The Prince of Graustark

by George Barr McCutcheon

  CHAPTER XXII

  A VISIT TO THE CASTLE

  Mr. Blithers indeed experienced plain sailing for the ensuing twentyhours. It was not until just before he set forth at two the nextafternoon to attend, by special appointment, a meeting of the cabinetin the council chamber at the Castle that he encountered the firstsymptom of squalls ahead.

  He had sent his secretary to the Castle with a brief note suggesting anearly conference. It naturally would be of an informal character, asthere was no present business before them. The contracts had alreadybeen signed by the government and by his authorised agents. So far asthe loan was concerned there was nothing more to be said. Everythingwas settled. True, it was still necessary to conform to a certaincustom by having the Prince affix his signature to the contract overthe Great Seal of State, but as he previously had signed an agreementin New York this brief act was of a more or less perfunctory nature.

  The deposit of bonds by the state and its people would follow in courseof time, as prescribed by contract, and Mr. Blithers was required toplace in the Bank of Graustark, on such and such a date, the sum ofthree million pounds sterling. Everybody was satisfied with the termsof the contract. Mr. Blithers was to get what really amounted to nearlynine percent on a gilt-edged investment, and Graustark was to preserveits integrity and retain its possessions.

  There was a distant cloud on the financial horizon, however, a vagueshadow at present,--but prophetic of storm. It was perfectly clear tothe nobles that when these bonds matured, Mr. Blithers would be in aposition to exact payment, and as they matured in twelve years fromdate he was likely to be pretty much alive and kicking when the hour ofreckoning arrived.

  Mr. Blithers was in the mood to be amiable. He anticipated considerablepleasure in visiting the ancient halls of his prospectivegrandchildren. During the forenoon he had taken a motor ride about thecity with Mrs. Blithers, accompanied by a guide who created history forthem with commendable glibness and some veracity, and pointed out thehomes of great personages as well as the churches, monuments andmuseums. He also told them in a confidential undertone that the Princewas expected to marry a beautiful American girl and that the peoplewere enchanted with the prospect! That sly bit of information realisedten dollars for him at the end of the trip, aside from his customaryfee.

  The first shock to the placidity of Mr. Blithers came with the briefnote in reply to his request for an informal conference. The LordChamberlain curtly informed him that the Cabinet would be in session attwo and would be pleased to grant him an audience of half an hour,depending on his promptness in appearing.

  Mr. Blithers was not accustomed to being granted audiences. He had gotinto the habit of having them thrust upon him. It irritated himtremendously to have any one measure time for him. Why, even thePresident of the United States, the Senate, or the District Attorney inNew York couldn't do _that_ for him. And here was a whipper-snapperLord Chamberlain telling him that the Cabinet would grant himhalf-an-hour! He managed to console himself, however, with the thoughtthat matters would not always be as they were at present. There wouldbe a decided change of tune later on.

  It would be folly to undertake the depiction of Mr. Blithers' firstimpressions of the Castle and its glories, both inside out. To beginwith, he lost no small amount of his assurance when he discovered thatthe great gates in the wall surrounding the park were guarded byresplendent dragoons who politely demanded his "pass." After theofficer in charge had inspected the Lord Chamberlain's card as if hehad never seen one before, he ceremoniously indicated to a warden thatthe gates were to be opened. There was a great clanking of chains, thedrawing of iron bolts, the whirl of a windlass, and the ponderous gatesswung slowly ajar.

  Mr. Blithers caught his breath--and from that instant until he foundhimself crossing the great hall in the wake of an attendant delegatedto conduct him to the council chamber his sensations are not to bedescribed. It is only necessary to say that he was in a reverentialcondition, and that is saying a great deal for Mr. Blithers. A certainbombastic confidence in himself gave way to mellow timidity. He was ina new world. He was cognisant of a distinct sensation of awe. Hisruthless Wall Street tread became a mincing, uncertain shuffle; hecould not conquer the absurd notion that he ought to tip-toe his wayabout these ancient halls with their thick, velvety rugs and whisperingshadows.

  Everywhere about him was pomp, visible and invisible. It was in thegreat stairway, the vaulted ceilings, the haughty pillars, over all ofwhich was the sheen of an age that surpassed his comprehension. Rigidservitors watched his progress through the vast spaces--men with grim,unsmiling faces. He knew, without seeing, that this huge pile was alivewith noble lords and ladies: The court! Gallantry and beauty to mockhim with their serene indifference!

