"We have no wish to saddle ourselves for good with a race who might prove burdensome.If King Charles fails he has no son, and we can look elsewhere for a better monarch.You perceive the reason of my view?"I did, and I also perceived the colossal absurdity of the whole business.But I could not convince them of it, for they met my objections with excellent arguments.Nothing save a sight of the Count would, I feared, disillusion them.
"You wish me to make this proposal on your behalf?" I asked.
"We shall make the proposal ourselves, but we desire you to prepare the way for us.He is an elderly man, and should first be informed of our purpose.""There is one person whom I beg leave to consult--the Duchess, his daughter.It may be that the present is an ill moment for approaching the Count, and the affair requires her sanction."They agreed, and with a very perplexed mind I went forth to seek the lady.The irony of the thing was too cruel, and my heart ached for her.In the gallery I found Oliphant packing some very shabby trunks, and when I questioned him he told me that the family were to leave Santa Chiara on the morrow.Perchance the Duchess had awakened to the true state of their exchequer, or perchance she thought it well to get her father on the road again as a cure for his ailment.
I discovered Cristine, and begged for an interview with her mistress on an urgent matter.She led me to the Duchess's room, and there the evidence of poverty greeted me openly.All the little luxuries of the menage had gone to the Count.The poor lady's room was no better than a servant's garret, and the lady herself sat stitching a rent in a travelling cloak.She rose to greet me with alarm in her eyes.
As briefly as I could I set out the facts of my amazing mission.
At first she seemed scarcely to hear me."What do they want with him?" she asked."He can give them nothing.He is no friend to the Americans or to any people who have deposed their sovereign." Then, as she grasped my meaning, her face flushed.
"It is a heartless trick, Mr.Townshend.I would fain think you no party to it.""Believe me, dear madame, it is no trick.The men below are in sober earnest.You have but to see their faces to know that theirs is no wild adventure.I believe sincerely that they have the power to implement their promise.""But it is madness.He is old and worn and sick.His day is long past for winning a crown.""All this I have said, but it does not move them."And I told her rapidly Mr.Galloway's argument.She fell into a muse."At the eleventh hour! Nay, too late, too late.Had he been twenty years younger, what a stroke of fortune! Fate bears too hard on us, too hard!"Then she turned to me fiercely."You have no doubt heard, sir, the gossip about my father, which is on the lips of every fool in Europe.Let us have done with this pitiful make-believe.My father is a sot.Nay, I do not blame him.I blame his enemies and his miserable destiny.But there is the fact.Were he not old, he would still be unfit to grasp a crown and rule over a turbulent people.He flees from one city to another, but he cannot flee from himself.That is his illness on which you condoled with me yesterday."The lady's control was at breaking-point.Another moment and Iexpected a torrent of tears.But they did not come.With a great effort she regained her composure.
"Well, the gentlemen must have an answer.You will tell them that the Count, my father--nay--give him his true title if you care--is vastly obliged to them for the honour they have done him, but would decline on account of his age and infirmities.You know how to phrase a decent refusal.""Pardon me," said I, "but I might give them that answer till doomsday and never content them.They have not travelled many thousand miles to be put off by hearsay evidence.Nothing will satisfy them but an interview with your father himself.
"It is impossible," she said sharply.
"Then we must expect the renewed attentions of our American friends.They will wait till they see him."She rose and paced the room.
"They must go," she repeated many times."If they see him sober he will accept with joy, and we shall be the laughing-stock of the world.I tell you it cannot be.I alone know how immense is the impossibility.He cannot afford to lose the last rags of his dignity, the last dregs of his ease.They must not see him.Iwill speak with them myself."
"They will be honoured, madame, but I do not think they will be convinced.They are what we call in my land 'men of business.'
They will not be content till they get the Count's reply from his own lips.
A new Duchess seemed to have arisen, a woman of quick action and sharp words.
"So be it.They shall see him.Oh, I am sick to death of fine sentiments and high loyalty and all the vapouring stuff I have lived among for years.All I ask for myself and my father is a little peace, and, by Heaven! I shall secure it.If nothing will kill your gentlemen's folly but truth, why, truth they shall have.They shall see my father, and this very minute.Bring them up, Mr.Townshend, and usher them into the presence of the rightful King of England.You will find him alone." She stopped her walk and looked out of the window.
I went back in a hurry to the Americans."I am bidden to bring you to the Count's chamber.He is alone and will see you.These are the commands of madame his daughter.""Good!" said Mr.Galloway, and all four, grave gentlemen as they were, seemed to brace themselves to a special dignity as befitted ambassadors to a king.I led them upstairs, tapped at the Count's door, and, getting no answer, opened it and admitted them.
