CHAPTER III
‘Of queenly mien, of loveliest form, and eyesLike gems set in translucent skies.And all the beauty of the Court was dimmedBy fair Igerna: to Uther’s eyes she seemedTo stand a peerless pearl; a diamond divine;Beyond all price, and fitted most to shineIn kingly coronet of the great on earth,A prizeful jewel of unbounded worth.... All women she outviesIn every gentle grace. Her voice now thrilledWith soft delight his ravished ears, and filledHis listening soul with music’s harmony,Sweet as the rippling water’s melody.’Idylls, Legends and Lyrics.
‘Of queenly mien, of loveliest form, and eyesLike gems set in translucent skies.And all the beauty of the Court was dimmedBy fair Igerna: to Uther’s eyes she seemedTo stand a peerless pearl; a diamond divine;Beyond all price, and fitted most to shineIn kingly coronet of the great on earth,A prizeful jewel of unbounded worth.... All women she outviesIn every gentle grace. Her voice now thrilledWith soft delight his ravished ears, and filledHis listening soul with music’s harmony,Sweet as the rippling water’s melody.’Idylls, Legends and Lyrics.
‘Of queenly mien, of loveliest form, and eyesLike gems set in translucent skies.And all the beauty of the Court was dimmedBy fair Igerna: to Uther’s eyes she seemedTo stand a peerless pearl; a diamond divine;Beyond all price, and fitted most to shineIn kingly coronet of the great on earth,A prizeful jewel of unbounded worth.... All women she outviesIn every gentle grace. Her voice now thrilledWith soft delight his ravished ears, and filledHis listening soul with music’s harmony,Sweet as the rippling water’s melody.’Idylls, Legends and Lyrics.
‘Of queenly mien, of loveliest form, and eyes
Like gems set in translucent skies.
And all the beauty of the Court was dimmed
By fair Igerna: to Uther’s eyes she seemed
To stand a peerless pearl; a diamond divine;
Beyond all price, and fitted most to shine
In kingly coronet of the great on earth,
A prizeful jewel of unbounded worth.
... All women she outvies
In every gentle grace. Her voice now thrilled
With soft delight his ravished ears, and filled
His listening soul with music’s harmony,
Sweet as the rippling water’s melody.’
Idylls, Legends and Lyrics.
The Royal Observatory was a stately building of great height erected close to the old building in Greenwich Park, which latter was kept as a show place, and used also as a lecture hall for students of Astronomy. The lower apartments of the new building were occupied by Mercia and her household, while the upper rooms were devoted to the purposes of her profession. A suite of rooms on the left wingwere set apart as workshops for Geometrus, whose spare time was always taken up with planning or perfecting some wonderful astronomical instrument more powerful than the world had hitherto seen.
In a spacious apartment on the third floor which contained two powerful telescopes, constructed on principles of entirely modern invention, being capable of revealing the distant suns to an extent never before dreamt of, was Mercia surrounded by curious astroscopes, stellar-spectroscopes, and wonderfully constructed cameras, which delineated in an instant the starry heights, the glory of which has been the ambition of astronomers in all ages to fathom.
She was seated at her desk making some mathematical calculations of the celestial depths, and was so completely engrossed in her labours that the entrance of her fellow-worker, Geometrus, went unheeded. At length, coming to a close, she raised her head, when instantly a flush of pleasure brought the rose more vividly into her cheeks.
‘Ah, Geometrus, is it thou?’ she exclaimed, ‘I have finished the measurement ofthy namesake, the fixed star, and am happy at last. His system of planets are now all perfect before me: I must write a treatise on this new addition to science so that posterity may know what we have attained.’
‘Why use the word “we,” my mistress,’ replied the young man, ‘it is thou alone who hast done the work?’
‘It is true that I have made the observations and calculations, Geometrus, but it was thy cunning which formed the instrument. Take thy due, my friend, and be not over modest; some base imitator may some day defraud thee of thine invention, unless thou wilt consent to acknowledge it openly.’
‘I would that I might acknowledge openly the one deep thought of my heart,’ he answered with a sigh as he turned to leave the apartment.
‘Stay a little while, Geometrus, I would have some converse with thee. I am buried so deeply in my work that I know not how the world is wagging. What about the great dispute that is coming before the World’s Tribunal? Is it a righteous cause this of the Eastern, thinkest thou?’
‘Nay, mistress, that is not for me to settle: judge for thyself. India desires to regain her ancient freedom. The Government reins of the foreigner however lightly held, gall her. She does not deny having received great benefits from the invader, as great as the Romans conferred upon the early Britons: nevertheless, she would prefer a measure of mismanagement under a native ruler, than the most perfect arrangements from the stranger.’
‘But it is folly in these enlightened times to imagine that India, once our rule were withdrawn, would revert to the old order of things. Ignorance and superstition, Eastern despotism and tyranny can never again find a home in that beautiful country,’ remarked Mercia thoughtfully.
