Sham Gold [A novel.] Translated by S. L. Simeon

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TEPHANIE WOHL SHAM GOLD BY STEPHANIE WOHL TRANSLATED by STEPHEN LOUIS SIMEON LONDON WAED AND DOWNEY

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It is believed that this is the first translation into English of any work of the Hungarian novelist, Stephanie Wohl. Sham Gold won a brilliant success in Hungary. A German translation, made by the Author, was published at Jena last year, and a French translation has appeared in the Revue Internationale. In both Germany and France the novel met with marked favour. Stephanie Wohl began her literary life at the age of thirteen, when, by a volume of tales, she gained a reputation far different from that merely of a clever child. Her principal works of fiction are ' A Love Story,' ' Phantasies,' and ' Eva.' By her early death in the autumn of 1889 the literary world of Hungary loses one of its most interesting personalities, and the society of Budapest a gracious ornament. CONTENTS

Book I The Beginning Of The End

B I Who can she be ? Has she inherited the crown that she wears, or are the signs of her sovereignty mere glittering paper trifles, tinsel to be bought of any stationer ? . . . Idle question ! As if it signified of what a woman's sceptre is made, so long as she knows how to wield it aright. The lady who raised these thoughts in the mind of Felix van der Bilt was one of the most striking figures on the ice-rink at Vienna, around which the ' high life ' of the capital was in the habit of disporting itself. Tall and slender, clad in a well-fitting gown of dark green velvet, of English make, she glided over the polished surface like an emerald snake, or balanced herself coquettishly and complacently with a slower movement, like a splendid exotic plant swayed by the wind's caresses. Her bearing displayed none of that exaggerated elasticity with which indifferent skaters are wont to conceal their unsteadi ness ; nay, she often seemed to be carried along unconsciously, and to float gently with arms hanging by her side, but always with a fascinating grace, over the gleaming ice.

She wore a cap of brown fur on her graceful head ; her auburn hair was not piled up strictly according to fashion, but fell in thick soft curls far below her shoulders, and clustered unrestrained around her high-bred, cold, and finely -chiselled face. At first she described her magic circles alone, although there was no lack of hands ready and willing to guide her. Nevertheless the very best performers on the ice had to content themselves with a pretty gesture of refusal, which kept them at a respectful distance, while the beautiful woman occasionally exchanged a laughing word with numerous couples as they flitted quickly by, or took visible delight in the efforts of a stout beauty, who was panting with exertion, as she dragged a languid cavalier in tow. But, as might have been expected, the pretty lady did not long remain alone.

A tall broad-shouldered figure, perhaps even a more striking one than her own, soon joined her. Of herculean build, with the proud head of the Apollo Belvedere, this powerful man was a worthy companion for the beautiful skatress, who seemed moreover to have expected him. The slightest flush of pink tinged her pale face, and a friendly expression enlivened her somewhat rigid features, as the pair, grasping each other's hands, flew along, seemingly unconscious %i all around them. When Van der Bilt first perceived the handsome skater he reddened with unexpected pleasure. He stepped quickly forward as though to address him, but drew back at once, for it was clear that the young man appeared to see and hear nothing, but was completely absorbed in gazing on his companion. Van der Bilt pressed his hps together; his eyes darkened as they looked after the couple, and indeed often met the glance of the lady.

Was it Van der Bilt's sharply-cut face, bronzed with the Indian sun, that attracted this beautiful woman's attention, or did the magnetic look in his brown eyes betray more than he himself knew % Enough, she had remarked him. Her searching gaze fell on him frequently, whde she threw her head defiantly backward, and clung closer to her companion, who soon drew her into the midst of the gay throng of skaters. ' They are Bussians, say I,' exclaimed a dandified, spindle legged young Englishman in faultless clothes, as, glass in eye, he examined the pretty woman with impertinent satis faction. ' They are not Bussians, but Hungarians,' answered a second son of Albion, in nasal, drawling English. ' I saw them yester day at the French Ambassador's. Couldn't stop, though. Had to get on to Lili. Hate parties too.

