then, Countess, that I fulfil the obligations which
you say I have incurred?"

Her face burned, her eyes were lit with fire. He had gained an
advantage. He had made her angry.

"It is a brutal question," she cried, "but quickly answered. You know
quite well that if it were so I should not be here. No! I would not
marry you--not even to be Queen of Theos."

"Then why----"

"Oh, but you are blind," she interrupted, passionately. "You
understand nothing. I repeat that I would not marry you to be Queen of
Theos. I am willing to be your friend. I am willing to forget your
broken pledge. But listen! Theos is the dearest thing on earth to me.
I am jealous for my country, not for myself. I will not have this
tradesman's daughter Queen of Theos. Do you think that I, Marie of
Reist, would follow her from the room, would bend my knee to her,
would call her Queen? It is madness inconceivable. I speak for
myself, but there are others who feel as I feel. It would be an
insult to every royal family in Europe. These are the things which I
have come to say. You must abandon your purpose, or----"

"Or?"

There was a moment's deep silence. She shook her head very slowly.

"There is not a noble of Theos, your Majesty, who would not consider
himself justified in rescinding his oath to a king who could stoop so
low."

Ughtred eyed her gravely.

"Marie," he said, "you are a peeress of Theos in your own right, and
as such you yourself have taken an oath of allegiance to me."

"It is true, your Majesty," she answered, coldly. "And I tell you now
that the announcement of your betrothal to Sara Van Decht would in my
opinion and before my conscience justify me in breaking that oath. And
your Majesty must remember further that those who are not with you are
against you."

The King sat down and leaned his head upon his hand. Was this really
how the people of Theos would regard his marriage, if indeed it should
ever come to pass? The girl was so terribly in earnest, and of
personal feeling it seemed after all that she had none. A cloud crept
over his face.

"It is a threat," he said, quietly. "Countess, I beg that you will
leave me. I will think over all that you have said, and I will discuss
it fully with your brother, and my other advisers. Forgive me if I add
that I think it would be more fitting."

He pointed to the open panel. She held up her head as though
listening, but Ughtred heard nothing. Then she looked once more at the