The Daltons Volume II Part 52

The German scarcely looked quite satisfied with himself for the confidence he had been unwittingly led into; "but, after all," thought he, "the priest knew more than I could tell him;" and so he resumed his search without further thought of the matter.

As for D'Esmonde, his first care was to inquire for Monsieur de Gra.s.se, the Prince's chief secretary, with whom he remained closeted for nigh an hour. It will not be necessary to inflict all the detail of that interview on the reader; enough that we state its substance to have been a pressing entreaty on the part of D'Esmonde to be admitted to an audience of the Prince, as firmly resisted by the secretary, whose orders were not to admit any one, nor, indeed, acknowledge that his Highness was then there.

"You must wait upon him at the Crocetto, Monsignore," said De Gra.s.se.

"Your presence here will simply cause the dismissal of those who have admitted you, and yet never advance your own wishes in the least."

"My business is too urgent, sir, to be combated by reasons so weak as these," replied D'Esmonde; "nor am I much accustomed to the air of an antechamber."

"You must yet be aware, Monsignore, that the orders of Prince Midchekoff are absolute in his own house." The secretary dropped his voice almost to a whisper as he finished this sentence, for he had just overheard the Prince speaking to some one without, and could detect his step as he came along the corridor.

With a look of most meaning entreaty he besought the Abbe to keep silence, while he crept noiselessly over and turned the key. D'Esmonde uttered an exclamation of anger, and, sweeping past a window, within which stood a magnificent vase of malachite, he caught the costly object in the wide folds of his gown, and dashed it to the ground in a thousand pieces. De Gra.s.se gave a sudden cry of horror, and at the same instant Midchekoff knocked at the door, and demanded admittance. With faltering hand the secretary turned the key, and the Prince entered the room, casting his eyes from D'Esmonde to the floor, where the fragments lay, and back again to the priest, with a significance that showed how he interpreted the whole incident. As for the Abbe, he looked as coldly indifferent to the accident as though it were the veriest trifle he had destroyed.

"I came to have a few moments' interview with you, Prince," said he, calmly; "can you so far oblige me?"

"I am entirely at your orders, Monsignore," said the Russian, with a faint smile. "Allow me to conduct you to a chamber in less disorder than this one."

The Abbe bowed, and followed him, not seeming to hear the allusion. And now, pa.s.sing through a number of rooms, whose gorgeous furniture was carefully covered, they reached a small chamber opening upon a conservatory, where a breakfast-table was already spread.

"I will waste neither your time nor my own, Prince, by an apology for the hour of this visit, nor the place; my business did not admit of delay--that will excuse me in your eyes."

The Prince gave a cold bow, but never spoke.

D'Esmonde resumed. "I have heard the news from the camp: Lord Norwood tells me that the Austrians have fallen back, and with a heavy loss too."

"Not heavy!" said the Russian, with a smile.

"Enough, however, to raise the hopes and strengthen the courage of the others. Goito was, at least, a victory." A faint shrug of the shoulders was the only reply the Prince made, and the Abbe went on: "Things are too critical, Prince, to treat the event slightingly. We cannot answer either for France or England; still less can we rely on the politicians of Vienna. A second or a third reverse, and who can say that they will not treat for a peace, at the cost of half the States of Lombardy. Nay, sir, I am not speaking without book," added he, more warmly; "I know--I repeat it----I know that such a negotiation has been entertained, and that at this moment the Cabinet of England has the matter in its consideration."

"It may be so," said the Prince, carelessly, as he poured out his coffee.

"Then there is not a moment to be lost," cried the Abbe, impetuously. "A cession of the Milanais means a Republic of Upper Italy,--the downfall of the Popedom,--the rule of infidelity over the Peninsula. Are _we_--are _you_ prepared for this? Enough has been done to show that Italian 'unity' is a fiction. Let us complete the lesson by proving that they cannot meet the Austrian in arms. The present generation, at least, will not forget the chastis.e.m.e.nt, if it be but heavy enough."

