ABSTRACT
When Vansittart expressed his intention to turn France into a limited liability company, he was, of course, speaking figuratively. In plain language, he had resolved to pit his brains and his money against a prospective French monarchy, and his sudden declaration to Harland only meant that he had discovered the means rather than the idea, for this had been slowly evolving itself for some hours. Jerome could not start operations without the sinews of war. After breakfast he drove to his central estate office to consult with his chief financial agent, Mr. Peter Studevant. In his first conversation with Mr. Studevant, Jerome had barely outlined the magnificent scheme to which he had intended to devote the whole of his resources, and, if necessary, his life, Many an hour of long and anxious consultation was needed before the financial situation alone became sufficiently clear to permit of other aspects of the project being attended to.
