t," he said slowly, "your sister is very charming, and I have a
great admiration for her. Yet I must admit this. The idea which you
have suggested is an altogether new one to me. I did not, for one
moment, imagine that she or you or any one would attach any
significance to what I looked upon at the time as a harmless little
ceremony."

Reist bowed low.

"To the people of Theos," he said, "these ancient customs are sacred.
Your Majesty will permit me to proceed. There is a further development
which has also a bearing upon the situation. I refer to the advent of
Mr. and Miss Van Decht."

The King raised his eyebrows.

"And how does this matter concern," he asked, "my very good friends,
the Van Dechts?"

"Your Majesty," Nicholas answered, "has admitted them, considering
their position, or I should say their lack of position, to a somewhat
surprising familiarity. This too has given rise to much comment in the
city. Miss Van Decht is a very beautiful young woman, and your
Majesty has treated her publicly with great consideration, almost as
an equal. Your Majesty must bear with our prejudices. This is not a
democratic country. We hold by our rank and its obligations, and we do
not consider an American retired tradesman and his daughter people
whom we can meet habitually on terms of equality--even at the Court of
the King."

Ughtred rose from his chair, and his mouth was set and grim.

"I am obliged to you for your frankness, Nicholas," he said. "I will
endeavour to return it. Mr. Van Decht and his daughter are my very
good friends, and their position at my Court is that of valued and
welcome associates. It seems to me that whom the King can treat as
equals his nobles may endure as companions. But in any case I desire
to say this to you and to the aristocracy of Theos, whose opinions
you doubtless express. In the matter of my friends, as in the matter
of taking a wife when the time may come, I do not permit any
interference, and if any be offered I shall resent it. Further, if
any stay away from my Court for such reasons as you have hinted at I
shall esteem their absence a personal affront. Am I understood?"

Reist bowed in cold silence. The King took a quick step towards him
and laid his hand upon his arm.

"Nicholas," he said, "don't let me lose a good friend--you to whom I
owe my kingdom. Remember that I am a man as well as a King. I did not
promise to become a machine when I took the coronation oaths. I have
m