman of the Ukraine; and certainly -there was that in her elastic step, her fearless glance, her whole air -that marked Katina Ludovska as a true daughter of the steppes, wild -and untamable. - -She was handsomely attired. Over a snow-white chemisette she wore a -close-fitting dark red jacket, laced in front from neckband to waist; -a polished black leather belt gleaming with silver bosses; and a dark -blue skirt, prettily braided with silver,--a skirt which, swelling out -below the waist, imparted a charming outline to her figure. A pair of -red leather shoes completed her outward costume. - -The marshal saluted her in Polish fashion by kissing her hand, while -she in turn pressed her lips to his forehead. She gave the like -greeting to Trevisa, who appeared to be well known to her, and this -done she cast a glance of inquiry at the third comer. - -"Paul?" she said with a pretty pout, after the marshal had introduced -him, "why do you bear the same name as a Czar?" - -"There is little of the Czar in him, however," remarked Zabern. "Why, -Katina, Captain Woodville has fought against Russians in Asia." - -"May he live to fight against them in Europe," said Katina; and Paul -could see that she was a maiden quivering with patriotism to her -finger-tips. - -"Amen to that!" replied Zabern; and in an exultant tone he continued, -"but I have tidings for you, Katina, tidings. The princess and the -duke are riven asunder. She has plucked him from the cabinet, from the -command of the army, and better still from her heart. Never shall Bora -put wedding-crown upon the brow of the princess. He is of less account -now in her eyes than the driven leaf in the wind-swept wood." - -Katina expressed her delight by dancing the first steps of a graceful -mazurka. - -"Joy!" she cried. "I never liked that our fair princess should bide on -bolster with a Russ, and a Russ who hath sworn at the drink to harness -the Polish nobles to the yoke and with them plough his fields. And so -John the Strong has fallen! How came it to pass?" - -The marshal explained; and when Katina learned that Paul had been the -direct cause of the duke's downfall she no longer withheld the kiss of -friendship. - -"You have wrought a good deed for Czernova, and I love you for it," -she cried impulsively, pressing her lips to his forehead, not once, -but twice. And though Katina was not the princess, Paul was fain to -confess that she made a charming substitute. - -"Shades of Kosciusko! what have we here?" cried Zabern, walking -towards a smoke-begrimed oil-painting that hung upon one of the walls. -"Fie, Katina! you, a daughter of Poland, to keep a portrait of the -Czar--that Czar too who crushed us at Warsaw sixteen years ago, the -haughty, frowning Nicholas!" - -"Ah! you Muscovite wolf!" cried Katina, shaking her fist at the -picture. "Lying Czar, that broke his coronation-oath to Poland. Where -is the constitution you promised us? Grandson of an empress who was -a--a--" - -Katina suppressed the word that rose to her lips, for it was not a -pretty epithet, though justly applicable to the moral character of -Catherine II. - -"Hold! let the grandmother be!" interposed Zabern. "Remember that -Catherine gave to Czernova its Charter of liberty." - -"I warrant the old beldam was drunk when she granted it." - -"No matter, drunk or sober, it _was_ granted. And to-day we have that -Charter, signed and sealed, locked in an iron chest, secured in a -stone chamber, and guarded by soldiers night and day." - -"And to think," said Katina, still on the subject of the portrait, and -turning to the two Englishmen as she spoke, "to think that your sweet, -youthful queen Victoria should allow herself to be embraced and kissed -by this Muscovite bear when he parted from her at Windsor!" - -"It wouldn't do to attempt the same with our princess,--eh, Katina?" - -"No. Mild and gracious as she naturally is, I warrant she would flash -a dagger before his eyes." - -"Since you hate the original so," asked Paul, "why display his -portrait?" - -"To draw Russian customers, who like to have the face of their little -father looking down upon them at the drink. Why should I not levy -tribute from the enemy? Their kopeks all go to the good cause. The -last visitors to this room were Muscovites; hence that side of the -canvas. When Polish patriots come I have a fairer face to show. -Behold!" - -She turned the picture, and lo! on the back of the canvas was a -well-executed portrait of the regnant Princess of Czernova. - -"My pretty Janus!" laughed Zabern. "You should have been born a man. -What a statesman you would have made! Come, I know your love for the -princess. I'll reveal a truth that will make you love her still more. -You have always believed her to be of the Greek Church; learn, now, -that she is a Catholic." - -"Are you not betraying a state secret?" smiled Trevisa. - -"No; for the truth is known to all Czernova, or will be in a few -hours. That damnable Russophile journal, the 'Kolokol,' came out this -afternoon with a long article headed, 'Natalie the Apostate'--an -article roundly accusing the princess of Catholicism. Of course the -charge is true, and we can't deny it." - -"Pity that the truth should first be proclaimed in the columns of a -slanderous journal rather than by the princess's ministers from their -places in the Diet! How did editor Lipski discover the secret?" asked -Trevisa. - -"How? Ask the duke," replied Zabern. - -"There will be deep murmurings to-night in the Muscovite faubourg." - -"Which can soon be quelled by a few rounds of grape-shot," commented -Zabern, who, like the first Napoleon, was a great believer in the -pacificatory virtues of artillery. - -"'The princess and Catholicism!'" cried Katina. "Let that be our -motto. What matters the defection of the Muscovites, since the Poles -will now be doubly loyal." - -"Well said, Katina. Pass me the vodka. To the resurrection of Poland!" -continued Zabern, raising his glass. "Ah! Katina, when your father -Boris and myself first drew breath, we had a motherland. Stanislaus -was reigning, and Poland was free. To-day what is she?" - -"A lioness in chains of whom the keeper is afraid. One day the lioness -will break from her chains, and then woe betide the keeper!" - -"You wonder, perhaps, at Katina's patriotism?" whispered Zabern to -Paul. "You shall see that she hath good cause for it." And then aloud -he added: "What said Czar Nicholas after suppressing the rising of -1830? 'Russia hath a mission to fulfil.' Katina, let the two -Englishmen see how holy Russia fulfils her mission. Give them visible -proof. You know what I mean." - -Paul, entirely ignorant of Zabern's object, wondered why Katina should -start, and why she should cast a glance of anguish at the speaker. - -"Do you seek to humiliate me, marshal?" - -"No, I seek to gain another sword for Poland," said Zabern gravely, -with a significant glance at Paul. - -The ordinary woman might very well have hesitated to comply with the -marshal's request; but Katina was no ordinary woman. She walked a few -paces off, placed the lamp upon the table in a suitable position, and -then turning her back upon her visitors she began to unlace her -jacket, and to loosen and cast back the white linen beneath. A -startling act, truly, and yet performed with a modest air. - -Holding the last vesture in position by its neckband, she said in a -bitter tone: "The ignorant have sometimes complimented me upon my -beautiful figure. See with what justice!" - -The vesture dropped from her hand, and hung downward from her belt, -leaving her form bared to the waist. - -The fall of that linen was a revelation! - -A sculptor would have been charmed with the fair rounded throat and -white neck. But the torso below! It was no wonder that Katina made -haste to hide it from view again. - -"Her bosom is the same," whispered Zabern, "or rather it is destroyed. -The long lash of the knout coils completely round its victim, you -know." - -"The knout!" cried Paul, thrilling with horror at the thought that -such a dreadful instrument should have been applied to the delicate -skin of a youthful maiden. - -If it had been Zabern's object to win Paul over to the Polish cause he -had succeeded. The most eloquent oration against Russian despotism -could not have wrought such effect upon him as the bared back of this -silent maiden. - -"As there is a God in heaven, the nation that does such things must -perish. What had she done to be treated thus?" - -While Katina was silently replacing her garments the marshal proceeded -to whisper her story. - -"Katina's parents, who lived at Warsaw, gave shelter to a Polish -patriot, and for this offence the whole Ludovski family were banished -to the Uralian mines. - -"Here Katina's beauty attracted the desires of the governor, Feodor -Orloff; and, sending for her he offered to restore her family to -liberty, upon what conditions you can guess, when I tell you that -Katina's reply was a fierce blow from her open palm. - -"The morrow happened to be the emperor's birthday, and Orloff with -fiendish malice aforethought had the Polish exiles paraded before -him, told them that they would be free from work that day, and in -return for this boon required that they should cry 'God save the -Czar,' Some refused, and among them the spirited Katina. Here was -Orloff's opportunity. For disloyalty to the emperor, Katina was -condemned to receive fifteen strokes of the knout. - -"Have you ever seen a knouting? No? Well, I trust you never will, for -it is not a pleasant sight, even though your nerves be of iron. I have -been compelled to witness many such scourgings in Siberia, and I tell -you that though Dante in his 'Inferno' has imagined many and various -tortures for the damned, none of them are equal to the agony that an -expert executioner can elicit with a few strokes of the knout. - -"You must know that the victim, his wrist and ankles clasped by iron -rings, is fixed to a sort of framework set erect in the ground--fixed -in such a manner that he can make no movement, literally stretched as -an eel's skin is stretched to dry. - -"About twenty paces off stands the executioner, with sleeves tucked -up, for nothing must embarrass the freedom of his movements. He holds -in both hands the instrument of punishment--the knout. This is a thong -of thick leather, cut triangularly, an inch in breadth, from nine to -twelve feet long, and tapering to a point; this tapering end is fixed -to a little wooden shaft about two feet in length. - -"At the given signal the executioner advances, his body bent, and -dragging the long lash between his legs. When he has arrived within -three or four paces of his victim, he suddenly raises the knout above -his head: the thong flies into the air, whistles, descends and clasps -the naked torso of the sufferer as with a circle of iron. -Notwithstanding his state of tension the victim bounds as if under a -powerful shock of galvanism, at the same time uttering a shriek that, -once heard, can never be forgotten. My God! Even now I often start -from sleep with such a cry ringing in my ears. - -"In drawing back the lash again the executioner has a way of pulling -it along the edges of the opened flesh in such a manner as to widen -and deepen the wound it has made. - -"He retraces his steps and begins again the same manoeuvre as many -times as the victim is condemned to suffer blows. When the thong -envelops the body with its folds the flesh and the muscles are -literally cut into segments, as with a razor. The victim, crimson with -blood, foams at the mouth and writhes in fearful agonies. - -"And so our pretty Katina, nude to the waist--but enough; you have -imagination, you can picture the scene." - -Katina herself with saddened air had now drawn near again, in her dark -eyes a fire that spoke of a desire for vengeance. - -"Katina," said Paul, impulsively, "if this Feodor Orloff be still -living tell me where he may be found; I will seek him out, challenge, -and slay him." - -"No, brave Englishman, no. That vengeance belongs to me. No one must -rob me of my due. And," she added with clenched hand and stern look, -"the day is coming. Fate is drawing Count Orloff near to Czernova." - -"True!" replied Zabern. "He has lately been appointed governor-general -of Warsaw, a province bordering on our own." - -"And his appointment bodes no good to Czernova," remarked Katina. -"Marshal, I have a strange tale for your ears,--a tale I have been -waiting the opportunity to relate. What will you say when I tell you -that I have this very day seen the executioner who knouted me,--the -minion of Orloff?" - -"You are dreaming, Katina." - -"No, marshal, no. It is difficult, I am aware, for the knouted person -to see his executioner, but nevertheless I contrived to see the face -of mine, and what is more I have seen it again to-day--this -afternoon--in the room where we now are. I could not mistake those -furtive reddish eyes, that horse-shoe mark on the cheek--" - -"Heavens! Katina, what are you saying?" interrupted Zabern, with more -excitement than he usually displayed. "That a man with a horse-shoe -mark on his cheek has been here this afternoon? Had the fellow a blue -caftan, a red beard, a trick of gnawing his finger-nails--?" - -"You describe the very man, marshal." - -"Russakoff, as I live! Your old executioner and my spy one and the -same person! Can it be?--And he was here this afternoon? At what hour -did he call?" - -"About four o'clock." - -"That would be five hours ago," observed Zabern, referring to his -watch. "He must have made his way here directly after escaping from -the Citadel, bent on crossing the frontier, doubtless. Let me have -your story, Katina. Would that you had told it me earlier!" - -"This afternoon," Katina began, "I was returning from a walk, and on -entering the inn met my sister, Juliska, carrying a tray with two -glasses. 'Katina,' she said, 'we have two very suspicious-looking -visitors. They have asked for a private apartment and some vodka. -Carry this in, and tell me what you think of them.' I took the tray -from her hand and walked into this room. - -"Two men were sitting here. One had his back to me; facing him was the -other whom I recognized in a moment as the man who had knouted me at -Orenburg. Why I did not drop the tray in surprise, how I contrived to -check my cry, I do not know; I somehow succeeded in repressing my -emotion." - -"Did not the villain himself recognize you?" - -"He did not look at me when I entered; his attention seemed wholly -absorbed by the words of his companion. While placing the vodka on the -table I kept my head averted from my old enemy, and took a glance at -the other man, but I failed to see his face clearly, for his hat was -pulled low over his brows, and the collar of his cloak was drawn up -almost to his mouth. It was this peculiarity that had excited -Juliska's suspicions. The brief glance I had of him disposes me to the -belief that he was a man far higher in the social scale than the -other." - -"'Happy shall he be that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us,'" -murmured Zabern. "Why did you not call upon your father and brothers -to seize the knouter, and give him a taste of what he had made you -suffer?" - -"That idea, marshal, was running through my head. After placing the -vodka upon the table I withdrew silently and quickly; and while in the -act of closing the door I caught a remark uttered by the man who had -knouted me." - -"Call him Russakoff; 't will be simpler," suggested Zabern. - -"Russakoff, then--to please you. 'You will not persuade me to return -to Slavowitz,' he was saying. 'I have no wish to fall into Zabern's -hands again.' My excitement increased, marshal, at this mention of -your name. I resolved to try to learn something of their business -before giving orders for their seizure; and, accordingly, since they -were seated by the open window, beneath which is an immense leafy -laurel, I stole outside and put myself in concealment there in the -hope of overhearing their words. - -"They conversed in low tones, but now and again, when their voices -were raised in evident anger, I caught a few remarks. - -"'I wonder that Orloff should employ a fool like you,' said -Russakoff's companion; 'one unable to keep from the vodka, who takes -part in a tavern brawl, and gets himself arrested while carrying an -important political document! If that letter should be deciphered by -the princess's secretary, it will lead to the frustration of a scheme -by which the Czar hopes to gain possession of Czernova, legally and -quietly, without the employment of military force.'" - -"What?" cried Zabern. "Let me hear that again, Katina." - -Katina repeated her words. - -"Russia to obtain Czernova legally, without employing force! In the -devil's name--how?" - -Beneath their overhanging brows Zabern's gray eyes gleamed like -polished cannon deep-set within embrasures. - -Paul was equally startled by Katina's words. Was it possible that the -Russian bureaucrats had discovered that the regnant princess was not -the real Natalie Lilieska? If they could prove that she had no title -to rule, the throne would devolve upon the Duke of Bora, who might of -his own free will resign his rights to the Czar Nicholas as the next -in succession. - -Was this what Russakoff's companion meant when he spoke of a quiet and -legal way of obtaining possession of Czernova? - -Fear seized Paul as he began to realize that the same result could be -attained by assassination. Over the body of Barbara, slain by the -dagger of some Muscovite fanatic, the Czar might step to the throne of -Czernova! Did the cipher-despatch relate to some such terrible plot? - -"Proceed, Katina. Heard you aught else?" - -"After some more whispering Russakoff raised his voice. 'No; it's a -risky business. Besides, what are four hundred roubles?'--'We will -double the sum if the work be done within twelve hours,' replied the -other. - -"It was quite clear to me that some mischief was afoot, and, though -desirous of learning more, I feared that if I waited longer they might -rise and depart before I should be able to have them seized. I stole -off, summoned my two brothers, but, on entering the room--" - -"Fire and brimstone! the birds had flown." - -"You are not more vexed than I was, marshal." - -"Were their glasses empty?" - -"No; full." - -"Ah! they had caught sight of you in hiding. A pity you delayed the -seizure! You gave chase, I presume?" - -"Marshal, we--my father, brothers, Juliska, the servants, myself--ran -here and there; we looked in all directions, but failed to discover a -trace of them. My father deeming the matter of great importance, -immediately sent Juliska to Slavowitz to apprise you of it; but -evidently you have not seen her." - -"I must have left Slavowitz before she arrived. Katina, you have once -more proved yourself a valuable auxiliary to the princess's -government. So this spy is employed by one Orloff; and since he was -certainly at one time in the service of Count Feodor Orloff, and -inasmuch as he comes from Warsaw, and is evidently the agent of one -high in authority there, we doubtless do the new governor-general no -wrong in crediting him with a plot to overturn the independence of -Czernova. If so, there will be a double pleasure in defeating him--eh, -Katina? It will please him to learn that it was Ludovski's daughter -that foiled his schemes, for I will take care that he shall learn it. -My suspicions have become certainties. The duke and Orloff are leagued -together for the hurt of the princess, and Russakoff is their -intermediary. What is the 'risky business' that Russakoff deems -ill-paid by a sum of four hundred roubles, sum to be doubled if the -work be done within twelve hours? You are certain those were the -words, Katina?" - -"Quite certain, marshal." - -"And the other man--who is he, I wonder?--was trying to persuade -Russakoff to return to the city? Has he returned? If so, my spies -shall find him ere the night be past. Trevisa," he continued, turning -to the ex-secretary, "you see now the importance of that secret -despatch, the necessity for its immediate decipherment. No more delay -then. To Slavowitz," cried Zabern, rising abruptly. - -Katina instantly flew off to summon the driver of the troika in which -Paul and Trevisa had made their journey from Slavowitz. The three men -proceeded to the entrance of the inn where they found the trooper -Nikita, still holding the two horses, and seeming as if he had not -moved an inch from his previous position. Night had fallen, and the -stars were twinkling in a dark sky. The bright light from the inn-door -streamed pleasantly across the road to the trees on the opposite side. - -"Pardon my haste, gentlemen," observed Zabern, "but I should do wrong -to tarry longer, when there may be rioting in the capital. The -princess's conversion to Romanism and the arrest of the Duke of Bora -are matters sufficient to set the Muscovite mind ablaze. I'll ride on -ahead; do you follow with all speed." - -Katina reappeared at this moment, and the marshal gallantly kissed her -hand at parting. The glad light that came into her eyes told Paul a -secret. - -"As I live," he murmured to himself, "our pretty Katina loves Zabern." - -The marshal swung himself into the saddle, and the next moment with -his steel scabbard swinging beneath his cloak, he was galloping -towards Slavowitz, accompanied by his faithful orderly Nikita. - -A minute afterwards the three-horsed car appeared at the inn-door in -charge of its istvostchik or driver. - -"The troika is ready, my little fathers," he cried. - -The two friends took their places in the vehicle, and scarcely had -they done so, when there passed into the glow of light, and out again -immediately, a man whose tall cylindrical hat and black cassock -proclaimed him to be a papa or priest of the Oriental Church. - -On perceiving this ecclesiastic the istvostchik made the sign of the -cross in Greek fashion, at the same time quitting the troika and -saying as he did so: "Pardon me, little fathers, but I dare not drive -you to-night." - -"What does he mean?" Paul in wonderment asked of Katina. - -"The poor fellow is a Muscovite," she explained with a pitying smile, -"and Muscovites deem it a bad omen to meet a priest of their own faith -when setting out upon a journey." - -Katina had spoken truly. All the inducements and bribes on the part of -the two friends failed to shake the resolution of the old istvostchik. - -"The Muscovites have a curious way of honoring their priesthood," -smiled Paul. - -"I have a troika," said Katina, "and since I have promised to fetch my -sister Juliska home from Slavowitz to-night, why should you not -accompany me thither?" - -Paul and Trevisa saw no reason, whatever, why they should not accept -the services of so fair a charioteer. Katina accordingly gave an order -to one of the inn-servants, and then disappeared within the hostelry. -She returned almost immediately, looking charming in a handsome mantle -trimmed with fur. At the same moment there was brought round from the -rear of the premises a second troika, which was certainly a much finer -vehicle than the first. It was lined with red leather, and drawn by -three spirited ponies. - -"Here are steeds worthy of Mazeppa himself," said Katina, offering -each a sweetmeat. "The Ukraine hath not their like." - -She laid her cheek against the manes of all three in turn. The ponies -tossed their heads and pawed the ground, evidently as proud of their -young mistress as she was of them. - -"This is Natalie, and that Stephanie," she continued indicating the -two harnessed within the duga or wooden arch. "They are named after -the princess and her mother." - -"And the third?" inquired Paul. - -"Oh! she is for show, and not for use; she prances merely without -drawing, and so, being useless, my sister has, of course, called her -Katina. Now if your excellencies are ready." - -Paul and Trevisa seated themselves in the vehicle and since each -declared that he must have Katina beside him, that maiden was -laughingly compelled to take her place between them. - -"Do not travel to-night, my little masters," said the istvostchik as -he watched these preparations. "Ill-fortune will attend you." - -Katina gave the reins a scornful shake. - -Trevisa laughed pleasantly. - -Paul looked grave; to his mind there was something strangely -impressive in the quiet dignity of this old man as he stood on the -steps of the inn-door, his cap doffed and his eyes raised to the -star-lit sky. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -WHAT HAPPENED IN RUSSOGRAD - - -Though Katina was an avowed foe of all Muscovites, she nevertheless -possessed a characteristic in common with them,--a passion for furious -driving. - -With a stamp of her pretty red shoes, and with cries that sounded -somewhat wild on the night air, she urged the horses to their full -speed. She carried a short-handed whip with a long leathern thong, but -she used it only to lash the air. - -Amid the tintinnabulation of a peal of silvery bells hung from the -duga, the spirited coursers plunged forward, as if each were holding a -race with the other, Katina handling the team with a dexterity that -evoked Paul's admiration. - -Now where the road was broad she would spread the galloping horses -outwards like a fan; and now where its narrowness seemed to preclude -all possibility of passage, she would draw them together till they -appeared to occupy the space of one, without delaying for a moment her -onward rush. - -Occasionally she would rise from her seat and bend gracefully forward -over the horses in an attitude suggestive of a Grecian charioteer, -bidding the two friends with a merry laugh to "Hold fast," and the -next moment they would be racing down a steep descent; a sudden -splash, a drenching shower of spray, and ere the two friends had time -to realize that they were crossing a stream, the ponies would be -tugging the troika up the opposite bank. - -The marvels performed by this daughter of Mazeppa in guiding her -vehicle along the edge of a declivity, or in avoiding some obstacle -that suddenly appeared in her path, are past all belief; and though -Paul expected every moment to see the troika fall to pieces, the rapid -see-saw motion which in some persons causes all the sensations of _mal -de mer_, was both novel and pleasant, the rush of air producing an -exhilaration of spirits that quickly effaced from his mind the uneasy -presentiment caused by the words of the old istvostchik. - -"At this pace we ought soon to overtake Marshal Zabern," remarked -Paul. - -"We are not following the same road," replied Katina. "In journeying -to Slavowitz I myself always take this route, though it is more -circuitous. I renew my patriotism when in sight of that building." - -She had brought the troika to a standstill, and was now pointing to a -large monastery that rose in solemn mediaeval grandeur at the distance -of about a hundred yards from the roadside. - -"The Convent of the Transfiguration," said Katina. "On some Czernovese -monasteries you will see a crescent beside the cross; it is a sign -that the place was once in the hands of the Turks. But the crescent -gleams not here," she continued proudly. "The pavement of the Convent -of the Transfiguration has never been trodden by the foot of pagan or -heretical foe. A strong fortress as well as a monastery, it has often -checked the march of Muscovite and Turkish conquest." - -A liturgical service was taking place in the convent. The chant of the -monks was plainly audible, intermingled with the notes of the organ. - -"They are supplicating for Poland," said Katina. "They pray for nothing -else. Day and night their one cry is, 'How long, O Lord, how long?'" - -The voices of the chanting friars produced a singular, nay, a weird -impression upon Paul. Paganini himself could not have devised anything -more awe-inspiring and unearthly than the refrain that now rose upon -the night air. - -"Some of the holy brethren," continued Katina, "are men who were once -in Siberian mines. And such men! If you thought my back a pitiable -sight, Captain Woodville, what would you think if you could see some -of the dreadful forms hidden behind those walls?" - -Her words, her looks, and above all the wild plaint proceeding from -the convent, increased Paul's eerie sensations. - -"Come here what hour you will of the twenty-four, you shall never miss -the chant of those monks; their prayer never ends." - -"A perpetual service? I have heard of such." - -"When our fatherland was conquered in '95," continued Katina, "the -then abbot of yon convent ordained that from that time forth the -brethren should pray for no other thing than the restoration of -Poland. - -"To this end he drew up a liturgy and divided the whole body of the -monks into three parts, directing that each in turn should recite this -liturgy, band to succeed band without a moment's break. The convent -has never wanted for devout men to consecrate themselves to this -service. - -"Day and night unceasingly for over fifty years their supplication has -been going up to the saints above," said Katina. "Is it not time their -prayer was answered?" - -She clasped her hands and turned her face to the starlit heaven,--a -face made beautifully touching by its earnestness. - -"Oh! Queen of heaven," she murmured, "look down upon our country. Give -us the thing we long for." - -For a moment she stood in silent prayer, and then, taking up the reins -again, she began to urge the horses forward, as if finding in that act -a relief to her overwrought feelings. Once more the troika skimmed -along, scarcely seeming to touch the earth, and the majestic convent -with mysterious voices faded away in the gloom. - -"Abbot Faustus still maintains his attitude of defiance towards the -new archbishop," said Trevisa addressing Katina. - -"And he will ever maintain it," she replied. "Be sure that Ravenna, -anathematize as he may, will never be permitted to enter that -convent." - -"Your mysterious smile, fair Katina, disposes me to believe that you -know the reason of the abbot's defiance." - -"I _do_ know it," asseverated Katina, "but I must not reveal it. Ask -the marshal to make you one of the 'Transfigured,' and you will -understand the mystery. Faster, faster, my little doves," she added, -shaking the whip over the heads of her team. - -Onward flew the horses _ventre a terre_, and within an hour of the -time of setting out, there glimmered into view the battled walls of -Slavowitz, with its towers, spires, and domes standing out in gray -relief against a background of blue sky dimly set with stars. - -"Shall I take the Troitzka Gate?" asked Katina. - -Trevisa nodded assent. - -"'T will save a circuit," he said, "and will serve to show my friend -the two sides of Slavowitz. You have seen Cracovia, the fashionable -suburb," he added, addressing Paul; "now take a view of Russograd, the -Muscovite quarter." - -Katina accordingly drove through an arched gateway, where, armed with -a long halbert, stood a Polish sentinel, who, at sight of Paul, -saluted, mistaking him for an officer of the Blue Legion. - -As the troika, leaving the city gate behind, rolled forward over the -smooth wooden pavement of the main thoroughfare known as the Troitzkoi -Prospekt, it became quickly evident that the dwellers in this quarter -had become aware both of the princess's Romanist faith and likewise of -the duke's arrest,--matters that naturally tended to produce a state -of great excitement. Indeed, it looked as if there would be little -sleep that night in Russograd; for though the hour was late, all the -denizens of the faubourg, men and women alike, were abroad, discussing -in shrill tones and with fierce gesticulations this latest phase of -Czernovese politics. Russians, Tartars, Cossacks, and representatives -of other nationalities, who at ordinary times were ready to cut each -other's throats, were now united by the bond of a common religion -against "Natalie the Apostate." - -"Now the saints confound these Long-beards!" murmured Katina, -compelled to exercise great care in steering her course. "Is it -Butter-week, that they throng so? Our short route is proving a long -one." - -Owing partly to the crowded state of the street, and partly to the -condition of the wooden pavement, which a recent shower had rendered -somewhat slippery, it was impossible for the vehicle to proceed other -than at a walking pace, and thus the trio could not fail to overhear -the remarks made by some of the throng. - -"I saw the duke brought in through the St. Florian Gate," cried a -woman, addressing a circle of bystanders. - -"They knew better than to bring him in through the Troitzka Gate," -observed a man beside her, apparently her husband. His face was -disfigured by a long smear of dried blood. - -"He was riding with downcast eyes in the centre of a troop," continued -the woman. "And when my goodman cried, 'Long live our prince,' one of -the troopers struck him across the face with the flat of his sabre, -bidding him begone for a traitor. Look at the mark of the sword," she -screamed. - -"Yes," chimed in her husband, "and the princess herself passed by a -minute later in her droshky, and drove off to the Palace, not looking -one whit troubled by the thought of the duke's imprisonment." - -"Troubled, do you say?" cried his wife. "I never saw her looking more -glad than she did to-night. And to think that a mere girl should have -the power to arrest a big handsome man like our Duke John! We want a -full-grown, bearded soldier to rule over us, and not a silly maid." - -"Especially a maiden under the thumb of Cardinal Ravenna," interjected -a bystander. "We all know why she has imprisoned the duke; because he -is a Greek, and loves the Muscovites and the great White Czar." - -"And the princess hates the Czar," cried the woman. - -"The shoes she wears in her palace are stamped on the sole with the -portrait of our little father Nicholas, so that she may tread his -image under foot whenever she walks." - -This little anecdote, entirely without truth, found ready credence -among the haters of the princess. - -"She is removing the duke from his command to make way for Zabern. And -why Zabern? Because he is a Pole, and a Catholic, and hates the -Muscovites." - -Amid these observations, and others of a like character, the troika -moved, its rate of progress gradually diminishing, until the vehicle -was finally brought to a standstill by the immobility of the crowd in -front, who either could not, or would not, move out of the way. - -"_Na pravo_--to the right!" cried those on the left angrily; while -just as angrily those on the right cried,-- - -"_Na levo_--to the left!" - -Unable either to advance or retire, the occupants of the troika -remained stationary, the centre of a crowd evidently bent on mischief, -a crowd composed mainly of the lower orders,--or, to use the -suggestive phrase of the Russians themselves, the "Tshornoi Narod," or -"Black People." - -Russograd was at no time a safe place for the adherents of the -princess; but in the present political crisis the sight of one -wearing, as they supposed, the uniform of her _corps du garde_ raised -the fanaticism of the Muscovite mob to a dangerous pitch. The three -friends were ill prepared for repelling an attack. Paul was armed with -his sabre only; Katina had her savage-looking whip; Trevisa was -without weapon of any kind. - -Paul's chief fear was for Katina; but the maiden who had bravely -endured the knout did not seem at all disconcerted by the circle of -scowling faces. - -"My little mother, step aside there," she cried, toying with her whip, -and gently endeavoring to urge the horses forward. "Now, old soldier, -have a care." - -"Have a care yourself," exclaimed a harsh voice in front,--the voice -of a red-bearded individual in a blue caftan. "Would you ride over -me?" he added fiercely, grasping the bridle of one of the horses. - -His was a voice which Katina had previously heard that same day in the -parlor of her own inn. Springing immediately to her feet, she looked -fearlessly around. - -"In the name of the princess," she cried, "I call upon all loyal -citizens of Russograd to arrest that man and to convey him to the -Citadel, for he is an escaped prisoner." - -"The more welcome for that!" said the man with the bloody smear. - -"In the name of the Czar," cried the spy, "I call upon all loyal -citizens of Russograd to arrest that woman, and to convey her to -Orenburg, for she is an escaped prisoner, a fugitive from Russian -justice. What?" he continued, advancing into the ring of space around -the troika, "do you not know Katina Ludovska, the Polish harlot with -whom Zabern takes his pleasures?" - -Quivering with indignation, Katina leaped from the troika, bent on -chastising the insulter. One lash from the thong of her whip would -have laid open his cheek as effectually as a sabre-stroke; but ere she -could carry out her purpose, the more prudent Paul had laid hand upon -her belt and swung her lightly back again. - -"And do you not recognize this fellow?" continued Russakoff, pointing -to Trevisa. "He is the princess's paramour; private secretary is the -name used in court circles." - -A coarse laugh greeted these words. - -"The princess will never marry the duke. Why? Because the secretary -has poisoned her mind against him." - -The mob grew more menacing in their attitude. - -Katina laughed defiantly. - -Trevisa glanced around, wondering what had become of the night watch -appointed to patrol the streets of Russograd. - -Paul, casting about for a way of escape, observed that the crowd -facing the horses was but a few ranks deep. If Trevisa and he put on a -bold front, while Katina plied her whip vigorously, there was a -possibility of breaking through the hostile circle. He whispered this -idea to the two, who both nodded assent. - -"Be it known to all that the princess has arrested our duke for -duelling. And here," continued Russakoff, pointing to Paul, "is the -man that fought with him. Before St. Nicholas I speak the truth. I lie -not," he added, taking out one of those sacred icons which the Russian -usually carries with him, and kissing it as he spoke. "The princess -imprisons the duke; she lets this man go free. Men of Russograd, is -this justice?" - -"No! No!" cried the mob. - -It was impossible to rescue their beloved duke from the grim Citadel -with its massive walls loop-holed with artillery; it was impossible to -do hurt to "Natalie the Apostate" in her strong palace, which the -foresight of the ministers had surrounded with a military cordon. But -here were persons almost as obnoxious as the princess herself, and a -hurricane of yells arose from all sides, the women exhibiting more -fury than the men. - -"Down with the Jesuits!" - -"Drag them from the car!" - -"Tear them limb from limb!" - -"Hurl their bloody heads through the princess's windows!" - -As the crowd surged madly forward, Paul sprang to his feet, sabre in -hand. - -"Now, Katina, now! Ah! the cowards!" he muttered in an agony of rage, -as a stone flung by one of the mob caught her on the temple. - -Their escape seemed a doubtful matter. On all sides men, and women -too, were attempting to clamber into the troika, and dealing blows -with fists, sticks, and knives. They yapped and snarled like so many -dogs as they were hurled off again by the sturdy Englishmen, Paul -standing on the left side and using the flat of his sabre, Trevisa on -the right dependent merely upon the weapons supplied by nature, to -wit, his fists. - -While this contest was being waged Katina, though dizzy from the -effects of the stone, bent backwards, and with a strength of wrist -marvellous in a slender maiden, she pulled the horses so far back on -their haunches as to cause their front hoofs to rise and describe -circles in the air. Poised thus she lashed them with a savagery -justified only by the occasion, though even in that moment of peril it -went to her heart to ill-treat her favorites; and then, with a warning -shout, she launched the maddened steeds pell-mell upon the crowd in -front, endeavoring also to clear the way by striking out to right and -left with her reddened whip. - -The crowd facing the troika divided like water cleft by the hand, and -the vehicle flew forward with nothing to oppose it. A double line of -faces seemed to be rushing by; oaths and cries; a jolt, occasioned by -the troika bounding over a prostrate body; another, more violent, -which left a sickening sensation in the mouth; and the moment -afterwards the vehicle, with its bells wildly jangling, was clear of -the press and racing down the Troitzkoi Prospekt, the very embodiment -of the wind, followed by the yells of the baffled crowd. - -"Bravo, Katina!" cried Paul. "You are the princess of charioteers. A -narrow shave, that--eh Noel?" - -But, on turning to his companion, Paul gave a cry of horror. Trevisa -lay helplessly on the seat of the troika, his face as white as china, -his teeth set in agony, in his eyes an awful look. - -Paul's cry drew Katina's attention to Trevisa. She immediately pulled -up the horses. - -"Mary, mother of angels!" she cried in a tone of anguish. "He has been -stabbed; stabbed in the side!" - -And all the womanhood of her nature asserting itself, she gently -raised Trevisa's head, and pillowed it upon her breast, regardless of -the blood that flowed down her dress. - -"It was Russakoff," gasped Trevisa. "Paul," he continued, seizing his -friend's wrist. "Remember! it is the furies, the furies of--of--" - -The act of speaking brought a rush of blood to his mouth, and ere he -could finish the strange utterance, he was gone. - -"Jesu Maria, he's dead!" murmured Katina in awe; and then, her mood -changing, she added with a wild laugh, "Russakoff has earned his -roubles." - -The whole affair had happened so quickly that it was almost -impossible to believe in its reality, though the dead form of Trevisa -lay there before their eyes. For fully half a minute Paul stared -helplessly at the silent figure. Amazement--grief--horror kept him -mute and motionless; then in a moment these feelings gave way to the -wild desire for vengeance. - -"I'll find the assassin," he muttered, springing from the troika, "and -sabre him on the spot, though I die the next moment for it." - -"Would you go back among those wolves?" cried Katina. "No, no; they -will kill you too." She also sprang from the troika, and held Paul by -the wrist. "Indeed you shall not go. Leave the assassin to Zabern. -Zabern will find him. And thank heaven, here is the marshal!" - -As she spoke the clatter of horse-hoofs was heard, and turning in the -direction of the sound, Paul saw a troop of lancers approaching with -Zabern at their head. - -On nearing the troika the marshal halted his men, saluted Paul with -his sword, and then eying the crowd that was still impotently yelling -in the distance, he said,-- - -"In the fiend's name, what possessed you three to drive through -Russograd on such a night as this?" - -His eye now caught sight of the limp appearance presented by the -silent form reclining on the troika. He sprang from his horse with -consternation written on his face. - -"Good God! don't say that Trevisa is dead!--Trevisa, whom I hoped to -see fighting under the banner of the princess! Dead!" he muttered -under his breath, "and just as he was on the point of deciphering the -secret despatch, too!" - -"He is dead," said Paul; "but this is no time for words. The assassin -is among yon crowd, and his name is Ivan Russakoff." - -The name of the spy acted like magic upon Zabern. He shouted some -order, and in a moment more ten uhlans trotting forward with couched -lances scattered the crowd; the object of these troopers was to secure -the Troitzka Gate, and so prevent the assassin from making his escape -by this exit. Like precautions were promptly taken with the rest of -the city gates. The remainder of his forces Zabern skilfully disposed -around the suburb of Russograd, forming them into a cordon through -which no one could break without detection. - -Meanwhile, in answer to his summons, fresh detachments of troops -arrived together with a numerous corps of police; and to both he -briefly explained the object of the muster. - -Zabern was well aware that, owing to the hostility with which Polish -authority was viewed in this quarter, he would have considerable -difficulty in inducing the Muscovites to surrender the spy, whose act -in slaying a government official would be certain to enlist their -sympathies. Every dweller in Russograd would take a pride in -concealing the felon. Hence the marshal was necessitated to make his -arrangements with almost the same care as if conducting a siege. For a -few hours Russograd was to become subject to martial law,--no new -experience for this riotous faubourg. - -"Remember, Russakoff must be taken alive; his dead body is of no use -to me," said Zabern. "But as to the rest, don't hesitate to shoot if -there should be any resistance. Nikita," he added, addressing his -orderly, "dismount, and assist Katina in conveying the body to the -palace. Captain Woodville, here is a horse at your service. You will -accompany us?" - -Zabern's elaborate precautions failed to secure the person of the spy. - -Though all the streets of Russograd were traversed by the military, -and every individual subjected to scrutiny; though private dwelling -and public building were explored by keen-eyed police; and though the -marshal and his staff formed a sort of inquisitorial tribunal and -interrogated and cross-examined during the whole night, yet no one -answering to the description of Russakoff could be found. - -Still the marshal continued the search, encouraged by the statement -alike of the sentinels at the city gates as of the members composing -the military cordon, that the spy had not passed outwards. - -"So, Nariskin," he said at seven next morning, and addressing a -patriarchal, long-bearded individual who carried himself with some -show of authority, "so, Nariskin, another government official murdered -in your ghetto! A pretty guard your night-watch keep!" - -Nariskin, chief of the ward council that directed the affairs of -Russograd, became voluble in attesting his grief,--his indignation, his -horror, that anything so--so-- - -"It isn't an oration that I want," said Zabern brusquely, "but the -person of Russakoff. You will assemble your council this morning and -make two announcements: first, that henceforth Russograd shall cease -to do its own policing; that shall be my care. And, secondly, that -unless the spy is surrendered before six this evening Russograd shall -pay a fine of fifty thousand roubles." - -Nariskin protested by Saint Vladimir that there was not so much money -in all Russograd, but the marshal turned contemptuously away. - -"It's useless," he said to Paul, "to search longer for a fugitive whom -a whole people are bent on concealing." - -In gloomy mood he gave orders for the withdrawal of the soldiery from -Russograd. The military cordon, however, was still maintained, and -fresh injunctions were issued to exercise strict supervision over -every person passing outwards. - -Paul accompanied Zabern at his request to the Vistula Palace, and -entered the apartments lately tenanted by Trevisa. - -Beneath a catafalque of black velvet, surrounded by lighted tapers set -in tall silver candlesticks, reposed the body of Trevisa, his hands -folded across his breast, and holding within them lilies placed there -by Katina. - -"A sad fatality!" murmured Zabern, his somewhat grim and hard nature -touched by Trevisa's early and mournful ending. "A sad fatality! And -partly of my own causing, too!" - -"How so?" - -"The cipher-despatch which I entrusted to his care has occasioned his -death." - -"You mean that he was assassinated in order to prevent him from -deciphering it?" - -"Precisely. The duke hesitates at nothing to conceal his treason." - -"What proof have you of his complicity in this affair?" - -"Actual proof--none, else would the headsman be now putting edge to -his axe. But here are matters that have a suspicious aspect. Not till -yester-morn did the duke learn that Russakoff was a prisoner in the -Citadel, and that Trevisa was occupied with the document found on the -spy. I did my best to keep the affair a secret, but our premier, -unthinkingly, revealed it; and, according to him, the duke, on hearing -of Russakoff's imprisonment, looked ill at ease. Why, unless the -matter concerned him? Subsequently the duke paid a visit to the -Citadel--in his official capacity, of course; but, mark the result! -Two hours afterwards Russakoff's cell was found empty. How? Great is -the power of the rouble-note!" - -"Why, then, send the duke to the Citadel, since the itching palm that -opened the gate for Russakoff may do the like for Bora?" - -"I have thought of that, and therefore I have appointed some of my own -troopers--fellows whom I can trust--to be the duke's jailers. But to -return to the cipher letter," continued Zabern, in a tone of profound -dejection. "It still keeps its secret. And Trevisa had just hit on the -clue! Did he speak of the matter at all on the way to Slavowitz? Did -he give you any hint?" - -"None." - -But scarcely had Paul given this reply than he started, as he suddenly -recalled Trevisa's dying utterance. - -"Marshal, I believe he tried to make a communication to me in his last -moment. His words were 'Remember the furies!'" - -"Passing strange! what meaning can there be in that?" - -The two men puzzled themselves to no purpose over the singular saying. - -"That cipher letter," said Zabern, reflectively, "was perhaps the last -thing in Trevisa's mind. With that sudden intuition which sometimes -belongs to the dying, he recognized why he had been assassinated, and -tried to give you a clue. 