Hunting a Very Big BoarThe terrible temptation which was assailing me will now beunderstood. I could so force Michael's hand that he must kill the King. Iwas in a position to bid him defiance and tighten my grasp on the crown-notfor its own sake, but because the King of Ruritania was to wed thePrincess Flavia. What of Sapt and Fritz? Ah! but a man cannot be held towrite down in cold blood the wild and black thoughts that storm his brainwhen an uncontrolled passion has battered a breach for them. Yet, unlesshe sets up as a saint, he need not hate himself for them. He is betteremployed, as it humbly seems to me, in giving thanks that power to resistwas vouchsafed to him, than in fretting over wicked impulses which comeunsought and extort an unwilling hospitality from the weakness of ournature.

　　It was a fine bright morning when I walked, unattended, to theprincess's house, carrying a nosegay in my hand. Policy made excuses forlove, and every attention that I paid her, while it riveted my own chains,bound closer to me the people of the great city, who worshipped her. Ifound Fritz's inamorata, the Countess Helga, gathering blooms in thegarden for her mistress's wear, and prevailed on her to take mine in theirplace. The girl was rosy with happiness, for Fritz, in his turn, had notwasted his evening, and no dark shadow hung over his wooing, save thehatred which the Duke of Strelsau was known to bear him.

　　"And that," she said, with a mischievous smile, "your Majesty hasmade of no moment. Yes, I will take the flowers; shall I tell you, sire, whatis the first thing the princess does with them?"We were talking on a broad terrace that ran along the back of the house,and a window above our heads stood open.

　　"Madame!" cried the countess merrily, and Flavia herself looked out. Ibared my head and bowed. She wore a white gown, and her hair wasloosely gathered in a knot. She kissed her hand to me, crying:

　　"Bring the King up, Helga; I'll give him some coffee."The countess, with a gay glance, led the way, and took me into Flavia'smorning-room. And, left alone, we greeted one another as lovers are wont.

　　Then the princess laid two letters before me. One was from BlackMichael--a most courteous request that she would honour him by spendinga day at his Castle of Zenda, as had been her custom once a year in thesummer, when the place and its gardens were in the height of their greatbeauty. I threw the letter down in disgust, and Flavia laughed at me. Then,growing grave again, she pointed to the other sheet.

　　"I don't know who that comes from," she said. "Read it."I knew in a moment. There was no signature at all this time, but thehandwriting was the same as that which had told me of the snare in thesummer-house: it was Antoinette de Mauban's.

　　"I have no cause to love you," it ran, "but God forbid that you shouldfall into the power of the duke. Accept no invitations of his. Go nowherewithout a large guard--a regiment is not too much to make you safe. Showthis, if you can, to him who reigns in Strelsau.""Why doesn't it say "the King"?" asked Flavia, leaning over myshoulder, so that the ripple of her hair played on my cheek. "Is it a hoax?""As you value life, and more than life, my queen," I said, "obey it tothe very letter. A regiment shall camp round your house today. See thatyou do not go out unless well guarded.""An order, sire?" she asked, a little rebellious.

　　"Yes, an order, madame--if you love me.""Ah!" she cried; and I could not but kiss her.

　　"You know who sent it?" she asked.

　　"I guess," said I. "It is from a good friend--and I fear, an unhappywoman. You must be ill, Flavia, and unable to go to Zenda. Make yourexcuses as cold and formal as you like.""So you feel strong enough to anger Michael?" she said, with a proudsmile.

　　"I'm strong enough for anything, while you are safe," said I.

　　Soon I tore myself away from her, and then, without consulting Sapt, Itook my way to the house of Marshal Strakencz. I had seen something ofthe old general, and I liked and trusted him. Sapt was less enthusiastic, but I had learnt by now that Sapt was best pleased when he could doeverything, and jealousy played some part in his views. As things werenow, I had more work than Sapt and Fritz could manage, for they mustcome with me to Zenda, and I wanted a man to guard what I loved most inall the world, and suffer me to set about my task of releasing the King witha quiet mind.

　　The Marshal received me with most loyal kindness. To some extent, Itook him into my confidence. I charged him with the care of the princess,looking him full and significantly in the face as I bade him let no one fromher cousin the duke approach her, unless he himself were there and adozen of his men with him.

　　"You may be right, sire," said he, shaking his grey head sadly. "I haveknown better men than the duke do worse things than that for love."I could quite appreciate the remark, but I said:

　　"There's something beside love, Marshal. Love's for the heart; is therenothing my brother might like for his head?""I pray that you wrong him, sire.""Marshal, I'm leaving Strelsau for a few days. Every evening I willsend a courier to you. If for three days none comes, you will publish anorder which I will give you, depriving Duke Michael of the governorshipof Strelsau and appointing you in his place. You will declare a state ofsiege. Then you will send word to Michael that you demand an audienceof the King--You follow me?""Ay, sire.""--In twenty-four hours. If he does not produce the King" (I laid myhand on his knee), "then the King is dead, and you will proclaim the nextheir. You know who that is?""The Princess Flavia.""And swear to me, on your faith and honour and by the fear of theliving God, that you will stand by her to the death, and kill that reptile, andseat her where I sit now.""On my faith and honour, and by the fear of God, I swear it! And mayAlmighty God preserve your Majesty, for I think that you go on an errandof danger.""I hope that no life more precious than mine may be demanded," said I,rising. Then I held out my hand to him.

　　"Marshal," I said, "in days to come, it may be--I know not-- that youwill hear strange things of the man who speaks to you now. Let him bewhat he may, and who he may, what say you of the manner in which hehas borne himself as King in Strelsau?"The old man, holding my hand, spoke to me, man to man.

　　"I have known many of the Elphbergs," said he, "and I have seen you.

　　And, happen what may, you have borne yourself as a wise King and abrave man; ay, and you have proved as courteous a gentleman and asgallant a lover as any that have been of the House.""Be that my epitaph," said I, "when the time comes that another sits onthe throne of Ruritania.""God send a far day, and may I not see it!" said he.

　　I was much moved, and the Marshal's worn face twitched. I sat downand wrote my order.

　　"I can hardly yet write," said I; "my finger is stiff still."It was, in fact, the first time that I had ventured ............