English Minister in communication with the Government in St. Petersburg, but the most practical and important action was discussed and decided upon in family council at Dorset-square.
"Yes, certainly, Dick," said Mrs. Chetwynd, "you are right; it is the only thing to be done."
"I know the country," said Dick, "but it is a serious undertaking."
"All great enterprises are serious," said his wife.
"Every possible influence that is to be got, of course, I can procure," said Dick, thrusting his hands deep into his pockets and pacing the little breakfast-room, where the principal morning papers had been flung down after perusal; the leading journal, however, still in Mrs. Chetwynd's hands.
"It will be a great sacrifice to make for both of us, Dick. If you had not traveled on far more dangerous missions I believe I would not let you think of it."
"It will be a costly service, too," said Dick, "not only as regards time but money. I think I know the Foreign Secretary in St. Petersburg, and my decoration at the hands of the late Emperor should serve me. It is a good thing for Philip that I happen to be commissioned to the Russian instead of the Turkish head-quarters."
Dick walked about and soliloquized, half responding to his wife's remarks, partly to his own reflections.
"Besides, you are lucky, Dick. I do not think in all your career you have ever made a serious mistake not even when you married me."
"My dear," said Dick, taking her genial face between his hands and kissing her heartily, "the only danger of my life was the possibility of ever missing the good chance that brought us together; and I have never made a mistake except when I have not acted upon your advice."
"Dick, my dear," said Mrs. Chetwynd, firmly, "you
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