“Heaven knows what he said to his Royal Highness when I was away. To judge from his face, it must have been something atrocious; and the last thing he said on leaving was, 'I must try and not forget your agreeable friend's name.'”
“You might as well have invited me as have had your 'friend' Purvis, after all,” said a young Italian noble, whose political opinions found no favor at court.
“But what do you mean to do, my Lady?” asked Midchekoff. “Is the enemy to hold undisputed possession of the fortress?”
“It is precisely on that point I want advice. Prince.”
“What if we form ourselves into a council of state?” said an Austrian general.
“By all means,” said the others, who now formed a semicircle in front of Lady Hester's sofa.
“The youngest officer always speaks first,” said the Austrian.
“Then that duty is mine,” said a little man of about eighty-two or three, and who had represented France at half the courts of Europe. “I should advise a protocol in the form of a protest. It is a palpable invasion of territory, but, followed by an ample apology and a speedy evacuation, may be forgiven. There are historical warrants for such transgressions being accepted as acts almost of compulsion.”
“The case of Anspach, for instance,” said the Austrian, with a malicious smile.
“Precisely, General, precisely a case in point,” rejoined the old diplomate, with a bow and a smile that almost seemed grateful. “The shortest road to victory is ever the best.”