"Gentlemen," said Von Apsberg, when they were in council, "our meeting should, as usual, be presided over by Count Monte-Leone. Since, however, the order of expulsion, of which he was notified and which almost immediately was revoked, for some unknown reason, it seemed best that he should not be present. Monte-Leone is the head of the great brotherhood of Carbonarism. We therefore propose to render a succinct account of its situation in Europe, and particularly in France. Its position is peculiar, and we cannot deny that its existence is threatened on all sides. Secret and shrewd spies have penetrated in Germany the secret labors of our three societies, _The Tugenbund_ at Berlin, _The Burschenschaft_ and _The Teutonia_ at Vienna and Leipsic. Their chiefs, Johan and Plischer, have been arrested." "Death to spies!" said Matheus's seven hearers. "This is not all," continued Matheus. "The plans of Count Labisbel have failed in Spain, and the Italian _vente_ have been discovered by a shrewd police. The prisons of Naples, Venice, and Milan are already filled with our brethren." There was consternation on every face. "We are assured," said Matheus, "that the informations on which these arrests have been made have come from Paris. Now, this information could only have been obtained from our secret papers, as we alone in France correspond with the supreme venta of Europe. To these papers none have access but four brothers, Monte-Leone, Rovero, d'Harcourt, and myself. We inform you of these facts in obedience to our articles of association, that you may place us four on trial." These words were uttered with deep excitement. The three persons present of the four mentioned by Von Apsberg sat still, and the others rose. "On my honor and conscience," said General A----, "I declare that such an idea is unworthy of you and us." The banker F----, Count de Ch----, a Peer of France, Ober the merchant, the lawyer B----, and professor C----, said the same. They then gave their hands affectionately to the three friends, who acknowledged their salute. "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.