Part 47 (2/2)

The only sorrow I have ever known in my life, is the discovery that the man I love best in the world is a king's son! Would to G.o.d he were poor and unrenowned as I thought him to be, when I married him!--for so we should always have been happy. But now I have to think for him as well as for myself;--his position is as hard as mine,--and we accept our fate as a trial of our love. Love cannot be forced,--it must root itself, and grow where it will. It has made us two as one;--one in thought,--one in hope,--one in faith! No earthly power can part us. You would marry him to another woman, and force him to commit a great sin 'for the good of the country'? I tell you, if you do that,--if any king or prince does that,--G.o.d's curse will surely fall upon the Throne, and all that do inherit it!”

She did not raise her voice,--she spoke in low thrilling accents, without excitement, but with measured force and calm. Then she beckoned the Crown Prince to her side. He instantly obeyed her gesture. Taking him by the hand, she advanced a little, and with him confronted both the King and Queen.

”Hear me, your Majesties both!” she said in clear, firm accents; ”And when you have heard, be satisfied as to 'the good of the country,' and let me depart to my own home in peace, away from all your crus.h.i.+ng and miserable conventions. I take your son by the hand, and even as I swore my faith to him at the marriage altar, so I swear to you that he is free to follow his own inclination;--his law is mine,--his will my pleasure,--and in everything I shall obey him, save in this one decree, which I make for myself in your Majesties' sovereign presence--that never, so help me G.o.d, will I claim or share my husband's rank as Crown Prince, or set foot within this palace, which is his home, again, till a greater voice than that of any king,--the voice of the Nation itself, calls upon me to do so!”

This proud declaration was entirely unexpected; and both the King and Queen regarded the beautiful speaker in undisguised amazement. She, gently dropping the Prince's hand, met their eyes with a wistful pathos in her own.

”Will that satisfy you?” she asked, a slight tremor shaking her voice as she put the question.

The King at once advanced, and now spoke frankly, and without any ceremony.

”a.s.suredly! You are a brave girl! True to your love, and true to the country at one and the same time! But while I accept your vow, let me warn you not to indulge in any lurking hope or feeling that the Nation will ever recognize your marriage. Your own willingly-taken oath at this moment practically makes it null and void, so far as the State is concerned;--but perhaps it strengthens it as a bond of--youthful pa.s.sion!”

An open admiration flashed in his bold fine eyes as he spoke,--and Gloria grew pale. With an involuntary movement she turned towards the Queen.

”You--Madam--you--Ah! No,--not you!--you are cruel!--you have not a woman's heart! My love--my husband!”

The Prince was at once beside her, and she clung to him trembling.

”Take me away!” she whispered; ”Take me away altogether--this place stifles me!”

He caught her in his strong young arms, and was about to lead her to the door, when she suddenly appeared to remember something, and releasing herself from his clasp, put him away from her with a faint smile.

”No, dearest! You must stay here;--stay here and make your father and mother understand all that I have said. Tell them I mean to keep my vow.

You know how thoroughly I mean it! The Professor will take me home!”

Then the Queen moved, and came towards her with her usual slow noiseless grace.

”Let me thank you!” she said, with an air of gracious condescension; ”You are a very good girl, and I am sure you will keep your word! You are so beautiful that you are bound to do well; and I hope your future life will be a happy one!”

”I hope so, Madam!” replied Gloria slowly; ”I think it will! If it is not happier than yours, I shall indeed be unfortunate!”

The Queen drew back, offended; but the King, who had been whispering aside to Von Glauben, now approached and said kindly.

”You must not go away, my child, without some token of our regard. Wear this for Our sake!”

He offered her a chain of gold bearing a simple yet exquisitely designed pendant of choice pearls. Her face crimsoned, and she pushed it disdainfully aside.

”Keep it, Sir, for those whose love and faith can be purchased with jewelled toys! Mine cannot! You mean kindly no doubt,--but a gift from you is an offence, not an honour! Fare-you-well!”

Another moment and she was gone. Von Glauben, at a sign from the King, hastily followed her. Prince Humphry, who had remained almost entirely mute during the scene, now stood with folded arms opposite his Royal parents, still silent and rigid. The King watched him for a minute or two--then laid a hand gently on his arm.

”We do not blame you over-much, Humphry!” he said; ”She is a beautiful creature, and more intelligent than I had imagined. Moreover she has great calmness, as well as courage.”

Still the Prince said nothing.

”You are satisfied, Madam, I presume?” went on the King addressing his Consort;--”The girl could hardly make a more earnest vow of abnegation than she has done. And when Humphry has travelled for a year and seen other lands, other manners, and other faces, we may look upon this boyish incident in his career as finally closed. I think both you and I can rest a.s.sured that there will be no further cause for anxiety?”

He put the question carelessly. The Queen bent her head in acquiescence, but her eyes were fixed upon her son, who still said nothing.

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