A Modern Mercenary

  CHAPTER XXVI.

  LOVE'S HANDICAP.

  As Rallywood galloped steadily through the night under the shrinkingmoon, with the _tsa_ behind him and the pearl-grey road withering awayinto the level distance ahead, it happened that the two women of whom hemust have had some thoughts during that lonely ride met and spoketogether.

  'Valerie, I called for you to go with me to the Abenfeldt's reception,because I have a question to ask you,' began Isolde at once when thedoor of the carriage was closed.

  The passing lamps shone varyingly upon their faces as they passedthrough the lighted streets, and Madame de Sagan looked at hercompanion.

  'Where is Captain Rallywood?' she added abruptly.

  His name had not passed between them since the interview at theblock-house.

  'I cannot tell you. I don't know,' said Valerie coldly.

  'Oh, my dear child, all is fair in love and war! Why be so dreadfullycross with me still?'

  'Is it necessary to recur to the subject at all?'

  'Will you never forgive me, I wonder?'

  Valerie looked steadily back into the lovely face, where the underlyingspirit of mockery was transmuted into an innocent playfulness like achild's.

  'On the contrary, I thank you.'

  'Why--for humbling him? Valerie, you are----'

  'Happy!' Valerie could not forego the very womanly triumph, 'very happy!And you made me so.'

  'But,' said Isolde with some perplexity, 'you would have it that he didnot mean what he said.'

  In her heart she thought Valerie a great goose for making any suchdisclaimer. Vanity has knowledge of no tongue whereby to interpretpride.

  'No, but it showed me what he was.'

  'I wonder how Baron von Elmur would like to hear that his future wifewas not ashamed to declare her love for another man!' retorted Isolde.

  'I mean to tell him.'

  'No, no, Valerie, don't!' exclaimed Madame de Sagan, whose weaknessexuded very often in a sort of kind-heartedness, 'I should not tell him.Such a confidence is apt to turn sour in a husband's memory. You maytrust me--I will keep your secret.' Valerie smiled scornfully.

  'But I can keep a secret! For instance, I want to hear where CaptainRallywood is, because I know the Count hates him, and also,' she noddedher head slowly, 'and also our dear friend Baron von Elmur.'

  Valerie was startled.

  'Baron von Elmur?' she repeated.

  'Oh, you quite mistake the matter. The ill-feeling has nothing to dowhatever with you or with me. The Count and von Elmur hate him on verydifferent grounds. Everything appears to interest men now-a-days butourselves!' she ended sadly.

  'Because he is English, perhaps?'

  'Well, yes, it has something to do with it. You remember that last nightat the Castle? I conclude it was Jack who spoiled their plans when Simonand the Baron went to the Duke's apartments.'

  'The Count and Baron von Elmur together? What did they go for?'

  The question dried up the little stream of babble.

  'How should I know? But there was a fight--I'd back Jack against mostpeople! That is one reason I--liked him. We heard the shots, and thoughI was horribly frightened I told you none of the particulars, yet I knewall. Speak to me, Valerie! What are you thinking of?'

  Valerie had been rapidly going over in her mind the incidents Isolde hadalluded to. For the first time she understood. There had been a Germanplot which she had helped to defeat, a plot to place Count Sagan at thehead of the State, and the price he was to pay was the freedom ofMaasau. She must see her father before she slept and warn him of theconspiracy, which although it had failed temporarily at the Castle ofSagan was still in existence. She felt certain that her father knewnothing of the German plot, nor of Sagan's bitter enmity againsthimself, as proved by the attempt on her own life. Fears for her father,for Rallywood, and for Maasau crowded upon her, though she kept up anappearance of composure that Isolde might not guess the importance ofthe information she had given.

  'I was thinking of Captain Rallywood,' answered the girl at last,offering the excuse Isolde would be most likely to accept as true. 'Idid not know he had so many enemies. But is he not in Revonde?'

  'No, he has not been at the barracks since yesterday afternoon. I senthim an invitation. You never give me credit for sincerity, but I amsteady in my friendships. I do not mean to drop him because he talkedall that nonsense at Kofn Ford. You boasted about M. Selpdorf'spower--make him use it now to save Rallywood. I begin to believe thatyou are really as cold as you pretend to be, Valerie, you care solittle! Whereas I, in spite of all that has happened, would serve him ifI could.'

  'I shall see my father when I return to-night, I promise you.'

  Isolde buttoned her glove thoughtfully.

  'You must be careful not to let him suspect that you have any especialinterest in Jack,' she said, 'for that would be merely an additionalreason for letting Rallywood--go.'

  Valerie could not misunderstand the euphemism.

  'Isolde, my father is not a savage!' she exclaimed.

  'Perhaps not,' said Madame de Sagan simply. 'He is, I know, a verycharming man in society, but my experience goes to show that every manis a savage--_au fond_.'

  Words which embody the opinion of more women than one cares to number.

  It was three o'clock when an officer of the Guard, leaving thewind-swept darkness of the country behind him, rode through the northgate of Revonde into the vivid black and white perspectives of the city,where close outside the brilliant line of electric lights night herselfseemed to stand incarnate, a jealous intensity of blackness.

