The Princess Dehra

Оглавление

Scott John Reed. The Princess Dehra

I. THE RECALL

II. TO-MORROW AND THE BOOK

III. THE ROYAL COUNCIL

IV. THE PRESUMPTION SHIFTS

V. THE COMPROMISE

VI. THE REWARD OF A MEDDLER

VII. THE ARMISTICE OF MOURNING

VIII. INFERENCE OR FACT

IX. THE RECKLESS GAME

X. A QUESTION OF VENEER

XI. FIRST BLOOD

XII. THE SOLE SURVIVOR

XIII. IN THE JAPONICA WALK

XIV. AN ENTICING RENDEZVOUS

XV. FOUR O’CLOCK AT THE INN

XVI. A TOO CONVINCING ARGUMENT

XVII. INTO THE TIGER’S CAGE

XVIII. ON TO LOTZENIA

XIX. LA DUCHESSE

XX. THE PRINCESS TURNS STRATEGIST

XXI. IN THE DUKE’S LIBRARY

XXII. THE BOOK IN THE CLOTH

XXIII. THE CANOPY OF SWORDS

Transcriber’s Notes

Отрывок из книги

Frederick of Valeria had died as every strong man wants to die: suddenly and in the midst of his affairs, with the full vigor of life still upon him and no premonition of the end. It had been a sharp straightening in saddle, a catch of breath, a lift of hand toward heart, and then, with the great band of the Foot Guards thundering before him, and the regiment swinging by in review, he had sunk slowly over and into the arms of the Archduke Armand. And as he held him, there was a quick touch of surgeon’s fingers to pulse and breast, a shake of head, a word; and then, sorrowfully and in silence, they bore him away; while the regiment, wheeling sharply into line, spread across the parade and held back the populace. And presently, as the people lingered, wondering and fearful, and the Guards stood stolid in their ranks, the royal standard on the great tower of the Castle dropped slowly to half staff, and the mellow bell of the Cathedral began to toll, to all Valeria, the mournful message that her King was dead.

And far out in the country the Princess Dehra heard it, but faintly; and drawing rein, she listened in growing trepidation for a louder note. Was it the Cathedral bell? – the bell that tolled only when a Dalberg died! For a while she caught no stroke, and the fear was passing, when down the wind it came, clear and strong – and again – and yet again.

.....

She looked down at him with shining eyes. “No, dear, it isn’t; once I thought it was; but now I’m quite content to be Queen-consort.”

He took both her hands and held them between his own. “That, dear, is what makes it possible, and worth the struggle; and if Valeria does accept me as its King, it will be solely for love of you, and to get you for its Queen.”

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