love this low-born emperor. He hath taken from me both my players
and my gold, when I can illy spare either from my comfort or my
necessities. 'T is a sad pass for Britain. But Rome is mistress
now. What may we hope to do?"

The Princess Helena sprang to her father's side, her young face
flushed, her small hand raised in emphasis. "Do!" cried she, and
the look of defiance flamed on her fair young face. "Do! Is it
thou, my father, thou, my cousin, princes of Britain both, that
ask so weak a question? O that I were a man! What did that brave
enemy of our house, Cassivellaunus, do? what Caractacus? what the
brave queen Boadicea? When the Roman drove them to despair they
raised the standard of revolt, sounded their battle cries, and
showed the Roman that British freemen could fight to the death
for their country and their home. And thus should we do, without
fear or question, and see here again in Britain a victorious
kingdom ruled once more by British kings."

"Nay, nay, my daughter," said cautious King Coel, "your words are
those of an unthinking girl. The power of Rome----"

But the Prince Carausius, as the girl's brave words rang out,
gave her an admiring glance, and, crossing to where she stood,
laid his hand approvingly upon her shoulder.

"The girl is right, uncle," he said, breaking in upon the king's
cautious speech. "Too long have we bowed the neck to Roman
tyranny. We, free princes of Britain that we are, have it even
now in our power to stand once again as altogether free. The
fleet is mine, the people are yours, if you will but amuse them.