CHAPTER II
A DESPERATE VENTURE
"The likeness is wonderful," Jessie cried. "How did you find out? Didanybody tell you? But you have not mentioned your own name yet, thoughyou know who I am."
The other girl smiled. Jessie liked the look of her face. It was alittle haughty like her own, but the smile was very sweet, the featuresresolute and strong just now. Both the girls seemed to feel thestrangeness of the situation. It was as if each was actually seeingherself for the first time. Then Jessie's new friend began to speak.
"It is like this," she explained. "I am Vera Galloway, and LadyMerehaven is my aunt. As my aunt and my uncle, Lord Merehaven, have nochildren, they have more or less adopted me. I have been very happy heretill quite lately, until the danger came not only to my adopted parents,but to one whom I love better than all the world. I cannot tell you whatit is now, I have no time. But the danger to this house and Charles--Imean my lover--is terrible. Fate has made it necessary that I should bequite free for the next few hours, free to escape the eyes of suspiciouspeople, and yet at the same time it is necessary that I should be here.My dear Miss Harcourt, you are going to take my place."
"My dear Miss Galloway, the thing is impossible," Jessie cried. "Believeme, I would help you if I could--anything that requires courage ordetermination. I am so desperately placed that I would do anything formoney. But to take your place----"
"Why not? You are a lady, you are accustomed to society. Lord Merehavenyou will probably not see all the evening, Lady Merehaven is quiteshort-sighted. And she never expects me to help to entertain her guests.There will be a mob of people here presently, and there is safety innumbers. A little tact, a little watchful discretion, and the thing isdone."
Vera Galloway spoke rapidly and with a passionate entreaty in her voice.Her beautiful face was very earnest. Jessie felt that she was giving wayalready.
"I might manage it," she admitted dubiously. "But how did you come tohear of me?"
"My cousin, Ronald Hope, told me. Ronald knew your people in the olddays. Do you recollect him?"
Jessie blushed slightly. She recollected Captain Hope perfectly well.And deep down in her heart she had a feeling that, if things had turnedout differently, she and Ronald Hope had been a little more than mereacquaintances by this time. But when the crash came, Jessie had put theCaptain resolutely aside with her other friends.
"Well, Ronald told me," Vera Galloway went on. "I fancy Ronald admiredyou. He often mentioned your name to me, and spoke of the strangelikeness between us. He would have found you if he could. Then out ofcuriosity I asked a man called Beryll, who is a noted gossip, what hadbecome of Colonel Hacker Harcourt's daughters, and he said one of themwas in a milliner's shop in Bond Street, he believed MadameMalmaison's. Mind you, I was only mildly curious to see you. But to-daythe brooding trouble came, and I was at my wits ends for a way out. Thenthe scheme suddenly came to me, and I called at Malmaison's this morningwith a message for a friend. You did not see me, but I saw you. My mindwas made up at once, hence my note to you.... And now I am sure that youare going to help me."
"I am going to help you to do anything you require," Jessie said,"because I feel sure that I am on the side of a good cause."
"I swear it," Vera said with a passionate emphasis. "For the honour of anoble house, for the reputation of the man I love. And you shall neverregret it, never. You shall leave that hateful business for ever.... Butcome this way--there are many things that I have to show you."
Jessie followed obediently into the corridor a little behind Vera, andin the attitude of one who feels and admits her great socialinferiority. They came at length to a large double window opening on tosome leads, and then descending by a flight of steps to the garden. Thething was safer than at first appeared, for there were roll shutters tothe windows.
It was very quiet and still in the garden, with its close-shaven lawnsand the clinging scent of the roses. The silent parterre would be gaywith a giddy, chattering mob of Society people before long, Verahurriedly explained. Lady Merehaven was giving a great reception,following a diplomatic dinner to the foreign Legation by Lord Merehaven.Jessie had forgotten for the moment that Lord Merehaven was Secretaryfor Foreign Affairs.