‘Oh, we are all well aware of that: but it suits our purpose to make these assertions: we must invent araison d’êtrewhen we take upon ourselves the government of a country that in no way belongs to us. It ispro re natâ—for a special business—that we aver they can’t get along without us. We have edged in little by little until we have brought the whole Empire under our dominion. Togive up India now, would be as tantalising to us, as it would be to the victorious soldier if asked to give up his loot; for in the good old times pillage was the perquisite of the warrior. America evidently sympathises with India in her desire for a monarchy. That country pretty well understands where the shoe pinches for she has gone through experiences.’
‘I have read in books,’ observed Mercia smiling, ‘how American women made wealthy by their parents’ success in trade, came hither to mate with titled men; for there was no nobility in their own country. I suppose possessing all the world could give save high rank they sought in the parent country for that which their own lacked.’
‘They lacked not long,’ returned Geometrus laughingly, ‘for over fifty years they have been in the enjoyment of a monarchy and all its concomitant honours. The image and superscription of King Jonathan, the First, that adorns the almighty dollar impresses one painfully with their pinchbeck royalty.’
‘We shall get used to it in time,’ observed Mercia gently. ‘A young republic cannotmake an old monarchy. After all, there was a spice of modesty in Jonathan when he elected a king, for he might have made him an emperor while doing it.’
‘It wasn’t modesty at all—it was selfish prudence; they wanted to follow the lines of a constitutional monarchy and considered it was the safest thing to call their Figure Head a king.’
‘If India obtains her desire I wonder whom she will chose for Emperor. Doubtless the people will want that dear old Prime Minister of theirs; they could not have a worthier monarch.’
‘But he is old,’ replied Geometrus quickly, ‘and he is childless, what is to become of the succession when he dies? There will arise tumults and internal quarrels as to his successor: better choose a younger man, and one likely to found a lasting royal line. Remember the fate of Germany. Had there been a goodly half-dozen of sons to fall back upon an English prince would never have had the chance of their crown.’
‘All’s well that ends well, Geometrus. Now is England invincible to the whole world:in her position as a united Empire her power is paramount everywhere.’
No sooner had Mercia made this observation than she heard the sound of some unusual noise going on outside, and stepping to the window she saw several gentlemen assembled near the Observatory, among whom she discerned no other personage than the Emperor Felicitas himself.
‘Here’s a pretty surprise for thee, Mistress Mercia,’ exclaimed Geometrus excitedly; ‘none other than the Emperor! It is not I he seeks, but thou, Mistress Mercia, I will then away.’
‘Stay, Geometrus!’ exclaimed Mercia quickly, ‘I would prefer thy company when I receive the Emperor. I will now retire and change my dress for a more suitable habit in which to receive so honourable a visitor.’
But before she could leave the room a messenger was at the door desiring an audience for his royal master.
Mercia silently bowed her assent; and a moment later the monarch entered her studio. As he did so she rose from her seat at the large table, which was covered with charts and maps of the celestial regions, all of herown making, but the Emperor quickly stepping forward observed gallantly, ‘Stay, lady, keep thy seat, for it is meet that monarchs should serve thee, who art so full of knowledge and wisdom.’
‘Thou art my master,’ she answered in a grave tone.
‘Thy Sovereign, yet thy servant,’ he replied with a deep bow.
‘What is thy wish, Sire, wherefore am I honoured by this visit?’
‘I would know, fair Mercia, the cause of this change of temperature, not only in my dominions, but from all accounts I hear it is general throughout the world. For three successive years an extreme cold has prevailed each season. I fain would learn the reason.’
‘Some serious internal changes are taking place within the body of our sun. Great caverns, about one-fourth of the sun’s diameter have discovered themselves in his centre. We are not the only planet-dwellers suffering from cold at this time, for a difference will be experienced throughout the whole of the solar system. But it is only a temporary inconvenience; from close observation I findthat our sun is absorbing numerous meteoric bodies, of which there are billions wandering in interstellar space, that have been projected from the innumerable suns still called stars by the people, and for the sake of convenience the title is retained by physicists. I conclude therefore that there is no cause for alarm. Our sun has indeed sent out of himself great projectiles into space, but he is ever capturing wandering bodies that happen to come within his influence. In this way the hydrogen of the fixed stars is pressed into our sun’s service and a constant heat sustained, which may last for thousands of years to come.’
‘Of all the stars thou studiest nightly to such excellent purpose, thou art the brightest, Mercia. Thou art truly the wisest of women; and as fair as thou art far-seeing. Thy words give comfort to the world, and thy beauty brings thy Sovereign much delight.’
While Felicitas was uttering these pleasant gallantries, he was gradually edging his chair nearer and nearer to that of Mercia.
Mercia’s countenance at once assumed a more serious expression; hastily glancingtowards that part of the room where Geometrus was seated she found he had slipped out unobserved, doubtless with the intention of leaving them quietly to their discussion on the sun’s condition.
‘Truly, it is most kind of thee, Sire, to show such appreciation; but I seek no flatteries, or compliments—nay—I will have none of them,’ she answered with downcast eyes.
‘Why, what harm is there in speaking a truth, Mercia? I do affirm that thy beauty only exceeds thy knowledge, or thy knowledge thy beauty, I know not which.’
