CHAPTER XI
The next morning when Mercia awoke and found herself in this luxurious bedchamber, surrounded by every comfort that modern invention could bestow; for every article of utility represented some rare work of art; and every imaginable want was supplied by the most ingenious arrangements; it seemed to her that she had gone through a series of delightful scenes in a dream of wonderful vividness.
The recollection of the previous evening, in which so much was seen, and so much experienced, made it difficult to believe that it possessed any greater solidity than the pictures in some stereoscopic arrangement. But the great fact that a new and supreme joy reigned in her bosom—that she loved, and was beloved—proved convincing evidence of its reality. For the first time in her lifeshe felt the supreme happiness—the unutterable joy of this unique exaltation that comes once, or perhaps twice, in a lifetime to every human being.
When she had descended the magnificently carved staircase that led into the reception rooms, she was met by Swami himself, who conducted her into the breakfast-room where an inviting meal was awaiting her. The most nourishing dishes, where the palate and the digestion were equally considered being placed on the table by native servants, as soon as she had put in an appearance, to which she paid fair justice.
She was in excellent spirits; notwithstanding the thought of the ordeal that lay before her; for nothing could damp, or depress them while under the influence of the present bliss, and future dignities promised her.
Swami, too, looked supremely happy. A quiet, suppressed joy beamed in his deep, dreamy eyes, which shed its light over his expressive countenance. His voice too, had a special softness in its tone, that was peculiarly charming to Mercia’s sensitive ear.
It was, in truth, the most delightful mealfor these two beings that had been their lot to partake of; the lives of both having been hitherto solitary, laborious, and even ascetic to some extent.
‘Now, isn’t this delightful!’ laughed Mercia, gaily. ‘How nice everything tastes when one has good company! King Solomon knew what he was talking about when he uttered oracularly—“Better a dinner of herbs where love is, than the stalled ox,” et cetera; but in our case we score heavily, having the enjoyment of both commodities.’
‘The proverb holds good all the same;’ replied Swami; ‘with thee, my Life, the dinner of herbs would be a banquet, for thy face is a continual feast for me; thy presence would sweeten the coarsest fare.’
‘When I enter my kingdom, Swami—but there—I cannot realise my future glory—I feel that this is greatness thrust upon me! I cannot conceive why the people of India should think of me—me—a poor astronomer! I have no regal blood in my veins—no glorious ancestry to boast of.
‘It is true my mother accomplished some good for the women of India, devoting agreat part of her life in the promotion of their welfare; but that can scarcely bring any weight to the balance in my favour, in such a case as this: the whole matter to my mind is inexplicable,’ said she reflectively.
Swami smiled, as he watched the puzzled look upon her face, for of course it was all clear enough to him why the people of India had picked her out as the representative of their country’s eminence and glory; after a pause, he thought it no harm to tell her somewhat of the situation.
‘There are but two topics talked of just now, not only throughout this Empire but the whole world. They form subject for conversation everywhere. The Court; the spirit café, the theatre, the club, the dinner-table; the street corner, the race-course, wherever men congregate, or women either, the chief food for talk isThe Great Test Tournament, and the impeachment for high treason, of Mercia, the Astronomer Royal, and her two friends—Geometrus, the Assistant Astronomer, and Sadbag the Politician.
‘It is well known how the case stands, for Sadbag gave it to the whole world immediatelybefore his imprisonment. Everyone believes in thine innocence, and the Emperor’s guilt. They say he ought to be indicted for perjury—but from his position that is impossible. There are even now hundreds of letters in thy counsel’s keeping expressive of the sympathy of every country. France offers thee a similar position in her Empire as that thou hast resigned here, Russia does the same, even before they know the issue of the trial; but when thine innocence is proved beyond dispute, every country will vie with each other in showing thee honour; the only method open to them of displaying their contempt of Felicitas’ unworthy conduct. A two-fold motive will inspire India to top them all in glorifying thee. One is sincere admiration for thy character and attainments, the other is the punishment of their country’s tyrant, by the promotion of one he sought to ruin; for it was Felicitas’ influence which made theWorld’s Tribunal Trialof no account for India.
‘For this reason they do not bless him—they curse him by electing thee—his enemy—an enemy of his own making—for of all men thou shouldst despise him utterly.’
‘I do heartily despise him—he’s the meanest cur I know,’ remarked Mercia excitedly; ‘he is capable of saying anything to save his own skin: he had scarcely finished protesting how much he loved me, when to suit the situation he turned round and made a false charge against me, and my two friends who were witnesses of my innocence.’
‘That matches my experience of him to a tee,’ returned Swami, who was growing quite communicative with Mercia. ‘He came yesterday to have his fortune told; he wished to learn the issue of the trial, hoping all would go well with him. I showed him the principal phases of the trial, projected on the psychic-plate beneath the stereoscopic crystal, the sight of which made him boil with anger—he was vexed beyond description, and for my pains in bringing out these splendid psychodevelopments I only got his growlings to the effect that he wished he had never troubled himself at all to seek my aid. “Thou wouldst have me curse, when I can only bless,” said I, and gave him good counsel, at which he fumed impatiently. But of all vacillating hounds, Ithink he takes the cake. One moment love, or rather desire, then fear, envy, revenge, swayed him by turns: he changed about like a weathercock moved by every wind.
‘However, fear was uppermost in his mind, all through, and reached its climax when he beheld the pictures, so finally he decided to take his flight to Berlin where he intends remaining until the trial be well over, and all its attendant gossip grown stale,as he hopes.
