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From The King of the Mountains, by Edmond About, Translated from the French; with a Critical Introduction by Andrew Lang; a Frontispiece and Numerous Other Portraits with Descriptive Notes by Octave Uzanne; The French Classical Romances Complete in Twenty Crown Octavo Volumes, Editor-in-Chief Edmond Gosse, LL.D; New York: P. F. Collier & Son; 1902; pp. 288-301.
CHAPTER VIII
THE COURT BALL
ON Thursday, May 16, John Harris, in full uniform, took me back to our old boarding-house. Our worthy hosts received me warmly, but sighed over and seemed very sorry for the fate of the Mountain King. As for me, I embraced them heartily. I was so happy to be alive, and to see again none but friends around me. My feet were healed, my hair had been put in order, and I had feasted like Lucullus, and so I felt uncommonly comfortable. Dimitrius assured me that Mrs. Simons and Mary-Ann were invited to the ball, that a dress for the young lady had just been taken home from the first dressmakers in Athens to the Hôtel des Étrangers, and I rejoiced at the thought of the surprise which awaited Mary-Ann when she should once more behold me, and in Court dress.
Christodulos offered me a glass of his glorious wine, and really it seemed to restore freedom, health, and happiness. Before entering my room 289 I knocked at M. Mérinay’s door. He received me seated in the midst of a confused mass of books and papers.
“Dear sir,” said he heroically, “you see a man worn out with work. I have discovered at Castia an antique inscription, which deprived me of the pleasure of striking a blow in your defence, and which, for the last two days, has given me much anxiety. I have assured myself that it is genuine. No one ever has seen it before me; I shall have the honour of the discovery; my name will be attached to it for ever. The stone is a small monument of shelly-limestone, about thirty-five inches high and twenty-two inches wide. The characters are of a good period, and perfectly cut. This is the inscription as I have copied it in my pocket-book :
S. T. X. X. I. I.
M. D. C. C. C. L. I.
“If I succeed in interpreting it, my fortune is made. I shall be created Member of the Academy of Inscriptions and Belles-Lettres of Pont-Audémar.
“But the task of deciphering is a long and difficult one, for Antiquity guards her secrets with a jealous care. I much fear that I have met with a monument relating to the Eleusinian mysteries. 290 In this case, two interpretations might be required — the one popular, or demotic; the other sacred, or hieratic. But give me, I beg of you, your opinion.”
“Which is that of a dunce,” I replied. “I believe that you have discovered a post of which one sees so many on the high-roads, and that the inscription that has give you so much trouble can be thus translate: ‘Stade, 22, 1851!’ And now, good-evening, dear M. Mérinay. I’m going to write to my father, and then array myself in my embroidered uniform to attend the State ball tonight.”
My letter to my parents was an ode, a hymn, a song of triumphant happiness. The joy of my heart seemed to transmit itself to the paper, to flow from my pen like ink. I invited the whole family, including Aunt Rosenthaler, to my wedding; begged my father to sell the inn at once and at whatever price, and my brothers to take to some other employment. I took the responsibility upon myself, and promised to provide for them all.
Without losing a minute, I sealed my dispatch and sent it by express on board a boat belonging to the Austrian Lloyd’s at the Piræus, which was to start next morning at six o’clock. “In this 291 way,” thought I, “they will hear of my happiness almost as soon as myself.”
At a quarter to nine, accompanied by Harris, I entered the palace with military punctuality. None of my other comrades had yet arrived. My three-cornered hat was perhaps a little rusty, but that did not much matter, seeing the brilliancy shed around by the multitude of wax-lights. My sword was seven or eight inches too short. But what did that signify? Courage is not measured by the length of a weapon, and without vanity I had the right to pass for a hero. The red coat was tight, especially under the arm, and the sleeve-cuffs did not reach to the wrists; but, as father had foretold, the embroidery looked extremely well.
The ball-room was decorated with some taste, and splendidly illuminated. On one side, behind the thrones of the King and Queen, chairs were reserved for the ladies; on the other stood those intended for the men. I cast an eager glance round, but Mary-Ann had not yet arrived.
At nine o’clock, I saw the King and Queen enter the ball-room, preceded by the Mistress of the Robes, the Marshal of the Palace, the ladies of honour, and the aides-de-camp. Among others, Mr. George Micrommatis was especially pointed out to me. The King wore a magnificent Palikar 292 costume, and the Queen a dress, the supreme elegance of which proved its Parisian origin. The splendour of the dresses, and, above all, of the national costumes, did not dazzle me sufficiently to make me forget Mary-Ann, and I watched the entrance-door with unspeakable impatience.