‘Be it so, then, Sire. It is nothing to my credit if I be beautiful; I had no part in the making; and as to my knowledge, it is a necessity to possess it, for it is my livelihood—my very bread.’
‘Ah, Mercia, why spoil those eyes more beautiful than the brightest star in gazing into unknown regions day and night; year in, year out? Thou knowest no enjoyment—thou hast no pleasure of life, as other women; thine existence is lonely—colourless. Drink of the draught of love as nature wills it, andlet the study of the stars stand over for a space.’
The voice of Felicitas as he uttered these words was low, but full of passion; but Mercia, owing to the confusion that covered her, did not notice the change of tone. The king’s words had indeed evoked emotions in her breast that for years she had kept in strict abeyance: now, these throbbed and pulsated through her frame with such force that she became dumb, tongue-tied; at this inopportune moment a knock was heard at the door, and the Emperor himself touched the electric button, when the door opened of itself and gave admittance to another visitor.
It was only Geometrus who had returned for a part of an instrument he was making, which he had inadvertently left behind; his entrance, however, put a prompt stoppage to the Emperor’s love-making; and Mercia, hardly knowing what she was doing rose from her seat and turned to leave the apartment; observing her intention the Emperor concluded that it was time to withdraw.
‘Farewell, mistress,’ he said lightly, as he made her a bow, ‘I will come again, ere longand learn of thee the sun’s condition which is so necessary to be acquainted with.’
It was the fashion at this time to call a woman ‘Mistress,’ whether married or single. The abbreviation ‘Mrs.’ was discarded, as was also ‘Madam’ borrowed from the French, and the old English style resumed in their stead; while ‘Miss’ was applied only to children. The married woman was distinguished from the unmarried by the possession of two surnames,—her father’s and husband’s, while the single woman was known by her father’s name only.
Mercia, in order to escape from observation quickly made her way into her most private apartment, and shutting herself safely within she sank upon the silken couch, and gave way to the tumult of feelings that overwhelmed her.
What did the Emperor mean by counselling her to relax in her duties and give way to the passion of love? she asked herself. Was he putting her probity to the test, merely to ascertain of what stuff she was made? or was it only a random shot on his part, made for mere amusement, but which hadunwittingly touched her deepest feelings? Did he suspect her affection for Geometrus?—but that was impossible; not a living soul knew that she loved this man, not even Geometrus himself. Had Geometrus betrayed himself in any way? Was it possible that in some unguarded moment he had spoken of his passion for her to some friend who had afterwards betrayed him to the Emperor? No, that was impossible. Geometrus would not dare to speak of that which he was prohibited from even hinting at to herself. Had some person, envious of her position, invented some tale, and carried it to Felicitas with a view of bringing about her downfall? If so, who could it be? Was it Heinrich, the German, who longed for her post, and had he done this dishonourable thing to obtain it?
Then the thought crossed her mind of the possibility that the Emperor might have been saying something for himself, of which the bare idea brought the crimson to her cheeks: but this solution of the question she endeavoured promptly to dismiss, for Felicitas was already married, and to offer her, Mercia, anillicit love would be an unparalleled presumption, even from an Emperor.
‘What can have put this abominable thought into my head?’ she again asked herself. Then she rose from her seat and paced up and down her chamber with perturbed motions and flushed face.
She felt that the whole thing was mystifying to a degree. At length, after much cogitation she concluded to take no further notice of the matter, for it would be undignified to seek explanations either of Geometrus or the Emperor.
‘Let me take up a position of inactivity,’ she murmured to herself, ‘I will await developments as they unfold, and shape my course accordingly.’
Did the Emperor dream of success in his endeavour to corrupt the faultless Mercia? It was, indeed, a bold step for him to take with one so high-minded, so self-controlled as she. But her very unattainability made her all the more desirable in his eyes: the more he dwelt on the futility of his wish the more violently his passion raged within him.
‘I must have Mercia!’ he exclaimed tohimself as nightly he lay awake dwelling on her beauty, her goodness, and her extraordinary abilities.
‘She must be mine, I cannot live without her! I will go to her again—I will risk all, and tell her of my love. If need be, I will break down that barrier that divides us; I will not be baulked of Mercia. If she refuse to become mine secretly, I will wed her openly, and get rid of that flat-faced Russian woman whom my ministers talked me into marrying.’
Now Felicitas spoke wildly when he gave way to these thoughts, for it was impossible to put away the Empress, he having no adequate cause given him to justify such an attempt. Russia would indignantly resent such treatment of their Princess, and none of the foreign Powers would stand by him in his demand.
From nineteenth-century immorality covered by the thick cloak of religion, a change had gradually taken place for the better in matters matrimonial. In fact, a high standard of morality in all things had taken the place of religious superstitions; consequently, the teachings of common sense were adopted inthe remodelling of divorce laws, which for ages had contained serious blemishes. This, in part, was owing to the absurd restrictions of the clergy of those times, the upper members of which body holding the position of chief legislators together with the peers of the realm.
