But at this point Baranoff, though it be contrary to all Court etiquette to stop a sovereign in the middle of a remark, boldly made interruption, recognising that if his dismissal were once pronounced Alexander could not, without loss of dignity, revoke it. “_My_ policy, Sire,” said he, emphasising the first word. “Your Majesty errs in ascribing to me a policy of any character soever, other than this, ‘The King’s will is the highest law.’ He surely is the best minister who obeys his sovereign without questioning.” Alexander wavered. There could be no doubt that the war with England had been the policy of his father. Baranoff took courage from Alexander’s hesitancy. “Let me retire from office. I stipulate only that you shall write across my _congé_, ‘Dismissed for being faithful to a Czar.’” “Fidelity to a sovereign may be carried too far,” said Alexander, who had not forgotten the lessons of his Republican tutor, La Harpe. “True, Sire,” replied Baranoff, who knew how to trim his sails to meet the changing breeze. “And, therefore, when fidelity ceased to be a virtue I withdrew my allegiance.” “Since when did you withdraw your allegiance from Paul?” sneered Benningsen. “Since yesterday at three in the afternoon,” retorted Baranoff. “Sire, in dismissing me you dismiss the man to whom you owe both life and throne.” “Why, this is the language of treason,” said Benningsen, fingering the hilt of his sabre and much regretting that he could not deal with Baranoff as he had dealt with Voronetz. “Speak on,” said Alexander, mentally contrasting the Count’s deference with the General’s _brusquerie_. Benningsen and Pahlen were both disposed to play the master; it might be well, then, to have in the ministry a counterforce in the person of Baranoff. “Seeing that your father Paul,” continued Baranoff, addressing the Czar, “imprisoned you and the Grand Duke Constantine for a trifling breach of military etiquette, to what point would his anger have risen had he known that you were at the head of a conspiracy formed to deprive him of his crown?” The ministers interchanged significant glances. “I repeat it, Sire, that you and all here present owe your lives to my forbearance.” “Explain.” Baranoff drew forth the document containing the signatures of the conspirators, and laid it upon the table before the Czar. “This paper came into my hands yesterday at three in the afternoon.” As a matter of fact he had not seen it till eight hours afterwards, but he wanted to make the best of his case. “Had I shown this to the Czar Paul, what would have been the result?” “Why _did_ you suppress it if you were so faithful to him?” asked Alexander, toying with the paper.