Part 16 (1/2)
”I do make way!” he said; ”How can you doubt it? A word from me, and the ma.s.sed millions would rise as one man!”
”And of what use would that be?” enquired Lotys. ”The soldiers would fire on the people, and there would be riot and bloodshed, but no actual redress for wrong. You work vainly, Sergius!”
”If I could but kill the King!” he muttered.
”Another king would succeed him,” she said. ”And after all, if you only knew it, the King may be a miserable man enough--far more miserable, perhaps, than any of us imagine ourselves to be. No, Sergius!--I repeat it, you work vainly! You have made me the soul of an Ideal which you will never realise? Tell me, what is it you yourself would have, out of all your work and striving?”
He looked at her with great, earnest, burning eyes.
”Power!” he said. ”Power to change the mode of government; power to put down the tyranny of priestcraft--power to relieve the oppressed, and reward the deserving--power to make of you, Lotys, a queen among women!”
She smiled.
”I am a queen among men, Sergius, and that suffices me! How often must I tell you to do nothing for my sake, if it is for my sake only? I am a very simple, plain woman, past my youth, and without beauty--I deserve and demand nothing!”
He raised himself, and stretched out his arms towards her with a gesture of entreaty.
”You deserve all that a man can give you!” he said pa.s.sionately. ”I love you, Lotys! I have always loved you ever since I found you a little forsaken child, s.h.i.+vering and weeping on the cold marble steps of the Temesvar place in Buda. I love you!--you know I have always loved you!--I have told you so a hundred times,--I love you as few men love women!”
She regarded him compa.s.sionately, and with a touch of wistful sorrow in her eyes. Her black cloak fell away on either side of her in two shadowy folds, disclosing her white-robed form and full bosom, like a pearl in a dark sh.e.l.l.
”Good-night, Sergius!” she said simply, and turned to go.
He gave an exclamation of anger and pain.
”That is all you say--'Good-night'!” he muttered. ”A man gives you his heart, and you set it aside with a cold word of farewell! And yet--and yet--you hold all my life!”
”I am sorry, Sergius,” she said, in a gentle voice; ”very sorry that it is so. You have told me all this before; and I have answered you often, and always in the same way. I have no love to give you, save that which is the result of duty and grat.i.tude. I do not forget!--I know that you rescued me from starvation and death--though sometimes I question whether it would not have been better to have let me die. Life is worth very little at its utmost best; nevertheless, I admit I have had a certain natural joy in living, and for that I have to thank you. I have tried to repay you by my service--”
”Do not speak of that,” he said hurriedly; ”I have done nothing! You are a genius in yourself, and would have made your way anywhere,--perhaps better without me.”
She smiled doubtfully.
”I am not sure! The trick of oratory does not carry one very far,--not when one is a woman! Good-night again, Sergius! Try to rest,--you look worn out. And do not think of winning power for my sake; what power I need I will win for myself!”
He made no answer, but watched her with jealous eyes, as she moved towards the door. On the threshold she turned.
”Those three new a.s.sociates of yours--are they trustworthy, think you?”
He gave a gesture of indifference.
”I do not know! Who is there we can absolutely trust save ourselves?
That man, Leroy, is honest,--of that I am confident,--and he has promised to be responsible for his friends.”
”Ah!” She paused a moment, then with another low breathed 'good-night'
she left the room.
He looked at the door as it closed behind her--at the chair she had left vacant.