"Yes, I was wrong,"--her eyes were misty with tears. "Yes, I believe in you, dear friend. When you pray will you remember Margaret?" Oh, Hands of God, deal with her tenderly! So we prayed for Margaret in those days, when Hands of white flame were burning the evil out of us all, guiding us towards the end. One must be brave to follow where God leads, patient to recognize Him in our agony, faithful to know that pain is the Gate of Heaven. "I will remember Margaret," said Brand; "and if you need a friend, there is Sydney. You will trust Sydney?" "Ulster's son!" "Yes," he said, thinking aloud. "I doubt if there is another man now living who would come stainless through a trial like his. To save his country he sacrificed his own father, he threw away the reputation of his house, his personal self-respect, his wealth, his career, everything he valued, everything he hoped for. He struck the first blow to save the Empire--and I know how he counted the cost. The events of this time will never be forgotten while the earth lasts, and when our descendants want a new proverb of manhood, they'll swear by Sydney's honour." "I'm glad to hear you speak like that," said Margaret. "And when I am gone you'll depend on him for advice." "When you have gone! You're not going to leave me!" "Yes. Your only danger is that you shelter me. The people are on your side, and Ulster dare not attack you." "He sent envoys to-day." The Queen looked down at her foot, which made little lines to and fro. "If I would only listen," she said, "to my loyal advisers, the slanders against him could be easily disproved. Public confidence would be restored. Parliament would cancel the Act of Deposition, and everything would be lovely, and please would I send Mr. Brand away." "You promised to hand me over as I said?" "Yes, as you said." "You will be safe." "But the Grand Duke Alexander has arrived. He's in the Palace now. Oh, I'm so frightened. Don't leave me to him!" "Keep him in the Palace, Ulster will wait, hoping for the Russian Alliance. Russia will wait, hoping for the treaty. Keep them waiting, keep them expectant, but sign nothing, promise nothing, and fear nothing. I'm a prisoner for conspiracy with Prince Ali. I escape, but that's not the fault of the Queen. I make war with the Dictator, but he cannot blame the Queen." "Oh, don't leave me! Don't desert me!" "If I stay here much longer there's no hope left. Because I could not go out to fight him, he captured Lyonesse and all my ships. He'll have the yacht next." "Take me away in the yacht." "Then what becomes of the public confidence? The people would cry that you had deserted them; they would overwhelm the Government--then chaos! The Queen's place is here, setting an example of unflinching courage to all her people." "But can't you capture the Dictator, and seize the Government now?" "With one yacht?" Margaret's eyes were dark with horror. "Too late!"