“German diplomacy,” he proceeded, “may sometimes be obtuse, but it is at least persistent. Their next move will certainly rank in history as the most astute, the most cunning of any put forward since the war commenced. Of course,” the young man went on, fitting his cigarette into a long, amber holder, “we who are not Germans can only guess, but even the guessing is fascinating.” “Go on, please, dear Baron,” she begged. “It is when you talk like this and show me your mind that I seem to be listening to a second Bismarck.” “You flatter me, Countess,” the young man said, “but indeed these events are interesting. Trace their course for yourself after the failure of Stockholm. The Kaiser has established certain relations with the Socialist Party. Once more he turns towards them. He affects a war weariness he does not feel. He puts it into their heads that they shall approach without molestation certain men in England who have a great Labour following. The plot is started. You know quite well how it has progressed.” “Naturally,” Catherine assented, “but after all, tell me, where does the wonderful diplomacy come in? The terms of peace are not the terms of a conqueror. Germany is to engage herself to give up what she has sworn to hold, even to pay indemnities, to restore all conquered countries, and to retire her armies behind the Rhine.” The young man looked at his companion steadfastly for several seconds. “In the idiom of this country, Countess,” he said, “I raise my hat to you. You preserve your mask of ignorance to the end. So much so, indeed, that I find myself asking do you really believe that Germany intends to do this?” “But you forget,” she reminded him. “I was one of those present at the discussion of the preliminaries. The confirmation of the agreed terms, with the signatures, has arrived, and is to be placed before the Labour Council at six o’clock this evening.” The young man for a moment seemed puzzled. Then he glanced at a little gold watch upon his wrist, knocked the cigarette from its holder and carefully replaced the latter in its case. “That is very interesting, Countess,” he said. “For the moment I had forgotten your official position amongst the English Socialists.” She leaned forward and touched his coat sleeve. “You had forgotten nothing,” she declared eagerly. “There is something in your mind of which you have not spoken.” “No,” he replied, “I have spoken a great deal of my mind--too much, perhaps, considering that we are seated in this very fashionable lounge, with many people around us. We must talk of these serious matters on another occasion, Countess. I shall pay my respects to your aunt, if I may, within the next few days.” “Why do you fence with me?” she persisted, drawing on her gloves. “You and I both know, so far as regards those peace terms, that--”