Krakatit/Chapter 36

by Karel Čapek

CHAPTER XXXVI

 

HE would have done better if he had not come that evening, but he compelled himself to because she had forbidden him to appear. Oncle Charles was particularly charming to him. By an unlucky accident he had seen the two of them on an inappropriate occasion pressing one another’s hands; finally he had put up his monocle to see better, upon which the Princess snatched her hand away and blushed like a schoolgirl. Oncle Charles came across to her, drew her aside, and whispered something into her ear. After that she did not return, but Rohn appeared instead and engaged himself in conversation with Prokop, evidently trying to sound him. Prokop behaved like a hero, and betrayed nothing, which at least appeared to please the old gentleman. “In society one must be extremely careful,” he concluded, rebuking and advising him at the same time. Prokop was greatly relieved when he was left alone to reflect on the significance of this last remark.

The worst of it was that something was evidently being prepared behind the scenes; the older members of the family were positively bursting with importance.

When the next morning Prokop was walking round the castle he was approached by a chambermaid who informed him breathlessly that he was wanted in the birch wood. He made his way there and waited for a long time. Finally the Princess arrived, moving with the long, beautiful steps of a Diana. “Hide yourself,” she whispered rapidly. “Uncle is following me.” They ran off hand in hand and disappeared behind the thick foliage of a lilac bush; Mr. Holz, after having searched for them for some time, sat down on the grass, resigned. Then they caught sight of the light hat of Uncle Rohn. He was walking quickly, looking out on both sides of him. The Princess’s eyes glistened with delight, like those of a young faun. In the bushes there was a damp and musty smell; the twigs and leaves were covered with spiders’ webs. Without even waiting for the danger to pass, the Princess drew Prokop’s head towards her. Between his teeth he felt her kisses, like wild berries, bitter and yet pleasant. The game was so delightful, new and surprising that it was if they were seeing one another for the first time.

And that day she did not come to him; beside himself with every sort of suspicion, he made his way to the castle. She was waiting for him, walking with her arms round Egon’s neck. Directly she caught sight of him she let go of the boy and came up to him, pale, distraught, mastering a certain desperation. “Uncle knows that I’ve visited you,” she said. “God, what will happen! I think that they will send you away. Don’t move now; they’re watching us from the window. I spoke this afternoon with . . . with . . .” she shivered . . . “with the manager, you know. We quarrelled . . . Oncle Charles wanted me simply to leave you, to let you escape or something of the sort. The manager was furious and wouldn’t hear of such a thing. It looks as if they are sending you somewhere else. . . . Darling, come here to-night; I’ll come out to you, I’ll evade . . . them. . . .”

And she actually came, breathless, sobbing with dry and anxious eyes. “To-morrow, to-morrow,” she wanted to say, but at that moment a firm and friendly hand descended on her shoulder. It was Uncle Rohn. “Go back, Minna,” he ordered sternly. “And you wait here,” he added, turning to Prokop. Putting his arm round her shoulder he led her back into the castle. A moment later he came back again and took Prokop by the arm. “My friend,” he said sympathetically, “I understand you young people only too well and . . . I feel with you.” He made a gesture of hopelessness with his hand. “Something has taken place which should not have happened. I don’t wish to . . . and of course I can’t reproach you. On the contrary, I realize that . . . obviously. . . .” Clearly this was a bad beginning and le bon prince tried another road. “My dear friend, I respect you and I really like you very much. You are an honest man and . . . a genius; an unusual combination. I have rarely felt such sympathy for anybody. I know that you will go a long way,” he said with relief. “You believe that my intentions are friendly?”

“Nothing of the sort,” said Prokop calmly.

Le bon oncle became confused. “I am sorry, extraordinarily,” he jerked out, “because I cannot tell you what I want to say unless we have the fullest possible confidence in one another. . . .”

“Mon prince,” Prokop interrupted him politely, “as you know, I am not here in the enviable position of a free man. I think that under the circumstances I’ve no cause to have faith. . . .”

