“Are you and your brother concerned in this—plot?” he asked, gravely.
“My brother,” she said, “would, I believe, shoot you if you asked him such a question. It is only a few months ago that he himself brought Ughtred of Tyrnaus here. Nicholas has too little ambition. He is a patriot, pure and simple.”
“And you—yourself?” he asked.
“I have had no dealings with Baron Domiloff,” she answered, “but I think that he knows my views. I do not love the family of Tyrnaus, and I do not think that Ughtred had any claim to the throne of Theos. His father and grandfather misgoverned the country, and estranged all the nobility, who were the backbone of the State. We alone are left, and if Ughtred should marry the daughter of this American tradesman we, too, must become exiles.”
“But you would not stoop,” he murmured, “to plot against the King?”
“It is not necessary,” she answered. “I believe that what you have been told is true. I believe that Russia will not tolerate Ughtred of Tyrnaus. My friend,” she added, in a softer tone, “why do you concern yourself in these things? Leave Domiloff alone, and, believe me, your warning to the King would be wasted. Stay here, and watch for the things which may happen. Do you remember what we talked about that night at the palace? The times are coming—wait, and your opportunity may also show itself. Who knows that your own future may not become linked with the future of Theos?”
She leaned over towards him, her hand fell upon his shoulder, and its touch, though light, was like a caress. Then Brand understood that this was temptation, for his whole being quivered with the delight of her softened tone, and the unspoken things which trembled there and shone from her eyes. In truth, she, too, was thinking of the moment when she had believed him to be the King.
“Dear lady,” he said, almost pleadingly, “I would be content to live all my days in Theos if——”
He hesitated. A wonderful smile curved her lips, and her eyes were full of invitation. Yet he hesitated.
“For a brave man,” she murmured, “you are very—very faint-hearted.”