'Remember the furies!' Humph! here's an -enigma indeed!" - -He paced the apartment gloomily, while Paul, looking down upon the -face of his dead friend, breathed a silent prayer for justice upon all -who had part in the cruel deed. - -"The interpretation of that cipher letter," said Zabern, "would enable -us to defeat Russia's secret scheme for the subversion of Czernova; -but alas! where shall we look for the interpreter?" - -"Give me the letter," said Paul with a sudden impulse, "and let me try -my wits upon it. I am not altogether ignorant of cryptography; it was -Trevisa's favorite pursuit when we were at college. He sought to -interest me in it, and I remember something of his methods." - -There was at first some hesitancy on the part of Zabern. Was it wise -to trust such a weighty matter to one who owed no allegiance to the -Czernovese government? - -Paul understood the scruples of the other. - -"You may trust me; or if not, I will take whatever oath you wish. My -sole desire is to serve your beautiful princess." - -Zabern's opposition vanished. - -"You shall have the letter," he replied. "You defeated Russia's aim in -the East; now defeat her aim in the West. But, if you are like me, you -must feel the need of a little sleep. There is a bed in the next -apartment. Sleep for an hour or two, and rise fresh for the work." - -Paul accepted this advice, and retired to the next apartment. - -"Shall I call this Fate?" he murmured, as he laid his head on the -pillow. "Without any seeking on my part I am now beneath the same roof -as Barbara." - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -PAUL AND THE PRINCESS - - -After a brief interval of repose Paul awoke, and had scarcely donned -his uniform when a court chamberlain, carrying a silver gilt staff, -presented himself with a message to the effect that, "The Princess of -Czernova, having learned that the illustrious defender of Tajapore is -at the present time within her palace, desires to hold a private -interview with him in the White Saloon." - -The chamberlain went on to say that though court dress or military -uniform was _de rigueur_ in such interviews, he had been expressly -commanded to state that on the present occasion the princess would -waive all ceremony. - -Having no other attire with him, Paul had of necessity to go to this -momentous meeting in his uniform, and accordingly he set off at once -with the chamberlain, who on the way ventured to remind him of the -etiquette to be observed during the approaching interview: he must -stand unless requested to sit; make no observation of his own, but -simply reply to the questions addressed him; he must not withdraw till -the princess should give the signal, and in withdrawing he must keep -his face turned towards her. - -All this, and much more, from Silver Staff touched Paul with a sense -of humor, when he recalled the sweet and unrestrained intercourse at -Castel Nuovo. - -On entering the White Saloon Paul perceived Barbara seated at a -table, and pencil in hand, ostensibly occupied in annotating -state-papers. She wore a dainty dress of white tulle sparkling with -silver embroidery over ivory satin. - -She was evidently in a state of nervousness. The pencil trembled -within her fingers. She did not glance at Paul, but kept her eyes upon -the papers before her. - -Now that the chamberlain had withdrawn, she was expecting Paul to come -forward with the greeting, "Barbara!" Nay, if the truth must be told, -she was longing to be folded in his arms, and to hear again the -passionate language which he had addressed to her on that memorable -day of their parting. - -But to her disappointment Paul seemed as formal as a courtier. With -his plumed helmet doffed he stood at the distance prescribed by court -etiquette waiting for her to speak. - -Quick to interpret his secret thought, she saw that he recognized the -existence of a wide gulf between them, a gulf that could be crossed -only from her side; if there was to be a renewal of love it was for -her to take the initiative. - -This attitude on his part, though studiously correct, embarrassed her -exceedingly. - -"I little thought," she began in a low and faltering voice, "when -reading of the brave deeds of one Captain Woodville, that the doer of -them was known to me. Captain Cressingham," she continued, reverting -to the more familiar name, "for two years I have been under the belief -that you perished in that Dalmatian earthquake." - -"Your Highness, I have been under a similar belief regarding -yourself." - -"Knowing, as you do," she continued, aimlessly tracing lines on the -paper before her, "that I cannot be the real Princess Natalie, you are -perhaps of opinion that I have no right to the throne of Czernova?" - -"Princess--no! I will believe anything rather than that you are an -usurper or an impostor." - -The energy with which he spoke attested the sincerity of his belief. - -Now for the first time since his entrance the princess raised her -eyes, and their flash of gratitude thrilled Paul. - -"Your faith in me is not misplaced, for I am truly the lawful Princess -of Czernova, though a strange necessity has compelled me to assume the -name of my sister Natalie. You shall have the story anon, Captain -Cressingham," she continued, in a curiously labored voice, as if the -choice of words were a difficulty, "we were parted in a very strange -way. You will perhaps have guessed that I was carried off by the -orders of Cardinal Ravenna, who acted, however, under the authority of -my father, Prince Thaddeus. - -"They justified the secret abduction on the ground that in my new -sphere it would be wise, nay absolutely necessary, to break entirely -with the past. But for my own part," added the princess softly, and -with the color mantling her cheek, "I do not see the necessity for -ignoring all former ties." - -"Your Highness has not forgotten the days spent at Castel Nuovo?" - -"No, nor that day in Isola Sacra. Captain Cressingham, I am a -Lilieska, and the herald will tell you that the motto of the House of -Lilieski is '_Keep to troth_.'" - -Paul caught his breath at these words, the significance of which was -not to be mistaken. - -That the lovely convent maiden should care for such an unworthy fellow -as himself had been a marvel to him two years previously; but that -now, when a princess, and capable of forming a brilliant alliance with -king or noble, she should still adhere to him, was more marvellous -still. - -Barbara, no longer able to endure this state of tension, rose to her -feet, and with unsteady step moved towards Paul. - -"When the suitor is of inferior rank," she said with a strange catch -in her voice, "court etiquette permits a princess to make the first -advance in love. Thus, then, do I avail myself of the privilege. -Paul," she continued, taking his hands in her own, and striving to -look into his averted face, "have you forgotten your words to me on -that sunny day in the old Greek temple? Day and night for two years I -have never ceased to think of them. Yes, though you may reproach me -with the name of Bora, your image has never been absent from my mind. -Does my new rank embarrass you? To you I am the same Barbara now as I -was then. I long to lay aside my state; to wander again through the -pine-woods of Dalmatia; to handle an oar on the blue Adriatic as on -that day when we were so cruelly parted. Ah, heaven! how cold, how -silent you are! Why do you turn away your eyes? Paul, look at me," she -entreated wistfully. - -Paul, knowing full well that her attachment to him was certain to -create confusion in Czernovese politics, had come fully prepared to -sacrifice his own happiness to her interests. But this appeal on her -part overcame him. He could not resist the temptation presented by the -beautiful face so close to his own. Moved by a sudden impulse, he -clasped her passionately in his arms. - -"Oh! this cannot be," he murmured a moment afterwards. "It is -madness." - -"Then let me be mad," she said with a low sweet laugh as she clung to -him. - -"You are a princess, and I am merely a military officer." - -"And where would the princess now be but for the officer who found her -wandering in the wild-wood?" - -"Princess--Barbara--I love you--" - -"I have been waiting for those words, Paul." - -"I love you--how deeply no words of mine can tell; but when I think of -the difference in our rank--" - -"But you must not think of it, Paul," she interrupted, still within -the circle of his arms, and placing her finger with a witching air on -his lip. - -"It must be that we part. The law of Czernova forbids our union." - -"The Diet shall repeal that law." - -"Your ministers, your nobility, your people will never tolerate an -untitled Englishman." - -"I am ruler in Czernova," she answered proudly. "No one shall dictate -to me as to my choice of a consort." - -"The Duke of Bora--what of him?" said Paul, with difficulty -pronouncing the name that had become doubly hateful to him. - -Barbara's eyes drooped. She hid her face on his breast. - -"Forgive me, Paul. Do not reproach me with his name. Remember that I -thought you dead. I have never forgotten you, nor ceased to love your -memory. It was political necessity that drove me to the arms of Bora. -On my coming here from Dalmatia in the character of Princess Natalie, -I was compelled by the _role_ I had assumed to receive the addresses -of the duke, addresses which I at heart loathed. It had been my -intention to break with him ultimately; but of late, since I have been -threatened with deposition by Cardinal Ravenna,--yes, deposition," she -repeated with flashing eyes,--"I have weakly thought of marrying the -duke; for inasmuch as he is the heir-apparent I should thus ensure my -rank, if not my power, as princess. But that idea is gone now; I cast -it from me forever." - -"But why? Is not the necessity for conciliating the duke as great -to-day as yesterday?" - -"No; for if I should have lost my crown I should have lost the one -thing I held most dear; if I lose it now--" - -She paused in her utterance. - -"Yes, if you should lose it now--?" - -"Have I not you?" she answered with a soft pressure of her arms. Paul -would have deserved instant knouting if he had not kissed the princess -for that saying. Then, becoming grave again he said,-- - -"You say the cardinal threatens you with deposition? Why this -hostility on his part?" - -"Because I will not dance to his piping." - -"And by adhering to me you will increase his hostility, since with him -I shall not be a _persona gratissima_." - -"He cannot ruin me without ruining himself, and ambition will cause -him to pause ere doing that." - -"But," said the puzzled Paul, "since you are the daughter of Prince -Thaddeus, how is it possible for him to dethrone you, and why is it -necessary that you should personate the Princess Natalie?" - -All this time Barbara had been standing clasped within Paul's arms; -but now, taking him by the hand, she led him to a seat, and sat down -beside him. - -"The story of my life, as far as it was known to me, I told you at -Isola Sacra. Let me now supplement it with details which I have since -learned." - -The following is a brief outline of Barbara's narration. - -The late Prince Thaddeus had in youth contracted a marriage with a -young English lady named Hilda Tressilian, who lived in the -neighborhood of Warsaw. Thaddeus, aware that his father would be -averse to this match, kept it a secret, visiting his wife at -intervals. During his absence in Czernova Hilda died suddenly, and was -buried ere the prince had time to gaze upon her lifeless form. - -On reaching the scene of her death, Thaddeus learned that there had -been a daughter still-born, the truth being that the infant was in -reality alive, Hilda's servants having been bribed to relate this -falsehood by Pasqual Ravenna, at that time a youthful priest of -ambitious views. His object was to train the child in the Catholic -faith,--Thaddeus was a Greek,--and ultimately to restore her to her -rightful dignity as Princess of Czernova; the interests of the Latin -Church would be thereby advanced. And for eighteen years Ravenna, -while rising from one ecclesiastical dignity to another, never lost -sight of this scheme; and, when he deemed the time ripe, secretly -apprised Thaddeus of the existence of Barbara. - -That prince, pressed by political necessity, had made a second -marriage, the issue of which was an only child, Natalie, born eighteen -months after Barbara. - -This Natalie, to whom Thaddeus had become passionately attached, was -now threatened with exclusion from the throne by the existence of her -elder half-sister. Thaddeus, suspecting a plot on the part of the -cardinal, refused to acknowledge his resuscitated daughter; and for a -time the matter remained in abeyance. - -Some months later the Princess Natalie, being in a somewhat delicate -state of health, was advised by the court physician to take a tour in -the countries around the Adriatic; and Thaddeus, prompted either by -fear or by some other motive, permitted Cardinal Ravenna to take -charge of the princess. Among other places Dalmatia was visited, and -here, while at Castel Nuovo, Natalie died. - -"In what way?" asked Paul. - -"She committed suicide," replied Barbara, in a whisper of awe. - -"You have proof of this?" - -"I have my father's word. He had come to Dalmatia purposely to see -Natalie, and was in the neighborhood of Castel Nuovo at the time of -the tragedy. He was at once sent for. Oh! no, there was nothing -suspicious in her death," continued Barbara, observant of the -misgiving expressed on Paul's face. "Do you think that my father, who -loved Natalie so dearly, would have connived at a crime?" - -Paul considered it not at all unlikely that Thaddeus had been deceived -by the cardinal. He refrained, however, from expressing his doubts. - -"In what way did she commit suicide?" - -"She stabbed herself before any one could prevent her. My father had -the story from Lambro and Jacintha, who, as well as the cardinal, were -eye-witnesses of the deed." - -Paul was of opinion that the cardinal who had bribed servants to utter -the falsehood of Barbara's death would certainly employ the like -expedient where his own guilt was concerned. - -The more Paul recalled Jacintha's air of terror and her admission as -to the mysterious oath taken on the Holy Sacrament, the more he became -convinced that Natalie Lilieska had met her death by foul play. But -dead princesses tell no tales; and the disappearance of the two -witnesses of the deed, Lambro and Jacintha, in the submergence of -Castel Nuovo, made it extremely improbable that the charge would ever -be brought home to the cardinal. - -It was agreed, Barbara continued, that the scandal of Princess -Natalie's suicide must be kept secret. Her body, sealed in a leaden -coffin, was concealed beneath the flooring of the cardinal's study at -Castel Nuovo, to be removed at a convenient opportunity to the -princely vault at Slavowitz. That opportunity never came, and the -waves of the Adriatic now flowed over the body of the Princess -Natalie. - -It was clear that unless Thaddeus consented to recognize the -convent-maiden as his daughter, the crown of Czernova would devolve -upon one whom he personally disliked, namely, upon Bora, though -Natalie herself had accepted the duke's addresses with pleasure. - -Accordingly, Thaddeus, accompanied by the cardinal, set off for the -convent of the Holy Sacrament, to see the daughter whom he had never -yet seen. On his arrival, however, he learned with dismay that -Barbara had fled the day previously. - -Many weeks were spent by the prince and the cardinal in searching for -her in the neighboring province and Bosnia. They had been led into -this region by a story to the effect that she had been seen journeying -in a caravan of gypsies. - -Disappointed in their quest, Thaddeus and Ravenna returned to Castel -Nuovo, arriving there by a singular chance on the very day that Paul -and Barbara had chosen for their excursion to Isola Sacra. They -instantly resolved to send over a band of men for the purpose of -carrying off Barbara, and of leaving behind on the island the -dangerous young Englishman who was unknowingly wooing a princess. - -Their plan succeeded. - -Fortunately, Barbara and her abductors did not pass that night at -Castel Nuovo. In the mist the boat was carried by the current some -miles lower down the coast; and captors and captive lodged at an inn -which remained unaffected by the earthquake that had devastated the -rest of Dalmatia. - -Barbara's passion of grief and indignation at being torn from Paul was -so violent, that the prince and the cardinal had no other course than -to promise that she should have her own way as regarded the young -Englishman. But next morning, to the despair of Barbara, the relief of -Thaddeus, and the secret joy of Ravenna, it was seen that Isola Sacra -had disappeared beneath the waves. It was naturally concluded that -Paul had gone down with it. - -Grief-stricken at this ending of her love-dream, Barbara was more -disposed to return to the convent and assume the veil of a nun than to -accept the prospective crown of Czernova; but finally she was -persuaded to this latter course by Thaddeus, who, convinced now that -Barbara was indeed his daughter, displayed all a father's tenderness. - -There would be a difficulty, however, in persuading the Czernovese -people to accept as the daughter of their prince a maiden of whom they -had never before heard. - -Now it so happened that the church in which Thaddeus's marriage with -Hilda Tressilian had taken place had been subsequently destroyed by -fire, and with it the documentary evidence tending to prove Barbara's -identity and legitimacy. - -Thaddeus was thus unable to establish her relationship to himself. The -Diet might be pardoned for refusing to take his bare word as proof. -Bora, too, would loudly declare that Barbara was a supposititious -child brought forward to deprive him of the throne. - -In view, therefore, of her marvellous resemblance to Natalie, it was -decided by the prince and the cardinal that Barbara should lose her -own identity and should personate the late princess. - -This Barbara had done, and with such art and tact that not even Bora -suspected the pardonable, if not altogether innocent manoeuvre by -which she had contrived to secure her rights. - -"With the exception of yourself," said Barbara in conclusion, "the -cardinal is the sole depositary of my secret, for not even to Zabern, -my confidant in most things, have I revealed it. Now you understand -the power which the cardinal professes to wield over me, and why he -insolently presumes to menace me with deposition. But he shall not -succeed. Zabern is my hope. Zabern, crafty and subtle, will find a way -of defeating the cardinal's machinations; and then," she murmured, -"and then--he shall regret his threat to dethrone the Princess of -Czernova." - -Barbara, menaced on the one side by the cardinal and on the other by -the Czar, had not a very firm hold on her throne, at least in Paul's -judgment; and now by her attachment to himself she was still further -imperilling her position. But he ceased to argue the matter. Any man -with those lovely arms around him might be pardoned for shutting his -eyes to the future. - -"And so your mother was an Englishwoman?" he remarked, seeing in that -fact a possible explanation of Barbara's pro-Anglian tastes. - -"Yes, I am half English," she replied, "and I am glad for your sake -that I am such. You have not told any one of our prior meeting in -Dalmatia?" - -"I have kept it a secret." - -"Let it remain such. And our love, too, must be kept secret,--at -least, for a time," she added with a sigh, for she loved open dealing, -and the hiding of her real faith, together with the assumption of her -sister's name, had never ceased to be a source of pain. - -"How happily we sit here," murmured Barbara, "giving no thought to him -who is lying dead! You were with Trevisa at the time of his murder; -tell me how it happened." - -Paul gave an account of Trevisa's death, in itself a sad event, and -one rendered still more painful to Barbara by the thought that it had -occurred so shortly after his dismissal from his secretaryship. The -sorrowful look with which he had received her decision would never -fade from her mind. She felt his loss keenly, inasmuch as he had been -her friend as well as her amanuensis, and for a long time she sat -talking of Trevisa, of his loyalty and his good services. - -"I shall require a new secretary," she said. "You, Paul, must fill -Trevisa's place. Nay, forgive me for being thus imperious. I speak as -if I had the right to your obedience. My commands are for my -ministers, not for you." - - [Illustration: "'See how well it becomes you,' she said, drawing him - gently towards a mirror."] - -She slid playfully upon her knees before him, and put her hands -together with a demure air. - -"May I have you for my secretary?" - -Paul, though sometimes given to day-dreams, had certainly never -anticipated the time when a fair princess would be kneeling at his -feet. He attempted to raise her. - -"I will not rise till you grant my request." - -No post could be more acceptable to Paul than this secretaryship, -since he would thus live in daily companionship with Barbara; and, -moreover, the handling of her correspondence would initiate him into -the secrets of that fascinating subject, European diplomacy. - -"Are you won over yet?" she asked. - -"Who may gainsay a princess?" said Paul. "But are you certain that my -appointment will not give offence?" - -"I reign over a divided realm. If I appoint a Pole I shall have the -Muscovites against me; if I appoint a Muscovite I shall have the Poles -against me. Therefore I will choose my secretary from neither party." - -"In order to unite both against you," smiled Paul. "But I fear, -Barbara, that I am ill-qualified for the post." - -"So much the better, Paul, for it will be charming to be your -instructress," she replied, delighted that he had accepted the -appointment. "What will your sovereign say at losing a brave soldier?" - -"The princess is now my sovereign." - -"Nay, not your sovereign, Paul, but your equal." - -She rose and walked to a buhl table on which rested a golden diadem, -and returning with it, she placed it playfully upon his head. - -"See how well it becomes you," she said, drawing him gently towards a -mirror. "There! every inch a prince." - -Paul smiled oddly at his reflection in the glass. He to wear the crown -of Czernova! The idea seemed too fantastic to be entertained. For the -last four and twenty hours he seemed to have been playing a _role_ in -some romantic opera rather than to have been living in the world of -reality. - -He put the diadem aside. - -"It is not a crown I want, Barbara, but your own sweet self." - -"And you have me, Paul," she said, kissing him affectionately. -"Nothing but death shall part us. And now," she continued, quitting -his arms with reluctance, "we must put on our masks and play our -parts, for I am about to summon the chamberlain." - -On the appearance of Silver Staff, Barbara said,-- - -"Call the marshal to our presence." - -Zabern was soon found. On entering he glanced keenly at Paul's face as -if expecting to gain from it some idea of the character of his long -interview with the princess; but Paul, when he chose, could be as -inscrutable as Zabern himself, and his face revealed nothing. - -"What news of Russakoff?" asked the princess. - -"Your Highness, I regret to say that the spy is still at large." - -"The ruffians of Russograd, who slew Trevisa because he was an -Englishman and loyal to me, shall find that they have gained little by -their deed, for I herewith replace him by an Englishman equally as -loyal. Marshal, my new secretary." - -Zabern bowed and answered like a courtier. - -"No appointment could give the cabinet and the Diet greater pleasure," -he replied, knowing that he was committing himself to a doubtful -statement. - -"It is a matter in which the cabinet and the Diet have no concern," -replied Barbara with a touch of hauteur in her voice. - -"Your Highness, Miroslav is without, charged with a question from the -Duke of Bora." - -"What says that law-breaker?" - -"His grace is desirous of learning from the princess how long his -detention is to last." - -"Till the mark on my secretary's cheek shall have disappeared. If his -grace be dissatisfied with our justice, it is open to him to appeal to -the law-courts of Czernova, whose sentence he will find considerably -less lenient than our own." - -"Your Highness, I shall have extreme pleasure in conveying that -message to the duke." - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -A DISPLAY OF SWORDSMANSHIP - - -On quitting the presence of the princess, Paul and Zabern took their -way through the palace gardens, where they were met by two individuals -in uniform, whom the marshal introduced to Paul. The more youthful of -the two, who had fair hair, blue eyes, and a comely face that seemed -to indicate habitual good humor, was Dorislas, and he held the office -of Minister of Finance. The other, a somewhat sullen-looking -personage, was Miroslav, the governor of the Citadel, "and," added -Zabern, "the present guardian of your friend the duke." - -"Ah! the duke," said Dorislas to the governor. "I marvel, Miroslav, -that you have not yet been called upon to defend your Bastille. What -are your friends in Russograd thinking of, that they so tamely submit -to the duke's imprisonment?" - -"The marshal's placards explain the reason. At the first attempt upon -the Citadel the duke is to be brought forth upon the battlements, and -summarily shot." - -"And therefore," commented Zabern, "it is a pity that they do not make -the attempt." - -"Well, you know the marshal and his ways by this time," laughed -Dorislas, addressing Miroslav. "When to-night you see a wild mob with -blackened faces advancing upon the Citadel and crying out for the -release of the duke, be sure that Zabern is somewhere among them, -disguised and playing the part of chief instigator." - -Zabern and his two friends, so it appeared, were on their way to the -_salle d'armes_, which stood in the centre of the palace gardens. In -this hall it was their custom, provided that state affairs were not -too pressing, to fence daily. Zabern invited Paul to accompany them. - -"And the cipher despatch, marshal?" said the new secretary, who, -having Barbara's interests at heart, was desirous of beginning work at -once. - -"A little fencing on your part will quicken both blood and brain." - -So Paul acquiesced, somewhat reluctantly, and while he and the -governor of the Citadel strode on in front, Zabern, adopting a more -tardy pace, followed in the rear conversing with Dorislas. - -"Marshal, what is this mystery?" asked the Finance Minister with a -significant glance in Paul's direction. "There is a strange rumor that -he and the princess were together in Dalmatia, and that she there -presented him with a sapphire seal which had been given to her by the -duke himself. Within twelve hours of his coming to Czernova he is -challenged to a duel by Bora. Her Highness, on hearing of the affair, -flies to rescue the Englishman, sends her affianced husband to prison, -but permits the other duellist to go free. And now you bring the -amazing news that the princess has made this Woodville her secretary. -What is the meaning of it all?" - -"You had better ask her Highness," said Zabern dryly, and abruptly -changing the subject of conversation, he added: "Did anything of -importance take place at the Diet last night?" - -"What, marshal! haven't you heard?" cried Dorislas, his face -expressing the extreme of amazement. - -"Heard? I've heard nothing. I was occupied in searching for that -assassin Russakoff till seven this morning, since when I have been -asleep. What new folly, then, did you and the rest of the ministry -perpetrate in my absence?" - -"You know, of course, that the first order of the evening was the -notification to the House of the princess's change of faith. Scarcely -had Radzivil risen to make his statement, when he was interrupted by -Lipski with a sneering remark to the effect that the premier might -spare his words, for the Diet knew very well what he was going to say, -and that it would have been more becoming on the part of the princess -to have taken the House into her confidence earlier, and not to have -waited till her hand had been forced by the article contained in his -newspaper, the 'Kolokol.'" - -"Damn his insolence! And of course the Muscovite crew howled applause? -Was Ravenna in his place?" - -"No; the cardinal, having been the chief instrument in the princess's -conversion, shrank somewhat from facing the wrathful Muscovites last -night. He preferred the opera-house." - -"The coward! Would that I had been there!" - -"What! at the opera? Yes, it was well worth visiting, because--" - -"A truce to your fooling. What happened next?" - -"After order had been restored--for, of course, Radzivil's statement -provoked a devil of a row--Lipski rose and begged leave to bring in a -new bill. Lamenting the increased taxation--and you know, marshal, my -Budget is devilishly heavy this year--he introduced a measure for the -appropriation of all plate, jewels, and money belonging to the -conventual establishments throughout Czernova, such wealth to be -devoted to the needs of the state." - -"Ha!" cried Zabern. "This is nothing else but an attack upon the -princess's faith. 'I have become a Catholic,' she avers. 'Then we will -plunder your Church,' is, in effect, the Muscovite answer." - -"True, marshal; for though the bill affects to treat both creeds, -Latin and Greek, alike, yet inasmuch as the Latin convents are -numerous and wealthy, while those of the Greek faith are few and -comparatively poor--" - -"It's a case of 'I'll share my kopek with you, if you'll share your -rouble with me,' eh?" - -"Just so, marshal. Well, the bill was rushed through its first -reading--" - -"Fire and brimstone! where, then, was our party with its splendid -majority?" - -"You forget that Rubini was here last night." - -"Who's he?" asked Zabern, whose ignorance of everybody and everything -outside the circle of politics was simply astounding. - -"Come, marshal, you jest--Rubini, the Italian, the great -opera-singer." - -"The devil fly away with him! Well?" - -"The opera was 'The Bohemian Girl.' Rubini took the part of Thaddeus. -It would have brought the tears to your eyes, marshal, to hear him -sing, 'When the fair land of Poland was ploughed.'" - -"It would--to hear a damnable Italian turning the sorrows of our -fatherland into a medium for putting rouble-notes into his pockets. -But what has this to do with the Diet?" - -"Why, most of those on our side of the House went to hear Rubini." - -"Including a simpleton named Dorislas. And so Lipski and his Muscovite -crew took advantage of the emptiness of the benches on the Right to -spring this new bill upon the Diet. But, sword of St. Michael, didn't -Radzivil send Opalinski to the opera-house to summon away the absentee -fools?" - -"He did, with this result. When Opalinski arrived Rubini was singing, -and our whip became so entranced that he quite forgot the errand on -which he had come, till--till it was too late. When our fellows came -trooping back they were met with derisive laughter from the Left." - -"The bill had already passed its first reading?" - -"Precisely, marshal. But that's not all. Lipski had likewise proposed -that, pending the issue of this infernal bill, the precincts of the -monasteries shall be patrolled by the military." - -"To prevent the monks from removing their treasures." - -"That's the object. The Diet passed the resolution. Radzivil, as -servant of the House, was obliged to submit, with the result that -to-day there is not a monastery in Czernova that has not bayonets -moving round it." - -"Including the Convent of the Transfiguration?" asked Zabern. - -"Including the Convent of the Transfiguration," answered Dorislas. - -Zabern muttered some oaths under his breath. Presently, however, he -broke into a grim smile. - -"Lipski is a shrewder fellow than I gave him credit for. A clever -stroke this on his part--to prevent us from entering that monastery by -turning our own bayonets against us." - -"Marshal," said Dorislas, looking very grave, "if Lipski's measure -should pass--" - -"If?" repeated Zabern disdainfully. "We will extinguish it on the -second reading." - -"Which has been fixed for this day month. Lipski boasts that there are -surprises in store for ministers, that there will be numerous -defections on our side." - -"'Boasts'--that is a good word, Dorislas." - -"If that bill should become law, commissioners appointed by the Diet -will make a round of the monasteries for the purpose of appropriating -their wealth; when they come to the Convent of the Transfiguration -they will discover--" - -"What we do not wish them to discover. But as the bill has not the -remotest chance of passing, we may preserve a serene mind on the -matter." - -Dorislas said no more. Though he was of an optimistic nature, it was -clear from his grave manner that he did not share in Zabern's hopeful -views. - -The quartette had now reached the _salle d'armes_. Over the portico -hung the banner of the Lilieskis, which Paul reverently saluted, for -was he not honoring Barbara by the act? - -"That flag," said Zabern, "shall one day float over a wider area than -Czernova." - -Passing beneath the portico, they entered a fine and spacious hall, -decorated in a style that harmonized with its use. Along the walls -were suits of armor, and pictures of duels, tournaments, and battles. -The oaken panels were hung with swords, muskets, and pistols, so -arranged as to form devices, the favorite one being the arms of -Poland. - -"Whenever a man is mentioned to me for promotion," remarked Zabern, "I -always bring him here for a bout. Ten minutes' fencing will give me a -better idea of his character than a month's investigation." - -Paul, in view of his recent appointment, wondered whether this remark -was intended for application to himself. - -Among the Czernovese nobles and military officers assembled in this -hall was Count Radzivil, occupied in a fencing-bout. In Paul's eyes -the sight of the gray-headed premier of seventy parrying and lunging -with all the ardor of a boy of seventeen was significant of much. It -seemed like a preparation for more serious work in the near future. - -What surprised Paul still more was a bevy of youthful ladies fencing -with each other at the far end of the hall; and of this number was -Katina, engaged in spirited contest with her sister Juliska, a maiden -so pretty that a man must have had the insensibility of a stone not to -have wished for a kiss. - -All ceased their play upon the entering of Zabern, who in a brief and -graceful speech introduced Paul to the assembly as the princess's new -secretary. - -The Englishman who had conducted the famous defence of Tajapore could -not fail to be a person of interest,--an interest enhanced by the fact -that he had not shrunk from facing in duel the champion swordsman of -Czernova. - -Curious glances were interchanged, both among the ladies and likewise -among the gentlemen, the meaning of which was laughingly explained by -Zabern. - -"The truth is, Captain Woodville, we are hoping to see a little -English sword-play, in order that we may know who is to be -congratulated by the princess's intervention yesterday,--yourself or -the duke." - -Paul modestly professed himself willing to give a display of his skill -if any one would come forward to meet him. - -"We have here," continued Zabern, "the six best fencers in Czernova -after the duke. If you can defeat any of these we shall be able to -form some notion as to how he would have fared at your hands." - -The six champions in order of merit were adjudged as -follows:--Firstly, Zabern, the Warden of the Charter; secondly, -Miroslav, the governor of the Citadel; next, Dorislas, the Minister of -Finance; then Count Radzivil, the Premier; Brunowski, the President of -the Diet, followed; and, lastly, came Nikita the trooper. - -"And," whispered Zabern to Paul, "if we were to choose a seventh it -would not be a man but a woman, and she none other than Katina." - -Paul bowed to the six men, and expressed his readiness to meet in -fencing-bout any one of the number, or all in turn; and taking up a -fencing-blade, a blunt sabre with its point topped by a button, he -stood prepared to make good his words. - -Across the middle of the hall upon the oaken flooring ran a silver -line to which the opposing fencers were required to apply their right -foot; they might step over this mark if they chose, but to recede from -it by so little as an inch was counted for defeat. - -As Paul declined to nominate an antagonist there was a slight argument -on the part of the six as to the one who should first respond. - -After some hesitation Count Radzivil stepped forward. "I fear I am too -highly appraised," he modestly remarked, "when I am placed among the -seven best fencers in Czernova." - -All drew near to witness the contest. A double ring was immediately -formed, the ladies being seated in a circle with the gentlemen -standing in their rear, the placing of the chairs having naturally -afforded opportunity for some pretty pieces of gallantry. - -Paul was secretly conscious that though Zabern with Katina and Juliska -might regard him favorably, he did not possess the sympathy of the -rest of the persons present, who resented the unaccountable act of -their princess in appointing as her secretary one who was not only a -foreigner but a complete stranger to the principality. Were there no -loyal Czernovese from whom her choice might have been made? - -Paul knew, too, that among those who stood around were some who bore -the proudest names in Polish history; he himself had neither title nor -long genealogy, but if there be an order of nobility founded upon -superiority in swordsmanship he determined to show that he was a -member of that order, and that it would not be well for any man to put -a slight upon him, because of the favor shown him by the princess. - -On finding himself engaged in a contest with the premier Paul felt -some mortification at being pitted against one so aged; but a few -moments' play convinced him that Radzivil's arm had lost little of its -youthful strength, or of its suppleness and dexterity. Paul, however, -was decidedly the superior; and, within the space of five minutes he -succeeded in disarming the count, whose blade flying through the air -would have struck Katina, had she not adroitly warded it off with her -own fencing-foil. - -Zabern, who had watched Paul with eyes that had hardly winked once, -seemed pleased with the result. - -"An accident!" commented Dorislas, really believing the premier to -have been the superior of the two. - -He himself was the next to engage, and again Zabern watched every -motion of Paul with unwinking eyes. - -As a swordsman Dorislas excelled Radzivil; but, heated with a desire -to vindicate the honor of Czernova, which he conceived had suffered at -the hands of the premier, he became rash, was more disposed to attack -than to guard, and the second contest terminated in less time than the -first by the button of Paul's sabre coming full tilt against the -breast of the Finance Minister. - -"Fairly pinked!" said Zabern, evidently more pleased than before. "No -accident this time." - -The expression of surprise and bewilderment on the face of Dorislas at -a result so little anticipated by himself was so comically pathetic -that the spectators could not refrain from laughter. - -"You were a dead man, Dorislas, had that been a real duel," they -cried. - -Paul was beginning to rise in their esteem. - -Miroslav next ventured to try his hand, and once more Zabern became so -attentive that one might almost have fancied his own life hung upon -the issue. - -Profiting by the lesson of Dorislas' rashness the governor of the -Citadel commenced in a spirit of coolness and watchfulness,--a spirit -that quickly evaporated when he found himself met at every point. He -gave more trouble than his predecessors, but in the end Paul succeeded -in twisting the weapon from his hand. - -Zabern's pleasure increased. - -"Good luck, not science," cried Miroslav, hotly, "I defy you to repeat -that trick, Captain Woodville. I must have a second bout." - -This demand was not allowed by Zabern, though Paul himself -good-naturedly offered to grant it. - -"Miroslav seems in savage mood to-day," whispered a fair lady to the -cavalier who was bending over her. - -"He suffered a prisoner to escape yesterday," replied her partner, -"and as a consequence he had a _mauvais quart d'heure_ with the -princess this morning. _Hinc illae lacrimae._" - -"Captain Woodville ought now to give his arm a rest," cried Katina. - -But Paul, perceiving the favorable impression that he was making, -expressed his readiness to proceed without delay. - -"I am now to be your opponent," said Zabern, taking up a fencing-blade -in his left and only hand, "and I warn you, Captain Woodville, to be -careful." - -This caution was not without its need. Zabern was considered by those -best qualified to judge the second swordsman in Czernova, and Paul -quickly found that he had met an opponent nearly equal, if not equal, -to himself. The marshal had an arm of steel; as a warrior who had -faced the charge of bayonets on many a battle-field he was not likely -to become nervous in a mock-contest. Cool and wary, after a few -preliminary passes designed to test the other's skill, Zabern seemed -content to remain for the most part on the defensive, watching his -opportunity. Paul, conscious of the marshal's dexterity, was disposed -to do the same; and hence this fourth bout appeared somewhat tame when -contrasted with the spirited and dashing style of the preceding -contests. It promised to prove indefinitely long, till on a sudden -Zabern cried,-- - -"Hold, I have felt enough to know that I am your inferior, and as -such, Captain Woodville, I lower my sword to you." - -Which he did in graceful fashion, and, oddly enough, seeming to be -extremely pleased over this acknowledgment of defeat. - -"You would not have to make such confession, marshal," said Paul, "if -you could recover the good hand you left behind in Russia." - -He turned to glance at his two remaining opponents,--Brunowski and -Nikita. - -"If the marshal, the best of us all, admits himself beaten," said the -President of the Diet, "of what use is it for me to try?" - -The trooper murmured something to the like effect. - -"Give me leave," said Paul, "to retire from this silver line and to -move about freely, and I will meet my two remaining opponents -together." - -"That were to take an unfair advantage of a man," said Brunowski, -resenting Paul's proposal as a slight upon his swordsmanship. - -"Fair or unfair," growled Zabern, "step forward, both of you, and let -us see whether Captain Woodville can do it. If you deem his word a -boast, prove it to be such." - -The ladies, too, curiously eager to witness fresh proofs of Paul's -skill, added their voices to Zabern's, and thus adjured the two men -came forward and faced Paul. - -As plenty of space would be required for the coming bout, the ladies -arose, the chairs were removed, and a wide circuit formed. - -"A thousand roubles to a hundred that the Englishman succeeds," said -Zabern to Dorislas, who seeing confidence written large on the -marshal's face, declined the wager. - -This fifth contest formed a brilliant finale. - -Smarting under what they considered contemptuous disparagement, and -eager to punish the vanity of the Englishman, Brunowski and Nikita -pressed hard upon Paul. Each was no mean fencer, though much inferior -to Zabern, and Paul was quickly compelled to retreat from the silver -line upon which he had at first planted himself. The previous work -seemed child's play when compared with this. The interchange of cut -and thrust was so swift that the eyes of the spectators failed to -follow the dazzling motions of the weapons. Despite their endeavors -the two men failed to touch Paul, who at last saw his opportunity. -With one powerful stroke he shivered Nikita's blade to fragments, and -almost simultaneously he planted the button of his sabre upon -Brunowski's breast. - -The members of the assembly looked at one another in breathless -wonder. Among a people who, like the Czernovese, retain much of the -spirit of the feudal age, he is most in esteem who is best able to -defend himself. In one sense, therefore, Paul was the foremost man in -the principality. The resentment previously felt against him had now -changed to unalloyed admiration. - -"Such swordsmanship was never seen in Czernova," cried Juliska. - -"Ten thousand devils!" muttered Zabern to himself. "Why did her -Highness intervene in the duel yesterday?" - -And then aloud he added,-- - -"Ladies and lords, we must all admit that his grace of Bora has much -reason to be grateful to the princess." - -No one ventured to controvert this statement. - -Zabern's eyes twinkled with secret satisfaction. - -"Marshal," whispered Juliska. "You have some plan in your head. You -have been trying an experiment, I know you have. Come, tell me. Of -what are you thinking?" - -"That the princess's coronation-day will be a very exciting time," -replied Zabern, oracularly. - -And this was the only answer she could draw from the smiling marshal. - -"Beaten! The whole six!" cried Katina in a voice of grief. "Shame upon -Czernova! Captain Woodville will have but a poor opinion of us. Let us -show, however, that we can shoot if we cannot fence." - -With this Katina directed one of the attendants to hang a square -white-painted board upon the wall at one end of the hall. Then taking -her station at the other end with a supply of loaded revolvers, she -proceeded to aim at the distant board, the shots succeeding each other -with a rapidity that scarcely left an interval of silence. - -The result of this firing was to cause a large oval to appear upon the -surface of the board. The revolvers having been reloaded, Katina -resumed her shooting. Now within the oval lines and curves began to -appear, the whole assuming the outline of a human countenance, and -that so well executed as to be clearly recognizable by those -acquainted with the original. - -"Orloff, the governor-general of Warsaw," cried several voices in -unison. - -"Czernova will never lack a good tirailleur so long as Katina Ludovska -be living," said Zabern, adding in a lower tone, "why have you learned -to shoot so well?" - -"Can you ask?" she replied in a fierce whisper. "Against the day of my -meeting with Orloff. Can any one beat that shooting?" she added aloud, -with an invitatory glance at Paul, who smiled a negative. - -A shout of applause went up in favor of Katina, who was considered to -have redeemed the honor of Czernova. - -"Ah! why were you not born a Pole?" said Juliska, addressing Paul. - -"May I not become one?" - -"Then shall you be a better Pole than any of us," said Katina, "for -whereas we are such by accident of birth, you will be such by freedom -of choice." - -"Well said, Katina," observed Zabern. "And never was there one whom I -more willingly admit to Czernovese citizenship. But Captain -Woodville," he added, thoughtfully, "it will be well if you remain a -British subject for a few more days. Why, the sequel will show." - -And Paul, believing that Zabern did not speak without good reason, -assented to the delay. - -There was no more fencing in the _salle d'armes_ that day. The members -shrank from displaying their inferior powers before such an expert as -Paul. The assembly broke up into little groups. - -"And how fares our ducal prisoner?" asked Radzivil, addressing the -governor of the Citadel. - -"In somewhat gloomy mood," answered Miroslav. "He spends his time -chiefly in drinking old Rhenish, and in muttering to himself. By the -way, he did a very peculiar act immediately after entering the Citadel -last evening." - -"Ha!" exclaimed Zabern, catching at this. "What was the act?" - -"You know, marshal, it is our rule to search all prisoners on their -entering,--a routine from which we did not except even his grace." - -"And what did you discover?" - -"Upon his person--nothing; that is, nothing of consequence. But a few -minutes afterwards a soldier caught sight of the remains of a book -burning upon a fire that was close by." - -"Flung there by the duke?" - -"Without doubt. The mystery is how he contrived to do it without our -knowledge, inasmuch as there were several persons standing by." - -"You recovered the book from the flames?" - -"We attempted to remove it with the tongs, but the thing fell to -pieces; the pages were consumed; nothing but the leather cover -remained, and that all charred; upon it we could just discern the -title." - -"And that was--?" - -"'The Plays of AEschylus.' Now why should the duke desire to destroy -his copy of the Greek poet?" - -"He had a motive, I warrant, and that a powerful one. I wish, -Miroslav, you had secured the volume in time. AEschylus, AEschylus," -repeated Zabern, thoughtfully. "My classical scholarship has long -since evaporated, but if I remember rightly," he added, his -countenance suddenly lighting up with a new idea, "AEschylus wrote a -play called 'The Furies.'" - -"True, marshal," replied Paul. "'The Eumenides' or 'The Furies.'" - -Zabern, with excitement gleaming in his face, drew Paul aside. - -"The clew to the cipher despatch!" he whispered. "The last words of -our friend Trevisa were '_the furies_'!" - - - - -CHAPTER X - -THE DEED OF MICHAEL THE GUARDSMAN - - -Accompanied by Zabern, Paul returned to the palace, where he was met -by the court chamberlain, who conducted him to a fine suite of -apartments, which by the special command of the princess were assigned -to the new secretary. - -Supplied by Zabern with the cipher despatch, and by the court -librarian with a copy of the "Eumenides," Paul, having first requested -to be left to himself, sat down to work out the cryptographic problem. - -The paper given to him by the marshal was covered with rows of -numerals, separated from each other by dots. - -The first eight numbers were as follows,-- - - 6 . 42 . 50 . 37 . 97 . 39 . 65 . 21 - -What did these figures represent? Certain words in the Greek play? If -the sixth word of the "Eumenides," the forty-second, the fiftieth and -so forth, were picked out and placed in immediate sequence, would they -yield an intelligible sentence? - -He tried this method with the above numbers, but the result did not -encourage him to proceed. - -It was not likely that the writer of the despatch intended to forward -such intelligence as: "Of gods and a name a daughter of an art was -seated into an oracle." - -On reflection Paul perceived the improbability that the numbers stood -for words, inasmuch as the vocabulary of an ancient Greek poet would -be insufficient to supply all the terms required by the usages of -modern civilization, such, for example, as passport, banknote, or -rifle. And to clench the matter, Paul observed that towards the end of -the despatch there was the number, .8537. Now the total of words in -the "Eumenides" falls considerably short of that sum. - -But if all the letters that composed the words of the play were -numbered in consecutive order from [Greek: P] the first to [Greek: s] -the last, then, indeed, the sum total would far exceed 8537. - -Paul resolved to test this theory, namely, that 6 was intended to mean -the sixth letter in the "Eumenides," 42 the forty-second letter, etc. - -Great was his delight when he produced the following result,-- - - . 6 . 42 . 5 0. 37 . 97 . 39 . 65 . 21 . - - [Greek: n i k o l a o s] - -Nicholas, the name of the reigning Czar! - -Proceeding in the same fashion, Paul found that the numbers following -those which stood for Nicholas yielded the intelligible word _[Greek: -ounainetai]_, "assents." - -"To what does Nicholas assent?" murmured Paul. - -"Let me endeavor to ascertain, since it is quite clear that the key to -the cipher is now in my hands." - -Obviously his best course would be to go through the "Eumenides" -first, marking, say, every tenth letter with its proper consecutive -number. This done, the work of decipherment would take but a few -minutes. - -Paul started on this most monotonous task,--a task that occupied him -more than four hours, from the necessity imposed upon him of verifying -his enumeration from time to time, for a single error in his -calculation would have confused the whole issue. And when at last his -copy of the "Eumenides" lay ready figured for use, the misgiving -seized him that perhaps, after all, his labor had been in vain. - -"Various readings occur in the manuscripts of the 'Eumenides,'" he -muttered. "If the writer of this despatch has used a different edition -from mine,--_Dindorf, Lips._ 1827,--well, then, lack-a-day!" - -Fortunately, however, the result falsified his misgiving. - -Once during his calculations the eager Zabern had entered the -apartment with the question, "What progress?" - -"Return in two hours, and you shall have the solution." - -And the marshal had withdrawn, somewhat doubtful of Paul's ability to -make good his promise. - -However, before the expiration of the two hours Paul had mastered the -contents of the document. It was written in Greek, and, as the -marshal's knowledge of that language was extremely limited, Paul spent -some time in endeavoring to produce a faithful translation. And his -rendering was as follows,-- - - _Nicholas assents. So proceed quickly. Risk of discovery in - transmitting document. Therefore burn as soon as seized. - When done, report matter. Envoy will follow to demand - production._ - - _Lipski's measure approved. Money shall be forwarded by - usual route. Let him bribe freely. The success of his bill - Russia's justification. Impossible, then, for Europe to - oppose annexation.--ORLOFF._ - -The signature seemed to show that the letter came from the -governor-general of Warsaw, the knouter of Katina, but there was -nothing to indicate the person for whom it was intended. Paul had -little doubt as to the correctness of his decipherment, though the -meaning was far from clear to him. - -Zabern would doubtless be able to understand the allusions, and if the -marshal should not soon make his appearance Paul was resolved to go in -quest of him. - -The night was now far advanced, and, having been at work several hours -in a close chamber, Paul was beginning to feel somewhat languid. He -therefore walked forward and opened a casement to gain a breath of the -fresher air without. - -It was dark and cloudy, and as he stood looking forth a mournful wind -dashed rain-drops into his face. - -The part of the palace in which this apartment was situated formed the -extremity of an architectural wing, which was fronted at the distance -of about a hundred feet by a second wing equal in length to the first -and parallel with it. These two wings formed with the main structure -the three sides of a court. - -As he casually turned his eyes upon the opposite wing, at the point -where it formed an angle with the main building, Paul thought he -detected a movement on the part of somebody or something about -half-way between the roof and the ground. Straining his eyes to the -utmost, he became convinced that what he saw dimly outlined against -the gray wall was the figure of a man poised in mid-air; for as Paul -could detect no ladder beneath him, he could only come to the -conclusion that the fellow was suspended by a rope. - -The man made no attempt to ascend or descend, but continued in the one -position; and as far as Paul could discern in the darkness his arm was -moving to and fro with horizontal motion. - -Now just at the place where this man hung there was, as Paul had -observed earlier in the evening, a small window, a window crossed by -iron bars. - -A grated window in a palace suggests the idea that the room thus -secured is used for the preservation of things valuable; at any rate -this was Paul's idea. He believed that the fellow was quietly -removing the iron bars with the view of procuring whatever it was that -lay behind them. - -It was an extremely hazardous enterprise. True, the man was favored by -the darkness, and by the noise of wind and rain, but at any moment he -was liable to be surprised by the night-watch going its rounds, either -in the courtyard below or on the roof above. - -Two sentinels paced the very battlements overlooking this court. -Earlier in the evening Paul had heard their footsteps overhead and -their challenges. Were they asleep? If not, they must be keeping a -very lax watch to permit this man to perform such work under their -very eyes. - -Then the truth flashed upon Paul. The man himself was a soldier, one -of the two appointed to patrol this particular part of the roof. The -other was his confederate. Both were engaged in some nefarious work. -Treason was afoot in the palace! - -Rejecting his first impulse, which was to steal quietly downstairs and -summon the guard, Paul resolved to tackle the two single-handed. As -there was no staircase from his room to the roof, he determined to -mount to the battlements by means of a water-pipe adjacent to his -window. - -Thrusting a loaded pistol within his breast, he stepped out upon the -window-sill, and pulling himself up by the water-pipe silently and -quickly, he clambered over the battlements without detection. Keeping -within an embrasure, he peered out along the roof. There, a few yards -distant, outlined against the sky, was the tall, cloaked figure of a -sentinel leaning upon his rifle and with his eyes turned towards the -grated window. - -Paul, glancing in the same direction, could no longer see the man -hanging in mid-air. A faint glow of light stole through the mysterious -window. Hence Paul concluded that the fellow was now within the -chamber occupied upon the matter that had brought him there. - -Stealing noiselessly forward, Paul suddenly clapped his hand upon the -sentinel's shoulder, and, pointing to the grated window he cried,-- - -"Do you intend to arrest that villain, or are you his confederate?" - -The sentinel instantly turned, with confusion and guilt written upon -his face. Misled by the uniform, he took Paul for a Czernovese -officer, and as such he was one that must be silenced at all costs, -for it was death to be caught thus in the act of treason. - -Lowering his bayonetted rifle to the charge, he made a thrust at -Paul's body. But Paul, on the watch for this movement, sprang aside, -wrested the rifle away, and clubbing it, dealt the fellow a fearful -blow on the head. The sentinel staggered back and dropped to the -pavement, where he lay senseless and still. - -Peering over the battlements to learn whether this action on his part -had been observed, Paul was surprised to see a blue light at the -chamber-window. The man was flashing a lantern to and fro, an action -that lasted for a few seconds. - -Recovering from his surprise, Paul sped onward, and reached the -battlement to which the rope was attached. - -Kneeling within an embrasure and glancing downwards, he perceived a -faint cloud of smoke proceeding from the window. - -What was taking place within? Was the fellow setting fire to this part -of the palace? - -It was not in Paul's nature to remain inactive while evil was in -progress. He instantly resolved to descend to the chamber for the -purpose of putting a stop to what he could not doubt was nefarious -work. Grasping the rope with both hands, he swung himself downwards, -not neglecting, however, at the same time to keep an eye upon the -window. As soon as his feet touched the sill he drew forth his pistol, -and without pausing to notice what was happening within the room, -without a glance, even, he sent his feet through the space between the -bars, a space barely sufficient to admit the passage of his body. - -The room was in darkness,--this much he was conscious of as he shot -forward, and a smell as of smoke hung in the air. Paul fell supine -upon the stone flooring, but he was up again in an instant, -endeavoring to ascertain through the gloom what strange thing had -happened or was happening. - -His attention was immediately arrested by a strange voice,--a voice -lowered to a whisper that was full of guilty terror. - -"Is that you, Peter? What has brought you down? In God's name make no -noise. Gabor is on guard in the corridor outside." - -"Then let Gabor enter," shouted Paul in a voice of thunder. "Ho! -without there! Gabor, Gabor, whoever you may be, here is a prisoner -for you." - -Directed by the voice, Paul rushed forward through the darkness, and -with his left hand he clutched the fellow by the throat, intending to -reduce him to submission by pressing the barrel of the pistol to his -forehead. The uplifting of the fellow's arm sent the weapon flying -from Paul's hand, and next moment the two men were grappling savagely -together. - -The soldier, for Paul could tell that he was such by the feel of his -uniform, was a powerful fellow, and desperation had now doubled his -strength. He knew that the chamber-door was strong, and that the key -was not in the hands of the sentinels outside; if he could overcome -this present antagonist in the interval that must elapse before the -key could be procured, there was a possibility of his escaping. He -wrestled, therefore, with all the fury of a wild beast. - -Locked in each other's arms, the two men swayed backwards and -forwards, and then fell, rolling over and over. - -Paul's cry, together with the noise of the scuffle, had attracted the -notice of the guard posted at the end of the corridor leading to this -chamber. The shouting of voices and the running of feet were heard on -the other side of the door. - -"Ho! Lasco, off to the captain for the key. The devil's work is going -on within. How have they managed to get inside? Ah, by the window! -Melchior, up to the battlement, and cover the window with your rifle. -See they escape not! Now, Lasco, dolt! dullard! slowbody! don't stand -gaping there. Run for the key. The key, man, the key!" - -"The key _is_ here!" cried a deep, powerful voice. And above the oaths -and gasps of his struggling opponent, Paul could hear Zabern's Hessian -boots clattering along the corridor. - -"Lasco, quick! Yon lamp! hold it up!" cried the marshal. "Gabor and -Melchior, as I open the door, rush in and cover them with your rifles. -Now!" - -The key rattled in the lock; the massive door swung back upon its -hinges, and the two sentinels, eager to learn what was taking place, -rushed in with rifles levelled, ready to fire at any one who should -offer resistance. - -They paused in blank amazement at beholding by the light of the lamp -one of their own corps stretched supine and panting, with Paul -Woodville above pinning him to the floor by the throat. - -"Why, it's Michael!" cried Gabor. - -Even in the midst of his excitement Paul observed that Zabern was -carrying in his hand a sheet of paper which he recognized as his -translation of the cipher despatch. - -"In time, thank heaven!" murmured the marshal, from which remark Paul -concluded that the mission of the traitor-sentinel was connected in -some way with Orloff's letter. - -"Gabor, Lasco, Melchior, leave us. Close the door; retire to the far -end of the corridor, and on your lives stir not from that spot till I -call." - -The three sentinels retired. - -"Good-night to Michael!" whispered Gabor to his two comrades. "We -shall never see him again. I know that look in the marshal's eye." - -Paul, little the worse for the struggle, released his hold of the -soldier and rose to his feet. But it was beyond the power of the other -to rise. Fear, inspired by the presence of the dark-frowning Zabern, -kept him motionless and mute. He sat the picture of abject terror. - -Now that Paul was free to look around, he observed that he was within -a vaulted stone chamber, about twenty feet square, and but scantily -supplied with furniture. In one part there was a small iron chest -fixed to the wall with staples. Paul, by some intuition, divined that -Michael's nefarious attempt was directed against the contents of this -chest. - -Zabern made one swift stride towards the coffer, and seemed relieved -at finding it locked. - -Turning again, he folded his arms and faced the man with a terrible -frown. - -"I shall not ask your object in coming here. You and I both know that. -So you haven't got it?" - -Michael made no reply. - -"It is still safe?" - -Michael remained mute. He seemed literally frozen with terror. - -"Why so silent, fellow? Your tongue wagged ever loudest in the -guard-house." - -"When I first entered," observed Paul, "smoke hung about the place." - -An enthusiastic orator in the Diet had once described Zabern as "the -man who had never known fear." The statement, if true at the time of -the utterance, was certainly not true now. Fear in all its power fell -upon the heart of the marshal as his eye caught sight of a passage in -the paper which he held: "Risk of discovery in transmitting document. -Therefore burn as soon as seized." - -"Hell shall seize you, fellow, if you have done so!" he cried. "Did -you come provided with a key, then? Where is it?" - -Still Michael made no reply. Zabern, following the direction of his -eyes, perceived a key lying upon the floor. The marshal placed it -within the lock of the chest, turned it, raised the lid, and saw that -the coffer contained nothing but a heap of charred parchment. Zabern, -his mouth drawn in an agony that showed all his white teeth, rose, and -with a dreadful look in his eyes turned slowly round upon the guilty -man. - -A cry for mercy rang through the chamber as the marshal sprang forward -with drawn sabre. His was not a 'prentice hand; he knew exactly where -to find the fifth rib. A swift stab,--the fall of a body, and then all -was silent, save for the mournful plash of the rain outside. - -Paul was shocked by the ferocity of Zabern's action, which had been -performed with a quickness that left no time for intervention. - -"Without a court-martial!" he said, severely. "We act not so in -England." - -"I dare not let him live to see those fellows outside again, lest they -should learn from him what he has done. Not a hint as to his deed must -ever get abroad; for he who knows it holds the destiny of Czernova in -the hollow of his hand. Not even to a secret tribunal must the truth -be whispered. And, Captain Woodville," continued Zabern, raising his -dripping sabre with so menacing an air that Paul immediately stepped -backward, and set hand to his own sword-hilt, "if I thought that you -could not hold your peace I would slay you, too." - -"What has he done?" asked Paul, impressed by the marshal's strange -manner. - -"The blackest deed that could be done against the princess, and one -that has destroyed the liberties of a whole people. Your decipherment -of the secret despatch has come too late to do us good,--too late. Oh! -the bitterness of it, by a few moments only." - -"I am still in the dark, marshal." - -"On what is the liberty of Czernova based? On the Charter granted to -us by Catherine of Russia. And that Charter is now burnt paper. This -is the first act in the drama. The next will be, as this despatch -shows, the appearance of an envoy from the Czar to demand on what -grounds Czernova, formerly a part of Russian Poland, claims to be -independent. What answer can we give? What title can we show? Without -our Charter we are completely at the mercy of the Czar. His ministers -will loudly affirm that such Charter was never granted, that we have -obtained autonomy by a lying statement, that all extant copies of the -Charter are based upon a mythical document, that its mention in -history is no proof of its past existence. 