Princess Maritza | Page 9

little less intimately.
"I have said I am cosmopolitan," he explained. "After all, it is the
greatest nationality to which a man can belong. Coffee in the library,
Francois."
De Froilette ushered his guest into another room, which from floor to
ceiling was lined with books--books on all subjects and in many
languages. A huge writing-table, littered with letters and foreign
newspapers, occupied the centre of the apartment, which was evidently
a working room, though luxurious in all its appointments. De Froilette
did not speak until the servant had placed the coffee on a side table and
had left the room, when he turned suddenly toward Ellerey.
"I followed you to-day, monsieur; it was not a chance meeting."
"I am not surprised," said Ellery. "Twice before you overtook me I

heard the sound of galloping horses, and was prepared for an enemy."
"And instead, behold a friend," De Froilette laughed, pushing a silver
box of cigarettes across the table. "You must bear with me if I am prosy
for a time. I can promise you that the end of the story is better than the
beginning."
Ellerey settled himself to listen attentively.
"The history of this country, monsieur, is composed, as it were, of the
rough ends and edges of the histories of other countries. Every crisis in
Europe causes trouble of some kind here, and first one family and then
another have become paramount in Sturatzberg. All the Powers have
recognized one fact, however, that Wallaria must be kept inviolate; so it
is that this is an independent kingdom to-day. The position is unique,
and gives the King, within his own realm, a power more autocratic than
the Czar's should he care to use it, since he has only to play off one
great Power against another to preserve himself from attack. You
follow me?"
Ellerey murmured an assent, wondering what this recital was to lead to.
"It is clear that his Majesty does not use this power," De Froilette went
on. "He may be timid, he may lack ambition, we will speak no
treachery; but in times past there have been ambitious monarchs, and
still little has happened. Why? Because, monsieur, recognizing that this
country is one of the chief factors in preserving the peace of Europe,
the nations have sent the ablest men they possess as their Ambassadors
to Sturatzberg. Your British Minister is a case in point. The result is
that to the present time no monarch has risen with courage enough,
allied to sufficient political acumen, to take his own course, carry it to
success. Have you ever realized, monsieur, that Sturatzberg might play
with the nations of Europe as a gambler plays his hand of cards?"
"I am no diplomatist," Ellerey answered.
De Froilette shrugged his shoulders as though the point were
immaterial to him, and went on:

"To all appearance, the facts are to-day as they have always been, with
one great and important exception--the people. The people are awaking
to the sensation that they are ruled and oppressed, for so they consider
it, by foreigners. They have had secretly preached to them, and they
understand, what possibilities there are; and a wave of national
enthusiasm is silently stealing through the length and breadth of the
land. The bolder spirits have already declared against law and order, as
it exists, by flying to the hills and associating themselves with the
brigands there. The forces under the outlaw Vasilici, I am told, increase
daily. You have heard of him, Captain Ellerey?"
"And have tried to find him," Ellerey answered, with a smile. "But his
fastness in the mountains was always deserted when we got there."
"Some day it will not be. A leader worthy of the cause will be found.
The people will remember that there are others with an equal, or better,
right to the throne than his Majesty, and then you will have the
revolution."
"I presume, monsieur, the leader is found, and only awaits the
opportunity?" said Ellerey.
"You are right, Captain, she is found," De Froilette answered slowly.
"A woman!" Ellerey exclaimed, and he felt the color flush to his face as
he spoke. He forgot for a moment that his sword was pledged to the
King. His thoughts went back to that breezy morning on the downs, and
the tall, straight girl with her bright hair streaming in the wind.
De Froilette laughed.
"A woman, Captain Ellerey, who destines you for high service. Let her
plead for herself," and as he spoke he opened the door, and stood aside
with bowed head.
A woman entered. Tall she was, and of imperial mien. Diamonds
glistened in the coils of her raven hair. Her face was beautiful, her
smiling lips and deep, soft eyes, full of sympathy and tenderness,

seemed incapable of any stern