Temporal Power: A Study in Supremacy

nd, and rain had vanished like the flying phantoms of an evil dream, and all the beau

delphus, or 'mock orange' grew in thick bushes on either side, intermingled with ferns and spruce firs, whose young green tips exhaled a pungent, healthy scent that entered into the blood like wine and invigorated it, Sir Roger de Launay was pacing to and fro with a swinging step which, notwithstanding its ease and soldierly regularity, suggested something of impatience, and on a rustic seat, above which great cl

to read a book-my book for example,-that particularly clever one I wrote on the possibilities of eternal life in this world. They at once snatch their pens and write to say that they are specially deserving of this boon, and wish to live

l importance. He glanced from his reading now and again at De Launay marching up and down, but said nothing till h

Rhine!-the Rhine! Ah, the beautiful Rhine! So dirty-so dull-with its toy castles, and its big, ugly factory chimneys, and its

answered Sir Roger, stopping abruptly-"You

Glauben. "We should only let steam out over t

o see him ag

you go

a month,

fessor sententiously; "Your hair may grow whi

is eyes, and th

n. "Upon my soul as a German,-if I have any soul of t

then," said De Launay. "I told you

"I was summoned to his presence early this morning, a

for you then?" en

gown! And I enjoyed it, of course,-one must always enjoy Royal pleasantries! I think, Roger, his Majesty wish

for a minute or two,

ed to a private audien

the overhanging philadelphus flowers dow

ore deliberately, "this afternoon t

umped excited

possi

dawning amusement beginning to

be in readiness at three o'clock. Their Majesties and suite wil

r of his natural expression, and his suppressed feelings found vent in a smothered exclamation, which soun

Launay; "You seem strangely u

ing! Roger, if I did not respect yo

ger la

me know why you do so! What is my offence? I give you a piece of commonplace information concerning th

ut," said Von

laughed. "That last must

evere!" His brow smoothed, and he smiled. "See here, my dear friend!

er, his eyes still twinkling merrily; "And both a

particularly on the fact that men will

ent take you for a raw lad of about eighteen,-for

out a handkerchief,

the heat?" He paused-then with a sudden burst of impatience he exclaimed: "By the Emperor's head! It is o

d at him in com

p off to The Islands?

ve secrets, eh?" And he made a ludicrous attempt to appear sentimental. "The fact is, Roger,-I have got into a little scrape over at The Islands-" here he looked warmer and redder than ever;-"and I want to t

pardon me-but-in love? Am I to underst

my case;-or my case, speaking professionally, is that of a lady. And I shall get any sort

r you while you are absent-

air and exercise-besides, he has not commanded my attendance. He will not, therefore, be surprised at my absence. I tell you, Roger,

mistaken," said De Launay, lowering his voice as an approaching

ss. He was walking slowly, and reading as he came. Looking up from his b

ghtly; "I suppose your scientific wisdom te

n in somewhat doleful accents.-"For example, a sail across the sea with the morn

tly read something of a warning, or a suggestion, in

theory, Sir Roger," he s

equerry, "But I imagine that whatever Pro

the other, and then with a careless air

st have been happier than they are now, if this book may be believed. I

aid-'If this book may be believed.' I humbly v

Love is surely the greatest and highest. We do not here speak of the base and villainous craving of bodily appetite; but of that pure desire of the unfettered soul which beholding perfection, straightway and naturally flies to the same. This love doth so elevate and instruct a man, that he seeketh nothing better than to be worthy of it, to attempt great deeds and valiantly perform them, to confront foul abuses, and most potently destroy them,-and to este

ger lo

ses a truth we are all conscious of. All poets, worthy the name, and all autho

"Love is a mere illusion, which is generall

Humphry

" he said, "But I daresay you have suffere

ay, the Professor by his side. Sir Roger watched them as they disappeared, and saw, that at the furthest end of t

ixed up in some affair that he wishes to keep secret from the King. Can it co

was interrupted by

og

s sister, Teresa de Launay, a pretty brunette, with dark sparkling ey

sked, as he came near, "And what is t

all head to kiss her; "I cannot possibly answer both in

d. "The Queen desires you to

d an involuntary sigh escaped her, as she noted the

er Majesty?

he spied you at a distance through t

to her at once, and s

ith flying footsteps as light as those of a fabled sylph of the woodlands. He watched her go, and for a moment an expressi

use herself by reading every thought of my life w

e sat the Queen alone and unattended, save by Teresa de Launay, who drew a little apart as her brother, Sir Roger, approached, and respectfully bent his head in the Royal presence. For quite a minute he stood thus in dumb attention, his eyes lowered, while the Queen glanced at him with a curious expression, half of doubt, half of commiseration. Suddenly, as if moved by a quick impulse, she rose-a stately, exquisite figure, lo

wly, "notwithstanding your close attendance on my l

ured De Launa

Your life, like mine, belongs to the King and

with a look in his eyes of mingled pa

h a little meditativ

ir Roger," she said; "I wond

mewhat bitterly; "Sometimes we awaken to emotions too late-sometimes we never awaken. But I thi

neither. Life is so exceedingly trivial an affair, and is so soon over, that I have neve

with the deepest respect in his manner; "I take it that life and the world are but a preparation for something greater,

followed his own inclination, he would have snatched the flower from her dress and kissed it, in a kind of fierce defiance before her very eyes. But what would be the result of such an act? Merely a little contemptuous lifting of the

at the thou

s, and sorrow

ues less than he

d smile

cular humour. I am, however, entirely of your opinion that this life is only a term of preparation, and with this conviction I desire to have as littl

