Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 272: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A DASH FOR A THRONE. 265 Fortunately for me, he was a very poor diplomatist, and as my former knowledge of him gave me a sufficient clue to his real character, he could not so dissemble his manner as to mislead me. Without that clue he might have tricked me, of course, as he had tricked others. Apparently his interests lay entirely in carrying forward the plot to place the girl he was to marry on the throne. He would certainly secure her for- tune, while as her consort, he would enjoy a position of magnificent power infinitely alluring to a man of his nature. Moreover, he was the chosen repre- sentative of one of the most influential sections of Altenwald sOcusy, whose power must be an enormous factor in any struggle. Then I had been a good deal impressed by his momentary flash of sin- ' cerity when he had been speaking of the king’s mad excesses. He was then expressing a sincere opinion, I was sure; though whether his own or inspired by others for whom he was acting, I could not say. But the thought kept re- curring to me with ever increasing suggestiveness. The key to his conduct, I was convinced, lay in Braunstadt, and to Braun- stadt I would go at any risk. That there would be a risk, a child could see; and the nature of it would depend on the character of this man’s treachery, the people with whom he was cooperating, and the length they were prepared to go in silencing me. I regarded it as quite possible that I should not return. If, as was sup- posed, the death of the Count Gustav had been deliberately planned, I might take it for granted that I should be pursued with elmost equal hostility. This I had read plainly in the man’s manner; and it prepared me to believe that he himself had in some way been connected with Gustav's taking off. But there was another very serious consideration. If I was put out of the way and no one at the castle had‘ proof of Von Nauheim’s treachery, what would be Minna’s position? Obviously it must at once become one of con- summate peril. Ought I to go away, therefore, without warning her of the man’s true character; and without arranging some definite plan of action? Yet how was I to warn her without telling her what I knew and how I knew it; in other words, unless I took her into my confidence as to who I was? It will be easily understood how these thoughts perplexed me as I made my way up the broad stairway of the castle to the room where she was to receive me; and how infinitely the embarrassment was magnified by the unwonted emotions which her presence now as formerly roused in my breast. whe greeted me with sweet cordiality ; and the eyes which had an indescrib- able fascination for me, wore now an expression of almost anxious alarm as their gaze rested on my very grave face. The Baroness Gratz was with her, a circumstance which made me unwilling to speak plainly and added to my embarrassment. I inquired after the health of the two and uttered one or two common- places, when Minna, after a pause, during which she had most attentively studied my looks, exclaimed: “You have not come only to say these things, cousin. Your face tells me plainly enough there is something urgent.” GOH GoOOO (GO) i