Hunting a Very Big BoarThe terrible temptation which was assailing1 me will now beunderstood. I could so force Michael's hand that he must kill the King. Iwas in a position to bid him defiance2 and tighten3 my grasp on the crown-notfor its own sake, but because the King of Ruritania was to wed4 thePrincess Flavia. What of Sapt and Fritz? Ah! but a man cannot be held towrite down in cold blood the wild and black thoughts that storm his brainwhen an uncontrolled passion has battered5 a breach6 for them. Yet, unlesshe sets up as a saint, he need not hate himself for them. He is betteremployed, as it humbly7 seems to me, in giving thanks that power to resistwas vouchsafed8 to him, than in fretting9 over wicked impulses which comeunsought and extort10 an unwilling11 hospitality from the weakness of ournature.
It was a fine bright morning when I walked, unattended, to theprincess's house, carrying a nosegay in my hand. Policy made excuses forlove, and every attention that I paid her, while it riveted12 my own chains,bound closer to me the people of the great city, who worshipped her. Ifound Fritz's inamorata, the Countess Helga, gathering13 blooms in thegarden for her mistress's wear, and prevailed on her to take mine in theirplace. The girl was rosy14 with happiness, for Fritz, in his turn, had notwasted his evening, and no dark shadow hung over his wooing, save thehatred which the Duke of Strelsau was known to bear him.
"And that," she said, with a mischievous15 smile, "your Majesty16 hasmade of no moment. Yes, I will take the flowers; shall I tell you, sire, whatis the first thing the princess does with them?"We were talking on a broad terrace that ran along the back of the house,and a window above our heads stood open.
"Madame!" cried the countess merrily, and Flavia herself looked out. Ibared my head and bowed. She wore a white gown, and her hair wasloosely gathered in a knot. She kissed her hand to me, crying:
"Bring the King up, Helga; I'll give him some coffee."The countess, with a gay glance, led the way, and took me into Flavia'smorning-room. And, left alone, we greeted one another as lovers are wont17.
Then the princess laid two letters before me. One was from BlackMichael--a most courteous18 request that she would honour him by spendinga day at his Castle of Zenda, as had been her custom once a year in thesummer, when the place and its gardens were in the height of their greatbeauty. I threw the letter down in disgust, and Flavia laughed at me. Then,growing grave again, she pointed19 to the other sheet.
"I don't know who that comes from," she said. "Read it."I knew in a moment. There was no signature at all this time, but thehandwriting was the same as that which had told me of the snare20 in thesummer-house: it was Antoinette de Mauban's.
"I have no cause to love you," it ran, "but God forbid that you shouldfall into the power of the duke. Accept no invitations of his. Go nowherewithout a large guard--a regiment21 is not too much to make you safe. Showthis, if you can, to him who reigns23 in Strelsau.""Why doesn't it say "the King"?" asked Flavia, leaning over myshoulder, so that the ripple24 of her hair played on my cheek. "Is it a hoax25?""As you value life, and more than life, my queen," I said, "obey it tothe very letter. A regiment shall camp round your house today. See thatyou do not go out unless well guarded.""An order, sire?" she asked, a little rebellious26.
"Yes, an order, madame--if you love me.""Ah!" she cried; and I could not but kiss her.
"You know who sent it?" she asked.
"I guess," said I. "It is from a good friend--and I fear, an unhappywoman. You must be ill, Flavia, and unable to go to Zenda. Make yourexcuses as cold and formal as you like.""So you feel strong enough to anger Michael?" she said, with a proudsmile.
"I'm strong enough for anything, while you are safe," said I.
Soon I tore myself away from her, and then, without consulting Sapt, Itook my way to the house of Marshal Strakencz. I had seen something ofthe old general, and I liked and trusted him. Sapt was less enthusiastic, but I had learnt by now that Sapt was best pleased when he could doeverything, and jealousy27 played some part in his views. As things werenow, I had more work than Sapt and Fritz could manage, for they mustcome with me to Zenda, and I wanted a man to guard what I loved most inall the world, and suffer me to set about my task of releasing the King witha quiet mind.
The Marshal received me with most loyal kindness. To some extent, Itook him into my confidence. I charged him with the care of the princess,looking him full and significantly in the face as I bade him let no one fromher cousin the duke approach her, unless he himself were there and adozen of his men with him.
"You may be right, sire," said he, shaking his grey head sadly. "I haveknown better men than the duke do worse things than that for love."I could quite appreciate the remark, but I said:
"There's something beside love, Marshal. Love's for the heart; is therenothing my brother might like for his head?""I pray that you wrong him, sire.""Marshal, I'm leaving Strelsau for a few days. Every evening I willsend a courier to you. If for three days none comes, you will publish anorder which I will give you, depriving Duke Michael of the governorshipof Strelsau and appointing you in his place. You will declare a state ofsiege. Then you will send word to Michael that you demand an audienceof the King--You follow me?""Ay, sire.""--In twenty-four hours. If he does not produce the King" (I laid myhand on his knee), "then the King is dead, and you will proclaim the nextheir. You know who that is?""The Princess Flavia.""And swear to me, on your faith and honour and by the fear of theliving God, that you will stand by her to the death, and kill that reptile28, andseat her where I sit now.""On my faith and honour, and by the fear of God, I swear it! And mayAlmighty God preserve your Majesty, for I think that you go on an errandof danger.""I hope that no life more precious than mine may be demanded," said I,rising. Then I held out my hand to him.
