“For the matter of that so may I,” remarked Wilfrid, thinking of the coming duel. “So may you; so may all of us.”
“Ah! but in the Czar’s case there is special cause for fear. But there! I’m talking too fast. I mustn’t betray State secrets.”
This assumption of reticence was a mere preliminary to disclosure, as Wilfrid very well knew. The Ambassador had a tale to unfold, and was burning to unfold it, and, anxious as Wilfrid was to get to the subject of the coming duel, he was not unwilling to be a listener, impressed by his uncle’s air of subdued excitement.
“It was told to me in confidence,” continued Lord St. Helens, “but I see no reason why I should not tell you. The story is certain to be made public property within four and twenty hours. Well, here it is then. Like the rest of the diplomatic body, I received an invitation to this Sumaroff fête, and looked in for a short time just before supper; and am not sorry at having gone, for there, in spite of his mask, I recognised my old friend Panine. He was in a state of great agitation, caused by something he had just heard from Alexander.”
“Alexander was at the fête, then?”
“Of course he was.”
“Prince Sumaroff publicly announced that he wasn’t.”
“Never believe public announcements—in Russia. He was there, but retired before supper-time. As you will see he had very good reason for wishing to be alone with his thoughts. Talking of Alexander, I suppose you know that he was married when only sixteen years old—that is, at an age scarcely capable of forming a just judgment. As a matter of fact he had no voice in the choosing of his wife; she was chosen for him by his grandmother Catharine, and our poor Alexander had no alternative but to obey.
“It is obvious that a marriage of this sort, contracted for political reasons merely, cannot yield that happiness arising from a union based on mutual affection. Far be it from me to speak one word adverse to the young Czarina Elizavetta; she is beautiful, she is charming, she is good; but still, you know the remark of the old Roman to the persons who were praising his wife: ‘This to you may seem an excellent sandal,’ he said, taking it off. ‘I alone know where it pinches.’ So of the Czarina. To us she may seem an ideal consort; Alexander alone knows where the sandal pinches.”
“It is easy to see to what all this is preliminary.”