e either a Russian
State forever, or once more a free country with a ruler who is one of
her own sons, and in whom my master can repose every confidence. You
see I am very frank with you. I admit that this attack upon your
country is the will and the decree of Russia. It was broached in
London, confirmed in St. Petersburg, and planned in Constantinople.
Yet, believe me, it was conceived in no spirit of enmity to Theos. It
is simply this. We will not have a Tyrnaus upon the throne of Theos."

"Your country," Reist answered, hoarsely, "has no great reputation for
generosity. What are we to pay for our freedom? You would not have me
believe that there is no price."

"There is none," was the quiet answer, "which you, as a patriot and a
Thetian, need hesitate to pay. We should require the abolition of the
present edict prohibiting Russians from holding public offices, and a
few more such unimportant concessions. They are nothing. They will
serve only to knit our countries more closely together in friendship."

Reist laughed hardly.

"Yet I think," he said, "that the freedom of Theos would become
somewhat of a jest were I to accept your terms."

"The alternative," Domiloff remarked, "may seem more pleasing to you.
Yet I have heard people say unpleasant things of the Turkish yoke."

"Theos is not yet conquered," Reist answered. "Ughtred, to do him
justice, is a soldier, and my people have the love of fighting born in
their hearts."

"The odds are too great--and you know it," was the quiet reply.
"Besides, the Turkish army is led by Russians and supplied with
Russian artillery. The result is certain."

"There may be intervention!"

"From whom?" Domiloff asked, smiling. "France is the monkey who dances
to my master's music--Austria is bound to us, Germany is
geographically powerless."

"There is England."

Domiloff laughed outright.

"England as a European Power," he declared, "has ceased to exist. A
few Dutch farmers have pricked the bubble of her military reputation.
If she should have the sublime impudence to lift her voice we should
treat her with the contempt she has earned. No, Reist, there will be
no intervention. Your brave Thetians will be cut to pieces, your
country will be pillaged and burned, your women will become the
consorts of the Turkish soldiery, your ladies will go to grace a
Turkish harem. These things must be unless you have the courage to
hold out your hand. You call yourself a patriot. Prov