"Marshal," I said, "in days to come, it may be--I know not-- that youwill hear strange things of the man who speaks to you now. Let him bewhat he may, and who he may, what say you of the manner in which hehas borne himself as King in Strelsau?"The old man, holding my hand, spoke29 to me, man to man.
"I have known many of the Elphbergs," said he, "and I have seen you.
And, happen what may, you have borne yourself as a wise King and abrave man; ay, and you have proved as courteous a gentleman and asgallant a lover as any that have been of the House.""Be that my epitaph," said I, "when the time comes that another sits onthe throne of Ruritania.""God send a far day, and may I not see it!" said he.
I was much moved, and the Marshal's worn face twitched30. I sat downand wrote my order.
"I can hardly yet write," said I; "my finger is stiff still."It was, in fact, the first time that I had ventured to write more than asignature; and in spite of the pains I had taken to learn the King's hand, Iwas not yet perfect in it.
"Indeed, sire," he said, "it differs a little from your ordinaryhandwriting. It is unfortunate, for it may lead to a suspicion of forgery31.""Marshal," said I, with a laugh, "what use are the guns of Strelsau, ifthey can't assuage32 a little suspicion?"He smiled grimly, and took the paper.
"Colonel Sapt and Fritz von Tarlenheim go with me," I continued.
"You go to seek the duke?" he asked in a low tone.
"Yes, the duke, and someone else of whom I have need, and who is atZenda," I replied.
"I wish I could go with you," he cried, tugging33 at his white moustache.
"I'd like to strike a blow for you and your crown.""I leave you what is more than my life and more than my crown," saidI, "because you are the man I trust more than all other in Ruritania.""I will deliver her to you safe and sound," said he, "and, failing that, I will make her queen."We parted, and I returned to the Palace and told Sapt and Fritz what Ihad done. Sapt had a few faults to find and a few grumbles34 to utter. Thiswas merely what I expected, for Sapt liked to be consulted beforehand, notinformed afterwards; but on the whole he approved of my plans, and hisspirits rose high as the hour of action drew nearer and nearer. Fritz, too,was ready; though he, poor fellow, risked more than Sapt did, for he was alover, and his happiness hung in the scale. Yet how I envied him! For thetriumphant issue which would crown him with happiness and unite him tohis mistress, the success for which we were bound to hope and strive andstruggle, meant to me sorrow more certain and greater than if I weredoomed to fail. He understood something of this, for when we were alone(save for old Sapt, who was smoking at the other end of the room) hepassed his arm through mine, saying:
"It's hard for you. Don't think I don't trust you; I know you havenothing but true thoughts in your heart."But I turned away from him, thankful that he could not see what myheart held, but only be witness to the deeds that my hands were to do.
Yet even he did not understand, for he had not dared to lift his eyes tothe Princess Flavia, as I had lifted mine.
Our plans were now all made, even as we proceeded to carry them out,and as they will hereafter appear. The next morning we were to start on thehunting excursion. I had made all arrangements for being absent, and nowthere was only one thing left to do--the hardest, the most heart-breaking.
As evening fell, I drove through the busy streets to Flavia's residence. Iwas recognized as I went and heartily35 cheered. I played my part, and madeshift to look the happy lover. In spite of my depression, I was almostamused at the coolness and delicate hauteur36 with which my sweet loverreceived me. She had heard that the King was leaving Strelsau on ahunting expedition.
"I regret that we cannot amuse your Majesty here in Strelsau," she said,tapping her foot lightly on the floor. "I would have offered you moreentertainment, but I was foolish enough to think--""Well, what?" I asked, leaning over her.
"That just for a day or two after--after last night--you might be happywithout much gaiety;" and she turned pettishly37 from me, as she added, "Ihope the boars will be more engrossing38.""I'm going after a very big boar," said I; and, because I could not helpit, I began to play with her hair, but she moved her head away.
"Are you offended with me?" I asked, in feigned39 surprise, for I couldnot resist tormenting40 her a little. I had never seen her angry, and everyfresh aspect of her was a delight to me.
"What right have I to be offended? True, you said last night that everyhour away from me was wasted. But a very big boar! that's a differentthing.""Perhaps the boar will hunt me," I suggested. "Perhaps, Flavia, he'llcatch me."She made no answer.
"You are not touched even by that danger?"Still she said nothing; and I, stealing round, found her eyes full oftears.
