“You said I should hear all about it when the Warden had gone,” she remarked, as soon as she could make herself heard.
“And so you shall, Tabby!” her husband graciously replied, as he removed the blotting-paper, and showed the two parchments lying side by side. “This is the one he read but didn’t sign: and this is the one he signed but didn’t read! You see it was all covered up, except the place for signing the names——”
“Yes, yes!” my Lady interrupted eagerly, and began comparing the two Agreements. “‘_Item_, that he shall exercise the authority of Warden, in the Warden’s absence.’ Why, that’s been changed into ‘shall be absolute governor for life, with the title of Emperor, if elected to that office by the people.’ What! Are you _Emperor_, darling?”
“Not yet, dear,” the Vice-Warden replied. “It won’t do to let this paper be seen, just at present. All in good time.”
My Lady nodded, and read on. “‘_Item_, that we will be kind to the poor.’ Why, that’s omitted altogether!”
“Course it is!” said her husband. “_We’re_ not going to bother about the wretches!”
“_Good_,” said my Lady, with emphasis, and read on again. “‘_Item_, that the contents of the Treasury be preserved intact.’ Why, that’s altered into ‘shall be at the absolute disposal of the Vice-Warden’! Well, Sibby, that _was_ a clever trick! _All_ the Jewels, only think! May I go and put them on directly?”
“Well, not _just_ yet, Lovey,” her husband uneasily replied. “You see the public mind isn’t quite _ripe_ for it yet. We must feel our way. Of course we’ll have the coach-and-four out, at once. And I’ll take the title of Emperor, as soon as we can safely hold an Election. But they’ll hardly stand our using the _Jewels_, as long as they know the Warden’s alive. We must spread a report of his death. A little Conspiracy——”
“A Conspiracy!” cried the delighted lady, clapping her hands. “Of all things, I _do_ like a Conspiracy! It’s so interesting!”
The Vice-Warden and the Chancellor interchanged a wink or two. “Let her conspire to her heart’s content!” the cunning Chancellor whispered. “It’ll do no harm!”
“Hist!” her husband hastily interrupted her, as the door opened, and Sylvie and Bruno came in, with their arms twined lovingly round each other—Bruno sobbing convulsively, with his face hidden on his sister’s shoulder, and Sylvie more grave and quiet, but with tears streaming down her cheeks.