“I think in Theos,” she said, “we have clung a little too closely to the old ideals. Rank is very well, and money I know little about. But on the whole, I am glad that you are an ordinary man.”
“‘THE WAR IS OVER,’ HE CRIED.”
They rode into Theos as the King arrived from Solika. The Cathedral bells clanged out a welcome, the people lined the streets, everywhere breathless excitement prevailed. Old Baron Doxis met the King on the palace steps. He held out both hands, but his eyes were wet with tears.
“Your Majesty,” he said, “this is your day of triumph, and yours alone. May God send you in the future wiser and better councillors.”
But Ughtred passed his arm through the old man’s, and led him into the palace.
“I am young and I was unproven,” he said. “I shall be quite satisfied if God will preserve for many years my present ones.”
Theos won for herself, as the fruits of that brief campaign, a wonderful military reputation, and every prospect of unbroken peace. She entered indeed upon that golden age which comes once in the world’s history to every nation, great or small. Mr. Van Decht built a palace within the city, and invested all his vast capital in the country. Brand, whose services no one realized more thoroughly than the King, accepted a Government appointment and entered the House of Laws a naturalized Thetian. And when they asked the King what gift a grateful nation could offer him, he answered them promptly but in very few words.