CHAPTER V
The discussion then terminated, but not the dispute. Each went his own way with the determination to work out the discomfiture of his adversary, to the best of his ability. Sadbag made his way at once to his club, the headquarters of the Radical Association, and related the disgraceful occurrence to its leading members; who realising the gravity of the situation convened a special meeting; so that measures might be promptly taken to get first in the field in the exposure of the Emperor, and thereby nullify his evil intentions.
So perfect was the system of communication throughout the globe that the same evening, not only had the Radical newspapers the whole story set in type, but this society titbit appeared next morning on the breakfast tables of the people throughout the whole of theEmpire. As a matter of fact, two hours later the news was in every part of the world. It gave a splendid impetus to the trade, for each printing office turned out at least three times its usual quantity of newspapers for the first week, and double the number for every succeeding one the case lasted.
The subject for long enough furnished matter for light little articles in the monthlies, and heavy discourses in the quarterlies. It supplied the novelist with material for his plots, and the delighted dramatist for his plays. An Emperor on his knees to a subject was not an every day situation, while the scene where she threatens his life was quite too tragical to be neglected. It gave the libretto to the composer, great and small, of comic opera, and in serious opera it was thrilling. Mercia in a state of ecstatic bliss warbling sweetest love songs to the enchanted Emperor, formed a delicious scene that was irresistibly charming to all beholders. When the proper time arrived the fearless Sadbag sent a full description of the affair to every journal throughout the world. He even wrote it out, and telephoned the minutestdetails to India, and every country in communication telephonically, with the Teutonic Empire.
Therein the love scene was graphically described, in Sadbag’s humorous vein, but with due regard to Mercia’s sensitive feelings.
For the first time her personal character was given to the world, but such a halo of purity and modesty was drawn round it that it evoked everywhere the most enthusiastic admiration for her character.
The description of the Emperor’s duplicity and contemptible meanness was given with ruthless vividness, when at the moment he was surprised, he endeavoured to turn the tables on the high-minded lady, who having proved invulnerable to all his blandishments he accused of having committed the capital offence of high treason.
From the commoner, to the crowned head of every country, almost, the story of the Emperor of the Teutonic Empire and his astronomer was discussed. In the cottage, the castle, the street corner, the court and the club, it became at once the leading subject of conversation.
‘Ah, well!’ observed one of the viceroys of Turkey—for that country had been long before divided between Russia, France and England—‘this comes of giving women too much freedom: had it been a man that was filling the post of astronomer this could never have happened.’
‘But it might to his wife!’ answered one,
‘With a different result,’ added another;
‘Is then a married woman more compliant than a single?’ queried a third.
‘It all depends upon the sort of woman,’ observed a fourth.
‘The danger is lessened when the lady already runs a nursery,’ remarked his neighbour cynically.
‘Science meets that difficulty,’ interpolated another of the party.
‘A husband’s jealousy is the greatest of all dangers,’ retorted his neighbour.
‘Cease these pleasantries, gentlemen, and discuss the matter seriously,’ exclaimed an elderly minister with dignity, ‘England is to be indeed congratulated on having women of such stamp as the peerless and incorruptible Mercia. Search the world through andwe shall be unable to find any to compare with them in physique, or mental attainments. They are indeed, Nature’s queens, and in every way fit to grace a coronet.’
‘Talking of coronets reminds one of crowns: there’s a pretty hubbub going on just now; India expects to win her freedom and is casting about for an Emperor,’ remarked another;
‘Why not give it to Mercia, she’s as good as a man?’ suggested his neighbour.
‘Better, I should say,’ rejoined another of the group, ‘judging from results.’
‘The natives would never stand it: every nabob wants it for himself.’
‘All cannot have it, that is very clear,’ remarked one of the party.
‘Better settle the matter by giving it to none of them, and choose a good stock from the country that ruled them, and made them what they are; and thus establish a Royal Line which will do them credit for all time,’ suggested the elderly minister, who was a Frenchman and a believer in women, and especially a believer in the beautiful Mercia.
CHAPTER VI
We must leave these gentlemen in the far East, and come back to Greenwich.
While the Emperor was returning to London he cast about in his mind for some way out of his difficulty.
He felt it was little use seeking the assistance of his royal consort, Catherine, daughter of Nicholas of Russia.
She would have little sympathy with him in his trouble, unless he could persuade her of his innocence of the charges that were being made against him.
Taking into consideration, too, that on that very morning he had quarrelled with her, and brutally told her that he heartily wished himself rid of her, it was at present, scarcely wisdom to seek her advice.
While his mind was thus filled with gloomy thoughts, the silence was broken by PrinceOsbert who was accompanying him to the palace.
‘Here’s a pretty pickle, to be sure!’ exclaimed the prince, ‘a nice position for a royal Emperor to be found interfering with his lady astronomer, and she threatening his life to make him release her. What thou canst do to re-establish thy reputation is about as clear as mud to me, for by my conscience, I cannot see a way at all!’
‘What a prating fool thou art, Osbert! I can plainly see unless thy tongue is kept from wagging thou wilt ruin me by thy talk. Say nothing at all about the lady having been detained by me. I don’t mean to own to that part of it. Let us declare that she deliberately turned upon me when I expostulated with her upon her idleness; that will give the matter a better appearance.’
‘Aye, truly, a better one for thee! But thinkest thou, cousin, that the House will believe thee? I guess, they will sooner take Mercia’s word: remember its lady members, how bravely they defend their sex at all times. I wouldn’t give a sixpence for thy reputation after they have handled thy case.’
‘What care I for the good opinion of a handful of women? What are they in my vast dominions? Nothing, truly, nothing! Nevertheless, a monarch’s virtue, should be, like Cæsar’s wife, above suspicion: so Osbert, good cousin, thou must help me in this matter, and swear to all I tell thee.’
‘Commit perjury! No thanks, not if I know it. I cannot tell a lie—I’m another Juvenile Washington. Besides, Felicitas, it goes against the grain to do a dirty trick to any lady, least of all, our peerless Mercia.
‘She is a lady of untarnished reputation, with whom I would strongly recommend thee to make thy peace. Indeed, the ways of Emperors with their lady-subjects are quite too much for me—I cannot comprehend them.’
‘Heartless, thou ever wert, Osbert, pray try to realise my situation, and give up thy attitudes and play-acting proclivities. Now, remember, I had no hold on her person, when you two dropped upon us—I was merely expostulating with her.’
