\"Touchingthatrequest，sir。WhenIhaveleftyouandtheVoivode——
andtheVoivodin，ofcourse——atVissarion，togetherwithsuchothersasyoumaychoosetobringtherewithyou，mayIbringtheyachtbackhereforaspell？Iratherthinkthatthereisagooddealofcleaninguptobedone，andthecrewofTheLadywithmyselfarethementodoit。Weshallbebackbynightfallatthecreek。\"
\"Doasyouthinkbest，AdmiralRooke，\"Isaid。
\"Admiral？\"
\"Yes，Admiral。AtpresentIcanonlysaythattentatively，butbyto—morrowIamsuretheNationalCouncilwillhaveconfirmedit。I
amafraid，oldfriend，thatyoursquadronwillbeonlyyourflagshipforthepresent；butlaterwemaydobetter。\"
\"SolongasIamAdmiral，yourhonour，IshallhavenootherflagshipthanTheLady。Iamnotayoungman，but，youngorold，mypennonshallfloatovernootherdeck。Now，oneotherfavour，Mr。SentLeger？Itisacorollaryofthefirst，soIdonothesitatetoask。
MayIappointLieutenantDesmond，mypresentFirstOfficer，tothecommandofthebattleship？Ofcourse，hewillatfirstonlycommandtheprizecrew；butinsuchcasehewillfairlyexpecttheconfirmationofhisranklater。Ihadbetter，perhaps，tellyou，sir，thatheisaverycapableseaman，learnedinallthesciencesthatpertaintoabattleship，andbredinthefirstnavyintheworld。\"
\"Byallmeans，Admiral。Yournominationshall，IthinkImaypromiseyou，beconfirmed。\"
Notanotherwordwespoke。IreturnedwithhiminhisboattoTheLady，whichwasbroughttothedockwall，wherewewerereceivedwithtumultuouscheering。
IhurriedofftomyWifeandtheVoivode。Rooke，callingDesmondtohim，wentonthebridgeofTheLady，whichturned，andwentoutatterrificspeedtothebattleship，whichwasalreadydriftingupnorthwardonthetide。
FROMTHEREPORTOFCRISTOFEROS，SCRIBEOFTHENATIONALCOUNCILOFTHE
LANDOFTHEBLUEMOUNTAINS。
July8，1907。
ThemeetingoftheNationalCouncil，July6，wasbutacontinuationofthatheldbeforetherescueoftheVoivodinVissarion，themembersoftheCouncilhavingbeenduringtheinterveningnighthousedintheCastleofVissarion。When，intheearlymorning，theymet，allwerejubilant；forlateatnightthefire—signalhadflamedupfromIlsinwiththegladnewsthattheVoivodePeterVissarionwassafe，havingbeenrescuedwithgreatdaringonanaeroplanebyhisdaughterandtheGospodarRupert，asthepeoplecallhim——MisterRupertSentLeger，asheisinhisBritishnameanddegree。
WhilsttheCouncilwassitting，wordcamethatagreatperiltothetownofIlsinhadbeenaverted。Awar—vesselacknowledgingtononationality，andthereforetobedeemedapirate，hadthreatenedtobombardthetown；butjustbeforethetimefixedforthefulfilmentofherthreat，shewasshakentosuchanextentbysomesub—aqueousmeansthat，thoughsheherselfwasseeminglyuninjured，nothingwasleftaliveonboard。ThustheLordpreservesHisown！Theconsiderationofthis，aswellastheotherincident，waspostponeduntilthecomingVoivodeandtheGospodarRupert，togetherwithwhowerealreadyontheirwayhither。
THESAME（LATERINTHESAMEDAY）。
TheCouncilresumeditssittingatfouro’clock。TheVoivodePeterVissarionandtheVoivodinTeutahadarrivedwiththe\"GospodarRupert，\"asthemountaineerscallhim（Mr。RupertSentLeger）onthearmouredyachthecallsTheLady。TheNationalCouncilshowedgreatpleasurewhentheVoivodeenteredthehallinwhichtheCouncilmet。
Heseemedmuchgratifiedbythereceptiongiventohim。Mr。RupertSentLeger，bytheexpressdesireoftheCouncil，wasaskedtobepresentatthemeeting。Hetookaseatatthebottomofthehall，andseemedtoprefertoremainthere，thoughaskedbythePresidentoftheCounciltositatthetopofthetablewithhimselfandtheVoivode。
