RUPERT'S JOURNAL--Continued (Longe Intervallo).
February 10, 1908.
It is so long since I even thought of this journal that I hardly know
where to begin. I always heard that a married man is a pretty busy man;
but since I became one, though it is a new life to me, and of a happiness
undreamt of, I know what that life is. But I had no idea that this
King business was anything like what it is. Why, it never leaves me a
moment at all to myself--or, what is worse, to Teuta. If people who
condemn Kings had only a single month of my life in that capacity, they
would form an opinion different from that which they hold. It might be
useful to have a Professor of Kingship in the Anarchists'
College--whenever it is founded!
Everything has gone on well with us, I am glad to say. Teuta is in
splendid health, though she has--but only very lately--practically given
up going on her own aeroplane. It was, I know, a great sacrifice to
make, just as she had become an expert at it. They say here that she is
one of the best drivers in the Blue Mountains--and that is in the world,
for we have made that form of movement our own. Ever since we found the
pitch-blende pockets in the Great Tunnel, and discovered the simple
process of extracting the radium from it, we have gone on by leaps and
bounds. When first Teuta told me she would "aero" no more for a while, I
thought she was wise, and backed her up in it: for driving an aeroplane
is trying work and hard on the nerves. I only learned then the reason
for her caution--the usual one of a young wife. That was three months
ago, and only this morning she told me she would not go sailing in the
air, even with me, till she could do so "without risk"--she did not mean
risk to herself. Aunt Janet knew what she meant, and counselled her
strongly to stick to her resolution. So for the next few months I am to
do my air-sailing alone.
The public works which we began immediately after the Coronation are
going strong. We began at the very beginning on an elaborate system.
The first thing was to adequately fortify the Blue Mouth. Whilst the
fortifications were being constructed we kept all the warships in the
gulf. But when the point of safety was reached, we made the ships do
sentry-go along the coast, whilst we trained men for service at sea. It
is our plan to take by degrees all the young men and teach them this
wise, so that at the end the whole population shall be trained for sea as
well as for land. And as we are teaching them the airship service, too,
they will be at home in all the elements--except fire, of course, though
if that should become a necessity, we shall tackle it too!
We started the Great Tunnel at the farthest inland point of the Blue
Mouth, and ran it due east at an angle of 45 degrees, so that, when
complete, it would go right through the first line of hills, coming out
on the plateau Plazac. The plateau is not very wide--half a mile at
most--and the second tunnel begins on the eastern side of it. This new
tunnel is at a smaller angle, as it has to pierce the second hill--a
mountain this time. When it comes out on the east side of that, it will
tap the real productive belt. Here it is that our hardwood-trees are
finest, and where the greatest mineral deposits are found. This plateau
is of enormous length, and runs north arid south round the great bulk of
the central mountain, so that in time, when we put up a circular railway,
we can bring, at a merely nominal cost, all sorts of material up or down.
It is on this level that we have built the great factories for war
material. We are tunnelling into the mountains, where are the great
deposits of coal. We run the trucks in and out on the level, and can get
perfect ventilation with little cost or labour. Already we are mining
all the coal which we consume within our own confines, and we can, if we
wish, within a year export largely. The great slopes of these tunnels
give us the necessary aid of specific gravity, and as we carry an endless
water-supply in great tubes that way also, we can do whatever we wish by
hydraulic power. As one by one the European and Asiatic nations began to
reduce their war preparations, we took over their disbanded workmen
though our agents, so that already we have a productive staff of skilled
workmen larger than anywhere else in the world. I think myself that we
were fortunate in being able to get ahead so fast with our preparations
for war manufacture, for if some of the "Great Powers," as they call
themselves, knew the measure of our present production, they would
immediately try to take active measures against us. In such case we
should have to fight them, which would delay us. But if we can have
another year untroubled, we shall, so far as war material is concerned,
be able to defy any nation in the world. And if the time may only come
peacefully till we have our buildings and machinery complete, we can
prepare war-stores and implements for the whole Balkan nations. And
then--But that is a dream. We shall know in good time.
