anthony hope - prisionero de zenda

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THE PRISONER OF ZENDA by Anthony Hope

CHAPTER 1 "I wonder when in the world you're going to do anything, Rudolf?" said my brother's wife.

"My dear Rose," I answered, laying down my egg-spoon, "why in the world should I do anything? My position is a comfortable one. I have an income nearly sufficient for my wants (no one's income is ever quite sufficient, you know), I enjoy an enviable social position: I am brother to Lord Burlesdon, and brother-in-law to that charming lady, his countess. Behold, it is enough!"

"You are nine-and-twenty," she observed, "and you've done nothing but"

"Knock about? It is true. Our family doesn't need to do things."

This remark of mine rather annoyed Rose, for everybody knows (and therefore there can be no harm in referring to the fact) that, pretty and accomplished as she herself is, her family is hardly of the same standing as the Rassendylls. Besides her attractions, she possessed a large fortune, and my brother Robert was wise enough not to mind about her ancestry. Ancestry is, in fact, a matter concerning which the next observation of Rose's has some truth.

"Good families are generally worse than any others," she said.

Upon this I stroked my hair: I knew quite well what she meant.

"I'm so glad Robert's is black!" she cried.

At this moment Robert (who rises at seven and works before breakfast) came in. He glanced at

EL PRISIONERO DE ZENDA Anthony Hope

Pero cundo llegar el da que hagas algo de provecho, Rodolfo!exclam la mujer de mi hermano.

Mi querida Rosarepliqu, soltando la cucharilla de que me serva para despachar un huevo,de dnde sacas t que yo deba hacer cosa alguna, sea o no de provecho? Mi situacin es desahogada; poseo una renta casi suficiente para mis gastos (porque sabido es que nadie considera la renta propia como del todo suficiente); gozo de una posicin social envidiable: hermano de lord Burlesdn y cuado de la encantadora Condesa, su esposa. No te parece bastante?

Veintinueve aos tienes, y no has hecho ms que...

Pasar el tiempo? Es verdad. Pero en mi familia no necesitamos hacer otra cosa.

Esta salida ma no dej de producir en Rosa cierto disgustillo, porque todo el mundo sabe (y de aqu que no haya inconveniente en repetirlo) que por muy bonita y distinguida que ella sea, su familia no es con mucho de tan alta alcurnia como la de Rasndil. Amn de sus atractivos personales, posea Rosa una gran fortuna, y mi hermano Roberto tuvo la discrecin de no fijarse mucho en sus pergaminos. A stos se refiri la siguiente observacin de Rosa, que dijo:

Las familias de alto linaje son, por regla general, peores que las otras.

Al oir esto, no pude menos de llevarme la mano a la cabeza y acariciar mis rojos cabellos; saba perfectamente lo que ella quera decir.

Cunto me alegro de que Roberto sea



his wife: her cheek was slightly flushed; he patted it caressingly.

"What's the matter, my dear?" he asked.

"She objects to my doing nothing and having red hair," said I, in an injured tone.

"Oh! of course he can't help his hair," admitted Rose.

"It generally crops out once in a generation," said my brother. "So does the nose. Rudolf has got them both."

"I wish they didn't crop out," said Rose, still flushed.

"I rather like them myself," said I, and, rising, I bowed to the portrait of Countess Amelia.

My brother's wife uttered an exclamation of impatience.

"I wish you'd take that picture away, Robert," said she.

"My dear!" he cried.

"Good heavens!" I added.

"Then it might be forgotten," she continued.

"Hardlywith Rudolf about," said Robert, shaking his head.

"Why should it be forgotten?" I asked.

"Rudolf!" exclaimed my brother's wife, blushing very prettily.

I laughed, and went on with my egg. At least I had shelved the question of what (if anything) I ought to do. And, by way of closing the discussionand also, I must admit, of exasperating my strict little sister-in-law a trifle moreI observed:

"I rather like being an Elphberg myself."

When I read a story, I skip the explanations; yet the moment I begin to write one, I find that I

moreno!agreg.

En aquel momento, Roberto, que se levanta a las siete y trabaja antes de almorzar, entr en el comedor, y, dirigiendo una mirada a su esposa, acarici suavemente su mejilla, algo ms encendida que de costumbre.

Qu ocurre, querida ma?le pregunt.

Le disgusta que yo no haga nada y que tenga el pelo rojodije como ofendido.

Oh! En cuanto a lo del pelo no es culpa suyaadmiti Rosa.

Por regla general, aparece una vez en cada generacindijo mi hermano.Y lo mismo pasa con la nariz. Rodolfo ha heredado ambas cosas.

Que por cierto me gustan muchodije levantndome y haciendo una reverencia ante el retrato de la condesa Amelia.

Mi cuada lanz una exclamacin de impaciencia.

Quisiera que quitases de ah ese retrato, Robertodijo.

Pero, querida!exclam mi hermano.

Santo Cielo!aad yo.

Entonces, siquiera podramos olvidarlocontinu Rosa.

A duras penas, mientras ande Rodolfo por aquobserv mi hermano.

Y por qu olvidarlo?pregunt yo.

Rodolfo!exclam mi cuada ruborizndose y ms bonita que nunca.

Me ech a rer y volv a mi almuerzo. Por lo pronto me haba librado de seguir discutiendo la cuestin de lo que yo debera hacer o emprender. Y para cerrar la polmica y tambin, lo confieso, para exasperar un poco ms a mi severa cuadita, aad:

La verdad es que me alegro de ser todo un



must have an explanation. For it is manifest that I must explain why my sister-in-law was vexed with my nose and hair, and why I ventured to call myself an Elphberg. For eminent as, I must protest, the Rassendylls have been for many generations, yet participation in their blood of course does not, at first sight, justify the boast of a connection with the grander stock of the Elphbergs or a claim to be one of that Royal House. For what relationship is there between Ruritania and Burlesdon, between the Palace at Strelsau or the Castle of Zenda and Number 305 Park Lane, W.?

Well thenand I must premise that I am going, perforce, to rake up the very scandal which my dear Lady Burlesdon wishes forgottenin the year 1733, George II. sitting then on the throne, peace reigning for the moment, and the King and the Prince of Wales being not yet at loggerheads, there came on a visit to the English Court a certain prince, who was afterwards known to history as Rudolf the Third of Ruritania. The prince was a tall, handsome young fellow, marked (maybe marred, it is not for me to say) by a somewhat unusually long, sharp and straight nose, and a mass of dark-red hairin fact, the nose and the hair which have stamped the Elphbergs time out of mind. He stayed some months in England, where he was most courteously received; yet, in the end, he left rather under a cloud. For he fought a duel (it was considered highly well bred of him to waive all question of his rank) with a nobleman, well known in the society of the day, not only for his own merits, but as the husband of a very beautiful wife. In that duel Prince Rudolf received a severe wound, and, recovering therefrom, was adroitly smuggled off by the Ruritanian ambassador, who had found him a pretty handful. The nobleman was not wounded in the duel; but the morning being raw and damp on the occasion of the meeting, he contracted a severe chill, and, failing to throw it off, he died some six months after the departure of Prince Rudolf, without having found leisure to adjust his relations with his wifewho, after another two months, bore an heir to the title and estates of the family of Burlesdon. This lady was the Countess Amelia, whose picture my sister-in-law wished to remove from the drawing-room in Park Lane; and her husband was James, fifth Earl of

Elsberg!

Cuando leo una obra cualquiera paso siempre por alto las explicaciones; pero desde el momento en que me pongo a escribir, yo mismo comprendo que una explicacin es aqu inevitable. De lo contrario, nadie entender por qu mi nariz y mi cabello tienen el don de irritar a mi cuada y por qu digo de m que soy un Elsberg. Desde luego, por muy alto que piquen los Rasndil, el mero hecho de pertenecer a esa familia no justifica la pretensin de consanguinidad con el linaje aun ms noble de los Elsberg, que son de estirpe regia. Qu parentesco puede existir entre Ruritania y Burlesdn, entre los moradores del palacio de Estrelsau o el castillo de Zenda y los de nuestra casa paterna en Londres?

Pues bien (y conste que voy a sacar a relucir el mismsimo escndalo que mi querida condesa de Burlesdn quisiera ver olvidado para siempre); es el caso que all por los aos de 1733, ocupando el trono ingls Jorge II, hallndose la nacin en paz por el momento, y no habiendo empezado an las contiendas entre el Rey y el prncipe de Gales, vino a visitar la corte de Inglaterra un regio personaje, conocido ms tarde en la historia con el nombre de Rodolfo III de Ruritania. Era este Prncipe un mancebo alto y hermoso, a quien caracterizaban (y no me toca a m decir si en favor o en perjuicio suyo) una nariz extremadamente larga, aguzada y recta, y una cabellera de color rojo obscuro; en una palabra, la nariz y el cabello que han distinguido a los Elsberg desde tiempo inmemorial. Permaneci algunos meses en Inglaterra, donde fue objeto del recibimiento ms corts; pero su salida del pas dio algo que hablar. Tuvo un duelo (y muy galante conducta fue la suya al prescindir para el caso de su alto rango), siendo su adversario un noble muy conocido en la buena sociedad de aquel tiempo, no slo por sus propios mritos, sino tambin como esposo de una dama hermossima. Resultado de aquel duelo fue una grave herida que recibi el prncipe Rodolfo, y apenas curado de ella lo sac ocultamente del pas el embajador de Ruritania, a quien dio no poco que hacer aquella aventura de su Prncipe. El noble sali ileso, pero en la maana misma del duelo, que fue por dems hmeda y fra, contrajo una dolencia que acab con l a los seis meses de la partida de Rodolfo. Dos meses despus dio a luz su esposa un nio que hered el ttulo y la



Burlesdon and twenty-second Baron Rassendyll, both in the peerage of England, and a Knight of the Garter. As for Rudolf, he went back to Ruritania, married a wife, and ascended the throne, whereon his progeny in the direct line have sat from then till this very hourwith one short interval. And, finally, if you walk through the picture galleries at Burlesdon, among the fifty portraits or so of the last century and a half, you will find five or six, including that of the sixth earl, distinguished by long, sharp, straight noses and a quantity of dark-red hair; these five or six have also blue eyes, whereas among the Rassendylls dark eyes are the commoner.

