The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1885-04-04
RO YAL Love.
ry wILKiE COLLINS.

fusion nov. tig one itl.t ! can do IL
to repeat what the Bicu.'3 sIid to me
when had IN some dcacc recovered
my compOsure.
u suppose son are aware she began.
"of the disgrace To which III, Princess's
infatuatiOn exposes her. II Il Is discOv-
ered!"
| saw my duty as plainly us she did.
"Iler lliglinesS's secret is u sacred Sc
cret," said. II am bound TO shrink
from 10 sacrifice which may preserve
it."
The Baroness smiled malciously. IL
may have Occas SON" she answered, "to
remind you of what you have Just said
In the meantime, the Princoss's secret
is in danger of discovery"
"l}y her fathery"
mo. BY the Doctor"
At first, | doubted whether she was
in Jest or in earnest. The next instant,
| remembered that the secretary had ex-
pressly cautioned me against that man.
at is evidently one of your virtues"
the Baroness proceeded, ito be slow to
suspect. Prepare yourself for dis
agreeable surprise. The Doctor has
beeu watching the Princess, on every
occasion when she speaks to you, with
some object of his own in view. Dur
ing my absence, young, sir, have been
I
is. My excellent mother lives at the
Court of the Grand Duke, and enjoys
the confidence of his Ministers. lie is
still bachelor; and, in the interest of
| the succession to the throne, the time
has arrived when he must marry. With
my mothers assistance | have found
out that the Doctors medical errand
here is pretense. Influenced by the
| Princess's beauty, the Grand Duke has
| thought of her first as his future Ouch
ess. Whether he has heard slanderous
stories, or whether he is only cautious
man, can't tell you. But this know;
he has instructed his physician-if he
had employed protested diplomatist,
| his motive might have been suspected
to observe her IIighness privately and
| to communicate the result. The Doc
tor, Mr. Ernest, is not disposed to allow
you to prevent him from sending in a
favorable report. lie has drawn his
conclusions from the Princess's extra
ordinary kindness to the second secre-
tary of the English legation; and he is
to communicate his suspicious to the
Prince. 1t rests with you to save the
Princess"
"Only tell me how | am to do i'll" |
said.
"There is but one way of doing it,"
she answered: "and that way has Comic
ally enough) been suggested to me by
the Doctor himself"
Her tone and manner tried my pa
thence. "Come to the point" | said.
She seemed to enjoy provoking me.
mo hurry, Mr.. Ernest-no hurryl
You shall be fully enlightened if you
will only wait little. The Prince, /
must tell you, believes in his daughters
indsposition. When he visited her this
morning. he was attended by his medi-
cal adviser. was present at the inter-
view. To do him justice, the Doctor is
worthy of the trust reposed in him-he
boldly attempted to verify his suspicious
of the daughter, in the fathers pres
ence."
How"
"Oh, in the well-known way that has
been tried over and over again, under
similar circumstances lie merely in
vented a report that you were engaged
in a love-affair with some charming per-
son in the town. Don't be angry; there s
no harm done.'
"But there is harm DONE" insisted.
-What must the Princess think of mep'
"Do you suppose she is weak enough
to believe the Doctor Her Highness
beat him at his own weapons; not the
slightest sign of. agitation on her part
rewarded his ingenuity. All that you
have to do is to help her to mislead this
medical spy. It's as easy as lying, and
easier. The Doctors Islander declares
that you have a love-affair in the town
Take the hint-and astonish the Doctor
by proving that he has hit on the truth.
1t was hot day; the Baroness was be,
ginning to get excited. She paused, and
famed herself ado | startle your she
asked.
"You disgust me-"
, She laughed.
"What thick-headed man this is"
she said pleasantly. Must Iput it more
plainly stillY Engage in what your En-
glish prudery calls a 'flirtation,' witt
some woman here-the lower in degree
the better, or the Princess might bt
jealous-and let the affair be seen ant
J known by everybody about the Court
: Sly as he is, the Doctor is not prepared
for thatl AT your age, and with YOU
personal advantages, he will take ap
pearances for granted; he will conclud,
that he has wronged you, and misinter
| preted the motives Of the Princess; ant
: the secret of her Ilighness's weakness
will be reserved-thanks to that sacri
, flee, Mr.. Ernest, which you are so will
ing and so eager to make"
| IL don't wish to appear vain" re
|
TO pay these attentions may believe tina
, | really admire her-and it is just posi-
, BILE that she may honestly return tn
a feeling which am only assuming"
"Well-and what them"
ats hard on the woman, surelyp"
! The Baroness was shocked, unaffect
/ eddy shocked.
: "Good heavensl" she exclaimed, "hoy
2 can anything that you do for the Prin
: cess be hard on woman of the lowe
I ordersp There must be an end of thi
nonsense, sirl You have heard what
n propose; and you know what the Gil
cumstances are. My mistress is wait
e ing for your answer. What am I t
J, SLet me see her Ilighness, and spea
= for myself" said |.
y "Quite impossible to-day, withou
i running too great risk. Your repl
d must be made through me-"
:. There was to be Court concert @
the end of the week. On that occasio
v i should be able to make my own repl.
h In the meanwhile | only told the Bal
oness | wanted time to consider.
N "What timer" she asked.
. until tomorrow. Do you object
10 son the contrary, cordially agre
a. Your base hesitation may lead to resul
0. which have not hitherto dared to al
m ticipate;" -.
n what do you meanp'
3. Between this and tomorrow" u
" horrid woman replied, "the Prince
ID may end in seeing you with my eyes.
that hope | wish you good-m0rning."