WhentheformalitiesofsuchCouncilshadbeencompleted，theVoivodehandedtothePresidentamemorandumofhisreportonhissecretmissiontoforeignCourtsonbehalfoftheNationalCouncil。Hethenexplainedatlength，forthebenefitofthevariousmembersoftheCouncil，thebroadresultsofhismission。Theresultwas，hesaid，absolutelysatisfactory。Everywherehehadbeenreceivedwithdistinguishedcourtesy，andgivenasympathetichearing。SeveralofthePowersconsultedhadmadedelayingivingfinalanswers，butthis，heexplained，wasnecessarilyduetonewconsiderationsarisingfromtheinternationalcomplicationswhichwereuniversallydealtwiththroughouttheworldas\"theBalkanCrisis。\"Intime，however（theVoivodewenton），thesemattersbecamesofardeclaredastoallowthewaitingPowerstoformdefinitejudgment——which，ofcourse，theydidnotdeclaretohim——astotheirownultimateaction。Thefinalresult——ifatthisinitialstagesuchtentativesettingforthoftheirownattitudeineachcasecanbesonamed——wasthathereturnedfullofhope（founded，hemightsay，uponajustifiablepersonalbelief）thattheGreatPowersthroughouttheworld——North，South，East，andWest——wereinthoroughsympathywiththeLandoftheBlueMountainsinitsaspirationsforthecontinuanceofitsfreedom。
\"Ialsoamhonoured，\"hecontinued，\"tobringtoyou，theGreatCouncilofthenation，theassuranceofprotectionagainstunworthyaggressiononthepartofneighbouringnationsofpresentgreaterstrength。\"
Whilsthewasspeaking，theGospodarRupertwaswritingafewwordsonastripofpaper，whichhesentuptothePresident。WhentheVoivodehadfinishedspeaking，therewasaprolongedsilence。ThePresidentrose，andinahushsaidthattheCouncilwouldliketohearMr。RupertSentLeger，whohadacommunicationtomakeregardingcertainrecentevents。
Mr。RupertSentLegerrose，andreportedhow，sincehehadbeenentrustedbytheCouncilwiththerescueoftheVoivodePeterofVissarion，hehad，byaidoftheVoivodin，effectedtheescapeoftheVoivodefromtheSilentTower；alsothat，followingthishappyevent，themountaineers，whohadmadeagreatcordonroundtheTowersosoonasitwasknownthattheVoivodehadbeenimprisonedwithinit，hadstormeditinthenight。Asadeterminedresistancewasofferedbythemarauders，whohaduseditasaplaceofrefuge，noneoftheseescaped。HethenwentontotellhowhesoughtinterviewwiththeCaptainofthestrangewarship，which，withoutflyinganyflag，invadedourwaters。HeaskedthePresidenttocallonmetoreadthereportofthatmeeting。This，inobediencetohisdirection，Idid。
TheacquiescentmurmuringoftheCouncilshowedhowthoroughlytheyendorsedMr。SentLeger’swordsandacts。
WhenIresumedmyseat，Mr。SentLegerdescribedhow，justbeforethetimefixedbythe\"pirateCaptain\"——sohedesignatedhim，asdideveryspeakerthereafter——thewarshipmetwithsomeunder—seaaccident，whichhadadestructiveeffectonallonboardher。Thenheaddedcertainwords，whichIgiveverbatim，asIamsurethatotherswillsometimewishtorememberthemintheirexactness：
\"Bytheway，PresidentandLordsoftheCouncil，ItrustImayaskyoutoconfirmCaptainRooke，ofthearmouredyachtTheLady，tobeAdmiraloftheSquadronoftheLandoftheBlueMountains，andalsoCaptain（tentatively）Desmond，lateFirst—LieutenantofTheLady，tothecommandofthesecondwarshipofourfleet——theasyetunnamedvessel，whoseformerCaptainthreatenedtobombardIlsin。MyLords，AdmiralRookehasdonegreatservicetotheLandoftheBlueMountains，anddeserveswellatyourhands。Youwillhaveinhim，I
