“Very delightful. I suppose, Ernestine, that it is no use——”
“Now, Cyril, I know that you are going to say something against Ottilie, and I don’t want to hear it. You have a prejudice against her, and I am sorry for it, but I can’t give her up because you and she don’t get on.”
“‘Don’t get on’ is a mild term for the relations existing between her Royal Highness and myself. You know that she detests me, and that she would do anything in the world to injure me?”
“You don’t imagine that I would let her turn me against you?”
“Quite the contrary. I fear that you may defend me so vigorously when she speaks against me as to arouse her suspicions and give her an opening for action. When you saw her last you and I were at daggers drawn, you know, and the sudden change of front——”
“But what would it signify if she did suspect? If you would only allow me, I would tell her everything, and enlist her on our side. I am sure she would sympathise with us.”
“Undoubtedly! No, Ernestine—I am speaking seriously—I must put my veto upon that. If you inform the Princess of Dardania of our engagement, you are deliberately ruining our hopes.”
“I would never tell her without your leave, of course. But you will persist in regarding Ottilie as an intriguer, and she is my favourite cousin, an excellent wife, and the best mother that I know.”
“I would not attempt to deny it. But perhaps you will allow me to point out that she practically governs Dardania, since her husband is only too well pleased to go out hunting while she does his work. She has got him into hot water several times through her endeavours—which, I will do her the justice to say, are generally successful—to add to the power and influence of the principality, and she has a finger in every pie in Europe. Not an intriguer! My dear Ernestine, that woman is one of the great intriguers of the world.”
“At least, she is my cousin,” said Ernestine, much vexed, “and therefore deserves consideration at your hands. Well, we will not talk of her, Cyril, since we cannot agree, and I will remember your warnings, but I cannot behave coldly to her—far less have nothing to do with her, as you evidently wish. She and I have always been special friends.”