“And Russia?” Brand asked. “It is not her custom to remain in the background.”
“Russia,” Domiloff said, “desires to be your friend. She will secure for you the throne, and she will guarantee your independence.”
“At what price?”
Domiloff shrugged his shoulders.
“You are very suspicious, my dear Prince,” he said. “My master does not sell his favours. He asks only for a reasonable recognition of your gratitude. I have here the copy of a treaty which will secure you against any foreign interference in the affairs of your kingdom. Its advantages to you and to Theos are so obvious that it is idle for me to waste time by enlarging upon them. Read it, my Prince.”
“I shall be charmed,” Brand exclaimed, stretching out his hand for it.
“You would doubtless prefer,” Domiloff said, “to look it through alone. I will return in half-an-hour.”
“You are very thoughtful,” Brand answered. “By the bye, you will excuse my denseness, but I am not quite clear as to our exact relations at the present moment. I am, I presume, at Gallona?”
The Baron bowed.