I do not know whether you individually would support it or not.

But frankly, how would you regard such a revolutionary change as you suspect me of desiring ?" "I have no objection to telling you that.

I would simply make the best of it." Del Ferice laughed at the ambiguous answer, affecting to consider it as a mere evasion.
"We should all try to do that," he answered; "but what I mean to ask is, whether you would personally take up arms to fight for the temporal power, or whether you would allow events to take their course?
I fancy that would be the ultimate test of loyalty." "My instinct would certainly be to fight, whether fighting were of any use or not.

But the propriety of fighting in such a case is a very nice question of judgment.

So long as there is anything to fight for, no matter how hopeless the odds, a gentleman should go to the front--but no longer.