“Even M. Petrovitch does not know what I am going to tell you,” Nicholas said impressively as I returned to my seat.
“Your majesty does not trust him entirely, then?” I exclaimed, much pleased.
“You mistake me. I do not distrust M. Petrovitch; but this is a matter of foreign politics, with which he is not familiar. He admits frankly that he knows nothing about diplomacy.”
I gazed at the benevolent young monarch in consternation. It was the spy of Wilhelm II., the agent of the most active diplomatist in the world, of whom he had just spoken!
There was no more to be said.
The Emperor proceeded to put a most unexpected question.
“Are you a believer in spirits, M. V——?”
“I am a Roman Catholic, sire. Whatever my Church teaches on this subject, I believe. I am rather neglectful of my religious duties, however, and do not know its attitude on this subject.”
“I honor your loyalty to your communion, M. V——. But as long as you do not know what is the attitude of your Church on this subject, you cannot feel it wrong to listen to me.”