ayed I grant you, but
at the cost of an indemnity which you will never be able to pay. There
will be a Russian loan, secured upon the customs and the receipts of
the country. Every link in the chain of bondage is as clear as day.
Russians will stream over your frontiers and settle in your cities.
Everywhere Theos will have to give way to the new influence. In ten
years at the most the thing will be complete. Theos will become a
second Poland. Duke of Reist, you are at heart a patriot and a brave
soldier, but you are no match for Domiloff in what he would call his
modern diplomacy. Arrest him. His presence in the city is illegal. You
have every justification. Out to the camp and take your place by the
King's side. I know something of war, and I know that your cause is
far from hopeless. At least you can hold the Turks in check, and I
tell you that intervention is no longer a dream. England is at this
moment hesitating, and if she moves Germany will stand by her. Don't
make the mistake of your life. Take down your sword, order your horses
and ride with me to Solika."

It was obvious that Reist was moved. A spot of colour burned in his
cheeks, and he glanced for a moment at his sister as though for
guidance. She too was agitated. Brand turned to her.

"Countess," he exclaimed, "will you not add your words to mine? I come
here as your friend. The King is guiltless of all offence towards you.
Plead with your brother. Beg him to ride with me to the King."

She laid her hand softly upon his.

"My friend," she said, "you have spoken like a brave man and an honest
man, and both my brother and I respect you very much for it. But you
are a stranger here, and we are Thetians. We know our country and her
needs better than you. We do not believe that Ughtred of Tyrnaus is
the man to save her. He is too, what you call in the west, democratic
for an ancient kingdom. The heart of the people is not with him. As
for Domiloff, we do not trust wholly to him. We are not quite so blind
as you would have us believe. Yet we need friends--and, believe me--we
shall know how to reward them. Stay here with us, Mr. Brand. We will
try to treat you so that you shall never regret it."

The upward glance of her dark eyes was eloquent enough, but Brand only
shook his head.

"I am for the King," he said.

"And I," the Duke of Reist said, with a sudden vehemence, "am for my
country. Mr. Brand, you are answered. You have my permission to repeat
the