The Coming Conquest of England [104]
"Ah! dearest Edith, my whole heart is full of you, and I would gladly do as you wish. But every step we take must be practical and judicious. If you say you will stay with me, you must have some idea in your mind. How, then, do you think we can manage to be together? Remember that on my return I shall be an officer on service, and shall have to carry out the orders I receive." "I have already thought of a way. Prince Tchajawadse had a page with him; I will be your page." "What an absurd idea! Prussian officers don't take pages with them on active service." "Never mind the name. You must have servants, like English officers; I will be your boy." "With us soldiers are told off for such duties, my dear Edith." "Then I will go with you as a soldier. I have already gone as a rajah." Heideck knitted his brows impatiently. The young woman, whose keen eyes had noticed it, went on impetuously: "Although it seems you are tired of me, I will not leave you. Distance is love's worst enemy, and you are the only tie that binds me to life." Heideck cast down his eyes, so as not to betray his thoughts. Since he had read the papers, which gave him a clearer idea of the political situation, his mind was fuller than before of warlike visions. He loved Edith, but love did not fill his life so completely as it did hers. The news in the Italian and French papers had put him into a regular fever after his long absence from Europe. The dissolution of the Triple Alliance, and Germany's new alliance with France and Russia, had caused a complete alteration in the political horizon. He heard the stamping of horses, the clash of arms, the thunder of cannon. The war was full of importance and boundless possibilities. It was a question of Germany's existence! Her losses up to the present were estimated at more than three milliards. All the German colonies had been seized by the English, hundreds of German merchant-men were lost, German foreign trade was completely paralysed, German credit was shaken. Unless Germany were finally victorious, the war meant her extinction as a great Power. He sprang up. "It must be, dearest Edith; we must soon part!" She turned pale. With a look of anguish she caught at his hand and held it fast. "Do not leave me!" "I must have perfect freedom--at present. After the war I belong entirely to you." "No, no, you cannot be so cruel! You must not leave me!" "We shall meet again! I love you and will be true to you. But now I ask a sacrifice from you. I am a German officer; my life now belongs to my country." She slid from her chair to the ground and clasped his knees. "I cannot leave you; it will bring you no happiness, if you destroy me." "Be strong, Edith. I always used to admire your firm, powerful will. Have you all at once lost all sense, all reason?" "I have lost everything," she cried, "everything save you. And I will not give you up!" "Mrs. Irwin!" cried a voice of horror at this moment, "can it be possible?" Edith got up hurriedly. Mrs. Kennedy and her daughter had entered unobserved. They had witnessed the singular situation with utter astonishment and heard Edith's last words. "Good Heavens, can it be possible?" stammered the worthy lady; then, turning to her daughter, she added, "Go, my child." Edith Irwin had quickly recovered her composure. Standing up, her head proudly raised, she faced the indignant lady. "I beg you to remember, Mrs. Kennedy, that no one should pass judgment without knowing the real state of things." "I think what I have seen needs no explanation." "If there is anything blameworthy in it, I alone am responsible," interposed Heideck. "Spare me a few minutes in private, Mrs. Kennedy, and I will convince you that no blame attaches to Mrs. Irwin." "I want no one to defend me or intercede for me!" cried Edith passionately. "Why should we any longer conceal our love? This man, Mrs. Kennedy, has saved my life and honour more than once, and it is no humiliation for me to go on my knees before him." Perhaps there was something in her face and the tone of her voice that touched