our foreign policy is to see France stable and strong. Without her, the balance is weighted heavily in favour of the Russians and the Prussians, and at Vienna Talleyrand is negotiating on her behalf to achieve an honourable settlement of the outstanding problems such as the independence of Belgium, and France's frontier on the Rhine. If, while the Congress is in progress, France should collapse into anarchy or civil war it would be a major setback, not merely for him and for our policy but for the future peace of Europe.'
Ross was helped to a second brandy. Melville smiled at him. 'No longer run, Poldark,' he said, holding his own glass towards the light; 'properly imported from Armagnac and all duties paid.'
Ross said: 'I believe you think all Cornishmen are smugglers at heart.'
'Are they not? I was only ever once down there myself and they gave me the impression of a society that admires unorthodoxy.'
'Is that why you send for me to embark on this - this unorthodox mission?'
'I sent for you,' said Lord Liverpool, 'because of your record of service to the Crown - especially perhaps your last mission to Portugal when you were able to serve your country in more ways than one.'
Ross sipped his duty-paid Armagnac. It looked as if Canning had been talking.
'Do you wish me', he said, 'to link up with your brother, my lord?'
'No. I have sent him south, to sound the feeling in Marseilles and possibly then to go on to Bordeaux. Almost certainly sentiment is more favourable to the King there than in Paris. But I need a second opinion and I need one on a different level. I want someone less obviously related to me and therefore less official. Someone of rank who is on holiday in Paris and can mix with officers in a casual way. The fact that you do not speak French fluently should be an asset. And that you are there with your family will disarm suspicion.'
'It's a wide brief,' said Ross.
'Indeed.'
'And an uneasy one.'
'Do you think so?'
'You will remember, my lord, that General Wellington did not appreciate my presence at Bussaco, saying he felt I had been sent as an observer by certain members of the Cabinet who were unfavourably disposed towards him.'
'I remember it, but you proved the opposite.'
'Nevertheless he has never regarded me with the greatest favour. I should very much regret it if Fitzroy Somerset should feel I was being sent out as an observer of his conduct of affairs!'
Lord Melville stretched his legs towards the fire. He was beginning to put on weight. 'Robert tells me you're a friend of Fitzroy Somerset's.'
'Friend would be too much. We have met three times. I think he has friendly feelings towards me - as I have for him.'
'Well, I don't think ... I hope I'm right in saying this I don't think you are being in any way asked to report on the judgement of our minister. You are being asked to form your own judgement on the state of affairs in France. We have conflicting reports and we should like another opinion. That is all. Am I right, Robert?'
'Yes,' said the second Robert. 'That is precisely what I want.'
'In fact,' said Melville, 'you are being asked to take a holiday in Paris, like many another rich and titled Englishman at this time. Form your opinion and let us know. That is all. I would have thought it a beguiling prospect.'
'It is,' agreed Ross. 'Before I go, my lord, could you provide me with some of the arguments in favour of a Corn Bill. I know - and feel - only those against it, and perhaps it is good to keep an open mind.'
'Gladly,' said Liverpool. 'I can promise you a list of the contentions before you leave. Chiefly, perhaps, you should realize that if other countries did not protect their farming interests we should not attempt to do so either.'
'It is not so much the owners of farms I am concerned for but the labourers, both in the fields and in the towns.'
'Quite so. Quite so. There are of course many things to be said on both sides The clock outside chimed the half-hour, and was
Ross was helped to a second brandy. Melville smiled at him. 'No longer run, Poldark,' he said, holding his own glass towards the light; 'properly imported from Armagnac and all duties paid.'
Ross said: 'I believe you think all Cornishmen are smugglers at heart.'
'Are they not? I was only ever once down there myself and they gave me the impression of a society that admires unorthodoxy.'
'Is that why you send for me to embark on this - this unorthodox mission?'
'I sent for you,' said Lord Liverpool, 'because of your record of service to the Crown - especially perhaps your last mission to Portugal when you were able to serve your country in more ways than one.'
Ross sipped his duty-paid Armagnac. It looked as if Canning had been talking.
'Do you wish me', he said, 'to link up with your brother, my lord?'
'No. I have sent him south, to sound the feeling in Marseilles and possibly then to go on to Bordeaux. Almost certainly sentiment is more favourable to the King there than in Paris. But I need a second opinion and I need one on a different level. I want someone less obviously related to me and therefore less official. Someone of rank who is on holiday in Paris and can mix with officers in a casual way. The fact that you do not speak French fluently should be an asset. And that you are there with your family will disarm suspicion.'
'It's a wide brief,' said Ross.
'Indeed.'
'And an uneasy one.'
'Do you think so?'
'You will remember, my lord, that General Wellington did not appreciate my presence at Bussaco, saying he felt I had been sent as an observer by certain members of the Cabinet who were unfavourably disposed towards him.'
'I remember it, but you proved the opposite.'
'Nevertheless he has never regarded me with the greatest favour. I should very much regret it if Fitzroy Somerset should feel I was being sent out as an observer of his conduct of affairs!'
Lord Melville stretched his legs towards the fire. He was beginning to put on weight. 'Robert tells me you're a friend of Fitzroy Somerset's.'
'Friend would be too much. We have met three times. I think he has friendly feelings towards me - as I have for him.'
'Well, I don't think ... I hope I'm right in saying this I don't think you are being in any way asked to report on the judgement of our minister. You are being asked to form your own judgement on the state of affairs in France. We have conflicting reports and we should like another opinion. That is all. Am I right, Robert?'
'Yes,' said the second Robert. 'That is precisely what I want.'
'In fact,' said Melville, 'you are being asked to take a holiday in Paris, like many another rich and titled Englishman at this time. Form your opinion and let us know. That is all. I would have thought it a beguiling prospect.'
'It is,' agreed Ross. 'Before I go, my lord, could you provide me with some of the arguments in favour of a Corn Bill. I know - and feel - only those against it, and perhaps it is good to keep an open mind.'
'Gladly,' said Liverpool. 'I can promise you a list of the contentions before you leave. Chiefly, perhaps, you should realize that if other countries did not protect their farming interests we should not attempt to do so either.'
'It is not so much the owners of farms I am concerned for but the labourers, both in the fields and in the towns.'
'Quite so. Quite so. There are of course many things to be said on both sides The clock outside chimed the half-hour, and was
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