These insisted on the indissolubility of the marriage tie, as far as ever it was possible to make it, quoting ancient Mosaical laws in support of their views, as if those old-time regulations which were probably suitable enough in their day for the primitive people for whom they were framed, should continue as a guide for all ages.
But long before Felicitas’ time a great revolution had taken place in laws matrimonial, which benefited society very materially. These were now framed on more equitable principles, for the truest benevolence pervaded their spirit, the punishment of the guilty one being not the only object sought, as in nineteenth-century law, which forbade the divorce, if it was discovered the two were agreed for it, but rather the happiness of both. Marriage was now regarded as a serious civil contract which couldnot easily be violated, but relief from its yoke was allowed under certain conditions, without either party having been conjugally unfaithful. If a couple living a notoriously unhappy life, and finding they were totally unadapted for each other, finally agreed to separate, it was possible to get the marriage contract annulled, and the two set at liberty again.
The children of the marriage, if any, would be equally divided between them, or some amicable arrangement arrived at.
This severance did not relieve the husband of the responsibility of her maintenance, except in cases where the wife possessed sufficient means of her own to live upon, or in the event of her marrying again, when of course, all responsibility on his part ceased.
It may be imagined that the Divorce Courts were kept pretty lively by these innovations; it certainly had this effect for some little time; but gradually as education and the higher morality advanced the number of annulled marriages decreased.
As soon as the social plane for woman was raised she became more exacting in her requirements, preferring to remain single ratherthan mate with the morally weak, or otherwise unsuitable person.
To a man marriage was not the easy matter it had been to the nineteenth-century bachelor, when numbers of unemployed, or,—owing to their absurd training—hopelessly incompetent young women were to be had for the asking. But this was all changed now; a desirable wife had become as difficult to obtain as a desirable husband in previous generations; and when a man’s suit proved successful, and he had gained the object of his choice, he usually behaved in such a way towards her as gave her considerable satisfaction.
On her side too, rested a responsibility which she realised to the utmost; and willingly yielded to the man she had elected the devotion of a high-minded, unselfish affection.
Love, in its purest form was woman’s ideal, for the heart as well as the intellect was cultivated.
CHAPTER IV
‘Your wondrous, rare description, noble Earl,Of beauteous Margaret hath astonished me.Her virtues graced with external gifts,Do breed love’s settled passions in my heart;And like as rigour of tempestuous gustsProvokes the mightiest hulk against the tide,So am I driven, by breath of her renownEither to suffer shipwreck, or arriveWhere I may have fruition of her love.’King Henry VI., sc. v.
‘Your wondrous, rare description, noble Earl,Of beauteous Margaret hath astonished me.Her virtues graced with external gifts,Do breed love’s settled passions in my heart;And like as rigour of tempestuous gustsProvokes the mightiest hulk against the tide,So am I driven, by breath of her renownEither to suffer shipwreck, or arriveWhere I may have fruition of her love.’King Henry VI., sc. v.
‘Your wondrous, rare description, noble Earl,Of beauteous Margaret hath astonished me.Her virtues graced with external gifts,Do breed love’s settled passions in my heart;And like as rigour of tempestuous gustsProvokes the mightiest hulk against the tide,So am I driven, by breath of her renownEither to suffer shipwreck, or arriveWhere I may have fruition of her love.’King Henry VI., sc. v.
‘Your wondrous, rare description, noble Earl,
Of beauteous Margaret hath astonished me.
Her virtues graced with external gifts,
Do breed love’s settled passions in my heart;
And like as rigour of tempestuous gusts
Provokes the mightiest hulk against the tide,
So am I driven, by breath of her renown
Either to suffer shipwreck, or arrive
Where I may have fruition of her love.’
King Henry VI., sc. v.
We left Mercia somewhat settled in her mind regarding the course she ought to take with the Emperor.
If Felicitas should chance not to make mention of the subject of love, which was a forbidden one to her, owing to her position, she made up her mind to forbear making inquiries concerning his motive for introducing it.
She waited and watched each day for his coming with a vague hope in her heart that he would look favourably upon Geometrus’love, in the event of his having knowledge of it. In any case, it could only be a suspicion, seeing it was as yet undeclared on his part.
Although she said nothing to Geometrus, nevertheless, he felt there was something in the air. Often he would look at her wistfully and try to probe her thoughts; for he saw most distinctly the preoccupation of her mind as she strove to make her usual mathematical calculations. Still he forbore questioning her, for the one subject he was desirous of discussing with her, was entirely forbidden. Only his eyes told of the love that filled his heart.
Reason reminded him that it was indeed a hopeless affection, for he felt assured that Mercia’s mind was so bound up in her vocation that she could never be induced to abandon it in order to wed one who had so little to offer her in return. Moreover, he too, would be sent adrift as soon as the matter oozed out, for the same prohibition from marriage was placed upon him.
Numerous, indeed, were the plans he formed daily in his mind of what he would do for a competent livelihood in the event of his acceptance by Mercia. He knew it was uselessto make her an offer unless he could see his way clear to maintain her, when to accept him she must abandon a highly lucrative and honourable position.
