Oliver VII by Antal Szerb Read Free Book Online Page A

campaign of resistance.”
    “My dear Count, a gentleman’s first thought is not for himself but for defenceless women. The life of Princess Ortrud is by no means certain here. Your men must make that ring around her car and conduct her to the coast. There are Norlandian patrol ships at anchor off Bangar. You, Count, will answer with your life if a hair of the Princess’ head is harmed. Take her to safety.”
    Numb with shock, the ministers understood that he was sending away his personal guard, their last line of defence. Ortrud looked at the King with tears in her eyes. She went up to him, and asked, in a low voice:
    “Oliver, what will become of the two of us, you and me?”
    “I did tell you, didn’t I?” he whispered. “The sea serpent. These things happen every day.”
    “And now we shan’t be married?”
    “Well, you know, just now isn’t really the time. We have to part now. Some other day.”
    Ortrud burst into tears.
    “When shall I see you again?”
    “Perhaps in the summer. Then, somehow … ”
    Looking straight ahead, and clearly troubled, he drew her aside.
    “Believe me,” he went on. “I shall always love you. Such things don’t change. But now … now I have to find out what life is like, down there. Now go in good heart, Ortrud.”
    “God be with you, Oliver.”
    No sooner had she and the Colonel left the room than the Prime Minister dashed up to the King.
    “Your Highness,” he spluttered. “Don’t give yourself up like this. It might still be possible to do something. Not just possible, but necessary. In the end, it’s not just a question of Your Highness’ skin but ours too.”
    “I’m sorry, gentlemen, but we must make every sacrifice. You did say that you would accept your share of the odium attached to what we did. Well, now you must make that good!”
    Mawiras-Tendal entered.
    “Your Highness,” he announced. “The insurgents have occupied every place of strategic importance. I’ve just been informed that they have taken over the telephone exchange,the main post office and the railway station. Soldiers of the Twelfth Regiment have smashed the windows of the Norlandian Ambassador’s residence. Baron Birker was hit on the nose by a stone. The question now is whether they’ll take the Citadel.”
    At that moment the roaring, which so far had been heard at a distance, seemed to come from within, from the palace itself. The throng was much closer now, was inside, running from room to room. Everyone’s face went pale, and their eyes instinctively looked around for somewhere to hide. They all knew, from their history books and from films, what it meant when the mob broke in to a royal palace.
    “Stay where you are, all of you!” the King bellowed. “I’ll shoot anyone who tries to run. Major, you go on ahead. I shall meet the representatives of the people.”
    Mawiras-Tendal left the room.
    “And I must ask you gentlemen to do your best to put on a friendly face.”
    A minute later the Major returned with Delorme, Sandoval, Zizigan and the rest.
    The revolutionaries lined up respectfully against a wall.
    The King greeted them amiably and asked them to explain their demands.
    Delorme stepped forward and began an eloquent, carefully prepared speech.
    “We are well aware,” he said, amongst other things, “that Your Highness was not to blame for signing this wretched document, but was led astray by your advisers, those wicked , incompetent ministers, whom the people will hold to account … ”
    Then he appealed to the King to prevent otherwise unavoidable bloodshed, and stand down in favour of his uncle, Duke Geront of Algarthe.
    “Your Highness, don’t give yourself up, and don’t give us up,” the Prime Minister shouted, then hid himself behind the Minister of the Interior.
    “Dr Delorme,” the King replied. “I am compelled to yield to force majeure . You gentlemen must see that,” he added, turning to the ministers. “I entrust the people to your care,