Lord Cathcart informed the General that Sir Robert had been sent out by the British Government from Turkey to the Russian Front and had arrived only just in time to witness the fall of Smolensk.
“He is with them now,” Lord Cathcart said, “and I am awaiting a report from him about what is occurring.”
He smiled as he added,
“You will understand, Your Grace, that I find his reports very much more credible than those that come from the Russians and they often mislead the Czar.”
The Duke then settled himself more comfortably in the chair in the Ambassador’s very impressive Reception room.
“I am very relieved at what you tell me, my Lord,” he said, “and, if it is true that you are expecting a despatch at any moment, I would like to wait for it.”
“I shall be delighted for you to do so,” Lor
