In a graver note she inquired-- "You know what mother thinks of Mr.Essington ?" "Your mozzer is a vise old lady, Alicia; but we do not zink ze same on all opinions." "She will be exceedingly displeased if you--well, if you do anything that she THOROUGHLY disapproves of." The Baron left the window and took his wife's plump hand affectionately within his own broad palm.
"You can assure her, my love, zat I shall never do vat she dislikes.

You vill say zat to her if she inquires ?" "Can I, truthfully ?" "Ach, my own dear!" From his enfolding arms she whispered tenderly-- "Of course I will, Rudolph!" With a final hug the embrace abruptly ended, and the Baron hastily glanced at his watch.
"Ach, nearly had I forgot! I must go to ze club for half an hour." "Must you ?" "To meet a friend." "What friend ?" asked the Baroness quickly.
"A man whose name you vould know vell--oh, vary vell known he is! But in diplomacy, mine Alicia, a quiet meeting in a club is sometimes better not to be advertised too moch.

Great wars have come from one vord of indiscretion.

You know ze axiom of Bismarck--'In diplomacy it is necessary for a diplomatist to be diplomatic.' Good-by, my love." He bowed as profoundly as if she were a reigning sovereign, blew an affectionate kiss as he went through the door, and then descended the stairs with a rapidity that argued either that his appointment was urgent or that diplomacy shrank from a further test within this mansion..