‘I am weary of it all,’ remarked the monarch disgusted with the portrayals of the magic crystal, ‘I would I had never seen this sorcery, I shall not get a wink of sleep this night.’
‘Nor to-morrow night either,’ said Swami coolly, as he switched on the light revealing the third and last of the wonderful pictures.
‘What meanest thou by that?’ inquired Felicitas curtly.
‘The real trial commences to-morrow,’ replied the Soul-reader calmly, ‘a messenger is at this moment awaiting thy Majesty’s return to remind thee of the date.’
‘To-morrow!’ repeated the Emperor, ‘impossible! This cannot be the date!’
‘It is truly,’ said Swami compassionately, ‘thine hour of trial is at hand. But see, here is Mercia’s hour of triumph, mark how everybody is showing her honour, and offering their congratulations.’
However striking these photo-crystal pictures had appeared, this last, without doubt, displayed the most stirring scene. It represented the intense joy of a great multitude, who were offering their congratulations, and testifying their admiration of one who had gone through a severe ordeal, out of which she had come victorious.
The whole populace were paying her their sincerest homage in honest English fashion. Some were waving their hats and cheering vociferously. While a number had removed from their shafts the four bay horses that drew her chariot. This latter was standing near the gates of the law courts, and the men in warm enthusiasm, had commenced pulling the carriage themselves.
Others were casting wreaths of bay leaves into her lap; so numerous were they that a great pile was being formed in the centre of her carriage. These were intermixed with bouquets of the loveliest flowers, one of which was composed of the most cunningly-wrought blossoms, the leaves of which were studded with costly emeralds, and their buds bedewed with diamonds of immense value. This beautiful and generous gift was being offered by a gentleman whose face being turned aside, made the Emperor unable to discover the features.
Mercia looked perfectly radiant with pleasure, as she bowed her numerous acknowledgments to the enthusiastic crowd that surrounded her.