‘But the 1st of May will bring him back; he cannot miss theGreat Test Tournamentwhich quickly follows to-day’s event. Both will end disastrously for him, and none will say “he’s sorry.”’
‘I’m sorry I can’t feel sorry either,’ remarked Mercia laughingly. ‘But Swami, I must away now, and explain to my counsel this new aspect of affairs. He must be prepared for the changes that have taken place last night—the Emperor’s withdrawal of the suit; his flight, and my discharge from prison. It is necessary that he be made acquainted with these altered conditions, and shape his course accordingly.’
‘My carriage is in readiness for thee,Mercia, at any moment thou art ready to depart. Shall I accompany thee, or no?’
‘I would prefer seeing him alone, dear Swami, I am not prepared to make my lawyer my confessor, as would be almost necessary if I were in thy company at such a time. But I count upon thy presence near me at the trial, for few are my friends. I have led the life of a recluse almost, so great has been my devotion to my work, and this is how that ingrate has rewarded me. Farewell, dearest, for one hour only—in that time I will see thee at the court.’ And Mercia stepping into the well-appointed carriage belonging to Swami was driven away to the barrister’s.
CHAPTER XII
The Great Justice Hall, as it was named, was of such dimensions that it afforded accommodation for several thousands of persons, who on this occasion of unprecedented interest availed themselves of it without delay. A long line of carriages containing theéliteof society awaited the opening of the great door with that admirable spirit of patience which the aristocracy display on great occasions. A few of these vehicles were drawn by horses, but most were impelled by electric motive force.
Aqueueof persons who kept no ‘carriage steerer,’ doing their own driving usually, had come on foot, and had taken their places in the order of their arrival, for the indecent rioting and pushing for priority of places at the doors of public buildings was put down by this time, a lady member of Parliamenthaving brought a bill to make this unruly behaviour punishable as street-brawling.
By the time the Court was opened every available seat was filled, not only by theéliteof the Empire, but by members of the Continental aristocracy also; including two Crowned Heads among their number. On all great occasions, when a crush was expected, the public were admitted by ticket, which could be obtained by application to the Usher, who issued no greater number than the accommodation afforded.
The Emperor Nicholas, the Fourth, of Russia, accompanied by his Empress; the newly-crowned Emperor, Louis XX., of France, occupied seats set apart for thecrême de la crêmeof the aristocracy.
It was, in point of fact, attended by a crowd of great personages, whose importance could not admit of their presence at any ordinary affair, however swift the means of locomotion lessened the inconvenience of travel.
It was not every day that an Emperor appeared in the witness box, and on such an unparalleled occasion it was necessary tomake an effort and not miss such a rare treat.
Then Mercia, herself, had occupied such a high position in everybody’s estimation that the charge against her of High Treason, by her threatened assault on the sacred person of his Majesty, gave a piquancy to the affair which no vulgar assassin could have afforded. Besides, those ‘in the know,’ expected to hear evidence so deliciously spicy that to miss it would have been barbarity. Foreign journals having given strong hints of the situation in their gossiping columns, inspired by Sadbag’s telegrams to the secretaries of clubs in various cities, including several continental clubs among their number.
Of course the newspapers circulating in the Teutonic Empire were much too circumspect to hint at the true aspect of the affair. To have anticipated evidence; or to have expressed an opinion on a case still pending would have led to serious difficulties, proving most embarrassing to the proprietors. Consequently, a distracting shade of mystery surrounded the coming trial, making it particularly attractive to everybody.
Whilst awaiting the proceedings, the anxious auditory amused themselves by giving expression to their private opinions, which no law of libel at any period of social history has been found powerful enough to repress.
‘What glorious fun!’ cried the young sprig of nobility, ‘Felicitas falling out with his lady Astronomer. I wouldn’t miss it for worlds!’
‘What a disgraceful episode in the annals of Royalty!’ remarked the elderly prude, who was evidently as anxious as the fastest of swell-ocracy to listen to the forthcoming details.
‘I wouldn’t be Mercia for millions! It is altogether frightful to have such dealings with aMAN!’ exclaimed the serious young lady; who showed her abhorrence of such indecency by bringing her opera glasses to scan the scene more critically.
‘The Emperor has done quite right, to make a stand against the machinations of rabid Republicans;’ remarked a staunch Royalist. ‘We won’t know where we are if this kind of thing goes unpunished. It is evident on the face of it that it is a conspiracyto lower the Imperial prestige, so as to pave the way for a Republic, when the government of the Empire would become a hotbed of office seekers, rivalling America of a hundred years ago, whose motto was,—“National good go hang, we’ll feather our nest while we may.”’
‘This comes of the preposterous advancement of women: had the Astronomer Royal been amansuch a scene could not have occurred,’ observed an acidulated Science-failure of the male sex, whose ill-success at competitive exams. had rendered vicious.
‘If it be a political intrigue, as the Royalist journals aver, how can sex affect her loyalty? The same might have happened with a variation, had the Astronomer Royal been of the male sex,’ returned his neighbour.
‘It is a love-intrigue, ending with the usual quarrel,’ whispered an elderly Solomon, wise in the knowledge of the world’s weakness.
‘I thought Mercia incapable of love-intrigues, or any other, being a perfect model of all the virtues,’ answered his neighbour.
‘All women are “perfect” till they’re tried,’ uttered the same cynic dryly.
‘Which means that Mercia is no better than she should be,’ laughed another.
‘Perhaps she wastoogood,’ remarked a third.
