“This is an unexpected gain,” said Cyril to himself as he departed. “It gives me leverage, perhaps even a standing-place from which to move my world. But Drakovics will be dangerous for a day or two.”
Contrary to Cyril’s expectation, however, the Premier made no attempt to provoke him to further conflict, and the matter of the punishment of the rebels was allowed to rest; but this surprising meekness on the part of M. Drakovics did not in any way change his subordinate’s opinion. “The old man has a card up his sleeve,” was Cyril’s reflection. “When he plays it, look out for squalls!” It did not strike him at the moment that the card in reserve was a Queen.
About a month after the dispute in the Cabinet, M. Drakovics, as was his custom on most mornings, sought an interview with Ernestine. When the matters to be discussed at the council at which he was to preside after leaving the Palace had been decided, the Premier drew nearer to the table at which the Queen was sitting.
“In accordance with your gracious permission, madame,” he said in a low tone, “I have been sounding the Governments of the various Powers with respect to the alteration of those provisions of the Constitution which deal with your Majesty’s position in the event of remarriage.”
“My permission!” Ernestine flushed with angry astonishment. “I gave you no such permission, monsieur. Pray what have the Powers to do with the matter?”
“Permit me to remind your Majesty that the sanction of the Powers is necessary before any article of the Constitution can be abrogated or altered. As to your permission—I was wrong in using the word. I am fully aware that the delicacy of your Majesty’s sentiments forbade you to initiate any action on the subject, while leaving me at liberty to act on my own discretion.”
“You have totally misunderstood me, monsieur; and I fear you have placed me in a most unpleasant position. The Powers will naturally conclude that I am in a hurry to marry again, whereas nothing is further from my thoughts.”
“Will your Majesty permit me to express my sorrow that such should be the case? It is now considerably more than a year since the lamented death of the King, and I could regard the future of Thracia with far more complacency if I thought that you, madame, were not to continue to bear the burden of state alone.”
“I fear that your wishes have led you into a too hasty course of action, monsieur. May I ask what was the effect produced on the Powers by your inquiries?”
“Scarcely a satisfactory one, madame. The majority desired to know more before expressing an opinion. If the name of any candidate for your hand were submitted to them, they were prepared to consider the matter; but if there was no suitor in the field, they thought the inquiry premature.”