The ground had been too well prepared.

England was envious of our trade.

King Edward had been plotting our destruction.

Our papers were full of translations from yours, talking about '_La Revanche_!' We were told that you had been lending money to Russia to enable her to build railways, and that when they were complete France and Russia would fall upon us suddenly.

'The Fatherland in danger!' It may be lies or it may not; what is one to do?
What would you have done--even if you could have done anything ?" "He's right," said a dreamy-eyed looking man, laying down the book he had been reading.