The Duke talked and Lafayette listened. The Duke spoke admiringly of the pluck of the American farmers, but pointed out that it was impossible for the colonists to win against regular troops unless experienced officers and leaders should help them. “They are poor, they are ill led,” said the Duke, “they have no gentlemen-soldiers to show them how to fight, and the king my brother is determined to bring them into subjection by harsh and forcible methods if need be. But my letters say that the Americans seem set upon opposing force with force, and, as the country is large and the colonies scattered, it certainly looks as if the trouble would be long and serious. If but the Americans were well led, I should say the rebellion might really develop into a serious affair.” Most of the officers knew little about America; even Lafayette had only a vague idea about the colonies on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. But the Duke’s words stirred him deeply; he sat leaning far forward, his eyes shining with interest, his face expressing the closest attention. Finally, as the guests rose from the table, Lafayette burst forth impetuously. “But could one help these peasants over there beyond the seas, monseigneur?” he asked the Duke. The English prince smiled at the young Frenchman’s eagerness. “One could, my lord marquis, if he were there,” he answered. “Then tell me, I pray you,” continued Lafayette, “how one may do it, monseigneur. Tell me how to set about it. For see, I will join these Americans; I will help them fight for freedom!” Again the Duke smiled; the words seemed extravagant on the lips of a French officer. But a glance at Lafayette’s face showed how much the boy was in earnest. The words were no idle boast; the speaker plainly meant them. So the Duke answered, “Why, I believe you would, my lord. It wouldn’t take much to start you across the sea,--if your people would let you.” Lafayette smiled to himself. He had already done one thing that his family disapproved of, and he did not intend to let them prevent his embarking on such an enterprise as this, one that appealed so intensely to his love of liberty. He asked the Duke of Gloucester all the questions he could think of, and the Duke gave him all the information he had about America. The dinner-party broke up, and most of the officers soon forgot all the conversation; but not so the young Marquis; that evening had been one of the great events of his life. As he said afterward, “From that hour I could think of nothing but this enterprise, and I resolved to go to Paris at once to make further inquiries.”