Page:Carroll - Sylvie and Bruno Concluded.djvu/246

208 "I don't wonder at it," I remarked.

"Well, we tried 'the British Principle' for some years. And the end of it all was" His voice suddenly dropped, almost to a whisper; and large tears began to roll down his cheeks. "the end was that we got involved in a war; and there was a great battle, in which we far out-numbered the enemy. But what could one expect, when only half of our soldiers were fighting, and the other half pulling them back? It ended in a crushing defeat an utter rout. This caused a Revolution; and most of the Government were banished. I myself was accused of Treason, for having so strongly advocated 'the British Principle.' My property was all forfeited, andandI was driven into exile! 'Now the mischief's done,' they said, 'perhaps you'll kindly leave the country?' It nearly broke my heart, but I had to go!"

The melancholy tone became a wail: the wail became a chant: the chant became a songthough whether it was Mein Herr that was singing, this time, or somebody else, I could not feel certain.