Part 9 (2/2)
Thus perished the Emperor's intention to ignore the day that had been theirs in the past.
”Your ring. You gave it to Max; he has kept it. He will always keep it. Are you surprised?”
Sylvia wished to say ”Yes,” but instead she answered ”No,” because pretty fibs require preparation; it is only the truth that speaks itself.
”You are not? Then--you guessed, yesterday?”
”I knew--at Heiligengelt. But I wish I need not tell you.”
Silence between them for a moment, while Maximilian digested her answer, slowly realizing what it meant. He remembered the bread and ham; the cow, and the rucksacks; he remembered everything and laughed out, boyishly.
”You knew, at Heiligengelt! But not on the mountain when----”
”Yes, I knew even then. It was only a chance--the same adventure might have happened to hundreds of people without their guessing. But I had happened to hear that you went there sometimes, and I had seen many of your pictures--so, when I met a man, I--oh, I wish you had not asked me!”
”Why?”
”Because--one might have to be afraid of an Emperor if he were angry.”
”Do I look angry?”
Their eyes met, and dwelt, laughing at first, then probing unexpected depths which drove away all thought of laughter. Something that seemed alive and independent of control leaped in Maximilian's breast. He shut his lips tightly. Both forgot that a question had been asked, though it was Sylvia who spoke first since it is easier for a woman than for a man to hide feeling behind conventionality.
”I wonder you kept the ring--after all my rudeness.”
”I had a special reason for keeping the ring,”
”Will you tell it me?”
”You are quick at forming conclusions, Miss de Courcy. Can't you guess?----”
”To remind you never to help strange young women on mountains?”
”No--not for that.”
”I am not to ask the reason?”
”On that day you asked what you chose. All the more should you do so now, since there is nothing I could refuse you.”
”Not the half of your kingdom--like the Royal men in fairy stories?”
The light words struck a chord they had not aimed to touch. They went echoing on and on, till they reached that inner part of himself which the Emperor knew least--his heart. Half his kingdom? Yes, he would give it to her, if he could. Heavens! what such a partners.h.i.+p would be!
”Ask anything you will,” he said, as a man speaks in a dream.
”Then tell me--why you kept the ring?”
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