'Let us see the original,' -will be their cry. 'Produce the autograph signature of the Empress -Catherine.' Now do you understand the crime that this miscreant has -wrought?" - -The diabolical nature of the plot struck Paul with a feeling akin to -horror. His thoughts immediately flew to Barbara, sleeping peacefully -at that moment in her distant quarter of the palace, all unconscious -of this new peril that threatened her throne. He felt little pity now -for the slain wretch lying at his feet. - -"Why did he not carry off the document to Russia?" - -"The secret despatch assigns the reason. It was more expedient to -destroy it as soon as it fell into his hands. The sequel proves the -serpentine wisdom of Orloff. Had this fellow concealed the Charter -upon his own person it would now be in our keeping again. Oh! I could -tear out my eyes for having kept such sorry watch! 'Warden of the -Charter' is one of my titles. A pretty warden, truly! Fortunately you -and I alone know that Russia's plot has succeeded, for those sentries -at the end of the corridor are ignorant of it; in fact they do not -even know that the Charter was kept here, in this, the Eagle Tower." - -"I fear, marshal, that there are others who know," said Paul, picking -up a lantern with a blue glass slide. "This was flashed to and fro at -the window,--what else but as a signal to some distant watcher that -the Charter is no more?" - -The marshal ground his teeth as he recognized the force of Paul's -inference. - -"Then we may expect the Czar's envoy at an early date," he replied. -"This villain," he continued, examining the window, "gained ingress by -removing the concrete in which the bars were embedded,--a task which -must have occupied two or three nights. What were the patrol on the -roof doing to allow of this?" - -"He himself was one of the patrol," said Paul, quickly adding, "Ah! -that reminds me. There is a second fellow on the battlements whom I -knocked senseless with his own rifle." - -"Another? By heaven, Captain Woodville, you have done wrong in -forgetting him. If he should have escaped with the tidings of what has -been done!" - -Zabern darted from the chamber, and, rushing past the three sentinels -standing at the end of the corridor, he ran up a winding staircase -that led to the roof. He was closely followed by Paul. The -traitor-sentry was still lying in the place where Paul had left him. -Zabern's examination did not last a moment. - -"He will never play the traitor again," remarked the marshal. "You -have shattered his skull for him. And without a court-martial, too!" -he added, dryly. - -Having called up Gabor and his two companions, Zabern directed them to -inter the two bodies, at the same time enjoining the trio to observe -strict secrecy upon the events of that night; after which orders he -proceeded to pace moodily to and fro upon the battlements in company -with Paul, who, puzzled by one circumstance in the affair, sought -enlightenment of the marshal. - -"Since Orloff's letter authorizing the plot was not delivered to its -intended recipient but fell into your hands, how comes it that the -plot has nevertheless been carried out?" - -"Two messengers may have been sent, each carrying a similar -communication; or it may be that when Russakoff did not return within -an assigned time, Orloff, growing alarmed, despatched a second letter, -which, alas! has produced the desired result." - -"Do you believe that the Czar is really accessory to this plot?" - -"Accessory? Why not its author?" queried Zabern, ever ready to see in -the Czar the incarnation of wickedness. "There is a Byzantine finesse -about this plot which accords very well with the character of -Nicholas, who has been styled a 'Greek of the Lower Empire.' But -whether accessory or not, be sure that he will avail himself of the -weapon with which the action of his subordinates has supplied him. You -know who works the plot on this side of the Czernovese border." - -"The Duke of Bora?" - -"Who but he? And yet I still lack decisive proof of his treason. I -fear I acted somewhat too hastily in slaying Michael the guardsman. I -should have endeavored first to extract the names of his principals. I -am without hold upon the duke." - -Paul here ventured to remind the marshal of Bora's suspicious conduct -in burning his copy of the poet AEschylus. - -"True," replied Zabern, "that the cipher despatch depends for its -solution upon 'The Eumenides,' and equally true that the duke burns a -book containing this same play. But what of that? 'Mere coincidence,' -his defenders would reply. Besides, I dare not bring the duke to -trial, either secretly or openly, upon this charge." - -"'I dare not' from the marshal!" - -"Why, consider. I should have to proclaim to his judges the startling -fact that Czernova is now without her Charter, a secret that must be -kept concealed from all men; nay, even from the princess herself. -Captain Woodville, let not her Highness know of this loss. She has -political embarrassments enough already. Why should we spring a new -trouble upon her?" - -"Count me tongue-tied, marshal, where the princess's peace of mind is -concerned." - -Zabern continued to pace backwards and forwards, glancing from time to -time at the translation of the cipher letter which he still held in -his hand, and muttering language, the drift of which was not -altogether clear to Paul. - -"What is this? Lipski's measure approved because its success would -justify Russia in annexing Czernova. Ha! so that's the motive that -prompts Lipski's action. His bill is aimed not so much at the Catholic -Church of Czernova as at the Convent of the Transfiguration. Some -inkling of the interior workings of that monastery has reached him, -and he would fain turn the light of publicity upon them. No wonder -that Orloff desires this bill to pass, and that he is sending Lipski -rouble-notes with which to corrupt the Polish members of the Diet. -'Money shall be forwarded by usual route.' Ha! I'll set a watch on -Lipski, and on those who visit him. 'T were no great shame if some of -those rouble-notes should find their way to our own Exchequer. Humph! -Czernova at present is in a truly critical state. But, no matter," he -added, with his face grimly set, "let perils come! They shall find me -equal to them. What said Peter the Great: 'It takes three Jews to -outwit a Russian'? It will take a good many Russians to outwit a -Zabern." - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -THE ENVOY OF THE CZAR - - -Next morning Paul by command attended in the White Saloon, where, -under the sweet tuition of the princess herself, he was initiated into -the duties of his new office. Doubtless his affection for Barbara -caused him to infuse into his work an earnestness and an energy which -he might not otherwise have felt; however, be that as it may, when in -the course of a few days Barbara avowed that he was an ideal -secretary, she was uttering no empty compliment. - -Those who had ascribed Paul's appointment to love on the part of the -princess were somewhat perplexed on observing the demeanor of each -towards the other, for, however tender and familiar their intercourse -in private, they did not permit their affection to betray itself in -public by look, word, or sign, Paul always evincing the modest -deference of an inferior, while Barbara maintained towards her new -secretary the authoritative dignity of a princess. The quick-witted -Zabern was not to be deceived by this acting, but whatever he may have -thought of the wisdom of the princess's choice, the prudent marshal -kept his own counsel; for, strange as the statement might have sounded -to the rest of the Czernovese ministry, Paul's sword, and his alone, -would be absolutely indispensable to the security of the princess's -crown in a certain contingency of the future, as the marshal, who was -a far-seeing man, very well knew. - -As regards Cardinal Ravenna that ecclesiastic had smiled sourly to -himself on hearing of Paul's appointment to the secretaryship, but he -did not deem the time yet ripe to electrify Czernovese with the -announcement that their princess was not Natalie Lilieska. Indeed on -the third day after the interrupted duel Ravenna had received a -summons from Rome to attend an important conclave there. The cardinal -much preferred Slavowitz to the Vatican. Barbara's attitude of -defiance towards himself, together with the friendship that had so -suddenly sprung up betwixt Zabern and Paul, gave him much uneasiness; -but as it was not to his interest to disobey the command of Pio Nono -the cardinal had departed for Rome, and for a time Barbara was -relieved from his menacing presence. But for a time only. He would -return, and his return would be the beginning of trouble. - -So passed many days during which the Duke of Bora remained a prisoner -in the Citadel, though Barbara's action in detaining him there without -trial had been the subject of a very pertinent question in the Diet by -Lipski, the Muscovite deputy for Russograd, a question to which Zabern -had curtly answered that it was a matter which did not concern the -honorable deputy; whereupon the said honorable deputy made reply (and -it took him two hours to say it) that inasmuch as the duke was a -member of the Diet, it did concern both himself and every other -member; and that freedom had come to a pretty pass in Czernova when -deputies who gave offence could be arrested by the arbitrary will of -an irresponsible maiden, and could even find ministers to defend her -action. When Lipski had sat down amid the cheers of his Muscovite -supporters, Zabern deprived the tirade of most of its points by -showing that the duke had made a voluntary surrender of himself with -full knowledge that he would be detained during the princess's -pleasure, and that if the duke on reflection had repented of the step -he had taken, it was quite open to him to appeal to the law of -Czernova, which was more powerful even than the will of the princess. - -But Bora declined this course, knowing that if he should be tried in a -legal way his sentence would be an imprisonment of six months; -therefore, though chafing daily and secretly vowing vengeance upon -Paul, he deemed it more politic to await the pleasure of the princess. - -This debate in the Diet did not cause Barbara to release the duke one -day earlier than the time previously fixed by her, for the fair ruler -of Czernova could be extremely self-willed when she chose, as those -who had opposed her had often found to their cost. - -One morning as Paul entered the White Saloon to commence his usual -duties, Barbara, with a glance at his face, said,-- - -"The mark has disappeared from your cheek, Paul, and therefore it is -time for the release of Bora, according to my word; unless," she -added, deferentially, "unless you are opposed to it." - -Though lacking proof, Paul did not doubt that the duke was a traitor; -and, moreover, he strongly suspected him of having instigated the -assassination of Trevisa; otherwise it mattered little to Paul whether -Bora was free man or prisoner. - -He offered, however, no opposition to the duke's release, feeling not -a little flattered that the princess should have submitted such a -question to himself. - -An order was accordingly despatched to the governor of the Citadel for -the liberation of the duke; and now Barbara braced her mind to meet -the fresh trouble that she felt to be in store for her. "For," she -murmured to herself with a sigh, "when Bora shall hear from my own -lips that he must abandon the idea of marrying me, he is certain to -become my enemy." Here, however, Barbara erred in supposing that -antagonism from the duke would be a new thing, inasmuch as Bora could -hardly become a greater enemy in the future than he had been in the -past. That same evening Paul in the quietude of his own compartment -received a visit from Zabern, who looked somewhat more grave than -usual. - -"You were quite right in your opinion," he remarked, "that the blue -light flashed at the window by Michael the guardsman was a signal to -some distant watcher. The loss of our Charter has become known to -others. The plot is developing. Whom, think you, we shall have in -Slavowitz on the third day from this? Feodor Orloff!" - -"Feodor Orloff!" - -"None but he. He comes in the sacred character of envoy of the Czar, -desiring an audience of the Princess of Czernova. You can guess the -object of his coming?" - -"To demand a view of the Czernovese Charter!" - -"What but that?" - -"Marshal, we do wrong in continuing to conceal the truth from the -princess. She is of firm and courageous mind, and can bear to hear of -the loss. If, after the envoy shall have formulated his demand, she -should send for the Charter--what then?" - -"But she will not send for it. I have counselled her to resist that, -and every other demand made by the envoy. The princess will assume an -attitude of graceful refusal. Trust me, she will know how to evade his -demands. When it is a matter of diplomatic finesse and word-fencing, -she can leave her ministers far behind." - -Three days later at noon the Princess Natalie Lilieska--to employ her -state-name--prepared to give audience to Count Feodor Orloff, the -governor-general of Warsaw, and envoy extraordinary of his Imperial -Majesty the Czar, Nicholas the First. - -A few minutes previous to this interview a singular scene took place -in a private apartment of the palace reserved for the use of Zabern. -Just as the marshal was preparing to quit this sanctum to attend the -reception of the envoy, the door opened, and Katina Ludovska appeared -escorted by a file of troopers. The latter having saluted, withdrew, -leaving Katina alone with the marshal. - -"So my spies have found you at last," he said, with an air of grim -satisfaction. "Where have you been hiding for the last two days?" - -"It is true, then, that I have been arrested by your orders?" she -cried with an angry flash of her eyes. - -"Quite true. This apartment must be your abode for the next few days. -See how pretty I have made it for you by introducing into it some of -the princess's own furniture and hangings! True, the windows are -barred, but you will not mind such trifles." - -"Why am I here?" - -"For the saving of your life. Do you know, Katina, that if you should -shoot Orloff, I, as Minister of Justice, would have to see that you -were hanged?" - -"So you have divined my purpose?" she said, with a bitter smile. - -"And must frustrate it. Come, Katina, be sensible. Would you violate -the common law of nations? In assassinating the Czar's ambassador you -would be playing the very devil with the public safety. Nicholas would -have good pretext, then, for annexing Czernova." - -"And you would rob me of my vengeance?" she said with a gesture of -despair. "What other opportunity shall I ever have? Long ago would I -have entered Russia to slay him, but that my face is known to all the -police agents there. The moment I set foot over the frontier I should -be seized and sent again to Orenburg." - -"I sympathize with you, and probably if I were Katina I should be -tempted to do even as she would. But I am Zabern, you see, and the -princess's government is my first care. Were Orloff in neutral -territory you might shoot him without hindrance from me--and glad -would I be to hear of his death--but on Czernovese ground--no! We -should have to respect the devil himself if he should come in the -character of ambassador." - -The distant fanfare of trumpets now rose and fell on the air, signal -that the envoy had arrived at the entrance of the palace. - -The sound seemed to madden Katina. - -"Is he come here in pomp, to be graciously received by the princess, -to be feasted by her ministers, while I, his victim, scarred with the -knout for refusing to become his plaything, am to remain still and do -nothing to avenge myself? Your state policy to the winds," she cried -passionately. "Stand aside. You shall not stay my hand." - -She made as if she would have escaped from the apartment, but Zabern, -on the watch for this movement, intercepted her and placed his back -against the door. - -"Nay, Katina, here you must remain till Orloff shall have quitted -Czernova." - -She recognized the futility of resistance, and turning away with her -face very white, and speaking very slowly, she said,-- - -"Then if you prevent me from killing Orloff I will kill myself." Her -words startled Zabern from his cynical composure. For a moment he -hesitated whether to leave her, for Katina looked as if she fully -intended to carry out her threat. - -"Be it so," he said, coldly. "The guilt will not be mine. Better that -maid perish by her own hand than that the liberties of a whole people -be destroyed." - -With that saying the marshal withdrew and having locked the door upon -Katina, he darkly wended his way to the audience chamber. - -With a view of rendering due honor to the imperial envoy it had been -decided by Barbara that the reception should be attended with -considerable pomp. - -The Throne Hall was accordingly chosen as the place of interview--a -magnificent apartment, its vaulted roof fretted with gold. The -frescoes and pictures were adapted to appeal to the patriotism of -those present, portraying, as they did, some of the noblest events in -Polish history; among them the envoy might have seen more than one -Russian defeat by Polish arms. - -Ranged round the saloon, with back to the wall, were the finest and -loftiest of the princess's uhlans. Clad in gleaming breastplates, and -with burnished lances erect, they seemed in their rigidity and silence -more like statues than men. - -Barbara occupied the throne, a slender gold diadem resting on her dark -hair, a purple robe of state looped gracefully over her dainty white -attire. - -On each side of the throne were her ministers, and the chief of her -nobility. Patriots to a man, animated by a spirit of defiance to -Russia, ardent for the restoration of Poland, they formed a chivalric -band ready to die in defence of their fair princess. - -The scene was striking and poetical; and more than once Paul, who was -present, received a secret glance from Barbara, as if she would fain -invite him to contrast her present state with that of the forlorn -maiden wandering in the Dalmatian forest; and truly, it was a -marvellous and brilliant contrast. - -The emissary of the Czar was a man of giant stature clad in a gorgeous -uniform. His countenance gave indications of a harsh and arrogant -nature, nor did his countenance belie him; as a matter of fact he had -been purposely selected by the Russian ministry in order that his -objectionable manners, combined with the catechetical character of his -mission might provoke recriminatory language from the young and proud -princess, language that might afford Russia pretext for a quarrel with -Czernova. Therefore Barbara, warned of this beforehand by Zabern, had -determined that the envoy's speech, however provocative, should not -tempt her to play the enemy's game. - -To Paul and Zabern he was an object of secret loathing, both as the -knouter of Katina, and also as an accessory to, if not the actual -author of, the plot which had resulted in the destruction of the -Czernovese Charter. Hard necessity precluded them from denouncing the -hypocrisy of the man who came to demand the production of what he had -himself destroyed. - -"His grandfather did a noble deed," remarked Zabern in a whisper to -Paul. - -"What did his grandfather do?" - -"He strangled a Czar," replied Zabern, grimly. "What?" he continued, -noting Paul's look of surprise, "did you not know that we have here -the grandson of Gregory Orloff?" - -Unjust as it may be to be influenced by the ill-deeds of a man's -grandsire, Paul nevertheless found his aversion to Orloff increasing, -that such a creature should be appointed ambassador to stand in the -presence of the pure and sweet Barbara! Orloff had removed his -leathern gauntlets, and Paul could not avoid glancing from time to -time at his large and knotted hands as if they were the same mighty -palms that had squeezed out the breath from the windpipe of the -unhappy Peter the Third. - -With an odd mixture of humility and pride, the envoy knelt before the -throne, and having presented his credentials to the princess, he rose -again to his full height, and began to speak in a loud voice, and with -a sweeping glance that took in the whole assembly. - -"Nicholas Paulovitch, Autocrat of all the Russias"--Here the envoy -proceeded to enumerate a variety of titles, among which there figured -"King of Poland,"--a title which made the more ardent patriots -whisper, "For how long?"--"Nicholas Paulovitch, as Head of the Holy -Greek Church throughout the world, is interested in learning whether -the Princess of Czernova has seceded from that Church." - -Among Barbara's audience there was only one person who knew that -secession was not a term to apply to her conduct. It was hard to be -accused of apostasy, but political necessity compelled her to submit -to the imputation. - -"Though denying the right of the Czar to catechize the ruler of -Czernova on such a matter I will, nevertheless, give answer," -responded Barbara quietly. "I am not a member of the Greek, but of the -Catholic Church." - -"His Imperial Majesty would direct your Highness's attention to the -Czernovese coronation-oath, the formula prescribed by the Charter." - -"How is that oath phrased?" asked Barbara. - -"Its precise wording is: 'I swear to maintain the Greek Faith.'" - -"And it is my intention to maintain it. The Greek Church shall meet -with no interference or oppression from the Catholic princess. Its -liberty and privileges shall remain inviolate." - -Orloff seemed quite dumfounded at this way of explaining the oath. -Recovering from his surprise, he said,-- - -"That is not the interpretation put upon those words by the Czar. In -his view 'maintaining' is synonymous with 'believing.'" - -"Not so, count," replied Barbara, firmly. "On this point we have -consulted not the forensic authorities of Czernova, who might be -suspected of favoring our interest, but the leading jurists and -statesmen of Europe, and they are unanimous in the opinion that the -coronation-oath does not bind the ruler of Czernova to a personal -belief in the faith of the Greek Church, but merely imposes the -obligation of maintaining it as an establishment _in statu quo_." - -That the Czernovese ministry had been seeking the views of Europe in -the matter of the coronation-oath came upon Orloff as a complete -surprise. If the princess had spoken truly, the consensus of opinion -would seem to show that the argument by which Russia had been hoping -to exclude her from the throne was lacking in validity. An appeal by -Czernova to the arbitrament of the Powers on this question would -enable the principality to sail triumphantly in the teeth of Russian -ambition. - -"I will report your answer to the Czar," replied Orloff, and with -mortification plainly visible on his face, he proceeded to his next -point. - -"The Czar regrets the necessity which compels him to prefer against -the state of Czernova a charge of the violation of his own -jurisdiction in the matter of his kinsman, the Duke of Bora, who while -on Russian ground was summarily arrested by order of the princess." - -"Have you proof of this alleged violation of territory?" - -"How?" exclaimed Orloff in feigned amazement. "'Proof'? 'Alleged -violation'? The sacred word of his Majesty doubted?" - -"I can of my own knowledge testify that his grace was on Czernovese -ground at the time of his arrest." - -"We have our witnesses, Baron Ostrova, the duke's secretary, and a -Cossack sentinel." - -A murmur of indignation ran through the assembly at the envoy's -insolent language. - -"And you have the word of a princess," replied Barbara, with dignity, -"word purer far than that of twenty Ostrovas or twenty Cossacks. But -we have a witness whom even the envoy of the Czar must respect. My -lord of Bora, stand forth." - -And to the surprise of those, unaware till then of his presence, the -Duke of Bora, who had been keeping in the background, came forward and -stood before the throne. - -However great his sympathy with the envoy's aims, however much -embittered with the princess by reason of his imprisonment, he durst -not in her presence, and in the presence of other witnesses of his -arrest, state anything else but the truth. - -With a forced smile he bowed to Orloff, his fellow-conspirator. - -"As the princess avers," he said, "there has been some error on the -part of his Majesty's informants. My arrest took place on the -Czernovese side of the frontier." - -The envoy grew more disconcerted at this, his second failure to -entangle the princess in his political net. - -"A twofold offence has been committed in his Majesty's dominions," he -continued; "first, in the matter of the duel itself, duelling being -contrary to the law of Russia; and, secondly, in the matter of -corrupting by bribes a soldier of the Czar, a Cossack sentinel." - -"That honest Cossack," said Barbara, sweetly, "whose testimony you -would have used against me?" - -A smile rippled round the assembly. - -Orloff flushed angrily. - -"And therefore," he continued, ignoring Barbara's pointed remark, "on -the ground that they have broken the law of Russia the Czar requires -the extradition of the two offenders, his grace the Duke of Bora, and -the Englishman, Captain Paul Woodville." - -"The latter at all costs, I presume," said Barbara, caustically. - -A second smile went round the assembly; their eyes with one accord -turned towards the soldier who had foiled the Russian arms at -Tajapore. - -"Captain Woodville," continued Barbara, and none but Paul knew what -pleasure it gave her thus to act as his champion, "Captain Woodville, -though resident in Czernova, has not yet resigned the rights of a -British subject, and therefore it will be more prudent on our part to -wait till the English ambassador at St. Petersburg shall have notified -to us his will in this matter. Till such time the question of the -duke's extradition must likewise remain in abeyance." - -Barbara's finesse in throwing her difficulty upon the broad shoulders -of the British representative drew a sour smile from Orloff, who knew -full well that that potentate would never sanction the extradition of -an English officer on the grounds alleged. - -Orloff was not slow to perceive the triumph of the assembly. It was -clear to him that so far in the course of his embassy matters between -Russia and Czernova would have to remain _in statu quo_, inasmuch as -the princess's policy afforded no ground for quarrel. But Orloff had -other arrows in his quiver, and he prepared to discharge them. - -"The Czar would fain learn the meaning of the device on the new -Czernovese coinage." - -"What signification does his Majesty himself attach to it?" - -"In his view the assumption of the arms of Poland implies a claim to -the throne of Poland,--a claim at variance with his own lawful -sovereignty over that realm." - -"Count, tell us whose arms are those?" - -And Barbara here directed Orloff's attention to a part of the roof -where hung a faded white banner, its centre embroidered with the -figure of a double-headed eagle in black thread, a banner captured in -old time from Russia, and therefore no agreeable sight to the eyes of -a Muscovite general. - -"They are the arms of Russia," replied Orloff sullenly, and wondering -why he should be asked the question. - -"Yet that double-headed black eagle was the arms of the Greek emperors -of Constantinople," said Barbara. "If my armorial device implies an -aspiration for the throne of Poland, then must the Czar be credited -with an aspiration for the throne of the Sultan. Are the chancelleries -of Europe to understand that such is his aim?" - -Again the assembly smiled. Nicholas's intention of seizing upon "the -sick man's inheritance" was strongly suspected at this time, but it -would not have been politic on the part of Orloff to affirm it. A -scowl stole over his face at this, his fourth defeat. - -"As regards the arms of Poland," said Barbara, "I, as a descendant of -Polish kings, have every right to use such arms upon my coinage." - -"But has Czernova the right to issue a coinage of its own apart from -the Russian currency? Is it permitted by the Charter of Catherine?" - -"Marshal, cause a copy of the Charter to be brought." - -"Oh! no, your Highness," said Orloff quickly, and interchanging a -significant smile with the Duke of Bora, a smile noticed and -understood by Zabern, "not a copy. We would see the original document -itself." - -Barbara stared hard at the speaker, having no suspicion of his -sinister purpose in preferring this request. - -"You would see the original document?" she repeated. "This is truly a -singular demand. As the Charter was signed in duplicate, why not -consult your own original, which, if history err not, was deposited in -the archives of the Kremlin?" - -"We would, if it were there; but seek as we may, we have never been -able to find the alleged document!" - -"Alleged document?" repeated Barbara, knitting her brows. "Did you say -alleged?" - -"Yes," retorted Orloff, with an insolent sneer that brought all the -blood to Barbara's face, and caused the more fiery portion of the -assembly to half-draw their blades. "Yes; for the truth is," he -continued, glancing defiantly around, "Czernova never had any such -Charter as is commonly alleged. How the first so-called Prince of -Czernova contrived to impose upon Russia the fiction of a Charter -granted by Catherine is indeed inexplicable; nevertheless the council -of the empire has received ample proof that such document has never -existed." - -Barbara's lifted hand quelled the wrathful murmurs. - -"And without such Charter," she said, "it necessarily follows -that--will you finish the sentence for me, Count?" - -"It follows that Czernova is as much a part of the Czar's dominions as -the rest of Russian Poland." - -"Proceed a step farther, Count. Say that in reigning over Czernova I -have become liable to a charge of treason in having usurped the -authority of the Czar." - -"His Majesty will permit you to plead ignorance." - -"We commend his sweet graciousness. But I can claim the word of the -Czar himself that I am the lawful ruler of Czernova, inasmuch as you, -his chosen representative, have greeted me with the title of -'Princess' and 'Highness.' If you now deny what you have previously -affirmed; if you now declare it to be treason to acknowledge me as -princess--then you have caused the Czar to be guilty of treason -against the Czar! Truly, Sir Envoy, you conduct your embassy in -strange and perplexing fashion, and we would pray you to be more clear -of speech. For as touching your allegation that the Charter never had -existence, by your own mouth are you contradicted, seeing that you -yourself have cited from that Charter the words of the Czernovese -coronation oath. Are we now to understand that in your desire to -exclude me from the throne, you did not scruple to quote from a -mythical document?" - -Surely no ambassador can ever have blundered more than Orloff! He was -evidently better qualified to bully a regiment or to preside at a -knouting than to conduct diplomatic negotiations. Thick-skinned as he -was, he felt the sting of Barbara's remarks, and his great face -reddened. He had thought to gain an easy victory over a young girl, -whereas it was now clear that in this contest of the tongue, the -princess was decidedly his superior. Zabern smiled grimly, much -regretting that Katina was not present to be a witness of her enemy's -humiliation. - -"In using the terms 'Princess' and 'Charter,'" said Orloff, "be it -understood that my language was provisional." - -"And so," said Barbara, with sovereign disdain curving her lips, "it -would seem that for fifty years Czernova has been enjoying its freedom -by virtue of false statements. Marvellous that during all this time -Russia has never once raised her voice in protest! Truly it says but -little for the wisdom of her statesmen in thus permitting themselves -to be duped for a period of half a century! But we would draw the -Czar's attention to a decree of the Congress of Vienna, and worded -thus: 'The principality of Czernova shall be governed according to the -Charter granted by Catherine the Second; and Russia, Austria, and -Prussia are herewith empowered to uphold the provisions of the same.' -That Congress must have had reason for believing in the existence of -the Charter, else how could they have spoken thus? In the face of that -decree is the Czar so ill-counselled as to deny the existence of the -historic Czernovese Charter?" - -"That is his attitude, and nothing but its production in my presence -will set his doubts at rest." - -"Marshal Zabern is the Warden of the Charter. He can quickly prove -that there is such a document preserved in the Eagle Tower." - -"Pardon me, your Highness, not in the Eagle Tower," observed Zabern. -"When your Highness appointed me Warden of the Charter, I had the -document removed to--to--well, for obvious reasons I prefer to keep -its place of deposit a secret. The document you refer to in the iron -coffer of the Eagle Tower is a copy merely." - -The natural unaffected way in which Zabern spoke almost imposed upon -Paul himself. It certainly imposed upon Orloff. Never did human -countenance change so quickly as did that of the envoy at this -moment,--the moment of his anticipated triumph. - -The Charter in the Eagle Tower a transcript merely, and not the great -original! Then his plot had resulted only in the destruction of a -worthless document. Czernova stood as firm as ever! - -Orloff's mortification found a reflection in the face of Bora. Paul -marked them both, and never did falsehood give him such pleasure as -the falsehood told by Zabern. - -"After such testimony on the part of the marshal," observed Barbara, -"you will no longer doubt." - -"Then I am to understand," said Orloff, "that you refuse to permit the -Czar's envoy to inspect the Charter?" - -"The Czar exceeds his authority in making such demand," replied -Barbara with dignity. "By the decree of the Congress of Vienna, -Austria and Prussia are equally concerned in this matter of the -Charter. They have not yet called its existence in question. To a -joint embassy from the three Powers doubt not that we shall pay due -regard." - -Barbara's attitude in thus associating the courts of Vienna and Berlin -with that of St. Petersburg upon the point at issue was diplomatically -correct, as Orloff very well knew. Unless the two other states should -act in concert with Russia, the latter had no power to compel Czernova -to produce its Charter. And it was quite within the range of -probability that Austria and Prussia, from motives of political -jealousy, would decline to co-operate in an affair from which Russia -alone was to gain. - -Therefore, reflecting upon all this, Orloff began to perceive that his -plot for the destruction of the Charter, even granting that it had -been successfully carried out, was by no means so decisive a blow as -he had at first been led to suppose. Czernova might be without its -title to autonomy, but this difficulty remained--how were the Czar's -ministry to establish the fact? - -A gleam of cunning suddenly appeared on the face of the envoy. He had -solved the problem. - -"Is it not a part of the coronation-ritual," he asked, "that the -original Charter of Catherine shall be placed upon the altar, and that -the ruler of Czernova with hand laid upon it shall swear to maintain -its provisions?" - -"That is so," responded the princess; "and we especially invite you, -Count, to a seat in the chancel in order that you may witness the -ceremony, and set your doubts at rest." - -"I shall certainly avail myself of the privilege offered me," said -Orloff with a peculiar smile, incomprehensible to Barbara, but -perfectly understood by at least two persons present. - -Fear fell upon Paul, if not upon Zabern. Though it might be easy now -to equivocate, and to devise plausible excuses for withholding the -Charter from the envoy's view, yet on the great day of the coronation, -the day that should be the brightest in Barbara's life, the fatal -truth would have to be revealed. How was it possible to replace the -vital document that had been destroyed by fire! - -"I have discharged my embassy," said Orloff, bowing. - -"Count Radzivil," observed Barbara, turning to the premier, "on you -devolves the honor of entertaining our guest, Count Feodor Orloff, so -long as he shall remain in Czernova." - -But the envoy, his asperity not at all softened by the princess's -courtesy, bluntly averred his intention of setting out for St. -Petersburg within an hour from that time. - -"Loyalty to the Czar forbids me to dally in his service." - -"The Czar is honored in possessing an envoy so discreet. My lords, we -will retire." - -Zabern was the first to draw his sabre, and to hold it aloft over the -head of Barbara; the rest of her adherents standing in a double line -imitated his action, Paul among the number; and thus the fair -sovereign, with a smile and a blush, and yet maintaining an air of -dignity withal, passed out beneath an arcade of brilliant -sword-blades, and amid a saluting cry from her soldiery of "Long live -the Princess of Czernova!" - -She had gained a diplomatic victory over Russia, but none knew better -than Barbara herself that her triumph was merely temporary, and that -Russia would return to the charge at the first opportunity. - -The assembly broke up. Orloff went back to the Hotel de Varsovie, and -summoning those of his suite who had not attended him to the Vistula -Palace, he set off immediately for Russia. The Duke of Bora, with -bitterness rankling at his heart, followed the princess to her -apartments, determined to hear from her own lips whether it was her -intention to break off the marriage to which she had been so long -pledged. The ministers sought the palace gardens, where they discussed -the envoy's defeat. - -"The Czar will not submit to such rebuff," said Radzivil, gloomily. -"Yet how could the princess speak and act otherwise if she must -maintain her dignity?" - -"Aha!" grinned Zabern to Paul, as they remained behind in the Throne -Hall. "Did you mark the two traitors--the fall in their faces? They -are somewhat doubtful now as to the success of their plot. Orloff is -returning to Russia more than half-convinced that the Charter is still -intact." - -"He has a lingering suspicion, however," remarked Paul. "You have -staved off the difficulty--but only for a time. What will happen on -the coronation-day when Orloff beholds a charterless altar?" - -"Bah! I'll remedy that," replied Zabern, adding as he turned away, -"shall I see you at the bal masque this evening?" - -"Without doubt," answered Paul; for had not Barbara promised to dance -with none but himself, a course she could take without exciting -suspicion as to the relationship existing between herself and her -secretary, inasmuch as her mask and fancy costume would disguise her -identity. "Without doubt," he continued, "for I am young, which is to -say, frivolous. But you, marshal, will you be there? I thought you had -a soul above music and dancing?" - -"And such have I. But the masquerade held this evening by command of -the princess is something more than a mere _fete_; it is a cloak to -cover a certain political enterprise--what, you shall learn when the -time comes. Captain Woodville," added Zabern, mysteriously, "at the -bal masque of to-night history will be made. Till then, farewell." - -With this Zabern turned away, and ascended to the lofty chamber in -which he had left Katina. - -He opened the door, not without a certain fear that she might have -fulfilled her threat of suicide, but to his relief he saw her sitting -pensively beside the barred casement. There was a pistol by her side, -a weapon which the marshal intuitively felt was a loaded one. - -He had expected to be received with reproachful invective, instead of -which she met him with a glad light in her eyes. She seemed totally -transformed from the vengeful maiden whom he had left an hour -previously. Zabern noted the change and wondered. - -"Your imprisonment is over, Katina," he said, gently. "Orloff has -departed." - -"I know it," she replied, "for I have seen him." - -"You have seen him," muttered the marshal, glancing suspiciously at -the pistol, and doubtful now as to whether it was loaded. - -"Yes. In departing Orloff and his suite took their way through the -palace gardens and passed within view of this very window. I could -have over-reached you, marshal," she continued with a smile, "for, as -my pistol is with me," she added, tapping the weapon, "I could easily -have brought him down." - -"But the thought of Czernova stayed your hand?" - -"No!" she answered, "no," murmuring the words faintly, as if speaking -more to herself than to him, while at the same time the soft color -mantled her cheek, "it was the thought rather of him whom I love that -kept me from the deed." - -"Him whom you love?" repeated Zabern, with a touch of surprise in his -voice. "Love? Humph! I am glad to hear that word from you, Katina." - -"Why so?" she asked, casting a glance at him, and averting her eyes -again immediately, when she observed how steadfastly he was regarding -her. - -"It shows that you are human if you can be touched by that sentiment," -laughed Zabern. "I have been accustomed to think that you were even as -myself." - -"In what way?" - -"Insensible to love. You know that my father led me in childhood to -the sacramental altar, and there made me swear to do my best to -destroy a great empire. Complete devotion to that patriotic vow--" - -"Has extinguished in you every other emotion," murmured Katina. - -"True. _Delenda est Muscovia_ is written on my heart in letters of -fire. Patriotism is the only passion that has ever possessed me. But -with youthful maiden it should be different. Because Poland is not -free must you, too, steel your heart against natural affection? And so -my pretty Katina has a sweetheart? And his name?" - -Why Katina should look frightened, and why her face should turn so -white, completely mystified Zabern. As she remained silent he repeated -his last question. - -"His name? No! I cannot tell it; at least--not--not to you; though -others know it. Nay," she added, wildly, "even Russakoff, the spy, -can taunt me with it in the public street." - -"Others know it, even Russakoff?" repeated Zabern. "And yet you would -keep the name from me? Well, be it so," he added reproachfully. "I -should have thought, Katina, that you would have let your old friend, -the marshal, be the first to congratulate you." - -Strange that Zabern, so quick to divine the plans of his enemies, -should be so dull at reading a woman's heart! Yet so it was. He really -had not the least idea as to the cause of Katina's agitation. He -thought it behoved him to find out. He had nursed her as a child on -his knee, and now with the tender familiarity of an old friend he -placed his hand beneath her chin, and though she attempted a faint -resistance, he succeeded in raising her drooping face to his own. The -strange wistful look in her dark eyes that met his for a moment only, -and then fell again, was a complete revelation to the marshal. It told -her secret as clearly as if she had spoken it. - -"Katina!" he murmured, huskily, quitting his hold of her, and starting -back. - -Katina herself sank on a seat silently and with averted face, the very -picture of confusion. - -"What! am I the man?" - -If silence gives assent, then Katina had assented. - -There was a brief interval of silence. Then the affair seemed to -present itself in a humorous light to the marshal, for he began to -laugh. - -"You love me! Me! the greatest knave in Czernova! a one-handed grim -old fellow like myself, twice your age, with an ugly face, -made--thanks to the Russians!--still more ugly by sabre-cuts. You have -a strange taste, Katina, when there is many a young and handsome Pole -willing to make you his bride." - -"But none like Zabern," she murmured, yet hardly daring to say the -words. - -Though the marshal looked upon Katina as the fairest maiden in -Czernova after the princess, yet the thought of wooing her had never -entered his head; but now, while he contemplated her as she trembled -like a leaf, looking the more charming in her confusion, the grim old -warrior felt within himself a power unfelt till that moment. - -"Katina," he said, and never before had she heard his voice sound so -gentle,--"Katina, you may kiss me--if you like." - -"It is your place to come and kiss me." - -Zabern was making a forward movement, but ere he could take the second -step Katina was within his arms, and clinging as if she intended never -to release her hold. And it was evident that the marshal found his new -experiences far more attractive than the business required of him as a -minister; for when a minute afterwards a secretary tapped at the door -with the announcement that he was bringing state despatches, Zabern, -in a loud voice, bade him begone and carry the despatches to -the--well, a certain dark gentleman popularly supposed by the -Muscovites of Czernova to be a near relation of Zabern himself. - -"And have you never before loved any woman?" asked Katina, as she sat -on the marshal's knee, and seeming to be quite at home there, too! - -"Never; but now I shall love all women for your sake." - -"I had rather you did not," said Katina, opening wide her eyes; and -then as she nestled closer within his embrace she murmured, "this is -more pleasant than to hang for the slaying of Orloff." - -"Much more," remarked Zabern. "To shoot him would have been a very -inadequate retribution for what he made you suffer. One swift pang, -and all would have been over. Now I will point out a better way of -avenging yourself--a way that shall cause Orloff to eat out his heart -in vexation of spirit." - -"But, Ladislas," answered Katina, for she had begun to call the -marshal by his Christian name: "Ladislas," she repeated, with a -pressure of his arms, "love has extinguished the desire for -vengeance." - -"Humph! well, vengeance or no vengeance, there is a certain work to be -done, and a work, too, that must be kept so secret that I dare not -trust any one with the knowledge of it, save you, my second self." - -"If it be a task that can be performed by a woman, let me be the one -to do it." - -"Good! Is not this little hand," said Zabern, raising it to his lips -as he spoke, "that can use pistol so well equally skilled in handling -the pen?" - -"And how can my penmanship serve you?" asked Katina, with wonder in -her eyes. "Oh, I see," she continued, with a mock pout, "you wish me -to become your secretary, and when I bring despatches to the door, you -will tell me to go to Satan, as you did to that poor fellow just now." - -"This is how your pen can aid me," said Zabern. "Listen, while I -reveal to you a state secret unknown even to the princess and her -cabinet." - -And here the marshal proceeded to whisper his communication, adding at -its close, "Now you understand the work I require of you?" - -"O Ladislas, Ladislas," she said, gravely shaking her head at him, "I -believe you want to hang me, after all." - -"I have hanged men for similar work--true. But this deed is a -pardonable one, seeing that it is for the good of the state. 'The end -justifies the means'--that's Cardinal Ravenna's maxim; and if a holy -churchman adopts that policy, why should not the profane Zabern -likewise? The plan I have suggested is the only way of defeating the -knavery of Orloff, and of saving Czernova from the power of the Czar. -Your hand is more expert and delicate than mine, else would I not set -it to this task. I dare not entrust its execution to any other, for it -would be hazardous to admit a fourth person to the secret. The -knowledge of it must be confined to Katina, Captain Woodville, and -Zabern. You will do this?" - -"I will do anything you ask of me," replied Katina, simply. