twirled his fierce moustache, and smiled knowingly.

"Eh, but my friend, there is a report that they have drunk together
from the King's cup. How about that?"

"It is true," Reist admitted, "but the King knows nothing of the
history of the cup. His offer was one of gallantry--no more. They were
children together."

The general chuckled.

"Marie is a beautiful girl," he said. "There is none like her in
Theos. Eh, but if I were young again."

He went off smiling to himself.

Reist was touched on the arm by Brand.

"May I speak to you for a moment, Duke?"

"By all means."

"There is still one of the foreign Ministers absent besides Domiloff."

Reist nodded.

"Effenden Pascha. There is yet time, however."

"Effenden Pascha is not coming," Brand said.

Reist eyed him sharply.

"How do you know that?"

"I was at the palace gates," Brand answered, "when Effenden Pascha
drove up. He was on the point of entering when he was accosted by our
friend Domiloff."

Reist's face grew black as night.

"The hound!" he murmured. "Go on!"

"They stayed talking for five minutes or more. Eventually they both
reentered Effenden Pascha's carriage and were driven off."

"The wolf and the dog," Reist cried, fiercely. "Let them beware how
they bark at the gates of Theos."

He was white almost to the lips with anger. Brand watched him
curiously.

"I do not believe that you people like the Turks," he remarked.

Reist turned upon him with a sudden violent gesture. His voice was
low, but charged with passionate hate.

"Like them! To us they are as vermin, a pest upon the face of the
earth. You wonder why! I tell you that it is because we know them,
because their border villages are in touch with ours, we know their
life and the manner of it. I could tell you things which you dare not
put in print; stories which, if English people read in your paper they
would brand you a liar. So, my friend, Brand, believe this. There is
not a true Thetian breathing who would not rather die himself and kill
his wife and children than that the Turks should enter Theos....
Pardon me!"

He moved away with a quick, expressive gesture. Brand remained in his
corner, and presently the King with Marie of Reist upon his arm passed
by. They paused before him.

"Come, Brand," Ughtred remarked, "why so thoughtful? You must dance,
my friend."

"Your Majesty," Brand answered, "I was pondering upon the inequalities
of life. Yesterday I was a King