I have ambitions, and I should be an easy and generous master to serve." "I am honoured with your confidence, Prince, but I still fail to see how these matters concern me," I said, setting my teeth hard.
"With your permission I will make it quite clear," he continued.

"For years your War Office has suffered from constant dread of an invasion by France.

The rumour of our great projected manoeuvres in the autumn have inspired your statesmen with an almost paralysing fear.

They see in these merely an excuse for marshalling and equipping an irresistible army within striking distance of your Empire.

Personally I believe that they are entirely mistaken in their estimate of my country's intentions.
That, however, is beside the mark.