It was a curiously deep silence which reigned for many moments in the
King's chamber. Ughtred slowly drew a little apart from Marie and
glanced sternly from one to the other. His momentary suspicion,
however, died away. The look on the face of Nicholas of Reist was such
as no man, even the most consummate of actors, might assume.
"What news do you bring?" the King said, quietly. "Is all well at
Solika?"
Reist pointed to his sister.
"There are no fresh tidings," he answered. "I await your Majesty's
explanation of my sister's presence here."
Ughtred drew himself up. The blood of an ancient race asserted itself.
He eyed Reist coldly. It was the King who faced a rebellious subject.
"I have no explanation to offer to you, Duke of Reist," he answered.
"Seek it instead from your sister. It is she who should afford it you,
seeing that her presence here was undesired by me, and unexpected."
"Your Majesty lies!" Reist thundered.
There was a deep and awful silence. Then Ughtred turned upon him, a
fierce flash of anger in his blue eyes.
"Duke of Reist," he said, "you are a privileged person at this Court,
and I have called you my friend. You will unsay those words, or hand
me your sword."
"I repeat," Reist said, fiercely, "that your Majesty lies."
The King pointed to the open panel.
"Countess," he ordered, "leave us. This matter is between your brother
and myself. We can settle it best in your absence."
She turned to her brother.
"Nicholas," she said, "the King's word is truth. I came here without
any knowledge of his. I remained here against his will. It was unwise,
perhaps, but the fault was mine. I wished to hear from his own lips
what truth there was in these rumours of his coming marriage."
"Was it your place to ask the King these things?" he demanded,
fiercely. "Was it dignified or seemly of you--you, his affianced
bride?"
"I am not his affianced bride, Nicholas," she answered. "That was an
idle ceremony. It was true we drank together of the King's cup, but
its history was unknown to him."
He eyed them both with a fierce scorn.
"God alone knows of what cup you have drunk together," he cried,
bitterly. "How often have you found it necessary to seek him here in
the solitude of his chamber? How often have you used this infernal
passage?"
"To seek the King, never," she answered firmly. "I used it when I
found Brand here. If I had not, Theos might to-day have been a Russian
State."
He pointed with unshaking finger to the opening in the wall.
"Pass away, Marie!"
She hesitated.
"It is the truth which I have told you, Nicholas," she said.
He thrust before her eyes a piece of paper.
"You are young, Marie, to lie so glibly even for your lover's sake.
Here is the message which summoned you here, written in the King's
handwriting, signed with the King's name. You left it on the table, so
that even the servants might know of the shame which has come upon our
House."
The King crossed the room and looked over Marie's shoulder. It was
indeed his own notepaper, and the writing of those few words strangely
resembled his.
"Come now, I am alone.--U."
The King looked up with grave face.
"It is a forgery!" he said.
"It is a forgery," Marie echoed, white to the lips.
Nicholas of Reist said nothing. He pointed to the open panel. A look
of horror flashed into the girl's face. She understood.
"Nicholas," she cried, "that message never came from the King. Where
you found it I do not know, but I never saw it before. You must
believe me, Nicholas. The King was ignorant of my coming. He was
unwilling that I should remain even for a moment."
"I repeat," the King said, gravely, "that the writing which you hold
in your hands is a forgery, Nicholas. I have never written to your
sister in my life. This is part of a plot which shall be sifted to the
bottom."
Still Nicholas stood silent before the panel, and Marie passed out. He
shut it carefully. Then he turned to the King, who was still standing
with that half-sheet of notepaper in his hand.
"Your Majesty," he said, "I desire to know whether it is your
intention to marry my sister."
The King looked him squarely in the face.
"Nicholas," he said, "have I ever in my life done or said anything to
give rise to such a belief?"
"Your Majesty," Reist answered, with a bow, "has been ever most
discreet. Yet before witnesses you pledged my sister in our ancient
betrothal cup, well knowing its immutable record."
"That is true," the King answered, "but at the time I showed clearly
that with me at least it was a jest. I plead guilty to an act of
folly. I came straight here from life amongst a people to whom symbols
and ceremonies have become as empty things--a practical and
utilitarian people, and I did not recognize the passionate clinging of
the dwellers in these more romantic countries to old customs and old
ritual. I deeply regret it, Nicholas. I have no other regret."
Reist pointed to the letter which still remained in the King's
fingers. Ughtred tore it through with a gesture of contempt.
"I did not write it," he said. "I did not invite your sister's
presence."
Reist controlled himself with a visible effort.
"Your Majesty," he said, "I beg you for one moment to reflect. I
appeal once more, less for your sake or mine, than for our country's,
to your honour. Your throne you owe to me. I have been your faithful
servant, and my sword is yet wet with the blood of your enemies. Our
name is great throughout Europe. An alliance with us can only
strengthen your hold upon the people. It ill becomes me to force these
things upon you, but the issue is great. Do you seek the hand of my
sister in marriage?"
"I do not," the King answered. "I never have done. Wait."
Reist paused with his hand upon the hilt of his sword. The King
continued.
"For the sake of my kingdom I do not order you from my presence,
Reist. We are in danger, as you know, and I can ill spare a brave man.
Listen. On my honour I, Ughtred of Tyrnaus, declare to you that the
letter you found is a forgery, that your sister's presence here was as
much a surprise to me as to you, that I never for one single moment
failed in the respect which I owe to her as the sister of my best
subject."
"That," Reist said, coldly, "is your Majesty's last word?"
"It is."
Reist drew his sword from his scabbard and bent it upon the ground
till the blade snapped. The pieces he threw before the King.
"I resign my position in the army," he said, "and I withdraw my oath
of allegiance. We are on equal terms now, Ughtred of Tyrnaus, and I
demand satisfaction from you for this affront upon my House."
Ughtred eyed him sternly for a moment, but without anger.
"First, sir," he said, "discharge yourself of your duty. Report to me
of the position at Solika."
"We have withstood a fierce attack," Reist answered, coldly, "and
driven the Turks off with heavy losses. I regret to add, however, that
Solika is a hotbed of Russian intrigue, and what we gain in the field
we shall doubtless lose through treachery. My force are encamped
outside the city, and there are scouts duly posted to warn us of any
fresh attack. I desire your answer, Ughtred of Tyrnaus."
The King's eyes flashed with anger.
"Be careful, sir," he exclaimed, "or my answer will be a file of
soldiers and the prison."
There was a brief pause. An angry spot burned on Reist's cheeks, but
he kept silent.
"My answer to you is this, sir," the King said. "All duties which I
owe as a private individual are secondary to those I owe my country.
So long as the war lasts I decline your challenge. The day it is over
I will meet you under any condition you choose to name. Now go!"
"But----"
"Sir," the King thundered, "I do not bandy words with my subjects.
Go!"
Reist passed out in silence. The panel rolled heavily back. The King
was alone! He sank heavily on to his couch and buried his face in his
hands.