Such things have beenthats a fact, ODonahue.
And will be, as long as the world lasts. However, to-morrow I am to be presentedperhaps I may see her. Im glad that I know that I may chance to meet her, as I shall now be on my guard.
And what shall I say to Dimitri?
Say that you mentioned her name, and where she was, and that I had only replied, that I should like to see her again.
Exactly; that will leave it an open question, as the saying is, replied McShane.
The next day ODonahue, in his uniform, drove to the ambassadors hotel, to accompany him to the Annishkoff palace, where he was to be presented to the emperor. ODonahue was most graciously received, the emperor walking up to him, as he stood in the circle, and inquiring after the health of his Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief, what service he had been employed upon, etcetera. He then told ODonahue that the Empress would be most glad to make his acquaintance, and hoped that he would make a long stay at Saint Petersburg.
It was with a quickened pulse that ODonahue followed the ambassador into the empresss apartments. He had not waited there more than five minutes, in conversation with the ambassador when the doors opened, and the empress, attended by her chamberlain, and followed by her ladies in waiting and maids of honour, entered the room. ODonahue had made up his mind not to take his eyes off the empress until the presentation was over. As soon as he had kissed hands, and answered the few questions which were graciously put to him, he retired to make room for others, and then, for the first time, did he venture to cast his eyes on the group of ladies attending the empress. The first that met his view were unknown, but, behind all the rest, he at length perceived the Princess Czartorinski, talking and laughing with another lady. After a short time she turned round, and their eyes met. The princess recognised him with a start, and then turned away and put her hand up to her breast, as if the shock had taken away her breath. Once more she turned her face to ODonahue, and this time he was fully satisfied by her looks that he was welcome. Ten minutes after, the ambassador summoned ODonahue, and they quitted the palace.
I have seen her, McShane, said ODonahue; she is more beautiful, and I am more in love than ever. And now, what am I to do?
Thats just the difficulty, replied McShane. Shall I talk with Dimitri, or shall I hold my tongue, or shall I think about it while you go to dinner at the ambassadors?
I cannot dine out to-day, McShane. I will write an excuse.
Well, now, I do believe youre in for it in good earnest. My love never spoiled my appetite; on the contrary, it was my appetite that made me fall in love.
I wish she had not been a princess, said ODonahue, throwing himself on the sofa.
Thats nothing at all here, replied McShane. A princess is to be had. Now, if she had been a general it would have been all up with you. Military rank is everything here, as Dimitri says.
Shes an angel, replied ODonahue, with a sigh.
Thats rank in heaven, but goes for nothing in Petersburg, replied McShane. Dimitri tells me theyve civil generals here, which I conceive are improvements on our staff, for devil a civil general Ive had the pleasure of serving under.
What shall I do, said ODonahue, getting up and preparing to write his note to the ambassador.
Eat your dinner, drink a bottle of champagne, and then Ill come and talk it over with you, thats all you can do at present. Give me the note, and Ill send Dimitri off with it at once, and order up your dinner.
McShanes advice not being very bad, it was followed. ODonahue had finished his dinner, and was sitting by the fire with McShane, when there was a knock at the door. McShane was summoned, and soon returned, saying, Theres a little fellow that wants to speak with you, and wont give his message. Hes a queer little body, and not so bad-looking either, with a bolster on the top of his head, and himself not higher than a pillow; a pigeon could sit upon his shoulder and peck up peas out of his shoes; he struts like a grenadier, and, by the powers! a grenadiers cap would serve as an extinguisher for him. Shall I show him in?
Certainly, replied ODonahue.
The reader may not be aware that there is no part of the globe where there are so many dwarfs as at Saint Petersburg; there is scarcely an hotel belonging to a noble family without one or two, if not more; they are very kindly treated, and are, both in appearance and temper, very superior to the dwarfs occasionally met with elsewhere. One of this diminutive race now entered the room, dressed in a Turkish costume; he was remarkably well made and handsome in person; he spoke sufficient French to inquire if he addressed himself to Captain ODonahue; and on being replied to in the affirmative, he gave him a small billet, and then seated himself on the sofa with all the freedom of a petted menial. ODonahue tore open the note; it was very short:
As I know you cannot communicate with me, I write to say that I was delighted at your having kept your promise. You shall hear from me again as soon as I know where I can meet you; in the meantime, be cautious. The bearer is to be trusted; he belongs to me.
