Manasseh | Page 6

into day and burns the candle at both
ends. When he married Countess Blanka he was very intimate with the
Marchioness Caldariva, formerly known to lovers of the ballet as 'the
beautiful Cyrene.' She practised the terpsichorean art with such success
that one day she danced into favour with an Italian marquis who
honoured her with the gift of his name and rank, after which he shot
himself. The marchioness now owns a splendid palace in Vienna, a
present from Prince Cagliari, who, they say, forgot to deliver up the
key to her when he married Countess Blanka. It is even whispered that
the marchioness herself tied the bridegroom's cravat for him on his
wedding-day. Well, however that may be, the prince took the young
lady to wife, much as a rich man buys a horse of rare breed, or a costly
statue, or any other high-priced curiosity. But the poor bride could not

endure her husband's presence. She was only a child, and, up to the day
of her marriage, had no conception of the real meaning of matrimony.
The prince has never enjoyed a moment's happiness with his young
wife. His very first attempt to offer her a husband's caresses caused her
to turn deadly pale and go into convulsions; and this occurred as often
as the two were left alone. The prince complained of his hard lot, and
sought medical advice. It was reported that the young wife was subject
to epileptic attacks. A man of any delicacy would have accepted the
situation and held his peace; but the prince took counsel of his factotum,
a certain Benjamin Vajdar----"
An involuntary movement, and a half-suppressed exclamation on
Manasseh's part, made the speaker turn to him inquiringly; then, as the
other said nothing, he resumed:
"This factotum is the evil genius of the family, and the two together
make a pair hard to match. The prince has obstinacy, sensuality,
arrogance, and vindictiveness; and his tool has brains, cunning, and
inventiveness, for the effective exercise of the other's evil tendencies.
Cagliari finally went back to the beautiful Cyrene for consolation; but
she was bent on proving her power over him, and at her bidding he
heaped all sorts of indignities upon his innocent and helpless wife. At
last, to crown all, he instituted divorce proceedings against her. This
was the price he paid to regain the fair Cyrene's favour, but I am
convinced that Benjamin Vajdar is at the bottom of it all. The prince
bases his suit for a separation on his wife's alleged epileptic attacks and
consequent unfitness for the wedded state. Of course that is all
nonsense. I am not an epileptic, nor wont to bite or scratch people; but I
can't approach this Cagliari without experiencing a sort of foaming at
the mouth and a twitching of the muscles, as if I must pitch into the
man, tooth and nail. My view of the case is that my client finds her
husband's attentions so abhorrent that she even swoons when he offers
to kiss her; and so I am going to apply for a total dissolution of the
marriage, for if the other side win their case the papal edict will forbid a
second marriage on the wife's part. And just imagine a young girl like
her, in the first bloom of youth, scarcely twenty years old, compelled to
renounce all hope of wedded happiness. We are now on our way to

Rome to see whether my fair client's personal appeal may not avail
somewhat with her judges. They cannot but take pity on her if their
hearts are human. Prince Cagliari has of late lost favour at the Vatican,
and all the conditions are in our favour; but there is one man whom I
fear,--that cool and crafty Vajdar. I fell in with him in Venice, and
asked him whither he was going. 'To Milan,' said he, but I knew he lied.
He, too, is bound for Rome, and he will be there ahead of us, or at least
overtake us. If we could only reach Rome first, I am confident we
should win the game. But I fear he may be on this very train. Why, how
warm you look! The perspiration stands in drops on your forehead.
Does my pipe annoy you? No? Well, as I was saying, I suspect the
fellow is on this train with us, and if he falls into my hands I'll wring
his miserable neck! He thinks he's going to ruin the young life of my
client and bury her alive, does he? We'll see about that."
"He shall not do it!" exclaimed the other, with emphasis.
"Good for you, my friend! And if you can propose some scheme for
balking him, I'll take my hat off to you.