"What! Not for ten thousand bezants!--more gold than they have had in their treasury at one time in ten years!--enough to set up three empires of such dwindle! To what is the world coming?"
An hour or so later, he was told of the total failure of his second proclamation. The information drove him with increased speed across the floor.
"I have an adversary somewhere," he was saying to himself--"an adversary more powerful than gold in quant.i.ty. Are there two such in Byzantium?"
An account of Demedes" action gave him some comfort.
About the third hour, Sergius asked to see him, and was admitted. After a simple expression of sympathy, the heartiness of which was attested by his sad voice and dejected countenance, the monk said: "Prince of India, I cannot tell you the reasons of my opinion; yet I believe the young woman is a prisoner here in this city. I will also beg you not to ask me where I think she is held, or by whom. It may turn out that I am mistaken; I will then feel better of having had no confidant. With this statement--submitted with acknowledged uncertainty--can you trust me?"
"You are Sergius, the monk?"
"So they call me; though here I have not been raised to the priesthood."
"I have heard the poor child speak of you. You were a favorite with her."
The Prince spoke with trouble.
"I am greatly pleased to hear it."
The trouble of the Prince was contagious, but Sergius presently recovered.
"Probably the best certificate of my sincerity, Prince--the best I can furnish you--is that your gold is no incentive to the trial at finding her which I have a mind to make. If I succeed, a semblance of pay or reward would spoil my happiness."
The Jew surveyed him curiously. "Almost I doubt you," he said.
"Yes, I can understand. Avarice is so common, and disinterestedness, friendship, and love so uncommon."
"Verily, a great truth has struck you early."
"Well, hear what I have to ask."
"Speak."
"You have in your service an African"--
"Nilo?"
"That is his name. He is strong, faithful, and brave, qualities I may need more than gold. Will you allow him to go with me?"
The Prince"s look and manner changed, and he took the monk"s hand.
"Forgive me," he said warmly--"forgive me, if I spoke doubtfully--forgive me, if I misunderstood you."
Then, with his usual prompt.i.tude, he went to the door, and bade Syama bring Nilo.
"You know my method of speech with him?" the Prince asked.
"Yes," Sergius replied.
"If you have instructions for him, see they are given in a good light, for in the dark he cannot comprehend."
Nilo came, and kissed his master"s hand. He understood the trouble which had befallen.
"This," the Prince said to him, "is Sergius, the monk. He believes he knows where the little Princess is, and has asked that you may go with him. Are you willing?"
The King looked a.s.sent.
"It is arranged," the master added to Sergius. "Have you other suggestion?"
"It were better he put off his African costume."
"For the Greek?"
"The Greek will excite less attention."
"Very well."
In a short time Nilo presented himself in Byzantine dress, with exception of a bright blue handkerchief on his head.
"Now, I pray you, Prince, give me a room. I wish to talk with the man privately."
The request was granted, the instructions given, and Sergius reappeared to take leave.
"Nilo and I are good friends, Prince. He understands me."
"He may be too eager. Remember I found him a savage."
With these words, the Prince and the young Russian parted.
After this n.o.body came to the house. The excitement had been a flash.
Now it seemed entirely dead, and dead without a clew. When Time goes afoot his feet are of lead; and in this instance his walk was over the Prince"s heart. By noon he was dreadfully wrought up.
"Let them look to it, let them look to it!" he kept repeating, sometimes shaking a clinched hand. Occasionally the idea to which he thus darkly referred had power to bring him to a halt. "I have an adversary. Who is he?" Ere long the question possessed him entirely. It was then as if he despaired of recovering Lael, and had but one earthly object--vengeance.
"Ah, my G.o.d, my G.o.d! Am I to lose her, and never know my enemy? Action, action, or I will go mad!" Uel came with his usual report: "Alas! I have nothing." The Prince scarcely heard or saw him. "There are but two places where this enemy can harbor," he was repeating to himself--"but two; the palace and"--he brought his hands together vehemently--"the church. Where else are they who have power to arrest a whole people in earnest movement? Whom else have I offended? Ay, there it is! I preached G.o.d; therefore the child must perish. So much for Christian pity!"
All the forces in his nature became active.
"Go," he said to Uel, "order two men for my chair. Syama will attend me."
The merchant left him on the floor patting one hand with another.
"Yes, yes, I will try it--I will see if there is such thing as Christian pity--I will see. It may have swarmed, and gone to hive at Blacherne."
In going to the palace, he continually exhorted the porters:
"Faster, faster, my men!"
The officer at the gate received him kindly, and came back with the answer, "His Majesty will see you."
Again the audience chamber, Constantine on the dais, his courtiers each in place; again the Dean in his role of Grand Chamberlain; again the prostrations. Ceremony at Blacherne was never remitted. There is a poverty which makes kings miserable.