“And you heard some part of what passed between Domiloff and Reist?”
“Yes. Domiloff offered Reist the crown of Theos and Russian intervention in the present war.”
“And Russian protection afterwards, I suppose,” Ughtred remarked, bitterly.
“That is, of course, what is behind it all,” Brand assented.
The face of the King grew stern and thoughtful. There was silence between the two men for some time.
“If any other man had told me of this,” Ughtred said at last, “frankly I should not have believed them. It was Nicholas of Reist who was always warning me of Russia and Russian intrigue. He seemed to read Domiloff like a book.”
“The quarrel which you spoke of between yourself and Reist,” Brand said, thoughtfully—“was it serious?”
“It was forced upon me,” Ughtred answered. “The Countess most unfortunately came to my room last night by the secret passage to warn me against—well, Brand, I do not see why I should not be frank with you—against an alliance with Sara Van Decht.”
“She came—of her own will—without any suggestion from you?” Brand asked.