That, I fear, means also England, as matters now stand in Europe." "But, sir," broke in the vibrant voice of a gentleman who sat at the left of the speaker, concealed in the shadow cast by the heavy window drapings, "what is our concern over that?
It is our boast that this is a free country.

As for England, we have taken her measure, once in full, a second time at least in part; and as for Austria or Russia, what have we to do with their territorial designs?
Did they force us to fight, why, then, we might fight, and with proper reason." "True again, sir!" said the leader, recognizing the force of the murmur which greeted this outburst.

"It is not any of these powers that I fear.

They might bluster, and still not fight; and indeed they lack any rational cause for war.

But what I fear, what all of us fear, gentlemen, is the danger here, inside our own walls, inside our own country." Silence again fell on all.