Into his lordship’s astonished ears I poured the whole tale of my discovery, passing over as lightly as possible the dangers through which I had passed. Lord Bedale was much moved. ‘I must thank you warmly for having kept the K----I mean, for having kept my name out of this. The Emperor would certainly have suspected that I was acting on King Edward’s behalf.’ ‘It is possible,’ I said drily. The Marquis glanced at me and we both smiled. ‘Enough!’ he said. ‘Remain in the neighbourhood, and I will see you again in a day or two.’ The next time Lord Bedale sent for me his manner was entirely changed. ‘Monsieur V----,’ he said, ‘I have related the whole of your adventure to his Majesty, who has formed the highest opinion of your tact and fidelity; so much so, that he has now instructed me to offer you a mission on his own behalf.’ ‘That will be the highest honour I could receive.’ ‘His Majesty’s health is not yet fully recovered. In consequence, his physicians have advised him to take a sea-voyage in the early part of the year.’ ‘I trust it will benefit his Majesty very greatly.’ ‘The climate of the Mediterranean has been recommended.’ ‘There is no pleasanter climate at that time of year.’ ‘As his Majesty will be obliged to pass by the mouth of the Tagus, it will seem discourteous if he does not land in Lisbon, and see the King.’ ‘His Majesty’s courtesy is proverbial.’ ‘In visiting his Maltese subjects he will be so near Italy that King Victor may expect to see him in Rome.’ ‘That will be only natural.’ ‘In case his Majesty should feel tired of so much sea, he may feel it pleasanter to return overland.’ ‘That will involve his passing through Paris.’ ‘Exactly.’ Portugal, Italy, France--these were the three States which had made a stand against the threatened alliance against the United Kingdom. I looked at Lord Bedale and we understood one another. ‘His Majesty proposes that you should visit each of these three capitals in advance, and ascertain in a confidential way how he is likely to be received, not merely by the head of the State, but by the people themselves--the nation.’ ‘I understand.’ ‘King Edward desires to be received, not with formal courtesy, but with the recognition due to the ambassador of the world’s peace.’ ‘I shall bear that in mind.’ ‘I may add that he only defers bestowing the Victorian Order on you till he is able to do so in return for the services he now asks you to render him.’ There is not much more for me to add. In Rome, as in Lisbon, I found there was little for me to do; the name of King Edward was already on every tongue. Even in Paris, with its jealous and reckless Press, I found that the British King was a favourite with those who were most ready to criticise British policy.