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230 MY TRANSFER TO STOCKHOLM [ch. xiv.
exercise taken in the vivifying and scented air of the
mountains opposite the boundless expanse of sea. The
charming young Countess Hendrikoff was being very
much teased because in the absence of her elders and
betters she was occupying the seat of the Grand Mistress
of the Court. Fresh plans were being made for
expeditions on horseback. Between the Emperor and his
daughters one noticed a very strong current of affection,
of charming intimacy, almost of camaraderie.
When lunch was over and we had taken our coffee
in the hall, the Emperor went round talking to every one
in turn, and then coming up to me told me to follow
him. The Emperor himself opened one door after
another; passing through the big saloon he turned to
me and said : " The Empress is generally to be found in
this saloon when we come out of the dining-room and
then we have coffee in here; but just now unfortunately
she is indisposed and does not come downstairs." He
seemed to be excusing himself to me—the guest of the
hour—for the absence of the mistress of the house.
When we reached the study the Emperor installed
himself in an armchair and begged me to be seated.
"And now tell me everything," he said.
" I have indeed much to tell Your Majesty," I replied ;
" where do you wish me to begin ?"
The Emperor thought for a moment and then said
with a subtle smile :
" What were your relations with King Ferdinand,
and what do you think of him ? "
I disclosed quite frankly to the Emperor the course
of my personal relations with Ferdinand and I did not
conceal the unfavourable opinion I had formed of the
King’s character. Imperceptibly I passed on to the last
Balkan crisis. When speaking of the negotiations which
had ended in the Serbo-Bulgarian Treaty of 1912, I
allowed myself to draw His Majesty’s attention to the
fact that during these negotiations I had repeatedly laid
stress in my confidential letters to M. Sazonoff on the
danger of a Balkan war as the logical consequence of
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