That is the explanation, and I am glad to have finished it: the blemishes on honourable lineage are a delicate subject, and certainly this heredity we hear so much about is the finest scandalmonger in the world; it laughs at discretion, and writes strange entries between the lines of the "Peerages".

It will be observed that my sister-in-law, with a want of logic that must have been peculiar to herself (since we are no longer allowed to lay it to the charge of her sex), treated my complexion almost as an offence for which I was responsible, hastening to assume from that external sign inward qualities of which I protest my entire innocence; and this unjust inference she sought to buttress by pointing to the uselessness of the life I had led. Well, be that as it may, I had picked up a good deal of pleasure and a good deal of knowledge. I had been to a German school and a German university, and spoke German as readily and perfectly as English; I was thoroughly at home in French; I had a smattering of Italian and enough Spanish to swear by. I was, I believe, a strong, though hardly fine swordsman and a good shot. I could ride anything that had a back to sit on; and my head was as cool a one as you could find, for all its flaming cover. If you say that I ought to have spent my time in useful labour, I am out of Court and have nothing to say, save that my parents had no business to leave me two thousand pounds a year and a roving disposition.

"The difference between you and Robert," said my sister-in-law, who often (bless her!) speaks on a platform, and oftener still as if she were on

fortuna de Burlesdn. Fue esta dama la condesa Amelia, cuyo retrato quera retirar mi cuada del lugar que ocupaba en la casa de mi hermano; y su esposo fue Jaime, cuarto conde de Burlesdn y vigsimo-segundo barn Rasndil, inscrito bajo ambos ttulos en la Gua Oficial de los Pares de Inglaterra, y caballero de la Orden de la Jarretiera. Cuanto a Rodolfo, regres a Ruritania, se cas y subi al trono, que sus sucesores han ocupado hasta el momento en que escribo, con excepcin de un breve intervalo. Y dir, para terminar, que si el lector visita la galera de retratos de Burlesdn, ver entre los cincuenta pertenecientes a los ltimos cien aos, cinco o seis, el del quinto Conde inclusive, que se distinguen por la nariz larga, recta y aguzada y el abundante cabello de color rojo obscuro. Estos cinco o seis tienen tambin ojos azules, siendo as que entre los Rasndil predominan los ojos negros.

Esta es la explicacin, y me alegro de haber salido de ella; las manchas de honrada familia son asunto delicado, pero lo cierto es que la transmisin por herencia, de que tanto se habla, es la chismosa mayor y ms temible que existe; para ella no hay discrecin ni secreto que valga, y a lo mejor inscribe las notas ms escandalosas en la Gua de los Pares.

Observar el lector que mi cuada, dando muestras de escassima lgica, se empeaba en considerar mi rojiza cabellera casi como una ofensa y en hacerme responsable de ella, apresurndose a suponer en m, sin otro fundamento que esos rasgos externos, cualidades que por ningn concepto poseo, y mostrando como prueba de tan injusta deduccin, lo que ella daba en llamar la vida intil y sin objeto determinado que he llevado hasta la fecha. Sea de ello lo que fuere, lo cierto es que esa vida me ha proporcionado no escaso placer y abundantes enseanzas. He estudiado en una universidad alemana y hablo el alemn con tanta facilidad y perfeccin como el ingls; lo mismo digo del francs, mascullo el italiano y s jurar en espaol. No tiro mal la espada, manejo la pistola perfectamente y soy jinete consumado. Tengo completo dominio sobre m mismo, no obstante el color engaador de mis cabellos; y si el lector insiste en que a pesar de todo lo dicho me hubiera valido ms dedicarme a algn trabajo til, slo



one, "is that he recognizes the duties of his position, and you see the opportunities of yours."

"To a man of spirit, my dear Rose," I answered, "opportunities are duties."

"Nonsense!" said she, tossing her head; and after a moment she went on: "Now, here's Sir Jacob Borrodaile offering you exactly what you might be equal to."

"A thousand thanks!" I murmured.

"He's to have an Embassy in six months, and Robert says he is sure that he'll take you as an attache. Do take it, Rudolfto please me."

Now, when my sister-in-law puts the matter in that way, wrinkling her pretty brows, twisting her little hands, and growing wistful in the eyes, all on account of an idle scamp like myself, for whom she has no natural responsibility, I am visited with compunction. Moreover, I thought it possible that I could pass the time in the position suggested with some tolerable amusement. Therefore I said:

"My dear sister, if in six months' time no unforeseen obstacle has arisen, and Sir Jacob invites me, hang me if I don't go with Sir Jacob!"

"Oh, Rudolf, how good of you! I am glad!"

"Where's he going to?"

"He doesn't know yet; but it's sure to be a good Embassy."

"Madame," said I, "for your sake I'll go, if it's no more than a beggarly Legation. When I do a thing, I don't do it by halves."

My promise, then, was given; but six months are six months, and seem an eternity, and, inasmuch as they stretched between me and my prospective industry (I suppose attaches are industrious; but I know not, for I never became attache to Sir Jacob or anybody else), I cast about for some desirable mode of spending them. And it occurred to me suddenly that I would visit Ruritania. It may seem strange that I had never visited that country yet; but my father (in spite of a sneaking

aadir que mis padres me haban dejado en herencia diez mil pesos de renta y un carcter aventurero.

La diferencia entre tu hermano y tprosigui mi cuada, que tambin gusta de sermonear un poco de cuando en cuando,est en que l reconoce los deberes de su posicin y t no ves ms que las ventajas de la tuya. Ah tienes a Sir Jacobo Borrodale ofrecindote precisamente la oportunidad que necesitas y que ms te conviene.

Gracias mil!murmur.

Tiene prometida una embajada para dentro de seis meses, y Roberto est seguro de que te ofrecer el puesto de agregado. Acptalo, Rodolfo, aunque slo sea por complacerme.

Puesta la cuestin en este terreno y con mi cuadita frunciendo las cejas y dirigindome una de sus ms irresistibles miradas, no le quedaba a un tunante como yo ms remedio que ceder, compungido y pesaroso. Adems, pens que el puesto ofrecido no dejara de proporcionarme grata oportunidad de divertirme y pasarlo divinamente, y por lo tanto repliqu:

Mi querida hermana, si dentro de seis meses no se presenta algn obstculo imprevisto y Sir Jacobo no se opone, que me cuelguen si no me agrego a su embajada.

Qu bueno eres, Rodolfo! Cunto me alegro!

Y adnde va destinado el futuro embajador?

Todava no lo sabe, pero s est seguro de que ser un puesto de primer orden.

Hermana madije,por complacerte ir aunque sea a una legacin de tres al cuarto. No me gusta hacer las cosas a medias.

Es decir, que mi promesa estaba hecha; pero seis meses son seis meses, una eternidad, y como haba que pasarlos de alguna manera, me ech a pensar en seguida diversos planes que me permitieran esperar agradablemente el principio de mis tareas diplomticas; esto suponiendo que los agregados de embajada se ocupen en algo, cosa que no he podido averiguar, porque, como se ver ms



fondness for the Elphbergs, which led him to give me, his second son, the famous Elphberg name of Rudolf) had always been averse from my going, and, since his death, my brother, prompted by Rose, had accepted the family tradition which taught that a wide berth was to be given to that country. But the moment Ruritania had come into my head I was eaten up with a curiosity to see it. After all, red hair and long noses are not confined to the House of Elphberg, and the old story seemed a preposterously insufficient reason for debarring myself from acquaintance with a highly interesting and important kingdom, one which had played no small part in European history, and might do the like again under the sway of a young and vigorous ruler, such as the new King was rumoured to be. My determination was clinched by reading in The Times that Rudolf the Fifth was to be crowned at Strelsau in the course of the next three weeks, and that great magnificence was to mark the occasion. At once I made up my mind to be present, and began my preparations. But, inasmuch as it has never been my practice to furnish my relatives with an itinerary of my journeys and in this case I anticipated opposition to my wishes, I gave out that I was going for a ramble in the Tyrolan old haunt of mineand propitiated Rose's wrath by declaring that I intended to study the political and social problems of the interesting community which dwells in that neighbourhood.

"Perhaps," I hinted darkly, "there may be an outcome of the expedition."

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"Well," said I carelessly, "there seems a gap that might be filled by an exhaustive work on"

"Oh! will you write a book?" she cried, clapping her hands. "That would be splendid, wouldn't it, Robert?"

"It's the best of introductions to political life nowadays," observed my brother, who has, by the way, introduced himself in this manner several times over. Burlesdon on Ancient Theories and Modern Facts and The Ultimate Outcome, by a Political Student, are both works

adelante, nunca llegu a ser attach de Sir Jacobo ni de nadie. Y lo primero que se me ocurri, casi repentinamente, fue hacer un viajecillo a Ruritania. Parecer extrao que yo no hubiera visitado nunca aquel pas; pero mi padre (a pesar de cierta mal disimulada simpata por los Elsberg, que le llev a darme a m, su hijo segundo, el famoso nombre de Rodolfo, favorito entre los de aquella regia familia), se haba mostrado siempre opuesto a dicho viaje; y muerto l, mi hermano y Rosa haban aceptado la tradicin de nuestra familia, que tcitamente cerraba a los Rasndil las puertas de Ruritania. Pero desde el momento en que pens visitar aquel pas, se despert vivamente mi curiosidad y el deseo de verlo. Despus de todo, las narices largas y el pelo rojo no eran patrimonio exclusivo de los Elsberg, y la vieja historia que he reseado, a duras penas poda considerarse como razn suficiente para impedirme visitar un importante reino que haba desempeado papel nada menospreciable en la historia de Europa y que poda volver a hacerlo bajo la direccin de un monarca joven y animoso, como se deca que lo era el nuevo Rey. Mi resolucin acab de afirmarse al leer en los peridicos que Rodolfo V iba a ser coronado solemnemente en Estrelsau tres semanas despus y que la ceremonia prometa ser magnfica. Decid presenciarla y comenc mis preparativos de viaje sin perder momento. Pero como nunca haba acostumbrado enterar a mis parientes del itinerario de mis excursiones, y adems en aquel caso esperaba resuelta oposicin por su parte, me limit a decir que sala para el Tirol, objeto favorito de mis viajes, y me gan la aprobacin de Rosa dicindole que iba a estudiar los problemas sociales y polticos del interesante pueblo tirols.

