"And you heard some part of what passed between Domiloff and Reist?"
"Yes. Domiloff offered Reist the crown of Theos and Russian intervention in the present war."
"And Russian protection afterwards, I suppose," Ughtred remarked, bitterly.
"That is, of course, what is behind it all," Brand assented.
The face of the King grew stern and thoughtful. There was silence between the two men for some time.
"If any other man had told me of this," Ughtred said at last, "frankly I should not have believed them. It was Nicholas of Reist who was always warning me of Russia and Russian intrigue. He seemed to read Domiloff like a book."
"The quarrel which you spoke of between yourself and Reist," Brand said, thoughtfully--"was it serious?"
"It was forced upon me," Ughtred answered. "The Countess most unfortunately came to my room last night by the secret passage to warn me against--well, Brand, I do not see why I should not be frank with you--against an alliance with Sara Van Decht."
"She came--of her own will--without any suggestion from you?" Brand asked.
"Of course!" Ughtred answered. "I may not be a model of etiquette, but I should never dream of soliciting, of welcoming an interview from even so old a friend as the Countess of Reist under such circumstances. Well, in the midst of our conversation, which I was doing my best to curtail, her brother arrived unexpectedly from Solika and found us together. He chose to consider her presence in my room compromising, and demanded that I should marry her. After that--chaos. As I told you, Reist has given up his command and deserted me. I believe that I have promised to fight him after the war is over."
"She too seems to be my enemy, though why I cannot imagine. She, at any rate, can bear no ill-will to me over that unfortunate affair of the betrothal cup, for she has told me plainly that she loves another man."
Brand's horse seemed to stumble, and his face was invisible for a moment as he stooped down to pat her neck. When he looked up there was a curious gleam in his eyes.
"Your Majesty," he said, "I am very sorry that this has happened. I believe that Domiloff is working very hard to induce the Duke of Reist to join in his plot against you."