‘I’ll have nothing to do with the matter at all, I shall say I was seized with sudden blindness at that moment and saw nothing.’
‘Idiot, wilt thou keep to that?’ inquired Felicitas gloomily.
‘Yes, I will stick to that, wild horses shall not drag other from me.’
‘No one will believe thee.’
‘No one would believe the other thing, so it comes to the same for thee,’ returned Osbert lightly.
‘What other thing?’ inquired Felicitas.
‘Thy statement that she was idle, and thou wert reproving her for it. Her work proves her industry: she has any amount to show in defence of thy charge. Look at her maps; her writings; her daily announcements; her daily registrations of her observations. The charge of idleness, I fear me, will not help thy cause.’
‘It was not idleness in general, but some information in particular that she failed to supply me with.’
‘Think it over, cousin, of what this particular information consisted. I bet my garters it was somewhat thou canst not explain publicly.’
‘Cease thy chatter, and stick to thy resolve of having turned blind that very moment;’tis the best thou canst do for me, I see very plainly.’
‘So I see, too, and as we two see alike we cannot come to any difference. Adieu, cousin, I hope Kate will not chide thee for having eyes for other women! That is my best wish for thee, this fine day.’
‘I don’t think that fellow could think seriously for five minutes if he had to be hanged for it,’ the Emperor muttered to himself, using the old expression ‘hanged’ for it was still retained, although that form of execution had been given up long before.
As the Emperor was being driven back to the city, Prince Osbert who cared little for his company at this moment, alighted from the carriage, leaving him to the management of his own affairs. Felicitas, then promptly decided upon driving to the official residence of his prime minister, Mr. Stonesack, for he was anxious to confer with him concerning the dilemma in which he was placed. Moreover, he desired to intimate to his minister that steps must be taken at once for the arrest of Sadbag and Geometrus. Neither could Mercia be left out of the indictment,for according to his story, she was the principal aggressor. He was not so lost to all good feeling that he experienced no pangs of self-reproach for the part he was taking against the innocent girl; but he could see only two ways out of the difficulty; either the impeachment of Mercia and her friends, or a full confession of his own conduct.
This latter would have been intolerable. The deliberate exposure of himself to the public, and a big public it was, by this time, for it embraced the whole world, after having so long played the part of Simon Pure to popular opinion, was out of the question. He would certainly shield himself, he thought, and if the worst came to Mercia he could exercise his royal clemency on her behalf, and set her at liberty again.
By this course he would get rid of the detestable Sadbag for good, and Geometrus at the same time. Who knows, thought Felicitas with a faint smile, but Mercia may still prove kind to me, if that fellow were only put out of reach.
Then followed in his mind bright visions of a lovely dwelling, situated in some distantpart of his dominions, with Mercia for its mistress, and himself its secret owner, and constant visitor. How delightful! It should be fitted up like fairyland itself, with every luxury, and every appliance for her comfort. Little children might play about his knees, of which there was poor prospect of ever seeing in his royal palace; for so far, the Empress had proved barren. Then he awoke from his dream to the provoking reality of his true situation.
This pleasing reverie created, to some extent, a reaction in his mind. As his temper cooled so did his courage to make this heinous charge against innocent persons: but he supported himself with the reflection that at most the unfortunate men could receive no greater punishment than a term of imprisonment.
By the time his carriage reached the prime minister’s residence he had decided what to say, for he had succeeded in inventing an excellent excuse for his visit to the Observatory.
He realised that it was necessary to have his statement ready as to the precise natureof the work he had requested his astronomer to prepare for him, which through her neglect had caused the extraordinary scene of which the prince had been an accidental witness.
After much cogitation he evolved the feasible explanation that he had requested her to make calculations of each perturbation of the sun’s centre; and also to discover to what extent the additions of meteoric matter to his body would affect solar heat. He desired this information in the interests of all his subjects, but especially in those of agriculturists, and fruit-culturists, whose crops had been ruined by the continuous cold seasons.
Under ordinary circumstances the Emperor would have obtained the attendance of any of his ministers without leaving his apartment; in one instant the summons would have reached him, had the minister been there to receive it.
Here was the difficulty, however, for delay increased the danger, and allowed the enemy an advantage; accordingly the Emperor chose the less dignified but safer course of calling in person on his minister.
While Felicitas was relating his extraordinaryaccount of the conduct of their astronomer and the subsequent treatment he had received from her friends, Stonesack’s countenance was a study to behold. At first he appeared profoundly astonished; this gave way to so many varying emotions that it was impossible to say what was going on in his mind, or guess what opinion he had formed of the affair. However, he listened very gravely to the story, in which the Emperor’s powers of imagination had been considerably called upon. And when the minister was pressed for an answer as to the best method of dealing with the delinquents, he hesitated considerably, coughed; looked very red; blew his nose, and finished by saying he didn’t know.
‘At all events,’ urged the Emperor, ‘this revolutionary Sadbag, ought to be indicted for wickedly conspiring to undermine my reputation, and thereby bring me into my people’s disfavour.’
‘What about thy two astronomers, does thy Majesty desire to include them in the indictment?’
‘Certainly,’ replied the Emperor, ‘did notMistress Mercia threaten my life with her ebony life-preserver, and hath not Geometrus taken her part?’
‘Hath thy Majesty fully considered the merits of the case, that it be a sound one; otherwise it had better not be gone into publicly at all. Would it not be far wiser to administer correction to these foolish persons by requiring them to make an apology for their ill-behaviour?’
‘That they will never do, I am assured! Their looks and language betrayed their evil designs towards me. Get a warrant sent quickly, and put them in prison without delay—even now they may be working me infinite mischief.’
‘It will come to a trial in that case. What will the nation say? Will the people take thy word in preference to that of Mercia?’
‘I care not what the people think! I know my own mind: I promised those seditious ones what to expect, and they shall not be disappointed,’ returned the Emperor hotly.
‘As thy Majesty wills it: the warrant shall be made out and served to-morrow. It cannot be done more quickly. In the meantimethy Majesty will have opportunity to sleep upon thy purpose, and if thy mind be changed by morning send a message to that effect, I will keep in readiness for it.’
‘Count not upon that! There is no other way of dealing with those wretched conspirators,’ replied Felicitas moodily.
While Felicitas was making his plans with the Prime Minister another member of the Cabinet was listening with astonishment to Geometrus’ story; for Geometrus having travelled to the city in his own electric car made up for lost time by beating the Emperor’s horses in rapidity. Consequently, he arrived at the official residence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, or Minister of Finance, about the same moment as Felicitas at the Prime Minister’s.
