nd just
landlord. But they did not have intelligence enough to ask him to be a
member of the Cabinet, or to send him to the Peace Conference, where he
alone, of all Austrians, perhaps, might have won some advantage for
this wretched country.

"The present Government seems to have appreciated that initial mistake
of ignoring him, for they have invited him to return from his estate in
Switzerland, where he has been staying, and to act in some advisory
capacity. That means, we think here, that he will soon have the whole
thing in his hands. The first step he took was to pay a visit to
Bavaria and have a conference with Count L., and no doubt you will
surmise what that means. He went incognito, however, and few people
even here in Vienna know of that visit, much less the rest of Europe.
Very shortly he goes to America, whether for reasons connected with his
sudden interest in Bavaria, I have no means of knowing, but ostensibly
because his New York lawyers demand his presence in regard to the large
sum of money he invested in the United States. The Government makes no
objection to this journey, as you may imagine, for they know they can
depend on him to spend it in the cause of Austria--under his
leadership! Imagine what it will mean to have the income of several
million American dollars rolling in to be exchanged for Austrian
kronen! Or the capital, if he thinks the end justifies it.

"No doubt you will see him, for he always had the greatest respect for
your opinion--was it not you who advised him to sell out practically
everything he possessed, except the land in Galicia, and invest it in
America? I have no doubt he will confide in you and ask your advice.
You have a wonderful flair for politics, dear Marie, and you know what
we all expect of you. Hurry, hurry and come back to us. We need you
in a thousand ways. But what a rest that sojourn in the gay and
brilliant and _rich_ city of New York must have given you. It is both
wonderful and saddening to read of the almost unbelievable contrast to
our poor Vienna. But they are generous. The second cheque from your
Vienna Fund came yesterday. Do leave the _oeuvre_ in reliable and
sympathetic hands, dear Marie, so that it may go on until--well, God
only knows when."

Mary read this portion of the letter over twice, the serenity of her
face routed by a frown. Of course she had expected to meet this man in
the future, indeed had had a very definite idea of play