In the meantime all goes well. The cannon foundries are built and
active. We are already beginning to turn out finished work. Of course,
our first guns are not very large, but they are good. The big guns, and
especially siege-guns, will come later. And when the great extensions
are complete, and the boring and wire-winding machines are in working
order, we can go merrily on. I suppose that by that time the whole of
the upper plateau will be like a manufacturing town--at any rate, we have
plenty of raw material to hand. The haematite mines seem to be
inexhaustible, and as the raising of the ore is cheap and easy by means
of our extraordinary water-power, and as coal comes down to the plateau
by its own gravity on the cable-line, we have natural advantages which
exist hardly anywhere else in the world--certainly not all together, as
here. That bird's eye view of the Blue Mouth which we had from the
aeroplane when Teuta saw that vision of the future has not been in vain.
The aeroplane works are having a splendid output. The aeroplane is a
large and visible product; there is no mistaking when it is there! We
have already a large and respectable aerial fleet. The factories for
explosives are, of course, far away in bare valleys, where accidental
effects are minimized. So, too, are the radium works, wherein unknown
dangers may lurk. The turbines in the tunnel give us all the power we
want at present, and, later on, when the new tunnel, which we call the
"water tunnel," which is already begun, is complete, the available power
will be immense. All these works are bringing up our shipping, and we
are in great hopes for the future.
So much for our material prosperity. But with it comes a larger life and
greater hopes. The stress of organizing and founding these great works
is practically over. As they are not only self-supporting, but largely
productive, all anxiety in the way of national expenditure is minimized.
And, more than all, I am able to give my unhampered attention to those
matters of even more than national importance on which the ultimate
development, if not the immediate strength, of our country must depend.
I am well into the subject of a great Balkan Federation. This, it turns
out, has for long been the dream of Teuta's life, as also that of the
present Archimandrite of Plazac, her father, who, since I last touched
this journal, having taken on himself a Holy Life, was, by will of the
Church, the Monks, and the People, appointed to that great office on the
retirement of Petrof Vlastimir.
Such a Federation had long been in the air. For myself, I had seen its
inevitableness from the first. The modern aggressions of the Dual
Nation, interpreted by her past history with regard to Italy, pointed
towards the necessity of such a protective measure. And now, when Servia
and Bulgaria were used as blinds to cover her real movements to
incorporate with herself as established the provinces, once Turkish,
which had been entrusted to her temporary protection by the Treaty of
Berlin; when it would seem that Montenegro was to be deprived for all
time of the hope of regaining the Bocche di Cattaro, which she had a
century ago won, and held at the point of the sword, until a Great Power
had, under a wrong conviction, handed it over to her neighbouring
Goliath; when the Sandjack of Novi-Bazar was threatened with the fate
which seemed to have already overtaken Bosnia and Herzegovina; when
gallant little Montenegro was already shut out from the sea by the
octopus-like grip of Dalmatia crouching along her western shore; when
Turkey was dwindling down to almost ineptitude; when Greece was almost a
byword, and when Albania as a nation--though still nominally subject--was
of such unimpaired virility that there were great possibilities of her
future, it was imperative that something must happen if the Balkan race
was not to be devoured piecemeal by her northern neighbours. To the end
of ultimate protection I found most of them willing to make defensive
alliance.
And as the true defence consists in judicious attack, I have no doubt
that an alliance so based must ultimately become one for all purposes.
Albania was the most difficult to win to the scheme, as her own
complications with her suzerain, combined with the pride and
suspiciousness of her people, made approach a matter of extreme caution.
It was only possible when I could induce her rulers to see that, no
matter how great her pride and valour, the magnitude of northern advance,
if unchecked, must ultimately overwhelm her.
I own that this map-making was nervous work, for I could not shut my eyes
to the fact that German lust of enlargement lay behind Austria's advance.
At and before that time expansion was the dominant idea of the three
Great Powers of Central Europe. Russia went eastward, hoping to gather
to herself the rich north-eastern provinces of China, till ultimately she
should dominate the whole of Northern Europe and Asia from the Gulf of
Finland to the Yellow Sea. Germany wished to link the North Sea to the
Mediterranean by her own territory, and thus stand as a flawless barrier
across Europe from north to south.
