in the grim struggle against an only partially-civilized enemy. He set
himself passionately to work to strive for peace.

Reist came to him one evening straight from the House of Laws with a
suggestion.

"Your Majesty," he said, "the people are asking for a queen."

Ughtred laughed.

"I'm sorry I can't oblige them off-hand," he answered.

"Has your Majesty never thought of an alliance through marriage with
one of the Powers? Not a direct alliance, perhaps, but one which might
be useful to us if the worst should come."

Ughtred shook his head.

"A dream, my friend," he answered. "There is only one country in the
world who could help us, and I fear an English princess would be
beyond our wildest dreams. Friendship with Russia is more to be
dreaded than her open enmity. France has no royal family, and is bound
up with Russia. Germany and Austria are tied."

"Your marriage has been spoken of, sire," Reist said slowly. "I have
promised to convey to the House your views. A queen would be very
popular."

"I am not prepared at present to make any announcement upon the
subject," Ughtred answered.

"I should not hesitate at any sacrifice which the safety or benefit of
Theos seemed to require. At present there is no question of anything
of the sort."

Reist bowed, and abandoned the subject. But late that night he sought
his sister. She was sitting on the stone balcony which led from her
own suite of rooms, her elbow upon the worn balustrade, her clear,
beautiful face clouded with thought. For the first time Nicholas
noticed a change in her. She was thinner, and there were dark lines
under her eyes. A vague trouble was in her eyes.

"Marie," he said, "you have not been to the palace lately."

"No."

"Tell me why."

She turned slowly towards him.

"Need you ask! I hate that American girl. She is always there. She
monopolizes everything. I wish to Heaven that she would go away."

Reist came a little closer. His voice dropped.

"Has he spoken?"

"You know that he has not."

The face of the man was stern and grey--even as the face of one musing
upon evil things.

"To-night," he said, "I gave him every opportunity. By all ancient
laws and customs he is your betrothed--and he knows it. Yet he
persists in this uncompromising silence. The difficulty remains only
with himself."

She drew nearer to him.

"It is an insult to our house," she murmured. "I am glad that you have
spoken to me of this, Nicholas. It