e saw that her eyes were
full of tears, and he kept his face turned from her. When at last they
passed into the city she spoke to him softly.

"I am indeed very foolish," she said, "but just now I am anxious.
Theos seems to have made for herself new enemies. The coming of
Ughtred of Tyrnaus has provoked Russia, and it is the one country
which I fear most. You will come and see me soon, Mr. Brand?"

He bowed over the hand which she held half-shyly out. It was not a
form of greeting in which she often indulged.

"I will surely come," he answered.

He left her at the Reist house and rode slowly towards his own
quarters. Already the streets were lined with people awaiting the
return of the King and the troops. Torches were waved hither and
thither. In the open space in front of the palace a huge bonfire had
been lit. Everywhere was the pleasant murmur of cheerful voices.
Further down the street they were singing in a low rhythmical chant
the National Anthem. Now the King was in sight, and a roar of voices
welcomed him. The front of the palace blazed out in a fire of
illuminations, a shower of rockets shrieked upwards from the park. The
King was coming. Long live the King!

CHAPTER XXII

Sara Van Decht leaned back in her basket-chair and looked across the
cobbled street, across the trim square where the miniature fountain
was playing, to where a cluster of red-roofed, white-fronted houses
were huddled together in picturesque confusion.

"Well, I think it's delightful!" she exclaimed. "I never could have
imagined anything so picturesque--or so restful."

Mr. Van Decht scratched his chin thoughtfully and selected a cigar
from his case.

"It is restful," he admitted. "I can't say that I'm quite accustomed
to taking my meals upon the pavement, even under an awning, and there
is an odour of garlic about the hotel which I don't altogether relish.
I grant you that it is restful, though! There's no denying that!"

The girl laughed softly.

"Poor old dad," she exclaimed. "I guess it's selfish of me to drag you
all across Europe to this little bit of a country, but I couldn't help
it a bit. I positively must see Ughtred with a crown on his head and a
sceptre in his hand before we go back. It's too delicious. Now I
wonder how we ought to let him know that we are here."

"Telephone!"

She laughed again--laughed till the tears stood in her eyes.

"Father, you must try to be more mediaeval," she exclaimed. "Fancy