ly.

"She is an American," he answered. "Her father was a shopkeeper, her
grandfather a labourer. He intends to marry her!"

"That is impossible," she answered, curtly. "The people of Theos would
not permit it."

"When did a Tyrnaus," he asked, "ever consider the welfare or opinion
of his subjects when the gratification of a caprice was concerned."

She shrugged her shoulders.

"And why," she asked, "do you bring this news to me?"

"To give you an opportunity of saving your country," he answered,
promptly. "See, I will risk everything--I tell you the whole truth.
Ughtred of Tyrnaus is not acceptable to my master as King of Theos. We
know the race too well. They are not to be trusted--the integrity of
the State is not safe in their hands. There is only one man who is the
Heaven-designed ruler of Theos!"

"And he?"

"It is your brother!"

Now, indeed, she was interested. A rush of colour warmed her cheeks.
The frigidity of her manner vanished as though by magic.

"I myself have told him so," she exclaimed. "When the people rose
against the republic they called for him. It was the golden
opportunity which he failed to seize."

"It will come again," he assured her, earnestly. "I give you my word
that it will come again. That shall be my care. Yours is to see that
next time he is prepared."

"Why do you not yourself speak to him?" she asked.

He smiled.

"You know your brother. The knowledge should answer that question. He
has sworn loyalty to Ughtred of Tyrnaus, and for good or for evil he
will keep his vow. We must wait till the thing is inevitable."

"And I," she murmured, "I, too, am a Reist, and he is my king."

"You are the first lady in Theos," he answered, "and you will not be
content to bend your knee day by day before a plebeian. I will prove
to you that I am sincere. If the King seeks your hand in marriage, I
will not raise a little finger against him. But we will not support
another Tyrnaus in another reign of folly. We will not recognize a
king who places by his side upon the throne the daughter of
tradespeople."

"It would be infamous," she murmured.

"Dear lady," he said softly, "try to forget that I am a Russian, or
that Russia was ever your fancied enemy. An independent Theos is my
policy, it is your religion. Let us work hand in hand."

The old distrust was hard to smother. She gave him the tips of her
fingers.

"You can speak with me again," she said. "I make no promises. I will