But is there any news from the Palace, President? What is that bloody despot doing now besides torturing his only son? What sort of a whelp is this Czarevitch, by the way? 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.

PRESIDENT:

Since he came back from abroad a year ago his father has kept him in close prison in his palace.

MICHAEL:

An excellent training to make him a tyrant in his turn; but is there any news, I say?

PRESIDENT:

A council is to be held to-morrow, at four o clock, on some secret business the committee cannot find out.

MICHAEL:

A council in a king's palace is sure to be about some bloody work or other. But in what room is it to be held?

PRESIDENT:

[(reading from letter)]In the yellow tapestry room called after the Empress Catherine.

MICHAEL:

I care not for such long-sounding names. I would know where it is.

PRESIDENT:

I cannot tell, Michael. I know more about the inside of prisons than of palaces.

MICHAEL:

[(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?

MICHAEL:

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.

MICHAEL:

Have you cured many patients, lately, at your hospital, boy?

ALEXIS:

There is one who lies sick to death I would fain cure, but cannot.

MICHAEL:

Ay! and who is that?

ALEXIS:

Russia, our mother.

MICHAEL:

The curing of Russia is surgeon's business, and must be done by the knife. I like not your method of medicine.

PRESIDENT:

Professor, we have read the proofs of your last article it is very good indeed.

MICHAEL:

What is it about, Professor? PROFESSOR: The subject, my good brother, is assassination considered as a method of political reform.

MICHAEL:

I think little of pen and ink in revolutions. One dagger will do more than a hundred epigrams. Still, let us read this scholar's last production. Give it to me. I will read it myself.

PROFESSOR:

Brother, you never mind your stops; let Alexis read it.

MICHAEL:

Ay! he is as tripping of speech as if he were some young aristocrat; but for my own part I care not for the stops so that the sense be plain.

ALEXIS:

[(reading)]`The past has belonged to the tyrant, and he has defiled it; ours is the future, and we shall make it holy.' Ay! let us make the future holy; let there be one revolution at least which is not bred in crime, nurtured in murder!

MICHAEL:

They have spoken to us by the sword, and by the sword we shall answer! You are too delicate for us, Alexis. There

should be none here but men whose hands are rough with labour or red with blood.

PRESIDENT:

Peace, Michael, peace! He is the bravest heart amongst us.

MICHAEL:

[(aside)] He will need to be brave to-night.