But Geometrus was not as well prepared with his statement as the Emperor. Moreover, he was unaccustomed at seeking audience of great people, and when he was ushered into the reception-hall of Lord Divesdale he felt exceedingly shy, scarcely knowing how to state his errand.
‘My lord,’ said he, and then stopped short, and blushed violently.
‘Pray be seated,’ said the minister in a kindly tone, for he was well acquainted with Geometrus, and had an excellent opinion of him.
‘I have somewhat to tell thy lordship,’ he commenced anew.
‘What is it?’ inquired Divesdale as he sank back in his armchair, in easy attitude.
‘It concerns Mistress Mercia, the Astronomer Royal,’ he managed to utter.
‘Ah, whatever concerns Mistress Mercia interests me; for she holds my good opinion,’ observed the minister smiling, and giving Geometrus a nod of encouragement to proceed.
‘I am heartily glad to learn that,’ rejoined Geometrus, recovering himself, ‘for she stands in need of good assistance at this moment.’
‘What is the matter—has she met with any serious accident?’ inquired the minister in alarm.
‘She has met with that which is infinitely harder to bear to one of her pure mind, than any physical injury.’
‘Thou speakest in riddles—pray explain thyself?’ returned his lordship a little sharply, for he was getting impatient.
‘My mistress has been grossly insulted by one who has taken advantage of his high position,’ Geometrus proceeded to say, but evidently with much reluctance.
‘By whom—Prince Osbert?’ queried his lordship hastily.
‘No, my lord, the Emperor himself,’ answered Geometrus in a low voice, but firm; the tones of which betrayed also the pain it cost him to make the disclosure.
‘The Emperor!’ repeated Lord Divesdale in profound amazement.
‘The same,’ Geometrus replied laconically.
‘How—in what manner? Pray tell me in a reasonable way what thou knowest of it?’ exclaimed Divesdale impatiently.
‘The Emperor has been coming much of late to the Observatory. Last week he made a journey thither ostensibly to talk astronomy with Mistress Mercia. Yet I saw he looked annoyed at my entrance, and as if I had been an interruption to him. However, this day he came again, and as I was in the cityat the time, he obtained good opportunity to say all he desired, presumably, for it finished with Mercia tearing herself out of his grasp and threatening to take his life if he detained her further.
‘Prince Osbert, who had followed the Emperor to the Observatory for some purpose, entered the building at the same moment as myself, and we two suddenly came upon the scene just as Mercia had opened the door of the apartment to leave him. I looked into her face and saw it expressed the utmost scorn and indignation. “What is the meaning of this?” I asked, turning to the Emperor. “Oh, nothing,” he replied; “she has forgotten a duty, and I am upbraiding her.” “Liar!” exclaimed Mercia, “ask thine Empress to come hither, I have somewhat to tell her, and as for thee—find some other to fill my post, for I am thine astronomer no longer.”
‘Notwithstanding Mercia’s indignant refutation the Emperor persisted with his charge against her of idleness, and disobedience to his command; when I told him plainly that the matter should be made subject of a public inquiry; for Mercia was too honourableand pure-minded to invent a foul charge against anyone, least of all her royal master.
‘At this critical moment who should emerge from a corner of the apartment but Sadbag, the leading Radical member of Parliament? “I too, will take care that this be seen into!” he exclaimed. At this, the Emperor fumed furiously, and declared that it was all a plot against him, and he would have the three of us arrested for conspiring to defame his character; and finished by calling it high treason.’
‘How utterly absurd of him! But how did Sadbag come to be there so conveniently? it is as good as a comedy, by Jove!’
‘He explained that he was first in Mercia’s reception-room awaiting an audience of her, and by chance taking up a book he became so interested in it that he finished by falling asleep over it, so that the entrance of the Emperor, and a moment later of Mercia, he was quite unconscious of; a screen stood between him and them, consequently his presence was unperceived: and he only became aware of theirs when the Emperor in impassioned tones pleaded his love suit with Mercia,who disdained it. By that time Sadbag deemed it prudent to keep quiet, for he was getting more than he bargained, when he ensconced himself in the huge easy chair near the screen.’
‘What a shocking old man to spy at a love scene! I wonder how he contained himself so long!’ exclaimed Divesdale, who was bursting with merriment, for he ever saw the comic side of a thing, however grave it might be. ‘The Emperor must apologise to fair Mercia, and to thee, too, Geometrus. Throw aside thy dignity, et cetera, and help to square this piece of business; it’s no earthly use making a hue and cry over it. No lady cares to see herself a town talk! But this Sadbag—what are we to do with him? He truly is a sad bag of cranks! A piece of positive electricity, seeking its own level, not considering consequences; or a flash of forked lightning ready to put one on toast; or a match in a powder-box ready to pop—the man is in fact, too dangerous for anything.’
‘He’s the right man for the times! I’m not going to put the stopper on him. TheEmperor must be made an example of,’ returned Geometrus fiercely.
‘I hope not, by Jove! the peace of the community would be permanently spoilt, if we all followed his example,’ observed his lordship drily.
‘I mean that the Emperor should be made a warning to all light-minded persons, in general, and monarchs in particular.’
‘Quite so: the Emperor by our endeavours shall be made more particular, especially in his treatment of the ladies.’
‘And Sadbag is the right man to do it!’ shouted Geometrus, who was getting quite warm with the discussion.
‘He’s a right man in the wrong hole! I mean he’s got the Emperor in a queer hole, and he won’t let him out of it! The position doth wholly delight him. He’ll take a holy joy in “taking it out of him,” or “putting him up a tree,” or making him eat humble pie, or what thou likest! Oh, he’s a sad dog or sadbag, I know not which, and no mistake! But we must circumvent him.’
‘I have no desire to circumvent him; I would infinitely prefer to help him. I do notregard this affair in the same light as thou, and could have hushed it up without the aid of a Cabinet minister, for the Emperor desired the same on the spot, offering me promotion, but I refused it on such terms,’ interposed Geometrus with much spirit.
‘I would that all men were as thou art, my friend, for then there would be neither place-maker nor place-seeker. What a perfect Government we should have; everyone seeking his neighbour’s good to the detriment of his own! The world indeed, would be too perfect for anything!’
‘No fear of that as long as there are those who strive to cover up ill-doing. I will seek Mr. Sadbag and get counsel of him, for it is very plain I can obtain no good advice from thee,’ said Geometrus, who was altogether disgusted at the minister’s light raillery, and rose from his seat to go away.
