"I know," said Moret, "that was why I arranged it so. They will feel they are dancing on a volcano; only a mile from the palace will be the people, massed, agreed, determined. Molara will not enjoy his evening; Louvet will not go; Sorrento will be making arrangements to massacre, if necessary. It will spoil the festivities; they will all see the writing on the wall." "Thursday will not do, Moret." "Not do! Why not?" "Because I am going to the ball that night," said Savrola deliberately. Moret gasped. "What," he cried, "you!" "Most certainly I shall go. The ancient customs of the State cannot be set aside like this. It is my duty to go; we are fighting for the Constitution, and we are bound to show our respect for its principles." "You will accept Molara's hospitality,--enter his house,--eat his food?" "No," said Savrola; "I shall eat the food provided by the State. As you well know, the expenses of these official functions are chargeable to the public." "You will talk to him?" "Certainly, but he will not enjoy it." "You will insult him, then?" "My dear Moret, what should make you think that? I shall be very civil. That will frighten him most of all; he will not know what is impending." "You cannot go," said Moret decidedly. "Indeed I am going." "Think what the Trade-Unions will say." "I have thought about all these things and have made up my mind," said Savrola. "They may say what they like. It will show them that I do not intend to discard Constitutional methods for a long time yet. These people want their enthusiasm cooling from time to time; they take life too seriously." "They will accuse you of betraying the cause." "I have no doubt stupid people will make characteristic remarks, but I trust none of my friends will bore me by repeating them to me." "What will Strelitz say? It will very likely make him cross the frontier with his followers. He thinks we are lukewarm, and has been growing more impatient every week." "If he comes before we are ready to help, the troops will make short work of him and his rabble. But he has definite orders from me and will, I hope, obey them." "You are doing wrong, and you know it," said Moret harshly and savagely; "to say nothing of the contemptible humiliation of cringing to your enemy." Savrola smiled at his follower's anger. "Oh," he said, "I shall not cringe. Come, you have not yet seen me do that," and he put his hand on his companion's arm. "It is strange, Louis," he continued, "that we differ in so many things, and yet, if I were in difficulty and doubt, there is no one to whom I would go sooner than to you. We squabble about trifles, but if it were a great matter, your judgment should rule me, and you know it well." Moret yielded. He always yielded to Savrola when he talked like that. "Well," he said, "when will you speak?" "Whenever you like." "Friday, then, the sooner the better." "Very well; do you make the arrangements; I will find something to say."