“I suppose,” he answered, “all the great things that have been done in the world have been founded in fanaticism.  All that I can hope for now is that this particular act of the Council may have the good effect they hope from it.  They ought to know.  They see the sort of people with whom they have to deal.  I should have thought, with Lind, that it was unwise—­that it would shock, or even terrify; but my opinion is neither here nor there.  Further talking is of no use, Evelyn; the thing is settled; what I have to consider now, as regards myself, is how I can best benefit a few people whom I am interested in, and you can help me in that.”

“But I appeal to yourself—­to your conscience!” Lord Evelyn cried, almost in despair.  “You cannot shift the responsibility to them.  You are answerable for your own actions.  I say you are sacrificing your conscience to your pride.  You are saying to yourself, ’Do these foreigners think that I am afraid?’”

“I am not thinking of myself at all,” said Brand, simply; “that is all over.  When I swore to give myself to this Society—­to obey the commands of the Council—­then my responsibility ceased.  What I have to do is to be faithful to my oath, and to the promise I have made.”  Almost unconsciously he glanced at the ring that Natalie had given him.  “You would not have me skulk back like a coward?  You would not have me ’play and not pay?’ What I have undertaken to do I will do.”

Presently he added,

“There is something you could do, Evelyn.  Don’t let us talk further of myself:  I said before, if a single man drops out of the ranks, what matter?—­the army marches on.  And what has been concerning me of late is the effect that this act of the Council may have on our thousands of friends throughout this country.  Now, Evelyn, when—­when the affair comes off, I think you would do a great deal of good by pointing out in the papers what a scoundrel this man Zaccatelli was; how he had merited his punishment, and how it might seem justifiable to the people over there that one should take the law into one’s own hands in such an exceptional case.  You might do that, Evelyn, for the sake of the Society.  The people over here don’t know what a ruffian he is, and how he is beyond the ordinary reach of the law, or how the poor people have groaned under his iniquities.  Don’t seek to justify me; I shall be beyond the reach of excuse or execration by that time; but you might break the shock, don’t you see?—­you might explain a little—­you might intimate to our friends who have joined us here that they had not joined any kind of Camorra association.  That troubles me more than anything.  I confess to you that I have got quite reconciled to the affair, as far as any sacrifice on my own part is concerned.  That bitterness is over; I can even think of Natalie.”

The last words were spoken slowly, and in a low voice; his eyes were fixed on the night-world outside.  What could his friend say?  They talked late into the night; but all his remonstrances and prayers were of no avail as against this clear resolve.