The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-04-23
Y WILLIAM LIE QUEUX.

private room. The Marquis was a tall
brown-be bearded, pleasant-faced man who
had graduated in the Constantinople and
Vienna school of diplomacy before being
appointed Ambassador in Paris, and who
had achieved considerable reputation as
skilled negotiator of the most delicate
points.
Seated opposite one another in softly
padded armchairs, we chatted affably for
perhaps quarter of an hour. First he
inquired after our chiefs health and then
endeayored to ascertain from me the
policy about to be pursued towards Rus
STA in view OF our recent strained rela-
lions, but st-enuously avoided answer.
ing any OF his artfullY concealed Ques-
lions. A dozen times, with that consuIn-
mate tact acquired by a lifetime of
diplomacy, he endeavored to get me to
hazard an opinion or express doubt.
but always refused. Lord Warnham s
instructions were that l should say moth
ing of these affairs of State which, in my
capacity of private secretary, were we'll
known to me, hence my determination
to maintain silence.
Presently, the Marquis smilingly ex-
claimed: Lord Warnham has evidently
taught You the first requisite of the sue
cessful diplomatist, namely, secrecy.
You've borne we'll the test that have APP
piled, Decides. By the same questions I
have just put to you I could have learnt
just what L wanted from half the dipIo-
matic circles here in Paris, yet you lave
fenced with me admirably. 1 shall not
omit to mention the fact TO Lord Warm
ham when next I call at the Foreign
Office.''
I thanked his Excellency, adding with
a smile: Zone learns the value of silence
with our chief"
eyes" he answered, slowly tapping his
table with quill. "He's curious man,
extremely curious. His very ecoentricity
causes hi M to be feared by every cabinet
in Europe Is he really as inpetuous and
strange in privats life as he is in public?''
paused looking fixedly Into my COM
panion's dark eyes. 1.-THE object of my
visit, your Excellency, is not to discuss
the demerits of my chief or tho policy of
suggestion which he has desired me to
place before you with all Difference to
your wide experience as Ambassador and
your unequalled knowledge of the French
people, said gravely, and then, clearly
and suocinctly, I placed before him the
Earl's ideas. together with the instruc-
tions he had intrusted to me to deliver.
At first the Ambassador, resenting my
interference with his actions, seemed dis
inclined to entertain the suggestions, but
using the arguments my chief had ad-
vanned at length induced him to view
the matter from the same standpoint I
even obtained from him what was practi-
cally an admission that the policy he had
pursued in the past regarding the ques-
tion under discussion was not altogether
sound, and once having obtained that, I
felt confident of gaining my point with
out any unpleasant incident. From that
moment, indeed, he recognized that I
bore message from the chief, therefore
he treated me pleasantly, and announced
his intention of seeking an audience with
the President of the Republic at the
Elysee at four O'Clock to enter upon nego-
tiations which Her Majesty earnestly de-
sired should be carried forward without
delay. Although the Marquis treated me
with calm unruffied dignity, as bef1tted
the Am bassador of the greatest nation on
earth, nevertheless congratulated my
self that my efforts had been eminently
successful. Aided by the promptings CT
the shrewd old Earl I had, fattered my
self, exercised careful and even delicate
tact, in dealing with this leader among
diplomatists,an and as may be imagined, the
knowledge that my mission was success
full caused me the utmost satisfaction.
When had first approached the SUBJ
ject he had been inclined to disregard my
words, and grew SO angry that l feared
lest he might tender his resignation, as
the Earl had appreheni led. But the Min
ister's clever arguments, rather than my
own tact, convinced him, for he saw that
to act at once was Imperative; hence the
success of my first secret mission.
ITO be continued