There has been too much bickering and too much inane politics.

I still maintain that we have made a mistake in refusing to take up the matter with St.Petersburg or Berlin.

Why should we prefer England?
Why France ?" For some unaccountable reason he struck the table violently with his fist and directed his glare upon the astonished Prince.

The explosive demand caught the ruler by surprise.

He gasped and his lips fell apart.
Then it must have occurred to him that the question could be answered by no one save the person to whom it was so plainly addressed.