ake not that word. I do
not know what I am, or what men will call me when these terrible days
have passed away. But the patriots are those who wait with Ughtred of
Tyrnaus to give their lives for their country, those whose swords are
unsheathed, and whose heart is stout for battle. I, who spend my
gloomy days here, striving to keep the sound of those guns from my
ears, skulking in the shadows, afraid even to show my face at the
window--I am no patriot."

"The Duke of Reist does himself an injustice," Domiloff said, softly.
"It is physical courage which fills a man's heart with the desire to
fight--a greater thing than this is the moral courage which keeps a
brave man inactive when he knows in his heart that inaction is best
for his country."

"Oh, you are a subtle reasoner, Domiloff," Reist said, bitterly. "I
cannot argue with you. Only I know that all Theos is standing sword in
hand before our ancient enemies, and I am here. The weariness of it is
intolerable."

"It is the nerves, my friend," Domiloff answered, cheerfully. "You
need a good gallop, a little of this stinging air. Well, what we need
of you is action, is it not?--and there is danger too."

"It goes beyond our bargain," Reist answered, in an agitated tone.
"Once I never dreamed that you, Hassen, would pass the threshold of my
door and leave it alive. As for such a thing as you ask--oh, I am not
Judas enough for that."

"Nicholas," his sister said, quickly, "can you not see that it is a
great deed. Think how many lives you will save. In years to come every
woman of Theos who sees her husband by her side will remember that you
were his preserver. Besides, it is too late now for hesitation. We
have chosen our side, and we must work for our cause."

Domiloff nodded.

"The Countess is right," he said. "Do as we ask, Nicholas of Reist,
and in a fortnight's time there will be no war or sign of war, and the
people shall know to whom they owe their deliverance."

Reist smiled bitterly.

"My people," he said, "will never overwhelm me with gratitude. You do
not know them as I do. A true Thetian would love best the man who led
them into the jaws of death to fight for his liberty, even though the
fight were in vain, than the man who made all things smooth and happy
for him by skulking within four walls and intriguing with such men as
you, Domiloff."

Hassen turned impatiently away.

"My friend," he said to Domiloff, "we waste our time here. Theos must
ta