A Great Chance for a VillainIt was the custom that the Prefect of Police should send everyafternoon a report to me on the condition of the capital and the feeling ofthe people: the document included also an account of the movements ofany persons whom the police had received instructions to watch. Since Ihad been in Strelsau, Sapt had been in the habit of reading the report andtelling me any items of interest which it might contain. On the day aftermy adventure in the summer-house, he came in as I was playing a hand ofecarte with Fritz von Tarlenheim.

　　"The report is rather full of interest this afternoon," he observed,sitting down.

　　"Do you find," I asked, "any mention of a certain fracas?"He shook his head with a smile.

　　"I find this first," he said: ""His Highness the Duke of Strelsau left thecity (so far as it appears, suddenly), accompanied by several of hishousehold. His destination is believed to be the Castle of Zenda, but theparty travelled by road and not by train. MM De Gautet, Bersonin, andDetchard followed an hour later, the last-named carrying his arm in a sling.

　　The cause of his wound is not known, but it is suspected that he has foughta duel, probably incidental to a love affair."""That is remotely true," I observed, very well pleased to find that I hadleft my mark on the fellow.

　　"Then we come to this," pursued Sapt: ""Madame de Mauban, whosemovements have been watched according to instructions, left by train atmidday. She took a ticket for Dresden--""It's an old habit of hers," said I.

　　""The Dresden train stops at Zenda." An acute fellow, this. And finallylisten to this: "The state of feeling in the city is not satisfactory. The Kingis much criticized" (you know, he's told to be quite frank) "for taking nosteps about his marriage. From enquiries among the entourage of thePrincess Flavia, her Royal Highness is believed to be deeply offended by the remissness of his Majesty. The common people are coupling her namewith that of the Duke of Strelsau, and the duke gains much popularityfrom the suggestion. I have caused the announcement that the King gives aball tonight in honour of the princess to be widely diffused, and the effectis good.""That is news to me," said I.

　　"Oh, the preparations are all made!" laughed Fritz. "I've seen to that."Sapt turned to me and said, in a sharp, decisive voice:

　　"You must make love to her tonight, you know.""I think it is very likely I shall, if I see her alone," said I. "Hang it, Sapt,you don't suppose I find it difficult?"Fritz whistled a bar or two; then he said: "You'll find it only too easy.

　　Look here, I hate telling you this, but I must. The Countess Helga told methat the princess had become most attached to the King. Since thecoronation, her feelings have undergone a marked development. It's quitetrue that she is deeply wounded by the King's apparent neglect.""Here's a kettle of fish!" I groaned.

　　"Tut, tut!" said Sapt. "I suppose you've made pretty speeches to a girlbefore now? That's all she wants."Fritz, himself a lover, understood better my distress. He laid his handon my shoulder, but said nothing.

　　"I think, though," pursued that cold-blooded old Sapt, "that you'dbetter make your offer tonight.""Good heavens!""Or, any rate, go near it: and I shall send a "semi-official" to thepapers.""I'll do nothing of the sort--no more will you!" said I. "I utterly refuseto take part in making a fool of the princess."Sapt looked at me with his small keen eyes. A slow cunning smilepassed over his face.

　　"All right, lad, all right," said he. "We mustn't press you too hard.

　　Soothe her down a bit, if you can, you know. Now for Michael!""Oh, damn Michael!" said I. "He'll do tomorrow. Here, Fritz, come fora stroll in the garden."Sapt at once yielded. His rough manner covered a wonderful tact-- andas I came to recognize more and more, a remarkable knowledge of humannature. Why did he urge me so little about the princess? Because he knewthat her beauty and my ardour would carry me further than all hisarguments--and that the less I thought about the thing, the more likely wasI to do it. He must have seen the unhappiness he might bring on theprincess; but that went for nothing with him. Can I say, confidently, that hewas wrong? If the King were restored, the princess must turn to him,either knowing or not knowing the change. And if the King were notrestored to us? It was a subject that we had never yet spoken of. But I hadan idea that, in such a case, Sapt meant to seat me on the throne ofRuritania for the term of my life. He would have set Satan himself theresooner than that pupil of his, Black Michael.

　　The ball was a sumptuous affair. I opened it by dancing a quadrillewith Flavia: then I waltzed with her. Curious eyes and eager whispersattended us. We went in to supper; and, half way through, I, half mad bythen, for her glance had answered mine, and her quick breathing met mystammered sentences-- I rose in my place before all the brilliant crowd,and taking the Red Rose that I wore, flung the ribbon with its jewelledbadge round her neck. In a tumult of applause I sat down: I saw Saptsmiling over his wine, and Fritz frowning. The rest of the meal passed insilence; neither Flavia nor I could speak. Fritz touched me on the shoulder,and I rose, gave her my arm, and walked down the hall into a littleroom,where coffee was served to us. The gentlemen and ladies inattendance withdrew,and we were alone.

　　The little room had French windows opening on the gardens. The nightwas fine, cool, and fragrant. Flavia sat down, and I stood opposite her. Iwas struggling with myself: if she had not looked at me, I believe thateven then I should have won my fight. But suddenly, involuntarily, shegave me one brief glance --a glance of question, hurriedly turned aside; ablush that the question had ever come spread over her cheek, and shecaught her breath. Ah, if you had seen her! I forgot the King in Zenda. Iforgot the King in Strelsau. She was a princess-- and I an impostor. Doyou think I remembered that? I threw myself on my knee and seized her hands in mine. I said nothing. Why should I? The soft sounds of the nightset my wooing to a wordless melody, as I pressed my kisses on her lips.

　　She pushed me from her, crying suddenly:

　　"Ah! is it true? or is it only because you must?""It's true!" I said, in low smothered tones-- "true that I love you morethan life--or truth--or honour!"She set no meaning to my words, treating them as one of love's sweetextravagances. She came close to me, and whispered:

　　"Oh, if you were not the King! Then I could show you how I love you!

　　How is it that I love you now, Rudolf?""Now?""............