‘And are there many?’
‘I should say close on two millions at home here, and some hundred thousand in America.’
‘And if you be as strong as you say, what craven creatures you must be not to assert your own convictions.’
‘So we are—I’ll not deny it—craven creatures; but remember this, mademoiselle, we are not all like-minded. Some of us would be satisfied with small concessions, some ask for more, some demand all; and as the Government higgles with some, and hangs the others, they mystify us all, and end by confounding us.’
‘That is to say, you are terrified.’
‘Well, if you like that word better, I’ll not quarrel about it.’
‘I wonder how men as irresolute ever turn to rebellion. When our people set out for Crete, they went in another spirit to meet the enemy.’
‘Don’t be too sure of that. The boldest fellows in that exploit were the liberated felons: they fought with desperation, for they had left the hangman behind.’
‘How dare you defame a great people!’ cried she angrily.
‘I was with them, mademoiselle. I saw them and fought amongst them; and to prove it, I will speak modern Greek with you, if you like it.’