For a few moments there was a pause, as it were at the very crisis in the game of life and death, when the winner’s stroke was made, and the losing gambler saw his ruin in his adversary’s face. It was a terrible silence, wherein men held their breath, and dared not anticipate the breaking of the intolerable strain.
Ludwig spoke first, standing forward now, and confronting his cousin’s lowering face.
“So you have taken care of my throne for me in my absence, Ferdinand,” he said, with an almost sweet gravity. “I fear the relinquishing of it will be distasteful to you, yet the moment has come when I must claim my own.”
Ferdinand’s sharp eyes searched for a suspicion of irony, but the sting, though sharp enough, was hidden. Ludwig’s tone and expression were as gravely simple as his words. Even the acuter Morvan, who stood by, biting his sensual lip in utter discomfiture, could detect no sarcasm.
Ferdinand made a brave attempt at a smile, but the result was a grin of hate and mortification. “So you are alive, after all, Cousin Ludwig,” he said awkwardly, and with a dry tongue. “We heard, on good authority, that you were dead.”
“I fear,” Ludwig returned, with stern calmness, “that my cousin was so content with such acceptable news, that he troubled neither to verify it, for fear it might prove false, nor to send me help in my danger. I have, indeed, been near death more than once; but, under Heaven’s mercy, have escaped. And I am here, as you see, to claim my throne.”
The last words, which were pronounced as a challenge, were received by Ferdinand and his party with ominous silence. The usurper glanced at Morvan, who went near and spoke to him in a low tone. Then, in the midst of the dark mutterings, there was a movement beyond the doorway, which was filled by Ludwig’s adherents, who there awaited the upshot. They now drew aside to make a passage for Ompertz and de Gayl, who entered at the head of a body of the domestic troops which they had led from the barracks. Ferdinand, seeing the uniforms, and thinking they had come to his assistance, raised his head in relief, and stood forth defiantly. But Morvan had noticed the leaders, and shrank back, knowing the game was lost.
“I say I am here to claim my kingdom and the throne you have usurped,” Ludwig exclaimed, irritated and impatient at the other’s attitude.
There was a great shout of “Long live King Ludwig!” and Ferdinand drew back like a beaten hound.
“Does my cousin Ferdinand acknowledge or dispute my claim?” The question was spoken in a lower tone, but quite clearly.