When Monella had finished reading this strange letter, he leaned his chin upon his hand and fell into a reverie, Leonard and Templemore meanwhile looking on in silence. Presently Monella roused himself, and, with a deep-drawn sigh, passed his hand across his forehead with a look of pain. His action was as though he had half-caught some flitting thought or memory, that had, after all, eluded him; and that the effort to retain it had cost him mental pain. After a short interval he said, with one of his rare smiles and in the musical voice that captivated every one, so full were they of kindliness,
"Now you know as much about me as I know myself. I did not show you this before, because I had been charged to hand it only to those to whom it was addressed; and this is the first opportunity I have since had, for the king sent it to Sanaima, who returned it only a day or two ago. But, since you must now consider seriously the question of your going or remaining, it is right that you should know all I can tell you of myself. It is very little; yet sufficient to explain my present feelings. You can understand, now that you have read that letter, that I am now, with all my heart and soul, one with these people. I look at everything from their point of view; I consider only their interest, their welfare, their safety, their advantage. If you shall elect to remain with us--to become one of us--you shall find me ever a staunch friend who will do all he can to make you feel at home amongst us, and will place you in positions of great honour. If, on the other hand, you prefer to leave us, you shall not go without such marks of the king's favour as are beyond, perhaps, your dreams. These are the alternatives that lie before you. Take time to ponder them; there is, as I have already told you, no need for an immediate decision."
When, after leaving Monella, the two were once more alone together, Leonard burst out with the thought that filled his mind,
"I scarcely know how to express my feelings. I am full of sadness and yet of joy, and I know not which predominates."
"I know what it will be," said Jack gloomily. "You will stay, and I shall have to return alone. What excuse I shall give to people for leaving you here--dead to them and to the world for ever--or whether I shall ever be forgiven for appearing to have deserted you, God only knows. I wish you would think a little upon all this. For the rest, I congratulate you with all my heart. To be the future king of so ancient and remarkable a nation, is a piece of 'luck' that does not fall to everybody. By Jove!" he exclaimed with increasing earnestness, "upon my word I don't wonder at your going in for it--indeed, if--that is--well, if I had not already set my mind upon something else, I would chuck up the world in general and throw in my lot with you and be your--your Prime Minister--or State Engineer--or some other high functionary." And he laughed good-naturedly at the ideas the suggestion called up in his mind.