'And now,' he added, 'what do you conclude ?' 'I conclude, your Highness, with a simple reflection,' said the Baron, accepting the stab without a quiver, 'the war is popular; were the rumour contradicted to-morrow, a considerable disappointment would be felt in many classes; and in the present tension of spirits, the most lukewarm sentiment may be enough to precipitate events.

There lies the danger.
The revolution hangs imminent; we sit, at this council board, below the sword of Damocles.' 'We must then lay our heads together,' said the Prince, 'and devise some honourable means of safety.' Up to this moment, since the first note of opposition fell from the librarian, Seraphina had uttered about twenty words.

With a somewhat heightened colour, her eyes generally lowered, her foot sometimes nervously tapping on the floor, she had kept her own counsel and commanded her anger like a hero.

But at this stage of the engagement she lost control of her impatience.
'Means!' she cried.

'They have been found and prepared before you knew the need for them.