"With the King himself I conversed once only; but I saw him often and heard much about him. He was then twenty-four--a tall and very thin young man, with dark brown hair and a small mustache of a lighter tint.
His nose was aquiline, his eyes rather deep set, his face long and inclining to the hatchet-shape. He had beautiful hands, of which he was said to be proud. He stooped a little when walking, but displayed considerable dignity of carriage. He was accused of haughtiness, except toward a few intimates. Unquestionably his late adviser, Hammerfeldt, had imbued him with some notions as to his position which it is hardly unjust to call mediaeval. A wit, or would-be wit, said of him that he postulated G.o.d in order to legitimize the powers of Augustin, his deputy. Certain persons very closely acquainted with him (I withhold names) gave a curious account of his character. Usually he was reserved and even secretive, cautious, cold, and free from enthusiasms and follies alike. But at times he appeared to be taken with moods of strong feeling. Then he would speak freely to the first person who might be by, was eager for merriment and dissipation, not fastidious as to how he came by what he wanted, seeming forgetful of the sterner rule by which his daily life was governed. A reaction would generally follow, and the King would appear to take a revenge on himself by acid and savagely humorous comments on his own acts and on the companions of his hours of relaxation. So far as I studied him for myself, I was led to conclude that he possessed a very impressionable and pa.s.sionate temperament, but contrived, in general, to keep it in repression. There were one or two scandals related about him; but when we consider his position and temptations, we must give credit either to his virtues or to his discretion that such stories were not more numerous. I liked him and thought well of him, but I do think that he enjoyed a disposition likely to result in a happy life for himself. He was said to have great attractions for women; but I am not aware that he admitted persons of either s.e.x to his confidence or friendship. He was, I imagine, jealous of even appearing to be under any influence."
This impression of me was written just about the time of my acquaintance with Coralie Mansoni and of the events which led to a sudden break in it. The judgment of me seems very fair and marked by considerable ac.u.men. I have quoted it because it may serve in some degree to explain my conduct at the time. It also appears to have an interest of its own as an independent appreciation formed by a fair-minded and competent observer. I wish that the same hand had painted an adequate portrait of Wetter, for his character better deserved study than my own; but with the curious prejudice against politicians that so often affects the minds of students and men of letters (those hermits of brain-cells) the writer dismisses Wetter, briefly and almost contemptuously, as an able but unscrupulous politician, addicted to extravagances and irregularity in private life. He gives more s.p.a.ce to William Adolphus than to Wetter!
So difficult it is even for superior minds to remain altogether unaffected by the l.u.s.tre of rank; the old truism could not be better exhibited.
I kept my appointment and went again to Coralie"s in the evening. I took with me Vohrenlorf, my aide-de-camp (brother to the General, my former governor); there had been a dinner at the palace, and we were both in uniform. I had hardly expected Wetter to come that evening, but he was already there when I arrived. He seemed in an excited state; I found afterward that he was fresh from the delivery of a singularly brilliant and violent speech in the Chamber. I saluted him with intentional and marked politeness. He made no more response than purest formality demanded. I was aggrieved at this, for I desired to be friendly with him in spite of our rather absurd rivalry. Turning away from him, I sat down by Coralie and asked her if supper were ready.
"We"re waiting for Varvilliers," she answered.
"But where is Madame Briande?"
"She went upstairs. I wanted a word with Wetter. She"ll be down directly."
"A word with Wetter?"
"Why not, sire?" she asked with aggressive innocence.
"There can be no reason why not, mademoiselle," I replied, smiling.
We were interrupted by Varvilliers" arrival. He also had dined at the palace, and was in full dress.
"How gay my little house is to-night," drawled Coralie, as she rang the bell and ordered, in exactly the same manner, the descent of Madame Briande and the ascent of supper. Both orders were promptly obeyed, and we were left alone. Servants were never allowed to remain in waiting on these occasions.
Varvilliers was in fine vein that night, and Wetter seconded him. The one glittered with sharp-cut gems of speech, the other struck chords of deep and touching music. I played a more modest part, madame and Vohrenlorf were audience, Coralie seemed the judge whose hand was to award the prize. Yet she was indolent, and appeared to listen to no more than half of what was said. We finished eating and began to smoke; the wine still went round. Suddenly a pause fell on us. A _mot_ from Varvilliers had set _finis_ to our subject, and another delayed presenting itself. To my surprise Wetter turned to me.
"In the Chamber to-night, sire," he said, "there was a question about your marriage."