‘Which way?’ inquired his friend, poking him with his elbow.
‘That the evidence must show,’ replied another of the coterie.
‘Was there ever a case where the honest, downright truth was given on either side? I never knew one,’ emphatically declared another of the group. ‘It has been the same through all time,’ he added after a pause, ‘for an eminent judge of the nineteenth century averred that throughout the whole course of his long experience on the woolsack he had never come across a case where the evidence was not, in more or less degree, suppressed.’
‘The world’s stage keeps pretty much the same all through the piece; humanity is very human yet;’ sighed a white-haired old gentleman, with a very sweet expression on his countenance.
‘It will besinfullydisappointing if thecase is hushed up,’ whispered one man to his neighbour, in another part of the Hall. ‘The Emperor isnon est: he hasbunked!’
‘What! Has he fled? Impossible! He dare not do so.Hethrew the gauntlet, and must abide the issue. Hecannotrun away,’ returned his friend who was bewildered with amazement.
‘All the same, he is off, gone to Berlin on important State affairs, leaving word that the trial could be abandoned altogether, or take its chance without him.’
‘I hope it won’t be permitted to fall through,’ cried the other man excitedly; ‘it would be monstrous after all this fuss, and preparation.’
‘I cannot find an adjective in our language strong enough to expressmydisappointment if it collapse. I want to see Mercia righted; she is honour and probity itself, and the opportunity of clearing her character should not be denied her, notwithstanding the absence of her accuser.’
‘See,’ said his friend, ‘the Empress is taking her seat near Nicholas of Russia, thatlooks healthy—she is doubtless expecting adénouementof which she wishes to be the witness.’
‘But there is no Felicitas to escort her, that proves the account of his flight to be trustworthy.’
‘I wish her joy of the situation,’ remarked an all-knowing one; ‘she’ll wish a thousand times over she had kept away.’
Just before the great clock pointed at half-past ten, disengaged barristers, who came to see and hear for the sake of gaining experience, took their appointed seats, for this custom was formally recognised.
Counsel engaged in the case, arrayed in gown and wig, appeared also, whose capabilities were freely discussed by the onlookers.
But, when Mercia, escorted by the renowned Swami entered the Hall, so universal was the feeling in her favour, that a great burst of applause greeted her appearance.
It was as spontaneous as it was unusual, for that great mass appeared to be moved by one emotion, which could only find utterance by an intense roar of hand-clapping; signifying as plainly as if delivered in so manywords—‘Mercia, we believe in thee: before we hear thy defence we feel in our hearts that thine is a just cause, and thou art good and true to the core!’
Mercia raised her eyes, and looking round at the assembled people, smiled sweetly, and bowed her head in acknowledgment of the sympathy accorded her; while attendant ushers vainly called for silence, deeming it their duty to put down all demonstrations of approval.
She was attired in a rich crimson velvet gown that fell in graceful folds from her shapely shoulders; the hue of which lent a deeper rose-tint to her cheeks, whose colour had somewhat paled during her incarceration.
But what appeared most inexplicable to the multitude was the expression of serene sweetness that overspread her countenance. It was indeed an indefinable expression, indicating a variety of emotions. Joy, content, intense happiness, and possession, all united in imparting to her face a look of subdued and silent triumph; but he who could gaze beneath the surface might have read thatLove, all conqueringLovehad made his homein her bosom, and through her brilliant eyes, illumined with a divine radiance those windows of her soul.
All bent their gaze upon her. The noble stature; the perfectly moulded form; the well-shaped head; the exquisite beauty of every feature, lighted by that divine expression which shone from out her star-like eyes, brought a murmur of admiration, and suppressed enthusiasm from every side.
All through the Hall it spread itself; and Swami perceived that in those millions of brain-waves floating round him, admiration for the woman who held his soul was the one prevailing emotion.
After the first burst of enthusiasm had subsided Swami himself came in for notice.
‘Dayanand Swami! The great thought-reader!’ exclaimed different personssotto voce, as each one recognised him.
‘Whoever saw the Eastern Hermit in a public place before? What means this strange innovation?’
‘Now this is getting mysterious,’ observed Prince Osbert gaily to his neighbour, Louis, of France, ‘our great Magician escorting our fairAstronomer—what in the name of goodness is going to happen?’
‘Beauty holds Magic, all the world over, and star-gazing and thought-reading complete the full magician,’ answered the French monarch gallantly.
‘I bet she’s been to get her fortune told, and Swami, like the rest of us, has succumbed. But no fellow has the shadow of a chance with her; she’s gone on Geometrus, that melancholy being sitting yonder. He’s the cause of all the row,’ whispered Osbert oracularly, ‘but for him our cousin Felicitas might not have fared so badly. However, ’tis better so; ’tis time his wings were clipped.’
‘All the world avers,’ returned Louis earnestly, ‘that this beauteous being is a slave to Duty. Day and night, year in, year out, she’s ever at her post, and gives no thought to love, the essence of existence.’
While these observations were going on, the three Judges, attired as in days of old, took their seats with suitable solemnity, when the Court opened with the same formularies as had been in use for hundreds of years: for the Courts of Law more than any otherinstitution cling to the ancient order of things with tenacity.
Even the old-fashioned blunder of saying ‘you’ for ‘thee’ was still adhered to in the Law Courts, verbal innovations being equally discountenanced.
After a short delay the auditory was startled by hearing the charge delivered, of which the following is the substance.
