Princess Maritza | Page 6

and whatever thoughts held sway behind his gloomy looks, they were not sufficiently absorbing to render him careless for a moment.
Suddenly he pulled his horse to a standstill, turning sharply in his saddle to look back upon the way he had come. Then he examined his holster, and, moving his horse to a position which gave him a better command of the road, sat quietly waiting.
The sound which had attracted his attention grew rapidly nearer, and presently three riders came round the bend at a gallop, one some paces in advance of his companions. He pulled up short, seeing the motionless horseman by the roadside, scenting danger and ready for it; but the next moment he raised his hat with pronounced courtesy, and bowed low in his saddle.
"Pardon, monsieur," he said, "but one sees a possible enemy in so unexpected an encounter."
"Unexpected, monsieur?"
"I said so. May I add fortunate, too?"
"Such enemies as you suggest seldom stand singly," was the rather ungracious answer.
"And in these times wise men seldom ride alone, monsieur," came the quick retort. "I travel with an escort myself, you see, Captain Ellerey. I do not make a mistake, I think; you are Captain Ellerey of his Majesty's Regiment of Chasseurs?"
"That is my name."
"And you are returning to Sturatzberg? Good! We can proceed together," and without waiting for an assent to this arrangement, he ordered his servants to go forward, and watched them until they had disappeared. "Now, monsieur, we may go forward at our leisure."
"I have not the honor of--"
"My name. Ah, it is of small consequence. Jules de Froilette, at your service. It is unknown to you?"
"I think so, but your face seems familiar," said Ellerey, as they went on together.
"Ah, yes. I go to Court sometimes."
"And I but seldom, monsieur."
"Then you may have seen me in the streets of Sturatzberg. I know the city well, and have nothing to hide. I have interests in this country, let us say, in timber; it is the answer I give when I am questioned, for no one respects a lazy man. A voluntary exile from my country, I have no quarrel with France, nor she with me. In these days men are become cosmopolitan, is it not so?"
"It looks like it in Sturatzberg," Ellerey replied.
"Monsieur is also an exile, and has no quarrel with his motherland?"
"At least I do not speak of it, Monsieur De Froilette."
"Pardon me, I am not inquisitive. You crave for excitement, so come to Sturatzberg. The promise of adventure will ever attract men of spirit and--"
"And the failures at home," suggested Ellerey.
"I was going to say men of courage," De Froilette answered, "but the failures come, too, and succeed--sometimes."
"You are as doubtful of the reward as I am," said Ellerey, laughing.
De Froilette did not join in his merriment.
"A Captain of Horse is not to be despised," he said slowly, glancing furtively at his companion.
"True, but he remains a Captain of Horse. I expected rapid events in this country, and quick promotion for those who came out of the struggle with their lives. Instead, we have an expedition against some brigands' fastness, which is deserted when we arrive, or a troop to quell a petty riot which has fizzled out when we get there, and that is all."
"And monsieur thirsts for more; the desperate encounter and the bloody sword; for high place and Court favor."
"Is it too great an ambition?" Ellerey demanded. "Do we not all from the bottom rung of the ladder look eagerly toward the top--the student to the masters of his profession, the apprentice to the seat of his employer? Why should not a soldier look for high favor at Court?"
"Such favor must be won, Captain Ellerey."
"I am willing to win it," "Patience. You shall not always find those fastnesses deserted, those riots quelled when you arrive. This is the waiting time, the preparing time, and there are difficulties in the way of promotion. Let me ask you, are you loved in your regiment?"
"Neither loved nor hated."
"And in the city?"
"I have few friends. A Captain of Horse does not command them."
"That is not the reason. It is because you are a foreigner," De Froilette answered. "You are welcome to fight this country's battles, welcome to get killed in them, but you must not participate in any rewards. If Sturatzberg could do without us, how many foreigners would wake tomorrow in the city, think you?"
"All Europe has talked of such a rebellion, but it does not come," said Ellerey.
"It will," was the answer, "and if you are strong enough you may take the reward."
"You speak in riddles."
"Is it wise to speak plainly?" and De Froilette swept out his arm as though the prospect before them gave the answer. They had left the woods and the rough country behind them, and were approaching houses,