  Somewhere in this great house beautiful women were idling, or feasting,or dreaming. He was conscious of their presence all about him, andshrank slightly as he wondered if they were scrutinising his ungainlyperson. He was suddenly ashamed of his tight-fitting cut-a-way coat andstriped trousers. Really he ought to get a new suit! These garmentswere much too small for him.

  Were ironic eyes taking in the fresh creases in those New Yorktrousers? Were they regarding his shimmering patent leather shoes withan intelligence that told them that he was in pain? Were they wonderinghow much he weighed and why he didn't unbutton his coat when he musthave known that it would look better if it didn't pinch him so tightlyacross the chest? Above all things, were they smiling at the corpulentpart of him that preceded the rest of his body, clad in an immaculatewaistcoat? He never had felt so conspicuous in his life, nor so certainthat he was out of place.

  Coming in due time--and with a grateful heart--to a small ante-chamber,he was told to sit down and wait. He sat down very promptly. In anyother house he would have sauntered around, looking at the emblems,crests and shields that hung upon the walls. But now he sat andwondered. He wondered whether this could be William W. Blithers. Wasthis one of the richest men in the world--this fellow sitting here withhis hands folded tightly across his waistcoat? He was forced to admitthat it was and at the same time it wasn't.

  The attendant returned and he was ushered into a second chamber, at theopposite end of which was a large, imposing door--closed. Beside thisdoor stood a slim, erect figure in the red, blue and gold uniform of anofficer of the Castle guard. As Mr. Blithers approached this rigidfigure, he recognised a friend and a warm glow pervaded his heart.There could be no mistaking the smart moustache and superciliouseye-brows. It was Lieutenant Dank.

  "How do you do?" said Mr. Blithers. "Glad to see you again." His voicesounded unnatural. He extended his hand.

  Dank gave him a ceremonious salute, bowed slightly but without a smile,and then threw open the door.

  "Mr. Blithers, my lords," he announced, and stood aside to let thestranger in a strange land pass within.

  A number of men were seated about a long table in the centre of thisimposing chamber. No one arose as Mr. Blithers entered the room andstopped just inside the door. He heard it close gently behind him. Hewas at a loss for the first time in his life. He didn't know whether hewas to stop just inside the door fingering his hat like a messengerboy, or go forward and join the group. His gaze fell upon a huge oakenchair at the far end of the table. It was the only unoccupied seat thatcame within the scope of his rather limited vision. He could not seeanything beyond the table and the impassive group that surrounded it.Was it possible that the big chair was intended for him? If so, howsmall and insignificant he would look upon it. He had a ghastly notionthat his feet would not touch the floor, and he went so far as toventure the hope that there would be a substantial round somewhereabout midway from the bottom.

  He had appeared before the inquisitorial committees in the UnitedStates Senate, and had not been oppressed by the ponderous gravity ofthe investigation. He had faced the Senators without a tremor of awe.He had even regarded them with a confidence, equal if not superior totheir own. But now he faced a calm, impassive group of men who seemedto strip h
im down to the flesh with a cool, piercing interest, and whowere in no sense impressed by what they saw.

  Despite his nervousness he responded to the life long habit ofcalculation. He counted the units in the group in a single, rapidglance, and found that there were eleven. Eleven lords of the realm!Eleven stern, dignified, unsmiling strangers to the arrogance ofWilliam W. Blithers! Something told him at once that he could not spendan informal half-hour with them. Grim, striking, serious visages, allof them! The last hope for his well-fed American humour flickered anddied. He knew that it would never do to regale them in an informaloff-hand way--as he had planned--with examples of native wit.

  Reverting to the precise moment of his entrance to the Castle, we findMr. Blithers saying to himself that there wasn't the slightest use ineven hoping that he might be invited to transfer his lodgings from theRegengetz to the Royal bed-chambers. The chance of being invited todine there seemed to dwindle as well. While he sat and waited in thefirst antechamber he even experienced strange misgivings in respect toparental privileges later on.