I perceived at once the malice which inspired his remark, but I answered him gaily, and in a tone that was in harmony with the scene.
"I wish to heaven," said I, "there were a question about it anywhere else. Alas, it is a certainty."
"Why, so is death, sire," cried Varvilliers, "but we do not discuss it at supper."
"Does M. de Varvilliers quarrel with my choice of a subject?" asked Wetters. He spoke calmly now, but it was not hard to discern his great excitement.
"I quarrel, sir, with n.o.body except quarrellers," answered the Frenchman impatiently.
"Well, then----" began Wetter.
"I think you forget my presence," I said coldly, "and this lady"s also."
I waved my hand toward Coralie. She lay back in her chair, smiling and holding an unlighted cigarette between her fingers.
"I forget, sire, neither your presence nor your due," said Wetter. With that he took a pocket-book from his pocket and flung it on the table before me. "There is my debt," he said.
I sat back in my chair and did not move.
"You choose a strange time for business," I observed. "Vohrenlorf, see what is in this pocket-book."
Vohrenlorf examined it, then he came and whispered in my ear, "Notes for 90,000 marks." It was the amount Wetter owed me with accrued interest. I was amazed. He could not have raised the money except at a most extravagant rate. I made no remark, but I knew that he had risked ruin by this repayment, and I knew well why he had made it. He would not have me for creditor as well as for king and rival.
Varvilliers burst out laughing.
"Upon my word," said he, "these gentlemen of the Chamber can think of nothing but money. Don"t you wonder at them, mademoiselle?"
"Money is good to think of," said Coralie reflectively.
"An admirable candour, isn"t it, sire?" he said, turning to me and pointing to Coralie.
I was disturbed and out of humour. Again I was in conflict. I thought of what she was, and wondered that such men, and men so placed, as Wetter and I should quarrel about her; I looked in her face and felt a momentary conviction that all the world might fall to fighting on her account; at least things more absurd have surely happened. But I answered smoothly and composedly. (That trick at least I had learned.)
"Sincerity is our hostess"s greatest charm," said I.
Wetter laughed loudly and sneeringly. Coralie turned a gaze of indifferent curiosity on him. He puzzled her, tiresomely sometimes. I knew that he meant an insult. My blood runs hot at such moments. I was about to speak when Varvilliers forestalled me. He leaned across the table and said in a very low voice to Wetter:
"Sir, his Majesty is the only gentleman in Forstadt who can not resent an insult."
I recollect well little Madame Briande"s pale face, as she half rose from her seat with clasped hands. Coralie still smiled. Vohrenlorf was red and fierce, with his hand on the hilt of his sword. Varvilliers was calm, cool, polished in demeanour.
For a moment or two Wetter sat silent, his eyes intently fixed on the Vicomte"s face. Then he said in a tone as low as Varvilliers" had been:
"I think his Majesty remembers his disabilities too late--or has them remembered for him."
Vohrenlorf rose to his feet, carried away by anger and excitement.
"Sir----" he cried loudly.
"Vohrenlorf, be quiet. Sit down," said I. "M. Wetter is right."
None spoke. Even Coralie seemed affected to gravity; or was it that we had touched the spring of her dramatic instinct? After a few minutes I turned to Madame Briande and introduced some indifferent topic. I spoke alone and found no answer. Coralie was now regarding me with obvious curiosity.
"The air of this room is hot," said I. "Shouldn"t we be better in the other? If the ladies will lead the way, we"ll follow immediately."
"I"m very well here," said Coralie.
"Oblige me," said I, rising and myself opening the door that led to the inner room.
After a moment"s hesitation Coralie pa.s.sed out, and madame followed her.
I closed the door behind them and, turning, faced the three men. Wetter stood alone by the mantelpiece; the others were still near the table.
"In everything but the moment of his remark M. Wetter was right," said I. "I didn"t remember in time that I am not placed as other men; I will not remember it now. Varvilliers, you mustn"t be concerned in this.
Vohrenlorf, I put myself in your hands."
"Good G.o.d, you won"t fight?" cried Varvilliers.
"Vohrenlorf will do for me what he would for any gentleman who put himself in his hands," said I.
The position was too hard for young Vohrenlorf. He sank into a chair and covered his face with his hands. "No, no, I can"t," he muttered. Wetter stood still as a rock, looking not at any of us, but down toward the floor. Varvilliers drank a gla.s.s of wine and then wiped his mustache carefully with a napkin.