The Emperor of Pannonia shook his head. “Your advice is excellent, Count, but the understanding must not become known before the King is of age. It would appear that the influence of his family had been used to entrap him into an engagement before he was old enough to judge for himself. One must pay some heed to popular illusions, even in matters of state; and you know that in the Princess of Dardania we have to deal with an unscrupulous woman, who will seize with avidity on any opportunity that may offer itself for casting odium on the decision at which we have arrived.”
“This must be as your Majesty pleases, but I fear that the Princess of Dardania is the only person who will gain by the delay. With the arrangement once ratified, I should not be afraid to defy her misrepresentations.”
“The matter is not in your hands, Count,” growled the Emperor of Hercynia. “My daughter’s marriage cannot be made the talk of Europe.”
Cyril bowed. “May I at least venture to entreat your Majesties to represent the matter to the Queen-Regent, and show her its importance, in order that her voice may be entirely on our side in the matter?”
“Nothing shall induce me to entreat my cousin Ernestine to allow her son to marry my daughter for the sake of European peace,” was the Emperor’s retort.
“It is unnecessary to parade these family differences,” interrupted the Emperor of Pannonia. “No, Count; I think you will see that the suggestion cannot come either from the Emperor Sigismund or myself. It is for you to represent the matter to Queen Ernestine, and convince her of its vital importance. If we had not believed you capable of bringing her to regard it in the desired light, you would not have been admitted to our private counsels.”
“Your Majesty may rely upon my doing my best, although I fear I shall be severely handicapped by being obliged to act ostensibly on my own motion. If even a hint could be given to the Queen——”
“It is impossible, Count. But we leave the matter with confidence in your hands. And a word in your ear. It has come to our knowledge that you entertain certain views—or aspirations—the nature of which is at present immaterial. If this matter of your sovereign’s marriage is arranged to the satisfaction of all parties concerned, and conducted with the zeal and promptness for which you are so well known, I can promise for myself—and also for the Emperor Sigismund and my brother-in-law—that these plans of yours shall receive the most sympathetic consideration, and be furthered in so far as the exigencies of state allow. We should be loth to lose your influence on the side of peace in the Balkans.”
“I am overwhelmed by your Majesty’s condescension,” was Cyril’s guarded reply, but as he descended the secret staircase his heart was beating with unwonted speed. “A bid! a distinct bid for my support!” he said to himself. “With the two Emperors and the Schwarzwald-Molzaus on our side, Ernestine and I could face the world without a qualm. How did they come to know of our little affair, I wonder? Well, it doesn’t signify—some devilry of Princess Ottilie’s, I suppose. If they will recognise our marriage, and help me to get the Constitution altered, so that I can keep my place in Thracia, that is all I want. It would scarcely look well for me to introduce the Bill to amend the Constitution myself, though, even after the Powers had given their consent. Mirkovics could do it, and Ernestine and I would absent ourselves delicately from the kingdom while it was being discussed, and take a honeymoon trip. But talk of counting your chickens before they are hatched! The recognition has to be earned yet, and the Princess won’t allow me to do it without a big fight, I foresee. Well—— to the victor the spoils.”