SERIAL STORY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 356, 6 April 1910, Page 6

SERIAL STORY

A ROYAL WARD. By PERCY BREBNER. (Published by arrangement with Cassell and Company, Ltd., jniblishers, of London and Melbourne, the .proprietors of the copyright). CHAPTER XIX. (continued).

Dubuisson did not answer; what words could give expression to his thoughts'/ Jie was a Frenchman, und the glory of .Napoleon, of his country, thrilled his soul. • To be able to take his part in Wiat glory had hrougnt him to, England. Xow the glory had set in blood-red ruin. What meaning could words have? ■Sir Rupert laid his hand gently on his shoulder.

"This is c a heavy blow to you, but itis best you should know the truth. The years of war are over. If the Emperor succeeds in reaching France and Paris it can only be to find enemies at home. Is it not always so when conquerors t'all'r There is no honorable work for a soldier in France now,"

"lie may yet .turn defeat to victory," said Dubuisson, but there was little hopy in his tone. It was the desperation of a drowning man who clutches at a straw. *

Sir Rupert shook his head. "1 have said you are free; you must decide."

"That is one fact, what is the other ?' : asked Dubuisson. -

"Lady Betty Walmisley," was the ■answer, short, sharp, decisive. "You love her; that she came uy night to warn you of your danger shows that she nas more than ordinary interest in you. Something at least you owe her. Si\e is in danger. 1 do not believe that the fact of her hiding you at Abbots Chase is known; the scandal whispered against her is nothing more than a scheme to compel her ooedience. If it fail, these devils will try other means. You must decide whether it is your duty to stay liere to protect her or to return t'o France where you can do nothing." "Am I not helpless here?" "No," Sir Rupert answered. "Wero you powerless to .protect her from me, from my lie*, as you supposed? That we stood face to face this morning shows that you were not. Are you powerless to shoot down as you would a dog any man who plans evil for her? No. Ido not mean Evertsen; he is a mere tool, and of no account."

"You would make me an assassin, Sir Rupert."

"-No; a protector of a woman's honor. Re he prince or pauper, the man vno schemes against that, openly or by stealth, is a cur, an enemy to all honorable men. The world is well rid of such. Think it over. Choose whether you will go or stay. 1 will find means to convey you to France if you wish." "I shall stay,'' said Dubuisson, his, face set and pale, "and God help the man who attempts to injure her." •'1 you are right," said Sir Rupert. "When this news of Leipzig reaches London, the hue and cry after you will die down. Go carefully for * day or two. lour father would have approved your action, 1 am sure."

"1 will leav<j you," said Dubuisson, - i want to be alone. A n«w world of difficulties seems to have sprung up about me, and.l want to think of them, to deliberate upon them. When Baxter comes, will you tell him I have goner. _ "lie must have been here for some time, but would not disturb us. Courage, courage! You are not the 'int who has found this world a difficult place to Jive in."'

For a few minutes Sir Rupert was alone, a few minutes passed in deep thought, unpleasant thoughts, too, fraught with arguments -which were unconvincing.

"It is right that nothing should stand in the way," he said suddenly, a.-; though he were lunging a -final truth at someone who sought to persuade him differently. Then Hy.ie came in.

"He and Baxter have gone away together, 1 ' he remarked. 'Am f to know what went wrong with your steering gear this morning that you took such a course V

"Curse your sea phrases. I ran a risk ami it was worth taking. This fellow J)ubuisson lias wrongs to avenge, even as I have. We are at one in that. lue French have been overwhelmed at Leipzig, Hyde. It i.s a disaster with finality in it. In a few hours London will be ringing with the news, there will no excitement ami opportunity, Hyde, much opportunity. We'll let them know that at 'the Brazen .Serpent. For a day or two 1. shail remain in town, -but not here. Ostensibly 1 depart tor Dcvon•llire to-morrow morning; you ready <»(,. See that they are ready at a moment's notic-e. You shall have word. 1 shaii probably bring it myself, lx will all depend on what happens in London." •

"Will- the great thing happen?' asked the Captain, in a low voice. . '"'ft may." "Will he do itV" "He or another," said Sir Rupert. "What does it matter so long as it is done'?" "And afterwards?" whispered Hyde. ".Who so likely to be an assassin as a French spy (it this moment?" said Sir Rupert. "We won't speculate. We'll leave this rotten (iovernment to do that." '■Cad. Sir Rupert, you stay for nothing. You'd steer straight, for a reef if there 'were smooth water bevond." "Why not?" 'lt isn't every man that can store his conscience away so deep in the hold as you <-an. The bilge water must have covered and rotted" it." 'Tt has. Hyde. T do not think too much, lest I should drag it up again to trouble me." and then Sir Rupert turned upon him. 'Tt is right that nothing should stand in the way." It was the same declaration he had

flung out to an imaginary accuser a little while since; lie Hung it almost angrily at his companion now. There may have been a tone of questioning in it, but Hvde did not attempt to answer it.

"All's on board, then," ho remarked, '•'and I'm to slip my moorings and run for Devonshire."

CHAPTER XX. IX WHITEHALL.

