Part 26 (1/2)
”Oh, you think he looks like one?” murmured Von Glauben; ”That is to say you are not altogether displeased with his appearance?”
Gloria's eyes darkened a moment with thought,--then flashed with laughter.
”No,” she said frankly--”He is more kingly than I thought a king could be. But he should not lose temper. That spoils all dignity!”
Von Glauben smiled.
”Kings are but mortal,” he said, ”and never to lose temper would be impossible to any man.”
”It is such a waste of time!” declared Gloria--”Why should anyone lose self-control? It is like giving up a sword to an enemy.”
”That is one of Rene Ronsard's teachings,”--said the Professor--”It is excellent in theory! But in practice I have seen Rene give way to temper himself, with considerable enjoyment of his own mental thunderstorm. As for the King, he is generally a very equable personage; and he has one great virtue--that is courage. He is brave as a lion--perhaps braver than many lions!”
She raised her eyes enquiringly.
”Has he proved it?”
Rather taken aback by the question, he stared at her solemnly.
”Proved it? Well! He has had no chance. The country has been at peace for many years--but if there should ever be a war----”
”Would he go and fight for the country?” enquired Gloria.
”In person? No. He would not be allowed to do that. His life would be endangered----”
”Of course!” interrupted the girl with a touch of contempt; ”But if he would allow himself to be ruled by others in such a matter, I do not call him brave!”
The Professor drew out his spectacles, and fixing them on his nose with much care, regarded her through them with bland and kindly interest.
”Very simple and primitive reasoning, my princess!” he said; ”And from an early historic point of view, your idea is correct. In the olden times kings went themselves to battle, and led their soldiers on to victory in person. It was very fine; much finer than our modern ways of warfare. But it has perhaps never occurred to you that a king's life nowadays is always in danger? He can do nothing more completely courageous than to show himself in public!”
”Are kings then so hated?” she asked.
”They are not loved, it must be confessed,” returned Von Glauben, taking off his spectacles again; ”But that is quite their own fault. They seldom do anything to deserve the respect,--much less the affection of their subjects. But this king--this man you have just seen--certainly deserves both.”
”Why, what has he done?” asked Gloria wonderingly. ”I have heard people say he is very wicked--that he takes other men's wives away from them--”
The Professor coughed discreetly.
”My princess, let me suggest to you that he could scarcely take other men's wives away from them, unless those wives were perfectly willing to go!”
She gave an impatient gesture.
”Oh, there are weak women, no doubt; but then a king should know better than to put temptation in their way. If a man undertakes to be strong, he should also be honourable. Then,--what of the taxes the King imposes on the people? The sufferings of the poor over there on the mainland are terrible!--I know all about them! I have heard Sergius Thord!”
The Professor gave an uncomfortable start.
”You have heard Sergius Thord? Where?”
”Here!” And Gloria smiled at his expression of wonderment. ”He has spoken often to our people, and he is father Rene's friend.”