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -THE POLISH CONSPIRACY - - -On the evening of the day that had witnessed the envoy's defeat a -masked ball was held, and the halls and gardens of the Vistula Palace -were alive with gay revellers. - -The centre of attraction was the spacious ball-room, where, beneath -golden chandeliers that shed a radiance brighter than that of the sun, -moved a crowd of Czernova's noblest and fairest. - -The picturesque character of the dresses, the glow of color, the -perfume of flowers, the gayety of the music, and the rippling laughter -of fair masqueraders, formed a scene bewildering and intoxicating to -the senses. - -Amid this throng moved Paul Woodville in eager quest of the masked -Barbara, who had refrained from telling him what costume she would -assume. If he were a true lover he ought to be able to penetrate her -disguise, she had playfully observed, and if he failed to discover -her, why then the want of discernment on his part should bring its own -punishment. - -As he moved here and there witching glances were cast at him by masked -ladies, for as regards figure and dress, few were more qualified than -Paul to serve as a cavalier. - -He had adopted the old Polish costume. With a four-cornered cap -adorned by a waving heron plume, silken "contuschi" that fell in -graceful folds around well-shaped limbs clad in tight silk hose, short -boots decorated with gold lace, and a curved, diamond-hilted sabre -swinging lightly by his side, Paul walked among the men present, the -noblest figure of them all; and many whispering inquiries were -interchanged as to his identity. - -At length Paul caught sight of a graceful figure, robed in the -silver-gray habit of a nun, standing solitary by the entrance of a -corridor leading from the ball-room. - -He watched and saw her with a pretty shake of her head repel in -silence the addresses of three cavaliers in succession. - -As Paul drew near, the lady suddenly turned her head and flashed a -glance at him through the eyelet-holes of her black silk vizard. That -glance was sufficient, and in another moment he was by her side. - -"Fair lady," he whispered, "why this sad costume?" - -"Is it not the garb of innocence?" returned the lady in a low and -obviously disguised voice. - -"True, but it is also the negation of love." - -"And why should I not frown upon love?" - -"Because you would be gainsaying the vows you made to me in the old -Greek temple." - -"Ah, Paul! you have discovered me," she whispered, her lips smiling -beneath the lace of her mask. "Now I, in turn, will ask, 'Why this old -Polish costume?'" - -"I adopted what I thought would most please you." - -"And it does please me," she replied with a tender light in her eyes. -"And it is suitable to the character of the revelation you shall hear -to-night. Come, we will not dance just yet. Take me to the gardens, to -the Long Terrace." - -Conscious of something odd in her manner, Paul, drawing her arm within -his own, conducted Barbara from the brilliant ball-room to the quieter -scene without, and on reaching a retired corner of the marble terrace, -he seated her beside himself. - -It was a lovely midsummer night. The air was pure and temperate, and -alive with the plash and sparkle of numerous fountains. The silver orb -of the moon, set in a dark-blue sky, and the colored lamps gleaming -everywhere among the foliage combined to produce a poetical glamor -that might have gladdened the eyes even of Titania herself, the Queen -of Fairyland. - -"Who could have thought," said Paul, after complimenting Barbara upon -the admirable manner in which she had out-manoeuvred the Russian -envoy, "who could have thought when we first met in that Dalmatian -forest that a great empire would one day demand my extradition, and -that you would bravely refuse to grant it!" - -"And I will not surrender you, Paul. No, not if it should cost me my -throne." - -How sweet it was to hear such words from this fair princess! She who -was a match for the Czar's envoy to set such store by him! This maiden -pressing tenderly to his side scarcely seemed to be the same person -who that morning had filled a throne with such dignity. Nor was she. -Love had entirely transfigured her. - -"Paul," she said quietly, "I have told the duke that I cannot marry -him." - -"How did he take the tidings?" - -"He said little, but his face expressed much--" - -"Much--?" - -"Hatred, then, if you will have the word. Excluded from the cabinet, -and from the command of the army, he is not likely to sit down quietly -under such dishonoring. And," she added with a sigh, "he is a -political force to be reckoned with." - -"Sweet princess, give me leave to resume the duel with him, and you -shall soon be rid of one whom you seem to fear." - -"No, Paul, no," she said, laying her hand affectionately upon his; -"promise me that you will not fight with him again." - -"Does the princess command?" - -"No; your Barbara entreats," she said with a soft pressure of her arm. -Who could resist such an appeal as this? - -"I do not doubt your ability to overcome the duke, for Zabern has told -me of your feat in the _salle d'armes_; but you forget that duelling -is illegal in Czernova. Would you have me send you to the Citadel? -Moreover, if you should slay the duke it would become the aim of every -Muscovite fanatic to slay you. As it is, I fear you will carry your -life in your hands, when men come to learn that you are the cause of -the duke's rejection. Czernova is but semi-civilized, and -assassination is the favorite political weapon here. I would, Paul, -that you would do even as Zabern." - -"And what is Zabern's habit?" - -"He wears chain-mail beneath his clothing." - -"An uncomfortable arrangement, I should say. For my own part I will -rely on my right arm and on my good sword. Fear not for me. But, -dearest Barbara, will you not unmask, and let me see your face, if -only for a moment?" - -She shook her head tantalizingly. - -"I would if I dared, but who knows what eyes may be watching me at -this moment? There are Russian spies at this masquerade, so Zabern -assures me. I must not be recognized in this guise. Ah! who comes -here?" Paul felt her arm trembling upon his, as there moved slowly -along the moonlit terrace a tall and stately figure robed in a -monastic habit. His cassock was identical in its shade of gray with -the nun's gown worn by Barbara, and like hers, it was marked on each -shoulder with a red cross. - -Having reached the place where Barbara sat, the monk paused, surveyed -her attentively for a moment, and then spoke,-- - -"May a brother claim a few words from a sister of the same order?" - -"How know you that I am of the same order?" - -"The 'Transfigured' cannot be hidden from each other." - -"Paul," she whispered, "I must speak with this man alone for a short -time. Remain here." - -The princess arose, and in company with the newcomer paced slowly to -and fro along the terrace, repeatedly passing Paul. - -This proceeding on the part of Barbara was somewhat strange, but not -altogether incomprehensible. Paul had learned that the word -"Transfigured" was used by the patriots of Czernova in the sense of -one who, from a state of despair as regards Poland, had passed to a -state of hope. Its English equivalent was "conspirator." The term -naturally associated itself with the Convent of the Transfiguration, -and hence Paul concluded that this masked individual was a monk sent -from that very mysterious monastery with some important message. - -The conversation, of which he did not overhear one word, occupied -about fifteen minutes, and ended by the monk passing some papers to -the princess, who immediately concealed them upon her person, an -action performed so quickly that Paul almost doubted whether it had -really taken place. - -This transference of documents accomplished, the monk glided quietly -away, and the princess returned to the side of Paul. - -Ere he had time to question Barbara on the nature of the interview, -Paul saw with surprise a second masked friar making his way along the -terrace. He was robed so precisely like the other that Paul at first -thought it was the same individual; but a nearer view showed that he -was of shorter and more massive build. There could be no doubt that -he, too, was bent on having an interview with the princess. - -Was this sort of thing to last all night? - -Barbara guessed his thoughts, and her teeth gleamed in a pretty smile -beneath the silken fringe of her vizard. - -"Patience, Paul," she whispered. "This is the second and last. There -in the distance comes Marshal Zabern, and as I must have no secrets -from you he shall act as my interpreter." - -On the approach of the monk the same interchange of words took place, -evidently a pre-arranged signal, and, as before, Barbara arose and -joined in conversation with the new-comer. - -A moment afterwards another figure came upon the scene whom, in spite -of the mask and black domino, Paul recognized as Zabern. - -The marshal sat down by Paul's side and fixed his eyes upon the -princess, who, a little distance away, was stooping over the -balustrade of the terrace, apparently engaged in the act of writing. - -"What think you that the princess is now doing?" asked Zabern. - -"One might fancy her to be setting down the name of a cavalier upon -her dance-programme, but I suppose such is not the case?" - -"Captain Woodville," returned the marshal impressively, "you are -witnessing an event destined to change the map of Europe in the near -future. The princess is signing a secret treaty with Louis Kossuth, -the uncrowned King of Hungary." - -Paul's surprise and wonderment can be better imagined than described. - -"The princess has signified to me her wish that you should be admitted -to the circle of 'The Transfigured;' and convinced as I am of your -loyalty to her, I offer no opposition, knowing that if you should not -altogether approve of our policy, you will at least keep our secret. -It is our custom to exact an oath from initiates--" - -"I will vow upon the Four Evangelists--" - -"Upon your sword if you must swear at all, as our Polish chevaliers of -old when at church they recited the 'Credo.' Our initiatory oath can -be dispensed with in your case. Your promise is sufficient. The word -of a soldier should be sacred. You pledge yourself to secrecy?" - -And when Paul had assented, the marshal continued,-- - -"Know, then, that Princess Natalie is at the head of a secret -enterprise,--'conspiracy' would be the Czar's word,--an enterprise for -the liberation of Poland from the Russian yoke. The two monks are -agents in this affair. The first is a Pole bringing documents from the -headquarters of the patriots at Warsaw. The second is a Hungarian from -Buda charged with the secret treaty from Kossuth. The masquerade of -to-night was held with a special view to their meeting the princess, -no other way being so well suited to divert suspicion; for with spies -all around us it behoves us to act with caution. The traitor Bora, at -this moment in the ball-room, little knows what is happening only a -stone's-throw off." - -"But what interest hath Hungary in this affair?" - -"Hungary is herself preparing to revolt from the despotic rule of the -House of Hapsburg. Next spring she will rise under Louis Kossuth, -whose triumph is certain. Hungary will again take her place among the -free nations of Europe. We in Czernova sympathize with the Magyars, -but as matters are at present we dare not openly aid them with our -army. Austria would cry to the Czar, and the Czar, availing himself of -the opportunity, would lose no time in annexing Czernova. We are thus -necessitated to give our aid in secret. Money is the sinews of war; we -therefore lend the Hungarians money on the understanding that they in -turn shall aid us when the day of Poland comes." - -"And how much are you advancing?" - -"One hundred and eighty million roubles; not paper money, mark you, -but sterling gold in coinage and plate." - -The vastness of the sum--thirty millions in English money--filled Paul -with amazement. - -"How has Czernova contrived to raise such a large amount?" - -"But small part of it comes from Czernova. It represents the free-will -offerings of Polish patriots throughout the world for a long course of -years. Noble ladies have given their jewellery, the peasant his kopek, -ay, often his last kopek, to the good cause." - -"And where is this treasure stored?" - -"In the Convent of the Transfiguration. Yes," continued Zabern, "we -aid Hungary, and Hungary will aid us when the great day of vengeance -shall come." - -"And when will that be?" - -"'Russia's danger is Poland's opportunity,'--that is the Czernovese -motto. We are waiting till Russia shall be engaged in war with -England." - -"Is such war likely to occur?" - -"It is a certain event of the near future. In the School of Naval -Engineers at Sebastopol," said Zabern, beginning a statement, whose -relevancy Paul failed at first to perceive, "is a complete -representation of all the forts that line the Bosphorus with their -towers and bastions, together with the most minute details respecting -the creeks and currents of that famous strait; so that the Russian War -Minister sitting at Sebastopol with these models before him could -direct the whole plan of an attack upon Constantinople." - -"Well?" - -"Imperative orders have just been issued from St. Petersburg -commanding the naval captains to study these models; lectures upon -them are given daily to the naval cadets. Bearing in mind Alexander's -saying to Napoleon, '_Il faut avoir les clefs de notre maison dans la -poche_,' what inference do you draw?" - -"That Russia is preparing to seize the Sultan's dominions?" - -"Precisely. Will England permit this?" - -"Not while 'Old Pam' is living." - -"'Old Pam'?" said Zabern, puzzled till Paul explained. "Ah! your grand -Lord Palmerston, the friend of oppressed nationalities! Well, then, we -shall soon have an Anglo-Russian war. Your gallant armies and fleets -will be seen ere long off the shores of the Baltic and Euxine. My -faith in the bravery of your countrymen enables me to prophesy that -they will be victorious. And then will come the day of our triumph!" - -The patriotic Zabern, whose days from boyhood had been spent in -struggling for the freedom of his fatherland, was now fully convinced -that success was at hand. - -"Yes," he continued, his eye kindling with enthusiasm; "yes, in the -hour of Russia's humiliation, when her treasury is exhausted and her -armies demoralized by defeat, there will be an upheaval of Poland; no -feeble flash-in-the-pan this time, but a grand national uprising, -north, south, east, and west. Little Czernova will be to the fore with -her army of twenty thousand under Zabern; the Magyars of Hungary will -pour across the border with Kossuth at their head; there will be a -combination such as will compel Russia to part with the kingdom she -wickedly stole fifty years ago. When I was born Poland was free; I -shall die seeing her free again. And the princess--" - -"Yes, and the princess?" inquired Paul, as Zabern paused in his -utterance. - -"Will be a princess no longer. The patriots have agreed that Natalie -Lilieska, as the sole surviving descendant of the ancient Jagellons, -shall be the queen of resuscitated Poland. Queen? ay, and why not -empress? Is she not worthy of an imperial crown?" - -Paul's head fairly swam at these words. The sweet, fair, dark-haired -maiden who loved him, and who clung to him with such touching -fidelity, a future queen--empress! He knew that Barbara would never -waver in her attachment to him; to what dazzling heights, then, was he -destined to rise? - -He glanced at the two gray moonlit figures in the distance--the monk -and the nun--conspiring for the creation of a kingdom. How -romantically impossible seemed this scheme looked at beforehand! and -yet how many of the noblest events in history have been previously -declared impossible by political prophets! - -"As touching your secret treasure," remarked Paul, "is there not a -bill before the Diet,--a bill to seize all monastic wealth and to -convert it to state purposes?" - -"At this very moment the Diet is putting its veto upon the measure. -To-night was fixed for the second reading. Our Polish adherents are -assembled in full force to reject it. After to-night we shall hear no -more of Lipski's bill. It would be an ill day for us if it should -pass. Ostensibly directed against Czernovese monasteries in general, -it is really aimed at the Convent of the Transfiguration. The -Czerno-Muscovites have a suspicion that the monks of that -establishment do other things besides offering perpetual prayers for -Poland, and the suspicion is well founded. If public commissioners -enter that monastery they will discover not only our store of gold, -but likewise the documents relating to our patriotic conspiracy; and -more than these, plans and models of Russian fortresses, supplied by -our adherents in the Czar's army, who are not a few. The convent -contains arms for one hundred thousand men, gunpowder sufficient to -blow up all Czernova, and in addition new military engines. Some of -the inmates of that convent devote their time to chemistry and -mechanics; and in the coming struggle betwixt Poland and Russia we -shall have the first use of inventions destined to revolutionize the -old-fashioned methods of warfare. In the light of these inventions the -numbers of our enemy will count for little. Now you understand why the -Convent of the Transfiguration must be kept from the eyes of prying -intruders." - -"I likewise grasp the meaning of that passage in Orloff's cipher -despatch,--'The success of Lipski's bill is Russia's justification.'" - -"I admit the truth of the statement. The secrets of that convent, if -brought to the light of day, would prove that the resources of -Czernova are being utilized for the emancipation of Poland. And have -we not the right to attempt the recovery of the kingdom stolen from -our forefathers? Nevertheless, in the opinion of European statesmen -fettered by conventional precedents, our aim would amply justify the -Czar in annexing the principality. Therefore Lipski's bill must not -pass." - -At this juncture Barbara, having finished her interview, returned to -the side of Paul; Zabern, desirous of a word with the Hungarian envoy, -went forward to intercept his departure. - -"So Zabern has told you of our enterprise? What think you, Paul?" - -"May the crown of Poland indeed be yours, Barbara. And yet--and -yet--the higher you climb the greater the gulf between us." - -"You shall rise with me, Paul," she said, placing her hand tenderly -within his. "You, who gained fame in India, shall gain a greater fame -in the coming war, and then there will be no obstacle to our union. -'Let the princess marry merit and not title,' men will say." - -This gave a new aspect to their love-affair,--an aspect which -appealed to Paul's dashing and adventurous spirit; like the knights of -a bygone age he would fight both for the winning of fame and also for -the hand of a lovely princess. If the patriotic conspiracy should end -in failure, alas! for Barbara's hopes, but so much the better for his -prospect of a final union with her. His good fortune, he trusted, -would enable him to emerge safely from the political ruins of -Czernova, and with Barbara he would retire to his ancestral hall in -Kent, where they would spend the rest of their days in quiet -happiness, and recall with melancholy pleasure the time when they had -plotted and fought for the crown of Poland. - -Zabern, having parted from the Hungarian messenger, sat down on the -other side of the princess, and for a long time the trio talked of the -conspiracy. Among other matters, Paul learned that Katina was cognizant -of the conspiracy, and that all the cabinet likewise were participants, -with the exception of the two permanent members--Cardinal Ravenna and -Mosco the Greek Archpastor. - -"I can understand your Highness's motive in keeping our enterprise -concealed from a Muscovite prelate," remarked Zabern; "but with regard -to Ravenna is not the case different? He would be extremely useful to -us in drawing the Catholic clergy of Poland into the plot." - -"Marshal," said Barbara firmly, "I know the cardinal, and I know that -he is not to be trusted." - -Their attention was diverted at this point by the approach of two -masked figures, each habited, like Zabern, in a black domino. - -"Radzivil and Dorislas returning from the Diet," observed the marshal. -The premier and his colleague recognized the princess and Zabern by -their costumes, but glanced inquiringly at Paul, uncertain as to his -identity. - -"Captain Woodville, my lords," replied Barbara, responsive to their -thoughts. - -Paul drew aside, permitting Radzivil to take a place beside Barbara, a -courtesy which the premier gracefully acknowledged. - -Dorislas with folded arms leaned in silence against the marble -balustrade of the terrace. As far as can be judged of men who are -masked and cloaked, both the premier and the finance minister were in -a very gloomy mood. Paul intuitively felt that they were the bearers -of bad tidings. - -"Has your Highness signed the treaty with Kossuth?" began Radzivil. - -"An hour ago. The Hungarian envoy has departed with it." - -"I fear, princess, that the treaty will have to be rescinded. We are -doomed to lose our treasure." - -"Say not so, count. The Catholic Poles form the majority in the Diet; -why should they desert both their princess and their religion?" - -"This evening, as your Highness knows," explained the premier, "there -took place the second reading of the Secular Appropriation Bill. -During the course of the debate Lipski presented to the House certain -statistics appraising the wealth contained in the various monasteries -of Czernova. These statistics were, of course, purely imaginary--" - -"For," intervened Dorislas, "if he knew the whole truth concerning the -Convent of the Transfiguration he would have put the amount at four -times his actual estimate." - -"Just so," responded Radzivil, a melancholy smile appearing beneath -his mask. "Well, he attempted to prove by means of these statistics -that the monastic wealth would enable Czernova to be tax-free for the -next three years. The House eagerly caught at the bait. All the -Muscovite faction voted with Lipski as a matter of course; and many of -our side, charmed with the idea of a three years' remission of -taxation, likewise cast their suffrages in favor of the bill. The -members of our party do not know the reason why the ministry are so -anxious to throw the aegis of their protection over the convents, and, -of course, we dare not take them into our confidence. The result is, -and with extreme regret I announce it to your Highness, that the -second reading of the Appropriation Bill has been carried by a -majority of eleven." - -"Ha!" muttered Zabern to himself. "Orloff's gold is doing its work." - -"Was there a full house?" asked Barbara. - -"Your Highness, every member of the Opposition was present; and on our -side there were but three absentees,--the marshal, the cardinal, and -the duke." - -"The duke?" said Barbara. "I fear that his vote will be given against -us now, which will raise the majority to twelve. The marshal's vote -and the cardinal's would reduce it to ten. When does the third reading -take place?" - -"It has been fixed for this day week." - -"Ten votes against us," murmured the princess. "The transference of -six votes from the opposite side would place us in a majority of two. -My lords, we must win over those six votes, if no more." - -"I fail to see how it's to be done," commented Radzivil gloomily. - -Silence fell upon the little group. Truly, with the Charter destroyed, -and with Lipski's bill on the eve of triumphing, Barbara's throne was -in desperate jeopardy. - -"Cannot your Highness refuse to sign the bill?" asked Paul. - -"By the terms of the Charter," replied Barbara, "the ruler of Czernova -is compelled to sign every bill passed by the Diet. In the event of -refusal the Diet has the right of calling upon Russia, Austria, and -Prussia, to enforce the signature." - -"And Lipski and his Muscovite crew would not be slow in appealing to -them," remarked Dorislas. "And we know what the intervention of the -three Powers would mean." - -"If I should dissolve the Diet, and order a fresh election--?" began -Barbara. - -"We should have the same majority against us," replied Radzivil. - -"Insert a clause in the bill," suggested Paul, "to the effect that the -Convent of the Transfiguration shall be exempted from the operation of -the bill." - -"Useless," answered the premier, "since that convent is the one -particularly aimed at." - -"A clause giving her Highness sole power to appoint the -Commissioners." - -Dorislas grinned. - -"I moved that amendment myself, but it was rejected." - -"Play Cromwell's game: on the day of the voting station troopers at -the doors of the Diet-house to exclude obnoxious members; or the night -before carry some off and detain them till the voting is over." - -"Unconstitutional," said Barbara. "To secure the rejection of the bill -by such methods would be to court the intervention of the three -Powers." - -"Secretly withdraw the documents and the treasure from the convent." - -"With soldiers patrolling the precincts?" said Dorislas. "Lipski, -subtle knave that he is, has artfully turned our own bayonets against -us. Every one passing out of the convent is carefully searched." - -"Bribe the soldiers." - -"Lipski is alive to that manoeuvre. Day and night his creatures are -watching that monastery." - -"Let the monks, then, bury the arms and the treasure within their own -walls." - -"Lipski, who is certain to be appointed one of the Commissioners, -will dig up every foot of ground and pull down every brick in his -endeavors to discover something of disadvantage to the ministry," -returned Dorislas. - -Paul made no more suggestions; how, indeed, could he, when it passed -the wit of the premier himself to devise a plan adequate for defeating -the manoeuvres of Lipski? - -"If the bill should pass," continued Dorislas, "I see but one way out -of our difficulty. The monks must contrive to steal out some dark -night, leaving a slow match burning in the powder-magazine." - -"And we must lose the fruit of years?" said the princess, mournfully. - -"Why, your Highness, consider what would happen otherwise. Here, close -to the Russian frontier, and commanding the highroad to Warsaw, is an -edifice, presumably a monastery, but in reality a fortress and an -arsenal. True, Abbot Faustus can destroy the treasonable documents; -yet, nevertheless, here will be found, because impossible to be -annihilated or concealed, a vast store of gold, rifles for one hundred -thousand men, and other war _materiel_. Vain would it be for the -Czernovese ministry to put an innocent interpretation upon their -attempts to keep the interior workings of this convent from public -view. The Czar would be wanting in common sense if he should not see -in all this a menace to his own dominions. His ministers, in fact, -already have their suspicions, and hence they are more eager than -Lipski himself for the passing of the Appropriation Bill." - -"I note that the marshal has not yet spoken," smiled Barbara; "sure -proof that he is developing some plan. Now, Zabern, your enemies call -you 'the Asp of Czernova'; you must maintain your character for -serpentine wisdom by extricating us from our dilemma." - -"Fear not, your Highness. Lipski shall not triumph. On the third -reading I, without resorting to bribery, threats, or violence, will -persuade the Diet to reject his bill." - -"How?" asked Radzivil, who, desirous as he was of seeing the measure -defeated, yet nevertheless felt aggrieved that Zabern should propose -to do what he himself, the premier, despaired of doing; "how? what is -your plan?" - -"To reveal it beforehand would ensure its defeat. My plan is one which -requires absolute concealment." - -"Even from the princess?" said Barbara. - -"From the princess most of all," replied Zabern with a peculiar smile. - -This statement was naturally productive of great surprise on the part -of Barbara. - -"We will accept your saying, marshal, though a hard one, and put a -check upon our curiosity. You have never yet failed to keep word with -me--" - -"And shall not fail now, your Highness." - -"Then," said Barbara, rising, as there came floating on the air from -the ball-room the slow, dreamy music of a Hungarian waltz, "then if -Zabern be on the watch, the princess may dance. Captain Woodville, -your arm. You were promised a dance. Let me redeem my word. But first, -marshal, guard these papers for me. It would be dangerous to let them -fall upon the ball-room floor." - -And Barbara, having handed to Zabern the documents which she had -received from the Polish envoy, moved off towards the ball-room -leaning upon the arm of Paul. - -This bestowal of favor upon her secretary caused Radzivil and Dorislas -to stare suspiciously at each other; but ere they could interchange -thought on the matter, their attention was diverted by the sound of -many voices coming from the direction contrary to that taken by the -princess. - -Looking up, the three ministers beheld moving along the terrace -towards them a company of masqueraders, ladies and gentlemen, -fancifully costumed. All were laughing and talking gayly, being -evidently in the best of spirits. - -"Whom have we here?" muttered Radzivil, eying the throng. - -"He who would supplant the princess in the sovereignty," replied -Zabern, recognizing the central figure, who was garbed as Peter the -Great. "A barbarian aping a barbarian." - -"The Duke of Bora?" - -"The same, surrounded by his favorites and satellites, all jubilant -with the thought that Lipski's bill will triumph, and that the fall of -the princess is at hand. Let them laugh. Their gayety will turn to -mortification after next week's vote shall have been taken. Let us -uncover and tempt the traitor to address us. I am curious to learn -what he will say." - -As the duke and his friends drew near the trio unmasked. Bora, -catching sight of them, stopped in his walk, and then came slowly -forward attended by his followers, all intent on enjoying the -presumable mortification of the ministers. - -"A sad blow this, dear marshal, to the feelings of the princess," -began the duke blandly, and lighting a cigar as he spoke. "It's quite -certain that the Appropriation Bill will pass." - -"Pass? Oh! dear no. Nothing of the sort," replied Zabern in his most -cheerful manner. - -"We have just been informed that the second reading has been carried -by a majority of 'eleven.'" - -"The third reading has yet to come." - -"Now, Saint Nicholas give you wisdom!" cried Bora, amid the scarcely -repressed laughter of his creatures. "Are you clinging to the hope -that the men who voted one thing to-night will vote the contrary seven -days hence?" - -"I _know_ that they will," returned Zabern, coolly. - -"There is certain to be a full House next week--one hundred and twenty -members, should Ravenna have returned from Rome in time to take part -in the division. Out of that number I venture to prophesy that seventy -will be found to reject the bill." - -"Giving the ministry a majority of twenty?" - -"Giving the ministry a majority of twenty," repeated Zabern. - -Bora could only attribute this utterance to mere bravado. - -"Marshal, I should like to know with what amount you will back your -opinion," he sneered. - -"With whatever sum your grace is prepared to back yours." - -"I will stake five thousand roubles--" began the duke. - -"Oh! your grace, make it more than that," said Zabern affably. - -"I will double the amount. I will wager ten thousand roubles that the -votes given against the bill will fall short of seventy." - -"Let me have that wager in your handwriting, dear duke," said Zabern -blandly. "The like sum from me if ministers have not seventy votes on -their side, or a clear majority of twenty." - -When the written pledges had been interchanged Radzivil spoke, -addressing the duke in somewhat indignant tones. - -"And do you bet, then, on the success of a measure known to be hateful -to the princess?" - -Bora shrugged his shoulders. - -"This is a bill on which the best of friends may differ, as is shown -by the schism among your own Polish adherents. Remember," he added, -"there must be no underhand work to secure the passing of this bill, -or my wager becomes null and void. There must be no bribery on the -part of the ministry." - -"We leave bribery to Lipski and his principal, Orloff; or shall I put -the word in the plural, your grace, and say principals," said Zabern -with a meaning smile. - -Bora gave a slight start, which did not escape the other's notice. - -"You see, dear duke," drawled Zabern airily, "we know all that is -going on behind the scenes. Governor Orloff in his palace at Warsaw -pulls the strings, and the puppets dance in the Diet of Slavowitz. -Next week I shall manipulate the strings, and you shall see the -figures dancing to my tune." - -The duke began to grow somewhat uneasy under the knowledge displayed -by Zabern. In his previous contests with the wily Pole he had always -come off second-best. Was Zabern again to triumph over him? - -"You talk boldly, marshal," he said with a supercilious smile, "but I -think I shall win my roubles." - -So saying he passed on with his company. - -"Humph!" muttered Radzivil, gloomily, "it's quite clear that, vexed -with the princess for excluding him from the cabinet, he will now -throw in his lot with the Opposition." - -"Therein appearing in his true colors," replied Zabern. "There he -walks, a would-be sovereign, attended by a would-be court. _Carpe -diem, Bora, carpe diem!_ Enjoy your brief span of existence! The 15th -of September next will see your end." - -"The 15th of September?" repeated Dorislas. "That is the day of the -princess's coronation." - -"True; and if I rightly forecast the future, Dorislas, the duke will -not outlive that day." - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -THE FATE OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL - - -By a singular turn of circumstances the day on which the fate of the -Appropriation Bill was to be decided, and possibly with that bill the -fate of Czernova itself, was likewise the day appointed for the annual -review of the Czernovese army. - -This marshalling of troops took place in a spacious plain a few miles -to the north of Slavowitz, and was presided over by the princess -herself. - -The muster fell considerably short of that of the previous year, due -to the fact that many of the troops were engaged in the duty of -keeping guard over the numerous monasteries of Czernova. - -Still, in spite of absentee regiments, the review was a fine sight, -even in the eyes of Paul, accustomed as he was to much more striking -displays. His frequent expressions of admiration gave pleasure to -Barbara, who had been somewhat dreading his criticism, anticipating -that he, as a tried soldier, might disparage the merits of an army, -whose mettle had never yet been tested in actual battle. - -A peculiar and significant feature of the scene was the proximity of -the Convent of the Transfiguration, which overlooked the place of the -review. Barbara's landau was drawn up almost within the shadow of its -gray Gothic towers. - -The weird chant of the monks, that dirge which had never ceased day or -night for fifty years, was clearly audible, mingling with the more -stirring and martial sounds without, and contributing to impress Paul -with the curious character of Czernovese civilization. - -The precincts of this convent were patrolled by sentinels whom the -Diet had sent thither to prevent any removal of monastic treasures on -the part of ecclesiastics who might feel tempted to evade the -provisions of the pending bill. - -With bayonets flashing in the sunshine, the sentries paced slowly to -and fro, their presence grimly reminding the princess that there was a -greater than herself in Czernova, to wit, the Diet. That legislature, -regardless of her wish in the matter, might that very night pass a -measure destined to disclose the secrets of a conspiracy of which she -was the head. - -Nothing had occurred during the course of the week to lead to the -opinion that the Diet would change their views respecting the -Appropriation Bill; on the contrary, judging from the tenor of the -debates, it seemed probable that the majority in its favor would be -increased on the third and final reading. - -No wonder then, that, though she smiled pleasantly upon each regiment -in the grand march past, winning all hearts by her gracious demeanor, -Barbara nevertheless felt a terrible depression of spirit at the -thought of the coming night,--a depression which all Zabern's -assurances could not remove. - -The review being over, the princess and her suite set off for -Slavowitz. Paul and Radzivil sat side by side in the same landau with -Barbara, while Zabern rode in the rear at the head of a troop of -horse. - -About a mile from the scene of the review the road for a considerable -distance was bordered on each side by thick woods. - -As the carriage rolled on, the postilions beheld in the distance two -men by the wayside sitting upon the trunk of a fallen tree. They were -fellows of rough appearance, seemingly woodmen or charcoal-burners; -one, with a black beard, was holding a newspaper in his hand and -apparently reading from it, while his companion, a red-bearded -individual, seemed to be listening. - -When the princess's landau was a few yards distant, these two men -sprang to their feet with startling quickness, and then it was seen -that the red-bearded fellow held a revolver in his hand. Raising the -weapon he pointed it at the princess, and took aim so quickly that the -postilions had not time to raise a warning cry. - -Barbara, though her face was set in the direction of her would-be -assassin, saw nothing of his action, being occupied at the time in an -animated conversation with the premier. - -One shot whizzed its flight clean through the brim of her hat; a -second bullet sang past her temple so closely as to scorch her skin -with its fiery glow. - -Then as if overcome by sudden terror at the boldness of their deed, or -possibly fearful lest the advancing cavalry should prevent their -escape, the two men turned, without waiting to see whether the shots -had taken effect, and plunged into the woodland bordering the roadside -just as Zabern's voice was heard thundering the word, "Fire!" - -A dozen carbines rang out simultaneously, but the discharge came a -second too late. - -Paul and Radzivil, sitting with back to the horses, knew nothing of -what was passing, till informed by the report of the firearms, and by -the sudden change that came over Barbara's face, for the sight of two -men running away, one of whom carried a smoking pistol, apprised her -of the peril she had escaped. - -"Princess, you are not hurt?" cried the premier, looking far more -terrified than Barbara herself. - -"No," she answered in a faint voice, but with a smile, "they have -missed me." - -"Thank heaven!" said Paul. "Count, remain with the princess while I -give chase to the villains." - -The startled postilions had reined in their horses, bringing the -landau to a standstill. Paul sprang from the vehicle just as Zabern -with the guards came galloping up, witnesses of the deed which they -had been unable to prevent. - -Perceiving that the contiguity of the trees prevented the passage of -their horses, the troopers flung themselves from the saddle, and -dashed after Paul, who had now disappeared in the woodland. Foremost -among them was Zabern with his orderly Nikita. - -Plunging along a narrow path thick-set on each side with leafy -boscage, Paul caught sight of the two retreating figures a few yards -only in front of him. They were running in single file, their running -being of a somewhat singular character, and very like the leaping of a -kangaroo, the cause of which Paul soon divined. - -He had drawn out his pistol, and while still forging ahead he took aim -at the rearmost figure, but the shot flew aloft almost perpendicularly, -for in the very act of firing he stumbled over some hidden obstacle. - -Though dazed by concussion with the hard earth he was instantly on his -feet again, observant of the fact that the two men had now disappeared -round a bend in the path. He dashed swiftly onward, but had scarcely -taken a dozen steps when he was once more brought to earth by the same -sort of contrivance that had caused his previous fall. - -The desperadoes had taken precautions to secure their retreat. Strong -wires at irregular distances, placed at the necessary height, and -concealed by the profusion of weeds and bracken, had been drawn -transversely across the path from tree to tree. The contrivers of this -device, aware of the exact position of the wires, had cleared them by -a series of leaps, and hence their kangaroo-like motions. - -Those following Paul were tripped up in similar manner by the wires -which, spread over a distance of about a hundred yards, retarded the -pursuit, and enabled the fugitives to obtain a good start. - -At a point a little way beyond the last wire the path branched off in -three directions through the wood, and a momentary halt took place on -the part of the pursuers, doubtful as to which track they should take, -since the fugitives themselves were lost to view. - -The quick eye of Zabern detected a bright-colored object lying a few -feet away down the left-hand path. It proved to be a red cap, -decorated with a paltry leaden medal of the Czar, a cap declared by -Nikita to have been worn by the black-bearded individual. - -"Then, forward," cried Zabern, taking the lead. "They have fled this -way." - -The trio set off again, the extreme narrowness of the path compelling -them to run in single file. The ground, hard at first, gradually -assumed a moist and muddy character. Its appearance brought Zabern to -a sudden stop. - -"There are no foot-prints here. We are on the wrong track. Back again. -The villains must have flung that cap into this path purposely to -mislead us." - -Chafing at their loss of time, they ran back to the place where the -tracks diverged. Other troopers had come up by this time, and while -Paul and Zabern and Nikita took the middle track others hastened along -the right-hand path. - -"They may not have followed the path at all," said Paul, as he hurried -along in the rear of Zabern. "They may be lying hidden in the wood." - -"True; but we'll post through first, and if we find no trace of them -in the road beyond, I'll draw a cordon round the wood through which -they shall not be able to break." - -"Marshal, did you see the face of him who fired?" asked Nikita. - -"Not clearly." - -"Russakoff the spy, or may I turn Muscovite." - -"The red-bearded fellow was not tall enough for Russakoff," answered -Paul. "In fact both men struck me as being remarkably short of -stature." - -"My eyes have not erred." - -"Have it so, then," replied Paul, as he stumbled onward. "Let us but -lay hands upon the villains, and we shall soon ascertain whether you -be right." - -A run of a few minutes' duration brought them through the wood to the -highway beyond. A quick glance to the right threw Zabern into a -paroxysm of rage. - -Far off on the white dusty road which stretched onward in a straight -line, till it seemed to touch the horizon, three black objects were -visible, each moment dwindling in size. - -"The villains have escaped us," cried Zabern. "They had horses -tethered here with a third man to watch them. See! here are their -hoof-marks in the clay. They'll be over the frontier within ten -minutes. I warrant they are well provided with Russian passports." - -The trio hurried back for horses, but, by the time they had passed -them through the wood, the pursuit had become a jest. - - * * * * * - -Night had fallen over Slavowitz. - -Excitement was prevailing both within and without the Diet. - -Beneath a glorious starlit sky in the great Zapolyska Square, which -fronted the broad and stately flight of steps leading up to the -entrance of the Sobieskium or Diet-house, now ablaze with light, was a -vast concourse of people, awaiting the stroke of twelve; for at -midnight the vote was to be taken on the Secular Appropriation -Bill--a measure which had been fiercely debated night after night -during the course of five weeks. - -Poles, Muscovites, and Jews formed the bulk of this throng, but there -was a considerable sprinkling of other elements. Tartars, Cossacks, -Hungarians, Roumanians, Servians--representatives of all the motley -nationalities of Eastern Europe, elbowed and jostled each other, -talking, singing and cursing in a very Babel of tongues. - -Diverse, however, as was the crowd, it fell politically into two sharp -divisions, the one eager for the passing of the bill, the other eager -for its defeat. There was no neutral party in that square. - -So high did the spirit of faction run that Zabern's landau on its -appearance was overturned by a body of malevolent Muscovites, and the -marshal was compelled to lay about him with his sabre till the -military came to his rescue. - -The indignant Poles retaliated a few minutes later by making an onset -upon Lipski, and that deputy escaped only after a severe mauling. - -The game once begun was continued by both factions, so that it became -almost impossible for the succeeding deputies to reach the Sobieskium, -except under police or military escort, or unless attended by a strong -circle of their own adherents. - -Cheers were given by the hostile sections as their respective -favorites were seen safely mounting the steps of the Diet-house -beneath the brilliant light of the suspended lamps; the singing of the -Polish and the Russian Anthems went on simultaneously all over the -square; there were ugly rushes, displays of fisticuffs, scenes of wild -disorder, that continued to deepen as the night advanced and the -throng increased. - -Dorislas, who commanded the mounted cuirassiers drawn up four deep all -round the Sobieskium, was obliged to accord the crowd considerable -license, lest a too frequent interference on the part of the military -should lead to worse mischief. - -The tumult and din that filled the Zapolyska Square penetrated the -Sobieskium to the distant chamber where the Sejm or Diet sat, the -Ministerialists or Poles to the right, the Opposition or Muscovites to -the left of the dais, where was the chair, table, and bell of the -President Brunowski, he who had been one of Paul's opponents in the -_salle d'armes_. - -The presidential bell was in constant requisition on this particular -night, for the debate had taken an extremely acrimonious turn. The -temper of many of the deputies had not been sweetened by the treatment -they had received at the hands of the populace. - -Lipski boldly accused the ministers of hiring ruffians whose orders -were to stop certain members of the Opposition from reaching the -Diet-house and thus to prevent them from recording their votes. - -Zabern, pointing to his own frayed uniform and to the ugly scratches -on his face, replied that though it would be easy to retort with a -"_Tu quoque_" he would refrain; that the charge was absurd, for the -mob had bestowed their favors impartially upon both sides of the -House. - -The Duke of Bora sat in the chamber, for though no longer of cabinet -rank he was still a member of the Diet, and he gave clear indication -of the way in which he intended to vote by vacating his usual seat and -taking a place next Lipski himself. - -Lesko Lipski, deputy for Russograd, editor of the "Kolokol," an -anti-dynastic newspaper, leader of the Opposition, and author of the -Secular Appropriation Bill, was, as regards appearance, the very -antithesis of the typical Russ. He was slim and beardless, and dressed -in the latest Parisian fashion, though his costume at that moment, -owing to the playfulness of the mob without, was not quite the same as -when it had first left the tailor's hands. He had black beady eyes, -and his habit of constantly questioning ministers upon every topic -under the sun seemed to have permanently impressed his face with an -eager, hungry look. - -There was in the air of the chamber that nervous feeling of expectancy -which always arises when the issue of a contest is problematical. On -the previous evening every member of the Diet, Pole and Muscovite -alike, had departed with full conviction that the Appropriation Bill -would pass. - -The attempted assassination of the princess had given a different turn -to the matter by creating a feeling of sympathy for her, a feeling -which was likewise extended to her political views. To secure the -triumph of a measure known to be hateful to the young princess in the -first hours of her joy at escaping the assassin's bullet seemed an -unchivalrous proceeding; and those of the Poles who had hitherto -regarded the bill with favor now began to reconsider their attitude. - -The attempt on the princess's life, deplorable from one standpoint, -was from another decidedly advantageous, and the ministry were hopeful -that they would capture from the Opposition the minimum six votes -necessary to secure the rejection of Lipski's measure. - -Half-an-hour before midnight Zabern rose to wind up the debate for the -ministerial side. - -His rising was the signal for a hostile ebullition from the Muscovite -members who dreaded Zabern's oratory. Not that the marshal was -particularly eloquent; far from it. He had all a soldier's contempt -for speech-making and for the "men of words," as he was wont to term -the Czernovese deputies; a military dictatorship was more to his -liking than a democratic legislature. Hence his voice was rarely heard -in the chamber, but when he did speak it was always to the point, and -his plain, blunt way of putting matters had often decided wavering -voters, and at that moment there were a good many wavering voters. - -At first Zabern was unable to obtain a hearing. Every time he -attempted to speak, his words were drowned in a terrible din, -occasioned by the clamor of voices, the stamping of feet, and the -banging of desk-lids. Though the Duke of Bora did not join in yet, as -he made no attempt to check the tumult, Zabern strongly suspected him -of being its secret instigator. - -For fully two minutes President Brunowski continued to swing his bell, -but without producing any effect upon the Opposition, whose intention -was plainly to continue the uproar till midnight, in order to prevent -Zabern from addressing the assembly. - -Brunowski whispered a few words in the ear of an attendant, who left -the chamber and returned almost immediately with a file of gendarmes. -In the sudden stillness that followed upon their entrance, Brunowski -sternly announced his intention of suspending both from the sitting -and from the voting all future disturbers of order, a threat which -effectually silenced the Muscovite clamorers, who felt that in the -present conjuncture they could not afford to lose a single vote. - -The marshal, being free to speak, began by affirming the obligation -imposed upon him of making some comment upon the recent attempt to -assassinate the princess. - -At this statement Lipski rose. - -"Mr. President, I must protest. The marshal is not in order. He is -evading the subject of the debate, which is the Secular Appropriation -Bill." - -"The marshal will doubtless show the relevancy of his remarks to the -matter under discussion," returned Brunowski. As President of the -assembly he tried to be impartial, but he could not always forget that -he was a Pole. - -"The House will understand presently," continued Zabern, "why the -honorable deputy wishes the name of the princess to be kept out of the -question. Who is responsible for this day's outrage? Not the wretched -dupe, who, happily for Czernova, missed his mark. No! as well blame -the bullet, or punish the pistol. Sir," continued Zabern, addressing -the President, "the real authors of the act are the persons who by -their words and writings have labored to create in Czernova a spirit -of hostility to its legitimate ruler. And of those persons," thundered -the marshal, looking round upon the assembly, "the deputy for -Russograd is the chief." - -Lipski was on his feet again in an instant. - -"Mr. President, must I sit and hear assassination imputed to me -without raising my voice in protest?" - -"Certainly not. The marshal must withdraw the charge, or prove it." - -"The proof is forthcoming. The two miserable wretches who fired at the -princess were seen before the deed seated at the wayside, and -strengthening their wicked determination by reading from a certain -newspaper. I already see the editor of that journal beginning to look -uneasy, for the name of the journal is the 'Kolokol,' and its editor -is one Lesko Lipski. The would-be assassins were diligent students of -the 'Kolokol;' they evidently regarded its editor as a great political -teacher." - -"How do you know?" inquired the voice of the duke. - -"Well, I judge from this circumstance," answered Zabern, producing a -dirty copy of the 'Kolokol' and unfolding it. "Here is the identical -paper dropped by the two men in their flight. It contains an article -entitled, 'Harmodius the Patriot;' and on the margin of this article -pencil-notes have been scrawled, such as 'Good!' 'True!' 