, Madam, I say it is possible,-it can b

nguid eyelids, sh

ro

nd groans of humanity! Oh, Madam, the ugly side has a strange beauty of its own that you dream not of! God makes ugliness as he makes beauty; God created the volcano belching forth fire and molten lava, as He created

as carried away by a passion that seemed almost ou

h you to speak thus

hot colour mounting t

ad

on tranquilly; "You are in his confidence. He is adopting new measures of domestic policy, in which, perchance, I may or may not be includ

y wandered by herself to the edge of the water-lily pool, and was bending over it, a grac

am I! You will not disclose his movements-nor shall I! But you are his close at

red life is not in my hands. I will defend him to the utmost limit of human possibility,-but if he

l of a compelling magnetism

is the duty of his servants to defend him from the consequences of his rashness; particularly if that rashness leads him into danger

or cared to know any of the affairs connected with the King, her husband. The mere fact that now her interest was roused, moved De Launay to speechless wonderment. He hardly dared raise his eyes to look at her, as she turned from him and went slowly, with her usual noiseless, floating grace of movement, towards the water-lily pool, there to rejoin her attendant, Teresa de Launa

a Queen, and the life of a King are enough for one man's mind to carry with any degree of safety! If it were not for the King,

ehold,-a vague impression of flurry and confusion. Through various passages and corridors, attendants and pages were either running about with extra haste, or else strolling to and fro with extr

said lightly, "an

replied the individual addressed; "But I have been sen

with a friendly nod passed on. He began

nce. It is the same thing all over the world-a deluded populace-a social movement which elects a parliament and ministry-and then the result,-which is, that this or that party hold the reins of government, on whichever side happens to be most advantageous t

ngland's Elizabeth had its result in the brilliant attainments of the many great men who crowded her Court-the social rule of Victoria, until the death of the Prince Consort, bred gentle women and chivalrous men. In all these cases, the reigning monarchs governed society, and society governed politics. Politics, indeed, can scarcely be considered apart from society, because on the nature and character of society depend the nature and character of politics. If society is made up of corrupt women and unprincipl

crowd had collected to see the Royal yacht being prepared for her afternoon's cruise. Though she was always kept ready for sailing, the King's orders this time had been sudden and peremptory, and, consequently, all the men on board were exceptionally hard at work getting th

onfidential post in the Royal household, but also on account of certain rumours which were circulated through the country concerning his wonderful skill in effecting complete cures where all hope of recovery had been abandoned. It was whispered, indeed, that he had discovered the 'Elixir of Life,' but that he would not allow its properties to be made known, lest as the Scripture saith, man should 'take and eat and live for ever.' It was not advisable-so the Professor was reported to have said-that all men should l

attention or sympathy. He entered the palace now with an easy, not to say assertive deportment, and as he ascended the broad staircase which led to the King's private apartments, he met the Chief of the Police coming down. This latter saluted him, but he barely acknowledged the courtesy, so taken by surprise was he at the sight of this administrative functionary in the palace at so early an hour. However, it

as been wit

more tha

ery in th

unay

ermitted to be cognisant of ev

looked sligh

ing is

humour! He is awaiting you, Marqui

to approach save two gentlemen-at-arms, who paced slowly up and down at either end on guard. At the expiration of about an hour, Sir Roger came out alone, and, glancing carelessly around him, strolled to the head of the grand staircase, and waited patiently there f

? Ah, well! You are a matchless worker! Renowned as you are for your studious observation of all that may tend to the advancement of the nation's interests-admired as you are for the complete sacrifice of all

u persist in maintaining your present attitude, the foreign controversy in which we a

ing l

first! If they condemn me, I am satisfied to be condemned! But the present political difference between ourselves and a friendly nation must be arranged without

it me to refuse the ho

of our Royal neighbours, who shall be nameless; and we conceive it our duty to make ourselves acquainted with the habits and customs of all our subjects in all quarters of our re

e of your intention, Si

e been but three years on the throne, we have resolved that no corner of our kingdom shall lack the sunlight of our presence!" He gave a mirthful side-glance at De Launay. Then, extending his hand cordially, he added: "May

that of his Sovereign, the

om my finger; I have forgotten my signet-ring

adily, and at once slipping off the ring in question, he ha

id approvingly; "Better,

said De Lutera bowing profoundly; "I sh

in flattering a king to the last, even while meditating on his possibl

ome notable persons of foreign distinction were waiting to be received. On the way thither, however, he turned to Sir

he said with a smile; "Methinks