The National tribune., 1906-11-15

| appearance. But it's coming on very
| we'll again..
What? Then I wasn't so far out
| If not the fair Antoinette, there was a
| charmer."
There is always a charmer," said ]
| sententiously.
But George would not be satisfied till
he had wormed out of me Che took
much pride in his ingenuity an abso-
lutely imaginary love affair, attended
with the proper Soupcon of scandal,
| which had kept me all this time in the
peaceful regions of the Tyrol. In re-
turn for this narrative George regaled
me with a great deal of what he called
inside Information" (known only to
diplomatistS) as to the true course of
events in Ruritania, the plots and coun-
terplots. In his opinion, he told me,
with a significant nod there was more
to be said for Black Michael than the
public supposed; and he limited at a
well-founded suspicion that the mys-
terious prisoner of Zenda, concerning
whom a good many paragraphs had
appeared, was not man at all. but
(here l had some ado not to smile) n
woman disguised as a man; and that
strife between the King and his brother
for this imaginary lady's favor was at
the bottom of their quarrel.
Perhaps it was Nine. de Mauban
herself" I suggested.
NOT said George decisively. AN
toinette de Mauban was jealous of her,
and betrayed the Duke to the King for
that reason. And, to confirm what I
say, it's well known that the Princess
Flavia is now extremely cold to the
King, after having been most affection
ate"
At this point I changed the subject
and escaped from Georges inspired"
delusions. But il diplomatists never
know anything more than they had
succeeded in finding out in this instance,
pensive luxuries.
While in Paris wrote to Antofnette,
though / did not venture to call upon
her. I received in return very af-
fecting letter. in which she assured me
that the Kings generosity and kindness.
no less than her regard for me, bound
her conscience to absolute secrecy. She
expressed the intention of settling in the
country, and Withdrawing herself en-
tirely from society. Whether she car
ried out her designs ] have never heard,
but as i have not met her or heard
news of her up to this time it is prob
able that she did. There is no doubt
that she was deeply attached to the
Duke of Strelsau; and her conduct at
the time of his death proved that no
knowledge of the mans real character
was enough to root her regard for him
out of her heart
l had one more battle left to fight
a battle that would, / knew. be severe.
and was bound to end in my complete
defeat. Was I not back from the Ty-
rol, without having made any study OF
its inhabitants, institutions, scenery.
fauna flora or other features? Had
not simply wasted my time in my usual
frivolous gOod-for-nothing way. That
was the aspect of the matter which, I
was obliged to admit, would present it
self to my Sister-in-law; and against a
verdict based on such evidence / had
really no defense to offer. IT may be
supposed. then, that l presented myself
in Park Lane in a shame-faced, sheep
ish fashion. On the whole, my reccp-
ton was not so alarming as / had
feared. 1t turned out that ] had done.
not what Rose wished, but-the next
best thing-what she prophesied. Shel
had declared that l should make moi
notes, record no observations, gather no
materials My brother, on the other
hand, had been weak enough to main
tain that really serious resolve had at
length animated me.
When I returned empty-handed Rose
was so occupied in triumphing over
Burlesdon that she let me down quite
easily. devoting the greater part of her
reproaches to my failure to ADVERTISED
my friends of my whereabouts.
We've wasted lot of time trying to
find you" she said.
Il know you have" said I. "Half|
our ambassadors have led weary lives
on my account. George Featherly told
me so. But why should you have been
anxious? I can take care of myself"
"Oh, it wasn't that" she cried scorn-
fully; but / wanted to tell you about
Sir Jacob Borrodaile. You know hes
got an Embassy-at least, he will have
in month-and he wrote to say he
hoped you would go with him"
where's he going to-"
"He's going to succeed Lord Topham
at StreIsau," said she. you couldn't
have nicer place, short of Paris"
"StrelsauI Hm!" said I, glancing at
my brother.
"Oh, that doesn't matter" exclaimed
Rose impatiently. Now you will go,
won't you?"
"I don't know that I care about it,"
ooh, you're too exasperating"
"And 1 don't think / can go to Strel-
sau. My dear Rose, would it be suit
able?"
"Oh, nobody remembers that horrid
old story now"
Upon this took out of my pocket a
portrait of the King of Ruritania. It
had been taken a month or two before
he ascended the throne, and he wore
full beard. Nevertheless she could not
miss my point when / said, putting it
into her hands:
'In case you've not seen or not no.
ticed a picture of Rudolf V, there he
is. Don't you think they might recall
the story If 1 appeared at the court of
Ruritania?"
My sister-in-law looked at the por-
trait, and then at me.
Good gracious,' she said, and flung
the photograph down on the table.
What do you say, Bob?' / asked.
Burlesdon got up, went to a corner
of the room and searched in a heap of
newspapers. Presently he came back
with copy of the illustrated London
News Opening the paper, he displayed
a double-page engraving of the Coro-
nation of Rudolf V. at Strelsau. The
photograph and the picture he laid side
by side. / sat at the table fronting
them, and as / looked 1 grew absorbed.
My eye travelled from my own portrait
to Sapt to StrakencZ. to the rich robes
of the Cardinal, to Black Michaers face,
to the stately figure of the Princess by
his side. Long / looked and eagerly
was reused by my brothers hand on
my shoulder. He was gazing down at
me with puzzled expression.
IT'S a remarkable likeness, you see,"
said l. Il really think / had better not
to go to Ruritania."
Rose, though half convinced, would
not abandon her position.
ITS just an excuse" she said pet
tishly. You don't want to do any