welcomed him with a smile which she tried
in vain to suppress.

"You must forgive me," she said, as their eyes met. "Indeed, it is
hard to avoid a smile. My brother is of slight stature, and you are
very tall,--is it not so?"

"Oh, I don't mind," he answered, good-humouredly, conscious that his
trousers terminated at the ankle, and that the seams of his unbuttoned
coat were bursting. "I should be comfortable in anything since I have
got rid of that sword and the other thing like a satchel which kept
tripping me up. The management of a woman's train has always seemed to
me an accomplishment, but it is nothing compared with the difficulty
of walking like a soldier with those things whacking at your ankles
every few moments. One thing I can promise you and myself, Countess.
If Domiloff and the whole lot of them catch me nothing would induce me
to put on that uniform again."

"It was very becoming," she said, smilingly.

"You are making fun of me," he declared, reproachfully.

"Indeed I meant it," she assured him. "I never doubted but that you
were Ughtred of Tyrnaus!"

He felt absurdly pleased. There was a note of regret too in her tone.
Then, as though with some effort she addressed him more formally.

"You need have no fear," she said, "that Domiloff will find you here.
Neither he nor any of his creatures dare force their way into this
house. All that we must pray for now is the speedy coming of Nicholas
and the Prince."

Almost as she spoke they heard quick footsteps upon the corridor
outside. The door was thrown open.

CHAPTER XIV

Nicholas of Reist, closely followed by Prince Ughtred, strode into the
room. Marie uttered a little cry of joy--Brand drew a long sigh of
relief.

"Nicholas, at last!" she cried.

He seized her hands and drew her to him. Then he turned to Ughtred.

"You will not recognize your old playmate, Prince," he said. "Marie,
this is Prince Ughtred of Tyrnaus."

He bowed low before her, and she murmured a few words of greeting.
Then both Nicholas of Reist and Ughtred saw Brand standing underneath
the great chimneypiece.

"Brand!" the former cried. "Brand! How in God's name did you find your
way here?"

Brand smiled enigmatically.

"Listen," he said, "and I will tell you."

They stood grouped around him. He told his story tersely yet fully.
When he had finished there was a moment's breathless silence. He
pointed to the door.

"You have not a moment to lose," he exclai