Volume I Part 32 (2/2)
CHAPTER XXVIII
THE CONSPIRATORS
Arriving at the foot of the stairs, Monte-Cristo entered a large hall, in which several hundred men were asse off their hats, greeted the count with loud cries of:
”Long live Italy!”
Monte-Cristo approached a white-haired old man, the Marquis of Sante-Croce, and asked hian his address:
”Friends and patriots,” he said, ”the long-wished-for day has co?”
”So help us God! Out with the foreigners!” was shouted from all sides
”Good! Now listen to what our noble friend, the Count of Monte-Cristo, has to tell us!”
Thea paper, said in an earnest voice:
”I can bring you a piece of nehich Marshal Radetzky has just received; a revolution has broken out in Vienna, and at this very hour the viceroy is leaving Milan”
A h the assembly
”My couriers,” continued the count, ”were quicker than the emperor's, and in consequence of that I am better informed than the officials The emperor has bowed to the necessity of the situation, and made important concessions--”
”No concessions!” said a voice; ”ant freedom!”
”Patience,” said Monte-Cristo ”The emperor has repealed the censorshi+p; the new press law is very liberal, and the representatives of the German and Lombard-Venetian provinces have been convoked”
The astonisheneral Loud cries of ”Impossible!
impossible!” were heard
”And ill the convocation take place?” asked Sante-Croce
”Unfortunately not so soon--on the 3d of July,” said the count, sorrowfully
Angryman ”Radetzky's e!”
”My mother ounded at Corsa,” said a second ”No compromises: war!”
”Yes, war to the knife!” shouted the whole assembly
”One moment!” exclairy you all are, and yet counsel you to reflect A nation which is eager for independence, is strong and powerful, but your oppressors are as numerous as sands in the sea You will conquer, Milan will be free; but when you have spilled your blood, and piled your bodies up like a wall, the allies upon whoain into the hands of the enemy, and the heavy yoke will beco of Sardinia, will betray you as soon as his ends have been served Do you still desire to carry out your ideas?”
Monte-Cristo's words sounded prophetic The patriots could not dissimulate the ie