Beschrijving
Presently the princess came and sat by the side of her aunt, the queen. Ihoas bowed herself away and as quickly disappeared below, where she sought relief and opportunity in the crowded garden. She had a duty to perform, and though her position must be an embarrassing one, her appearance could but arouse interest, invoking both happiness and hope. On the steps at the veranda in front Ihoas met Aokahameha accompanied by Colonel Young; they had disposed of their commands at the armory and returned to pay respects and join in the festivities at the villa. The one tall, dark and austere: the other slight, fair and genteel, they doffed their helmets to the stately princess as she met and congratulated them upon the events of the day. There was indeed a wide contrast between the old-time feats of chivalry, as exemplified in the one, and the modern heraldic display, underlying the martial supremacy of the other; yet Ihoas was brave, and with her memory running back and her heart yearning for still another she made no distinction, greeting them alike with a heartiness that bespoke neither preference nor prejudice. Perhaps Floyd Young may have conjured a distrust in her composure, but he became quite undeceived as to his comrade’s position, for the young prince unconsciously betrayed the secret of his love. Designing not to intrude upon good will, Young withdrew and sauntered into the midst of the gayety on the lawns. Not a few offered words of felicitation as the deserving young officer passed on, addressing this one or recognizing that one, but none seemed to express more than passing interest in what he had hoped to be the most successful military parade the little kingdom had seen. The seeming indifference stung him sharply, but he remembered that this was the queen’s day, however loyal the opposition, and acting in obedience to natural impulse turned toward the portico where his eyes met fairly those of the princess, Kaiuolani. The dazzling garnishments of his regalia glittered in the sunlight and heightened the sparkle in Kaiuolani’s eyes as he bowed and turned to shake the hand of Mr. Elmsford—Oscar Donworth Elmsford—a discarded English duke, an artist by profession, but at that time a resident manager who stood high in social circles at the capital city, Honolulu. A frown crossed the queen’s brow; she had witnessed the glance of recognition, which had so inadvertently passed between the two, and as quickly engaged the princess in conversation. Young did not observe the apparent change in her majesty’s countenance, but continued talking to his neighbor, Elmsford, till presently Ihoas again came upon the scene of his discomfiture. This faithful intermediary had had her say with Aokahameha, and left him standing in the shade of the veranda, debating whether to follow and press his claim for a true love or go above and encourage a false one. He had understood Ihoas’s warning only too well, but for that did not believe her lost to him,—although she had positively declared her preference for the man that she was at that very moment approaching,—and as to Kaiuolani: she was entirely too frolicsome for him, and he doubted even her aunt’s ability to govern her decision in any manner, much less about a thing so vital as that of marriage. The sudden turn of affairs disturbed but did not overwhelm the puzzled man, who stood momentarily debating his proper course, then entered the house and ascended the stairs. Turning, Young again paid his respects to the designing Ihoas. A slight flush perceptibly reddened his face. A new thought possessed him; he would use her to relieve himself and disarm others as to the possible thought of any rising intimacy with Kaiuolani.