Hadrian the Seventh · Chapter 11 (5/5)

“By all means. Of course you merely will repeat the conversation. You will not intrude Us before the King’s Majesty in Our apostolic character: but merely⁠—”

“Your Holiness’s wish shall be respected.”

“But to resume:⁠—We agree to identify those states south of the Danube with the Byzantines in general; and Montenegro and South Albania with the Greeks in particular. What about North Albania?”

(Click) “That is Turkish.”

“All Albania is Turkish.”

“But South Albania is Christian. And all Albania, Christian and Muslim, reverences Madonna⁠—Panagia, Παναγια, ‘Lady of All,’ they call her.”

“How very extraordinary! Well now let us take their present situation. Suppose, Signore Panciera, that we reverse our positions. Instead of hearing your opinion, We will state Ours; and you shall comment on it. Is that fair? Is that agreeable?”

“Most fair: most agreeable. I always learn from Englishmen and I shall learn from Your Holiness.”

“Good. We believe that Montenegro is happy and contented under the paternal rule of Prince Nicholas.”

(Click-click-click) “That is so, Holiness.”

“We hear that Albania is shaping well under Prince Ghin Kastriotis.”

(Click: a walk to the window and back; and more clicks) “Since the murder of Abdul Hamid, and the erection of Albania into a principality, progress has been astounding. The beautiful country, (click) the splendid people, are a prize to any ruler. Sultan Ismail is the only cloud in the sky. He does not approve of the loss of that slice of his empire. But Albania will take care of herself.”

“Serbia, and her yearning for the restoration of the Serbian Empire?”

“Impossible. A nation which murders two kings in four years cannot be an Empire.”

“Quite impossible. Bulgaria, a country of heretics of the most notorious and dreadful kind, atrocious brigands to a man, ruled (or rather not ruled) by a foreigner who is a contemptible cur.”

“Your Holiness would propose⁠—”

“The deposition of Prince Ferdinand⁠—an easy task now that Russia has her hands full⁠—and the annexation of Bulgaria and Serbia by Montenegro under the protection of Italy.”

(Click-click-click) “There, Holiness, we come to the ground of high politics.” (Click-click-click-click) “One must walk very warily.”

“Yes,” Hadrian mewed: “until Italy and Germany have made up their minds.”

The ambassador bowed.

“Please leave the bagatelle-balls, Excellency; and accept Our thanks for your very agreeable conversation,” said the Pope.

In giving an account of this interview to the king, the ambassador concluded “and, Sire, His Holiness spoke like an Englishman.”

“Oh did He,” said Victor Emanuel. “In what way?”

“Majesty, he was profound and limpid, He was large and particular, He was bold and careful.”

“Basta! Go again as often as you please; and let me hear more of this Englishman.”

“With the favour of Your Majesty.”