At " the lower table," so to speak, conversations similar
in intention, but no doubt very differently expressed, will go on between the Ministers and diplomatists. The Germans will make suggestions for common action which "cannot possibly be objected to by Russia's friends," and the Russians will be as polite as possible, agreeing where agreement will be unim- portant. In other cases they will "smiling put the question by." The scene will "close in" with the drinking of many toasts in excellent wine, the exchange of Orders set in brilliants, and a general atmosphere of official dignity, sup- pressed diplomacy, and reports as to the excellent impressions made by the statesmen on both sides. When the inter- view is over a Note will no doubt pass from Berlin to Vienna giving assurances that not the slightest suggestion was made at the meeting of anything that could injure Austria, and a similar Note will go from St. Petersburg to Paris, and possibly to London. The Russian Court and Russian diplomats are past masters of the art of receiving august political visitors. It might indeed almost be said of them as Congreve said of the heroine of his poem :—
" Whom she refuses she treats still
With so much sweet behaviour That her refusal through her skill Looks almost like a favour."
It will be remembered what a fuss was made about the Potsdam
meeting. As a matter of fact it proved to be a negative favour of this order.
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