"
Lord Maltenby moved a little in his chair. There was a slight
frown upon his aristocratic forehead. He disagreed entirely with
the speaker, with whom he feared, however, to cross swords. Mr.
Hannaway Wells, who had been waiting for his opportunity, took
charge of the conversation. He spoke in a reserved manner, his
fingers playing with the stem of his wineglass.
"I must confess," he said, "that I feel the deepest interest in
what the Bishop has just said. I could not talk to you about the
military situation, even if I knew more than you do, which is not
the case, but I think it is clear that we have reached something
like a temporary impasse. There certainly seems to be no cause
for alarm upon any front, yet, not only in London, but in Paris
and even Rome, there is a curious uneasiness afoot, for which no
one can, account which no one can bring home to any definite
cause. In the same connection, we have confidential information
that a new spirit of hopefulness is abroad in Germany. It has
been reported to us that sober, clear-thinking men--and there are
a few of them, even in Germany--have predicted peace before a
month is out."
"The assumption is," Doctor Lennard interpolated, "that Germany
has something up her sleeve."
"That is not only the assumption," the Cabinet Minister replied,
"but it is also, I believe, the truth."
"One could apprehend and fear a great possible danger," Lord
Shervinton observed, "if the Labour Party in Germany were as
strong as ours, or if our own Labour, Party were entirely united.
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