The big windows at the back of the dining-room were open to the garden;the room was one blaze of light, that flickered over old silver andpriceless glass on banks of flowers and red wines in Bohemian decanters.A score or more men were there, all of them distinguished with stars andribbons and collars. Very rapidly Vera picked them out one by one.Jessie felt just a little bewildered as great, familiar names trippedoff the tongue of her companion. A strange position for one who only afew hours before had been a shop-girl.
"We will walk back through the house," Vera Galloway said. "I must showyou my aunt. Some of the guests are beginning to arrive, I see. Comethis way."
Already a knot of well-dressed women filled the hall. Coming down thestairs was the magnificent woman with the diamond tiara, the woman whohad helped along the corridor the man with the helpless limbs. Jessieelevated her eyebrows as the great lady passed.
"The Queen of Asturia," Vera whispered. "You have forgotten to loweryour veil. Yes, the Queen of Asturia. She has been dining here alonewith my aunt in her private room. You have seen her before?"
"Yes," Jessie replied. "It was just now. Somebody whispered to me to putout the lights. As I sat in the dark I saw----but I don't want to appearinquisitive."
"Oh, I know. It was I who called to you from my bedroom to put thelights out. I had no wish for that strange scene on the stairs to be ...you understand?"
"And the sick man? He is one whose name I ought to know, perhaps."
"Well, yes. Whisper--come close, so that nobody can hear. That was theKing of Asturia. You think he was ill. Nothing of the kind. Mark you,the Queen of Asturia is the best of women. She is good and kind--she isa patriot to her finger tips. And he--the king--is one of the greatestscoundrels in Europe. In a way, it is because of him that you are hereto-night. The whole dreadful complication is rooted in a throne. Andthat scoundrel has brought it all about. Don't ask me more, for thesecret is not wholly mine."
All this Vera Galloway vouchsafed in a thrilling whisper. Jessie wasfeeling more and more bewildered. But she was not going back on herpromise now. The strange scene she had witnessed in the corridor cameagain to her with fresh force now. The ruler of Asturia might be ascoundrel, but he certainly was a scoundrel who was sick unto death.
"We will go back to my room now," Vera said. "First let me dismiss mymaid, saying that I have decided not to change my dress. Go up thestairs as if I had sent you for something. You will see how necessary itis to get my maid out of the way."
The bedroom door was locked again, and Vera proceeded to strip off herdress, asking Jessie to do the same. In a little time the girls weretransformed. The matter of the hair was a difficulty, but it wasaccomplished presently. A little while later and Jessie stood before theglass wondering if some other soul had taken possession of her body. Onthe other hand, Vera Galloway was transformed into a demure-looking shopassistant waiting a customers' orders.
"I declare that nobody will know the difference," she said. "Unless youare in a very strong light, it will be impossible to detect theimposture. You will stay here and play my part, and I shall slip awaydisguised in my clothes. Is that ten o'clock striking? I must fly. Ihave one or two little things to get from my bedroom. Meanwhile, you canstudy those few points for instruction that I have written on this sheetof paper. Study them carefully, because one or two of them really are ofimportance."
Vera was back again in a moment, and ready to depart. The drama wasabout to begin in earnest now, and Jessie felt her heart beating alittle faster. As the two passed down the stairs together, they couldsee that the handsome suite of rooms on the first floor were rapidlyfilling. One or two guests nodded to Jessie, and she forced a smile inreply. It was confusing to be recognized like this without knowing whothe other people were. Jessie beg
an to realize the full magnitude of thetask before her.
"I am not in the least satisfied with your explanation," she said, in avery fair imitation of Vera Galloway's voice. After all there is a greatsameness in the society tones of a woman. "I am very sorry to troubleyou as the hour is late, but I must have it back to-night. Bannister,whatever time this young person comes back, see that she is not sentaway, and ask her in to the little morning room. And send for me."
