Sir Bartholomew’s eyebrows went up in shocked surprise.
“It is of the first importance,” he said, “of absolutely vital importance that at the present moment, standing as we do, as all Europe stands to-day, on the verge of the smouldering crater of a volcano——”
“This is the House of Commons, of course,” said Gorman, “so I suppose you can talk that kind of language if you like. But we don’t usually do it in the smoking-room.”
Sir Bartholomew had not attained to the eminent position he occupied without learning a few lessons in tact. He changed his tone at once.
“The fact is,” he said, “that just at present we all want to avoid friction with the Emperor.”
“Ah,” said Gorman, “and your idea is——?”
“Mr. Donovan must be persuaded to give up that island. Pressure could be put on him, of course, by his own Government and by ours. His position is preposterous. He can’t set his daughter up as a European sovereign simply by writing a cheque. But we don’t want—nobody wants any publicity or scandal. If Mr. Donovan would agree, privately, to resign all claim on Salissa——”
“Why not ask him?”
Sir Bartholomew’s manner became most ingratiating.