‘Stay, I hear familiar footsteps! One seeks admission whom I would see before thou leavest me,’ exclaimed the minister, who despite all his playful talk, knew how to act most wisely.
‘The Emperor! Sire, thy visit is well-timed;one moment, in private, I beg,’ and Divesdale conducted Felicitas into an inner apartment.
‘I require thy help and advice in a most painful matter,’ quoth the Emperor, turning very red in the face, but his speech was interrupted by the minister in a very offhand manner.
‘Sire, not another word, I have heard the whole story—’tis a frightful hobble, I must say. Truly a most diverting drama! Beats broad burlesque to bits! If society should get hold of this precious piece of scandal thy prestige will be ruined! An Emperor is a god, or at least, a demigod, who should appear perfect before his people, whether he be or no. But, now, he must step down from his pedestal, and apologise, just to straighten things comfortably. Nay, it cannot be hard to kneel to a deity, for Mercia is no less! All beautiful women are goddesses, let down from the skies for our adoration: ’tis very plain they were created for man’s worship: away, then, and fall down upon thy knees and implore her mercy.’
‘But she will not hear me,’ cried theEmperor taken aback by this unexpected harangue; ‘she is proud, haughty, and obdurate—ah, thou knowest not Mercia!’
‘The woman never breathed who could turn a deaf ear to the man who entreated her properly. Only kneel metaphorically, but talk to her prettily, and gaze into her eyes with tenderest pathos, and she will melt with pure pity for thy condition.’
‘I’ve done it all!’ blurted the Emperor unwittingly. ‘I mean it’s no use, she is quite too hard-hearted to help me.’
‘I was sure of it, Sire, thou hast done too much already,’ exclaimed Divesdale, with the audacity that is engendered of close intimacy. ‘I will myself entreat her to overlook thy naughty conduct, and thy charges against the two men must be withdrawn. By taking conciliatory measures the thing may blow over; but otherwise it may prove very unpleasant for thy Majesty.’
Thus with his raillery, for the Emperor and he were familiar friends, Divesdale had discovered the truth; and now knew for certain what the other minister only guessed at.
‘Conciliatory measures!’ repeated the Emperor, who had by this time recovered himself, and who knew that he had already gone too far to be able to retract with any show of respectability, ‘impossible! She threatened my life, and my prime minister has commanded that a warrant be issued for her detention.’
‘Surely thy Majesty cannot be in earnest?’
‘I never was more so,’ the Emperor answered with an assumption of haughtiness.
‘What about Sadbag and Geometrus?’
‘They too will get served with the same sauce,’ replied Felicitas, with true autocratic audacity.
‘Has the prime minister really advised this measure?’ inquired Divesdale gravely.
‘I have commanded it,’ returned the Emperor sharply.
‘On what grounds?’
‘Conspiracy; the three had conspired to scandalise me, and take away my character.’
‘And they’ll do it too!’ cried Divesdale, with his characteristic impulsiveness.
‘They shall have the opportunity ofpublicly doing what they were bent on privately.’
‘He has turned dotty, I’m sure of it,’ thought Divesdale, ‘in a monarch a little madness is a great danger. Well,’ said he aloud, ‘thy Majesty hath chosen thine own course and must abide by it, for I will wash my hands of the affair.’
‘Oh, wash away!’ said Felicitas testily.
‘Thine action against the two men is illegal: no warrant for their imprisonment can be issued: their fault is merely libel, and all Sovereigns are used to that!’ interposed the minister drily.
‘Thou makest a mistake there, friend,’ answered the Emperor with a wise look, ‘remember my royal mother, Victoria the Second, who led such a virtuous life and was so proud thereof, that when the “Times” newspaper published a paragraph announcing that she was about to marry her late husband’s father she was so scandalised thereby that she caused an Act to be passed decreeing that anyone who uttered a serious scandal against the reigning Sovereign should be indicted for high treason, for she held thatthe good name of the Sovereign should be considered as sacred as their person; under this Act, therefore, are these two scandalmongers to be arrested.’
‘Ah, yes, I had forgotten it! But that trifle would not be scandal now. Only twelve months ago thy hand signed an Act permitting thy subjects to marry whom they will, save those in the first degree of consanguinity. A man may marry his grandmother now, if he choose!’
‘Of course,’ admitted the Emperor, ‘only he does not choose, as a rule.’
‘It is inadvisable from every point of view: nowadays one’s grandmother attains such longevity that to marry her for her fortune, is like turning monk for a livelihood: a man’s freedom arrives when ’tis not worth the having, for she goes on living until he becomes grey-headed.’
‘True! But this is not my business!’ broke in the Emperor impatiently, ‘let us discuss what more nearly concerns me. Can I count on thy good service in this matter, or no?’
‘Call a Cabinet Council,’ suggested Divesdale,‘in the multitude of councillors we shall get wisdom,’ he added, quoting from very ancient history.
The Emperor made a gesture of impatience at this sally, for he felt the minister was drawing him, and took his departure forthwith.
The thought instantly crossed the minister’s mind that the affair would make a very interesting plot for his next novel; for he was a favourite novelist whose works were welcomed by the people for their merit, and not because they were written by a popular minister of the State.
‘If we could only put the actual occurrences of life as they appear before our eyes into our works what rattling good stories we could write!’ laughed Divesdale, as he threw himself into his easy chair for a smoke and a soliloquy.
Ideals of art and literature are as subject to change and remodelling as are theories of natural science, which are bound to give way as the light of knowledge reveals little by little the true conditions of the mysteries of life and its environments. Accordingly literature-makinghad its fashions; a reaction had taken place, and from the field of novel writing which had been in the past almost entirely filled by lady writers, these were now self-eliminated; women having successfully taken up the positions of historians, mathematicians, political economists, and expounders of natural and mental philosophies. So successful was the female in the writing of books designed for instruction that no male had a chance in this walk of literature, unless he assumed a feminine pen-name, and by this harmless subterfuge gain a reputation in spite of his sex.
Science as applied to manufactures had reached such perfection that the stones for building purposes were now manufactured, the stone quarries, as a matter of course, having almost given out. By a cunning admixture of chemically prepared material whose chief substance was composed of silicious sand brought from the pathless deserts by electric motive power, at a comparatively small expense, this granular quartz, or flint under certain conditions was reconverted into beautiful slabs of stone, of hard and enduring quality.
