"Gentlemen - and ladies, pardon me - I have given much thought to these matters

and I wish to say here in confidence to you, that while there remains between

myself and many of those present differences of interpretation as to what is

really occurring in Europe at this moment, despite this, as to the main points

that have been raised in this house, I am convinced, gentlemen, convinced both

of their justice and their practicality." A murmur which seemed to contain both

relief and triumph went around the table, but this time M. Dupont raised his

voice slightly and pronounced over it:

 

"I am happy to assure you all here that I will bring what modest influence I

have to encourage certain changes of emphasis in French policy in accordance

with much of what has been said here. And I will endeavour to do so in good time

for the Swiss conference."

 

There was a ripple of applause, and I saw his lordship exchange a look with Sir

David. M. Dupont held up his hand, though whether to acknowledge the applause or

to stem it was not clear.

 

"But before I go on to thank our host, Lord Darlington, I have some small thing

I would wish to remove from my chest. Some of you may say it is not good manners

to be removing such things from one's chest at the dinner table." This brought

enthusiastic laughter. "However, I am for frankness in these matters. Just as

there is an imperative to express gratitude formally and publicly to Lord

Darlington, who has brought us here and made possible this present spirit of

unity and goodwill, there is, I believe, an imperative to openly condemn any who