“Well?”
“I must take the liberty of reminding your Majesty of your first visit here on your arrival at Theos. We drank wine together in this room, the Royal betrothal cup was filled for you, and notwithstanding my remonstrances, at your particular desire my sister drank with you from that cup. Its history and associations were known to you.”
The King rose up.
“But——”
“Your Majesty will permit me,” Reist interrupted. “It was doubtless an act of thoughtless good-nature on your part, but we Thetians hold fast by our old traditions, and regard them as sacred things. The news of this leaked out, and the marriage of your Majesty and the Countess of Reist has been freely talked of throughout the State. Your Majesty will perceive, therefore, that my sister’s position at Court naturally became a trying one, especially as her rank entitles her always to the place by your side.”
Ughtred was silent for several moments. A frown of perplexity spread itself over his face.
“Reist,” he said slowly, “your sister is very charming, and I have a great admiration for her. Yet I must admit this. The idea which you have suggested is an altogether new one to me. I did not, for one moment, imagine that she or you or any one would attach any significance to what I looked upon at the time as a harmless little ceremony.”
Reist bowed low.
“To the people of Theos,” he said, “these ancient customs are sacred. Your Majesty will permit me to proceed. There is a further development which has also a bearing upon the situation. I refer to the advent of Mr. and Miss Van Decht.”
The King raised his eyebrows.