‘Mercia Montgomery, you are charged with feloniously attempting the life of His Imperial Majesty, Albert Felicitas, Supreme Ruler and Governor of Great Britain and Ireland, Emperor of the Teutonic, Indian, and African Empires, which murderous attempt is accountedHigh Treasonby the law of these Realms. Do you plead Guilty or not Guilty?’
Before the accused could possibly have time to give her answer, the Public Prosecutor interfered.
‘I am empowered to convey to the prisoner the favour of his Imperial Majesty’s clemency. Taking into consideration the prisoner’s long and valuable service rendered to her country, also the great loyalty she has ever evinced towards her Sovereign during that period offaithful service, the Emperor has decided to overlook the sudden outburst of passion made by his otherwise faithful subject, and illustrious Astronomer, and has therefore conveyed to her his Royal Pardon, in proper form, forthwith.
‘The prisoner has been already made acquainted with this fact and was in the enjoyment of her freedom last evening,’ he added, regarding Mercia with a glance full of meaning.
Then Mercia, motioning her counsel to keep his seat a moment longer, and rising to her full height, replied in low but emphatic tones—‘Being altogether innocent of the crime of which I am charged, I am unable to accept the clemency offered by his Most Gracious Majesty.
‘It will be soon enough to pray for pardon when I am proved guilty. If the Court will permit, I beg that the trial proceed, and my character for ever cleared from all unworthy imputations.
‘I, Mercia, the Astronomer, must leave this Court with my name pure, unsullied, andhonourable; or hide my head in shame for ever.’
‘Long live Mercia! Long live Mercia!’ resounded in mighty force throughout that great Hall. The whole multitude was with her in one intense wave of sympathy; for she had given utterance to their own feeling. They desired to bottom the whole business, and place their beloved Astronomer on the proud pedestal she had formerly occupied.
Besides, the Englishman’s love of justice was another factor in the case, and no matter what the issue, they desired to see fair play throughout.
Swami looked radiant with happiness as he pressed towards her side eager to render her whatever trifling service possible at such a moment.
Geometrus wore a serious and downcast aspect, as if he believed that nothing would go right. Sadbag sitting near him, with a mysterious parcel by his side, seemed the picture of suppressed satisfaction.
When everybody had quieted down Mercia’s counsel got upon his legs, and requested that the Public Prosecutor shouldstate his case, to which demand the Judges agreed. Thereupon, the Emperor’s counsel made his charge according to the manner in which he had been instructed, but having no witnesses to produce, save Prince Osbert, who averred he saw nothing, from which testimony no amount of questioning could make him depart, the Defence was commenced without delay.
Rising to his feet Mercia’s counsel proceeded with his speech.
‘To-day I am placed in a position as painful to me as a subject, as it is unique in the annals of a Law Court. Painful, insomuch as it is necessary for the ends of justice that I shall have to accuse my Sovereign of conduct so base that the meanest subject of his Realms would blush to be found guilty of the like.
‘I am in a position to show that the Emperor’s visits to his Astronomer were not made either in the interests of science, or those of his subjects: no such justifiable, or worthy motives prompted his course of action. On the contrary, these interviews were made with the intention of corrupting her pure mind, and of guiling her away from her duty.
‘By his artful insinuations he endeavoured to gradually lead her on to disregard her vows of abstention from Love, or Marriage, with a view of paving the way for his own purposes. He dwelt upon the folly of continuing a course of asceticism, whose only effect would be ultimately, a serious injury to her health and happiness; and she in the perfect innocence of her pure mind, accepted it at the moment, as a piece of fatherly advice that should not be disregarded.
‘Like the Eastern fable of Eve and the Serpent, she listened to the voice of the Tempter not knowing he was planning her downfall. But luckier than our First Mother, Mercia discovered her mistake before touching the forbidden fruit.
‘From the evidence you will learn that the Tempter used every argument he could think of, offering the possible and the impossible to induce her to comply. At length, with a heart bursting with mortification and indignation she essayed to leave him, when he endeavoured to forcibly detain her; upon which she raised her ebony life-preserver to warn him from trespassing on her person.At this juncture he was surprised by the entrance of the Prince and Geometrus, who were amazed at a scene so unexpected. Mortified at being caught at such a moment he tried to explain away the difficulty, and coolly turned the tables upon the lady, by accusing her of some failure in duty; at this moment who should emerge from a corner of the apartment, which was partially concealed by a large screen, but Mr. Sadbag, whose presence it will be my duty to explain.
‘It appears that this gentleman having just purchased a phonograph, constructed on a new principle, and being wishful to present it to one of his grand-children, as a scientific plaything, he carried it to Mistress Mercia with a view of obtaining a record of her conversation, which he expected would prove equally instructive, as interesting to his grand-children.
‘It was his intention to ask this favour, as soon as she made her appearance, and in order that her time, usually so valuable, should not be unduly taken up, he opened out his instrument, making it ready for the reception of the sound-waves. Finding, atlength, that he would have to wait some little time before seeing her, he took up a book and commenced reading, and finished by dozing off into a light slumber, according to the manner of elderly folk with nothing to occupy their attention.
‘He was awakened from his sleep by the sound of voices,—that of the Emperor, and the fair Astronomer; both evidently in a state of unusual excitement.
‘To his utter annoyance he discovered that the nature of the conversation to which he was being made an unwilling listener, was of a character wholly unsuitable for the presence of a third person. The situation became more and more distressing to him; he knew not what to do. It was impossible to leave the apartment without discovery; it was equally objectionable to reveal his presence at such a moment. With many conflicting thoughts, he finally decided to stay where he was until the termination of the interview, when he would leave the room comfortably; at the same time forming a resolution to keep the affair a dead secret within his own bosom, and let it rest there for ever.