amsure，agreatofficial。Onewhowilltillhislastbreathgiveyougoodandloyalservice。\"
Hehadsatdown，thePresidentputtotheCouncilresolutions，whichwerepassedbyacclamation。AdmiralRookewasgivencommandofthenavy，andCaptainDesmondconfirmedinhisappointmenttothecaptaincyofthenewship，whichwas，byafurtherresolution，namedTheGospodarRupert。
InthankingtheCouncilforaccedingtohisrequest，andforthegreathonourdonehiminthenamingoftheship，Mr。SentLegersaid：
\"MayIaskthatthearmouredyachtTheLadybeacceptedbyyou，theNationalCouncil，onbehalfofthenation，asagiftonbehalfofthecauseoffreedomfromtheVoivodinTeuta？\"
InresponsetothemightycheeroftheCouncilwithwhichthesplendidgiftwasacceptedtheGospodarRupert——Mr。SentLeger——
bowed，andwentquietlyoutoftheroom。
Asnoagendaofthemeetinghadbeenprepared，therewasforatime，notsilence，butmuchindividualconversation。InthemidstofittheVoivoderoseup，whereupontherewasastrictsilence。Alllistenedwithanintensityofeagernesswhilsthespoke。
\"PresidentandLordsoftheCouncil，Archbishop，andVladika，I
shouldbutillshowmyrespectdidIhesitatetotellyouatthisthefirstopportunityIhavehadofcertainmatterspersonalprimarilytomyself，butwhich，intheprogressofrecentevents，havecometoimpingeontheaffairsofthenation。UntilIhavedoneso，IshallnotfeelthatIhavedoneaduty，longduetoyouoryourpredecessorsinoffice，andwhichIhopeyouwillallowmetosaythatIhaveonlykeptbackforpurposesofstatecraft。MayIaskthatyouwillcomebackwithmeinmemorytotheyear1890，whenourstruggleagainstOttomanaggression，lateronsosuccessfullybroughttoaclose，wasbegun。Weweretheninadesperatecondition。Ourfinanceshadrunsolowthatwecouldnotpurchaseeventhebreadwhichwerequired。Nay，more，wecouldnotprocurethroughtheNationalExchequerwhatwewantedmorethanbread——armsofmoderneffectiveness；formenmayendurehungerandyetfightwell，asthegloriouspastofourcountryhasprovedagainandagainandagain。
Butwhenourfoesarebetterarmedthanweare，thepenaltyisdreadfultoanationsmallasourownisinnumber，nomatterhowbravetheirhearts。InthisstraitImyselfhadtosecretlyraiseasufficientsumofmoneytoprocuretheweaponsweneeded。TothisendIsoughttheassistanceofagreatmerchant—prince，towhomournationaswellasmyselfwasknown。Hemetmeinthesamegenerousspiritwhichhehadshowntootherstrugglingnationalitiesthroughoutalongandhonourablecareer。WhenIpledgedtohimassecuritymyownestates，hewishedtotearupthebond，andonlyunderpressurewouldhemeetmywishesinthisrespect。LordsoftheCouncil，itwashismoney，thusgenerouslyadvanced，whichprocuredforusthearmswithwhichwehewedoutourfreedom。
\"Notlongagothatnoblemerchant——andhereItrustyouwillpardonmethatIamsomovedastoperhapsappeartosufferinwantofrespecttothisgreatCouncil——thisnoblemerchantpassedtohisaccount——leavingtoanearkinsmanofhisowntheroyalfortunewhichhehadamassed。Onlyafewhoursagothatworthykinsmanofthebenefactorofournationmadeitknowntomethatinhislastwillhehadbequeathedtome，bysecrettrust，thewholeofthoseestateswhichlongagoIhadforfeitedbyeffluxionoftime，inasmuchasI
hadbeenunabletofulfilthetermsofmyvoluntarybond。ItgrievesmetothinkthatIhavehadtokeepyousolonginignoranceofthegoodthoughtandwishesandactsofthisgreatman。
\"Butitwasbyhiswisecounsel，fortifiedbymyownjudgment，thatI