When Nature should have terminated the headship of the Empire-Kingdom,
she, as natural heir, would creep southward through the German-speaking
provinces. Thus Austria, of course kept in ignorance of her neighbour's
ultimate aims, had to extend towards the south. She had been barred in
her western movement by the rise of the Irredentist party in Italy, and
consequently had to withdraw behind the frontiers of Carinthia, Carniola,
and Istria.
My own dream of the new map was to make "Balka"--the Balkan
Federation--take in ultimately all south of a line drawn from the Isle of
Serpents to Aquileia. There would--must--be difficulties in the carrying
out of such a scheme. Of course, it involved Austria giving up Dalmatia,
Istria, and Sclavonia, as well as a part of Croatia and the Hungarian
Banat. On the contrary, she might look for centuries of peace in the
south. But it would make for peace so strongly that each of the States
impinging on it would find it worth while to make a considerable
sacrifice to have it effected. To its own integers it would offer a
lasting settlement of interests which at present conflicted, and a share
in a new world-power. Each of these integers would be absolutely
self-governing and independent, being only united for purposes of mutual
good. I did not despair that even Turkey and Greece, recognizing that
benefit and safety would ensue without the destruction or even minimizing
of individuality, would, sooner or later, come into the Federation. The
matter is already so far advanced that within a month the various rulers
of the States involved are to have a secret and informal meeting.
Doubtless some larger plan and further action will be then evolved. It
will be an anxious time for all in this zone--and outside it--till this
matter is all settled. In any case, the manufacture of war material will
go on until it is settled, one way or another.
March 6, 1908.
I breathe more freely. The meeting has taken place here at Vissarion.
Nominal cause of meeting: a hunting-party in the Blue Mountains. Not any
formal affair. Not a Chancellor or Secretary of State or Diplomatist of
any sort present. All headquarters. It was, after all, a real
hunting-party. Good sportsmen, plenty of game, lots of beaters,
everything organized properly, and an effective tally of results. I
think we all enjoyed ourselves in the matter of sport; and as the
political result was absolute unanimity of purpose and intention, there
could be no possible cause of complaint.
So it is all decided. Everything is pacific. There is not a suggestion
even of war, revolt, or conflicting purpose of any kind. We all go on
exactly as we are doing for another year, pursuing our own individual
objects, just as at present. But we are all to see that in our own
households order prevails. All that is supposed to be effective is to be
kept in good working order, and whatever is, at present, not adequate to
possibilities is to be made so. This is all simply protective and
defensive. We understand each other. But if any hulking stranger should
undertake to interfere in our domestic concerns, we shall all unite on
the instant to keep things as we wish them to remain. We shall be ready.
Alfred's maxim of Peace shall be once more exemplified. In the meantime
the factories shall work overtime in our own mountains, and the output
shall be for the general good of our special community--the bill to be
settled afterwards amicably. There can hardly be any difference of
opinion about that, as the others will be the consumers of our surplus
products. We are the producers, who produce for ourselves first, and
then for the limited market of those within the Ring. As we undertake to
guard our own frontiers--sea and land--and are able to do so, the goods
are to be warehoused in the Blue Mountains until required--if at all--for
participation in the markets of the world, and especially in the European
market. If all goes well and the markets are inactive, the goods shall
be duly delivered to the purchasers as arranged.
So much for the purely mercantile aspect.
THE VOIVODIN JANET MACKELPIE'S NOTES.
May 21, 1908.
As Rupert began to neglect his Journal when he was made a King, so, too,
I find in myself a tendency to leave writing to other people. But one
thing I shall not be content to leave to others--little Rupert. The baby
of Rupert and Teuta is much too precious a thing to be spoken of except
with love, quite independent of the fact that he will be, in natural
course, a King! So I have promised Teuta that whatever shall be put into
this record of the first King of the Sent Leger Dynasty relating to His
Royal Highness the Crown Prince shall only appear in either her hand or
my own. And she has deputed the matter to me.
Our dear little Prince arrived punctually and in perfect condition. The
angels that carried him evidently took the greatest care of him, and
before they left him they gave him dower of all their best. He is a
dear! Like both his father and his mother, and that says everything. My
own private opinion is that he is a born King! He does not know what
fear is, and he thinks more of everyone else than he does of his dear
little self. And if those things do not show a truly royal nature, I do
not know what does . . .
