Knowing nothing of the
relationship between O'Moy and the offender, unable to guess the
sources of the hesitation of which he now beheld such unmistakable
signs, the minister naturally misunderstood it.
"There must be no flinching in this, General," he cried. "Let me
speak to you for a moment quite frankly and in confidence, not as
the Secretary of State of the Council of Regency, but as a
Portuguese patriot who places his country and his country's welfare
above every other consideration. You have issued your ultimatum.
It may be harsh, it may be arbitrary; with that I have no concern.
The interests, the feelings of Principal Souza or of any other
individual, however high-placed, are without weight when the
interests of the nation hang against them in the balance. Better
that an injustice be done to one man than that the whole country
should suffer. Therefore I do not argue with you upon the rights
and wrongs of Lord Wellington's ultimatum. That is a matter apart.
Lord Wellington demands the removal of Principal Souza from the
Government, or, in the alternative, proposes himself to withdraw
from Portugal. In the national interest the Government can come
to only one decision. I am frank with you, General.
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