‘It is Geometrus who speaks!’ she murmured absently; ‘Geometrus has opened his heart to me at last!’
‘Geometrus!’ shouted the Emperor, almost out of his head with rage and jealousy; ‘it is not Geometrus—it is I, Felicitas—Felicitas thine Emperor who abjectly offers thee his love, and his crown, and sues thee, Mercia—his subject—his servant!’
Then Mercia, awakening from her love-dream began to realise her true position. For an instant she paused, and passed her hand across her brow, as if to recover her senses; then she said in a deliberate and dignified voice—
‘Felicitas, the Emperor hath no crown to offer his subject, Mercia, for it sits already on the brow of his royal spouse; neither has he love to offer his servant, Mercia, for it is sworn to his Empress for ever. It is an insult to me, Mercia, thine offer of illicit love, and I refuse to longer remain in thy service.’
Upon hearing these words the heat of his temper suddenly cooled; he saw he had not only ruined his cause with the lady, but he was bringing upon himself public dishonour; for the reason of the resignation of their gifted and enthusiastic astronomer would be demanded by both ministers and nation alike. As she turned to leave the apartment, for she disdained having further converse with him, he forcibly caught her by the dress, with a view of detaining her.
‘Stay, Mercia, stay, and listen to me! Listen to one word more, I beseech thee. Thou shalt, for indeed I will not let thee go!’ He shouted fiercely, for she was wrenching herself out of his grasp.
‘Touch me not!’ she exclaimed excitedly, ‘or I will kill thee as thou standest!’ and from her girdle she took a small ebony stick, electrically charged, which she wore as a kind of life-preserver, in accordance with the custom of ladies, who worked, or walked out a good deal alone.
She had reached the door, and opened it, when who should rush upon the scene but Geometrus accompanied by the Emperor’s cousin, Prince Osbert, who had been seeking him for some time past.
‘Mercia insulted, and by the Emperor! What is the meaning of this?’ inquired Geometrus, at the same time facing Felicitas with eyes of fire.
‘I am not insulting her,’ coolly rejoined the Emperor, ‘she has disobeyed my commands respecting some important astronomical information I required, and is endeavouring to shield her own shortcomings by getting into a rage: ’tis woman’s way, but I’ll have none of it.’