Clementina
Page 100"We do not doubt you, Mr. Wogan, but that written letter, giving my
daughter leave to go, I needs must have before I let her go. A father's
authority! I cannot take that upon myself."
Clementina took a quick step across to her mother's side.
"You did not hear," she said.
"I heard indeed that Mr. Wogan had burnt the letter."
"But under what stress, and to spare my father and to leave me still a
grain of hope. Mother, this gentleman has run great risks for me,--how
great I did not know; even now in this one instance we can only guess
and still fall short of the mark."
"My child, without some sure sign the Prince consents, you must not go."
Clementina looked towards Wogan for assistance. Wogan put his hand into
his pocket.
"That sure sign I have," said he. "It is a surer sign than any written
letter; for handwriting may always be counterfeit. This could never be,"
and he held out on the palm of his hand the turquoise snuff-box which
the Prince had given him on New Year's day. "It is a jewel unique in all
the world, and the Prince gave it me. It is a jewel he treasured not
only for its value, but its history. Yet he gave it me. It was won by
glorious day in all that warrior's glorious life; yet his son gave it
me. With his own hands he put it into mine to prove to me with what
confidence he trusted your Highness's daughter to my care. That
confidence was written large in the letter I burnt, but I am thinking it
is engraved for ever upon this stone."
The Princess-mother took the snuff-box reluctantly and turned it over
and over. She was silent. Clementina answered for her.
"I am ready," she said, and she pointed to a tiny bundle on a chair in
which a few clothes were wrapped. "My jewels are packed in the bundle,
Wogan lifted up the bundle and laughed.
"Your Highness teaches a lesson to soldiers; for there is never a
knapsack but can hold this and still have half its space to spare. The
front door is unlatched?"
"M. Chateaudoux is watching in the hall."
"And the hall's unlighted?"
"Yes."