‘But would she indeed make such a sacrifice for him?’ he asked himself, ‘Would it not be selfish on his part to prefer such a request? True—true; he would not—dare not make it. It was selfish, utterly selfish to dream of it for one moment. No, he would lock up his feelings; he would carefully keep his heart-secret; he would not ruin her life by asking her to share his comparatively humble position, supposing she was willing to listen to him.’
Thus did Geometrus torment himself with many doubts and fears. At one moment making bright plans for the future, wherein he saw himself distinguished before the world for his wonderful instruments, the like of which he knew had never been produced before, and probably would be at no time beaten. These had been planned and invented in the first instance for Mercia alone, yet for Mercia’s sake they should be given to the world, so that he might become more worthyof her; a more honourable mate for the peerless Mercia.
Ah, Love, Love, how much thou hast to answer for! How many human hearts hast thou set wildly beating for fame that would otherwise have remained in quiet seclusion? How many mighty minds hast thou set daily and nightly throbbing with pain by reason of thine unreasonable attraction? Thou seekest thine affinity where it is forbidden thee to enter, ever regardless of the restrictions and barriers invented by mankind for their protection.
Thou only dost behold the object of thy search; invisible to thine eyes the barricades of worldly conventions.
Quite alone, and unattended by any member of his suite, Felicitas set off to pay Mercia his promised visit; who on her side gladly gave him a pleasant welcome. In her heart she fondly hoped that the interpretation of his words would prove favourable to herself and Geometrus; and in some way yet to be discovered, the monarch might benefit them.
For could he not influence his ministers todo away with this absurd marriage objection? Yes, Felicitas had power to help them, if he could be induced to put it into operation. This was the one thing needful; the monarch’s goodwill, and all would then be plain sailing.
Their marriage need not hinder their work; they two could labour together, she thought, and side by side discharge conscientiously their allotted duties, to their country’s satisfaction and their own perfect content.
It so happened that Geometrus on that day had business in the city, which detained him several hours, and as the Emperor was being driven in a carriage drawn by horses—for this was the custom of royalty, that it should be distinguished from the commonalty, who used electric force for cheapness as for swiftness—he saw Geometrus enter a machine warehouse, or shop, where electrical household machines were vended.
‘Ah,’ thought the Emperor, ‘thou art there, my friend: pray make no hurry on my account; thou wast trulyde tropon the last occasion I called on mine astronomer; I could well have spared thy presence.’
Thus the Emperor felicitated himself uponhis good fortune, in being secured against a like interruption on this occasion. When arrived at his destination, which was not very soon, owing to the slowness of the journey—for the speed of the horse was not comparable with that of electric energy—the Emperor entered the Observatory with a firm resolution to make good use of the opportunity with which fortune had favoured him. Now, Mercia, with the same motive in her mind, received him very cordially, for she desired to make a favourable impression, with a view of obtaining his royal clemency in the matter of matrimony, albeit, it appeared on further reflection, but a bare possibility that she would at any time change her present condition.
‘Ah, Mistress Mercia,’ he exclaimed playfully, ‘what cheerful looks thou dost carry to-day, methinks thy face betokens much content—hast thou taken my words to heart, fair lady, ’twas truly excellent advice?’
‘Sire, thou saidst something concerning the sun—thou didst talk of coming to learn more of his condition, I believe,’ answered Mercia evasively.
‘True,’ he replied with a laugh, ‘I fainwould know more of the sun’s late vagaries: but it would please me infinitely better to learn something of thyself, dost thou never feel lonely?’
‘Often enough, Sire; the hours speed away at times very quickly when I am hard at work, but when it is time to rest then the feeling of solitude overwhelms me: I get appalled at the silence that surrounds me, and a melancholy seizes me so severely that I rise unable to cope with my duties.’
‘Art thou then tired of this occupation? It is indeed, too much for thee. Rest a while, sweet Mercia, and let the stars take care of themselves for a season.’
‘Oh, that would spoil all my calculations; the work of years would be as naught were I to stay my hand now. No, I will wait until my treatise on the stars is complete; then I will take some little change for my health’s sake.’
‘Health, and Love, sweet Mercia, go hand in hand together. Let thine heart melt to its influence, and all will go well with thee. Thy melancholies will disappear; thy solitude lightened; for thou wilt have a new theory to analyse—a new and a better one.’
‘Yes, thou canst love, dear Mercia, I know it; for thine eyes were made for the conquest of man’s heart, rather than star-gazing. Cease to disregard the designs of Nature when she formed thee, and yield thyself to the pleasure of love.’
Mercia essayed to answer him, but her tongue refused her utterance, so great was her confusion. She blushed violently, and at last stammered out—
‘Sire, I know not what answer to give in this matter—I am yet unprepared,—perplexed with this reasoning of thine.’
‘Hast thou not felt the want of companionship, dear Mercia? Here penned in this solitude only fit for a greybeard thou dost pine, yet knoweth not what it is ails thee. It is good to be loved, fair one, to realise how much thy womanhood means: hast thou never felt its joys—its pains?’
