Part 4 (1/2)

”That might be changed.”

He took alarm at this. There was nothing more hateful to his thoughts, just then, than marriage with anybody--but Vanda. And she had deserted him.

”I hope you've not been 'sounding' her, as you call it,” he cried in alarm.

”No. Don't be afraid. But bear her in mind. She's a dear girl.

She'll come back to us next year. I'd like to chaperon her to Nice in the winter.”

”I'm not going to lose my shooting,” he said firmly.

”You could run over there for a week or so. However, there's no hurry.

Let's get Vanda safely settled first.” And wisely, she dropped the subject. She knew all about his disappointment, and meant to tell him so one day. Meanwhile she would throw him and Minnie together as much as possible. But there was plenty of time.

The following evening they were finis.h.i.+ng dinner when a servant handed Joseph a telegram. Thinking it one of many that had arrived since his engagement, he opened it carelessly.

”Who is it this time?” asked Vanda.

He did not answer, but read the missive twice, his face changing. She took alarm.

”It's bad news?”

He took no notice. She peered over his shoulder. Everybody was waiting for him to speak.

”It's in German,” she announced to the expectant table. ”Do tell us, Joe.”

She put out her hand for the telegram, but he gave it to Ian instead.

She sat down again, looking snubbed.

”Read that,” he said. Ian obeyed, aloud, for Vanda's sake, and in English, for Minnie's.

”'The Head of this Military District orders your immediate return, that you may report at headquarters.'” He looked up, puzzled. ”It's signed by your manager. What does it mean?”

”Mobilization,” answered the Countess promptly. They looked at her in surprise. She was the only member of the household who had read the last batch of papers from Warsaw.

Frowning, Ian reread the telegram. There was silence round the table.

Joseph, like Roman, was a German subject. Eastern Prussia, where he lived, belonged to Poland till Frederick the Great s.n.a.t.c.hed it from the Polish Republic, weakened by internal strife. And ever since that sad day the Prussians have done all they know to hound the Poles off their land. But the owners stood firm from the first, helping one another to keep every acre they possessed from the German colonists, who have their government's backing in money and legislation. It is considered a disgrace for a Pole to sell his land in Prussia or the Grand Duchy of Poland, because Prussian law forbids a Pole to buy it. But a Polish squire or peasant in financial difficulties can always get a more fortunate compatriot to help him, so that he need not sell.

”I've got to go,” remarked Joseph gloomily.

Ian's thoughts ran ahead. Joseph would be away for some time; perhaps for months. The wedding would have to be postponed. Meanwhile, he and Vanda would be meeting hourly as in the old days, yet with the difference that she was no longer free. At this moment he did not imagine that Prussia's mobilization could affect his life. The thought that tempted him was that he could undo Joseph's wooing, win her in his absence. Then honor's voice intervened and he put temptation from him.

Another thought came to his aid. He would get his mother to send her to England with Minnie Burton. When Joseph was ready to wed, she could come back. Not till then.

He looked at her. Her face was no longer bright, she gave her lover a long, sad gaze. Then he glanced at Joe over the broad table, handsome with plate and flowers, covered with the remains of a well-served, well-cooked meal. There was nothing supercilious about him now. He was frankly downcast.

”It's for Roman, too,” he observed.

”I'll tell him,” said Ian. The idea of Roman's going back to Prussia annoyed him. He would not be able to finish the Kuklin business. And he had set his heart on having his wayward, impulsive cousin near by.

They had always been great friends; but since the affair with Vanda he found something very comforting in his company.