PRES. 'Tis after the hour, Michael, and she is not yet here. MICH. Would that she were! We can do little without her. ALEXIS. She cannot have been seized, President? but the police are on her track, I know. MICH. You always seem to know a good deal about the movements of the police in Moscow--too much for an honest conspirator. PRES. If those dogs have caught her, [3]the red flag of the people will float on a barricade in[3] every street till we find her! It was foolish of her to go to the Grand Duke's ball. I told her so, but she said she wanted to see the Czar and all his cursed brood face to face once. ALEXIS. Gone to the State ball? MICH. I have no fear. She is as hard to capture as a she-wolf is, and twice as dangerous; besides, she is well disguised. But is there any news from the Palace to-night, President? What is that bloody[4] despot doing now besides torturing his only son? Have any of you seen him? One hears strange stories about him. They say he loves the people; but a king's son never does that. You cannot breed them like that. PRES. Since he came back from abroad a year ago his father has kept him in close prison in his palace. MICH. An excellent training to make him a tyrant in his turn; but is there any news, I say? PRES. A council is to be held to-morrow, at four o'clock, on some secret business the spies cannot find out. MICH. A council in a king's palace is sure to be about some bloody work or other. But in what room is this council to be held? PRES. (_reading from letter_). In the yellow tapestry room called after the Empress Catherine. MICH. I care not for such long-sounding names. I would know where it is. PRES. I cannot tell, Michael. I know more about the insides of prisons than of palaces. MICH. (_speaking suddenly to ALEXIS_). Where is this room, Alexis? ALEXIS. It is on the first floor, looking out on to the inner courtyard. But why do you ask, Michael? MICH. Nothing, nothing, boy! I merely take a great interest in the Czar's life and movements, and I knew you could tell me all about the palace. Every poor student of medicine in Moscow knows all about king's houses. It is their duty, is it not? ALEXIS (_aside_). Can Michael suspect me? There is something strange in his manner to-night. Why doesn't she come? The whole fire of revolution seems fallen into dull ashes when she is not here. [5]MICH. Have you cured many patients lately, at your hospital, boy? ALEX. There is one who lies sick to death I would fain cure, but cannot. MICH. Ay, and who is that? ALEX. Russia, our mother. MICH. The curing of Russia is surgeon's business, and must be done by the knife. I like not your method of medicine.[5] PRES. Professor, we have read the proofs of your last article; it is very good indeed. MICH. What is it about, Professor? PROFESSOR. The subject, my good brother, is assassination considered as a method of political reform.