"
"Nevertheless, their presence was indubitable," the Prince declared. "In
those circumstances, Monsieur, you can doubtless understand that our
reply to any protests on the part of England will be of an unpacific
nature. We should not for a moment allow ourselves to be dictated to by
the allies of our enemy."
"Naturally!" Monsieur Grisson answered. "On the other hand, you surely
do not wish to embroil yourself in a quarrel with England at the present
moment?"
"We wish to quarrel with no one," the Prince answered haughtily. "At the
same time, we are not afraid of England. We recognize the fact that if
war should come it is an independent affair, and does not come under the
obligations of our alliance. We ask, therefore, for your neutrality
alone."
Monsieur Grisson bowed.
"But, Prince," he said gravely, "you speak lightly enough of the
possibilities of war, but surely you must know that the English fleet in
the Channel and at Gibraltar altogether outmatches the Baltic Fleet?"
"A Russian," the Prince answered grandly, "is not afraid of great odds!"
Monsieur Grisson bowed.
"For the sake of humanity," he said, "I trust most sincerely that the
affair may be peaceably arranged.
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