Kaiuolani

The bestowal of an honor so vital, to their way of thinking, could but arouse deep and widespread interest, especially now that the public mind had reached a high state of nervous tension. Its effect upon every man and woman in that assemblage was instantaneous and changed entirely the situation, for weal or woe, however false or sincere his motive.

Martha Norton flushed with envy, and Bender grew fierce at disappointment. Aokahameha alone welcomed the respite, though Ihoas sat for the time being overwhelmed with sorrow. Young chafed under the yoke, while Kaiuolani nestled in her father’s embrace, wondering at the havoc her innocent attempt had wrought.

After a little, when the first shock of disappointment had passed, the queen rose and entering her boudoir directed that the doors be drawn and the entrance to the room closed. Truly she felt mortified at the heir apparent’s conduct and grieved the necessity of resorting to other means in the attainment of her plans; but Liliuokolani was a resolute woman and met reverse with a calm and dignified determination that brooked no reasonable defeat. She held Aokahameha free from blame, as he had evidenced a willingness to gratify her majesty’s wish, at least so far as that day’s decoration was concerned, for had he not accompanied the princess to her post and shown no inclination to avoid the leis?

Nor would she at that time call him to her, though it was he more than any other that she desired forthwith to counsel. Upon her withdrawal into the house the assemblage once more began to break into fragments and scatter in groups about the lawns, leaving Aokahameha alone to congratulate Young and offer the princess a first word of encouragement. Drawing her away from her father and inviting Ihoas along, the three walked out upon the green to the gratification of Liliuokolani, who stood looking through the glass door, as they chatted and whiled away the time.

Presently they separated, and Aokahameha walked rapidly toward the house. He realized that Liliuokolani had suffered a painful defeat, and feeling that the responsibility of sustaining her devolved upon him, sought directly her majesty’s presence.

The queen had watched his movements safely from within, and clearing the room of attendants, met him upon his arrival at the door.

“Come in, Aokahameha,” said she, warmly grasping his hand and kindly leading him to a seat on the sofa. “I need your advice, though as you may well know our ideas be somewhat cross-purposed. You understand my motive: I hope I have not forfeited your respect.”

The prince seated himself at her pleasure, recognizing the gravity of the queen’s situation as well as the sincerity of her purpose, and turning to her said, softly but gravely:

“No, your majesty; you have done nothing to merit in the least the displeasure of a loyal subject. The matter of my domestic felicity is only an incident that I had hoped to recognize in the sphere of duty. I am at your majesty’s service: command me.”

The encouraged champion’s familiar address had the effect intended, and Liliuokolani freely laid aside the reserve that naturally attended even less guarded communications. They held in common an abiding interest in their country, its people, their homes, and themselves. They knew each other to be true. They alone could resolve the virtue of their course. The queen’s great, dark eyes softened as she looked tenderly into the young man’s straightforward countenance,—there was no need of fear there; he was a scion of royalty, untainted, grave but heroic,—and with modulated voice frankly said:

“You speak well, Aokahameha; I too have loved, and would that your portion be even less bitter. Let us pass that; the state demands our attention. The heir apparent must be gotten out of the way of designing politicians and the host of scheming adventurers who now surround her and threaten the government.”

Without venturing an immediate answer, the proud prince sat momentarily pondering the course of events that had led to their hard-tried predicament and the momentous questions confronting them. For years their beautiful land had been buffeted upon the surfeited seas of vain endeavor and base cunning to fall at last to the grace of a sovereign whose heart went out to her own and whose endeavor seemed founded upon but a shattered hope. How could he in their plundered and helpless condition resolve the means with which to restore security and gratify the laudable ambitions of a deserving and hopeful ruler! A cheerless mission confronted him, but Aokahameha, the iron-willed, a Kamehameha of to-day, felt no test of patriotism too severe and knew not an undertaking undeserving the sacrifice. The queen’s will resolved his duty, and he believed her not only worthy the confidence, but capable of directing safely the course of events.

“Your majesty’s intentions are certainly good; but I am doubtful about controlling the princess,” said he, after a while, having resolved fully the queen’s motive.

“I had hoped to encourage a different termination of the day’s sports; it would, at least, have given the appearance of solidity on our part; for to-morrow I shall present your name to the cabinet as commander-in-chief of the army. We could have resolved, afterwards, and in time, the suitableness of my plans for a permanent alliance with the princess,” replied the queen, fully conscious of both his and her feelings in the matter.

