The Keepers of the People

1353A little while before dinner Lord Lisdor reached the palace, having made his way with half a dozen men who belonged to one of the five companies told off to guard it, up the side of the spur on which it stood.

1354There was a gloom on them at dinner; the old Prince was thoughtful beyond his wont; the women were in fear for Prince Ralph; Lord Lisdor was too tired and hungry to talk at first; the Princess Agnes alone was cheerful, seeing in the Russian victory freedom and a return to England. Althea saw her bright eyes, and waited for the chance of dashing their brightness.

1355“Tell us about the fighting, George,” said Ruth, as soon as he seemed less hungry.

1356“Oh, I don’t know much about it,” said Lord Lisdor. “It was all such a jolly jumble, don’t you know? I was fooling about with the staff the first day; and it was only on the second that I thought I’d have a bit of fun on my own. Then I got out among the skirmishers; and what with dodging about for a bit of cover, and potting a Russian when I got the chance, and getting a drink of water when I got the chance, I can’t tell you much about it. I only know that with their confounded guns and Maxims the Russians in the end made it hotter for us than we made it for them; and so we ran, or rather walked, away. But it was very good fun while it lasted.”

1357“It is only natural that the Varandals should have been defeated,” said the Princess Agnes slowly, almost joyfully. “What can you expect of slaves? If they had been free men, if they had had a share in the government, and a stake in the country, they would have fought like heroes, fought till they died.”

1358“That’s just what they did do!” said Lord Lisdor in a heat. “I never dreamt of such fighting! They went into the fight like children going to a picnic; and when they got there, they stayed there. Why! with their superior weapons the Russians ought to have rushed us off the field! Not that they didn’t fight well, the Russians; they fought like professionals. They came on very slowly but very doggedly. I believe they crawled most of the way here. But the Varandals never had enough. I couldn’t go where they went; I simply couldn’t; my very legs struck. The Russians have come a long way; but I’m not backing them. All the same, they ought to be able to knock a biggish hole in the palace wall in about an hour.”