‘But my bond, Sire, I cannot break my bond, signed by my own hand, to forswear love and marriage: no one but thyself can relieve me of this obligation,’ exclaimed Mercia excitedly.
‘I heartily relieve thee, then, my goodMercia. I care not for the bond one iota, if that be all that’s in thy way. Keep thy post as thou likest thy work so well, and enjoy the delights of love at the same time,’ replied the delighted monarch, who found it most difficult to conceal his fancied triumph.
Mercia uttered a low cry of joy, and in her gratitude threw herself at his feet, then taking his willing hand in hers, she pressed it to her lips in silence, for her heart was too full for speech.
When the matter had arrived thus far, the Emperor forgetting the caution and self-restraint he had been hitherto exercising, was no longer able to contain himself; stooping down towards the kneeling girl he caught her in his arms, and in a perfect frenzy of rapture commenced to shower hot kisses on her brow, her cheeks, her lips.
Mercia was so completely taken aback by this unexpected raid, that her brain fairly reeled for a moment; then recovering her senses she quickly wrenched herself out of his arms, and gazing on him with blanched face, she cried in a voice gasping with pain and indignation—
‘What means the Emperor by this unheard-of liberty? What have I done that I should be treated as a courtesan by my Sovereign?’
‘A courtesan!’ he repeated. ‘Why Mercia, I would give thee a crown if I could! Thy queenly brow was truly made for one; and by the stars, thou shalt have it yet! Yes, Mercia thou shalt share my throne and rule me, my sweet, together with mine Empire.’
‘Share thy throne and rule thine Empire! Surely, Sire, thou hast gone mad!’
‘Yes, truly, I am mad—mad with love for thee, and thou knowest it, Mercia, else wouldst thou have kissed my hand in acknowledgment of it?’
‘In acknowledgment ofthylove!’ she answered in strong indignant tones, ‘it was not so—thy love never entered my thought.’
‘Whose then?’ questioned Felicitas shortly.
‘Geometrus,’ she acknowledged bravely. But the next moment she felt she had given away both herself and him.
‘Geometrus!’ he scoffingly repeated. ‘And dost thou place that poltroon before me? Am I to be flouted for him?’
‘His love is honourable, and thine is not; therein lies the difference, my Sire,’ she answered soothingly, with a view of bringing him to reason.
‘But my loveshall be madehonourable, Mercia. I will get a divorce, and thou shalt fill the Empress’s place—aye, and fill it far away better than she has ever done! I hate her—curse her!’ And he ground his teeth in rage at the thought of his wretched inability to accomplish what he was so loudly boasting of.
‘But I cannot rob another woman of her husband: I would not defraud the meanest in thy realm, much less thine Empire’s highest lady.’
‘It is not robbery, Mercia, she doth not own my heart, and never did! I was cozened into that marriage by my cousin Osbert—curse him—curse him for a meddling fool!’
‘He, doubtless, did it for the best. The whole of thy Cabinet approved, so did the nation. It is a new thing for me to learn that our Emperor lives unhappily with his spouse—I cannot understand it.’
‘I never felt the chains gall till now,Mercia. A quiet indifference kept me content until thy beauty set my heart a-beating with a new joy. I knew not love till mine eyes dwelt upon thy loveliness, and mine ears listened to the words that flowed from thy lips like a sweet, rippling fountain, whose waters gave forth a pure, clear, life-giving stream. Yes, I have drunk therein, and am filled with new emotions—new joys—new hopes—new life!’ He clasped his hands in an ecstasy of happiness, as at that supreme moment he gave rein to the powerful impulses that swayed him.
‘Now is my beauty an evil thing, and a curse to me!’ cried Mercia, at the moment bowing her head in deep dejection, and hiding her face in her hands.
‘Would I had never been born, or that nature had shaped me uncomely, for then this misfortune could not have overtaken me! Two men desire me, and I may not have either. I must live in a world filled, like a garden with flowers—flowers and blossoms of love; yet I may not touch them; their fragrance is not for me; not one may I wear on my breast! Yet, they nod and beckon me to pluck them: they offer me the incense of their being, and wouldfain spend their full fragrance upon me; for their desire is to nestle on my bosom, and give me the joy of their beauty and love.’
She spoke as one entranced, who ignoring all listeners felt naught of the presence of another. For the moment her anguish was her only companion, which the presence of Felicitas could not restrain. It was the bursting wail of a heart kept long in subjection and unnatural restriction, which now claimed its rights. Thus did the longing for love bring sorrow to Mercia, such sorrow as she had never before tasted.
As Felicitas gazed upon the beautiful woman standing before him in an attitude of grief and despair, her head bowed down, her arms outstretched, showing the contour of her perfect form, he felt as one in a dream—a ravishing dream that inspired every sense with a deliciousness he had never before experienced.
On his enraptured ears her words fell like the music of a poem, for the full, rich, melodioustimbreof her voice lent to them a peculiar charm: their pathos melted him; their sweetness enchained him.
Seized anew with the intoxication of hispassion he sank on his knees before her; his whole frame quivered with emotion, while the varying tones of his voice testified how greatly the torrent of his passion swept through his soul.