  After what appeared to him to be an interminable length of time, but inreality no more than a few seconds, a tall man arose from his seat andadvanced with outstretched hand. Mr. Blithers recognised Count Quinnox,the Minister of War. He shook that friendly hand with a fervour thatmust have surprised the Count. Never in all his life had he been soglad to see any one.

  "How are you, my lord," said the king of finance, fairly meek withgratefulness.

  "Excellently well, Mr. Blithers," returned the Count. "And you?"

  "Never better, never better," said Mr. Blithers, again pumping theCount's hand up and down--with even greater heartiness than before."Glad to see you. Isn't it a pleasant day? I was telling Mrs. Blithersthis morning that I'd never seen a pleasanter day. We--"

  "Let me introduce you to my colleagues, Mr. Blithers," interrupted theCount.

  "Happy, I'm sure," mumbled Mr. Blithers. To save his life, he couldn'ttell what had got into him. He had never acted like this before.

  The Count was mentioning the names of dukes, counts and barons, and Mr.Blithers was bowing profoundly to each in turn. No one offered to shakehands with him, although each rose politely, even graciously. They evensmiled. He remembered that very well afterwards. They smiled kindly,almost benignly. He suddenly realised what had got into him. It wasrespect.

  "A chair, Franz," said the white haired, gaunt man who was called BaronRomano. "Will you sit here, Mr. Blithers? Pray forgive our delay inadmitting you. We were engaged in a rather serious discussion over--"

  "Oh, that's all right," said Mr. Blithers, magnanimously. "Am Iinterfering with any important business, gent--my lords? If so, just--"

  "Not at all, Mr. Blithers. Pray be seated."

  "Sure I'm not taking any one's seat?"

  "A secretary's, sir. He can readily find another."

  Mr. Blithers sat down. He was rather pleased to find that the big chairwas not meant for him. A swift intuition told him that it was reservedfor the country's ruler.

  "The Prince signed the contracts just before you arrived, Mr.Blithers," said Baron Romano. "The seal has been affixed to each of thedocuments, and your copy is ready for delivery at any time."

  Mr. Blithers recovered himself slightly. "You may send it to the hotel,Baron, at any time to-morrow. My lawyers will have a look at it." Thenhe made haste to explain: "Not that it is really necessary, but just asa matter of form. Besides, it gives the lawyers something to do." Hesent an investigating glance around the room.

  "The Prince has retired," said the Baron, divining the thought. "Hedoes not remain for the discussions." Glancing at the huge old clockabove the door, the Prime Minister assumed a most business-like air."It will doubtless gratify you to know that three-fourths of the bondshave been deposited, Mr. Blithers, and the remainder will be gatheredin during the week. Holders living in remote corners of our countryhave not as yet been able to reach us with their securities. A weekwill give them sufficient time, will it not, Count Lazzar?"

  "I may safely say that all the bonds will be in our hands by nextTuesday at the latest," said the Minister of the Treasury. He was athin, ascetic man; his keen eyes were fixed rather steadily upon Mr.Blithers. After a moment's pause, he went on: "We are naturallyinterested in your extensive purchases of our outstanding bonds, Mr.Blithers. I refer to the big blocks you have acquired in London, Parisand Berlin."

  "Want to know what I bought them for?" inquired Mr. Blithers amiably.

  "We have wondered not a little at your readiness to invest such afortune in our securities."

  "Well, there you have it. Investment, that's all. Your credit is sound,and your resources unquestioned, your bonds gilt-edge. I am glad of theopportunity to take a few dollars out of Wall Street uncertainties andput 'em into something absolutely certain. Groo--Gras--er--Groostockbonds are pretty safe things to have lying in a safety vault in thesetimes of financial unrest. They create a pretty solid fortune for myfamily,--that is to say, for my daughter and her children. A sensiblebusiness man,--and I claim to be one,--looks ahead, my lords. Railroadsare all right as long as you are alive and can run them yourself. It'safter you are dead that they fail to do what is expected of them. Newfingers get into the pie, and you never can tell what they'll pull outin their greediness. I cannot imagine anything safer in the shape of aninvestment than the bonds of a nation that has a debt of less thanfifty million dollars. As a citizen of a republic whose national debtis nearly a billion, I confess that I can't see how you've managed sowell."

  "We are so infinitesimal, Mr. Blithers, that I daresay we could be lostin the smallest of your states," said Baron Romano, with a smile.

