Giving Eda a parting kiss, Stanley rose and entered the hall, where François, Massan, Gaspard, and several others were grouped in a corner. On their bourgeois entering, they doffed their bonnets and bowed.
“Well, lads,” began Stanley, with a smile, “you’ve thought better of it, I hope, and have come to volunteer for this expedition—” He checked himself and frowned, for he saw by their looks that they had come with quite a different intention. “What have you to say to me?” he continued abruptly.
The men looked uneasily at each other, and then fixed their eyes on François, who was evidently expected to be spokesman.
“Come, François, speak out,” said Stanley; “if you have any objections, out with them; you’re free to say what you please here.”
As he spoke, and ere François could reply, Frank Morton entered the room. “Ah!” he exclaimed, as he deposited his rifle in a corner and flung his cap on the table, “in time, I see, to help at the council!”
“I was just asking François to state his objections to going,” said Stanley, as his young friend took his place beside him.
“Objections!” repeated Frank; “what objections can bold spirits have to go on a bold adventure? The question should have been, ‘Who will be first to volunteer?’”
At this moment the door of Stanley’s apartment opened, and his wife appeared leading Eda by the hand.
“Here are two volunteers,” she said, with a smile; “pray put us at the head of your list. We will go with you to any part of the world!”
“Bravo!” shouted Frank, catching up Eda, with whom he was a great favourite, and hugging her tightly in his arms.