‘This merciful intention on his part towards the Emperor, he was compelled to abandon, on account of the false charge that monarch had so quickly and ingeniously invented against Mercia, whereby he hoped to cover his guilt.
‘I will now call upon Mr. Sadbag to open his instrument, and give us the dialogue that was so unintentionally recorded therein; but which I am afraid will prove more interesting to the company present, than edifying or instructive to that gentleman’s progeny.’
Mr. Sadbag immediately sprang to his feet, and taking up the mysterious parcel proceeded to the witness box, when he requested a few moments’ grace to adjust the mechanism of his unique witness; after which was heard in the most natural tones the voice of the Emperor in lively mood saying—‘Ah, Mistress Mercia, 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?’
Then followed Mercia’s musical voice, in this wise—‘Sire, thou saidst something concerningthe sun. Thou didst talk of coming to learn more of his condition, I believe.’
Then followed a little laugh, half satirical, half good-humoured from Felicitas, after which the machine said—‘I fain would 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?’
Here a suppressed titter went round the Court, but the machine heeded it not.
‘Often enough, Sire,’ it said in Mercia’s sweet tones, ‘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.’
The voice of the machine grew quite pathetic here: evidently Felicitas was growing sympathetic.
‘Oh, that would spoil all my calculations,’ said the machine, very sweetly, ‘the work of years would be as nought 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,’ the machine sang out in melting tones, ‘let thine heart soften 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, 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 give thyself unto the pleasure of love.’
‘Sire,’ answered Mercia’s sweet voice, which now had a strange, startled tone—‘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 thoudost 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?’ asked the voice in a coaxing sort of tone.
‘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,’ replied Mercia’s voice excitedly.
‘I heartily relieve thee, then, my good Mercia: 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,’ reeled out the machine in the Emperor’s most insinuating tones.
Then followed a low cry of joy, in Mercia’s voice, and the sound of a kiss; listening ladies blushed, smart young men sniggered, and elderly men looked as if things were getting serious.
‘Isn’t that machine playing it low on the lady?’ whispered Prince Osbert to Louis, his neighbour.
‘Hush,’ returned the French Emperor—‘listen,there’s a volley of kisses going off—be quiet, pray!’
‘It’s getting beyond a joke—it really is! Just look at the Empress, she’s gone green in the face! Mercia’s looking pretty pink, and altogether the matter is too blue for my modesty!’ exclaimed the Prince, while bursting with suppressed mirth.
All eyes regarded the beautiful culprit seated in the witness box with increased interest. ‘Oh, thou guilty creature—think shame to thyself!’ the ladies’ looks said as plainly as possible.
‘He’s having a good time of it!’ whispered one to his neighbour.
‘She’s no better than she should be, after all!’ muttered another.
‘Such pretty lips were made for kissing!’ remarked another jocularly.
‘So it seems!’ answered his neighbour dryly.
‘Felicitas hasn’t bad taste!’ cried another.
‘He knows how to do it!’ was the rejoinder.
‘Most entertaining, truly,’ remarked a lady sarcastically.
‘Entertaining isn’t the word for it—’tis scrumptious!’ returned her husband. ‘One hears the kisses, and sees the lady; ’tis a treat for the gods!’
‘Oh, the hussy! Don’t look at her. What a cheek, to face it out like this!’
These various remarks, and many more besides, occupied but a few seconds for delivery, for the Usher calling out silence, on hearing the low murmur of voices, the machine began talking again.
‘What means the Emperor by this unheard-of liberty? What have I done that I should be treated as a courtesan by my Sovereign?’ cried the machine, in a voice choked with pain and indignation.
‘A courtesan!’ repeated the Emperor’s voice, ‘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, dear 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 lovefor thee, and thou knowest it, Mercia, else wouldst thou have kissed my hand in acknowledgment of it?’
‘In acknowledgment ofthylove!’ cried the machine scornfully. ‘It was not so—thylove never entered my thought.’
‘Whose then?’
‘Geometrus,’ said the instrument, in Mercia’s soft voice.
‘Geometrus!’ scoffed the machine in the Emperor’s tones. ‘And dost thou place that poltroon beforeme? Am I to be flouted forhim?’
‘His love is honourable, and thine is not; therein lies the difference, my Sire,’ the voice of Mercia replied in a propitiating tone; as if to win the monarch over to give consent to her marriage with Geometrus.
‘But my loveshall be made honourable, Mercia, I will get a divorce, and thou shalt fill the Empress’ place. Aye, and fill it far away better than she has ever done! I hate her—curse her!’ Then followed a grating noise as if the Emperor were grinding his teeth in fury at the thought of his marriage fetters. A painful feeling spread itselfthrough the Court; the Empress became the cynosure of all eyes: her face turned deathly white; a minute later she had fainted, and was carried away from the scene that jealousy had prompted her to witness.
‘But I cannot rob another woman of her husband: I would not defraud the meanest in thy realms, still less thine Empire’s highest lady!’ uttered the machine in pure clear tones.
A suppressed murmur of applause greeted this avowal, but the machine went on heedless of interruption.
‘It is not robbery, Mercia, she doth not own my heart, and never did! I was cozened into the marriage by my cousin Osbert—curse him, for a meddling fool!’
‘He did it, doubtless, 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.’
‘She’s trying to reason him out of his folly,’ remarked Louis, of France, ‘good little girl!’
