“Between the incoming and outgoing Premiers, as to the passing of the Estimates? Yes; but that is in civilised countries. You must remember that Drakovics does not want to smooth our path, nor to help us in appealing to the country—quite the contrary. Well, your third course would be to dissolve the Legislature at once, leaving Drakovics in power, which would be the maddest thing of all. You know that in this part of the world it is the Government that wins in a general election, and Drakovics would simply pursue the usual tactics, and romp in gaily at the head of the poll.”
“But is there nothing that would enable us to outmanœuvre him?”
“Oh yes: a sum of money sufficient to assist us to pay current expenses and conduct the election without the help of the Estimates.”
“Is that all? Why, I will sell my diamonds.”
“The merest drop in the ocean, dear.”
“Then,” Ernestine lowered her voice and glanced round guiltily, “let us pledge the crown jewels.”
“My dear child, who would advance us anything on such security? Moreover, you forget that Drakovics holds one of the keys of the chest in which the regalia is kept, and he is scarcely likely to see the matter from our point of view.”
“Cyril!” Ernestine sprang to her feet again, and her voice was full of resolution, “rather than yield to him I will dismiss him and dissolve the Legislature without summoning a new one, and govern the country through the permanent officials.”
“Alas! my dear innocent child, you are a constitutional monarch, and the Constitution is guaranteed by the Powers, and adored, in theory, by the people. Why, Drakovics would have you and Michael deposed and conducted across the frontier just in time to meet the representatives of Europe coming to sit in judgment upon you, and there would be an end of your dynasty.”
“But can you suggest no means of getting this money? Think of something.”