‘Mercia, Mercia, give me thy love!’ he cried impetuously; ‘take me, my beloved, spurn me no longer, for without thee I am as one dead! As a world without sun, having no life, nor warmth, I shall go on my way darkened for ever. Take me into the sunshine of thy love; give me new life, dearest. Resuscitate and refresh me with the joy of thy beauty; and let us drink of the wine of love’s pleasures for ever. Then shall we two learn how good it is to love; how sweet it is to be together; how delightful the blending of two souls made satisfied with their own companionship.’
As one in a dream Mercia listened to his passionate outpourings; she drank in his words as gratefully as the parched earth a summer’s shower; but her mind was with Geometrus. In imagination she was with him, listening to the pent-up eloquence that his soft dark eyes daily expressed.
‘It is Geometrus who speaks!’ she murmured absently; ‘Geometrus has opened his heart to me at last!’
‘Geometrus!’ shouted the Emperor, almost out of his head with rage and jealousy; ‘it isnotGeometrus—it is I, Felicitas—Felicitas thine Emperor who abjectly offers thee his love, and his crown, and sues thee, Mercia—his subject—his servant!’
Then Mercia, awakening from her love-dream began to realise her true position. For an instant she paused, and passed her hand across her brow, as if to recover her senses; then she said in a deliberate and dignified voice—
‘Felicitas, the Emperor hath no crown to offer his subject, Mercia, for it sits already on the brow of his royal spouse; neither has he love to offer his servant, Mercia, for it is sworn to his Empress for ever. It is an insult to me, Mercia, thine offer of illicit love, and I refuse to longer remain in thy service.’
Upon hearing these words the heat of his temper suddenly cooled; he saw he had not only ruined his cause with the lady, but hewas bringing upon himself public dishonour; for the reason of the resignation of their gifted and enthusiastic astronomer would be demanded by both ministers and nation alike. As she turned to leave the apartment, for she disdained having further converse with him, he forcibly caught her by the dress, with a view of detaining her.
‘Stay, Mercia, stay, and listen to me! Listen to one word more, I beseech thee. Thou shalt, for indeed I will not let thee go!’ He shouted fiercely, for she was wrenching herself out of his grasp.
‘Touch me not!’ she exclaimed excitedly, ‘or I will kill thee as thou standest!’ and from her girdle she took a small ebony stick, electrically charged, which she wore as a kind of life-preserver, in accordance with the custom of ladies, who worked, or walked out a good deal alone.
She had reached the door, and opened it, when who should rush upon the scene but Geometrus accompanied by the Emperor’s cousin, Prince Osbert, who had been seeking him for some time past.
‘Mercia insulted, and by the Emperor!What is the meaning of this?’ inquired Geometrus, at the same time facing Felicitas with eyes of fire.
‘I am not insulting her,’ coolly rejoined the Emperor, ‘she has disobeyed my commands respecting some important astronomical information I required, and is endeavouring to shield her own shortcomings by getting into a rage: ’tis woman’s way, but I’ll have none of it.’
Then Mercia drawing herself up to her full height, exclaimed in indignant voice—‘Liar, and traitor, I despise thee! Bid thine Empress come hither, I have somewhat to tell her. As for me, I shall never receive thee here again, thou woman-betrayer! Get some other to fill my place, for I shall quit it forthwith.’
Then she turned away with haughty mien and left the apartment.
‘What’s all the row?’ inquired the Emperor’s cousin, who affected vulgarity of speech when with his intimates.
‘Explain this, Sire,’ demanded Geometrus, who was bursting with surprise equally as indignation.
‘Bah, it is naught—it is much ado about nothing,’ replied the Emperor shrugging his shoulders.
‘I do not believe it,’ promptly answered Geometrus; ‘my mistress is too gentle, too self-restrained, and too honourable to make an unjust accusation against anyone; least of all, her royal master. This matter shall be looked into, Sire. Though thou art an Emperor thy conduct shall be examined, and the light of the noonday sun thrown upon it; for it is meet that those filling high places be honourable men.’
‘If Mistress Mercia sees fit to give up her post, thou Geometrus canst worthily fill it,’ observed Felicitas in an insinuating manner, hoping to mollify him by offering to place him in a more exalted position.
‘By all that’s good, I take not my mistress’s place because thou hast made it intolerable for her! No, Sire, that shall not be. But certainly thou shalt answer for this day’s work, I warn thee.’
‘Thou hast no proof at all, fellow, that I have done aught amiss, save her lying tale: it is all a woman’s hysterical nonsense, and Iam sick of the pother made of it,’ observed the Emperor, affecting great scorn.
‘Let’s be off!’ cried Prince Osbert lightly; ‘we have had enough of this now. Let the woman wiseacres in Parliament settle this little matter among themselves: it will afford them much satisfaction, I’ll warrant.’
‘Parliament!’ echoed the Emperor, while his face turned very white. ‘Surely not: this trifle is unworthy serious consideration. It would ill become our wise Senate if it occupied itself with the consideration of a woman’s silly nonsense. I will, myself, settle this matter with Mistress Mercia. I promise that, gentlemen, so do not trouble yourselves further about it.’