'This seems -reasonable,' and the like; nay, more, we have here in badly spelled -Russian this sentiment: 'Death to the girl-tyrant!'" - -At this point Zabern held up the journal for the inspection of the -assembly. - -"Now I need scarcely remind the House that Harmodius was a man of -ancient days, who assassinated the ruler of Athens, and was in -consequence honored as a splendid patriot by his fellow-citizens. Why -does the editor of a journal, supposedly devoted to current politics -and affairs of to-day, publish an article on an event that happened -twenty-three centuries ago? Simply because he wishes to inculcate the -doctrine, that, as it was a fine piece of patriotism to assassinate -the ruler of ancient Athens, so would it be an equally fine piece of -patriotism to assassinate the ruler of modern Czernova." - -"I deny the inference that you draw from that article," cried Lipski. - -"Two at least of your readers understand what you mean, and have acted -upon your hints. Now, on seeing practical effect given to your -teaching, you would cravenly shirk the responsibility for your part in -this outrage. Be honest; do not run away from your own words. Perhaps -the House will bear with me while I read a few sentences from this -'Killing No Murder' essay." - -"You must read the whole of it, or none," said Brunowski, "inasmuch as -one passage may be modified by another." - -Zabern adopted the President's first alternative, and read the entire -article, which, although written in guarded language, with a view of -preserving its author from the possibilities of legal indictment, was -obviously a plea for the assassination of rulers who have become -obnoxious to their subjects. - -At the conclusion of the marshal's reading, there was a storm of -hisses from the Right. The Left sat in sullen silence. - -"It is known to all that on coming to the throne the princess, with -one stroke of her pen, abolished the censorship of the press. And -this," continued Zabern, pointing to the criminatory article in the -"Kolokol,"--"this is how the privilege has been requited! Such, -gentlemen of the Diet, such are the sentiments--such is the character -of the deputy for Russograd! And yet this teacher of assassination has -the effrontery to come forward and solicit the votes of the Poles--the -Poles, who, whatever may be their faults, are at least men of honor, -and loyal to their princess. Vote for this bill? Not if it were the -finest piece of legislation ever devised by the wit of statesmen. -Those who can may separate the man from his bill; for my part, the two -are identical. Every suffrage cast on the side of Lipski, every vote -given in favor of this bill, is a vote in favor of assassination." - -"No, no," cried the Left. "We are not assassins." - -"That statement shall be proved by your votes. Let those who repudiate -the work of the assassin, let those who rejoice at the escape of the -princess from death, show their sympathy by rejecting a bill which is -hurtful to the best feelings of the princess." - -And now ensued a dramatic tableau pre-arranged by the wily Zabern. A -small door opened upon the right of the presidential chair, and -Barbara herself entered the hall of debate, to the utter confounding -of the deputies, whose first thought was that she had come to dissolve -the Diet. - -Brunowski immediately vacated his chair in favor of the princess, who -took her place on the dais, but remained standing. Her mien, graceful -and bright, offered a pleasing contrast to that of the angry debaters. -Even the Muscovites were forced to admit that if beauty of person -should entitle one to a crown, their princess would have carried off -all the diadems of Europe. - -The silence that came over the chamber caused the din of voices in the -square to be much more plainly heard. The tumultuous sounds without -lent additional excitement to the scene within. - -The princess glanced slowly around the assembly, and then, as if moved -by a sudden idea, she removed her hat,--the same hat that she had worn -on her return from the review. In the act of taking it off the light -from behind gleamed through a hole in the brim, a mute appeal to the -sympathy of the House, the more striking because unintentional. - -"Your Highness, do not uncover," cried Brunowski. - -"I crave your pardon, Mr. President," replied Barbara, and her -utterance sounded like a clear silvery bell after Brunowski's -magnificent bass voice, "but I understand that the usages of this -House require that only one person shall remain covered." - -This was said in reference to Lipski, who, while all the rest of the -deputies were standing uncovered, sat with his hat on his head. - -Zabern, with his sabre clinking against his spurs, strode across the -floor of the House. - -"Fellow!" he muttered, grinding his teeth, "if you do not remove your -hat, my troopers shall nail it to your pate." - -And Lipski, seeing Zabern's savage demeanor, prudently doffed his -head-covering. - -"Mr. President," said Radzivil, "I move that the deputy for Russograd -be suspended from this sitting for treating the person of the princess -with contempt." - -"Oh, no, Count," observed Barbara. "Let it not be said that we sought -to deprive a deputy of his vote." - -When the ringing of the President's bell had repressed the cheers -evoked by this remark, Barbara proceeded to explain the reason of her -appearance. - -"Mr. President, Ministers and Deputies," she began, speaking with -self-possession and dignity, "it may be said that the princess ought -not to intervene in the affairs of the Diet, but should remain -quiescent, and simply register the decrees of the majority. But, sir," -she added, with a graceful inclination of her head towards Brunowski, -"your princess is not an automaton, but a human being with feelings -that can be moved. I feel strongly on this bill, and I do not hesitate -to say so." - -She paused for a moment, and then resumed. - -"I shall always act with regard to the Constitution. If this bill -should pass I shall affix my signature." - -Cheers arose from the Left. - -"But I trust the House will not let it pass." - -Counter-cheers arose from the Right. - -"If my sentiments can in any way influence the decision of deputies, I -would appeal to them, irrespective of party, to reject this measure." - -With this she bowed to the Diet, and withdrew from the chamber, amid -enthusiastic cries of "Long live the Princess of Czernova!" - -The chivalry of the Poles, if not of the Muscovites, was evoked. The -assassin's pistol-shot, the princess's personal appeal, had produced -more effect than all the oratory of the five previous weeks. - -As soon as Brunowski had resumed the presidential chair, Zabern again -spoke. - -"The princess has made it a personal question between herself and -Lipski. Well, gentlemen, you have seen the princess, and--you see -Lipski," he continued, pointing to that deputy, who looked far from -amiable at that moment. "Can any man doubt," he added, with fine -scorn, "can any man doubt for whom he shall vote? Let it not be said -that--" - -Zabern paused. A sound louder than any they had yet heard penetrated -to the chamber. A mighty roar was rising from the Zapolyska Square. -Twenty thousand voices blending into one proclaimed that the time had -come for deciding the great controversy. The iron tongue of the -cathedral-clock was booming forth the hour of midnight. - -"The vote will now be taken," cried Brunowski, amid a scene of -indescribable excitement. - -"I move that it be taken by secret ballot," exclaimed Zabern. - -"I oppose it," said the Duke of Bora. - -The President put the question to the assembly, and the proposal for -secret ballot was carried by acclamation. - -Zabern smiled grimly as he observed the secret glances of rage -interchanged between Bora and Lipski. By this manoeuvre on his part -they were prevented from learning whether those Poles who had secretly -taken the gold of Orloff would vote according to promise. - -In the Diet of Slavowitz, when voting by ballot, each deputy took from -his desk one of a set of discs. These discs were of two colors, white -for affirmation, black for negation. - -Concealing the disc between the fingers and the palm--carrying it -openly was forbidden on pain of forfeiture of the vote--each deputy -walked past the presidential table, and placing his hand within the -mouth of a large bronze urn, dropped the disc. - -As a precaution against the artifice of giving more than one vote, the -names of the deputies were marked on the roll as each person passed -by, and the number of counters checked by this arrangement. - -In prescribed order the deputies quitted their seats, and filed past -the table, and for a few moments nothing was heard but the clink of -the metallic discs as they fell within the urn. Brunowski took no part -in the division, but had the right of a casting-vote. - -"One hundred and nineteen members have voted," said the chief clerk, -looking up from the register, after the last suffrage had been given. - -This was a record division, being the largest that had ever occurred -in the history of the Czernovese Diet. Every deputy, with the -exception of Cardinal Ravenna, was present and had voted. - -The great question was how had they voted? - -Amid a hush like that in the chamber of the dying when the fatal -moment has come, the chief clerk, at a sign from the President, slowly -inverted the urn, and poured out the discs upon the red table-cloth. - -In their excitement the deputies rose and stood upon seats and desks, -craning their necks forward, eager to catch the first glimpse of the -black and white counters, eager to learn which of the two was the -prevailing color. - - * * * * * - -To the waiting populace in the Zapolyska Square the time taken in -recording the votes and in counting the same seemed unnecessarily -long. - -A great sensation had been created when the officials of the House -reported to those near the doors that the princess herself had -appeared in the Diet with an appeal for the rejection of the bill. The -story gathered in detail as it passed from mouth to mouth, and men on -the outskirts of the crowd told how the princess with tears in her -eyes had gone down on her knees before the assembly, and how Zabern, -sabre in hand, had stalked up and down the chamber threatening to cut -the throats of all who would not vote against the bill. - -And when the hour of midnight began to toll, and Dorislas was seen to -fling himself from his charger, and hurry up the steps of the -Diet-house, for the purpose of recording his vote within the chamber, -the interest grew to fever-heat. - -Wild work had been going on in the square, but now the knowledge that -the great division was taking place had a somewhat quieting effect -upon the crowd. All eyes were turned towards the grand entrance, -brilliant with light that streamed far out into the darkness, for from -this entrance the result was to be proclaimed. - -Ten minutes after midnight there was a movement at the head of the -stairs; the gendarmes parted, and the white-haired clerk of the House -was seen holding in his hand the paper inscribed with the momentous -result. Dorislas appeared at the same instant and mounted his charger -in readiness for the riot which he knew to be imminent. - -Standing at the head of the steps the clerk raised his hand, and at -that signal the crowd, which but a moment before had been surging this -way and that, became instantly immobile. The square was a sea of -upturned faces, each gleaming with painful curiosity. Even the -cuirassiers extended along the front wall of the Diet-house forgot for -a moment their discipline, and bent sideways in the saddle, eager to -hear the result. The stillness of death prevailed. Not a movement. Not -a word. Not a breath. - -"People of Czernova," said the clerk, speaking in a voice that -penetrated to every portion of the square, "in a House of one hundred -and nineteen members, thirty-nine have voted for the Secular -Appropriation Bill, and eighty against it. The measure therefore -stands rejected by a majority of forty-one." - -These figures seemed to show that the voting had been conducted -strictly on party lines. The Muscovite members of the Diet numbered -thirty-eight, or, with the addition of the Duke of Bora, thirty-nine. -The tale of the Poles was eighty-one; the vote of the absent Ravenna -being deducted, the majority of forty-one was thus accounted for. - -The publication of the figures was followed by a moment of bewildering -silence. The Poles could not believe in such a victory, nor the -Muscovites in such a defeat. Some among the crowd, supposing that the -clerk had made an error in his statement, called upon him to read it -again. - -But now at the side of the clerk appeared the tall figure of Zabern, -waving his helmet and greeting his adherents with a triumphant smile. - -All doubt vanished. Exultant cries of "Slava! slava!" burst from -Polish throats. The Muscovites replied by yells of execration. The two -factions were intermingled; the triumph of the one evoked the fury of -the other, and in a moment more the Zapolyska Square was transformed -to pandemonium. - -"Forward!" cried Dorislas, waving his sabre. "Clear the square." - -And loud above the trampling and the din arose a carillon of bells -from the cathedral of St. Stanislas, pealing forth a jubilation over -the victory gained by the Latin Church. - -Inside the House the excitement was equally great. Pole shook hands -with Pole, for it was felt to be a splendid party triumph. The -Muscovite members stared sullenly at each other, Lipski himself -looking the very incarnation of malignity. More than a score of Polish -deputies, after accepting splendid bribes, had betrayed him by voting -with Zabern, and he was precluded from making their duplicity known by -the fact that the procuration of a deputy's vote by bribery was an -offence punishable by perpetual exclusion from the Diet. - -Both parties streamed out into the corridors to discuss the event, -leaving Brunowski and a dozen members in the chamber to pass the -resolution: "That the military be withdrawn from the monasteries." - -In a small apartment, adjacent to the hall of debate, sat Barbara, -surrounded by her radiant ministers. An ardent politician, she was in -her element on such nights as these. - -"A two-thirds majority of the House!" she murmured with a glow on her -cheek. "Thirty-nine for the bill, and eighty against it. What a -triumph!" - -"Thank heaven, our secret is safe!" said Radzivil. "Kossuth can have -his gold." - -"Another defeat for Russia!" grinned Zabern. "How Orloff will regret -the roubles he has wasted!" - -In passing along one of the corridors Zabern encountered the Duke of -Bora. - -That ex-minister, long a traitor at heart, and a secret sympathizer -with the aims of the Opposition, had at last cast off the mask, but on -a very inopportune occasion as he now perceived. Hoping to profit by -the anticipated defeat of the ministry, and the consequent confusion, -if not fall, of the princess, he had crossed to the opposite side of -the House, and he had seated himself cheek by jowl with Lipski and his -colleagues, only to see them suffer a most crushing defeat. His -mortification, already great, was enhanced by Zabern's caustic smile. - -"Ah, dear duke, you don't seem quite so cheerful as you did last week -on the Long Terrace. Payment within one hour after the division," he -continued, exhibiting the duke's written pledge, "was not that our -agreement? May I trouble your grace, then, for the sum of ten thousand -roubles, since our majority has exceeded twenty? Ten thousand roubles -is rather a large amount, but you will doubtless recoup yourself from -Orloff's Bribery Fund." - -If looks had power to kill, Zabern would certainly have fallen dead -beneath Bora's savage glance. Unable, however, to evade the fulfilment -of his word, the duke reluctantly wrote out a check for the required -amount. - -"An unforeseen circumstance has enabled you to win this wager," he -said, curtly. - -"Yes, it was a very fortunate--ah!--circumstance for us," drawled -Zabern, as he walked away with the check in his pocket, "but as to its -being unforeseen!--" He finished the sentence with a short laugh. -"Duke of Bora, you must be the biggest fool in Czernova not to suspect -the game I've played." - -Averse to the noisy demonstrations, friendly or hostile, which her -presence in the crowded streets was certain to evoke, Barbara lingered -for some time in the Diet-house, conversing with the deputies of both -parties, and charming even the rugged hearts of the Muscovites by her -gracious and winsome manner. - -When the streets were reported quiet she drove back to the Vistula -Palace, accompanied by Zabern and Paul, the latter of whom from a side -gallery had watched the course of the debate. - -The trio retired to the White Saloon. - -"That pistol-shot has wrought us so much good, marshal," observed -Barbara, "that I feel quite capable of forgiving the assassin." - -"Then your Highness shall have an opportunity of doing so," replied -Zabern, "since he, or rather she, is in the next apartment." - -He stamped heavily on the floor thrice. A door opened, and there -entered Katina Ludovska with her sister Juliska, not now garbed in -male attire, as when awaiting the princess's landau in the -forest-road, but dressed each in her own pretty Polish costume. - -They advanced with a somewhat timid air and knelt, till requested by -the wondering princess to rise. They were not strangers to her, for -she had often witnessed their fencing feats in the _salle d'armes_. - -"This lady," said Zabern, indicating Katina, "craves pardon for -shooting at the princess, without obtaining her Highness's permission, -but at the same time she can plead that she was acting under the -command of Marshal Zabern." - -"Explain," said the princess, haughtily, and with a flash of her eyes -that made even the bold Katina quail. - -"It was well known to the Diet," began Zabern, cool and unabashed, -"that your Highness was opposed to the Appropriation Bill. Six votes -only were wanted to secure its rejection. - -"Now, if at the present crisis some desperado would only oblige us by -seeking to kill your Highness, the attempt would create such a feeling -of sympathy among the secessionist members of our party that not only -would the required six votes be captured, but many more in addition. - -"I therefore resolved that such outrage should take place. But the -deed must have every appearance of reality. Blank cartridges might -suggest a mock attempt, but real bullets, missing your Highness's -person by a hair's-breadth only, would disarm all suspicion. - -"Accordingly, I made overtures to the finest pistol-shot in Czernova, -Katina Ludovska, who consented to the plan. - -"Do not accuse me of recklessly hazarding your Highness's life, since -I was fully convinced that Katina's hand would not fail, for Juliska -of her own accord gave me striking proof of her sister's unerring -marksmanship. She bade Katina regard her as the princess, and while -Katina stood revolver in hand upon the steps of the inn-door, Juliska -rode fearlessly past on horseback six times in succession; and on each -occasion Katina sent one shot through the brim of her sister's hat, -while the second whizzed close to her temple. - -"This experiment convinced me of Katina's ability to do the trick, and -success has justified my opinion. A bold liberty on my part, your -Highness, but pardonable, considering the object I had in view." - -Barbara's first emotion of breathless amazement was followed by a -sense of anger, as she recalled the dreadful sensation that came over -her when the hot bullet whizzed past her face. - -"Remember," pleaded Zabern, cognizant of Barbara's feelings, "remember -that your Highness gave me _carte blanche_ to do whatsoever I pleased, -provided that I could but secure the rejection of the Appropriation -Bill." - -This was true, but who could have guessed that Zabern would have -resorted to such a desperate remedy? - -"And you could devise no other plan than this for defeating the bill?" - -"None, though I racked my brain for a week." - -Barbara's anger began to yield to a mournful feeling. It was her -belief that no state can flourish long on duplicity. If her chief -minister could maintain her in power only by resorting to trickery -such as this, then, indeed, the day of her fall could not be far -distant. - -"It is past," she murmured. "I am scathless, and the bill is rejected; -what more should I desire?" And then, addressing Katina and her -sister, she said, "You played a very hazardous game as well with your -own lives as with mine. Why, marshal, you ordered the guards to fire -upon the fugitives!" - -"Nikita was in the plot, your Highness, and had taken the precaution -to serve out blank cartridges to your _corps du garde_; so the volley -was a harmless one. But I confess my heart was in my mouth when I saw -Captain Woodville taking aim with his pistol. Fortunately he tripped -up in the very act of firing." - -"I little thought that I was taking aim at Mistress Katina," smiled -Paul, "and grateful am I that she did not return the shot. And so -Nikita was in the plot? Why, the rogue vowed that one of the two was -Russakoff!" - -"He couldn't resist the temptation of poking a little fun at you," -replied Zabern. "Had you looked round, you would have seen him choking -with suppressed laughter." - -"And I suppose, marshal, that you led the way down the path where the -red cap lay--" - -"Purposely to give Katina and Juliska more time to escape." - -"And I presume, likewise, that it was your hand which annotated the -copy of the 'Kolokol' newspaper?" - -"Precisely. Those marginal remarks were my own invention." - -Paul could not refrain from laughter as he recalled the fine air of -indignation with which Zabern had pointed out to the Diet the -annotations that his own pencil had made. - -"Marshal, you lie with admirable grace." - -"I have lived five years in Russia, you see." - -"But, marshal," remonstrated Barbara, gravely, "you have placed me in -a false position, by letting me pose before the Diet as the escaped -victim of an assassination plot." - -"A splendid way of catching votes," returned Zabern, coolly. "And -votes were what we wanted." - -"And you have endeavored to connect Lipski with the deed. Is that well -devised, marshal?" - -"Perfectly," replied the unscrupulous Zabern. "He has in his paper -advocated the slaying of rulers; he is therefore a potential, if not -an actual, assassin. I have but given the people of Czernova a -practical illustration of his teaching. O your Highness, let me show -that your consideration for Lipski is somewhat misplaced. You are -doubtless aware that to his editorship of the 'Kolokol' he also adds -the calling of gunsmith and armorer, and a very convenient calling it -is for one who is ill-disposed to the state." - -"Be plainer with me, marshal." - -"I have long suspected Lipski of treasonable designs, and therefore, -observing a few days ago that a private house contiguous to his -establishment in the Boulevard de Cracovie was to be let, I instructed -one of my spies to rent and occupy the said house, the cellar of which -adjoins Lipski's. Last night my agent and I cautiously removed a few -bricks from the upper part of the intervening wall, and turned the -light of a lantern through the orifice thus made. Your Highness, that -vault, which is a lofty and spacious one, contains more rifles than -Lipski will ever be able to sell, even if he should live to be a -centenarian. They lie stacked up from floor to ceiling. I probably do -not overshoot the mark when I say that there cannot be less than ten -thousand. The law does not permit any citizen, even a gunsmith, to -possess one-twentieth of that number." - -"This is a grave matter," said Barbara. "Those arms must be seized." - -"Certainly, your Highness; for while it is right for us to store up -arms against the Czar, it's a monstrous thing that the Czar's -hirelings should be permitted to pile up arms against ourselves. Never -let others do to you as you would do to them." - -"You have a cynical way of putting things, marshal." - -"These arms are designed for the denizens of Russograd. As they are -much too poor to purchase their own rifles, there is to be a free -distribution--probably on the night of the 14th of September." - -"The eve of my coronation," said Barbara, startled by this -announcement. - -"The same. My spies report that there are whispers among the -Muscovites of an armed rising to take place on the coronation day. In -fact, they propose to hold a rival coronation in the Greek basilica. -You can guess, princess, who is to play the central figure in this -unauthorized ceremony." - -"A ceremony that shall never take place," said Barbara, with a flash -of her eyes. - -"True. We'll foil them. With your sanction, princess, I'll make no -movement at present in this matter. The longer we delay Lipski's -arrest the more the plot will develop, the wider will be the sweep of -our net when the cast is made, and the more fishes shall we enclose. -Meantime, rest assured that my spy will keep a careful eye upon that -secret store of arms." - -"Be it so, marshal. We leave the matter to your wisdom." - -"And your Highness pardons that little affair of the shooting?" - -The princess with a smile extended her hand for Zabern to kiss. - -"Without your constant vigilance, marshal, the princess were nothing." - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -NEARING A CRISIS - - -A few nights after the defeat of the Appropriation Bill, Paul -Woodville at a late hour strolled forth into the gardens of the -Vistula Palace, with no design of meeting Barbara, but drawn thither -chiefly by the extreme beauty of the moonlight. - -He sat down in solitude by the margin of a tree-girt lake, watching in -an abstracted manner the silvery path of light on its surface, and -musing over the strangely romantic turn his life had taken. - -A sudden rustling among the foliage put an end to his reverie, and on -turning he found Barbara by his side. - -She was excited, if not angry. There was a defiant expression upon her -face, and a lovely color burned on her cheek. She was habited as if -for a journey, for her figure was concealed by a cloak with the hood -drawn around her head. Her appearance reminded Paul of their first -meeting in the Illyrian forest; and, as if responsive to his thoughts, -Barbara's first words recalled that time. - -"Paul, do you remember those happy days in Dalmatia? Come and let us -renew them." - -"I am not quite sure that I understand." - -"Let us leave Czernova this night--this hour--now. Take me with you." - -For a moment Paul doubted whether he could have heard aright. Then -recovering from his surprise, he asked,-- - -"What has happened to make you take this wild resolution?" - -"There is no other course left us if we are to be united. Listen!" - -She proceeded to explain the cause of her agitation. - -It appeared that at a cabinet council held earlier in the evening -Barbara had announced what had for some time been suspected, namely, -that the projected match between herself and the duke had been -dissolved by mutual consent. Thereupon the Greek Archpastor, Mosco, -whom Barbara suspected of acting as the mouthpiece of the duke, rose -and boldly, yet respectfully, asked the princess to define her -attitude towards her secretary, Captain Woodville; he invited her to -contradict the growing rumors as to the relationship existing between -herself and the Englishman. - -Perceiving that other members of the cabinet were in sympathy with -Mosco's questioning, Barbara put aside her first impulse, which was -haughtily to ignore the subject, and gave answer that it was her firm -resolve to make Captain Woodville the Prince-consort of Czernova. - -The council were united in maintaining that this could not be. - -"Zabern among the number?" asked Paul. - -"Zabern spoke not a word--sure sign that he is on your side. He deems -it prudent to sacrifice his private opinion to the will of the rest; -otherwise Radzivil would call upon him to resign, and Zabern believes -that he can do me more good in the cabinet than out of it. They have -insisted upon your immediate withdrawal from Czernova. I pledged my -word that you should depart this very night; but, Paul," she -continued, with a laugh that had something of hysteria in it, "I did -not tell them that it was my intention to accompany you. I will never -give you up, Paul, never. You are dearer to me than crown or life. -Come, we will go away together, and leave Czernova to its own -devices." - -Such was the invitation addressed to Paul by Barbara, whose arms were -encircling his neck as with a garland; her lovely face was close to -his; her dark eyes radiant with love were looking into his own. Now at -last she seemed to belong to him. - -Paul, as previously related, had by the death of a relative become the -possessor of an ample fortune. How delightful, then, to while away the -hours on the sunny shores of the Riviera with Barbara for his bride! -What admiration her beauty would elicit from all who saw her! What a -halo of romance would surround her personality! The princess who -resigned a throne for love, who preferred an untitled Englishman to an -imperially connected archduke! He would be the most envied man in -Europe. It was a splendid temptation, but he rose superior to it. - -"If you have pledged your word for my withdrawal, I must go--and -alone," he added. - -"You shall not go to please them," she cried passionately. - -"Then I will go to please myself." - -"Without me? Do you mean that--that we must part forever?" - -The anguish of her voice went to Paul's heart. The stately princess -that had confronted the Diet was gone, and in her place was a -clinging, trembling maiden with eyes full of tears. - -"Sweetest Barbara, doubt whatever else you will, but do not doubt my -love. It behoves us to part at least for a time. I go, but you must -remain. Remember, that, as a princess, you are not your own but your -people's. If you desert Czernova you give to the duke the crown for -which he is basely plotting. Do not let that traitor succeed. Do not -hand over your loyal Poles to the tyranny of Bora. Abdication on your -part will mean the final triumph of Russia." - -"And that triumph is not far distant," replied Barbara bitterly. "We -have received intelligence to-day from our ambassadors at Berlin and -Vienna that Prussia and Austria have jointly agreed to withdraw from -the responsibility of upholding the integrity of Czernova, leaving the -onus of this political duty to Russia. We know what this means. In -plain language Kaiser and King will permit the Czar to exercise a free -hand in the principality. The long-threatened annexation is at hand." - -"Then it is time for me to be going." - -"In my hour of peril?" - -"I go to save you from this peril, to deliver you from the -ever-threatening shadow of the Czar. I have a scheme in mind,--a -scheme so daring that it seems madness to attempt it; and yet better -to dare and fail than not to dare at all. My plan, if it succeeds, -will make Czernova so strong that it will no longer fear the arms of -Russia. And then," added Paul hopefully, "and then it may be that in -return for such service your ministry will regard me with more -favorable eyes." - -Love is proverbially blind, and therefore it will not seem matter for -wonder that the princess in her passionate attachment to Paul should -place more reliance upon his promise than upon the united wisdom of -her cabinet. But what his plan was she could not learn; to all her -questions he smiled pleasantly and mysteriously; the sooner he set off -the sooner would come its realization. - -But each time he turned to depart Barbara pleaded so sweetly for delay -that he was forced to stay a few minutes longer; and they continued to -sit in the moonlight, Paul radiant with the hope of coming success, -Barbara puzzled, yet confident in his ability to fulfil his word. They -were a long time in parting, and often after saying what they -intended as their final farewell they turned again to repeat it. - -Paul at length tore himself away, and had not proceeded very far when -he was met by Marshal Zabern. - -"You are leaving Czernova?" - -"Since the cabinet decrees it." - -"But you must return." - -"When?" - -"On the eve of the princess's coronation." - -"Why on that day?" - -Zabern bent his head and whispered. The communication was such as to -cause Paul's eyes to sparkle and his hand to seek the hilt of his -sabre. - -"Is that the plan of the duke, then?" - -"Such is my belief. And you alone, Captain Woodville, can defeat it. -You will be there?" - -"Can you doubt it? If I be living." - -"Good! You will have the laugh of these fools," returned Zabern, -referring to his colleagues in the ministry. "They will not deny you -the hand of the princess then." - -And Paul and Zabern parted on an understanding eminently satisfactory -to both. - -On the following day the ministry learned with relief that Captain -Woodville had quitted Czernova, though none knew, not even Barbara, -whither he had betaken himself. - -The coronation ceremony was now but two months distant, and Zabern -ventured to remind the princess that some of its most important -details still awaited settlement. - -"The great question is who shall have the high honor of crowning your -Highness?" - -"Abbot Faustus, for he is a good man," replied Barbara; and, noting -Zabern's look of surprise, she added, "He, and none other. The cabinet -have had their way in the matter of Captain Woodville; I will have my -way in this. Let the council meet again to-day. When this point comes -to be discussed, do you, marshal, propose Abbot Faustus for the -office, and I will assent." - -Though wondering much at her choice, Zabern refrained from comment. - -That same evening another cabinet council was held in the Vistula -Palace, Barbara again presiding. - -Among the members present was the Archbishop Mosco, or, as he was -styled in Slavowitz, the Archpastor, who, as previously stated, had a -seat in the cabinet, not by the appointment of the princess, but by -virtue of his office as head of the Greek Church in Czernova. - -The crowning of the sovereign had hitherto been one of the privileges -attaching to his see. Barbara's Latin faith, however, had necessarily -deprived him of his prerogative, which would thus seem to devolve by -natural right upon the highest ecclesiastic in the Catholic Church of -Czernova, or in other words, upon the Cardinal Archbishop Ravenna. - -Therefore, when Zabern rose to propose that Abbot Faustus, of the -Convent of the Transfiguration, should have the high honor of crowning -the princess, there were murmurs of dissent from the council, the -majority not deeming the abbot of sufficient dignity for the office. - -"The cardinal would regard such appointment as an affront to himself," -remarked Radzivil. - -"And might seek, in his disappointment, to give us trouble," commented -Dorislas. "Being the ecclesiastical superior of Faustus, he might -appear in the cathedral and interdict the abbot from crowning the -princess, which would be a pretty scandal." - -"Ah, well," replied Zabern, carelessly, "we have prisons for -disorderly prelates, as well as for law-breaking dukes." - -"What says her Highness in this matter?" said Radzivil turning to the -princess. - -"The marshal's nomination meets with my approval," returned Barbara. -"My lords, I will not now enter into my reasons. Let it suffice to say -that Cardinal Ravenna has made it impossible for me to receive the -crown from his hands. Sooner would I resign than do so." - -Great wonderment appeared on the faces of the ministers, yet none -ventured to ask in what way the cardinal had offended. Opposition to -the abbot was immediately withdrawn, for the cabinet, gratified by -Barbara's supposed dismissal of Paul, were in a complaisant mood, -though they plainly saw trouble looming ahead in thus excluding -Ravenna from participating in the coronation. - -At this point of the debate Polonaski intervened with a suggestion. He -was the Justiciary, and by virtue of his office the highest legal -authority in Czernova. - -"Since your Highness reigns over Greeks as well as Catholics, would it -not be politic to conciliate the former by permitting a Greek prelate -to have some share, however small, in your coronation?" - -"That is good counsel," replied Barbara. "I trust, my lord," she -added, addressing Mosco with a gracious smile, "that you have not -viewed with bitterness this setting aside of the ancient privilege -attaching to your see? But, indeed, you are welcome to take whatever -part you please in my coronation, short of the administration of the -Sacrament and of the imposition of the diadem." - -Mosco, apparently gratified by this concession, spent a few moments in -studying the coronation ritual, a copy of which had been supplied to -each member of the cabinet. - -"I ask for nothing more," he finally observed, "than for leave to read -the Gospel at the beginning of the ceremony." - -"It is granted," replied Barbara, wondering why the archpastor should -select this, a somewhat humble office, compared with others which were -open to him. - -Mosco's lips curved into a smile, which, though lasting but a moment, -did not escape the quick eye of Zabern, who immediately became full of -suspicion. - -"As I live," he muttered to himself, "our archpastor is a traitor! -Have I got rid of Bora only to find that he has left a successor in -the cabinet? That smile means mischief. But what mischief can come -from the reading of the Gospel?" - -An enigma which was not solved till the actual day of the coronation, -and those who witnessed the solution were not likely ever to forget -it. - -That picturesque personage, accustomed to figure at a coronation, -namely, the champion, now became a subject of discussion, Mosco -himself having introduced the question. - -"It is the duty of such champion," he explained in answer to Barbara's -interrogation, "to stand before the throne, and, casting down a glove, -to defy to mortal combat any one who shall openly challenge the right -of the sovereign to rule." - -"But why," said the princess, with a pitying smile, "why should we -retain a feudal usage out of place in this nineteenth century?" - -"It has always formed a part of the coronation ceremonial," protested -Mosco. "Your late father, Prince Thaddeus, would not have it omitted -when he was crowned." - -"And what would happen," asked Radzivil, "if some one malevolently -disposed towards the princess should step forward and pick up the -glove?" - -"We had better consult the Justiciary," smiled Barbara. "He is our -authority on all matters of law." - -"Your Highness," returned Polonaski, "the ancient statute touching the -championing of the sovereign's rights has never been repealed, and -therefore still stands good in point of law. Should any one accept the -champion's challenge by taking up the gage thrown down, the combat -would have to take place." - -"With what result?" queried Radzivil. "Will you say that if her -champion should fall the princess must resign the throne?" - -"According to the law of Czernova," replied the Justiciary. - -Zabern leaned back in his seat and caustically whispered in the -premier's ear,-- - -"Count, methinks you were a little premature last night in banishing -an excellent swordsman from Czernova." - -"I venture to differ from the Justiciary," remarked the princess. "An -earlier law is always repealed by a later. Therefore the feudal -statute which has been cited is abrogated by the recent Anti-duelling -Act. We will therefore omit this pretended championing of our rights -as an obsolete, barbarous, and unmeaning ceremony." - -The Justiciary did not look as if convinced by Barbara's reasoning. He -refrained from further comment, however, and the motion to omit the -champion from the ceremonial was unanimously accepted. - -Various other matters relative to the solemnity were settled, after -which the council broke up, leaving Zabern still troubled by Mosco's -smile. A permanent member of the cabinet, the Greek archpastor, -equally with the Roman archbishop, could not be removed at will by the -princess or the premier, unless guilty of treason, and of this Zabern -as yet lacked proof. - -"He is playing Bora's game," muttered the marshal. "He is a party to -Lipski's plot. I warrant he knows all about the store of arms -concealed in that traitor's cellar. Mosco, you shall sit no more as -the betrayer of our meetings, for none shall be held. For some time -to come Czernova shall be governed by a council of three--the -princess, Radzivil, and myself." - -But the evil which the Greek archpastor might do was as nothing -compared with what the Roman archbishop could effect, and in the -course of a few days Barbara found herself facing a peril of which -even her confidant Zabern little dreamed. - -A week after Paul's departure Cardinal Ravenna returned to Slavowitz, -coming from Rome in no good humor. The Sacred College, at the -invitation of the Pope, had been spending many days in the discussion -of some abstruse doctrine of theology, much to the irritation of -Ravenna, whose self-interest required his presence in Czernova. - -In the first hour of his return he was made aware that the cabinet, -ignoring his superior claims, had deputed Abbot Faustus to crown the -princess, and that all men were talking of the event; for inasmuch as -it was the current belief that Ravenna was the very person who had -converted the princess to the Catholic faith, the Czernovese were -naturally not a little mystified by this exclusion of the archbishop -from the coronation ceremony. - -Ravenna knew full well that this appointment could not have been made -without the sanction of Barbara herself, and accordingly on the -following morning he repaired to the Vistula Palace, his mortification -becoming still further enhanced by the mocking smile of his Greek -rival, whom he chanced to pass on the way. Barbara received the -cardinal with a chilling mien. - -"Is it true, princess," he began with a grave air, "that in the matter -of the coronation you have given to the Abbot Faustus, my inferior, -the honor which belongs of right to the archbishop?" - -"Quite true," responded Barbara, coldly. - -"Do you intend, then, with set purpose, to put an affront upon me in -the sight of all Czernova?" - -"None but pure hands shall set the diadem upon my head. Shall I accept -the Sacrament from one who has insulted me with words of unhallowed -love, repeat prayers uttered by your lips? My lord cardinal," she -added in scorn, "have you no conscience?" - -Probably not. He was indifferent to the moral precepts of religion, if -not at heart wholly atheistic, having adopted the ecclesiastic life -merely as a stepping-stone to power. - -"Is it likewise true that Zabern purposes at no distant date to -introduce into the Diet a bill for the expulsion of Jesuits from -Czernova?" - -"Your eminence has been correctly informed. We cannot tolerate in the -principality those whose aim it is to create an _imperium in imperio_. -Besides," added the princess, caustically, "a Jesuit Expulsion Bill -will put my Muscovite subjects in a good humor, while not greatly -offending the Catholics." - -Though maintaining a calm exterior, the cardinal nevertheless listened -with secret dismay, for her words were the very death-knell of his -ambition. By using the princess as his instrument he had hoped to play -the _role_ of a Richelieu in Czernova, and to be the supreme director -of affairs, secular as well as ecclesiastical. By reason of his -supposed conversion of a Greek princess he had obtained a high place -in the Pope's favor. He had openly boasted at the Vatican that the -Greek heresy would soon vanish from Czernova. But now? The attitude of -Barbara and her cabinet showed that he had been building castles in -the air. - -Was this to be the end of his life's work? Must he write "failure" -across the scheme that had occupied his mind for twenty years? It -would seem so. - -"Is it to be war between us? Good! Thus, then, do I take up the gage -flung down by you. On your coronation day, in the sight of all -assembled in the cathedral, I shall rise to affirm, ay, and to prove -too, that you are not Natalie Lilieska. I shall denounce you as an -impostor, as a knowing usurper of the rights of Bora." - -"And be arrested as an accomplice of the impostor; since, if I fall, -you fall with me." - -"Not so, princess; for I shall previously have made my terms with -Bora. You may count, now, upon having the Pope as your enemy, since -you are bent upon persecuting the Society of Jesus. By falsely -claiming to be princess you have imposed upon the Holy Father. You -admit a heretical prelate to participate in the ceremony of your -coronation. You pretend to be a Catholic, yet your ministers have -placarded Slavowitz to the effect that the princess will swear at the -altar to preserve inviolate the ancient privileges as well of the -Greek as of the Latin Church. Such Laodicean policy will not suit Pio -Nono. A word in his ear from me will bring against you a bull of -excommunication. And, remember, that the subjects of an excommunicated -ruler are absolved from their allegiance." - -Barbara laughed scornfully. - -"We are not living in the time of the Crusades. Excommunication is an -obsolete weapon." - -"Not so obsolete as you deem, princess. The Poles are loyal, or shall -we say superstitious, Catholics. Many of them will obey the Pope -rather than yourself. There will be a cleavage in the ranks of your -Polish adherents fatal to your interests. Barbara Lilieska, with the -Pope and the Catholic clergy of Czernova alienated from you; with -dissension among your own adherents; with the duke and his Muscovite -faction opposed to you; with the jealous Czar, ready, nay, eager, to -march his armies against the usurping princess who had so often -thwarted his policy--it will pass the wit of Zabern himself to keep -you upon the throne. Dream not of your coronation. You may ride in -state to the cathedral, but only to witness the crowning of Bora. From -that ceremony you will return not to this Vistula Palace, but to that -Citadel in which you once imprisoned the duke. He hates you bitterly -since your rejection of him for Captain Woodville. Now he will be able -to wreak his vengeance upon you. You will have to drink deep of the -cup of humiliation. Are you prepared for this?" - -Barbara sat, pondering over the difficulties of her position. Then -amid her troubled thoughts came the memory of Paul and of his -mysterious plan, and she took courage. - -The cardinal stood silently drinking in the beauty of her face and -figure, loving and hating her in the same moment, hoping against hope -that she would change her attitude towards him. - -So long did Barbara remain mute that the cardinal began to think that -her opposition was weakening, and under this delusion he ventured to -renew his proposals of love. - -"No more such language, my lord," said the princess, her eyes flashing -with indignation, "or I call the guard." - -"And thereby precipitate your immediate ruin. The news of my -imprisonment would cause my nephew Redwitz of Zamoska to put in -evidence the three sealed letters. At present the secrets contained -within them are unknown even to him; but in a day more all the world -would be talking of the impostor-princess of Czernova. There are still -seven weeks left to you; why abbreviate your reign?" - -Ravenna had spoken without his accustomed caution in revealing the -names Redwitz and Zamoska, which last was a small town in Russia, -distant a few miles from the Czernovese border. Though trembling with -anger at the cardinal's insolence, which a hard necessity compelled -her to tolerate, Barbara did not let the phrase "Redwitz of Zamoska" -escape her. The words seemed to afford a ray of hope. If these letters -could be seized, and the cardinal arrested on one and the same day, -why--then--then-- - -"Barbara Tressilian," said the cardinal quietly, "your aversion to -illicit love would seem to combat the theory of heredity." - -At this singular utterance the princess gave a palpable start. - -"The daughter is more scrupulous than the mother." - -These words and the cold sneer accompanying them occasioned in Barbara -a fear far greater than that caused by the threat of deposition. - -"What devil's lie are you inventing now?" she murmured. - -"Your English mother, Hilda Tressilian, was content to be wooed and -won without asking the church to consecrate her love." - -If it be possible for the human heart to suspend its pulsation, then -Barbara's heart did at that moment. - -When at last she spoke it was in a voice breathless with indignation. -"Can there be a more base deed than to slander a dead mother in the -presence of her daughter?" - -"No slander, but the solemn truth do I speak. Your father, Prince -Thaddeus, withheld this knowledge from you, from a desire to spare -your feelings. When after the Dalmatian earthquake of two years ago, -you were wavering between the crown of a princess and the veil of a -nun, the knowledge that you were of illegitimate birth might have -deterred you from accepting the crown; therefore Prince Thaddeus kept -that matter a secret. He invented the story that the church, the scene -of his marriage, had been burnt, and the record of the union -destroyed; and the more effectually to deceive you he made choice in -his fiction of a certain church which had actually been consumed by -fire. But the preservation of the edifice would have availed you -nothing, for its marriage-book contained no such names as Thaddeus -Lilieski and Hilda Tressilian." - -"It is a question betwixt my father's word and yours. I prefer my -father's." - -"Naturally, inasmuch as it suits your interests. When on your -crowning-day, and before a vast assembly, I rise to deny that you are -Natalie Lilieski, will you dare affirm it, knowing, as you do, that -you lack a certain birth-mark of that princess? If you aver that you -are in reality Barbara Lilieska, the elder daughter of Thaddeus, what -answer will you give to those who challenge you to produce the proofs -of Thaddeus's early marriage? Barbara Tressilian, you are -illegitimate, and as such debarred from reigning. Your beauty has made -you many enemies among the proud and envious ladies of Czernova. Those -over whom you have queened it will be able to point the finger of -scorn at the discrowned princess, branded with the stain of illicit -birth." - -He marked with secret pleasure the shiver of wounded pride on the part -of Barbara, and clenched his remarks with the question,-- - -"Knowing what I can effect, do you still maintain your defiance of -me?" - -"I do," responded Barbara, quietly. "Believing myself to be the lawful -princess of Czernova, I shall hold to my throne. Girt around with -earthly perils, I tranquillize my mind by looking above, confiding in -the justice of heaven." - -That any one should think of trusting to such a shadowy weapon as the -justice of heaven drew a sneer from the atheistic cardinal. - -"The history of Poland should have taught you that God is always on -the side of the strong." And then, conscious of the futility of -further argument, he made a mock bow, and with the words, "Farewell, -Princess Lackland," he withdrew from the saloon. - -Barbara retired to her own private apartments, and was seen no more -that day, save by her personal attendants. - -Her belief in her legitimacy had rested upon her father's word; but -how if he had deceived her? The thought that she might be of illicit -birth rankled in her mind, poisoning all her happiness. She clenched -her hands in agony, and unable to sit still, paced restlessly to and -fro. - -The spirit of justice was deep-planted within Barbara's breast; a -throne unlawfully held had no attractions for her; if she could be -certain that the cardinal's statement were true, then, bitter though -the duty might be, she must resign the crown of Czernova to her enemy -Bora. But she was not certain, and therein lay the torture. She would -have no peace of mind till the question should be settled, and -unfortunately the circumstances of the case seemed to preclude the -possibility of solving the doubt. - -When Zabern next day sought the presence of the princess, he was -struck by her pallid complexion and melancholy air. - -"The cabinet," he muttered to himself, mistaking the cause of her -sadness, "will have to recall Woodville, or our princess's health will -give way. Your Highness," he said aloud, "Dorislas has just proposed a -conundrum." - -"To what effect?" asked Barbara with a smile. - -"'Whether does Cardinal Ravenna live at Slavowitz or at Rome?' I -confess I am unable to answer it. It is but forty-eight hours since -the cardinal's return, and yet we now hear that he has set off again -for Rome, and will not come back till your coronation eve." - -"When he will bring with him," observed Barbara, quietly, "a papal -bull excommunicating the Princess of Czernova." - -"Ha! he'll be well advised not to read it," said Zabern, touching the -hilt of his sabre significantly. "I plainly foresaw that our -preference for Faustus would make an enemy of Ravenna. And so he hath -gone to Rome to solicit a bull of excommunication? And he'll obtain -it. Our intended attack on the Jesuits will not please Pio Nono; once -their foe, he hath of late become their friend and patron. -Excommunication! Thus does the Church reward us for preserving her -property, since in fighting for our own Convent of the Transfiguration, -we were fighting likewise for all the other monasteries of Czernova; -for which service it now appears we are to receive papal curses. -Humph! 'Catholicism without the Pope' will soon have to be our cry." - -"Marshal," said Barbara, resolving to make Zabern a confidant of her -secret history, "did you not present me with a handsome bow and quiver -about six months ago?" - -Zabern replied in the affirmative, wondering why the princess should -have introduced a matter seemingly irrelevant. - -"Have you not felt hurt that I have never once made use of your -gifts?" - -"The princess has been occupied with more important matters." - -"Shall I give you my reason?" - -"If your Highness wills." - -"The reason is very simple. I have never handled bow and arrow, and it -might create suspicion if I should now begin to learn." - -"Now your Highness is jesting," said Zabern, puzzled to account for -this humor on the part of the princess, because Barbara was not in the -habit of jesting; and, moreover, if her remark were intended for a -jest, it was somewhat difficult to see the point. "You shoot like -Diana herself, or rather, I should say you did, for I must confess -that since your Dalmatian tour you seem to have taken a dislike to -archery." - -"Marshal, I have never in my life taken aim at a target." - -Zabern was completely dumfounded by the seriousness with which Barbara -spoke. On recovering from his surprise, he said, smiling the while, -for he did not believe in what he was saying,-- - -"Then if I am to accept your Highness's statement as true, it must -follow as a logical conclusion that the young princess who handled the -bow so admirably three years ago is not the same as she who now -addresses me." - -"Now you have hit upon my secret, marshal. I am not Natalie Lilieska." - -"And I am not Ladislas Zabern," laughed the other. He could not tell -why the princess spoke thus; he certainly could not believe her. - -"Now, Zabern, be serious, for I am serious. Can you not recall when I -first came here from Dalmatia, many supposed lapses of memory on my -part? Was it not a common saying at that time, 'The princess has grown -very forgetful?' Was I ever seen without either my father or Ravenna -by my side? The truth is they were secretly instructing me as to the -persons whom I met, giving me their names, history, and the like. And -yet in spite of many blunders on my part, no one seemed to have any -suspicion as to the truth, not even the Duke of Bora. Listen," -continued Barbara to the utterly bewildered marshal, "listen while I -give you a secret chapter of my biography." - -Zabern gave due heed; and though the story was one of the most -marvellous and most romantic that had ever come under his notice, -either in history or fiction, he was compelled to believe in its -truth, for what motive could the princess have in fabricating such -story? - -But when he was made aware of the sacrifice which the cardinal had -demanded of Barbara as the price of his silence, Zabern became first -cold with horror, then hot with rage. A saint as regarded his own -dealings with women, he viewed with peculiar aversion a priest -addicted to illicit amours. - -"By heaven, your Highness, if I had but known this three hours earlier -I would have cut the villain's throat." - -"And thereby, in the cardinal's words, have precipitated my immediate -ruin. We must act warily. Listen." - -And here Barbara proceeded to enlighten the marshal as to Redwitz of -Zamoska, the guardian of the three sealed letters; and how on -receiving intelligence of his uncle's imprisonment or death, the -nephew was to despatch these missives,--one to the Russian Foreign -Minister, a second to the Duke of Bora, and a third to the office of -the "Kolokol" newspaper. - -"A subtle knave!" smiled Zabern. - -Himself born with a genius for plotting, the marshal took a keen zest -in outwitting the plans of others, and in his view the cardinal's -contrivance for safeguarding himself presented some interesting -features. - -"I fail to see why your Highness should fear the cardinal. You are so -like Princess Natalie in face and figure that you can laugh at his -threat to expose you on the coronation day. We will ascribe his -statement to the malice of a disappointed ecclesiastic." - -"Not so," replied Barbara, with a shake of her graceful head. "My -sister Natalie had a mole upon her right shoulder, as the physicians -who attended her birth, and the nurses and ladies who waited upon her, -can prove. I have no such mark. Now, Zabern, never lacking in subtle -counsel, you see my peril. Aid me. You defeated Lipski; now defeat the -cardinal for me." - -"A very easy matter. Why did not your Highness confide in me before?" - -"How--easy? In what way do you propose to act?" - -"In the first place, are you certain that no one knows your secret -besides ourselves, Ravenna, and Captain Woodville? This Redwitz, for -example?" - -"The cardinal asserted that his nephew was ignorant of the contents of -the three packets." - -"Good! For my own part I do not think it probable that the cardinal -would share so valuable a secret with others; his own self-interest -would forbid it. Well, now," mused Zabern, "if we lay violent hands -upon Ravenna the nephew over the border will send off the letters." - -"That has been my fear." - -"On the other hand, if I despatch an agent to the house of Redwitz to -obtain possession of the letters, and it would be very easy to effect -this--" - -"Then Redwitz, discovering his loss, would notify the fact to the -cardinal, who would thus become apprised of our design." - -"True, princess; therefore our plan is obvious. Either the seizure of -the papers and the seizure of the cardinal must take place -coincidently, or--But leave it to me, your Highness," added Zabern, -breaking off somewhat abruptly. "Let the cardinal enjoy his brief span -of life at Rome. As soon as he returns he shall be secretly seized in -his own palace, instantly gagged to prevent him from revealing -anything even to his captors, and conveyed in a covered carriage to -the oubliettes of the Citadel. He shall never see daylight again." - -Much as the cardinal might deserve such fate, Barbara nevertheless -could not repress a shudder. - -"Marshal," she said, with a grave look, "it is a dangerous thing to -seize, imprison, and execute a cardinal, a prince of the Church, -without any pretence at a trial. The Pope--all Europe--will have -something to say on the matter." - -"Trial? We dare not try him, for then would he make known to the -judges and others the very matter we wish to keep secret. Ours is a -dangerous game, true; but it would be far more dangerous to let the -villain live. Still, there is no need for his arrest; there are other -and safer ways. The cardinal may disappear mysteriously, and then -Marshal Zabern, the Minister of Justice, will offer a large reward, -ay, and will give it, too, to any one who can tell what has become of -the missing archbishop. Or," added Zabern, grimly, "he may be found to -have committed suicide in his own palace." - -Zabern spoke without the least scruple. He was not naturally cruel nor -treacherous, but he reflected that the crown of Czernova was at stake, -and with it, so he believed, the future liberation of Poland; and -where these weighty matters were concerned, the secret removal of a -cardinal was but a light thing in his eyes. - -But Barbara was distressed. Must she resort to crime, she who had -declared to the cardinal that her reliance was upon heaven? For her -conscience refused to palliate Zabern's intended deed; the slaying of -Ravenna without trial would be murder, and murder wrought to secure a -title the validity of which she herself was beginning to question. - -Zabern noted her look of pain. - -"Your Highness, bestow no pity upon the cardinal; he deserves death, -if ever man deserved it. Consider the case of your sister Natalie. Do -not believe that she committed suicide. A maiden of seventeen, to whom -life was just unfolding fair and bright, heiress to a crown, and -affianced to a man whom she loved--heaven forgive her for her -choice!