We will withhold our fleet from bombarding the French towns.

England could do no more than deal with our fleet if she were at war.

She shall do the same without raising a finger.' No country could refuse so sane and businesslike an offer, especially a country which will at once count upon its fingers how much it will save by not going to war." "And afterwards ?" The Prince shrugged his shoulders.

"Afterwards is inevitable." "Please go on," she insisted.
"We shall occupy the whole of the coast from Antwerp to Havre.

The indemnity which France and Russia will pay us will make us the mightiest nation on earth.