Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-28
CHAPTER XXI.

His highness, the Prince of SAKE Lei
nitzerr'
| Duson stood away from the door with a
| low bow. The prince, in the buttonhole of
| whose frock-coat was large bunch of
| Russian violets. passed across the threshold.
Mr.. sabn rose slowly from his chair.
II fear the prince said suavely. that I
| am an early visitor. can only throw my
self upon your Indulgence and plead the
| urgency OF my mission"
| His arrival appeared to have interrupted
| a late breakfast of the continental order.
| The small table at which Lucille and Mr..
Sabin were seated was covered with roses
| and several dishes of wonderful fruit. A
| coffee equpage was before Lucille. Mr.
| Sabin, dressed with his usual peculiar care
| and looking ten years younger, had just lit
| cigarette.
Eve have been anticipating your visit
| prince Mr.. Sabn remarked. with grim
| courtesy. Can We offer you coffee or a
! liqueur?''
| II thank you, no." the prince answered
! Il seldom take anything before lunch. Let
| me beg that you do not disturb yourselves.
| With your permission l will take this easy
| chair So! That is excellent. We can
now talk undisturbed."
Mr.. Sabin bowed.
| listener"
The prince smiled in an amiable manner
| His eyes were fixed upon Lucille, who had
drawn her chair little away from the ia
Die what other woman in the world who
had passed her first youth could sit thus in
the slanting sunlight and remain beauti
full?
Il Will ask you to believe" the prince
said slowly, "how sincerely / regret this
piness SO touching. Nevertheless. 1 have
come for the countess. 1t is necessary that
she return to Dorset House this morning"
you will obIige me-" Mr. Sabin re-
arkpd ''by herring ha m ufo iS
the Duchesse de Souspennier, and by SO
addressing her"
The prince spread out his hands-a depre-
eating gesture.
"Alas! he said. for the present it Is not
possible. Until the little affair upon which
we are now engaged is finally disposed of
1t is necessary that Lucille should be known
by the title which she bears in her own
right or by the name of her late husband,
Mr. James B. Peterson"
That little affair."" Mr.. Sabn remarked,
lis. | presume, the matter which you have
come to explain TO me-"
The prince smiled and shook his head.
Explain! My dear duke. that is not pos
sible. 1t is not within your rights to ask
questions or to require any explanation as
to anything which Lucille is required to do
by us. You must remember that claim
upon her comes before yours. 1t is a claim
which she cannot evade or deny. And in
pursuance of it, countess, I deeply regret
having to tell you that your presence at
Dorset House within the next hour is de-
manded.''
Lucille made no answer but looked across
the table at Mr.. Sabin with a little girl
mace.
1T is a comedy" she murmured. After
Mr.. Sabn fingered his cigarette thought
fully.
II believe" he said. that the duchess
realizes her responsibilities I'm this matter
I myself have no wish to deny them. AS
ordinary members we are both pledged to
absolute obedience. l therefore place no
embargo upon the return of my wife to
Dorset House. But there are certain condi-
tions prince that considering the special
circumstances of the case 1 feel impelled to
propose"
Il can recognize the prince said, mo
conditions"
They are very harmless Mr. Sabin con-
tinued calmly The first is that in
friendly way. and of course under the in
violable law of secrecy. you explain to me
for what part Lucille is cast in this little
comedy; the next that l be allowed to see
her at reasonable intervals. and finally that
Duchesse de Souspennier.''
The forced urbanity which the prince had
assumed fell away from him without warn
ing. The tone Of his reply was almost
sheer
II repeat" he said that can recognize
no conditions"
1T is perhaps" Mr.. Sabin continued, the
wrong word to use. We submit to your au-
| thority, but you and 1 are well aware that
your discretionary powers are large. / ask
you to use them"
And L. the prince said, refuse. Let me
add that intend to prevent any recurrence
of your little adventure of last night. Luz
ellie shall not see you again until her task
is over. And as for you, my dear duke, l
desire only your absence l do not wish to
hurt your feelings, but your name has been
associated in the past with too many fail
ures to inspire us with any confidence in
engag ing' you as an ally. Countess, car
riage from Dorset House awaits you
But Lucille sat still, and Mr.. Sabn rose
slowly to his feet.
Il thank you. prince" he said, "for throw
Ing away the mask. Fighting is always
better without the buttons. 1t is true that
l have failed more than once but 1t is also
true that my failures have been more mag
nificent than yodr waddle across the plain
OF life. AS for your present authority, 1
challenge you to your face that you are u.s.
ing it to gain your private ends. What 1
have said to you I shall repeat TO those
whose place is above yours. Lucille shall go
to Dorset House. but l warn you that 1
hold my life a slight thing where her well
fare is concerned. Your hand is upon the
unit in the world. Yet l would have you
remember that more than once, prince
when you and have met with the odds in
your favor the victory has been mine. Play
the game fairly, and you have nothing to
fear from me but the open opposition I
have promised you. Bring but the shadow
of evil upon her, misuse your power but
ever slightly against her. and 1 warn
NiAsNN
left to me a trifle-of less than no account
until you and cry quits
The prince smiled, a fat, good-natured
smile, behind which the malice was indeed
well hidden.
Come, come. my dear Souspennier, he
declared. This is unworthy of you. 1t is
positively melodramatic. 1t reminds me of
the plays of my fatherland and of your
own Adelphi Theater We should be men
of the world, you and l. You must take
your defeats with your victories. / can as
sure you that the welfare of the Countess
Lucille shall be my special care"
Lucille for the first time spoke. She rose
from her chair and rested her hands affec-
tionately upon her husbands shoulder.
Dear Victor she said, remember that
We are in London, and, need I add. have
confidence in me. The Prince of SAKE
Leinitzer and l understand one another
believe. If we do not 1t is not my fault.
My presence here at this moment should
prove to you how eagerly / shall look for
ward to the time when separation is
no longer necessary
She passed away into the inner room with
a little farewell gesture tender and regret
full. Mr.. Sabin resumed his seat.
Il believe. prince" he said, that no good
can come of any further conference be-
tween you and me. We understand one an