“Y-yes,” sighed Oncle Rohn, pleased with the turn that the conversation had taken. “You’re perfectly right. You are up against the painful fact that you’re a prisoner, eh? You know, that’s just what I was going to speak about. My dear friend, as far as I’m concerned . . . From the very beginning . . . I passionately condemned this idea of keeping you . . . in captivity. It’s illegal, brutal and . . . in view of your importance, simply inexcusable, I took various steps . . . some time ago, you understand,” he added quickly. “I intervened in the highest places but . . . in view of a certain international tension the higher officials are in a panic. You are confined here under the accusation of espionage. Nothing can be done,” and the Prince bent down to Prokop’s ear, “unless you can succeed in escaping. Trust me, and I’ll provide the means. I give you my word.”

“What means?” Prokop threw out carelessly.

“I shall simply . . . arrange it myself. I’ll take you in my car—and they can’t stop me, you understand. The rest later. Where do you want to go?”

“Leave it; I don’t want to go away,” answered Prokop definitely.

“Why?” said Oncle Charles, surprised.

“To begin with . . . I don’t want you, Prince, to take any risks. A person like yourself——”

“And in the second place?”

“In the second place I’m beginning to like it here.”

“And further, further?”

“Nothing further,” smiled Prokop, enduring the serious, scrutinizing glance of the Prince.

“Listen,” said Oncle Rohn after a moment, “I did not mean to tell you. But the point is that in a day or so you are to be transferred elsewhere, to a fortress. Still under the accusation of espionage. You mustn’t imagine. . . . My dear friend, get away while there is still time!”

“Is that true?”

“Honestly it is.”

“Then . . . then I am obliged to you for warning me.”

“What do you propose to do?”

“Well, I shall make my arrangements,” said Prokop bloodthirstily. “Mon prince, you may inform HER that it isn’t done . . . as easily as that.”

“What? What do you mean?” stammered Oncle Charles.

Prokop made a gesture in the air with his hand as if he were throwing something imaginary in front of him. “Bang,” he said.

Oncle Charles drew back. “You intend to defend yourself?”

Prokop said nothing, but stood with his hands in his pockets, frowning darkly and reflecting.

Oncle Charles, pale and fragile in the nocturnal darkness, stepped up to him. “Do you . . . love her as much as that?” he said quickly, gulping with emotion.

Prokop did not answer. “You love her,” repeated Rohn, and embraced him. “Be strong. Leave her and go away! You can’t stay here, you must realize that. What would it lead to? For God’s sake have pity on her. Save her from a scandal. Can you really imagine that she could ever be your wife? It may be that she is in love with you but—she is too proud; she wouldn’t forego the title of Princess. . . . Oh, it’s impossible, it’s impossible! I don’t wish to know what there was between you, but if you love her, go away! Go at once, this very night! In the name of love, go away, friend, I beg you in her name. You’ve made her the most unhappy woman—isn’t that enough? Protect her if she’s not able to protect herself! Do you love her? Then sacrifice yourself!”

Prokop stood motionless, his head bent, and le bon prince felt that this black rough trunk was splitting inside with pain. His heart was torn in sympathy, but he had still one more card to play; if it was not successful he would have to give in.

“She’s proud, fantastic, wildly ambitious; she’s been like that from childhood. And now we have received the valuable information that she’s a princess whose pedigree is equal to that of anyone else’s. You don’t realize what that means to her. To her and to us. It may be prejudice but . . . such things are our life. Prokop, the Princess is going to be married. She is marrying a Grand Duke without a throne—a decent and amenable person—but she, she will fight for the crown, for fighting is her nature, her mission, her pride. At last her life-long dream is being realized. And now you’re standing between her and her future. But she’s already decided; she’s only torturing herself with reproaches——”

“Aha!” cried Prokop. “So it’s that way, is it? And—you think that I shall give way now? Wait and see!”

And before Oncle Rohn could realize what was happening he had hurried off in the darkness to the laboratory. Mr. Holz silently behind him.