“It could have done no harm: we all seem to understand the situation, except it be the princess herself,” continued he, somewhat regretfully and with reference to those individually concerned.

“I need not ask what the general effect was,—I could see that from where I sat,—but did you notice particularly how Kaiuolani’s actions impressed Hans Gutenborj?” asked Liliuokolani, her mind reverting to the political situation.

“Only that he showed extreme reserve, as usual; yet I am not quite sure but he was deeply moved,” said Aokahameha, guardedly, as he arose and crossing the room looked out at the window, continuing directly:

“Young and he appear to be engaged in conversation now, and are walking toward the street—I wonder if they can be so soon taking their leave?”

The queen did not answer at once, but coming up leaned gently on the prince’s arm, the while watching Colonel Young and Mr. Gutenborj, the largest planter and wealthiest merchant in the Islands, disappear through the gate, far in the distance.

Kaiuolani, Ihoas, and Elmsford leisurely strolled in the garden, the former’s lively interest betraying an entire forgetfulness, as she courted the willing Elmsford’s attention, to the utter disgust of staid and resolute Ihoas; while Bender, Wayntro, Q. N. Varnum, a local banker, and Webster Faneuil, the queen’s attorney, grouped themselves around Sir Charles, with whom Young and Gutenborj had just parted. Only Martha Norton appeared to be absent, and scanning carefully the numerous parties within his range, Aokahameha’s memory reverted to his discovery of her, earlier in the day, in rather an unbecoming attitude.

The very thought of her present whereabouts made him nervous, and despite the queen’s urgent business he grew anxious and presently to her surprise and utter astonishment excused himself and departed the house. Upon taking his leave he had, it is true, taken the pains to reassure Liliuokolani of his unshaken trust and hearty support, yet the apparent change in his bearing suggested the possibility of a breakdown and disturbed her majesty not a little.

With Aokahameha’s coming into the open, Bender disappeared—Martha Norton had given him the signal, forthwith apprising the queen of his request for an audience. Liliuokolani sighed, saying heavily:

“I will receive him here; call Ihoas and Mr. Faneuil.”

Her majesty’s duly appointed lady in waiting loitered a little,—just enough to insure the arrival of Bender, whom she announced,—then went out of the room.

Liliuokolani did not bid her caller come nearer. She sat at the farther side of the room, facing the entrance and awaiting his pleasure. Bender approached, and bowing profusely complimented her majesty on the felicities of the day. A frown darkened Liliuokolani’s face, afterwards giving way to an expression of anxiety. Her would-be cabinet minister pretended not to see the very potent change in her countenance; his eyes glanced furtively elsewhere.

Recognizing the necessity of promptness,—the queen unattended had never encouraged his presence,—Bender spoke fawningly, but with emphasis:

“I thought you might desire a final word with me; the legislature meets in the morning.”

The queen looked down at the cringing man’s posture. She knew better than he—a disturbing element with a boughten membership—of the proposed session, and felt more keenly the consequence. Without undue haste or prolonged delay Liliuokolani replied, nervously:

“You know well my position: what more would you have at this late hour?”

“Your consent to the bills.”

“You still insist upon disgracing my people with a cruel opium measure and a vicious lottery bill?”

“The terms are reasonable, considering that I am willing to concede the appointment of Aokahameha and——”

“You will guarantee that?”

“Yes; and, also, the new constitution—as you propose. I have the power.”

“I will give you my answer in the morning.”

“At twelve o’clock?”

“Yes.”

Liliuokolani dismissed the caller and retired to the quiet of her chamber; she knew only too well that Norton had prolonged her quest for the attorney and Ihoas, and desiring to resolve in her own mind, alone and undisturbed, the virtue of an only alternative, withdrew from the danger of any further or other disturbance.

Until a late hour straggling guests loitered in the gardens and upon the verandas, amid the golden shadows that changed and lengthened from the tall and slender leaf-capped palms that swayed and rustled in the soft, intoxicating air of a tropical evening’s dawn. They were content with joy or burdened with concern, lingering till the close of day when still the last had not gone.

Liliuokolani looked out through the stately tree tops and over the quaint house roofs to the silent waters beyond. From the deep mysterious blue no voice of old arose to counsel her, to encourage the deeds of heroism that once made those shores resound with noble thought and vital conquest. Life still seemed consequential, yet the heavens darkened with the dark of southland: Liliuokolani breathed heavily, and the world closed its portals upon her.