United States or Portugal ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
In the first were Annunciata, Hedwig, and the Countess, and at the last moment Otto had salvaged Miss Braithwaite from the second car, and begged a place for her with him. A police agent sat beside the chauffeur. Also another car, just ahead, contained other agents, by Mettlich's order before his departure a plain black motor, without the royal arms.
"Annunciata is a fool," said His Majesty. Then dismissing his daughter with a gesture, "We don't know how to raise our children here," he said impatiently. "The English do better. And even the Germans " It is not etiquette to lower one's eyebrows at a king, and glare. But General Mettlich did it. He was rather a poor subject.
Just before they left the Palace the Archduchesss had had a moment of weakening, but the Countess had laughed away her fears. "I really think I shall not go, after all," Annunciata had said nervously. "There are reasons." The Countess had smiled mockingly. "Reasons!" she said. "I know that many things are being said. But I also know that General Mettlich is an alarmist;" purred the Countess.
It was not unusual, those days, to find Annunciata, flushed with exertion, in the great suite on an upper floor, in the center of a chaos of furniture, shoving chairs about with her own royal arms, or standing, head on one side, to judge what she termed the composition of a corner.
Hilda, going reluctantly to her post, was the only bit of life and color in the room. At last Annunciata dozed, and Hilda played softly. Played now, not for her mother, but for herself. And as she played she dreamed: of Hedwig's wedding, of her own debut, of Karl, who had fed her romantic heart by treating her like a woman grown. The Countess's opportunity had come.
He saw the infuriated face of the Archduchess, and bent toward the Crown Prince with earnestness. "As a matter of fact," he said, "since you have mentioned the subject, I do not wear any either. Your 'Nikky' and I seem most surprisingly to have the same tastes about various things." Annunciata was in the last stages of irritation. There was no mistaking the sneer in Karl's voice.
The Chancellor strode around the screen, scratching two tables with his sword as he advanced, and kissed the hand of the Princess Annunciata. They were old enemies and therefore always very polite to each other. The Archduchess offered him a cup of tea, which he took, although she always made very bad tea. And for a few moments they discussed things.
The honor was unexpected. Not often did the Archduchess Annunciata so favor any one. The Countess, lying across her bed in a perfect agony of apprehension, staggered into her sitting-room and knelt to kiss her lady's hand. But the Archduchess, who had come to scoff, believing not at all in the illness, took one shrewd glance at her, and put her hands behind her.
It is" she hesitated imperceptibly "the King's dearest wish." Horror froze on Nikky's face. But he bowed. "After what you have told me, I shall ask your cooperation," said Annunciata smoothly. "While there are some of us who deplore the necessity, still it exists. And an alliance with Karnia " "Karnia!" cried Nikky, violating all ceremonial, of course. "But surely !"
Annunciata went back to her restless, noiseless pacing of the room. Father Gregory went to a window, and stared out. He saw, not the silent crowd in the Place, but many other things; the King, as a boy, chafing under the restraint of Court ceremonial; the King, as a young man, taking a wife who did not love him. He saw the King madly in love with his wife, and turning to excesses to forget her.
Word Of The Day