“Your Majesty! Mr. President! Ladies and gentlemen! I have the pleasure of introducing to you as the speaker of the evening—I might almost say the speaker of the week—Herr Helmer, of Vienna, the author of the poem ‘Schwingen’ which quickly became famous. Not that I have any desire to place his deserts higher than those of the other illustrious members of the Rose Order—but because the theme which he is about to treat is the fundamental theme on which our whole plan of action is arranged: the conquest of the upper regions—Herr Helmer, you have the floor.”
And he stepped back to his place in the circle. As he took his seat some one whispered to him: “That was not very democratic of you, Mr. Toker, when in your introduction you apostrophized the two rulers with their titles!”
“Please do not confuse democracy with incivility, as is so often done. It is exactly what they are—rulers. To every one his due.”
The fault-finder remarked still further: “The two rulers certainly do not understand German and they will be mightily bored with Herr Helmer’s address.”
“But they do understand German, as I happen to know. Besides, the French translation of the gist of the address has been printed and is in their hands.”
In the mean time Helmer had taken his place at one side of the desk, letting his hand rest on it and surveying the audience. First of all, he looked for Franka. At last he caught sight of her in the corner of her box. He gave her a mute greeting. At that instant Prince Victor Adolph and General Orell entered her box. Franka shook hands with them, but put her finger to her lips, as a sign that they must not speak; then she turned toward the platform. Her heart was beating wildly. She was as deeply agitated as on the evening of her own début. Victor Adolph took his seat behind her.
Helmer made a slight inclination toward the two rulers; then turned to the audience:—
“Fellow-men! The meaning of this address requires an explanation: I am conscious that I am speaking not merely to the small assembly of prominent men and women in this place, but to the world outside. I know that what I am about to say—whether well or ill—will be repeated in type, on human lips, on phonographs, in scientific reviews, in popular assemblies, in the homes of workingmen, in university halls, in all the nooks and corners of the whole civilized world; that it is therefore rightfully addressed to my fellow-men; and what is more: the object itself touches every one personally, no matter to what rank or what land he may belong. Fellow-men, this matter concerns you all alike. Tua res agitur—Humanity! One of the greatest hours of your destiny has struck!”
Franka drew a breath of relief. The speaker’s voice rang out clear and full, and at the same time a restrained fire could be felt under his words, spoken so calmly and with such assurance. Verily, it was the same fire as had inspired her, when he delivered into her hands the shield and spear—Hojo-to-ho—the cry of the Valkyrie!
She turned round to Victor Adolph, who must have understood the mute question in her eyes—“He speaks well, doesn’t he?”—for he nodded affirmatively.