“I am convinced and I shall be greatly surprised if I am not right,” Lord Stratford replied, “that Sebastopol will fall at the end of the summer or in the early autumn. Meantime, soldiers are still being killed in action and, although the hospital arrangements are now better than they were before, we are still losing a large number of men from dysentery and from incompetent medical treatment.”

“I am sure Miss Nightingale will not agree with you there,” Lord Castleford said with a smile.

“Miss Nightingale has performed miracles!” Lord Stratford answered, “but she cannot in a few months overcome the prejudices and the jealousy of the doctors who often deliberately try to obstruct her work.”

“I am wondering why you think Sebastopol will ever fall,” Lord Castleford questioned following his own train of thought. “Despite the continual bombardment I am beginning to think that the Russians are right and it is impregnable.”

“It will fall eventually!” Lord Stratford asserted without further explanation. “But as usual Napoleon III is interfering and hampering the Turkish troops, who fight magnificently if they are left alone.”

Lord Castleford gave a little smile at the note of warmth in the Ambassador’s voice.

His partiality and love for the Turks was known to everyone. He alone was responsible for the reform of the Ottoman Empire and the admiration it had evoked in Europe was entirely due to his efforts.

But now the Great Elchi forgot his Turkish friends in his desire to help Lord Castleford in what would undoubtedly be one of the most difficult diplomatic posts he had ever been appointed to.

“King Otho lacks the qualities of mind and character that are essential to his position,” he said slowly. “I said to him once, ‘the throne of Greece has not been set up as an idle pageant’.”

“Did he resent your speaking to him like that?” Lord Castleford asked.

“I don’t think so,” the Ambassador replied. “And anyway, he could not afford to quarrel with me. The Greeks themselves gave me a most tumultuous welcome and the King, however much he may sympathise with Russia, is frightened of offending England.”

“I have always heard that His Majesty is an attractive man,” Lord Castleford said.

“Certainly where the fair sex is concerned,” Lord Stratford agreed. “When he was first made King of the Hellenes, he had all the good looks and the charm of the Bavarians. But he also had their propensity for running after women and for women running after them!”

“I have heard there have been a number of love affairs,” Lord Castleford said, “including one with the notorious Lady Ellenborough.”

Lord Stratford laughed.