They were just being announced. They've got the deuce of an outlandish name.' ' If such women as that are to be found in the desert, I shall go and get naturahsed there at once,' remarked an elderly gentleman. ' Her husband is a regular bear,' grumbled the thin-legged dandy. 'A bear,' interrupted a fair gaunt lady, possessing just that kind of distinction which seems to belong exclusively to well bred Englishwomen. ' He is the handsomest man I ever saw ! and the set of his head ! quite a demi-god, Sir Henry,' she con tinued, gazing contemptuously through her eye-glasses at that consumptive-looking gentleman, 'he could crush you between his fingers. If I could only remember where I have met him, I seem to know him.' Van der Bilt held his breath in his anxiety to listen. His face betrayed first astonishment, then evident consternation.

At that moment the couple in question again shot by him. The man still held his companion's hand, and his ardent gaze was fixed as by enchantment upon her elastic form and haughty face," which, however, was far from presenting the same appearance of rapturous absorption to be seen on his own. The young lady chatted pleasantly with her acquaintances as they glided by, and her eyes were already searching in the distance for Van der Bilt, who had entrenched himself behind the English group as though fearing discovery. Their eyes met again, and the young woman turned her head to look back at him with defiance. ' I don't think that woman pretty any longer,' remarked the English lady anew ; ' indeed she is quite antipathetic to me.' ' Of course, milady,' said the elderly gentleman smiling. ' Most ladies would find her antipathetic in consequence of a natural instinct of self-preservation.

But in us she awakens all the more positive sympathy. I shouldn't mind betting that this lady will have a history.' ' If she has not one already.' ' No ! she is too young for that. Nevertheless one can see that she does not mean to despise ordinary mortals, even with a demi-god for a husband.' ' Of whom are you speaking, Lady Thompson, if I may be allowed to ask 1 ' said the French Ambassador as he came up to them. ' About the remarkably striking woman, your Excellency, who is skating there with that handsome man.' Vicomte de T. slowly settled his pince-nez on his nose. ' Why, that is Stefan von Szelenyi, the Hungarian Minister of Finance and a celebrated statesman ! ' he exclaimed, nodding a greeting to the man in question, who, however, never saw him. ' Ah ! so that is the famous Szelenyi ! ' replied Lady Thomp son. ' Now I know why he appeared so familiar to me.

I saw his portrait in the Graphic not long ago.' Van der Bilt had heard enough. He hurried frowning towards the entrance without deigning to bestow a glance upon the artistic quadrille which was being formed of tall and lanky young ' comtessen ' 1 and beardless sprigs of nobility. It was with difficulty that he made his way through the dense circle of surrounding spectators, and hardly had he succeeded in so doing when he ran against a dapper old gentleman in a general's uniform, who was coming towards the rink and look ing round as though in search of some one. ' Uncle Karl,' cried the young man, surprised and delighted. The person addressed stared, puzzled for a moment, and then suddenly opened his arms. ' Felix ! You rascal ! ' he shouted in stentorian tones ; and without troubling himself as to bystanders, pressed the young man to his breast.

Then gently pushing him away he took a long look at him from head to foot. '"Hullo, youngster, you're grown into a man ! I shouldn't have recognised you, by Jove ! ' 'Yes, I've turned into a regular Bedouin,' answered Van der Bilt smilingly. 'And this is how we choose to arrive,— treacherously, craftily, 1 Comtessen: generic term for smart young Viennese ladies of high rank. secretly, and without a line of news about ourselves. That s a pretty way of doing things, eh % ' Van der Bilt penitently drooped his head. ' It's always the same story, Uncle Karl ; you know my old aversion to letter writing ! ' ' As if there wasn't the telegraph ! ' ' I did telegraph several weeks ago, straight to Alice. She knows, too, that I am obliged to remain for a few days in Vienna ! ' 'No doubt Alice has written to Irma.

