“Or I might be ill. It would perhaps be the best solution of the difficulty if I should be taken ill now, and remain so for the next two weeks.” Pembroke could not for his life, refrain from smiling at this. Volkonsky, however, was far from smiling. He regarded these things as of tremendous import. “And Madame Volkonsky--and the State dinner?” he said. “That,” answered Pembroke, with a bow, “rests solely with Madame Volkonsky. This government fights men, not women.” Volkonsky had been restless, getting up and walking about, and then sitting down at the table and resting his face on his hands. Pembroke had not moved from his first position, which was one of easy dignity. Presently Volkonsky burst out with: “But did the President himself say anything of me?” “He did.” “Then I insist on hearing it.” “M. Volkonsky, it would do you no good. The arrangements I have told you of are final, and I will be present with other members of the Foreign Affairs Committee at your meeting with the President.” Volkonsky at once thought that the President had said something which was favorable to him. He said violently: “But I demand to know. I am still the accredited Minister of all the Russias. I have certain rights, which must be respected. I demand to know the President’s exact language.” “M. Volkonsky, I expressly disclaim any sympathy with the President’s remarks. His language is far from diplomatic. He did not expect it to be repeated.” “I demand to know,” shouted Volkonsky, furiously. “He said, he knew you were an infernal scoundrel the instant he put his eyes on you.” Volkonsky fell back in his chair almost stunned. Pembroke, whose sense of humor was struggling with his anger and disgust, almost felt sorry for him. After a pause, Volkonsky raised himself up and looked fixedly at Pembroke. “Why do you not enter the diplomatic service?” he said. “You have great talents in that direction.” “Because,” answered Pembroke, smiling in a way that made Volkonsky feel like strangling him, “the diplomatic service is no career for a man--” “In America, yes. But in Europe?” “Nor in Europe, either. Before the railroad and the telegraph, Ministers had powers and responsibilities. Now, they are merely agents and messengers. However, we will not discuss that. Our affairs are finished. I only have to warn you not to abuse the reasonable indulgence of this government. You are to take yourself off--and if not, you will be driven out.” After Volkonsky left him, Pembroke dined alone at the club. He felt singularly depressed. As long as he had Volkonsky before him, he enjoyed the pleasure of beating his enemy according to the savage instincts which yet dwell in the human breast. Volkonsky gone, he began to think with a certain remorse of Elise. The thought of her misery gave him pain.