“She is an American,” he answered. “Her father was a shopkeeper, her grandfather a labourer. He intends to marry her!”
“That is impossible,” she answered, curtly. “The people of Theos would not permit it.”
“When did a Tyrnaus,” he asked, “ever consider the welfare or opinion of his subjects when the gratification of a caprice was concerned.”
She shrugged her shoulders.
“And why,” she asked, “do you bring this news to me?”
“To give you an opportunity of saving your country,” he answered, promptly. “See, I will risk everything—I tell you the whole truth. Ughtred of Tyrnaus is not acceptable to my master as King of Theos. We know the race too well. They are not to be trusted—the integrity of the State is not safe in their hands. There is only one man who is the Heaven-designed ruler of Theos!”
“And he?”
“It is your brother!”
Now, indeed, she was interested. A rush of colour warmed her cheeks. The frigidity of her manner vanished as though by magic.
“I myself have told him so,” she exclaimed. “When the people rose against the republic they called for him. It was the golden opportunity which he failed to seize.”