The Keepers of the People

1752She went out quietly, a jealous pang pricking her heart. Chancing on Lord Lisdor, she told him what had befallen.

1753“Now,” he said after thinking a while, “we shall all be happy.”

1754“What do you mean?” said Althea.

1755“Well, I’ve noticed that in this world you have to buy your happiness at the price of some one else’s misery; and I should think that Agnes has paid for enough happiness to go round,” he said.

1756“It’s a curious idea,” said Althea, doubtful of its truth.

1757“Oh, it’s all right though. I’ve noticed it more than once; and once above all when somebody paid for Ruth’s happiness and mine, when we married,” he said cheerfully.

1758“Oh!” said Althea shortly. “You think Agnes has paid for Ruth’s happiness again?”

1759“I shouldn’t wonder,” said Lord Lisdor.

1760“I don’t see though that she was a great cause of unhappiness to her. But let’s hope that she’s the only person who pays,” said Althea with a little shiver.

1761Latchimi was buried in the garden of the Pavilion of Wonderful Delights where the shade fell thickest. But the Princess Agnes was buried on the mountain spur outside the palace; for Prince Raleigh would not suffer her to be laid in the tomb of the Princes: “She was not of us,” he said.

1762Latchimi’s child was given into the charge of the wife of a captain of the guard to be trained to be a soldier; while Althea was, at her asking, given the charge of Prince Ralph’s little daughter: and took her to live with her in the Golden Rooms. “I will train her to be a Princess of Varandaleel,” she said.

1763Soon after Latchimi had died, an impatience came upon Prince Ralph: she had been more in his life than he had thought. Moreover, the High Gods had cleared his path of Princess Agnes, why should he delay to use their kindness? He came to Prince Raleigh, and said he would wait but a short time before taking Ruth for his own.

1764“Good,” said Prince Raleigh. “Ruth’s is no beauty to let the blood run cool. I will talk to Lisdor.”

1765Lord Lisdor in an equal impatience, was tired of making love to Vashti in secret; the bonds that bound him to Ruth were galling him more and more; but he could see no way of loosing them that would give him Vashti.