“Now both these Eastern Kings have realised how much prestige these brides could bring to a country into which they marry and they want the same.”
Lord Templeton laughed.
“I just don’t believe it!” he protested. “Honestly the whole thing is ridiculous. As you know, we have had many Principalities in the Balkans presented with English brides and the Czar, I am told, bites his fingernails down every time that he hears of another wedding to a British bride.”
“And it has undoubtedly been a great success,” Sir James added. “You know as well as I do that the Russians cannot afford to fight the English. Her Majesty has almost certainly saved us from what would have been a terrible slaughter all over the Balkans.”
“I agree with all that!” Lord Templeton exclaimed. “But surely King Mongkut does
