Part 38 (2/2)

”I have earlier perceived, my father, that you prize human life very highly.”

The Prince de Gatinais struck sharply upon the table. ”I prize the welfare of France. To secure this it is necessary that you and no other reign in Noumaria. But for the girl you would have yielded just now. So to the welfare of France I sacrifice the knave at my feet, the child yonder, and my own soul. Let us remember that we are de Soyecourts, you and I.”

”Rather I see in you,” began the younger man, ”a fiend. I see in you a far ign.o.bler Judas--”

”And I see in you the savior of France. Nay, let us remember that we are de Soyecourts, you and I. And for six centuries it has always been our first duty to serve France. You behold only a man and a woman a.s.sa.s.sinated; I behold thousands of men preserved from death, many thousands of women rescued from hunger and degradation. I have sinned, and grievously; ages of torment may not purge my infamy; yet I swear it is well done!”

”And I--?” the little Marquis said.

”Why, your heart is slain, my son, for you loved this girl as I loved your mother, and now you can nevermore quite believe in the love G.o.d bears for us all; and my soul is d.a.m.ned irretrievably: but we are de Soyecourts, you and I, and accordingly we rejoice and drink to France, to the true love of a de Soyecourt! to France preserved! to France still mighty among her peers!”

Louis de Soyecourt stood quite motionless. Only his eyes roved toward his father, then to the body that had been Nelchen's. He began to laugh as he caught up his gla.s.s. ”You have conquered. What else have I to live for now?

To France, you devil!”

”To France, my son!” The gla.s.ses clinked. ”To the true love of a de Soyecourt!”

And immediately the Prince de Gatinais fell at his son's feet. ”You will go into Noumaria?”

”What does that matter now?” the other wearily said. ”Yes, I suppose so.

Get up, you devil!”

But the Prince de Gatinais detained him, with hands like ice. ”Then we preserve France, you and I! We are both d.a.m.ned, I think, but it is worth while, Louis. In h.e.l.l we may remember that it was well worth while. I have slain your very soul, my dear son, but that does not matter: France is saved.” The old man still knelt, looking upward. ”Yes, and you must forgive me, my son! For, see, I yield you what reparation I may. See, Louis,--I was chemist enough for two. Wine of my own vintage I have tasted, of the brave vintage which now revives all France. And I swear to you the child did not suffer, Louis, not--not much. See, Louis! she did not suffer.” A convulsion tore at and shook the aged body, and twitched awry the mouth that had smiled so resolutely. Thus the Prince died.

Presently Louis de Soyecourt knelt and caught up the wrinkled face between both hands. ”My father--!” said Louis de Soyecourt. Afterward he kissed the dead lips tenderly. ”Teach me how to live, my father,” said Louis de Soyecourt, ”for I begin to comprehend--in part I comprehend.” Throughout the moment Nelchen Thorn was forgotten: and to himself he too seemed to be fas.h.i.+oned of heroic stuff.

X

THE DUCAL AUDIENCE

_As Played at Breschau, May 3, 1755_

”_Venez, belle, venez, Qu'on ne scauroit tenir, et qui vous mutinez.

Void vostre galand! a moi pour recompence Vous pouvez faire une humble et douce reverence!

Adieu, l'evenement trompe un peu mes souhaits; Mais tous les amoureux ne sont pas satisfaits._”

DRAMATIS PERSONae

GRAND DUKE OF NOUMARIA, formerly LOUIS DE SOYECOURT, tormented beyond measure with the impertinences of life.

COMTE DE CHaTEAUROUX, cousin to the Grand d.u.c.h.ess, and complies with circ.u.mstance.

A COACHMAN and two FOOTMEN.

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