Princess Zara

"What of Ivan, your brother?" I asked her.

She raised her eyes and looked at me, startled, and they were suddenly

moist with unshed tears. There was that same indescribable pain in

them, that I had noticed several times since our interview began; that

same expression which I could not fathom. But the explanation was

ready.

"I have found that there comes a time in a woman's life," she said

slowly, "when all her pet theories fall flat and useless, and when

every idol that she has worshipped is demolished. Let us not talk of

the danger to me. Let us not even speak of my brother, until the

message is prepared for my servant to carry."

"No, Zara," I told her, with decision. "I do not understand what you

meant, just now, when you referred to the demolition of your pet

theories. But it is imperative that we should speak of your brother."

"What of him?"

"Is it not more than possible that he is one of the men out there who

are waiting for me?"

"Yes, it is. I had forgotten that. But----"

"He would be caught in the net with the others. He would suffer the

same fate that fell to them. Are you willing to run the risk of his

being there? He has been to Siberia once, you tell me. Are you willing

that he should go there again?"

"No, oh, no!" she cried. "No; that must not be."

"You see, then, how impossible it is for you to give me a messenger,

unless you can promise for Ivan as well as for yourself."

"Promise? And for Ivan? What promise need I make for him? If he is

there shall he not take his chance with those who are with him? But no,

no. You are right, Dubravnik. I cannot let him be captured, perhaps

killed, in this way," she said brokenly. "I cannot sacrifice Ivan.

Cannot you see how I am suffering? Even though I try with all my

strength to conceal it, can't you see it? Is there not some other way?

Is there not something that can be done? Will you not help me? Great

God! Must my brother be sent back to the hell of Siberia--or must

you----"

"Zara," I interrupted her, deliberately taking a step backwards and

putting my hands behind me, fearing that I might clasp her in my arms

in spite of my resolution to remain calm and to continue to be master

of the situation, "I think there is another way; I believe that

something can be done; I will help you; I do see why you suffer. You

are torn by so many conflicting desires, child; you do not know which

way to turn. Here am I, your lover; out yonder, waiting to kill me, is

your brother. But, dear, if you will trust to me, and will obey me

implicitly in all that I direct you to do, there is a way, and neither

you nor your brother shall come to harm. Will you trust to me?"