The Gates of Paradise Read Online Free PDF Page A

room.
    Louise then drew Narina into her sitting room.
    It was a most attractive room and just as lovely as Narina had expected it would be.  There were flowers everywhere and she thought that it was exactly the right background for Louise.
    Louise fetched a glass of lemonade for her from the drinks table and then sat down on the sofa saying,
    â€œI can see, dear Narina, that you are surprised and naturally curious to learn what is going on here.”
    â€œYes, indeed, I am!  Why was I only allowed to come ashore in the dark and why such secrecy in bringing me here?”
    Louise gave a little laugh.
    â€œIt does sound rather strange, but I have asked you here because you are the only person in the world who can help me in our present predicament.”
    â€œYou know that I am only too willing to help you, Louise, but you must tell me what I have to do and why.”
    â€œThat is just what I would expect you would say, Narina, and you must know that I would do anything to help you too.  If you only knew how much I have missed you and how I long to share my troubles and difficulties with you.”
    Narina’s eyes opened wider as she enquired,
    â€œIt’s not your husband, Prince Rudolf?”
    â€œNo, not the way you think of it.  But in a way he is the reason why I need you so desperately.”
    Narina made herself more comfortable on the sofa.
    â€œTell me all about it from the beginning.  It’s all too enigmatic so far for me to have the slightest idea what is going on.”
    â€œThat is not surprising!”
    Then Louise looked across the room as if to see that the door was firmly closed and almost instinctively Narina looked over her shoulder.
    Then Louise began in a low voice,
    â€œThe situation here is extremely difficult, because we are being watched by the Russians night and day.”
    Narina drew in her breath.
    She understood only too well, because she had so often discussed it with her Papa, how badly the Russians were behaving in the Balkans.
    She was only too well aware that Queen Victoria had sent for Louise to marry a Balkan Prince and save his country from the Russian menace.
    Now Narina asked Louise quickly,
    â€œWhat are they doing?  How can they harm Prince Rudolf now you are his wife?”
    â€œThat is the whole point, Narina, you know I have told you frequently in my letters how happy I am and what a wonderful husband Rudolf is to me.”
    â€œI have prayed that you would be happy, Louise.”
    â€œAnd I have prayed too when I came here.  Rudolf fell in love with me and I with him the moment we met.”
    â€œThen what is wrong?” Narina demanded again.
    â€œIt is quite simple.  We have been married for over two years and have not produced an heir to the throne.”
    Narina stared at her.
    â€œBut surely it is only a question of time – ”
    â€œThat is what we thought at first, then we consulted one of our own doctors, who assured us there was nothing wrong with me, but that my husband needs a very small operation.”
    Narina was listening wide-eyed.
    â€œDo you think that if he has it, you will – ”
    â€œ – have children without any difficulty?  Yes.” Louise finished.
    â€œThen, of course, he must have it,” Narina cried.
    â€œThat is exactly what we are going to do, but it is absolutely essential the Russians do not know about it.”
    â€œBut why, Louise?”
    â€œThey have been closely watching Alexanderburg, hoping that our marriage would not last, in which case they would have every chance of taking over the country.”
    Feeling that Narina still did not understand, she added,
    â€œIt is very easy out here for someone like Rudolf to have a fatal accident and with no son to succeed him, the Russians would make an excuse to enter our territory, claiming that they came in to maintain order.”
    â€œOh, now I am beginning to understand, Louise, so you