  "Rhode Island is pretty small," Mr. Blithers informed him, without asmile.

  "It is most gratifying to Graustark to know that you value oursecurities so highly as a legacy," said Count Lazzar, suavely. "May Iventure the hope, however, that your life may be prolonged beyond theterm of their existence? They expire in a very few years--a dozen, infact."

  "Oh, I think I can hang on that long," said Mr. Blithers, a little moreat ease. He was saying to himself that these fellows were not so bad,after all. "Still one never knows. I may be dead in a year. Mydaughter--but, of course, you will pardon me if I don't go into myprivate affairs. I fear I have already said too much."

  "On the contrary, sir, we are all only too willing to be edified. Theworkings of an intelligence such as jours cannot fail to be of interestto us who are so lacking in the power to cope with great undertakings.I confess to a selfish motive in asking you about your methodsof--er--investment," said the Minister of Finance. Mr. Blithers failedto see that he was shrewdly being led up to a matter that was of moreimportance to Graustark just then than anything along financial lines.

  "I am only too willing, my lords, to give you the benefit of myexperience. Any questions that you may care to ask, I'll be glad toanswer to the best of my ability. It is only natural that I should takea great personal interest in Graustock from now on. I want to see thecountry on the boom. I want to see it taking advantage of all theopportunities that--er--come its way. There may be a few pointers thatWilliam W. Blithers can give you in respect to your railways andmines--and your general policy, perhaps. I hope you won't hesitateabout asking."

  The Prime Minister tapped reflectively upon the table-top with hisfingers for a moment or two.

  "Thank you," he said. "We are at this very moment in something of aquandary in respect to the renewal of a treaty with one of ourneighbours. For the past twenty years we have been in alliance with ournext door neighbours, Axphain on the north and Dawsbergen on the southand east. The triple alliance will end this year unless renewed. Up tothe present our relations have been most amiable. Axphain stands readyto extend our mutual protective agreement for another term of years,but Dawsbergen is lukewarm and inclined to withdraw. When you becomebetter acquainted with the politics of our country you will understandhow regrettable such an action on the part of a hitherto friendlygo
vernment will be."

  "What's the grievance?" inquired Mr. Blithers, bluntly. He was edginginto familiar waters now. "What's the matter with Dawsbergen? Moneycontroversy?"

  "Not at all," said Lazzar hastily.

  "Why not let 'em withdraw?" said Mr. Blithers. "We can get alongwithout them."

  There was a general uplifting of heads at the use of the pronoun, and amore fixed concentration of gaze.

  "I daresay you are already acquainted with the desire on the part ofDawsbergen to form an alliance in which Axphain can have no part," saidBaron Romano. "In other words, it has been the desire of bothDawsbergen and Graustark to perfect a matrimonial alliance that maycement the fortunes of the two countries--"

  "Count Quinnox mentioned something of the sort," interrupted Mr.Blithers. "But suppose this matrimonial alliance doesn't come off, whowould be the sufferer, you or Dawsbergen? Who will it benefit the most?"

  There was a moment's silence. Doubtless it had never occurred to theMinistry to speculate on the point.

  "Dawsbergen is a rich, powerful country," said Romano. "We will be thegainers by such an alliance. Mr. Blithers."

  "I don't go much on alliances," said the capitalist. "I believe inkeeping out of them if possible."

  "I see," said the Baron reflectively. There was another silence. Then:"It has come to our notice in a most direct manner that the Prince ofDawsbergen feels that his friendly consideration of a proposal made byour government some years ago is being disregarded in a manner that canhardly be anything but humiliating to him, not only as a sovereign butas a father."

  "He's the one who has the marriageable daughter, eh? I had reallyforgotten the name."

  The Baron leaned forward, still tapping the table-top with his long,slim fingers.

  "The report that Prince Robin is to marry your daughter, Mr. Blithers,has reached his ears. It is only natural that he should feel resentful.For fifteen years there has been an understanding that the CrownPrincess of Dawsbergen and the Prince of Graustark were one day to bewedded to each other. You will admit that the present reports aresomewhat distressing to him and unquestionably so to the CrownPrincess."

  Mr. Blithers settled back in his chair. "It seems to me that he ismaking a mountain out of a molehill."