The news of the battle of Leipzig, ■which became known in London nomany hours later, as Sir Rupert Aahton hiiu said, caused considerable excitement. If in recent years the terror of a French invasion had subsided, if the Battle of Trafalgar had apparently robbed Bonaparte of all chance of descending upon England's shores, he was nevertheless paramount in Europe; he stitl hated the English with a bitter and jealous hatred, and there was no absolute certainty that ft chain of circumatances might not bring again that terror which had existed a few years before. To a conqueror of such mighty genius whose path had stretched from victory, nothing was impossible. The retreat from Moscow last year, crushing reverse as it was, only seemed to have stirred Napoleon to greater efforts, and for a 'while no power was strong e.nough to stop him, no coalition capable of hemming him in. Everywhere he WUS victorious—at Lutzen, at Bautzen —and it appeared only to« probable that he would end by a greater triumph than had yet been his—that Moscow would become merely an unfortunate incident in his career. Not all the success of the English under Wellington in Spain could entirely obliterate the fear, in the back of the nation's mind, as to what might happen should Napoleon's arms in other countries of Europe be completely victorious. Xo wonder, then., that London rejoiced at the result of the battle of Leipzig. The conqueror was conquered, beaten to the ground, and it was confidently affirmed that he could not possibly rise again. All danger vvasi ■past, and Englishmen could laugh and I pride themselves on having played aJ great part in bringing this freedom to Europe. It chanced that the day on which the news became known had been fixed for a public ceremony, which in itself would have filled the streets with sightseers and holiday-makers; under the circumstances the numbers in the streets were vastly increased, and there were surging crowds all along the route which the procession was to take, long before the hour it was timed to start. " Lady Betty Walmisley was with the Duchess of Petersham. They were to drive presently to rooms overlooking Whitehall, the' procession having been made the excuse for a gathering of wit »nd beauty by the wife of a Minister, a lady to whom one was obliged to be civil, because, according to the Duchess, she had the power of being so exceedingly uncivil if vou were not. The Duke had just left them. For half-an-hour he had talked of the battle of Leipzig, was full of ideas, probablv gathered from other men, of the immediate consequences to be expected. Never before in a whole day, perhaps, had he said as much as he mannered to »et into this half-hour, and his wife was°too astonished at his sudden volubility to interrupt him, or to express anv opinion of her own. He presently bustled away as though he fancied himself the very centre of the excitement, and believed •that he' was the only man who really knew the facts. ' |

"To go back to what we were saying." the Duchess remarked quietly, as her husband closed the door,'"the'matter is serious, more serious than you seem to think, child." .

Betty laughed. She felt so little in a merry mood to-day that it was a relief to be able to laugh at something. '"Tt is no laughing matter," sakf the Duchess.

"l know-," Betty answered, "I was not laujrhing at my affairs, .but at the little impression the dear Duke's excitement has had on cither of us. There is sonwthmg_ ridiculous in the thought that the disposal of me in marriage is more important than the fall of Napoleon. Think of it: insignificant Ladv Betty Walmisler everything, the victory o*f Leipzig nothing, not worth , talking about." °

'■After_.aH, my dear, the importance of anything is in proportion to the effect it has upon ourselves. It mar not he quite seemly to admit it, but it is a fact, nevertheless."

"The victory of Leipzig can hardly affect my affairs," said Betty. "Nor is it likely to make the Prince Regent forget his* letter to you. or his plans concerning your future," returned the Duchess. ,( I am getting an old woman, my dear Betty, although as a rule 1 do not admit it; I know- a vast deal about human nature, and the human nature prevalent in society and au Court is'not to my taste. This suggestion of treason on your part is adast:irdlv plot to force'your compliance to the Prince's wishes, 'and I do not suppose for a moment that he is so fond of Mr. Walter Evcrtsen that there is no motive beyond the furthering of. his protege's happiness in his plans." "You are not suggesting that the Prince himself has fallen a victim to mv charms, are you?" and Bettv laughed.

'■He has fallen a victim to many less charming women," replied the Duchess, "but it is chiefly the -knowledge of your wealth which inspires .him upon this occasion. I should imagine. He manages to spend all the money he can lav hands upon, and often has difficulty hfreplenishiiiir his exhausted exchequer when he has ill luck at play. He would find it very useful to be able to draw on your resources occasionally. Think, my dear, of the absurdity of it all. Who'is this Mr. Walter hvertsen? Nobody in particular, certainly not a fitting'mate for you."

"f cannot believe that Mr. Evertseu rs altogether dishonest," said Betty. "I should try and think so if I were yon." returned the Duchess. "It is much safer. Men's ideas of honor have a knack of becoming eccentric where women are concerned."

"I will not believe that of all men," said Betty. ■"Child, are you in love with this Evertsen fellow, after all';" "No." The Duchess looker quizzically at her for a moment, "You must lie careful, Betty." she said, "and 1 must speiut a little'time in thinking of the best advice to give you. Do you remember my saying o n<-e that, if the worst came to the worst. I might smuggle you into a coach at the back' door and marry you to the first likely man who presented himself?" "Yes. t remember.' said the girl, slowly anil thoughtfully. The Duchess laid her hand gently on Betty's. "I have an idea that, if I supplied the hack door and the conch, you could provide the likely young man yourseit," she said. "I can assure you " "Don't, child. lam not attempting to surprise confidences, but I'm glad it is »ot Mr. Evertsen. We. must sec what can be done about the Prince's letter. I shall speak to the Duke about it. There are times when he gives exceedingly good advice, although", up to now, I do not remember having taken it. We must go, Betty, or the show will have passed along Whitehall before our arrival.

(To he continued on Saturday)