  Rallywood had picked up Unziar's relays of horses at certain points, andon the whole had made good time of the ride. Now he crossed the bridgethat lies opposite to the gate of the Palace, and mounted the curvingstreets towards the Chancellerie.

  He swung from his horse at the foot of the broad flight of granite stepsunder its overhanging portico as a carriage dashed up on the other side.The high doors above were flung open and a roll of red cloth droppedfrom step to step down to the pavement, a couple of footmen placing itwith the quick deftness of use until it reached the carriage.

  As she alighted Mademoiselle Selpdorf recognised the tall figure in thetravel-stained riding cloak.

  'Captain Rallywood, where have you come from?' she asked almostinvoluntarily.

  'From the frontier, Mademoiselle.'

  'Will you give me your arm? What has happened? Has Major Counsellorcome back?' she whispered as they went up the steps.

  'He is at the Ford. He has met with an accident.'

  Valerie said no more, but as she entered the hall she read Rallywood'sface.

  'Has his Excellency returned?' she asked of an attendant. 'Then placerefreshments in the small library. Captain Rallywood, I will join you ina few moments. M. Selpdorf will be home very soon. He is anxious to seeyou.'

  It was a little necessary make believe before the numerous servants. Howfar it deceived them may be faintly guessed when one considers anyone'ssecrets in relation to anyone's servants.

  'Man designs his own game,' thought Rallywood as he followed the servantinto whose charge he was given, 'or he is forced to stand out andcircumstances play it for him. In the years all is one.'

  Whichever way the issue of this night's work turned, Maasau and Valeriemust both pass from his life forever. The one supreme obstacle whichlurks always beside the mercenary's path had arisen to bar his advanceat last.

  Valerie opened the door softly. She was trembling and afraid, but shewould not be outdone in generosity by Rallywood. She had determined tothank him for the words spoken at Kofn Ford, and to show him howentirely she comprehended their chivalrous intention. But when her eyesfell upon him all thought of self faded. He was standing midway betweenthe gleaming wine and glass of the side-table and the flickering glow ofthe open stove, upright and stately as he ever appeared to her, but inhis new attitude her sharpened senses perceived a suggestion ofdisheartenment and solitude.

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p; Swept away by the feeling of the moment, she crossed the room to hisside and laid her hand upon his arm.

  'What is it? Something has happened,' she said.

  Rallywood looked down at her. The beautiful eyes like starlit darkness,her clear-hued loveliness, the soft dusky curls about her brow, hergirlish reserves and petulances, all her sweet unapproachablepersonality enhanced to pain the knowledge that he was looking his lastupon them.

  'Nothing to distress you, Mademoiselle, because M. Selpdorf knows allabout it.'

  'Then tell me; I know so much already.'

  'I wish I could. But I think his Excellency might prefer to tell youhimself.'

  'Is it good news, then? Major Counsellor has succeeded? Then why are youso sad?'

  'Sad, Mademoiselle?' he answered with a smile. 'Men often look sad whenthey are only hungry and dog-tired.'

  'Then eat,' she said. 'Let me give you some wine.'

  She drew him to the table and poured out a glass of wine.

  'To the success of Maasau and of England,' she said. Then touching itwith her lips in the graceful fashion of Maasau, she handed it to him.

  'Hark! I think I hear my father arriving, and there is something I mustsay to you before he comes.'

  She clasped her hands nervously, the bare shapely hands with theirgleaming rings, and Rallywood watched her and felt as if he weredreaming.

  'Captain Rallywood, I want to thank you. I can never thank you enoughfor that night at Kofn Ford. I understood--pray believe I understoodit--and I think you are the noblest gentleman alive!'

  Rallywood did not hesitate. There was one thing Valerie should know andbe certain of in the uncertain future.

  'Give me a moment, Mademoiselle,' he exclaimed, detaining her. 'I seeyou do not quite understand. I could not expect you to understand. Butnow--now that I am leaving Maasau, I must tell you the truth. Perhapsyou will believe it some day. I am proud----'

  'I know it, and yet you--oh, say no more! For my sake you stooped to sayit. It was not true! But I knew that.'

  He took her hands between his own in a firm strong clasp.

  'Listen, Mademoiselle. It was true! Since first I saw you it has alwaysbeen true!'

  'I remember!' she said breathlessly. She could not help saying it.

  'Do you?' he answered; the temptation to wander a little was too sweet.'You wore this cloak,' he touched it softly with his fingers, then laidhis hand over hers deliberately, in the quiet confident way in which hedid everything and which she had grown to love, 'and ever since I havecarried the glove you despised. And though this is my good-bye, I willcarry it--always.'

  'But--but----'

  'Oh, I don't ask you to believe me now,' he said bitterly. 'I am notnoble, Mademoiselle. I was only too proud to say I loved you that night,as,' with another smile, 'I was only too proud not to say it before.'

  Valerie raised her face and her eyes were full of light.

  'Then it was true--thank God!'

  But Rallywood, though he saw the purpose of her speech, would notunderstand its significance. He led her towards the door by which shehad entered.

  'You must go, Mademoiselle. I--dare not keep you with me longer.Good-bye, and may God go with you, Valerie!'

  She stopped suddenly and kissed the hand that held hers.

  'I too am proud,' she whispered, and the door closed upon her.