It was no uncommon sight to see whole streets, or terraces of handsome houses built apparently of blocks of glittering granite which sparkled bravely in the sunlight: nor were these imitations confined to one sort, for various marbles were so closely imitated, and withal so hard and enduring that the villas of the middle classes bore the appearance of veritable marble halls. Inside the walls were not papered, but finished with a dressing of apparently beautiful marble, while a wainscoting of richly embroidered silk velvet imparted an air of comfort to the rooms; a by no means unwelcome addition, for the climate of England, like the poor, is always with us.
CHAPTER VII
When Mercia retired to her private apartment she hardly knew whither she was going. At first she entered her usual sitting-room, then suddenly she made a turn and rushed into her bedchamber where making sure there could be no interruption she gave vent to the sorrow and indignation that filled her breast, in a passionate flood of tears. For even the twentieth-century woman was not illachrymable, being in this respect pretty much the same as the most remote of her feminine ancestors.
In a few moments, however, she recovered herself, and began to consider her situation, or rather her loss of situation, for she had inconsiderately thrown it up in the heat of her anger with the Emperor. Not for an instant did the thought cross her mind of withdrawing her resignation, or of making anyattempt at reconciliation with the monarch, whose utterly heartless and cowardly conduct filled her with intense contempt, and disgust. As soon as the tumult of her feelings had subsided she returned to her sitting-room and wrote out her letter of resignation, wherein she explained in modest yet dignified terms her reasons for taking this step; expressing at the same time the terrible sacrifice it was costing her in thus throwing up a position which was so specially adapted to her sympathies and pursuits, and of which there was no hope of obtaining an adequate substitute elsewhere.
When the letter was completed she remembered Geometrus and wishful to satisfy him by making him fully acquainted with her movements she put it through the copying press with a view of showing him its contents; then ringing for a messenger it was despatched through the post without delay, that it might be received in due order by the head of the governmental department.
Having gone thus far she began to feel more settled in her mind, satisfied insomuch that she felt she had done the right thing inresigning a position which exposed her to the importunities of a patron who had proved as unprincipled in purpose as he was sensual in inclinations. Then she began to torment herself with the reflection that she had not proved such an icewoman as she had previously imagined herself to be. ‘Yes,’ she owned to herself, ‘there was a moment when the power of his passion moved me, and I could have yielded to the seduction of the senses, pictured by him as the essence of love, until I remembered there was a barrier that might not be moved; no, not for the allurements of a century of deliciousness would I defraud another of one iota of the affection which was sworn for all time to be hers.
‘I have refused, perhaps, the crown of an Empress to take the lowly condition of a poor scholar out of place; but I have remained true to myself, and to my sex, and before all things have kept my heart and hands clean: I have earned the approval of my conscience, and my night-pillow is not made restless with the self-torture of knowing I had inflicted an endless misery on another, and that other made like unto myself; with all the capacitiesof suffering, having to drink daily of life’s bitterest mortifications.
‘But what a deadly traitor I have narrowly escaped—what a contemptible monster he has proved himself, to thus turn on me like an adder!’
His threat of having her indicted for high treason gave her, however, no uneasiness, for it only inspired her with the utmost scorn. She dismissed it from her mind as having been on his part merely the outcome of ungovernable anger at being exposed before his enemy, as Sadbag undauntedly owned himself to be. How a man could express the most profound attachment for her at one moment, and seek her destruction at the next, seemed to her pure mind so monstrous and wholly unnatural that its possibility in her case was altogether out of the question.
That Felicitas would actually go the lengths of formally making such an infamous accusation she could not bring herself to believe. Thus she sat deeply pondering over the situation for at least two hours, unheeding the passage of time in which startling doings were taking place in the outside world, whenshe was interrupted by a double announcement, dinner, and the advent of Sadbag.
‘In a brown study, I see!’ exclaimed the old man as he entered the apartment, ‘can I be of any use to thee?’
‘Thrice welcome,’ she answered quickly; ‘this solitude is unbearable: I was longing for some sympathising friend in whose ears I could pour forth my trouble.’
‘Thou art in a queer quandary, certainly,’ quoth Sadbag in gentle tones, which were not wanting in sly humour, ‘nevertheless, there will be somebody in a bigger by to-morrow morning.’
‘To whom dost thou refer?’
‘To Felicitas of course: the Emperor shall learn ere another twenty-four hours the opinion of the nation anent profligacy.’
‘What hast thou done in this matter, Master Sadbag,’ said Mercia anxiously, ‘pray tell me, for only an hour ago I sent in my resignation?’
‘Sent thy resignation!’ repeated Sadbag, ‘why Mistress Mercia, there’s no occasion for that! It is the Figure Head Felicitas who should resign; for having no worthy occupation to fill his time he must needs get intomischief; in much the same manner as those empty-headed puppies who dawdle about the squares feasting their eyes on every comely woman who is on her way home from her office, or business. Down with the monarchy, I say, if this be all it is good for! Indeed, we have had enough of it. Look at the centuries of oppression that Russia has gone through! The country knew no real freedom until she shook off the thraldom of despotism and all its concomitant tyrannies.’
‘Yes,’ replied Mercia earnestly, ‘Russia has attained the joys of a Constitutional Monarchy through rivers of human blood; devastating floods of fire, and seas of darkest misery: is it indeed worth the cost of such terrible sacrifices?’
‘No great victory has ever been achieved save at infinite sacrifice. True, it was a mighty one, but the result is worthy of it. The struggle was long and severe; but greater severities have been put an end to—the cruelties of oppression wrought upon millions of helpless beings, which were accentuated by the conditions of civilisation and enlightenment that surrounded them.’
‘Civilisation and enlightenment are of no avail unless the heart be true, and the conscience good. If the moral nature be at fault what avails the enlightenment of ages?’ observed Mercia thoughtfully.
‘The occurrences of to-day is a case in point,’ continued Sadbag; ‘in all history have we a parallel instance of meanness, cruelty, and downright dishonesty as this experience with the Emperor? But I have come to give thee good tidings—I think I have settled him. To-morrow the whole world will ring of his doings. His hypocrisy, his deceit, and his cowardice will make him the object of detestation to all. The four quarters of the earth have got the story word for word, and we shall see what comes of it.’
‘Sadbag, what hast thou done?’ demanded Mercia with eyes of fire and cheek of flame.