"We may leave that task to the Imperialists," said the Prince, with a cold smile.

"I do not think so. I know too much of German sluggishness and apathy.

The reinforcements, that should pour in like a flood, creep lazily along. The dread of France--the old terror of those wars that once crushed them--is still uppermost. They know not how far Europe will permit them to punish a rebellious province; and while they hesitate, they give time for the growth of that public opinion that will condemn them."

"Perhaps you are right," said the Russian, as he sipped his coffee carelessly.

"And if I be," cried D'Esmonde, pa.s.sionately, "are we to sit tranquilly here till the ruin overtake us? Will Russia wait till the flame of a red republic throws its lurid glare over Europe, and even gleam over the cold waters of the Neva? Is it her wish, or to her benefit, that the flag of the democrat and the infidel is to float over the Continent?"

"You conjured up the monster yourself, Monsignore. It is for you to order him back to the depths he came from."

"And we are ready for the task," said the priest. "We fostered this revolt, because we saw it was better to lop off a diseased limb than to suffer the gangrene to spread over the entire body; better to cast down into utter perdition the wild democrats, who but half believed us, than peril the countless millions of true Catholics. Nay, more, we acted with your counsel and concurrence. That revolt has already borne its fruits.

Men see no issue to the struggle they are engaged in. The men of moderation are overborne by the wild clamor of the factionist. Anarchy is amongst them, and now is our moment to bid the contest cease, and earn from mankind the glorious epithet of 'peacemaker.' The tide of victory once turned, see how the mind of Europe will turn with it. Good wishes are p.r.o.ne to go with the battalions that advance!"

"Good wishes are not too costly a sympathy," said the Russian, coolly.

"It is to that point I am coming, Prince," said the Abbe; "nor have I intruded myself on your privacy to-day merely to discuss the public opinion of Europe. The whole of this question lies in a narrow compa.s.s.

It is time that this struggle should cease,--it is, at least, time that the tide of conquest should turn. Were Austria free to use her strength, we might trust the issue to herself; but she is not, and we must help her. I hold here the means," said he, placing on the table a heavy pocket-book crammed with letters. "This," said he, taking up one large sealed packet, "is an autograph from his Holiness, commanding Durando to halt at the Po, and under no circ.u.mstances to cross the frontier.

This," continued he, showing another, "is to Ghirardi, to grant leave of absence to all officers who desire to return to their homes. This is to Krasaletzki, to provide for the disbandment of his legion. The King of Naples waits but for the signal to recall General Pepe and his contingent, fifteen thousand strong. And now, Prince, there is but one other voice in Europe we wait for--the Czar's!"

"His Imperial Majesty has ever wished well to the cause of order," said the Russian, with a studied calm of manner.

"Away with such trifling as this!" said D'Esmonde, pa.s.sionately; "nor do not try to impose on me by those courteous generalities that amuse cabinets. Russia speaks to Western Europe best by her gold. The 'rouble'

can come where the 'Cossack' cannot! There are men with those armies that comprehend no other argument----whose swords have their price. Our treasures are exhausted; the sacred vessels of our altars--the golden ornaments of our shrines--are gone. You alone can aid us at this moment.

It is no barren generosity, Prince! you are combating your Poles more cheaply beside the Po and the Adige than on the banks of the Vistula!

you are doing more! you are breaking up those ancient alliances of Europe whose existence excluded you from continental power! you are buying your freedom to sit down among the rulers of the Old World, and accustoming the nations of the West to the voice of the Boyard in their councils! And, greatest of all, you are crus.h.i.+ng into annihilation that spirit of revolt that now rages like a pestilence. But why do I speak of these things to one like you? you know full well the terms of the compact Your own handwriting has confessed it."

Midchekoff gave a slight--a very slight--movement of surprise, but never spoke.