Mi viaje puede dar tambin un resultado que no sospechasaad con gran misterio.

Qu quieres decir?pregunt Rosa.

Nada, sino que existe cierto vaco que pudiera llenarse con una obra concienzuda sobre...

Piensas escribir un libro?exclam mi cuada palmoteando.Magnfico proyecto! Verdad, Roberto?

En nuestros das es la mejor manera de comenzar una carrera polticaasinti mi



of recognized eminence.

"I believe you are right, Bob, my boy," said I.

"Now promise you'll do it," said Rose earnestly.

"No, I won't promise; but if I find enough material, I will."

"That's fair enough," said Robert.

"Oh, material doesn't matter!" she said, pouting.

But this time she could get no more than a qualified promise out of me. To tell the truth, I would have wagered a handsome sum that the story of my expedition that summer would stain no paper and spoil not a single pen. And that shows how little we know what the future holds; for here I am, fulfilling my qualified promise, and writing, as I never thought to write, a bookthough it will hardly serve as an introduction to political life, and has not a jot to do with the Tyrol.

Neither would it, I fear, please Lady Burlesdon, if I were to submit it to her critical eyea step which I have no intention of taking.

CHAPTER 2

Concerning the Colour of Men's Hair

It was a maxim of my Uncle William's that no man should pass through Paris without spending four-and-twenty hours there. My uncle spoke out of a ripe experience of the world, and I honoured his advice by putting up for a day and a night at "The Continental" on my way tothe Tyrol. I called on George Featherly at the Embassy, and we had a bit of dinner together at Durand's, and afterwards dropped in to the Opera; and after that we had a little supper, and after that we called on Bertram Bertrand, a versifier of some repute and Paris correspondent to The Critic. He had a very comfortable suite of rooms, and we found some pleasant fellows smoking and talking. It struck

hermano, que haba compuesto ya, no uno, sino varios libros. Teoras antiguas y hechos modernos, El resultado final y algunas otras obras originales de Burlesdn gozan muy justo renombre.

Tiene mucha razn Robertodeclar.

Promteme que lo harsdijo Rosa muy entusiasmada con mi plan.

Nada de promesas, pero si reno suficientes materiales lo har.

No se puede pedir msdijo Roberto.

Qu materiales ni qu calabazas!exclam Rosa, haciendo un gracioso mohn.

Pero no ced, y tuvo que contentarse con aquella promesa condicional. Por mi parte, hubiera apostado cualquier cosa a que mi excursin veraniega no dara por resultado ni una sola pgina. Y la mejor prueba de que me equivocaba de medio a medio, es que estoy escribiendo el prometido libro, aunque confieso que ni me puede servir a m para lanzarme a la poltica, ni tiene nada que ver con el Tirol.

Y bien puedo aadir que tampoco merecera la aprobacin de la Condesa mi cuada, suponiendo que yo lo sometiese a su severa censura; cosa que me guardar muy bien de hacer.

II que trata del color de los cabellos

Mi to Guillermo sola decir, y lo sentaba como mxima invariable, que nadie debe pasar por Pars sin detenerse all veinticuatro horas. Y yo, con el respeto debido a la madura experiencia de mi to, me instal en el Hotel Continental de aquella ciudad, resuelto a pasar all un da y una noche, camino del... Tirol. Fui a ver a Jorge Federly en la embajada, comimos juntos en Durand y despus nos fuimos a la Opera; tras una ligera cena nos presentamos en casa de Beltrn, poeta de alguna reputacin y corresponsal de La Crtica, de Londres. Ocupaba un piso muy cmodo, y hallamos all algunos amigos suyos, personas muy simpticas todas, con quienes pasamos el rato



me, however, that Bertram himself was absent and in low spirits, and when everybody except ourselves had gone, I rallied him on his moping preoccupation. He fenced with me for a while, but at last, flinging himself on a sofa, he exclaimed:

"Very well; have it your own way. I am in loveinfernally in love!"

"Oh, you'll write the better poetry," said I, by way of consolation.

He ruffled his hair with his hand and smoked furiously. George Featherly, standing with his back to the mantelpiece, smiled unkindly.

"If it's the old affair," said he, "you may as well throw it up, Bert. She's leaving Paris tomorrow."

"I know that," snapped Bertram.

"Not that it would make any difference if she stayed," pursued the relentless George. "She flies higher than the paper trade, my boy!"

"Hang her!" said Bertram.

"It would make it more interesting for me," I ventured to observe, "if I knew who you were talking about."

"Antoinette Mauban," said George.

"De Mauban," growled Bertram.

"Oho!" said I, passing by the question of the `de'. "You don't mean to say, Bert?"

"Can't you let me alone?"

"Where's she going to?" I asked, for the lady was something of a celebrity.

George jingled his money, smiled cruelly at poor Bertram, and answered pleasantly:

"Nobody knows. By the way, Bert, I met a great man at her house the other nightat least, about a month ago. Did you ever meet himthe Duke of Strelsau?"

agradablemente, fumando y conversando. Sin embargo, not que el dueo de la casa estaba preocupado y silencioso, y cuando se hubieron despedido todos los dems y queddonos solos con l Federly y yo, empec a bromear a Beltrn, hasta que exclam, dejndose caer en el sof:

Pues nada, que tienes t razn y estoy enamorado, perdidamente enamorado!

As escribirs mejores versosle dije por va de consuelo.

Se limit a fumar furiosamente sin decir palabra, en tanto que Federly, de espaldas a la chimenea, lo contemplaba con cruel sonrisa.

Es lo de siempre, y lo mejor que puedes hacer es cantar de plano, Beltranillodijo Federly.La novia se te va de Pars maana.

Ya lo srepuso Beltrn furioso.

Pero lo mismo da que se vaya o que se quede. La dama pica muy alto para ti, poeta!

Y a m qu?

Vuestra conversacin me interesara muchsimo msobserv,si supiera de quin estis hablando.

Antonieta Maubndijo Federly.

De Maubngru Beltrn.

Hola!exclam.Conque esas tenemos, mocito!

Me haces el favor de dejarme en paz?

Y adnde va?pregunt, porque la dama gozaba de cierta celebridad y su nombre no me era desconocido.

Jorge hizo sonar las monedas que tena en el bolsillo, mir a Beltrn dirigindole su ms despiadada sonrisa y replic:

Nadie lo sabe. Y a propsito, Beltrn; la otra noche vi en su casa a todo un personaje, el duque



"Yes, I did," growled Bertram.

"An extremely accomplished man, I thought him."

It was not hard to see that George's references to the duke were intended to aggravate poor Bertram's sufferings, so that I drew the inference that the duke had distinguished Madame de Mauban by his attentions. She was a widow, rich, handsome, and, according to repute, ambitious. It was quite possible that she, as George put it, was flying as high as a personage who was everything he could be, short of enjoying strictly royal rank: for the duke was the son of the late King of Ruritania by a second and morganatic marriage, and half-brother to the new King. He had been his father's favourite, and it had occasioned some unfavourable comment when he had been created a duke, with a title derived from no less a city than the capital itself. His mother had been of good, but not exalted, birth.

"He's not in Paris now, is he?" I asked.

"Oh no! He's gone back to be present at the King's coronation; a ceremony which, I should say, he'll not enjoy much. But, Bert, old man, don't despair! He won't marry the fair Antoinetteat least, not unless another plan comes to nothing. Still perhaps she" He paused and added, with a laugh: "Royal attentions are hard to resistyou know that, don't you, Rudolf?"

"Confound you!" said I; and rising, I left the hapless Bertram in George's hands and went home to bed.

The next day George Featherly went with me to the station, where I took a ticket for Dresden.

"Going to see the pictures?" asked George, with a grin.

George is an inveterate gossip, and had I told him that I was off to Ruritania, the news would have been in London in three days and in Park Lane in a week. I was, therefore, about to return an evasive answer, when he saved my conscience by leaving me suddenly and darting across the platform. Following him with my eyes, I saw him

de Estrelsau. Le conoces?

S, y qu?

Muy cumplido caballero, a fe ma.

Era evidente que las alusiones de Jorge al Duque tenan por objeto aumentar las penas del pobre Beltrn, de donde infer que el Duque haba distinguido a la seora de Maubn con sus atenciones. Era ella viuda, hermosa, rica, y la voz pblica decala ambiciosa. Nada tena de extrao que procurase, como lo haba insinuado Jorge, conquistar a un personaje que ocupaba en su pas lugar inmediato al del Rey; porque el Duque era hijo del finado rey de Ruritania y de su segunda y morgantica esposa y, por consiguiente, hermano paterno del nuevo Rey. Haba sido el favorito de su padre, quien fue objeto de muy desfavorables comentarios al crearlo Duque y dar por nombre a su ducado el de la capital del Reino. Su madre haba sido de buena familia pero no de alta nobleza.

Sigue en Pars el Duque?pregunt.

Oh, no! Se ha ido porque tiene que asistir a la coronacin; ceremonia que de seguro no le har mucha gracia. Pero no desesperes, Beltrn! Con la bella Antonieta no se ha de casar, por lo menos mientras no fracase otro plan. Sin embargo, quizs ella...Hizo una pausa y dijo, rindose:No es fcil resistir las atenciones de un prncipe real, no es as, Rodolfo?

Te callars?le dije, y levantndome, dej a Beltrn en las garras de Jorge y me fui al hotel.

Al siguiente da Jorge Federly me acompa a la estacin, donde tom un billete para Dresde.

Vas a contemplar las pinturas?pregunt Jorge guindome el ojo.

