“You could do what you would;—the world is yours.”
He sat, no longer regarding her. Presently he spoke. “The old dreams, and the thing I have dreamt, liberty, happiness. Are they dreams? Could one man—one man—?” His voice sank and ceased.
“Not one man, but all men—give them only a leader to speak the desire of their hearts.”
He shook his head, and for a time there was silence.
He looked up suddenly, and their eyes met. “I have not your faith,” he said, “I have not your youth. I am here with power that mocks me. No—let me speak. I want to do—not right—I have not the strength for that—but something rather right than wrong. It will bring no millennium, but I am resolved now, that I will rule. What you have said has awakened me... You are right. Ostrog must know his place. And I will learn—.... One thing I promise you. This Labour slavery shall end.”
“And you will rule?”
“Yes. Provided—. There is one thing.”
“Yes?”
“That you will help me.”
“I—a girl!”