Teuta has read this. She held up a warning finger, and said:
"Aunt Janet dear, that is all true. He is a dear, and a King, and an
angel! But we mustn't have too much about him just yet. This book is to
be about Rupert. So our little man can only be what we shall call a
corollary." And so it is.
I should mention here that the book is Teuta's idea. Before little
Rupert came she controlled herself wonderfully, doing only what was
thought best for her under the circumstances. As I could see that it
would be a help for her to have some quiet occupation which would
interest her without tiring her, I looked up (with his permission, of
course) all Rupert's old letters and diaries, and journals and
reports--all that I had kept for him during his absences on his
adventures. At first I was a little afraid they might harm her, for at
times she got so excited over some things that I had to caution her.
Here again came in her wonderful self-control. I think the most soothing
argument I used with her was to point out that the dear boy had come
through all the dangers safely, and was actually with us, stronger and
nobler than ever.
After we had read over together the whole matter several times--for it
was practically new to me too, and I got nearly as excited as she was,
though I have known him so much longer--we came to the conclusion that
this particular volume would have to be of selected matter. There is
enough of Rupert's work to make a lot of volumes and we have an ambitious
literary project of some day publishing an edition de luxe of his whole
collected works. It will be a rare showing amongst the works of Kings.
But this is to be all about himself, so that in the future it may serve
as a sort of backbone of his personal history.
By-and-by we came to a part when we had to ask him questions; and he was
so interested in Teuta's work--he is really bound up body and soul in his
beautiful wife, and no wonder--that we had to take him into full
confidence. He promised he would help us all he could by giving us the
use of his later journals, and such letters and papers as he had kept
privately. He said he would make one condition--I use his own words: "As
you two dear women are to be my editors, you must promise to put in
everything exactly as I wrote it. It will not do to have any fake about
this. I do not wish anything foolish or egotistical toned down out of
affection for me. It was all written in sincerity, and if I had faults,
they must not be hidden. If it is to be history, it must be true
history, even if it gives you and me or any of us away."
So we promised.
He also said that, as Sir Edward Bingham Trent, Bart.--as he is now--was
sure to have some matter which we should like, he would write and ask him
to send such to us. He also said that Mr. Ernest Roger Halbard Melton,
of Humcroft, Salop (he always gives this name and address in full, which
is his way of showing contempt), would be sure to have some relevant
matter, and that he would have him written to on the subject. This he
did. The Chancellor wrote him in his most grandiloquent style. Mr. E.
R. H. Melton, of H., S., replied by return post. His letter is a
document which speaks for itself:
HUMCROFT, SALOP,
May 30, 1908.
MY DEAR COUSIN KING RUPERT,
I am honoured by the request made on your behalf by the Lord High
Chancellor of your kingdom that I should make a literary contribution
to the volume which my cousin, Queen Teuta, is, with the help of your
former governess, Miss MacKelpie, compiling. I am willing to do so,
as you naturally wish to have in that work some contemporary record
made by the Head of the House of Melton, with which you are
connected, though only on the distaff side. It is a natural ambition
enough, even on the part of a barbarian--or perhaps
semi-barbarian--King, and far be it from me, as Head of the House, to
deny you such a coveted privilege. Perhaps you may not know that I
am now Head of the House; my father died three days ago. I offered
my mother the use of the Dower House--to the incumbency of which,
indeed, she is entitled by her marriage settlement. But she
preferred to go to live at her seat, Carfax, in Kent. She went this
morning after the funeral. In letting you have the use of my
manuscript I make only one stipulation, but that I expect to be
rigidly adhered to. It is that all that I have written be put in the
book in extenso. I do not wish any record of mine to be garbled to
suit other ends than those ostensible, or whatever may be to the
honour of myself or my House to be burked. I dare say you have
noticed, my dear Rupert, that the compilers of family histories
often, through jealousy, alter matter that they are allowed to use so
as to suit their own purpose or minister to their own vanity. I
think it right to tell you that I have had a certified copy made by
Petter and Galpin, the law stationers, so that I shall be able to
verify whether my stipulation has been honourably observed. I am
having the book, which is naturally valuable, carefully packed, and
shall have it forwarded to Sir Edward Bingham Trent, Baronet (which
he now is--Heaven save the mark!), the Attorney. Please see that he
returns it to me, and in proper order. He is not to publish for
himself anything in it about him. A man of that class is apt to
advertise the fact of anyone of distinction taking any notice of him.
