“Forgive me if you are an Englishman by birth, Baron,” he said, turning towards him, “but a more interfering nation in other people’s affairs than England has never existed in the pages of history. She must have a finger in every pie. Bah!”
Peter leaned over from his place.
“What about Germany—Mr. Fanshawe?” he asked, with emphasis.
The Prince tugged at his beard. He was a little nonplussed.
“The Count von Hern,” he confessed, “has been a good friend to me. The rulers of his country have always been hospitable and favorably inclined towards my family. The whole affair is of his design. I myself could scarcely have moved in it alone. One must reward one’s helpers. There is no reason, however,” he added, with a meaning glance at Peter, “why other helpers should not be admitted.”
“The reward which you offer to the Count von Hern,” Peter remarked, “is of itself absolutely inimical to the interests of my country.”
“Listen!” the Prince demanded, tapping the table before him. “It is true that within a year I am pledged to reward the Count von Hern in certain fashion. It is not possible that you know the terms of our compact, but from your words it is possible that you have guessed. Very well. Accept this from me. Remain neutral now, allow this matter to proceed to its natural conclusion, let your government address representations to me when the time comes, adopting a bold front, and I promise that I will obey them. It will not be my fault that I am compelled to disappoint the Count von Hern. My seaboard would be at the mercy of your fleet. Superior force must be obeyed.”
“It is a matter, this,” Sogrange said, “for discussion between my friend and me. I think that you will find that we are neither of us unreasonable. In short, Prince, I see no insuperable reason why we should not come to terms.”
“You encourage me,” the Prince declared, in a gratified tone. “Do not believe, Marquis, that I am actuated in this matter wholly by motives of personal ambition. No, it is not so. A great desire has burned always in my heart, but it is not that alone which moves me. I assure you that of my certain knowledge Spain is honeycombed—is rotten with treason. A revolution is a certainty. How much better that that revolution should be conducted in a dignified manner; that I, with my reputation for democracy which I have carefully kept before the eyes of my people, should be elected President of the new Spanish Republic, even if it is the gold of the American which places me there. In a year or two, what may happen who can say? This craving for a republic is but a passing dream. Spain, at heart, is monarchial. She will be led back to the light. It is but a short step from the president’s chair to the throne.”
Sogrange and his companion sat quite still. They avoided looking at each other.