"It will not be for ever postponed," said the Baron gently. "Let us finish the war, and education shall be given slowly, under wise direction, to every man, woman, and child in the country. Our Czar is the most liberal ruler in Europe--and he knows what is good for his children." "And Protopopoff and Stürmer?" I asked. "Protopopoff is a zealous, loyal liberal, but he has been made to see during these last months that Russia is not at this moment ready for freedom. Stürmer--well, M. Stürmer is gone." "So you, yourself, Baron," I asked, "would oppose at this moment all reform?" "With every drop of blood in my body," he answered, and his hand flat against the tablecloth quivered. "At this crisis admit one change and your dyke is burst, your land flooded. Every Russian is asked at this moment to believe in simple things--his religion, his Czar, his country. Grant your reforms, and in a week every babbler in the country will be off his head, talking, screaming, fighting. The Germans will occupy Russia at their own good time, you will be beaten on the West and civilisation will be set back two hundred years. The only hope for Russia is unity, and for unity you must have discipline, and for discipline, in Russia at any rate, you must have an autocracy." As he spoke the furniture, the grey walls, the heavy carpets, seemed to whisper an echo of his words: "Unity... Discipline... Discipline... Autocracy... Autocracy... Autocracy...." "Then tell me, Baron," I said, "if it isn't an impertinent question, do you feel so secure in your position that you have no fears at all? Does such a crisis, as for instance Milyukoff's protest last November, mean nothing? You know the discontent.... Is there no fear....?" "Fear!" He interrupted me, his voice swift and soft and triumphant. "M. Durward, are you so ignorant of Russia that you consider the outpourings of a few idealistic Intelligentzia, professors and teachers and poets, as important? What about the people, M. Durward? You ask any peasant in the Moscow Government, or little Russia, or the Ukraine whether he will remain loyal to his Little Father or no! Ask--and the question you suggested to me will be answered." "Then, you feel both secure and justified?" I said. "We feel both secure and justified"--he answered me, smiling.