' Would that I had the
power, was my thought as I read."
"Your friend exaggerates my poor charms, Signor."
"With so much of beauty to choose from, mademoiselle, London society
is critical, and my friend only endorses its verdict."
"Well, Signor, London will have something of weightier matter to
decide this coming season than the passing beauty of woman. Our
parliament have the vote on the war supply, and as Beaconsfield cannot
go into the strife empty-handed on the issue of that vote hangs the
destiny of many lives."
"Think you the Bright or peace party will be strong enough to
prevail?"
"No; England's sons are ever jealous of their country's honour. There
is a strong popular feeling against any encroachments by the Russian
Bear. Our young officers are ever eager for a chance to distinguish
themselves, and our men," she added gaily, "have fists all knuckles,
always doubled for a good hard blow."
"Well, it seems to me an expensive undertaking that your bold
countrymen meditate. Turkey is lazy and luxurious."
"Yes; not a fit sentinel for a dangerous post; still, what are we to
do? We cannot uproot them and plant in their place the trusty Scot or
brave Celt; no, we must even pay high wages to bad servants until
wiser heads than ours in some future generation devise some better way
of guarding our eastern possessions.
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