“Your Majesty,” he said, “these are the days of civilized warfare, and it is possible that more restraint might be exercised over the Turkish soldiery now than in the days gone by. I humbly submit that the demands of the invaders be ascertained and submitted to us.”
The King remained silent for a minute. Then he looked up, and though his lips trembled his voice was firm enough.
“You can send your instructions to General Dartnoff,” he said. “I shall not interfere. At the same time, I feel bound to tell you that I look upon any such appeal as hopeless. We have no hope, save in God, in our arms, and from the possible intercession of one or more of the Powers.”
Tavener, a merchant, who was suspected of Jewish descent, rose timidly to his feet.
“Your Majesty has come to-night from the seat of war,” he said. “May we ask of these rumours concerning the Duke of Reist? It is rumoured that the Duke has abandoned his command and returned his sword to your Majesty.”
“The rumour is correct,” the King answered.
There was an uneasy murmur of voices. Baron Doxis rose.
“Your Majesty, we should esteem some further particulars as to this action on the part of the Duke of Reist. We have always been accustomed to consider him one of the born leaders of this country.”
“The resignation of the Duke,” Ughtred said, “is due to a personal matter which I am not at liberty to explain to you. No one can regret it more than I do.”