‘Fear nothing, sweet lady, thy fair fame hath been kept guarded and unsullied by me. Not a word is given of which thou needest be ashamed. In this recital thou art truly pictured; gentle, modest, and unsuspecting up to the point where knowledge is forced upon thee, and the deceiver shows his hand. Then,the art of the seducer utterly fails in its purpose, for thine irreproachable virtue shielded thee as a coat of armour; thy sense of honour to thy fellow-woman was as a wall of defence to thy shoulders, for thou didst refuse the most tempting blandishments rather than blight the happiness of a wife; albeit thou wert offered the crown of an Empress as the reward of thy dishonour. But what of thy letter of resignation; I wish I had seen it beforehand; for the Emperor makes a bitter enemy, and will revile thee soundly to his ministers?’
‘I think I have made myself pretty clear,’ replied Mercia, who had considerably calmed down by this time; ‘here is a copy of my letter; read it.’
‘Good!’ exclaimed Sadbag as soon as he had finished perusing the document; ‘this is fine! Canst thou trust it with me for one night and I will return it to-morrow morning without fail?’
‘Seeing thou hast done so much already,’ returned Mercia in a weary tone of voice, ‘there can be no harm in giving it thee to make what use thou mayest choose. But,listen, here comes Geometrus—I will invite him to dine with us, and we three will discuss the matter together.’
At the next moment Geometrus had entered the apartment, and startled the two with the look of painful concern on his countenance.
‘Why so glum, my friend?’ cried Sadbag cheerily; ‘this is but a passing cloud which will be carried away presently by the fair breezes of public opinion. No one can hurt thee, or Mercia: I cannot say so much for myself, for indeed I have meddled considerably in this business, and nobody knows how it will turn out for me. But ye twain are innocent victims, and have naught to fear in this advanced period of the world’s history. Truth and justice should prevail in the dawn of the twenty-first century, if ever it is to prevail at all on this earth. Ah, I wonder if anything approaching perfection can ever be reached here!’
‘Our present day littérateurs,’ observed Mercia, ‘felicitate themselves that we are in the enjoyment of such an advanced civilisation as the world has never seen in the past, or possible to attain in the future. But thou,Sadbag, seest much to improve in the political arena, and I see much to be discovered in the world of Nature. We have still to learn how to rule the elements. As yet, the winds and the storms, and the waters, are our masters. The time will arrive when these shall be our servants to come and go at our will. The rains it is true now water the earth at our desire, but soon the winds shall be dispersed by our art, and the heaving waves of the ocean shall be made subservient to our will; not by the wand of the sorcerer, but by the hand of that more wonderful magician—Science. When man has made Nature to obey his behests then that extraordinary time shall have arrived that the prophets dreamed of in the far off ages, which they symbolised by the metaphor of the lion and the lamb lying side by side. This, indeed, is the true millennium for which all may ardently pray; for it is the earth-glory awaiting the planet-dwellers of our sun’s system, yea, of every star system throughout the whole of the vast universe.’
Mercia paused, and looked at her friends, as if inquiring if she might proceed.
‘Go on,’ said Sadbag, ‘we delight to listen to thee.’
‘Ah, it is all very wonderful! The field of science possesses still untrodden paths: mystery upon mystery are yet to be made clear; the hidden secrets of psychology are still in darkness; we know not of what stuff we are made. What is soul—what is mind? We cannot definitely define them: we know only the manner in which these express themselves to our physical nature: the spiritual is wrapped in impenetrable mystery. How is it that one man utters the truths of a prophet, and another can hardly be made to understand what is going on before his eyes? Of course it is a difference in brain-power, the physiologist tells us, but how is it that a more or less quantity of grey brain-substance can give inspiration, knowledge, genius, power, imagination, and even prescience? Who can answer that? When this question is solved then is the chief millennium reached.’
‘Let me have a word now,’ said Sadbag, whose eyes glistened with the enthusiasm that inspired him for the moment; ‘when the insignia of Royalty is done away with; whenkings are a luxury of the past, and Emperors are persons of bygone history; when liberty and equality are recognised everywhere; when exorbitant taxes are no longer levied on the poor; when society recognises the duty of honesty and purity towards each other, and the golden rule is abided by, then is the millennium! Each of us has his goal, his ideal; this is my ideal, and this is the religion I would have preached by the expounders of faiths, and of doctrines. Scientific discoveries are being made step by step, first this experiment, and then that. One man finds a glint of light, and theorises on it, and he passes away, and another takes it up and examines it further, and presently discovers a wider field of vision, and he has dreams of its utilisation, but they end there; and a third, having had an excellent foundation to start with, finishes by discovering how to apply the knowledge to useful purposes, and gains the reward; for the first sowed, and the last reaped; and he will give his name to the invention, and will be hailed as the great genius, the true discoverer.’
‘Yes,’ observed Mercia in reply to herguest, as seated at table she dispensed her hospitalities with thoughtful care, ‘they are all links in one great chain, one following the other in due order, displaying a complete system, which is governed by fixed laws, that may not be transgressed without penalty. But, say, Geometrus,’ uttered Mercia anxiously, ‘how has it fared with thee—why art thou so melancholy?’
‘I cannot help it,’ he answered, sighing deeply the while; ‘a great misfortune is overshadowing the three of us.’
Mercia regarded him earnestly. ‘What is it?’ she asked.
‘The Emperor’s threat, I’ll be bound!’ growled out Sadbag.
‘The same,’ answered Geometrus gloomily; ‘I have just come from Divesdale, the Minister of Finance, who was having converse with the Emperor upon the subject, and he tells me Felicitas is bent upon punishing us, yea, the whole three—even Mercia is not to be spared.’
‘Yea, rather he is working the punishment that’s to fall on his own pate!’ laughed Sadbag contemptuously. ‘When the proper time comes I possess indisputable proof to show inopen court of the truth of my statement, which will place that of Mercia beyond doubt also; and thou, Geometrus, being only an accessory in the affair, and not a chief actor, when we are cleared thou wilt be also. Be assured this bogus prosecution will be promptly stopped unless we insist on its full development.’
‘And where wilt thou obtain all this convincing evidence? There’s naught but our bare word to support our statements: the highest potentate of the realm and the policeman can never swear falsely?’ remarked Mercia, cynically, who was awakening to the gravity of the situation.
‘We shall be arrested to-morrow, at latest,’ interpolated the young man, ‘the warrants are being made out at this moment.’
‘Capital!’ shouted the elder man, slapping his knee exultingly, ‘I wouldn’t miss the scene at the trial for a kingdom!’
