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"Grey is always threatening to resign, but never does. "
"Still, you can't risk a split in the cabinet now, with my lot waiting in the wings, panting to take over. "
Maud knew Fitz was right. She could have screamed with frustration.
Bea dropped her knife and made a strange noise.
Fitz said: "Are you all right, my dear?"
She stood up, holding her stomach. Her face was pale. "Excuse me," she said, and she rushed out of the room.
Maud stood up, concerned. "I'd better go to her. "
"I'll go," said Fitz, surprising her. "You finish your breakfast. "
Maud's curiosity would not let her leave it at that. As Fitz went to the door she said: "Is Bea suffering from morning sickness?"
Fitz paused in the doorway. "Don't tell anyone," he said.
"Congratulations. I'm very happy for you. "
"Thanks. "
"But the child. . . " Maud's voice caught in her throat.
"Oh!" said Aunt Herm, cottoning on. "How lovely!"
Maud went on with an effort. "Will the child be born into a world at war?"
"Oh, dear me," said Aunt Herm. "I didn't think of that. "
Fitz shrugged. "A newborn will not know the difference. "
Maud felt tears come. "When is the baby due?"
"January," said Fitz. "Why are you so upset?"
"Fitz," Maud said, and she was weeping helplessly now. "Fitz, will you still be alive?"
{II}
Saturday morning at the German embassy was frenzied. Walter was in the ambassador's room, fielding phone calls, bringing in telegrams, and taking notes. It would have been the most exciting time of his life, had he not been so worried about his future with Maud. But he could not enjoy the thrill of being a player in a great international power game, because he was tortured by the fear that he and the woman he loved would become enemies in war.
There were no more friendly messages between Willy and Nicky. Yesterday afternoon the German government had sent a cold ultimatum to the Russians, giving them twelve hours to halt the mobilization of their monstrous army.
The deadline had passed with no reply from St. Petersburg.
Yet Walter still believed the war could be confined to eastern Europe, so that Germany and Britain might remain friends. Ambassador Lichnowsky shared his optimism. Even Asquith had said that France and Britain could be spectators. After all, neither country was much involved in the future of Serbia and the Balkan region.
France was the key. Berlin had sent a second ultimatum yesterday afternoon, this one to Paris, asking the French to declare themselves neutral. It was a slender hope, though Walter clung to it desperately. The ultimatum expired at noon. Meanwhile, Chief of Staff Joseph Joffre had demanded immediate mobilization of the French army, and the cabinet was meeting this morning to decide. As in every country, Walter thought gloomily, army officers were pressing their political masters to take the first steps to war.
It was frustratingly difficult to guess which way the French would jump.
At a quarter to eleven, with seventy-five minutes to go before time ran out for France, Lichnowsky received a surprise visitor: Sir William Tyrrell. A key official with long experience in foreign affairs, he was private secretary to Sir Edward Grey. Walter showed him into the ambassador's room immediately. Lichnowsky motioned for Walter to stay.
Tyrrell spoke German. "The foreign secretary has asked me to let you know that a council of ministers taking place just now may result in his being able to make a statement to you. "
This was obviously a rehearsed speech, and Tyrrell's German was perfectly fluent, but all the same his meaning escaped Walter. He glanced at Lichnowsky and saw that he, too, was baffled.