--she had every inducement to live. Doubt not that the cardinal -had a hand in her death. Give me leave to employ the rack upon him, -and I'll soon extract the truth." - -"You have my authority for his arrest and conveyance to the oubliettes -of the Citadel. Solitary confinement and a deaf jailer, if you will; -but murder--no! _Fiat voluntas mea._" - -With that the interview terminated, and Zabern departed to reduce to -practice the plan he had formed. - -Four weeks afterwards he presented to the princess three small -packets, each fastened with violet-colored wax, stamped with the image -of a paschal lamb, a seal that recalled vividly to her mind the -mysterious incidents connected with the cardinal's study at Castel -Nuovo. - -"There are Ravenna's documentary safeguards," laughed Zabern. "One -half of our task is accomplished." - -"How have you managed it?" asked Barbara. - -"Katina's sister Juliska has been my agent. Going to Zamoska she -succeeded in making acquaintance with a maid-servant belonging to the -household of this Redwitz, who, it appears, is a Catholic priest. By -the offer of a large bribe Juliska persuaded this girl to ask her -master's leave to visit a dying brother in a distant part of Russia, -the said dying brother being, of course, a mythical personage; in the -meantime, the maid averred, her duties could be performed by a friend -of hers then resident in Zamoska. The unsuspecting Redwitz gave his -consent, and the pretty Juliska took up her residence under the -priest's roof in the character of temporary servant. - -"Fortunately for our plan one of her duties was to attend to the study -of this Redwitz, and, making careful search in his absence, she soon -lighted upon these three packets in a secret drawer of an escritoire. -Having been provided beforehand with the necessary materials, namely, -violet wax and the cardinal's seal, Juliska quickly made up three -blank packets outwardly similar in all respects to the originals; and -the latter being abstracted from the escritoire were replaced by the -fac-similes." - -Barbara, breaking the seals, proceeded to read the contents of the -three missives, which were all couched in much the same terms. Each -began by affirming that the then regnant Princess of Czernova was not -Natalie Lilieska, and various circumstances were adduced in proof of -this statement. The document then went on to assert, and the assertion -brought the color of shame to Barbara's cheek, that the self-styled -Natalie was the illegitimate daughter of the late Prince Thaddeus, and -therefore legally debarred from reigning. - -"Mother of God! can this be true?" murmured Barbara, with anguish at -her heart. - -The cardinal did not deny his own share in the plot by which Barbara -had been raised to the throne, but rather took credit to himself in a -matter, which, as he fondly hoped, would tend to advance the interests -of the Catholic Church in Czernova. He concluded by stating that he -lived in some fear of the princess, who viewed him with dislike, as -being the sole depositary of her secret; therefore if he should be -arrested, or should be secretly slain, or should mysteriously -disappear, men would know to whom the deed should be ascribed. - -Barbara, having read the documents, threw them upon the fire, and -watched till they were consumed. - -"Nothing now remains," remarked Zabern, "but to arrest the cardinal in -the first moment of his return." - -"There is another who threatens my safety. When, marshal, do you -intend to seize Lipski, and his store of arms?" - -"Not till the day before the coronation, so please your Highness." - -"Where is the advantage in this delay?" - -"Why, thus. If we arrest Lipski now we give the enemy opportunities of -forming new plans, and of collecting fresh supplies of weapons, -whereas a raid on the very eve of the coronation will throw the -plotters into a confusion, from which they will not have time to -recover." - -"But if the arms should be carried forth before the 14th of -September?" - -"My spies are on the watch; of course if that should occur, I shall -have to antedate my raid. Has Radzivil informed your Highness that the -Czar is sending his representative to attend your coronation?" - -"The same ambassador as before, the insolent-tongued Orloff, he who so -strangely presumed to doubt the existence of our Charter? Let the -court marshal appoint him a seat near the high altar, whence he can -view our document at his leisure, nay, handle it, if he will," she -added. - -"The Charter!" muttered Zabern, grimly, as he withdrew from the -presence of Barbara. "The Charter, humph; I'll not add to your present -anxieties, princess, by stating the truth. Will that devil of an -Orloff suspect my manoeuvre?" - -As the day assigned for the coronation drew near, the ancient and -stately capital of Czernova began to assume a gala aspect. Flags waved -in every street. Bright drapery wrought with mottoes decked the walls. -Venetian masts and triumphal arches arose. In a word, all things -deemed essential to a great state-pageant were in due course of -preparation. - -For the maintenance of order troops were drafted daily into Slavowitz, -until one half at least of the Czernovese army was quartered in -various parts of the capital. - -The Muscovite populace, disposed at first to be wrathful at the -holding of the coronation in a Catholic edifice, moderated their ire -somewhat on learning that their own Archpastor Mosco was to take part -in the solemnity, while the great cardinal, the object of their -hatred, was to be entirely excluded. - -Placards containing the words of the amended coronation oath were -posted up in public places, that all might see that the princess would -pledge herself at the altar to respect the rights both of the Greek -and of the Latin churches. - -The disaffected, who were hoping for riots on the coronation day, -seemed fated to meet with disappointment, owing to the judicious and -pacificatory policy of the princess's ministry. - -That ministry took courage, and anticipated, nay, were confident, -that the great day would pass off without disturbance. - -Then came a bolt from the blue! - -Early on the morning of the day prior to the coronation, Radzivil and -Zabern sought the presence of the princess. - -"Your Highness," said the premier, "a Russian army of one hundred -thousand men is assembling at Zamoska." - -Zamoska, distant but six miles from the frontiers of Czernova! - -"A Russian army at Zamoska?" repeated Barbara. - -"And commanded by the Czar in person," added Radzivil. - -"What is the Czar's object in mustering his troops so near our own -borders?" - -"When the news reached us late last night," said the premier, "your -ladies reported that you were in so sweet a sleep that it would be -wrong to disturb you. I therefore took upon myself to send an envoy in -your name to the Czar to inquire the reason for this massing of troops -so close to our frontiers." - -"You did quite right, my lord. Has the messenger returned?" - -"A few minutes ago. And the explanation given is that the Russian army -is gathering at Zamoska for the autumn manoeuvres." - -"You do not believe this story?" said the princess, turning to Zabern. - -"Princess, no. You must nerve yourself to bear the truth. In my -opinion the Czar is assembling his forces for the purpose of -preventing your Highness's coronation." - -"By what right?" exclaimed Barbara, with flashing eyes, and Zabern was -glad to see that she who had most reason for fear showed far more -spirit than Radzivil; "by what right?" - -"By that right ever recognized by the world--the right of the -strong," returned Zabern. "By open diplomacy and by secret intrigue, -Russia has failed to sap the independence of Czernova; therefore she -now resorts to the sword." - -"And the foe without will be aided by traitors within," murmured the -princess. - -"If," said Zabern, with a glance of inquiry at Barbara, "if the -Russians should enter our territory--?" - -"We shall not cry 'quarter.' We shall meet them in arms." - -"But, your Highness," remonstrated Radzivil, in a tone of dismay, -"what hope have we of defeating them?" - -"Very little," replied Barbara, "but what then, Count? Would you have -me be as a saint upon cathedral window with folded hands and downcast -eyes? Meekly submit to see my realm filched from me? Never! So long as -there shall remain to me a man and a musket, so long will I offer -resistance." - -"Will not your Highness assemble the cabinet and the Diet?" asked the -premier. - -"And listen to timid, divided, or traitorous counsels? No! Marshal, -you are the head of the army; give immediate orders for our troops to -proceed to the frontier. Take what steps you deem best for the defence -of the principality." - -"Shall your Highness delay your coronation?" inquired Radzivil. - -"And show Russia that we fear her? No. Let not the ceremony be delayed -by so little as one hour. And when the solemnity is over then will I -proceed direct from the cathedral to the camp. To arms! To arms! This -last fragment of Poland shall not fall without making a valiant -stand." - -"There spake the spirit of your ancestors, the Jagellons," said -Zabern. "Princess, you should have been born a man." - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -THE EVE OF THE CORONATION - - -The dusk of a lovely autumnal eve had fallen over Slavowitz. Lights -were beginning to twinkle along the boulevards. - -The preparations for the coronation were complete. The clinking of the -carpenter's hammer had ceased; the last bench had been put up; the -last flag hung out. The streets had become fairy arcades festooned -with flowers and colored lamps. - -Crowds of sight-seers were abroad viewing the city decorations. - -A numerous throng, composed principally of peasants from the more -remote parts of Czernova, and who had never before seen their -princess, moved to and fro in front of the Vistula Palace, calling for -a sight of their fair ruler; and Barbara, responsive to their desire, -appeared at intervals on the balcony smiling her acknowledgments, and -occasionally waving a scarf--an action which drew forth rounds of -applause. - -The gayly decorated capital, brilliant with light, resonant on all -sides with song and music, alive with an ever-moving, laughing -populace, formed a picture difficult to associate with coming -disaster. - -"So hath many a city looked on the eve of its fall," murmured Barbara, -as she turned away from the window. "Oh, Paul, why are you not with -me? If you have a plan for the salvation of Czernova, now is the time -for putting it forth." - -By means of swift couriers despatched at intervals of every hour the -princess was kept informed of the movements that were taking place -along the frontier. - -Early in the day the Russian army--horse, foot, and artillery--with -the Czar Nicholas at its head, had set forward from Zamoska, and was -now encamping within a mile of the Czernovese border. East and west -for many a furlong stretched the armed line of one hundred thousand -men. The Paulovski and Semenovski Guards were there, the most splendid -in the imperial service; as well as the Tartar Guards, the Finland -Guards, and other regiments drawn from the motley nationalities that -compose the vast empire of the Czar. Picturesque Circassians, clad in -silver mail, and mounted upon fiery steeds, pranced proudly along to -the camping-ground marked out for them, discharging their pistols at -the sun in the exuberance of their glee at the prospect of fighting -and pillage. - -Wild-looking Cossacks riding shaggy ponies were continually galloping -up to the frontier-line with defiant cries as if challenging the -Czernovese sentinels to fire; after which, with a menacing flourish of -their lances they would career back to their own camp. - -Russian generals, stately and bearded, could be seen standing on -various points of elevated ground, coolly reconnoitring through -field-glasses, and studying the topography of Czernova, as if -purposing to conduct a campaign in the principality. - -Two envoys successively despatched by the princess to the Russian camp -to inquire into the meaning of these sinister doings had failed to -return. The obvious conclusion was that they had been forcibly -detained. - -Barbara had resolved at all hazards to defend her throne; and -accordingly, while a body of ten thousand troops was retained at -Slavowitz for the preservation of order during the coronation, a -second division of ten thousand, with Dorislas in command, had made -their way to the frontier. Under the personal supervision of Zabern, -artillery had been planted upon all the strategic points that -commanded the road to Slavowitz. - -It was a critical time. The Czernovese army lay encamped within sight -of a force whose numerical superiority was as ten to one. On each side -of the frontier Polish and Russian sentinels paced not one hundred -yards apart; a chance shot from either side might easily bring on -hostilities. - -The princess's ministry lived in hourly dread of invasion, and though -striving to put a bold front upon the matter, were secretly convinced -that the sands of Czernovese liberty were fast running out. - -In the midst of a melancholy revery, Barbara learned that the Duke of -Bora was in the palace, desirous of an interview with her. She was not -unprepared for his coming, and stern was her face as she descended to -the White Saloon where the duke was in waiting. - -At the foot of the staircase she was met by the captain of the -palace-guard, who requested the watchword for the night; and taking -the proffered tablet, the princess returned it inscribed with the -words, "Fatherland and Liberty." - -Lifting her eyes she perceived Zabern by her side. - -"The duke has come," she whispered. - -"All is ready," replied the marshal. - -As Barbara entered the White Saloon, the duke bowed with a scarcely -disguised smile of triumph. The recent Russian movement, as the -princess had secret reason to know, was directed in his interests; -with pitying grace he came as a sort of conqueror to make his terms -with her. - -Great at swordsmanship, Bora was not very shrewd in other matters, and -none but a fool would have ventured to play the game that he was -playing. - -"I have come, fair cousin," he began, undeterred by her cold manner, -"to remind you of your promise so frequently made--your promise to -marry me." - -Barbara made no reply, but regarded him with a look of sovereign -disdain on her beautiful face. - -"It is true," continued Bora, airily, "that you gave what you were -pleased to call your final decision some weeks ago; still, the logic -of events often compels one to revoke a decision." - -"And why do you deem the present a favorable time for renewing your -suit? What is this logic of events?" - -Bora smiled mysteriously. - -"I will say no more than this," he remarked, "that you will certainly -live to regret the rejection of my suit." - -"You evade my question. Let me then express what is in your mind. My -lord, by favor of the Czar, you expect to reign over Czernova; you -seek to usurp my throne. But knowing that so long as I live, your -throne would always be insecure, you would make me your wife, not from -love, not from generosity or pity, but merely to give validity to your -title. Have I not read your cowardly motive aright?" - -She had--accurately. - -Unaware how much the princess had learned of his secret dealings, the -fatuous Bora had come in the full assurance that the approach of a -Russian army and the consequent rumors of annexation would have -disposed her to welcome his suit as a means of retaining her throne. -He now perceived his error. The princess was not so timid a person as -he had thought. Her stern manner somewhat alarmed him. He began to -regret his imprudence in thus venturing into her presence. - -"In short, your grace, marriage with you is the only thing that can -save me from deposition. Is not that what you would say?" - -"You reject my suit? Good! Then let this interview terminate," said -Bora, rising as if to depart. - -The princess restrained him by a haughty gesture. - -"Keep your seat, or I shall call the guard." - -The duke obeyed, trembling now for his own safety. Never had he seen -the princess looking so angry. - -"Why, during the past twelve months, have you insulted me with vows of -love, with offers of marriage?" - -"Insulted? Why that word?" said the duke, striving to conceal his -alarm under an assumption of dignity. - -"Because while simulating affection for me you were secretly -intriguing with my enemies." - -"You have been listening to the aspersions of Zabern." - -"I have been listening to the words of Lipski. Ah! you start, my lord, -and well you may. You are not yet aware--for the affair was carried -out very quietly--that a raid was made this afternoon upon Lipski's -premises. His cellars were found to contain a vast store of arms. In -the house, too, was a number of Russian agents, among them the spy, -Ivan Russakoff. Lipski has made full confession." - -"Of what?" muttered the duke, looking thunderstruck at the princess's -statement. - -"Of many things. Here is one. About a twelve-month ago there was -established a new journal entitled the 'Kolokol,' mainly devoted to -the libelling of myself and to the stirring-up of civil strife. Before -the founding of that newspaper the Muscovites of Russograd were as -loyal and law-abiding as the Poles themselves; under the influence of -the 'Kolokol,' however, they have become restless, disorderly, -inclined to sedition. Was that well done, John Lilieski?" - -"What has this to do with me?" - -"Much, for though Lipski might be editor, yet he who actually owned -the paper, financed it, and secretly controlled its policy was none -other than the Duke of Bora." - -"A fable of Lipski's, invented to please the princess's ministers." - -"We will see whether you adhere to that statement in the presence of -Lipski, for you shall have the opportunity of facing your accuser. He -likewise avers that his measure, the Secular Appropriation Bill, was -in reality your work; he simply acted as your mouthpiece in the Diet. -The money with which he corrupted the deputies was supplied by you, -and came from Orloff, the governor-general of Warsaw." - -"A falsehood. I affirm the story to be a falsehood." - -"You devised a plot for the destruction of the Czernovese Charter. You -wrote to Orloff desiring him to obtain the Czar's sanction for this -scheme--a scheme which was, however, happily frustrated," added -Barbara, not knowing how widely she erred from the truth. - -"Lipski has been terrorized into saying whatever Zabern wishes," -muttered the duke, moistening his dry lips with his tongue. - -He saw that his treason had become known and proved; and for such -treason as his there could be but one punishment--death! He glanced -around the apartment, wondering whether her guards were really within -call. In his desperation he would not have hesitated at slaying her, -if by that deed he could have effected his escape. - -Barbara drew forth a handkerchief marked with a dreadful dark stain. -Instead of regarding it with a shudder as might have been expected, -she pressed it affectionately to her lips. - -"The blood of Trevisa," she said solemnly, "of Trevisa, the most -faithful and loyal of my servants--slain at your instigation. -Russakoff was paid to do the deed by Lipski, but Lipski took his -instructions from the Duke of Bora." - -"It's a lie." - -"Katina Ludovska, though at the time she did not clearly see Lipski's -face, has to-day recognized him by his voice, as the man who at the -inn--Sobieski's Rest--offered to Russakoff the bribe of four hundred -roubles. I have had Lipski brought here purposely to meet you. He is -in the palace at the present moment. Your grace, come with me," said -the princess, rising and motioning Bora to follow her. "Let me see you -meet him with a denial. None more glad than I if you will do this. -Come. Dare you?" - -It seemed not. He shrank back from accompanying the princess to the -adjoining ante-room, where sat both his miserable accomplice Lipski -and the equally miserable Russakoff, each under the guard of a -quaternion of soldiers. - -"You virtually admit your guilt in refusing to face your accuser. The -muskets found on Lipski's premises have been surreptitiously forwarded -by Orloff with your knowledge and approval. To-morrow before break of -day those arms were to have been distributed to a Muscovite mob -rendered valiant by copious supplies of vodka. At a certain point -along the intended route of the coronation procession, barricades were -to be thrown up, and when firing and rioting had begun, a message was -to be despatched to the camp of the Czar, urging him to come and save -the Muscovites from massacre at the hands of the Poles. And the Czar, -responsive to the appeal, would come to establish in Czernova what he -would call a stable government, its stability to consist in the -acceptance of his own suzerainty and in the establishment of his -kinsman Bora upon the throne. The deposed princess might marry Bora, -if she chose; if not, there is in Ladoga's gray lake an island -fortress named Schlusselburg; there let her pass the remainder of her -days. Such is the programme you would fain carry out to-morrow. My -lord of Bora, you have played a dark game; it is time you received -your reward." - -The princess clapped her hands quickly, and at the sound every door of -the White Saloon opened and through each there came marching a file of -soldiers, two abreast. With quick silent footfall they advanced over -the velvet carpet, and with a thrill of awe the duke perceived that -all were carrying their arms reversed as at a funeral. - -Deploying in their advance the files so moved as to form a double ring -around the princess and the duke, and there they stood, terrible in -their rigidity and silence. - -The circle gave way and Zabern appeared, a chilling glare in his eye. -At a sign from him one soldier with a swift motion pulled the duke's -hands behind him, and in a moment more had corded his wrists, while a -second pinned upon his breast a piece of white satin in shape like a -heart. - -At sight of this dreadful fabric designed to direct the aim of a -firing party, the duke's courage fled; his knees smote together; he -grew white to the very lips. - -Only ten miles distant were one hundred thousand men ready to assist -him to a throne; for all the aid they could now give him they might as -well have been situated in the planet Mars. - -"The firing-party awaits you in the quadrangle," said Zabern, as the -guards closed up around the duke. "Forward!" - -"Have a care what you do, Cousin Natalie," said Bora, scarcely able to -speak from fear. "You will have to answer to the Czar for this." - -"You speak treason with your last breath," said Barbara. "Answer to -the Czar for executing a traitor in my own principality! What -jurisdiction hath the Czar in Czernova?" - -"Traitor!" cried Zabern, fiercely. "I would stab you with my own hand, -though the Czar himself were by. To the quadrangle--forward!" - -The murmur of the restless populace without penetrated to the interior -of the palace, and was heard by the wretched duke. Was he to die with -the sound of the coronation-mirth ringing in his ears? - -In the ante-chamber Zabern halted his troop and returned to the side -of the princess. - -"This instrument lacks your Highness's signature," he remarked, -presenting her with the warrant for the duke's execution. - -"On occasions such as this," murmured Barbara, taking the document, -"one is tempted to say with Saint Vladimir, 'Who am I that I should -shed blood?'" - -"And yet Vladimir shed a good deal, if history speak truth," responded -Zabern, "and therefore became he a saint after Russia's own heart. -Your Highness, this is no time for pity. It is a question of your life -or the duke." - -The princess appended a name to the warrant. - -"I fear," observed Zabern, with a grave smile, "that the captain of -the firing-party will question the authority of that signature." - -The princess looked, and to her surprise saw that she had subscribed -herself not "Natalie Lilieski," but "Barbara Tressilian!" She had -unwittingly written her mother's maiden name. - -She did not erase the signature, but proceeded to indite a fresh -warrant. She wrote very slowly, pondering as she wrote. What would the -real Natalie have thought, said, or done, if she were living now and -saw her elder sister signing the death-warrant of her lover? - -With a sigh she handed the document to the marshal, who immediately -returned it with a very strange look. And there, staring at her from -the paper, were the self-same words as before--"Barbara Tressilian!" - -The princess had her superstitious moments, and this was one of them. -That she should unintentionally have written the same twice seemed a -confirmation of the misgiving that had troubled her for several weeks. - -"This is the hand of heaven," she murmured, in a tone of awe, and -laying down the pen. "Are not the illegitimate always called after -their mother? I have written my true name. Marshal," she added in a -fearful whisper, "it is Bora who should be on the throne, and I should -be the prisoner of the Citadel." - -"Your Highness, do not talk thus." - -But Barbara paid little heed. - -"I am tempted to summon the Diet, even at this late hour, and to -reveal to them my secret history, the whole miserable story of my -birth." - -"You will bring ruin on Czernova if you do. What guarantee have you -that the cardinal's story is true?" - -"This," replied Barbara, pointing to her signature on the -death-warrant. - -The marshal shrugged his shoulders deprecatingly. - -"And therefore, because you suspect yourself to be of illicit birth, -you would tender your diadem to an assassin and a traitor. Then let -the Czar himself lay down his power; true, he is the son of the -Emperor Paul, but was Paul really the child of Peter III.? Catherine -and Soltikoff, the chamberlain, could best answer that question. -Princess, you are over-scrupulous. Your title to the throne is founded -on a better right than that of the accident of birth. The sovereign -rules by the will of the people, and are not the majority on your -side? If the princely office were made elective, is there any -candidate who would have the least chance of success against yourself? -And, _vox populi, vox Dei_. What other sanction do you require?" - -"The sanction of my own conscience. And to-morrow--to-morrow," she -murmured in a tone of distress, "after taking the Holy Sacrament I -must lay my hand upon the Charter--" - -"Upon a forged document, rather," muttered Zabern, grimly to himself. - -"And declare that 'I, Natalie Lilieska, do solemnly vow' to maintain -its provisions, knowing that I am not Natalie Lilieska. No, Zabern, I -cannot--I will not utter this falsehood." - -"Then let the Pope avow himself a liar when in solemn conclave he -assumes the style of Pio Nono, and ignores his true name of Giovanni -Mastai." - -"All men know of the Pope's change of name; there is no attempt at -deception; but I claim to be other than I am. If I were certain of -illegitimacy I would resign my power this very night." - -"I see quite plainly," said Zabern, speaking with more freedom than he -had hitherto employed towards the princess, "that if Czernova were -handed over to the Czar, and your faithful ministers sent to Siberia, -you would be very well content." - -As he spoke the marshal drew his sabre. - -"Do you bid me break the sword that has been so long used in the -Polish cause? Must I retire hence to aid the Hungarians, to obtain -that freedom which you would deny to us in Czernova?" - -"No, marshal, no; we must not part. I will stand by those who have -stood by me. Clinging to the hope that there is no dishonor on my -name, I will hold to my crown." - -"A wise decision, princess," replied Zabern, considerably relieved by -her words. "And now as to the duke's execution." - -"What, marshal? Would you have me sign his death-warrant when I am -doubtful of my right to rule?--and sign it, too, in the name of one, -who, strange as it may seem to us, loved him? No, I cannot sign this -document with the name of Natalie." - -"But your Highness cannot sign it with any other." - -"Then I will not sign it at all." - -"I greatly fear that your Highness will live to regret this clemency." - -"Be it so." - -The first glow of Barbara's anger had passed, and she listened to the -voice of prudence. Though the duke richly merited death, yet his -execution without trial would give the Czar a very convenient pretext -for intervening in the affairs of Czernova. - -"By shooting the duke I make the Czar the heir to my crown," said -Barbara. "By retaining him alive I may be able to make use of his -person as a pawn on the political chessboard. Imprisonment will be the -wiser course. Remove the duke to the Citadel." - -And inasmuch as the marshal recognized Barbara as his princess, he had -of necessity to obey. - -When Zabern had seen the duke securely lodged in a cell of the -Citadel, he returned to the White Saloon, where Barbara still -lingered, wrapt in melancholy thought. - -"Your Highness, on entering the palace this note was put into my -hands." - -Barbara glanced at the missive and saw that it contained the following -words: "Marshal, will you accord the bearer of this an interview with -the princess?--PAUL WOODVILLE." - -Barbara's melancholy vanished as if by enchantment. Two months had now -elapsed since Paul's departure, and during that time she had received -no message from him. Now at last there seemed to be tidings. - -"Who is the bearer, marshal?" - -"One returned from the dead. A woman calling herself 'Jacintha of -Castel Nuovo.' She is in the ante-room at the present moment awaiting -your Highness's pleasure." - -The mention of the name "Jacintha" almost drew a scream from the -princess. She ordered the visitor to be instantly admitted. - -Barbara's character was not marked by the false pride that is too -often the accompaniment of rank and wealth. She welcomed her humble -visitor as warmly as she would have welcomed a queen or empress. -Jacintha had nursed her back to life, and Barbara, mindful of this -service, was delighted to have the opportunity of making some return. - -"My lady--your Highness, I should say," began Jacintha, sinking upon -her knees, "it is very untimely on my part to visit you on the eve of -your coronation, when you are occupied--" - -"My dear old nurse," said Barbara, raising Jacintha up with a winning -smile, "let me whisper a secret to you. I want to forget my -coronation, and your presence will make me forget it. Sit here beside -me, and let us talk of the old days at Castel Nuovo." - -Zabern would have withdrawn, but the princess bade him stay. - -"I had thought," continued Barbara, "that you had perished in that -dreadful earthquake. And Lambro? Is he alive?" - -"No, my la--your Highness. We were outside the castle at the time of -the calamity, for some previous rumblings had alarmed us. When the -great shock came Lambro slipped into a fissure that opened beneath his -feet. He went down before my very eyes, and the earth closed over him -immediately. How I myself escaped I cannot tell, for the ground was -opening and closing all around me." - -"Poor Lambro!" sighed Barbara, who had always entertained a liking for -the old Palicar, not knowing how little he deserved her friendship. -"And where have you been living during the two past years?" - -Jacintha's story, briefly stated, was as follows. After the earthquake -she had made her way to Trieste, and thence by steamer to England. -Within a few weeks of her return she had had the good fortune to -become housekeeper in one of the ancient halls of Kent. - -"But now will you not remain with me?" smiled the princess. - -"Your Highness will not wish it after you have heard the whole of my -story," replied Jacintha, and the strange look which accompanied her -words somehow caused all Barbara's gladness to die away. - -A few days previously Jacintha's master had bidden her prepare for the -coming of one of his friends, Captain Woodville by name. What was her -amazement to find in her visitor none other than Captain Cressingham, -who on his part was equally astounded at meeting Jacintha. Paul -immediately fell to talking of the old days at Castel Nuovo, and, -among other matters, he questioned Jacintha closely as to the young -lady who had visited the castle under the escort of Cardinal Ravenna. -Jacintha learnt from Paul that this lady was in reality the -half-sister of Barbara, and that both held the rank of princess. Then -it was that Jacintha resolved to tell Paul the true story of Natalie's -death. - -"Ha!" muttered Zabern, foreseeing that his dark suspicion was about to -be verified. - -"And Captain Woodville has sent you here to tell it to me likewise--is -it not so?" asked Barbara. - -"Yes, your Highness. I wanted to put the story into writing, that you -might learn it in that way. I wanted Captain Cressingham himself to -tell it to you. But no; he said it was better that you should hear it -from my lips, and he prevailed upon me to come here." - -"Go on, Jacintha," said Barbara encouragingly, for Jacintha seemed -very loath to proceed. - -"Your Highness, it is no wonder that the earthquake came to swallow up -the castle, for wicked doings took place there. But do not blame me -for my association with them. I loathed my position there, and would -have run away, but for the fear of Lambro and his mastiffs. Now that -you are a great princess, you will perhaps punish me when you shall -have heard the truth." - -"Captain Woodville would not have sent you all the way to Czernova, if -he had thought that I should punish you. Tell me the story of my -sister's death. You have my word beforehand that no hurt shall happen -to you." - -And Jacintha with a faltering tongue began a story, the recital of -which caused Barbara to thrill with horror. - -"O Natalie, my sister! my sister!" she murmured, when Jacintha had -finished. "But for the cardinal, you would still be living. His guilty -love has driven one sister to suicide, and now, opposed in his wicked -desires, he seeks to destroy the other. How can heaven permit this man -to live? Bora's guilt is innocence compared with the guilt of -Ravenna." - -Powerless to allay the princess's grief, Zabern could only watch her -in sympathizing silence, and mentally renew his vows of vengeance upon -the cardinal. So full was Barbara of this new sorrow that she seemed -to have forgotten Paul; at least she made no inquiries about him. - -Zabern, however, leading Jacintha aside, quietly questioned her as to -the movements of the princess's late secretary. It appeared that Paul -had accompanied Jacintha as far as Berlin, and had there put her in a -train bound for Czernova; seized with a sudden illness on the way, she -had been removed from the carriage at the first stopping-place, and -this circumstance had delayed her arrival in Czernova by several days. -Paul himself, on parting from her, was going direct to St. Petersburg, -a statement which Zabern received with incredulity. - -"St. Petersburg? Are you certain?" - -Yes, Jacintha was quite certain. - -"St. Petersburg," muttered Zabern. "Not three months ago the Russians -were demanding his extradition, and now does he venture into the -country of his enemies? If his passport is made out in the name of -Paul Woodville, he is a doomed man; they will never let the defender -of Tajapore depart. This is something I can't understand." - -Though closely interrogated by Zabern, Jacintha was unable to throw -any light upon the motives that had prompted Paul to visit Russia. - -The marshal paced uneasily to and fro. - -"Captain Woodville," he murmured, "pledged his solemn word to be in -Czernova on the coronation eve; for, forewarned by me, he had reason -to believe that the princess's crown depended upon his sword. But he -has not yet appeared. His absence has something sinister in it, for it -is certain that he would be here if he could. True, his presence in -one sense has now become unnecessary, inasmuch as the duke being a -prisoner in the Citadel will be unable to appear in the cathedral -to-morrow to challenge the princess's rights, and to defy her to -mortal combat by deputy. But as Woodville can know nothing of the -duke's imprisonment, why does he not hasten to the supposed aid of the -princess? I greatly fear that our champion is himself a prisoner." - -At this point intimation was given by the chamberlain that one of -Zabern's familiars, privileged to enter the palace at all hours, was -in the anteroom, desirous of a word with the marshal. - -Zabern withdrew from the White Saloon, and returned after a minute's -absence with the tidings for which he had been waiting all day. - -"Your Highness, my spy appointed to watch the cardinal in his -journeying to and fro from Rome reports that his Eminence has just -arrived at Slavowitz, bringing with him the papal bull which deposes -the Princess of Czernova, and absolves her subjects from their -allegiance." - -"Say, rather, bringing with him his own death-warrant," cried -Barbara, with a blaze of wrath unusual in her. - -"Your Highness gives me leave to deal with the cardinal as I please," -whispered Zabern, tapping the hilt of his sabre significantly. - -Barbara made no reply. - -The marshal interpreting her silence as consent, stole quietly from -the apartment. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -THE CRIME THAT FAILED - - -The coronation eve was drawing to a close as Pasqual Ravenna, Cardinal -Archbishop of Czernova, sat in the library of his archiepiscopal -palace in company with a young priest, Melchior by name. - -One of the points which had wounded the pride of Ravenna in time past -had been the refusal of Abbot Faustus, of the Convent of the -Transfiguration, to submit his monastery to a visit of inspection from -the cardinal. Though ecclesiastically the superior, Ravenna was unable -to enforce compliance from the sturdy abbot, who claimed to be -independent in virtue of an ancient bull granted by Pius the Second. -Even a mild admonition from the regnant Pope had failed to produce any -effect. - -The cardinal had begun to suspect that Faustus's defiance was prompted -by other motives than the desire to maintain his independence; there -was some secret connected with this monastery, a secret in which the -princess herself was involved; and accordingly he had deputed the -priest Melchior, whose crafty character well qualified him for the -work, to discover, if possible, the mystery that lay hidden behind the -walls of the Convent of the Transfiguration. - -And now, in the first hour of the cardinal's return from Rome, -Melchior had come to report the results of his investigations, results -which were highly satisfactory to Ravenna. - -"So," he murmured, when the other had unfolded his discoveries, "a -conspiracy for the emancipation of Poland, a conspiracy to which -Ravenna must not be admitted, such being the express command of the -princess. 'The cardinal is not to be trusted.' Ha! The place then is -no true monastery but an arsenal, a treasury, and a repository for -treasonable documents. This explains the conduct of Faustus in -excluding me from his convent. Favored by the princess, he has grown -insolent, and would usurp my place at the coronation. To-morrow he -will rue his defiance when he sees his monastery in the hands of -Russian soldiery. The Czar's army lies conveniently near for the -seizure. How did you learn all these details, Melchior?" - -"From a kinsman of mine, a monk in this same convent. In a -conversation with him I stated my belief that his monastery was -utilized as a secret rendezvous for Polish patriots. After some -hesitation he admitted as much; and then, won over by my professions -of patriotism, he revealed to me the length and breadth of the -conspiracy." - -"Melchior, you have done well, and shall not go unrewarded." - -The priest expressed his gratitude by an ugly smile, and then with a -look of cunning he continued,-- - -"Your Eminence, I have discovered something more. We Czernovese have -lost our title to autonomy. The Charter has been destroyed, and the -princess's ministers are doing their best to keep the matter a -secret." - -"Ha! how do you know this?" said Ravenna, surprised beyond measure at -the statement. - -"The Charter was burnt by two sentinels whose duty it was to guard the -Eagle Tower. They were traitors in the pay of Russia. By the waving of -a blue lamp they signalled the successful accomplishment of the work -to a confederate concealed in the palace grounds, who immediately -conveyed the news to Orloff, the governor of Warsaw. This confederate -returned to Slavowitz a few weeks ago. He is a Catholic, it seems, -regular at confessional. Being troubled with the thing called -conscience, and desiring to be absolved from his guilt, he revealed -the matter to his father confessor Virgilius, who, in turn--" - -"Revealed it to you," interrupted the Cardinal, his surprise yielding -to delight, for the news furnished him with another weapon to be used -against the princess. "What has become of the two who destroyed the -Charter?" - -"They have never been seen since the night of the deed. Doubtless they -are now in Russia enjoying a pension from the Czar's ministers. Oh! -your eminence, there can be no doubt as to the truth of the story. -Orloff himself came as envoy to Slavowitz; he boldly declared in the -presence of the princess and her ministers that the Czernovese Charter -was a myth, and non-existent; and--here is the significant point--her -Highness and Zabern did not refute him by producing the Charter, but -took refuge in evasions." - -"But, Melchior," observed the cardinal with perplexed air, "you must -be in error. This evening the iron coffer containing the Charter was -conveyed to the Cathedral under a strong guard of soldiers. It plays a -part in the coronation-ritual." - -Melchior smiled caustically. - -"Your eminence, three little circumstances that have happened of late -may serve to throw a little light upon what is contained in that -coffer. Firstly, within a few days after the destruction of the -Charter, Zabern's mistress, Katina Ludovska, made purchase of some -parchment at a stationer's in the Rue de Sobieski, and was very -critical as to its color, texture, and the like. Secondly, this same -Katina was for several days in an apartment of the Vistula Palace -occupied in writing. Thirdly, as you are aware, our _Museum -Czernovium_ contains a collection of historical documents, among them -autograph letters of several Czars, and--what is more pertinent to the -occasion--an imperial ukase bearing the signature, '_Buit po semu, -Ickathrina._--Be it so, Catherine.' Your Eminence will doubtless -remember that our Charter ended with these same words, '_Buit po semu, -Ickathrina_.' Now it is a curious circumstance that this imperial -ukase should have vanished some weeks ago from its glass case in the -Museum; the curator is unable to account for its disappearance, but -probably Zabern can." - -"You mean--?" - -"That any one wishing to imitate the signature of Catherine would find -the task facilitated by having this ukase before him. Your Eminence, -doubt it not that the document to be laid upon the altar to-morrow is -a forgery. Count Orloff in the character of ambassador will be present -at the coronation. A word to him--" - -"Enough," interrupted Ravenna with an exultant smile. "This shall to -the Czar. Here's matter sufficient to depose the princess. Within -twenty-four hours the iron hand of Russia will be pressing the -principality." - -"True. And yet," said Melchior, somewhat puzzled to account for his -master's attitude, "and yet when that happens what place will there be -for a Roman archbishop?" - -"None: and therefore after to-morrow I quit this barbarous -principality for Italy, leaving without reluctance, for, you know, I -never was a Pole. The Pope has appointed me to the See of Palestrina. -You shall accompany me, Melchior, and the first rich benefice that -becomes vacant in my diocese shall be yours. Italia, Italia," said the -cardinal with a glow of enthusiasm, "where the skies are sunny, the -wines delicious, and the women--" - -"More yielding than the cold dames of Czernova," smiled Melchior, well -acquainted with his master's character. - -"The hour is late, and much remains to be done," observed Ravenna. -"Melchior, you will call upon those of the clergy whom I have named, -and request their attendance here at eight in the morning to listen to -a rescript from the Pope." - -The priest bowed and quitted the apartment. - -Left alone, the cardinal drew writing-materials towards himself, and -proceeded to indite a letter, a letter intended for the perusal of no -less a personage than the Czar Nicholas. The contents of the missive -were brief, but exceedingly weighty. - -In leisurely fashion, Ravenna went over what he had written, and -seemingly satisfied with the composition, he proceeded to fold the -paper several times; then selecting--and not without reason as the -sequel proved--an extremely small envelope, he enclosed the letter -within it. - -The night was very warm; and the windows were open to catch every -breath of air. These windows overlooked the gardens in the rear of the -palace, for the cardinal's library lay remote from the public street. - -The sounds of distant revelry floated faintly on the air. The -Czernovese were not disposed to retire early on such a festal eve as -this. Many, indeed, were spending the night in the streets for the -purpose of securing a place of vantage from which to view the -coronation procession next day. - -Ravenna smiled cynically as he listened to the murmur of the far-off -voices. - -"The morrow shall see your mirth turned to mourning," he muttered. - -The letter accidentally dropped from his hand as he was in the act of -affixing his seal of the paschal lamb. He let it lie, while with -closed eyes he leaned back in his chair, picturing his triumph of the -morrow. In fancy he could see the princess led off, a pale, silent, -drooping captive under an escort of Russian soldiers, and the Duke of -Bora enthroned in the cathedral amid the shouting of the Czar's -legions. - -"Barbara Lilieska," he said aloud, and with his eyes still closed, -"you shall regret your insolence in putting an affront upon me in the -sight of Czernova." - -"Don't be too sure of that," said an ironical voice. - -The one man in Czernova whom the cardinal least desired to see on this -particular night was Zabern; and yet it was Zabern who had spoken! - -With a sudden start Ravenna opened his eyes to find the marshal -standing with folded arms upon the other side of the table. Behind him -was his orderly, Nikita. A third man, a trooper named Gabor, was in -the act of locking the door of the apartment. Alive to his peril, the -cardinal struck repeatedly at a bell upon the table. - -"Of no use," remarked Zabern, with an ice-cold smile. "There is no one -in the house but your steward, who is keeping watch at the foot of the -staircase. He has lately become a spy in my service. He has just -dismissed your household, bidding them go forth to view the city -decorations. They will not return for an hour at least--ample time for -our work." - -"What do you want of me?" - -"Your life." - -Ravenna could not suppose that Zabern had come for anything else; -nevertheless, the cool, frank avowal sent the blood to his heart with -a rush. - -"You would murder me?" he gasped. - -"Call it murder if you will. Execution is my term." - -"What is my trespass?" - -"'Stolen waters are sweet.' Strange text for holy cardinal to address -to youthful princess. You comprehend? Do you ask, then, why you should -die?" - -So all was known to these men. What mercy could he expect? He glanced -from one to the other, but saw no pity in their stern, set faces. The -trio had come to do a bloody work, and would do it. He strove to keep -a cool head; he tried to reason with his would-be assassins. - -"You will have to answer for what you do." - -"To the saints above--yes; and I am ready. At the bar of God I'll rest -my title to heaven on the holy deed I do to-night. To a human -tribunal--no, for none shall know that you have been killed by others. -Behold!" - -Zabern, as he spoke, drew forth a small cut-glass phial, half-full of -a liquid resembling distilled water. The silver cap bore the -inscription, "The Manna of Saint Nicholas." - -"_Aqua Tophania_," continued the marshal. "Ah! you start? You -recognize the phial? Yes, it has been taken from a secret drawer of -your own cabinet. Why a holy cardinal should have poison in his -possession is best known to himself. I can, however, testify to its -efficacy, for the condemned criminal upon whom I experimented to-day -died within five minutes. Pasqual Ravenna, your servants on their -return will find you leaning over the table dead, clutching this empty -phial in your hand. To-morrow all Slavowitz will be discussing the -suicide of the cardinal archbishop. Your nephew, Redwitz of Zamoska, -may send off his three sealed packets, and very much surprised the -recipients will be to find nothing within them but blank papers, for -the originals have been abstracted, read by the princess, and burnt." - -Like one dazed by a heavy blow, Ravenna stared vacantly at the -speaker, and then his eye, mechanically sinking lighted upon something -white near his feet. It was the letter that he had recently written. -The sight of it suddenly quickened his blood and suggested a plan for -outwitting his assassins. He was still seated at the table, and with -his foot he gently pushed the letter forward till it lay concealed -beneath the fringe of the overhanging damask cloth. - -Upon the table itself there lay before him a document almost as -dangerous as the letter. This was a roll of vellum with papal seals -attached. It was beyond him to conceal this document from Zabern, -whose face was set upon it with grim satisfaction. - -"What have we here?" he cried, stooping over the table, and lifting -the vellum. "The papal bull, as I live," he continued, glancing his -eye rapidly over the document, and reading snatches from it. "'We, Pio -Nono ... do herewith commission our faithful brother in Christ, -Pasqual Ravenna'--Angels of light! such names mingled! Christ and -Ravenna!--'commission him to pronounce sentence of anathema and -excommunication against the so-called Natalie Lilieska,'--so-called, -so-called," muttered Zabern, stopping in his reading with a sudden -fear, and hardly daring to continue the perusal; "what does that -mean?