‘I never felt the chains gall till now, Mercia,’ the machine confessed with relentless veracity. ‘A quiet indifference kept me contentuntil 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!’ The phonograph here made a pause, when it recommenced with a sobbing sound.
‘Now is my beauty an evil thing, and a curse to me!’ cried Mercia’s voice, in soft, pathetic sweetness. ‘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 would fain spend their full fragrance upon me; for their desire is to nestle on mybosom, and give me the joy of their beauty and love.’
As the instrument gave utterance to this sweet rhapsody, delivered in a low, clear, plaintive voice, that fell like music on the ear of the enraptured auditory, who listened breathlessly to every word that fell from her lips, as it were; for in imagination they saw her with bowed head, and clasped hands breathing the poetry of that moment of divine exaltation.
The human desire for human love was finding expression: the longing of the soul for companionship was shaping itself into language so intensely irresistible, that it went to every heart with the fleetness of the lightning’s flash.
Only one feeling prevailed throughout that great assembly—admiration for the noble character of the beautiful woman sitting there before them, whose flushed cheek and lowered eyelids evidenced the modesty of her womanhood.
As soon as a pause was reached by the instrument, the enthusiasm of the people could be restrained no longer. Men testified theirapproval in true English fashion by the heartiest round of applause as was never before heard in that soberly-conducted Justice Hall. When the excitement had somewhat subsided, Mercia rose to her feet, and turning her gaze with an air of modest dignity upon the people, she addressed them.—
‘Dear friends—until this moment, I knew not I possessed so many——’
Another round of applause.
‘Dear friends,’ she continued sweetly, ‘accept my warmest thanks for your generosity in believing in me while yet I remained unheard. My lords,’ and she turned to the presiding Judges, ‘it is true that this instrument,’ she pointed then to the phonograph—‘has been signally instrumental in rendering undeniable testimony of the value of the evidence placed before you. Nevertheless, I knew not when I came hither that I was to encounter my own words uttered without thought, or preparation, in a moment of excitement; for probably, had I been aware that such was my friend, Mr. Sadbag’s intention, my place at this justice bar would never have been filled.
‘Holding his Majesty’s “pardon” as I do, I was under no necessity to appear before you, and plead the justice of my cause. Nevertheless, I do not regret the exposure, for after all, it has given the opportunity, to you, dear people, of showing the good feeling you entertain for me.
‘I felt in my heart when I elected to go forward with my defence that the people of this great Empire would render me justice and see me safely through this trying ordeal.’
‘Good people,’ exclaimed Mr. Sadbag, smiling good-humouredly, ‘pray don’t applaud any more; I can’t get along with my talking-machine; and until I finish the Court is unable to arrive at a decision. ’Tis a pity to hinder the Emperor’s pretty speeches, just listen to this, and see how poetical he is: the tender passion makes even kings grow quite tragical.’
‘Mercia, Mercia, give me thy love! Take me, my beloved, spurn me no longer, for without thee I am as one dead. As a world without sun, without life, without 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!’
‘It is Geometrus who speaks,’ came the soft dreamy tones of Mercia, ‘Geometrus has opened his heart to me at last!’
‘Geometrus!’ shouted the machine in the angry tones of the Emperor, ‘it isnotGeometrus; it is I—Felicitas—Felicitas thine Emperor, who abjectly offers thee his love; his crown, and sues thee, Mercia, his servant—his astronomer.’
Then Mercia awakening, evidently, from her love-dream, and realising her true position exclaimed with great dignity, ‘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 astronomer, for it is sworn to his Empress for ever. It is an insult tome, Mercia, thine offer of illicit love and I refuse to longer remain in thy service.’
‘That will do, Mr. Sadbag,’ interrupted the senior Judge, ‘we have heard quite sufficient to enable us to arrive at a decision. The prisoner—I mean the accused, is foundNot Guiltyof the charge against her. The lady and her friends may now leave the Court without a stain on their character. It is unnecessary to go into the charges brought against these gentlemen, as the clearing of the principal defender establishes the innocence of the whole three. This case ought never to have come before the Court at all.’
‘Good!’ exclaimed Sadbag to his trusty phonograph, ‘thy testimony is worth more than a score of witnesses, or a Court full of lawyers; thou hast served us well, little one; thanks to Edison, or whoever it was invented thee!’
‘Three cheers, three times over for Mercia, the Astronomer Royal!’ shouted a stentorian voice, and the tremendous volume of sound was caught up by the thousands who were awaiting the verdict in the streets, and allthe city shouted—‘Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!’ nine times in succession, and women wept for joy, and wreaths were showered upon her, and all the homage due to a great hero was rendered her, just as Felicitas had seen pictured in the psycho-development the day before.
Swami had prepared the carriage and horses for her use, which now stood in readiness. But the climax of the ovation was reached when the people, not knowing what to do to show her honour, removed the prancing steeds, which were startled by the clamour, and drew the chariot themselves.
Publicly, in presence of the crowd, and of her intimate friends, Swami stepped up to the carriage, already piled with laurel wreaths intermixed with flowers of rare beauty, and presented her with his wonderful crown of precious jewels. It represented a wreath of glittering blossoms intertwined with bay leaves; which sparkled with a thousand rays in the bright sunshine; placing this brilliant trophy of that day’s triumph on her head he took his seat beside her.
A deeper flush of pleasure came intoMercia’s radiant face, for her happiness was now complete in having him near.
‘Three cheers for Swami our great thought-reader and Mercia’s friend!’ cried one of the crowd, who had seen Swami escort her into the Court, and thereby deduced that he was her most trusty friend.
