alings with Cabinets. In home or familiar intercourse they
are straightforward and simple. Without these papers your noble master
cannot return to Turkey as ambassador. Do not interrupt me. He cannot come
back as ambassador to the Porte! It is for him to say how he estimates the
post. An ambitious man with ample reason for his ambition, an able man with
a thorough conviction of his ability, a patriotic man who understood and
saw the services he could render to his country, would not bargain at the
price the place should cost him, nor say ten thousand pounds too much to
pay for it.'

'Ten thousand pounds!' exclaimed Atlee, but in real and unfeigned
astonishment.

'I have said ten thousand, and I will not say nine--nor nine thousand nine
hundred.'

Atlee slowly arose and took his hat.

'I have too much respect for yourself and for your time, M. Kostalergi, to
impose any longer on your leisure. I have no need to say that your proposal
is totally unacceptable.'

'You have not heard it all, sir. The money is but a part of what I insist
on. I shall demand, besides, that the British ambassador at Constantinople
shall formally support my claim to be received as envoy from Greece, and
that the whole might of England be pledged to the ratification of my
appointment.'

A very cold but not uncourteous smile was all Atlee's acknowledgment of
this speech.

'There are small details which regard my title and the rank that I lay
claim to. With these I do not trouble you. I will merely say I reserve them
if we should discuss this in future.'

'Of that there is little prospect. Indeed, I see none whatever. I may say
this much, however, Prince, that I shall most willingly undertake to place
your claims to be received as Minister for Greece at the Porte under Lord
Danesbury's notice, and, I have every hope, for favourable consideration.
We are not likely to meet again: may I assume that we part friends?'

'You only anticipate my own sincere desire.'

As they passed slowly through the garden, Atlee stopped and said: 'Had
I been able to tell my lord, "The Prince is just named special envoy at
Constantinople. The Turks are offended at something he has done in Crete or
Thessaly. Without certain pressure on the Divan they will not receive him.
Will your lordship empower me to say that you will undertake this, and,
moreover, enable me to assure him that all the cost and expenditure of his
outfit shall be met in a suitable form?" If, i