She was
the disciple of a holy cause, aflame with purpose.
"It will mean a revolution," he said thoughtfully.
"A revolution was established two years ago," she pointed out,
"and the people have held their power ever since. I will tell you
what I believe to-day," she went on passionately. "I believe that
the very class who was standing the firmest, whose fingers grasp
most tightly the sword of warfare, will be most grateful to the
people who will wrest the initiative from them and show them the
way to an honourable, inevitable peace."
"When do you propose to break those seals?" he enquired.
"To-morrow evening," she replied. "There will be a full meeting
of the Council. The terms will be read. Then you shall decide."
"What am I to decide?"
"Whether you will accept the post of spokesman--whether you will
be the ambassador who shall approach the Government."
"But they may not elect me," he objected.
"They will," she replied confidently. "It was you who showed them
their power. It is you whose inspiration has carried them along:
It is you who shall be their representative. Don't you realise,"
she went on, "that it is the very association of such men as
yourself and Miles Furley and the Bishop with this movement which
will endow it with reality in the eyes of the bourgeoisie of the
country and Parliament?"
Their host returned, followed by his butler carrying a tray with
refreshments, and the burden of serious things fell away from
them.
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