Hush! I cried again. You really must not say that. Remember your position the niece of His Majesty.
I repeat it! she cried in desperation, her well-formed little mouth set firmly. And I dont care who hears me even if its Uncle Alexander himself!
Chapter Four.
Concerns Madame de Rosen
At Her Highnesss side I had strolled through the smaller salon and along the several great corridors to the splendid winter garden, on the opposite side of the palace. It was one of the smaller courtyards which had been covered in with glass and filled with high palms and tropical flowers ablaze with bloom. There, in that northern latitude, Asiatic and African plants flourished and flowered, with little electric lights cunningly concealed amid the leaves.
Several other couples were seated there, away from the whirl and glitter of the Court; but taking no notice, we halted at two wicker chairs set invitingly in a corner. Into one of these she flung herself with a little sigh, and, bowing, I took the other.
I sat and watched her. Her beauty was, indeed, exquisite. She had the long, tender, fluent lines of body and limb, the round waist, the deep chest and small bust, the sturdy throat of those ancient virgins that the greatest sculptors of the world worshipped and wrought into imperishable stone. She was not very tall, though she appeared so. It was something in pose and movement that did it. A beautiful soul looked from Her Highnesss beautiful eyes whenever she smiled upon me.
I found myself examining every line and turn and contour of the prettily-poised head. She was dark, with that lovely complexion like pure alabaster tinted with rose sometimes seen in Russian women. Her eyes, under the sweeping lashes, seemed capable of untold depths of tenderness. Hers was the perfect oval of a young face across whose innocent girlishness experience had written no line, passion cast no shadow.
One thing Ive heard to-day has greatly pained me, I said presently to my dainty little companion. Youll forgive me for speaking quite frankly wont you?
Certainly, Uncle Colin, she replied, opening her big eyes in surprise. But I thought you had brought me here to flirt with me not to talk seriously.
I must talk seriously for a moment, I said apologetically. It is in Your Highnesss interests. Listen. I heard something to-day at which I know that you yourself will be greatly annoyed. I heard it whispered that Geoffrey Hamborough had killed himself because of you.
Geoffrey dead! she gasped, starting up and staring at me, her face blanched in an instant.
No. He is not dead, I replied calmly, for as soon as I heard the report I sent him a wire to Yorkshire and to the Travellers, in London. He replied from the club half an hour before I came here.
But who could have spread such a report? the girl asked. It could only be done to cast opprobrium upon me to show that because because we parted he had taken his life. Its really too cruel, she declared, and I saw hot tears welling in her beautiful eyes.
I agree. But you must deny the report.
Who told you?
I regret that I must not say. It was, however, a friend of yours.
A man?
I nodded in the affirmative.
Ah! she cried impatiently. You diplomats are always so full of secrets. Really you must tell me. Uncle Colin.
I cant, was my brief reply. I only ask you to refute the untruth.
I will at once. Poor Geoffrey.
Have you heard from him lately? I asked.
Youre very inquisitive. I have not.
Im very glad of that, I answered her. You know how greatly the affair annoyed the Emperor. You were awfully injudicious. Its a good job that I chanced to meet you both at the station in Moscow.
Well, she laughed, I was going to England with him, and we had arranged to be married at a registrars office in London. Only you stopped us you nasty old thing!
And you ought to be very glad that I recognised you just in the nick of time. Ten minutes later and you would have left Moscow. Think of the scandal the elopement of a young Imperial Grand Duchess of Russia with an English commoner.
Well, and isnt an English commoner as good, and perhaps better, than one of these uniformed and decorated Russian aristocrats? I am Russian, she added frankly, but I have no love for the Muscovite man.
It was a foolish escapade, I declared; but its all over now. The one consolation is that nobody knows the actual truth.
Except His Majesty. I told him everything; how I had met Geoffrey in Hampshire when I went to stay with Lady Hexworthy; how we used to meet in secret, and all that, she said.
Well now, I exclaimed, looking straight into her face, I want to ask you a plain open question. I have a motive in doing so one which I will explain to you after you have answered me honestly and truthfully. I
At it again! cried the pretty madcap. Youre really not yourself to-night, Uncle Colin. What is the matter with you?
Simply I want to know the truth whether there is still any love between Geoffrey and yourself?
Ah! no, she sighed, pulling a grimace. Its all over between us. It broke his heart, poor fellow, but some kind friend, at your Embassy, I think, wrote and told him about Paul Urusoff and well, he wrote me a hasty letter. Then I replied, a couple of telegrams, and we agreed to be strangers for ever. And so ends the story. Like a novel, isnt it? she laughed merrily.
My eyes were fixed upon her. I was wondering if she were really telling me the truth. As the Emperor had most justly said, she was an artful little minx where her love-affairs were concerned.
Colonel Polivanoff, the Grand Chamberlain of the Court, crossed the great palm-garden at that moment, and bowed to my pretty companion.
But, she added, turning back to me, people ought not to say that hes been foolish enough to do away with himself on my account. It only shows that I must have made some enemies of whom Im quite unaware.
Everyone has enemies, I answered her. You are no exception. But, is it really true that Geoffrey is no longer in your thoughts? I asked her very seriously.
Truth and honour, she declared, with equal gravity.
Then who is the fortunate young man at present eh?
Thats my own secret. Uncle Colin, she declared, drawing herself up. Ill ask you the same question. Who is the lady you are in love with at the present moment?
Shall I tell you?
Yes. It would be interesting.
Im in love with you.
Ah? she cried, nodding her head and laughing. I thought as much. Youve brought me out here to flirt with me. I wonder if youll kiss me eh? she asked mischievously.
I will, if you tempt me too much, I said threateningly. And then the report youve spread about will be the truth.
She laughed merrily and tapped my hand with her fan.
I never can get the better of you, dear old uncle, she declared. You always have the last word, and youre such a delightfully old-fashioned person. Now lets try and be serious. And she settled herself and, turning to me, added: Why do you wish to know about Geoffrey Hamborough?
For several reasons, I said. First, I think Your Highness knows me quite well enough to be aware that I am your very sincere friend.
My best friend, she declared quickly; her manner changed in an instant from merry irresponsibility to deep earnestness. That night on the railway platform at Moscow you saved me making a silly fool of myself. It was most generous of the Emperor to forgive me. I know how you pleaded for me. He told me so.