‘It shall not end in this way;’ returned Geometrus firmly; ‘I shall see that this matter is not hushed up.’
‘So shall I!’ came from a voice from behind a screen in the room; when therefrom emerged an old man named Sadbag, a leading Radical politician, who was dead against Royalty, and affected reform, advocating strongly a Republican form of Government.
‘The Emperor’s conduct is a disgrace toour civilisation,’ he continued, ‘I have seen the beginning and end of the whole affair; for I was seated reading in that corner yonder, awaiting an audience of Mistress Mercia, when the Emperor was ushered in unnoticed by me; I continued reading until I dropped asleep and was aroused by the Emperor’s passionate tones when making his love-appeals to the obdurate Mistress Mercia. She scorned him, and he got furious. I saw it all! I will never forget the scene if I live to the age of Methuselah!’
‘My stars, but Kate will make it hot for thee! She will have good cause for her jealousy this time, old man! I wouldn’t be in thy shoes for a kingdom; fancy, the virtuous Felicitas caught corrupting his astronomer! Oh, my, this is funny!’ cried the light-minded prince, who laughed heartily, at the thought of the scrape his cousin had got into.
‘Funny isn’t the word for it—it is atrocious—abominable! It hath been ever the custom of idle monarchs to fill up their time with seducing good women. The hunting is more keen when the lady is virtuous, and thereby the game made all the more delightful.Let’s do away with such good-for-naughts—they are a disgrace to our country!’ cried the old man excitedly addressing Geometrus.
‘So then, wouldst thou trump up a story to lose me my crown in order to establish thine own political absurdities? Thou, and the woman Mercia are in league against me! You twain have hatched this conspiracy to work my disgrace. But I will scatter it to the winds—I will prove its utter falsity. I will show how futile are your plans to bring about a revolution: Mercia and thou shall die for your crimes; for it is nothing short of high treason.’
‘High bunkum, thy Majesty talkest!’ retorted Sadbag sarcastically; ‘thy blundering only equals thy blustering. Thy cousin, the prince, and Geometrus are witnesses of the truth of my statement, for they saw for themselves the fag end of the affair; they caught thee forcibly detaining the lady, and heard her threaten to kill thee.’
‘That of itself makes high treason! To threaten the life of the Sovereign is enough—the law still holds good in my realms topunish such crime with death. This one charge alone against Mercia is sufficient! She must die the death of a felon, and pay for her temerity,’ returned Felicitas, who thus interpreted the law with much assumption of dignity, to suit his own convenience.
‘The nation will not see Mercia die for such a dastard as thou!’ exclaimed Geometrus, suddenly awakening from the stupor of surprise that had overtaken him, as the matter developed itself. ‘I saw thee last week philandering around her, but at that time I understood not its meaning; neither did she; otherwise she would have taken more precaution in receiving thee. Even then, she requested me to remain in the room when she gave thee an audience. She surely had some instinct that thou wert not to be trusted—ah—now I see it all!’
‘A trusty witness truly! She and thou have spent the time philandering yourselves, and this is why thou measureth me a peck out of thine own bushel. Thou shalt be indicted, Geometrus, for breaking the oath of thine engagement. Thou hast been spending the nation’s time love-making, and hatching hightreason,—all three of you shall repent your little games.’
‘Blacking the character of another will not clear thine own. These wholesale indictments of thine will not serve thee. Thy case is a poor one, and thou hadst better own thy fault, rather than invent outrageous charges against thine accusers;’ urged the old man with greater calmness than he had hitherto displayed.
‘Mercia made the admission herself,’ replied Felicitas. ‘She said she loved Geometrus and fain would marry him if she might.’
At this Geometrus started, and went very red in the face; being totally unprepared for this avowal of the Emperor; which gave him a sudden pleasure he was unable to conceal.
‘There is proof abundant, if more be wanting, of the nature of the Emperor’s business with Mercia,’ observed Sadbag reflectively, then turning to the Emperor, he demanded—‘What happened that this matter of Geometrus’s love was discussed between you?’
‘She desired me to use my influence with my Cabinet to get the custom changed which hath been so long observed, so that she mightretain her post and take a husband at the same time.’
‘And thou, in thy great benevolence and generosity didst promise, and finish by trying to make her pay for the boon by accommodating thy desire?’ suggested Sadbag, following up the clue the Emperor’s admissions had given him.
‘I will answer no more of thy questions, fellow,’ responded Felicitas, who looking very uncomfortable made for the door.
‘I think this business is getting too hot for thy Majesty; thy capers are costing too dearly. What folly to count on a strong-minded woman like thine astronomer! Why didst thou not make advances to some idle lady of thy court where such favours are dispensed more readily?’
‘I will have thee indicted for a revolutionist and a maker of mischief in my realms, and pay thee well for all these insults,’ retorted the Emperor as he left the Observatory.
‘Bounce and boast help no one for long; not even an Emperor!’ called out Sadbag after him.