After all, the good news could not have reached here yet.' 'Then is not she— Irma— here too?' asked Van der Bilt with evident effort, as if he feared to touch on a painful subject. In the meantime both gentlemen had turned towards the ice again, and Van der Bilt beheld the unknown beauty at no great distance from them. She seemed visibly surprised, anddet go of her companion's hand, while she gazed in astonishment alternately at Felix and at the General. Before the old gentleman could answer his previous question, Van der Bilt gripped him by the arm. ' Who is that lady, Uncle Karl, do you know her 1 The young lady in green beside Stefan.' ' I know her ? You shall soon see. . . . I'll introduce you.' And regardless of Van der Bilt's embarrassed resistance the General hurried towards the skaters with an elastic and youthful step, beckoning them to come to him.

This was most unpleasant to Felix, but no longer could he retreat. The next moment he was in Szelenyi's arms, greeted with his wonted irresistible warmth. ' Don't crush him to death, leave some of him for us,' called out the General, delighted, as he approached the group with the fair lady on his arm. He added solemnly : 'Doctor Baron Felix van der Bilt — Countess Szentendrey.' Van der Bilt bowed low, and successfully concealed his amazement ; the General, however, seized his right hand and laid it in that of his pretty young wife. ' Be kind to my young friend, Lisa,' he said cordially. ' He deserves it. He's an eld acquaintance too. Tell us yourself whether we don't talk of him more than of anybody else.' ' I can bear witness to that,' replied Countess Lisa with a sarcastic smile. ' We all look upon you as a regular hero of romance, Baron van der Bilt.' ' And now that she is undeceived, will not Countess Lisa discover that the hero of romance is at best only fit to pose as a pattern of commonplace dulness V ' In the first place, I've as yet discovered nothing,' answered Countess Lisa, evidently wearied and with scant politeness.

At the same moment, however, her eyes flashed, as they met those of Felix, with a cold, repellent glance of hostility. Szelenyi looked at her with astonishment, then slightlv shrugged his shoulders and took Felix's arm. ' I think there have been compliments enough for the present,' he remarked. ' It is time to be going too. Uncle Karl is quite blue with cold. 'Laugh away, my fine young fellow. It's easy to talk while you can still flourish about. Just you try how it feels, standing about every day for hours, merely as a looker-on. It's no joke ! ' ' Why do you come here then ? I should be perfectly safe alone with Stefan,' coolly remarked Lisa, looking straight at her carriage, towards which the whole party were moving. ' Now I call that gratitude ! ' said the General with a good humoured smile, as he helped his wife in. ' We dine at Sacher's at six o'clock,' he continued, 'and we count upon you for certain, Felix — eh, Lisa ? ' ' Of course we shall be delighted,' answered the Countess ?leasantly, but turning instantly to Szelenyi, ' How about you ? bu're coming as well?

Get in both of you, our carriage is quite large enough,' she added, with somewhat artificial polite ness. ' Many thanks, but I must refuse for myself,' replied Van der Bilt, letting go Szelenyi's arm. ' I have a rendezvous here with the Secretaries of the Bussian and American Legations. But if you will allow me, Countess, I will join you at Sacher's.' The carriage had scarcely started before Lisa threw herself back among the cushions pouting. ' Conceited pedant,' she cried. ' We shall not be quit of him the whole blessed evening. Karl, it's your fault, why did you invite him ? ' ' That's a fine idea — not ask Felix ! Why, how could I guess that my favourite relation would be so burdensome to you?' ' All the more seeing that he really is a most extraordinary man,' observed Szelenyi. ' How odd that he should make such an unfavourable impression on you, Lisa.

You are generally wild about anything out of the common.' ' Yes, but not when it is in the shape of a man hardly above middle height, as brown and shrivelled as a dried-up date.' The two gentlemen were silent ; they knew from experience that in her present humour Countess Lisa was not to be argued with. II Van der Bilt had so much to do before the evening that he arrived at Sacher's somewhat late. The greater part of the com pany, consisting chiefly of members of the Hungarian colony, had already assembled, and Felix was greeted with evident interest. So many hands, large and small, were held out to him, and he had to reply to such a hot cross-fire of questions, that he failed at first to remark the absence of the two Szentendreys. No thought of his fair hostess ever crossed his mind, till one of the ladies turned and said pointedly to Szelenyi : Do you know, Count, Lisa is again most unselfishly anxious that our appetites should be sharpened.' .