wassilent；for，indeed，Ifeared，ashedid，lestinourtroubloustimessomedoubtingspiritwithoutourboundaries，orevenwithinit，mightmistrustthehonestyofmypurposesforpublicgood，becauseI
wasnolongeronewhosewholefortunewasinvestedwithinourconfines。Thisprince—merchant，thegreatEnglishRogerMelton——lethisnamebeforevergravenontheheartsofourpeople！——keptsilentduringhisownlife，andenjoinedonotherstocomeafterhimtokeepsecretfromthemenoftheBlueMountainsthatsecretloanmadetomeontheirbehalf，lestintheireyesI，whohadstriventobetheirfriendandhelper，shouldsufferwrongrepute。But，happily，hehasleftmefreetoclearmyselfinyoureyes。Moreover，byarrangingtohave——undercertaincontingencies，whichhavecometopass——theestateswhichwereoriginallymyownretransferredtome，IhavenolongerthehonourofhavinggivenwhatIcouldtothenationalcause。
Allsuchnowbelongstohim；foritwashismoney——andhisonly——
whichpurchasedournationalarmament。
\"Hisworthykinsmanyoualreadyknow，forhehasnotonlybeenamongstyouformanymonths，buthasalreadydoneyougoodserviceinhisownperson。Heitwaswho，asamightywarrior，answeredthesummonsoftheVladikawhenmisfortunecameuponmyhouseinthecapturebyenemiesofmydeardaughter，theVoivodinTeuta，whomyouholdinyourhearts；who，withachosenbandofourbrothers，pursuedthemarauders，andhimself，byadeedofdaringandprowess，ofwhichpoetsshallhereaftersing，savedher，whenhopeitselfseemedtobedead，fromtheirruthlesshands，andbroughtherbacktous；whoadministeredcondignpunishmenttothemiscreantswhohaddaredtosowrongher。Heitwaswholatertookme，yourservant，outoftheprisonwhereinanotherbandofTurkishmiscreantsheldmecaptive；
rescuedme，withthehelpofmydeardaughter，whomhehadalreadyfreed，whilstIhadonmypersonthedocumentsofinternationalsecrecyofwhichIhavealreadyadvisedyou——rescuedmewhilstIhadbeenasyetunsubjectedtotheindignityofsearch。
\"BeyondthisyouknownowthatofwhichIwasinpartialignorance：
howhehad，throughtheskillanddevotionofyournewAdmiral，wroughtdestructiononahecatombofourmalignantfoes。Youwhohavereceivedforthenationthesplendidgiftofthelittlewarship，whichalreadyrepresentsanewerainnavalarmament，canunderstandthegreat—souledgenerosityofthemanwhohasrestoredthevastpossessionsofmyHouse。OnourwayhitherfromIlsin，RupertSentLegermadeknowntomethetermsofthetrustofhisnobleuncle，RogerMelton，and——believemethathedidsogenerously，withajoythattranscendedmyown——restoredtothelastmaleoftheVissarionracethewholeinheritanceofanobleline。
\"Andnow，myLordsoftheCouncil，Icometoanothermatter，inwhichIfindmyselfinsomethingofadifficulty，forIamawarethatincertainwaysyouactuallyknowmoreofitthanevenImyselfdo。ItisregardingthemarriageofmydaughtertoRupertSentLeger。ItisknowntomethatthematterhasbeenbroughtbeforeyoubytheArchbishop，who，asguardianofmydaughterduringmyabsenceontheserviceofthenation，wishedtoobtainyoursanction，astillmyreturnheheldhersafetyintrust。Thiswasso，notfromanymeritofmine，butbecauseshe，inherownperson，hadundertakenfortheserviceofournationataskofalmostincredibledifficulty。MyLords，wereshechildofanotherfather，Ishouldextoltotheskiesherbravery，herself—devotion，herloyaltytothelandsheloves。
