HER LITTLE HIGHNESS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 190, 10 August 1895, Page 6

HER LITTLE HIGHNESS.

EK-jrai-Amn) fbom the Gbbman oj NATA-.* YON BsCHSTRtWH.

Author of ' A Priestess of Comedy,' «Cotmtesa Dyuar,' • A Princess of tho Stage,' etc., etc.

BYELISEL. LATEEOP.

CHAPTER XL (Continued.) Yhe red silk curtains of Duke Henry's ifcudy were closely drawn. The Bunlighb shining bhrough them was reflected in the crystal ornaments on the broad writingtable, before which sab bhe dnke, calm and pleasanb as ever, listening to a report from Counb Cyril, whom he had summoned to bis presence. Before him on the tabl6 lay bhe fatal book—' Madam Pobiphar '—and the band which rested upon ib was as steady as though the firebrand which these pages had kindled did not concern him or his in bhe slightest. 'So your secret investigations in nook stores and with the police were wifehoub result, my dear counb?' Cyril bowed. * The hopes which bhey could hold oub to me of discovering the author were bo vague that they seem vain. But ib is possible, your highness, febab I am particularly ill suited to the mission with which your highbees haa honoured me. I beg you. as urgently as respectfully to choose some clever and renowned man who may undertake my unsuccessful expedition with better results.' The duke smilingly shook his head. ' That would be a useless waste of time. 1 do not seek bo discover the anonymous author bhab I may call bim bo account, bub to make bhe acquaintance of a man who has hitherto hid his light under a bushel, and who ia worth discovery. However, lam not curious, and will try to pierce no disguise. Let Princess Kafaela first express her wish in the matter.'

The speaker waa silent for a moment, and thoughtfully turned the pages of the book. Then he buddenly gazed into the count's grave, immovable face. ' Have you read the book yet, Lankwitz V ' Yes, your highness.' 'Tell me frankly what impression did it make upon you V Cyril's eyes meb those of his sovereign frankly and fearlessly. • Your highnoss knows my views of the world and mankind. The author of this book seams to be as eccentric an I, for he has written my very thoughts.' The duke laughed sofbly. 'If the name Lanfewitz were nob mentioned too comproraicingly io the book, I would believe, my dear count, that ib was a resume ot your dark thought. But joking aside, to think, write and publish are different matters. Do you think the author a gentleman of our circle ?' The young man'B face wore a gloomy look. • He has certainly forfeited sneh a position now.' a • How so ? In spite of extreme frankness, tbe book is decenb and refined. It contains mere truths, alas. Certainly it ia to be doubted whether a friend of our house would so remorselessly proclaim bhe truth to all tbe world. I therefore asfiribe ib to an enemy as bitter as.irreconcilable.' Cyril's eyes flashed. ' Probably only an enemy of Princess Rafaela and my father,' he murmured between his teeth. • Of your father ?' ' He is described as a mocking Joseph. Must not that endanger his position in Sophienhof as well as in the palace here?' There was an eager, almost anxious bone in the questioner's voice. 'In Sophienhof, possibly. Ab least I shall personally do all in my power to persuade the princess to banish irom her j presence a man with whom public opinion so fatally connects her name. But the modern Joseph shall nob be thrown into a dungeon, but rather be a more frequent guest in our palace. And now, my dear counb, be again to-day my friendly companion on a secret visit to Sophienhof, ac you were on that unfortunate evening when we expected the young couple,' The duke was staring thoughtfully before him, and did not notice the count's start or the changing flush and pallor of his face. He rose quickly, and put the copy of ' Madame I'otiphar ' in his pocket. ' I think ib my duty bo go in person to Sophienhof today to speak with the princess concerning this book.' He drew a. deep breath, and then the following; words seemed to escape his lips iuvoluntarily : •God grant bhat it may have a good influence upon her. It seems to me that these pitiless pages must bear noble fruib, and as though ab the head of this hostile attack were the inscription: "You thought to do harm, but God has made you beneficial." Come, my dear counb. Ido not care that the public should discuss my visit to Sophienhof prematurely, therefore I take you with me, because I know thab you will keep silent. I will not take a carriage, bub go through the park by a quiet, solitary path with which possibly you are not yet acquainted.'

He held out his hand, and did nob notice thab the young man drew ib to his hob, quivering iips in unusual excitement; then he turned and hastily summoned his vnleb.

Tha park was in all bhe beauty of young spring as the two men walked along in eilenes, both absorbed in bhought. Sophionhof, despite the lata hour, seemed Btiil asleep. The white curtains were drawn before the windows behind which Princess Kafaela had yesterday participated in private theatricals and dancing. A carriage, that of the physician who visited poor Prince Carl Gustav each day, stood waiting befora tbo door. Tho coachman was chatting with two sleepy lackeys.

