The next morning a royal messenger came to Count Marlanx. He bore two
sealed letters from the princess. One briefly informed him that General
Braze was his successor as commander-in-chief of the army of Graustark.
He hesitated long before opening the other. It was equally brief and to
the point. The Iron Count's teeth came together with a savage snap as he
read the signature of the princess at the end. There was no
recourse. She had struck for Beverly Calhoun. He looked at his watch.
It was eleven o'clock. The edict gave him twenty-four hours from the noon
of that day. The gray old libertine despatched a messenger for his man
of affairs, a lawyer of high standing in Edelweiss. Together they
consulted until midnight. Shortly after daybreak the morning
following. Count Marlanx was in the train for Vienna, never to set foot
on Graustark's soil again. He was banished and his estates confiscated
by the government.
The ministry in Edelweiss was not slow to reopen negotiations with
Dawsbergen. A proclamation was sent to the prime minister, setting forth
the new order of affairs and suggesting the instant suspension of
hostile preparations and the restoration of Prince Dantan. Accompanying
this proclamation went a dignified message from Dantan, informing his
people that he awaited their commands. He was ready to resume the throne
that had been so desecrated. It would be his joy to restore Dawsbergen
to its once peaceful and prosperous condition. In the meantime the Duke
of Mizrox despatched the news to the Princess Volga of Axphain, who was
forced to abandon--temporarily, at least--her desperate designs upon
Graustark. The capture of Gabriel put an end to her transparent plans.
"But she is bound to break out against us sooner or later and on the
slightest provocation," said Yetive.
"I daresay that a friendly alliance between Graustark and Dawsbergen
will prove sufficient to check any ambitions she may have along that
line," said Ravone significantly. "They are very near to each other now,
your highness. Friends should stand together."
Beverly Calhoun was in suspense. Baldos had been sent off to the
frontier by Prince Dantan, carrying the message which could be trusted
to no other. He accompanied the Graustark ambassadors of peace as
Dantan's special agent. He went in the night time and Beverly did not
see him. The week which followed his departure was the longest she ever
spent. She was troubled in her heart for fear that he might not return,
despite the declaration she had made to him in one hysterical moment. It
was difficult for her to keep up the show of cheerfulness that was
expected of her. Reticence became her strongest characteristic. She
persistently refused to be drawn into a discussion of her relations with
the absent one. Yetive was piqued by her manner at first, but wisely saw
through the mask as time went on. She and Prince Dantan had many quiet
and interesting chats concerning Beverly and the erstwhile guard. The
prince took Lorry and the princess into his confidence. He told them all
there was to tell about his dashing friend and companion.