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i9i3] INTERVIEW WITH QUEEN ELEANOR 235
catastrophe in Bulgaria. In all our conversations, in
all the advice which I had felt bound to give him, I was
guided solely by the real good of Bulgaria. From the
day of my arrival in Sofia I had always and absolutely
refused to act against the King; and during this time
His Majesty was working behind my back and often
against me personally. . . .
" But in whom has he ever had confidence ?"
exclaimed the Queen. " He distrusts even me."
I no longer remember what my answer was, but
involuntarily I raised my voice a little.
" Hush ! in Heaven’s name, speak lower," interrupted
the poor Queen, casting a furtive glance towards one of
the doors of the room ; " this is the most dangerous room
in the Palace."
Eleanor then went on to make complaints about the
conduct of the Rumanians in the environs of Varna,
that town so truly dear to her.
" It is particularly painful to me on account of Queen
Elisabeth. We are two German princesses on Balkan thrones,
and in spite of that our respective people have become
completely hostile to one another! You are doubtless
aware of the horrors committed by the Rumanians in
the environs of Varna against an unfortunate population
that I know and love so well. . . . Some young girls,
monsieur, some young girls! . . . No, if now we were
to have a new and real war with Rumania, I should be
capable of harnessing myself to a gun, so great is my
indignation against them ! "
At this point, in spite of the truly tragic tone of the
Queen, I could hardly suppress my mirth ; I pictured
the poor speaker in the entirely new role of an artillery
draught-horse, and from the opposite side I could see
the respectable Carmen Sylva also perhaps obliged to
assist in the transport of guns or ammunition. ... I
hastened to make the Queen turn to a less ticklish
topic.
" When you see the Emperor," she said in
conclusion, " pray convey to him my sincerest good wishes.
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