Before the great high window, Marie of Reist watched the red fires
flaring in the mountains and listened to the far-off booming of the
guns. Behind her the room was in darkness, for she had turned out the
lamps to see more clearly into the night. So when a voice at her elbow
roused her she started with a sudden fear.
"Countess, you hear the war-note yonder! Listen again! Those guns are
sounding the knell of the House of Tyrnaus."
She recovered herself--yet she was amazed.
"Baron Domiloff! What, are you still in Theos?"
"Still in Theos, Countess. I remain here to the end."
"But you were banished," she exclaimed.
He smiled inscrutably.
"Yes," he answered. "I was banished--by Ughtred of Tyrnaus. Still, as
you see, I remain. To tell you the truth, Countess, it did not seem
worth my while to go--for so short a time."
"You must be a master in the art of corruption," she remarked.
"Indeed no," he assured her. "There are a few of my country people in
the city. There are also Thetians who understand that the Tyrnaus
dynasty is only a passing thing."
"I am not so sure," she answered, "that I agree with you. They say
that he is a skilful and gallant soldier, and we of Theos love brave
men. An hour ago he rode back to the palace, his uniform stained with
dust and blood, and the people cheered him like mad things. They say
that he has driven the Turks back at all points."
Domiloff smiled.
"Dear lady," he said, "the successes of to-day or to-morrow are of no
account. The Turks are mounting great guns in positions which must
command every point where the Thetians are covering the passes. The
end of it is as certain as a mathematical problem. Before a month has
passed Theos must sue for peace or admit the Turks to the city."
"You are very certain."
"Warfare to-day," he answered, "can be determined on mathematical
lines. Bravery is a delightful quality in the abstract, but brave men
are killed as easily as cowards. Tell me, have you spoken with your
brother?"
"Yes!"
"He will not consent to this Van Decht alliance?"
"No!"
Domiloff smiled.
"It is good," he answered. "I think that the time has come when I may
approach him myself."
She shook her head.
"He is wild with the excitement of fighting," she said. "The King and
he have fought together, and Nicholas speaks of him as a brave comrade
and a patriot. Last night he wrote to me from Solika, and he spoke of
the King as a brother. For the moment he has forgotten all about the
Van Decht alliance. Take my advice--leave Nicholas alone."
Domiloff looked out into the night, frowning and thoughtful.
"When the tide of battle changes," he said, "your brother's enthusiasm
will wane. He will remember the slight upon you--upon his name."
She regarded him proudly.
"It is very seldom," she remarked, "that you permit me to forget it."
He smiled. The sight of his white teeth gleaming in the twilight
filled her with repulsion. The man was like a wolf.
"Countess," he said, "I am not a hypocrite. I am pledged to the
deposition of the King, and you are my natural ally, for it is your
brother who must take his place, and you who must prevent the
sacrilege of this proposed marriage. So you see I am open with you. We
are both working towards the same end. Therefore I say, let us work
together."
They were silent for a few minutes listening to the distant roar of
the guns, watching the lurid lights which every now and then lit up
with an unholy glare that distant background. Then she turned to him.
"There is nothing," she said, "which I can do. Besides, whilst the war
lasts everything else seems small. To see Theos drive back the
infidels and retain her freedom I would be content even to let things
remain, and end my days there in the convent."
He shook his head.
"Dear lady," he said, "you were not made for a convent any more than
Sara Van Decht was made for a throne. Try and believe in me a little
more. I, too, desire a free Theos. You are a woman, and you have wit
and courage. Say to yourself this. It is necessary for Theos that your
brother and the King should quarrel. Keep it always in your mind.
Remember that your brother's anger only slumbers. The King has
insulted you and your House. The whole history of your family could
disclose no such affront tamely borne. Besides, there is your
friend--the Englishman."
She turned swiftly upon him.
"What do you mean?"
He shrugged his shoulders.
"Only that I know no man whose future I would believe in more readily
if he were content to settle down in Theos. Your brother could see to
it that it was made worth his while. Tell me--when will you see the
Duke of Reist?"
"Perhaps to-night," she answered, straining her eyes through the
darkness. "If all is quiet in Solika he said that he might return for
a few hours."
Domiloff nodded.
"Very well! Remember what I have said to you, Countess. A rupture
between your brother and the King will save Theos. You understand?"
"Yes," she answered, in a low tone. "I understand."