‘Oh, Sadbag, thou art horrid!’ cried Mercia deprecatingly, ‘I shall never survive the disgrace of it!’
‘Say, rather, thou wilt be too shy to survive the honour of it! Mercia, mark me, the day of thy trial will be the dawn of thyglory. Truth will triumph this time, notwithstanding the world’s wickedness. The words of our ancient Solomon shall be verified—“A virtuous woman is as a crown to her husband,” et cetera;’ and Sadbag looked slily at Geometrus, for an irrepressible humour was ever bubbling up within him.
‘But I haven’t a husband,’ murmured Mercia, blushingly, ‘so how can I thus adorn him?’
‘The man and the opportunity are awaiting thee: the one at thy elbow, the other looming near,’ explained Sadbag archly.
It was Geometrus’s turn to blush now, which he did most becomingly,—‘If Sadbag means me,’ he faltered out, ‘I would fain be the man, I confess; but where is the opportunity? It seems to me that it was never so distant as at present, and it was at all times too far to give hope.’
‘Modesty doth well become youth, but it is ill-placed in cases of the heart. He that is daring gains the goal, but the fainthearted gives up the race. It is true ye twain are in a predicament, having lost your appointments, but you are no worse off than if this misfortunehad never befallen you, for marriage would have brought a like result. I propose,’ Sadbag proceeded to say, ‘that thou Geometrus shalt ask Divesdale for the appointment of Head of the Royal College of Natural Science, where thou wilt have power to appoint all its various professors, and lecturers. As astronomy is one of the principal subjects taught, give Mercia the post of Chief Astronomical Lecturer, which carries no bar to marriage. Now isn’t that plan most excellent! I flatter myself it is a capital thought!’
‘It’s splendid, yet it possesses a fault!’ exclaimed Geometrus, whose spirits began to rise at the bright prospect held before him; ‘could not Mercia ask Divesdale for the appointment of Principal, and give me the subordinate position of Professor?’
‘Whichever way you two choose to put it,’ replied Sadbag merrily; ‘after all, when I come to consider it I believe Mercia would stand the better chance with the minister; the nation at large, too, would be more satisfied, as she hath renown and much goodwill of the people.’
‘I feel as if I were already installed, andam longing to award places of honour to all my friends,’ broke in Mercia sweetly. ‘What post, dear Sadbag, can I give thee? Political Expounder, or Professor of Economics? Name the article and it shall be forthcoming; for I fain would testify my gratitude for the honest goodwill thou dost show me.’
‘I want naught for myself,’ replied the old man with a comic shake of the head, ‘but I have a grand-daughter ready to leave school whom I would wish to enter the said College as a student. It would much oblige me if thou wouldst examine her and judge for which science she is best fitted. She must select one subject and bottom it thoroughly; I think chemistry to be the most preferable.’
‘Chemistry!’ repeated Mercia smiling, ‘why my dear sir, that’s a very big order, for it possesses several important branches, each one a study of itself. One should be selected, and then there’s a possibility of imparting something useful to thy grand-daughter. Nowadays no one has a chance of success if he attempt too much—this is the day of the Specialist!’
‘It isn’t every day one has a chance of agood talk with a lady of such renown as thee, so I will benefit myself by taking the opportunity,’ remarked Sadbag in a tone of great content; ‘I have a grandson also, what shall I do with him?’
‘How old is he?’ inquired Geometrus, who thought it was time to put in an oar.
‘Sixteen, and as comely a youth as ever was seen. But he has no liking for abstruse studies, and it is little use sending him to college with his sister. Can you suggest something that is likely to prove agreeable to his cast of mind?’
‘Article him to a marble manufacturer,’ replied Geometrus eagerly; ‘it is the grandest trade going. We want marbles and granites for every building, nowadays; we cannot obtain enough of them. There is plenty of scope for further invention, for instance, porphyry has not yet been successfully imitated but in appearance only, for it is too brittle for any purpose necessitating strength and durability. A new “Stone Age” is dawning, for not a brick will be used save in the cottage of the poorest. Our large towns and cities will present greater beauty than classic Italysaw in its best days; for they will be filled with splendid halls and residences built apparently of various rare and costly marbles, designed in high artistic form and stately structure. What a wonderful age we are coming to, when the distant sands of Sahara are brought to our shores and reconverted to their original solidity! It is like a fairy tale of ancient days this transformation of the crumbled rock of ages to the original compactness of solid blocks of glittering stone. Who is the sorcerer of the modern time? The Geological-Chemist.
‘Diamond making is as nothing compared with this useful manufacture, for it converts the ugliness of cheap brick buildings into the beauties of palaces. Even the sea sand on our own shores are cleansed and united with chemically prepared material, and made to form a hard and impenetrable silicious stone, more enduring than what it was in its pristine solidity.’
Sadbag looked serious as Geometrus dilated on the usefulness of Geologic-chemistry; then he remarked—‘I imagined that chemistry had attained its limits, and further improvementsin manufactures impossible, almost, but I see with your eyes, Geometrus, and quite understand that the world is still in its infancy, although it believes it is acquainted with everything already.’
‘So they thought a hundred years ago!’ observed Geometrus laughingly; ‘the people of that time actually imagined they had scaled the extreme heights of knowledge and there was nothing left to learn. But hark!’ he exclaimed in an excited undertone, ‘there’s a ring at the great door—who comes at this hour? Is it the warrants, I wonder! It is. There are the police,’ continued he as he rose and looked through the window, ‘and the police-van ready to accommodate us! Oh, Mercia is it possible that thou must suffer this degradation?’
‘She shall not!’ exclaimed Sadbag vehemently, ‘as long as there’s a breath left in this body of mine. My first thought was to fly,’ he continued hurriedly, ‘on account of this copy of her letter which I was about sending to the Press for publication; but I will hide it in this vase instead, and get mysolicitor to fetch it away afterwards; for I will now stand my ground for Mercia’s sake. She shall be conveyed to prison in her own carriage, or not at all, there’s no law to hinder that, I warrant. We three shall all go together, but I would have preferred my liberty a little longer for I have much to do before getting my incarceration.’
‘Hide behind the screen again!’ whispered Mercia, ‘no one knows thou art here; it is easy enough to do; and thou canst report upon the manner in which I am treated, if need be—dost understand?’
‘Perfectly, I will do it, and come out if I see necessary,’ agreed the old man with a roguish beam in his eyes, while he slipped behind in a twinkle. He had no sooner disappeared than the constables entered the apartment, which they did in a somewhat hesitating manner. Evidently, they did not at all relish their work, for the inmates of the Observatory, as well as the place itself inspired them with respect.
