"This is the House of Commons, of course," said Gorman, "so I suppose you can talk that kind of language if you like. But we don't usually do it in the smoking-room."
Sir Bartholomew had not attained to the eminent position he occupied without learning a few lessons in tact. He changed his tone at once.
"The fact is," he said, "that just at present we all want to avoid friction with the Emperor."
"Ah," said Gorman, "and your idea is----?"
"Mr. Donovan must be persuaded to give up that island. Pressure could be put on him, of course, by his own Government and by ours. His position is preposterous. He can't set his daughter up as a European sovereign simply by writing a cheque. But we don't want--nobody wants any publicity or scandal. If Mr. Donovan would agree, privately, to resign all claim on Salissa----"
Sir Bartholomew's manner became most ingratiating.
"We feel that the good offices of a mutual friend, some one who occupies no official position, some one unconnected with the Foreign Office----In short, Mr. Gorman, would you undertake this rather delicate mission?"
"Why the devil do you hit on me for the job?"
"Ah," said Sir Bartholomew, smiling, "you see we all know something about you, Mr. Gorman. Your business ability, your unfailing tact, your----"
Sir Bartholomew cannot possibly have liked Gorman's manner. No public men discuss serious and confidential matters with this kind of flippancy. But he had been obliged to meet even more disconcerting people in the Balkans. He prided himself on being able to negotiate with men of any manners or none.
"Knowing the work you have done for your party in America," he went on, "knowing your friendship with the Donovans and your acquaintance with the King of Megalia, it seemed to us--not to me, you know. I don't really matter. It seemed to us that you were the best possible person."
"I see. Well, supposing I undertake the job, what am I to say to Donovan? He's paid a big price for that island. Is he to get his money back?"
"Of course, of course. No one expects Mr. Donovan to make any financial sacrifice."
"That King," said Gorman, "isn't very good at paying."
"In this case he will have no choice. The Emperor will insist on his paying."