Part 61 (2/2)
”But--is the King unjust?”
”Can you ask it?” replied Thord with a certain grave patience. ”During your a.s.sociation with us, have you not learned?--and do you not know?”
”Sit down, Graub!” interrupted Pasquin Leroy suddenly; ”I know the King's ways well enough,--and I can swear upon my honour that he deserves the worst that can be done to him!”
A murmur of sullen approval ran through the room, and somewhat lowering glances were cast at the audacious Graub, who had, by his few words, created the very undesirable impression that he wished, in some remote way, to interfere with the Committee solemnities in progress, and to defend the King from attack. He sat down again looking more or less crushed and baffled,--and Thord went on.
”We have little time to spend together to-night, and none to waste. Let each man come forward now, and take his chance,--remembering,--lest his courage fail him,--that whatever work is given him to do, this Committee are sworn to stand by him as their a.s.sociate and comrade!--to defend him,--even at the risk of their own lives!--and to share completely in the consequences of whatever act he may be called upon to perform in the faithful following of his duty! Friends, repeat with me all together, the Vow of Fealty!”
At once every man rose,--and all lifting their right hands on high repeated in steady tones the following formula after their Chief,--
”We swear in the name of G.o.d, and by the eternal glory of Freedom! That whosoever among us this night shall draw the Red Cross Signal which destines him to take from life, a life proved unworthy,--shall be to us a sacred person, and an object of defence and continued protection! We guarantee to s.h.i.+eld him at all times and under all circ.u.mstances;--we promise to fight for him against the utmost combined power of the law;--we are prepared to maintain an inviolate silence concerning his movements, his actions and their ultimate result,--even to the sufferance of imprisonment, punishment and death for his sake! And may the curse of the Almighty Creator of Heaven and Earth be upon us and our children, and our children's children, if we break this vow. Amen!”
The stern and impressive intensity with which these words were spoken sent a slight tremor along even such steel-like nerves as those of Pasquin Leroy, though he repeated the formula after Sergius Thord with the attentive care of a child saying a lesson. At its conclusion, however, a sudden thought flashed through his brain which brought a wonderful smile to his lips, and a rare light in his eyes, and touching the arm of Axel Regor, he whispered.
”Could anything be more protective to me,--_as you know me_,--than this Vow of Fealty? By my faith, a right loyal vow!”
The man he so questioned looked at him doubtfully. He did not understand. He himself had repeated the vow mechanically and without thought, being occupied in serious and uncomfortable meditation as to what possible dangerous lengths the evening's business might be carried.
And, accustomed as he now was to the varying and brilliant moods of one whom he had proved to be of most varying and brilliant intelligence, his brain was not quick enough to follow the lightning-like speed of the chain of ideas,--all moving in a perfectly organised plan,--conceived by this daring, scheming and original brain, which had been so lately roused to its own powers and set in thinking, working order. He therefore merely expressed his mind's bewilderment by a warning glance mingled with alarm, which caused Leroy to smile again,--but the scene which was being enacted, now demanded their closest attention, and they had no further opportunity of exchanging so much as a word.
The Vow of Fealty being duly sworn, Sergius Thord stood aside, and made way for Lotys, who, rising from her seat, lifted the funeral urn from the table and held it out towards the men. She made a strange and weird picture standing thus,--her white arms gleaming like sculptured ivory against the dark bronze of the metal vase,--her gold hair touched with a blood-like hue from the reflection of the red lamp behind her,--and her face,--infinitely mournful and resigned,--wearing the expression of one who, forced to behold evil, has no active part in it. As she took up her position in the front of the platform, Thord again spoke.
”Let each man now advance and draw his fate! Whosoever receives a blank is exempt for another year;--whosoever draws the name of a victim must be prepared to do his duty!”
This order was at once obeyed. Each man rose separately and approaching Lotys, saluted her first, and then drew a folded paper from the vessel she held. But they moved forward reluctantly,--and most of their faces were very pale. When Pasquin Leroy's turn came to draw, he raised his eyes to the woman's countenance above him and marvelled at its cold fixity. She seemed scarcely to be herself,--and it was plainly evident that the part she was forced to play in the evening's drama was a most reluctant one.
At last all the lots were taken, and Johan Zegota lit up the gas-burners in the centre of the room. A sigh of relief came from the lips of many of the men who, on opening their papers found a blank instead of a name.
But Leroy, unfolding his, sat in dumb amazement,--feeling, and not for the first time either, that surely G.o.d, or some special Providence, is always on the side of a strong man's just aim, fulfilling it to entire accomplishment. For to him was a.s.signed the Red Cross, marked with the name of 'The King!' The words of Sergius Thord, uttered that very night, rushed back on his mind;--”Whosoever draws the name of the King must be swift and sure in his business!”
His heart beat high; he occupied at that moment a position no man in all the world had ever occupied before;--he was the centre of a drama such as had never before been enacted,--he had the greatest move to play on the chess-board of life that could possibly be desired;--and the greatest chance to prove himself the Man he was, that had ever been given to one of his quality. His brain whirled,--his pulses throbbed,--his eyes rested on Lotys with a pa.s.sionate longing; something of the G.o.d-like as well as the heroic warmed his soul,--for Danger and Death stood as intimately close to him as Safety and Victory! What a strange, what a marvellous card he held in the game of life!--and yet one false move might mean ruin and annihilation! As in a dream he saw the members of the Committee go up, one by one, to Sergius Thord, who, as each laid their open papers before him, declared their contents.
When Paul Zouche's paper was declared he was found to have drawn Carl Perousse, whereat he smiled grimly; and retired to his seat, walking rather unsteadily. Max Graub had drawn a blank,--so had Axel Regor,--so had Louis Valdor and many others.
At last it came to Leroy's turn, and as he walked up to the platform and ascended it, there was a look on his face which attracted the instant attention of all present. His eyes were singularly bright,--his lithe handsome figure seemed taller and more erect,--he bore himself with a proud, even grand air,--and Lotys, moved at last from her chill and melancholy apathy, gazed at him as he approached, with eyes in which a profound sadness was mingled with the dark tenderness of many pa.s.sionate thoughts and dreams. He laid down his paper before Thord, who, taking it up read aloud:
”Our friend and comrade, Pasquin Leroy, has received the Red Cross Signal.”
Then pausing before uttering his next words he raised his voice a little, so that he might be heard by everyone in the room, and added slowly:
”To Pasquin Leroy, Fate gives--the King!”
A low murmur of deep applause ran through the room. Max Graub and Axel Regor sprang up with a kind of smothered cry, but Leroy stood immovable.
Instead of returning to his seat as the others had done, he remained standing on the platform in front of the Committee table, between Lotys and Sergius Thord. A strange smile rested on his lips,--his att.i.tude was inexplicable. Surveying all the men's faces which were grouped before him in a kind of chiaro-oscuro, he studied them for a moment, and then turned his head towards Thord.
”Sergius,--so far, I have served you well! Destiny has now chosen me out for even a greater service! May I speak a few words?”
Thord a.s.sented,--but a sudden sense of inquietude stirred in him as he saw that Lotys had half risen, that her lips quivered, and that great tears stood in her eyes.
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