‘Why this intrusion on a lady in her private apartment?’ demanded Geometrus haughtily; for he considered they ought tohave remained in the entrance hall, until their errand was explained.
‘What is your wish?’ inquired Mercia in quiet tones.
‘Mistress, I have brought with me a document, an ugly document, truly, to show a lady, and to such a one as thou it is indeed vexatious to have the handling of it. Nevertheless, it has been entrusted to me, and obedience is the first great principle of all order. Therefore, very unwillingly, I confess, I call upon thee in the Emperor’s name to surrender thyself—here is my authority,’ and he held out the warrant for her perusal, still keeping his hold of it. When she had finished, she stood for a moment thinking, whereupon he stepped forward to lead her away, when Mercia falling back a little, drew herself up haughtily, and exclaimed—‘Touch me not, fellow, I will leave this house of mine own accord when I am fully prepared for my journey, for I must attire myself suitably before going into the night air, also my carriage must be made ready for me.’
‘We have brought the ordinary police-van by special order of the Emperor, we darenot let any other be used,’ interpolated another officer, for there were three of them.
‘The police-van forme!’ repeated Mercia indignantly, ‘and by the Emperor’s orders too! What has the Emperor to do with the administration of the law? I refuse to obey such an order.’
‘And rightly so,’ interjected Geometrus hotly, then turning with furious face upon the constables, he added—‘This lady goes with you in her own carriage, or not at all.’
‘What is that to thee?’ returned the sergeant of police sharply, ‘a pretty person to lay down conditions to us, and dictate how we are to perform our duty, seeing thou art in the same boat thyself. Here is the warrant for thy apprehension; and get thee ready quickly.’
‘If you touch her, any of you, against her will, I will strike him dead with my electric dagger!’ shouted Geometrus, who was beside himself with anger.
‘There are more daggers than thine, young man,’ exclaimed one of the men roughly, as he rushed towards Geometrus with his handcuffs opened ready to clasp themin an instant; but Geometrus was too quick for him, and tripping the constable with his foot, the latter staggered to the ground awkwardly, while the handcuffs were dashed out of his grasp with a deft blow from Geometrus. Then the other two constables springing to the aid of their fellow took hold of Geometrus, one at either side, and a desperate struggle was about to commence, but at this juncture out rushed Sadbag from his hiding place exclaiming—‘Why all this bubbery, ye idiots, what matters it what sort of vehicle you use for their conveyance so that you get your prisoners safe in quod? That is enough for you! Let the lady go as she will, and no more nonsense about it, otherwise I will make it pretty hot, both for you and your masters, afterwards.’
‘Now this is mighty convenient!’ said the sergeant dryly, for he held the warrant for Sadbag as well; ‘we want thee also, my good fellow, and thou hast saved us much trouble by popping out to lecture us; thou couldst not repress thy speechifying instincts, even to save thy liberty! I arrest thee, Joseph Sadbag, in the name of the Emperor Felicitas!Here is my authority,’ and he pulled out of his side pocket the document for Sadbag’s perusal.
‘Oh, I know all about it,’ answered the old man testily, ‘I am willing enough to become thy prisoner only let it be done quietly and decently, for the Emperor will have sufficient to answer for without adding further insult to this lady. He has already done that which will disgust every decent minded person in his realms.’
‘Let him take charge of his own business; ’tis his affair, and I will perform mine,’ replied the sergeant doggedly.
‘You might come to a compromise,’ pleaded Sadbag in insinuating tones, ‘I have saved you heaps of labour, trouble and exertion in lying in wait, and watching for me all over London by unexpectedly dropping myself into your hands. Show your gratitude, my friends, by letting Mistress Mercia take her seat in her own carriage, and one of your constables may accompany her, while this gentleman and myself will go in the police-van, with the remaining two of you, and we will pass our word of honour not tooverpower you, and seek to escape. Now are you satisfied?’
‘Very well,’ agreed the sergeant gruffly, ‘we will take the offer—only make haste!’
‘It is quite dark outside, Geometrus,’ observed the old man, ‘no one will be any the wiser as to who are the occupants of the van: I don’t much matter it myself—nevertheless, I will sue the Government for damage to my reputation, for this act will accentuate the situation.’
‘I care not for myself one whit,’ returned the younger man in a pained tone; ‘but I am heartily glad thou hast succeeded in saving Mercia such an unnecessary disgrace.’
‘I hope we shan’t be kept a month of Sundays in our cells, for I am simply dying to make mydénouementin court,’ whispered Sadbag to his friend, as he nimbly tripped down the broad staircase that led to the entrance hall, with the policemen following at their heels.
‘For the life of me I can’t imagine what thou art driving at—what the deuce is thydénouement?’ inquired Geometrus impatiently.
‘Qui vivra verra!’ laughed Sadbag lightly;‘“He that lives longest sees most;” I mean to create a diversion in court.’
‘A diversion!’ repeated the young man in dismay.
‘Well, maybe that’s not exactly the word for it; I am not a flowery phraser: I mean to create an impression that may prove a diversion, or a lesson, an example, a warning, a farce, a terror, a maxim, a moral, a proverb, a motto; a subject for comic cuts, for high art paintings; for pulpit sermons, stump orators, parsons, preachers, and petticoats to moralise on; ’twill be a lesson to perjurers, profligates, and hypocrites, generally; and at the finish each will say to his neighbour—What a capital dodge, I wonder no one ever thought of doing that before!’ and the old fellow rubbed his hands in high glee, at the thought of his plan, the success of which he felt would amply repay him for all the inconveniences of his most inopportune confinement.
By this time Mercia’s carriage was in readiness, for it only required a few minutes’ attention to put it in working order, and soon the quartette, each under the influence of hisown emotions, watched the light barouche roll quickly along the smooth macadamised roadway, for only heavy trams and waggons used the rails with which the principal streets and roads were provided, lighter vehicles not requiring such aids to locomotion.
‘Farewell, my Mercia,’ the young man had whispered in her ear, just before turning on the force; for the driver had taken the steering gear; ‘be strong and of good hope, Sadbag is our saviour, we have nought to fear with his clear head and true heart to help us.’
‘Surely the gods will help their own sister!’ exclaimed Sadbag gallantly, as he raised his hat in making a last adieu. ‘Wait till the lucky bag is presented thee for a dip, and thou wilt see what a prize comes to thy hand!’