"Let the denunciation come whence it may, our brothers yet are victims of it. They suffer for us," said Taddeo, "and we will act for them."
"Yes," said Von Apsberg, "we will act, and decidedly, for time presses us, and we must anticipate our enemies unless we would be anticipated. Let all opinions centre, then, without hesitation, on the one principle which is the basis and keystone of Carbonarism, viz., 'That might is not right—that the kings of Europe reign either by virtue of a convention or by virtue of arms. The Bourbons in France reign by virtue of the allied sovereigns. We therefore declare that the Carbonari have associated to restore to all the nations of the continent, and to France especially, the free exercise of the right to choose the government which suits them best. We all swear to maintain this principle!"
"We swear," said the Carbonari.
"Gentlemen," said Von Apsberg, "the time of action will be fixed by Count Monte-Leone at a meeting to take place January 25th, 1820, in the masonic lodge of The Friends of Truth. Until then let each one individually contribute to do all he can towards the reconstruction of our new edifice from the ruins of the old."
"I take charge of the army," said General A——, "the regiments in garrison at Befort are ours, and the others will follow their example."
"I take charge of the colleges," said professor C——.
The lawyer B—— said, "We have many friends in the bar."
Count Ch—— said, "And in the chamber of peers."
The banker F—— added, "There will be no scarcity of money."
The last who spoke was the merchant Ober, who said, "The influence of trade is on our side."