Szelenyi concealed his own impatience under a weil-teigned indifference, and slowly took out his watch, but only to put it hastily back again, as he hurried to the door, where Lisas peculiarly fascinating figure appeared at the same moment. She wore a closely-fitting black dress with a long train, the opening at the neck cut en cœur, showing her slender white throat, which looked like a beautiful column of marble. She wore not a single jewel or ornament, but one or two dead-white gardenias were fastened at her breast, and the hand which fell by her side held a white lace handkerchief. Her cold regular features appeared more statuesque than ever under the brilliant light of the chandelier, and her crimson lips alone betrayed the warm blood that coursed beneath the transparent ivory of her skin.

A sensation now came over Van der Bilt, which was destined to repeat itself whenever he met Countess Szentendrey in the company of other ladies. It seemed to him as though she were the only woman present. She overshadowed all around her. Her pale inflexible countenance attracted men's eyes like a magnet, and with a force that made all other women seem insignificant beside her. In what does her magic charm consist ? asked Van der Bilt of himself, as he sat opposite her at dinner, occupied apparently with a totally different subject. Not a little to his annoyance, he found himself the hero of the day, and, thanks to the charm of novelty, his earnest sun-burnt face, and his very taciturnity, outweighed even the overpowering individuality of Szelenyi. He steeled himself as well as he could against the very flattering attention won for him by the fact that he came straight from the seat of war in India crowned with laurels of high distinction, for, at each new compliment, he remembered involuntarily with what unconcealed derision his friends had treated him when he first devoted himself to the medical calling.

Yes, when it was known, a few years ago, that he was starting for the East, neither for the purpose of lion and tiger hunting, nor yet to gather material for a sensational book upon long-discovered though distant lands, but simply in order to study the symptoms of cholera and typhus in the hospitals of India and Oran, — these people were certain in good earnest that he must be mad. A Baron van der Bilt to whom even the noble pursuit of sport was not a sufficient interest in life must clearly be either fool or madman. Much had changed since then, however. The youthful hero of science and philanthropy, who was ever to be found braving the terrible dangers of the battle-field, and whose works upon infectious disease had been reviewed and praised in lengthy THE BEGINNLNG OF THE END 9 articles by the leading foreign journals, had naturally become famous in his own country as well.

The Count Mikis and Prince Muncsis of the club had there stated, not so very long ago, that it really wouldn't be bad to follow his example, for at any rate hunting for bacilli was newer sport than stale old lion and tiger killing. The General laughingly repeated the characteristic comments of the noble sportsmen aforesaid, while Szelenyi, with increasing animation, abandoned his accustomed role of ironical sceptic, and was never weary of narrating the heroic deeds of his friend. ' It was admirable,' he exclaimed with enthusiasm, ' to see the way in which Felix carried wounded men to the infirmary on his own shoulders, while bullets whistled round him and bayonets threatened him. Only yesterday I was reading further reports about him in the English papers. Our home ones are not half well enough informed.' Van der Bilt's praises echoed on all sides, and many an eloquent look from beautiful eyes was cast at the undismayed and sadly impassive hero.

Lisa now glanced at him for the first time ; she had not deigned to do so as yet. Her eyes seemed to measure him haughtily, mockingly, and to say : How came you to find strength for such deeds ? Szelenyi, who was quietly watching her, caught the glance. 'Do not look so unbelieving, fair aunt,' he cried. ' That slim fellow there often got the better of me in the happy days when we used to belabour each other with our fists. He has muscles of steel.' 'It has never occurred to me to doubt it,' drily answered Lisa, and turned to her next neighbour. Yes, what does her charm consist in ? Van der Bilt asked himself anew, while he felt that, notwithstanding the numerous demands on his attention, he was beginning to be interested by the almost impertinent indifference of the fair lady. This interest seemed at first absolutely enigmatical to him ; it was excited neither by Lisa's beauty, which failed to touch him, nor indeed by her peculiar behaviour.