Jorge es un murmurador incorregible, y si hubiese sabido que yo iba a Ruritania, la noticia hubiera llegado a Londres en tres das. Iba, pues, a darle una respuesta evasiva cuando le vi dirigirse apresuradamente al otro extremo del andn y saludar a una joven bonita y muy elegantemente vestida, que acababa de dejar la sala de espera. Podra tener unos treinta o treinta y dos aos y era



lift his hat and accost a graceful, fashionably dressed woman who had just appeared from the booking-office. She was, perhaps, a year or two over thirty, tall, dark, and of rather full figure. As George talked, I saw her glance at me, and my vanity was hurt by the thought that, muffled in a fur coat and a neck-wrapper (for it was a chilly April day) and wearing a soft travelling hat pulled down to my ears, I must be looking very far from my best. A moment later, George rejoined me.

"You've got a charming travelling companion," he said. "That's poor Bert Bertrand's goddess, Antoinette de Mauban, and, like you, she's going to Dresdenalso, no doubt, to see the pictures. It's very queer, though, that she doesn't at present desire the honour of your acquaintance."

"I didn't ask to be introduced," I observed, a little annoyed.

"Well, I offered to bring you to her; but she said, 'Another time.' Never mind, old fellow, perhaps there'll be a smash, and you'll have a chance of rescuing her and cutting out the Duke of Strelsau!"

No smash, however, happened, either to me or to Madame de Mauban. I can speak for her as confidently as for myself; for when, after a night's rest in Dresden, I continued my journey, she got into the same train. Understanding that she wished to be let alone, I avoided her carefully, but I saw that she went the same way as I did to the very end of my journey, and I took opportunities of having a good look at her, when I could do so unobserved.

As soon as we reached the Ruritanian frontier (where the old officer who presided over the Custom House favoured me with such a stare that I felt surer than before of my Elphberg physiognomy), I bought the papers, and found in them news which affected my movements. For some reason, which was not clearly explained, and seemed to be something of a mystery, the date of the coronation had been suddenly advanced, and the ceremony was to take place on the next day but one. The whole country seemed in a stir about it, and it was evident that Strelsau was thronged. Rooms were all let and hotels

alta, morena y algo gruesa. Mientras hablaba con Jorge not que me miraba, con gran disgusto mo, porque no me consideraba muy presentable con el largo gabn ruso que me envolva para preservarme del fro en aquella destemplada maana de abril, sin contar la bufanda que llevaba al cuello y el sombrero de fieltro calado hasta las orejas.

Tienes una encantadora compaera de viajeme dijo Federly al reunrseme.Esa es la diosa adorada de Beltrn, la bella Antonieta, que va, como t, a Dresde... a ver pinturas tambin, probablemente. Sin embargo, me extraa que precisamente ahora no desee tener el honor de conocerte.

No he podido serle presentadodije un tanto mohino.

Pero yo me ofrec a presentarte y me contest que otra vez sera. No importa, chico; quizs haya un descarrilamiento o un choque durante el viaje y tengas oportunidad de dejar plantado al duque de Estrelsau.

Pero ni la seora de Maubn ni yo tuvimos el menor desastre, y bien puedo afirmarlo de ella con tanta seguridad como de m, porque tras una noche de descanso en Dresde, al continuar mi jornada, la vi subir a un coche del mismo tren que yo haba tomado. Comprendiendo que deseaba hallarse sola, evit cuidadosamente acercrmele; pero vi que llevaba el mismo punto de destino que yo y no dej de observarla atentamente sin que ella lo notase.

Tan luego llegamos a la frontera de Ruritania (y por cierto que el viejo administrador de la aduana se qued mirndome con tal fijeza que me hizo recordar ms que nunca mi parentesco con los Elsberg), compr unos peridicos y me hall con noticias que modificaron mi itinerario. Por motivos no muy claramente explicados, se haba anticipado repentinamente la fecha de la coronacin, fijndola para dos das despus. En todo el pas se hablaba de la solemne ceremonia y era evidente que Estrelsau, la capital, estaba atestada de forasteros. Las habitaciones disponibles alquiladas todas, los hoteles llenos, iba a serme muy difcil obtener hospedaje, y dado que lo consiguiera tendra que pagarlo a precio



overflowing; there would be very little chance of my obtaining a lodging, and I should certainly have to pay an exorbitant charge for it. I made up my mind to stop at Zenda, a small town fifty miles short of the capital, and about ten from the frontier. My train reached there in the evening; I would spend the next day, Tuesday, in a wander over the hills, which were said to be very fine, and in taking a glance at the famous Castle, and go over by train to Strelsau on the Wednesday morning, returning at night to sleep at Zenda.

Accordingly at Zenda I got out, and as the train passed where I stood on the platform, I saw my friend Madame de Mauban in her place; clearly she was going through to Strelsau, having, with more providence than I could boast, secured apartments there. I smiled to think how surprised George Featherly would have been to know that she and I had been fellow travellers for so long.

I was very kindly received at the hotelit was really no more than an innkept by a fat old lady and her two daughters. They were good, quiet people, and seemed very little interested in the great doings at Strelsau. The old lady's hero was the duke, for he was now, under the late King's will, master of the Zenda estates and of the Castle, which rose grandly on its steep hill at the end of the valley a mile or so from the inn. The old lady, indeed, did not hesitate to express regret that the duke was not on the throne, instead of his brother.

"We know Duke Michael," said she. "He has always lived among us; every Ruritanian knows Duke Michael. But the King is almost a stranger; he has been so much abroad, not one in ten knows him even by sight."

"And now," chimed in one of the young women, "they say he has shaved off his beard, so that no one at all knows him."

"Shaved his beard!" exclaimed her mother. "Who says so?"

"Johann, the duke's keeper. He has seen the King."

"Ah, yes. The King, sir, is now at the duke's hunting-lodge in the forest here; from here he

exorbitante. Resolv, pues, detenerme en Zenda, pequea poblacin a quince leguas de la capital y a cinco de la frontera. El tren en que yo iba, llegaba a Zenda aquella noche; podra pasar el da siguiente, martes, recorriendo las cercanas, que tenan fama de muy pintorescas, dando una ojeada al famoso castillo e ir por tren a Estrelsau el mircoles, para volver aquella misma noche a dormir a Zenda.

Dicho y hecho. Me qued en Zenda y desde el andn vi a la seora de Maubn, que evidentemente iba sin detenerse hasta Estrelsau, donde por lo visto contaba o esperaba conseguir el alojamiento que yo no haba tenido la previsin de procurarme de antemano. Me sonre al pensar en la sorpresa de Jorge Federly si hubiera llegado a saber que ella y yo habamos viajado tanto tiempo en buena compaa.

Me recibieron muy bien en el hotel, que no pasaba de ser una posada, presidida por una corpulenta matrona y sus dos hijas; gente bonachona y tranquila, que pareca cuidarse muy poco de lo que suceda en la capital. El preferido de la buena seora era el Duque, porque el testamento del difunto Rey lo haba hecho dueo y seor de las posesiones reales en Zenda y del castillo, que se elevaba majestuosamente sobre escarpada colina al extremo del valle, a media legua escasa del hotel. Mi huspeda no vacilaba en decir que senta no ver al Duque en el trono, en lugar de su hermano.

Por lo menos al duque Miguel lo conocemos!exclamaba.Ha vivido siempre entre nosotros y no hay ruritano que no sepa de l. Pero el Rey es casi un extrao; ha residido tanto tiempo fuera del pas, que apenas si de cada diez hay uno que lo haya visto.

Y ahoraapoy una de las muchachas,dicen que se ha afeitado la barba y que no hay quien lo conozca.

Que se ha quitado la barba!exclam la madre.Quin te lo ha dicho?

Juan, el guardabosque del Duque, que ha visto al Rey.

Ah, s! El Rey, seor mo, est de cacera en



goes to Strelsau to be crowned on Wednesday morning."

I was interested to hear this, and made up my mind to walk next day in the direction of the lodge, on the chance of coming across the King. The old lady ran on garrulously:

"Ah, and I wish he would stay at his huntingthat and wine (and one thing more) are all he loves, they sayand suffer our duke to be crowned on Wednesday. That I wish, and I don't care who knows it."

"Hush, mother!" urged the daughters.

"Oh, there's many to think as I do!" cried the old woman stubbornly.

I threw myself back in my deep armchair, and laughed at her zeal.

"For my part," said the younger and prettier of the two daughters, a fair, buxom, smiling wench, "I hate Black Michael! A red Elphberg for me, mother! The King, they say, is as red as a fox or as"

And she laughed mischievously as she cast a glance at me, and tossed her head at her sister's reproving face.

"Many a man has cursed their red hair before now," muttered the old ladyand I remembered James, fifth Earl of Burlesdon.

"But never a woman!" cried the girl.

"Ay, and women, when it was too late," was the stern answer, reducing the girl to silence and blushes.

"How comes the King here?" I asked, to break an embarrassed silence. "It is the duke's land here, you say."

"The duke invited him, sir, to rest here till Wednesday. The duke is at Strelsau, preparing the King's reception."

"Then they're friends?"

una posesin que tiene el Duque, ah en el bosque; de Zenda ir a Estrelsau para la coronacin el mircoles por la maana.

Me interes la noticia y resolv dirigir al da siguiente mis pasos hacia la casa del guarda, con la esperanza de ver al Rey.

Ojal se quedase cazando toda la vida!me deca mi huspeda.Cuentan que la caza, el vino y otra cosa que me callo, es lo nico que le gusta o le importa. Pues que coronen al Duque; eso es lo que yo quisiera, y no me importa que me oigan.

Cllese usted, madre!dijeron ambas mozas.

Oh, son muchos los que piensan como yo!insisti la vieja.

Reclinado en cmodo silln, de brazos, me rea al oirlas.

Lo que es yodeclar la menor de las hijas, una rubia regordeta y sonriente,aborrezco a Miguel el Negro. A m dme usted un Elsberg rojo, madre! Del Rey dicen que es tan rojo como... como...

Me mir maliciosamente y lanz una carcajada, sin hacer caso de la cara hosca que pona su hermana.

Pues mira que muchos han maldecido antes de ahora a esos Elsberg pelirrojosrefunfu la buena mujer; y yo me acord en seguida de Jaime, cuarto conde de Burlesdn.

