Content
to have escaped with his life, he neither referred to, nor thought
of, his part in the negotiations which had resulted in the treaty
just signed. For he had been the link between Russia and England;
the never-failing messenger passing from one to the other with
question and answer which were destined to bear fruit at last in an
understanding brought to perfection in Paris, culminating at Elba.
Both were guarded in what they said of passing events, and both
seemed to doubt the truth of the reports now flying through the
streets of Dantzig. Even in the quiet Frauengasse all the citizens
were out on their terraces calling questions to those that passed by
beneath the trees. The itinerant tradesman, the milkman going his
round, the vendors of fruit from Langfuhr and the distant villages
of the plain, lingered at the doors to tell the servants the latest
gossip of the market-place. Even in this frontier city, full of
spies, strangers spoke together in the streets, and the sound of
their voices, raised above the clang of carillons, came in at the
open window.
"At first a victory is always a great one," said D'Arragon, looking
towards the window.
"It is so easy to ring a bell," added Sebastian, with his rare
smile.
He was quite himself this morning, and only once did the dull look
arrest his features into the stony stillness which his daughters
knew.
"You are the only one of your name in Dantzig," said D'Arragon, in
the course of question and answer as to the safe delivery of letters
in time of war.
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