'They all talk like that to start with. I have talked like that
myself, dear uncle; it sounds nice, and it means nothing.'
'In this case it means everything, Eugen,' said Aribert quietly.
Some accent of determination in the latter's tone made Eugen
rather more serious.
'You can't marry her,' he said. 'The Emperor won't permit a
morganatic marriage.'
'The Emperor has nothing to do with the affair. I shall renounce
my rights.
I shall become a plain citizen.'
'In which case you will have no fortune to speak of.'
'But my wife will have a fortune. Knowing the sacrifices which I
shall have made in order to marry her, she will not hesitate to
place that fortune in my hands for our mutual use,' said Aribert
stiffly.
'You will decidedly be rich,' mused Eugen, as his ideas dwelt on
Theodore Racksole's reputed wealth. 'But have you thought of this,'
he asked, and his mild eyes glowed again in a sort of madness.
'Have you thought that I am unmarried, and might die at any
moment, and then the throne will descend to you - to you, Aribert?'
'The throne will never descend to me, Eugen,' said Aribert softly,
'for you will live. You are thoroughly convalescent. You have
nothing to fear.'
'It is the next seven days that I fear,' said Eugen.
'The next seven days! Why?'
'I do not know. But I fear them. If I can survive them - '
'Mr Sampson Levi, sire,' Hans announced in a loud tone.
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