“Little fool!” thought Cyril. “If she is trying to irritate Drakovics by a display of petulance, she ought to know that nothing could please him better.” But the Premier was equal to the occasion.
“Madame,” he said, in the tone of one who deals gently with a froward child, “I could not have valued such a proof of his Majesty’s confidence more highly than I do; but my pleasure in it would have been enhanced had I received it from your hands.”
The Queen crimsoned again under the ironical compliment, and M. Drakovics heightened its effect by humbly asking permission to retire, leaving Cyril to finish his business with her. When the door had closed behind the Premier, Cyril took a bold step—
“If your Majesty would allow me to offer a word of advice——”
“You would say, ‘Do not quarrel with M. Drakovics,’” put in the Queen quickly. “Is not that so?”
“I see that there is no need for me to volunteer advice, madame.”
“But tell me, why does he hate my mother so much?”
“Will not your Majesty make some allowance for the natural anxiety of a Minister who sees his country threatened on all sides by insidious foes? Our only hope of preserving Thracia as an independent kingdom lies in our maintaining an equilibrium in the influence of the Powers surrounding us. If we allow one to gain an advantage, we not only encourage that Power to further encroachments, but we stimulate the opposing Powers to demand similar advantages. Not to refer too particularly to past difficulties, need I do more than remind your Majesty that in the past her Royal Highness has not exactly proved herself a successful politician, as we in Thracia consider it? M. Drakovics is doubtless afraid that in the kindness of her heart the Princess might possibly be induced to use her influence with your Majesty in favour of the commercial concessions, say, which Pannonia is now seeking to obtain, and this would complicate his task very much. Of course, the case I have suggested is merely an illustration.”
“Then what is your advice on this point, Count?”
“It is neither brilliant nor particularly agreeable, madame—simply to take no step, enter into no agreement, without the knowledge and hearty assent of your responsible Ministers,—that is to say, of M. Drakovics.”