But business is business; and I said again: "What are you going to do ?" "We are going, with your help, Martin, to prevent this national disgrace.

We are going--" he lowered his voice, uselessly, for the signorina struck in, in a high, merry tone, waving her gloves over head and dancing a little _pas seul_ on the floor before me, with these remarkable words: "Hurrah for the Revolution! Hip! hip! hurrah!" She looked like a Goddess of Freedom in her high spirits and a Paris bonnet.

I lost my mental balance.

Leaping up, I grasped her round the waist, and we twirled madly about the office, the signorina breaking forth into the "Marseillaise." "For God's sake, be quiet!" said McGregor, in a hoarse whisper, making a clutch at me as I sped past him.

"If they hear you! Stop, I tell you, Christina!" The signorina stopped.
"Do you mean me, Colonel McGregor ?" she asked.
"Yes," he said, "and that fool Martin, too." "Even in times of revolution, colonel," said I, "nothing is lost by politeness.