“Oh, gentlemen, you who are so powerful, you who profess to seek only mercy and justice and peace, why should you, also, follow the old, bad, cruel ways, and stain yourselves with blood?  Surely it is not for you, the friends of the poor, the champions of the weak, the teachers of the people, to rely on the weapon of the assassin!  When you go to the world, and seek for help and labor, surely you should go with clean hands—­so that the wives and the sisters and the daughters of those who may join you may not have their lives made terrible to them.  It is not a reign of terror you would establish on the earth!  For the sake of those who have already joined you—­for the sake of the far greater numbers who may yet be your associates—­I implore you to abandon these secret and dreadful means.  Surely, gentlemen, the blessing of Heaven is more likely to follow you and crown your work if you can say to every man whom you ask to join you, ’You have women-folk around you.  They have tender consciences, perhaps; but we will ask of you nothing that your sister or your wife or your daughter would not approve.’  Then good men will not be afraid of you; then brave men will not have to stifle their conscience in serving you; and whether you succeed or do not succeed, you will have walked in clear ways.”

Her mother felt that she was trembling; but her voice did not tremble—­beyond that pathetic thrill in it which was always there when she was deeply moved.

“I have to beg your pardon, sir,” she said, addressing herself more particularly to Von Zoesch, but scarcely daring to lift her eyes.  “But—­but do not think that, when you have made everything smooth for a woman’s happiness, she can then think only of herself.  She also may think a little about others; and even with those who are nearest and dearest to her, how can she bear to know that perhaps they may be engaged in something dark and hidden, something terrible—­not because it involves danger but because it involves shame?  Gentlemen, if you choose, you can do this.  I appeal to you.  I implore you.  If you do not seek the co-operation of women—­well, that is a light matter; you have our sympathy and love and gratitude—­at least you can pursue ways and means of which women can approve; ways and means of which no one, man or woman, needs be ashamed.  How otherwise are you what you profess to be—­the lovers of what is just and true and merciful?”

She sat down, still all trembling.  She held her mother’s hand.  There was a murmur of sympathy and admiration.

Brand turned to Von Zoesch, and said, in a low voice,

“You hear, sir?  These are the representations I had wished to lay before the Council.  I have not a word to add.”

“We will consider by-and-by,” said Von Zoesch, rising.  “It is not a great matter.  Come to me in Genoa as you pass through.”

But the tall old gentleman with the long white hair had already risen and gone round to where the girl sat, and put his hand on her shoulder.