“One kiss, dearest.”
And she placed her arms around his neck and drew him to her. And John was happy, in spite of the many dangers by which he was surrounded. There was only one thing that he feared—that she should become acquainted with the Marillier affair. Her present attitude assured him that she would forgive the exposure of any of the shady transactions in the City of which he had been guilty, but he realized that a charge of murder was a very different matter.
At dinner Lord Lynton made himself agreeable, and the conversation became animated, all taking part in it save John Gaunt, for he suspected the reason of his brother-in-law’s unexpected journey from Paris, and he anticipated an unpleasant interview. However, it was not his way to postpone anything that was disagreeable, so when the ladies had left the room, he proposed that the Earl should accompany him to the library.
“I do not intend to talk about that Amanti business. I will be quite frank with you, Gaunt. I was sent for by the foreign secretary, and he wishes me to tell you that your present action of fanning this Congo agitation is causing him serious embarrassment,” Lord Lynton said slowly and impressively.
“I can quite understand that he does not like it,” Gaunt answered with a faint smile.
“The present moment is inopportune for the raising of any international question. It is impossible for us to do anything without Germany, and she thinks us incapable of any action for philanthropic motives. She imagines that we have an eye on the Congo Free State, and that if any partition should take place we shall, as usual, succeed in getting the lion’s share.”
“I do not think that we should allow Germany to dictate our policy. In other days England was wont to go her own way, and she was always eager to help the oppressed.”
“We have already done everything in our power, for we have made urgent representations to the Belgian government.”
“Representations are useless—a cruiser at the mouth of the Congo is the only effective argument,” Gaunt answered drily.
“You will not try to understand our difficulties, and it is useless discussing the matter further. I want you to promise that you will do your utmost to stop this agitation. I presume that it is you that pay for these advertisements. May I ask why you are wasting your money in this way?”