Rupert of Hentzau

years or centuries, could scarcely feel secure in reckoning that with the death of the Duke of Strelsau and the restoration of King Rudolf to liberty and his throne, there would end, for

ould there not then be an end? So said I to my friend the Constable of Zenda, as we talked by the bedside of Marshal Strakencz. The old man, already nearing the death that soon after robbed us of his aid and counsel, bowed his head in assent: i

zau–Rischenheim, a young man of high rank and great wealth who was devoted to Rupert. The count fulfilled his mission well: acknowledging Rupert’s heavy offences, he put forward in his behalf the pleas of youth and of the predominant influence which Duke Michael had exercised over his adherent, and promised, in words so significant as to betray Rupert’s own dictation, a future fidelity no less discreet than hearty. “Give me my price and I’ll hold my tongue,” seemed to come in Rupert’s off-hand accents through his cousin’s deferential lips. As may be supposed, however, the king and those who advised him in the matter, knowing too well the manner of man the Count of Hentzau was, were not inclined to give ear

ent of the kingdom and the considerations that dictated the royal policy. More than this, he possessed himself of every detail concerning the king’s health, although the utmost reticence was observed on this subject. Had his discoveries stopped there, they would have been vexatious and disquieting, but perhaps of little serious harm. They went further. Set on the track by his acquaintance with what had passed during Mr. Rassendyll’s tenure of the throne, he penetrated the secret which had been kept successfully from the king himself. In the knowledge of it he found the opportunity for which he had waited; in its bold use he discerned his chance. I cannot say whether he were influenced more strongly by his desire to reestablish his position in the kingdom

a I knew, and know, so well as a man can know it. I think it needs a woman to know it fully; for even now my wife’s eyes fill with tears when we speak of it. Yet she bore it, and if she failed in anything, I wonder that it was in so little. For it was not only that she had never loved the king and had loved another with all her heart. The king’s health, shattered by the horror and rigors of his imprisonment in the castle of Zenda, soon broke utterly. He lived, indeed; nay, he shot and hunted, and kept in his hand some measure, at least, of government. But always from the day of his release he was a fretful invalid, different utterly from the gay and jovial prince whom Michael’s villains had caught in the shooting lodge. There was worse than this. As time went on, the first impulse of gratitude and admiration that he had felt towards Mr. Rassendyll died away. He came to brood more and more on what had passed while he was a prisoner; he was possessed not only by a haunting dread of Rupert of Hentzau, at whose hands he had suffered so greatly, but also by a morbid, half mad jea

n duty; but in some moments, being but human and herself a woman of high temper, she failed; then the slight rebuff or involuntary coldness was magnified by a sick man’s fancy into great offence or studied insult, and nothing that she could do would atone for it. Thus they, who had never in trut

tened to with dignity. I was there, and Sapt; the colonel’s small eyes had gleamed in anger. “I should like to shut his mouth for him,” I heard him mutter, for the king’s waywardness had well-nigh worn out even his devotion. The thing, of which I will say no more, happened a day or two before I was to set out to meet Mr. Rassendyll. I was to seek him this time at Wintenberg, for I had been recognized the yea

ing that safely, won’t you? Ah, Fritz, I know I’m wrong, but I’m starved, starved, starved! And it’s for the last time. For I know now that if I send anything, I must se

out of their paleness to a stormy red; her eyes defied me e

y it safely and bring his

he merry twinkle to his eyes. When you speak of me, see if he — if he looks as if he still loved me.” But then she broke off, crying, “But don’t tell him I said that.

go and how return, and how I was to run no danger, because my wife Helga loved me as well as she would have loved her husband had Heaven been ki

Rassendyll, but supposed that I was engaged on the private business which I made my pretext for obtaining leave of absence from the king. This time I had determined to take wit

t it vexes me to remember how that stout, guileless-looking youth made a fool of me. For Rupert knew that I had met Mr. Rassendyll the year before at Dresden; Rupert was keeping a watchful eye on all that passed in Strelsau; Rupert had procured the fellow his fine testimonial

very core of his bones. He was annoyed at my going, and questioned me peevishly about the business that occasioned my journey. I parried his curiosity as I

en, I wonder if a king was ever served so badly as I am! Why did you trouble

le. I could only assure him that I woul

ho knows what that villain Rupert may attempt against me? And

my errand. Had I spoken a word of Mr. Rassendyll he would not have let me go. He had fallen foul of me before on learning that I was in communication with Rudolf; so completely had jealousy destroyed grat

him, I told him of the letter I carried, and arranged how to apprise him of my fortune surely and quickly. He w

e at Zenda by the time you arrive at Wintenberg,” he said. “The cour

ed: “Destroy the letter

ded m

with a surly smile. “Heaven knows why she must send such a silly mes

took no notice of the terms that he applied to the queen’s farewe

I should lose the letter — though there’s little chance

run the chance for a letter’s sake! A letter’s

s the only thing that a m

ll him to do something more. Let ’em say good-by and have done with it. Good God, is he going

do?” I asked. “Isn’t

ne,” he answered. “At least he

was not guilty of it, but his disappointment was bitter that all our efforts had secure

, as I shook him by the hand. Then a sudden light cam

elf to share our meal and our farewell. He conversed with his usual airy emptiness on all the topics that were supplying Strelsau with gossip. There were rumors that the king was ill; that the queen was angry at being carried off to Zenda

, “that Rupert of Hentzau would be recalled

gested step was so utterly at variance with the king’s intentions that I made no difficulty about contr

u’re bound to say so. All I know is that Rischenhei

lieves what he

Strelsau? I tell you he’s gone to meet Rupert, and I’ll bet you what you l

made haste to admit as much. “I didn’t even know that

izingly, “You should keep your ears open, my boy

me I held no office save the honorary position of chamberlain to Her Maj

I bade the butler tell Bauer to go forward with my luggage and to let my carriage be at the door in good time. Helga had busied herself, since our guest’s departure, in preparing small comforts for my journey; now she came to me to say good-by. Although she tried to hide all signs of it, I detected an uneasiness in her manner. She did not li

udolf,” said she. “Though you carry what

uch of it, sweet,” said I. She caught m

ked me. Well, I shouldn’t. I am foolish enough to have my own idol.” All my modesty did not let me doubt who her idol might be. Sudden

e whispered. “Something that will comfort her.

o comfort her,” I answered.

ut in good heart, bearing in the pocket of my coat the little box and the queen’s good-by. And, as Colonel Sapt said to me, bot