"You weep for my danger?"Then she spoke very low:
"This is like what you used to be; but not like the King-- the King I--Ihave come to love!"With a sudden great groan41, I caught her to my heart.
"My darling!" I cried, forgetting everything but her, "did you dreamthat I left you to go hunting?""What then, Rudolf? Ah! you're not going--?""Well, it is hunting. I go to seek Michael in his lair42."She had turned very pale.
"So, you see, sweet, I was not so poor a lover as you thought me. Ishall not be long gone.""You will write to me, Rudolf?"I was weak, but I could not say a word to stir suspicion in her.
"I'll send you all my heart every day," said I.
"And you'll run no danger?""None that I need not.""And when will you be back? Ah, how long will it be!""When shall I be back?" I repeated.
"Yes, yes! Don't be long, dear, don't be long. I shan't sleep while you'reaway.""I don't know when I shall be back," said I.
"Soon, Rudolf, soon?""God knows, my darling. But, if never--""Hush43, hush!" and she pressed her lips to mine.
"If never," I whispered, "you must take my place; you'll be the onlyone of the House then. You must reign22, and not weep for me."For a moment she drew herself up like a very queen.
"Yes, I will!" she said. "I will reign. I will do my part though all mylife will be empty and my heart dead; yet I'll do it!"She paused, and sinking against me again, wailed44 softly.
"Come soon! come soon!"Carried away, I cried loudly:
"As God lives, I--yes, I myself--will see you once more before I die!""What do you mean?" she exclaimed, with wondering eyes; but I hadno answer for her, and she gazed at me with her wondering eyes.
I dared not ask her to forget, she would have found it an insult. I couldnot tell her then who and what I was. She was weeping, and I had but todry her tears.
"Shall a man not come back to the loveliest lady in all the wideworld?" said I. "A thousand Michaels should not keep me from you!"She clung to me, a little comforted.
"You won't let Michael hurt you?""No, sweetheart.""Or keep you from me?""No, sweetheart.""Nor anyone else?"And again I answered:
"No, sweetheart."Yet there was one--not Michael--who, if he lived, must keep me fromher; and for whose life I was going forth45 to stake my own. And his figure-the lithe46, buoyant figure I had met in the woods of Zenda--the dull, inertmass I had left in the cellar of the hunting-lodge--seemed to rise, double-shaped, before me, and to come between us, thrusting itself in even whereshe lay, pale, exhausted47, fainting, in my arms, and yet looking up at mewith those eyes that bore such love as I have never seen, and haunt menow, and will till the ground closes over me-- and (who knows?) perhapsbeyond.
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assailing
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| v.攻击( assail的现在分词 )；困扰；质问；毅然应对 | |
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defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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tighten
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| v.(使)变紧；(使)绷紧 | |
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wed
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| v.娶，嫁，与…结婚 | |
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battered
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| adj.磨损的；v.连续猛击；磨损 | |
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breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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humbly
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| adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地 | |
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vouchsafed
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| v.给予，赐予( vouchsafe的过去式和过去分词 )；允诺 | |
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fretting
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| n. 微振磨损 adj. 烦躁的, 焦虑的 | |
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extort
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unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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riveted
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| 铆接( rivet的过去式和过去分词 )； 把…固定住； 吸引； 引起某人的注意 | |
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gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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mischievous
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| adj.调皮的，恶作剧的，有害的，伤人的 | |
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majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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courteous
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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snare
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| n.陷阱，诱惑，圈套；（去除息肉或者肿瘤的）勒除器；响弦，小军鼓；vt.以陷阱捕获，诱惑 | |
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regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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reign
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| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
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reigns
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| n.君主的统治( reign的名词复数 )；君主统治时期；任期；当政期 | |
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ripple
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| n.涟波，涟漪，波纹，粗钢梳；vt.使...起涟漪，使起波纹； vi.呈波浪状，起伏前进 | |
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hoax
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| v.欺骗，哄骗，愚弄；n.愚弄人，恶作剧 | |
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rebellious
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| adj.造反的，反抗的，难控制的 | |
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jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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reptile
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| n.爬行动物；两栖动物 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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twitched
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| vt.& vi.（使）抽动，（使）颤动（twitch的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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forgery
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| n.伪造的文件等，赝品，伪造（行为） | |
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assuage
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| v.缓和，减轻，镇定 | |
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tugging
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| n.牵引感v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的现在分词 ) | |
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grumbles
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| 抱怨( grumble的第三人称单数 )； 发牢骚； 咕哝； 发哼声 | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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hauteur
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| n.傲慢 | |
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pettishly
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engrossing
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feigned
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| a.假装的，不真诚的 | |
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tormenting
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| 使痛苦的，使苦恼的 | |
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groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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lair
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| n.野兽的巢穴；躲藏处 | |
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hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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wailed
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| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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lithe
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| adj.(指人、身体)柔软的，易弯的 | |
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exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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