The people willingly accorded him the acclamation, giving a share also to Geometrus, and the intrepid Sadbag.
But before all this took place, when she was about to leave the Court, crowds of those present gathered round, and gave her their sincere congratulations.
Among these were the Emperor Nicholas of Russia, and the newly-crowned Emperor of France, for that country having grown tired of a republic, imitated America in this respect.
Even Prince Osbert, the cousin of Felicitas, offered Mercia his congratulations; but not an atom of sympathy was expressed for the absent Emperor, though many sincerely pitied his wife.
The Empress of Russia, not satisfied with mere hand-shaking, kissed Mercia warmly, asshe exclaimed—‘Noble Mercia, then thou wouldst not accept the offer of Felicitas, and discrown my dear daughter—thou wearest already the brightest crown, that of pure virtue. May God ever bless, and reward thee.’
‘I’ll make Felicitas pay for this!’ muttered the Emperor Nicholas to himself, ‘his conduct both as an Emperor and husband is disgraceful.’
‘There is no occasion for thy Majesty to trouble further in the matter,’ observed Swami, ‘thy son-in-law hath received his lesson, and will prove, in time, a model husband. Parental responsibilities will make him the most virtuous of monarchs living.’
‘Then my daughter will have children?’ inquired the Empress eagerly.
‘Even so,’ answered Swami, smiling, as he turned to lead Mercia away to her carriage.
All along the drive to Greenwich the people took up the glad shout of triumph; but upon Mercia’s arrival there, who was accompanied by Swami and Geometrus only, for Sadbag had been carried off by his own political and personal friends, she found thathandsome triumphal arches had been erected to do her honour, in loyal anticipation of her victory.
Mercia’s eyes filled at this warm tribute of the people’s affection; while Swami pressed her hand and whispered that this was as nothing compared with what awaited her in the very near future. Geometrus, in the meantime, overhearing what was said, looked perfectly petrified with astonishment, as each feature of the situation was developed.
As the events of the day unfolded themselves his mind became almost a whirligig of wonder and excitement. He could not understand the presence of Swami at all, at the trial; for he knew that up to then Mercia was entirely unacquainted with him. But what appeared to him as misplaced as it was unwelcome, was the part Swami was taking in the ovation, by whose personality he felt himself completely overshadowed.
‘Who is this Anglo-Indian that I should have to play second fiddle to him?’ thought Geometrus to himself, ‘why does Mercia occupy herself withhim?’
From the talking-machine he had learntto his infinite joy, of Mercia’s love for him; it was the first intimation he had received of her affection, but before he could drink in the delight of his unexpected bliss, it was melting away like a dream.
All her attention was engrossed by this Swami. When she was not engaged giving her graceful acknowledgments to the enthusiastic crowd, her eyes were looking into his with that soul-worship, which women accord, when they have met their ideal.
‘She never gazed into my face with that fervour,’ he thought, ‘she loves him, else how could she be so devoted? I have loved her for years, and this is the reward of my constancy; in one day a stranger has ousted me. This comes of over-cautiousness; had I been reckless of consequences, Mercia would have been mine by this time, made safe by bonds of wedlock. But I hesitated, believing her position had greater charms for her than matrimony. And now—well, no one can bottom a woman’s heart, or gather its meaning. I imagined I was consulting her best interests when I refrained from declaring my love, leaving over the matter for time toput things right. And this is the result; a stranger has accomplished more in one day than I with all my years of opportunity. It is inexplicable.
‘However, I’ll wait no longer, this night shall conclude the matter. Ere another day elapses I will have asked her to share my poor fortunes; surely we two can meet with appointments as teachers of astronomy and make a respectable livelihood between us. It isn’t a very brilliant position to offer, but she will then be mine legally, and no man can take her from me. My prudence has made me play the fool, so far, but this night shall I learn my fate. I will delay no longer. Mercia has told the whole world of her preference for me, how then can she have the face to refuse me?’
As these thoughts passed through Geometrus’ mind whilst seated near Swami, the latter looked into his face and remarked impressively—
‘The chances and changes of this mortal life are never ending. They bring sorrow to one, and joy to another. Strange arrangement this of Fortune; one moment bestowinggood, the next evil. If thou shouldst regard thyself ill used to-day, learn that a morrow will come when thou shalt be made content; but not in the manner that is in thine heart at this moment.’
‘There isnothingthat can bring me content, Swami,’ replied Geometrus bitterly, ‘but that which thou seekest to deprive me of.’
Mercia at this moment was oblivious of the nature of their conversation, her attention having been engaged by the arrival of friends to congratulate her.
When the party reached the Observatory Swami expressed his intention of returning; and as soon as he had assisted Mercia to alight, he conducted her to her sitting-room.
‘Take a rest, my beloved,’ he whispered softly, ‘it will refresh thee; to-morrow I will come and stay awhile beside thee; when I trust thy friend Geometrus will not favour us with his presence. Evidently, by his dark looks he would fain annihilate me, if that were possible.’
‘Ah, yes,’ returned Mercia, with a sigh and a smile intermixed; ‘we two must have explanations. That talking-machine has madethings awkward for me. But for that tell-tale instrument I owed him no apologies, seeing that the nature of our friendship had never been discussed between us. Since then I have learnt that which the concentrated wisdom of all the schools could not impart by theory; for it is the realisation and knowledge of what the poets of all ages have made their universal theme; but experience only can reveal the reality.’
