while. Tell me--when will you see the
Duke of Reist?"

"Perhaps to-night," she answered, straining her eyes through the
darkness. "If all is quiet in Solika he said that he might return for
a few hours."

Domiloff nodded.

"Very well! Remember what I have said to you, Countess. A rupture
between your brother and the King will save Theos. You understand?"

"Yes," she answered, in a low tone. "I understand."

CHAPTER XXXII

Ughtred sprang to his feet. He was half asleep and a little
dazed--wholly bewildered at the apparition which was suddenly sharing
the solitude of his chamber. It was Marie of Reist who stood before
him in a wonderful rose-coloured gown tied loosely around her. She was
paler than he had ever seen her--her eyes bright with purpose--behind
the open panel.

"You bring news," he cried. "Do you come from Nicholas?"

She shook her head.

"I know nothing of Nicholas," she answered. "I came to see you."

He was speechless. Her visit seemed to him amazing, its object an
enigma.

"I wished to speak to you alone. Lately it has been impossible. Lock
your door."

He obeyed, but he returned to her with a grave face.

"Marie," he said, "think for a moment. It is better that I should come
to you. To-morrow----"

She interrupted him with an impatient gesture. At that moment the roar
of distant artillery was distinctly audible.

"There may be no to-morrow," she answered. "It is for the sake of
Theos I have come. You must hear me."

"For your own sake, Countess," he begged, earnestly, "I beg that you
will leave me. At any moment we may be interrupted. Messages are
brought to me continually--and the hour is late."

"I am the Countess of Reist," she answered, proudly, "and the people
of Theos know me. I have come to ask you a question. You must hear me,
and you must answer me."

He smiled.

"You are a little peremptory," he said. "Never mind! The question?"

"There have been rumours, your Majesty, of a marriage between you and
the American, Miss Van Decht."

He looked across at her in displeased surprise.

"These are no times for thought or speech of such things," he
answered.

She turned upon him with a sudden fierceness. A spot of angry colour
burned in her cheeks.

"You are wrong," she exclaimed. "I have come to you resolved to know
the truth. Listen, your Majesty. There are those who say that in your
long exile you have forgotten all that is due to your birth and your
country.