She lifted her head, and the eyes of brother and sister met once more—a single electric moment. Ughtred was conscious of little save of a masterful desire to have his own way. His blue eyes were filled with a compelling light. Perhaps, too, a little admiration was apparent in his bronzed, handsome face. Marie took the cup, and raised it to her lips.
“I drink,” she murmured, “to the welfare of Theos, and to her King!”
There was another brief but curiously intense silence. Reist was standing apart with folded arms and absorbed face—Brand, too, had set down his cup, and was watching Marie. Ughtred had an uneasy feeling that what he had regarded merely as an act of courtesy had become a sacrament. The entrance of a servant was a relief to them all.
“The horses, your Grace,” he announced, “are at the side door. The people are lining the way to the barracks.”
Reist roused himself quickly.
“Your Highness is ready!” he exclaimed. “There is not a moment to lose. We shall know now how deep is the corruption which Domiloff’s gold has caused.”
Ughtred drained his cup and stood up.
“I am ready!” he declared.