Two Shall Be Born the Whole Wide World Apart

"Thank you," she said. "I understand thoroughly what you mean. It is
true that I am heart and soul in this movement. It is equally true that
I am prepared to devote my fortune and my life to an attainment of the
ends we seek."

"Are you an extremist?" he asked her. "We have not touched upon that
part of the subject as yet, princess."

She hesitated.

"If you mean by that expression, do I seek the life of Alexander? I
could answer you in the affirmative without hesitation; but I would
have to confess that my desire for vengeance upon him is more of a
personal quality, than of a political character. I am mindful of the
fact that we cannot destroy a tree by lopping off one of its branches,
and whenever a czar is dead, another lives to take his place and to
permit the injustices practiced in his name, to continue. He is like
the hydra-headed monster of childhood's tales, and another head grows
as fast as one may be cut off."

"You are a beautiful woman, princess, and with that aid alone you
should accomplish much."

"Yes," she admitted, as calmly as if he had referred to a ring she wore
on her hand; "but I find that to be the most unpleasant character of my
employment. To use such beauty as I have, and such attractions as I
possess, for the winning of men to our cause, whether they be officials
or nobles, is hateful to me; and yet I do not hesitate."