Lisa made no impression on his heart, nor yet on his senses ; she only caused a feeling of nervousness to possess him, and his interest in her consisted mainly in a kind of restlessness, which increased as he remarked that Countess Szentendrey was beginning to occupy herself almost exclusively with Szelenyi, and alternately to provoke him or to treat him with the same defiant humour that Felix had already remarked in her at the rink. While thus engaged in mental soliloquy, he continued to join in general conversation, and Count Szentendrey proposed his health again. ' You're a fine fellow ! I'm proud of you, Felix ! ' he cried, wdth foaming glass in hand. ' Ah yes, Uncle Karl, to-day,' answered Van der Bilt smiling. ' But well do I remember the time when you chaffed me soundly about being a doctor, and zealously combated my proposition that a man could be just as true to himself with a lancet m hand as with a sword.' ' I surrender, my boy, and I lower my sword most penitently before your lancet.

What the deuce ! It takes a deal more courage to expose one's self in the thick of a battle, under a storm of bullets, for the purpose of rescuing a fellow-creature from death, or to hunt for symptoms in a pestdential lazzaretto, than it does to fight for one's own life, with all the instinct of self-preservation to help. It's what I call true scorn of death.' Van der Bilt shrugged his shoulders. ' It is not very difficult to despise death, if life has no value for us,' he said quietly, but added more rapidly, as he remarked the scornful smile on Lisa's full red lips, ' Please understand me rightly. It is not from a fashionable distaste of living that I say this, it is my own observation that makes me esteem life as a wise man esteems money. To him wealth is only valuable as long as it gives him scope for his capabilities or for enjoyment, when that is over, vogue la galerel' The party betook itself to an adjoining room for coffee, and Lisa at once collected the greater number of the gentlemen around her, and wreaked her ill-humour upon them in reckless fashion.

Van der Bilt, meanwhile, found an opportunity of withdrawing into the window with the General and Szelenyi, and of at last bringing out a question which lay very near his heart. ' Your wife — Irma — is it owing to illness that she is at home while you are here amusing yourself?' he asked, turning suddenly on Szelenyi. ' Dear me, no ! Irma is in splendid looks and most flourishing health,' replied Szelenyi absently, whde he looked round at Lisa, who was leaning back in her chair, apparently dull and put-out. ' Besides, I did not come to Vienna for pleasure, but for business. I go back to-day, as to-morrow there is an important sitting in the House. Uncle Karl, on the contrary, stays on much longer. ' And during our absence Irma is doing mother to our little lady,' remarked the General. ' Such a child !

How you'll admire her, my boy ! She's just as lively as a little colt, and a faithful copy of her pretty mother at the same time.' Only outwardly, let us hope, thought Felix, with a side glance at the lady in question ; her child does not seem to be very important to her, or she would hardly stay away from it for weeks at a time. At this moment the subject of his mental criticism rose and quitted the circle of her admirers without a syllable of excuse. Lisa slowly came up to the three gentlemen, and taking her stand opposite Van der Bilt, leant on the back of the arm-chair in which her husband was seated. The gentlemen sprang up, but she motioned them to sit down again, and addressed herself at once to Felix. ' Just tell me, Van der Bilt, what fault had you to find with me on the ice to-day ? ' The General turned his head in surprise ; Szelenyi changed colour.

Van der Bilt, on the contrary, remained fully composed. When Lisa had placed herself opposite to him, behind her husband's chair, he had felt instinctively that she only joined them on his account, and he was, therefore, involuntarily upon his guard. My critical looks must have annoyed her ladyship, he re flected, or does she want an opportunity of defending herself ? If so, it's worse than I thought. The expression of Van der Bilt's face gave not the slightest indication of what was passing in his mind ; he smiled agreeably. ' I find any fault with you, Countess Lisa 1 ' he said pleasantly. 'The idea! What right would a stranger like myself have to criticise you ? You forget, too, we do not know each other yet.' ' The latter sentence is true, but not the former. You know very well that you examined me with looks the reverse of flattering.' The probability only now occurred to Van der Bilt that Countess Szentendrey wished to discover whether he suspected her, and if so, in what degree, and he could not but admire the extraordinary boldness with which she thus called him to account in the presence of her husband and of Szelenyi.