' Will you have the kindness, my dear coont, to announce my visit to bhe prince, shortly,' said the duke, turning to his companion after a long silence. 'I should like to enter once more unseen, by the side door. You will make use of the main entrance, if you please, and take all possible core that tbe servants know nothing of my presence for the present.' Cyril bowed, waited until the duke had turned into a path leading to the side door, and then slowly crossed tho open space in front of the palace. How long ife was since he entered Sophienhof last I He glanced gloomily at the spot where he had stood on that unfortunate evening and suddenly discovered his father, when he tad read in Rafaela's eyes thab nothing had been able to kill her love. Then wild passion, hatred had come over him: he had "rushed away through the dark night, and struck his clenched fists madly againsb his brow, while his heart cried out: 'I will repay this !' Gradually his plan bad maburod. He shut himself up from the world, and while fainb echoes from Sophienhof instilled fresh drops of poison into hie sick heart, he poured oub his natred and desire for vengeance in the pages which, under the tible,.«Madame Fotiphar, fell like brimstone npon the wicked Sodom. Cyril's pale face, with the dark, flashing eyes, is defiant to-day, as he is aboub to set foot in Sophienhof once more.

Had he done wrong ? Had «Madame £otiphar been too harshly dealb with! No, he condemned a woman who openly

displayed her love for another. He had not written a single untruth, nor had he judged her too severely. He could have forgiven her anything else, bat this love, never. Many times hia conscience and honour had reproached him for having pilloried a weak, defenseless woman, so he clung all the more to the proofs of her guilt, her unconcealed admiration for his father, which nothing could excuse. It was this love which irritabed him to wild passion and the desire for vengeance. A strange calm had come over him siuce ho had written this book; the crisis was past. Absorbed in thought, the young count entered the vestibule of Sophienhof. Faded flowers skill stood in large vases, and in the large banquet hall at the left servants were busy putting things in order after last night's festivities. All faces wore a look of excitement, and the lackey who had admitted Cyril seemed anxious and ill at ease, ' I come to announce the visit of his highness the duke to his highness the prince,' Baid the young cbnnt. ' Will it be received ?' ' Ob, Count Lankwitz. Matters are very, very bad with him — worse than ever,' sighed the faithful servant. Cyril started slightly. ' How so ? Has—haa—his highness been excited in any way— Oh, thab would be terrible !' 'Oh no, sir. The old trouble. His highness is always specially nervous when an entertainment is given here, and lasb nighb he had a worse abtack. The valeb says the physician thinks this ia the beginniog of tho end, and that the brain is greatly affected.' Count Lankwitz Bank down in one of the chairs in the ante-room as though forgetting himself, ' Thab would be terrible,' he murmured, breathing heavily. 'Does her highness know this ?' The lackey shrugged his shoulders. ' Her highness was sbill asleep fifteen minutes ago.' The door opened, and the prince's adjutant, pale and disturbed, hastily crossed the threshold. He held out his hand absently to Cyril, and turned at once to the lackey. 'Corner, send the doctor's carriage as quickly as possible to Professor Thielen. Tell him to come at once ; a fresh stroke has seb io.' The man rushed noiselessly oub of the door, while the adjutant hastily summoned another attendant. * Announce ib to.his highness, the" duke, immediately. Run to the palace and give this bullebin into his highuess's own hands..' Cyril hastily approached them. * A momenb, captain !' and he bent and whispered a few words to the adjutant. ' Oh, thab is different,' said the latter in surprise. 'So much tbe better. Tho princess then will learn ib ab once. Will you have the kindness, in this case, to notify his highness yourself, my dear count 1 Here is the note. I hope we can expecb their highnesses in half an hour— no sooner, the physician requests. A thousand thanks in advance. Au revoir V And the speaker hastily disappeared behind the portieres, Wibh cold, trembling fingers Cyril held the envelope, and turned like one in a dream to a lackey. * How can I reach the princess's reception room from here, and attract as little notice as possible V he aßked, dully. 'If the count will use the little bronze staircase which connects her highuess's drawing-rooms with tbe prince's apartments.' The man preceded Cyril through two side rooms, and drew back & portiere which concealed a little winding staircase. ' This way, if you please, counb.' Slowly, breathing heavily, the young man mounted the staiscase. Why did fate bring him here on this day of all- others, and why was it bo indescribably hard for him to go to her presence ? {To be Continued.)