--'in that while claiming to be lawful Princess of Czernova, and -a daughter of the True Church, she is an impostor who ...' Oh, devil -that you are!" cried Zabern, breaking off, and grinding his teeth in -anger, "so you have told that story to the Pope?" - -"It is known to all the Vatican," replied Ravenna, hoping that the -knowledge of the fact would restrain Zabern from his dreadful purpose. -"The Pope will understand why I am murdered, and to whom the deed -should be ascribed. You will do well to pause and reflect." - -Zabern's face grew terrible in its expression, as he realized the -desperate strait to which Barbara was now reduced. If the Pope were -master of her secret, not only could he anathematize, but he had -likewise the power of deposing her whenever he chose. - -"'Pause and reflect'?" said Zabern, repeating Ravenna's words. "Why, -this disposes me more than ever to slay you. What motive have I for -keeping you alive? So, cardinal," he continued, after a brief pause, -"you would have come to the coronation, robed in full canonicals, -with the Latin clergy of Czernova at your back, to interdict Abbot -Faustus from performing the ceremony, to read the Pope's rescript, and -to anathematize the princess with bell, book, and candle. Vain your -hopes! This papal bull shall not be read in the cathedral to-morrow, -for here is the end of it." - -With these words Zabern raised the document to the flame of the -candelabrum, and there held it till the vellum had shrivelled to -blackened flakes. - -"That the Pope should sign his name to such rhodomontade!" he muttered -contemptuously. "He threatens us; let him beware of his own downfall. -The House of Savoy shall be our avengers. The Sardinian king will -never rest till he himself shall reign at Rome." - -A prediction destined to be fulfilled. - -Zabern, resolving to show cause for the slaying of Ravenna, seated -himself in a chair, rested his elbow upon the table, his face upon his -hand, and glared across the crimson damask. - -"Cardinal, when you told the Pope that story, did you tell him the -whole of it? How the Princess Natalie met her death, for example?" - -"The Princess Natalie committed suicide at Castel Nuovo." - -"True; and so you told her father, Prince Thaddeus, but you did not -tell him her reason for the act. Let us hear it." - -Ravenna was silent. - -"The truth is that you had become possessed of unhallowed desires -towards that fair princess during your tour with her around the shores -of the Adriatic. When at Zara you proposed a visit to your place, -Castel Nuovo, and the princess, doubting nothing, willingly -accompanied you. While there you made certain proposals to her, who -was so innocent in mind that she failed to understand you, and -wonderingly repeated your words to the housekeeper Jacintha. Full well -did Jacintha know your object in bringing that young girl there. For, -holy cardinal, Natalie was not the first. You were ever eloquent in -persuading youthful widows and maidens to renounce the world and to -take the veil. It was your practice to escort your victims to some -convent in Dalmatia, and the journey was always broken at Castel -Nuovo. When your _protegees_ left that place they had good reason for -wishing to hide themselves in a convent. - -"To such a point of depravity and recklessness had your nature grown -that you could not refrain, even where a princess was concerned. At -Castel Nuovo there was a secret passage leading from your study to the -chamber where Natalie slept. In the silence and darkness of the night -you stole down to accomplish your wicked purpose. When I think of the -shame and horror of that poor girl's awakening, her imploring words -and cries--" - -At this point Nikita, thinking of his own youthful daughter, who once -upon a time had been almost persuaded by Ravenna to adopt a conventual -life, could no longer restrain himself. - -"Have at you!" he cried fiercely, drawing his sabre. - -The stroke aimed by him at the cardinal's head was intercepted by the -sword of the quick-moving Zabern. - -"Hold, Nikita. No clumsy work. No betrayal of ourselves. Toffana's -hell-drops will do the trick more safely. Put up your weapon." - -When the other had somewhat reluctantly obeyed, Zabern resumed,-- - -"Next morning the wretched princess, rendered completely insane by the -thought of her dishonor, staggered through the secret passage, and -after invoking the vengeance of heaven upon you, she stabbed herself -and so died. - -"By some means you prevailed upon Lambro and Jacintha to maintain -silence on the part played by you in this tragedy. A message was sent -to Prince Thaddeus, who happened at this time to be at Zara. He came; -wept over his daughter's suicide; wondered what motive could have -prompted the deed, but never suspected the holy cardinal. Pasqual -Ravenna, do you deny the truth of this?" - -No answer came from the accused. - -"Cardinal, such guilt as yours would be ill-atoned for by an -after-life of penance in monastic cell, in sackcloth and ashes, with -scourgings and with diet of bitter herbs. But, untroubled by the -crime, dead to the voice of conscience, you mingle unashamedly with -your fellow-men, you aspire to play the statesman--nay, you hesitate -not to minister in the holiest rites of religion. Was it not enough -for you to have destroyed Natalie, but that you must seek to draw her -sister to your arms? And because our princess would remain virtuous -and good, you in your black rage would come forward at the coronation -to-morrow, and, by lying words--for none know better than yourself -that she is the lawful daughter of Thaddeus--you would seek to procure -her dethronement. Never slew I man yet, save with regret; now for the -first time do I take pleasure in killing a fellow-mortal. - -"Pasqual Ravenna, your last hour has come. To-night shall Princess -Natalie's dying cry be answered. The maidens whom you have wronged -shall be avenged." - -Something glittered in Zabern's hand. It was a surgical instrument of -steel, designed for forcing open the jaws of persons bent on keeping -them shut. - -Holding this dreadful instrument, together with the poison-phial, in -his left and only hand, Zabern motioned Nikita and Gabor to grip the -cardinal by the arms. - -"Give me ten minutes, ten minutes only, in the next apartment," gasped -Ravenna. - -"For what purpose?" - -"To--pray." - -"I fail to see the use," responded Zabern dryly. "Heavens! Nikita, how -strangely constituted these churchmen must be to think that a life of -guilt may be atoned for by ten minutes of prayer." - -"As you yourself hope for mercy at the last day, I beseech you to -grant me ten minutes--five, then--in the next room." - -Zabern laid the steel and phial upon the table. - -"You may have ten minutes' grace, but you will do your praying here." - -"That apartment is an oratory," pleaded Ravenna. - -"Let him have his wish, marshal," said Gabor. - -"And see him escape us?" ejaculated Nikita fiercely. - -"I cannot escape. There is no exit from the oratory, secret or open, -save by that door. The window is fifty feet from the ground." - -Zabern, suspecting that Ravenna was trying to effect his escape, -approached the chamber in question, and found it to be an oblong -apartment, twenty feet by ten, fitted up as an oratory, and hung with -sacred pictures. At the far end, through a casement of stained glass, -arrowy beams of tender silvery moonlight slanted upon an altar, -surmounted by an ivory crucifix with waxen tapers burning before it. -There was an air of solemnity in the place which exercised an -influence even upon the stern mind of Zabern. - -"Take your ten minutes," he exclaimed, pointing within, "but seek not -to escape, for my eye shall be on you the while." - -Ravenna rose from his seat; in rising he purposely stumbled and fell, -and while so doing he contrived to secure possession of the letter -lying beneath the table, and to secrete it within the folds of his -cassock. Then with slow and faltering step he moved into the oratory, -and taking out his rosary, he knelt with bowed head before the altar. - -Zabern, standing without, kept the door slightly open in order that he -might not lose sight of Ravenna's movements. - -Gabor the trooper here put a very pertinent question. - -"Marshal, since the Pope and his cardinals know the princess's secret, -what do we gain by killing the archbishop?" - -"We stop his mouth from proclaiming the secret to-morrow," replied -Zabern. - -"True. But afterwards--?" - -"Afterwards, my good Gabor, no one shall be able to say that our -princess is not Natalie Lilieska. Was the real Natalie marked with a -mole upon her right shoulder? A friendly physician can soon produce -that disfigurement for us upon the fair skin of our princess." - -Nikita laughed aloud. - -"Is there any one living who can defeat the marshal?" he cried. - -"There is one here who will make the attempt," said a voice. - -At this the trio stared curiously at one another, for the words came -from the oratory, and had plainly been uttered by none other than the -cardinal. Recovering from his momentary surprise, Zabern, with sudden -misgiving at his heart, flung wide the door. - -"Marshal Zabern," said the voice of Ravenna, "as you value the throne -of the princess, come not one step farther. Mark well what is in my -hand." - -The window of the oratory, which before had been shut, was now wide -open, and the moonlight fell upon the lofty figure and pale face of -the cardinal, who was standing erect on one side of the altar. In his -right hand he held a dove, to the neck of which a letter was attached. -The sight kept the three men dumb and motionless, for they instantly -divined that the bird was a carrier-pigeon. - -Ravenna's Italian guile had been more than a match for Zabern's -subtlety. His object in kneeling before the altar had not been to -pray, but to release the dove which had been attached to it by a -silken thread--a dove purposely kept for emergencies. What captain of -the guard on arresting the archbishop would be so stern-natured as to -refuse his prisoner a few minutes' prayer in his private oratory? -Ravenna, on releasing the dove, had affixed the letter to its neck, -performing the feat so guardedly, that though he had been watched, now -by Zabern, and now by Nikita, his movements had not given rise to -suspicion. - -"Listen," cried Ravenna, raising his left hand warningly. "If you -enter I quit my hold of the dove. You observe the letter. Let me tell -you what it contains." - -"Say on," returned Zabern with affected indifference. "Your ten -minutes have not yet expired." - -"This evening," began the cardinal, "and just prior to your arrival I -penned a letter intended for the Czar's perusal. That letter now hangs -from this dove's neck. It contains three statements. Firstly, that the -Princess of Czernova is not Natalie Lilieska; secondly, that the -Czernovese Charter is a forgery from the hand of Katina Ludovska; -thirdly, that the Convent of the Transfiguration contains ample -evidence of a conspiracy for the emancipation of Poland. Each of these -facts, singly, if known to the Czar, would be sufficient to hurl the -princess from her throne. If this dove should fly forth it would be in -my nephew's house at Zamoska within thirty minutes; an hour more, and -Redwitz would be in the camp of the Czar. Thus, then, do I make my -terms. Approach to do me hurt, and I release the dove. Retire from the -palace, give me my life, and I swear by all that I hold holy to -refrain from endangering the throne of the princess. It is within -your power to murder me, but the murder will be dearly purchased, for -it will bring utter ruin upon Czernova." - -"Idle vaunting!" said Zabern. "All know that the carrier-pigeon flieth -not in the dark." - -"This dove has ere now found its way to Zamoska by moonlight." - -That the cardinal spoke truth when he declared that the letter -contained the weighty secrets Zabern did not doubt. Therefore to -advance with intent to slay would be fatal to the interests of the -princess; and yet to retire, leaving Ravenna to his own devices would -be equally fatal, for Zabern knew full well that the cardinal's most -solemn oath was not to be trusted. So soon as the trio should -withdraw, so soon as Ravenna should be released from the fear of their -presence, he would laugh at their simplicity, and would carry out his -evil work against the princess, ay, and with more determination than -ever, embittered as he would be by the attempt made upon his life. It -was a terrible dilemma. - -The trio stood upon the threshold of the oratory, immovable, -irresolute, silent, gazing at the cardinal, who in turn kept his eyes -fixed upon them like a prisoner waiting for the verdict of life or -death. - -"No terms with a Jesuit," muttered Zabern under his breath. "Nikita, -you are the best shot. Draw your pistol, and shoot, not the cardinal, -but the dove." - -As Zabern spoke he moved slightly to one side, in order to screen the -movements of his henchman. - -Directly afterwards a report rang out, startlingly loud in that small -chamber. It was accompanied by a sharp cry of anguish from the -cardinal, and by a swift forward rush on the part of his foes, each -eager to pounce upon the fallen bird. - -But, by a strange mischance, Nikita, who was considered to be second -only to Katina herself in the handling of the pistol, had somehow -failed to hit a conspicuous object seventeen feet away. The bullet had -penetrated the wrist of the cardinal, whose hand had involuntarily -relaxed its hold, with the result that the startled dove was now -flying forth through the open casement. - -With the air of one mad, Zabern pulled Nikita towards the window, and, -hurling Ravenna aside, he thrust his own pistol into the trooper's -hand. - -"Shoot, Nikita, shoot in God's name," he cried, pointing to the dove, -whose white form was clearly defined against the dark blue sky. "The -fate of all Czernova rests on your aim." - -The bird, as if doubtful what direction to take, was moving slowly -round in a series of spirals and rising higher and higher each moment. -Nikita pointed his weapon, raising it gradually with the ascent of the -dove, till, deeming himself certain of his aim, he drew the trigger. A -second shot rang out. Both men looked, expecting the instant fall of -the dove, but the winged messenger remained unhurt, and apparently -having chosen its route, flew off in a straight line, and immediately -disappeared over the tree-tops. - -"By heaven, you've missed again!" cried Zabern, his dismay being lost -for the moment in wonder that Nikita's hand should have so strangely -lost its cunning. - -"God's curse is on me to-night," said Nikita, flinging the pistol from -him. "Who," he added, with a touch of Slavonic superstition, "who can -shoot a dove, symbol of the Holy Ghost?" - -"Symbol of the holy devil!" cried Zabern. "Where's the cardinal?" - -In his eagerness to mark the effect of Nikita's second shot Gabor had -likewise pressed forward to the casement, forgetful of Ravenna, who, -taking advantage of this negligence, picked himself up from the corner -where Zabern had flung him, and ran from the oratory into the -library. The wondering police next day traced his course over the -carpet by the blood-drops that fell from his shattered wrist. - -But in a moment more the avenging Zabern was after him, his sabre -gleaming in his hand. - -The cardinal had reached the locked door of the library: his unwounded -hand had turned the key; his fingers were already upon the door-handle -when Zabern, with a laugh of horrid glee, clutched him by the collar -of his cassock with the same hand that held the sabre, and pulled him -backward upon his knees. - -The agony of the situation forced from Ravenna a yell that curdled the -blood of the treacherous steward who kept watch at the foot of the -staircase, but it had no effect upon Zabern. - -"You paid no heed to Natalie's screams, nor will I to yours." - -He thought no more now of safeguarding himself by imparting to the -murder the appearance of suicide. - -"To hell, and say that Zabern sent you." - -Foaming with fury, he dealt not one, but many strokes at the kneeling, -swaying figure, with its feebly upraised hands. Nikita and Gabor, -equally frenzied, joined in the savage work. - - * * * * * - -The three miserable men wiped their bloody sabres upon the -window-curtains, and stared down upon the carpet at something which -had once been a man. - -The clock-tower of the cathedral now sent forth the sweet and pretty -carillon that always heralded the striking of the hour. Then after a -solemn interval came the first peal of midnight. - -"The princess's coronation day!" said Nikita. - -"Humph! will there be any coronation?" muttered Zabern. - -"Hark to the shouting!" said Gabor. - -From every quarter of the capital, from the groups moving to and fro -along the route of the intended procession, from spacious square and -narrow alley, from the brilliantly illuminated hotel, and from the -obscure private dwelling, came the sound of cheering, gradually -swelling into one prolonged universal roar. The gala-day had come at -last! - -Zabern with a grim smile looked towards the north. The heaven in that -direction was tinged with a red glow from the thousands of watch-fires -in the Czar's camp--that camp towards which the swift-flying dove was -now winging its course with the tidings fatal to Czernova. How long -would it be ere that huge array came pouring across the border to -depose the princess, and to establish the duke upon-- - -Zabern started. - -Ere the shouting of the joyous populace had died away, a new and -startling sound was reverberating through the night air. It was the -boom of a single cannon, and that at no great distance. Its -significance was intuitively divined by Zabern. - -"The Citadel-gun!" he cried, recoiling from the window. "By God, the -duke has escaped!" - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -THE BEGINNING OF THE CORONATION - - -The morning of Barbara's coronation broke soft and sunny; it seemed -almost impossible that anything disastrous could happen on a day so -fair. - -Prior to setting off for the cathedral the princess entertained her -ministers at breakfast. She herself occupied the head of the table, -with Radzivil at her right hand and Zabern at the left. Dorislas was -absent in command of the ten thousand appointed to guard the frontier. - -So far no hostilities had occurred. Successive couriers arriving at -intervals of every half-hour continued to report that the Russian -forces still preserved their position of the previous afternoon,--a -position about a mile distant from the Czernovese border. There was no -movement on their part suggestive of coming invasion. The more hopeful -of the ministers, therefore, began to pluck up courage, and tried to -believe that the Czar's army had really mustered for the customary -autumn manoeuvres, and not for the purpose of preventing the -coronation. - -Zabern did not share in these hopeful views; none knew better than he -did the magnitude of the peril that overhung Czernova. In reporting -the cardinal's death to the princess Zabern had suppressed some -details, and hence Barbara was unaware that a dove had flown off to -Zamoska bearing a letter, which, if it should reach the Czar's hands, -would most assuredly result in her dethronement. From very pity he -withheld the fact. - -"She will learn it soon enough," he thought. "Why add to evil the -anticipation of it?" - -During the course of the breakfast many comments were made upon the -murder of Cardinal Ravenna. - -"A terrible and mysterious affair!" said Radzivil, greatly shocked by -the tragedy, and completely ignorant as to its authors. "The -physicians assert that there are no less than eighteen wounds upon the -body." - -"Five less than Julius Caesar received," commented Zabern irrelevantly. - -"You offer a reward, I presume, for any information that shall lead to -the detection of the assassins?" said the premier to Zabern, who, as -Minister for Justice, was head of the department that took cognizance -of crime. - -"Not a rouble note," replied Zabern bluntly. - -"That's contrary to your usual practice." - -"Why should I offer a reward when I know who the--ah!--assassins are? -There were three of them to the deed." - -"You know them? And yet they have not been seized!" - -"I have weighty reasons for deferring their arrest." - -"Delay may end in their escape." - -"The chief assassin cannot escape from me. The police know him and -have their eye upon him whenever he walks abroad. I can put my finger -upon him as easily as I now lay hand upon this coat," said Zabern -smiling, and suiting the action to the word. - -Radzivil was about to press for further enlightenment, but Barbara -checked him. - -"The subject is distressing to me," she said with a look that -confirmed her words. - -"Your Highness, I crave pardon," said the premier. - -Though Barbara fully believed that no one had ever merited death more -than Ravenna, yet the deed lay heavy on her mind. Not even the thought -of the many maidens, her own sister among the number, sacrificed to -the unholy desires of the cardinal, could blind her to the fact that -in sending Zabern to slay him she had committed a crime. - -No such scruple, however, troubled the conscience of the marshal, -whose only regret was that he had not despatched the duke likewise, -while it lay in his power to do so. - -Ere coming to the breakfast he had witnessed the execution of the -deputy Lesko Lipski and the spy Ivan Russakoff with the feeling, -however, that it was but sorry justice to shoot the agents, while the -more guilty principal was at large. - -"You have no tidings of Bora, I presume?" said Barbara turning to the -marshal. - -"None--so far, your Highness," replied Zabern. "But, oh!" he added -with mingled surprise and satisfaction, "here comes one who should be -able to explain the mystery of the duke's escape." - -All eyes had turned towards a door which had just opened, giving -ingress to a file of soldiers; they were under the command of Gabor, -and escorted in their midst Miroslav, the governor of the Citadel. - -"Your Highness," said Gabor, advancing and saluting, "I came upon the -governor in the act of departing from the city. Thinking that you -might like to interview him, I took the liberty of arresting him on my -own authority." - -"You have done well," replied Barbara; and then turning a cold face -upon the governor, she said: "What defence have you to make, Miroslav? -You received orders to exercise special vigilance over your prisoner, -the Duke of Bora, and yet he contrived to escape." - -"And with my connivance, so please your Highness." - -"Traitor!" said Zabern, starting up, and half drawing his sword, "you -have signed your death-warrant." - -"Your Highness, hear my story ere condemning me. At eleven o'clock -last night I was informed that a man stood at the gate of the Citadel -demanding an interview with me. I sent to ascertain his name and -business. 'Carry that to your master,' said the stranger, pencilling a -few words on a card, and enclosing it within an envelope. On opening -the envelope this is what I beheld." - -Here Miroslav drew forth a small card, which Gabor conveyed to the -princess, who started at sight of the words that were written upon it. -She handed the note to Radzivil, whose face immediately expressed the -utmost consternation. He tendered the card to Zabern, who in turn -passed it to the minister beside him, and thus amid a death-like -silence it went the round of the table. - -And the words of the note were these,-- - - _You are herewith commanded to release the Duke of Bora. - Delay will mean death to you._ - - _NICHOLAS PAULOVITCH - Czar of all the Russias._ - -"When I saw that signature," continued Miroslav, "I gave orders that -the visitor should be instantly admitted. On entering the room he -commanded my servant to retire, and then when he had withdrawn the -cloak from his face I saw that it was indeed the Emperor Nicholas. -'Have you given command for the release of my kinsman?' were his first -words. Vain was it for me to protest that I could receive such an -order only from the princess herself. 'I am the suzerain of Czernova, -and therefore above the princess,' was his reply." - -"Ha!" said Barbara, with a flash of her eyes. "And you acknowledged -his suzerainty?" - -"Your Highness is great, but the Czar is greater. Who is like the -mighty Nicholas?" - -"No one on earth, Miroslav; for which fact may the saints be praised!" -remarked Zabern. - -"Your Highness, I was so awed by the emperor's majestic presence, by -his authoritative manner, by the thought of his empire and power that -I could not do otherwise than obey him. The marshal himself would have -done the like, had he been in my place." - -Zabern repudiated the statement with a scornful laugh. - -"I brought the duke to the presence of the emperor, and the two -withdrew, going I know not where. Fearing your Highness's displeasure, -I myself quitted the Citadel, intending to fly from Czernova. I throw -myself upon your Highness's mercy." - -"It was your duty, Miroslav," returned Barbara, "to retain your -prisoner, even at the hazard of your life. In taking orders from a -foreign sovereign you have committed an act of treason. Gabor, see -that the governor be kept in the palace here till our return from the -cathedral. We will then decide as to his punishment." - -Gabor saluted, and the troop retired with their prisoner. - -"The Czar secretly in our city!" murmured Radzivil, in a tone of -dismay. "What is his object?" - -"No good to our rule, count," replied Barbara, quietly. - -The secret visit of the Czar to Slavowitz, and his act in releasing -the Duke of Bora, had so sinister an aspect that the hopeful ones -among the ministry returned at a bound to their previous state of -doubt. Were they about to witness a coronation or a dethronement? Was -the Czar preparing to intervene in the ceremony? Would the solemnity -in the cathedral end amid the mockery and the triumph of the Muscovite -faction? With a feeling of pity they glanced at their fair young -ruler, who for her part showed no sign of fear in this great crisis. -They recognized that if she should fall, she would fall with dignity. - -The breakfast ended, and Barbara retired to dress for the coming -ceremony. - -Outside, in the wide extent of ground fronting the Vistula Palace, the -long line of the procession was slowly forming under the direction of -marshals and heralds. - -Part of the procession consisted of a sort of historic pageant; its -members, attired in costumes that recalled every period of Polish -history, carried trophies and emblems, calculated to stir the -patriotic enthusiasm of the populace. - -In this pageant Katina Ludovska bore part, by far the most charming of -the maidens present, clad as she was in a dainty corselet of silvered -mail, above a dark-blue satin skirt flowered with gold. Mounted upon a -beautiful bay, she bore proudly aloft a famous historic memorial, a -standard captured by King Sigismund at the taking of Moscow, its white -silken folds distinctly stamped with the impress of a bloody hand, a -ghastly testimony to the struggle that had once raged around it. - -In riding along the line of the procession, Zabern stopped and -addressed a few words to his affianced. - -"Not pasteboard and tinsel, I trust?" he said, with a smile, and -referring to the sword by her side. - -"Real steel," replied Katina, exhibiting the blade. - -"Good! 'Tis well to go armed on such a day as this. We shall be -fighting for our liberties ere long." - -"Death before submission," replied Katina, with a brave light in her -eyes that made Zabern love her the more. - -The din caused by the marching of soldiers, the neighing of steeds, -the rolling of carriage-wheels, the snarling of silver trumpets, the -crisp, sharp word of command floated upward to Barbara's ears as she -sat undergoing her toilet at the hands of her ladies. She wondered, as -she had wondered many times that morning, how it would all end, for -assuredly no coronation could ever have been heralded with more -sinister auspices than her own. - -Partly with a view to picturesque effect, and partly that the populace -along the line of route might have a clear and uninterrupted view of -their princess, it had been decided that she should proceed to the -cathedral mounted upon a white palfrey. - -Barbara had been somewhat disposed at first to shrink from this -exposure to public gaze, but had finally consented to the arrangement, -won over by the argument that as the people would assemble for the -express purpose of seeing her, it would be a disappointment to them to -catch but a glimpse of their ruler through the windows of a -state-coach. - -To Radzivil and Zabern had been given the honor of riding side by side -with the princess, though the marshal cared much less for the honor -than for the opportunity afforded him of exercising guard over her -person, since he was not without apprehension that some fanatic -Muscovite might attempt her life during her progress through the -streets. - -The procession was timed to start at ten o'clock, and as the hour drew -near Zabern and the premier rode to the entrance of the palace, and -there waited the coming of the princess. - -The marshal was mounted upon a magnificent black charger, and made a -splendid figure, for he wore the old picturesque Polish costume, and -sparkled with diamonds from plume to spur. - -"And to think," he mused in the interval of waiting, "to think that -Captain Woodville has not yet arrived." - -"Captain Woodville?" exclaimed the premier with a start. "Surely the -princess is not recalling him?" - -"No, but I am; and his non-arrival is a grave matter for us. Were the -duke still in the Citadel, Woodville's absence might be borne with -equanimity. As it is--but here comes the princess. I must defer my -explanation." - -Punctually at one minute to ten, Barbara appeared at the entrance of -the palace, and descending the marble stairs, she mounted her white -palfrey with the assistance of Radzivil. - -Zabern at the same moment waved his plumed cap, and immediately a -salvo of artillery from the roof of the palace proclaimed to the -waiting populace that the princess was about to set off. - -Amid the roll of drums, the crash of music, and the pealing of bells -from every steeple in the city, the great brazen gates of the palace -gardens were flung wide, and there rode forth the head of the -procession, the Blue Legion, their lances flashing brightly in the -sunlight. - -As they moved out, the sight that met their eyes was sufficient to -stir the blood of the most sluggish. The centre of the road was empty, -but the sidewalks were literally paved with human heads. Every window, -balcony, and roof was alive with spectators. All Czernova was there, -every citizen apparently determined to find a place somewhere along -the line of route. Resolved to obtain a view somehow of their youthful -sovereign, men could be seen clinging in mid-air to steeples, -pediments, cornices, wherever foothold could be found. From the ground -below to the sky above nothing but human faces. - -"Sword of Saint Michael!" muttered Zabern. "A pity all have not been -trained to use the rifle. We might, then, make good defence, even -against the Czar's one hundred thousand." - -As soon as Barbara made her appearance, she was greeted with frenzied -cheering. Roar after roar rent the air. Rolling along the boulevard, -and mounting upward to the sky, the sound was almost loud enough to be -heard in the distant camp of the Czar. So great was the enthusiasm -that the troops lining the streets could with difficulty prevent the -populace from pressing forward to touch her. - -If any dissentients to her rule were present along the line of route, -they were careful to dissemble their feelings. But who could dissent -from a maiden so sweet and fair? Dressed simply in white silk, she -looked every inch a princess. Her dark hair was without covering, save -for a slender gold diadem, from which there flowed behind a veil of -diaphanous lace. - -Tears glistened in eyes that had not been wet for years. - -Aged men who had seen the great Kosciusko carried off from the fatal -field of Macicowice; veterans who, like Zabern, had marched with -Napoleon to the fall of Moscow; fugitives from Siberian mines, with -bodies scarred by the iron fetters they had worn; Polish patriots, -survivors of the ill-starred rising of '30--all were gathered that day -in the Czernovese capital to acclaim one destined, so they believed, -to revive the ancient empire of Poland. Many a salute did Zabern give, -as from time to time he caught sight among the crowd of the face of -some old familiar-in-arms. - -Barbara, however, though smiling sweetly upon all around, was inwardly -unhappy. A secret voice seemed to whisper, "Deceiver! this tribute of -loyalty is offered to Natalie Lilieska, the lawfully born daughter of -the Princess Stephanie, and not to the Barbara of doubtful origin." - -It was too late now to recede from the _role_ she had assumed, and so -amid shouting multitudes she rode on, her progress from the palace to -the cathedral being one continuous scene of triumph, unmarred by -anything of a hostile character. - -"It is here, then, that we are to look for the Czar's _coup_?" -muttered Zabern, as the cavalcade drew in sight of the stately Gothic -cathedral of Saint Stanislas, from every tower of which silver-tongued -bells were pealing jubilant carillons. - -Those in the procession whose duty or privilege it was to enter the -cathedral, made their ingress by various doors to their appointed -places; the less fortunate remained drawn up in order around the -edifice. - -As Zabern stood upon the broad flight of steps, carpeted with crimson -velvet, and surveyed the vast crowds around, his attention was -suddenly arrested by the sight of a horseman at the far end of a -boulevard which opened upon the cathedral square. As this avenue was -kept clear by the military for the return journey of the princess, -there was nothing to impede the rider's progress, and on he came with -flying rein and bloody spur. - -"A courier! a courier!" cried the people, instinctively divining that -he was the bearer of weighty tidings. "What news? What news?" - -To their cries, however, the rider remained mute. - -"By heaven, it's Nikita!" muttered the marshal. - -As the quivering steed drew up at the foot of the cathedral-stairs, -Zabern sprang to meet his orderly. - -"Now, marshal," said the latter, "play the Roman, and fall on your -sword's point, for the end has come." - -"A good many men shall fall by this blade ere it reaches my heart," -growled Zabern. "What new trouble do you bring?" - -"The chanting of the monks hath ceased; or to be plainer, the Russian -standard is floating over the Convent of the Transfiguration." - -"Speak you from hearsay merely?" - -"I speak of what I have seen." - -"The cardinal laughs at us from hell; this is the first result of his -letter. The Russian invasion has begun, then? Pretty generalship on -the part of Dorislas to let the enemy steal thus upon his rear! And -where are the monks, that they have not fired the powder-magazine, and -sent themselves and their foes flying into the air? They have sworn an -oath to do it rather than let the convent fall into the hands of the -enemy. There would not now have been one stone upon another if old -Faustus had been there." - -"It was when on my way back from the camp of Dorislas that I caught -sight of the Muscovite standard on the tower of the convent. I -immediately rode near and perceived the bayonets of the Paulovski -Guards moving to and fro along the battlements. And who should be in -command there but Baron Ostrova, the duke's former secretary--he whom -the princess banished from Czernova. I at once galloped back to our -camp with the news. Dorislas instantly set off with a thousand men; he -has invested the convent; his artillery are ready planted for shelling -the place, and he now awaits orders from you." - -"'Orders'?" repeated Zabern with contempt. "My orders should be, -'Consider yourself cashiered for incompetence.' How many Russians do -you suppose there are in the convent?" - -"I cannot state the number, marshal--sufficient evidently to overpower -the monks, and to hold the place in case of siege." - -"And the rest of the Czar's forces?" - -"Are abiding quietly in their camp on the other side of the frontier." - -"Gladly would I come, Nikita, to direct operations, but that I dare -not leave the side of the princess, for there is more danger to be -apprehended here than before the convent. Dorislas shall see me with -all speed as soon as the coronation is over. Meantime here are his -orders." - -And the marshal wrote upon a slip of paper: "Maintain cordon till my -arrival. Do nothing unless attacked.--ZABERN." - -Taking the note, Nikita rode off, his breakneck pace along the -boulevard again exciting the wonder of the populace. - -"This holding of the coronation while the foe is on Czernovese ground -might seem a jest to some," murmured Zabern; "yet if, as I am hoping, -the ceremony should tempt the Czar to come forward personally to -oppose the princess's rights, then all may yet be well. Since Nicholas -has chosen to make an armed raid upon our territory, let him not -complain if he should find himself a prisoner of war. And with the -Czar in our hands we shall be masters of the game." - -On turning to enter the porch, Zabern was met by the chief court -official, to whom had been committed all the arrangements connected -with the coronation. - -"Marshal, the cathedral is full to overflowing, and yet there are -hundreds at the northern porch clamoring for admittance, and all -provided with proper orders." - -"Very bad arrangement on your part." - -"Not so, marshal. The tickets issued did not exceed the seating -accommodation." - -"Ha!" said Zabern, alive to the significance of this statement; "you -mean that there are several hundred persons within who have no right -to be there?" - -"That is so, marshal. The whole body of the northern transept is -filled with men who, I am certain, have gained entrance by means of -forged orders. Among these men I recognize many Muscovites, not -ruffians from Russograd, but Muscovites of the nobler and wealthier -class." - -"So!" murmured Zabern. "Their plot of the barricades having been -forestalled and thwarted, the enemy are resorting to new -manoeuvres." - -"Some are in uniform, and some in court dress, and hence they are -armed with swords. If we should attempt to expel them there will be -opposition, tumult, possibly bloodshed. What's to be done?" - -"At present, nothing. Let us, if possible, avoid a riot. If they -choose to remain orderly, good; but if it be their object to oppose -the coronation by armed force, then their blood be upon their own -heads." - -"And the multitude at the northern porch?" - -"Will have to remain there, I fear," replied Zabern, shrugging his -shoulders. - -He passed from the porch to the interior of the edifice. - -The scene within fairly dazzled the eye. The rich dresses of the -ladies, the splendid military costumes of the men, formed a picture -glowing with color; on all sides were to be seen the sparkle of jewels -and the gleam of scarlet and gold. - -As Zabern slowly made his way towards his allotted seat in the choir, -he did not fail to notice certain mocking glances cast at him by the -occupants of the northern transept. Mischief was evidently the object -of their assembling; but inasmuch as they were inferior in number to -the Poles present, and as a word on his part could instantly set in -motion the military both inside and outside the cathedral, Zabern -viewed this Muscovite gathering without any alarm. - -The chancel, elevated considerably above the general level of the -cathedral-pavement, was the cynosure of all eyes. - -On the altar were the sacramental vessels, the princely regalia, and -the document supposed to be the original Czernovese Charter, never -publicly exhibited, except at a coronation. - -To the left of the altar was an oaken chair in which the princess -would sit, till the time came for her to take her place on the throne. - -Respectively north and south of the altar, and each vying with the -other in splendor of vestment, stood the two ecclesiastics who were to -officiate in the ceremony, the Greek Archpastor Mosco, and the mitred -Abbot Faustus; the latter a good man, and a stern old patriot, quite -capable, as Zabern had said, of blowing himself to fragments, if -Polish interests should require such sacrifice. - -While Zabern from his place was intently studying the occupants of the -northern transept, under the belief that the Czar was concealed -somewhere among them, a small door in the left wall of the choir -opened, and Barbara entered, bare-headed, and clothed in her -coronation-robe,--a vestment of purple velvet, bordered with ermine, -and gleaming with pearls. Four ladies attended her as train-bearers. - -Awed by the solemnity of the occasion, she was very pale, and with the -glory of the sunlight illumining her figure as she moved forward with -slow and majestic pace, she seemed to her adherents afar off like a -fair vision from another world. - -According to the prescribed ritual, the first part of the ceremony -consisted in reading a chapter from one of the Four Evangelists, a -duty which by previous arrangement fell to the lot of Mosco. - -As soon, therefore, as Barbara had taken her place in the oaken chair, -she glanced at the archpastor as a sign for him to begin. - -Now great importance was attached both by the Poles and the Muscovites -to this reading of the Gospel. The lection was neither appointed -beforehand nor chosen by the ecclesiastic officiating; it was left to -the guidance of chance, or rather, as the Czernovese themselves -believed, to the will of the Deity. The lector, following a usage of -mediaeval times, was required to open the holy volume at random and to -read the first chapter upon which his eye should happen to light. It -was believed that the portion thus hit on would contain something -applicable to the person crowned or even prophetic of the character of -the reign. - -As Mosco with dignified bearing moved to the lectern, he passed close -to Zabern, whose quick ear instantly detected a peculiar sound beneath -the archpastor's brocaded and jewelled cassock,--a sound which the -marshal could liken only to the trail of a steel scabbard. - -"As I live the fellow is armed," he muttered. "A holy prelate with a -sword beneath his gown! There's treason here." - -Zabern's first impulse was to spring up, and tearing off Mosco's -gown, to expose him to the assembly as an armed conspirator. - -It might be, however, that, like himself, the archpastor anticipated -that there would be rioting and fighting at the coronation, and hence -he had as much right as others to carry arms for his own defence. - -Zabern therefore refrained from violence, but his keen eyes were -attentive to every movement of Mosco. - -On the brazen lectern, which stood upon the edge of the choir, -directly facing the assembly, lay a volume of the Four Evangelists, -closed and clasped. - -Mosco unfastened the clasp, and then evidently wishing to be thought -clear of all suspicion of designedly choosing his lection, he turned -away his head, and with nimble fingers threw open the volume; and yet -in spite of this, Zabern was impressed with the belief that the Greek -prelate knew beforehand at what page the book was open. He had not -forgotten that this reading of the Gospel had been selected by Mosco -himself as his part in the coronation-ceremony, and he recalled the -archpastor's peculiar smile at the time of his choosing the office. -Was the mystery about to be solved? - -Turning his eyes upon the opened volume, Mosco began to read. The -lection obtained by this _sors sacra_ proved to be the opening chapter -of the Fourth Gospel. - -With a curious anticipatory interest the assembly listened to the -reading, prepared to catch at any verse which might be twisted into -some allusion to the princess and her reign. - -Mosco, in a magnificent bass voice and with majestic delivery, read -through five verses. Then, making a momentary pause, he resumed, -changing his tone to one of peculiar emphasis,-- - -"'_There was a man sent from God whose name was John_--'" - -"And there he is!" cried a voice that rang like a clarion all over -the cathedral, the voice of Feodor Orloff; "there he is! John, Duke of -Bora. People of Czernova, listen to the voice of God." - -Scarcely had the words been spoken when the Duke of Bora was seen -emerging from the northern transept. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -THE GREAT WHITE CZAR - - -The sudden utterance of Count Orloff, combined with the simultaneous -appearance of the Duke of Bora, caused an electric thrill to pervade -the cathedral. - -The holy Gospels, appealed to by a method approved by both factions -alike, seemed to have given a mandate in favor of the duke, to the -confusion of the adherents of the princess. The occupants of the -northern aisle, as well as of the northern transept, gave instant -proof of the side on which their sympathies lay. They rose to their -feet as one man, and ignoring the sacred character of the place, gave -vent to tumultuous cries. - -"The holy oracles are on our side!" - -"They bid us elect a man, and not a woman!" - -"A John, and not a Natalie!" - -"One sent from God, and not from Rome!" - -"Bora, Bora! Give us Bora! The duke is our ruler!" - -Their voices immediately became lost in the overwhelming shouts of the -Poles, who likewise rose to their feet, and replied by counter-cries. - -"The princess! the princess! We will have none but Natalie Lilieska!" -There was not a shadow of doubt in Zabern's mind that the assembling -of the Muscovites in the northern transept, the apt lection of Mosco, -the utterance of Orloff, and the sudden appearing of the duke were all -parts of a preconcerted arrangement. - -"Holy hireling of the duke!" he said, grinding his teeth and -addressing Mosco, "you have done your work. Stand from the choir, or -by heaven!" he continued, half unsheathing his sabre, "I'll add a -martyr to the Russian calendar." - -"Thou hast the wisdom of the serpent, marshal, though scarcely the -innocence of the dove," sneered the archpastor, who had many an old -score to settle with Zabern. "We will see if thy wit can get the -better of this situation. No Catholic ruler in Czernova!" - -And directing a glance of scarcely disguised hatred towards the -princess, he withdrew from the choir and took his station among the -Muscovites. - -Amid wild excitement the Duke of Bora, his face somewhat pale, -continued to advance till he reached the open space fronting the -choir, where he stood visible to all in the cathedral. - -His outward appearance was sufficiently indicative of the power upon -which he relied for support, for he was clad in the grand uniform of a -marshal of the Seminovski Guards, and carried on his breast the cross -of Saint Andrew, the blue riband of Russia. - -At his approach the princess rose from her seat. The two factions -perceiving her action, and curious to learn what she would say, ceased -their raging. - -"Marshal Zabern," cried Barbara in a voice that sounded like music -after the raucous clamor of the previous few moments: "I call upon you -to re-arrest that escaped prisoner, and to conduct him to the -Citadel." - -"You threaten me with imprisonment?" exclaimed Bora with a stern air. -"It is mine to threaten, and yours to fear. People of Czernova," he -continued, turning from the choir to address the assembly, "hear a -revelation, strange yet true. She who sits there has no right to the -crown, inasmuch as she is not Natalie Lilieska, but an impostor -bearing a marvellous resemblance to that princess. The true Natalie -died in Dalmatia more than two years ago." - -The duke's words destroyed Zabern's lingering hope that Ravenna's -letter might have miscarried, for how had Bora become possessed of his -present knowledge, except through the medium of the cardinal's dove? - -"Marshal Zabern," continued the duke, pointing to Barbara, "I call -upon you to arrest an impostor who usurps my throne." - -"And you may call," replied Zabern. - -The duke's statement drew derisive laughter from the Poles; it was too -absurd for belief, a malicious invention of a disappointed suitor. At -this point Polonaski the Justiciary, who occupied a seat directly -fronting the choir, arose and addressed the princess. - -"Lady," he began, and showing by that word that he, too, like Mosco, -had taken the side of her enemies, "lady, you have heard the duke's -accusation. Let this assembly learn from you whether the charge be -true." - -It was hard for a youthful and spirited princess to be catechised by a -minister who had suddenly turned against her. - -"Your Highness, do not answer the traitorous gray-beard," said Zabern. - -For a moment only did Barbara hesitate. - -"It is true that I am not Natalie Lilieska." - -An earthquake rocking the cathedral-pavement could not have dismayed -the Poles more than had this startling acknowledgment. True it must -be, since she herself admitted the impeachment,--an impeachment fatal -to her own interests. And if she must cease to be princess, what would -become of them under the rule of Bora? - -The Muscovites, themselves bewildered with the unforeseen turn taken -by events, sat as silent as the Poles. - -"Consider well what you say," observed Polonaski with a slight smile -of triumph. "You dethrone yourself by that statement." - -"Not so," replied Barbara. "So long as I should have lived, the -Princess Natalie could not have reigned; inasmuch as I am her elder -sister Barbara, and therefore lawfully entitled to the throne." - -The Poles raised a shout of applause; though somewhat dubious as to -the truth of Barbara's statement, they were prepared to welcome it, as -well as any other device which might deliver them from the power of -the duke. - -"Barbara Lilieska," returned the Justiciary, "is a person of whose -existence Czernova has hitherto been ignorant. Princess Stephanie, -wife of the late Thaddeus, had but one daughter, Natalie." - -"I am the daughter of an earlier marriage." - -"You bring strange tidings to our ears. It was never known in Czernova -that Prince Thaddeus was twice wedded. Have you proof of this former -marriage?" - -"Yes," replied Barbara, inspired by a sudden thought, "I will cite -yourself, Polonaski, as a witness, for at the time of my father's -demise you were present with other ministers in the death-chamber. You -can testify that Prince Thaddeus handed the diadem to me with the -words: 'To you, my daughter lawfully born, do I bequeath this crown, -to be held for the weal of Czernova.' Do you mark the words 'lawfully -born'? Ill would my sire merit his title of 'The Good' if he died in -the utterance of a lie. And what I have received, that will I keep." - -The thunders of Polish applause in no way disconcerted the calm and -forensic Polonaski. - -"The word of the dying prince is not legal proof," he answered. "And, -moreover, lady, you yourself, in concealing your own identity and in -taking the name of another, have given clear evidence of disbelief in -the claim that you now put forward." - -"People of Czernova," said the duke, raising his voice, and again -addressing the assembly, "I affirm that she who calls herself Barbara -Lilieska was not born in lawful wedlock, but is a natural daughter of -the late Prince Thaddeus, and as such is debarred from the -succession. In the days of old," he continued, "when Czernova was a -palatinate, the palatine at his investiture, was always prepared, -either in person or by deputy, to defend his rights with the sword, -nor was the rite discontinued when the palatines became princes and -the investiture a coronation. I invoke the ancient law of the land and -claim the ordeal of battle. I demand that the princess, so-called, -shall meet me by deputy in single combat. There is my gage," he added, -flinging his leathern gauntlet upon the flagstone of the choir. "Let -the sword decide between us." - -A triumphant laugh arose from the Muscovites. Where was the champion -who would face the duke's deadly blade? Not even Zabern durst pick up -that glove. Willingly would he have sacrificed his life in the cause -of the princess, but death in this case would mean her deposition. - -"The stars in their courses fight against Czernova," muttered Zabern, -clenching his one and only hand. "Long ago, foreseeing this challenge -would be given, I provided, as I thought, for the event. And now we -must decline the combat, for our swordsman," he added in despair, "our -swordsman is absent." - -"It is now eleven," remarked Polonaski. The cathedral clock was -chiming as he spoke. "The princess must appoint her champion within an -hour from the giving of the challenge, the duel itself to take place -upon the same day as the challenge. So runs the statute." - -The mild and pacific Radzivil had beheld with indignation the casting -down of the duke's glove. - -"What a return to barbarism is this," he cried, addressing the -Justiciary, "to make the crown of Czernova dependent upon the result -of a duel! The statute which you cite is five hundred years old. It is -obsolete, quite obsolete." - -"By your favor," replied Polonaski, cool and judicial as ever, "permit -me, as the highest legal authority in Czernova, to affirm that as that -law is still on the statute-book it is therefore valid and of good -effect." - -"Your contention is null and void," said Zabern, "inasmuch as the Diet -has passed a law against duelling." - -"Against ordinary duelling--true; but the recent statute contains no -clause against the coronation-combat, which, therefore, stands as part -of the law of the land." - -"The ex-Justiciary," said Barbara, deposing him from his office by a -word, even as he had deposed her by a word, "the ex-Justiciary, as the -interpreter of the law, should know that a traitor has no legal -standing. The duke has shown himself a traitor to the state, and is -therefore not in a position to impugn his sovereign." - -"No court of justice has yet proved him to be a traitor," replied the -inflexible Polonaski. "We cannot accept the word of even the lawful -sovereign as the voice of the law, still less the word of an usurper." - -"An usurper and a harlot's daughter," cried the voice of Orloff from -amid the Muscovite ranks. - -At this a deep murmur of indignation ran through the Polish part of -the assembly. - -"Men of Czernova," cried a woman's voice, "do you sit thus inactive, -letting your princess be opposed and insulted by the Czar's hirelings? -Where is the ancient spirit of the Poles fled? Would our forefathers -have won this banner if they had shown the timidity that you now -show?" - -All eyes turned towards the speaker, who was none other than Katina -Ludovska. Standing high upon a seat in the centre of the nave, she was -plainly visible to all in the cathedral. While speaking she shook out -the silken folds of the standard she had carried in the procession, -and with her drawn sword pointed to the stamp of the bloody hand. - -Her action was well understood by the Poles. What their fathers had -done they could do. Her gesture was a tacit incentive to rise, to give -battle to the Muscovites, and to sweep them from the cathedral. In -silver helm and corselet Katina stood aloft, looking like some fair -Amazon of ancient days. With eyes starry with patriotic fire, she -waved the standard, and began to sing in a firm, sweet voice that -penetrated to the most distant part of the cathedral,-- - - "Boja ro-dzica dziewica - Bojiem wslavisna Marya--" - -A wave of emotion thrilled the assembly as these words fell upon their -ears. - -"The old Polish battle-hymn!" muttered Zabern. "By God, there'll be -slaughter now." - -It was indeed the famous hymn of Saint Adalbert, the anthem accustomed -to be sung in old time by the Poles when moving forward to battle, the -paean that has struck terror to the heart of Muscovite, Tartar, and -Turk in those brave days when Poland was the bulwark of Christendom -against the barbarism of the East. - -The memory of their past glories fired the blood of every patriot in -the cathedral to an enthusiasm bordering on frenzy. Moved by a -simultaneous impulse, the whole body of Poles sprang to their feet, -drew their swords, and began to join in the refrain; and Katina's -voice was immediately drowned in one grand outpouring. - -The sparkle of a thousand sword-blades waving in the iridescent light -cast by richly stained glass, the coloring and splendor of dresses and -jewels, the magnificent roll of voices beneath the lofty Gothic -arches, the notes of the organ pealing high above the chant--for the -organist, catching the fire of patriotism, was pressing the keys of -his instrument as he had never pressed them before--were sights and -sounds that baffle description. Strong men sang with tears in their -eyes, and women fainted with emotion. - -Now, as previously stated, the Muscovites occupied the northern aisle -and its adjacent transept, a narrow space only separating them from -the Poles in the nave. Across this division the two factions glared -fiercely at each other; threats were uttered; challenges interchanged; -and when the Muscovites in turn began to raise the Russian National -Anthem the berserker spirit of the Poles broke forth. - -"Down with the Muscovites!" - -"Sweep them from the cathedral!" - -"The princess forever!" - -"No. Duke of Bora!" - -Katina herself, skilled in the use of the sword, was the first in the -fray, the standard still held in her hand. - -"Take to your guard, knouter of women!" she cried, singling out her -old enemy, the ex-governor of Orenburg. - -Her example found ready imitators, and in a moment more the clash of -steel went ringing down the northern aisle. - -Half-a-dozen Muscovites, sword in hand, sprang forward, and facing -outwards, formed a protecting circle around the person of the duke, -who, for his part, stood with folded arms, a passive and silent -spectator of the wild work that was taking place. - -Zabern, desirous of defending Katina, drew his sabre and endeavored to -force his way through the two opposing lines to the place where the -red-handed banner waved like a rallying beacon above the flashing -points of steel. - -Barbara rose to her feet and gazed with grief upon a scene, the like -of which, though rarely witnessed in modern times within the hallowed -interior of a cathedral, was familiar enough in the old Byzantine days -when the election of a bishop had often to be decided by an appeal to -arms. - -She was in the act of bidding Radzivil summon the military to part the -combatants, when a sudden and striking apparition rendered the command -unnecessary. - -"Down with your arms!" - -The voice in which these words were uttered rose like thunder above -the _melee_, compelling even the two long lines of combatants to pause -and turn their eyes towards the speaker. On the edge of the choir, and -with hand uplifted, stood a stately figure clothed in a brilliant and -imposing uniform, a figure half a head taller at least than the usual -height of men, and standing as he did upon the elevated pavement of -the choir, his stature seemed more than human. - -Though few in the cathedral had ever before seen this personage, yet -all recognized in a moment the superb brow, the severe, haughty -features, the dark eyes always melancholy, even when the mouth smiled. - -"The devil himself at last!" murmured Zabern, a grim joy stealing over -his face. "Now have the saints delivered him as a hostage into our -hands!" - -The stranger's form seemed really to dilate, as, with the voice of one -born to command, he again cried,-- - -"Down with your arms!" - -Furious conspirators, advancing to slay, had once been awed and -checked by that lofty voice, that majestic presence, which did not -fail now to produce a remarkable effect. - -"The Czar! the Czar!" cried the Poles. - -"The little father! the little father!" cried the Muscovites. - -The fighting ceased. The assailants on each side fell back. Slowly the -tumult died away in utter silence. The wounded repressed their groans; -for wounded there were; many, too, brief as had been the combat; and -one man lay dead upon the pavement, slain by the hand of a woman. - -The Czar, for it was in truth the mighty Nicholas, turned his face -slowly round upon all sides. The fiercest of the Poles felt compelled -to sheathe his blade and to resume his seat as that terrible eye fell -upon him. Who durst continue to assail a Muscovite with the lord of -the Muscovites looking on, even though that lord were without a single -guard? - -It was somewhat mortifying to Barbara's pride that the cessation of -the strife should have been caused by the authority of the Czar rather -than by her own, since it seemed to place him upon a higher plane than -herself. Clearly he had prevented a massacre of her Muscovite -subjects, and thus far thanks were due to him. But Barbara was in no -mood to offer courtesies to one who had always shown himself a bitter -enemy. The very authority now assumed by him was an infringement of -her own, and put her instantly upon her mettle. - -Among the combatants there was one at least who retained an undaunted -mien, namely, Katina. She advanced towards the choir, wiping her -reddened blade upon the silken standard, which during the fray had -become detached from the staff. - -At the edge of the choir Katina knelt. - -"Seek not pardon of me," exclaimed the Czar loftily, mistaking her -purpose. "You who commenced the fray, you who have slain one of my own -subjects!" - -"The stars shall fall from heaven ere Katina Ludovska craves pardon of -Nicholas Paulovitch," scornfully replied