"I have always admired the audacity of man in thinking that a Supreme Power should placard the skies with the details of his squalid future, and that his marriage, his misfortunes, and his crimes should be written in letters of suns on the background of limitless space. We are consequential atoms." "You think we are of no importance?" "Life is very cheap. Nature has no exaggerated idea of its value. I realise my own insignificance, but I am a philosophic microbe, and it rather adds to my amusement than otherwise. Insignificant or not, I like living, it is good to think of the future." "Ah," said Lucile impetuously, "whither are you hurrying us in the future,--to revolution?" "Perhaps," said Savrola calmly. "You are prepared to plunge the country in a civil war?" "Well, I hope it will not come to that extreme. Probably there will be some street-fighting and some people will be killed, but----" "But why should you drive them like this?" "I discharge a duty to the human species in breaking down a military despotism. I do not like to see a Government supported only by bayonets; it is an anachronism." "The Government is just and firm; it maintains law and order. Why should you assail it merely because it does not harmonise with your theories?" "My theories!" said Savrola. "Is that the name you give to the lines of soldiers with loaded rifles that guard this palace, or to the Lancers I saw spearing the people in the square a week ago?" His voice had grown strangely vehement and his manner thrilled her. "You will ruin us," she said weakly. "No," he replied with his grand air, "you can never be ruined. Your brilliancy and beauty will always make you the luckiest of women, and your husband the luckiest of men." His great soul was above the suspicion of presumption. She looked up at him, smiled quickly, and impulsively held out her hand. "We are on opposite sides, but we will fight under the rules of war. I hope we shall remain friends even though----" "We are officially enemies," said Savrola, completing the sentence, and taking her hand in his he bowed and kissed it. After that they were both very silent, and walking along the terrace re-entered the palace. Most of the guests had already gone, and Savrola did not ascend the stairs, but passing through the swing-doors took his departure. Lucile walked up to the ball-room in which a few youthful and indefatigable couples were still circling. Molara met her. "My dear," he said, "where have you been all this time?" "In the garden," she replied. "With Savrola?" "Yes." The President repressed a feeling of satisfaction. "Did he tell you anything?" he asked. "Nothing," she answered, remembering for the first time the object with which she had sought the interview; "I must see him again." "You will continue to try and find out his political intentions?" inquired Molara anxiously. "I shall see him again," she replied.