's eyes flashed fire.

"Be patient, Marie," he answered. "Ughtred of Tyrnaus has lived in
strange countries all his life, and imbibed the hateful modernisms of
the West. Let us wait for a little. Perhaps he does not understand.
Perhaps the time would seem to him too short even for a royal wooing.
We will watch and wait. Meanwhile, listen. This is certain. If Ughtred
of Tyrnaus lives out his reign, you and no other shall be his queen.
That at least I can answer for."

She shrugged her shoulders.

"It may be," she said, "that when he is ready he may find his
opportunity gone. The throne of Theos will be no bed of roses. In the
meantime, I at least shall not go to the palace."

Reist looked doubtful.

"It was arranged," he reminded her, "that you should receive the wives
of the Ministers. It is your right of birth."

"I renounce it then for the present," she answered. "Let him see how
the fat old Kolashin woman will look on his left hand."

Her brother watched her thoughtfully. Then he shrugged his shoulders.

"Women are all alike," he said to himself, bitterly, on his way to the
palace. "She is in love with Ughtred of Tyrnaus. She has drunk with
him from the King's cup. It is enough!"

* * * * *

"Baron Domiloff!"

She rose to her feet perplexed--a little annoyed. It was a visit which
she did not understand. He came swiftly across the lawn to her,
unattended and unannounced.

"I do not understand," she said, as he bowed low before her. "My
servants have no authority to send you here. I am not receiving this
afternoon--and you--you surely should be at the palace."

"I offer my most profound apologies, Countess," he said respectfully.
"Your servants are not at fault. It was my persistence which
prevailed."

"You have some message for me?" she asked, doubtfully.

"None," he answered. "I have come here on my own initiative. You will
permit me the honour of a few minutes' interview. As to my absence
from the palace, is that more likely to be remarked upon than yours,
Countess?"

She waived the question.

"It is at least more surprising," she answered. "Do you wish your
Austrian friends to have it all their own way with the King?"

"The Countess of Reist's sympathies are, I fear," he murmured, "with
my rival."

"My sympathies," she answered, "are with neither of you. You each seek
aggrandizement at our expense. I am a Thetian, and I believe that the
less we have to do wit