The big footman bowed, and Vera Galloway slipped into the street. Notonly had she got away safely, but she had also achieved a way for a safereturn. Jessie wondered what was the meaning of all this secrecy andclever by-play. Surely there must be more than one keen eye watching themovements of Vera Galloway. The knowledge thrilled Jessie, for if thosekeen eyes were about they would be turned just as intently upon her. Astrange man came up to her and held out his hand. He wanted to know ifMiss Galloway enjoyed the Sheringham's dance last night. Jessie shruggedher shoulders, and replied that the dance was about as enjoyable as mostof that class of thing. She was on her guard now, and resolved to becareful. One step might spoil everything and lead to an exposure, theconsequences of which were altogether too terrible to contemplate.
The strange man was followed by others; then a pretty fair girlfluttered up to Jessie and kissed her, with the whispered question as towhether there was going to be any bridge or not. Would Vera go and findAmy Macklin and Connie, and bring them over to the other side of theroom? With a nod and a smile Jessie slipped away, resolving that shewould give the fair girl a wide berth for the remainder of the evening.In an amused kind of way she wondered what Amy and Connie were like. Itlooked as if the evening were going to be a long series of evasions.There was a flutter in the great saloon presently as the hostess cameinto the room, presently followed by the stately lady with the diamondtiara in her hair.
The guests were bowing right and left. Presently the Queen of Asturiawas escorted to a seat, and the little thrill of excitement passed off.Jessie hoped to find that it would be all right, but a new terror wasadded to the situation. She, the shop-girl, was actually in the presenceof a real queen, perhaps the most romantic figure in Europe at thepresent moment. Jessie recalled all the strange stories she had heard ofthe ruling house of Asturia, of its intrigues and fiery conspiracies.She was thinking of it still, despite the fact that a great diva wassinging, and accompanied on the piano by a pianist whose reputation wasas great as her own. A slim-waisted attache crossed the room and bowedbefore Jessie, bringing his heels together with a click after the mostapproved court military fashion.
"Pardon me the rudeness, Mademoiselle Vera, but her Highness would speakto you. When you meet the princess, the lady on the left of the queenwill vacate her chair. It is to look as natural as possible."
Jessie expressed her delight at the honour. But her heart was beatingmore painfully just now than it had done any time during the evening.The thing was so staggering and unexpected. Was it possible that thequeen knew of the deception, and was party to the plot? But that theorywas impossible. A royal guest could not be privy to such a trick uponher hostess.
With her head in a whirl but her senses quite alert, Jessie crossed theroom. As she came close to the queen, a lady-in-waiting rose up quitecasually and moved away, and Jessie slipped into the vacant seat. Shecould see now how lined and wearisome behind the smile was the face ofthe Queen of Asturia. And yet it was one of the most beautiful faces inthe world.
"You are not surprised that I have sent for you, _cherie_?" the queenasked.
"No, Madame," Jessie replied. She hoped that the epithet was correct."If there is anything that I can do----"
"Dear child, there is something you can do presently," the queen wenton. "We have managed to save him to-night. You know who I mean. But thedanger is just as terribly imminent as it was last night. Of course, youknow that General Maxgregor is coming here presently?"
"I suppose so," Jessie murmured. "At least, it would not surprise me.You see, Madame----"
"Of course it would not surprise you. How strangely you speak to-night.Those who are watching us cannot possibly deduct anything from thepresence of General Maxgregor at your aunt's reception. When he comesyou are to attach yourself to him. Take him into the garden. Then go upthose steps leading to the corridor and shut the General in thesitting-room next to your dressing-room--the next room to where _he_ is,in fact. And when that is done come to me, and in a loud voice ask me tocome and see the pictures that you spoke of. Then I shall be able to seethe General in private. Then you can wait in the garden by the fountaintill one or both of us come down again. I want you to understand thisquite clearly, for heaven only knows how carefully I am watched."