If, however, Lisa had hoped to put him to confusion, she was altogether in error. He was fully prepared. ' As you really wish to know,' said he after a short pause, ' I will confess everything. My whole crime culminates in the fact that I did not know you. Put yourself in my place for once, Uncle Karl,' he continued, turning to the General. ' I come home after years of absence and see my cousin, who is married to one of my most valued friends, skating with a fascinating young lady whom every one supposes to be his wife. An English youth saw them both yesterday evening at the French Ambassador's, and asserted that Countess Lisa was Stefan's spouse.' 'The fool of a servant confused our names as he announced us,' Szelenyi said hastily. 'At any rate it is hardly to be wondered at if I looked upon the lady as an usurper en cotillon, for I never could have guessed that this youthful beauty was my cousin's newlyacquired — aunt ! ' The General laughed good-humouredly, but Szelenyi's face darkened and a deep blush reddened Lisa's pale cheek as she met the calm, impenetrable glance of Van der Bilt, who now turned slowly towards her.

It was clear that the young man had spoken with much candour, yet Lisa felt that although what he had said was true it was not the whole truth, and further, that he had evidently formed an unfavourable judgment of hev — a reflection which was almost unbearable to one so accustomed to admiration and flattery on all sides. And yet could she defend herself ? Could she ever confess to having read that in his eyes which she would never have even suspected had her intentions indeed been as blameless as they ought to have been? She turned aside to conceal her rising confusion and found herself face to face with a servant who was bringing a telegram to the General. Carelessly directing the messenger to her husband, she returned to that portion of the company which she had pre viously quitted. The General had hardly read the telegram before he hurried impetuously after his wife. ' Lisa, our little one is ill ; we must go to her at once ! ' he cried, pale as death, reaching the paper to her with trembling hands.

The Countess, too, turned pale. She seized the telegram nervously, and read it at a glance. Her excitement did not last long. It seemed to be an instinctive part of her nature to evade all painful agitation, and she often surprised those around her by a laugh or an outburst of impatience when she might have been expected to shed tears. Even now her first alarm gave way to vexation. It was extraordinarily inconsiderate of Irma to disturb her enjoyment on account of some unimportant childish illness. She returned the telegram to her husband with annoyance. ' Be calm ; you know what Irma is. It is certain to be nothing but some trifling ailment,' she continued, turning to the other ladies, who had surrounded her, anxious to sympathise. Lisa was no favourite of theirs, but grief wounding the mother's heart stirred a thrill of pity in each womanly breast.

All the more were they astonished at the tranquillity with which the young mother received the bad news, a tranquillity altogether unshared by the poor General. He took leave of the company in breathless haste, and gazed with anxious warning at his wife while she composedly said a few courteous words of farewell, and added lightly that her husband's niece was so nervous, so over-anxious and fond of exaggerating trifles. But for the sake of her husband's peace she must hurry and make sure of catching the evening train. ■ And this must happen to me, of all people, when I hate such scenes,' murmured Lisa, as Szelenyi was placing her long cloak with its silver fox trimming on her shoulders. ' We shall travel together. What unlooked-for happiness,' he whispered with emotion, while his eyes devoured her slender form.

It was evident, nevertheless, that Lisa found no comfort in that circumstance, for a cold and indifferent glance from her deep blue eyes fell on Szelenyi, while she turned her back to him and left the room on her husband's arm after many hasty farewells. The door had hardly closed behind the pair when that same lady who had spoken so pointedly before dinner about the beautiful Countess turned to Felix with a scornful smile. ' Well, Doctor, what have you to say about this interesting case ? Is not Lisa Szentendrey a living solution of the problem : How to exist without a heart ? ' The lady was interrupted. The gentlemen rose to a man in defence of the absent beauty. Countess Lisa's conduct only showed noble self-control. The strength with which she, a mother, commanded silence to her tortured heart, in order to soothe her husband by assuming a calmness she did not feel, had been simply admirable.