I trust, said the latter, that I see you in good health?
Thank you, said Hornblower. I am in the best of health.
And your squadron?
That is in the best of health too, Your Excellency.
Does it need anything?
Hornblower had to think quickly again. On the one hand was the desire to appear utterly independent, but on the other there was the nagging knowledge that water would soon be running short. Every commanding officer, whether of ships or squadron, carried always at the back of his mind the vital, urgent need for renewing his ships drinking water. And a Minister of Marineeven a Russian onemust be aware of that.
Firewood and water, as always, said Hornblower, would be of the greatest convenience.
I shall inquire if it is convenient to send a water-boat to your squadron to-morrow morning, said the Minister.
I thank Your Excellency, said Hornblower, wondering what he would be asked to do in exchange.
You have been informed, sir, said the Minister, changing the subject so obviously that Hornblower could only attribute it to nervousness at having the Tsar listening to the conversation, of Bonapartes occupation of Swedish Pomerania?
Yes, Your Excellency.
And what is your opinion of that transaction?
Hornblower delayed his answer while he sorted out his thoughts and worked out the French phrases.
Typical Bonapartism, he said. He tolerates neutrality on the part of weak powers only while he can profit by it. The moment he finds it inconveniences him, he treacherously sends forward his army, and on the heels of the army march all the plagues of Bonapartism, terror and famine and misery. The gaol, the firing party, and the secret police. The bankers and the merchants are stripped of all they possess. The men are thrust into the ranks of his army, and the womenall the world knows what happens to the women.
But do you not believe his object was merely plunder?
No, Your Excellencyalthough plunder is always useful to Bonapartes top-heavy finances. He overran Pomerania the moment it was apparent that its usefulness as a neutral base for his privateers had ceased with the appearance of my squadron.
Inspiration came to Hornblower at that moment; his expression must have changed, for as he hesitated the Minister prompted him with obvious interest.
Monsieur was going to say?
Bonaparte controls the whole Baltic coast now, as far as the frontiers of His Imperial Majestys dominions. That would be most convenient to him in one particular event, Your Excellency. In the event of his deciding to launch an attack on Russia. Hornblower threw into those words all the power of speech that he could muster, and the Minister noddedHornblower did not dare, much as he wanted to, to throw a glance at the Tsar to see what effect his words had on him.
Bonaparte would never feel easy in his mind regarding his communications while Pomerania was Swedish so long as there was
and the Grand Marshal.
I have the honour to present began the latter. It was a prolonged introduction; the Countess of This, and the Baroness of That, and the Duchess of the Other, beautiful women, some of them bold-eyed and some of them languid. Hornblower bowed and bowed again, the Star of the Bath thumping his chest each time he straightened up.
You will partner the Countess Canerine at dinner, Captain, said the Grand Marshal, and Hornblower bowed again.
Delighted, he said.
The Countess was the boldest-eyed and most beautiful of them all; under the arches of her brows her eyes were dark and liquid and yet with a consuming fire within them. Her face was a perfect oval, her complexion like rose petals, her magnificent bosom white as snow above the low décolleté of her Court dress.
As a distinguished stranger, went on the Grand Marshal, you will take precedence immediately after the Ambassadors and Ministers. Preceding you will be the Persian Ambassador, His Excellency Gorza Khan.
The Grand Marshal indicated an individual in turban and diamonds; it was a bit of blessed good fortune that he was the most easily identified person in the whole crowd, seeing that Hornblower would have to follow him. Everyone else in the group looked with even greater interest at this English captain who was being accorded such distinction; the Countess rolled a considering eye upon him, but the Grand Marshal interrupted the exchange of glances by continuing the introductions. The gentlemen returned Hornblowers bows.
His Imperial Majesty, said the Grand Marshal, filling in the gap in the conversation when the introductions were completed, will be wearing the uniform of the Simonouski Guards.
Hornblower caught sight of Wychwood across the room, his bearskin under his arm and Basse at his side, being introduced to another group. They exchanged nods, and Hornblower returned, a little distractedly, to the conversation of his own group. The Countess was asking him about his ship, and he tried to tell her about Nonsuch. Through the far doors there was filing a double line of soldiers, tall young men in breastplates that shone like silverthat probably were silverwith silver helmets with waving white plumes.