“Thus reassured,” said Victor, “I will take you both into my confidence. Since my arrival here, I have learned what was, to me, a most surprising piece of intelligence. My father, whom I have seen but once since I was six years of age, is now in Corsica and is coming soon to Ajaccio to meet me. If the vessel sails before his arrival, I shall have to ask you, my dear Admiral, for a furlough. If you cannot grant it, I shall be obliged to resign my position.”
“Bless my soul!” cried the Admiral. “What a re-mark-a-ble idea that is of yours. Two months still remain before I am due in England, and one thing is certain, I shall not accept your resignation. But how did you find out about this?”
“I had a letter from him,” replied Victor. “He tells me I was born in Corsica. My ancestors were Corporals.”
“Ah, yes!” cried Helen. “I have read about them. If I remember correctly, it was sometime in the tenth century that the people—worn out with centuries of oppression—rose against the tyrannical feudal barons, waged a successful war against them, set up an independent government of their own on democratic principles, and called their country Terra del Commune. The officials were all elected by the people, and among them were caporali, ‘corporals’ or head men, chosen by the ‘Fathers of the Commune’ to preside over their local assemblies, and to represent them before the General Council; being especially charged with the defence of the rights of the people—in fact, they were the ‘Tribunes of the People.’ In course of time the office became hereditary, and the Corporals became a most powerful class—I think I have got it straight!”
“Your account is historically correct,” said Victor, “and no wonder that Corsicans esteem it a great honour to be descended from these ‘Tribunes of the People,’ as you have called them. No man in Corsica has greater cause to revere and worship his ancestors than I have.”
“I admire the Chinese,” said Helen, “because of their devotion to the aged and the reverence which they show for their ancestors. But I fear it will not be many years before these twin virtues will become extinct in European countries.”
“There is another subject,” said Victor, “about which I wish to speak to you, Admiral”—Helen arose from her chair—“and your daughter, too. Please remain, Miss Enright. It is a matter in which you are fully as much concerned as your father.”
“Do you wish father to act as your second in another duel?” she asked.
“The course which I have decided to follow, with your kind permission, may lead to one, and perhaps something worse. As I told you, Admiral, when I took Lord Colton’s letter of introduction to Monsieur Pascal Batistelli, he not only expressed his pleasure that you and your daughter were to become his guests, but also extended an invitation to me to be one of the party.”
“Oh, do come!” cried Helen, impulsively. A slight flush came to her sallow cheeks. It was seldom that she said or did anything without due reflection. Then, she added: “With whom can I quarrel on apparently inconsequential points unless you accompany us?”