She gave an impatient gesture.
“Oh, there are weak women, no doubt; but then a king should know better than to put temptation in their way. If a man undertakes to be strong, he should also be honourable. Then,—what of the taxes the King imposes on the people? The sufferings of the poor over there on the mainland are terrible!—I know all about them! I have heard Sergius Thord!”
The Professor gave an uncomfortable start.
“You have heard Sergius Thord? Where?”
“Here!” And Gloria smiled at his expression of wonderment. “He has spoken often to our people, and he is father Réné’s friend.”
“And what does he talk about when he speaks here?” enquired Von Glauben. “When does he come, and how does he go?”
“Always at night,” answered Gloria; “He has a sailing skiff of his own, and on many an evening when the wind sets in our quarter, he arrives quite suddenly, all alone, and in a moment, as if by magic, the Islanders all seem to know he is here. On the shore, or in the fields he assembles them round him, and tells them many things that are plain and true. I have heard him speak often of the shortness of life and its many sorrows, and he says we could all make each other happy for the little time we have to live, if we would. And I think he is right; it is only wicked and selfish people who make others unhappy!”
The Professor was silent. Gloria, watching him, wondered at his somewhat perturbed expression.
“Do you know the King very well?” she asked suddenly. “He seemed very cross with you!”
Von Glauben roused himself from a fit of momentary abstraction.