“General,” Nicholas exclaimed, “and brother officers of the Thetian Guards. I have the honour to present you to Prince Ughtred of Tyrnaus.”
Ughtred held out his hand frankly. But there was not one of them who did not bow low, after the manner of one making an obeisance rather than exchanging greetings.
“Your names are well known to me,” Ughtred said. “I believe that by hereditary right I may call myself a colonel in your regiment and a brother officer.”
Dartnoff bowed.
“Your Highness is pleased to remember what is undoubtedly a fact,” he said. “The brave deeds of Captain Erlito in the Soudan have been a source of pride to all of us.”
Ughtred smiled with pleasure—and Nicholas, with his hand upon his sword, addressed General Dartnoff in clear tones.
“General Dartnoff,” he said, “I take the liberty of addressing you as Commander-in-Chief of the Thetian army. The Republic of Theos has ceased by reason of its own misdeeds to exist. I have always, as you know, refused to recognize its legislation. I claim that its decree abolishing the ancient monarchy and establishing a republic here was invalid and worthless. We have been made the laughing-stock of Europe by the gold-bought merchants and traitors who have presumed to occupy the high places of Theos. That is all at an end. It rests with us to restore honour and dignity to our country. There is but one way, but that a sure one, General Dartnoff and brother officers. We come here alone and unattended, but had we wished it we could have stormed your walls with half the population of Theos at our backs. I call upon you all to take the oath of allegiance to Ughtred of Tyrnaus, King of Theos, by divine right and the choice of the people.”
General Dartnoff hesitated for a moment.
“Duke of Reist,” he said, slowly. “You ask us to take a step on the impulse of the moment from which there could be no drawing back, which for good or for evil must decide forever the destinies of our country. Whatever my own personal inclinations might be, I owe it to my brother officers, and to our deep sense of patriotism to consult with them for a few minutes.”