“And Anna is to be sold to him as the price of his support! I thought it was only princesses who were treated in that way? At any rate, I don’t intend to sacrifice her to a husband who would only marry her for her money. Moreover, I am certain that Count Mortimer would not consent to the bargain.”
“Not consent!” The Princess of Weldart’s eyebrows rose until they nearly met her hair. “My dear Ernestine, only give him the chance!”
“I will,” said the Queen, unmoved. “If I were not so sure that he would refuse, I would not risk Anna’s happiness; but I know he will.”
“I have not the slightest doubt that he will seize upon the idea with avidity.”
“And I am sure that you misjudge him. You have scolded me so often for yielding to the King’s dying wish, and consenting to a reconciliation with this man, that I wish him to justify himself to you. I believe that he is a sincere friend to Michael and myself, although he makes himself extremely disagreeable in fulfilling the duties imposed by his friendship. Well, you will see.”
“We shall see,” echoed the Princess; and the Queen, piqued by the incredulity of her tone, sat down and dashed off a request to Cyril to come to her immediately, as she wished to consult him upon a point of importance.
“I will send it at once,” she said, ringing the bell. To the servant who answered the summons she gave the note, desiring him to deliver it instantly, and as soon as he was gone she turned again to her mother.
“You must sit behind the screen,” she said. “I don’t want you to be able to say that he posed as a disinterested ally because you were present. And you must not reveal yourself, of course. It would scarcely do to have a ‘screen scene’—an unforeseen dénoûment of a dramatic order—in this little comedy of ours. It is quite exciting, isn’t it? I wonder how you will feel as you sit concealed, and listen to Count Mortimer’s noble sentiments!”
She was full of interest and animation as she hastened to arrange the screen round the Princess as she sat beside the fire, and walked backwards and forwards from the door to the table to assure herself that there was no possibility of Cyril’s catching a glimpse of the concealed auditor. Just as his footsteps were heard without, she jumped up again to arrange one side of the screen more easily, so that it might not look as though there was anything to hide, and only returned to her chair as the footman opened the door.
“You were pleased to send for me, madame?” said Cyril, as he entered.