  Baron Romano shrank perceptibly. "It devolves upon me, sir, asspokesman for the Ministry, the court and the people of Graustark, toinform you that marriage between our Prince and any other than theCrown Princess of Dawsbergen is not to be considered as possible."

  Mr. Blithers stared. "Hasn't the Prince any voice in the matter?" hedemanded.

  "Yes. He has already denied, somewhat publicly, that he is notcontemplating marriage with your daughter. He has had a voice in thatmatter at least."

  A fine moisture started out on the purplish brow of Mr. Blithers.Twenty-two eyes were upon him. He realised that he was not attending aninformal conference. He had been brought here for a deliberate purpose.

  "I may be permitted the privilege of reminding you, my lords, that hisdenial was no more emphatic than that expressed by my daughter," hesaid, with real dignity.

  "We have accepted her statement as final, but it is our earnest desirethat the minds of the people be set at rest," said the Baron gravely."I sincerely trust that you will appreciate our position, Mr. Blithers.It is not our desire or intention to offend in this matter, but webelieve it to be only fair and just that we should understand eachother at the outset. The impression is afoot that--"

  "My lords," said Mr. Blithers, rising, his face suddenly pale, "I begleave to assure you that my daughter's happiness is of far moreimportance to me than all the damned principalities in the world. Justa moment, please. I apologise for the oath--but I mean it, just thesame. I do not resent your attitude, nor do I resent your haste inconveying to me your views on the subject. It may be diplomacy to gostraight to a question and get it over with, but it isn't alwaysdiplomatic to go off half-cocked. I will say, with perfect candour,that I should like to see my daughter the Princess of Graustark,but--by God! I want you to understand that her own wishes in the matterare to govern mine in the end. I have had this marriage in mind,there's no use denying it. I have schemed to bring these two youngpeople together with a single object in view. I knew that if they sawenough of each other they would fall in love, and they would want thehappiness that love brings to all people. Just a moment, Baron! I wantto say to you now, all of you, that if my girl should love your princeand he should love her in return, there isn't a power below heaven thatcan keep them apart. If she doesn't love him, and he should be unluckyenough to love her, I'd see him hanged before he could have her. I'lladmit that I have counted on seeing all of this come to pass, and thatI have bungled the thing pretty badly because I'm a loving, selfishfather,--but, my lords, since you have brought me here to tell me thatit is impossible for my girl to marry your prince, I will say to you,here and now, that if they ever love each other and want to getmarried, I'll see to it that it isn't impossible. You issue anultimatum to me, in plain words, so I'll submit one to you, in equallyplain words. I intend to leave this matter entirely to my daughter andPrince Robin. They are to do the deciding, so far as I am concerned.And if they decide that they love each other and want to get married,_they will get married_. Do I make myself perfectly plain, my lords?"

  The dignified Ministry of Graustark sat agape. With his concludingwords, Mr. Blithers deposited his clenched fist upon the table with aheavy thud, and, as if fascinated, every eye shifted from his face tothe white knuckles of that resolute hand.

  Baron Romano also arose. "You place us in the extremely distressingposition of being obliged to oppose the hand of a benefactor, Mr.Blithers. You have come to our assistance in a time of need. You have--"

  "If it is the loan you are talking about, Baron, that is quite besidethe question," interrupted Mr. Blithers. "I do not speculate. I mayhave had a personal motive in lending you this money, but I don'tbelieve you will find that it enters into the contract we have signed.I don't lend money for charity's sake. I sometimes give it to charity,but when it comes to business, I am not charitable. I have made asatisfactory loan and I am not complaining. You may leave out the wordbenefactor, Baron. It doesn't belong in the game."

  "As you please, sir," said Romano coldly. "We were only intent uponconveying to you our desire to maintain friendly relations with you,Mr. Blithers, despite the unpleasant conditions that have arisen. I mayat least question your right to assume that we are powerless to preventa marriage that is manifestly unpopular with the subjects of PrinceRobin."

  "I had it on excellent authority to-day that the people are not opposedto the union of my daughter and the prince," said Mr. Blithers.

  "I am compelled to say that you have been misinformed," said the Baron,flatly.

  "I think I have not been misinformed, however, concerning the personalviews of Prince Robin. If I am not mistaken, he openly declares that hewill marry to suit himself and not the people of Graustark. Isn't itbarely possible, my lords, that he may have something to say about whohe is to marry?"

