. There was more cheering, and then the men assembled
took their places anyhow, with no distinction of persons. The count's
official statement of the news was received with a murmur in which a
note of stern interest was audible. I had been assured, from my first
knowledge of them, that the men of this particular conclave meant
business. It had been the main affair of my life to judge of the
intentions of societies similar to this, and I have no reason to believe
that my experiences had been altogether wasted. Their purpose was
evident enough now, and in the flush of anticipated victory which
brightened every mind with the thought that the one ally of the
oppressor was down, I read the reflection of my own certainty. "You are
my Italy," said Violet to her father, and in my own mind I repeated her
words as if they had been the end of an old song, and added, "_You_ are
mine."

It was not long before I found myself summoned to an active part in the
deliberations of the night. I heard my own name from the count's lips,
and, looking up, saw his hand beckoning to me.

"My dear and valued friend," said the count, as I stood by him, "knows
nothing of Italian. All of us speak or understand his language more
or less, for our exile in England has taught us at least the tongue of
freedom. To-day Captain Fyffe has accepted a mission in our behalf. We
have had an offer of fifty thousand rifles. A wealthy Italian lady, who
commands me to conceal her name at this moment, has provided the money
for their purchase." There was a tremendous cheer at this, and every man
there sprang to his feet. "Captain Fyffe," the count resumed, when
quiet was restored, "has charged himself with the negotiations. He is
an experienced soldier, and has undertaken to see that we are not buying
anything that is not likely to be of solid worth to us. I will ask you
now to listen to Captain Fyffe's report."

I never pretended to be anything of an orator, but I could make a plain
statement of that sort, though I was a little embarrassed by the feeling
that a good many of my listeners could not understand me. I reported
that I had overhauled a number of cases of the arms it was proposed to
purchase, and that I was reasonably satisfied of their efficiency. The
rifle was of the latest make, and though we have made great strides
in gunnery since then, we have made no such stride as was made at
that time. I was able to say that the weapons were more effective than