“Then my pleasure is that your people keep to their national dress, Prince. Since I have seen so much of it, I have changed my mind; and I shall change the rules of the Court as well, if only in memory of your loyal welcome to-day.”
Much gratified, Prince Mirkovics presented his brother and other relations to the Queen, and then offered his hand to conduct her down the steps to the horse which he had brought for her. This was, strictly speaking, Cyril’s duty; but the Queen signed to him to waive his rights, and allow the old chief to mount her, which he did in a wholly unexpected way, by lifting her in his arms and depositing her on the gorgeous peaked saddle, which was like an arm-chair placed sideways, with a foot-rest instead of a stirrup. The other ladies and the little King were also provided with steeds; and when all were mounted the troop of retainers formed in two lines, that the royal party might pass between them, after which a tumultuous outburst of cheers and firing off of matchlocks announced that the start had taken place. Prince Mirkovics rode beside the Queen, with his daughter close behind to act as interpreter, and next came the Bishop, keeping a vigilant eye on the little King and his pony. This arrangement left Cyril and Fräulein von Staubach to the escort of the Prince’s sons, who had many questions to ask concerning the adventures of the travellers, all of which Cyril did not see fit to answer fully. He was glad that Fräulein von Staubach appeared disinclined to talk, and rode on stolidly, replying merely in monosyllables when she was addressed, for he was anxious by means of his own answers to impress upon her that it was advisable to maintain a certain degree of reticence respecting the events of the last five days. Shortly before reaching the castle, however, when the cavalcade was traversing a narrow forest-track in which only two could ride abreast, he was surprised to notice that she manœuvred her horse so as to keep beside him.
“What have you been saying to the Queen, Count?” she asked him suddenly in English.
“I did not know that I was in the habit of submitting my conversations with her Majesty to your censorship, Fräulein.”
“Ah, you evade my question? I will ask it differently. Have you had the incredible cruelty and baseness to make love to her Majesty?”
“Allow me to quiet your apprehensions, Fräulein. Whatever has passed between the Queen and myself has been honoured with her Majesty’s entire approval.”
“Does that make it any better? You coward, to shelter yourself behind her!” She paused to see whether she had produced any effect, but finding Cyril smiling calmly, went on with a kind of sob, “I suppose you will tell me that it is all my fault for bringing you in yesterday evening. How could I dream that you would so far forget your duty as to—I knew that the poor Queen had done so, and I thought your voice would rouse her; but I had no idea—not the slightest—that you had the presumption to return——”
“Yes,” said Cyril, interrupting her incoherent sentences. “It is dangerous to play with fire, Fräulein, especially when there is gunpowder lying about. An explosion is at least possible.”
“Oh, my poor mistress, have I brought this upon you!” wailed Fräulein von Staubach, apostrophising the unconscious Queen, who was quite out of hearing. “Why did I not guess what a serpent—— You have had the meanness”—she turned suddenly upon Cyril again—“to demand that her Majesty shall sacrifice her throne, separate herself from her child, incur the fury of her relatives and the scorn of Europe—and all for you!”
“It gives me great pleasure to assure you, Fräulein, that I have not had the meanness to demand anything of the kind.”