“If you were to receive the most ample powers, the most liberal funds; if you were to be placed in direct communication with one of the most exalted personages in the Court of St Petersburg—would it still be impossible?”
I shook my head.
“Your lordship should have sent for me a fortnight ago. We have lost twelve days, that is to say, twelve battles.”
The Marquis of Bedale looked more and more distressed.
“At least you can try?” he suggested.
“I can try. But I am not omnipotent, my lord,” I reminded him.
He breathed a sigh of relief before going on to say:
“But that is only the preliminary. Great Britain is bound to come to the assistance of Japan in certain contingencies.”
“In the event of her being attacked by a second Power,” I observed.