pes."

His heart was beating fast. He tried to seem judicial,

to weigh considerations.

"They only want their leader," she said.

"And then?"

"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!"

"Yes. Does it not occur to you I am absolutely alone?"

She started and for an instant her eyes had pity. "Need you ask whether I will help you?" she said.

She stood before him, beautiful, worshipful, and her enthusiasm and the greatness of their theme was like a great gulf fixed between them. To touch her, to clasp her hand, was a thing beyond hope. "Then I will rule indeed," he said slowly. "I will rule-" He paused. "With you."

There came a tense silence, and then the beating a clock striking the hour. She made him no answer. Graham rose.

"Even now," he said, "Ostrog will be waiting." He hesitated, facing her. "When I have asked him