They were silent for a few minutes listening to the distant roar of the guns, watching the lurid lights which every now and then lit up with an unholy glare that distant background. Then she turned to him.
"There is nothing," she said, "which I can do. Besides, whilst the war lasts everything else seems small. To see Theos drive back the infidels and retain her freedom I would be content even to let things remain, and end my days there in the convent."
He shook his head.
"Dear lady," he said, "you were not made for a convent any more than Sara Van Decht was made for a throne. Try and believe in me a little more. I, too, desire a free Theos. You are a woman, and you have wit and courage. Say to yourself this. It is necessary for Theos that your brother and the King should quarrel. Keep it always in your mind.
Remember that your brother"s anger only slumbers. The King has insulted you and your House. The whole history of your family could disclose no such affront tamely borne. Besides, there is your friend--the Englishman."
She turned swiftly upon him.
"What do you mean?"
He shrugged his shoulders.
"Only that I know no man whose future I would believe in more readily if he were content to settle down in Theos. Your brother could see to it that it was made worth his 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 x.x.xII
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. They say that you are at heart a democrat. That it is in your mind to marry this daughter of an American tradesman, to offer her to the people of Theos as their queen."
"It is true," he answered. "What of it?"
She looked at him for a moment as though stricken with a sudden blow.
To her the idea was heresy, rank and foul. A storm of indignant pa.s.sion swept through her.
"It is impossible," she cried, fiercely. "There is not a lady of Theos who would attend your Court. Do you think that I--Marie of Reist, would kiss the hand of this Van Decht woman--I, or any of the others? Oh, it is madness."
"Countess," he said, quietly, "we will choose another time for the discussion of this matter. You must forgive me if I beg that you will leave me."
"Another time," she answered. "Oh, listen! You depend at this moment on the loyalty of Theos to defend your throne. Do you believe that you could command it if this were known? In the mountains the Turks are gathering a great army, in the city there is treachery. Ah, you start, but my words are true. If the words which you have spoken to me had been spoken from the balcony there your throne would have been lost forever."
He looked at her curiously--not altogether unimpressed. Treachery!
What did she mean by that? She moved a step nearer to him. Underneath her loose gown her bosom rose and fell quickly. Her face was flushed and her eyes brilliant.
"Your Majesty," she said, "do you know that by all the traditions of Theos you are betrothed to me--that the people of Theos wait day by day for the announcement?"
He looked at her in blank amazement. He was bereft of words. Her eyes flashed fire upon him.
"It is an insult--this purpose of yours," she cried. "You and I have drunk together from the King"s cup. It has been the betrothal ceremony in the royal House of Theos for generations. You a stranger, who owe your very throne to us, have dared to ignore it--you, who propose to raise to the throne of the most ancient kingdom of Europe a woman of unknown birth. It is an infamy."
"Countess," he answered, "you know quite well that I was ignorant of your custom, of the history of that cup."
"There are times," she said, fiercely, "when ignorance is worse than crime. No man yet, even a king, has lived to break faith with the House of Reist."
He had recovered himself--and he remembered. He addressed her steadily, yet with a growing coldness in his tone.
"Is it your wish 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."