"I will then as frankly admit to you that I am acquainted with _all_ which relates to _Count Alteroni_," said Richard, dwelling upon the words marked in italics. "With _all_ which relates to _Prince Alberto of Castelcicala_?" added the stranger, in a significant whisper. "Do we understand each other?" "So far that we are equally well acquainted with the affairs of his Highness the Prince," answered Richard. "Right. You have heard of General Grachia?" said the foreigner. "He is also an exile from Castelcicala," returned Markham. "He is in England," continued the foreigner. "I had the honour to be his chief aide-de-camp, when he filled the post of Minister of War; and I am Colonel Morosino." Richard bowed an acknowledgment of this proof of confidence. "General Grachia," proceeded Morosino, "reached England two days ago. His amiable family is at Geneva. The general visited Prince Alberto yesterday, and had a long conversation with his Highness upon the situation of affairs in Castelcicala. The Grand Duke is endeavouring to establish a complete despotism, and to enslave the country. One province has already been placed under martial law; and several executions have taken place in Montoni itself. The only crime of the victims was a demand for a Constitution. General Grachia represented to his Highness Prince Alberto the necessity of taking up arms in defence of the liberties of the Castelcicalans against the encroachments of despotism. The reply of the Prince was disheartening to his friends and partizans. '_Under no pretence_,' said he, '_would I kindle civil war in my native country._'" "He possesses a truly generous soul," said Richard. "He is so afraid of being deemed selfish," observed the Colonel; "and no one can do otherwise than admire that delicacy and forbearance which shrink from the idea of even appearing to act in accordance with his own personal interests. The Prince has every thing to gain from a successful civil war: hence he will not countenance that extremity." "And what does General Grachia now propose?" asked Markham. "You are aware that when Prince Alberto was exiled from Castelcicala for having openly proclaimed his opinions in favour of a Constitution and of the extension of the popular liberties, numbers of his supporters in those views were banished with him. _We know_ that there cannot be less than two thousand Castelcicalan refugees in Paris and London. Do you begin to comprehend me?" "I fear that you meditate proceedings which are opposed to the wishes of his Highness Prince Alberto," said Markham. "The friends of Castelcicalan freedom can undertake what in them would be recognised as _pure patriotism_, but which in Prince Alberto would be deemed the result of his own _personal interests_ or _ambition_." "True," said Richard: "the distinction is striking."