登陆注册
15679900000022

第22章 CHAPTER III THE PRINCE AND THE ENGLISH TRAVELLER(3

`Pardon me,' said the traveller, `you are unjust. It is because you are a reigning sovereign that I cannot fight with you; and it is for the same reason that I have a right to criticise your action and your wife.

You are in everything a public creature; you belong to the public, body and bone. You have with you the law, the muskets of the army, and the eyes of spies. We, on our side, have but one weapon -- truth.'

`Truth!' echoed the Prince, with a gesture.

There was another silence.

`Your Highness,' said Sir John at last, `you must not expect grapes from a thistle. I am old and a cynic. Nobody cares a rush for me; and on the whole, after the present interview, I scarce know anybody that I like better than yourself. You see, I have changed my mind, and have the uncommon virtue to avow the change. I tear up this stuff before you, here in your own garden; I ask your pardon, I ask the pardon of the Princess; and I give you my word of honour as a gentleman and an old man, that when my book of travels shall appear it shall not contain so much as the name of Grünewald. And yet it was a racy chapter! But had your Highness only read about the other courts! I am a carrion crow; but it is not my fault, after all, that the world is such a nauseous kennel.'

`Sir,' said Otto, `is the eye not jaundiced?'

`Nay,' cried the traveller, `very likely. I am one who goes sniffing;

I am no poet. I believe in a better future for the world; or, at all accounts, I do most potently disbelieve in the present. Rotten eggs is the burthen of my song. But indeed, your Highness, when I meet with any merit, I do not think that I am slow to recognise it. This is a day that I shall still recall with gratitude, for I have found a sovereign with some manly virtues; and for once -- old courtier and old radical as I am -- it is from the heart and quite sincerely that I can request the honour of kissing your Highness's hand?'

`Nay, sir,' said Otto, `to my heart!'

And the Englishman, taken at unawares, was clasped for a moment in the Prince's arms.

`And now, sir,' added Otto, `there is the Pheasant House; close behind it you will find my carriage, which I pray you to accept. God speed you to Vienna!'

`In the impetuosity of youth,' replied Sir John, `your Highness has overlooked one circumstance. I am still fasting.'

`Well, sir,' said Otto, smiling, `you are your own master; you may go or stay. But I warn you, your friend may prove less powerful than your enemies. The Prince, indeed, is thoroughly on your side; he has all the will to help; but to whom do I speak? -- you know better than I do, he is not alone in Grünewald.'

`There is a deal in position,' returned the traveller, gravely nodding. `Gondremark loves to temporise; his policy is below ground, and he fears all open courses; and now that I have seen you act with so much spirit, I will cheerfully risk myself on your protection. Who knows? You may be yet the better man.'

`Do you indeed believe so?' cried the Prince. `You put life into my heart!'

`I will give up sketching portraits,' said the Baronet. `I am a blind owl; I had misread you strangely. And yet remember this; a sprint is one thing, and to run all day another. For I still mistrust your constitution; the short nose, the hair and eyes of several complexions; no, they are diagnostic; and I must end, I see, as I began.'

`I am still a singing chambermaid?' said Otto.

`Nay, your Highness, I pray you to forget what I had written,' said Sir John; `I am not like Pilate; and the chapter is no more. Bury it, if you love me.'

同类推荐
热门推荐
  • 异界之巅峰传说

    异界之巅峰传说

    这里有希望、这里有梦想、这里有明天、、、
  • 婚婚相报,就要赖上大总裁

    婚婚相报,就要赖上大总裁

    龙沫儿从没想过,有朝一日自己会被迫相亲,什么?相亲的对象还是个光头大卤蛋!龙沫儿决定了,她要逃!可是,谁能告诉她,这个土豪总裁是怎么一回事?她当快递员,他买快递公司;她去咖啡厅打工,他买下整个咖啡厅…龙沫儿火了,腆着脸托关系进企业干活,她就不信他还能把整个企业都收了。结果尼玛!企业的大boss还是他!谁来告诉她,霸道总裁适合当老公吗?
  • 职场冷艳少女

    职场冷艳少女

    个性无情的少女秋田,游戏职场中,小员工玩弄大老板,大老板苦不能言。后当老板,从容应对各种问题,从向颠峰,成为中国经济的掌控者!
  • 远方是否有彼岸

    远方是否有彼岸

    在全国最大的贵族学校,他一个靠着老爹挖地挖出的一个元代青花瓷,很狗屎运的读上了这所最有名的高中。很衰,有很意外的胆小,为人也很光棍,有一天就吃一天,没钱就干脆饿到有钱,他最大的愿望就是睡觉睡到2012坐看天荒地老,和这一片天地一起消失。在他的眼中一切都是灰蒙蒙的,没有未来,没有一切。可是。。。。。。
  • 灵魄闪影

    灵魄闪影

    一名双亲过世的少年,因觉醒灵魄之力与超能力改变命运,他将创造怎样的传奇?他将有哪些逆天的技能?他又将面对怎样的对手?请直接看书
  • 魔恋三角

    魔恋三角

    夏泽梦,请速速前来校长办公室。”校长在广播里喊道。夏泽梦听道后就立刻冲出了教室。夏泽梦一出教室,班上就开始讨论了“夏泽梦怎么了?”“你看她是个孤儿,校长肯定是开除她”......
  • 殇儿日记

    殇儿日记

    君埋泉下泥销骨,我寄人间雪满头。静花样等过十年,见到那一刻他已是道袍草鞋。心痛如绞,不得不拖着病体从此远离。闭眼前几秒,终于等到那隅温柔宁静怀,她知道自己终于梦样死去。爱,不过如此。道人悲如天殇大喊“你为什么怎么决绝告诉我,一直不认识简化字啊!写的啥呀?”……
  • 溺爱:霸少放开我

    溺爱:霸少放开我

    她是单亲家庭女,当她如愿以偿考上了心目中的学校,准备安心学习时,偏偏上天不让她如意。她只是一个普通人,却同时有暖男学长和霸道同学的追求。到底谁能俘获她的芳心?当变故再次发生,她又该怎么做?
  • 巫皇苏醒天道轮回

    巫皇苏醒天道轮回

    被封印的巫皇掉进了二十四重世界,当巫皇碰到世家少爷,又会擦出怎样的火花呢
  • 都市之纨绔太子爷

    都市之纨绔太子爷

    世界法则强者吃肉弱者连汤都喝不到。让我们一起见证成就强者之路...