interpret my action?" asked Blanka, proud reproach in her
tone.
"No, Blanka, assuredly not. Your own noble heart moved you rather to use
mild measures--in spite of your attorney. You generously refrained from
pushing your advantage against me while I was detained elsewhere and
while my secretary was also unavoidably delayed. In return for this
generosity, Prince Cagliari comes to you now, not as your opponent in a
suit at law, not as a husband to claim his wife, but as a father seeking
his daughter. What say you? Will you accept me as a father?"
Blanka was almost inclined to believe in the speaker's sincerity; yet he
had caused her far too much pain in the past to admit of any sudden
reconciliation in this theatrical fashion. She remained unmoved.
"Bear in mind, my dear Blanka," proceeded the prince, "that the key to
the situation is now in my hands. Recent important events have made me a
_persona grata_ at the Vatican, and now the first of the conditions
which I feel justified in imposing on you is that you acquiesce in the
arrangements which, with all a father's forethought, I have made for
your comfort during your sojourn in Rome. If the case between us is to
reach a peaceful settlement, we must, above all things, avoid the
appearance of mutual hostility; and it is a hostile demonstration on the
part of Princess Cagliari to be seen driving about the city in a hired
cab, and occupying, with her party, a suite of only four rooms. My duty
demanded that I should at least offer you the use of the Cagliari
palace, which consists of two entirely distinct wings, with separate
entrances, stairs, and gardens; but I knew only too well that you would
have rejected the offer."
"Most certainly."
"Therefore nothing was left me but to order the apartments in this hotel
commonly occupied by visiting foreign princes to be placed at your
disposal. No burdensome obligation, however, will be incurred by you in
acceding to this arrangement, as I shall, in the event of our
separation, see that the expense is deducted from the allowance which I
shall be required to make you."
Blanka, who was naturally of a confiding disposition, not infrequently
reposed her confidence where it was undeserved,--a failing not to be
wondered at in one so young. Her husband was one of those in whom she
thus sometimes placed too large a measure of trust, although she had
early learned that no word from his mouth was to be accepted in its
obvious mea
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