CHAPTER XVII 

"Well!" 

Reist unfastened his sword. The State uniform of the Thetian Guards was cumbersome, and the day was hot. 

"Let Basil bring me wine," he ordered. "The cathedral was a furnace. Everywhere the air seems hot with the shouting of the people." 

"Up here," Marie said, "the clamour of voices has seemed incessant. I have never heard anything like it." 

He walked up and down moodily. He was not sure whether the day had gone according to his liking. All the time her eyes questioned him. 

"One thing," he declared, "is certain. Never again will a republic exist in Theos. Two generations of _roués_ and madmen have not sickened this people of the House of Tyrnaus. Their loyalty is amazing." 

"This man," she said, "is neither _roué_ nor madman." 

"It is true," he admitted. 

He drank his wine, and as he set the glass down he felt her watching him. He understood the unspoken question in her deep, blue eyes. 

"Of his betrothal," Reist said, slowly, "there was no word." 

She drew herself up haughtily, a slim, stately figure in her magnificent white dress, caught up with jewels, and the curious bejewelled head-dress which in Theos was the symbol of her rank. Yet Nicholas, who watched her closely, caught the gleam of something in her eyes which surprised him. It was more like relief than anger. 

"Was our ancient usage explained to him?" she asked. 

"Yes! I told him that an unmarried king was contrary to the time-sanctioned custom of our country. I told him that the announcement of his betrothal should be made at the moment of his coronation. The people expected it, and it would add immensely to his popularity." 
And her outfit?
her magnificent white dress