He was a diligent and capable administrator, and however mixed might be
the motives which attached him to his sovereign, they did not interfere
with the exact performance of his duties. Odo knew this and was grateful
for it. He knew that Trescorre, ambitious of the regency, had intrigued
against him to the last. He knew that an intemperate love of power was
the mainspring of that seemingly dispassionate nature. But death had
crossed Trescorre's schemes; and he was too adroit an opportunist not to
see that his best chance now lay in making himself indispensable to his
new sovereign. Of all this Odo was aware; but his own motives in
appointing Trescorre did not justify his looking for great
disinterestedness in his minister. The irony of circumstances had forced
them upon each other, and each knew that the other understood the
situation and was prepared to make the best of it.
The Duke presently rose, and handed back to Trescorre the reports of the
secret police. They were the documents he most disliked to handle.
"You have acquitted yourself admirably of your disagreeable duties," he
said with a smile. "I hope I have done as well. At any rate the day is
over."
Trescorre returned the smile, with his usual tinge of irony. "Another
has already begun," said he.
"Ah," said Odo, with a touch of impatience, "are we not to sleep on our
laurels?"
Trescorre bowed. "Austria, your Highness, never sleeps."
Odo looked at him with surprise. "What do you mean?"
"That I have to remind your Highness--"
"Of what--?"
Trescorre had one of his characteristic pauses.
Pages:
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443