The members of the diplomatic corps, and the principal guests, formed a circle round the King and Queen, who conversed cordially with them for about half-an-hour.
I was in the last row with Harris, and an officer, who stood before us, drew back so awkwardly that he put his foot on mine, and I could not help crying out. He turned to excuse himself, and I recognized Captain Pericles, newly decorated with the Order of the Redeemer. He asked pardon and inquired after my health, whereupon I told him that my salubrity was no business of his.
Harris, who knew the whole story, now pressed forward and said :
“Is it not Mr. Pericles whom I have the honour of addressing?”
“Precisely.”
“Charmed to meet you, sir. May I request you to accompany me for a moment into the next room? It is still empty, and we shall be alone.”
“At your orders, sir,” replied the amazed Pericles, 293 who, paler than a soldier just leaving the hospital, followed us with a sickly smile on his abject countenance. As soon as he entered the room he faced John Harris, and said: “I wait to hear what you have to say to me, sir.”
John answered by tearing off the cross attached to its new ribbon, and put it in his own pocket.
“There, sir, that’s all I have to say to you!”
“Sir!” exclaimed the astounded Captain, making a step backward.
“No noise, sir, I beg. If you care for this plaything, you can send two of your friends to fetch it from John Harris, of the United States of America, in command of the Fancy.”
“Sir,” said Pericles, “I don’t know by what right you take from me a cross worth fifteen francs, and which I shall be obliged to replace at my own expense.”
“Oh! if that’s all, here’s a twenty-shilling piece — ten francs for the cross, and five for the ribbon. If there is anything over, pray drink my health with it.”
“In that case, it only remains for me to thank you,” and, so saying, Pericles bowed without a word; but his evil eyes glared menacingly at both of us.
“My dear Hermann, you and your intended 294 wife will do well to leave this country as soon as possible. That man looks a thorough blackguard. As for me, I shall stay here a week to give him an opportunity for settling with me, after which I shall obey the order that sends me to Japan.”
“I’m sorry,” said I, “that you went so far. I really do not like leaving Greece without one or two specimens of the Borgana variabilis. I have only one incomplete specimen, without roots, and I left it up there in my tin-box.”
“Make a drawing of your plant, and give it to Lobster and Giacomo. They’ll perform a pilgrimage in the mountain to look for it. But, for God’s sake, place yourself and your happiness in safety without delay!”
Meanwhile, “my happiness” was not visible. I searched for her among the dancers, but in vain, and towards midnight began to lose all hope. At last I left the larger room and seated myself in the adjacent apartment, and began to watch in absent-minded condition a party of whist-players, who seemed indisposed to rely entirely upon chance. I began to be interested in their dexterity when a silvery laugh made my heart stand still, and then to beat violently. Mary-Ann was behind me!
My sight almost failed, and I dared not turn towards her; but I felt her presence, and my joy 295 nearly stifled me. I never knew what made her laugh — perhaps some ridiculous dress; there are always some funny dresses at an official ball. At last it occurred to me that I was standing opposite a mirror. I looked, and without being seen, saw her — I mean Mary-Ann — standing near her mother and uncle. She appeared more radiantly lovely than on the day when first we met.
Three rows of pearls were entwined round her lovely throat. Her fine eyes shone like stars, her teeth glittered like polished ivory, and the light played in the masses of her beautiful auburn hair. Her dress was possibly not more beautiful than that of scores of other young girls present; but at any rate she did not wear a bird of paradise on her head like Mrs. Simons.
Her skirt was, I remember, looped up at intervals by bunches of natural flowers; she had flowers in her bodice and in her hair. But what the flowers were, my dear sir, you never will guess. When I saw them I was transported. They were none other than the Borgana variabilis! Everything then had come to me at a rush. I was the happiest of men and of naturalists. I lost my head, and turning suddenly towards her, held out my hands, crying: “It’s I, Mary-Ann, I — I — Hermann!”
296Would you believe it, my dear sir, instead of falling into my arms, she drew back terrified, while Mrs. Simons’s head rose so high that I thought the bird of paradise would have touched the ceiling! The old gentleman took my hand, led me aside, and after examining me as if I were some curious beast, asked dryly: “Sir, have you been introduced to these ladies?”
“What does that matter, my dear Mr. Sharper? My dear uncle! I’m Hermann! — Hermann Schultz, the companion of their captivity. Ah! if you knew all I’ve gone through since they left. But I’ll tell you all that at home.”
