"We will pray your Majesty for an early opportunity," quoth Rupert airily;and he strode past Sapt with such jeering scorn on his face that I saw the old fellow clench his fist and scowl black as night.
For my part, if a man must needs be a knave, I would have him a debonair knave, and I liked Rupert Hentzau better than his long-faced, close-eyed companions.It makes your sin no worse, as I conceive, to do it a la mode and stylishly.
Now it was a curious thing that on this first night, instead of eating the excellent dinner my cooks had prepared for me, I must needs leave my gentlemen to eat it alone, under Sapt's presiding care, and ride myself with Fritz to the town of Zenda and a certain little inn that I knew of.There was little danger in the excursion; the evenings were long and light, and the road this side of Zenda well frequented.So off we rode, with a groom behind us.I muffled myself up in a big cloak.
"Fritz," said I, as we entered the town, "there's an uncommonly pretty girl at this inn.""How do you know?" he asked.
"Because I've been there," said I.
"Since--?" he began.
"No.Before," said I.
"But they'll recognize you?"
"Well, of course they will.Now, don't argue, my good fellow, but listen to me.We're two gentlemen of the King's household, and one of us has a toothache.The other will order a private room and dinner, and, further, a bottle of the best wine for the sufferer.And if he be as clever a fellow as I take him for, the pretty girl and no other will wait on us.""What if she won't?" objected Fritz.
"My dear Fritz," said I, "if she won't for you, she will for me."We were at the inn.Nothing of me but my eyes was visible as I walked in.The landlady received us; two minutes later, my little friend (ever, I fear me, on the look-out for such guests as might prove amusing) made her appearance.Dinner and the wine were ordered.I sat down in the private room.A minute later Fritz came in.
"She's coming," he said.
"If she were not, I should have to doubt the Countess Helga's taste."She came in.I gave her time to set the wine down--I didn't want it dropped.Fritz poured out a glass and gave it to me.
"Is the gentleman in great pain?" the girl asked, sympathetically.
"The gentleman is no worse than when he saw you last," said I, throwing away my cloak.
She started, with a little shriek.Then she cried:
"It was the King, then! I told mother so the moment I saw his picture.
Oh, sir, forgive me!"
"Faith, you gave me nothing that hurt much," said I.
"But the things we said!"
"I forgive them for the thing you did."
"I must go and tell mother."
"Stop," said I, assuming a graver air."We are not here for sport tonight.Go and bring dinner, and not a word of the King being here."She came back in a few minutes, looking grave, yet very curious.
"Well, how is Johann?" I asked, beginning my dinner.
"Oh, that fellow, sir--my lord King, I mean!"""Sir" will do, please.How is he?"
"We hardly see him now, sir."
"And why not?"
"I told him he came too often, sir," said she, tossing her head.
"So he sulks and stays away?"
"Yes, sir."
"But you could bring him back?" I suggested with a smile.
"Perhaps I could," said she.
"I know your powers, you see," said I, and she blushed with pleasure.
"It's not only that, sir, that keeps him away.He's very busy at the Castle.""But there's no shooting on now."
"No, sir; but he's in charge of the house.""Johann turned housemaid?"
The little girl was brimming over with gossip.