I would bring out the MS. to you myself, and stay for a while with
you for some sport, only your lot--subjects I suppose you call
them!--are such bounders that a gentleman's life is hardly safe
amongst them. I never met anyone who had so poor an appreciation of
a joke as they have. By the way, how is Teuta? She is one of them.
I heard all about the hatching business. I hope the kid is all
right. This is only a word in your ear, so don't get cocky, old son.
I am open to a godfathership. Think of that, Hedda! Of course, if
the other godfather and the godmother are up to the mark; I don't
want to have to boost up the whole lot! Savvy? Kiss Teuta and the
kid for me. I must have the boy over here for a bit later on--when
he is presentable, and has learned not to be a nuisance. It will be
good for him to see something of a real first-class English country
house like Humcroft. To a person only accustomed to rough ways and
meagre living its luxury will make a memory which will serve in time
as an example to be aimed at. I shall write again soon. Don't
hesitate to ask any favour which I may be able to confer on you. So
long!
Your affectionate cousin,
ERNEST ROGER HALBARD MELTON.
Extract from Letter from E. Bingham Trent to Queen Teuta of the Blue
Mountains.
. . . So I thought the best way to serve that appalling cad would be
to take him at his word, and put in his literary contribution in
full. I have had made and attested a copy of his "Record," as he
calls it, so as to save you trouble. But I send the book itself,
because I am afraid that unless you see his words in his own writing,
you will not believe that he or anyone else ever penned seriously a
document so incriminating. I am sure he must have forgotten what he
had written, for even such a dull dog as he is could never have made
public such a thing knowingly. . . Such a nature has its revenges on
itself. In this case the officers of revenge are his ipsissima
verba.
RUPERT'S JOURNAL--Continued.
February 1, 1909.
All is now well in train. When the Czar of Russia, on being asked by the
Sclavs (as was meet) to be the referee in the "Balkan Settlement,"
declined on the ground that he was himself by inference an interested
party, it was unanimously agreed by the Balkan rulers that the Western
King should be asked to arbitrate, as all concerned had perfect
confidence in his wisdom, as well as his justice. To their wish he
graciously assented. The matter has now been for more than six months in
his hands, and he has taken endless trouble to obtain full information.
He has now informed us through his Chancellor that his decision is almost
ready, and will be communicated as soon as possible.
We have another hunting-party at Vissarion next week. Teuta is looking
forward to it with extraordinary interest. She hopes then to present to
our brothers of the Balkans our little son, and she is eager to know if
they endorse her mother-approval of him.
April 15, 1909.
The arbitrator's decision has been communicated to us through the
Chancellor of the Western King, who brought it to us himself as a special
act of friendliness. It met with the enthusiastic approval of all. The
Premier remained with us during the progress of the hunting-party, which
was one of the most joyous occasions ever known. We are all of good
heart, for the future of the Balkan races is now assured. The
strife--internal and external--of a thousand years has ceased, and we
look with hope for a long and happy time. The Chancellor brought
messages of grace and courtliness and friendliness to all. And when I,
as spokesman of the party, asked him if we might convey a request of His
Majesty that he would honour us by attending the ceremony of making known
formally the Balkan Settlement, he answered that the King had authorized
him to say that he would, if such were wished by us, gladly come; and
that if he should come, he would attend with a fleet as an escort. The
Chancellor also told me from himself that it might be possible to have
other nationalities represented on such a great occasion by Ambassadors
and even fleets, though the monarchs themselves might not be able to
attend. He hinted that it might be well if I put the matter in train.
