"If his Highness be wise----" "He is wise.

At least," Basterga continued drily, "he is wiser than M.
d'Albigny.

He knows that it is better to wait and win, than leap and lose." "But what of the discontented you were to bring to a head ?" d'Albigny retorted, remembering with relief another head of complaint, on which he had been charged to deliver himself.

"The old soldiers and rufflers whom the peace has left unemployed, and with whom the man Grio was to aid you?
Surely waiting will not help you with them! There should be some in Geneva who like not the rule of the Pastors and the drone of psalms and hymns! Men who, if I know them, must be on fire for a change! Come, Monsieur Basterga, is no use to be made of them ?" "Ay," Basterga answered, after stepping back a pace to assure himself by a careful look that no one was remarking a colloquy which the time and the weather rendered suspicious.

"Use them if you please.