550 IN THE DIPLOMATIC SERVICE-V 



most embarrassing mishaps of my life. It was at Nice, 

 and at the table d'hote of a great hotel on the Promenade 

 des Anglais, where I was seated next a French countess 

 who, though she had certainly passed her threescore 

 years and ten, was still most agreeable. Day after day 

 we chatted together, and all went well; but one evening, 

 on our meeting at table as usual, she said, l i I am told that 

 you are the American minister at Berlin. " I answered, 

 "Yes, madam. " She then said, "When I was a young 

 woman, I was well acquainted with the mother of the 

 present French ambassador there. " At this I launched 

 out into praises of Count St. Vallier, as well I might; 

 speaking of the high regard felt for him at Berlin, the 

 honors he had received from the German Government, 

 and the liking for him among his colleagues. The countess 

 listened in silence, and when I had finished turned se- 

 verely upon me, saying, "Monsieur, up to this moment 

 I have believed you an honest man ; but now I really don 't 

 know what to think of you." Of course I was dum- 

 f ounded, but presently the reason for the remark occurred 

 to me, and I said, "Madam, M. de St. Vallier serves 

 France. Whatever his private opinions may be, he no 

 doubt feels it his duty to continue in the service of his 

 country. It would certainly be a great pity if, at every 

 change of government in France, every officer who did 

 not agree with the new regime should leave the diplomatic 

 service or the military service or the naval service, thus 

 injuring the interests of France perhaps most seriously. 

 Suppose the Comte de Chambord should be called to the 

 throne of France, what would you think of Orleanists 

 and republicans who should immediately resign their 

 places in the army, navy, and diplomatic service, thus 

 embarrassing, perhaps fatally, the monarchy and the 

 country ?" At this, to my horror, the lady went into 

 hysterics, and began screaming. She cried out, "Oui, 

 monsieur, il reviendra, Henri Cinq; il reviendra, Dieu 

 est avec lui; il reviendra malgre tout," etc., etc., and 

 finally she jumped up and rushed out of the room. The 