Pero nunca los ha maldecido una mujer!exclam la moza.

Tambin, y ms de una, cuando ya era tardefue la severa respuesta, que dej a la doncella callada y confusa.

Cmo es que el Rey se halla aqu, en tierras del Duque?pregunt para romper el embarazoso silencio.

El Duque lo invit, mi buen seor, a que descansase aqu hasta el mircoles, mientras l preparaba la recepcin del Rey en Estrelsau.



"None better," said the old lady.

But my rosy damsel tossed her head again; she was not to be repressed for long, and she broke out again:

"Ay, they love one another as men do who want the same place and the same wife!"

The old woman glowered; but the last words pricked my curiosity, and I interposed before she could begin scolding:

"What, the same wife, too! How's that, young lady?"

"All the world knows that Black Michaelwell then, mother, the dukewould give his soul to marry his cousin, the Princess Flavia, and that she is to be the queen."

"Upon my word," said I, "I begin to be sorry for your duke. But if a man will be a younger son, why he must take what the elder leaves, and be as thankful to God as he can;" and, thinking of myself, I shrugged my shoulders and laughed. And then I thought also of Antoinette de Mauban and her journey to Strelsau.

"It's little dealing Black Michael has with" began the girl, braving her mother's anger; but as she spoke a heavy step sounded on the floor, and a gruff voice asked in a threatening tone:

"Who talks of 'Black Michael' in his Highness's own burgh?"

The girl gave a little shriek, half of frighthalf, I think, of amusement.

"You'll not tell of me, Johann?" she said.

"See where your chatter leads," said the old lady.

The man who had spoken came forward.

"We have company, Johann," said my hostess, and the fellow plucked off his cap. A moment later he saw me, and, to my amazement, he started back a step, as though he had seen something wonderful.

Es decir que son buenos amigos?

Los mejores del mundo.

Pero la linda rubia no era de las que se callan por largo tiempo, y exclam:

S, se quieren tanto como pueden quererse dos hombres que ambicionan el mismo trono y la misma mujer!

Su madre le dirigi una mirada furibunda, pero aquellas palabras haban picado mi curiosidad; y antes de que la vieja pudiera reirla, le pregunt:

Cmo es eso? La misma mujer?

Todo el mundo sabe que Miguel el Negrobueno, madre, el duque Miguel,dara su alma por casarse con su prima, la princesa Favia, que est destinada al Rey.

Pobre Duque!repuse.Declaro que empiezo a compadecerlo. Pero el segundn tiene que contentarse con lo que el mayor le deje, y aun dar gracias a Dios de que algo le toque.Y pensando en lo que a m mismo me suceda, me encog de hombros y me ech a rer. Tambin record entonces a Antonieta de Maubn y su viaje a Estrelsau.

Lo que es Miguel el Negro...continu la muchacha arrostrando la indignacin de su madre; pero en aquel momento se oyeron unos pesados pasos y una voz brusca pregunt, con acento amenazador:

Quin habla del duque Miguel con tan poco respeto y en sus propias tierras?

La muchacha dio un ligero grito, entre atemorizada y risuea.

No me acusars a tu amo, Juan?pregunt.

Ah tienes lo que nos traes con tu charladijo la madre.

El hombre que haba hablado entr en la habitacin.

Tenemos un husped, Juandijo la posadera al



"What ails you, Johann?" asked the elder girl. "This is a gentleman on his travels, come to see the coronation."

The man had recovered himself, but he was staring at me with an intense, searching, almost fierce glance.

"Good evening to you," said I.

"Good evening, sir," he muttered, still scrutinizing me, and the merry girl began to laugh as she called

"See, Johann, it is the colour you love! He started to see your hair, sir. It's not the colour we see most of here in Zenda."

"I crave your pardon, sir," stammered the fellow, with puzzled eyes. "I expected to see no one."

"Give him a glass to drink my health in; and I'll bid you good night, and thanks to you, ladies, for your courtesy and pleasant conversation."

So speaking, I rose to my feet, and with a slight bow turned to the door. The young girl ran to light me on the way, and the man fell back to let me pass, his eyes still fixed on me. The moment I was by, he started a step forward, asking:

"Pray, sir, do you know our King?"

"I never saw him," said I. "I hope to do so on Wednesday."

He said no more, but I felt his eyes following me till the door closed behind me. My saucy conductor, looking over her shoulder at me as she preceded me upstairs, said:

"There's no pleasing Master Johann for one of your colour, sir."

"He prefers yours, maybe?" I suggested.

"I meant, sir, in a man," she answered, with a coquettish glance.

"What," asked I, taking hold of the other side of the candlestick, "does colour matter in a man?"

recin llegado, que inmediatamente se quit la gorra. Pero al verme retrocedi un paso, como ante una aparicin.

Qu tienes, Juan?pregunt la mayor de las jvenes.Este seor es un viajero, que viene a ver la coronacin.

El guardabosque se haba repuesto de su sorpresa, pero segua mirndome fijamente, con expresin de intensa curiosidad no exenta de amenaza.

Buenas nochesle dije.

Buenas noches, seormurmur, observndome sin cesar, hasta que la rubia exclam con gran risa:

S, mralo bien, Juan; es tu color favorito! Lo ha sorprendido el color de su cabello, seor viajero; color que no es el que ms vemos aqu en Zenda.

Dispense el seorbalbuce el mozo, todava sorprendido.No cre encontrar aqu ms que a los de casa.

Denle ustedes un vaso de vino para que lo beba a mi salud. Buenas noches a todos, y gracias, seoras mas, por su bondad y su grata conversacin.

Me levante, e inclinndome ligeramente me dirig hacia la puerta. La alegre muchacha corri a alumbrar el camino y el joven retrocedi un paso, fijos los ojos en m. Al llegar a su lado me dijo:

Con perdn, seor: conoce usted al Rey?

Jams lo he visto, pero espero conocerlo el mircoles.

Nada ms dijo, pero present que sus ojos siguieron clavados en m hasta que se cerr la puerta. Mi picaresca conductora iba delante y al subir la escalera me dijo:

No hay remedio; el pelo de usted es de un color que no le gusta a Juan.

Prefiere quizs el tuyo, eh?



"Nay, but I love yoursit's the Elphberg red."

"Colour in a man," said I, "is a matter of no more moment than that!'and I gave her something of no value.

"God send the kitchen door be shut!" said she.

"Amen!" said I, and left her.

In fact, however, as I now know, colour is sometimes of considerable moment to a man.

CHAPTER 3

A Merry Evening with a Distant Relative

I was not so unreasonable as to be prejudiced against the duke's keeper because he disliked my complexion; and if I had been, his most civil and obliging conduct (as it seemed to me to be) next morning would have disarmed me. Hearing that I was bound for Strelsau, he came to see me while I was breakfasting, and told me that a sister of his who had married a well-to-do tradesman and lived in the capital, had invited him to occupy a room in her house. He had gladly accepted, but now found that his duties would not permit of his absence. He begged therefore that, if such humble (though, as he added, clean and comfortable) lodgings would satisfy me, I would take his place. He pledged his sister's acquiescence, and urged the inconvenience and crowding to which I should be subject in my journeys to and from Strelsau the next day. I accepted his offer without a moment's hesitation, and he went off to telegraph to his sister, while I packed up and prepared to take the next train. But I still hankered after the forest and the hunting-lodge, and when my little maid told me that I could, by walking ten miles or so through the forest, hit the railway at a roadside station, I decided to send my luggage direct to the address which Johann had given, take my walk, and follow to Strelsau myself. Johann had gone off and was not aware of the change in my plans; but, as its only effect was to delay my arrival at

Oh! quiero decir en un hombrereplic coquetonamente.

Vamos a verdije asiendo el candelero que tena ella en la mano;qu importa que un hombre tenga el pelo de tal o cual color?

Lo que s es que a m me gusta el de usted; es el rojo de los Elsberg.

Te repito que lo del color es una bicoca, una fruslera. Como sta; toma.Y le di algunas monedas.

Cielo santo!exclam.Lo que es esta noche voy a cerrar la puerta de la cocina, por si acaso.

De entonces ac he aprendido que el color del pelo es en ocasiones detalle de la ms alta importancia para un hombre.

III francachela nocturna con un pariente lejano

La conducta del guardabosque del Duque al siguiente da, fue tan atenta y se mostr tan servicial, que hubiera bastado para reconciliarme con l, suponiendo que yo hubiese podido guardarle el menor rencor porque a l le gustase o no el color de mi cabello. Habiendo sabido que me diriga a la capital, se present cuando estaba yo almorzando para decirme que una hermana suya, casada con un acomodado mercader de Estrelsau, lo haba invitado a ocupar un cuarto en su casa durante las fiestas de la coronacin. Que haba aceptado de mil amores, pero ahora se hallaba con que sus deberes no le permitan ausentarse. Por lo tanto me rogaba que aceptase la invitacin en su lugar, asegurndome que la casa, aunque modesta, era cmoda y limpia, y que su hermana se avendra al cambio con placer; acabando por recordarme las molestias que me aguardaban en los coches atestados del tren, en mis idas y venidas entre Zenda y Estrelsau. Acept su oferta sin la menor vacilacin y l fue a telegrafiar a su hermana mientras yo preparaba mis efectos para tomar el prximo tren. Pero me quedaba todava el deseo de ir al bosque y llegarme hasta la casilla del guarda; y cuando mi linda camarera me dijo que poda tomar el tren en otra estacin, andando cosa de dos leguas a travs del bosque, resolv



his sister's for a few hours, there was no reason for troubling to inform him of it. Doubtless the good lady would waste no anxiety on my account.