Jessie murmured respectfully that she knew everything. All the same, shewas quite at a loss to know how she was to identify the GeneralMaxgregor when he did come. The mystery of the whole thing was becomingmore and more bewildering. Clearly Vera Galloway was deep in theconfidence of the queen, and yet at the same time she had carefullyconcealed from her majesty the fact that she had substituted a perfectstranger for herself. It was a daring trick to play upon so exalted apersonage, but Vera had not hesitated to do it. And Jessie felt thatVera Galloway was all for the cause of the queen.
"I will lie in wait for the General," she said. "There is no time to belost--I had better go now."
Jessie rose and bowed and went her way. So far everything had gone quitesmoothly. But it was a painful shock on reaching the hall to see PrinceBoris Mazaroff bending over a very pretty girl who was daintily eatingan ice there. Just for a moment it seemed to Jessie that she must bediscovered. Then she reflected that in her party dress and with her hairso elaborately arranged, she would present to the eyes of the Russiannothing more than a strange likeness to the Bond Street shop-girl. Atany rate, it would be necessary to take the risk. The prince was toodeep in his flirtation to see anybody at present.
Once more Jessie breathed freely. She would linger here in the halluntil General Maxgregor came. He would be announced on his entrance, sothat Jessie would have to ask no questions. Some little time elapsedbefore a big man with a fine, resolute face came into the hall.
Somebody whispered the name of Maxgregor, and Jessie looked up eagerly.The man's name had a foreign flavour--his uniform undoubtedly was; andyet Jessie felt quite sure that she was looking at the face of anEnglishman. She had almost forgotten her part for the moment, when theGeneral turned eagerly to her.
"I'll go upstairs presently," he murmured. "You understand howimperative it is that I should see the queen without delay. It is allarranged, of course. Does the queen know?"
"The queen knows everything, General," Jessie said. She felt on quitefirm ground now. "Let us stroll into the garden as if we were lookingfor somebody. Then I will admit you to the room where the queen willmeet you presently. Yes, that is a very fine specimen of a Romney."
The last words were uttered aloud. Once in the garden the two hurried onup the steps of the corridor. From a distance came the divine notes ofthe diva uplifted in some passionate love song. At another time Jessiewould have found the music enchanting. As it was, she hurried back tothe salon and made her way to the queen's side. One glance and a wordwere sufficient.
The song died away in a hurricane of applause. The queen rose and laidher hand on Jessie's arm. She was going to have a look at the pictures,she said. In a languid way, and as if life was altogether too fatiguing,she walked down the stairs. But once in the garden her manner altogetherchanged.
"You managed it?" she demanded. "You succeeded? Is the General in theroom next to your sitting-room? How wonderfully quick and clever youare! Would that I had a few more like you near me! Throw that blackcloak on the deck chair yonder over my head and shoulders. Now show methe way yourself. And when you have done, go and stand by the fountainyonder, so as to keep the coast clear. When you see two quick flashes oflight in the window you will know that I am coming down again."
Very quietly the flight of steps was mounted
and the corridor entered.With a sign Jessie indicated the room where General Maxgregor waswaiting for the queen; the door opened, there was a stifled, strangledcry, and the door was closed as softly as it had opened. With a heartbeating unspeakably fast, Jessie made her way into the garden again andstood by the side of the ornamental fountain as if she were enjoying thecooling breezes of the night.
On the whole, she was enjoying the adventure. But she wanted to think.Everybody was still in the house listening to the divine notes of thegreat singer, so that it was possible to snatch a half breathing space.And Jessie felt that she wanted it. She tried to see her way through;she was thinking it out when the sound of a footstep behind caused herto look round. She gave a sudden gasp, and then she appeared to bedeeply interested in the gold fish in the fountain.
"I hope he won't address me. I hope he will pass without recognition,"was Jessie's prayer.
For the man strolling directly towards the fountain was Prince BorisMazaroff!
The Weight of the Crown Page 2