  "I confess that his attitude is all that you describe," said the Baron."He has announced his views quite plainly. We admit that he may havesomething to say about it."

  "Then I submit that it isn't altogether an improbability that he maydecide to marry according to the dictates of his heart and not for thesake of appearances," said Mr. Blithers scathingly. "I have an ideathat he will marry the girl he loves, no matter who she may be."

  The dignified Ministry of Graustark sat agape]

  Count Quinnox and Baron Gourou exchanged glances. These two men wereguilty of having kept from their colleagues all information concerninga certain Miss Guile. They, as well as Dank, were bound by a promiseexacted by their sovereign prince. They alone knew that Mr. Blitherswas supported by an incontrovertible truth. For the present, their lipswere sealed, and yet they faced that anxious group with a completeunderstanding of the situation. They knew that Mr. Blithers was right.Prince Robin would marr
y the girl that he loved, and no other. Theyknew that their prince expected to marry the daughter of the man whonow faced these proud noblemen and virtually defied them!

  "Am I not right, Count Quinnox?" demanded Mr. Blithers, turningsuddenly upon the Minister of War. "You are in a position to knowsomething about him. Am I not right?"

  Every eye was on the Count. "Prince Robin will marry for love, mylords," he said quietly, "I am forced to agree with Mr. Blithers."

  Baron Romano sank into his chair. There was silence in the room formany seconds.

  "May I enquire, Count Quinnox, if you know anything of the presentstate of Prince Robin's--er--heart?" inquired the Prime Ministerfinally.

  A tinge of red appeared in each of Count Quinnox's swarthy cheeks.

  "I can only surmise," said he briefly.

  "Has--has he met some one in whom he feels a--er--an interest?"

  "Yes."

  "May we have the benefit of your conclusions?" said Baron Romano, icily.

  "I am not at liberty to supply information at present," said the Count,visibly distressed.

  Mr. Blithers leaned forward, his hands upon the table. "Some one he metafter leaving New York?" he inquired eagerly.

  "Time will reveal everything, Mr. Blithers," said the Count, and closedhis jaws resolutely. His colleagues looked at him in consternation. Theworst, then, had happened!

  A gleam of triumph shot into the eyes of Mr. Blithers. His heartswelled. He felt himself stepping out upon safe, solid ground after aperiod of floundering. The very best, then, had happened!

  "My lords, I find that my half-hour is almost up," he said, pulling outhis gold watch and comparing its time with that of the clock on thewall. "Permit me to take my departure. I am content to let mattersshape themselves as they may. Shakespeare says 'there is a destiny thatshapes our ends, rough hew them'--er--and so forth. Allow me, however,before leaving, to assure you of my most kindly interest in the welfareof your State. You may be pleased to know that it is not from me thatGraustark--did I get it right that time?--will redeem her bonds whenthey mature, but from my only daughter. She is nearly twenty-one yearsof age. On her twenty-fifth birthday I shall present to her--as agift--all of my holdings in Graustark. She may do as she sees fit withthem. Permit me to wish you all good day, my lords. You may send thecontract to my hotel, Baron. I expect to remain in the city for sometime."

  As he traversed the vast halls on his way to the outer world, he wasagain overcome by the uneasy conviction that ironic eyes were lookingout upon him from luxurious retreats. Again he felt that his coatfitted him too tightly and that his waistcoat was painfully inevidence. He hurried a bit. If he could have had his way about it, hewould have run. Once outside the castle doors, he lighted a big cigar,and threw the burnt-out match upon the polished flagstones of theterrace. He regretted the act on the instant. He wished he had notthrown it there. If the solemn grooms had not been watching, he wouldhave picked it up and stuck it into his pocket for disposal on the lesshallowed stones of a city thoroughfare.

  Outside the gates he felt more at ease, more at home, in fact. Hesmoked in great contentment. In the broad, shady avenue he took out hiswatch and pried open the case. A great pride filled his eyes as helooked upon the dainty miniature portrait of his daughter Maud. She_was_ lovely--she was even lovelier than he had ever thought before.

  At the Regengetz a telegram awaited him. It was from Maud.

  "I shall be in Edelweiss this week without fail. I have something veryimportant to tell you." So it read.