"But," stammered Wogan, "I do remember that evening. I remember that the
King was pale, discouraged--"
"And why?" said Origo. "Because her Highness's journey had been
interrupted, because the marriage now seemed impossible? No, but because
Mr. Charles Wogan was back in Bologna, because Mr. Charles Wogan had
sought for a private interview, because the King had no more doubt than
I as to what Mr. Charles Wogan intended to propose, and because the King
knew that what Mr. Wogan set his hand to was as good as done. You
remember I threw such hindrances as I could in your way, and made much
of the risks you must run, and the impossibility of your task. Now you
know why."
Never was a man more confused than Wogan at this story of the
Cardinal's. "It makes me out a mere meddlesome fool," he cried, and sat
stunned.
"It is an unprofitable question at this time of day," said the Cardinal,
with a smile. "Matters have gone so far that they can no longer be
remedied. This marriage must take place."
"True," said Wogan.
"The King, indeed, is firmly inclined to it."
"Yet he lingers in Spain."
"That I cannot explain to you, but he has been most loyal. That you must
take my word for, so must your Princess."
"Yet this winter when I was at Schlestadt preparing the expedition to
Innspruck," Wogan said with a certain timidity, for he no longer felt
that it was within his right to make reproaches, "the King was in Rome
visiting Mlle. de Caprara."
The Cardinal flushed with some anger at Wogan's persistence.
"Come, sir," said he, "what has soured you with suspicions? Upon my
word, here is a man sitting with me who bears your name, but few of
those good qualities the name is linked with in my memories. Your King
saw Mlle. de Caprara once in Rome, once only. Major Gaydon had come at
your request to Rome to fetch a letter in the King's hand, bidding her
Highness entrust herself to you. Up to that moment the issue of your
exploit was in the balance. But your request was to the King a very
certain sign that you would indeed succeed. So the night before he wrote
the letter he went to the Caprara Palace and took his farewell of the
woman he loved. So much may be pardoned to any man, even by you, who, it
seems, stand pinnacled above these earthly affections."