"If there were a way," she whispered, "to save Theos, and to be avenged on Ughtred of Tyrnaus."
"If there were still a way," she whispered, "by which our old dream might come true. If it were still possible that you might become the saviour of our country, might even now rescue it from the Turks----"
"Plain words," he cried. "Let there be no enigmas between you and me. What do you mean?"
"If a great Power should say 'I will not help Theos in her trouble because I do not recognize Ughtred of Tyrnaus, but if the right man is willing to accept the throne--so--I will stretch out my hand--the war shall cease--Theos shall be free.' What do you think of that, Nicholas?"
"Whose thoughts are these?" he asked, slowly.
"It is treason," he cried, hoarsely. "I will have none of it."
"Who," she asked, "is a greater traitor than Ughtred of Tyrnaus?"
"Who," she cried, "is better beloved in Theos?--who could rule the people more wisely than you, Nicholas? It would save our country from conquest and pillage. It is--the only way. Is it not what we have spoken of before--have not you yourself pointed upwards to that motto, whose writing is surely no less clear to-day? Oh, Nicholas, you cannot hesitate."
He walked to the window and looked out towards the hills, where the red lights still flared and the guns made sullen music. Her words were like poison to him.
"Listen, Nicholas," she said. "While Ughtred of Tyrnaus is king no help will come to us from any other nation, and without help how can Theos hold out against a hundred thousand Turks? We have few soldiers and fewer guns. Our population will be decimated, our country laid waste, and the end will be slavery. It is for you to save us all. It is you who can save Theos."
"How long have you been the confidante of Domiloff?"
"It is only lately," she answered, "that he has spoken to me of these things. I think, Nicholas, that he is afraid of you."
"Perhaps," Reist remarked, bitterly, "he mistook me for an honest man."
"It is freedom for Theos," she said, softly, "and revenge upon the King. Whatever may befall him from our hands he has deserved."
"You will find him at the Café Metropolitan," she said, "only he is now a Frenchman. You must ask for Monsieur Abouyat."