Why，then，shouldIhesitatetospeakofherdeedsinfittingterms，sinceitismyduty，myglory，toholdtheminhigherhonourthancananyinthisland？Ishallnotshameher——orevenmyself——bybeingsilentwhensuchadutyurgesmetospeak，asVoivode，astrustedenvoyofournation，asfather。AgeshenceloyalmenandwomenofourLandoftheBlueMountainswillsingherdeedsinsongandtelltheminstory。Hername，Teuta，alreadysacredintheseregions，whereitwasheldbyagreatQueen，andhonouredbyallmen，willhereafterbeheldasasymbolandtypeofwoman’sdevotion。Oh，myLords，wepassalongthepathoflife，thebestofusbutalittletimemarchinginthesunlightbetweengloomandgloom，anditisduringthatmarchthatwemustbejudgedforthefuture。ThisbravewomanhaswonknightlyspursaswellasanyPaladinofold。Soisitmeetthatereshemightmatewithoneworthyofheryou，whoholdinyourhandsthesafetyandhonouroftheState，shouldgiveyourapproval。ToyouwasitgiventositinjudgmentontheworthofthisgallantEnglisher，nowmyson。Youjudgedhimthen，beforeyouhadseenhisvalour，hisstrength，andskillexercisedonbehalfofanationalcause。Youjudgedwisely，oh，mybrothers，andoutofagratefulheartIthankyouoneandallforit。Wellhashejustifiedyourtrustbyhislateracts。When，inobediencetothesummonsoftheVladika，heputthenationinablazeandrangedourboundarieswitharingofsteel，hedidsounknowingthatwhatwasdearesttohimintheworldwasatstake。Hesavedmydaughter’shonourandhappiness，andwonhersafetybyanactofvalourthatoutviesanytoldinhistory。HetookmydaughterwithhimtobringmeoutfromtheSilentToweronthewingsoftheair，whenearthhadformenopossibilityoffreedom——I，thathadeventheninmypossessionthedocumentsinvolvingothernationswhichtheSoldanwouldfainhavepurchasedwiththehalfofhisempire。
\"Henceforthtome，LordsoftheCouncil，thisbravemanmusteverbeasasonofmyheart，andItrustthatinhisnamegrandsonsofmyownmaykeepinbrighthonourthenamewhichingloriousdaysofoldmyfathersmadeillustrious。DidIknowhowadequatelytothankyouforyourinterestinmychild，Iwouldyielduptoyoumyverysoulinthanks。\"
ThespeechoftheVoivodewasreceivedwiththehonouroftheBlueMountains——thedrawingandraisingofhandjarsFROMRUPERT’SJOURNAL。
July14，1907。
FornearlyaweekwewaitedforsomemessagefromConstantinople，fullyexpectingeitheradeclarationofwar，orelsesomeinquirysocouchedastomakewaraninevitableresult。TheNationalCouncilremainedonatVissarionastheguestsoftheVoivode，towhom，inaccordancewithmyuncle’swill，Ihadpreparedtore—transferallhisestates。Hewas，bytheway，unwillingatfirsttoaccept，anditwasonlywhenIshowedhimUncleRoger’sletter，andmadehimreadtheDeedofTransferpreparedinanticipationbyMr。Trent，thatheallowedmetopersuadehim。Finallyhesaid：
\"Asyou，mygoodfriends，havesoarranged，Imustaccept，beitonlyinhonourtothewishesofthedead。Butremember，Ionlydosobutforthepresent，reservingtomyselfthefreedomtowithdrawlaterifIsodesire。\"
ButConstantinoplewassilent。Thewholenefariousschemewasoneofthe\"put—upjobs\"whicharepartofthedirtyworkofacertainorderofstatecraft——tobeacceptedifsuccessful；tobedeniedincaseoffailure。
Thematterstoodthus：Turkeyhadthrownthedice——andlost。Hermenweredead；hershipwasforfeit。Itwasonlysometendaysafterthewarshipwasleftderelictwitheverylivingthing——thatis，everythingthathadbeenliving——withitsneckbroken，asRookeinformedme，whenhebroughttheshipdownthecreek，andhouseditinthedockbehindthearmouredgates——thatwesawaniteminTheRomacopiedfromTheConstantinopleJournalofJuly9：
\"LOSSOFANOTTOMANIRONCLADWITHALLHANDS。
\"NewshasbeenreceivedatConstantinopleofthetotalloss，withallhands，ofoneofthenewestandfinestwarshipsintheTurkishfleet—
