Holding the opinions I do in regard to the policy which is bringing my poor country to the brink of ruin, I have no hesitation in speaking my mind about some of the men who compose its diplomatic corps. Let me explain, then, that von G----, a former head of the Cabinet of Count Aerenthal, is one of the most equivocal figures in the diplomacy of the Ballplatz. Frigid in his courtesy, scrupulously careful not to offend anyone of importance, pitiless to the weak and servile to the powerful, he was the mere tool of the Minister who first brought Austro-Hungary under the dominations of Berlin. You can easily imagine the unctuous politeness with which this Machiavellian diplomatist received the man who called upon him with a letter from Princess M----, asking him, in the cordial and guarded terms which her pen can so well indite, to favour the love affair of Count Seilern and hush up a scandal which, "if generally known, would do incalculable harm, at a time when we have more and more need of enlisting the respect of the subjects of His Most Gracious and Imperial Majesty." "What would I not do to oblige Princess M----?" exclaimed the Count von G----, on coming to the end of the letter and turning his heavily-whiskered face to Baron A---- (who related the interview to me). "Will you transmit that expression of my devotion to her Royal Highness, and say that I live in the hope of accomplishing much, _much_ more than this truly insignificant service? You will, of course, understand, my dear Baron, that this is strictly _entre nous_. No documentary evidence of my connection with this affair must exist, and--_je vous en prie!_--not a word about this interview. See, I carry out her Royal Highness's request this very minute and destroy her letter"--tearing it in pieces and throwing them into his waste-paper basket. "I will leave you to acknowledge its receipt. It is always best to transact little affairs of this sort strictly by word of mouth. You will call upon me once or twice and we will arrange--verbally, mark you--for the accommodation of these turtle-doves of the dear Princess. And, once on this free Helvetian soil, we will assist them--as in the story-books, ha, ha!--to live happily ever afterwards."