"Yes," continued D'Esmonde, "I have within that pocket-book at this moment the receipt of Count Grunenburg, the Austrian Secretary-at-War, for the second instalment of a loan advanced by Prince Midchekoff to the Imperial Government. I have a copy of the order in council acknowledging in terms of grat.i.tude the aid, and recommending that the cross of St. Stephen should be conferred on the ill.u.s.trious lender. And, less gracious than these," added he, with sarcastic bitterness, "I have the record of the Emperor's scruples about according the first-cla.s.s order of the Empire to one whose n.o.bility was but left-handed. Were these to appear to-morrow in the _Razionale_, is it only your pride as a prince that would be humbled? Or think you that a single stone would rest upon another in this gorgeous edifice where we are standing? Who or what could restrain an infuriated populace from wreaking their vengeance on the traitor? Who would lift a hand against the pillage of this splendor, and the desecration of this magnificence? It is not willingly that I tell you these things, nor had I ever spoken of them if you had but heard me with fitting attention. I know, too, the price at which they are uttered. We never can be friends; but that is of small moment Our cause--ours, I say, for it is yours no less than mine--is above such consideration."

"How much do you require?" said Midchekoff, as he leaned his arm on the chimney-piece, and stared calmly at the Abbe.

"Ghirardi and his staff demand two hundred thousand francs; Albizi will be a cheaper bargain. Marionetti and his force will be surrounded, and retire from Lombardy on parole of not serving during the campaign,----he only asks enough to emigrate with. Then, there is the Commissary of the Crociati,--he is quite ready to become his own paymaster. There are others of inferior rank and pretensions, with whom I shall treat personally. The press, particularly of England, will be the difficulty; but its importance is above all price. The public mind must be brought back, from its sympathy for a people, to regard the rulers more favorably. Anarchy and misrule must be displayed in their most glaring colors. The Crociati will do us good service here; their crimes would sully a holier crusade than this! But I weary you, sir," said the Abbe, stopping suddenly, and observing that Midchekoff, instead of seeming to listen, was busily occupied in writing.

"Morlache holds bills of mine to this amount," said the Prince, showing a list of several large sums; "he will place them at your disposal on your giving a receipt for them. This is an order, also, regarding certain emeralds I have commissioned him to have mounted in gold. He need not do so, but will dispose of the gems, as I shall not want them."

A very slight flush here colored his cheek, and he paused as if some bitter thought had crossed his mind.

D'Esmonde's quick eye read the meaning of the expression, and he said, "Am I to congratulate your Highness on the approach of a certain happy event?"

"His Majesty has not deigned to accord me the necessary permission," was the reply.

"Then I will be bold enough to say I congratulate you," cried D'Esmonde.

"Your alliance should be with a royal house, Prince. _Your_ position in Europe is exceptional; such should be _your_ marriage. Besides, the day is not very distant when there must come another dissection of the map of Europe. There will be new princ.i.p.alities, but wanting heads to rule them. The world is tired of Coburgs, and would gladly see another name amongst its royalties."

"I am at the disposal of my Emperor," said Midchekoff, coldly; for whatever effect the flatteries might produce within, neither his words nor his looks would betray it, and now by his manner he showed that he wished the interview over.

"Mademoiselle, then, returns to her family?" asked D'Esmonde.

"To the care of the Count von Auersberg."

"The reputation of having attracted your Highness will be a fortune to her."

"She has refused a settlement of eighty thousand roubles a year."

"A most princely offer!" cried D'Esmonde.

"His Majesty fixed the sum," said Midchekoff, as coolly as though talking of an indifferent matter.

D'Esmonde now rose to take his leave, but there was a reluctance in his manner that showed he was unwilling to go. At last he said, "Does your Highness intend to return to the camp?"

"The day after to-morrow."

"I ask," said the Abbe, "inasmuch as I am hourly in expectation of hearing from Cardinal Maraffa with reference to a certain decoration which you should long since have received----"

"Indeed! has his Holiness been pleased to consider me amongst his most ardent well-wishers?" cried the Prince, interrupting.