CHAPTER V
The discussion then terminated, but not the dispute. Each went his own way with the determination to work out the discomfiture of his adversary, to the best of his ability. Sadbag made his way at once to his club, the headquarters of the Radical Association, and related the disgraceful occurrence to its leading members; who realising the gravity of the situation convened a special meeting; so that measures might be promptly taken to get first in the field in the exposure of the Emperor, and thereby nullify his evil intentions.
So perfect was the system of communication throughout the globe that the same evening, not only had the Radical newspapers the whole story set in type, but this society titbit appeared next morning on the breakfast tables of the people throughout the whole of the Empire. As a matter of fact, two hours later the news was in every part of the world. It gave a splendid impetus to the trade, for each printing office turned out at least three times its usual quantity of newspapers for the first week, and double the number for every succeeding one the case lasted.
The subject for long enough furnished matter for light little articles in the monthlies, and heavy discourses in the quarterlies. It supplied the novelist with material for his plots, and the delighted dramatist for his plays. An Emperor on his knees to a subject was not an every day situation, while the scene where she threatens his life was quite too tragical to be neglected. It gave the libretto to the composer, great and small, of comic opera, and in serious opera it was thrilling. Mercia in a state of ecstatic bliss warbling sweetest love songs to the enchanted Emperor, formed a delicious scene that was irresistibly charming to all beholders. When the proper time arrived the fearless Sadbag sent a full description of the affair to every journal throughout the world. He even wrote it out, and telephoned the minutest details to India, and every country in communication telephonically, with the Teutonic Empire.
Therein the love scene was graphically described, in Sadbag’s humorous vein, but with due regard to Mercia’s sensitive feelings.
For the first time her personal character was given to the world, but such a halo of purity and modesty was drawn round it that it evoked everywhere the most enthusiastic admiration for her character.
The description of the Emperor’s duplicity and contemptible meanness was given with ruthless vividness, when at the moment he was surprised, he endeavoured to turn the tables on the high-minded lady, who having proved invulnerable to all his blandishments he accused of having committed the capital offence of high treason.
From the commoner, to the crowned head of every country, almost, the story of the Emperor of the Teutonic Empire and his astronomer was discussed. In the cottage, the castle, the street corner, the court and the club, it became at once the leading subject of conversation.
‘Ah, well!’ observed one of the viceroys of Turkey—for that country had been long before divided between Russia, France and England—‘this comes of giving women too much freedom: had it been a man that was filling the post of astronomer this could never have happened.’
‘But it might to his wife!’ answered one,
‘With a different result,’ added another;
‘Is then a married woman more compliant than a single?’ queried a third.
‘It all depends upon the sort of woman,’ observed a fourth.
‘The danger is lessened when the lady already runs a nursery,’ remarked his neighbour cynically.
‘Science meets that difficulty,’ interpolated another of the party.
‘A husband’s jealousy is the greatest of all dangers,’ retorted his neighbour.
‘Cease these pleasantries, gentlemen, and discuss the matter seriously,’ exclaimed an elderly minister with dignity, ‘England is to be indeed congratulated on having women of such stamp as the peerless and incorruptible Mercia. Search the world through and we shall be unable to find any to compare with them in physique, or mental attainments. They are indeed, Nature’s queens, and in every way fit to grace a coronet.’
‘Talking of coronets reminds one of crowns: there’s a pretty hubbub going on just now; India expects to win her freedom and is casting about for an Emperor,’ remarked another;
‘Why not give it to Mercia, she’s as good as a man?’ suggested his neighbour.
‘Better, I should say,’ rejoined another of the group, ‘judging from results.’
‘The natives would never stand it: every nabob wants it for himself.’
‘All cannot have it, that is very clear,’ remarked one of the party.
‘Better settle the matter by giving it to none of them, and choose a good stock from the country that ruled them, and made them what they are; and thus establish a Royal Line which will do them credit for all time,’ suggested the elderly minister, who was a Frenchman and a believer in women, and especially a believer in the beautiful Mercia.