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Updated: May 25, 2025
The ambitions cherished by Marie Astaride to become Louis' queen were secondary to a sincere devotion for Louis himself. When at the last he had weakened and threatened to crumple, it was she who goaded him back to resolution.
Wildly Louis, the Dreamer, hurried to his improvised Marconi station and called the ship. Finally toward evening came a response and with it a message from somewhere out at sea, relayed from ship to ship around the peninsula. The message said simply in code: "Failure. Make your escape." It was signed "M. A." Marie Astaride. Louis rushed, panic-stricken, down to the shore.
For an instant Von Ritz looked fixedly into the face of the King, then he bowed. "In that case," he commented, "there are various things to be done." When Monsieur François Jusseret, the cleverest unattached ambassador of France's Cabinet Noir, had first met the Countess Astaride, his sardonic eyes had twinkled dry appreciation. This meeting had seemed to be the result of a chance introduction.
Is it too late to inquire of France" he bent a chilling frown upon the smiling Jusseret "what she now purposes? It appears that Spain knew no more than the newspapers. Spain also believed that Louis died by his own hand, and artlessly assumed the motive of disappointment in his love for Marie Astaride. We believed we were being frankly informed."
Back in the town, Blanco had certain investigations to make. He knew Von Ritz's men had been too late to capture the Duke, and that the Countess Astaride had sailed by the steamer leaving for French and Italian ports. Wherever these two conspirators should meet would become the next point to watch.
"Is Louis ostensibly a friend of the throne?" demanded the American. "Professedly, he is, Señor. He will write his felicitations when the marriage and the crowning occur he will even send suitable gifts, but he will remain at his café here with his absinthe, or in Paris near the fair Comptessa Astaride, whom he adores, unless, of course, he goes to touch the match."
Monsieur Jusseret rose and began drawing on his gloves. "Of course if Your Majesty sees fit, a morganatic marriage with the Countess Astaride would be entirely advisable but for the Queen of Galavia, Europe will insist on a stronger alliance; on a union with more royal blood." Louis came to his feet in astonishment. "You dare suggest that?" he exclaimed.
To-day the Countess Astaride left Puntal, greatly agitated. I am informed that from her window she watched do Freres with glasses during Your Majesty's visit there, and that when you left she swooned. Within ten minutes she was on her way to the quay and boarded the out-going steamer for Villefranche. These things may spell grave danger."
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