“By his absolute ‘veto’ against our propositions at the last Cabinet Council, the impending war which would have been so useful to us, has been quashed in embryo,” went on the Premier with a frown;—“This of course you know! And he has the right to exercise his veto if he likes. But I scarcely expected you after all you said, to take the matter so easily!”
Pérousse smiled, and shrugged his shoulders deprecatingly.
“However,” continued the Marquis with latent contempt in his tone;—“I now quite understand your complacent attitude! You have simply turned your ‘Army Supplies Contract’ into a ‘Trust’ Combine with other nations,—so you will not lose, but rather gain by the transaction!”
“I never intended to lose!” said Pérousse calmly; “I am not troubled with scruples. One form of trade is as good as another. The prime object of life nowadays is to make money!”
Lutera looked at him, but said nothing.
“To amalgamate all the steel industries into one international Union, and get as many shares myself in the combine is not at all an unwise project,” went on Pérousse,—“For if our country is not to fight, other countries will;—and they will require guns and swords and all such accoutrements of war. Why should we not satisfy the demand and pocket the cash?”
Still the Marquis looked at him steadily.
“Are you aware,”—he asked at last, “that Jost, to save his ‘press’ prestige, has turned informer against you?”
Pérousse sprang up, white with fury.
“By Heaven, if he has dared!—”