Part 21 (1/2)
The King scanned the coast through his gla.s.s with some interest.
”We shall obtain amus.e.m.e.nt from this unprepared trip,” he said, addressing the friends who were gathered round him; ”We have forbidden any announcement of our visit here, and, therefore, we shall receive no recognition, or welcome. We shall have to take the people as we find them!”
”Let us hope they will prove themselves agreeable, Sir,” said one of the suite, the Marquis Montala, a somewhat effeminate elegant-looking man, with small delicate features and lazily amorous eyes,--”And that the women of the place will not be too alarmingly hideous.”
”Women are always women.” said the King gaily; ”And you, Montala, if you cannot find a pretty one, will put up with an ugly one for the moment rather than have none at all! But beauty exists everywhere, and I daresay we shall find it in as good evidence here as in other parts of the kingdom. Our land is famous for its lovely women,”--and turning to Sir Walter Langton he added--”I think, Sir Walter, we can almost beat your England in that one particular!”
”Some years ago, Sir, I should have accepted that challenge,” returned Sir Walter, ”And with the deepest respect for your Majesty, I should have ventured to deny the a.s.sertion that any country in the world could surpa.s.s England for the beauty of its women. But since the rage for masculine sports and masculine manners has taken hold of English girls, I am not at all disposed to defend them. They have, unhappily, lost all the soft grace and modesty for which their grandmothers were renowned, and one begins to remark that their very shapes are no longer feminine.
The beautiful full bosoms, admired by Gainsborough and Romney, are replaced by an unbecoming flatness--the feet and hands are growing large and awkward, instead of being well-shaped, white and delicate--the skin is becoming coa.r.s.e and rough of texture, and there is very little complexion to boast of, if we except the artificial make-up of the women of the town. Some few pretty and natural women remain in the heart of the forest and the country, but the contamination is spreading, and English women are no longer the models of womanhood for all the world.”
”Are you married, Sir Walter?” asked the King with a smile.
”To no woman, Sir! I have married England--I love her and work for her only!”
”You find that love sufficient to fill your heart?”
”Perhaps,” returned Sir Walter musingly--”perhaps if I speak personally and selfishly--no! But when I argue the point logically, I find this--that if I had a wife she might probably occupy too much of my time,--certes, if I had children, I should be working for them and their future welfare;--as it is, I give all my life and all my work to my country, and my King!”
”I hope you will meet with the reward you merit,” said the Queen gently; ”Kings are not always well served!”
”I seek no reward,” said Sir Walter simply; ”The joy of work is always its own guerdon.”
As he spoke the yacht ran into harbour, and with a loud warning cry the sailors flung out the first rope to a man on the pier, who stood gazing in open-mouthed wonder at their arrival. He seemed too stricken with amazement to move, for he failed to seize the rope, whereat, with an angry exclamation as the rope slipped back into the water, and the yacht b.u.mped against the pier, a sailor sprang to land, and as it was thrown a second time, seized it and made it fast to the capstan. A few more moments and the yacht was safely alongside, the native islander remaining still motionless and staring. The captain of the Royal vessel stepped on sh.o.r.e and spoke to him.
”Are there any men about here?”
The individual thus addressed shook his head in the negative.
”Are you alone to keep the pier?”
The head nodded in the affirmative. A voice, emanating from a thickly bearded mouth was understood to growl forth something about 'no strange boats being permitted to harbour there.' Whereupon the Captain walked up to the uncouth-looking figure, and said briefly.
”We are here by the King's order! That vessel is the Royal yacht, and their Majesties are on board.”
For one instant the islander stared more wildly than ever, then with a cry of amazement and evident alarm, ran away as fast as his legs could carry him and disappeared. The captain returned to the yacht and related his experience to Sir Roger de Launay. The King heard and was amused.
”It seems, Madam,” he said, turning to the Queen, ”That we shall have The Islands to ourselves; but as our visit will be but brief, we shall no doubt find enough to interest us in the mere contemplation of the scenery without other human company than our own. Will you come?”
He extended his hand courteously to a.s.sist her across the gangway of the vessel, and in a few minutes the Royal party were landed, and the yacht was left to the stewards and servants, who soon had all hands at work preparing the dinner which was to be served during the return sail.
CHAPTER XI
”GLORIA--IN EXCELSIS!”
The King and Queen, followed by their suite and their guests, walked leisurely off the pier, and down a well-made road, sparkling with crushed sea-sh.e.l.ls and powdered coral, towards a group of tall trees and green gra.s.s which they perceived a little way ahead of them. There was a soothing quietness everywhere,--save for the singing of birds and the soft ripple of the waves on the sandy sh.o.r.e, it was a silent land:
”In which it seemed always afternoon-- All round the coast the languid air did swoon-- Breathing like one that hath a weary dream.”