He is absolutely determined that the mistake shall not be
repeated."
"How about the massing of troops on the French frontier?" I asked.
"Ordinary manoeuvres," Lady Dennisford said. "The whole proceeding is
absolutely open."
"And the reception of the Prince of Normandy by the Emperor?"
"An act of private courtesy. He ridicules the idea of German interference
in French politics."
"And the rifle union?"
"If he believes in it at all, he looks upon it simply as a social and
patriotic club, with which we have nothing to do. He ridicules the idea
of regarding it as a force that could be utilized, even in the event of
war."
"Then all three things happening together are merely coincidences?" I
said bitterly. "He is blind enough to believe that?"
"He believes it most sincerely," Lady Dennisford answered.
"He will not stop the fleet going to Kiel?"
"He almost lost his temper at the bare suggestion," Lady Dennisford
answered. "The slight hitch in the Morocco negotiations, he says, is
simply owing to a misunderstanding, which will be cleared up in a day or
two.
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