For eight years he had held the seals of the Foreign Office and acted also as leader for the Government in the House of Lords. He had a remarkable understanding of the politics of Europe, which together with his knowledge of foreign languages made him, as Lord Dorrington well knew, a most competent Foreign Minister.

He was also popular amongst the younger members of the Society that circled round the Prince of Wales.

He was always ready to help if they needed his assistance and, if complaints came to him from foreign Diplomats of their somewhat reprehensible behaviour abroad, Lord Grenville was invariably prepared to be conciliatory.

Looking at Lord Dorrington now he thought to himself that he was very different in character and behaviour from the Prince’s other friends.

There was a reserved self-control about him that the older Statesman liked and it was impossible not to admire the elegance of his appearance, even though Lord Grenville thought that the effort it entailed was a great waste of time.

“I want you to tell me,” Lord Dorrington said in his deep voice, “what you know about Prince Ahmadi of Kahriz.”

Lord Grenville looked surprised.

“The Prince is the last person in whom I should expect you to be interested,” he remarked.

Lord Dorrington did not reply and Lord Grenville rang a silver bell that was set on his desk.

A door was opened instantly.

“Bring me the report on Prince Ahmadi that I was reading yesterday,” he ordered.

The door was closed.

“You have a report on him?” Lord Dorrington asked.

“Yes indeed,” Lord Grenville replied. “I have reports, which are, of course, secret and confidential, on most of the Diplomats and their countrymen of any consequence who congregate round the Court of St. James.”

The door opened again and the clerk, very respectful in manner, put some papers in front of Lord Grenville on his desk and then withdrew.

“Knowing your quite extensive knowledge of foreign affairs,” Lord Grenville said, “I need not explain to you the geographical position of Kahriz or the nature of its constitution.”

“It is unnecessary,” Lord Dorrington agreed.

“What I suspect you wish to know are details of the Prince’s character and his behaviour,” Lord Grenville suggested.

“That is correct,” Lord Dorrington replied.

“They are not very savoury. And you will realise, of course, that anything I say to you, Dorrington, is not to be repeated outside these walls.”

“Of course not, my Lord.”

Lord Grenville shuffled through the papers in front of him and then he said,

“Might I be curious and ask why you are particularly interested in Prince Ahmadi?”

“He is attempting to marry the very young daughter of Lady Maude Camberley,” Lord Dorrington replied.

Lord Grenville sat up with a jerk.

“I was not told of this.”