That scatter-brained boy, this new Czar, has banished me.

Vera. To Siberia?

Prince Paul. No, to Paris. He has confiscated my estates, robbed me of my office and my cook. I have nothing left but my decorations. I am here for revenge.

Pres. Then you have a right to be one of us. We also meet daily for revenge.

Prince Paul. You want money, of course. No one ever joins a conspiracy who has any. Here. (Throws money on table.) You have so many spies that I should think you want information. Well, you will find me the best informed man in Russia on the abuses of our Government. I made them nearly all myself.

Vera. President, I don't trust this man. He has done us too much harm in Russia to let him go in safety.

Prince Paul. Believe me, Mademoiselle, you are wrong; I will be a most valuable addition to your circle; as for you, gentlemen, if I had not thought that you would be useful to me I shouldn't have risked my neck among you, or dined an hour earlier than usual so as to be in time.

Pres. Ay, if he had wanted to spy on us, Vera, he wouldn't have come himself.

Prince Paul (aside). No; I should have sent my best friend.

Pres. Besides, Vera, he is just the man to give us the information we want about some business we have in hand to-night.

Vera. Be it so if you wish it.

Pres. Brothers, is it your will that Prince Paul Maraloffski be admitted, and take the oath of the Nihilist?

Consps. It is! it is!

Pres. (holding out dagger and a paper). Prince Paul, the dagger or the oath?

Prince Paul (smiles sardonically). I would sooner annihilate than be annihilated. (Takes paper.)

Pres. Remember: Betray us, and as long as the earth holds poison or steel, as long as men can strike or woman betray, you shall not escape vengeance. The Nihilists never forget their friends, or forgive their enemies.

Prince Paul. Really? I did not think you were so civilized.

Vera (pacing up and down). Why is he not here? He will not keep the crown. I know him well.

Pres. Sign. (Prince Paul signs.) You said you thought we had no creed. You were wrong. Read it!

Vera. This is a dangerous thing, President. What can we do with this man?

Pres. We can use him.

Vera. And afterwards?

Pres. (shrugging his shoulders). Strangle him.

Prince Paul (reading). "The rights of humanity!" In the old times men carried out their rights for themselves as they lived, but nowadays every baby seems born with a social manifesto in its mouth much bigger than itself. "Nature is not a temple, but a workshop: we demand the right to labour." Ah, I shall surrender my own rights in that respect.

Vera (pacing up and down behind). Oh, will he never come? will he never come?

Prince Paul. "The family as subversive of true socialistic and communal unity is to be annihilated." Yes, President, I agree completely with Article 5. A family is a terrible incumbrance, especially when one is not married. (Three knocks at the door.)

Vera. Alexis at last!

Password. Væ tyrannis!

Answer. Væ victis!

(Enter Michael Stroganoff.)

Pres. Michael, the regicide! Brothers, let us do honour to a man who has killed a king.

Vera (aside). Oh, he will come yet.

Pres. Michael, you have saved Russia.

Mich. Ay, Russia was free for a moment when the tyrant fell, but the sun of liberty has set again like that false dawn which cheats our eyes in autumn.

Pres. The dread night of tyranny is not yet past for Russia.

Mich. (clutching his knife). One more blow, and the end is come indeed.

Vera (aside).