 Chapter 31 of Beverly of Groves-Dark this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Beverly of Groves-Dark by George Barr McCutcheon chapter 31 clear skies the Duke of Matts and his associates reached Islaywise in the afternoon their attendants and servants carried luggage bearing the princely crest of Dawes Bergen and meant for Prince Danton and his sister Candace. In the part of the castle set apart for the visitors an important consultation was held behind closed doors there Danton met his countrymen and permitted them to renew the pledge of Felty that had been shattered by the overpowering influence of his mad half-brother what took place at this secret meeting the outside world never knew only the happy result was made known Prince Danton was to resume his reign over Dawes Bergen as if it never had been interrupted the castle brilliant from bottom to top filled with music and laughter experienced a riot of happiness such as it had not known in years the war clouds had lifted the sunshine of contentment was breaking through the darkness and there was reducing in the hearts of all bright and glorious were the colors that made up the harmony of peace men and women of high degree came to the historic old walls garbed in the riches of royalty and nobility to Beverly Calhoun it was the most enchanting sight she had ever looked upon from the galleries she gazed down into the halls glittering with the wealth of Grawstark and with conscious of a strange feeling of glorification she felt that she had a part in this jubilee with Candice she descended the grand staircase and mingled with the resplendent crowd she was the center of attraction dressed in a simple close-fitting gown of black velvet with an ornament her white arms and shoulders gleaming in the soft light from the chandeliers she was an enticing creature to be admired by men and women alike two store went Americans felt their hearts bound with pride as they saw the conquest their country woman was making Candice her constant companion in these days was consumed with delight you are the prettiest thing in all this world she ecstatically whispered into Beverly's ear my brother says so too she added conclusively Beverly was too true a woman not to rebel in this subtle flattery the great banquet hall was to be thrown open at midnight there was dancing and song during the hours leading up to this important event Beverly was entranced she had seen brilliant affairs at home but none of them compared to this in regal splendor it was the sensuous overpowering splendor of the east Prince Danton joined the throng just before midnight he made his way direct to the little circle of which Beverly and Candice formed the center his rich full military costume gave him a new distinction that quite overcame Beverly they fell into an animated conversation exchanging sharps of wit that greatly amused those who could understand the language you must remember Beverly said in reply to one of her own sally's that Americans are not in the least awed by Europe's greatness it has come to the past when we call Europe our playground we now go to Europe as we go to the circus or the country fair at home it is much more trouble you know and we must see the sights a last poor Europe he laughed as he strolled about with her and Candice he pointed out certain men to her asking her to tax her memory in the effort to recall their faces if not their apparel she readily recognized in the lean tired faces the men she met first at the end of the hawk and raven they were vagabonds then miss cologne now they are noblemen does the transition startle you isn't Belldos among them she asked forcing the query that had been uppermost in her mind since the moment when she looked down from the galleries and failed to see him she was wondering how he would appear in court costume you forget the Belldos is only a guard he said kindly he is a courtier nevertheless she retorted she was vaguely disappointed because he was missing from the scene of splendor it proved to her that caste overcame all else in the rock ribbed east the common man no matter how valiant had no place in such affairs as these her pride was suffering she was as a queen among the noblest of the realm as the wife of Belldos she would live in another world on the outskirts of this one of splendor and arrogance a stubborn defiant little frown appeared on her brow as she pictured herself in her mind's eye standing afar off with the man Belldos looking at the opulence she could not reach her impetuous rebellious little heart was thumping bitterly as she considered this single phase of the life to come she was ready to cry out against the injustice of it all the little frown was potentious of deep blade designs she would break down this cruel barrier that kept Belldos from the fields over which prejudice alone held sway her love for him and her determination to be his wife were not in the least dulled by these reflections the doors to the great banquet hall were thrown open at last and in the disorder that followed she wondered who was to lead her to the feasting the Duke of Mizrocks claimed the Princess Candice I am to have the honor said someone at her side and the voice was the one she least expected to hear utter the words the speaker was the man who deserved the place beside it if Prince Danton himself bewildered her heart palpitating with various emotions she took his arm and allowed herself to be drawn wonderingly through the massive doors as they entered followed by the brilliant company the superb orchestra that Beverly had so often enjoyed began to play the stirring hands across the sea the musicians themselves seemed to have caught the universal feeling of joy and mirth that was in the air and played as if inspired their leader bowing low to the young American girl as she passed it was his affectionate tribute to her Prince Danton to her amazement led her up the entire length at the banquet hall to the head of the royal table gorgeous with the plate of a hundred gross dark rulers placing her on his left and next to the slightly raised royal chairs Candice was on his right the picture of happiness Beverly felt dizzy weak she looked helplessly at Prince Danton his smile was puzzling as if in a days she saw Grandful Laurie with the Countess even standing exactly opposite to her he with the others awaiting the appearance of the princess and the one who was to sit beside her the music ceased there was a hush over the room and then yet it came forward magnificent in her royal robes smiling and happy a tall man in the uniform of an exalted army officer stood beside her gold braid and the dual things across his breast Beverly turned deathly white her figure stiffened and then relaxed it was Beldos she never knew how she dropped into the chair the servant held for her she only knew that these dark eyes were smiling at her with love and mischief in their depths there was a vague uncertain sound of chattering someone was talking eagerly to her but she heard him not there was a standing toast to the Prince of Dorsvigen then the audacious ghost of Beldos was proposing a ringing