—TheMahmoud，CaptainAliAli——whichfounderedinastormonthenightofJuly5，somedistanceoffCabrera，intheBalearicIsles。
Therewerenosurvivors，andnowreckagewasdiscoveredbytheshipswhichwentinrelief——thePeraandtheMustapha——orreportedfromanywherealongtheshoresoftheislands，ofwhichexhaustivesearchwasmade。TheMahmoudwasdouble—manned，asshecarriedafullextracrewsentonaneducationalcruiseonthemostperfectlyscientificallyequippedwarshiponserviceintheMediterraneanwaters。\"
WhentheVoivodeandItalkedoverthematter，hesaid：
\"Afterall，TurkeyisashrewdPower。Shecertainlyseemstoknowwhensheisbeaten，anddoesnotintendtomakeabadthingseemworseintheeyesoftheworld。\"
Well，’tisabadwindthatblowsgoodtonobody。AsTheMahmoudwaslostofftheBalearics，itcannothavebeenherthatputthemaraudersonshoreandtrainedherbiggunsonIlsin。Wetakeit，therefore，thatthelattermusthavebeenapirate，andaswehavetakenherderelictinourwaters，sheisnowoursinallways。
Anyhow，sheisours，andisthefirstshipofherclassinthenavyoftheBlueMountains。Iaminclinedtothinkthatevenifshewas——
orisstill——aTurkishship，AdmiralRookewouldnotbeinclinedtolethergo。AsforCaptainDesmond，Ithinkhewouldgostraightoutofhismindifsuchathingwastobeevensuggestedtohim。
Itwillbeapityifwehaveanymoretrouble，forlifehereisveryhappywithusallnow。TheVoivodeis，Ithink，likeamaninadream。Teutaisideallyhappy，andtherealaffectionwhichsprangupbetweenthemwhensheandAuntJanetmetisajoytothinkof。I
hadpostedTeutaabouther，sothatwhentheyshouldmeetmywifemightnot，byanyinadvertence，receiveorcauseanypain。ButthemomentTeutasawhersheranstraightovertoherandliftedherinherstrongyoungarms，and，raisingherupasonewouldliftachild，kissedher。Then，whenshehadputhersittinginthechairfromwhichshehadarisenwhenweenteredtheroom，shekneltdownbeforeher，andputherfacedowninherlap。AuntJanet’sfacewasastudy；Imyselfcouldhardlysaywhetheratthefirstmomentsurpriseorjoypredominated。Buttherecouldbenodoubtaboutittheinstantafter。Sheseemedtobeamwithhappiness。WhenTeutaknelttoher，shecouldonlysay：
\"Mydear，mydear，Iamglad！Rupert’swife，youandImustloveeachotherverymuch。\"Seeingthattheywerelaughingandcryingineachother’sarms，Ithoughtitbesttocomeawayandleavethemalone。AndIdidn’tfeelabitlonelyeitherwhenIwasoutofsightofthem。Iknewthatwherethosetwodearwomenweretherewasaplaceformyownheart。
WhenIcameback，TeutawassittingonAuntJanet’sknee。Itseemedratherstupendousfortheoldlady，forTeutaissuchasplendidcreaturethatevenwhenshesitsonmyownkneeandIcatchaglimpseofusinsomemirror，Icannotbutnoticewhatanobly—builtgirlsheis。
MywifewasjumpingupassoonasIwasseen，butAuntJanetheldhertighttoher，andsaid：
\"Don’tstir，dear。Itissuchhappinesstometohaveyouthere。
Ruperthasalwaysbeenmy’littleboy，’and，inspiteofallhisbeingsuchagiant，heissostill。Andsoyou，thatheloves，mustbemylittlegirl——inspiteofallyourbeautyandyourstrength——andsitonmyknee，tillyoucanplacetherealittleonethatshallbedeartousall，andthatshallletmefeelmyyouthagain。WhenfirstIsawyouIwassurprised，for，somehow，thoughIhadneverseenyounorevenheardofyou，Iseemedtoknowyourface。Sitwhereyouare，dear。ItisonlyRupert——andwebothlovehim。\"
Teutalookedatme，flushingrosily；butshesatquiet，anddrewtheoldlady’swhiteheadonheryoungbreast。
JANETMACKELPIE’SNOTES。
