she answered. "I believe that what you have
been told is true. I believe that Russia will not tolerate Ughtred of
Tyrnaus. My friend," she added, in a softer tone, "why do you concern
yourself in these things? Leave Domiloff alone, and, believe me, your
warning to the King would be wasted. Stay here, and watch for the
things which may happen. Do you remember what we talked about that
night at the palace? The times are coming--wait, and your opportunity
may also show itself. Who knows that your own future may not become
linked with the future of Theos?"

She leaned over towards him, her hand fell upon his shoulder, and its
touch, though light, was like a caress. Then Brand understood that
this was temptation, for his whole being quivered with the delight of
her softened tone, and the unspoken things which trembled there and
shone from her eyes. In truth, she, too, was thinking of the moment
when she had believed him to be the King.

"Dear lady," he said, almost pleadingly, "I would be content to live
all my days in Theos if----"

He hesitated. A wonderful smile curved her lips, and her eyes were
full of invitation. Yet he hesitated.

"For a brave man," she murmured, "you are very--very faint-hearted."

Whereupon he took her into his arms, and kissed her.

CHAPTER XXV

It chanced that a brilliant autumn brought a season of great
prosperity to the Thetian wine-growers and farmers, and the year of
Ughtred's accession to the throne seemed likely to be marked with a
white stone in their annals. Never had a ruler been more popular with
all classes. His military system, while it made no undue demands upon
the people, provoked the admiration of Europe, and several important
and successful industrial undertakings were due entirely to his
instigation. Mr. Van Decht, fascinated by the climate, the primitive
but delightful life, and a firm believer in the possibilities of the
country, still lingered in the capital, and already the results of his
large investments were beginning to be felt. Only a few people knew of
the hidden danger which was ever brooding over the land--a danger
which Ughtred had realized from the first, and which from the first he
had set himself steadfastly to avert. A soldier himself, he knew
something of the horrors of war. Nothing seemed to him more awful than
the vision of this beautiful country blackened and devastated, her
corn-fields soaked with blood, her pleasant pastoral life swept away