(He evidently took it for granted that, though I was only one of several,
the matter rested with me--possibly he chose me as the one to whom to
make the confidence, as I was born a stranger.) As we talked it over, he
grew more enthusiastic, and finally said that, as the King was taking the
lead, doubtless all the nations of the earth friendly to him would like
to take a part in the ceremony. So it is likely to turn out practically
an international ceremony of a unique kind. Teuta will love it, and we
shall all do what we can.
JANET MACKELPIE'S NOTES.
June 1, 1909.
Our dear Teuta is full of the forthcoming celebration of the Balkan
Federation, which is to take place this day month, although I must say,
for myself, that the ceremony is attaining to such dimensions that I am
beginning to have a sort of vague fear of some kind. It almost seems
uncanny. Rupert is working unceasingly--has been for some time. For
weeks past he seems to have been out day and night on his aeroplane,
going through and round over the country arranging matters, and seeing
for himself that what has been arranged is being done. Uncle Colin is
always about, too, and so is Admiral Rooke. But now Teuta is beginning
to go with Rupert. That girl is simply fearless--just like Rupert. And
they both seem anxious that little Rupert shall be the same. Indeed, he
is the same. A few mornings ago Rupert and Teuta were about to start
just after dawn from the top of the Castle. Little Rupert was there--he
is always awake early and as bright as a bee. I was holding him in my
arms, and when his mother leant over to kiss him good-bye, he held out
his arms to her in a way that said as plainly as if he had spoken, "Take
me with you."
She looked appealingly at Rupert, who nodded, and said: "All right. Take
him, darling. He will have to learn some day, and the sooner the
better." The baby, looking eagerly from one to the other with the same
questioning in his eyes as there is sometimes in the eyes of a kitten or
a puppy--but, of course, with an eager soul behind it--saw that he was
going, and almost leaped into his mother's arms. I think she had
expected him to come, for she took a little leather dress from Margareta,
his nurse, and, flushing with pride, began to wrap him in it. When
Teuta, holding him in her arms, stepped on the aeroplane, and took her
place in the centre behind Rupert, the young men of the Crown Prince's
Guard raised a cheer, amid which Rupert pulled the levers, and they
glided off into the dawn.
The Crown Prince's Guard was established by the mountaineers themselves
the day of his birth. Ten of the biggest and most powerful and cleverest
young men of the nation were chosen, and were sworn in with a very
impressive ceremony to guard the young Prince. They were to so arrange
and order themselves and matters generally that two at least of them
should always have him, or the place in which he was, within their sight.
They all vowed that the last of their lives should go before harm came to
him. Of course, Teuta understood, and so did Rupert. And these young
men are the persons most privileged in the whole Castle. They are dear
boys, every one of them, and we are all fond of them and respect them.
They simply idolize the baby.
Ever since that morning little Rupert has, unless it is at a time
appointed for his sleeping, gone in his mother's arms. I think in any
other place there would be some State remonstrance at the whole royal
family being at once and together in a dangerous position, but in the
Blue Mountains danger and fear are not thought of--indeed, they can
hardly be in their terminology. And I really think the child enjoys it
even more than his parents. He is just like a little bird that has found
the use of his wings. Bless him!
I find that even I have to study Court ritual a little. So many
nationalities are to be represented at the ceremony of the "Balkan
Settlement," and so many Kings and Princes and notabilities of all kinds
are coming, that we must all take care not to make any mistakes. The
Press alone would drive anyone silly. Rupert and Teuta come and sit with
me sometimes in the evening when we are all too tired to work, and they
rest themselves by talking matters over. Rupert says that there will be
over five hundred reporters, and that the applications for permission are
coming in so fast that there may be a thousand when the day comes. Last
night he stopped in the middle of speaking of it, and said:
"I have an inspiration! Fancy a thousand journalists,--each wanting to
get ahead of the rest, and all willing to invoke the Powers of Evil for
exclusive information! The only man to look after this department is
Rooke. He knows how to deal with men, and as we have already a large
staff to look after the journalistic guests, he can be at the head, and
appoint his own deputies to act for him. Somewhere and sometime the
keeping the peace will be a matter of nerve and resolution, and Rooke is
the man for the job."
