said the Colonel.
As soon as the two were alone, Prince Florizel said,
“What is the use of this chatter, Geraldine? I see you are anxious, whereas my mind is very still. I want to see the end of this.”
“Your Highness,” said the Colonel, turning pale; “let me ask you to consider the importance of your life, not only to your friends, but to the public interest. 'If not tonight,' said this madman; but if tonight some irreparable disaster overtakes your Highness's person, what, let me ask you, what will be my despair, and the concern and disaster of a great nation?”
“I want to see the end of this,” repeated the Prince; “and have the kindness, Colonel Geraldine, to remember and respect your word of honour as a gentleman. Under no circumstances, recollect, nor without my special authority, you can betray the incognito under which I choose to go abroad. These were my commands, which I now repeat. And now,” he added, “let me ask you to call for the bill.”
Colonel Geraldine bowed in submission; but he had a very white face as he called the waiter. The Prince described a Palais-Royal farce to the young suicide with great humour and pleasure. He avoided the Colonel's appealing looks without ostentation, and selected another cheroot with more than usual care. Indeed, he was now the only man of the party who kept any command over his nerves.
The bill was discharged, and the Prince gave the whole change of the note[12] to the astonished waiter. Then the three drove off in a cab. They were not long upon the way before the cab stopped at the entrance to a rather dark court. Here all descended.
Geraldine paid the fare. Then the young man turned and addressed Prince Florizel as follows:
“It is still time, Mr. Godall, to return to your thraldom. And for you too, Major Hammersmith. Reflect well before you take another step; and if your hearts say no-here are the cross-roads.”
“Lead on, sir,” said the Prince, “I am not the man to go back from a thing once said.”
“Your coolness does me good[13],” replied their guide. “I have never seen anyone so unmoved at this conjuncture. Yet you are not the first whom I have escorted to this door. More than one of my friends has preceded me, where I knew I must shortly follow. But this is of no interest to you. Wait me here for only a few moments. I shall return as soon as I have arranged the preliminaries of your introduction.”
And with that the young man waved his hand to his companions, turned into the court, entered a doorway and disappeared.
“Of all our follies,” said Colonel Geraldine in a low voice, “this is the wildest and most dangerous.”
“I perfectly believe so,” returned the Prince.
“We have still,” pursued the Colonel, “a moment to ourselves. Let me beseech your Highness and retire. The consequences of this step are dark, and may be grave.”
“Do I understand that Colonel Geraldine is afraid?” asked his Highness, taking his cheroot from his lips, and looking keenly into the other's face.
“My fear is certainly not personal,” replied the other proudly.
“I think so,” returned the Prince; “but I was unwilling to remind you of the difference in our stations. No more – no more,” he added; “you are excused.”
And he smoked placidly, leaning against a railing, until the young man returned.
“Well,” he asked, “is our reception arranged?”
“Follow me,” was the reply. “The President will see you in the cabinet. And let me warn you to be frank in your answers. The club requires a searching inquiry before admission. The indiscretion of a single member will lead to the dispersion of the whole society for ever.”
The Prince and Geraldine put their heads together for a moment.
“I will tell this,” said the one; and “I will tell that,” said the other.
They came to an agreement and were ready to follow their guide into the President's cabinet.
There were no formidable obstacles to pass. The outer door stood open; the door of the cabinet was ajar; and there, in a small but very high apartment, the young man left them once more.
“He will be here immediately,” he said with a nod, as he disappeared.
Voices were audible in the cabinet through the doors. Now and then the noise of a champagne cork, followed by a burst of laughter, intervened among the sounds of conversation. A single tall window looked out upon the river and the embankment. They were not far from Charing Cross station. The furniture was scanty; and there was nothing except a hand-bell in the centre of a round table, and the hats and coats hung round the wall on pegs.
“What sort of a den is this?” said Geraldine.
“That is what I have come to see,” replied the Prince. “If they have devils, the adventure will be amusing.”
Just then the door was opened. There entered a louder buzz of talk, and the redoubtable President of the Suicide Club. The President was a man of fifty or upwards; large and rambling in his gait, with shaggy side whiskers, a bald top to his head, and a veiled grey eye, which now and then emitted a twinkle. He looked sagaciously and coldly at the strangers. He was dressed in light tweeds and carried a book under one arm.
“Good-evening,” said he and closed the door behind him. “They told me you wished to speak with me.”
“We have a desire, sir, to join the Suicide Club,” replied the Colonel.
The President rolled his cigar about in his mouth.
“What is that?” he said abruptly.
“Pardon me,” returned the Colonel, “but I believe you can give us information on that point.”
“I?” cried the President. “A Suicide Club? Come, come! This is a frolic for All Fools' Day. I can understand the gentlemen drank too much; but let there be an end to this.”
“Call your club what you will,” said the Colonel; “you have some company behind these doors, and we insist on joining it.”
“Sir,” returned the President curtly, “you have made a mistake. This is a private house, and you must leave it instantly.”
The Prince remained quietly in his seat throughout this little colloquy. The Colonel looked over to him, as much as to say, “You see, come away, for God's sake!” The Prince drew his cheroot from his mouth, and spoke,
“I have come here,” said he, “upon the invitation of a friend of yours. He has doubtless informed you of my intention. Let me remind you that a person in my circumstances is not at all likely to tolerate much rudeness. I am a very quiet man; but, my dear sir, you are either going to oblige me, or you will very bitterly repent that you ever admitted me to your chamber.”
The President laughed aloud.
“Oh, I see” said he, “you are a man! You know the way to my heart, and can do what you like with me. Will you,” he continued, addressing Geraldine, “will you step aside for a few minutes? I shall finish first with your companion, and some
the whole change of the note – вся сдача с банкноты
does me good – радует меня