I took an early luncheon, and, having bidden my kind entertainers farewell, promising to return to them on my way home, I set out to climb the hill that led to the Castle, and thence to the forest of Zenda. Half an hour's leisurely walking brought me to the Castle. It had been a fortress in old days, and the ancient keep was still in good preservation and very imposing. Behind it stood another portion of the original castle, and behind that again, and separated from it by a deep and broad moat, which ran all round the old buildings, was a handsome modern chateau, erected by the last king, and now forming the country residence of the Duke of Strelsau. The old and the new portions were connected by a drawbridge, and this indirect mode of access formed the only passage between the old building and the outer world; but leading to the modern chateau there was a broad and handsome avenue. It was an ideal residence: when "Black Michael" desired company, he could dwell in his chateau; if a fit of misanthropy seized him, he had merely to cross the bridge and draw it up after him (it ran on rollers), and nothing short of a regiment and a train of artillery could fetch him out. I went on my way, glad that poor Black Michael, though he could not have the throne or the princess, had, at least, as fine a residence as any prince in Europe.

Soon I entered the forest, and walked on for an hour or more in its cool sombre shade. The great trees enlaced with one another over my head, and the sunshine stole through in patches as bright as diamonds, and hardly bigger. I was enchanted with the place, and, finding a felled tree-trunk, propped my back against it, and stretching my legs out gave myself up to undisturbed contemplation of the solemn beauty of the woods and to the comfort of a good cigar. And when the cigar was finished and I had (I suppose) inhaled as much beauty as I could, I went off into the most delightful sleep, regardless of my train to Strelsau and of the fast-waning afternoon. To remember a train in such a spot would have been rank sacrilege. Instead of that, I fell to dreaming that I was married to the Princess Flavia and

enviar mi equipaje directamente a las seas que haba dejado Juan, dar mi paseo y continuar despus el viaje a Estrelsau. Juan haba partido ya y nada supo de este cambio en mis planes; pero como el nico efecto haba de ser un retraso de algunas horas en mi llegada a la casa de su hermana, no haba para qu enterarlo de ello, y desde luego mi futura huspeda no se haba de preocupar por mi tardanza.

Tom una ligera colacin poco antes de medioda, y habindome despedido de la buena mujer y sus hijas, prometiendo volver a verlas a mi regreso, comenc el ascenso de la colina que lleva al castillo y desde ste al bosque de Zenda. Media hora de pausado andar me llev a las puertas del castillo. Fortaleza en otro tiempo, los macizos muros se hallaban todava en buen estado y aparecan muy imponentes. Tras ellos se vea otra seccin de la antigua fortaleza, y despus de sta, separada por un ancho y profundo foso que rodeaba tambin los antiguos edificios, hallbase una hermosa quinta moderna, mandada construir por el difunto Rey y que al presente era la residencia de campo del duque de Estrelsau. Ambas porciones, antigua y moderna, se comunicaban por medio de un puente levadizo, nico medio de acceso a la parte antigua de la construccin; en cambio en frente de la quinta se extenda una hermosa y ancha avenida. Era aquella una posesin ideal. Cuando Miguel el Negro deseaba compaa, habitaba la quinta; si quera estar solo le bastaba cruzar el puente, alzarlo tras s, y hubieran sido necesarios un regimiento y una batera de sitio para sacarlo de all. Prosegu mi camino, alegrndome de ver que el pobre duque Miguel, ya que no pudiese conseguir trono ni princesa, tena por lo menos una residencia no inferior a la de ningn otro prncipe de Europa.

No tard en llegar al bosque, cuyos frondosos rboles me proporcionaron fresca sombra por ms de una hora. Las ramas se entrelazaban sobre mi cabeza y los rayos del sol podan apenas deslizarse entre las hojas, poniendo aqu y all brillantes toques sobre el hmedo csped. Encantado con aquel lugar, me sent al pie de un rbol, apoy la espalda contra su tronco y extendiendo las piernas me entregu a la contemplacin de la solemne belleza del bosque, a la vez que aspiraba el delicioso aroma de un buen cigarro. Consumido



dwelt in the Castle of Zenda, and beguiled whole days with my love in the glades of the forestwhich made a very pleasant dream. In fact, I was just impressing a fervent kiss on the charming lips of the princess, when I heard (and the voice seemed at first a part of the dream) someone exclaim, in rough strident tones.

"Why, the devil's in it! Shave him, and he'd be the King!"

The idea seemed whimsical enough for a dream: by the sacrifice of my heavy moustache and carefully pointed imperial, I was to be transformed into a monarch! I was about to kiss the princess again, when I arrived (very reluctantly) at the conclusion that I was awake.

I opened my eyes, and found two men regarding me with much curiosity. Both wore shooting costumes and carried guns. One was rather short and very stoutly built, with a big bullet-shaped head, a bristly grey moustache, and small pale-blue eyes, a trifle bloodshot. The other was a slender young fellow, of middle height, dark in complexion, and bearing himself with grace and distinction. I set the one down as an old soldier: the other for a gentleman accustomed to move in good society, but not unused to military life either. It turned out afterwards that my guess was a good one.

The elder man approached me, beckoning the younger to follow. He did so, courteously raising his hat. I rose slowly to my feet.

"He's the height, too!" I heard the elder murmur, as he surveyed my six feet two inches of stature. Then, with a cavalier touch of the cap, he addressed me:

"May I ask your name?"

"As you have taken the first step in the acquaintance, gentlemen," said I, with a smile, "suppose you give me a lead in the matter of names."

The young man stepped forward with a pleasant smile.

"This," said he, "is Colonel Sapt, and I am called

ste y al parecer satisfecha mi contemplacin esttica, me qued profundamente dormido, sin cuidarme para nada del tren que deba de llevarme a Estrelsau ni de la rapidez con que iban deslizndose las horas de aquella tarde. Pensar en trenes en aquel lugar hubiera sido un sacrilegio. Lejos de eso, me puse a soar que era el feliz esposo de la princesa Flavia, con la cual habitaba en el castillo de Zenda y me paseaba por las sombreadas alamedas del bosque, todo lo cual constitua un sueo muy placentero por cierto. No ocultar que me hallaba en el acto de estampar un ardiente beso en los lindos labios de la Princesa, cuando o una voz estridente, que al principio me pareci parte de mi sueo, y que deca:

Pero, hombre, si parece cosa, del diablo! No hay ms que afeitarlo y ya tenemos al Rey hecho y derecho.

Aquella ocurrencia me pareci bastante rara, aun para soada; el sacrificio de mi bien cuidada barba y aguzada perilla transformarme en un monarca! Hallbame a punto de besar otra vez a mi princesa, cuando me convenc, muy a mi pesar, de que estaba despierto.

Abr los ojos y vi a dos hombres que me contemplaban con gran curiosidad. Ambos vestan trajes de caza y llevaban sus escopetas. Bajo y robusto uno de ellos, con una cabeza redonda como bala de can, spero bigote gris y pequeos ojos azules. El otro era joven, esbelto, de mediana estatura, moreno y de distinguido porte. Desde luego me pareci el primero un veterano y el otro un joven noble, pero tambin soldado. Ms tarde tuve ocasin de ver confirmado mi juicio.

El de ms edad se adelant, haciendo sea al otro de que le siguiera; y ste lo hizo as, descubrindose cortsmente, a tiempo que yo me pona en pie.

Hasta la misma estatura!o murmurar al veterano, mientras pareca medir atentamente con la vista los seis pies y dos pulgadas de estatura que Dios me ha dado. Despus, haciendo el saludo militar, dijo:

Me sera permitido preguntarle a usted su nombre?



Fritz von Tarlenheim: we are both in the service of the King of Ruritania."

I bowed and, baring my head, answered:

"I am Rudolf Rassendyll. I am a traveller from England; and once for a year or two I held a commission from her Majesty the Queen."

"Then we are all brethren of the sword," answered Tarlenheim, holding out his hand, which I took readily.

"Rassendyll, Rassendyll!" muttered Colonel Sapt; then a gleam of intelligence flitted across his face.

"By Heaven!" he cried, "you're of the Burlesdons?"

"My brother is now Lord Burlesdon," said I.

"Thy head betrayeth thee," he chuckled, pointing to my uncovered poll. "Why, Fritz, you know the story?"

The young man glanced apologetically at me. He felt a delicacy which my sister-in-law would have admired. To put him at his ease, I remarked with a smile:

"Ah! the story is known here as well as among us, it seems."

"Known!" cried Sapt. "If you stay here, the deuce a man in all Ruritania will doubt of itor a woman either."

I began to feel uncomfortable. Had I realized what a very plainly written pedigree I carried about with me, I should have thought long before I visited Ruritania. However, I was in for it now.

At this moment a ringing voice sounded from the wood behind us:

"Fritz, Fritz! where are you, man?"

Tarlenheim started, and said hastily:

"It's the King!"

Mi opinin, seores moscontest sonrindome,es que habiendo tomado ustedes la iniciativa en este encuentro, les toca tambin comenzar por decirme sus nombres.

El joven se adelant con faz risuea.

El coronel Sartodijo presentando a su compaero.Y yo soy Federico de Tarlein; ambos al servicio del rey de Ruritania.

Me inclin y dije descubrindome:

Mi nombre es Rodolfo Rasndil y soy un viajero ingls. Tambin he sido por dos aos oficial del ejrcito de Su Majestad la Reina.

Pues en tal caso somos hermanos de armasrepuso Tarlein tendindome la mano, que estrech gustoso.

Rasndil, Rasndil!murmur el coronel Sarto. De repente pareci despertarse un claro recuerdo en su memoria y exclam:

Por vida de! Sois Burlesdn?

Mi hermano es el actual Conde de este ttulo.

Claro est! Con esa cabeza no poda ser otra cosadijo echndose a rer.No conoce usted la historia, Tarlein?

El joven me mir, algo cortado, con una delicadeza que mi cuada hubiera admirado grandemente. Y deseoso yo de tranquilizarlo, dije chancendome:

Ah! Por lo visto la historia es tan bien conocida aqu como entre nosotros.

Conocida!exclam Sarto.Y como siga usted algn tiempo en el pas no habr en toda Ruritania quien la dude.

Empec a sentirme algo inquieto. Si hubiera sabido hasta qu punto poda leerse mi genealoga en mi aspecto, lo hubiera pensado mucho antes de visitar a Ruritania. Pero a lo hecho pecho.

En aquel momento se oy una voz imperiosa entre



Old Sapt chuckled again.