We were all concerned about one thing, naturally important in the eyes of
a woman: What robes was Teuta to wear? In the old days, when there were
Kings and Queens, they doubtless wore something gorgeous or impressive;
but whatever it was that they wore has gone to dust centuries ago, and
there were no illustrated papers in those primitive days. Teuta was
talking to me eagerly, with her dear beautiful brows all wrinkled, when
Rupert who was reading a bulky document of some kind, looked up and said:
"Of course, darling, you will wear your Shroud?"
"Capital!" she said, clapping her hands like a joyous child. "The very
thing, and our people will like it."
I own that for a moment I was dismayed. It was a horrible test of a
woman's love and devotion. At a time when she was entertaining Kings and
notabilities in her own house--and be sure they would all be decked in
their finery--to have to appear in such a garment! A plain thing with
nothing even pretty, let alone gorgeous, about it! I expressed my views
to Rupert, for I feared that Teuta might be disappointed, though she
might not care to say so; but before he could say a word Teuta answered:
"Oh, thank you so much, dear! I should love that above everything, but I
did not like to suggest it, lest you should think me arrogant or
presuming; for, indeed, Rupert, I am very proud of it, and of the way our
people look on it."
"Why not?" said Rupert, in his direct way. "It is a thing for us all to
be proud of; the nation has already adopted it as a national emblem--our
emblem of courage and devotion and patriotism, which will always, I hope,
be treasured beyond price by the men and women of our Dynasty, the
Nation, that is--of the Nation that is to be."
Later on in the evening we had a strange endorsement of the national
will. A "People's Deputation" of mountaineers, without any official
notice or introduction, arrived at the Castle late in the evening in the
manner established by Rupert's "Proclamation of Freedom," wherein all
citizens were entitled to send a deputation to the King, at will and in
private, on any subject of State importance. This deputation was
composed of seventeen men, one selected from each political section, so
that the body as a whole represented the entire nation. They were of all
sorts of social rank and all degrees of fortune, but they were mainly "of
the people." They spoke hesitatingly--possibly because Teuta, or even
because I, was present--but with a manifest earnestness. They made but
one request--that the Queen should, on the great occasion of the Balkan
Federation, wear as robes of State the Shroud that they loved to see her
in. The spokesman, addressing the Queen, said in tones of rugged
eloquence:
"This is a matter, Your Majesty, that the women naturally have a say in,
so we have, of course, consulted them. They have discussed the matter by
themselves, and then with us, and they are agreed without a flaw that it
will be good for the Nation and for Womankind that you do this thing.
You have shown to them, and to the world at large, what women should do,
what they can do, and they want to make, in memory of your great act, the
Shroud a garment of pride and honour for women who have deserved well of
their country. In the future it can be a garment to be worn only by
privileged women who have earned the right. But they hope, and we hope
with them, that on this occasion of our Nation taking the lead before the
eyes of the world, all our women may wear it on that day as a means of
showing overtly their willingness to do their duty, even to the death.
And so"--here he turned to the King--"Rupert, we trust that Her Majesty
Queen Teuta will understand that in doing as the women of the Blue
Mountains wish, she will bind afresh to the Queen the loyal devotion
which she won from them as Voivodin. Henceforth and for all time the
Shroud shall be a dress of honour in our Land."
Teuta looked all ablaze with love and pride and devotion. Stars in her
eyes shone like white fire as she assured them of the granting of their
request. She finished her little speech:
"I feared that if I carried out my own wish, it might look arrogant, but
Rupert has expressed the same wish, and now I feel that I am free to wear
that dress which brought me to you and to Rupert"--here she beamed on
him, and took his hand--"fortified as I am by your wishes and the command
of my lord the King."
Rupert took her in his arms and kissed her fondly before them all,
saying:
"Tell your wives, my brothers, and the rest of the Blue Mountain women,
that that is the answer of the husband who loves and honours his wife.
All the world shall see at the ceremony of the Federation of Balka that
we men love and honour the women who are loyal and can die for duty.
And, men of the Blue Mountains, some day before long we shall organize
that great idea, and make it a permanent thing--that the Order of the
Shroud is the highest guerdon that a noble-hearted woman can wear."
Teuta disappeared for a few moments, and came back with the Crown Prince
in her arms. Everyone present asked to be allowed to kiss him, which
they did kneeling.