‘And it is as fresh to us as if utterly unknown hitherto! It is our new discovery!’ cried Swami in a rapture as he caught her in his arms.
‘But we can’t take out a patent for it!’ Mercia was in the act of replying, when her words were smothered by the warm kisses pressed upon her lips.
‘And must we really part?’ exclaimed she, while playfully holding his hands prisoners.
‘It will seem an eternity till the morrow,’ he murmured, making no effort to escape.
‘When I sleep I shall dream of thee, Swami,’ and her liquid eyes looked softly into his.
‘My day dream shuts out the visions ofthe night; for my happiness is too great for the waters of Lethe to cover. With thee to concentre my thought upon, I ask no other refreshment,’ uttered Swami softly.
When fame is won, leisure is lost, Mercia quickly discovered; for no sooner had Swami left than she found herself surrounded by crowds of persons who had come to offer their congratulations. Of course the sincerity of those demonstrative ones was not to be doubted, nevertheless the visits of a goodly percentage were prompted more by curiosity to see the woman who might have displaced their Empress, had she been so minded, and the Divorce Courts sufficiently obliging, than anything else. Consequently, Mercia had a livelier time of it for several hours than she was prepared for. People to whom she was a perfect stranger poured in upon her, until at length fairly wearied out with the strain she gave orders to admit no more.
As soon as the apartments were fairly cleared of their visitors she sank down on a sofa exhausted; and was in the act of uttering an exclamation of thankfulness when Geometrus put in an appearance.
‘May I have a word with thee?’ he asked hesitatingly.
‘To-morrow, Geometrus, won’t it keep till then?’ she said sweetly.
‘No, Mercia, I must know my fate to-night, I cannot wait another day. My mind is in such a state of perplexity, that to dream of getting sleep is a folly: I come therefore to sue thee for a good night’s rest, and to be made happy for all time;’ saying which he took a seat in front of her.
‘And how can I make thee comfortable, Geometrus?’ laughed Mercia gaily. ‘Better take a nerve-soothing tabloid instead of supper, I’ll warrant that will give thy mind more rest than anything that I can tell thee.’
‘Perhaps it might,’ answered he gloomily.
‘All the same, I would prefer a hearing if thou wilt grant the favour.’
‘Certainly,’ she answered with an assumed airiness of manner, for she guessed she was about to go through a bad quarter of an hour, ‘now be reasonable, and I will give this matter my best attention,’ she added.
‘I know I am trespassing upon thy time at an awkward moment,’ he went on to saywith a certain bitterness in his voice, ‘but for all that we will have it out now. What is the meaning of this fortune-telling fellow hanging round thee? What does he want dangling after thee?’
‘That is my business,’ answered Mercia, suddenly freezing in her manner and turning quite haughty, ‘I was not aware that I was answerable to thee in the choice of my friends.’
At this reproof he reddened, and stammered out—
‘I did not mean to put it that way,—but I want to know what is this Swami to thee that he should interest himself so greatly in thy affairs?’
‘He is my intended husband, Geometrus,’ replied Mercia in a low but firm voice. ‘I mean to give up my post and marry. He is the only man for whom I could make this sacrifice, as I love my profession greatly. But I love Swami better, and intend to share my fortunes with him whatever they be.’
‘And what is to become of me?’ inquired Geometrus while his face turned deathly white; ‘I thought the phonograph said thoudidst love me. What am I to think? Was it Swami that filled thy thought when Felicitas asked the same question?’
‘Of course not,’ rejoined Mercia candidly, ‘I was unacquainted with him when the Emperor sought me. But I will endeavour to explain it; otherwise thou mightest arrive at false conclusions.
‘I formed a sincere regard for thee, Geometrus, in the course of these five years that we have worked together; and this regard, owing partly to thy devotion to me, and partly from a sense of loneliness, the result of my necessarily solitary mode of life, grew into such a tender affection that I imagined it was what people call love. Consequently, the notion came into my head that at some time or other—some day in the distant future, I would marry thee if such continued to be thy desire. But now all those ideas have been dissipated; my heart has gone through a complete revolution, for I have met with the man for whom I would willingly give up everything.
‘I love him better than all the stars in the wide universe! Much as I delighted to gazeinto the Heavens and study with intense interest the wonders of the Celestial depths, yet he is above them all! He is more to me than thousands of worlds! He is nearer and dearer than millions of suns!’ cried Mercia with clasped hands, and eyes alight with warm enthusiasm.
‘He is certainlynearerif propinquity counts for anything;’ rejoined Geometrus dryly; ‘of course, then, I am to understand that the man who has bowled out the whole Universe, has played it low on me: in other words, I am nowherenow?’
‘That is so,’ said Mercia, ‘I now know what love is, for he has taught me, where thou didst fail. Thou hadst no power to impart this knowledge to my understanding. When I look back, I see that Friendship only inspired my thought for thee. I should have continued all my life searching the Heavens, and worrying out the secrets of Nature had I not met my Marrow, my Ideal, my Fate!’
‘All three represented in the person of Swami?’ added Geometrus cynically.
‘Even so,’ answered Mercia, taking no notice of his derisive tone. ‘In a few days Ileave this place, and thou Geometrus canst worthily fill it, and make thy name illustrious for ever.’
‘And this is to be the end of my dream!’ he burst out in a voice choking with feeling.
‘The end of one, and the beginning of another,’ returned Mercia, ‘thou wilt yet be a great man, whom all men will honour. I leave thee a fair field and a free hand to accomplish this noble ambition.’