lf; but she is not, and we must help
her. I hold here the means," said he, placing on the table a heavy
pocket-book crammed with letters. "This," said he, taking up one large
sealed packet, "is an autograph from his Holiness, commanding Durando to
halt at the Po, and under no circumstances to cross the frontier.
This," continued he, showing another, "is to Ghirardi, to grant leave of
absence to all officers who desire to return to their homes. This is to
Krasaletzki, to provide for the disbandment of his legion. The King
of Naples waits but for the signal to recall General Pepe and his
contingent, fifteen thousand strong. And now, Prince, there is but one
other voice in Europe we wait for--the Czar's!"

"His Imperial Majesty has ever wished well to the cause of order," said
the Russian, with a studied calm of manner.

"Away with such trifling as this!" said D'Esmonde, passionately; "nor
do not try to impose on me by those courteous generalities that amuse
cabinets. Russia speaks to Western Europe best by her gold. The 'rouble'
can come where the 'Cossack' cannot! There are men with those armies
that comprehend no other argument----whose swords have their price. Our
treasures are exhausted; the sacred vessels of our altars--the golden
ornaments of our shrines--are gone. You alone can aid us at this moment.
It is no barren generosity, Prince! you are combating your Poles more
cheaply beside the Po and the Adige than on the banks of the Vistula!
you are doing more! you are breaking up those ancient alliances of
Europe whose existence excluded you from continental power! you are
buying your freedom to sit down among the rulers of the Old World, and
accustoming the nations of the West to the voice of the Boyard in their
councils! And, greatest of all, you are crushing into annihilation that
spirit of revolt that now rages like a pestilence. But why do I speak
of these things to one like you? you know full well the terms of the
compact Your own handwriting has confessed it."

Midchekoff gave a slight--a very slight--movement of surprise, but never
spoke.

"Yes," continued D'Esmonde, "I have within that pocket-book at this
moment the receipt of Count Gruenenburg, the Austrian Secretary-at-War,
for the second instalment of a loan advanced by Prince Midchekoff to the
Imperial Government. I have a copy of the order in council acknowledging
in terms of gratitude the aid, and recommending that the cross of
St. Stephen should be