Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-26
The Romantic Prince
By Rafael Sabatini
Metropclan


face to leave 1t paler than IL had been,
so pale that his great dark eyes seemed
to glow and burn. For . moment
breath almost failed him, his brow was
moist, and all the training in deport-
ment and self-command deserted HIM.
He felt foolish and awkward as any
clown, and knew not what to do or
how to bear himself.
And then he became suddenly con-
scious of another familiar face: A
fiorid countenance with q great nose
and q pair OF hazel eyes: 1t belonged
stocky burghef with his head thrown
back on his short. thick neck. grinning
broadly 1T him In greeting with q lift
Of the hand towards him. to let others
see on what terms Of familiarity he
was the first among the dukes inti-
mates.
That recalled Count Anthony to him.
self. He smiled his acknowledgment
of that fulsome greeting, and bowed low
to Johanna. A moment later and
Rhynsault was presenting her to the
duke. Another moment and she passed
on and was merged with Danvelt into
the body Of the crowd. But the counts
eyes followed her as she moved hither
and tl1ither In that shifting throng.
Actually he had moved q step to go
after her before he remembered that
respect for the duke and his duty kept
him rooted where he stood.
Not until some hours later, after the
great state banquet which endured al
most unfortunately and when the gran
doles were lighted and the dance was
In progress, was opportunity afforded
him to approach her. 1t was during
the first dance, when the duke, to set
the example. had led forth the wife Of
van Koeneck, the burgomaster of Mid
delburg, and had been followed by all
his courtiers and most Of the burghers
present, that Count Anthony espied
her seated alone near one of the tall
mullioned windows at the halls end.
He reached her side q moment after
courtly elegant Messiere de Rubempre
of the dukes following. She was in
the act of declining with, excuses the
courtier's invitation to the dance when
suddenly Count Anthony surged beside
him. Messiere' de Rubempre bowed
low and retired without Observing the
deathly pallor overspreading the face
which had attracted that fastidious
courtier or the tumult of that white
bosom which he had so much admired.
With lowered eyes and fingers locked
about the handle Of her fan Of peacock's
feathers she sat with the least SUCCESS
ton OF crouching in her attitude while
Count Anthony leaned over her
Johanna" he murmured, but re-
ceived no answer. He read offense in
her attitude, in her averted eyes and
her obvious agitation. She was in
| the right to be offended with him, and
her sudden discovery. of his true iden-
tity would hardly mitigate her feelings
But all would be well once he ex-
planned. once he told her that this sight
OF her had scattered his last doubt
his last hesitation; that his dukedom
might go hang unless it would accept
her for its duchess.
+ What lady In all the land, in all the
world, he asked himself, could rival her
Tor beauty, for dignity. for graciousness
Tor purity and worth? Here was 4
nobility deeper than any nobility Of
birth and blood. It was a nobility di.
-rectly bestowed upon her by her Maker
as sometimes happened.
We must talk, Johanna. 1 have 81
much to say to you. ~
One upward glance Of her eyes she
vouchsafed him. to lower them in.
stantly again. But not before he liao
read scorn and pain in them. Her lips
smiled little In sheer bitterness. Her
| voice came steady and cold, and her
words reached him above the sounds OF
the music and the shufde and stamr
OF the dancers feet.
What can Prince Of GueIders have
to say to burgher woman?"
| His voice was almost hoarse as he
| answered her: That which will make
the burgher woman q princess or else
/ the prince burgher"
Again she looked up at him. and n
there was still pain In her eyes. and
still some scorn, it was now the scorn