response to the princess yeti the orchestra was playing the gross dark and Dorsvigen national hymns but it was all as a dream to her at last she heard Candice calling to her her face breathed in smiles scores of eyes seemed to be looking at her and all of them were full of amusement now say that a girl can't keep a secret came to her ears from the radiant sister of Danton Revone at her side spoke to her and she turned to him dizzily you first knew me as Revone Ms. Calhoun he was saying genuinely then it became necessary by royal command for me to be Prince Danton may I have the honor of introducing myself in the proper person I am Christabel of rap Thorberg and I shall be no other than he hereafter the friendship that binds me to Prince Danton at last in his proper place beside the princess of gross dark is to be strengthened into a dearer relationship before many days have passed the princess Candice ceases to be his sister volunteered the Duke of Ms. Rocks she is a long has been he's a fine wife enchanted and confused overall that had occurred in the last few moments Beverly moment her heartfelt congratulations to the joyous couple the orchestra had a game cease playing all eyes turned to Baldos the real Prince Danton who glass in hand rose to his feet your royal highness ladies and gentlemen gross dark and doors burg and are entering a new era I pledge you my honor that never again shall the slightest misunderstanding exist between them they shall go forth to their glorious destiny as one people your gracious ruler has seen fit to bestow her hand and affections upon an American gentleman your esteemed Prince consort we all know how loyally the people have approved her choice there is one present a trusted friend of your beautiful princess and lovingly called in your hearts Beverly of gross dark whose example more worthy for me to follow than that of the princess yet him with whom could I better share my throne and please you more than with your beloved American protege I asked you to drink a toast to my betrothed Beverly Calhoun the future princess of doors burg and every glass was raised and the toast drunk admits ringing cheers the military band crushed out the air so dear to all Americans especially to southern hearts Beverly was too overcome to speak you all she exclaimed there was a tremendous commotion in the gallery people were standing in their seats half frightened and amused their attention attracted by the unusual scene a portly negrous totally unconscious at the sensation she was causing her feet keeping time to the lively strains of music was frantically waving a red and yellow bandana handkerchief it was aunt Fanny an inner voice that could be heard over all the banquet hall she shouted good lord honey if they ain't playing away down south in Dixie hooray hooray hours later Beverly was running confused and humble through the halls to her room when a swifter one that she came up and checked her flight Beverly cried an eager voice she slackened her pace and glanced over her shoulder the smiling triumphant face of Beldos met her gaze the upper hall was almost clear of people she was strangely frightened distressingly diffident her door was not far away and she would have reached it in an instant later had he not laid a restraining compelling hand upon her arm then she turned to face him her lips parted in protest don't look at me in that way he cried imploringly come dearest come with me we can be alone in the nook at the end of the hall heavens I am the happiest being in all the world it has turned out as I prayed at children she allowed him to lead her to the dark and nook in her soul she with wondering why her tongue was so powerless there were a hundred things she wanted to say to him but now that the moment had come she was voiceless she only could look helplessly at him joy seemed to be paralyzed within her it was as if she slept and could not be awakened as she sunk upon the cushion he dropped to his knee before her his hand clasping her with a fervour that thrilled her with life as he spoke her pulses quickened and the blood began to raise furiously I have won your love everly by the fairest means there has never been an hour in which I have not been struggling for this glorious end you gave yourself to me when you knew I could be nothing more than the humblest soldier it was the sacrifice of love you will forgive my presumption my very insolence dear one when I tell you that my soul is the forfeit I pay it is yours through all eternity I love you I can give you the riches of the world as well as the wealth of the heart the vagabond eyes your poor humble follower gives way to the supplicating prince you would have lived in a cot as the guardsman's wife you will take the royal palace instead Beverly was herself again the spell was gone her eyes swam with happiness and love the suffering her pride has sustained was swept into a heap labelled romance and she was rejoicing I hated you tonight I thought she cried taking his face in her hands it looked as though you had played a trick on me it was me dear I couldn't help thinking that you had used me as a plaything and it made me furious but it is different now I see oh so plainly and just as I had resigned myself to the thought of spending the rest of my life in a cottage away outside the pale at this glorious life oh it is like a fairy tale ah but it was not all together a trick dear one there was no assurance that I could regain the throne not until the very last without it I should have been the beggar instead at the prince we would have lived in a hovel after all fortune was with me I deceived you for months Beverly my Beverly but it was for the best in defense of my honor and dignity however I must tell you that the princess has known for many days that I am Danton I told her the truth when Cristobal came that day with the news it was all well enough for me to pass myself off as a vagabond but it would have been unpardonable to force him upon her as the prince and she has known for a week cried Beverly in deep chagrin and the whole court has known as blind as the proper thank God I won your love as a vagabond I can treasure it as the richest of my princely possessions you have not said that you will go to my castle with me dear she leaned forward unsteadily and he took her in his eager arms their lips met and their eyes closed in the ecstasy of bliss after a long time she lifted her lids and her eyes of grade looks only into his dark ones I have much to ask you about many explanations to demand sir she said threateningly by the rose that shields my heart you shall have the truth he laughed back at her I am still your servant my enlistment is endless I shall always serve your highness your highness she murmured reflectively then a joyous smile a realization broke over her face isn't it wonderful do you think your brothers will let me come to Washington now he asked teasingly it does seem different doesn't it she murmured with a strange little smile you will come for me to the ends of the earth your highness end of chapter 31 end of Beverly of Grawstark by George Barn McCutcheon