and said that he hoped his relative would not
betray his confidence; for, as soon as he could arrange it, go to
America he would! The Count de Broglie promised not to reveal his
secret, but he added:

"I have seen your uncle die in the wars of Italy; I witnessed your
father's death at the battle of Minden; and I will not be accessory to
the ruin of the only remaining branch of the family."

These things made no impression upon the determination of the young
hero, and the Count de Broglie was in despair. When he finally found,
however, that the boy's determination was fixed, he entered into his
plans with almost paternal tenderness. Though he would give him no
aid, he introduced him to the Baron de Kalb who was also seeking an
opportunity to go to America, and he thought his age and experience
would be of value to the young adventurer.

This Baron de Kalb was an officer in the French army with the rank of
lieutenant colonel. He was a man of fifty-five, who had served in the
Seven Years' War and who had been employed by the French government
ten years before to go secretly to the American colonies in order to
discover how they stood on the question of their relations with
England.

At that time there was a representative of the colonies in Paris to
whom all who felt an interest in American liberty had recourse. This
man was Silas Deane. To him Lafayette secretly went.

"When I presented to Mr. Deane my boyish face," said Lafayette later
in life, "I dwelt more (for I was scarcely nineteen years of age) upon
my ardor in the cause than on my experience."

Naturally, for he had had no experience whatever. But he could speak
of the effect that his going would have upon France, since because of
his family and connections notice would surely be taken of his action.
This might influence other young men and might win favor for the
colonies in their struggle. Silas Deane was quick to see this and to
draw up an agreement which he asked Lafayette to sign. It was as
follows:

"The wish that the Marquis de Lafayette has shown to serve in the army
of the United States of North America and the interest that he takes
in the justice of their cause, making him wish for opportunities to
distinguish himself in the war, and to make himself useful to them as
much as in him lies; but not being able to obtain the consent of his
family to serve in a foreign country and to cross the ocean, except on
the condition that he should go as a ge