July8，1907。
IusedtothinkthatwheneverRupertshouldgetmarriedorstartonthewaytoitbygettingengaged——IwouldmeethisfuturewifewithsomethingofthesameaffectionthatIhavealwayshadforhimself。
ButIknownowthatwhatwasreallyinmymindwasjealousy，andthatIwasreallyfightingagainstmyowninstincts，andpretendingtomyselfthatIwasnotjealous。HadIeverhadthefaintestideathatshewouldbeanythingtheleastlikeTeuta，thatsortoffeelingshouldneverhavehadevenafoothold。Nowondermydearboyisinlovewithher，for，truthtotell，Iaminlovewithhermyself。I
don’tthinkIevermetacreature——awomancreature，ofcourse，I
mean——withsomanysplendidqualities。Ialmostfeartosayit，lestitshouldseemtomyselfwrong；butIthinksheisasgoodasawomanasRupertisasaman。AndwhatmorethanthatcanIsay？IthoughtIlovedherandtrustedher，andknewherallIcould，untilthismorning。
Iwasinmyownroom，asitisstillcalled。For，thoughRuperttellsmeinconfidencethatunderhisuncle’swillthewholeestateofVissarion，Castleandall，reallybelongstotheVoivode，andthoughtheVoivodehasbeenpersuadedtoaccepttheposition，he（theVoivode）willnotallowanythingtobechanged。Hewillnotevenhearawordofmygoing，orchangingmyroom，oranything。AndRupertbackshimupinit，andTeutatoo。SowhatamItodobutletthedearshavetheirway？
Well，thismorning，whenRupertwaswiththeVoivodeatameetingoftheNationalCouncilintheGreatHall，Teutacametome，and（afterclosingthedoorandboltingit，whichsurprisedmealittle）cameandkneltdownbesideme，andputherfaceinmylap。Istrokedherbeautifulblackhair，andsaid：
\"Whatisit，Teutadarling？Isthereanytrouble？Andwhydidyouboltthedoor？HasanythinghappenedtoRupert？\"WhenshelookedupIsawthatherbeautifulblackeyes，withthestarsinthem，wereoverflowingwithtearsnotyetshed。Butshesmiledthroughthem，andthetearsdidnotfall。WhenIsawhersmilemyheartwaseased，andIsaidwithoutthinking：\"ThankGod，darling，Rupertisallright。\"
\"IthankGod，too，dearAuntJanet！\"shesaidsoftly；andItookherinmyarmsandlaidherheadonmybreast。
\"Goon，dear，\"Isaid；\"tellmewhatitisthattroublesyou？\"ThistimeIsawthetearsdrop，assheloweredherheadandhidherfacefromme。
\"I’mafraidIhavedeceivedyou，AuntJanet，andthatyouwillnot——
cannot——forgiveme。\"
\"Lordsaveyou，child！\"Isaid，\"there’snothingthatyoucoulddothatIcouldnotandwouldnotforgive。Notthatyouwouldeverdoanythingbase，forthatistheonlythingthatishardtoforgive。
Tellmenowwhattroublesyou。\"
Shelookedupinmyeyesfearlessly，thistimewithonlythesignsoftearsthathadbeen，andsaidproudly：
\"Nothingbase，AuntJanet。Myfather’sdaughterwouldnotwillinglybebase。Idonotthinkshecould。Moreover，hadIeverdoneanythingbaseIshouldnotbehere，for——for——IshouldneverhavebeenRupert’swife！\"
\"Thenwhatisit？TellyouroldAuntJanet，dearie。\"Sheansweredmewithanotherquestion：
\"AuntJanet，doyouknowwhoIam，andhowIfirstmetRupert？\"
\"YouaretheVoivodinTeutaVissarion——thedaughteroftheVoivode——
Or，rather，youwere；youarenowMrs。RupertSentLeger。ForheisstillanEnglishman，andagoodsubjectofournobleKing。\"
\"Yes，AuntJanet，\"shesaid，\"Iamthat，andproudtobeit——prouderthanIwouldbewereImynamesake，whowasQueenintheolddays。
ButhowandwheredidIseeRupertfirst？\"Ididnotknow，andfranklytoldherso。Sosheansweredherquestionherself：
\"Isawhimfirstinhisownroomatnight。\"Iknewinmyheartthatinwhatevershedidhadbeennothingwrong，soIsatsilentwaitingforhertogoon：