C.ODonahue pressed the paper to his lips, and then sat down to reply. We shall not trouble the reader with what he said; it is quite sufficient that the lady was content with the communication, and also at the report from her little messenger of the Captains behaviour when he had read her billet.
Two or three days afterwards, ODonahue received a note from a German widow lady, a Countess Erhausen, particularly requesting he would call upon her in the afternoon, at three oclock. As he had not as yet had the pleasure of being introduced to the countess, although he had often heard her spoken of in the first society, ODonahue did not fail in his appointment, as he considered that it was possible that the Princess Czartorinski might be connected with it; nor was he deceived, for on his entering the saloon, he found the princess sitting on the sofa with Madame Erhausen, a young and pretty woman, not more than twenty-five years of age. The princess rose, and greeted Captain ODonahue, and then introduced the countess as her first cousin. A few minutes after his introduction, the countess retired, leaving them alone. ODonahue did not lose this opportunity of pouring out the real feelings of his heart.
You have come a long way to see me, Captain ODonahue, and I ought to be grateful, replied the princess: indeed, I have much pleasure in renewing our acquaintance.
ODonahue, however, did not appear satisfied with this mere admission: he became eloquent in his own cause, pointed out the cruelty of having brought him over to see her again if he was not to be rewarded, and after about an hours pleading he was sitting on the sofa by her side, with her fair hand in his, and his arm round her slender waist. They parted, but through the instrumentality of the little dwarf, they often met again at the same rendezvous. Occasionally they met in society, but before others they were obliged to appear constrained and formal; there was little pleasure in such meetings, and when ODonahue could not see the princess his chief pleasure was to call upon Madame Erhausen and talk about her.
You are aware, Captain ODonahue, said the countess one day, that there will be a great difficulty to overcome in this affair. The princess is a sort of ward of the emperors, and it is said that he has already, in his own mind, disposed of her hand.
You are aware, Captain ODonahue, said the countess one day, that there will be a great difficulty to overcome in this affair. The princess is a sort of ward of the emperors, and it is said that he has already, in his own mind, disposed of her hand.
I am aware of that, replied ODonahue; and I know no other means than running away with her.
That would never do, replied the countess; you could not leave Petersburg without passports; nor could she leave the palace for more than an hour or two without being missed. You would soon be discovered, and then you would lose her for ever.
Then what can I do, my dear madame? Shall I throw myself upon the indulgence of the emperor?
No, that would not answer either; she is too rich a prize to be permitted to go into foreign hands. Ill tell you what you must first do.
Im all attention.
You must make love to me, replied the countess. Nay, understand me. I mean that you must appear to make love to me, and the report of our marriage must be spread. The emperor will not interfere in such a case; you must do so to avoid suspicion. You have been here very often, and your equipage has been constantly seen at the door. If it is supposed you do not come on my account, it will be inquired why you do come; and there is no keeping a secret at Petersburg. After it is supposed that it is a settled affair between us, we then may consider what next ought to be done. My regard for my cousin alone induces me to consent to this; indeed, it is the only way she could avoid future misery.
But is the emperor so despotic on these points?
An emperor is not to be trifled with; a ward of the emperor is considered sacredat least, so far, that if a Russian were to wed one without permission, he probably would be sent to Siberia. With an Englishman it is different, perhaps; and, once married, you would be safe, as you could claim the protection of your ambassador. The great point is, to let it be supposed that you are about to marry some one else; and then, suspicion not being awakened, you may gain your wish.
But tell me, madame,that I may be safe from the emperors displeasure is truebut would the princess, after he discovered it? Could he not take her away from me, and send her to Siberia for disobedience?
I hope, by the means I propose, to get you both clear of the emperorat least, till his displeasure is softened down. Me he cannot hurt; he can only order me out of his dominions. As for the princess, I should think that, if once married to you, she would be safe, for you could claim the protection of the ambassador for her, as your wife, as well as for yourself. Do you comprehend me now?
I do, madame; and may blessings follow you for your kindness. I shall in future act but by your directions?
That is exactly what I wished you to say; and so now, Captain ODonahue, farewell.
Chapter Fifteen
A Runaway and a Hard PursuitWell, now, said McShane, after he had been informed by ODonahue of what had passed between him and the countess,this is all very pretty, and looks very well; but tell me, are we to trust that fellow Dimitri? Can we do without him? I should say not when it comes to the finale; and is it not dangerous to keep him out of our confidence, being such a sharp, keen-witted fellow? Nay, more, as he has stated his wish to serve you in any way, it is only treating him fairly. He knows the little dwarf who has been here so often; indeed, they were fellow-servants in the Czartorinski family, for he told me so. I would trust him.