the Polish maiden, ever -mindful of the fact that the warrant condemning her to receive the -knout was signed with this same name, Nicholas Paulovitch. "Your -Highness," she continued, still on her knees, and addressing Barbara, -"if through zeal I have wrought amiss in slaying one who traduced the -fair name of my princess, of you alone I crave pardon." - -"If the name of him whom you have slain be Feodor Orloff," said -Barbara, "then have you done a good deed, and you need ask pardon of -none." - -A Russian governor slain in the very presence of the Czar, and the -princess justifying the deed! Barbara's ministers sat completely -dumfounded by her boldness. There were two sovereigns in the choir, -each contending for the mastery; which would prevail? - -Turning to the emperor with an air of dignity and self-possession, -Barbara said,-- - -"Let the Czar explain by what right he has set free a traitor -imprisoned by my authority." - -Such language as this was new to the autocrat, who is credited with -the saying, "Let there be no will in Russia but that of the Czar." He -glanced with surprise, not unmixed with admiration, at the young girl -who faced him so spiritedly. - -"What gives you such boldness in the presence of the Czar?" - -"The Charter of your ancestress Catherine." - -"Catherine, 'tis true, granted to the palatines of Czernova the title -of princes, but conferred no independence upon them. The story of the -Charter is a myth." - -"Your Majesty may see upon the altar here the identical document -itself, signed by the hand of the empress." - -"That," replied Nicholas, scarcely deigning to turn his eyes in the -direction indicated, "that document is a forgery, as Marshal Zabern -can prove." - -"I plainly see that a little bird has been whispering to him," -murmured Zabern to himself. - -A scornful repudiation trembled upon Barbara's lips, but it died away -when she beheld Zabern's grave look. - -"Marshal, is not that the original Charter of Catherine?" - -There was something so wistful and pathetic in her expression--an -expression which plainly said, "Let me know the worst,"--that Zabern -felt he could no longer deceive her. - -"It is a faithful transcript, so please your Highness." - -Barbara understood the significant reply. Zabern, in describing to her -the plot formed by Bora and Orloff for the destruction of the Charter, -had represented the scheme as resulting in failure. She now perceived -that from pity the marshal had kept the terrible truth from her, -endeavoring to repair Czernova's loss by means of a forged document. -Wrong of him, doubtless, but the fault lay more with those whose -wickedness had compelled him to resort to such a policy. - -Outwardly Barbara was as firm and as brave as ever, but inwardly she -felt that her throne was going, nay, had gone from her. And bitter -indeed was it to see the crafty flourishing in their craftiness. - -She beckoned Zabern to her side. - -"So, marshal," she whispered sadly, but not reproachfully, "you have -deceived me." - -"With good intent, your Highness." - -"Is forgery good?" - -"Yes, in this case. Do you blame me, princess, for seeking to maintain -the liberties of Czernova?" - -"Ill would it become me to blame you, Zabern, especially at such time -as this." - -She turned from him to listen to the Czar, who seemed to be addressing -herself and the assembly in common. - -"The marshal," he said, "dare not uphold the genuineness of the -document upon the altar. It is now manifest that Czernova can show no -valid title to the autonomy it has so long exercised. It is an -integral part of the Russian dominion, and to-day we resume our -usurped authority. As sovereign-lord of this principality we declare -the claim of the present occupant of the throne to be null and void." - -"On what ground?" inquired Radzivil. - -"On the ground alleged by the duke--illicit birth." - -Zabern marked Barbara's look of humiliation, and thought it not amiss -to give the emperor _quid pro quo_. - -"A difficult matter this proving of one's legitimacy," he observed, -turning to the assembly as if taking them into his confidence. "I have -even known emperors to be in doubt as to the true name of their -grandfathers." - -This allusion to the frailties of Catherine drew a terrible look from -the Czar. He even laid hand upon his sword; but, checking his wrath, -he resumed his speech to the assembly. - -"And though in the strict view of the law the Duke of Bora be the -rightful ruler of this principality, yet we, as suzerain, in the -exercise of our clemency will permit the princess so-called to retain -her throne, provided she can produce a champion who shall overcome the -duke in armed combat." - -"Then the duke's challenge meets with your Majesty's approval?" said -Radzivil. - -"As suzerain," replied the emperor, "it is my duty to uphold the -usages and institutions of the principality; and the Justiciary--" - -"Ex-Justiciary," corrected Barbara quietly. - -"We will not quarrel as to that. It is enough that the highest legal -authority here present has affirmed that the duke's action is in -entire assonance with the Czernovese law." - -The Czar did not add, as he might have added, that it was almost -certain that the duke would gain the crown by this arrangement, which -was the reason why he, the Autocrat, had become so suddenly favorable -to constitutionalism. It would be more polite to place his kinsman -Bora upon the throne under the guise of law, than to install him by -force of arms. Europe, then, could not so easily raise a protest. - -"If," said Barbara, addressing the emperor, "if duelling be so -agreeable to your Majesty, on what ground do you now justify your -former demand for the extradition of the duke?" - -Nicholas, little accustomed to be catechised or to give reasons for -his conduct, frowned and was silent. - -Zabern laughed. - -"Princess, you demand too much in requiring a Czar to be logical." - -"And how," asked Radzivil of the emperor, "how if we should ignore the -duke's claim and should proceed with the coronation of the princess?" - -The Czar's eyes flashed at this defiance of his authority. - -"If you will not uphold your own laws, there is a power upon the -frontier that shall compel you to do so." - -Ill-starred Barbara! Publicly stigmatized as illegitimate; her -principality void of its boasted Charter; her dream of a Polish empire -vanished; her own throne of Czernova forfeited to the duke, inasmuch -as it meant death to any one who should meet him in combat. And all -this occurring in the space of one brief hour upon the day which she -had anticipated as the most splendid of her life! - -Was this to be the end of her triumphal progress through the shouting -crowds of her capital--doomed amid the mocking laughter of the -Muscovites to quit the cathedral a discrowned princess, attended by a -melancholy train of fallen ministers? - -"I am--I AM princess!" she murmured between her set teeth. "They shall -not drive me from the throne." - -But what booted it to resist? There, a few paces off, and sternly -opposed to her, was the master of many legions, the lord of -one-seventh of the globe, who had but to give the signal, and one -hundred thousand troops would come marching across the border to do -his will. She might have Right on her side, but he had Might, and -bitterly did she realize the saying of the old Norse god: "Force rules -the world; has ruled it; shall rule it." - -Zabern, however, fertile in expedients, was not yet reduced to a state -of despair. He had formed the plan of seizing the Czar as a prisoner -of war, and of making his release conditional upon the cession of -autonomy to Czernova. If Barbara should refuse to sanction this -desperate scheme, well then he, Zabern, would act without her, finding -a higher authority in the interests of the Czernovese. Much as he -revered the princess, if that princess should refuse to be true to -herself, it would behove him to put the state before the individual. - -He was on the point of communicating his design to Barbara when -Polonaski rose to speak. - -"The hour is drawing to a close. She who calls herself princess has -but five minutes left in which to appoint her champion." - -At a sign from the Czar the Duke of Bora stepped forward to renew his -challenge. - -"Barbara Lilieska," he said amid a solemn hush, "I call upon you -either to resign the crown you have usurped, or to defend it at the -sword's point. Appoint your champion. My desire is for a man that we -may fight together." - -"Have, then, your desire!" cried a firm, clear voice. - -All eyes were immediately turned towards the speaker who had just -entered the cathedral by the western porch,--a young man with face -bronzed as if by eastern suns, his handsome, athletic figure arrayed -in a dark-blue uniform with silver facings. - -"Paul Woodville, by all that's holy!" cried Zabern in an ecstacy of -delight. - -"The man who defeated me at Tajapore," murmured the Czar darkly. - -Amid a scene of wild excitement Paul moved towards the choir, his long -cloak hanging gracefully from his shoulders, his sabre clanking -heavily upon the cathedral pavement. - -Barbara, her heart beating wildly, her lips parted in a smile, half of -pride, half of fear, watched him, knowing for what purpose he was -advancing. - -Paul reached the edge of the choir, and picking up the duke's -gauntlet, which had lain untouched for an hour, he tossed it -disdainfully against its owner's face. - -"Duke of Bora, I will do battle with you to the death on behalf of the -princess." - -"One moment, young sir," said Polonaski. "You cannot nominate -yourself. The appointment rests with the lady. Do you accept this man -as your champion?" he added, turning to Barbara. - -"Oh, no, no!" cried Barbara. "This must not be." - -A minute previously she had been longing to triumph over the Czar; now -the princess was lost in the woman. She would rather resign her throne -than put Paul's life to such terrible hazard. - -The anguish pictured on her face, her clasped hands, her form bent -forward, attested the state of her feelings towards the handsome young -Englishman. There was not one person in the cathedral ignorant of the -cause of her emotion. Her love for Paul, and the reason of his going -away, were matters well known to all the Czernovese. His sudden return -at this crisis imparted an additional interest to a tableau already -thrilling. - -"By heaven, your Highness must accept him," whispered Zabern in her -ear. "I have tested his swordsmanship in the _salle d'armes_ with a -view to this very event, and I know that the duke has no chance -against him." - -Barbara remained silent. A struggle was taking place in her mind. The -high spirit that had sustained her during the terrible strain of the -last twenty-four hours was beginning to give way. Her crown had never -brought her anything but sorrow. Why not resign it, and depart with -Paul to his own Kentish home, that home which he had so often -described to her,--a fair castellated hall shaded with beech-trees -beside a cool lake! Far happier the life of an English lady than that -of a princess ruling over a semi-barbarous people. - -Polonaski had marked Zabern's triumphant smile at the appearance of -Paul, and that smile made him somewhat uneasy, implying as it did a -firm belief in Paul's ability to overcome the duke. - -"Was not Captain Woodville banished from Czernova?" he asked; "because -if so he has no right to be on Czernovese ground." - -"Captain Woodville retired from Czernova of his own free will," -replied Zabern. "The cabinet signed no decree of banishment against -him." - -Barbara was still wavering in mind. - -"Stick to your throne," growled Zabern. - -"To hold it as a vassal of the Czar!" she murmured faintly. - -"Fear not. We'll find a way of defeating his claim of suzerainty. -What! will you desert the faithful Poles who have so long stood by -you? Will your Highness resign your throne to the duke, a traitor and -assassin, when you have the opportunity of giving him his final -quietus? Who slew Trevisa? Who burnt the Charter? Who has brought the -Russian army within our borders? Who but the duke? And now will you -let him triumph? Give the word for the duel. Princess, I know, I -_know_," he added emphatically, "that Captain Woodville will come off -victorious." - -At this point the Czar spoke. - -"The princess so-called must either appoint a champion or prepare to -abdicate." - -Despair seized the Poles at the thought of being ruled by Bora,--Bora, -who in his cups had been heard to declare that when he should come to -power, he would harness the Polish nobles to the yoke, and compel -them to plough his fields. - -Loud murmurs arose at Barbara's reluctance to accept Paul as her -champion. - -"Appoint him, your Highness, appoint him," was the cry. - -"Let Captain Woodville slay the duke, and receive the hand of the -princess as his reward," cried Zabern. "Have I not said?" he added, -addressing the assembly. - -The cathedral rang with a shout of applause, a shout that doomed the -princely marriage statute to the limbo of obsolete things. Zabern had -voiced the sentiments of the Poles. Better an untitled Englishman than -Bora. - -At that moment the first stroke of twelve chimed from the cathedral -clock. Barbara's decision, if given after the hour, would be too late. -To his dismay Zabern saw that she was on the point of swooning. - -"The word, princess, the word!" he cried, almost savagely. - -"Barbara, say the word," pleaded Paul gently. - -She looked at him, and was unable to resist the wistful, earnest -appeal of his eyes. - -"I accept--Captain Woodville--as--my--my champion," she gasped. "Oh! -what have I done?" she added in the next moment. And as the twelfth -stroke of the clock died away, she swayed helplessly forward and sank -unconscious into Paul's arms. He surrendered her light form to the -care of her attendant ladies, who immediately bore her away from the -choir to the sacristy which had served as her robing-room. - -"Duke of Bora," cried Zabern, with an exultant smile, "your last hour -has come!" - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - -THE CORONATION DUEL - - -Those who had come to the cathedral in the expectation of witnessing -an interesting ceremony were beginning to find that the reality far -surpassed the anticipation. - -A series of dramatic episodes had occurred in quick succession, but -the climax of all was now reached when it became known that the throne -of Czernova was to be put to the hazard of a duel, and a duel that was -to ensue immediately within the walls of the cathedral itself, an -arrangement due to the initiative of Zabern; for, as according to the -statute the combat must take place that same day, he had proposed that -it should be fought at once upon the open pavement fronting the choir. - -"A duel within a cathedral!" exclaimed Radzivil in amazement. - -"Why not?" asked Zabern coolly. - -"This is a consecrated place. The wilful shedding of blood here is -forbidden by the Church." - -"Well, let's take the opinion of the Church as expressed in the person -of Faustus." - -Now, sad to relate, that mitred abbot dearly loved to witness a good -fight, for he had been a soldier ere adopting the monastic profession, -and the old Adam was still strong within him. - -"This cathedral is holy ground," he began. - -"Presumably so," replied Zabern. - -"And to maintain the princess's throne and the Latin faith is a holy -deed." - -"Without doubt." - -"Then let the holy deed take place on holy ground." - -"My view of the matter." - -"But if the shedding of blood should profane a church--" - -"As the timid allege." - -"Then is the place already profaned by the blood of Orloff." - -"True." - -"Therefore this being now common ground the duel can take place -without occasion of profanation." - -"Faustus, thou reasonest well. Gentlemen, we have heard the voice of -the Church. _Fiat voluntas ecclesiae._ Let the combat take place here, -and now." - -"Good!" commented Paul, who had listened in silence to this dialogue. -"It cannot come too soon." - -A remark echoed by the ferocious Bora, confident in his ability to -overcome the other. - -Paul now found his hands grasped by those of admiring ministers, all -of whom were anxious that he should forget how near they had come to -banishing him by public edict. - -In the midst of their congratulations Paul was approached by a -lady-in-waiting, who brought word that the princess desired to speak -with him ere the duel should begin. - -"Go to your dalliance," sneered Bora, who had overheard the message. -"It will be your last." - -"If your grace will take counsel of an enemy," replied Paul, "you will -seek the ministration of a priest, for you never needed it more." - -There was something in Paul's quiet and confident manner, something -far removed from boasting, that sent a momentary uneasiness to the -hearts of both Bora and of his imperial patron, the Czar. - -Paul followed his conductress to the sacristy, where he found Barbara -attended by her ladies, who had divested her of her heavy coronation -robes. The pure white of her silk dress was not whiter than her face -at that moment. - -At a sign from the princess the attendants withdrew, leaving her alone -with Paul. - -"What a pity," murmured one, "if so handsome a hero should die!" - -Barbara rose to her feet, but so great was her emotion that she would -have fallen, had not Paul caught her in his arms, where she reclined, -clinging convulsively to him. - -"Oh! Paul, Paul," she murmured, and for a long time she could do no -more than repeat his name. - -The sweetness and the pain at her heart! Was this a meeting or a -parting? Her throne, her power, her wealth, her triumphs in the -diplomacy and the Diet were all as nothing in comparison with her love -of Paul. He was her dearest possession, and yet--and yet--this clasp -of his arms might be the last! Within an hour his corpse might be -carried out of the cathedral, and the voice of the Czar would proclaim -her downfall, and the accession of Bora. And what would life be -without Paul? - -"Do not weep, Barbara," he cried, tenderly stroking her dark hair. -"This day shall prove the brightest of your life." - -But Barbara failed to see how this could be. To her it would ever -remain as the most wretched, for even if she should triumph over Czar -and duke, that would not remove the reproach of illegitimacy publicly -cast in her teeth. She shivered at the recollection. Of all the -incidents which had happened that day, this--the imputed stain on her -birth--had most wounded her pride. Would she ever be able to disprove -the charge? But it was not the time to be thinking of this now. - -"Oh! Paul," she murmured, "it is selfish, it is wrong of me to hazard -your life in this barbarous fashion." - -"It is too late to plead now," he answered gravely. "I have publicly -accepted the honor--for an honor it is--of acting as the princess's -champion, and not even Barbara herself shall dissuade me to withdraw." - -"But are you certain, quite certain, that you will be victorious?" - -"Try me," said Paul grimly. - -"How can I let you do this?" she cried in an outburst of anguish. "I -will resign my crown. We will go away together to some other land -where happiness may be found. Say 'yes' to this. Oh, Paul, -don't--_don't_ fight. If you should fall--" - -"No fear of that, since your throne depends upon the issue." - -"My throne!" repeated Barbara bitterly. "What pleasure can it give me -now? The Czar has learned that our Charter is no more. He claims -Czernova as part of his empire. If I should continue to rule I must -rule merely as his vassal. Consider the humiliations to which I shall -be subjected. Is it worth while risking your life in order to preserve -for me a gilded mockery of power?" - -How could Paul smile at the prospect presented by her words? Yet he -did, pleasantly and tenderly. - -"Sweet princess!" he said, "for princess you are, and princess you -shall remain, take courage." He turned her beautiful face upward to -his own, and gazed into the depth of her dark eyes, on whose silken -lashes the tear-drops glittered. "During my absence I have worked for -the good of Czernova. I have splendid tidings for you. Fear no more -the machinations of Russia. From this day forth you are firmly seated -upon the throne." - -The sudden and unaccountable joy that filled Barbara's heart at that -moment almost effaced the thought of the coming duel. - -"Oh, Paul, what--what do you mean?" - -"That I have accomplished my mission. But ere explaining let me first -dispose of the duke; otherwise when the great news which is now on -its way reaches Slavowitz, he may seek to escape in the train of the -Czar, which must not be, for Trevisa's death calls for atonement." - -Though full of wonder, Barbara succeeded in repressing her curiosity, -and said,-- - -"Paul, you do not wish me to be a witness of this duel? I mean," she -added timidly, "if you think that--that--" - -"That I shall fight with better success if you are looking on? No, -Barbara, it is no sight for your gentle eyes. Remain here till it is -over. And do not fear for me," he continued, kissing her tearful face, -"I am more than a match for the duke. From boyhood upward to excel in -sword-play has been my ambition. Rarely have I let a day pass without -exercise. I can see now that Providence has been training my arm for -this very event." - -His words inspired Barbara with a momentary confidence. - -"You will succeed, Paul. Heaven will help you, for you fight in a -righteous cause. Oh, are you going? So soon? Why, we have but just -met. Not yet--not yet. A minute longer--one more kiss--lest--lest--it -should be--the last--O Paul--don't go--no--no--" - -He kissed her tenderly, gently removed her clinging arms, and quitted -the sacristy. - -The Duke of Bora, who was sitting beside his great kinsman, the Czar, -scowled as Paul made his appearance in the choir. The dullest -imagination could picture the tender interview that had taken place in -the sacristy. All knew that Paul had come to the combat with Barbara's -kiss dewy on his lips. - -"But for yon fellow," muttered Bora, "I might now be the consort of -the princess." - -"The fair lady loves power," replied the emperor. "She may yet consent -when she sees the crown on your brow. See, the herald summons you. Now, -Bora, play the man, and you are prince by the law of Czernova itself. -All Europe will be unable to dispute the legality of your title." - -The two duellists did not immediately take to the sword and engage. -The coronation-rubric prescribed certain formalities--relics of a -mediaeval usage--in connection with the championing of the sovereign; -and these a herald, dressed in the quaint antique costume of his -office, proceeded to carry out. - -"Let the champions come forward." - -Paul, with a smile serene and high, stepped to the appointed place, -namely, the space fronting the choir. Sand had been sprinkled upon the -pavement to absorb the blood that might be shed, and to prevent the -combatants' feet from slipping. - -Bora with a scowling brow faced his opponent. - -"Do you, Paul Cressingham Woodville, affirm that she who calls herself -Barbara Lilieska is the true and lawful ruler of this principality of -Czernova?" - -"I do." - -"And do you, John Lilieski, affirm that you yourself are the true and -lawful ruler of this principality of Czernova?" - -"I do." - -"And to prove your respective contentions, are you each willing to -submit to the ordeal of battle?" - -The champions signified their assent. - -The herald then proceeded to explain the conditions that were to -regulate the combat. Swords of a certain length were to be the weapons -used. From beginning to end the duel was to be continuous without any -interval for rest or refreshment. Each was to fight till his opponent -should be destroyed, for quarter was neither to be given nor accepted, -and though the life-blood were being drained from the combatants the -wounds were not to be stanched. - -By a solemn oath repeated after the herald, each champion bound -himself to observe these regulations. Hence it was certain that one, -possibly both, would not leave the cathedral alive, a fact which -imparted a terrible interest to the coming combat. - -"No quarter! that's a good rule," remarked Zabern to Katina, who sat -beside him. "The craven duke would be begging for his life, and we -want no more Boras in Czernova." - -"The champions will now take their position for the combat," cried the -herald. - -The duellist when hard pressed is apt to give way before his opponent. -In the present case, however, advance or retreat, save within very -narrow limits, was rendered impossible. - -Fixed in the stone flooring was a ring of brass designed for raising a -slab that covered a stairway leading to a crypt below. The right ankle -of each combatant was attached to this same ring by a strong cord six -feet in length, thus confining their movements within a circle of four -yards in diameter. - -These preparations raised the interest of the spectators to a high -pitch. A dreadful sensation thrilled the ladies present as they -watched the champions during the process of cording; the men, more -cool and critical, strove to predict the victor from the physique -presented by each of the opponents. - -Judged thus, the advantage seemed to be on the side of the duke, whose -frame was powerful and massive; Paul was not equal in stature to his -antagonist, was of more slender build, and any superiority derivable -from his greater activity was somewhat nullified by the restraining -cord. - -The circumstances attending this combat contributed to render it -unique in the annals of Czernovese duelling. - -The one champion, Bora, stimulated by the presence of his imperial -patron, the mighty Czar, fought to gain a crown; the other, Paul, for -the hand of a fair princess. There was a coloring of romance about the -affair strongly suggestive of the days of chivalry, and this was -enhanced by the quaint character of the ritual employed. - -Each of the Czernovese factions was confident of the success of its -champion. The Muscovites boasted of the duke's thirty duels, from all -of which he had emerged victorious without taking a wound. The Poles -had no such record to show on behalf of their champion; his brilliant -feat in the _salle d'armes_ was unknown to them, but they had marked -Zabern while Paul was lifting the duke's glove, and they felt that the -marshal must have had good cause for the grim joy that had appeared on -his face. Moreover, Paul's gallant defence of Tajapore was still fresh -in their minds; his triumph over the Czar's policy in the East was an -augury of a similar triumph in the West, and contributed to give a -piquant zest to the coming duel. At any rate, his cold, flashing eye, -compressed lips and resolute mien showed that he was a dangerous -opponent. - -As soon as Paul had removed his coat and vest the herald placed his -hand beneath his shirt. - -"To ascertain whether you wear an under-tunic of mail," he explained -in answer to Paul's look of surprise. - -"Do you deem me a person of so little honor?" - -"This scrutiny is so enjoined by the rubric," remarked the herald, as -he subjected Bora to the same inspection. - -The weapons next occupied the herald's attention. - -The duke had come prepared for the contest, and hence his blade was of -the length prescribed by the statute; Paul's sword fell short of this -by two inches, and though he much preferred to fight with his own -weapon, the herald would not permit him to do so. - -"My blade is of the requisite length," said Zabern, "and I can warrant -it tried steel. Take it; you will make it historic. It has already -shed the blood of a cardinal; why not that of a duke? There will be a -sort of poetic justice in despatching the princess's two enemies with -the same weapon." - -"You seem very confident, marshal," sneered Bora. - -"Very confident, your grace. You see there's no princess to intervene -this time." - -The herald having tested the length and flexibility of Zabern's sword -returned it to the marshal, saying, as he did so,-- - -"Pierce your skin with the point." - -Zabern instantly pricked the palm of his hand till the blood flowed, -while the duke did the like with his own weapon. - -The puzzled Paul looked inquiringly at Zabern, who explained that it -was an old usage in Czernova, adopted as a precaution against poisoned -blades. - -The two combatants were now bidden to stand as far apart as the cords -would permit, and each after kissing his blade held it vertically -aloft, repeating after the herald the following oath,-- - -"Hear, O ye people, that I have this day neither eaten nor drunk -aught, nor have I upon my person either charm or amulet, nor have I -practised any enchantment or sorcery, whereby the law of Heaven may be -abased, or the law of Satan be exalted. So help me God and His -saints!" - -Very absurd and mediaeval, no doubt, but being a part of the ancient -ritual its enunciation was required from each champion. - -The news of the coming duel had been announced to the populace -without, and their cries of excitement contrasted strangely with the -deadly stillness that reigned within the interior of the fane. - -Upon that part of the cathedral roof that overlooked the square, a -group of soldiers could be seen standing about a flag-staff, at the -foot of which were two banners, one white, the other black. The eyes -of all the people below were set upon this flag-staff, when it became -known that the hoisting of the white standard would signify the -triumph of the princess's champion, and the black standard his defeat. - -The time for the great contest had now come, and the herald stepped -backward a few paces. - -"May Heaven defend the right! In the name of God--fight!" - -As the blades clashed together the spectators drew a deep breath. The -time occupied by the preliminaries, though in reality very brief, had -seemed so long that the beginning of the duel came as an actual -relief. - -A shiver of expectancy ran around the cathedral. Five thousand pairs -of eyes were riveted upon the choir, and upon naught else. The -loveliest lady present might have sighed in vain for a single glance. - -Abbot Faustus had sunk upon his knees by the altar, and was now -telling his beads, but though his spiritual eyes might be directed -towards heaven, his earthly vision was certainly fixed upon the two -combatants, as Katina observed to Zabern. - -"Well, he can cite Moses as a precedent," remarked the marshal, as he -sat down to watch the fray. Loving a good fight, Zabern viewed the -present spectacle with a real sense of enjoyment, untroubled by any -doubt as to the result. - -The Czar, with his strong liking for everything military, was likewise -in his element. He sat, bent forward, resting the point of his sabre -upon the pavement, and his hands upon the hilt, prepared to view the -display of swordsmanship with the critical eye of a _maitre d'armes_, -as confident in the triumph of Bora as Zabern was in that of Paul. - -The Duke of Bora, burning to distinguish himself in the presence of -the Czar, and apparently desirous of terminating the combat in the -shortest space of time possible, made so furious an attack upon Paul -that the latter could do no more than remain on the defensive. So -weighty was the descent of Bora's blade that Paul's arm tingled at -each shock; so swift his tierce that his sabre-point was often swept -aside when within an inch only of Paul's breast. In truth the eye -could scarcely follow the movement of the blades, which in their -rapidity resembled flashes of light, rather than pieces of steel -wielded by human hands. - -The duke pressed his adversary yet harder, compelling him to recede -inch by inch to the end of his tether, a retrogression which, added to -the fact that Paul did not return the cut and thrust of his opponent, -occasioned grave misgiving in the minds of the Polish spectators. - -"Our champion has degenerated since the day he surprised us in the -_salle d'armes_," murmured the premier in alarm. - -"Bah! my good Radzivil," returned Zabern confidently, "cannot you see -that he is letting the duke exhaust himself? Bora is rash in thus -pouring out his strength like water. This is too violent to last long. -Ah! said I not so? First blood to us!" - -The duke had failed to preserve his guard, and as a result Paul's -weapon had penetrated his side to the depth of a quarter of an inch, a -feat performed with such quickness that though all were watching, few -perceived it. - -"The duke is wounded." - -"He is not." - -Doubt vanished with the appearance on Bora's white shirt of a small -red disk that began slowly to expand. - -Zabern smiled grimly at the bewilderment of the duke, whose air -resembled that of a bull in the Spanish arena when first pierced by -the dart of the banderillero--the air of amazement as to how the thing -could have happened, mingled with incredulity that any one should -have ventured to play such a trick upon him. - -This was the first wound ever received by him in his character as -duellist, and the blow thus given to his prestige stung the duke far -more than the mere physical pain caused by the stab. Its occurrence, -however, at this stage was timely, for it served to check his fiery -conceit and to teach him caution; it behoved him to guard as well as -to assail. - -Paul's vigilance in detecting an error on his adversary's part raised -the spirit of the Poles to a high degree, while the feeling of the -Muscovites underwent a corresponding depression. - -"Good for the Englishman," cried a Pole. - -"He is the duke's match," exclaimed a second. - -The combat being now waged with more caution on the part of the duke, -there ensued a really brilliant display of swordsmanship, which, -interesting to the civilians, was far more so to the military officers -present, from whom came subdued murmurs of admiration. - -"Humph!" said Zabern, conscious that the duke was now in his best -form. "The great Napoleon, with whom I once dined, made remark to me, -'Scratch a Russ, and you will find a Tartar.' In the present instance, -however, the scratch seems to have made our Russ more cool." - -The Czar, who had overheard these words, so far permitted his -curiosity to overcome his dislike of Zabern as to ask coldly,-- - -"Where did you dine with Napoleon?" - -"Beneath the roof of the Kremlin, sire," replied Zabern, with an -ironical salute. - -The emperor repressed his wrath, and turned again to view the strife. - -Every movement of the blades was watched in fear and trembling by the -Polish spectators, who felt that it was a fight betwixt liberty and -despotism; a mortal thrust on the part of the duke would leave them -but a shadow of that freedom which they had enjoyed under the _regime_ -of the princess. - -Many of the ladies present, unable to endure the sight, averted their -eyes, and then, impelled by a dreadful curiosity, turned to gaze -again. Some looked on with handkerchiefs pressed to their mouths to -check the screams which might have disconcerted the combatants. -Intense emotion caused a few to swoon away. - -The tide seemed to be turning in favor of Paul. He began to press the -duke, whose strength was beginning to fail. Mighty in a first onset, -he lacked the steady endurance of his adversary. Suddenly, while -bending sideways to avoid a thrust which he had failed to parry, Bora -lost his balance and fell. In falling, his sword flew from his hand. - -And there he was, resting upon one knee, defenceless, at the mercy of -his opponent. - -The spirit of chivalry restrained Paul from giving the fatal stroke. - -"I cannot slay an unarmed man," he said. - -"What folly is this?" cried Zabern, starting up in wrath. "Did he -spare Trevisa? Would he spare you if you were now in his place? This -is no time for generosity or mercy. The princess's throne is at stake. -Strike and spare not." - -Bora neither moved nor spoke, awaiting his end in trembling terror. -Paul's refusal to strike evoked the long-suppressed feelings of the -Poles. - -"Kill! kill!" - -The lofty arches rang with excited cries. Even tender ladies, carried -away by the heat of the moment, added their voices to those of the -men. Paul, looking around upon the assembly, saw nothing but a forest -of waving hands, and a multitude of fierce-gleaming eyes urging him to -the bloody work. - -"No quarter can be granted," said the herald. "You have each sworn an -oath to slay, or be slain." - -But inasmuch as Paul was not to be moved from his purpose, there was -no other course left than to permit the duke to resume the combat. - -"You have given him time to recover himself," grumbled Zabern, as he -sat down again. "It is a violation of the rules." - -During his discomfiture, Bora had glanced more than once at the Czar, -as if supplicating his intervention. But the emperor sat impassive as -a statue, ignoring the silent appeal. Relying on the duke's boastful -assurances of victory, Nicholas had assented to the policy of the duel -as a convenient and constitutional way of deposing the princess. It -now seemed that this plan would fail. Then let the duke pay the -penalty merited by his presumption. Woe to the man who deceives the -Czar! Bora's heart sank within him at sight of the emperor's cold -face. - -The contest now entered upon its last, its fatal phase. - -Equality had disappeared between the two champions; the duel was -virtually over; the result known to all present; it was merely a -question of time. - -And the person most conscious of this was the duke himself. His -confident swagger had vanished. He was fighting now, not for glory or -a throne, but for dear life itself. - -He made no attempt to assail Paul. Why should he? He could do no more -than he had done. He had tried again and again to reach his adversary, -and with graceful ease Paul had parried each cut and tierce. He could -escape death only by some negligence on the part of his opponent, but -that opponent was too keen to be caught erring. - -Little by little Bora was forced backwards, till at last further -retreat was rendered impossible by the cord attached to his ankle; yet -farther back he must go if he must avoid that sabre-point, which, -swift and deadly as the tongue of a serpent, glittered continually -within an inch of his face and breast. - -His strength was ebbing fast; his arm had grown completely wearied by -the constant parrying; he longed to throw away his weapon and cry for -mercy; but for the restraining cord he would have cast himself at the -feet of the Czar to implore his intervention. The despair pictured on -his face produced a painful feeling among the more sensitive portion -of the spectators. - -With vision continually blurred by the great drops of sweat that hung -from his eyebrows, the duke struggled on, till at last came the end. - -Tempted from his defensive Bora made a sudden thrust, and his -sabre-point entered a tiny orifice in the ornamental work that formed -the cross-guard of Paul's sword. Lunging with wild vehemence, Bora was -unable to check his impetus, and the result was that the blade of his -weapon instantaneously curved upwards with such force as to snap in -two, while at the same moment Paul's sabre, darting forward -horizontally, entered the duke's breast, and passed out under his left -shoulder. - -Bora's arms flew aloft with a convulsive jerk; the fragment of his -blade dropped with a ringing sound upon the pavement; he gave a -strange gasping sigh, and then his body slid from Paul's blade and lay -on the floor in a huddled heap. - -"Now, I call that a very pretty fight," remarked Zabern. - -A long shout of triumph arose from the Poles, followed a few seconds -later by a tremendous roaring from the populace outside, as the white -standard flew up the flagstaff, announcing the victory of the -princess's champion. - - - - -CHAPTER XX - -ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL - - -As the Czar beheld his champion lying dead, a wave of anger swept over -him, suppressed immediately by his stern fortitude. - -"The word of the Czar is sacred," he cried, rising from his seat and -addressing the assembly. "Barbara Lilieska is Princess of Czernova. -Let the coronation proceed." - -Paul, released from the cord that had confined him to the place of -combat, here turned and confronted the emperor. - -"Your Majesty," he remarked, with a somewhat cold expression, "ere -claiming to exercise suzerainty in Czernova, will do well to await the -arrival of your Foreign Minister now on his way hither." - -The Czar stared haughtily at Paul, having no idea whatever of his -meaning, while Zabern, equally mystified, murmured,-- - -"In the name of the saints, explain your saying." - -Paul whispered a few words into the ear of the marshal, who received -the communication with an expression of incredulity. - -"It is true," asseverated Paul. "And," he added, "here comes the -confirmer of my words." - -A slight commotion here took place at the far end of the cathedral, -and there entered a man of distinguished presence whom Zabern -immediately recognized as the Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs. -Then the marshal no longer doubted. His face became lighted with an -expression of joy, succeeded the next moment by one of trouble. - -"The Convent of the Transfiguration!" he murmured. - -"There is our danger. We are lost if our secret documents fall into -the Czar's hands. And how is it to be prevented with a Russian -regiment in possession of the monastery?" - -The newcomer on entering had thrown a quick glance around, and -catching sight of the emperor standing upon the edge of the choir, he -at once made his way to the imperial presence. - -"Count Nesselrode! you here! How is this?" asked the Czar, perceiving -plainly that trouble was in the air. - -"A despatch from the Court of St. James's, requiring your Majesty's -immediate attention," replied Nesselrode, sinking upon one knee as he -presented the document. "On receiving it from the British ambassador, -I instantly set off for Zamoska, travelling day and night; and, -learning on my arrival there that you would be found in the cathedral -of Slavowitz, I have hastened hither. A grave despatch, your Majesty," -he added in a lower tone, "a despatch affecting this very -principality. Hence my haste to deliver it to you." - -The emperor sat down again, broke the seal of the envelope, unfolded -the despatch, and proceeded to read it with a darkening countenance. - -The only person in the cathedral whose eyes were not set upon the Czar -at this particular juncture was Zabern, who was himself occupied in -the reading of two very interesting documents which had just been put -into his hands. - -During the course of the duel there had entered the cathedral the -chief of the Police Bureau, who had personally taken upon himself to -investigate matters relative to the murder of Cardinal Ravenna. His -search in the archiepiscopal palace had resulted in the finding of -certain papers, so extraordinary in their character that the -police-official felt constrained to hasten at once to Zabern with the -news of his discovery. The sight of the duel had kept him dumb and -motionless, but as soon as it was over he had hurried to the side of -Zabern. - -"Marshal," he whispered, "what name did the Czar give to our -princess?" - -"Barbara Lilieska. That is her true name, Casimir." - -"Then these papers do not depose her?" said the chief of the police, -exhibiting what he had found. - -"Depose her?" repeated Zabern, as he ran his delighted eye over the -document. "By the soul of Sobieski, you could not have brought a more -acceptable gift to her Highness. This will--" - -"Marshal, is it true that the princess has not yet been informed of -the result of the duel?" - -It was Paul who spoke, and he spoke with some warmth. - -"Such have been my orders." - -"Why do you prolong her suspense?" - -"Who more fitting than the victor himself to convey the glad tidings? -Go. Carry these papers with you. Tell the princess that they were -found in the cardinal's palace!" - -Taking the documents from the hand of Zabern, Paul proceeded to the -sacristy, where he had left Barbara. - -She was alone on her knees in prayer. She had heard the rapturous -applause ringing through the cathedral aisles; she had heard the still -louder shout from the square, and had trembled, knowing that all was -over. - -But when moment after moment went by and no one came with tidings, a -black pall of horror fell over her. It must be that the duke's sword -had prevailed, and that her friends from pity hesitated to come -forward with the truth. - -The door opened, yet she durst not turn her head. - -Through the corridor came the solemn roll of the organ, and with it -the voices of the white-robed choir: "_Deposuit potentes et exaltavit -humiles_." - -Why had Faustus ordered the "Magnificat" to be sung? Could it be -that--? - -"Barbara!" - -A delicious feeling of relief thrilled her whole frame as that word -fell on her ear. - -She looked up from her knees. Yes, it was the living Paul, and not his -spirit; Paul smiling tenderly, and apparently unhurt. She tried to -speak, but emotion checked her utterance. Paul raised her drooping -figure from the ground and girdled her in a grasp of iron. - -"My sweet floweret. You must not faint. All is well. Your throne is -safe." - -"Your life is safe," she faintly articulated, "and that is all I care -for." - -Then followed a long interval of silence. Their joy was too deep for -words. At last Barbara spoke. - -"And is Bora really dead?" - -"May all enemies of the princess be as the duke is." - -"And you? Are you not wounded--hurt?" she asked, holding him at arm's -length. - -"There is not a scratch upon me." - -"And the Czar--?" - -"Is taking a lesson in the school of humiliation." - -And here Paul proceeded to relate what he had been doing during his -absence. He had gone away boldly resolved on making an attempt to -persuade the English Foreign Secretary to interest himself on behalf -of Czernovese liberty. - -With this view, then, Paul, on the very first night of his arrival in -London, called at the residence of Viscount Palmerston, and sent in -his card. That statesman had no sooner read the notable name "Paul -Woodville," than he gave orders that the visitor should be instantly -admitted to his presence. - -He received Paul with great affability, expressing his regret that a -young soldier, certain of promotion, should have so strangely quitted -the service of a great empire for that of one of the smallest states -in Europe. - -"You have sadly disappointed the British public," he remarked with a -smile. "We were preparing great honors for you in England." - -"I desire no other honor, my lord," replied Paul, boldly, "but that -England should observe towards my adopted home that faith to which she -stands pledged by the Treaty of Vienna." - -Now it was a point in Paul's favor that Lord Palmerston had warningly -declared from his place in the House of Commons at the close of the -session of '46 that "The Governments of Austria, Russia, and Prussia, -would recollect that if the Treaty of Vienna was not good on the -Vistula, it might be equally invalid on the Rhine and on the Po." -Therefore he became immediately attentive when Paul began to hint at -an intended violation of this treaty; ever the friend of nationalities -striving to be free, he listened with considerable warmth and -indignation as his visitor went on to describe the insidious attempts -made by Russia to undermine the independence of Czernova. - -At this particular date Russia was the _bete noire_ of Lord -Palmerston, who had long viewed with misgiving the continual advance -of that Power in the direction of India. He had learned from the -despatches forwarded both by Paul and by other officers, that a -considerable body of Russians had joined the Afghans in the attack -upon the British garrison at Tajapore; but since it could not be -proved that these auxiliaries had acted with the authority, or even -with the knowledge of the Czar's ministry, the English cabinet had -been obliged to let the matter pass. - -The affairs of Czernova, however, seemed to afford a favorable -opportunity, both for administering a check to Russia's growing spirit -of aggression, and also of asserting British authority in the councils -of Europe. - -Accordingly, when certain of the Continental powers had been sounded -as to their views upon the matter, the English ministry, after due -deliberation, decided to uphold that clause of the Vienna Treaty which -guaranteed independence to Czernova. - -A Queen's messenger carrying the cabinet's decision was despatched to -St. Petersburg. Paul himself had accompanied this emissary, and after -lingering a day or two by the Neva, had set off for Czernova, so -arranging the stages of his journey that he might reach Slavowitz on -the eve of the coronation. An unforeseen breakdown on the way had -delayed him by twenty-four hours. - -"The English ambassador at St. Petersburg," he added, "favored me in -confidence with an outline of 'Old Pam's' despatch. Ignoring the -Charter altogether, it declares that Czernova shall continue to -exercise that independence which it has exercised since 1795." - -"But," said Barbara, who had listened in breathless wonder, "to what -point is England prepared to go in order to maintain the integrity of -Czernova?" - -"To the point of the bayonet, if necessary. The present despatch, I am -given to understand, contains no threats, but its language, though -diplomatically polite, is quite unmistakable. France, too, is with us -in this matter; the Porte likewise, and the Kingdom of Sardinia. -Therefore, take courage, Barbara. The Czar will not risk a European -war for the sake of Czernova." - -For a moment the princess gazed at Paul, admiration, pride, and love -shining from her eyes. Then with a low, sweet cry of rapture she flung -herself into his arms. - -"Paul, you have saved Czernova," she said. - -Paul here ventured to call Barbara's attention to the papers entrusted -to him by Zabern. - -No sooner did the princess realize the character of the documents than -she gave a second cry of delight. The one document was a certificate -of marriage between Thaddeus Lilieski, Prince of Czernova, and one -Hilda Tressilian; the other a baptismal certificate of an infant, -Barbara Lilieska, described as the daughter of the aforesaid Thaddeus -and Hilda. - -How these documents came into the possession of the cardinal could -only be surmised. Probably he had secured them prior to springing his -plot upon Thaddeus, conjecturing that the prince, on seeing the claims -of his beloved daughter Natalie threatened, would do his best to -destroy all proofs of Barbara's relationship to himself. Afterwards, -when Thaddeus became anxious to establish the fact that he had another -and a legitimate daughter, Ravenna had maintained silence respecting -these documents, thinking perhaps that secrecy would be more conducive -to his own interests. - -Be that as it may, there the documents were, and their genuineness was -not called in question by the legal experts, to whose inspection they -were afterwards submitted. - -Paul, gazing upon Barbara, saw her face "as it had been the face of an -angel." No marvel that she was filled with an exquisite sense of joy! -She was now free from the imputation of illegitimacy. She could assume -her rightful name instead of masquerading under a false guise. The -sword of Paul had kept her throne from becoming the prize of the duke; -and, thanks to the aegis of Britain, Czernova was safe from the -aggression of Russia. - -Best and sweetest thought of all, there was now no obstacle to her -union with Paul, for who among her ministers would oppose her marriage -with the gallant Englishman who had saved the principality? - -The sound of approaching footsteps caused the princess to withdraw -from the arms of Paul; and immediately afterwards Zabern entered the -sacristy, followed by Katina and by most of the ministry. - -"Princess," said Zabern solemnly, and Barbara observed that there were -tears in his eyes; "princess, amid your joy give a thought to the -brave men who have died to save our secret." - -"What mean you, marshal?" - -"Early this morning the Convent of the Transfiguration was seized and -occupied by a regiment of the Paulovski Guards." - -"By that act, then, the Czar has violated the Treaty of Vienna." - -"True; but considering what that convent contained," said Zabern with -a melancholy smile, "we shall act wisely in ignoring this raid upon -our territory, especially as the Czar has paid the penalty of his act -by losing a splendid regiment. Dorislas, who invested the convent, has -just sent this message." - -Zabern handed the princess a note inscribed with the following -words,-- - -"At noon convent blew up with tremendous explosion. Building and -inmates reduced to atoms. Some of our men injured by falling debris, -but none killed.--DORISLAS." - -Barbara's face saddened. - -"So the monks kept their vow," she murmured, "and fired the -powder-magazine, sacrificing their own lives to save us from -discovery." - -"Fortunately your Highness has saved Faustus by inviting him here to -crown you, and yet the old abbot is grieving because he has not died -with the rest of his brethren." - -"Though it be harsh to say it," remarked Paul, "the destruction of -that monastery is, under the present circumstances, the best thing -that could have happened to Czernova. If it could be proved that the -principality is the nucleus of Polish conspiracies directed against -the Czar's rule, the protecting arm of England will of necessity be -withdrawn. This thought troubled me during my interview with Lord -Palmerston." - -"Then we will not abuse the good-will of England," commented the -princess. "From henceforth I cease to be a conspirator. My dream of a -wider realm is over. I must leave to others the liberation of Poland," -she continued with a sigh. "But," she added, knitting her brows, "a -conspirator I must be, _nolens volens_; for have I not secretly -pledged my written word to assist Kossuth and the Magyars with gold, -if not with arms?" - -"Your Highness, I am happy to state that the treaty is non-existent," -remarked Radzivil. "The Hungarian envoy who carried the treaty, while -endeavoring to pass the Austrian frontier in the dark, was detected -and chased by the sentinels; knowing that it meant death to be caught -with the document upon his person, he, seeing his pursuers gaining -upon him--" - -"Destroyed the treaty?" - -"Effectually, for he _ate_ it." - -Barbara smiled sadly as she replied, "Kossuth will deem me unjust, but -I fear there can be no renewal of the treaty." - -"Your Highness," said Radzivil, with a significant glance at Paul, -"the first act of to-morrow's Diet shall be the repeal of the princely -marriage statute." - -"But," whispered Zabern to Katina, "since no such statute bars our -way, why should not old Faustus make us one ere the night come?" - -Katina blushed and averted her head. But, be it noted, she offered no -opposition to the marshal's desire. - -"Princess," said Zabern, glancing at his watch, "your coronation has -been delayed two hours by the action of the duke and the Czar. Your -loyal subjects in the cathedral are beginning to ask whether there is -to be any coronation. Let your Highness resume your place in the -choir, and receive your lawful crown, thus triumphing in the very -presence of the Czar." - -The party withdrew from the sacristy, and the ladies entered to aid -the princess in her robing. - -As Paul made his appearance in the choir, he was greeted with a cry -which, rolling through the cathedral and penetrating to the sacristy, -caused Barbara's cheek to color with pride and pleasure. For that cry -was-- - -"LONG LIVE PAUL, PRINCE OF CZERNOVA!" - - -THE END - - - - -LITTLE, BROWN, & CO.'S - -New and Popular Fiction - - -IN THE COUNTRY GOD FORGOT - -By FRANCES CHARLES. 12mo. 338 pages. $1.50. - -Of this original and engrossing tale of the Southwest the _Louisville -Courier-Journal_ says: "Arizona was never more truthfully described -than in this book." - -It is essentially a rugged book. 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