“Yes, yes; but English custom exacts an introduction to ladies before speaking to them.”
“But they know me. We have dined together often. I’ve rendered them a service worth four thousand pounds, you know, with the Mountain King.”
“Yes, yes; but you have not been introduced.”
“But don’t you know that I risked death a hundred times for my dear Mary-Ann?”
“Very good; but you’ve not been introduced.”
“But I’m engaged to marry her. Her mother has consented. Haven’t you heard that I am to marry her/”
297“Not till after you have been formally introduced,” continued the old gentleman sternly.
“Introduce me then.”
“Yes, yes, that is all very well, but you must first be introduced to me.”
“Wait a bit,” I answered, and then I ran like madman through the crowd, knocking up against I don’t know how many couples. Then my sword got between my legs; I slipped on the wax floor, and fell face downward. John Harris picked me up.
“Who are you looking for?”
“They’re here! I have seen them, and I’m going to marry Mary-Ann; but first I must be introduced to them — it’s the English fashion. Help me, my dear friend! Where are they? Did you see a tall woman with a bird of paradise in her head-dress?”
“Yes. She has just left the ball-room with a very pretty girl.”
“Left the ball-room! But she’s Mary-Ann’s mother!”
“Be quiet, old fellow. We’ll find her, and I’ll have you introduced by the American Minister.”
“Yes; that will do. I’ll show you her uncle, Edward Sharper. I left him here. But where has he gone? He can’t be far.”
298Uncle Edward has also disappeared. I dragged poor Harris out into the Square, in front of the Royal Palace, to the Hôtel des Étrangers. There were lights in Mrs. Simons’s rooms, but after a short time they disappeared. Every one had gone to bed.
“Let us follow their example,” said Harris. “Sleep will restore your nerves. To-morrow, between one and two o’clock, I will settle your affair.”
My night was more restless even than any of those I had passed among the brigands. Harris slept with me, which means that he didn’t close his eyes. We could hear the carriages of the royal guests going home down Hermes Street. At five the sleep of exhaustion overcame me.
Three hours later Dimitrius entered into the room, crying; “I’ve news — great news!”
“What news?”
“Your Englishwomen have just left.”
“Where for?”
“Trieste.”
“Dimitrius, are you sure?”
“I took them to the boat.”
“My poor friend,” said Harris, pressing my hands, “gratitude imposes itself, but, alas! love cannot be forced!”
299“Alas!” repeated Dimitrius. The words found an echo in the youth’s heart.
Since that day, my dear sir, I have lived like the beasts of the field — eating, drinking, breathing. My collections were sent to Hamburg without a single flower of the Borgana variabilis. On the day after the ball my friends took me to the French steamer, but thought it prudent to do so at night, not wishing to meet either Pericles or his men. We arrived safely at the Piræus, but when about five-and-twenty fathoms from the shore, the balls from a half-dozen invisible guns whistled past our ears. It was the farewell of the handsome Captain and his charming country.
I have roamed the mountains of Malta, Sicily, and the Italian Peninsula, and my herbal has become rich in curious specimens, while I have remained poor. Happily my father did not dispose of the inn, and a letter from him, received at Messina, tells me that my efforts are appreciated over there; so, perhaps, when I return, I shall find a position, but I have now made a law unto myself — never to count anything as sure in this world.
Harris is on his way to Japan, and I may hear from him in a year or two. Little Lobster wrote 300 to me at Rome, that he is always practising shooting. Giacomo continues to seal letters by day, and crack nuts in the evening. M. Mérinay has found a much more ingenious meaning for his inscription than the one I suggested, and his great work on Demosthenes will certainly be published one day.
The King of the Mountains has built himself a large mansion on the Pentelicos road, with a guard-house to lodge five-and-twenty devoted Palikars. He has also hired small abode in the modern city over the borders of the great stream. He receives much, and uses his utmost efforts to become Minister of Justice, but some time will probably elapse before he succeeds. Photini is mistress of his house. Dimitrius occasionally sups and sighs in the kitchen.
I never have heard a word of Mrs. Simons, of Mr. Sharper, or of Mary-Ann. If this silence continues, I shall soon cease to think of them. Now and then I dream that I stand before her, and that my long thin face is reflected in her deep brown eyes.
Then I awake, shed bitter tears, and curse my fate. What I regret is not, believe me, the woman — but the fortune and position I had missed! It was well for me that I did not lose 301 my heart, and every day I am thankful my temperament renders me impermeable to Cupid’s darts. My dear sir, how much more to be pitied I should be had I really fallen in love with Mary-Ann!
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