I think so, too; but we must not tell him all.
No, that we certainly need not, for he will find it out without telling.
Well, McShane, do as you please; but on second thoughts, I will speak to the countess to-morrow.
ODonahue did so, the countess called upon the princess at the palace, and the next morning ODonahue received a note stating that Dimitri was to be trusted. ODonahue then sent for the courier, and told him that he was about to put confidence in him on a promise of his fidelity.
I understand you, sir, and all you intend to do; there is no occasion to say anything more to me, until you want my assistance. I will not, in the meantime, neglect your interest, for I hope to remain with you, and that is the only reward I ask for any services I may perform. I have only one remark to make now, which is, that it will be necessary, a few days before you leave Petersburg, to let me know, that I may advertise it.
Advertise it!
Yes, sir, you must advertise your departure, that you may not run away in debt. Such is the custom; and without three notices being put in the Gazette, the police will not give you your passport.
I am glad that you mentioned it. Of course you are aware that I am paying attention to the Countess Erhausen, and shall leave Petersburg with her, I trust, as my wife?
I understand sir, and shall take care that your intimacy there shall be known to everybody.
So saying, Dimitri left the room.
The winter now set in with unusual severity. The river was one mass of ice, the floating bridges had been removed, the Montagnes-Russes became the amusement of the day, and the sledges were galloping about in every direction. For more than a month ODonahue continued his pretended addresses to the fair cousin of the princess, and during that time he did not once see the real object of his attachment: indeed, the dwarf never made his appearance, and all communication, except an occasional note from her to the countess, was, from prudence, given up. The widow was rich, and had often been pressed to renew her bonds, but had preferred her liberty. ODonahue, therefore, was looked upon as a fortunate man, and congratulated upon his success. Nor did the widow deny the projected union, except in a manner so as to induce people to believe in the certainty of its being arranged. ODonahues equipage was always at her door, and it was expected that the marriage would immediately take place, when ODonahue attended a levee given by the emperor on the Feast of Saint Nicholas. The emperor, who had been very civil to ODonahue, as he walked past him, said, Well, Captain ODonahue, so I understand that you intend to run away with one of our fairest and prettiest ladiesone of the greatest ornaments of my court?
I trust that I have your Majestys permission so to do, replied ODonahue, bowing low.
Oh, certainly you have; and, moreover, our best wishes for your happiness.
I humbly thank your Majesty, replied ODonahue; still I trust your Majesty does not think that I wish to transplant her to my own country altogether, and that I shall be permitted to reside, for the major part of the year, in your Majestys dominions.
Nothing will give me greater pleasure; and it will be a satisfaction to feel that I shall gain instead of losing by the intended marriage.
By the powers! but I will remind him of this, some day or another, thought ODonahue. Havent I his permission to the marriage, and to remain in the country?
Everything was now ripe for the execution of the plot. The countess gave out that she was going to her country-seat, about ten miles from Saint Petersburg; and it was naturally supposed that she was desirous that the marriage should be private, and that she intended to retire there to have the ceremony performed; and ODonahue advertised his departure in the Gazette.
The Princess Czartorinski produced a letter from the countess, requesting her, as a favour, to obtain leave from the empress to pass two or three days with her in the country; and the empress, as the countess was first-cousin to the princess, did not withhold her consent; on the contrary, when the princess left the palace, she put a case of jewels in her hand, saying, These are for the bride, with the good wishes and protection of the empress, as long as she remains in this country. One hour afterwards ODonahue was rewarded for all his long forbearance by clasping his fair one in his arms. A priest had been provided, and was sent forward to the country château, and at ten in the morning all the parties were ready. The princess and her cousin set off in the carriage, followed by ODonahue, with McShane and his suite. Everything was en règle. The passports had been made out for Germany, to which country it was reported the countess would proceed a few days after the marriage, and the princess was to return to the palace. As soon as they arrived at the château the ceremony was performed, and ODonahue obtained his prize; and to guard against any mishap, it was decided that they should leave the next morning, on their way to the frontier. Dimitri had been of the greatest use, had prepared against every difficulty, and had fully proved his fidelity. The parting between the countess and her cousin was tender. How much do I owe, dear friend! said the princess. What risk do you incur for me! How will you brave the anger of the emperor?