Then a young man jumped out from behind the trunk of a tree and stood beside us. As I looked at him, I uttered an astonished cry; and he, seeing me, drew back in sudden wonder. Saving the hair on my face and a manner of conscious dignity which his position gave him, saving also that he lacked perhaps half an inchnay, less than that, but still somethingof my height, the King of Ruritania might have been Rudolf Rassendyll, and I, Rudolf, the King.

For an instant we stood motionless, looking at one another. Then I bared my head again and bowed respectfully. The King found his voice, and asked in bewilderment:

"ColonelFritzwho is this gentleman?"

I was about to answer, when Colonel Sapt stepped between the King and me, and began to talk to his Majesty in a low growl. The King towered over Sapt, and, as he listened, his eyes now and again sought mine. I looked at him long and carefully. The likeness was certainly astonishing, though I saw the points of difference also. The King's face was slightly more fleshy than mine, the oval of its contour the least trifle more pronounced, and, as I fancied, his mouth lacking something of the firmness (or obstinacy) which was to be gathered from my close-shutting lips. But, for all that, and above all minor distinctions, the likeness rose striking, salient, wonderful.

Sapt ceased speaking, and the King still frowned. Then, gradually, the corners of his mouth began to twitch, his nose came down (as mine does when I laugh), his eyes twinkled, and, behold! he burst into the merriest fit of irrepressible laughter, which rang through the woods and proclaimed him a jovial soul.

"Well met, cousin!" he cried, stepping up to me, clapping me on the back, and laughing still. "You must forgive me if I was taken aback. A man doesn't expect to see double at this time of day, eh, Fritz?"

"I must pray pardon, sire, for my presumption," said I. "I trust it will not forfeit your Majesty's

los rboles:

Federico! Dnde te has metido, hombre?

Tarlein se sobresalt y dijo apresuradamente:

El Rey!

El viejo Sarto se limit a rerse con sorna.

No tard en aparecer un joven, a cuya vista lanc una exclamacin de asombro; y l, al verme, retrocedi un paso, no menos atnito que yo. A no ser por mi barba, por cierta expresin de dignidad debida a su alto rango y tambin por media pulgada menos de estatura que l poda tener, el rey de Ruritania hubiera podido pasar por Rodolfo Rasndil y yo por el rey Rodolfo.

Permanecimos un momento inmviles, contemplndonos. Despus me descubr y salud respetuosamente. El Rey recobr entonces el uso de la palabra y pregunt con extraeza:

Coronel, Federico quin es este caballero?

Iba yo a contestar, cuando el coronel Sarto se interpuso y empez a hablar al rey en voz baja, con su tono grun. La estatura del Rey aventajaba mucho a la de Sarto, y mientras escuchaba a ste, sus ojos se fijaban de cuando en cuando en los mos. Por mi parte lo contempl larga y detenidamente. Nuestra semejanza era en verdad extraordinaria, si bien not asimismo los puntos de diferencia. La cara del Rey era ligeramente ms llena que la ma, el valo de su contorno un tanto ms pronunciado, muy poco, y me pareci o me imagin que a las lneas de su boca les faltaba algo de la firmeza (obstinacin quizs) que denunciaban mis comprimidos labios. Pero con todo esto y a pesar de esas diferencias menores, nuestro parecido subsista, innegable, evidente, portentoso.

El coronel dej de hablar, pero el rostro del Rey sigui contrado; por ltimo, movironse sus labios, se encorv su nariz (exactamente como le sucede a la ma cuando me ro), parpade y acab por echarse a rer de tan buena gana y tan fuertemente, que sus carcajadas resonaron en el bosque, proclamando la jovial disposicin de su



favour."

"By Heaven! you'll always enjoy the King's countenance," he laughed, "whether I like it or not; and, sir, I shall very gladly add to it what services I can. Where are you travelling to?"

"To Strelsau, sireto the coronation."

The King looked at his friends: he still smiled, though his expression hinted some uneasiness. But the humorous side of the matter caught him again.

"Fritz, Fritz!" he cried, "a thousand crowns for a sight of brother Michael's face when he sees a pair of us!" and the merry laugh rang out again.

"Seriously," observed Fritz von Tarlenheim, "I question Mr. Rassendyll's wisdom in visiting Strelsau just now."

The King lit a cigarette.

"Well, Sapt?" said he, questioningly.

"He mustn't go," growled the old fellow.

"Come, colonel, you mean that I should be in Mr. Rassendyll's debt, if"

"Oh, ay! wrap it up in the right way," said Sapt, hauling a great pipe out of his pocket.

"Enough, sire," said I. "I'll leave Ruritania today."

"No, by thunder, you shan'tand that's sans phrase, as Sapt likes it. For you shall dine with me tonight, happen what will afterwards. Come, man, you don't meet a new relation every day!"

"We dine sparingly tonight," said Fritz von Tarlenheim.

"Not wewith our new cousin for a guest!" cried the King; and, as Fritz shrugged his shoulders, he added: "Oh! I'll remember our early start, Fritz."

"So will Itomorrow morning," said old Sapt,

nimo.

Bienvenido, primo mo!exclam acercndose y dndome una palmada en el hombro, sin cesar de rerse.Muy disculpable es mi sorpresa, porque no todos los das ve un hombre su propia imagen contemplndole frente a frente. Verdad, seores?

Espero no haber incurrido en el desagrado de Vuestra Majestad...comenc a decir.

No, a fe ma! Y la verdad es que nadie con ms razn puede aspirar al favor del Rey. Adnde se dirige usted?

A Estrelsau, para presenciar la coronacin.

El Rey mir a sus servidores; continuaba sonrindose, pero su expresin revelaba ligera inquietud. Sin embargo, el lado cmico de la situacin volvi a imponrsele.

Tarlein!exclam,dara mil escudos por contemplar maana la cara de mi hermano Miguel cuando vea que somos dos. Un par de Reyes, nada menos!Y sus alegres carcajadas resonaron de nuevo.

Hablando seriamentedijo Tarlein,dudo que sea muy acertada la visita del seor Rasndil a Estrelsau en estos momentos.

El Rey encendi un cigarrillo.

Y bien, Sarto?pregunt.

No debe de irgru el veterano.

Veamos, coronel; es decir que el seor Rasndil me hara un servicio si...

Eso, eso; Vuestra Majestad puede darle la forma ms corts y diplomtica que juzgue convenientedijo Sarto sacando del bolsillo una enorme pipa.

Basta, seor!exclam dirigindome al Rey.Hoy mismo saldr de Ruritania.

Eso no!exclam el Rey.Cenar usted conmigo esta noche, suceda despus lo que quiera,



pulling at his pipe.

"O wise old Sapt!" cried the King. "Come, Mr. Rassendyllby the way, what name did they give you?"

"Your Majesty's," I answered, bowing.

"Well, that shows they weren't ashamed of us," he laughed. "Come, then, cousin Rudolf; I've got no house of my own here, but my dear brother Michael lends us a place of his, and we'll make shift to entertain you there;" and he put his arm through mine and, signing to the others to accompany us, walked me off, westerly, through the forest.

We walked for more than half an hour, and the King smoked cigarettes and chattered incessantly. He was full of interest in my family, laughed heartily when I told him of the portraits with Elphberg hair in our galleries, and yet more heartily when he heard that my expedition to Ruritania was a secret one.

"You have to visit your disreputable cousin on the sly, have you?" said he.

Suddenly emerging from the wood, we came on a small and rude hunting-lodge. It was a one-storey building, a sort of bungalow, built entirely of wood. As we approached it, a little man in a plain livery came out to meet us. The only other person I saw about the place was a fat elderly woman, whom I afterwards discovered to be the mother of Johann, the duke's keeper.

"Well, is dinner ready, Josef?" asked the King.

The little servant informed us that it was, and we soon sat down to a plentiful meal. The fare was plain enough: the King ate heartily, Fritz von Tarlenheim delicately, old Sapt voraciously. I played a good knife and fork, as my custom is; the King noticed my performance with approval.

"We're all good trenchermen, we Elphbergs," said he. "But what?we're eating dry! Wine, Josef! wine, man! Are we beasts, to eat without drinking? Are we cattle, Josef?"

At this reproof Josef hastened to load the table

Voto a! como dice Sarto; no se encuentra uno de manos a boca con un pariente todos los das.

Nuestra cena de esta noche ser sobriadijo Tarlein.

No talrepuso el Rey,teniendo por convidado a nuestro primo. No por eso olvido que debemos partir maana temprano, Tarlein.

Tampoco lo olvido yodijo el coronel fumando gravemente,pero siempre habr tiempo de pensar en ello maana.

Ah, viejo Sarto!exclam el Rey.Bien dicho! Cada cosa a su tiempo. Andando, seor Rasndil. Y a propsito, qu nombre le han puesto a usted?

El mismo de Vuestra Majestadcontest inclinndome.

Bravo! Eso prueba que no se avergenzan de nosotrosrepuso rindose.Vamos, primo Rodolfo. No tengo palacio ni casa propia por aqu, pero mi amado hermano Miguel me presta una de las suyas y en ella procuraremos tratarlo a usted lo mejor posible.Y tomando mi brazo, indico a los otros que nos siguiesen y nos pusimos en camino.

Anduvimos por el bosque cosa de media hora y el Rey fum cigarrillos y charl incesantemente. Mostr vivo inters por mi familia, se ri en grande cuando habl de los retratos con cabellera de Elsberg, existentes en nuestra galera de antepasados y redobl su risa al oir que mi expedicin a Ruritania era secreta.

Es decir que tiene usted que visitar a su depravado primo a escondidas?dijo.

Al salir del bosque nos hallamos ante un rstico pabelln de caza. Era una construccin de un solo piso, toda de madera. Sali a recibirnos un hombrecillo con modesta librea, y la nica otra persona que all habitaba era una vieja, la madre de Juan, el guardabosque del Duque, segn averig despus.

Est lista la cena, Jos?pregunt el Rey.

El hombrecillo contest que todo estaba pronto y



with bottles.

"Remember tomorrow!" said Fritz.

"Aytomorrow!" said old Sapt.

