"To be quite frank, sir," I heard Mr Lewis say, "I was appalled at their

attitude towards your countrymen. They actually used words like 'barbarous' and

'despicable'. In fact, I noted them in my diary only a few hours afterwards."

 

M. Dupont said something briefly which I did not catch, then Mr Lewis said

again: "Let me tell you, sir, I was appalled. Are these words to use about an

ally you stood shoulder to shoulder with only a few years back?"

 

I am not sure now if I ever proceeded to knock; it is quite possible, given the

alarming nature of what I heard, that I judged it best to withdraw altogether.

In any case, I did not linger long enough - as I was obliged to explain to his

lordship shortly afterwards - to hear anything that would give a clue as to M.

Dupont's 'attitude to Mr Lewis's remarks.

 

The next day, the discussions in the drawing room appeared to reach a new level

of intensity and by lunchtime, the exchanges were becoming rather heated. My

impression was that utterances were being directed accusingly, and with

increasing boldness, towards the armchair where M. Dupont sat fingering his

beard, saying little. Whenever the conference adjourned, I noticed, as no doubt

his lordship did with some concern, that Mr Lewis would quickly take M. Dupont

away to some corner or other where they could confer quietly. Indeed, once,

shortly after lunch, I recall I came upon the two gentlemen talking rather

furtively just inside the library doorway, and it was my distinct impression

they broke off their discussion upon my approach.