The Twisted Sword by Winston Graham Read Free Book Online Page B

and other public affairs.
    'Perhaps next week you would come to tea at Lansdowne House with myself and my aunt. Henry and Louisa are in the country but--'
    'That's very kind,' said Ross. 'But we are on our way to Paris. We shall expect to leave, I think, on Monday.'
    'Paris? I was there in October. A delightful idea. A holiday, I presume?'
    '... Yes, a holiday.'
    'Where are you to stay?'
    'It is being arranged for us.'
    Fitzmaurice had been aware of Ross's hesitation when answering the earlier question, so he glanced with a half smile at the tall Cornishman and lifted an eyebrow and asked no more.
    'You will find it a city of the strangest contrasts, Mrs Poldark. In some ways it is old-fashioned compared to London - as if the long years of war have kept its development back. It is a very rough city, but there are many delightful people there. If you have time on your hands, Captain Poldark, do let me give you the names of one or two of my friends who will, I know, be delighted to meet you and to show you anything in Paris that you wish to see.'
    'Thank you. I am greatly obliged.'
    'And do not forget to take knives and forks for the journey. They are at a premium in France because of the shortage of steel and other metals.'
    After a few minutes they separated, and as soon as they were out of earshot Bella exclaimed: 'What a lovely man!'
    Ross said: 'I think Bella is developing a habit of finding all men lovely.'
    'Oh, Papa, how beastly you can be! But he is a nice man, isn't he?'
    'A very nice man,' said Ross. 'I wish there were more like him.'
    'So do I,' said Demelza.
    Ill
    Ross had seen the Earl of Liverpool in Downing Street last time, but today he went to Fife House, Liverpool's personal residence, which had been built a century or so before in the old private gardens of Whitehall Palace. Punctually as the clock in the hall was striking he was shown in to the Prime Minister's study. Lord Liverpool, seated before the fire, got up to greet him and said: 'Good of you to come, Poldark. Let me see, you will, of course, know Robert Melville.'
    Ross shook hands with a man a bit younger than himself, a tall man, with tight lips and receding hair. Yes, of course. How are you, Melville?'
    Robert Dundas had been a friend of Pitt's and a firm supporter of Lord Liverpool. In 1811 he had succeeded to his father's title and the following year when Liverpool, following the assassination of Spencer Perceval, had formed his first government, he had appointed Melville First Lord of the Admiralty. As far as Ross knew he still occupied this position. One could only speculate why he was here . ..
    'In case you suppose there is an admiralty interest,' said Liverpool, putting an end to speculation, 'that is not so. But Robert Melville has been assisting me in various ways to do with the situation in France and as an old friend I have called him in to meet you and to hear what we have to say together. This is not, as no doubt you will guess, a Cabinet matter; I am sending you as a personal envoy; but if there should come some situation when you wished to report to me and I was not available, Lord Melville will be able to act as my deputy.'
    'I should be happier, my lord,' said Ross, 'if I were more sure of the sort of situation you would wish me to report.'
    Liverpool pulled the bell. 'You'll take a glass of brandy to keep out the cold?'
    'Thank you.'
    'Have you snow in Cornwall?' asked Lord Melville.
    'No, just rain - rather a deal of it.'
    'Must be a long and wearying journey Three days?'
    'All of that. But it was in my mind to return to London shortly anyhow. The Commons have reassembled, haven't they?'
    'Last Thursday,' said Liverpool. 'Not everybody is as assiduous as you are, Poldark.'
    'I often am not,' said Ross, 'but I learned there was a Corn Bill in the drafting and I wished to oppose it.'
    There was a pause as the servant came in, carrying a tray which he set on a side-table. Ross occupied a few moments admiring the Gobelin tapestries