Prince Adelestan had not degenerated from his ancestors.  He preserved an unalterable fidelity for the race of the Draconides and desired nothing so much as the restoration of Prince Crucho, an event which was in his eyes to be the fore-runner of the restoration of his own fortune.  He therefore readily entered into the Reverend Father Agaric’s plans.  He joined himself at once to the monk’s projects, and hastened to put him into communication with the most loyal Royalists of his acquaintance, Count Clena, M. de La Trumelle, Viscount Olive, and M. Bigourd.  They met together one night in the Duke of Ampoule’s country house, six miles eastward of Alca, to consider ways and means.

M. de La Trumelle was in favour of legal action.

“We ought to keep within the law,” said he in substance.  “We are for order.  It is by an untiring propaganda that we shall best pursue the realisation of our hopes.  We must change the feeling of the country.  Our cause will conquer because it is just.”

The Prince des Boscenos expressed a contrary opinion.  He thought that, in order to triumph, just causes need force quite as much and even more than unjust causes require it.

“In the present situation,” said he tranquilly, “three methods of action present themselves:  to hire the butcher boys, to corrupt the ministers, and to kidnap President Formose.”

“It would be a mistake to kidnap Formose,” objected M. de La Trumelle.  “The President is on our side.”

The attitude and sentiments of the President of the Republic are explained by the fact that one Dracophil proposed to seize Formose while another Dracophil regarded him as a friend.  Formose showed himself favourable to the Royalists, whose habits he admired and imitated.  If he smiled at the mention of the Dragon’s crest it was at the thought of putting it on his own head.  He was envious of sovereign power, not because he felt himself capable of exercising it, but because he loved to appear so.  According to the expression of a Penguin chronicler, “he was a goose.”

Prince des Boscenos maintained his proposal to march against Formose’s palace and the House of Parliament.

Count Clena was even still more energetic.

“Let us begin,” said he, “by slaughtering, disembowelling, and braining the Republicans and all partisans of the government.  Afterwards we shall see what more need be done.”

M. de La Trumelle was a moderate, and moderates are always moderately opposed to violence.  He recognised that Count Clena’s policy was inspired by a noble feeling and that it was high-minded, but he timidly objected that perhaps it was not conformable to principle, and that it presented certain dangers.  At last he consented to discuss it.

“I propose,” added he, “to draw up an appeal to the people.  Let us show who we are.  For my own part I can assure you that I shall not hide my flag in my pocket.”