One who will till his last breath give you good and loyal service." He had sat down, the President put to the Council resolutions, which were passed by acclamation.

Admiral Rooke was given command of the navy, and Captain Desmond confirmed in his appointment to the captaincy of the new ship, which was, by a further resolution, named _The Gospodar Rupert_.
In thanking the Council for acceding to his request, and for the great honour done him in the naming of the ship, Mr.Sent Leger said: "May I ask that the armoured yacht _The Lady_ be accepted by you, the National Council, on behalf of the nation, as a gift on behalf of the cause of freedom from the Voivodin Teuta ?" In response to the mighty cheer of the Council with which the splendid gift was accepted the Gospodar Rupert--Mr.Sent Leger--bowed, and went quietly out of the room.
As no agenda of the meeting had been prepared, there was for a time, not silence, but much individual conversation.

In the midst of it the Voivode rose up, whereupon there was a strict silence.

All listened with an intensity of eagerness whilst he spoke.
"President and Lords of the Council, Archbishop, and Vladika, I should but ill show my respect did I hesitate to tell you at this the first opportunity I have had of certain matters personal primarily to myself, but which, in the progress of recent events, have come to impinge on the affairs of the nation.

Until I have done so, I shall not feel that I have done a duty, long due to you or your predecessors in office, and which I hope you will allow me to say that I have only kept back for purposes of statecraft.