Besides, after all, I am the
citizen of a Republic.
The nobleman received me with frigid correctness, implying disapproval
of my unauthorised visit, rather than expressing it. Our interview was
extremely brief.
'I had the felicity of serving your lordship upon two occasions,' I
began.
'They are well within my recollection,' he interrupted, 'but I do not
remember sending for you a third time.'
'I have taken the liberty of coming unrequested, my lord, because of
the importance of the news I carry. I surmise that you are interested
in the promotion of friendship between France and England.'
'Your surmise, sir, is incorrect. I care not a button about it. My
only anxiety was for the safety of the King.'
Even the superb claret was not enough to fortify me against words so
harsh, and tones so discourteous, as those his lordship permitted
himself to use.
'Sir,' said I, dropping the title in my rising anger, 'it may interest
you to know that a number of your countrymen run the risk of being
blown to eternity by an anarchist bomb in less than two weeks from
today. A party of business men, true representatives of a class to
which the pre-eminence of your Empire is due, are about to proceed--'
'Pray spare me,' interpolated his lordship wearily, 'I have read that
sort of thing so often in the newspapers.
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