The King drained a bumper to his "Cousin Rudolf," as he was graciousor merryenough to call me; and I drank its fellow to the "Elphberg Red," whereat he laughed loudly.

Now, be the meat what it might, the wine we drank was beyond all price or praise, and we did it justice. Fritz ventured once to stay the King's hand.

"What?" cried the King. "Remember you start before I do, Master Fritzyou must be more sparing by two hours than I."

Fritz saw that I did not understand.

"The colonel and I," he explained, "leave here at six: we ride down to Zenda and return with the guard of honour to fetch the King at eight, and then we all ride together to the station."

"Hang that same guard!" growled Sapt.

"Oh! it's very civil of my brother to ask the honour for his regiment," said the King. "Come, cousin, you need not start early. Another bottle, man!"

I had another bottleor, rather, a part of one, for the larger half travelled quickly down his Majesty's throat. Fritz gave up his attempts at persuasion: from persuading, he fell to being persuaded, and soon we were all of us as full of wine as we had any right to be. The King began talking of what he would do in the future, old Sapt of what he had done in the past, Fritz of some beautiful girl or other, and I of the wonderful merits of the Elphberg dynasty. We all talked at once, and followed to the letter Sapt's exhortation to let the morrow take care of itself.

At last the King set down his glass and leant back in his chair.

"I have drunk enough," said he.

no tardamos en sentarnos a una mesa abundantemente servida. El Rey coma con apetito, Tarlein moderadamente y Sarto con voracidad. Yo me mostr buen comedor, como lo he sido siempre, y el Rey lo not, sin ocultar su aprobacin.

Nosotros, los Elsberg, nos portamos siempre bien en la mesa, observ.Pero qu es esto? Estamos comiendo en seco? Vino, Jos! Eso de engullir sin beber se queda para los animales. Pronto, pronto!

Jos puso apresuradamente sobre la mesa numerosas botellas.

Acurdese Vuestra Majestad de la ceremonia de maana!dijo Tarlein.

Eso es, maana!repiti el viejo Sarto.

El Rey vaci una copa a la salud de su primo Rodolfo, como tena la bondad de llamarme, y yo apur otra en honor del color de los Elsberg, brindis que le hizo rer mucho. No dir si era buena la carne que comamos, pero s que los vinos eran exquisitos y que les hicimos justicia. Tarlein se aventur una vez a detener la mano del Rey.

Cmo se entiende?exclam steAcurdate, Federico, de que debes partir maana antes que yo, y por lo tanto tienes que dejar de beber dos horas antes.

Tarlein vio que yo no comprenda.

El coronel y yome explic,saldremos de aqu a las seis de la maana para ir a caballo a Zenda, regresaremos con la guardia de honor a las ocho, y entonces cabalgaremos todos juntos hasta la estacin.

El diablo cargue con la tal guardia de honor!gru Sarto.

No, ha sido una atencin muy delicada de mi hermano el pedir esa distincin para su regimientodijo el Rey.Ea, primo! T no tienes que levantarte temprano. Venga otra botella!



"Far be it from me to contradict the King," said I.

Indeed, his remark was most absolutely trueso far as it went.

While I yet spoke, Josef came and set before the King a marvellous old wicker-covered flagon. It had lain so long in some darkened cellar that it seemed to blink in the candlelight.

"His Highness the Duke of Strelsau bade me set this wine before the King, when the King was weary of all other wines, and pray the King to drink, for the love that he bears his brother."

"Well done, Black Michael!" said the King. "Out with the cork, Josef. Hang him! Did he think I'd flinch from his bottle?"

The bottle was opened, and Josef filled the King's glass. The King tasted it. Then, with a solemnity born of the hour and his own condition, he looked round on us:

"Gentlemen, my friendsRudolf, my cousin ('tis a scandalous story, Rudolf, on my honour!), everything is yours to the half of Ruritania. But ask me not for a single drop of this divine bottle, which I will drink to the health of thatthat sly knave, my brother, Black Michael."

And the King seized the bottle and turned it over his mouth, and drained it and flung it from him, and laid his head on his arms on the table.

And we drank pleasant dreams to his Majestyand that is all I remember of the evening. Perhaps it is enough.

CHAPTER 4

The King Keeps His Appointment

Whether I had slept a minute or a year I knew not. I awoke with a start and a shiver; my face, hair and clothes dripped water, and opposite me stood old Sapt, a sneering smile on his face and

Y despach otra botella, o, mejor dicho, parte de ella, porque lo menos los dos tercios de su contenido se los apropi el monarca. Tarlein renunci a predicar moderacin y pronto nos pusimos todos tan alegres de cascos como sueltos de lengua. El Rey empez a hablar de lo que se propona hacer; Sarto, de lo que haba hecho; Tarlein se destap por unas aventuras amorosas, y a m me dio por encomiar los altos mritos de la dinasta de los Elsberg. Hablbamos todos a la vez y seguamos al pie de la letra la mxima favorita de Sarto: maana ser otro da.

Por fin, el Rey puso su copa sobre la mesa y se reclin en la silla.

Ya he bebido bastantedijo.

No ser yo quien contradiga al Reyasent.

La verdad es que haba bebido demasiado. Y entonces se present Jos y puso delante del Rey un venerable frasco, que, por su apariencia, deba de haber reposado largos aos en obscuro stano.

Su Alteza el duque de Estrelsau me orden presentar este frasco al Rey cuando hubiese gustado ya otros vinos menos aejos, y suplicarle que lo bebiera en prenda del cario que le profesa su hermano.

Bravo, Miguel!exclam el Rey.Destpalo pronto, Jos! Pues qu se ha credo mi caro hermano? Que me iba a asustar una botella ms?

Destapado el frasco, Jos llen el vaso del Rey. Apenas hubo probado el vino nos dirigi una mirada solemne, muy en consonancia con el estado en que se hallaba, y dijo:

Caballeros, amigos mos, primo Rodolfo (cuidado que es escandalosa la historia esa, Rodolfo!), la mitad de Ruritania os pertenece desde este momento. Pero no me pidis una sola gota de este frasco divino, que vaco a la salud de... de ese taimado, del bribn de mi hermano, Miguel el Negro!

Y llevndose el frasco a los labios bebi hasta la ltima gota, lo lanz despus lejos de s y apoyando los brazos en la mesa dej caer sobre



an empty bucket in his hand. On the table by him sat Fritz von Tarlenheim, pale as a ghost and black as a crow under the eyes.

I leapt to my feet in anger.

"Your joke goes too far, sir!" I cried.

"Tut, man, we've no time for quarrelling. Nothing else would rouse you. It's five o'clock."

"I'll thank you, Colonel Sapt" I began again, hot in spirit, though I was uncommonly cold in body.

"Rassendyll," interrupted Fritz, getting down from the table and taking my arm, "look here."

The King lay full length on the floor. His face was red as his hair, and he breathed heavily. Sapt, the disrespectful old dog, kicked him sharply. He did not stir, nor was there any break in his breathing. I saw that his face and head were wet with water, as were mine.

"We've spent half an hour on him," said Fritz.

"He drank three times what either of you did," growled Sapt.

I knelt down and felt his pulse. It was alarmingly languid and slow. We three looked at one another.

"Was it druggedthat last bottle?" I asked in a whisper.

"I don't know," said Sapt.

"We must get a doctor."

"There's none within ten miles, and a thousand doctors wouldn't take him to Strelsau today. I know the look of it. He'll not move for six or seven hours yet."

"But the coronation!" I cried in horror.

Fritz shrugged his shoulders, as I began to see was his habit on most occasions.

ellos la cabeza.

Bebimos una vez ms a la salud del Rey y es todo lo que recuerdo de aquella noche. Que no es poco recordar.

IV el rey acude a la cita

Al despertarme no hubiera podido decir si haba dormido un minuto o un ao. Me despert repentinamente una sensacin de fro; el agua chorreaba de mi cabeza, cara y traje, y frente a m divis al viejo Sarto, con su burlona sonrisa y con un cubo vaco en la mano. Sentado a la mesa, Federico de Tarlein, plido y desencajado como un muerto.

Me puse en pie de un salto, y exclam encolerizado:

Esto pasa de broma, seor mo!

Bah! No tenemos tiempo de disputar. No haba modo de despertarlo, y son las cinco.

Repito, coronel...iba a continuar ms irritado que nunca, aunque medio helado el cuerpo, cuando me interrumpi Tarlein apartndose de la mesa y dicindome:

Mire usted, Rasndil.

El Rey yaca tendido cuan largo era en el suelo. Tena el rostro tan rojo como el cabello y respiraba pesadamente. Sarto, el irrespetuoso veterano, le dio un fuerte puntapi, pero no se movi. Entonces not que la cara y cabeza del Rey estaban tan mojadas como las mas.

Ya hace media hora que procuramos despertarlodijo Tarlein.

Bebi tres veces ms que cualquiera de nosotrosgru Sarto.

Me arrodill y le tom el pulso, cuya lentitud y debilidad eran alarmantes.

Narctico?... la ltima botella?pregunt



"We must send word that he's ill," he said.

"I suppose so," said I.

Old Sapt, who seemed as fresh as a daisy, had lit his pipe and was puffing hard at it.

"If he's not crowned today," said he, "I'll lay a crown he's never crowned."

"But heavens, why?"

"The whole nation's there to meet him; half the armyay, and Black Michael at the head. Shall we send word that the King's drunk?"

"That he's ill," said I, in correction.

"Ill!" echoed Sapt, with a scornful laugh. "They know his illnesses too well. He's been 'ill' before!"

"Well, we must chance what they think," said Fritz helplessly. "I'll carry the news and make the best of it."

Sapt raised his hand.

"Tell me," said he. "Do you think the King was drugged?"

"I do," said I.

"And who drugged him?"

"That damned hound, Black Michael," said Fritz between his teeth.

"Ay," said Sapt, "that he might not come to be crowned. Rassendyll here doesn't know our pretty Michael. What think you, Fritz, has Michael no king ready? Has half Strelsau no other candidate? As God's alive, man the throne's lost if the King show himself not in Strelsau today. I know Black Michael."

"We could carry him there," said I.

"And a v

anthony hope - prisionero de zenda

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