in convulsions in a few months:  to-morrow it may be.  The elements are in the hearts of the people, and nothing will contain them.  We have sown them to reap them.  The sowing asks for persistency; but the reaping demands skill and absolute truthfulness.  We have now one of those occasions coming which are the flowers to be plucked by resolute and worthy hands:  they are the tests of our sincerity.  This time now rapidly approaching will try us all, and we must be ready for it.  If we have believed in it, we stand prepared.  If we have conceived our plan of action in purity of heart, we shall be guided to discern the means which may serve us.  You will know speedily what it is that has prompted you to move.  If passion blindfolds you, if you are foiled by a prejudice, I also shall know.  My friend, the nursing of a single antipathy is a presumption that your motive force is personal—­whether the thirst for vengeance or some internal union of a hundred indistinct little fits of egoism.  I have seen brave and even noble men fail at the ordeal of such an hour:  not fail in courage, not fail in the strength of their desire; that was the misery for them!  They failed because midway they lost the vision to select the right instruments put in our way by heaven.  That vision belongs solely to such as have clean and disciplined hearts.  The hope in the bosom of a man whose fixed star is Humanity becomes a part of his blood, and is extinguished when his blood flows no more.  To conquer him, the principle of life must be conquered.  And he, my friend, will use all, because he serves all.  I need not touch on Milan.”

The signorina drew in her breath quickly, as if in this abrupt close she had a revelation of the Chief’s whole meaning, and was startled by the sudden unveiling of his mastery.  Her hands hung loose; her figure was tremulous.  A murmur from Corte jarred within her like a furious discord, but he had not offended by refusing to disclaim his error, and had simply said in a gruff acquiescent way, “Proceed.”  Her sensations of surprise at the singular triumph of the Chief made her look curiously into the faces of the other men; but the pronouncing of her name engaged her attention.

“Your first night is the night of the fifteenth of next month?”

“It is, signore,” she replied, abashed to find herself speaking with him who had so moved her.

“There is no likelihood of a postponement?”

“I am certain, signore, that I shall be ready.”

“There are no squabbles of any serious kind among the singers?”

A soft dimple played for a moment on her lips.  “I have heard something.”

“Among the women?”

“Yes, and the men.”

“But the men do not concern you?”

“No, signore.  Except that the women twist them.”

Agostino chuckled audibly.  The Chief resumed: 

“You believe, notwithstanding, that all will go well?  The opera will be acted; and you will appear in it?”