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426 EVIL OMENS IN PETROGRAD [chap. xxii.
by the war, will utter fervent prayers for the restoration
of peace, and will insinuate that with a few small
concessions on our part this blessed peace could be at once
restored. Is it worth your while to have a
conversation of that kind ? "
" But, my dear Minister, it would interest me
enormously all the same to see for myself the frame of
mind of a German at the present time when we are on
the road to victory. It might constitute valuable
information for St. Petersburg. Moreover, I will repeat
to you all that this German says."
" In that case I can make no objection," I replied.
Count Olsufieff also manifested a desire to "meet
the Boche"; Professor Vassilieff, a quiet, thoughtful
man, preferred to keep away. I was somewhat shocked
at this meeting to which Protopopoff had consented
without first asking the advice of the Russian Minister;
but I did not consider myself called upon to guide the
head of our parliamentary mission. And what is more,
he would not have listened to me.
All the four of us then went to see M.
Wallenberg. There my impressions were disastrous ones.
Protopopoff, who the evening before had been excited
and extremely loquacious, definitely took the bit
between his teeth as soon as he found himself in the
presence of the eminent Swedish statesman. Without
allowing M. Wallenberg or his own colleagues to get a
word in, he held a monologue for half an hour with
disconcerting volubility on the political and commercial
questions relative to our relations with Sweden, and on
the impressions he had formed in England and France.
At last, recollecting the interview awaiting him, the
Vice-President of the Duma closed his monologue and
we took leave of M. Wallenberg, who looked at me with
a somewhat dumbfounded expression. We went out.
Protopopoff promptly disappeared.
"Gentlemen," I could not help exclaiming to Olsufieff
and Professor Vassilieff, " what on earth is the matter
with your colleague to-day ? I was on tenter-hooks the
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